"Reporting in Pelican Echo 1, release codes issued as 'Red Dog': respond and go for secure?" The pilot spoke slowly through his helmet com.
"Affirmative, you're cleared in for landing; welcoming party is ready for your special guest", and operative of the UNSC frigate 'wary warden' responded.
Michael listened in to the radio chatter, ever wary of the trouble that could be caused if the negotiations between Mort'ang and Admiral Wisconsin went to hell. This was important to all of them, as well as the history of mankind and Shanghalli – he personally had to make sure that nobody screwed it up.
The pelican entered through the hanger bay doors of the "wary warden" and descended down, letting the Spartans and Elite gather themselves and prepare to board the Frigate. Lucifer stood behind them all, Gabriel and Michael at the front with the Zealot in the middle; a lot of negative attention would be brought if the Shanghalli went out first.
Blinding light reeked through the doorway as the hanger came into view, letting the small squad of misfits step out...and be met by almost 50 marines holding automatic weapons and positioned around the pelican almost violently.
"Wow! Wow!" Gabriel roared at them, "Lay down your weapons!"
"Sir, I recommend you step away from the elite" A marine spoke slowly, the leader of them all.
Mort'ang growled at the marines, slowly reaching for his energy sword as they aimed their assault rifles at him.
"He's with us marines! If you wanna shoot us all down then go ahead" Michael yelled at them, furious at this pre-judgement over the Shanghalli.
They hesitated, unsure on how to act.
"Move aside! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" A rough voice ripped through the strong veil of marines. Admiral Wisconsin walked through their ranks, furiously staring down the soldiers as he met up with the squad of misfits.
"Sorry sir, Lieutenant Drafter's orders are to confiscate any covenant weaponry and escort the Elite to a holding pen large enough." The head marine spoke, lowering his assault rifle.
"And since when did you take direct orders from her? I am the commander of this ship and your battalion! Get back to the armoury before I have you court marshalled!" The Admiral shouted into the marine's face.
Mort'ang snarled from behind the Spartans, though in an amused sort of way, "This one has fire, make sure not to push him or his frame may snap."
Admiral Wisconsin asserted over the squad, "My apologies for the welcoming committee Spartans, you have a member of the Shanghalli official board for me?"
"Affirmative sir, he requested to speak to you in private." Gabriel spoke swiftly, pushing himself out of the way so Mort'ang could step forward.
"I take it you're the ambassador I've been waiting for?" Wisconsin spoke evenly, eyeing the Shanghalli's energy sword handle and worn battle armour.
"Mort'ang Ra'zhim of the Royal Zealotry at your service, I represent Ya'kai of the 'Reconciliation of Lies" The Golden Zealot spoke slowly, letting his mandibles operate around the difficult letters of the English language.
Suddenly another formation of marines walked through into the hanger, leading in an ONI operator by the name of 'Lieutenant Drafter'.
"What is the meaning of this Admiral, any conversations with the Shanghalli should go through my personal recommendations" She spoke hurriedly, angered by the total set of events.
Michael almost swore at her appearance, she was going to ruin everything.
The Admiral Wisconsin looked awkward, unsure whether to follow the ONI directives or to do what Mort'ang personally recommended.
"Well?!" Drafters yelled at him.
The Golden Zealot growled at her appearance, he felt like grabbing his energy sword and ramming it through the ONI operator; things would be so much easier that way.
"I am to here to speak to the Zealot of 'Reconciliation of Lies over the Priority 2 Agreement, and no one else." The Admiral rumbled, slowly starting to step forward; the Elite grumbled his agreement letting Lieutenant Drafter step backwards, unsure over her safety in this situation.
"This is a private communications agreement ma'am" Michael spoke, slowly escorting her out of the room with his squad mates and the marines.
The door slammed behind them, leaving the Shanghalli and the human in the closed room and discussion.
"What do you think their talking about in their?" Michael asked, thoughtfully to the other Spartans and to the ONI operative.
"Shut it!" Drafter screamed at him, insanely furious with how events had played out, "What do you think you're doing? Bringing that elite onto the ship and then backing it up?! It could be assassinating Wisconsin right now thanks to you!"
"Ma'am, your acting paranoid about this; we have a truce with the Shanghalli remember?" Gabriel spoke quietly, trying to calm the operative down.
She paused for a moment, and then smiled, "As soon as we hit a settlement controlled by mankind, I am rest assured; going to excommunicate your entire squad for gross misconduct and misguided actions!" a feral tint hit her eyes as she looked at them all.
"Oh mark my words Spartans, you will be court marshalled for this." She added, watching with satisfaction as their postures dropped in depression over her words.
Gabriel looked to Michael in horror, he hadn't realised how openly he had spoken to such a highly ranked individual.
"I thought soldiers of your calibre could live up to the legend, but you show more resemblance to the monster you just protected." She sighed.
Michael lost all control at her calling Mort'ang a monster, "I would prefer being like the elites then anything like you Lieutenant Drafter" and without another word he turned around and walked away from her, Gabriel followed him.
Drafter screamed at them, her voice on the edge of hysteria, "How dare you turn your back to me Spartans!", she swiftly grabbed her sidearm from a thigh holster; lifting the UNSC magnum into the air and adjusting to aim it into the back of Michael's skull.
BAM – Lucifer tackled her from behind, not injuring her, but enough to make her fall to the floor and become completely restrained. The Spartans watched in complete wonder and horror at the same time, they had never seen anyone lay a hand on Drafter before.
"I'll have you killed for this!" She swore at them, trying to bite the Spartan's tough gloves.
Lucifer stopped for a moment, looking down at the desperate operator; the women who had acted like a mother to them for their entire service and lives in the ONI force.
"No you won't." he said, punching her straight in the face and knocking her out cold.