Chapter 2

Current location: Farming province of South Manassas
Date: 6/24/2552
Time: 3:21

"Remove your weapon," the voice said. I dropped my pistol to the ground. "Now turn around." I slowly turned around, careful to not have the heated blade touch my throat. I saw a 7'2 Special Op Elite. It appeared to be smaller than the few I've encountered. In my mind, I thought I could take it.
Quickly I gripped its wrist and squeezed on its nerves, causing the elite to release the dagger. It countered with a punch to my abdominal area, and I doubled over. It was so much stronger than I predicted. I noticed that I was alone, or so I thought. The elite must've went in camo while I was distracted.

"Your foolishness will have you killed, you mechanical monstrosity," the elite said with its voice echoing in the room. I looked around ,trying to figure out where it was coming from.

"Hiding like a pussy shows you have no honor," I smirked.

"At least I'm the one who didn't get thrown into the rocks by a Mgalekgolo's shield," it scoffed, still hiding.

"It beats than losing all of my allies to one man," I smiled at the accomplishment. I heard a loud roar before I was tackled to the ground, knocking off my helmet, revealing my face: light tan skin, brown eyes, medium-length black hair, dimples, and a full brown 5 o'clock shadow beard. I looked up to see the elite had an energy sword to my neck and its foot on my chest, holding me down. I was surprised that a Spec Op elite had an energy sword.

"You are not worthy to speak of them," it said, spewing venom through its mandibles. "Any last requests?"

I tried to find opening to reverse this, with no success. I did, however, notice a loosely hanging board from the ceiling and hoped a large vibration would cause it to fall, hitting the elite. I formulated a plan.

"Well if you're going to kill me, then get it over with."

"No honor for the weak shall be given," it hissed. It raised its arm to swing back the sword. I took its foot in hand and flipped it over, causing a loud thud from 350+ pounds hitting the ground. That caused the board to fall. The elite tried to get up and was hit in the neck and chest. A crackling noise came from the elite as its armor's shields flickered and sparks were coming from the neck area. "AHHH.. You vile human!" it said, and this time its voice was lighter, much lighter compared to the rest of the elites I've encountered. The elite was different.

"You shall pay for your sins. IN BLOOD!" it said, quickly recovering. I knew something was odd about this elite. Its voice was unique. I was caught off guard by the elite attacking me while I was trying to figure out why it was different, besides it having an energy sword. I quickly got up and dodged the sword splicing the air in between me and it. "Maybe it could be a female," I thought between dodges. I always encountered males, never females. I quickly shook that out of my head. I focused on avoiding the deadly sword. I stayed out of range of each swing. I knew I couldn't hold out long against this high level ability elite.

I ran to the dead body of the elite commander and equipped his sword. I heard the elite charge quickly and rather lightly at me. I quickly pivoted on my heel with the sword ignited to block the elite's attack. I was quite skilled in sword battles back to old SPARTAN training, but it was no match to this angry elite.

"Remove your filthy human hands off of Uszé 'Fulsamee's sword!" it roared, as loud slashing of the two swords filled the area. I was losing grip of the sword by the enraged elite. The elite swung its sword hard enough for me to lose my entire grip on it, then it kicked me into the wall behind me. I landed into the wall with full force. I groaned as I was in the sitting position and the sword of the elite right at my throat.

"Enough of your petty games. I have no time for it," it said. I looked up at it. "You murdered my team, slaughtered my commanding officer, and you are risking my honor. I should kill you where you lay.., but I have more valuable things that involves you alive. You seem to be valuable enough to let me keep my honor," it said. I just listened, knowing that there wasn't a way out of this. I was at point of a hot energy sword and it was much stronger than me.
"I guess I'm getting too old." I thought. The elite put energy handcuffs on my wrists and put the sword at my back.

"Start moving, prisoner," I slowly trudged. I looked back to see the elite kneel down at the dead body of the Zealot class elite. It sighed and put the sword I used in his hand. For a split second, I thought I saw it kiss his cheek.

"Did you just kiss him?" I asked.

"This does not concern you. Now move along," it stood up and walked over to one of the terminals.
The strange elite brought up a communication line to what appeared as a covenant station. I listened in on the conversation, but the elite spoke in their own language, so I had no clue what they were saying.

"You will be boarding the Shadows of Justice to be interrogated by the Prophet of Hope," it came back and said. "I advise you to be on your best behavior, or he will have you killed."

I snorted and laughed. "Your 'prophet' can kiss my ass for all I care." I was struck hard in the back of my head and I fell to the floor.

"You will not speak of him like that. He has been the only prophet to let us into the Covenant. He deserves respect, and you'll give it!" the elite roared.

I sighed and nodded slowly. A question came to my mind. 'What does it mean by letting us in the Covenant?' I picked up my helmet and put it on. I saw the elite use its sword to push me along until a Phantom Type-52 Troop Carrier arrived. The gravity lift activated, and we were sucked into the hull of the vessel. I looked on as I was now surrounded by all forms of the Covenant staring down at me. I felt the cold death stares at me. I had a stoic face, but the helmet covered it. The elite joined in behind me. It seemed like the only thing saving me from being torn to shreds by all the hatred-filled aliens.

We soon arrived at what looked like a CCS-Class Battlecruiser orbiting far, but not too distant, from Reach's orbital defense system. It was much larger than ones I've encountered. We docked in the bay, and I was last out. I had what felt like the whole Covenant fleet staring at me with cold, deadly eyes. The hatred filled the vessel. I felt more safe that I had the elite at my back than if I were alone. Some of them seemed in awe at my being, while others wanted to tear me to shreds. We walked through the corridors of the ship to the prisoner block. I was pushed into an empty cell, then an energy shield came up behind, sealing me in. I turned to look at the elite. It was leaving.

"How long will I be here?" I asked.

"I am not sure and I do not really care. But it will be up to the prophet to decide your fate," it said turning to me.

I nodded and asked, "Before you go, what's your name? I'm Commander Scotty Martinez."
"Field Marshall Kará 'Trátómee."

I was surprised, it was wearing this armor of a Special Operations Elite, not a Field Marshall.

"I only wore this armor and its configurations due to the surroundings."

"Also what did you mean by letting 'us' in the Covenant earlier?" I asked, "I thought elites were always in the Covenant."

"I meant as in females. We were never allowed in the Covenant before, until Prophet of Hope showed the other prophets that we are as efficient and effective as the males. There still is not that many of us, though, due to the males having control of us in our culture. They disrespect and humiliate us when the opportunity is at hand. So few join, and we are placed in positions that are undignified and demeaning. When we do join, and if we are higher ranking than the males, they still have males in charge of missions and expeditions, " she sighed and explained.

I looked down and was shocked that she was a female, but what aggravated me more is the fact how she was mistreated by the sexist leaders. For an evolved race, they act as if they were still in the medieval era.

"One last question before you leave."

"What is it with humans and these infinite questions?" she groaned impatiently.

I had a remark, but bit my tongue to keep it held. "Who was he really?" I asked looking up, "The dead elite. Uszé 'Fulsamee if I recall his name correctly. I saw you kiss his forehead." I said.

"He... Well, he was my or supposed to be my fiancée," she sighed and left.