1100 hours, June 6th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)

HIGHCOM, Reach, Epsilon Eridani system

"Vice-Admiral Whitcomb, we sent you to make first contact and establish an alliance, which you have successfully done. But please explain why you've brought back five alien ships in the hold of the Punic as well as three thousand alien soldiers," Hood asked slowlyas he looked at the "turian" sitting across from him. The guards in the room warily eyed the alien in their midst. Lord Hood didn't seem to know whether to be shocked, or amused.

The UNSC Security Council had been called for an emergency session when the UNSC Punic had returned from their diplomatic mission, reporting success and bringing word of an alliance and the precious cargo they had aboard. No one had expected a success this tremendous: instead of mere diplomatic contact, Whitcomb returned with technologies, ships and an alliance treaty.

The aliens aboard the Punic had nearly caused a panic when an ONI Dumb AI had detected them and identified them as Covenant stowaways during a post-slip inspection, declaring Winter Contingency across the system.

But cooler heads had prevailed and after the right clearance codes and authorisation had been exchanged, bloodshed had been avoided. Hood had quickly taken command of the entire operation and ordered a complete information blackout, and a quarantine of the ship, although it was too late to hide that something huge was happening.

Much to Fedorian's chagrin, the Security Council had wanted to meet with him in person at FLEETCOM. While the Primarch headed to the surface, the Citadel contingent aboard the Punic continued working on comm buoys and preparing for their arrival at the human homeworld. They rehearsed the parade in a cargo bay that had been set aside for them.

The first comm buoys for UNSC use were already being prepared for deployment. The prospect of instantaneous high-bandwidth interstellar communications pleased Whitcomb greatly. The UNSC was incredibly close to developing reliable slipspace-based interstellar communications, but even the best projections promised only limited bandwidth. Whitcomb hoped the Security Council would approve general deployment.

Primarch Fedorian continued. "Our alliance is already in effect. Before I left, I took the information graciously granted to me by Vice Admiral Whitcomb and Admiral Cole, and we deployed forces to human colonies that have been destroyed or compromised. This is not up for debate. We are already doing this." There was a stern edge to Fedorian's voice, with barely concealed annoyance.

Admiral Parangosky raised an eyebrow at that, her body language growing more hostile.

"Vice Admiral, I hope you have solid proof these devices are safe. Transporting alien communication devices is a serious breach of the Cole Protocol." She looked at the turian like a hunter sighting prey, then softened somewhat when she saw the stern gaze the Primarch gave her and nodded slowly in acknowledgement. "Although their generous assistance so far has spoken volumes. An exception can be made."

Admiral Whitcomb made to respond - Parangosky was a dangerous enemy to have, especially if she suspected a breakdown in intelligence - but Fedorian interjected before he could finish

"No more exceptions," Fedorian stated bluntly. "As I speak, almost twenty thousand ships from across Citadel space are reinforcing your frontlines and saving your worlds." He pointed at Parangosky. "The sons and daughters of Palaven are raised from birth to be soldiers and uphold law and order in the galaxy. This war is what we are made for, and we refuse to let your paranoia impede the war effort. We will establish a comm buoy network for our personal use and engage the Covenant wherever we can. You've been given a report of the deals made in New Ghent, and we expect you to meet us halfway."

There was silence in the room, the humans looking in mute shock at the alien who had just made such blunt demands from the most powerful governing body in the history of the human race.

Parangosky held up, preempting a question from Lord Hood, and leant forward. "Then what do you want, Primarch?"

Fedorian nodded. "I have had to explain our intentions far too many times by now, and I've reached the limits of my patience. The Citadel Expeditionary Force will be able to hold the front line against the Covenant for the foreseeable future. That gives you time to pull your armed forces back to your core worlds and rebuild your armies and fleets. While you do that, I want a unified command for our combined forces, or at the very least an admiral and a general to be assigned to your high command as liaisons, and a comm buoy in orbit of Reach so we can coordinate our efforts. Barring our fleets from entering your core systems is reasonable, but we expect full access to the worlds on the frontline."

Lord Hood spoke up next, eyes narrowed, his body language betraying his interest. "That's a serious demand to make. Still, going by Whitcomb's report on the meeting at New Ghent, we are indeed allies. But I want to know why you want us to cease offensive operations and hand them over to your forces; do you expect us to sit back for the rest of the war? Because that is not going to happen. We're going to fight for our homes and lives."

Fedorian shook his head. "No, we expect nothing of the sort. While our naval forces are numerous, we lack supercapitals due to the way our FTL drives work. You are the only ones able to provide warships of this weight class. If the Citadel Expeditionary Force buys enough time, then you can rebuild your military into a force capable of spearheading assaults against the Covenant. I won't pretend the Citadel can win this war without your assistance, not without extreme absolutely horrific losses. We need bases, supply lines, and rear services and facilities - if you can't provide those, our ability to help you will be severely limited."

General Hogan of the UNSC Marine Corps leant forward, putting his hands together. "I hate to admit it, but you're right. Our forces are spread thin, and they have been pushed to their limits for far too long. Given time to breathe, the Marine Corps can be rebuilt and equipped for planetary assaults on destroyed worlds and, potentially, Covenant outposts, if you are willing to have your ground forces take over garrison duties in the hot spots for the time being. Our experience fighting the Covenant could be of use here."

Admiral Parangosky snapped at Hogan, "That's not your choice to make without our approval, General. There are too many risks involved that we can't afford to take. Primarch Fedorian, the agreement to guard our frontiers, establish way station and provide supplies, will be good enough for the time bei-"

"Enough, Admiral," Lord Hood said. "You know as well as I do that we are losing. This alliance could well be our only chance at survival. With the Citadel's aid, we can turn this into an actual war, one we stand a chance of winning. We need this communications network, and we need the supplies as well. The Department of Commercial Shipping will task available assets with shipping supplies from the station at New Ghent. Using the worlds already discovered by the Covenant as staging areas for the Citadel forces is a good idea, and we should expand on it. New Ghent can serve as a logistics hub and a rally point for our forces, and land on worlds compromised by the Covenant can be set provided to the Citadel Expeditionary Force, under lease, for the sake of the war effort, within reason."

Fedorian smiled. "Full military cooperation, but we don't get the coordinates of your inner worlds? Reasonable. If we can have Citadel freighters handle the logistics of our joint efforts as well, it will make it much easier for us to equip your forces."

"I see your point," Parangosky conceded. "Gambles like this have been necessary for humanity's survival so far. Speaking of liaisons, what about a holographic emitter and a secure COM channel to allow you to sit in with us during meetings? When applicable, of course."

Fedorian was taken aback by the sudden offer before surmising the plan: the Admiral offered a line for the Citadel representatives to sit in with the UNSC Security Council meetings when necessary, albeit one the UNSC could literally turn off with a flip of a switch. Still, he'd accept: concessions had to be made or she'd be able to claim he was too demanding. So, Fedorian merely smiled, "Excellent. The less barriers between our cooperation, the easier things will be."

Putting his hands behind his back, the Primarch continued, "With a constant line between our governments, diplomatic delays due to travel will be over. Our plan can go into effect immediately. The first shipments of hardsuits and weapons modified for human use should already be waiting in New Ghent. And the scientists aboard the Trafalgar are, hopefully, making progress as far as the scientific cooperation goes. How you use the weapons and armor we supply is entirely up to you."

President Roselynn Charet of the UEG coughed. She was the black sheep of the Security Council, a remnant of the civilian government whose sole purpose was to approve what the Security Council told her to, and to provide a voice for the civilian matters the generals had a tendency to ignore. "As good as the equipment is. It matters little if the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. Vital infrastructure and supplies are destroyed by the Covenant, survivors from glassed worlds stream into the Inner Colonies, and the systems closest to the invasion corridor are hit the hardest. We need food, medicine and temporary housing for refugees - anything you can spare, really. I know it doesn't sound important, but knowing their families are starving wreaks havoc on the soldiers' morale."

General Nicolas Strauss leant forward. "It's gotten to the point that even garrison forces are having their rations reduced. I'm sure we can arrange a trade of some kind for food imports. Perhaps you have genetically engineered crops superior to ours or better agricultural techniques? If your population really is in the trillions like your "codex" says, you must be able to feed them. Can we arrange that?"

Fedorian mulled this over, trying to think of the best way to help. "The hanar and the asari are known for their charity. I'll speak to them about providing humanitarian aid for the worlds in our area of responsibility. And I already know how you can aid us in exchange - we would like to establish a naval college where your veterans could teach our troops on the Covenant's tactics and the counters to them."
Lord Hood responded after a moment of hesitation, "I have a better idea. Instead of us merely teaching you all we know, we set up a combined training center, both for space and planetary warfare. Also, the scientists onboard the UNSC Trafalgar should serve as a core of a joint research institute. We can provide facilities for both."

1. I removed the "cradle" part, as it would make zero sense for the UNSC to use one of their mobile refit stations as a basis for a college.

Fedorian thought it over. He didn't like the UNSC's penchant for constantly re-negotiating details and adding caveats, but the supreme authority of the Security Council at least meant that whatever deal they made wouldn't be renegotiated or reneged on by anyone in the lower echelons of the government. Still, he liked the idea of building institutions dedicated to sharing knowledge, as well as expanding the joint technological research groups.

"If you can provide a place to house this "naval institute", we can provide a research station for the scientists currently aboard the Trafalgar. They are already examining the salvage from New Ghent. We should provide the mobile facilities we have on hand," the Primarch offered.

Lord Hood nodded. "It is a generous offer, but I think that is enough for now. You have a parade on Earth to attend. It is time people back home got back a bit of hope. By the time the Punic gets to Earth, your forces at the frontier will have been able to relieve our troops. That should be an excellent announcement to herald your state visit."

Admiral Parangosky held up a hand suddenly, looking like she had just been struck by an idea. "If you set up the buoy network, how fast can you get in contact with your forces?"

"Instantly." Fedorian said.

Parangosky looked impressed for a moment, her body language becoming predatory again. "Then could you request combat footage from your forces on the frontier? Something that would prove to people that your intervention is having an effect?"

Fedorian nodded.

"Excellent. I will be sending an ONI propaganda team with the Punic to compile a movie to show the civilians upon your arrival. If you set up your comm buoy network now, you'll be able to get a full report from your forces, correct?"

"Correct," confirmed Fedorian.

Parangosky then continued. "Then, as a measure of good faith, we'll ask you to use your Comm Buoy to contact your forces, then temporarily disable it, so we can set up a relay station somewhere the Covenant will have issue finding it. This way, your messages won't go directly to Reach, keeping its location secure if the Covenant somehow manages to learn of the network and compromise it somehow.."

"Not necessary. We could move the comm buoys away from New Ghent and to a relay station in a secure system, somewhere the Covenant are not likely to go looking for it; perhaps we could program the station to crash into a gas giant if the Covenant approach.. Let us call it Hub Alpha; you'll be able to inspect it and have the final say on the security setup. Hub Alpha will connect to New Ghent and to all systems the CEF will operate in. This then connects to Hub Beta via a single comm buoy, which you then connect to your inner colonies, where we cannot operate. Perhaps daisy-chain the connection between Alpha and Beta in order to throw off the Covenant."

Hood interceded. "This sounds like an excellent compromise. Give us the buoys, and we can set up Hub Beta within a month. In exchange, I'll see to it you're given the navigation data that will allow you to operate in the Inner Colonies if needed."

1230 hours, June 6th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)

Bridge, UNSC Punic, low Reach orbit

"Comm buoy initiaizing, Primarch." Ger Letanis, a recently transferred communications officer and newest member of Fedorian's entourage, reported. He'd risen to fame as a signals specialist in Admiral Karandis' command staff and was currently the foremost expert on human communication protocols.

Fedorian's general staff, the ONI representatives, and the officers of the Punic watched on the supercarrier's bridge as the first comm buoy, released from the cargo bay where the ship that constructed it was still docked, floated out and into position. The buoy activated its positioning thrusters and oriented itself towards New Ghent.

"Let's see what we've missed while we were in slipspace." Fedorian muttered. The journey to Reach had taken two weeks, and in that time they'd had no contact with the outside universe.

There was a brief silence, then Letanis spoke up. "New Ghent buoy still active. Exchanging communications codes and ciphers." The ONI crowd on the bridge were talking to each other, their voices too low for Fedorian to make out, but they sounded conspiratorial. Meanwhile, the communications officer continued, adjusting something via his omni-tool, "One moment please, New Ghent is sending us a security patch. Downloading… and done. First data package coming through… now!"

"Priority messages first. What news do we have?" Fedorian asked.

"Research aboard the Trafalgar proceeds as expected; several progress reports are included. Antimatter refineries at New Ghent are nearing completion. Construction of the UNSC "Super MAC" orbital platforms is proceeding at a steady pace. Covenant battlecruiser excavation still in progress, as is the work on cleaning up the derelict."

Turning to Fedorian, Letanis smiled. "Other Citadel races have joined the Citadel Expeditionary Force, chief among them the elcor, who are sending their tank-infantry to support the Asari Expeditionary Force. Moreover, volus contractors are moving into the system to assist with the construction efforts; the Citadel Council is paying them to turn the system into a fortress."

Fedorian nodded. The plans he'd set in motion before he left were evidently proceeding apace.

The communications officer turned back to the screen, putting a hand to the side of his head - the universal sign of receiving a message to an implanted communications device. "Reports of engagements with the Covenant coming in now."

Letanis paused. "The comm buoy network is expanding rapidly and approaching full operational capacity in the theater. Admiral Karandis has been moving the fleet in full force from system to system, establishing a foothold and detaching garrison and picket forces before moving to the next. The Covenant has so far not moved in force to engage the fleet; their presence is minimal in most systems" Letanis paused. "The Admiral has sent footage he believes has propaganda value for humans."

Fedorian nodded in approval, seeing the files, "Excellent initiative." He turned to the ONI team on the bridge. "Gentlemen, I am transferring you combat footage from our forces. I suggest you start working on that propaganda reel now." One of the humans looked about to object to being given an order by an alien general outside of their chain of command, but quickly relented.

Meanwhile, his communications officer continued. "Admiral Cole is asking us to relay a message to the Security Council. He is advising Admiral Karandis, Matriarch Aethyta, and STG Commander Jondum Bau in planning further actions of the Citadel Expeditionary Force. He's requesting the Security Council officially assign him to the joint command staff."

Fedorian wasn't sure what to think of that. Admiral Preston Cole was evidently a highly capable and experienced leader who also commanded immense respect from his peers and subordinates in the UNSC. Naturally, the Primarch welcomed his advice and expertise and was looking forward to hearing more of him. But Fedorian wasn't sure why the Admiral was so eager to work with the Citadel. Many humans required at least a solid proof that the CEF was indeed working with them to get along, whereas Cole was pushing for full cooperation. Perhaps, as the admiral spearheading the fight against the Covenant, he'd known better than anyone just how desperate the situation was.

In that light, Fedorian believed that his demands before the Security Council were warranted: the sheer amount of bureaucratic red tape, stalling, and constant requests for information could only hamper the war effort in the long run. Therefore he had felt the need to be blunt, no matter how much he disliked resorting to such a… direct approach on the political battlefield.

Hopefully, this would change eventually.

2. I felt the need to cap this segment with a line that would make it feel… finished.

0900 hours, July 20th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)

Earth

"We are not alone." These words could be heard all over the world as ONI broadcast the announcement on all television and radio channels as well as public announcement speakers and Internet newscasts.

"Seventeen years ago Covenant began their unprovoked, genocidal war against humanity. Ever since we have stood alone against extinction, fighting a losing battle against an unstoppable foe." Several heads turned to look at that announcement. It was a surprisingly pessimistic start for a propaganda broadcast, and some had already assumed the announcement was going to be negative.

"Not anymore." Admiral Hood's voice across the planet.

"We have been contacted by a coalition of alien races called the Citadel Council. They are a galaxy-spanning alliance, and the Covenant goes against everything they stand for. Even now they are sending vast battle fleets to join us in the fight." The screens showed thousands of ships in orbit above New Ghent.

"Even now, twenty thousand ships are pushing the Covenant back, allowing the UNSC navy to regroup and consolidate for future offensives."

The screen changed to what had to be helmet UNSC marines advancing under the covering fire of massive quadrupedal aliens with heavy cannons on their backs. One of the marines rallied his comrades before jumping into cover and opening fire at a wave of Grunts that charged to meet them. The lumbering quarupeds let loose a thunderous stream of projectiles at the Covenant, shredding the hapless methane-breathing aliens. Then two Hunters stepped over the fallen Grunts and opened fire, streams of incendiary gel reaching out towards the camera. The footage stopped just before the impact and switched to another point of view, this time showing one of the quadrupeds driving a Hunter back with sheer volume of fire.

"Aliens have joined our cause, aliens like the elcor, tank sized creatures who finally give us a counter to the Hunters. These normally pacifistic aliens have provided their soldiers to serve as living artillery."

A blur of blue shot across the screen, stopping behind a Hunter, revealing it to be a humanoid figure in white armor and a helmet with a protuberance of sorts in the back. The newcomer slashed at the Hunter's back with a sword before punching into the creature's back with its free hand, pulling out a large handful of worms. The Hunter halted and dropped dead.

"Or the mystical asari, ancient beings with decades and centuries of combat experience and the ability to use gravity as if it were a mere toy."

Coming under fire, the asari whirled around and reached for the source - a ruined building where a few Covenant holed up. Enveloped in a blue glow, it clenched its fist, then pulled. The building collapsed as if pulled down an invisible force. The alien waved its sword in the air, a surviving Elite roaring and igniting an energy sword before charging the asari. The screen cut out before they clashed.

All eyes were now on the screens. People fell silent as they took in the unbelievable things on screen.

"This is footage from New Tokyo, where the asari and elcor helped shore up the defenses and push the Covenant off-world.

As the broadcast continued, frenetic excitement began spreading like a wildfire. In the bars that were open at this hour, quite a few patrons ordered rounds for everyone else - the occasion warranted it.

"Twenty three colonies have been discovered by the Covenant and were preparing for what was to come. But the turians - a martially inclined Citadel species - have lent their soldiers and industry to aid us. Primarch Fedorian, their head of state, will be making an official state visit to Earth today."

The screen changed to show avian aliens in blue armor digging in in nearperfect unison. Large fortresses of concrete and steel rose like mountains, guns and missile silos aimed into orbit. Airfields were filled with parked alien fighters and drones, being tended by mechanics. Humans were working alongside the new arrivals. Turians were also shown moving around improvised warehouses, organizing the distribution of food, water and medicine to civilians.
"In addition to military and humanitarian aid, the Citadel has also shared its technological advances." The view switched to that of ODSTs examining strange-looking weapons and trying on strange orange gauntlets that looked like solidified holograms. "Energy shields, portable microfabricators and fully automatic electromagnetic small arms are just the tip of the iceberg." "

This time the screen showed to a group of ODSTs standing in a converted auditorium, filled with turians, the humans' every move recorded by camera drones. The aliens observed as the ODSTs pointed out the target dummies representing Elites, Hunters and Brutes and explaining their tactics, strengths and weaknesses. One particular ODST jumped onto the back of a dummy that represented a Brute Chieftain; an orange sheath, not unlike a hologram, appeared around his arm. Then an orange blade folded out of the "hologram", which the soldier then proceeded to stab into the Brute's neck.

"Of course, their troops have little experience fighting Covenant. But they are eager to learn from our veterans, whose knowledge will undoubtedly prove invaluable."

The view switched to that of a lab, wrecked Covenant machinery laid out on tables and slabs, humans in lab coats and amphibian-looking aliens in strange jumpsuits moving between the tables and examining the salvage. A few more of their number stood around a holographic screen having a heated debate about what looked like schematics or equations.

"The amphibian aliens you see now are salarians, the premier researchers in the Citadel space. On New Ghent, the finest scientists of the UNSC and the Citadel Council are working to reverse-engineer Covenant technology and integrate our own technology trees. Together we will undoubtedly find out the Covenant's secrets and make new breakthroughs and discoveries in years to come."

The perspective changed again, this time showing rotund aliens in pressure suits controlling swarms of drones as they oversaw transfer of large cargo containers from a half-assembled space station onto a waiting UNSC cargo ship.

"The volus are the backbone of Citadel's economy, and they have joined the fight as well, supplying both us and our new allies with finished products and raw materials. This will allow us to rebuild and adapt, as we move to reclaim our worlds and take the fight to the Covenant."

By this point, spontaneous celebrations had broken out in several cities, with people dropping everything to join in; some felt compelled just to hug random strangers in the street out of sheer joy. Soon crowds would be taking shops, bars and restaurants by the storm; fortunately, the owners, informed beforehand by the UNSC, made sure to stock up. Army troops, police and emergency services were also deployed in advance to maintain order and make sure celebrations didn't turn into a stampede. Still, no matter what, many would remember until their last days that moment - the realization that humanity was no longer standing alone against the night and the hope that realization brought.

Meanwhile, Lord Hood continued, "Still, we cannot let our new allies do all the work. It is time to strike back, and when the time comes, we will be there. We will need more manpower, more ships and more resources for the war effort. More sacrifices will undoubtedly follow. Yet, we are no longer alone in the universe, and together we will be strong. Together we will win."

1130 hours, July 20th, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)

Paris, French Republic, UEG constituent, Earth

Fedorian had been able to watch the propaganda broadcast as it was being streamed on Earth. He had to give it to ONI: they certainly knew how to make a propaganda video about an event of that magnitude quickly. And it was certainly very… enlightening to see how excited the humans were about the prospect of being able not to merely survive the war, but to win it on their own terms. Humans had clearly regained hope they lost long ago, and it looked like a species wide revival.

As Fedorian mused on this, his personal shuttle was guided towards a city called "Paris", trailed by an honor guard consisting of two UNSC frigates and a wing of the superheavy fighters humans were so fond of using. Trailing them was a convoy of transports carrying the Citadel forces that were tapped to "show the flag" on the human homeworld.

The shuttle set down on a wide street, the ramp dropping and giving Fedorian the first view any alien ever had of the human homeworld. It was a beautiful city, ancient buildings and monuments accentuated by skyscrapers and arcologies on the horizon. Not too far from his location he could see a large metal tower, the purpose of which he could not discern..

Ten thousand UNSC Marines and Army troopers in dress uniform lined the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, standing at attention as the Citadel's finest were about to march between them. The streets were filled with massive crowds of people, waving UNSC flags, banners, and other symbols of humanity. Camera drones were waiting for him, moving all around the shuttle.

Fedorian stepped off the shuttle, the first alien boot on Earth soil. The other transports began setting down in quick order, disgorging a veritable wave of soldiers in proper parade formation.

The turians comprised the vast majority of the parade contingent, reflecting the fact that they had been by far the largest military force at New Ghent at the time. Almost three thousand of Fedorian's finest soldiers marched in perfect lockstep across the ancient human streets, their armor shining in the sun.

Next came the asari. Each Commando Troop marched separately from the other, wearing their own unique colors and weapons, all resplendent in richly ornate uniforms prepared for just such an occasion. Their discipline was… less strict than that of the turians; some of the younger commandos waved back at the humans. The sight of one Commando Troop levitating caused the crowds to go wild.

The salarians were the smallest group, just a hundred strong. They had decided to march with their optical camouflage active, moving like shades across the parade grounds. Fedorian did not know why they'd decided to do so, but he figured the salarians had felt the need to show off in their own special way.

At the end of the parade ground stood a massive marble arch, flanked by a Scorpion tank on each side, with a line of ODSTs in full armor standing in front of them, weapons at the ready. In front of the monument stood a line of UNSC dignitaries, with a single wooden table in front of them.

A large sheaf of thick paper was lying on the table. On it was written an alliance treaty between the UNSC and the Citadel, as well as the declaration of their commitment to defeating the Covenant. Fedorian walked up to the table, took the pen he'd prepared for the occasion and signed it with a practiced flourish. Then he held the document up for everyone to see.

"We stand united!" the Primarch stated to the cameras, in the strongest voice he could muster. "Let this be the beginning of a Coalition that shall drive the Covenant into the abyss they crawled out of!"