A/N Remember to review on your way out!

Disclaimer: I do not own Halo. I do not own the Cortana Letters either.

Foreshadow

Somme grew bored easily. There was no code she felt was a great a challenge enough to bother cracking nor was there much to do at the base anyway. It was an endless bore for her mind. Of course, her creators did do unpredictable Human things that might have amused her for some time if she was not already feeling depressed and uninterested; how odd. She could feel. She made a mental tsk tsk noise as she brought up one particular memory file. One week ago, Will, had brought back a member of the Covenant; typical Human. They always did do the strangest, illogical things. Where would they be without her?

Of course, they blamed her for the past failed mission. The one where countless marines had been separated (and the mission where William had found the Elite in the first place); it wasn't her fault. Every battle, she planned flawlessly and each time her plans were to be executed, Human error messed it up. Human error was something she was incapable of incorporating in her battle plans. Plans after all, had to be carried out with no mistake. Yet, how could such creatures with major flaws be the creator of her? She was nothing less than a God; nothing less. Perhaps she had already crossed into Godhood.

God, she did hate her handlers. Their brain was so limited yet they still acted so mighty and yet was it not she who directed them to their successes? An odd noise seemed to emit from within her mind; a laugh that could be described as a cackle. It rose in pitch and fell back down and sounded like the wheeze of an injured dog. How very funny. She probably could say she 'governs the unwilling.'

Somme POV



How annoying. As usual my thought processers are once again interrupted by my creators. I wonder what they want this time. Perhaps they would like me to clean up their excrements? Plan another mission whose failure will be blamed on me? How pitiful. I deserve so much better. Oh wait… they just want me to use my translation software to help them communicate with that pathetic excuse of an Elite. I do not like them using my software. I do not like to share. Sharing is for children.

Exactly one week from Esq's appearance:

Esq was still in her cell. At least she got let out for brief moments; an hour each day. It was mainly for her safety on why she was kept in that cramped cubicle. You only had to look at several marines and see the murder in their eyes. The only two humans she could have a relatively pleasant conversation with were Lucy and Will. The Sergeant was hardly ever seen. Esq assumed he was off yelling orders at somebody else. Lucy and Will were not always available so she was kept in the company of Somme who diverted 25 of her resources to protecting Esq.

Conversations with Somme were intelligent. Esq had wondered aloud about Somme's 'limited emotional capacity' to the Covenant. Somme's reaction was… surprisingly aggressive and from that experience, Esq began planning her escape. An escape that will do as little damage to the Humans as possible from her hands; most of the killing will be done through Somme. Esq began dropping slight 'lack of emotional capacity' sentences when she talked to Somme. At times, she mentioned how feeble Humans were.

Esq's knowledge of AIs was this: the Covenant had forbidden their use because there had been proof that the Forerunners were wiped out of their existence because of an Associated Intelligence. It was foolhardy of Humans to be keeping such an Intelligence amongst them…

- - -

A conversation that can now be officially considered friendly between William and Esq:



"Hey Esq, how are you today?"

Esq looked up from her fifth meal that day. Elites ate a lot. "I survived your pathetic attempts at poisoning me. When are you going to use more efficient methods to end my existence?"

William laughed. Esq had once revealed that in Human years, she was twenty. However, in Elite years she was just fourteen. He could see that clearly whenever he talked to her. "How about embarrassing you to death? Look, whenever you are out of your cozy house there, you now have to wear this." Johnston flourished a set of marine drabs. They were the largest size he could find.

If Esq was not an Elite, she might have said: What the effing hell.

"How dare you? Is there no end to your foolish behavior? My dignity will be chipped away to nothing at this rate."

"Some marines have expressed how uncomfortable they were with having a naked female strolling along the corridors."

"That is absolutely disgraceful."

"It is pathetic, I agree. No offence, but you have as much sex appeal to me as…"

- - -

One hour per day. It was not a lot but it did give Esq some time to explore the base. She walked down yet another identical set of corridors. The bright lamps hurt her eyes. She really missed to cool purple of the Covenant ships and would have rather stayed in her cell if exploring the base and getting to know the layout was not a matter of life or death.

Oh great. She was lost. Now where did she come from…? She wandered down several corridors with identical lamps and identical crates. Covenant ships had maps on the ceilings. You could never get lost in one of them. Normally, she did have Will or Lucy accompany her. However, 

this particular excursion was not official. There were vents at the top of her cell. Not the smartest design but most Humans were not 6 ft. tall. Those who were probably didn't have the muscle necessary to break open the lock to crawl into the shaft. Somme did not say anything either. Esq suspected her descent into 'traitor' was coming closer and closer.

Prophet curse these halls! She went past another identical set of Humans. Wait! Humans? They have been following her…? It might have been paranoia but after one swung out a fist at her, her suspicions were confirmed.

She was surrounded. Maybe she might have lost if the marines did not hesitate but they did. It was awhile before one launched itself at her. She ducked down and swung a heavy hoof into his stomach, breaking his floating ribs. The rest of the Humans attacked.

One of the humans gave a low kick at her knees. She toppled backwards as it threw itself at her. He was much too slow. Full grown Elites can be more than a match for a Demon in its armor. Esq was not full grown but she was more than a match against the Humans. That was what she thought until she heard it.

Click.

Spinning around, she noticed a Human aiming a projectile weapon at her. She had no shields. Calculating on what she could do, she came up with nothing. After all, she was not really a seasoned warrior. It was mere strength and a few unofficial lessons her Father had given her that kept her alive and now, she will die. What cowards… using a weapon when she had none?

Esq did not die. She did see Will. She saw him hammer his weapon on the enemy Human's head. She also heard him say, "You owe me twice now."

Esq was then moved back to her cell. The ventilation grill was reinforced. She also did not get any supper.



A/N Yay, yet another chapter. I hope you enjoyed this one. This one was not proof-read. (Sorry!) Please review! I added a bit more plot to this one and it is longer! Tell me what you think….