We Have Got to Stop Meeting Like This...

"Chief!"

Hot breath scorched across the thick under layer of his suit. A low, predatory growl in his ear and a clack of mandibles. A heavy weight pressed low into his back, the wall cracking some from the impact. The energy sword buzzed in his faceplate, dancing in his face as a warning. He was not dead yet. And then, he heard it.

Demon.

Possibilities danced in his head, his flight or fight response going haywire as the Elite held him down. This was not Arbiter. This was not him at all. John craned his head back hard as he slammed his head into the Elite as he pushed himself off the wall and grabbed his gun, holstering it tight to his shoulder. He narrowed his eyes some as he looked at the sword in the hand of the white armored Elite.

"So simple to draw the Master Chief…" he said as he circled him. "Too bad it is not who you are looking for.." the Sangheili laughed darkly as he stepped forward as a threat to the Spartan, urging him to make a move.

"Where'd you get that sword?" He asked curiously, searching the room, it was so dark that he could barely see anything on all the walls. But as far as he knew...this was a room with one exit.

"Your ally of course…. he screamed when I ripped it from his hands." The Elite growled out.

A fever of rage ran through him as he immediately started firing. There was no way the Arbiter was gone. John was a flurry of movements, uncaring as he drove at him. The Elite swung back- the sword unskilled in his hand as John blocked his arm and delivered a blow to his sternum with a heavy force. He dipped under his arm as he shouted loudly, straight into his blind spot. With years of fighting against the Covenant, John was skilled in how to take them. If you kept close and to the side and back of them, they could not keep up with the human's flexibility. John delivered another blow to its back as he grabbed its arm that held the sword. They struggled for dominance as John locked his boots to the floor and pulled downwards.

A sickening snap from the Sangheili's arm and a pained cry echoed in the room. The elbow was bent in a way that it did not need to be, the alien on its knees- sitting at chest height. John immediately snatched the sword from his hand, holding it to the creature's neck. The energy sword was just barely buzzing against his skin.

"Where is he?" John snarled, forcing him to tilt his head back to look at him. The alien panted, a growl rumbling from his gut. "I won't ask again! Where is he?!" John's voice boomed. He was shaking. He didn't know who was alive, who was dead. If there was a small chance that Arbiter had survived… he would find him.

"If you promise my life I will tell you." He huffed out, closing his yellow eyes. John only nodded to confirm. "He is in the lower levels…" the Elite spoke, agony lacing his voice. "I locked them away from retrieval for Tovarus and Hyperius…." The Spartan grit his teeth before he drove the blade into his neck. The Elites' eyes wide at the deception from the human. The body clattered to the floor, gargling on his blood that pooled from his neck.John deactivated the sword as he stuck it on his back and headed back for the console. Weapon stood there, a concerned looopk on her face as she curled her lip.

"You said you were going to let him go…"

"I lied." John said as he waited at the console, "There's a lower chamber, can you find it?" He asked curiously. The concerned AI just nodded as she turned away slowly, going back through the data stream at her fingertips. A light flickered some as a door opened deep inside of the room. It was much bigger than he thought. John held out his hand to take the AI back into his suit as he began back towards the new doorway. Weapon was quiet for a while as they continued down. This place was mostly barren.

"So… the Arbiter. Who is he?" She asked curiously.

"A friend. Helped me secure Earth when the Covenant attacked and the Flood was released." He explained softly, checking his corners. He let his scanner throughout the structure, nothing popped up in his HUD.

"I see. And he is Sangheili?"

"He is."

"Hard to imagine that the UNSC took them on as an ally. After everything they did."

"Sometimes when we have new information, we tend to change our minds." John said, the AI just replying with a 'hm', as if she understood.

Another door opened up into a long, large corridor. John looked around, the ceiling several meters high with several support beams holding the roof up in intricate designs. Amongst it, dead bodies of a large team of Brutes, Elites, and Skirmishers. The corpses were everywhere. Plasma burns covered the pillars along with blood, painting it with its vibrant and dark hues. He recognized the armor of the Sword of Sangheilios warriors. John could do nothing but frown.

"I'm getting Biometric readings on the left far side of the hall, top floor." She said, "Hopefully it's not another trap." John followed her instructions, heading for the ramp in the middle of the room that allowed him to reach the second level. There were several doors locked as he walked by, the small windows allowing him to peer through. "That one. Hold on, let me get the door." She said as he held his hand up to the small pillar open to the entrance that was marked with plasma marks itself. The door slightly, jamming as it repeatedly tried to open. John holstered his weapon as he put his hands through, prying it open with his strength. Standing there, in a locked passageway were four Sangheili. They were battle worn and tired looking, purple blood on the floor; someone was injured. A large Elite stood from its haunches, the decorated helmet of the Arbiter in the pale blue light.

"I was unsure of your survival. I am glad you still stand." The deep voice spoke, the rumble coursing through the Chief's body. He was happy to see the Elite still breathing, he had himself worried for a second.

"It's been a while. " John replied as he lowered his weapon, running his eyes over the Arbiter's body. "Good to see you too." John approached, taking the proper greeting as they clasped forearms tightly. "What happened here?" A sigh left his mandibles as he looked at his men.

"We wished to help at a rescue for your downed Flagship. We knew of the destruction but my world was still in turmoil. When we finally arrived at the location of Zeta, we had found the Banished and decided our best course of action would be to infiltrate. However- our secrecy only lasted so long, as you can tell. They flooded the ruins like vermin." He snarled, "We retreated- most of my men were slaughtered in the battle, to preserve us, N'thoso damaged the lock to seal us inside." A dark armored Elite looked up at the mention of his name, clutching his side to keep the wound closed best he could.John nodded some as he listened, understanding the reasoning.

"Let's get you out of here and back to base. Take care of your wounded."

"A grand idea." The Sangheili leader nodded his head to his men as they made their way out of the passageway they hid in as they headed back to the ramp on the far side of the room, the warrior scavenging what ammo and guns they could to defend themselves in case. John perked up as he reached behind him, falling back to the side of the large Elite.

"Found this upstairs." John said as he handed the hilt of the sword back to the Arbiter. The Sangheili gaped in surprise as he took the hilt back- powering it up to make sure it still worked, which it did. He only nodded in thanks as he strapped it back to his side.

Weapon opened up the COM channel once they got close to the entrance, calling for ECHO 216 to pick them up- explaining that the Chief had found some friends. When the Arbiter had heard the female voice, he turned to look at the Spartan, eyes narrowing. The Spartan just held up his hand, "I'll explain once we get back."

Echo 216 was not happy to see the Chief, surrounded by a team of three Sangheili and one standing out in very intricate armor. He was wary of landing, afraid he had been captured and the Sangheili were demanding their ship. But it seeed calm as the Chief let the Elites board before him, following suit as he came up to the cockpit.

"When you said friends this is not what I had in mind!" The Spanish man hissed at him in a low tone. John's head tilted down as he assessed the others' vitals. He was clearly stressed.

"Relax." He said as he put his hand up in the holder for take off. "Take us back to FOB Bravo." The man hesitated as he saw N'thoso poked around the Chiefs large frame- mandibles opened wide as they wiggled in curiosity. Fernando just recoiled in disgust at the drool that dropped from its mandibles before retreating to the controls.

John stood silently as the back of the Pelican closed, leaving the aliens in the dark with the Chief. They were scrunched in, banging shoulder to shoulder as the rocky bird's engine delivered them to their location. The Elites talked amongst themselves, however John could feel the angry gaze at the back of his helmet. He turned over his shoulder to see Arbiter just glaring at him. He knew the Sangheili had a lot of questions.

Once they landed, John made his way to the cockpit, holding out his hand for the AI to go into the ship's systems. "Hey, what's going on?" She asked curiously with a frown.

"Stay here with Echo 216. I will come get you once I'm done."

"What?" She asked in an angry tone before she turned to the pilot. "Not that I mind, it's just I don't understand what's going on?" The exasperated tone reminded him of his old friend as she threw her arms about, walking across the controls.

"I will explain later. For right now, stay here. And you," John pointed to Fernando. "Keep her safe." With that he turned and headed for the hatch, the Marines standing around, obviously recognizing the Arbiter in his armor, or at least knowing of him enough as not to shoot. The super soldier led them out as they headed for the decking plates of the FOB. The Marines took good care of it, putting a long strip of camouflage netting over the main base to allow for a bit more cover. They had used the old connex like boxes that the Banished had left as some sort of quarters to rest and store things.

The Arbiter waved off his men to seek medical attention and help the Marines where they could as he followed him up the ramp. His large feet clacking ominously as he looked around. It was as good a base as any. The humans were remarkably good with meager living conditions when they needed to be.

John stood on the deck, looking out as the makeshift sun rose and cascaded over the water in front of the base. He tried to think of what he needed to tell the Arbiter as the alien's patience wore thinner by the second.

"Do you wish to explain yourself now? Why does the construct Cortana remain intact?" He asked. There was a growl of irritation in his voice. Clearly he was upset, nor was he filled in from the last couple of months.

"It's not her." He said finally after a moment. "Operation: WOLFE….Dr. Halsey sent us to CASTLE base to retrieve a small portion of her cloned brain to create an exact copy of her. She removed all the corruptible data from her so that she could not be compromised. She was dispersed here to imitate Cortana to lock her down for retrieval. Weapon was to be destroyed once she was retrieved from the installation. However, that didn't happen." He explained.

"Why not?" Arbiter demanded, stamping his foot like an angry child.

"I'm not sure, we're still figuring that out now." He explained. "Remnants of Cortana are still in this Ring. Within the Forerunner structures." John explained to him with a small frown on his face, glad for it to be hidden under his helmet. The arbiter was quiet for a long time before he walked up to him, standing as they both stood to the sun. "We've been piecing it together."

"I see. I apologize for my conclusions on the matter," the Sangheili said as he straightened up. "Bring me up to speed on the things you have learned so far?" John turned to look up at him, nodding curtly as he turned to the console and brought up the map to explain everything he had learned about the Banished.

From their hatred of the humans and the Spartans, the Excavation site and Conservatory... John explained that the Banished were looking for the Endless and to revive the ring into proper functionality with the Habringer's help. His next stop was the Spire. He wished to know what they were looking for there. And a possibility that it needed to be destroyed.

The Arbiter listened intently as the Chief recapped everything. He just soaked in the information. Understanding that now, this was no longer a rescue mission. He could no longer sit back and watch from afar. He could not leave the Chief to their own devices. He ordered for a long moment.

"What is your mission now?"

"To stop the Banished and keep them from restoring the Ring. Find out what they're looking for." John said, as if it were obvious. And it was. The Arbiter just needed the confirmation.

"It is decided then."

"What's dec-"

"The Sword of Sanghelios will not stand idly by while your men struggle in this battle. We offer our blades."

"Are you sure about that?" John asked. He would understand getting his men out of here after losing so many. He would understand that they needed to get back to their ship, back to Sangheilios to repair their numbers.

"I am sure. I cannot allow a friend in need to delve into the pits of hell without aid." He spoke confidently. "Your perseverance is admirable. I will be honored to fight by your side once more as comrades." The Arbiter said, holding out his hand. John was stunned. He did not know what to say. To hear these words. To know that the Arbiter stood by his side once more out of respect and knowing the need for it. John reached out and clasped his arm in mutual agreement.

"Thank you." John said as the Elite lingered in their arm grab. He squeezed his forearm hard, before letting the Chief slip from his strange four fingered grasp. The Elite nodded as he turned to call for his men. They would need medical attention first- ask for reinforcements from their main ship out in the outskirts of the Halo ring to keep from being spotted.

Sometime later, John went back a little while later for the AI. He could hear Fernando laughing with her. He pursed his lips as he came into the cockpit, seeing a smile on both of their faces. "Oh if it isn't Mister Secretive!" She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "How was your secret meeting?" John did not say anything as he held his hand out to her. He squeezed his hand shut and opened it, urging her to come to him. She let out an irritated sigh, "You know at least Fernando is nice to me." She said as she crossed over. John looked to the pilot, who was holding back a small laugh. At least he had a name.

"I am nice to you." He spoke as he retreated towards the back end of the Pelican to hop out. He didn't take it to heart though, he knew that she would only be upset for a little while. He made his way back to the FOB- putting her into the system as she popped back up. She looked around, smiling at the Elites that surrounded her.

"I need you to take their IFF tags so that they show up as friendlies." John said.

"Of course." She said softly, registering their armor in the IFF to show up as allies. John nodded some, looking at the Arbiter.

"You and your men get some rest, we'll regroup later." John said, the Sangheili had only nodded as he motioned his men to disperse, the Elite staring for a moment before turning his back to the soldier and following his men out.

Thought that was Arbiter at the beginning didn't you? Got'cha.