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The Forerunner (tls) by The lastspartan
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The Forerunner Part 1: High Charity
Date: 1 April 2006, 3:42 am
"This one is machine and nerve,and has his mind concluded,
And this one is but flesh and faith,and is the more deluded..." - Gravemind
Chapter 1: Past and Present
---------------------------
The Pelican soared through space,and landed with a soft thud on the barren surface of High Charity. Seargent Johnson stepped onto the dusty plain. "Why the hell did we land on this side of the Heck-Hole?". The Pilot chuckled uneasily, "And get caught in between what's left of the Covenant and the Flood? I don't think so!". Johnson loaded his Battle Rifle, "Why did we even come here at all?". Master Chief, always knowing the mission, said "Because Cortana, a highly efficient and advanced artificial intelligence, is stranded in the planet's computer system, and must, at any cost, be retrieved.".
Johnson snorted, "Ha! I'm gettin' too old for this shit. How about you, Chief?".
No, he thought, Not by a long shot.
Orich stared out the window of the Ark. The Flood had spread over his land like the water from a spring, engulfing the planet in pain and blood. The Ark had been the Forerunner's last haven, their last hope for survival. Orich didn't know where they were going, perhaps a settlement, or maybe simply wandering, until a new home was found.
He had heard rumors. Rumors of a ring-world, one without Flood, without pain. "Come, Orich, let us go to our family and eat.", His father said. Orich hopped down from the window sill. "What do you think will happen to us, Papa?", He looked down at Orich with his deep brown eyes.
"I do not know, son. In fact, I am very uncertain."
Chapter 2: Underdogs
--------------------
The Arbiter stood before the Grace. "Why have you come to us, Holy Warrior." He stared at the Elite with contempt. Even though he was the cause of the alliance the Elites now had with the humans, The Arbiter was not elected as a leader in the Grace. The Grace was a governmental force consisting of three humans, two Hunters, two Grunts, and three Elites. "I have come to you,"the Arbiter said, "In need of assistance." "State your concerns." The Gracefull said. The Arbiter bent down on his knees. "I need...a Knight." The Gracefull was taken aback. The Knights were legendary Elite soldiers. Only fleet commanders of the highest rank may be blessed with one. "For what purpose do you need one of the Honored?". "My Lord, the reclaimation of High Charity was left to Master Chief and a group of humans. Do you really want the humans to take us over? To tame us? I will take a small task force into the Citadel, to reclaim it myself. Let the humans have their...computer, I simply do not want to be domesticated like an animal!"
The Gracefull pondered this thought for a moment. "I'm frustrated with you, Arbiter. You are treating the race that helped us destroy the Brutes like they will suddenly turn their backs on us. Why is this?". The Arbiter apologised, "I'm sorry, I suppose that I do not have the right to question their loyalty. Just because they were once considered demons does not mean that they are now.". "You were not right to judge them like that, but I accept your apology. I grant you my permission to take a Knight into the Great City.". The Arbiter touched his chest in gratitude,and walked away. "Wait," said the Gracefull. "You may have one Knight. One. No more.". The Arbiter nodded, and walked out the door.
Chapter 3: Prize In Every Box
-----------------------------
Chief stepped through the broken city gates. He had seen the interior of the planet in all of it's extravagance, and now it was much different. Dust and smoke filled the air, making everything seem gray. They had not encountered any Flood, which - while relieving others - worried Chief. If they weren't here, then where? "Kinda strange, ain't it, Chief?" Johnson said, "I mean, all the Flood being gone. Makes you wonder - Shit!". Three Brutes cornered the group,pushing them back. Master Chief, weilding a shotgun, fired three rounds with perfect accuracy. All three Brutes,one bullet in each head, lay lifeless. "Nice goin', Chief." said the Seargent, emerging from his cover behind an ammunition dispenser. "Where did they come from?" asked a Marine, "It's like they popped out of nowhere!". "They're Flood." Chief said grimly,
"That's what they do."
The Knights were considered abominations by most, but to the Arbiter, a necessity. They were specially trained by the Prophets, and given strong Covenant steroids with permanent effects. Since the Prophets were no more, Knights could not be trained, so they went into battle at a high price. They were kept in cryo-storage to be aged like wine - no one wanted an unseasoned soldier. The Arbiter had chosen one from the Fourth Age of Procession, a particularly good era for Knights. Perhaps it was because the Covenant steroid production had been very good at that time. There were about one - hundred Knights left, probably less. The Knight stepped out of his cryo-tank. The Arbiter stepped before him. "Are you ready to perform your duty to your Captain?" The Knight let out a low, dull growl,
"Yeeeessss..."
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