A new covenant

[bluerosekissed]

Cha’tol was not comfortable with the marine squad yet the hairless apes reminded her too much of the brutes who were now the favored of the covenant forces. “Stay down human” The planet Savannah was claimed by both groups. The moons above held both a human base and one of her own people. Moving slowly in the tall grass she could smell the grunts the human word for the meth breathers that bred so quickly, once they served her people. He plasma pistol was in one hand in the other a human magnum.

“You humans spread right and left I will have the glory of taking them from the front” placing the PP in her holster she removed a sword and began to approach on all fours her armor rubbed with mud and covered in human web and weeds. A shiver ran from her snout to her feet she hated hiding. The humans on the right broke cover offering fleeting targets to the grunts on the rock to fire back at and give away there position. “Good let the come out from hiding” she could see all eight grunts out in the open none were left in the cave.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

Cha’tol was not comfortable with the marine squad yet the hairless apes reminded her too much of the brutes who were now the favored of the covenant forces. “Stay down human” The planet Savannah was claimed by both groups. The moons above held both a human base and one of her own people. Moving slowly in the tall grass she could smell the grunts the human word for the meth breathers that bred so quickly, once they served her people. He plasma pistol was in one hand in the other a human magnum.

“You humans spread right and left I will have the glory of taking them from the front” placing the PP in her holster she removed a sword and began to approach on all fours her armor rubbed with mud and covered in human web and weeds. A shiver ran from her snout to her feet she hated hiding. The humans on the right broke cover offering fleeting targets to the grunts on the rock to fire back at and give away there position. “Good let the come out from hiding” she could see all eight grunts out in the open none were left in the cave.

Alexander "Psycho" Talbain was not your typical marine. Most of the other men he served with though they were brave in combat they were terrified of the covenent especially the elites that they were now serving with. Talbain on the other hand personally found their culture extremly interesting. Especially this female they were on this mission with. He had not had the opertunity to ask her name yet in fact he had only seen her once since this mission ad started. he had broken away from the rest of the marines to follow the female. He stopped long enough to remove the bulky helmet and communicater. "Damn thing is too bulky." As he dropped the helmet to the ground his long silver hair fell around his shoulders. In a quick motion he tied it back into a ponytail. He also pulled the bulky chest plate away and dropped it.

He darted through the tall grass as the two groups of marines broke away he grabbed one of them and traded his standard issue assault rifle out for the marines shotgun and sent him on his way. He then followed the path of the elite. Soon he was close behind her. He moved and positioned himself beside her looking at the rocks. "Somthing isn't right here elite. They never send just 8 meth breathers around. this has to be a trap." He watched as the marines began fireing like mad. They were definatly rookies

 

[bluerosekissed]

The first ball of plasma landed right on top of the rock taking out two of the sacrificial grunts set to lure in the marines. The second ball landed in front of the first she could see the Specter peeking out from an irrigation canal. She wondered where the rest or the mechanized group was hiding perhaps further along the canal. “Damn Brutes have no honor” Priming a grenade she threw it deep into the already laid plasma pattern confusing the gunners on the Specter who assumed one of there gunners fired in the wrong place. “Damn they had us zeroed in” Fading from sight she emerged from the rock in a dead run.

Most of the kig-yar were fighting over a looted transport the rest were arguing over who had wasted plasma killing the same enemy twice. Damn human probably saved her life not that she would admit it. “For the forerunners” she yelled cutting down the first kig who had yet to raise his shield and never would. The second turned around only to be cut in half her sword bitting through his carbine. A trio of Kig-yar approached looking to Finnish her off killing an elite would gain a rich bounty.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

The first ball of plasma landed right on top of the rock taking out two of the sacrificial grunts set to lure in the marines. The second ball landed in front of the first she could see the Specter peeking out from an irrigation canal. She wondered where the rest or the mechanized group was hiding perhaps further along the canal. “Damn Brutes have no honor” Priming a grenade she threw it deep into the already laid plasma pattern confusing the gunners on the Specter who assumed one of there gunners fired in the wrong place. “Damn they had us zeroed in” Fading from sight she emerged from the rock in a dead run.

Most of the kig-yar were fighting over a looted transport the rest were arguing over who had wasted plasma killing the same enemy twice. Damn human probably saved her life not that she would admit it. “For the forerunners” she yelled cutting down the first kig who had yet to raise his shield and never would. The second turned around only to be cut in half her sword bitting through his carbine. A trio of Kig-yar approached looking to Finnish her off killing an elite would gain a rich bounty.

He chuckled and shook his head darting out after her. He knew they would have been here it would have been a waste of time otherwise. He ran up the rock and kicked off blasting a grunts face off as he lept. He landed and released three more shells into two kig-yar that were reloading their carbines. once the shotgun was out he grabbed his magnum and his tac knife and rushed after the elite. He had to admit watching her work was impressive. She made short work of everything she came across. He rushed past her and kicked one of the Kig-yar in his shield sending him tumbleing back. He then placed three shots into his chest before spinning and burying his knife into another ones head leaving the last one to her.

 

[bluerosekissed]

“I did not need you’re help” She growled a she slid up between the shield and the kig-yar taking of his hands then blasted him in the face. Her hair whipped around her head as she tacked a kig-yar the last knocking him into th human truck. “Looks like they found something” nestled in a ripped sack of rice was a pocket nuke. The nuke was not completely human technology any more but an abomination of covenant and human. She wondered what the humans wanted with it perhaps they wanted it stolen and smuggled aboard an enemy ship.

“Looks like they got more then they bargained for” Slowly she checked the human transport the instruments were antacid if they plaid there hand right they could get inside a covenant ground base. “You up for playing prisoner” she held out a pair of energy coughs while her race could not wink that did not mean they did not have a sense of humor.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

“I did not need you’re help” She growled a she slid up between the shield and the kig-yar taking of his hands then blasted him in the face. Her hair whipped around her head as she tacked a kig-yar the last knocking him into th human truck. “Looks like they found something” nestled in a ripped sack of rice was a pocket nuke. The nuke was not completely human technology any more but an abomination of covenant and human. She wondered what the humans wanted with it perhaps they wanted it stolen and smuggled aboard an enemy ship.

“Looks like they got more then they bargained for” Slowly she checked the human transport the instruments were antacid if they plaid there hand right they could get inside a covenant ground base. “You up for playing prisoner” she held out a pair of energy coughs while her race could not wink that did not mean they did not have a sense of humor.

He was checking on the other marines. Luckily it looked like everyone had survived the little encounter. He observed the pocket nuke and shook his head in discust. In his eyes such a weapon had no place on the battlefield but then again the brutes did not hae the same sense of honor that the elites had. He turned as she commented about being a prisoner and chuckled dropping his pistol and knife to the ground. "Sure why not I have always been a fan of cuffs." He knew she would not get the sexual humor behind his comment but it did not stop him from making the joke. He walked up to her and placed his hands out in front of him grinning. "Take me in." Then it occured to him that he still had not asked her identity. "By the way Sangheili what is your name?"

 

[bluerosekissed]

Cha’tol she thought she wondered why he wanted to know her names most humans kept there distance “”Cha’tol” she told him placing the cuffs under his wrists and turning on the stun field some elites used to place the field on bare skin leaving burns. From the base the covenant could attack half the field with plasma. She smiled checking him for any other weapons not because she did not trust him but because it would happen latter. She only hopped they were still taking prisoners and that at least on elite was working for the covenent at the base. From what she heard the kig-yar even had a few humans working for them but none would be allowed weapons.

“Why did you want to know my name” she asked helping him into the truck one san not underestimate how much harder it is to do anything in coughs. For a human he was strong a well defined musculature that was covered in soft but weathered skin. She did not know many humans most just spat words at her thinking her too dim to understand human tongue.

“Now you must not fight me if I ask you to do something you must do it or we will both be killed” she smiled or tried to her race a culture of honor did not easily recognized the individual instead it recognized the accomplishment of the group. That was why she joined the humans the proof that the gods favored them was clear by there many victories over her own forces and the convents failure to protect the ring. “we will be there soon, I would like to know what is youre home like” a standard greeting of trust much like the human handshake or bow, a gesture to show that you trusted them enough to risk you’re life.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

Cha’tol she thought she wondered why he wanted to know her names most humans kept there distance “”Cha’tol” she told him placing the cuffs under his wrists and turning on the stun field some elites used to place the field on bare skin leaving burns. From the base the covenant could attack half the field with plasma. She smiled checking him for any other weapons not because she did not trust him but because it would happen latter. She only hopped they were still taking prisoners and that at least on elite was working for the covenent at the base. From what she heard the kig-yar even had a few humans working for them but none would be allowed weapons.

“Why did you want to know my name” she asked helping him into the truck one san not underestimate how much harder it is to do anything in coughs. For a human he was strong a well defined musculature that was covered in soft but weathered skin. She did not know many humans most just spat words at her thinking her too dim to understand human tongue.

“Now you must not fight me if I ask you to do something you must do it or we will both be killed” she smiled or tried to her race a culture of honor did not easily recognized the individual instead it recognized the accomplishment of the group. That was why she joined the humans the proof that the gods favored them was clear by there many victories over her own forces and the convents failure to protect the ring. “we will be there soon, I would like to know what is youre home like” a standard greeting of trust much like the human handshake or bow, a gesture to show that you trusted them enough to risk you’re life.

Alex nodded as she explained what was going to happen. The concept of being surrounded by enemies did not make him comfortable but for some odd reason he trusted this female Sangheili more than he trusted most other marines. The thought honestly kind of bothered him but he pushed that aside as she questioned him about wanting to know her name. He adjusted himself in the seat of the truck so that he was looking at her. "I jut like to know the identies of my fellow warriors. I refuse to serve with nameless fighters."

He nodded and sighed. "Do not worry I won't struggle. Besides as powerfull as you are you could just break me in two is I did." He had always respected the strength and agility of the elites and even though he would never admit it often dreamed of fighting along side one of them. He was snapped out of his daydreaming by her inquiring into his personal information. "My name is Alexander Talbain, but alot of my old squad members used to call me psycho. They said I went to a different place and a different me came out when I was in combat." He chuckled and shook his head. "My home huh. I lived in a little town surounded by woods and wildlife...You knew it as reach. That was before the war started." He looked out the window for a long moment before turning back to her. "How about yours." He held no ill feelings towards her race for what they did to reach. after all they were just following orders the same as him

 

[bluerosekissed]

As a warrior she did not have much time to think about home when not fighting she was preparing for battle. “I come from the home world as soon as we reached space we joined the covenant” Unlike the humans the elites had not spread out basses existed on many worlds but the covenant had not colonized perhaps all along the leaders had sought to control them. She looked at the human all members of the covenant looked different yet they all had shared the same goal. The base grew in the distance they would have more then a few moments to speak about there life.

“My world psycho is an ancient world much like you’re Asia it is a world of tranquil pools and snow crested peaks” She tried to smile she rested her hand on her plasma sword. Humans were strange they allowed themselves to be consumed by music food and sex they considered the elites monkish. “DO you miss you’re squad I noticed that none of the other soldiers were well less the professional” she herself had run away from home to become a warrior pretending to be a man. The elites were a strict cast system based on honor and tradition.

The base was small four towers each with a plasma turret between them three stands for jackals to stand with a plasma carbine. ‘Looks like they are expecting us” she placed the human goggles next to her side. The base lacked armor no doubt there only vehicles had been sent to deal with the humans. She kept glancing back towards the base then towards the marine it was like sand not lethal but irritating only this was not followed by the normal impulse to kill. ‘If we, live through this I would be honored for us to take Par’kwa” An offering between warrior who have experienced battle together such a thing was rarely practiced outside the elites and never outside the covenant of course she had never fought with any one out of the cov.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

As a warrior she did not have much time to think about home when not fighting she was preparing for battle. “I come from the home world as soon as we reached space we joined the covenant” Unlike the humans the elites had not spread out basses existed on many worlds but the covenant had not colonized perhaps all along the leaders had sought to control them. She looked at the human all members of the covenant looked different yet they all had shared the same goal. The base grew in the distance they would have more then a few moments to speak about there life.

“My world psycho is an ancient world much like you’re Asia it is a world of tranquil pools and snow crested peaks” She tried to smile she rested her hand on her plasma sword. Humans were strange they allowed themselves to be consumed by music food and sex they considered the elites monkish. “DO you miss you’re squad I noticed that none of the other soldiers were well less the professional” she herself had run away from home to become a warrior pretending to be a man. The elites were a strict cast system based on honor and tradition.

The base was small four towers each with a plasma turret between them three stands for jackals to stand with a plasma carbine. ‘Looks like they are expecting us” she placed the human goggles next to her side. The base lacked armor no doubt there only vehicles had been sent to deal with the humans. She kept glancing back towards the base then towards the marine it was like sand not lethal but irritating only this was not followed by the normal impulse to kill. ‘If we, live through this I would be honored for us to take Par’kwa” An offering between warrior who have experienced battle together such a thing was rarely practiced outside the elites and never outside the covenant of course she had never fought with any one out of the cov.

He smiled and nodded lightly. "Your work for Pyscho and ours are two very different meanings." He chuckled and looked back out the window shaking his head. "No I do not really miss those people. They may have been my squad but they were not my allies." His face shifted for a moment to one of anger before calming. "They had some rather dishonorable methods to fighting. Once while we were on a mission in a foreign country they actually suggested that we enter a village and kill everyone." He spat and shook his head in disgust. "Cowards." He looked over at her and frowned. "They wanted to do the same thing in this war."

He watched the base come into view and took a mental note of all of the enemies patroling it. He was suddenly struck with the thought that this was a bad idea. He glanced nervously at her and sighed. When she mentioned the the offering he was confused. "I would be honored but I must confess I do not know anything about Par'kwa. What exactly is it?"

 

[bluerosekissed]

The truck stopped the guard were more fixated on the cargo then on anything the to do with drivers. “A ceremony of bonding much like a marriage bonding two warriors as family” she looked at the guards it was clear they wanted the cargo it would only be a matter of time before the realized the weapon was no longer armed. “The ritual is rare as most elites have given up on the old ways” the covenant polluted the elites turning them into little more then hired guns.

The garage was almost empty most of the machine were not functional several spaces were empty. “Plan beach head” after the first invasion attempt of earth the enemy planned to make a beach head on one of the outer planets. From there the would use a doomsday weapon to crack the moon like an egg or rain asteroids on the earth. “The cowards have given up on trying to take the artifact on earth”

all the soldiers were vol’shar dishonored the lowest class it was forbidden to arm them it was an army created to die no matter if the mission succeeded or not. Suddenly the small garage was bathed in light without thinking she tackled the human landing behind a crate of plasma charges. The small truck was washed over by a barrage of fire the human under her was still cuffed.

“They knew all along they just wanted the bomb” slowly she removed the coughs handing him a gal’ton a ceremonial weapon used only in forerunner rituals “it’s a shield gun” the gun had to firing modes one that projected a burst shield reflecting enemy fire it was not used after they learned the humans did not have energy weapons. Looking down she slowly rolled of the human wondering if she had injured him.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

The truck stopped the guard were more fixated on the cargo then on anything the to do with drivers. “A ceremony of bonding much like a marriage bonding two warriors as family” she looked at the guards it was clear they wanted the cargo it would only be a matter of time before the realized the weapon was no longer armed. “The ritual is rare as most elites have given up on the old ways” the covenant polluted the elites turning them into little more then hired guns.

The garage was almost empty most of the machine were not functional several spaces were empty. “Plan beach head” after the first invasion attempt of earth the enemy planned to make a beach head on one of the outer planets. From there the would use a doomsday weapon to crack the moon like an egg or rain asteroids on the earth. “The cowards have given up on trying to take the artifact on earth”

all the soldiers were vol’shar dishonored the lowest class it was forbidden to arm them it was an army created to die no matter if the mission succeeded or not. Suddenly the small garage was bathed in light without thinking she tackled the human landing behind a crate of plasma charges. The small truck was washed over by a barrage of fire the human under her was still cuffed.

“They knew all along they just wanted the bomb” slowly she removed the coughs handing him a gal’ton a ceremonial weapon used only in forerunner rituals “it’s a shield gun” the gun had to firing modes one that projected a burst shield reflecting enemy fire it was not used after they learned the humans did not have energy weapons. Looking down she slowly rolled of the human wondering if she had injured him.

'M..Marriage??" He was thrown off guard by her statement. He had no idea that her race had any concept of anything like that. He guessed it should have been common since. After all they were complex beings that showed many emotions so why wouldn't they have some form of marriage. He did not get the chance to think about it though as they pulled into the base. He watched nervously as they inspected the truck not even careing to examine the human prisoner. He did not like this at all. Next thing he knew he was being shoved out of the truck by Cha'tol on onto the ground as the were surounded by plasma fire. He tensed as she landed on top of him his eyes glancing into hers as she undid the coughs and handed him the shield gun. "Yeah I know how these work I studied them when I was in basic." He winced lightly realizing that one of his ribs had been cracked from the fall. He pushed the pain to the back of his mind and smiled at her. "Thank you for not letting me get burned by plasma Cha'Tol. They must have had somone watching us to figure out our plan."

Without hesitation he slid past her and stuck the gun out around the corner of the truck sending two shields up. Useing the cover he darted across the pain in his side shooting throughout his body. "Damn this hurts." Grabbing two belts of plasma grenades and slid them over to Cha'Tol winking and grinning. He then snatced up a left over battle rifle and a sniper rifle from a crate darting back to her side breathing heavily from the pain. "Here we have some real firepower now." He grabbed one of the grenades and sent it flying into a group of jackals. The scream of panic from one of the dumb beasts let Alexander know he had stuck one of them. He then popped around the corner of the truck and let three bursts from the BR fly taking down three grunts. When he came back around her twisted and sent a new pain flying through him causing him to grab his ribs and buckle over for a moment

 

[bluerosekissed]

Unlike any human she could shoot the sniper rifle from the him, using a weapon at such closer range a single bullet could punch through both shield and the body of the jackal. “Don’t worry it has nothing to do with sex” she teased him most of the jackals were in a dead run without there shields to weigh them down having though the intruders would seek cover most had plasma pistols making them less effective at close combat.

She laughed the jackals were bunched up like grunts quickly she slid to the right picking up a small crate with her feet and launching It into the tight ranks. Here eyes searched the tight rows of crates for snipers and found none. “The reactor should be this way we take that out and the base will fall” The reactor was located in a three story tub sunk into the main building located in the center of the complex.

Now and then she looked over at the human who in normal fashion he was dodging and ducking like some kind of birds. She was just terrible at reading humans but even she could tell when a teammate was in pain. “Maybe we should go to the healers first” priming a satchel of grenades she tossed it under a covenant vehicle having its engine fueled.

Ducking in front of the human she wrapped her arms around him the ball of fire ripped through the small room a swirling vortex of destruction. She could feel the armor on her back melting. “Damn you humans are such weak creatures” through his cloths she could feel a few broken bones. Not a healer her self she knew that wounds like that could easily lead to internal damage.

“Such a child I guess I will have to look after you” for a warrior it was an insult she was angry though not for the reason she thought she would be. After weeks she had gotten used to the human and had come to expect his dry comments and determination. She used the rifle as a club blasting the jackals at point blank range who seemed to think they were elites armed with little more then a plasma sword.

She wondered where the grunts were and found a long line loading a troop carrier she tore her eyes away even if they won the covenant would bomb the base as they pulled out without advanced medical treatment he would die. ’Looks like we will have to catch up with them” None of the guards had long range weapon any that noticed them were dropped by the silenced sniper rifle.

Only a healers assistant remain little more then a youngling the youth dropped what was in his hands. “I know you have dissected at least one human if this one dies you will, only slowly” helping him onto the altar she watched the nervous helper work quickly mending the bone. The bone glowed through his skin as his natural healing was accelerated many thousands of times.

 

[Azel Stormrose]

Unlike any human she could shoot the sniper rifle from the him, using a weapon at such closer range a single bullet could punch through both shield and the body of the jackal. “Don’t worry it has nothing to do with sex” she teased him most of the jackals were in a dead run without there shields to weigh them down having though the intruders would seek cover most had plasma pistols making them less effective at close combat.

She laughed the jackals were bunched up like grunts quickly she slid to the right picking up a small crate with her feet and launching It into the tight ranks. Here eyes searched the tight rows of crates for snipers and found none. “The reactor should be this way we take that out and the base will fall” The reactor was located in a three story tub sunk into the main building located in the center of the complex.

Now and then she looked over at the human who in normal fashion he was dodging and ducking like some kind of birds. She was just terrible at reading humans but even she could tell when a teammate was in pain. “Maybe we should go to the healers first” priming a satchel of grenades she tossed it under a covenant vehicle having its engine fueled.

Ducking in front of the human she wrapped her arms around him the ball of fire ripped through the small room a swirling vortex of destruction. She could feel the armor on her back melting. “Damn you humans are such weak creatures” through his cloths she could feel a few broken bones. Not a healer her self she knew that wounds like that could easily lead to internal damage.

“Such a child I guess I will have to look after you” for a warrior it was an insult she was angry though not for the reason she thought she would be. After weeks she had gotten used to the human and had come to expect his dry comments and determination. She used the rifle as a club blasting the jackals at point blank range who seemed to think they were elites armed with little more then a plasma sword.

She wondered where the grunts were and found a long line loading a troop carrier she tore her eyes away even if they won the covenant would bomb the base as they pulled out without advanced medical treatment he would die. ’Looks like we will have to catch up with them” None of the guards had long range weapon any that noticed them were dropped by the silenced sniper rifle.

Only a healers assistant remain little more then a youngling the youth dropped what was in his hands. “I know you have dissected at least one human if this one dies you will, only slowly” helping him onto the altar she watched the nervous helper work quickly mending the bone. The bone glowed through his skin as his natural healing was accelerated many thousands of times.

Alex continued to fight through the pain. He watched her fight and found himself admiring her grace and prowess. As they moved through the base he ended up tossing the shield gun aside. He continued to release bursts of the BR taking out jackals. When she wrapped around him to protect him from the blast. He noticed her anger and felt somwhat ashamed. He pushed away from her gently shaking his head. "You do not have to babysit me Cha'Tol. I can still help I just need to get healed soon." He rushed along with her hiding his face so she would not see him in pain. Somthing about her made him want to fight harder. He did not want her to see him as weak and helpless. As they moved through the halls he smiled at her. "I would be honored to
enter that ceremony with you."

When they made it tyo the healers he watched in ammusment as she threatened the medical assitants life. He smiled as she helped him onto th ealtar. "Thank you Cha'tol." He watched nervously as the assitant began to heal him keeping his hand trightly gripped in the grip of his magnum in case the creature tried anything stupid. "So how far are we from the center of the base?"

 

[bluerosekissed]

It was hard to tell the keep unlike the rest of the fort was a maze of passages forming a massive cube. “At the center of the fort” She turned away for some reason the way he said ceremony made her self conscience. After the healer finished she stuffed him into a storage locker no doubt he would get free latter. Slowly she wrapped a bandage around his stomach with a poultice.

“And I am not babysitting you are simple to fragile to fight the way an elite does” she was tired of saying that but he had to understand that a human simple could not take the same damage an elite could. One of the outside walls collapsed under fire from a frigates plasma cannon. The wall did not so much explode as it disintegrated in a wall of flames that consumed both the wall and garage.

The fort was quickly consumed by fire from a small squadron of covenant warships in low orbit above the compound. “I think they just found out that the war head was a Phony” the warhead was a catalyst lie a blasting cap the small bomb would set of a much larger bomb. Slowly she entered the keep her gun razed she was sure that they were alone but not sure enough to let down her guard.

Exposed now the enemy would have to siege there own keep the idea was amusing having to take back you’re own fort. “well at least we wont starve” humans could eat elite food so they had plenty of food and water. Red light streamed through the metal storm shutter. She crouched low as a storm shutter was blown in lifting her rifle she fired back blindly.

Cha’tol breathed in slowly it was funny here she felt most at home it was months since she was last so close to her own kind. “Well were here fior the long haul unless you think you’re new squad will rescue us” from what she saw earlier she had her doubts that they would be able to save them. At least the enemy had no armor with the keeps defense system they should be able to hold out indefinitely.