I came up with an idea for introducing the Covenant back as a potent force. This idea requires two fairly big things to happen:
Firstly, the Created threat needs to be dealt with thoroughly, preferably in a way that deactivates Forerunner devices. This is so that the new Covenant aren’t completely destroyed by Cortana’s ‘Peace through superior fire-power’ doctrine. I ask that Forerunner devices be deactivated purely because I’m tired of the ‘activate/destroy the Forerunner McGuffin’ plot-line. The stories of the Halo games too often veer in this direction. Other than Reach and ODST, I always felt that the Halo games never did a very good job of conveying how truly, hideously terrifying the Covenant were supposed to be. They were a powerful force that exterminated planet after planet, and I feel that the next chapter of Halo’s story should at least focus a little on that.
Secondly, The San’Shyuum need to return. I have a very specific vision for how they would do this. After High Charity was overtaken by the flood most of the surviving San’Shyuum disappeared on smaller ships (as far as I know). The San’Shyuum already had a small gene pool, so this was a devastating blow for their species. In the wake of this, I would have them living in deep space in a fleet made up of the survivors, majority staffed by Grunts and maybe some Brute still loyal to them. I think this would also present the opportunity to add Prelates as an enemy. That’s just a pet wish of mine, but the main point is that the San’Shyuum need to still be alive, but weak.
Now, t this point (or earlier), you may be wondering why I’m forgetting the Banished. In short, I don’t see them as a particular threat the current UNSC, and I fully expect them to be dealt with by the end of the Created story-arch.
Now, to the main event. My big reveal. In the wake of the Created conflict, the galaxy will be in shamble, everyone will likely have expended a huge amount of resources fighting Cortana, and, IMPORTANTLY, everyone will be pretty annoyed at Humanity for creating Cortana in the first place. Remember, the Covenant never used anything more than basic AI, so its understandable that the galaxy would be pretty cheesed at u Humans for nearly bringing about their ‘end’. Unnecessarily. I would have the San’Shyuum re-enter civilized space and reveal themselves, perhaps rather sheepishly (‘sorry we killed billions in a lie driven, religiously motivated war of extermination’). All species would convene to discuss the recent Created conflict, and somebody would request that Humanity stop producing AI, justifiably, to remove the threat of a second Created conflict. All species would support this idea, except, of course, Humans. AI are the backbone of their military, after all. This would prompt the SAn’Shyuum and the Sangheili, the two ‘powerhouses’ of the Covenant, to issue Humanity with an ultimatum, destroy your AI, or be destroyed yourselves. Key to this idea is that this time Humans are the dangerous ones, at least from one point of view, because we have selfishly put our own safety above that of the galaxy. Introduces a bit of moral ambiguity, but only a little. Anyway, from there on, Humanity refuses to give up their AI, and jut like that everyone is against Humans again, this time bound by a possibly justified need to ‘dis-arm’ Humanity, rather than by religion. War is declared, and hey presto, its us against the (New) Covenant again.
I don’t know how this is to read, it works really well in my head, but it’s difficult to put to paper. I’m wondering what your thoughts are on this idea.
(Also, Chief needs to die. I don’t hate him, but he’s been fighting for too long, I want him to go out with a bang. Preferably at the same time as Cortana dies for good, so they can go out together. This is a bit of a non-sequitur, but it’s what I think should happen)