The Story of an Elite: Part II The Noble Promise
Posted By: HK<hkexterminator@msn.com>
Date: 7 October 2004, 4:09 AM
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Ninth Cycle, 08 Units (Covenant Battle Calendar)/
On board super carrier Noble Promise, in slipspace outbound from Threshold System
The main view screen showed only the blackness and pinpricks of green light typical of slipspace. The view screen, however, is not Ship Master Inka `Oromee's biggest concern for the moment. It had been more than twenty full units after the entire crew of the super carrier witnessed the destruction of the ring-world. The Covenant fleet in the sector was scattered all over the system as they launched search-and-rescue operations after the Flood outbreak was reported. All ships in the fleet lost contact with each other when they were ordered to leave the system, and the Noble Promise happened to be the last of them.
For all he knew, the Covenant cruiser Truth and Reconciliation was taken over by humans and was destroy by some mysterious way just prior to the destruction of the ring-world. There had been no reports on casualties, but he estimated that the Covenant had lost at least thirty thousand soldiers ever since the Flood was released.
Now, however, `Oromee has something important to do first. "Attention, all squad masters report to debriefing room V-04. You are to be debriefed on the matter regarding the Flood. You are required to take all recording devices you have with you." The Ship Master said as he opened a broadcast channel within the ship.
Three hundred units aft, the Elite named Seka `Xenomee heard the announcement and rushed to join his fellow squad masters in the debriefing room. He had only a pair of mission recording devices, one is his own, while the other belonged to a Grunt observer who deceased on the ring-world.
Once inside the debriefing room, `Xenomee was filled with a sense of awe. Instead of mission debriefing officers, `Xenomee found himself face to face with none other than Ship Master Inka `Oromee. `Oromee is the commander of the entire Covenant fleet in the Threshold System. His rank is one of the highest for an Elite.
"Squad Master Seka `Xenomee reporting as ordered. Ship Master." Xenomee said as he lowered his eyes as a sign of respect.
"Seka... that name is familiar. Aren't you the leader of the squad that defended the Control Room?" The Ship Master inquired.
"Yes, Excellency. I was the leader of that squad," `Xenomee replied. "All but one of the soldiers in my squad was killed." He added.
"Well, I suppose I have something that might surprise you. You, Squad Master Seka `Xenomee, is hereby promoted, by the order of the Holy Ones, to special operations officer third class. You are now in command of a special operations squad. You will also report through their chain of command. Do you understand?" The Ship Master announce in an official tone. He held out a hand, a Grunt carried a sealed case to him.
"These are you new armor. You are now allowed only to wear these. Do you understand?"
Stunned, `Xenomee quickly found his voice. "Yes, Excellency. I understand perfectly. Thank you, Excellency." He bowed to the Ship Master.
With shaking hands he accepted his new armor. `Xenomee never thought that he will become a special operations officer. The Elites who run special operations are the very best.
The debriefing went by quickly. They were order to hand in all data regarding the Flood. When he was back inside his own compartment, his popped the seal open and opened the case.
Inside was space-black armor. `Xenomee eagerly tried them on. The armor fitted him perfectly. He then donned his helmet and activated the armor. It was beautiful. The armor was magnificent on the outside, but he could now move with even greater speed than he ever could before. He nodded with pleasure and turned back to the case.
On the bottom half of the case were his new set of weapons. A plasma rifle, a plasma pistol, half a dozen plasma grenades, and -
`Xenomee held his breath. The last item in the case was a small, handle-like device. He recognized it without any thought - it was the handle a plasma sword. It was a symbol of status as much as it was power. He immediately took it out and examined it; it was in perfect condition, brand-new.
In a few units, `Xenomee strapped his new weapons to his belt and stepped out into the corridors. There were a few Elites - pilots, by the looks of it - in the corridor. All of them stopped and looked at him. He gave a polite nod to them and continued on, leaving the awe-filled pilots to stare in his wake.
No, he shouldn't be showing off. There is no time for that. He thought. He needs to get to his new squad and establish his authority. `Xenomee smiled. He's now ready to fight again.
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