Broken Circle Read Online Free Page A

Sangheili as “Elites,” in part to acquiesce to their appetite for honorifics, but also to adequately express the Sangheili’s uncategorical expertise in combat. In turn, the Elites generally noted the San’Shyuum as “Prophets,” though only a few actually held such formal stations.
    The Honor Guard stood in the background, heads bowed respectfully; the commission stood, too—only because they were not being offered seats, as that would imply equality with the San’Shyuum. They would remain standing for hours at a time, like mere petitioners. Mken could barely tell them apart—they both had the mandible-like, four-part jaws that clapped together as arthropodic mouth parts; the multiple rows of sharp teeth; the gray, saurian skin and serpentine eyes. Their massive arms and thighs were thick with fighting muscle, and these two wore gleaming silver cuirasses and helmets, adding to their bulk—but it was Mken’s understanding that they were what passed for diplomatic corps types among their species. He noted that Viyo, on his right, was alittle taller, and his helmet, itself with three fins on it as if echoing Sangheili jaws, sported blue panels alternating with silver.
    Viyo flexed his clawed, four-fingered hands as if looking for a weapon that wasn’t there, glancing around uneasily. Mken doubted if the Sangheili had employed any true diplomats at all until the Writ of Union had been executed, and these two were clearly uncomfortable in their assigned roles.
    Having concluded formalities, Mken asked, “Commissioner Viyo—what of the deployments? Are your troops en route?”
    Mken hoped his chair’s translation device was up-to-date—over time they’d obtained a more comprehensive understanding of the Sangheili language mostly through interrogating prisoners, and cooperation had been predicated on rather vicious torture, which was perhaps not the best way to learn a new tongue.
    â€œThe troops are en route, Great Prophet,” Viyo replied. “The vessels are doubly crowded with soldiers of many specialties. They will soon be arrayed in advance of all San’Shyuum expeditions—all discoveries of Forerunner artifacts from this time forward will be fiercely protected.”
    â€œJust as it should be,” said Mken.
    â€œBut heed me,” Qurlom put in. “You speak glibly of Forerunner artifacts. These troops of yours—are they truly committed to protecting them? We must know: are they fully devoted to the Great Journey?”
    â€œIndeed they are, Minister!” said Loro ’Onokiyo, with something that might be the genuine enthusiasm of a recent convert.
    â€œThe Great Journey is not merely a matter of being ready militarily,” Qurlom portentously asserted, “though that is of importance. But truly, those who seek the light of the seven Rings must be purified within, utterly convinced of the truth of the Prophets,to the last vestige of their being, and willing to die for the cause without hesitation.”
    â€œIt is so, Minister. We are all ready to die for the Great Journey. Always have the Sangheili revered the Forerunners—and now we know at last just how to clearly hear the true word of the Forerunners and obey it. We are purified in the light of the Rings!”
    Mken wondered, as he did every day, if he himself was purified within, if he himself was utterly convinced. He was the Prophet of Inner Conviction, because of the intrinsic purity he had once preached—he was hearing his own sermonizing echoed back. But increasingly, as he studied what could be gleaned from Forerunner machines and records, he wondered if the true purpose of the Halos was indeed a mass propulsion into a higher plane, a Great Journey to the paradise foreseen by the Prophets. It was true that the Rings seemed associated with a purification process—but what exactly had they purified, and how?
    But he cut these heretical