Halerus Universe

The galaxy filled with mystery that anyone wanted to answer. Throughout the years, humanity face many challenges on every place. They have unified every country as one new order for the benefit of humanity. They conquered the entire space in Reach, colonized every planet to expand territories for humans to live peacefully. But they will face tough challenges up ahead for humanity. Human insurrection, the genocidal alien religion, the parasite, undiscovered ancient alien artifacts and technology, these are an example of how humanity withstand everything in their path despite of high casualties in war. With the war ended, they rebuilding their society to have a bright future for every being in the universe.

But they will face another one. One that will change the universe forever.

...

UNSC Infinity

A man wearing UNSC grey navy uniform named Thomas Lasky was in  the bridge room looking at through the window to see what appears to be a largest size installation different from Halo rings and it look like Earth. This is called The Ark.

He was quietly staring at the Ark knowing this is where both UNSC and Sangheilis working together to bring the downfall of the Covenant, killing a Prophet of Truth by the hands of Arbiter, and kill every Flood in the installation by activate an unstable halo ring. Then, a yellow male AI wearing a WW2 pilot appeared on holo-table. His name is Roland, Lasky loyal AI.

Roland: Captain Lasky, we're arrived in the Ark. 

Lasky: Excellent. So where's the Spirit of Fire?

Roland: I am still searching... Ah, there! Over there.

He pointed his finger through the window as Lasky goes there to saw a vessel ship floating in space near the Ark. It was the Spirit of Fire, a vessel that was missing during human-covenant war.

Lasky have hope that everyone onboard that ship still alive after they are being MIA for so long in human-covenant war. He takes a deep breath as he said to Roland.

Lasky: Roland, contact the Spirit of Fire. I want to know if they're still alive.

Roland: Understood, sir.

...

Spirit of Fire

Everyone have woken up from cryosleep as they are ready to get back work on the ship. An old white-bearded adult man wearing UNSC navy captain uniform walking toward the bridge room. While he's walking in the hallway, he can listen the message of his old AI named Serina before her deactivation.

Serina (message): Captain, wake up. Something is happened. The Spirit of Fire is in situation I... could not anticipate. I'm certain Professor Anders would enjoy the little admission, so let's keep it between us, shall we? We've been adrift for just over twenty-eight years. I've made quite a few repairs while you were sleeping, so ship's system are one hundred percent. Cryo worked well and medstats on all remaining crew are green. As for me, well... regulations are clear about final dispensation at the end of an AI's seven years lifespan. I took care of my own arrangements rather than wake you. I didn't want to... well, I hope you can forgive this final breach of protocol. It was a pleasure and an honor to serve with you, sir. Do look after everyone for me, would you? Goodbye, Captain. Serina out.

He reached to the near door of bridge room as a soldier give salute to him and he wears his cap on the head. His name is James Gregory Cutter, captain of Spirit of Fire. He entered the room to see a woman doing some work in the bridge. Her name is Ellen Anders. a civilian researcher studying biology, anthropology, and psychology. She also an expert in theoretical xeno-biopsychology. She look at  him as she said to him.

Anders: I'll need to get down there. Immediately, of course.

Cutter: Good morning to you too, Professor.

Anders: I'm sorry Captain. It's good to see you too.

Cutter looking down the window to see an Ark above him. She does see it too which is amazed for her.

Cutter: What is it, and where are we?

Anders: No idea. Our astronavigation system can't pinpoint a location. We're not on the map any more.

She said, doing on the holographic screen. Cutter look at the galaxy on the holo-table that they've been drifting for several years.

Cutter: We didn't drift out of the galaxy in twenty-eight years, Professor. Sensor records show we arrived via slipspace less than an hour ago?

Anders: Our slipspace drive is gone. However we got here, it wasn't us who initiated the trip. 

She grabbed a ting holographic sphere and throws it to the holo-table making a holographic Ark.

Anders: Something down there... must have opened the portal from this end and pulled us in.

She said. Then, someone speaks them on the radio.

??? (radio): This is Captain Lasky of UNSC Infinity. Do you copy, Spirit of Fire?

Anders: What the- Captain, we've received a signal. It's UNSC!

Cutter: Finally, and I thought we are only ones left in the galaxy that was lost from the covenant. Put it through, Professor.

She nodded, giving a radio contact to him as he said.

Cutter: This is Captain James Cutter of Spirit of Fire. I'm glad you have found us.

Lasky (radio): Captain Cutter, it's good to see you still alive. How are you doing?

Cutter: It's fine. Been sleeping, drifting through space for twenty-eight years. How are you? Still holding on against the covenant?

There was a pause for a second.

Cutter: Hello? Captain?

Lasky (radio): Um, you should come to my ship. I have an explanation you have been missing for twenty-eight years.

Cutter: Hmm... I see... I will have my pelican and my guards ready.

He said as he turning off the radio.

Anders: I feel something is going on in the pass twenty-eight years, Captain.

Cutter: Ah well, been sleeping in cryosleep has time move on over pass years. Let's see what he's going to say about this. 

...

A pelican from Spirit of Fire landed in the hangar bay of UNSC Infinity. The hatch door opens to see Captain Cutter, Anders, and three Spartans as their bodyguards. Their names are Jerome-092, Alice-130, and Douglas-042.

As they walking out from the pelican, there is a spartan who was being respected by most of UNSC and Sword of Sanghelios. One who always beaten everything in his path, survive everything his enemy tried to kill him, killing the Prophet of Regret, and he always get the job done to end the war once and for all. HIs name was none other than Master Chief himself. Hero of Mankind.

He approached the members of Spirit of Fire and give him a salute.

Master Chief: Captain Cutter, I'm petty officer 117 Master Chief. I will lead you to  Captain Lasky.

Cutter: Alright then. Let's go.

They walking to the bridge room. While they're headed there, Jerome goes to Chief and said.

Jerome: Hey John, it's good to see you again.

Master Chief: You too, Jerome. I thought you and your team are gone.

Jerome: Well, been in cryosleep makes my body so a bit weary after I woke up.

???: Glad someone feel worry about their health body.

A voice of a woman just flinch a bit for Jerome to hear that voice.

Jerome: Who say that?

???: Oh sorry, maybe we never proper introduce ourselves. My name is Cortana, I am his AI and I have been with him since the war.

Jerome: Ah John, you never told us you have an AI with you.

Master Chief: She likes to accompany me.

Timeskip

Captain Cutter and the others entered the bridge room to see Lasky, Roland, and a while female spartan named Sarah Palmer. Captain Cutter goes to Lasky as they shook their hands.

Lasky: Captain Lasky of UNSC Infinity. It's good to see everyone of Spirit of Fire still alive and well.

Cutter: If it wasn't for our AI, Serina, we won't be here alive.

Roland: SNA 1292-4 Serina... Where is she now?

Cutter: She's... gone.

Roland: I'm sorry.

Cutter: It's fine. She did what she want it to keep us alive while drifting in space.

Then he change the subject as he said.

Cutter: You have very fine ship you got here, captain. Tell me, what really happened out there? Did we won?

Lasky: Well... You wanna hear this story that you people have been gone for long years.

He tells them the Pillar of Autumn encountered Halo ring made by ancient race called Forerunner, Master Chief and the others tried to control Halo ring to stop the Covenant from using the wrong hands, encountered the flood, destroyed the halo ring, Covenant arrived in Earth, find another halo ring, kill a Prophet of Regret, great schism erupted when Brutes betrays Elites causing entire race to fight each other, The Sangheili separatists discovered the truth of Great Journey and join the alliance with UNSC, went to Ark to stop Prophet of Truth from firing it, Arbiter killed Prophet of Truth, rescue Cortana from covenant citadel, eliminate Guilty Spark and fire the unfinished halo ring to destroy everything to eliminate all flood, and ending the human-covenant war once and for all. Then he tells them about 4 years later, Master Chief and Cortana entered the forerunner planet called Requiem, unlock the cryptum where it prisoned Didact, Master Chief and Cortana went there to stop them alone when Del Rico refused to stop it, and afterwards, they defeat Didact once and for all.

Lasky: And that's what you people know what we have been through.

Cutter and the others shocked that Elites who were once their enemy becomes an allied after find out the truth just went up and join the humans to defeat Prophet of Truth and ending the covenant. For Jerome and the others, they are surprised that Master Chief fight alongside with his former enemy just fired the unfinished halo ring to eliminate the flood on Ark and attempt to escape from the blast. They are very relief the war is over that have sacrifice every men, women, and children to defeat the covenant for so long since the destruction of Harvest. 

Cutter: I see... So the war is really over. I can't to think the Elites - The Sangeheilis - discovered the terrible truth of Great Journey and join you to defeat them. I wish I can be there to put the end of war for good.

Lasky: I know, captain. But even the war is over, there are remnants of Covenant factions scatter around in the galaxy. Both UNSC and GSA are hunting them to bring down Covenant remnants.

Douglas: GSA, sir?

Sarah: Galactic Species Alliance. A group of council members who happens to be the leaders to corporates each other to unite all alien species and work each other to keep their sovereign worlds and protect from anyone who are their threats.

Cutter: I see... It is really hard to hear all those years after drifting in space. Captain, I'm still happy the war is over.

Lasky: Me either. Now, it's time to head home. The UNSC and UEG will love to hear we found Spirit of Fire that was being MIA in Human-Covenant.

Roland: Um, actually sir.  I think you should do something on the signal.

Sarah: What?

Roland: Yes. I just found the UNSC signal when we arrive in Ark, but I can't play it. The message has an encryption scheme I haven't seen before.

Lasky: Something is wrong.

Cutter: Captain?

Lasky look at him as he said.

Lasky: 5 months ago, we sent the research team to the Ark to establish the research base to learn more about Forerunner origin and technology. But we have lost contact them. We never heard from them since then. Roland, where's the frequency coming from?

Roland: Probably in rough terrain, sir. I will triangulate the frequency once I find the signal from the ground.

Lasky: Very good.

He went back at them as he said.

Lasky: So Captain Cutter, is it okay for you to help us to find out what's happening down there?

Cutter give him a smile to replied him.

Cutter: Absolutely. Jerome, Douglas, Alice, you three will go down the Ark and find that location.

Lasky: Chief, Cortana, you will accompany them on Ark to find out what's happening to research team from 5 months. Will you accept this mission?

Chief: Sir, yes sir.

Lasky: Good. I like to work with you, captain.

Cutter: As do I. Now let's find that signal down there.

...

Installation 00 (The Ark)

Two pelicans entered the Ark as they going to deploy Spartans to the ground. The Red Team will be riding a warthog while Master Chief will be riding on M121 Light Strike Vehicle known as Jackrabbit. 

 Douglas: Ah, it feels good to have our feet back on real ground again, doesn't it. Alice?

Alice: You saw this place on the drop down, Douglas. Nothing real about it.

Jerome: Alice is right, we don't know what's waiting for us down here. 

Master Chief: He's right. Let's focus on the mission to find that signal. Cortana.

Cortana: I mark the location on your HUDS. See if we can find there.

Jerome: Alright, Spartans. Remember, keep your eyes out for trouble.

They drove through the terrains to follow the marking location when they saw the barricade made of junk. The UNSC squad are putting explosives on it.

UNSC squad leader: Recon one reporting, sir. We've set up charges to clear a path for you when you're ready. I don't know what they were defending against, but there's some heavy duty barricades here.

Master Chief: Ready when you are, Jerome.

He said as Jerome nodded.

Jerome: Everyone, get clear.

Everyone move away from a barricade as they were told.

Jerome: Light up the charges, Alice.

He said. Alice open firing at the barricade and it was exploded, giving a clear path for them to enter another area. They find another blockade as squad leader goes up there and plant the explosive charges. 

Alice: Jerome, these aren't military defenses.

Jerome: No, these were made in hurry. They must have been desperate.

Douglas: If they were desperate, then why they didn't set up the defenses?

Cortana: I don't know. But I can feel something is wrong here.

They destroyed a barricade and continue move on. They saw a cliff dead ahead.

Douglas: Hold on, jump ahead.

The Spartans jumps from the cliff and landed on the ground.

Douglas: I missed this!

Cortana: Okay, Douglas. You have your fun, let's continue forward.

They reaching the area where there's research buildings that has been abandoned for long time. 

Alice: I figure these must be research team. But where are the scientists?

Master Chief: Keep your eyes open. We're not who responsible for this and I'm doubt the sentinels would attack them if they mess with their property or show hostile to them.

He said. They continue forward until they stopped at the light bridge which is deactivated. The Red Team notice plasma burns.

Jerome: More plasma burns. They didn't leave much standing.

Alice: Whoever it was, it looks like they're long gone.

Jerome get out the warthog and activate the light bridge to make a path for them. Jerome went back in a warthog and go across the light bridge.

Jerome: We'll know more when we get to the source of that signal. Cortana, still picking up the signal yet?

Cortana: Affirmative. Just few klicks up ahead.

As they reach to the other side, a Nightingales flying above them as they headed north.

Douglas: What's a Nightimgale doing here? Do we have wounded?

They reaching to north area where they see more research buildings except some are on fire seemly the buildings are destroyed. They saw more recon units station there.

UNSC Squad Leader: It's one of our recon teams, sir. We found them like this when we arrived. Didn't see what hit them.

Alice: Looks like we may see some action after all.

She said. The Spartans have reached to forerunner platform and there's a portal platform. Cutter radio contact them.

Cutter (radio): Jerome, our recon teams scouted out this portal that will take you down to that signal. Both Lasky and I ordered the rest of our forces to stay back and protect your exit while you investigate.

Jerome: Yes sir.

Master Chief: Roger that.

They said. After they teleported to different area, they continue follow the trail when they enter an area to see strange satellite dishes laying around and there's a portal near them.

Jerome: Professor, we've found some more portals, but there's something strange about them.

Cortana: They don't look like UNSC tech. 

Anders (radio): She's right. It is odd they look like they've been modified, and those machines attached to them aren't UNSC tech. Keep an eye out for any more of them.

Master Chief: Understood.

They have reached to the research facility as they see a siren has already turning on like someone has already been here before their arrival. They stopped parking at the facility as they dismount their vehicles and ready their weapons in case there are any surprises.

Jerome: Henry Lamb Research Outpost'. Spirit of Fire and Infinity, we're outside. Base looks clear from out here. Let's see who's been calling.

Lasky (radio): Roger that. Proceed in caution. If there's survivors bring them to Infinity. Let's see what's going on there.

...

Inside Henry Lamb Research Outpost'

The Spartans entering the outpost as everything here is a mess. There are bullet holes and plasma burns all over the walls and ceilings. 

Cortana: Oh my... How could've done this?

Then, they found a signal on a holotable as they approach it.

Alice: Holotable, ten o'clock.

As they approach a holotable, Jerome knock out an object and open it to reveal an orange female AI. The only she has is Isabel.

She turn around to see Spartans appearance which means they reach her distress beacon signal. She show sign of relief to see them here.

Isabel: Spartans? Thank God. We have to get out of here.

Then she notice Master Chief is here.

Isabel: And you brought legendary Master Chief with you? That is more great than ever.

Ignore her of seeing Master Chief here, Jerome asked her.

Jerome: Identify.

Isabel: Isabel USNC logistics, Ark research outpost.

Jerome: Isabel. Where are the survivors? What's the strength of the Covenant force  here?

Isabel: Covenant? No. Why would you... listen. You are in incredible danger.

Cortana: She's right. I've detected red dot coming this way.

 Master Chief: We are not alone here.

He said, aiming his assault rifle up ahead as they heard a loud bang hitting on the floor.

Isabel: Oh no. It's him.

Master Chief: Who's him?

She didn't answered. The Spartans goes into the room to find an unknown enemy around here, flashing lights around the room then suddenly someone grabbed Alice on the neck. This cause attention to Spartans as they aiming their guns at shadow figure holding her on the air while she is chocking. A brute throw her away as he engage them. Master Chief si going engage him when Cortana shouted.

Cortana: Chief! Enemy on the right!

Chief notice it as he dodge away from a mace. A shadow figure coming out reveal himself wearing armor suit that look resembles of sci-fi roman version. It was a Romanusan Gladiator.

Cortana: What the hell is that.

A Romanusan Gladiator swings his mace at him as he dodge quickly from the attack. Meanwhile, a brute bring down gravity hammer to the floor causing Jerome and Douglas to fly up then Jerome get hit from gravity hammer. Douglas got up only to be pulled in by gravity hammer and a brute slams him to the ground. Jerome firing his pistol at him, but it shows no effective as a brute hits him to the ground. Douglas tries to grab his weapon, but a brute stops him from using a weapon and he kick him to the face. Jerome appears as he attacks him with a knife, but being hit back from a brute. Alice got up and go towards a brute to attack, but she unsuccessful as a brute hit her.

Master Chief goes up against unknown enemy as he firing his assault rifle at him only to be bounced the bullets away. Romanusan gladiator keep swinging his mace at him as Master Chief goes behind him and jump on the back to hold him on the neck. A gladiator struggles to get him off his back as he started to  run around and hit anything that hurts him. Master Chief pulled out his knife and stabs at the neck, which is effective. A gladiator growl in pain as he grabbed him and thrown him to the floor. He pulled a knife out from his neck and thrown it away as he's getting angry.

Douglas pick up a weapon only to thrown away by a brute so he attacks him with a knife and stabs him to the stomach. But it didn't hurt him as a brute grabbed his left shoulder and slowly crushes him until he immediately break his shoulder, letting out scream in pain. A brute let him go and move back as Douglas hold his shoulder and then a brute activate his gravity hammer and swings it at him, send him flying and hit on the ground and knock out his helmet. A brute grabbed a Spartan helmet as he look at it and then a brute just said.

???: As I suspected... 

A brute said as he crushing Douglas' helmet.

???: Nothing but a man.

Douglas groaned in pain on his shoulder. Red team and Master Chief went to Douglas when they got radio contact from a recon squad leader.

UNSC Squad leader (radio): Red Team, Master Chief, this is Recon One. You have multiple hostiles approaching your location. 

Everyone is pointing their weapons at him then a Italinian gladiator beside him.

Jerome: Alice. We're leaving. 

Alice and Jerome carrying Douglas to safety while Master Chief keep pointing at them and follow Red Team behind. A brute laughed as he look up at his weapon.

???: Yes. Run, little demons.

Jerome: Command. This is Red Team. We have a Spartan Casualty.

???: Hunt them down. 

He along with Italinian gladiator turn around to walk in the dark room.

Jerome: Immediate EVAC requested.

???: Find out where they come from. 

Jerome Douglas stay with me.

???: ... and bring me back anything...

Jerome: Douglas!

Douglas is started losing conscious as he pass out.

???: ...useful.

Afterwards, a few group of brutes and hypolita elites coming out from the shadow as one of brute roared and the others went after them.

Master Chief and the others are outside as they went in their vehicles when they heard shouting coming from everywhere in this area. The Spartans saw both aliens and humans roaring at them while some waving their flags on the air.

Cortana: What the hell is going here?!

Master Chief: No time. We gonna go.

He said as he firing at anyone come after them and he mount in UNSC Jackrabbit. Meanwhile, Jerome contact Cutter while putting Douglas on a passenger seat.

Jerome: Jerome to Spirit of Fire Actual.

Cutter (radio): Cutter here. Status?

Jerome: Sir. Requesting danger close. On our location, trailing north. Commence five seconds.

Alice hop on a gun turret as she turn around at the enemy behind.

Alice: Interesting plan.

Cutter (radio): Understood. Archer missiles inbound.

On top of the hill, a Banished elite and Hypolita elite activate their energy swords and give the signal to the forces to go after them. Banished ghosts, UAI warthogs and Italinian assault speeders going down the hill.

The Spartans drove their vehicles away from research facility as enemy forces goes after them from behind. Jerome tell everyone.

Jerome: Hang on!

They trying to get away from the enemies until archer missiles bombardment on enemy ground forces from behind. They drove through the road trying to avoid getting hit from all enemy sides. They encountered a group of UAI and Romanusan rocket troopers aiming their rocket launchers at them.

Cortana: Insurrectionists? How- Why are they here on the Ark?!

Master Chief: Unknown group with the insurrectionist. What is engagement?

Jerome: They're all hostiles! Shoot 'em!

Alice: Roger that!

She said as she firing gun turret on some enemy troops then Jerome ramped them and they both jump off the cliff and safe landing on the ground. 

Isabel: H-Hello? What's happening out there? Where are we going?

Jerome: We're getting you out here, Isabel, sit tight.

Alic: Then we're coming back for that brute.

They said to her. Master Chief's Jackrabbit fired grenade launcher turret at UAI warthog and it is destroyed. More enemy reinforcement coming down on the road, so Master Chief decides to not engage them and focus to escape.

Isabel: I tried to warn you, you're lucky to be alive!

She said. They continue drove through the road trying to avoid getting hit from enemy vehicles. A squad of Romanusan eliminators fired laser beam cannons at them, but they missed and soon to be run over by Red Team.

Cortana: Whoever those guys are, they're don't look like insurrectionist.

Isabel: That's because they aren't from here.

Cortana: What?

Isabel: I'll explain later. By the way, my name is Isabel.

Cortana: I am Cortana. Pleasure to meet you.

Alice: Girls, you can meet each other after we get out of here.

They keep droving through the road and turn to curve road until a portal activated letting out Banished forces go after them before they were bombarded.

Alice: Watch out, over there!

Isabel: They're using the Ark's portals!

Alice: Portals. Why is it always portals?

She said. They jumped off the cliff and continue driving through the road until they reach to the light bridge which is deactivated.

Jerome: The controls to the bridge! Alice, now!

Alice dismount the gun turret and headed to the control panel to activate the bridge. Master Chief's Jackrabbit keep firing on enemy forces in the distance, killing few of them running towards them. Jerome goes to gun turret as he rapidly fire at enemy forces as well. Alice finish activate the bridge as she said to them.

Alice: That's it, move!

Alice went to driving seat as they across the bridge. The enemy forces are going after them until they were being attacked by hornets and sparrowhawks. The pelicans arrived to pick them up, Master Chief and Cortana headed to UNSC Infinity while Red Team headed to Spirit of Fire.

...

UNSC Spirit of Fire

Jerome: Alice stays with Douglas at the medical bay. He'll lives, sir.

Cutter: I hope so. Let's see what Isabel know about what's going the Ark.

He said as they both entering the bridge room. Jerome inserted a chip into a holotable to see Isabel sitting there.

Jerome: Isabel, this is Captain Cutter.

Isabel: I know who you are. James Cutter. Captain of the Spirit of Fire. You're supposed to be lost with all hands.

She said.

Cutter: Not so lost, it seems. In fact, we have been found by Captain Lasky, Captain of the UNSC Infinity.

Isabel: So they did found you.

UNSC crewmember: Sir. Captain Lasky is contact us. 

Cutter: Put it through.

The monitor turns on to see Lasky on the screen.

Lasky (screen): ISA 1307-2 also known as Isabel, correct?

Isabel: Yes sir. 

Lasky (screen): Good. Now let's get some answers. Cutter, you may?

He nodded as he asked her a question.

Cutter: What happened down there? I need to know what we're up against?

Isabel sighed receiving no answer to them.

Cutter: Isabel.

Still no answer from her.

Cutter: Isabel. Report.

Finally, she start to answer him as she just said.

Isabel: Five months ago the portal from the Ark to Earth shut down without warning. A month later, he arrived.

Cutter: He?

Lasky (screen): He? Isabel?

Isabel: The Brute. Their leader. His name is Atriox.

Lasky (screen): Atriox... I should've known...

Cutter: What do you mean? You know him?

Lasky (screen): Not in person. But I read the report about him. Atriox is a leader of largest group known as The Banished. They attacked and raided few UNSC military bases, supply warehouses, and sometimes on GSA. Isabel, tell them.

Isabel: Yes sir... During the war, The Covenant used his clan as expendable muscles. Told them dying the battle would "speed their holy journey". Forty at a time they carelessly sent them in. Forty to break the front lines... forty to die for beliefs not their own... and none have ever returned... until he did.

Jerome: Atriox.

She nodded.

Isabel: And so, battle by battle... war by war... thirty-nine brothers at a time... Atriox was born. With every victory his legend, and his hatred of the Covenant, grew. Eventually both were impossible to conceal. And they tried to banish him. In everything we know about Covenant's thousand-year history... Atriox was the first to defy the Covenant... and survive. And his defiance inspired others. Atriox and his Banished raided Covenant reosurces, cutting a swarth across the galaxy... growing in strength with each attack. Gathering killers and mercenaries to his side. The Covenant had two targets in those years. Humanity and Atriox. They almost got us. But Atriox they never came close. The whole damn Covenant couldn't contain him at the height of the power.

She said. Everyone boarded in Spirit of Fire couldn't believe Atriox go against the Covenant and build up his army for his own gain. Though something is missing here so Jerome just said.

Jerome: What about the Innies? And those people with them? How did they ended up in the Ark?

Isabel: That... is something I can't explain. But I remember Banished has allies we never seen before. For what I understand, there are two factions I must know. One is United Alliance of Insurrectionist, probably consisted united insurrectionist factions across the galaxy to united into one group, growing strength and power with a help of their new ally. The other faction is something I don't know much about them. But I do know is they called themselves Fascist Romanusan Empire.

Lasky (screen): Wait, wait, did you say they are from the empire we never heard about?

Isabel: Affirmative. There are no records about them.

Anders: Then for what I'm guessing is a rogue colony world transformed into an empire, but why we never heard from them so much?

Isabel: Like I said, I really don't know much about them.

Cutter: Then we got serious problem here. The Banished, the Insurrectionist united all factions into one powerful group containing UNSC military arsenal, and a fascist coming from a rogue colony we never heard before. 

He let out a big sigh.

Cutter: What this galaxy coming to?

Lasky (screen): We'll find out later. Right now, we must-

Suddenly, the alarm triggers on like someone is coming for them. Everyone is on high alert.

Cutter: What's happening?

Lasky (screen): We've got unknown ships coming out of nowhere and their weapons systems are pointing at us.

Cutter and Jerome look through the window to see large fleet of Fascist Romanusan Empire and small number of Banished frigate ships as they started to fire at Infinity and then Spirit of Fire.

Cutter: Get those fighters to get out there and fight those ships. Have turrets pointing at those ships. We're not going down without a fight. Isabel, will you with us?

She is hesitated, but seeing this situation she had to help these people so she won't make same mistake happening again in the Ark. She bring up a determined expression as she said.

Isabel: Yes sir. I'm with you.

Cutter: Good. Let's hope we'll survive in this galaxy. The last time we need is another intergalactic war against these hostile groups.