Chapter 3 – The Meeting

Author's Notes:

High again guys, here's the next chapter in this thrilling saga I call "To Live For Those Who Can't"

In this chapter, people finely meet each other. Also, some of the vehicles are described a little and we get a better detail of what the firebase looks like. And we get to see a little more action than last time. History will be revealed and friends and enemies are made.

Also, please don't forget to review on what you think and give me advice on improvements or mistakes I make.

Now, enjoy Chapter 3

Updated and ending changed a bit. Changed lowered number of CIS ships, seemed too much.

Place: UANS base camp on unknown planet, being classified as SDI-67.

Time: 1905 hours, November 22nd, 2600

Max was worried. He could not find Dax anywhere in the camp they had set up. The two suns of SDI-67, or as everyone was calling it, "Sierra", were beginning to set and none of them knew if there were any nocturnal predators on this world. Max wasn't really worried about Dax. He knew that he could handle anything he met. What worried him was how he suddenly disappeared without a warning. Dax was known to go exploring worlds by himself, but he usually told someone if he was just going to explore. Max had known Dax for a while and he had grown to know the Skirmisher's behavior and reactions. Dax did go exploring and he usually returned with something as a souvenir. Everyone called him the black box of worlds, for some said he found all sorts of plants and creatures on all the worlds he came to, that even UANS had no knowledge about. And Max had gotten the same sense from Dax to, when one day, Dax came back to the ship after exploring a bit and he had a claw the size of a bowling ball. The UANS and OAI had been trying to get Dax to tell them everything he knew, but he would always tell them the same thing, "I don't know what you are talking about."

But Dax going out without telling anyone was usually a bad sign. Dax had the best eyeshot and hearing then any other Kig-yar in the history of his species. He had also earned the title of the Elite Jackal, among the Sangheili, due to him being able to blend in with any environment, without the need for active camouflage. Just a cloak and armor color, and he was just as invisible as any true SpecOps member.

Dax only acted on his own and without telling his commanding officer when he sensed something that no one else did. Max was never mad at what Dax did; it had usually ended up saving many lives. What he did not like was that there was potentially a dangerous threat on this world to him, his team, and everyone else. Just as he was thinking of this, his comm beeped. He activated it and asked who it was. It was Dax.

"Max," the Kig-yar Skirmisher spoke in his raspy, gruff voice, "I am 15 minutes south of camp. I have three prisoners with me. They were spying on our camp."

"Roger Dax, thanks for taking care of it," Max replied.

"Max, there's something else," the Skirmisher spoke, a little confusion showing in his voice, "The three are all humans, at least their outer appearance is.

This sent a chill down Max's spine. He said, "Are you sure?"

"One hundred percent sure Max, Dax out," Dax answered and then shut off his comm.

This was one thing Max had not expected when they set out on this mission. Max immediately knew this had something to do with the Forerunners. He then opened up his comm to the Avery Johnson and Shipmaster Clador.

"What is it Captain Max," asked Clador.

"Sir, Major Dax has caught three prisoners who were spying on us. They are 15 minutes away from here to the south," Max replied. He then said something he knew was going to get Clador's attention. "Sir, Dax has stated the prisoners as human."

"I see," Clador voice spoke in his usually calm voice, with just the slightest hint of confusion detected, "I'll meet you down there. When they arrive, you and your team please escort them to the gravity lift."

Max then said, "Yes sir!"

After that, the connection to the ship was disconnected. Max then activated his other team members' comms and spoke, "Lightning, Blade, Heracles, Fly, Bang, Fixer, Boom, Singer, Writer, Redeem, this is Sparta. Tracker is inbound with three human prisons that were spying on us. We are to meet at the south side of the camp and meet up with them. Then we are to escort them to the center of camp so they can speak to the Shipmaster. Move out Epsilon!"

"Yes sir," everyone shouted into his or her comms.

This mission had just risen to a new level and now was not the time for fun and games. He and his team only used their code names if the mission was of top importance and needed to be carried out with the same level of seriousness. He wanted to show these new guests of theirs what his team could do.

At this same time, 15 minutes to camp.

The soldier who had called himself Major Dax had just spoken into his communication device and informed his commanding officer of what had occurred. Padmé was now taking small breaths, trying to keep calm. There was no point in worrying and becoming exhausted before she even got to the camp. Padmé looked at both Captain Typho and Satine and was calmed more when she saw that they too were not over worrying themselves.

Padmé was glad that the soldier had finally lowered his weapon and did not have it pointed at her back anymore. She had decided that this group did not mean anyone harm, or else the creature would still have it pointed into her back, or worse. They had probably come armed just in case they ran into any problems.

While they were walking towards the camp, Padmé began to wonder and ask herself questions. Who was this group? Who was the United Alliance of National Species? Where had they come from? Why had no one ever meet or recorded any of them before? And why were they so focused on these ruins? What exactly were they and what did they hold?

As they approached the camp, they got a good look at the camp. The buildings had actually been dropped down from the ship and landed without any trouble, probably due to the jets underneath each. The buildings looked like they were made of the same material as the ship and had the same color. Padmé couldn't tell from where they were the differences between each. She did see multiple soldiers and vehicles running from place to place, but she was still too far away to see what they looked like either. What she could see was a trench, multiple foxholes, sniper towers, and some sort of turret towers. Each was the made of the same material and color as everything else, but there were at least three different types.

One kind of looked like a big blaster with some sort of tank on the back, she guessed it was meant to deal with infantry, but she couldn't be for sure yet. She had no idea what the tank was for, but she guessed she would find out sooner or later. Another kind had an even bigger blaster then it's counter part and guessed it dealt with heavy armor. Then there was one with some sort of long rectangles with multiple tubes in them. She took them as air defense and pretty powerful. She was shocked that so many defenses could be constructed and set up so quickly. This group had definitely seen war and took little chances with anything.

As the neared the trench, a group was waiting for them. Padmé could see that it was a squad of 11, with a least one member of each race. Two of them were the strange reptiles with the strange mandibles, one in very dark armor and the other in a green/gold armor with some sort of symbols on it, the runes armor one had some sort of sword and a staff on its back, and both had some sort of huge firearm that was green and was slightly glowing from where she assumed it fired from. Another member was one of the large mammals and it had white armor with black skulls on its shoulder guards, it also carried a firearm with a blade on top and some sort of launcher on the bottom. There was also another of the bird-like creatures, like Dax, but it was not as built and did not have as much feathers on his head. He was wearing a dark brown armor that looked something between what the reptiles wore and the humans did. It also had some sort of long blaster that definitely was meant for long range. There was one of the small canine face creatures, which wore a fire orange armor with black smudges all over it and had huge weapons strapped to the back of the tank on it's back. Padmé had notice the tank on all of its kind and guessed that its kind did not breath oxygen, and their air was in the tank. She also noticed one of strange floating squids, it had nothing in its tentacles, but there were things that looked like weapons on its armor. It looked harmless, but appearances could be deceiving. It kept looking at her for some reason and was starting to give her the creeps. There was also one of the insectoid creatures with a double barrel blaster pistol of some kind in purple armor and a device on its left wrist. There was also one of the bigheaded aliens with some sort of modified blasters of some kind in gray armor. There were also two of the massive 12 ft beasts. One had a blue armor with green stripes on it and one huge blaster for its right arm and a huge shield for the other. The other had green armor with blue stripes, a double barrel blaster for its left arm and a huge shield for the other. They both had some sort of board device, whose purpose she still did not know, on their backs.

But what stood out the most was the being standing at the head of the group. It was in cased in a red armor with a strange helmet with ridges on it and a golden visor covering its face. Padmé could not tell what kind of creature it was, but it was definitely humanoid. At first, she thought it was just a plain human, but drop the thought when they got nearer. The creature was at least 7ft tall. It also had some sort of blaster in its hands and another on it's back. There also appeared to be two rods on its chest, which kind of reminded Padmé of lightsabers, but looked more complexly designed. She also noticed the two reptiles had rods of similar design on them as well. Padmé immediately saw this group as Special Forces of some kind. Her theory was proven correct a minute later when they stopped just at the face of the group.

Dax then spoke to the humanoid in red armor. He said, "Captain Max, here are our new guests I told you about."

The red figure then turned to them with its golden visor covering its face and kind of making Padmé and her friends nervous. The red figure noticed and moved its hands towards its helmet. Then with a twist and a hiss, the figure pulled its helmet off and surprised their new guests even more.

Beneath the helmet and armor was a normal human. He had jet-black hair, with swatches of blond mixed in. The face was rugged and some may had called it handsome. The face showed a true soldier who had trained to be a soldier since he was young and had gone through many hardships to get where he was now. His eyes were a light green color. He also had a serious look on his face at the time. But the face showed something else, youth. Padmé could not imagine how a human like him had been born into existence.

Then the voice spoke in a gruff, yet emotionless voice. He said, "Greetings, I am Captain Spartan Maximilian-251 Washington, but you can call me Max. Everyone does. Now, please follow us. Move out Epsilon."

"Yes sir!"

Team Epsilon then walked ahead of the group, with no one behind their guests' backs. Padmé saw this as a test to see what they would do. She turned to Typho and Satine and nodded. They began to follow them.

As they walked through the camp, they earned a few glances from some of the personnel, who just as quickly continued on with what they were doing before. Padmé also noticed several different vehicles. Most of them were some sort of car that could switch between a wheel mode and a hover mode. Also, they had multiple types. Some were a carrier form, and some had huge weapons of different kinds. There were also tank like vehicles that had two long barrels and some sort of turret on it for a gunner. There were also some sort of smaller vehicles that Padmé could not even describe. They approached some sort of airfield and saw aircraft like the one they saw earlier leave the ship in space and other smaller ones and even larger ones with an assortment of guns on it.

They then passed by more buildings. Most of them were barracks where the soldiers rested when not on duty. They also passed by an armory and a storage warehouse, where they saw a magnitude of unbelievable weapons and gadgets. They also passed by a tower with a huge dish at the top, a command station of some kind. Throughout the trip, the three representatives of the Republic saw things they could not even describe or imagine could even exist at all.

Then they came to the center of the camp. There, a huge purple beam rose up and up till it reached the ship that was stationed above. They had watch as it had transported men and equipment to the base for several hours.

As the small group waited the next few minutes, nothing happened. Then Captain Max looked up and everyone else did. They watched as one of the reptile aliens descended the beam and approached them. Padmé knew that this alien must be the captain of this vessel. He wore an armor that was bright gold and had multiple medals on it. He was highly decorated and Padmé knew he had earned his position.

As the creature approached, he looked at Captain Max and his squad. He spoke in a calm, yet powerful voice, "Good work Spartan. You and your team bring great honor to me, this ship, and the entire UANS."

"Just another day at the job, sir," Captain Max replied in a cool level tone.

The creature then looked at Padmé and her group. It slowly approached them. Padmé walked to the front, as she was the "commanding" officer of her group. The creature stopped in front of her and extended its four-fingered hand. It then spoke.

"Greetings, I am Shipmaster Clador 'Taluo of the UANS Avery Johnson."

Padmé decided to be the first to speak for the entire Republic to this group. She said in a respectful tone and shook Clador's hand, "Greetings, I am Senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo. Next to me are my bodyguard Captain Typho and my friend Satine Kryze. We were on our way to this planet for an important meeting, when you ship appeared. None of us had ever seen a ship like yours before, so we decided to investigate while others attended the meeting."

"I see," Clador replied, "We are sorry we interrupted your assignment. We came not wanting to cause any problems for any species we met. I am sorry to say that we were definitely not expecting to find other humans here."

"Why is that?" Captain Typho asked.

"Well, where we come from, the humans are all descended from a group of humans from one world, and this planet is too far out of reach of their last colony," Clador answered.

"I see," Padmé said, "Well I think we need to first know a little about each other before we can truly understand each other."

"Agreed," Clador replied, "I think if we discussed everything in a somewhat private place, it will help the exchange go by much better."

"Agreed," Padmé replied.

"Captain Max," Clador looked at the leader of Team Epsilon, "You and your team will also be listening in on this meeting."

"Yes sir!"

The group then walked into the building with the huge dish on top. As the group entered, they both knew that big changes were in store for all of them. They just didn't know they would both eventual learn something that the other didn't either.

Several hours later, one of the suns had just started to rise. Then a ship came out of hyperspace above Tatooine. It was the Spirit Adventurer.

Obi-Wan was at the bridge. He was trying to plan what might be needed before he set out for the surface. He had prepared the main forces who were to head to the surface in case of a Separatist attack or an attack by the new guests. He had requested an assortment of AT-TEs, Turbo Tanks, LAATs, BARC speeders, AT-RTs, and clone troopers to be deployed around Jabba's palace in case of an attack.

As Obi-Wan looked out upon Tatooine, he noticed the unknown ship. He was in awe of it, as well as everyone else on the bridge. The report about it was right. It was a wonder to behold. It was a beauty unmatched by any ship, yet, at the same time, it showed it was not a push over. Its sides were smooth and graceful, like it was a creature born for space. And to make it seem like a terror in a space fight, the center was like a barrel of a rifle. It was one of the few things in life that Obi-Wan wanted to truly know how it had been made.

"Wow," came a voice from behind Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan looked behind and saw that both Anakin and Ahsoka had come to the bridge. Ahsoka was the one who had spoken. Her eyes were locked on the unknown ship. She was just as fascinated with it as he was.

"Now, that's a ship I wouldn't mind flying someday," exclaimed Anakin. He had a smile on his face that revealed he was up to something.

"Don't even think about Skyguy, we need to first find Padmé and figure out if these guys are friendly or not," Ahsoka said after seeing her master's look at the ship.

"Agreed," Obi-Wan said, "so first lets…"

But, before he could finish, the communication board started going off and interrupted him. They were receiving a message from Tatooine. It was coming from the unknown ship. As they all wondered if they should answer, Obi-Wan made the decision for everyone. He went to the board and pushed a button. A hologram slowly appeared. It was of a strange creature. It was definitely saurian in nature, but it had hands with two middle fingers and two opposing thumbs. It also had a strange jaw, with a bottom and upper jaw that split into 4 jaws covered in razor rows of canine teeth. It had two nostrils, with each one just below and in front of the eyes at the side of its head. And its legs were digitigrade, with the top half pushing forwards, the bottom pushing backwards, and the feet had two toes, that were hooved. It also had on some strange armor. It was covered in medals of all kinds, Obi-Wan took him as someone who had earned a reputation and he did not exploit it to his advantage.

Then the creature spoke in a strong, calm voice. He asked, "Attention, is the one known as General Obi-Wan Kenobi on board your ship?"

At first, everyone was shocked that it spoke Basic. Then that was replaced with the shock of it knowing Obi-Wan's name. Obi-Wan had but one choice. He answered with, "Yes, I am General Obi-Wan. How did you know I was coming?"

"Greetings Obi-Wan. My name is Clador 'Taluo. I am the Shipmaster of the UANS Avery Johnson. I was told several hours ago by your ambassadors that we met that you would be arriving with your ship. I have been awaiting your arrival since. I would like to invite you to the camp stationed below this ship. I assure you, your people are safe and unharmed. We made sure to treat them as best we could, since they are diplomats to your Republic. I think it would be best to meet in person, planet side. Also, so that you can make sure your people are unharmed, of course. We will discuss all matters together so that we do not cause any problems. I will info my men to let you land. Head to the airfield, where all the other aircraft are, you'll recognize them as such. See you there, General. Oh, and don't be surprised by my men, they all aren't like me. Long live the Mantle," Clador said. He then put his fist to his chest and then the hologram went off.

"Well, that was interesting," Anakin said.

"Indeed," Obi-Wan replied. He was in deep thought on what this could mean.

"Excuse me Master," Ahsoka asked, "What do you think Clador meant by don't be surprised by his men? And what is the Mantle?"

Obi-Wan looked at the Padawan. He replied with, "I guess we'll know when we get there."

"I'll tell Rex to get some men and a LAAT ready for go," Anakin said.

"Good idea," Obi-Wan said, "This might be a trap and it would be best to be prepared."

While everyone was getting everything set, Ahsoka just stood there at the bridge. She continued to look down at the beautiful ship. Her eyes then wondered down to the camp beneath it. For some strange reason, for just a moment, she felt something. Several actually. There was something down there calling to her through the Force, but what. And why hadn't Obi-Wan or Anakin felt it. Did she just imagine it? She just didn't know. And that worried her.

Clador had just shut off his connection to the Spirit Adventurer. Senator Padmé had briefed him on this galaxy. She had explained in short the Republic, the Separatists, the Jedi, the Force, and other things, along with the name of this planet, Tatooine. As soon as she had, he had told her and her companions a little about them. About the humans of their galaxy, the Covenant, the Human-Covenant war, the Great Schism, the War with the Loyalists, the Arrival of the Stoics, and the UANS and OAI. He had also explained about the Spartans, most notably Master Chief, or as others so called him just the "Spartan" or the "Protector of Life".

He had also explained a little of the Forerunners. He told them of their war with the Flood, of their great sacrifice, and how now they followed in their paths with their children, the Reclaimers or simply humanity. He did leave out how they had done it. He didn't want a new enemy finding out about the Halos and using them as weapons. And he had a feeling there were a lot of people like that in this galaxy that would use them in that way.

As soon as the basic information was exchanged, he invited Padmé and her companions to stay aboard the Avery Johnson to spend the night and rest. They had accepted. As soon as they were in their room, Clador had headed to the bridge. When he got there, he instantly contacted UANS command and informed them of what had happened. They had told him to continue to form an alliance with the Republic. When he told them that the Senator was expecting an attack from this "CIS" they had ordered him to help defend the Senator and the planet from these "droid" war machines, with the help of the Republic ship coming. Clador had agreed.

Command had also informed Clador the back up fleet was at least half a day away from the planet. Command had also informed him a special guest was coming with it. Clador was definitely surprised by whom they told was coming. The UANS Leviathan, the second biggest ship in the entire UANS navy. It also had a full detachment of Spartan IVs with it, at least 50. They had sent it, just in case any problems happened and they needed stronger defenses. Command had also given him a code to tell Max, Alue, and Jalo the next time he saw them.

After that, Clador had spent the rest of the time waiting for the Republic ship to show. But, he had also been thinking over other things. Most concerning this galaxy's past, with so many troubles happening everywhere and everything being taken care of by the Republic or these Jedi. He didn't really understand them yet, maybe when he meant this Jedi General, he would. They seemed to be telepathic by the description he had been given, but he had to see it for himself. They also seemed to be great swordsmen and used some kind of energy sword. He knew that many Sangheili would want to test their sword skills with them. That also included Max, Caltore, and Alue.

Clador was also wondering on something that had been bothering him. At the meeting, when Padmé started mentioning the Jedi and the "Force" they somehow had control over, Max was listening on every word. While the other members of his team were amazed at the description and asking the group questions, he had been silent the whole time. He had not even blinked. He just kept listening and looking serious. Alue's mind also seemed to be somewhere else. She was listening, but, at the same time, she was focused on cleaning her katana the whole conversation. Also, Jalo had begun to tap his fingers on his Calpor SMG, and not asking any questions. For a San 'Shyuum to not ask questions about something that was so totally unscientifically impossible, he was being too quiet. San 'Shyuum were the biggest science dudes in the galaxy and they always wanted to know facts. But, Jalo was really being unusual for himself.

If Clador had to guess, this had something to do with OAI. The former OAI spook knew many secrets and knew how to keep them that way. He knew something, something that he was not to reveal to anyone. The same went with Max and Alue. Being a Spartan, Max had been trained and created by OAI. He had gone on so many top-secret missions before joining his team. He also knew as much secrets as Jalo did. Alue had probably learned many things from her father's job as the Kaidon of the State of Vadam, the Arbiter, a Councilor on the Sangheili High Council, and a member of the UANS senate. He knew many things and had probably allowed her in on some of these secrets. All three of them knew the same something, and Clador knew that somehow one of those secrets had just somehow become involved in this mission by the appearance of these Jedi. What it was, Clador did not know. Yet. He was going to find out. If it somehow could put his team and his ship and crew in danger, he needed to know.

As Clador walked to the gravity lift he activated his comm. He had given Padmé and her companions a comm device so that he could contact them easily. He contacted them, along with Epsilon.

"Padmé, Max. Obi-Wan's ship just appeared and he is coming down. I am going down to meet him. Padmé, I believe he will calm down better seeing you and your friends safe and sound. Max, I want you and your team down by the airfield by the time I arrive. We might need you to stop some fighting. I feel some of the Sangheili will sense these Jedi of yours Senator and wish to test their skills against them. Is that understood soldiers. No fighting them, yet. In your free time only, got that!"

"Sir, yes sir!" was Epsilon's response.

"Yes Shipmaster," came the calm, cool voice of the Senator.

"Good," Clador said, "I will meet you and your companions at the gravity lift. I assume you remember the way there."

"Yes," Padmé answered.

"Good, meet you there," Clador said. Then he turned off his comm. Clador now had other things to worry about.

Right as Clador approached the lift, he remembered something. When Max, Alue, and Jalo had joined his crew, he had read their files. Most of them were blacked out in ink, but there was somethings that weren't. One was that they had all been part of a top secret program right before joining his crew. He had heard the name of the program before, but that was all. That was all anyone knew about the program other than the UANS senate and the OAI higher ups. Clador was just thinking that it was weird how all three of them were a part of the same program and that all three knew the same thing. Could this top secret program have an involvement with these Jedi somehow. The strangest thing was that the program's name gave no hint to what it was. It was not a coded name or any other name. Just one letter. It was called . . . Project: R.

Padmé, Satine, and Typho slowly made their way to the gravity lift. They had not had much time to look around, but what they had seen was impressive. The corridors of the ship actually curved with the ship, just like the outside. This UANS was indeed impressive. The engines that they had been told about actually somehow tore a hole through space and time, created a wormhole, allowing them to travel thousands of light-years in an instant, and then seal the hole after entering and exiting. It also allowed them to travel right through gravity wells without having to stop and move around them. To Padmé, it seemed dangerous to actually tear a hole through reality. But Clador said that it was perfectly safe, now with new advancements, and he did say that the Forerunners were using even more powerful engines to do the same thing over 100,000 years ago.

That was another thing. Padmé had become fascinated with these Forerunners. They had stood alone in their galaxy against this seemingly unstoppable enemy, only referred to as the "Flood". She did not get a full detail of what this "Flood" was, but apparently it was a creature that no one should ever meet, or to those who had, it was their greatest nightmare. The Forerunners had given their lives so that others might one day go on after they, themselves, were gone. She could see how these aliens had once worship them as gods for this. She was also not expecting what they had to say about their humans. According to Clador, the humans of his galaxy were the living, breathing descendents of the Forerunners, the Reclaimers, and therefore their rightful heirs.

So, when it came time for the Human-Covenant war, she felt she had nearly died from a heart attack. She could not imagine anything so horrible in all her life. Thousands of worlds destroyed in a matter of hours. Billions of lives lost all at once. Genocide against humanity and no one spared. Just the thought of it was horrible. She could not believe what these Prophets known as Truth, Mercy, and Regret had ordered their people to do, the lies they told, just so they could rule without fear from anyone. She could not imagine how the Jedi could have not felt so much life go out. Padmé thought maybe it had something to do with them being over a galaxy away from theirs.

She had then learned of the Great Schism and knew that these Prophets rule was at an end when they turned against their own. Padmé felt Clador was hiding something about the war and the Great Schism, but she didn't mind. She would probably do the same thing if she knew secrets that had to be kept secret for the greater good. She saw these Sangheili as what they were, a key to help end the Human-Covenant war. They fought with honor like a Jedi. They were trained since they were young to fight and use a blade, which was called an energy sword and was like a double bladed lightsaber.

But what really got her and her companions was the tale of the Spartans. How they had been humanity's hope throughout the war. How they had done the impossible and had given their lives for it. But, she had become sicken when they had revealed to her their origins. She had eventually calmed down when they told her everyone still alive and involved had been arrested for the crimes. But that didn't make the Spartans any less great to her eyes. They were like the Jedi of their galaxy. Trained since they were children to fight and survive. To defend their worlds, so that others could live on after them and peace could come at last.

But she had become truly fascinated with one of these Spartans, Master Chief Spartan-117. According to everyone, if it hadn't been for him, many more people would had died in losing fights for worlds, the Great Schism would never had happened, Earth would had been lost, and for some reason, everyone believed that none of them would be alive right now. She could not imagine how they all could have felt that way about one individual. He was simply called "Chief" amongst humanity, but others called him the "Spartan" or just the "Protector of Life". She felt that the name was rightfully placed.

He had apparently died in the last battle of the Human-Covenant war, when he had given his life to kill something called the "Gravemind", the apparent leader of the "Flood" and ending the threat forever. She couldn't help but wonder, if he hadn't stopped it, could it and its "Flood" had made it all the way to this galaxy. Could the Republic stand as long and win against such a destructive foe. She couldn't tell.

She now knew why this UANS's ships were prepared for war. They had fought for so long against so much, they came prepared with everything they had. She also understood why they were here on Tatooine. The ruins on Tatooine were Forerunner ruins. They had discovered the location of these ruins and this planet from another ruin they had found. They came armed because this was the first time anyone had left their galaxy to go exploring in another. They did not know what to expect. They were also prepared in case any "Flood" was in the ruins. They did not expect any here, but it never hurt to come prepared. Clador had insisted that the "Flood" had only been found in two ruins so far, with each being quite different from the others. He would not explain what was so different about these certain ruins; just that anyone who found them would immediately know the danger in them.

She had also seen that the three-year war that the Republic was in right now was child's play compared to what the "Milky Way", the name of the galaxy she had learned that they called home, had seen in its entire lifetime. She wondered how the Senate would react to the news and even the Jedi. She knew they too would become both confused and divested by the news of so many deaths, and they had not even felt it.

But right now, she had to make sure that the Republic did not accidentally go to war with the UANS. She felt that if a war did beak out with them, they would not win. These guys knew war better then anyone and knew how to win it.

As Padmé, Satine, and Typho approached the gravity lift, they saw Shipmaster Clador waiting for them with a deep thinking look. Padmé was thinking over what could be making the Shipmaster thinking so hard. She decided to ask at another time, when there was nothing else to worry about. He spoke in his usual calm, powerful voice.

"So, should we go greet our guests?"

At this same time, Max was telling his team through his comm to meet at the airfield. They answered with a yes. After that, Max shut off his comm. He was thinking over what Padmé and her companions had told them. He was mostly thinking of what she had said about the Jedi and the "Force". Then he heard a voice from behind him.

"Thinking hard about these Jedi and this "Force"?"

Max looked behind him. It was Alue and Jalo. Max, Alue, and Jalo had know each other before either had been assigned to Team Epsilon. They had gone on top-secret missions for OAI together. They had also seen stuff that OAI did not reveal to the people yet. The UANS of course knew of all of these and decided to keep them secret as well. Better the people not freak out from hearing about them.

"Yeah"

"Max," Jalo spoke, "we have to make sure that no one knows. We must not allow our gifts to be revealed to the galaxies, especially this one. We must use them only when we have been given the authorization code. Which only someone high up can know."

"I know Jalo," Max replied, "it's just… this may finally answer so many questions I've been wondering about my entire life." As he said that, he grabbed the small bundle at his waist and just looked at it.

"We know Max," Alue said, "just wait. We'll all find out together. Just be patient and stay focused on the mission."

"When don't I?" Max replied. He placed the wrapped bundle back at his waist. Then he grabbed his helmet and silently place it back on his head and walked towards the airfield, to the rest of his team, Shipmaster Clador, Padmé and her companions, and the soon to be arriving new arrivals. This mission had just gone up some levels.

Several minutes later, the LAAT landed in the camp's airfield. Out came several humans dressed in a white armor. Also there was an older looking man with a beard in brown robes, another man dressed in the same way and with a scar around his right eye, a small cyclinder shaped robot with three legs, and a strange orange alien with some sort of white and blue tentacles coming out of its head and running down to its waist and horns growing at the top of its hair/tentacles.

As they exited the ship, all the passengers were all in shocked. Apparently, the news of their arrival had spread and the whole camp had showed up to see them. They were equally shocked at who the camp was made of. While some were of the same race as the Shipmaster, the others weren't. There were also humans, bird-like creatures, small creatures with tanks on their backs and masks covering their mouths, flying insectoids, floating squids, huge mammals that could probably take a Wookiee on in close combat and maybe win, creatures with long necks and huge heads, and 12ft behemoths incased in blue armor. They were all looking at the small group with interest. Many of the saurians were carrying a rod on their thighs that looked a lot like lightsaber rods. They had also notice three of the group carried a rod also and were looking at them like they waiting for the right moment to challenge them.

"Well, I guess now we know what he meant by not all his men were like him," Anakin said.

"Indeed," Obi-Wan replied, "A crew made up of multiple races is a strange sight these days. I wonder how they all met."

While her master and Obi-Wan talked, Ahsoka was looking around. She could feel that strange presence again, and it was getting closer. She couldn't figure out why her master and Obi-Wan couldn't sense it. She thought maybe it had something to do with her actually trying to focus in on it.

Then a small gap was made in the group surrounding them. Soon, a group was seen heading towards them. The clones, droid, and the Jedi soon saw the party heading towards them better. The one in the lead was the Shipmaster Clador in a gold armor and medals covering most of it. Right to his left was Padmé, Satine, and Captain Typho. But to there right was another group. There was at least one of every race in the group and they all looked tough, even the small creature with a tank on it back and the floating squid right beside it. They were definitely a Special Forces team of some kind.

As they neared, Ahsoka looked at the strange human, if it was even that, in the red armor and strange-ridged helmet. Ahsoka immediately found what she had been sensing. The creature in the armor was the presence she had been feeling before. Ahsoka then leaned into her master to whisper something.

"Master?"

"What is it Snips?" Anakin asked.

"Don't you feel it? The being in red armor, I think he may be, you know." She said and nodded towards the soldier in question.

Both Anakin and Obi-Wan saw the look in Ahsoka's eyes and decided to find out what she was talking about. As soon as they focused on the soldier, they too felt the same thing that Ahsoka had felt. They could not believe that they had not felt such a presence when they arrived at the base. They were also equally shocked that Ahsoka had been the first to noticed it. It just proved how much she had improved over the last 3 years. As Obi-Wan continue to observe the soldier, his eyes wondered over the rest of the squad. The tall saurian with a steel sword and staff on its back and the big headed alien also had a presense, just not as strong as the red soldier.

As the group got nearer, the red soldier stopped. He turned to the masses that surrounded the airfield. He then spoke in an emotionless tone to them.

"Alright soldiers, that's enough standing around and staring. Time to get back to work."

"Yes Spartan sir!" Everyone shouted and then left to go back to their duties.

Obi-Wan looked at this with thinking eyes. The soldiers instantly acted to this single soldier's orders, he commanded their respect just like the Shipmaster did. He was either very high up or a very good soldier. Or both. Whoever he was, he had just earned even greater interest from him.

Then the Shipmaster approached and extended his hand. He spoke in his powerful, yet calm voice.

"Greeting General Kenobi, it is a great pleasure to finally meet you in person."

"It is also a pleasure to meet you as well," Obi-Wan said and grasped the hand offered.

"It is good to see you again General Kenobi, and you too, Anakin and Ahsoka," Padmé spoke up from behind.

"It is good to see that you are indeed unharmed Senator," Ahsoka said.

Shipmaster Clador then spoke, "Good, now I think it is time that we…"

But before he could finish, his comm device went off. He placed his hand to the device, which was at the side of his head, where his ear must have been.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Shipmaster, 6 ships just appeared in system and are on their way here."

"What!" Clador nearly shouted.

Then, Obi-Wan's communication device went off. He answered. Captain Julian's voice came through and everyone heard what he had to say.

"General, 6 CIS ships just exited hyperspace and are approaching."

With that both Obi-Wan and Clador acted.

"We won't be able to stop them from deploying forces. Captain Julian, I need you to start deploying everything I requested to get set before I left faster. We'll need them."

"Yes General," and with that, Captain Julian shut off the communication.

"Captain Max, I need you and your team to escort the Senator and the Jedi to Jabba's palace, these Hutts may need your protection. I will leave Fieldmaster Kado in charge of our land forces to help fight off these droids. I will be commanding the Avery Johnson in the fight in space. Is that understood soldiers."

"Yes sir." Max and his team saluted.

Shipmaster Clador then spoke into his comm again and addressed the whole camp.

"Attention soldiers. We are about to be attacked by an army that uses machines in their fights. I need all space fighter pilots back on the ship in 3 minutes. While I am gone, Fieldmaster Kado will be in charge of the land forces. Listen to him carefully and I hope to see you again when I come back."

At this, soldiers all over the camp started to head to their stations. Some went back to the ship. While the rest went and grabbed their armor, weapons, and other gear, and went to their stations or jumped into a vehicle. If they were going to die, they were sure as hell going to deal hell to these droids and show them that they messed with the wrong people.

"Also," Clador spoke again, "The fleet that we are expecting to arrive will be arriving soon. So all we need to do is hold our own till they get here. These enemy ships are only slightly larger then our ship, they don't stand a chance against a fleet of ours. Also, the fleet is being lead by the UANS Leviathan."

With that said, the UANS forces cheered. They knew they would beat the snot out of these CIS bastards with the Leviathan on their side. This fight would end as soon as it arrived.

"Now soldiers, let us once again enter another hell to bring peace. Let us show these CIS bastards who they are dealing with. Should we die, let us be remembered for what we did. The first in our galaxy to enter this war, against impossible odds and forces not seen by any of us before. But let us remember the past and let it inspire us. The Forerunners gave their lives so that we could live. The Spartans gave their lives so humanity could live on. And the Master Chief, who in our darkest hour, set the Covenant free and saved all of our lives, just like his ancestors before him. Let us do the same for this galaxy, so that peace can finally return to this galaxy. For the Forerunners, the Spartans, and the Master Chief. Let us forge their memories into this galaxy's and yet them know we will never give up thanks to them. Long live the Mantle!"

"Long Live The Mantle!" every UANS soldiers shouted at the top of their lungs.

With the speech ending, Obi-Wan's mind began thinking. He was wondering what had Clador had meant when he said that the Forerunners, the Spartans, and the Master Chief had given their lives for them. Who were all of these unknown characters. And didn't the entire camp just call the red armored soldier a Spartan. Obi-Wan looked back at his team and the Senator's and they started to move back to the LAAT. But before they got a foot away, they turned when they heard Clador speak a single sentence.

"Spartan, Vadam, Kialo, . . . I have been given authorization code 9503095012."

Max looked back at the Shipmaster, his faceless visor staring into his eyes. Jalo and Alue were also looking between the Spartan and the Shipmaster. The time for secrets was over. The UANS had decided to reveal their greatest, current weapon to the entire two galaxies. Then Max spoke in his emotionless voice.

"Understood sir. We won't hold anything back in this fight."

And with that, he walked away with his team to the fight coming their way. With that last statement, Padmé, Obi-Wan, Anakin, Ahsoka, and the clones were confused. What had the Shipmaster just allowed the Spartan to do? Clador was equally confused. For all the time he had known Max, he had not suspected that the Spartan was holding anything back. He was also wondering why command would make him hold back. What could the Spartan actually do, Clador wondered.

But, unknown to Clador, him, his men, the Republic, and even Team Epsilon, they all were going to get one of the biggest surprises of their lives in this battle.

So, there is Chapter 3.

Also, I have been looking up past Jedi during this time and the whole three years of the Clone Wars. I have found some Jedi that could make interesting characters to add. I've decided to change something's, like if they died before or after this time. Also, I have change the time periods of some of the battles of the war to go with this story. I will make up my own battles and be using some battles that really happened. All of these events take place like 10 months before "Revenge of the Sith". Also, I plan on doing something pretty special with Grievous in this story, he has had some history and you should look it up.

Oh, and remember, no one really knows how advanced the Precursors and Forerunners were. Who knows what they were capable of?

I will see you next time in, "Chapter 4 – The First Shot"

Don't forget to review and comment. Please.