The Rise: A Post Covenant War Story: Mission Two

=walks up beside trident=

tri gotta be more careful

"Not really. There was six of them, they were small. Really agile; fast and quite powerful"

Paarthurnax slouched down against the Phantom wall.

"My Banshee got destroyed, in minutes"

Paarthurnax shouted at the Pilot.

"Take us to the Shipmaster"

"Right away Officer"

Paarthurnax nodded and turned back to F'alas.

As the Phantom began to move, F'alas asked, "I think i know what those are! Thel shared his war stories with us, and, working with his human pet, were able to infiltrate a Forerunner artifact known as the "Ark". They had gone halfway inside when those things popped out and started attacking the Brutes around them. Based on reports, they only defend, which means there must be a Forerunner artifact nearby!" F'alas felt joy wash over him! Maybe the Shipmaster wouldn't be so mad after all.

Paarthurnax looked to F'alas and laughed.

"Negative. They were not that advanced. Although it may be insurrectionist activity, unknown"

Paarthurnax grabbed his Beam Rifle. He unloaded his used Plasma Coil, and loaded a fresh one in its place.

"Your barely get any use out of these"

Paarthurnax then placed his rifle in his lap and brushed it over.

"It couldn't be Forerunner. It had not lasers, but normal rounds. As I said, origin unknown"

Paarthurnax Verassee wrote:

Paarthurnax 'Kai Verassee
Special Operations Officer
Phantom

Paarthurnax looked to F'alas and laughed.

"Negative. They were not that advanced. Although it may be insurrectionist activity, unknown"

Paarthurnax grabbed his Beam Rifle. He unloaded his used Plasma Coil, and loaded a fresh one in its place.

"Your barely get any use out of these"

Paarthurnax then placed his rifle in his lap and brushed it over.

"It couldn't be Forerunner. It had not lasers, but normal rounds. As I said, origin unknown"

"Weird. Maybe we could glass this world, it would take them out!" He took off his Officer helmet and went into storage. He grabbed Ultra armor out of the bag. "The Shipmaster gave me a little 'toy' to try out." As the Phantom neared the docking bay, F'alas hoped the Shipmaster noticed his father's armor. He also wondered if F'akas knew.

"Glassing this world would kill millions, civilizations. Not to mention my human counterparts. That would be irrational"

Paarthurnax noticed the Phantom neared the hangar bay. It had taken roughly five minutes. Paarthurnax placed his Beam Rifle on his back and stood up, looking out of the now lowered door, as they were a little way from the hangar.

Paarthurnax Verassee wrote:

Paarthurnax 'Kai Verassee
Special Operations Officer
Phantom

"Glassing this world would kill millions, civilizations. Not to mention my human counterparts. That would be irrational"

Paarthurnax noticed the Phantom neared the hangar bay. It had taken roughly five minutes. Paarthurnax placed his Beam Rifle on his back and stood up, looking out of the now lowered door, as they were a little way from the hangar.

F'alas carefully stored the Ultra armor into the bag and locked it into the Phantom, putting his Officer armor back on.
"So, what mood is our Shipmaster in?" F'alas asked, stepping off the Phantom.

Paarthurnax looked to F'alas.

"He was in an adequate mood when I left. Which was a few hours, maybe more ago. However we did lose a lot of great warriors"

Paarthurnax mourned their loss. The Phantom had finally landed, he got off of the Phantom and he was greeted by two Sangheili carrying a tray of food.

"Care for any food Officer?"

"Negative"

Paarthurnax looked around the ship, happy he was home. Before turning to F'alas.

"You do realize in a while we will be going back out, to complete our task?"

Paarthurnax Verassee wrote:

Paarthurnax 'Kai Verassee
Special Operations Officer
Phantom

Paarthurnax looked to F'alas.

"He was in an adequate mood when I left. Which was a few hours, maybe more ago. However we did lose a lot of great warriors"

Paarthurnax mourned their loss. The Phantom had finally landed, he got off of the Phantom and he was greeted by two Sangheili carrying a tray of food.

"Care for any food Officer?"

"Negative"

Paarthurnax looked around the ship, happy he was home. Before turning to F'alas.

"You do realize in a while we will be going back out, to complete our task?"

"Task?" F'alas snorted the word out.

"Indeed so. Twas to investigate insurrectionist activity and eliminate insurgents. I completed two of four objectives. You and I will complete the last, after this"

Paarthurnax smiled at F'alas. He knew he hated the idea.

Paarthurnax Verassee wrote:

Paarthurnax 'Kai Verassee
Special Operations Officer
Phantom

"Indeed so. Twas to investigate insurrectionist activity and eliminate insurgents. I completed two of four objectives. You and I will complete the last, after this"

Paarthurnax smiled at F'alas. He knew he hated the idea.

"For now, let's report to the Shipmaster." F'alas said, strolling to the elevator.

"Obviously"

Paarthurnax snorted and started walking to the elevator. The elevator was a long way away. It was on the opposite side of the ship, it would take them a while to get there. He was now walking with a limp. His leg was hurting from a bullet wound sustained at the insurgents camp. He started thinking about Vee, and his Special Operations. All lives lost whilst completing their objectives. He removed his helmet whilst he was walking with F'alas. He started scratching his scars, as they were starting to itch. He had been in so many battles, and had survived them all. He had witnessed so many of his brothers die in combat. His live was an uneasy one.

"What is your battle history, brother?"

He looked to F'alas as he directed the conversation to him.

N wrote:

"Let's move." Aegir heads around the corner from where the fence was.

=I nod curtly=

Aye, aye sir.

=I follow Aegir around the corner=

Aegir stops slows down, and stops jogging. "Did you hear that?"

=i stop next to the others and listen=
Hear what, sir?

N wrote:

Aegir stops slows down, and stops jogging. "Did you hear that?"

=I listen in=

I'm getting it too, sir.

=I listen to it a gian to try and make out the sound=

"No, not the static, something else."

=Hallucination=

Aegir sees a silhouette of a person running around the next visible corner. Aegir takes off after the silhouette.

N wrote:

"No, not the static, something else."

=Hallucination=

Aegir sees a silhouette of a person running around the next visible corner. Aegir takes off after the silhouette.

=I shake my head=

Shit just gets wierder by the moment doesn't it?

=I chase after Aegir, to provide last minute back up just in case=

=i follow the others=
What the hell?

Aegir stops as he turns the corner. The hallucination continues around the next corner and Aegir chases after it.

They finally reached the Command Bridge and Fivak was their to greet them. He looked to Paarthurnax and removed his helmet, something he had never done before.

"Thank you Paarthurnax. Though your task is far from complete, what you have done has saved many"

"It has been my honor"

Paarthurnax bowed down, him being dismissed.

"F'alas, I do not know why YOU are here, but I must tell you something now. You are to complete the rest of Paarthurnax' tasks to prove yourself"

"But si-"

"No Paarthurnax. I have something else planned for you"

Paarthurnax bowed back down.

"F'alas you must DESTROY the insurgents underground mining facility that is directly east of the base Paarthurnax destroyed. Next, you are to eliminate all forces in the area and gather any and all intel. Remember you're tough but you're not invincible, be careful"

Paarthurnax looked up.

"You will rest, but not yet. You will report your findings to the Huragoks first. Is that understood?"

"Perfectly Shipmaster"

He glances at F'alas and smiles. The Shipmaster had already explained that he had done all too well. Paarthurnax slowly walked off knowing that is would be difficult for F'alas.

F'alas slowly strolled into the hallway leading to the elevator towards the hanger. It was going to take awhile, but he didn't want to waste energy.

Fivak now sat back. He was extremely pleased with Paarthurnax' actions and with what he had done. However he was unsure with F'alas, whether he was going to do a good job or a bad job. He padded between the two, dwelling on the thought.

A few moments later he forgot this matter and looked blankly out of the huge amounts of glass in his CCS, out into space. He admired his fleet's naval command, and that of how it was structured.

"Excellent, excellent work"

Most of the Sangheili in the room had turned around and looked at the Shipmaster. They were unsure why he just said that. He turned to his Adviser.

"I want you to get our warriors to man battle-stations"

"May I ask why Shipmaster?"

"Certainly. We are going to move our entire fleet to the other side of this world. Remaining at our altitude, we will be a few hundred thousand feet above, what they call, Athena's Province"

"Excellent sir"

"Yes, I think so too. We will be closer to them, and the danger of that....thing will not bother us any further"

"Right away sir!"

The Adviser turned around.

"Man battle-stations!"

I sat up in my bed abruptly, awaking from a strange dream. I shake it off and put on my uniform. Walking out into the hallway, I smelled
the air, it smelt a hell of a lot better then the planet. It felt like home to me as I walked down towards the cafeteria. Entering, I see loads of people with all kinds of specialisms. I take time walking through the food line, grabbing a little bit of everything. I enjoy my food as much as anyone else. I then walk to my favorite space viewing window, and stare in awe at space.

When F'alas reached the hanger, a Phantom was already waiting for him. As usual, he had chosen only Sangheili and Kig-Yar Murmillos. He hoped Paarthurnax was enjoying himself. As the Phantom lifted off, F'alas thought of home, will he ever be there again? Or will the war destroy himself? Might as well, Fivak hated him the most. He whispered to the Murmillo next to him, "Let's not make an entrance, try and learn there secrets." The Murmillo emitted a hiss which he guessed meant yes. He turned on the com to Paarthurnax and said, "Enjoy the break, and what exactly are the insurgents doing? Am i to kill them, or take something of value?" He eagerly awaited Paarthurnax's answer.

Paarthrnax smiled.

"Such an eager mind"

He turned his head back to the quarter captain who was hurrying around.

"We do not know, that is why we are gathering intel about them. They're becoming a threat. Get into their data hives, kill any that stand in your way"

He looks back.

"Most importantly...get your soldiers back safe"

Paarthurnax span around and heard that noise again. His Communication device was still open. He grabbed his sword and brought it up to eye level.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Shut it split-jaw! Give me the device!"

"Huragok! Majesto killek!"

Paarthurnax charged towards the...

N wrote:

Aegir stops as he turns the corner. The hallucination continues around the next corner and Aegir chases after it.

=I shake my head and halt rubble=

Aegir must be seeing things...

=I slow down and see what Aegir does=

=i stop behind the others=
Uh, sir. You okay?

Aegir picks up his pace, but at every corner the silhouette seems to disappear.

=i look at Hawk and shrug, chasing after Aegir=

Garth wrote:

=i look at Hawk and shrug, chasing after Aegir=

=I shake my head and sigh=

Aegir's lost it completely...

=I pick up my pace and follow them=

Aegir stops running. wait... "We're here."

"Paarthurnax?!?! Do you read brother!!!?!?!" F'alas thought about going back. He made his mind. "Turn the ship around!!" "Yes sir!" the Murmillo replied. If the Shipmaster was going to punish or kill him, so be it!

Paarthurnax could hear F'alas.

"There is no need brother, the matter is under control"

Paarthurnax switched his communication equipment off, and stared at the prisoner.

"Your incompetence insults me human"

"Shut up! Give me the device you are holding!"

"Where did you get your plasma weaponry from?"

"Your other split-jawed friend! Now give me the device!"

Paarthurnax grabbed his sword and engaged the plasma.

"Get back into your holding cell, and I will not harm you"

"I will rip your fucking face off for what you did to them!"

"They were intolerant and insolent-"

"I'll show you intolerant!"

The insurgent charged towards Paarthurnax. In two quick moves the insurgent was on the end of his blade. He laughed slightly.

"Badly trained; badly skilled and badly taught!"

He tugged at his sword and blood went everywhere, the human's body went flying into the air. He then looked towards the cowering Huragok.

"Huragok, it is fine. Clean this up please"

The Huragok politely came over and started to clean it up.

"Quarter master, maintain all of the prisoners. This must not happen ever again, understood?"

"Indeed so"

He turned back to the matter at hand.

"F'alas, nothing must interrupt your mission, nothing. You must complete them without question, but thank you for the offer"

Paarthurnax entered the code into the moniter.

"There they are. The mysterious drawings"

The Huragok floated around a little, making a few hissing and beeping sounds.

"See what you can decipher friend"

He watched as the genius attempted to complete this task. He knew this Huragok well, Higher than Most. Weird name, but a wonderful being. They always worked closely together.

"Boop!"

Higher Than Most roughly examined the documents. He was meant to be a genius although he did not know what to make of these. Instead he just stared at them blankly hoping to think of something that would explain all. He was content, he loved life. He placed his tentacles over the screen, clicking on different icons and making the screen move fast. He again started to investigate these mysterious symbols.

A range of bleeps were heard coming from Higher Than Most a few moments afterwards, he usually made random sounds, perhaps he was singing, who knew.

=him and trident had made their way out of the tunnels and ended up on a hillside=

-on comms- sparrow you there?

Paarthurnax & Fivak wrote:

Higher Than Most
Huragok
Laboratory

"Boop!"

Higher Than Most roughly examined the documents. He was meant to be a genius although he did not know what to make of these. Instead he just stared at them blankly hoping to think of something that would explain all. He was content, he loved life. He placed his tentacles over the screen, clicking on different icons and making the screen move fast. He again started to investigate these mysterious symbols.

A range of bleeps were heard coming from Higher Than Most a few moments afterwards, he usually made random sounds, perhaps he was singing, who knew.

"Paarthurnax, this insurgent, did he mention where he got the plasma from?" F'alas hoped that human didn't rat him out! He had.....traded earlier in the war with prisoners and plasma for prisoners and bullets. He just hoped Paarthurnax didn't know!

The transport lands in front of me and i board it.

"Hey. Incoming transmission for you."

Put it on speaker.

Whispers comm comes through

Yes. I hear you. Where are you?

we're on a hill due south of a small lake


=they climb to the top of the hill and wait=

We're on a entire planet. I'm going to need something more specific than that.

I pilot taps on his glass towards a few dark blotches moving on the ground and i nod to him

Keep eyes on them. It could be Echo.

=I had gone through every small colony that I found. Filming everything. Dead bodies litter the ground on some. Fire rages in some of them=

=I arrive in the area where I am suppose to be at. I can hear the sounds of gunfire and people yelling=
=I pick up the pace to find a person that looks of a high ranking person=

Shroud, from the UNSC. What do we have here?

=The man looks at me=

"Hostiles are attackin. The hell do you think?"

=He runs off to join a group firing towards the enemy=
=I turn to see them. People in the same armour that I had seen on the last mission=

Great

=I diveroll to take cover from their blasts. Popping up to fire at them occaisonally=

=climbs to the top of a tree near the hill=


there's a river leading from the lake to a large waterfall at a cliff east of us

Still not too helpful. Do you have any flares left?

I nudge the pilot and point to a dark area on the ground. He nods and backs off a little.

i got one of those fireworks that explode in a red light i'll use that


=gets the firework out lights it and aims it straight up=

it's off

The pilot heads towards the smoke trail rising upwards.

We see you.

We reach their clearing and the pilot sets us down. I walk to the back and lower the ramp.

How did things go down there?

=climbs down and heads tot he transport

spent most of my time killing anyone that i saw took a side tunnel saw someone try and sneak up on tri took him out as for what tri did no clue but those tunnels i explored were packed looked like they were about to head out

Yeah. We've seen movement on the ground too. I managed to grab a whole load of intel. Let's get back to the Athena.

They get on board and we take off for the short journey back

We land in the hanger and disembark. I head to the intel room, needing to go over these documents. A few moments later i arrive and enter, making straight for one of the desks. I throw all the documents down.

Look. Battle plans, troop movements, supply shipments. Everything we need is there.

Intel Officer Charlie: "What in the…? Do you even...? Did you just get back?!" He begins sorting through the intel.