Note: this story will be The Legend of Korra, Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, and Stargate SG-1 crossover. But there will also be small multi-crossover chapters later in the story.
After the end of the war and the defeat of the Settlement Defense Front, peace returned to the solar system and the United Nations Space Alliance was able to restore order to Earth and began rebuilding. Even though most of the Earth fleet was destroyed in the war, the UNSA had enough ships and troops to keep Earth secure and send some to Mars.
After the defeat of SDF, their home planet of Mars was occupied by the UNSA forces. It was a necessary precaution to ensure that the people of Mars and what was left of SDF didn't go to another war with Earth.
Even though they won the war, Earth and UNSA still suffered heavy losses in the war and it was gonna take years to rebuild their fleet and it wasn't gonna be easy to find replacements for leaders who died in the war. But the people of Earth still prevailed and working and doing their best for a better future for everyone.
While the occupation of Mars and termination of SDF did bring problems with the locals, the UNSA forces were able to keep the people of Mars in the line and the planet isolated from Earth and its colonies.
The UNSA forces were able to recover the wreck of the Retribution on Mars and it was brought to Earth for repairs. The ship suffered a lot of damage from the attack on Mars and the shipyard but the engineers were confident that they could repair the Retribution and restore it to its former glory. Because the Retribution was the most valuable ship to the UNSA fleet, the leaders of Earth decided to accept the engineers' proposal to repair the ship.
But there was more. After the battle, the Earth forces were able to find Commander Nick Reyes and Ethan's microchip in his hand but that wasn't the amazing part, it was that he and Ethan were still alive. No one knew or found any possible explanations to how Reyes was able to survive in space after his helmet broke or how Ethan was able to take off the microchip containing his consciousness from his body and how it ended up in Reyes' hands. But questions had to wait.
Reyes was taken to the best hospital for recovery and the chip was taken to the best laboratory where the scientists were building a new body for Ethan. Even though Reyes was still alive and Ethan intact, it was going to take a while before both of them would be back in the field.
While everyone was doing their duties, Executive Officer Nora Salter, one of the four survivors of Retribution, gave a tour to the new member of the SCAR who graduated from the academy, Lieutenant Jason Connor.
"As you can see, lieutenant. Even after the biggest attacks from the SetDef, we still prevailed," Salter said as she pointed at the buildings that were being rebuilt.
"Yes, ma'am. It's a shame that I didn't graduate when SDF attacked, I could've helped," Jason said.
"There's nothing you could've done, lieutenant. Besides, I think it's good you didn't graduate during the war. You're still alive thanks to that," Salter said.
"I know. I just can't help but think that I missed all the action," Jason said.
"I know how you feel but a lot of people died in the war, including most of the crew of Retribution. If you would have taken a part in the war, you would have likely died along with most of our forces," Salter said.
Jason didn't say anything because he knew that Salter had a point. If he would have graduated sooner and entered the war, he would probably be dead by now. But him not being in the war might also serve as an opportunity for Jason. With Retribution being rebuilt and Captain Reyes in recovery, he might get a chance to work with the best people in the whole UNSA fleet.
"How are Captain Reyes and Ethan doing?" Jason asked.
"Reyes is healing but slowly while Ethan is still in that chip we found. Reyes is very lucky to be alive and Ethan lucky to be intact," Salter said.
"But how did they even survive? The chances of that weren't exactly high," Jason said.
"We don't know. But our best guess is that maybe Ethan was able to transfer himself to one of SetDef's robots and went after Reyes," Salter said.
"But it still doesn't explain how Reyes survived or how did Ethan get to him. We didn't exactly find any traces of robot or ship," Jason said.
"I know but we're all in the dark here. I'm just glad that they're both ok, that's what matters," Salter said.
"Yes, ma'am," Jason said.
It was very strange that Reyes was able to survive in space even though his helmet broke and Ethan was intact in his chip even though his robot body self-destructed in the SDF shipyard. It just didn't make any sense and they didn't find any explanations. It was almost like God or some powerful being saved them and brought them to Earth so they could be found.
Jason didn't really believe in those kinds of things but some people did believe in them because they haven't found any logical explanations to how Reyes and Ethan survived. Jason and Salter walked for a moment until they received a radio call.
"Salter here," Salter said.
"Ma'am, it's Captain Reyes. He's conscious," the doctor said.
The sudden news took both officers by surprise but they knew what they had to do next.
"Understood, we're on our way," Salter said before turning off her radio.
Later in the hospital
When Jason and Salter arrived at the hospital, they were guided to Reyes' room where he was lying on the hospital bed. When he heard the door being opened, Reyes turned to his guests.
"Salter," Reyes said weakly.
"Captain," Salter said.
The minute went by until Salter carefully approached Reyes and gently hugged him. Jason couldn't help but smile at the scene because two officers who fought side by side against SDF were once again reunited.
"It's good to see you again, sir," Salter said.
"You too, Salter," Reyes said.
After they broke the hug, Reyes asked what happened while he wasn't awake.
"What did I miss?" Reyes asked.
"Well, a lot really," Salter said.
"Tell me about it," Reyes said.
Later
After Salter (with Jason's help) explained everything that has happened, Reyes sighed in relief that everything worked out. But he was also sad because most of his crew were killed in their attack on the SetDef's shipyard on Mars and only four survived, but it was better than none.
After Reyes was told everything that has happened, he turned to Jason and offered his hand.
"Congratulations about your graduation, lieutenant," Reyes said.
"Thank you, sir," Jason said as they shook hands.
"I take it that you were the top cadet in the academy," Reyes said.
"Well, not exactly. One of the best sure but I'm not sure if I was the top cadet," Jason said feeling a little awkward.
"Your records say otherwise," Salter said.
"But I'm not the only one who graduated and got the best record," Jason said.
"I think you're referring to Combat Engineer O'Neill," Salter said.
"Who?" Reyes asked.
"Jake O'Neill was another cadet who graduated at the same time as Connor did," Salter explained.
"Jake and I are childhood friends. He can fix anything and he's also good with guns, especially when it comes to testing and upgrading them," Jason said.
"Sounds like someone you'd want to your new crew, along with Connor of course," Salter said.
This caught both Jason and Reyes by surprise.
"My new crew/his new crew?" Reyes and Jason said.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you about it," Salter said.
"Uh, tell us what exactly?" Jason asked.
"I think it's better to show you," Salter said.
Later
After Salter convinced the doctors that Reyes needed to see what the UNSA was working on, they agreed to let him go only that he returns to the hospital after three hours. When they were arranged with a Raven dropship, they flew through the Earth's atmosphere into space.
When they got to where Salter was taking them, Reyes couldn't believe what he was seeing. Between the Earth and Moon was the Retribution where it was being rebuilt and repaired from the damage it suffered on Mars.
"I can't believe it, it's the Retribution," Reyes said.
"Yes, sir. It was recovered from Mars and when it was brought to Earth, the UNSA approved its repairs," Salter said.
"And it will also receive some new upgrades such as new shield and weapon technologies," Jason added.
"And when it's finished, the Retribution will receive a new crew. And of course, her captain," Salter said.
Reyes couldn't help but be both shocked and amazed. Amazed because the Retribution was being restored to its former glory and shocked because he didn't think that the Admiralty, let alone the UNSA would let him continue being the captain of Retribution.
"Really? Even after all we've been through they still want me to be the captain?" Reyes asked.
"Of course. And don't worry, there will a few familiar faces in the crew," Salter said.
"You mean those from the original crew who survived?" Reyes asked.
"Yeah," Salter confirmed.
Reyes was about to ask who the other three survivors were until they were suddenly interrupted by the radio call. Salter sighed before she pressed the comm-link on her ear and answered the call.
"Salter here," Salter said.
"Are Captain Reyes and Lieutenant Connor with you?"
"Yes," Salter said.
"Come to Geneve immediately. The admiral wants to see you all."
"Understood, we're on our way," Salter said before closing the comm-link.
Later in Geneve
Jason and two older officers got to Geneve, they were escorted to the building of admiralty. The elevator took them to the top of the building and from there they got to the office where the admiral was waiting for them.
"Admiral, sir," all three officers said.
"At ease, at ease," the admiral said.
"Forgive me sir but who are you?" Reyes asked not recognizing the new admiral.
"Nick," Salter said.
"It's alright, executive officer. I am Admiral John Sumner, the new commander of the UNSA and Earth fleets," Sumner said.
"It is an honor to meet you, sir," Reyes said.
"It is an even greater honor to meet you, Captain Reyes. You and your crew defeated the SDF by destroying their shipyard and saved the Earth from total annihilation," Sumner said listing the great deeds Reyes and his crew did to save the Earth.
This made Reyes and Salter feel a little awkward because people always spoke highly about their heroics. Sumner was about to say more until he noticed Jason standing there next to Reyes.
"Jason? Is that you, kid?" Sumner asked.
"Hey, I'm the only Jason Connor you know," Jason joked.
Sumner couldn't help but laugh a little before he and Jason shared a little hug which confused Reyes and Salter a little.
"Excuse me, sir. But do you know Connor?" Salter asked after Jason and Sumner broke the hug.
"Before I became the admiral, I was Jason's mentor in the academy," Sumner said.
"Really? He was your mentor?" Salter asked Jason.
"Yep. He and my father have been friends ever since they were teenagers. They served together in the Earth fleet until they got different assignments," Jason told them.
"But how did he become your mentor?" Reyes asked.
"I'm getting there, sir. When I got to the academy, Sumner was major at the time. When he heard about me entering the academy, he asked the admiralty to give him a job to be a mentor in the class I was in," Jason explained.
Reyes and Salter nodded and felt happy for Jason's reunion with his old mentor. But the topic was soon changed into a serious one when Sumner began to tell them the reason why he summoned them.
"Alright, back to business. I'm sure you're all wondering why I wanted you here," Sumner said.
"Of course, sir," Reyes said.
"Well, the reason is quite simple. It concerns about the Retribution and its new mission," Sumner said.
"If I may, sir. What new mission?" Jason asked.
Sumner couldn't help but smirk because this was the part he was eager to tell the officers in front of him.
"The admiralty has decided that the Retribution's new mission will be to leave our solar system and explore the galaxy," Sumner told them.
Jason and the others were taken completely by surprise. They never expected that the UNSA would ever consider sending a ship out of their solar system to explore the galaxy.
"Wow. We never expected this but what does it have to do with us?" Jason asked.
"I'd like to know that too, sir," Reyes said.
"I along with the admiralty have decided that you Reyes will be the ship's captain. And Salter will be your first officer and second in command," Sumner said.
"But what about me?" Jason asked.
"You will be the leader of the SCAR team onboard Retribution," Sumner said with a smile.
"What?! Really?" Jason asked.
"Your father and I thought that the time has come for you to lead your own team," Sumner said feeling proud for Jason.
Jason couldn't believe what just happened. Not only was he gonna be part of Captain Reyes' crew onboard Retribution but he was also gonna be given his own team to command. But there was still one thing that he wanted to ask, who was gonna be members of his team.
"What about the members of my team? Can I choose them?" Jason asked.
"I thought you might ask that. It's still gonna take some time until the Retribution is ready so you have a lot of time to choose the members of your team," Sumner said.
"Thank you, sir," Jason said with a smile.
"If you don't have anything else to ask then that will be all. Dismissed," Sumner said.
Jason and two older officers saluted before leaving the office. But right after they left, Sumner received a call from his long-time friend, Jack Connor who also was Jason's father.
"Hello, Jack," Sumner said as he answered the call.
"Hello, John. How did my son react to his new assignment?" Jack asked.
"He took well as we thought, he also wants to choose who's going to be on his team," Sumner said.
"I can already guess who he wants to be in his team," Jack said.
"Yeah, sometimes he really is full of excitement just like you were in his age," Sumner said.
"Come on now, John. We were both like that when we were younger," Jack said.
The two old friends laughed when they remembered just how like Jason they were when they were in the academy and later in the Earth fleet. Even though Jack and Sumner were a little too old to go on the adventure to explore the galaxy, they still had their good time on Earth.
A few weeks later
The great day had finally arrived. The Retribution was finally fully repaired and ready for its long voyage throughout the galaxy. The only thing that needed to be done was to get a new crew onboard the ship. While the Retribution was in the middle of the Earth and the Moon, the members of the crew were getting into Raven dropships and preparing for takeoff. The crew consisted of SATO forces that were given a new mission to explore the galaxy now that the threat of the SDF was gone.
While Jason was walking on the airfield in Geneve looking for his dropship, he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. I wasn't watching where I was going," Jason apologized.
But when he looked at the person he bumped into, his eyes widened. In front of him was Lieutenant (also a combat engineer) Jake O'Neill who graduated from the academy on the same day as Jason did. They were also childhood friends who've known each other ever since their preschool days.
"Jake?" Jason asked.
"Jason? Is that really you bro?" Jake asked.
They stood there for a minute until they shared a brotherly hug.
"Jake, it has been a while," Jason said happily.
"Yeah, it feels like it's been a lifetime when we saw each other the last time," Jake said with excitement.
After they broke their hug, the two friends started chatting.
"So, how have you been?" Jake asked.
"Very well actually. I became a lieutenant and Admiral Sumner gave me my own team to command," Jason said. "What about you?"
"Well, I became a combat engineer and shortly after that I got an invitation to be the Retribution's arms expert and chief mechanic," Jake said.
"That's good to hear, bro. Although I hoped you would be free so you could be part of my team," Jason said.
"Actually I can be that too," Jake said.
"What? How?" Jason asked.
"Let's just say I have a spare mechanic who takes care of things while I'm on the field," Jake explained.
"Well, that's a really nice surprise because one of the places in my team is yours," Jason said feeling very happy.
They walked for a minute until they finally found the dropship they were supposed to depart in. But when they walked close to it, they saw Reyes and Salter but they were accompanied by a robot they recognized as Ethan.
Reyes and Salter were talking with Ethan until they saw two newcomers walking to them.
"Connor, O'Neill, you're just in time," Reyes said.
"We would never miss this, sir," Jason said.
"Who's this guy?" Jake asked politely as he looked at Ethan.
"Enhanced Tactical Humanoid 3rd revision, also known as E3N but you can call me Ethan," the robot said.
"Ethan? Of course, I've heard from you. You were a member of the original crew of Retribution," Jake said.
"I see you have done your homework, lieutenant," Salter said.
"I make it my business to know everyone from the crew so I'll get along with them," Jake said.
"Is he serious?" Ethan asked.
"Come on now, tin man. I'm not a stalker," Jake said.
The team couldn't help but laugh at Jake's joke, even Ethan laughed even though he was a robot. After they were done laughing, Reyes thought it was time to join the rest of the crew ready for takeoff.
"Alright, I think we have waited long enough. It's time to go," Reyes said.
Everyone nodded and entered the dropship where the pilot waited for them. After Reyes told the pilot that they were ready, the pilot turned on the engines flew them into the sky and the other dropships followed with the whole crew.
It took only a few minutes until the dropships reached the Retribution that was waiting for them in all of its beauty. It made Reyes shed a few tears because he truly was happy to see his ship again.
When the bay doors opened automatically, the dropships landed in the hangar bay one by one until they were all in. The crew slowly exited the dropships and went to their stations around the ship while Reyes along with Jason and others headed to the bridge.
While Reyes was looking at the bridge, he could hear the voices of his old crew still haunting the ship where he served along with them.
"I wish you would all be here. Gator, Mac, Griff, Omar," Reyes thought sadly.
But he didn't have time to mourn the loss of his old crew and turned to Salter and the others.
"What's the status, Salt," Reyes asked.
"The crew is in their stations, captain," Salter said.
"The weapon and shield systems are online, sir," Jason said.
"The FTL drive is operational. We're ready to jump into our destination on your orders, sir," Jake said.
Before Reyes could give the order to jump into FTL, they received an incoming call from Sumner.
"Sir, it's the admiral," Jason said.
"Open the channel," Reyes said.
Jason nodded and pressed the button that opened the screen on the bridge showing Sumner standing in his office.
"Captain, Reyes. I see you and your crew are ready for takeoff," Sumner said.
"Yes, sir. My crew and I didn't want to delay our departure," Reyes said.
"Glad to hear it, captain. But there is something I'd like to tell you and your crew," Sumner said.
Reyes nodded and told Jason to connect Sumner to the ship's loudspeakers. When the connection was established, Sumner began his speech to the crew of Retribution.
"Every great moment in our history began with a dream. Each bold leap forward was achieved by those willing to do anything to attain it."
The crew stopped what they were doing and began to listen to the admiral's speech.
"You are, all of you leaving behind families, homes, the very birthplace of our species. Some for discovery, to see the unknown. Others for a new start."
Jason and the others felt a little sad about that part because they were indeed leaving their friends and families. But they knew that they will come back someday.
"But today, whatever the reasons... You are taking the first steps toward a new future for humanity. We dream of exploring the unknown, of finding the edge of the map, and then discovering what lies beyond."
The crew listened eagerly to every word the admiral said and could tell that he was telling the last part of his speech.
"Good luck and godspeed."
After Sumner finished his speech and closed the channel, Reyes told the crew to get to their stations and be ready for the drop. When everyone was in their stations and ready for a drop, Reyes turned to his officers who eagerly waited for his order to jump.
"Well, this is it," Reyes said.
"Just like the old times, Nick," Salter said.
"Just like the old times," Reyes said.
"We're all ready, captain," Jason said.
"Just say the word and we'll be on our way," Jake said.
"Alright, everyone. Off we go," Reyes said.
"With pleasure, captain," Salter said.
After Reyes gave the order, the crew activated the drop engine. When the engine was fully charged, Reyes pressed the button and the ship jumped into FTL.
Meanwhile in the Southern Water Tribe
While everyone in the tribe was sleeping, the Avatar named Korra was sitting on top of the snowy hill watching the stars with her polar bear dog, Naga. While Korra was watching at many constellations, she couldn't help but dream.
"What would it like to be out there? To see what is on those stars?" Korra asked.
Naga let out a small noise as a sign of curiosity.
"I see you're also interested in what I was thinking, girl," Korra said as she turned to Naga.
Naga simply looked at Korra first and then pointed her muzzle at the night sky filled with stars. While the two of them were watching the stars, Korra was thinking that could she someday see what is waiting outside her world.
"What is this feeling? Why do I feel like that my fate is not only to bring balance to this world but to all worlds out there?" Korra thought as she watched the stars.