This realization certainly took its toll on what was left of my nerves. Here I was, alone in a dark room with a Covenant soldier--and not an inexperienced one--but one of the highest-ranking soldiers in the Covenant military. Maybe killing me would promote him to an even higher level. When I next glanced up, the energy sword was resting at the front of my neck, and the Elite was focused on something standing in the doorway.

"You needn't continuously 'check up' on me, Ulerakath," he called in his deep voice, removing the sword. "I can handle her alone."

The Elite that stood in the doorway snorted and shook his dinosaur-like head. "The Arbiter has ordered her present at the Council meeting. You'd do well not to daudle."

"I know not of which you speak! What Council meeting? Why was I not informed of this!"

"Perhaps the Council did not see it fit that you be aware of the meeting beforehand...rank does not determine who the Council informs and who they do not." Ulerakath(as I assumed that was his name), again shook his head quickly, and raked his tear-shaped yellow eyes over my naked body before leaving. I could hear my Elite breathing heavily, as though greatly angered, and then he turned to face me.

He slipped one armoured arm under my own and pulled me roughly to my feet. With the light from the sword, I was able to see a set of stairs leading up to the doorway, which I had not realized stood a level above me. He pushed me forward, and I was surprised that I was able to walk--apparently the water--or whatever it was--had improved my coordination. I was also shocked that he had taken my handcuffs off before making me walk. It would give me the chance to escape--though I doubted I would actually succeed. He had a full suit of armour, with many weapons attached--and his energy sword.

I quickly ruled out the idea of escaping now.

When I reached the steps, I found them to be extremely narrow and extremely steep. I lifted my foot to step onto the first stair, but misjudged the height of it and crumpled painfully to the floor. My Elite made an expression which I took to be one of utmost annoyance, before pulling me again to my feet. He then picked me up and carried me with one arm under my knees and the other behind my neck(the sword still menacingly there as well), up the stairs and out the door.

I blinked at the change in light, as the creature set me down.I suddenly remembered that I was still totally nude, and that in the light this Elite would be able to see me more...clearly. So, taking a chance, I moved my arms across my chest to shield my breasts from his view.

He seemed to get the message, because he snatched a large cloth of some kind from his utility belt, and held it out to me. Nodding to indicate my thanks, I took the cloth and wrapped it around myself, checking and double-checking to make sure I was completely covered. He watched me for a moment, before once again shoving me forward and moving behind me, so that I preceeded him to our destination.

I walked, only semi-clumsily along, and only when he grabbed my shoulder in a painful grip, did I stop.

"The Council will expect you in better condition than what you are in," he told me, spinning me around to face him. His head was turned slightly to one side. I assumed that he had to do so in order to focus directly on me, because his eyes were on each side of his head. "You will wash yourself here." He still held my shoulder(his sword had been deactivated and placed elsewhere), and the other clawed hand motioned for me to enter a room to my left.

I saw something that looked similar to a bath tub, and walked up to it, the Elite's eyes watching me carefully in case I decided to escape. I moved as far away from him as I could without passing the tub, and then...

I bolted.

I could hear the metal armour on his feet echoing throughout the room as he ran after me, and heard a noise that sounded frighteningly like the sound a gun makes when being loaded. I skidded to avoid crashing into a solid wall, and then turned to run down a hallway. But it ended, when I tripped and fell to the ground, skidding along the cold, rough floor for a few feet, and then lay there, breathing hard.

Within moments, the Elite had picked me up, slammed me against the wall, and pinned me there. He held a miniature beam rifle to my right temple.

"Do you not understand young one?" he growled in my ear, split mouth opening in every direction with each syllable spoken. "Do you have no desire to live?"

Shaking in fear, I shook my head.

He breathed out sharply, and then whispered, "If the Council discovers you have tried to escape, your life will end in less than a minute." He paused for a moment, as if thinking. "I have no intentions of letting them discover that fact."