* * * * * * * * * * <[i]High Charity, Grand Council Chambers[/i]> "I have some most troubling news that we must attend to first," the voice of Truth spoke, ringing throughout the halls of the Council Chambers. A podium stood before him, holding a voice amplifier that increased the volume and strength of his voice. Sorran stood next to the Minister of Restraint in a private stand high up in the expansive chamber, gripping the railing tightly as he stared down with hatred through the energy shields of the cubicle at the Prophet who had ruined his old life. He felt a soft hand brush against his shoulder. "Peace, Sorran," Restraint told him quietly, and Sorran forced himself to relinquish his hold on the poor railing and draw back, resuming his post next to the Minister, Hem standing on the other side. [i]My first Council meeting. Back when I was a scholar I had dreamed of one day becoming a Councillor and having my own voice heard throughout these halls. A foolish notion, in hindsight. My ancestry is not nearly noble enough for me to become a Councillor. And I wouldn't want to anyway. See their corrupt faces, how they eagerly lap of every lie-laden word Truth utters.[/i] "The occupation at the human planet, Eridanus II, has gone quiet. Undoubtedly this is the work of the humans, who have clearly retaliated with an armada and destroyed our fleet there," Truth began, and immediately his words were drowned out by the cries of thousands of Councillors and their Honour Guards discussing this news. Sorran felt like he had been punched in the stomach. [i]Savara... my love. Her ship has left that system, and so she should be safe. But Ahkrin... Zharn. They were stationed at Eridanus II,[/i] was all he could think, his mind shutting out the uproar cascading around him. He looked up and saw that Restraint and Hem were staring at him grimly. "They may yet live, Sorran. Take heart," Hem smiled sympathetically, and Sorran forced himself to recover, staring back out at the Council chambers. Truth held up his hands, moving the frail, long fingers down as he signalled for order. Finally, the youngest Hierarch and the one who had inadvertently revealed the secret of Halo to Restraint spoke. "Order! We demand order!" Regret shouted, his voice carrying loudly throughout the hall. The Sangheili Councillors reluctantly fell quiet. They respected Regret as he had once been a warrior in battle, one of few Prophets to do so. In recent years though, the new Hierarch had become more and more slobbish, to the point where he almost needed a gravity chair like the other Hierarchs. [i]Were it not for us, the Prophets would never be able to survive,[/i] Sorran realised, chuckling as he imagined Truth or one of his ilk doing manual labour. They were weak, but their promise of the journey and supposed connection to the gods made them strong. "Thank you, noble Prophet of Regret," Truth intoned with a forced tone of camaraderie. Regret nodded, moving back slightly. Recently, Regret had seemed very irritated, and the prevalent rumour was that he had allowed a Forerunner world holding artefacts and weapons that could end the war with the humans instantly be destroyed by a lone human ship which had followed them from Harvest. An Arbiter had also been killed. That would explain why Truth seemed displeased with him. But of course, Regret couldn't just be replaced. He knew too much. But Sorran suspected that some day Truth would have Regret killed, if not directly then through some other, slyer method. "After conferring with my fellow Hierarchs, especially the wise consul of Mercy, who unfortunately cannot be here at this present point in time, we have reached a hard yet unquestionable decision that is the only option. Eridanus II houses few of our lords' artefacts, and there is little reason to remain. Sending reinforcements would be a senseless waste of life." "No!" Sorran cried out, his speech drowned out by the uproar that surged through the Council. It was once again quickly silenced by Regret. Truth sighed heavily. "This is not the perfect solution, but it is one we have deemed necessary. I take it no High Councillors have objections?" There was silence. Sorran stared at Restraint incredulously, who looked troubled. Hem caught Sorran's expression and grimaced. Still, Restraint did not object. "Minister!" Sorran cried out, causing Restraint to flinch. "Surely you will not let this stand? Zharn and Ahkrin are there, as are countless others who need help! You cannot--" "Sorran, it is not that simple. When Truth asks if there are any objections he does not truly mean those words. Despite what I know Truth does not believe that I will ever act upon this knowledge, which is why he only sends lone assassins occasionally to remind me of what he shall do if I become defiant. If I challenge his words--" "I can't believe I'm hearing this! I thought you were a good man, Restraint! I thought that you had ideals and morals! But it turns out that you're just a corrupt and pathetic husk like all the rest," Sorran snarled, sweeping his arm to indicate the rest of the subdued Council chamber. Restraint's eyes flared, and Hem's expression became even more uncomfortable if that was possible. "How dare you, Sorran! I--" "You're a coward, Restraint. High Councillors are meant to defend the people against injustice, and challenge the words of the Hierarchs. You claim to hate Truth and all that he does, but when you have a chance to act against him your remain quiet. I'm disgusted." Restraint's words died in his throat, and shame swept across his face. The other Honour Guard noticed this. "Sorran!" Hem shouted indignantly, stepping forward. "You go too far--" "No, Hem. He does not go far enough. You are right, Sorran. Too long have I sat in the corner, afraid of what might happen if I do something. I have forgotten what it means to be a High Councillor. But no more." And with this Restraint stood up out of his gravity chair on shaky, thin legs, trembling as he moved slowly towards the edge of the small box we stood inside. With an unsteady hand, he activated the amplifier inset into the walls of the stand and cleared his throat. "I object!" he cried out strongly, the words ringing through the Council chambers and striking everyone in the room like daggers. As one, thousands of eyes turned up to face Restraint, wide and unbelieving. In the centre, Sorran could see Truth and the other Hierarchs stare up at Restraint, too shocked to show any rage. "...[i]What?[/i]" Truth demanded in a hoarse whisper, his throat bobbing up and down unpleasantly as he swallowed. A deadly silence had descended upon the Council chambers. "You heard me, Truth. I, High Councillor Restraint, object to this decision. Tens of thousands of our warriors are on that planet, and they may yet live. We cannot abandon them. I will not allow it." "...[i]What?[/i]" Truth asked in a quieter voice, still disbelieving. Suddenly, another voice rang clear through the chambers. "I agree with Restraint," a Sangheili High Councillor in a booth opposite them declared proudly. Recording devices were flying around the room now, attempting to capture every reaction to ever word. "As do I!" another joined in, this time a Prophet. "And I!" "This travesty cannot be allowed!" "We owe it to our warriors to rescue them!" Soon the Council chamber was full of voices demanding that the Hierarchs' decision be overturned, the objections becoming nearly deafening as hundreds called them out. Truth was shaking with rage, hands curled up into fists as the protests smashed into his eyes. Finally he could take no more. "Very well!" Truth bellowed, voice shaky with shock and anger. "It seems that we have been overruled in this matter, and I will... I will bow to the wishes of the Council. A new fleet shall be assembled and will leave for Eridanus II within the week. This Council session is adjourned!" And with that the three Hierarchs stormed away, their Honour Guards struggling to keep up with them as they flew off in fury. Applause rang throughout the Council chamber at the decision, and Sorran looked at Restraint, who turned around with an expression of glee on his face. "Thank you, Minister!" Sorran cried out, rushing to help Restraint back into his chair. The Prophet shook his head at it, brushing the Honour Guard away. "I do not want it. Too long have I sat down and remained silent whilst injustice and corruption has knocked others from their feet. I will take a stand, and support myself from now on. You have shown me what it means to be a High Councillor once again, Sorran. It is I who owes you thanks." "Restraint, Truth will not let this slide. You haven't challenged his words since you were disposed seven cycles ago," Hem interrupted, smiling but with concern etched across his face. "To emerge once again like this... you have shown him that you are not afraid of possibilities and threats. I am proud, but fear that life shall become much more difficult for us. You may wish to procure more Honour Guards and strengthen the defences around the manor." "See to that then, my friend. This is only the beginning. Truth, Regret and Mercy shall not find themselves able to do what they wish without protest any longer. I shall be dogging them every step of the way." Sorran looked back out at the Council chambers as Hem and Restraint left through the door in the back of their box where the private transport ship of Restraint was waiting outside. The other Councillors were leaving now, and the mood was uplifting. [i]I've done all I can. I may not be beside Zharn and Ahkrin any longer, but I will still protect my brothers in any way possible. Try to stay alive long enough for my efforts to not go wasted, my friends.[/i] [Edited on 10.30.2010 2:07 AM PDT]