So sequel time already folks. I hope you enjoy the Prologue of the final book in my Trilogy.
Prologue
At Forerunner excavation site- on the planet Distant Fringe
The Ninth Age of Reclamation-16 years ago.
The Minister of the Holy Archive sat uncomfortably in his chair. He only used the floating throne when he was out in the field, most of the time he used an anti-gravity belt, which he was more used to. The chair always felt a little restrictive and he never liked using it.
Just some of the disadvantages of his position, he thought to himself. Unlike most of his brethren, who rarely left the confines of the Covenant’s holy city, High Charity, as he was the Minister of the Holy Archive, it was his job to oversee the excavation of any Forerunner artefacts and return them to the archives. It meant he was constantly travelling across Covenant controlled space, making sure the proper care and procedures were followed, so the artefacts remained undamaged.
He wiped his wrinkled brow with the sleeve of his green tunic and looked at the orange sun overhead. Most of his kin would have despised this heat, but he was used to it, his skin had been turned slightly darker due to the sunlight. He turned his attention to the digging below. Sangheili walked impatiently from side to side, their armour glistening in the light, as Unggoy and Jiralhanae were digging feverously. The minister didn’t understand why the Sangheili had brought a contingent of Jiralhanae with them; they were for the most part temple guards and were rarely seen in any other roles. He had simply assumed the Sangheili commander had an extreme dislike of the creatures, and enjoyed seeing them do hard labour on their behalf.
Though he disliked the large hairy creatures; believing them to be simple and barbaric, in contrast to the other species in the Covenant, he had to admit they were effective. They were lifting massive rocks and tossing them aside, as if they were nothing. If they deemed that the mining equipment was too slow, they would use their large claws and use them instead. The Unggoy were having trouble keeping up.
‘Impressive aren’t they?’
The minister turned to his left and to R’Tan Nondovee, the Sangheili in charge of this operation.
‘Yes indeed, their efforts are most impressive, you have chosen your workforce well,’ He replied calmly.
The Sangheili nodded in respect and looked down at the dig site. His golden armour made him stand out from the other blue armoured Sangheili that monitored the workforce. The Minister knew that R’tan and his brethren would rather be fighting against the Humans, to prove their worth as warriors, but he would not question him or his orders.
‘How long do you think it will take for them to uncover the artefact?’ The minister asked.
‘Not much longer, a few more cycles, no more,’ R’tan said gruffly.
‘Good, when they find it inform me, and let them bring it to me. I would like to examine it personally,’ The Minister requested.
‘It shall be done, I shall hasten their progress,’ R’tan said.
‘Very good commander, your actions assist the Journey,’ the minister replied.
R’tan strolled off and barked orders at his Sangheili.
The minister sat there contemplating the war against the Humans. Ever since their first transgression of destroying holy relics, many years ago, they had continued to defy them and desecrated many Forerunner sites. Though the Sangheili shipmasters had been very efficient in wiping them out, they still stood defiantly against them. He knew it was only a matter of time until they were extinguished, and then they would have no obstacles in finally beginning the Great Journey.
The minister smiled quietly to himself when he thought of it. Ascension after all these years now seemed to be almost upon them. A few weeks ago they had found one of the sacred rings. But unfortunately the Humans had managed to destroy it. When he had learnt of this, it had only increased the minister’s hatred for them, as well as a large sense of grief for its destruction. But then, just as he had departed the High Charity, they had discovered a second ring, and their holy city now orbited it, and they were taking the steps necessary to activate it.
He wished he was there, at the moment it was activated, so he would be one of the first to join the Forerunners in paradise. But he had a job to do and he accepted it was his duty to complete it. R’tan reappeared and asked,
‘We have it minister; do you wish to inspect it now?’
‘Yes, I shall look at it in my tent,’ he replied looking over at the small purple structure that served as his living quarters.
‘Very good. It shall be brought to you shortly, I’ve just received a communication from the ship, I will return shortly,’ R’tan finished, heading into the main building.
The minister calmly glided into his quarters. It was very basic, with only the essential items needed to complete his work. He sat patiently as he could hear the strained grunts of the Jiralhanae as they came closer. Then five of them entered the room, wearing only tattered loincloths, holding a large metal tome.
The minister had seen many of these in his travels. These tomes usually were written accounts of the Forerunner’s long battle against the parasite known as the Flood. The Jiralhanae dropped it at his feet and bowed. This surprised him, most other species in the Covenant respected him, but they never bowed to him. It was quite flattering.
‘Here is the holy tome, as you requested your holiness,’ the lead Jiralhanae said.
‘Thank you for being so quick in your task, it has pleased me. What is your name, so I may reward you,’ the minister asked.
‘I am Drakus and I am the leader of my clan,’ he replied, still not looking up.
‘Arise Drakus, and witness me decipher this text,’ the minister said, taking a good look at the large text.
‘You honour me your holiness,’ Drakus said, rising to his feet.
The minister was about to start reading it, when R’tan and four other Sangheili entered the tent, weapons raised.
‘What is the meaning of this commander?’ The minister asked, anger filling his voice over the interruption.
‘Traitorous dogs, the prophets have decreed the Sangheili to be cast down replaced by them!’ He pointed to the Jiralhanae, who had risen to their feet.
The minister was surprised at this. He had heard that was a power struggle back at High Charity, but he hadn’t thought it was as bad as this. He looked desperately for a means of escape.
‘And now, I shall kill you and these animals in the name of our fallen brothers!’ R’tan drew his energy sword and lunged at the minister.
The minister had closed his eyes, waiting for the searing pain to hit him. The blow never came. Drakus had caught R’tan in mid swing and the two were on the floor, fighting over the weapon. The other Sangheili raised their weapons and prepared to shoot Drakus, only to be tackled by the other Jiralhanae.
Drakus slammed his heavy paws into R’tan’s face, stunning him. His grip on the sword loosened and Drakus pulled it free and jabbed it into it his chest. R’tan roared in pain and then lay motionless. Drakus let out a battle cry and cut through a few more Sangheili, while his brothers relieved them of their weapons and used them against their former owners.
It a few frenzied seconds later the five Sangheili were dead with only the minister and Drakus and two of his Jiralhanae left standing. The whole experience had stunned the minister, but he regained focus and decided his next move. They had to escape this world, or they would face the wrath of the Sangheili.
‘Drakus gather your pack, and take all the weapons you can find, we need to leave this planet, as soon as possible,’ the minister said grabbing all the items he needed and quickly grabbing some extra clothes just in case.
‘Of course your eminence, my lieutenant will make the necessary arrangements.’ He barked to the Jiralhanae to his right and he left the room, as did the other surviving member of the pack.
‘You saved my life Drakus, for that I am eternally grateful,’ the minister said.
‘My faith is strong, unlike the treacherous Sangheili, I will defend you with my life,’ Drakus replied.
‘Then you shall stay at my side, and together we can vanquish any foe that stands in our way.’
The two left the tent together, and readied themselves for the trials ahead, The minister didn’t know what lay ahead of him, but he knew that he and Drakus would crush their enemies together.
End of the Prologue
Vigil is watching you
Halo: The Unlatched Casket- The horror is released........