Michael Wincott credited as playing...
Prophet of Truth
- [first lines]
- Arbiter: [standing before the heirarchs and the counsel] There was only one ship.
- Prophet of Truth: One? Are you sure?
- Arbiter: Yes. They called it the "Pillar of Autumn".
- Prophet of Mercy: Why was it not destroyed with the rest of their fleet?
- Arbiter: It fled as we set fire to their planet. I followed with all the ships in my command.
- Prophet of Regret: When you first saw Halo, were you blinded by its magesty?
- Arbiter: Blinded?
- Prophet of Regret: Paralyzed? Dumbstruck?
- Arbiter: No!
- Prophet of Regret: Yet the humans were able to evade your ships, land on the sacred ring, and descrate it with their filty footsteps!
- Arbiter: Noble hierarchs, surely you understand that once the parasite attacked...
- [crowd uproars]
- Prophet of Mercy: There will be order in this counsel!
- Prophet of Truth: [gestures the crowd to be silent] You were right to focus your attention on The Flood, but this Demon? This Master Chief?
- Arbiter: By the time I learned of the Demon's intent, there was nothing I could do!
- [crowd uproars again]
- Prophet of Regret: [whispering] Prophet of Truth, this has gone on long enough! Make an example of this bungler! The Counsel demands it!
- Prophet of Truth: [to the Arbiter] You are one of our most treasured instruments. Long have you lead your fleet with honor and distinction. But, your inability to safeguard Halo was a colossal failure.
- Counselman: Nay! It was heresy!
- [crowd uproars intensely]
- Arbiter: I will continue my campaign against the humans!
- Prophet of Truth: No, you will not.
- [signals the Honor Guards to take him away]
- Prophet of Truth: The Great Journey is about to begin. But when it does, the weight of your heresy will stay your feet... and you shall be left behind.
- Tartarus: [bringing the soon to be Arbiter to the Prophets] Noble Prophets of Truth and Mercy, I have brought the incompetent.
- Prophet of Truth: You may leave, Tartarus.
- Tartarus: But...
- Prophet of Truth: And take your Brutes with you.
- Tartarus: [disappointed] Release the prisoner.
- [leaves]
- Prophet of Truth: The Council decided to have you hung by your entrails, and your corpse paraded through the city. But ultimately, the terms of your execution are up to me.
- Arbiter: I am already dead.
- Prophet of Truth: Indeed. Do you know where we are?
- Arbiter: The Mausoleum of the Arbiter.
- Prophet of Truth: Yes. Here lies the vanguard of the Great Journey. Each Arbiter, created and consumed in times of extraordinary crisis.
- Prophet of Mercy: The Taming of the Hunters, the Grunt Rebellion, were it not for the Arbiters, the Covenant would have fallen long ago!
- Arbiter: Even on my knees, I do not belong in their presence...
- Prophet of Truth: Halo's destruction was your error, and you rightly bear the blame. But the Council was, overzealous. We know you are no heretic. THIS is the TRUE face of heresy.
- [indicating hologram]
- Prophet of Truth: One who would subdue our faith, and induce rebellion within the High Council.
- Heretic Leader: Our Prophets are FALSE! Open your eyes, my brothers! They would use the faith of our forefathers to bring ruin to us all! The Great Journey is...
- Prophet of Truth: This Heretic, and those who follow him, must be silenced.
- Arbiter: What use am I now? I can no longer command ships, lead troops into battle...
- Prophet of Truth: Not as you are, no. But become the Arbiter, and you shall be set free of this heresy with our blessing.
- [large case holding Arbiter's armour descends and opens]
- Arbiter: What of the council?
- Prophet of Mercy: The tasks you will take as the Arbiter are perilous, suicidal. You will DIE. As each Arbiter before you has died. The Council will have their corpse.
- Arbiter: [walks to Arbiter armour, puts on helmet, and turns to Prophets] What would you have your Arbiter do?
- Prophet of Truth: The council decided to have y' hung by your entrails and your corpse paraded through the city. But ultimately, the terms of your execution are up to me.
- Arbiter: I am already dead.