A human ship had fled from one of the inner colonies. This ship was somehow able to find one of the holy relics that the Covenant had been searching years for. The fleet boarded the human vessel to find out how the humans found one of the holy rings. But their systems were wiped clean, preventing them from finding out how the humans found it. Not only that but many of them escaped their vessel fleeing to the Ring.
Aboard the CCS Battle Cruiser, Unyielding Conviction, the Field Master – Rok ‘Kusurai – was heading towards the bridge to give a report on their boarding efforts. He was calm yet uneasy. He knew they could easily wipe out the remaining humans that escaped that ship but still. Their filthy footsteps had touched the Ring's surface.
It had been many years since he had failed a mission and to let something like this happen was infuriating. Humans setting foot on the holy ring felt like one of his biggest failures during his service within the Covenant.
As he entered the bridge, he scanned the room looking for the Ship Master. The Ship Master did not seem to be present yet.
A familiar voice from behind him spoke, “Field Master”. The Field Master turned to see the Ship Master and next to him stood. . . the Fleet Master.
He quickly took a knee, “Fleet Master.” Rok has never feared anyone. A chill went down his spine after seeing his Fleet Master in front of him. He pulled himself together, speaking sternly, “Fleet Master, I have failed to stop the humans from escaping and setting foot on the holy Ring.” He took hold of his blade on his hip, igniting it, holding it to his stomach, “For my failure, I will end my own life.”
There was a moment of silence. Rok was being watched by all members of the bridge. He did not care. A failure like this was punishable by death, he knew this.
He heard the voice of his Fleet Master,“Stow your blade, Field Master.” He raised his head slightly. The Fleet Master did not seem angered at him. “Stow. Your. Blade”, the Fleet Master repeated, “and stand.”
Rok stowed his blade and stood asking, “But Fleet Master I- “. Before he could finish speaking the Fleet Master interrupted saying, “I understand that you feel this loss. Have you not forgotten I do not punish those who fail, especially those who bring honor to this Fleet? Each failure is a lesson to be learned from.”
Rok had forgotten, his Fleet Master is not as harsh as other leaders within the Covenant. The first time he met him was during a battle on a human world, long before their fleet was fully formed. The final battle on that world was the last loss Rok could remember. Failing to prevent the death of his former Ship Master, Lakna ‘Takaree.
The Fleet Master walked by him saying, “You’re one of the main reasons we have found a Halo.” There was a Forerunner relic they found on the human world that gave coordinates to what they thought was another temple. Rok and his Zealot teams did not expect the coordinates to lead to one of the holy rings.
“Humans have surprised us many times. Time and time again they have employed tactics we did not think they were capable of. Especially when it comes to Demons”, the Fleet Master says.
The Fleet Master stopped at a monitor showing the human ship burning, falling towards the ring. Rok had studied many of the fleet master’s past battles, even before he rose to the rank of Fleet Master. The Fleet Master came from a respected Clan, ‘Sukul. The previous Kaidon was a Ship Master, known for his kindness towards his warriors. Valuing their lives well before his own. Katosa, that was the name of his fleet master’s father. The sons all followed his path rising through the ranks. Eysu ‘Sukulee, the Commander of the Rangers. Cazu ‘Sukulee, Ship Master and 2nd in command of the Fleet. Ishto Nar ‘Sukulee, the Fleet Master.
Ishto turns to face Rok asking, “How many strongholds do we have on the Ring so far?”
“Two are currently fully operational, seven are still under construction”, Rok responded. That was one of the first priorities when they discovered the ring. Rok had suggested that three ships move ahead to secure the ring before the human vessel could reach their prize.
Ishto nodded in approval turning back to face the monitor, “The humans most likely do not know the importance of this ring. There are also very few of them. No one will come to their aid”, Ishto turned, looking at the crew of the bridge, “The humans will not have this ring. We will hunt them down to the last. . . The Great Journey will soon be upon us.”