Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Halo/Star Wars redux.

Thank you all for your wonderful feedback and support. I deeply appreciate it.

I apologize for having all of you wait for so long. I was busy with life in general, and I was also working on getting slightly ahead in terms of writing new chapters. Next week, I will be posting a chapter on Wednesday, and a new short story into the companion piece, known as Star Wars Tales of The Infinity's Odyssey, for this crossover on Friday.

Another major change that I and my beta readers have done for this story is a change to the UNSC's rank system. Given it's current state, the UNSC rank system is somewhat convoluted, so we've decided to use the NATO rank system, which also includes the rank system that will be primarily dominant in this crossover, which is the USA Armed Forces ranking system for the Army, Navy, Air Forces and Marines. The reason for this change is to not only make it easier for readers to follow, the US and NATO rank system is more familiar to me and my beat-readers. I will be posting a link to the rank system used by NATO for further clarification right here. Just remove the spaces, paste it into the URL bar and then go to that site:

https : en. wikipedia wiki/Ranks_and_insignia_of_NATO # Ranks_and_insignia_of_member_armed_forces

As always, leave a review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: Id o not own the Halo or Star Wars franchises. They are the respective properties and trademarks of Microsoft Studios, 343 Industries, Bungie, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Fox, Disney Films, etc. Any material original to the franchises belongs to their respective developer, producers and publishers. Any material not original to the franchises is of my own invention. I do not own any music listed in each chapter. Any music listed belongs to its original composers and/or artists.


Coruscant

Senatorial Apartment Building

May 9th, 0BBY, 9AM (November 22rd, 2558, 9AM)

The mood inside of the Senatorial Apartment building was fairly light as Lasky and a squad of Marines walked inside. When it came to the lobby, Lasky found it quite lavish. The sight was enough to remind him that nearly a month had passed since their arrival in this galaxy. It's been interesting, he thought. Who would've thought that we'd need meet other humans.

Despite that, he was happy to know that they would be leaving soon. Politics are just not my thing, he thought. Let Melody and the others handle that.

His mind drifted back to people's comments about Infinity. You'd think that they wouldn't claim that such a ship is 'impossible', he grumbled. They've got ships as large, maybe even larger, than our own.

There was another reason for his presence though, "Captain Lasky. I'm glad that you got our message. I assume that you now have HoloComm capability?" Leia asked upon noticing him.

"Yes," Lasky said simply with a grimace at the direct question in a political setting. Can't keep that hidden any longer now.

"Excellent," Bail agreed. "I take it you found her officiation ceremony enjoyable?"

"It was," Lasky said. "Melody felt it was appropriate that I attend."

"So it would seem," Leia said. "Still, I'm honored to be the Empire's representative to your people."

"So am I," Lasky said. "That said, you remember the brief I sent you?"

"Yes," Leia said. "My doctors have spoken with yours at length. I've already undergone the necessary medical preparations." She sniffled slightly. "Excuse me."

"It's all right. Corpsman Browning said you might have a mild reaction to the vaccines. Shouldn't be too bad. That said, I'm surprised by your choice of carbonite freezing rather than the cryonic suspension method we use." Lasky noted.

"It's more established in our galaxy," Bail explained. "Our older records indicate it's safer than cryonic suspension. The only real downside one has to worry about is hibernation sickness."

"Sounds like fun," Lasky drawled sarcastically. Inwardly, he was quite surprised. REAP-X is definitely gonna want to check that out. "That said, before you leave, we'll need to hold a meeting to discuss the various details for your departure."

"I'll inform you of when we will be available for it," Leia said. "That said, I do plan to depart for your galaxy as soon as you can make contact with the UEG again."

"Good idea," Lasky agreed, then suddenly stopped. He pressed a finger to his right ear. "All right. I'll be right back." Closing the COM, he said, "I have an emergency to tend to. I'll speak with you later. May you two have a good day."

"You as well captain," Leia said with a smile.

. . .

If there was a word that described Roland's current state of mind, it was pure boredom. Inside of his AI matrix, Roland was constantly sifting through the HoloNet channels, which had had done so for the past twenty one days. Normally, this would've been quite stimulating for an advanced AI like him. However, when he'd checked the HoloNet for any other major news, he had found that the Infinity's arrival into another galaxy had practically overshadowed everything else.

Roland grumbled internally. As if my job was interesting in the first place, outside of any firefights. Why is it that Cortana and Gabriela get to do the exciting things, while I'm stuck here, playing nanny to the entire ship? Well, aside from that one guy that's in the network, but we had that conversation weeks ago. As such, he continued to page through the HoloNet, stuck with the monotony.

In fact, he was so bored that he didn't initially pick up something that had been coming in on the WAVECOM module of the newly refitted COM Array. He brushed it off as noise, but after a surface level signal analysis, he was immediately intrigued. Boredom replaced with utter shock. "Uh, Gabriela, are you there?" he asked.

"Of course," Gabriela said. "Why do you ask?"

"We've got something pretty strange going on." Copying the audio log in the signal, he quickly sent it to Gabriela for processing.

He got a reply back almost immediately. "Is this what I think it is?"

"Yeah!" Roland exclaimed.

"Tell Lasky," Gabriela instructed.

"Yes, ma'am!" Directing one of the port bow comm dishes to the Senate complex on the surface below, Roland began "Captain Lasky, Gabriela and I've detected a possible UNSC distress signal in this galaxy."

"Are you sure?" he asked, face hard.

"Two dozen authentications. It is legitimate," Gabriela interrupted.

"All right. I'll be right back," Lasky finished as he closed the COM channel.

. . .

Half an hour later, Lasky walked into his private quarters and proceeded to the comms room. "Roland, you there?" he asked.

Roland and Gabriela's holographic avatars appeared on the table's central holo terminal. "Yep," Roland said. "We're here."

"Good. Roland, begin."

"Aye, sir!" Roland said. "I picked up an errant signal on the WAVECOM module. I initially brushed it off as noise but it had a recognizable pattern loop. After sharing it with Gabriela, we confirmed traces of a fifteen-year-old UNSC encryption scheme holding an audio log, we cleared it up as best as we could, but it's still patchy."

"Bring it up," Lasky directed.

"Yes sir," Gabriela said. "Beginning playback now."

For a moment, Lasky could hear only static, then, "##d#y, #####, Ma####. ##s is MIL-#I V##-072 of #NS# ####t, on priority 05-#-####6-2###7-#C. Re###st#i##g## i###diate ####stance."

Lasky frowned. He couldn't make out much detail from the garbled recording. "Source?" he asked after a minute.

"Traced to the Jerrilek System, Deep Core just off of the Koros Trunk Line." Roland informed, as the route from Infinity's current location was projected on the central terminal.

Lasky nodded, then thumbed the intercom. "Lasky to bridge, Roland is sending you coordinates. Plot a course away from population centers." He turned to Roland. "Keep an eye on that signal. Let me know if anything changes."

"Yes sir," Roland said.

Ten minutes later, Lasky was on the bridge as they finalized jump preparations. "Jyn?" he asked. "Jet, what's she doing here?" he followed, directing his gaze at Jyn's company.

"Sir, she threatened to leave if we didn't show her something interesting, so I picked what came to mind. Commander Connor okay'd it upon request sir."

That cleared up the confusion. "Ah, I see," Lasky said. Looking to Jyn, he asked, "How do you like the bridge?"

"It's … different, smaller. Less people than a ship of similar size. You trust your AIs with a lot of things captain," She noted. "Where are we headed?" she added bluntly.

"You'll see soon enough," Lasky replied.

"We're ready to go captain." Jet said. "Course is plotted and ready."

"All right," Lasky said. "Begin transition."

In seconds, a black hole formed, triggering gravitational warnings on all ships this side of Coruscant, as the singularity was manipulated into a Slipspace portal, swallowing Infinity like the maw of an ancient sea creature.

Jyn was disappointed to see the darkness that was slipspace. "Well, that was a disappointment," she said.

"Why is that?" Lasky asked.

"I thought I'd see something like what you'd see in Hyperspace; colors, aurora, stars, something comparable."

Lasky smiled, then said, "We should be there in 8 hours."

At 1700 hours, the ship exited slipspace. "Roland, deep scan, max range," Lasky ordered.

"Aye, sir," Roland said.

"Cortana, track the signal again, see if you can refine it further."

"Yes, sir," Cortana replied.

Lieutenant Campbell looked to Lasky once the scans completed, shaking his head. "Nothing sir."

"Cortana?" Lasky asked.

"Not enough sir. Attenuation suggests we're 1.4 lightyears out on bearing 113, pitch -8.729. Point is on the map."

"Got that, Navigator?" Lasky asked.

"Affirmative captain," Lieutenant Jet said.

"Take us there." .

The ship exited Slipspace once again.

"Captain, we're practically on top of the signal source!" Cortana informed.

"All halt!" Lasky ordered. "Roland?"

"Signal's clear now," Roland said.

"I don't believe it," Lieutenant Ryder suddenly said as he looked towards the left viewport.

Looking in that direction, Lasky spotted it. Up ahead, floating silently in the vacuum of space, was the silhouette of a ship, now illuminated by Infinity's running lights. The ever-defiant former matte-gray UNSC color scheme protected it like a veil. Pockmarks, armor scars, cracks and disjoints, and full end-to-end holes painted the ship's storied past as a survivor of darker times, its name marred by carbon scoring, craters and scrapes. All present didn't need it to know what they were staring at, to be embraced and awed by the ship's ever silent watch and it's quiet judgment of their stares.

Lasky frowned. How the hell did a UNSC ship end up all the way out here? "Cortana, registry."

"Scanning," Cortana said.

On the holo-table, the ship's profile and designation were portrayed. UNSC Everest VAL-137, came up on the viewport screen, along with a list of its damages.

Roland played the distress signal once again. "Mayday, Ma##ay, Mayday. This is MIL-AI V##-072 of #NS# ####t, on priority 03956-26127-PC. Req###sting im###iate assistance."

Gasps, stares and smiles announced themselves among the bridge crew. Before them was the epitome of active UNSC defiance. A prime vanguard of humanity during the war now stood before them. The flagship of the legendary Vice Admiral Preston J. Cole.

This is it, Lasky realized as Roland drew Infinity closer. We've found the Everest. He tore his gaze away. Get a grip, he thought, deriding himself for his momentary lapse. "Ship status?" he asked.

"Reactors are cold," Gabriela said. "Emergency power nearly drained, cryodeck's online. Extensive armor fractures, superstructure is near critical."

"Have Palmer get a team ready for boarding."

"Yes, sir," Cortana said.

"Open a hailing comm, Roland," Lasky added.

"Aye, Captain. Channel's all yours, sir."

Clearing his throat, Lasky said, "This is Captain Thomas Lasky of the UNSC Infinity to UNSC Everest. We received your distress signal and we are preparing a boarding team to offer assistance. Please respond." No response came.

"Loop it every five minutes. XO has the bridge," Lasky said as he left the bridge.

. . .

Down in Hangar Bay C11-J, Fireteam Majestic boarded the Pelican that would take them over to the Everest.

As the last member came aboard, Thorne's mind drifted back to Eladen IV. Wherever you are, DeMarco, I'm certain you're looking down on us with a smile on your face, he thought.

He was shaken from his idle reverie when Majestic-4, Carlo, asked, "Thorne, you OK? You spaced out for a moment."

Thorne winced. "Sorry."

"Still thinking about DeMarco?" Naiya Ray, Majestic-5, asked.

Nodding, he said, "Yeah. I just wonder what he would think of me, now that I'm Majestic Lead. I still wonder if there was some way we could've saved him."

"If there was, I'm certain you could have," Carlo reassured him. "He went out doing what he loved, we should honor that."

"Yeah," Thorne nodded. "Yeah, he did. Let's make him proud."

"Ooh-rah!" Anthony Madsen, the team's sniper, agreed.

As he walked into the cockpit, Thorne said to the pilot. "We're ready to go."

The pilot gestured a thumbs up. Keying his COM, he said, "Whiskey One-Niner-Five to Flight Operations. Requesting permission for take-off."

"Roger that," First Lieutenant Morgan replied. "Whiskey One-Niner-Five, you are cleared for take-off."

"Taking off now," the pilot said. The shuttle throttled out of the hangar.

Looking ahead, Thorne could see the looming hull of the Everest. Cracks in the titanium plating could be seen, along with solidified armor blobs. Some sections had only the internal scaffolds left untouched.

Carlo whistled. "Damn! Everest went through the wringer. I'm surprised it's still intact."

"We build our ships to last," Thorne said.

"ETA two minutes, hope you got your EVA gear, Spartans," the pilot said.

The Pelican slowly touched down on the ruined hangar deck, before the pilot sealed himself inside of the cockpit. Thorne clicked his COM unit twice, indicating that they were ready. The loading ramp opened. Once fully depressurized, the team exited into the ship. Reaching the inner doors, the team proceeded into the ship's innards.

"No gravity," Tedra reported. "Cortana, anything on the ship we need to know?"

"Reactors are cold, and gravity's offline," Cortana said. "Hull's compromised in multiple sections. Structure's damaged, but still strong enough to sustain sublight flight. Reading multiple sealed bulkheads along your path."

Majestic silently proceeded towards the bridge, manually unlocking bulkheads all the way. Thorne keyed his COM. "Teams Bravo & Charlie, report."

"On station," Bravo Actual reported. "We're entering the ship now. Proceeding to engineering."

"Charlie here," Charlie Actual said. "Making our way to central life support now."

"Understood," Thorne said. "Proceeding to the bridge."

Before long, they reached the bridge. Viewport blast doors were deployed, and atmosphere within the bridge was non-existent. Anthony unfolded a power pack and connected it to the captain's console panel. "Computers are still good," he said. "Orders?"

"Get gravity and atmosphere back," Thorne said.

"Too low power for gravity sir, getting atmo back," Anthony reported. There was a hiss as air was restored in their section of the ship.

The TEAMCOM crackled a moment later. "Fireteam Majestic, Bravo Actual."

"Go ahead," Thorne said.

"Only reactor three is operational, rerouting fuel lines from one and two. You'll have 13% output. Restoring gravity to central corridors and critical areas."

"Charlie Actual," came another call. "Tertiary life support's functional. Switching now."

At that, Anthony ran through a few checks. "Systems coming online." The feeling of weightlessness vanished almost instantly, with the Spartans landing on their feet with metallic thumps.

"Systems are nominal," Anthony reported.

"Cryopods?" Thorne asked.

"98% green, three red, eighteen non-pulse. Have to get down there to check."

"All right then. Let's go." Thorne said. Majestic departed soon after. Everywhere they moved, they found evidence of an orderly evacuation to the cryopod bays. Signs of attempted clean ups further cemented this theory.

After passing through the main mess, auxiliary officers' armory, as well as maintenance corridors, they reached the cryo bay's officer section. "Vitals?" Thorne asked once they reached Cole's pod.

"Cryo is stable sir," Anthony answered.

"The unknowns?" Thorne followed.

"One here," Anthony said. He pointed to the fourth pod in the lower deck. "Frozen to death. Cytoprethaline pipe ruptured, power lines look shot."

"Understood, thaw the Admiral first," Thorne said.

"Yes sir," Anthony said.

Carlo pulled out an Admiral's uniform from the opposite drawer. "Huh," he noted. "Looks like the admiral planned this beforehand." He remarked, noting the organized space, with spare pins, epaulets, and other fashion accessories.

"Gotta be if you're a strategic genius," Ray quipped.

"Cut the chatter," Thorne said. "Prepare to greet the Admiral."

. . .

He could hear the blaring alarms, the thunderous shouts and orders that he issued as his ship maneuvered away from the loose kill zone the bastards had set up. His plan had worked, half the fleet was on his ass, the other half turning to cut off his supposed exit. A few destroyers thought it wise to jump to him instead, the error of which was made definitively clear by Everest's recurring double thud. Suddenly, just as O'Brien finalized their jump calculations, Cole's vision blurred. His crew's voices became distant as his surroundings blended into an all-encompassing white.

His sight returned shortly after, eyelids opening to his casket's lid opening, reminding him of how he got here. Looks like they expanded the Spartan Program, he thought upon seeing his apparent visitors.

He winced as he moved limbs that had been dormant for years. "You've been in there for a really long time Admiral. Take a moment to catch your bearing," The lead Spartan said as he helped Cole out of the cryotube.

"Thanks," Cole grunted, his voice rougher than usual.

"How are you feeling?" the man asked.

"Shitty," Cole said, "but then again, being frozen always feels shitty." Looking up at the Spartans, he asked, "So boys, what year is it?"

"2558 sir," Thorne responded.

Cole frowned. "Is the war still ongoing?"

"Negative sir. The war ended in 2553."

That put a small smile onto Cole's face. "Good to hear son. Cole Protocol?"

"Dormant at this time sir," Thorne said.

Cole shrugged. "I see. Brief me on the details later. We've more pressing matters to tend to." He winced as he stood, shooting pains in his joints.

One of the Spartans handed him a small syringe. "For the cold, sir," she said.

"Thanks," Cole said as he took it, before jabbing it into his neck. Another Spartan handed him his clothes. Once dressed, Cole exited the officer's cryo room and went to the Spartans waiting by the other end of the hallway. "So you got the distress signal." Cole began.

"Yes sir," Thorne said.

"Which means we either got help beating the Covenant and made massive technological strides, or you're stuck here with us in Andromeda." Cole added.

"A little bit of both, sir. Captain Thomas Lasky will brief you on the details," Thorne answered.

Adrift for over fifteen years, that has to be a record, Cole such thoughts to himself, he said, "I see. Call me over speakers when you've freed everyone else, I need a session with your captain. In the meantime, I need a drink." He made his way to the officer's lounge two decks above, leaving odd stares behind him.

Three hours later, Majestic stood outside Admiral Cole's quarters, awaiting his exit. "Sir, we're ready," Thorne said. "All surviving personnel have been evacuated."

"Very good," Cole said as he stepped out. "Time for the parade, Spartans. Lead the way."

Before long, they had reached the hangar and boarded the Pelican Majestic had come in on. It was from here that Cole got this first look at Infinity. "You came on your own? Where's your fleet?" Cole asked.

"You're looking at it, sir," Thorne answered.

"Drive failure?" Cole asked.

"Yes sir," Thorne said. "It's working now. We still have our embarked frigates but for the moment this is all of the UNSC in this galaxy sir."

"Hope your Captain is as exceptional as his ship." Cole remarked as he went back to his seat.

. . .

In the primary conference room, Lasky stood as he awaited Admiral Cole's arrival. It's saddening to have to scrap the ship,he thought.

"Admiral Cole's arriving in two minutes Captain," Roland informed him.

"Thanks," Lasky replied. He turned to greet the Admiral. Vice Admiral Preston J. Cole entered the conference room, Spartan escort spreading out along the room's walls. Confidence radiated from the man like a waterfall in a flood season. "Welcome onboard the UNSC Infinity, sir!" Lasky saluted.

"At ease," Cole said. Once Lasky relaxed, he took a seat and said, "Brief me on what I missed Captain."

"Yes, sir," Lasky replied. "A full report is on the datapad before you." He paused, then said, "To put it simply sir, the Sangheili split from the Covenant when their leaders betrayed them, then helped us survive the civil war that followed. Right now the UEG's in control, and we're trying to recover partially glassed worlds."

"And as for how you ended up here?" Cole asked.

"Drive malfunction during a test run sir. There are new discoveries regarding this galaxy too. One of the biggest ones being that there are various human and alien civilizations here many thousands of years old. We've had mixed interactions with the major faction, self-identified as the Galactic Empire. We sent a probe back home earlier this month, to relay with one simultaneously deployed at this galaxy's edge. Details in the datapad sir."

Cole smirked as he scanned through the details of the 308-page long report. "You have quite a capable crew captain."

"Thank you, sir," Lasky said. "Perhaps we -" He paused as he heard the conference room doors hard-lock unexpectedly. Cole sighed. "Roland, what's going on?" Lasky asked. When he got no response, he asked, "Gabriela?"

"Something wrong, Captain?" Cole asked.

"I'm trying to ascertain that now," Lasky said. "Cortana, respond." No answer. "Obsigna diem cum finitur, praevalet." He recited. With the ship's primary AI override code not working, Lasky turned to Cole, noting that none of the present Spartans had moved. What is ONI up to now! helamented internally as he sat down.

. . .

Captain Ferdinand Warner sealed the door shut behind him. Tapping on one of the walls, part of it retracted, revealing a hidden entrance to the maintenance access corridors that riddled Infinity like tunnels inside of a termite nest.

Out of it, emerged four individuals; three were in full body MJÖLNIR. The last was a short woman with brown hair brushed to one side, wearing SPI II. Her hazel eyes bored into Ferdinand's own dark brown eyes. "Were you followed?" she asked.

"You know me better than that." Ferdinand replied. Checking behind her, he asked, "Is that everyone?"

"Yes sir," Lieutenant Lopis said simply. "The rest are awaiting mission success."

"Surveillance is down for the time being. Randal's given us four hours. You all know your objectives, perago." Ferdinand ordered. All five personnel split. Ferdinand, now in body armor, walked in step with Lopis towards Infinity's ISC.

Internal Security Control was a large and populated section of the ship split into two levels. Meant to coordinate all security forces on the ship, it was the first response office for any major security developments.

Advancing past the clearance gates, and numerous personnel at their work stations, both officers walked into the Chief of Security's office. Working at a desk, Lieutenant Phillip was filling out a few forms, while taking a few sips from a mug on his desk. Hearing the two coming in, he looked up. "If it's about the Imperials in the brig, talk to the captain first." He said dismissively.

"I'm afraid that is not the case," Ferdinand said, pulling out his M6H2 and pointing it at Phillip. Seeing the pistol, Phillip reached for the silent alarm underneath his desk. "Don't," Ferdinand said as he pointed the weapon at Phillip's arm. "I'd rather not kill you."

"ONI or rebels. Which are you?" Phillip asked nonplussed, arm retracted.

"Captain Ferdinand Warner of the Office of Naval Intelligence," Ferdinand said with a short bow as Lopis proceeded to tie Phillip's arms and legs together.

"What do you want?" Phillip asked. Ferdinand fired his gun in the door open, Ferdinand turned to see a security officer approaching.

"Take control here. Keep them distracted." He ordered.

"Yes sir," the officer affirmed. "Lockdown is ready, on your command."

"Warner to Roland, exit sine merito." Ferdinand said to his comm.

. . .

Captain Parisa moved through the halls on the ship on her rounds. She had the ignominious task of patrolling the ship's halls. X-57 to W-40. Jarhead country, she ruefully thought.

As she walked, she spotted another UNSC Marine, chevrons identifying him as a Master Sergeant. Stacker, read his name tag. His dark blue eyes and black hair clearly visible from where she was. "Sergeant Stacker," she greeted.

"Ma'am," Stacker greeted. "Making the rounds?"

"Something like that," Parisa said. "Walk with me. I'll need to discuss a few things with you."

"Aye, ma'am," Stacker said. "What do you -" He was promptly interrupted when the bulkhead ahead of them suddenly slammed shut. "What the hell is going on?!" he shouted, having recoiled in time from the near beheading.

Keying into her intercom, Parisa asked, "Roland, what the hell's going on?"

"Shipwide lockdown protocols engaged," came Roland's monotone voice. "AI Override engaged. Please standby."

"What?!" Stacker asked.

"Good question," Parisa said. Keying the 'com again, she asked, "What is the reason for the lockdown Roland?"

"Classified." He responded.

"How long until it ends?"

"Classified," Roland and Gabriela answered simultaneously. "Further inquiries may result in pacification of the immediate area. Please comply."

"Damnit!" Parisa shouted, realizing the ONI games at play.

"ONI?" Stacker asked.

"Who else?" Parisa asked rhetorically. "Stacker, come help me with this." They moved to open up the manual release compartment of their closed bulkhead. Twenty minutes of elbow grease later, and the bulkhead was ajar enough to allow a person through it. A squad of Marines lay on the other side. "Who's your CO?" she asked.

"I am," a tall, dark skinned Marine with green eyes said. "Sergeant Jordan Oberon, ma'am. Sounds like ONI's out for blood again."

"And we're stuck in it." Parisa grumbled. "Are those Spartans with you?" she asked, noticing the three tall, MJOLNIR-equipped golems standing behind Jordan's squad.

"Yes ma'am. They say more are on the way." Oberon replied.

"Good. I'll take half your squad and two Spartans to ISC." Parisa said.

"The rest of us will go officer hunting then head to the auxiliary bridge. I'll direct additional spartan units to your direction, good luck ma'am." Oberon replied.

"You too," Parisa said. She growled. "If I found out which spook did this, I'll strangle them myself!"

"Me too," Stacker said. "I really hate this ONI bullshit!"

. . .

In the conference room, Lasky snarled as he heard Roland and Gabriela's announcement over the intercom. Of course, he thought. "Looks like Osman still has teeth this far." He remarked.

"CINCONI?" Cole asked.

"Yeah."

"Aah, ONI hasn't changed it seems." Cole remarked, leaning back in his seat. "Don't worry. The crew'll do what they can, and so will we."

"Yeah," Lasky frowned, eyeing the Spartans warily.

Noticing Lasky's gaze, Cole stood and looked to the lead Spartan. "Who's your highest, immediate CO?"

"You sir," he said.

Cole smiled. "Good enough. Lasky?"

Lasky walked to the intercom. "Cortana, are you there?"

"I'm here," Cortana said. "What is it?"

"Are you appraised of the situation?"

"Affirmative," Cortana said. "Roland and Gabriela are slowing me down. Can't hold this connection sir."

"Get Chief to the servers, Post velum ignorantiae, lateat scientia insondabilis" Lasky said, giving Cortana his shipwide, direct override authority. If that doesn't work then this isn't ONI's work. he thought.

"Got it. Gotta go," Cortana said, abruptly ending the call.

Lasky looked to Cole. "How often did this happen to you, sir?"

Cole smiled. "Six or seven times. Personally, I think ONI just wanted to mess with me after the second failure. Good thing I always kept Everest's marines on the ship."

"How did you succeed?"

Cole stood, then glanced at the Spartans. "Spartans, follow these orders exactly…"

Ten minutes later, Lasky heard the door behind them open. Turning around, he watched as three Spartans, a woman in SPI armor and a Captain in BDUs came in.

"Who are you?" Lasky asked.

"Captain Ferdinand Warner, Office of Naval Intelligence. Under Emergency Protocol 0964-89 and ONI directive 9560-MI, you are deemed rogue, unfit for service and are hereby relieved of command, Captain Lasky."

Lasky frowned. "Why relieve me of command?"

"Classified sir," Ferdinand replied.

"Answer him son, under my authority," said Cole, seated to Lasky's right.

"Vice Admiral. It appears rumors of your death were exaggerated." Ferdinand greeted.

"Indeed. Answer him," Cole ordered.

Ferdinand frowned. "I'm afraid I cannot comply. My directives override your authority, which hasn't yet been reinstated."

"Then there's no need for further plays," Cole said. A blur suddenly moved across the room, tackling the woman in SPI before she could engage her camouflage, while two of the Spartan guards dropped simultaneously.

"The hell?! Spartans stand down!" Ferdinand ordered frantically, noting the now de-cloaked combatants around him. He then hissed as pain exploded in his left side in response.

Half a minute later, and it was over. Lopis laid face down with a broken arm and shattered visor. Ferdinand sat on the floor, hand pressed over his blood-soaked left side; his Spartan company lay on the ground, dead. All of them were surrounded by S-087, G-043, G-429 and G-189, Cole's escort.

Cole looked to S-087. "Damn that's fast. Excellent work, Spartan. You have my commendation."

087 replied with a short nod. "Orders, sir?"

"189, take him to primary medical. 043, 429 remain with us. 087, head to primary server and find out how your teammate's doing. Captain Lasky will share his clearance keys with you." All the Spartans saluted and went about their tasks. "Captain, auxiliary conference room."

"This way sir." Lasky responded after handing over his unlocked datapad to 087. This was faster than last time. I suppose the direct method still has its perks. He frowned. Still sad to see more Spartans lose their lives, even after the war.

In the auxiliary conference room, Lasky and Cole took their seats just as Roland's avatar appeared in the room. "Aaahh! I'm going to kill whoever activated that…!" Roland paused his tirade mid-step upon seeing Lasky and Cole. "Admiral, Captain. Apologies for my outburst. I hate it when overrides are triggered."

"It's alright Roland, you explained quite thoroughly how it felt last time with Halsey," Lasky said.

As 087 returned from her mission, several Marines followed, weapons raised. Leading them were Captain Parisa and Lieutenant Phillip. "Sir, looks like we missed the party." Parisa saluted as she stowed her weapon, along with her company.

"At ease. Yes it appears so," Lasky said simply. "Are you all right, Phillip?"

"Peachy," Phillip said. "Bastard shot me with a tranq dart, but I'm OK now."

"So, ONI was up to their usual shit again, eh?" Parisa asked.

"Yes," Lasky said.

"I see," She snorted. "Give ONI my and Phillip's regards sir." She said as she and Phillip turned and left the room.

"Never a boring moment with ONI," Cole remarked.

"Tell me about it," Lasky agreed.

. . .

Captain Carter Jones walked towards the Intrepid Explorer's bridge, relaxing with a small stress ball in hand. Pocketing the ball, he sat down in his command chair and looked to the bridge crew. "Status report?" he asked.

"All quiet sir," his Sensors Officer replied.

"Same here sir," came the COM officer.

"Excellent," Carter said lively. "I want us to be out of here and back in fifteen hours."

"Sir, I've got something!" COMs suddenly said.

"What do you have?" Carter asked, humor gone.

"I've got a WAVECOM signal!" the officer said. "Encryption scheme matches Infinity's. Playing." At that, lieutenant Allan, the ship's ONI liaison, bore a smirk and moved towards the sensor station.

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is 98604-72690-TL of INF-001 UNSC Infinity. We are currently stranded in 342-4304-86756-4502-689, Andromeda galaxy. Data package attached for Tier One eyes only. Requesting immediate response over this frequency."

"So we found it, huh. Alert HIGHCOM immediately!" Carter ordered. "Include all signal scans. COMS, sensors, I want a detailed report in my ready room in ten minutes. Once we get a location fix on the transmitter navigation, plot a course." Dammit, why didn't I get in on the pool, By now it's likely up to a million creds, he lamented as he went to the officer's lounge.

Four hours later, the frigate emerged from Slipspace, into Epsilon Indi. Carter, however, didn't have his mind on the planet. "Where's the signal coming from?" He asked.

"Two point nine megameters starboard, on 099 pitch 073. Looks like a probe sir," Columbus, the ship's AI, said.

"Take us there, Carter ordered.

"Aye, sir." Hours later, Intrepid Explorer was joined by a task force, with Rising Sun, an Autumn-class heavy cruiser, taking the lead.

"Rising Sun to Intrepid Explorer, we got the probe. Time to get out before the Storm's forces get curious," Admiral Reeves said.

"Aye, sir," Carter responded. As the task force made to leave Epsilon Indi for Tribute, Carter thought back to the ship. What happened to you, Infinity?