Hey guys! I'm back with a third chapter; it's a bit longer than usual, so that should make up for how long it took me to post this chapter. If you need to know WHY it took me so long, there is a codex below the actual writing, and writing a codex is not easy. In fact, it takes a long damn time since I have to look up like a thousand things, and I prefer not to wave around the magical "Wand of the Author." As per usual, review responses will be posted down AFTER the story.

I'm gonna be juggling around 2 or 3 OC's, and multiple more temporary OC's. If you want your OC to be included into this story, PM me their character traits, statistics, background, anything that could be relevant to their person and the story. Not all entries will be accepted! Don't be hurt if your OC is not included, just try a different one if you want. Also, there will only be a certain number which is to be decided on by me.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HALO OR MASS EFFECT! All rights belong to 343 and BioWare EXCEPT for OC's and the situations.

Without further ado, Enjoy!

Admiral Conrad Eliezer, Defense Station Aswan, Shanxi, 2609

If there was one word to describe the station at this certain point, it would be "discipline." Tough military training and years of experience in fighting off Brute incursions had left the crew with a tough mentality of order and duty. After all, this was the closest world to Brute controlled space, though Brute territory had been deteriorating at a very fast pace.

Unfortunately, Shanxi also appeared to be the nearest world to the unknowns' controlled space.

'Dammit,' thought Eliezer. 'Why does everything happen to Shanxi?'

Fortunately, the UNSC had prioritized in fortifying the world, and so far, their station, The Aswan, was one of 15 operational orbital defense platforms, with 20 more under construction. There were 2 ground-to-space plasma batteries and 5 onagers, which were to be activated in case of a breach of the defense network. There was also a current fleet of 10 ships, which was defending the "cradles." The Cradles were large, 6 kilometer long mobile shipyards which could build almost anything in the UNSC database except for the Dreadnought and Carrier class vessels, provided the necessary materials.

The unfinished defense platforms were extremely vulnerable to attack, as the necessary power lines and point defense emplacements were not set, and as the single unknown ship was sure to call for reinforcements from the other side of the Relay, there were now workers building the fortifications 24/7.

Suddenly, a sensor crewman spoke up, decidedly worried. "Sir, gravitational fluctuations around the relay! You might want to take a look si….."

The operator's voice trailed off, and Eliezer snapped his head to look at the viewscreen. The relay was glowing once again, and it spat out a further 20 more of the corvette and frigate sized vessels, with 2 cruiser class vessels.

Alarms began to blare, and Eliezer began to boot up all weapons systems from his designated station, as only the captain could start these crucial systems. He sat down in his captain's chair and opened an encrypted comms channel with all the other captains of the other stations and ships to coordinate their movements and actions, in case this new race ever proved hostile.

"Weapons! Raise cannon from 60 to 95 percent charge and activate point defenses! Get me firing solutions on those ships! Communications, prepare a first contact package and send it to the ship that came through first. Send an alert back to HIGHCOM. Shanxi has already been notified, and tell that operative to stay where he is! Navigations, bring the retro thrusters online and prepare them for a sustained burst."

Eliezer noticed that the ships were of differing designs. 'Ah,' he thought. 'The codex is consistent and is actually telling the truth.' Eliezer decided to put more faith into the codex and became more interested in learning its contents.

"And what about me sir?" The holographic terminal blinked to life, and the avatar of a 22nd century Rainforest War aviator popped up.

"You will coordinate the point defenses of this station. Groundside Commander will work with you to control planetary defenses; give him all the statistics on this "Citadel's" military power and whatever abilities they have. Upload all of the codex's relevant information into my neural lace; it could be crucial if a fight breaks out."

"Aye, sir." Jonathan's holographic avatar disappeared with a soft blip. Chatter from the comms station was rushed and carried out with urgency, as they were busy creating a message for HIGHCOM. The other officers were quickly entering commands into their holographic terminals.

The air was thick with tension, and Eliezer could clearly see the sweat running down the necks of the communication officers. One of the operators said unevenly "S-sir, package sent. What do we do now?"

Eliezer pondered this for a few moments. "Now, we wait."

Unbeknownst to all, secret forces were at work to deliver humanity at their rightful position as the caretakers of the galaxy.

A terminal blinked to life in a remote portion of the galaxy. The terminal resembled the building it resided in, and the building resembled the entirety of the system; desolate, ancient, ruined.

Ruined by a destructive war between two galactic juggernauts. Even now, death pervaded the atmosphere; there was no sign of life. A foreboding mood was constant, and it could almost be felt.

But not for long. Life would soon be brought back in the form of the descendents of themselves. These remnants of a largely forgotten empire would bring the Humans to this world. They would learn of their past, their inheritance, their destiny.

And as the terminals glowed after many tens of thousands of years, that destiny could be closer than any has ever dared think.

Hey guys! Bit of an interjection here, but I feel obligated to add a codex of sorts to this story in order to inform you all of these two "galactic" powers.

Ship Classes (UNSC):

Corvette:

-Length: 250 meters

-Width: 96 meters

-Depth: 67 meters

-Armor: 40 cm Titanium-A3 Battle Plating

-Armament:

-1 Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon or 'Onager'

-6 50mm point defense cannons

-10 M-42 Archer Missile Pods (x30 each)

-1 Light shield generator

-1 CF-208 fusion reactor

Complement:

-1 squad of ODSTs (x10 each)

-1 platoon of marines (x30 each)

-(Optional) 1 SPARTAN-lV fireteam (x4 each)

-1 D77H-TCI 'Pelican' Dropships

-1 F-41 Broadsword Fighters

-2 M808 'Scorpion' Main Battle Tanks

-2 M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicles or 'Gauss Hogs'
-30 escape shuttle craft (6 people each)

Number in Operational Service: 575

Use: Used mainly as a scouting vehicle, the corvette is usually used to gather coordinate data for pinpoint slipspace jumps or as an evacuation craft. However, this class is not to be underestimated as it can use its weaponry to punch through a ship's shield if used correctly. These are kept in relatively low quantity as they are not a major part of naval engagements.

Stalwart Class Frigate:

-Length: 478 meters

-Width: 143 meters

-Depth: 113 meters

-Armor: 60 cm Titanium-A3 Battle Plating

Armament:

-1 Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC

-1 Underpowered Plasma Torpedo Tube

-4 Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannons or 'Onagers'

-26 M-42 Oversized Archer Missile Pods (x50 each)

-6 M870 Rampart 50mm Point Defense Guns

-M4093 Hyperion Nuclear Delivery System (3 silos)

-6 point defense pulse lasers

-1 Standard Shield Generator

-1 Standard CF-341 fusion reactor

Complement:

-2 platoons of ODSTs (x25 each)

-12 SOEIV Bays

-1 company of marines (x130 each)

-(Optional) 2 SPARTAN-lV fireteams (x4 each)

-6 M808 'Scorpion' Main Battle Tanks

-6 M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle

-2 AV-14 Attack VTOLs

-4 D77H-TCI 'Pelican' Dropships

-3 F-41 Broadsword Fighters

-4 M12 'Warthog' Force Application Vehicles

-1 HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System (or Mantis)

-60 escape shuttle crafts (x6 people each)

Number in Operational Service: 2657

Use: This ship class is best used for fleet or planetary defense. They are powerful in large numbers and their shielding can resist 5 MAC rounds, or the equivalent of 3 plasma torpedoes. They aren't normally used during attacks unless there is a shortage of ships, as their decently sized complement is best used for ground deployment and air support.

Charon Class Light Frigate:

-Length: 490 meters

-Width: 156 meters

-Depth: 139 meters

-Armor: 60 cm of Titanium-A3 Battle Plating

Armament:

-1 Mark II, Light Coil – 83B6R3/MAC; Modified, 3 Shot 'Bursts'

-1 Standard Plasma Torpedo Tube

-1 Overhauled CF-341 fusion reactor

-4 Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon or 'Onagers'

-1 Standard Shield Generator

-M58 Archer Missile pods (50 pods)

-6 M870 Rampart 50mm Point Defense Guns

-M4093 Hyperion Nuclear Delivery System (3 silos)

-2 Shiva-Class Nuclear Missiles (Optional)

-6 Point Defense Lasers

Complement:

-2 platoons of ODSTs (x25 each)

-12 SOEIV Bays

-1 company of marines (x130 each)

-(Optional) 2 SPARTAN-lV fireteams (x4 each)

-6 M808 'Scorpion' Main Battle Tanks

-6 M12G1 Light Anti-Armor Vehicle

-2 AV-14 Attack VTOLs

-4 D77H-TCI 'Pelican' Dropships

-3 F-41 Broadsword Fighters

-4 M12 'Warthog' Force Application Vehicles

-1 HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System (or Mantis)

-60 escape shuttle crafts (x6 people each)

Number in Operational Service: 3897

Use: Charon Class Frigates are very capable and suited for the role of planetary defense and or assault. Their relatively large complement can land multiple heavy units and carries a few SPARTAN armor facilities. This class is also great for using its point defense cannons to give ground support for planetary defenses. It also boasts an underpowered plasma torpedo tube, which can be used to defend ODPs from other ships to great effect.

Paris Class Heavy Frigate:

-Length: 538 meters

-Width: 229 meters

-Depth: 122 meters

-Armor Thickness: 60 cm Titanium-A3 Battle Plating

Armament:

-1 Mark III, Heavy Coil – 83B6R4/MAC

-1 "Mini" Energy Projector

-1 Overhauled CF-341 fusion reactor

-1 Mini CF-341 fusion reactor

-1 Heavy Shield Generator

-1 Standard Plasma Torpedo Tube

-5 Mark 2488 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon or 'Onagers'

-M4093 Hyperion Nuclear Delivery System (3 silos)

-2 Shiva-Class Nuclear Missiles (Optional)

-6 M870 Rampart 50mm Point Defense Guns

-6 Point Defense Lasers

Complement:

-1 SPARTAN-IV Fireteam

-1 ODST Detachment

-5 SOEIV Bays

-4 F-41 Broadsword Fighters

Number in Operational Service: 5081

Use: The Paris Class Frigate is usually used to escort large ships, and it lacks ground forces as its primary role is to fight in space. The reason they are fielded in such large numbers is because they are sometimes used to screen formations in the hundreds so that their larger escorts can fire upon the larger and more powerful enemy ships. Its primary reactor is used for the ships MAC and other systems, while it requires a secondary, smaller reactor for the sole purpose of powering the underpowered energy projector. However, the energy projector requires so much energy it still consumes some of the primary reactor power, which can deactivate many nonessential systems. For this reason, it is best to not use the energy projector unless necessary.

God DAMN! That codex took me forever, and I'm not even done with it yet! There will probably be 3 parts to the UNSC Codex alone, and I can't even imagine the Citadel Codex since they have so many different races.

Now, how should this play out? I've been thinking of multiple scenarios and this is just one of them:

SPOILERS (only if I choose this one)

Now I won't go into full detail, but I want for an initial diplomatic talk with the Citadel. The talks will break down NOT ON THE PART ABOUT AI's, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE TO HELL, but on the issues of military and technology. There, an unofficial Cold War starts with the UNSC stepping up Forerunner reverse engineering and military while the Citadel attempts to infiltrate UNSC territory illegally to gather information on the UNSC military power and technology.

So, if you guys have any more ideas, just PM them to me and I'll see how well they'll play out with my story so far. Thanks for reading, and make sure to hit that favorite button!