Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss

Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss is one of several short-stories in Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe. It tells the story of an ONI operative named Connor Brien, who is sent to a Jiralhanae-captured human world, Beta Gabriel, only to find himself the subject of their violent sports. Noticing unrest in the local Brute hierarchy, Brien conspires with fellow captives to make an escape while the Brutes argue among themselves. It was written by Eric Raab.

Summary
Learning of the Jiralhanae invasion of Beta Gabriel, Connor Brien was granted permission to land on the planet and study their behavior. He is caught by a group of Brute hunters while he observes from a tree, and is brought back to their encampment around a landed Covenant vessel. While there he witnesses the slow breakdown of the pack's unity and creates a diversion that allows for the escape of himself and the remaining prisoners. While at the camp he meets a prominent religious figure named Dasc Gevadim who had hidden away on Beta Gabriel to increase the devotion of his followers. This leads to Brien's death, as Dasc shoots him in the head with his own pistol before help can arrive, preferring that one man die so that the faith of millions can be preserved. Afterward, the UNSC reinforcements, finding no human survivors, slaughtered the remaining Brutes.

Characters

 * Connor Brien
 * Ceretus a.k.a. "Six"
 * Parabum a.k.a. "Big Boy"
 * Maladus
 * Facius a.k.a. "Butch"
 * Hammadus a.k.a. "Ludo"
 * Dasc Gevadim
 * Hague
 * Jupentus
 * Brunus
 * Golubus
 * Nixaliz
 * Vern