Chapter Text
The wind carried the scent of old ash and something sharper, the metal bite of control. I stood on the ridge above the old fence line, staring at the charred remains of what used to be a Covenant outpost. Pike’s voice echoed behind my eyes: “Sweep it. Salvage what’s left. Then burn it down.”
I had to agree with everything he said. He was the one who took me in, trusted me and gave me a home. I was nothing before him, but I had a heart to know that what he was doing was wrong. I wanted to say something… I did. But the consequences would have been far worse than anything my words could have changed.
Instructor Pike trusts me more than most. It's not something he says outright, but I see it in the way he includes me in briefings the others don’t attend, in the decisions he lets me make on my own. I’m being prepared for something bigger, leadership, maybe, though no one’s used that word yet.
Recently, he assigned me to help oversee the dismantling of a former Covenant stronghold. It was more than just a demolition job; it was a message that we’re moving forward, leaving the old war behind. I coordinated with the demolition crews, reviewed tactical reports, and made sure everything went according to plan. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it mattered. Pike was watching, and so were others.
It was all too much to think about: new missions, the chance of becoming a leader, and the mental battle of trying to fight the urge to leave the dominion.
I took two deep breaths and continued to sip on my drink and gaze into the distance.
The Covenant camps were in ruins, crushed under the weight of Dominion firepower. Tents smouldered, supply crates scattered like broken bones, and the scent of scorched earth clung to everything. We were told it was necessary. Efficient. But looking at the wreckage, I wasn’t so sure. This wasn’t a victory; it was erasure. And I was part of it. And i wasn't proud.
“Have u heard about the new project Pike and his team are working on?” i couldn't help but listen to a conversation from a group of guards drinking at the bar only meters away.
“It's called ‘phase cleansing’.”
My breath hitched as I heard that word again, whispered by the council over the past week. It was eerie, unsettling, but I tried to push it out of my mind and continued to listen.
“It's a plan to destroy and wipe out all the covenant camps.”
“Sounds brutal”
“It is, there's a huge camp around the west where they’re manufacturing the strongest weapons the dominion has seen since the war, when the dominion and covenant were created.”
I didn't have any choice but to join in the conversation now. I needed to know more.
“Phase cleansing, huh? Sounds like they’re going all-in on this.”
Monty, a stern man I recognised from previous meetings, looked at me coldly. “They have to. Those covenant camps are breeding grounds for rebellion. If we don’t wipe them out, the Dominion won’t survive.”
I frowned, struggling to keep my thoughts straight. “But… what about the civilians? Families caught up in those camps? Surely there’s a way to minimise collateral damage?”
Jasper shook his head sharply. “This isn’t a negotiation. The covenant built those camps to arm themselves against us. If we don’t crush them now, the war drags on, and more Dominion lives will be lost.”
I swallowed hard but pressed on. “I get that, but wiping out entire camps feels more like punishment than justice. What happens if innocent people get caught in the crossfire? Where does that leave us morally?”
John shrugged dismissively. “Morality is a luxury we can’t afford.”
I tightened my jaw. “Sacrifice, yes, but at what cost? There has to be another way besides destruction.”
Roan gave me a hard look but said nothing.
Monty’s voice cut through the silence. “You’re treading on dangerous ground questioning the council’s decisions.”
I met his gaze without flinching. “Maybe I am. But I can’t stand here and watch us destroy everything, and everyone just to prove a point. I won’t be part of this madness.”
Monty glanced sideways, lowering his voice as he leaned toward Jasper. “Wait... isn’t this Pike’s little apprentice? Bellamy, right?”
Jasper nodded slowly, eyes narrowing. “I thought so. No wonder he’s stirring trouble.”
Their murmurs grew louder, suspicion thickening the room.
John stepped forward, voice low and venomous. “You’re playing a dangerous game, aligning yourself with Pike’s ideals. The council doesn’t tolerate dissent, especially not from someone so close to him.”
I squared my shoulders. “Maybe I am close to Pike. Maybe I believe in something better than this blind destruction. If standing up for what’s right means I’m a threat, so be it.”
Monty’s lips curled into a cold laugh. “Threat? You’re nothing but a boy playing at rebellion.”
I took a breath. “Maybe. But safety built on fear won’t last.”
Monty stepped closer, voice low and dangerous. “You speak like you’re better than us all.”
I met his gaze evenly. “I’m not better. I just refuse to be part of something that kills innocents to win a war.”
Roan scoffed, stepping forward. “Idealism won’t save you, Bellamy. It’ll get you killed.”
“Then maybe it’s better to die trying than live as a monster,” I said, voice steady.
The room went silent, tension crackling. Monty turned sharply away. “Mark my words, you’ll regret this. The council doesn’t forget insubordination.”
I turned to leave, but Monty shoved me hard in the chest.
“You think words are enough? Let’s see how tough you really are.”
I stumbled but pushed back. I didn't know why they wanted to start a fight over this, but I had enough anger and frustration in me to fight back.
Suddenly, the room erupted. Jasper and John lunged forward; Roan joined the fray without hesitation.
John grabbed my arm, twisting it behind my back. Pain flared, but I twisted free and drove my elbow into his ribs.
Jasper charged; I sidestepped and rammed my shoulder into him, knocking him down.
Roan came at me fast, fists raised. I blocked his punch and shoved him back.
Monty lunged again. I caught his wrist mid-swing and slammed him against the wall with a sickening crack.
Breathing hard, I took a step back, eyes blazing. “This isn’t over.”
The room fell silent, the fight paused by the weight of what had just happened. The council members exchanged looks, anger, grudging respect, and something like calculation.
Without waiting, I turned sharply and stormed out, every step fueled by the fire of my convictions and the bitter knowledge that I was now truly at silent war with the Dominion I once called home.
I paused just outside the council chamber, the echo of the fight still ringing in my ears. The weight of what I’d done settled heavily on my shoulders, but I couldn’t afford to look back.
As I moved through the quiet corridors, something caught my eye: faint footprints in the dust, scattered scraps of torn fabric, signs someone had been here recently.
I crouched down, studying the marks. Whoever passed through left no message, no sign of intent. Just a whisper of movement in the shadows.
I stood slowly, unease curling in my gut. I didn’t know who was watching or what they wanted. But I knew one thing for certain: this was far from over.