Halo: Golden Blood/Prologue: Chapter 1- The Invasion

The Invasion
Thoze ‘Sumanai stood in the darkness, he swayed with every rattle and shake. Around him other Sangheili and Unggoy stood and sat talking and ranting. Despite the noise and excitement around Thoze that would be unignorable to most, he heard none of it. The only thing he heard was his own voice and thoughts. Each thought swirled in his mind trying to predict every scenario based on the information he and the other Majors were given. Suddenly, Thoze heard a voice.... his mother's voice....
“In the fields of Sunaion, where the grasses sway, 
The spirits of our ancestors guide your way.
Their whispers in the breeze, a soft, sweet song,
Telling tales of honor, where we belong.”
The sudden thought of the lullaby snapped him out of reality. Not understanding what brought the memory so quickly. Nevertheless, it brought a small smile to his face, his mandibles closing together ever so slightly to show such a gesture. He closed his eyes reminiscing in the moment a little longer before he continued to plan his lances assault. Right before he could open his eyes, Thoze heard the hum of the Phantom door opening before the sunlight pierced his eyelids. He smelled the water around him as he opened his eyes to see. He jumped off the Phantom before anyone else could. His officer armor gleaming in the light. As he stepped forward, he spoke under his breath, 
“O noble ancestors, hear my desperate plea. Cleanse my heart, so that I may guide others in your revered name. Empower me with the almighty flame of your wisdom and strength. Guide my soul, that I may lift the burdens that weigh upon me. Cleanse my mind, that I may vanquish the demons that seek to bring me down. With your eternal grace, let me honor the legacy of our lineage. In your name, I find my purpose and my path.” 
Thoze prepared his lance comprising of three other Sangheili and around six Unggoy to follow him. As he looked around to scan the area yet again, he noticed the environment surrounding the Phantom was a stark contrast to its advanced technology. The landscape was rugged and untamed, characterized by jagged rock formations and sparse, resilient vegetation that clung stubbornly to the arid soil. The air was thick with the scent of earth and the distant roar of crashing waves, hinting at a nearby coastline. A dry, hot wind swept across the terrain, carrying with it fine grains of sand that sparkled under the harsh sunlight. In the distance, towering mountains loomed, their peaks shrouded in a thin veil of mist. The sky overhead was a brilliant expanse of blue, dotted with the occasional, lazy drift of clouds. 
The entire scene was one of raw, untamed beauty, a testament to the planet's ancient and formidable natural forces. Forces that could make or break this entire assault. He looked up at the sky behind him to more Phantoms and Spirits approaching the landing zone. Not one being shot down was a good sign. The scouts determined that the base was severely undefended. No heavy vehicles or shade turrets were seen. These reports were at least a week old. Despite the obvious accuracy of the intel, something felt wrong.... What commander leaves such a defendable base unsupported and unsupplied. 
Thoze shook his head in disappointment and disbelief. “Pity that such a place is wa-” 
Tsk tsk tsk tsk
The sound of a shade turret breaks the stale air. Shocked, Thoze looked behind him towards the base. In utter shock as he sees one, two, three, four, five, six, seven shade turrets fire at the incoming ships. 
“Khikara!” The curse squirmed out of Thoze’s mouth in a wale of frustration as he looks back to see 2 Spirits going down along with a Phantom going down with a Wraith. Thoze thoughts rushed with questions. 
“Why.... Why Why Why.... the intel was only a week old... so where did they get all of this eq-” 
A grunt screamed “Incoming Wraith Mortor!” 
Thoze looked back towards the base to see a Wraith mortar hitting the Phantom they had just disembarked from. The explosion threw him back into a jagged rock completely depleting his shields. Thoze disoriented looked back up to see the destroyed Phantom. 
Shakely, he stood up screaming “Who’s still alive and if you are follow me!” 
Two Sangheili would get up immediately responding to the order “Yes 'Sumanai!” 
Thoze knew the two Elites as Uvu 'Gogamee and Viza 'Nacamee. Both were capable fighters that could keep up with him. 
He then noticed a single Grunt stand up.... one he knew very well... “Zapal, follow behind us and give us firing support.” Thoze ordered. 
Zapal still shaken up from the impact, replied “Y-yes major...” Thoze then looked to the rest. All of them dead either from the impact of the blast or being crushed by debris. A sorrowful and dreadful face covered Thoze as he looked at the carnage.... “I’m sorry brothers...” Thoze whispered as he turned away sprinting towards the base. Behind him were Uvu 'Gogamee, Viza 'Nacamee, and Zapal. 
Uvu spoke up “So... what’s our plan Blademaster?” 
Thoze mind rushed at question only finding one answer. “We rush to the base and try and take out those shades.... That should give the Skymasters enough time to land with infantry.” 
Viza then asked, “How many other Phantoms landed before the base open fired?” 
Thoze paused at the question. Finally, Thoze responded saying “I am not sure.... but we are going to find out” 
With Thoze response Uvu retorted with a snicker “means more glory for us” 
Thoze shook his nodding to agree despite not paying attention. Thoze was already preoccupied with scanning the route in front of them. The route was difficult to traverse with jagged rocks and little cover. 
Viza responded to Uvu “Indeed my brother. Our ancestors will be p-” A sniper round pierces through the skull of Viza killing him instantly. 
Instinctively, both Thoze and Uvu took cover behind what little shrubs and rocks they could. 
Uvu stared at the limp body, angered by the death of his friend, and spoke “Those Krith have no honor” Thoze heard the curse fly through air and couldn’t help but feel pity and understanding at the anger Uvu felt. 
Thoze responded to Uvu’s outburst. “I understand your rage 'Gogamee, but don’t let your rage blind our purpose in this mission.” 
Hearing Thoze, Uvu relaxed and started to focus, “I understand ‘Sumanai.” 
After seeing that 'Gogamee was calm, Thoze peaked over the rock he was at. Before he could fully peak over the rock another sniper shot grazed his shields knocking it down halfway. He immediately took cover again. Thoze knew they were pinned and wouldn't be moving for a while. 
A voice came out of nowhere. “There are at least 2 Kig-Yar snipers looking at us.” 
Spooked by the sudden voice Thoze reached for his energy blade before he realized it was Zapal. 
“By the gods! Zapal do you wish to keep your head bound to your body! How long have you stood there?” Thoze bellowed at the dwarfed Unggoy adorned with dark brown armor. 
The grunt was short even to Unggoy standards with his skin being a pale stone color that is speckled with black spots as if the dark was sprinkled on him. Zapal responded to the berated words in a shameful voice. “I been here the entire time....” 
Thoze soon realized why he didn’t see the grunt. Thoze then asked the grunt a question. “Zapal, do you think you can hit those shots with a plasma carbine?”
Zapal immediately perked up waving his arms in the air whooping, “Yes, I can.... I think....”
Thoze handed the Vostu-pattern carbine to the tiny grunt. The weapon was twice the size of the grunt, but Zapal held it up without issue and ran off further back to larger cover. The grunt seemingly disappeared in the rocks due to his skin color and his size.
“'Gogamee give suppressing fire at the base.” Thoze barked at Uvu.  
Uvu stared at Thoze with disgust and disbelief. “You entrust a Gas-Sucker with our life?"
Thoze did not have the patience to deal with the ignorance of pride that Uvu showed. Thoze then looked into Uvu’s copper eyes and spoke with no fear or annoyance, “If you wish to take my spot as leader of this lance by duel. Be my guest, but until you do you will not question me on the battlefield over something as trivial as what species I trust with my life and yours. Understood?” 
Uvu looked at Thoze as if he was a heretic himself but did what Thoze ordered him to do. Uvu shot blindly at the base not knowing if he even aimed near the snipers. Thoze heard the thunk of a Wraith firing it’s cannons. Looking up expecting to see his death, Thoze instead watched the flaming ball of plasma land further down the land strip. He soon saw the massive firefight between the Covenant and the Blades of Apostacy. Thoze saw that they were losing....
Thoze started to process how they could turn the tide of battle, but nothing came to mind. He continued to dwell in his thoughts when he heard the shots of his carbine. He took the chance to peak over the rock he hid behind. Expecting this peak to be his end, he would be surprised when he saw the flailing lifeless bodies of Kig-Yar falling, tumbling down the wall of the complex. Each hitting the ground with a thud that only a dead body could create. They didn’t squirm or move, they simply laid there as rocks of flesh and bone. 
The squeaky high pitch voice of Zapal returned from a distance, “I GOT THEM I GOT THEM”, Thoze waited as the grunt returned his carbine. He then looked at the now embarrassed elite next to him. Uvu did not wish to hear the grunt’s success.
Thoze spoke up and decided to try and comfort him. “Do not be ashamed for being wrong. Nor be ashamed for being proven that a measly grunt can out best a Sangheili. Now let us breach the wall before we face any more issues.”  
Thoze ignited his energy blade, its colors bursting a beautiful and bewildering color palette of black, purple, and gold. Its blade was longer than most energy swords as it scratched the ground. Its black hue glowing and reflecting light as if it were a living creature, surrounded by its purple aura made it seem as if it was created from a sun's solar flare. It seemed to be the weapon from an ancient story. Unfortunately, Thoze doubted that his story would meet that caliber. 
Thoze entered a sprint that even Uvu had difficulty keeping up with, Thoze ran with the blade behind him; it cut the air with every step. He soon heard the firing of a plasma cannon. Looking up, he watched as the boiling shots of plasma lunged at him; each shot landed behind each step he took. Then another plasma cannon started to take its aim at him.
This time being guided by a better shot. He quickly swung his sword to deflect the shots, giving him enough protection from most of the plasma shots as the few he missed were absorbed by his energy shield. Thoze was flabbergasted when he heard the third cannon open fire. He slowed to ensure that he could block the shots, he slowly failed though. His energy shields started dropping with each second. 
Thankfully, Uvu quickly took aim at the turrets and shot an overcharged plasma pistol shot at each one. Allowing Thoze to get a grasp of three Anskum-pattern Firebomb, tossing each one at an emplacement. 
As Thoze heard the explosion he then planted the remainder of the plasma grenades on the wall activating them, waiting for the explosion Thoze listened for the battle between the main force. All he heard was the silence of the world, the salty smell of the waves crashing with the smell of Sangheili blood solidified his intuition. The force was destroyed, their only option was to retreat and escape. 
He looked for any friendly phantoms or spirits, not one was still up if at all operating. The explosion of the plasma grenades returns his focus back to the base. Looking down the scorched and blackened breach of the wall Thoze knew what he had to tell Uvu and Zapal. 
Preparing to hear the backlash of Uvu pride Thoze spoke with conviction, “We need to find a ship to escape, we have no use of throwing our lives away in this base.” 
Uvu looked at Thoze with the anger of a sangheili being stripped of pride, “You ra-” 
Before Uvu could finish the sentence Thoze scolded the sangheili, “I do not wish to hear your ignorant and twisted idea of honor, I wish to get the remainder of us to safety! That means you, Zapal, and me. Do you understand Derkasi?” 
Uvu paused at Thoze words and reeled back slightly at the curse. Thoze did not wait for a response as he entered the breach. 
He peeked around the corner of the wall seeing Sangheili, Unggoy, and Kig-Yar running towards the breach. “We must find a drop ship quickly!” Thoze yelled as he started running to find any suitable aircraft. 
As Thoze, Uvu, and Zapal ran through the complex, plasma shots fly over their heads and behind them. With Uvu and Thoze suppressing their chasers Zapal ran infront of them, pushing himself beyond his normal speed, running on all fours, he caught the shimmer of covenant metal in. 
Zapal turns the corner unexpectedly causing the Sangheili to stop suppressing the heretics for a moment allowing them a chance to rush them. “Foolish Grunt” Uvu berated as he returned to firing on the enemy. 
Thoze confused by the sudden turn screamed at Unggoy, “Where are you going Zapal?” 
The sudden scream of Uvu cuts through the air as if it was lightning, Thoze looked to Uvu 'Gogamee impaled by an energy sword. Another Sangheili charged at him with another energy sword, swinging wide with a sideways cut. 
Thoze instinctively ducked under the swing reaching for his own sword; but the other Sangheili swung again this time in a downward thrust toward Thoze’s abdomen. 
Thoze immediately rolled to the right to dodge the thrust; stepping back in the process to create distance between him and the other Sangheili. Thoze grabbed his energy sword activating it, waiting for his enemy to make a mistake as they charge at him again.   
Thoze saw his moment once the Sangheili swung down on his head. Thoze swiftly slipped the strike, stepping forward as he did so and cut the Sangheili in half. Thoze searched for the other one realizing that the other one had already started to charge at him, Thoze immediately got to a defensive stance just in time to block the strike of his new opponent.
◇◇◇
Zapal ran towards the glint of purple he saw out the corner of his eye. Seeing a Keljiric-pattern Tarasque. Zapal jumped in joy oblivious to the screams of Uvu dying, he ran to the door hoping to find it empty. 
When Zapal did reach the door was shocked to see a Huragok floating around the corner. 
 
Predisposed To Glide just fixed the pilot systems of the Tarasque. That when he glided into a new face, a new Unggoy. 
Predisposed To Glide immediately asked “What needs to be done next of your things to do for me?"
Zapal thankful that he understood the sign language said, “help fly the ship please? will you help us escape from here?”
Predisposed To Glide cocked his head at the grunt slightly deflating, “Escape? What do you mean by escape? Do you mean attack the enemies? If so, I was told to fix everything in the base. The little amount assigned to me has be done already and I have not been cleared by the leader for battle yet, I am not allowed outside these walls either without his permission.”
Zapal was shocked by the rules restraining the Huragok. “What is your name?” Zapal asked
“Predisposed To Glide. Although you are the first to ask me for my name.”
Zapal shocked by this news as well, he then thinks about a way to help the poor thing. “Predisposed To Glide would you wish to fix more things?” Zapal than asked.
To which Predisposed To Glide would answer, “What type of equipment needs to be fix?”
Zapal got excited realizingh that he could possibly get Predisposed To Glide to join them which could hopefully compensate for their loss. Zapal heard stories about those who returned to Grot 'Tuntakmee after failing their mission. It never ended well for them.
“Forerunner equip-” a plasma shot flew over Zapal head reminding him that he was still in a battlefield. The shot narrowly missing Predisposed To Glide, causing the Huragok to panic and glide inside the Tarasque. 
Data is incomplete..... data corrupted..... please wait until further notice when the creator finishes this story