DISCLAIMER: You know the drill, I don't own anything except the computer I write this on.
So, because I got a several PM's (some polite and others…well let's just say that I needed to calm myself after reading them) about my over usage of the YAHF despite the fact that it is indeed October AKA Halloween Season, I have decided to let them know the following:
1) This latest idea is a YAHF, read at your own discretion but don't come whining to me about it because I didn't force you to.
2) It will be last one as I don't have time for another and my muse for this particular brand has quieted at the moment.
3) The next two chapters to be added are a Anime cross with YJ that are linked.
4) After those two my focus will be on the latest chapter to my Ranma/Evo story that was put on pause for the season.
5) And finally, I will write what I damn well please so in the immortal words of D-Generation X I say to all you haters/flamers to SUCK IT! (Cue their theme music!)
That is all, enjoy!
SotL: Set forth into the Infinite.
Sunnydale, CA Halloween night…
Thomas Lasky was not used to wake up in strange places feeling like he just went ten rounds with an Elite Ultra in a bare-knuckle boxing match, in fact he was well known to refrain from heavy alcohol with the notable exception of the anniversary of the attack on the Corbulo Academy and subsequently the death on Chyler Silva but the hangover was never this bad.
But returning to our hero as he forces himself to stand from the pavement while groaning all the way, as he stood on his two legs the prevailing line of thought was…
"What the hell happened?" He groans as he rubs his eyes before finally opening them and taking in his surroundings.
*What the!? Where am I? * He furiously thinks as he sees he is on a street surrounded by buildings and cars not seen since the late 90's. Quickly falling back on his training he is glad to see he has both his M6 sidearm, two magazines and a communicator which he swiftly places on his ear while pulling out the weapon.
"This is Thomas Lasky to any friendly UNSC forces out there, I am in unknown territory and need immediate assistance and EVAC. I repeat this is Thomas Lasky to any friendlies out there..." He is interrupted by a growl coming up behind him.
He swiftly rolls out of the way as some hairy beast with plenty of claws and fangs lands in the spot he used to in an attempt to make a meal out of him. Shelving any thoughts of its origins he quickly fires a trio of shots at the feral creature who cries out as one bullets finds itself lodged into its left shoulder, this followed by it fleeing for easier prey as it runs from the armed human.
Thomas remains on alert in case it brought friends but when no sign of further attack is imminent he focuses, takes a moment to calm down and then tries to reach help again.
"This is Thomas Lasky to any UNSC forces in the vicinity, territory is not friendly proceed with caution, does anyone read me?"
He was about to repeat the message when a familiar voice replied, one he was very glad to hear.
-Captain this Roland, I am getting some interference on the line but I read you. —
"Roland you have no idea how glad I am to hear you; do you have a clue as to what is going on?"
-Your guess is as good as mine sir, all I know is that we are not in Kansas anymore if what my sensors are reading is true. — The smart AI housed on the UNSC Infinity replies to his captain.
"Lay it out for me Roland." He says to his ships AI while looking for a place to lay low just in case more hostiles appear.
-Well first off, we have somehow gone back in time because I got readings showing old satellites that have been decommissioned ages ago, no MAC cannons anywhere destroyed or new and New Mombasa is looking pretty pristine as if it was never hit with the Covies death rays. —
"…shit." That word summed up the Captain's feelings pretty well.
-My sentiments exactly Captain, but its weirdness doesn't stop there though because I'm not the only ship up here. —
"What!? What do you mean?"
-Brace yourself sir, I got the Pillar of Autumn & the Iroquois on my starboard side and on my port, I got the Forward unto Dawn as well as the In Amber Clad. Three of them have pinged me and the IFF reads Cortana in all of them and from the looks of things they are just as confused as I am.—
Now Lasky really was drunk because he knew for a fact that those ships were either destroyed or, in the case of the destroyer, decommissioned after suffering tremendous damage in battle. Add in the fact that three of the ships capable of housing an AI had the same one that had seen her fair share of combat alongside the UNSC greatest soldier and hero which to him just added to the chaos.
"Any other bombs you want to drop on me Roland?" He asks in exasperation, he didn't mean to snap at the AI though, he was in a way a fellow crew mate albeit synthetic in nature.
-…according to the manifest we are fully stocked with supplies as well as ammo and yet I can't find anyone on board Captain. — Roland replies meekly as he knows that latest tid bit will not sit well with the man.
"Are you telling me the Infinity is alone up there!?"
-Yes sir, I can't explain it either, I have nothing to suggest why there is no one on board since all the life pods and Frigates are present with no sound of damage on them nor do I detect any biological or chemical agents in the air either…it's like everyone just upped and disappeared! —
Thomas can tell Roland was just as freaked out by this knowledge and he can only assume the other ships are just as empty sans the three Cortana's who could right be also frantic.
*And I will have to deal with that headache as well. *
"Roland scan the area I'm in…hell scan the whole planet if you have to, look for any UNSC signals, talk to the other AI's and have them do the same. We are not going to sit here and do nothing and we are most certainly not going to run around like chickens with their heads cut off." He orders firmly as once more he lets his training and experience come to the fore front as now was not the time to lose one's head.
-Yes sir! — Roland replies as he gets to work while simultaneously talking with the Cortana's and explaining the plan to them all in the span of seconds.
It took two minutes at most but his AI friend came through as he always did.
-Well I got good news and frankly weird/disturbing news Captain. —
"Don't you mean bad?"
-Not after you hear this, according to my readings I am receiving IFF signals for the following: Commander Miranda Keyes, Captain Jacob Keyes, Sierra B312, Sierra 052 and finally Sierra 034. — the AI finished grimly as both he and Thomas knew full well what all this people had in common.
"That's not possible Roland, they are all listed as confirmed KIA…" Tom was not known to be shaken easily but this had rattled him.
-Sir I quintuple checked this, they are alive and in the area. —
The Captain of the Infinity simply took a deep calming breathe before pushing this revelation aside, answers would have to wait for this mystery.
"What's the good news?" Roland was glad his Captain was taking this seriously because frankly he was freaking out as much as an AI could.
-Commander Palmer, Captain Veronica Dare, Sierra 117 & Blue Team, Fireteam Osiris and apparently Dr. Catherine Halsey are planet side. —
"Well this I can deal with, who is closest to my position Roland?"
-That would be Commander Palmer group sir. —
"Luck is still with us then, open a channel to all of them, i don't know if anyone without armor has a communicator but best to be safe than sorry."
-Got it sir…done. —
"This Captain Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity to all UNSC forces, do you read me? Over."
-Fireteam Osiris here alongside a very confused Captain Dare sir. —
-Glad to hear a familiar voice Tom, I hope you have an idea on what the hell is going on. By the way I got the Chief here along with Blue team as well as one very much alive Spartan B312. — Palmer answers with exasperation for the current set of circumstances she is facing.
-This is Sierra 054 along with Sierra 034 with me…though how is that possible I don't know since I know for a fact we both we shouldn't be not that I'm complaining. —the voice of a man long thought dead in the war rang, unknowingly causing 4 Spartans to become poleaxed.
"Good to hear from all of you, now I know you are confused but right now we need to get our act together as we are not the only UNSC forces on earth, Roland will transmit the IFF tags closest to you as they do not seem to have a means to communicate so kindly escort them to my position, in the meantime Roland see if you can send us a transport would you kindly?"
-On it sir. — Roland replies as he gets to work.
-Sir, I suggest both Commander Palmer and Spartan B312 break off from our group to secure your safety and the LZ. —The Master Chief adds to the conversation.
-I second that. — Sarah comments as he knew she would.
"Very well, stay safe and see you all soon."
Minutes later…
It did not take long for most groups to arrive at the designated LZ where Thomas and the Pelican Roland had sent were located at, the only ones missing were Blue team and their VIP's.
"I hope they didn't run into any trouble." Thomas openly says while Palmer was next to him as a silent guard.
"It's Blue team plus the two only hyper lethal soldiers the UNSC has, I'm pretty sure they can handle anything that comes their way Tom." Sarah replies with a smirk that gets a chuckle out of the Captain.
"Ever the optimist eh Sarah?"
"Please, I'm a realist Tom." He Commander replies in all honesty.
Soon the saw the legendary soldier appear with his team as well as the Captain of the Pillar of Autumm as well as the woman who gave rise to the second generation of Spartan's.
"Dad?" One Miranda Keyes spoke as she approached the man who had his life taken by the parasitic organism known as the Flood as well as her mother who had been labelled a war criminal.
"Miranda…" The man was beside himself as he has been told by the Master Chief that she had been killed in action against the Covenant.
Both embraced each other while Halsey looks on next to her favorite Spartan.
"Will you not join Doctor?" A woman asks through the man's speakers.
"…I do not deserve it."
*Deserve her. * She thinks sadly as she gazes at the woman she let go as a form of penance.
The large man next to her said nothing gave one a look to his sister Spartan 058. Gently, for her at least, she pushed the scientist forward allowing the Commander to catch her in her arms and from there hold her.
"Awe, you big softies." The woman spoke on the private line to the II gen Spartan's.
"I don't know what you mean Cortana." 117 rebukes in a non-challan manner while Jorge and Sam's chuckles can be heard.
"She has you pegged all right squad leader." Jorge humorously adds earning a grumble from the soldier.
"All right that is everyone, let's get onto the Infinity and try to sort out how we travelled through time and, no offense intended, brought back the dead to life." Lasky orders as he moves into the transport followed by Palmer and Noble Six.
Meanwhile in a certain Costume shop…
Inside the shop where all manner of costumes could be seen an eerie glow could be seen coming from the back room, the source being a bust of the Roman deity Janus.
"It is time Ethan, all the players are now present and the show can begin." An ethereal voice spoke from the two faces of the bust.
"Well never thought my sort of fun would be of help to the white hats." The owner and mage spoke as he readies a nearby baseball bat.
"Never underestimate the power behind change my acolyte, and it is not as if I do not plan to reward you for your service in this case." The deity replies in all seriousness.
*Freeing us of Eghyon is a reward I can't pass up…shame Ripper won't know it was thanks to my lord. *
"Will the changes be enough to stop what is coming my lord?" Ethan just had to ask.
"They must be for the mortal realm to survive the coming storm, those fools who guard their precious balance with nothing short of zealotry failed to take into account threats from the very heavens…I will not allow their stupidity to spell the doom of this world!"
"Your wisdom knows no bounds Lord Janus." Ethan says in humility to his patron deity, then he takes a practice swing before finally smashing the bust and releasing a shockwave of magical and divine power that sent him tumbling to the floor.
"Ugh, next time I put some padding before doing that." He groans as he lays there, though a satisfied smile works its way on his face as now just a matter of waiting for Ripper and his group to investigate and thus he can explain what has been done and why.
Feeling a slight burning sensation on his right arm he carefully rolls up the sleeve of his robe to find the cursed tattoo slowly disappearing. If one were to pass by said shop they would have heard the joyful laugh of a man who just got the best news in the world.
Meanwhile in the Cheyenne Mountain Complex…
"What is it Walter?" A bald man dressed in formal Air Force uniform and with the rank of general asks as he moved towards the main HUB of the complex that held one of the country's most guarded secret known as the Stargate which was under the command of General George Hammond.
"Sir NASA just called and data that was critical we see."
Just as the man finished the base premier team, SG-1 arrived to see what new disaster was about to hit.
Leading them was a gray-haired man with a stern expression, Coronel Jack O'Neill who was followed by his team formed by a blond woman who was considered the brains Captain Samantha Carter, on her left was a brown haired man who was akin to the moral center of the group Daniel Jackson and finally the alien warrior known as Teal'c.
"Put it up on the monitors Walter."
The man did as order and as soon as the images hit multiple reactions of surprise hit with Jack summing up the situation quite nicely.
"Oh for crying out loud!"
And in space a group of men and woman on board a massive vessel would find themselves caught up in an adventure the likes they never could have imagined and taking up a mantle far beyond anything they could have dreamed of.
The End
A/N: I figured I had to give this type of story a try at least once and using three things I like, those being Buffy, Halo and Stargate SG-1.
The cast and their costumes:
Daniel "Oz" Osbourne – Thomas Lasky
Willow Rosenburg – Commander Sarah Palmer
Devon MacLeish – Edward Buck
Aphrodesia – Olympia Vale
Alonna Gunn – Holly Tanaka
Charles Gunn – Jameson Locke
Rupert Giles – Captain Jacob Keyes ++
Jenny Calendar – Dr. Catherine Halsey
Faith Lehane – Commander Miranda Keyes ++
Buffy Summers – Spartan B312 AKA Noble Six ++
Xander Harris – Master Chief John 117 Halo 4/5 Armor
Cordelia Chase – Kelly 087 Halo 5 Armor
Rhonda Kelley – Linda 058 Halo 5 Armor
Tor Haur – Frederic 104 Halo 5 Armor
Jonathan Levinson– Jorge 052 ++
Andrew Wells – Samuel 034 ++
Harmony Kendall – Veronica Dare