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Solace's Weapon: Prologue
Date: 16 September 2006, 5:00 pm

Chapter 1: Prologue

Covenant Command ship
Date: 2546
Time: 0400

Ship Master Eva' Korrander stood on the Command platform of the Warship the Holy Will, around him were six Sangheili, qualified to operate the apparatus on the Covenant Carrier's Bridge. There were eight other heavily armed Sangheili warriors, there sole purpose was to Guard the bridge crew as well as the Ship master.

Eva' Korrander looked at the view screen at the numerous wrecks of the human vessels burning up in the planets orbit. Six human frigates and two destroyers had been here four hours earlier, although being heavily outnumbered by twenty – two covenant warships they had still been able to destroy five covenant ships before they were wiped out.

One of the Bridge crew then penetrated his thoughts "Excellency, the Profit of Malice is on his way up from the Forerunner shrine".

"Prepare for his arrival" he replied, the Bridge Guards formed two Parallel lines leading from the Door to the Bridge. Moments later the doors parted as the small figure slumped into a hover chair slowly moved forward escorted by the hulking forms of two Jiralhanae Honor Guards.

"Ship master, I trust that the invasion of the human colony has been successful" the profit chirped out folding its limp fingers together.

Eva' Korrander bowed to the Profit then replied "The early landing force ran into stiff resistance from mobile human artillery and infantry, many have been lost but they were able to establish a landing zone".

"Good Ship Master, see that the area is thoroughly cleansed of the Vermin, then deliver my subordinate to the surface and escort him the outlying human city, there will be a human laboratory there, get him inside" the Profit said.

Eva' Korrander peered around the profit and saw a younger Sangheili standing behind one of the Brutes, Eva' Korrander recognized the symbols on his armor; he was an Ossoona, the eyes and ears of the Profits.

"As you wish Excellency" Korrander said bowing then turned to one of the Bridge crew.

"There is one other matter Ship Master, I need a human subject for matters of the Profits, you will acquire one from the surface, here are the requirements" he said as the Ossoona handed him a Data pad. Without a word the Profit, his two Jiralhanae guards and the Ossoona retracted from the bridge and through the open door which then shut behind them leaving him on the bridge in the silence.

Human town New Monbosa
Resident block E – 4
Time: 0450

Zeke woke up in the dark of his room, woken up by the sound of rolling vehicles and soldiers yelling and screaming commands. He quickly got up and got dressed then exited onto the resident balcony to look out at the mobilizing troop transports and marines moving through the streets. He saw his farther in one of the troop transports; his dad took one look at his nine year old son, then ordered the troop driver to start the engine. Zeke ran back into the apartment and silently began to cry as he knew he would never see his farther again.

Covenant Command ship
Time: 0520

As soon as the Profit of Malice entered his private chamber the doors slid shut and locked leaving him in his quarters. He looked around the Luxurious quarters, although this was a military vessel a figure of his standing received quarters of more then a standard size where ever he went.

The soft carpeted rug that lined the floor was one that few species would ever feel beneath there feet, one reserved only for the wealthiest, ironic since the Profits rarely walked, they preferred to keep in there hover chairs. The thin creature looked around; there were large seating areas, a large cabinet filled with the best beverages in the entire Covenant and even a private entertainment to satisfy the Profits many, 'pleasures'.

The Profit snaked up to the control panel; his bony finger rose up and typed into the display. A cylinder like object rose from the panel and a blue light flared up on it. After a few seconds the light was replaced with a hunched over figure of a Profit, he was slumped into the chair, his skin a sickly brown and moldy in some places. He wore red robes symbolizing her was a major Profit, the aging figure grinned at him, his decaying brown teeth showing signs of his age.

"Noble Malice, how long has it been?" the figure asked, his bong fingers met and touched as he brought his thin hands together.

"Four months I believe" replied Malice.

The figures eyes suddenly narrowed, he wanted to get down to business, "Did you receive the message I sent."

"I did, tell me are you sure there will be no repercussions for us if this goes wrong" asked the Profit of Malice.

The Profit grinned at him, "Why would anything go wrong my friend, the Forerunners are with us and one day all the Covenant will praise my name, the name of the Profit of Solace."

The Profit of Malice deactivated the interface and turned looking out the portside window of the vast Cruiser. Down below was a small planet with long oceans, green plains and a large human colony on the core continent. "Human filth" Malice muttered before retiring to his bed to get some much needed sleep, soon he would rise through the ranks of the Profits and stand at Solace's side.



Eva' Korrander sat in the Briefing room sifting through numerous reports on the long table capable of sitting twenty Sangheili for a briefing. Eva' Korrander reviewed a casualty report from the surface, 115 Sangheili dead, 247 Kig-yar dead, 482 Ungoy dead. How could these humans who the profits had decreed as nothing more then Vermin present so much resistance and cause such heavy casualties.

Korrander thoughts were then disturbed by the arrival of a Silver armored Sangheili; Korrander looked up at the tall muscular warrior, a long scar ran down the side of the face which ended just below his first Mandibite.

"It is good to see you my friend" Eva' Korrander said as the Sangheili bowed to his Gold armored superior.

Tai' Nakita looked at the Ship master; a smile parted his Mandibite's as he sat down opposite his friend and said "You requested my presence your Excellency".

Eva' Korrander sifted through his many reports and found a small data pad at the bottom. "Is your strike team prepared old friend" Korrander said.

"They are awaiting my presence in the hanger, the profits pet is waiting there two" Tai' Nakita said referring to the Ossoona the profit had brought with him. Eva' Korrander knew from his childhood experience that Tai' Nakita harbored a strong dislike for Ossoona's and there "mission", in his view they were not warriors and not Sangheili.

"There is one more task I must add to your mission Nakita, the Profit wishes you to acquire a human prisoner, one matching these criteria's" he said handing Nakita the Data pad. His friend looked at the pad, his eyes tightened on the pad as he read through the specifications.

"He wishes us to take a child" he gasped.

"Are's is not to question the will of the Forerunners, only to carry them out Commander" Korrander said.

"As you wish, we will leave immediately" Nakita said leaving the room leaving Korrander to sift though the results of this Holy war.

Chapter 2: Finding a subject
Date: 26 September 2006, 9:32 pm

Author Notes: Thanks to everyone he reviewed, it helped alot.

As for the question about Sangheili nmaes i'm not sure but if you think of the huge diversity of human names i don't think every single Sangheili name would end in 'ee' but i could be wrong.



Chapter 2: Finding a subject

Human town New Mimosa
Resident block E – 4
Time: 0740

Zeke was walking around the town aimlessly looking for something to do, something that could take his mind of recent events. If it wasn't the dozen Covenant warships that had pushed through the orbital defense grid, it was the fact that he hadn't heard from his farther since he left to repel the Covenant ground forces. He was terrified that his farther could have been killed as no contact had been made with the assault battalions sent to retake the landing plains.

Zeke kicked a stone as it pinged of a wall and rebounded back at him missing him by a few millimeters.

Looking up he then noticed a small flicker in the sky, that flicker grew in size; it turned blue and hazy until Zeke realized that it was a ball of plasma hurtling from the sky. The ball of white hot searing plasma smashed into a building near Zeke making it crumble to the ground in a heap. This was followed by more which smashed into buildings, roads, vehicles engulfing entire blocks in flame.

Zeke took cover in an archway, he could just make out the shape of Phantom drop ships descending from above, four glided smoothly in the air, three glided of in separate directions but one stopped a few yards from were Zeke was standing.

A purple beam shot down from the drop ship hitting the street, from a circular hole in the ceiling four aliens descended from the light. These were followed by another eight of these tall aliens the marines called elites, they were very tall and muscular, ten were wearing blue armor, one wore red armor and the tallest wore white armor.

Zeke's vision then glided to five civilians running down the street, the elites turned and opened fire on this group tearing them apart, Zeke watched as the five bodies limply dropped to the ground. Zeke was brought back to his senses as one of the elites turned towards him and rose the plasma weapon pointing it towards him, Zeke was brought back to his senses as the weapon fired, he leapt out the way hitting the ground the bolts of Plasma narrowly missing him.



Commander Tai' Nakita lowered his weapon as the last of the human's fell, he quickly looked around at the other Sangheili checking they were unharmed.

"Kill the infidel" yelled one of the younger Sangheili rookie's.

Tai' Nakita turned around to see the rookie pointing his weapon at a small human standing in the road. The child jumped out of the way of the searing plasma as it impacted on the wall behind him, the boy the scrambled up and ran past the street corner getting out of sight. The Sangheili braced his weapon ready to follow his target when Nakita clapped him around the head with his clawed hand, the rookie turned back to him, a look of surprise on his face.

"Target something that can fight" he hissed at the young warrior, the Sangheili looked puzzled then nodded returning its gaze to the street. Nakita then spoke into the transmitter in his helmet "order the second wave of Phantoms to advance" he said. In a few minutes twenty forty Phantoms would deliver there payload of eight hundred covenant soldiers.

A faint ripple in the air approached Tai' Nakita, the air then dissolved producing a silhouette of an Elite, the air then turned brown as the Ossoona emerged from the rippling silhouette appearing in front of Nakita.

"Commander, need I remind you the urgency of this mission, the sooner it is completed the sooner we can put this world to the torch" he said with a bitter distaste in his voice.

Nakita ordered his Sangheili forward as they progressed up the street, the Ossoona came up just behind him which he found increasingly annoying.

"Strange, it wouldn't have taken long for our warrior to find and exterminate that child across the street, why did you scold him for attempting" he said.

Nakita clicked his mandibites in irritation and replied "it would have been a waist of our time; the boy wasn't armed and presented no threat."

"We are not fighting this war because they are a military threat, we are fighting because it is the Forerunners will that…" the Ossoona was cut short as Nakita grabbed him by the throat physically lifting him into the air.

"Do not challenge my faith Ossoona, and it is we warriors who fight in this war, not you spies" Nakita growled from his mandibites.

Clearly not put of by this silent threat to his safety the Ossoona said arrogantly "all I mean to say is that if you felt sympathy for that boy perhaps you should not be commanding this mission".

Just as Nakita was about to cut him down again the front Sangheili warriors rounded a corner and were engaged by a human road block with a heavy machine gun. One of the Sangheili was caught out in the fire which quickly cut through his shields, a bullet tore through his leg as he collapsed to the ground, one of his brothers pulled him from the ground to cover behind a shattered human Vehicle.

Nakita threw the Ossoona aside and took cover at the side of a next building and began to return fire, the Sangheili he had scolded earlier charged out thinking his faith would protect him from the human defense, he was wrong.

"Stop fool" Nakita shouted but it was too late, the Sangheili's shields collapsed around him, bullets tore through his body as purple blood gushed out from his torso. The soldier fell to the ground coughing and sputtering in a pool of his own blood, he slowly drowned as his lungs were flooded by purple blood.

"Stay and lay down covering fire" he shouted to the other Sangheili soldiers, he then leapt up eight feet into a low building window pulling himself into the structure. He crept through the bare rooms of the building to another window overlooking the machine gun nest.

Nakita prepped his rifle and fired, the plasma struck one of the three human soldiers through the chest, he fell limply to the ground dead outright. He then leapt down from the window as the other two marines fired at him, their bullets pinging of his shields. He activated his Plasma sword, the two blue beams sprouted out from his hand as he surged forward and sliced through one of the human warriors.

The only marine left was now out of ammo, dropping his weapon he drew a long bayonet bracing himself in a fighting stance. Unaware that his shields were at an all time low Nakita surged forward and went to slash him, the marine dodged the attack and slashed at the elite cutting through his weakened shields and cutting into his flesh. Undeterred by this wound Nakita spun around and sliced through the marine chest, he dropped to the floor and was dead within seconds.

No sooner had this happened then the Ossoona approached him, "It is good to see that your compassion does not cloud your judgment in battle" he said, his mandibites turned into a smile as he looked down at the human corpse.

Looking over at the dead Sangheili soldier lying in a pool of his own blood he turned back to his warriors he said "move out, the prophets will must be fulfilled" he said as the Sangheili moved out through the streets.

They encountered little resistance along the way; the majority of the human forces were repelling the siege outside the town or clustered around the strong points. As they reached the laboratory complex they saw it had been hit by stray plasma shot from a wraith tank.

They smashed down the doors and found that the majority of the security forces had been buried under rubble, only a few remained, scattered and presented little problem to his warriors.

They entered the central room which was filled with dead soldiers, civilians and computers; the Ossoona sat down in one of the small sized human chairs discarding the dead civilian in a white coat from it and began to interact with the computer. After several minutes of hacking into the computer (as well as ranting several curses at the inferior construct that kept him deprived of the information he needed) he finally recovered a silver disk from a monitor. The Ossoona put the fragile disk in a pouch on the back of his waist belt and got up from the chair, "our mission is complete Commander" he said.

Abandoned building
Time: 0830

Zeke sat huddled in the corner of the bare room, half the town was in flames the other half was being systematically invaded and destroyed by the Covenant invasion force.

A Stray bolt of Plasma struck the side of the building, the roof began to burn as the structure began to collapse, a support beam crashed down onto Zeke pushing painfully onto the side of his body burning him. He struggled in pain but could not get the beam of him; he couldn't feel his left arm or leg, only pain. He began to have trouble breathing; his chest was rising up and down erratically and he could not catch his breath, he was also half blinded.

He then heard a smash from downstairs as if the door had been kicked in, Zeke stayed silent as he herd foot steps coming up the stairs from below. Barely able to move or even look towards the door he closed his eyes terrified. The footsteps got louder, closer, what sounded like laughter and talking but he could not make out the words. Zeke then felt a strong hand clamp down on his neck, it's long claw like fingers stretched around his neck causing him to sputter and cough. He was then painfully lifted from the ruble and into the air as the voices began to get louder and more distinct.



Nakita had signaled the Dropship to come; now all they had to was to hold this position and wait, an easy task as the majority of human forces in the area were dead.

It was then that he heard laughter from another room, moving in he saw two of his warriors and the Ossoona gathered by the ruble sniggering. Upon closer inspection Nakita saw one of them griping a child around the throat that struggling to breathe as he was lifted from the ground by a Sangheili warrior.

"Look who we found" the Ossoona said sniggering at the child's pain.

"This infidel was cowering when we found it; we are slowly putting it to death", said another soldier who was gripping the child's throat. If he expected a reward for this sadistic game he was playing, he was very, very mistaken.

Nakita grabbed him by his shoulder thrusting him back into the wall causing him to loose his grip on the boy who fell to the ground with a thud.

"This is not the way Sangheili warriors act, this is not honor" Nakita shouted challenging any of his warriors to confront him. Most of the Sangheili under his command respected his leadership; these new ones who he had selected were proving insubordinate which he could not abide. He turned to the Ossoona who remained silent but stared at him making his own opinion and report.

Looking down at the child Nakita saw he was having trouble breathing, he was trying to huddle up on the floor but couldn't catch his breath.



Zeke lay on the floor trying to catch his breath, he was panting but couldn't get in any air, he couldn't move but knew there was a lot of commotion going on with the tall Elites above him.

He then saw a silver hoof touch down to the side of him, he feared what they would do to him now as he had heard the terrible stories of what Elites do to there prisoners, military and civilian alike. He felt the elite pull him up slightly while it was kneeling over him, the elite then thrust a claw like hand under his chest and pulled him up against its armoured chest. It began to breathe heavily and slowly as Zeke breathed, slowly Zeke was able to breath again and then fell into a deep sleep as the elite pulled him up into its muscular arms, it was strange but the elite seemed to comfort him for some reason.



The child had started to breath normally now, color began to return to his face and he then dropped to sleep as Nakita gathered the boy up in his arms. Nakita looked over the boy huddled up in his arms who was now asleep, his arm and leg was covered in blood and burnt slightly, several bones had been crushed.

The Ossoona then broke the silence and scowled "so, you do feel sympathy for this, vermin"

Nakita glared at him with a look that would even make a Lekgolo shudder, he then finally said "I only saved this boy as he has the requirements for the prophet's project, nothing more."

The Ossoona looked at him wearily and finally nodded and walked out of the room without a word as did the other two warriors silently accepting this silent decision. Nakita sighed and looked down at small boy in his arms "I hope your fate will be better with the prophet's then here little one" he muttered quietly running his slender claw like fingers through the boy's short hair.

It was then that the sound of a phantom dropship filled his ears; he assembled with his other brethren on the roof of the building as the Phantom dropship levitated above them. A purple beam came down and pulled up his warriors one by one until it came to him, looking up he felt his hooves leave the ground as he was pulled up into the sleek vessel. Once inside Nakita sat down in one of the seats strapping himself in as the dropship ascended into the air. Looking back at the smoldering human settlement which was now engulfed in flames and then back to the boy tucked up in his arms Nakita got a horrible feeling what he had participated in should not have been done.

Covenant Command ship Holy Will
Time: 10:40

Ship Master Eva' Korrander stood on the bridge of the massive Covenant Carrier receiving the numerous reports from the surface. One of the younger Sangheili turned to him and said "you're Excellency, Commander Tai' Nakita's phantom has arrived in hanger bay four".

"Tell him to report to the Bridger immediately, I wish to learn of the success of the mission" Korrander replied to the younger warrior.

Just then the doors to the right of the bridge opened and the Prophet of Malice escorted by two Jiralhanae honor guards entered the bridge, the Prophet immediately approached the Ship Master. "So Korrander, the human defenses have been destroyed, all that remains is the cleansing of the Vermin's territory".

Just then the bridge door slid open and Nakita emerged, the Ossoona following him as they came onto the central bridge platform.

"Commander, was the mission a success" Korrander said.

Before Nakita could respond the Ossoona approached the Prophet retrieving a small human silver disk from his belt and handed it to the Prophet who took the disk and put it in a compartment on his chair.

"Good work warrior's, your fighting today has ensured that an obstacle in the path of the Great Journey has been cleared" the Prophet profit said turning to leave.

Korrander turned back to Nakita and it was then that he noticed the small bundle Nakita had his arms circled around. He looked closer and saw it was a human child that was now awake staring at him; he began to shuffle in Nakita's arms causing blood to leak down onto the well polished purple Bridge floor.

Now glaring at the small boy Eva' Korrander said "what is that thing doing on my bridge Nakita".



Zeke watched as the Golden armored elite turned to him as if he had just seen him for the first time, his eyes narrowed and his mandibites clenched together. Zeke tried to pull himself closer to the Silver elite causing a gulp of blood to fall and splash on the floor. The elite then still glaring at him said "what is that thing doing on my bridge Nakita".

Zeke looked up at the silver elite who was looking directly at the golden elite; the elite then opened his mandibites and spoke.



Nakita finally replied to the ship master's questions "forgive me your Excellency; I did not have a chance to drop it of in the medical wing before I was summoned to the bridge".

The Ship Master stood there contemplating what Nakita had said, he then reached forward and touched the child face with his claws making the boy curl up closer to Nakita's chest. Eva' Korrander thought about it for a few seconds then finally said, "he has been brought here for a purpose only the Prophets know, clear him up and take him to the medical bay, and never bring it onto my bridge again". He said turning away.

Breathing out in relief Nakita said in a firm voice, "thank you your Excellency, I will not disappoint you again" he said as he left the bridge.

Korrander then accessed the communications network and contacted the rest of the Covenant warships orbiting the colony. "This is Ship Master Eva Korrander, we are pulling out, await return of all ground troops then begin standard glassing procedure, when the colony has been glassed link up at Solemn Grace and await new orders, Korrander out."

Korrander turned to his navigation officer, "plot a slip space journey to High charity, put the engines to maximum burst, I want to get there as fast as possible".

"As you wish Excellency" the minor Sangheili replied and turned back to his navigations panel and began to type in a series of commands.



Tai' Nakita moved down the corridor, the child hugged to his chest, he had received several strange looks from other crew members when the realized the small bundle in his arms was a human. As he reached the Gravity lift the boy started to shuffle in his arms showing his fear as he watched a minor Sangheili get sky rocked up. "Do not be afraid, we will not fall little one" Nakita said as he stepped into the gravity lift and went up.

After a short journey Nakita approached his quarters, placing his clawed hand on the identification panel to confirm it was him the door slid open. Entering his quarters he placed the boy down on one of the seating areas near a window facing out to space. He then walked into another room leaving the child curled up on the large seating area alone.



Zeke watched as the elite left the room, Zeke was left on the large seating area. Looking around the large quarters the only colors he saw were purple and blue, he looked through the window into the blackness of space, this was his first time in space. He then became aware of the pain flaring in his arm and leg; he curled up on the bed trying to stop the pain.

The elite then entered the room again, he moved closer to Zeke who pulled into the corner of the seating.



Nakita watched as the boy curled up in fear, he moved closer and reached towards the child, seeing this the boy attempted to dart away but his escape attempt went badly wrong. His injuries reduced his strength and maneuverability, rather then landing on his feet he froze up, collapsed from the seating and crashed onto the ground into a crumpled heap on the floor. Nakita shook his head sighing; towering over the child he reached down and scooped the boy into his arms, Nakita then sat down with his arms locked around the boy.

"You could not escape even if you tried child, you are crippled and are hardly able move, and if any other members of the crew find you they will kill you without hesitation" Nakita said looking down at the boy. He then reached over and opened a compartment next to the seating area and retrieving what looked like a syringe in human terms, a small glass tube was lined with a light blue liquid.

When the child saw this he struggled to get free, Nakita easily held him to his chest with one arm, pulling him closer he injected the liquid into his arm, immediately the boy stopped struggling and went limp in Nakita's arms.



Zeke felt the sharp end of the needle piece his skin and the serum enter his system, his muscles began to feel limp, the burning pain replaced with a sterile feeling, he then collapsed back onto the elites chest unconscious and fast asleep.



With the boy asleep in his arms Nakita quickly cleaned up the bloody stains on him taking care not to make his injuries any worse, once he had finished he left his quarters, he began to walk through the long winding corridors of the ship until he reached the medical bay.

He entered and looked around at the many Sangheili dressed in the purple armour indicating they were medical staff; each healer had two Kig-Yar accompanying him/her. A female Sangheili approached him and asked "may I help you Excellency", she then gasped at the small boy curled up in his arms.

"I need you to put this subject in deep freeze; he must survive until we reach High Charity, make sure his wounds are closed before he goes in" Nakita said.

The female Sangheili unsure how to respond simply nodded with a look of confusion on her face, she reached forward and carefully took the boy into her arms. She turned around and walked towards one of the medical beds setting him down, all the other Sangheili crowded around the bed anxious to get a look at this new specimen they had never seen before and most likely never see again.

Nakita turned to leave, turning back to take one last look at the boy he sighed shaking his head and left.



Eva' Korrander sat in his quarter's reading through the rest of the report the Prophet had given him upon the human subject they had retrieved and what they planned to do. Korrander put the report down and picked up a glass filled with a blue liquid, a delicacy among his people and would be closet in human terms to a very expensive alcohol. Sipping the beverage he thought about the report he had just read, how could the Prophets and the Forerunners support such a barbaric experiment, was it right to do this to a living creature, especially a child.

Putting down the glass Korrander rose from the chair and walked towards the door, as it slid open he entered the bridge manned by a skeleton crew at this hour.

Approaching his second in command, a young female Sangheili clad in golden armor he said "Commander, you're relieved for now".

She turned and bowed to him "As you wish you're Excellency".

As she left he reached forward touching her on the arm indicating for her to halt.

"Kel' Putamer, you have two children, correct" he said.

She stared at him unsure what to say before finally replying "yes Excellency, I do".

"Then would you protest if they were used by the Prophets in an experiment that would change there very souls, even erase there existence."

Without hesitation the Commander replied "in less time it would take my heart to beat Excellency".

"You are dismissed Commander, prepare the shore leave rotations for the crew, and I wish you a peaceful time" he said, after a moment of confusion she left as he assumed his dominant possession on the command platform still feeling uneasy in his decision.

Solace's Weapon: Chapter 3 Solace's Tool
Date: 4 October 2006, 9:11 pm

Make sure to read Chapter 2 before reading this, when I posted it I forgot to add 'Solace's tool' to the title, sorry. Anyway enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 3: Solaces Tool

Covenant Holy city: High charity
Council chambers

Councilor Suku' Nakita entered the council chamber taking her place with the other eighty assembled Sangheili Councilors. Down below on the council deck were the High Prophet of Regret along with two other major prophets. Sitting down along side one of the other Councilors she asked "what is going on"

The councilor turned to her and replied "fleet master Huru' Kantouo returned from the human infested colony called Ceti – Prime, he failed to glass the planet and pulled back after sustaining heavy losses. Regret has declared that he has failed the Forerunners and must be executed".

Suku' Nakita then turned her attention to what was happening below her, listening carefully she heard Regret ranting and raving at the Sangheili before him.

"Holy one, I saw no choice but to pull my forces from the battle, the human defenses were to strong and we detected a human battle group on approach, if we stayed all would have died for nothing" the Sangheili said respectively to the Prophet.

A flair of anger sparked up in Regrets eyes, he then screamed ramming his fist into his chair. "You should have stood your ground in the name of our lords, not skulked back to your home like a Sangheili water snake."

"Holy one, I only wished to save the lives of those under my command, if we had charged there defenses we would have all been destroyed and they would have only sustained minor damage" replied the Sangheili.

Regrets fist began to shake violently on the chair "you almost speak as if these vermin are a worthy adversary, there feeble technology is nothing in comparison to the gifts from our Forerunner lords."

The Sangheili unsure what to say then finally replied "I only acted in the interest of the warriors under my command, if the Forerunners wish to punish me for that I will take that punishment the same as I would take any gift from the forerunners."

Regret finally calming himself the said in a deep voice "you have failed your duties and the wishes of the Forerunners, let your name be torn from your family, you will be imprisoned for the rest of your life in the bowls of High Charity."
"If this is the will of the Forerunners, I will accept it gladly" the Sangheili said then turned to the Jiralhanae guards behind him who then trailed him out of the chambers to meet his fate.

Suku' Nakita and the other councilors stood up and filed out of the Great chamber. Upon leaving she was greeted by the Prophet of Solace along with his host of Jiralhanae guards, the old Prophet was not a nice sight; his skin hung weekly to his body, his breath reeked of the foul smelling alcohol the prophets delighted in drinking. Suku' Nakita attempted to leave but Solace's guards surrounded her allowing him to come closer, she backed away not wishing to come into contact with him.

"Councilor, it is good to see you, I am afraid politics leaves little time for us to talk, tell me how is your son". Solace said, his sly and deep voice was not atoll comforting to Nakita as it was when he preached to the public so often.

"I have not heard from him in two months, I believe his last postings put him Seclua Sector" she replied trying not to give a hint of her growing displeasure of his presence.

"If I am not mistaken his ship is returning from the Human infested world that resided in that sector, they have eradicated the Vermin from that rock, don't you rejoice in our holy work Councilor." He said leaning closer to her smiling.

"I believe in the Forerunners and the Covenant, as long as it is the will of the gods then I rejoice in our victory." She replied standing her ground against the Prophets advance.

The Profit came closer until he was a hairsbreadth away from the Councilor's face and said "It is, these Vermin and an affront to the Forerunners, we are right in are acts".

He then backed away as his Jiralhanae Guards assembled around him, as he left he said "Councilor, if you could meet with me and the Prophet of Malice in the lower Ceta lab soon I would be very grateful, the noble Prophet will be returning with your Son." With this the old prophet left, his decrepit form sunk into the halls of High Charity.

As Suku' Nakita made her way down the halls she saw another Sangheili approaching her, she recognized him as her old ally and brother in arms Ship Master Eva' Korrander with which she had fought countless battles alongside.

As he approached he recognized his old companion, "are, Suku, it is good to see you after all this time" he said falling into pace with her.

"It is good to see you to Eva, I apologize for not keeping in contact with you, but politics leaves ones spirit diminished, these past few months have been…" she trailed of mumbling searching for a word to sum up her phrase.

"Difficult" she finally said quietly.

"I told you should have stayed in the fleet, it does not diminish the sole as does the ranting of the Prophets all day, and night then day again." Eva said as they came out into the massive gardens of High Charity.

"Enough of Politics" the Councilor said, her voice rising up "tell me of your Campaign in the Seclua – 4 Sector against the humans".

Eva stopped, leaning against the balcony looking into the north side of High Charity, "for all the Propaganda the Hierarchs have spread against them, they are more then capable of waging a war against us."

Suku to leaned against the balcony and replied "I understand, unfortunately the Council continues to swallow up Truths promises and believes all his says about our enemy, it is sad to see them so gullible. When the Great Journey Begins the sins of this war will be swept away, I only hope that those who committed those sins are forgiven, enough tell me of my son".

Eva face lightened up as his mandibites formed a smile or the Sangheili equivalent of a smile, "he is an outstanding warrior, among the finest I have ever had in my command. He defiantly is your son; he excels in causing trouble for me, not long ago he brought a human onboard my ship".

Suku turned to him looking mildly interested, "a prisoner".

Eva shook his head looking almost sad "a child councilor, no younger then my own".

Suku gasped in amazement, "Why, for what purpose".

Eva looked down from the balcony at a young Sangheili couple passing, "the Prophet of Malice wanted a specimen for an experiment he is commencing, the subject had to be in the right stage of development, and to add to this predicament only a human can be used."

"What is this experiment?" Suku said now caught up enthusiastically in this conversation.

"By the Prophets 2nd Grand Order it is classified, the penalty for revealing its nature is Death, I do not wish to have my corpse splayed open just yet" Eva said. Two banshees flew overhead and towards the docking bay, "If you would excuse me Councilor I must return to my ship and oversee the refitting, I hope to see you again soon". With that the warrior bowed to the Councilor and left, although he had not told her Suku had a feeling she would soon discover the nature to this experiment.

Four hours later

Ceta – 4 Labs
High Charity

The Prophet of Solace waited in the Labs eager to begin his speech on his new plan that would serve him well in his ascension of to the Hierarchs, he waited in anticipation for the Councilors that would approve his master plan.



Councilor Suku' Nakita arrived in the waiting area near the labs where four other Councilors and there Honor Guards were waiting, approaching one she asked "do you know what this is about".

The Councilor replied, "We have no idea, the Prophet of Solace has kept this secret from every one, even Truth, there is much rivalry between them, there always looking for ways to weaken the others support."

"That's why he chose the Prophet of Malice, he's more then easy to manipulate" added another Councilor.

A Sangheili Honor Guard then emerged from the room and said "if you would now enter Excellencies, the Prophets are ready to see you".

As the Councilors entered the room Suku saw about half a dozen medical staff working on various consoles around the room. Standing or rather sitting comfortably in their hover chairs were the Prophets of Malice and Solace surrounded by both Sangheili and Jiralhanae honor guards.

The Councilors took there appropriate places before the prophets and knelt before them bowing before they rose to face the prophets. The prophet of Solace began by saying "You will now witness the true power of the Forerunners, you all know the hardships and bloodshed this war has taken from the Covenant and today the Forerunners reward us".

The Profit of Malice then said "You all know of the human organization known as ONI". Suku remembered hearing this name, it was some secret service the human forces employed but with all the religious propaganda spawned by this war the reports had most likely been manipulated to some extent. The Prophet of Malice then said "recently one of our operatives was able to obtain data regarding a new weapon they were working on in an attempt to utilize against us. The infidels could not successfully complete this weapon due to there inferior knowledge and understanding, this will not go wasted; we will embrace it as a tool of the Covenant".

The door then opened and a Sangheili came in clad in brown armour, Suku recognized him as an Ossoona, she had a strong dislike for these spies, she had rarely seen them as they were normally in active camouflage. The Ossoona slid a crystal data storage device into an access port, a 3 – D image then materialized on the panel slowly rotating.

Suku squinted looking closer at the hologram, upon inspections it was a humanoid figure, it had slender arms and legs and was completely sealed in impenetrable armour. White armour ran around its arms and legs mixed with black, red armour lay on its chest. The head was designed to look the most intimidating, supporting in human turns an Egyptian style head piece, the head was thickly armored and supported red tram lines going up its sides. No nose mouth or ears were visible; the face was smooth and blank except for to intimidating green glowing slanted eyes. From its back sprouted to robotic wings, they were folded up but could unfold to cover a great distance, from its lower back sprouted a long robotic tail.

Suku's eyes were transfixed on the vast amounts of Plasma weapons and bladed weapons covering the body, this combat machine was defiantly a warrior to be reckoned with, that its origins came from the humans was inconceivable to the Councilors.

The Prophet of Solace's voice then caught her attention again "with the improvements we have made in this weapon the Covenant will finally be secure. No longer will heretics plot against us, any who try will fall prey to its abilities."

One of the councilors then asked "and what host will you be using".

The Prophet smiled and replied "unfortunately the host must be very young for the internal defense system not to reject it and shut down, to date only one race has shown to be able to be transferred as a host."

Solace pushed a button on his chair, a small panel opened in one of the storage compartments, a medical bed slipped out, the Councilors gasped at the small form that lay on the bed. A human child lay unconscious, about eight or nine years old. She looked closer, his skin was completely pale due to the deep freeze, one side of his body was completely covered in bandages, blood had seeped out and frozen on the bed.

Solace smirking then said "do I have your support"

Suku knew well it didn't matter what they believed, if they said no he could have them framed and executed for treason. She and the other councilors put there fists against there chests and said in unison "we agree", although she had been taught to hate and look down on humans Suku still felt guilty for what terrible torment this child would be put through.

Five years later

Date: 2551
Time: 1140

UNSC Inner colony Sol – 4

Tai' Nakita moved through the thick grass on his stomach along with a platoon of Sangheili, they came up on a verge looking over a long deep valley. Down below dozens of human and Covenant tanks engaged each other in a bloody battle, looking over the valley he saw the humans had dug there forces into several banks and high positions that were difficult to get to. Dug into the valley walls were heavy artillery shelling the approaching Covenant infantry and armour that was advancing.

"Disgusting Vermin, why don't they end this, there feeble weapons cannot stand against the weapons of our lords" scowled a minor Sangheili next to him.

"Don't underestimate them, they fight a different way and are not concerned with what we believe, underestimating them will only earn you a quick death." Nakita replied, the minor did not choose to argue out this debate.

Nakita activated the transceiver in his helmet, "artillery, target grid coordinates 8472, set for maximum yield", a few seconds later the human artillery was engulfed in plasma and exploded. The Sangheili around him leapt up in applause; unfortunately a hidden enemy sniper chose this moment to strike back. The Sangheili beside him suddenly grabbed his throat as a thin trail of pale smoke passed his neck. Purple blood began to flow from his throat; he began to cough then collapsed as his lungs filled with his own blood.

"Get down" Nakita shouted, he grabbed a Carbine and followed the thin trail of smoke then found his target. He fired a single shot, a few seconds later the human sniper fell from a tree and down into the valley.

Eight hours later
Covenant Camp

Tai' Nakita stepped over the corpses of several dead marines and made his way into his command tent; he accessed his communication interface and a hologram of Ship Master Eva' Korrander materialized before him.

"Nakita, tell me how is the campaign on the surface going" he asked.

"We have been engaged in a slaughter for the past week, the enemy forces can deploy there troops through the valleys easily and ambush us at every turn. We are making slow progress, the amount that have died here is, of the charts your Excellency."

There was an odd silence, after a few seconds Korrander said "Nakita, we are being recalled to High Charity, seems the Prophets have something they need us for".

Nakita hesitated then replied "is there know one else, Field Master' Putumee will not be pleased, his forces are stretched thinly as it is."

Korrander sighed and said "We have no choice, extract your soldiers and pull back to the ship; I will send a request for additional troops to reinforce the Field Master's legion, return to the ship, that's an order Commander." With that the bright light beneath the holopad deactivated and the hologram faded into the air.

Solace's Weapon: Chapter 4 Nemesis, Violent first encounter
Date: 19 October 2006, 9:43 pm

Authors note: Just finished this chapter, please review as it could help a lot in the next chapter.

Chapter 4: Nemesis Violent first encounter

Covenant Command Ship Iron Will

Ship Master Eva' Korrander sat in his quarter's going over the reports from the surface; he looked up as the doors opened and Commander Tai' Nakita stepped into the room.

"Are Nakita, please be seated", Korrander said to his subordinate handing him a glass of blue tinted liquor.

Nakita sat down sipping the alcohol and replied "what is this about Excellency".

Korrander stood up and turned to the window staring into the dark void of space before answering "we've been recalled to High Charity to witness the Prophet of Solace's new weapon. I asked you here because I thought you may want to know", he could not find the words to find the words with which to continue.

Nakita finally asked "Know what Excellency".

Korrander sighed then said "you remember the human child you brought here five years ago".

"Yes your Excellency", Nakita said standing up.

Korrander handed him the data pad with Solaces report and transmission, Korrander saw Nakita visibly shake before dropping the pad and staring up at him in absolute amazement and shock.

"Why would the Forerunners allow him to create such a thing, it can't be right Excellency".

Korrander leaned back and said "If they wished this not to take place they would not have allowed it, it is meant to take place Commander".

Nakita lent over the desk and half said half shouted "we should destroy it, there are lines not to be crossed, this can only bring disaster, allow the boy to die a peaceful death, nothing deserves…"

He was cut of as Korrander shot up and shouted "there is nothing we can do Commander, it has been done and we have been ordered by the Prophets to observe, attend it"

Nakita stormed out of the room in anger, Korrander sat in his quarters placing a clawed hand on his forehead and shaking it.

Two Days Later
High Charity

Suku' Nakita sat in her quarter's studding a report from the latest advancements on the front. There had been several assassination attempts on the profits as of late, the Prophets were vying for power, Truth had made many enemies in the Council that would like to see him dead. She sipped a glass of alcohol turning away from the screen, lately the Sangheili and the Jiralhanae had been at each others throats, there had been several incidents on the Jiralhanae homeworld, the only thing that kept the Covenant united was the war.

How Ironic she thought, there enemies, those who the Prophets had declared as Vermin and infidels, and affront to the gods who were to be wiped out were all that was holding the Covenant together.

The door chimed once signaling there was someone at the door, Suku rose to her hooves and moved over to the door and open it. She was startled when she saw that the figure at the door was in fact her son.

"Tai", she said surprised to see him "I did not expect you to arrive so soon"

Tai bowed to her quickly before saying "Mother, it is good to see you".

Suku ushered him in, they touched heads out of a sign of respect, Suku muttered "I haven't spoken to you in four years".

They walked through the Councilors accommodations, dozens of Honor guards stood to attention as they moved past them. They then walked into a large seating area sitting down looking at a statue of a previous Sangheili Hero during the first age.

"It has been a long time since we spoke". Tai said trying to get rid of the uncomfortable silence.

"Vari's death was difficult for me to bear; I had to seek guidance from the Priestess's on our homeworld" Suku replied.

Tai seemed to take this as an insult "You're saying that I was not"

"I didn't say that, I know that you were very close to him as was I, he died with honor and he died fight…" she was cut of by an outburst from Tai as he stood up.

"He was killed by a Demon, my farther"

Tai began to breath heavily in this anger but then settled back down "I am sorry, please tell me of why have been called back."

Suku, glad to get out of this uncomfortable conversation replied "The Prophet of Solace is revealing his new weapon, he must have a number of high ranking Military personel there a decried by the laws of the second Age".

Tai nodded "do you know anything about this new weapon"

"Only that it uses a human as the catalyst for some type of transfusion, I know that the human they are using was the one you obtained from the colony five years ago." Suku said.

Tai leaned forward "I was simply following orders, orders of the Prophets".

There was a chirp of sound from a consul, Suku stood up and placed her palm against it, a voice of one of her honor guards came out "Councilor, the Prophet of Solace has required your presence".

"Acknowledged, thank you" Suku said as they moved out

"So it begins" Tai muttered as they left the Council accommodations escorted by a large number of honor guards.

Main Ceta lab

Ship Master Eva' Korrander stood by the four other Sangheili looking down into a small room one story down, glass covered the roof of the room allowing them to look down. Down in the room there was a white table and a pair of large metal blast doors, looking closer he saw the door had been taken from the hull of a Cruiser, what ever was behind the blast doors had a right to be feared.

Korrander adjusted his gaze and looked towards the other Sangheili, to his right stood Fleet Master Koro' Putreere, to his left stood two Councilors that he didn't recognize. Assembled around the room were around fifty honor guards, both Sangheili and Jiralhanae alike, they all stood heavily armed with Carbines, Plasma Swords and Brute Shots.

The door behind them opened, Councilor Suku' Nakita and Commander Tai' Nakita entered escorted by two Sangheili honor guards. Before they had a chance to talk the door at the far end of the room opened and the Prophet of Solace emerged with eight Jiralhanae honor guards surrounding him.

"My brothers, allies of the Covenant, today we have a new weapon to satisfy the Forerunners, with this weapon no heresy will go unpunished, no attack on our Covenant will go un-retaliated and the Covenant will flourish in glory" Solace declared.

Korrander found this difficult to swallow; he knew well the Prophet would attempt to use this for himself, to assassinate his political rivals such as the Prophets of Truth and Order; he would use it to rise to the head of the Covenant. Korrander knew there was nothing he could do; he would be executed for just suggesting such heresy.

Solace pushed a button on his chair, a hologram rose on the holo panel on his chair. A hologram of the 'new weapon' rose up, Korrander had seen the hologram before in the reports but it still sent a shiver down his spine.

Solace began again "This new weapon will be named the Nemesis, and with it peace will be resorted to the Covenant".

Down below in the containment room the Prophet of Malice entered escorted by two Jiralhanae honor guards. Solace pressed a button on his chair, the blast doors slid silently open. Behind them, caged behind a plasma barrier, ensnared in multiple metallic chains and locks was the new weapon Solace had boasted about for so long.

Although Korrander had seen multiple holograms of this war machine the end result was like nothing he could have imagined. It was taller then he thought, taller then a Sangheili, stronger to probably. The sleek white and black armor covered its entire body with small bits of red over the chest and head. Huge amounts of plasma weaponry were fixed to its exoskeleton from plasma emitters to smaller versions the Fuel Rod weapons imbedded in its armour. Most unsettling of all was the dark green eyes that were shimmering a pale green, as if it was both alive and dead at the same time.

"How do you know you can keep control over this creation of yours", Korrander said turning his attention to the Prophet.

Returning a cold glaze Solace hissed "not that it is of your concern but a compliance shock chip has been placed in its spinal exo-skeleton, not that it will be needed, nothing of the host survived the transfusion".

Down below the Prophet of Malice typed multiple commands into the small consol on his chair, the plasma barrier faded from sight; he hesitated looking up at Solace.

Leaning closer Solace said "Do it my brother and fear no heresy, the infidel that powered are new tool is long dead."

Malice was now sweating a bit, he pressed a button on his chair and the metallic chains pulled back into the wall. The being they had restricted stood there, silent as death until it eyes grew a dark strong green that seemed to illuminate the room. It slowly stepped out, both Jiralhanae guards lifted there plasma rifles but Malice lifted his hand still nervous warding them of.

Breathing heavily he said "You are a tool of the Covenant, you are Nemesis, repeat."

Korrander then saw Councilor Suku's head snap to a nearby control panel, he looked at it to. The holo screen had a picture of the holly Halo with the words Nemesis positioned inside the Halo. Small distortions appeared in the image, it began to break up and fade, the image was then replaced with a strange alien language.

Down below the Nemesis began to advance on the Prophet of Malice "Stop", he said nervously but it kept advancing on him.

"I order you to halt" he said becoming more agitated every second and slowly backing away. One of the Jiralhanae honor guards equipped its weapon; no sooner had it done that Nemesis moved quicker then light. Grabbing the Jiralhanae by its arm it bent it around its back; a sickening crunch was heard as the guard screamed out dropping its weapon. It then attempted to swing its other arm around to smash away its attacker. The fierce killing machine ducked then grabbed the other arm, the clawed finger tips dug into the soft hairy skin. It then thrust a powerful bladed knee into the Jiralhanae's stomach sending it flying across the room.

"Get some soldiers down there" Korrander yelled. The Prophet of Solace seemed frozen with fear and astonishment, he muttered to himself immune to the words of the outside world.

"I said get some soldiers in there, that thing is killing them" Korrander yelled.

One of the Sangheili honor guards who was working at the control panel replied "By the Forerunners we can't, the rooms sealed of there's no way in".

Down below the second Jiralhanae guard attempted to raise his plasma rifle, Nemesis reacted by spinning around to face him, its foot sprang out and kicked the rifle from its hand. The guard hurtled a fist, the Nemesis was quicker, it grabbed the arm and twisted it down, at the same time its foot sprung out and crushed the guard's shin causing it to collapse to its knee's growing in pain. A plasma blade then ignited from its arm, the Jiralhanae looked up and for a second there gaze met each other. Then it made a clean swipe at the guards head, purple blood flew in all directions, a second later the Jiralhanae's decapitated head dropped to the floor, it body then collapsed as Nemesis let go of it.

This just left the Prophet of Malice alone and undefended; he was shaking and muttering prayers for his protection. As Nemesis approached him he hit a button on his chair, suddenly electricity flew up from Nemesis's back. It then collapsed to the floor lifeless leaving a shocked and terrified Prophet sitting there alone, to the other side of the room the Jiralhanae guard lay whimpering at its wounds.

The quarantine doors were then cut open and a dozen Sangheili honor guards as well as Ship Master Eva' Korrander flooded into the room. The bulk of the honor guards surrounded Nemesis pointing there weapons at it, after a few minutes the Prophet of Solace entered.

"Looks like your weapon didn't agree with you" Korrander said.

Solace looked at him scornfully and said "This was merely an unfortunate incident, nothing more, all this was mealy the result of a feedback of the humans primitive barbaric mind that still influenced its decision. That influence will be die as will the rest of there pathetic race".

Korrander then walked towards him and shouted "one of your guards is dead, the other is near death, when will you realize this thing that you have created can not be controlled".

"It will be controlled, the guards sacrifice was necessary for the fulfillment of the great Journey" Solace replied as if he had not witnessed the past slaughter, "We will continue this in two months time".

Outraged Korrander stormed out of the room kicking a supply crate on the way out.

Seven weeks later

Councilor Suku' Nakita sat at her consol reading through the latest reports. The Prophet of Regret had discovered the human homeworld and Delta Halo, since then the Prophet of Truth had called for a full assault fleet to annex and occupy the human homeworld of Earth. Truth had also called for the deployment of specialized kill-teams to kill the Demon that had followed the Prophet to Delta Halo using Alpha Halo to consolidate this argument.

Leaning back in her seat she ran her claws over the control panel. She was far more worried at this point about the new Demon that there own Prophets had seemed to have produced out of there own greed. There must be a counter measure to control it or at least reason with it. Nakita had her doubts about the brute force Solace relied on to control it, force was to easy to defeat, to defeat and turn against the one's using the force who would be left defenseless. But maybe force was not the only way to control it, perhaps there was something else she could use, perhaps.

"Telda", she said.

A few seconds later a hologram of a blue armored elite appeared from the holo-matrix, a covenant A.I.

"May I assist" he said.

"I want you to run a DNA test on the host that was used in it creation" she said.

Blue streams of data ran through the A.Is form, it then replied "Done".

"Good, now run a check on all human prisoners in High Charity for any compatible matches".

The A.I frowned then brought up the relevant data on screen, Suku looked at it then smiled, she stood up and pored a glass of liquor and slowly let the blue liquid slide down her throat.



The Honor Guard Master Kai' Kosinie stood to attention outside the quarters reserved for Councilor Suku' Nakita, he had been standing there for four hours; needless to say he was tired and bored but still stood at attention.

The communication unit in his helmet flared to life, it was the voice of Councilor Suku' Nakita "Kosinie, I require your assistance".

"I am on my way you're Excellency" he replied then entered the Councilors accommodations, he then typed in his access codes and the doors slid open. He found the Councilor sitting by her High Charity web interface looking at recent records. She gestured for him to sit down; taking his place opposite her he asked "how may I be of service to you Excellency".

She turned to him and said "Do you remember two months ago when Nemesis ran rampant and nearly slew the Prophet of Malice".

His face went grim, "I remember that blood bath well your Excellency, it is getting difficult for me to cover up Solace's actions. Truth seems to be sensing that something is going on, he is getting suspicious, it is getting difficult for me to avoid his questions directly".

She smiled at him and replied "I appreciate your loyalty in this matter, as you know soon Solace will begin his attempts once more to gain control over this beast again".

Kosinie replied "the abomination is to dangerous to exist, forgive me for questioning the Prophet's will but it should be destroyed before it can destroy us".

The Councilor stood up and turned her back to him gazing out the window looking out from high charity and sighed "I could not agree with you more, but it is not that simple. Solace would not permit to destroy his new toy and even if he did, the weapon is self aware, I have no idea how smart or resourceful it is but it was spawned from the same race that created the Demon's, it is bound to be difficult to kill".

"If it did rebel the Prophet commands enough troops to make sure that it would never be permitted to harm our Covenant, it would be crushed before our vast legions." Kosinie replied confident of his troops.

"Don't underestimate it, our Commanders made the same mistake of underestimating the Demon and look what it cost us, Halo, two fleets and thousands of legions gone", the Councilor said turning her gaze to him and folding her arms. "Solace will use force to maintain his control over the beast he has created, but should his creation outsmart him, should it turn that same force on High Charity what could we do to stop it. Imagine what it could do to our holy city, imagine what it could do to our homeworld, we must have a secondary plan for if Solace's fails, he will not live to make another".

"What do you suggest Excellency" Kosinie said leaning forward in anticipation.

"Instead of using force we must use something the beast would hold dear",
she replied smiling.

Kosinie looked at her confused and said "I doubt it would fear loss of its life, fear was filtered out as an emotion Solace deemed unworthy. What else could we keep from it?"

The Councilor typed several commands into the council; a picture appeared on the screen of a prison cell. Kosinie looked closer; lying in the corner barley visible was a small human girl. She looked to be about three but he wasn't sure, she was very thin and was not in the best of shape, she was lying on the ground heavily bruised, the only indications she was alive was the slight rise and fall of her chest.

The Councilor then said "I did some research on one of the files our spies had recovered from a human colony. The host that was used to create Nemesis had an older sister of world when he was captured. It seems she had a child some time ago; her offspring was captured by a Jiralhanae commander four months ago looking to sell her as a slave. We must get to her and fast, if we get it to a safe place we will have away to reason and perhaps some control over the beast".

Kosinie returned his attention to her "you are wise as always Excellency, what is it you want from me".

The Councilor then replied "I want to keep it small, take one extra honor guard and meet me in the armory in five minutes.

Kosinie nodded his head and left the room.

Five Minutes Later

Suku' Nakita had just finished arming herself appropriately when the armory door slid open, the honor guard Master Kai' Kosinie entered the room with one of his finest and most loyal honor guards standing to attention outside.

Pulling on her ceremonial head piece she slotted a plasma pistol into her armour and attached a plasma sword into the fixing on her leg armour.

She nodded to the honor guards "let's go".

The streets of High Charity were silent, most likely because most were back on there homeworlds or colonies celebrating with their families over the discovery of Delta Halo. They quickly got to the Ceta – Division side of the city, apart from the odd lurking shadow they ran into no one.

They entered the prison area of Ceta – Division and descended via the Gravity lift. On the way down she noticed that Kosinie was becoming increasingly nervous looking over his shoulder. Most likely because this Ceta – Division use to be under control of the Sangheili but when the Jiralhanae had joined the Covenant they had taken over this area. In the recent few months the Jiralhanae had begun to spread through High Charity, more were appearing everywhere. There numbers were swelling, soon they would have enough to rival the amount of Sangheili stationed on High Charity.

She felt her hooves touch down on the cold metallic floor bringing her out of her thoughts. She moved out of the way to let the younger honor guard come down beside her. It was very dark and unpleasant, a dripping could be heard but she was not sure where it was from, when the place was the responsibility of the Sangheili it was never this sloppily run.

They entered the long dark tunnels lined with cells on earthier side, mostly Kig-Yar and Unggoy caged up and driven to the point of insanity by there captivity some had torn each other apart to satisfy there boredom. Suku only hoped that the child they were looking for had not fallen victim to them or the Jiralhanae's boredom.

Prison Cell Ceta – 2746

Lara lay on the floor of the cell with her eyes shut, she found it hard to move, she simply didn't have the energy to. The four year old could here the screams of the other creatures in the cells that terrified her all through the night, what was worse was day time when the guards moved around the cells. The guards that resembled large apes that she thought were called brutes were very hostile towards her; she had been kicked, bitten and thrown around more then the other creatures. All this had occurred a few months ago when she had been kidnapped from her colony by these strange beings, since then she had wanted to die.

The food they fed her was revolting, almost half the time she had thrown up what they had given her. She then became aware of a loud clicking, like hooves on a floor, the clicking became louder and then stopped, from the corner of her blurred vision she saw the metal bars trapping here her in the cell rise up and disappear.



Suku' Nakita typed her Council code into the panel by the side of the cell; the metal bars ascended allowing her to enter the tiny cell. She looked at the back of the cell to see a small form huddled up surrounded by dirty ripped clothes, a foul smell then hit Suku; upon looking closer she saw the girl had been sick a few times.

She knelt down beside the small girl and reached forward; she pressed one of her slender claw like fingers into the child's back, who then made a low grunt like sound and huddled up. She coiled her fingers around the child's neck; she could feel a very weak pulse but the small girl was alive, although only barely.

She then detached the small package attached to her leg armour; she opened it and pulled out a thin grey blanket. She rapped it around the girl then scooped her up into her arms, she slid one arm around the child' waist and securing the girl against her chest. She was surprised by how little the girl weighed but when looking at how thin her frail body was it wasn't surprising, the Jiralhanae were not known for keeping there prisoners in good shape. She stood up and made her way out of the cell, the small child hugged closely to her chest armour.



Lara felt something prodding her hard in her back, something sharp and strong, thinking it was the guards she curled up making a small whimper as she did so. She then felt a long strong hand slip around her throat and tighten slightly but still allowing her to breath. She then realized the alien behind her was not a brute but an elite like the ones she had read about in books, she curled up in fear but did not have the energy to run. The elite withdrew its hand, she then felt a soft blanket get raped around her and she was scooped up into the elite's arms. The elite began to move away from the cell and walk away; Lara looked up at the giant elite that was carrying her. It was surrounded in silver armour and supported a large ceremonial headpiece; the elite's long and muscular arms were coiled around her pushing her close to the elite's chest.



Suku quickened her pace as did her honor guards, down the hall behind her she made out the outline of a Jiralhanae guard. They moved quicker and entered the main chamber, she pulled the child closer to her chest to prevent her from slipping out of her arms, the younger Honor Guard reached the gravity lift and entered being skyrocketed up. Upon entering she felt the girl suddenly start squirming, she easily suppressed the child's reaction to the gravity lift by pressing her closer to her chest.



Lara felt the elite speed up, it tightened it's already strong grip on Lara as she moved, Lara shut her eyes and pulled closer to the elite trying to hold on as the large creature made its strides. When she opened her eyes they had reached a large glowing tube in the middle of a platform, she watched the elite in front enter it and get sky rocketed up. Lara's initial reaction to this was fear, she began to squirm but the elite simply pushed her closer to her chest. This pushed the air out of her lungs, she could no longer struggle and could only hang limp in the elite's arms.



Suku made her way through the dark streets; it was not long before they arrived back at her accommodations. They passed the dozens of honor guards on the way in but none could tell what the small package raped up in a blanket was. Her two honor guards stood just outside the front door as she entered, she walked into the seating area discarding the blanket around the girl on the way in and simply stood there and breathed a sigh of relief still not fully contemplating that her plan had succeeded without any trouble. She was brought back from her senses when she noticed the child was shuffling in her arms, looking down she saw the child's face slide up her armour. She moved towards a far room at the back reserved for guests, she opened the door and a light came on in the room automatically. Inside there was mealy a bed and a side table, she bent down and set the girl down on the bed then returned to her full height, it was then when she noticed the child was had just awoken and was looking at her. Unsure what to do she stood there looking at the girl on the bed, deciding on her plan she reached forward.



Lara looked up at the tall elite who was looking down at her, without warning the elite reached forward, she attempted to flee but couldn't as the elite grasped her by the arm. She was pulled forward like a bag of grain, the elite grasped her other arm and pulled her close. Lara to scared to speak mealy sat in the elites grasp, the elite finally knelt down a little so its eyes locked with hers and she began to speak.

"Child, you have only been brought here because it suits me better to have you alive at the moment", the elite tilted her slightly over the side of the bed.

"But make no mistake, if you attempt to flee, attempt to escape or even disturb me I will not hesitate to kill you", once again the elite tilted her over the side some more.

"You are merely an expendable asset, if you die I will simply find another", tilting her once more Lara began to feel sick, she grabbed at the elites arm and tried to pull her self up. The elite on seeing this flung her onto the bed still holding her tightly.

"Do you understand?" it said.

After Lara did not answer the elite shook her with such force she had to grab hold of the elites arm just to keep herself from throwing up. The elite then stopped shaking her and repeated the question "Do you understand?"

Shaking with fear Lara was able to mumble a one word answer "y..yes"

The elite stood there looking at her for a few seconds before she let go, Lara then watched the giant alien turn its back on her and walk out of the room leaving Lara to curl up on the bed.

Suku' Nakita closed the door to the room and entered her personel lock out code into the control panel sealing the door. She then breathed out a deep breath, 'Forerunners, what have I done' she shut her eyes and rested her head on the wall for a few seconds. She walked over to her seating area and rested down into her chair, "I brought her here to safeguard us from the beast, nothing more" she muttered quietly to herself sliding into one of the large cushiony seats.

Solace's Weapon Chapter 5: Sympathy and doubt
Date: 26 October 2006, 9:57 pm

Chapter 5: Sympathy and doubt

Covenant Command Ship Holy Will
Moored in High Charity Dry Docks

Ship Master Eva' Korrander sat in his quarters studding his control panel and sipping from a glass of blue alcohol when the door chimed signaling there was someone waiting to come in.

"Enter" he said loudly, the door then slid open.

Tai' Nakita entered the room and approached his desk, "Commander Kel' Putamer is attending a relatives Bonding anniversary, several of the crew are attending, Excellency we wondered if you wished to attend".

Smiling Korrander replied "I think I will take a pass on that, our soldiers should be able to relax without there commanding officer looking over there shoulder".

Nakita jerked his head and said "You should come, it would be better then spending tonight alone here Excellency, what could be so important to keep you here".

Korrander sat back in his chair and replied "Do you remember Nemesis's little rampage".

Nakita frowned and replied "I do Excellency, that 'incident' is still fresh in my mind", the Commander sighed and added "I know you feel responsible but there is nothing you can do, we will just have to wait"

Korrander stood up and said "that's not entirely true", he turned the holo panel to face Nakita, displayed on it was a jumbled up series of numbers and letters. "This flashed on the holo panel before Nemesis reacted to the Prophet of Malice, I don't know about you but that doesn't seem like a coincidence to me".

Nakita looked at it then replied "Excellency, this is just gibberish, nothing more, the Profits technical team ran a full background test and diagnostic test and found nothing".

Korrander sat back down and replied "the Prophet of Solace underestimates his creations awareness and intelligence as does his technical team".

From under his desk Korrander reached down and came back with a small metal disk and put it into a holder in his holo panel, realizing what it was Nakita gasped. "Excellency, possession of human interface equipment is punishable by Death, were did you"

He was cut of by Korrander, "An old friend in threat assessment, I needed it, watch, this may seem like gibberish but played through this disk and", the gibberish was replaced by a single word written in human language. Korrander activated the translation matrix, a faint humming could be heard and after a minute or so the alien word was replaced once again with another word.

Nakita looked at it frowning; he looked up at Korrander, "Roa… Roven"

Korrander looked at him and replied "Raven, it says Raven"

Nakita looked at him and said "what by the Forerunners is a Raven".

"I have no idea but keep this a secret, should Solace find out"

"I will not breathe a word of this Excellency", he replied.

Korrander smiled and said "The beasts actions were no accident, there is someone behind the scenes here, manipulating our actions to serve there own purpose, the results of this could be, disastrous".

Council Accommodations


Suku' Nakita sat down comfortably in her chair shifting through the recent reports; she sipped a glass of pale red liquid.

She was just about to drop of to sleep when she became aware of a faint winning noise coming from the intercom that she had connected to the room where the human girl was locked in. She listened closer but could not understand what it was. Suku stood up sighing and walked towards the room at the far end of her accommodations; she pressed her access code into the door panel entering the room and found the child crying on the bed.


Lara lay curled up on the bare mattress sobbing, she had no idea where she was, no idea where home was, she didn't even know if her family was still alive or why the elite had been so hostile towards her. She then heard the door slide open and heard the soft clicks of the elites feet touching the ground, coiling further up Lara didn't dare turn around. If the elite was to carry out its threats she would soon be dead, she felt the bed slide down slightly and assumed the elite must have sat down.


Suku sat down on the bed and reached out towards the child, for some unknown reason she could not bring her self to punish this child but she could not hunt down the reason for this. She pulled her claw like hand around the girl's waist and pulled her closer to her gently placing the girl by her side with her arm around her. She then noticed the girl was shivering slightly, her own armour protected her from the elements as it maintained a constant environment inside the suit but the girl only had thin torn cloths on, hardly adequate clothing.


Lara huddled up as the elite pulled her closer and rapped an arm around her, she did not dare alter her gaze to the giant elite sitting next to her but could not help sliding down and resting on its armour. She began to shiver slightly, she tried to huddle up, the elite seemed to notice this as it reached down positioning its slender claws up to her chin and forcing her to look up into its gaze.


Suku cupped the girls chin in her claws and pulled her face up slightly so she could look at her, breaking the silence she asked in a soft voice "why were you crying little one".


Lara was so astounded by this question she did not no how to answer, she tried to hold back her tears as she tried to give an answer before she angered the alien "I didn't mean to, please don't…" her voice began to quiver as tears formed in the corners of her eyes.


Suku noticed the girl's voice quivered slightly, she placed her other hand on the girl's thin shoulder and pulled her slightly closer before saying "Don't be afraid, I will not harm you."


Lara could no longer hold back her tears, she began to cry and sob lowering her head and tried to pull away, the elite kept hold of her and seemed to pull her closer wrapping its arms around her. She felt the elite pull her up onto one of its legs as she rested her head on the elites silver armoured chest.


The girl broke out in tears as if the weight of the conversation was too much for her to bear, Suku did not know how to silence the child and so rapped her long arms around her pulling her closer. She gently lifted the girl onto her leg and pushed her up against her silver chest armour and ran her claw like fingers through the girls thin strands of hair pulling it up then letting it fall, she lowered her head bending her long neck down so her mandibites brushed against the child's head.

The girl was still sobbing slightly, Suku gently squeezed her until she fell silent, she pulled the girl slightly away from her chest and wiped her tears away with her free hand. The girl looked up at her from her lap; Suku asked "why were you crying".


Lara finally found the courage to speak and said "I'm sorry, I, I was scarred, I thought you were going to kill me, I thought I would never see my family again".

It was then that she saw the elite smile, or at least what she thought was a smile to the elites, it's mandibites stretched outwards slightly and its eyes seemed to perk up, it then said "I assure you child I will not hurt you".

Lara was now tired, she curled up into the elite chest, the elites arms formed around her and the soft movement of its chest seemed to cause her to drop of to sleep.


Suku felt the girl go limp as she held her tightly; carefully she put the child down on the bed and stood up. Opening a compartment high in the wall she removed a thick grey blanket, she sat down again and covered the human with the blanket, she tucked the girl in then stood up and headed towards the door. She turned around and looked at the sleeping child just as she was at the door; she took a deep breath and whispered "I'm sorry", then left.

The Prophets private sanctuary

In the Prophets private sanctuary the Prophets of Malice and Solace sat in there chairs looking up at the stars. Both had glasses of alcohol in there bony fingers, surrounding the two Prophets were dozens of ancient Forerunner artifacts from all across the galaxy, all brought here to the Holy City.

Malice turned to Solace resting his glass on the arm of his chair, "Tomorrow will hold the conclusion to all our work, do you think we will succeed."

Solace turned to him taking a sip of the drink, "Of course we will, it is the will of our Forerunner lords" Solace said grinning.

Malice did not return the grin but instead looked on with a stern face, "I trust you have met my request for the additional honor guards to be present tomorrow during the", he searched for the right words, "awakening."

Solace turned to him, "of course, do you think of me as a liar."

Malice went to speak but shut his mouth; years of being at Solaces side had taught Malice that the Prophet of Solace was anything but truthful; not surprising that he was a politician.

Malice watched as the Superior Prophet knocked back the rest of the alcohol sipping the last of the blue liquid down its throat. Malice bit his lower lip rather nervously before asking, "Is it true that the Prophet of Truth is planning to replace the Prophets Honor guards with the Jiralhanae."

Solace looked at him, his eyes narrowing, "Planning, he's been looking for an excuse to change the guard for months you see the Sangheili are beginning to question our place in the Covenant. Truth wants the Jiralhanae to protect us, they may be mindless but they are loyal, for the most part."

Solace clapped his hands, an Unggoy and Kig-Yar approached, servants or slaves of there Prophet masters. The Kig-Yar approached with a towel and cleared of the Prophets hands before the Unggoy slave approached with a tray, on it stood to glasses of alcohol, Solace reached over and his bong fingers picked up the glass as did Malice a few seconds later.

"But how will Truth be able to change the guard, the Council will never allow it." Malice asked.

Solace let out a throaty laugh, "The human's Demon will see to that, Truths been manipulating the Prophet of Regret into a trap, the Demon is closing in and mark my words, soon, someone important will be lost."

Malice leaned forward grinning, "Do you think the reform will hold."

Solace leaned back in his thrown, "Who knows, if may it may not, besides, it should prove to be, entertainment at best."

"What of Councilor Suku' Nakita, she does not approve of our little plan, I can see it in her eyes, she could prove to be a problem in the future." Malice snorted.

Solace moved his thrown forward and lent close to Malice, his fowl breath came out, "Accidents happen Malice, they happen all the time, even to Councilors."

Malice finished the glass and handed it out to the Kig-Yar as the creature nervously took it as fast as it could, looking back to Solace the Prophet asked, "What if Truth discovers our little, side operation here."

Solace turned back to him and grinned, his rotted stained teeth turned Malice's stomach, "He won't, because this conversation never happened, and we were never here this night."

Malice glanced sideways as the Kig-Yar and Unggoy slaves standing humbly to there masters side, "And how will you make sure of that" he whispered.

Solace grinned at him once again and tapped his bony finger on the security panel of the hover chair he sat on. The entrance to the Prophets private sanctuary suddenly swung open and the hulking form of a Jiralhanae loomed in the entrance. Malice looked closer at the Jiralhanae, large gashes dug into its face and several teeth were missing, it had the look of someone who loved confrontation and liked to push others into confronting him, in human terms, he was a thug.

Solace gestured towards the hulking warrior with his bony hand, "Malice, may I introduce my new bodyguard, Chief Broxinus, he will also be handling my security, both external and, internal" he said looking towards the two lower species standing beside him.

With this the thuggish warrior launched himself forward, the Kig-Yar was the first to die, the Jiralhanae grabbed it by the neck and hurtled it into the wall. The bird's fragile beak crumbled into its head, the Jiralhanae dropped the body to the ground as it twitched on the floor before dying.

Upon seeing the death of its long time friend the Unggoy ran of screaming, the Jiralhanae chuckled a throaty laugh and chased the slave down. The thuggish warrior delivered a rib cracking kick to the Unggoy's stomach making it keel over in pain. The Jiralhanae then threw its full weight down on the slave crushing its bones to pieces.

Malice was shaking slightly, his lower lip trembling then he looked at Solace who stared back at him and said, "Never cross me, you are a witness just as they were, remember your place."

Malice nodded and watched as Solace slowly hovered out the room escorted by his new, 'Bodyguard'.

Ceta lab, holding facility


Down in the holding facility Nemesis's stood silent locked away in a reinforced holding cell. In the darkness a control panel lit up, it appeared blank until a strange alien language appeared on the screen, it read

Project Raven
Time: 0500
Date: 7th November 2552
Message Received
Package Delivered to Covenant System
Project Raven activated

Then just as the writing appeared it faded from the screen and was replaced by simple Covenant diagnostics, the screen then flicked of. The room once again returned to darkness.

Council Accommodations

Councilor Suku' Nakita was outside her accommodations sitting on the large balcony watching the various ships pass High Charities domed roof. She reached down and detached a small device from her belt, activating it a 3-D image appeared of her and her past mate, Vari' Nakita. The holoprobe was taken two weeks after Tai was born, they were both standing there in there armour, she was holding Tai while Vari had his arm around them both. She missed him; ever since he had been killed it seemed as if something had been missing from her life, as if it had been torn out of her by force.

She stood up and clipped the holoprobe to her belt, she altered her gaze to the massive ring, Halo as it orbited the Gas giant. She turned around and walked back into her accommodations, the doors automatically locking behind her. She stopped by the door in which she had her human captive and typed in her access code, the door swung open.

She slowly walked in, it was almost pitch black inside the room, luckily the Sangheili's reptilian eyes could see in the dark very well, she looked closer to see a small bundle curled up under the blanket. Suku sat down on the bed; she reached over placing her claw like hands under the girl's arms and turned her around. She was shivering slightly and was completely pale, Suku placed her claw like hand on the child's head, her skin was cold and there were faint twitches from her mouth, she also appeared to be having trouble breathing.

Lara felt as if she couldn't catch her breath, she was freezing and shivering and felt like she would be sick but there was nothing in her stomach to throw up. Suddenly she heard something open the door and sit on the bed; two claw like hands reached around the top of her torso and turned her around. A warm claw like hand was placed on her forehead, she tried to open her eyes but her vision was blurred, she could just make out the shape of the elite. Fear grabbed her; she was still scarred of the elite, although it had not acted hostile to her in there last meeting that didn't mean she wouldn't this time.

Suku saw the girl's eyes drift open, she remained silent but Suku could tell that she was scarred; years of being on the Council gave her a certain advantage when it came to seeing through people. She slid her claw like hands around the girl's upper torso and gently lifted her up along with the blanket holding her at arms length; she then brought her closer pressing her against her silver armoured chest. The girl let of a faint cough, Suku could tell that something was wrong with her; she expected she had caught some type of fever, she vaguely remembering an autopsy report saying human children were venerable to fevers when they were young.

Setting a hand around the girl's waist she stood up and carried her out of the room, she walked into the seating area and sat down one of the large padded chairs with the girl still in her arms.

The silver armoured elite pulled Lara close to her chest locking her arms around her; Lara coughed out as she was moving still feeling ill. The elite stood up, Lara felt its arms tighten as they left the room; Lara raised her head and looked over the elites shoulder, they had entered a large room but she could not see much else. The elite sat down on a large chair, she loosened her grip on her allowing the girl to slide slightly down the elite's chest.

Suku carefully moved the child of her chest and set her down on the chair and stood up rising to her full height, the child looked up at her curling up to the back of the chair. Suku knelt down staring into the child's blue eyes, turning her head slightly she reached forward brushing her claws against the child's face.

The elite set her down and stood up to her full height towering over Lara, she looked up at the giant elite staring down at her, Lara felt its size and presence very intimidating and curled up at the back of the chair. The elite knelt down slightly but still exceeded Lara's height considerably; it turned its head slightly, its mandibites producing a faint clicking sound. It then reached forward, Lara tried to pull back but found she was at the back of the chair and could not pull back any more, the elite's claws gently brushed her face.

The elite withdrew it hand, it then opened its mandibites and said in a deep soft voice, "Child, do you feel unwell."

Lara was astounded by the question, she had never thought that an elite would be concerned with her heath, she didn't want to anger it, "I'm cold, and I feel sick" she mumbled nervously.

The elite still knelt down looking at her before replying "Stay here little one."

The elite stood up and turned around walked away leaving through the entrance on the far side of the room, after the elite had left Lara took the opportunity to look around the room. It was most compatible with what she could perceive as a lounge; there was a vast assortment of large chairs and seating apparatus varying in colors. Towards the far side of the room was some sort of display apparatus, all around the room there were large pictures of alien landscapes but she had no idea of there nature.

Just then the tall elite entered the room again and headed towards her, she appeared to be carrying a tube like instrument but Lara could not tell what it was.

Suku walked towards the chair were she had placed the human girl earlier; the girl flinched upon seeing her clearly still intimidated by her presence, Suku sat down next her putting her arm around her. Taking the container she slid the lid open and was greeted by the smell of Telasis oil, a foul smelling Jiralhanae drink but she had found that its affects were good at clearing infections from the system. She looked down at the girl who was still shaking slightly, she reached down putting the canister on the girls lap, "Drink it little one."

Lara looked at the strange black liquid in the canister, deciding to do it she lifted the canister up to her mouth and drank it, the substance was warm and sticky, she had a hard time trying to force it down. She had overestimated her own strength at the time and ended up spilling a bit if it, she felt the elite take the canister and hold it while pulling her closer, when she finished the elite withdrew the canister placing it on a nearby table.

Suku withdrew the canister taking it away; she then returned her attention to the child wrapping the blanket around her closer. She found the girl to be very thin, her muscle was virtually non-existent, Suku had seen Unggoy slaves with more fat on then the girl had. She reached towards the table picking up a small package she had brought in earlier, she unwrapped it giving it to the girl, the child looked up at her confused, "Eat it child", she said.

Lara looked at the strange food in the package; it was a slab of brown material about the size of a few slices of bread, she decided to do as the elite said and eat it, she was hungry after all. She took her first bite; it was soft but dense at the same time and had somewhat of a sweet flavor. She ate it quickly starving from her weeks of captivity, it was better then the food she had been forced to eat then, the elite removed the wrapping and pulled Lara closer to it gently holding her.

Suku looked down towards the small human child, she then saw something under the top of the child's ripped and torn shirt, she reached down lowering the blanket slightly. The girl seemed to notice this and made a grab for it, Suku saw it was attached to some kind of thin chain going around the girl's neck. Suku clasped the girl's small hands in her own grey claw like hands easily pulling them apart to reveal a tiny brass circular instrument.

Lara clasped the locket as the elite reached for it, its grey claw like hands effortlessly pried her hands apart and it took her small locket in its hand. Lara looked up at the elite who looked slightly confused as it tried to open the locket.

Suku held the instrument in her palm using her claws to try and pry it open, she easily pulled the catch open and the top sprung open to reveal a small picture. Suku looked closer to see it was a picture of the girl standing with two adult human's one male, one female who she assumed was the girl's parents. She then noticed that the girl was sobbing and she tried to reach for it, "Please give it back" she said breaking into tears. Suku understood the child's reason for crying, this was all she had left of her old life, her family, to have someone take it away would be, upsetting to anyone. She closed the small device clasping it in her claws, she looked back down at the girl who was still sobbing and curling up, Suku reached down grasping the child and lifting her up onto her leg. She squeezed her gently against her chest stroking her short hair, the girl eventually stopped sobbing Suku looked back down at her; "This is your family" she asked in a soft voice.

The elite pushed Lara against its chest using its muscular arms to hold her close, she felt the elite running its claws through her hair, after a few minutes she stopped crying. The elite then said, "This is your family."

Lara nodded looking up at the elite's head, it looked down at her before turning her around placing Lara on its legs then took her hand in its own opening it. It then put the locket on Lara's palm closing her hand and folding her own claws around Lara's small fist.

Suku clasped the human's tiny fist in her own hands with the child sitting on her lap, she pulled her long neck down placing her head just above the child, "Keep it with you child, family is important" she wisped into the girl's ear.

She released her claws from the girl's fist wrapping her arm around the girl's waist pulling her closer, she detached the small Holoprobe from her belt and held it in the palm of her hand. She activated it and the hologram pop up showing Suku, her mate and Tai, the girl looked at it with interest, "This is my family little one."

The girl rested her head on Suku's silver chest armour, Suku placed a hand on the girls back, she was not shivering as much now so Suku assumed that the Telasis oil must be taking affect. She looked down at the girl and asked, "What is your name little one."

The girl looked up at her and said slightly nervously, "M… My names Lara."

Suku smiled placing a hand on her own chest, "Lara, my name is Suku' Nakita."

The girl curled back up in her arms, Suku stood up and walked to the balcony sitting down on one of the seats, she felt the girl suddenly begin to wriggle in her arms slightly. The massive sight of High Charity as well as the vast fleets of starships must have both inspired her with awe and terror, Suku clasped her tightly and whispered, "Don't be afraid, Lara, your safe."

The girl hung limp in her arms as she dropped of to sleep, Suku looked out into the city and looked at Halo in the distance, somehow she felt the Great Journey was further away then her Profits thought. After about two hours she stood up and walked back into the accommodations, she walked into the girl's room placing her on the bed and tucking her in taking care not to wake her. Running her hand over the girls head she stood up and walked out of the room to get some sleep herself.

Ceta Lab, Holding facility

In the dark lab Nemesis stood silent behind the blast doors awaiting the Prophets to activate it, or was it?

The Dark eyes suddenly flared up turning dark green, a control panel next to Nemesis turned itself on, a single caption of text flowed onto the screen.

Project Raven now active
Military Subroutines online
Objectives open
Objective 1: Kill Prophet of Malice
Objective 2: Kill Prophet of Solace
Objective 3:Gather specified information
Objective 4: Link up with Pre-emptive assault fleet
Mission accepted
Mission Profile Closed

The screen shut down and the green light leftNemesis's eyes, every thing turned to darkness as it had been awaiting for the next day.



Authors note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, next chapter could contain some moderate violence but should be very entertaining, should be up next week, hoped you enjoyed this chapter.

Solace's Weapon: Chapter 6 Bloodbath at dawn
Date: 2 November 2006, 10:56 pm

Author Note: Just finished this chapter, hope you enjoy it, please review as it will help me a lot in the next chapter.

As for the questions asked previously I did write in Chapter 3 that the Prophets had found that only one race could be used as a host for Solace's super-soldier, human (and there is a more sinister reason you will learn of later).

As for the part about Lara's treatment in the cells I admit that I may have overdone it a bit but I wanted to get across the idea that her stay had not been pleasant. Don't forget technically she was the property of a brute Commander, the brutes would have tormented her but not gone as far as to kill her as this could cost them there lives if there commander finds his captured human who he was planning on selling dead.

Thanks for reviewing anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 6: Bloodbath at dawn

Next Morning
Time: 0640

Suku' Nakita stood in the observation lounge looking down into the Ceta – Lab, beside her honor guard Master Kai' Kosinie stood beside her with four of his personel guards standing behind them. Breaking the silence Kosinie whispered "What of your human captive".

"She is locked away in one of my holding rooms; do not concern yourself she will not try to escape" she replied.

Kosinie shuffled in his armour slightly, "I thought this testing was not to take place for another five days".

Suku sighed, "The Prophet of Regret was recently slain by the Demon while on the newly discovered Halo, Truth is planning to lead a fleet to the human's homeworld in retaliation, if Solace does not act soon Truth will be declared honored Hero of the Covenant and Solace will loose his chance forever."

Kosinie also let out a deep sigh "what else could the Forerunners bring down on us this day."

"I'm afraid they already have, Truth has seen fit to replace the Prophets Honor Guards with Jiralhanae Honor Guards, the Council will still be protected by Sangheili Honor guards, but things are getting tenser by the passing of every day", she replied.

"And what of the rumors that the Sangheili Council are planning to separate from the Council", Kosinie whispered.

Suku turned to him, her eyes widening and replied sharply "those are just rumors, nothing more".

Behind them the doors slid open.

Ship Master Eva' Korrander entered the observation lounge followed by Commander Tai' Nakita and several other high ranking Sangheili warriors, Councilors and around two dozen Sangheili Honor Guards. Before they had a chance to talk the Prophet of Solace surrounded by several Jiralhanae Honor Guards entered, the Prophet himself smirked and said "My brothers and sisters, you will remember this day as the day our Covenant was sealed in glory."

Below in the main lab the Prophet of Malice entered escorted by four Jiralhanae Honor Guards and Two Sangheili Honor Guards. Once again malice activated a panel on his chair, the sealed blast doors at the end on the room slid open and inside lay Nemesis, it thin black eyes seemed to stare even through it was not yet activated.

"I see you have more security then normal" one of the Councilors said.

The Prophet of Solace grinned with a smile that could cause a Lekgolo to run, "a little extra security can prevent an unfortunate incident from occurring, not that anything will go wrong".

Down below the Prophet of Malice flanked by four Jiralhanae Honor Guards and two Sangheili Honor Guards activated his personel control panel. The plasma barrier dissipated and the metal chains and bars pulled back into the wall. Nemesis remained silent and inactive.

Sweating slightly Malice went to press the final activation code, as he typed it in Councilor Nakita noticed a slight shimmering in the control panel to her left. The information displayed on the screen began to fade away and was replaced by a strange foreign alien word, Raven, suddenly all the control panels began to flicker and fade being replaced with strange words and symbols.

One of the Jiralhanae Honor Guards stepped forward and began to type furiously on the panel. "Excellency, I can't regain control of the system, something is spreading through the system configuration, I can't block it, its spreading into the security systems".

Solace's wrinkled forehead tightened as he frowned, "Correct it, stop it from spreading to any more vital systems".

Eva' Korrander's communications device in his helmet then chirped to attention, he touched it as he received a transmission from the Council chambers. His mandibites then spread wide in amazement, "the demon, it has infiltrated the council chambers, Truth and Mercy are in danger, we must…" he was cut of by Solace. "We must stay here, this weapon is more important then Truth".

Just as Korrander was poised to argue the point Fleet Master Koro' Putreere stepped in, "Solace is right, through the Demon may be here it seems there is another here that we must control".

Korrander stepped towards him with Councilor Suku' Nakita and Commander Tai' Nakita in tow behind him along with half a dozen Sangheili Honor Guards. "Excellency, this weapon is too dangerous to be allowed to be created, should it come into creation we may not be able to stop it".

Fleet Master Putreere frowned not sure who to support, being a Fleet Master he was of the highest rank and ultimately the decision was his, Suku stepped forward and said "He is correct Fleet Master, do it now".

The Prophet of Solace leaned up behind him and whispered "Do not listen to them, this weapon will bring honor to us all, particularly ones who supported it without hesitation".

The Fleet Master turned to him and finally replied, "Ship Master Korrander is right, I am ordering an immediate termination to this project, the weapon itself shall be stripped and destroyed, it's over Solace".

Solace's face turned to anger as he clenched his fist shaking with rage before yelling, "I will not, this is my creation, I am in control of this, it is the will of the Forerunner's".

With that his Jiralhanae Honor Guards raised there weapons, at the same time the Sangheili Honor Guards raised there weapons in unison. Tai' Nakita stepped out in front between the two parties thrusting out his arms signaling them to stop and said "Halt, this will not serve any purpose, we must restore our systems before we decide on anything".

Solace stopped shaking and rather forcibly nodded and whispered into his control panel, a few seconds later an Ossoona faded into sight from the air, Tai realized it was the same one who accompanied him years ago when this all began.

Solace clicked his brittle fingers "Restore the systems".

"Immediately Excellency" the Ossoona replied.

He began to work at one of the controls, knowing the system inside and out he worked through every system trying to set up defenses to counter the rapid expansion of this virus like invasion in there systems.

"Excellency, I can't restore the system to maximum, I believe that this virus is contained but I do not know how long the defenses I have constructed can hold it" the Ossoona said, his voice slightly hesitant.

Solace growled in anger, "get down to the main control centre, stop this, virtual parasite before it causes any further delays and do not fail me".

The Ossoona left the room as Solace turned his eyes downwards towards the Prophet of Malice, all in the room noticed the flick of anger flaring up in his eyes.

Down below Malice was typing furiously on his control panel in his chair trying to restore it, it was during this that none of them noticed the dark green flickers of light flaring into Nemesis's eyes. Suddenly every door in the lab shut and locked sealing Malice and his guards in, one of the Sangheili Honor Guards walked over two the door and tried unsuccessfully to pry the doors open.

Above Fleet Master Putreere looked down, clicking his mandibites he pointed to Honor Guard Master Kai' Kosinie, "open those doors".

He nodded and stepped over to a control panel and begun to work on it, after a few seconds he clicked his mandibites in annoyance and said "Excellency, the doors are sealed, the room has entered a quarantine lockdown, I can't lift it".

Suddenly Malice's panicked voice came over the intercom making them all jump; Solace lowered his head to listen, "Noble Solace, the weapon, something's happening, I picking up an alien agent in its system, its coming on line".

Solace face once again flared with anger, he half shouted, half growled, "Why did you activate its power cores, I told you not to until I gave the order to activate it."

"I didn't, its cores are activating themselves, get me out of here, get me out." Malice's voice was cut of as they lost the comm.'s frequency.

Down below one of the Jiralhanae Honor Guards slowly approached the Nemesis, he closed to within an arms length then lowered its weapon laughing in a deep voice, "It's dead, there's nothing to fear…Ahh". Nemesis's arm shot forward grabbing the Jiralhanae's throat and making it sputter, it's clenched its white fingers around the beast's throat and squeezed, a thick purple foam burst from its mouth as it chocked. The weapon then activated a plasma blade on its left arm and dug it into the Jiralhanae chest right through its heart then let the body fall to the ground in a pool of its own blood.

All the other Honor Guards drew there weapons but before they had brought them to bear Nemesis had surged into them with unbelievable speed. The guards fired everywhere not being able to hit the weapon that was only a fast billowing blur of light, the few shots that hit mealy bounced of its enhanced shields. Every few seconds it would close with one of the soldiers and this was followed by the sickening sounds of crushing bones, scorched flesh and screams. One by one every guard in the room fell surround by buckets of blood, severed limbs and broken bones, less then a minute after the first guard fell six Covenant honor guards were left lying on the floor dead with a look of true horror still frozen in there faces.

Now the Prophet of Malice was the only one left in the room sealed of from any help left with only the creature of Death that he had helped create, it stood there not saying a word and not giving any hint of sentience. Malice fumbled with his controls sweating and finally hit the retaliate button on his chair, as before a jolt of electricity surged up its spine but it did not collapse as before, instead it stood defiant taking the pain. The Prophet began to sweat and turned up the intensity of the charge but still it stood, finally the charge overloaded blowing itself out and short circuited, a small circular disk dropped from Nemesis's spine still smoking, the weapon of death then crushed the disk under its armoured heal.

Malice shook terrified out of his mind and half mumbled half screamed, "How could you, that's not possible."

Nemesis began to move towards him, its eyes began to grow darker and a dark shadowy voice emerged from the closing figure, "So Malice, after five years we meet again".

"How did you survive, you were an infidel, you should have been destroyed", he gasped backing away.

The dark calm voice said "I'm afraid Zeke did not survive, he could no longer hold on but his courage in abandonment and fear was, admirable."

Malice, still shaking asked, "But if he is gone then who are you?"

A deep shadowy laugh filled the chamber from Nemesis, "You know that, you felt the fear when you saw that word appear on the screen, the same word you saw five years ago appear on your data from what you had stolen."

"Raven", the Prophet gasped in fear.

Raven began to step forward, "and now it is time to finish what I started two months ago, a tribute to the child you condemned to death so many years ago."

Malice fumbled in his chair and finally pulled out a Plasma Pistol pointing it at Raven who stopped but made it even this simple action look intimidating. The voice emerged once again from its featureless face, "Why Malice, how un – Prophet like of you".

Malice nervously said, "Stay back, stay back of I will shoot Vermin".

Once again Raven laughed, "That Virus seeped its way into a great many systems Malice, including several systems in your chair, such as the Plasma charges in your gun".

Malice squeezed the release chamber on his gun, a faint wining sound could be heard before the gun failed and powered down, Malice dropped it and tried to pull back towards the door.

"And now, where was I" Raven said, it lifted up its slender arm, a smooth part on its lower arm raised to reveal the emitters of a Plasma rifle, it fired a pin point shot passing through the Prophets blue robes and hit his Antigrav belt. The Prophet wobbled for a minute in his chair before he fell from it and landed with a crunch on the floor as several of his fragile bones snapped and he yelled out in pain.

Raven knelt down beside the Prophet grabbing it by the throat and lifting it high into the air, the Prophet shook in fear and muttered "Please, have mercy".

Raven eyes grew even darker; his grip hardened and with a hint of anger in his voice said, "Mercy was the first thing your friend watching this now took from young Zeke". Raven drew his plasma blade from his arm and began to singe the Prophets wrinkled chest, "Compassion, generosity, fear, love, he took them all", the Prophet screamed out as Raven carved strange patterns into his chest. "He left only the hate, the rage, the anger, and the memories of", he trailed of from the conversation, his voice becoming deeper and darker as he increased the speed and pressure of his blade as the Prophet sobbed in pain. "So you would understand that it is not that I don't want to show you mercy, it is that I can't".

He dropped the Prophet to the ground as its limp body made a clang as it hit the cold metal surface of the floor, his sobbed and wined in pain, Raven stood there transfixed before he looked back down at him. "And now it ends for you, for years you have carried out untold horrors on innocent lives, you had better hope they show you mercy for I assure you when you arrive in the after life, there will be no one to protect you from your many victims wrath". With that he brought he armored heel down on the Prophets head, its fragile skull crumbled as blood seeped from it, the soft flesh of its brain was pushed out as Raven pressed down, he then stepped of and walked away.

Suku' Nakita covered her mouth with her hand as if she were to throw up, all the others in the room were shocked as well as revolted at the sight of the former Prophet of Malice, even Solace who normal brown skin had turned pale white.

Korrander was first to speak, he stepped forward and said, "We can't let it leave the room, if it does".

"It won't, those doors are sealed shut and have four million combinations it will never escape" Solace said.

Suku stepped forward, "I read through the human files in the databanks, its decoding system is more advanced then anything we could have imagined, it can break fifty million codes a minute, we must…"

She was cut of as Solace let out a yell of rage, "you did what, consorting with human infidels is punishable by death, I will personally see that you are…"

Tai' Nakita then broke the argument as he gasped staring down into the room, "Look".

Down below Raven walked to one of the doors, he simply looked at the control panel beside it, green text flooded through his eyes and onto the control panel, a few seconds later the door swung open and he stepped through.

Above all the aliens looked down amazed; Fleet Master Putreere was the first that broke the silence as he spoke into his comm.'s device, "security contingent four, secure outer corridors, don't let that thing leave here alive."

"I don't want my new weapon damaged, not by anyone" Solace shouted.

Putreere turned on him in anger, "Your subordinate is dead, that thing you have created could level an entire city if it gets out, it must be stopped."

Solace mealy stood there staring at the Sangheili, anger flaring in his eyes but still saying nothing.

Tai then glanced down at the lab that was now covered in blood, flesh and plasma searing. His eyes narrowed as he looked at the mutilated form of Malice lying on the ground, his head was caved in and bits of bone stuck out of his frail body. But Tai's eyes fell on his chest were a strange pattern had been carved into the Prophets body, Tai thought nothing of it at the time and returned his gaze to the others in the room, "We must get to control room, we can monitor the situation from there."

All in the room stood, there hands hovering over the side-arms as the tension built up, after a few seconds Solace reluctantly muttered, "Very well".



The large group hurried out of the observation lounge still weary of each other, down below Raven had entered one of the side passages. As he made his way down a red clad armored elite ran down the corridor clutching a plasma rifle and firing. As it closed Raven shot forward driving the bladed edge of its elbow into the elite's stomach making it give a deep grunt, simultaneously it drove its other bladed arm behind the elites head and sliced through the shield and armour protecting its neck. Raven then flipped the elite over his shoulder bringing the alien down head first with a crash making its head crumble.

Raven reached down and picked up the aliens discarded Plasma rifle, at the same time grunts and elites flooded the passage ahead while brutes and Jackals flooded the passage behind him and opened fire. Raven ducked down taking cover behind one of the outcroppings in the wall, he then moved out and fired both the Plasma rifle and the Plasma emitters sealed into his armour. Many of the elites fell, the pulse particles easily punching through there shields. The majority of the grunts scattered screaming as there masters had been killed and fled down the corridor, Raven felt many shots impacting on his rear shielding, he turned to face the hordes of Brutes and Jackals behind him.

Instead of firing his Plasma weapon he activated the two fuel rod projectors concealed in his shoulders, two green balls of plasma shot down the corridor and impacted behind the Jackals and Brutes. The entire area erupted in green flames along with the screams of the soldiers stationed there, all that was left was the bodies, still standing but there flesh torn of and several limbs severed.

Raven made his way down the corridor, as soon and he rounded the corner he was surrounded by grunts, the little buggers had set a trap for him. One leapt up onto his back, the four others leapt onto his arms and legs and began to hammer and his armour, the other ten waited stood there ground around in a circle pointing there weapons at him. Raven drove back into the wall crushing two of the grunts with the impact, activating his plasma blades his sliced the grunts methane tanks causing them to fall of gasping for methane as there lungs filled with oxygen.

Activating a weapon on his arm he armed it down and spewed out red and orange flame engulfing the grunts in fire, they ran about screaming until the last eventually collapsed, the smell of scotched meat hung in the air. Raven walked away down the halls, bones crushed under his armoured heal as he stepped on the frail legs of a grunt and crushed the bones as he carried on.



Eva' Korrander typed in his access code and the doors to the control room swung open, inside were two Sangheili monitoring the controls but no sign of the Ossoona, they moved in and the Sangheili stood up and saluted the councilors and military personel.

Fleet Master Putreere quickly moved to the control panel and activated the main viewer, all in the room stared astounded at the screen, the corridors were seeped in blood, dead bodies and severed limbs but there was no sign of Solace's tool.

"Fleet Master to Security contingent four" the Fleet Master said.

"Contingent four, respond" he repeated, nothing came through but static.

Korrander stepped forward placing his claw like hand on his shoulder, "there dead Excellency, there's nothing you can do".

Putreere head spun to face him and he snapped, "There could still be some alive".

"Excellency, look at the range of plasma damage in comparison to there positions, do you really think any could have gotten away."

He sighed, "How will I explain to there families that…"

He was cut of as the Prophet of Solace said, "It is of no importance Fleet Master, we must concentrate on subduing and recovering it."

Putreere shook with anger and bolted over to Solace grabbing the frail Profit by his robes and pulled him closer, his Jiralhanae Honor Guards raised there weapons but did not dare fire.

"Release me from your grip you foul" Solace said angrily as the Fleet Master pulled him closer, "An entire contingent, killed, forty soldiers dead, believe me when I say this abomination you have created won't get out of here alive", Putreere growled releasing him.

Tai' Nakita approached Korrander from behind and quietly whispered, "Excellency, I'm received scattered reports from all over the city, there are isolated reports of open fighting between Sangheili and Jiralhanae from the Forerunner Temples to the ship yards."

Korrander sighed, "Could anything else go wrong this day."

One of the Sangheili Minors then said, "Excellency, I've found it, the weapon is approaching storage facility Ceta – 7."

Fleet Master Putreere walked to the control panel, "This is Fleet Master Koro' Putreere to security contingents six to ten, take positions in Storage Facility Ceta – 7."

Down in Storage facility Ceta – 7 forty elites stormed into the large area accompanied by around eighty grunts, they took up positions behind crates, near walls and on the ground. Behind them thirty Brutes charged in along with forty Jackals and eight Hunters, on the railing above ten Jackals equipped with Beam Rifles took positions. Two hundred soldiers stood ready, one tall silver clad Elite stood in the ranks, on his Comm.'s he received a message from his commanding officer, Fleet Master Koro' Putreere's voice came through the intercom. "Major, do not underestimate this weapons intelligence or resourcefulness, be careful."

"I thank you for your concern Excellency but I sure my soldiers can handle one Infidel." The Major said confidently waving his troops into position.

At the other side of the room there was silence as they waited; some of the grunts began to move ideally and began to talk quietly only to be scolded by there elite masters, still they waited.

Suddenly one of the purple bulkheads on the wall blew of sending the bulkhead itself flying and slammed into two grunts that were standing in its way. They were smashed against the wall and he bulkhead slid down revealing there smashed and broken bodies.

Black smoke poured from the hole left in the wall, all the Covenant in the room brought there weapons to bear pointing it at the gaping hole. Suddenly Raven flew out landing hunched over on all fours; he bent his head up slowly, his green eyes glaring at the Covenant soldiers before him.

It was then that the Silver armoured Major came out of his trance and shouted, "Fire, Fire, kill it".

All the soldiers in the room opened fired; Raven dived forward with unbelievable speed moving in a crisscross pattern across the floor dodging hundreds of shots of flying Plasma and needler shards. The few shots that hit were absorbed by his shields; he returned fire with his arm mounted plasma weapons, every shot he fired found its target, a dozen Covenant soldiers fell in less then a minute. The Hunters fired the Fuel Rod Cannons, eight green streams of Plasma fired at him, Raven leapt up onto an overhead catwalk. He fired at the Jackal snipers, ten dead Jackals flopped over and fell fifty feet from the overlying platforms and came down hitting the ground below. It leapt back down to the ground and stood up facing the remaining Covenant soldiers and waited for them to fire, they leveled there weapons preparing to open fire when the Silver armoured Major emerged from the centre spreading out his arms wide.

"Stop! Hold Your Fire, Any Who Fire Will Face Solace's Wrath." He shouted at the top of his lungs.


In the Control room Fleet Master Putreere looked at the screen, "What is he trying to do" he said staring at the screen.

"Major, What are you doing, Major", Putreere shouted into the comm.'s but received no answer.

"He has cut of his Comm.'s link Excellency" said one of the minor Sangheili sitting at the control panel.

Putreere turned to the Prophet of Solace, "What have you done", he growled.

The Prophet sat there connecting his thin weathered figures and grinning before replying, "Some care more about there honor then about the fear of the unknown, the Major is one such one of these people. He will receive the full honor when I ascend to Truths position, something you will never benefit from."

Putreere stepped forward closing the gap between them, "That thing you have created can not be controlled Solace, it will rebel again and again, kill what ever is in its way, we must destroy it".

Solace narrowed his eyes, "I know I can control it, it is the Forerunners will that I control it, whatever sacrifices are needed I will take."


Down in the Storage Facility the Silver armoured Major approached Raven cautiously with one clawed hand sitting atop his Plasma Pistol, a plasma sword rested in his other hand. He approached slowly, his eyes narrowing, Raven remained silent, the elite closed to within an arms length. Taking a deep breath he said, "Infidel, you will come with me and cease all hostile actions, you have no choice, you are outnumbered and have no other options."

Raven merely stood there contemplating what the elite had said but saying nothing, growing impatient the elite said, "Speak".

Raven stood there before his deep calm voice emerged from the armoured shell, "No"

The elite growled with anger, "What do you mean no, you have no choice."

Raven stood silent for a moment and then said, "I mean No!, I won't go with you, and if I have no other option why do you not kill me."

The elite stepped back slightly looking confused, realizing he was showing weakness he straitened up and growled, "For some reason the Noble Prophet of Solace wants you to live, and I will follow his orders."

Raven merely stood there as the elite and his soldiers waited for a response, a deep laughter emerged from Raven; the elite grew impatient and angrily growled, "What is so funny Vermin, I assure you there is nothing to laugh about."

Raven was still laughing before he said, "What is funny is that you would blindly follow Solace's orders when he would easily have you killed to save his own skin."

Anger surged through the Elite; he made a blind swipe only to have Raven duck out of the way of his swipe, resettling himself he asked, "Enough of this, what is your answer to my question."

Raven was silent but then slowly moved his arm, at first the elite flinched slightly but then saw he was not moving towards him. Raven aimed up and fired several shots of Plasma seventy feet up hitting several overhead pipes; they burst spewing water that began to cover all in the room.

The elite looked back down at him and laughed, "That is your plan, to get us wet."


In the control room Councilor Suku' Nakita stared at the screen along with all others in the room with looks of surprise and confusion on there faces, "What is it doing?" she said.

"Somehow I think its Plan is more then just to get our soldiers drenched with water" Korrander said folding his arms slightly nervously.

Tai stood simply thinking for a moment before his eyes widened, he quickly turned to the Prophet of Solace, "Solace, the compliance chip you installed, did it use internal power."

Solace looked at him confused and said somewhat reluctantly, "No it was fused with the internal power supply"

"But it still has the ability to produce electricity" Tai said.

"Yes but I don't understand", the Prophets eyes suddenly went wide as he realized what was happening.

One of the Councilors gasped, "By the Forerunners we must get them out of there."

Korrander sighed looking at the display, "there already dead."

Down in the storage facility the white armoured elite stood facing Raven, "I will ask you once more Vermin" he said, his voice becoming agitated.

"I have considered your question and my answer is still no", Raven said, small bits of electricity moving up and down his fist.

"Then you will die" the elite said, stepping back and returning to his troops.

"Prepare to fire" he yelled as the Covenant soldiers readied there weapons, the Major raised his claw like hand not realizing the water level rising above the bottom of his hooves, "Fi…"

Before he could finish Raven swept down plunging his hand into the water, electricity passed through it and passed up the elite's body as he shook screaming, black smoke poured from his body and his skin began to turn black. All the other soldiers began to shake as sparks bounced of there bodies and there skin turned a smoky black, they collapsed dead in the water, the silver armoured elite still stood, smoke billowing from his smoldering corpse.

Raven walked forward and past the dead warrior, he stopped just as he passed and whispered, "That's what I was planning to do", he then walked towards the door when a strange noise caught his attention. He looked up and saw the gravity lift at the top activate, a tall purple pillar descended downwards from the ceiling but nothing came down from it.

Suddenly six splashes hit the water in the gravity lift; Raven immediately recognized the nature of these splashes, elites, cloaked elites, Ossoona's most likely.

The lead Ossoona Seo' Karrak landed with six of his fellow Ossoona's, they immediately spread out forming a perimeter around Nemesis. All of his fellow soldiers were cloaked giving them a decisive advantage as well as having the enemy outnumbered six to one, the water still cracked with electricity but the main charge had dissipated. Seo turned his attention to Nemesis, he nodded to the other Ossoona's who promptly activated there Plasma swords which were also cloaked, Solace's tool swung its head from side to side but was obviously oblivious to there location.

Seo opened up by saying, "I have waited five years for this moment, I should have killed you five years ago when you were nothing but a week pathetic infidel."

Nemesis swung its head from side to side and slowly stepped back, it then replied in a deep voice, "You must enjoy slaughtering children, tell me, is that because you can not kill anything stronger, you go for the easiest target then gloat about your heroic actions."

Seo felt a stab of anger penetrate him, he growled, "You can never hope to understand our decadence, we are the chosen of the Prophets, we will ascend to the right hand of the Forerunners while you are left behind."

Nemesis just stared at him and quietly said, "And this is what you have to do to ascend, this genocide, then we don't want any part of it. We know that there is something better for us to ascend to; something that we don't have to justify by mass murder, anything that is archived by such genocide has made you sacrifice something that made you what you were. I and my people don't want any part of what is achieved through the cold blooded murder of an entire race."

The Ossoona's mealy stood there astounded and slightly afraid, Seo replied shouting, "You no nothing of the great Journey or of our place in this galaxy!"

Nemesis stopped edging back and stared right at him, Seo was sure it was just a coincidence that it had chosen to look in that area but still found himself stepping back. It then spoke, "Why do you spend your entire life behind a cloak, why do you revere in the Prophets company then that of your own race, is it because you fear your own race, fear they would turn on you if they discovered just what you are, a coward."

Seo found he was unable to respond, he opened his mandibites but no sound came out, one of his fellow Ossoona's answered for him, "Enough Infidel, Die", he yelled swiping at Nemesis. It quickly avoided the blade; Seo put it down to the soldier's rash outburst and the gust of wind as he struck and not that Nemesis could see them.

Seo began to pace around the perimeter signaling one of his best Ossoona's to move forward to attack on his order, Nemesis still looked in all directions for clue's to its enemies whereabouts.

He opened up by sneering, "If only you could see, yourself, you're a symbol for all your kind", he nodded for one of the soldiers to get closer, "Weak, pathetic, not deserving of life, just waiting for death."

His Ossoona closed to within a few centre meters not giving away its position; it then made a swipe at the weapons head with its plasma sword, to the warriors surprise, Nemesis ducked avoiding the blade. Thinking it a fluke the Sangheili made another swipe, the weapon dodged it again and stared him strait it the face. The Sangheili stepped back in shock; raising its sword for a third attempt it never got the chance, Nemesis grabbed him by the wrist and snapped his arm down forcing him to drop the Plasma sword. The Ossoona let out a yelp of pain, he looked up to see Nemesis looking him directly in the eye, "I see you" it said in a cold deep voice.

Raven had activated his Infer – Red vision long before the Ossoona's had dropped down and had seen them all along. Staring this 'Ossoona' in the eyes, a look of pure shock in his eyes, he took the initiative he scored at hard kick to the elite double jointed leg making it collapse to its knee's, Raven then drew its bladed elbow into the elites neck. The elite crumpled to the ground with a sickening crunch, its head stood out at an odd angle, its mandibites spread open in pain.

He looked back to the other five Ossoona's looking at him, they were spread out around him all with looks of shock on there face. He turned to the lead Ossoona and said, "You were saying something."

The Ossoona gulped before hissing back, "it doesn't matter, you're still outnumbered and we are far superior to you."

Raven let at a quite laugh and replied, "You are superior in only one way" he said as a plasma blade shot out from the emitter in his arm "you will die faster."

The Ossoona clenched his mandibites before shouting, "Enough, kill him."

The other Ossoona's raised there Plasma swords and charged forward, the first attempted to slash Raven with his sword, Raven grabbed him by the wrist bending his Plasma Sword down. Activating his own Plasma blade he drove it into the Ossoona's head just under his Mandibites, the soldier dropped to the ground dead, purple blood leaking from its head. Raven swept down grabbing the Plasma Sword, a second Ossoona ran towards him holding its Plasma sword high and screaming some incomprehensible curse at him.

He ducked avoiding the blade then swiped at the elite's leg slicing the her limb clean of, the elite dropped it's sword and grabbed its leg screaming in pain. A third elite rushed him with its blade lowered, grabbing the fallen sword he threw the blade which imbedded itself through the elites chest, the elite was thrown up into the air and landed with a splash to the ground.

The last elite charged him from behind but missed as Raven ducked, he then spun around and smashed into the elite stomach driving him back before lifting him up and smashing him to the ground. The elite lower section and spine were crushed leaving it sprawled on the ground, blood pored out of its mandibites, it began sputtering as its lungs filled with its own blood and it began to drown.

Raven stood up and glared at the remaining Ossoona, his eyes grew a darker green as he glared at the elite.

Seo' Karrak activated his Plasma sword, in his other hand he activated a smaller Plasma blade and braced for melee combat. Raven stood there not giving anything away, they both glared at each other waiting for something to ignite there fury.

Seo began by say, "I should have put you to death when I had the chance, I knew you were not worthy to accept the gifts of the Prophets."

He saw a spark in Raven's eyes before he replied, "I'm not that child you enslaved to your Prophets five years ago, he's gone, dead, all because of you."

Seo squinted his eyes and said, "It's beyond me how you primitive primates were able to put together such a weapon but you are no match for the strength of our Covenant."

Raven let out a sharp crackle of a laugh, "Well, we did have assistance in that matter."

Seo looked at him startled, he finally replied in a hesitant voice, "Help, from who."

He watched Raven's eyes, although he had no mouth Seo was sure if he did it would have a mischievous grin on it, he then replied, "Ancient human proverb, none of your business."

Seo stood there before he scowled and charged; Raven also charged at him scooping up a fallen Plasma Sword, they met in the middle of the storage facility smashing into each other. They both fought furiously dodging each others swipes and blocking attacks. Raven caught his sword in Seo's, pulling back as hard as he could he yanked the sword away and both went flying. This left the two of them with only there smaller Plasma Blades, they were both incredibly fast but Raven was faster in his reaction time. He scored a lucky hit and sliced of the elite's arm of at its elbow disarming him literally, the elite grasped its stub in pain and collapsed to its knee's.

He looked up moaning in pain, Raven stood over him with its Plasma blade activated, a dark voice emerged from Raven, "Now elite, you die."

Seo looked at him before somewhat sneering back, "Just finish me but do not name me with you harsh barbaric tongue."

Raven shot him arm forward pulling the elite's head closer, "Zeke's tongue was one of the first things that was taken from him, along with his mouth, so he couldn't scream out as his skin was torn from his bones and his fresh organs were pulled out. But your correct, your not elite, you're an idiot."

Seo mealy looked at him before saying, "Finish it."

Raven granted his request; he drove his plasma blade into his face burning a deep black hole into the elites head, the body then collapsed to the ground along with hundreds of others in the room. Raven stepped back before turning around and walked silently to the far wall, opening the door he walked out of the facility and into the dark chaos infected streets of High Charity.

Chapter 7: Massacre on High Charity
Date: 16 November 2006, 10:51 pm

Author's Note: Just completed this chapter, if you read please review.

I don't mind what kind of feedback, good or bad, just please review

Chapter 7: Massacre on High Charity

Fleet Master Koro' Putreere smashed his fist down on the control panel leaving a large dent; one of the minor Sangheili hesitated then said, "Over two hundred dead Excellency."

Putreere looked at the screen of all the dead bodies in the room then back to the Prophet of Solace casually sitting there not worried about how many people his new creation hand just slaughtered mercilessly. It was then that Tai' Nakita pointed to the screen showing the body of the Prophet of Malice, "what in the Forerunners is that."

Councilor Suku' Nakita walked closer to see the screen; unfortunately she strolled to close to one of the Jiralhanae Honor Guards. The beast lunged forward locking it hairy arms around her bringing a threatening Plasma pistol to bear near her face, simultaneously the other Jiralhanae Honor Guards raised there weapons at the Sangheili in the room.

The Sangheili directed there weapons back towards the Jiralhanae guards averting there aim so they didn't hit the Councilor should a firefight break out, positioned behind the Jiralhanae guards was the Prophet of Solace.

Fleet Master Putreere stepped forward growling, "Solace, what in the Forerunners name are you doing" he shouted pulling his Plasma pistol from his holster and pointing it at the Profit. A sadistic smile crossed the shriveled lips of the Prophet, "I will be taking my leave now and so will the Councilor, you don't follow us and no one will be harmed", he nodded to one of the guards who opened the door, they began to back away towards it.

Ship Master Eva' Korrander stepped forward, "You arrogant abomination of nature, your afraid, afraid that this thing that you've created is going to come after you so your fleeing."

The Prophet grinned before replying, "I am mealy fore filling the wishes of our lords, too many Prophets have died this day, I must insure that I am safe to lead the Covenant when Truth is gone."

Tai stepped forward, "Let her go you filthy beast."

The Jiralhanae laughed moving its paw like hand up to the Councilors neck as they pulled back through the door, the Prophet then sneered "I will take my leave of your company now."

As they edged out Councilor Suku' Nakita rammed her elbow into the Jiralhanae's stomach, the aliens mouth opened and it let out a long grown loosening its grip on her. Suku grabbed the guard's wrist and flung him over her shoulder slamming him into the ground; she then withdrew her Plasma sword and in one sweeping motion brought it down through the Jiralhanae's chest spattering herself and the walls with blood. She ducked as the Jiralhanae and Sangheili opened fire on each other, several soldiers were hit by stray plasma bolts, the Jiralhanae honor guards and Solace pulled out through the corridor and out of the area.

Tai and one of the Sangheili honor helped Suku up, she stood to see them all looking at her surprised, "What, I was in special ops for six years I handled worse then a dumb Jiralhanae in that time" she said.

"I can see that" replied Korrander.

Just then a large human warship flew overhead inside of High Charity's dome.

"What in the Heavens" Fleet Master Putreere gasped as the ship smashed into a tower a few miles away, its front half disappeared into the tower.

Putreere turned to the minor elite manning the consol, "How did that ship bypass our defense grid."

The minor elite scrolled over his instruments, "I do not know Excellency, I'm not detecting any life sign's on it."

"Then who was operating it." Putreere growled.

"There" one of the Councilors said pointing at the screen, all the Sangheili turned there attention, hundreds of flood forms were emerging from the wreckage as well as dozens of dropships launch from its hangers.

"What in the Forerunners" Korrander muttered, "We have to pull out; this place is no longer safe."

Councilor Suku' Nakita pointed to the display screen, "Look, on Malice's chest."

All the Sangheili in the room turned there attention to the display screen, upon was the dead Profit of Malice; inscribed on his chest were a number of strange symbol's.

"What does it mean" said one of the Councilors folding his arms and frowning.

"It's nothing, just gibberish Nemesis used to make Malice suffer before it killed him" Putreere said.

"No it's more then that" Tai replied looking closer, "what if it's trying to tell us something."

"That's imposable, that abomination is mealy a weapon, why would it try to tell us something secretly." Said a Councilor

"What if it's not Nemesis" Tai replied "what if it's the host Solace used as the catalyst that's trying to communicate with us"

"That's imposable" replied another Councilor, "The Prophet of Solace said nothing of it survived."

Korrander turned to the Councilor, "It's not the first time he's been wrong" he said thrusting a slender finger at the display showing the dead Prophet of Malice, the Councilor looked at it clenching his mandibites.

Suku stepped forward placing a clawed hand on the shoulder of one of the minor Sangheili, "Run those symbols through all the Prophets databases which has information on any human symbols."

The Sangheili turned to the Fleet Master slightly nervous, Putreere nodded to him and he turned to the consol typing in several commands, data began to flow across the screens.

"There" stated Korrander pointing to one of the screens.

Councilor Suku moved closer before saying, "It's the symbol for lightning, a sizable burst yield."

"Is that how we kill it" said one of the Councilors", excitement in his voice.

"I doubt that, electricity didn't stop it before" replied Korrander folding his arms, "But the burst you're suggesting hear is ten times a strong, maybe it would cause some damage."

"We should move" said Putreere activating his Plasma sword, "we're wasting time".


High Charity, Ceta District, Streets of High Charity

Raven moved quickly down one of the alien streets barely a blur to the naked eye, as he rounded the corner he came to a street where numerous elite's and grunts were trading shots with brutes and jackals. He leapt up fifteen feet rebounding of the wall and landed right in the middle of the enemy soldiers, he ducked as one of the brutes made a swing for him, coming back up he drove a bladed elbow into the brute's neck killing it instantly. An elite came up behind him and swung its arms attempting to crush him, Raven spun around dodging the blow and driving a plasma blade into the elite's stomach. He brought up his arms and fired in all directions as his enemies fell, one by one, his pin point accuracy not leaving a single Covenant soldier alive.

He quietly left the street and proceed deeper into High Charity, over head there was a mighty explosion as a Covenant Frigate took a direct hit to its bow, it lunged as explosions erupted all down its glossy hull. All around High Charity Covenant ships engaged one another in battle, the left side of the Frigate burned a magnificent spectrum of red and white flames before it smashed into the domed side of High Charity. In the distance a Destroyer rammed into a Cruiser, there shields flickered then went out as they were both swallowed up in a massive ball of flame.

Raven made his way to the edge of a street corner and leapt up grabbing hold of a ledge, using his robotic limbs he propelled himself up several feet and landed on the roof, he made his way over the roof top and came to the other side. Down below was an area stretched out to maybe the width and length of twenty football pitches. Filling this area were hundreds of elites and brutes, thousands of grunts and jackals and dozens of hunters, the area was a blood bath, everywhere dead bodies rotted and plasma scarring pieced the once colorful metallic material making up the interior of High Charity.

Raven leapt down into the battlefield, a brute immediately approached him with speed howling in rage. Raven swung his arm out smashing the brute in its hairy face, blood streamed from its cracked skull as it fell sliding across the floor and smashed into a formation of Jackals. An elite approached him from behind attempting to smash him to the ground, unfortunately for the Covenant soldier Raven was faster, he dodged the elite's blow and grabbed him by the arm hurtling the alien nine foot in the air and slamming it down to the ground cracking its spine.

Raven weaved in and out of the warring factions slaughtering dozens of soldiers using the sophisticated weapon systems imbedded in his armored body. A massive hunter fell after being hit by a well placed shot from Raven just below its head, its bond brother charged at him attempting to bring the full weight of its shield down and crush him. Raven ducked down and rolled forward coming up right in front of the hunter, leaning all his weight forward his smashed into the living tank knocking the creature to the ground. Raven pointed his arm towards the hunters exposed chest and emptied and full charge of searing hot plasma into it, orange blood splashed over him, the hunter let out a painful groan before dying.

Suddenly an explosion erupted at the far corner to the left of the battlefield from the large colorful buildings the flames engulfing dozens of grunts and jackals fighting there. From the black smoke emerged hundred small yellow sacks scraping across the floor along with dozens of decapitate forms, 'the flood' Raven thought turning with every other warrior on the field in unison.

The flood charged head on into the soldiers, the rattling and hissing of automatic and plasma weapons filled the air along with the sounds of screaming as warriors from both factions fell before the flood onslaught. The elites and brutes stupidly charged at the enemy seeking glory to fill there blood lust, hundreds fell before the flood offensive. Raven picked his targets and fired with pinpoint accuracy, dozens of flood forms fell but hundreds more took there place.

Raven turned to look to his right then his left; he was detecting motion, lots of motion all around the perimeter of the battlefield. Suddenly the buildings surrounding the field blew apart in a massive display of flame as large chunks of debris blew into the field; Raven leapt backwards landing crouched over as a chunk of debris smashed onto a squad of grunts. Raven stood up and looked over at the edge of the field, thousands upon thousands of small yellow sacks came swarming out like a tidal wave advancing on all fronts. Accompanying them were hundreds of mutilated flood forms that fired into the remaining Covenant forces as they advanced, they washed over the Covenant troops pushing them into the middle of the field.

Raven crouched down and leapt up into the air, his wings folded out and for a moment he resembled an angel of death lifting of from the field of destruction, his wings stretched out as far as they would go. As he flew through the air backwards he back flipped in mid air to avoid the fire from down below and landed on a nearby roof with perfect pin point precision.

He stood up and looked into the field; the flood now covered the massive field, only a small peace of light red floor could still be seen were a hand full of elites and grunts fired everything they had into the flood tide surrounding them. They screamed, slashed and fired as they shouted incompressible curses at the flood surrounding them. The elites discarded there drained Plasma Rifle's and Carbines withdrawing there Plasma Pistols and fired standing back to back. The flood stopped for a moment and pulled back before launching a final inevitable wave overrunning the remaining elites pulling them down. Raven saw the last elite, a red armored soldier get pulled down but keeping it arm stretched out as if wanting to reach out into space and escape, the long claw like figure's slowly stopped moving and the flood pulled the arm back in.

Raven looked on in amazement; the flood covered the entire field like a sea of greenish water, hundreds more poured out from the buildings making them build up higher. Deformed elites and brutes rose from the flood, horribly mutilated, the bodies of the dead being conscripted into a vast army.

Raven turned around and walked away, he leapt down from the roof onto a lower platform landing hunched over, he leapt once again landing on a street, he would have to move quickly if he was to evade the flood.

As he began to move his enhanced vision caught movement in the darkness of an open building to his right, he slowly turned and walked towards it. Equipping his weaponry he entered the building, suddenly lightning sprung out from hidden emitters in the walls shocking him on all sides. He pulled out from the door still cracking the static electricity when someone rammed into his back tackling him to the ground.



Ship Master Eva' Korrander plowed into Nemesis from behind throwing the entire wait from his body into the tackle driving his enemy to the ground. Around twenty Sangheili surrounded them equipped with specially designed Plasma swords adapted to emit a powerful electric shock. Nemesis spun around beneath him facing him, Korrander pinned his arms to the ground trying to keep him down. He then felt a sharp pain up his back as the beast beneath him sprung its tail up smashing into the Sangheili's back, Nemesis drove its fist into Korrander's chest winding him, it then drove its foot into his stomach sending him flying. He landed a few feet away crashing to the ground, he pulled himself up as Nemesis leapt up, an Honor Guard charged at him in an attempt to strike him with his sword, it dodged the blow grabbing the honor Guard by the arm snapping the bone and hurtling him to the ground.

A female Honor Guard charged it head on swiping her blade, the beast ducked, her swipe completely missing, Nemesis drove a foot into the Sangheili's shin smashing the bone, she dropped down clutching her leg in pain. Nemesis rose to its feet activating a Plasma blade preparing to drive it down into the Sangheili's skull.

Councilor Suku' Nakita charged forward grabbing him by the wrist and driving her own fist into its head driving it back. Nemesis slowly turned its head slowly back to her silently regarding her, a snort was heard from it before it charged at her choosing to fight hand to hand without the assistance of any weapons.

She dodged his initial attack as his fist smashed into the wall behind her, his fist punched straight through; she shot up blocking his next punch and drove her fist into his chest. The two of them began to grapple furiously in brutal hand to hand combat, unfortunately Nemesis proved to be faster utilizing Suku's weaknesses to his strength's, he knocked out her legs from under her causing her to fall to the ground. Tai' Nakita drove into him protecting his mother and forcing him back, Nemesis grabbed his arm and twisted him round before throwing him to the side.

Tai struggled to get up as he saw Nemesis approaching him, just as it neared he drew his modified Plasma sword striking at him in the chest. Nemesis let out a scream like sound as sparks of electricity ripped across his body, at the same time Suku and Korrander supported by two Honor Guards drove there Plasma Swords into him from all directions.

Electricity surged all across Nemesis, his head jerked from side to side his green eyes beginning to flicker then suddenly he let out an earsplitting roar before finally collapsing to its knees, its arms fell to its sides.

Korrander slowly approached the fallen warrior equipping his Carbine pointing it at its head; the dark green glow from its eyes had faded and was replaced by a simple pale white. As every other Sangheili in the street leveled there weapons he approached taping the warrior on the head with the nozzle of his Carbine, suddenly its head leveled up looking at him strait in the face, Korrander visibly jumped as all the soldiers leveled there weapons.

"That weapon isn't necessary Ship Master, I will not move against you" Nemesis said in a calm rational voice.

"You are the one named Zeke" replied Korrander leveling his weapon by his side but still keeping it pointed at the crouched warrior.

It nodded silently before replying, "I apologize for the soldier's I have killed, I had no control over my actions."

Tai stepped forward and asked, "Then how did you produce that message for us to follow."

"I was able to seep into his unconscious mind and plant an order without him knowing it, it took much concentration." Zeke replied turning his head to the side slightly, "I have very little time left"

Fleet Master Koro' Putreere stepped forward growling, "Foul Demon, how did you corrupt Solace's programming, and who is this, 'he' you keep referring to."

Zeke looked up slowly and replied in a deep voice, "It was no accident that the Prophet of Malice stumbled upon those plans, they were planet in the UNSC system and left for him to find. A stored consciousness was placed with the data that was stolen from the planet. Upon the weapons activation it was programmed to overwrite all current orders and kill the Prophet's of Malice and Solace, his name is Raven."

Councilor Suku' Nakita sighed shaking her head, "Very smart, the humans couldn't produce such a weapon themselves so they got us to do it for them, by counting on the Prophet's greed for power."

Korrander stepped forward and said, "Tell us, why were you placed here, mealy to assassinate two Prophets or something more."

Zeke shook his head, "I was sent here as the Vanguard."

"The Vanguard of what" growled Putreere strengthening his grip on his Plasma rifle.

Zeke looked up to him before replying, "An invasion force."

The Fleet Master broke out in a deep thick laugh, "Your pathetic human UNSC military doesn't have the strength to launch and invasion of our Great Covenant, you are a lying…"

He was cut of by Zeke who spoke quickly, "Not the UNSC."

Councilor Suku frowned, "then who"

Zeke became more agitated, his voice becoming more fragmented, "The ones who will invade are, are… own know", he began to turn his head from side to side as if he was concerned someone was spying on him.

Suku stepped forward and asked, "Who, Zeke, who will invade."

Zeke looked back at her, although she could not see his face she knew if she did it would be one of fear and worry, "It's too late, he's resurfacing, I can't hold him back." Zeke jerked his head to one side, his shields flared once but then deactivated and he bent his head down slightly. "Kill me, if he resurfaces I won't be able to stop him again, Kill me now, do it."

The Sangheili looked at each other, even Fleet Master Putreere looked surprised by this request to end his life, Councilor Suku stepped forward, "Wait, we don't have to kill you, there must be…"

She was cut of by Zeke, "There is no other way, you have to kill me, please, I can't live like this, cold, not alive, not dead just something in between, trapped inside a metal cage unable to live and unable to die. Strike the neck, it is the most venerable place, do it now, you won't get another chance like this", a faint green glimmer returned to his otherwise pale white eyes.

Ship Master Korrander stepped forward activating a Plasma Sword tearing of the electric charger on the side, a bright blue flame of energy emerged as he lifted it in the air preparing to strike.

He brought the blade down with speed putting all his strength into the swing, suddenly Zeke's armored hand shot up grasping Korrander's wrist and drove his sword into the ground. He leapt up twisting in the air then landed on his feet, his head rose to look at the Sangheili before him, the dark green color returned to his eyes.

"Well, I fear that I may have underestimated Zeke's strength in this matter" he said in a deep calm voice.

Suku stepped forward but was stopped by an Honor Guard, the other Sangheili pointed there weapons at the warrior before them, "Raven" she growled.

"Yes Councilor, I apologize but Zeke's presence in this matter is no longer required, he has served his purpose as have your Prophets."

Fleet Master Putreere then growled, "Who sent you Demon"

Raven mealy stood there returning the gaze not giving anything away, "I'm afraid I cannot reveal that information, you understand Fleet Master, Orders."

Putreere growled in anger but did not say anything, Commander Tai' Nakita glared at him and growled, "Foul Demon"

Raven turned his head to him, if he had a mouth a wicked smile would be set upon it, "Who was it who secured Zeke for Solace's plan to be put into action."

Tai paused unsure what to say, Korrander answered for him, "He was ordered to."

"No, you stole Zeke, you slaughtered the defenseless colonists and you obtained the programming implementing the orders to overwrite Solace's programming which lead to Malice's death, I exist because of you both."

All the Sangheili looked at each other unsure what to do, before any could reply a building at the far end of the street exploded, dozens of flood forms charged out into the street supported by hundreds of smaller bulbous flood sacks. They began to charge down the street firing there weapons at the large group of Sangheili assembled at the street corner. The Sangheili and Raven took up positions on either side of the street and returned fire, Councilor Nakita found herself close to Raven but he did not attack but instead spoke, "It seems this area is no longer safe, I suggest you leave."

Suku narrowed her eyes, "and what of you."

She heard what she thought was a chuckle from him before he responded, "One Prophet down, one to go."

With this he leapt up into the air, his long wings spread out and he rose into the sky of High Charity and Suku could not help feeling slightly awed by his slender figure ascending into the air. He flew of into the dark night time of High Charity becoming a silver speck in the darkness shrinking into the distance.

Ship Master Korrander then shouted, "Councilor, we must pull back before this area is overrun."

She nodded and signaled for the soldiers to move back, they slowly passed back keeping up a constant stream of firing in the direction of the mutilated flood forms. They pulled back to one of the barracks in the city, abandoned as many soldiers were evacuating High Charity, the gate flung open as they pulled inside.
Tai moved to one of the control panel's ripping it off and fusing several of the systems together, the doors sealed shut, Suku knew they would not open now unless they were forced apart.

"Those doors won't hold them back for long" Tai' Nakita said, "We need to move."


Council Accommodations

Lara woke up to the sound of footsteps from many people; she remained silent pulling the covers over her. The footsteps did not produce the clean clicking sound the elite's hooves made but instead a dull thud of heavy flesh hitting the ground, the footsteps got closer, louder and she heard the heavy breathing and grunting of the owners of these footsteps.

The footsteps stopped outside the door, she heard it open and a foul stench enter the room, the stench of Brutes. The footsteps stopped by her bed and there was silence, suddenly a fury hand grabbed her by the throat pulling her from the bed like she was a feather.

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