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So my friends and I are planning a massive apocalypse slugfest this Christmas holiday and we're trying to write some back-story. I haven't actually written anything since I took an intro to fiction class a couple years ago, so I knocked the rust off and tried my hand at a little something. Just curious what you all think. I'm not claiming to be a great author or anything (or even passable) but I enjoy writing so I thought I might as well try to get better at it.
Something you need to know, one of my friends plays a custom made Covenant from Halo army (complete with fandex) and another converted his IG to look like Halo marines, so we're playing in some bizarre crossover of Halo and 40k. The details aren't really nailed down but that is kind of essential knowledge for it to make any sense. Also my last name is Hook so my commander got named "Hook`A" (not by me I might add). `A isn't actually a real Tau rank suffix and I never really bothered to nail down what it means. I'm feeling like "disgraced" or "provisional status" of some kind could be cool for character development, but I really have no firm plans.
No title at the moment. (also I wrote this in Word and apparently the formatting doesn't transfer over while pasting. If you see any dumb format errors it's probably me not fixing it right for the forums)
Story Starts Here:
The Covenant Assault Carrier Burning Retribution hung in space like a shard of ice in the inky blackness between the stars. Its external illumination systems operated at full power, as if by their meager efforts they could stave off the approach of eternal night. No craft had ever occupied this desolate location before. Indeed there was no apparent reason for a craft to be here now.
All was quiet. Still, the question remains: what strange machinations have waylaid this vessel? What conceivable purpose could the pride of the Covenant fleet find in such a place?
The answer to that question was revealed by the sudden appearance of a new star punctuating the panorama that engulfed the craft. This was no distant ball of gas; however, but the unmistakable blue radiance of frequency shifted light associated with the gravitational drive favored by the Tau empire. The newcomer was small at first, barely visible to the unassisted eye, but it grew with a rapidity that would confound those accustomed to such things. Surely no vessel could move this quickly without resorting to the danger of Warp travel?
The seeming impossibility did not bother the air caste bridge crew of the Ke`Ishan Korst`La Kunas`Myr (or, as less sophisticated beings would call it, the Protector class cruiser Swiftknife, constructed on the Tau world of Ke`Ishan). They were well aware of the principles behind their stutter-warp drives; as well as their inherent superiority over other species` methods of travel. Truly it was foolish to expose oneself to the dangers inherent in Warp travel simply to arrive at one’s destination faster. Yet another example of why the other species in the galaxy needed to submit to the wisdom and guidance of the Tau Empire.
Commander Hook`A knew little of these matters; and cared less. It was not his place to know such things. The earth caste built the ships and the air caste operated them but he was a warrior of the fire caste, trained from birth to understand the art of war and apply it upon those who did not accept the Greater Good of their own free will.
He sometimes wondered how such an impulse could exist, but not often. This too was something it was not his place to know. He returned his attention to the massive cargo bay in front of him where his specially reinforced cadre was preparing for battle. It was truly an honor that the Ethereals had gifted such a position of command upon him despite his relative inexperience.
He would make sure it was deserved.
Teams of fire warriors and pathfinders practiced marksmanship under his observation, their finely crafted pulse weaponry shredding targets depicting the Gue`La slaves of the so called “Emperor”; Crisis suits performed actuator and weapon tests while technicians of the earth caste looked on in approval; but at the center of all was the enormous scaffold surrounding the Riptide class battlesuit Lar`Shi`Vre (Deathbringer) recently assigned to his command. Even the alien Kroot were preparing for battle in their own ways, ritualistically applying war paint and recounting the great tales of their race (or something like that. Hook`A was never sure when it came to these auxiliaries).
The regime of training took an unexpected turn when a wall hatch slid open at the edge of the room. The Tau standing behind it was not all that impressive upon first inspection. She was not particularly strong looking nor did she wear the heavy armor of the fire caste. In fact her only clothing was a set of ceremonial robes that wouldn’t have a chance of stopping anything more menacing than a gentle breeze. Despite this she carried herself with an air of extreme confidence and dignity.
A fire warrior who happened to be near the hatch at the time stiffened abruptly in surprise, but to his credit allowed only the slightest of pauses before issuing the appropriate response which whipped out over the radio network integrated into the cadre’s helmets “Ethereal on deck!” This exclamation was followed by a synchronized *slam* as every Tau braced to attention, stamping their hoof down on the deck in the formal greeting of respect for one superior to them. Hook`A added his own hoof with the natural cadence born of many year’s practice. This may be his cadre, but only by consent of the Ethereal currently present.
Slowly the Ethereal walked until she was directly in the center of the room. Only then did she begin to speak. She did not raise her voice and spoke calmly, secure in the knowledge that her words would be heard regardless:
“Warriors, you may be wondering why it is that we find ourselves in this situation. I assure you that we still serve the Greater Good, however the nature of our mission is of a sensitive nature. It is time for that nature to be made known to you.”
The hanger became even quieter, if such a thing was possible. Even the incomprehensible Vespid stilled the buzzing of their wings in anticipation, although that could simply be the compliance protocols of their communion helms finally settling in.
“I am sure you are aware of a power known as the ‘Covenant’. Truly they would become a great ally if only they could set aside their superstitions and believe in our destiny, but this is not the time to talk of politics. Regardless, it has been made known that they have discovered an artifact, a weapon of some considerable but undetermined power. This artifact would be much better served in our hands.”
The Tau in the hanger gripped their weapons a little tighter.
“I see what you are thinking; we will not be seizing this artifact by force. Even as we wait our most skilled diplomats and social engineers of the water caste are preparing the way for our inevitable victory. All we need do is assist the Covenant in reclaiming this artifact, this ‘Halo’. At that time certain members of the Covenant leadership will see the error of their ways and defect to us, completely by their own free will of course.”
The Ethereal paused to smile at this point and a ripple of laughter spread across the room before silence reigned once again. After this had time to die down her voice renewed itself, at first in the same calm way she had used previously, but then allowing itself to build until the last sentence was a shout of exhortation.
“Let it be known, this is truly a glorious day for the Greater Good. We meet now in diplomacy, but soon the battle will be joined. Fight bravely knowing that while an individual life may be lost in service of the Greater Good, the strands that connect us together life to life will remain. This is the essence of the Tau`Va, and the Tau`Va will never die!”
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