I'll do a disclaimer now then...
I don't own the original intellectual property of any of the Alien Races
represented, or any of the original intellectual ideas in games, movies or
books from which the various species, cultures, technologies or groups
originate. I do own the games books and movies, just not the original
ideas. I do own this story though, so keep that in mind.
Chapter 1: Crypto Analysis
Crypto Analysis was one of the less valuable branches of the Office of Naval Intelligence. For the most part Crypto had been occupied with working on decrypting rebel and seditious transmissions. In 2525 Crypto analysis changed it's purpose from internal decryption and encryption to working towards cracking the Covenant battle networks and codes. For the most part Crypto had been spectacularly unsuccessful in their efforts. Although, unofficially Crypto Analysis was charged with trying to understand the Covenant language. For the most part they had been only moderately successful in their efforts. Much of the Covenant's language revolved around religious connotations and over stylized lexicon.
But Crypto continued their efforts to decipher the strange alien language and their codes. AI's undertook most of the work, the human element was merely there to review and give context for the information. In the opinion of many in the higher echelons of the ONI command were concerned that Crypto analysis took up an undue amount of manpower. But despite the concerns, Crypto still retained a human element. Which was ironic, since the most important piece of information the human race could receive would have been viewed by a computer and delegated to some dusty storage file, never to be read.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Ian White was sitting in the main information analysis hub for ONI Crypto analysis. Situated on Earth, it was probably one of the safest locations in UNSC controlled space. Defended by the last remnants of the UNSC fleet and the formidable defenses that Earth had, it was within the last true fortress for humanity.
ONI Crypto was a section of UNSC High Command, located in the main command control headquarters for the UNSC forces that remained. Reach was HighCom, and that had been eliminated by the Covenant.
The mood among the four officers in Crypto was one of grim determination. All four had been in this room for over three days, most of it spent with little to no sleep. They'd been working non-stop with no break. The reason for all their frantic efforts was the sheer mass of the information retrieved from the Covenant and from Halo hesitated it.
Two weeks ago the last remaining group of Spartans had returned to Earth with the remnants of the UNSC Destroyer Gettysburg. Cortana carried in her AI memory core a breathtaking amount data retried from the Covenant battle network and the Halo construct. Since then the entirety of ONI Crypto Analysis, Special weapons, Science division, Intel and Weapons Development were pouring over the information with gusto. They knew that their lives, and the lives of every Human in the galaxy were riding on their ability to understand this data.
LT J.G. White scanned the screen in front of him as the dry artificial computer voice read aloud what he saw.
"Summation of Alien Construct data code named: HALO. Subject: Research programs and target species."
"Halo instillations are constructed with a three fold purpose. Firstly, they are designed to operate as weapons systems in the final stopgap measure to halt the Flood, annihilation of every sentient species in the universe. Secondly, each HALO instillation is tasked with research into the Flood organism itself, and monitoring the countermeasure races studied." The computer read dryly.
"Countermeasure races? What the hell are those?" White wondered aloud, then copied the file and tasked it to go to ONI bioresearch division. White finished setting up the destination for the file but read on, curious about the document himself.
'HALO installations have been created to monitor the surrounding space they occupy, mainly for signs of the Flood reemergence. Many instillations exist to study various races in existence and analyze their viability as Flood carriers, or as resistant to the Flood macro-organism. The oldest races proved to be as vulnerable to the Flood macro-organism as any sentient species. Any ability to use them as soldiers to combat the flood would be useless. The Flood macro-organism proved to be capable of assimilating Asguard, Orion, Airlia and Antaran genetic code.'
White looked at the list and blinked. He shook his head; those couldn't be other alien races, could they?
He read on.
'Technological development proved the only potent weapon for any of these races to resist the Flood. Technological development levels proved superior to any race so far encountered and studied.'
'Other races encountered and studied have proven capable of resisting the Flood macro-organism in small controlled locations, but not through any natural means. All means are technological and external. Only race capable of resisting infection entirely unaided named 'Xenomorph' shares many characteristics of the Flood and just as deadly.'
'Alien species named the 'Race' is a reptilian species that exhibits a slow, if not non-existent level of technological advancement. They have low technology kinetic kill weapons and a primitive grasp of space travel. They have come into contact with three other alien species, the Rabotevs, the Hallanese and Humans. The Rabotevs and Hallanese were subjugated, the Humans managed to resist attempts as subjugation. Even though they demonstrated primitive grasp of technology.
'Note, race referred to as 'Humans' displays potential to resist Flood organism in technological and military means. Experiments reveal resourcefulness and technological abilities not demonstrated by other races. Multiple Human development studies have shown that human development is not set at a fixed rate.'
White looked at the monitor and rubbed his eyes, he had to be hallucinating, this report was referring to a multitude of alien races, and various human societies. That couldn't be right could it? Naww.
He needed more coffee....
He glanced at his watch, sleep would be good too.
'Human group classified as 'Imperium of Man' demonstrates feudal society, regressed from high level of technology. The culture revolves around their Emperor, a shattered husk of a being they have elevated to the position of a living god. Their society is on the brink of tearing itself apart. Currently at war with multiple alien races, 'Orks' 'Tyranids' 'Tau' 'Necrons' and 'Eldar' see enclosed data files.
'Human group classified as the 'New Republic' and the 'Empire' both demonstrate a high level of development, and culture, along with interaction with other sentient people. But are currently involved in repulsing an extra galactic invasion from the Yhuzzan Vong. Note: Humans from this galaxy demonstrate psionic or 'magical' powers referred to as the 'force'. Also, see information on Yhuzzan Vong, military empire based on biotechnology, therefore extremely vulnerable to the Flood.
'Human group classified as the 'Federation' is highly developed and non- militarilaistic, they also are made up of a multitude of other sentient races, and allied with the Klingon star empire (See information on Klingons). They have peaceful interactions with other sentient peoples and demonstrate a highly evolved level of culture and philosophy. Currently concerned with sentient race known as the 'Borg' See attached data for Flood resistance level.'
'Human group classified as the 'Human Alliance' is a militarilaistic people, concerned with interstellar invasion and warfare with other aggressive peoples. They have high level technology and are capable of inter dimensional travel to a degree. They have set up their own set of alliances with other alien races.'
'Human group classified as the 'UNSC' demonstrates only moderate technological development and culture. Currently engaged in warfare with empire known as the 'Covenant Hegemony'. The 'UNSC' is close to extinction.'
White sat straight up in his chair and stared at the data.
"My god..." He murmured looking at the screen. He spun in his chair and practically sprinted to the AI holotank in the center of the room. He looked up at the glowing figure being projected into the display, a man dressed in what appeared to be 1920's style clothing resembling a gangster. He preferred to be called 'Sid'.
"Sid. The data in information packet...HALO 163. Can you tell me how recent this information was recorded into the HALO mainframe."
"Gimmie a sec." Sid said and looked up.
"From what I can tell from Cortana's files it was recorded approximately six months before she accessed them." Sid said looking at the Naval officer. White's jaw fell and he was at a loss for words.
"Sid, I want you to go over the information in HALO 163 and analyze every bit of information. Make sure that it's saying what I think it's saying."
"It would help if you told me what you think it's saying." Sid said.
"I think it's saying that there are other humans out there, more advanced that we are. I think it's saying that we might have a chance."
Sid looked at the officer and nodded. He looked up into the holo crystals above him for a full minute. Then shook his head and did it again. He looked back at the Lieutenant and nodded.
"Oh yeah man. You're right." Sid said nodding.
Lt. White flew across the room towards the com unit. His colleagues in the room looked at him surprised at the other man's seemingly insane outburst. Right now White didn't care, he had what could possibly be the most important file in Human history sitting on his computer screen.
"This is Crypto Analysis. I need to speak with ONI Command now." White shouted into the comm. He glanced back at his monitor, the other three officers in the room had crowded around and were reading the file. He heard one mutter 'oh my god.' Very loudly. Maybe there was a god that liked humans after all.
It was an emergency session of High Command. They'd been hastily called from their homes and residences at three in the morning. None of the officers were happy to be called up so early, but Admiral Lucien had called the meeting of the Chiefs of staff, and there wasn't much that could be done through grumbling. The assembly room was set up to be imposing, yet still allow the members to converse. A raised desk sat higher than the main floor and was in a circular shape. This allowed the members to look around at each other, or down at the unlucky individual that was facing their questions. There were ten members on the Chiefs of Staff. One representative for the Army, one for the Navy, one for the Marines, and one representing Special Forces. Those were the strictly military branches represented. Also, the Office of Naval Intelligence had a representative, along with Military R&D, Public Relations, Military Construction and Civil defense. Those branches represented endeavors that were both military and civilian in nature.
The head of the Chiefs of staff sat at the center of the semi- circular raised desk. On his left was the military, on the right, the military-civilian representatives. Admiral Lucien was the head of the chiefs of staff and he wasn't saying anything. Neither did any of the other officers speak. But despite the silence, a pervasive energy coursed though the room. All of them had heard the news and they were eager to hear what was going to happen.
Down on the lower level, the door opened and a trio of officers walked in. All three of them looked haggard and weary. The lead officer was Captain Irving, the current head of ONI Crypto Analysis; he had been the first to receive the data. On his left was LT White, still looking wild eyed and tired. He carried a sheath of papers under his arm and several data files. On the right was Crypto Analysis's primary AI, dressed like a Japanese Samurai he was referred to as Wong.
"Well gentlemen, I take it you have some information we might find useful?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Sir, yes we do sir." Captain Irving said stepping up to a small dais in the center of the room. White and Wong stood on either side of him.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense." General Monroe said from his seat as Chief of the Army.
"Yes sir. Four hours ago Lieutenant White was going over a portion of the data recovered from the construct known as HALO. He discovered information from the construct's research systems that eludes to the presence of other human cultures in the universe."
"And how exactly do you know this information is accurate? Or that it is current" Colonel Ackerson interrupted from his position representing Special Forces.
"My protégé Sid went over this information and validated the dates represented in the files. Along with the study by Cortana, it places the information at being current and uploaded three to five months ago. As for the accuracy of this information, it details in depth our military capabilities and civilian systems very accurately. Including the state of our war with the Covenant." Wong said with a snap in his voice. Ackerson silenced himself.
"The information included in this file is summarized on your monitors. Right now there are several major Human cultures represented. The 'Imperium of Man', the 'New Republic', the 'Empire', the 'Federation' and the 'Human Alliance'. Those races demonstrate space travel and advanced weapons technology. All of them are capable of fighting a stellar war. Other lesser human societies are present, although they are not in the same technological range as these five races. Along with these major Human groups are a massive number of alien races represented. Many of which are technologically advanced, some of which are allied with humans, or interact in a positive way. There is a breakdown in the files of the thousands of Alien races and societies that the HALO constructs studied. But I believe our chances for positive interaction are greater with the Human groups." Capain Irving said.
"The HALO data includes a wealth of data and information on their societies, cultures, and their military capabilities. Judging by the information we have, there is a distinct possibility that they could defeat the Covenant." Captain Irving continued.
"And how does this help us son? We can't just drop them a line and ask for help can we?" Admiral Lucien said.
"True sir, these groups are isolated in other Galaxies and-" Captain Irving said, but was cut off by Colonel Ackerson.
"So then why are you telling us this? Some sort of sick joke?" The Colonel snapped.
"Excuse me, Colonel, but if you would allow us to continue perhaps we can finish telling you what we came here to tell you." Wong snapped right back. The AI wasn't bound by military protocol and rank. The AI glared at the Colonel from beneath it's hologramatic armor.
"Proceed." Admiral Lucien said and glared at the Colonel for silence.
"The HALO data reveals that the construct had a three fold purpose. First it was a weapon system. Second it was a research facility. And third, it was a gateway." Lt. White said.
"A gateway?" Doctor Ewel asked from his post at Military R&D."
"Yes, sir. The data states that the HALO constructs have three purposes. As for it being a weapons system and a gateway they both require the manipulation of large amounts of energy. We believe that the structures create a wormhole between two of the structures and allow for near instantaneous transit." Lt. White said.
Doctor Ewel was nodding.
"Is that possible Doctor?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Yes. Although it goes against our entire understanding of faster than light travel, wormholes are a distinct possibility. There were experiments done on the feasibility of creating a new type of drive for our vessels. Although we halted that research to work on the Covenant sensor and drive arrays for Slipspace navigation." Doctor Ewel said.
"So, what you're saying doctor is that the HALO structure could have been a gateway between galaxies?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Yes. From the information I received on the makeup and structure of the ring, it is possible."
"So? That Spartan destroyed the only HALO structure in the Galaxy. Even if we could communicate with these other human groups, we can't get there and they can't get here." Ackerson said.
"I'm sorry to contradict you sir, but there is more than one HALO construct in this galaxy, or in the others." Captain Irving said. Ackerson glared at the Captain. The Captain didn't flinch this time. He looked at Wong and the AI nodded. The holo projectors in the ceiling of the room switched on and displayed a massive galaxy in the room. A small splash of blue was along one arm, while a large area of red took up the rest of the galaxy. Several blinking points appeared throughout the red, and a few appeared in the blue area.
"This is our galaxy. The red is the Covenant Hegemony, according to the data in the HALO files. The blue is our space. The blinking points are HALO constructs." Captain Irving said.
The Chief's of Staff looked up, speechless.
"The HALO that was destroyed was one of a massive network in the galaxy. These were emplaced to make sure that every square light year of space was rendered devoid of life. If one of these locations is reached, it would have the same structure found at the original HALO site." Captain Irving said. Wong nodded again and the display changed. It seemed to zoom out and display a multitude of galaxies. Five of them began to blink in green.
"These are the galaxies occupied by the other major Human powers. They too have the same make up of HALO structures. Presumably to curtail the spread of the Flood out of the infected galaxy, and to study the present organisms in the galaxies." Captain Irving continued.
"You mean to say that this HALO network is still in existence in this galaxy then?" Admiral Lucien said.
"Yes sir. And with it still remains the ability to contact the other Human powers." Captain Irving said.
"Thank you gentlemen, dismissed." Admiral Lucien said. The three figures on the lower floor nodded, saluted and left.
"Admiral...If what they say is true...." General Monroe said slowly.
"We have the capacity to communicate and travel to other galaxies..." Doctor Ewel continued.
"But right now the war with the Covenant-" Colonel Ackerson said, but was cut off by General Stevens, the Marine commander.
"...is all but lost Colonel. Reach is gone, and with it the last line of defense for earth. If we don't do something we're going to be annihilated. The UNSC can't fight this war any more. We couldn't fight it when it began." General Stevens said.
"If we send a fleet to investigate the HALO sites, and to make contact, we might have a chance of getting reinforcements to Earth in time to help fight off any invasion." General Monroe said.
"That would leave Earth's defenses weakened to a point we can't accept." Colonel Ackerson said.
"Colonel, if you would allow me to make the decisions here..." Admiral Lucien said softly. Ackerson mouthed wordlessly, then fell silent.
"The possibility of gaining aid from other governments is worth the risks. Right now our fleet is down to skeleton levels. We barely have enough to slow down a Covenant force attacking earth. Our ground forces have been crushed. There's no room for debate on this issue. Some small hope is better than none at all." Admiral Lucien said.
"I want a military force formed to investigate the other HALO locations in our space. ONI surveillance will be stepped up in these areas as well. I want a joint Naval, Army, and Marine task force assigned to this along with a scientific and diplomatic envoys accompanying, this is the highest priority. If this mission doesn't succeed than the absence of a few ships and soldiers won't make any difference." Admiral Lucien said. There were nods around the table.
"This is our last hope gentlemen, the Covenant is coming to earth and if we don't get some sort of help, we won't be able to stop them. I don't think we can win this war without help, I don't think we can stop the Covenant advance without help. We're done for if something doesn't happen to help us."
Next: Chapter 2: Discoveries by the Imperium of Man.
Chapter 1: Crypto Analysis
Crypto Analysis was one of the less valuable branches of the Office of Naval Intelligence. For the most part Crypto had been occupied with working on decrypting rebel and seditious transmissions. In 2525 Crypto analysis changed it's purpose from internal decryption and encryption to working towards cracking the Covenant battle networks and codes. For the most part Crypto had been spectacularly unsuccessful in their efforts. Although, unofficially Crypto Analysis was charged with trying to understand the Covenant language. For the most part they had been only moderately successful in their efforts. Much of the Covenant's language revolved around religious connotations and over stylized lexicon.
But Crypto continued their efforts to decipher the strange alien language and their codes. AI's undertook most of the work, the human element was merely there to review and give context for the information. In the opinion of many in the higher echelons of the ONI command were concerned that Crypto analysis took up an undue amount of manpower. But despite the concerns, Crypto still retained a human element. Which was ironic, since the most important piece of information the human race could receive would have been viewed by a computer and delegated to some dusty storage file, never to be read.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Ian White was sitting in the main information analysis hub for ONI Crypto analysis. Situated on Earth, it was probably one of the safest locations in UNSC controlled space. Defended by the last remnants of the UNSC fleet and the formidable defenses that Earth had, it was within the last true fortress for humanity.
ONI Crypto was a section of UNSC High Command, located in the main command control headquarters for the UNSC forces that remained. Reach was HighCom, and that had been eliminated by the Covenant.
The mood among the four officers in Crypto was one of grim determination. All four had been in this room for over three days, most of it spent with little to no sleep. They'd been working non-stop with no break. The reason for all their frantic efforts was the sheer mass of the information retrieved from the Covenant and from Halo hesitated it.
Two weeks ago the last remaining group of Spartans had returned to Earth with the remnants of the UNSC Destroyer Gettysburg. Cortana carried in her AI memory core a breathtaking amount data retried from the Covenant battle network and the Halo construct. Since then the entirety of ONI Crypto Analysis, Special weapons, Science division, Intel and Weapons Development were pouring over the information with gusto. They knew that their lives, and the lives of every Human in the galaxy were riding on their ability to understand this data.
LT J.G. White scanned the screen in front of him as the dry artificial computer voice read aloud what he saw.
"Summation of Alien Construct data code named: HALO. Subject: Research programs and target species."
"Halo instillations are constructed with a three fold purpose. Firstly, they are designed to operate as weapons systems in the final stopgap measure to halt the Flood, annihilation of every sentient species in the universe. Secondly, each HALO instillation is tasked with research into the Flood organism itself, and monitoring the countermeasure races studied." The computer read dryly.
"Countermeasure races? What the hell are those?" White wondered aloud, then copied the file and tasked it to go to ONI bioresearch division. White finished setting up the destination for the file but read on, curious about the document himself.
'HALO installations have been created to monitor the surrounding space they occupy, mainly for signs of the Flood reemergence. Many instillations exist to study various races in existence and analyze their viability as Flood carriers, or as resistant to the Flood macro-organism. The oldest races proved to be as vulnerable to the Flood macro-organism as any sentient species. Any ability to use them as soldiers to combat the flood would be useless. The Flood macro-organism proved to be capable of assimilating Asguard, Orion, Airlia and Antaran genetic code.'
White looked at the list and blinked. He shook his head; those couldn't be other alien races, could they?
He read on.
'Technological development proved the only potent weapon for any of these races to resist the Flood. Technological development levels proved superior to any race so far encountered and studied.'
'Other races encountered and studied have proven capable of resisting the Flood macro-organism in small controlled locations, but not through any natural means. All means are technological and external. Only race capable of resisting infection entirely unaided named 'Xenomorph' shares many characteristics of the Flood and just as deadly.'
'Alien species named the 'Race' is a reptilian species that exhibits a slow, if not non-existent level of technological advancement. They have low technology kinetic kill weapons and a primitive grasp of space travel. They have come into contact with three other alien species, the Rabotevs, the Hallanese and Humans. The Rabotevs and Hallanese were subjugated, the Humans managed to resist attempts as subjugation. Even though they demonstrated primitive grasp of technology.
'Note, race referred to as 'Humans' displays potential to resist Flood organism in technological and military means. Experiments reveal resourcefulness and technological abilities not demonstrated by other races. Multiple Human development studies have shown that human development is not set at a fixed rate.'
White looked at the monitor and rubbed his eyes, he had to be hallucinating, this report was referring to a multitude of alien races, and various human societies. That couldn't be right could it? Naww.
He needed more coffee....
He glanced at his watch, sleep would be good too.
'Human group classified as 'Imperium of Man' demonstrates feudal society, regressed from high level of technology. The culture revolves around their Emperor, a shattered husk of a being they have elevated to the position of a living god. Their society is on the brink of tearing itself apart. Currently at war with multiple alien races, 'Orks' 'Tyranids' 'Tau' 'Necrons' and 'Eldar' see enclosed data files.
'Human group classified as the 'New Republic' and the 'Empire' both demonstrate a high level of development, and culture, along with interaction with other sentient people. But are currently involved in repulsing an extra galactic invasion from the Yhuzzan Vong. Note: Humans from this galaxy demonstrate psionic or 'magical' powers referred to as the 'force'. Also, see information on Yhuzzan Vong, military empire based on biotechnology, therefore extremely vulnerable to the Flood.
'Human group classified as the 'Federation' is highly developed and non- militarilaistic, they also are made up of a multitude of other sentient races, and allied with the Klingon star empire (See information on Klingons). They have peaceful interactions with other sentient peoples and demonstrate a highly evolved level of culture and philosophy. Currently concerned with sentient race known as the 'Borg' See attached data for Flood resistance level.'
'Human group classified as the 'Human Alliance' is a militarilaistic people, concerned with interstellar invasion and warfare with other aggressive peoples. They have high level technology and are capable of inter dimensional travel to a degree. They have set up their own set of alliances with other alien races.'
'Human group classified as the 'UNSC' demonstrates only moderate technological development and culture. Currently engaged in warfare with empire known as the 'Covenant Hegemony'. The 'UNSC' is close to extinction.'
White sat straight up in his chair and stared at the data.
"My god..." He murmured looking at the screen. He spun in his chair and practically sprinted to the AI holotank in the center of the room. He looked up at the glowing figure being projected into the display, a man dressed in what appeared to be 1920's style clothing resembling a gangster. He preferred to be called 'Sid'.
"Sid. The data in information packet...HALO 163. Can you tell me how recent this information was recorded into the HALO mainframe."
"Gimmie a sec." Sid said and looked up.
"From what I can tell from Cortana's files it was recorded approximately six months before she accessed them." Sid said looking at the Naval officer. White's jaw fell and he was at a loss for words.
"Sid, I want you to go over the information in HALO 163 and analyze every bit of information. Make sure that it's saying what I think it's saying."
"It would help if you told me what you think it's saying." Sid said.
"I think it's saying that there are other humans out there, more advanced that we are. I think it's saying that we might have a chance."
Sid looked at the officer and nodded. He looked up into the holo crystals above him for a full minute. Then shook his head and did it again. He looked back at the Lieutenant and nodded.
"Oh yeah man. You're right." Sid said nodding.
Lt. White flew across the room towards the com unit. His colleagues in the room looked at him surprised at the other man's seemingly insane outburst. Right now White didn't care, he had what could possibly be the most important file in Human history sitting on his computer screen.
"This is Crypto Analysis. I need to speak with ONI Command now." White shouted into the comm. He glanced back at his monitor, the other three officers in the room had crowded around and were reading the file. He heard one mutter 'oh my god.' Very loudly. Maybe there was a god that liked humans after all.
It was an emergency session of High Command. They'd been hastily called from their homes and residences at three in the morning. None of the officers were happy to be called up so early, but Admiral Lucien had called the meeting of the Chiefs of staff, and there wasn't much that could be done through grumbling. The assembly room was set up to be imposing, yet still allow the members to converse. A raised desk sat higher than the main floor and was in a circular shape. This allowed the members to look around at each other, or down at the unlucky individual that was facing their questions. There were ten members on the Chiefs of Staff. One representative for the Army, one for the Navy, one for the Marines, and one representing Special Forces. Those were the strictly military branches represented. Also, the Office of Naval Intelligence had a representative, along with Military R&D, Public Relations, Military Construction and Civil defense. Those branches represented endeavors that were both military and civilian in nature.
The head of the Chiefs of staff sat at the center of the semi- circular raised desk. On his left was the military, on the right, the military-civilian representatives. Admiral Lucien was the head of the chiefs of staff and he wasn't saying anything. Neither did any of the other officers speak. But despite the silence, a pervasive energy coursed though the room. All of them had heard the news and they were eager to hear what was going to happen.
Down on the lower level, the door opened and a trio of officers walked in. All three of them looked haggard and weary. The lead officer was Captain Irving, the current head of ONI Crypto Analysis; he had been the first to receive the data. On his left was LT White, still looking wild eyed and tired. He carried a sheath of papers under his arm and several data files. On the right was Crypto Analysis's primary AI, dressed like a Japanese Samurai he was referred to as Wong.
"Well gentlemen, I take it you have some information we might find useful?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Sir, yes we do sir." Captain Irving said stepping up to a small dais in the center of the room. White and Wong stood on either side of him.
"Well, don't keep us in suspense." General Monroe said from his seat as Chief of the Army.
"Yes sir. Four hours ago Lieutenant White was going over a portion of the data recovered from the construct known as HALO. He discovered information from the construct's research systems that eludes to the presence of other human cultures in the universe."
"And how exactly do you know this information is accurate? Or that it is current" Colonel Ackerson interrupted from his position representing Special Forces.
"My protégé Sid went over this information and validated the dates represented in the files. Along with the study by Cortana, it places the information at being current and uploaded three to five months ago. As for the accuracy of this information, it details in depth our military capabilities and civilian systems very accurately. Including the state of our war with the Covenant." Wong said with a snap in his voice. Ackerson silenced himself.
"The information included in this file is summarized on your monitors. Right now there are several major Human cultures represented. The 'Imperium of Man', the 'New Republic', the 'Empire', the 'Federation' and the 'Human Alliance'. Those races demonstrate space travel and advanced weapons technology. All of them are capable of fighting a stellar war. Other lesser human societies are present, although they are not in the same technological range as these five races. Along with these major Human groups are a massive number of alien races represented. Many of which are technologically advanced, some of which are allied with humans, or interact in a positive way. There is a breakdown in the files of the thousands of Alien races and societies that the HALO constructs studied. But I believe our chances for positive interaction are greater with the Human groups." Capain Irving said.
"The HALO data includes a wealth of data and information on their societies, cultures, and their military capabilities. Judging by the information we have, there is a distinct possibility that they could defeat the Covenant." Captain Irving continued.
"And how does this help us son? We can't just drop them a line and ask for help can we?" Admiral Lucien said.
"True sir, these groups are isolated in other Galaxies and-" Captain Irving said, but was cut off by Colonel Ackerson.
"So then why are you telling us this? Some sort of sick joke?" The Colonel snapped.
"Excuse me, Colonel, but if you would allow us to continue perhaps we can finish telling you what we came here to tell you." Wong snapped right back. The AI wasn't bound by military protocol and rank. The AI glared at the Colonel from beneath it's hologramatic armor.
"Proceed." Admiral Lucien said and glared at the Colonel for silence.
"The HALO data reveals that the construct had a three fold purpose. First it was a weapon system. Second it was a research facility. And third, it was a gateway." Lt. White said.
"A gateway?" Doctor Ewel asked from his post at Military R&D."
"Yes, sir. The data states that the HALO constructs have three purposes. As for it being a weapons system and a gateway they both require the manipulation of large amounts of energy. We believe that the structures create a wormhole between two of the structures and allow for near instantaneous transit." Lt. White said.
Doctor Ewel was nodding.
"Is that possible Doctor?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Yes. Although it goes against our entire understanding of faster than light travel, wormholes are a distinct possibility. There were experiments done on the feasibility of creating a new type of drive for our vessels. Although we halted that research to work on the Covenant sensor and drive arrays for Slipspace navigation." Doctor Ewel said.
"So, what you're saying doctor is that the HALO structure could have been a gateway between galaxies?" Admiral Lucien asked.
"Yes. From the information I received on the makeup and structure of the ring, it is possible."
"So? That Spartan destroyed the only HALO structure in the Galaxy. Even if we could communicate with these other human groups, we can't get there and they can't get here." Ackerson said.
"I'm sorry to contradict you sir, but there is more than one HALO construct in this galaxy, or in the others." Captain Irving said. Ackerson glared at the Captain. The Captain didn't flinch this time. He looked at Wong and the AI nodded. The holo projectors in the ceiling of the room switched on and displayed a massive galaxy in the room. A small splash of blue was along one arm, while a large area of red took up the rest of the galaxy. Several blinking points appeared throughout the red, and a few appeared in the blue area.
"This is our galaxy. The red is the Covenant Hegemony, according to the data in the HALO files. The blue is our space. The blinking points are HALO constructs." Captain Irving said.
The Chief's of Staff looked up, speechless.
"The HALO that was destroyed was one of a massive network in the galaxy. These were emplaced to make sure that every square light year of space was rendered devoid of life. If one of these locations is reached, it would have the same structure found at the original HALO site." Captain Irving said. Wong nodded again and the display changed. It seemed to zoom out and display a multitude of galaxies. Five of them began to blink in green.
"These are the galaxies occupied by the other major Human powers. They too have the same make up of HALO structures. Presumably to curtail the spread of the Flood out of the infected galaxy, and to study the present organisms in the galaxies." Captain Irving continued.
"You mean to say that this HALO network is still in existence in this galaxy then?" Admiral Lucien said.
"Yes sir. And with it still remains the ability to contact the other Human powers." Captain Irving said.
"Thank you gentlemen, dismissed." Admiral Lucien said. The three figures on the lower floor nodded, saluted and left.
"Admiral...If what they say is true...." General Monroe said slowly.
"We have the capacity to communicate and travel to other galaxies..." Doctor Ewel continued.
"But right now the war with the Covenant-" Colonel Ackerson said, but was cut off by General Stevens, the Marine commander.
"...is all but lost Colonel. Reach is gone, and with it the last line of defense for earth. If we don't do something we're going to be annihilated. The UNSC can't fight this war any more. We couldn't fight it when it began." General Stevens said.
"If we send a fleet to investigate the HALO sites, and to make contact, we might have a chance of getting reinforcements to Earth in time to help fight off any invasion." General Monroe said.
"That would leave Earth's defenses weakened to a point we can't accept." Colonel Ackerson said.
"Colonel, if you would allow me to make the decisions here..." Admiral Lucien said softly. Ackerson mouthed wordlessly, then fell silent.
"The possibility of gaining aid from other governments is worth the risks. Right now our fleet is down to skeleton levels. We barely have enough to slow down a Covenant force attacking earth. Our ground forces have been crushed. There's no room for debate on this issue. Some small hope is better than none at all." Admiral Lucien said.
"I want a military force formed to investigate the other HALO locations in our space. ONI surveillance will be stepped up in these areas as well. I want a joint Naval, Army, and Marine task force assigned to this along with a scientific and diplomatic envoys accompanying, this is the highest priority. If this mission doesn't succeed than the absence of a few ships and soldiers won't make any difference." Admiral Lucien said. There were nods around the table.
"This is our last hope gentlemen, the Covenant is coming to earth and if we don't get some sort of help, we won't be able to stop them. I don't think we can win this war without help, I don't think we can stop the Covenant advance without help. We're done for if something doesn't happen to help us."
Next: Chapter 2: Discoveries by the Imperium of Man.