A/N Remember to review on your way out!!

Superior Body

The first thing Esq noticed when she woke up was that she could not talk properly. At first she put it down to primitive Human painkillers. She was sure she fainted and remembered being treated… Then, she brushed her hand across her face and realized exactly why she could not talk properly. The Humans had gotten rid of one of her mandibles. All that was left was a raw stump that had been bandaged up. The band-aid was a long strip of cloth with human words on it. She could just make out: UNSC. It was only a mercy it did not have any smiley faces.

In utmost embarrassment and anger, she lashed out at the nearest Human. "By the Forerunners! What have you done to me?" The current Human stationed with watching her was Will.

"Oh, no need to say thanks. It was all my pleasure," sarcasm was woven into Johnston's voice.

"Your pleasure?! Because of you, I am now horribly disfigured and-" Esq flushed a lovely shade of violet. She was about to go on about how hard it was to get a mate. How often her mother had gone on about it and how long ago it seemed back on her home world where everything was familiar.

"Look, Miss, you are a miss right? Had we not done that amputation, gangrene might have set in. You know, gangrene right? The decay of body tissues? It is also associated with long-term smoking… You don't smoke I take it? I do admit, it might have been Private Blogg's fault seeing as he jammed his shotgun up your mouth but talking back to us really isn't the smart thing to do. I mean, we might be an unstable warlike species intent on killing of your species for the sake of some twisted religion," Johnston was ranting; even he had to admit that.



"If that is really the way you feel about my species and the Covenant as a whole, why did you even bother saving me?" This Human was an idiot. An idiotic blubbering Unggoy that just would not shut up. She was going to die all alone from her home world from his long monologues. Honestly, was she that long winded as well?

For the second time, Will Johnston was lost on what to say. Why did he save it? "I- I'm not too sure actually. None of your people would have spared me or my kid would they?"

The Elite's silence was enough for an answer. It was awhile before Esq decided to say something. Something that was true. There was shame in the way she felt. However, due to possible future benefit of her voicing what she believed, she did. "Whatever the reason that caused you to spare me, I am glad for it."

Johnston picked up his head slightly. He spent a few minutes musing over the sentence she had said. Perhaps he was getting old and senile but he decided that his efforts were honestly appreciated. Sighing, he settled down on one of the crates and began his watch of the prisoner. By nature, Will was talkative so it was natural for him to strike up a conversation. It didn't hurt that he was feeling a whole lot better on his controversial Good Samaritan actions.

"So, what are you doin' out on frontlines and don't give me some dumb shit about fighting for the Covenant. You are way too young."

"Human, what makes you think that I will answer your questions?"

"Feel free not to. Is your reason for being on the Front lines some great Covenant secret?"

Esq clicked her mandibles as best she could in annoyance, "No, Human. I am just reminding you that both your and my species are at war. You are directly at war with my species as well and my Father is directly against your species. Perhaps you have forgotten?"

"Well God forgive me I'm sure. There is no harm being civil."



"You have hardly shown any civility to me and my "dumb shit"."

William sighed. "Sorry. You don't have to be such a girl and take things so personally."

"I am female."

"Whatever, anyway, let us start afresh. Hi, my name is William, you can call me Will. What is your name?"

There is no harm in answering a question like that… Though it would be a shameful for a Human to speak my name. It does not matter though… I don't have a true name yet. "Esq. I am called, Esq."

Johnston tapped the ignition ends of one of his cigarettes before remembering to hand Esq the MREs. She must have been starving. "Here, just tear off the seal. The food is inside."

He watched her take a mouthful of "Roasted Turkey (Totally made from artificial flavoring)" and grimace. MREs were rejected by everybody.

"I didn't know Elites could eat human food…"

"It is still meat is it not? Our superior digestive systems are highly adaptable to alien foods. I have heard of a Spec Ops team that survived a week separated from the rest of the Covenant by eating the Unggoy's food nipple."

"It's not really meat. It's just artificially flavored plastic." Damned Elites. Even the kids were so damned proud. "Superior digestive systems?" Sooner or later, she'd go on about "superior reproductive systems…" "Is your name just 'Esq'? I thought Elites had such flowery names like dada dadoodee or something like that."



"More of your ignorance, Human. You slander our Warrior's names?!" Esq growled. "For your information, I have not yet come of age so I have not yet earned the right to the extra suffixes. How dare you insult my culture? Your behavior is absolutely disgraceful."

"Yea… I'm sure it is…"

Lucy entered the brig.

Johnston continued, "See you Esq. I had fun chatting to you. It's the end of my shift now so goodbye."

A/N This chapter is just to show the improvement of Esq's relationships with the Humans. It is shorter than the rest and its update did take longer… Sorry! Please forgive me and please review! (I really do apologize… I should have spent more time proof-reading this chapter and put more effort in developing a storyline.. TT)