Sorry guys! I've been meaning to update for forever.

Chapter 3: Hearts of Darkness

A small squadron of Elites wove through a dark alley, their predatory eyes scanning for activity. The one at the head of the pack growled and pushed some garbage aside. Beneath, there was a grate. The alien pulled it away to reveal a trap door, just barely large enough for him to squeeze through.

One by one, the elites slipped into the black abyss. A plasma light flared and the room was light a soft blue. The warriors were shrouded in darkness, but one by one they flashed their symbols, each decorated differently, depending on rank within the organization.

"Master, I have failed." Growled on, his head hung low.

"Oh really?" came the reply from a hooded figure. "How, my servant, have you done that?" The voice was cold and cruel, the voice of an aged warrior, undamaged by the horrors of war. Blue light illuminated the beast beneath the hood: A battered elite, named Ripa Vandam. He was an ancient warrior and in his heart, burned a fiery hate for humans. He was wounded many years ago when his battalion attacked a human colony. He was unprepared for the battle at hand and took a shotgun blast to the chest, smashing his armor and crushing his ribs. The spray of lead also ripped into his face, blowing one of his eyes clear out of his skull.

Even when the prophets declared that the brutes should take be their guards, not the elites, he had much trouble taking the human-slugs as allies. In the end, he and a group of "elite loyalists" broke away from the main group with a small carrier. He chose to save his own hide, and a few others, rather than side with the humans. He had no doubt that his former brethren and the filth would lose. Ripa was wrong. The Covenant was destroyed and he and his crew were forced into the coldest regions of know space.

Now he was back. The alliance between the humans and elites tore at him like nothing else. Ripa was determined to burn these bridges, once and for all, and spark all out war between the races.

"I have failed in killing Thel', the Arbiter." Said the warrior in a hushed tone.

"Did you now? I expected as much from your inexperienced troop." Replied Ripa, turning his back on the young elite. Suddenly he turned swiftly and caught his fellow by the throat. He slammed him against the wall, an energy blade to his neck.

"Fail me again and I will have your life." He whispered in a deadly, hushed tone. Ripa dropped the elite to the floor. "Come, my warriors. We have much to do." He growled and opened the door…

John and Thel' were lounging around in the merchant district of the city, bored out of their Godforsaken minds.

"Where is Cortana?" asked Thel', currently staring at the tiled floor.

"She's out shopping with Kelly for the wedding. Those two have become pretty close." John laughed and shook his head. It was an odd sound, a Spartan laughing.

"Why do you laugh?" said Thel' half heartedly, picking at his nails.

"It's just strange that they became such close friends. Hell, Kelly was about to rip Cortana's head off over the whole thing."

"That's not true!" Came a happy voice. It was Kelly and Cortana, carrying several bags from various stores.

"Let me help you carry those." Said John, taking most of the bags from Cortana. She smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks, honey." She whispered in his ear. Kelly giggled.

"What are you laughing at?" questioned John.

"Nothing, Lover boy."

John then turned away, his face begging to turn red. He was a Spartan! He'd never really experienced embarrassment. It was a burning feeling in his face. It was…worse than being shot. A wound could heal, but how did one heal this? He did not know.

"John, before we leave, we need to pick up your suit." Said Cortana, checking her watch. She didn't want to forget that. It was very important, with the wedding rehearsal coming up and all.

Thel' shook his head and announced that he must be on his way. The others bid him a good bye and he left. John and himself had been trying to get information on who way have attacked him and why. So far, almost nothing. They really weren't good detectives. But they were trying and by the gods, they would discover the root of this infection among his brothers and tear it out. His honor could accept no less.

What could drive his own brothers to attack him? Thel' could barely grasp that concept. He could understand various groups during a time of war…but now, what was the point?

He wandered down, weaving through the slums of this massive, crystalline city. All cities had them. The Good, the Bad and the ugly. No matter how nice, all of them had garbage and scum. Naturally, they hid near the less fortunate and leeched off them.

Thel' had scanned other parts of it during the day, but never at night. Maybe this time would lead to a discovery.

The smell was that of decay and raw sewage. This place was an ideal place to begin his search. Dark, filthy water ran in streams about the ramshackle buildings. The area was light by a small fire in the distance and by two, glowing white moons that encircled around the planet.

A branch snapped and Thel' became alert, scanning the horizon of anything unusual. Nothing…yet. Something was close, so close he could almost feel it. He grabbed at the energy sword at his side.

Out of the darkness, a shadow appeared, stretching over the Aribter.

"What the hell are you doing out here?" came a familiar voice.

"John? I almost cut you in half."

"Sure you did."

"Come on. I'm sure Cortana is going to want you back soon. Where have you been telling her you've been going anyway?"

"Out with you."

"Brilliant. Just brilliant."

"What?"

"Nevermind. I'll check back here later."

As the pair walked off, an unseen servant of Ripa watched from the shadows.

Finally done with the chapter! If you ever have ideas, PM them to me. Please review. It really helps getting things rolling, even when I have little time to do them.