Four Undaunted

Chapter Four:

The Arbiter

LOCATION: COVENENANT SEPERETIST SHIP Shadow of Intent EN ROUTE TO SANGHELIOS ARBITER'S QUARTERS

The Arbiter sat in his quarters while the Shadow of Intent sped threw slipstream space towards his home-world. He was finally at peace without the corruption of the prophets present in his mind. The only thing that troubled him was the loss of the Demon, known as the Master Chief, who was the most skilled and dedicated soldier he had ever met, even including his own race of Elites. They had been enemies before they even heard of each other, but they had found they were all in the same. They were just two soldiers devoted to the cause of their people, but in the end they were placed on the same path.

The Arbiter stood up and started to remove his helmet when he noticed something in the corner of his eye. He turned and saw a human in blue clothing holding some type of rectangular container.

"How did you get here, human? Are you a stowaway?" he asked surprised.

"To the later question, the anssswer is yes. But, as for the former, human is not the right word." he replied.

This angered the Arbiter. He lowered his head to be face-to-face with him and clicked his mandibles. "How dare you lie to me? I would think that a weak human would have better since than to be so rude to someone who could rip him apart with little effort." he said growling.

"Any attempt to intimidate me, Arbiter," he said amused, " isss a foolish endeavor. I have power that you or any member of your retched race could even have the mental capacity to imagine."

The Arbiter was even angrier now and reach for his energy sword.

It was not on his belt.

"Looking for thisss?" said the G-man holding the unactivated handle of his sword.

"What are you?" the Arbiter said shocked.

"I am not at liberty to say." he replied sarcastically, "I will tell you that, for now, I mean you no harm and would alssso like to discuss a business proposition with you."

"What kind of proposition?" the Arbiter asked feeling it was better to go along at this point.

"You will fffind out if you come with me through thisss door."

The elite saw the door to his quarters open to reveal a white light.

He reluctantly followed the G-man into a big white room. There were three humans in the room, one of witch looked familiar.

"Demon!, you're alive!" he said in amazement

"Yes, Arbiter, for now. But, I fear our new friend might change that." replied the Master Chief.

The G-man straightened his tie, smirked at the Arbiter, and said, "On the contrary, Spartan, I am the last being in this room who would ever try to kill you. Now let's get down to business shall we"