Vadam Legacies: The Fallen

{|style="width:100%; color:#FFF;"
 * valign="top" style="padding:5px;" class="aaopage"|

Prologue
The room was dark, with the only source of light being the fiery suns casting rays through the holes in the ceilings. The silence was almost as thick as the darkness.

Light flooded the room as a Sangheili dashed in. Atsu 'Hidal, waiting at the other end, turned to face the newcomer. "What news?"

"The protests have grown stronger, Excellency," the Sangheili said. "The military cannot hold them down, and chaos is descending upon the planet."

Atsu's mandibles parted in a smile. "The Fleet of Homogenous Clarity did not make the glorious return they had anticipated. And neither would any expect them to, what with their unwise decisions."

"They claim the Prophets had betrayed them, and they thought the Great Journey was a lie."

"They have only themselves to blame for their stupidity," the Sangheili said. "Why we should feel shame from their mistakes is beyond me. The Covenant had been troubled since the Jiralhanae had joined us. They have ambition, but they lacked brains and were too nearsighted to bring it out. Which is why we should never ally with the humans. We are making the same mistake twice, and this time, I will ensure we do not fall into it." He stepped closer to the second Sangheili. "Seek out those whom will listen. They will take great interest in what I have to say."

The alien bowed his head, and walked out of the building, closing the doors behind him.

Atsu paced the room, thinking. He didn't have much right now, but everything he needed would come soon. And it would be amusing to watch Thel 'Vadam, that so-called Arbiter, try and keep things under control. The erstwhile Supreme Commander could revel in the wasted remains of the Covenant once he was done with it, but Sanghelios would be under Atsu's reign in a few months. And then, the humans would all die.

'The Age of Amendment'...The Sangheili laughed to himself. The only thing that would require amending was their relationship with those pathetic humans. And Atsu would do everything in his power to make it so.

Chapter 1: Dawning of Darkness
Autel 'Vadam walked up the winding path that led to the Keep. Although the Shadow of Intent returned to Sanghelios three months ago, there had been issues to sort out and Thel had wanted him to remain until it was completed. It was his first time returning since he had gone to Stoic Courier. The events that had occurred felt like a lifetime ago.

Elder Lak 'Vadam was waiting at the top for him. "Autel, you have come back." The former warrior placed his fist over his chest by way of greeting. Autel returned the gesture.

"Everything is changing so quickly," Lak said quietly, staring down the misty mountains. "The things I have heard...the breaking of the Covenant, the alliance with the humans, and you, child. You have done much for one so young."

"Thank you, elder," the young Sangheili said. "I am honoured by your words."

The silence stretched, the only sounds being the birds squawking in the distance. "Is something on your mind?" Lak asked.

"Yes..." Autel said, turning to him. "Elder, my first impressions of the Covenant were that of betrayal and deception. I had intended to bring glory to our beliefs and values, yet all I did was fight against those who we were meant to follow and stand beside our supposed enemies."

The older Sangheili sighed, and said, "Glory is not merely about what you mean to do, and neither is destiny, young one. And what honour is there in fighting for one who has tricked you for so long? I have long looked onto my accomplishments with pride, but I now see that it counts for nothing. But I know I had conviction in what I have done, so I do not feel regret. And neither should you, Autel. For only ourselves know truly what it means to us, even if others do not."

Autel contemplated Lak's words, and nodded. "You are right, elder. Thank you for your wise counsel." He walked with him to the Keep's entrance, and followed the older Sangheili inside.

As Autel bade goodbye to Lak, and walked up the winding stairs to his room, he sank into a chair, and was silent.

Things hadn't been going well recently. Many Sangheili took offense to the fact that his father, Thel 'Vadam, had decided to ally with the humans to win the war. Although it had been clear that the Prophets had turned against them, and that the Jiralhanae had taken their place, the Arbiter was still trying to convince everyone that the Great Journey had been a lie all along. Autel looked down at a shattered ring he still wore. It used to generate an energy stasis field holding compressed plasma, which he had used to break out of a cell in High Charity after the Prophet of Regret had locked him and his allies up. If only they knew what we knew...

Autel had not kept the ring for its value. He held onto it because it was the last possession his mother, the Seer of Sanghelios, had given him before her death. When she had been killed by the Brute Captain Othreus, he had felt such rage and a lust for vengeance, that he had cast off her warnings. Now those feelings made him feel almost shameful. After fighting in the Covenant war, he knew that revenge was naught but a two-edged blade, hurting the victim not nearly as much as those whom were foolish enough to bask in it.

Autel wondered if Othreus had been killed during the Battle of the Ark. The thought of it gave him no real joy.

"Autel 'Vadam!"

The albino looked up and spotted Taszar 'Vadam. The younger elite was Autel's own half-brother, although Taszar didn't know it.

"Yes, Taszar?"

"Have you heard the news?" There was a strange glint in the young Sangheili's eye. "There are many groups leaving the Keeps. Rebels, so I hear!"

Autel couldn't believe what he was hearing. Rebels? So soon after his race had just finished one large war? "Surely you jest."

"I do not." Taszar said, moving to sit down at an angle to Autel. "I saw, with my own eyes, seven score of Sangheili walking out of one of the Keeps! They fled to the deep mountains."

Autel played with the ring around his finger, twisting it to and fro.

"I doubt it will be of any consequence. No Sangheili would dare declare war so soon after the one we just won."

Taszar bowed his head, then snapped it around as there was a shuffling. Autel followed his gaze, and they spotted the Arbiter, Thel 'Vadam, standing in the doorway.

"You two young ones ought to be down at the celebration." He said warmly, turning to go. His mandibles were parted in a smile, but Autel could tell it was strained.

The two young Sangheili curled their fists over their first hearts and followed the Arbiter.

"We'll speak again." Autel said to Taszar. Taszar nodded, and walked away, in to a crowd of young initiates just like him.

Autel watched him go. He remembered being an initiate, still innocent to the ways of war, not knowing of what it meant to kill.

Well, he thought with a slight feeling of unease. That's likely to change in the future.

Atsu 'Hidal walked slowly into the room. Thirteen of his best Sangheili warriors were arrayed around a circular stone table, each one from a different family.

Atsu was not clad in his usual golden armor, but one that was blood-red.

"Welcome, my loyal warriors. Today we mark the formation of a resistance." Here Atsu took the blade of his energy sword out and laid it on the table, so that it would, if activated, point to the center. The other thirteen Sangheili followed suit.

"We pledge to keep our line sacred." Each line was echoed by the rest.

"We swear to uphold all the bonds of family."

"We swear to cleanse the human filth from the galaxy, and end the blight that our fathers fought against for so long!" Atsu finished, then looked at each of the others in turn.

"We will be cast from the very society we swear to protect. We must become what no Sangheili has been for millenia: spies, thieves, cutthroats in the night. All our sacred traditions must be swept aside to protect them. We are the Fallen, the last of the honorable. Let it be known that we have but one rule!"

"Honor above all else!" Atsu roared to the ceiling.

"Honor above all else!" The thirteen roared in unison, all fourteen Sangheili holding up their arms and roaring with primal bloodlust.

Atsu allowed himself a small smile. Now he could begin to reclaim his race's honour.
 * }

{|style="width:100%; color:#FFF;"
 * valign="top" style="padding:5px;" class="aaopage"|

Chapter 2: The Cazal Keep
Autel knew that something was wrong when he saw the thick smoke drifting out of the valley. So it wasn't too surprising that a subunit later, the team specialist specialist, Kei 'Oltem, discovered a transmission requesting assistance from the source of the smoke.

"Be careful," Special Operations Officer Tico 'Serul warned his squad. "This valley is an ideal place for an ambush."

"Ambush? From what?" asked Minor Tyen 'Dafek. "We have had no war for over a year."

"Be on your guard, nonetheless," 'Serul said. "Autel, you're in front."

The squad proceeded down the valley, which wasn't easy. Trees and tall boulders had collapsed, and large patches of the land had been burned away. The air itself smelled burned, and the usual sounds of animals inhabiting the area weren't present.

"Perhaps the Keep is down there," said 'Oltem, looking down the valley.

"It looks as if the attackers are long gone," said 'Dafek.

"This is our lead," 'Serul said firmly. "It is somewhere to start."

For the next few subunits, there was no sound save the team cautiously making their way past the half-destroyed land. Everyone was tense, and looked in every direction in case something was still lurking in the valley.

"Look," said Jaurn 'Konar, pointing at a distant structure at the bottom. "It looks like the—"

Plasma rained down on them, ripping through the surrounding plants and felling two Sangheili. Instinctively, every weapon was trained on the sky, but there was nothing airborne.

A blue bolt landed in a tree. It exploded, tearing the tree apart and killing the soldier unfortunate enough to be standing next to it. Several soldiers opened fire at the sky, to no effect. After only a moment's hesitation, 'Serul shouted, "Run! Down the valley!" The squad dashed down the slope, still firing after them. One of the soldiers was shot in the back by plasma, and he stumbled, smashing into a boulder. Weapon fire sprayed him until he lay still, slumped against the bloody rock.

"Where's it coming from?" yelled 'Dafek. Autel moved around a tree, a second before it was peppered with plasma. He glanced at the sky for a moment. He couldn't tell who was firing on them.

He felt someone grab him by the forearm and jerk him to one side. A moment later, the ground where he stood a second ago exploded, showering dirt everywhere. The albino looked at who had saved him. It was Jaurn.

"Thank you," he said. The latter nodded. Deciding to focus on making it to the bottom alive, he saw that they were almost at the building. It had to be the Cazal Keep. It looked too big and ancient to be anything else. It looked as if it had been shot up very recently.

Someone opened the door from the inside. "Hurry!" He urged them. Without question, the squad ran in one by one. There were just four of them left to make it inside. They were almost there.

A cluster of blue plasma impacted on the ground around them, glowing dimly. Only 'Dafek made it to the door, and Jaurn's eyes widened in panic as the explosives' glow increase. Reacting quickly, Autel tackled him hard, pushing him out of range. Grabbing his other squadmate, he dived straight through the mass of explosives.

The plasma detonated, throwing them high in the air. Autel felt a flash of pain, and blood sprayed him. He landed in a heap on the ground, still clutching his squadmate's wrist. He realized that all he was holding was a hand, with blood dripping down its still fingers, and he let go, feeling an intense burning sensation around his middle. He looked to the sky, waiting for more plasma to finish him. He saw the slightest blur moving through the air, and the next thing he knew, Jaurn and 'Dafek were hauling him inside by the shoulders.

"Is he alright?" 'Oltem asked, looking at Autel with a wince. "It looks as if his entire stomach has been torn apart..."

"He will live," said the unknown Sangheili, the one who let them inside. But the albino lost all thought as he faded into unconsciousness...

Autel awoke, feeling stiff. He was lying on what felt like a bed, his chest plate had been removed, and his middle was bandaged. He didn't know if he wanted to move.

"I think you will be taking time off service for a while," said a voice. Turning his head to look, he saw that it was the stranger.

"Where am I?" he asked.

"The Cazal Keep. My name is Urei."

"Autel 'Vadam. My team, are they—"

"They are fine," Urei said, although his expression suggested otherwise. "They are waiting for you to recover."

Autel sat up, wincing as pain shot through his stomach.

"You should rest," the other Sangheili said.

"I need to talk to them." Carefully, he walked out of the room, followed by Urei. As he stepped into the hall, he noticed that he was walking towards a Sangheili who was staring pointedly at the wall. It looked as if he were examining the carvings on it, but as the albino walked past him, the stranger turned and glared at him. There was something in that glare that suggested resentment. Autel slowed his pace, uncertain of what the matter was.

The moment passed when Urei walked by him. Tearing his gaze away from the unknown Sangheili, he kept walking. He was led to another room, where the Special Operations team was waiting. Some of them had minor injuries, and were being treated. When 'Serul saw Autel, he stood up. "How are you feeling?"

The commando had a strange expression, mostly tense. But there was something else. "I'm alright..." With another wince, the albino sat down, feeling a bit light-headed. "What happened, Excellency?"

"We are still trying to figure that out," the officer replied grimly. "I assume we were ambushed by aircraft. They may have been using heatsinking to remain silent."

"And camouflage," Autel said, just remembering. "I saw a blur in the sky..." He suddenly realized just how few of them were in the room. Not wanting to hear the answer, he asked tentatively, "How many did we lose?"

'Serul's expression hardened. "Six."

It was quite a loss. Their squad consisted of thirteen Sangheili. They had lost nearly half their numbers. "What are we going to do, Excellency?"

"We must return to Yermo and report. This attack will raise a lot of questions."

"You are welcome to stay here as long as you like," Urei said. 'Serul looked at him, and Autel realized why his expression was so strange. It was uncustomary for a Sangheili to enter another's Keep, and their presence here must have been uncomfortable.

"Autel 'Vadam needs to recover," the latter insisted. "And he should not move until he has."

"If you do not mind, I would not either," 'Serul said. "But the rest of us will not trouble you any longer once we can go."

Urei nodded. He gestured at one of the female Sangheili helping to treat the squad. "Cyla. Sister, could you bring Autel back to the medical room? Stay with him." She nodded, and helped the albino stand up and out of the hallway.

"Your squadmates were very worried about you," she said. Autel said nothing, feeling too dazed to talk. She turned to look at him.

"So, you are Autel 'Vadam," Cyla continued. "There are many who speak highly of you...and what you have accomplished before even joining the military."

Deceptive Prophets and killing Brutes... he thought with a grimace. What is there to speak highly of?

They reached the room. "You have done so much for one so young."

She doesn't look very old either, Autel thought vaguely as she helped him lie back down. Somewhere around my age... And he passed out again.

Cyla got the medical supplies, and cleaned the blood off his stomach. As she did so, she examined his face carefully. ''Those scars look as if they've been inflicted by a Spiker. They say he got it from saving the Arbiter.'' His expression was so serious...he looked as if he had already suffered a lot. Even asleep, he looked fitful, as if peace was something he couldn't find anymore. She didn't know why, but she hated to see him so troubled. There was something about this young warrior that made him different from the rest.

Cyla realized that the cloth she was using was now soaked in blood, and she went to get a fresh one.

Autel groaned as he regained consciousness. For some reason, the pain in his stomach felt more intense than the last time.

Cyla, who was sitting nearby reading an electronic pad, looked up at the sound. She hurried over to him. "Try not to move," she said. "I couldn't give you anything for your pain because it would slow the healing process. It will go away after a while."

Shifting where he lay with some awkwardness, he said, "It's alright. Whatever gets me back on my feet."

''I don't think I have sustained a major injury before, now that I think about it. I didn't think it would feel so...vulnerable.''

Neither of them spoke for a while. The albino was wondering if he should go back to sleep, when he noticed that she was gazing at him, almost as if she were studying him. He turned his head slightly towards her, and their eyes met for a moment. Quickly, she looked away, picking up the electronic pad again. He said nothing, not wanting to embarrass her.

"You fought at the Battle of the Ark," she said after a while, still looking at the device in her hand. But her eyes were too still and unfocused to have been reading it.

"Many did so."

"But you were there. The world that many in the Covenant dreamt of seeing."

"Yes..."

"What was it like?"

Autel thought back to that day. "The end of the war was near. We wanted to finish it...and to make things right."

"What I meant was, did the Ark intrigue you at all? The magnificence of it, the creations left behind by the Forerunners?"

He had known what she was asking. He just didn't want to answer it.

"No," he said finally. "It was very disheartening to be there right when we discovered that the Journey was but death for all. The pain was fresh, and we did the only thing we could. After the war...we were unsure as to how our fellow Sangheili here would react to the events." Well, now we know.

Cyla looked at him again. "Those scars look as if they were they inflicted by a Spike carbine. Is it true that you got them when you saved the Arbiter?"

"Yes."

"Then you are a hero to many, Autel 'Vadam."

The albino closed his eyes. "The days when I longed for glory in battle have passed, Cyla. I have searched for them, but it was never found."

"That is because you became a warrior in a time of betrayal. They say that our days used to be much fulfilling."

"Perhaps. But even though we have freed ourselves from war for now, we are not without our enemies. We have fought amongst ourselves before. But it will be a wretched day when our separate beliefs would divide us so bitterly."
 * }

{|style="width:100%; color:#FFF;"
 * valign="top" style="padding:5px;" class="aaopage"|

Chapter 3: Insurgents
"Best of luck to you, Autel 'Vadam," said Urei as he escorted him to the Keep's exit.

"Thank you for your time," the albino said. "Both of you." He involuntarily glanced at Cyla, who gave a slight smile.

"When our enemies surround us, it is good to stand together," Urei said. "Send my regards to the Arbiter."

"I will." As Autel turned to the Keep's exit, he saw someone standing on the adjacent staircase, arms crossed and staring at him pointedly. It was the stranger who had glared at him the other night. The albino wondered why the Sangheili was watching him, but had no time to voice his thoughts as he stepped out into the valley.

There was an Umbra was waiting for him, ready to take off. He stepped into the cargo bay, seating himself close to the right hatch.

"Are you well, Autel?" the pilot asked.

"Better now, 'Pyron," he replied. "Do you like the new Umbras?"

"They are very well-designed. But I do prefer flying a Phantom. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes." Autel leaned back, surprised by how relaxed he felt. After his injury, he had willed himself to stand and walk without wincing. He didn't realize how difficult it was at first, and after several days of coping with it, it was a great relief when he was finally able to move freely again.

Autel enjoyed the ride across the mountains and back to the State of Vadam, breathing in the fresh air. One does feel at ease after getting away from one's worries. He had spent a lot of his week talking to Cyla, and he had enjoyed her company. They could talk more comfortably when they weren't discussing war, or politics. He was almost regretful about returning to service. ''Maybe we can resolve everything, and return to living in peace. We just need time to sort everything out after the end of the war.'' He wouldn't mind spending more time getting to know her...

They arrived at Yermo after a few subunits, and Autel thanked 'Pyron for the ride. He hadn't taken more than three steps from the Umbra when he saw a large crowd of Sangheili talking animatedly near a large building. Walking around them, he looked for a familiar face. He found Taszar, and approached him.

"Taszar, what has happened?" he asked. His stepbrother saw him, and broke into a smile.

"We have graduated from our training!" he said joyfully. "We are to being our services by the end of this month!"

Autel was taken aback. Taszar had graduated at the age when he himself had begun training at Stoic Courier. Looking at the others more closely, he noticed that some of them were even younger. Returning the smile, even though he still felt intrigued as well as a bit apprehensive, the albino asked "Who has made this decision?"

"Thel 'Vadam, the Arbiter himself; Many other families have yielded hundreds of graduates each!" Taszar looked very excited about this.

What does the Arbiter mean by this? Autel wondered. He must have a reason for this decision. It had long been discouraged to allow Sangheili to fight as soldiers because of their inexperience and reckless nature. Then he realized it. ''He must be anticipating war. The negotiations with the separatists must be going badly.'' The Sangheili had lost a considerable amount of their forces following the battle at the Ark. Was Thel willing to send these young ones into war to make up for the loss? It would give us a better chance, but...it is dangerous.

Autel was already half-hoping this wasn't the case. ''Maybe he has other reasons. Something I did not foresee.'' Either way, he decided not to let his uncertainty show. What was done couldn't be reversed, and graduating into military service was no small feat. He gave Taszar a genuine smile, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations, Taszar. You will make an excellent warrior. May our forefathers guide your way."

Atsu 'Hidal did not move as he heard the someone enter the room. "What news?" He asked softly.

"Excellency, Autel 'Vadam has made a full recovery and has returned to the State of Vadam."

"Good. Have you planted the cell?"

"Yes. He has no recollection of our...session. It is lucky the ambush I set up did not kill him."

Atsu smiled coldly. "Nothing happens by accident. Keep an eye on him, and give it some time. I will let you know when we will make our move."

"Yes, Excellency."

Autel found his squadmates at Yermo's main outpost. Seeing him back on his feet, they greeted him warmly. The only one who didn't show any form of greeting was Kei 'Oltem, who looked as if he was working on something intently. The albino walked over to his station, and asked, "What is it?"

The specialist glanced up in surprise. "Autel, you have returned." He stood up and clasped his hand, with an expression of open relief. "I am glad to see that you are well."

"Thank you." Looking at the holographic screens surround 'Oltem, he asked, "What are these for?"

"I have been investigating the ambush in the valley. It was too coincidental how they could have known we would be there."

"What have you found out?"

"Well, 'Serul tells me that he informed someone at the Cazal Keep that we were to make an investigation. He didn't ask for his name, though."

"So you think there is a traitor in the Keep?"

"Possibly. Although with the few details I have, there could be a number of possibilities. I have also looked into the possible factions that could have sent the attack. Right now, the largest separatist organization is the Fallen, but they would obviously deny their involvement unless I have more evidence." 'Oltem looked a bit frustrated. "I--" He broke off as a large group of graduates walked past in the hallway. 'Serul, who was speaking with Jaurn about something, stood up and walked after them, muttering, "What are they doing here?"

"Have you seen the graduates?" 'Oltem asked. Autel nodded.

The specialist sighed. "I do not know if they were ready for this. I remember when we finished our training early, but this is a bit...extreme. I saw Thel talking with some of them a few subunits ago."

"Thel is here?" the albino asked, surprised.

"Yes. He said he was leaving for something, and he came down here to have a word with Commander 'Kamul."

"Where is he?"

"In the Commander's office, I believe."

Autel nodded thanks, dashing down the hall to 'Kamul's office. He turned the corner, and almost ran directly into Thel, who seemed to be just leaving.

"You seem to be in a hurry, warrior," the latter remarked.

"My apologies, Arbiter," Autel began, but didn't get any farther as he was grabbed in a tight embrace.

"'Serul told me about the attack. I am heartened to see you are well."

"Father," the albino whispered, looking around quickly to see that no one else was around, and feeling slightly embarrassed at the same time. He took in Thel's demeanour, and saw that he looked even more stressed than the last time he saw him. Maybe that explained the sudden emotion. The Arbiter let go, and some of the tension was gone from his expression.

"I have been called to Reach," he said, as they walked towards the exit. "We are making preparations to form an official alliance."

"At last," Autel said. "Maybe then this political dispute will end."

Thel did not look convinced. "I am not sure about that. Some will take it as an insult."

"Like the Fallen?"

"Yes," his father sighed. "They are most passionate about remaining separate from humanity. And their numbers grow increasingly by day."

Walking out of the outpost's main entrance, he walked towards the Umbra that was waiting for him on a small landing pad. Nearby, 'Serul was talking with the group of graduates. Looking at them with uncertainty, Autel asked, "Father, why did you allow them to finish their training so early? You are not anticipating war...are you?"

The Arbiter did not answer.

The albino felt his heartbeat quicken. "Father?"

Thel wordlessly stepped on board the Umbra. He turned back to his son, looking older than ever.

"It is something I wish I knew the answer to," he said quietly. "And also something I do not want to know."

Autel watched as the aircraft took off, escorted by two other Umbras and four Banshees. They flew over the State of Vadam, becoming smaller and smaller in his vision, until they disappeared behind the mountains.

Thel stepped off the Umbra, with Autel's words still echoing in his mind. You are not anticipating war...are you?

He felt a quick stab of guilt. The Sangheili military force was now integrated with so many soldiers so young they were barely out of childhood. They had resorted to such measures before during the ancient conflicts that had taken place ages before the Covenant was created. ''We have fought among ourselves before. But never had we been divided like this.'' To have Sangheili families settle matters with each other was a common thing even during their war against humanity, but to have the entire species divide into two sides, without so much as a single individual to see honour and nobility in both sides...it troubled him. This will destroy us, if we are not careful.

Thel remembered how eager the graduated Sangheili were to join the effort to stop the insurgents. Among them was one of his sons, Taszar. ''How many of us will fall to bloodshed against our own kind? How many of them will die through inexperience? Am I to be responsible for their deaths?''

The Arbiter did his best to put the thoughts out of his head and turned his attention to matter at hand. ''By the gods, I do hate publicity appearances. I wish I did not have to walk out in the streets for everyone to see me board my ship. But I suppose it is part of my role now.'' After the end of the Human-Covenant War, the Unified Earth Government had urged him to take the position of Head of State, which he had reluctantly accepted. The replacing of the Sangheili political leader with a soldier had received very controversial reactions, but it was necessary, considering that it was difficult to tell these days who was an ally and who was not. Nonetheless, Thel found that with his new position, his life became more important than ever. So he was now constantly surrounded by eight guards, and was rarely allowed to become involved in military issues.

Ironic, considering that I did not believe I would still be alive, Thel thought as he walked down the streets of Yermo with his Zealot guards on all sides, trying to look valiant as he passed the civilians that observed him noncommittally. ''First I thought I was to die as a dishonourable traitor after the destruction of the Halo ring. Then I believed my time as Arbiter would be cut short by a suicide mission. And then there was my escape from the Ark with the Spartan...'' He suddenly felt an unexpected sorrow at the thought of the supersoldier. After they had met on Earth, they had built up what was at first a suspicious mutual acquaintance. But over time, they had grown to trust each other; John-117 had fought with a ferocity and honour that Thel did not believe to be so different from the Sangheili he knew. He was surprised that he could be so affected at the loss of a human.

''The sense of duty to one's species to protect it at all costs, even one's own life, is one of the greatest honours we hold. Why can the Fallen not see that it is nothing less in humans?''

Remembering his predetermined route, Thel turned left when he reached an adjacent road, his guards not taking one step out of formation. ''What a shame it is for the Sangheili to be like this now. The Fallen are just as honourable than we are. But why we must accuse the other of treachery is lamentable. Now I have to have guards walking around me, snipers lined above my path—'' Thel stopped sharply. His eyes swept the rooftops, sensing that something was not quite right.

The Zealot formation stopped with him. Their leader, a Field Master, walked closer. "What is it, Arbiter?" he asked.

"The snipers," Thel said quietly. "Where are they?"

He winced when the Zealot turned his head this way and that, making it obvious that he was scrutinizing the roofs. We are hardly being conspicuous to any enemies that may be watching us.

"Perhaps they are staying out of sight, Excellency," the Field Master said after a moment.

"Perhaps," Thel echoed dubiously. Maybe I am being paranoid.

The Zealot caught his tone. "Do not worry, Arbiter," he said. "Who can kill over thirty Sangheili snipers without being detected?"

The sudden sound of an almost continuous stream of plasma fire whistled through the air. Startled, the crowd parted as two Zealot Minors crumpled, their purple blood spraying Thel. The remaining ones reacted quickly, raising their weapons and spreading out in formation. Thel spotted a young Sangheili wearing traditional unshielded armour, and for some reason, a vest over it. He was dashing from the crowd, blue steam venting from his right side, undoubtedly from a weapon he was holding.

He lost sight of the individual when half a dozen white-armoured Fallen soldiers appeared as if from nowhere and opened fire on the guard team, causing absolute havoc as the Zealots returned fire. But Thel kept his eyes on the young insurgent, who was making no efforts to hide himself, but was weaving in and out of the crowd. Then their eyes locked.

The next thing Thel knew, the young Sangheili was rushing at him with an Energy Sword ignited in his hand. He raised the weapon and let loose a mighty battle cry. Shocked, the Arbiter instinctively activated his own sword, locking blades with the insurgent. He followed up with a series of rapid strikes that were parried by Thel. But the sheer skill in the young individual's sword-wielding ability surprised him. He couldn't have been older than Taszar, and yet he fought like a seasoned veteran with the unrelenting energy of one who did not weaken with age.

A deadly combination, Thel soon realized. He had expected to be able to deal with the young Sangheili quickly, but his adversary was proving to be very difficult to defeat. Their duel intensified as their sword patterns became more and more complex, but neither of them had taken a hit yet. The Arbiter changed his stance, along with his attack method to force his opponent back. ''I could take him alive. If I could just incapacitate him, I can find out who he is.''

''Besides, the days when I could kill another warrior without a second thought have died out with my service to the Covenant. This Sangheili could have very well been my own son.''

Thel swung hard, causing the insurgent's blade to swing to the side. He brought up his left hand and smashed his opponent's right, trying to disarm him. But the young Sangheili kept his grip firm on his weapon, not even losing balance to the attack. He made a quick stab that was awkwardly blocked by a backwards parry by Thel. He twisted himself around, bringing his body close to that of his adversary's. The Energy Swords crackled dangerously close to their chests, still locked together.

The young Sangheili glared at Thel with a simmering hatred that set him aback. Was this insurgent just another headstrong adolescent who had been won over by the Fallen's antagonism towards the military? Or did he hold a personal grudge against the humans? Or...him?

Thel realized that the insurgent was pressing something on his vest, still struggling to hold his ground in the fight. The Arbiter caught the glint of three plasma grenades tucked under one side of the vest, and realized that the young Sangheili was trying to detonate them. Reacting quickly, he shifted grip on his Energy Sword, causing his surprised opponent to lurch forward. He raised his blade to run it through the young Sangheili, but held back momentarily. I do not know if I should kill him.

In the split second of Thel's hesitation, the Field Master ran past him and rammed the insurgent into the stampeding crowd that was running down the street in both directions. Shocked, the Arbiter restrained himself from rebuking the Zealot leader, resolving instead to look for the young Sangheili. Not good, if the grenades go off...

He noticed out of the corner of his vision that the Zealots had another one of their own but had taken out three of the Fallen already, and was forcing the remaining three to make a last stand against a wall. Thel picked up a Plasma Rifle from one of the dead Fallen, looking through the crowd to see if the young Sangheili was still there.

He caught a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye, and saw the Sangheili's vest flying through the air towards him, with ten plasma grenades glowing dangerously. Thel snapped up the rifle and fired at it, burning holes in the vest but shooting it into the air.

The rifle overheated, and he dropped the weapon, his eyes still the vest. It would land in the crowd...

The grenades exploded in a massive blue cloud, its blast radius barely reaching the mass of Sangheili. The force of the explosions, however, pushed the closest ones in all directions. Thel was thrown off his feet and knocked hard into one of the Fallen. Rolling off the soldier, he grabbed for his Energy Sword and quickly killed him. He stumbled to his feet as the Zealots riddled the last Fallen soldier with plasma rounds. The Sangheili was slammed against the wall, with purple blood splattered all over it. Steam lifting off his body, he stood with his back arched for a moment before falling to the ground.

The crowd was gone now, and a silence settled onto the street. Thel looked around and took in the mess. Bodies lay scattered around them, a few of them belonging to civilians. He examined every single one of them carefully, but none of them was the young insurgent. He must have been carried off by the crowd.

The Field Master gathered his surviving subordinates and approached Thel. "Arbiter, are you alright?"

Thel tore his gaze away from the mutilated body of one of the Fallen. "Yes...I am fine."

"We must get you onto the ship now," he said. "Hurry."

He ran with them down the wrecked street, eager to be on board his ship and away from the carnage. ''I am almost glad to be able to escape Sanghelios for a while. Our world has become appalling.''

They reached the waiting Phantom without further incident. As Thel boarded the dropship and waited impatiently for it to bring him onto the ship waiting in orbit, he wondered if he had seen the last of the young insurgent. ''That troubled young Sangheili has the look of vengeance I have seen in many others before. But who is he?''
 * }

{|style="width:100%; color:#FFF;"
 * valign="top" style="padding:5px;" class="aaopage"|

Chapter 4: New Alliances
"Lord Hood, the Sangheili representatives have arrived." Lieutenant Commander Gregory Montrose informed Hood.

"Double check our security measures, if you would." Hood replied. "I do not want anyone, least of all the representatives of Sanghelios, to be harmed today."

"Yes sir." Montrose marched away.

Hood turned to watch the sun rise over the planet of Reach. A fitting place. He thought. ''Here is where our greatest victories, and our greatest losses, took place. And here it shall be that we finally make peace with one of our enemies.''

The UNSC Red Sun Rising was a simple frigate that had managed to survive the war mostly intact. In recent months it had been repaired and updated with the latest slipspace drives and MAC weaponry. For now, though, all weapons were on safe.

"Sir, security details reporting that we are secure." Montrose strode forward and intertwined his hands behind his back.

"Good. Is the shuttle ready?"

"As ordered, sir."

Hood nodded. "Please, come with me, then, Commander Montrose."

Montrose looked perplexed. "Yes sir."

Hood walked to the shuttle currently waiting in Red Sun Rising's hangar and boarded it, Montrose muttering orders to his second-in-command to hold down the fort while he was away.

"Take us out, Sanders." Hood said to his personal pilot.

Lieutenant Kelly Sanders nodded. "Aye, sir."

The shuttle lifted off gently and floated out of the hangar. "Is the Chairman already aboard?"

"Yes sir."

"And the Sangheili?"

"Five minutes out, sir."

"Thank you, Sanders."

"As always, sir."

The shuttle pivoted slightly, and a flash of light temporarily blinded Hood. He realized he was looking down on the surface of Reach.

''Smooth glass. The Sangheili won't miss the message. And neither will I.'' Hood made a mental note to raise a toast to all those who had laid down their lives defending Reach later, after the ceremony.

The shuttle decelerated and gently turned to set its main docking port to the side of the orbital station. Recovered from the wreckage of Reach months ago, the old MAC orbital platform had been rebuilt into a rudimentary space station. Hood would have preferred more work on it, but then, he also probably would have preferred that his holster not be empty.

Lieutenant Sanders powered down the ship. "Docking ring in place, you are clear to disembark, sir."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Hood rose as one with Montrose. They walked through the docking bridge and into the station, with Sanders following them.

"Admiral on deck!" A Sergeant barked, and several rows of Marines snapped to attention. Hood held up a salute as he walked by them.

Out a window, he saw an unarmed Phantom dropship docking with a rudimentary docking ring, and about a dozen Sangheili disembark, including a familiar one wearing burnished silver armor.

The Chairman of the United Earth Governments, Kevin Locke, was already in the ceremony room.

"Lord Hood, a pleasure to see you again." He said, holding out a hand to Hood. Hood shook the hand firmly.

"Likewise, Chairman."

As he released the Chairman's hand, the Arbiter and the other Sangheili walked into the room. Every Marine in the place had their rifles slung over their backs, but Hood saw them all aching to draw their weapons and fire. He imagined that a few of the Sangheili looked like they wished to do the same.

The one Sangheili that wore no armor, just a simple blue robe, broke off from the group and approached an elder human. Both of them began murmuring before stepping forward to the middle of the room.

The human woman spoke first, her voice amplified by directional microphones and sent through speakers throughout the station and broadcast around the galaxy on thousands of different frequencies in a thousand languages, so that human and Sangheili alike could witness the event.

"On this day, March the Third, year 2555, we celebrate the anniversary of the end of the greatest war we have ever known.  I ask that we bow our heads in a moment of silence for that that were lost."

Hood bowed his head, noting as he did so that the Sangheili delegates followed suit. He did not believe that it was because of simple tolerance. They too, were remember those lost.

After a minute everyone raised their heads, and the Sangheili diplomat spoke next.

"It is on this day we dedicate not only to the end of the war between our races, but to our future. On this day our two species agree to not only cease hostilities, but to enter into an alliance."

The human spoke again.

"On this day we become not only fellow warriors forced into an alliance to survive, but we become allies, brothers to stand at each others' side. The wounds of time may run deep, but we will heal.  Chairman Lock, please step forward."

Here Chairman Lock stepped forward to face the two diplomats. It was the Sangheili who addressed him next.

"Chairman Locke of the United Earth Government, do you hereby agree to regard any Sangheili citizen as you would one of your own, to treat them fairly and just as you would a human under your own laws?"

Chairman Lock nodded. "I do swear."

The Sangheili diplomat nodded and continued. "From this day forward, let it be known that the UEG recognizes the race of Sangheili as their own, and agrees to shelter them when in need of aide, to answer their calls for aid, and to stand against the enemies of Sanghelios.

"Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, please step forward."

Here the Arbiter stepped forward. The human diplomat addressed him.

"Do you, Arbiter Vadam of the Sangheili High Council, agree to regard any Human citizen as you would one of your own, to treat them fairly and just as you would a Sangheili under your own laws?"

The Arbiter's mandibles clicked. "I do swear."

The human diplomat nodded. "From this day forward, let it be known that the Sangheili High Council recognizes the human race as their own, and agrees to shelter them when in need of aide, to answer their calls for aid, and to stand against the enemies of Earth.

"Lord Hood, please step forward."

Lord Hood stood forward, still ramrod straight. As he did, he locked eyes with the Arbiter. The large alien nodded in approval. He looked... tired.

Then he was in front of the human diplomat, and she was speaking.

"Lord Hood, as the primary leader of military operations for the United Nations Space Command, you have been called upon to be witness to this agreement between races. Do you agree to be witness and enter into this alliance?"

Lord Hood nodded. "I do."

The Sangheili diplomat spoke then. "Rtas 'Vadum, please step forward."

A Sangheili warrior missing half his mandibles stepped forward, standing next to Lord Hood.

"Rtas 'Vadum, as the primary leader of military operations for the Sangheili High Council, you have been called upon to be witness to this agreement between races. Do you agree to be witness and enter into this alliance?"

Rtas 'Vadum nodded without hesitation. "I do."

"Then it is done." The human diplomat announced. "Let it be known that on this day, our two species agree to enter into the Interspecies Union."

"May our Union be long and bring peace to the galaxy. Should any other race of this galaxy seek to enter into our alliance, then it shall be done.  For years we have been enemies."

"Now, we are friends." The human finished, and the cameras cut off.

Hood hadn't expected much applause, and was thus mildly surprised when a smattering of it began in the rafters among the Marines, but quickly spread. He would have joined in, but even he had an image to maintain. None of the Sangheili applauded, but a few of them definitely looked pleased.

"Lord Hood." The voice made him turn, and he found himself facing the Arbiter. "May this bring peace to our races." The Arbiter held out a massive hand.

Lord Hood shook it. Just as he did two years ago, his hand felt absolutely dwarfed. "I wish peace were that easy."

"As do I. But now we may strive for it together."

"Aye," Lord Hood turned to look out the viewscreen, at the scorched and glassed surface of Reach.

"Together."

"The Arbiter has done what?" roared the Fallen Fleet Master.

"He has created an official alliance with the humans," said the second Sangheili, a Ship Master. "Thel 'Vadam has returned only today."

The Fleet Master's mandibles were twitching but forming incomprehensible words. "How dare he...that fool...he has shamed our ancestors, and our entire species!"

Atsu 'Hidal smiled thinly, watching the exchange. "I am hardly surprised at the Arbiter's decision. Calm yourself, Isto. My guess is that they will not last very long before they lose faith and destroy each other."

Isto's expression tightened. "We should not wait for them, Excellency. This must become a matter of war. We will spill the blood of every human and dishonourable Sangheili until we are cleansed from this repugnant act!"

"Bold words, Fleet Master," Atsu sighed, rising from his seat. "Except you forget one thing. How are we to do this? Our forces are still gathering numbers, we do not have enough followers to best even the humans at the moment. The best thing for now is to wait, bide our time, and watch for the right opportunities."

He turned his attention to the second Sangheili, who hadn't even reacted to Isto's outburst. "Ship Master 'Cazal, check on our...subject. See what news there are of Thel's return. But be careful, not everyone in your family is on our side. You know I trust only you with this task." The Ship Master nodded and walked out of the room without a word.

When he was gone, Atsu looked at Isto again. "It is time we bring every insurgent on Sanghelios under our control. Here is what I need you to do, Isto."
 * }