What can I say? Having friends in high places had its perks.

I sure was glad to see Ludo again after all this time. Although it seemed highly unlikely, I had for some reason thought that he too was killed during the Elite genocide. But not only was he alive and well, but also carrying the legendary Fist of Rukt that was for generations passed down through the ruling family line from one Chieftain of the Brutes to the next. Funny how things tend to work out in the end.

I was even more glad that he had saved me from becoming Flood food, despite not even recognizing me from afar. It would seem that he had grown greatly in the time since I'd last seen him; I've seen what he's done to enemies in the past, and needless to say it was never pretty. Closed casket funerals for sure.

Then there was that rocky introduction between me and Kobul. It was the second time I found myself in a situation like that, being mistaken for someone, something that I wasn't. Being mistaken for a monster. But again, Ludo made a leadership decision and neutralized the situation before it got too out of hand. He felt I shouldn't have to explain myself to every common foot soldier we came across, least of all the irrational ones. And as right hand to the Shipmaster Rtas 'Vadum, he was able to grant me an audience.

I had ten minutes to plead my case before the Shipmaster had to meet with the Humans.

"Why have you brought this putrid, murderous mongrel before me?" he began, addressing Ludo instead of me.

We were off to a terrific start. This was going about as well as I thought it would. Well, actually no. He had taken out an energy sword yet.

He went on, "As an Elite of your reputation, I expect you to set an example for the others. That should go without saying. We are to show their kind absolutely zero mercy, as they have shown none to us."

Ludo simply stood back and nodded. I assumed he was used to these patriotic speeches by now. However, I didn't exactly appreciate being grouped in with the jealous and weak-minded Jiralhanae who took part in that horrific massacre.

Our two species have always had a sort of rivalry, but it was mostly brotherly in nature. It was the Prophets who tugged on those strings. We had fought alongside the Elites for years, then overnight, willingly carried out an order to wipe them from existence. For what you may ask? An opportunity to be the Prophet's main protectors. A chance at the 'good life' so many of us had envied for so long.

But I was my own Brute. There were a few of us, and I do mean few, who resisted and refused to take part. As a result, we, the defiant in the face of utter evil and corruption, were targeted right along with the Elites and killed off just the same. I could still hear my former pack master's voice growling down at me before he shot me with my own mauler.

"Spineless cur. You care so much about these foolish creatures, you can die with them too."

Blam!

At times that I didn't have my power armor on, I would use a finger to lightly trace the scarred tissue which formed a perfect ring in the center of my furry chest. I caught myself absently pawing at my armor to do exactly that, then stepped forward.

"Shipmaster," I said respectfully. "I understand your aggression toward my species, as that same aggression burns deep within my very own veins like an endless flame. I only ask for you not to condemn the righteous among us to generalization. There are still some of us who fight for good."

'Vadum sized me up.

He inquired, "And am I to believe that you are one of them?"

"You are. I know that's asking for a lot, but so has been staying alive as a Brute in my position. There were three of us, originally."

"What happened to the others?" 'Vadum wanted to know.

"Atlas got captured by Truth's Brutes while out on reconnaissance. They made a public display of him. Said he was a traitor to his own kind. There was nothing we could do," I explained regretfully.

"We?"

"Rex. He and I had to watch while they burned Atlas alive, ordered by the Prophet of Truth himself."

"Where is this 'Rex'?"

I sighed as I recalled the mayhem that claimed my other friend's life. We three had become more than just friends; we were like pack mates. We had formed our own pack.

"Not long after what happened to Atlas," I continued. "Rex and I confronted one of Truth's lances on the outskirts of a small town not far from here. We were outnumbered, but nothing we hadn't experienced since escaping the purge back on the second ring. However, what we hadn't planned on was the Humans showing up. When they did, all they saw were a bunch of Brutes fighting each other. Rex was killed by one of their grenades."

'Vadum walked right up to me. Ludo was like a purple statue in the background.

"So how did you make it out alive?" the Shipmaster asked, staring me square in the eye.

I said nothing.

"Did you kill the Humans?"

"I did what I had to do."

That earned a nod. A single, very slow, almost imperceptible tilt of the head. The gesture translated wordlessly into understanding, approval. It was all a matter of respect with 'Vadum, I'd noticed. I took the following pause of silence as my cue to resume, so I did.

"After that battle I decided to head back to our Prowler, but by then the Flood had arrived. I survived with another pack of Truth's Brutes who thought I was one of them," I told him with a tap of my borrowed Minor's helmet. "Eventually it was just me and the Flood."

'Vadum stayed quiet a long time. He turned away from me with both hands clasped together behind his back. He seemed to have retreated into his mind while he came to a decision. Finally, he turned to me once more.

"You have my trust, Jiralhanae. Do not make me regret it," he said. "I believe you. Though I cannot promise that the Humans will feel the same way, especially not after what you just told me. Our alliance with them is hanging on by a thread. Your appearance may only serve to jeopardize that by causing them to distrust us, which is not something I need right now. I need you to stay out of sight."

What?

"With all due respect, Shipmaster, I didn't survive all the way until now just to sit this one out. This is as much my fight as it is yours or theirs. Please, let me help in any way I can."

'Vadum considered this a moment. Then his face lit up with an idea. He turned to me. I gulped.

"How deep undercover have you gone before?"

I answered honestly, "Just the one time I mentioned, why?"

"We need to get you close to the Prophet of Truth."

Uh-oh.

"...How close?"

I had a gut feeling that I wasn't going to like the Shipmaster's plan. After he laid it out for me over the next few minutes, I noted that, as usual, gut had been right. I didn't like the plan at all. But like he said, I was a wild card. And if all else failed, I would be his ace in the hole. Everything, the fate of the entire galaxy, would depend on my actions.

I hoped it wouldn't come to that.