Everyone Who Mentioned Blue Team: Yea I know they can, but I had something else in mind. Besides, the main combat really begins decades after Halo Infinite and 5 were taking place. I know I could easily slip them in, but I wanna give Red Team some love, as well as some new faces.

Also I really like the idea of Supreme Allied Commander 117…. we'll get there

Chapter 5

Retribution for the Diamond Hands

June 26th, 2573∣150 hours Local Time∣Coruscant∣Allied Species Embassy to the Galactic Republic∣UEG Wing∣Office of Naval Intelligence

The only light in the darkened, windowless conference room was at the center of the ceiling, casting the table in an ethereal blue glow and casting the people seated at the table in shadow. Such was the designers' intention when creating the building.

"I think we can agree the Naboo situation is unacceptable," one of the shadows spoke in an icy voice, her words cutting through the darkness like icicles through snow, "The aliens' move has cut off a significant economic asset from trade with the rest of the galaxy. Including the Allies."

"Space X and Virgin Galactic shares dropped significantly yesterday," an older man's voice added, "They are our largest Andromeda trade corporations operating in Andromeda at the moment and Naboo is one of their hub worlds. The shareholders are unhappy, and the corporation's profit margin has thinned."

"I need not reiterate that the Allied economy in the Andromeda sector is fledgling and fragile," the first woman growled, "And until such a time when our foothold becomes more secure, it is vital that the UNSC defends UEG assets in this galaxy. Yesterday, the Federation blockade turned around the UEG flag freighter MV Oregon Trail, under threat of destruction. Such an event cannot be allowed to go unpunished, and most certainly not be allowed repeated."

"And naturally, it falls to the Office of Naval Intelligence to come up with solutions," a new voice said.

"Naturally," the woman responded. There was a brief silence, broken only by the soft rustling of loose paper.

"Tell me, Director Osman, would I be wrong to assume that you already have a plan to deal with the Naboo situation?" an older male voice asked.

"You would not," ONI Director Serin Osman growled, "Naturally, the Office of Naval Intelligence has already drafted a plan to deal with this...unfortunate series of events."

"So tell me, does this mysterious plan require my naval assets?" the older man asked, "Or can it be resolved quietly with a black op or hack?"

"ONI leadership, as well as Allied HIGHCOM, believes a display of our might is long overdue," Osman said ominously, "The galaxy must know that we protect our investments, and that neither us nor our companies are to be trifled with. I recently spoke with Supreme Commander Mueller, who informed me that the president gave Operation LINEBACKER the go ahead. Our instructions are to allow the Senate to hear Senator Amidala's plea, and if they take no serious action against the Federation, and our analysts assure us they won't, we are to launch the operation."

"Well if LINEBACKER is a go, then you don't need to convince me for the naval assets," the older man commented, "I'm sold."

"Not that it was your choice anyway," Osman sighed, "I'm told it will take three days to assemble the assets necessary, once that is completed, we'll launch the mission."

"Damn straight," someone growled, "High time we show some alien bastards that the real humanity doesn't fuck around."

June 30th, 2573∣1100 hours Local Time∣Naboo∣Deep Space∣MV Nome

On the bridge of the massive cargo vessel, the veteran merchant captain wiped sweat off his brow. A former captain in the UNSC Navy during the Human-Covenant War, Captain Francis had left the UNSC because he could no longer handle the stress of these types of encounters. Now he was back in the thick of things, it seemed, and he did not like, not one bit.

Of course, the ten massive ships of the UNSC Navy should have given him comfort, but for the Captain, they only exaggerated his nervousness. He had seen far too many UNSC ships cut to ribbons by alien vessels during the war to feel any sort of confidence in the Navy's ability to protect his freighter.

Why the UEG thought engaging another alien species was a wise idea was beyond him. Sure, they claimed they had made great technological strides since the war's conclusion, but Cpt. Francis had yet to see any of that. The cargo vessels were still as grimy and slow as ever, and the Navy escorts still looked exactly like the Halcyon Class he had commanded towards the end of the war. The Halcyon's had been slow and underpowered, and even thirty years ago were not the pride of the fleet, so why the Navy wanted to use them now was beyond him.

Well technically they were called Autumn Class now, but the Captain's experienced eye could not make out a difference between them and the Halcyons.

Hell, if it wasn't for corporate and my blasted sense of duty and responsibility, I wouldn't even be in this mess, Francis thought ruefully, but alas, he was not the type of person to allow the younger and less experienced captains get themselves into this kind of mess. Out of all the cargo captains Virgin Galactic operated in the Andromeda Galaxy, he was the only one with extensive combat experience.

So he'd just have to hope these Halcyons not Halcyons could do their jobs and get him through the alien blockade and back out again so he could go home, collect his pay check and release his stress while sitting on his couch watching movies.

Come on Navy boys, Francis thought, I know you're probably green, but just do your jobs. For fuck's sake we're on offense this time, so please, in the name of all that's holy, don't fuck this up and please just get me home again.

32 BBY∣1200 hours Local Time∣Naboo∣Trade Federation Blockade∣Vuutun Palaa

On the bridge of his command ship in the formation of Lucrehulk Class battleships blockading Naboo stood Neimoidian Captain Daultay Dofine. The alien captain had built himself quite the repertoire of questionable activities before he had been chosen personally by Trade Federation Viceroy Nute Gunray to lead this operation.

Vuutun Palaa and its captain had become rather infamous in the Outer Rim and Expansion Regions in the past decade. Dofine routinely used his ship to its full capacity much to the chagrin of other trade factions and to the pleasure of the higherups in the Federation. Dofine was himself a model Trade Federation captain. He used his battleship to pirate from any and all ships he ran across on his Outer Rim patrols, occasionally even vessels paying for Trade Federation protection. He robbed cargo frequently, and sometimes even took captives as well, as the captain already had many connections in the criminal underworld willing to pay handsomely for new slaves. The new Zygerrian Empire, in particular, took great interest in the rewards of Dofine's malicious activities.

But no one was happier with Dofine than he superiors, who reaped great rewards from the captain's plunder, especially since the Republic could do little to prevent the mega corporations lawlessness. Many in the Federation wished the corporation possessed more captains like Dofine.

Dofine planned this operation to be his crowning achievement, and expected a major promotion and bonus following its completion, even as he expected massive income from the goods he had plundered from the world below. Yes, this operation, an especially bold one for the Federation, was going to be a massive success under his watch.

Dofine made the Neimoidian equivalent of a smile as he stood from his command chair to gaze through the viewport at the bountiful planet below. His forces had yet to fully inventory its acquired goods, but judging from the wealth of this world, it would be substantial, perhaps even his biggest haul yet.

"Sir, energy spike detected," a B-1 battle droid operating a control panel pulled him from his thoughts, "New contact entering the system!"

"Who is it?" Dofine asked angrily, furious at whoever was going to make a run at his unbreakable blockade. But before he could answer, the identity of the vessel was made clear, as the freighter's massive, ugly, and boxy design marked it as a ship used by one of the Allied factions. Dofine's pay had taken a dip following the extragalactics entrance into the galactic economy, and he had nothing but hate and contempt for the unwelcome newcomers into the galaxy.

Dofine had only allowed one vessel to slip through the blockade, and that had been the one ferrying the Queen and her party back to their world. He had been ordered to give a spirited attempt to shoot them down, but ultimately he was to let them pass, which he had done. The Viceroy still wanted his treaty signed, and he needed the Queen alive for that. So her little starship had been allowed through, but this hulking monstrosity was another matter entirely.

"It appears to be an Allied vessel, Sir," a droid reported stupidly.

"I know!" Dofine shouted at the moronic machine, "I'm not BLIND! Hail them immediately!"

"Yes, Sir," the droid replied as Dofine seethed. Only an extragalactic would have the nerve to run his blockade.

Maybe now I'll get a chance for some revenge, Dofine thought maliciously mentally daring them to run at his blockade.

"Patching them through now, Sir," a droid reported.

Moments later, Dofine was looking through his holoscreen at the wrinkled and weathered face of an extragalactic human, and Dofine hid his disgust. Humans were bad enough, but extragalactic ones were even worse. Disgusting, invasive parasites.

It seemed the human had similar feelings regarding Dofine's own appearance as the man said in a voice dripping with disgust, "Greetings...whatever you are, I am Captain Gregory B. Francis of the Virgin Galactic freighter MV Nome, operating under the flag of the United Earth Government and the Allied Species of the Orion Arm. I am carrying a shipment of agricultural products and frozen goods bound for the port in Theed. Shall I send my cargo manifest?"

"That won't be necessary," Dofine replied with what little patience he had, "This system is now under the occupation of the Trade Federation pending the local leadership's agreement to a fair and wise treaty proposed by the Viceroy of the Federation. Until such a time when an agreement is reached, access to this system is barred. Attempts to run the blockade will result in the use of deadly force."

"Can you be a little more clear?" the extragalactic captain asked.

"Are you deaf?! Or just stupid?" Dofine lost his patience, "I, Captain Daultay Dofine of the Trade Federation Defense Fleet, am ordering you to leave this system at once or you will be destroyed!"

"But see, that's the problem," the human responded patiently to Dofine's rant, "I can't do that, because you see, what you're doing here, this whole operation you got going on, we don't like it. The UEG doesn't believe you as a mega corporation have the right to restrict this sovereign system from trading with anyone else or to use intimidation and threats to force them to agree to your terms...Or in other words, the UEG doesn't like that your actions are hurting the profits of some of our own corporations, so we're here to say that we intend to conduct trade with the Naboo regardless of your blockade. My apologies, captain, but I'm going to need you to move aside and let us pass."

"WHAT?!" Dofine practically screamed, pushed into a fury at the misplaced confidence the extragalactic seemed to possess, "Are you BLIND?! I don't care if your government or your corporate heads don't like what we're doing here! Turn around or be destroyed, that is your ultimatum."

"I have an ultimatum for you, captain," the human captain, unfazed by Dofine's threats, countered calmly, "Move aside and allow us passage, or your blockade will be destroyed."

"By one freighter?" the man's strange claims and confidence actually caused Dofine to laugh, "Please, try and destroy us."

"Be careful what you wish for, captain," the human replied slowly, "Who said anything about one ship?"

Suddenly, as the link to the freighter was cut, a droid called out, "Energy spike detected! Ten new contacts emerging!"

Dofine looked out the viewport to catch sight of ten ships emerging from strange black holes. Their FTL method pinned them as extragalactics and as Dofine looked on, he could tell they were clearly warships, as the blocky grey vessels formed up alongside their smaller freighter. The one thing that stood out about the extragalactic fleet, besides their ugliness, was the sheer size of their warships. The largest ships were not quite as large as a Lucrehulk, but they were still quite large. Larger than any warships Dofine had ever had to engage in the Outer Rim.

"The lead ship is hailing us, Sir!" a droid asked as a much less confident Dofine motioned for him to accept it.

June 30th, 2573∣1200 hours Local Time∣Naboo∣UNSC End of the Line

"So much for the diplomatic solution," Vice Admiral Archibald Vickson said quietly to himself as the UNSC fleet assigned to Operation LINEBACKER jumped to Slipspace following confirmation from the Virgin Galactic freighter that military intervention would be required.

The UNSC fleet had been parked in deep space out system from Naboo awaiting a call from MV Nome that the blockade would not allow its passage and that the presence of naval assets would be required to persuade the Trade Federation to comply with their demands.

Of course, the Federation had refused the freighter's demands, so now the Navy was coming to ram the freighter through the blockade, by force if necessary. Just as the ONI report had predicted.

"Arrival in system in T-minus twenty seconds," the navigator reported.

"Take us from yellow to red alert," Vickson ordered as he stood on the center of the bridge of his Autumn class cruiser, "Get the Marines to their stations just in case, and begin charging up the MAC."

"Yes, Sir," the shipboard AI responded as its hologram winked out of existence to carry out the Vice Admiral's orders.

Alarms began blaring all around the ship as the men already at their battlestations readied themselves for possible fleet action. Moments later, the Slipspace alarm sounded, announcing the end of their short Slipspace jump.

"All ships reporting in," the AI announced, "The freighter is still intact and making its approach, just as ordered. I count 15 possible tangos making up the Naboo blockade, Lucrehulk class. We should be in range within a minute."

"Hail the lead vessel," Vickson ordered, deciding to give diplomacy one last attempt before using force. A ten strong fleet of UNSC Autumn Class cruisers was quite the force to be contended with, and maybe it would be enough to persuade the Federation to allow passage for Allied vessels.

"Chasing it," the AI replied, and moments later added, "Got it! Hail accepted, putting them through now."

Vickson straightened his shoulders and stood even straighter as he waited for the static to form into an image. It was his first time making contact with any of the Andromeda natives and he wanted it to go well. Or, well for him, at least. Moments later, the image of an ugly, amphibian looking creature that he recognized as a Neimoidian appeared on the holoscreen. The alien appeared shaken, though Vickson was not entirely sure. His profession was war, not xenobiology.

The Neimoidian appeared to straighten up, then snapped, "I am Captain Daultay Dofine of the Trade Federation Defense Fleet aboard my flagship, Vuutun Palaa. I am informing you that this system is now under Trade Federation occupation following a dispute with the local leadership. Until such an agreement can be reached, the blockade will remain in place, and attempted entrance into the system shall result in the use of force."

Vickson sighed inwardly, doubting that his diplomacy would get him far with this sentient frog. Nevertheless, he tried, "And I am Vice Admiral Archibald Vickson of the United Nations Space Command and representing the Allied Species of the Orion Arm. It is the position of my government that your corporation has no business interfering with the affairs of a sovereign government, and you most certainly do not have the authority to restrict this sovereign government from trading with other conglomerates."

"And what business do you have, alien, to be speaking about sovereign governments?" the captain lashed out, causing Vickson to be taken aback. Never in his life could he have imagined he would be the one deemed alien.

Getting over his surprise quickly, Vickson replied, "The authority of a sovereign, elected body holds authority over that of an excessively bloated company. Especially one with such a tainted history and reputation as the Trade Federation."

"You don't care about that," the alien rasped, "Your government couldn't care less about the Naboo, you're just here to protect your investments. Are we really so different? If the Federation doesn't get to be involved, what gives your government the right to interfere with other nation's affairs?"

"A question for the philosophers and scholars, and a question that is irrelevant at this time," Vickson snapped, growing tired of the bothersome alien, "What IS relevant is the Virgin Galactic freighter, which WILL be landing, with or without your cooperation. This is your last warning captain, move aside and allow us passage, or we will be forced to use more direct means."

"Is that a threat, human?" the alien hissed, "I'm going to give you thirty seconds to depart from this system, or I will blow your primitive little fleet out of existence. Leave!"

As the feed was cut, Vickson steeled himself for the engagement to come. He picked up his intercom, switched it to ship wide broadcast and ordered, "All hands, prepare for engagement! Do not fire until fired upon, but if they fire so much as a single shot, let 'em have it!" turning the intercom off and turning to the crew he said, "Relay my orders to the fleet and heat the MAC up to full charge. Get a lock on their flagship. Arm and remove safeties on all the Archer missiles and get a solution for them against the enemy flagship. Shields to max in the fore sector."

"Yes, Sir!" the various bridge crew replied as they carried out the orders. Looking across the stars to his fleet spread around him, Vickson could see the bows of the cruisers beginning to glow white as their MACs charged up.

"Energy spike from the enemy formation!" the AI reported urgently, "Massive energy buildup detected. Source of spike attributed to plasma based weaponry aboard the hostile vessels. Note that this charge is significantly less than that used by the old Covenant warships. It seems they're going to fire warning shots."

Hmm, Vickson thought, if they're only firing warning shots, then that technically doesn't count as opening hostilities and I would not entirely have a reason to respond with lethal force...but I could always claim I thought they were going to engage us. Especially after what they're captain said. Besides, they're alien bastards anyway.

"I can't take that chance," Vickson replied to his AI, "Notify me as soon as you detect an energy release."

"Energy release detected!" the AI shouted, "It doesn't appear to be directed at us directly-"

"Weapons free! Weapons free!" Vickson interrupted, "We've been engaged! Blow them to Hades, fire!"

The deck shook under the Vice Admiral's feet as UNSC End of the Line fired its main weapon, a Mark IX heavy coil magnetic accelerator cannon which accelerated a 600 ton Tungsten slug to a fraction of the speed of light. Looking out the viewports, Vickson watched as the rest of the fleet fired their MACs.

Each of the ten cruisers were briefly wreathed in smoke as each of them fired their entire complement of Archer missiles from pods spread across their hulls.

The enemy never stood a chance.

The enemy captain did not seem to anticipate a real response from the UNSC fleet, hence they did not seem to have their shields up, instead diverting their power to other functions. And that mistake doomed them.

Ten MAC rounds struck through the center of their targets with 100% accuracy. Normally unheard of in combat, the fantastic results of the MAC barrage were due to the stationary position of the enemy blockade and their lack of preparedness for the enemy assault. And the results were devastating. The rounds each found the central core of their targets, turning ten Lucrehulk battleships into mini supernovas before they faded from existence.

"Waste of missiles, Sir," the weapons officer commented as the Archer missiles streaked through the cloud of ionized particles that had once been a number of Lucrehulks.

"Detonate them so they don't crash into the planet," Vickson ordered, and target the remaining vessels.

"MAC capacitors charging," the AI reported, "Ready to fire again in fifteen seconds. Shall I launch more missiles."

"No," Vickson said smugly, "Waste of missiles. Get solutions for heavy rounds on the enemy fleet. I want two rounds per ship. Coordinate with the fleet."

"Energy spike detected," a bridge officer shouted before the AI could pass the orders on, "Plasma buildup in remaining vessels...out! They've fired, Sir. Note that plasma strength is significantly lower than that of Covenant plasma."

"Then it is of no concern," Vickson replied, "Keep shields at max and reorient us to fire on the next tango."

"Yes, Sir," the officer said as Vickson watched the thousands of red streams of plasma approach his fleet. He remembered the terror of a Covenant barrage all too well from his time commanding ships in the post war skirmishes and against the Banished, and had to steel his nerves and trust his AI that this barrage could not crack their shields.

"Impact in T-minus five, four..." the AI counted down. Moments later, the enemy barrage struck as Vickson braced himself against the holotable...and felt a light jolt. He had expected to be knocked off his feet, and for lights to flicker, and for reports to come in of minor damage in the weaker sections of the ship. But not today.

"Well that was...weaker than expected," the AI commented, "Shields holding at seventy percent. All ships reporting that they're intact."

"Lets not give them a chance to change that," Vickson replied, "Fire the MAC."

The ship rocked beneath him once again as the mass driver launched its massive slug in perfect coordination with the rest of the fleet, courtesy of the shipboard AIs' near perfect coordination. The slugs passed the distance between the fleet and the blockade in seconds and struck their targets with devastating accuracy.

The Lucrehulks had seen the damage the UNSC barrage had done to them the first time around and did not plan on allowing it to be repeated. Evasive maneuvers were undertaken, but to Vickson's pleasure, it was of no use. Of the ten heavy rounds launched, three found their targets perfectly, turning three of the five remaining battleships into new stars before they faded into a cloud of tiny ions. One round missed cleanly, streaking into the Naboo atmosphere with a bright glow, and three more streaked through ion clouds that had once been battleships but had been destroyed moments earlier. The remaining two MAC shells both smashed into the outer ring of the battleships, causing extensive hull damage as the Lucrehulks structure failed. Their central domes exploded brilliantly while the outside rings were torn apart by the force of the rounds.

"Enemy fleet destroyed, Sir," a bridge officer reported, "All targets neutralized."

"Glad to hear it, son," Vickson sighed, "Hail the Nome, tell them they're clear to proceed."

32 BBY∣1300 hours Local Time∣Naboo∣Theed Royal Palace∣Throne Room

Fourteen year old Queen Padme Amidala of Naboo had no idea what to think. Her party had come under fire from battle droids as they made their way into the building to apprehend the Viceroy, but it was far too early to expect the pilots to have destroyed the Droid Control Ship. Qui Gon had only just freed them moments earlier before taking his apprentice off to engage a mysterious Zabrak warrior.

But now the droids had suddenly deactivated.

Had there been a problem in orbit?

Whatever had happened, Padme blessed her luck as she raced with her platoon of guards towards the throne room.

But inside she found a surprising sight. Captain Panaka had already apprehended the Trade Federation Viceroy and taken the scum prisoner. Turning to Padme with a strange look on his face, the man handed her a hologram emitter and said simply, "You must hear this, your highness."

"What is it?" Padme asked curiously as the Naboo guards led the Viceroy and his aides away. Panaka said nothing, simply nodding for her to activate it.

Padme activated the hologram, and after a few moments, the hologram of a human male in his late sixties in what appeared to be a naval uniform appeared. The young politician immediately recognized the attire of a high ranking naval officer in the extragalactic organization, the United Nations Space Command. Extragalactics.

"A pleasure to see alive and well, your highness," the officer said respectfully, "I am Vice Admiral Archibald Vickson of the United Nations Space Command and the Allied Species of the Orion Arm. I must inform you that my fleet has engaged and destroyed the Trade Federation blockade in orbit after they illegally refused to allow one of our freighters passage."

"You destroyed the whole fleet?" Padme clarified, as she barely kept her jaw from dropping in surprise.

"That is correct," the man said simply, "Your planet is a valuable supplier of trade with my society, and our prosperous relationship is one we wish to maintain."

"You have my wholehearted thanks," Padme smiled widely at the welcome news. Luck was indeed smiling on Naboo today. The blockade was finished and the people were liberated. All thanks to one of Naboo's premier trading partners.

"The Allies look out for our friends, and our investments," the Vice Admiral smiled, "There is a freighter, MV Nome, making a landing approach. It carries foodstuffs and humanitarian goods to assist in your world's recovery. Consider its cargo a gift, in return for our prosperous relationship over the past decade, and a sign that the Allies look out for our friends and maintain our relationships."

"You have my most sincere thanks, Vice Admiral," Padme replied, "Trade with your society has bolstered Naboo society immensely over the past few years, and I see no reason that that should change. If anything, I expect it to grow in the vacuum the Federation left behind. I assure you, the Naboo will have no more trade with the Federation."

"Welcome news, your highness," the man said as Padme still digested the shock over the turn of events, "We look forward to an ever prosperous future between our societies."

A/N

And that's a wrap!

Once again, huge credit to UH-60 Nightstalker. He made this scene before I did, I simply reworked and tweaked it to change the direction this story will go as it slowly diverges paths from the story that inspired it.

To those of you that worry I'm rushing this, believe me, I can see where you're coming from. This was initially supposed to be Chapter 1 or 2, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave the discovery of the Stargate and First Contact to a timeline.

So really, you can imagine this chapter as the end of the Prologue. Think of this chapter and everything that comes before it as the Prologue, and the next one as the real Chapter 1.

For those of you that care, I aim to make this story between 70k and 90k words, so not super long, and it's going to be part one of two, just like its inspiration (though it will be SUPER different)

See y'all next time :)

-EliteArbiter