Chapter Text
“I know that I know nothing.”
–Socrates, ancient human philosopher and warrior
“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.”
–Confucius, ancient human philosopher and adviser to Chinese statesmen
“Those who believe they can attain all knowledge by themselves are bound to be disappointed.”
–Var ‘Zolam (attributed), ancient Sangheili poet and military commander
“Do you wish to die without first making a sincere effort to know what you can?”
–Atok ‘Malaston, ancient Sangheili warrior and elder of Suban
HISTORIAN'S NOTE
This story begins in November 2552, immediately following the assassination of the Prophet of Regret and shortly before the Battle for Earth.
TRANSLATOR'S NOTE
Dialog in this story is primarily Sangheili rendered in the Latin alphabet. Dialog in other languages (English, Russian, Dyat’Kig, Jiralhanae, etc.) is italicized.
SECURE DIGITAL CONNECTION, HIGH CHARITY, OUSIASYNCHRONOUS ORBIT | NOVEMBER 2, 2552 | 09:28 HOURS
>>DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRESS, MINISTER.
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>>THE HIGH FIELD MARSHAL HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR HIS IGNOMINIOUS APOSTASY, NOBLE HIERARCH. AS I THUS WRITE, HE IS ON HIS WAY TO THE HOLY CITY TO STAND TRIAL BEFORE YOU.
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>>ALAS, THE HIGH PROPHET OF REGRET WILL NOT BE WITH US MUCH LONGER, AND IT SHALL FALL TO THE HIGH PROPHET OF MERCY AND MYSELF TO PRESIDE OVER THE ACTUALIZATION OF OUR SUBTERFUGE. THE HIGH FIELD MARSHAL WILL NOT BE THE ONLY SANGHEILI TO BE SILENCED IN THIS MOST GLORIOUS OF CITIES.
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>>A DELIGHTFULLY SUDDEN DEVELOPMENT, TO BE CERTAIN. SHOULD I, THEREFORE, SEE TO THE TRIAL OF THIS APOSTATE MYSELF?
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>>INDEED. BRING HIM TO YOUR TOWER OF ADJUDICATION, AND ENSURE THAT YOUR NEW GUARDS ARE ADEQUATELY ARMED.
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>>MY NEW GUARDS? YOU INTEND TO INITIATE THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AT THE VERY OUTSET OF OUR REFORMATION?
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>>WERE WE TO INITIATE THE SCHISM FIRST, WOULD WE WISH TO BE SURROUNDED BY SANGHEILI? NO, THE GUARDS MUST BE CHANGED BEFORE ALL ELSE. IT IS FOR THIS SAME REASON THAT THE HIGH FIELD MARSHAL WAS LEFT TO LANGUISH ON THE HUMAN WORLD OF REACH. EVEN BEFORE HIS APOSTASY, HIS BRILLIANCE AND MIGHT WOULD HAVE THREATENED OUR DESIGNS. HAD WE LEFT HIM IN FULL CONTROL OF HIS ARMIES, AND WITH THE RESPECT OF HIS PEOPLE, IMAGINE HOW OUR PLANS MIGHT HAVE FALLEN SHORT.
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>>I SHUDDER TO DO SO, NOBLE HIERARCH. BE ASSURED THAT I WILL SEE TO HIS CONVICTION AND EXECUTION. AND I WILL NOTIFY THE FIRST BLADE OFFICER THAT THE TRIAL WILL NOW TAKE PLACE IN THE HOLY TOWER. HAVE YOU ANY FURTHER REQUESTS?
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>>ONLY ONE. DO NOT LIMIT OUR JUST IRE TO THE APOSTATE ALONE. THE HALL AWAITS MANY.
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>>OF COURSE NOT, NOBLE HIERARCH. IT SHALL BE MY PLEASURE TO SEE THAT ALL RECEIVE THEIR SHARE. AFTER SO MANY CYCLES, THIS HOLY WAR OF ANNIHILATION WILL FINALLY END. THE APOSTATE SHALL JOIN THE VILE HUMANS IN THE HALL OF NO ROOF.
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>>VERY GOOD, MINISTER. MAY THE UNDYING ANCIENTS, IN THEIR WISDOM, ILLUMINATE OUR PATH...
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>>...THAT BY OUR OWN CONVICTION WE MAY ASCEND UNTO DIVINITY.