A reverberating roar could be heard as the Kig-Yar fired his mini-rockets at Thel, the rockets streaking in a spiral-style trajectory, and detonating around Thel himself. He spun once, stood for a moment, and dropped to the ground.
"All hands, Alert! Kaidon 'Vadam has been injured! Repeat, Thel 'Vadam has been injured! Medical teams to the Military District!" came Kyle's voice over the radio. It was at that moment that the Covenant soldiers retreated to their Assault Carrier. Those that made it turned the ship to leave, but were cut off by the sudden arrival of an arrowhead-shaped vessel - a Predator-class Battlecruiser - flanked by two Ares-class Attack Cruisers, who all trained their weapons on the Assault Carrier and opened fire.
Back in the Military District, several medical teams examined Thel, but his condition was not looking good. General Kyle was on the scene with Vokun and K'torr. The chief medic approached Kyle. "It's not good, General," he said. "He's so busted up, it's impossible to bring him around - he's slipping, and fast."
"General," K'torr said, "The Sangheili need Thel. Without him, they'll fracture and splinter, and may end up rejoining the Covenant."
"I'm well aware of the gravity of the situation," Kyle said. Turning to the medic, he asked, "Can anything be done?"
"I've tried everything I know," the Medic said. "And it still isn't enough."
As Thel was slipping further into the black, he looked straight at Cecilia...