Heretic Intro Post to Mission V

[kartoffelfogel]

Just to clarify, the Heretics will be starting in space, but will likely land troops at some point for whichever reason. "Save the hoomies" etc. Though will civilians accept assistance from heretics if they don't know they're on the UNSC side? Hmm.... Anyway.

32nd Cycle, 253st unit, 23rd age of reclamation.
(Human equivalant: May 5, 2537)
Epsilon Eridani Sytem

To the casual observer, the sight of the battle scarred, purple-hulled, Covenant warship amongst the assembling formation of UNSC ships would be cause for alarm. Indeed, many crewmembers of the human ships would still be quite alarmed to see the ship that, by all common sense, must belong to the enemy. Until recently, they had been correct.

In fact, over the previous days, no less than three false alerts were called by unwary crewman, convinced that the ship in their midst was in fact an attacking vessel. And who could blame them? Even the crew of the strange ship knew that the Humans were suspicious of them, a fact which they accepted, mostly, with logical agreement. After all, some said, if an alien race that had taken part in the genocide of your species for over a decade suddenly appeared above one of your main planets, what would you do?

It probably didn't help that both sides had ordered their respective members not to interact with each other. Apart from negotiations aboard one of the human ships several weeks before, few of the humans had actually seen any of the Covenant that crewed the ship. But their commanders had assured them that it was all right, that they were good aliens. Whatever that meant.

The Heretics - for that was what they were - had spent the better part of three weeks repairing their ship, which had sustained damage in it's month's - long evasion of Loyalist forces. Now, while the exterior still appeared battle-scarred, the interior was up to full muster, with all equipment repaired and restored.

Now however came their first chance to show that they were in fact on the side of the humans. The fleet, of which the corvette was now an unofficial part, had received a distress call from an outer colony planet, under attack by Loyalist forces. The crew were mostly eager to get under way and finally begin their crusade against the deceiving Prophets and their misled followers.

As the crew made final preparations for the slipspace jump, there was much activity. Despite being a fearsome warship in it's own right, the SDV-Class Corvette was among the smallest, weakest of the Covenant Empire's capital ships. The battle ahead would prove to be a challenge, but the crew themselves were all determined to face their enemies, and were all experienced warriors.

On cue with the human forces, the Shadow of Faith opened a slipspace bubble, and cruised through, beginning the journey for them all...

[kuran]

Phma 'Refumai
Corvette Shadow of Faith
UNSC Fleet above Kholo

Phma 'Refumai was pacing. That made even the Command Center crew, who had known him for many years, wonder. But who could blame him?

"Open a channel to the rest of the ship." He directed at the Master of Communications, who did so.

"My Brothers! There may come a day, when the courage that we hold dear will fail us! When we ignore the brotherhood we have formed, the brotherhood that was vowed when we declared that we would not be lied to! That we would not commit murder against a foe, that now stands as our allies! That we would uphold our traditions! But Brothers, today is not that day! Today, we go into battle once more, as we have countless times! Uphold the honour of our clans! Uphold the honour that we have as Heretics!"

Just there, not far distant, our enemies huddle, not knowing yet that death is already their fate. That we will deliver their fate personally! Gather your arms and make ready for battle! Today, today we go to war!"

Rakath resumed his seat as the Shadow of Faith activated it's engines, making for a medium orbit of the planet below. "So Rakath," He inquired to the Sangheili beside him, not taking his eyes from the tactical display that took up a sizeable portion of the Command Center. "How did that sound? And we will be in position to drop you within a few minutes."

[z]

Rakat V'keelaii

Standing with his arms crossed next to Phma, Rakath watched and tapped his fingers on his newly painted Spec-Ops armor. He almost felt the Elite-equivalent of a smirk come across his face as he listened to the younger Elite speak.

"It was fine, Phma." He said, and as normal Rakath was obviously ready for the mission. A human Rocket Launcher and Assault rifle on his back, two unlit Energy Greatswords on his hips, and lastly a single plasma repeater followed by three grenades.

He was ready to take on whatever was down on the planet, and his men at his back e felt he could do it without any problems at all.

"I will prepa-" Rakath was cut off by another Heretic speaking.

"Shipmaster! A smaller ship is coming towards us, It seems to be crashing!"

Rakath looked back at Phma. "Seems we have a new guest."

Roma Romanee V'keelaii

The shuttle shook as it exited Slipspace. One year of travail and it was already failing out. Slamming her fingers rapidly into the controls she peered though the cockpit and saw exactly what she was looking for.

The Battlescarred and beaten Heretic Corvette.

"Roma, I want to you go and find your father... Rakath V'keelaii... If you find him... show him your blade..."

Roma's breathing sped up, slamming her finger into the button on her wrist, the air was visually vented from her helmet and more pumped in as she sucked in a deep breath and felt her shoulders relax. She just hat to make it to the Heretic Ship which was a good kilo away.

Then the ship shook as one of its thrusters gave out. Cursing, Roma took the wheel manually and began roughly steering it towards the ship.

----

The landing was rough to say the least. The lower front of the ship slammed into the edge of the hanger door and tumbled in, flipping in the air over a Grunt in who stood and watched in fear, and then slammed into the far wall. None were injured, and the only collateral damage were now the scratch marks on the floor and the burns on the wall.

And then, the door opened and Roma stepped out to receive six guns aimed at her.

"Wai- Wait! Roma yelled out, coughing some, pressing her breather again to give her another dose of air.

"I am.... I am Roma V'keelaii.... Please do not shoot, I am not part of the Co-Covenant...." she said, coughing.

[kuran]

Phma 'Refumai
Corvette Shadow of Faith
UNSC Fleet above Kholo

Phma could hardly believe what he was being told.

"Y-yes, Shipmaster. The Sangheili female claims to be of the V'keelaii clan. Your orders?"

Phma's lower mandibles clicked together in pure annoyance. "Bring her to the Command Center then. Don't harm her either." He then turned and rounded on Rakath, eyeing the other warrior with a mixture of anger and bemusment.

"Rakath, have you placed an advertisment? Is there a large glowing glyph on the side of my ship that reads "V'keelaii welcome here?" Or do members of your clan have a habit of falling out of the stars onto random ships? Should I expect more of you at any time soon? A distant cousin maybe? Will I recive an aunt in the galley via boarding pod? If you're going to have family dropping in, can you tell them to bring more food at least? Or a scarab? And tell them to STOP DESTROYING MY HANGAR DECK!"

He turned around, feeling distinctly annoyed, and crossed his arms, a human gesture that he had grown fond of when dealing with Rakath.

[tincanhitman]

MimYap
Free
Shadow of Faith

MimYap had been wondering the decks, avoiding his Guard just to mess with him, when he suddenly heard something had landed in the hanger. The thought of threat caused The Voice to stir and made MimYap become serious. With a quick flop he dropped down onto all fours and ran down to the hanger.

He came into the hanger just in time to see a female sangheili claim to be Rakath's daughter.

MimYap placed his head in his hand and laughed.

"Another! Oh great, another cheater no doubt!" mimyap said giving a playfull scowl at Rakath. But the promis of battle had stirred The Voice from its slumber.

Now is not the time to play, a battle lay ahead. it said with disgust.

"I know there is a battle coming shut up!" he yelled into his shoulder. He then looked up suddenly and around, then looked down in embarrassment.

[Kenny]

Tavise, Bodyguard Of Mimyap

Shadow Of Faith

Tavise heard the voice of his "commander" from down the hall. He jogged along before coming up on the grunt mumbling and twitching.

"Mimyap, it is not a good idea to just wander around on your own. You could ge-" He stopped when he noticed a hole in the hanger, before a female elite walked out. He just stared with his eyes getting bigger as he saw her just stumble out.

"Anyways, we must report to Rakath soon, I feel the battle getting near." Tavise summed up before walking off, motioning for Mimyap to follow.

[tincanhitman]

MimYap
Free
Shadow of Faith

MimYap turned slowly as the sangheili tried to order him around. The Voice rose to the surface.

"Do you not understand your place?" he asked, his voice changing from his happy go lucky unggoy voice, to a deeper more hateful voice.

"You are MY body guard, not my nurse maid, you listen TO ME. I will not tell you again, if i see any more insubordination from you, i will kill you myself. Now, the battle IS coming, so we must be off!" he said gruffly pushing past the sangheili, with surprising force, and moving down the hall onto the bridge.

[Kenny]

Tavise, Bodyguard Of MimYap

Shadow Of Faith

Tavise was frightened by his superior's sudden personality change. The Sangheili forgot how angry the small Unggoy could get while in one of his "moods." Tavise then resumed walking at a brisk pace.
"Forgive me MimYap. I suppose I am just to eager to start the mission and have you lead me into battle. I know you want to kill those blinded by the Prophet's lies too so I just thought we should go ahead." He explained. Groveling wasn't his thing, but Tavise was good at it. He then continued on towards Rakath with the Unggoy, hoping to not upset him again.

[z]

Rakath V'keelaii

"Wait till the Holidays, Phma." He said with a chuckle. "Launch the drop pods in five minutes... Hold my clan here." He said in a serious tone. Wondering who exactly from his clan had come here.

The large Elite stepped from the building and pressed the button on his wrist to send the alert to each member of his small task force to assemble in the drop bay.

-----

In the drop bay, Rakath was waiting in his pod, Renmee and Kallmee each in a pod on each said of him, the rest of the team all in other pods.

"Phma, launch us now." Rakath spoke into the comm and leaned back as the pods shook and blasted down to the planet below.