Ok so I feel as though i left some information about the main character that may be important so I thought it would be a good idea to post how I made the main character since I have talked to someone over PM. the first chapter is done and I am hoping for feed back before I get to work on the next chapter. I understand if some of what you read goes against Historical knowledge in the halo universe but this is mainly non cannon. Also keep in mind that six years have passed since the Human/Covenant war and some of the traditions may or may have not changed so if there is some things that may seem canonically incorrect im trying to paint sangheili warriors as more evolved and somewhat more diverse in some weapon use that was normally seen in the games for example some Elites may act differently, weapon use, and have more evolved view than most signifying the Sangheili people evolving into and actual race thats able to stand on its own after the betrayal of Truth and the brutes. BUT i will try and stay as canonically accurate as possible if it is requested of me so PLEASE COMMENT with your opinions. Thank you...

Amanda Cruz- ODST Forward Recon

Length of service: 6 years

Rank: Sergeant

Height: 5.5

Appearance: wears a heavily modified ODST armor designed for high mobility made of lightweight materials.

Weapon proficiency: Handgun, SMG, sniper rifle/marksmen rifles, combat knives.

Skills proficiency: High reaction and reflex ability, stealth, sabotage, HVT neutralization/acquisition, expert hand to hand combat techniques.

Description: born on Luna grew up in a small community. Enlisted at 18 to pay for college but was transferred to ODST training for exceeding standard UNSC marine training regulations. Soon after graduating from ODST training was deployed to the streets of mars to quell rioting due to food shortages and refugee tensions. Deployment to mars was cut short when the city of new Mombasa on earth was attacked and was redeployed to the city outskirts to ensure a perimeter was enforced. Experienced skirmishes against mainly Jiralhanae (Brutes), Kig Yar (Jackals), Unggoy (grunts), Yanme'e (drones). Since then has been to various planets rooting out small incursions against remnant covenant forces and some terrorist Sangheili (elite) incursions.

Trials

My name is Amanda Cruz and my squad and I have been stationed on Sanghelios for the past three months and the weather was hot as it was virtually hostile since the arbiter allowed the humans to establish an embassy to further relations between each race. It's been roughly six years since the human/covenant war ended and tensions are still fairly high. I personally haven't had much contact against Elite forces but I've heard the stories and a lot of them were very bloody and nightmarish stuff. So my opinions on the sangheili have been biased for the most part.

As I made my patrol rounds on the perimeter of the embassy I watched the comings and goings of everyone occasionally stopping and reading ID tags of some civilians asking them questions of their destinations and reasons for visiting. But on this particular round of today's patrol I noticed a bit of buzz at the main gate so I went to investigate. "Security this is Amanda come in over?" I called in over the radio waiting for the reply back I pushed people out of the way and ran right into the chest of a silver plate armored Elite, the arbiter. I didn't even wait for a reply back from security I immediately started demanding everyone clear a path but as I was making a path I saw a glint of something out of the corner of my eye and saw a dagger going for the arbiter so I lunged at the threat kicking the arm of the hostile then bringing my fist right on the unarmored elites face that rocked him sideways. I couldn't pull my side arm on the elite because of collateral damage to the surrounding bystanders so I rushed the elite while he lunged at me, I slid under him grabbing his ankle bringing it out from under him while I was using my free hand as a spring to propel myself from the ground immediately kicking using my legs to launch myself onto the elite as he was swinging his blade at a crouched position. Unfortunately for the elite I was already on its back with my knife drawn and at its throat and my pistol drawn and pointed at on the right of his lower chest angled to one of his lungs and hearts and everyone froze. "Don't move or I kill you one of the two ways your now stuck in!" all I could hear was his breathing and a faint growl emanating from him or the crowd. "hmpf. I'm not afraid to die human do wha-"the assassin elite was cut short by the arbiter bringing his armored fist on the top of his head snapping his neck with a very audible 'crack' as the body dropped from the position it was just in as I looked at the arbiter with a stunned expression, not that he could see but still stunned.

A few hours after the incident with the Arbiter and the failed assassination attempt Sangheili planet security as well as human embassy security were frantically securing the perimeter and interviewing witnesses and other leads that could lead to who was behind all this. Although neither party expected any results we still had to make the effort to make sure nothing was passed over. Me being the first responder in the incident I was secured for debriefing and screening to see if i had seen anything but with it happening so fast it was concluded i didn't know much beyond my part in protecting the Arbiter. I was released after I was debriefed and was making my way to the barracks to check my mail and UNSC data net but was stopped by the Arbiter coming from the human ambassadors office.

"Ahhh. you must be the human who assisted in my protection yes?" saying in what had sounded like an amused and passive aggressive manner while he sized me up with his predator like eyes.

"Yes sir that would be me. Do you need further assistance Arbiter?" I had shrugged while saying it in an equally passive aggressive attitude trying not to let him intimidate me.

"No... No i do not need further assistance but you would do well not to make more enemies than you already have gained today by openly protecting me. But i digress, you have my thanks." The arbiter said bowing his head respectfully.

"I was just doing my job sir, no need to thank me. Pardon me sir but i have other duties to perform before my shift ends." I casually replied back bowing my head in return.

"My apologies if I kept you from your duties. May I have your name? I believe you didn't tell me human." The arbiter asked as i was walking away.

"That's because i never offered my name. Although I'm sure you sangheili have a hard time telling us humans apart but if you can pick me out of the crowed I will tell you then." I said while walking away to the barracks to unwind from all the weird shit i had just gone through.

Arbiter POV

As I stared at the human female walking away I was amused and yet perturbed by how easily she had disarmed and restrained the assassin. If she were a Sangheili female I would've been wary to approach her but this was not the case. Either way he would do what she had said and look out for her for the next few days till his business was concluded I was intrigued to the say the least. As I made my way to the guest area of the embassy there was a quiet chaos to the incident that had happened a few hours before, noticing more guards and technicians walking about with a stronger sense of direction. There were even a few Sangheili minors moving along to meet with their charges they were placed to guard. There was a pair of black armored humans standing outside my guest quarters and stopped to question them.

"Why are you standing outside my quarters?" I asked in an aggravated voice.

"We were ordered to stand guard you till otherwise-" I had walked passed them while huffing out of annoyance and entered my quarters without saying anything more heading straight for the bed chamber to lay down. Humans were always so trying when it came to speaking something yet meaning another.

Amanda POV

I was woken up by my commander calling me from the barracks entrance saying I was needed by the human ambassador for something. This is not out of the ordinary considering that we were normally deployed in pairs to either guard dignitaries or patrol the courtyard of the complex. When I was offered this post I had thought it meant more covenant combat but such was not the case. This was absolute hell for an ODST since there was only the occasional argument between human and sangheili personnel. With that line of thought done and over I rolled out of my bunk and started equipping my gear. My armor kit has been heavily modified using super lightweight materials giving me maximum range of motion and agility allowing me to use my skills in hand to hand more effectively. My side arm is custom designed M6D pistol made to fire rounds with extreme impact causing targets to stagger so it enables me to get close. While it's still as lethal as any other side arm it is not made for long distance shooting. My helmet has an upgraded motion tracker which allows me to know if a target is above or below me with 24.5 meter radius which gives me eighty feet early warning while in combat. It has the standard issue polarizing faceplate option as well as the helmet camera. While I was looking over my gear to see if it was in proper working order Pvt. Harrison came out of the showers and looked at me shaking his head while heading to his bunk muttering under his breath. He was always a pain in the ass but since yesterday he's been even more so because not a lot of ODST's have seen combat for months which is understandable considering none of us like patrols. Some have even gone so far as to try to fuck with my gear but I put an end to that real quick. As I was heading out Harrison called out saying something but I ignored him walking out the door heading to the ambassador's office. During my walk i overheard to blue armored sangheili talking about yesterday's incident i stopped to listen in but they looked at me with agitation.

"What do you want human? You have no business here." the one on the left had said as he spat at the ground in front of my feet.

"Actually since I was the first responder to the incident it is my business. Not to mention I didn't like how you were looking at me." I stated in a flat tone that made the right one reach out for me. I grabbed his wrist and said "do not touch me." he yanked his hand back and took a step forward entering a hostile posture as well as his partner. I dropped into a defensive stance and the three of us waited. The left Sangheili made the first move getting in front of his partner on the right so I rolled to his left clenching my armored fist and throwing a punch to his knee making him drop a little bit as I swept my leg to the unbalanced foe taking his leg out from under him stunning him for the moment but I took my attention off the other sangheili and he took the time to grab me by my helmet lifting me up a bit but ended up taking my helmet off. As soon as my feet touched the ground my eyes showing to both how serious I was they both went for their weapons but the one with my helmet was closer so i used one of my arms to grab his outstretched hand still holding onto my helmet and lifting myself up so fast it hardly registered to him until I brought my knee up connecting with the side of his face which sent him reeling into the wall while I was in the air the other sangheili I had knocked to the ground was up and charging at me with a deployed energy sword so I pulled my pistol as I hit the ground and shot his leg he was using to take a step forward. When the shot rang out and the bullet impacted his shields which it shot his leg out from under him giving me time to stand up pulling my combat knife. The minor roared in rage scrambling back up and charging me with blind rage swinging his sword without thought which allowed me to duck under and slip in the blind spot of his sword range. I brought my arm under him placing a foot behind his right leg and flipped him. He lost his grip on his energy sword and I brought my heel across his face in a nasty kick that made blood fly against the wall. With both unconscious I was panting as I walked over to my helmet but stopped as I noticed the arbiter standing and staring at me with a smirk.

"Great! What the fuck do you want now?!" I spat with venom.

"Just admiring your handy work with the trial by combat I set for you." he said chuckling

"You're fucking kidding me right? This was a test?! If this is how you thank someone that saved your life I should have let him kill your ass you mother fucker!" I was in no mood for games and was filled with anger so hot it might have as well burnt through titanium armor.

"As you passed this test you will be placed with part of my honor guard. Starting today you are under my command human. OH... i also believe you owe me your name." He said laughing now.

I didn't even know what the hell to think about all of this, yesterday was bad but this was something else entirely. I picked my helmet up looking at it then glancing at the arbiter. I let out a sigh and simply replied "Amanda... Amanda Cruz." and waited for an order. The arbiter looked at me then nodded saying "Thel Vadam." He turned around waving for me to follow him down the hall so i followed and put my helmet on. We walked in silence for a while before we came to a stop at the sangheili mess hall and entered. Heads turned to watch me as I followed the arbiter realizing I still had blood of sangheili soldiers still on me i prepared for another fight as I bumped into the arbiter when he came to a stop. The arbiter told me to take a seat at one of the empty tables as he walked off to go do something so I did as I was ordered. I removed my helmet and started to inspect it for signs of damage as a zealot sat down in front of me flanked by two others in infiltrator armor by the looks of them.

"So human I see you passed the arbiters test and the two fools are dead I presume?" the zealot said in amusement

"No not dead but beaten and unconscious. So I figure it's much more appealing to have them live with the shame of being beaten by a human female." I laid emphasis on human female.

"You shamed not only them but their houses as well human. You would do well to fear retribution." One infiltrator said.

"Oh? It's kind of hard to fear when my race has had to live with death for over fifty years. My family has served the military for centuries and has had to live with the fear of losing loved ones every day. Besides if need be I can get rather creative in taking care of that issue personally if they wish to pursue this course of action." I said casually while shrugging to them.

"I lost a cousin on earth during the first engagement, my father on Reach, and lastly my mother was killed on one of the orbital defense platforms on earth. Death and my family are very close friends." I said not even looking up from my helmet as I tightened the helmet cam.

"Do you not have any bloodline left to carry your family legacy? Or is it just you left?" The same infiltrator asked quizzically.

"Yes. A little sister but I haven't heard from her in years. So I don't know if she's dead or alive." I said looking up to finally look at them only then realizing more sangheili had moved closer to listen.

"A hard existence your race has led. It truly is a pity that we nearly destroyed your race as a result of our ignorance." The zealot said which earned him a few nods and growls of approval.

"What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. It's part of evolution as an individual and as a species even the reverse is true for your race as it is with every other. My race however has killed more of our own throughout history before you arrived." I said as i looked down at the face plate to see my reflection showing off my hazel eyes, reddish-brown hair and tanned face.

"Wise words. But what do you feel towards my people?" the zealot said which made me look at him then around the room at each individual.

"Your asking a very sensitive topic. One I can only answer in more than one way. I cannot trust easily even if the war has ended but I know I must try. At the same time I cannot fault you for following a doctrine that has made you feel like you have purpose in your lives." I said trying to find the right words not knowing if i had succeeded

"My fellow brothers call me Vrask. These two are my blood brothers Lux and Darr." The two infiltrators nodded in affirmation.

"Amanda." I said looking up from my helmet at them which caused the three to smile in the weird way the sangheili do.

"So... which of you is Darr? And which is Lux? I asked curiously.

"I am Darr. My brother across from Vrask is Lux." the infiltrator on the left replied without hesitation.

"Amanda is the reason you are so ruthless in your fighting because your bloodline is dying out?" Vrask asked casually.

"I honestly never thought about it to be honest. All I know is that when I was growing up my mother and father agreed that it was best to put all their children through various martial arts courses growing up." I said as I leaned forward placing my arms on the table

"Are you any good with that blade? From what the arbiter has told us is that you seem to favor melee weapons more than your human firearms." Lux asked now more curious about why i choose to fight hand to hand as opposed to the average human use of ranged fighting.

"I guess it would depend on the situation to be fair. My being good with my combat knife is just due to my Martial training as a child which includes more than just this. I learned how to use Staffs, and single handed blades although most of the training I dealt with was hand to hand combat techniques." Noticing more Sangheili were flocking towards the conversation with rapt attention I knew that I wasn't going to be getting out of this conversation as easily as I had hoped.

"Maybe my brother or I could spar with you one day. I would finally relish the opportunity to find a human finally I could call an equal." Darr said almost whimsically.

"Well it's not every day an ODST gets an offer like that... Sure why the hell not. When's a good time for either of you to have this dance?" I shrugged asking thoughtfully.

"Tonight after our duties are ended. If that's fine with you?" Lux asked hesitantly.

"That seems like a good time since paperwork for my transfer of command won't happen till tomorrow. But I want Vrask first." I grinned as my comment made Vrask choke on his drink making him cough trying to clear his throat.

"Why in the gods would you want me as your opponent first?! You should know Zealots rank higher than infiltrators." Vrask said as he leaned back staring at me intently.

"Well it's not like it's to the death and I'm curious to see how well you fight since I haven't seen a zealot with your color scheme." I said smirking.

"Very well Amanda. I will spar with you but to answer your curiosity I rank as a shipmaster."

As soon as Vrask finished his statement the arbiter came back from where ever it was he headed off to and sat down with us to eat. Nothing much was really said after he sat down and their meals concluded we all stood up and walked out heading wherever our duties took us. Mine led me to stand guard outside the sangheili ambassador's office as well as the earth ambassador's office. We then walked the streets for a while listening to him talk in his native tongue with the civilians of his planet. Thankfully I was wearing my helmet because I was getting increasingly annoyed and was muttering curses to myself so my helmet kept anyone around me from hearing them. Eventually I had lost interest of what he was doing and had started up my records and played some of my music that I normally listened to while in combat since ODST recon was usually alone ahead of the regular ODST's so they were granted more leeway with how and what they did to gear and in combat situations.

Arbiter POV

As I and the human Amanda walked the streets I stopped and interacted with fellow Sangheili in the markets answering questions and making idle conversation. Every now and then my new guard would scan the surroundings and then go back to whatever she was preoccupied with in her helmet which I grew more curious to know what it was but was always dragged into talks with elderly or the young sangheili about political matters or being asked for war stories. By the time we made it out of the market district Amanda stopped and looked at her watch and stopped.

"Arbiter may i be excused for the evening?" she said through her helmet speakers.

"I don't see why not your duty has been concluded for some hours." I said stopping to look at her.

"Thank you sir, I will be at your keep in a few hours." She quickly saluted and turned then jogged off.

I was keenly curious to know what she was so hurried about and activated my Active Camouflage and followed from a distance. After a good bit of following her i realized she was headed to the sparring grounds of my keep and that piqued my interest quite a bit so i hurried ahead and leaped onto a building that was close enough to see what was going to transpire shortly and what surprised me was seeing two infiltrators and a shipmaster zealot waiting. A few minutes passed then I saw Amanda jogging up to meet them and exchanging greetings. She removed her helmet revealing her Shoulder length hair and the fiery eyes of a warrior who has experienced much. I made a mental note to myself to find out how much shes done in the war and recent duties before she was assigned here. My attention was brought back to the sparring area as she walked to one side removing her sidearm and unloading it then she started removing her upper body armor revealing a slender frame covered by her black body suit but didn't remove her armored gloves. I was stunned to see her and the ship master walking to the center. Both of them bowed slightly recognizing each other as an opponent. Amanda sunk into a low stance while the shipmaster dropped into the classic Sangheili sparring stance. Both stood sizing each other up for the moment then Amanda without warning dashed forward with startling speed for a normal human. The shipmaster shifted the right half of his body to strike her in an upwards motion. Amanda pivoted to spin going low and struck the shipmasters lightly armored knee then rolling away barely in time as the ship master nearly his armored left fist swinging under and up. After that they both repositioned themselves to make ready for the next move. The shipmaster grunting out in annoyance and Amanda smirking with an evil grin. She then rushed at him again and he did the same but he shifted and made to kick her but she side stepped again and grabbed his boot and propelled herself up and onto his shoulders then she swung herself side ways unbalancing the shipmaster tossing him to the ground with the momentum she gained. Amanda tried to pin the shipmaster but he threw her off easily. Amanda landed a good distance away but she had reoriented herself to roll from her shoulder onto her feet. But the shipmaster was much quicker this time and grabbed her by the neck and lifted her up and tossed her out of the arena. The ship master dropped down and helped Amanda up and they exchanged compliments by the sound of it.

An hour later she faced both the infiltrators and beat one of them but lost to the other after a long fight. I was very impressed with her resilience during all three fights. Granted they were short but quite intense for a normal human to endure. Amanda collected her belongings and put them back on as i turned to make my way back to the keep ahead of them I wanted to meet the three sangheili who she sparred with.

Amanda POV

After I put my armor back on and holstered my side arm Vrask, Lux, Dar, and I made our way to the Arbiters keep. I was still very winded from that hard workout and i let them talk among themselves in their native tongue. They all laughed shoved and bantered with each other which i was grateful for since it gave me time to rethink my skills in hand to hand. It was one thing to take on elite minors or a young dumb brute and another thing entirely to take on an infiltrator, zealot, or shipmaster ranked elite who had years and years of experience. I mulled the outcomes of each fight in my head and sighed out of exasperation and only thought how naive I was thinking I could handle someone on their level. By the time I came out of my thoughts we were already at the keep entrance and was showed to my quarters. I entered the room and explored it for a bit then quickly stripped out of my gear and placed it neatly in the locker. and then went over to my new bed collapsed onto it and passed out.

Ok so i was made aware to my horror that I had forgot to capitalize a lot of things all I can say is that i'm beyond sorry for those who had to read my first chapter second will not have that same issue. I was also made painfully aware that there are other errors but this is the first time I've seriously wrote a story like this and its out of my element. So please bear with me. Like I said before if you have a character you want in the story I will try and bring them in it. Just Pm me a Bio about them :)

Please don't forget to comment and let me know what you think.