Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's inherent themes. Anything in this story is of my own making without the goal of financial gain.

AN: Hello again my readers. I would like to start this next chapter by getting a point across. First off, I do not want people to think that they can tell me what I'm allowed to do with my story. I am a great fan of both Halo and Mass Effect, I'm trying to merge them but keep their own sides respectively. I am well versed on how things work in both universes, such as ship to ship combat in comparison with UNSC ships and ME ships.

Also, in the year of 2180 in Halo Humanities calendar they had not created MAC's for ship to ship combat. That isn't invented until 2525 or after. I decided to base the space combat around something I would think came before that development. Also the Carriers in the Human-Covenant war are not heard of much because those are mostly at 3km in length. I would assume they are quite expensive to build and therefore why they are uncommon. The Carriers in my story are the right length of a UNSC Cruiser and could have similar MAC's installed if retrofitted appropriately. I'm working in a period where not much is known in Halo Humanities history, so cut me some slack while I try to create a believable set of events. Oh and I know my wikis quite well, so don't make assumptions as to what I already know. On another note, I will keep things as much to scale as possible, Humans have yet to develop some of the stuff in Halo that you know and love.

Now that's over I can thank those of you who have provided support and further aid by noting the mistakes. Your help is appreciated greatly.

FunnyGinger08 – Hello there my fellow ginger from across the pond. I haven't read your story so I cannot comment on why you feel you have received less attention. But I will make time to read it in the coming days and provide you some feedback. How does that sound?

Anyway, here is the next chapter you have been waiting for.

Mass Effect: Intertwined History

Chapter 3: New Acquaintance's

"Pull back! We have to retreat and warn the Council, the battle for Sol is lost" Lieutenant Cinderion upon assuming command of the 11th Expeditionary Fleet, First Contact War

(-][-)

Date: 22nd of February, 2180 Human Calendar

Location: Near Pluto, 1500 km's from the Mass Relay, Sol System

Strange, Unknown, Alien.

These words swirled around inside the head of Fleet Admiral Hackett. His fleet, consisting of 20 Carriers situated at a distance that is safe should another force come through but close enough to deploy their fighters en mass. Just short of a week ago he had been appointed the leader of the UNSC forces in the defence of Sol. So much had happened in such a small amount of time. Hell, even the Interplanetary wars lasted longer than this brief battle.

But it wasn't that, it is the fact he has presided over Humanities first contact with an alien species. At least that's what he thought at first. But after hours of scientists sweeping the debris fields of what remained of the alien fleet, they have discovered that they belong to more than just a single alien race, but a collective, a Citadel Council.

These aliens demanded that we destroy one of our greatest creations, our AI's and when we refuse they declare war on us and wage genocide to 'protect' their own. A multitude of alien races now have access to the Human home system. He shudders at the thought. Access via these Mass Relays as the AI's had said they are called. He stares at it now, through his command deck's reinforced window. The blue core being kept stable by a pair of rotary circles. The mechanism behind it baffles him. From what he has learned, the aliens depend upon these for travel throughout the galaxy. It represents a significant danger to the Human race, but also the greatest opportunity presented to date.

After hours of mulling over data provided by his ship board AI Churchill. He has a rough idea of what to expect will come from this incident in history. He knew that these aliens rely upon a different style of space warfare. Warfare that could be accepted and adapted for human use. Which is exactly what the scientists are doing now, trying to understand the alien's method of ship to ship combat with these mass accelerator cannons and how we can adapt them for our own use. Alongside these Kinetic Barrier systems which protected them.

The whole situation spelled disaster will be around the corner. An alien race that has been around for over 2000 years. He laughs, knowing that what they had perfected over that time has been proven useless against Human tactics. But the precedent remains, if they invade, he may not be able to stop them. He will try, but it may not be enough. He holds to his hope however, as he may have lost 4 Carriers in the confrontation, but he had made them bleed ten times worse.

Hackett holds his head low for a moment. Remembering the lives lost in the brief conflict. More would follow if he didn't have his head screwed on right when the time came. More people would be bombed. . . . .like his family. His daughter who had just managed to get into college, her life disintegrated within a second when the aliens, the Turians fired at the city on Mars.

He can't let it cloud his judgement, but he can let it fuel his drive, his rage should he need to use it.

An alarm rings out.

"Status!?" he shouts at no one in particular.

Churchill materializes on the holographic display on the railing beside him. It's image, it's personality as much like Winston Churchill's as possible.

"Sir, it seems something is coming through the relay"

"Battle stations! Order the fleet to deploy all fighters and await my order!" Hackett barks, walking over to his tactical map of this area of space. "Maintain order and remain in a secure distance from whatever comes through that damn thing!"

For moments the entire fleet launched it's full compliment of fighters. Armed with as much ordnance as possible, a few equipped with Nuclear payloads. Over 2500 fighters have been deployed and ready for war. He only hopes that the rest of the fleet is as ready as he is. They should be, if the battles previous hadn't readied them then he didn't know what will. A flash of energy snaps from the relay at a small object, followed by nothing else.

"Sir!" shouts an comm. Operator "Incoming message on all frequencies! In another language sir!"

Already!? Another race is here to play with our civilization?

"Translating it now sir" says Churchill, it's heavy British accent keeping Hackett calm.

The alien dialect slowly begun conversion into English, hitting Hackett's ears with a dreadful static noise as it did.

"...repeat, this is a message from the Asari Republics to the Human race. We are not here on hostile intent, repeat a non-hostile diplomatic mission." said the vaguely Human sounding voice, he couldn't tell if it is the translation software however or the aliens actual accent.

"We are here to broker a cease-fire between you and the Turian Hierarchy"

The message kept playing, repeating as he ran scenarios in his head. Could this be true?

"We want peace. Not war, what happened was a great injustice upon your kind. We are here to rectify that and broker a peace between your two races"

He continued to think it through. Could he trust a being, a race he hadn't met before?

"The next vessel to come through the relay is a single, diplomatic ship. Carrying one of our high level diplomats. We urge you to not open fire, the ship is not armed"

He stares at the relay in disbelief. Is this really happening, right now?

"Sir, from what we have deciphered, these Asari are the diplomatic figures in the collective. We can assume a multitude of things but . . it could be a trap" states Churchill, taking a drag of it's cigar. Such a pointless action.

He does it. He makes a leap of faith that his training screams at him to deny himself. Something that could endanger the defence of the system. But he has to, for the sake of his soldiers, for the sake of every human in existence.

"Get a squadron of fighters over there to guide them in!" orders Hackett We have a chance to stop this before it gets out of hand, I'll be damned if I go down in history as the fool who passed it up!"

Four fighters speed forward towards the relay, taking great care to avoid the minefield and prepare to escort the vessel. The minefield itself surrounds the relay with over 1000's of mines capable of blasting a Carrier into a rain of debris. Not something that these aliens will want to be subjected to.

He leans forward and clasps his hands together, silently hoping that he made the right choice.

(-][-)

Codex Entry

Ship Type – Carrier

"Another way the Humans have shaken our foundations"

When the Turian Hierarchy entered the first contact war with the Human race, it became subjected to naval warfare on the Humans terms. The Turian Fleet being composed of Frigates, Cruisers and even a single Dreadnought, were facing a ship they had never encountered before. They engaged the largest number of fighters in known history that were being deployed from vessels which were as large as a Dreadnought.

The Humans used this to their advantage, keeping the Carrier's out of the fight and deploying, refuelling and rearming their fighters from a safe distance and matching, if not out performing the Turian fleet in it's capacity for war. Being able to harass, halt and even turn the tide of battles from a safe distance these vessels showed Human ingenuity to the galaxy upon first contact.

The Carrier is predicted to take a larger role in naval warfare because of it's capability in fleet support. Many even suggest that it will be entered into the Treaty of Farixen, to limit it's effect just as with the Dreadnought. The Council races have begun construction of their own Carriers to match Humanities ingenuity in warfare.

(-][-)

Date: 2180, several hours after Council Meeting.

Location: Human Home System, otherwise known as Sol

Tela Vasir stood in the cockpit of the ship, the ARV Seloria, to observe as much as she could about this species before they have further interactions or even a meeting. She feels nervous, knowing that she is being thrust into an unknown situation angers her, it scares her. She hopes that if battle is what comes next, she receives a quick death.

Staring out of the cockpit window, she sees the multitude of spectrum's that are usually invisible to the naked eye. So beautiful, so chaotic. That is dragged from her view as the ship leaves FTL and emerges into the Sol system. Seeing nothing but the stars in the distance and even the luminosity of Sol itself, Vasir shudders, knowing that a test of her very being is coming.

She watches as the cockpit crew work their instruments and begin detecting the minefield placed by the Humans. . . . . Alongside the enormous screening force that lay in wait. The sensor instruments are clogged so full of incoming information that they risk being damaged from overworking.

"Incoming message from the Humans!" declares the Comm operator beside Vasir

Vasir leans in to read and hear the message as it's received. The operator taps away at the holographic keyboard, relaying the message throughout the ship so that the Councillor and the Captain can hear the response. To everyone's shock it is in the standard Asari dialect, without a flaw.

"Asari vessel, hold position and await the designated escort. You will be guided through the minefield so that proper talks can be made. Do not deviate from escort or activate systems other than your propulsion. If you do, it will be seen as an act of war."

The entire situation unfolding before Vasir almost made her knees tremble, almost. She has seen enough battle, conflict and confrontation to be steeled for this. But it still unnerves her how they are understanding languages so well. Then she remembers they use AI, the key to a lot in this conflict. She watches out the cockpit window as 4 Human fighters quickly come into view and perform a manoeuvre that would shear a fighter of that size in half if it didn't utilize element zero, which they don't.

The fighters come alongside the ARV Seloria in perfect formation, two in front and the other two must be behind. She looks at the sensor array and it confirms her assumptions. Satisfied with the current situation, she swivels on her heel and heads towards the CIC, towards the Councillor. As she enters the CIC she takes note of how each and every crew member taking their jobs seriously. Recording all reports from instruments as they proceed closer and closer towards the human fleet from the debris field. No doubt under orders to gain as much accurate Intel on the Humans as possible.

"Yes, I'm aware of what has taken place Admiral Hackett." responds Tevos as she leans on the railing overlooking the galaxy map. Which displays their position perfectly.

Just on the borders of Citadel Space, on the edge of the Skyllian Verge. A very delicate place to exist indeed. Surrounded by the lawless zones and the Turian Hierarchy, these Humans sure have shit enough luck.

"And you expect me to believe that this was a military accident? That thousands of Human lives were extinguished early because of some . . . Superstition!" replies the Human Admiral, his anger very clear in his voice.

"We can go over these facts in a more personal manner if you wish. A meeting in person. You can dictate the terms of the meeting" offers Tevos in a shocking move, allowing the Humans to dictate the meeting parameters?

The Human obviously took great consideration into the matter.

"Very well, I assume you have some form of personal transport?" asks the Human Admiral

"Yes, we do. Small enough to fit into one of your hangars I believe" replies Tevos, she takes a deep breath.

"Follow the escort in, they will take you to your landing zone. You are allowed no more than three personal guards is that understood?" orders the Human Admiral, with a gracious offer considering the circumstances.

"And my aide, if you wouldn't mind" Tevos asks, a ballsy move if Vasir ever saw one.

"I expect no more than five of you to disembark your transport, we will open fire if there are more. Hackett Out" orders the Human Admiral.

Vasir has never been in such a delicate situation. Sure she has fought to prevent disasters that threaten worlds and even entire ecosystems but never before has she been on a mission that decides the fate of an entire civilization alongside it's entire solar system. The gravity of the situation is not lost on her, she inwardly promises to her duty to the Galaxy and the Council. Nothing more and nothing less. This very moment in history could be what she is remembered for.

"Spectre Vasir, are you ready for our meeting?" asks Tevos, standing up straight.

Vasir flares her biotics in her left hand which balls into a fist and arms her pistol for effect.

"I'm ready to do whatever is necessary Councillor" replies Vasir in her usual, cold manner.

"Just remember, you need to keep that level head you are known for" says Tevos as she descends the ramp to the galaxy map "We need to head down to the cargo bay" Tevos taps at her omni-tool "Captain Deloria, I need two of your best crewmen to accompany me aboard the Human vessel"

"Where's your aid?" asks Vasir, holstering her pistol.

"Down with the transport, where we need to be in 3 minutes or we miss our window" says Tevos, her manner more of an order than a suggestion "Let's go"

(-][-)

Codex Entry

Human First Contact War

Just 10 years after the Human Interplanetary Wars, known as the Human Unification Wars by the rest of the galaxy, The Turians opened a relay under Council orders into a previously unknown system. Upon entry into the Sol system, the Turians were quickly introduced to the Human UNSC. After discovering that Humans use Artificial Intelligences extensively, the Turians panicked and opened fire without provocation.

The resulting week long war was fought on a dozen of moons throughout the Sol system and the Turians had managed to get as close to Earth as Mars. Mars being the first ground battle in the short war, saw the deployment of Turian forces against Human forces for the first time. The Humans, having similar doctrines to warfare as the Turians replied in earnest with a wide manner of weaponry, vehicles and tactics. One such instance being the deployment of ODST's. The first of their kind outside of the Turian Hierarchy.

The Turians, being matched and beaten by their own tactics were forced to result to other methods. Striking at key locations which held strategic importance such as the AI facility on Mars and Jupiter's moon Io, they begun a campaign of swift dominance. Being able to jump towards and away from battle, a privilege the Human ships did not have at the time, the Turians performed hit and run tactics similar to Asari doctrine.

The Humans, under attack by a previously unknown threat resorted to Nuclear bombardment, in naval warfare and in ground side engagements where the Turians were winning or had already won. This did little to falter the Turian General but the decisive strike by the Human defence was when they intercepted the Turian fleet as they came out of FTL near Jupiter. They became overwhelmed by conventional ordnance and nuclear bombardment which decimated their fleet.

The Turians retreated and to this day is the largest naval defeat in Turian history. Much animosity remains over the conflict in due part to the Turians attempt to dictate terms upon Humanities way of life and the slaughter of thousands of innocent civilians via orbital bombardment from Turian vessels. Reparations are still ongoing from the conflict from the Turian Hierarchy to the offended party, the Human race. This does little to ease tensions however and many fear the outcome of another Human-Turian confrontation, given the rapid rise of Humanity on the galactic scene.

(-][-)

Location: Meeting room, On board the Human Carrier No Mercy

After the aliens landed in the hangar bay not just 10 minutes ago, Hackett had been confronted with something he never thought likely and is still struggling to grasp. These Asari are so similar to female Humans that it is unbelievable. Of all the possible evolutionary differences that could have happened, these Asari ended up almost the same as a Woman. Almost being the appropriate word, they have these head tentacles that make them stand out. Not to mention their purple/blue skin.

After introductions were made, he led this Councillor Tevos alongside her escort towards the room they currently sit in. His own escort are standing ready at all times, weapons armed and ready but not pointed in their direction to show his willingness to co-operate with the diplomat. They sat at opposite ends of a table, both leaning forward onto it. Ready to 'negotiate'.

"Let's get this under-way shall we?" asks Hackett, waiting for his provided equipment to translate his words into Asari seamlessly.

"Yes, what are your opening remarks Fleet Admiral Hackett?" asks Tevos, bracing herself for a shit storm from a military officer.

"I want to start by saying that Humanity has been wronged, unprovoked." says Hackett, thinking about the lives lost for no good reason "And that we will not stand by while someone dictates to us on how to live, if anything comes through that relay that isn't ours without our knowledge. We will assume it's hostile an it will be destroyed"

The words cut deep into Tevos' mind. Clearly these Humans are territorial creatures, the fact that she is talking to one however, proves that they are not a hostile species.

"Is that understood?" asks Hackett, pointing his finger at the table for effect.

"Yes, Admiral that is understood. We shall take the steps necessary to alert our and by extension the other races the threat they face if they do so" responds Tevos, trying to get past the starter.

"Good, now what are you here for exactly Councillor? What are your goals and what do you expect to come out of our meeting here?" asks Hackett "I could very well be giving your peoples a chance to further gauge the defences in this system. What makes that worth while?"

The questions are not wasted upon Tevos. She cannot truly understand how the Human feels, but she can try at the very least.

"I have come here to prevent the escalation of conflict on the border of Council space. To prevent a full-scale conflict between the Turian Hierarchy and your race" replies Tevos in as neutral a tone as possible "Your system lies on the edge of Citadel space and the border of contested territory for colonization amongst multiple governments"

"You mean territory that has not yet been claimed? Why is that a concern to my people or by extension your own?" asks Hackett, his confusion evident.

"No not unclaimed territory. Many claims have been made but under our laws, no territory is given unless it has gone through the proper channels and been colonized. As you can imagine, it takes a substantial amount of funding to do so" Tevos takes a breather "This territory is home to unsavoury types and the relay leaves your system open to incursion from pirates and slavers alike. The Turian Hierarchy patrols this region of space to prevent them access into Citadel space. Given your current hostility towards the Turians, I felt it necessary to prevent a war that could weaken both of our states and leave us open to attack from the lawless."

Hackett sat there, trying to take in exactly everything that he has just been told. His system is now open to attack from other races, beings who do not care for laws that more civilised beings follow. It's just a cluster fuck waiting to happen, this relay is the only way in or out of the Sol system and something needs to be done about it.

"I can understand your position Councillor but my people cry for retaliation against the Turians. I'm going to need some sort of offer from them to sate their blood lust." says Hackett "What can you give us to prove you want nothing more than peace? As their representative, you need to make a decision"

Churchill materializes on a pedestal in the centre of the table. His appearance shocking the aliens.

"What my maker is trying to say is, prove to us that war would be the wrong decision"

"Is this one of your AI's?" asks Tevos, a little bit of fear escapes into her voice but she masks it perfectly.

"Yes, the reason the Turian Hierarchy declared war. They warned that they would turn on us, their makers, their gods" replies Hackett "But in the conflict that followed, they proved our AI's loyalty to us as not one single Human life has been lost in history to an AI. Over the one hundred and fifty years we have used them, not a single one"

"In fact, the Turians claimed thousands of Human lives in what we AI's haven't even contemplated in our 150 years of existence. You must see our side of this conflict or fail to succeed where General Jihirix failed" adds Churchill.

Tevos sits their stunned. Not a single life? These Humans show no sign of concern towards their AI's yet the Turians may have made them xenophobic.

"Our interactions with AI have not been as fruitful" states Tevos

"Yes we know, this Mourning War" states Hackett "A war waged before Humanity even reached the stars. Between the Quarians and their creations, the Geth" Hackett takes a breath and thinks for a moment "The genocide of the Quarian race to almost extinction, I won't pretend to know what happened in that war but our AI's are safe and have been since their creation"

"A truly remarkable feat, my predecessors have acted rashly in the presence of AI and the Council wants to rectify that problem. What General Jihirix ordered was wrong, he didn't do it with the authority from the Council or his superiors." replies Tevos

"He went rogue? You expect me to believe that?" asks Hackett "I believe your after a scape-goat"

"I assure you, I do not need one. The Turians may but I'm not here to offer one. They can lie to their people but you and I know different so we must make the right actions" states Tevos, metaphorically extending her hand to the Human

Hackett processes what he's hearing yet again. With significant difficulty.

"I want to believe you I do, but I have been given the rights to act as I see fit." states Hackett "For now . . ." he takes a deep breath "We can agree to a cease-fire. Our dead can be buried and we can repair what the Turians have done"

"The Turians are extending an apology in the form of reparations. They are offering the total sum in damages and more to help ease this problem, but you have control over when and where you want them to arrive after all this is your home" replies Tevos

"I would prefer if we had a middle man" states Hackett

"A middle-man?" asks Tevos, confused at the metaphor.

"What I mean is that your kind delivers the reparations from the Turians. I cannot allow a Turian vessel within the borders of this system, not after what has happened" replies Hackett, his statement showing his firm hand.

"I hope that in the coming months our peoples can get to know each other better" states Tevos "It will take time to mend the wounds that have been dealt but . . . . all I can offer at the moment is the promise of a cease-fire. What comes after is up to your kind and the rest of the galaxy. I hope that it's a bright future, with many great times ahead."

"Very well, I will be setting up a forward operating base on the other side of this relay. Do inform whoever is waiting on the other side because it will now belong to the UNSC, that is none negotiable if you want the cease-fire to exist" orders Hackett, seizing the opportunity.

"Done, we will be transmitting the appropriate information over to your vessel before we leave. To help you better understand the state of the galaxy. Laws and regulations that the Citadel races abide by, which from what we can tell are very similar to your own." replies Tevos happily.

Hackett, for the first time in the past week, feels a weight lifted from his shoulders. Whether these Asari were being honest or not was another matter. But she has given him hope that there doesn't need to be an interstellar war. No need for countless lives to be thrown into the grinder. Hope sustains Humans during times of strife, a trait that has served us well so far.

"Very well. We will not be perform hostile actions against the Turians at this time. But we will be preparing should war come to our shores" replies Hackett "Take word to your government that we want peace if it can be attained. If not then they had better prepare for war" Standing up Hackett offers his hand across the table.

Hesitating for a second but remembering from their first greeting that it's a friendly gesture she accepts. Grabbing his hand and shaking she feels that a war has just been avoided, that lives have been saved. The very reason she wanted to be a politician, to curb the bloodymindedness that so many fall into.

They both share a smile, almost as if they have become fast friends. It's just their nerves letting go of the fear that has gripped them for the past few days. But Tevos inwardly wonders what will this species accomplish? Did she make the right choice? After all, she is trading where no Councillor has before.

But the most important question of all, is what effect will Humanity have on the Galaxy?

(-][-)

AN: Hello there. I don't know what your thinking right now but ill try to guess. This chapter may feel a bit odd. Mainly because it doesn't follow what most crossovers in this genre do. Demands from everyone involved. But I hope I portrayed their characters well enough. Do you like how I put in the codex entries? What did you think of the Chapter? Also, for those who do notice, are there many mistakes in this chapter?

Let me know in the review and as always take care of yourselves.