RP:Light of the Abyss

Premise
It is the year. The colony of is under attack by a Covenant armada, led by a Fleetmaster known only as "The Destroyer". Following months of preparation, the UNSC's stringent lines of defence are about to be pitted yet again against the invading force. A top-secret unit of SPARTAN-IIs, operating under the name "VELOX", have been tasked with the elimination of The Destroyer and his top-ranking officers, in hopes of dealing a much-needed crippling blow that would allow humanity to emerge victorious in the battle.

Yet the Covenant is not without dissent as they begin their campaign. A scouting patrol, sent by Imperial Admiral Xytan 'Jar Wattinree, had detected a valuable piece of Forerunner technology several months earlier, lying dormant beneath Alluvion's vast, turbulent oceans. Given his reluctance to disclose his findings, the High Prophets have entrusted Fleetmaster Thel 'Vadamee to uncover Xytan's secret and bring it back to High Charity. With Thel's ambition to supplant the Admiral pitted against Xytan's own intentions, the stakes are high on both sides of the conflict.

Rules

 * 1) For starters, you do not have to join ZOD to participate in this RP, nor do you have to add the ZOD era icon to the characters you submit. But if you wish to do so, I will take a look at the corresponding articles and give you the go-ahead if I find it's of adequate quality. Again, this doesn't mean you have to be part of ZOD, but whatever happens to your characters in this RP will be canonical within the EU.
 * 2) To submit characters for this RP, make a list on the talk page under your username. The viable options are pretty straightforward—UNSC or Covenant mostly. There will be limited ONI forces in play, as well as some non-military research factions if you so desire. Oh, and if you'd prefer certain characters not be killed in the RP, be sure to make a note of that. I will try my best to heed your wishes. The submission deadline is February 25th, no exceptions.
 * 3) While this is not one of dem irk RPs that are so popular with the kids these days, I have no qualms about enacting certain events in a live chat room setting for the sake of creative inspiration. It is worth noting, however, that the improvisational nature of Irk RPs means that some events may be subject to revision when transposed into writing. In addition, only the written version will be considered canonical to ZOD.
 * 4) As per traditional written RP rules, don't make two consecutive posts in a row. With the exception of one scenario which I will explain below, it's better to let someone else take a turn after you submit your piece.
 * 5) Or if your characters are needed to advance the plot and you don't write your post within a reasonable amount of time, it will be written for you. You will receive plenty of notice before I resort to this, but the goal is to avoid the notorious loss of momentum that has sunk so many half-finished RPs. Alternatively, if you sign a post and do not finish it within a week (7 days), it will be written for you without notice. Once a post is written for you, it cannot be undone even if you don't like the way things play out, and this covers everything up to and including killing off your characters if necessary. Sound fair?
 * 6) Please try to keep your characters doing something that's  relevant  to the plot. I'm not going to impose a bunch of restrictions since you all know how to write in an HCW setting, but I may occasionally invite some of you to participate in working toward an objective or event. This is mainly to keep the plot from drifting in every direction at once, and I'll be sure to leave everyone enough breathing room if this becomes necessary.
 * 7) Lastly, I strongly encourage you to team up your characters with other users' rather than leave your guys on their own for the entire RP. If you notice someone stirring up an event that looks like fun, have a discussion with them about throwing your ideas into the mix. This is a community project, after all, and maximizing interaction is half the fun.

United Nations Space Command
Office of Naval Intelligence Marine Corps / Navy / Maritime Ops Army Officers
 * CAPT Jazmine Utah
 * CDR
 * LT Felix-116
 * LTJG Nyarai-134
 * CWO3 Eldar-128
 * CWO2 Maddison-140
 * WO1 Lian-017
 * COL Francisco Cortez
 * CDR Angelica Hurst
 * LT Daiichi Kimura
 * 1LT Michael Trask
 * MSGT Ellison Suarez
 * CPO Nathan-076
 * SGT Samuel Hope
 * CPL Aiden Jenkins
 * CPL Fritz Hoffman
 * LCPL Ian Turner
 * LCPL Morris Rhodes
 * PFC Edmond Dahm
 * PFC Levi Groves
 * PVT James Coburn

The Covenant
Naval officers Ground forces / Zealots Special Operations
 * Fleetmaster Thel 'Vadamee
 * Shipmaster Bulu 'Wattinree
 * Shipmaster Cerpa 'Folumee
 * Shipmaster Khal 'Devnumee
 * Shipmaster Tyun 'Arachee
 * Field Marshall Hiuel 'Jadamee
 * Field Marshall
 * General Ekdam 'Noramee
 * General Nol 'Saverosee
 * General Sev 'Wattinrzoee
 * General Sovol 'Yendamee
 * Zealot Jez 'Varumee
 * Yugo Bond-Brothers
 * Commander Jeran 'Demalee
 * Officer Tawri 'Antinree
 * Operator Akorn 'Yendamee
 * Operator Jusan 'Sasovai

Prologue
{| style="font-family:Ebrima; margin:20px" “You can swim against the current, my love, but sooner or later it will carry you to the sea.”

Before meeting the one who would ask him to be her mate, Thel ‘Vadamee had often scoffed at the notion of destiny. As kaidon and a prestigious hero of the Covenant, he was well-versed in Covenant religious texts but had never allowed it to obscure the one truth he always held: the universe was guided by the bold and ambitious. The Forerunners may have been godly in nature, but it was through action that their creations had persevered through the ages.

But his wife, Fayta, saw things differently. “The fabric of our reality is not a dead thing, like a piece of argil waiting to be moulded,” she once told him. “The future is alive and constantly in motion...just like you, my restless vsekhei. The universe breathes with steady rhythm and direction—with purpose.”

“And what purpose is that?” he had asked, to which her expression softened.

“Cherished one, you chase after finality before you even try to understand it. You have seen more years in this life than I, and I would not desire to know the answers you do. Wisdom and knowledge seek us out when it is ours to claim, and not a moment before.”

Thel’s questioning stare deepened. “So why do you gaze into the future, ad’tunhea ? Why have you guided me so many times on my path?”

He could still remember the lingering smile she wore as her hand gently caressed his face. For all the warmth it held, there was a hint of sadness within. “Because it is my duty to do so, Thel ‘Vadamee. My visions of the coming years remain hazy to me, and I’ve been wracked with terror by the glimpses of your future...but I will stand by you through your every triumph and pitfall, as I vowed to do on the day of our union.”

Thel opened his eyes at the sound of the bridge doors sliding open behind him. He swiveled about in his command chair to see a lone Zealot marching in without so much as a glance at the command crew. It was Veer ‘Nefalee, a long-time ally and one of his most trusted Field Marshalls. Thel stood from his hovering seat and stepped down to meet the officer at the edge of the central platform.

Veer stopped shy of where the ramp connected with the elevated platform, standing beneath his superior’s eye level as a show of subservience. As much as Thel valued such displays of loyalty, he honestly thought Veer’s mannerism were often too punctilious considering how long they had worked together. “Fleetmaster, all ships have linked their broadcasts to ours. Ranking officers are awaiting your briefing.”

Thel strode past the Zealot, who swiftly fell into step after him. “What of our new additions?” he inquired as they exited the bridge through another of its numerous doors.

“Brought on board, as you ordered,” Veer informed him. “They’ve been taken to the transmission chamber under the escort of General ‘Yendamee.”

“Good,” Thel said curtly, albeit with a pronounced scowl. “The task before us will demand my utmost attention, and I’ve little patience to waste on these conspirators placed under my command.”

The two of them reached a small gravity lift at the end of the hallway. Thel placed one hand upon the holographic panel beside it, and the surrounding energy field dissipated. He and Veer stepped inside, and immediately the floor vanished beneath them as they were whisked through the ship’s numerous levels.

Moments later, the gravity propellers eased them to a stop and a second barrier parted to reveal another chamber; this one was dimly lit, save for the holograms cast from the central projector. The images of Sangheili placed their fists over their hearts as their Fleetmaster stepped out of the lift and into their midst. But of the three figures who stood before him in person, only one of them—Sovol ‘Yendamee—mirrored the gesture.

Thel inclined his head at the dutiful General as he approached the projector, but his gaze did not leave the other two. “We begin our attack at the start of the next cycle,” he declared to the officers gathered around him, both present and holograms. “The humans have had much time to prepare for our arrival, but for now our presence remains undetected. But they will know we are coming, and if you are careless enough to underestimate our cornered prey, then your life will be deservedly made forfeit by these nishum .”

Beside ‘Yendamee, one of the Sangheili stepped forward. “And you would leave the safety of your flagship to lead by example, I presume?” he challenged. “Or were the fables of the great Thel ‘Vadamee merely that—fables?”

“You presume correctly, Sev ‘Wattinrzoree,” Thel responded unflinchingly. “Your battles against the humans are fledgling in comparison to my fleet’s, but your days on the fringes of Covenant territory will not measure up here. I’m holding you both to the same standards of proficiency and discipline that I expect out of my own officers, especially if you intend to honour the reputation of your Imperial Admiral and those under his command. Do you understand me?”

The chamber was silent as Sev and his companion stared down their new superior. Veer, Sovol, and every hologram was still, watching without moving a muscle. “Perfectly, Fleetmaster,” Sev said tersely, speaking for both of them.

“Then you will take your orders directly from me, General. As you were among the scouting party that found this colony, the data you gathered should prove invaluable in your duties as Fieldmaster.” Thel turned to address the other officer. “And you, Khal ‘Devnumee, you’ll take command of one of my carriers, the Cleansing Wave. Its Shipmaster will be transferred here while I’m on the ground.”

Sev’s mandibles opened slightly in surprise and outrage but said nothing as the sullen Khal shot him a warning look. Both Sangheili gave Thel a rigid salute, their fingers clenched tightly over their chests.

“As for all of you,” the Fleetmaster continued, now addressing the holograms. “Your orders are simple. Find the humans’ points of resistance, eliminate them one by one. You know their strategies, and once we engage, you will know their numbers. Perform your duty, and victory will follow. On the blood of our fathers...”

“...On the blood of our sons!” chorused the officers in unison.

Thel deactivated the projector, leaving only the four Sangheili standing in the chamber with him. His eyes remained locked with Sev’s, who was now quite visibly furious. “I know what you’re doing,” he growled. “Separating our roles, putting Khal somewhere where he cannot act...”

“Act upon what, Fieldmaster?” Thel asked quietly. “Did you think your intentions were not obvious to me? That the Prophets would place you under my command if I were as seditious as your Imperial Admiral?”

“You want that title for yourself,” scoffed Sev, “and this is an opportunity for the Prophets to hand it to you. They’ve made that clear by forbidding Admiral ‘Wattinree from leading this campaign himself.”

“Watch your tone, outsider,” cautioned Sovol, speaking at last.

Thel held up a hand. “My personal ambitions are none of your concern,” he replied calmly. “And there is a great deal that the Prophets suspect Admiral ‘Wattinree has not told them, something I’m sure you’re aware of. I will be candid—it’d be in your best interests to do away with this charade and avoid unnecessary complications. Tell me what Xytan is after on that colony—why he’s taken so long to report its location back to High Charity—and I will see to it that he does not lose any more favour with the Prophets.”

The defiance did not leave Sev’s eyes as he responded. “Your claims are unfounded, Fleetmaster. Now, I must prepare for the mission.” As he made for the exit, Sovol moved to stop him, but Thel gave him a slight shake of the head and the loyal General let them pass. Khal turned and followed Sev away, and the doors whirred shut behind them.

''This is no simple task the Prophets have entrusted me with. Dealing with the humans will be fairly straightforward by comparison.'' Putting aside the thought, the Fleetmaster turned his attention to Veer and Sovol. “Ready your troops before we make the precision jump,” he told them. “Have them ready to deploy on re-entry.”

Not for the first time, Thel wondered if destiny was always intent on testing one’s character so thoroughly. But if this is what I must do to be proven worthy of my ambitions, then I will not falter.

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UnggoyZealot (talk) 21:14, March 1, 2018 (UTC)