Halo: Atonement

Part II: A Warrior Without Cause

"So full of hate were our eyes
That none of us could see.
Our war had yielded countless dead
But never victory.
So let us cast our arms aside
And like discard our wrath.
For thou, in faith, shall keep us safe,
Whilst we find the Path."
-Writ of Union, the founding document of the Covenant between the Sangheili and the San'shyuum

May 17, 2553
In orbit over Sanghelios

Almost six months had passed since the beginning of the Great Schism, and the enormity of the changes in his world still shocked Shipmaster Naru 'Kosuvai. The Hierarchs had been slain, the Covenant shattered, and the Flood eradicated. The Brutes' failed attempt at the genocide of the Elites was enough to split the proud warriors away from the beliefs and alliances for over a thousand generations and instigate a civil war within the Covenant. Even though the Sangheili were united in their efforts to eradicate the Flood and the Prophets, they quickly began to war amongst themselves for control of the clans. The Arbiter led his forces into combat, believing that humans and Sangheili should be able to live in peace, but many warlords opposed this idea. Already there had been attempts on the Arbiter's life by those who disagreed with his ideals. Many wished for 'Kosuvai to pledge his ship to a cause, but he had not.
    'Kosuvai only wanted revenge.
    The Shipmaster was gathering a small group of ships, mainly corvettes and minor battlehips, in order to hunt for the Prophet of Atonement, the leader who had commanded 'Kosuvai since before the Human-Covenant War. He sought revenge for the lies he had followed so zealously, and wished to redeem himself in the eyes of his ancestors and clan. Heresy was unacceptable, and following false teachings was heresy.
But 'Kosuvai was only going through the motions. With the revelation of the Great Journey to be a lie, the Shipmaster was left wondering as he sat in his personal chambers aboard the Retribution's Compunction, clad in the traditional brown robe and tunic of the Kosuv clan. Are the Forerunners still gods?, Why did we fight this war?, and Are the gods really out there? were some of the questions he found himself asking. He put on a facade of belief in the gods the Covenant had worshipped for so long to boost the confidence of the warriors under his command, but he was still conflicted about his true beliefs.
The Shipmaster was torn between abandoning the lies the Prophets had fed them for thousands of years or staying true to the faith his forefathers had died so proudly for. He was still deep in thought, eyes closed, when the door behind him slid open.
A Sangheili in white and crimson battle armor strode into the room. A carbine was slung across his back and the hilt of an energy sword was on his right thigh. The warrior's name was Relu 'Undalar, and he was Naru 'Kosuvai's Field Operations Commander, as well as his closest friend. 'Undalar had a scar stretching from his right eye to his bottom left mandible; a gift from a Jiralhanae during the Great Schism.
    "Shipmaster, we have a lead. A Brute named Cerebus is willing to trade the location of the Prophet's new Commander for a shipment of weapons," 'Undalar said. 'Kosuvai slowly opened his eyes. He stood, turning to face his friend before speaking.
    "Can we still trust any of the Jiralhanae after what they took from us? They are the reason our brothers have gone to the place of our ancestors." 'Kosuvai's hearts were weighted by sorrow, but his eyes burned with rage. 'Undalar lowered his head in submission.
    "I am sorry, Shipmaster. But this is the only clue we have found to that worm's location. We may not have another chance." The Shipmaster knew this was the truth. He turned to look at the viewscreens that displayed Sanghelios, the dusty red planet below him, the azure oceans and occasional green marshlands breaking up the landscape. Sanghelios was the home of his people, his ancestors, his clan. His entire upbringing had pitted him against the toughest challenges the planet had to offer, from conquering a winged sky-beast, to braving a voyage across the boundless oceans. The Shipmaster closed his eyes in thought before speaking again.
    "Must we really trade them weapons? We should not arm an adversary."
    Relu walked closer to Naru, placing a hand on his Shipmaster's shoulder.
    "These Jiralhanae have only a single destroyer. It would pose no threat for us to give them a few crates of rifles," assured the Commander. 'Kosuvai turned to face 'Undalar, shrugging off his hand in the process.
    "What is the location of this 'Cerebus'?" asked the Shipmaster. He would not let his only chance of finding the Prophet of Atonement slip through his four-fingered hands. 'Undalar's mandibles drew back in a gruesome imitation of a human grin.
"He agreed he would meet at the ruined temples on Shaps III, my lord," he said, a measure of determination heard in his voice. Shipmaster 'Kosuvai started for the command center of the Retribution's Compunction, gesturing for 'Undular to follow him. He spoke as he walked.
"Very well. Command the Shipmasters to gather all the spare small arms they can afford to lose and to jump for slipspace. Set destination for Shaps III. We will hunt this damned Prophet to the edge of the galaxy if we have to, and make him scream repentance to the stars."