A/N: Okay, i know this is a short chapter, but there was not really all that much to write. It is mainly dialouge anyway.

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[ Blind Man's Bluff ]

Located deep in the mountains about forty miles outside the city of New Plymouth, was the headquarters and main military facility of the UNSC ground forces based within the Worth system, Fort Ragno. Located between two ridges within the Titan mountain range west of the Worth System Capital city and covering just over 750,000 acres, Ragno was home to a combined number of 90,000 UNSC Army and Marine corp personnel and was responsible for the defense of New Plymouth, as well as the cities of Saint Thomas and New Saigon against ground assaults .

From the outside the Fort was an impressive sight to behold in its own right, as the mountain range that surrounded the base created a natural barrier of solid rock and made it impossible for anyone to attack it directly from the ground. While numerous anti-aircraft batteries and surface to air missile silos dotted the mountain range above the base at stratigec points, making an aerial attack all but suicidal. In short, Fort Ragno was more like a fortress. But what was seen on the outside , compared to what was going on on inside the base itself. Or rather, inside the mountains that surrounded it.

Over the years, the UNSC had begun to tunnel out the mountain range and expand the base. Creating secret road ways that lead out of the mountains, as well as creating a number of chambers that held mass drivers and other orbital defense systems. It was no question that Ragno was built to be and quite possibly was an fortress.

But today, Ragno would be the location of what would be thee most important meeting to take place among the top brass of the UNSC and the Worth System colonies, in regards to the Galactic Civil war that was raging within the Andromeda Galaxy.

Sitting behind a large conference table was the supreme commander of the UNSC forces in the Worth System, Admiral Alexander Morrison. A native of Sargasso that had been living in the Worth System for the last 20 years and was the one who had lead the task force that destroyed the Trade Defense Force fleet over Naboo during Operation Just Cause. Next to him was the head of the Worth System colonial administration and Governor of Worth, Alexia Hikari. Who prior to becoming the Governor General of the Worth System was the ambassador to Naboo for a few years.

They were joined via video link, by the President of the Terran Union as well as the Joint Chiefs of staff who were either on Earth or on Reach.

"The situation in Andromeda is starting to deteriorate, I am afraid." Governor Hikari began, "This civil war is starting to tear the galaxy apart, from what I have learned from our consulates on a number of Confederacy and Republic worlds, there are reports of massive food shortages due to blockades by both feuding parties."

"And I am also afraid that our merchant vessels are no longer immune to this war as well" Admiral Morrison added, "In recent months a number of our merchant vessels have been forced to turn around because of the blockades. But I think the biggest problem is coming from the outer rim planets. Since both sides are too busy with fighting each other, piracy has become a major problem. Just last week their were three incidents involving our ships and pirates."

"Make sense," Admiral Ross replied. "When the cat is away the mice shall play and it appears that the pirates of the outer rim seem to be benefiting from the lack of regular patrols, thanks to this war."

"And apparently, they are not the only ones who are benefiting from this war as well." the head of the C.B.M.I spoke up, "From what our internal assets have been able to gather, both the mega corporations within the Confederacy have seen a major surge in their income since the start of the war. The Confederacy needs droids and they are more than happy to provide them, all for a certain price that is."

"Well that ain't exactly breaking news, General Chernof." Morrison replied, unimpressed by the general's statements.

"But it is when you compare it with recent debates in the Confederacy parliament." the Russian general informed him. "In recent months on Raxus, there had been calls from a number of of members to seek peace with the Republic and cut back on the amount of these 'Droids' as they call them, as well as to focus more on dealing with their own internal problems. But the Mega corporations would insist that they need as much droids as they can to win the war, even though on several occasions they were in a position to negotiate peace."

"It is like they want this war to go one no matter how many people get hurt or lose their lives." the president replied in a somber tone.

"It is the same situation in the Republic." Hikari spoke up, "The Republic Senate have approved to on numerous occasions to pump more and more money into the creation of more clones. Sometimes even diverting funds from other sectors to pay for their clone army."

"It's like both sides want this war to continue no matter what." St Clair replied. "But what I really want to know is what will happen to these massive armies once the war ends."

"That is what on the minds of many senators on both sides of the battle lines." Hikari told the president. A statement that caught St. Clair's attention, as she asked "Their are 'grumblings' within both camps, as it were?"

"Indeed." Hikari replied, "Apparently there are quarters in both the Republic and the Confederacy that are none too happy with how the war is going or being handled, especially within the Confederacy. Many of the worlds that has joined the Confederacy, joined because they thought that the Republic had become too corrupt for it's own good an they wanted to be apart of a government that cared about them. But instead they got a government that is just as corrupt as the Republic they are against."

"Kind of ironic when you think about it." the president said to the group. "But back to the question about these people having these large armies, is there a possibility that once this conflict is over that either the Republic or the Confederacy may consider us as a threat and may actually become a threat to us?"

"It is possible." Admiral Ross replied, "Both sides have created literally thousands of vessels. Either side basically out number us 3-1 and could crank out ships at an impressive rate. The only advantage we have is that we have more experience in space combat."

"There is also the matter with the Sangheili." St Clair added, to which every one there began to scowl. Even though it was common knowledge that the Covenant war was a result of a lie told by the Prophets and that the Sangheili were nothing more than pawns in their sick plans, there were still many humans that still distrusted the species that had almost brought them to the brink. There were still those that were willing to forgive the Sangheili but as far as the rest of humanity was concerned, they were no better than the Covenant "Jackals" or "Brutes".

"What about those Split lips?" Morrison asked, not even making an attempt to hide his dislike of the species.

"Admiral Morrison, I would ask that you keep your views about the Sangheili to yourself and focus on the meeting at hand." St. Clair chided the Admiral. "Need I remind you, if it were not for the Sangheili we would not be having this discussion. In any case I have been on the line with the Sangheili high council and they have pledged their support for us if war should break out."

"Our best bet right now should be to capitalize on the growing sentiment within both the Republic and the CIS." Chernof interjected, "Although there are grumblings in both parties, I suggest that we focus on the CIS."

"Why the CIS?" Admiral Morrison asked the general.

"Because in recent months Chancellor Palpatine has slowly begun to take full control of the Republic. He has been taking steps to grant himself absolute power under the guise that it is for the benefit of the war effort. True we did the same thing during the Covenant war but he has his fingers in every thing."

"So what are you saying? That the Republic is slowly coming under the control of a closet dictator?" Governor Hikari asked in almost a fearful tone. Chernof just nodded a bit and replied "It is just speculation, but that could be the case. Either way, it would still be easier to gain ground in the Confederacy."

"Well if that is the case, we have to do something. Either to end this war quickly or prevent a possible enemy from becoming a threat." Admiral Ross stated to the group, realizing that the task a head of them was easier said than done.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we should call it a day." St. Clair stated. "I think it would be best that we take some time to figure this one out before we meet again and I am very certain that we all have other pressing matters to tend to."

The other members of the meeting agreed to reconvene in a few days time to continue to discuss the matter at hand and after a few more words, everyone signed off.

But no sooner after the screen went blank on his end, the head of the CBMI quickly reestablished communications with one of his senior agents stationed within the Andromeda galaxy.

"Yes general." Roberts said, as he saw the image of his commanding officer appear on the screen.

"Ah, Robert!" Chernof said warmly. "I want to thank you personally for the work you did on your recent case. The information that you gained from that Cad fellow turned out to be very valuable."

"Thank you general." the spook replied, " But I doubt that you called just to congratulate me."

"Indeed, I want you to try and gather as much information as you can about Chancellor Palpitine." General Chernof ordered, "There is something about him that just does not feel right. Also, I have contacted our man on Raxus. When his mission is done he will contact you and you shall meet him when he does. Is that clear?"

"Crystal, sir." Roberts replied.

"Good, Chernof out." and with that, the communication feed ended. Leaving the head of the CBMI all alone at his desk and in deep thought.