Finis Viae; Terminus Viae
"Heller, wake up."
T'soona brought him gently back up to his feet, steadying him. The trip to the tower was a rather long one, and when they finally arrived at the summit, Heller had collapsed alongside T'soona. But something had roused her, and was prompting her to wake him as well. He forced his eyes open in the gloom, eyes following the silver floor etched with deep lines of blue, and up to the boots of another. The sight confused him, and so he unlatched his helmet, dropping it carelessly against the floor. Before him stood an alien, not unlike T'soona beside him, but one he had never seen before. But T'soona knew what this alien was. It was a god, a Forerunner.
It stood, in gleaming silver armour, geometrically imperfect, etched with blue hues, as small segments floated on their own amongst the armour. It was humanoid, but completely devoid of any features. Its smooth armour contoured with its massive body, fitting, and yet so out of place. It was larger than even a Lekgolo when standing at full height. It stood, with open arms, and radiated an aura of such peacefulness, T'soona had to fight from falling back to her knees. These beings were no longer her gods. But in the sight of one, she felt the need to worship, to bend down to those who were truly superior. It spoke, with perfect clarity, to Heller and T'soona.
"Greetings, Reclaimer and noble Sangheili. I am a fragment of Vigilance Stands Poised. I am the caretaker of this Installation. Before we continue, my scans show that you two are fatigued greatly from your journey here. I must apologize for the undue treatment of your vessel upon arrival. I will administer protocols for your rest and recovery now."
A wave passed over T'soona and Heller, to which they both responded to almost instantly, dropping to their knees and falling over, sent into the deepest sleep either of them had ever had. Various small machines floated over to the two, separating them, hoisting them in gravity wells, before carrying them off into the depths of the tower.
Heller's eyes fluttered open gently, as he took in his surroundings. Silver walls and shapes, etched with more blue. A voice reached out to him in the distance, as if in the background.
"Hello again Reclaimer. You surprise me at your recovery speed. You were not deemed able to be up so early."
Heller moved his eyes around, but found everything else was heavy, like he was made out of lead. The voice was the same one as before, but sounded as if it wasn't really near. Heller struggled to speak, moving his lips as his eyes fluttered open and closed.
"You're one of them. The Forerunners T'soona and the rest of the Covenant worship?"
Something was moving near the corner of his eyes, and the voice was stronger now.
"That is indeed so, although I heartily disagree on the Covenant's belief system. We are not the gods they believe us to be, nor are we to be the subject of worship."
Heller turned his head slowly, trying to see what was in the corner of his eye. His eyes passed over something about the size of a basketball, silver and spherical, with a central eye, which was hovering over him.
"You know about the Covenant?"
The sphere floated about, its eye staying focused on Heller.
"Most assuredly, I do. They have traveled to this world, several times in the past centuries, seeking what they claim to be a trove of weapons."
"And it's not?"
"Oh my no. But in truth, I cannot tell you what exactly this place is. This planet however, is a network of powerful defensive systems, guarding the entrance to something. This something, I cannot tell you, as I do not have any relevant data on it."
Heller was about to speak when the sphere floated off elsewhere.
"Please wait here for a moment. Your companion seems to be coming to as well. I will tend to her."
Heller kicked his heavy legs over the side of what he was resting on, pushing himself up to leaning over his resting place. Not far away, T'soona was doing much the same as Heller, groggily pushing herself off the flat, silver table she was resting on. The spherical machine was watching over her as she hung her legs over the table. Heller called out, first to T'soona, and then to the machine.
"Hey, do you know where the tall alien went, the one in silver? It greeted us when we got dropped off. T'soona might like to see him again."
The sphere turned its attention to Heller, drifting over to him.
"The warrior you are referring to was a projection from who I once was Reclaimer, an after image of who I was before now. It was in my judgment that both of you would be less inclined to panic and attempt misguided attacks if I presented myself in a, physical sense. Do not worry, we will have time to discuss things, as I had time to discuss things with several San Shyuum over the course of the past few decades. Now, since the two of you seem so eager to rouse, I will administer revival protocols."
Another wave passed over Heller and T'soona, lifting the weight and sluggishness out of their limbs. It felt like life itself was being passed through both of them, renewing their energy, healing their pains and restoring them to normal before setting foot down on this world. Heller stepped down from the flat silver bed he rested on, watching with mild interest as the bed disassembled itself as he left it behind, disappearing into the floor. T'soona had also stood up, and was now silently observing things. Heller walked over to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her attention was drawn back to him. With a smile she spoke.
"Heller. This is no dream is it? It feels, otherworldly, not something I'd live to see."
Heller smiled back.
"No, it's not. We made it. Found a bit more than we bargained for too."
Vigilance interrupted the two's talking by floating closer.
"Although there is some time for talk, I would first ask questions of you two, before we begin. I have already scanned the ships in orbit around this world, and scavenged all I could on their data banks. You two are an unlikely alliance at this present time, as the same could be said of both your species as well. But what I would like to find out, is why you two, are here."
Heller gave T'soona a look and a shrug. Evidently she would probably be better off at explaining things. She watched the floating orb as it hovered in place.
"We came here to destroy this place. We believe that what the Covenant seek outside, could pose a threat to any and all in the current state of things. This world was marked as a trove, a cache. If they are weapons, or worse, starships, they could be the tipping point for any that find them. I am sorry, Oracle, but this is an ugly truth. We weren't expecting all this to be here."
Vigilance began hovering away slowly, forcing Heller and T'soona to follow along as it went. They found that the room they were in was the only one to be seen, etched with more lines of blue in silver, but with various holograms along the walls, golden and blue shapes and patterns. The place seemed more like a temple than anything. The room was large and rounded, sloping the closer one traveled towards the middle. Holographic fields and barriers took the place of windows high above, letting the light of the two stars above fill the room with light.
Vigilance led them ever closer to the center of the room as it gently sloped down in a bowl like shape, until it stopped, right in the center of the room. The machine turned to face them.
"Your plans and goals are based on reasonable logic, and were I in the same situation, I too would deem it necessary to destroy this place. But I'm afraid that this world is not the source you or The Covenant up above seek, and I am afraid noble Sangheili, that your deciphering was wrong."
A light blue hologram suddenly sprang into existence, a projection of the two stars and the small dust ball of a planet that orbited them. Vigilance focused on the planet, zooming in to the tower they now stood in on the planet. Heller and T'soona watched silently. The two felt odd, as if they were holding something back. Heller could admit that he was bursting with questions, and no doubt, T'soona was, more so than him, but instead, they both remained quiet for unknown reasons.
"Now then Sangheili, I can give credit where it is due. This place is indeed a trove of secrets, but for what, I cannot say. I was assigned to this world late in its stages of development, and so had no prior knowledge of what it was built for. I was put in place to handle the defensive network and coordinate actions. So far as I can tell, this planet is merely a guardian world, and a doorway."
Vigilance zoomed out now, forming a link to two spots on the planet, each connected to the tower.
"These two locations all reconnect to the central structure, and are buried deep within the planet. When they are activated, the two structures suspend this system's stars in motion. This central structure then opens a portal, to something placed delicately in-between the space of the stars. It is there you will find what it is this Covenant are so eager to find. Based from my scans, the Sangheili is the most urgent to speak. I will let her speak first, and then you may follow if you so wish Reclaimer."
As if by magic, T'soona felt that she could speak her mind again. Not hesitating, she spoke.
"Oracle, how is it that you know so much about us, and what goes on beyond your system?"
Vigilance rose in the air slightly as it spoke.
"This is not the first meeting I have come across of your alliance. The San Shyuum, over the course of 378.03 years, have entered this system, and attempted communications 4 times before this current encounter. I enacted appropriate responses and entered negotiations with them, and then, countermeasures. At this 5th breach, I enacted countermeasures immediately, as soon as they entered the system."
"So, the San Shyuum gave you information on the current state of things?"
"In a sense. I scoured their data banks, just as I scoured the current fleet in orbit, and collected all relevant data on any and all subjects relating to what has transpired since the Array was fired. I must say, I am glad that our plans came to fruition, but am sorry to hear the state that things are in. Many species lost so much, and it seems, will never have it back."
"What do you mean Oracle?"
"Take the San Shyuum for instance Sangheili. Their people were once proud warriors, as well as handsome and sly. But their pride was their downfall. They entered a pact, and suffered dearly as a result. And then, when the Array was fired and they were repopulated, their culture was vastly different from what came before. Now, they are sad, withered beings, bound to mechanical devices to allow them to move, no longer taking pride in their powerful youths, but instead looking to their withered elders as idols."
T'soona stooped briefly, considering Vigilances words.
"You were there, that long ago, before the rings?"
Vigilance exclaimed happily.
"Indeed I was Sangheili. I was alive for the war that tore my species apart. I was a warrior once. But I fell in battle. My essence was recovered and I am now what you see here, a mere fragment of who I was."
"How did you fall?"
"My memory has been purged of key locations, and as a result, I cannot say. But I know how. In the early days that we did battle with the Parasite, we foolishly believed that we could overcome it with our might, and I fell, defending a world that was assaulted by the Parasite, while Lifeworkers gathered and saved as many as they could."
T'soona watched, transfixed as Vigilance spoke. Heller was sitting down, merely watching as well.
"I remember the scene well. It was a home world, our forces were attempting to evacuate the species, as well as lend aid to their resistance. It was your species I believe, that I died on the field of battle with."
T'soona's mandibles hung open briefly, as she was stunned from the words. Heller perked up at the mentioning of it, leaning closer intently.
"Oracle, you mean to say that my kind, existed back then?"
"Oh my yes. Any species you have met in the present, was likely saved by our efforts and shielded from the firing of the Array. Most however, were better off then than they are now."
"Oracle, can you show me this, anything at all?"
"I am sorry Sangheili, I cannot. But I remember your kind well. Your species was not so much different than they are now, except that you regarded everything as an art. It Is clear in this day and age that you regard fighting and combat as an art, but so long ago, you reached out to everything, and wove beauty into it. Your architecture, ships, weapons, fighting styles, even the very environment of the worlds you owned was sculpted to perfection, utter beauty. Your people were to be admired, and had good spirits. But I am sorry to say that as much as your kind perfected and made beautiful everything you did, you could not overcome such an ugly, and terrible presence such as the Flood. You were not accustomed to, how should I put it, "the reality of war." You did not do what was necessary, and the Flood capitalized on it."
T'soona simply nodded with clenched mandibles.
"Thank you Oracle. May I wander the halls of this place?"
Vigilance floated around her.
"I see no harm in it. This installation is small, and anything you could possibly do is regulated by the control room for which we are located in."
T'soona looked over to Heller, who simply nodded to her. She walked off slowly, looking about the various holograms with wonder. Heller felt something lift inside of him, and found that he could now voice his own thoughts once again. He sighed deeply, rubbing a hand through his hair.
"You know, I'm having trouble putting all this together. I'm starting to wonder if I didn't actually die a while back. Everything you just told her,"
Heller motioned with both hands, spreading them wide away from his body,
"Went way over my head. Let's stick to some simpler things shall we?"
"As you wish Reclaimer."
"So, this place, is basically the watch dog for something, and you were put here to guard it, and you don't know what it is?"
"That is not entirely accurate. Indeed, this world's various defensive installations were designed to protect it, but at the time they were countermeasures for possible Flood infestations. And, while I have had considerable time to ponder such things, I have my guesses about what lies hidden between the two stars of this place."
"Ok then, what's your best possible guess at what's hidden here?"
"The data banks of this installation proved to hold little to no relative or useful information, but I have come across multiple references to a project in Builder logs, referred to as Repentance. In my days as a warrior, I remember the firm opposition to the Array, the disgust by others at violating our duty so thoroughly. Looking back at it now, it seems we too, were not conditioned for the realities of conflict, the same as your companions ancient ancestors. The best I can come up with, is what lies in secret is an apology from our kind, a debt that we owe the galaxy, one that we can never repay."
"What kind of apology would you give? I can't see how or what it could be."
Vigilance floated near the still functioning hologram, before turning it off.
"Over 100, 000 years and I still hold no answers Reclaimer. Your guess, is as good as mine."
Vigilance paused briefly, before speaking again.
"I apologize Reclaimer, but I have duties to attend to. There are still fleets above, and they persist in attempting to find a way through to the Citadel. I must check on the progress of things and organize the sentinels. I will be back soon. Please, feel free to explore with your companion."
Vigilance promptly floated away, disappearing into a small tunnel that parted in the wall of the tower for him when he floated near, leaving Heller to his own devices. Looking around the place, he too began wandering about, watching the various golden holograms shimmer along the walls and ceiling, as he began looking for T'soona.
It didn't take long for Heller to catch up to her, and found T'soona sitting on a small balcony through a large doorframe. Distant thunderclouds stained the sky in the distance, black and ugly, with streaks of occasional lightning. She was watching them in the distance, leaning against the wall of the balcony. As he approached, she spoke.
"I can't believe that we had an empire, so long ago, and amongst the very gods I worshipped. Heller, that Oracle is unlike any I have ever heard of before. It is so free with its thoughts and memories."
Heller watched the storm clouds in the distance, leaning up against the balcony wall with T'soona.
"Maybe that's because the other Oracles weren't Forerunners."
"I never, ever once thought in my dreams that I would ever get to see one, let alone talk to one. I once believed that right was reserved for me when I went on the Great Journey."
Heller smiled.
"Times change don't they?"
"They do Heller. But I'm worried. The Oracle, Vigilance, it called itself, did not say much when I told it our motives. And it has me thinking. It works in coordination with the other guardians of this world to repel the fleets up above, who only wish to enter this place, while casually tending to us and talking with us, when we seek to destroy this place, his only task of which was protecting it."
"You think he's up to something?"
"No, but I think we should be careful. We don't know everything about him, and he seems to know more about us than he cares to let on. Times may change for the worse if we aren't careful."
As the two pondered the words, a voice rang out behind them.
"You are a smart one noble Sangheili, for this day and age. You are right to question what lies behind walls and hidden passageways."
T'soona and Heller both turned around like statues, facing the now imposing Vigilance in his projected form. His massive form towered above them both, and was standing just in front of the doorway into the tower. T'soona was the first to gather her wits and speak.
"Then why have you not attacked us after we revealed our intentions?"
Vigilance extended a massive six fingered hand wrapped in elegant geometric silver, projecting lines of glyphs, of which Heller and T'soona recognized as Forerunner language.
"My instructions are to guard this world from potential threats, and keep it sealed from those who are not ready. It is with my own judgment that I deem the war mongering fleets above unready to find out what is inside. And even your kind, were they to approach this place Sangheili would be deemed unready, along with the Reclaimer. This galaxy is still taking its first steps in a vast, powerful and frightful universe. But, you two, have sought only to destroy this place, but only if it is deemed as a threat to the safety of all outside it. Would you agree with me that if you discovered something that was not a threat, you would not destroy it?"
Heller spoke now, and had to fight the urge not to speak as the large sleek helmeted head of Vigilance turned to face him.
"Why would you even take that chance? If we did find something that was a threat, you can be sure that we would do what we could to destroy it."
"Because Reclaimer, based from my scans, what lies behind the veil of slipspace is something truly massive beyond compare to anything but the foundry responsible for creating the Array network. No doubt, the other side is defended as well as this side, and if the two of you attempted to harm anything, you would be stopped."
T'soona stepped forward now, looking up to Vigilance, getting close to him, face to face.
"Are you gambling that we would be killed if we tried to destroy what lies in there, or come back out if it wasn't a threat?"
Vigilance laughed, or to Heller and T'soona, what at least passed for a laugh, in his deep, strange voice.
"No Sangheili. I simply wish to discover what secret lies inside. For over 100,000 years I have waited. I have listened. I have pondered, and I have rejected. But now, I wish to have answers."
Vigilance's glowing portions of his armour changed from blue to a deep red, visibly distorted by static. Taking a massive step back, the floating segments of his armour over one of his hands joined together, creating a massive crimson blade that was at least as long as T'soona.
"Now then, Reclaimer and Sangheili, we may do this the civilized way, or you may do me a great service by allowing me to participate in combat with you two, which would be very brief indeed, considering that your armour is damaged by sand, the Sangheili can only see from one eye, is recovering from burns on her spinal column, and the Reclaimer is still recovering from an injury in his chest cavity."
Heller spoke now, if very reluctantly.
"You told me earlier that you were a projection! Your real self is just that sphere!"
Vigilance sunk his long, massive blade into the floor, cutting through the metal of the floor with ease like it was butter, cutting along the floor in front of their feet for emphasis. T'soona and Heller both took a step back.
"Do not underestimate our technology Reclaimer. Hardlight, is an interesting tool indeed, making the seemingly impossible, a reality. Now then, make your decision."
Vigilance pulled his blade from the floor, and merely stood, towering above them both, waiting. Heller looked over to T'soona, who was watching Vigilance.
"I don't think even you can take him T'soona. This is something we've got to stand down on. I know you've got that warrior in you that wants to test your strength, but don't take it up on its offer."
T'soona watched Vigilance as it stood like a giant statue, waiting for their verdict. She looked down to Heller.
"Don't worry Heller. If we had so much trouble with the guardians of this place, then I know, I couldn't hope to stand a chance against their master. But their master troubles me."
Taking a step towards Vigilance, circling it slowly as it watched her, she kept a wide berth from the blade it sported.
"You've gone corrupt, haven't you? Humans call it rampancy."
The red portions of Vigilances armour flickered with static, flashing blue before returning to red. It staggered briefly, before retaining its composure.
"This is irrelevant Sangheili. I am aware of my corrupted self."
"But can you make sense of your actions? Can you control them?"
Heller stepped in, seeing what T'soona was up to.
"You're trying to force us to open the same damn place you're protecting, while offering death if we don't!"
Vigilance staggered again, shimmering in static, bringing his free hand up to his helmet.
"No, I've waited so long. Alone on this world, left to the winds of fate by my people. The question, the only light in the dark of this place, is what? W-w-what lies i-i-inisde?"
Falling to his knees, Vigilance shook his head, before returning to his full height.
"N-no. The question must be answered."
In the blink of an eye Vigilance had slid forward, leaving after images of itself in its wake, sliding his blade through the air towards T'soona. She was fast enough to see it coming but not fast enough to move, as the blade impacted in the dead center of her chest, draining her shields and knocking her to the floor. As he raised its blade into the air to finish her off, Heller dived over her.
"We'll do it!"
Vigilance's blade deactivated in the middle of his swing, vanishing into thin air as the solid parts that formed part of it disassembled and floated away, returning to their original positions around his armour. Brushing Heller off T'soona with ease and holding him up with one hand, he effortlessly picked up T'soona as well, holding them suspended in the air. He cocked his head as he watched them.
"Do not attempt to play games with me Sangheili. And even though we left many gifts for you Reclaimer, this does not exempt the fact that at some point in time, we were mortal enemies. Do not take the gifts we have left behind for you for granted. My patience wears thin for the both of you."
Vigilance put them down, before lumbering through the doorway back to the control room. Heller looked over to T'soona, before briefly hugging her.
"We're not trying that one again."
T'soona kept the embrace up, feeling the dual beats of her hearts begin to return to normal.
"I don't believe we can reason with him, at all. But, do you think we could destroy what is kept hidden by this world?"
Heller sighed.
"Not if anything like him is in there."
"We no longer have a choice now do we?"
"Doesn't look like it."
"Then we'll have to go through with it. We'll find a way."
The two broke the embrace before going back through the doorway after Vigilance. When they returned to the central chamber, Vigilance was no longer in his projected form, and his rampancy induced episode seemed to have passed. He hovered above them, greeting them warmly, rather than in the hostile tone he had displayed not even a few minutes before.
"Now then, we may proceed with our agreement. But, before any steps are taken, there are issues that need to be brought to attention. Battle approaches us rapidly, and with such a strain on the system, in the current state that it operates, will cause failures."
Heller and T'soona were both on edge on talking anymore with Vigilance, but ultimately, it was Heller who stepped forward.
"What kind of failures are we talking about here?"
"Since this installation is not fully completed, and lacks the means to do so, power usage for sustaining the portal to what lies on the other side will severely reduce defensive options for this citadel. Several Sentinel plants will be shut down. The barriers protecting this Citadel will falter, and most importantly, the atmosphere generators for this world will be deactivated. The outside will be bombarded with the full extent of this system's dual stars. Anything outside will have 0% chance of survival. However, the atmosphere will linger for some time, although it will be short."
Heller rubbed his chin, as T'soona watched in silence. Passing a hand through his hair, he spoke up.
"And how do you expect us to get to the two stations that start everything up then?"
Vigilance exclaimed, rather with a hint of glee in his voice.
"This station was, however, equipped with localized phase transports. There is enough power currently to send one of you to each tower. However, once the portal is active, and the suspension of this systems stars is in place, power options may be limited."
"And what's that supposed to mean?"
"There will only be enough power to teleport one of you back here, so that you may enter the portal. Part of the reason this installation loses a large portion of its defensive abilities, is so that I can bring one of you back, at the very least."
T'soona stepped in now.
"What happens to the one who stays behind?"
Vigilance turned his attention to her.
"Most thankfully, when one of you has passed through the portal, the gravity tethers will recede and normal operations will resume in this system. You will be safe in them, as they generate their own atmospheric fields, and will vanish back under ground."
Heller could tell T'soona was holding back objecting anything. He was too, but he already knew who was going to go through the portal. As much as she'd hate it, he'd stay behind. But Heller had another question.
"Can the portal be opened again?"
Vigilance responded again with gusto, apparently happy that his wishes were now becoming closer to a reality.
"Oh yes, it can. But, there is however, one drawback. The portal can only be activated every 44 days. This installation must have a clear line to what lies in slipspace between these two stars. If the portal were to be used in the time between, projections and calculations would be heavily warped by the gravitational field of the stars. This installation is in very delicate balance, and requires immense work to be kept stable when the two gravity tethers become active, effectively chaining the stars, and this world, in place. When all is stabilized, the portal will be safe to cross through."
T'soona stepped in, the doubt evident in her voice.
"Is there no way you can transport the other back here? What about the guardians that brought us here?"
Vigilance faced her.
"When the production of Sentinels is halted, we will need every available platform. The fleet outside this world, at this present time, is hanging back near the edge of the system. Its numbers are growing, and soon, they will have enough of a fleet to contend with this installation in its weakened state."
T'soona was shaking her head.
"That's not possible. The Jiralhanae couldn't be that coordinated! They stagger and break formation and rank without a guiding hand. Their packs feud with each other if left alone. Show me the fleet!"
Without a word, Vigilance brought the hologram back to life, zooming out from planet they were now a hostage of, to the fleet outside the system. Vigilance was right. There were a lot of ships. There was easily a large enough force to take this world, even if it was fully defended. It mainly consisted of cruisers and frigates, but there were several destroyers, two massive carriers, and the distinct elongated shape of a flagship, sitting in the middle of the cluster of ships. Heller was watching it all, when he spoke up.
"Vigilance, you said you could siphon their communications? It's how you know so much about current events right? Who's in charge of all that?"
T'soona pointed to the hologram.
"The flagship in the middle of it all, surrounded by all the others. That's got to be the command center. Who is leading?"
Vigilance zoomed into the flagship, as scans focused solely upon it.
"Scans indicate that a San Shyuum is rallying Jiralhanae to his cause. He seems to have filled the power vacuum after the death of all three of your, "High Prophets."
T'soona's mandibles hung open briefly.
"Do you mean they failed?"
"If by "they" you mean Covenant, then yes. They have been utterly shattered for at least a week now. Their network is in shambles, and new sides are forming from the rubble. But, yes, your alliance with the Reclaimers resulted in some form of victory, although I cannot say what over. Information is limited in this regard. But, this is irrelevant. This San Shyuum is quickly picking up the pieces. Communications reveal him to be known as The Prophet of Fortitude."
Heller snapped his fingers suddenly.
"I've got it! Vigilance, I know how we can use your teleports. We don't have to go into the portal alone."
Vigilance turned on Heller.
"I believe I know what you are thinking Reclaimer. Your idea is a good one, but there are some fatal flaws in it."
Heller snorted.
"And what would those be?"
"You would suggest a Sentinel fly you to one of the tethers. Your companion will stay here, activate the portal, and then I will teleport her to the second tether. Once both are activated I will be able to teleport you both back here."
Heller was about to say something, but cut himself short.
"Your plan of action would be a good one, Reclaimer, but the one flaw in it is time. Time will be short when the portal is activated, and rather than teleporting you to the control center of the tower, you will have to traverse it. The fleets outside will surely notice the activity on this installation and make their move."
Heller crossed his arms together.
"You don't think I can outrun them?"
T'soona interjected.
"If the Jiralhanae catch your scent Heller...."
Heller shook his head.
"They won't have time to bother with me if you send some of those Sentinels to guard my back. You and me have seen what they can do T'soona. There's a graveyard outside this tower of failed attempts."
Vigilance interrupted by hovering closer to Heller.
"I can offer a solution to this indecision. I will send Sentinels with the Reclaimer, as well as personal defensive units. I will send some with the Sangheili as well. We will need to defend the Citadel while we wait for the Reclaimer to complete his task. But, I will need to be sure you accomplish the task Reclaimer. The wound in your chest cavity will slow you down."
Heller smiled.
"I wouldn't be a Helljumper if I couldn't handle something like this. Don't worry, I can do it."
"Very well then Reclaimer. It is decided. I will give the Sangheili full access to this world's systems as you have. I will summon the defenders for each of you. I will give you two some time to work things out."
Vigilance left them, disappearing into one of the tunnels in the ceiling that quickly reformed into a solid wall after his departure. T'soona was watching the hologram as it remained focused on the fleets outside the system.
"Heller, have you ever fought Jiralhanae before?"
"Once. Half of my old team was wiped out, and I almost bit the dust too."
"They are stupid and primitive, but this doesn't remove their danger. They are primal beasts, and when riled up, are a force to be reckoned with."
"Don't worry T'soona, they won't get me. What I'm more worried about is you. You'll be left here to defend the place with, well, Vigilance. We already know he's not right in the head."
"The machine seems to be in relative favor with us. It wants us to open the portal, and is supporting us."
"But it's doing it at gunpoint. You didn't forget what it almost did back there? It's sending us through, because it wants to know what's on the other side. It doesn't care what happens to us. It says we'll fail if we try to destroy what's on the other side."
"We must weigh our options Heller. The machine is more likely to help us than to betray us, if we work for it. When the Jiralhanae attack, it would have no reason to harm us, when it is so close to fulfilling its twisted desires."
"You think we can do it? Can we really destroy what's on the other side? It was talking about the forge that made those rings, like the one back at High Charity. He said what was on the other side was as large, or bigger than that."
"We have to try Heller. There's no going back now. The only way is forward."
T'soona moved towards him.
"But promise me one thing. We go forward together."
Heller kissed her briefly.
"Only if you promise to take care of yourself over here."
The quiet was interrupted by the return of Vigilance, who had four small machines hovering with him, which dispersed into two pairs upon sighting T'soona or Heller. One was larger than the other, looking almost like a small winged insect, silver with its own set of small legs. The other was a small sphere etched with lines of blue. The two hovered above the shoulders of each of them. Vigilance began his explanations.
"Since there is no weaponry available for you two, and seeing as there are none of yours at hand, I have created these devices for your personal protection. One is a portable barrier generator. The Reclaimer will now have projected energy shields, and the Sangheili will have hers augmented further. The defensive drone is capable of a number of things, and will process data on its own, tracking and picking the most relevant targets, and removing them. There is no need to worry, they are integrating into what is left of your damaged armour systems. You will be able to understand the information they will feed you about the situation. Now then, the plan will proceed?"
Heller and T'soona stepped forward, watching the drones with curiosity as they hovered along with them, matching their movements. The two took one last look at each other, before nodding.
"We're ready."
Heller looked overboard the two drones he was in, to the sand dunes far below, containing no unique features. They had brought him here fast, the trip only lasting around an hour, and were now descending to the sand below. A voice chimed around him, as if from nowhere.
"Reclaimer, the Sangheili is ready to activate the Citadel. The tower will rise, and you will hurry to your objective. The drones will mark a path for you. May victory be with you."
As soon as the transmission was finished, a great shockwave blasted out in a circular radius, as sand was blasted away and more solid ground began sinking into a massive hole. Sand passed around him, as Heller watched his shielding drone reflect it all away harmlessly. He watched through the miniature storm, as the tip of the tower emerged, gleaming silver, and rise in front of him. It started out compact, but began to splinter into various floating sections as it rose, higher and higher. Standing even higher than the Citadel, the tower continued to rise and splinter, until at last, all motion stopped. The drones began to lower him down to the ground the rest of the way. Vigilance's voice appeared around him again.
"The Sangheili has been sent. She will activate the first tower shortly. It will sustain both stars until yours is activated and shares the load. This is the most critical stage. The system is the most taxed at this point, and data suggests the fleets are moving up above. Atmospheric shielding is beginning to fade. I would suggest getting inside quickly."
The drones set Heller down, remaining joined together, but simply reforming into the combat form he had seen earlier. The base of the tower was generally featureless, but had a gaping entrance that sloped down into the depths. Heller began jogging towards it, keeping a steady pace. As he continued on, the ground suddenly shook, or the atmosphere did, as all of a sudden, thousands of ships blinked into existence far above the tower, high in the atmosphere. Vigilance chimed in again.
"It seems I have underestimated the technical capabilities of our enemies. Their fleets performed a slipspace jump on the edge of the system, onto this installation in three different locations. Defensive protocols enacted."
Heller stood, in silent awe at the sheer mass of ships in the sky that continued to blink into existence, when the ground shook under his feet, as around the tower hundreds if not thousands of linked Sentinels burst out of the sand. Their reaction was instant, as hundreds of white hot orange beams shot forth into the sky at hundreds of targets simultaneously. The Covenant ships in orbit were ready though too, and Heller watched as some maneuvered to take the brunt of the barrage while the ones in the back fired through their wrecked hulls onto the spiraling cloud of sentinels which now swarmed around the tower.
The sight froze him into inaction, but as bright blue plasma began raining as if it were normal weather around the tower, Heller snapped out of it and began sprinting towards the entrance of the tower. Thunder sounded out as Sentinels fired and plasma showered into the sand, instantly crystalizing it into glass wherever it hit. The sound of thunder haunted Heller's ears as he ran past it all into the maw of the tower that awaited him.
The journey through the tower was rather peaceful, as Heller traveled up on various lifts. Every now and then there was a bone shaking rattle that traveled through the tower, of what Heller assumed was a Covenant ship plummeting down to earth or simply exploding. The holographic glyphs had an odd feeling to them, as he keyed into the lift to take him were he needed to go. It was an odd feeling, like he'd done it before, or seen it done somewhere, and he remembered the steps. Heller wanted to hear what was happening elsewhere. His job was pretty quiet compared to what T'soona and Vigilance were tasked with. But he still needed to hurry.
Watching the silver lined walls pass along as he rose on another lift, he tried contacting Vigilance. He had no idea how to work his drones, so he tried the most obvious thing.
"Vigilance, you there? T'soona?"
T'soona's voice sounded around him as if she were standing next to him. She was breathing heavily, and the distinct sound of gunfire and roars could be heard in the background.
"Heller, have you reached the top of the tower yet!?"
Heller spoke to thin air, watching the lift travel upwards on a beam of energy, slowly but surely.
"No, but I'm getting there. There's a lot of lifts. No brutes yet."
"You'd better hurry if you can! This equipment is powerful Heller, but the Jiralhanae are leaning down on this tower! I think because it was the first one up a large portion of their fleet targeted it!"
Heller sighed.
"Hang in there! I'll see if I can hurry this up. Vigilance, what's happening on your end?"
"The Sentinels are beginning to falter Reclaimer. The Sangheili is right, her tower is being pushed on the most. I can divert Sentinels from your tower and the Citadel to help her, but sooner or later she will have to retreat, and then the next domino will be targeted."
"Do it. I'll be up at the top soon."
The various pathways and lifts continued, as Heller followed the markers set for him by Vigilance. Had he more time, he would have stopped to take a peek at the various levels he passed by, sighting some interesting things, odd rooms or hallways, but he had more important things to do.
The tremors were becoming less frequent now, and as he stepped onto another lift, geometrically shaped in the form of a septagon, his markers indicated that this was the last lift. T'soona's voice suddenly cut through the silence as he keyed up the lift and it began rising slowly.
"I can't hold the Jiralhanae back any longer Heller! They're pushing hard!"
Heller spoke to Vigilance.
"You catch that Vigilance!?"
"Yes Reclaimer, it is already done. I have diverted the remaining Sentinels to the Citadel. Covenant forces are amassing above. The next domino will be pushed on soon. Time is of the essence."
The lift rose slowly, as Heller wrung his hands. Why were there so many god damn lifts?
T'soona felt the sensation of being weightless, but at the same time, the vertigo of falling, as she spun through blackness, and then appeared, back at the Citadel. She fell to her knees, struggling to keep what little she had in her stomach from coming up, before a hail of white hot spikes whizzed past her, impacting on the wall behind her.
She was up in an instant, spotting her target, a lone Jiralhanae among a pack of other dead Jiralhanae. It roared at her as she faced it, spittle flying from its mouth as it dropped its weapon, crouching in a predatory stance. The drone above her shoulder targeted it, as it rubbed its small silver leg like appendages together until a charge was built, and a beam of energy shot out, cutting through the Jiralhanae's armour and hide until it fell.
The stench of singed fur filled the Citadel, as she surveyed the situation. Dark, almost black blood was smeared on the walls and floor, and various bodies and weapons littered the floor. Through the various windows she could see the situation high up above, as thousands of Sentinels swarmed around various Covenant ships. Hulking wrecks fell from the sky as they were cut into like toys, but likewise, small explosions of light could be seen as Sentinels were picked off under overwhelming firepower.
She looked through the silent halls, catching her breath in the process. She spoke, looking for Vigilance.
"Vigilance, the Jiralhanae have breached the Citadel! How did they make it this far past the guardians?"
The voice of the machine could be heard around her, before space warped in front of her, and Vigilance appeared, standing tall amongst the dead, its silver armour splashed with dark blood, as static shimmered over the red portions of its armour.
"I let them pass, Sangheili. The call of battle reached out to me, and I was unable to resist. It is a funny thing to me, to see such a race, degraded to what they are now. Pathetic really. One could say many things like that about the current events of today."
Vigilance stooped down, inspecting a dead chieftain sprawled out on the floor. T'soona remained silent as Vigilance picked up the deceased chieftain with one hand, its head watching thoughtfully as it turned the chieftain over, before tossing it aside.
"Such foolish creatures. How could they fall so low? To be used as puppets for their foolish masters, following blindly. But, no matter. They fight for what they wish to. If they wish to f-f-fight, then I-I-I-I will let them."
Vigilance began to shimmer in static, as it began overwhelming him. It staggered, falling to its knees, planting its crimson blade into the floor. T'soona heard an odd sound, and looking up to the source of it, she watched, as Sentinels began falling from the sky. Thousands of lifeless machines were falling, parts impacting on the tower and no doubt the sands below. She watched, helplessly, as the Covenant ships ceased fire. At first, small dots became visible in the sky, like a swarm of distant insects, but steadily growing larger. A carrier loomed overhead, as thousands of ships were spilling from its bays, all beginning to descend on the Citadel.
Heller approached the console, watching as holograms sprang to life in his presence. The view from the top was incredible, showcasing the sands below, and the skies above. As the blue hologram arranged itself for him, he reached out, touching a strange, alien symbol to him, and then slowly reaching over to a smaller one underneath the first. The reaction was instant, as a rumble could be felt through the tower, as power surged, and then, there was light.
Bright light shot forth from somewhere on the tower, a beam of pure energy, straight towards another source of light, one of the stars. The beam happened to be in the path of the Covenant fleet, and with some satisfaction, Heller watched as it cut through a rather large cruiser, sending two pieces of it spiraling down towards the sands below. T'soona's voice broke the silence.
"Heller! Something is wrong with Vigilance! The guardians have stopped! There's a carrier above, they're sending all the troops they have down here!"
Heller leaned against the console, watching the scene above as Sentinels and ships traded blows.
"Hang on, what's wrong with Vigilance!?"
"It stopped working! It just kneeled down and stopped moving! Heller, the dropships are getting closer. I can't do anything!"
Heller slumped against the console.
"You can do something T'soona."
The silence was long, like an eternity to Heller.
"No Heller. Not that. We go together."
"Not this time."
"I won't. I can't Heller. What happens to you?"
"I stay here. And open it back up in another 44 days."
"How?"
"Now's not the time T'soona! How long do you have?"
"A few minutes at the most."
"Go to the portal."
"Heller."
"GO."
Silence remained for another minute or two. Heller held his face in his hands. They were so close. Everything was going so well......
"Okay. I've done it Heller. It's active."
Heller stood back up.
"Go through T'soona. You know it's the only chance. I'll cut the power off the tower I'm in after you've gone through. Anybody else tries, they'll be fucked, like Vigilance said."
"Heller. 44 days?"
"44 days."
"I love you."
"I love you too. In 44 days, I'll see you again. That's a god damn promise."
"I'll be waiting for you. I can hear the phantoms now. I'm going. Three. Two. On........"
Silence filled the room. Heller waited for two minutes, before sliding the holograms around. The hum of energy stopped, and the beam vanished into thin air, leaving a shimmering trail of particles that were quickly blown away on the wind. Heller watched as Sentinels fell from the sky in droves. They would be here soon.
In the silence, Heller sat. He was on the verge. He was powerless now, and alone. But then, like an echo, the corrupted whispers of Vigilance could be heard, fragmented, all around him.
"Reclaimer. The Sangheili is safe. I see it all now..... The question, the light in the dark, has been reached. I am free now, free of time and space. This place, is no longer my prison. But w-w-w-ork must still be done. Stand u-u-p on your feet, warrior. I-I-I w-will guide you in your journey."
Heller stood up in silence, as the whirring of hundreds if not thousands of phantoms and other aircraft could be heard. A tremor was felt throughout the tower, and Heller watched as it slowly began sinking back into the ground.
Heller turned away from the scene, as the windows were covered up by parts of the tower floating back into place, until the outside was no more. Heller had his fists clenched as he stood in the activation room.
"If I could kill you Vigilance, you son of a bitch, I would. But I'm listening."
"W-w-when the stars and their planet align again, we will be ready. You will arrive safely. Y-y-y-you have a warriors promise. I will not fail."
"I'm supposed to trust you after you shut down in the middle of a fight, let the Citadel get swarmed, and offered no help!?"
"No Reclaimer. But you should listen to what I will say."
"Okay then. Lay it on me. It's not like I'll be going anywhere for a while."
"I-I-I will speak. The coming days will be h-h-ha-a-rd. But I have a plan. Plans among plans."
Heller sat down on the floor in the dim room.
"Start talking."
43 days later
Heller walked through the scorched sand, taking care not to slip on the sleek ice like patches of glass as he neared the Citadel. The Banshee patrols had spotted him now, and shortly, he could hear the whine of engines as phantoms traveled towards him. He kept on walking, his goal was simply one foot in front of the other now, towards the looming tower.
Within a few minutes Phantoms had begun circling around him, until finally, one descended in front of him. All three guns were aimed at him, but he knew they wouldn't fire. A beam of light activated as the grav lift was turned on, and a massive Brute Chieftain descended, clad in ornate black and red armour. Its hammer was strapped to its back, but upon seeing Heller, that quickly changed. The Chieftain snorted, roaring at Heller.
Heller walked forward casually, until he was within striking distance of the Chieftain. The Chieftain stood his ground, showing his ugly maw full of yellowed, broken teeth.
"It was only a matter of time before a weakling like you showed yourself. We're going to have fun with you."
Heller stepped up close to the Chieftain, bearing the retched smell that was coming from him. Heller pulled the makeshift cloak off himself, revealing multiple spike grenades strapped to his armour.
"Not so fast fuckface! You so much as look at me in the wrong way and I'll pull the pins! You're going to bring me to the Citadel, and I'll do what you want. But you won't lay a finger on me, UNDERSTAND?"
Heller pulled on the wiring attached to the grenades, tensing the triggers.
The Chieftain snorted.
"You don't have the guts, Human."
Heller smiled.
"Wanna hear about the time I pulled the pin on a Sangheili who was trying to kill me? Worked out real well for them."
The Chieftain snarled.
"Enough of this game! Move!"
Heller smiled as he walked past the Chieftain to the grav lift of the phantom.
"Want to hear something funny big boy? By the end of this, you're going to make a hell of a big rug."
The Chieftain shoved Heller into the beam and followed shortly after.
The trip back to the Citadel was short, but through the whole ride Heller had his eyes locked with the crimson, hate filled eyes of the Chieftain. This particular Chieftain stood out to him. He didn't know the large grey skinned monster's name, but he knew he had gotten under this one's hide. For over a month, Heller had survived, with the assistance of what was left of Vigilance. But he had done more than that. He had poked and prodded, making his presence well known to the Brutes who, for an agonizing 43 days attempted to open the portal at the Citadel.
Heller had activated various other installations, such as reserve Sentinel factories, blew up portions of the fleets above, and even engaged in direct combat with the Brutes when they tracked him down. What had been pissing them off so much was the fact that they couldn't simply glass him and be done with it. They needed him, and the Prophet far up above in the flagship knew it. So they set out to capture.
But with the whispers of Vigilances fragment, he stayed one step ahead. But today was the last day of this weary game of cat and mouse. There were dark days too, and the thought of what may or may not have happened to T'soona haunted him. All he had was the cryptic promises of Vigilance that she was safe on the other side. But now, it was finally over. But the biggest step remained. The last step. The Chieftain was tugging on his long grey beard, watching Heller. As the phantom rose and was on its final approach to the Citadel, the Chieftain growled. He, apart from a pilot, were the only ones on the ship. The Chieftain was pissed at him no doubt, so it was no surprise when he began to speak."
"How. How did such a pathetic creature like you evade us for so long?"
Heller was sitting near the rear end of the phantom. He chuckled as he kept his hand firmly on the wires to the grenades.
"Did you dumb apes ever once think, that maybe I was outsmarting you? Then again, you bunch of dumb fucks never were the sharpest tools in the shed. That why that wrinkled prune up in the flagship is pulling you along by your beards so well?"
The Chieftain clenched his massive fists together as he crossed his arms. Heller had to give it to him, for a Brute, having any form of restraint was something else.
"You talk big words Human. But when you've served your purpose, I'll make sure that tongue of yours comes out before I kill you."
Heller simply continued watching the Chieftain in silence for the rest of the trip.
And, at last, the Phantom arrived, coming to a slow rest at the summit of the Citadel. The Chieftain exited first, and by the time he traveled down the grav lift, Heller could hear the Chieftain's roaring voice as he spoke to his pack.
"Brothers! The Human filth has revealed itself! By the will of the Prophet of Fortitude, we may now activate the portal and claim our prize! The rogue Exemplar will be found, and punished for her Heresy! And then, we will strike at the heretics!"
Frenzied roaring could be heard as the Chieftains pack cheered from the good news. Upon landing, Heller was greeted by over a dozen Brutes, all clad in various gleaming armours, snarling and baring their yellowed maws at him as he passed. He kept his grip on the wiring tight as he walked toward the crowd.
"Now then you bunch of ugly moonbabies! Your leader forgot to mention something! I'm calling the shots here! Lay a hand on me, and I pull this bunch of wires here, and me, and anybody near me can kiss their furry ass goodbye!"
The roaring quieted down, as the words sunk in. No advances were made, but Heller could tell, they wanted to bum rush him and rip him to pieces. The Chieftain stood before the crowd raising his enormous hands to the assembled pack.
"The Human filth is right! It relies on cowardly ploys to save itself! But it knows of its own weakness, and so gave itself up! Fear not my brothers! It is only delaying the inevitable, just as it did before!"
The crowd continued roaring, and Heller casually walked forward into the herd of various gray and brown skinned walls of flesh and fur as the Chieftain moved forward. Surely, he must be insane. But for T'soona, he'd move mountains, or rather, pass between them. The Chieftain led the pack and Heller through the Citadel, to the familiar central, and only chamber. Dark blood was spattered on the floor and walls, and reeked of dead Brutes. Vigilance was no longer there, frozen as T'soona had said, most likely retrieved and now being taken apart. Lucky for him, they only had one part of Vigilance. He had the other, kept hidden safely away.
As they approached the portal, Heller stopped in his tracks, putting on a laugh to get the attention of the Chieftain. The Chieftain turned, as the other Brutes now snarled and edged closer to him.
"You boys want to hear something funny?"
The Chieftain reluctantly let Heller speak. Heller ripped a grenade off his armour, and held it up into the air. The Brutes near him backed off. Heller looked at it, before letting it fall to the floor.
"I've been taking all of you guys for a ride this whole time."
He stepped forward now, ripping off another grenade, and letting it drop as he walked along.
"You actually believed this little suicide vest was real?"
Another step towards the Chieftain, another grenade.
"Please, I've been out in the sand for over a month! Anything I found out there was scrap and ruins, either from the sand or your monumental failure of trying to open this place up!"
Heller casually strode towards the Chieftain as he let two more grenades fall to the floor.
"And I got you all wrapped up thinking I was going to blow myself up. But I wasn't. No, you dumb fucks just let me walk on in here by myself!"
The reaction from the Brutes was almost deafening, as they surged forward in primal rage at Heller's reveal. They were almost on him when the Chieftain's bellowing cry could be heard above theirs.
"ENOUGH! Hold him in place! I will summon the Hierarch! Then this little charade will end when he activates the portal!"
Two Brutes grabbed him by the shoulders and forcefully pushed him down to his knees. The Chieftain turned, casually saying to the crowd as he went,
"Feel free to beat him while I summon the Hierarch. But leave him alive."
And beat him they did. Every blow was like having a tree trunk smashed against him. His face was swollen, ribs were cracked, and his jaw shuddered violently as he was broadsided again and again. By the time the Chieftain returned, Heller was barely breathing. Blood was running down his nose and from his mouth, as he spit various teeth out. He was on fire as he felt numerous fractured or broken bones all over. But he still managed a smile as the Chieftain approached.
"The Hierarch is on his way. His flagship will arrive soon. He wants the portal active by the time he arrives. We may execute this filth whenever we please afterwards."
More thunderous roars sounded out as Heller was dragged along the floor, and thrown in front of the portal, its wide bowl like shape sitting before him, the holographic controls activating in his presence. The Chieftain stood behind him, unshouldering his hammer. Flipping it around, he pressed the sharpened blade into one of Heller's shoulders.
"Now then, activate it."
Heller shuddered, gritting his teeth as the blade sunk through his armour and into his skin.
"You fuckfaces got the towers up and running?"
The Chieftain snarled in response.
"I'll take that as a no. It's a lucky thing this places head honcho gave me control. Because I can do it from here."
The agonizing wait was slow, but eventually, two icons appeared in the corners of the hologram, joining together in the center. Heller pressed the central control, and the Citadel sprang to life. The rounded out bowl shape began rising up above the floor, making ringed steps as it rose, until it came to a stop. The ceiling of the Citadel began parting itself, opening up to reveal the blaring stars above, locked in place. There was a bright light that caused all in the chamber to shield their eyes, as the portal ignited into existence, sending another beam of energy to rest in the center of the stars. The portal sat atop its ringed pedestal, the blackness inside seeming to go on forever.
The Brutes roared in triumph, as the Chieftain threw Heller to the floor. The crowd advanced on him, but stopped when the Chieftain brandished his hammer into the air. Cracking a yellowed smile the Chieftain stepped proudly over to Heller. Picking him up by the throat, the Chieftain held him off the ground.
"There are so many ways I could kill you Human. But I think punishment is in order. You, and the Heretic that you came with, will both suffer the wraith of the gods! But first, I think I'll make due on what I said earlier. The sooner we silence you, the better."
Heller began laughing as the Chieftain's hate filled eyes locked with his.
"What's so funny to you? Speak!"
Heller continued laughing after spitting out blood.
"You idiots blew up all the Sentinel factories."
The Chieftain roared in Heller's face, effortlessly tossing him across the room into the portal console. Heller continued laughing as the Chieftain approached.
"You know what that means right?"
The Chieftain snarled as he brandished his hammer.
"What I'm trying to say is, less systems running, means more power available. More power, means, more teleports."
The Chieftain hurled himself into the air to close the remaining distance, bringing his hammer down on Heller. Heller summoned all his strength to move, flinging himself past the Chieftain back to the center of the now roaring crowd. The Chieftain's hammer impacted where Heller was laying, sending out its kinetic pulse that sent Heller flying even further. The Chieftain turned swiftly, spotting Heller laying behind him. Advancing once more with his hammer raised, he brought it down on who he thought was helpless, but failed to realize that Heller had pulled something from out of his armour.
The pulse of the gravity hammer impacted on Heller's shield, being diverted around him, into the crowd of brutes nearby, but more importantly, into the trail of spike grenades Heller had left, which they were now carelessly standing over. The events that followed were a blur to Heller, but as light bloomed from the trail of grenades that went off, and in turn set others off on the brutes that carried them, in the blink of an eye, over half the chamber full of brutes was dead. The Chieftain was blasted off his feet, his armour riddled with now burning spikes. Heller stood up onto his feet with great effort, as did the Chieftain, pulling spikes from himself.
Heller stood weakly as the Chieftain removed spike after spike. Other Brutes were rising now, recuperating from the blast. Heller smiled at the Chieftain.
"Remember when I was talking about Sentinel factories?"
Heller put on the biggest grin he could manage.
"Vigilance. Space the fucks."
The Chieftain's face contorted into one of rage, as in his last moments, attempted to charge Heller. In the blink of an eye, the remaining Brutes in the room suddenly disappeared, sent into orbit around the planet. Heller breathed a sigh of relief, before falling to his knees. Fumbling around in one of the pouches in his armour, Heller found the other thing he was looking for, the offensive drone. Grabbing the defensive drone that hovered with him, he held the two together, and watched as they began to merge together. They floated away from him, and Heller watched as Vigilance materialized before him, clad in clean, silver armour highlighted in blue hues.
"Reclaimer, I must congratulate you for your boldness. But time is of the essence. You are badly injured. You need medical intervention."
Heller stood wearily.
"No. I didn't wait all this god damn time, fight all those battles, and go through all this just so that I could miss my chance."
Vigilance approached him.
"If that is your wish Reclaimer, I will not stop you. But know that even the trip through the portal may be too much for your body to handle in its current state."
Heller lurched forward, resting on the control panel.
"That doesn't matter. It's now or never."
A boom could be heard from the atmosphere as the massive flagship appeared, exiting its slipspace portal. Vigilance looked to the skies as he watched the flagship.
"Good, the remainder of our plan is falling into place. The Prophet is in range of being teleported."
Heller was holding his sides as he struggled over to the portal, climbing the circular steps up to it.
"And you say you can teleport something into what's hidden here?"
"Now that the portal is stable, yes. I can converse freely with the systems inside."
"So I go through, you port him in, and then close this place down?"
"That is correct Reclaimer."
Heller coughed up more blood.
"Tell me one thing before I go Vigilance."
"Whatever you may wish Reclaimer."
"Why? Why did you split yourself into my drones? Why put me and T'soona through all of this?"
Vigilance watched the elongated form of the flagship as it entered low orbit.
"Because I could not contain my rampant portions Reclaimer. I ejected what was left of me into your guardians. I was already formulating the plan upon your arrival. I could not contain my rampant parts forever."
"So, the Vigilance that shut down on T'soona was all your failed parts?"
"That is correct. Although, it was essentially, the parts of me that were real. I am merely a copy of my non corrupted code. I am a copy, of a copy."
"You know that trick doesn't work forever right? Our own AI's have tried it before. They only degrade faster."
"I am aware of this. But a good soldier will go through any means to fulfill his duty. In doing so, I have fulfilled mine. I am no longer fit for this place. But you two are. I pass my mantle to you Reclaimer, and the Sangheili. I respect your judgment, and leave it to you to decide when to open what lies inside. The apology of my people for the atrocity that we committed, is in your hands."
"Thank you Vigilance."
Vigilance spread his arms wide.
"Go now, with the solar winds, and let neither time or space stop you from that which drives your mortal being. Carry with you that which you treasure most, and never falter, and know that there is another, who will help you with your burdens, your failures, and your greatest triumphs. And together, you two will form an unbreakable bond, that of which not even death will stand in your way."
Heller turned, as he stepped up to the portal.
"What was that? It was beautiful."
Vigilance stood proudly.
"The last words of my wife. The last thing she said to me before I defended her home world from the invading parasite. The last words I remember while being overcome from the parasite. My wife, and all the people I helped to save, escaped safely to the Forge that created the rings. They were sheltered from their fire, and returned to their home world after the plague was sterilized."
"You mean. The Sangheili?"
"The very same Reclaimer. Now go. Time is short."
Heller turned back to the portal.
"Thank you, again Vigilance."
"No. Thank you Reclaimer, for showing me that my wife continued her lineage. I am proud to see one of her offspring, no doubt from a very long, successful line. T'soona does justice to her family name."
Heller was about to turn back when Vigilance pushed him gently into the portal. Heller disappeared into the blackness, as he was sent to the other side of the portal.
Vigilance waited until he was certain the Reclaimer had made it to the other side. Locking on to the flagship, Vigilance found a lock on the signature of the Prophet, and activated the teleportation grid. In the blink of an eye, he was there, in the bridge of the ship. The Prophet was in the middle of shouting at a hologram of some Jiralhanae Chieftain.
"I want to know what happened down there! Send your best men at once! Slay Braktanus at on sight! The fool activated the portal without my blessing and consent!"
Vigilance stepped forward, grabbing the neck of the San Shyuum and lifting the creature out of its chair. It yelped in surprise as the ornaments it adorned fell to the floor with a clang. Vigilance turned the elderly creature around to face him. He could feel corruption spreading through him as he held the San Shyuum up. He could snap its neck like a twig. His helmet parted, revealing his face to the frightened, choking thing.
"You and I, have some business to discuss, Minister of Toil. You may hide behind a change of name, but I know you, and I know who you are. The chip that led you here, from the ship that my Sentinels shot down, gave me everything. I am a god, and you have angered me. You will face your punishment, but not from me. I give you to the hands of those you used."
The San Shyuum was teleported out of Vigilances hands, covered in a brief golden glow, as he was sent to his last destination.
Vigilance stood on the bridge, watching the stunned hologram of the Jiralhanae. Accessing the ship's controls, he spoke through its comms, to every ship in the system.
"Hear me, and know doom. You have angered your gods, and now, punishment will come to you for your heinous crimes."
As systems activated on his world, Vigilance confirmed as the portal closed. The Gravity Tethers were still active, and, directing all available power he sent it through the tethers. The reaction would be felt soon, as the dual stars were fed colossal amounts of unstable energy, speeding up their lifetime, forcing them into premature super nova's. He accessed the fleet's systems, forcibly flooding them with viruses that locked down their slipspace drives and controls. He watched, as light poured forth from the dual stars, as they began expanding, until the moment came. Light blinded even his sensors as energy erupted from both stars, chaining and colliding together to feed the reaction in their cores. He watched, as the pulse of pure, raw power sped towards this world, and engulfed it, and with it, the ship and everything else. In the end moments, he found content. He had done his duty as a soldier. And passed his duty on to two worthy of it, one of them from his own line. He could not be any happier. The nova's spread through the system, obliterating the amassed fleet and everything else in between, leaving nothing but ash of the system.