"Yes sir, well, not this time. Do you know where the Elites went?" "That's a negative Spartan." "Well, if and when they come back, I'm going to hunt them down, and kill them...sir" the Spartan vowed. "I doubt you'll be able to distinguish them. An Elite is an Elite." Ackerson said, bored already. "Not so sir, I can tell the difference." "We'll see. You'd better go patch yourself up Spartan. Head down to the med bay" "Yes sir, Colonel Ackerson." the Spartan saluted one last time, with the hint of a mocking smile. Ackerson watched the man leave his room calmly, reclining back and taking a drink. He paused mid sip, and then froze. The Spartan had known his name! How? Impossible, no one here knew it. Ackerson would have to follow up on this later. He settled back down, troubled. Did the Spartan also know what his real reasons for being on Eridanus II were? ********************** [i]Immortal Repentance Infirmary[/i] Sorran looked around the room he was in. The aesthetics seemed to be of the Covenant. He sighed in relief. It was a small chamber, thick with the heavy smell of incense and medicine. Hunched in a corner was... "Prophet." Sorran wheezed out, intending to say more, but breaking into a coughing fit. The elderly San 'Shyuum turned around, a smile upon his wizened face. "Ah, you've awoken. Excellent. I was beginning to worry. My name is Convalescence." Sorran nodded weakly, and attempted to rise. Convalescence shuffled towards him and pressed Sorran down gently, despite the Sangheili's resistance. Sorran knew then he must have been as frail as a Huragok youngling, to be physically bested by a Prophet. The Elite looked down, and his eyes widened. "My clothes..." Sorran breathed, feeling the heat rise to his face. Convalescence nodded distractedly. "Yes, we had to remove them. Fear not, I shall have my acolyte fetch you some new attire momentarily. For now, drink this liquid, it shall restore some of your strength." The Prophet passed over a wooden mug, hand made by the look of it, and Sorran gratefully accepted it. He drank, and felt energy rush through his limbs. He gave his thanks to the Prophet, who was ordering his 'acolyte' via a communication array to bring up some clothes for him. "Where am I?" Sorran questioned of the Prophet, who smiled once again. He was very unlike the cold, haughty San 'Shyuum Sorran was used to seeing in the Great Library of High Charity. "Aboard the great vessel [i]Immortal Repentance.[/i]" Convalescence replied softly. The name sounded familiar to Sorran, and he realised that it was the name of the ship Zharn had requested reinforcements from before the outpost was attacked by the humans. They had never arrived. "Have you seen a Major named Zharn, and a Stealth Sangheili named Ahkrin around here, holy one?" Sorran questioned of the Prophet, who nodded. "Yes, they were here a few hours ago. They bid me to inform them once you had awoken, I shall ask an Unggoy to lead you to them soon, they sent me a runner but a short moment ago telling me they were in the armoury. And ah, here is Savara with you clothes." Convalescence noted, and Sorran turned his head towards the door. A young, pretty looking Sangheili female entered the room timidly, carrying a bundle of light garments. She looked around the room, and, noticing Sorran's nudity, flushed, turning away. "I'm sorry great ones, I should have knocked." Savara apologised softly. "Hmm? Ah, yes, think nothing of it my child. If anything, it is my fault, I should have given Sorran here a piece of material to cover himself with." Convalescence replied to the Sangheili aide, who nodded meekly. "Here are your clothes noble warrior." she said, pressing the bundle upon Sorran's chest. He caught her staring, and she gasped, blushing. She turned away, hurrying out the room. The Prophet chuckled. "I believe she was quite taken by you, young warrior. If you wish, I can introduce you properly, perhaps you can go for a meal or a stroll." the San 'Shyuum laughed, and now it was Sorran's turn to blush. He didn't, however, reply. Perhaps he would take up the Prophet's offer. "Could I trouble you for a hand to help me rise?" Sorran asked without thinking, and the Prophet shook his head. "Not unless you wished to have to nurse [i]me[/i] back to health Sangheili. I am not as young as I once would, and supporting your weight would no doubt tear me apart." Convalescence chided, and Sorran nodded, suddenly feeling foolish. He rose out of the makeshift bed himself, with effort, and pulled the soft, civilian clothes over his body. Strangely, he still felt naked without his armour on, which he had grown used to over the past few weeks. "Thank you holy one, for tending to me. Is there anyway I can repay you?" Sorran asked, and the Prophet chuckled. "Nay my son, all I ask is that you continue to do what's right for the Covenant. Now come, I shall see if I can find an Unggoy outside to lead you to your companions."