A Sangheili's Tale

Paarthurnax sat there overlooking his trainee's work, with a smug smile on his face. His trainee was instructing a training exercise for the Special Operations, which consisted of the fresh meat in this case. He looked as he set them off on another objective, he pottered backwards, walking towards Paarthurnax.

"Excellent work, Sesa."

Sesa turned around, shocked, before glancing as smile back at him. Paarthurnax had his helmet attached to his utility belt, as did all the other Special Operations.

"Yes, master. Thank you."

Sesa then pottered away once again, regrouping his warriors and speaking to them about their training exercise. Paarthurnax now stood with his arms folded, he was clad in black and purple, a divine sight to the inferior warriors that surrounded the Special Operations training arena, on board the Divine Transgression. New bloods often jaw-dropped; stunned by the sight of him. He was also quite tall, at 8'4", which too added to his fearsome looks, the downside of this was his age, he was getting old at seventy-four, nearing seventy-five. However, he had no thoughts of retiring from the Sangheili Military at all, he was a great mentor and an excellent warrior as well, excelling everyone, in everything.

"Excellent, turn and execute the targets within the stronghold, this must be done stealthily. Remember your training, everything counts."

Paarthurnax looked to Sesa once again, and smiled as he gave out his orders, he was learning, good.

"Again, you continue to impress me, Sesa."

"Thank you Master, I am glad you are impressed with my actions."

Sesa bowed before equipping his Plasma Repeater and joining his warriors in the training exercise that was currently taking place. This was good, the Operatives will be able to get a taste of action and they would learn how to do things properly. Paarthurnax nodded, then watched Sesa run into the exercise. He was content at this moment in time.

Gunfire sounded for a long time, blank rounds no doubt. It still trained them though, the rookies, the blessed Special Operations Operatives, learning. That was the greatest thing of all, and it was worth the time.
He still stood, happy and continued to look at the training exercise, seeing them running around the stronghold stealthily and climb around the buildings. An excellent sight. Moments passed...

"SONAR ADVANCE, MOTION TRACKING STARSHIPS OUT OF SLIPSPACE, REPORT TO BATTLESTATIONS!"

Paarthurnax unfolded his arms, he looked towards the training stronghold and saw the warriors slow down, trying to hear what was going on.

"Special Operations, this is not a drill, form up on me!"

Everyone had stopped, then loud footsteps played before lines started forming in front of him, warriors jumping out and running to the line. He turned around before raising his hand, issuing them to be silent as they rushed around and muttered among themselves and also signalling them to follow him, he wasn't sure what was happening and he didn't intend to be late. He and his Lance were now running towards the Hangar Bay, they were some way off however, but this was not a drill, this was real.

"TRACKING STARSHIPS, MAN BATTLESTATIONS!"

Paarthurnax and his five Special Operation Lances had started running a few minutes ago, they arrived significantly faster. He could already hear Plasma being rushed through the walls and sirens sounding alongside the Banshees dropping from beneath. He ran into the Hangar, he could see hundreds of Phantoms and Seraphs being boarded and dropped from overhead. The sight was bizarre.

"Sesa, you take Lances Lima and Echo, I'll take the rest!"

"Yes Officer!"

Sesa and his Lances boarded one Phantom, whilst Paarthurnax and the remaining three Lances boarded the Phantom next to it. Paarthurnax jumped on board before charging into the Cockpit, flicking switches acting as a third pilot whilst his warriors set up and locked the doors shut.

"Engage the Energy Shield!"

"Yes Officer."

An Energy Shield appeared on the front of the Phantom, on all of them. This made them invincible Phantoms, a brilliant tactic. Only then did he see what all the fuss was about. It was clarified, they were Jiralhanae Cruisers supporting a Flagship, a Fleet. From that moment he looked back to the single ORS Supercarrier as more and more fighters began to separate. The odds were not good.

What was going on?

The two Phantoms were now in a line, other fighters and Phantoms now joining the line, like a line of pawns defending the King and Queen. The first to get taken out.

The Jiralhanae Fleet was just unnecessary and aside from that they had stopped, not a single movement from any of them. Who knew what they were doing, every precaution was necessary.

"Turn off the thrusters and our boosters - All defense platforms switch to Fuel Rod Cannons, power down engines, preserve power."

They did just that, but neither side did anything, at all. It was now just a waiting game, a long one. Paarthurnax walked over to his Communications Officer.

"Get me the Admiral."

He nodded before handing Paarthurnax a holographic pad which then showed the Admiral flicker to life.

"Greetings Paarthurnax."

"Hail Admiral!"

He bowed down to the Admiral.

"At ease. Now, Paarthurnax, how may I help you?"

"What would you like us to do? The opposing forces are not doing anything against us currently."

"Yes, I noted this as I looked through the glass pane of my Command Bridge, staring towards their Flagship. I have been speaking with their War Cheiftain."

"What did he say Admiral?"

"He eventually concluded that a meeting would be most appropriate."

"A meeting! Is that even wise?"

There was silence for a few seconds, nothing was said at all.

"To be honest, I'm not ultimately sure myself, but that is yet to be confirmed. What we do know is that it will be held on Doisac, their Homeworld."

"Something seems awfully odd about this Admiral, would you not agree?"

"Yes, that feeling began to grow inside of me too, which is why I want your Phantoms to return. I along with a few Honor Guards will get aboard the Phantoms and we will begin our descent to Doisac. Our Supercarrier will follow us to Doisac, their Fleet will be returning, their turning as we speak."

"Yes Admiral - Turn us around, all defensive platforms return."

"Your Lances will be assisting me, do things take a turn for the worst."

"Yes, it would be a honor Admiral."

"Good. We shall be waiting in the Hangar for your Phantoms, we shall see you soon."

The hologram shut off, he handed the Officer his pad back before heading back into the Cockpit. This was a revelation, a Chieftain wanting to talk to a Sangheili, or perhaps a trap. Either way, he would oversee the situation. Under no circumstances could this go wrong, he knew this was imperative. A few minutes later the two Phantoms arrived back at the ship, slowly entering the Hangar. He could see a line of Honor Guards waiting with higher ranks either side of the Admiral. Paarthurnax' Phantom finally landed, he jumped out barrel rolling. He stood, stretching before walking over to the Admiral, bowing to him.

"At ease."

"Right this way, Admiral."

Paarthurnax stood and showed the Admiral to the modified Phantom. The Lances re-boarded the Phantoms and the Honor Guards and Light of Sanghelios' got into them with the Admiral, doing their job effectively. The Phantoms took off and rejoined the line, they speedily took off and started following the Jiralhanae Fleet to their homeworld, Doisac.

A few hours had passed and everyone was tired. The Phantoms were packed, there were five Lances of Special Operations, ten Honor Guards and the Pilots, not to mention the Admiral. There was not much space, it was warm and tiring.

"Follow them to their Homeworld Pilot."

"Yes Officer."

They continued following the fleet, heading towards the Jiralhanae's planet, Doisac. The Admiral had gone below, into the modified Rest Room. The Admiral's guards defending the door, as usual. His Special Operations were also tired, some slouched others sleeping. They had been flying for a few hours now, even though they were going fast. Not far in front of them were the Jiralhanae Fleet, and not far behind were the ORS Supercarrier and the rest of the Sangheili aboard the ship.

He still stood, setting an example, watching everything set in to motion. There was nothing else he could do, someone had to keep an eye out for trouble.

"Paarthurnax, we are in Doisac's atmosphere. You must inform the Admiral."

Paarthurnax did not respond, he just walked over to the door, ther Honor Guards stepped aside allowing him to enter. He walked down the hallway, quickly noticing the Admiral putting his Headdress on.

"Greetings Paarthurnax, how may I help you?"

"We are in Doisac's atmosphere Admiral, we will be arriving shortly."

"That is good news, I am pleased."

The Admiral grabbed his ceremonial robe that he quickly placed on his armor, attaching like a cape.

"I will come on through soon, prepare you warriors Paarthurnax."

Paarthurnax walked back on through before telling his warriors to get prepared. They stood at attention before checking their weapons and making sure their equipment was all in check.

"When we land, bare in mind you training. We must protect the Admiral at all costs. WE WILL BE ENTERING THE FIERY PITS OF HELL! We shall return, or die kicking and screaming as it drags us down!"

Cheers filled the Phantom and they continuously got louder as the Admiral finally entered.

"Quieten down, quieten down."

The Sangheili in the Phantom became silent.

"We shall be landing in a few minutes, you must ensure everything is perfect and that this is executed with the utmost professionalism. This could be war, war in an unknown territory, this is risky...risky for everyone. FORMATIONS!"

There was anarchy aboard the Phantom as the Special Operations got into three deployable lines and the Honor Guards stood in a line, next to the Admiral. They were ready, any second now the doors would open and they would jump out and they would have to take in all of the fresh surroundings.

I closed my eyes for a while, I didn't open them and I just took a deep, deep breath. No-one knew what the coming day held, I could only hope that everything went to plan...

All I could feel was the cold and warm mixture of air rush up my body as I jumped out of the Phantom. It was shocking if I were ultimately honest. I pounded on the floor, my feet dug in the sand as it blew away with the sweltering mixture of warm air and cold.

I eventually opened my eyes, seeing smoke; ruin and more and more Ships land some way off. We had jumped off first, before the Phantom slowly descended to allow the Admiral and his guards off. We were issued with securing the drop zone, ensuring this was not some elaborate plan to trap us and kill us. Luckily it wasn't, it was safe.

"Secure the first barrier, find us a way into their Citadel!"

"Right away Officer."

I issued my orders, seeing my Special Operations securing checkpoints and barriers, it had to be done. After that, I grabbed my Binoculars, the ones that had been with me for some years, I looked through them, trying to locate an entrance.

"There is a great entrance to the North of the Citadel. Warriors, scout up ahead."

"Copy that Officer."

After, my warriors scouted ahead where I told them to. It was eventful, I moved forward my Lances as Sesa and his Lances scouted the entrance, whilst we just protected the convoy.

"Paarthurnax, the entrance is the main entrance into the citadel, there are Jiralhanae trying to get us in there."

"Excellent, we shall be making our way over. Hold your position."

After our brief little conversation, I escorted my Lances alongside the Admiral and the guards to the entrance. The Phantoms had taken off and were heading back to our Supercarrier, which was still in Orbit. I knew why it didn't land, and it was a mighty fine idea not to land, considering the planet and species which entailed in our little ops.

After a few minutes we arrived at the entrance. The guards took up their formations around the Admiral and the Lances of ten formed around Sesa and I. We were not sure what this Chieftain wanted, but for definite, we were going to find out.

My Lances were the first to enter, we remained on guard as we entered the towering complex. The Admiral and his guards casually walked in, the Admiral's robes flapping in the wind. We checked it was all clear. There were a few Jiralhanae that were leading us somewhere, first down a massive hallway with red carpets and statues and ornaments littering the very grounds, it was strange, unlike anything he had seen before.

The Admiral glanced at me, and issued a signal with his hand, I knew instantly what he wanted me to do so I rebounded the signal to my Lances, we all went into Camouflage.

"Special Operations, move stealthily and quick. We shall remain in the shadows and ensure everything goes to plan, should the original one fail or falter."

I walked forward, body cloaked by the Camouflage and footsteps padded by the hooves and armour I was indeed wearing. We moved silently along for a few minutes, not straying in our path. We crept near the Admiral and his Honour Guards, we did so for a few minutes until we reached the Grand Hall, where the Chieftain sat on a massive rock like chair, with his guards and soldiers near him.

"Greetings, Sangheili Admiral."

"Greetings. Chieftain."

"Where are your Special Operation Lances?"

"They went back to our Supercarrier, Divine Transgression. It is not a problem is it, Chieftain?"

They bantered on a while longer, a pile of piffle the Jiralhanae sprayed. Meanwhile, I slowly moved forward, the several Lances entered the room, in their individual Lances, taking alternative routes. Some headed to the balconies where Jiralhanae stood with their pathetic weapons, some went in between the pillars. Some, stood right near the Chieftain whilst others by the door, we had the place surrounded, had things go bad.

"Why have you summoned us here, for the meeting?"

"To discuss future plans."

"You mention future plans, as in what?"

"Moving a few million Jiralhanae to Sanghelios, in return you can have a proportion of our land for your warriors."

"Now, why would we want the filthy Brutes on our planet, terrible idea!"

The Chieftain charged forward and stopped before rivalling his opinion, it was a close one, I nearly blew our cover by coming out, luckily I did not, I saw some others near do so. A tense moment, indeed. The continued to talk, the War Chieftain had sat down, he was calm and they started to discuss other things, that could possibly benefit them in the future.

There was definitely tension in the air between the two races, Paarthurnax' Lances where still waiting in the shadows.

"We have no business here, so I shall be leaving."

"I don't think you understand, Admiral."

"Excuse me?"

"You cannot leave here, Elite."

"What?!"

"You have not agreed to any of the terms, you know where our citadel is, therefore you must die!"

The Chieftain clicked his finger and guards came charging forward, show time...

"Special Operations, kill these Brutes!"

The Sangheili came from everywhere and slaughtered those that were on the balcony, those that were behind the pillar moved forward and the Jiralhanae in the room were nearly all dead, in a few seconds.

We had lost a few warriors as we fought off masses of these filthy Brutes, a tough and challenging task.

"Cut them down; show no mercy!"

"Assistance!"

The Honor Guards had formed a protective layer around the Admiral, as my warriors cut down the Chieftain. An excellent display.

"Brilliant, push forward!"

We pushed forward, seizing the opportunity to push them back.

Their capital tower was gone it minutes, the Phantoms were laying down covering fire as we pushed back. We completed what was needed to be done...with few losses. The top of the tower began to crumble as did the sides as our fleets burned and bombarded the land below. Their tower crushed; filled with blood and debris as mortars took a piece to the grace. Their Chieftain lay in their humble hall, slaughtered by my blade which had been a just task.

"Board the Phantoms. Corvettes...lay waste to their land."

He watched as the Phantoms lifted off as all the Sangheili warriors boarded their ships and the Corvettes covered their exit before laying waste to their meddling adversaries.

"Take us back to our flagship, Pilot."

The Phantom pilot took is back to the flagship. I watched, through the open hatch, as they lay waste to their planet. Every Corvette, Battlecruiser and Destroyer we had burned their planet until it was nothing but molten lava. The sight was spectacular, but to think there were innocent children and female on that rock; however, they assaulted our Imperial Admiral and we took a justified action.

"(muffled footsteps)...Were our actions justified, sire?"

I looked to the Imperial Admiral who looked too as the Special Operations Operative asked me the question.

"Indeed they were brother. The filthy apes assaulted our Imperial Admiral; our actions were justified and you should think the same."

"Affirmative, sire."

"Why do you ask?"

Oh, no reason sire. Just that it seems unfair to punish a species for the actions of a few incompetent ones."

"Operative, before you were born they committed an evil sin to our kind."

""What sort of sin?"

"They removed our kind from power, bullied and slaughtered us. At the events of New Mombasa, they slaughtered an entire platoon. Our actions were just, we were just repaying the favour."

"As you wish, sire."

I looked back out of the hatch, watching the starships continue their work.