Rethea cocked her head to the side when the new Spartan, who Knight called Julie, spoke to her in the tongue of her people. It was not as clear or defined, but the human was easily understood. 
 Shaking out of her stupor Rethea smiled kindly, "Whilst the Covenant was still standing, the females of my race were forbidden to fight because the prophets saw them as incompetent." 
 She chuckled, a deep sound unlike a human female's, "I think they resented the fact that the men in their armies were often distracted by us........males can be males." 

 Rethea looked down at first Julie, then glanced over her shoulder to see Knight and Aria catching up. 
She added quickly before Julie turned her attention to her comrade Knight, "They assigned us to assist in running Sangheilios while the males fought in battle....."

 For so many years she had wished to stand by their sides; putting her combat training to good use rather than guarding a temple or political figure. Finally she had that chance......