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The Last Ranger: Prologue
Date: 9 June 2008, 11:46 pm

He didn't have long, he knew that. His stomach ached, a dull throbbing pain in its place. His legs hurt, especially his right one where, looking at it now, he could see part of his shin had been blown away, revealing dark purple flesh. Blood was oozing out and he tried to shut out the pain it was causing him. He wasn't very successful.

His chest hurt and putting a hand there he could practically stick two of his fingers into the worst of the wounds: he had been hit square in the chest with a projectile weapon and the projectile itself had shredded itself up on its journey through him. Each breath required an amazing amount of effort which meant his lungs and respiratory system had been damaged in some way. He coughed, although rather than harmless saliva spraying out he ended up gagging on his own blood, bringing it up and coughing it up all over his lap.

In his right hand was a pistol: not anything he was very familiar with, rather a human made weapon which used the somewhat inferior projectile rounds when compared with plasma weapons. Right now it was the only weapon he had and one of the humans, the gruff looking one with the facial hair, he couldn't quite remember the name, had showed him how to use it several days before. Using his other hand to pull back the slider, he ejected the lone bullet and let it land with a slight clink onto the stone and marble floor underneath him.

Picking it up, he reached for his waist and pulled away one of the spare magazines. It was the only one he had left and he squeezed the lone bullet into it, ejecting the empty one from the pistol and loading the new one in its place.
Thirteen bullets, that's all he had left. Resting the pistol on the floor beside him, he slumped against the wall, trying to clear his mind. Memories of home and of recent events came flashing through his mind, he tried to determine which ones had relative meaning to his predicament now.

Taking a quick glance around the small room he was in, he noted that it was underground. The floor was tiled neatly with glazed, marble tiles. The stone walls were painted a light beige colour and one stained glass window was on the other side of the room, sunlight filtering inside and into his eyes.

Putting a hand in front of his eyes to block out the
sunlight, he saw the other human, the dark-haired one whom so many had considered a coward, sitting underneath the window. His uniform was stained with red blood but he seemed to still be alive, a pistol in each hand. He had been looking towards his Elite roommate for some time.

"You're not looking too well," the human said. Jeras just ignored him, shifting where he sat and grunting from the pain it caused. He knew he must have been bleeding to death, both externally and internally, but he knew that if he didn't go outside and finish what was started the night before he would probably die where he sat.

"You're not actually considering on going outside are you?" The human asked, "they'll be all over the damn monastery…Every single one of the Krauts…" The human coughed, not in much of a state to talk.

Jeras Kallonmee didn't bother responding to the human. For the past year he had spent his time fighting their species, only to discover that he had been doing the wrong thing in that aspect. The Prophets were the ones who deserved to die.

There was a door to his left: an old, wooden door with a handle-opening mechanism. Behind it was the main outdoor courtyard of the ancient human structure, the structure that had been built over five hundred human years ago and had acted as a museum for many human artefacts. Many of these artefacts had been worthless in every sense to Jeras, although a few had actually been those of the Forerunners, the very gods the Prophets had made his species worship.

Jeras didn't think it would happen, but it did: a memory that came into his mind, it seemed serious but it made him laugh. The day, all those years ago, he had struck down his trainer, the elderly Sangheili had had it coming.

"You will never amount to anything!"

The trainer struck him again, this time in the ribs. Jeras fell onto the floor, shouting from the pain. Standing about a metre or so from him was the tall, elderly but surprisingly athletic trainer Master Kaklas. He was in the basic robes of an elder, Jeras with only a pair of beige training shorts on. He was only fifteen and yet Kaklas expected him to be able to do all that he could do.

Tears were welling up in Jeras' eyes, but he dared not to cry. Instead he got up, the steel training baton in his right hand. He held it at the ready, trying to prepare himself for another of Kaklas' attacks. The elderly master just waited for Jeras to attack, his wooden cane back in its original position to aid in his stance.

Jeras was exhausted, bruised and bloodied. For the last few hours he had been forced into training by his father, who, for the first hour or so, had been watching from the other side of the room. He had left by now though, not wanting to see his son humiliated in defeat.

Which was part of the reason why Jeras always got back up. Every time the master knocked him down, Jeras would get back up, no matter how severe the injuries were. Any medically trained Sangheili would be telling him to stop but even if that did happen, Jeras wouldn't listen. He wanted to show anyone, he wanted to show himself, he could get through this. That he could actually get a hit past the ageing master's defences.

Twirling the baton around in his right hand in the way his father had shown him, Jeras charged forwards, only for the master to sidestep and stick his cane out at a low angle. Jeras was caught off guard and was tripped right over the surprisingly strong cane,, landing flat on the floor. He was short of breath and the master simply stood where he was, barking demoralising insults at him. After all, it was his job.

"Your father left since he could not bear to see you lose," Kaklas said, "he did not want to have his family name dishonoured because of your poor efforts."

Jeras was suddenly filled with rage. His father had been the one to force him into this, into this so-called 'training' session. Now he had left and still hadn't told the ageing master to stop. It was a test of Jeras' endurance, both physical and mental. He would have to take a beating and he would have to take insults. All he had to do was prove to his father that he could fight.

Ever since Jeras had been young he had been against violence. He simply didn't believe in it. His father was a highly decorated Field Commander and to have a pacifist son was embarrassing. He had forced Jeras into a brutal training course, had forced him to train every day, study every night. His father took it all very seriously and didn't take much notice of his son's complaints.

Jeras slowly rose to his feet. Immediately the master struck him down again with a quick blow from his cane across Jeras' back. It stung madly and Jeras was down on the floor, groaning as his muscles tried to recover from the blow. It was agonizing and for a moment he thought he might not be able to get up again.

Jeras rolled onto his back and saw that the master was standing over him, looking down with a smug grin.

"You are the son of a war hero," Kaklas said, "you embarrass your father and your family name by your pacifist approach…"

Jeras summed up the last of his strength in a get up attack which Kaklas never saw coming. Jeras kicked out with both legs, getting the master in the stomach and winding him.
Jeras brought himself forward at the same time, putting himself back onto his hooves. He still had the steel baton in his right hand which, seeing that the master was only just recovering from being winded, Jeras twirled into an
appropriate position.

He stepped towards the master and brought the baton from around his head and into Kaklas' face, tenderizing his mandibles. The master stumbled backwards and before he could recover from that Jeras swung again. This was quickly followed by another swing and another. He tried out a variety of different swings from quick smacks to the more powerful, full swings.

However, Jeras had left himself open to attack. He was mildly aware of his father coming back into the room and standing by the door, watching with a neutral expression as his son beat up a sixty-five year old Sangheili elder.

The master kicked Jeras in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards before he came to a painful rest against a wall. Kaklas wiped the blood away from his mandibles and seemed angrier now since he hadn't taken any blows since the beginning of the fight.

The elders were renowned for being able to keep their emotions in check but they were also renowned for losing control in spectacular fashion. This was one of those losing control times as Kaklas rushed towards Jeras and in one strike brought his cane around his head and into the side of Jeras' face.

The pain was excruciating and a few of Jeras' teeth were completely knocked out. He fell onto his side on the floor, groaning and putting a hand to his mandibles, finding that a gash had opened on the side of one of them where the cane had struck.

Jeras shook his head, trying to shake away the pain. He was aware of Kaklas stepping towards him and could see the rage in the ageing Sangheili's eyes. Jeras managed to avoid the incoming kick and instead grabbed the master's leg and twisted it at an awkward angle. There was the sound of something inside it breaking and the master roared in pain, falling to the floor.

Reaching a short distance to his right, Jeras found the steel baton which had fallen from his grasp from the master's last attack and grabbed it, getting back onto his hooves. Filled with rage, he brought the baton down onto the master's head. Something underneath made a cracking sound and at that moment Jeras lost complete control of himself, bringing the steel baton down again and again.
Something broke away underneath and soon dark purple blood was flying up with each blow. He was aware of a vice like grip grabbing both sides of him and forcing the baton out of his hands. Turning around he saw it was his father, who looked him straight in the eyes.

His father didn't look too worried about what had happened and had felt it more of a mess obligation to stop Jeras from beating the now dead Kaklas any further. He just looked his son in the eyes and muttered a few simple words which changed Jeras forever.
"Well done," his father said.

"How much ammunition do you have left?"

The voice completely broke Jeras' train of thought. He looked up and towards the human.

"What?"

"How much ammunition do you have left, ugly?" The human asked, using the same name that a lot of humans called him. Jeras just shrugged.

"A single magazine," he said, "not enough to put up a good fight…"

The human, Mathers was his name, Jeras suddenly remembered, simply laughed.

"Well, you're better off than me, I guess," he said, coughing, "I only have a few bullets left."

Bullets were the projectiles most of these human weapons fired. Jeras hadn't known that until just recently. He also hadn't known what 'toast' was until some of the humans began making it in the mornings, occasionally offering some, usually with some sort of topping.

"It would be suicidal to go outside," Mathers said. The sound of a truck engine could be heard, growing in volume as it pulled up somewhere outside. Voices and footsteps could be heard once it had stopped, another complement of enemy soldiers hopping out and taking up positions outside.

There was the sound of gunfire which was returned by the sound of energy weapons fire. The gunfire abruptly stopped and a few laughs could be heard outside.

"They're mopping up," Mathers said, "it shouldn't be too long before they find us. Either we go outside and die or we stay in here."

Jeras didn't like the idea of dying in the same room as this human but he also didn't have the strength to get up. He was sitting in a gradually growing pool of his own blood and every time he coughed he would bring up some more.

He sat back a little, putting his head against the wall, taking deep breaths. If he was going to die, he would go outside and die in some sort of glory, gunned down in a hail of enemy weapons fire. He would not die in this hidey-hole with this human whom, for some reason, he didn't particularly like.

Memories of recent events came flooding back to him. He was a Ranger, a member of an all volunteer unit chosen to fight in the harshest of environments which included the vacuum of space. The armour they wore was made to protect them from the lethal, freezing vacuum but could easily be penetrated by human and plasma weaponry.

It had been a few years earlier when he had volunteered for this unit. It had been thanks to a friend of his that he had joined. The Rangers had been an entirely new thing for the Covenant, something of which no one had ever heard of before. His friend had found out and convinced him to join up with him. The training course had been intense but he had made many friends throughout. All of those friends were either dead or dying, he couldn't be sure since it had been a while since he had seen any of them. He had last seen Kenas and the others alive last night before they had been attacked by an overwhelming force and Jeras had been wounded many times, being forced to take shelter in this basement room for his own safety.

Thinking back on it now, he would have preferred to die in battle like the others. He tried to get up but it hurt far too much and he was down again, sitting in a pool of his own blood as he slowly bled to death, both internally and externally.

Mathers was looking on and simply chuckled when he saw Jeras' attempt to get back on his hooves.

"Even I can say you're in no state to get up," Mathers said, "and I'm no medical expert. How about we just sit here for a while?"

Jeras just shook his head.

"Why? You want to go outside, get gunned down like any other Elite should?"

For the last time, Jeras thought, he wasn't an Elite. He was a Sangheili. This human was beginning to infuriate him and even if Jeras was feeling a bit weak he could probably find some way of strangling the life out of Mathers.

"We could talk, you know," Mathers said, "have a civil chat. I'll tell you about myself if you tell me about yourself."

Jeras wasn't in too much of a mood to speak with the human and didn't reply, making it obvious he didn't want to talk. Mathers pretended to be ignorant of this fact and kept getting Jeras to talk.

"What's the matter?" Mathers asked, coughing, "cat got your tongue?" He paused and then frowned. "Do you even have a tongue?"

Jeras didn't answer straight away. He gave the question some thought, before replying, "what's a cat?"

Mathers laughed for what seemed to be the hundredth time
since Jeras had woken up. Once he had stopped, he prepared to answer the question but was interrupted by the sound of shouting outside. Mathers slowly rose to his feet and took a look through the window above him, putting a hand above his eyes to block out the bright morning sunlight. He seemed to be watching something for a moment and turned around when a sound of weapons fire could be heard.

"There goes another one," he said, sitting back down. He looked towards Jeras. "He was sprinting across the grassland outside when one of those Gerrie bastards shot him down."

Jeras wasn't too familiar with this human's choice of words. Each Ranger, like himself, had been taught the main human language so that, if needed, they could communicate with humans, operate their technology and so forth. It seemed a waste of time since a lot of the humans used slang words and profanities, something of which Jeras wasn't too familiar with.

"So, are you going to talk or what?" Mathers asked. Jeras didn't reply. Mathers just shook his head.

"How about we keep it simple?" He asked, coughing in mid-sentence, "you have any girls in your life? Any females?"

Jeras thought that maybe it wasn't the human's business to know, so he didn't answer. Mathers just sighed, frowning.

"Could you be more cooperative?" Mathers asked, sounding flustered, "I'm just trying to make our last moments on Earth a bit more light-hearted and you don't even want to talk."

A silence followed, which continued for about another minute. Jeras put a hand to his side and could feel yet another wound he had missed which had gone through his side and into his gut and was bleeding profusely. No wonder he felt so sick.

"Tell me about your family," Mathers said suddenly, "come on, let's get a talk going here. I don't want to die in silence."

Jeras thought about this for a moment. He didn't feel like talking about his family life with a human, but he realized that maybe there wasn't much else to do and he might be better off just humouring the human.

"My family?" Jeras asked.

"Yes, you do have a family, don't you?" Mathers asked, "I know some of your friends did. Some of the men would speak with them, get to know them. You, on the other hand, seemed awfully quiet."

Jeras did have a family. The last time he had seen his father had been when he was seventeen. He often lied about it to people whenever he was talking about it, saying that his father had died in battle and so he had gone to live with only his mother for the next few years. It was, of course, an entirely different story which was often painful to talk about. Right now though, he was in far more physical pain then emotional pain and thus thought he could talk about it. Many people said that it was better to talk about something that's bothering you, but he had never really been a great believer in that. Mathers seemed the type who would be interested to hear the full story, though. Jeras couldn't pinpoint why exactly but he just seemed the type.

Jeras, had, for most of his early life up until he was old enough to join the military, lived in a reasonably sized home on the outskirts of one of Sanghelios' many cities.
The city itself was surrounded by grassland, hills and swamp land and the beach was several kilometres away. The population was mostly Sangheili but ever since the war with the humans had began an increasingly large population of other Covenant races had started to appear in the city. Covenant shuttles, drop-ships and a few capital ships were visible in the sky over the city.

This particular night was like any other, although tonight Jeras had spent the night out with friends at a club in the city, watching the Sangheili females there dance for them. He was seventeen and had some time off from the college he was attending, which gave him an excuse to spend his nights like this. He couldn't remember this particular night all that well, he had taken in a little too much liquor.

His father, Jalais, had recently returned from a campaign against the humans. He had come back with some wounds and with some decent stories of his exploits.

His mother, since neither Jeras' father or Jeras himself had been at home that day, had spent the day with some of her friends out in the city. Jeras didn't have any means of transportation home and she had been the first one he had contacted for a means of getting home. The Sanghelios cities were unlike the ones on High Charity, there were only some anti-grav transports available. The means of transportation on Sanghelios was by ground or by shuttle.

His mother arrived in a standard transport, a spin-off of the military vehicle known as the Spectre, although in place of a plasma cannon there was a back seat.

His mother's name was Erilina and she had never been on good relations with her husband. Apparently it had been fine at first, but as time wore on and Jalais was leaving more and more frequently to fight in the war she had begun to grow tired of the man. Of course, she tried to make it out that everything was fine to Jeras, although he knew just as well as she did.

She pulled up in the civilian Spectre in front of him and turned to look at him. She gave him a strange look.

"You're not drunk, are you?" She asked, unsure of what to think of him.

Jeras shook his head.

"I don't think so…"

She nodded.

"Uh-huh." She paused, before adding, "it doesn't really matter, I was heading home myself. Just climb in," she said.
Jeras climbed into the backseat, his head throbbing with a dull pain. He certainly did feel light-headed and began to laugh quietly for no reason at all. His mother just ignored him.

It was a fairly long drive through the city before they reached their home, located on a hill which gave an excellent view of the city skyline. Pulling up outside the front of their house, Jeras had begun to doze off in the back seat of the car. He was woken up by his mother, who turned to him and spoke loudly.

"Jeras, wake up," she said, "we're home."

Jeras regained his sense and saw that his mother was given him another strange look.

"If you want to sleep, you do it inside," she said, "no telling what you'll feel like in the morning, though."
She switched off the civilian Spectre's engine and climbed out. Jeras followed but he suddenly noticed his mother was glaring at something, now in deep thought all of a sudden.

"Your father's vehicle is out front," she said, nodding towards another civilian Spectre, dark in colour. Jeras recognized it as his father's Spectre, which didn't bother him so much, unlike how his mother seemed to be reacting.

"He told me he wouldn't be back until much later," she said. She started towards the front door, Jeras following. The sensors above the door, sensing that it was her, made the door slide open automatically. Following her inside, Jeras sat himself down on the couch in the lounge room, beginning to doze off again. His thought was broken when he heard angry shouting, mostly from his mother, who was down the corridor somewhere.

"Who's that?"

"She's no one…"

"You didn't expect me back early so you invite one of your other female friends over? How long has this been going on?"

"It's not what you think…"

"Oh really? Who is she, anyway?"

Jeras could hear that it was his mother asking all the questions. His father was trying his best to answer them and he saw a young Sangheili female, dressed in violet robes, walk past the lounge. They made eye contact for a second before she was out of the door.

His mother came into the lounge, looking quite angry. She turned to Jeras.

"Pack your things," she said, "we're leaving and we're not coming back. I just caught your father in the bedroom with one of those medical officers from the ship he was stationed on."

Jeras didn't feel very well and was hardly paying attention to what was going on around him. Instead, he rested his head on the arm of the couch and fell asleep, much to his mother's discontent.

"You're joking, right?" Mathers asked, laughing, "after all that time, your daddy was riding some medical officer?"

Jeras nodded. He wasn't entirely sure what to say. At the time he hadn't thought much of it, but now it seemed quite a big deal to him. That had been the last time he had seen his father.

"There has got to be more you can tell me," Mathers said, "for one thing, how did you end up on Earth?"
Now that there would be a long story. Jeras just nodded.

"It is a long story," he said, "and I'm guessing you would want to hear it before we both bleed to death?"

"Better than dying in silence," Mathers said.

Jeras agreed with this remark. It would get things off his mind, and once he was done telling it, he would be heading outside and finishing what was started. Jeras was a Ranger, he was elitely trained and his speciality was going up against overwhelming enemy forces. For the human's own amusement, Jeras began telling his story, starting with his apartment on High Charity on the Sol Relative Time of September 12th, 2550...

The Last Ranger Ch. 1: One Reason to join the Rangers
Date: 19 June 2008, 10:37 pm

Sol Relative Time: September 12th, 2550

Jeras Kallonmee was twenty-two at the time and living in an apartment on the twentieth floor of a standard apartment block in the Sangheili quarter of the massive city that took up most of the planetoid known as High Charity. It was your standard fare, with a bedroom, a bathroom and a small living area which went together with a kitchen.
There were few windows, with about two in the bedroom. Jeras supposed they were there so you could fall asleep watching the ever changing skyline of the city of towering, monolithic structures but he failed to see the point. He was a light sleeper, although last night had been different considering he had returned home late after spending some time with Kenas and the others, fuelled on liquor and acting in a far more stupider fashion than usual.

He had slept well, for the short time it had been, since it seemed only a very short time ago his head his hit the pillow and now there was this infernal beeping noise coming from the monitor by the bed. It had been his idea after all to set the alarm on the monitor so it went off early in the morning so he could get up and start working out, but right now he wasn't in the mood to hear it.

Shifting over in the bed, he groaned as he gained consciousness and reached towards the monitor, trying to find the appropriate switch which would turn off the alarm. Instead of finding it he knocked the small computer off of the table by the bed and onto the floor which was followed with a subdued thud.

He grunted, able to feel a dull, throbbing pain in his head. He wasn't feeling all that good and stuck his head over the side of the bed, throwing up all over the floor.

Too many times his friends had showed concern for his drinking habits but to be truthful, he really didn't care. His life was a mess, he had been rejected from the regular infantry and most of his friends were jerks, except for Kenas. He was alright.

It had been a month since he had tried to get into the regular infantry, just as a simple Minor. Joining the military had been the most prominent reason why he had decided to come to High Charity, since on High Charity you had more chance of getting into what branch of military you wanted to become involved in. He had told his mother that he would return to Sanghelios as a highly decorated officer of the regular infantry, possibly even gets into Special Operations.

Those dreams had been crushed when the officer in charge of the unit he was attempting to join had taken a dislike to him, especially after reading about his family background and the many failures he had had in the war college. The officer had rejected Jeras quite happily, saying that Jeras was probably better off being a carpenter or something. Something which didn't involve fighting.

Yeah, right. Jeras didn't want to become some sort of second rate citizen who went around fixing people's floors and other aspects of their homes. He wanted to make something for himself, he wanted to prove to the elders back on Sanghelios that he was capable of amounting to something.

Usually with a war on one would have an easier time of joining the military. That didn't seem to be the case for Jeras and he mostly blamed the humans since they were losing so pathetically against the 'might' of the Covenant. Maybe if the Covenant had been losing he
would be in the infantry by now.

He certainly didn't plan on becoming a naval officer, one of those uptight types who worked on ships. They weren't too well respected, it was always the infantry, the group that got the brunt of the fighting, that gained respect.

Being a pilot wasn't an option either. He probably couldn't fly a Seraph to save his own life. In this war, fighter pilots weren't needed too much, the humans seemed to be at a considerable disadvantage in a dogfight.
Jeras, taking a look down at his spew, noticed mainly that it consisted of whatever he had eaten last night, albeit in much smaller pieces.

The beeping was still on in the background, so reaching down to the fallen computer monitor he picked it up (it was only about six inches across) and found the appropriate button on it, shutting off the beeping and making the inside of the bedroom utterly silent. He placed the monitor back on the bedside table and lay back down, staring towards the purple-blue ceiling.

It was quite dark inside the room, especially with the window shutters closed and all the lights switched off. He wasn't in the mood of getting out of bed and lay where he was for a while, still feeling sick and with no idea of what he should do in the day ahead of him.

He wasn't expecting the beeping to start again, this time it was down an octave to signal an incoming message. He grabbed the computer and the beeping stopped abruptly. He peered at the screen and used the holographic keys to highlight the saved message.

He didn't know who would be trying to reach him at this time and he was only slightly surprised to see that the message was from Kenas. Kenas was the type who would be up and about at an early time which would explain why he was trying to reach Jeras now.

SORRY TO WAKE YOU JERAS, BUT I'LL BE COMING OVER IN A FEW HOURS. I THINK I MAY HAVE JUST FOUND US AN OPPURTUNITY TO JOIN THE MILITARY—Kenas.

Jeras didn't know what to think. If Kenas had found the ideal opportunity for them to join up, then maybe Jeras might end up fighting in the war as well. Kenas hadn't given any details and probably would arrive at the apartment in his usual humorous mood with news about some rather uninteresting job opportunity concerning the military. It had happened a few times before so Jeras wasn't about to get his hopes up.

Jeras realized that he hadn't checked his messages for the past few days. Taking a look at the list of several stored messages, he saw that many of them were from his mother who was living back home on Sanghelios. They were the standard messages of love and recent events back home and that things were going well between her and the Sangheili Commander she had recently become involved with. She was beginning to inquire about his status in finding work, whether it be civilian or military, and whether or not he had made any friends.

His mother had certainly had changed ever since she had become involved with this Sangheili Commander. She had met him a short time before Jeras had left. He was a veteran of battle although he did have a good personality, quite unlike the kind that many of the other, hardened veterans had.

Jeras had the feeling that maybe he should reply and tell his mother just how he was going but he thought better of it. If he told her that all he was doing on High Charity was drink excessive amounts of liquor and muck around in the streets he would probably have to answer a multitude of worrisome questions from his mother.

Jeras, on a few occasions, had gotten locked up in the Sangheili quarter holding cells for his antics during the night. The City Patrol Sangheili were usually ageing war veterans who seemed to enjoy ruining whatever fun someone under the age of thirty was having, always cracking down on the slightest bit of crime in the strictest of ways.
They might not have been so dangerous if it wasn't for the stun batons they carried around with them which could give someone like Jeras a nasty electric shock and a severe headache, as well as make him puke.
On a couple of these occasions he had been on the receiving end of one and had thrown up all over the attacking officer, which just made him get hit even more with the baton until the shocks rendered him unconscious. Jeras had woken up in a holding cell the next morning with a severe headache, worse than the throbbing one he had now.

Deleting the majority of the messages after reading them, he found a select few from Ariana. She was probably the only other thing he had to look forward to on High Charity other than waking up feeling like crap and drinking far too much liquor.

Thinking about her, he realized it had been more than just a few days since he had last seen her. She was twenty and a novice nurse. She had a bit of a wild side to her personality, especially in the way she acted sometimes and her sense of humour.

She was also one of the most striking females Jeras had met. She had an almost perfect appearance with a lighter blue tone of skin than other females, blue eyes which always got Jeras' attention and excellent legs.
Jeras doubted he wasn't the only one trying to win her affection, although Jeras knew he was the one who was clearly winning. She seemed almost infatuated with him, the previous month she had averaged on sending him two messages a day. That had gradually decreased because of the ever increasing pressures of her nurse training although the less amounts of messages she sent, the more these select few were in detail, usually long and well written, usually ending with something about how she loved Jeras. Jeras felt mostly the same, thankful that she had been the first one to say their true feelings for the other and so Jeras had replied in much the same way.

He had met her the day he had arrived on High Charity, having caught a ride on a freighter with Kenas. The trip had been dreadfully dull so when he had walked into the bar at the spaceport and saw her there, alone and having just come off of a shuttle, he had sat on a seat close to her.

She had seen him, coming over and offering to buy him a drink. Jeras had obliged considering his taste for alcoholic beverages and it had gone on from there.

Jeras took a moment to think about what he should actually do today. A work out was what he would end up having to do if he wanted to keep in shape. He wasn't as muscular as some of the Sangheili his age who were in the infantry but he did have muscles and was working on making them, well, bigger.

Climbing out of bed, he slipped on a pair of beige shorts and made his way out to the kitchen. He made himself a simple breakfast and then went into the bathroom, still feeling kind of hung-over but now only slightly better.

He stood at the sink and looked at himself in the mirror. He had light orange eyes, much the same colour as his mother's but he did have his father's mandibles, that was for certain. He noticed a leftover bottle of Sangheilian whiskey on the sink and picked it up, shaking it around and seeing that it was two thirds full. Pleased with his luck, he took of the lid and began downing the contents.

Finishing off a gulp, he put the bottle down on the side of the sink and wasn't expecting it to fall off the side, smashing loudly on the floor and splashing whiskey all over his hooves. He cursed loudly and took a look down at the shattered glass and split liquor. He wasn't in the mood for cleaning, that was for sure.

Using one hoof to push away the glass, he quickly cleaned his teeth and went out into the living area, beginning his daily routine of lifting weights, push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises for about an hour and a half.

Once he was satisfied with getting a decent workout, he proceeded to try and contact Ariana on the video messenger, but for some reason she was unavailable. He guessed it was simply because of her job as a nurse and so decided he would wait for Kenas to arrive, finding a rubber ball and lying on the bed, throwing the ball up to the ceiling and catching it while he thought things through.

His apartment certainly need a clean, which included all rooms. His bedroom was a mess with most of his belongings and clothing left lying around on the floor, for "easy access" as he so often put it, both to Ariana and Kenas whenever they came over, for whatever reason.
About twenty minutes of ball tossing passed and soon after he lost interest, getting the video phone out again and this time successfully contacting Ariana.

He was pleased to see her face after a few days of more or less boredom. Like all females, her mandibles were more narrow and she was of lighter build than your typical male. She looked to be in her nurse's robes and seemed pleased to see him.

"Jeras, I noticed that you tried to call earlier…" She said, "I had the phone off, if you're wondering why you couldn't get through."

"It's good to see you, Ariana," Jeras said, "I'm sorry if I haven't tried to get in touch in a while…I've just been, uh…busy."

Busy, yeah, sure. Busy getting in trouble with City Patrol and busy drinking. He felt bad for lying, but he didn't know what else to do.

"Busy doing what, handsome?" She asked, giving the equivalent of a smile with her mandibles, "cleaning up your apartment?"

Jeras looked around at his bedroom and just shrugged.

"Not really…"

"Then what?"

"Trying to get into the infantry," Jeras said, lying again. It had been a good month since he had attempted to get into the regular infantry.

"Any luck?"

Jeras shook his head.

"I was expecting someone like you would have no trouble," Ariana said. She just shrugged. "I guess I was wrong."

"Many of the officer don't approve of Sangheili coming from broken homes, like me," Jeras said, "they think I'm going to abandon my comrades in combat, like my father abandoned my mother for someone else five years ago…"

"You've told me enough about your father and what happened," Ariana said, "you really should just forget about it."

"It's not like it matters to me much anymore," Jeras said, "it certainly didn't at the time…It's just that many of these officers have stern, often prejudiced, beliefs. I can't do much about it…"

Ariana gave a typical "what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it?" expression which was one she seemed to use a lot.

"Well, changing the subject, I'm close to completing my training," Ariana said, "I'll be a nurse working at a hospital here on High Charity soon enough. I don't think I'm cut out for the kind of frontline and battlefield work just yet."

Jeras suddenly felt happy for her.

"Really? That's great," he said, lightening up for what was probably the first time in a while.

"Not that this war needs a lot of nurses," Ariana said, "from what I've been hearing, Sangheili seem to be the group that receives the least amount of casualties in battle against the humans. I'm trained to work on Kig-Yar, though…"

Jeras just laughed.

"Kig-Yar? Can't stand the creatures," he said. He paused. It had been a while since he had truly spent some quality time with Ariana, so a thought came into his mind which he suddenly found himself saying, despite his uncertainties.

"You should come down to my apartment tonight," Jeras said, "we can go out somewhere, unless, of course, you're busy being a nurse…"

Ariana just smiled.

"I'll come," she said, "what have you got in mind?"

"No idea," Jeras replied, "but I'll figure something out."

Ariana paused briefly before responding, as if she was thinking about her reply.

"Sounds good," she said with a slight hint of sarcasm, "I'll see you there."

"See you there," Jeras said as Ariana ended the connection.

Kenas Krakonim was about an inch shorter than Jeras, slightly less muscular but far more the athletic type. He was quick at practically everything he did, whether it be running or just throwing a ball. His reflexes were almost unmatched. However, Kenas had been rejected from the infantry since he never took anything seriously, always joking around and just being plain silly.

When Jeras saw that it was Kenas standing behind the door into his apartment, he unlocked the door and let him in. Kenas was in some regular casual clothes and looked a little more ragged than usual. Jeras had put on a dark vest which did help somewhat to show off his muscular physique.

"Kenas, you said you had something to tell me?" Jeras asked as his friend came in, smiling as usual.

"Yeah, I'll get to that," Kenas said. The door closed behind him and he stopped, taking a look around at the messy interior of the apartment. He took a step forward and knocked a discarded bottle of liquor with his hoof. He took a look down at it and bent over, picking it up.

"You really have to clean this place up," Kenas said.

Jeras just shook his head.

"You've told me before," Jeras said, "and I always say the same thing…"

"You'll 'find some time'?"

Jeras paused. If it really was that easy for Kenas to figure him out then Jeras guessed either Kenas knew him really well or Jeras lacked imagination and was a bad liar. He was a bad liar, he always had been although Ariana was yet to find that out…

Kenas peered at the label on the bottle, shaking his head.

"This is the cheap stuff," he said, "I can't stand the cheap stuff…" He looked up. "How can you?"

It was the cheap stuff because that was all Jeras could actually afford. He wasn't about to tell anyone about his lack of money and so just shrugged.

"I guess I've taken a liking to it," Jeras said, "so what?"

Kenas put the empty bottle on a nearby table. "You've always had a liking for cheap liquor, which is why you're hardly ever fully sober. I can't tell if you are now…"

"I am," Jeras replied bluntly.

"Your breath certainly doesn't smell sober," Kenas said, sniffing the air in front of Jeras. He paused. "You really have a serious problem…"

Jeras didn't feel like hearing about his many obvious problems, but he couldn't think of a way of changing the subject. Thus he let Kenas continue speaking about them, much to Jeras' own annoyance.

"Take a look at yourself, Jeras," Kenas said, "you smell like cheap liquor, you're gaining weight…"

"I am?"

Kenas prodded his stomach.

"I can tell," he said.

"But I'm working out…"

"Not enough, fatso," Kenas replied, grinning. He stopped prodding Jeras' stomach when he saw the angry expression his friend was making and so lost the grin as well.

"This is because you were rejected, weren't you?" Kenas asked, "it's obvious…"

"What do you want me to do?" Jeras asked, "if they won't have me in the infantry, where should I go?"

Kenas just smiled. He sat himself down on the sofa close to him and looked up towards Jeras.

"That's why I'm here," Kenas said, pausing for a moment. He took a glance around the apartment again before looking back at Jeras.

"Before I go on, how's things going on between you and that nurse, what was her name again, I've forgotten…?"

"Ariana," Jeras said. He frowned. "Why do you want to know?"

"What does she think of her boyfriend's drinking habits?" Kenas asked, grinning, "and of his apartment? Or does all that stuff make you seem more attractive…?"

Jeras kept his cool and simply stared back at Kenas, giving him an annoyed expression.

"Everything's fine between her and myself," Jeras said, "why?"

"I would think she wouldn't approve of your…habits," Kenas said with a slight pause before the last word. There was a long pause while both Kenas and Jeras figured out what to say next.

"So, have you gotten her in bed yet?" Kenas asked suddenly.

"Sorry?"

"Have you gotten her in bed yet, you know…?" He trailed off. Jeras realized what he was implying and just shook his head.

"No, no, of course not," Jeras replied hurriedly, "why is that any of your business?"

"You haven't?" Kenas asked with a hint of surprise, "I thought someone like you would have already…"

"Kenas, just shut up," Jeras said, beginning to get very annoyed at what his friend was saying, attempting to pry into his personal life, "why don't you just get on with telling me what you came here to tell me?"

"About what?"

Jeras rolled his eyes.

"About whatever it was you mentioned in that message…"

"Oh, yeah, that," Kenas said, "like I said, I may have just found us the ideal opportunity to get out of this dull, High Charity life."

Jeras gave the equivalent of a raised eyebrow and looked towards Kenas, waiting for his friend to continue.

"What is it?"

Kenas stood up and reached into a pocket on his tight fitting shirt, taking out a datapad and handing it to Jeras. Jeras took it and began flicking through the information stored away on the device, something about some new branch of the military recently introduced to the Covenant military…

"All Sangheili, all volunteer," Kenas said, "brand new to the Covenant military. It has been around for a while, but it's only just recently that it was set up as an entirely new branch of military."

Jeras peered towards him from the datapad.

"What exactly is it?" He asked.

"They call them the 'Rangers'," Kenas said, "soldiers trained to fight in the most inhospitable environments, with the right equipment of course."

"Inhospitable environments…?" Jeras trailed off. He didn't like the sound of this already.

"More or less the vacuum of space," Kenas said, smiling, "although there will be in-atmosphere operations…I think it all sounds kind of cool…"

"Are you serious?" Jeras asked, "space? We're going to be fighting in space itself?"

"Usually the Rangers are the ones sent to an enemy vessel, most likely human, to secure the exterior and find a safe way inside if necessary. Our job is to sabotage their escape pods and engines."

"We're not in it yet," Jeras said, "and I don't think I want to be…"
Kenas just shook his head.

"Are you serious, Jeras?" Kenas asked, sounding frustrated, "do you want to spend your life here, drinking and living in this filth?"

"It's my own filth, though," Jeras said. He paused. He didn't like the idea of fighting in space itself, all sorts of accidents could happen. The environment suits, he was guessing, were armoured, but even so they could still puncture, he could still watch in horror as atmosphere vented from his suit and he suffocated. If he was hit his blood would freeze instantly and his wounds would probably be twice as painful as they would be in a planet's atmosphere. Trust Kenas to find a line of work like this. The guy was reckless.

"They accept anybody, Jeras," Kenas asked, "Sangheili like me, even. You would have no trouble getting in the Rangers. I wouldn't either."

"Why do you think they accept anyone young and male?" Jeras asked.

"Because they don't particularly care?"

"Because no one in their right mind wants to join up," Jeras said, "the whole idea is stupid…suicidal. I would prefer to stay here and drink."
Kenas shook his head. He certainly looked frustrated.

"Did I mention that every regular Ranger gets a bonus pay cut?" Kenas asked.

Jeras looked towards him. He was short on money and any little bit would help, although he would probably end up spending it all on cheap liquor anyway.

"The yearly pay for a regular infantryman is twenty thousand credits a year," Kenas asked, "a regular Ranger gets that and an extra ten thousand."

Yeah, a line of work like this would need extra pay, Jeras thought. To sucker young Sangheili like him into joining.

"So, what do you say?" Kenas asked.

Jeras thought about it for a moment. He had nothing here on High Charity except for Ariana, and she would be fine if he was away for a while. They would keep in touch, at least, that's what he hoped. No matter how sceptical he was about the Rangers, how worried he was about the obvious risks, he still would join Kenas into getting recruited. Extra pay, was after all, extra pay.

"I think…well…" Jeras paused. He was still too uncertain.

"Look, I'm joining up regardless of what you want to do," Kenas said, "so I'm not waiting any longer…"

"I'll come," Jeras said.

Kenas smiled and patted Jeras on the shoulder.

"Great," he said, "the office for the Rangers isn't far from here."

Jeras gave an uncertain expression.

"What? We're going now?"

"Of course we are," Kenas said, starting for the door. It slid open as he approached and Jeras followed him out to the corridor. Kenas seemed pleased with himself, as if he was genuinely looking forward to what they were about to do. He seemed to know where he was going as they entered one of the gravity lift tubes that ran down the length of the apartment complex. It was a quick way to head down to the ground floor and they also had a decent view of the city, namely the Sangheili quarter which consisted of tall, monolithic structures tinged purple and blue. Civilian vehicles were gridlocked on the roads they could see from up here, although anything that could fly was having no trouble getting through traffic.

They came to the ground floor where the lobby was. The lobby itself was mainly empty save for an elderly looking Sangheili who was standing in a quarter, supervising the cleaning drones as they went about the floor, collecting any rubbish and cleaning the floor.

"It's a short walk from here," Kenas said as they went through the front door and into the cool city air. There were plenty of pedestrians around, going about their own business. Jeras began following Kenas to the left of the building and along the road, passing shopfronts and more apartment buildings.

Jeras was bumped into a disgruntled looking Sangheili male who simply rushed past without saying even the slightest sorry. He forgot about it when he saw that Kenas had turned into what looked to be a shopfront, although as Jeras approached he could see it was more of an office.

Holographic images of what were obviously Rangers were projected onto the windows in an effort to sucker in Sangheili into joining. It certainly didn't look to be working since the office was empty save for Kenas and the bored looking officer sitting behind a desk inside.

Jeras stepped into the office, the officer at the desk looking at him as he entered.

"Is this your friend?" The officer asked Kenas.

"Yes…"

The officer shook his head.

"You must be in the wrong office," the officer said, "you see, this is for the Rangers…"

"We're here to join the Rangers," Kenas replied confidently. Jeras stood waiting near the doorway, letting his friend do all the talking.

The officer took a look at both Kenas and Jeras before laughing. He kept laughing and struggled to get words in between his laughter.

"Are you serious?" The officer asked, his head almost hitting the desk because of his fit of laughter, "you're both joking, right?"

"No…"

The officer stopped laughing and fixed his eyes on Kenas, frowning.

"Really?"

"Yes."

The officer shook his head.

"Why not join the infantry?" The officer asked, "at least it's not as dangerous…"

"No, we're here to join the Rangers," Kenas said, getting annoyed, "are you going to sign us up or what?"

The officer shrugged and didn't actually activate his computer terminal or do anything else that made him look like he was preparing to sign them up.

"Then you'll have to speak to Grashlan," the officer said, "he's in the club across the street. He's the one who organizes it all. I'm just here to fill in the forms and file datapads."

Kenas nodded. He turned around and stepped towards Jeras.

"That guy's a real jerk, don't you think?" He asked quietly. Jeras nodded in agreement, although he didn't particularly have any opinion on the officer. He followed Kenas back out into the street. The pair crossed the road over to what looked to be some sort of dingy dancer's club, the kind of place Jeras hadn't been to for quite a while. The guard out the front just grinned as they walked past, he's probably seen a lot of young male Sangheili come into the club before and must have found it funny.

Inside, the interior was lit with coloured lights with some exotic music playing from some unseen source. Females in slightly revealing dancer's clothes stood on stages in the centre of mainly young, staring males. Jeras found himself looking at one of the nearby females, thinking he knew her from somewhere.

Kenas pointed towards the oldest looking Sangheili in the room, dressed in the crimson armour of a Major and busy watching the female in front of him.

"I bet you that's him right there," Kenas said.

Jeras' attention to the female was broken as he turned to Kenas.

"Really?" Jeras asked with some sarcasm, "he's the oldest guy here. It's got to be him."

Kenas just shook his head and started towards the Major. Jeras followed him and watched as Kenas tapped the Major on the shoulder in an effort to get his attention. The Major seemed completely oblivious to it so Kenas tried again.

Major Grashlan turned around, looking annoyed. The female in front of him seemed a tad disappointed but kept dancing. It was her job, anyway.

"What is it?" The Major asked, looking at the two of them. He paused.
"Who are you? You come here to enjoy what this place has to offer?"

"Not exactly," Kenas said, "we were just at the recruiting office…"

The Major laughed, interrupting Kenas.

"You two, huh?" He took a long, quiet look at the both of them. "You two want to join up, huh?"

Kenas nodded. Jeras looked around, noticing that in a nearby corner a male, about his age, was busy kissing with what looked like one of the female dancers. The pair then proceeded to disappear into one of the rooms behind the main stage. Jeras just grinned.

"You do realize the risks that are involved?" The Major asked, "although, you probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the risks. Crazy young Sangheili like you two are what a line of work like the Rangers is looking for."

"Really? We're in?" Kenas asked, sounding surprised.

"Just give me your names and I'll set it up," the Major said, "you'll probably get a call tomorrow sometime once everything's been fixed up, just to clarify. I can tell you you're in, though."

Jeras didn't know what to think. Kenas looked happy, but he wasn't sure what he had just gotten himself into.

"It'll probably be late next week when you'll have to get shipped off to start your training," the Major said, "the training course is far more difficult than the one for the regular infantry, so I wouldn't be looking forward to it too much."

Kenas gladly gave his name to the Major although when Jeras did, he did it with far more uncertainty. He didn't know where joining the Rangers would get him but there was no backing out of it now, he knew that.

"Jeras, you did what?"

Jeras looked up from his bowl of animal meat with a side of vegetables and looked across the circular table towards Ariana. She was wearing light blue robes, typical of a Sangheili female. There were few others in the small street-side restaurant, and most of the others were Sangheili infantry obviously on leave from their units.

"I joined the Rangers," Jeras replied.

Ariana gave a worried look.

"But…why?" She asked, leaning towards him. She gently put her hand against his left hand and clasped it. "I've only heard about them…I thought you would stay on High Charity…"

Jeras shook his head.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Ariana," Jeras said, "but there was no way I would be able to stay on High Charity. I have hardly any money left…and there was no hope of me of getting into the infantry…"

"I have plenty of credits," Ariana said, "I could have given you some…"

"No," Jeras said sternly, "I'm not going to take your money. I don't like burrowing money, it makes me feel selfish…" He paused. "I was told that I would be away for months on end…If I'm accepted I'll most likely be shipped off of High Charity later next week."

Ariana looked solemn. Jeras knew her concern, but there was no other way. He wanted to make something of himself and Ariana would have to learn to live with it.

"I'm going to be fine," Jeras said, reassuringly rubbing his hands on hers, "I'll keep in touch. I'll visit whenever I can. I just don't want you thinking that you'll never see me again."

Ariana looked up. She did look worried but thankfully she wasn't too upset, Jeras could tell. Last thing he needed was for her crying.

"Why the Rangers?" she asked, "only the most mentally unstable join the Rangers…"

"I can tell you I'm not mentally unstable," Jeras said, "which will guarantee that I will be fine. How about you just finish your dinner and we can get out of here?"

Ariana pushed her plate of half finished meat away from her. She picked up the bottle of Sangheilian whiskey Jeras had ordered and downed half of it, shaking her head. She didn't usually go for alcohol but Jeras guessed she wasn't feeling too well.

"How can you drink that stuff?" She asked, coughing and giving a sour expression, "it's disgusting…"

Jeras laughed.

"I just drink it, no problems," Jeras said, "it's an acquired taste…"

Ariana frowned but then quickly smiled. Jeras got up and insisted on paying for the meal with what little amount of money he had left. As they were leaving, Ariana stopped him. She was about an inch shorter than him and of much lighter build so Jeras found himself looking down into her light blue eyes.

"I don't know if I've told you this directly," she said, putting an arm around him. Jeras placed a hand on her abdomen and brought her closer.

"What is it?"

"I truly love you, Jeras," she said, "do you feel the same way about me?"

There was no hesitation when Jeras replied.

"Of course I do," he said. There was a brief silence before he leaned forward and put his mandibles with hers, running his hands down her back and her sides. After about half a minute of this they stopped and Ariana giggled. She pulled him through the doorway and they hurried back to Jeras' apartment which was nearby, laughing and almost bouncing around in excitement like children. Jeras unlocked the door with his passcard and going inside, Ariana followed.

Ariana took a look at the mess in his apartment but just laughed.

"You really do have to clean this place up…" She said.

Jeras clicked his lower mandibles which was more or less a shrug.

"One day I will," he replied. He put an arm around her and turned her so she was facing him. She put a hand into his vest and gently felt along his chest, feeling his iron hard muscles. She let go of him and disappeared through a nearby doorway, Jeras following, his hearts beating rapidly.

She was already down on the bed when Jeras got to her. He stepped towards her and proceeded to take off his vest, followed by what little else he had on. Moving down towards her, he reached into her robes and slowly pulled them off, untying the knots that were holding them on and sliding them off of her. He went to work on her undergarments and once she lay naked before him he went forwards, putting his mandibles with hers. He then went down and kissed her neck, putting one hand on her back and another at her side.

She put her hands around him and Jeras went down and began kissing her chest, able to smell her perfume: it was sweet, with a musty trace underneath.

Jeras began to thrust himself forwards, hearing Ariana moan quietly. He kissed her on the neck some more, pushing himself into her as his heart-rate ran wild. He grunted and he could hear Ariana telling him she wanted more, egging him on.

Jeras started again, fighting off exhaustion, feeling her twitch beneath him. Once he was finished, he ran his mandibles down her body, attempting to kiss every part of her.

He lay onto his side in the bed just next to her, running his hands down her slender frame and kissing the side of her face. She laughed and moved over so that she was facing him. They kissed some more and Ariana moved on top of him, this time controlling the pace as she sat herself astride his legs.

Soon enough he was done and Ariana leaned toward him, Jeras embracing her, able to feel her hearts beat against his as they kissed, feeling her smooth skin.

She moved off of him and once again lay in the bed next to him. Jeras put an arm around her, bringing her close and kissing the back of her neck. Ariana fell asleep first and Jeras, with nothing else left to do, closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The Last Ranger Ch. 3: The Last Week
Date: 3 July 2008, 4:09 am

There were a few types of council chambers in the Covenant Holy City, the most notable being the ones for the High Councillors where the Prophets themselves resided. There were many other lesser known chambers, and the ones that Field Commander Shasa Refulmee was headed for were that of the Sangheili High Council, located in the same structure as the Prophet's High Council chambers.

Shasa was a veteran of the Human-Covenant war and the lesser known skirmishes which had occurred with the Jiralhanae several years ago. He was forty years old, had an excellent muscular build and a scar down one side of his chest, caused by a Jiralhanae wielding an energy blade. He was in his golden armour though so that scar wasn't visible.

It wasn't often he was called to meet with the Sangheili High Council and on the very few occasions he had done so before it had been for matters usually involving something he did that the Council did not approve. This was no different, although the type of matter was a new one for him.

The object of the matter was the twenty-one year old daughter of one of the High Councillors. She was young, attractive and was waiting for him in the corridor outside the chambers, dressed in elegant white robes. As Shasa approached she walked over to him and embraced him, burying her head into his chest.

The interior of he structure was like most other buildings in the holy city with the purple and blue mix of colours and made out of metallic materials. It was strangely silent inside the building, Shasa able to hear the warmth of her breath on his neck.

She looked up at him, a worried expression on her face.

"It was my fault…" She said, but Shasa interrupted her.

"Don't blame yourself for it," Shasa said, putting a hand on her slightly bulging stomach. He noticed that the pair of Honour Guards standing by the door were watching with obvious interest, but it didn't particularly matter.

"How long till…?"

"Five months," Liana replied, "I don't know if it will be a boy or a girl…"

Shasa shrugged.

"It doesn't matter," Shasa said, kissing her on the neck, "you shouldn't feel so guilty about all of this. I don't know what they have in store for me inside there, but hopefully they aren't planning on getting rid of the child."

Liana let go and put a hand to his face. She was almost twice as young as him and at first Shasa had never really thought it would work out, but it had. She had always had something for him since that first time they met about a year ago.

"I can intervene if things don't go your way," Liana said, "I'll be in there, you won't be alone."

"You shouldn't have to," Shasa said. He grabbed her hand and gently put it down from his face. "I think it's time I went inside now. Whatever you do, don't intervene. It'll cause more trouble, I'm afraid."

Liana looked solemn. Shasa knew he was doing the right thing, he knew intervening wouldn't be such a good idea.

One of the Honour Guards turned towards him as he stepped away from Liana. The Honour Guard saluted seeing his rank and Shasa returned the salute.

He recognized the Honour Guard as someone who had served under him several years earlier in the days when Shasa had been a Major. He couldn't remember the Sangheili's name but the Honour Guard certainly remembered him.

"Major Shasa!" The Honour Guard exclaimed. He gave the equivalent of a frown and paused. "I think I mean Field Commander Shasa…You do remember me, don't you?"

Shasa nodded. He hadn't been expecting to get caught up in another conversation with someone he knew in the same corridor.

"I'm Kelias, if you don't remember," the Honour Guard said, "I served under you during that mission to the outer colony…"

"Yes, I remember," Shasa replied. He watched Liana go through a nearby door in his peripheral vision. She was probably heading for somewhere close to the front so she could watch the meeting with the Councillors unfold from a much better position than if she had gone for the back.

"No mean to hold you up, sir," Kelias said.

"It's really no matter," Shasa replied. He wasn't in a hurry to meet the Councillors anyway and he always thought it was good to catch up with someone he hadn't seen for a while, in this case being several years. The Honour Guard had looked young then, only a Minor. If Shasa remembered correctly, Kelias had gone MIA during a skirmish with some Jiralhanae, the kind of Jiralhanae who didn't want to become part of the Covenant. Those battles were over now, as far as Shasa knew.

How Kelias had ended up from MIA Minor to Honour Guard was beyond Shasa but he was curious to find out. He realized he was running late now for his "meeting" (he thought of it more as a "trial", although he wouldn't have much of a defence) and he knew as well as anyone in his position that the Sangheili High Councillors weren't the most patient kinds of people.

"You were my first commanding officer," Kelias said, "you inspired me, Commander."

Shasa gave an unsure expression. Inspired? He never really thought he had that much of an impact on his troops.

"You see, my father had been the one to force me into the infantry," Kelias continued, "I never really wanted to join the military, but what happened on that colony when we were fighting the Jiralhanae…You inspired me to amount to something."

Shasa simply nodded. He was waiting patiently for the Honour Guard
to finish up the conversation but there wasn't much of a hint that it would end soon.

"Just a question," Shasa said, cutting off Kelias who had been about to speak, "you went missing during the battle. You were presumed dead…"

"I was lost in the jungles," Kelias said, "I was picked up a few days later by a reconnaissance craft. You didn't know?"

"No, I didn't," Shasa replied bluntly.

Kelias chuckled. "Do you remember how you saved me?"

Shasa gave it a moment's thought. He certainly couldn't remember, especially something that long ago. He had been thirty-one when he had been sent with a squad of fifteen Minors, simple infantrymen, to spearhead an assault on a Jiralhanae stronghold in a jungle on a planet on the outer regions of Covenant controlled space. Memories of more recent battles, mostly against the humans, came into his mind. None were helpful and a few weren't ones he wanted to remember.

"Tell me how I saved you," Shasa said.

"A Jiralhanae had me by the neck, energy blade about to slit my throat," Kelias said, "you came into the room and simply blasted the disgusting beast down. How could you not remember?"

"I've saved a lot of lives in much the same way," Shasa said. This was true enough and Kelias gave an unnecessary chuckle.

"I never got round to thanking you," Kelias said.

There was a pause. Shasa tapped his left hoof impatiently.

"Are you going to thank me?" He asked.

Kelias nodded.

"Thank you," Kelias said. He paused before adding, "I think you better go inside now, the Councillors are waiting."

Shasa nodded again. Now that he was finally away from the Honour Guard he realized that maybe he couldn't remember Kelias since he had thought that the young Sangheili was annoying, too talkative. This was especially true with what had just happened.

The double doors opened and Shasa stepped into an ovular room, purple-blue in the colour of its metals. Lights were embedded in the ceiling and by the walls. About five rows of seats were up on both sides and at the far end of the room. Most of these seats were empty, although the ones furthest at the front at the end of the room were occupied by about fifteen to twenty Sangheili Councillors, adorned in the elaborate headwear they wore and the decorated white armour that went with it. Some muttered quietly as he entered and shaking off the slight nervousness that threatened to throw off his concentration, Shasa continued into the hall, taking a position towards the front. He could see Liana standing at the front row, looking towards him with a worried expression.

Shasa recognized one of the High Councillors, Liana's father Relyxta. He was possibly the most powerful of the Councillors, being head of the Sangheili Council itself. It was because of him that Shasa and the other Councillors were here. He was glaring with some noticeable hatred at Shasa and putting a hand up to signal for silence he looked straight down towards the Field Commander and shook his head.

The rest of the Councillors fell silent. Shasa stood where he was, saluting in the typical manner.

Relyxta ignored the salute and brought his hand back down to his lap. He was sitting on the Supreme Councillor's highly decorated seat, a few holographic panels hovering above the arms of the chair, containing notes for himself about the matter and what to say. Relyxta was in his mid sixties, which was still kind of young for a Sangheili. He insisted on going into some battles despite the fact he was one of the most important Sangheili on High Charity. He had three sons, all of them older than his only daughter and all of them serving in some branch of military. He was protective of his daughter especially.

"Field Commander Shasa Refulmee," Relyxta said with noticeable distaste, "you do know why you are here?"

Shasa nodded.

"I do, Excellency," Shasa said.

"You do realize the extent of what you have done?"

"I do, Excellency."

Relyxtan continued to state the obvious which Shasa simply played along with. It soon came to the important parts of the "trial" though, when Relyxtan began to state out the actual "crime" itself. It was only a crime since his daughter was involved, Shasa knew this. However,
Relyxtan had the entire support of the Sangheili High Council since he was their leader. He could sway their opinions easily into his favour.

"For the benefit of the rest of the Council I will state your crimes," Relyxtan said, "your crimes which have affected my daughter in a severe and serious way."

Shasa nodded. Relyxtan was making it sound worse than it actually was. It was obvious the High Councillor didn't want him to go unpunished.

"You had a secret affair with my only daughter," Relyxtan said simply, "this had been going on for over a year, am I correct?"

Shasa nodded again.

"Yes, Excellency."

"You secretly stole away my daughter's virginity without telling anyone else," Relyxtan said, "and now she is to be the mother of an illegitimate child. That is something we cannot let go unpunished."

There was a bout of muttering from some of the other Councillors.
Shasa couldn't tell whether they agreed or disagreed, though. He stood up straight and looked straight towards Councillor Relyxtan, keeping a neutral expression.

"She is your daughter, Excellency," Shasa said, "which may lead some to think that this trial is merely to settle a personal matter of yours."
Relyxtan shook his head.

"It is Sangheili law…"

"It is because you cannot accept that your daughter has fallen in love with a seemingly unimportant Field Commander such as myself," Shasa said. Arguing with a High Councillor was considered a stupid move by some but Shasa suddenly felt determined to make his point.

"She and I knew that we would be kept away from each other if you found out," Shasa said, "you wanted her to bear the sons of soldiers. You would have her as one of those females that simply bear swordsman and who never get married, only the playthings of some ageing soldier like yourself for about a day so they could continue the so-called 'swordsman' gene."

Relyxtan looked annoyed, although Liana had told Shasa all of this. Relyxtan wanted her to become an asset to the Covenant, bearing sons of experienced soldiers who were swordsman themselves rather than get married and have a small family.

There was another bout of muttering from the other Councillors. They seemed to nod in agreement, at least some of them did as far as Shasa could tell.

"I can offer your daughter marriage," Shasa said, catching eyes with Liana. He smiled as she did and continued speaking. "A simple family life."

Relyxtan just shook his head, looking quite annoyed.

"My daughter deserves better than you for one matter," Relyxtan said. He was about to continue when a Councillor sitting on a row behind him stood up.

"I have something to add," the Councillor said. He looked down at Relyxtan, who looked offended at the interruption and then he looked towards Shasa.

"This trial is most definitely a personal matter of the Supreme Councillor," the Councillor said, "and I'm afraid that it has already become a farce. We must decide now and whether to continue or not, and if we do, Supreme Councillor Relyxtan will be asked to leave the chambers."

Relyxtan stood up, angry and frustrated. Shasa stood his ground, keeping a neutral expression.

"You can't do that!" Relyxtan exclaimed, "the Commander must be punished, at the very least for not asking for the permission of the father before becoming involved with his own daughter!"

The other Councillor paused for a moment, deliberating on the thought.

"It has come to the attention that we need experienced soldiers for something that has only just been created," the Councillor said, "the Rangers, they call it. I think a unit of its type could use someone like Field Commander Shasa, to be in charge of the troops that have volunteered."

Shasa wasn't sure what the Councillor was talking about but it sounded like something he could survive.

"I'll go with what the Councillor is saying," Shasa said, "regardless of whether you like it or not, Relyxtan."

Relyxtan was silent and looked down, watching Shasa from the corner of his eye. The other Councillor nodded.

"Then it is done," he said, "Field Commander Shasa, in violation of the most sacred of traditions and laws, will be demoted to Major and put in charge of the new 27th Rangers Unit."

Shasa nodded. He had been sure Relyxtan had had something far worse than demotion in store but the odds had been shipped in Shasa's favour and he wasn't about to deny them.

He nodded, glancing at Liana, he was smiling. He would be meeting her once this 'trial' was over, that was for sure.

Ariana opened her eyes, being woken by a low groan close to her head. Jeras had his arms around her and was holding her close while he slept quietly, only just stirring in his sleep as Ariana woke up. He had his head behind hers and she could feel his breath on her neck, which was warm and made her skin tingle slightly.

Jeras opened his eyes and held Ariana tightly. She turned around so they were face to face. She put a hand to his chest as he rolled onto his back, grunting and looking tired.

Ariana had always had a liking for him, ever since they had met. He seemed the nice, soft-spoken type and having gotten to know him she was sure about this fact. Jeras may have been gentle and understanding, but he was lazy when it came to something he didn't want to do.

Jeras went onto his side and put a hand on her. He put his head close to her and kissed her on the side of her mandibles.

"I must have had too much to drink," Jeras said, "I don't feel too well…"

Ariana smiled.

"No need to think about that," she said, running a hand down his muscular chest, "you're here with me and I do have some time before I have to leave."

Jeras smiled as well and planted her mandibles amongst hers, wrapping an arm around her and shifting so he was on top of her. Ariana giggled as Jeras began running his hands down her sides, kissing her chest and making love to her again.

Jeras slumped down into the bed beside her once he was done and lay silently for a few minutes. Ariana snuggled up close, resting her head on his chest as he started to rub her back.

"I don't want you to leave," Ariana said, breaking the silence, "these Rangers…I don't know Jeras, I just have a bad feeling…"

"Hmm?" Jeras sounded absent-mindedly. He obviously hadn't been listen.

"I said I have a bad feeling," Ariana said, "you should just stick to something else, like the regular infantry…"

There was a pause as Jeras thought about his answer. He didn't sound too keen on joining these 'Rangers' either but Ariana could tell he would still want to go.

"I have mentioned this many times," Jeras said, "I tried to join the infantry and will not try again. If they don't want me I won't bother trying to join up. It's a waste of time."

There was another long pause before Jeras continued.

"I want to amount to something," Jeras said, "I don't want to spend my life living in an untidy apartment and drinking. I want to show my mother that I can amount to something, and I will amount to something, Ariana, and nothing you can say will change my mind."
Jeras sounded a little frustrated so Ariana kept silent for now.

"I promised my mother I would amount to something," Jeras said, "maybe I could rise through the ranks, become a well-respected officer. It won't be easy but I can do it, I know I can."

"You'll most likely amount to be just another casualty," Ariana said, "it may not be because of the humans, they might not be anything you can't handle." She shifted where she lay, looking up towards Jeras' face. He looked solemn and deep in his own thoughts. "It's the Jiralhanae that I worry about. They aren't trustworthy…"

Jeras laughed.

"Them? Why worry about them?" He asked, "they'll be under control soon enough."

Ariana took a moment to answer.

"I don't want anything to happen to you," she said, "I'm just worried, that's all."

Jeras rubbed her on the back some more. He looked distant as far as she could tell.

"Jeras, are you listening to me?" She asked, "it doesn't look like it…"

"I am listening," he said, "and I do understand why you're worried. You're worrying too much, though. I'll be fine, Ariana." He paused and looked down towards her. "So, I think that's settled…" He trailed off as a familiar beeping sound broke his train of thought. He reached over to the bedside table and picked up the holo-messenger. Ariana watched as he read whatever had come through, his expression changing to one of slight amusement.

"Well, that was the officer I met yesterday," Jeras said, putting the messenger down and looking towards Ariana, "I'm in the Rangers, scheduled to be shipped out next week…"

Ariana was silent as Jeras milled over these thoughts. He was in the Rangers, the Major having done a thorough background check. He had made it out in the message that backgrounds didn't really matter, they were just routine. The Rangers needed everyone they could get. It didn't seem to be the most popular branch of military around…

"Are you sure about this?" Ariana said, "I just can't shake the feeling that something will happen to you…"

"Nothing will happen to me," Jeras said, "and it's not like I won't come and see you. Every chance I get I'll come find you, but I don't know if I'll get too many chances…" He trailed off. "You should just stop worrying. I'll be fine. The war might end before I finish my training anyway."

Ariana yawned and sat up. Jeras watched as she climbed out of the bed and started on her way towards the bathroom.

"Where are you going?" Jeras asked.

"I'm going to wash myself," she said.

Jeras paused, smiling.

"How about if I come in with you?" He asked.

"Not today, Jeras," Ariana said, the door sliding open as she approached. She stepped inside and locked it behind her.

Jeras was left lying in the warm bed, trying to figure out, for one thing, what he should actually do today. It would be another one of those days which he would spent hanging around in his apartment, drinking and not doing much else.

Thinking of drinking, he glanced around the room and found the bottle of whiskey from earlier yesterday sitting on the bedside table. He grabbed it and took off the cap, downing its contents and then storing the empty bottle away into a bedside drawer. At least it wouldn't clutter the floor in there.

He could hear the shower in the bathroom get started as he sat up in the bed. If Ariana was really that worried about him, maybe he should forget about this Rangers business, just for her sake.

He realized that he was having second thoughts about it now because of her. He shook his head, trying to figure out whether or not he should go through with it.

If it meant he would be making something of himself by going, he would do it. He was already getting tired of his life here on High Charity, Ariana was the only real thing to look forward to. If he left, he would barely be able to see her. There was even a chance he wouldn't ever see her again, so he thought that if he was going he would make the most of his time with her.

Jeras was about to get up when the messenger beeped again. This time it was an actual video link, so picking up the device he opened the link and saw a rather pleased looking Kenas on the screen.

"You hear the news?" Kenas asked.

"If it's about us getting into the Rangers, then yes, I've heard it," Jeras replied.

"Well, I'm happy," Kenas said, "nothing at all wrong with it. Soon enough we'll start our training and become the most elite fighting unit around…We're going to end up as very decorated officers, I can guarantee you that…"

Jeras simply nodded. Kenas was always like this when something he considered "good" happened to him, he would always become confident and beaming with pride.

"I wouldn't get so confident," Jeras said, going along with his friend's ambitions, "but if we're going to end up highly decorated officers as you say, then I guess I'll make my mother very proud of me indeed…"

"So, you're just doing it for her?" Kenas asked.

Jeras didn't answer straight away. That wasn't the only reason, but it was one of them.

"I'm going to show her that her only son can amount to something," Jeras said.

Kenas nodded.

"Whatever you say," he said. He paused and took a look at Jeras, frowning.

"I tried calling you last night," Kenas said, "but you wouldn't answer. Were you out?"

"Yes, I was out," he lied, looking up as Ariana opened the door of the bathroom and stepped out. He put a hand up, gesturing to her to stop where she was. He made sure to have a good look at her since she was standing there without any clothes on before turning back to Kenas.

"If you want to talk, call back later," Jeras said, "I'm going to be busy for a while…"

Kenas didn't have a chance to reply since Jeras simply ended the video link and put the messenger back down on the table. He turned to Ariana and smiled.

"Who was that?" She asked.

"A friend," Jeras replied. There was a pause before he added, "so, when do you have to leave?"

"In a few hours," Ariana replied, stepping over to Jeras and sitting down beside him. Jeras put an arm around her and held her close. He would make the most of whatever time he had left with Ariana for the following week, he would make sure of that.

There were very few Sangheili engineers around, they were something of a commodity now since the introduction of the tentacled Huragok. However, a simple floating gas bag of tentacles couldn't be taken out into battle and hope to have any chance of surviving, so there were still a select few Field Engineers for the battlefield work.

Ever since he had been young Sesha Qualemee had been fascinated with engineering, always taking up an opportunity to fiddle and fix something. His abilities may not have been as quick to fix something as a Huragok but they were almost as good as theirs. He wasn't well respected in his unit since he had never actually seen any action, always being forced to stay behind while the infantry went off to the frontlines. Not that Sesha cared so much, he wasn't all that into killing and the glory of battle.

Sesha was nineteen, bordering on full adulthood. He was slightly younger than most of the infantry in the unit and was often the one to be picked on and pushed around. Sesha did stand up for himself and had done so on numerous occasions, which kept the bullies at bay for a while.

Sesha was more athletic than he was strong, being the fastest soldier in the unit. Since he hadn't been on the frontlines he hadn't been able to put his speed abilities and engineering abilities to good use although the officers seemed to think he might be useful. Whenever it came to selecting soldiers for a mission the officers tended to pick the oldest, most experienced ones so Sesha was always left out.

He had never known his parents so they hadn't been an influence on him. He had been abandoned as a newborn in a city on Sanghelios, picked up by a disgruntled war veteran. This war veteran had been more or less a father to Sesha and had gladly introduced him into the unit as a regular soldier.

Sesha was the only one in the barracks this morning, sitting at the desk in the corner and working on a Covenant Carbine rifle. He knew what he was doing for one thing, attempting to upgrade it for his own personal use. It wasn't much of a challenge but it helped pass the time away. He had already upgraded the optics and so was working on the weapon's power output so it would use less energy when fired.

Sesha was dressed in the typical orange armour of an engineer, making it easy for him to be identified. He didn't like the colour but there wasn't much he could do about it, the last he needed was to get in trouble for not wearing regulation armour.

He was the only one in the barracks because the fifteen other soldiers had recently been sent off for the frontlines. Sesha, in his time spent in the unit, had watched soldiers come and go, both young and old. It was easy to tell who a new recruit was from their bright eyed look and excitement filled aura. They were also the type that had less chance of returning alive.

Sesha flicked a switch on the desk and a holographic panel appeared in front of him. Keying in a few buttons a holographic target appeared down the end of the barracks. Swivelling in his seat he raised the upgraded Carbine and fired, hitting the target in the bullseye. He grinned to himself at the job he had done on the weapon and back around, only to see a familiar figure standing in the doorway.

"Commander, I didn't know you were there…" Sesha began, but trailed off. The fifty-seven year ld Sangheili Special Operations Commander simply smiled at him.

"You have some talent with that weapon," Commander Terlas said. Terlas had been the soldier to find Sesha as an abandoned newborn and had been the one to raise him in his own manner. He had trained Sesha in the use of weapons and close quarters energy blades and had proved to be a more fatherly figure than anyone else Sesha had known during his lifetime.

"You don't need to call me Commander," Terlas said, "you never have needed to."

Sesha shrugged.

"I guess so," Sesha said. He put the Carbine back onto the desk and tried to determine why the Commander looked concerned all of a sudden.

"I'm getting a little annoyed at the way I'm always being left here," Sesha said, "it didn't seem such a major thing to me before but now…now it's just frustrating."

The Commander nodded, giving an understanding expression.

"I know how you must feel," he said, "but I don't have much control over who gets chosen and who doesn't. I've tried to get you selected before but I've never been successful…" He paused. "You must know that engineers like yourself are a disappearing kind."

Sesha knew that, after all he should know that. He was an Engineer and he knew as well as any other one that there were very low amounts of their type in the Covenant. It may not have been the case ten years earlier, but today it certainly was.

"You're probably wondering why I came here to see you," the Commander said. Sesha nodded in agreement and the Commander placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I've watched you grow up, Sesha," the Commander said, "you've been as much of a son to me as I have been a father to you. I think it's about time you made something of yourself, you're ready, you're old enough…"

Sesha wasn't too sure where the Commander was going with this but he sat and listened, curious as to what he had in store for him.

The Commander sighed. He looked concerned, downbeat even.

"It'll be hard for me to let you go, Sesha," the Commander said, "but like I said, I feel you are ready…You're a better marksman, a better melee fighter than half of the soldiers in this camp…"

"Thank you," Sesha said, "that means a lot to me…"

"No need to thank me," the Commander said, "I only speak the truth, Sesha. If it were up to me I would have already sent you into battle to claim glory for yourself…but my efforts to ensure that have been in vain…Which is why I've arranged you to be transferred."

Sesha clicked his right mandibles, the equivalent of mild surprise (and a raised eyebrow).

"Transferred? What do you mean?" Sesha asked. He wasn't too concerned about this but he had a feeling it meant he wouldn't be seeing the Commander for a long time.

"I'm transferring you over to the Rangers," the Commander said, "they need an engineer like you, they have no need for a useless Huragok, especially in battle. You're a necessity to this Rangers unit, so you'll be well respected."

Sesha hadn't really heard much about the Rangers, although he had a feeling the Commander would enlighten him on the matter a bit.

"I doubt you have heard much about them," the Commander said, as if reading Sesha's mind. Sesha nodded.

"They're a specially trained unit of troops dedicated to doing the most difficult and dangerous of missions," the Commander said, "the training course itself is very tough, very harsh, much harder than training for the regular infantry. I feel you'll do fine, though.

"The missions themselves will involve fighting in the vacuum of space itself, with the appropriate equipment of course…The idea is for Rangers to be dropped onto the exterior, of, say…a human space station," the Commander explained, "they're to fight their way inside and disable as many important systems as possible and secure a suitable landing area for the main boarding party.

"Rangers are also used for spear heading ground attacks, which is a dangerous prospect in itself but very valuable for the main infantry force. Rangers secure enemy occupied areas ahead of the main force to save on casualties and make the war a little bit easier."

Sesha took this all in as the Commander explained it. These Rangers sounded dangerous, but he was willing to accept the transfer. He would no longer spend his time sitting around in a barracks upgrading weapons for himself, weapons that he probably would never use himself. This time he would make something of himself, become an officer in the most suicidal group of Sangheili around.

"Do you want to go, Sesha?" The Commander asked, "I'm not making you leave…"

"I'll go," Sesha replied without hesitation.

The Commander nodded.

"You should start packing your belongings. You'll be leaving in about a week, but I've arranged for you to stay in an apartment near the spaceport where the ship will be leaving. Take the chance to make friends with other recruits who may be there. You'll need all the friends you can get, especially in a unit such as the Rangers," he said. Sesha stood up and saluted.

"I'll make you proud, sir," Sesha said.

"Just do what you feel is right and you'll get through it fine," the Commander said, "I look forward to seeing you again some time in the future."

Sesha nodded, dropped the salute and proceeded to pack his belongings, which included armour, upgraded weapons and just regular clothing. He didn't have anything really personal, after all, he had spent nearly his whole life living in a barracks. He was used to military life, it had been the only life he had ever known.

He turned around to look back at the Commander but he was already gone. Sesha sighed and took his pack of items, stepping outside into another typical dark morning on High Charity. The military compound was large with many short buildings such as barracks and offices. It felt strange leaving the place he had called home for such a long time, but it made him feel kind of free at the same time, especially when he went through the front gates and took one last look behind him at the compound. It was the beginning of a new chapter in his life, one which would turn out not to be as good as it sounded after all…

She countered her brother's blow with a simple parry, knocking the energy blade away and lunging forwards. Their blades were merely holographic for training use only, but they were able to cause pain. The hologram went straight through her brother's chest. He grunted and fell backwards, looking up at her as she put the blade against his neck.

"Fourth time in a row," Dezar Dalenmee said, smiling weakly, "I didn't think a female could be that good…"

Relina Heleness simply smiled in her usual, bright eyed manner. She lowered the blade and helped her brother up. They were the same age, having been born as twins (not identical twins, obviously) although Dezar, being male, was far more muscular than Relina and thus weighed more. She grunted as she helped him up and deactivated her energy blade, the hologram disappearing into thin air.

They were both twenty-one and of the pair, Relina was the more reckless. She was often deemed as a "slightly crazy likeable female" and Dezar didn't think much different. What annoyed Relina was that a female Sangheili couldn't be much more than a nurse of medical officer, so there were no females serving in the army itself. She had always wanted to be in the infantry on the frontlines, actually fighting the enemy rather than taking care of wounded.

"I must be getting rusty," Dezar said, deactivating his blade. The training room they were in was square with a slightly padded floor to make it easier on the body when someone was knocked over.

Relina nodded. Dezar had never been good at any sort of melee combat, so Relina often took the chance to train with him so they could learn from each other, Dezar learning from her more so than herself learning from him.

"You should practice on your technique," Relina said, "it's never been too good…You should always attack first, never wait for your opponent. Waiting is not a wise move."

Dezar nodded and picked up his water canteen from the nearby bench, downing the contents quickly.

"It's a shame how you females can't actually be in the military," Dezar said, "you would make an excellent addition to any squad."

Her brother had said this a few times in the past so Relina just nodded. Dezar was probably right, but he wouldn't know much considering he was a mere Minor in a regular infantry team.

Relina picked up the regulation medical robes she had bundled up on a nearby bench, slipping out of the training suit she had on and putting the robes on in their place. She glanced over at Dezar, who was at the doorway talking to an officer in crimson armour. The officer pointed towards her and Dezar nodded.

She had a loose indication of why the officer might be here but she stood where she was anyway, waiting for the officer and her brother to walk over. She recognized the officer as a Major Grashlan, another disgruntled war veteran who beared quite a few scars from previous battles. There seemed to be a lot of those on High Charity.
Dezar frowned as he stopped in front of her.

"This Major here…do you know him?" Dezar asked.

Relina ignored the question for now as the Major began to speak.

"Good morning Relina," Major Grashlan said, "I suppose you know why I'm here?"

Relina nodded. Dezar didn't look too sure about what was happening.

"Why's he here?" Dezar asked.

"Who's he?" Grashlan said, nodding towards Dezar.

"My twin brother," Relina said. Grashlan nodded and then continued.

"You voiced interest in joining the new Rangers division, am I right?" Grashlan asked.

This was true. Relina had voiced her interest, especially after she had heard that the need for an experienced medic was high and that this medic would actually be serving on the frontlines itself, rather in an aid station miles behind the battlefields. The needed medic could be either male or female but must be Sangheili and would go through the same training as all the other regular Rangers.

"Yes?" Relina asked, hoping for a specific answer.

"Well, I've processed your request. You're in," Grashlan said. Relina breathed a sigh of relief. After all her time as a medic she might actually participate in some real fighting. She had heard the Ranger's training course was tough but she wouldn't want to join if she didn't know she could handle herself. She was certain she would make it.

"Rangers, Relina?" Dezar asked, unsure of what to think, "are you sure about this?"

"We need experienced medics like your sister here," Grashlan said, turning to Dezar, "and if it's what she wants to do, you leave her be."
Dezar just nodded in response. He didn't look like he wanted to start an argument with the Major.

Grashlan turned back to Relina, smiling.

"Welcome aboard, Relina," Grashlan said, "I've sent you the necessary information of where to go and when to your datapad. To put it simply though, you'll have to come over to a spaceport in six days. All the other new recruits will be there and you'll be shipped out to the training camp…"

"Where's the camp?" Relina asked. Grashlan just shrugged.

"I'm not actually sure where it is," he replied, "I know it's on a barren world, though. Somewhere insignificant, so you'll have no outside influence there."

He patted her on the shoulder.

"I must be going now, though," he said. Ha paused and looked her in the eyes. "I can just tell you'll be an excellent addition to this new branch of military."

Grashlan turned around and left the room. Dezar looked at his sister, frowning.

"You never told me this…"

"I didn't think I had to," Relina replied. She was about to start out of the room when she felt her brother put a hand on her shoulder stopping her and making her turn around. Dezar looked worried, looking her in the eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" Dezar asked, "you don't have to do this…"

"I want to, Dezar," Relina said, "it's my decision, no one else's."
Dezar sighed, shaking his head.

"I've only heard a bit about what these 'Rangers' do," Dezar said, "and
it doesn't sound like the kind of combat I would want to do."
Relina laughed.

"You afraid of flying through the vacuum of space, afraid you might get frozen or something?"

She knew her brother well enough that a few taunts like this would have his bravado running up high. He would try and prove himself if anybody taunted him about his abilities, whatever they may be. Dezar took a deep breath, obviously annoyed at the comment.

"I'm not afraid of space, no…"

"Then how about you join up?" Relina asked, "or are you just afraid?"
Dezar shook his head. She could tell he was getting frustrated.

"No, I'm not afraid!" He exclaimed suddenly, "if I have to join these damn Rangers just to prove it to you I will join."

"Good," Relina said. Her brother stormed out of the room, most likely trying to catch up with Major Grashlan.

The Last Ranger Ch. 4: Departure
Date: 16 July 2008, 2:08 am

Sol Relative Time: September 19th, 2550

The spaceport was a large, open structure with high walls which contained the spaceport's facilities itself. There were a few smaller hangars, but Jeras was on the main landing pad, watching as the large blue-grey shuttle touched down, hovering about a foot off of the ground and remaining in place there.

He wasn't the only young Sangheili there. There had to be about thirty or forty others, waiting around for the appropriate shuttle to arrive. He was standing near Kenas who was sitting on the ground, his back against the wall.

Looking up, Kenas must have noticed the solemn look on Jeras' face.

"I'm sure she'll come," Kenas said, "she's probably just late."

Jeras nodded. She probably was, but he was getting impatient. They would be called up to board the shuttle soon enough and all he wanted to do was just say goodbye to her. He wouldn't be seeing her for a long time so he would make sure the goodbye was fulfilling.

"Take a look at all these young males like us," Kenas said, nodding towards one of the larger groups to their left, "some of them look respectable, unlike us two. We're the two slackers who couldn't get into the infantry…"

"They're not all male," Jeras said, stating an observation he had taken earlier.

Kenas looked up, a grin on his face.

"They're not?"

Jeras nodded towards the lone figure leaning against the wall about twenty metres to their right.

"She isn't," Jeras said, "I wonder why she's here…"

Kenas stood up and looked towards the lone female. She had her arms crossed and head down, as if she wasn't in the mood to talk. Body language like this didn't exactly stop Kenas but oddly enough he didn't try and make his move on her right now.

"On board the shuttle," Kenas began, "I'll sit next to her. You don't mind that, do you?"

Jeras shook his head. He didn't particularly care.

"Good," Kenas said.

"Just make sure no one else sits next to her," Jeras added, "you probably aren't the only one after her."

He paused and looked at the chronometer on the wristband on his left arm. It wasn't long before they would be called to board the shuttle and he hoped that Ariana would show up before then. Hopefully she wasn't caught up with her work or just stuck in traffic.

"What if she's taken?"

Jeras looked up.

"Sorry?"

Kenas frowned.

"You don't listen to other people much, do you?" He asked.

Jeras laughed.

"I probably don't," he replied, "but I'm still with Ariana so that must mean I do listen to some people."

Kenas nodded, still looking over at the female. Jeras realized he probably wouldn't get much out of him now, seeing that his mind was set on that female. Kenas was the type who tried his hardest with the opposite sex but never succeeded. Jeras had a feeling this would turn out the same way, although looking towards the female now, Jeras could sense that there was something about her which reminded him of Kenas. He guessed it was just the way she was standing, looking much like the way Kenas looked when he was bored.

Jeras tapped one hoof impatiently. He took a look around the spaceport in the hopes of seeing her but she wasn't anywhere near the landing pad. He was beginning to think she wouldn't show up.

As if on cue a door across the landing pad opened and from here Jeras could see that it was her. She was in her nurse's robes and she must have seen him since she started walking over to him. She caught a few looks from the other males waiting in the spaceport but she ignored them.

Jeras smiled as she approached. She stepped over to him and they embraced, Jeras looking into her eyes, his arms around her.

"This is it," he said, "I'll be leaving soon enough. I was beginning to think you wouldn't actually come."

Ariana grinned.

"I was a little held up, that's all," she said, putting a hand up to the side of his face. They stared into each other's eyes for a little while, Kenas looking on with some amusement.

"You do realize everyone here is watching?" He asked.

Jeras and Ariana took a look at the other recruits, many of which had their heads turned, watching them hug. Some were muttering quietly while others just stood watching with some kind of strange awe.

"So what?" Ariana replied.

She turned back to Jeras.

"I'm still worried about all of this," she said, "you can pull out now, although I doubt you'll do that…"

She was right. Jeras wasn't about to leave now, no matter what.

"I told you, I'm going," he said, "I'll be back, maybe not for a while, but I will return. You shouldn't be so worried about me. We've discussed this…"

Kenas tapped Jeras on the shoulder. Turning around, he saw that Kenas had his attention on the shuttle.

"I think we're boarding now," he said, "everyone else is going on board…"

Jeras took a glance at the shuttle. Some of the other recruits were stepping on bard the shuttle, a disgruntled looking flight officer standing at the top of the ramp that went to the door. He was waving the recruits on board and Jeras realized he ought to get going, otherwise they would be left here.

"I promise I'll come back," he said, "we'll be given time off, I'm sure of it…"

Ariana kept a neutral expression. Her eyes were a little watery but Jeras simply held her tight and leaned forwards, putting his mandibles with hers. They spent about half a minute kissing before Jeras took his head back and released Ariana from his embrace.

He picked up his pack and smiled.

"I'll be back," he said.

"I love you, Jeras," Ariana said.

Jeras started for the entry ramp, looking back at Ariana.

"I love you too," he said, starting up the ramp. He waved as he stepped on board, feeling more confident about this whole thing now than he had earlier. Kenas followed him on board and spotted the female from before, sitting himself down next to her. There was a seat to the left of Kenas and Jeras sat down. Taking a look around the interior of the shuttle, he noticed it was relatively new, probably having come into service just recently. The seats were comfortable and there was plenty of leg room. It was more luxurious than he had been expecting.

Across the narrow aisle from Jeras a young Sangheili, probably in his late teens and in orange armour, sat himself down. He looked to be deep in his own thoughts.

What did orange armour mean again? Jeras knew what it meant, but he couldn't remember…

Engineers. That was it. The dying breed of Sangheili engineers. This Sangheili was the only one on board the shuttle as far as Jeras could see.

Kenas was quiet and so was the female he was sitting with. As the doors on the shuttle closed up and the flight officer went back into the cockpit, the female turned to Kenas and was the one to start a conversation.

"So, who are you?" She asked, "I was thinking I should start making friends as soon as I can otherwise I'm going to have a hard time at the camp…"

Kenas looked a little taken aback at the fact she was speaking to him and not the other way around. Kenas quickly regained control of himself and smiled.

"I'm Kenas Krakonim," he replied, "I'm guessing that will soon be 'Krakonimee' since we're joining the military. What's your name?"

"Relina Heleness," the female replied, "I'm a medic…I heard that the Rangers needed medics so I joined, especially after I heard that females in the Rangers would be given a far more exciting role."

Kenas clicked his left mandibles.

"What do you mean?"

"Rather than be behind the frontlines at a safe distance, I'll be able to participate in combat itself," she said. A faint hum began as the shuttle's engines came into life, the ship buckling as it began to ascend.

"I think that's good," Kenas said. Jeras knew precisely what he was thinking: I'll have something good to look at while I fight.

"I'm sick of not being in battle," Relina continued, "helping the wounded is all well and good, but I actually want to kill something…"

She had a wild look in her eyes which reminded Jeras of the one he often saw in Kenas. It took him a moment to realize that maybe the pair had something in common…

"So, I'm guessing you know how to handle a weapon?" Kenas asked.

"Of course I do," Relina replied, "although looking at you, I'm thinking you aren't the weapon handling type…"

Kenas laughed, although Jeras knew that Kenas hadn't handled a firearm or energy blade in his entire life.

"Of course I've handled a weapon," Kenas lied, "although, I'm not sure if I'm any good or not…I haven't had much to compare myself to…"
Relina grinned.

"We'll see how good you are when we arrive at the camp," she said. She paused and looked towards Jeras. She seemed to examine him with her eyes from head to hoof.

"Who's your handsome friend over there?" She asked.
Kenas looked a little surprised by this question and took a glance at Jeras.

"He's Jeras Kallon," Kenas said, "Although I'm guessing that will be 'Kallonmee' soon enough…"

Relina continued her careful examination of Jeras.

"So, I'm guessing you two are friends?" She asked him.

"What?"

"Are you two friends?"

Jeras paused. Of course they were, he just hadn't been listening…again.

"Yes, yes we are," he replied. He wasn't interested in Relina and quickly tried to think of a subtle way to get her off of him. She was obviously more interested in him than Kenas. He gently nudged Kenas, signalling him to get him out of this little fix.

Kenas got the idea and got turned to Jeras.

"How's that girlfriend of yours going, Jeras?" Kenas asked quite confidently, "she's a good looking thing, isn't she?"

Jeras decided to play along with this, after all, Ariana was good looking.

"Yes, yes she is," Jeras said. He noticed Relina change her grin to a frown and she sat back in her seat, having lost interest for the time.

"You gotten her in bed yet?" Kenas asked.

This was something Kenas seemed to ask him every time they met. Relina must have heard this since her attention was fixed on him again.

"I…I…" Jeras hesitated.

"You wild thing Jeras," Kenas said, a little too loudly, nudging Jeras in the side. Jeras' hearts were thumping and for a moment he thought that he wasn't the only one who could hear them.

"What was she like?" Kenas asked.

"Who?"

"Ariana. In bed. With you."

Jeras could see a few of the nearby recruits had their heads turned, not directly towards him but in a subtle manner so they could eavesdrop.

"How many times?"

"Could you just shut up, Kenas?" Jeras asked, although it probably wouldn't do any good.

"The one time, savouring the moment and enjoying it. Or twice, one time really hard and the next long and drawn out?"

"You're disgusting," Jeras replied. Kenas laughed and Relina snickered. Jeras could feel his face flushing purple.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Kenas said, "was it three times, and then when you woke up the next morning you did it again? I'm right…I know it, I can just tell…I know you well enough, Jeras. I can tell by the way your face is flushing…"

This was getting a little too much for Jeras to handle, especially since the three recruits sitting in front of them were obviously listening intently. Same went with the three sitting behind them and the engineer sitting to Jeras' left. They were all listening.

"It's not disgusting either, Jeras," Kenas said, "it's actually quite amusing…"

"I don't need to tell you anything," Jeras said, trying to keep his cool, "besides, it's not like you've done it…"

"Done what?"

"What do you think?"

Kenas fell silent. Jeras knew he had him there. If he said he hadn't, he would look like an idiot in front of Relina but if he said he had he would make Relina lose interest in him.

"I've done it," Kenas replied confidently.

Jeras clicked his left mandibles in surprise.

"Really now? With who?" Jeras asked.

Kenas hesitated. He obviously wasn't going to say.

"Did the night end with you saying something to your partner like…well, let me think…" Jeras paused for a moment. "Oh, I got it: how much do I owe you?"

Kenas frowned at this comment and when it dawned on him a second later with just what it was implying he suddenly looked angry. He clenched his right hand into a fist but wasn't prepared to hit his best friend over a petty argument.

"You two should just get along," Relina said, "no use squabbling over things like this. Although it is quite amusing to hear you two talk about it."

Kenas turned to Relina.

"Did you hear what he said?" He asked.

"Yes, and he certainly got you there," Relina replied. She turned to Jeras, who had fallen silent.

"So, you still want to do something together sometime…?" She asked him.

Jeras just shook his head. Relina looked disappointed and so sat back in her seat, silent as well.

He must have fallen asleep during the trip, since the next thing he knew was that his eyes were just opening and Kenas was shaking him with one hand.

"You've been asleep for hours," Kenas said as Jeras opened his eyes. Time had passed, Jeras could tell that. Some of the others sitting near them had fallen asleep as well. Jeras guessed there wasn't much to do on a shuttle like this although Kenas looked pleased with himself, not at all bored.

"Where's your girlfriend?" Jeras asked, sitting up in his seat. Kenas frowned by quickly went back to his usual grinning state.

"Toilet," Kenas replied simply, "you know, she's a nice female. She and I have a lot in common…"

Jeras nodded. He didn't think what Kenas was saying was all that true but he thought he would play along.

"Why did you wake me up?" Jeras asked.

"Apparently we're almost at this colony," Kenas said, "and I needed someone to talk to while Relina was off in the bathroom."

"Go on then." Jeras said, "tell me how you and Relina have so much in common."

"She and I share the same sense of humour," Kenas said, "we have the same sort of interests, although she seems more intent on entering combat than I do…"

"So, what did she say?" Jeras asked, "you told her earlier you could handle a weapon. I know you better than most others and I know you have never touched a melee weapon in your life, let alone a firearm."
Kenas looked around, as if to check if anyone was listening.

"Not so loud, Jeras," he said, looking back at him.

"Why?"

"Somebody else might hear you," Kenas said, "if she finds out I've no experience with any sort of weapon then I might just lose what I have going on with her."

Jeras sighed, not for any reason, more because he felt tired and that Kenas shouldn't try lying to get a female to like him.

"You're full of it, Kenas," Jeras said, "I don't lie to Ariana and things between her and I are fine…"

Jeras realized he was lying about not lying to Ariana. He lied to her almost all the time, no really serious lies, only when she asked him whether or not he would clean his apartment or if he was busy or not…

"They may be fine but I doubt you don't lie to her," Kenas said. He sat back in his chair, glancing at the back of the shuttle and seeing that Relina was on her way back.

"Now stay quiet," Kenas said bluntly, "don't say anything unless you really have to…"

Jeras nodded. He wasn't going to say anything and didn't feel like saying anything. Instead, he tried to will himself back to sleep as Relina sat back down next to Kenas. It took him a while to decide that it wasn't working and while Kenas was speaking with Relina about all manner of subjects, Jeras noticed that the young looking Sangheili sitting in the seat across the aisle to his left seemed nervous. He could tell by the way he was sitting and the nervous fidgety movements he was making with his hands.

"You alright?" Jeras asked.

The engineer turned to look at him.

"Yes, I'm fine," he replied. He paused and rested his hands on his lap. "I've just never been in a shuttle before…"

Jeras gave a surprised expression.

"Really?"

The engineer shrugged.

"I've never really needed to, I guess," he replied, "I've spent my whole life on High Charity, raised on a military base by the commander there."

Raised on a military base? Jeras couldn't figure out a reason why this would be the case and wasn't about to ask, he didn't want to intrude on this engineer's personal life.

"So, what's your name?" Jeras asked. The engineer seemed nice enough, more a quiet kind. Jeras doubted he would have much luck making friends amongst the others, he seemed the type who would get picked on.

"Sesha Qualemee," the engineer replied, "the reason I'm here is because my commander thought I might get a better chance in the Rangers…"

"I'm Jeras Kallon," Jeras said, "and…well…" He struggled to find something to say so the conversation could continue.

"Are you wondering why I've been raised on a military base?" Sesha asked, "a lot of people always want to know…"

"Yes, sure, go right ahead." Jeras shifted in his seat, was it just him or was it getting hot inside the shuttle?

"I was abandoned as a newborn," Sesha said, "left in a dingy alley in an empty supply crate. No indication of who left me there."

"You were abandoned?"

"Yes, yes I was," Sesha said, slightly irritated by the way Jeras stated an obvious question, "I never knew my parents. I was found by an off duty Minor who took me in as his own. He tried to track down my biological parents but wasn't successful…"

"I'm guessing he became the Commander of the military base you lived on?" Jeras asked.

"Yes, and he managed to teach me everything he knew about combat, how to handle a weapon, everything," Sesha said, "although I heard the training to become one of these 'Rangers' is quite difficult…"

That's what Jeras was hearing a lot lately and he was getting tired of hearing it. If the training was harder than it meant he would become a far stronger Sangheili than he already was.

"It was his decision to put you in the Rangers?" Jeras asked.

"He thought it would give me a better opportunity as a soldier," Sesha said, "better than any regular infantry unit. The 27th Rangers, has a good ring to it…"

Jeras nodded. He had no idea that they were going to train to become the "27th Rangers". Twenty-seven? So there were twenty-six other units as well or were they the first one?

"There are two other units apparently," Sesha said, "but we're starting training before any of them. I heard that if we do get through training, we'll become true Rangers in over one and a half year's time. It seems a long way away, but I doubt time will pass slowly…"

"You seem to know more about this than I do," Jeras said, "I wasn't told much at all when I joined up…Just the obvious stuff like high risk missions, possible high casualty rate…"

"I did some research before I left," Sesha said, "this is the first time there's been an actual separate unit. There have been outer space fighters before but they've always been regular infantry and never fared too well against the enemy."

Jeras sat listening as Sesha explained all of this. He seemed well educated on the subject which made Jeras feel a bit uneasy since he knew so little about what he was getting himself into…

"We're to become the first specialized unit," Sesha said, "for both space missions and ground missions. We'll be getting our own special armour, our own equipment. We'll be recognizable on the battlefield as probably the best soldiers there. We're to be an elite fighting unit according to the promotional datapad I read. It all sounds well and good, I guess…"

"It sure does," Jeras added.

The announcement system on the shuttle kicked into life, the pilot's deep voice filling the passenger section.

"Prepare for entry into the planet's atmosphere," the pilot announced, "return to your seats if you have not already done so and fasten your seatbelts."

Jeras simply slid the belt over him and clicked it into place. Sesha did the same and the other passengers done it as well.

"I'm guessing it'll be getting a little rough," Jeras said, noticing that Sesha had returned to his fidgety nervous state, "just sit tight. I've been in shuttles like this before. They weren't designed too well for entering the atmosphere of a planet…"

Sesha just sat quietly. Jeras turned to Kenas, who nodded in acknowledgement when they made eye contact. He had his right hand on Relina's thigh and looking at her, she didn't seem to mind.

"Her twin brother was meant to show up," Kenas said, nodding at Relina, "but he never made it to the spaceport. Caught in traffic, I guess."

Jeras nodded, noticing that Kenas was too preoccupied talking with the female now to take much notice of him.

The shuttle began to shake and the inside began to warm up noticeably as Jeras settled into his seat. There weren't any windows so he couldn't see what the planet below was like, but from what he had been hearing it was apparently barren and mostly desert. Which would make training all that much harder, he guessed. There was no turning back now, though.

About ten minutes later the shuttle began to slow down, obviously coming in for a landing. Kenas got Jeras' attention again by nudging him in the side.

"I forgot to mention," he said, "I talked to some of the officers on this shuttle while you were asleep. Seems they'll be looking for good leaders among us…"

"So what?"

"So, maybe you should show them how good a leader you are. Become a squad leader or something…" Kenas said, lowering his voice so anyone close by couldn't hear.

Jeras gave a surprised expression. Him a leader? He didn't think that would be possible. And he didn't particularly want to be a leader of anything…

"I don't know…" Jeras said with uncertainty, "I don't think I'll make much of a leader…"

"Sure you will," Kenas replied, "you said you wanted to amount to something so being a squad leader is that ideal something."

He was right about Jeras wanting to amount to "something", Jeras himself just wasn't sure what that something would be. Squad leader maybe, but he doubted he would fit the criteria for such a role…

The shuttle bumped upwards suddenly, quickly settling, the sound of the engines dimming. The entryway opened outwards steadily and sunlight streamed through the open doorway, filling the shuttle. Some tired Sangheili groaned, having been woken up by the light shining into their faces.

Jeras unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up, taking his pack from the bag rack above him. Kenas and Relina followed suit as did some of the others.

Jeras was first out of the shuttle, stepping down the exit ramp and onto a landing pad in the middle of a rocky, barren brown landscape. On all sides were mesas and cliffs, in the distance a large rocky hill. The entrance to the military installation was to his left, a fair walk but there was a road in between there and the landing pad.

Waiting for them on the landing pad were two Sangheili officers, both older than Jeras by a fair bit. One was in the white armour of a Special Operations Ultra and the other in the crimson armour of a Major. As the recruits filed out of the shuttle, the Special Operations Ultra stepped forward, looking at each of the recruits. He muttered something to the Major, who simply nodded in response. The Ultra turned back to the recruits, who were standing around with their packs, mostly quiet.

Jeras noticed the air was quite warm and it occurred to him that they must have purposely selected this planet for the training facility, the heat would make everything they did more difficult, test the limits of their endurance and so forth…

"Get in an orderly line!" The Ultra barked suddenly, "stand to attention!"

This seemed to catch the majority of the recruits unawares, most of them clueless as to what to do. Jeras knew what to do but it was hard to actually stand in a line since not many others were doing it. Jeras stood where he thought the line should be, standing up straight as
Kenas and Relina stepped into line next to him. Sesha came onto his other side. The Ultra just frowned at them and stood patiently as the others got the idea and stepped into line.

Kenas looked towards the rocky hill in the distance. It must have been a fair way above sea level, although Jeras couldn't tell from here.

"I'm guessing they chose this region because of that hill," Kenas said, "use it for the training. Make us run up it when we're all done…"
The Ultra suddenly began yelling again.

"That was pathetic!" He shouted simply, looking angry, "as soon as you sorry recruits came off of that shuttle I knew I would be facing the most pathetic bunch of recruits I have ever seen!" He paused for a second to catch his breath before continuing. "You'll never become Rangers with slack attitudes like that! You came here to be trained into killing machines and that's what will happen, but first you all have to get your act together!"

He paused, stepping towards the line of recruits.

"I am the Commander in charge of this military installation and will be in charge of training you recruits. Not all of you will make it through the training course, and those that don't will be transferred to the regular infantry. You're in the Rangers now but none of you are Rangers yet!

"My name is Strex Tershelee. The Major with me is Shasa Refulmee. He will also be training you," the Ultra said, lowering his voice to a more regular tone.

"For over one and a half years you will spend your life on this planet, living in the military base we have set up here. You will get used to early mornings and late nights. You will receive your standard issue armour which will become your second skin. You will learn how to clean it, put it on and so forth. You will sleep in it, eat in it and train in it.

"Your training with the Rangers equipment such as jetpacks and vacuum suits will not begin for a few months. First we will work on the basics such as firing a weapon, using an energy blade and working on improving strength, speed and hand-eye coordination."

The recruits stood silent as Tershelee explained all of this. Jeras could already tell it would be hard work, but he assured himself he would make it through all of it. He glanced at Kenas and Relina and he could tell that they were thinking the same thing. Sesha seemed to be as well.
Tershelee noticed Jeras' head movements and stepped towards him.

"Are you listening to me, recruit?" Tershelee asked, sounding a little annoyed.

"Yes sir," Jeras replied, looking straight at the Ultra.

"What is your name, recruit?" Tershelee asked. Jeras wasn't sure where this was going but he had no other choice but to play along.

"Jeras Kallon," he replied.

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-two."

Tershelee nodded.

"You look promising," Tershelee said, taking a good look at Jeras, "but looks can be deceiving. You may have the muscle but do you have a strong will?"

Jeras was a little surprised at the question but stood his ground, answering truthfully.

"I wouldn't know for sure, sir," Jeras said. Tershelee seemed to give a bit of a grin and turned to the other recruits, noticing Sesha who was on Jeras' left.

"What about you?" Tershelee asked, "you wear the armour of an engineer, so maybe you may have a different answer?"

Sesha seemed uncertain about what to answer.

"I…I can say I have a strong will, sir," Sesha replied, a little hesitant. Tershelee must have noticed this but he didn't give much indication that he did.

"How old are you, engineer?" Tershelee asked.

"Nineteen, almost twenty," Sesha answered. Tershelee clicked his left mandibles, surprised at how young Sesha was.

"You must be the youngest one here," he said. Tershelee paused and then stepped back, looking at the line of recruits. He then nodded towards the hill in the distance.

"Do you see that hill behind me?" He asked. Most of the recruits nodded in response. "All of you are to leave your packs here and are to run up and down that hill. The Major will be running with you to ensure nobody cheats."

Jeras was surprised, just as everyone else was, at the fact they actually had to run up and down a hill like that in weather as hot as this. He heard some disapproving groans from some of the recruits but Tershelee seemed to smile.

"What are you all waiting for?" He asked, "the last four who return will miss out on dinner tonight and will be made to sleep outside. And it does get cold outside during the night, very cold…"

This seemed to be enough motivation for some of the recruits to get started. Jeras was feeling hot and he took off the vest he had on, picked up a canteen of water from his bag and started to run.

The hill must have been more than a kilometre away, Jeras and the others following a winding dirt track. The ground was hard and mostly gravel and thin layers of sand, not the easiest type of surface on his hooves or anyone else's. Sesha was ahead of everyone else, running close to Major Shasa, who kept trying to encourage these lagging behind everyone else.

Kenas came from behind Jeras, breathing heavily. Jeras was the same, already short of breath but he wouldn't be dropping out on his first day here. No way he would let that happen.

"I told you we would run up the hill," Kenas said, smiling in between breaths, "I just didn't think we would do it now…"

Jeras didn't reply, too intent on running to say anything. Kenas didn't look like he had been expecting an answer. Relina was jogging a metre or two behind him and every now and then Kenas would look back at her, there eyes would meet, they would both smile…

Major Shasa, Sesha, Jeras and a recruit named Lears were the first four to make it to the summit up top. As soon as Jeras worked out this was the top, he slumped against a rock in exhaustion and gulped down the contents of his water canteen. He was hot, bordering on spewing up whatever he had eaten last (he couldn't remember what that had been).
Kenas and Relina were next to the summit and the pair sat down on a rock together, looking out at the rather spectacular view of the surrounding barren, rocky wastes.

Shasa stood tall over them all, looking down towards the military base. He seemed to be thinking some far off thought but Sesha ended that by tapping him on the shoulder.

"Should we be starting our way back down, sir?" Sesha asked.
Shasa frowned and then looked back down towards the landing pad, the shuttle having taken off by now. He smiled and shook his head.

"Tershelee can wait for us," Shasa replied.

Kenas stepped over to where Jeras was sitting and sat down beside him. He looked exhausted by their hour long run (or it might have been longer, Jeras had lost track of time) but still seemed to have that usual grin on his face.

"I knew it would be like this," he said, "I can guarantee you we'll be doing this almost daily…"

"Great," Jeras replied sarcastically. He sat silent after that, with only one thought on his mind: what had he gotten himself into?

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