[centre][h2][colour=ff4d27]Yalu 'Suumko[/colour][/h2][/centre]

Yalu kept his aim, ready for anything. He would not admit that he preferred the rebels to retreat if it would mean less death.

The enemy commander did not get much time to wax lyrical about his cause by the time he dropped his weapon. Yalu closed the distance with a weapon raised and grabbed him by the arm, twisting it around and tripping him forward in the same motion. He hit the ground head first but Yalu knew human helmets were not worth nothing.

No more tricks. With the commander pinned, he was shackled, searched, and called in.

[colour=ff4d27]"Objective is secured. Ready for extraction."[/colour]

[hr]
[center][i]Sydney, Earth
several months later[/i][/center]
Yalu had expected to be transferred again and again, with Aegis team being just one more chapter. Commander 'Virisusai was different. He kept Yalu on and he did not let Yalu relax. The last few months were some of the most strenuous assignments he had ever faced, and that was to say nothing of the training regimen. Far from being disappointing, the deployment to 'Virisusai's team was invigorating to Yalu. The commander had an eye for Yalu's strengths and applied them to the fullest.

Still, arriving on Earth again was the first extended time to himself Yalu had been able to appreciate in some time. He found his curiosity had not dimmed at this place. Though, here at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Yalu was less chipper about his new surroundings. He was trailed by a human handler in dress uniform nearly jogging after his broad steps on the asphalt pathways.

Yalu approached Tar 'Mdalak from the side. He was dressed in an unusual garment -- a crinkly white and red jumpsuit with a zip up the front and a thick foam ring around the neck. It looked like an altered human piece of clothing, but not one seen every day. He stopped and his handler had to catch their breath.

[colour=ff4d27]"You are hard to find even when you aren't hiding, Tar,"[/colour] Yalu said. He turned his eyes to the plants she was regarding. [colour=ff4d27]"I thought to join you in place these humans would not complain about our presence in. I was only permitted to drive three laps around their 'Mount Panorama Circuit' before Corporal Blair here judged it too dangerous. At least I had fascinating talk with the mechanics."[/colour]

Yalu's handler, who had 'Blair' written on his name tag, spoke between breaths. "Major 'Suumko, sir, I [i]had[/i] warned you to keep to a reasonable speed. Those cars were not built to accommodate Sangheili."

Yalu waved a hand and sneered, regarding Tar instead. [colour=ff4d27]"Would you mind some company? I feel I have been around strangers for days now."[/colour]