New Beginnings (RP for Huka & Arby)

[Spartan 999]

Year: 2547
Location: Planet Fallien (to the Isariin and Militians)

High Commander Zalyir Hraz Jioron stood tall on the deck of the warship he commanded, the Wayward Vindicator. Of course, the beautifully designed ship didn't see any combat these days, not since the truce that had been declared with the Militians roughly ten years ago.

Now, he had to babysit dignitaries and politicians as they discussed matters of resource distribution and kya, kya, kya. He was always bored by politics.

"We are exiting Slipspace in two minutes, High Commander." The navigator stated, quills perking up as he looked over the screen in front of him.

"Good." Zalyir replied in a strong voice. "We are on schedule."

[robodavid]

Militian High General Toru'k Voskkoz' was on a safety mission with the rest of his squad. His mission was to guard for a Militian politicion who was meeting with a politicion who was a Isariin. The meeting should go fine but his squad of 3 troops and himself were just supposed to make sure that there is not trouble.

"Sir!" said Militian Spec-Op Zelia Shangdulee continued, "We are here, all of us are going to need to report to the dropship to make planet fall!" Soon we are going to meet up with the Isariin who we have not seen for almost 10 years, any of the Militians in fact.

"Men, suit up! We are here!" Said Toru'k, "Just protect the politician and everything will be fine!"

[Huka]

High Inquisitor Til 'Muramai
Aboard CCS-class Covenant battlecruiser Silent Night, en route to selected planet 15-D of Outer Rim of Imperial Space

Standing in the bridge beside Shipmaster A'gri 'Vakumee, High Inquisitor Til was mentally reviewing his Shield's reports about unknown analomies occurring in the outer rim systems of Covenant space, and he wanted to find out what personally.

Joining this ship with his fellows because the reports clarified the analomies were closer to its destination.

The moment the Inquisitors came aboard, the crew was both very excited and nervous to have them join. To have a Inquisitor, especially one of Reticent's reputation, means something out of the originary have occurred.

Even now, the ship master sit uncomfortable in his command chair, feeling the infamous Inquisitor's cold presence like a unwanted chill.

"Ship Master," The Navigator called, "We are exciting slipspace in two demi-units."

"E-excellent work." The Ship master said, choking his words at first before looking to his Communications officer. "Ro, alert science lances to prepare for expedition."

Til remain silent, finishing his own thoughts, before nodding to one of his invisible Swordsmen, one of the many that patrolling the ship camouflaged.

The Knight got the signal and went to alarm the rest.

[Arbiter124]

Minor Domo Ony 'Fedolee

Ony stood in the hangar, towering above the pathetic unggoy to his left and right. His repeater was strapped to his large back. Wading his mass over to Vodak, his squadmate, he began to pour his thoughts out.

"What do you think this is about? High Inquisitor Til Muramai on the ship? I am honored, but why? How important is this?"

Vodak just shrugged. Ony had recently begun to hate his partner. Vodak never talked, and when he did it was just about his doubts in the great journey. He should report it, but he already knew what he was going to do.

He grunted, and walked away, to guard the hangar door. He rested his back against the wall next to the sleek white door, surveying the species in the hangar.

[Spartan 999]

The Wayward Vindicator exited Slipspace some twenty kilometers above the planet's surface, the dampeners reducing the force of the overpressure to nothing more than a strong breeze. The ship hummed as it approached a wide plateau, the designated meeting place on Fallien for the Isariin and Militians.

A small dropship zipped out of the hangar, quickly reaching the stubby building in the middle of the plateau. The side opened, allowing Zalyir accompanied by five Kraikari warriors and three negotiators to step out.

Zalyir glanced up at the sky. The Militians should be here at any second.

[robodavid]

Toru'k Voskkoz' was touching down on the planet (or not really since he hovered above the ground) along with his 3 lower ranking troops and the one diplomat. He saw the Isariin and went there to go meet them. After introducing himself along with his comrades, the negotiator began to talk with the others. Than, Toru'k asked if he had ever seen any alien species besides the humans. Eagerly waiting for a response because Toru'k had never seen any other, he though to himself that he wished that there were enemies to fight so that he could see the skills of the Iariin. As a friendly gesture, the Militian reached out his hand and began to take of his helmet. He would play nice.

[Huka]

The Silent Night appeared from slipspace, several kilometers away from the large planet. The Sensors Officer began scanning for potential minerals as the science lances, escorted by the High Inquisitor and a handful of security lances, including one led by one Ony 'Fedolee.

It was confirmed minerals were found, along with a unidentified craft being sensed by the cruiser.

Instead of directly facing against the craft since it seemed non-agressive, Til ordered the Ship Master to remain steady for anything, and if neccesary engage the ship.

Boarding their phantoms, Til and his invisible guard stood ready as their pilot, a indifferent youth, started to take off first as the leading craft.

[Arbiter124]

Minor Domo Ony 'Fedolee

Ony Climbed in the phantom, along with Vodak and a handful of minors. He let out a sigh, and looked at his Ultra helmet. The sleek texture, the carefully etched symbols, all for fear in the battle.

He looked at his fellow shipmates. He towered most, and was the largest Sangheili on the ship. He felt a vibration in his hips as the ship lifted off.

Placing his helmet around his head, he laughed. This would be an interesting day indeed.

[Spartan 999]

Zalyir cocked his head slightly as the navigator contacted him over the COM.

"High Commander, I have detected a ship of unknown origin exiting Slipspace roughly eight kilometers away from the planet. The initial scans are showing that the vessel does not match any Isariin or Militian designs."

"Stroya." Zalyir swore, motioning for Toru'k to follow him inside the building. He halted before the politicians. "It seems we have a situation, Councilors." He spoke into the COM. "Activate camouflage on the Vindiactor and move off the kilometers."

"Acknowledged, sir."

[robodavid]

Toru'k heard a message in the radio comming from his ship. Seemed to be an unknown class of troops on a ship. Didn't seem to be humans though... strange. He prepared his troops and went to the Isariin leader and told him of the news, but it seemed that he had already known. They were carefull and Toru'k told the ship to engage cloaking so that nothing bad were to happpen and told the ship to observe the other. Maybe Toru'ks thoughts were about to come to life. Lets see how the Isariin troops fight.

[Huka]

Having the pilot land in a good spot away from the mineral deposit, Til waited for the ramp to come down before stepping off with his swordsmen around him in a semi-circle behind him.

His robes tailing behind him, the Inquisitor looked at the somewhat barren lands that occupy the region, and felt a certain pressure in the back of his mind, but it went away just as quick with his mental discipline.

Several ursian cycles in training with the Ascetics disciplined his mind and body for the Heretics. His emotions were behind iron-walls, kept away from the deception of Rakath or Legra or anyone who tried to probe for him, and his combat capabilities have intensified beyond what he was before.

Searching like a bird of prey, Til looked for anything that might comfirm the reports. Then his good eye caught something in the far off distance.

There...

Turning to the landing party, he looked at each and every person with a indifferent eye. "Continue with the mining... Ultra Ony, your top priority is protecting the science lances by any means necessary, and if needed, I will summon you." He said.

Not much caring for a answer, Til walked away and vanished under his improved cloaking. Unlike the regular Special Operations, Til and the rest of the Inquisition was equipped with upgraded light-blending camouflage that barely left a shimmer in the air and cloaked the heat much better.

Traveling at a steady speed that crossed a good distance without stirring suspision, Til was actually abit anxious to see this for himself.

[Arbiter124]

Ultra Ony 'Fedolee

Ony nodded at the Insquisitor, and turned toward his troops. "Alright! You heard him! I want four groups of two Sangheili posted towards the North, South, East and West!"

Onys lance -Now a Creche- Scrambled to their positions, while the majority stayed with the research lance. Ony craned his leck to the left and right to make sure everything was in order.

Thoughts started to race in Ony's mind. Something else was here. What was it? Their was no way it was human, and he doubted the heretics were here.

But most importantly, why was the high Inquistitor so anxious?

[Spartan 999]

"Councilors, you must evacuate this area immediately." Zalyir ordered, quills shivering expectantly. "I do not know if the unknowns are hostile or not."

"Very well, High Commander." Councilor Ralon replied, his mane of quills waving airily. "But what of you?"

"I will attempt to make contact with the unknowns to determine whether they are hostile or not. If they are, then we shall fight. If worse comes to worse, we will try to buy the Vindicator enough time to make a jump away."

"I sincerely hope it does not come to that."

"Neither do I. Now go, please."

Ralon nodded, then rose to his feet. A Kraikari warrior escorted them to the dropship, which promptly vanished as it took off.

*****

High Inquisitor Sorsa 'Xirsasai inhaled a deep breath of the alien air as he stood next to Til. It refreshed him, the first taste of fresh air on an unknown world. He watched as Til issued orders, face hidden behind a dull grey helmet.

He activated his camouflage and moved with Til as the other member of Reticent did the same.

[Huka]

Toru'k grinned as he eagerly readied his Fuljir shotgun with his warriors just as eager. "Councilor, stand back. I would rather not have your blood on my watch." The politican did as told, starting to withdraw from the field.

Looking around, he didn't see any approaching enemies. He saw figures moving about in the distance, but other than that, nothing.

3 of the SpecOps had their phasic rifles out and the other two had blades out, looking for anything to attack. Even Toru'k

Where could they be...?

"Are you sure they are worth our time?" He asked gruffly the other Isariin.


Despite the difference of language, Til knew the armed aliens were eager for blood. He thought about indulging it, but perhaps, they could be potential allies.

With a spear in his hand, Til narrowed his sight to look at their unusual weapons and armor. They could be a challenge but he doubt it. Accessing his comlink to Sorsa, he spoke very quietly, even though no noise will come out of his mask.

"What should we do? Take for inquisition or try to negiotate with them?" He asked, to himself as much as to Sorsa.

[Arbiter124]

Ultra Ony 'Fedolee

Ony stood with a Sangheili major, overwatching the unggoy in a side lance. The Unggoy were very strange, though. At least watching their pitiful game was amusing.

"Ony..." Craning his neck, the Ultra saw Vodak striding towards them. With a wave of his hand, the major strided off, bringing the four unggoy with him.

"What is it, Vodak..." Ony's tone was annoyed, as he did not enjoy this Sangheili, after all, he is a heretic. "I suggest we leave a major in charge and go out and... handle the situation."

Ony rolled his eyes. "And what IS the situation, Vodak." The Major Domo seemed suprised at Ony's misunderstanding. "Why, the Inquisitors of course."

Crossing his arms, he looked at the brightened sky. "The Inquisitors don't need help you fo-" Ony stopped. He didn't want to help them. He was going to try to KILL them....

Ony snapped. This was going on long enough. "You pitiful heretic, you want the Inquisitors dead! You are a disgrace to the great journey!" Vodak looked around, obviously embarassed and worried.

He stepped back. "I challenge you to a deul, Ony 'Fedolee. You will die by the blood of my anscestors." Ony grinned. Vodak didn't deny it, so he WAS a heretic.

"I except, you pathetic excuse for a Sangheili."

[Spartan 999]

"I think they could prove to be valuable allies." Sorsa replied over the COM. "However, the group closest to us (meaning the previously rebellious Isariin) seem to be eager for a fight." He paused for a second. "Send a holo drone. That will allow us to discern their intentions."

*****

Zalyir stared at the distant group of unknowns, the zoom function on his HUD allowing him to study them in better detail. They were aliens, that was for sure. Although, the taller ones that seemed to be in charge looked vaguely like Isariin, except for the lack of exoskeletons, quills, and elongated heads.

"They seem equipped for exploration more than warfare, Toru'k." Zalyir said over the COM, quills twitching excitedly.

[Huka]

Nodding in agreement, Til grabbed one of his holo-drones from his belt, and positioned himself out of the aliens' sight before sending it onward.

Activating his drone, his doopleganger appeared and 'walked' towards them. "Greetings, newcomers." He said. The most hostile-looking aliens turned quick and was about to shoot until their leader beckoned them not to.

"I am High Inquisitor of the holy Covenant Empire. I seek to know your business in our empire." Til said, emotionless in voice and tone.

He looked at each of them, mentally calculating and remembering, before falling his eye on the supposed leaders of the two groups.

[Spartan 999]

Zalyir stepped up to the slightly smaller alien, then activated his holographic wrist computer. He tapped a key, activating a translating matrix. Almost a minute went by before the translator was in place. He listened to what the alien had said in its language.

"High Inquisitor of the Covenant Empire, I am High Commander of the Isariin Republic. This planet was designated a neutral zone for representatives to meet and discuss matters that will effect out society ten years ago. Since then, we have never heard or seen a Covenant Empire vessel near here."

The translator matched the lower tonal of the Sangheili language almost perfectly, and the grammar and sentence structure was superb. Sorsa was surprised by how efficient the "Isariin" translators were.

[Arbiter124]

Ultra Ony 'Fedolee

Activating his sword, he assumed a combat stance. Vodak emitted a sword as well, and the two circled eachother.

"It is about time I end you, Vodak!" Ony snarled at his foe.

Vodak laughed. "How can you possibly think you could beat me? You are nothing!"

"If you are superior to me, then why is your armor red and mine is white?" Ony taunted.

Vodak roared, his mandibles strecthing in all directions, and charged Ony.

Ony met his charge and the two clashed swords. Vodak stumbled back after a few slashes from Ony, but Ony kept coming. Vodak parried his foes swings and slashes, but made one fatal flaw. He stumbled on his 'two left feet' as humans would say, and slowed down. Ony took his chance without hesitation. He swung down on Vodak's hand in which he carries the sword. Flesh, bone and nerve all tore as the sword made a clean cut.

"AHHHHH!" Vodak fell to his knees, clutching his wrist. "Vodak, you may be a good soldier," Ony taunted once more. "But you were never a swordsman." With his last words he cut through Vodak's neck, decapitating the heretic.

[Huka]

Somewhat impressed by the aliens' technology and quick adaption to his language, Til was more concerned about this republic.

"Forgive us on our part of this intrusion of diplomacy. We have only just recently found this planet and were looking for minerals to supply our empire. In due time, I am quite sure our holy Prophets would like to meet you and try to bring you to the glory of the Great Journey if it wasn't for the distasteful scourge that we are fighting right now." Til said, planting little seeds in his words.

Glancing at the more barbaric-looking leader, he noticed him looking about interested and more disdained. Mentally keeping a watchful eye on him, Til waited on the High Commander's response.

[Spartan 999]

Ah, so that was why they were called the Covenant; a collection of species come together under one banner--a religious one, no less. At least, that's what he thought was implied.

Knowing he would have to tread carefully for fear of upsetting these aliens in some way, Zalyir tried to word his next sentences carefully.

"I am sure our leaders will consider your generous offer; we are a rational species, after all. And if I may ask, what is this 'scourge' of which you speak?"

[Arbiter124]

Ultra Ony 'Fedolee


Ony stared at the body of his former ally in disgust. Looking up, he saw the unggoy and kig-yar seemed to be very worried.

"Remove this piece of trash from my site" Ony grunted. The bystanders grabbed the body and began to drag it away.

Ony turned back to the outskirts, looking at the direction the Inquisitors went.

[Huka]

Til mentally smiled before replying, "The Scourge calls itself Humanity, they spawn from the other side of this glorious empire. They defile the holy relics of our Gods and corrupt the minds of our warriors. I have...personally been scarred by their deception. Their weapons are just as deceptively strong and grows even more since our own have betrayed many secrets to them.
We try to end it before they cover the whole galaxy with their greed and ignorance, but they grow back like weeds, so we are forced to glass their planets to uninhabitable wastelands."

His words burned with fervor and false despair, making him sound somewhat victimized and justified.

[Spartan 999]

Hm. So this High Inquisitor was apparently a zealot. His words positively brimmed with religious fervor and fury. That...might be a problem. And coincidentally, his people had found a derelict human vessel several years ago. It was extremely outdated, but it gave them knowledge that more intelligent life existed in the galaxy somewhere.

"Yes, we know of the humans, albeit not very well." Zalyir replied, head tilting slightly. Then, without meaning to, his tactician's side got the better of him. "You speak as though your Covenant is powerful, but it sounds to me like you are on the verge of being matched by this, er, 'scourge'."

Zalyir mentally cursed himself for his inquisitive tongue the very next second.

[Huka]

Til seemed to get larger under his cloak, but he remained unnaturally calm under such a insult. A certain pulse rang in the back of his head, his good eye narrowed dangerous.

"The Humans are nothing to me, they are annoyance to the threat of the Heretics. The Heretics can destroy everything the Covenant have built over the millennium of its existence and everything we stand and live for with be in ruins. I come to you as a diplomat of my empire, do thee stand with the preservance of the Path or stand with liars and defilers?" Til said, his voice calm but his respirator hissed and gave a dark undertone to his words.

[Arbiter124]

Ony then, realizing how stupid he had been. He should have contacted his commanders a while ago. He switched his comm. to the Inquisitors line.

"Commander, I apoligize for interrupting, but our second in command was a heretic, and challenged me to a duel. I accepted, and he is now dead, forgotten in the great journey. There is no Second in command anymore. Ony out."

[Spartan 999]

Zalyir could tell by the High Inquisitor's tone that he was seething with rage inside. He mentally whacked himself for making a stupid mistake.

"I am sorry, but without consulting the High Council and knowing next to nothing about your religion and society, I must decline. And we do have our own religion, as well." Zalyir hoped the aliens would not explode in rage at that, but he readied himself for a fight all the same. He bent his knees slightly and slowly, and sent a message to the other Isariin to be prepared for the worst.

[Huka]

Til bows his head respectfully, "I understand that and I respect your decision. Prehaps we can share each other's societies after this affair." He was clear-minded again, he seemed content of just leaving them alone and reporting his finding.

Just then a savage roar caught their attention. Turo'k snarled, "Enough of this. I grow tired of this banter, begone or I will blast a hole in your chest."

Til looked down at the fool like a lowly Unggoy, "Why should I fear you, worm. You are not of the same respect as the High Commander. You are of no concern to me." He said.

Disrespected, Turo'k roared and aimed his shotgun. "Do you truly wish to do this? Your next move will be..." Til explained before his image exploded from the shotgun.

"What!? A Hologram?" Turo'k cried, his eyes blinking to comfirm. Suddenly one of his warriors cried in pain. Turning back, he saw him holding onto a spear impaled in his chest.

The Special Operator looked just as surprised as Turo'k before dropping dead.

[Arbiter124]

Ony Awaited a responce from his commander. Nothing. Nothing for too long. He growled, a conflict might have started, and he can't allow the death of Til on his hands.

"You three." He pointed at three SpecOps Unggoy sitting around with their plasma rifles. One of them jumped up. "Y-yes sir?"

Ony rolled his eyes. Unggoy. "Follow me, we are checking on the Inquisitors." The three were hesitant, but realizing they had no choice but to follow, reluctanly rose and followed Ony in the direction of the Inquisitors.

[Spartan 999]

"Maklr!" Zalyir swore, tossing a Sparkler into the air while rolling to the side and activating camouflage, the Kraikari flanking him doing the same. The name "Sparkler" was an understatement. In reality, the small cylindrical grenade-like device emitted bursts of incredibly bright light, which would blind anyone who looked at it without eye protection for several days.

The Special Operator next to Sorsa jerked as an oily black beam reminiscent of the Slipspace's void impacted his back from behind. His shield shattered, and the black stream punctured his armor. He tried to scream, but instead passed out from the pain as a large part of his torso almost...disintegrated.

The Special Operator slumped to the ground, indigo blood pooling under his body.