Mission 8: Frontier [Charlie FOB]

[Daenerys Targaryen]

-Small OOC Blurb-

Under the order of Field Marshal Til 'Muramai, Garatus, Chieftain of the Brutes, and his pack have been deployed separately from the main assault force intended for the titanium mines. If they successfully carry out their orders, the Covenant will gain control of another FOB within the region. 

[Remember to Read the M8 Info thread for more information on Charlie FOB as well as the location in relation to the map and other threads!]

FOB Charlie is an abandoned forward operating base on the regions boarder - abandoned by the UNSCMC in 2529 when they were granted living quarters in the naval base. It is still maintained by elements of the insurrectionist cells on the planet, however, and the UNSC is aware of it. The base has nature overgrowth, collapsed buildings and no power supply so the tactical situation wasn't worth loosing lives over. Recon suggests the Insurrectionists haven't used the FOB as a base, rather as a forward observation post themselves.

[BetaWülf]

Tag(s): Faclan Huka TinCanHitman Remnant Kart
Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps, Burner of Demons, the Butcher.
Time to start....

Garatus growled with satisfaction as his personal Phantom rocked and swayed as it sped along. He was in decently pleasant company, many of his kinsmen rode with him, the rest being being a friend, several young warriors of his cousins pack, their Major however was unfamiliar to him. He had never met him, and knew nothing of him. This disturbed Garatus. He had looked into him when he was initially assigned to Garatus's Pack, the name was unfamiliar with those on the Home world, the three Moons, and all the Jiralhanae colonies he looked for his name from.

All he knew was this stranger amongst his ranks was best to keep close until he could get a better feel for him, and gather more information in regards to his past. Garatus shook his head and turned to face Valorus, his old friend and trusted second in command. He barked to Karonus and Cicerus, followed by a third less cordial bark at the new Major, beckoning the three to come to him.

"Our intelligence suggests this old fortress is lightly guarded, I want it taken quietly and neatly so. Cicerus, I want you and your Stalkers to slay any patrols, you shall inform Valorus of all entrances and exits so he can cut them off to make way for my Warriors." Garatus commanded.

"Silence, I want you to take out any guards, and make safe the entryway into this base. After that I will lead a small team inside while Valorus surrounds the base, cutting off all  exits" Garatus said, a dangerous edge to his words as if daring someone to challenge his strategy.


"Karonus, this will be good practice for you, I want you in there with me. You have learnt battle well, but stealth is equally important in war and I want you to learn it firsthand. Remember, our prey is smarter than we like to admit, cunning, devious. Do not underestimate them" he said to his Cousin, roughly patting his shoulder with the knuckles of his right hand.

"And you" Garatus said, addressing the new Major in their midst "I do not know you, but your Pack is coming with me into this hostile base, you'd best prepare them for battle. I doubt we'll meet any real resistance, but I don't want caught unready. Do not fail me in this" Garatus said with a soft growl, his words neutral to allow the Major to either impress or annoy him.


Garatus strode over to the pilot of the Phantom, placing a hand on the other Jiralhanae's shoulder. "I want us dropped a fair ways away from the base, I don't want them catching wind of us before Cicerus and Silence can make safe the exterior of our target area" Garatus rumbled.

"All Jiralhanae Warriors prepare to be dropped! Prepare for Conquest!" Garatus roared to his entire Pack through his communications.

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor
Chieftains Phantom
Musing on the battle and what could have been.

Drinking.

It's what all the cool kids were doing these days, yah know? Well at least the Elders, not as much with the kiddies. Most of them seemed too busy checking weapons and armor and other serious things. Meanwhile Eugine was standing a bit off to the side from his Nephew, finishing off his first of three canteens of good Jiralhanae draft. To settle his nerves a bit, to deal with his general dislike of flying, and to help him get his mind around what the semi legendary Kael Gel had done during the briefing. He had doubts that Kig-Yar could be that stupid but she proved him completely wrong and then some. It was a shame he hadn't been in the room as he would have loved recording that event in precise detail to read to the Jiralhanae children back home. They would have gotten a right kick out of it too. Even if his Faith in the Covenant had been shaken with Jornarus death he knew that respect was still deserved even if it was to safe your own skin. Even if he preferred the Nature worship he would still show the reverence to avoid exactly what had happened. The female was lucky she wasn't dead.

But since war wasn't his #1 skill the Elder was mostly silent as he listened to all the planning, and once it was done and he had thumped his fist and roared with Garatus, he offered some ideas and also commentary on recent events.

"Perhaps the Stalkers should jump pack up the roof and drop the Doisac flame down on them as the Humans try to leave and defend? Would make the clearing easier. Or try to disable the communications equipment up there so there is no rescue comin for them?" He then chuckled a bit as he slipped the spent canteen back into his bandolier pouch. "Shame 'The Grand Champion' wasn't more stupid, her helmet would look very good on your shoulder Nephew and those tiny blades of hers would make fantastic trophies." He mused happily before passing his staff to his weaker hand and pulling out his Impaler, pulling the hammer back to half cock as he prepared to disembark.

[TinCanHitman]

Dexarius 'Silence'

Chieftain's Stead

Stone Faced

Silence stood towards the back of the chieftain's drop ship, the light cloth in his hand gently wiping the metal plate on his forearm in a habitual manner. He was an unassuming form, quietly waiting with Stillness and Sight or their orders, thinking on their current mission. Garatus, Silence's chieftain and time old friend, had been sent to do the remedial work once again. Silence didn't care in truth, he expected this from the sangheili and he did his job without question. He wondered if Garatus even cared, he assumed he did. He knew how his leader was, and he personally thought this pack deserved more, he just wanted to get into the battle.

"Silence, I want you to take out any guards, and make safe the entryway into this base. After that I will lead a small team inside while Valorus surrounds the base, cutting off all exits"

Silence's arm came up to his chest, quietly clinking the metal to alert his chieftain of his acceptance. He made two quick motions with his hands and a grunt and both of his stalkers fell in behind him. He stood, waiting at the door, for them to get closer to their objective.

"Last check." Silence whispered into his battlnet, alerting his file that he wanted all of them ready before they even reached the ground. He himself did a quick check, pulling his spiker from his hip and checking it. Once satisfied with that he switched over to his punching dagger, sliding it from it's scabbard and inspecting it. It was wide with a very sudden tapered point, perfect for stabbing through armor. He watched as Stillness and Sight checked their weapons and armor, giving him a nod when they were finished.

"We are prepared." Silence whispered, his voice only audible through the battlnet. He was ready to face whatever they would find at this human fortress.

[Rxxy]

Kax, Kig-yar Herald, Attached to Garatus' pack
Preparation, the first step to a good day...

Kax stood solidarity at the front of the small room. He had been recently granted a position among st the large Jiralhanea, a Herald for the mighty Chieftain who stood before him and the rest of the Jiralhanea in the drop ship. Kax was proud to e with the pack as he wasn't exactly the best combatant, although he had been a minor for some time before receiving the Herald position. Kax wasn't allowed to address the Chieftain's plans and so he waited trying to remain unannounced waiting for a chance to do his job. Suddenly Garatus began to state specific names. These Kax took note of encase he needed to address those warriors during the battle. Kax stood straight when the Chieftain began to leave. Kax went to follow but ran into the wall of the drop ship. Curse this disease, hopefully when the Journey has reached it's end my eyes shall be remedied Kax hoped silently as he recovered from his smack against the wall.

"All Jiralhanae Warriors prepare to be dropped! Prepare for Conquest!"The Chieftain howled. Kax attempted to join in the cheers that came after, but Kig-Yar weren't built to yell like Jiralhanea.

"And for Chieftain Garatus the Deathless, Restorer of Tribes, Slayer of Shadowed Imps, Burner of Demons, the Butcher." Kax said more for practice then actual reason. It was easily drowned out by the roars of the tribe's own howls. Kax looked over to the many Jiralhanea knowing they were his allies. He grinned to himself as he felt the flechette cartridges on his bandier. His other hand fell on his Dart pistol that he had been given by his mother. It was his weapon of choice due to lack of sight. It was much quieter then the plasma pistol and he could use it more easily then the heavier side arm the elites used for their warriors who couldn't shoot straight. He looked up at the roof of the drop ship and began to utter a small prayer to the gods who governed the Journey.

[Kart]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Steeling for battle...


"And you" The Deathless said, addressing the Serretos directly. "I do not know you, but your Pack is coming with me into this hostile base, you'd best prepare them for battle. I doubt we'll meet any real resistance, but I don't want caught unready. Do not fail me in this."

"I am Serretos, great Chieftain, and you do me a great honor to allow my pack to fight alongside you. My steel is strong and my faith is stronger. They will not fail me, and I will not fail you." Serretos replied reverently. Almost immediately after saying the words, he chastised himself internally--clever words would have suited a Sangheili superior, but he worried that a simple roar of "aye, Chieftain!" would have been more appropriate. He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

What's done is done, what's been said has been said. It would suit me more to think about the coming battle rather than the niceties of social interaction.

He cast a sidelong glance at Karonus, his second-in-command. Somehow he knew the Chieftain. Perhaps they were family? Garatus had spoken in a familiar tone. He would have to ask him about it sometime. But the story could wait.

He waved one hand in a small circle in the air, tightening it into a fist. The hunter's sign for keep close and stay ready.

"All Jiralhanae Warriors prepare to be dropped! Prepare for Conquest!"


For all his Sangheili training, Serretos couldn't suppress his own roar of ferocity.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Looking Up.

Garatus grinned, nodding to Silence. The Stalker was loyal, and a friend, something to be valued in these days of war. He could rest assured that the blade in the dark was their to serve him, not stab him in his sleep. He nodded his acknowledgement to his Uncle, grunting a deep, dark laugh.

"Indeed Uncle, her blasphemy warranted as much... but I felt her humiliation would serve our Lords better this time around. Alas, I would have enjoyed giving her blades to Fenarious and Jasenus" Garatus said, lamenting his two most promising children.

Garatus listened to this new Major, this... Serretos. He spoke well, very well in fact. Garatus assumed the worst, that he was the son of a Chieftain. That would explain his education, since it was most common for the higher tier of Jiralhanae society to be bothered with learning. Garatus himself was an avid reader, and the son of a Chieftain, Fenarious the first(Garatus's heir being Fenarious the second), who was also a reader(though less so than his own cubs). It would also explain why Garatus couldn't learn his background from any sources.

Any Chieftain would go to great lengths to conceal the identity of their heir if they were in the Covenant's military under a rival Chieftain's authority. 'Accidents do happen' Garatus recalled hearing at a Moot where two Chieftains fought over the death of the other's son. Garatus also recalled usurping much of each Chieftain's lands once they'd killed each other. Damned fools. "Good" was all Garatus said in response to Serretos's assurances of his capability.

Garatus grinned devilishly as the other Jiralhanae cheered, the barely audible Kig-Yar voice reaching his keen ears still. Kax tried at least against the loudness of the Jiralhanae, and that pleased Garatus enough. The Kig-Yar most likely being able to see the Chieftain's smile.

Garatus leapt out the side of the Phantom, a horde of Jiralhanae in tow. He landed softly and quietly on the long grass in the small clearing. He hefted his hammer high before bringing it down onto his shoulder, getting ready for the walk ahead of him and his small strike force.

"Warriors left in wait, I want equipment readied, we're going to make their base our base, I want methane generators primed, Kig-Yar nesting materials gathered, bunks assembled for the delicate Sangheili" Garatus said with a laugh, many of his warriors laughing at the jab at the Sangheili. Friendly rivalry was fun, even if the Sangheili took it personally, like they always did. He wished they could take a joke, it would improve relations between the two species ten fold.

"Strike team, assemble and follow, reinforcements prepare and wait" Garatus said with a pleased growl.

"Silence and Cicerus" Garatus said, "I want one of you to take out any communications they have as soon as possible, the other will rain Doisac's fire upon any who try to escape. Deliberate between yourselves to decide who will do which, so long as it is done I will be pleased" Garatus commanded to his Stalkers.

[Remnant]

Jiralhanae Minor Karonus
Chieftain's Phantom
Ready Up

"Karonus, this will be good practice for you, I want you in there with me. You have learnt battle well, but stealth is equally important in war and I want you to learn it firsthand. Remember, our prey is smarter than we like to admit, cunning, devious. Do not underestimate them." Karonus listened to Garatus words, as he patted his shoulder with the knuckles on his hand.

"As you say, Brother." Karonus spoke, as he gave a Jiralhanae salute.

Karonus walked to the back of the Phantom towards his pack. He came to check their readiness, meaning a brief weapons check, equipment check, and so on. Just to be on the safe side.

"How's your Mace and Shield?" Karonus asked Titanium.

"The shield is at it's thickest and the mace at it's strongest."

"And your Warhammer?" Karonus asked Bruticus.

"Ready to crush anything in our way."

"What of your weapons?"

"Fully loaded, their blades sharpened." Xercius spoke up.

"Equipment?"

"Strong. Like our pack." Wulfius said.

"Good. Prepare for arrival."

"All Jiralhanae Warriors prepare to be dropped! Prepare for Conquest!" Karonus heard Garatus call out.

Karonus chuckled. He couldn't wait. He looked at his new Major, Serretos. He wasn't familiar. Not familiar at all. His scent was certainly something new. He watched as the Major had cast a sidealong glance at him, before waving a hand in the air in a small circle, tightening it into a fist. He knew what the Major meant. They all did.

Stay close and stay ready.

Karonus didn't trust this new Major. He was too... different. But he would follow his lead, see how effective this Major was. For now.

As the Phantom hovered to a stop, and the side bay doors opened, Karonus jumped out with the rest of the passengers.

"Form up!" Karonus called to his pack, to keep them from getting separated. It wasn't directed at the Major, more so the other Pack members. Karonus didn't want the Major to misinterpret it as a challenge of authority.

Karonus approached Garatus. Garatus said he wanted Karonus with him in the old fortress, so he assumed it was best to confirm.

"I assume I am to stay by your side, Brother? What would you have me do this day?" Karonus said, asking for orders.

[Faclan]

Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor
Chieftains Phantom
Go team.

Roaring with the rest of the pack as the battle roar was began by the Chieftain Euigne did a respectful job keeping up with the younger's in it. And with the new Kig-Yar in the pack it wasn't as if he could be the worst. So there was that at least. Unlike the annoying little dinner that was Garatus's pet Cad Eugine actually liked Kax more than for a walking ration. Mainly because part of the tiny Kig's job was to learn about the Jiralhanae culture to be sure his heralding was correct. And he seemed eager so far. Hopefully with that knowledge he wouldn't do anything stupid like Cad did and interrupted a blood duel. He didn't seem like he would be the one to rush toward a fight anyway. Smart bird.

Hopping off the Phantom with his Nephew Eugine breathed the air deeply, so very glad that there wasn't the need for a respirator on this planet. Taking a moment to take in the landscape and the walk ahead of them he hummed a bit at the plan that was being put into motion. It seemed solid but there was another avenue of reinforcements that should be taken out.

"Nephew, be sure to have your Stalkers and Warriors, when they move in, be on the look out for the Human vehicles. We cant have one slipping away to report the numbers of our force." Nodding a bit Eugine had a little stretch before thumping his staff on the ground and making sure his Impaler was secure on his chest - he was ready to head out.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
The time has come.

Garatus pulled out his combat knife, rolling his shoulders to loosen them up, squatting to stretch his legs. He wanted to be ready for whatever they would be up against, and stretching before battle was always a good idea. Garatus turned to look at Karonus when the young warrior spoke up, nodding to his cousin. "Yes little brother, I want you with me on this one, I don't know how many there will be and I want you by my side" he said.

Garatus then turned to look towards his Uncle, nodding to him as well. "Sound advice, though I do not think their vehicles can traverse the dense foliage ahead. Regardless I will tell them to be on alert for such things" Garatus said, followed shortly by a barking growl to the assembled Jiralhanae that said as much.

"Alright, assault pack move up" Garatus said to those he had chosen to accompany him in taking this base.

As he stalked forward towards the thicker build up of foliage, Garatus drew his combat knife. His blade was firmly held in one hand, his trusty mauler in the other. He quietly parted the brush in front of himself, slipping silently into the dense plant life. As Garatus made his way towards the enemy base, he was reminded of the many Jungles and Forests of Doisac, though he himself was of Desert stock he had visited the environments before and had conquered those on the edge of his territory.

As they neared the edge of the overgrown plethora of flora, Garatus raised a lone clenched fist and stopped. Something was not right. He peered out suspiciously at the old fortress, but only saw one Human outside, nervously pacing with weapon in hand. Garatus studied them for a long moment, concluding that it was in fact a Human Rebel, which meant the damn Rebels held the base and there wasn't likely to be very many.

"Assault pack, we're combating Rukt damned Human Rebels. I only see one outside, the rest are likely cowering inside the fortress" Garatus growled quietly into his communications feed.

"Warriors, dispatch this fool guard, take him down quietly" Garatus commanded.


[OOC: Ok, so I recently found out that at the most there are like four people in the entire base. Since they are Insurrectionists there is a little flex so maybe like five or six in total so everyone gets a kill. I'm going to not kill anyone so you all can have a little fun killing the Innies as you see fit, since I have already killed plenty of peeps as a Chieftain. So that's one per person. Whoever wants to can take out the guard, the rest can go into the base and find their victim wherever they desire. Enjoy <3]

[Kart]

[OOC: Roger dodger, Ferdinand. I'm assuming it's first-come first-served, if you guys don't mind]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Taking first blood!

"Warriors, dispatch this fool guard, take him down quietly."

Quietly? Sounds like my task, Serretos thought. Privately, he always suspected that his Jiralhanae kin were overly boisterous. Not that being boisterous was particularly bad, but there were certain times when finesse was preferable to force. Case in point, taking down a guard without alerting the rest of the base. He waved the rest of his pack to stay put while he slipped through the undergrowth. Growing up in High Charity meant that he was less than comfortable with all the plant life around him, but he'd dealt with flora before and had been taught patience at a young age.

He very careful moved through the brush, his eyes fixated on his target. The Human (which did not seem to be covered in the same gray and green armor his species seemed to prefer) didn't catch sight of the hulking Jiralhanae until Serretos cleared free of the undergrowth, with nothing but open turf now separating himself and his prey.

Serretos kept his Plasma Repeater holstered on his back, choosing instead to draw the 'Xirsas knife his old mentor, Kor, had given him as a going-away present. The lividly sharp steel was a razor without equal, and he carefully kept the edge far away from himself as he approached the Human.

However silently he moved, he had no control over the Human, which finally turned around and saw him. The little creature opened its mouth to shout, but Serretos snapped forward, gliding across the last meter and flicking his knife across the Human's throat. What would have been a scream of alarm instead turned into a soft gurgle as the creature's vocal cords and trachea were severed. Serretos rushed forward again to catch the Human before it collapsed, cautiously and quietly laying it on the ground.

He turned behind him, and waved a clawed fist through the air at his pack, baring his fangs as he went. The meaning was well-understood, honed throughout the generations of Jiralhanae.

Attack!

[Rxxy]

Kax, Kig-yar Herald, Attached to Garatus' pack
Enter the fortress

"Alright, assault pack move up" Came the order from the mighty chieftain. Kax glared into the foliage as the pack began to move into it. Kax followed, his tracks easily lost behind that of the larger creatures he served. He was only a few feet away when he saw Garatus raise a close fist. He couldn't comprehend the order it stood for, but he assumed it meant halt due to the stop of the other Jiralhanea. Kax spotted a taller tree that would raise him to see slightly above the foliage. He carefully climbed hoping that the Jiralhanea wouldn't move right away. Once he had reached the top, he spotted an outline of a creature that resembled the Jiralhanea slightly. Although it had little hair, no protruding face, and was shorter.

"Assault pack, we're combating Rukt damned Human Rebels. I only see one outside, the rest are likely cowering inside the fortress"Kax heard form the communication link in his ear. He held his ear, the Chieftain said it silently but it still hurt the Kig-yar's softer ears. As he nursed his ear he began to wonder what Rukt was. He decided to save that for the white Jiralhanea, Eugenius who always had much insight to offer.

"Warriors, dispatch this fool guard, take him down quietly" Came the next order from Garatus. Kax spotted movement. The Major that Kax had heard was named Serretos was stalking toward the position of the odd creature who Kax realized was the cursed Human rebel. Kax grinned to himself. Free money to trade, and a few guns for my mother and siblings. Kax thought to himself as he watched the Major dispatch the human. He saw yet another odd hand sign. Although based on the reactions form the warriors Garatus had picked, Kax guessed it meant to begin the siege. Kax fell from his perch and hit the ground on his feet and took off. Quietly drifting through the foliage with ease. Well with the exception of a few accidents in which he hadn't seen roots due to his partial blindness. He made it to the wall of the fortress without many problems. He found the entrance quickly as it had been on his good side.

He drew his dart pistol and entered through the entrance. Nimble on his feet he easily found himself watching a human leave a small room next an old corridor. Kax grinned as he slipped into the room hoping it to be an armory or vault. It turned out to be a small room with only a storage of beds, the likes of which Kax assumed were empty. Despite the setback Kax began searching for anything to scavenge. Money, weapons, music, anything he could take, hide, and later sell. He began scavenging amongst the first on the right. By the time he had reached the last on the right he had found a small human knife, a few pictures of humans who seemed happy, 14 human credits, and a set of dog tags. The Last bed was going to be the next victim of Kax's Kig-yar hands. Kax grabbed the cover on the top of bed and began pulling. It slid off with ease but while Kax was focused on the cover he didn't spot the human arm that erupted from the bed as the sleeping beast turned in it's bed. When Kax spotted it he slightly jumped backwards expecting it to awaken and attack, but it remained still. He sighed before pointing the dart pistol at what he assumed was its head. He fired the small, metal dart flying forward thanks to the magnetic components in the gun. It pieced the humans temple and it's eyes burst open from the two second of pain before the dart pieced its brain killing it. IT seemed to glare at Kax as he began to rummage through the human's pockets, and in/under the bed in which the corpse remained. He finished and moved on quickly not wanting to remain long should the other human return.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Into the base!

Garatus watched as Serretos moved up, heading to make his kill. He noted most oddly the knife the Jiralhanae Major carried. Sangheili-make, the finest quality in fact. Either he was a thief or connoisseur of blades... if he was a Chieftain's Son like Garatus thought, the fact the boy would carry Sangheili swill could be a point of contention, a vulnerability Garatus could take advantage of to take out a rival and grow his own territory and power. How easily manipulated well founded prejudice could be.

Garatus nodded to Serretos,  letting out a low gruff rumble quiet enough only the assault pack could hear it easily. Garatus stalked out of the underbrush in a half crouched lope, weapons at the ready. Garatus stopped at the side of the main entryway of the base, back to the wall and weapons raised. He nodded to the others, then rolled headlong into the fortress.

He rolled forward into a one-kneed crouch, Mauler resting on the top of his blade hand's wrist. He waited for a long moment, but nobody came his way. He heard the firing of a Kig-Yar weapon, Kax got around well it seemed. Garatus proceeded forward with his warriors, ready for whatever came next.

[Kart]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Taking point

Serretos signaled for the rest of his pack to follow him as he, in turn, followed the Chieftain. He sheathed his 'Xirsas knife and drew his sturdy Plasma Repeater, hefting it to his shoulder. His pack fell in behind him, ready for stiff resistance once they entered the base. To their surprise, no Humans were their to oppose their sudden entrance. A shot from inside the base indicated that battle had already been joined.

"It appears as if there are far fewer Humans than we had originally anticipated." Serretos said. Turning to Karonus, he added: "stay close. Let us secure the rest of the base swiftly--but be wary of an ambush."

He led the rest of the pack down the unoccupied corridor. Remnants and leavings of its current--or previous--tenants were scattered across the floor, with little evidence that the base was being administrated with the sterile rigor Serretos had come to expect of Humans. These Human Rebels are indeed a curiosity, he reflected.

The hallway terminated in a door with an old-fashioned handle and hinges rather than a sliding mechanism and keypad. A part of him wanted to slag the handle with a bolt of plasma rather than make a loud crash by knocking a door down, but he remembered that he was with the Chieftain, who probably already suspected him of being a Sangheili-loving weakling. As if enjoying literature made you any less of a fighter.

Snarling, Serretos kicked the door open by heavily planting his foot right beside the handle. The latch mechanism gave way, tearing free a large section of doorjamb along with it. Three alarmed Humans who had apparently been looking the other way wheeled around to face him. Diving to one side, he opened fire with a hail of plasma. One of the unfortunate creatures took a bolt in the face and collapsed in a heap, but the other two were swift enough to roll to the side and return fire. Serretos gave a shout as he landed behind a flimsy-looking crate.

"Pack! Engage!"

[Huka]

Stalker Cicerus 

Human Rebel Forward Observation Post 

A pitiful hunting ground...

The Shadowcutters made a rounding of the proximity in their camouflaged stalking, however their pumping excitement of ripping humans apart slowly dulled when no patrol was found. No even a sniping sentry. Cicerus jumped on the side of the decrepit base and scaled up with handfuls of vegetation to heft his large body up, thankful for his leaner mass. The native tongue of his comrades filling his ears through his helmet’s comlink, warning him of their similar maneuvers.


By the time, Cicerus got to the top and started to search for one of the base’s hatches, tearing away the dominate alien flora with the occasion run of a insectiod, his pack was close behind to do similar. They had to hurry before the entirety of the Pack arrived to assault. The Stalker veteran was almost expecting it to be a trap of some kind. There was no sentry it seemed and the only thing of note was the communications array sitting on the western side of the base, to which Ianus planting a jamming charge on its post.


Finally after a few rooks of searching, Cicerus smiled toothily at finding his found objective. With a brutish grunt and snarl, summoned Eolus to his side. The large youth lumbered over with a instinctive gait of powerful muscle under the clinging grip of his stealth jumpsuit. Seeing what his Alpha wanted, he sat his mace on its flat head before wrenching the tightly pressurized grips in testing tugs until it turned to rotate rightward with the hiss of sealed air.


Knowing that could have brought some form of attention, the older Stalker pulled one of his long curve-necked combat knives - perfect and shining with bloodthirsty greed like its owner - and crouched in wait for his clan-brother to pull the seal open. The way down was enough for a large sized human and at least their cumbersome backpacks. Cicerus and Ianus was possibly the only pair capable of scaling down while it would be a tight fit for the others. Sniffing down, the stench of human was fresh and the distance of curious voices.


The dull disappointment was replaced with a eager smile. It may be a meager cub’s hunt, it was a hunt nonetheless.


Appius grunts out to catch Cicerus’ attention and the five looked out to see the distant visage of the Pack moving in. “We need to hurry and distract the humans some.” Cicerus whispered before making first dive into the hatch, quickly adding for the following Ianus. “Wait for my signal...”


The short falls down while the thin human ladder bars bent to the slightest under his weight on each catch before his feet met the steel floor with a soft shudder. Cicerus looked around in his position before moving out from the small corner shaft for a journey down a hall. The base’s illumination was at the minimum to keep energy as long as possible without immediate attention. Several doors didn’t seem unlocked, useless space no doubt.


Sniffing softly, the scent was getting stronger. Licking his lips and tusks, the Jiralhanae flexed his clawed fingers around his hilt and stalked forward with slow, deliberate movement. The draft of the humans’ atmosphere brushing against his dreadlocks and slimmest exposure of rough flesh. His sharp ears listened at a voice.


“King kongs?” A harsh whispered outloud, “Don’t worry, I’ll get the link back up. There’s a hatch here somewhere.”


With his own knowledge to the humans’ common tongue, Cicerus almost wanted to laugh but restrained himself. Not with those boots clopping closer and closer to his corner. Thunk, thunk, thunk...! The Jiralhanae flicked his wrist outward, feeling the slender shaft of his Blood-Hammer slipping between his finger before nimbly spinning out of cover.


The caught human jerked back at the massive shudder of compromised camouflage, weapon snapping up. “What the-!” He was about to spat before the hammer’s sharp head smashed with more than a little concussive force to its rifle. The dent caving in at three-fingers wide and one joint deep. Cicerus twisted his assassin's weapon and ripped it from the human's hand in the motion of ramming his knee bluntly against its unprotected side. The soft skin and even softer organs squeezing up, provoking a bloody vomiting from the Rebel's cloth-covered maw before the Stalker's knife-armed limb clotheslined its face for a full-on flip onto the ground. The crackle of communication from one end audibly in interfering static from the human's helmet, Cicerus cackled softly under his helmet's faceplate and ended this encounter with a stamping foot slamming nearly a half-ton of Jiralhanae muscle down onto its head. Over and over again.

 On the last stamp, the aged Stalker huffed and ground the flattened helmet under his heel, feeling the ground paste of bloody skull and brain matter underneath while listening to the distant echoes of battle, growling into his frequency for the clear on their end.

[Remnant]

Jiralhanae Minor Karonus
Teamwork. Well, halfway.

"Pack! Engage!" Karonus heard the Major say, as he dove behind some Human furniture. Bullets easily ripped through the couch, forcing Karonus to vault over it before he got hit.

"Karonus, my shield!" He heard Titanium call out, as he tossed his shield towards Karonus. Catch it with his left hand, he took out a scimitar with his right, and charged the Human's hail of bullets with the shield in front of him. As he closed in on one, he used the shield to smack away the Human's weapon. Before he could finish the kill, a spike pierced the Human in the forehead. Karonus turned to see Titanium grinning.

"That was my prey." Karonus said, tossing the shield back to Titanium.

He turned to see the last Human, who had apparently ran out of ammo. Karonus charged him, pulling out a second scimitar. The pathetic whelp attempted to pull out a pistol, however, Karonus smacked it away with the blunt of his blade. He then made several slashes in quick succession on the Human's chest, then sliced it's belly open. It's intestines spilled out in front of him, the pain and horror forcing it to it's knees. He grabbed the Human, and threw him across the room, sliding to a stop before a window. The Human tried getting up, attempting to collect his intestines, but to no avail.

Karonus walked towards him, and grabbed it's head as it started whimpering, pleading to be spared. He ripped it off, and crushed the skull with his hand. He shoved the head into the corpse's chest, easily breaking past the ribs. He removed his hand from the deep chest cavity, where the corpse's head now resided.

"Pathetic little worm." Karonus chuckled, before kicking the corpse's chest, embedding the head further in the cavity, and launching the corpse out of the window.

"I believe we're done here." Karonus turned and spoke to the pack, still smiling.

"Show off." Bruticus said, chuckling.

"That wasn't overly excessive, now was it?" Karonus said, in a sarcastic manner.

"How is it you act so civil and intelligent off the battlefield or away from combat, and yet so malevolent otherwise?" Xercius asked.

"It seems even I, one who seeks change, has still succumbed to the savage ways of our kind." Karonus said, in a disappointed tone.

"I don't see why you're complaining. It's all the more fun to follow the ancient ways. Strength is true power. Not acting like one of those pathetic Sangheili dung." Bruticus said, getting a rather angered-snappy tone when mentioning the Sangheili.

"Tread lightly, Bruticus." Karonus spoke, aware that speaking such things was likely to get him killed. Karonus didn't know about the other members of the pack, but he for one supported the Sangheili. He certainly wasn't loyal, they haven't earned that yet. But he does respect them.

While some Jiralhanae, if they were one of those who supported Sangheili, wouldn't go past being offended, he knew that a small minority deeply respected the Sangheili, and insulting them like that would likely ignite a burning fire that would be hard to put out. Karonus, unaware if any of the pack members were part of said minority, knew that as unlikely as it is, it's still possible.

[Kart]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Regrouping

Serretos rose from his cover, brushing himself off. One Human outside, and another in the base. Two kills so far. Not bad, he congratulated himself. Looking around, he noticed that the rest of the room was empty, and the hallways exiting from it seemed empty as well. Are there truly so few Humans in this building? Apparently the Rebels are not as numerous as their green-armored counterparts. His musings were interrupted by the chatter from the rest of his pack.

"I don't see why you're complaining. It's all the more fun to follow the ancient ways. Strength is true power. Not acting like one of those pathetic Sangheili dung."

Serretos restrained himself. He desperately wanted to call Bruticus out on his prejudice, to tell him that there was no room for racism in the service of the Prophets, but he did not want to lose the respect of his pack so early on. He chose instead to ignore the remark, however, he did note how Karonus seemed to also react negatively to Bruticus' bigotry.

I definitely need to speak with him at some point. First the interaction with the Chieftain, and now this?

"Superb kills, Titanium, Karonus." Serretos said, walking back toward the rest of the pack. "It appears that was the last of them, but keep an eye out, in case there are others lurking about. Let us wait here for the Chieftain. He will be pleased to know that we have taken the Human outpost."

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Victory!

Garatus had followed close behind the rest of the Pack, but had slipped into a side room while they engaged the small number of Humans. He trusted in their ability to kill and survive. Rukt forbid someone would be dumb enough to use a grenade in there. Garatus cleared the room, his large, well padded feet allowing him to move relatively silently.

He came up behind Karonus and Bruticus like a feral predator of Doisac, noiseless and quick. With one swift movement of both his arms, he promptly smacked them both in the back of the head before they even knew he was there. A menacing growl followed as he looked at them both.

"Balance is the key, young ones. Do not forsake our heritage and nature, or both will consume you little brother. Mastery and control of them is the supreme achievement of any Jiralhanae" Garatus said to Karonus, before turning to Bruticus "And do not transgress our brothers, we walk the path with them, side by side, boy" Garatus said.

"But take pleasure in our victory here today, and learn from it, you have all done well" Garatus said with a benevolent grin as he placed a hand on the shoulder of both the young Jiralhanae he had previously smacked, nodding to the other Warriors.

"All Jiralhanae Warriors, move up to the base, we have secured it" Garatus roared triumphantly into the Pack's communications feed.

"Most Holy Field Marshal Til 'Murmai, we have secured the base as per your orders! I shall begin preparing for the arrival of the other Soldier, and will be wwaiting further instructions" Garatus said, sending a message to his commander.

"Go now my assault warriors, loot this place before the competition of your brethren arrives. Bring me anything interesting for review, weapons and so forth, and those wobbly-headed totems the Humans make... I enjoy those very much...." Garatus said, his tone becoming whimsical as he thought of what the Humans called Bobble heads.

[Faclan]

(Sorry for the wait)

Eugenius - Jiralhanae Advisor
Our base now
Oh those crazy kids.

As the assault on the apparently under-staffed base began Eugine hung back with some of the more hard hitters of the pack as the lighter equipped Jiralhanae moved in to do the sneaky stabby. Resting against a tree as he listened to the distance muffled screams and gunshots Eugine didn't pay much attention to it really. The others in the Pack were on lookout for him or doing their jobs. So instead he took out his notebook and started to make some notes as to what had happened so far in the deployment. It was all pretty low key so far, and so not much had to be written down. He did however look out when he heard a window being broken, and then a Human body was flung out...without a head. But as it tumbled and rolled from being thrown it was revealed that the head was stuck inside its torso. This making Eugine roll his eyes and slip the notebook back into his satchel as the order to move in was given. Those wacky kids and their shows of strength, just reminded Eugine of how young they were and eager to please. Made him happy in a way as he thump walked with his staff inside the base.

Giving a few sniffs he soon found the room where his Nephew and Karonus (I forgot what Karonus is in relation to Eugine, another nephew or something else?) were located. As well as the new Major that judging by the smell of blood on him had taken his share of the action as well. Good lad. Stepping over to them he nodded at them before smirking a bit at the off center helmets of Karonus and his friend, seems Garatus did what was needed to the youngins.

"Good hits Nephew, I'm sure they did something to deserve it. And good work all of you on taking this location. We should get some sentry's up on the roof in case more Humans soldiers or their rebels come back to try and take this back. But for now enjoy the spoils of combat." Not much else for Eugine to do now so he scooted to the side and leaned against the wall, taking out some jerky to nibble on before looking up when Garatus mentioned the wobble totems that Nek had introduced them too...Eugine had to admit they were growing on him as well, and so he decided that now would be the time he would reveal one of the gifts Eugine had recently gotten for the Nephew he was so proud of.

"Chieftain, a moment." He said, at normal volume so it clearly wasn't going to be some kind of secret meeting. As Garatus moved over to him Eugine smiled and tossed the last big of jerky into his mouth before carefully rooting around in his satchel with his good hand before pulling out a totem shaped somthing wrapped up in some cloth. "One of my associates found this recently, and I thought you would enjoy having it in your horde back on Doisac." He then handed it over, the totem a small bobble head of a semi cartoon sheep, at least a good depiction of their Goddess, who roamed in the Grand Trees of Doisac and oversaw those who lived in them.

(At least I think we all still worshiping the great trees and Mama Sheep. :3)

[Kart]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Setting up

On the Chieftain's command, the other warriors began moving into the base. With the Humans dead, securing the structure would simply mean grabbing anything useful and planning for defensive positions. As far as "grabbing anything useful," Serretos decided to leave that to the others. It would be wise to clear out now, I suppose, he thought. I have no desire to be trampled by a horde of looters. Not that there is much to loot, here in this derelict base. But scouting is always useful...

"Karonus." He said to his second-in-command. "Take Bruticus and head down that hallway; judging by the fact that the Humans were guarding it, if anything valuable is in this base, it is there. I leave it to your judgement what and what not to take." If anyone had to loot the Human supplies it should be Karonus, who seemed the most capable. There was also the added benefit of keeping Bruticus in check.

"Wulfius, Titanium, take that hallway." He said, indicating a hallway that led to a broken door which revealed the outside. "I saw a few derelict buildings in that direction when we were outside. Investigate, and tell me what you find."

"Xercius, you are with me." He said to the final member of his pack, as he walked off down the final hallway, trusting that his orders would be followed. This corridor terminated in a strange staircase in the shape of a spiral, something Serretos had not seen before. Clambering up the steps three at a time, he practically had to spin on his heel to get up the damn scaffold. More proof that the Humans are insane.

The rickety metal staircase led up to the roof of the dilapidated building. Serretos walked over to the edge, getting a wonderful view of the decrepit and generally trashy base that was laid out before him. The undergrowth permeated the base, which provided a lot of cover--both for defenders, and as Serretos had recently demonstrated, for attackers. Any defense of this base would require controlling the surrounding vegetation as well as the base itself.

From his vantage point, he could see Wulfius and Titanium picking their way through the refuse the Humans had left behind in the other structures. A natural ring of broken walls and rubble did have the potential of becoming defensible. Combined with the thick brush, there were also a lot of obstacles for any incoming vehicles. With a few turrets and a lot of hope, this base could be made into a true fortress.

Serretos headed back down, and rendezvoused with his commander.

"Chieftain Garatus, is there any word of incoming supplies and defensive materiel?

[Huka]

Shadowcutter Alpha Cicerus 

Human Observation Post, soon-to-be dubbed “First Conquest”

Cicerus walked in triumphant leisure around the lower row of the control room– the only fully active room in the facility to his current knowledge -with his eyes falling upon the sparse consoles blinking with the lack of worthy data, datapads and notes laid about. Some of said-pads connected with the human terminals and blinking on and off. Then the aged Stalker halted upon something: a framed picture depicted a human male and his mate. Tilting his head some, the Jiralhanae picked it up and examined the details. Typical brown fur for both, tiny spots on the female's cheeks while they dimpled with, supposingly, the aliens' weird variant of a smile. Almost made the veteran grimace to the sight and shook his head, starting to trace around the room. Ignoring his stalkers' activities while he tried to match each human in the room. Thankfully, they weren't too rough with the bodies. Three in the room, weren't as armored as the guards but were armed with sidearms.

No. Had a narrow jaw and darker hair.

No. Was more caramel-skinned, nevermind the fact that Eolus' mace crushed its face to a disgusting mess.

Finally, Cicerus came to an occupied Ferus who was picked a body. The older male snorted out, making the younger stiffen to his presence and move aside on the noised demand. Lifting the picture again...indeed, the female matched the picture but minus the swelling of a litter. While her chest was blossomed from Ferus' mauler with a nearly detached arm, it was certainly a instantous end. Good, Cicerus didn't like to see a female in pain. It wasn't right...they belonged at home, rearing the children and making sure their males become proper suitors for the next generation.

The Stalker frowned to himself, silencing his thoughts and tossed the picture over to the corpse. “Pull it over with the rest.” He ordered sullenly, actually sounding something over than murderously gleeful or rambling. Quiet and sagely. The youth didn't say a word, moving to do as commanded while the Alpha moved over to Appius, who was tapping at the controls. “Anything?” Cicerus questioned. From the way, the jungle dweller's bottom lips showed his jagged teeth, it wasn't quite productive. “No, Alpha. The humans were smart and deleted, or sealed, away most data. I can't do it.” The assassin replied finally.

Of course, you can't. Cicerus said mentally before grunting out to the sudden sound of his comlink crackling at the deactivation of the post's communications array returning to functional status. “Ianus have turned off the jammer for now.” He noted before the battlenet filtered out a legion-wide communications from their esteemed leader.

The Field Marshal was sending an Armored and Fortification Creche over to the post with the intent of moving the underused Jiralhanae force to somewhere more worthy. One thing he liked at about the masked Sangheili was his fair appreciation of the different species' specialties.

Visually smiling, Cicerus looked back to his troop, “Come, we must return to the Chieftain. Our objective is done here.”

Flight Major Duran 'Hernomee [NPC]

Aboard DX-class Phantom Enduring Shelter, en route to Northeastern Observation Post

Duran check, and double-checked, his phantom's systems with a instinctive mindset. He've worked for rotations as a phantom pilot in the Sect of Lamenting Consecration without fatal failure yet and he had no plans of doing it now as a choir leader under his Field Marshal's trust. With him was his co-pilot, operations (or rather weapons) officer, and aiding navigator, all working in the same mindset. Work into operations, failure wasn't a option in the legion. “Status?” 'Hernomee questioned through the choir's channel.

The Armored Creche were being loaded up under and in their assigned transports with the additions of the Fortification lances – consisting Sangheili-led units of Unggoy laborers and most importantly, a quad of Huragok each. Sufficient for their task and it always made Duran's hearts drummed in such machine-like efficiency.

“Praise the Gods.” He said outloud and even a few listening in, agreed with the same phrase. When his double check was complete, the Flight Major looked over to his operations. “Turrets?”

“At your leisure, Flight Major.” The scar-throated officer replied with a nod of acknowledgement, fingers at the ready for anything. Duran returned attention to his station and changed frequencies, “Escort?” “Ready at the tick.” The leading Banshee pilot returned while his comrades flew overhead like scavengers ready to pick the bodies of their enemies' crashed vessels. The four vampires hovered leisured in their midst.

There was a few rooks of waiting before the ready glyphs pinged on the side of his HUD before Duran responded with the flight of the Enduring Shelter, feeling his unit following behind and escort flying out in a semi circle with their Vampires in the middle ranks of protection while taking a hopefully safe route for the post.

[BetaWülf]

Jiralhanae Chieftain Garatus the Deathless.
Setting up.

Garatus looked to his Uncle, and grinned, up curving the corner of his ragged lips. Garatus had thought it was decent smacking, but to hear it from the best head smacker he knew meant it must be true. Garatus started to move off, perhaps to explore, but stopped when his Uncle asked for his presence for a moment. He watched as the elder shaman produced a cloth wrapped item, listening as it was explained to him that is was something for him. When Garatus saw it, he smiled a soft smile, something he hadn't done in a long time. But his heart was warmed, and he gently took the wobble totem into his hand, regarding it fondly.

It looked somewhat like an Ungulate Goddess his Uncle worshiped, and it was he who introduced Garatus to her. He had committed her into his personal pantheon, along with the Forerunners and the Lordly spirit of Rukt. "Thank you, this means much to me Uncle" Garatus said, rumbling deeply as he carefully placed the totem in his satchel bag.

Garatus stopped as he received a reply from the venerable Field Marshal Til 'Muramai. "Acknowledged my Lord, in your name I shall prepare this Fortress 'First Conquest' for our Holy quest!" Garatus replied.

Garatus started up the stairs at the end of the hallway, pausing as Serretos arrived, asking if there was any news. Garatus nodded to him, "Yes Serretos, we have an Armored Creche incoming as well as Fortification Lances, Sangheili and Unggoy I suspect, now follow me, we have work to do" Garatus concluded.

Garatus continued his ascent, but soon found it leveled off and lead further downwards, eventually leading into a cafeteria. It seemed the Humans had been using this room still, as it was clean and still smelled of food. Garatus found the kitchen easily by way of his nose, a decent stock of edible matter kept in a broken down cooler that could barely keep cold. The cooking supplies were good, causing Garatus to suspect one of the Humans cooked for a living, or at least for the residents of the base. "Bring the corpses, find our best cook and prepare them for the Pack to feast upon. I want the utensils spared this meal, for I do not wish to alienate our Sangheili and Unggoy brethren who normally do not partake in the flesh of Humans" Garatus declared.

"Jiralhanae, our Pack gathering place is the mess hall, my seat of power will be their former command center. I want Files patrolling the base in shifts, and I want the jungle outside to be patrolled as well. Captains remain in the base at all times, save for moving between buildings or in response to threats, clear out the basements for Unggoy methane pits and bring anything useful to the Pack gathering place" Garatus commanded.

[Kart]

Jiralhanae Major Serretos
Covenant Fortress "First Conquest"
Managing...

"Yes Serretos, we have an Armored Creche incoming as well as Fortification Lances, Sangheili and Unggoy, I suspect.  Now follow me, we have work to do."

"Of course, Chieftain!" Serretos replied.

Eagerly accepting the work of Garatus' aide, Serretos stayed close by his side, with the Minor Xercius hard on his heels. The Chieftain was clearly doing Serretos an honor, as serving and working by a commander's side was a sign of trust and respect. At least, it was among Sangheili. The Chieftain may have simply picked him because he was conveniently there. Either way, he was glad of the chance to take more responsibility.

"Bring the corpses, find our best cook and prepare them for the Pack to feast upon. I want the utensils spared this meal, for I do not wish to alienate our Sangheili and Unggoy brethren who normally do not partake in the flesh of Humans"

...And then his gladness quickly faded as he followed Garatus into the kitchen. It is custom amongst Jiralhanae to eat all things, Serretos remembered. No distinction is made between different types of meat--besides taste and texture, of course. Be that as it may, somewhere along the line of his upbringing under Kor 'Gassar, he fell out of the habit of eating sapient flesh. The idea of consuming something...or someone did not sit well with him. The one thing he could still thank the gods for was that he had no culinary talent, and wouldn't have to deal with cooking the meat.

However, he was still responsible for someone who would cook the meat.

First things first, Serretos thought. Time go bring out the dead.

"By your command, Chieftain." Serretos answered, before turning around and going back the way he came, picking up two of the three corpses in the room they'd first entered, on atop his left shoulder and the other in his arms. Xercius went outside to retrieve the corpse of the guard Serretos killed, and to fetch the...remains...that Karonus had pitched out the window. It was a messy process getting it back into the fortress, let alone into the kitchens.

The torn and mangled flesh wouldn't normally have bothered Serretos, but the idea of eating it did. Best to get this over with and disguise my disgust, he thought. He and Xercius lugged the bodies and deposited them onto the various counters of the kitchen. There was barely just enough room.

"I am unsure of the location of the other corpses, Chieftain." He said. "But these are the Humans that my pack accounted for."

[Rxxy]

Kax, Kig-yar Harold, attached to Garatus' pack.
FOB Charlie, the so called Kax-tower.
The fun part of scavenging...

Kax patrolled the small room he had found. It was a tower adjacent to the fortress. Kax had scavenged what he could from what bodies he found. He had only scavenged from one guard that a Jiralhanea had killed before the pack was ordered to retrieve and consume the dead. So Kax made himself scarce since; he did believe he would not be able to carry, let alone, cook a human.

Kax finished patrolling knowing nothing was in the room aside from a small rodent or two. He looked at the wall opposite the door. A few blocks of stone had fallen from their place in the wall.

A perfect hiding place, Kax thought to himself as he spotted a small hollow in one of the stones still among the wall. He paused for a short while to look over the human knife. The Jiralhanea all have blades of some kind. Perhaps I should offer this to Garatus, Kax decided and put the knife on the floor. Kax looked about the room for something to plug the hole. He found it in putting one of the empty human bottles sealed it. He retrieved the knife and began marching through the fortress searching for the chieftain.

Kax found Garatus in the command center. He made no attempt to mask his approach as he didn't want to see a startled Jiralhanea anytime in this life time.

"Mighty Chieftain, I have scavenged a human weapon that seems to fit with your arsenal." Kax explained as he held out the weapon to the Deathless.

[Huka]

Shadowcutter Alpha Cicerus

Preparing the Chieftain’s Arrival

Cicerus was waiting on the Chieftain’s arrival to the command center, observing and gathering the humans’ written documents with their tiny scribbles in one pile while coordinating the few gathered data pads in a neighboring. At the least, it distracted him from looking at the boring dullness and angular architecture of the humans’ aged post that gave a soring affront to the veteran’s eyes but it had the purpose of showing how ‘drone-like’ these short hairless aliens were while the Covenant was a beautiful flower of cultures yet all belong to the same thorned stem to the majestic petals blessed by the Gods and their many faces. Even the Yanme’e, despite their disgusting resin and insectoid stench, could make these place look better.

Where the Jiralhanae worshipped the many facets of nature and their names, the Gods didn’t seem referred with such. They were nameless yet they commanded with such material power and wonder. They were many and one in all to Cicerus. He had no hatred to his kindred’s religion, even respected it enough to say the spiritual aspects were just another form of the Forerunners outside of their unequaled technology. Always watching over their precious children with a wind’s gentle breeze, a fire’s cradling warmth in the cold of night, or even the lights of suns and moons.

It was a gift to live under such welcoming vision and that was the softening comfort that strived the aged Stalker to not fall into pure madness. He had a duty to accomplish for his young cousin and he will do so with the wisdom of his experiences. Coming to a halt to behold members of the Chieftain’s pack already hauling the corpses of the dead for a feast of triumph. Cicerus brushed aside to allow their own gathered prey to join the meal by one of his stalkers and sniffed once to taste Garatus’ approach. Placing the last palm-sized object down to join the other four, the Stalker straightened up and strided to the shadows as per rank traditions. The command center was secure and primed for the touch of the Covenant’s heavy fist.