Slipspace, UNSC Infinity, Officers' Barracks

Captain's Office

Thomas Lasky wiped some sweat from his forehead as the various screens flickered off, as his briefing of UNSC Fleetcom had just finished. After sending the message (reluctantly) to ONI for additional analysis, Fleetcom had given the Infinity its newest mission.

Resupply at Earth, then uncover the source of the beacon and investigate possible first contact.

Lasky sighed as Roland appeared on his desk, with a cocked holographic eyebrow.

"How'd it go, sir?" the AI asked. "Fleetcom took it well?"

"As well as they could." Lasky said with some weak humor in his voice. "The Office of Naval Intelligence requested a copy of the beacon for further analysis. Plus, we might have first contact on our hands."

"As much as I'm thrilled to hear that…" Roland said. "I'm kind of worried...well, as worried as an AI can be."

"What's your feeling?" Lasky asked.

"I understand that we're under Contact Foxtrot protocols, but who's to say they're not going to have another war with whoever sent this?" Roland mused. "I mean, there's always a possibility they won't be friendly to the UNSC."

"That is true." the Captain replied. "Anything else to report?"

"Well, I do have good news." Roland smiled. "Palmer's favorite Spartans are waiting for us at Detroit Station. They've finished their R and R and additional training, and from what Crimson told me, they're ready to go when we are."

"I'm glad to hear it." Lasky said. "And also, Roland? It's Fireteam Crimson and Spartan McCord, but I understand where you got it from."

"Well, Spartan McCord does prefer that nickname." Roland smiled. "Anyway, resupply ships are waiting for us when we arrive at Earth."

"Good work, Roland." Lasky nodded. "I'll take it from here."

Roland gave a thumbs-up, and faded out. As Lasky felt the ship shudder from exiting Slipspace, he exited his office and headed to the bridge.

UNSC Infinity
Hangar Bay Alpha

Several Hours Later, Detroit Station

As several ships docked with the Infinity, carrying supplies and gear, a Pelican entered the hangar and set itself down. Four Spartan-IVs disembarked, each already wearing their armor and equipped with their weapons of choice.

"Is it great to be back, or what?" David Cross asked, gesturing at the hangar deck.

"You know it, David." Emily Hall replied, smiling. "I've always preferred being here."

"Why's that?" Laura Raines asked.

"I can't stand being out of the fight." Emily replied. "Feels like we're wasting time."

"Well, I see your point, Emm." Chris McCord replied, the leader of Fireteam Crimson. "Roland, you miss us at all?"

"As much as I could." Roland smiled, appearing on a terminal. "Captain Lasky's expecting you four on the bridge. We've got a mission from Fleetcom waiting as soon as we're resupplied."

"Good to hear." Chris smiled. "See you around, Roland."

As the AI nodded and faded out, the four Spartans headed to the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, a hand stopped them from shutting.

"Good to see you all." Commander Sarah Palmer said, entering the elevator. "How was R and R?"

"Detroit's as fine as ever." David replied. "We did a little community outreach while off-duty."

"Define that for me." Palmer raised a suspecting eyebrow. "That term usually comes from Majestic, and not in a good way."

"We did a little Q and A about our time on Requiem at Detroit University with a bunch of students considering joining up." Chris replied. "Nothing major, stayed with the things we could say freely. Nothing classified was given out."

"Good." Palmer replied. "So, you guys know what's going on?"

"Not a clue, just that Fleetcom has an assignment for us." Laura replied.

"That's right." Palmer said. "We received a Forerunner beacon sent directly at us about a day ago, while we were anchored on Titan. Problem is, the message was made from a mix of Forerunner Glyphs and what looked like primitive English. We're going to go find whoever sent it to us."

"Brilliant." Chris smiled. "I take it the brass wants us to be careful?"

"They made it clear that a second war is a no-go." Roland chimed in over the speakers. "Plus the ONI people that were decoding the message finally sent it back to us, only it's legible this time."

"What's it say?" Palmer asked.

"You'll like this." Roland replied. "It's a diplomatic overture from the inhabitants of a Forerunner Shield World. They've apparently been speaking with a Forerunner Monitor, and they'd very much like to meet us."

"Well, that's good news." Palmer said as the five of them entered the Bridge. "We all set, Captain?"

"All set on our end." Lasky said. "Spartan McCord, is your team prepared?"

"We're set." Chris replied.

"Good, because you'll be the tip of the spear. Once we arrive, you'll be inserting with ODSTs and marking a landing zone. Then, you find whoever sent that beacon to us and initiate first contact." Lasky spoke.

"Rules of engagement?" Chris asked.

"Weapons low and tight." Palmer replied. "We don't want any misunderstandings, if you get my meaning."

"We do." Chris replied, his fireteam nodding. As Lasky gave the order for a Slipspace jump, the Infinity launched into the blue vortex, disappearing without a trace.

====
Equestria, Canterlot

Forerunner Control Room

As Astute Sigil worked to direct the Sentinels and Monitors still at work in the city, he noticed a peculiar icon appear on a readout near him.

"Well, good news." he said to himself. "It seems the Reclaimers are on their way. They should arrive in about twelve hours…"

Then, a second icon appeared.

"Strange, very strange…" Sigil said with some surprise. "I didn't send the beacon to you, yet you are still entering Slipspace to this installation? Hmm...Alright. The more the merrier, as they say."

Sigil activated a few pieces of Forerunner technology in order to bring the unknown vessel towards the Shield World. Sigil made a few adjustments to the ship's Slipspace course, and nodded with approval.

"So, what next?" he asked himself. "How's the construction going on the southern side of the city?"

As Sigil continued to work and communicate with the dispatched Forerunner constructs, meanwhile and above ground, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were speaking with the press about the Constructs in the city.

"I will say again, these machines were activated to help rebuild our city from the earthquake." Celestia said. "They are controlled by a guest below ground, who has wished to remain in peace and undisturbed until a later time."

"We have met with this guest, and he is a being of peace." Luna continued. "The activation of his facility below Canterlot started the earthquake, and he is also sorry for any damage that occured."

"Does it have a name?" a voice asked.

"His name is Astute Sigil." Celestia said. "And he is quite knowledgeable about lands beyond Equestria and marvels that we could only dream of in many, many lifetimes. I again implore you to not disturb him while he prepares for an upcoming task of great importance. I now conclude this session of Court. Please depart when you are ready."

As the reporters left one by one, Luna frowned slightly.

"What is it?" Celestia asked.

"I wonder if there are any other species out there besides the Reclaimers that Sigil spoke of." the Lunar Princess replied. "There must be, right?"

"That could be possible." Celestia said as they returned to the Palace. "However, I have something that concerns me."

"And that is?"

"How will our allies take this discovery?" Celestia thought out loud. "The Dragons, Minotaurs, Griffons, Yaks, Crystal Ponies...even the Changelings, they will want to know what's going on when the Reclaimers arrive. We don't know how they'll react."

"True." Luna said. "Should I send a missive out to each species' representative here in Canterlot?"

"I think that's a good idea." Celestia nodded. "Let's do it late tonight so we don't arouse further suspicion among the citizens. And while we're at it, I will alert the Element Bearers to come as soon as possible. This will be a good learning experience for them, I believe."

As the two rulers went to their chambers to prepare, Celestia bid the sun to set over Equestria. The horizon turned into shades of red and then to darkness, as the moon began to rise at the request of Princess Luna.

Author's Note

Update!

And yes, another species from Equis is going to mean trouble for the Equestrians, Sigil, and the UNSC.