* [i]He's... alive,[/i] Savara thought again, still struggling to quantify what she'd seen when she'd finally solved the arum. The holodrone, but a few seconds in length, had shown her Sorran, speaking with an older Sangheili. It was time-stamped but a few weeks ago. There was always the possibility it was fabricated... but for the life of her she could not understand why Pel would do such a thing, unless he was truly cruel. He did not seem cruel; ruthless and cold, certainly. But not cruel - a man like that could not understand mockery anymore than they could understand humour. No, she believed what she had seen to be true. At first this had filled her with a joy so intense she'd momentarily forgot her dark captivity, until when moving her hand to her face to wipe away the euphoric tears the manacles her wrists had been locked with chafed against the skin, snapping her back to her situation. Now she wondered, and to her horror suspected. Had anything about Sorran even been true? What if he'd been an agent of Pel, sent to infiltrate with the ultimate goal of... what, exactly? Coercing her father? Imperial Admiral Grymar'ee had always been a wild-card amongst the admiralty, perhaps this was the sanctum's attempt to bring him into line. It couldn't be as mundane as that, though. The way Pel had spoken, it had seemed like he worked to preserve a secret so terrible that not even he knew it. And Sorran was embroiled in it all, a seeming traitor to the Covenant. He'd seemed so genuine, so naive, so utterly grounded and free of any of the political and social traps of their empire. Maybe that had all been an act. [i]Or maybe I'm jumping to conclusions.[/i] Whatever was going on, none of it would matter if she wasted away in her cell. Pel had not checked in on her in a long time, and after what had happened with her former captor no other stood watch outside her cell. There was a camera in the very top right corner of the room, but it was old and inefficient. Savara had ascertained a blind spot in its range, and there lay the key to her escape. In his wish to keep her occupied, Pel had put the holodrone with Sorran's footage inside the arum. It sat now in the camera's blind spot, a beautiful ornament with an array of edged crystals decorating its intricate surface. This was an arum intended for display in a cabinet, not one given to children. Savara had spent the last hour grinding it against the cold stone of the wall, and the crystal had crumbled away under her tenacity. Its edge and point had become tapered and sharp, a small dot of purple graced its tip from where Savara had proved its keen on her own finger. The puzzle had given her the solution to her captivity; the arum was a weapon. It would not hold up for long, but it would be enough. She picked up the dagger-sharp shard of crystal, sliding it up her sleave. The rough edge grated against her blistered skin painfully, and she had to bite back a cry. [i]Once you step onto the path, do not stray. Elsewhere lies uncertainty,[/i] a stern lecturing of her father's came calling back to her. "Guard!" she called out. Her foot met the path, yet she struggled to see where it would take her. Her sole guide was the weapon she concealed now. It took a few minutes for a response, which was promising. A portly Sangheili lumbered into the room. His face was splotched, and he seemed fit to burst from his armour. "What?" he demanded roughly, glancing up at the camera nervously. No doubt he had seen what Pel had done to her last gaoler. "I grow cold," she pined. "Have you no blankets?" "We're not supposed to pass you anything but food and water," her fat gaoler told her abruptly. "I'm sorry, my lady." "Surely you can give me something," she sighed, her eyes staring at the gaoler's. "You must understand, stuck down here too." "... it is cold," her gaoler admitted. "I could pass you a sheet, I suppose. I shall be a minute." "You are too kind," she simpered, flashing him her best smile. The gaoler turned to leave the room, and looked back at her as he did so. When he returned, he had in his hands a light sheet which had seen better days; it was wrought with holes and dirt. Her gaoler moved towards her cell, and held a sheet just outside its hard, basic bars of metal. "It is not much, but it should ward away some of the frost," the man told her. Savara reached out for the sheet, letting her hand rest lightly upon the gaoler's arm as she reached to grab it. Her fingers stroked the clammy skin of the gaoler, trailing across it delicately. "But what of you?" she asked him in a near-whisper. The gaoler's eyes widened slightly, flush filling his skin. "Such a brave and noble man, I cannot let you freeze on my behalf." She moved her hand down the gaoler's side, caressing his waist and drawing him closer. She could smell his breath, rancid and strong, and had to fight back a gag. "I- I don't think- Pel would not be best pleased if-" her gaoler stuttered, letting out a little gasp of shock as her hand reached down to his crotch, squeezing gently. "He hasn't been down to check on me in hours," she breathed in his ear, her fingers playing with the catch on the gaoler's lightly armoured leggings. "He has more important things to worry about, and it [i]is[/i] so cold down here." The catch come undone, and her hand reached inside. Her gaoler let out a small moan of pleasure as her fingers played about his manhood. Savara's wide eyes stared with feigned lust into the small, squinty beads of the gaoler. "What say you, my sir?" she asked of him seductively, undoing her own top and baring the peak of her breasts to show. The gaoler's eyes moved south. She grabbed one of his hands softly, and laid it to rest there. "Won't you share my sheets with me?" "If the lady so wishes," the gaoler droned, courtesies mixed with longing as his hands moved across her body through the bars. Savara shuddered with disgust, and the gaoler mistook it for pleasure as he reached down to her loins. She backed away, smiling playfully as she lay sprawled on her thin bed and beckoned for the gaoler to come join her. The door to her cell was quickly opened as the gaoler waddled his way inside, and moved towards the bed, his leggings brought down to his feet and then discarded onto the floor as he pressed down upon her, planting an ugly kiss on her neck. His hands reached down, eager for what lay between her legs. "Oh, my lord," Savara moaned even as the arum slid its way down her sleave and nestled within her hand. Her trousers were pulled down, and she felt welted hands slide their way down her soft skin. He would reach no further. She struck. The sharpened crystal shard of the arum sank into the gaoler's neck assuredly, and hot blood spilled from the gash, staining the sheet he had brought her a dark purple. A small cry erupted from the man, but her hands grabbed his jaw and held it closed. The gaoler quivered violently, and then he died. Savara rolled out from beneath him, and fastened herself up. The gaoler was a pathetic sight, naked and still hard with lust even as the life fled from his eyes and his body collapsed into a pool of his blood. A small trace of pity struck her, but it was just as soon buried as she saw the fresh scratches his groping hands had made across her chest. Still, she could not help but feel a little disgusted with herself. He was not the first man she had ever killed, but even so she had sworn an oath as a physician, and no matter how many souls had fled under your hands, it never became any easier. The door to her cell lay open, and the camera in the corner remained immobile; Pel obviously wasn't watching her. Savara moved towards the gaoler's discarded leggings and delved into the pockets; she found the keycard she had been searching for, and a knife to boot. Savara pressed the glyph on the side of the hilt as her father's arms master had shown her so many years ago, and a sharp blade of plasma sprang into the dark. [i]The things fools do for lust and love,[/i] she thought to herself as she edged her way towards the cell door, running along the path now. A bright light lay at its end.

Remember the good old days, when a chapter was one post long? You have no idea how long this took to format, let alone write; I hate the 10,000 character-limit with a passion. A Sorran-lite chapter here, but he'll be back in force in the next. It's all going down. Thanks for reading, you're all my muse. [b]Chapter 38 - Gods and their weapons[/b] High Charity was clothed in a black dawn; light spilled across the great expanse of the city, but didn't touch any of it. Fear and suspicion clouded the air; doors remained closed, the streets remained empty and the only air traffic was that of banshees and other tools of the prophets hovering in the sky. Ahkrin watched as Jeann'ee's men scurried about the small makeshift hangar, making the final preparations. A phantom sat in the centre of the bay; purple, military, and Ahkrin's heads-up-display registered it as emitting a Covenant IFF. "You stole a phantom?" Ahkrin asked of Jeann'ee as he heard the other Sangheili move up beside him. "You'd be amazed at what the Covenant leave just lying around," Jeann'ee smirked, his eyes telling a more macabre story. "It should take us where we need to go undetected." "Have you seen the amount of traffic in the sky, Jeann'ee?" Ahkrin demanded, pointing beyond the one-way shield which barricaded the exit of the hangar at the open air of High Charity beyond. The dreadnought sat ubiquitous in the distance, from here but a small triangle on a colossal landscape. "Surely we'd be better on foot." "On any other day, yes," Jeann'ee replied, self-confidence emanating from him in every respect. "The Covenant usually keeps a tight leash on anything in the air, even if it registers as friendly. But on this morn, the last thing they'll care about is a phantom heading towards a restricted area. They won't even notice... for a while, at least. They're busy searching for--" "Sorran, I know," Ahkrin muttered, mixed emotions of anger and regret flooding him. He reached into his pocket and felt his hand wrap around the violet crystal inside. It hadn't so much as flickered, no matter how much he'd tried to coerce activity out of it. "He made his choice. He can live or die with the consequences." "That's the Descol'ee I remember," Jeann'ee smiled broadly, clapping Ahkrin on the back with a heavy hand. The man took in a deep breath, as if savouring it. "I look forward to our little adventure, old friend. Perhaps it may be the first of many more." "Not a chance," Ahkrin breathed, shrugging away Jeann'ee hand. "And I'm not your friend." "Then who is?" Jeann'ee taunted, breaking off from the conversation before Ahkrin could retort. He began to move down the stairs towards the phantom. "I'm going to make sure everything's good to go. Grab your gear, we leave within the hour." Ahkrin entered his quarters a few minutes later, and felt a weight press on his shoulder. As quick as a blink he drew a gun and spun around, pressing its barrel into whoever was behind him. Recognition flashed in a blend of violets, neon blues and pinks, and he slowly stowed the gun away. "Restraint's Huragok?" he asked, and saw the floating creature begin to move its tendrils slowly in signed reply. He shook his head. "You need not do that, I understand your tongue." The Huragok seemed hesitant for a moment, and then began to contort its mouth and exert gas from its sacs to produce the whistles and clicks its kind communicated in. "Sorran," it stated, sounding out the letters of Sorran's name in its own language. Ahkrin waited for further elaboration, but received none. "You want to know where Sorran is?" he guessed, taking a step towards it to close the distance. He saw the Huragok flinch, and frowned. It seemed to struggle for words. "Yes," it finally answered. Ahkrin assessed the Huragok's body language for a few moments; he noticed traces of fear in its stance, but ultimately concern seemed to win out. "He's gone," Ahkrin replied bluntly, walking away and moving to take his equipment. As he moved his hands and legs into his light armour, it melded itself around him like a second skin. He noticed a gash in the chest from where he had first been attacked by Hem in Restraint's manor. "Gone..." the Huragok seemed to wrestle with the word. Ahkrin began to attach his folded weapons to the clasps on his armour; a plasma rifle hung just below the belt, adhesive grenades hid inside a closed container on his shoulder. "I don't want to speak of it," Ahkrin concluded resolutely, fastening on his helm; its technology interfaced with the implants he wore, painting the world in sharper colours. A warning spiked in the top left of his vision; his blood pressure was almost dangerously high. "Gone... where?" the Huragok insisted, its voice more frantic now. Ahkrin sighed with impatience, his fists closing. "I know not; to his death, most like. You stay here, I will return and figure out what to do with you." "You won't," the Huragok insisted. Ahkrin turned his head, glaring at the fragile creature. The next words he had to grind out. "When I give my word, I keep it. I [i]will[/i] return." Ahkrin stormed out, wondering what little integrity he must have if even a Huragok doubted his word. If his adopt-father could see him now... well, he'd certainly have a few strong words for him. Words the man's blood-son would no doubt batter to him as well. But for now Zharn was safe in his little fleet high above, oblivious to the world-changing game being played below. And that was probably for the best - the game needed players who understood how the cheat it, and Zharn was not nearly deceitful enough to be one.

One word: Amazing [Edited on 06.21.2012 9:03 AM PDT]

I've read three years' worth of work in just over three days! Its clear to see your writing has matured substantially, but even at its least sophisticated point it was still captivating. Impressive works. I love the intricacy of the plot; I can see it all weave together before me. I am also glad for the fact that you would so easily kill off well-established characters and avoid their pathetic retention to satisfy the emotional attachment readers have with them. Its stirring! With regards to SEALSniper's comment: by no means stop writing fan-fictions! However, I do agree that you should, at some point, make the leap into something purely original. You're clever and eloquent, and clearly creative. Start a blog or something and post the link in the Flood, you've got a great fanbase here, I'm sure we'd all follow you over. There's plenty more I could say, but I'll leave it for now. Good luck with your exams, I finished my GCSEs today, so I'll be avidly waiting for the next part!

LOL.

Well, changing the post just makes me look like a mentalist having a rant at no one. But alright, I appreciate your apology.

I apologize, I didn't realize how much time and work you put in to this, I hope you dont hold a grudge, I changed the post... Your a great writer and I look foreward to reading the next chapter! [Edited on 06.16.2012 10:13 PM PDT]

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wolverfrog Chapter 38 is [u]thirty pages long[/u], right now, with about 5-10 more pages to go before it's finished.[/quote]Holy -blam!-! That's more than I type in a week! And that's saying something given how long my posts can be. [Edited on 06.16.2012 1:27 PM PDT]

Take your time, Wolver. Don't let the butthurt dwellers get to you.

Last update was three months ago, you daft sod. Maybe you can write a 'two page essay' in a couple of hours (which is very slow for an essay,) but I doubt it's much cop. Chapters for this are dozens of pages long, and I can't force myself to write when I don't feel like it. You move on with your life, I don't care in the slightest. Am I being lazy with this? No, but often I've got better things to do; not just school or work - I go the gym, I go to parties, I like to watch movies and play games and read books. It's just fan fiction, the only reason I'm still writing it is because I feel I owe it to myself and the readers to finish it. Chapter 38 is thirty pages long, right now, with about 5-10 more pages to go before it's finished. I'm writing whenever I bloody well feel like, and I'll continue to do so. If you don't like it, you can piss off. But don't come into my thread that I started years before your self-entitled arse turned up and start having a go as if I'm not here. [Edited on 06.16.2012 1:30 AM PDT]

I really hope he updates soon! I love this story! It's extremely difficult to wait for something as amazing as this... [Edited on 06.16.2012 10:08 PM PDT]

Where is the next chapter?

Well I hope you update it soon... Before I completely forget the rest of the story... [Edited on 06.04.2012 10:47 PM PDT]

Sixteen now, but by the end of this month I'll have turned seventeen (I can start driving, woo!). And yeah, I can't believe how long it's been since I started this. It doesn't seem like I've written much when faced with that. Alright, so little update. I've written quite a lot since I finished my exams on Wednesday; chapter 38's longer than the last one right now and there's still a fair bit more to go. This one will end on quite a cool twist too. [Edited on 06.02.2012 7:09 PM PDT]

He's not fourteen anymore. He was when he started this story though. How old are you now, Connor? Sixteen, seventeen?

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] BF117HALO [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] vI RaGeZ Iv [url=http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1740409/Wolverfrog49]All is not lost, my friends.[/url][/quote] I never knew Wolver was 14...I thought he was 18 or something... Anyway, can't wait for him to get back. I need to read his awesome work.[/quote] If he's 14 and writing this caliber of material he's the -blam!-ing fanfiction messiah!!!

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Mark V guy Lets have a birthday party![/quote] Give me sum of ya CAKE!

Lets have a birthday party!

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Mark V guy [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wolverfrog No. I finish my exams on the 30th though, so that's when I'll be writing again.[/quote] Thats my brithday! Ill be getting True Sangheili for a birthday present. Thanks! :)[/quote] Really? You too?

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Mark V guy [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wolverfrog No. I finish my exams on the 30th though, so that's when I'll be writing again.[/quote] Thats my brithday! Ill be getting True Sangheili for a birthday present. Thanks! :)[/quote]He said that's when he'll be writing again, not when it will be out.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wolverfrog No. I finish my exams on the 30th though, so that's when I'll be writing again.[/quote] Thats my brithday! Ill be getting True Sangheili for a birthday present. Thanks! :)

No. I finish my exams on the 30th though, so that's when I'll be writing again.

All this waiting is making me bored. When will you be releasing the next part of True Sangheili? Can you give us an accurate date? [Edited on 05.19.2012 6:06 PM PDT]

Still waiting........

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] Wolverfrog [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] random no337 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] MaxRealflugel Haven't read any of these for such a long while. Where the hell do I start?[/quote]Er..this Hey Max, did you ever finish your novel?[/quote] Yes. Waiting on a reply from a literary agent in the UK. Shouldn't be long now.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] random no337 [quote][b]Posted by:[/b] MaxRealflugel Haven't read any of these for such a long while. Where the hell do I start?[/quote]Er..this Hey Max, did you ever finish your novel?[/quote] I suppose Ch. 16 is a good place to start again; before that the plot's basically just Sangheili adventures on Eridanus II until Sorran learns the truth about the Halo array in Ch. 15.