USN Dragon of Fire
Travelling over 1700 light-years from the Utopia system, the Joan-class Dragon of Fire made its travel through the depths of hyperspace to investigate several anomalies and faint signals picked up.
Sat in a meditative position in the middle of the captain's quarters was a young woman, Lyta Alexander who was wearing light brown top with a dark robe over it arms exposed with no sleeves to cover them but only gloves and a sash around her bicep. A sash between her crossed legs and her hair was short and crimson red.
While her eyes closed in concentration to focus her mind to find the source, further then it's natural limits in hyperspace, it is a difficult technique only those with telepathic abilities could master it and so far only the Warlocks like Lyta could master it. Since coming along with her husband on this mission she follow the request of the Order to know what she found out to know more of the galaxy. Yet since the time they were in FTL, the place they were heading to felt odd, like something was off and yet strangely familiar but could not tell what. At the limit of her reach, there was something else that took her by surprise, there were mixed emotions, pain, hatred and fear, a sudden cry of a woman, visions of flames bringing a building to the ground, that made her loose her concentration. Opening her eyes and gasped silently with her heart pounding rapidly until she calmed it down, sweat was on her face. Uncertain what it was she just saw through her visions, but clearly something happened as if someone was in grave danger. Brought her hands up to her face and rub massaged the temples of her forehead to relax.
"Whatever that was, I doubt it would be the last." She whispered and went to the bathroom to wash her face when she heard the door open and the sound of her husband's voice was what she needed for comfort.
"Lyta? Are you alright?" Byron came in, wearing his uniform with his long hair pulled back in a ponytail, looked around to see her if she was alright.
Lyta let out a soft sigh before she walked out and smiled at the brunette knowing he was feeling worried if he had sensed her emotions. Puts her hands on his chest and showed him she was fine. "Nothing to worry about, just… something happened while I was in meditation." Trying to remember what she saw through them. Took a step away from her beloved husband and some moment of silence before she spoke.
"I dunno how to explain it, it was too quick like something tragic happened and mixed emotions. A woman crying out and… I think I heard a baby crying." Uncertain if what she saw really happened, the visions could sometimes come at such random moments.
Byron gazed upon the red haired warlock, he learnt not to underestimate her abilities for she was very skilled with her kinetic abilities and effects when travelling through hyperspace. "Did you see anything through your visions?"
Lyta shook her head and sighed. "There were so many things happening all at once, so much emotions I could barely focus at any of them."
"We'll be jumping back into normal space soon. Can't have your mind distracted for the time being." Caressing her shoulders softly with his thumbs while she held him close to her to savor the moment. As much as the couple wanted to have the time for themselves since their departure, they have work to do in their busy schedule.
"Commander, apologies for the disturbance but you're wanted on the bridge. Lyta Alexander is welcome if she wishes." The AI of the Dragon of Fire, Martin Luther King informed them in a polite tone.
Both knew it was bound to come and feeling the ship exiting hyperspace and almost at their destination. "Well, might as well do our jobs."
She sighed before they released each other from the embrace to make their way to the bridge. Making their way towards the turbo lift to take them up to the bridge. Byron approached the captain Gabriel Hayner, who sat in his chair focusing on the view screen before turning his gaze to the Alexander couple. He is noted for his physical age to be considered in his 60s with greying hair and a beard due to his long years of service for a human of his
"Commander, Lyta. Glad you two could join us, we've just approaching the nearby star system and beginning a routine to scan the sector." Gabriel gave the order to the helmsmen to begin a sweep of this system. "This is where we picked up the signal and something else that attracted starfleet's curiosity."
"Any clue what it is?" Lyta asked the captain.
"Don't know until we find out."
"Sir, long range scanners picking up a unknown craft, 20 kilometers starboard." A Bolian officer reported, bringing up a ship on screen. It was clearly in a derelict ship and no signs of any activity on the ship.
"What suppose happened to?" The red head Vanguard asked. Byron studied the ship, he was not in many battles as his captain, but could easily see that it was heavily armed with the weapons mounts heavily damaged from a battle.
"Possibly from a fight and lost." Gabriel said, having the same idea as his commanding officer. But the bigger question was what happened and how it end up all the way out here.
"No engines running, or life signs onboard, it's a derelict." The officers at the helm report, running a few diagnostics of the ship's condition. But something else caught the officer's eye.
"Spit it out lad, what is it?" Gabriel wanted to know what the officer was pausing for and seems like he was in shock.
"Uh, captain. I'm not certain if the readouts are right, but… the bio signatures say they are-were human." The entire bridge paused for a moment of what they were doing and turned to the officer like he grew a second limb or something.
"Human? Are you sure?" Byron asked him, though it was not uncommon to some species like humans being a common sight in places other then the Milky Way since their first voyage beyond their native galaxy.
"Very much, captain. The scans says it all, they are indeed Homo Sapiens." Martin Luther said. "The ship however, is unknown. Perhaps we should take a closer look at the vessel."
"Agreed. Perhaps we can find out and if they have a black box or a memory core to tell us what happened." The captain nodded and gave his orders to sent recon teams to board the ship to investigate. It was uncertain but if the ship was crewed by humans, could they have been colonists from the Great Expansion?
Gathering a team of seven people equipped with E-suits to survive in the airless vacuum of space, tools and equipment while armed to defend themselves. With no artificial gravity, their boots would help keep them anchored to the surface until they find one and if it's still operational. As they make their way to the bridge, they found bodies of the unfortunate crew still preserved but physical signs of decaying can be seen on their skin. The hard part of travelling through a derelict ship is opening steel doors with the lifts out of power, but the recon team was fortunate to have been beamed near the bridge's location, which would only have taking nearly an hour.
"Captain, we've reached the bridge, looks intact so we should probably see if we can get this ship running if possible to find the data files.." A soldier contacted him while trying to find any files to know where these people came from. "I'm guessing they've been out here for a very long time."
"Take what you can find and await to be beamed back, ensign." While waiting to know more about the ship for the data to be transferred, something unexpected happened.
"Sir, I'm picking up an anomaly that recently appeared on sensors." Luther informed him as the officers have. Thinking it was another ship that belonged to the derelict, a flash of light briefly appeared and gone.
Gabriel stood up from his chair and approached the screen. "What was that?"
"Possible an FTL signature. It's small and picking up faint life signs. I'm picking a distress signal." A female ensign responded to his question.
Opening the channel and all they can receive through audio is an artificial voice. "WHA… SOMEONE HAS ACCEPTED MY DISTRESS CALL? OH THANK THE TRAVELLER, I FEARD WE WOULD NOT MAKE IT! MY OPERATOR IS IN SERIOUS NEED OF HELP. LIFE SUPPORT IS FAILING. PLEASE HELP THEM." Sounding like a desperate plea for help they could not let someone to dIE out here like the unfortunate souls on the ship.
"Captain, that distress call isn't wrong, I'm not sensing a third person in there, maybe an AI and one of them is not gonna la-" Lyta stopped at her sentence when she sensed a strangely familiar sound. That sounded like a cry of a child, it was the same cry she heard when they were in hyperspace. "There's a baby in there and the woman dying!"
This caused the entire bridge on alert to begin a rescue of the survivors and not leave them out in the middle of nowhere. "Lock on their coordinates and transport them to the Medic bay, stat! Tell Ensign T'Gron his team will have to wait for a moment." Gabriel barked an order.
In the medic bay, the Klingon doctor was informed of the situation and prepared the equipment needed. The whole table was filled by a bright light and then faded to reveal a young brunette woman who was deathly pale and barely conscious. The next one beside her was so small it was merely a baby, possibly no less then three months old, wrapped in a blanket and very much active by the high pitch crying.
"Check for their vital signs, the woman needs medical attention." The Klingon was hoping they were not too late to safe her. The baby seems fine but needed to be sure it was healthy. They were hoping not to be too late to save them both.
While the Dragon of Fire was continuing their path towards their destination, they were unaware of a ship following them since they arrived and found the drifting relic. It was cloaked to block their sensors and be considered a ghost to them, watching the larger ship take in the escape pod. The pilot was the only one kneeling down, gazing into the stars and the ship from afar.
A small screen popped beside him revealing a humanoid male in light armor and clothing, concealing his face. Speaking through the communications to the pilot. "Fen, the escape has been launched, we cannot detect their life signs on board. Could they..."
"Do not concern yourself, Sol. The boy is safe." The pilot responded, reassuring the mission was a success. But feeling deep down something made
"The least I could do for you. But so far they're getting close to the system and the Queen will not like it if they head towards the Reef."
"They may not pose a threat, my clan have been observing them and may be potential allies in the near future. The last thing we need is a war between them and other unwanted parties. Just return to the Reef and make certain neither sides cause any trouble. For now I have other matters to attend. Best of luck, Lord Commander." Waving the screen away and taking one last look at the ship before making his leave before they would take notice of his presence. He was curious to know where they come from, could they be survivors of the Great Collapse or maybe from the planet's Dark History
"Until we meet again. May the Traveller watch over you."
Perseus Veil
With news spread across the majority of the galaxy of a new spacefaring civilization fighting against the Cabal like wild fire, an advance but developing intelligence that has been hiding within the Veil for 300 years until now, have sent out probes beyond their borders to gather information on the enigmatic races that have recently appearance in the galaxy.
Much to their interest and curiosity, neither of these two forces seem to rely on Element Zero like the rest of the Citadel Council, their technologies greatly surpasses them. Further data would be required and understand more about them, but the ones known as the Cabal are identified as hostiles so they are considered a major threat if they ever discovered the Consensus. The other which recently entered the star system seems to be the opposite for assisting the Turian Navy fleet defend the colony.
Aside from learning they are another community of species, further data is required to know of them and perhaps the Geth will discuss among teach other on the next step.
Shukahl System
With the Cabal ships now gone the Commonwealth ships decided to meet our new friends face-to-face, sending most of their ships down to the planet and ships to offer their help to repair some of the damage caused by the Cabal during the attack, while waiting for further instructions from Eden Prime for further orders while having to deal with the current problem.
The officers were further discussing the situation upon first contact with a new galactic society and learnt much about them in hopes of forming peaceful relations, or many an alliance to deal with common threat before it spread across the galaxy. They already deployed some of their ships in orbit with the Council fleet to tighten security for the time being. Gathered officers and available Vanguards who were not on the planet together in briefing room to share their discussions and thoughts before meeting the aliens.
"So, anything to know about our new neighbors, and more importantly, how much of a ground do the Cabal have in this part of the Halo Galaxy?" K'rrel asked, sat in his chair while watching a holographic projection of the battle few hours ago.
Christina gave him her report on the data. "They do possess some advance technology but so far more advance then some of the League, the Centauri and the Narns. We studied some of the technology we found and learnt these races use kinetic-based weaponry." The Captain of the Light Upon Heaven gave the information upon the analysis.
"They would not stand a chance against the Cabal compared to their technology." K'rrel asked for their close encounter with them. "Yet we still have some on the planet the colonists call Aevanna and few flying about in the star system. What's the current status of the fleet?"
"The Gridalian suffered damage on the starboard bowl from the fight, the Light Upon Heaven only received minor damages so should time to repair them. And only a few Valkyries were minor damaged and handful are k.I.A.. Many wounded and would've been lost had we not launched mechs and fighters down there." It may have been a victory, but sadly not all are without casualties. They would send their condolences to the families and loved ones of those who gave their lives in duty. Knowing the Catian would take full responsibility for leading the expedition fleet into a war zone without knowing it but no one would blame him for it, not even Starfleet could've foreseen it.
"There is also some of them who possess the same kinetic energy, possible an elite unit with special powers like the Vanguards and the Psions. That is so far as we know until we could know more about them, their cultures and technology we might as well wait until their arrival." The Vanguard Silvi who returned in S'veek's place after the battle to share her experiences with the officers.
There were more questions that needed answered, especially what the Cabal are up to in this galaxy. The comm channel opened for them. "Bridge to Captain K'rrel, General Kortenrill's shuttle has arrived and requesting to dock. He had also brought in the Aevannan representatives to meet you personally."
"Good, let's not try to make them too edgy considering they're fighting a war. Least we want is to make a bad impression." They left the briefing room make their way down to the docking bay to meet the new faces in the galaxy. Some would think beaming them aboard would be much easier but not every race in the universe is on the same technological level among each other.
The docking bay was filled with shuttles and mechs being repaired by engineers that came back damaged from battle. The soldiers gathered and lined up for the arrival of the Citadel races they assisted in battle. The shuttle comes in range and guided by their Valkyries to a safe landing by a few feet from them. The hatch opens and the first to step out were two blue female humanoid with small tendrils that seem to have been styled in a hairdo, wearing outfits to fit their womanly curves and armed with guns, obviously seem to be security officers for the representatives. The next one was a tall and more alien with bone-like crests curving over the head and an avian appearance by the limbs, recognizing him as the general they previously contacted. A lizard-like alien with a face that reminded them of a Galvan but only much larger and about regular height, a Salarian, possibly some scientist from the way his large eyes taking everything they could see since stepping out of the shuttle. Another blue female seem to be a civilian with no uniform matching their own, the Starfleet officers could easily tell from their faces, they were awed and surprised to see their technology and new species up close.
The Turian commander did not wanted to be distracted and steadily approached them. "As you may not have known me, I am General Doren Keternrill of the Palavan's Light. I would like to thank you on behalf of the navy for your assistance, especially the colonists of Aevanna who you a debt." Holding up his talon towards the Catian captain who accepted his gesture and shook. Releasing his grip and give the rest as his soldiers climb out, only a small team to for the safety of the colonists he brought along.
"This is Tan'ra Ei'onsarr, an Asari and representative of the colony who volunteered to meet you." Introducing the young woman who stepped forward and shook their hands, claw or tendril, whatever they had for limbs, which hardly mattered to her.
"I am very grateful for what you've done. Had you not arrived, the Cabal might have destroyed everything we built on this planet. My family can actually live to see another day." Smiling and wiped a tear from her eye from the dreaded thought of them dying by the monsters that did nothing but brought pain to them all.
Christina took her moment to speak after giving her a moment. "We could not pretend to know what you must be feeling right now, but the Cabal have also done the same to us long ago and seem to consider themselves above all." Sharing their hatred to the common foe for their reputation and brutal past the Milky Way experienced.
"You fought against them before? Your civilizations must have incredible advance technology to built such large scaled ships and weapons to defeat them." A curious Salarian asked and seem fascinated by their technology. "Did your species somehow advanced your technology without Eezo like the Cabal?"
That question caught their attention and never was the first time their heard the name. Possibly the reason for their technology the way it is. "We never actually heard of this 'Eezo' as you call it. Many of our species developed our technology in our own way before the Commonwealth was founded where we come from." A Romulan commander answered his question, and they would be in for a surprise to learn they are from another galaxy like the other Halo races before them.
"We can perhaps exchange information about our two communities and answer your questions, there is much you will find in a great shock once you know. Especially to know how this war with the Cabal happened. They would accept an offer of help to stop this war before it gets worse with our past dealings with them." K'rrel said, seeing they would eagerly accept such a deal to learn more about each other and in hopes of an alliance with a powerful ally.
An Asari officer was keeping her eyes peeled for anything to know more about these newcomers for the Citadel Council, they seem to share the discipline nature and skills of combat the Turians could respect. Among the group that was with them that looked like something that looked like a machine and walked like these aliens, and had a behavior similar to organics. A part of her brain instantly clicked in with fear and one word in mind.
"GETH!"
Hoisted her gun and aimed it directly at the EXO's head who returned the same gesture, along with many soldiers pointing their weapons at the Asari who seems agitated and ready to pull the trigger. The commanding officers were alerted and feared this may turn into a major incident.
"HOLD YOUR FIRE! HOLD YOUR FIRE! STAND DOWN AT ONCE!" The Captain growled, ordering his soldiers to stand down and glared at the Asari before turning to the Commander.
"Don't even think about it! Now what's going on?!" Christina demanded their reason of such behavior towards the EXO. "And what the hell is a Geth?"
"Sargent, stand down!" Kortenrill did not want this to happen, he didn't expect them to have an AI, maybe they don't know the dangers they pose or have more control over them. Seeing the Asari looking at him like he was crazy but he was serious. He could not afford loose potential allies that could save the galaxy by a mear fear of AIs. She was reluctant but slowly lowered her gun and returned to the shuttle for her behavior.
"General, what the hell was that about? Why did she suddenly try to attack one of our own." They wanted answers, even the EXO who was present stood there and confused of what was going on. "And what did she mean by Geth?"
"You have to get rid of it! AIs are dangerous, you should've let us-"
"That's enough! They're clearly confused and don't know us very well. The last thing we want is another war on our hands." Kortenrill silenced the officer who spoke and turned to the officers who looked very determined to know what was her reason to act hostile all of a sudden.
"I must apologies for that incident, but I believe you deserve to know of our… caution when dealing with AIs."
This was clearly going to be a long day, especially when it comes to first contact scenarios.
Unknown Location
The night sky was clear of pollution for anyone from below to see the countless stars in the heavens. It would've been clear pitch had it not been for the bright orange glow from the forest, made by the scorching fire, slowly burning down a building to the ground, along with any unfortunate soul left inside. One individual slowly approached the burning mansion while it was still standing, not faced by the scorching heat, wrapped in a black cloak, the face hidden under a hood. The flames barely touched the cloak, instead were casted aside as if an invisible force was protecting the individual while passing or walking over the burning dead or dying as though they were not there or cared for their conditions. Searching for what the hooded stranger was looking for until the unseen eyes locked on to the prize, just in time before the support of the building's weight was slowly giving in.
Outside the burning debris, a black mist formed out of nowhere, the cloaked being appeared untouched by the flames but with a man in a formal suit and short blonde hair coughing the ashes from his lungs to breath. Held in one arm until he was dropped to the ground and slowly regaining consciousness to see larger figures, too dark to tell. But he can tell they were armed and dangerous.
"Now then, my good fellow." Turning his attention to someone who spoke out as a man with a calm and intelligent voice, but underneath it was a hint of malevolence. Like the mysterious person who saved him from the fires, this one was wrapped in a black cloak, walking with a cane. Gulped nervously and got up on his knees as the man approached him. "At last we meet in person. May I ask, what to the mansion and to the child?" Although his tone was soft as a wise man, but clearly was something that made the man feel he was being interrogated.
"W-Wait, please! I didn't know this would happen! The child I made was suppose to be the breakthrough of it all but that bit-URK!" Unable to speak any longer, reached out for his throat as if he was being strangled, but there was nothing holding him by the neck.
Held up his hand, directly at the blonde in a fierce grip. "I care little for your excuses, all I ask, is answers. Now. Where. Is. The child?" Moved closer to the blonde haired man, close enough to see the two fiery orange eyes glaring into his very soul with fear and anger.
"I… don't know! She took him away before I could bring him to you! We were under attacked! I don't know who they were but they were powerful and dangerous! I almost thought they were you-" Feeling the invisible force tighten its hold around his windpipe, feeling the blood rushing through his veins in need of oxygen.
"That is a pity. But unfortunately for you... we have no more use for your purposes. For this world will soon fade into oblivion." The last thing his eyes would see was a bright light coming towards him, too fast to know what it was until his life was extinguished and fell to the ground. Dead.
The one who executed him stared at his corpse then slowly lifted it up with his spared hand and tossed the body back in the debris. "A pity. He had a brilliant mind, but his loyalty to some can easily be questionable". Turning to the rest as they were not showing fear or hesitation, but obedience as the first individual bowed before him. "My lord, forgive us for we have failed to locate the child he spoke of. He is nowhere to be found on this planet."
"Do not concern yourself, if it were not in the hands of these primitives then our plans will continue as they were. We have much to do and this world like any other will experience pain, and death. Now let us depart, destroy all evidence of our presence within this area. I sense the war is coming close to an end. Very soon." Leaving the scene as the rest begin to carry out his orders, destroy any who survived the fires. Using guns and filling the corpses with holes to make it seem like they were under attack.
But one thing that caught his concern were someone else that taken the child that could've served him and his order, perhaps those who know of the child's origins may have taken him away from the solar system. But one incident wont matter for there are always more to find with potential. Nothing must stand in their goals for he has plans for this planet as the rest of the galaxy. It would not be long for the Commonwealth, even the High Foundation to discover this sector of the galaxy and it's secrets.
The body of the man he killed laid dead on the grass, sliced down across the chest and shoulder by a hot plasma weapon. A tag fell to the ground and had a name on it.
"Hibiki."
Codex Entry:
Pegasus Coalition:
The Pegasus Coalition is a collection of human civilizations that have long suffered under the dominion of the Wraith for thousands of years since the Wraith-Lantean War. They started out as a handful that were either willing or manage to hide the remnants of Lantean technologies with the help of colonists from the neighboring galaxy, the Milky Way. Since the Wraith were defeated, the Coalition expanded to hundreds of systems and became bitter rivals to the Genii Confederation due to growing technological advantages and made an alliance with the Interstellar Commonwealth and the United Systems in 2552.
So far they have a small but growing fleet using both Federation and Lantean technologies to watch over the civilizations that have no spacefaring technology or unable to defend themselves. They are mostly influenced by the United Federation of Planet's military due to the majority of the colonists originated from the Alpha Quadrant. Much to know about their military is still required.
Andromeda:
The nearest galaxy to the Milky Way is home to the United Systems of Andromeda. Also referred to, as the United Systems are an alliance of species that are descendants of the colonists who left the Milky Way centuries prior and the native races of Andromeda. They became a major power in the galaxy since the last galactic power known as the Kalvan Empire fell long ago. The other galactic civilization is an isolated race calling themselves the Exodites that prefer to be left alone from the rest of Andromeda. Since the United Systems made contact with the Milky Way after centuries and alliances were formed.
Ok, so I really apologies for the delay as I've been busy doing some drawings and was thinking of what ideas for this chapter with more ideas popping up. And yes this is similar to the original COTA series, so thought maybe his mother was involved of something and make it seem like she was trying to safe since we have no vital idea how they died. As for the ship they found, well that was something I thought maybe there was more to Halo Earth than it seems.
And a slight little tease for the antagonists so if anyone you guess who they were, especially the one who has been "slides his neck across his neck". Whoever guessed them right will have a character in the future planned chronicles in the fanfic or the new wiki! I already have one from a fellow fanfic writer.