I apologize for the hiatus. I promise that you will enjoy this chapter, and that this chapter may explain some things going on within the story. Enjoy the read!

I also thank EffervescentNova for his/her review. It fueled me to pump out this chapter! To clear things up about the Gryllians, they are my own creation. Feel free to look them up on the CSA wikia!

DISCLAIMER: Do I even need this disclaimer? I've one on the Prologue...

Chapter III: The Sentients

0804, JUNE 29, 2571 (MILITARY CALENDAR)/

WALG AGNON RON SYSTEM, GLORY

Gryllisus stood within the lengthy shadow of complex, watching as scientists filtered into the huge menacing structure. Morning was coming and temperatures would rise in the extremes by afternoon. It used to be normal, with cool mornings and warm afternoons that you could sit comfortably in. Now the planet was scarred by warfare and it's atmosphere still recovering from the massive battle. He sighed, watching as large supply ships landed, dropping its cargo of supplies and more men to either guard or study the complex. Anti-air emplacements were being set along the perimeter of the Forerunner structure, just encase the cultists would return.

He needed to consult with someone he knew, a friend. He had many friends, but most were merely associates compared to others. He could speak with Adama, but he was too young to understand the mind of Kholo. He would not be sure what to do with him, other than kill him. He could speak with the fellow warrior and leader of the Sangheili, Thel Vadam. Though, his answer would be the same as Adama's. Lord Hood, Picard, and Kronos would all hold the same answer as well. He thought of a prophet, an elder and close friend, Virtue.

The name of a prophet was often heralded to mean the opposite of what the name intended. This stereotype was made during and after the Human-Covenant war. The prime examples for this nomenclature was Truth, Regret, and Mercy. Truth was one whom lied. He knew of the Great Journey, a belief that the Halo rings would ascend the Covenant to god-hood, which was not true. Truth knew this. Regret was a near immoral prophet, whom regretted non of his actions. Mercy was one without so.

Virtue, however, lived up to his name. He was a morally bound character. He was the oldest living being that Gryllisus knew, and the wisest. Gryllisus felt that Virtue would be able to find a way to not kill Kholo. He felt that Virtue would be able to find a way to detain and correct Kholo's mindset. The elder Gryllian thought that his brother's mind was not set right, that something else took hold of the complex system of neurons and manipulated this system. There were a great many things in the galaxies that could do that; serums and organisms.

Gryllisus walked to Darian, "You fought well, I wish you well and that we meet again"

"Leaving?"

"I must. I am suffering a dilemma on how to save Kholo from his own madness."

"You have to kill him. There's no other way to end his madness."

"That is an answer that I'm attempting to avoid, which is why I'm leaving. I'm going to the main alliance station to meet with someone whom I've known for a very long time."

"Alright, Gryllisus. I hope we meet again." Darian and Gryllisus saluted each other.

Gryllisus left swiftly, boarding a troopship and returning to his flagship. The fleet returned to its last station and the olden emperor took his flagship and took to the Milky Way Alliance Station. It was a massive station, shaped like two mushrooms combined by each other's base. Several rings surround the thinner stem, with one huge ring surrounding the very middle of the station. Lights flickered as ships docked upon the rings, the most massive holding the most massive ships. He beheld the massive station with tranquility. He watched as robotic defense drones flew around the ship as it neared the station. Soon, they broke off to return to their jobs in making sure that anything that was not belonging to the Alliance would not near the station with a ten-thousand mile radius. Those small drones could wreck havoc upon a ship's computer systems, which then they would board the vessel and attack the crew.

The Gryllian had a secure feeling because of this knowledge. It was one of the safest places in the galaxy. He drew the ship to a smaller ship docking ring and took a gondola to the station itself. After he boarded the Alliance station, he took a gravity train to the dreadnaught wielding end of the space station. He greeted several members of the many governments there. There were UNSC officers, some Gardexian ambassadors, Krogan ambassadors, and several Neo-Covenant political figures. It was an interesting place. In the past, anyone who spoke of this kind of situation would have been called mad.

Once he was upon the first massive floating tower hovering over the great spanning city below, he trekked across the system that the tower was a part of. He stopped upon the Sanctum of the Hierarchs, where the leaders and officers of the Neo-Covenant resided. Of course, there were many other towers within this part of the super-station. There was a tower for the Federation of Planets, the Colonials of Kobol, the Kig-Yar Confederation, the Systems Alliance, Gardexians, and others more. It was amazing and awe-inspiring to the millennium old Gryllian.

He walked down a long walkway along the edge of the tower, a breeze passing through open environment. It left a comforting feeling within the massive insectoid. The Sanctum was built to bring a feeling of serenity within any of whom were to step upon it. Gryllisus admired the many kinds of flora that resided along the edges of the walkways and the decorated low lit pillars that floated through the air. Above, birds careened the air and made long droning noises. To Gryllisus, it was all very peaceful.

Gryllisus felt a tingle at the back of his neck and turned, knowing whom had their eyes set upon him, "Greetings Gryllisus, what brings you here?"

Indeed, it was Virtue, ago old and still not in a hover-chair. Though, the prophet still walked with the aid of a walking stick. It was strange not to see the prophet within the confines of his chair. It was the new physical training programs that allowed the prophet's weak body to strengthen. It was truly fascinating to the Gryllian to watch as the prophet grew stronger.

"Family troubles, Virtue."

"Kholo?" Virtue made a quick deduction, which was answered with a nod, "Please, let us discuss these issue over a drink."

The two walked through a hall near the walkway and found themselves within an atrium. Inside, massive trees stretched overhead and underneath there were various statues and walls covered in different forms of written languages. It was a fascinating place, watching as Sangheli and San'Shyuum spoke with each other as equals. What brought more surprise to him was to observe the Sangheli speak with the Jiralhanae without bitter tongue. Though, this exchange of friendly words between the species was promising, a majority of the Sangheli and Jiralhanae still fought maliciously.

As they walk the through the large room, they walked into a place that seemed to oppose the appearance of that of the gardens atrium. It looked rather out of time, since it was the theme of an old era. In the corner, there was a stage and there were musicians of various species playing jazz and blues. It was a fascinating atmosphere, and would allow the two to discuss their issue. They took a table, ordered their favored drink, Virtue's being a light wine and Gryllisus' being a strong ale. He liked Samuel Adams' ales because of their taste.

"You're drinking a rather strong drink, friend."

Gryllisus' head rose a bit, bringing Virtue's memory back, "I apologize, I keep forgetting."

"It's okay, it's been a while since we last spoke to one another."

"It has indeed. Now, may we discuss your issue on the matter of your brother?"

"Yes. Kholo is become active once more, and also more determined. He's... recently killed many. Not much him, but his followers. But, because of his activity, we are getting closer and closer to him. Earlier, I had a chance in killing him, but I did not take it. The issue is that I want to restore his mind back to sanity, however, I've been asking people as I have before. Their answers are still that I must kill him. I'm hoping that you'll be able to help me find a way of restoring him without killing him."

"You have quite the dilemma, Gryllisus." Virtue remarked, "But I may offer a solution to your issue. Isolation and observation have always been good ways of determining a person's problem. Perhaps if we could put him in isolation and observe him, we'll be able to further find out his problem."

"That is a... promising answer. Perhaps I'll do such."

"I warn you, though, that more people will die going down that path. I agree with the prospect of killing him, so that many people will not die. Please do not take disdain in my opinion."

"I won't. I can understand why you and the others prefer him to be put to death." Gryllisus sighed.

"The decision weighs on your shoulders, Gryllisus. I cannot control it, but only influence." Virtue shrugged, "Now that we may speak of other matters, I've been hearing of increased Xenomorph activity. Is this true?"

"Yes, mostly around the tip end of the Perseus Arm. Why do you ask?"

"I've had... various run-ins with those monsters. Terrible, they are, and quite brutally efficient. I fear that they return to create more chaos."

"You're fears are right. The last attack by them were upon a Kobolian station, before Kholo struck."

"His name seems to always come up. Perhaps we should speak of something other than warfare. How is Kronos? Its been long since I last spoke to him."

"He is fine. In fact, he's headed to the Andromeda galaxy to speak with the generals there. Its an annual meeting, one that he actually enjoys. How is Thel 'Vadam?"

The two continued to speak of friends and trivial things. Things such as new technologies and innovations. Virtue grew interested upon the subject of hard-light, a technology well known of the Forerunner. His interest piqued upon hearing that Gryllisus was experimenting with creating hard-light. Upon then, they agreed to have both scientific departments of the Neo-Covenant and the Gryllian Imperium cooperate with this experimenting. Virtue soon offered to set up a secret meeting with the other major leaders of the other member factions of the Milky Way Galactic Alliance. Gryllisus agreed, though with hesitance. He was weary of the United Federation of Planets, as they had a shaded science department that worked alongside the UNSC. He didn't know who to trust more, the UNSC, whose reputation was just returning to its positive side, and the Federation, whose department of sciences was cloaked out of request.

They left the bar and headed back out to the walkways, spoke little more, and parted. Gryllisus returned to his vessel and headed back to Bimaculus.

Within the edges of the tip of the Perseus arm within a star system containing a few barren planets and a small red dwarf rested a fleet of dark, rigid-appearing vessels. Some were larger than others, but all held a central design. They had a strong look, and they were quite strong ships. They had a blocked appearance, which made them seem quite dense.

Below the fleet of vessels, was the dark side of one of the several barren planets. This one, however, had a concentration of lights in one area of the planet. On the surface concrete and metal buildings stood, lights upon them and fences surrounding the entire complex. A large cargo ship roared as it penetrated the clouds, of which signaled the coming of rain. It flew down and spun its four thrusters to face the pad below it to slow its descent. On the pad were several thin black creatures wielding glowing orb-like devices, moving them around to direct the ship's landing. Its landing gear opened up and ship touched down, prompting its bay door to open.

What came out was something very unconventional. It was a massive dark chitnous creature, with four arms, two legs, and a long tail. The claws on its hands and feet were sharp as razor knives and its tail was tipped with a knife-like appendage that could shred metal. Its head was protected by a massive crown, of which spanned back. It had many supremely sharp teeth within its main mouth and its inner mouth. Indeed, this creature had an inner mouth. This mouth could launch out and penetrate nearly all biological materials. This creature seemed as if it was built with the primary reason of killing. However, there was something that separated this creature from its normal kindred.

The normal kindred were feral versions of the modern creatures. They were virtual the same in design, but its internal system was far different than the modern variation. The normal, feral creatures bled acid. In the rating of acids, which went from its weakest acidic seven to its strongly acidic one, this creature's acidic was in the high negatives. This meant that their blood could dissolve virtually anything. What also made these creatures deadly was that their circulatory system was pressurized. Meaning that if they were severely damaged, either by bullets or fire, the wound area or their entire body could explode in a shower of acid blood. These were the Xenomorphs. These were the Aliens, as named by much of the galaxy.

The modern creatures were different from their acidic, feral kindred in that their blood was not super-acidic. Their blood was a very weak acid. They were also far more intelligent, allowing them to learn and use technology. This meant that were capable of obtaining and using weaponry and spacecraft. Though, these sentient creatures will, like their feral cousins, use physical attacks in dimly lit environments. However, because their exterior design was virtually the same as their feral cousins, they had to find ways to separate themselves from the animal. They used paints and armor. The paints were a kind of identification paint that was put upon them at birth. The paint would stay on them until their death or by use of certain equipment. The color of the paint was determined by time of the intergalactic year. These were the 'Sentient' Xenomorphs. A breed that were formed by the Protheans as a weapon against an enemy.

The queen stepped down from the pad, looking around, observing the concrete structures around her. The concrete allow the place to seem slightly inconspicuous and perhaps, if anyone would have thought, abandoned. The purpose of this appearance was formulated out of the primal instinct of survival. The Empress wanted to return the sentient Xenomorphs to their prime, when they were capable of conquering worlds and defending their own homes.

But the failure of saving their captured kindred and losing even more of their denizens was yet another set back. They were still more and more than they first feared. The Empress was becoming desperate. So desperate, in fact, that she would capture the feral Xenomorphs and have her military weapons scientists find ways to weaponize their acidic blood.

The 'sentient' Xenomorphs had already found a way to construct weaponry that utilized acid to terrorize armies. However, defeat destroyed their factories and stripped them of many important technologies that were now being reacquired. Because of their being unable to process artificial acid based off that of their wild kindred, they had to extract the blood from the ferals. It was morally injustice action to take, but survival dictated such a thing in the mind of the Empress.

The queen walked off from the landing pad and was quickly intercepted by an Xenomorph far smaller than herself. Its head was a smooth dome, and it lacked many of the sharp dangerous parts that signified a warrior. This was a drone, one of the working class. The creature spoke smoothly, addressing itself and it purpose of its intercepting her.

"Queen Li'Ari, you have arrived at such a fruitful moment. I am here to tour you among the complex you will be directing. Follow me, we have reacquired a great weapon."

Li'Ari and the drone walked towards the largest complex, a seemingly empty massive concrete box. The building, in both shape and color, was completely unattractive. Though, the building itself was guarded by a great many warriors and upon entrance, a pair of Ravagers. They were some larger than the generic praetorians, and their bodies were specialized to shred through foes. Their armor was like the strongest of metals, capable of withstanding some high caliber rounds. Where their hands would normally be, there were three blades. These blades were capable of slicing through some strong armor. Armor such as that of the Mgalekgolo. The drawback was that these beasts are incapable of performing normal functions, as they are built to simply be heavy shock troopers. Their mind was always on defending and attacking.

They continued through a series of dimly lit corridors and stood before a door, which the drone proceeded to open with a hidden keypad. They walked in a large room onto a catwalk. There was a low rumbling below them and they followed it along the curved walls. The Queen became increasingly piqued by what was possibly below, as orange light shined from below them. The drone was rambling on about possibilities and the instilling of fear into the hearts of their enemies. What drew her attention back to the drone was its mentioning that whatever was below was on the technological level of the Forerunners, however, the weapon itself was not of Forerunner origin.

The two came upon a large, industrial door. The Queen could feel the rumbling in her chest, and this rumbling was exhilarating. Li'Ari could feel the power of whatever was behind those large doors. Pressurized air hissed out from the corners of the door as it began the opening process. It groaned and slide open diagonally, revealing the source of power behind it. The Queen stopped breathing from the briefest moment, dumbstruck by the sight before. She was astounded, amazed, and greatly perplexed.

They walked upon an atrium and before them was a pulsing ball of orange and red. Ripples ran around it as electricity struck it. Occasionally, it would bulge at places, as if there was something inside of it try to get free. At these times, the groaning that would cause the Queen's body to rumble and shake would occur.

"What is that?"

"It's a form of anti-matter that exist in matter when controlled. The Vulcans named it 'Red Matter.'"

"Explain."

"Red Matter is a controlled form of anti-matter of which when activated, forms a singularity. This much Red Matter is capable of destroying a planet or two. Or even to stretch it, a star."

She rattled her vocal chords as she walked along the catwalk that ringed the contained substance, "Amazing."

Of course, there was something that would snap her from her reverie. And it was possibly the most unexpected thing to do so, because it was the very thing she was currently despising.

"Queen Li'Ari, we have an issue," a drone's voice came to her mind, causing her to turn to it, "a Gryllian fleet has appeared nearby our fleet and are taking a non-offensive stance. Their leader is offering a cease-fire for diplomatic reasons."

Li'Ari was clearly confused by this, "And who would this leader be?"

"It is Kholo, and he says he rescued some of our captured warriors." The drone answered, perplexed as well.

The Xenomorph Queen was dumbstruck, and incredibly dubious of the malicious Gryllian's claims. She then clicked her teeth together in frustration and made her mind then, "Bring the Gryllian here, I wish to speak with him myself."

It didn't take long for the Gryllian to make it groundside. His dropship, large and curved in many places giving it an ovular appearance, raced down to the surface of the planet at lightning speed. The silver ship came to a neck-breaking halt upon reaching to the surface. It hovered for several seconds before several latches on its belly opened, blue light seeping out. The Gryllian materialized below it, its armor dark and menacing. He was a tall one, just as tall as Gryllisus was. He nodded to the alien Queen, whom nodded hesitantly to him. She was weary of this Gryllian. His tracker was not clean. It was pock-marked by all kinds of atrocities. She may have been many feet larger than he was, but this monstrous cricket was capable of doing things without his hands that could end with her eviscerated.

"Be not so nervous of me, Queen." The Gryllian snorted.

"Where are my kindred?" She growled impatiently.

He grinned and stepped from underneath the dropship that floated calmly over the ground. A dozen Xenomorphs, her kind, materialized underneath it. They appeared, surprisingly, not fearful and non-damaged. This was unlike Kholo. He clearly wanted something from her. The ship left quickly after, dashing away leaving a rush of air at the wake of its exit.

It returned and left, dropping off more and more of the darkly-colored creatures. The queen looked at Kholo incredulously, as he stood there. She walked before him, stomping mostly as it would seem. She stared at him for a while, disbelieving. Kholo should have killed them all, because that was something he normally did. Her eyes, behind the dark dome of her exoskeletal head, narrowed. Kholo seemed fully aware of what was occurring behind the opaque dome over her eyes. He smiled, acutely aware of the question thundering under her dome.

"I wish for an alliance, so that we can crush those Colonials together."

The Queen stepped back, shocked by the voice of the Gryllian as he spoke to her telepathically. His voice, in telepathy, was unlike that of the calm, impossibly gentle voice when he used his vocal chords. This voice, in her head, sounded deep, evil, and very much corrupted. There was something not right with this giant cricket. She learned, in the past, that a telepathic voice reflected the personality of the user. Usually the voice was the same.

'No... always the same...' She thought as she looked at Kholo.

Nevertheless, her mind was attempting to register the term 'Alliance' in her head with the image of the Gryllian with it. It was an image that was very difficult to render in her skull, but it wasn't impossible. When she saw the images of the Colonials killing her kindred, the image became much easier to fabricate. Rage consumed her decision making, her having watched the Colonials destroy her homes, her hives, her own Queen.

She looked at the Gryllian, who looked up at her with a pleased look, "I will accept this alliance you wish to forge with me, and the Empress. But what are the terms?"

He decided to speak with his vocal chords as well, "If you are to help me with my journey in seeking a device that is... very dear to me. In terms, I will need whatever possible to do so."

The Queen head swiveled to the massive concrete structure housing the superweapon, the Red Matter, far below it. She grinned, imagining the look on that accursed man, Adama. It was a rightful revenge. She turned to Kholo, "Follow me, Kholo."

When the reached the floor, the level of which the Red Matter was being refined into a weaponized form, Kholo's eye's grew a gleam in his eyes that only could be described as pure joy. He turned to Queen, also dumbstruck by the confined anti-matter, "Red Matter?"

"Indeed, yes."

"How-"

"I do not know. You may speak to the drone-"

"That matters not. It is only important that we weaponize this, contain it, and use it. This is enough Red Matter to destroy a star, or a dozen planets..." He droned off, his voice growing darker.

The Queen had not noted this change in his tone. She merely stared at the anti-matter with joy. Joy that she could get her vengeance.