Sup? Lighting Wolf here, back with another story, this one about halo. Enjoy the 800-word chapter. I don't own Halo, Microsoft, and 343.

(Urs system, Sanghelios)

"Connection status: Secure." Arbiter heard as he tapped a few keys on his war table.

"Are you sure this is wise?" One of his men asked only for the Sword of Sanghelios leader to hold a hand up.

"Yes," Arbiter stated before he closed his eyes. "Zeth Moc?" Arbiter asked as the hologram slowly formed a shape.

"Kig Yar…" The soldier behind him stated to himself.

The image was of a Kig Yar, specifically a Ruuhtian or 'skirmisher' as the humans named them. The feathered warrior wore customized champion armor which was formerly a piece of covenant armor. He rose to his full height as he tilted his head.

"Thel 'Vadam," Zeth stated while he cleared his throat. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" Zeth questioned as the Kig Yar crossed his arms.

"I require your services," Arbiter stated with a sigh. "I assume you were expecting this call?" Arbiter said as Zeth shook his head.

'Have the AI's plans become so dire that I request aid from a pirate?' Arbiter thought as Zeth shook his head.

"No, I did not expect any transactions since the battle of T'Vao," Zeth stated while he started to pace. "Where Harbinger of Absolution was captured. You forget I had no interest in the war or the Prophet's genocidal power plays." Zeth added with a finger at the Sangheili.

Arbiter was silent. He was well aware Zeth was a very cunning and skilled warrior. He had been put on a list of covenant enemies who might pose a threat… But aside from a few clashes with covenant forces? The kig yar was content to await the death of the war.

"That cruiser did not belong to you." The Sangheili stated before Arbiter held up his hand.

"The use of T'Vao's gravity to disable the ship with an EMP minefield was cunning." Arbiter stated as he cleared his throat. "The Banished have struck the galaxy. I am aware that the Banished looked to recruit many of the kig yar." Arbiter added as Zeth shrugged.

"I do not believe in Atriox slaughter and destruction," Zeth responded while he cleared his throat. "Why did you send a message to Harbinger? The Swords of Sanghelios do not employ kig yar. I bare no ill will towards the Sangheili who attacked my home." Zeth said before he tapped his claws together.

"The arbiter does not make idle chatter," Zeth stated. "Tell me what you need. I and my clan are neutral and the only loyalty I have is towards my crews and clan." Zeth added while he closed his golden eyes.

Arbiter sighed as he pivoted. The hatred between the Sangheili and Kig Yar was known to both of them. Arbiter knew many of his people considered Zeth's to be greedy, unloyalty, dishonorable pirates… Zeth's considered them to be traditionalistic fools.

"What is your price?" Arbiter questioned as Zeth rubbed at his chin. "I want an ally, Zeth. I know you have a code many of your people lack." Arbiter added while Zeth sighed.

"My clan and crews' price stays the usual number," Zeth stated as his eyes opened. "And any Banished salvage belongs to me. My clan depends on me for their future…. What is it you need of me?" Zeth asked as he crossed his arms.

"The humans have journeyed to one of the rings to stop Cortana." Arbiter stated while he cleared his throat. "I have sent reinforcements to assist them, but I need a unit who can hunt the Banished and run raids…" Arbiter added as Zeth sighed.

"Then we will handle it," Zeth responded while he cleared his throat. "But we WILL be compensated, my warriors are NOT cannon fodder like the covenant and banished think. I will NOT throw their lives away without knowing they are paid first." Zeth added to the arbiter.

There was a bite of venom within his tone. Zeth's reputation as a pragmatic but fair pirate. He cleared his throat as he stared down at the elite.

"Fair enough," Arbiter stated before he sighed off.

(Harbinger of absolution)

Zeth looked at the hologram projector and rubbed at his beak. He tired of these pointless holy wars… But if there was to be payment? He supposed he could handle the arbiter's task.

Author Notes

Phew. The first chapter is done! I just finished Infinite and wanted to write a story based on it. I wanted to do a brute story, but I decided against it. The next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show Zeth talking to his men and setting up the villain of the story. Until the 900–6500-word chapters and such. Lighting Wolf out!