Hello all, thanks for reading my story. Hope you guys contiune to enjoy it. Thank you WorldStrider for seeing my typing error. If you want to be my beta reader it would be much appreciated. If you want to discuss the course of the story than shoot me an email and I would be more than happy to share some of the plot (with pairing's I have an idea). Also if anyone has any characters they want to add to the story send me an email. Still looking for a beta reader.

Awakening to a shrill alarm the soldier threw the covers off and grabbed the battle rifle. Turning to the left he saw the shrill alarm was coming from the clock. It read 6:00am Earth time. Above that on the computer he saw that the AI had typed WAKE UP.

He growled in annoyance. Touching the space bar on the Captain's computer he sent a message to the AI showing that he was awake and awaiting further orders, begrudgingly.

INFILTRATION MISSION IS A GO

He nodded and head into the bathroom. Entering the shower he let the warm water wash over his muscled form. He leaned his back and let his mind go free enjoying the few minutes of peace. The water instantly turned cold he yelped and jumped out of the shower. Turning to the only camera in the captain's bathroom he gave the AI the bird. Grabbing a towel he removed the water. Entering back into the bedroom he donned on the ODST armor and the rest of his gear. Exiting the captain's room he followed the illuminated path before him. The path led him to the Vehicle depot. Entering the room he was surprised to see that the room wasn't as messy as he thought it would be. The tanks and other large vehicles were still in their place. A flashing light led him to a mongoose with a robotic dolly next to it holding surveillance equipment along with a sniper rifle. Replacing some of his gear with the equipment and exchanging his Battle Rifle with the Sniper Rifle he mounted the mongoose. A cold breeze entered the Vehicle Depot as the doors to the outside world, a slight pink and yellow sun was on the horizon. The massive hanger doors parted allowing him a straight shot out. The mongoose crushed snow as it landed, he gripped the throttle and zoomed off.

The sun just peeked over the mountains illuminating the sleeping village below. He held the sniper rifle up to his head to get a better view of the area. It had a butchers shop, an iron works, a tavern, and houses and other stores scattered about. Based on the fact that the village had few soldiers he guessed it must have been a patrol keeping an eye on the land the people and soldiers were very relaxed they must have had little regard for an assault. The village must have relied upon the mountains as a natural buffer to keep out bandits and raiding parties. Which would make sneaking in easier. A few people milled about going on to do what they wanted. He could pick up voices from a sound amplifier he had next to him. He was surprised that the dish had picked up English and had checked to see if the dish was in working order and apparently it was, they spoke English. He guessed that some how the Forerunners were behind it.

"Well the language barrier has been broken." he muttered.

INFILTRATE THE VILLAGE

Appeared on his HUD.

"What, why?" he asked.

FURTHER ANALYSIS

"I should be back at the ship making repairs."

DRONES ARE MAKING REPAIRS TO ALL DAMAGED SYSTEMS. AND ALL DEFENSE TURRETS ARE ONLINE MAKING ANY ASSAULT SUICIDE. BESIDES NO FORCES HAVE BEEN SEEN HEADING TO LOCATION. BESIDES YOU GOT ANYTHING BETTER TO DO?

"Bitch," he muttered "alright keep me updated on possible scout parties."

WILL DO. AND I HEARD THAT

"Good." he said ending transmission.

A breeze entered Morn's Tavern as a hooded and heavy cloaked stranger entered. This did not draw any attention as everyone was busy talking to each other. Making his way past each table careful not to bump anyone he settled into the darkest corner far from the merriment his back to the wall he watched each group with bored interest. The soldiers in the center of the bar were the loudest and rowdiest of the groups. Any of the female servers that walked by were spanked on the ass or embarrassed in some other manner. The soldier had his helmet on but had the sliver reflective visor depolarized so as not to draw attention. If anyone clearly saw his face they would think it a trick of the light or that they had one to many drinks. A woman with green eyes and copper hair came by him.

"What would you like?" she asked sweetly.

"Is that water free here?" he asked keeping his face down as to avoid detection.

"Aye, it is." she responded.

"I'll have a glass."

She nodded her smile had fallen some what. He watched her go with his order. Sighing he tapped a button on the inside of his helmet with his chin and his visor slid back. Now that he had made an order he would have to comply as to not draw any more attention to himself. The heat of the cloak was easy to ignore but the constant shouting and yelling of the soldiers was starting to annoy him.

"Here's your water sir…"

"Dutch. Just call me Dutch." he lied hurriedly.

"May I ask what your business is here in Caravahall?"

"Just passing through." he lied again.

"You have blue eyes… I've never seen a blue eyed person before."

"Hey, girl where are our drinks?" a heavily drunk soldier said as he felt the waitress in front of "Dutch".

"They'll be along shortly." she said turning her face away from his rancid breath. She gave Dutch a pleading look.

She was pulling all the right strings for the soldier. He set down his glass of water and sighed inwardly.

"Sir, I suggest you lay your hands off her."

"Oh, and what are you going to about it?" he said leaning down to face him His brown eyes to his blue. The soldier than spat in his water. He grimaced at the soldiers foul breath and could only guess what toxins that were in his spit that now fouled his water.

"It's not what I'll do it's what she might put in your drinks. From your breath I guess they already spiked your previous drink with piss." he said keeping his voice as level as he could.

The soldier looked as if he was going to say more but a roar of delight from his comrades that another batch had been served he walked drunkenly away.

"Thanks." she said weakly to him.

"Do you think you could get me another glass of water?" he asked.

"Sure." she responded.

As he turned his attention back at the laughing soldiers he saw that brown eyes sniffed his water before taking a swig.

He stayed there another hour before he grew bored enough to leave. Rising from his chair he made his way through the bar. He bumped into some one with his shoulder and apologized and moved on his way until a voice rang out.

"YOU." the voice boomed.

Turning around he turned around to face his old pal brown eyes. He was out of his chair with the rest of the group.

"You insult me and now you hit me?" All other conversations had ended.

"I accidentally bumped into you." he said keeping his voice as level as he could so as to be provocative.

"Now your asking for a beat down twerp." he said even louder.

"I bet he could not you flat on your back." the female waitress with copper hair said. Once she said this the bar was alive again as people placed their bets.

He flashed her a look saying Shut it. He turned back to the soldiers hoping to resolve the situation peacefully. The other soldiers were already making bets and crying their comrade onwards.

"Shit." was all that he could think.

"Quiet!" a voice that boomed from the door. Everyone's attention turned to the newcomers.

Three soldiers stood in front of the door. These one seemed more elite and better disciplined than the group that stood behind Dutch.

Moving through the crowd the leader of the soldiers walked with an air of authority. His black hair was tied in a pony tail that ended in between his shoulder blades. An air of superiority flashed in his eyes as he scanned over the peasants.

"What is this talk of fighting?" he said as he stared down his soldiers.

"Huh, sir, huh, sir.. he."

"Out with it boy!" he commanded.

"Sir, he disrespected me and the company."

"Murren you need to learn to take these peasants words and realize that they speak out of anger. That they do not respect what the King does for them."

"Yes, sire." he responded.

"Now you will not fight him."

A chorus of groans echoed around the bar. The soldier's hope of leaving without having to shed blood grew.

"I'll fight him. Any one who disrespects the company disrespects me." he said turning to face Dutch. Annoyance was evident on his face.

"Captain Bronx." was voiced from many of the bar's compatriots.

Most wagers if not all were on the Captain's side.

"I place 100 Galleons on the stranger." a voice echoed above the rest.

"Horst, you can't be serious." some one said.

The two fighters ignored the voice and waited for the start.

"I wager…" the voice was cut off as Bronx turned to stare at the copper haired girl.

"You wager your body. Well girl that is a brash decision but as a gentleman I will respect it." Bronx said.

The man named Horst made an out burst of the wager but his voice was drowned out by Bronx's soldiers.

"Give him a weapon." Bronx said with a sneer on his face.

The soldier's face contorted in anger at Bronx's handling of the copper haired girl.

"I already have a weapon." he said as he drew a knife.

Laughter erupted from many mouths.

"That's a brave move, but a foolish one." Bronx said as he drew his sword.

"What are the rules?" he asked.

"The first to give, unconscious or otherwise incapacitated loses." Bronx said.

"By the way what is your name?" Bronx asked.

"Jordan." he said giving his true birth name.

"Well Jordan let's have a good match."

Everyone gathered in a circle around the two fighters. Jordan felt something he hadn't felt before in a long time, anticipation. Bronx opened up first with a flurry of sword strokes, it was evident that it was for show and not actual combat. Jordan expertly dodged each stroke. He could have ended this quickly but where would be the fun in humiliating this arrogant bastard.

He sidestepped each move with ease. Bronx grew angrier at his evasiveness and began to attack for real. Each stroke came in a hairs breath of penetrating the cloak, only because the soldier felt no real threat from his assailant.

"Fight me coward!" the Captain roared.

"If you insist." was all that was replied.

Dropping below the Captain's cut he moved his fist upward and hit the captain square on the chin. Bronx was lifted off his feet. His face smashed into the ceiling before he landed hard on the floor.

"Had enough?" Jordan questioned.

"Never." the Captain replied as he wiped blood away from a cut on his lip.

The Captain rose and began to attack in a mad frenzy. The soldier continued to dance outside of Bronx's blade. The men began to jeer and taunt the two contestants.

One of Captain Bronx's men smashed his shield into Jordan's side as he dodged underneath another slash. Grunting he rolled out from Bronx's stab to end his life. He vaguely heard someone call foul play. Coming out of the roll he realized that he had lost his knife when the drunken soldier had hit him. Feeling the heat from his back he guessed that he rolled in front of the fire. Growing serious with situation he grabbed the only weapon closest to him, a broom. He brandished the stick with hay at the end like a staff.

Laughs erupted from those that had bet on Bronx. Plunging the hay into the fire he brought his burning staff to bear. The laughter was abruptly cut off. Spinning the burning wood above his head he created a flaming halo. Bronx moved forward carefully his eyes always on the burning end. Which was his mistake. Bringing the non-burning end in a slash he took out the Captain's feet out from under him. Bronx let loose a gasp of air as he landed hard for the second time. He attempted to rise up, but the burning torch in front of his face stilled him.

"Do you give?"

The captain said nothing but kept his attention on the flame.

"It would be a shame to burn that pretty little face of yours." he said as he did a slight thrust with the broom causing Bronx to flinch back.

"I yield." Bronx said slowly. It was evident that his pride had been damaged.

"You men." Jordan said as he leveled the stick at the crowd. "Pay your debts."

Each men warily gave their token's and item's of bets at the feet of the man he could only guess was Horst and the copper haired girl. He waited until both individuals had gathered the items they had desired. The man had given the girl more. With dealings done Jordan backed up to the door, picking up his knife from where he lost it. The burning broom leveled at the soldiers the entire time. When he reached the door he opened it with his free hand. The anxiety in the room grew.

Dousing the flames in the water bucket near the door he caused a mist to arise to conceal his escape. Inside the bar the patron's watched as the mist cleared to see the stranger missing and snowflakes lazily floating in. The anxiety deflated as soon as the first ray of sun hit the floor boards. The men went back to their tables regretting the bets they made.

"Who was that man?" Horst asked the copper haired girl.

"Dutch or Jordan, I don't know. Maybe both names are false." she said.

Both stared at the space the stranger had once occupied.

Roran bit his lip as he paced back and forth his mind always on Katrina and the safety of the village. A snap of a twig caused him to seek shelter behind the rock that was apart of his camp. The large frame of Baldor came into view and Roran allowed himself to relax.

"Why hasn't anyone come sooner?" he asked Baldor.

"We couldn't," said Badlor as he took a moment to get his breath. "The soldiers have been watching us like hawks. The brawl in Morn's Tavern gave me the chance I needed to slip away."

"Their was a fight?" Roran asked in disbelief. "Who was hurt?" his voice filled with urgency. "If any lives were lost I'll..." Roran let the sentence hang.

"No, no one was hurt aside from the Captain's pride and the few men who betted against the stranger that strode through here."

"What have the soldier's been talking about?" he asked relieved that no one was injured.

"A few of the soldier's have been bragging about how they were handpicked to bring you in."

This did not encourage Roran any bit.

"Perhaps you should seek the stranger's help. Some of the villagers said that they saw some person moving toward these forests." Baldor stated.

"What can one man do?"

"Perhaps he's a spy for the Varden. I don't know. All I do know from Horst was that he was highly skilled."

Roran paced back and forth as he tossed multiple ideas around in his head. He came one that would seemed the best course of action.

"I'll go after this man and see if he will help us. By the way do you know what his name was?"

"He was called Dutch and Jordan. I don't know if those are his true name or if he goes by another. But he should remember the fight at the bar."

"I'll leave for the week and search for him. If I don't find him I'll meet you back here."

"Are you sure you can find him?"

"I may not be as skilled as my brother, but I am still decent tracker."

Baldor nodded to him and turned his back heading toward the village. Roran gather his stuff and set out for the area that Baldor had seen the mysterious man fleeing.

The soldier now known as Jordan moved through the mountainous area in a hurried pace. After he had ditched the cloak where he had found it he hightailed it out of the village. Moving through the dense forest at the base of the mountain he continued to remove all parts of his trail. Throwing off any soldiers that were sent after him. As he moved through the forest an incoming message from the AI caused him to pause. Ducking low under a log he allowed the AI to send his message. He expected to be ridiculed by the AI, but this was not the case.

UNKOWN ARIAL FORCES HAVE TAKEN POSSESION OF SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT, WEAPON, AND VEHICLE..

What? was the first question that had come to mind. He had hid everything pretty well. His second question was who. The AI answered this question with a video image. It was taken a few hours after he had left the camp. Two very dark and large creatures descended upon the camp. Those that were mounted upon the large beasts dropped to the ground and began to gather and examine his equipment. It irked him to see one of the creatures take his sword. Their identities were hidden underneath their clothes. They moved inhumanly he noted.

"What did the scans on the beasts and riders have to offer?"

A two dimensional image of both the large beasts and riders appeared. The beasts reminded of some sort of demented griffin. Their riders, as he suspected, were not human. They had the basic human appearance such as arms and legs. But that was where the similarities ended. The riders were far more stronger and deadlier than humans. Also they had a nasty beak like the griffin creatures.

"Are the repairs to my amour complete?"

REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE. THANKS TO THE ENGINEER. HOWEVER IT IS THE SAME AS THE UNMODIFIED MARK IV ARMOUR. THE MODIFIED PORTION WERE TO BADLY DAMAGED AND THERE ARE NO REPLACEMNTS ON BOARD.

His heart leapt at the thought of being in his armor again.

"Engineer ?" he thought. "I thought I was the only one on board."

As he walked down the illuminated halls of the Forever in His Hands a dull pain throbbed in his head as he remembered running down this very corridor to get to the bridge. Taking a left he came upon the armory. The door slid open and he met a creature he did not expect to see. With a startled noise he jumped back from the xeno. The creature did like wise. In front him floated a giant Covenant Engineer. It floated back in shock at his presence it let out a startled yelp. It was easily the size of a Scorpion tank. The alien stared at him in shock for a moment before backing away and letting him enter. He knew that the creature meant no harm, but fighting alien life forms had made him wary to trust them. Turning to the nearest terminal he let the AI speak.

I SEE YOU HAVE MET THE ENGINEER.

"Yeah." he stated as he turned to look over his shoulder to see the massive alien floating next to him. It's six large black eyes on him and the terminal.

THE ENGINEER WILL HELP YOU PUT YOUR ARMOUR ON

Stepping away from the terminal he unhooked the ODST armor and placed it on the nearest bench. He stood in a basic white T shirt and pants. As he moved to the creature he noticed that the armor was still a basic grey and that the green coating had not been painted on, and that the helmet was not of his original model. Not that it mattered to him. The massive alien obscured the rest of his vision and began to disassemble the armor and to reassemble it upon his body. It started from the feet and went up. Soon it donned the helmet on his head. There was a hiss of air as his suit pressurized. The alien did not move but ran a diagnostic on his amour before it was satisfied. Once the large alien had removed the last of his tentacles he began to move each piece.

The armor felt like a second skin to him. He felt at ease.

NEW ORDERS COMING IN was what the AI sent to him.

"I'm ready."

Roran awoke to a crackling fire. Across from him sat a mammoth of a figure. It was grey all over had one golden eye. Bolting up and reaching for his bow and arrow only to find it next to the boulder the giant was sitting on. It held an odd device which was leveled at his chest. He noted the odd reflective metal that covered the single handed weapon. At least he guessed it was weapon. As he relaxed the figure opposite of him lowered the weapon. When he looked at the being more closely he realized that it was a suit of armor and that the golden eye was really a visor. How the being was able to see through it he could never guess. It put away the weapon and clasped it hands in front of itself.

"Who are you?" the grey figure asked.

"My name is Roran son of Garrow."

"What are you doing so deep in this forest?"

"I might ask you the same question."

The figure said nothing but continued to stare at him waiting for an answer. Eventually the uncomfortable silence got to Roran and he spoke.

"I came looking for the man that goes by Dutch or Jordan."

"Well you found me now what do you want?" the figure continued ask.

"I heard that you were able to take down the Captain of a group of soldiers."

"This is true."

"I was wondering if you would be able to remove the soldiers and the wretches that lead them."

"This was something I was going to do myself anyways."

This gave Roran a small measure of hope. "You'll help us then?"

"No."

"No?" Roran asked in disbelief

"I still no nothing about this land or who you are and why these beings are after you."

Roran found it odd that no one could no nothing about Alagaesia.

"You're really not from here are you." Roran asked in disbelief.

"No."

Roran sighed letting the memories wash over him. He began to delve into the tyrant king known as Galbatorix had ruled the land for a hundred years. When Eragon found the mysterious damned stone that lead to his father's death. How the two beings known as the Razac are after him to get to his brother, he guessed. And he concluded with his own desires to rid them of their oppressors.

The figure sat still for moment thinking. It was hard to tell when golden visor hid his face and the emotions that played across it.

Finally it spoke and it said three words. "I'll help you."

Roran entered Horst's forge with eager anticipation. Upon entering he could see that multiple men and young adults had gathered to rid Carvahall of the Raz'ac and the soldiers. The news of Quimby's death had affected everyone in the village, and the village demanded justice.

"I know that everyone here is angry at Quimby's death." Horst started.

There was a chorus of aye's and curses. Horst raised a hand silencing the crowd.

"We want them out of this village and we will get them out, but we must not kill them. First we have to scare them off."

Anger arose from gathered villagers calling Horst mad and loony.

"We must scare them away so that we have time to build our defenses before they attack us."

The villagers were still angry but had calmed down accepting the information. Horst began to hand out anything that could be used as a weapon to the gathered men. Roran choose a hammer as his weapon. As he looked around at the gathered men he saw Nolfvrell, Quimby's son, choosing his own weapon. A pang of pity swelled inside his breast which he quickly quelled. This was not the time for pity.

Confronting Horst Roran told him that he had been able to get the stranger on their side.

Like a still statue Jordan sat unmoving in the trees that hid his presence. The moon shone on him revealing his presence only to disappear again as a cloud passed over head. Turning his head he saw the villagers as they approached. Awe and wariness was etched on their faces as they gazed upon him. Roran stooped down on his right and Horst his left.

"I count thirty men in total." he stated flatly.

"I appreciate your help stranger." Horst said "But I must ask you to refrain from killing any of the soldiers."

Jordan turned to face Horst his impenetrable visor showed Horst and the color that drained from his face.

"As you wish." Jordan said as he rested his shotgun and battle rifle on a nearby tree.

Standing up he easily stood above the rest of the men gathered there. Horst and Roran back way slightly shocked at the giant before them.

"What is he?" Roran thought to himself.

"Whenever your ready." the giant said.

Horst gripped his weapon with so much force Roran thought that he might break it. Roaring loudly Horst charged out onto the soldier's encampment the rest of the villagers followed with a mighty roar of their own.

As Roran charged into the encampment he saw a lone soldier pop out of his tent and charged him. As soon as the soldier saw him he took off in the other direction. He failed his hammer around like a mad man. All soldiers the soldiers were caught off guard and forced to flee. The Razac came out of their tent blades drawn. Letting out a piercing shriek the smaller of the two figures ran at Roran. Memories of Garrow's death spurred him to charge the Razac with reckless abandonment. He didn't care about Horst said about not killing the soldiers, he wanted the Razac dead. The distance closed in between the two. As they were about to meet the giant put himself in between the Razac and Roran. Grabbing the blade with one hand he ripped it out with his right hand while his left hand caught the Razac by the throat. The giant raised threw the surprised Razac into his partner who was stringing a bow. They tumbled in the snow before untangling themselves and retreating. One of the two had a limp, Roran couldn't tell which one.

Jordan watched the hooded figures rush off into the distance. Turning his attention to the original reason why he was here he began to sort through the Razac's encampment until he found his equipment. He checked his weapons and various equipment to see if it had been tampered with or if any thing was missing. Nothing was missing and all equipment was in it's state that he had left it in.

The weight of his equipment and weapons caused the ATV to release a groan of displeasure. A rumbling of the Mongoosese engine told Jordan that it was in working order.

Roran watched with fascination as the giant mounted the small green wagon and with what sounded like multiple roars of thunder sped off into the night.

"That man, that thing, wields strange magic." Horst said.

Roran could only nod his head. That Jordan, who or whatever he was, was powerful. He got the distinct impression that when Jordan had fought the Razac that he had been holding back.

"You think there's more of him?" Baldor asked as he gasped for air feeling exhausted after the adrenaline rush.

"Gods help any poor fool to pick a fight with them." Roran answered.

"And thank the Gods that he's on our side." as Roran put a small, black box the giant called a radio on his belt.

"Use that to contact me. Only use it when you need me." Roran remembered what the giant had said to him.

Snow, dirt, and wood chips kicked up into the air as Mongoose disappeared through the forest.

YOU SHOULD HAVE KILLED THEM! the message, the now very annoying AI, sent him.

"We are foreign to this land. We know nothing of its customs, let alone those of its warfare. If I had killed those soldiers chances are that more would come to avenge their comrades."

THOSE SOLDIERS HAVE A SUPERIOR AND THEY WILL REPORT TO HIM/HER. AND THEY WILL COME IN GREATER NUMBERS.

"If they come, then I will kill them." Jordan said ending the matter.

Not much for a second chapter, I know but it's for the eventual build up. I will try to update a chapter every week, but I make no promises. Although a little encouragement would be appreciated.