Old A.N. Hey guys, I've seen the comments and decided to redo the first chapter of The Second Contact War. Thanks to gwb99, theotherpianist, and dghornick for the support. Anyway, enjoy!

New A.N. Hey guys, it has been a long time, but I've decided to re-rewrite my older stories to fit my new style. I apologize if the first chapter no longer fits perfectly with the second and third chapters. Hopefully, I can get the other two chapters up in a week.

XXth September 2625 – "Day 0"
Sol, Earth, UNSC Space Fortress 'Delta'

72 years after the end of the Human-Covenant War, The UNSC has recolonized and terraformed all the glassed planets. The citizens, however, felt that this wasn't any good, and thus yet again insurrections began appearing. The UNSC, knowing full well that their war-time reign was over, formed a civilian government which they called the United Earth Government or UEG for short. The UEG would be responsible for all civilian problems between Earth and its Colonies. This gave the UNSC a chance to rebuild themselves without the problem of civilians. It was far from ideal, but it allowed the repressed civilian population to have a say in their fates.

One would say Spartans are redundant now that the war is over, but the UNSC, knowing that Spartans were both a suppressant and a morale booster pushed to create more, using the knowledge gained from past experiences. Thus the new SPARTAN-V (SVs) was born, using a mix of recovered data from the original Spartan-II (SIIs) Project and the current Spartan IVs (SIVs), the SVs were almost as enhanced as the SIIs, yet kept the versatility and low casualty rates of the SIVs.

As of January of the year 2625, 200 SVs have been successfully created and trained for all manners of deployments, from Morale to Command. It is normal to see squads of 6 SVs attached to Marine Companies as a show of both pride and strength. It is rare that a Spartan Command Squad be trained to lead the Ground Troops, and it is unheard of for a Spartan to be given command of a Naval Battlegroup and a Warship. Yet that is exactly what happened to Spartan Commander Captain Robert E-312, news slapping him in the face as he returned from an exhausting campaign against pirates.

The Storm Fleet, an Expeditionary Battlegroup with long-term isolated warfare in mind, consisted of a single Trident-Class Experimental Battlecruiser, four Autumn-Class Cruisers, eight Actium-Class Super Heavy Frigate, four Santiago-Class Heavy marine Transport Craft and over 30 auxiliary support vessels. Over 14,000 personnel is involved with the fleet, and a single Spartan was expected to lead it. To say Robert was stressed was an understatement of the highest order.

Robert was hoping to be able to enjoy the R&R that he was slated for when he returned to Earth, but a missive sent to his Tacpad quickly dashed out all hopes. A Senate Meeting, with his report attached.

"Ungh… probably should not have said anything during that meeting about the portal… I bet they plan on sending me to check it out." Robert thought as he entered the UEG meeting room.

"Ah, Captain. Nice of you to join the meeting." Councilman Valentine remarked sarcastically.

"Councilman now is not the time. I am very tired and if you have nothing important to say, then don't say anything at all." Robert replied, a touch annoyed with the councilor.

"Aww, is the big strong Spartan tired? A little piracy too much for the big guy?" Valentine mocked.

"ENOUGH! Spartan, I know you are very tired, I apologise for disrupting your R&R, Councilman Valentine, if you wish to be gouged by a Spartan, that is your problem, but don't do it here! Now then, let's get on with this." Head Councillor Pastel shouted then continued "2 weeks ago, Storm Fleet found a large slipspace portal in the midst of exploration. The council has deliberated with the UNSC and has decided to send the Storm Fleet, refitted and rearmed for Hostile Expeditions. Captain Robert, you have been relieved of your current duties as a Spartan Commander. You are, as of now, 0445 hours, Earth Atmospheric Time, promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and assigned as Battlegroup Commander of the Storm Fleet. Orders have been transferred to you. Good luck." He dismissed.

The resounding silence was enough for the Spartan. He left immediately for his ship. A short walk from the Council Chambers, and one of the largest hangars on the station, rested the UNSC Mantis, a Trident-Class Battlecruiser, and his new post. He shook his head in resignation as he stepped up towards the open boarding port. After clearing the station guards, he stepped into the hangar hold, where all his assets lay resting. A quick glance over, and he moved towards the bridge. Best settle in quickly, to reduce tension once they were underway. Standing in the elevator that led into the bridge, he called his personal A.I. Venti. Venti, serial number SV/VTI 1337-0, dressed akin to the muses of ancient Greece was first introduced to him when he completed Spartan Cadet School and was attached to him ever since.

"Sir, the mission packet has been delivered. Official Orders are as follows; The Storm Fleet is to travel to Sigma Octanus and Rendevous with Separatist Covenant Fleet Ascended Justice, led by Supreme Fleetmaster Rtas' Vadum. Continue current designation to the stable Slipspace Portal 23 LY from Chi Ceti. Secure the location for the 6th Heavy to relieve and venture forth into the portal." Venti said into his internal speakers

Robert nodded as he stood in front of the blast doors of the bridge.

"Admiral on Deck!" a Bridge marine shouted as he opened the doors. The rest of the bridge stood at attention, saluting as he walked past the minor systems controls towards the main sector. Just as he got to the front, an older man with deep brown eyes stepped up to him and saluted. "Welcome aboard the Mantis Sir! I am Commander Jack Riley, First Officer. I can guarantee sir, you will not have a better crew anywhere."

Robert returned the salute, nodded, and called for an 'as you were'. "FO, I'm going, to be honest here, I may have been trained for command, and I have led regiments of men on the ground numerous times. Hell, I've even commanded Assault Frigates, but I have never led a Capital Ship before, never mind a Fleet. I will be frank, I am not confident of my posting, and I would have never accepted this posting if it wasn't thrust upon me by both HIGHCOM and the Council." He sighed. "Speak your piece, FO. Better now than mid-fight."

"Sir, I understand your situation. We, the bridge, have been briefed thoroughly on what is happening, and we understand fully. We are very experienced and have served on several Capital Ships ourselves. Should you find yourself lacking in something, we would be happy to step in and assist you, sir." FO Jack spoke softly, but resolutely. "I myself have held command aboard the UNSC Dresden II, an Autumn-Class Cruiser."

"Excellent! Most excellent! You don't know how relieved I am to know that, Jack, really." Robert flushed as he laughed the tension out of his shoulders. "I'm counting on you Jack," Robert says as he clasped his FOs shoulders. "Anyway, I understand the Ship has an implanted AI?"

"Yes Sir," Jack says as he moves over to the holo-table. Almost immediately, a projection of a multi-dimensional box appeared. "Good day Rear Admiral, I am Resolute, UNSC AI Serial Number TDT/RSL 0097-6."

"Excellent, Resolute, this is my personal AI, Venti. I will connect her to the ship's servers. You are to work together, but do not rely on her. She will enhance when possible, but I will yank her from the system if need be."

Robert finished up his business in the bridge before turning and moving towards the Spartan Section of the Ship. Almost 10 minutes later, he finally stepped into the Spartan lounge, a sector of the ship designed specifically for Spartan Training, denoted as 'Spartan Games' as the regular crew of the Ship can come and watch the PvP Training anytime they wish.

"Spartan Commander Captain Robert! I am Lieutenant Commander Nancy E-122, I command the Spartans aboard the Mantis. How may I help you?" A Spartan in dull grey MJOLNIR PAA/GEN3 Armor stated as she saluted.

"At ease Lieutenant Commander. I have been relieved of my command as Spartan Commander, I am simply here to make that known." Robert replied with his own salute.

"Understood sir. In that case, may I ask why you are here then?"

"I have been promoted to Rear Admiral, and assigned command of the Storm Fleet instead. I understand that you are in charge of the Spartans on board. Should I leave the Vessel and deploy on the ground, I will hold the designation of Dagger Actual." Robert replied as he sent the designation and FoF code to the Lieutenant Commander's Tacpad.

"Understood Rear Admiral, welcome aboard, and good luck." She saluted once more and left to brief her command staff.

==0w0==

XXth December 2625 – "Day 71"
Sigma Octanus, Sigma Octanus IV, Arathi Radial Docks

"Cast us away Helmsman, the Separatists should be here soon," Robert stated as he stood from his chair. "FO, on me. Resolute, Venti, as planned, send out the deployment command as soon as we get 3 times clear of the docks. We need to give the Covenant and the boys down in Sigma O4 a good show."

No more than 20 minutes later, a red light went off as the General Quarters were sounded and the ships began mass deployments. The Mantis and its 4 Autumn-Class Cruisers moved into a wide-phalanx formation. The Cruisers then opened its external docking bays to reveal 2 Actium-Class Frigates. The Mantis opened its lower internal docks and released 4 Santiago-Class Heavy marine Transport Craft. In its final position, all 19 Vessels stabilized in a formation that looked like a YSS-1000 Sabre.

"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful," Robert commented, observing the satellite camera recording the entire thing for the people on Sigma O4. He looked left to see the Separatist Covenenat Fleet standing by. Almost immediately, he received a communications request.

"HUMAN! ARE YOU TRYING TO START ANOTHER WAR?! HALF OF MY FLEET IS CONVINCED THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ATTACK THEM. DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO CALM PANICKED UNGGOY?!"

That immediately cowed everyone on the bridge. Well, everyone but Robert and FO Jack. "Ah calm your tits Half-jaw, it's just a little demonstration," Robert said, mirth flowing out.

"Half-? You da-… Robert? You? They sent you? HAHAHAHAHA." Rtas barked as he stared at the increasingly annoyed Spartan.

"Yes yes, laugh it up. I didn't quite agree either, but you know how they are." Robert lamented.

"Indeed I do, Robert. Still, a Spartan in charge of the Fleet? They must be mad!"

"I know they are, they must be…regardless, it is what it is."

"Indeed my friend. Very well, I have sent your constructs our information and FoF tags. My new Fleet, the Ascended Justice has 1 CSO-Class Supercarrier, 4 CCS-Class Battlecruisers, and 8 SDV-Class Heavy Corvettes. We have about 12 Support Vessels as well."

"Good, my ships will reform and we shall leave for the portal within the hour."

==0w0==

XXth December 2625 – "Day 79"
Chi Ceti, Near Chi Ceti III, Slipspace Portal

"That is one big hole."