"That depends on what you are and what you're doing here. Celstials are... complicated. Some join willingly, become assets. Others refuse and get eliminated as potential threats. There's not really a middle ground."
"Great."
"But here's the thing – if you're smart, you can use this." Marcus stubbed out his cigarette. "The Covenant isn't monolithic. They have factions, competing interests, internal politics. If you play it right, you could potentially negotiate a deal that keeps you alive and autonomous."
"What kind of deal?"
"Information. Service. Specific jobs they can't or won't do themselves. In exchange, they leave you alone to do whatever it is you're doing here." He looked at me meaningfully. "And they stop investigating you quite so thoroughly."
It was an option. Not a great one, but better than being hunted indefinitely.
"What do you get out of helping me?" I asked. "You keep giving me information, warning me about threats. What's in it for you?"
