Chapter 5

They stood in the hanger. Not the full compliments of soldiers and warriors that they had brought with them. For this first meeting on neutral grounds only those who would either be part of the discussions or who were specifically requested were present. Rtas stood at ease, his armour vibrant under the lights overhead long ebony fingers polishing a dented plate that he had refused to replace. The councillor, and Arbiter stood on either side slightly ahead and behind as their ranks dictated. The councillor had added the silver cloak of his office and the blood violet coloured sash of his clan hung from his side. The Arbiter, in his armour was the roughest of the three. His armour was for battle and as such it carried permanent scorch marks and other ghosts of older battles. What it lacked in perfection was made up in the pride that he wore it with. Though interestingly there was a hint of wariness around his eyes. The others of the Elite group were of varying ranks and orders all dressed in their most formal armour and scattered roughly in lines behind the three.

The Human's stood separate. The only faces within them that carried any weight at all with their uneasy allies was the stoic face of the Admiral as he inclined his head to listen to one of the others next to him. A blackman's face, his brown eyes cold, and who clenched an odd rolled object between his teeth giving him the appearance of a constant snarl. It bobbled up and down as he muttered to a slight figure that was nearly hidden by his bulk. He, Rtas, and the Arbiter had nodded to each other when they'd entered the hanger, there was a wary respect in the gesture. And finally the presence of one who stood more then head and shoulders above all the others. The Demon, his fully armoured form revealed nothing about him but his very presence was enough to make the Elites watch him warily. He was a warrior more the worthy of the highest respect that they could give him, which made him a challenge that the honour of youth could not pass up the chance to gain.

With a nearly soundless hiss that doors of the hanger bay opened and everyone turned to watch the new arrivals enter.

First the four honour guards entered. Their gold armour a design in ancient tradition, around each's waist was a sash with the sign of their clan prominently displayed. They paused then swiftly stepped aside as another of the Shalqui arrived. The Arbiter clenched one long fingered fist and the Councilor noted the movement then looked more closely at the newest arrival.

All five were Shal'qui, no weapons visible on their person but he wasn't fooled. Unlike his armour theirs has armour plating all along their hands and the tops of their fingers. Their palms were black. They clicked their split mandibles absently as they studied the groups before them. The last to enter wasn't the tallest of the group but what she lacked in size she made up for with presence. Energy seemed to seethe around her, her head spikes, laid flat down the centre of her head except for the two shortest the smallest of which ended center between her eyes. They stood up right the violet tips just tilted slightly forward. Her features were finer, more delicate then his own but the tilt to her chin was arrogant, and her eyes only emerald and not matching her head spikes, were defiant, and rested a moment to long in challenge with the fallen warrior by his side.

"Welcome," she spoke her voice strong, "if you will follow me I'll lead you to the plaza, where our party awaits." With a quick nod to the guards on her right she turned and walked back up the ramp she had come down. There was a moment's hesitation in the Human's group than with a silence that seemed at odds with his armoured form the Demon came to stand just behind the Admiral's shoulder. The slight feminine that had been between Johnson and the Demon stayed near the armoured giant and walked behind him. With a hand motion the Councillor led his group and the two entered the tunnel together.

"A question?" the slight figure asked, her voice low, to soft for anyone to hear but Rtas who walked beside her. He disfigured Elite's head jerked at her perfect Shanglli. He glanced down at her and violet eyes flashed up at him with a knowledge that she shouldn't have. The twist in her lips spoke of an enjoyment of the forbidden.

"I suppose human." He replied just as softly his words smoother within his own language.

"I take it there was a civil war of sorts?" Her tone was casual but something in her tone alerted him. With a start he realised that he had become to accustomed to the Covonants blindness, once again he had underestimated the Humans and their odd ability to take two completely separate ideas and connect them, to cut through the denials to the truth. After a moment he inclined his head respectfully.

"Of sorts." He agreed. They walked in silence for a few more moments her eyes closed in thought. The groups paused as they neared the end of the tunnel.

"So what are the Shal'qui?" she asked softly as they stepped out into the light of the plaza from that slightly shadowed tunnel.

"Our mates."