Hey, fellow writers, readers, and Halo fanatics, it has been quite a while since I have posted up a new chapter, and here it is. However, before you read it, please keep in mind that poor, insane writer stuck in Texas that wrote this story. Thank you. . I better get to the story before a mob of unhappy Halo fanatics place a hit on me. --; R&R.

Chapter 5: Oath

HALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALOHALO

1201 hours July 24, 2553 (Official UNSC Time) Yermo/ Sanghelios

They're gone, Shield thought as he had informed the rest of the Spartans, the Helljumpers, Commander Richmond, all gone. "Spartans, it's time to regroup and map-up a new plan to fulfill the mission objective. Follow my beacon to the High Council Chamber Building, I will be able to expound on the details," Shield ordered. After getting multiple conformations from the others, Shield turned off the com and did something that Spartans should never do, wept over the deaths of others and that he couldn't do a single thing to prevent their deaths. Why am I being such an inconvenience? Why are these tears dropping from eyes that have been trained to not waste water this way?

"We are truly sorry for your loss," the head councilor said. This time, when Shield saw the councilor, he could tell who the Sangheili was. "Those that die in the face of danger away from their home, are those that are true saviors of their race."

Looking up at the councilor, Shield said, "I was trained not to cry. This is an emotion that I had control over. The men and women on that ship died by some overload to the engines, possibly caused by the saboteur. They died on a mission to bring your delegates to Earth for a peace treaty, and the only danger these people had faced was the greed of humans."

"You are too correct." Turning around, Shield saw the person who said that was none other than Bandage. "The only danger that the members of the crew on the Bringer of Peace faced was human greed. They, also, had the choice of going on leave, but they were devoted to ensuring that the peace treaty would happen between the Humans and the Sangheili. We need to remember that we are important to the continuation of both races."

Overcome by the extreme grief he felt, a flashback from Shield's past life came into view. A young boy walks towards another youth. "Normy," the first boy said, "you said that you would help me make the ark."

The second boy said, "I know. It's just that I have to get the hull plating finished to withstand the aliens' weapons. Jorgan, you know that after Mom and Dad died that I have been interested by your interests with nature."

Jorgan whined, "But Normy, they're going to be here in a couple of days, not years. We need to get the engines, the power supply, and the life support systems along with the planet's natural plant and animal organisms on the ark now."

The flashback sped up to the destruction of Coral. "Brother," Jorgan said, "We need to get out of here."

Norman replied, "Jorgan, we need to see the last of our home, of our parents' hard work, destroyed to know what these monsters are capable of." Norman grasps a hold of Jorgan's shaking body to let both see the horror of this merciless destruction of life. The Covenant cruisers bombarding the surface of Coral with Plasma weapons, boiling both the water and the blood of Humans and animals unable to make it off the planet. "We will have our revenge on the ones responsible for this atrocity," Norman said as the flashback faded. "We will have our revenge."

Shield, returning from a dream-like state, spoke, "It has been too long since the last time I have wept over lives doomed from afar. I swear on the glassed colony of Coral that when I find the Sangheili responsible for this unneeded loss of life, he or she shall wish that they were never born." When he swore this oath, Xymir Kattaree felt the heat from the statement and that this human scum would truly hunt him down and take his life until his spirit was utterly destroyed. Shield, prepared to shoot anyone in the room who questioned his resolve, headed towards the door. "If anyone else finds him or her, contact me immediately."

When the chamber doors had closed behind Shield, Bandage sighed, "He's still troubled by the utter destruction. I had better tell Pollux that Shield is bordering insanity."

All of the surrounding councilors had started to see who might be in a position to hire such a disdainful mercenary to destroy a vessel of peace. "Who would degrade themselves and dishonor their families by this horrendous deed?" one councilor exclaimed.

"Councilors, Councilors," Bandage cried out, "be at peace. I know that my people will find the culprit, and when they do, we will inform you who the Sangheili is."

If you can catch me, scum, Xymir Kattaree thought, then I will find you worth some of my time.

This took me a while to think of the dialogue, but here it is, Chapter 5, now onto Chapter 6