//------------------------------// // Chapter Three: Aliens (Revised) // Story: War To Peace // by Corgi King //------------------------------// "So full of hate were our eyes That none of us could see. Our war would yield countless dead But never Victory. So let us cast arms aside And like discard our wrath. Thou, in faith, will keep us safe Whilst we find the path." -Covenant Prayer _________________________________________________________________________________________ (0600 HOURS, NOVEMBER 4, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) \ VICTOR WHISKY ALPHA \ IN FREE SPACE \ SECTOR BETA DELTA 4 \ ON COVENANT FLAGSHIP SHADOW OF INTENT) "Brothers, the humans have deprived us of what is rightfully ours." Ship Master Rtas Vadum yelled to his troops in an effort to rally them, there loss of the ASCENDANT JUSTICE had dropped the chance of success by almost a third "The prophets have told us what lies beyond the shield-world, a world that has been untouched by the flood, humans, or us. The humans do not know the power they hold. We will break their forces and claim what the gods have given to us!" Cheers broke through the ranks, looking down he could see the different spices that made the Covenant. There was the Gunts (Unggoy) there shrimp like features including the methane tanks on their back, they were weak but loyal going suicidal with a pair of plasma grenades if their leader died. Coming from the distant world Balaho. There the Jackals (Kig-Yar) they looked like vultures with their large hawk like eyes, there were a formidable foe they had large arm shields that could block a dozen rounds of plasma, they wore light metal plates some even with optical enhancement goggles. Coming from the planet of Eayn. There were many Elites (Sangheili) with their Humanoid & reptilian body structure; quadruple hinged mandibles with conical teeth; binary vascular system. They were the main infantry of the Covenant with shields much like tongues of their human counterparts. Coming from Sanghelios. Then in the far back was the Hunters (Mgalekgolo) they were known by many names the one they favored most was "Spartan killers." Made with a single entity created by a unified colony of small worm-like creatures called Lekgolo. They were limited in numbers but made up for that with being able to stand rounds from tanks. Coming from the gas giant Te. Rtas Vadum himself was an Elite adorned with silver armor proving himself to be a Shipmaster he stood tall and proud as he looked at his troop marveling over the sizes, shapes, and colors form the four races. He moved to the bridge with no visible view ports there were only small screens showing the outside space. "Brothers we move back to the shield world!" He yelled taking his place in his chair. "Ship Master, are you sure that is wise?" asked a Elite adorned with blue armor asked. "Are you questioning me Minor?" He asked in a slight growl. "Not at all Ship Master, but with the ASCENDANT JUSTICE being destroyed, I was just wondering if that was the best possible choice." Rtas growled, growing tired of this questioning of orders, "You dare question me?" he got out of his chair and walked to the now backpedaling Elite, he grabbed him and threw him onto the main console "I am the Ship Master, my word is law you have no honor, you can not call yourself a Sangheili. You have dishonored the name of the Covenant!" Silence filled the bridge as onlooking Elite quickly went back to work tapping on the holographic keyboards. The minor got up and stat in his chair typing some symbols on the keyboard. "Ship Master, we are ready for a slipspace jump." A smile (as much as a Elite could smile) appeared onto Rtas face. "Send us to Onyx, we will destroy the human ship." (0620 HOURS, NOVEMBER 4, 2552 (MILITARY CALENDAR) \ ZETA DORADUS SYSTEM, IN ORBIT ABOVE PLANET ONYX \ SECTOR BETA DELTA 4 \ MAIN BARRACKS) ***This is my OC and it will be told in his perspective unless specified otherwise*** Opening my eyes i see the stone engraving above my bed; Through Knowledge, Victory. Through Unity, Peace. Honor, Valor, Allegiance. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Together We Rise. Together We Prevail. From Earth, For Earth. Honor, Valor, Allegiance, Excellence. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Together We Rise. Together We Prevail. From Earth, For Earth. Honor, Valor, Allegiance, Excellence. From Earth, For Earth. Today. Tomorrow. Forever. Together We Rise. Together We Prevail. I read over it for the hundredth time, rubbing my eyes I slowly get up. Moving to the closet I open seeing crisp, clean lab coats, grabbing one I put it on and move out heading to my personal warthog, passing by troops fixing warthogs or just relaxing. Onyx has been my home for the past four months. I was surprised when FLEETCOM funded me to study the Shield-World, there was just one problem i had no access to Zone-67. After what happened in orbit I told the general that we had to send a team into the zone, they have not reported in after twenty-four hours he had declared them MIA by the Commander. Sighing I check my gear again, perfect everything is there; biofoam, a .50 cal revolver, MREs, multiple data pads, three boxes of cigarettes, lighter, and a small box of ammo. 'I'm really doing this.' I thought climbing into the car and flipping it on i drove to the gate to Zone-67. "Gatekeeper, open the gate code; osprey gamma zeta." The gate screeches open but stops halfway. "Wait Doc is that you?" I deadpanned and started to panic, searching every part of my mind to find a possible answer. 'Play it cool, play it cool.' I thought and cleared my throat "Hey man nice to see you too. Commander has given me permission to search for Foxtrot and do some 'field research', so you going to let me past?" "Uh ya sure Doc, just be careful out there." I nod and wave moving past the opening gate. "Fucking hell man." my British accent coming through. About a click away from the gate, I stop in front of a large portal, smiling I drive into the portal my insides instantly feel like they are ripped out then slammed back in. "Fuck!" I lean over the side blowing chunks, i feel like my head exploded. I stare at the sky, the clouds hang low to the ground yet high enough not be fog can see dotes fly around pushing and kicking the clouds. I rev the engine and drive to see two other warthogs, thank fucking god, I park by them and hop out "Am I fucking glad to see you Foxtrot." "Wait Doc, why the fuck are you here you should be on the other side working on getting us back!" I look at Tom blankly then shake my head. "Sorry to say guys but Spartan Team Foxtrot was listed MIA about twelve hours ago." Tom slammed a fist into the log he sat on shattering it. "So tell me Doc, why are you here?" I smile and give a stiff laugh. "What not happy to see me, I did come looking for you... well your equipment in case you were, dead." I stopped stunned 'Wow Craig was right i'm becoming a cold hearted bitch!' I frown "That came out wrong we were all worried about you Spartans i just feared the worst." I look over to see Kelly, Mark, and Holly staring daggers at me "So you only wanted our armor?" Tom yelled "You asshole, we were with you how many times going through augmentations!?" "Tom, I-" "No, we were friends you were like a father to me. Just because we have super bodies and numbers after our name, that all changes?" "Tom, please, let me explain." "No you listen here, you don't touch our equipment, you don't order us, you don't even ask to talk. You are on your own." I sigh, only nodding, Tom would get over it right? I moved away getting my duffle bag and moving deeper into the woods, I was on my own with no help from the outside world, unaware of the creatures that called the Everfree their home.