Chapter 3 Contact

24th, June 2535

UNSC Bonaventure Bridge

While Rear Admiral Charles Nelles was surprised by a human answering his hail, the young Rear Admiral also wasn't completely surprised by it. Thanks to the report from UNSC Knifes Edge about them using English in a partly decrypted transmission.

Reigning in his shock, he quickly looked at the man on the other side of the screen. He quickly noticed a few things. The most noticeable being that man on the other side was older than himself by at least one to two decades if grey sides, mustache, and greying top were any indication along with the normal signs. The second thing was the outfit being not too dissimilar to his own, with the only major differences being the lack of a UNSC emblem having a set of coloured rectangles and the lack of black on the shoulders and lapel.

Deciding that he'll be the first to speak. "This is Rear Admiral Charles Nelles of the UNSC, Captain of the Bonaventure, and Commander of Battle Group Carolina. And you are?"

The man on the other side looked shocked, whether it was due to Charles being so young for his rank or that he was commanding such a force he couldn't tell.

The older man quickly compiled himself and replied, "I'm Admiral Wullf Yularen of the Galactic Republic, Captain of the Resolute, and Commander of the fleet you see in the system.

Upon hearing that this, Admiral Yularen was part of an organization called the Galactic Republic. Charles was confused along with Romuald and the rest of the personnel onboard the bridge.

Many thoughts went through Charles's head, trying to make sense of what Yularen just said to him. Have they travelled through time to some time after the war with the Covenant? If so, then what of Earth the UEG. Did the UEG become the Republic? Did the UNSC return rule back to the UEG? Questions that'll have to be asked in person or for later. Though maybe he could at least find out what the fleet is doing on this planet and about the debris.

"So, think you could tell me what your fleet is doing out here and what those debris are," Charles asked, trying not to let the panic in his head not slip.

"Certainly." The Yularen replied, "We're out here to take back this planet from Separatist Forces who took the planet from us roughly a year ago. As for the debris, I feel it's self-explanatory, but it's a mix of our and Separatist ships." The Admiral stated.

Upon hearing the word Separatist, it sent a shiver down Charles's spine as it immediately and vividly reminded him of the war against the Insurrection that he was fighting in from when he first enlisted to relatively recently his own actions during it. It also worried him as a small minority of his personnel under his command were former Insurrectionists who only joined the UNSC as the alternative was to die by the Covenant. Now, what would happen that the threat of the Covenant was gone? Would they mutiny, or would they stay loyal? Charles was about to continue his thoughts when Yularen interrupted.

"Now that you know why we're here, Admiral. Why don't you tell us why you're here? Yularen asked.

This was a question Charles was dreading as he still isn't sure he can trust his Republic counterpart with why they truly were in the system. A half-truth will do, Charles thought to himself.

"We were conducting a patrol, and this was one of the systems on our patrol path," Charles told the half-truth to the Admiral, hoping he'd take the half-truth. "We certainly weren't expecting to make contact with another party," Charles added, hoping to alleviate some fears the Republic Admiral had of the UNSC Battle Group.

Orbit above Felucia 20 BBY

RRS Resolute Bridge

Hearing that his counterpart wasn't expecting to make contact with another power did, but his mind at ease somewhat. It still left him with questions. He said to make contact with another party but not first contact. That could imply that UNSC made contact with someone before they made contact with Yularen and his forces. There's also the fact that Admiral Charles seemly paused briefly when he said the Separatist when stating why the Republic was in the system if Yularen had to guess it possibly a flashback to events in Charles's life when dealt with a similar event. Questions for a more private setting, the ageing Admiral quickly thought to himself.

"Why don't we meet in person where a more formal introduction can be made between the UNSC and The Republic," Yularen asked his UNSC counterpart.

"while an in-person meeting does sound nice, Admiral, the question remains where would such an event be held. The nearby Planet could still be an active warzone, and a warzone hardly feels like a proper place to meet." Charles stated calmly, trying to hide a sense of nervousness.

Not picking up on his counterpart's nervousness, Yularen replied. "I propose my ship here, the Resolute, to met in person and make proper arrangements before heading to Coruscant to introduce you to the wider Galactic community."

"While meeting the wider Galactic community does sound nice, Admiral, I'm afraid we can't meet on your ship. Not yet, at least." Charles stated almost coldly.

Yularen felt partly vindicated for guessing that this wasn't the first contact with another civilization the UNSC had is almost certainly correct if Admiral Charles's tone was anything to go by. The second part of what the Admiral said left Yularen wondering about what kind of contact it was. He had a few guesses, and none of them good. So far, Yularen surmised that the UNSC had a civil war happen along with a hostile first contact, all happening within the lifetime of Admiral Charles.

"I assume you plan on meeting on your ship, Admiral?" Yularen asked, not wanting to press the issue of location as he doubts he would be able to make them budge on it.

"You are correct, Admiral. Besides yourself, you can bring three other people into the meeting. Besides me, you'll also be meeting with Colonel Chesty Glenn, and Captains Erwin Smith, and Gabriel Angelos. Besides, we'll have four people standing guard for the meeting." Charles stated and stated coldly for the second part.

"Can I at least have some men come on the ship and wait with it while we conduct our business, Admiral," Yularen asked, suspecting there might be some give on this as he doubts anyone would want to leave their ship? Exposed while in a meeting?

A few tense seconds later, Charles replied. "Fine, you can bring four additional men besides those needed to pilot as long as they don't stray too far from the craft. Am I clear, Admiral?" Charles replied

UNSC Bonaventure Bridge

"Crystal." The ageing Admiral replied.

To Charles, it seemed the meeting was finally about to wrap up. Thank god, Charles thought as he continued to try and hold back his nervousness and rising urge to vomit. Is this how Admiral Cole felt when he first saw the Covenant fleet at Harvest, he thought to himself.

"Good to hear, Admiral. How about we meet in two hours" Charles was about to end the call when he heard a deep voice from the other end.

"Is this the Captain of the unknown fleet, Admiral?" The voice asked.

"Why yes, General," Yularen said while stepping aside, revealing a humanoid alien. Upon seeing, Charles was shocked, and it took everything he had not to make his shock visible. After looking at the alien again, Charles noticed a few things some kind of apparatus, wearing what looked to be a brown robe and what looks to be white armour on its forearm and a young-looking man with dark hair wearing a similar but looking but black robe and if Charles had to guess some kind of cybernetic on or where his right hand would be.

"We'll be meeting with him and a few of his other commanders shortly, Generals," Yularen said to them.

"well, Admiral, I believe this is goodbye till we see each other in person. I believe we both have a meeting to plan." Yularen said before ending the transmission.

Indeed, we do. Charles thought to himself before rushing to the nearest men's room and hoping to god, or whatever deity there was, that a stall available as the stress and nervousness caught up to him.

UNSC Bonaventure Bridge Meeting Room

"You did what? Captain Angelos shouted at Charles.

"I did what I needed to do to make sure we could have an in-person meeting," Charles replied, trying to keep his composure.

"But was it necessary to meet on one of our ships?" Smith asked in a much calmer tone.

"There were only two realistic options for meeting The Resolute or The Bonaventure. The planet is a no-go as it could still be an active warzone, and there isn't much in the way of civilization on it. Look, meeting here means we're in a position of relative power." Charles said as calm as he could, trying not to break from the strain of having a pissed-off ONI captain yelling at him.

"I have to say it, but the Admiral is right. The Bonaventure is the right call; it gives us the relative position of strength, and I'm sure the two captains here are more than able to provide security for the meeting while my boys and I handle the hanger and any hallways our guests will be taking. Glenn said, finally chiming into the conversation.

"Thank you," Charles said to Glenn, relived that someone was on his side before continuing. "While I was vomiting my guts after meeting with Admiral Yularen, I had a few ideas for how we'll handle security for this event, and it was mostly as Captain Glenn said. Smith, I want three of your men standing guard with us during this while we have also had one of Angelos's men also standing guard in ODST gear but also paying attention to every word and action they do. We'll have him write a report on the four individuals. I want it to include a personality profile and any possible weakness they have just in case they turn hostile to us or the UNSC down the line. This will be in addition to any cybersecurity measures put in place. As for the test, Colonel Glenn has already stated what I want to be done. I suggest we get moving as we only have an hour or so to prepare." Charles ordered.

RSS Resolute Bridge

What did we miss, Admiral? Anakin asked Yularen. As the image of Rear Admiral Charles disappeared.

"I was able to set up a meeting with the UNSC Admiral; however, there are a few conditions to it. The first being that including me only three of us will be allowed into the meeting room itself, Second we're to enter the meeting unarmed, and third, we'll be able to bring additional men; however, they can just stay with the ship and can't travel a certain distance beyond it. Yularen stated

Before you ask Skywalker, this is in part due to a suspected hostile contact that they had before meeting us. I suggest it would be best if follow along for now." Yularen stated, shooting down Anakin before he had the chance to say anything.

"If what the Admiral is guessing is true, then we should do what they want for now. Least we drive them to the Separatists." Plo Koon stated.

"About that General when I was talking with Admiral Charles. I noticed he appeared to freeze up for a few moments when I said, Separatist. If I didn't know any better, I'd say Him, and the UNSC went through a civil war." Yularen stated to both Jedi.

"Well, isn't that perfect? A bunch of unknown people show up who just so happen to go through what the Galaxy is experiencing. What's next? They know where Ahsoka went off to next. Anakin said sarcastically.

"They might actually know where young Padawan Ahsoka went Skywalker. When I tried to reach out to them with force, I felt nothing like he didn't exist. I assume you felt this too, Anakin, an off feeling that you can't quite describe. Plo Koon stated and asked.

Now that you mention it, I do remember that feeling you're talking about master Plo but what does that have to do with anything? Anakin asked, not having made the connection.

"Admiral, when did the UNSC ships appear?' Plo Koon asked.

"Roughly two hours ago, why?" Yularen asked, not quite understanding what Plo Koon was asking.

"Because that's just after Ahsoka went missing and when that feeling started for me. Plo Koon stated.

"Wait, you're saying that these UNSC people and the uneasy feeling are somehow connected, Master Plo? Anakin asked, finally putting tighter the pieces.

That's exactly what I'm saying, Anakin. Since they waited around an hour and a half before contacting us, it means it's possible that they saw the ship that took Ahsoka if she was taken off-world. I'll have Commander Wolffe continue the search planetside while Captain Rex will come with us aboard the Bonaventure," Plo Koon stated.

"Well, looks like we have a meeting to prep for," Anakin said with a hint of hope as he made his way to the lift to inform Rex and the men.

A.N

Happy that a few of you guys have followed this story, as it means a lot to me and has helped eliminate a few doubts I've had of my writing ability going into this.

As of now I'll only be drawing from events in the 2003 Clone Wars Series, obviously the 2008 CGI sohw, and Republic commando. As that is stuff I know myself and can easily get to for reference. If any of you guys know any other good places to start, let me know as it'll allow you to have more time for content as I'll be writing what I know.

If any of you why Yularen is able to guess so well. In both legends and cannon Yularen becomes head of the ISB and I feel like to become of head of such an organization, he'd need pretty good deductive reasoning, so that's why I'm having him be like this.

For those who want some combat action, you'll have to wait till chapter 5 or 6

Once again, feel free to leave reviews, as that's the only way I'll be able to address issues and grow as a writer.