The First.

By: Deunan and Hawkings.

Revised by: Kaimaler.

Disclaimer: ... LAWL.

(Guess what italics mean? Yes! Talking in sangheilian!)

All those years working in the prison blocks and she never had been on the inside before. It was certainly a change in perception. Perhaps the meaning of prisoner of war was far different then she originally anticipated her being an onsite medic and guard rather then a warrior in the war.

For now it seemed all there was on her side was herself and the clothes on her back.

There was a way for her to reverse the field and escape the cell, but there was no way she could make it out of the ship, escape the Covenant on the land below, and risk surviving the human armies that undoubtedly waited just outside parameters.

Though, with the humans help she could make it past the human soldiers. Where would that leave her? On some uncharted landmass with the Covenant as her enemy and the humans intolerance.

She couldn't escape and live, even if the humans didn't kill her, she was sure they would anyhow even as other humans speak praise about her. She was stuck, this time without a reason for her survival. Maybe she had dishonored her name, but she didn't have much of a name anyways. She never posed an important asset to the Covenant's campaign; she may have actually damaged it at some points.

Though now it seems, through her many times being deemed unworthy of even being a sangheili, this time they may get to her. Only because of the humans trying to survive their ordeal in the prison block.

But it was so far from the private cells held for heretics and traitors. She'd have to incapacitate the guard after deactivating the lock, travel down corridors and rooms filled with Covenant armies just to reach the prison block, not counting all the active heavy weaponry in the garage that was being tested again. At the prison block doors, she'd have to override the door's lock, fight and probably kill two of her only acquaintances aboard this ship before releasing the humans.

Then what? Go where and how? She would collect weapons on the way, but that won't save anyone from getting re-captured on the enemy ship. They haven't escaped, only made her superiors angry.

They would kill her on the spot. The humans would go right back to prison and most likely be moved immediately for execution.

By the Prophets, this would be difficult.

Thankfully, hope began springing up around the prison block through all humans, slightly concerning the Elite guards.

Once one of the soldiers's mentioned the Master Chief, suddenly things weren't looking too bad.

After all, Captain Keyes was a revered leader, he was brilliant at his job and if it wasn't for him, Kenny was pretty sure they would have lost the war by now... If not, then be in a very questionable situation in terms of the war.

When mentioning Chief and Keyes in the same sentence everyone immediately knew they would be saved before the Covenant either interrogated or executed them, both was preferable but Kenny could live with 'before execution', he wasn't picky.

The Elite guards noticed the change in their human prisoner's almost immediately. For one moment, the humans said nothing but a few murmurs here and there, nothing the guards were interested in listening too. Though, after one human spoke up with a smile plastered across his face, the Elite's knew they should start listening.

With spirit's rejuvenated, the humans started joking, taunting, and acting as if they were the guards; not the Elite's who so clearly patrolled the cell's they were locked in.

Strange behavior resulted in aggravated guardsmen. All the humans did was enjoy themselves, complimenting the guards on the design of their ship, all while Captain Keyes rested against the wall of his cell, smiling inwardly at his men's attitude.

The moment the Elite's found the shouting and singing on their last nerves; their individual communicators rang, the small lights flashing green as they took the comm's, stole a concerned glance, then took off without a word to the interested prisoners.

"It's gotta' be him." He grinned widely, "No one can attract such a crowd." Another replied.

Kenny smiled, relief washed over him like heavy rain in a scorching desert. He felt like a weight he never truly knew had been lifted and tossed aside carelessly, without any kind of worry.

Naju ran, fast as she could. Thankfully, she knew how to rewire a force field, maybe it was stupid, maybe it was utter genius or just plain and simple suicide. Either way, as she saw it, she was going to be killed, this way she wouldn't stand bare and shamed as she is executed publicly to serve as a warning to others like her.

She developed various technology onboard the ship, while superiors said a quick "thanks" and received a reward by their superiors, Naju had always planned for such an occasion.

She preferred to die with a chance to fight back, defend herself and her dignity. Honor was no longer part of the equation.

Covered by the latest alarm, guards that had ran past in attempts to thwart the invading humans paid little attention to who was pretending to join them; they didn't look down smaller corridors as the bulk of Covenant aboard ran in the opposite direction. It was the perfect time.

This could be a brilliant plan to escape were her conscience not nagging at her to save the humans.

Save them? Her darker side scoffed, They would not come for you were they the ones escaping!

She knew it was stupid, immature, and would probably go unwelcomed, but she had to, she had to keep what was left of her mind and soul. She lost everything else, even her brother was off with a higher rank then she; campaigning against the humans in the war was a difficult task, certainly not one where family could commune frequently. In fact, it had been approximately ten years since she last spoke with her brother; she didn't even know if he was alive, no one would tell a lesser if they felt it unnecessary for the war effort.

Yet those humans, the ones like Kenneth, they deserved to be saved, to be rescued and preserved even if it meant her life. He was a soldier that could change the war, a strong heart, an unwavering will; it was all it took to turn the tides of battle. Kenneth could do this. He'd go past as unrewarded, but for now, all this war needs is an end, not a hero.

Naju navigated quickly through halls, cutting corners, sometimes nearly crashing into another as she made her way to the prison block.

It wasn't hard to be mistaken for a rushed off-duty guard so long as she kept her left side hidden from passerby's she'd be completely unrecognizable in the heat of battle.

What bothered her now was whether or not she could reach the humans imprisoned before the humans attacking her ship beat her to them... probably killing her in the process.

Not a bad death, She mused weakly to herself, trying to convince her it wasn't that bad. Most warriors die that way, if I were to die fighting surely I would be commended; it is rare superior's dishonor one that died while fighting bravely against their enemies.

"But it still happens." She thought aloud, mandibles twitching in annoyance. Enough! Free the humans, after that they will decide my fate.

It was easier now that this section of the ship was mostly clear. There was one room that stood between her and the humans. Unfortunately for her it homed two Aristocrats' and a Councilor, one of the only Councilor's on the ship, the swordsmen were his bodyguards to put it lightly. They would kill anyone the second the Councilor told them too.

And she was a to-be shamed guard from the prison block directly adjacent to his chambers. Naju, thankfully, knew the room and the three sangheilian's in questions positions. The Aristocrat's would be off in the far corners, hiding from sight until otherwise wanted by the Councilor who stood above them all by an elevated platform to a mainframe; it wasn't the mainframe of the entire ship, but it gave him free access to the section of the ship he was responsible for and that's all that mattered here.

The Councilor, his name unknown to her, was not to participate in the battle at hand; his place was commanding the others and seeing them through this fight alive.

To free the humans with getting killed by the invaders meant she had to go through this room. Now.

Mentally preparing herself, Naju rushed through the door and stood at the base of the ramp leading to the Councilor's mainframe access. Do doubt with all records of events early and new, he already heard of her recent... developments.

She held her rifles straight, watching out for the inevitable. The Councilor, confident in himself and his guards, simply turned to face her with a stoic face.

"Naju 'Manoree." He greeted, "Come." With a wave of his hand two Aristocrats's appeared beside the platform and Naju was called up to it. Cautiously, she did as he ordered but not without her weapons ready.

"I am intrigued by your actions." He stated while glancing over mainframe, her name and records up front. He was researching her and her history. "Your father was quite the warrior. We do our best to ensure family linage does not affect their young, sometime it seems things slip past us. Others are cruel, will recount the past if only to thwart a threat."

"A threat? You have me mistaken for some other being." She wasn't surrendering her ground, the little she really had as the swordsmen stood at the bottom of the ramp, studying her every move.

He breathed deep, arms crossed as he read more of her files. "No, it is you who does not understand Naju." Without turning back to her, he explained further. "Your father was my oldest friend, I knew you when you could barely walk, your brother too." He grinned, fond of old memories, "I had never thought for one second you or your brother would be any different then your father, I was wrong in one case."

The Councilor finally approached her, he was... unreadable. Naju had minimum experience with Councilor's, she had only met one once a long time ago and that was because she was delivering a message. He kept his majesty flawlessly; he appeared and spoke formally even as danger rushed to his door.

"Your brother had your mother's approach while you had your father's fire." His hands gripped her shoulders gently; in turn she lowered her rifles, shocked at the Councilor's words. "You fight for what you believe in with more power then I could ever have anticipated." One hand moved to the side of her face, he was saying his goodbye's to his brother's daughter; in turn, he loved her as a daughter. "You are as beautiful as your mother, they would be proud of you Naju."

Then she realized what was happening, the guards below didn't acknowledge it and neither did the Councilor to a certain extent. This was a dying warrior's last words. He knew the humans would break past his forces, the ship would fall today, he would die and if she didn't hurry; she would to.

It sparked a respect within Naju she never had for another being. Holstering her rifles, she nodded to him, her eyes betraying her feelings toward the Councilor. He noticed her change and now knew she learned the truth.

"You will go on to do great things Naju. May the God's watch over you and guide your future." She held his upper arms as the two exchanged one last moment of silence together.

She liked him, she decided, he was unlike the others; where they would have killed her, he negotiated, showed compassion to a lesser sangheili.

"Tell your brother I send my regards." With that, he released her and turned back to the mainframe, shutting down the computers as she slowly turned away.

"I do not even know your name." He smiled a comforting but still depressing thought. "I am Vtca 'Oanomee."

"God's guide your spirit Councilor." With a bow, she descended the ramp, passing the two guards with a new found sense.

As it goes, time passed them by, Naju wanted this odd Councilor (odd only because of his words) to survive the ordeal. They both knew who blasted down their halls, killed their warriors; the Demon. It was common knowledge of his exploits against the Covenant. Keyes was an important leader; he was valuable enough for the Demon to spend his time and rescores finding then rescuing him.

That and the communicators kept playing over and over warrior's staring down the Demon through the rifles and carbines.

Time went fast for Naju and the Councilor as she took one moment to ensure she never forgets this life the Councilor was giving her. It was life; if he did so choose, she would be dead, no trouble, a last act of violence on his part.

It also went fast for the attacking humans. In the time it took for Naju to escape her prison cell, track down the long way in attempt to avoid attention, then reach the mainframe, speak to the Councilor, the humans had just now reached her. They moved faster, had a better plan, Naju had no hopes of out running them, only a chance to cheat death.

This was that moment.

As the door rung the room's newest visitors, the Aristocrat's and Councilor armed themselves; Naju swung around as the first humans opened fire.

"Naju, go! Be safe young one!" The Councilor fought back; the only honorable way to shed blood.

The swordsmen had a melee advantage with a dominating Councilor covering them; it didn't last long as Naju noticed. It was here. The Demon struck down an Aristocrat with the alien weaponry point blank. Almost the same with the other, as the soldiers fired the Demon dodged a death blow from the last swordsman, offering little more then a grunt in response as the Demon blocked the next blunt attack from him. His tries to gain the upper hand was hopeless, the Demon was just barely as large as he, but he possessed far more strength and will.

Knowing his death was coming even while the humans were still just entering the ship, the swordsman's only plan was to fight back with bravery; in hopes the memory of his position; his existence would be remembered.

If only by the shamed lesser female who stood in awe.

With the Aristocrats gone, the Councilor had the courage to battle as if he was winning. The humans had little worry now the two main threats were taken care of and to snap her back into reality they aimed and fired at her.

With her agility, she escaped injury by a split second, the door opening and slamming shut instantly.

Naju barreled down the corridor. There it was the prison ward the humans were locked away in. All she had to do is free them and beg them to save her.

That would be easy... right?

Worrying about if she'll live or die; the ultimatum involved, was in no way a good concern as of the situation. Either free them, earn some kind of thanks, or not and die. Even if they kill her anyways, it wasn't certain and therefore a little to none chance of survival. Little was more promising then trying to fight off a squad of humans and the Demon that already destroyed half her ship.

Rushing through the door, Naju vaguely caught the humans standing at attention, somewhat surprised by her sudden arrival.

"Jo!" She heard Kenny, but she felt she couldn't reply at the moment. She was out of breath; adrenalin was rapidly increasing as she thought about the humans behind her, armed and deadly.

Focusing on the program at hand, she shut down the cell force fields; the humans were free. She did her part, small as it may be, and she still did what she intended on doing from the very beginning. Naju direly hoped that counted for something.

The bursting sounds of overjoyed humans almost drowned out Kenny's calling her name. Shifting through the small crowd of relieved humans, Kenny came upon Naju, smiling ear to ear as he stood in front of her.

She was shorter then most Elite's he came across, though he already knew that was caused by her age and no doubt would change in time.

"Jo! What're you doing? Are the others outside, are they coming?" Kenny couldn't contain his excitement; with his arms out he hugged Naju, patting her back before releasing her. Naju panting and scared clean out of her mind, too much so to really notice Kenny. "What's up Jo?"

"They are coming!" She pointed to the door, hunching over to look him straight in the eyes. "They tried to kill me! When the get here, they are going to kill me!"

Kenny held up his hands, "Hold up Jo, no one's going to kill you. We'll talk to Keyes, he'll fix this." Kenny gestured her along with him to Keyes; currently inspecting his newest weapon of choice while the two approached.

"Captain Keyes sir!" Kenny saluted as the Captain saluted in return, "At ease soldier."

With a nod, Kenny glanced to Naju. "Sir, Jo says the others are coming, they're just down the hall." Naju was fighting, the others saw this and she really could care less with her life on the line. "Unfortunately, Jo says they've tried to kill her already, given her place as Covenant of course. I'd like to make a personal request."

"I know what you're going to ask soldier." Keyes shushed him with a tired sigh, "I don't like it, but she's not an enemy. You were... removed from your position, were you not?"

"Y-yes sir." Naju's hands kept rubbing over each other as the Captain addressed Kenny, "Then she's not Covenant, she's free-lance."

Kenny's eyes went wide, "I guess so sir, but what do we intend on doing with her? We can't kill her, after what she's done here. I know Chief would've gotten us anyways; still she did what she could. That matters, doesn't it sir?"

"It's not up to me private, we'll have to send a request to Lord Hood, see what he'll do." Keyes raised the rifle into his hands just as they heard the thunder of footsteps outside the door, "Until then, she, as a freelancer without a faction-" He turned to Naju, "You don't have a faction, do you?"

Naju got the point, she wasn't blind. "No sir."

"-Then it's our duty to wait for superior orders on whether or not holding a freelance with UNSC personnel is the right choice." Kenny smiled chuckling as he looked back up to Naju, "Like I said, she's with us, but not one of us. She'll have minimum access to prevent any accidents. She'll be protected by the chain of command up to where Lord Hood allows it; if he allows it at all."

Kenny's joy was viewed as overoptimistic to Keyes; he felt the need to enforce himself. "If Lord Hood gives the word private I won't have a soldier disobeying orders, understood." His smile faded, nodded and saluting the Captain once more. "Yes sir, thank you sir."

Naju's arms fell to her sides; her own smirk didn't go unnoticed by her human friend beside her. "Get your gear soldiers, we're going home."

The soldiers, naturally, cheered with their weapons raised. Questions would arise later on Naju's freedom, for now, she was thankful she'd get out of this alive.

As the small group of freed soldiers enclosed on the door, it slid open to welcome the rescuers.

"Don't look like they need much a' savin'." A soldier laughed, the squads greeted each other, exchanging a few welcome backs and ho-rahs.

"What the hell?" Another exclaimed, "There's a split-lip with Keyes." He murmured to the freed soldier who nodded in return before explaining her presence.

"Interesting company you keep these days Captain." It was the Demon... with a female's voice? "Mind introducing us?"

killerman83ca: Thanks, Killer. I'm working on the revision more seriously, but other stories have my main focus currently. "The Next Life" and "Stunning Encounters" being the most urgent.
I know there is stupid yet unnoticable mistakes around here somewhere, but for now I'll pretend I'm great. :)

Sgt. Nolisten: Erk, yeah... about that! Heh, "The First" is third on my story priority list because it's a rewrite for two old friends of mine, but I'm still working at it! I want to make it more... realistic. HAH- I know how that sounds, ridiculous right? True, true. Naju is a unique character and I want to make sure she gets all she deserves and more, y'know? So I'm trying to create a more immersive field as well as making chapters longer.

mckeown: Hurpadurp. That would be true in some cases, an Aristocrat cannot save everyone. Especially when a sudden attack desimates a ship, takes Naju away, and are coincidently humans! He can't fix that. No one can. It's an honor thing, a heretic thing, a crazy, psychopathic, religious thing for these loopy aliens.
WOOT LOOPY

DKrumpp007FTW: GLARG. More updates... I'M TRYING. I have two other stories, one major, the other for fuck's sake. 'Cause if it stayed in my head any longer I WOULD EXPLODE.

NemesisX312: I like that. It sounds like the ending of an episode of "Mythbusters." :D
Coping... HURM. That's not something Naju's good at. Just read and see. ;)

Gallyn: I AM YOUR FAN.
I just saw your name and checked you out. I am getting around to reading your stuff. BEEN SO BUSY. I love Renamon, loved her since I first saw her appear. I wish there were more good stories with Renamon as a main or even romancible character. :D
Any suggestions? :P
There is WAY more. I'll try and work to updating more, all I can do is this for now. "The Next Life" and "Stunning Encounters" are my top priorities as of late because they are my original ideas.
And I'm selfish.
And cruel.
But I am merciful. xP