Relinquish by mtnspringwater
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Blue Blood
Date: 18 March 2005, 8:14 AM
Dawn had come upon one of the sacred temples where a red clad Elite Major known to his companions simply as 'Rehomee had been observing. The temple was moderate in size compared to the others. It had two levels with distinct pillars integrated into it's architecture. On the inside, a number of passages lead to rooms within the structure, but only one route reached the center of the temple where the High Prophets' messages could be communicated. The early fog had finally dissipated allowing the sun's rays to filter through the temple's ancient chambers. So far nothing unusual had caught his attention.
"Food nipple!"
The Elite twitched at the sound of a squealing Grunt. It was the morning and the time when Grunts would complain the most. It was an annoyance, but he dealt with it, like he did every day. As he descended back inside the temple he heard the crashing winds of a Phantom making its approach.
"You're reinforcements have arrived!" A Brute announced from the Phantom ship.
"What?!" The Elite exclaimed in confusion. "I was never informed of this!" 'Rehomee quickly ran over to where the ship hovered.
The thundering Phantom lowered itself to the ground blasting a cloud of dirt into the air, then its back gate was propped open and a large squad of Brutes emerged from the rear. What appeared to be the Brute captain pushed his way to the front. "I am Haturk, you're new commander." He combed his fingers through the thick reddish mane on his chin as he studied the current group of occupants before him and then hefted his brute shot to his chest with both hands with a gesture of strength. "The hierarchs have demanded our presence and leadership in these quarters. I will be in charge of any decisions made from now on."
The Elite Major was overwhelmed with anger. The grip on his plasma rifle tightened. How could these Brutes declare themselves over him? He had been here for months, there was absolutely now way these Brutes could have an advantage.
"You cannot make decisions alone, I have been in charge of this area for much longer than you. I am more familiar with it."
The Brute turned to face the Elite who had spoken. A deep chortle escaped from the back of his throat. "You don't seem to understand...you no longer hold position to give orders."
The Brute's eyes held an intense fiery glare that burned deep into the Elite's obsidian gaze. It warned him of what was to come and he knew there was nothing he could do.
The Elite was left speechless as the Brutes continued to take access of the temple which he once oversaw with much pride. The Grunts stayed as far as possible from the prowling beasts. It bothered him that the Brutes had created such tension from within the covenant, and what was at display here was a perfect example of it. The only ones who didn't seem to mind the chaos were those damn Jackals, they thrived on it.
"I suppose this is now my place" Haturk proclaimed as he stood at the center of the sacred temple...the exact area which was once known to be under 'Rehomee's surveillance.
"It takes much respect and humility to guard this temple..." The red armored Elite said as he watched the Brutes settle.
"We don't need your advice Sangheili, this is now under proper protection. You should step down at once and allow us to do our work."
The Elite knew that retaliating against these Brutes would be an instant death wish; it was him against a dozen or so. And only a couple of lower ranking Elites were at his side, including five Grunts. The two Jackals that remained perched at the top of the hill side with beam rifles didn't seem to mind the new authority in the premise.
But there was something in his blood that made him tenacious. He could not accept how his role had suddenly been undermined. Perhaps there was a way he could still do his job efficiently without having to confront any of these primitive creatures.
The Brutes immediately began to attend to their assignments. A few of them wandered around in ghosts, they had the task of finding anything beyond the temple perimeters. The majority of them had positioned themselves along the outskirts of the temple, with only a few inside, including Haturk, the Brute leader.
The Grunts had also been ordered to provide support for the Brutes within the temple, only one sat outside on a turret.
The Brutes were taking great pleasure in displaying their power before the few Elites who had once occupied their duties. As the day came to an end the Brutes had taken confidence that there was nothing that could get past them.
'Rehomee had been restless since the Brutes had arrived. He had strayed far beyond the periphery of the temple's grounds. He did not feel secure with these wandering Brutes in his presence nor could he get any sleep. There was something wrong in the atmosphere. The way they behaved was inconspicuous and reserved. They kept most of the reasons for why they were chosen to replace the duties of his comrades and himself in secret. The Elite turned to look up to see how quickly time had gone. It was night and he had drifted far from the temple. He decided it was best to return quickly before anything else went unnoticed.
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Approaching the entrance of the temple 'Rehomee detected a faint copper odor in his midst. The smell became stronger as he trailed further into the front corridor. A grave silence pervaded around him. The mere sound of his foot steps was all he heard. He had come to the center of the temple. Here the scent had reached its peak. He turned to the left corner and in the dim light found both of his Elite comrades on the floor in a puddle of their own blood.
He wanted to cry out in rage, but he kept silent believing the one responsible for this atrocity was still near by.
"Don't move..." A dark voice warned from behind.
The Elite turned where he stood and saw the hulking silhouette of the Brute commander only a few yards before him.
"Didn't think to see you here so soon Sangheili,....But as you know time never seems to be on our side...eh?"
The Elite was caught between fear and fury. He was uncertain if he should attempt to avenge the death of his fellow Elites and die in the process, or whether he should try to save himself.
"Why did you do this?" 'Rehomee's voice finally cracked.
"It was what we were ordered to do." Haturk sincerely answered.
"I-I don't understand..." Had they been betrayed by the hierarchs? 'Rehomee wondered. "No, that is impossible...You are a liar..."
"Am I?" The Brute chuckled. "I would have brought this incident much sooner if it were in my hands, but as you can see it was not. You are no longer part of the covenant nor is any Sangheili. You are all to be put to death for your incompetence and failure to protect the prophets."
Without hesitation the Brute commander backhanded Rehomee on the side of his head knocking him to the floor. The Elite quickly turned to shoot his plasma rifle into the Brute's chest, but little harm was done as he was restrained by more Brutes.
"You will serve as an example to all Sangheili that tread near!" Haturk roared from above.
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