HALO: Crossing Paths

Disclaimer: The following short story is a non-profit, fan based, alternate telling of the "Star Trek" and "Halo" universes. I, the author, do not claim any material as my own. Halo is the sole property of Microsoft Game Studios and 343 Industries. Star Trek is the sole property of Paramount Pictures and CBS. Please support official releases only

Prologue:

Epsilon Eridani System

2361

The T'Plana-Hath scout smoothly exited warp speed. The blue-brown planet loomed in the main viewer. "Target is in range Captain." Came the voice of Kraldor, Captain Val-Krak's first officer, "begin surface scans," Val commanded. As the ships Instruments analyzed the planet's atmosphere the ship settled into the planet's L1 lagrangian point. "Results are in Captain," Kraldor says as the sensor readings display on the ship's consoles. "Acceptable atmospheric pressure and composition detected." Val nodded. It was exactly what long range sensors had predicted. But there was something missing. The long-range sensors had also detected several anomalies occurring in the system approximately two local weeks ago but now there was nothing. Val was curious if nothing else. "Prepare an approach solution and prepare to enter the atmosphere then we-" shrill alarms cut him off.

"Radiation spike detected," came Kraldor's voice "its directly in front of our vessel." "Red alert, raise shields," Val commanded. At once the lights dimmed and the Red Alert alarm sounded. Meanwhile, directly in front of the vessel the Vulcans watched as the space before them began to warp and distort. "Radiation at maximum safe levels Captain, shields holding at 95%" Kraldor says. At the same time several ships rip into reality like knives stabbing flesh. The ships are blocky, black-gray boxes. Nothing like the curved elegance of the Vulcan design. "Hail them," Val commands "but stay ready on phasers." "Phasers locked and charged sir," Kraldor acknowledged as they waited for a response. The only question, what form would that response take?

Captain Mathew Langdon sat, bored out of his mind on the bridge of the Halberd class destroyer UNSC Two for One. He just didn't understand it. Why was he pulled off his patrol to come back here to a system they had already surveyed and marked safe for colonization? Bad enough they even have a ship of the line survey a system for colonization; but babysitting these colonists in an already cleared system? It's just not what a destroyer is for its what patrol corvettes are for! Pirates and who knows what else we're bearing down on vulnerable new trade lanes from the colonies to Earth. But Mat figured it wasn't him with the stars on his uniform. He'd do this and hopefully he can get back to doing what he and his crew were trained for taking out pirates and smuggler scum.

"Slipspace exit imminent deceleration initiated," came the voice of Claire, the ship AI, "realspace in three, two, one." In perfect unison all three ships tore back into realspace. Immediately the proximity alarm blared out. "What's going on?" Mat asked as his crew snapped to their duties. "Unknown vessel detected, danger close to the Artrates." Claire says calmly. "Who the fuck?" Mat grumbles "Full alert, lock weapons prepare to fire!" For Claire, it was a trivial task. In tenths of a second she had linked with Philip, her counterpart aboard the Southern Goodbye, the other destroyer escort in the formation. Together they activated the Halberd Class's formidable arsenal, the main centerline M.A.C. (Magnetically Accelerated Canon), 4 double turreted railguns known as Rampart Turrets and of course what UNSC warship would be complete without 40 Archer missile tubes.

An energy could be felt on board the Two For One as power was shunted to the accelerators for the M.A.C and Rampart Turrets as tungsten solid shells were slid into position. Small doors slid silently open exposing the tipped heads of Archer missiles. "All ships report ready, and weapons are locked, sir," Claire says. "What do we have on…. that!?" Mat asks, gesturing to the lone vessel barely 60km off the Artrates port side. "Nothing that matches any known ship design. Could be a new civilian desi- Captain detecting a energy build-up on the ship's bow could be a weapon sir." The sensor officer, Lt Bradley Maxim, called out. "I'm also picking up a narrow band transmission aimed at us." Mat stroked his goatee, "Captain Langdon to all ships, hold fire, I am going to be attempting contact." "All ships have acknowledged Captain," The comms officer says. Mat nods, "Claire?" "Already done sir, displaying now." Within moments an image came over Mat's main screen. It showed a wrinkled face with pointed ears. 'Christ alive, that's an ugly space elf!' Mat thought to himself, but he quickly regained his composure. "I am Captain Mathew Langdon of the UNSC Two for One, to whom am I speaking?" the response wasn't immediate. 'What if they can't understand me?' Mat pondered as the silence stretched on. This could go really bad, real fast. While Mat wasn't hundred percent on this ship's capabilities, he was certain that whatever it was wouldn't last more a single volley from one of his destroyers let alone both. Regardless, he did NOT want to have to do the paperwork if things went south.

At first Val-Krak couldn't understand what was wrong with that clearly disfigured and disturbed Vulcan on that ugly ship was saying. That was until his XO kraldor told him the universal translator has finished its calculations and sent him the translated words. Val then faced the camera and raised his right hand and made a ''V'' with his fingers. He then said clearly and in a slow cadence ''I am Val-Krak, we are Vulcan, live long, and prosper.

And like that the galaxy was forever changed because humans now understood that they were not alone on the galactic stage.