Post by The Commander on Oct 27, 2014 22:38:48 GMT -5
The corridors of the Covenant Corvette were thick with various personnel of every rank and specialization, all busy with some assigned task or lingering in small groups, conversing quietly amongst themselves. Despite the commotion that was inherent of the ship's interconnecting passages, there was not a soul that failed to take notice of the figure making his way down the halls on his way to the ship's bridge. Adorned in glossy, space-black armor, marching through the corridors with an aura of authority, was the commander of the vessel's special operations division. Roha 'Rahmamee, better known by his rank and status as simply the "Commander."
The Commander glared at a file of Unggoy that were blocking his path, chattering about something he couldn't quite hear from where he stood. He stepped toward them, purposefully stomping his hoofed feet on the violet deck plating so that each step echoed through the corridor, and watched with amusement as the senior Unggoy of the file took notice of him and scurried out of his way. Roha lingered for just a moment, clenching his quadruple-hinged jaw as a sign of disgust towards the lesser beings, then resumed his trek towards the bridge.
As he neared the command center, his thoughts drew back to the events that had led him to the meeting in which he had been called to attend. According to the Shipmaster, his most exalted had personally requested his presence. It was rare for a Minor Prophet to request the presence of a Sangheili of his status lest there was something of the highest importance that demanded someone with his particular skillset.
Since the operation that had transpired aboard the human ship, 'Rahmamee and his subordinates had tirelessly looked over the data taken from the human computers and disseminated the information for his superiors. The translation of the information from the barbaric and primitive human language had been a challenge, but fortunately his unit possessed a few Unggoy that had taken it upon themselves to learn their language and writing long ago. They had proven to be invaluable assets, and he'd been sure to commend them for their work.
The information that they had obtained had been passed on to the higher echelons of his command chain, and it appeared that the Powers That Be had decided upon what to do with the intelligence provided.
'Rahmamee rounded the corner and found himself at the door to the Corvette's bridge. Posted in front of the door was a fellow Sangheili wearing the same security variant of the special operations armor. He raised his hand in front of him, indicating for 'Rahmamee to stop. "Halt, brother," the security officer ordered curtly. "You must present identification before I grant you access to the bridge."
The Commander huffed, quite aware of standing protocol. He fished through his combat harness until his large, slender fingers wrapped around the disk contained within it. He handed the Sangheili the disk, whom inserted it into a scanner and scrutinized the information that popped on screen. He glanced up at the Commander, before distorting the disk and handing it back to him. "Very well, Commander 'Rahmamee," the officer droned, "you may proceed. The Shipmaster and his Excellency are expecting you."
"My thanks," 'Rahmamee replied passively, stepping towards the door.
It chimed, and then parted to admit him onto the bridge. Unlike the command centers of human vessels, which were located to the front of their vessels, the Covenant's ships placed their bridges in the center of its structure, protected by layers of armor and shields, as well as multiple decks both above and below it. At the center of the bridge was a circular, raised platform where the vessel's commander could overlook his command staff and direct their actions.
Standing upon that platform in glistening gold armor, his hands clasped behind his back, was Shipmaster Folka 'Danamee. Directly behind him, suspended in the air in a gravity-altering chair, wearing the ornate robes and headdress of a Minor Prophet, was the Prophet of Incorruptible Spirit. The two appeared to be conversing privately until the Commander approached the platform, to which their conversation promptly ended.
'Rahmamee took two steps forward up the ramp and halted, bowing out of respect to His Excellency. The Prophet nodded at him and waved his hand dismissively.
"Commander 'Rahmamee," His Excellency greeted. "I hear it is because of you that we have acquired valuable information on the humans, and the location of one of their wretched bastions."
The Commander nodded respectfully. "Yes, Excellency," he said. "Though at the cost of many of my men. The humans were determined not to allow us to escape with such intelligence."
The Prophet of Incorruptible Spirit smiled, seemingly unfazed by the knowledge that lives were lost over the course of the retrieval operation. That struck a cord with Roha, though he kept it hidden behind a mask of impassiveness.
"And why wouldn't they be?" the Prophet inquired, causing Roha some measure of perplexion. "Though vermin and beneath us, the humans are sentient beings capable of rudimentary thinking. It is regrettable that losses were suffered; however, mourn them we should not. After all, they have now ascended onto the path of the Great Journey. One day all of us shall join them amongst the likes of the Gods."
Honestly, Roha could not disagree more with his superior's rationale. However, unfortunately, to do so would be the greatest of heresies and would likely have him executed on the spot. Unlike the majority of his peers, the Commander had grown to respect the humans, and often questioned why the Covenant had not put an end to this pointless conflict by inviting them into the ranks of the hegemony.
"Yes, Excellency," he replied, and then decided to get to the point. "Why have I been summoned?"
His Excellency chuckled and gestured towards the Shipmaster. The elder Sangheili cleared his throat to speak. "With the information you have provided us, we have triangulated the exact location of a human world. Given the circumstances, it is conceivable that the humans will warn their brethren of an impending assault and bolster the world's defenses."
The Prophet floated forward some, indicating it was his turn to speak. "Not that their defenses will be capable of impeding our progress for long, we still would like to be aware of the disposition of our opposition. Should the humans be preparing for our arrival, we would prefer to be armed with the information on how to best combat them."
'Rahmamee understood his superior's intentions. They were interested in a swift and decisive victory, not a prolonged conflict. Knowledge was power, and they wanted all the knowledge they could absorb on the tactical situation.
"What would you have me do?"
The Prophet's smile widened. "You will assume command of this vessel and quietly sneak your way into the system. Gather all the information you can, and discreetly transmit it back to the fleet."
Shock outlined the Commander's expression. He hadn't been expecting to receive command of an entire Stealth Corvette. His beady obsidian eyes fell upon the Shipmaster, whom looked none too pleased with this course of action. Realizing that the Prophet was awaiting a response, 'Rahmamee replied, "It would be an honor to command such a fine vessel, your Excellency."
The Prophet nodded, and so it was done. After a brief discussion with the Shipmaster, both he and the Prophet left 'Rahmamee upon the bridge, still someone in shock. This ship now belonged to him, even if only temporarily. In just a few cycles, they would break away from the fleet and depart for the human colony.
The Commander glared at a file of Unggoy that were blocking his path, chattering about something he couldn't quite hear from where he stood. He stepped toward them, purposefully stomping his hoofed feet on the violet deck plating so that each step echoed through the corridor, and watched with amusement as the senior Unggoy of the file took notice of him and scurried out of his way. Roha lingered for just a moment, clenching his quadruple-hinged jaw as a sign of disgust towards the lesser beings, then resumed his trek towards the bridge.
As he neared the command center, his thoughts drew back to the events that had led him to the meeting in which he had been called to attend. According to the Shipmaster, his most exalted had personally requested his presence. It was rare for a Minor Prophet to request the presence of a Sangheili of his status lest there was something of the highest importance that demanded someone with his particular skillset.
Since the operation that had transpired aboard the human ship, 'Rahmamee and his subordinates had tirelessly looked over the data taken from the human computers and disseminated the information for his superiors. The translation of the information from the barbaric and primitive human language had been a challenge, but fortunately his unit possessed a few Unggoy that had taken it upon themselves to learn their language and writing long ago. They had proven to be invaluable assets, and he'd been sure to commend them for their work.
The information that they had obtained had been passed on to the higher echelons of his command chain, and it appeared that the Powers That Be had decided upon what to do with the intelligence provided.
'Rahmamee rounded the corner and found himself at the door to the Corvette's bridge. Posted in front of the door was a fellow Sangheili wearing the same security variant of the special operations armor. He raised his hand in front of him, indicating for 'Rahmamee to stop. "Halt, brother," the security officer ordered curtly. "You must present identification before I grant you access to the bridge."
The Commander huffed, quite aware of standing protocol. He fished through his combat harness until his large, slender fingers wrapped around the disk contained within it. He handed the Sangheili the disk, whom inserted it into a scanner and scrutinized the information that popped on screen. He glanced up at the Commander, before distorting the disk and handing it back to him. "Very well, Commander 'Rahmamee," the officer droned, "you may proceed. The Shipmaster and his Excellency are expecting you."
"My thanks," 'Rahmamee replied passively, stepping towards the door.
It chimed, and then parted to admit him onto the bridge. Unlike the command centers of human vessels, which were located to the front of their vessels, the Covenant's ships placed their bridges in the center of its structure, protected by layers of armor and shields, as well as multiple decks both above and below it. At the center of the bridge was a circular, raised platform where the vessel's commander could overlook his command staff and direct their actions.
Standing upon that platform in glistening gold armor, his hands clasped behind his back, was Shipmaster Folka 'Danamee. Directly behind him, suspended in the air in a gravity-altering chair, wearing the ornate robes and headdress of a Minor Prophet, was the Prophet of Incorruptible Spirit. The two appeared to be conversing privately until the Commander approached the platform, to which their conversation promptly ended.
'Rahmamee took two steps forward up the ramp and halted, bowing out of respect to His Excellency. The Prophet nodded at him and waved his hand dismissively.
"Commander 'Rahmamee," His Excellency greeted. "I hear it is because of you that we have acquired valuable information on the humans, and the location of one of their wretched bastions."
The Commander nodded respectfully. "Yes, Excellency," he said. "Though at the cost of many of my men. The humans were determined not to allow us to escape with such intelligence."
The Prophet of Incorruptible Spirit smiled, seemingly unfazed by the knowledge that lives were lost over the course of the retrieval operation. That struck a cord with Roha, though he kept it hidden behind a mask of impassiveness.
"And why wouldn't they be?" the Prophet inquired, causing Roha some measure of perplexion. "Though vermin and beneath us, the humans are sentient beings capable of rudimentary thinking. It is regrettable that losses were suffered; however, mourn them we should not. After all, they have now ascended onto the path of the Great Journey. One day all of us shall join them amongst the likes of the Gods."
Honestly, Roha could not disagree more with his superior's rationale. However, unfortunately, to do so would be the greatest of heresies and would likely have him executed on the spot. Unlike the majority of his peers, the Commander had grown to respect the humans, and often questioned why the Covenant had not put an end to this pointless conflict by inviting them into the ranks of the hegemony.
"Yes, Excellency," he replied, and then decided to get to the point. "Why have I been summoned?"
His Excellency chuckled and gestured towards the Shipmaster. The elder Sangheili cleared his throat to speak. "With the information you have provided us, we have triangulated the exact location of a human world. Given the circumstances, it is conceivable that the humans will warn their brethren of an impending assault and bolster the world's defenses."
The Prophet floated forward some, indicating it was his turn to speak. "Not that their defenses will be capable of impeding our progress for long, we still would like to be aware of the disposition of our opposition. Should the humans be preparing for our arrival, we would prefer to be armed with the information on how to best combat them."
'Rahmamee understood his superior's intentions. They were interested in a swift and decisive victory, not a prolonged conflict. Knowledge was power, and they wanted all the knowledge they could absorb on the tactical situation.
"What would you have me do?"
The Prophet's smile widened. "You will assume command of this vessel and quietly sneak your way into the system. Gather all the information you can, and discreetly transmit it back to the fleet."
Shock outlined the Commander's expression. He hadn't been expecting to receive command of an entire Stealth Corvette. His beady obsidian eyes fell upon the Shipmaster, whom looked none too pleased with this course of action. Realizing that the Prophet was awaiting a response, 'Rahmamee replied, "It would be an honor to command such a fine vessel, your Excellency."
The Prophet nodded, and so it was done. After a brief discussion with the Shipmaster, both he and the Prophet left 'Rahmamee upon the bridge, still someone in shock. This ship now belonged to him, even if only temporarily. In just a few cycles, they would break away from the fleet and depart for the human colony.