The Sangheili Councilor clicked his lower mandibles once and slumped into his chair. Under normal circumstances he would never consent to being seen acting in such a dejected manner. The situation seemed to call for it, however. The rebel Covenant Loyalists were proving themselves to be much more formidable then originally thought. They had managed to spread to various sectors throughout both Human and Sangheili-controlled space. While the Covenant had no qualms when it came to glassing Loyalist-controlled planets, the Humans refused to have the same done to any planets under their control, even the unpopulated ones. The Sangheili (or Elites, as the Humans tended to call them) agreed to this restriction upon being granted permission to deal with the Loyalist threat in Human space.

However, it was proving to be quite the annoyance.

While the Councilor understood this relationship between the Humans and their planets better then most of his race, it did make their missions exceedingly difficult. Rebels defeated on the ground simply fled back to their stolen ships in space. And battling against a species of equal technology and intelligence was not something the Sangheili under his command were used to.

“Councilor.” The Councilor’s Special Operations Officer, Thyne ‘Ottomo, respectfully bowed his head. “I have received word from the fleet Extracted Revenge.”

The Councilor straightened in his chair. His voice held a faint note of interest. “Speak.”

“Fleet Commander Rtas ‘Vadum has sent word that Covenant rebels have been found on a previously uncharted planet.” The Councilor stood, reaching his full height of eight feet, six inches. His golden armor glistened in the soft artificial light of the chamber.

“Where is this planet located?”

“On the edge of Human-controlled space.” The Councilor gave a deep hum in the back of his throat, a show of frustration.

“And what do they call this planet?”

Thyne ‘Ottomo spread his hands. “I do not know, Councilor.”

He turned away, the soles of his feet making soft padding sounds on the ancient stone floor of the Holy Mausoleum. “I will honor my pact with the Humans.” He announced, his voice low but heavy with passion. “We must seek permission to engage the Loyalist scum on this new planet.” He turned back to his SpecOps Officer.

“Go. Prepare my ship and my Fleet.” Thyne ‘Ottomo bowed and hastily exited the chamber. The Councilor stood silent for several units before striding over to a series of computer monitors taking up the right-hand side of the chamber. He sent out a hail to the Shadow of Intent, ordering a communiqué between himself and Fleet Master Rtas ‘Vadum. The nervous receiving officer was quick to establish contact, and soon the visage of the white-armored Sangheili filled the Councilor’s screen.

“Fleet Master.”

“Councilor.” Rtas greeted in return, bowing respectfully. “You honor me with your presence.”

“I have received your message,” The Councilor cut straight to the heart of the matter. “pertaining to the rebels and their newly-establish location.” The Fleet Master bobbed his head once.

“Yes, Councilor. The scum have been detected on a planet on the edge of Human-controlled space. We believe it’s actually one of their larger bases. It is currently unknown as to whether the Humans are aware of this and have already sent in teams to neutralize the threat or not.”

“That is precisely why I have ordered the preparation of my fleet.”

The Fleet Master cocked his head to the side. The missing portion of his lower jaw gave him a somewhat lop-sided appearance. “I assure you Councilor, that I can eliminate this threat.”

“Rest easy. I have good faith in you, my Brother.” He replied, not wishing to cast doubt in his friend. “But if I am going to set the best example for my people, I have to journey to Sol myself.”

“Sol?” The Fleet Master pressed his hands against the console. “You’re going to see him again?”

“Indeed.” The Councilor nodded his head gravely. He turned back to Thyne ‘Ottomo, who had since returned.

“Establish contact with Lord Hood. Inform him that I will be traveling to the Human system Sol once again.”

____

Pinyat stretched his muscles and yawned, uncurling from his ball. He raised his head and blinked sleepily up at the demanding human that had awakened him.

“I said up.” The recruit sneered. “On your feet!” The Grunt whimpered and scrambled up. He took a deep inhale from his methane tank, wringing his hands in front of him and shifting his clubbed feet.

“Y-yes Sir?...” He stammered. The device attached to his mouthpiece perfectly translated his own language into the Human language English.

The Human, a tall yellow-haired male, crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “You’re sleeping in late. Time to move.” He growled. The tired Grunt nodded his weary head and galloped off in the direction he knew the work site lay in.

Eleven years after they lost the war, and he was still right where he was back then. He didn’t understand why the Humans didn’t simply have the Sangheili glass his home planet Balaho. Apparently, Humans seemed to harbor compassion for a defeated species, and instead of slaughtering them outright, they demanded labor to rebuild their destroyed cities.

Pinyat knew he had been situated in the Human worker town Voi, Kenya. The city had been glassed by the Sangheili in a successful effort to destroy the invading Flood forms. After the war, the Sangheili introduced to the Humans a substance that could be used to effectively break down plasma. Currently about half the city was still entrenched, and Pinyat had been steadily working to introduce the chemical into the remaining half.

The Grunt got to work guiding large tubes of the substance into holes drilled into the hardened plasma crust. He waved to the Grunt Foreman and stood back as the silver liquid flooded into the ground. After a few days, that section would begin to dissolve. Then more of his species would manually shovel what was left from the grass and dirt. It was difficult, backbreaking work. But at least it kept him from getting killed outright.

The hot African sun shone down on them unmercifully, and the air was blisteringly hot. It didn’t help that the aliens were granted little rest by the Human officers in charge. Not that Pinyat could really blame them. It was better then the alternative…

____

“Lord Hood. I’m receiving a hail from the Covenant cruiser Fruitful Ambition.” Lt. William Lovestone creased his forehead ever so slightly. “Sir, isn’t that-”


“Yes, it is.” Lord Hood rested his hands behind his back. “Put him on the forward screen.” The Lt. obeyed, tapping a series of buttons until the image transferred. Lord Hood nodded to the Elite officer before finding himself once again face to face with the familiar alien being.

“Arbiter.”

“It’s Councilor, now.” The Arbiter replied. “Councilor Moro ‘Ptasm. My people call me the Last Arbiter.”

“I see.” The Fleet Admiral rocked back once on his heels. “Why is it that you wished to speak with me?”

“I have received a transmission from my Fleet Commander. Rebel Covenant have been found on one of your planets.” Lord Hood leaned forward, interested.

“In this system?”

“No. I will have my officer send you the vectors.” Minutes ticked by.

“Sir! Vector coordinates received.” Lt. Janet Rodgers announced, voice tinged with anticipation. “Sir, that corresponds with the planet Sore.”

Lord Hood returned to the screen. “Arbiter – Councilor, – forces have already been deployed to those coordinates. I have two Spartans currently en route.”

“More demons?...” Moro ‘Ptasm heard Thyne ‘Ottomo suck in a sharp breath. He shot the inexperienced officer a sharp look.

“Hold your tongue.” He reprimanded with an impatient growl. “If these two are anything like the one that I fought with in the war, I have no doubts that they will return triumphant.” He returned his gaze to the screen.

“However, Admiral Hood, if you find yourself needing assistance in any way…” He spread his hands graciously. The Fleet Admiral accepted the offer.

“Thank you, Councilor. We will be in contact.” He cut the transmission. His nephew stared at him.

“That was really him?”

“Indeed. Seems he’s become some sort of Councilor now.” Lord Hood mused aloud. “Interesting.”

“But he’s one of them. The Covenant. They’ve already destroyed millions of lives! Surely you haven’t forgotten Harvest and the other-”

“That’s enough.” Lord Hood’s tone was as cold as shaved ice. The young Lt. cut off mid-sentence and dropped his eyes.

“I apologize Sir.” The Fleet Admiral sighed. He hadn’t forgotten the loss of those lives for a single second. The deaths of the men who had served under him would haunt him until the day he died.

But now wasn’t the time for looking back – it was the time for looking ahead. Humanity couldn’t possibly win a war against the Elites, so it was useless to start a second one. As much as he still despised their kind for what they had done, the best way to remember those who had fallen was to rebuild what had been destroyed and carry on with their lives.

“It’s alright, son. Sometime I’ll explain to you.”