Halo New galaxy Ch1 Enclave

In 2554 the UNSC made contact with the Citadel races. But not everyone wants peace, and a team of Spartans is in the middle of it all. (AU)

19th June 2554

Attican Traverse, Mining colony of Gadd orbit

CSO class Super Carrier Concord of Justice

It had now been a little more than a year since the Human-Covenant War ended. Concord of Justice had left former Covenant space behind it on the orders of Arbiter Del Kaaldrumee. He was the leader of the Enclave, a splinter faction from the collapsed Covenant and saw himself as Sanghelios true leader. He was one of the few Sangheili who hadn't removed the -ee suffix in his surname.

He looked at the screen displaying the planet they orbited. It was Turian, had a tiny population of nine hundred. According to scans it had little to no defenses. Clearly the Turians did not think it worthy of defense, or they did not expect anyone to attack it. Their loss then.

Kaaldrumee's loyal subordinate General Orn Revazum came up to him. He wore the golden armor of a Sangheili general. Only three years ago he had worn the armor of a Zealot, virtually unquestionably loyal to the Covenant. Yet all that had changed over time, and two year ago he joined Kaaldrumee in his crusade to defeat the Covenant loyalists. His strategic and tactical mind brought them many victories against their enemies. As an act of final defiance, Revazum had melted his Zealot armor down and used it took repair damage to Concord of Justice.

"Arbiter," Revazum said in his gruff and hard voice. "Our troops are ready in the hangars. The mining colony will be ours at your command."

Kaaldrumee felt that it was something else Revazum was considering if he should speak of or not. But he let him decide for himself and didn't push his friend. He remained silent.

"There, is another matter to address," Revazum continued, indeed.

"Yes. What is it?" Kaaldrumee's commanding voice asked.

"The fresh troops are voicing displeasure that some of them has to use Jiralhanae vehicles going into battle."

"I see," Kaaldrumee murmured. He tapped his fingers on his command chairs arm support. "Explain to them that to achieve our goals, we must adapt. It is something we didn't do in the war. A reason the humans prevailed in the end. Was it the best outcome? Perhaps, perhaps not, but this is not the point. If we do not adept, we will eventually fall and never claim our rightful place as rulers of the Sangheili people."

"I will give them a short version of that," Revazum said.

Kaaldrumee laughed and banged his fists into the arm support on his chair.

"Begin our assault!" He ordered.

Revazum slammed his fist against his chest honorably. "Yes Arbiter." He turned completely about. "Open the hangar doors and send our forces forth!"

The orders was quickly carried out by the bridge crew.

"Let the Seraph Starfighters lead the charge."

"Yes general," an officer complied.

While most operators on the bridge was Sangheili, three were Unggoy and one was Kig-yar. The majority of warriors under Kaaldrumee's command was Sangheili, but there were a large amount of Kig-yar and Unggoy on board the Super Carrier and the Corvettes around them. The small Enclave fleet composed off course, the CSO Super Carrier, but also six SDV Heavy Corvettes and a DDS Carrier, but it was damaged after a skirmish with the Sword of Sanghelios months ago. They no longer had the necessary materials to even manufacture parts to repair it. Half of the Super Carriers ground vehicles was in some form damaged, but the parts didn't exist to repair them. Now, they could manufacture their own parts on board but they needed material for that, which they didn't have.

The front screen switched to the view of the Seraph Starfighters entering the planet's atmosphere. Five Type-25 Troop Carrier dropships was following them, with fifteen Phantom Troop Carriers and five Phantom gunboats for extra security.

Kaaldrumee rose from his command chair to stand straight. His height brought him to an outstanding 2.7 meters. Compared to the rest that was around two meters and 2.4 meters in height, he was extremely tall. Even for a Sangheili. He was dressed in black and dark red armor.

He cracked his knuckles loudly.

"Arbiter," a Major said with the usual professional tone that the Sangheili had. "First reports in coming in. There are no batteries on any kind around the colony. No aero resistance at all by the Seraphs."

"Excellent," Kaaldrumee said. He took a few steps forward. "This should be quick then." He then turned his head to the Kig-yar at communications. "Make sure they remember to watch their fire. If any fresh warriors kill civilians I shall have the officer in charge of that Lance punished."

"Yes Arbiter, transmitting your reminder," the Kig-yar obeyed.

Kaaldrumee didn't actually worry about civilian lives, but for several reasons it would be bad to butcher Turian civilians. Since it had been only three months since they discovered the Citadel races-and vice versa-and only the humans had had real negotiations with them-as far as he knew-he didn't want to start by telling them that the Sangheili was blood thirsty monsters that butchered the innocent. Granted he was occupying one of their colonies but that was only until he could repair his ship. They probably didn't want anything to do with a Sangheili splinter faction that wasn't even legitimized by Thel Vadam and his legitimate government.

Secondly, this was a new age. The bloody slaughters of the Human-Covenant War had ended. It was time for a new age, a new beginning. And he would lead his people into that age and bring forth new empire with the UNSC and the Citadel races as partners in trade and militarily. Although those dreams was far away yet. He needed to build the Enclave into a force to reckon with first.

"The first troops have landed Arbiter," he was informed. "No resistance. Just a lot of scared unarmed civilians."

Kaaldrumee smiled over the prospect of a bloodless occupation.

"Prepare a Phantom to take me and my second down," he ordered.

"Yes Arbiter."

"Wait, sir! We have reports of gunfire."

"Damn," Kaaldrumee cursed.

"Local military?" Revazum asked for details.

A few moments went by.

"Negative General. Looks like local law enforcement."

Revazum huffed. "Defending their homes. Brave and honorable." He had a spark of respect for the hostiles, although they were clearly outmatched and outgunned. But that made it all the more respectable.

"Southern part of the colony under our control," a Sangheili Major informed them. "Mines are being approached as we speak."

"Casualty report?" Revazum asked.

"A moment, General," the major requested. He spoke to a console operator before turning around to face the General and giant of a Sangheili that was the Arbiter. "Six dead, ten injured. One dead is a Sangheili officer, one Kig-yar, the rest Unggoy. Two injured are Kig-yar with the rest Unggoy."

"Enemy casualties?" Revazum asked.

"Seven dead, twenty-eight wounded in the firefight."

"Sir-sir!" An Unggoy called.

The major walked over to the tiny methane sucker. He was short, even for an Unggoy. Shortly he turned his head to look over his shoulder.

"Sir, the remaining defenders have surrendered. Major Vatan convinced them to put down their arms."

Kaaldrumee snorted silently, remembering the past. Only a few years ago no Sangheili would have allowed an enemy to surrender. Times were indeed changing. Some would argue for the worse, but those people were usually supporters of the dead Covenant. A peaceful surrender was perfect and would prevent any large amount of alien dead. It would lessen animosity between them.

"Major Vatan," Revazum noted, looking at the Arbiter.

Nana Vatan was a female Major in the Enclave. She was young, loyal and believed in the Enclave and in extent, Kaaldrumee's vision of the future. Most male warriors that served with her claimed she was one of the best warriors they'd seen. Including themselves. She had risen due to skill and a keen tactical mind.

"It could have been bloodied without her," Kaaldrumee said aloud.

"Arbiter," another major said. "The colony is ours."

Kaaldrumee turned on his heels. "Excellent! Come Orn, let us get down there."

Revazum followed him out of the bridge.

"Bring the Starfighters back to the hangars," the major in command with them gone ordered.

The trip in the Phantom planetside wasn't long. It took a short while and then Kaaldrumee and Revazum stood on Turian soil. As they stepped out of the Phantom they looked around. They had never seen a real Turian or their structures before. The Phantom had landed in the center of town. Three Banshees stood parked in the square and thirty warriors was present.

Kaaldrumee stopped by the body of the only dead Sangheili and looked at him. His eyes went to the dead Turian nearby. All dead was being gathered here. The Turian was a strange creature indeed. It reminded him slightly of Kig-yar, just taller and pretties. Avian ancestry perhaps?

The dead Turian was about two meters tall, two fingers and a thumb on each hand with tipped talons and metallic carapace as skin. Like the Sangheili, he had mandibles. He-or she perhaps-had light red stripes on her carapace covered.

His attention turned to a Turian-very much alive-that a pair of Unggoy brought forward. He was dressed-or she? He had no idea how a female looked. Could be as different as humans or very much similar. Anyway, the Turian wore a dark blue suit and was very nervous.

Kaaldrumee walked up to face him. It caused the Turian to swallow hard as the giant alien approached.

"I-I am Mahius Baldrick, Governor of Gadd," the Turian stuttered. His voice was masculine and proved he was a male.

"Greetings Governor Baldrick," Kaaldrumee said in as friendly a voice as he could. It came still across menacingly. "I am Arbiter Del Kaaldrumee of the Enclave, and I apologize for having to occupying your homes. I assure you, this is temporary. You see, I am in desperate need or material to manufacture parts to repair one of my ships in orbit and our vehicles." He paused. "Trading for it was not an option so I have no choice but to occupy you for now. When we are finished, I promise, we shall leave peacefully. Your people will not be harmed, as long as you cooperate."

Baldrick swallowed.

"I-I s-see…" he stammered.

Kaaldrumee noted that his eyes landed on the dead Turians.

"Do your culture bury your dead?" He then asked.

Baldrick nodded slowly. "Y-yes?"

"Then do it. Deal with your dead. We will do the same," he walked passed him. "We shall speak later, now I must oversee our territory."

He left the shivering governor standing alone.

Revazum walked beside Kaaldrumee.

Kaaldrumee raised a finger.

"We must begin mining and assembling the materials necessary immediately. Hopefully the mine contains suitable ores that will fit our purposes."

"Off course," Revazum said.

19th June 2157 CE

UNSC space, Shanxi colony

Echo base

Vaelor Dazu was a patient man. This was yet another example of that. The meeting in the atrium had been delayed on three occasions now by half an hour each. The Salarian understood that it was a small human jest to show whose planet this was and that they were in charge. After the conflict with the Turians that ended around three months ago it was perfectly understandable.

This was the second meeting he had had with the UNSC. The first had been an unofficial meeting when he had met with an assembly Councilor an Admiral and an ODST Colonel.

Originally the Turians had 'demanded' that a Dreadnought escort the delegation through the relay into UNSC space, but it had been refused. This wasn't the time to show military force. Besides, having seen a Punic class Super Carrier up close, it was enough for Vaelor to know it would have been a pointless gesture. Show up in a one kilometer Dreadnought would do little to impress and awe the humans in Vaelor's mind. Since two Punic class Super Carriers orbited Shanxi. Both being three kilometers in length.

He shook his head at the military bravado. Using a six hundred meter Cruiser showed that they had no intentions of playing 'who has the bigger ship'. The humans was still wary of the new races. They had thirty-five starships defending the colony.

He noted how his assistant was pacing back and forth. The young Asari was losing her patience. But that was an important part of his profession. Patience. His eyes turned to their escort. For C-Sec officers. An Asari and two Salarians led by a Turian Sergeant. Vaelor was somewhat wary of the Turian officer, since it wasn't long ago his people fought the UNSC. Thankfully the casualties across the board hadn't been too high, but the Turians had lost more than the humans had.

"Excuse me ambassador," a UNSC official said.

Vaelor turned around and smiled pleasantly.

"The UNSC delegation is ready to begin now," she informed them.

"Thank you," Vaelor said.

His little group followed her inside the Atrium.

The large area was empty, apart from a half moon shaped white desk where three UNSC delegates was standing. A similar sized desk had bene granted for their use, standing across from the other.

Vaelor approached it and stopped by the middle chair.

"Good afternoon Ambassador Dazu," the man representing the civilian part of the assembly said. His name was Eric Harrison. They had meet during the peace negotiations and again when both sides released POWs.

"Good afternoon Councilor," Vaelor returned the greeting.

Vaelor noted that the ODST officer wasn't present, and a different Councilor was here.

"We apologize for keeping you ambassador," Vice Admiral Petra Hammond said curtly. "But we've been busy with repairing our colony." Vaelor could sense the venomous undertones and caught her glancing at his Turian guard for a mere second.

"Off course," Vaelor said simply.

"Shall we?" Hammond gestured for them to take a seat.

The sixty-seven year old Vice Admiral had led the original defense of Shanxi. She lost two of her five starships before she was forced to retreat, with the rest badly damaged. But she took out seven Turian ships during the time too. Most of them going down with crew and all. She had joined the counterattack and come back for vengeance.

She had a short blonde ponytail with streaks of grey sneaking in. wrinkles had snuck into her facial features with age, but her dark brown eyes looked as vigilant and sharp as ever. She was wearing a dark green naval dress uniform. After she lived through the entire Human-Covenant War she had grown a deep distrust and hatred of aliens. Vaelor could see it in her face-although she kept it well hidden-and in her body language.

The third and last member of the delegation was Lt. Colonel John Bay, a member of an organization named ONI. Office of Naval Intelligence. He was clearly not a field agent that much was clear to Vaelor when he met him at the first unofficial meeting. The dark skin man was short trimmed dark brown hair, his grey eyes was constantly tired and he had a rather 'expanded' stomach region. He wore a black dress uniform and was fiddling with his fingers on the table as he watched Vaelor and his assistant.

After everyone sat down Councilor Harrison was the first to speak.

"Let us start with what was discussed during the unofficial meeting." He looked on his datapad. "Stating for the record what was agreed upon, the UNSC will supply none-classified information on races and organizations in our part of the galaxy and the Citadel Council will supply the same on the races in your part of the galaxy." He looked up.

Vaelor nodded. "Correct."

A security team of four each had been agreed upon inside the atrium. Sergeant Antilles Kryos-head of the Citadel team-suspiciously eyed heavily armored soldiers the UNSC had. Like the Citadel team, they stood five meters behind the delegates.

One of the tall armored soldiers wore a Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor, generation two. It was colored in dark red and black with a silver visor. On her back hung a M7 SMG, an MA5D and a M6H Mangum was holstered on her hip. She was Fireteam Crimsons official leader.

Beside her stood a man in Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor. His armor was dark blue with an orange visor. Nomad and his female teammate-Mira-was the only Spartan IIIs of the four present.

The other two had Generation two Mjolnir Powered Assault Armor. The one closest to Nomad was going with a black color scheme and red stripes while the other had a dark and light red pattern on hers. Her visor was orange to her comrades light blue.

Mira watched the Citadel guards with a cautious eye. In case this went down the drains she had marked them as targets on her HUD. It wouldn't be a long fight if they tried anything. Neither of them looked too tough. The Turian, was it? Looked relatively tough, but nothing against an Elite. A round through his carapace skull and it'd be over.

The delegates had touched on trade and moved on. The talks went to discuss the splinter factions from the dismantlement of the Covenant. Some of these could be a potential threats to the Citadel.

Mira stared at the Turian officer through her silver visor. He was looking at them with suspicion and an amount of anger.

"Hey, Mira," she heard Nomad said in their helmet radio.

"What?" She replied.

"See how that alien guy's looking at us?"

"Yes."

"I don't think he likes us," Nomad noted casually.

"Well, we did hand his people their asses only a few months ago," Mira said flatly.

Nomad chuckled.

"Now shut it and pay attention," she then ordered him.

"Sorry," he apologized. "Shutting up."

After around the two hour mark they broke for a recess, to assume negotiations in another hour.

Vaelor was pleased. They had begun discussing a treaty that would ensure peace between the Citadel and UNSC. It promised military cooperation if a splinter faction from the Covenant threatened both Citadel and UNSC space. He didn't know if the likelihood of that was too big, probably small, but it was a good start. It would take time before it could be formalized.

They had also discussed a UNSC embassy on the Citadel. It would allow for smoother negotiations in the future and to Vaelor's delight, they had agreed. After their break they would deliberate on this issue further.

After two hours with the human delegates, he could say for certainty that the young Councilor Harrison was out to make a name for himself. Right now that meant successful negotiations with the Citadel Council representative, but if it meant aggressively shouting for war, he would do it. To question about it. Vice Admiral Hammond hated him, and all aliens really. But, at least she was –openly at least-willing to let diplomacy prevail and not let her feelings hamper it. Lt. Colonel John Bay was easy to read too. He was there-not to have an opinion-but to represent ONI and make sure the UNSC representatives didn't do something ONI disapproved of. He had been the most critical on cooperation between them. Even more so than the Vice Admiral.