TheFishKing: Oh they definitely will be, and so will the services they can provide…

Skkarrty: You just wait. The Allies might be the protagonists but that doesn't mean they're gonna be objectively good

Edboy4526: This is a fun era cause I can make stuff up for the early days without damaging future canon too much

Chapter 3

Both Ways

2561 (May)- Following first contact in deep space near the UEG world Frontier, the Republic shuttle Radiant VII was allowed to land in the hangar aboard the Swords of Sanghelios battlecruiser Blood of Night, where Shipmaster Lykan 'Nanamai made first contact with the new arrivals in person. At first extremely confused by the appearance of humans, 'Nanamai believed they were a potential human splinter until Commander Nichols aboard the UNSC destroyer Pearl Harbor confirmed that these were indeed extragalactic humans, and shared no recent past with the humans of the Milky Way Galaxy. This discovery would send ripples through the UEG scientific community, as theories of extragalactic Forerunner activity began to appear.

Jedi Master Qui Gon Jinn was put off upon arrival aboard the battlecruiser, as it was immediately clear to the Jedi Master that Blood of Night was undoubtedly a warship, the likes of which the galaxy had not seen since the early days of the Republic. His aura of concern grew upon meeting the UEG contingent as he saw them as an equally militarized and paranoid faction as their alien allies. The Jedi Master grew concerned that the arrival of a heavily militarized entity into the peaceful galaxy could cause a great deal of problems.

Nevertheless, the Jedi and Mandalorian representatives were ferried into Allied space following confirmation that they were not a threat, and that there would not be a repeat of the Human-Covenant War. The Andromeda party was brought to Horizon, where they got a taste of Milky Way culture and met with the heads of the Allied Andromeda High Command. The meeting was a success and the Andromeda party was allowed to return to their Galactic Republic with news that a new entity had arrived in the galaxy and that, in the name of peace and progress, the new entity was eager to meet with the Galactic Republic.

So the Jedi returned to Coruscant while Allied Andromeda High Command met at their headquarters on Fortress, in a bunker beneath the Office of Naval Intelligence BLIZZARD Base...

May 28th, 2561∣2300 hours Local Time∣Fortress∣ONI BLIZZARD Base∣Sub Level 66-C

In the center of the room stood a round table reminiscent of the mythical King Arthur's table upon which it was inspired. The table had at its center the logo of the Allied Species of the Orion Arm, and around its circumference were the seven logos of each of its member species, though today only four were present. The Jiralhanae, Yan'me, and Unggoy had chosen to abstain from this meeting, trusting the decision on this most important of matters to the main three Allied species, while the Kig Yar attended at the UEG's request.

"For all intents and purposes, I would call the most recent turn of events to be an Allied victory," Admiral Helmut Mueller, Supreme Commander of UNSC Forces Andromeda Sector commented, "We're not at war, which makes this immediately better than last time."

"Indeed," Supreme Commander 'Rtas Vadum, Fleetmaster of the Fleet of Tranquil Solitude growled, "But it would be unwise to let our guard down."

"You don't need to tell us twice," Mueller commented, "Paranoia is the name of the game."

"And it serves us well," Rtas added, "I believe that our caution is warranted, though I believe that perhaps, in this instance, secrecy may serve us better than intimidation."

"Agreed," Mueller nodded, "I can confirm that the extragalactic party did not see or hear of anything larger than our Autumn class cruisers, which they seemed incredibly impressed by. Our carriers and supercarriers remained here on Fortress and were not seen."

"Our fleet...kept hidden," the bond brother pair of Hunter Captains that was Colony spoke in perfect unison in their broken version of English.

"Even if the existence of the Infinity class and other vessels is available to the public, we could, with the right efforts, make this Galactic Republic doubt their existence, and believe that they are propaganda and nothing more," Mueller said, "If we can convince them that our supercarriers don't exist, then we may have a massive advantage were a conflict to erupt."

"Indeed," Rtas agreed, "And I can confirm that our battlecruiser was all they saw of the Sangheili, and I have no intentions of allowing foreigners outside the Allies to visit Xihost or Vtlar. The task of hiding our CAS and CSO class will not be difficult."

"It's a coin toss," Mueller admitted, "And we can always switch over from secrecy to intimidation if it seems like they're not gonna fall for it. Whether they believe that the supercarriers are a myth we created to inspire the public or that they actually exist is up in the air. And if they don't believe it we could show off one or two, and keep the others hidden away."

"Further colonization...wise," Colony spoke in his alien monotone.

"There are a number of icy exoplanets adrift near our boundaries," Mueller said, "I could have ONI begin projects there to build secret facilities to hide our more valuable fleet assets. Fortress's existence is public knowledge, so enemy stealth ships could potentially spy on us here, but if we were to hide our supercarriers and future dreadnoughts in deep space exoplanets..."

"I see the merits in such an idea," Rtas growled, "The Sangheili would be honored to donate some of our cloaking towers to such a cause."

"Well, we have quorum," Mueller said, "All in favor of secret Allied colonization of deep space exoplanets for the intent of hiding our fleets say I."

A chorus of Is came from the four representatives on the Allied Andromeda High Command and Mueller nodded, "Very well, I'll have ONI get on it immediately, and have them brief Sangheili and Lekgolo special operations. This world will be our first: Midnight. In favor?"

The representatives agreed and Mueller nodded with satisfaction, sending commands to the BLIZZARD Base AI to begin carrying out his orders, and brief the Allies on HIGHCOM's decision.

"While the removal of valuable fleet assets from vulnerable areas is a wise precaution," Rtas mused, "Perhaps it would be unwise to see our neighbors as enemies before they become enemies. If we intimidate them, we risk starting a conflict where there would not have been one."

"Truth...lies...peace..war," Colony said cryptically.

"That's a fair point," Mueller replied to the Sangheili Supreme Commander, "If we appear to be misleading our new acquaintances, then we could get off to a rocky start with them. Perhaps our aforementioned misinformation campaign is unwise."

"All assets that exist as public knowledge should not be hidden from the Andromeda natives," Rtas said, "Our secret assets can remain secret, and our valuable but publicly known assets can be hidden in secret."

"On Midnight," Mueller agreed, "The public knows about the CAS and CSO classes as well as the UNSC carriers and Infinity class. Numbers, as usual, are a secret. The dreadnoughts under construction are classified as above top secret."

"So we show off our military might and let them wonder exactly how much we possess," Rtas said, "Omission is preferable to direct lies. I agree."

"So when the Galactic Republic delegation arrives on July 4th, we shall meet them at the border with a large but not over the top display of military might," Mueller said, "Then we can escort them to the Allied capital in Port Melbourne."

"But while military might is of great concern, so too is our economic situation, and potential opportunities associated with the Andromeda natives," the Kig Yar representative, Geb Rix, spoke for the first time. His squawks and caws were transformed into English through a translation device, "It is essential that we open trade networks into the new galaxy to expand our economic outreach and continue our rate of economic growth."

"Indeed," Mueller agreed, "A matter for the civilians on Horizon to decide, our only job is to make sure our civilian leaders remain safe and sound."

"In your case," Rtas pointed out, "You are the only Allied member who separates civilian and military, and even then, the line is thin. I represent all Sangheili in Andromeda."

"UNSC handles defense, and we're mostly autonomous, though the civilians have oversight and can step in when they choose."

"Whatever the case," Rtas growled, "This meeting is an excellent time to discuss the potential for future trade. I saw a great many opportunities when I spoke with the newcomers. Death Watch in particular seems to chase an honorable and valiant cause with which the Sangheili can empathize."

"And potentially sell to," Mueller followed where Rtas was leading, "Such a movement requires a great deal of weapons and supplies, I'm sure. Weapons their galactic government won't want to provide, but the Sangheili would be happy to provide...And the UEG can empathize with the Duchess's cause and potentially sell her supplies and weapons..."

"Which ensures the Allies profit no matter which side emerges victorious," Geb Rix growled greedily, avian eyes wide at the concept of new profits for the Kig Yar, "War profiteering is an art the Kig Yar have long since mastered. We would be more than happy to assist the Allies in such a cause..."

"Glad to hear it," Mueller smiled, "As a matter of fact, we might be requesting your services in this very matter..."

"I'm listening," Geb Rix said, looking on attentively.

"If the Death Watch is indeed an extremist organization, then this Republic most likely restricts or bars trade with them," Mueller mused, "But if experienced Allied smugglers and privateers were to ship contraband through their lines to this organization, then our societies could turn quite a profit..."

"I'm sold," Geb Rix agreed, "The details of such an operation can be arranged once we know more about our new neighbors."

"Indeed," Rtas said thoughtfully, "While it would be unwise to sell them top of the line Allied weaponry, we have quite a few relics from the Covenant era lying around...though based on what we've seen of native weaponry, even they might be too advanced."

"The Kig Yar would be willing to lend our Huragok contingent to the cause," Geb Rix hissed, "We could scale down and under power some old Covenant tech and sell it."

"The advantages of such an operation are multifold," Mueller commented, "Unreliable weapons won't last forcing Death Watch to buy more, especially since few others are likely selling to them, continued conflict will keep them unstable and less of a threat to us, and they will also give our weapons a reputation for being weak and unreliable."

"Which is anything but true," Rtas added.

"Well I have little doubt that my xenophobic civilian government will oppose such an operation," Mueller said, "The Kig Yar can begin breaking down and scaling back some of the old Covenant plasma pistols and rifles for selling to the extremists."

"But perhaps there would also be a venue for legal trade," Rtas mused.

"Indeed," Mueller agreed, "I think it's likely that some of our civilian and agricultural products will sell well in the new galaxy."

"A minor underground operation and a major legal trade network," Geb Rix hissed, "My attuned economic senses tell me that there will be great profit on the horizon."

"It's decided then," Mueller said as Colony voiced his agreement, "The operations can commence once we've made further contact."

Talk then shifted to the upcoming arrival of the delegates from the Galactic Republic...

44 BBY∣1200 hours Local Time∣Coruscant∣Jedi Temple

"And the Force, warned you about the newcomers, did it?" Yoda asked as Qui Gon stood alone at the center of the Jedi Council Chamber.

"No, Master," Qui Gon frowned, recalling his experience with the extragalactics, "That was the strange part, when I visited their world, I could sense the rock, the trees, the environment...but them and everything they brought with them...it might as well have not existed for it bore no trace in the Force."

"But that's not possible," Ki Adi Mundi pointed out, "It has been confirmed for many millennia that the Force is a vital ingredient for life and existence."

"Perhaps not for them," Mace Windu countered, "If they are indeed truthful when they claim to be from beyond the reaches of the galaxy."

"While I could not sense their feelings, I did not believe they were lying on that account," Qui Gon said, "The nature of their vessels, the location of their territory, their absence in the Force, it all points to them having an extragalactic origin."

"There's also the matter of their location," Plo Koon added, "It seems quite unlikely that a society with as much military prowess as these Allies seem to possess could spend thousands of years undetected, especially in such close proximity to Hutt Space."

"Their military presence, a threat you believe it is?" Yoda asked.

"At the moment, that remains unclear," Qui Gon answered slowly, "For such a small society, their military might seemed incredibly non-proportional, but their levels of paranoia suggest they seem far more concerned about invasion and attack than they are about outward conquest."

"So you believe this new faction does not constitute a threat to the Republic," Mace Windu clarified.

"That remains to be seen," Qui Gon countered, "A week spent with a society devoid in the Force and newly arrived within the confines of the galaxy is hardly enough time to judge their intentions."

"It would be wise to remain vigilant," Ki Adi Mundi counselled.

"As we shall," Mace Windu agreed, "There is still the matter of the Republic delegation which departs in a few weeks."

"Indeed," Plo Koon said, "Chancellor Valorum himself will be going, along with a number of Senators."

"Go with the delegation, I will," Yoda said, "Judge the newcomers in person, I must."

"I'll go as well," Mace Windu said firmly, "It's time for us to judge the newcomers as friend or foe."

A/N

So now we've met the Allied HIGHCOM and seen what they're all about. Now for some of you, this might be a problem, so get ready: the Allies might be protagonists, but that does not make them good.

The Allies aren't gonna be some heavenly knights of goodness, they'll be as flawed and pragmatic as ever. The UNSC was never the good guys in HALO, they just seemed like it because the Covenant were such maniacs. If anything, the mid and pre war UNSC was a lot like the Empire.

Post-war, they're better, but far from perfect.

And a xenophobic military alliance is all too happy to be war profiteers and to induce conflict among potential rivals….

-EliteArbiter