Is it worth it?

Disclaimer: Shouldn't you know by now...??

A/N: -grins, surprised- so people do like the story. Huh, I wasn't sure for a while. Well, gotta give the people what they want...
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Raido didn't even hesitate to land the space craft. He probably wouldn't bother slowing down if the damage of the ship wasn't reminded to him by a now unconscious jackal on the floor. The Brute didn't even blink an eye. Jackals were beneath his notice. The Demon, on the other hand...

;-;

"What's the plan?" Master Chief questioned in low tones.

He, the Arbiter, and Drajha-Lee were currently huddled together. The rest of the renegades were spread out through the forest, at least one within eyesight of another so a known signal could be passed along the line. The Spartan didn't know much of their signals. Hence, the asking of the question.

"We cannot fight them ship to ship, since ours is currently useless." Drajha-Lee commented.

"Who will we be fighting?" The Demon demanded in low tones, chucking the fuel rod cannons as he checked and double checked the weapons he had on him.

"A few jackals. Possibly drones. Definately Brutes." The Arbiter replied, scoping out their surroundings as he spoke.

"Not just any Brutes. This is Raido's crew." Drajha-Lee stated in low undertones.

--Hmm, sounds like a friendly guy.-- Cortana said dryly.

"Raido?" Master Chief's brow was raised, though no one but Cortana knew.

"Massive Brute Chief. If this war could have been won by brute strength alone, he would be standing victor." The golden Sanghelli said in firm tones.

"Smarter than your average Brute as well." The Arbiter commented off-handedly.

--Why do we always get ourselves in these situations?-- Cortana sighed audibly, --Can't we simply get a normal enemy for once? Not a horde. Not a smarter-than-average bulldozer. Normal.--

"Spartans weren't made for that." Glancing around, Master Chief ducked his head as he hissed, "The plan. Now."

"I say we lure all the Brutes out. Cripple their offensive and defensive power. And take out the underfoot jackals as well." The Arbiter crouched lower, the grip on his carbine tightening.

Rustling can be heard. And aggravated roars. The Brutes felt no need to be quiet. Stealth wasn't their strongest suit, after all.

"Fight them. Distract them. And have someone enter the ship and disable whatever is blocking our power core." The tone the golden Sanghelli said this in was not to be argued with. Unless you were the Chief.

"I have a better idea. Why not take both ships?"

Drajha-Lee gave him a look, "Are you mad? That would require destroying most, if not all, their forces. Both warriors and technicians."

"I believe it is a good plan." The Arbiter commented, an eager gleam in his eye.

"No time to argue. Enemy at three o'clock." Cortana reminded the Chief who he was talking to and he quickly remedied his mistake, "I mean, er-enemy to our right."

;-;

The Brutes knew they were here. They had seen them come in. But not a sound could be heard.

"Damn cowards." Raido grumbled under his breath. Aiming randomly, he fired off, "Show yourselves!!"

Being a good fighter was a combination of many things. Speed. Strength. Balance. Reflexes and more. But sometimes, luck would turn on you. That is what Ghlariknee realized as he found one of his Sanghelli comrades suddenly dead beside him. The Brute's shot had killed him clean through the skull. Enraged, the red Sanghelli raised his carbine and fired.

More shots rang out from both sides. The battle had begun.

--You know, the Elite leader never mentioned WHO exactly would be the one to go inside the ship.--

"I would appreciate it" -the Chief punctuated this with two shots through two unguarded jackals' heads- "if you would quit" -he rolled out of the way from enemy fire, ducked behind a bush, and fired a few well placed shots of his own- "talking to me-"

--When you're fighting. I know, I know.-- Cortana finished for him as the Spartan continued with his killing spree.

That must have been the millionth time he had said that. And it wasn't that the A.I. hadn't heard. It was just she CHOSE to ignore it. She had saved his butt a couple of times, after all, with her 'damn irritating' talking, as the Chief would sometimes call it.

After a couple moments of dodging, firing, and tossing a few grenades, the Chief stopped by a dead enemy's body to scavenge useful items of death and destruction as he stated wryly, "I'm guessing you're suggesting I take care of it."

--You ALWAYS take care of it, Chief.--

"So what's the point in asking?"

--Eh, just had to make sure. I do notice you becoming more lazy of the late. Being stranded on the flood ridden High Charity comes to mind.--

Slightly irked, the Spartan said defensively, "Hey, I was not being lazy. My timing has been off a couple of times."

He jerked his weapon and fired over his shoulder.

--You COULD have shot him a few milliseconds earlier, Chief. Admit it. You're getting slow.--

"What?" Master Chief demanded, picking up dropped carbine ammo and stashing it.

--It comes with age, Chief. You gotta learn to deal.--

Now his speed was something he could work on. This, on the other hand, was a touchy subject. He replied gruffly, "I am NOT old."

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a certain cobalt warrior head for the Covenant cruiser.

--Yupp. Getting old. There's the proof right there. The Arbiter is taking your job.--

"He is not-" The Chief stopped himself from falling into an argument with Cortana. Arguments, he hated to admit, that she would usually win at. Taking a deep breath, the Spartan said instead, "He is supposed to be as good as I am."

--Maybe a little bit better.--

That got the Chief going. He was after the Arbiter like there was no battlefield between them. Despite his near sonic boosts of speed, Master Chief realized he should keep the attack on the Covenant ship below radar, meaning he only allowed himself to be seen fleetingly. Kill and run. Hide. Kill and run. That was the basic pattern.

Unaware of the green armored warrior rushing towards him, the Arbiter continued sneaking his way onto the ship. They were smart enough to leave a barricade at least. Though it was a rushed and pitiful one at that since it consisted mainly of jackals.

'The Brutes must have been more eager to kill the Demon than we anticipated,' The Sanghelli thought to himself with a grin.

The shields were one thing. But the jackals' attention were focused mainly at the battle before them. Did they not realize an enemy could sneak up to them from behind. The Arbiter shook his head disapprovingly over the dead bodies he laid to waste beneath him. Few, if any of the Brutes within the threshhold of battle, even seemed to notice.

"This is pitiful. What have the Covenant come to?" The Arbiter muttered to himself.

"Just be glad you're not one of 'em anymore." The Spartan grinned as he found the Arbiter's carbine whirled to his face in surprise, "Or you just may have died right then."

"Demon. What are you doing here?" The Arbiter asked.

--Isn't it obvious?--

"You can return to the battle. I have this covered." The Chief jerked his head back to the depths of the forest.

Shouts, firing, and explosions could be heard.

"Not a chance."

Together, they entered the ship.