(A/N) I'm not on spring break anymore so if the chapters are short and I don't update often it's because I'm also trying to focus on schoolwork. I don't own Star Wars or Halo except the characters I created.

Chapter 4: A Tense Meeting

"Well, Admiral, it seems you've got quite an operation going on here," Captain Keyes said pleasantly. They had been bantering back and forth for at least an hour in a diplomatic stand-off. Testing each other for hidden motives, the extent they could trust each other, and occasionally flirting to throw each other off guard, the Admiral and the Captain squared off in a battle of wits.

And it was boring everyone else to the point of madness. Sergeant Johnson was dozing in his chair, the shotgun lay forgotten on the floor. The Arbiter was sitting back and watching the two with feigned interest, and Master Chief was sitting at attention and was using all of his willpower to not start banging his head on the table. Meanwhile Cortana had gone back to harassing the Iron Wolf's inhabitants.

"Admiral?"

The tired voice of Captain Mendoza stopped Miranda and Ehrens' battle. Ehren keyed on the intercom.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Admiral that thing is back and causing more havoc than before."

Ehren threw a cold glance at Miranda and then started keying orders into his datapad.

"I'll deal with it now, Captain. Make sure those techs get a healthy bonus and the day off for their work. Also be prepared to board the captured ship again if I give the order," Ehren ignored the shocked look of the defenders. "Understood?"

"Yes, Captain."

When the Captain had signed off Miranda Keyes stood up and started to protest, however she was cut off at a gesture from the Admiral. It didn't matter if she was the leader of the best core of marines the UNSC had, here he was the master. Clearing his throat the mercenary offered his explanation.

"Order you're A.I. to stop screwing with my ship and I'll inform the boarding party to disengage. However if Cortana continues to mess around with any of my property I will systematically kill every single one of your soldiers. After that if Cortana persists in causing my ship damage I will personally execute each of you in this order: the Arbiter, the Sergeant, Master Chief, and than you. If she continues I will purge my ship of its memory, crippling my ship for a while but destroying her, and when my ship is operational again I will name myself an enemy of the UNSC and destroy any UNSC soldier, ship, or planet. Make your choice."

Captain Miranda Keyes could only stare at the man who had threatened everything she held dear over the simple matter of a single A.I. playing with his computer system. All he had to do was ask politely. She thought, awed at the fact that this single man could be so evil. Wait, it's another test! He's flaunting his power to show how dangerous he is! His plan is to make me appear beneath him (though technically I am, he's an Admiral and I'm a Captain) so he will appear to my troops as strong and make them fear him. She remembered the Tarkin Doctrine: to rule by the fear of force, rather than force itself. A shiver ran up her spine. They were stuck; they had no choice but to ally with him against the covenant threat.

She had apparently remained silent too long; Ehren was starting to tap orders into his datapad. Master Chief and the others looked like they were ready to jump him. With speed born from desperation Miranda keyed the intercom.

"WAIT! Cortana, come here! NOW!"

Ehren set his datapad aside and watched the hologram projector. The purple silhouette of Cortana appeared and looked at Captain Keyes expectantly.

"Cortana I need you to stop messing around with Admiral Varick's ship—I mean it."

Cortana looked a bit bummed out, "Yes, Captain."

Outside a ragged cheer went up from the crew of the Iron Wolf. They were acting like they had just one a year-long battle.

Ehren turned to the intercom, "Captain, open a cask of the best champagne,I think we've just made some new allies." He switched off the intercom and faced the five leaders of the Star Galleon.

"Congratulations," he said as he took of his helmet. "You're in."