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

[hr]

Major Robinson did take the time to properly greet Cohen and Younan, but otherwise soon returned to her irritated waiting, occasionally checking in for an update through her earpiece. Unlike some of the others, she was not one for idle conversation, and most aspects of her expression made her seem unapproachable. As for patience, if she did have that quality, she did not demonstrate it in this case. After just a short while, she muttered under her breath and gave a look around, both to the gathered team, and others watching them who happened to be passing through the atrium. 

[color=violet]“I…believe I have us a room, if you could all just follow me…”[/color] Major Robinson said, despite not having been contacted with any new information, before she started walking towards one of the halls at the back of the atrium. Vael followed close behind, somewhat curious about the amount of anger she showed in her stance and walk. At least, he believed that was what he could see in her demeanor. Each species showed their emotion differently through action and movement. He was less experienced with Human emotion than most other species, but what he saw from her now was something akin to a Human soldier rushing forward into battle. 

Eventually, the Major guided them through the corridors to a large set of double doors, though she stopped them all just outside. [color=violet]“This should only take a moment. I just need you to come in with me, Vael. You need not say anything, just…stand behind me.”[/color]

Curiosity, perhaps more than anything, prompted Vael to nod in agreement to Robinson. That, and the desire to begin their mission. There had been enough waiting and inaction; their enemies out in the rest of the galaxy were not going to wait for their team to be ready before advancing their own goals. Robinson swiped her security card and the two doors slid open, revealing a rather sizable conference room with a large table and a holographic projector situated at its center. About half of the chairs were filled by a collection of, mostly older, men and women, not all of which were wearing military uniforms. The man that had been accompanying Major Robinson before, Jonas, was in a “conversation” with a UNSC officer. Though, considering that the officer was technically a superior to Jonas, it was a fairly one-sided conversation. 

[color=steelblue]“...tolerate this interruption. We still have important decisions to make here…”[/color] The officer was saying just after the door opened, though he quickly took notice of Major Robinson. [color=steelblue]”Major, this is most irregular, I…”[/color] The officer cut himself off quickly once Vael came into view behind Robinson. He had, at first, looked like he was starting to stand, but he quickly fell back into his seat. 

Major Robinson did not outrank the officer, and as such, she spoke with a distinctly polite, distinctly [i]fake[/i] tone. [color=violet]”My apologies, I thought you were done here. We just have no choice but to use a ground floor room. If you like, I can have my associate here wait outside and…”[/color]

[color=steelblue]“No, no…”[/color] The officer interjected, clearing his throat and speaking strikingly more calmly. [color=steelblue]”That is quite alright. We have just finished up here. It’s time, uh, to break for lunch.”[/color]

With the others at the table nodding in silent agreement, they quickly moved to vacate the room. For a moment as he passed by, the officer’s gaze met Vael’s. In it, Vael saw the other Human emotion he was quite familiar with: fear. For Vael, it illustrated one of the most frustrating paradoxes of Humanity. As a species, they were resilient and fought against their extinction with honor, but their species seemed to be able to simultaneously produce both the bravest and most cowardly individuals in the universe. He could not understand why the honorable among them tolerated such weakness among their own kind. 

In any case, the team finally had a secure room to use, and Robinson was already loading up the briefing on the holographic projector. There was plenty of space for everyone, though of course, the ODSTs accompanying Tasuma would not be permitted to enter. Vael remained standing at the table just across from the Major, who took a moment to speak to him. [color=violet]“Vael, I am sending you a data file from your superiors. Don’t worry, my people have not looked at it.”[/color] She lied. 

Vael took out his data pad and waited a moment for it to decrypt the information. From his first impression, it seemed he had finally received all of the relevant information about the background and qualifications of the team the Swords of Sanghelios had selected for him, as well as information on their upcoming mission. 

As the others started to come in, the Major spoke without taking her eyes off of the computer in front of her. [color=violet]”Okay, this is a secure room, so you can speak freely about the team and the mission here.”[/color] She said, again mostly for the benefit of the non-UNSC personnel. Once the door was closed, she continued. [color=violet]”Once Captain Leroux arrives, we will start the mission briefing. Obviously, this is not a standard composition for a UNSC fireteam, so we had intended to begin with War Games Simulations to allow you to build squad cohesion before your first mission. Unfortunately, certain recent events have accelerated our timetable. You’re going to have to make time for training later; we’ll be deploying on our first mission today.”[/color]