A.N. I've never posted anything in Halo so let me know (I'm begging you) if I stray OOC or off the Halo track.
Disclaimer: I don't own Halo but all original ideas are mine.
"So there is no other option?" the Councillor asked softly, aware of the human eyes focused on him while he conversed softly among his followers.
"None that I can see Councillor." The lone Elite in the shadows murmured. The Arbiter had taken the prophets betrayal hard and though he had been dishonoured by the Prophets he was present because of all the Elites he was one of the few who respected not only the Deamon but the rest of the humans as well and was to serve as a voice of caution not to underestimate their reluctant allies. Frequently his gaze scanned the room hesitating now and then on various occupants weighing and debating silently. He had good instincts the Councillor acknowledged, and if he ever got over his shame and survived this war he would one day make a wise leader.
"I hate to call them in though." Dowaglee muttered from beside him. The Councillor looked over.
"That is your pride speaking brother. I too will admit to that flaw but it changes nothing. If we are to win this war we must place ourselves between the Prophets and their misguided Journey. The Humans will fight without us. It is their home world that is under attack.-"
"Precisely, so why must we turn to them. It is a Human battle not a Sangheili one." Dowaglee interrupted.
"Have you no honour?" the Arbiter snarled from behind them. "Do we stand aside and allow the Prophet of Truth to slay us all, Human and Sangheili alike and not fight back." The Arbiters snarl turned into a leer though he kept his voice pitched low. "Besides what will your Myir'sawyie have to say to you when you refused to acknowledge Shal'qui honour?" Dowaglee pushed himself to his feet a warning snarl in his throat.
"What of your Myir'saw? Have you no dwazi?" The Arbiter returned the snarl. Both powerful warriors prepared to enter an honour battle here and now.
"Enough hatchlings!" the Councillor ordered without rising. He knew well the touchiness of a youth's honour. Warrior discipline born and bred into both made them back down watching each other warily, eager for blood still. Dowaglee sat again deliberately presenting his back a move that made the councillor shake his head. "Are we in agreement?" he asked glancing around the half circle of Councillors and Supreme Commanders. Too few, he thought bitterly and war would thin them out more, new appointments would have to been made swiftly. The Prophets assassinations had dealt them a harsh blow. No face that met his was glad but all were at varying degrees of resignation at the decision. Four Ages of pride and after all this time they were going to… he knew it was the only option left to them. They needed the resources though he could already hear what his Myir'sawyie would say. It was a fate that he remained reluctant to contemplate. They would be smug…
When no further arguments arose from the rag-tag council he turned back to the Humans sitting on the other side of the table. Waiting. They were mysterious creatures, these humans. Their eyes glinted back at him, their expressions varying degree's of masks, all unfamiliar to him. His gaze drifted along the back wall where in a position similar to the Arbiter a larger figure stood. Gold visor faintly reflecting the light from above, hiding his thoughts and expression, the Demon watched the proceedings. At no point had he been spoken to by the other humans, nor had he been consulted. Absently the Councillor wondered just where he fit in to this strange people. Off to the left a movement caught his eye as well, a slenderer form. Flesh pale though their mannerisms had been bold when they had been called forward to address everyone assembled at the table. They were another that was Human-but-not. The Demon had shifted almost imperceptibly when they had spoken, shifting to just slightly more alert. It was something to consider as well. When he returned to the ship he would have to see what data it is that they had of this "Cortana"…
"There is… one, other option." He began to address the war council, may whatever fate awaited him the after life be merciful.
to be continued
Authors Note: ( below)
Alright I've ever posted in this area before and I thought that an Elite perspective would be interesting. I'm not sure whose POV most of the story will be written from yet. Just to let you know there's a lot of background to this story that I'm "tentatively" thinking about posting which I might be referring to throughout the story. I might try to stick a brief summery in at certain points to help clear things up a bit however if you still have questions tell me and I'll try to clear them up for you. Alight I think that about sums up my rambling for now so Thank you for reading and review. Let me know if I should continue or not.
Since I have no idea how long the covenant ages are I'm trying to stay true by not being specific. So going by the Wikipedia entry on Halo and the various ages listed in the order there the councillor is referring to an event roughly around the Age of Reconciliation (possibly the tail end of Discovery) If that's off let me know hey since I'm trying to keep this true and Wikipedia isn't exactly "official". Thanks
P.S. Crips! My A.N are almost as long as this posting. I'll try to keep them shorter next time.