"Captain, I fail to understand what is so important about this derelict," said Admiral Zhao as she stared down at Captain Fairbanks from the screen. "From what you've told me, it was built by some race that didn't use Element Zero. That's hardly worthy of my attention. I say we report it to the council, let the Salarians run wild with it. The ambassador will probably appreciate that."
"Ma'am, this ship has some very remarkable features. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that some 'friends' belonging to a certain intelligence agency are probably listening as we speak," responded Captain Fairbanks. "These features are so remarkable that sending a photo of them wouldn't be able to do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. Please ma'am, just come out here and look at it for yourself. If you feel that it wasn't worth your time, I will hang up my stars and resign. But I get the feeling that you'll be agreeing with me once you're here."
That remark caught her off guard. Captain Fairbanks was by all accounts a by-the-book officer who never left anything out of reports. In fact, he had a tendency to include too much information in his reports. If he was deliberately leaving something out…
"I take it you're still planning a salvage expedition?" she asked.
"Yes ma'am. The marines are in the cargo bay as we speak. Once we're done here I'm heading down there to brief them. After the briefing they'll be taking a shuttle to the derelict."
"Good. I'll get the fleet together and we'll head out soon. Keep me informed."
"Aye-aye ma'am."
As the screen shut off, Captain Fairbanks sighed. He hated having to leave information out, but this discovery was too big for the Salarians to find out about. Of course, for all he knew, they already had learned. The Alliance wasn't sure how they did it, but the Salarians, and by extension the Council, always seemed to know things that the Alliance tried to keep secret. But by God, he'd do his best to keep this contained. He decided to stop by the bridge and make sure everyone understood that they were not to breathe a word of this to anyone. Then he'd head down to the cargo bay.
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SSV Peleliu Cargo Bay
"Listen up marines! All you greenhorns who wanted to see an alien? Well today might be your lucky day!" bellowed a solidly-built woman in black marine armor. "We will be boarding a derelict ship that matches no known Citadel race. Our orders are to search for any survivors or indications of where this ship came from. Additionally, be on the lookout for surviving weaponry, vehicles, or other points of interest in the ship. We'll be splitting into two squads for this. I'll be in command of 1st Squad, and Staff Lieutenant Pace will be in command of 2nd squad. Now, I'll only say this once: Keep your fingers off your damn triggers unless something is shooting at you or beating someone in your squad to death. This is a First Contact scenario, and we don't need to start it off by blowing a hole in an alien's face. Is that understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" came the shout from nineteen marines in the final stages of preparing their gear. Checking weapons systems, warming up biotics, running omni-tool programs, making sure armor fit right, all of it was an important part of the pre-mission preparations. The door opened and everyone looked up as Captain Fairbanks walked in.
"Captain on deck!" shouted Corporal Goodman. All 20 marines instantly snapped to attention.
"At ease everyone. Come on, gather in close like you actually like each other," said the Captain. After all of the marines had gotten as close to him as they could with armor, the Captain looked up.
"Computer, seal the cargo bay and turn off all recording devices, authorization: Fairbanks, Charlie, Charlie, Zulu, Foxtrot, One, Zero, Niner".
That got all of the marine's attention. Most of them didn't even know the Captain could do that, and of the few that had seen it before, they knew it was only invoked if the future of humanity was at stake.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the information you are about to receive is not to leave this room. As of now, the only other people aware of this information are myself and the bridge crew, who have already agreed to maintain their silence. If you believe you cannot do this you are free to return to your quarters." Captain Fairbanks paused. Seeing that no one left he continued.
"That vessel is not just an alien vessel. After observing it, a series of markings was noted on the hull." As he said this, he pulled up his omni-tool and displayed an image on the wall. "First, we observed this symbol." An image popped up on the wall, of a bird with spread wings standing on a planet, with a banner underneath.
"Next, we observed a series of markings on the end of the hull." At this, the image changed to a combination of 6 letters and numbers: FFG-201. He heard several gasps and sudden intakes of air from among the marines.
"Sir, are those what I think they are?" asked one of the marines in the back.
"Yes Corporal," responded the Captain. "On both sides of the derelict's hull, we found that series of letters and numbers. English letters and numbers. Knowing this information, there are two possibilities for how this has occurred. One: some colony or group, maybe Cerberus built this ship. Why they built it without any Element Zero or why it looks nothing like any other human ship is beyond me. Furthermore, how it could have been sliced into multiple parts is beyond me as well. I know it doesn't sound that plausible, but the second option is almost as unlikely. This option assumes that this ship was built by an unknown species who have come into contact with humanity and decided to use human letters and numbers in the construction of their ship."
As the Captain looked around, he noted that most of the marines seemed incredibly confused, and most looked like he had lost them.
"I know that it seems unlikely, but right now, assume this vessel was built by a rogue offshoot of humanity. Does that clear things up?"
Most of the marines were nodding now and looked slightly more confident than before.
"As I stated, word of this does not leave this room. The only person you are currently allowed to discuss this information with is myself. All further personnel will be verified by myself. During this mission your objectives are twofold: First, attempt to locate any survivors. We need to know who these rogues are and what their goals are. Second, attempt to access the ship's computer systems. Failing to locate any survivors will leave the computers as the only option to learn about this strange humanity. During the mission, I want radio silence maintained unless it's an emergency. In the event there is an emergency, absolutely no mention is to be made of anything on that ship. I will not have the Council learning about this. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir!" came the response from all twenty marines.
"Any questions?"
After a few seconds of silence, the captain issued his final statement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good luck on this mission. Now get in that shuttle and get on that ship."
"Sir yes sir!" yelled the Marines as they began heading towards the hangar.
"Let's move it Marines!" ordered Lieutenant Commander Baxter. "Last one in the shuttle has latrine duty for a month!" With the threat of latrine duty hanging over their heads a jog became a sprint as every marine tried to avoid being that unlucky SOB. After everyone piled in, the shuttle lifted off and began heading towards the mystery ship.
"Check your air supply," came the voice of the pilot from the intercom. "Scans are showing there's no atmosphere. You step out of this shuttle without working oxygen, and you're going to have a bad time. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. And don't worry. I highly doubt there's anything breathing on that wreck right now."
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I apologize for another filler chapter. Don't worry, the next chapter is going to be mostly from the Chief's point of view as he wakes up.
These two chapters are to explain where the SA is coming from in their discovery of Chief, as well as laying down some potential future plot lines. Beyond that I can't say more.
So if you're not impressed with the lack of Master Chief in this crossover, don't worry. Next chapter we're dropping feet first… into HALO ( I know it was forced. Sue me).