The Insurrection killed millions, but Humanity recovered. The Human-Flood War killed billions, but Humanity prevailed. Humanity again stands alone in the face of both persistent and threatening rivals. They are outnumbered and outgunned and are against tenacious opposition, but then again, Humanity has always had the ability for surviving the impossible. Heavy AU

The UNSC dispatches a small task force to investigate an artefact with origins not of the Orion Arm. The Citadel Races, including the Systems Alliance, are in for an eye opener when two new players in galactic prowess are not only technologically superior but also not bound by the Element Zero and its constraints. Rated T for reasons. AU in both Halo and ME events.