"Do we really need another combat expert," Gene grumbled, as Hilda was interviewing a Sangheili teenager.

The guy was barely legal, and still not old enough to drink. He wasn't even wearing the typical Covenant Armor, but rather some kind of skin tight body suit, under a furry cloak... the fact the thing was so clean, despite being white, told Gene this guy wasn't much of a fighter. No matter how many weapons he strapped to himself... which, admittedly, there were a lot... mostly different kinds of guns and snipers.

Hilda sighed, at Gene's inexperience. She really didn't want to have to train a green horn... but the boy proved himself a competent fighter, and claimed to have flight experience. She did need a pilot, and those who could handle themselves were rare... plus... He had Jim.

Hilda patiently explained, "There is a difference between Muscle and a Combat Expert. Muscle can take a lot of hits, and dish out a lot of damage, but aren't really known for being quick, or inconspicuous. That's what you need Combat Experts for."

Gene sighed, looking at the alien. "So are you, fast? You don't look like you could really blend into the background."

The Sangheili grunted, "Boy, I was fighting against the Reapers, since before whatever backwater, you crawled out of was colonized."

Gene snorted, "Anyone can claim to have fought the Reapers. And even if you did, So what? There are lots of old soldiers in the Galaxy. If you were really worth anything, The Space Forces would have picked you up."

The Sangheili sneered, "Not all of us are happy with such table scraps. I decided to go my own way."

"Where's your crew?" Gene proved himself competent in other areas. Hilda was planning to ask that very question. "Outlaws, as old as you claim to be, from what I hear, they tend to sail the black for centuries, never leaving their crews side."

"The Galaxy isn't a vid, kid," the Sangheili gave a cruel smirk. His pincer things making the nasty expression. "You won't make too much coin if you stay with one crew."

"NEXT!!!" Hilda called.

The Sangheili stiffened, "What you mean 'Next'!? I'm one of the top weapons experts on this rock!"

"And you just told me," Hilda glared right back. "You hold no loyalty to anyone. I'm looking for a crew, not a band of mercenaries. Thanks for wasting my time."

She turned to her Krogan. Since he was already carrying everything he owned, in his bag of holding, she asked him to stay nearby. But sent the Hunter to the ship. "Now get this filth out of my sight." she ordered.

The Sangheili growled, but Grunt put his hand on the guy's shoulder.

"You heard the Captain," Grunt growled back, "Best remove yourself."

The Sangheili scoffed, jerking his shoulder free, and began stomping away.

"That guy gives us a bad name." A... Sangheili? Sneered.

He looked about the other guy's age. Although dressed in looser robes... expensive looking robes. Straight off planet Albein.

The boy seated himself, "S'mouth." He eagerly said, holding out his hand. Clearly familiar with human customs. No one else tried shaking hands, and few even introduced themselves before getting into it. "Sorry, but you did say 'Next',"

Hilda smiled, "So I did," shaking his hand. "I've heard of you, your old crew called you 'Snicker-Snack', right?"

The boy grinned eagerly, "Oh wow! Hot Ice Hilda knows who I am!" The kid was gushing like a fan-boy. "That's right, Alice in Wonderland really is my favorite book. And their isn't a stick in existence, that isn't as deadly as a Vorpal Sword, in my hands." He boasted.

Although Gene doubted that. At least the other guy had muscle. This scrawny kid looked like he spent more time reading then anything else.

"At least that's how it used to be," The boy nervously scratched one of his pincer things. "The family that took me in, after I got Rejuved, weren't too keen on my lifestyle."

Hilda smiled, "Heard you were on one of the Terran penny colonies."

"Yeah," even his laugh was nervous. "Got myself arrested, under no fault of my own of course." He winked. Another human expression. Gene wouldn't have noticed, if it wasn't for the fact none of the other aliens, they interviewed, seemed to care for human mannerisms.

"Yet here you are," Hilda smiled.

S'mouth blushed, "Too honest, I was trying to give this life up. Live on the straight and narrow. My guardians kinda succeeded in brainwashing me." He admitted.

"So I heard," Hilda nodded. "So what changed?"

S'mouth lost his smile, even his nervous demeanor. "My old crew..."

Hilda frowned, "I heard about that."

"Thing is," S'mouth sighed, not really hearing her. "They joined me on the straight and narrow. Penny Colonies may be harsh, but everyone their really does want the best for you. The whole, second childhood, is really effective for rehabilitation.

"When our sentence was up, the humans helped us get a job, as a shipping freighter. Not that far from our old smuggling jobs. So it was still something we knew, and could have fun with... The Terran empire really gets a bad rap.

"Anyhow... Pirates thought we'd make an easy mark."

"You want revenge?" Hilda eyed.

"What I want is my family back... even as Pennies, our guardians made sure we got to see each other regularly... even had the same classes together... but their gone... all gone..."

The Sangheili got a look in his eyes. Something cold. Something lethal. And Gene suddenly believed him when he said he used to be one of the deadliest Swordsman in the Galaxy. "I'll settle for revenge."

As fast as that look had appeared, it was gone. As his eyes grew more self conscious. "I know my skills aren't what they used to be... and my body is too soft to make use of them even if they weren't-"

"You're hired," Hilda smiled.

The boy froze, before slowly smiling himself. "Thank you..." he trailed off.

"Don't thank me," Hilda commanded. "You'll be working with him," she nodded at the Krogan, "To get you back in shape."

The Sangheili grinned wider, "Awesome!!! You won't regret this."

The boy pounced to his feet, and started shaking hands with the crew, even the Krogan. Before attempting to dash off.

The Krogan managed to grab him, "You don't know where we're parked." he pointed out.

The kid flashed a knowing grin, "Hot Ice Hilda always parks in Swanzo's shop." He proved, unlike many of the others that wanted to join Hilda's crew, he actually did know a thing or two about her. Besides just her name.

Hilda nodded, "Pack your things, and report there within the hour. I might be here for a while longer, but I want my crew available to leave at a moments notice. I'll let Swanzo know to expect you."

"Right-O Captain!" he gave a human salute, before running off.

Grunt sighed, "Damn Squid-Heads," He grumbled, once the boy was gone.

Hilda smirked at him, "That won't be a problem, will it?"

"Nah, I've worked with a few before." Grunt assured.

"What's a Squid-Head?" Gene asked.

Grunt shrugged, "You humans have fan-boys. The Sangheili have Squid-Heads. It's what they call themselves, based on what Humans once called them, during the Covenant War. They are Sangheili fan-boys, for all things human. Absolutely obsessed with human culture. Considering how most aliens view humans as slightly smarter animals..." He trailes off, though gave a shrug.

"Hope you haven't forgotten you're working for humans," Gene commented.

Grunt smirked, "Hot Ice Hilda barely counts as 'human', kid."

Gene glared, "Don't call me a kid!" why was everyone insisting he was a kid. Back on Sentinel, he was hot shit! But out in the black, he was seen as a rookie.

"Then stop acting like one," Grunt chuckled.

Hilda shrugged, "Give the boy some slack, it's only his first life."

The Krogan smirked, "Technically, so is mine."

Gene sneered, "Oh, Come on! Krogan live a few centuries past a millennium!"

Grunt shrugged, "Healthy living, kid."