Author's Notes:

Whoa, finally back after just over a month.

Sorry for the wait, but as always we hope the vast amount of content is worth the wait. I want to especially commend Rain Fire, for she basically put the most effort into forming the core of this particular chapter with the Capricorn lore and such

Obligated
Control Center, CSO-class Supercarrier Sublime Transcendence
Wednesday, 23rd June 2551 CE Celestial Standard Calendar

“ Art thou the one whom hast secured us a surreal, if rather easier incursion further into the bowels of this vessel whose owners are now deceased or rightfully in bondage?” Luna said as the first of the group to speak to a patiently expectant Prophetess of Obligation.
Luna found herself oddly reminded of her sister to a degree from being in the presence of Obligation. Her features were increasingly softening and assuming a warming glow.

“More eloquently put, but yes, Li’una.” Obligation confirmed. As she spoke, she made a hand gesture she did not expect her new acquaintances to understand. The middle finger of the tridactyl hand moved across her brow rapidly, saying, ‘You have watchful eyes.’

While the Alicorn and the San’Shyuum conversed, Trixie was still occupied with directing the apprehension of Regret and Big Mac was listening attentively while still mentally prepared for another fight. Meanwhile, Russ was paying very little visual attention to the discussion, instead opting to further study the surrounding control center with a scrutinizing eye, while the Chief and Bjorn did the same with Obligation and her companions’ possible threat potential.

“Continue,” Luna responded. Like the others, she had not deciphered the gesture Obligation had made and instead regarded it with a slight incline of her brow.

Obligation herself had rapidly come to the conclusion that the Alicorn clearly would not tolerate any honeyed words on her part, despite Luna’s own verbiage. Even if Luna’s appearance and demeanor were not to be considered, the company she currently kept was obvious indication enough of her likely reception to such speech.

With that noted, Obligation spoke again, moving her gravity throne closer so as to make her features more readable to some of the beings present. “I am here to present to you the proper, but flawed face of the Covenant. Imperial Admiral Wattinree no doubt alluded to the corruption that permeates our hegemony under its current leadership.”

“We faithful do what must be done!” Regret asserted in an angered but strained voice. He was futilely writhing against the telekinetic field that Legate Big Mac’s battlemages had imposed upon him. As the Master Chief’s eyes were drawn to him, the Spartan equated the sight to a fly caught in a spider’s web.

“Trixie has heard enough of Floating Priest 5000! Shut him up!” Trixie snapped. Her Praetorians and the accompanying Imperial battlemages rapidly murmured to each other after a quick bow before coming to a consensus.

With a flash of alteration magic, one of the battlemages forced a spell of auditory silence upon Regret. The San’Shyuum proceeded to move his lips but no words came forth. Obligation gestured to them by rolling her right big thumb in a circle around her middle left digit to convey, ‘my gratitude.’

Sanji’ik Kusovai regarded Regret’s awkward movements with the Sangheili equivalent of a malicious sneer. “I would personally do more than silence him myself,” she declared, “but Obligation claims him as a necessary tool for our cause.”

“Indeed.” Obligation nodded. “It was my usurpers, my nephew included, that started this war that has claimed millions of souls in its wake, and I know the secret as to the reasons why our factions wage it. What I seek now is the forum in which to reveal it. I likewise seek the strength of allies with which to rectify this treachery that leaves the galaxy in uproar and bloodshed.”

“Thou desires to join the Grand Solarian Concordat?” Luna inquired. “‘Tis a surprise. From general perspective it is so soon after what was supposed to be thy fleet was apparently laid low by Equis’ defences after commencing hostile action.”

“We do,” Obligation said with a smile and a nod, her speech accompanied by no hand gesture this time.

“Very well,” Luna said. “That shall require the authority of Our sister to be rendered in full. We can grant thee the forum thou seeketh, but not the allies. Cortana, couldst thou open a channel directly to Celestia?”

“Working!” Cortana replied, this time through the ship’s intercoms instead of over neural links or via the radio

Trixie looked to Luna with ear-flattening concern as Cortana worked to seize what was intact of the Sublime Transcendence’s communications systems for their purposes.

“Luna, what if the Empress or GSC parliament is not too amenable to this development out of the blue? Well, Trixie should clarify … Her Imperial Majesty is clearly not a true worry, it is the other leaders in parliament itself.”

“It is expected that I shall be met with no better than lukewarm greeting in the most optimal of conditions,” Obligation added, her hands clasped in her lap patiently.

Luna looked between Trixie and Obligation before chuckling. The latter’s patient demeanor was unchanged, but Trixie grew bemused, earning her a mischievous smile from Luna at her own expense.

“We recollect your distaste in politics, Trixie,” Luna explained as she regained her default serenity. Russ let out an almost involuntary snort of agreement nearby.

“Politics and bureaucracy, it’s amazing the galaxy still functions,” Russ muttered.

“I understand Trixie’s apprehension. This is … unexpected to say the least,” the Chief interjected. The Spartan had lowered his weapon, having concluded that Obligation was not planning any momentary attack.

Likewise, Big Mac was no longer in a combative stance and had gone to all fours. Even Bjorn’s mechanical visage had grown slackened in its posture, although his weapon systems could become combat-ready in milliseconds.

“Indeed. However, as the history we stated yesterday in the museum dictates, Our sister’s sway over this parliament should alleviate any worry. We shall see your forum granted,” Luna said.

Cleary, history and causality had some ineffable affinity for Luna. Here was once again another crossroads for galactic history staring both herself and her companions in the face within the span of just two days. The very thought of the notion left a burning twinkle of determination in Luna’s eyes, which more than a few of the aforementioned companions took note of.

“I like your conviction, it’s infectious!” Cortana cut in once more. “Get ready for some major forum-granting real soon, I’ve almost patched us through to the Empress, audio-only. Had to tell a number of fellow AI that I wasn’t some shoddy Covenant infiltration software. No offense, Prophetess.”

“I care not for unintelligent computing systems beyond their inherent usefulness. Such programs are no source of pride,” Obligation reassured Cortana with a smile despite having no visual recipient for it.

“Obligation, can you tune into our communications with the systems on that throne of yours?” Trixie asked off to the side, causing the San’Shyuum to tilt her head in the direction of the mare’s voice.

“If you can reveal to me the frequency and encryption.”

“Would that be wise?” The Chief cautioned while Luna’s face remain neutral, Big Mac shook his head, and Trixie seemed ponderous.

“Spook swarms are already snoopin’ on the Fangs’ capture,” Big Mac said. “We might be shakin’ an entire hive by doing this ... Besides, a friendly official of an enemy state is still an enemy by Allied Command definition until official cessation of hostilities.“

“I have never cared for the yammering of lowly creatures. As long as we’re allowed our trophy, I do not give a frak,” Russ interjected with a dismissive wave.

Obligation’s smile remained unchanged. “In any way I could possibly double-cross you all, it would mean my swift doom. But not a doom as terrible as the one that will befall all if the Hierarchs–”

It was then that Celestia was finally able to communicate with them via the boarding force’s main radio channel, stopping Obligation’s assurance of verity in its tracks. The Empress’ voice was almost as impacting as if she had physical appeared.

“Luna, Cortana has just contacted my court, how are you faring?!” Celestia inquired urgently.

Hearing her sister’s voice, however laced with concern it may have been, brought an instinctive smile on Luna’s face. “The Transcendence has been rendered quiescent for now, until the prize crew We expect to arrive finally manifests and there is inevitable ‘squabbling’ between Russ’ Fangs for physical salvage. Our companions are faring well. As for Ourself, Our condition follows suit.”

“Thus far I’ve only been receiving naval action reports and fragmented Capricorn ‘chatter’ from boarding teams on the other two target vessels, but that is a relief! And yes, we’ve sent officials from the Empire, Roam, the Union, and the UNSC to accompany Chol Von’s own personal prize crew, which is both already on board and in the process of boarding.”

“Already on board?” Trixie said with exasperation.

“Did you actually expect to lose … blue pony? With the Sixth, victory is assured,” Bjorn’s metallic voice countered.

“Trixie had no such doubts. She is simply in awe of the GSC’s sudden sense of self-certainty in victory from this battle. Such conviction is almost comparable to those Equine Exceptionalist weirdos Oh, wait … Trixie knows the explanation, and the awe has been halved.”

Bjorn and Luna both chuckled at Trixie. As her features reddened considerably beneath the fur on her face, Trixie went about relaying the information to Obligation necessary to allow her to hear Celestia.

“I cleared the paperwork for the Equestrian officials’ participation in the preliminary analysis of the supercarrier and its companion ships a half hour ago,” came Celestia’s voice once again.

“Sister? We have made the acquaintance of a Covenant leader,” Luna replied.

Celestia’s reply was delayed for a few seconds. During the ensuing time, the Prophetess of Obligation slowly roved her eyes to and fro across the ceiling, maintaining her kindly expression even as she speculated the possible reaction of one of the galaxy’s most powerful beings.

Amongst the Covenant, what little information was available in regards to Celestia had lead to her reputation as the ‘The Dark Empress of all Heresy”. She was the supposed grand mobilizer of all nefarious ideologies and falsehoods that would lead the Hierarchs’ faithful off the path to divinity: the leader of all Heretics.

Obligation’s own knowledge even failed to alleviate the minor degree of tension on her mind.

At last Celestia’s response came, her voice steady and careful, “Acquaintance? Luna, who is it that is in your company?”

The Prophetess introduced herself and proceeded to explain what it was she had revealed to Luna and her companions. Regret all but writhed in his throne as much as the restraining magic would allow him to, rage burning hot inside his zealous and devout mind.

“If looks could kill, bah,” Trixie hissed in a whisper to the Hierarch-turned prisoner, before her scowl turned to a smirk. “Bindings not satisfying enough for His Floatiness? Just give Trixie the word and she’ll tighten them just for you!”

“This is monumental for the cause of diplomacy,” Celestia declared. “We must discuss this in more appropriate conditions,” Celestia said. “I shall arrange for a summit tomorrow between yourself and all Concordat diplomatic officials available.”

“Where shall she repose until the morrow?” Luna asked.

“A matter of equal importance. Obligation, I shall also arrange for you to stay under the hospitality and supervision of my niece, Princess Cadance,” Celestia informed the former Hierarch in a tone that was firm but not unkind.

“You have my thanks,” Obligation said before taking a few seconds to murmur the lyrics of an ancient melody to herself. “Hmm … maybe investigate their intoxicants later. Hopefully I won’t forget.”

“After a night at your new lodgings you shall be summoned to Elysia Station to stand before Parliament and present what you know. Based on the outcome of that summit, it shall determine how the process will go in regards to you and your followers’ admittance to the Concordat,” Celestia continued.

“What of this warship?”

“Chol Von’s prize crew will not be taking control of the Sublime Transcendence, they will take you to Canterlot instead, and the Prophet of Regret shall be apprehended for temporary incarceration by Legate McIntosh. The supercarrier, it is now by right the possession of Russ’ Fangs for their more than pivotal involvement in this battle. This also serves as a notice to all others present as well.”

“Yes, sister,” Luna replied with a nod.

“Understood, Your Majesty. We’ll be on standby to assist the officials and the capricorns in whatever capacity is necessary,” the Master Chief also replied, turning his head to regard the main entrance to the bridge.

“No help will be needed human, except for in the feast to come. And thank you, Celestia, it is a nice show of faith to have our claim recognised,” Russ spoke smoothly and with little emotion.

“You are most welcome. Master Chief, remember that your presence aboard the Covenant supercarrier is at yourselves and my sister’s discretion; you need not remain if you do not wish to do so.

“Of course, Empress,” the Chief replied with a nod.

“Unfortunately, I must end the transmission. Farewell for now to all, and please accept my gratitude for your might and valour in defence of our capitals today!”

Some amongst the group nodded and murmured amongst themselves at Celestia’s declarations. The brief but quiet chatter was broken promptly by Cortana.

“Sorry to interrupt, but Luna, can you yank me from the system via the nearest terminal? The IMI and some ONI adjutants want to unleash their AI’s to do my job for me. Too bad for them, but I retrieved all of the interesting files already. No offense, Obligation.”

“Consider them a gift from my nephew,” Obligation said with a sing-song voice. “A token of my goodwill … or the spoils of war. Whichever you prefer.”

“The first one,” a new voice interjected.

“Spoils of war. What is ours was earned through bloodshed, including the ship” Russ growled in the direction of the new voice.

“Both of them!” Luna declared before following many of the others’ gaze towards the new arrival.

“We care not about the ship, only the contents of its computers,” the stranger intoned in a flat, unnatural-like cadance that was unaccomodating to conveying emotion. “Weaponry, shielding, power, propulsion, and translight capabilities all were catalogued within the first three years of hostilities.”

Luna recognized the stranger, a steel-gray earth pony stallion, immediately. The grey, clean-pressed suit, hat, and cold analytical eyes were unmistakable. As chance would have it, the stallion’s binoculars symbol on either flank did no favours in lessening the newcomer’s inconspicuousness.

“We’ve seen thee before! Who art thou who surveyed us before in such suspicion-inducing manner? Be you a dagger in the dark?”

The earth pony took his hat off his maneless head and stared blankly first at the annoyed-looking Fangs guarding the opened door to the control center outside, before turning back to regard all present with the same completely neutral demeanor and resting his eyes on Luna once more.

“I am called Agent September, Your Highness. I am a functionary of the Empire’s intelligence-gathering ministry. IMI, Bureau of Acquisitions.”

“Your scent reeks of lies and disinformation. You’re not welcome here, Agent,” Russ spoke out.

“If an agent were to be welcome without guise in any place under any circumstance, then it would be in their best interest to consider new career ventures. All agents must bear the unsavoury ‘scent’ if they are to fulfill their services to the Empire,” Agent September droned as he mechanically scanned each visible corner of the room with scrutiny.

Such thorough surveying included Obligation’s gravity throne and the secured Regret.

“What is your exit time?” Big Mac demanded with narrowed eyes.

“We are almost finished with gathering the data we seek. The presence of the parliamentary officials beyond assisting you, Legate, in Regret’s apprehension and processing is but a formality for the prize crew. They have boxes to check off and will depart soon as well.”

Agent September’s statement was used by Obligation as a vocal cue. She proceeded to engage him in an odd-sounding conversation from afar that regarded the prize crew of Chol Von’s that was now aboard the Transcendence, as well as what ships and in what numbers had Chol Von’s privateer flotilla managed to secure during the battle. Both speakers’ voices clashed in comparison, like vibrant wallpaper to drab olive paint.

Trixie was beginning to grow disturbed by the IMI agent’s constantly inequine monotone. The Chief grew instinctively wary around the agent in a likewise manner, while Big Mac only glowered at the suited stallion.

“My subroutines are telling me that their AI’s have only gathered an approximate forty percent of the intel aboard this vessel,” Cortana muttered into the comm channel of Luna’s armour in particular as the Alicorn worked at the nearest terminal to physically rejoin Cortana with herself.

“Incompetence?” Luna inquired, this time via neural link.

“Yes and no,” Cortana answered. “Two-fifths bureaucratic inefficiency, and three-fifths lollygagging to spite us. They’re getting bitter about all the data I collected before they could get into the system.”

“My many years spent as the leader of the Sixth has taught me that there are never clear sides in anything,” Russ added in the network, switching the link to a private channel. “Those who you think are your allies may quite as well be your greatest of foes.”

“I can attest to these things personally, on at least two accounts in my pre-banishment centuries,” Luna admitted. “When it happens in the right circumstances, it carves out wounds deeper than any baser foe could dream of inflicting.”

“You speak as though you have experienced such things, sister. We have much to talk about when we are finished up here,” Russ added before a brief pause. “Do not trust intelligence organizations, Luna. They mutilate worse than an axe.”

“The killing of agents from younger Equestria’s rivals under my horn is seven in number, Russ.”

“Just between you two and myself, I share Catherine’s mutual mistrust of both IMI and her employer. Not that I’m saying seven should become eight, nine, and so on, but sometimes I wonder if their objectives and the Empress’ overlap only ostensibly,” Cortana said before pausing dramatically, “Sorry about my alliteration. I’ve been perusing and scrutinizing the platitudes of one too many Covenant psalms in the past few minutes ... “

“Fairest Cortana, I feel that time shall reveal to us their machinations and more,” Luna answered as September and Obligation’s conversation drew to a close.

“My visual assessment of the control center of the CCS-class Sublime Transcendence is complete. The Imperial Ministry of Intelligence wishes you all a fine day,” Agent September said to Obligation and the others before taking his leave.

Russ muttered something under his breath that caused Bjorn to growl in agreement. Some others, both Concordat and Covenant alike, glared at the calmly retreating figure with suspicion and resentment while the rest remained entirely indifferent.

“Perfect! I can speed that process up exponentially,” Cortana declared.

“I must must not allow such an endeavour to take precedence in my attention over this Great War, however,” Luna reminded her.

“Of course, but don’t forget that the blue-violet woman in your head and armour is an entity the type of which are the ultimate multi-taskers.” Disregarding the lack of physical visuals, Luna could practically think of and hear the smirk in Cortana’s voice.

While the conversation occurred, the Fangs on watch just outside the bridge’s main entrance admitted Chol Von and three of her lieutenants.

“Great Wolf, Princess Luna! The Kig-Yar pirates have arrived,” one of the Fangs outside announced.

“Pirates … nothing good can come from pirates,” Russ growled out.

Trixie approached the Prophetess and held up a hoof for a moment to catch her attention.

“Alright, Obligation, Chol Von’s prize crew should be able to ferry you off this ship. As for us … Trixie suggests we take our leave of this new spook hive and take our new friends back to Fenris,” the azure mare said.

“We shall be your conveyance to Equis, as the Empress Celestia has requested of us,” Chol Von greeted Obligation in an angered voice that sounded almost like a squawk. “Quickly you will move, ex-Hierarch! I have no care for Parliament for I am a merchant and ‘sailor’ at heart, not a politician. The sooner my involvement in your politics is over with, all the better.”

Cold in her demeanor and glaring with reptilian eyes, the lead Shipmistress of Eayn’s first ever unified government did not seem even the least bit pleased to see Obligation. This frigid reception did not exclude the others as well. Chol’s companions wore even-tempered expressions, but she regarded the present Covenant, Fangs, and Concordat members alike with an elevated air of annoyance.

The matronly smile on Obligation’s face was seemingly permanent, for she wore it even as she issued her response. “With grace, Shipmistress. Sanj’ik, ready our allies left aboard this ship and have them follow in my wake. Our Huragok are coming with me, they have expressed desire to observe Concordat technology up close once again.”

“Their beady eyes and grasping feelers shall drink in their analytical lot if time permits,” Chol Von said dismissively, already beginning to stride out of the room.

The declaration merited a series of anticipation-filled whistles from Obligation’s floating bioluminescent companions.

To spite the Kig-Yar for her unwelcomely ways, Obligation’s smile faded for now and she said something to give the Kig-Yar pause. “But there is of course first the important matter to address of what to do with our combined fatalities aboard this battle-scarred vessel of war.”

Bjorn regarded Chol Von’s clearly visible irritation with some amusement, having already desired to scorch the pretty feathers off of her person, plucking each of the remaining ones like she was a bipedal roasted pheasant. The Shipmistress was clearly on the verge of snapping.

Sanj’ik nodded, but the weapons master still nevertheless hesitated where she stood. “Yes … what of the Imperial Admiral’s remains, and those of all others who fell aboard this vessel? Who amongst us shall spare the plasma for the final immolations?”

It was then that Luna recalled one of the largest of the bodies that had been carefully moved by Trixie’s remaining squadmates and those of Big Mac’s company. The limp and armoured form was present up on the circular command platform with the largest holographic displays that dominated the center of the room.

“We would be soulless savages to not honour the fallen this day, but in what manner? That is the question. Logically we cannot burn them where they lay, so arrangements must be made before we depart,” Luna said.

While Obligation came to a stop to address Sanj’ik’s question, Luna approaching the gathered bodies attracted the gazes of some of the others. Eyes followed her closely with each step. Trixie, Russ, and Sanj’ik in particular regarded the Princess with strongly questioning glances.

“Our traditions are set; our few dead are already being seen to,” Russ replied pointedly.

“Then what remains to be done is of even greater simplicity. The Prophetess’ people and we members of the Concordat shall, each and every one, cooperate in the laying to rest of the dead,” Luna stated definitely as she gestured to the assemblage of bodies with a sweep of her arm.

“If we take the fatalities to Equis, I’m sure the Grand Pantheon would be willing to assist Obligation in giving the fallen Covenant their native rites, even if they are Covenant ones,” the Chief suggested after several moments of silently surveying the dead.

Luna nodded. “A grand pantheon, thou sayeth?”

“The different countries and races of Equis reconciled their faiths and deities together into a mutual council decades before even the GSC was formed,” Cortana explained inside Luna’s head.

“Fascinating, Luna said aloud rather than mentally. “We shall consult the Codex later for more information. Back to Our present matter however: the Chief speaks sagely! This shall be our course of action.”

“Very well,” Obligation said. “I agree that such an arrangement would be most proper.”

A small portion of the Prophetess’ trademark smile returned. Obligation then took the lead from a still glowering Chol Von and hovered out in her throne with the Huragok and four Kig-Yar in tow.

Sanj’ik and the other Sangheili in the room set about coordinating the movement of the dead and the treatment of the wounded with Legate McIntosh and Trixie, as well as their compatriots.

Luna, Russ, Bjorn, and the Chief were all meanwhile left towering over the expanse of floor that Obligation and the others had just vacated. Russ had ceased his now thrice-over inspection of the Covenant bridge, and now shifted focus to a fresh topic.

“It is time to return to Fenris. There are still many things to be done, that I have yet had time to do. You are all welcome back in the Aett but my attention will be elsewhere. The Sixth has been long without me, and I plan to rectify that,” Russ stated with a small smile.

“We still have to collect Doctor Halsey and the others from your keep that they’ve been studying,” the Chief reminded Russ and the others as he did something that made both Trixie and Big Mac gasp as they heard the distinct hiss of a pressurized helmet being removed. “Luna, I suggest we accompany our new friends back to Fenris. In addition … I’d like to browse additional Capricorn weaponry for our party’s future usage if possible.”

Luna raised her brow at the now helmetless Spartan whose face bore an even more faint smile than Russ’. “Acquiring an affinity for alien weaponry already, Chief? ‘Tis no surprise.”

“Already had it. Versatility, of course,” the Chief replied.

“I’m sure Tolfdir will be able to forge you something unique,” Russ poked offhandedly. “He is a very capable Iron Shaman, especially having to keep Bjorn in shape all these years.”

Bjorn’s head rolled slightly as if to show an eyeroll and being the butt of his Great Wolf’s joke.

Luna allowed a chuckle from herself despite the proximity of the deceased as she nodded to the other three. “To Fenris, then.” she then turned to look at Trixie. “Trixie, will you be able to accompany us?”

Trixie looked up from a slain Honour Guard that she had been in the middle of judging the weight of for her telekinesis. “Big McIntosh, will your company be able to tolerate working with the IMI agents and the Parliamentary bureaucrats to ferry Regret into custody until the Divinity sends personnel to relieve you?”

There was a sigh from Big Mac before he replied with an annoyed but confident, “Eeyup. We are the Empress’ finest, we don’t ever let ‘er down.”

“Splendid!” Trixie exclaimed with a semi-feigned jollyness as she turned to regard the others once more. “It is high time that I, as a Praetorian Knight-Errant of the Equestrian Empire, trade the present work of priests and medics for a world of almost endless winter and undeniably endless alcohol.”

After a brief trek through corridors populated by gawking GSC officials, stoically working Imperial agents, and presiding Grey Hunters, Luna’s group relinked with Blue Team. During the journey through the ship once more, the companions were finally able to take full stock in the newfound calm of what damage had been wrought on the previously enemy warship.

Luna in particular scrutinized everything she saw with minute detail. What she saw were the byproducts from a type of warfare that defined her newly-adopted era.

Hull punctures and scorch marks from Equisian warships and Capricorn boarding craft rendered portions of some decks depressurized. Entire interior bulkheads, doors, and maintenance partitions had been torn through, not just by explosions but also by direct physical manipulation by the towering Promethean Wolves.

Accustomed to casualties from the likes of arquebuses, crossbows, pikes, swords, and spells that all dominated the theaters of war before her banishment, witnessing the power of modern ranged weapons and explosives on the common soldier caused her now stern eyes to linger longer over the fallen than they normally would have.

Grisly damage that only the likes of battlemages and warlocks of centuries past were capable of was now possible at the hooves and digits of one with contemporary equipment and only a few weeks’ worth of training. With that in mind, Luna also took special note of some of the conversations from the Concordat personnel that were in her exceptionally wide audible proximity.

“Claw marks … blood and viscera everywhere. Thank the stars they want the ship for themselves. I’m not cleaning this mess up …”

“The San’Shyuum bureaucrats that must have regulated the design of these ships would probably wet themselves. Damage from a naval engagement is one thing, but this is an engineer’s personal Hades.”

“Nothing will ever get these stains out.”

Passing through one of the crew areas of the ship that the Maws of Morkai company had rampaged through, Luna and her company encountered some particularly curious banter from a duo of Parliamentary bureaucrats that had come aboard to estimate the numbers of Concordat personnel that were lost for post-battle debriefing of higher officials in the GSC.

“This table has a distinctly humanoid dent in it … what the fuck? Uh, pardon my Prench.”

“I think I see what the table’s dance partner was … that pulpy violet Sangheili mess over there.”

“No one is touching that table, that’s my fuckin’ trophy!” Came a shout from the second tier of the open area, before a rather irate looking Fang stormed into view and hopped the railing to get to the lower story.

Past that common area which was currently under heavy cleanup, the group was met with the occasionally outlandish words and utterances of IMI and ONI personnel. The lab coat, trenchcoat, and business suit-clad figures milled and bustled about a large room that housed a number of the ship’s information processing servers. This included a vacant niche that was designed to house a currently absent simple navigation AI.

“That empty Covenant AI matrix offends the very field of computing.”

“Continue the mining. Section One and the Bureau of Acquisitions frowns upon the unnecessary expenditure of time. Unless of course, it is their idea.”

“Twenty-eight, seven, thirty-five, sixteen, four, nine, three, six …”

“What’s so spooky about us, anyways? Oh wait … yeah.”

“Can’t wait to get back to the portals lab to conduct another expedition into The Parallels!”

“Gods blast these pinch fusion reactors of theirs! If only we could but replicate such power production efficiency in the lab without the necessity of bright … I will see our conventional technology outpace that of the Covenant”

The lattermost declaration caught Luna’s attention, much to her own surprise, as the feeling of spontaneous epiphany overcame her. She stopped in her tracks and her eyes took on a knowing gaze. Information was flowing from her subconscious to her waking mind that was both alien and familiar at the same time.

“Thine error is not necessarily in the immediate design of thy power cores or those of the Covenant engineers. It lies within the fundamental design principles from which thou derives power. Thou hath yet to transcend beyond the constraints of the mundane laws of thermodynamics and bright matter exchange principles.”

“Your Highness? Are you suggesting that–” the completely baffled unicorn scientist was interrupted as the Alicorn shook her head as if awaking from a stupor.

Luna began leading her party, a mixture of surprise and bafflement that almost rivaled the IMI scientists’, back towards the control center once more, “Power can be harnessed from the phenomena outside of thy observable universe, aye,” Luna said in a hurried tone before vanishing around the corner of a mangled door that one of Bjorn’s companions had left.

“Trixie hopes for an explanation to that event soon … her curiosity has been piqued, Princess!” Trixie stated with a suspicious half-frown, half-smirk.

The Praetorian’s body language conveyed that she had scarcely little else to say about the matter further at present.

“Luna, how did you … I don’t recall sharing any modern scientific understanding via our neural link. The Codex, perhaps?” Cortana speculated.

“Impossible,” Luna replied, increasing her pace to a light jog as she finally remembered the datapad that Wattinree had been carrying. “I have not yet had the necessary time duration to study the Codex for such specific topics. I simply cannot logically explain this.”

“We should investigate this when we have the time, if you’re willing. For right now, I am of the theory that the Codex could be subconsciously conveying information to you. Did Celestia specify that it was capable of this? I have not known any other enchanted object to possess such unique characteristics.”

“She did not.”

“Well … besides the fact that I detected some very exotic and powerful activity in an Alicorn’s nervous system that was already exotic to me by nature, I’ve got nothing.”

Luna mentally chuckled, causing the image of Cortana in the princess’ mind to fold her arms. “Our world is brimming with mystery, why should this era be any different? Now, that data-bearing device the Imperial Admiral possessed! I am annoyed at Obligation for her distraction as copiously as I praise her for her warm demeanor and diplomacy; how did I fail to remember to retrieve it immediately?”

“Perhaps it was the shock of meeting a peaceful leader from an otherwise evil empire that kills or enslaves and converts everything in its path?”

“Why didst thou or the others fail to remind me to retrieve it, in all your programmed AI efficiency?!”

“Touche,” Cortana relented. “My excuse of the day I suspect is my own grievances and feuding with the spooks we just interacted with so merrily a minute ago. As for the others … refer to my previous statement, perhaps?”

“Leman Russ!” Luna said as she opened another channel once again in the neural linking system on her armour.

“Been awhile since I have been called by my full name. What do you need, sister?” Russ’ voice came back over the channel.

“The Elite thou bested possessed that data device, thou recollects? Couldst thou kindly retrieve it for our personal perusal? Our group is on its way back to the control center with Spartan Blue Team in our company.”

“I was surprised when you left it the first time. It will be waiting for you when you return.”

All the urgency in Luna’s strides died away with knowledge that such potentially critical data was in undeniably capable hands. Meanwhile, her heavy armoured footfalls slowed to a more mellow and measured pace. They echoed in tandem with Chief’s and Blue Team’s own as well as Trixie’s lighter steps as their combined sound resonated through the battle-torn corridors and rooms and Luna gave a small smile. “Thou hath my thanks.”

“The Covenant mentioned something called the Primal Halo as the locus of their search. Any insight into what the blazes that may be?” Kelly inquired.

“The datapad, therein should lay the answer that is our mutual objective, and much, much more. Wattinree told Us so himself just before his death,” Luna answered.

“Present question Trixie has is this: when shall we be accessing this?” Trixie asked.

“This intel reeks of being priority one,” Master Chief remarked. “Halsey would be our best bet in accessing that data on short notice with Cortana’s assistance.”

“I second the Chief,” Jorge interjected with his baritone but soothing voice. “We obviously don’t want these particular spooks sniffing around us, and with the battle only just finished, I imagine most of the other more ‘reputable branches’ of our intelligence agencies are too occupied.”

“‘Tis most logical, as Fenris and Doctor Halsey’s waiting party is our next destination, after all,” Luna informed Blue Team. “We must delve into our new alllies’ home for a time ere we resume gallivanting Equis and beyond.”

“Speaking of new allies,” Fred gestured in front of them as they passed through the main entrance to the ship’s bridge once again, “He really is bigger up close …”

“We hath returned!” Luna announced.

“Praetor Russ, these are Spartans Kelly, Frank, Jorge, and Linda of Blue Team,” Master Chief introduced.

“Ahh, well then I welcome you to The Sixth’s newest battleship, Blue Team,” Russ spoke as he strode over to the group.

“Newest battleship?” Jorge chuckled in surprise.

“We have staked claim to our prize, though it isn’t suitable yet. It needs to be overhauled but I am sure that Tolfdir and his Iron Shamans will be eager to get to work,” the large capricorn replied in a musing tone.

“We have faith in your ability to interior decorate,” Kelly remarked dryly, though a smile was heavily implied and at last revealed as the rest of the Spartans joined the Chief in removing their helmets.

“The data device?” Luna inquired eagerly.

Russ nodded and tossed Wattinree’s datapad across the distance still between them. The Alicorn caught it deftly with both hands and immediately went to work studying it. While ergonomically designed for its species of origin, it was still mostly accommodating to Luna’s usage.

Luna inspected the device further as she affixed it to her armour’s left bracer. Like all other datapads and Capricorn dataslates she had seen thus far, the screen interface was holographic but with a curvaceous and predominantly violet ascetic.

“What secrets doth thou enshroud in thy digital depths …” Luna mused out loud. “A shroud that shall lift very soon. We should depart immediately, my friends, but who shall be helming this vessel?”

As Luna issued her query, she powered the device off for now with Cortana’s assistance.

“Now is better than never to shake off the rust,” Leman spoke as he strode up and onto the command platform and past some of the carefully arranged deceased.

Interfacing with the sprawling display after a few seconds of technical examination and experimentation, Russ took pilot of the massive ship, setting it on a course for Fenris. Upon their exit, the carnage of the battle became clear.

Dozens of destroyed and critically damaged Covenant and Solarian Concordat warships were burning in plasma infernos or glowed melted hot from weapons impacts. Some vessels had been so heavily damaged as to have their wreckage become entangled with those of others. Meanwhile, scores more of lightly damaged or otherwise undamaged Concordat warships and support vessels milled about in their after-action and damage control procedures.

Amidst the newborn debris fields, residue left in the wake of the Roaman surface-to-space rainbomb deployment shimmered like auroras across all colours of the visible spectrum in Solaris’ light.

Passing through the what was the immediate radius of the battle zone that had been above Equis, the now Fang-controlled Sublime Transcendence left the orbit of Equis and within minutes brought the much colder world down system into view.

Reunion of the Wolves
Fenris, Aurora, Above City of Valdrmani - Capital of the Capricorn Houses

“You have it in your possession, correct?” the irritated voice of Admiral Fairweather grumbled via radio through the command screen itself as the Sublime Transcendence completed its descent to a high hover over the capricorn capital below.

“Yes, we are aboard and still in the company of Princess Luna. I am at the helm,” came the reply of Praetor Russ.

Russ himself was still at the command interface as his eyes busily went from readout to readout, repeatedly dodging and declining Cortana’s offers to assist. The technology of his armour combined with his knowledge and the – in his view – simplicity of Covenant technology had allowed him to attain mastery of its use.

He was joined on the now cleared command platform by the Master Chief, Luna, Trixie, and the Wolf Guard while the others mingled or set about with other self-assigned tasks. The Wolf Guard itself was spread around the sprawling platform in a two hundred and seventy degree angle, keeping much of the chamber under their surveying gazes.

“Despite the Empress informing them thusly, I still have a sizeable and irritating number of Concordat politicians engaging the Imperial Lord General and myself in babble across the horns about a supposedly runaway hostile vessel.”

“Let them babble, if they have issue with me then I dare them to speak their nonsense to my face,” Russ spoke with a hint of laughter.

“One already has to Svelte along with one of their colleagues, and it ended with both a zebra and a human delegate of parliament being knocked on their asses,” Fairweather said.

Russ gave a snort of approval while Jorge cradled his large helmet at his hip and said, “You are the opposite of a statestallion, sir?

“Counterpart, ues. I am a tolerant stallion to most souls, but I have my limits. Were the ENV Divinity my ship and I were her proud captain, it’d be a sentence to scrubbing the waste reclamation filters for those wagging privileged tongues. Our militaries have no time for bureaucratic interference that is not Celestia’s.”

“You’d have fit in well with the Sixth, Fairweather. If you had been but a might taller,” Russ chimed in.

“I’m flattered, but my bag of bones was always made for leading starships and airships, not ground forces.”

Fairweather and Russ’ combined statements both elicited some chuckles and murmurs of approval from some of those present.

“Sir, Luna has decided that we’ll be on Fenris for some time before retrieving Doctor Halsey,” the Master Chief stated as he looked to the datapad on his friend’s bracer.

“Russ has initiated a quest that will see the whole of the capricorn species united under his leadership,” Luna added as she followed the Chief’s gaze to the alien datapad. “We see this as a noteworthy event that demands Our close, personal observation.”

Luna began studying its appearance again curiously as Fairweather’s response came through once more.

“Excellent, with the leadership of the Fangs, the capricorns’ military structure will be finally unified and able to stand equally with that of other military powers’ in the Solarian Concordat. I am sure your sister will be interested in what you will have to tell about the event. It’s no secret that the High Kings of Fenris were of little effect in securing a proper unified military before.”

Deep growls of laughter emitted amongst the room at the statement, the Fang’s laughing as though there was a joke in there.

“Trixie wonders, is there a time window for our retrieval of Halsey, Twilight Sparkle, and Ellen Anders from the expedition site?” Trixie inquired.

The Lord Admiral made a coughing sound over the channel as if to buy himself time to mentally rehearse his answer. “Do please return Doctor Halsey as soon as you can. The sooner she is back on her home turf, the sooner the wonderful Admiral Parangosky here cools over and the IMI gets off the Ministry of Tech’s back.”

“While Anders and Sparkle are their own authorities, we have need for Doctor Halsey back on Earth,” Parangosky retorted plainly. “I’m certain they all must be tired of the snow by now.”

“That entire expedition left Celestia’s assistants with a mountain of paperwork,” Fairweather continued, no less irritably. “In short, no time window but try not to dally. Oh, and Cortana? We are already following up on the Covenant assault and I have you to personally thank.”

“Aye, sir? What am I in trouble for now?” Cortana responded playfully.

Such a light quip managed to elicit an amusing snort from the pegasus Admiral and served to warm his tone a smidgen. “We’re outlining our plans to increase our counterattacks in Covenant space. With the intelligence you helped Concordat Allied Command scour off the supercarrier that is just now being transmitted back, High Charity is no longer the lurking bogeyman she once was. She’s just a well-armed marauder whose slipspace backwashes we can now track using the ship’s rudimentary navigation AI.”

Admiral Hood’s voice then joined those of the other two commanders on the comms channel. “If we can capture or otherwise neutralize the continued operation of High Charity, then the Covenant will have no choice but to pull back to Sanghelios and cease all offensive operations.”

“Meaning a turning point in this war may enter our combined reach, thus shattering the enduring stalemate,” Luna offered as she rested her left hand on the pommel of her sword.

“Correct,” Parangosky said. “The Fangs of Fenris have our deepest appreciation for their critical involvement in the shaping of our new state of affairs.”

“Just a part of our continuing service,” Russ stated briefly.

“Joint cooperation is at the crux of the principles our modern alliance was founded on,” Admiral Hood declared. “I personally look forward to Empire and the UNSC’s serving alongside the Fangs of Fenris in particular to turn the tide.”

“Thank thee, Admirals all. We must depart from the supercarrier within the moment,” Luna said.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Transmission ending,” Fairweather concluded as he closed the channel.

Luna pointed at something prominent on the command display. Russ’s input seconds before had caused a portion of the command display to split to an exterior hull view provided by tactical scanning hardware.

“Well now … behold! Valdrmani capital, one of the few places on Fenris that capricorn civilization has a permanent tangible hold upon its ground, at least according to Our sister’s Codex,” she remarked.

Luna had the thick tome out of her satchel and was carefully leafing through its many mercurial pages in between glances at the display screen. Russ, Chief, and Trixie looked at the exterior view as well, and took in the glimpse of a large and impressive city stretched across the sweeping terrain and straddling churning waters below.

On the shores of the Sea of Trolls, a large body of water that bordered Aurora to the west, sat Valdrmani. To its east lay a clashing sea of green tinged with red – lush conifer forests pockmarked every few kilometers by active volcanic vents that almost gave the impression of permanently burning wildfires from the Transcendence’s viewing angle.

“In the shadow of the Aett as well,” Luna added after several seconds of taking the sight in. “Let us be off to the surface and to the capital.”

Accurate to her word, past Valdrmani and further inland was the towering central spire of the Fangs of Fenris’ headquarters beyond the sprawl of trees and hills. Its newly risen mass added seemingly indelibly to the skyline of the region in the late morning light.

“A sight that is loved by all of the Sixth. Now, I’ve set the autopilot for the ship to hover just outside our hangar. Once we’re off the ship, you have free run of the Aett, under Bjorn’s supervision. I have many things that need to be done, including naming our newest ship,” Russ stated.

The group made their way out of the control room without delay and headed for the nearest hangar. During Lord Admiral Fairweather and Admiral Paragosky’s appearances on the local comms, the remainder of the Concordat officials had finished their work and were in the middle of issuing reports and mustering back out to their previous postings.

One of the GSC parliamentary groups graciously spared Luna’s party a spacious hippogriff dropship as a means of conveyance to the Aett from the ship in favour of a UNSC pelican given the smaller size of that delegation. Dropships and other space-capable aircraft were leaving the Transcendence for the Divinity, which had taken orbit high above the former.

Seen from the air this time in finer detail via the hangar openings of the supercarrier as it passed over the city in the direction of the Aett, Luna and her companions saw that Valdrmani consisted of several districts of ornate wood and stone structures. The buildings were frequently decorated with iron and steel motifs as well as carved reliefs.

Most decor often depicted the likenesses of longboats, armoured warriors, scenes of battle between tribes, and more. The streets were lit with both electricity and flame, and open-air markets and small green fields served as the crux of entire districts.

Some of the structures, such as temples, wealthy dwellings, and taverns were the tallest. But, none stood nearly as tall as the central structure of the city: a multi-tiered stave palace with sweeping roofs and elaborately carved wood ornamentation. It was in this palace that the High King or Queen and intended monarch of all capricorns dwelled while serving their office, and while it dominated the center of the city, it was unrivalled by other portions of the city in absolute prestige over all of the capital.

Valdrmani’s harbour was a sprawling and bustling affair, a place where the capricorns had tamed the violent swells, gales, and waves of the Sea of Trolls beyond.

On the inland side of the city, a spaceport held its ground on the northern outskirts against the wild forest that would threaten to engulf it in vines and ferns without monthly maintenance.

Finally, to the south inland, lay a number of sacred groves as well as gathering places and trading posts where capricorn tribal traders met those of the industrialized Houses as well as offworld merchants.

These southern outskirts were the final features of civilization seen before the vast wilderness was interrupted at last by the lake and immense presence of the Aett at its center.

During the short flight to the hangar, Praetor Russ received a transmission from the current reigning High King Tharyn informing him over his armour’s local neural link that his presence had triggered a dramatic shift in the planet’s internal governance.

Tharyn spoke in a manner that Russ found strange, especially for capricorns as he knew them. He had encountered it only a few other times in his history. “O’ Great Wolf Russ, We welcome you.” the voice was clearly very young, yet it seemed to carry a hint of wisdom well beyond what the speaker should logically possess with their implied youth.

“The exalted Wolf Priests spoke long ago, and their words now bear fruit,” Tharyn proclaimed. “It was foretold that Our reign over all capricorns would pass to you should you be able swiftly unite Our subjects, and We shall serve as your humble aide. Is this in accordance with the truth as We so believe, O’ Great Wolf?“

“That is acceptable, Tharyn. It is time for the Capricorns to return to what they once were,” Russ replied. “Wolftime is encroaching upon us all and all must be ready.”

“Then you shall be our vanguard towards preparation for the Battle of Battles. The Thanes of Our Houses await you in Valdrmani, and you know where your kin already wait. Make them march with you, and the throne is yours.”

Just prior to the High King finishing his transmission, the Sublime Transcendence came to its preset stopping point several hundred meters from the fortress’ main hangar and its most prominent inhabitants finally took their leave of the vessel.

The Imperial hippogriff and a trio of Fangs transports touched down in the hangar and the sizeable party disembarked, Russ and Bjorn taking the lead with a rapid flourish and a series of raucous steps.

Luna and her companions, still curious of their newfound allies, made to follow at the capricorn’s lead, but stopped as Russ turned around and gestured for them to not follow.

“This is a meeting of the Sixth and the Sixth only, Luna. You have free reign of the Aett but this is one place you cannot go right now; I am sorry,” Russ stated, his features near unreadable once more.

“Very well, since thou art our hosts, we shall remain in the lower levels for now to study, mingle, et cetera. I have the pages of my codex to investigate as well. I think I shall keep this armour in my possession for the foreseeable future, but I must visit the armoury to unequip it before returning to quadrupedal form. You have my thanks for the boon of this armour and Fang weaponry provided unto me to further aid me in battle beyond my magic alone.”

With mutual nods of respect, both parties then separated. A quick ascent and a few corridors later; Russ, Bjorn, and the Wolf Guard found themselves once again in the topmost chamber dominated by the faded winged star sigil always adorning the wide floor.

For several moments, all was quiet as figures of both the present and the past sized one another up with mutual curiosity. Russ in particular surveyed his surroundings in depth.

Tables once occupied by various Capricorn leaders that had presided over the moot coinciding with Russ’ reawakening were now surrounded by twelve standing and waiting figures in Fangs power armour. They were accompanied by familiar figures, Wolf Priests Sigmara and a colleague called Ranek. Rounding the awaiting group out was the Iron Shaman Tolfdir, accompanied by a Rune Priest known as Farkas.

First of the present Wolf Lords of the Fangs of Fenris was Ylyssa Ice-Wraith of Twa, the Blizzard Eaters. Ylyssa was a lithe capricorn mare with fur the colour of snow only visible above the neckline of her armour. Her mane was a golden blonde, and despite the aura of frost that her personal axe seemed to give off, her hazel eyes regarded the newcomers with a sharply contrasting warmth. She was also the first to part her lips to speak.

Ylyssa managed to project some degree of an air of formality even as she winked and said, “Well met, Leman Russ, I am Ylyssa Ice-Wraith! Your being here is almost enough to thaw my frigid personal aura … almost.”

Russ met the wink with a small smile in the corner of his muzzle, but remained silent, delegating all greetings to the modern Wolf Lords until he could then address them all as one party.
The next lord that Russ in particular registered was another Capricorn mare, one already familiar to him.

Rurika Elder-blade of Tra Company – The Golden Wolves. She and Russ greeted one another with nods of mutual recognition, with nothing more elaborate being necessary.

Next in arrangement was the leader of For Company, the Souls of Saemundur: Melkir Aethersoul. He was a towering hulk of a stallion with bronze fur and wiry raven black hair. Blue eyes met those of the Praetor and his Wolf Guard with a dreamy, almost trance-like quality that stood out from most of his battle siblings and constantly elicited analytical glances thanks to the fact.

“Melkir Aethersoul welcomes you home once more, Great Wolf Russ and our elder siblings,” Melkir intoned.

Rurika snapped a finger in front of his muzzle, grinning. “Melkir, awake!”

The mare’s effort was awarded with a serene smile, and Melkir’s words and voice clashed garishly with his expression and overall demeanor. “I am not sleepwalking before the presence of our Jarl, you jesting ass.”

Melkir’s near monotone and Rurika’s jokery was followed by the distinct report of fingers being thrummed against the slender skull of a dragon. Russ’ eyes were drawn to the wild green eyes of the leader of Fyf Company, Freya Wyrmsbane. With a beaming grin, the mare spoke out enthusiastically, “A fine day to you! I am Freya Wyrmsbane, and we should go hunting, soon.”

Leader of the Serpent Riders, Freya was arguably the most physically-hardened of the Wolf Lords at a glance. This was by virtue of her high amount of scarification across the visible portions of her auburn coat and limbs, somehow visually complementing and rounding off her armament of choice – retractable wolves’ claws. Scarring on her face and muzzle became the most evident as Russ and the others witnessed the lindworm skull Freya had been thrumming being placed over her head exactly like a helmet would.

As soon as the skull had covered most of Freya’s bangs of light brown hair, the sound of a fist pounding against its owner's chest piece announced the presence of the shortest and stoutest Capricorn in the room: a mare called Olga Hammer-Fist. Olga stood as the leader of Sesc Company, the Wolves of Stone. The sound from her fist pounding resonated around the otherwise quiescent space of the Volda Hamarki’s interior.

“Well met! I am Olga, Olga Hammer-Fist.”

First amongst the things Russ noted specifically about Olga was her weapon. A gravity warhammer distinct from the type of weapon manufactured by Jiralhanae, one several centimeters longer than she was tall, was fastened to the magnetic holster on her back. In addition, complex networks of scarring that rivaled Freya’s own marred the mare’s hands and forearms, which also brimmed with robust musculature.

In spite of the rough looks on much of her form, including her power armour that bore similar signs of permanent cosmetic damage, Olga still stood out due to a combination of a radiant golden-blonde mane of intricate braiding and piercing blue eyes.

Sepp Company’s leader was beside Olga, continuing the near-symmetrical and ordered sequence the Wolf Lords had arranged themselves into to bid greeting to the Great Wolf.

Leader of the Mist Eaters, Runvald the Fog-runed possessed features of his own that also stood out from all else present. Etched all across his groomed-looking blonde coat were swirling, geometric runic patches where no fur existed at all, instead occupied by magic-produced lines in the skin of a subtle light blue that defined the stallion’s earned name. His mane was dark brown and unremarkable compared to the rest of his person, and his demeanor and air seemed to resemble that of the aristocracy of another species: snobbish and exalted.

Russ felt the urge to curl his lips into a frown by instinct, but repressed it and decided to hear the stallion speak before formulating the beginnings to an opinion.

Runvald’s haughty gaze towards his surroundings softened when it fell upon Russ just enough to be visible by the latter before he spoke. “And so the Great Wolf stands amongst us again. I, Runvald the Fog-runed, nearly want to grimace at the thought of the mess we shall be leaving behind after we are finished with what elements of the Covenant face us in battle for the rest of this war. Welcome!”

Olga proceeded to follow up on Runvald’s greeting by reaching up and lightly smacking the stallion in the back of his head.

“We talked about that posture and airs of yours, Fop-rune!” Olga hissed openly in front of the entire room. “Do the rest of us here need to discuss reducing you to a fucking little Blood Claw so you can relearn what it means to be a proper Fang?”

“A Blood Claw? Bah! Send him back to be trained with the pups of his birth tribe!” Rurika jeered.

“A most welcome course of action, perhaps,” Melkir interjected flatly.

“And lose one of the Fangs’ most accomplished rune mages from a position of high power? I think not, puny dwarf-mare,” Runvald growled back to Olga. The two capricorns glared at each other sharply before their facades dropped suddenly and massive grins appeared on their muzzles, each accompanying a cascade of hearty laughter that spread to Rurika and a few of the other Wolf Lords.

The laughter quickly faded out to be replaced by the more formal default atmosphere once more.

While it faded, Russ found to his slight and private annoyance that his opinion was mixed on this particular Wolf Lord, so he nodded respectfully to Runvald as he did with the others with no hint of emotion in his look, even in regards to the recent exchange a moment ago.

Runvald carried himself almost unbearably like a nobleman, yet still seemed to possess hints of a capable warrior and a Capricorn as Russ knew them beneath that outer layer of vanity. The Praetor’s musing about the modern members of his species only continued in the back of his mind, but with that noted, Russ shifted focus to the mare beside the quasi-aristocrat.

For-twa Company’s leader, Svenja Nightcloak, regarded the Praetor with a beaming smile. What Russ registered first however was not the warm expression, but rather Svenja’s fur. It was a raven black, almost to a point that it was akin to staring into a void. The void of fur somewhat clashed with the predominate grays of the mare’s power armour as well as the pure white of her mane. Despite this, her green eyes managed to keep the colours in a form of personal harmony.

“It’s an honour to see you in person, Russ! I am called Svenja Nightcloak,” Svenja greeted. “I look forward to our victories ahead.”

Following in Svenja’s sunny warm wake, Hel Morkai gazed upon the Russ and the others with a small smile of welcome before said smile dissolved into a frown of disapproval at the wooden table before her. Beside Svenja, Hel’s coat and hair was such the exact mirror opposite in colour scheme that Bjorn stifled a mechanical chuckle as his eyes analyzed the contrast.

The leader of Tra-tra Company, the Maws of Morkai, bid her greeting after willing the inferior table to burst into flames by the sheer power of her mind, and failing. “Hel Morkai, of the Maws of Morkai. It is an honour.”

“Morkai?! Little bitch stole my name!” Krom shouted, causing Hel to rise and slam her fists into the table.

“Your name?! The company has always been Morkai, because only the fiercest can lead it! I don’t see how a senile old goat could even swing that pathetic axe!”

“Don’t you fucking dare insult the Axe of Morkai, you insolent runt! You couldn’t even begin to imagine the power of it!” Krom replied, saliva flying from his mouth as he yelled.

“Axe of Morkai? Listen Grandpa, this is the true Axe of Morkai,” Hel replied with a sneer before unsheathing her axe.

“You stole my Axe’s name as well!? I’ll fucking end you!” Krom said as he went to pull out his axe, only to be stopped by a bolter round going off. All the Capricorns in the room looked to Russ who was slowly holstering his bolter.

“Krom, shut up. Hel, stop antagonizing your Great, Great, Great, Grandfather,” Russ said in a weary tone. Hel’s and Krom’s faces paled at the sudden revelation. “If you need to fight, do it after. Now, who else haven’t I met?”

Standing in the now combined shadows of the Juggernauts Morkai, the next Wolf Lord still garnered Russ’ equal appraisal and focus as each did before her.

Even in her power armour, Russ could tell she appeared to be exceedingly frail-looking and slender for a capricorn much in the same way that her colleague Hel did, but deceivingly so. The blue-eyed mare with a blonde coat and snow white main was brimming with an inner strength that all Fangs possessed, and likewise with deadly reflexes.

“I am Lilit Lonely-Song, Company Dekk, The Wolf Skalds. It is a pleasure, Leman Russ,” the Wolf Lord greeted with a modest and graceful smile.

Russ inwardly hummed with pleasant recollection upon analyzing something distinct about Lilit’s speech pattern. It was delicate and flowed like honey; she had the voice of a skald, a capricorn bard. The likely origin point of her company’s name was now a dead giveaway. Without a doubt, her voice was also likely able to bellow like the best of them all the same.

Following Lilit was Ysmir Oakenheart of Elva Company, the Timbered Wolves. To Russ, almost everything about this stallion shouted the word ‘tree’, but other than that little seemed visually remarkable about the Capricorn of average build.

Ysmir’s coat was dyed in a series of browns and light browns made to resemble the patterned texture of tree bark, and his eyes were as green as chlorophyll under a canopy of bronze mane.

“Ysmir Oakenheart of the Timbered Wolves greets you!” Russ determined Ysmir’s gaze to be an honest and strong one.

Beside him in turn, the twelfth and final Wolf Lord was also sharply different in contrast to the one that preceded them, possibly the most extreme example of this in the entire moot chamber.

Leader of the lesser seen Tolv Company, The Dreadwolves, Ulrik Dreadwolf was a dark-grey stallion and the tallest of the Wolf Lords. His bristling and vaguely lupine frame was like a smaller glimmer of Bjorn’s hulking mass, a fact that Russ paid particularly close attention to in addition to the lord’s faintly minute chanting every seven seconds. Sheathed Wolf Claws and the wild amber eyes beneath the stallion’s black mane only added to Russ’ heightened analysis.

Like the Praetor himself, the Wolf Lord’s face appeared neutral as he gave a reverent incline of his head and said simply with a rapid and blunt voice, “Honoured, Russ,” before resuming his routine chants.

Such a short greeting compared to his colleagues lead to Ulrik receiving a particularly close examination from Russ before receiving a respectful nod in greeting as well. Russ understood the implications alone of Ulrik position, so nothing more needed to be said. Russ followed up by turning to once more face the Wolf Lords as one group.

“The Wolf Lords of the modern age, each and every one,” Sigmara stated to Leman Russ, gesturing to them all.

“And so the Wolf Lords of ancient times stand before us as well,” Melkir added with an extra note of serenity.

Melkir’s statement ushered in a moment of close analysis between counterparts of both eras. While most of the Wolf Lords and former Lords wore curious and analytical expressions, Runvald however had his muzzle scrunched as a thought entered his mind.

“The ancient Fangs, Sixth Legion. Why have we gathered here … are we going to have to be living information terminals now for assisting in their catching up with us from their old geezer ways? While it is an honour to make your acquaintances, I think I shall personally refer you to the nearest Waypoint connection for that purpose.”

That statement alone earned a few snarls from some of the Ancient Wolf Lords while being dismissed by the rest completely, as though it never happened.

“Rein in your respect before I rein you in instead, Runvald!” Rurika growled. “Lord Russ would not gather us, especially such a grouping as this, for little or no purpose.”

“Listen to the young mare, Mage,” Dagmar Daybreaker spoke with some malice. “She knows how to act around The Great Wolf. If I were you, I’d keep that pretty little mouth quiet until spoken too.”

“You will have to forgive Fop-Rune,” Olga interjected, “Spending too much time up system on Equis has rotted his brain over the years.”

“All voices deserved to be heard if what they speak is honourable or practical, Runvald is simply too loose with his tongue is all,” Lilit retorted. “Do not take what he says to heart, he does not mean everything of which he speaks.”

“The cub should learn to keep his mouth shut then,” Ran Deadmoon sneered to which a few of Russ’ Wolf Guard nodded along.

Appearing beneath his armour for all the world like a Capricorn-shaped tree trunk due to the dye patterns on his fur, Ysmir Oakenheart snorted. “The shutting of Runvald’s mouth once and for all has been a fruitless objective of the Fangs for decades. Mouths open much more freely than they did in the empire you came from, perhaps you should try to get used to it, old mare!”

“Disrespectful and free lipped, and yet we still allow them to run our companies?” Ylva the Devourer replied with a relatively bored tone. “It’s a miracle they managed to kill a single Elite.”

“One petty Covenant soldier? Bah!” Freya Wyrmsbane spat with outrage as she removed the dragon skull from her head. “I’ve earned my scars from these beasts, and each one is worth a dozen of the hinge-jawed race. Tell us that you have faced greater prey than the beasts of Fenris and the non-sapient dragons of this star system!”

For a second, Rurika looked through the corner of her eye to see Havrom smile at that statement but he spoke no words, instead Krom’s voice joined the bickering. “Your beasts are hardly even remnants of what we had to face daily!”

“This is most tiresome, it is obvious you ancient ones outclass my siblings and myself,” Melkir intoned.

“Quiet, you!” Freya shot back, causing Ylyssa Ice-Wraith to rub at her forehead irritably.

“Merrily, I take no interest in this somehow amusing display of theatrics,” Melkir intoned once more, turning to Havrom with as much of a questioning glance as his facial features were capable of. “Your smile clearly indicates that you do find amusement in this, why is that?”

“I’m just remembering the first World Eater Dragon I slayed … it was an amusing coming of age celebration to say the least. I wish every celebration could be that fun,” Havrom spoke, not even really answering Melkir’s question. He didn’t even continue speaking, instead just smiling and looking ahead.

“No doubt such a slaying was with much noise,” Svenja Nighcloak replied with a smirk. “A noisy kill is obviously a sure sign of complete and utter finesse.”

The mare’s sarcasm merited not even a hint of a response from Havrom, much to the former’s irritation.

“No point in trying to make fun of Havrom. Big lug has the best selective hearing in the known universe,” Erik retorted to Svenja.

Observing Svenja’s vexation now turning to visible fuming, Rurika let out a sigh. “This is not what we gathered here for, brothers and sisters!”

Not a single word was overheard as the bickering and arguing grew louder until it was nearly impossible for anyone to get a clear concise word in. Weapons were being reached for as it looked like it would come to blows and blood, which the few not participating refused to see.

Sigmara glanced to Ranek beside her, the chiseled black and grey mix furred capricorn glancing back at her. A single head nod was enough for him to step forward. He channeled a small bit of magic through his vocal chords, enhancing their general strength. Following a quick intake of air he brought the entire hall to a stop.

“Learn your places before The Great Wolf!” Ranek shouted, his voice booming in the chamber louder than any of the bickering voices had reached prior. The infighting stopped almost immediately, the entirety of the group, even the ones not fighting looked at Ranek for a moment. His right hand raised and pointed a gauntleted finger at Russ who had take up residence in an exquisitely made marble throne. Despite the Great Wolf’s smile, all in the hall knew that they were being judged.

Every Wolf Lord, new and old took a swift knee, right arm over their hearts before tilting their heads to the side, showing the side of their neck. As one they intoned, “I recognise my failing and will be sure to correct it.”

Russ sat forward in his throne, his hands clasped under his muzzle. “Stand, the bickering has gone on long enough. If we are to rise once more to the height of our power, and ensure the safety of those we guard, then we must work together, not tear at each other’s throats like two packs fighting over a kill. That is why I have brought you here.”

Russ rose from his seat, though kept standing in front of it. “Until now, the Fangs have done what I asked them to do. We have kept ourselves obscured and the history of the galaxy secluded away where we could. Now it is time to re-introduce ourselves as we once were. For such a long period of time I let you all be more akin to one of my brother’s legion. Now we will once more show our true blood.”

“Enough hiding; we will scour the galaxy and purge those who stand against the peace we must bring. Dark times lome ahead; it has been predicted by Rune Mage and Wolf Priest alike,” Russ said as he finally stepped down from the throne and moved to the center. With a quick flick of his wrist a holographic image of the galaxy in a spherical design popped up over the table. “Things are set in motion that will shape the fabric of our reality.”

For a moment the floor was quiet and not a single present Fang said a word, many wondering why Russ was being so elusive in what he was saying. Eventually Russ leaned his hands down on the table, taking a quick glance at the map before looking back around.

“We will begin Legion status recruitment. Our Chapter status is finally removed. Sigmara, send out every possible Wolf Priest and Rune Mage. Search the galaxy for every capricorn that is worthy of our kinship. It will take many years to once again reach our potential, and even more so if we used conventional means. Farkas; have the Archivists start up our training pods once more.”

Farkas nodded simply before exiting the room, leaving the new Wolf Lords curious as to the extent of the pods. They knew that they were put away long ago for their teaching methods were often too fast for capricorns to keep pace with; why Russ wanted them started up again was a mystery.

“We will bring destruction to the Covenant, swiftly and precisely. Each Company will be assigned a sector to monitor and attack, with one Company staying back on Fenris to monitor the situation and deploy reinforcements if necessary. Exact placement will come in the following days, as I assess how frakked the galaxy is. Do not worry, you’ll all get your fresh share of Covenant blood to spill,” Russ said with a small chuckle before tapping the map and expanding to the Solaris system.

“I have a feeling that Luna’s hunt for understanding and answers will take her deep into the center of the whole debacle we find ourselves in. Onn, Tra, and Tra-Tra will be accompanying her primarily until I direct otherwise. I will push for her to hunt the Covenant’s main fleet.”

“Why do The Maws get to join you?” Freya asked with cynicism in her voice.

“Because it gives Krom something to grumble about,” Solvi replied for Russ, almost as if she knew what he was going to say. This caused a much needed round of laughter, despite the groan from Krom.

“Moving on; Tolfdir we will require all Promethean Wolves up and ready for their deployments. Bjorn, Baldur Oathkeeper, and Sylja the Void Treader with accompany Onn. The rest of the deployments are up to you Tolfdir; though if you can somehow manage to wake Cormek Dod he is to be assigned to Onn. Finally, I’d like the Sublime Transcendence to be fully overhauled … and do find a better name for it.”

Tolfdir nodded sharply before leaving the room. Russ took a small breath before standing up. He looked around the room for a brief moment and then spoke. “I need to attend to Luna and some other things. I expect you all to have cleared your bitterness from your systems. If we cannot function properly as a pack then I will cut the dead weight. Find me if you require guidance. Till the Wolftime.”

“Till the Wolftime,” the Fangs all intoned before Russ and his Wolf Guard made their way out of the door. There was much to do and little time to do it.

The Wolf Crown
Valdrmani

After the conclusion of the gathering of the Fangs’ current and former Wolf Lords, a once again equine Luna and her own companions were lead by the former back by aerial transport to the sprawling capital they had passed over earlier in the day.

The former Covenant warship Sublime Transcendence hovered near the city’s skyline, looming like a massive hawk in the sky. Aircraft were already going to and from its hangar bays in preparation for the vessel’s upcoming rebirth under a new banner.

Emerging from the Fangs transport just as it touched down in the green courtyards of the capital’s royal palace, Luna got her first up close glimpse of the massive structure. While the majority of the city appeared ornately decorated in its exterior architecture, up close the stave palace clearly put all else to shame.

All the palace save for its stone foundations was constructed of a wood so ancient and sturdy-looking that it would not have surprised Luna, Chief, or Trixie at all if it had proved to be completely indestructible. Their eyes collectively roamed the edifice with varying intensities of analysis and admiration.

Carvings of capricorn soldiers of the Houses and tribal warrior bands alike shared the space with scenes of wolves, the bracing of ship crews against the storms of the sea, the slaying of great beasts and more all stood high on the palace walls below the crowded courtyards. The practice fields and stone pathways were bustling with thanes of the House of Winter and the House of Stars, as well as chieftains from what Luna assumed must have been dozens of different and diverse tribes.

Crowds made way all but instantaneously as they saw fully who had emerged from the latest aircraft to arrive on the sprawling royal grounds.

“Great Wolf!” Dozens of voices chanted in unison as over a hundred capricorns fell on bended knee before the newly arrived party.

Russ and his now many companions remained standing as a loud drumbeat sounded from the opposite end of the courtyards, bringing the chanting to a quick but smooth quieting as another figure emerged from the main entrance of the stave palace.

“O’ Great Wolf Leman Russ, the soon to be Underking of all Capricorns greets you with warm tidings and a happy heart!” Tharyn declared with his muzzle pulled into a fanged smile.

A capricorn stallion of surprisingly tall stature for a non-Fang capricorn as Russ determined from his height in full armour, Tharyn would have barely been considered a sovereign of any kind at a distant glance due to the simplicity of the vestments he wore around his dull silver power armour. What primarily denoted him as the ruler of an entire planet was the circlet he wore behind the curvature of his two horns.

It was of a silver far more polished and elegant than the simply-wrought mithril gilding on his armour. Worked into the front banding was a depiction of a wolf, fanged jaws agape, meeting the charge head-long of a fierce ram.

“We, as one of the final acts as High King of Fenris, do welcome you into Our royal abode,” Tharyn continued as Russ and Luna’s companions strode forward. “You may take rise now, Our subjects, Russ knows the extent of your devotion as do We. Ah, and the Great Wolf himself, in the presence of other living legends no less! Great Russ, please consider this the proper final addition to Our greeting earlier this day, and Princess Luna newly arrived do please consider this the proper beginning.”

Russ gestured to Luna to speak first. The alicorn nodded and neared closer to stand prominently before Tharyn in a practiced manner she could have replicated whilst sleeping, adjusting her posture to a neutral but naturally powerful position before the ruler of another people.

“We are pleased to make Your acquaintance and are most honoured by Thy welcome,” Luna began in her usual regal voice, “Our brief time on Thy people’s home planet thus far has been most enjoyable and fulfilling for Our exploits in this new age. Despite the limitations of what lore he can currently share, Leman Russ has shown us ancient things most impressive, and now We look forward to hearing what Thou has to share with us about Thy subjects of today!”

Tharyn’s blue eyes twinkled for a moment before he gave his response. “We would be most happy to have the privilege of telling you of Our subjects and their culture,” his response paused without warning as he began heaving with hearty laughter that rang throughout the grounds and into the city beyond.

“Although if you are like any of the ancients of Russ’ company,” Tharyn went on, “you may yet want to have some mjord handy for my tales of some of the least capricorn-like capricorns we have amongst us. We have had minor cultural incursions you see in underbellies of Fenris, from the galaxy at large … flip music for instance.”

“Pardon Trixie for her interjection, but by the merciful Gods, my ears are already bleeding at the mention of it,” Trixie interjected.

The Chief meanwhile simply shook his head in distaste at the mention of the genre, before removing his helmet to breathe in the cool and clear air.

“We, I shall question of this ‘flip music’ at a later date,” Luna finally said after a few seconds of silence with her brow raised in amused surprise at Tharyn’s sudden change in mannerism. “What I wonder about now at this very moment about your culture since it was mentioned, is the music many of your subjects enjoy!”

“Oh aye,” Tharyn chuckled, gesturing for Luna and Russ’s combined group to follow him, with the thanes and tribal leaders following after, “despite all the technological growth seen in this system and on this planet in the past few centuries, our music has evolved little, and its soul remains ever unchanged!”

“Judging by your expression, there is clearly an exception to this,” Luna replied with an expectant smile.

“Definitely. Human culture has swept through this system as much as the cultures of Solaris swept through theirs, granting us a powerful new addition to our musical heritage … something the humans call Viking Metal. Interested in an impromptu history ‘lecture’?”

Tharyn opened the doors to his palace himself, holding them ajar for his guests and soon to be superior to head inside before handing it off to the first thane and first chieftain that approached him.

“But of course!” Luna chimed with an even bigger smile as they strolled down the massive feasting hall that served doubly as Valdrmani’s throne room. “My interest is piqued, for it explores the culture of not just one but now two races to an extent. But first,” the alicorn gestured a hoof to Russ beside her, “we do of course have a coronation to undertake.”

Leman Russ gave a quiet affirmative hum at the statement, having been largely plain-faced and unreadable since arriving at the palace. The small number of chieftains and thanes already present in the throne room arose from their seats ceremoniously in near-synchronisation and bowed their heads in greeting at the approaching newcomers.

Past the neatly arranged long tables and down the royal rugs that adorned the polished stone floor stood a modest dias just over a meter tall that contained an ornately-carved wooden throne. The throne room’s decoration was sparse in stark comparison to the exterior.

Banners of both Capricorn houses hung side by side, tied to the rafters directly above the dias, and the tribal symbols of dozens of tribes adorned banners that hung on either side of the rectangular feasting hall. At regular intervals, small braziers burned. It was almost readily clear to Luna as everyone neared the dias that they were only present to augment the illumination provided by the massive windows of the palace, not for the generation of heat.

A pair of sculptures of two horned and thickly-furred wolves guarded the dias’ approach, and the tusks of some great ancient beast formed an arch above the throne, inscribed with what Luna guessed were flowing patterns representative of waves during squalls from a seafaring storm.

Standing on the dias itself beside the currently empty throne was a small group of patiently waiting Wolf Priests, lead by Ranek and Sigmara. Luna’s group and the Wolf Guard all joined the Wolf Priests on either side of the throne. Tharyn, meanwhile came to a stop just before his former throne before beaming at Russ.

“Members of my dynasty have long awaited this day, my forefathers and foremothers would envy this moment, the return of such an honoured figure during my reign. The capricorns outside and just those now entering, how respectfully they bowed! You are most worthy of this crown,” Tharyn stated.

The now Underking of Fenris removed his crown carefully with gauntleted hands, holding it out in a perfectly balanced position in the air between himself and the far more august capricorn.

“From what I can see, Tharyn, you’ve ruled Fenris as I would rule it. While this title is a simple formality, I accept the boons and burdens of leading our race once more,” Russ spoke slowly and precisely, enunciating each word with a surprising grace.

“Fenris’ might marches with you, and the Fangs that call her home,” Tharyn spoke, his voice brimming with pride.

Yet Russ did not put the crown on his head, instead returning it the head of Tharyn once more. “Your mark of status as Underking is the crown which had graced your family’s heads many years past. My sword and my armour shall be my symbol of rule. As long as I walk with them among the stars and our planet, I will ensure Fenris never falls.”

His face registering surprise for only a duo of seconds, Tharyn inclined his head in respect of Russ’ first decree as High King of Fenris with his muzzle beaming once more before he turned from the praetor and to the now mostly crowded throne room in front of them.

“Valdrmani! Fenris! Behold, your new High King, Leman Russ!”

“Hail, Great Wolf! Hail, High King Leman Russ!” the entirety of the throne room chorused. As some follow up cheering continued, a number of the thanes and chieftains had already proceeded with their festivities, raising flagons, drinking horns, and tankards in Russ’ name, all the while making quite a load of noise.

“I think they like you,” Tharyn remarked as he and Russ both watched the House and tribal leaders carry out their merrymaking.

The Underking’s little joke merited a small chuckle from Russ as he thought of the greater festivities to come back at the Aett very soon that would surely put even this feast to shame.

“Your Underkingness, you practically stole that line from Trixie’s lips,” Trixie blurted out, shocked by her second sudden and potential breach of some royal protocol unknown to her. “Trixie apologises, but she is convinced that only she can deliver such humour in this galaxy, for clearly she invented it.”

While Luna looked at Trixie with befuddlement and Russ proceeded to seat himself in the throne for the time being, the Chief also regarded the unicorn mare with a deadpan before inspecting his helmet. A few of the Wolf Guard even traded a few jokes amongst their own ranks and with each other, spurred on by Tharyn’s own light humour.

“Speaking of invention … Princess Luna! Fancy you now is the time for that quick exploration of our music?”

“The crown has been passed … allegorically put on … and passed once more. We have time I think most definitely! Is that so, Russ?”

Russ nodded before returning to his observation of his kinsmen.

“Do please continue,” Luna urged the Underking with enthusiasm.

Tharyn’s voice took on a slightly dramatic narrative tone, possibly involuntarily as Luna conjectured, as he began explaining Capricorn music. “When human records and cultural items first became accessible, we learned that human music had undergone many evolutions. Skalds and bards of both Houses as well as the tribes took a particular interest in a type that humans call Viking Metal, thusly named and created five centuries ago after a seemingly kindred warrior race on their homeworld Earth.”

Russ subtly flicked an ear in mild interest at Tharyn’s latter sentence. The Praetor made a private note to investigate the music of which his Underking was now describing.

“During their research, the bards found that such a noble genre had been supplanted like so many others by less than inspired ones that caused it to fade from much of their race’s attention and into dreaded obscurity,” Tharyn’s explanation continued. “We adopted the genre as our own, and have honoured the great human artists of the past by imbuing their ancient songs and ballads with new life! I personally consider our rendition of the long forgotten album ‘Jomsviking’ as one of our greatest restorations of such ancient musical artistry!”

“Fascinating!” Luna said with a thoughtful nod. “I shall explore this music at my earliest convenience, it may yet be a boon in the battles and exploits to come! Leman Russ, are you ready to return to the Aett? No doubt you clearly have important business there.”

“There is always something that requires me, Luna. Yet there is something of importance that we all need to be there for,” Russ replied with a small grin. “Let us return. Thayrn, you are obviously welcome to join.”

“And behold the interior of that massive and sacred citadel that is visible once again for the first time in generations! Call me a blind and deaf pup if I had refused … to the Aett we go, then!”

The Mjordtime
Aett, Great Mjord Hall
Thursday, 24th June 2551 CE Celestial Standard Calendar

Valdrmani’s leading figures and tribal chieftains alike beheld the Aett in a way almost exactly as Russ and even Luna had expected as the next standard Equestrian day dawned. The massive group of visitors scanned each and every inch of the ancient halls with widened eyes of awe and prideful grins at one of the penultimate examples of their race’s engineering capacity.

The further Russ lead Tharyn and their subjects and comrades into the Fangs’ home, the more the reverent sightseeing evolved into preparation for merrymaking and feasting on an epic scale.

“The engineering of another age, built to last!” Tharyn remarked as the acoustics of the towering antechamber to the great mjord hall carried his voice outwards and amplified it considerably. “Come Russ, shall we raise our tankards in a hearty toast to architects and artisans long since past?!”

With a simple nod and a smile, Russ had the doors to the halls opened, granting Tharyn’s party as well as Luna’s a glimpse at yet another architectural monolith passed the threshold of the wooden doors.

The Aett’s mead hall was easily larger than that of Valdrmani Palace’s by a factor of three, almost enough to fit the very structure itself within the hall. The high-hanging ceiling was raftered by stone beams, but also arched so as to form a flat-bottomed keystone spine at the apex of the hall’s roof that allowed for illustrations to be embellished on its surface.

Luna need only to look up for a moment to see a great amount of Fangs’ history as of yet obscure to her played out in murals on the high ceiling, scenes broken regularly by recurring motif of the winged star accompanied by the Fangs’ ubiquitous insignia.

Also of no surprise to Luna, the atmosphere inside was both warm and boisterous. The Aett carried and echoed back the sounds of the voices and bellowing laughter as if itself too were an attendee of the festivities.

Kegs and barrels of mjord and other drink the size of main battle tanks lined some of the walls in scores, the contents of which were already being distributed to revelers seated at table after floor-encompassing table by a mixture of Iron Shamans, Rune Mages, and Grey Hunters, also in the middle of revelry themselves before sentinels and less senior Fangs began to take their place.

Also present amongst the merrymakers were the presiding Wolf Lords, who waved the newcomers over to their collection of tables in the hall. Their specific group of tables was at the head of the massive gathering, sitting in a line under what could only be described as two of the largest sculpted metal wolves Luna and her crew had ever seen.

The two wolves looked to be snarling at all those in the hall from the way their muzzles were etched. The intricacy of every little detail was baffling to Luna, for it hardly seemed like something that the Fangs would take part in; yet she only realised that like many things she was learning for the first time, the Fangs had layers to them that had yet to be uncovered.

In the center of the wolves was a simple sculpted wall that was made to look like an ancient stone tablet. On the tablet was writing that despite Cortana’s extensive databases, even she couldn’t identify what was being stated. The sheer number of runes and letters was unlike anything that any had ever seen. For a moment, Luna and even Cortana wanted to inquire about the runes but the moment was lost when they had reached the foot of the steps that lead to Russ’ table.

An ornate throne that looked comprised of pure wolf bone or something shaped to look so, sat in the middle of the table which Russ strode to and pulled out. Luna and her group took the seats to his left side while Tharyn and the accompanying thanes took to his right, their eyes still wandering around and taking in the sights, though most were focused on the massive amount of Fangs standing in the room.

The moment all those accompanying Russ had found a seat, Russ grabbed a horn full of mjord and raised it high. Instantly all Fangs in the massive hall stood from their seats and turned to face Russ in rapt attention, the entirety of the festivities completely ceasing. A few seconds of complete silence carried before his voice boomed across the hall.

“My brothers and sisters. Tonight is the first of many nights that we will drink and celebrate the deeds we have accomplished! Yet in this night of drinking and cheering, do not forget to pour mjord for those who fell to give us another day to celebrate! I have little words for you all, for you have done well, my pack! So drink up and eat your fill, because once the sun breaches the halls of The Aett tomorrow, the Great Scouring of the Covenant begins!”

A massive howl was let loose by Russ that was alone for a single second before the entirety of the hall joined in, minus Luna’s group. Even Tharyn and the Thanes felt the primal urge to join in something they didn’t fully understand. The reverberation of the walls was almost deafening to those who were not prepared.

When the howl faded to nothing, Russ slammed back his drink and smashed his fist and horn down the table, the horn shattering completely as though it was made of the thinnest glass.

Immediately the room erupted to chatter, slamming of mugs and horns, cheers of merriment, shouts of threats, and the general sound of thousands of warriors stuffing their gullets with enough food to drown a weaker being.

Sentinels and Fangs alike moved about the hall, grabbing food and alcohol and moving it to wherever it was needed, though it seemed like the ones doing most of the walking were now younger in look.

Luna and her group ate relatively quietly for the first little bit, just taking in the sights and sounds of everything that was happening. Quickly, the chaotic and vibrant celebration became something the Alicorn acclimated to, but soon and to Luna’s surprise, one of the Wolf Lords did something that managed to draw a good portion of the room’s attention to her.

Lilit Lonely-Song had climbed atop the table she was at. After pausing to guzzle from a drinking horn that Hel passed to her, Liliit cleared her throat before bellowing, “hear me, all of you drunken arses, for I am about to spin you the sacred song from the Fangs’ many sagas! Vlka Fenryka!”

Lilit’s declaration earned her a chorus of bellowing cheers and the raising of tankards and horns to her honour.

“Deliberately stumble upon a single word should you choose to join me, and may our Great Wolf himself cast you between the dueling space of the Morkais!” Lilit continued in a slightly lower volume, ear-splitting grin plastering her muzzle from end to end.

“Is that a challenge, Lilit?” Hel shouted out before a chorus of laughter followed, even Krom chuckling slightly.

The capricorn mare produced a drum and gave it an experimental thump, beginning to find her initial rhythm most suitable for what she was about to sing. Many of the less inebriated Fangs that had drums or a comparable surface handy such as their tankards joined in to form a type of impromptu orchestra.

“Vlka Fenryka? Another usage of the native name for your species?” Luna inquired.

Trixie had passed out in a deep snoring sleep beside the Princess during the issuing of her question, using her tankard and the Chief’s helmet as a combined ‘pillow.’ Luna laugh-snorted with a crinkled muzzle and lifted the sleeping unicorn’s head in her cobalt aura, replacing the hard metal surface of the tankard with a soft pelt that a grinning Rurika provided.

“Some kind of epic poem?” the Master Chief inquired on the other side of Luna, peering across the wide table at Russ with a brow raised curiously as the slow and deliberate thumping continued.

“It is a name; a name from a time long ago,” Russ spoke quietly. “From a time long ago and a place beyond what you could imagine. As long as my wolves live and fight, it will never be forgotten.”

Just as Russ was finishing speaking, Lilit began singing Vlka Fenryka in its native Juvjk. Her naturally silken voice became a hybrid of elements both melodious and warlike and her cerulean eyes burned with life with each line of the song. Every Fang in the room took up her voice in song, except for Russ whose eyes seemed to take on a glassed over look.

Almost immediately and to her shock, Luna felt a flurry of different languages she did not recognize or remember being able to understand process through her mind before Juvjk finally took the forefront. An almost complete comprehension of the capricorn language dawned on Luna just as Lillit was only beginning the ancient poem, but already she could feel that its presence was tenuous and fleeting.

Relentless hunters of the snow, we are
Wolves of Fenris!
The Alicorns’ fanged wrath
Armored stalkers of the stars,
Grey-cloaked death made real

Siblings of the Eternal pack, we are,
Wolves of Fenris!
Imperium’s sharpened axe,
Poised to strike till Wolftime come
When life and death unbind

Ashen!
Grey-mottled red!

Blood of traitors shall run like rivers in snow
All Liers felled by vengeful bite

Wolves of Fenris!

Siblings of Russ-king, forever we rise
Till Morkai maw shuts tight
When the Sun shines her final light
Nightmares fall before our might
The stars yield and make way at our howl

Insolent kings bleed and topple down,
Those who oppose the Gods’ truth will meet our fire
The four-horned wolves,
A galaxy’s terror

Ashen!
Grey-mottled red!

Blood of traitors shall run like rivers in snow
Liers felled by vengeful bite
Siblings of Russ-king, forever we rise
Till Morkai maw shuts tight

Wolves of Fenris!

Despite the ferocity and the merriment of the singing that the Fang’s carried throughout the hall, the moment the song was over, all heads were bowed in a brief moment of silence that confused Luna. Such a swift change of feeling in the room left her and her still awake companions speechless.

As if a switch had been flicked, the boisterous ways of the massive capricorns resumed, the shouting and celebrations had brought the hall out of its fleeting somber state. The change was so prominent that it managed to wake Trixie out of her drunken slumber, the mare mumbling rapidly in surprise.

The feasting was seemingly increasing despite such a thing being almost impossible. Yet somehow the Fangs had reached a new level of rowdiness, though somehow it was tame enough that no fights had broken out. As Luna gazed around the room she realised that the order was most likely due to the rather intimidating statures of Wolf Priests who weren’t partaking in the festivities.

Without warming Leman Russ stood beside her and let loose a quick howl, bringing the hall to a quick silence, the drunken stupors snapped in a heartbeat.

“Today we have fought our first battle against the Covenant! It marks the first time we have fought as one, reunited completely! Each one of the companies have proven themselves in battle today, proven that they are the warriors that we need in such a turbulent time! I invite my Wolf Lords to recant the victories of today!” Russ spoke as clearly as he had earlier, despite the mjord swirling in his system. When he sat back down cheer and howls rose once more.

With little hesitation, the first Wolf Lord stepped up to recant their Great Company’s tale.

Runvald the Fog-runed produced an oddly damp red burlap bag that was securely tied at its bottom. Untying the bag and exposing its gruesome occupant for all to see, Runvald flashed his brothers and sisters a grin. “Behold! One of the Covenant’s lesser Prophets! The commander of one of their flagship’s escorts!”

Within fractions of a second, his viewers registered that Runvald was in fact holding aloft the severed head of one of Obligation and Regret’s race. The Prophet appeared treacherous even in death, eyes still open and still seemingly burning with a now vacant hatred, the look punctuated by an ugly shocked grimace.

“With my rune mages obscuring the path of their corridors with mist and the fire of our meltas, Ulrik, one of my finest Grey Hunters, pressed forward with his pack in his midst, gunning down this fiends’ ‘honour’ guard and clearing my path towards the Prophet’s fate you now see before you!” Runvald said dramatically, relishing the memory in his mind. “But behold, such frail and treacherous beings as these Prophets cower behind thrones of powerful armament! No sooner had my path been cleared by Ulrik, the fiend did turn this armament on me. My wards held only by virtue of rune mage Sigurd Glowing-Hand lending me some of her own energy for me to not only defend, but counter!”

“Damn you, it was I who cast the spell that countered, you merely held behind your wards before I cleared the way for your final attack!” a female voice shouted in annoyance before breaking out in laughter and tossing a drinking horn in Runvald’s general direction.

“A … minor discrepancy in my account … apologies,” Runvald stated, still grinning as he stepped slightly back so that the drinking horn struck the ground just in front of his armoured hooves. “Bards are known to get a few details … exaggerated.”

“You? A Bard?! Bah!” Lilit retorted sharply, causing Runvald to dodge a tankard this time with a little bit less grace as the alcohol in his system reached the apex of its effects.

His grin even wider, Runvald continued, “But verily, my final attack was indeed the one that felled this fiend! Channeling power from my staff, I rendered light tangible as was the art of the ancients, and with that hardened blade of light I beheaded the Prophet from its pitiful shoulders!” Holding the San’Shyuum the highest yet, Runvald finished with, “Whose trophy can claim to best mine! Runvald the Fog-runed asks you to come forward!”

With a slam of a tankard, Hel stood from her spot farther down the table and turned around to a sheet-covered item. All eyes that could see turned to Hel who threw the cover off and swiftly rose her trophy up in the air, a wicked grin on her face as she showed it for all the Fangs to see. For a second there was a pause as though they were all struggling to accept what they were seeing before nearly the entire hall broke out in howling laughter and stamping of feet.

In her hand, Hel held the entirety of a damaged and indented table that was covered almost entirely in blood. Scorches of black marred the surface as it was clear the thing had been used as a shield. Hel’s face was that of a smug grin as the hall pretty much agreed that her prize was better … in a roundabout way. Even The Great Wolf couldn’t help but smile at just how silly the trophy was yet it was obvious that the thing had earned its place.

“I don’t think I need to explain why this table trumps your head, Runvald!” Hel called out with laughter, one that even Runvald couldn’t help but let out a snicker to. “I turned the enemy’s own furniture against them! This table has more kills than most Blood Claws in this room!”

A round of howls went up as Hel set her table back down behind her, then raising her mug and downing her mjord swiftly. As she sat back down, another stood to tell their story.

Olga Hammer-Fist, though one of the stockiest of the room, seemed to possess a momentary aura that made her seem much taller than was physically apparent as she brandished her trophy of war.

It was a gravity hammer of alien manufacture, of roughly equivalent size as her own Capricorn gravity hammer. Both ends of the head of the weapon were still mottled with crimson blood tinged in an almost luminescent violet.

“The third target ship, the former Sublime Transcendence’s second primary escort, was crawling with a particularly savage race of Covenant. Jiralhanae, loyal to the Prophets! This hammer I prized from the War Chieftain that captained the ship. I used his own hammer to cave in the beast’s skull and chest just as a packmate, Randagulf, one of my finest Wolf Guards retrieved my hammer from where it had toppled the door to the warship’s control room to all but flatten one of the other lesser Chieftains accompanying their commander.”

“Savages they can be, aye! Didn’t a single one go berserk, though?” Rurika interjected, before taking an inquisitive sip from her tankard.

“The remaining Chieftain did! The fucking beast actually dropped his armament and made to approach me with hand to hand, growling almost unintelligibly about the ‘Great Journey’, which I suppose I sent him on shortly after. He was only able to charge once, I caught first one then two clawed and furry fists before we became locked in a power struggle, neither gaining ground until my knee ended it almost in an instant. If the Chieftain’s chest had not been shattered by that, then it surely was after I swung the spiked end of his dead commanders’ hammer clean into where I presumed his hearts were. A simple bit of effort and another swing later, the Brute toppled to the floor with a thunderous quake!”

“Did the survivor’s break rank? Remind me once more,” Ylyssa Ice-Wraith requested.

“At the death of the last Chieftain? The remainder of the Jiralhanae did not flee, oh no. The remainder lost their wits and berserked all at once. Worthy foes they were like Sangheili as I have heard, if quite uncoordinated in those final moments. The last of them was rendered unrecognizable after coming between the heads of both my own hammer and the trophy you see before you in unison!”

The hall cheered and howled in acceptance of the feat, and so did another Wolf Lord step up, and another after them until all of the Wolf Lords had exhausted their tales. When the last Wolf Lord to speak, Rurika Elder-Blade, had told her tale, Russ stood once more and let out a roar of acceptance at the battle tales he had heard. All the hall cheered and continued with their constant drinking and feasting.

After a rather quick hour had passed according to Cortana’s timekeeping, Luna drew Russ’ attention with a friendly wave of her hoof. “Twilight Sparkle’s expedition still awaits their retrieval home with Doctors Halsey and Anders at your old keep at Fenris’ northernmost apex.”

“I suppose I should accompany you; my brothers and sisters will continue to drink until they are passed out, with or without me,” Russ said before standing. He looked over to the massive yet still figure of Bjorn who had been standing behind their table the entire time. With a single nod, the Promethean Wolf made to follow. Not a single Fang noticed the departure of their leader; the alcohol already tinting their perception.

Data Miner
Fenris, Boreas, Russ’ Keep

Doctor Halsey watched her breath catch in the freezing air as she observed the now still sphere of Russ’ combat cryptum one final time from a far side of the chamber.

“Just from what you’ve allowed us to gather combined with the findings at an undisclosed number of other sites like this, my researchers will have decades’ worth of discoveries and contributions to make to the GSC’s technological and scientific progress,” the scientist stated to a mildly impatient-looking Praetor Russ, the unreadable helmeted visage of the Master Chief, a studious Trixie, and a serene-faced Princess Luna.

While Halsey conversed with them, Twilight Sparkle and Doctor Anders were at present occupied with making final video documentation of the ancient technological sphere. They stood closest to it, on the central balcony the housed the cryptum’s external control interfaces.

The vast chamber around them that had for so long housed Russ’ cryptum in relative quietude, cold, and shadow had been drastically altered thanks entirely to the studying and exploring conducted by the Imperial Equestrian-lead expedition. Previously clear decorated stone and unknown alloy floors had been liberally covered in a sizeable accruement of snow from high above.

Very early into the exploration, the researchers had discovered the roof to actually be a massive example of hardlight architecture, only solid and tangible when active and powered. When interfacing with a particular set of terminals to assess its purpose, one of the expedition members had intentionally disengaged the barrier and opened it to the world – and weather – outside.

“But as Fairweather and his colleagues clearly iterated the day before, thou lacks the years to remain here, in this place,” Luna joked with a little smile added to her features.

“As much as I loath intelligence agencies, they do cause a thorn in the side if left unappeased, Doctor,” Russ stated, hardly hiding what he was trying to say.

Halsey issued a mirthless chuckle. “Indeed, High King, indeed. Yes, we heard the transmissions from Parliament about Tharyn being quasi-replaced. Do not worry, we are already packing up. We appreciate your people’s hospitality for the duration of our stay.”

To directly illustrate what she had just said, Halsey placed a laptop, microscope, and a number of miscellaneous instruments from a nearby table into one of the many field crates.

Most of its brethren were already in the process of being hauled out by expedition members to a Wyvern dropship that was hovering quietly above the chamber opening.

“Doctor, is this where I part ways with a new friend?” Cortana asked as she manifested on Luna’s hoof. She had her arms folded and her face bore a worried frown.

“You two have forged quite a bond in your brief companionship together, haven’t you,’ Halsey pointed out.

“‘Tis true,” Luna affirmed. “But We are soon to depart for homeworld and We have grown most fond of the construct! Erm … We mean Cortana.”

Cortana curled her lip into a cheeky frown as the Alicorn’s voice tapered off into a mischievous giggle.

Russ payed the exchange little notice, only glancing at at the current person talking from time to time. The Praetor was presently occupied with receiving and relaying messages with parties unknown. Meanwhile, the Master Chief offered his own insight as he brushed errant snow off his armour.

“Ma’am, Luna and Cortana have demonstrated themselves to be a highly effective tactical combination in battle. I would consider it prudent that Cortana be in Luna’s company should we find ourselves in military affairs once again.”

Chief’s assessment was met with a grateful smile from Luna before she began focusing attentively on Halsey.

“Of which is highly probable if not inevitable given that you, one of my Spartans, are in her company. Now, be that as it all may,” Halsey began dramatically, “I do not require swaying. Cortana’s sister, Kalmiya, already serves me well, thus freeing Cortana for much … loftier purposes. Cortana, this means you will have the herculean task of keeping a protective watch over Luna, John, Miss Lulamoon, and of course Miss Tw...”

“One of those purposes including being my replacement?” Twilight threw in with her brows quirked up after she and Anders teleported from their previous location and now to Halsey’s right in a pop of magic.

“Watch yourself, you nearly gave Trixie a heart attack!” The only Praetorian in the room admonished.

“Twilight!” Anders chuckled in exasperation. “Remember who assigned you to Princess Luna to begin with.”

Cortana studied Twilight’s expression for a moment before smirking. “She’s just joking.”

Twilight’s false but convincing look of protest fell into a gawk as she emitted a strange sound comparable to a confused chimp.

“Twilight knows that Smart AI’s are companions,” Cortana continued, “not things to replace other less efficient things. I mean you’re a unicorn, Twilight! You can manipulate bright matter to produce magic while all I do is float around in near endless streams of data, calculating highly sophisticated equations and processing terabyte upon terabyte of academic knowledge in milliseconds.”

Twilight met Cortana’s quip with a roll of her eyes. Meanwhile, Luna’s analytical side had finished the processing it had been conducting the entire time in the background.

“Data … that reminds Us!” Luna exclaimed. “The Sangheili admiral’s device, We have personally put off accessing its contents for too long since its momentous acquisition. Cortana, if thou wouldst be so kind as to render thine aid?”

“Gladly,” Cortana responded with a nod.

Luna levitated the curved holographic screen out from her satchel bag and held it in front of the both of them as well as the others. Cortana digitally leapt from Luna’s hoof to the holographic screen as she was held close to the datapad, accessing its systems directly.

“Beginning my search, here … standard Covenant software architecture.” Cortana’s voice was audible from the data pad's soundpiece as she folded her arms out of habit and set about to work. “But parts of said architecture are containing things that are definitely not standard to the Covenant. It’s jumbled, like something within it is trying to inhibit me … I’m seeing Covenant battlenet entries regarding ‘discoveries of outstanding significance to the Ministries of Fortitude and Relic Safety made during engagements in confirmed Heretic capital Solaris’.”

“What else? Please continue!” Luna pressed, her eyes wide with curiosity.

“Accompanying this data are several audio recorded transcripts of orders from Wattinree to his fleet, telling them to ‘harass the fleets of the Heretics with due care and true cunning; I require the purchase of time to fulfill my obligation to holy Regret.’ Some of the other transcripts are of Regrets sermons in both audio and video, as well as the call to High Charity that brought it briefly into the battle, issued just nine minutes before their confirmation of Solaris as the star system. Take a listen.”

Cortana’s figurine-sized avatar was momentarily overshadowed by a much larger projection of Regret comparable to the size of an adult wyvern’s head as it materialized just above the datapad itself.

In the projection, Regret’s eyes were alight with fervour, and his body language and mannerisms upon his gravity throne were impassioned with a readily visible zealousness. “A most exalted correspondence to the excellency of Hiearchs Truth and Mercy. With Xytan ‘Jar Wattinree’s forces in my company, I have discovered the telltale signs of the progenitor of all Sacred Rings in this system as foretold, in the company of facilities that may bear fruit in our search for Erde Tyrene and the Ark! Take heed however, for it is sullied by the unanticipated but minor presence of Heretic vermin. I entreat you, to bring forth our holy city to this star and prepare for the consecration of this Halo’s sacred icon at once!”

Regret’s projection then froze in place as the recording ended.

“‘Confirmed’? Then the intelligence our trenchcoat-clad ‘rivals’ gathered is true. The Covenant did not realize Solaris was the capital of the GSC. Curious,” Halsey remarked as she ran a hand through her hair.

“Oh? How so?” Luna inquired. Her ears flickered to punctuate her query.

“Intelligence gathering in this war has always been an … interesting affair,” Trixie explained.

“What we know, and what we know the enemy knows is never straightforward as it may sound,” Twilight continued. “For instance, it is common knowledge that the Covenant inexplicably worships Alicorns and entities they call Forerunners, but they have given no indication of knowing that one of our most important leaders is one.”

“You and Russ were clearly a massive spiritual shock to them,” Trixie said to Luna and the still occupied Praetor.

Luna looked to Russ and back to the datapad. She huffed her amusement before replying, “Clearly their ‘pantheon’ is an, until recent events, unexploited tactical and strategic opportunity.”

“And not to mention, one can only imagine how they would react if they understood the true identity of the Equestrian Empress,” Anders mused. “Total and complete theological and therefor societal collapse? Certainly not a strategic risk we were ever willing to take in the face of the possible intelligence vulnerabilities it would present.”

“But now, with the apprehension of one Prophet and the unlikely cooperation of another … this war has been knocked on its head, hasn’t it?” Halsey proposed.

“Agreed. These are developments we could have scarcely anticipated,” Anders replied in a rare moment of genuine constructive coordination with Halsey.

“Speaking of turning things on their heads,” Cortana interjected, “there’s more stored in Wattinree’s device than just Covenant data … something entirely unlike them. Things with a distinct signature and multilingual but the only closest match being written form, in the Covenant’s glyphs.”

“Elaborate, please,” Halsey urged.

“A recording … or rather, a jumbled patchwork of several in one package. According to Wattinree’s rather somber sounding notes, the recordings were extracted by a Huragok-complemented Special Operations team sent to the so-called Primal Halo that is hidden on our own front doorstep: somewhere around Tranquility.”

At the mention of the Primal Halo, even Russ had given pause in his ministrations to fully take note of what was being discussed.

“Forerunner or Alicorn, perhaps?” Trixie speculated, biting her lip.

“We have yet to confirm any correlation between Celestia and Princess Luna being the same type of being as the Alicorns or Forerunners the Covenant allegedly worship,” Twilight replied. Upon Luna’s nod of approval, the unicorn mare retrieved and began rapidly leafing through the Princess’ Codex as she continued, “Likewise, we currently have no idea if this so-called ‘Halo’ is a Forerunner creation, let alone an Alicorn one.”

“Can this ‘patchwork’ recording be played back? If it’s something that was of significance to the Covenant, then its bound to be of significance to us,” Master Chief ventured.

“Affirmative, actually. Starting playback, although translation may not be exact … “ Cortana snapped her fingers.

In a similar manner to how Regret’s call to High Charity had been displayed, the recording produced a visible image, although it demonstrated visible signs of severe data corruption.

A sporadically flickering, brilliant cerulean projection of a standing phoenix ignited into being with a combination of a technological chiming and a continuous, almost purr-like rumbling. The great and fearsome-looking bird spread its wings out as its talons clutched a six-pointed star bearing a glyph.

It was the same geometrically perfect glyph that Luna and the others had witnessed recently, while Halsey, Twilight, and Anders recognized it as well from earlier expeditions to several other ancient, mostly unexplained sites throughout GSC and neutral space. Russ carefully hid his own recognition behind a face of stoic observation.

Quickly, the visage of the phoenix gave way to a confused and swirling crimson cloud consisting of lines of alien text. Luna’s eyes darted rapidly in an effort to parse even a minute amount of the data.

“I apologize, but this thing … it’s like it almost has a mind of its own,” Cortana remarked in frustration, holding up a hand. “Playback is at random.”

The cloud of text rotated and gyrated, flickering like the previous projection with each garbled and static-laden recording that emerged from it.

“Hiding … lurking amidst the voids between the stars!”

“Gamma … iring … too Impotent! … The Heart … enact alternative measures!”

“In range … ield worlds … no refuge, not in waking, not in dreams … Must prevail! Must prevail!”

As the end of the third message began to loop unexpectedly, Cortana’s expression shifted from surprise, to frustration, and then into worry in the span of a few moments. She cut off the playback and the crimson cloud projection flickered away back into nothing

“That was not good … playing it back for just that long has apparently caused it to ‘retreat’ into itself … committing processing power to an information dump of some of the little coherent data that remains. I shut it down to prevent further degradation. I shall devote the next day to probing it in hopes of safely unlocking it, but it means I will be quiet if that is alright,” Cortana explained with a sigh.

“‘Tis alright, Cortana. Mayhaps the information is for other sets of ears, or other circumstances,” Luna assured her.

“Very possible,” Cortana agreed before humming with contemplatio, her arms folded in a now particularly stiff manner as she set about her task.

“To reiterate Princess Luna’s conclusion: if it’s of any use, we will find a way to access it safely when the time is right,” Halsey added as they all began making their way to the waiting Wyvern and the chamber’s exits both old and newly discovered that lead to additional readied aircraft and spacecraft outside.

“I wonder how Obligation liked her lodgings with Cady,” Twilight mused happily to Doctor Anders as the others carried on their own conversations.

Anders sidestepped to make way for a pair of scientists carting off the remains of one of the bipedal constructs that formerly defended the ancient halls they were now exiting. “Well I imagine. The Princess can probably make anyone feel at home, even someone who was up until yesterday, an official and important member of an enemy theocracy hellbent on destroying everything we know.”

Ander’s snort of amusement caught Luna’s attention as the glaring white of sunlight and snow quickly greeted them. “Brace thyselves, We expect heavy-hoofed politics are coming.”

Prophets’ Inquiry
Equis, Elysia Station Parliament Chamber, 34,700 km above Canterlot

“Prophetess Obligation, you stand before this session of Parliament as a defector of the Covenant Hegemony, the current belligerent power against the interests of not only the GSC but the best interests of all free species in the galaxy. You possess intelligence that you claim likely to assist in the truncation of this conflict, is that correct?” Arcadius Antiochus of the Roaman Empire inquired with a particularly intense air of stoicism, clad in the white gold of his toga robes that covered most of his black and white striped coat.

In the middle of the central rotunda chamber of Elysia station, Obligation’s throne was positioned before a stage full of podiums for particular leaders that had been arranged for the particular occasion of her presence.

Behind her was the many rows of workstations and podiums in which delegates, heads of state, and military leaders from each member power of the Concordat normally held office when GSC parliament was in session.

The Roaman Emperor was joined by Empress Celestia, as well as Admiral Hood standing in for the President of the UEG. Their group was completed by the additional presence of the ruler of Griffonia, Queen Gladys, a strict but not entirely cold-looking gryphoness of black plumage and the rear half of a leopard.

Currently, the rows were occupied by a veritable sea of officials, murmuring quietly to themselves as they scrutinized their notes as well as Obligation’s every movement. Meanwhile, the frontmost row was reserved for Luna’s party, now joined by Princess Cadence and a small number of the Equestrian Empire’s ministers and other high officials. Russ and his companions had declined to attend, and were instead at present exploring the station.

Elysia’s social atmosphere was temporarily of increased vibrancy than normal for the orbital station as well as being minorly tense due to Obligation’s presence. Luna could tell as much from a brief analysis of several GSC officials’ faces, but what also captivated her attention was the attention to detail that the station’s builders had put into its creation.

Parliament’s rotunda boasted a large version of the alliance’s primary insignia on its ceiling with the outline of the stylized sun gleaming white with illumination from magical lighting, and outside Luna had seen everything from small parks and their decorative waterworks, to a tram system, and a number of large gathering places established for the public that offered holographic displays of major Concordat planets as well as their accompanying fact books and other educational media.

Also drawing Luna’s eye were, even in the rotunda itself, small murals, carvings, and statues all from many different cultures, many of which were often carved into pillars and in wall niches that framed doorways on either side. One prominent metal panel in the park Luna’s group had passed through showcased the achievements of human scientists that Twilight Sparkle enthusiastically identified as Doctors Wallace Fujikawa and Tobias Fleming Shaw, the creators of humanity’s first slipspace drive.

Drawing her mind back to the present situation, Luna kept that particular depiction of the human scientists in mind as she and the others listened to Obligation’s response. She knew it had been a human colony that the Covenant had first attacked to begin the war – Harvest – and Obligation’s presence and circumstance for it was almost a way of closing some cosmic circle.

“That is correct,” Obligation replied with a graceful and serene demeanor after taking a couple of moments to survey the chamber full of eyes affixed on her with largely ambiguous emotion.

“Well then, why mince words, I wonder as we begin the opening of this discussion,” Queen Gladys responded with no less stoicism than her zebra counterpart. “Politely: out with it, Prophet!”

Obligation awarded the king’s statement with a pleasant smile. “The Covenant Empire is, speaking as one of its former heads of state, a corrupt serpent held together by great lies. For centuries the races of the Covenant were told it was our penultimate purpose to find the lost treasures of the Gods … Halo foremost of all, to claim our way to salvation, following in the Alicorns’ footsteps on their Great Journey.”

“The ideology is thusly so concrete and immutable?” Arcadius inquired. “It corroborates our observations of your forces on the battlefields and in space engagement, the fervour and the single-minded hunting of ‘heretics’.”

“Indeed,” Obligation nodded stolidly, “any that became obstacles in our path to that end were heretics, meant to test us and be subdued into our might or to be scorched away by it. ”

“You discovered that the reality behind Covenant dogma was far more sobering,” Celestia asked in a tone that conveyed her sentence more as a statement rather than a question. “Before you continue, may I please interpose a question?”

“You are one of my hosts so the right is unspoken, but I bow my head in admiration at the courtesy nonetheless,” Obligation pointed out.

Celestia nodded her thanks before asking with a neutral gaze, “Alicorns, the subjects of worship for the Covenant, presumably of higher importance than what are called Forerunners? What are these beings as you know them?”

“Yes, these so-called ‘gods’ as the Covenant dub them, I wonder about them as well. The figures the Hiearchs claim to be enacting inquisition in the name of,” Arcadius interjected.

“We know only of their appearance from inscriptions. Bipedal as most races of the Covenant, with wings and horn quite coincidentally like your own, Empress Celestia.” Obligation’s eyes seemed dreamy as she spoke of them, as a young child would of a most accomplished parent.

“And the Forerunners?” Hood asked with his arms folded in thought.

“Likely servants, agents from what the Covenant ministries could interpret. Alicorns and the Forerunners who ruled under them were beings of vast power, who while engaging another unholy obstacle they simply called the Parasite, used their Halo creations the Covenant seek to transcend the mortal plane, also purging the Parasite from existence in a divine wind that swept the stars.”

Arcadius hummed as he digested the Prophetess’ response. “Fascinating. Now, returning to the matter at hoof, by what means did you discover these falsehoods and the truth hidden behind them?”

“The Oracle of High Charity, an ancient construct left behind by the Alicorns to guide the ‘faithful’ who found it. During the events on the world you call Harvest, my usurpers, the present triumvirate of High Prophets, consulted it as I eavesdropped on them in suspicion of their intent with such an important relic.”

“Auditory eavesdropping, now Trixie considers that old school,” Twilight’s fellow unicorn remarked to her in a lowered tone of voice, to which Twilight chewed her lip studiously.

“They were told that they had been misinterpreting the sparse records and plentiful artifacts since before my race first left our homeworld in civil war and planted the seeds of the Covenant,” Obligation continued on. “I intend to take what I know back with me under the Concordat’s banner to reform the Covenant and purge the liars and those who would still follow them even in the face of this reality.”

Obligation’s statement sparked an almost instantaneous uproar amongst the assembly behind her, causing Admiral Hood to intervene.

“Enough!” Hood shouted, lessening the commotion substantially but not fully silencing it.

“We are the Concordat; this dignified inquiry will not give way to an unruly mob,” Celestia said scaldingly, taking Hood’s cue and finally bringing the rancor back down to the previous murmuring. “Please allow her to continue.”

The Prophetess gave the human and the alicorn a gesture of thanks before clasping her hands in her lap. “What we thought was Reclamation inscribed on the ancient artifacts, our duty, was in fact the word Reclaimer. These long years of war are the result of the usurpers’ attempts to preserve their power through erasing all evidence of the status of equinity and humanity.”

“Status?” Celestia inquired with curiosity.

Delaying her response, Obligation took a deep breath before proclaiming, “Your races and peoples’ status of Reclaimer: the Alicorns’ chosen inheritors of all they left behind.”

Leman Russ, Entrepreneur
Elysia Station, Main Concourse
Meanwhile ...

“What do you mean, you don’t have mjord!” Krom shouted at the pony waitress who was shaking at the fury of the giant Capricorn. The unicorn mare had served a couple of Fenrisians before but they had been civil and wanted something reasonable. The massive group in front of her seemed anything like that. Well at least the one yelling at her.

“Ah give her a break, Krom,” Calder said with a chuckle.”She’s probably never even heard of mjord!”

“Bullshit!” Krom shouted as he smashed his fist. All eyes in the bar were staring at the hulking figures at the table. Unknowingly they were lucky that said Capricorns were not decked out in full armour, but the weaponry attached to their sides still gave many a chill down their spines.

“Sorry about this, babe,” Solvi, said with a wink. “If you need a nice stress reliever, I’m really good with my hands.”

It was a miracle that the mare didn’t faint, instead barely able to scamper away to the bar with only Solvi really noticing as the rest of the table was already too busy talking, or in Krom’s case shouting.

While the table was more or less in the middle of the bar, an even larger capricorn had taken up residence a little further away in a corner booth. Lying at the foot of the booth was a larger than life mechanical wolf that was constantly scanning the room.

An older human male, a retired soldier from the looks of it walked over to the massive Capricorn. “You with those jackasses over there?”

The towering capricorn leaned forward over the table. Though imposing in stature, the older human, undoubtedly the manager, hardly flinched at the being looking at him. Oddly enough he thought he heard a chuckle from the mechanical wolf.

“As much as I hate to say it, they are my guard,” Leman spoke with a deep, yet soft growl to his voice.

“Well you better reign them in, buddy, or I’m kicking you out of here,” the human tried to threaten but the gleaming grin from Leman spoke volumes of how that would work.

“I don’t know how that will go over. ‘The Great Wolf of Fenris kicked from bar’ is a funny title to read in that propaganda of a news station that runs throughout the sector,” Leman said with a mild chortle. “Besides, I like it here. Perhaps I’ll refer it to my Fangs when we station a pack here, access to unlimited funds for drinking is the perk of the position.”

The human stared at Leman with narrowed eyes, seeing right through the honeyed words but even if a little bit of that was true, there could be either horrible implications or a great chance to profit. With a quick decision he replied. “If we stock mjord and add some … decorations, you can guarantee business?”

“No word is higher on Fenris then mine,” Leman replied.

“Deal,” replied the human without hesitation. Fenrisians were known to blow lots of credits on alcohol in any establishment then visited, even more so in places that had mjord. He could only imagine what would happen if the supposed Great Wolf, which was a name on the tips of a lot of tongues recently, supported his bar. “I expect you to follow through, Great Wolf or not, doesn’t matter. You break a contract …”

The Great Wolf pulled out a small disk from a pocket which quickly displayed a holographic sheet that had print on it. It was written in some odd language from the looks of it. “I never break a sworn oath. One click and this goes out on all Fang and Fenrisian networks.”

“I’ll have the mjord flown in within the hour,” the human replied with a grin. Russ simply gave a small laugh before hitting a button that seemed to dissolve the screen.

“Done,” was the sole reply. The two shook hands, very uneven sized hands but nevertheless the pact was made. The Fangs now had a drinking establishment on Elysia Station.