A/N Hey everyone, next chapter is coming out, started writing this one on the 23 of Jan. It might be a little slow coming I am dealing with some personal stuff at the moment. I hope you all enjoy!
note Feb 4: sorry for the long wait. Personal issues finally resolved today! well not all of them but I am good to keep writing.
Note: I apologize for the long wait in between updates and I am trying to get quicker with them again like I first was.
UPDATE! So still working on these updates, works been keeping me busy and I appologize: Word Increase 3,551 to 4,514.
Sol System-Earth
SODP Tokyo
Lord Hoods Personal Office
/.*\
Lord hood was enjoying a cup of coffee when a golden light filled the room causing him to pull out the pistol from his desk and aim it and the glow. When the glow faded and standing before him was Admiral Lasky he lowered the weapon.
"Admiral! How the hell are you here!" He exclaimed checking his computer and noticing the Infinity wasn't in the system.
Cortana appeared on her pedestal "Sir if I am not mistaken that is the work of a Forerunner Teleportation device." She turned to Lasky with a grin. "Am I right Admiral?"
He nodded "Cortana is right, we have repelled an assault from a species called the Turians, and we have been contacted by a Forerunner Monitor and...well he has provided us with quite the information...we also encounter a...second humanity Sir."
Lord Hood shook his head and rubbed his temple. "Forerunners...why does everything weird that happens involve them in some way?" Lord Hood sighed looking at the Admiral, "Ok Report Admiral, a quick one if you please."
Lasky nodded and took a breath. "Ok I will give you the shortened version, a Turian fleet came out of the Galaxy Gate with large numbers and destroyed several vessels, we decided to retreat to the Colony and prepare a better defense of the colony should we not be able to hold orbital supremacy."
He walked towards a holotable and brought up New Singapore before putting a disk into it shoiwng their battle plan and the battle itself.
"We created a debris field since their Faster Than Light is in real space, and we also put Nuclear mines into the field, we held them as long as we could but they focused all their fire on one ship at a time as well as we believe they were able to detect our energy build up when we charged the MACs." He showed the maneuvers that the Turians were doing when the MACs charged.
"This gave it the appearance that the Turians were dodging our MAC fire, of course thats not really true but it had a pyschological effect on our men, they quickly got into knife fighting range where we had to limit MAC use, in close quarters they had more of an advantage, they also quickly acquired fighter superiority but they didn't seem to have dedicated bomber craft which gave us a slight edge." He paused thinking of all the lives lost.
Cortana spoke up "You did all you could Admiral."
There was a caring look as if she was trying to make him feel better.
He smiled and nodded to the AI. "Thank you Cortana, we had already dropped off all our ground forces so we hid in the nebula near by to preform hit and run tactics after we gauged our status, our front lines on the ground held out until the Turians preformed an orbital bombardment on our lines, they were breaking through but for some reason they retreated...we now know it was due to one of our troopers loosing their helmet and the Turian seeing he was Human."
Lord Hood looked over the battle with interest. "I take it their Humanity and the Turians have some form of Alliance?"
Lasky nodded and brought up the data on the Systems Alliance. "They are part of a Galactic Government called the Citadel...no its not like the Covenant before you ask...anyway the CIS soon arrived and incapacitated the Turian Fleet with no casualties...they brought in the new Shadow of Intent Ultra Carrier."
Lord Hood chuckled "Leave it to the Arbiter for over kill...now about these new Humans?"
"Well from what we have determined only one of them has the Forerunner Gene that makes us Reclaimers and that would be this Commander Shepard we met...she came in a Stealth Corvette of sorts to make contact with us...apparently there is a Race of Sentient Machines called Reapers bent on the destruction of Civilization and she has requested our help in the matter seeing the power of our vessels on the Turians, who are the greatest military in the Citadel."
Lord Hood sat down sighing. "Our help? We have enough issues with the Jiralhanae Empire and the Covenant Remnant that popped up...we just made peace with the Kig-Yar Confederacy and they are now a member of the Conclave...how destructive are these Reapers?"
Lasky cleared his throat bringing up the image of the Reaper ship the Monitor showed us. "From what we determined they are deemed a sever threat according to the Forerunner Monitor."
He turned to look out the window. "They are second only to the Flood with our current level of technology in the Monitors words."
Lord Hood nodded before asking. "So in reality they make our current enemies look pathetic?"
Lasky just nodded not having to speak again.
"What was the Arbiters thoughts on this incident and this revelation?" The aging Admiral asked quietly.
"The Arbiter believes that the Reapers are a valid threat and is currently talking to the Sangheili Council about firing up their ship foundries."
Lord Hood sighed before standing back up. "I want to help but since this isn't wartime I don't have the authorization...if these Turians were the threat, I could since they attacked first...I need to inform the President and hope she believes us."
He presses a few buttons on his console and a woman in business attire appears "Lord Hood what can I do for you today?" She asked.
"I have priority Omega and need to speak with President Lanford immediately authorization code Wilco-Indigo-Nova-Tango-Echo-Romeo Charlie-Oscar-Nova-Tango-Indigo-Nova-Gulf-Echo-Nova-Charlie-Yankee acknowledge".
The secretaries eyes went wide hearing the Admirals words. "Acknoweldgment code Romeo-Echo-Alpha-Charlie Two-Five-Five-Two is in effect sir."
"Roger I will arrive within the hour." He turns off the console and pulls Cortanas chip
"Come admiral we have a meeting with the president." He walked to the elevator with a fast pace.
"Yes Sir." He replied standing next to him as two Spartan-IIIs entered the elevator. These Spartans were Lord Hoods personal guard Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091.
The elevator ride went by quietly as they went through the massive station until they arrived at the private hanger for Lord Hood and his escorts.
Hood and Lasky walked into a White Pelican guarded by a squadron of Claymore fighters. Lasky looked at the Claymores, the new fighters were just unveiled and made the Longswords look pathetic in comparison. Lasky entered the Pelican before the two Spartans got into the pilot seats and turned on the Forerunner shield generators making the small vessel practically invulnerable.
"Lets make history Lasky...again." Was all Lord Hood said as they took off.
PDV Shadow of Intent
Orbit of New Singapore
Bridge
Admiral Dexiion looks over the damages she caused on the joint-colony before turning to R'tas.
"Fleetmaster" she said calmly.
"Yes Admiral." he replied slowly turning towards her.
She cleared her throat and firmly stated. "I would like permission to use what resources I have to help repair the colony...as one part of the atonement of my actions."
The Saurian looked at her with a far gaze, as if remembering something.
"I feel that would be good in rebuilding the bridge between the Turians and the UNSC."
He turned to one of the advanced holographic interfaces, "The Normandy is going down to assist the reconstruction...you may take your guards and some crew to help."
She nodded and walked over to the strange elevator with no floor. {What did they call it...a gravity lift}. Colilonia shook her head, she didn't care what is was called all she knew was she hated the stupid things. The gravity lift was quick though and she soon arrived in the gigantic hanger bay.
Dexiion quickly found the Normandy for while it had organic like curves like most of the CIS vessels, it was vastly different then every other vessel in the hanger. The color a black with white a sharp contrast to the purples and pinks surrounding her.
She approached the Normandy just as commander Shepard stepped down the ramp.
"Admiral, to what do I owe this visit" Shepard asked politely offering her hand.
"I wish to join you in the reconstruction efforts...Fleetmaster R'tas has allowed me and my men to do this." She said quickly taking the offered hand. "Permission to come aboard?"
Shepard raised an eyebrow before replying. "You know they are going to hate you down there right?" Her question was valid. Colilonia nodded and Shepard sighed "Welcome aboard the Normandy Admiral."
Colilonia smiled as she motioned for some of her crew to board the Normandy. {I hope this will help}.
Sol System-Earth
Australia-Sydney-Capital of the UNSC
Presidential chambers
Lord Hood was not pleased and many people gave him a wide berth, sure it might be due to the two Spartan IIIs behind him but everyone knew when Lord Hood had that scowl on his face it meant trouble.
Hood and the President were not on the best of terms at the moment, each for their own reasons. Lord Hood didn't like that she pushed more and more of the Shipyards and arms factories into disrepair. President Lanford did not like him due to him taking 40% of the UEGs budget to build better ships and defenses for any threat that they may encounter. {Well...I guess this incident had proven my point}
As Lasky and Hood approached the door the two veteran ODSTs that stood guard over the Presidents Office, saluted as sharp as the could which Lord Hood returned before they opened the door.
"Jesus Christ Terrance...what is going on...my Secretary was crying when she let me know." Elizabeth said looking at the Admiral. Elizabeth Lanford was was 53 years old and has held office for five years. Her black hair was swept back and she looked tired.
"Well...good news or bad Liz?" He asked sitting down in front of her while Lasky stayed standing.
"Good first bad second..." She sighed obviously thinking it cant get much worse.
Hood nodded and started off. "We won the battle against an Alien fleet that came out of the Galaxy Gate...though at significant losses and we only won because of the CIS stepping in."
Lanford nodded and smiled softly. "Good thing you called in those favors."
"It was then we met with the Admiral in charge...right after another ship came into the system carrying a Human from a separate government." He continued with the debrief.
The President looked very confused. "How is that possible?" She asked with a surprising calm.
"Oh that would be because of me." A energetic but synthetic voice started which made Lasky groan as the Monitor as well as the Arbiter transported into the room.
"I am glad you have a Forerunner artifact as a desk ornament or I wouldn't have been able to locate you as easily as I had." The Monitor said happily.
The Spartans and ODSTs jumped into action aiming their weapons at the Monitor before Lord Hood stopped them. "Don't shoot at the thing trying to warn us, and that has a giant laser in its eye."
"Ah so you are the leader of the Reclaimers...odd I did not expect you to become a matriarchal society in this iteration of Humanity." It said in a slight confused voice while tilting to the side like a dog.
Everyone in the room except the Spartans started laughing at the Monitors comment.
"Did I say something funny?" It asked quizzically.
Lasky stopped laughing first holding his stomach. "No Stoic, its just we are not a Matriarchal society...we elect officials to their positions."
Stoic paused for a second before gleefully explaining. "Interesting, a very interesting system you must allow me to do further research into this Reclaimer."
"Very well...Stoic was it? But at the task at hand..." President Lanford started "Explain your actions."
Stoic nodded and floated around the room as if he was Sherlock homes deducing something. "As you have learned Humanity is the inheritors to the Mantle of Responsibility, but after the firing of the Halo Array and the reseeding of the different races I had to take measures to ensure Humanity can reclaim the mantle, I had to have a fail safe as it were."
Lanford nodded slowly, she had read about the Mantle from reports from the Ark and from the Librarian on Requiem.
"So I created a shield world that mimics your homeworld in every way possible using Forerunner artifacts here on Earth as you call it." Stoic slowly floated over the Presidents desk and finished his explaination, "Now that Humanity asks for aid against a threat postponed by my makers, but after their fall..."
"They returned." Lanford finished his sentence and the Monitor nodded.
The Arbiter stepped forward "The CIS council has decided to assist in this matter, but not our full forces...we cant risk these Reapers getting to our homeworlds, or acquire too much of our technology, as well as the Jiralhanae are still a threat."
Lanford looks at everyone in the room and sighed "I got a declaration of war to make..."
Across all Colonies of the CIS and UNSC
/*\
President of the UEG Elizabeth Lanford and Arbiter Thel Vadam of the CIS stood side by side and their holographic images were sent across every view screen in UNSC and CIS space.
Lanford started "Attention! People of the Orion arm!"
"We are under a great threat!" The Arbiter said next "A threat the Forerunners once thought defeated."
Lanford looks at the crowd. "It is called the Reapers...a race of AI, bent on the destruction of all Sentient life, similar to that of the Flood."
Thel nodded before continuing. "We have decide this threat as one of the greatest we have ever faced...almost as great as the Parasite!"
"So it has been decide...like the Unggoy Democracy, the Yanme'e Hives, the Kig-Yar confederacy, the Lekgolo Colonies, The Sangheili Empire! We the United Earth Government shall join the Conclave of Independent species!" Lanford exclaimed.
Across the colonies there was shock this has been talked about for years but nothing ever came of it.
The Arbiter stood forward and activated his energy sword raising his arm high in the air. "And now We declare WAR! WAR ON THE REAPERS!"
New Singapore
Aboard the SR-2 Normandy
/*\
The Normandy picked up the transmission and everyone's jaw dropped while Joker gave a small nervous chuckle "Well...heh...someone finally takes us seriously."
Shepard just nodded, she was shocked an entire government system united against the Reapers...{ if only the council could pull their heads out of their ass like this}.
The Normandy was just coming into atmosphere and was sweeping low to land on the surface and found a decent clearing to put her down.
Shepard and the rest of the ground team with the Admiral and her crew walked down the ramp and was met by seven four wheeled vehicles two with guns the rest completely open with seating for eight not including the driver.
"Commander Shepard of the Alliance?" The lead soldier asked as he stepped forward to which she nodded.
"I am Colonel Devin McMillin United Nations Marine CORPS, I am to escort you and your people ma'am." He took off his helmet and extended his hand which Shepard took.
One of the Turians that came with the Admiral stepped forward. "You...you were the one leading the forces against my men."
McMillin stiffened slightly looking at the Turian that almost killed him, "I am, your men fought bravely."
The Turian extended his hand as a show of peace. "And so did yours Colonel, I would like to know their names, I am colonel Octaviculus, leader of the Turian ground forces."
"Not every day you meet the man who almost killed you the day prior, I will send you those names as well, if you send me the names of your men that died." McMillin replied taking his hand giving it a firm grip.
Admiral Dexiion let out a deep breath that she was holding in. "whew...I thought that was gonna be worse."
Shepard nodded taking her hand off the Carnifax and stepped into the vehicle and her crew followed suit.
The strange vehicles started up and they drove along the bumpy roads towards the colony.
New Singapore
Outskirts
/*\
The 'Warthogs' as they found out they were called stopped at the battlezone of the outskirts of the city. There were ruined building every where and there was still blood stains.
Alexia looks around at the destruction. It was nothing new to her, she lived through Mindoir, led the defense at Elysium, assaulted Torfan,defended Eden Prime, saw the Citadel in flames, tried to save Horizon, and saw the piled of dead in the Collector ship. She was no stranger to war, destruction, or death.
Dexiion looked around at the destruction and you could see the pain in her eyes. "I caused this..."
"Yes you did, but you are taking measures to fix it after realizing your mistake, there should be more people like you out there." Shepard told her.
She looked at the commander and nodded and said sincerely "Thank you Commander."
Grunt was looking around drooling imagining the battle that happened here, before chuckling like he wanted a fight and ran off into the rubble.
"GRUNT!" Shepard called out trying to grab him.
McMillin saw the direction he was going "oh fuck." Was his only words before her grabbed his radio.
In the distance Shepard saw a large hairy beast that was heavily muscled and was currently lifting a very large piece of rubble from what looked like a Turian fighter. Alexia then realized what Grunt was going to do and started to sprint after him but she wasn't fast enough to catch up to him in time.
"You! Hairy thing!" Grunt exclaimed still chuckling and cracking his knuckles as he approached the Jiralhanae "I want to fight you!"
The ape like Alien turned to Grunt and snorted dropping the wreckage. "Hmph you may look like a bit of a Challenge for a Jiralhanae Chieftan, what is your name Reptile?"
Grunt punched his hand looking into the Cheiftans eyes. "I am Urdnot Grunt! I am pure Krogan and I will fight you!"
"Urdnot Grunt...I am Moriband of the Bloodline Tartarus and I accept your challenge." The Jiralhanae shifted into a combat stance as Grunt charged.
New Singapore
Outskirts
/*\
{Five hours...they have been at it for five hours} Shepard internally groaned as she helped pick up rubble with her biotics.
Grunt and Moriband had been constantly fightiing for the last several hours and now they were so tired they could barely lift their arms to hit each other.
Both their bodies bruised and bloodied, many pieces of rubble had been broken as they slammed each other into them.
"Okay okay Moriband, Grunt you have proven you can fight till your both exhausted call it a draw already." she yelled hoping they might listen.
Grunt looked at Moriband then back at his battlemaster and chuckled. "I have to agree with Shepard...you are a worthy opponent."
"As are you Grunt of clan Urdnot." Moriband said smiling before walking over to a case and pulling out a Gravity Hammer. "I grant you this weapon of the Jiralhanae as a show of your strength, I also declare the Krogan friends of the Jiralhanae." He also gives Grunt a mauler pistol "you might like this too."
Grunt looked at the hammer and thought it was a Krogan warhammer on Steroids before looking down at the shotgun pistols and gave a low chuckle.
All the people around them just stare which made Shepard ask McMillin what was going on.
"For a Jiralhanae to grant someone a Gravity hammer is a grand honor." McMillin stated watching the exchange.
"Gravity hammer?" She asked afraid of what Grunt could do with a weapon like that.
McMillin nodded "yea it does what the name implies distorts gravity around the impact site."
Alexia groaned before going back to the clean up, around her were Humans, Sangheili, Turians, and Unngoy that were helping out.
An odd humming sound was heard and she looked up to see a purple craft she recognized from the Shadow of Intent descend and land close by. The ramps slowly lowered and a Group of Sangheili approached.
"Admiral, Commander your presence is requested" the lead in Golden armor with blue glowing accents said calmly.
Shepard nodded and told Tali and Liara to come with as Admiral Dexiion came alone. Once inside the ramp inside the craft raised as the dropship took off and started back to the Shadow of Intent.
Shadow of Intent briefing room
/*\
Shepard walked into the Meeting room and saw the Arbiter the monitor and a Human she did not recognize but could feel his aura of authority over the room. She walked up to him and gave a sharp salute especially seeing his rank. "Fleet Admiral, Commander Alexia Shepard SSV Normandy of the System Alliance reporting as requested."
The man chuckled and looked her over briefly. "At ease Commander." He extended his hand to which she took. "I am Fleet Admiral Lord Terrance Hood."
He then nodded to Admiral Dexiion "You ma'am caused us a lot of trouble but I am willing to overlook it due to our current state."
He said while sitting down "Unfortunately since you are a foreign power we cannot repair your ships."
Dexiion looked at him strangely. "As you humans say, I'm sensing a but in there"
Lord Hood nodded "I read your mission reports from your database, your a good soldier, we looked also through your personal logs, your trial included."
She noticeably flinched and looked down "It seems you know a lot don't you Admiral."
Hood nodded and continued as he picked up a folder. "We looked deeper into your database and found out your full sentence, three years in a penal colony...recommended Omega tier...typical survival time for Omega Tier is 14 months...for retreating in the face of an enemy."
He lowered the folder, "You saved the men under your command, I very much respect that...and no doubt for surrendering like you did the Hierarchy would punish you greater...so I am offering you a choice Admiral."
"A choice?" She asked confused and afraid not knowing she was to be sent to an Omega Tier penal colony.
He nodded resting his elbows on the table. "I am offering you and your men asylum within the Conclave of Independent Species, your ships will be repaired and you will also serve as an ambassador of sorts should talks between the Citadel and the CIS happen."
Colilonia was speechless her mouth hung open in surprise and Shepard looked at Lord Hood strangely.
It was a few minutes before the Admiral was able to compose herself and she cleared her throat. "Admiral Hood...while Turians have a code of honor, and a strong loyalty...I believe this is best for the men and women below me for they all will be punished for not questioning my actions or taking command from me...I accept your offer."
Lord Hood and Admiral Dexiion shook each others hand, "Unfortunately it will take time to rebuild your ships so I will be providing some of ours...you will have your own Cruiser and Several frigates under your command, you will keep your rank as you have shown you deserve it, I suggest you talk to Captain Carter of the Indomitable, she can bring you up to speed on our weapons and equipment."
Admiral Dexiion did her best human salute which was returned.
"Now Commander Shepard...you have been abandoned by your government and now working for a terrorist organization, now while I understand why, we cannot let you leave this system so...I offer you the same deal."
Alexia stood there dumbfounded "S-sir?" She stammered looking at the Elderly Admiral.
"We cannot upgrade your ship without you being a member of the UEG and the CIS, and we cannot let you leave knowing the location of our Colony." Hood continued, "Of course after this war if you wish to join the Alliance we will allow it but we will remove any upgrades we put on your vessel understand."
Alexia nodded and saluted again. "I accept your offer the SSV Normandy, its crew, and its CO are at your disposal Sir."
Liara stepped forward, "W-would the upgrades include your method of FTL? There is a planet I would like to check out nearby to see if something the Monitor said is true...sir." Liara gave a clumsy Salute.
"Well yes we will provide you a standard Corvettes slip-space drive, it in itself is only one part, it only opens the door for your normal engines to go take you there." Hood explained briefly.
Citadel
Council Chambers
/*\
"We can't get any clear information from the survivors...even our Specter is currently in a fear induced coma...what ever happened scared them so much their minds shut down" an Asari doctor told Tevos.
"Thank you Liana please do anything you can do to help them." She said calmly before ending the call and opening a cabinet and pulling out a bottle of Thessia Brandy before looking at the damage reports, at the melted armor. "Goddess help us all."
A/N Hello Everyone! I know its not as long as I said just short of being the longest. I tried to make it longer but it seemed to drag so I don't think I shall be doing chapters are more than 2000 words. So recap Peace is made, War declared, and troops defecting. I hope you enjoy this chapter like my previous chapters. As always have a wonderful Day / Night! Stay amazing my friends.
Update done: I changed some things, made things more detailed and fixed some of my little fun cameos I put in every chapter.