Muram chronicles I

[Huka]

Halo: Muram Chronicle: First Campaign



Prologue: Newblood



88 Units. Third Cycle (Covenant Battle Calendar)/ Aboard SDV-class heavy
corvette Ardent Promise, en route to Heretic colony world; Slipspace
route from Military Colony New Choir to Covenant rally point alpha

26 Solar Cycles before the Great Schism

Ship Master Posedi 'Aquiree strided through the hall of his newly given ship,
listening to the echoing of his boots stepping on her floors, the filtered
smell of a vessel worthy of the newly made ship master, and the hum of her
innards. Passing by patrolling Sangheili and Unggoy troops, they recognized him
immediately.



Not just because of his engraved silver armor that literally alarmed them of
his rank, but because his odd wet skin, webbed talons, and water pumps attached
to his harness. These were the hallmarks of a colonist of the ocean-world
Gentle Grail, who've evolved from centuries of being collectors of underwater
material that serves to manufacture a unique and precious healing solvent
called Rudakk, that help satisfy the honor-bound warriors of his people.



Entering the bridge, he was greeted with a moderately active crew. Most were by
the central holograph of their destination, an already half-glassed planet that
is populated by a unknown species of aliens. Reports say the natives called it
Harvest because it was once an agricultural world, until the barbaric
Jiralhanae got to the planet. Not much of a surprise.



"Good unit, Shipmaster 'Aquiree." A gruff-voiced major domo clad in
ornamental armor with a crested helmet greeted by the door. The shipmaster
bowed his head respectively to his sub-commander, "Good unit, Major Domo
'Calukee."



"We will be nearing our exit in fourteen units." The ship officer
reported dutifully, "And our assault sects are preparing to deploy."
Clicking his mandibles in approval, Posedi walked to his command seat, whilst
his bridge officers, a mix of veterans and novices greeted him.



Taking his spot beside his commanding officer, 'Calukee looked at his fellows
and clicked his mandibles.



Minor warrior Jiiham 'Muramee sat a ghost rapid-attack vehicle, his lithe but
well-built form clad in cyan blue combat harness and his yellow eyes examining
his chosen weapon, a needle rifle.



The weapon reminded him of his clan-manufactured glass rifle, possible the
weapon was the original design for the glass rifle, but of more advanced
making. Giving a clicking purr to the thought of killing his unknown prey with
it, Jiiham was satisfied and sat it next to him when he saw a fellow Sangheili
minor approach him.



"Are you Jiiham 'Muramee?" He queried with a gruff but admitting
gentle tone. "I am, brother of battle." Jiiham confirmed with a
slight bow of his head before eye-to-eye. With a more comfortable stance, the
Minor returned the gesture, "Greetings, I am Re'giss 'Utaralee. We are
apart of the same lance."



Looking at his fellow Sangheili, Jiiham noted the stocky and muscular body of
Re'giss with a noticeable expression of genuine comradeship that is easily
gained, and was curious of the fellow's clan. "It is a pleasure to have
you as a fellow lance-comrade, Jiiham." He replied as he stood up, seeing
that his head was at the soldier's shoulders.

The Utaral clansman shifted abit and his upper mandibles flexed, "Same to
you." Jiiham made a few steps before looking around, "Do you know
where our lance commander is?" "He is waiting for us to collect the
Unggoy before coming to him by the Spirit gunship Swift Winds." Re'giss
replied.



Nodding to this, "Very well, let's go." Jiiham suggested before
grabbing his rifle and shouldered the strap. The two walked casually through
the main hanger of the corvette, proceeding pass their fellow warriors of few
species; from the noble Sangheili to the diminutive Unggoy and crafty Kig-yar.



"So, brother, what war college have you graduated from?" Jiiham
asked. "I've graduated from the Cuvass war college in Wigoss. You?"
Re'giss answered. "Qraii in Kermhi." The Muram soldier replied,
halting for a patrol of ship security, a trio of dark blue-armored Minors, to
pass.



"Qraii? I've heard that place is the middle of a blazing desert."
Re'giss gossiped with juvenile curiosity. Chuckling abit, Jiiham's hooked fangs
flexed, "Close to it, Kermhi borders the Helian Desert by a
quarter-quadrant. It sits at the hilled savannas, but yes, the glorious heat of
my homeland touches that of the territory."



"You speak quite well." Re'giss complimented. "Hm?" Jihamm
grunted. "Y-your accent I mean. It seems so...fluid." Re'giss
corrected himself. "Ah yes, my clan teaches a gentle approach, even in our
speech. Like a poet's you can say. Different from most clans." The Muram
clansman explained, his accent made his voice softer and more fluid than the
common gruff and gutternal language.



"Your clan must not be of the more war-centered traditions then?"
Re'giss guessed. "Not as forward as honor dictates, we are hunters. We
take more...creative ways to battle, including the discouraged stealth that warriors
normally distaste, but such tactics is useful nonetheless." Jiiham said.



"While I am trained and prefer the way of the warrior, I will not disagree
to your methods." Re'giss simply said, the two turning a corner,
unknowingly coming close to the Unggoy methane suites until Jiiham blinked and
told as such.



A couple of Unggoy stood chattering in their high-pitched languaage, one of
them seeming to leak methane out of his breathing appartus. "Unggoy!"
Re'giss called with a slight bark to his tone, now less polite and friendly.
"We require the members of Rir Lance."



The two jumped at that order and hurried off to do as commanded. Jiiham just
watched and sighed abit, "Why conscend them to be lesser races,
Re'giss?"



Looking as surprised, Jiiham answered as if it was obvious, "Because they
are, the Unggoy are good for nothing but labor and cannon fodder. Besides, they
breed as fast as didu flies, why miss one, when two replace it."



Looking at the Sangheili with a expressionless look, "They are
less-privileged and are used as simple auxiliary, they deserve abit of respect
before facing death." Tilting his head in thought on that, Re'giss was
speechless and the two were silent for a few moments before six Unggoy walked
out, most of them had their harnesses on correctly and looked abit scared,
except for two who looked rushed.

Spotting this, Re'giss stepped very slowly to them and stared them down with
piercing orange eyes, "You had five quarter-units to get proper like your
fellows and this is your result?"



Jiiham honestly believed they were going to soil themselves until the Minor's
snarls. "The commander will not be pleased of this conduct and I will be
not allow such, Unggoy!" He growled, a clawed hand patting his sidearm
threatening. The Unggoy, even the ones not yelled at, were shaking.



"Re'giss..." Jiiham whispered and the Sangheili glanced at him,
seeing the cold look that the hunter was giving him. Swallowing abit, he
relaxed himself, and snarled, "Now go correct yourselves quickly before I
draw my pistol."



Moving fast, the two rushed back inside the suite. Glancing at Jiiham again,
Re'giss could see the relaxed satisfaction from him, and nodded slightly.
"For the rest of you, report yourselves." He said, calm now.



The two most seniors of the six stepped forward, still clad in the orange
harnesses. "Pipzel." The largest of the group said, a needle pistol
hanging from his belt. "Wafip." The other said. The others followed;
Zadap, Yepil, and when the other two rejoined, Lawdem, and Pekef.



Looking at them, Re'giss flexed a mandible and jerked his head, "Follow
me." Then he stepped ahead, taking lead. Jiiham waited until Pekef waddled
past him before walking their flank.



It took a few minutes before Jiiham sniffed the disgusting odor of leaking
methane. Looking down, he noticed Pekef's methane tank seemed not quite on.
"Stop a moment...Pekef." He ordered softly. The young Unggoy did as commanded
and looked surprised by the lack of aggression in his voice.



Kneeling down, he examined the equipment. Ill-built, seems abit faulty in
the connectors. Seeing one of the clamps not completely on with the gas
hissing out, the Sangheili jammed the tank back on. Yipping, Pekef blinked and
started to breath better. "...Thank you." He said lightly. Patting
Pekef's shoulder, Jiiham stood up and prompted him on.