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Description
The Maw

Chapter Five
Vecr awoke shouting at an invisible enemy. His arms lashed wildly through the air, trying to crush something in their large grip. His breathing slowed as he remembered where he was.

After his ordeal in the swamp, Vecr had been picked up by a passing Spirit that had spotted him running senselessly through an open field. He had been running nonstop for three days. During his exodus from the swamp, Vecrs Body-count Archive had detected a total of two hundred and twenty-one casualties inflicted. The final count was at an incredible seven hundred and sixteen kills! Though this was reason to celebrate, Vecrs mind could not be deterred from the terrifying experience.

After the Swamp Incident, which had been triggered by the humans senseless urge to undo what the Covenant had done, Vecr had been sent to the nearest outpost under the Fleet of Particular Justices control. Which ironically was previously the humans ship, The Pillar of Autumn. There he had been placed in quarantine, for fear of infection, and was then later attended to by medical personnel. Vecr later found out that during most of the quarantine he had been half mad screaming, “MONSTERS!! DEVILS!!!”, while scraping at his helmet.

And now he sat upright in a makeshift cot screaming while his twin hearts hammered away in his chest. The Parasite, as he now knew their name, had done more damage then expected. Vecr swung his two large legs over the simple cots edge. His four fingered hand gripped the helmet encapsulating his head. Such memories! Horrible memories! He remembered running and firing into an endless shadow. He remembered seeing what had once been a brother, transformed into a monster! Vecr stood up shaking slightly. He needed to take his mind off the event. He strolled to a portion of the ship that had once been the armory. Vecr remembered that day, it seemed so long ago, when he and his lance had attempted to board the humans ship.
Vecr ambled to the far end of the human armory and discovered, against the wall, was his dried purple blood.
It really was a short time ago.

He then turned around and made his way to the bridge. The ship truly had lost its glory. The once smooth and shiny walls, were now scorched and covered in soot. His booted feet clomped against the ruined steel floor as he made his way to a Comm-Node. He passed by a few Special Operations Unggoy joyfully taking a nap. They were perhaps the most intelligent and powerful of their kind, to have survived nine full years in the Covenant service was not easy task for one of theirs. Whether it be waddling directly into enemy fire or being used as a meat shield, the Unggoy didn’t fare well.
Vecr accessed the Comm-Node and listened as different field reports were sent over the Battle-Net.
“Unable to sleep brother?”

Vecr looked over his shoulder to see a Sangheili Commander. The Commander wore a bright white combat harness that gloriously reflected still working lights from the human ship. Vecr was transfixed on the amazing image. Ever since his conscription into the Covenant, Vecr had dreamed of attaining the particular rank. It represented power, authority, and experience beyond measure. He genuflected before his superior.
“Indeed I cannot find rest great one. The visions of the past haunt me.”

The Commander stood before Vecr.
“By the gods, rise!”
Vecr did as commanded.
“Vecr ‘Xemoree, few could have survived the events that have recently transpired. The attack on the human ship, the Demon strike, fighting against humans isolated and outnumbered,” He paused, “the arrival of the Parasite…”

Vecr looked down in shame of remembering his dead comrades. The Commander put a hand on his shoulder.
“All of this you accomplished without so much as breaking a few bones! The gods smile upon you Vecr ‘Xemoree.”

As Vecr nodded in respect a shrill voice screamed over the Comm-Node.
“By the gods! They. Are. Everywhere! Help! Monsters! Open door, me no want stay!”

Vecr ran up to the Comm-Node. The transmission had come from near the ships engine room.
“Parasite!” The Commander growled.

Vecr immediately sprang into action. Though he feared the Parasite greatly, he would not shy away from battle.
“Commander I will go and protect the engine room as long as I can.”

The Commander clicked his mandibles.
“As you wish.”

Vecr gave one last look of respect before parting to gather his equipment.
The Commander turned to stare at the expanse of desert before the human ship. He thought for a moment, then activated his personal Comm-unit. If the Half-Commander survived the coming storm, he would find a wonderful field promotion waiting.

Vecr had quickly gathered his things and proceeded to the nearest elevator that would take him to the engine room. As the primitive human elevator brought him to the bowels of the ship Vecr thought. At the back of his mind there was the calming notion that he would not be staying on the “Holy” Ring much longer. He dreamed of returning to his place of birth as the primitive lift came to an abrupt halt and opened its doors.
He dashed out of the lift and came into a long hallway. Vecr activated his ocular implants and scanned the vicinity surrounding the human ship. He then became paranoid. Sure enough there were contacts heading towards the captured vessel, but instead of showing up as dots on the scanner it was a carpet of red creeping in from every direction. It was then he used a human swear verbiage for the first time.
“Shit!”

At the end of the hallway a door slid open revealing a human. All most. The “human” was severely decayed and the head twisted back across the shoulder in an unnatural manner. Most of its body lay bare and it had numerous tendrils sprouting out of its arm. It let out a pained screech as it strode towards him.
Vecr fired ten shots into the charging beast without so much as flinching. He purposely stepped on the creatures head, making a soft crunch as he did so. He sprinted through the door and came into an open room with three conduits stretching out across the rooms expanse.

And crawling everywhere was the Parasite. Vecr unleashed a burst into a charging parasite and smacked it across the head as it fell beside him. Another fell behind him and he reacted by swinging his leg into its side. The blow sent the parasite tumbling to the floor far below. Two came from his sides and tried to overwhelm him. As one raised its hand to swing down on his head, Vecr grabbed the arm and swung the body around. It collided with the other and both were sent screeching to the ground far below. They made wet slaps as their spongy bodies slammed against the floor. Now the smaller pods began to jump on Vecr, popping as they intercepted by his shielding. Unfortunately, the ensuing attack by the small pods had drained his shields to a quarter percent charge, and a infected Sangheili fired a confiscated plasma rifle into Vecrs, back draining the rest. Vecr returned fire and struck the monster directly between its feelers on the chest.

As the catwalk, Vecr stood upon, became so chocked with the parasite minions that they fell off from being pushed by their fellows, Vecr decided it would be best to find another position. He planted a plasma grenade at his feet and ducked into a short corridor leading to the other side of the room. As he rose from his knees, Vecr heard a muffled explosion as many of the parasites were consumed by the grenades fire. He let out a hearty laugh as a infected human tried to raise its weapon against him, but simply fell back and off the catwalk.

Vecr came to the engine rooms other side as a parasite leaped over its fallen brethren and slammed into Vecrs backside. The parasite went flailing over the edge but Vecr reacted quick enough to grip the rim of the catwalk. He hung there perilously for a moment before swinging himself back onto the metal grating. He looked up as a humming was heard permeating the room, and witnessed a light shining with brilliance incomparable.

The Oracle!

It floated about continuing its hum while it pulsed with a pale blue light. After it disappeared into one of the short hallways leading to the rooms other side, other machines like it began flowing from shafts along the ceiling. They were of a more angular and large design.

It was then Vecr heard the screech of a parasite. Looking behind him, Vecr saw what had once been a human waving its arms as it scurried towards him. Vecr was about to melt the things decaying body when the Warriors of the Sacred Ring unleashed a beam of blinding light upon the abomination. The thing didn’t even have time to register what was taking place as its body was incinerated.

Vecr cried out in joy as the parasite fell to the grated catwalk twitching its multiple limbs. He felt invigorated as he raised himself, adrenaline pumping in anticipation. But as he looked to one of the Sacred Rings Warriors, he felt that something was wrong.

He stared at it, it stared at him. Then, its single glowing eye brightened and light lanced out, striking Vecr solidly in the chest. He leaped out of the way as his shielding was drained halfway. The mechanized warrior slowly turned to finish the job when a ball of flaming blue struck its reflective surface. The machine paused, contemplating the situation, then exploded into bright blue light. Vecr gave a cheer as the metal casing fell to the floor in a heap, making a clang as it did so.

Then the other thirteen turned to face Vecr. He wasted no time rolling back into the hallway for cover. His shields recharged as he tucked into a ball.

As he came to a stop Vecr heard a hum from behind.
“Would you kindly step aside? I have much to do.”

Vecr spun and came face to face with the Oracle.
“If you do not move I will be required to utilize force.”

He moved, dumbfounded. He was within reach of the gods creation. A testament to their divine power.
“…please…” he whispered meekly, “…come back.”

It was then the hypnotism caused by the Oracle was broken when a parasite lunged from behind. The ferocity of the attack sent Vecr sprawling to the metal ground. He flipped himself over in time to see its feathery face twitch in anticipation as its head, carelessly pushed aside, emitted a deep an powerful scream. As the parasite bent over him, Vecr placed a booted foot squarely in its chest. He then grabbed the monsters wrists and pushed his leg with all his might. The dreadful monster was sent sailing over the catwalks edge and to the corpse covered ground below.

Vecr slowly got to his feet, feeling weary and drained. He decided on telling his brothers of his failure, as more abominations crawled all about him. A shaky hand went up to his comm-unit. His breath entered the lungs in short, ragged breaths. Words prepared themselves within his throat, as pain gathered with it. He did not wish to say the thing that all Sangheilian warriors never hoped to.
Failure.
He had failed the gods, failed the Covenant.
Failed his people.

If he survived he would never be able so speak among his brothers. Never be able to hold his head high in the sky. He would never be allowed to set foot upon the homeworld again.

He was about to activate the comm-unit when it blared its own evil tidings.

“We have fallen brothers.” it was the Commanders voice! “We cannot fight against the unending tide of the Parasite.” he paused, shamed at his own defeat. “The Demon has delivered upon me a mortal blow. It will not be long before I begin my Journey. But know this my brothers, though we fight a lost battle, though we have no hope of survival, do not despair! For we are the Sangheili! We protected the San ‘Shyuum! We upheld the Covenant! And we will all take The Journey!”

Vecr heard the Commander grunt in pain.
“Fight on my brothers. Remember who we are. What we are.”

There was a soft sigh as breath left the Commanders chest for the last time.
“For Sanghelios…”

Silence.

Fire raged around Vecr as the parasite tore through the engine room. His brilliant crimson Combat Harness reflected it back as though engaged in conversation with the flame. One thought rolled about in his mind.

Escape.

If he died aboard this ship, how would he continue to bring glory for his people? It was then he received a simple and obvious thought.

He would no longer fight for the path promised to him and his species. He would no longer fight to protect the Prophets. He would no longer fight for the sheer joy of it. He would fight for something else, something he should have done all along.

He would fight for his people.

A parasite darted for Vecr, but he simply batted it aside. He raced for a human lift opposite his position in the engine room. As he ran, Vecr eliminated many parasites using his rifle, his strength, and his will. They would not stop him! Not now! Not ever!

He slid into the lift and punched a green control against its wall. A grated door slid together as parasites scrambled to reach him. One even managed to fit its arm through the closing door and succeeded in having it removed. They banged against the lifts limited protection as more simply climbed atop the others already there. Then a violent explosion rocked the human ship and Vecr watched as some of the Parasite were burned alive. What could that have been?

The lift quickly sped up its pace and put more distance between Vecr and the mass of parasites below. As the lift zipped up the passage Vecr formulated his plan.

There was a Seraph fighter within the humans ship. If he could simply reach it and fly it away from the doomed ship, perhaps everything would be alright. The problem was, the Seraph was docked at the other end of the human ship. And the question was, how would he reach it in time before the ship was overran?

The lift then came to a stop and the door split open. Before him was some sort of holding bay for humans fighters. He ran out and stood before a ledge that looked down to the ground below. Nothing. He ran back and found three shield generators producing their blue barriers that protected Covenant troops. And behind them, something that could save Vecrs life.

A Ghost.

The simple hover vehicle had sustained little damage and sat there behind the shield generators screaming to be used. He sprinted to the purple machine and activated its controls as another explosion sent tremors through the ship. The craft raised itself about a unit from the floor.

As Vecr swung one of his legs over the Ghosts side and gripped its two controls, a realization struck him. The Demon was destroying the ship! No doubt to create on last act of destruction. Vecr pushed forward on the Ghosts right control and was soon flying down an enormous ramp that led to the main ‘highway’ that stretched itself along the ships length. He glided into a gigantic corridor that was large enough to accommodate a Banshee flier. He flew over the metal floor as more explosions tore through the ship. It truly was a race against time now.

Vecr came to a gigantic passageway with multiple bridges and a single tunnel that stretched directly beneath him. Vecr nosed the Ghost into the waving tunnel and smacked a few parasites as they rushed to greet him. The tunnel soon began to curve upward and Vecr flew up and over the tunnels lip. The end led to another corridor that winded left and right with large metal pillars in its center and doors that ran all along its length. And from these doors came the parasite, chasing after them were the Sacred Rings Warriors firing their beams of golden light.

Vecr deftly swerved left and right, avoiding the pillars and killing a few parasites that got in his way. Then he came to another passageway. Unlike the one before him, this had a low wall instead of a tunnel. The simple change caught Vecr by surprise and caused him to flip his Ghost in trying to avoid the wall. Vecr skidded along the metal floor and heard the screech of metal on metal as the Ghost, upside-down, slammed into two infested humans fighting one of the metal guardians. As the two parasites perished, the machine turned its sights to Vecr. He dodged its fire bouncing from one foot to the next while firing his plasma rifle on full automatic. The machines shield failed and its metal casing withered as the plasma burned through it. Vecr flipped the Ghost as the dead metal warrior crashed to the ground and blew apart in its own flaming pyre. Even more tremors were being sent through the ship.

Vecr sped through the passageway and came to another winding corridor with a large artificial hill at its end. He glided down its length and came flying out over a titanic gorge. As the Ghost fell to the bottom Vecr wondered, why did the humans feel the need to place such unhelpful obstacles throughout the ship?

He crashed into another waving tunnel and propelled the Ghost faster as explosions now began to form one after the other. It would not be long now. He catapulted over another gorge and glided into a small passageway. He looked far out and saw the end of his journey. A human hanger. As he neared the end of the passageway, Vecr jerked the Ghosts control left and zipped up a steep ramp that winded back and forth upon itself. Finally he rocketed out of the ramps end and found himself a level higher than he had previously been. And before him was freedom.

The teardrop shaped craft hovered quietly as Vecr zoomed towards it. As he was just coming under the Seraph, a parasite had crawled from one of the observatories above and fired a human explosive projectile weapon that screamed after Vecrs Ghost. He jumped from the doomed Ghost just as the explosive projectile slammed into its rear. The resulting explosion had sent Vecr sliding across the metal floor, nearly causing him to fall of the balcony the Seraph was situated over. His eyes scanned the hanger below him and he saw a human fighter docked. It did not matter. None would reach the hanger in time to use it.

Vecr jumped to his feet and jumped onto a portable grav-lift that sent him gliding on top of the Seraph. A immensely powerful explosion shook the human ship and caused Vecr to trip on the Seraphs slick surface. Through his unwavering will, Vecr brought himself back to the Seraphs center and activated a holo-control. The Seraphs circular door slid aside and Vecr hopped into its waiting depths. He ran sprinted to the cockpit and activated the fighter as yet another tremor surged its way through the ship. He settled into the pilots chair and pulled the Seraph out of the ships bowels.

As he zipped away Vecr looked through the Seraphs holo-cams and scanned the ground below. Unsurprisingly, there was a tidal wave of parasites swarming towards the human vessel.

Vecr exited the Holy Rings atmosphere and flew for the better part of a unit, relaxing as the Seraph pulled away from the nightmare. After flying for a few moments Vecr saw a flash of light through his half open eyes. He jumped up and activated the Seraphs rear holo-cams. There, upon the view screen, was the Sacred Ring being torn apart. Vecr guessed the Demon finally succeeded in what it hoped to accomplish as a portion of the Ring spun and collided into its other end.

Though great sadness gripped his heart, Vecr sat down in the Seraphs command chair, He let out a sigh and laid his throbbing head back. So much had transpired, upon the Ring. What was to become of him now? He decided that the notion was a worry for another day. He laid both his hands around the helmet covering his skull and pulled it off. Setting its scratched and scraped crimson surface at his feet. Vecr laid back his bare head and thought of things to come before succumbing

Description
The Maw

Chapter Five
Vecr awoke shouting at an invisible enemy. His arms lashed wildly through the air, trying to crush something in their large grip. His breathing slowed as he remembered where he was.

After his ordeal in the swamp, Vecr had been picked up by a passing Spirit that had spotted him running senselessly through an open field. He had been running nonstop for three days. During his exodus from the swamp, Vecrs Body-count Archive had detected a total of two hundred and twenty-one casualties inflicted. The final count was at an incredible seven hundred and sixteen kills! Though this was reason to celebrate, Vecrs mind could not be deterred from the terrifying experience.

After the Swamp Incident, which had been triggered by the humans senseless urge to undo what the Covenant had done, Vecr had been sent to the nearest outpost under the Fleet of Particular Justices control. Which ironically was previously the humans ship, The Pillar of Autumn. There he had been placed in quarantine, for fear of infection, and was then later attended to by medical personnel. Vecr later found out that during most of the quarantine he had been half mad screaming, “MONSTERS!! DEVILS!!!”, while scraping at his helmet.

And now he sat upright in a makeshift cot screaming while his twin hearts hammered away in his chest. The Parasite, as he now knew their name, had done more damage then expected. Vecr swung his two large legs over the simple cots edge. His four fingered hand gripped the helmet encapsulating his head. Such memories! Horrible memories! He remembered running and firing into an endless shadow. He remembered seeing what had once been a brother, transformed into a monster! Vecr stood up shaking slightly. He needed to take his mind off the event. He strolled to a portion of the ship that had once been the armory. Vecr remembered that day, it seemed so long ago, when he and his lance had attempted to board the humans ship.
Vecr ambled to the far end of the human armory and discovered, against the wall, was his dried purple blood.
It really was a short time ago.

He then turned around and made his way to the bridge. The ship truly had lost its glory. The once smooth and shiny walls, were now scorched and covered in soot. His booted feet clomped against the ruined steel floor as he made his way to a Comm-Node. He passed by a few Special Operations Unggoy joyfully taking a nap. They were perhaps the most intelligent and powerful of their kind, to have survived nine full years in the Covenant service was not easy task for one of theirs. Whether it be waddling directly into enemy fire or being used as a meat shield, the Unggoy didn’t fare well.
Vecr accessed the Comm-Node and listened as different field reports were sent over the Battle-Net.
“Unable to sleep brother?”

Vecr looked over his shoulder to see a Sangheili Commander. The Commander wore a bright white combat harness that gloriously reflected still working lights from the human ship. Vecr was transfixed on the amazing image. Ever since his conscription into the Covenant, Vecr had dreamed of attaining the particular rank. It represented power, authority, and experience beyond measure. He genuflected before his superior.
“Indeed I cannot find rest great one. The visions of the past haunt me.”

The Commander stood before Vecr.
“By the gods, rise!”
Vecr did as commanded.
“Vecr ‘Xemoree, few could have survived the events that have recently transpired. The attack on the human ship, the Demon strike, fighting against humans isolated and outnumbered,” He paused, “the arrival of the Parasite…”

Vecr looked down in shame of remembering his dead comrades. The Commander put a hand on his shoulder.
“All of this you accomplished without so much as breaking a few bones! The gods smile upon you Vecr ‘Xemoree.”

As Vecr nodded in respect a shrill voice screamed over the Comm-Node.
“By the gods! They. Are. Everywhere! Help! Monsters! Open door, me no want stay!”

Vecr ran up to the Comm-Node. The transmission had come from near the ships engine room.
“Parasite!” The Commander growled.

Vecr immediately sprang into action. Though he feared the Parasite greatly, he would not shy away from battle.
“Commander I will go and protect the engine room as long as I can.”

The Commander clicked his mandibles.
“As you wish.”

Vecr gave one last look of respect before parting to gather his equipment.
The Commander turned to stare at the expanse of desert before the human ship. He thought for a moment, then activated his personal Comm-unit. If the Half-Commander survived the coming storm, he would find a wonderful field promotion waiting.

Vecr had quickly gathered his things and proceeded to the nearest elevator that would take him to the engine room. As the primitive human elevator brought him to the bowels of the ship Vecr thought. At the back of his mind there was the calming notion that he would not be staying on the “Holy” Ring much longer. He dreamed of returning to his place of birth as the primitive lift came to an abrupt halt and opened its doors.
He dashed out of the lift and came into a long hallway. Vecr activated his ocular implants and scanned the vicinity surrounding the human ship. He then became paranoid. Sure enough there were contacts heading towards the captured vessel, but instead of showing up as dots on the scanner it was a carpet of red creeping in from every direction. It was then he used a human swear verbiage for the first time.
“Shit!”

At the end of the hallway a door slid open revealing a human. All most. The “human” was severely decayed and the head twisted back across the shoulder in an unnatural manner. Most of its body lay bare and it had numerous tendrils sprouting out of its arm. It let out a pained screech as it strode towards him.
Vecr fired ten shots into the charging beast without so much as flinching. He purposely stepped on the creatures head, making a soft crunch as he did so. He sprinted through the door and came into an open room with three conduits stretching out across the rooms expanse.

And crawling everywhere was the Parasite. Vecr unleashed a burst into a charging parasite and smacked it across the head as it fell beside him. Another fell behind him and he reacted by swinging his leg into its side. The blow sent the parasite tumbling to the floor far below. Two came from his sides and tried to overwhelm him. As one raised its hand to swing down on his head, Vecr grabbed the arm and swung the body around. It collided with the other and both were sent screeching to the ground far below. They made wet slaps as their spongy bodies slammed against the floor. Now the smaller pods began to jump on Vecr, popping as they intercepted by his shielding. Unfortunately, the ensuing attack by the small pods had drained his shields to a quarter percent charge, and a infected Sangheili fired a confiscated plasma rifle into Vecrs, back draining the rest. Vecr returned fire and struck the monster directly between its feelers on the chest.

As the catwalk, Vecr stood upon, became so chocked with the parasite minions that they fell off from being pushed by their fellows, Vecr decided it would be best to find another position. He planted a plasma grenade at his feet and ducked into a short corridor leading to the other side of the room. As he rose from his knees, Vecr heard a muffled explosion as many of the parasites were consumed by the grenades fire. He let out a hearty laugh as a infected human tried to raise its weapon against him, but simply fell back and off the catwalk.

Vecr came to the engine rooms other side as a parasite leaped over its fallen brethren and slammed into Vecrs backside. The parasite went flailing over the edge but Vecr reacted quick enough to grip the rim of the catwalk. He hung there perilously for a moment before swinging himself back onto the metal grating. He looked up as a humming was heard permeating the room, and witnessed a light shining with brilliance incomparable.

The Oracle!

It floated about continuing its hum while it pulsed with a pale blue light. After it disappeared into one of the short hallways leading to the rooms other side, other machines like it began flowing from shafts along the ceiling. They were of a more angular and large design.

It was then Vecr heard the screech of a parasite. Looking behind him, Vecr saw what had once been a human waving its arms as it scurried towards him. Vecr was about to melt the things decaying body when the Warriors of the Sacred Ring unleashed a beam of blinding light upon the abomination. The thing didn’t even have time to register what was taking place as its body was incinerated.

Vecr cried out in joy as the parasite fell to the grated catwalk twitching its multiple limbs. He felt invigorated as he raised himself, adrenaline pumping in anticipation. But as he looked to one of the Sacred Rings Warriors, he felt that something was wrong.

He stared at it, it stared at him. Then, its single glowing eye brightened and light lanced out, striking Vecr solidly in the chest. He leaped out of the way as his shielding was drained halfway. The mechanized warrior slowly turned to finish the job when a ball of flaming blue struck its reflective surface. The machine paused, contemplating the situation, then exploded into bright blue light. Vecr gave a cheer as the metal casing fell to the floor in a heap, making a clang as it did so.

Then the other thirteen turned to face Vecr. He wasted no time rolling back into the hallway for cover. His shields recharged as he tucked into a ball.

As he came to a stop Vecr heard a hum from behind.
“Would you kindly step aside? I have much to do.”

Vecr spun and came face to face with the Oracle.
“If you do not move I will be required to utilize force.”

He moved, dumbfounded. He was within reach of the gods creation. A testament to their divine power.
“…please…” he whispered meekly, “…come back.”

It was then the hypnotism caused by the Oracle was broken when a parasite lunged from behind. The ferocity of the attack sent Vecr sprawling to the metal ground. He flipped himself over in time to see its feathery face twitch in anticipation as its head, carelessly pushed aside, emitted a deep an powerful scream. As the parasite bent over him, Vecr placed a booted foot squarely in its chest. He then grabbed the monsters wrists and pushed his leg with all his might. The dreadful monster was sent sailing over the catwalks edge and to the corpse covered ground below.

Vecr slowly got to his feet, feeling weary and drained. He decided on telling his brothers of his failure, as more abominations crawled all about him. A shaky hand went up to his comm-unit. His breath entered the lungs in short, ragged breaths. Words prepared themselves within his throat, as pain gathered with it. He did not wish to say the thing that all Sangheilian warriors never hoped to.
Failure.
He had failed the gods, failed the Covenant.
Failed his people.

If he survived he would never be able so speak among his brothers. Never be able to hold his head high in the sky. He would never be allowed to set foot upon the homeworld again.

He was about to activate the comm-unit when it blared its own evil tidings.

“We have fallen brothers.” it was the Commanders voice! “We cannot fight against the unending tide of the Parasite.” he paused, shamed at his own defeat. “The Demon has delivered upon me a mortal blow. It will not be long before I begin my Journey. But know this my brothers, though we fight a lost battle, though we have no hope of survival, do not despair! For we are the Sangheili! We protected the San ‘Shyuum! We upheld the Covenant! And we will all take The Journey!”

Vecr heard the Commander grunt in pain.
“Fight on my brothers. Remember who we are. What we are.”

There was a soft sigh as breath left the Commanders chest for the last time.
“For Sanghelios…”

Silence.

Fire raged around Vecr as the parasite tore through the engine room. His brilliant crimson Combat Harness reflected it back as though engaged in conversation with the flame. One thought rolled about in his mind.

Escape.

If he died aboard this ship, how would he continue to bring glory for his people? It was then he received a simple and obvious thought.

He would no longer fight for the path promised to him and his species. He would no longer fight to protect the Prophets. He would no longer fight for the sheer joy of it. He would fight for something else, something he should have done all along.

He would fight for his people.

A parasite darted for Vecr, but he simply batted it aside. He raced for a human lift opposite his position in the engine room. As he ran, Vecr eliminated many parasites using his rifle, his strength, and his will. They would not stop him! Not now! Not ever!

He slid into the lift and punched a green control against its wall. A grated door slid together as parasites scrambled to reach him. One even managed to fit its arm through the closing door and succeeded in having it removed. They banged against the lifts limited protection as more simply climbed atop the others already there. Then a violent explosion rocked the human ship and Vecr watched as some of the Parasite were burned alive. What could that have been?

The lift quickly sped up its pace and put more distance between Vecr and the mass of parasites below. As the lift zipped up the passage Vecr formulated his plan.

There was a Seraph fighter within the humans ship. If he could simply reach it and fly it away from the doomed ship, perhaps everything would be alright. The problem was, the Seraph was docked at the other end of the human ship. And the question was, how would he reach it in time before the ship was overran?

The lift then came to a stop and the door split open. Before him was some sort of holding bay for humans fighters. He ran out and stood before a ledge that looked down to the ground below. Nothing. He ran back and found three shield generators producing their blue barriers that protected Covenant troops. And behind them, something that could save Vecrs life.

A Ghost.

The simple hover vehicle had sustained little damage and sat there behind the shield generators screaming to be used. He sprinted to the purple machine and activated its controls as another explosion sent tremors through the ship. The craft raised itself about a unit from the floor.

As Vecr swung one of his legs over the Ghosts side and gripped its two controls, a realization struck him. The Demon was destroying the ship! No doubt to create on last act of destruction. Vecr pushed forward on the Ghosts right control and was soon flying down an enormous ramp that led to the main ‘highway’ that stretched itself along the ships length. He glided into a gigantic corridor that was large enough to accommodate a Banshee flier. He flew over the metal floor as more explosions tore through the ship. It truly was a race against time now.

Vecr came to a gigantic passageway with multiple bridges and a single tunnel that stretched directly beneath him. Vecr nosed the Ghost into the waving tunnel and smacked a few parasites as they rushed to greet him. The tunnel soon began to curve upward and Vecr flew up and over the tunnels lip. The end led to another corridor that winded left and right with large metal pillars in its center and doors that ran all along its length. And from these doors came the parasite, chasing after them were the Sacred Rings Warriors firing their beams of golden light.

Vecr deftly swerved left and right, avoiding the pillars and killing a few parasites that got in his way. Then he came to another passageway. Unlike the one before him, this had a low wall instead of a tunnel. The simple change caught Vecr by surprise and caused him to flip his Ghost in trying to avoid the wall. Vecr skidded along the metal floor and heard the screech of metal on metal as the Ghost, upside-down, slammed into two infested humans fighting one of the metal guardians. As the two parasites perished, the machine turned its sights to Vecr. He dodged its fire bouncing from one foot to the next while firing his plasma rifle on full automatic. The machines shield failed and its metal casing withered as the plasma burned through it. Vecr flipped the Ghost as the dead metal warrior crashed to the ground and blew apart in its own flaming pyre. Even more tremors were being sent through the ship.

Vecr sped through the passageway and came to another winding corridor with a large artificial hill at its end. He glided down its length and came flying out over a titanic gorge. As the Ghost fell to the bottom Vecr wondered, why did the humans feel the need to place such unhelpful obstacles throughout the ship?

He crashed into another waving tunnel and propelled the Ghost faster as explosions now began to form one after the other. It would not be long now. He catapulted over another gorge and glided into a small passageway. He looked far out and saw the end of his journey. A human hanger. As he neared the end of the passageway, Vecr jerked the Ghosts control left and zipped up a steep ramp that winded back and forth upon itself. Finally he rocketed out of the ramps end and found himself a level higher than he had previously been. And before him was freedom.

The teardrop shaped craft hovered quietly as Vecr zoomed towards it. As he was just coming under the Seraph, a parasite had crawled from one of the observatories above and fired a human explosive projectile weapon that screamed after Vecrs Ghost. He jumped from the doomed Ghost just as the explosive projectile slammed into its rear. The resulting explosion had sent Vecr sliding across the metal floor, nearly causing him to fall of the balcony the Seraph was situated over. His eyes scanned the hanger below him and he saw a human fighter docked. It did not matter. None would reach the hanger in time to use it.

Vecr jumped to his feet and jumped onto a portable grav-lift that sent him gliding on top of the Seraph. A immensely powerful explosion shook the human ship and caused Vecr to trip on the Seraphs slick surface. Through his unwavering will, Vecr brought himself back to the Seraphs center and activated a holo-control. The Seraphs circular door slid aside and Vecr hopped into its waiting depths. He ran sprinted to the cockpit and activated the fighter as yet another tremor surged its way through the ship. He settled into the pilots chair and pulled the Seraph out of the ships bowels.

As he zipped away Vecr looked through the Seraphs holo-cams and scanned the ground below. Unsurprisingly, there was a tidal wave of parasites swarming towards the human vessel.

Vecr exited the Holy Rings atmosphere and flew for the better part of a unit, relaxing as the Seraph pulled away from the nightmare. After flying for a few moments Vecr saw a flash of light through his half open eyes. He jumped up and activated the Seraphs rear holo-cams. There, upon the view screen, was the Sacred Ring being torn apart. Vecr guessed the Demon finally succeeded in what it hoped to accomplish as a portion of the Ring spun and collided into its other end.

Though great sadness gripped his heart, Vecr sat down in the Seraphs command chair, He let out a sigh and laid his throbbing head back. So much had transpired, upon the Ring. What was to become of him now? He decided that the notion was a worry for another day. He laid both his hands around the helmet covering his skull and pulled it off. Setting its scratched and scraped crimson surface at his feet. Vecr laid back his bare head and thought of things to come before succumbing