As the star that served as Cadenza's sun appeared over the planet's horizon, signalling the morning had come, Spartan Commander Sarah Palmer was surprised to find Captain Lasky and Roland were looking over simulated combat maneuvers on the command table, Lasky already dressed and ready for the day.

"Doing some war games?" Palmer asked.

"Just rehearsing some tactics we've developed to counter both sides should they attack." Roland replied, motioning to a hologram with several UNSC ships fighting a team of Venator-Class cruisers. "I'll hand it to the Republic, they've got some good shipbuilders."

"Why's that?" Palmer asked, peering at the holograms.

"The Republic Venator-class frigates seem to be more heavily armed and armored then the Munificent cruisers used by the Separatists." Roland replied. "However, that comes at the expense of speed, which is the main advantage of the Munificent. Plus, from what I could gather, Munificents are quicker to make, repair, and service. You could compare it to the US Sherman Tank versus the German Tiger during the earth's Second World War. Each side has advantages over the other in their own way."

"Hmm." Palmer nodded. "That's good work, Roland. How'd you learn all of that?"

"I may have accessed Admiral Thio's and Admiral Yularen's datapads in order to get us intel." Roland replied. "Order came straight from Fleetcom."

"I see." Palmer smirked. "You're a sneaky bastard, Roland."

"I aim to please." the AI replied. "Anyway, we've got our escort vessels, the Remembrance, and the Spirit of Fire on standby as well. If either side attacks us, we'll be ready at a moment's notice."

"Good work." Lasky said. "Roland, what's the status of our Sabre and Gladius teams?"

"All flight leaders are reporting they are good to go." Roland nodded. "Our Gladius crews are eager to see some action. They're already fueled and armed."

Lasky gave a nod as he returned to his work, viewing the details of the newest fighter in the UNSC. After the Uprising, which was what the Created AIs' revolt was formally referred to as by the UNSC, the UNSC recognized the need for a new aerial arsenal. The Sabre-4, the newest model of the fighter used during the Battle of Reach during the Human-Covenant War, was an exceptional multirole craft, but it had a few drawbacks, mainly speed and agility.

Which is why the Gladius was designed to support the Sabres and counter their weaknesses, and vice versa with the Sabre. It boasted a sleek airframe partially adapted from Covenant Seraph and Banshee schematics. With a dagger-like front, and engine ports designed like a Seraph's tail end, it was a fast and deadly interceptor. Mainly designed for quick aerial engagements, it was also an adaptable dogfighter.

Sabres and Gladius fighters, along with the Broadsword-5 multirole fighter-bomber, quickly became the UNSC's main attack aircraft, with Longswords providing as heavy bombers. As for the ever-reliable Pelican, the dropship itself had received upgrades.

Thanks to Covenant and Forerunner tech (Partially obtained from the Banished supply chain), the Pelican now featured energy shields and a sleeker, faster airframe. All in all, the UNSC Air Force was more than prepared for the next fight.

When that fight would come still had yet to be seen by many of the aircrews in the Task Force, however.

Lasky wiped his brow, and gave Roland the conn as he returned to his office to consult with Captains Cutter and Rileigh. As he exited the Bridge, the three Captains turned on the comms feed with Fleetcom and the Office of Naval Intelligence to discuss their status.

"And you are sure they do not want war?" asked the hologram of Mace Windu as he, Yoda, and Chancellor Palpatine learned of the Republic and the Separatists' intrusion into UNSC space.

"Yes, we are." Obi-Wan replied. "The UNSC merely asked us to remove our forces from Cadenza, and settle our fight elsewhere. However, they made it clear that they will retaliate if either side attacks."

"And can they be trusted?" Palpatine asked.

"I believe they can." Anakin replied. "Captain Lasky made it clear that the UNSC has technology on par with or that surpasses our own. If I may speak freely, masters, I think I have an idea on how to move forward."

"Go on, Skywalker." Yoda said.

"Both the Republic and the Separatists were told to keep their war away from the UNSC." Anakin said. "Any move made by either side could be seen as war. So the only good move we have is not to move. We wait to see how things play out and we'll keep ourselves out of war on two fronts."

"Well spoken." Mace Windu nodded. "Hold positions, and await further instructions."

As the holograms faded, the Jedi returned to the viewing area, where Rex and Cody were monitoring the area.

"So, anything new?" Anakin asked Rex.

"Nothing yet, General." Rex replied. "The UNSC and Separatist fleets are holding their positions. Only a matter of time now before someone makes a move."

"And it won't be us." Ahsoka nodded. "Strange."

"What is it?" Anakin asked his Padawan.

"Those Separatist cruisers are in a new formation." Ahsoka pointed out. "Looks like they're going to attack, at least to me."

"She's right. they're in an attack pattern!." Obi-Wan nodded, peering at the ships, who were turning towards the UNSC Fleet. "Shields up! Prepare for battle!"

"It's not us they're attacking, sir." Cody said, pointing to the UNSC ships, which were moving to face the Separatist cruisers. "They're going after the UNSC!"

As alarms blared aboard the three lead ships of Battlegroup Alpha, multiple flight crews rushed to their stations and boarded their assigned Sabre, Gladius, or Broadsword. However, four of the pilots stood out in particular in Infinity's hangar bay.

Fireteam Crimson had volunteered to fly once the alarms sounded, and Lasky had given them the green light. Each Spartan in the team had performed quite well in the combat-flight simulators aboard the Infinity, and now it was time to put their skills to the test against their attackers.

"Laura, David, Emily, you all set?" Chris barked over the radio as he boarded his assigned Sabre. Though the Gladius was newer and more equipped for Spartan pilots, the Sabre was the base craft used in the simulators. Plus, the Sabres being flown by Fireteam Crimson were modified appropriately for a Spartan pilot.

"We're good!" Spartan David Crosse replied as the four Sabres took lead positions as they exited the hangar.

"Alright, we all know what to do!" Chris nodded. "Let's earn our wings, Fireteam!"

As the UNSC squadrons deployed, the Separatist Munificent cruisers deployed seven full squadrons of Vulture Droids mixed with Hyena Bombers and Tri-Fighters. As the two sides rushed to meet in the middle, aboard the Infinity's bridge, Lasky motioned to Roland.

"Yes, Captain?" the AI replied.

"Tell Fireteam Crimson that once we disable the Separatist flagship, their orders are to board and capture Admiral Thio alive. We'll send some Marines over to support once they're ready."

"Yes, Captain, sending instructions now." Roland smiled. "All ships are in position, and our allies aboard the Shadow of Intent are preparing Seraphs to assist."

"Copy." Lasky nodded as the Separatist cruisers prepared to open fire as they moved into an assault pattern. "All UNSC signs, this is Captain Lasky."

"We're going in. Green to engage."

As the leading Vulture droids opened up with a salvo of red lasers, scoring hits on a few Broadswords but not managing to knock any out of the fight, the Sabres moved in from above to engage the Hyena bombers and their Tri-Fighter escorts.

Aboard the Resolute, the Jedi, Admiral Yularen, and Clones watched with bated breath as the UNSC and Separatist fleet traded blows with their fighter craft.

"This doesn't look good." Ahsoka murmured. "The Seppies are attacking really...haphazardly, for lack of a better word. It seems to me that they just threw all of their fighters out there without any real plan."

"I agree." Obi-Wan added. "What is Admiral Thio thinking? Even General Grievous wouldn't attack like that, not so recklessly."

As they watched the UNSC fighters gain air superiority, the Infinity moved into firing position. As several Munificent-class cruisers moved in, a white pair of lights appeared on the Infinity's bow.

"What is that?" Anakin asked.

He soon got his answer as two Super-Heavy MAC shots from the Infinity tore through the lead Separatist cruisers like a hot knife through butter. Even the rarely-surprised Kenobi let his jaw drop at the sight of the ship be blown into millions of pieces from a single shot, glittering like glass.

Soon, the Dreadnaught was all that remained of the Separatist fleet as the Remembrance and Spirit of Fire flanked around, setting up a triangle-shaped formation around the Separatist ship.

"Looks like they're going for the kill." Rex murmured.

"I don't think so." Obi-Wan pointed to several UNSC transports flying towards the trapped Dreadnaught. "The UNSC...they're going to board that ship!"

As the Republic vessels watched, the three UNSC flagships moved in to settle the battle with one final move.