What's up Bitcheeeeeessss.
Now when I say that this story has been a long time coming, that my dear ladies and gentlemen would be an understatement.
This has been in the works for years now it just needed time to take shape.
I have been wanting to do this for years now, years. I have read so many of the Mass Effect/Halo crossovers, taking a great many deal of inspiration from some of the top tier stuff like Spartan effect, New origins V2, Clash of Civilizations, The Last Spartan, The Unknown Defender and so on.
For me, when I began to really form into my own on this site, the main priority above all else was always to do something different something with a new flare that has not been seen before at least that's what i would like to believe that I'm doing. There's always some familiarity to the story as the structure and outline is there but execution, what you see and how the story goes about itself, that is the defining factor. I'm kinda rambling here but I hope you'll see and understand what I'm getting at.
I have my main comrades who have always been a great help for me and my ideas, BulletStormX, Jebest4781 and Thunderstruck60 as per usual so I thank them a great deal especially BulletStormX for this crossover in particular. The two of us spoke extensively on a variety of Halo/Mass Effect crossovers with this one being at the forefront for quite some time now.
This story will be an AU where certain events will play out differently and to be quite honest, while a great many ideas have been established the endgame is where it all comes down to that I don't know how to do. This is a very grandiose story spanning decades covering multiple story lines, both canon from both universes and original with multiple characters in play. Just forewarning you when the madness occurs.
But to be honest, I think I've said what I needed to for this moment. More will come to me when the time comes and either I would have formed an idea or I can look to you my readers for aid because some of my best ideas formed from some of the reviews and PMs you guys have given me which has been a great boon.
Right now, that's all.
Rate Read and Review and As Always Have Nice Day.
The Halo Effect: War and Civilization Chapter 1: Human Timeline and First Contact
1945: World War II comes to a close. The United Nations is formed. In order to prevent future wars and catastrophes a greater degree of consolidation of power is placed into the United Nations. By the end of the 20th century practically all of Earth's nations had joined the United Nations
2021: The International Society of Civil Engineers is formed, marking the start of space colonization, the dissolving of all governments and militaries into the UN. The colonization of the Solar System commences targeting the moon, Mars, The Jovian moons and various other asteroids.
2160-2170: Radical old beliefs and doctrines have a resurgence during humanities expansion into the stars. Neo-communists, Frieden fascists and the UN clash in a three-way war. From the Jovian Moons Campaign to The Rainforest Wars in South America. Towards the end of 2163, The United Nations Space Command, representing all of humanity's military forces, was formed. The Interplanetary War begins, the UNSC leading a systematic and dedicated drive to crush the opposing forces. By the end of the decade, both the Koslovics and Frieden forces finally surrendered. During this time, the first bioengineering protocols were created. They would be the progenitors of the Orion Project and all future augmentations.
2178: The Office of Naval Intelligence is formed
2291: After many years of growing discontent across the Sol System from Famine to overpopulation, humanity's greatest achievement and discovery is made. Shaw-Fujikawa Slip-space drive is invented, opening the doorway to the endless expanse of the stars. By 2310, the first line of colonial ships are unveiled leading to a mass movement of leaving Earth
2332: The Ross-Zeigler blip event takes place
2362: The Odyssey is launched, with humanity now expanding outside the confines of their old Solar System. Of these first worlds to be colonized is Reach.
2390: 210 human occupied worlds form the Inner Colonies. Over population is stabilized. First Contact scenarios and doctrines had been established by this time
2400: First Contact
Journal Entry I
Humanities history has always been one of growth, expansion, ambition, innovation and above all else that went hand in hand, War and Peace.
When we looked to the skies, the underlying belief of us not being alone went with it naturally. The endless expanse of the black void with the stars and celestial bodies far off in the distance becoming closer and closer by the day.
There was always the dormant eventuality of conflict, one we are all too familiar with. In fact there were times in the expanse where I found myself surprised at looking at the gaps in between where little violence and conflicts occurred.
The time of First Contact. I believe that was one of the strongest deterrents we have ever had.
I truly am grateful to our eternal allies in the stars.
Fierce, loyal, compassionate and kind.
Humanity was undoubtedly lucky with our first contacts. If only it had been that way at every turn.
-Journal Entry end
Over the past 100 years humanity has been rapidly expanding all throughout their area in the Galaxy. With over 300+ human occupied worlds under the UNSC, ambition only grew.
Currently, the recently constructed Gen-1 Frigate of the UNSC Frontier has been travelling in Slip-Space towards a newly discovered section in the milky-way that may hold ideal worlds for colonization that may not require the need for Terraforming technology.
It's Captain, Jackson R. Shepard was sitting on the bridge overlooking his fellow men and women performing their duties.
Shepard leaned back into his chair, taking a nice long drink of his coffee in hand.
"Captain."
Jackson glanced over to his left to see the avatar of the ship's personal AI, the first-generation AI Adam.
His avatar was based off of a dapper, sharply dressed businessman slicked back hair and a fine defined jaw.
"Adam." Shepard greeted. "You're looking spiffy as ever."
"Thank you captain. I do have an image to keep up." Adam Said in a smarmy joking tone.
Jackson chortled before turning serious.
"What have you got for me Adam?" Jackson inquired.
"All systems are nominal sir; we will be exiting slip space shortly." Adam stated.
"Good to know Adam." Jackson then turned to address the rest of the crew, his voice echoing on the intercom throughout the ship.
"Attention all hands, this the captain speaking. Prepare for slip space exit protocols. I want all hands at their stations to keep all systems green."
In front of them, a large rupture pierced through the void of space allowing them to exit from the slip space stream.
"Systems check." Jackson ordered, receiving various responses.
"Engines are go, sir."
"Live support systems are functioning properly."
"Slip space engine is cooling down."
"Weapons are operating at a hundred percent capacity."
"Navigations and communication systems are nominal."
Jackson nodded, satisfied to hear that everything was up and running at full power. Looking ahead into the void of space, Jackson narrowed his eyes momentarily and spotted several planets, moons and other celestial bodies.
However, something caught Shepard's eye. Squinting further, he murmured under his breath trying to make sense of what he was looking at when…
"CAPTAIN" Adam yelled "Unidentified contacts orbiting planet designation K3!"
The entire crew of the UNSC Frontier went deathly silent, the sudden rise of tension palpable in the air. Excitement and anxiousness permeated amongst the crew. Jackson himself was silent in awe and nervousness.
"Adam." Jackson spoke slowly. "Are you telling me that…"
"First contact." Adam answered, confirming what many were speculating on.
They were not alone. The thought sunk in, completely taking over the thought process of the entire crew. They were not alone!
"Holy fucking shit." Was the first statement said aloud, a sentiment that practically everyone aboard the Frontier shared.
"Send word back to the UNSC command now" Jackson ordered "Move the Frontier towards the planet K3 steadily, let's not alarm anyone who may have an itchy trigger finger."
A veritable shiver of anticipation ran through them all as the Frontier began to slowly drift in the direction of what now can be seen as ships and satellites in orbit around the planet ahead.
"This is insane." Murmured a crewmate beside Shepard.
"What do you think they're like?" asked another.
"Hope they're peaceful."
"Their ships…they look…kinda wooden."
"Wooden ships? They're made of wood?"
"They look wooden, not are wooden, ding dong."
"What if they are wooden? The galaxy is a big place after all."
"Ok Plato, if you're done being philosophical…"
"Sir." Adam spoke up. "Detecting half a dozen ships breaking off from orbit and moving in our direction…they are hailing us."
Jackson tensed up, fists clenching and unclenching several times before he stood up and cleared his throat. Shepard became a stony-faced visage, eyes ablaze and focused.
"Patch them through." Jackson ordered.
A screen appeared before them and what they saw truly surprised them.
"Whoa!"
"Didn't expect that."
"They certainly look big that's for sure."
Knowing that this was the big moment, Jackson Shepard stepped forward clearing his throat.
"Greetings to you fellow travelers of the stars. This is Jackson R. Shepard, Captain of the UNSC Frontier." Jackson introduced himself professionally "I speak for the UEG's primary military force, the UNSC. On behalf of myself, my crew and all of humanity I hope that you come in peace like we do with no intentions of hostile actions."
What he got in response was a warble and growl that sounded like an odd mix of animals from dogs to bears.
"Anybody understand that?"
"You're seriously asking that question right now?"
"How in the heck did these walking carpets achieve space fairing capabilities?"
"Guess there's more to them than meets the eye."
"Adam?" Jackson looked to the ships AI who popped up beside him and shrugged
"I've actually managed to go through their systems with no difficulty and couldn't find a means of communicating with them."
Jackson sighed in frustration, facing the large furry bipedal creatures that continued to stare back at them with curiosity and expectancy. An idea then clicked into his mind.
"Adam" Jackson said "Can you create a package greeting? A way of displaying our intentions?"
Adam stared momentarily, brightening up a second later.
"Coming right up Captain." Adam said excitedly.
Nodding his head at the AI, Jackson faced the aliens once more exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Let's hope this works."
Several weeks later
The President of the UEG along with several council members, high ranking admirals of the UNSC, one of which went to meet with the aliens personally along with the Frontier and select ONI operatives all sat within a conference room overlooking the meeting between Humanity and this new space faring race they had stumbled upon in their journey through the stars.
What they saw was quite amazing as well as truly humorous.
When Jackson approached the large, hairy humanoid, he extended his hand in greeting only for the creature to let out a warbling cry. It then hugged the captain tightly as its own version of hello, making the poor captain momentarily lose his breath and causing his crew to snicker at the predicament.
"Well, they seem peaceful enough." Lord Admiral Montgomery Churchill provided a joking tone.
"They have shown no sign of aggression or any form of hostile motives." The UEG president said. "What else is there to know about them?"
"We finally discerned a name for them." General Robert Williams stated. "Thanks to the AI Adam along with several other AI's, we have managed to discern some of their unusual ways of communicating and have been given the identification of their Species name. Wookies."
"Wookies?" repeated a counselor.
"It means tree people." An ONI operative clarified. "At least that's what I think is the rough translation."
"Have they spoken on anything else?" Another Admiral of the UNSC asked. "Their wants, their intentions? Anything regarding that matter?"
"From what we've been able to gather, they themselves are still relatively new to the whole Space faring bit." Churchill stated. "Moreover the colonization of other systems. The approximate time that they have been amongst the stars is above our own by about several decades give or take, possibly even more so than us."
"There's also something else of note." The head of ONI spoke up. "They're Slip-space capabilities exceed our own."
That caught everyone's attention as of all the things that they were planning to speak about, Slip-space capabilities were not at the forefront of their minds.
"Really?" An ONI representative said with intrigue. "I wasn't aware of that."
"Before we do anything else." the president of the UEG cut in. "I just want to know one thing on everyone's mind. Are they hostile and if not now, can they become hostile in the future?"
A curt silence filled the room, the many individuals glancing at one another.
"Sir, if I may." General Williams spoke first. "I have trained many of our best and brightest with the same mentality that myself and my family has been trained with. Trust in your gut. Now these Wookies…they haven't been given reason to attack us as have we to them and in case you didn't notice, their version of greeting is a bear hug, plain and simple."
A few mouths twitched upwards at the casual quip but remained professional.
"Now that right there to me, I believe can be a good sign for us in the long run." Williams stated. "A chance of not only perhaps getting our hands on some new, innovating technology but allies in the stars. Not only will we be able to advance ourselves in the galaxy but we also won't be alone in that regard."
"That's a hell of an optimistic view, general." The head of ONI said frankly. "What makes you believe that they want to be our allies?"
"What makes you believe that they don't?" Williams shot back. "All I'm saying is we give this a chance. The literal chance of a lifetime. Now I'm really throwing ideas at the wall here, but this is first contact. And judging from the walking carpets this is their first contact as well. Let's put our best foot forward here. For the sake of humanity."
The room was still and quiet with all present unsure of how to respond to such a small speech. It was an impassioned rhetoric that did hold merit if more on the hypothetical side.
But right now, the president and several other individuals within the conference room couldn't help but be swayed by Williams' more optimistic side.
The president signed aloud. "Alright Williams. Let's put our best foot forward."
-Scene Cut-
It had been several months, but they were now starting to get somewhere.
After meeting with these new humanoid, furry aliens, humanity had at long last reached a breakthrough.
Thanks to coordinated efforts on both sides as well as multiple AI's going into overload, they had managed to identify the species name.
They called themselves Wookies, translated to People of the Trees and an apt title it was due to their jungle home world named Kashyyyk.
2401 August 1st: Writ Of brotherhood, Wookies swear lasting friendship and alliance with humanity for aiding in their ability to terra-form and colonize worlds within human systems.
-Earth-
-Unified Earth Government/UNSC Command HQ-
Thousands upon thousands of civilians were gathered around the United Nations with practically every single human upon every single colony watched with baited anticipation.
Floating above the buildings were multiple UNSC ships along with the unusually designed wooden ships of the alien race of the Wookies.
Among the front of the crowds were also a large collection of the walking fur bags that were all roaring in approval with their leaders standing before the president of the UEG with her cabinet.
Before the President stood the Chieftain and representatives of the Wookies, Rarfaren.
He was a tall Wookie, fur a deep shade of brown with an emblazoned shoulder pad upon his left and gauntlets of a silver tint.
Within his hands was a sword of some kind.
From what the President was told, this is what is called a Ryyk Blade.
Though it is common amongst the Wookies themselves, this Ryyk Blade was of particular significance.
It had been handed down for generations upon generations from one Chieftain to another before it became the symbol of the Wookie people after achieving space travel.
And now, due to humanity assisting the Wookies in being able to terra-form worlds and expand their people, this was their gift to them.
A solemn swear of comradery between the Wookie and their sworn brothers and sisters among the stars.
Rarfaren let out a gurgle and a whine, holding out the Ryyk blade toward the President of the UEG. The President stepped forward and gently took the blade out of the hands of the Wookie with her nodding towards him.
She then turned to the man standing beside her and nodded.
Dressed in a sharp military uniform with medals decorating his jacket, Captain Jackson R. Shepard held within his hand a set of folded flags of the UNSC and UEG with a specially made sword resting atop them both.
This sword was uniquely created utilizing multiple metals taken from the Earth and several of its colonies, forged into a classical broadsword.
Jackson held it out for Rarfaren to take with the Wookiee Chieftain letting out an accepting growl, taking it out of the Captain's hand.
The Chieftain looked to the crowd raising the sword and flag above his head and roared aloud in approval with the other Wookiees following suit. A moment later, the President of the UEG raised her own blade with people beginning to cheer aloud.
From this day forth, Wookiees and Humans would face the endless expanse of space together.
Journal Entry Log II
A momentous day occurred within the history of Wookiees and Humanity.
Those large, fuzzy creatures truly adhered to the philosophy of honoring their writ of union.
There were some detractors, naturally.
Yet the idea of having allies as strong and as… dare I say it, lovable as the Wookiees was a blessing that many could not deny.
It took some time of course for adjustments. Several years had gone by where 80 percent of the population had only seen Wookiees once in their lives, that being the day of the Writ.
But naturally, overtime, that number dwindled.
The UNSC with the Wookie government began working together and the universe certainly is an astonishing place at times. Who knew that the Wookiees were such handy mechanics.
Of course that should be assumed considering they achieved space flight on their own but their understanding of it at times outclassed our own.
When they spoke of sharing everything with their "brothers and sisters of the Stars", they truly meant it.
I am unsure if there is a God at times but in that instance in our history, Humanity was truly blessed.
Their language and cultures soon began integrating with our own and the same went for them.
Shyriiwook, or Wookieespeak, as most have taken to calling it is their primary language. There are others of course, though I find it astonishing with how quickly humans began to learn the language itself.
Though we have translators that can be installed within our neural implants, a growing number of them in the early 2430's understood it fluently as the Wookies did with many of Earth's own languages.
I digress. It was truly a stroke of first luck that humanity received such an ally at the start of the 25th century.
Many that would live past it would recall it with great fondness as we continued our expanse across the stars until...
2438, October 25th: Second Contact.
The UNSC Voyager was idly floating around the Lambda Serpentis System above the colony world of Jericho VII.
Rolling plains of palm grass complemented by vast green oceans, it was a human colony that was a producer of a fine alcoholic beverage known as Alt Burgundy.
Needless to say, it was quite popular amongst the ranks of the UNSC and their Wookiee allies.
Currently, the Captain of the ship along with his Wookiee vice-captain were sharing a drink together within the bridge after a successful training Op conducted with humans and Wookiees. The rest of the crew had their glasses raised, all cheering and laughing with some already halfway through to being drunk.
"RAWRRROO."
"I know Tolk, this planet's burgundy is unlike any other." The Captain said boisterously, clinking his glass with his Wookiee comrade.
The Bridge's vibe was overall festive and cheerful with some areas even having drawings of ghosts and pumpkins since Halloween was nary a few days away.
Sitting down within his chair, the Captain relaxed as he sloshed about his drink within his hand.
"Enjoying yourself, Captain?"
"Why yes I am, Lory, thank you for asking." The Captain replied, raising his glass to the AI that had just appeared before him.
Her usual Avatar had changed to resemble that of an undead princess, going with the upcoming holiday six days away.
"So what's going on Lory?" The Captain asked. "Nothing too serious I hope."
"No." Lory shook her head. "Just notifying you of a few things. We're restocked on equipment, crew's accounted for. We should be receiving orders soo-"
Lory froze with her avatar blinking making the Captain sit up.
"Lo-"
Alarms within the Voyager began blaring as the crew all looked around in panic and concern.
"Lory, the hell is happening?!" The Captain of the Voyager asked in alarm.
"Unidentified Slip-Space rupture detected." Lory informed the bridge with many breaking out of their drunken stupors.
"Whe-"
The Captain didn't need a vocal answer from the ship's AI as he got it right before him. The familiar rupture of a Slip-Space portal appeared in front of the ship itself, thankfully a great distance away.
From the portal came a ship of unknown origin and design that neither species aboard the Voyager had ever seen.
It was stretched so to speak, sharply ovular if one could describe it with multiple oval domes, cylindrical hulls and multiple openings of some kind that looked like Hangar bays.
"My God." One of the crewmen muttered with multiple whispers following after.
A few voiced their opinions aloud.
"Is that-?"
"It has to be."
"Another new species!"
"Holy shit!"
"I can't believe this is happening again."
"It's only been what? Thirty eight years right?"
"Are they friendly?"
"Please, please let them be like the Wookiees."
"RAAA" A Wookiee roared in approval.
"Captain?" Lory turned to the Leader of the Voyager whose expression was calm and focused.
"Prep communications and our first contact package." The Captain ordered. "Send word back to UNSC high Command and the Wookiee Brotherhood."
We were certainly surprised to have met another species so soon and in such a short amount of time.
Then again, with the rate in which we were expanding it was only a matter of time once more until we met other Species.
Mon Calamari these ones were called.
Fish-Like Amphibious humanoids with domed heads, webbed hands and large fish-like eyes were the simplest way to describe them. A Species that developed underwater yet somehow was capable of adapting to breath air, they are certainly a fascinating species.
Their entire planet was covered in vast oceans with patches of land here and there. Cities built upon the waves were a marvel to behold and the underwater civilizations were equally as astonishing.
Their arts, culture, music and history were as rich as ours but what truly caught the eye of Humanity and Wookiees were the expert capabilities in shipbuilding and piloting.
Master of their craft, the Mon Calamari had created a shipyard ring around their home planet!
We had never seen anything like it though our space elevators certainly shocked them in return.
It took some time so to speak to establish a working relationship with each other.
Though there was no aggression upon either side, this was certainly new territory for the Mon Cala as this was first contact for them and second for us and our Wookiee allies.
However, we were willing to be patient.
We knew it took time to get us to the bond we have now with the Wookies and many were willing to do the same with the Mon Calamari.
Eventually however, we came to a greater understanding.
After two decades of trade and talks, the Mon Calamari signed a formal declaration of an alliance with Humanity and Wookiees.
The date of June 1st, 2458 was a day of celebration as our allies in the stars grew just as our expanse had.
2458 June 1st: Mon Calamari Signs an alliance with Humans and Wookies joining under the branch of the UNSC and UEG. UNSC remains the name of the trio of alien races though aptly renamed the United iNtergalactic Space Command.
2465: First joint Ships between Human/Wookiees and Mon Calamari is completed.
2470: Future UNSC Admirals Dodonna and Preston Cole are born
2475: Corellia is discovered and due to it being heavy with resources for metals, foods ETC. Becomes major shipyard from the Triple alliance of species (Humanity, Wookies and Mon Cala.) Birth of future UNSC Admiral Gial Ackbar
2477: Avery Johnson, future Spartan-I and all-around badass is born.
2479: Birth of Future UNSC Admirals James Cutter and Gilad Pellaeon.
Journal Entry III
As our expanse within the stars continued, there was a growing sense of discontent that was beginning to rumble across the Outer Colonies of the UNSC.
At first, it seemed like small and insignificant problems.
People within the outer colonies voicing complaints about them being under the leadership of planets lightyears away in their eyes.
There had also been a rising undercurrent of purists so to speak.
Those refusing to acknowledge and work with the Wookiees and Mon Calamari.
A mind boggling belief to be sure considering how much our two friends in the stars have helped in expanding our capabilities within space, just as much as we have for them in their own expansion among the stars.
They were a small minority within our population yet it rather frustrated me at times as to why humanity was always bent on conflict.
If there appeared to be none, there would be those seeking to create it.
Of course this was promptly ignored upon the start of 2479.
Less than two months in, in an operation led by Mon Cala Captain Osuxla we had discovered yet another ocean world.
It was isolated, alone yet we had learned from the Mon Cala about these kinds of worlds.
And true to our hunches, there was life on this planet.
And truly, this sentient species vaguely resembled the cartoonish designs of old from the 1950's of alien looks.
The differences of course being their long slender necks, long limbs and overall tall body.
Kaminoans they were called.
A species that lived in a world that appeared to be perpetually stormy in one way shape or form.
The planet of Kamino itself was blanketed by oceans entirely with very few islands that were the very top of mountain ranges long submerged beneath the waves.
Yet they persevered in the face of overwhelming adversity, though the lengths in which they had done so was morally questionable to say the least.
Culling and purging, routing out those that would not be beneficial to their race as a whole.
Walking Apathy.
An apt nickname that many had developed if ever there was one for the Kaminoans. They display virtually little to no emotions at times. Even I have to admit, it is startling at times.
However, one would be a fool if they disregarded just what they were capable of.
Their predisposition to genetics, biology, and anatomy was beyond anything we had ever seen and it would prove to be vital within the coming century that would plague the UNSC.
Much as they are a difficult species to deal with at times, I cannot deny their instrumental involvement that has saved the galaxy on multiple occasions.
End of Journal entry.
2480: Alec Ryder, future Spartan-1 and Starfighter pilot/Andromeda initiative born.
2490: Future Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood and Admiral Steven Hackett were born.
2491: The Relaunch of ORION Project begins with 65 test subjects. After completing their training, an additional 100 volunteers were accepted into the program. Future notables of the ORION Project, later dubbed the SPARTAN-1 program are Avery Johnson, Alec Ryder, and Gerald J Shepard.
2492: March 19th, Catherine Halsey is born.
2493: David Anderson is born.
Earth
-Unified Earth Government/UNSC Command HQ-
"I'm sorry Captain Dodonna, the decision of the council is final. We will not approve of forwarding assets to your fighter project. You are dismissed." Lord Jon Grissom said in a sharp tone.
Jan Dodonna stood at attention, face betraying nothing yet his mind was filled with frustration and anger. He was dressed in his UNSC combat navy uniform, slicked back black hair and usual peaked cap.
"Yes sir." Captain Dodonna said as he left the council chambers with a quick salute.
Jan Dodonna, Captain of the UNSC Rough Rider is very much displeased at this very moment.
The UNSC Admiralty had once again turned down his proposal.
You see, Dodonna grew up studying and watching films of WW2 dogfights, 21st Century, and 22nd Century space combat. What was a boyhood fascination turned into a determined realization of how ill equipped the UNSC was in the face of the endless expanse of space.
This in turn developed into a strong emphasis that star fighters can be the future of space combat.
Only a few with the UNSC shared his belief with them being taken by the idea and finding merit in such a concept.
Unfortunately, he was outweighed by the majority saying Star fighters have no place within the UNSC when you can have frigates and cruisers. Besides, anti-air guns and targeting systems would blow them out of space.
Dodonna didn't believe in such but he had been turned down for the eleventh time by this point.
He wasn't one to quit but dammit was it getting beyond annoying and downright infuriating.
So he did the only thing he felt that he could logically do right now.
He goes to get a drink.
Entering his favorite bar nearby, Dodonna nods his head at the Wookiee bartender who growls in greeting.
Sitting within a booth by his lonesome, the Wookiee bartender personally came over to him and placed an empty glass with his favorite scotch on the side.
"Thanks Zeke."
The Wookiee simply patted the human Captain upon the shoulder sympathetically before returning to work.
Dodonna pours himself a drink from the pre-opened bottle and downs the contents in one go, sighing in slight defeat as he leaned back into his seat.
"Damn idiots." Dodonna muttered to himself as he poured another glass. "Why can't they see it?"
The lone Captain sat there in his booth for a while, all to himself while drinking slowly. He had nothing to do for the remainder of the day so might as well spend it on drinking his favorite.
That was until…
"Excuse me, Captain Dodonna, correct?"
Looking up from his glass, the UNSC Captain saw that it was a young male Mon Calamari standing before him with a datapad tucked underneath one hand with a glass in the other. His skin was Orangish brown with darker shades of stripes upon his enlarged forehead.
If Jan were to gauge at his age, he'd say the Mon Cala was slightly younger than him by several years.
"That'd be me." Dodonna said warily. "Who's asking?"
The Mon Cala grinned, setting his glass down and offering his hand.
"Names Rem Mirro." The Mon Cala introduced himself. "But you can call me Remy if you'd like."
"Pleasure." Dodonna said politely enough. "What can I do for you, Rem?"
"May I sit?" Rem gestured to the empty seat opposite with Dodonna waving his arm towards the seat in a silent 'go ahead'.
"First of all, it is a pleasure to meet you as well." Rem began with an ecstatic tone. "I have heard a great deal about you."
Dodonna arched a wary brow.
"What exactly have you heard?" The Captain asked cautiously.
"That you are one talented Navy officer and pilot though causing headaches for a number of high ranking officials within the UNSC." Remy stated with a grin.
Jan snorted, raising his glass to his lips. "Is that all I am? Just a headache?"
Remy's grin only grew. "That's just the polite word they used to describe you."
Dodonna chuckled openly at that tidbit, the statement falling more in line with how he is usually treated by some of the higher ups of the UNSC.
What follows is an hour between the two talking and beginning to know one another as the time passed by.
Aside from the UNSC, they discussed a litany of topics. Simple things such as where they were both born, where they grew up, musical tastes, personal life experiences and such.
Things were going smoothly when…
"I've heard some rumblings of insurrection going on in certain outer colonies of the UNSC." Remy commented, the topic of discussion being on the colonies themselves.
"That's putting it mildly." Dodonna all but growled. "Damn idiots in the UNSC are blind as all hell to the coming danger."
Remy blinked innocently.
"And tell me, my friend, what would that be?"
"War." Dodonna said, emphatically in tone and action as he slammed his glass down upon the table. "Fucking morons don't realize how serious these Insurrectionists are and will become. They're volatile, dangerous and unpredictable. They may seem like nuisances right now but… God knows how much things will change in the future."
The Captain rubbed the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
"I've been hearing some unpleasant news and rumors from some friends stationed out there with those insurrectionist hot zones." Dodonna revealed. "They've been seeing a lot of recruitment going around for what could only lead to one thing. Open rebellion against the UNSC."
"And what was it that you proposed to the UNSC to counter these growing threats?" Remy asked with intrigued narrowed eyes.
"We gotta look to the past." Dodonna said passionately. "Something that has been phased out centuries ago needs to make their comeback now."
"Which is?"
"A proper naval air force." Dodonna stated. "Not cruisers or frigates like what we have, or the Pelicans and Longswords every other ship has. I'm talking small, single manned fighters that can get in close to enemy ships and fortifications and cause devastating damage."
Rem Mirro hummed aloud with a sly smirk appearing on his face.
"You know, I've always had a fascination with the original English Alphabet."
"Whazzat?" Dodonna blinked in utter confusion.
Rem leans his arms against the table whilst bringing up his untouched datapad that had been lying beside him all this time.
"See, while most would see letters that would form words, I saw something quite different."
Remy showed the first image within his datapad, holding it out for Dodonna to take.
The man was confused yet curious as he took the pad out of the Mon Cala's hands and stared at an X.
An X that shifted and changed into a ship of some kind with a long nose, four engines behind what looked like the seat of the ship with four extended "wings" that formed an X.
Eyes widening significantly, Dodonna began to sift through multiple blueprints and images of various small ships that appeared to be based on letters of the English alphabet.
"This.. This is…" Jan stuttered in awe and disbelief.
"I call it Alphabet Soup." Rem remarked with a mischievous smile. "You like it?"
"L-like it?!" Dodonna nearly exclaimed. "Where? How? When?"
He paused in his ramblings, a conflicted expression appearing.
"Why?" The Captain asked. "Why come to me about this? This seems too good to be true."
Remy laughed at the question, nodding his head.
"Normally, there would be merit in what you have said but these aren't normal times." Rem's lax demeanor fell away as the Calamari became much more serious.
"I too have been hearing about this growing insurrection that is leaving many who live out within those colonies disturbed and frightened." Rem stated. "There is no doubt in many that understand the threat that war is coming. One that could envelop the entirety of the Outer Colonies, perhaps even some of the Inner Colonies. Millions will undoubtedly die with planets being decimated. A century's work of expansion and cooperation would result in nothing if this rebellion were to rise."
"So why come to me?" Dodonna asked.
"I've been waiting for someone such as yourself." Remy stated excitedly. "I always believed in what I have made and now that I know there is someone within the UNSC who shares my belief, I can get this made."
Remy leaned forward with a manic grin in place.
"I have friends, Donnie. Friends in high places that can help us get this done. Help prepare us for the oncoming wave of conflict." Rem stated. "Incom Corporation have you heard of it?
"Yeah, it was founded by a Mon Cala right? Back in 2469?"
"Correct. The private company is willing to invest in my project and yours if you are willing to work with me."
Dodonna found himself hesitating.
"Why me again?" He found himself asking.
"I may be a designer of ships, but you are a man of ships within the Navy." Remy stressed out. "If anyone should be leading this project, it must be you. Ships can only go so far unless they are operated and directed by someone who gets it. I've heard about that Pelican trick you pulled off in-"
"Let's." Dodonna's expression was slightly embarrassed now. "Let's not bring that up."
Rem blinked before chuckling at the face Jan formed at what he was about to bring up.
"You see?" Rem said encouragingly. "This project was meant for guys like us. The two of us, we can revolutionize the UNSC and save it from destruction."
"I don't think a civil war will destroy the UNSC." Donnie said dryly with Remy waving him off.
"You know what I mean." Rem said. "So? Whaddya say?"
Dodonna was silent, gazing at the eager and frankly eccentric Mon Cala before him. He glanced down at the datapad in his hands and gazed upon the file name of Alphabet Soup.
This man was serious. Serious and passionate about what he had just presented.
In a similar manner to how he was when it came to Starfighters.
He would not pass this opportunity up.
"I'm in." Dodonna declared, a beaming smile meeting him with Remy shaking with excitement.
"YES!" He threw his arms up in victory, catching the attention of all the other bar patrons yet it was completely ignored by the young Mon Cala who grabbed Dodonna's hand and began to vigorously shake it about.
"We're in business now, partner." Remy said with a joyful tone. "We're gonna change history my friend. I gotta start making calls and seeing what I can pull off. Maybe I should try right now or-"
"Y-y-you c-c-can s-star-t b-by l-letting g-go of m-my h-hand." Dodonna managed out with Rem realizing what he had been doing and releasing the Captain with a sheepish face.
"Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it." Dodonna said, shaking his numb arm. "But yeah, we're in business. I gotta call up some friends of my own to get this started."
Remy only pumped his fists. "Look out universe, here we come."
2494: Insurrection conflict begins. Mon Calamari Ship designer and eccentric pilot Rem Mirro's idea, designated Starfighter Project Alphabet Soup, is approved. Captain Dodonna and several other Navy Personnel work personally with the Mon Cala in the production of this project.
2495: Jacob Keyes is born.
2496: The first ORION deployment occurred as part of Operation: CHARLEMAGNE
2498: Starfighters officially enter service and begin their first engagements against the Insurrection Fleet. The results yielded an astounding success for the UNSC as multiple fleets were destroyed or suffered heavy damage. This resulted in Jan Dodonna being promoted to Vice-Admiral and the Head of the Starfighter Corp.
Even though the victory put a stop on The Insurrection's growing expansion, the conflict would continue on into the start of the next century.
Though the closing years of the 25th century were met with rife conflict and escalating battles, many would recall the start and many decades for the majority of the century as the golden years of expansion. New alien races were met and in turn, became strong allies and friends to humanity.
If only that were to be the case the next time they encounter sentient species within the galaxy.
2500: Kuat is discovered and also became a major shipyard world by the UNSC.
The start of the 26th century would forever go down in history as the beginning and end of the foundation of the known galaxy.
The events, conflicts and wars to come would restructure everything that every sentient species had known.
And it all started twenty five years into the 26th century.
But there was still much to be told before that time.
Ok there we have it folks.
The opening chapter to my newest story that BulletStormX and I have been working on extensively.
While we don't have the chapters all listed out, in terms of a timeline well…
To say that BulletStormX had outdone himself would be an understatement.
I kid you not when he and I crafter nearly a hundred pages of the timeline of this story alone. And we're still not done mind you.
BSX: The days we spent working and calculating events were such a nuisance, I'll tell ya. But it all paid off as you just saw.
FMW: Yes indeed. There is so much that we have written down and I gotta say, it's probably the most extensive, detailed plan I think BSX and I have concocted. There is so much content we have to cover that not gonna lie, updates of this story will not come as often as we would like but by God we shall try our damndest to do so.
BSX: As you all already know, my friend and myself are really busy with a tight schedule and stuff not even mentioning future projects in the works including Jebest own as well. For this reason we agree on a Monthly update. So expect the next chapter somewhere in August, don't know when but it will happen. So please be patient in the meantime.
FMW: Yeah aside from this, BSX has his own set of stories, on top of our other collaborative project Spirit Unto Dawn. I got several other stories to work with as well as the other collaborative stories I write with Jebest4781. We shall attempt to work on this as frequently as we can but like BSX said, monthly updates are most likely going to be the norm.
This is a story I had in development for about… two years. Thanks to BSX, it was focused, planned and now has a large overarching narrative that will cover many, many arcs with a gargantuan ensemble cast.
There will be AU here and there with alterations to certain laws and such that come from the three franchises that are in this crossover. But know this, we plan on telling the best story possible with what we have here.
So until then.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.