Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Halo they are Microsoft and Bungie's. The only thing I own is what I add to the Halo Universe and the characters I add.

The rating for this story is PG got violence and language.

A New Covenant

Chapter 3 The Arrival

Ninth Age of Reclaimation/ October 2552

Sol System/ Earth's Orbit

The Forerunner ship comes out of slip space and moves toward Earth. "We've got a new contact, unknown classification." announced one of the Cairo's bridge crew, a young female officer named Patricia Messer.

Lord Hood turned to Messer and said, "It isn't one of ours take it out."

There was a long pause then the com crackled to life with static then a familiar voice came over the static and said, "This is Spartan 117, can anyone hear me? Over."

Lord Hood immediately says, "Master Chief. Do you mind telling me what you're doing on that ship?"

"Sir, finishing this fight," replied the Master Chief.

Immediately bridge officer Messer jumps up and yells, "Sir, twenty-six Covenant ships coming out of slip space five hundred kilometers off the port side."

Lord Hood looks around the bridge knowing the Cairo couldn't take another assault of that magnitude then says, "Put it on screen."

Messer quickly adds, "Sir, we are being hailed."

"On screen," ordered Lord Hood.

The view screen on the bridge flickered to life with the face of a silver armored Elite along with a white armored Elite that is missing half its jaw. The silver Elite says, "Humanity we are the Sangheili the once super power of the Covenant. We come in peace. We have a common enemy. Truth and his Covenant. We are here to continue the alliance we formed with your warriors of Delta Halo. We mean you no harm. We have information that would greatly turn the tides of this war in your favor."

Lord Hood, not believing his ears, radios the Master Chief saying, "Did you get that? Do you think we can trust them?"

Before the Master Chief could answer Commander Keyes comes on the view screen saying, "Lord Hood, you can trust the Elites. They helped us stop Halo from firing. Now they are here to help us again. Lord Hood the Elite's eyes have been opened. They are truly sorry for what they did to the Human race. They have vowed never to harm another Human."

In the back ground on the bridge of the Covenant ship everyone are making preparations for the up coming battles. The communications officer Oyho Guasee, comes up to Commander Pharr and says, "Sir, if we have any space battles how are the Humans going to know our ships from the Covenant ships?"

Commander Pharr, realizing the importance of the question turns to Guasee and says, "We will have the Humans tag our twenty-six ships so we show up yellow on their screen instead of red."

The Master Chief, still on the Forerunner ship radios Lord Hood saying, "On their Holy City I saw the Brutes killing the Elites. I think they are sincere. Have them use their comlink to let their warriors know of an end of hostilities toward the humans and to assist us. I would accept their alliance if it were me."

The Arbiter hearing the Demons voice gets on the radio and says, "Demon," then with a laugh in his voice continues, "At least we didn't blow up another ring. However, we just need to blow up an Ark."

The Master Chief recognizing the voice says, "An Ark? You will have to explain that to me later."

Commander Keyes says to Lord Hood, "Sir, are you going to accept the alliance or not?"

Lord Hood replies with skepticism in his voice, "Yes for now. But if they break it them all bets are off."

Commander Keyes says, "They won't be breaking it. And sir, get the Master Chief off that ship. He needs to be present for what we will be telling you."

Lord Hood gets on the radio and says, "Master Chief get off that ship and onto the Cairo ASAP," then says, "Elite ships you may dock. Commander Keyes when your ship docks, I want to see you and your party in my ready room to fill me in on what is going on. And don't make me wait."

Commander Keyes turns to the Arbiter and says, "We are going to have to prove it to them. Do you mind subjecting yourself to a DNA test along with myself?"

The Arbiter replies, "I don't mind. If that would prove to them that we are sincere then I'd be happy to."

Commander Keyes looks at the Arbiter and smiles then says, "That would be great. You will not be alone. I'll be there with you. And let's not forget we will both have our little friend the Monitor."

Commander R'tas looks at Commander Pharr and says, "Prepare the ship for docking."

Commander Pharr replies, "Yes, sir."

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The bridge on the Seeker of Light was a very busy place. Communications were coming and going. Coordinates were being received and sent. Every place Sangheili and Humans were getting everything ready. To the Sangheili it felt like a homecoming. They were now excited to see Humanity. Their hearts were heavy because of the way they tried to kill off their brothers, but now that has all changed. they are ready to prove themselves as a means of repayment.

The Seeker of Light docks with the Cairo. Commander R'tas and the Arbiter follow Commander Keyes and Sergeant Johnson onto the docking bay. Commander R'tas says to Commander Keyes, "We could send for some of our Engineers and get the repairs done. That way this great station doesn't fall if the Covenant tries to attack soon."

Commander Keyes says, "Yes, that would be nice. I'm sure Lord Hood would appreciate all the help he could get. Let's tell him when we have the meeting."

The group made their way through the partially destroyed station. A young female Marine named Heather Carter met them at the door of the waiting room and said, "Have a seat there will be a small delay. Lord Hood and the Master Chief are on their way."

The Arbiter and Commander R'tas started talking to each other as they were looking out the window. Commander R'tas says to the Arbiter in a very serious tone, "Arbiter, I told you once the armor suited you but it can not hide that mark. Well they mark doesn't suit you at all. You seem to have been chosen for great things. The Sangheili are whole again. The sacred armor does suit you. I'm happy to call you my brother."

The Arbiter replies, "I'm honored to call you my brother. But we are treading on uncharted territory here. What if this Lord Hood rejects us?"

Sergeant Johnson overhearing this comes up to the two Elites and says, "If he rejects you then I'll have to kick his pansy ass. As far as a mark, what kind of a mark do you have?"

A single tear formed in the brown eyes of the Arbiter as he thought about the pain and torture he went through. Feeling a little uncomfortable talking about his shame finally says, "I was branded by the Prophets with the Mark of Shame, for the destruction of the first Halo. I shall have to bear this shame for all time."

Sergeant Johnson looked up at the tall Elite and says, "You mean like a scar? Hell, we have medical technicians here on the Cairo that could remove it."

The Arbiter, finally letting everything sink in, his eyes wide with shock and his mandibles moving into a grin, feeling almost excited says, "Can it be so? Since our faith was false could my soul really not be marked also?"

Sergeant Johnson says, "I'm not religious but I do know that a soul can't be marked by a burning of the flesh. Besides a soul can be cleansed by praying anyway. But I said I'm not religious. I'll take you to a person who could answer all those questions when we are done here. Then we will go have that scar removed."

Commander R'tas looked at the Arbiter and says, "Brother, if this works could you show me? Maybe they could help me with my mandible problem. I'd love to eat again and not make a mess."

Sergeant Johnson said to Commander R'tas, "Hey they could fix your mandibles too. We have prosthetics and can make prosthetics for damn near any part of the body. Teeth too," with that said Johnson proceeded to take out his bottom teeth.

Commander R'tas and the Arbiter look at the dark skinned Human in astonishment. Commander R'tas was the first to speak. He said with excitement, "I'm going. Prosthetic mandibles are better than no mandibles at all. Brother we are truly home."

Just then the door opened and Lord Hood motioned for them to follow him. The group of two Elites, two Humans, and the Monitor followed him into his ready room and took a seat. They proceeded to tell Lord Hood and the Master Chief the events on Delta Halo and about all of them being Forerunner. Lord Hood looked a little skeptical but with the DNA evidence Commander Keyes brought with her he couldn't deny the truth.

The Master Chief looked at the Arbiter through his shield then says, "Arbiter, lets finish this fight. Together."

To Be Continued…