Halo: The Mantle Trilogy [Fan Fiction]

[M0aHerder]

Might change the title if I come up with something better, feel free to suggest something.

The year is 2661, on the Human calendar at least. It’s been just over a hundred years since Humanity discovered the Absolute Record. Since then, peace has been created from the ashes of the Human-Covenant War. Humanity formed an alliance with the Sangheili not long after the discovery of the Absolute Record, and it didn’t take long for other races to join this new alliance in hope of working together towards a common purpose. Together, these races chose to abolish their space command organizations in favor of the United Coalition of Planets (UCP). United, and with the help of the Janus Key, the various races of the UCP were able to further advance their technology at a greatly accelerated rate.

It wasn’t long before new sentient species were discovered, some of which also joined the UCP eventually. Thanks to the many portals scattered across the galaxy, the Ark became the headquarters of the UCP, both culturally and politically. Thanks to the joint efforts of the many species across the galaxy, the Halo Array has been permanently deactivated and no longer poses a threat. With no cure in sight, the Flood contained on the rings and other installations have been cleansed. The Halo Rings and Shield Worlds serve as colonies for the UCP, and the cultures in such locations have become extremely diverse.

But peace does not come free. Rebel groups opposed to the unity that the UCP has provided continue to fight. Some are motivated by religion, others by speciesist views and closed-mindedness. The exploration and seizure of Forerunner installations and artifacts has also made a number of enemies across the galaxy. But it may not be the enemies within the galaxy that pose the greatest threat to the UCP…

About the UCP:
Organizations:
-United Coalition Discovery Force
–Council of Research and Development
–Council of Galactic Exploration
–Other Councils
-United Coalition Security Force
–Army
–Navy
–Spartans (name may be changed)

Vehicles (names pending):
-Infantry Support
-Fast Attack
-Artillery
-Tank
-Powered Exoskeleton
-VTOL
-Heavy VTOL/Gunship
-Dropship
-Strike Fighter
-Bomber
-Open-frame Interceptor
-Heavy Fighter

Vessels:
-Corvette
-Frigate
-Destroyer
-Cruiser
-Carrier
-Prowler
-Command ship

Species:
-Human
-Sangheili
-Unggoy
-Kig-Yar
-Huragok
-Artificial Intelligence
-Lekgolo
-Jiralhanae
-Other species not native to the Orion Arm

Planning on a trilogy of game scripts right now, mostly to practice and help improve my writing skills (hopefully drawing as well), while also having quite a bit of fun. It’ll be a long while before all three scripts are completed, but I’ll post as I go.

I’d welcome any thoughts on what I have so far, including the vehicles (in case you were wondering why there isn’t much influence from Jiralhanae designs, or those of the other species of the galaxy, that would be because the UCP is still in its youth, and many species have just recently joined the group. Perhaps I’ll write up a history at some point). Those who have recently joined the UCP generally still use their own technology alongside that of the UCP.

To clarify on a few things that I’ve been asked about (will add more as necessary):

The UCP prefers to take apart Forerunner technology and apply what they can to their own vessels/vehicles/weapons (such as the Forerunner engines on Infinity). However, they do keep multiples of everything they find for further study/added security. While Forerunner technology is rarely used against the rebels due to the use of such advanced technology against such inferior enemies is considered unethical (much like using the Vulture against Innies was). Generally the use of Forerunner technology in warfare is saved for enemies who are close to/surpassing the technological level of the UCP.

Disagreements over ownership of Forerunner artifacts, cultural differences, and many other things have contributed to heightened tensions and occasionally small wars with other races with technology near/surpassing the UCP. The games scripts I plan won’t feature other alien civilizations all that much (save for the few that have joined the UCP), the conflict will mostly resolve around the rebels early on, and a much more deadly enemy later.

And I do plan on a few returning characters. I think you’ll all like who I plan to bring back.

[M0aHerder]

PROLOGUE

FADE FROM BLACK

EXT. THE ARK
The large arms of The Ark can be seen curling towards the blackness of space in the distance.

SUBTITLE:
The Ark, December 9th, 2665

PAN DOWN

The Citadel comes into view. It has been altered since the events of Halo 3, what was once a natural rocky area leading up to the entrance to the Citadel has been converted into an outdoor auditorium. The auditorium is packed full, and there are multiple people standing at the top of the ramp leading to the Citadel, which has been converted into a speaking platform. One of these people is standing in front of the others, overlooking the auditorium.

ZOOM INTO SPEAKING PLATFORM
The figure is recognizable as Catherine Halsey, though her face is made from Hardlight and her body is made from a simple yet beautiful display of metal. She has obviously lost her organic form. Behind her sit members of many different species, even some which have not been seen before. Halsey begins to speak.

HALSEY
Today, we celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the formation of the United Coalition of Planets. A century ago, the Sangeheili people and Humanity signed a treaty that would set the stage for a better galaxy.

FADE TO FLASHBACK

EXT. OUTER SPACE
Sangheilios can be seen down below, as well as a battle raging above the planet between the Arbiter’s forces and the Servants of Abiding Truth. The Arbiter’s forces are outmatched, but The UNSC Infinity comes into view and helps destroy the rebel ships.

HALSEY
When corruption and greed threatened the livelihood of both species, these once-enemies combined their forces to combat that which threatened them. And as they fought together, they stumbled together. Into peace.

EXT. VENEZIA
Insurrectionist and Covenant Remnant forces can be seen fighting with the UNSC in the streets. It is obvious that the UNSC is outmatched, but just as all hope seems to be lost for them the Arbiter’s forces appear and help to push back the rebels.

HALSEY
These two civilizations, who had been at war just 15 years prior, were able to find peace in a land where chaos ruled. United, they were able to bring order. But they were not the only ones who would lay the stepping stones for a better galaxy. The Unggoy and Kig-Yar would soon enter an alliance as well, setting aside centuries of rivalry in the pursuit of peace.

INT. MEETING HALL
Unggoy and Kig-Yar representatives can be seen signing the treaty.

HALSEY
The Forerunners returned from their galactic exile soon after, joining their Human brothers once more.

EXT. OUTER SPACE
Forerunner ships can be seen approaching Earth.

HALSEY
It would not take long for the United Coalition of Planets to reach out to the Unggoy/Kig-Yar alliance in hopes of the two groups merging into one. The UCP eventually grew to encompass a good majority of the galaxy, consisting of both species from the Orion Arm that Humanity had once been at war with, as well as new species that would be found as the UCP continued to explore, fueled by their discovery of the Absolute Record.

EXT. OUTER SPACE
Early UCP exploration ships can be seen approaching an alien fleet.

INT. UCP SHIP, BRIDGE
A representative of an alien species, the Colidor, can be seen on the viewscreen.

HALSEY
With the Absolute Record found and the Janus Key recovered, the UCP raced across the stars in order to secure the Forerunner technology that they had been bestowed before others could.

EXT. SHIELD WORLD
UCP ships can be seen approaching the Shield World, and it opening up to great them.

HALSEY
What hadn’t already been claimed by others would be researched and reverse-engineered by UCP scientists, advancing their technology by centuries.

INT. RESEARCH LAB
Scientists can be seen experimenting on relics and testing out new technologies.

HALSEY
The Halos were permanently deactivated, and with the Flood research centers on them not likely to produce a cure, we finally freed our galaxy from the ancient threat.

EXT. Flood Research Facility
A Halo Ring can be seen curving upwards in the distance, with Flood forms and matter covering the immediate area. In the sky a bright light can be seen growing, originating from a UCP ship. In a flash of blue light the glassing of the surface begins.

HALSEY
The galaxy was finally safe. But despite the peace and prosperity that the UCP has brought, there are those that opposed us, and continue to do so. Fueled by everything from xenophobic, religious, and hateful beliefs, these groups do everything in their power to impede our progress.

EXT. OUTER SPACE
Rebel ships can be seen attacking UCP ships, engulfing both fleets in a series of explosions. The UCP ships appear to be losing, before a Forerunner ship exits slipspace and devastates the rebel fleet.

EXT. THE CITADEL
Shot is focused on the speaking platform which HALSEY and the other leaders of the UCP are standing on.
ZOOM INTO HALEY’S FACE

HALSEY
But they will not be successful; we cannot allow them to be successful. For we must protect this galaxy from the chaos that once consumed it, and we must not allow it to be consumed again.

FADE TO BLACK