Enjoy!
The Councilors, all viewed the video that was captured at the pirate staging system. The massive movement of the bandits had put the Turian Hierarchy and the Systems Alliance in high alert while the STG had already begun tracking the movements.
They all knew that the Batarians attacked the UNSC and their allies at Panora and how much the damage the armada incurred. Granted, the two biggest ships in the system, the ones referred to as colossal-dreadnaughts had received minor damages to their hulls while most of the others were heavily damaged.
The STG even managed to sneak a few probes to the other side of the relay to follow how the battle progressed on the ground and to say that the UNSC and Coalition were experts at war would be like saying the Salarians were shit at espionage. They were masters. The Councilors also witnessed the act of Glassing as they watched several Coalition warships enter geosynchronous orbit above massive concentrations of Batarian pirates and slavers and fire their energy lances literally burning them to glass.
Thousands fought and died in the defense of the planet and after a week of intense combat, both in space and on the ground, the Batarian pirates were evicted with brutality only comparable to the Rachni War. The UNSC and Coalition followed the limping pirates and destroyed, with unwavering ferocity, as many as they could before they could escape.
The aftermath of the battle was a sight most of the Councilors would not forget. Satellite images showed many of the cities destroyed and countless bodies littering the streets and fields and trenches. Space debris nearly blocked the images as wrecked hulls and spent munitions clouded views. A day after the battle dozens more warships showed up over a four hundred in total both Coalition and UNSC reinforcements had arrived.
But that was not what had the Councilors worried. No, what occurred at the dubbed, Omega System coined after the station and its lawlessness, is what had the Councilors in sweat.
They watched as a small ship of a UNSC scout ship that they had only seen once before, fire a single missile in the direction of the largest concentration of pirates and drop a probe before it left the system as quickly as it came.
For the next minute and forty seconds, the Councilors intently watched the missile split into twenty smaller warheads, each one heading to a different destination. And, almost simultaneously, twenty new suns erupted onto the screen. Every single planet and moon in the system had been alit in a grand flame, a few even blew apart and a planet exploded from the intense pressure.
Tevos gasped and covered her mouth in horror.
Valern, watched with an unnerving emotionless expression.
Sparatus stood silent and stoic, with internal grim satisfaction but with equal disgust and fear.
Udina was the most fearful of all and it was highly noticeable to anyone that watched the Councilors.
The display turned off just as the image fizzled out due to the probe being destroyed by the millions if not billions of space debris hurtling about.
"How? Just how?" Udina voiced. His mind just went blank on the possibilities that could come from this.
"Complicates things. But understandable." The Salarian Councilor voiced, his former career having the motors turning in his head already and at the questionable looks from the others he continued. "UNSC and Coalition, no other option. They can't go on the offensive even with the new reinforcements so they drew upon alternatives. However, barbaric and somewhat frightening, UNSC delivered a blow that will completely hamper the Batarians from future incursions into UNSC space."
Sparatus nodded his agreement, his more tactical points making their way into the conversation. "It bought them time to regroup and prepare for an offensive that will most likely end up with the destruction of the Batarians if they don't sue for peace."
The ramifications of a Batarian defeat quickly entered Tevos' mind. "The UNSC and Coalition would gain their territory and most likely put an end to the scheming and belligerent Terminus Systems."
"And it seems that they are not above destroying entire worlds to ensure they win." Udina interjected, both the system being blown to smithereens and the Coalition glassing to be rid of enemy armies, fresh in his thoughts.
To Sparatus, this entire situation was very conflicting. On one side, his more militaristic side, applauded the UNSC and Coalition on their part for stopping an invasion that would've put the Hierarchy into strain and used a means to stop any more and giving them and others second thoughts about messing with these new powerhouses.
On the other, however, was disgusted and fearful of just the implications this meant, if they were willing to completely obliterate an entire star system because of a major pirate attack on a colony then what if they fell into a total war scenario? A scenario where his species, for example, usually applied the philosophy of "The ends justifies the means".
There was a small pause before Tevos spoke again. "However, we may be dealing with future enemies, the UNSC and Coalition ambassadors arriving will probably clarify on the situation."
The Salarian councilor spoke this time. "Coalition has elected not to join us today. They seem to be following the lead of the UNSC with this conflict and likely may not want to ever engage in negotiations with us again. Our past history with our inaction against the Batarians seems to have edged them away."
Tevos visibly deflated, clearly disappointed by the news and sadly, she knew it was probably a correct one too. This moved her thoughts to the political fallout from this as well. "When the public hears this there will be outrage and the UNSC and Coalition will get more support in their campaign against the Batarians."
The other councilors knew that this would probably affect Tevos more than it did the others. For one, since the position of Councilor was a lifetime post and Asari having the longest life spans compared to the others, she had been at the forefront of seeking peace with the Batarians and always against any sort of campaign on the Terminus systems. And while Sparatus had constantly argued that point in the end it was three against one as even Udina always elected to leave the Terminus systems the way it is, even though the Systems Alliance had quite a few independent colonies out there and close while still the Traverse.
Sparatus was about to comment before he was interrupted by an Asari aide coming in from the front and informing the Councilors that the UNSC ambassador had arrived, this time in a super-dreadnought of sort but still made the Destiny Ascension look like a frigate maybe a cruiser if they were hopeful, if a bit prideful.
"I hope we can talk them out of declaring war." Tevos stated simply as the display turned on to show three UNSC dropships headed their way. "At the very least, maybe delay it so we can secure our borders just in case the Batarians try something."
Sparatus deemed Tevos a little bit too hopeful.
After a few minutes of silence, the opulent stairs were ascended by the UNSC ambassador and two unarmed ODSTs that from the satellite seemed to be orbit deployed from pods and heavily armed to boot. Shock troopers like these must've have had a mental regimen that was probably on par to their physical one. Something that was not possible with Element Zero. Something that Sparatus was deeply jealous about.
"Greetings, Councilors. I am Ambassador Lorain." A woman that looked to be in her mid-thirties with a pristine white navy uniform that had a number of ribbons decorating it but no medals. She had brown hair and cerulean eyes and a fit figure. "I am sorry to say that this meeting is under these circumstances and not under the light of recent events." She elected to stay standing; apparently she figured that this meeting wouldn't take too much time.
Tevos, as was always and her nature, took the lead. Something that the ambassador expected too as her eyes trained on the Asari as she finished her sentence. "We regret that indeed and offer our condolences to those that were in the defense of your colony." She paused and then continued. "However, we witnessed an event that has left us concerned as to the direction this war may take, assuming there are still plans about declaring it that is?"
"My superiors are still in debate, however, would you enlighten me as to what these events are?" She of course had been briefed by ONI on what occurred in the newly dubbed, System of the Damned.
The Salarian brought up the display and Lorain ordered the ODSTs to essentially not see what was about to happen, it was still classified but if the Council decided to go public with this, then there really was nothing she could do about it.
The display played what happened, and again she already knew this, expected it really or rather ONI expected it, it seemed that even in a different galaxy they had ears everywhere.
When it finished she called out to the guards that they could remove their blocks she had placed on them. "What is there to discuss about it? It happened and more than likely can happen again." She honestly and definitely wasn't cleared for that particular piece of info. "Ending on that, we are prepared to go to war and I am here to let you know of the conditions of it pertaining to you."
The Councilors gestured for her to continue all of them with a hitch in their breaths. Was the UNSC and Coalition moving against them?
"As the deadline nears to a close for the ultimatum presented to the Batarian Hegemony, the UNSC and Coalition felt inclined to let you know that any attempt to aid the Hegemony in a monetary, militant or civilian instance we will label the Council as a hostile entity and war will also be waged. " She quickly continued not letting them say anything in a rebuttal. "Any and all slaves will be freed and transported to a designated Council world. We will not be protecting them after that; it will be left to you. We will not be taking any slaves under our care should they want to leave the Council. I must stress that we will not be taking in any of your freed peoples.
We are not responsible for any immigrants that may leave the Terminus Systems as they will be considered as a fleeing force and will not be pursued unless absolutely necessary. Any and all pirates or those that participate in illegal activities such as firing upon soldiers of both the UNSC and Coalition or looting, regardless of race, that surrender to us, should the UNSC and Coalition carry out its campaign, will be treated as a pirate and shot on sight.
Any willing civilians that are found in a crossfire will be escorted to a designated Council world to be free from the war. However the UNSC and Coalition will not be responsible for any damages that may occur." She paused and let out an internal sigh. "Are there any questions regarding these points made?"
Of course there were questions.
The Council already decided that they would not support the Hegemony in any way, shape or form.
However, an influx of a massive former slave population would put a, albeit small, strain on the economy. That was not a concern at all however and the Council would greet the former slaves with open arms.
The problem was their form of justice that seemed rather barbaric. "Shot on sight?" Sparatus asked.
"I can guarantee that the UNSC will be giving no quarter to anyone in this campaign, the mission is to clean up a mess that has been festering for far too long. We will not condone it any longer. The Coalition even more so."
"The Systems Alliance has several independent colonies and few that are linked to us out in the Terminus Systems. What of them?" Udina questioned.
"Like stated before, any civilian that is willing to leave their home will be escorted by us from the battleground, those that stay will be expected to stay out of the way. If they are found looting, our soldiers will have orders to shoot on sight." Ever since the Insurrection, there became a zero tolerance on illegal activity during wartime or a natural disaster.
"What about use of WMDs on garden worlds?" Sparatus asked once again. "Or even orbital bombardment?"
"If it is necessary to use a WMD or orbital bombardment, then so be it. I am not the one that will be the one issuing those orders, I will simply be carrying them out."
"Will there be any motive to settle on any worlds that the UNSC or Coalition liberate or capture?" Valern questioned. "Will the Batarians be evicted from their homeworld?"
"Again, Councilor, I am only an ambassador. If there is any talk of colonizing captured worlds then I am not hearing any of it." She responded.
Silence hung in the air for a few moments after that statement. Lorain waited for any more questions but none came. She half expected the Asari to ask them to call a quits on the war discussions but she remained silent.
"If there are no further questions..."Tevos began. "Then the meeting is adjourned. Thank you for meeting with us, Ambassador Lorain."
"The pleasure is mine." She responded with a smile as she left.
These next couple of months was going to be insane that's for sure.
Shout out to hunter 139 for being the Beta!
Loving the response I am getting to this especially the PMs I am getting with awesome questions! Mostly, just to clarify some aspects.
Again, laying the groundwork for the future...
If you are looking for a different ME/Halo crossover, I recommend my latest work Against the Odds, new concept and a different style.
Until Next Time!