The Onyx Stars
Halo-Mass Effect Crossover
By: Sith
AN: Tons of thanks to WarpObscura and Spartan303 (Jon Harper on FF), again, for beta-ing and helping the plot be smoothed out. Also, wow! Reaction to this was stellar!
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
To address a few things: Yes, somethings have been changed, namely UNSC technology. There is no reason why they are utilizing bullets that were used in Vietnam and tanks that would get killed by a Tiger Tank. Fans of Crysis may recognize the calibers of weapons used, and yes, I am using Crysis-like calibers and rounds propelled by ETC technology.
Here's Chapter 2: Monument
Enjoy:)
3 Sith
Chapter Two: Monument
UNSC Infinity
Bridge
0 hours post arrival
"Unidentified space station 300,000 kilometers off our bow." Roland said. "Unknown design and configuration."
"Size? Armaments?" Lasky asked, "Escorts?"
Roland paused for a second, "The space station is approximately 40 kilometers long and is composed of several prongs affixed to a central ring. Hull composition is unknown but similar to that of known Forerunner alloy."
"That thing is massive." Lasky commented. "Are there any vessels around it?"
Roland nodded, "Aye, there is. Two hundred vessels ranging from ten meter personal craft, freighters roughly 500 meters long to a two kilometer cruiser-analogue. The cruiser has been marked as Alpha-1 and seems to be leading a contingent of other military vessels towards us. They will be in weapons range." Roland paused, "In two minutes."
"Armaments?" Lasky inquired, "Are their weapons online?"
"Weapons consist of mass accelerator cannons and pulse laser arrays. Limited torpedo tubes across the fleet." Roland responded, "Their weapons are active and have targeted us."
"Austen, load bow MAC guns and open missile ports. Don't target the unknowns." Lasky said.
"Aye sir." Lieutenant Austen replied, "Weapons ready."
"Helm, swing our bow around to face the oncoming vessels." Lasky told Devéro.
"Aye sir." Devéro responded.
Lasky saw the view out of the bridge window change from the unknown space station to a formation of fifty ships of differing sizes racing towards the Infinity.
"Sir." Priselkov said, "I am receiving a communications package from the unknown vessels. It appears to contain several language programs and first contact handshakes."
Lasky looked over to the woman operating communications."Send them our first contact package. Let's see what they do."
"Aye sir." Priselkov responded. "Package en route."
"CAG." Lasky ordered, "Tell Obsidian group 1 to get ready to drop in case this goes south. Broadsword squadrons Alpha through Echo, go to standby for launch."
Lieutenant Commander Sebastian curtly saluted, "Aye sir." He rotated his seat and quickly sent orders to the flight leaders.
Lasky turned away from the bridge window and paced over to the holotable. Projecting from it were models of the unknown vessels with the largest one, a cross-shaped vessel dominated by a large concave ovoid center. It was just over 2000 meters long and a kilometer tall—the closest vessel in size to the Infinity. Colored a light purple and blue, it gave off the impression of a Covenant vessel.
And that made Lasky's spine tingle. He was't the only one, Covenant like vessels still caused dread and fear in the hearts of those who had seen the predatory war vessels first hand-and in action.
"Roland." Lasky requested, "Scan Alpha-1 and her escorts. See if they're a Covenant species, or Human."
Roland clicked his heels together and stood ram-rod straight. "Aye sir."
The render of Alpha-1 turned a light orange as the ship was scanned with the sensors on the Infinity. There were two sweeps of the vessel and after they were completed a list of details and results popped up beside the render Lasky reached out and tapped it, the readout expanding.
"Sir, I am not receiving any results correlating to the existence of Covenant member species on board Alpha-1. However, I have matched the data with that of their first contact package. I've found something interesting though."
"Show me." Lasky ordered.
"Of course, sir." Roland replied.
The projection of Alpha-1 and its escorts slid to the far right and was instead replaced with a blue humanoid with obvious features. Her features were definitely human, the eyes, the nose, the mouth and facial structure were nearly identical to that of a human female.
"What am I looking at Roland?" Lasky asked.
"This." Roland said, "This is an Asari, a mono-gender race that compose the leadership of the interstellar government called the Citadel. They form the majority of the crew of Alpha-1. And, I assume this Citadel is the massive space station a few thousand kilometers away."
Lasky stroked his chin. "Interesting. Is there anything else?'
Roland nodded, "Aye there is." He flicked his hand, the Asari render being slid to the left. Replacing it was a tall, bird like creature that looked like a fusion between an Elite and Skirmisher.
Lasky read the name. "Turian?"
"Aye." Roland said, "They form the military branch of the Citadel. A few ship profiles were included with the first contact package and the vessels escorting Alpha-1 are a match. They have a long martial history and are known for being...over zealous when it comes to engaging unknowns."
"Okay, so we need to be careful when dealing with the Turians." Lasky said. "Got it." His eyes remained scanning the avian creature.
"And this." Roland said as the Turian render slid to the left, replaced by a model of a reptilian. The creature's chest as concave and the entire being looked like some sort of bipedal frog. "These are their intellectuals; the Salarians. They are an amphibious race, nearly everyone of them is a genius and they prefer eliminating a thread before it becomes an issue."
Lasky nodded, "So, we're dealing with three separate races all under a single government. And a unified command structure."
"It appears so sir." Roland acknowledged.
Lasky crossed his arms and pondered for a second. "Open a communications channel."
Alarms blared across the bridge. Roland bit his bottom lip, "Damn it, we're being targeted by the biggest Turian vessel. Estimated size is 900 meters. The escorts are targeting as well."
"Damn" Lasky muttered, "Roland, target them back; CAG, both Obsidian groups have a go for deployment."
"Aye sir." Roland responded, "Citadel vessels targeted. Turian flagship designated Alpha-2."
Infinity's model on the holotable was now flanked by nine Charon-class Light Frigates.
"Citadel vessels are still advancing." Roland said, voice somewhat unnerved.
"Priselkov, open communications." Lasky ordered, "Let's see if we can settle this peacefully."
"Communications open sir." The Communications officer responded.
Lasky closed his eyes for a moment before tapping his ear piece. "This is Captain Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity. We have no hostile intentions against you or your space. Please stand down."
"Citadel vessels are holding position 80,000 kilometers out from us." Roland reported.
"Sir." Priselkov called out, "They are responding."
Lasky nodded, "Pipe it through to bridge speakers."
"Aye sir."
The speakers on Infinity's bridge popped and blared a deep, slightly accented voice that almost seemed digitized. "Unknown Human vessel, this is General Marfelian Vank of the Citadel Defense Force. You have entered space belonging to the Sovereign Nations of the Citadel Council. Lower your barriers are prepare to boarded."
Like hell. Lasky thought. He tapped his earpiece, "General Vank, this is Captain Lasky. I will not lower my shields and allow your inspection party onboard the Infinity. We were thrown into your space by a freak FTL accident and did not knowingly infringe upon your space on purpose."
"You humans." The General sneered, "Your kind think that just because you managed to win a small skirmish that you are now top-dogs of the Galaxy. You will surrender your vessel, Captain or I will ensure it is disabled."
"General." Lasky responded, "Please, calm down. This confrontation can be amended peacefully."
"I say again." The General snarled, "Stand down or I will disable the ship."
Lasky's expression became tense, "General, if you make a move against the Infinity or my escorts I will retaliate. This is our first contact with your people and I would rather not have a war become of it."
The General paused for a second, "What do you mean First Contact human? It has been three decades since we met your ilk over Relay 314."
Lasky's eyes narrowed, "When you sent the First Contact package was the first time myself and my crew ever heard of your Citadel. Or of the Turians, the Asari, and the Salarians."
The General could be overheard conferring with his command staff over the line. "A moment, Captain."
Lasky looked over to Roland, "Resend the first contact package."
"Sir?" Roland asked, "Are you sure that's wise? They might see it as us spamming them."
"Send the file." Lasky requested,
Roland saluted, "Aye sir. File sent."
"Thank you Roland." Lasky said, "CAG, recall Obsidian five through ten, an act of good will to show we're not trying to be the aggressors here."
"Right away sir." The Lieutenant Commander verified. "Obsidians five through ten are returning to Infinity."
"Sir, the General is requesting a channel be established." Priselkov said calmly.
"Thank you Lieutenant." Lasky responded.
"Captain Lasky this is Councilor Tevos of the Asari Republics. On the behalf of the Citadel Council and the races that dwell within it, we welcome you to the Citadel." A pleasant female's voice had replaced the General's.
Lasky internally let out a sigh of relief, "This is Captain Lasky, thank you Councilor. The situation here was getting very tense."
"I understand Captain. The General is a good man but has been on edge lately since an acquaintance's unfortunate passing. I hope that this minor inconvenience does not interfere with the meeting our our two peoples." Tevos said, her voice almost calming Lasky.
"Of course not Councilor, I have been told that you have had contact with other humans before. What does that exactly mean?" Lasky asked.
Councilor Tevos paused for a moment, "Captain, we are obscuring a popular intra-system trade route. I suggest a meeting between our two sides on board the Citadel."
Lasky looked over to Devéro, "Bring engines to full power, get us clear. Obsidian 1, 3, and 4 are to flank us at full speed."
"Aye sir."Devéro responded, "Engines at full, eta one minute before clear of shipping lanes."
Lasky tapped his earpiece to reestablish communications with Tevos. "I agree Councilor. However, you must understand my caution with meeting an unknown power on board their capital." Lasky stated.
"I can assure you Captain, nothing will result in your harm or the harm of the Infinity." Tevos said thoughtfully, "Dozens of races from across the galaxy have met onboard the Citadel and never once has an act of violence been delivered against them."
"Sir, this could be a valuable opportunity to gain intel and relations in the area." Roland commented. "And to establish a power base with the Black Birds."
Lasky lightly tapped his foot against Infinity's deck floor, pondering his decision. "Will I be allowed to bring a security team with me?"
"Yes." Tevos said,
"What are the stipulations for meeting onboard the Citadel?" Lasky questioned, "I understand you have a large on-board population judging by our scans."
"Four security personnel and yourself." Tevos said. "I don't want to cause any trouble for you or your security team. The Citadel is known for some seedy areas."
"Understood." Lasky responded, "However, if anything happens to me or my escort, the Infinity will respond with deadly force."
"Understood. We will meet in two standard hours. Tevos out." The channel died and the Citadel battle group began to break away.
"Roland," Lasky said, "Get Diamond Team ready for a deployment op. Standard arms but everything needs to be air tight, I don't want infection spreading to us from them or vice-versa."
Roland chuckled, "They call him Romeo for a reason."
Lasky looked over. "Wow." He responded sarcastically.
"Sir," Roland called out, "There is something else."
"What is it?" Lasky asked.
"I have been running Slipspace scanners throughout the surrounding star systems, and as far as I can tell, we should be in orbit of New Colorado." Roland explained, "The stars don't match up either, they're different. The stellar drift has been reversed by a few hundred years."
"But we were jumping to Earth." Lasky said.
"Yes sir, however, I detected a slipspace anomaly in the area and didn't find it necessary to inform you. I was sure, that no matter what happened, we'd at least end up in UNSC space and go from there."
"However." Lasky started.
"However," Roland continued, "We dropped out where New Colorado colony was being established. We would have never ended up around Earth."
"So, you're saying we were transported back several hundred years, into a different—I don't know, reality?" Lasky questioned, eye brow raised and a disbelieving tone in his voice. "And you knew that there was a slipspace anomaly in the area."
Roland clasped his hands at the small of his back, "Yes sir. Scans indicate as such, however, additional studies are needed."
"That is ground for a purging of your data disk and dispensation."
"I understand that sir" Roland said. "Something overcame me when I uplinked with Cortana—a sense of carelessness almost. It was only for a mere moment."
"That moment could have gotten us killed! Or, stranded in some unknown hole in the galaxy." Lasky responded, glaring at the small AI.
"I'm sorry sir." Roland said, bowing his head.
Lasky shook his head, "Do what ever you need to do, but finding a way home is your number one priority. I'm going to meet with these aliens to see if we can get some trade and support whilst establishing a general bearing on everything."
"Aye sir."
"And Roland." Lasky said.
"Yes sir?" Roland asked.
"Have the Huragok examine you as well, I don't want rampancy spreading to you." Lasky ordered.
"It can't spread." Roland informed Lasky. "Not amongst normal AI."
"Cortana's not a normal AI, Roland." Lasky said, "She's been through more, learned more, and done more than any AI has before. And, she's the first AI created from a human brain to undergo Rampancy."
"Aye sir." Roland conceded, "I'll have them examine me."
"Thank you."
UNSC Infinity
Medical Bay
1 hour post arrival
"Chief."
The noise was painful for John, he internally groaned and tried to block out the noise. He felt a slight push on his left arm and he ignored it.
"Chief"
He continued to ignore it.
"Wake up, Chief!" He had heard that before.
His eyes snapped open. "Cortana!" He shouted, "Cortana!"
He felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked over to the white-lap coat wearing medical doctor. "Welcome back to the land of the living Master Chief."
"Sir." John tried to salute but the Doctor grabbed his hand and put it back down. John just now noticed that there were several IVs hooked up to him.
John saw the Doctor's name tag, Dr. Richard Van Hüter
"Technically, you out rank me Sir." The Doctor quipped, taking out his datapad and recording John's vitals. He hummed as he did his work, going from monitor to monitor, "Looking good, very good. You are recovering quite quickly. Then again, I shouldn't expect any less from a Spartan."
The Doctor glanced over and smiled at John who just returned a curt nod. "Doctor, what happened? Where's Cortana"
"That crash almost killed you." Richard said bluntly. He placed the datapad in his breast pocket and switched out a drip bag.
John's eyes narrowed, "That's not what I asked doctor. I asked, where is Cortana?"
The Doctor looked over, "Roland is looking out for her sir. We have the best specialists working on her."
John just stared at the mousy man. "I want to see her."
"I'm sorry Chief. I'm not going to dismiss you before your injuries heal up."
"You will dismiss me." John said, "I need to go see her."
John ripped the IVs out of his arm and swung his legs over the bed, bare feet contacting the cold metal ground. He pushed himself away off the metal frame. "Where is she Doctor?"
Richard looked down, "Roland has placed her in a sort of digital a coma."
John's eyes widened, "What?" His voice was laced with anger and resentment.
"It was the only way to save her." Richard explained, "Until she manages to recompile the neural net, she's in danger of death at any moment."
"Cortana." John whispered, "Cortana."
His knees buckled and Richard caught him, struggling to ease the massive super soldier upright. "Sir, we have some of the best people working on her. She's going to be okay."
John looked around in a daze and felt unconsciousness envelop him once more.
"Don't make a girl a promise you know you can't keep."
UNSC Infinity
S-Deck, Section 8
1 hour, 30 minutes post arrival
Gunnery Sergeant Edward Buck locked in a fresh 72-round drum magazine of 8mm saboted DU-AP rounds into his Squad Automatic Weapon with a satisfying 'click'. He gave the weapon one final examination, slowly rotating it in his hand and inspecting the powerful weapon for defects. Satisfied, he attached it to the metallic strips on his back and quickly adjusted to the new weight. He looked down and double checked his side arm was there on his hip.
He reached down and grabbed a BR85-HBSR, grabbing several ammunition packs and slipping them into the pouches around his waist. One round fell on the ground and he picked it up, twirling the small, depleted uranium bullet in his armored hand.
"Sir." Micky's voice broke Buck's mental trance.
Buck looked up, HUD instantly outlining his squad mate in a bright green. Lance Corporal Michael Crespo wore a Protector variant of the MJOLNIR class armor like the rest of the squad, the dark red and black making him indistinguishable from the others in the squad. Well, almost. The M41 105mm Rocket Launcher made it obvious he was the squads demolitions expert.
"No." Buck said flatly.
Mickey feigned obliviousness, "What?"
"The rocket launcher, ditch it. We're not going against Hunters."
"Sir, come on." Mickey pleaded. "She's my baby."
"No." Buck said, finalizing his decision.
Mickey sighed, "Fine." He set the rocket launcher down and grabbed an automatic 8 gauge shotgun and a DMR.
"That's better." Buck said.
Mickey shook his head and muttered to himself. "I bet there will be a hunter there."
Buck ignored the comment and instead turned to Lance Corporal Kojo Agu. Romeo as the squad called him.
Romeo walked up to Buck and saluted, "Are we ready sir?" He asked.
Buck handed him a SRS99-S5 AM Sniper Rifle and a DMR which the Lance Corporal fluidly grabbed and latched onto his back. Buck turned back, "Almost Romeo."
"What's taking so long?" Romeo asked, slinging a bandolier of thermite grenades across his shoulder.
Buck placed his hand out wards and an opaque blue shield sprung to life, vanishing as he closed his palm. "I want everybody to grab a hard light shield, they'll be handy. We don't know what type of heat they're packing."
"Yes sir." Romeo, Mickey and the newly arrived Dutch responded. The trio scanned the steel bench where the 'w'-shaped utilities were lined up. The Infinity had found thousands of them on Requiem and they were incredibly popular with the Spartan teams.
"Sir," Dutch said, "The Rookie is waiting on the Pelican with the squad of ODSTs and the Pilot."
"Good." Buck said, "Alright people, we're going on a little field trip to an alien space station. Keep your heads cool and your barrels even cooler, we don't want a war starting out of this."
"No sir." Romeo responded, "I wouldn't think of it."
Buck looked over and activated his helmet's radio, "Rookie, this is Buck. Are we ready to go?"
A moment paused before the Spartan on the other end responded. "The ODSTs are ready sir. Lieutenant Carlson is warming up the engines now."
"Remind the Helljumpers that they're going to remain with the Pelican during our visit." Buck replied.
"Yes sir." The Rookie cut the channel, he wasn't a talkative Spartan.
"Sir, the tram has arrived." Dutch said.
Buck nodded and proceeded out of the armory with Diamond Team.
UNSC Infinity
Bridge
1 Hour, 35 minutes post arrival
"All Obsidian vessels are in formation." Lieutenant Commander Sebastian said calmly.
Lasky looked over to the holographic projection dominating the Bridge's holotable. Infinity's nine Frigates had been redeployed as the massive vessel neared the alien 'Citadel'. Broadsword Squadrons Alpha through Charlie had also been deployed, flanking the Infinity and escorting her as she made her way within docking range of the massive space station.
"Sir, Diamond team reports green. They're ready to go." Roland said, flashing into existence on the holotable.
Lasky lowered the ODST helmet onto his head, hearing it hiss as it pressurized and locked him away from any airborne germs. His HUD flickered into existence, health bar, a small icon of his side arm and it's ammunition along with a motion detector. His field of vision was awash in a sea of green as every individual on the bridge was highlighted a bright green and objects a dull bluish-grey.
"Roland, I want you to get the slipspace drives online. Slave control of Obsidian's to ours, if we don't check in in one hour, or if our bio-readings flatline, you are to jump the Infinity and her escorts to the Epsilon Eridani star system and enact Code Black." Lasky said. Code Black was the term for a UNSC vessel being stranded at least five years away from UNSC space. If the order was given, the UNSC vessel in question was to put all of its crew into cryogenic suspension, put the AI on standby, and enter Slipspace where a beacon would be placed.
It was a worse-case order, and Lasky didn't want it to be enacted.
"Aye sir." Roland said solemnly.
"During our visit, I want constant passive scans on the entire station and surrounding vessel. Shields are to be raised at all times, but keep weapons cool." Lasky added.
"Understood sir."
Lasky curtly nodded, "Good luck Roland, the ship is yours."
Roland saluted, "You put her in good hands sir. If I had actual hands and not a condensed model of projected light."
Lasky smiled, "If there's anything new with Cortana or the Master Chief, radio me."
"Aye sir."
Lasky quickly departed the bridge, the heavy blast doors sliding shut behind him and locking the bridge away from the rest of the outside world.
Citadel
Level 19, Zakera Ward
"Daddy?" Young Doug Berner said, "What's that?"
His father, Leonard Berner, looked up from his tablet to where his son was pointing. His eyes widened, a massive ship flanked by ten other huge vessels was slowly moving towards the Citadel. Swarms of fighters danced over its form and trailing it was the Citadel defense force.
The Asari, Salarian, and Turian vessels were dwarfed and looked like the smallest of frigates compared to that massive vessel. Even the Destiny Ascension, pride of the Citadel, looked like an ant.
What ever it was, it wasn't a threat or the Citadel Defense Force would have destroyed it by now.
The vessel and its escort suddenly accelerated, bolting past Leonard's window. His and Doug's mouths were nearly agape as the massive vessel moved as fast as a fighter, the lettering UNSC INFINITY proudly etched along its armored flanks.
"It's human." Leonard said. "That's for sure."
"Is it like Commander Shepard's ship?" Doug asked.
Leonard ruffled his son's air, "I bet it is, buddy."
His son looked up and grinned, buck-teeth dominating his expression. "Can I fly something like that one day?"
Leonard shrugged, "I don't see why not, anything is possible."
Doug looked straight forward, "I am going to fly something like that some day." He stated.
Smiling, Leonard put his hand on his son's shoulder, "I bet you will."
Pelican One
Presidium Docking Area
2 hours post arrival
Lasky double checked his systems one more time as Pelican One slowly touched down on the landing pad, external cameras on the D79-TC Gunship providing him a live feed of the outside. A dozen Turians, six Salarians, two Asari and a human? Lasky checked his systems again, a Human, here on this alien space station. At least twenty-four heavily armed security agents surrounded the entourage and Lasky knew there were to be several marksmen in the area.
"Sir." Buck linked into Lasky's radio channel, "Hull cams are showing a human waiting with the delegation sir. Is it possible these are Innies?"
"No, Sergeant." Lasky responded, "Roland has ruled this impossible. I take it you have read his briefing?"
"Yes sir, different universe?"
"Yes." Lasky confirmed, "And time, there's still possibility that who ever was an insurrectionist or enemy of the state back a few hundred years ago is alive now, but not engaged in any illegal activities."
"I understand sir."
"This is Lieutenant Carlson, we have touched down."
"Lieutenant, this is Lasky, engage the sterile field generator in the troop bay." He was taking the up most precaution when it came to infection. They were all wearing air-tight battle armor and were about to have any bacteria, germ or virus on their armor purged by condensed radiation.
"Aye sir." Carlson responded.
A small pedestal rose from the center floor of Pelican One. At its top was a square box with various warning labels and a single red indicator light. Lasky reached out and tapped it, the light turning emerald green and consuming the interior in a dull green hue.
The light faded as Diamond team was the first to exit the Pelican, weapons at rest but ready to defend the Captain.
Lasky was the last to step out, advancing forward and leading Buck's team towards the Citadel entourage. "Councilors."
"Captain Lasky, I am Councilor Sparatus" The lead Turian said calmly, "It is an honor to have you onboard the Citadel."
"Thank you Councilor, I take the stand-off earlier will not effect the proceeding meeting?." Lasky replied.
Sparatus bowed his head to the side, "Of course not, however, a six kilometer ship would—even if its from one of our races—have prompted a similar response."
"I understand, completely." Lasky said in response.
"Captain." The balding human beside the Asari and flanked by two blue-armor clad Turians said, "I am Ambassador Donald Udina, representative of the Human Systems Alliance."
"Human Systems Alliance?" Buck asked to Lasky over the radio.
"Easy, Sergeant." Lasky replied. Thomas looked towards Udina, "It is a privilege to meet you Ambassador."
"As it is to meet you Captain." The oddly-accented man responded, "I must say however, it is most bizarre to discover another group of Humans with such a large assortment of ships.
"Each producing more power a second than even the Destiny Ascension does in an hour." Valern commented, "A monumental achievement for a vessel not utilizing Eezo."
Tevos stepped forward, "Captain, I believe discussing everything that has occurred would be more appropriate if discussed within the Council Chambers."
"I agree." Lasky said.
"Very well." Tevos replied, gesturing towards the transport, "This way."
Pelican One
Presidium Docking Area
ONI Operative, Lieutenant Jason Santiago, activated his active camouflage, vanishing from the naked eye. He double checked his weapons, a silenced M8S Submachine Gun firing 4mm APFSDS depleted uranium rounds and a silenced M6C/SOCOM pistol.
He looked around, his view was dominated by grey-outlined figures moving about their lives. His HUD instantly painted those not bearing weapons as civilians and their outlines changed to a bright white. The few security agents stationed around the area were highlighted a yellow and their weapons a deep crimson.
"This is Lasky, Black Bird 1, begin intelligence operations." Jason's radio chirped.
"This is Black Bird 1, beginning operations."
To be continued...
Next chapter: Sovereign Dawn.
Talks commence, Sovereign attacks, and the relationship between the Infinity and Systems Alliance gets off to a cold start.