Mass Effect: The New Journey
Chapter Two: Alliances and Second Contact
Wow! I most definitely did NOT expect the amount of reviews/follows/favs I got in the three days I posted TNJ. Hell, it got more follows than Paradigm Shifts did in entire existence! I think the choice is clear: Halo: Paradigm Shifts is officially abandoned and canceled entirely. If anyone wants to adopt it, just PM me and I'll give you all the details you'll need.
As for this story, as I said before in HPS, Mass Effect: The New Journey will not just be a Halo/Mass Effect crossover, but will also be a Titanfall crossover as well (elements of which you'll see in this chapter! :O!)
Again, I have to stressed I'm taking extreme liberties with the events and of both canons for the sake A) Originality, B) Because it's fucking awesome and C) So you guys can be entertained and enjoy what you're reading. So, if you have a question of why this was changed there's your answer: because this isn't canon. Suck it up, deal with it, and just enjoy the copious amounts of badass.
First part of this chapter is to answer a lot of questions I've been getting in reviews in story form.
Disclaimer: I make no claim of anything except my own work. Mass Effect, Halo, and TitanFall are under the rights of Bioware, 343 Industries, and Respawn Entertainment, as well as the publishing rights of Electronic Arts, Microsoft Games Studios, and Activision, all respectively.
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UNSC Infinity, Sol System, 40,000 kilometers from Charon
September 17th, 2054
"Chief!"
He heard her say.
"Chief! Wake up!"
There it was again. The voice felt so familiar and yet so alien at the same time. He was in pain. Copious amounts of it in fact. The SPARTAN-II was slowly parting his eyelids, his eyes adjusting to the light.
"Chief! Come on!"
Who was she? Did he know her? Why was her voice practically in his head? He tried moving a finger. A twitch. A single twitch...but not full movement.
"John! I need you!"
In that single instant, everything came back to him: Halsey at the playground in Elysium City, Seventy-Four other kids, Chief Mendez, Kelly, Sam, the augmentations, the Covenant, the Fall of Reach, the Ark, Johnson's sacrifice, Requiem, the Didact, and most of all...
"Cortana!" John exasperated out, retracting his helmet with a mental command and vomiting as if he had just been out of a cryotube. His face was covered again not even a second after he was done emptying the contents of his stomach.
"Oh, thank goodness," the AI spoke softly, the relief in her voice as clear as a summer day. "Your vitals were going weak and nothing I was doing to your armor was working—"
"Cortana..."
"I tried everything, rebooting your systems, your suits internal AED—" she continued on, unperturbed, either ignoring the commander or not even hearing him. John honestly couldn't tell which.
"Cortana..." John tried to interrupt again.
"Then your heart was weak and I kept calling you for what seemed like days and—"
"Cortana!" John spoke more sternly, finally getting his companion's attention. "I'm fine, okay, there's no need to—"
"I thought I lost you! Again!" the AI shouted back, not hiding any of her true emotions behind any wit or sarcasm. John was honestly a bit taken back. "I was just...so scared
John."
"I see," John held his head down a bit, in shame. "I'm sorry."
Cortana sighed. "Don't be. You know how I get sometimes," she smiled, adding a bit of humor to ease the tension.
John looked around. He was on the bridge of Infinity still, albeit in a slightly different area of it. Various crewmembers were awakening and picking themselves off the ground. The lights were dim, suggesting the ship was running on emergency power for the time being until the secondary reactors kicked back in. With those upgrades the UNSC provided two weeks ago, he hoped that was sooner rather than later. "Looks like I'm still on the bridge...was that a—"
"Vision? No. I saw everything, Chief," Cortana told him seriously.
"You saw? How?" John asked. He thought it was some kind of vision that he, Rtas, and Thel had shared collectively.
"Chief, Forthencho...he didn't just immobilize our fleet. He transported the four of you simultaneously into another part of his ship. I was in your suit at the time and I powered down my systems to where I could watch and listen. He then transported you back to Infinity where he knew—"
"The crew would be unconscious and wouldn't miss our absence until we came back," John finished. Trapping an entire fleet in a constraint field and transporting four individuals within said fleet to his own ships without the crew being none the wiser? John would be telling a bold face lie if he said he wasn't impressed with the technological feats of the Ancient Human civilization.
"Go Chief, being all detective on me," she joked, chuckling.
"Cortana...this is serious."
"Yeah, I know, but we have a mission. I doubt we're getting home beforehand, so might as well make ourselves at home and do what we do best: win."
"Agreed," John picked himself up to see a slight injured Lasky at the holotable. Rtas and Thel had awakened as well and were helping their human allies, to their relief.
"Status report!" Lasky called out.
"Everyone's green, sir! We had some vehicles come out of their restraints, but nothing too serious. All personnel with injuries are being treated in the infirmary. They'll make a speedy recovery," Roland replied his hologram appearing.
"What about my fleet, construct?" the Arbiter inquired staring straight into the AI's face.
"Just a moment, Arbiter..." Roland said stoically as he contacted the Shadow of Intent, Steeple of Ascent, and the Baptism of Fire. His expression became a bit doleful. "I'm sorry, Arbiter, but it seems there are some plenty of injuries in your fleet. Some worst than others apparently."
"Go, Arbiter, I'll send a team of medics, ASAP," Lasky vowed, staring at the Sangheili.
"Of course. Thank you, Admiral," the arbiter replied gratefully, beating his chest in respect for their human allies.
"When the situation has calmed down, I propose a meeting, in private. We have much to discuss about what we do moving forward," Rtas suggested in a way to not give any cause of suspicion among any eavesdroppers.
"Very well," Lasky agreed. "My quarters should be a good place for privacy." He looked to the Commander, who simply nodded in acquiescence.
"Until then, Admiral." With a beat of their chests, both Sangheili exited the bridge, headed for their docked Phantom and departed for the Shadow of Intent. John made his way down to the S-deck to check upon his Spartan brothers and sisters.
Lasky sighed. Long-term deployments he could totally handle, but lifetime ones? Some cosmic god must really hate him.
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UNSC Infinity, Sol System, 40,000 kilometers from Charon
September 18th, 2054
Ten hours had passed total since the joint fleet had arrived the new galaxy. Though there were little, if any, major casualties, a lot of equipment did get damaged, and were in need of critical repairs. It didn't matter: that what maintenance crews were for and it did give some of the ship something to keep their minds off things. Lasky was pleased they were showing discipline and not being chaotic. He had enough problems to deal with.
Thel, John, Rtas, Lasky, Roland, and Cortana were in Lasky's quarters, the room being spacious enough for a HIGHCOM gathering, let alone just for four beings plus two smart AI. They all sat around a holotable similar to the one on the bridge, but less advanced due to its uses not being as strenuous.
"Before we begin, Roland, are you absolutely sure that this room is tight?" Lasky asked for the umpteenth time.
"Yes, Admiral. I've swept this room a total of 18,648 times. The chances of what's being discussed in this room being found out by anyone are zero."
"Good. What do you have for us, Cortana?"
Cortana brought up a map of the Sol System. "Infinity's new scanners really come in handy. Anyhow, your eyes don't deceive you. Outside of a few of the planets not lining up on our elliptical path...this system is an exact copy of ours. We're near one of Pluto's moons, Charon." She then brought up the 3D image of Earth.
Lasky narrowed his eyes. "Even the damn continents look the same. Christ."
"How is this possible? I've had many coincidences in my life as a warrior, but this is...unsettling," Rtas commented, staring at the plane he almost glassed eighteen years ago.
"Well...not exactly," Roland jumped in. "If you'll remember fleet master, there are hundreds of millions of galaxies in the observable universe. The number of planets and systems may be incalculable. Some scientists in the 21st century theorized that given the same or similar circumstances, an exact copy of our solar system could be anywhere in the universe. Lo and behold, we prove their theory right, some five hundred years later."
"Well, we're here now. We have a task and we won't get home until it's completed."
"The Spartan is correct, we have important matters to discuss. This could potentially be a lifelong journey," said Thel, leaning on his mandibles.
"Of which brings up an important question, Arbiter. We know there are...other humans in this galaxy. The Ancient said so and we see the definitive proof with our preliminary scanning. That being said...we can't afford to send your warriors on too many missions, with your entire male population and—"
Thel held his hand up, complete confusion evident on his face. "Wait, Admiral, what are you talking about? Entire male population?"
"Yes...? Sangheili only allows its males to serve in the military, which prompted my—"
"Where did you get that idea in your head?" Rtas asked, slightly insulted at the idea, but let it slide on the account that the human was only ignorant.
"Admiral, I'll have you know that the Shipmaster of the Steeple of Ascent, our is, in fact, female. She's the third highest ranking Sangheili in the Fleet of Glorious Repentance after Rtas and myself," Thel explained to the shock of everyone else in the room.
"Okay, totally didn't see that one coming," Cortana admitted privately to John. Half of her was still in his suit.
"I thought Sangheili had forbidden females from serving."
Rtas gave the elite equivalent of a snort. "There is no law forbidding any females from joining our ranks. A warrior is a warrior in the eyes of the Sangheili, but most females of our race simply choose not to serve, even though all Sangheili are trained to fight and defend themselves. After the Covenant fractured, as you know, we were a bit lost, and some of the females had to pick up some slack. It started a movement where more females joined our ranks on the battlefield in destroying the Storm, earning our respect. They've been an active part of our forces for over 15 years now. One in every three Sangheili who volunteered to be a part of this fleet was female, to make up for the wrongdoings of their husbands and mates. They were gladly accepted. There's no gender discrimination in our race, we value strength, courage, and honor, regardless of where it comes from."
"Huh, how about that?" Lasky whistled. Well, that was one less problem they had to deal with.
"See, Chief? You learn something everyday when I'm around."
"Cortana..."
"Right. Sorry. Anyhow...?"
"So, we essentially have to, excuse me for being blunt here, uplift this galaxy's humans technological level enough for them to take over this galaxy unopposed?" Roland asked, making sure his logic algorithms were still functioning.
"Essentially, yes." Lasky confirmed.
"Hmm..." The AI thought to himself. "I think I might have some solutions."
"We're all ears, Roland. At this point, I'm willing to do anything to get us back home."
"I propose we give the technology to them in doses...tiers if you will. Not giving them, everything that we know all at once. Some areas here, some areas there, but not currently."
"And what exactly does that accomplish, construct?" Rtas asked.
"It's both for our own safety and for a way for these humans to "feel" as if they "earned" it," Roland explained.
"Our own safety? What would we have to fear?"
"Well I'm glad you asked, Arbiter!" he quipped, puffing his chest out. Lasky rolled his eyes at his antics. "Think about it...we don't know how these humans will react to our presence. We can guess, but ultimately, we won't know for sure. But, lets back up and assume the best case scenario: they welcome us with open arms...at least the ones who know we're here to guide them that is—I'll get to that point in a second—and we start showing them slipspace drives, MAC guns, Archer missiles, medic tech, etc. Who's to say it'll stay that way for however long we'll be here? What if their leaders get new management and aren't as...welcoming?"
"I see," Thel replied. "You want to keep them at a level consistently below our current capabilities in case they turn on us, however low that chance may be in reality? But given our circumstances, you're not willing to risk anything."
Roland nodded. "Indeed. This is both to cover our asses and to make them think they are advancing on their own."
"A solid plan, Roland. I like it. However, what do we do to "push" them along so to speak?" Lasky further probed the AI.
"The humans in our galaxy were an innovative bunch. I doubt a few million light-years is going to change that aspect of your species."
Cortana brought up some schematics and then played the recording of Forthencho's voice. "He mentioned something about us preventing them from requiring a 'primitive' technology compared to our own that would lead them to a path of 'stagnation'...whatever that means."
"Need I remind you that you humans with your so called inferior technology manage to survive engaging the Covenant for thirty years," Rtas reminded every one of them.
"You sound like you have a plan," John noted, speaking up after awhile of silent listening.
The Spec Ops commander put a finger to a mandible, as if in deep thought. "Perhaps...you humans are innovative. That much is certain. That's an area where my people pale in comparison to yours." Lasky and John kept a stoic face at the praise. "However...we shouldn't just dismiss this unknown technology, just yet. Perhaps study it...learn from it...adapt it...combine it with ours."
Both of Lasky's eyebrows shot up. "Interesting idea. I approve. We'll guide them to ours, but we won't let them think ours is the only tech we should use." Forthencho's words echoed in his mind ' a path to stagnation...'.
"I approve as well. Admiral Lasky, do you have any ideas of your own?"
"I do," Lasky replied with a nod and stood up. "We can't join them...or at least not officially, nor can we replace UNSC culture with their own. Now, obviously, things like slavery, racism, sexism and all that don't apply, but at its core they still need to be...whatever these humans call themselves. So no...we're just going to be military and scientific advisers, along with being allies. Nothing more and nothing less."
"Admiral, I think you and I think alike more than you like to admit," Roland smirked. "Cause your plans perfectly aligned with mine."
"How?"
"Well, they said they were on an eve of a discovery of acquiring technology that was heavily implied to allow them to traverse the stars. Now if humanity were smart, which it's proven time and time again that it has, they'll have a single government organization in space, at least to represent them. Whether or not the nations on earth are sovereign or not is irrelevant, as we only need to concern ourselves with the potential supranational organization that is this humanity's military, scientific, and political representative in the stars. I propose we meet the top brass of this organization and we tell them everything."
Lasky narrowed his eyes. "Everything? The fuck do you mean, everything?"
Ignoring the Admiral's brief lapse in decorum aside, Roland explained, "Now, now, there's no need for foul language Admiral. Just hear me out, okay? Think about it, sir. We have a fleet that consists of hundreds of thousands of troops and thousands of vehicles. Not to mention, half of the fleet are humans from another galaxy. Based on that Ancient Humans words he implied that the humans haven't left the Sol System. If you were the average citizen and Infinity and her fleet of humans just showed up, if you were a rational person wouldn't alarm bells be set off almost immediately? Especially considering that, again, they were going to discover different tech than us, we have ship designs that are probably entirely different than what they have currently. It took us six hundred years to get to the level to build a six-kilometer ship. Do you really think they'll buy that we're just some secret part of their civilization no one knew about until we recently decided to show ourselves? We don't have to tell them we were tasked to guide them at all, but we can propose an alliance like you said."
It was then Lasky caught on to what Roland was getting at. "You want us to meet with the top brass so they keep the fact that we're from another galaxy top secret need-to -know."
"You hit the jackpot, Admiral!" Roland grinned, giving him a quick salute.
"Sorry to say, Roland. But they won't keep Infinity a secret for long. Questions will be asked," Cortana crossed her arms.
"Not necessarily," said John, disagreeing. "Once we get the alliance and they start building ships like us, we won't stand out as much. However, Infinity can remain a secret weapon, while our other cruisers may assist them in some things, seeing as we don't have the manpower to take on the galaxy." He looked to the Elites. "Rtas. Thel. You and the rest of the Sangheili going to have to be the face to the public."
"I do not understand, Spartan," Rtas admitted.
"Until a certain time period passes, the Infinity and its humans can't be known to exist outside of our hypothetical "top brass", because they will put two and two together. If they meet you, aliens, and see that you're friendly and only want to help..." he let it hang in the air. "Once it's safe enough to go public without questions being asked, then we can simply pretend to be apart of this organization where only a handful know the actual truth. We then guide this humanity to the right path, succeed, and then we all go home."
Rtas and Thel looked at each other and both nodded. "Very well, we'll do what we can."
"There's one huge elephant in the room I think you all have simply glossed over," Cortana remarked, crossing her arms, shaking her head. Judging by their silence, she took that as opportunity to elaborate. "The Engineers are good, no doubt, but building a fleet worthy of taking on the galaxy can take years, decades, possibly even centuries at the extreme end of the spectrum. We may not live long enough to see the fruits of our labors."
Lasky gave her a small smile. "Actually, that was one of the first things I figured out."
Cortana raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? Do tell."
"It's simple: We use slipspace bubbles and cryogenics. I've already talked to some of the Huragok, personally."
"A dangerous game, you're playing, Admiral," Rtas noted, with a slight growl. Of course the Covenant Empire of old was aware of slipspace bubbles and did some small "experiments" (mainly to not "offend" the gods as the Prophets dubbed it), but the technology was deemed far too dangerous for practical applications.
"I know...but if we want to see the fruits of our labor, as Cortana dubbed it, we may not have a choice."
"Indeed you may not," Thel admitted. "Forgive me, Admiral, but I'm afraid my people will be hard pressed to do such a thing. The old fears of the Covenant are still strong, even with our alliance."
"I'm aware, Arbiter," Lasky noted. "You're people have a much longer natural lifespan than us, so who knows, you may find some use in the century or so we trap ourselves in."
Thel already had an idea in mind, but that depended on two important factors: finding a planet and resources to build more ships.
"This plan is crazy," Cortana admitted. "Can we really pull this off?"
"Well, we're about to find out. Admiral, sensors just picked up a single ship, frigate class by our standards. Within the next ten minutes they'll know there's an entire fleet outside of Pluto," Roland reported. He was both at the bridge and the meeting simultaneously.
Lasky stood up. "Then lets get it done people. We don't have much time. You know the plan. We'll make the rest of it up as we go along."
Everyone stood up and while John and Lasky returned to Infinity's bridge, Rtas and Thel went back to the Shadow of Intent. John silently prayed that his coveted luck could be distributed fleet wide.
"They're in visual range, sir. No doubt they see us," Roland called out as Lasky came up on the bridge. "Hail them."
"Aye aye. You're broadcasting on all known frequencies. Good luck, sir."
Taking a deep breath, Lasky said eighteen words that would forever change the galaxy. "This is Admiral Thomas Lasky of the UNSC/Separatist forces. We mean you no harm or hostile intent!"
John prayed that his coveted luck would be shined on the entire fleet.
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SSV Einstein, Sol System, near Pluto
September 18th, 2054
The broadcast came over the speakers as everyone on the Einstein waited with a baited breath. "This is Admiral Thomas Lasky of the UNSC/Separatist forces. We mean you no harm or hostile intent!"
Cheers erupted throughout the entire ship and Hackett would've joined them in a heartbeat, had he did have an image to keep up. Didn't stop him from having a shit-eating grin on his face, though. Crisis averted!
"This is Lieutenant Commander Charles Hackett of the Human Systems Alliance on board the SSV Einstein. Thank you, Admiral, for being non-hostile. If may ask...what's the name of your species? I'm sure there is a lot the human race can learn from you," he spoke diplomatically.
"I see. Commander...there's a lot you'll need to know. But I have to ask. Can the people of your crew keep a secret?"
Hackett's faced traced confusion, wondering why in particular he would want to know that? He looked around at the young officers and enlisted personnel looking at him for leadership. They all silently nodded, very seriously. He returned the gesture, believing in them as they were believing in him, now.
"They can, Admiral. Why?"
"Because commander...the name of my species...is human. I come from a galaxy far, far away. We are of the same species."
Hackett's eyes widened and the Alliance commander nearly lost his footing. "You...what?! That's...not..." Hackett could barely find the words to contain his shock.
As if to further prove the point home, Lasky's real time image appeared on the vid screen, proving without a shadow-of-a-doubt that his words were true.
"I...see," Hackett swallowed hard, trying to gain his bearing. "How is this possible?"
"All will be explained in due time. But, I need you to do something for me."
Hackett stared at the UNSC officer. "What, pray tell, would that be?"
"This...Systems Alliance. I assume it's your government? Or at least the one that represents you in space?"
"It is," the commander confirmed.
"How fast can you get your top leaders and Alliance officers here? It's imperative that you tell them they need to maintain absolute secrecy. We wish to negotiate an alliance."
"Wait, "we"? Who else is there besides—"
"That would be us, commander," came the voice of Thel Vadam as his image on his throne in the Shadow of Intent appeared in split screen, to the left of a stoic Lasky. "My name is Thel Vadam. This is my ship, the Shadow of Intent, and the name of my species is Sangheili. We are allied with the UNSC and Admiral Lasky."
Hackett caught his breath, flummoxed at seeing a live alien. Hannah's jaw dropped. She was sitting here watching history unfold!
"Look, commander, we don't have much time. I know our sudden being here is huge shock but the fact remains: we need to meet with the Systems Alliance ASAP!"
Hackett nodded, getting serious. These aliens wanted peace and an alliance. A First Contact scenario couldn't go any better even under ideal situations. "Very well. I'll get a hold of my superiors. You should know something within the hour. Hackett out."
"Sir...excuse me if I'm out of line, but I think I speak for everyone when I say: Holy. Fucking. Shit."
Hackett actually gave a chuckle. "Hannah, believe me. I feel the exact same way. Anyhow, we have to get word back to HQ. You have the bridge." The commander retreated back to his quarters.
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Armstrong Station, Geosynchronous Orbit above Earth, Sol System
September 18th, 2054
Director Isaac Richards, Commander-in-Chief of the Systems Alliance military and Director of Alliance Extraterrestrial affairs, sat in his office in Armstrong station above earth. He was a tall, fair-skinned, blond, and in perfect physical health, judging from his moderately muscular physique. The only hair on his face was the goatee connected to his mustache and goatee, which he always kept clean. He was only in his late 30s, but he was a decorated military officer from the United Kingdom, where his parents emigrated from the United States, when he was barely eight years old. He never could get rid of his American accent.
The man was a born leader and always took charge, mostly subconsciously, when the opportunity presented itself. He graduated high school at the age of seventeen and joined the University Air Squadron unit in London. He graduated at the top of his class with ease. Richards ended up being the youngest ever Air Commodore in the UK's history during times of peace, and headed the expedition to Mars to investigate the year before. Once the alien ruins were found, he and some of his fellow officers drew up plans for the Systems Alliance, which were readily accepted by Earth's nations. However, the Alliance needed a leader someone bold who they knew could take humanity further when no one else could: the decision was unanimous.
"Ah, memories," Richards remarked, nostalgically. He turned in his chair and stood to stare at Earth. 'What a beautiful planet,' he thought giving a small smile.
His personal intercom system went off suddenly, to his surprise. It was near the end of the work day, usually he got very few personally calls at this point. He pressed a button and spoke. "Director Richards, here."
"Sir, I have a priority message from Commander Hackett. He says its urgent," his secretary told him.
Commander Hackett? Gone for not even half a day and already he had a message? Charles sure did work fast. "How urgent?" He asked, a bit disinterested.
"He told me to tell you it's an '0-8-4' message and to contact him personally before you do anything...eh, whatever that means." It was clear the secretary had no idea of certain terminology used by the Systems Alliance.
Richards was suddenly more awake than at any point in time in his entire life. His eyes widened to their greatest extent. "Miss Lance, take the day off and contact the Chiefs. Tell them I'm giving them a direct order to get their asses to Armstrong station in the next hour or so help me God, I'll have them all replaced without shedding a tear."
"Ye-yes sir!" she stuttered a bit. She had never seen the director so completely serious.
Satisfied that his order would be carried out, the Director gathered his things and went to his quarters and then sealed the room tight. Pressing some icons on a touch screen a computerized voice said, "Identify yourself."
" Director Miles Andre Richards, Systems Alliance, access code 383271."
"Identity confirmed. Alpha encryption protocols now enabled. Setting up...three...two...one. Connection secure. Whom would you like to contact Director?"
"Lieutenant Commander Charles Hackett, SSV Einstein."
"Affirmative, Director. Standby."
Richards went to parade rest and waited. Within ten seconds, Charles Hackett's face appeared on screen, on the most secure channel in human space. The commander immediately saluted. "Director Richards, sir!"
Richards saluted back, professionally, and then got deathly serious. "You mind telling me what in the blazes of fuck is going out there, Commander? You had better have a damn good reason for why I shouldn't have had the entire planet go on lockdown and full alert, because I would've had you not specifically told me not too."
Hackett sighed, expecting this. "Sir, are we using a secure line, because what I'm about to tell you absolutely cannot be leaked out at all costs."
"We are, Commander. This channel has encryption protocols that would take supercomputers days to break. Now, cut to the chase. You called an'0-8-4', which is code for another alien civilization. What are we dealing with?"
"Sir, the aliens we're dealing with...are humans who claim to be from another galaxy who allied with another species who call themselves Sangheili," Hackette said bluntly.
Richards was taken back. "I...what?! Is this some idea of a joke Commander? Because if it—"
"Sir, does THIS look like a joke to you?!" Hackett practically roared back. The screen went split screen in three ways: One showing his real-time conversation with Hackett, one showing the UNSC/Separatist fleet, and the last one showing the recorded conversation with Admiral Lasky and the Arbiter.
Like Hannah, Richards's eyes went wide as saucers. "Hu...Humans...and..." Eyeing that large armada make Richards feel very small. That fleet would roll through humanity's current defenses with laughable ease and be back in time for dinner! Four black ships looked to be at least six kilometers long, three of which were of the same design, while the other one...he shuddered.
"Who else knows about this?"
"Aside from my crew, you, director are the only person who knows that there's an alien fleet parked practically at our doorstep. Admiral Lasky asked to meet with you and the Chiefs to forge an alliance. He asked that you keep the meeting entirely secret."
Lasky? So...that must've been the name of the human who undoubtedly was the leader of that flagship. Humans...from another galaxy. If Richards hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he probably would've removed Hackett from command just for the sheer absurdity. "Commander are you sure we can trust them? What if it's a trap?"
"Director, with all due respect, I know you have a trait of looking at every possibility for deceit, but that's an absurd question. These ships look like they can probably nuke our planet back to the Stone Age and they know it. If we were in their position, would you bother with trickery and deception when annihilating us would get the job done much quicker?"
Grunting, the blonde UK citizen conceded to his point.
Richards nodded. "I see. Good work, Commander. I don't know what you said, but humanity might owe you the biggest favor in the galaxy. I'll see you soon. Richards, out." The connection cut off not even a second later.
Sitting down and rubbing his temples he reached over and poured a shot of vodka. God, he was going to need it.
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UNSC Infinity, Sol System, 40,000 kilometers from Charon
September 18th, 2054
Admiral Lasky paced back and forth on Infinity's bridge, anxiety and uncertainty swelling up from within him. He felt someone grip his shoulder from behind. He gazed back to see Captain Palmer, her face traced with worry.
"Tom..." she spoke softly. "Please...calm down. For me?" she begged.
"I can't, Sarah. I have tens of thousands under my command that I have to look out for. They need me to stay strong."
"You don't have to take on this whole responsibility on your own you know?"
"I know, but—"
"Admiral Lasky! The Alliance is hailing us."
"Patch it through, Roland."
Commander Hackett's face appeared, stoic as always. "Admiral Lasky, I've done as you requested. My superiors should be on their way, double time. Where do you want us to have negotiations?"
Lasky gave Hackett and easy smile, pleased at their plan was working, so far at least. "That's good to hear, Commander. As for negotiations...why not your ship? You're already making history, why not go all the way?"
Chuckling, the Alliance officer nodded. "I suppose you're right. Very well. I'll have everything set up. I'm pretty sure I don't have to ask if you have dropships that can dock do you?" he inquired semi-rhetorically, smirking a bit.
Lasky returned the expression. "I guess I got a couple."
"Good. I'll see you soon, Admiral." The connection was cut.
"They seem like ol' pals," Cortana remarked inside John's helmet.
"Probably due to the fact that they're both Human," John replied as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Commander, Captain, you're coming with me to provide security," Lasky ordered both senior officers. John and Palmer both nodded.
"Security, huh? What? You think we'll get in trouble?" Palmer teased, slightly laughing.
"You can never be too careful."
Now that was something the commander agreed with wholeheartedly.
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SSV Armstrong, En-Route to Pluto
September 18th, 2054
The SSV Armstrong pushed its ion engines to the limit as the delegated ship made its way to Pluto. Director Richards sat in a room with four other figures at a table. They were: General Nikolai Petrov, a Russian-born Chief of the Systems Alliance Marine Corps, Admiral Hugh Ashdown, Chief of Naval Operations, General Gabriel Santiago, Chief of Logistics and Exploration Corps, and finally, Admiral Sayuri Takahashi, Chief of OAI or the Office of Alliance Intelligence.
Collectively, the people in this room were unofficially considered to be the most powerful humans in existence with an absurd amount of power and political influence. They were Joint Chiefs of Alliance Operations, or the "Chiefs" as they were referred to in Alliance jargon.
"Director Richards, my friend, what is this all about?" Petrov asked in a thick Russian accent, resisting the urge to light up his cigar, knowing it was expressly against Alliance regulations. "I was in middle of good rest before you called me up here threatening to replace me if I didn't."
"Yes, Director, I agree with the General. You don't call all four of us unless it's important." Despite her first language being Japanese, Admiral Takahashi's English was pitch perfect, with little traces of her accent slipping through. She gave the Director a small glare. Lesser men would've been extremely fearful of the admiral, but he wasn't in the slightest. He controlled her, not the other way around, like some weak dog. The woman was dangerous, he knew for a fact, but he couldn't deny that no one did Intelligence quite like she did. So he kept her on a tight, but long leash.
Admiral Ashdown and General Santiago chose not to comment feeling Takahashi and Petrov had said enough.
"I'll be blunt and get straight to the point. Commander Hackett has asked us to meet at Pluto because we have an '0-8-4' situation on our hands."
If the situation weren't so serious, Richards probably would've spent days guffawing. Color drained from their faces as all of them went pale, including Takahashi.
Ashdown rose from his seat. "An 0-8-4?! Why the hell isn't Earth on full alert and we're not at full scale mobiliza—"
"Admiral, sit down," Richards said forcibly, narrowing his eyes. He was not in the mood to deal with stupidity. "Do you really think I would call you all the way here in a situation like this, if everything weren't under control?" Their silence told all. "What I'm about to reveal to you absolutely will not leave this room with the consequences of not heeding that will be death: do I make myself clear?" All four of them nodded, if a bit uneasily. The director was usually laid back and a bit easy going, but now...
It was then that the Director had told them everything that Commander Hackett had relayed to them. To say they were stunned would've been putting it lightly. But soon shock was replaced with excitement and opportunity, especially Takahashi. She couldn't wait to meet these humans.
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It was only a few hours later that the Armstrong had arrived near the edge of the Sol System. Admiral Ashdown was practically drooling at the sight of seeing the UNSC Infinity, his reaction being more in an "I want one!" type of way, rather than shock or fear. General Santiago was intrigued more so on the feasibility and how they managed to build such a gargantuan ship. Petrov was impressed, truly, but he wanted to see how these humans stacked up to his marines. Admiral Takahashi had a huge smirk on her face as her conniving mind started to think of numerous plans.
Director Richards whistled in awe. "It's one thing seeing a picture, but seeing it up close? Well, I'll be damned."
Receiving instructions from Hackett, the Armstrong linked up with the Einstein and Richards and his subordinates disembarked where the Alliance Commander and Hannah Shepard were waiting in parade rest. Both went to attention and gave them a crisp salute, which all five returned with equal sharpness simultaneously.
"Welcome aboard the SSV Einstein, sirs, ma'am," Hackett spoke professionally. Hannah would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous. These people were the top brass who controlled the Alliance for God's sake!
"At ease commander, ensign" Richards ordered. Charles immediately relaxed his posture and stretched some muscles.
"Our guests should be arriving shortly, ensign, could you show the Director to the conference room?"
"Aye, sir," Hannah obeyed, saluting her superior and leading Richards and the Chiefs to the delegation room that was set up prior to their arrival.
Now, all Hackett could do was wait.
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Inside the UNSC Infinity's main bay a Pelican was being prepped for departure to the rendezvous point. After getting the go ahead, the dropship rose from the ground and sped out past the atmospheric barriers, heading straight for the Einstein.
"Cortana, you've already infiltrated their systems, yes?" Lasky asked the AI looking directly at John-117.
"Of course. To say their computer technology is primitive is mild understatement. It only took me five seconds to have pretty much every piece of information that's stored in bits," Cortana replied, speaking through John's external speakers.
"Wait, they're still using binary code?" Palmer gaped in surprise. The UNSC stopped using binary code for computers after the Rainforest Wars, which were practically ages ago as far the Captain was concern.
"While not quite the binary we're used to, the principle is still the same. Even the dumbest UNSC AI would run marathons around their systems. There's no reason to carry any weapons on board either. None of the crew has the capability to take on a Marine, let alone a Spartan or Sangheili. You'll be safe. Trust me." John grunted at that. Being unarmed left him the same feeling of being without his armor: naked and vulnerable. Even still, his trust in Cortana was absolute, so he accepted her judgment without a second thought.
"Anything else of note? Military capability? We have to know what we're working with here, construct," Rtas asked, softly.
"No. Not really. There's nothing really of note that you don't know already. But I say it's best to remain ignorant for now."
"It seems we have arrived," the Arbiter noted, and then turned to the SPARTAN-II. "Are you ready for this, John?"
John gave a huff, amused. "Grand entrance?"
"You're already one, Spartan."
"Did...did the Arbiter just make a good comeback? Oh, man, we really ARE in another galaxy, Chief!" John smacked his helmet. Cortana only grinned ear-to-ear.
The Pelican docked with the Einstein and the UNSC/Separatists went over last minute details, careful to leave out specifics Palmer wouldn't ever know about. The pilot was ordered on standby and the five disembarked inside the airlock. There was a mist that was obviously used for decontamination. Lasky found the mist oddly sweet tasting. He straightened up his uniform. A computerized voice told them that the mist had done its job. The airlock opened and they stepped inside.
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One had to give Commander Hackett some credit. Despite meeting a faction of humanity that was from another galaxy, he was keeping it together remarkably well. His eyes went to the two Sangheili. He had to admit, he was intrigued, if not a bit intimidated. Both were well over eight feet tall, towering over him with ease. Their entire bodies were covered in a type of armor, silver and black for Rtas, and Thel's armor was undoubtedly ceremonial, due to how radically different it was compared to the other Sangheili. Hackett found the four mandibles fascinating for one simple reason: he quietly wanted to know how on earth they chewed their food.
What really caught his attention were Captain Palmer and John. The former was about ten inches taller than he was, which—a fact that he wouldn't admit to anyone—slightly unnerving to the officer. She was attractive in the Commander's eyes, but not even close to Hannah. John was even taller than her and his armor looked like he could take a tank cannon at point blank range and still keep going. Either way, Hackett knew the man was extremely dangerous.
"Commander Hackett, glad we could meet," Lasky said smiling, reaching out for a handshake, which the commander shook firmly.
"As well as I, Admiral Lasky. I'll be frank, my crew practically had a heart attack when they saw your fleet."
"Don't worry, commander. We're here to help," Lasky replied. 'In more ways than one.'
"Follow me," Hackett commanded, turning around and walking away. "My superiors are inside the conference room."
Lasky and the others followed without a second thought. John took the time to scan his surroundings. This ship was small, ridiculously so. Not even ONI Prowlers gave him such a feeling of claustrophobia, even if such a fear was supposed to be suppressed if not outright ignored due to his Spartan training. His armor was taking in every detail of the ship and he resisted the urge to shake his head in disbelief. He understood that they had just discovered alien life less than a year ago, but this ships' armor was pitiful. They'd definitely have to fix that once they showed them how to synthesize Titanium A3. The supersoldier just prayed that this Sol System had an Ort Cloud equivalent. The UNSC still was using resources from it to this day, despite discovering it after the Rainforest Wars. It'd be invaluable in building up a suitable Navy and colony ships for the Systems Alliance.
Even though it was unspoken, it was pretty much a given that the Alliance needed to build a Super Soldier program in the same vein as the SPARTAN-IVs. Although the IVs were great soldiers, due to being trained since childhood, they'd likely never close the gap in skill and experience the SPARTAN-IIs and the SPARTAN-IIIs had. Considering their relatively peaceful history it was unlikely that they'd be willing to abduct children and turn them into soldiers. Adult volunteers would have to do. They couldn't rely on the UNSC Spartans forever in whatever galactic wars they might face in the future. They simply didn't have the manpower.
Cortana had also briefly mentioned of creating the Systems Alliance version of the ODST. She was stingy on details that she kept to herself, which was fine with John. He had a more pressing issue at hand: getting the Systems Alliance to ally with the Joint Fleet.
They finally went into a room where the doors slid apart letting them through. Richards and his Chiefs were sitting at a large circular table with five empty chairs on the side facing them. Wasting no time the three humans and two Sangheili sat down, thankful that they held firm even with their armor. John noted at how...used...to their appearance they were. Somehow the novelty of seeing aliens must've wore off on their journey. Hackett stood behind Richards at parade rest.
"Thank you for agreeing to come on such short notice Director..." Lasky trailed off, mentally kicking himself for not asking Hackett his name.
" Richards. Issac Richards, Admiral," the blonde Alliance leader told him, his tone friendly, if a bit casual. "These are my colleagues and subordinates: General Petrov Chief of Marine Corp, Admiral James Ashdown, Chief of Naval Operations, General Gabriel Santiago, Chief of Logistics and Exploration Corps, and finally, Admiral Sayuri Takahashi, Chief of OAI or the Office of Alliance Intelligence."
Internally, John, Lasky, and Palmer immediately went on guard at the mere mention of Takahashi. Lasky narrowed his eyes at the woman, ever so slightly. Rtas and Thel were indifferent, in all honesty.
"I don't trust her, John," Cortana told him seriously. "She reminds me of Parangosky."
"Agreed," John replied softly so he wouldn't be overheard.
"I see. As you know, I'm Admiral Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity, these are my allies, Thel 'Vadum, and Rtas 'Vadum of the Sangheili. The two in the armor are Sarah Palmer, and Commander John-117."
'117? Is that a code? Why doesn't he have a surname? Special unit perhaps?' Richards thought, analyzing John, subtly. 'Armor...abnormal human height and physique...'
His eyes widened ever so slightly in realization. John was a super soldier. Just what in the blazes of hell were they dealing with here?!
"Admiral, I'm going to be completely honest: you had a lot of folks frightened when we discovered your presence above Pluto. Were it not for Commander Hackett here, twelve billion people would be in a state of mass panic. If your intentions are indeed peaceful, claims you've so far lived up too, why did you request myself and my chiefs in absolute secrecy?"
"Director, we're from another galaxy. Humans, from another galaxy, to be more specific. We wish to ally with the Systems Alliance, but not join it."
Richards raised an eyebrow. "Why would you want to ally with us?" Richards had long accepted that these humans were being truthful being from another galaxy, as the Alliance didn't have ships or even plans that came even a tenth of what he was seeing outside the window.
It was Thel who spoke, his deep voice echoing throughout the room, commanding respect. "Human, you may be technologically inferior, that much may be a fact, but even we can't survive out here on our own. We have limited numbers that can't be replaced easily, if at all. Allying with you is that best bet."
"I see," Takahashi replied. "Tell me something, Admiral Lasky. Is the reason you kept this meeting secret is so that no one would ask questions when your human fleet, which I presume are the giant box ships that are painted jet black, shows up in the future?"
"You're a sharp woman, Admiral Takahashi," Lasky complemented sincerely. Honestly, he was glad he didn't have to explain too much. The plan was crazy, but it was their best shot.
"So...I'm assuming that the Systems Alliance will benefit from such a partnership with you?" Admiral Ashdown asked leaning forward, praying silently to god it meant what he hoped it meant.
"Yes, Admiral. We have scientists on board the UNSC Infinity and Shadow of Intent. As well as certain technological innovations that would prove most useful to advancing Systems Alliance, including a method of travelling Faster-Than-Light," Lasky said, dropping a huge bombshell.
Every single one of their eyes widened in shock. Lasky smirked a bit: he had them. Now he just had to reel them in, bit-by-bit.
"Here are the facts, Director, General, Admirals and I'll keep this brief: We were on a joint deployment and we came across an Artifact. We didn't know what it did and while we were investigating, the artifact locked down our systems and we were transported here. Our star charts indicated that we are in another galaxy not of our own. Our ships can travel at over 600 LY per day and we didn't grow old so I'm guessing the artifact did something," Lasky explained through half-truths.
Rtas had to admit; he was impressed with Admiral Lasky. That last part was a bold face lie. The UNSC Infinity had Forerunner drives and could travel 2000 LY per day. 600 was a complete joke by modern standards. But they didn't have to know that...
"Director Richards," Rtas picked up, using the human's name to appear more personable. "We are trying to get home as well as keep our warriors safe. Admiral Lasky, as Admiral Takahashi has already pointed out, cannot reveal his fleet to your humanity for reasons already addressed, but..."
"But the Sangheili can," General Santiago said catching on.
"Ha! You make brilliant offer my friend!" Petrov grinned, leaning back. "We take you back to Earth, prove existence of aliens and are friendly, no human question where get good technology from, yes? Very, very clever."
Takahashi narrowed her eyes a bit. "Why are you just so willing to give us your technology or at least how it works so...easily? You almost make it sound like it's your mission to do so."
It took everything in Lasky's power to keep a stoic face. "Admiral Takahashi, think about it. Yes, we could very well takeover your planet with ease, likely just from bombing you from orbit. Honestly, there wouldn't be a damn thing you could do to stop us. But where would that leave us? No allies, surviving with few resources, travelling from system to system only to die in vain. The galaxy is a dangerous place. Do you really want us to just leave you be and hope you don't run into a bunch of trigger happy aliens who just want to either keep humanity in their place or outright destroy you? Or would you accept our help and come on to the galactic stage with a—excuse me for being blunt—with a big fucking stick taking jack shit from no one?"
"HA! I love this guy! Blunt and to the point, just like in Mother Russia!" Petrov was obviously pleased with the idea.
Richards looked at the rest of the chiefs. They all nodded to him and he turned back to the UNSC and Separatists. The Director gave a grin. "When do we start?"
Palmer, despite not saying anything throughout the entire meeting, allowed a small bit of smugness to show. Lasky smiled. They had them. "Cortana, if you will?"
John took off a piece of his armor, sat it on the table, and her holographic form appeared. "Hello, Director Richards. My name is Cortana, UNSC Smart AI, serial number CTN 0452-9 at your service."
"You're...an artificial intelligence?!" Takahashi blinked, bewildered. Humanity had been trying for a fifty years to create AI without a single breakthrough!
Richards groaned a bit. Yeah. He was definitely going to need a drink after this meeting...again.
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Timeline:
September 20th, 2054: A secret alliance is formed between the Joint Fleet and the Human Systems Alliance. The UNSC Infinity and her fleet are deemed classified beyond Top Secret. The UNSC fleet is independent from the alliance, yet in times of war can come under the command of the Systems Alliance in emergency situations and to maintain their cover. Commander Hackett is promoted to Captain for his role in Humanity's first contact with aliens. Captain's Hackett's crew on the Einstein is sworn to absolute secrecy. The Charon Relay is essentially an afterthought.
September 21st 2054: It is jointly decided when the UNSC fleet goes public in the coming years, the UNSC fleet with change their ship prefixes to "SSV" to maintain the illusion of being of Alliance origin.
September 30th 2054: The Fleet of Glorious Repentance, as planned, appears publicly to humanity as a whole. Their presence is met with overwhelming positive reaction and propaganda makes the Systems Alliance more popular around the entire world.
December 1st 2054: An Ort Cloud is discovered in the Sol System containing massive amounts of resources.
October 18th, 2055: The Systems Alliance budget grows over fifty times its current size. UNSC scientists meet with Alliance scientists and teach them the principles of Slipspace technology. Sangheili are there to 'assist'.
October 24th, 2056: The first Systems Alliance AI comes online with the help of the UNSC. Orders and contracts are ordered for AIs to be mass-produced where only "smart" ones are reserved for military use only.
Halloween, 2056: The Systems Alliance completes its first slipspace drive. The ship, the SSV Aldine, makes a jump to Pluto and arrives in approximately thirty seconds.
December 7th, 2056: The successful jump to Pluto prompts massive contracts to upcoming corporations to build ships. The Ort Cloud provides resources as the Systems Alliance begins constructing a massive fleet of Phoenix-Class colony ships and warships. The UNSC secretly helps build shipyards with the help of the Huragok.
January 23, 2059: Millions of potential colonists leave Earth to settle new worlds.
February 15th, 2062: The Systems Alliance builds its first Marathon-class cruiser. It's equipped with dual MAC guns, Energy Shielding, Plasma Torpedoes, and Jericho missiles. This complements a fleet of one hundred total warships, mainly of Paris-Class Frigates.
July 2062: The F/A-50 Rapier Space Fighter is created
April 15th, 2063: The Sangheili find a colony planet a light year from Earth and settle upon it to repopulate. They are given resources to build an entire fleet and infrastructure to rebuild the Sangheili empire
March 18th, 2065: As planned, the UNSC enters a Slipspace bubble to pass the time by, while certain personnel stay behind to guide humanity. The Sangheili, as predicted, do not partake in this process
May 2084: The Systems Alliance continues to expand its influence, bringing its number of colonies up to a grand total of 15. The Systems Alliance charter has been signed by every single nation on Earth and a Parliamentary System is set up with Richards as its head. The Systems Alliance controls Earth in all but name.
April 21st 2085: Cortana reveals her plans of two Special Forces units: the N7 Initiative and Project TITANFALL. Now the program is repurposed for two-man assassination unit for deep behind enemy lines. Project TITANFALL was the Alliance's answer to the ODST, with a twist: They dropped in with piloted mechanized 25 feet tall robots called "Titans" which assisted them in battle. The unit is named the TDST, or Titan Drop Shock Troopers.
June 2087: Hammond Industries successfully creates the Ogre, the first Titan for the TDST, after winning a contract bid from the Systems Alliance government.
June 2093: After receiving augmentations, the TDST deploy for the first time ever on Eden Prime, to stop a violent militia group which had formed on the peaceful colony. The results are spectacular and the TDST and Titans devastate the militia with no casualties of their own.
June: 2094: After forty years of expansion, a lone exploration vessel discovers the drell homeworld of Rakhana and its dying eleven billion inhabitants. Admiral Lasky recommends allying with them, citing the Sangheili as proof that they are better off with friends than enemies. After intense deliberation and a very close vote, the Systems Alliance decides to uplift the entire drell population from Rakhana and bring them back to Earth and her colonies. For weeks, dozens upon dozens of Phoenix-class colony ships essentially run round trips around the clock to and from Rakhana. With the warm welcoming from the Sangheili forty years ago, the drell are accepted by at large as citizens of the Systems Alliance with full rights. Due to the drell's eidetic memory, they learn English without the use of a translator. The Systems Alliance now has five sapient species under its banner.
September 2096: After three months, all eleven billion drell are uplifted from their homeworld. Rakhana is left to die a slow and painful death.
October 2097: Kepral's Syndrome is discovered in a drell community on Eden Prime causing a widespread panic. The UNSC devises a cure within two weeks, reversing the effects completely. The Alliance Parliament passes a law with a unanimous vote that all drell citizens must take the vaccine.
January 2099: Drell are being sent to Alliance basic training to become Marines or Officers, their exceptional memory proving to be invaluable.
March 15th 2099: Plans are drawn up for a Top Secret Systems Alliance Super Soldier Program titled: OMEGA, made from adult volunteers from Delta Force, SAS, Spetsnaz, Israeli Commandos, and other special forces around the globe. John-117, Blue Team, and Sangheili Ghosts would oversee their training.
January 1st, 2100: Humanity and the drell celebrate the dawn of the 22nd century. Although there are some tensions, by and large, drell are integrating rather well with humanity.
January 2119: Fifteen drell are elected to Alliance Parliament. Some Sangheili are invited to join, but decline in favor of staying loyal to the Arbiter.
November 21st, 2120: Steven Hackett is born, grandson of Charles Hackett
December 2148: Miles Xavier takes over the helm as leader of the Systems Alliance. He and his colleagues (Ishigami, Hernandez, Dragovich, Ashdown) are told of the truth behind humanity's advancement to the stars.
July 2149: The OMEGA Super-soldier project begins in earnest
April 11th, 2154: Jane Shepard is born
May 2154: The Charon Relay is uncovered and activated. Slipspace is still considered a superior strategic way of travelling and the Alliance is cautious with new relays.
September 2154: After a hundred years of expansion, a census is conducted. Human: 54 billion, Drell: 23 billion, Sangheili: 18 million, Unggoy: 23 million, Hunters: Unknown, total colonies: 48. Humanity's fleet of ships number in the the thousands, with most being destroyers and frigates of various tonnage and classes
May 2156: Shanxi colony is founded.
November: 2156: After seven years, the OMEGA project is completed with over two thousand recruits graduating. Humanity has a new breed of soldier.
July 2157: Director Richards and Admiral Lasky make plans to introduce the UNSC Infinity and her escorts to the public after staying in hiding for 102 years.
August 2157: Present day.
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Taurus-4, Industrial Colony
August 25th, 2157
TDST Service Chief Tyson Lamont Greystone sighed and stretched his muscles. The light-skinned service chief was a veteran TDST, having been one of the numerous pilots to serve in liberating numerous colonies from violent rebels. He was natural Titan pilot and a runner in his youth so it was no surprise that becoming a TDST was easier for him than others.
Titan Drop Shock Troopers were like the ODST, yet in many ways completely different. The TDST emphasized constant movement using godly parkour and free running skills, combined with inhuman stamina. TDST pilots were given implants in the form of Nano drones that colonized the pilot's circulatory system into a series of valves and micro pumping mechanisms. This augmentation was able to boost stamina by 500%. In addition, their bones were hardened to withstand great falls up to a certain height, as well as give them impeccable agility and jumping power in combination with micro jet packs all across their armor to literally run on walls and reach heights unimaginable. The fusion pack that powered their armor, which was a combination of plating and regular reinforced BDUs, and had energy shielding equivalent to MJOLNIR Mark V the Master Chief used on the first Halo ring. Alliance Marines also had energy shielding, but they weren't Special Forces, so it, naturally, wasn't as resilient as Tyson's.
"I hope you're doing more than just enjoying the scenery, chief."
Tyson turned behind him and smirked. It was Corporal Tarius Krios, a drell, fellow TDST pilot, and his best friend.
"Tarius you have to stop calling me that, seriously. It makes me feel...I don't know... weird when you call me that."
The drell shook his head laughing. "You know I can't do that, Alliance Regulations."
Tyson grumbled and decided to change the subject. "So...how's your brother doing?"
"Thane? Last time I talk to him he was going through the N7 program on Earth in Brazil."
Tyson whistled dutifully impressed. "N7, eh? Heh, Thane would be the type of guy to want to be an assassin, he already dresses the part. Crazy ass."
"You joined the TDST like I did. You're one to talk."
"Point taken," he conceded. His communicator buzzed. "Chief Greystone, here."
"Got some good news for you, Chief. Some recruits fresh out the Academy just jumped in and will be making a drop. Mind breaking them in for me?"
Tyson couldn't help but grin. So this day might turn out great after all! "It'd be my pleasure, ma'am!"
"Glad to hear it. I'll let you have some fun." Tyson looked up in the sky to see an object falling towards his location. "Coordinates received. Standby for Titanfall." The object slammed into the ground a hundred meters away from him a bubble shield appearing the moment it touched down. No matter how many times he saw it happen, he'd NEVER get tired of seeing a Titan drop from orbit.
"Care to join me Tarius?"
"Can't let you have all the fun!" the drell replied giving a wicked grin.
Tyson sprinted toward the titan mech and its doors opened and he climbed inside with professional grace. The HUD came online showing an ultra-clear view of the battlefield. He grinned at the drop pods that were falling from the sky. Several TDSTs were about to go through his ' Welcome to Taurus-4' initiation course.
God, he fucking loved this job.
Unknown System
Unknown Location
In a Salarian STG ship a meeting was taking place, with a lone STG agent speaking to Councilor Valern on a secure network.
"What do you mean they're gone!?" Valern raised his voice. "How does eleven billion inhabitants just outright disappear out of thin air?"
"We don't know, sir. As you know, the STG has been observing several species with capabilities and potential to master space flight. This one in particular seemed doomed to kill itself off. We saw no reason to interfere. When we checked back weeks ago...the planet was dead...not a single one of those inhabitants. No corpses. No signs of life. Anything."
Valern gave him a hard stare. "Find out what happened to them. Species just don't disappear without a reason." The STG agent nodded and Valern cut off the connection.
"Seems the Galaxy just got a whole lot more complicated," he remarked.
The STG agent had no idea how right he was.
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And that's a wrap! Did I just have the Systems Alliance first contact be with the motherfucking drell and not the Batarians or Turians? Did I also just have the humans uplift them instead of the hanar? Thane becoming an N7 assassin? Yes I just fucking did. How's THAT for a twist?
I still need Sangheili OCs for the badass Ghosts squad! Keep the profiles coming I like what I see, so far! Remember, I need Appearance, Personality, Combat specialty, and a bio.
Codex:
Titan Drop Shock Troopers: Titan Drop Shock Troopers, or TDST, are the Systems Alliance's answer to the UNSC's ODST. TDSTs are Light Infantry designed to constantly move through the environment through the use of parkour and are quite capable of literally running on walls. Augmentations in their cardiovascular system enable them to have inhuman stamina and agility as well as the ability to pilot their specialty: Titans.
TITANS: 25 feet tall heavy mechs are dropped from orbit along with TDSTs to assist them in battle. They are made up of the same alloy that make up Alliance Ships, and are protected by energy shielding. Their main weapon of choice is a GAU-38 Hybrid Gatling Gun, which fire kinetic plasma rounds. A titan can engage in "follow" mode where it doesn't need a pilot and defend itself competently with an onboard computer system that can hold a Systems Alliance Smart AI.
N7: The assassination unit of the Alliance. N7 goes on top-secret missions to eliminate threats before they become one. They receive rigorous training in Brazil on Earth. Drell make up at least forty percent of current N7 recruits.
OMEGA: Currently nothing is known about them except they're undoubtedly the toughest soldiers in the Alliance, bar none. Their activities and training are classified beyond Top Secret.
AI: Systems Alliance AIs are used all throughout Systems Alliance space with dumb AIs being used even by civilians. Smart AIs are used exclusively by the Alliance military for cyber warfare, ship-to-ship combat, and much more.
M55 Hybrid Assault Rifle: The standard issue Assault Rifle in the Alliance. Like the MA5E it fires 7.62 rounds that are coated in plasma before they leave the barrel for devastating stopping power. It's appearance is similar to a cross between the Honey Badger and the ACR in the 21st century.
