AN: Next few chapters may be delayed due to finales at school and Honor Guard practice. Here's chapter 2 anyhow. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Halo. Copyrights to Bungie and 343 Industries.

Chapter 2: The Encounter

Rookie POV:

The Rookie couldn't figure out why he felt sorry for the Elite. This was the creature that is responsible for the genocide that has taken place against humanity after all. But there was something in those few seconds of aiming at it that had some sort of effect on him.

It was morning by now. He had let the Elite sleep the night costing him his own sleep. The night had been mostly uneventful. The occasional Phantom doing sweeps for any survivors. Only one patrol. Who did notice the bodies of the group he encountered earlier but, luckily, did not think to check the hotel himself and the Elite had taken refuge.

It was around 0700 when the Elite woke up. A little startled at the black armored human standing at the window, it jumped back a little bit before resuming its face of disgust it had before it dozed off the previous night. "It's 0700, think you're able to walk?" The ODST had a faint trace of hesitation in his voice.

The Elite snarled back, "Do not question my abilities human, I should kill you now for what you and your kind has done you ours."

Did this Elite just say what he thinks it just said? The Rookie angrily paced about the room losing all hesitation and patience in his voice only to be replaced by anger. "What we done to you? Who was the one who started this war? Who is the one leading genocide against the other? Who is to blame for the loss of countless innocent lives? Your kind had unjustifiably invaded our worlds, killed billions of our people all for this so called 'will of the Gods'. I have spent years on the front lines, away from home, away from my family, who are most likely dead. I have lost many friends, those who had died right in front of me. All to a losing battle against a group of barbaric, alien pricks. And you have the audacity to put the blame on us? Let me ask you, how would your race look at a species who has determined themselves to wipe you from existence? How about you look at this from our point of view and then think who is the real victim in this war." By this point he has ripped his helmet off of his head and through it at the wall across the room. Tears had formed in his eyes but he did not dare to let one fall. He now stood in front of a mirror and looked into the wet yet numb eyes staring back into his own.

The Elite was speechless. It was trying to think of some argument to say to the human but none were able to form. He made too much since. The Elite had come to realize that this war was in fact unholy but never voiced its opinion for that would be heresy. But never had the Elite seen the direct effect this war has had on a human until this very moment. "I-I am sorry" was all the Elite was able to say. "Yeah, sure you are." His voice was a bit shaky but has returned to a normal tone. He went to recover his helmet and looked to see what damage has been done. To his relief, only a small scratch had formed on the left side of the visor. "We need to move, staying here won't do us any good. I'll go gather some supplies, I recommend you use this time to ready yourself for a bit of a walk." The Rookie placed the helmet back on his head while heading for the door as if nothing had happened. "I'll be back in ten." He said before quickly shutting the door behind him.

He went to the parking structure to see if he could acquire any weapons off of the units he had encountered the day prior. His thought ran blank as he busied himself with the search. He sifted through the ruble and was able to scavenge a plasma pistol and grenade. Inside the structure he was able to find a three and a half protein bars and an axe. Satisfied with what he found he decided it was a good time to head back. He has already been out for about 8 minutes. As he exited the parking structure and started his walk back to the hotel, he heard movement to his left. He looked over and locked eyes with a brute. "shit…" was all he was able to manage before the patrol started to fire at him. He found himself running for the same road barrier he had found the Elite at. Just before being able to take cover his left shoulder was clipped by a plasma round. Anger consumed him as he unloaded a clip from his SMG into the Brute killing it. The remaining 3 grunts ran in terror seeing their leader being killed. The ODST used their stupidity to his advantage and jumped from cover and fired off 3 rounds, each hitting their mark killing the remaining grunts in the patrol.

He quickly made his way back to the hotel after confirming the area was clear. He opened the door to the room and found the Elite was now looking over itself in the mirror. The Elite stared at him as he entered. "What happened?" it said to him as he sat on the bed and removed his shoulder pad.

"I was just giving out a few party favors to our friends" He said sarcastically as he assessed the damage done to his shoulder.

"Party favor? Friends? Does this mean that there are more human reinforcements outside?" The Elite seemed to have a tone of fear and excitement in its voice.

The Rookie only gave a small chuckle before responding, "No, its just sarcasm. There was a patrol. One Brute and Three Grunts outside. The area is clear… for now." The Elite looked at him and spoke.

This time without the tone of fear or excitement. "So you have dealt with them?" The ODST stared back, "That's what 'the area is clear' means." He said back as he returned the platting to his shoulder. "We should probably go, there's no telling how much time until they send out another squad. We have already wiped two of their patrols. Three would be too reckless in one place. Brings unwanted attention." He as looking over the gear before pulling out the plasma pistol and handing it over to the Elite."Here, you might need this. And please… resist the urge to kill me."

The Elite took it and nodded. "Where will we be heading now?" It said to him while placing the plasma pistol on its belt.

"Not sure, thought we might just improvise" the Rookie said while heading for the door.

"More human sarcasm?" The Elite tilted its head while following him out.

The ODST looked back at the Elite, "well, sort of."

AN: Here is Ch, 2. Hope you enjoyed. As always if you have any story Ideas or tips, they would be greatly appreciated.