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Eyes long accustomed to darkness glimpsed the starlight of Halo's night sky, not quite focused, but there was something in their depths. A vastness where one could see everything there ever was to see, or perhaps, nothing at all. Such was the stuff that composed the eyes of Shade, Daughter of Covenant.
Despite the fact that the Dropship's floodlights cut cleanly through whatever darkness cast, she preferred their absence, where she could feel safe and protected. Common soldiery should not be seeing her in this state, she supposed. Shivering, tired and not entirely alert. However, this could not be helped. So, she endured. There were far worse things that could occur.

And she was concentrating on what should not be in the foremost of her mind. Shade found herself with a smile tugging at the edges of her lips, not quite alive, not quite absent either. Focus. She told herself.
Focus and Control.

First, they needed to orient with this system's gas giant, then she could establish a search grid. It didn't take a genius to realize then, and only then, could her team locate the object of their search. Faced with a new goal, her body gradually began to stop its trembling expression. Her vision swayed unsteadily, swathed in blurry splashes of color. Shade pushed passed her maladies and searched for the appropriate star in the sky. Once she found it, she accepted a holographic pad from Tras and keyed in the appropriate data, taking a moment to double-check her mathematics before saving them into an incredibly complicated table. With a precise keystroke she tapped the confirmation key, and several geographic features sprang alive. This was as detailed a map she would get without satellite surveillance.
Shade nodded, and handed the pad to Tras. "Distribute these, check your patrol. Once you have done so, we move out."

She took the opportunity to seat herself on the Dropship hatch and clear her vision, massaging her head to clear the sensations of dizziness that seemed to effortlessly pervert her sense of direction. What am I doing here, lured by the manipulations of a floating robotic toy not truly living?
Was she truly so gullible? No. No, this was paranoia. She was fine. In control. Slowly, Shade exhaled and relaxed as much as the chill air would allow. "We will find the Library Structure using this search grid. Standard reconnaissance rules of engagement apply. If it threatens, return fire. Otherwise, no contact." She spoke this aloud so everyone could hear. Diligently at his post, the Dropship's gunner swiveled his turret in lazy circles. He was covering every angle possible. Good.

"We are ready, my Lady." Tras interrupted her mental workings with his report, and she was glad. Any more thinking, she mused quietly, would have dulled her brain to the point of ineffectiveness. They broke 'camp', if it could be dignified as such, in a single file line.
Urien the Quizal (Jackal) Scout and Tras'Lok, Shade's Lanaan Captain and Arms-Master, took point.

Four Torra (Elites) arrayed in blue armor and herself spaced themselves out in the center.
Finally, bringing up the rear, a Hari-Key (Grunt) healer named Snuggle kept pace as best she could with the massive Hunter, called Kodos.

Shade knew they would be moving over difficult terrain, and it was for this reason she decided not to utilize the Shadow light recon vehicle. It would have required that they smash through uncountable obstacles. Quite simply, proceeding on foot would be faster. She felt as if her heart would burst because of the activity she forced herself to undertake, her breathing was labored. In fifteen minutes time, she wondered if she'd still be able to breathe. The only other member of her squad in similar shape was the Hari-Key, Snuggle, and even she seemed better able to withstand this physical treatment better than Shade herself was.
Within, Shade swore. My body fails me. Damn my weakness! I must persist. She would reach the Library under her own power.

Time seemed to fly by, and it did so in dull leaps as they marched down the winding path in complete silence, all too aware than any slips could alert hostile ground forces to their location. Occasionally, Urien called them to a stop with a barely audible canine chatter. Fortunately, danger brushed them by, and they continued on without conflict.

When she called them to a stop, they performed their duties expertly. Tras'Lok and two other Torra departed in order to scout the group's perimeter, whilst the two remaining Torra adjusted grips on their rifles and remained as sentries.

Kodos and Urien sat down to look upward, where a battle between warship and warship was taking place. The mysterious aliens had all but decimated the fleet, and they, like her, had felt that loss keenly, although for very different reasons. It was a blow to her ego, in a way. She would normally have remained at her post, as was her duty, and commanded the fleet. She did not trust any other than herself to retrieve the index, unfortunately. Now all that could be seen were a few stray explosions, little stars than shone briefly, and went cold again as the alien vessel mopped up the last of the Seraphim single ships. Morale certainly wasn't highest on the agenda, judging by their faces, but she was confident they'd pull through. Shade tried to blink away the tears in her eyes, tried to wipe away the blurry sight they gave her. The dull pain in her ribs had intensified to a sharp crackle that lashed at her every movement. It felt as if her bones were to penetrate her skin or organs every time she moved. In resignation, she lay on her back, trying to breath as the knot in her throat grew. Like it or not, she thought; She was in no shape to command much of anything.

The ground felt wet, mucky and cold. All around the warm humidity of the place was iced with frost and the occasional hard patch. Seeing was not difficult, but she imagined visibility was less than perfect for the others, since the tree canopy allowed no moonlight to pass through the forbidding shadows of the swamp. There was one thing that could be considered favorable. The spot they'd chosen to rest was sheltered by a thick copse of trees, spotting them from above would be difficult, and any progress through the swamp would be easily detected since the water level was on the decline, allowing the muck beneath its much needed exposure.
Reeds ticked her back. She paid them no heed. Nearby. She could heard a piece of shrapnel screaming as it was pulled down into the soils with a tremendous whump! The others doubtlessly heard it as well. Shade made a point of keeping silent. Any sounds must be heard, for they needed time to prepare if said sounds were in any way suspicious.

Something pawed at her arm anxiously. Shade allowed herself to tense up, if such was possible, she knew that she was already more than tense. Stiff and swollen enough, perhaps, to be considered a corpse. She flicked her eyes to the offending object, and came face to face with Snuggle. The furry little creature let out a yip, which it quickly suppressed, and whispered methane slurred words into her ear. "My Lady, forgive me, but sick as a slug, resting in muck doesn't aid your condition."

Her temper flared. "You dare call me weak, healer?"
"No, My Lady." Snuggle appeased. "I merely believe you should rest on this rock, rather than this." She tentatively pointed at the muddy soil.

It would indeed by more comfortable. Perhaps the diminutive healer was correct. Being certain of her balance, Shade groped herself up onto a fair-sized boulder that had most likely rolled here long ago. How or why, she did not care. The rock's hardness felt good, and she allowed her bones to stretch, relieving their tension. Snuggle slid onto the rock after her. "Would you allow me?"

She frowned. Complaining would serve no useful purpose, but allowing the healer to treat her body would enable her some much needed comfort. An able warrior was better at fending off attacks, she reasoned. With a nod, she drew her closer.

Snuggle lightly probed at her body in several areas. Shade allowed her guard to drop slightly, and in some spots the paws touched, she flinched. The pains chewed her muscles again. But Snuggle was gentle, and it was rather pleasurable; her footpads had a soothing, massaging effect that worked every stress out. The thick, arctic fur felt warm against her skin, helping to relieve some of the problems with lack of heat. Despite this, her throat felt raw, as if it was being ripped apart by countless flesh eating insects crawling into her body through her mouth. She did not speak of this to Snuggle. Weakness was not a trait to be desired among a leader, so she kept to herself what was not already obvious. It was not long before she heard Snuggle rummaging through her pack, and speaking slightly high-pitched words.
"Drink this." She held up a small sponge sack that looked as if it was made to camouflage into whatever was around it. Perfect for a patrol, she mused. These items had been used by military forces under her command for some time, never in such conditions however. She made a mental note to recall this when she next began to research military improvements.
Gingerly Shade pushed herself upward, biting her lip as her ribs ground together. With a relatively strong swing she downed the entire concoction and let it burn down her throat. Groaning in a sense of relief, she hoped it was quiet enough that none other than Snuggle might hear it. "Go now, worm. Your task is done."

Snuggle bowed low and shuffled away, leaving her in a world stirred only by the shuffling of the Torra sentries, and the occasional meteorite from her burning fleet. The fleet she'd commanded for three years, now dust in some cosmic wind. Her heart felt a momentary space. But she knew there was no point in dwelling on it. Retreat, regroup and rebuild. She reminded herself. Never with all the knowledge of every past historian could she have foreseen this. With an ironic smile, she recounted another adage. "Expect the unexpected, indeed."

And at any time, she expected Tras'Lok and his men to return. They returned, only with more urgency than was probable.

Kodos growled and stood, placing an arm on his fuel-rod. Urien sniffed the air. "The Master is back, My Lady."
"How far, Quizal?"
"One half human miles, no more."

She closed her eyes, and concentrated, extending her senses as far as possible with the aid of the magic in her body. Two sets of cloven hooves were running lightly across the ground, stopping occasionally to deliver a burst of plasma behind them. Trouble. No sooner had she opened her eyes than Tras burst into their camp, breathing hard. With wide eyes and stressed features, he gave a controlled shout. "Run! They're right behind us!"

Behind them? Who was behind them?
She paused for a split second, and nodded when she realized who he was speaking of. The Aliens, the ones who'd destroyed her fleet. Something in the back of her mind told her that bloodshed was the right answer, but she easily suppressed such a weak urge and brought her mind just where it needed to be. Just like she was commanding an assault on an enemy. Her forces were in no shape to resist any kind of organized enemy, and neither was she. Although she disliked admitting it, there were clear indications of injury and sickness, no matter how much she denied their presence. The only logical option was to take flight.

At first she tried to push herself up, then discounted such a useless idea when her head swam and her ribs flared, banishing most of the air in her lungs. Her sore throat was gone, Shade knew that this was an indication of future troubles when something invisible, yet clearly present, scythed straight up the center of the camp and detonated far off. "Tras'Lok, take the others and find the index. I will... delay our pursuers." She spoke as smoothly, as clearly as was possible.

"My Lady?" He was somewhat hesitant, he used this time to insert another power core into his rifle. The others laid down covering fire.

"Go!" She laid her voice with firmer intensity. They treated her words like an executioner's command, and broke into a dead run away from the enemy, fading like a storm wind into the trees. Abruptly the incoming fire ceased. It hadn't been entirely accurate to begin with, but she didn't mind less harmful projectiles in the air. More room for her troops to crawl. Shade cast her gaze toward the incoming creatures.

They wore black suits, somewhat reminiscent of human ballistic armor, only without the titanium plating. Masks that absorbed most surrounding light to prevent a glinting effect covered them, shaped as if they were animal heads. Immediately she recognized wolves. Fearsome, pack-minded predators. More startling was in the way they moved. A true family, throwing everything they had into battle. No wasted motions, aggressive jerks, or fearful gander. Relaxed and comfortable was the immediate impression she received, but the matter-of-fact hand gestures suggested contrary.
She tasted salt on her tongue, and hoped on whichever presence was watching she could be invisible for just five seconds. Alas, naught. The beam passing over her body caused a slight stinging feeling in her muscles. Finding out the best way to finish her off.

"Its one of us..." She heard the scanning creature mutter... in human speech?
Something did not fit here, if humans possessed this kind of technology, the Covenant as a whole would be completely defenseless.

"She's awake." Another stated. Shade could hear the distinct sound of a weapon powering up, readying itself to fire. The hairs on her neck raised. Her heartbeat, she noted, had just increased in speed.

"Don't move a muscle, kid. Not like you could." Another joked rather lightly as he walked closer and closer. There was some quiet shuffling when he stopped. Shade opened her eyes. There could be no more than seven present, she was certain. She could defeat such a small number. Discreetly, she began to move her fingers-

-CRACK!-

The butt of a rifle smashed into her hand, forcing a pitiful yelp from her lips. "You will pay in blood, human." She choked. This promise, she intended to keep. They were observant, she would need to be more careful next time. There will be a next time.

He seemed to chuckle slightly, tapping something on the back of his helmet. The garment folded like liquid mercury blankets joined by strings, into his cloth armor. His eyes regarded her with a kind of gentle acceptance that hinted at an unseen cleverness. "So, it speaks after all. Human, am I?" He laughed again. "Look around you."

Not seeing any other option, she did. Suffice it to say, there were more than seven. Everywhere she looked, weapons were either trained toward the surrounding foliage, or her. All fifty of them. She swore in the Covenant tongue, and soon after realized her mistake. He hit her with his rifle again, cracking her neck. Her ears began to ring. Stunned, she mumbled her question. "Where am I?" Her senses caught up later.
His gloved fingers jerked her face upward to look at his own. His eyes were no longer gentle, but narrow, angry flames. He wiped her cheek, and presented the contents to her sight. If there is a next time.

"Murderer. These are you tears. This is your blood." Had she been crying?
She did not remember crying. Or bleeding. Could not feel any coldness or hotness on her skin, other than the man's breath. "This is how I see it. You need me, and I need you."

She was about to swear, about to deny, when he jammed his weapon into her ribs, eliciting another yelp- a scream of pain -and finally, for one blissful eternity, relented. Gasping, she decided it better to keep silent. Time to try another approach, else death was a very likely conclusion. She had been taught how to endure, and knew great pain. But Shade knew not if she could resist these creatures, despite all her training. They seemed to know a great deal.

"You are sick. Injured and without care will eventually die. You will tell me everything there is to know about your presence on this installation. If you co-operate, we heal one piece of your ailments. If you refuse my questionings... we will break something else."

He smiled cheerfully; his eyes told her he was anything but happy. "Understood?"
Shade did not answer him.
He nudged her ribs. This time, she managed not to scream or otherwise show any visible emotion. But the intention was clear. He still wore that same cheerful, condemning expression. "I understand." Shade whispered.

"Nice to meet you too. Jaeden'Seul." He bowed. "Now, how would you like to go for a ride?"

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