A Spartan's War

by Masterful-Mind

The Human-Covenant War has many battles with unexpected allies and enemies. When Blue Team's important mission to capture an assault carrier takes an unprecedented turn, the team of Spartans and their new allies must adapt to survive. EliteOC x SpartanOC. In Haloverse, but does not directly follow canon timelines. M-language, violence/gore, smut. IN REWRITE 2016

20. Coup de Main

A Spartan's War

A/N: Back to the main story! I need to get that going, hopefully hint at some stuff in this chapter. I will work to speed up the lovin' :)

Chapter 20: Coup de Main

TRIUMPHANT DECLARATION-08:00 HOURS

Jessie cautiously walked down the long, curving hallway. She had been roomed near the bridge and the heretics so they could avoid unnecessary confrontations with the more aggressive crew. Strength in numbers on the heretics part. Her helmet allowed her a full view of the corridor without having to physical move her head around. The hall was full of the hustle and bustle of Elites going about their business, and her helmet allowed her to keep her ahead forward, but her gaze could wander as much as the hall as she needed. Much like a dog, Elites could easily be provoked by looking in their eyes.

Jess approached the entrance to the bridge and froze misstep and whisked out her rifle in response to the situation before here. A pair of Hunters leveled their massive cannons at the Spartan and bellowed low and guttural. Informing the Elite bridge crew of the intruder.

Arm-mounted shield before its' chest, one of the Hunters began charging the massive cannon it wielded, barrel beginning to glow florescent green.

Jess flicked her safety off and began to step back quickly, moving out of the instant kill zone. Had she stated where she was previously standing, she would have been killed by the Hunter's blast if he hit her or not, she was that close. The Hunters took two thudding steps forward to follow the Spartan.

Jessie's trigger finger began to compress the trigger, when a familiar shape ducked out of the bridge and into the Hunter's line of fire. She immediately eased the pressure and slid her finger out of the trigger guard to rest alongside the length of her rifle.

The Elite began warbling in its' native language and making sharp gestures, still facing the Hunters. The pari emitted a few quiet roars before relaxing and returning to their post outside the command center, no longer seeing the Spartan as an enemy.

The Elite then turned to Jessie.

"It is for our protection." Was his reason for his attack.

"They were not informed of my presence on this warship?" The Elite only twitched a mandible, looking a little annoyed. "Sure as hell not the greeting I expected." She brushed by him without another word and preceded to enter the command center.

Vora instantly recognized the familiar black form that entered his bridge. Even on a ship filled with aliens that were still for foe than friend, she still held an air that demanded authority and confidence. When she glanced over to him, he pointed to the terminal that had been set up for her.

Jessie was originally going to report to the Chief in her room, but Vora insisted that she make her call on the command center. The Ship Master had been adamant enough to threaten her with his rank until she relented and agreed to allow him to be present for her report.

She moved over to a small, secluded alcove that had a communications terminal. The data had been entered for her since she could not decipher the complex runes and symbols consisting of the Covenant battlement. The heavy stomp of hooves alerted her to the Zealots presence. He moved to stand at her side and hit the symbol on the layout that established the link with the Master Chief.

Jess expected for Vora to move back to stand outside of the visual range of the communications, so he could just listen to the exchange. Rather, he continued to stand at Jess's shoulder, making no effort to move.

When the Master Chief appeared on the small holotank next to the terminal, he showed no surprise at seeing the alien commander even though he had expected a private report between him and his teammate.

"Jessie, right on time." Chief inclined his head to the two figures.

"Chief." She responded with the normal greeting. "I am reporting in."

"I see that you made it through the night alright. What is the status of the ship?" The Chief threw a small glance at the massive alien form next to his soldier.

"There have been no significant changes from the condition you saw the crew in when you were last here." Jessie reported. "But I did have a minor run -in this morning." John's gaze switched from Jessie to Vora, eyeing the man he had left his soldier's life with.

"What of the run-in?"

"There are a pair of Hunters guarding the command center. They apparently were not alerted of my presence. It did not exceed a stand off." She angled her visor towards the Ship Master with her last comment.

Vora did not betray his cool, calm exterior. "It would seem the Sangheili in charge of briefing the Mgalekgolo did not fulfill his duty. He shall be delta with accordingly." His voice was deep and flat, orange-copper eyes steeled a bit. The Sangheili had seen the Mgalekgolo pair as an opportunity to kill the Demon who was obviously allied with the heretics in control of the warship. The warrior would not be making that mistake again. he had chosen the wrong Demon and the wrong Ship Master to mess with.

"Good. If the ship is still under your control, I know it will be properly taken care of." Chief looked back to Jess. "Keyes has yet to determine the length of your stay on the Triumphant Declaration."

Vora took a small step forward and shifted his steely gaze over the commanding Demon. "Why was I not alerted to your Captain's indecisiveness?" His voice still retained the unnatural flat quality.

"Human soldier, Human decision." Was John's curt reply.

"Sangheili vessel, Sangheili decision. Tell your Captain that I will be included in his deliberations when it comes to my ship and the soldiers on my ship!"

"Yes, Ship Master. There are Human officials who wish to meet with you now rather than wait for the others to come to agreement. Keyes has arranged for the base on the planet we are orbiting to host the informal meeting. Human warships are expected to arrive soon. We will head down to the surface soon. Expect to hear from Keyes." John cut the connection, ending the budding argument.

Jessie angled herself towards the seemingly pissed off alien.

"Do not get worked up over it. One thing you need to learn about Humans is our tendency to be ignorant and stubborn to the point of being mulish." Jessie tried to explain to calm the worked up Ship Master.

"I do not tolerate my authority being challenged. I do not your Human commander taking advantage of our partnership." He spun smartly on his heel and clasped his hands tightly behind his back before stalking off to make a few rounds.

Jessie shook her head and moved to stand along the wall near the Ship Master's commander chair and the guards at the door.

"Do not mind him." Jess jerked around to see Janu looking up at her from his seat. "The Ship Master can get irritated and snappy when there is a lot going on."

"That is understandable." She shrugged her armored shoulders.

"Do not take it personally." Janu returned to his work as Vora 'Ledum strode by his station.

Jessie watched Vora return to his command chair and heavily drop into it.

"Prepare two Phantoms. We are heading to the surface. Janu, S'rin, Niro, Demon, you are with me. Be prepared to leave in thirty minutes." Vora barked.

PLANET SURFACE-09:00 HOURS

Jessie exited the Phantom behind 'Ledum and trailed by Niro. She had read layouts of the planet before they had landed.

The planet consisted of both military and civilian communities. It had been selected as a meeting place for some of the Human officials and the parties from the Pillar of Autumn and the Triumphant Declaration because of its more remote location.

There were a few abandoned buildings around the selected landing zone and about a dozen Marines and an official from the local military base sent to meet them. The Pelicans from the Autumn were just beginning to take shape in the bright blue summer sky. As the small party walked towards the Marines followed by a few soldiers, suddenly the sound of shots being fired filled the air.

Armor-piercing sniper rounds flew mere inches from Vora's face.

"Get down!" Jess let over to the Ship Master and grabbed his shoulder and neck, yanking him down to the ground with her. She faced her back to the direction of fire and the two scrambled behind the sparse cover provided by the landing zone and dilapidated buildings.

She could hear the Elites and Marines immediately returning fire and a man shouting madly into a comma for the Pelicans to rise and get out of the area.

Jess popped up over the barrier and fired three rounds at the spot she had seen the bright muzzle flash of a sniper. Vora popped up as well and fired with his Plasma Rifle.

"Why are the Humans firing at us!" He sounded confused and furious.

"Hell if I know! Just kill them!" She ducked down as another sniper round whizzed past the two of them. She quickly surveyed the area. Two Sangheili were down with armor-piercing rounds through their heads, purple blood congealing around their prone forms. The Human official was dead as well and the Marine who had been trying to protect him was draped across his back, dead.

Vora had obviously been one of the other targets alongside the Human official. Who were the attackers? How did they know of their arrival and the importance of the man meeting them? Before she had a chance to analyze the situation any further, a huge blast caught her attention.

One of the dilapidated buildings exploded in a ball of bright orange fire. Pieces of twisted and shattered metal and wood was flung out from the growing fireball that clawed higher in the sky. The boom was deafening and rattled the other nearby buildings.

One of the Elites in their party gave a strangled, startled cry as a small metal beam pierced his torso. Quivering hands gently grasped the beam, blood coated his slick fingers. His fading eyes meet Jessie's visor and he crumpled to the ground, dead.

The splintered wood and hot metal began to fall from the sky like some hellish rain. One of the Marine's dove behind the landing gear the Ship Master and Spartan were crouching behind. The man's back crashed into the barrier and he clutched his gun to his blood coated chest.

"The Commander's dead! You're in charge until the Captain arrives!" The man shouted above the roar of battle. Vora instantly began shouting orders and snapping for status updates.

"Get those men out of the open! They stand no chance against those snipers!"

Jessie sprinted from her safe position over to the dwindling numbers of Human soldiers. She grabbed the two nearest Marines and unceremoniously tossed them behind a large chunk of fallen rubble.

"Stay behind cover!" She heard the retort of a sniper rifle and threw herself to the ground to avoid the deadly bullet. She sat on her rear, leaned back and fired her own rifle. When no second bullet followed the first,she knew she had killed her attacker.

"You three, come with me! The rest of you, find cover and lay down suppressing fire!" Jess motioned to the three Marines who seemed to be in the best condition. Only having suffered a few cuts and bruises compared to the broken bones and stab wounds of their companions.

Vora and he bleeding Marine rose from their cover and scrambled closer to the Humans, diving behind cover again.

The Zealot saw Jess and her squad of three start to run towards the ridge the snipers were crouched on.

"Janu!" Vora called to the Sangheili a few yards behind him. "Go with her!" He swung his large head, indicating Jessie. The old Sangheili bobbed his head in acknowledgement and ran to follow the backs of the retreating Humans.

Vora watched his soldier follow the Demon currently under his protection and angrily fired plasma at the ridge concealing the pesky snipers.

"The Humans better have a damn good reason for this!" He thought bitterly.

His focus was torn from the ridge to the advancing squad when the sound of a bullet biting through soft flesh caught his ears. The Human taking point caught a bullet in the chest, blood spurted from the wound and he immediately dropped dead. The bullet, meant for killing armored enemies, continued through his soft, fleshy body and impacted the armored woman directly behind him.

The bullet hit her about halfway up the right side of her ribcage. The armor-piercing weapon punched through her shields and armor and came to rest just shy of her ribs. Vora could faintly see the blood painting crimson rivulets down her onyx black armor.

"Scatter!" Her squad spread out and picked up their pace. She held her position and laid down covering fire, knowing Janu would easily assume command of the ragtag squad.

The Human sniper fire switched from the Humans and Elites hiding farther back in the field to the quickly advancing threat. Janu and the two remaining Marines disappeared into the ridge.

All became quiet as the fight switched from ranged weapons to very close combat.

Janu and the two Marined exited the ridge and began moving across the field, two Humans stronger.

Jess heard the surviving Marines and Elites approach, led by Ship Master 'Ledum.

The small squad came met them. Janu firmly held one Human by the scruff of his neck and shoulder, fingers digging into the soft flesh there. Jess was sure the young man could feel Janu's claws poking into him due to the severity of the two Marines were struggling to keep their grip on the arms of a rowdy older man. He was shouting obscenities and struggling in the two soldiers' grasps.

Vora looked ready to rip the mens' heads off their shoulders with his bare hands, Jessie put her arm out to stop the large aliens advance. She recognized their uniforms immediately. This was her realm. She had been created to quell this threat as much as she had for the Covenant.

The red fist symbol on the shoulders of their dark uniforms gave them away.

"Insurrectionists!" She thought.

"Radio Keyes! Give him a status update now. I want these Insurrectionists handcuffed and prepped for transfer." She turned to a Marine from the military base on the planet. "Contact the base and let them know we have a few surprise guests with us. I'm sure they have a few cells to spare."

Jessie yanked the older man from the struggling Marines. Her hands created a vice grip around his biceps as she pushed him in front of her, giving him the signal to walk. Janu followed behind her with his own captive and Vora joined the two after giving his own orders.

"You Humans are fighting your own war amongst yourselves as well as the Covenant?" Vora's pace matched Jessie's.

"Yes. There are Insurrectionists and rebel groups who do not agree with the Unified Earth Government and are trying to lay waste to the UNSC. They were the primary reason for the Spartan program before the Covenant came along." She was about to stay more when the man in her grasp began to fight back.

He let his legs fall out form beneath him. His weight fell downwards, but then he quickly regained his footing and attempted to kick Jess' legs out from under her. When that didn't work, he balled his hands into fists and tried to pull his arms away from the much stringer Spartan.

Jessie quickly brought him back under control.

She released one of his arms and placed her hand forcefully on his shoulder blade before jerking the arm still in her grasp down and out. His shoulder gave a sickening pop as the joint dislocated. The man cried out and sputtered as Jessie wheeled him around to stare into her emotionless visor.

"Let's not do that again, shall we?" He voice was cold. A terrified looked passed over the man' face and he momentarily looked to the Elite standing next to the Spartan, as if looking for some sort of aid or salvation. Vora narrowed his orange-copper eyes and gave a sharp bark. The man quickly looked back to the black armored Spartan and rapidly shook his head.

"Good. I would like for there to be some part of you left for me when we get you all settled into your cell." The man knew she hinted at the interrogation methods running through her head.

"God dammit!" The man mumbled as Jess yanked him into a walk again. Janu had passed them when they stopped to discipline the Innie and the two groups met up at the now arriving Warthogs. The Pelicans from the Autumn gently landed and let their cargo hop down from the extended ramps.

"Your team missed all the fun." Vora commented dryly as he passed a set of handcuff to the Demon.

Jessie gave a small snort as she slapped the cuffs roughly on the man's wrists and lifted him up to the Marine on the Warthog. "Yes, they did." She brushed her hands together lightly when the Innie was out of her grasp. "Chief is going to have a field day with those two."

Vora looked up at the scared young man and his more firry older counterpart. "I was told this was a remote planet. That we would be safe here."

"It seems that the UNSC base has encouraged a rebel group to form from the civilians who live here." She guessed.

"Come. We should check on the dead and wounded since your Marines seem to have everything else under control." He spotted three Marines briefing the rest of the Demon squad and Captain Keyes.

Jess left the side of the Warthog and joined Vora as he made his way towards the wounded Elites. Jess stopped at the bodies of the ones who had been part of the first casualties and crouched down to inspect them. Vora lowered himself down to the ground next to her, one knee braced against the blood soaked ground.

"Armor-piercing rounds." Jess peeled back some of the Elite's brown skin and exposed the end of the bullet. "The Innies were not out here for mere Marine target practice. They had an objective." He thick black gloves were now coated in purple and red blood.

"An assassination mission turned firefight." Vora mused.

"I would make the same guess. We will not know for sure until one of us gets our hands on those rat bastards in the Warthog." She braced her hands on her knees and pushed herself back to her feet.

"I still do not see how these rebels would know of our arrival. This was meticulously arranged." Vora grumbled as he too stood up.

"More questions and more answers." Suddenly, her vision began to swim. Her ears rang and she could not tell the sky from the ground. She could feel pressure on her arm and shoulder, but it seemed so far away.

"Demon!" Vora called out. He saw her start to sway on her now unsteady feet and had gripped her shoulder and arm to keep her upright. "Demon, talk to me!" He voice took on a slightly worried edge.

Jess recognized the worried voice. It was Vora. She grunted as her legs gave out and she collapsed. Pulling the Ship Master down with her.

Vora's grip never faltered as he felt her fall. He guided her down to the ground and kneeled beside her. "Demon!" He tried again.

"Damn. Fucking things were tipped!" She groaned. Vora's mandibles splayed and he emitted a low grumble. He cautiously pressed his fingers into the bleeding bullet wound as her body spasmed. "How-? How could I let myself get shot!" She said testily, voice growing quiet.

"Hush. Do not waste your strength." He looked up and caught sight of the Master Chief and a Human medic rushing over to the two of them. "Stay with me now." He ordered. Jess gave a half-hearted grunt.

"What happened?" John dropped down beside Vora, but scooted over to make room for the medic. The doctor tried to wave the Ship Master away, but the throaty rumble he gave convinced the medic the Sangheili was fine right were he was.

"Armor-piercing sniper round hit a Marine and continued on into her body. The rounds were poisoned." Vora told the Chief.

"There is not much I can do here." The medic put away the biofoam he had used. "I can do more back on the base. I do not want her passing out. Take her helmet off and make sure she stays conscious."

Not knowing how the release mechanism worked, Vora allowed John to reach over an lift Jess' helmet off and set it next to Vora's knee.

Jess blinked and turned her head when the summer sun assaulted her bare eyes. Vora's knuckle brushed her cheek and turned her head to face him.

"The medic said you need to stay conscious. He will be able to do more when we get to the UNSC base." Vora told her.

She noticed John off to the Zealot's side. She looked up at him.

"Insurrectionists. The officials, Keyes, and the Ship Master need to be escorted…" She paused to catch her breath. "Escorted to the base now. There is no telling who is going to come looking when the Innie squad does not report." She titled her head back so she could better see John's helmet

"That is being taken care of. Ship Master, I need you to go join the escort." John stood and waited for the alien to move. The medic stood as well and scampered off to go care for the other fallen soldiers.

"I will take care of the Demon first. She is under my command until returned to the Human ship." John looked over Vora than nodded his head in consent.

"Make it quick. We need to get out of here." John turned and headed over to Keyes before getting into a Warthog.

By now, all the wounded had been moved into transports and moving the dead was just completed. The convoy was just waiting on the figureheads of the groups to be ready to depart.

HIs attention was puled back to the woman before him as she began to move. She placed her hands on the ground and slowly worked herself into a sitting position.

"Take it easy." Vora guided. He went to wrap an arm around her to carry her to the transport, but the Demon stopped him short. She turned her slightly clouded dark blue eyes to him.

"Let me walk." He rose and she wobbled to her feet, helmet in hand.

"At least let me help you walk." The Zealot insisted.

"Fine." She took an unsteady step towards him and allowed Vora to drape his arm under her arms and lean some of her weight against him. The pair hobbled over to the awaiting transport. Vora climbed in then reached down to help haul the Demon in with him.

Jess sat heavily in the crash seat next to the Ship Master and attempted to put her helmet back on.

"No." 'Ledum caught her wrist and held on when she tried t yank her arm away. "I need to be able to see that you have not succumbed to sleep. Leave your helmet off." He instructed.

Jess sighed and lazily brushed dark blonde curls out of her face. Then looked at the Elite, waiting for him to release the wrist he was holding captive. A few Humans and Elites whom she didn't recognize piled into the transport, then Vora let her arm go.

The transport rumbled to life and sped off in the direction of the base.

HUMAN BASE-14:00 HOURS

Jess adjusted her armor and looked over at the tiny doctor standing near her.

"You are free to go." The small woman said before exiting the med bay room.

Jess hated the med bay, but she felt much better after this visit. The bullet had been roomed, the poison flushed from her system, and the hole sutured shut. In the meantime, her armor had been repaired to the best of the small bases ability and cleansed of the multi-colored blood patterning the plates.

Jess exited the sterile room and made her way towards the brig. She was to meet John and Vora there to begin questioning the two Insurrectionists.

As she stepped through the gun metal grey doors, she spotted the dirtied gold armor of the Ship Master and the green of the Master Chief.

"Good to see you on your feet again, Jessie." The pale super-human greeted her.

"It is nice to be back on my feet too." Jess addressed Vora next. "And I must thank you for your quick and decisive action out there." Her 'your welcome' was received through a deep gaze from the towering alien and a silent head nod.

"We are going to start with the old man." John motioned to the one-way mirror. Sitting in the room was the older Innie.

"I will take him." Jessie stated.

"I wish to as well." Vora said. According to his quick conversation with Janu, this man was more than likely the Human who had shot the Marine and Demon. He wanted to be part of his questioning.

"Have at it, you two. Just keep him alive." John looked pointedly at Jessie since one of the doctors had already needed to set his dislocated shoulder.

Jessie, followed by her alien companion, entered the interrogation room.

"Great. It's you." The old man sneered.

"Expecting someone else?" Jessie quirked an eyebrow at the man. She saw his eyes run over her exposed face. Not expecting a pale Human woman under all the armor and tough exterior. Like many Humans, he did not know or believe that the Spartans were real Human beings.

"Nah. Just thought I get a more decent person to talk too. If I can even call you a Human, Spartan."

"And here I thought I would be the one throwing the insults." Jess eyed the man. His hands were handcuffed on his lap and he was sitting on a metal chair facing the metal table.

Vora crossed his arms over his chest and moved to stand by the corner of the table.

"You are not in a position to get terse with us, Human." Vora practically sneered the last word.

The man glared at the intimidating alien. "Who invited you, ugly?" He shot back.

"Between the two of us, I would be more worried about him." Jess replied, not amused by the man's attics of using low and lame insults.

The man kicked his chair back on the two back legs and looked up at the woman. "So, what do you want to know?"

"So willing to give answers?" Jess placed a hand on her hip.

"Only if you ask the right questions." The man smirked.

"Our questions will be the right questions whether you like them or not." Vora barked.

"I wasn't talkin' to you, split-lip. I was addressin' the lady." The aged man grinned.

"Enough of your games!" Vora faced the table and slammed his hands down palm first, making a heavy slapping sound on the metal.

The man looked taken aback by the Ship Master's sudden outburst.

"Who sent you?" Vora 'Ledum asked in a low, slow voice. The man opened his mouth, then paused to think.

"You may hold a high rank gauging your armor and important to your little ET friends, but I refuse to answer any questions asked by you." He then fell silent.

"I would be more than happy to oblige you and take over the questioning." Jess sauntered behind the man and moved so she was just in his peripherals.

Vora tired again. "Who sent you?" His voice was just as low and deep as before.

The man just shook his head no.

Jessie placed a firm hand on his bicep. The arm she had wrenched out of its socket hours earlier.

"Let's try again." She said.

"Who sent you?" Vora's fingered flexed on the tabletop.

The man stayed quiet. Jessie's grip tightened with every second he did not answer.

"I don't know." said the man.

"Wrong answer." Jessie began to slowly pull his arm down and out.

"I never met them! I don't know!" Pain lanced through his sore shoulder.

"Wrong!" She yelled. Vora watched as the Demon once again dislocated the man's shoulder. The man cried out and tried to pull away from the Spartan's grasp. His arm hung at an awkward angle and the cuffs bit into his wrist. "Who sent you!" she repeated before 'Ledum could.

"The Insurrectionist Leader!" He shouted. Shying away from Jessie as she walked around the table to join Vora. The Sangheili straightened up to his full 8' 7" and glared down at the pathetic Human.

"Who was your target?" Vora questioned. He slowly walked towards the seated man and stopped at his right side. Waiting for his answer.

The man stayed silent, weighing his options. When 'Ledum dropped and arm from their crossed position, the man replied, "You. You, the Commander, the arriving Captain. Any of the Spartans would have been a bonus."

"Very good." 'Ledum did not leave his place near the now scared looking man.

"How did you know of our arrival?" Jessie interrogated.

"More questions?" The man rolled his eyes. He seemed to regain some of his bravado from earlier.

"I won't hesitate to dislocate your other arm if that is what it takes." She said coldly.

"I read minds. That's how I knew the Captain, you, and your alien friend were coming."

"Your younger counterpart would be much happier to oblige us." Jess commented.

"Infuriating little Human." Vora growled as he grabbed the man by the collar of his uniform and hoisted him up into the air. He cried out as he was suddenly jerked into the air by the neck of his shirt. "Answer her question." Vora's face was right in the man's face so he barely had to raise his voice.

"Hackers…We-we…uh…have…bee-en monitoring communi-communications in the system." The man's voice shook as he was forced to stare into the indifferent eyes of the Ship Master.

Once he had his answer, 'Ledum tossed the man to the ground. Not caring how or where he landed. The thunk of flesh hitting metal and his shout of pain was enough to tell the alien that the man hit the chair on the way down and landed on his arm.

The aged man curled into the fetal position trying to nurse the dislocated arm he was laying on.

"Let's see if you can answer this last question without making it difficult." Jessie crouched by the man and rolled him onto his back.

"Are there anymore attacks planned?" He looked from Jessie to Vora and back to Jessie.

"I don't know. I'm just the gun they send out. I don't know any missions besides the ones I'm on." He answered. Jessie grabbed the man's uninjured arm and hauled him up then placed him in his seat. She then motioned for Vora to follow her as she was let out of the room.

The pair then entered the observation room the one-way mirror hid.

John stood up from the chair he had been sitting in and set the datapad in his hand down on a table along the wall.

"You two should work as an interrogation team more often." John commented.

"The man was an ass. Did Niro and S'rin have an easier time with the other Innie?" asked Jess.

"Ask them yourself." John pointed to the door just as S'rin and Niro walked in, looking rather pleased with themselves.

"It was a breeze. The youngster was scared witless just by the fact that we were not Humans." S'rin remarked.

"How did it go for you? Not too well, it seems." Niro asked as he peered around John into the adjoining interrogation room.

"We had to rough him up a bit." Jess shrugged her shoulders. "Vora was quite convincing."

"This information is valuable. We will have to heighten base security one the dignitaries begin to arrive. We do not want another surprised attack."

"The group is working out of one of the civilian sectors in the area." Niro reported.

"Yes, we should investigate their operations base if these 'Innies' as you call them still pose a treat." S'rin said.

"I concur. This meeting with the Humans is too important to allow Human rebels to interrupt." Stated Vora.

"If there is a known Insurrectionist Leader on this planet, it would dictate swift action. Especially if the Leader is active." Said Jess.

"I will speak with Captain Keyes. This may not be over yet. It may be difficult to obtain permission to attack the Insurrectionists if they are operating out of a civilian community. The brass will want to avoid civilian deaths and military action in a civilian sector." Explained the Master Chief.

"Then it is decided. We will wait for permission from the Human leaders before we take any further action. Tell your brass that I wish to be included in their decision. I will not be left out, I have as much right as they do to be 'running this show' as you Humans says." 'Ledum told Chief.

"Will do, Ship Master." With that, John picked up his datapad and the recordings of the two interrogations before leaving the room to find his superiors.

"We will go find Janu and the rest of our party and alert them of the situation." S'rin exited the room followed closely by Niro.

Ship Master 'Ledum cast a glance through the one-way mirror to the sniveling Human he and the she-Demon had dealt with. Jessie had acted as rough with the Human man as he might have thought a Demon would act with a Covenant prisoner of war. He turned back to the woman with him.

"I meant to ask you earlier, how are you feeling?" Jessie's blue eyes looked at him.

"I feel fine. I am very used to getting injured. The Spartan body was built to withstand injuries that would kill or cripple a normal Human being." She responded.

"I am surprised the Human doctor let you out of the med bay so soon. The woman told me you had some form of a biological weapon in your system. She was surprised you lasted so long."

"You are the one who brought me to the medical center?" When Vora nodded his head she continued. "I do not remember."

"When we neared the base you started to become unresponsive. It took a lot on my part to keep you awake. I brought you to the medical bay as soon as we reached the base. The female doctor finally shooed me away about the time you came to." Vora filled Jess in.

She thought for a moment, remembering all she could about her visit to the docotr's lair.

"It was you who was there?" She remembered a pressure on her forearm the whole time. She thought it had been the doctor or some equipment strapped to her.

Vora 'Ledum nearly looked sheepish when he responded. "Yes. It was me. The female doctor went into a tizzy when I would not leave."

Jessie did not know how to respond. It was almost touching that he had stayed by her side from the moment she collapsed to when she was released from the med bay.

"I guess a thank you is in order. I am glad I had someone responsible enough to look out for me when I was in the bio weapon's haze." Jess smiled at Vora and gave him a slight nod. The alien in question seemed to stand a little taller and raise his head.

"You are welcome, Demon." His mandibles splayed in his version of a smile.

"I have told you before. Call me Jessie sometime. I am not always Demon." She scolded, smile still on her lips.

"Only if you will call me Vora. Enough individuals call me Ship Master. It would be nice to hear my given name again."

Jessie held out her hand in a sign of agreement. When Vora shook her hand, she said, "So be it, Vora."

"I agree, Jessie." The two were absorbed in their conversation that when the door creaked behind Vora, he kicked into action. Battle instincts on alert, he pulled Jess behind him by their still clasped hands, swung around to face the intruder, and reached for his rifle.

He heard Jessie voice her protest, but he did not move from his guarding position in front of her or release her hand from his tight grip. Large, four-fingered hand wrapped gingerly around her smaller five-fingered hand.

Vora saw the other she-Demon at the door, looking mighty startled by the Elite.

"Vora, it is alright." Jess placed her other hand against his back and stepped out from behind him, motioning for him to holster his Plasma Rifle with the hand the Elite eventually had let go of.

"I did not know who it was." Vora mentally shook his head at how poor his excuse sounded.

"What do you need, Tiffany?" She asked the other woman.

"I came in here looking for one of interrogation reports. I need nothing from you." Tiffany pushed past Jessie and approached the table.

"You should have questioned one of the prisoners. You need to learn the valuable skill of interrogation." Jess took two steps after the smaller woman.

"I will leave the bullying to the likes of you." Tiffany snapped in her usual tone towards Jessie.

The Zealot stepped forward and approached the other Demon. "Do you not know how to talk to your teammate respectfully?" He scolded and questioned.

"I am doing nothing wrong, Ship Master. And any business between me and her has nothing to do with you." Tiffany sidestepped farther down the length of the table, still searching for the datapad and trying to ignore the large vexed alien.

"It is of my concern. Jessie is under my protection as a member of my ship until she is returned to the custody of Humans. Learn your place or I will do it for you." He growled.

Tiffany blanched at the Elite's use of Jessie's name. First names were very personal among Humans and Spartans. Letting an alien, especially an Elite address you on such a personal, intimate level was out of the question.

"You needn't worry about her being under your command much longer." Tiffany found the pad she was after and promptly fled the room. Leaving behind a slightly shocked Jessie and a vexed Vora.

"Ignore her. It is what works best for me." Jessie told him.

"I do not permit such disrespect among soldiers. Seeing it on such a personal level is shameful." Vora 'Ledum turned back to Jessie.

"Well, it is very common among Humans. We are a species that has enough problems just trying to get along among ourselves. The tension between Tiffany and I is an example."

"I do not like the way she treats you." He admitted.

"Neither do I, but there is not much I can do about it. It won't change unless one of us gets a squad change, dies, or the war ends."

"Do not talk like that. You will not be dying anytime soon."

"I very well could have today."

"But I made sure you did not."

"Touche."

"I could not allow you to die."

Jess smiled at his comment. "I am going to go to the firing range. Would you like to come?"

"Yes. Maybe you could show me how some of your Human weapons work."

"As long as you show me your close quarters skills. Remember what you said back on the Autumn?"

"That I do. Sparring sounds much more interesting. Care to meet me on the mat in half an hour?"

"See you then."

HUMAN BASE-16:30 HOURS

The base had its' own recreation building. The sparring rings and mats were cordoned off in their own individual rooms. Jessie entered the first one to see Vora warming up. The Elite had removed his armor and was clad only in his bodysuit. Jessie was in a pair of light pants, a UNSC shirt and combat boots.

Vora looked up when he heard the woman enter.

"Ready to begin?" He approached her slowly.

She could see the predatory waltz in his gate. He was keyed up and ready to fight.

"Yes." She moved to her left, beginning to circle him rather than the head on approach he had selected.

'Ledum eyes followed her as she moved, looking for a pattern and soon calculating the move she would make next. All his years in the military and more predatory nature honing his senses.

As he predicted her next move, he attacked. He swiftly approached her and punched at her abdomen. She blocked his punch with her right forearm and retaliated with her left fist.

Jessie made to punch his neck, but Vora successfully blocked. He took a step forward and forced Jessie back. If she wanted to make a decent hit, she had to increase the distance between the two of them so she could maneuver.

Jessie back stepped then threw her body at Vora. He dodged her jump and she rolled on the mat, came up in a crouch, then shot to her feet again. While she was still turning to face him again, Vora's fist connected with her shoulder and his hoof pushed her thigh forward, forcing her to her knees.

As he came forward, she rolled underneath him and punched his knees. His step faltered and she stood behind him. They both turned and faced on another at the same time.

Jessie swung at his long neck. Vora blocked her attack and retaliated with a swift punch to the gut. She absorbed the blow then spun on her heel, propelling her other foot into his neck. When he stumbled back she said, "You are holding back. Take the gloves off. I know you can fight better than that."

"As you wish." Ship Master 'Ledum tugged the sleeves of his bodysuit off so his arms up to his elbow were exposed. "You know a Sangheili's talons are part of our natural defenses?" He lifted one hand as an example. Flexing his four fingers and showing her the fine pointed talons that extended off each finger. They were not extremely long or sharp, but they could do damage to a Human's soft flesh.

"An equal fight then." She taunted. Vora produced a low growl and returned to the spar.

The pair exchanged punch after punch. Rotating through being on the defensive and the offensive. Their arms and legs swinging forward in a practiced dance.

Jessie kicked and punched Vora and he kicked and punched her. Vora 'Ledum suddenly swiped Jessie's legs out from under her. As she lost her balance, she punched up and caught the Zealot in the stomach. He grunted and kicked at her.

She tucked and rose to her feet when he grabbed her. She pushed off the mat and forced both of them to crash into the mat. They struggled for dominance when Vora caught Jess around the waist and flipped her underneath him. She punched at his mandibles and face, but his hands caught hers and forced them into the mat above her head.

"I win." Vora panted above her.

"Not by much." She smirked as she responded.

"I am still the victor." His mandibles quivered. He suddenly became very aware of their position on the mat and Jessie's lack of a reaction. His body was settled on top of her. His legs and torso pinning her to the mat as his hands held her wrists down. He could see the faint pink lined his claws had left upon her skin the marks her dull nails had left on him as well. His mandibles fluttered again as he looked down at her.

"Not anymore." Jess thrust her hips up and attempted to roll them over so Vora was the one pinned to the mat, but 'Ledum pushed his larger mass down on her and forced her back down on the mat.

"That did not work out very well, did it?" He smirked above her.

"Asshole." Jessie murmured.

"No need for name calling." Vora lowered his head a bit, inhaling her natural scent. How he was acting like an excitable youngling right now!

"All I need is a good distraction." Vora raised an eyebrow ridge in question. Giving Jessie the distraction she needed.

Next thing the Ship Master knew, his back slammed into the mat and Jessie was straddling him; her knees pressed into his sides to keep him down. She leaned over him and pressed his wrists into to the floor.

"Who's the winner now?" Jess looked down at Vora's face, shocked at the quick change in position.

"I can still fight back." He lifted his long neck and head to tap her chin with the crown of his head. "You don't have any way to counter being pinned."

"I just did, didn't I?" Vora brought his head up to hit her chin as his answer to her remark. He bumped hie head forcefully into her chin until she was forced to lift her head out of the way, exposing her neck to him.

The Zealot tried to repress a shudder at the sight. In Sangheilian culture, a female exposing her neck to a male was an extremely intimate and submissive action. He leaned forward and lightly skimmed his mandibles along her collar bone and emitted a small, husky bark to make her lower her head and return her attention to him.

"Are you alright?" Her voice was low and quiet. Vora could visibly see goosebumps form where he had brushed his mandibles against her skin. He let out a soft rumble at the sight.

"Do you know what you just did?" voice deep and throaty.

Jessie looked down at him confused. "No."

Vora let out a soft sigh. "How do I say this?" He paused. "In Sangheilian culture, when a female exposes her neck to a male, in the same fashion you did to me, it is considered a very intimate and submissive action. Especially between mates."

"Oh." A light pink color danced across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. "I am sorry. I did not know." She spluttered.

Vora gave a faint chuckle. "I did not mind." He watched as Jess' eyes widened and she stared down at him. He lifted his neck and batted her chin with his head again. She did not move her head away. "Won't move now, will you?" He taunted.

"I do not know if I should." She mumbled.

"Easy enough to fix." Vora's mandibles moved to Jessie's chin and cheek. He gently brushed them against her cheekbone and chin. Sliding his mandible and teeth back and forth on the smooth skin. He drug his mandibles down the length of her cheek and nibbled at the soft skin. Vora nipped at the warm skin directly over her pulse. He could feel it quicken in response to his ministrations and he emitted a satisfied purr. When Vora's tongue lightly licked her pulse, she finally moved her head to expose her neck in full to him. Vora growled possessively when Jessie let out a soft gasp and his mandibles nipped their way down her neck in appreciation of the gentle sound she vocalized for him.

Now he really was actin like an excitable, hormonal youngling!

He removed his mandibles from her neck and looked up at her. Vora's orange-copper eyes were half drooped as he looked up at her. When she lowered her head to gaze back at him, her dark blue eyes were in the same condition.

"I say I still hold the advantage." Vora murmured.

"For now." Jess said in a defiant tone that was not reflected in her body language.

"Your body does not seem to think so." Vora indicated her loosened grip on his wrists, legs tightly pressed into his hips, and flushed face.

"Shut up." Jessie grinned down at him. "You may have won this round, but I will want a rematch." She then removed herself from straddling his hips and offered a hand to help him up.

Vora excepted her outstretched hand and Jess pulled him up. "Then we will have a rematch one of these days."

Vora snatched up his gloves and began to slide them over his hands. "Why did you not react as you normally do? If you do not mind me asking." Her already flushed face, turned slighter pink color. Vora's mandibles flared in a smirk and in curiosity.

Jessie rubbed the back of her neck. "I am fine when I fight. And for the most recent circumstance, I was-uh, caught up in the moment." Jessie answered.

"Fair enough. I am sorry to inform you that I must go. I have a meeting very soon. I bid you well." As Vora passed, he allowed his gloved fingers to gentle trace over her shoulder and down her arm. Once again, she did not react to his touch.

Was it only Human touch that bothered her?

HUMAN BASE-17:20 HOURS

Jessie looked into the mirror in her quarters on the base. She had faint pink scratch marks running down her arms and faint pink lines tracing the contours of her neck. She looked like she had gotten into a fight with a tree, and lost.

But she knew not where those marks had come from, but who the marks had come from.

Jess hoped Niro, Janu, and S'rin, or any of the other Sangheili for that matter, noticed the marks. If they did, they would more than likely know how they came to grace her pale body. Maybe not know that exact someone, but know it was a Sangheili none the less.

She placed a finger over the worst of the marks. It was a red suckle mark right over her pulse on her neck. When she had unwillingly let out a gasp when Vora had passed over her pulse, he made sure to pay extra attention to the spot.

Normally, she was supposed to report any fraternization or unwanted advances to her superiors. During her entire encounter with Vora, that never came to her mind.

HUMAN BASE-18:30 HOURS

Ship Master Vora 'Ledum paced down the long halls of the base as he left his meeting. Thoughts running through his mind. The one that constantly pushed to the forefront of his mind was his encounter with Jessie.

It had been a long time since Vora had been around a female. He had never taken a mate while on Sanghelios and most of his past relationships had been short due to his undying devotion to the military.

His mind wandered back to the moment when he had her pinned under him and the complete dominance that had flowed through his veins. And when she had exposed her neck to him and he had taken advantage of the unprotected flesh.

He had quiet enjoyed himself.

Vora also thought about the end of the little encounter. His pheromone levels had jumped during the encounter. Jessie's close proximity to his body and the length of time she had spent with him had surrounded her with his scent.

Any Sangheili who would go near Jessie wold easily be able to smell him on her. A subliminal claim on the female and a mark to all other males telling them that the female was of interest to another male and if he wanted the female, he would have to go through the male who's scent clung to her body. It was not Vora's claiming scent he would use on a mate, but more of a challenging scent. One to alert other males of his presence in the female's life.

He felt prideful thinking that his scent clung to the strong Demon's body. Vora's mandibles flared at the thought of the reactions he would get out of his ground party. The Sangheili would be astounded of the smell on the Human. Only Janu, Niro, or S'rin would have the audacity to approach the Ship Master.

Vora continued down the hall, mind occupied by personal thoughts.

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-Masterful-Mind