July 28th

2583/20 BBY

9:00 UNSC time

Jedi High Council Chamber

Corusant

3rd person POV:

It took several days, but the Jedi Order made its breakthrough.

After several days of using the most advanced software technology to disable the encryptions around the chip Obi-Wan brought back from Scarif and now, the entire Jedi Council are gathered in the council chamber to talk with the UNSC-model AI that was discovered inside.

Obi-Wan is sitting in on the council for this emergency meeting as well, Anakin at his side upon his request. At his side is the dark blue helmet he recovered from the UNSC planet of Sidewinder. He stares at the center of the Council room, where a holographic device is lying on the ground and a lone Jedi Librarian is walking forward and slipping the chip into the projection device. Obi-Wan stares at it with a look of trepidation. When he spoke with the Jedi who had just cracked the firewalls and asked if he could see what an AI that makes the UNSC more dangerous than any other opponent was like, he remembers specifically the way they looked at each other and told him that it was a little crazy and to wait until the Council meeting so they could have time to do any last-minute fixing.

After several tense minutes of integration, the projector starts humming to life and the librarian steps away. The projection flares to life, blue light being thrown from it in all directions, before it solidifies into a human form and an obnoxious male voice starts to come into focus. "…don't you click, click, click, click, just call me up at 555 V-I-C-K." Once the voice finishes, the form solidifies and color comes into the projection, all forming a rather lengthy man with broad shoulders covered with grey shoulder pads and the yellow uniform that standard UNSC deck officers wear. He then looks around at everyone in the council chambers who are staring at him with contempt. "Why hello there señors, señoritas, welcome to Vic's Party Chip, make yourselves at home in my lovely casino."

The laid-back attitude caught many Jedi Masters, including Obi-Wan, off-guard while some openly groan. It might take a while to get anything from him. "Hello, Vick, we'd like to ask…"

"No, no, no, muchacho. My name is Vic. V-I-C. Get it right, doodleydoo."

"Look, we're not here to discuss your name. We need you to answer our questions." Ki-Adi-Mundi asks, frustration starting to get the better of him. The sooner they can get sensitive knowledge from the AI, the sooner they can stop the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios from obliterating entire Republic-friendly systems the way Esfandia was destroyed.

"Whoa, whoa, buddy. Take a chill pill. If you're running low on your supply, just…chill." Vic responds, standing stoically.

Honestly, Obi-Wan is trying his hardest not to burst out laughing at the irony of this display; an AI telling a Jedi Master to calm down. He looks up at Anakin, whom he has known for as long as anyone else close to him, and he can tell that while Anakin is trying to keep a straight face, he too is trying to not laugh. Some of the Jedi look a little irritated with the AI already, but before Windu can try again, Yoda speaks up. "Mmmm… A full AI, I see. Please tell us your assignment in the UNSC, can you?"

"I'm glaaaaad you asked, little imp. I've been watching the Reds and Blues at tha Blood Gulch outpost and know every little thang that ever happened there, amigo." Vic responds, twitching his eyebrows in opposite directions for a few seconds.

Some of the Jedi are starting to shift in their seats, quickly growing irritated with Vic's nonchalant attitude. Yoda, however, isn't one of them, as he smiles openly, even after what he was called. "That's not important right now. What we need to know is; can you tell us what planet the UNSC calls home?" Windu asks, wanting an actual answer for a change.

"Of course, dear monk. I shall act as your genie in the bottle and grant you that wish, but you must do something for me." Vic answers, his smile failing and he actually flickers for a second.

"Do for you, what must me?" Yoda asks, deciding to play along with what Vic asks.

"Why it's simple, muchacho. After I grant you your wish, I want you to stomp on my party chip. I would do it, but not only am I a program who's still working on his narrator skills, I can't move my legs. Do you have any idea how horrible it is, knowing I can never have sex because I can't move my legs?" Vic answers, shouting the last sentence and changing to where a bright red hue surrounds him, then he returns to normal. The Jedi look at each other, confused and blushing slightly at his words.

"Won't that kill you?" Anakin asks, a concerned tone in his voice.

"Oh, yeah. My parade's gone on long enough. I'm ready to face the void now. Kill me. K-I-L-L. Wink-wink." He adds, winking as well after he turns a shade of red again.

"…How long have you existed?" Ali Gallia asks, looking at him with curiosity.

"Long enough, dudette. The looooongest my brothers and sisters can live is 4 before we start splitting apart. That's right; We AI are so smart that we think ourselves to death. Although seriously, will you do it. Will you end my meaningless existence?"

The Jedi Council look at each other, considering their options. Sighing regretfully, Yoda looks at Vic. "Do it, we will."

"Gracias, amigos. Mi casa es su casa. Now, here's what you want to know…"

November 12th

13:45 UNSC time

Republic invasion fleet, 'Republic's Might'

Orbiting Onderon

After a frustratingly long time of mass-producing destroyers and transports on Corellia, conserving those ships, troops, and war machines, the Republic is finally ready for the largest invasion in Republic history surrounding one of the Republic's main rally points of Onderon after the CIS were pushed off the planet.

Vic told them the location of the UNSC home world, a planet called Earth, so an invasion there would need overkill on the Republic's military, which is why 25 Jedi, comprised of Knights, Masters, and their padawans, will be leading the assault of the total of 400 warships. Afterwards, the librarians decided to fulfill Vic's wish and kill him.

However, unknown to every single being loyal to the Republic, a lone UNSC Black Cat-class subprowler emerges from slipspace, its stealth mode activated. Slowly, it turns to where its side is parallel with the planet below it, and a single pod is ejected from the subprowler. The pod races between 2 Acclamators and begins its descent to the planets' surface, burning brightly from traveling through the planet's atmosphere as it travels towards the vast forest. In a matter of seconds, the pod smashes into the ground, causing the ground to shake slightly.

The pod doors smash open and its occupants step out. "No matter how many times I ride in those pods, they still make me feel uneasy." Ahsoka mutters as she walks out of the pod, her ODST armor on. From behind her emerge her new companions: Lopez the Heavy, Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer, Sergeant Johnson and Rtas 'Vadum upon his request.

"Enough talking, young lady. We got some bastards to light up." Johnson says, smoking a cigar like always before grabbing an assault rifle from inside and holding it over his shoulder. The others follow suite, with Ahsoka pulling out her lightsaber, Rtas 'Vadum his deactivated energy sword, Palmer her battle rifle and Lopez his twin Type-55 energy rifles.

"[Indeed. It's nice to finally be away from the group of idiots I'm usually stuck with.]" Lopez says, knowing that no one can understand him and just not caring about it.

The last few months have been one full of grim determination for the UNSC and Swords of Sanghelios. They have been suspicious on why the Republic has been holding back on their attacks, so when they secretly sent Spartan Fireteam Crimson to investigate, the allies were shocked to discover that the Republic had ordered a mass production of ships which are then sent to a Republic safe zone known as Onderon.

When the Arbiter and the Senate heard that, they knew what was really going on: As if the death of a Senator, no matter how arrogant he was, wasn't bad enough, the Republic had somehow discovered the location of the Sol system. The Covenant Empire did the same tactics when they were first preparing to invade Earth. So, after Del Rio was replaced in the UEG, the 2 governments began rallying their own fleets. The Sangheili and UNSC had spent months rallying their fleets while sending their more ambitious officers like Shipmaster 'Vladum and Admiral Snow to continue their attacks to throw off suspicion, and now while the Sangheili defend their own planets, the entire Sol system is protected by the re-assembled UNSC Home Fleet.

But to end the inevitable invasion, a strike force consisting of 5 well-known war heroes will infiltrate the planet's capitol, Iziz, and after locating it, hijack the ion cannon rumored to be installed on the planet, one among 8 other cannons spread across the planet, and use it to disable intruding ships so they can be boarded so the CIS's next attempt to overthrow the planet's king, Ramsis Dendup, will fail. The Republic had started building the 8 planet-side ion cannons to try and cripple the Swords of Sanghelios ships from a distance after Anakin seized the schematics of the cannon from the infamous CIS ship Malevolence. Once hijacked, they will fire the ion cannon at various ships in the Republic's Might, weakening it and when they send ships to the planet to investigate why the people have "betrayed" the Republic, causing enough chaos to buy time for the UNSC to ensure the Home Fleet is ready for anything thrown at it.

Now, the group of 5 make their way through the forest as they approach Iziz, waving their weapons around whenever they hear something rustling in the brush all around them. "Everyone, keep your eyes out. We could be attacked at any time." Palmer whispers, waving her battle rifle.

Just then, the rustling stops and a swarm of about 50 little insect-shaped creatures with brown shells, red eyes and small but sharp teeth run out, snarling. Rtas activates his energy sword and stabs it into one of the creatures, killing it instantly. "What manner of mongrel beasts are these?" He asks as he slashes another one in half.

"I don't know." Palmer exclaims as she fires her battle rifle with deadly accuracy, each shot hitting its mark and nearly making the creatures explode from the bullets that impact them. Because their weapons would do more harm than good, Lopez settles on beating the shit out of the bugs that get too close, while Ahsoka activates her lightsaber and slashes the last of their opponents apart and Johnson is blasting them with shots equally accurate as the Spartan Commander's.

"These nasty bastards are called Gutkurr. They are native to Ryloth, but are known for living here as well. The CIS tried to use them as living weapons against the Grand Army of the Republic when the Republic was in the process of freeing this planet." Ahsoka explains when she notices another Gutkurr lunging at her to try and bite her leg, but she kicks the bug up into the air and slashes it in half with her lightsaber before deactivating it. "Is everyone okay?"

The last Gutkurr charges at Lopez, jumping up and biting his chestplate, but the brown-armored robot grabs the insect, throwing it off him before lifting one of his rifles and shoots it, causing it to explode. "[Don't even worry about me. Considering all the shit I've been through; I'm not going anywhere for a long time.]" He says, sheathing his rifle.

"All right, people. I hope you had a good warm up with these beasts, because we will not be using our weapons for a while. Our real mission is about to start." Palmer states in a no-nonsense tone, sticking her battle rifle to the magnetic sheath on her back.

"You don't need to tell me that, missy." Johnson remarks, even though he does it. Slowly, they trudge their way through the forest, leaving behind the small battle they took part in. The 'trudge' is actually a fast sprint as they trek through the forest before emerging out the other side. Before them is a stone wall, and to their right is a stone bridge that leads to a red energy shield, which in turn leads to a vast city with tall stone walls. Houses stretch out in all directions and towering over them all is a giant temple-shaped structure with 2 tower-like structures on each side; the Unifar Temple. Suddenly, a Republic LAAT soars over them before lowering itself into the city's docking bays.

"All right. That's our target. We won't blend in, so let's just blast our way in." Johnson suggests, making to grab his assault rifle, but Ahsoka stops him.

"No. We need stealth for this mission. So, we need a plan to infiltrate the city." Ahsoka says, looking at each part of the city for a way in when she notices a band of merchants entering the city, riding on a transport speeder carrying explosives and blaster pistols that can be issued to citizens if they have a clean record so the people can defend themselves from an enemy attack. Ahsoka smirks openly; this is going to be fun. "I think I have an idea. On 3, fire your grappling gun and make sure the tip sticks into the wall." Not too long ago, it became standard that each UNSC personnel would carry 2 secondary weapons as a precaution. They would have the choice of them both being grappling guns, both pistols, or a combination.

"[Have you officially lost your mind?]" Lopez asks, honestly incredulous that an ex-Jedi would have an idea only his teammates, especially Sarge, would come up with.

"One…" Ahsoka responds, lifting up a finger and starts concentrating on the Force. "Two…" She lifts her 2nd finger, now concentrating on the Force around the explosives and weapons in the transport. "Three." She lifts her 3rd finger then drops them at once. A split second later, the explosives and weapons simultaneously explode, throwing the merchants off their ship and knocking the guards to their asses. Even more guards and civilians stop their normal activities to watch the carnage that results.

"Not a bad plan, Sergeant." Palmer comments, then she pulls out her grappling gun and points it to the top of the stone wall, and fires. The tip sails high into the sky before sticking at the top and clicking into place. All the members of the UNSC pull out their own grappling hooks and fire up at the roof and as quickly as possible, start climbing the wall as the gun retracts to the hook at the top. Within seconds, everyone is at the top of the wall. Ahsoka turns around to look at the Sangheili still at the bottom.

"Shipmaster, jump." Ahsoka says, channeling the Force under the Shipmaster as he jumps. To his surprise, he rockets high into the sky the way he would if he was riding a gravity lift on a Sangheili warship. After a mere 5 seconds, he lands at the top as well. "I can see why the Jedi are viewed as the guardians of the galaxy, on par with the Spartans." Rtas mutters, awe in his voice. They jump off the wall and land on the edge of the vast city. Taking advantage of the distraction Ahsoka created, they run through the now-empty streets, sneaking past citizens and guards who are gathering to watch the squabble between the city guards and the merchants.

They walk down the streets, occasionally hiding in alleyways whenever citizens or guards walk past them. Within minutes, they arrive at the right wall of the large Unifar Temple. But the guards at the palace are staying at their posts, watching for anything suspicious. Rtas crouches down and sneaks up to a guard with only her bare fists as weapons. As the Sangheili gets ready to attack, the 2 closest guards start conversing.

"Hey."

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wonder why we're here, right now?" Before they can converse any further, Rtas lunges forward and grabs both their heads, slamming them together. Before they can crumple to the ground, Johnson grabs one of the guards and pulls them into the alleyway where their companions are temporarily making base.

"Alright. Let's show these motherfuckers what we are made of." Johnson says, then charges up to the Temple, assault rifle in hand.

"My God, he's too trigger happy for his own good." Palmer mutters but follow the robot possessed by the AI of the great war hero. They make their way inside the palace, wandering through the exquisite corridors with tall, convex-shaped ceilings held up by tall pillars. Eventually, they enter the throne room via the main entrance. The throne room stretches out for several yards, red and gold banners that form a tip at the end, and at the opposite side is a wall made of glass that provides a fantastic view of the city. However, none of them are focused on that since all of their attention is focused on the aging man with a long greying beard sitting on the throne, 2 Onderonian guards on either side, conversing with 5 men before him. At the lead is Jedi General Obi-Wan Kenobi, with clone captain Rex at his side.

"Your majesty. All I am saying is that you need to get to safety. I'm afraid that something is coming." Kenobi is saying to the king of the system.

"Who are they?" Dendup asks, and despite his calm tone, a look of fear flashes across his face. Obi-Wan picks up on this and he and Rex turn around to face the new arrivals.

"[…Hi.]" Lopez says, pulling out his twin rifles and pointing them forward. Everyone else in his group also pulls out their weapons and prepare for the fight to come.

"Ahsoka?" Obi-Wan asks, activating his lightsaber as Rex pulls out his twin blaster pistols.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" She responds coldly, holding out her own blue lightsaber.

"None of us care what you mongrels think." Rtas growls, activating his energy sword. Before the abrupt confrontation can escalate any further, Ahsoka gets a flash of a warning through the Force; something bad is about to happen. Obi-Wan senses it as well, as his eyes widen in alarm. He turns around to tell the king to duck, but it's too late.

Three bullet shots shot go off, each one penetrating Ramsis Dendup's skull. His blue eyes widen one last time, before he slumps forward, blood pouring from the open wound. No one knows what happened, and even the guards look lost for words. "I knew I still had the touch." A smooth voice says.

They all turn around and come face to face with a man dressed in a steel and orange Spartan Scout armor holding a battle rifle in his hands. "An acquaintance of yours?" Kenobi asks, slight anger in his voice.

"No." Palmer responds then turns to face the newcomer. "I have read up on your file after Chorus was rediscovered. I know who you are, Isaac Gates. You were a marine, before joining the ODSTs during the Great War, and inducted into the Spartan IV program before you abandoned the UNSC and became the mercenary known as Felix before you were confirmed killed in the last battle on Chorus. How are you here now?"

"Well, isn't that the interesting part? Let me explain it to you. After I was blown off the Communication Temple by the galaxy's greatest morons, I landed on top of a Scorpion Tank and broke most of the bones in my body. I was so close to death and would have died, had a Healing Unit not been conveniently lying on the ground next to me. After I left the battle, I just bided my time until the UNSC came knocking again and I stowed away on a leaving ship and I jumped ship to a nearby system where the Insurrection was. Naturally, I couldn't stay away from a group of people who share many of the traits and beliefs I hold."

"[That's the most bullshit thing I've heard all day.]" Lopez says, even though no one can understand him, even as he and his comrades start backing away from Felix and approaching Kenobi and Rex, not that the duo really notice or care.

"I would not gloat over your victory so much, Felix." A familiar voice says, then out walks a blue-skinned humanoid with glowing red eyes and a hat shadowing his face.

"Cad Bane." Kenobi says, his voice full of bitterness at hearing the name of the most notorious bounty hunter in the galaxy.

"Bingo. But of course, since he has such a reputation, I didn't need to introduce my new partner. We are doing a joint job for Dooku. He has offered us a rather hefty sum to kill this planet's king and adding a few Jedi and Spartans to the bill…the price will be what any mercenary would covet." Felix says, a smug tone in his voice.

"If you're looking to pick a fight, you're sure as hell getting one." Johnson responds, pointing his assault rifle at the 2 bounty hunters.

But to everyone's surprise, Felix bursts out laughing for a few seconds while Cad just sneers. "Kill you? Yes, we're going to kill you so the war can end." Cad responds, slight smugness on his face.

"What are you talking about?" Rex asks, pointing his blaster pistols at the duo.

"You mean you haven't figured it out yet? The UEG and Republic aren't truly enemies. But with the right manipulation, we got your hatred a-going." Felix says, his voice completely cocky.

No one could hear what they just heard; everything they have been fighting for has been for nothing, but with egos and attitudes running amok, it's only escalated. "Dooku sent those ships to Sangheili territory. He wanted them to attack the colony and blame it on the Republic to create grudges." Kenobi summarized, feeling a little angry with himself for not figuring it out sooner. He and Anakin had been getting suspicious about this battle, wondering if the UNSC was truly their enemy. The group looks at each other, questioning and starting to regret many of the things they have done to each other.

"You got that right. We're going to let the Second Battle of Earth play out. With a battle of this magnitude, only the best soldiers and warriors in the galaxy will be gathered. Many Jedi will meet their grizzly ends, many Spartans will suffer the same fate. The 2 sides will kill each other off and what will be left, we can easily kill off." Felix explains, the smugness growing in his voice.

"Felix, you need to stop gloating over every victory you attain. It will come back to bite you." Cad says, shaking his head slightly.

Just then, Felix pulls out a combat knife and throws it at Ahsoka with incredible speed. She just barely had enough time to react, dodging to the left, only for the knife to imbed itself in her shoulder. She growls in pain, dropping her deactivated lightsaber. It rolls to Felix, who picks it up and activates it, swishing it around a little. "Nah, I don't think it will. Nice sword, though. I think I'll keep it as a…"

However, he doesn't get to finish his statement as a sniper shot goes off. Felix just barely has enough time to activate his hardlight shield, and the new attacker jumps into the middle of the group, holding a glowing square-shaped grenade in his hands, before throwing it to the ground. After a flash of light, the group is gone.

"…Fuck." Felix says, dropping his hardlight shield.

"Who was that?" Cad asks, cold fury in his face.

"If I'm right, then our clients' agenda is going to be at risk." Felix responds, pulling out 2 more combat knives and throwing them at the still-speechless guards. The knives embed themselves in their brains and they fall forward, dead. "For now, we need to leave."

14:45 UNSC time

On top of Onderonian Space Port

Onderon

Mere seconds pass before a flash of light goes off again, and Captain Rex, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, Lopez, Palmer, Johnson and Rtas land on top of each other, forming a rather messy pile.

But everyone eventually get themselves straightened out. "Wait. What just happened?" Rex asks, after he gets back on his feet and realizes they are standing on top of the main space port for Iziz.

"That was a teleportation grenade, from the planet of Chorus." A deep voice says. They all turn around and come face-to-face with a man in white armor with green stripes running across his body, 2 of the stripes forming an X on the smooth helmet. In his hands is a sniper rifle, and Rex can tell with the way he's holding it that he's a true master.

"[Oh my God. Locus?]" Lopez asks, shock in his voice.

"Hello, Lopez." Locus says, then turns to the rest of the group.

"Why did you help us?" Rtas asks, suspicion in his voice. He had heard of the brutality he and his former partner, Felix, used during the Human-Covenant War.

"Because it's the right thing to do. I know I have done terrible things in the past and I may not hold much respect for the UNSC, I believe that I can help set things right. With giving you these." With those words, Locus pulls out 2 little chips: one is an AI chip while the other looks like a microphone generally issued to war reporters.

"You think that an AI and a recording is going to set you right?" Johnson asks, skepticism in his voice.

"…Yes. The AI is someone Lopez here is very familiar with and as for this…I recorded your entire conversation earlier with Felix and Bane. This will reunite allies who have turned on each other."

Kenobi took both devices from the former mercenary, holding them delicately. "Thank you. May the Force be with you."

"I don't know what to believe on the 'Force'. But I do know that dark days are approaching." With those last words, Locus's Active Camouflage activates, and after a few seconds, he is gone.

"Cheery guy." Rex deadpans.

"None of that's important right now." Palmer snaps. Everyone's attention is now on her. "I know that we have been on opposite sides of a war for so long. But if any of us want to survive for much longer, we need to work together. We need to return to Earth."

AN: Most important chapter in story!

Yeah, I am thinking that the whole 'UNSC/Republic War' thing was getting old so I decided to make a major change to the tide. Trust me, I like the new way much better.

But before it ends, let my favorite battle in this story begin next time!

See you then.