Lightning had to admit, he'd been in worst situations before. Sitting there cross legged in his cell, Lightning cast a bored gaze across the very naked room. There was literary nothing in the cell, no toilet, no bed not even a chair. It was just a box with a little funny wall due to Covenant architect being different to humans, Lightning personally found the floor to be very uncomfortable considering it was kind of cold.

Before him, loomed with a slight humming noise in the air, was a large force field of energy that was so potent not even Lightning could penetrate the barrier with his electrical abilities. That was if his muzzle wasn't held shut with a metal jaw clamp and his hands still banded by energy cuffs, to the drake it was almost flattering the aliens saw him as such a danger. They even posted two grunts outside his cell to keep an eye on him, but the two unintelligent aliens had fallen asleep on the job leaving Lightning to just silently observe his spacious cell.

"So what's the plan partner?" questioned SARA out of the bloom, Lightning jumped slightly on the spot in surprise. He nearly forgotten SARA was around considering the hours of silence from her.

After being captured on the beach, SARA went dark and Lightning endured the whole trip to the Covenant space cruiser alone and through the annoying processes of stripping down to scales. Honestly he felt exposed without his armour and clothing, indecent would be one way to describe it.

"I suppose we just wait and see what they have planned for us" admitted Lightning dully as he stared out his cell.

He could feel SARA disapproval through their mental link and tried to block her out, but she only intensified her feelings before speaking.
"So we just going to sit here and wait!" she really didn't like this approach, but Lightning was in no mood to argue with her.

"We are, if things look bad then I'll blow this joint and leave… simple as that" this made SARA less irritable but she still wasn't satisfied by the plan, Lightning could feel it in the back of his mind.

With a sigh, Lightning rolled backward onto his back. Feeling his spikes and plates scrape against the cold metal in an uncomfortable manner, nestled safely between the spikes was the Forerunner technology that connected SARA to Lightning's body. It looked like a series of metal plates fused into the flesh lining his spine and bulging a little around the upper part of his back, connecting to what was basically a second brain in the drake's body.

It was this second brain that allowed SARA to interact with the drake without causing him mental discomfort or death, while also allowing her to feel the world through him. She could basically piggy back onto his nervous system, allowing her to feel truly alive.

Thankfully the Covenant hadn't bothered to tamper with the technology, leaving SARA safely integrated with her drake like companion. For the moment that was, sooner or later they would begin to poke and prod and that was why SARA didn't want to wait.

Lightning could feel her anxiety through his mind and did his best to comfort her, he wouldn't let anyone touch her physically while he was still breathing.

Suddenly there was a loud barking, followed by the squealing of Grunts as something happened outside. Sitting upright Lightning watched as an Elite berated the Grunts for dozing off and promptly slapped one across the room angrily, Lightning almost felt sorry for the smaller aliens, almost.

Once the Elite was done yelling at the Grunts, it deactivated the energy field and tossed something at Lightning feet before instantly reactivating the barrier. Confused, Lightning tilted his head to the size as he stared down at something lying at his feet.

It looked like raw flesh from something, what Lightning couldn't tell. A sinking feeling swelled inside Lightning as he realized what the meat was for, SARA also displayed her displeasure through his mind as he poked the meat with his spike tipped tail.

"I believe that is out meal…" stated SARA softly, Lightning growled in acknowledgement as he conjured sparks between his teeth.

Reaching down Lightning grabbed the cold slab of flesh and began to chew on it hesitantly, the electricity between his jaws made short work of cooking the mysterious flesh but it was tough and hard to chew. Likely the worst piece of meat from whatever animal it came from, Lightning didn't care but he was thankful for the food.

Finishing his meal, Lightning licked his claws clean before noticing the Elite was still outside his cell. He mentally cursed himself for not being more mindful of his surrounding, that and he felt self-conscious about eating in front of others.
The Elite continued to stare for some time, before taking a position outside his cell where the previous Grunts had been located.

"That wasn't creepy at all" muttered SARA to herself, but Lightning could feel her irritation flare once more.

Lightning sat there in silence, eyes taking in his guard with mild interest. It was covered in blue armour indicating a low warrior rank, so theoretically it's combat experience would be low with less capable combat capabilities and hardware.

SARA mentally sculled the drake for thinking so deeply about a single Elite minor, he should be focusing more on how to escape the cell before he even considered the guards outside. But despite this that didn't stop Lightning from studying the guard, taking in the chinks in its armour that he could exploit in battle.

Eventually Lightning became board, and decided to play a mental game of checkers with SARA. The AI was incredible at such games and generally won their games, but it didn't stop Lightning trying. Their first game lasted for about 7 minutes, in which time SARA obliterated Lightning hands down, however the second game lasted nearly 20 minutes as Lightning tried a more aggressive tactic.

Together they enjoyed several games of checkers, with SARA winning 5 games out of 7. Lightning took defeat honourably, it didn't hurt to lose to someone like SARA, considering there extremely close relationship.
They were half way through their 8th game when the energy field suddenly went down once more, both SARA and Lightning perked up as several Elites entered the cell and barked something sternly in their own language.

"They want us to follow them" informed SARA dully, Lightning only snorted before standing upright, allowing himself to be ceased by the larger aliens and marched out of the room.

It was interesting walking about the interior of a covenant cruiser, it was nothing like a UNSC frigate or warship. The hallways were huge and curved, with slight up and downs along the way that made it feel more like natural landscape than a warship. The only part Lightning disliked was the purple, he was getting sick of that purple colour scheme that seem to taint every aspect of Covenant technology.

Eventually Lightning was forced inside a brightly lit room and held rather violently into the air by his shackles, just another reminded of how strong an Elite was. Lightning couldn't help but groan as he found himself floating in thin air by energy shackles once more, before a majority of the Elites left the room without another word.

"A little De-ja-vu don't you think?" commented SARA dully in Lightning mind, he replied by moving his checkers piece and taking out two of her own in a single move.

"Hey no fair I wasn't ready" she exclaimed, Lightning only smirked as the game continued until someone else walked into the room. This time Lightning recognised this individual.

It was hard to forget that armour and helmet, especially that helmet and certainly that energy sword hanging from his belt. The Special ops Elite said something in Lightning's direction, slowly circling the restrained drake with long powerful strides.

Lightning remained silent, ignoring the Elite as it continued to talk to him in its own native tongue… well language considering the Elite didn't have a visible tongue. Lightning smirked at his own little joke, receiving a sudden angry bark from the Elite.

"He's questioning us" informed SARA with a hint of concern, but Lightning wasn't concerned, he'd been trained to resist interrogation methods of multiple calibres at a young age.

The Elite didn't like Lightning's silence, and started to get physical with his methods. Between questions he would punch multiple areas of the drake's body, chipping scales and irritating old wounds from previous combat.
Lightning did his best not to react to the blows, despite the pain his body could endure far worse and even numb the pain if need be.

SARA offered words of comfort as the Elite beat the drake, sometimes translating the questions which were quite bland and expected.
Things such as names, what he was, how many humans still littered the planet etc etc. Honestly Lightning didn't know the last two, he was just a soldier on the front line not a resource management or tactician.

The interrogation lasted for several hours, leaving the drake battered and bleeding yet still unbroken. Through the entire processes he refused to say a word, refused to look the Elite in the eye and refused to show weakness. Thankfully his stubbornness payed off, and the special Ops Elite left the room with a loud grumble of irritation.

When he was mostly alone with the remaining Elite guards, Lightning allowed a small smile to twitch at his lips before continuing his game of checkers with SARA. The AI scowled him for trying to shrug off his wounds, but continued the game nether the less.

They were almost finished their game when another Elite walked into the room, the alien barked something at the guards who walked over and removed Lightning from the air, allowing him to stand under his own power once more. What Lightning didn't expect was for the Elite who entered to suddenly grab the drake around the muzzle with a vice like grip, Lightning snarled in rage but couldn't resist as the Elite turned the drakes head at multiple angles as if examining him.

Making a soft grunt, the Elite released the drake and barked something to the guards. Lightning didn't need SARA to translate as the guards said something to him before giving a sharp shove towards the door, reluctantly the drake did as instructed and walked towards the door with an Elite at the lead.

Strolling once more through the purple hallways, Lightning noticed the surprised stares of the other Covenant aliens as they passed. Grunts would squeal and point, Jackals goggled and Elites glared daggers at him. He even saw a few Brutes, large gorilla like creatures with a savage temper and horrid stench. The Brutes only snarled as he saw him but at least they didn't seem to make as much a fuss as the other species.

They walked through countless doors before suddenly veering into a large room, upon entering Lightning instantly knew where he was. It didn't take a genius to recognise a med bay, despite the differences in technology the set up was relatively the same. Lightning had been in plenty med bays due to combat wounds to recognise even a basic set up.

An Elite suddenly gave Lightning a sharp shove in the back, making him stagger towards one of the giant operating tables that stood nearly chest height tall, defiantly not something designed with his species in mind.
Lightning gave a growl at his captives but received a sharp blow across the face in reply, said Elite barked something again and hesitantly the drake jumped onto the table and sat down on it cross legged.

The Elites shifted around, looking around the room in an almost agitated manner, as if they didn't like being in the room. Lightning tilted his head at his captive with mild interest until something else entered the room, Lightning didn't know what it was but it reminded him of a jelly fish.

The alien hovered through the air with multiple tentacles dangling beneath it, it had a long serpent like neck and a head dotted with several black orb like eyes. Its body reminded the drake of a balloon, but he couldn't help but notice the pieces of metal and technology imbedded in its flesh.

The unusual alien wasn't the only one to enter the room, another Elite in strange armour entered and said something to the Elite guards. A small conversation ensured until this new Elite strolled closer to Lightning and leaned closer to examine him.

Lightning didn't like this Elite, its eyes didn't exactly scream friendly. The drake made a deep glow to indicate his dislike of the Elite, but the alien didn't waver and instead began poking at his wounds.

"I think this is a doctor… Either he's meant to heal your wounds or torture us with other methods…" suggested SARA in a hesitant tone, Lightning growled softly in reply. Such reassurance was 'appreciated' SARA noticed the sarcasm and conveyed her annoyance through his mind.

The 'Doctor' as SARA called him suddenly moved away and grabbed some instrument, before turning back towards the drake. Lightning growled and leaned away from the Elite as it tried to touch his face with the device, growling and dodging for Lightning did not want someone touching his wounds that he didn't trust.

Surprisingly the Elites made noises of amusement, before discussing something amongst themselves as the Doctor continued to try and treat the drake's wounds with little success.

"Huh… Interesting enough the Elites dislike the doctor as much as you, something about honour" muttered SARA, Lightning only half listened, to preoccupied with fending off the Doctor with his cuffed hands in an effort to avoid irritation to his damaged face.

The Doctor growled in a menacing manner before calling to the other Elite, they argued for a brief moment before one of them stomped forwards and grabbed Lightning by the throat. The drake hissed and thrashed about, until a fist slammed into his gut expelling the air from his lungs. He stopped thrashing as he gasped for breath though his bounded jaws and felt the doctor do something to his face with the device.

Once the Doctor was finished, the Elite tossed Lightning violently against the table, growling in his face before stomping off to re-join his companions.
"I think he said 'behave'" chuckled SARA despite the situation, Lightning only snorted in the Elites direction before growling as the Doctor returned with another item.

This time the Doctor didn't try to touch his body, instead it waved the instrument over his wounds as if scanning them. Paying particular interest in the plasma scaring across his scales that were still healing, plasma left nasty wounds against his metal hide. Lightning preferred bullets pelting against him over plasma.

The Doctor didn't seem to bother with the wounds caused by the Elites interrogation method, and instead said something sternly at Lightning as if he understood.

"He wants you to lay on your chest" informed SARA with a hint of suspicion, Lightning had a hunch what the Doctor was planning to examine, and he wouldn't willingly allow him to touch it.

As if sensing the drake's rebellious thoughts, the Doctor called out to the Elites and rather grumpily two of them stormed over. Sensing the danger Lightning made to jump from the table, only to be grabbed around the middle by the Doctor and slammed back down upon the table's surface. The other Elites rushed over and grabbed hold of the struggling drake to stop him attempting to escape once more.

The Elites forced Lightning onto his chest, holding him down like some criminal as the Doctor began poking and prodding at his back. Lightning hissed angrily as he felt something touch the metal at the back of his head, then slowly run down the planes lining his spine until they connected to the thicker plates of his back.

To deter anyone from touching him, the drake made electricity ark between his spikes, making the Doctor roar loudly in pain and for a sharp blow to crack against the drake's skull.
SARA was thankful her companion had a metallic skeleton, otherwise the blow would've been lethal.

Then came a new feeling, Lightning couldn't see because of the muscular armoured limbs pinning his head but he could feel something light brush against his back. Then came the feeling of something forin poking at the edge of his mind, SARA sense it too and placed herself between the intruder and Lightning mind.

SARA felt a brief feeling of familiarity, as if she knew the presence as it became stronger, then she realized what it was. Whoever was trying to get inside their mind, was defiantly Forerunner based in technology, which was bad news for SARA.

Conjuring all her strength, SARA made a wall before this unknown being and slowly began to cage it into not important systems, limiting its power.
Then she felt something unexpected, the unknown presence radiated a calm and friendly emotion.

Listening to it more, SARA was surprised that the being conveyed the need to repair. And was offering to fix the damage to her system sustained from battle, SARA was hesitant at first, but she sense no ill intend and so reluctantly allowed the unknown to continue.

Lightning however wasn't happy, he watched on what just took place with SARA and growled as he felt something begin working on the neural interface system lining his back. The Elites held fast, there superior strength allowing them to easily retrain the drake and preventing him from moving.

After what felt like an internity, the Elites jumped back and Lightning thrashed about with a vicious snarl, his tail lashed out, spikes flicking outwards in a make like fashion to slash at his adversaries. In response to the drakes hostility, the Elites drew there fire arms and held them at the read to attack.

"Lightning RELAX! They help to fix my system!" yelled SARA, pushing calm soothing emotions through their mental link.

Lightning withdrew his tail spikes and sat there still looking bitter and angry, his eyes looked about the room before spotting the odd jelly fish alien hovering some distance away watching him closely.
Hesitantly, the towering Elites lowered their humming blue weapons and stepped back to allow the drake space to breath.

The Doctor moved closer once more, seeming to be making notes on some kind of holographic device before scanning his form with another of his strange tools. Well Lightning assumed it was male, he couldn't tell or didn't really care to find out the difference.

Everything was going fine with the examination, until the door swished open and in came a familiar Special ops Elite with an air of authority and purpose.
"Our friend is back" commented SARA almost dryly, Lightning felt the same as SARA. He wasn't thrilled to see the special ops Elite after their previous encounter.

The special ops Elite spoke to the other blue armoured Elites briefly, before Lightning was nearly dragged from the examination table and shoved violently out the door surrounded on all sides by his alien captors.
"How rude" grumbled Lightning under his breath in irritation, he was getting fed up with the pushing and shoving. He had legs he could walk under his own power for crying out loud.

"Your just sulking because they hurt your pride" teased SARA trying to lighten the mood, Lightning tried his hardest to convey the feeling of irritation to her mentally before noticing the room they just entered.

It was dark but far more spacious than the other rooms he'd observed, in the centre of the room was a raised platform that nearly seem to float in place. With giant glass computer screens that displayed a variety of information, from hull status to speed, to the temperature of the surface below and other important pieces of data.

But what caught Lightning attention was the odd being hovering in the air on a throne like device. He'd never seen this alien before and it looked almost frail, like it'd collapse under its own weight if it tried to stand. The alien's limbs were thin and wrinkly, with a long neck that held a round head tipped with a crown. Most of its thin body was draped in red robes and the throne it sat upon made it appear this alien was incredibly important.

Beside the hovering alien stood an Elite garbed in golden armour, he stood tall with pride and confidence before a control panel and seemed to be waiting with baited breath for the hovering alien to finish speaking.

Lightning wasn't sure what was going on, until he noticed how crowded the room seemed to be and that a large holograph screen appeared on the far wall of the planet below and dark reaches of space surrounding the ship.
Then as one, the Covenant aliens began to almost cheer as the golden Elite activated a control panel, casting a beam of bright plasma energy towards the surface below.

"Oh no" gasped SARA in recognition, Lightning too felt his heart drop as he to watched the beam of plasma race towards the planet below.

He watched helplessly as the bean caused a mighty explosion that could be seen from orbit and caused the planets crust to glow a bright reddish orange.
Now Lightning understood why he was here, the Covenant had brought him here to bear witness to their power. To torture him as he watched on in dread as the Covenant warship began the systematic process of glassing the planet below.

Of turning the planet's surface, into a barren landscape of liquefied glass that no human fortification could withstand.
Lightning now remembered the planet he was protecting, it was called Meridian, and it use to be a UNSC colony filled with millions of lives until the Covenant came.

To be Continued…