《Prologue》.pdfVIP

Prologue San’Shyuum-Sangheili War Skirmish of the Planet of Blue and Red Circa 860 BCE The First Age of Conflict ken ‘Scre’ah’ben, a San’Shyuum High Lord of Sacred Relics, floated toward the open hatchway. He paused his antigrav chair at the door and listened, fascinated by the discordant M singing of an alien world: the screeching of the planet’s endlessly churning winds. “The enemy is just beyond the ridge, High Lord,” warned the Steward, his military advisor and—theoretically—his bodyguard. “There is no need to leave the pod. It would be wiser to observe from orbit, using the Eyes. The Sangheili are fierce and cunning.” High Lord Mken gave a dismissive gesture. “I have never been here before, and I will see this world firsthand. I am not without experience in combat. But if you are anxious, Steward, I shall be wary. My chair is weaponized—and I have you at hand. Stay close, but do not distract me.” “Your orders are a joy to fulfill.” The Steward held back, ad- justing his antigrav belt and noisily checking his pulse rifle. He — 1 — J O H N S H I R L E Y seemed a trifle annoyed about being put in his place. The Steward was no doubt aware that, with his chair, Mken was better suited to protect the Steward than the reverse. Still, Mken was indeed wary of this world, in spite of his bland bravado. He was not terribly comforted by the emplaced force field projectors set up near the pod—they moderated the wind, but would they protect him from attack? He scanned the sky for San- gheili fighter craft as he drifted his chair out the drop pod’s air lock. Here h