A/N: I don't on anything from Halo.

Chapter 1

Tral 'Vortam stood up from his chair. The elite walked over to the large holo projector in the center of the room. Usually the conference room would have been used to brief the commanding elites of an upcoming battle. The seat that Tral had been sitting in would have held the fleet master. He had really just wanted to know what the bid deal was. Tral was more then happy with his recent promotion to Ultra. He looked down and the shinny new silver armor and felt pride. The light from the holo projector tinted the silver a light purple. He let his arm drop to his side. He looked up at the symbol that was displayed over the projector. It was the new symbol for the sangheili army. The symbol was a shield with a pair of blades crossed over it. Over all that was an armor less sangheili head. Tral didn't mind the symbol but sometimes it seemed a bit crowded, like there was too much to it.

Tral turned his attention quickly as the conference room doors slid open. Tral was surprised to see the Arbiter walking toward him. Tral held his fist over his heart as he bowed to the Arbiter. "Sir, it is an honor to be in your presence." He said not daring to look up at the other elite.

"Greetings Tral 'Votam. I am here to brief you on your upcoming mission." The Arbiter explained. "Varun, bring up the image." The Arbiter ordered as he turned to the holo projector.

A transparent, lavender, figure materialized to the side of the projector. The figure was that of an aged sangheili. It wore no armor, but instead a flowing robe that pooled at his feet. Upon its head was an ornamental crown that looked like it would be too heavy for the figure to hold up. "As you wish Arbiter." The AI's smooth voice said. An image of a strange building appeared. It was a square structure that was 20 meters wide and long and stood 30 meters tall. It appeared to be made of clocks of stone making it look primitive but the only entrance had large blast doors. It was a perfect mesh of the middle ages and modern technology.

"This is your mission." The Arbiter said. "We don't know what this structure is or if it had anything to do with the loyalist's presence on this planet. You will take a small team and scout the structure. You are to report back whatever you find."

Tral bowed once more to the Arbiter. "Your will is my command, sir."

"Then go." The Arbiter said. "You will leave as soon as you are ready. Your team is already waiting at your ship."

Tral nodded before he turned to leave. He left the conference room and turned left to head to the barracks where his armor would be waiting. He passed grunts that scurried about at their tasks and jackals that screeched orders at them. Tral had never had a problem with the Unggoy, in fact he kind of liked them. They stayed out of his way when he was working and when he was not they had odd games and stories that they were happy to share. He was rather popular with them because of the respect that he showed them while others treated them as though they were peasants. Kig-Yar were a whole other story though. Their voices were high pitched and hard on the ears. The bird like creatures couldn't even be trusted. They had been pirates before the covenant and had proven that they were still back stabbing pirates. Tral couldn't count the number of times that he had contemplated crushing a Kig-Yar's skull. The jackals acted as though they were in charge. Tral almost wished that they jackals had not been aloud to join the separatist in leaving the covenant but he knew better. No matter how much he disliked them they still deserved to be able to break away from the lies of the prophets.

Tral glanced to his left as a grunt fell to the ground. The jackal behind it started to scold the gas breathing alien. As Tral passed he swung his left arm out causing his hand to make contact with the jackal's head. The Kig-Yar fell against the wall with a slight thud. The jackal sat hunched over clutching its head in pain. The grunt laughed quietly as it picked up the container it had been carrying. Tral turned and nodded to the grunt as it bowed politely. The jackal tried to stand but it swayed unsteady on its feet. The grunt turned and walked on down the hall laughing aloud. Tral continued down the hall leaving the dizzy and humiliated jackal.

Tral entered the barracks of the ultra elites. They were high enough ranked to get a bit more space but not enough to get their own rooms. There were 5 elites living in the large room that would usually hold up to 15 majors or 20 minor elites. Mora 'Sartur looked up as Tral entered. He was another elite that had recently been promoted to ultra around the same time at Tral. "I hear you have your first mission as an Ultra." He said.

Tral nodded. "You are correct my friend. I have been given a mission by the Arbiter." He replied as he walked over to the area of the room that was his. He glanced at the broken piece of blue armor that sat on the table beside his cot. "I am to head out as soon as I am ready." He added pulling his attention away from the object. It was a souvenir from the first mission that he had actually been on when he felt he had really felt like he deserved his honor.

"Excellent." Mora replied pleased. "The blood of your ancestors flows strong in you. The Arbiter has chosen well." He said sincerely. Mora had always been a loyal friend to Tral and was always willing to boost his friend's confidence.

"I doubt this mission will be as exciting as your first mission. It is only scouting out a structure." Tral said as he started to put on his armor.

"Ah but yours will bring more honor. Do not underestimate your task. It was a scouting team that first found the flood." Mora pointed out.

Tral had to admit that his friend was right. "Let us hope that I do not have that misfortune." He said as he moved to the other side of the wall to a small control panel. He placed his hand on the scanner and once it verified his DNA a section of the wall slid back. Tral slipped into his armor quickly not wanting to keep his team waiting to long.

"Good luck to you my friend. May your strength and honor never fail you." Mora said nodding to his friend.

Tral nodded back before donning his helmet silently and leaving the room. Elites moved to the side for him bowing respectfully. He felt a bit odd; he wasn't use to major elites bowing to him. He would just have to get use to the action. He made his way to the flight bay where the ships were ready to take off for the planet below. He checked and found which ship he would be taking. He found it and 2 red armored elites stood as he approached. They bowed to him as he approached them. Tral ordered them onto the ship and they did as they were told. He would have to look over their information on the rider down. He did not want to go into the mission knowing nothing about his team. Tral entered the phantom making his way to the front. The Unggoy pilot was already in its seat waiting. It turned and nodded respectfully to the elite. "Head out." He ordered simply. The grunt powered up the ship and in a few second eased their way out of the bay down toward the planet.

~end chapter 1~

A/N: Well there is chapter 1. I hope you enjoyed it and decide to continue reading. Please comment so I can know what you think.