Modification de Armory Infinitum

'''Armory Infinitum''' est une séries de vignettes textuelles incluses dans certaines éditions de la chronique [[Canon Fodder]] sur [[Halo Waypoint]], mettant en scène une des armes de [[Halo Infinite]]. Ces vignettes ont été collectées dans [[Halo : Waypoint Chronicles]].

==[[Canon Fodder - New Year, New Lore]] (#136)==
''“I know why you have come.”

''Okro 'Vagaduun's grip tightened on the hilt of his blade as he and his opponent circled each other.''

''He had no desire to kill his old master, for Toha 'Sumai was one of the most respected swordsmen and duelists of Sanghelios, but he understood what Atriox sought to teach him. To join the Banished was to sever one's ties to the past. To reject honor, the very core of a Sangheili's being, for payment would come in sport and spoils—not sentiment.''

''To join the Banished was to have loyalty to none but Atriox. It was for this reason alone that Toha 'Sumai must die.''

''Okro 'Vagaduun wished to say that he regretted what must be done—that he held fondness for his aged mentor, and that he would take up the enhanced energy sword that was to be his bounty and do great things …

''But he said nothing as he ignited his own blade and ran his old master through.''

==[[Canon Fodder - Didact's Domain]] (#137)==
''The heatwave shuddered and whirred as it reloaded, before kicking back into Salient-Lance's grip. The first shot took two of them out, energized shards of hardlight ricocheted off the alloyed bulkhead and tracked their targets with remarkable accuracy, disintegrating them. He fired the weapon twice more as he heard more of them coming.''

''By the Mantle, there were so many of them…''

''The wounded Scutarii struggled to shift the immense support beam that had crushed his leg as his armor's ancilla attempted to dull his mind to the pain. He wished he had better cover.''

''He wished they had simply destroyed the vessel from the comforting distance of their dragoon.''

''And, as they turned the corner, prompting Salient-Lance to switch the heatwave to its horizontal firing mode, he wished he wasn't the last one left.''

==[[Canon Fodder - Echoes With-Dinh]] (#139)==
''The first voice to speak came from a human armed with confidence, or perhaps brazen foolishness—it was often hard to tell the difference.''

''“It looks like we've got a problem, boys…”''

''He was flanked by three Kig-Yar raiders, a mix of Ruuhtian and Ibie'shian clad in telling red-gray colors.''

''“Know how we settle problem on Karava,” one of the Kig-Yar squawked.''

''“You give Banished bad information,” another chimed in. “We give Banished your head.”''

''The human and his Jackal companions grinned in their own ways as they focused on the target of their ire: a Sangheili informant who finally had nowhere else to run.''

''But before they could make their next move, the Elite erupted into raucous laughter, using the split-second distraction of the group exchanging slightly puzzled looks to fling himself into cover and unsling the weapon he carried on his back.''

''Three opening shots sounded from an M392 Bandit, each one finding its mark on the heads and necks of the Kig-Yar before a fourth sent the Banished cadre's human leader to the ground clutching his knee. Their saurian target studied the rifle approvingly for a moment before slinging it over his back once more and approaching the grimacing survivor, pressing his hoof onto the wound to keep him both still and uncomfortable.''

''“You will live, human,” he spoke, arranging his mandibles into an unmistakably wide grin. “At least, until you deliver the message to your superiors that Zef 'Trahl will not be so easily slain.”''

==[[Canon Fodder - Didact's Delights]] (#141)==
'''''D:''' Ferrarius [legatio] grow ever more eager in their designs as the ecumene council's formal declaration of war with the humans becomes increasingly inevitable. Edifying Apparatus's proposition for expansion of the armiger constructs' neural framework certainly has interesting potential for [conscensis] operations.''

'''''B:''' Of particular note from their [ostentus] was a splinter-munitions launcher that proved to be effective. Its release of hyper-charged splinter core packets culminates in an impressive detonation, but its additional capabilities are sure to be utilized well by your armigers at range…''

'''''D:''' You are tempting my intrigue, [praeceptor].''

'''''B:''' The splinter core can be directed by the wielder in order to decide where its area of [interitus] is best placed. A launcher with such capabilities will be useful given what is known of the construction method of human vessel interiors.''

'''''D:''' I would greatly desire to appraise this weapon myself.''

'''''B:''' Worry not, old [discipulus]. I have already requisitioned a specialized variant for your personal use…''

==[[Canon Fodder - Vis-à-Vale]] (#144)==
''“Kaidon ‘Sebarim,” a voice called, and a red-armored Sangheili enforcer approached. “I bring ill news.”

''Thav ‘Sebarim, clad in the dark maroon armor that identified him as a Bloodstar, a special warfare unit that had been appropriated from the Covenant into the ranks of the Banished military schema, watched as a trio of Banshees passed overhead and disappeared into low white clouds on their scouting run.

''In his hands, 'Sebarim carried a sentinel beam that had been found during one of his excursions to the ring’s substructures—the vast, metal underworld that lay below the natural edifice of the ring’s verdant surface. This directed energy weapon was much like the ones integrated into standard sentinel units, but the enforcer had been awed by the effectiveness of its use—how it so quickly disintegrated its targets, as if they had been totally cleansed from existence.

''“What is the problem?” ‘Sebarim asked.

''The enforcer straightened, decades of discipline from Covenant military service had long ago become second nature to him, though he allowed his eyes to wander to the group of half-a-dozen human captives held by 'Sebarim's Jiralhanae entourage.

''“The Inspector informs me that the Redoubt of Sundering is full,” he spoke. “There is no more room for the spoils of today’s hunt.”

''“Ah,” ‘Sebarim gestured to the enforcer to come closer. “We have been gluttonously spoiled with prisoners since Tremonius claimed their ruined frigate.”

''The enforcer dipped his head in agreement. The attack on the UNSC Mortal Reverie had scattered the survivors to the winds, but the checkpoints and fortifications set up by the Banished had effectively transformed this area of the ring into the perfect hunting ground.

''Humans were tenacious when faced with limited options. Some simply chose to hide and had to be flushed out from their cowardly retreat, others attempted to form larger groups to conduct attacks on various targets of value. The only other option that remained for them was to leap into the abyss at the sundered edge of the ring.

''“What do you intend to do?” asked the enforcer.

''“Release them, of course,” ‘Sebarim said, and the Bloodstar warrior’s grip on his weapon tightened.

==[[Canon Fodder - Fly Me to the Blood-Moon]] (#147)==
<poem>'''SICATT WORSHOP // ALCHEMY CORPS'''
'''''GHOST OF BAROLON'''''
'''''>PERSONAL LOG // VULCUS'''''</poem>

>>PERSONAL LOG // VULCUS

As the Banished looks to extend its reach beyond the shadowed corners of the galaxy we have remained hidden in, Atriox has expressed his desire to bring new kinds of weaponry to bear—the kind that was spoken of in the old stories across the three moons. It was for this purpose that Sicatt Workshop was born, and thus far rudimentary efforts to harness directed-energy electrolasers recovered from old vaults on Doisac have delivered... satisfactory results.

But I see this as just a template. A foundation.

The manufacturers deliver me a weapon that fires three bursts—I say, why not five? Voltaic application devices are still experimental in nature, let us see how much power they can truly offer as we explore the truth of their limits. The Gray Guards are already eager to test this new firepower on the field as Escharum seeks to convene the Legionmasters for a new operation. I want these weapons to match precision and power to take down the shields of a human strike fighter.

In time, perhaps we can even mount such a weapon onto our ships... overload enemy systems to aid in ramming and boarding maneuvers...

Let it never be said that a Jiralhanae lacks the ambition to explore what can be achieved through our minds as well as our might.

==[[Canon Fodder - If they want lore, we'll give 'em lore]] (#150)==
''The campfire crackled and the illumination from the flames danced around the mouth of the cave, casting a half-light on Avitus’s face as he sharpened the blade of a speargun. A fitting farewell gift for a great warrior.''

''As the thudding of footsteps drew closer, Avitus knew the time had come.''

''“Escharum tells of a time before the Covenant,” Avitus said. “Of the old stalker packs, before they were appropriated by the Prophets.”''

''Ik’novus set down the chunks of wood he had collected from the nearby forest and tossed two fresh logs onto the fire before taking a seat. His chieftain had seen fit to leave a serving of'' dengkra ''breast for him—the flesh of this creature, a strange kind of reptile-canine, was gamey even for a Jiralhanae’s sense of smell, but Avitus considered the taste of the meat second only to thorn beast.''

''“They hunted creatures of myth across many moons with these spearguns,” Avitus finished sharpening the weapon’s blade and held it up to the light to scrutinize his work before concluding, “And now you shall do the same.”''

''“I am honored, chieftain.” Ik’novus accepted the weapon and ran two clawed fingers across its surface, which had been painted white with pigments from the chalk fields of Warial. Upon closer examination, the harpoon appeared to be modified with an explosive—designed to detonate upon penetrating armor.''

''“We have unleashed the full measure of our fury upon all who stood in our way,” Avitus said. “But now, Escharum and Atriox call for us to direct our efforts towards more specific targets. You shall serve the war chief’s wishes well as Bloodstar.”''

''The two warriors sat for a while in quiet contemplation, reminiscing about battles of the past, casting their minds ahead to the greater battles to come, and sharing a final toast to the fallen—honoring the crypt-haulers that would ferry the souls of the dead in Oth Sonin. And as first light broke over the horizon, they bade a final farewell.''

==[[Canon Fodder - Lorelord]] (#151)==
''The shattered landscape of Zeta Halo was a sight to behold. The horizon was fractured, a wound in the superstructure of this immense construct, but even in destruction there was great beauty. Inka ‘Saham watched for a time as machines tended to the great islands that lay suspended in the open space between the broken ends of the ring, rolling hills and grasslands grown atop a foundation of metal that found itself lying between a line of clouded sky above and an abyss of stars below.

It was difficult not to hold this sight with reverential awe. The passing of the Covenant was not so long ago that the immensity of this vision could not tug at the old ways that many Sangheili were still, in their own myriad ways, attempting to unlearn.

Much as 'Saham recognized that the Covenant had been held together by a lie, there were times when that clarity of divine purpose was something he missed.

“Shipmaster,” came the voice of Aengus, who still insisted on using ‘Saham’s old title from their shared service aboard ''Heresy’s Sorrow''. “Sentinels approaching in standard attack formation.”

“Ready yourselves,” ‘Saham unslung the modified Erudo’ma’keth-pattern pulse carbine from his back and signalled for his troops to spread out to form a perimeter. He moved forwards and let loose rapid bursts of superheated plasma before leaping into cover as several beams from the sentinels converged on his position.

'Saham tightened his grip on the pulse carbine and considered in that moment that what bound the Banished together in his mind was not false fables of ascension, but something more practical.

One weapon against another as instruments of their will. Hunter and prey held in the rapture of crisis, in service of renown, brotherhood, and power.

And that, as Escharum had taught, was the supreme authority that all would ultimately bow to.''

==[[Canon Fodder - Didactic Discourse]] (#152)==
''Briglard here with a message for all you unctuous Unggoy out there!''

''Y’know what I learned from the earliest days of nipple academy? You gotta kill good to get by in this galaxy. You gotta kill real good!''

''Look at the Covenants. We did a rebellions like a hundred years ago and even the flappy-mouth Sangheili learned just how mighty the Unggoy could be. Yeah, Balaho got glasses and we were all real sad and emotioning about it, but ya know what we got? Respects.''

''That’s how the Brutes do it, and they lost their planets as well. We gotta lot in common with those guys!''

''Anyway, if ya kill good, you’ll get the cool guns like me. Ever wondered what an unbound plasma pistol can do? It shoots bigger bolts that can hit more things, and when ya charge it up it shoots like six-- no, SIXTY green thingies that’ll make any demons you find out there go screamin’ to their mommies.''

''Unggoy brains get good at things reeeeal quickly thanks to our awesome synapsucles, so get good at killing good instead of thinkin’ about all the sad stuff goin’ on and you’ll be a High Sumpter in no time!''

''And when we’re eventually in charge after following these simplest instructionings, maybe let’s make everybody else fight on a methane planet. Anybody else tired of fighting with all these stupid oxygens?''

''Back to you, Glibnub.''

==[[Canon Fodder - In-Zane in the Membrane]] (#153)==
'''ARMORY OF RECKONING | CAPT ARTHOC'''<br />
'''FWD: RAVAGER'''

''The Armory of Reckoning—it is a fitting name for the tools of conquest and destruction birthed from its forges.''

''When we advanced on the human remnants that had sought shelter within their crashed ship, I requested of Commander Bannix an augmented version of the plasma tossers produced by the Forge of Torograd.''

''Where we have mastered both spike and spear in our weaponry since before the Immolation, infusion matter remains an object of study for our alchemists. I was informed by the Screecleaver that there is a great savant stationed on Oth Liqattu who has sought to unlock further secrets of this fetid power, applying it to our own troops and many of our vehicles.''

''It is said that prolonged exposure to this corrosive bile can addle the mind and rot the body... that is good, for there are many small spaces in human ships. The capacity for this weapon to launch projectiles that bounce before erupting into toxic piles was of great use in flushing our foes from cover. How they flailed and danced to our battle song!''

''It is my understanding that pure infusion matter is pumped throughout Forerunner facilities, so we must dedicate resources to finding these wellsprings within the substructures of this ring. I shall bring this to Tremonius once he has returned from investigating a disturbance at his outpost.''

==[[Canon Fodder - Digsite ‘n’ Discourse]] (#154)==
''From his vantage point atop a clustered stack of alloyed pillars, Arch Khordat Barroth had a complete view of the surrounding terrain.''

''Barroth had been stationed in the vicinity of Riven Gate, an outpost that had been built to serve as a key control point for this local area of Oth Koronn, effectively locking in the remaining human troops that had scattered after the fall of their frigate that had become Outpost Tremonius.''

''Next to Riven Gate lay a great fissure, a trench that appeared to be a connection point for a series of struts which served as a “spine” for the ring’s reforming landmasses. And beyond, on the other side of the trench, lay a small island where one of the UNSC’s forward operating bases—designated “FOB November”—was now occupied by Banished forces. It was surrounded by a small lake which led up to a Forerunner beacon tower which continued to emit pulses of energy at regular intervals.''

''But as Barroth sighted through the scope of his stalker rifle, enhancing the magnification with his linked ocular headgear, he noticed something new...''

''The dirt track “road” was kicking up sand and mud in the wake of a human vehicle, within which he spotted a complement of five human troops and, in the driver’s seat, the unmistakable sight of a Spartan.''

''No.'' The ''Spartan.''

''Though Barroth boasted an impressive kill record as a marksman, his skill and proficiency having granted him an initiation into the ranks of the Bloodstars, his sights had been firmly set on a coveted position within the Hand of Atriox, directly serving War Chief Escharum himself. For that, he needed to kill a Spartan.''

''“Prepare ambush!” He squawked through his native-link communications. “New prey, greatest human prize of all in vicinity!”''

''The Spartan would undoubtedly retake the UNSC base and Barroth would not interfere. This was an opportunity to observe the human warrior in action and hopefully see the accompanying lesser soldiers cut down in the firefight that was about to ensue. After that, there was no doubt that it would head back this way. He could alert Riven Gate... but why risk losing the glory of the kill?''

''Barroth once more sighted down his modified stalker rifle and waited for his moment to come.''

==[[Canon Fodder - All About Anvil]] (#155)==
'''ANNEX RIDGE | CHIEFTAIN EN’GEDDON'''<br />
'''FWD: BROTHERHOOD'''

War Chief,

Executions continue for those who display insubordinate belief in their right to status without having earned their glory. Their restless ambitions have been crushed under my hammer in the fighting pits—none have been a match for the enhancements made to its gravitic core.

Atriox’s absence continues to weigh upon me. It is not enough that we lost our home system, but the one who united and gave us purpose as well. We who remain must carry out his designs, and it will take the concerted effort of ''every'' Banished brother to amount to the impact that the Warmaster alone was able to make.

I bore witness to something that renewed my resolve. The Spartan has been carving his way through our numbers, leaving outposts in ruins and reacquainting these forces with the feeling of fear after countless cycles of victory that have infested many with sloth.

As one Jiralhanae fell to the Spartan, it was a Sangheili who took up his brother’s weapon in rage and defiance to avenge him.

Our kind has quarreled with the Sangheili, fought against them with tooth and claw and blade, but it is those who have pledged themselves to the Banished that have found brotherhood which transcends species.

I do not know what afterlife may await those Banished brothers, but I am humbled by witnessing the fire of Atriox in their hearts. That is the power he possessed, and his spirit endures.

I look forward to encountering the Spartan myself. Whether he is broken under my hammer or I fall in glory, I am assured that we ''will'' prevail.

==[[Canon Fodder - Fleetcom Fiction]] (#156)==
Writh Kul was ready to play her last hand.

Her prize sat in the middle of the table—a unique variation of the standard needler with a white chassis, boasting a larger magazine and enhanced target acquisition. It was a personal heirloom of the pirate queen Vrak’is, who sat opposite Writh Kul, her Ibie’shan face heavily scarred. Once, a plume of golden hair had covered her head, but that too had been burned away.

The Sangheili term for the game they were playing was ''rwr'u a'uamr'ep'', which translated more directly as “cube gambit.” It was a sport of chance requiring players to detect the deception of their opponents which had gained popularity among many Kig-Yar groups decades ago while living aboard an asteroid station alongside humans. They had simply called it “liar’s dice.”

“Five fours,” Writh Kul lied.

“''Liar!''” Vrak’is hissed immediately.

They turned over their cups and, sure enough, Writh Kul had only four twos to her name—a poor hand and an even poorer attempt to deceive the old pirate queen.

“Five of kind,” Vrak’is said triumphantly, her jewelry emphatically clinking together as she stood to receive silent adulation from an invisible audience. “Five of kind! Five fives!”

Writh Kul allowed her to enjoy the moment; Vrak’is was the one person she could accept losing to. Once, the pirate queen had been possessed of a formidable fleet and many devoted followers and slaves, but a recent encounter with the UNSC had changed her fortunes dramatically.

Now she was a reclusive figure aboard her lone raider craft ''Daggerboard'', roaming Kig-Yar space to challenge treasure-seekers to eccentric games in exchange for her trinkets and bounties.

“Take anyway,” Vrak’is motioned dismissively to the needler. “No more fight for me, better use for you. Good relationship with Banished. Take it.”

==[[Canon Fodder - Decennial Delights]] (#157)==
An acrid breeze blew through a dead forest, the trees blackened by bombing runs and plasma fire. As Zeta Halo slowly rotated and the nearest star began to dip below the far containment wall that made up the ring band's edge, what passed for dusk began to settle across the fractured landscape. Amidst a backdrop of charred bark and broken limbs, the subtle shift of black armor was the only evidence of Jega 'Rdomnai's presence.

The cybernetically enhanced Sangheili warrior waited patiently in the shadows, anticipating the arrival of a group of UNSC Marines designated Boulder Squad. 'Rdomnai had observed and catalogued the group's patterns and patrol routes for several cycles, and the time drew near for him to make his move.

'Rdomnai gave a quick but choreographed sweep over his weaponry to make sure all was in peak operating order. In the relative stillness of the moment, he allowed his focus to deviate just slightly towards wistful recollection. His left cybernetic arm housed the reforged remnants of his old personal energy sword—an intimidating, custom-shaped, twin-blade monstrosity named ''Ghostpierce.''

In his right hand, he slowly turned over the hilt of his most recent weapon of choice, a more traditional Sangheili bloodblade that itself had already claimed more victims than he could count. The crimson-hued energy sword remained nameless, but 'Rdomnai subconsciously vowed to bestow upon it a new monicker when their job was finally done on this ring. Something befitting of such a monumental victory.

Something befitting the death of a demon.

Nearly an hour passed before the first sounds of the encroaching Marines could be heard. Soon, Boulder Squad was in sight. As the squad crept closer, every step became a silent countdown to mark each human soldier's end. Low voices turned from casual communication to concern and confusion as multiple red energy blades ignited just inside the tree line, the forest suddenly a charcoal painting come to life, giving birth to a monster made of metal and mandibles.

The screams lasted longer than the frantic gunfire, a still silence welcoming Boulder into its eternal embrace. A moment later, the red glow of the blades disappeared, and Jega 'Rdomnai became shadow once more.

==[[Canon Fodder - Blightlands and Brigands]] (#158)==
'''&gt;&gt;PERSONAL LOG<br />
&gt;&gt;BALKARUS<br />
&gt;&gt;RIVEN MANGLER'''

When we were on Oth Liqattu, I received the glory of being counted among the Exodus Guard—those chosen to accompany Atriox himself back to our galaxy. It was with the aged Horatius that I conversed during the  journey, and through him learned the history of the mangler—a weapon we have used since long before we were brought into the Covenant’s fold.

The warlord recounted to me a tale of his pack on Doisac as they hunted a great beast through the Malkadyr wastes, pinning it to a tree with the weapon’s powerful spikes. He noted that the adoption of plasma weaponry had been swift when the Prophets appropriated the Jiralhanae for their purposes, and while there was great power in their technological gifts it was our duty to keep to the paths we carved for ourselves with blood and grit and pain.

I shall walk both paths. I shall wield the boons of the Covenant against our foes, but I shall always give deference to the works we have forged ourselves. To that end, I personally commissioned the alchemy corps stationed at Riven Gate to alter the mangler’s design, creating a variant that may fire slower—for I have always valued my precision—but unleashes three powerful spikes at once. A single burst shall be as if several Jiralhanae were firing upon a target. Glorious devastation!

My forces and I are presently stationed on the patrol path around the Forge of Teash and one of the humans’ former bases, as word of the Demon’s exploits continues to grip our brothers with a mix of anticipation and—in the case of the Unggoy—fear. With their constant chattering, I now understand why many tossed these slothful cowards into the cloaking fields. But once we are finished here, I hope to present this newly forged weapon to Horatius himself. ''After'' it has been appropriately bloodied to carve my path into the ranks of the Hand of Atriox, of course.

==[[Canon Fodder - Coming of Age]] (#159)==
'''UNSC FROM THE ASHES, RECORD MATRIX LOGGED BY NYX 3620-4'''<br>
'''CONVERSATION BETWEEN [87964-33127-AC] AND SPARTAN-G059'''<br>
'''NOVEMBER 13, 2559'''

AC: “What’s the good word, Spartan?”

G059: “Recon op. Scuttlebutt says that Covies are making some moves that we need eyes on.”

AC: “Covies? Been a while since we’ve had them on our radar.”

G059: “Ten-four on that. Apparently, some split-jaw bigshot is massing a fleet out there, and at the same time we’ve gotten word that a salvage effort by one of their warlords in Tau Ceti has accelerated. ONI wants to know if there’s a connection.”

NYX: ''“Reminder logged for SPARTAN-G059 to review file on Operation: WARM BLANKET. High value target profile attached.”''

AC: “Alright, got your recon package right here. Two-day supply of smoothers, thruster pack, your usual M6Hs, and a little extra that I picked up on our last stop.”

G059: “Oh?”

AC: “MA5K Avenger. I’m sure you’ve danced with these before, but the fine folks of Misriah made this little number with a few MA40 parts. Sixty-round mags, three-hundred rounds. She’ll serve you well in tight quarters should your ‘recon’ get a little more interesting.”

G059: “Thanks.”

AC: “You bring her back in one piece. She’s expensive.”

G059: “I’ll try, Amber.”

AC: “I was talkin’ to the gun.”

==[[Canon Fodder - O Come All Ye Fiction]] (#160)==
'''>>PERSONAL LOG'''<br>
'''>>ESCHARUM'''<br>
'''>>HOPE'''

''Hope.'' It is a word for the weak.

What hope was there for the Jiralhanae during the Great Immolation? When we warred among ourselves over territory spoiled by nuclear fire? When the Covenant came to throw unnumbered legions of our kind against their enemies?

When our home was razed from existence?

Humanity clings to it. They speak of hope as if it were an intangible force that encompasses all things—sustenance, resolve, power. But hope does not feed growling stomachs, nor conquer foes, nor rebuild worlds.

Strength is what achieves these things. Knowledge, industry, weaponry. Many call the Jiralhanae savages, but these are what we once had, when we achieved stellar travel all our own. What future might have awaited us had there been no Immolation? Would we have been strong? Do not dwell upon such questions, lest you tempt hope into your heart.

As the fight against the humans continues,

I shall lead the Banished with my axe and walk the path of strength. Together, our might shall bludgeon such sentimental notions of “hope” from our foes, and in the end, as they look to the stars and pray for deliverance, they shall know our suffering.

“Hope” shall be nothing more than an epitaph carved into a mass grave of the unworthy.

==[[Canon Fodder - Dawn of Lore]] (#161)==
'''[RECORDED EXCERPT OF BLOODSTAR BIPBAP IN CONVERSATION WITH WARLORD CHAK ‘LOK]'''

You see, the great thing about Unggoy is that we add biiiig numbers to an army! Unggoy grow quick, live fast, and… well, die lots. No problem, just wait a little bit and BAM! You replaced everybody who died already.

But the trouble with Unggoy is when they gets ideas, start thinkin’ that they can band together and take over the army all by themselves. Because they’re right! By sheer statistiticks, Unggoy would easily rule all if we wanted. Prophets never got more scareds than when Unggoy were being disobedient—and we did that like, what, ninety-seven times? Sixty thousand? I forget. It was a lot.

Banished knows how to keep orders though. The commanders know I like keepin’ orders, so they gave me this neat gun to help! Alchemy Corps Brute hands it over and I immediately start blastin’ this one guy, tried to steal my stuff—STAY AWAY FROM MY ROCKS!—and suddenly the zappy thing starts hittin’ a bunch of other guys without me even needing to shoot ‘em. So next time the Unggoy do a disobedience, I gotta use this zappy gun to keep ‘em in line!

==[[Canon Fodder - Tasty Tomes]] (#162)==
'''OTH KATTRAL
APRIL 24, 2560'''

Bright green light flared with a volley of explosive crackling as six fuel rod projectiles detonated on impact against the enemy dropship. The transport erupted into flames and was sent careening over the cliff’s edge, leaving any of its crew that hadn’t been immolated by the blast to suffer a fall of several hundred meters.

Marley dumped the spent tubes on the ground and reloaded the weapon, leaning out of cover to check for any other signs of hostiles.

“''Think that was just a scouting run,''” CC spoke over the comm. “''How’s the new toy?''”

“Packs a punch, no problem there,” Marley said. “But the ''Gespu''-pattern model is all over Venezia markets, gotta get my hands on one of those as well.”

“''Prefer the ''Zasqi''-pattern myself''.”

Marley glanced up, his Assailer helmet’s visor identifying CC’s position several klicks away. She had set up overwatch at the top of one of the monorail towers where she no doubt had a perfect view of the mining facility and the arid, mountainous landscape around them. If she hadn’t noted any further movement, it probably had just been a scouting run.

“Yeah,” Marley broke from cover and continued patrolling the perimeter of the facility. “Hard to beat the Covie classics.”

“''You should put in a requisition order next time. Adds to the debt, but it’ll help you survive long enough to pay it.''”

She wasn’t wrong. A Banished chieftain had enlisted their services to protect this mining site on one of their resource rich worlds, as it was a prime target for rival warlords looking to bolster their own glory and industrial capacity.

''Human labor hired to protect alien assets from other aliens so they can use it against other humans'', Marley mused. Sometimes these melting pot arrangements baffled him beyond comprehension—other times, they made a little too much sense.

==[[Canon Fodder - Anthology Assemble]] (#163)==
'''HALBASHI WORKSHOP | CHIEFTAIN ATTICUS'''<br>
'''FWD: MUTILATOR'''

Ghost of Kholo,

For many lunar cycles, we have plundered and pillaged the strongholds of our foes. The notoriety of your clan increases with every victory, and the time has now come to face our greatest raid yet.

As ''daskalo'', I speak this wisdom. When the fight is over and the Spartans’ home lies in ruins, the greater glory lies not simply in what we take, but in what you give.

The Jiralhanae are without a home. Nysa will not replace Doisac, nor will it ever serve as a true home for my people, but your clan will secure their position and value by offering Nysa as neutral ground for all Banished who would seek safe harbor. The planetary data we have received from the AI reveals that it is a lush world rich in resources—perhaps not for building machines of war, but for providing other means of survival.

War Chief Severan will be forced to acknowledge this. He will say that the gift of a thousand worlds cannot replace what was taken from us by the humans, but he is not so foolish that he will not recognize what a boon this offering will be.

I offer a tool for you to carve this truth.

The Halbashi Workshop has perfected a weapon that shall serve as an extension of your will, for you carry within your blood the rage of a berserker and the sharpened edge of a ''surdkar''.

Upon this tool, I accord the ''daskalo'''s invocation: May this weapon serve you well in the battles to come. May its power bring fear to your enemies and fell a thousand legions to bring you glory. And may it never be set down—for as long as you draw breath, its task shall never be done.