ASSAULT CARRIER, SAVIOR’S LIGHT

1720 HOURS, COVENANT MILITARY TIME

HAWKING SYSTEM

Shipmaster, Dzen ‘Nbek gazed out the observation window of his carrier’s bridge examining every star system and cozmo as far as the naked eye would allow. He usually did this when he was deep in thought, or when there was no adversary in sight to engage in battle.

Like many of the troops in Jul ‘Mdama’s fleet, Dzen escaped Requiem before it was destroyed, along with the brave souls that decided to stay on its surface and fight until the end. Now with the Infinity presumably destroyed along with the other half of the Janus Key, the entire Covenant Remnant has been put at a standstill for a while.

Luckily, Jul has made an unlikely ally of Dr. Halsey who apparently wants vengeance on the UNSC who tried to execute her for her unusual and eccentric crimes.

The attempted execution was performed by Spartan Commander, Sarah Palmer (65287-98303-SP) who only managed to shoot a round into the left arm of Halsey with one of her dual-wielded MGHs. Halsey survived however when Jul grabbed her, and teleported away to safety with the assistance of a Promethean Knight.

The result was amputation which was done by Jul himself with a T1 EW/S.

Sensing a troubled mood with the shipmaster, executive officer, Osan ‘Rolam decided to see what was wrong. They both spoke in their native Sangheili language.

“Is everything alright, shipmaster? You look troubled.”

Dzen sighed, “I wish I could say so brother, but my tongue can’t find the means to make my answer clear, nor truthful.”

“Pardon my haste for my invasive questioning. I only wished to find a way to ease your troubles.”

“And I appreciate your concern, but who knows when the humans will find a way to discover, and obtain every last bit of Forerunner technology before the Didact’s Hand can without the second half of the Librarian’s Gift.”

“I highly doubt that. Humans don’t clearly understand how our lord’s relics work,” Osan reassured.

“That’s very true, brother. The only human that does is Halsey, and praise the Didact that she’s on our side--but I can’t get this feeling out of my chest that she will betray her loyalty to us once more. It was foolish of her to give the other half of the gift to her own kind. It makes no sense though, because they wanted her eliminated.”

“I’m as confused as you are, shipmaster. But surely if her species really wants her gone, then truly her safety is with us only.”

Dzen nodded, “Agreed, but my mind is still not at rest. Every second that ticks by, the closer I feel that the humans will find their solution with or without the gift, or Halsey. Every mind in this vast universe evolves over an amount of time. I just know one day that our adversaries will succeed before we do. Such failure will not be taken kindly from ‘Mdama, nor the Didact himself if he was still here.”

“Even evolved minds will make mistakes, shipmaster. Even time itself would see to it.”

“But when, exactly?” Dzen asked, now very suspicious.

Before Osan could think of a convincing answer to the shipmaster’s question, one of the carrier’s COMM specialists reported something.

“Shipmaster ‘Nbek, I’m receiving a very strong and unsecure human signal. Permission to patch though,” he said.

“Do it,” Dzen ordered, with a hint of excitement in his tone. He couldn’t believe the lunacy that the enemy has performed! Things were starting to look up to him now.

When the COMM officer initiated the playback of the signal, it was obviously a two way communication. This is what it transmitted:

“Pony Express, this is Sierra-408 Aaron Jensen. I have survived the slipspace jump, but I’m shipwrecked and in need of assistance. Over,”

“This is Captain Kenwood of the UNSC: Pony Express. Spartan Jensen, is that you?”

“Affirmative sir,”

“What happened to you? We thought your status was KIA.”

“Apparently the systems onboard the gunship were disabled after the jump was complete, and I was knocked unconscious as well. Luckily I’ve crash-landed on a hospitable planet teeming with life. It also has friendly contacts.”

“Well, what are they? Is it human?”

“Not exactly, but they seem to have the same kind of intelligence like humanity. The atmosphere is even tolerable to us.”

“You still didn’t answer my question about what they were.”

“Well if I told you sir, you would think I was crazy. With respect, I suggest that you follow the coordinates I provided you with before I made the jump--if you haven’t already gotten rid of them that is. It might be best if you came to see for yourself.”

“Okay, just mark an LZ for us, and we’ll be on our way to make contact with you, and whatever else is there with you. If these beings are intelligent like you claim they are, this could be a historical first-contact scenario for all the UNSC.”

“Understood sir. I should also recommend that landfall should be done via Pelican. No need to make an impressive entrance with the corvette in atmosphere if you know what I’m saying?”

“Consider it done Spartan. Pony Express out.”

When the transmission ended, Dzen couldn’t believe how clear the signal was, despite it not being in the proper range. This intrigued Dzen’s interest greatly, along with what species the humans have come across. He just hoped that all the beings of this unknown planet haven’t sided with the enemy yet. He couldn’t afford to waste anytime.

“Set a slipspace course for the origin of that transmission, but let’s take heed. We can’t afford to be discovered by our enemy yet. Let’s keep our profile low until we know we are ready,” Dzen ordered.

“What of ‘Mdama? Surely he should be informed of our discovery as well,” Osan suggested.

“I understand, brother. But if our numbers are large, we would fail in our efforts to gain relevant intel about our enemies’ intentions, and the ways of the beings that reside on the planet. If we’re lucky, we can make them join our cause against the human threat that puts the Didact’s intentions in jeopardy. We will inform the Didact’s Hand when we have the intel we need to overwhelm the humans,” Dzen explained. “Now give the go to initiate the jump, but keep our coordinates out of tracking range.”

Osan was a bit hesitant at first, but quickly obeyed.

“Yes, shipmaster.”

A distorted ripple appeared in front of the carrier’s bow before it became an enormous slipspace portal that was meant for the size of the carrier’s length and mass.

In a few moments, the carrier was fully consumed by the portal before it disappeared from real space.

EQUINUS SYSTEM

A extremely massive exit portal appeared as the carrier exited from its slipspace jump.

As planned, the carrier was out of tracking range of their enemy, so they weren't engaged as they exited.

Far off in the distance, Dzen saw a lively and colorful planet which had to be where the transmission had originated from, and where the humans had to be. He wanted to be sure though.

“So this is the planet that the transmission hailed from?” Dzen asked. He was unsure because the planet looked very similar to Earth. Not like that was an issue or anything, but it was mentioned that their was no humans present on the planet, which confused him greatly.

“Yes, shipmaster. This is directly where our adversaries have unwisely transmitted to us,” Osan confirmed. “A human corvette has already been reported in the orbit of the planet. If we attempt to make landfall, we would surely be spotted.”

Dzen scratched his mandibles as he thought of a solution to make his approach stealthy. It didn’t take him long to think of a clever tactic.

“Sent out a small scouting party via stealth corvette to a secured and isolated area that would made a good location for a camp. Any topographic areas that meet that requirement?” Dzen asked.

A large holographic image of the planet appeared in front of Dzen via a holo-table.

“There are a few locations that are suitable, shipmaster,” Osan replied. “There’s a thick forest to the southeast of our adversaries’ current position. Schematics show that there is a ruin located deep within there that would be perfect for a command outpost. There’s even a bog there that can supply the Unggoy with an unlimited methane supplement.”

“Interesting. Please continue,” Dzen said.

“A second possible location is a desert that is to the southwest, and it’s farther than the location to the forest. Don’t worry, it has a river that can supply water for our troops.”

“Anywhere else?”

“Finally, there seems to be some sort of cave system that is located within the largest mountain of this continent. There’s even a tunneling system that runs beneath the area of where the humans are as well. Of course that would be too risky for a camp, but it would be perfect for the Kig-Yar to recover the mineral supplies that lies within. Let’s just hope they don’t get too carried away with their greed.”

Dzen took a moment to think things over.

“I believe a couple of these locations can be useful for a certain purpose,” Dzen finally said. “The desert area would be perfect for the main base, but we may need a cloaking shield to destroy any curious eyes. The ruin in the forest will be a command outpost, along with the boggs being an Unggoy support and breeding area--of course we have to keep their numbers minimal so they won’t give away one of our positions. As for the tunnel and cave systems, I believe it’s too risky for now. Let’s hold off on that solution until we can know for certain that it is safe.”

“You should also know that the planet is occupied with a moon that is similar to the one found by Earth. It might serve well for a camping location for our ranger-class troops, and a main COMM outpost,” Osan suggested.

Dzen took another moment to process this new information before reaching his conclusion.

“Once our desert base is complete, dispatch scouts to the intended locations, even its moon,” Dzen ordered. “We’ll be able to hone in on our enemies’ movements and intentions more easily now. One thing I ask is that we shouldn’t harm any of the beings that inhabit this new world, but if any of them begin to threaten our intent, or have taken the side of the humans, the order shall be given to silence them without question. Their bodies should be disposed of as well to avoid wound identification. Understood?”

“Understood, shipmaster,” Osan replied bowing his head.