Chapter 86

A/N: MY SUBJECTS I GRANT THEE ANOTHER CHAPTER FOR THE DAY IN HONOR OF YOUR GLORIOUS CONTRIBUTIONS!!

And yes there will be another chapter tomorrow before anyone ask.

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2545 September 13th

"The plan is in motion" Announced the Prophet of Truth as both the Prophets of Mercy and Regret sat beside him within the council chamber. Their plan was simple, they had secured the control of the High council and convinced them to send a delegation to one of the Human worlds seeking peace between the humans and the Covenant.

But, instead of a peaceful diplomatic talk between the two empires', the Prophet's had arranged something else to happen instead. The warriors sent for a diplomatic talk were told that they were going to capture some humans while in reality they would be a sacrifice to mobilize the entire Covenant Navy against the humans, something that they were aware of when they were picked for the mission.

Inside the vessel named Purity of Faith, a squad of fearsome Elites was waiting, their energy swords ready. All cloaked armor that betrayed their high rank. They were not diplomats, and they were not there for peace.

The three Prophets watched in satisfaction as the vessel began its journey towards the Colony world of Concord. "Our ascension is at hand," Prophet of Truth murmured softly. Mercy stayed silent as his thoughts began to wonder about their current plan. Sure, it was the only way to gain access to Forerunner technology by taking some humans captive, but his mind couldn't help but wonder if what they were doing was heading in the right direction.

But it was too late now, he had supported this plan and there was no way to voice his hesitation to the plan as it was currently in motion.

The Purity of Faith had entered slipspace and about an hour later came out of slipspace near Concord. Concord was not a new colony within the UHE, so an orbital station was already constructed above the planet with a stationed battlegroup of 12 ships as it was on the fringes of human space.

As soon as a slipspace jump was detected via the station's sensors, an alarm was sounded alerting everyone to their stations and activating the stations defenses and the Orbital defense platforms. The highest-ranking Officer, Rear Admiral Hector Duncan who was on his flagship the UNSC Abernathy, one of the next generation cruisers, had prepared his fleet for a battle. The ship's onboard AI had already sent out a call to nearby UNSC ships and issued orders to the star fighter pilots to prepare to deploy.

The same thing was happening on the other 11 ships of Admiral Duncan's battlegroup. But the battle that he expected never happened and in a surprise turn of events the Covenant ship contacted them.

The communications screen flickered to life, revealing a holographic image of the Purity of Faith's commanding Elite. His appearance was regal and menacing in his decorated armor, a surprisingly calm expression on his otherwise fierce features. "This is Shipmaster Hora 'Varumee of the Purity of Faith," he began, his voice resonating within the bridge of the ship.

Rear Admiral Duncan responded introducing himself and questioning their purpose. "I'm Rear Admiral Hector Duncan of the UNSC Abernathy. What is your purpose here?"

"We seek peace," Hora 'Varumee stated, simply yet firmly.

Peace? The word echoed in Duncan's mind. The Covenant had never reached out for peace before. This was highly unusual, suspicious even. But as a seasoned command, he knew he had to maintain his composure. "How do we know this isn't a trick?" Duncan asked cautiously.

"You have my assurance," 'Varumee continued calmly. "We request a meeting with your leaders to discuss terms."

Meanwhile, back on the Purity of Faith, the Elites awaited their orders anxiously. They knew their mission, they were not there for peace talks, but to secure humans for information on Forerunner technology; however, they also knew that it would be detrimental if their motive was discovered too soon.

Concurrently on the Abernathy, Duncan was deep in thought. His mind raced with possibilities, each more harrowing than the last. After a long pause, he finally nodded and responded, "Very well. We will arrange a meeting."

With those words Duncan had decided their next course of action. He contacted CENTCOM to update them on the situation as a few minutes had passed and he was sure that more battlegroups were on their way to his location. After updating them on the current matter, he was given permission to proceed with the negotiations but was warned to watch the Covenant movements as they were not trustworthy.

Admiral Duncan acknowledged and proceeded to the station where the Covenant transport was already en route to. Within a few minutes both ships had landed within a Hanger on the station.

Inside the hanger where the Covenant ship was at, Shipmaster Hora 'Varumee had walked down the ramp of the Khaulio-pattern administrator transport ship where he was met with another high-ranking office who escorted him further into the station alongside his guards. On the Officer side she had 3 Spartan-IIIs with her to ensure that everything went according to plan.

However, that was not the case as inside of the Khaulio-pattern administrator transport, a bomb was hidden inside of the ship and was blocked from being scanned by the stations scanners due to additional modifications set up by the Covenant.

This was a problem which was spotted by Petty Officer Third class Aron Smith within the hangers control room. "Ma'am I can't get a read on what's inside the ship" reported Smith as the station's scanners couldn't get a read on anything that was in the ship.

Lieutenant Atkinson, the senior officer in the room had come over and looked at the screen which proved what Smith just reported was accurate.

"Alright then, we will send an inspection team to do a thorough check." stated Lieutenant Atkinson as she pressed a button on the console which popped up the image of Sergeant Brooks who oversaw inspecting ships whenever they couldn't get a reading from the control room.

Most of the time it was just some civilian traders carrying contraband from planet to planet.

"Sergeant, I need you to do an inspection on the Covenant vessel in Hanger 12" ordered Lieutenant Atkinson.

"Yes Ma'am, we'll be down there in 5 mikes" replied Sergeant Brooks as he and his men started to put on their armor.

Once they were done, they proceeded towards Hanger 12 and had arrived just as Sergeant Brooks timer hit 5 minutes. He didn't like to be late, nor did he like to tell a lie, so when he says he will be there in 5 minutes then he will be there.

Upon arrival, they found two Covenant Elites standing at the entrance of the ship. Sergeant Brooks and his team approached the Elites who put their hand out stopping Sergeant Brooks from coming closer.

"No further human, this is the property of the Shipmaster, and you are not permitted to approach it" Announced one of the Covenant.

Sergeant Brooks' team had gripped their weapons as the Elite said this ready to retaliate incase anything happened.

"it's standard procedure to inspect all ships that come and go to this station especially Covenant ships that have never been here before" replied Sergeant Brooks.

"Look I don't want to be here talking to you as much as you don't want to be here talking to me, so just let me do a quick inspection and I'll be on my way" Added Sergeant Brooks.

The two Covenant Guards looked at each other and nodded, which was a signal to initiate the plan. "Alright human, but he will accompany you and you alone will conduct the inspection," said the Elite.

Sergeant Brooks nodded agreeing with that proposal as he knew he could take on a single Elite by himself should the need arise. The other guard started to walk up the ramp followed by Sergeant Brooks as they went inside the ship.

Once inside the Elite had stepped to the side and allowed Sergeant Brooks to proceed with his inspection. Brooks walked forward and activated his personnel scanner to scan his surroundings as he did the inspection. As he was doing this the Elite followed behind him and watched his every move as if he was waiting for something.

Once Brooks got far enough into the ship a smile had formed on the Elites face as he grabbed his energy sword and swung it at Brooks delaying the activation until he was closer to his head to ensure that he couldn't retaliate or have time to react.

However, Brooks had felt something wrong, and his body's natural instincts kicked in causing him to duck out of the way missing death by an inch and turn around with his energy Pistol aimed at the Elite. There was no hesitation as he pulled the trigger shooting the Elite 4 times before he dropped dead alerting his men and the Elite outside who heard the noise.

The Elite waiting outside had no choice as now they were revealed so he drew his own energy sword and attempted to charge at the humans in front of him but was gunned down before he even got close.

After gunning the Elite down, two marines ran inside of the ship with their weapons drawn and found Sergeant Brooks still alive. "It's alright men, I'm fine" said Sergeant Brooks reassuring the two soldiers.

Not long after the word had gotten over the comms and inside the meeting room with Admiral Duncan and Shipmaster Hora 'Varumee, the Spartans had taken aim as they had just received word of what happened as did Admiral Duncan via his commlink.

Shipmaster Hora 'Varumee didn't try to act like he didn't know what was going on but instead smiled "I always wondered how I would die, whether it be by the hands of a human, a demon, or the Hierarchs. But today it will be none of them, instead it will be by my own hands!" Shouted Shipmaster Hora 'Varumee as within his hands was a device that he pressed which detonated the bomb that was onboard the station.

The resulting explosion killed everybody before they even had the chance to try and escape. Admiral Duncans nearby battlegroup wasn't spared as 7 ships were caught in this explosion severely damaging their hull. The lone Covenant frigate had opened fire at the remaining ships.

Onboard one of the undamaged ship's Captain Harrison, who was the commanding officer of the UNSC Dawnhammer was left in utter disbelief as he beheld the catastrophic scene. Even as the shockwave from the explosion rocked his ship, he quickly regained his senses and launched into action.

"Damage report!" he barked into the comms. His vision was filled with a flurry of flames and debris where moments ago there had been ships, men and women, and the orbital station.

As the answer came from various sections of the Dawnhammer, Captain Harrison knew they had to act fast. The Covenant frigate was still firing, ripping through what remained of Admiral Duncan's battlegroup with brutal efficiency.

"Bring weapons online and fire at will!" he ordered his crew

"All batteries firing, sir!" called out Tactical Officer Davis from his station.

The Dawnhammer unloaded its arsenal on the Covenant frigate, retaliating in kind as the ship continued its deadly assault. A few hits from the new MAC Cannon pierced the Covenants hull and destroyed the ship in one shot.

For the Covenant this was a suicide mission from the start, they would be the sacrifice that leads to a massive Galactic war between the humans and the Covenant empire.