[center][b][h2]Vael ‘Virisusai and Major Alice Robinson[/h2][/b][/center]

[hr]

For Vael, he did not see fit to immediately join in the conversations, or arguments, that were arising around him. His approach was to listen and observe to begin understanding each of these people who would, in all likelihood be serving in Aegis Team. 

The Unggoy was loud, impulsive, and overconfident, but an Unggoy would not be able to reach the rank of Ultra without that confidence being earned. Provided his words on his service history were true, that would make him a veteran of at least two intense campaigns during the war, perhaps more. For an Unggoy during the time of the Covenant, even just surviving such missions was something worth taking notice of. 

Even stranger than the Unggoy was the Mgalekgolo that a Human identified as Tasuma. The most obvious detail that Vael noticed was the unusual modifications to its armor. It was painted in colors more often associated with the Humans, there were additional plates made from Human alloys, rather than nanolaminate, a shoulder cloak bearing the symbol of the Swords of Sanghelios, and additional weapons attached to its back. It also behaved with familiarity, even camaraderie, towards the Humans that surrounded it. All of it was exceptionally unusual, but for a team such as this, having members who were already accustomed to working with Humans was a benefit. He was not sure if the other Humans accompanying Tasuma would also be assigned to the team. The greatest concern that Vael had was that Tasuma seemed to be alone. It was rare to see one without a bond brother. The first explanation would be that the colony was too young to have a bond brother, but the presence of spikes on its back denied that possibility. The only other reasons a Mgalekgolo would be alone would be if its bond brother was killed, or otherwise unable to fight. Either situation could cause the Mgalekgolo’s collective mental state to become unstable. It was a concern that Vael would need to address later. 

The other Sangheili, Yalu, had remained mostly silent beyond his introduction and gave Vael little to observe. However, Vael did find himself curious about the Sangheili’s rank. He was an officer, but for a specialized team such as this, Vael would have expected more seasoned warriors than Yalu’s rank would imply. Grik would be a superior officer to him. Internally, Vael wondered what it was about Yalu that made him exceptional enough to be considered for this team, without also being accompanied by a higher rank. 

More difficult for Vael to make determinations about were the Humans, if only because he was not as well-versed in their general personalities and tendencies. [i]Especially[/i] for Spartans. Although not all Sangheili gave it, the Spartans were figures that demanded fair respect for their skill and determination in combat. The one who stood out the most to Vael was the female Spartan, Aviza. She saw the strange display of the other Humans with the Mgalekgolo and was the first to act upon it. She had a commanding attitude and a seemingly serious disposition. Vael was unfamiliar with Spartan rank structure and would not have been able to identify any markings or armor colors, but she might have been a leader among them.

Two other Spartans, identified as Lucas Ryker and Rex, also gave Vael less to observe. Lucas had said little more than a simple greeting, though he did not carry any obvious hostility or suspicion in his tone. Rex’s greeting was terse and calm, but he did seem to have one of their artificial constructs inhabiting his suit. One that was allowed to speak for him. Vael was not sure how much trust he was willing to put into such machines. The last Spartan to be introduced, Ben, did so to Vael directly, and with respect to Vael’s rank according to Human customs. It seemed that he, like Grik, had been informed to some degree of Vael himself. 

[color=orange]“I am Vael ‘Virisusai, commander in loyal service to the Swords of Sanghelios.”[/color] Vael finally said, both in reply to the Spartan sniper in front of him, and as a general introduction to those around him.

Vael’s initial concern was to establish the hierarchy of the Spartans. The Spartan Aviza was the one who had behaved most as an officer so far, so she was the one he first approached. [color=orange]“Are you the leader of the Human contribution to this team?”[/color]

[hr]

The pair of ONI agents walked through the halls of HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6, quickly and with purpose. Their black uniforms had little in the way of identifying markings, apart from small, removable rank insignias. One of the two, Major Alice Robinson, walked slightly ahead of the other. She was a somewhat short, stern-looking woman with short, black hair and tanned skin. She alternated between speaking both to the man trailing behind her, and to someone else in her earpiece. [color=violet]“I don’t care who has the room, Jonas. We need it more, and we need it [i]now[/i]. This whole day has just been a circus.”[/color]

The man following behind tapped on the datapad in his hand and let out a sigh. [color=lightblue]“You know how the bean counters are, Major. They can argue with each other for hours over the office chair budget. They insist there’s another secure room open on the twelfth floor. Is there a reason I can give them that we can’t use that one?”[/color]

As the man spoke, the pair rounded the corner into the atrium. Major Robinson gave a stern expression and pointed forwards towards the massive Hunter that was drawing eyes from across the room. [color=violet]“Because of [b][i]that[/i][/b].”[/color] She answered simply. 

The man hesitated, standing with his mouth slightly agape for just a moment out of surprise. [color=lightblue]“I’ll…go try to get them to move again.”[/color]

As the man left, the Major headed down the steps towards the group. She approached in time to hear Vael’s question to Aviza and decided to answer before the Spartan could respond. [color=violet]“No, that would be me. Major Robinson, Office of Naval Intelligence. We should have a secure room soon, just…keep waiting here and don’t talk about the mission directly.”[/color] She said. Her warning was more directed towards the Swords of Sanghelios personnel than the Spartans. They knew better than to talk about classified matters in a public space. 

Vael let out a slight grunt. As some consolation, this Major Robinson appeared to be almost as irritated at the wait as Vael had been. After a moment, Vael turned his head towards the Spartans. [color=orange]“At one of your other bases, a soldier referred to this as…bureaucracy. Is it intended to be so inefficient?”[/color]