THS Indomitable, Arrae System, Minos Wasteland:
Dim lights of CIC did little to relieve the tension felt by Admiral Naedio Abutilus aboard THS Indomitable as he looked intently at several screens showing the research vessel approaching the anomaly. Indomitable was one of 37 Turian Dreadnoughts, the flagship of Turian 3rd fleet, now serving as guard to several research vessels, alongside its fleet.
The Anomaly was, as far as scientists speculated some sort of repulsion field in the gravity well of the systems sun, with roughly 3000 kilometers radius, it looked as if blue high preasure water was falling onto glass and spreading outwards, to the edges. It was first noticed 4 days ago by the local fleet, patrolling this usually worthless system. Appropriately names Minos Wasteland, the Turians gained the area during the Krogan rebellion. The planets were either too hot or too cold, and the cost of extracting resources was too high compared to potential profits. Now, eyes of the entire council were focused here, eagerly expecting any information.
"THS Indomitable, this is Innovation, distance to the anomaly is 11 kilometers and closing, seeking permission to launch probes" reported pilot of Innovation, a Salarian by the sound of it, nervousness clear in his voice
"Innovation, this is Indomitable, permission granted, please proceed" Answered Dr. Sanae, an Asari physicist currently aboard the Dreadnought to serve as a coordinator between the research team and their escort, her voice full of confidence, which seemed to have a reassuring effect on the Salarian
"Probes launched, engines disengaged, awaiting analysis results, Innovation out"
"Good work Innovation, keep us posted, Indomitable out"
She rose from the haptic interface and moved to join Naedio, obviously looking for someone to pass her time while awaiting results.
A few minutes later:
When the probes reached the anomaly it was as if a huge weight was lifted off of everyone's back, and Admiral Naedio could see a few scientists with their mood lightened, especially Dr. Sanae who now beamed at him
"Spectroscopy results negative, no unusual concentrations of chemical compounds, Gravimetric analysis shows lowered gravity is present in the area, but we detect no traces of element zero, how...?"
"Contact, contact, contact, multiple contacts detected approaching this system at FTL speeds" the VI aboard the Indomitable cut him off before he could finish his sentence.
Wasting no time, Admiral Naedio did what he did bests and sprung into action;
"Sound General quarters, 3rd fleet form up on me and head towards the Mass Relay, research vessels proceed to gather into a defensive position behind the frontline"
A thousand thoughts crossed his mind as alarms started sounding and crew rushed to their pre-determined positions and none of them were good. From pirates and Batarians, all the way to the Geth, this couldn't be good. There had to be a mole somewhere and...
His train of thoughts was interrupted by the pilot;
"Sir, the Mass Relay is inactive, no ships are using it for transit"
"Impossible, that would mean... Spirits, all Ships change course, battle formation towards the anomaly. Tell those damn Salarians to get out of there! VI, report on number of contacts detected"
"Analyzing. Sensors are currently detecting approximately 6000 contacts transiting into the system"
All color drained from Dr. Sanae's face as she heard the news. Had he been an Asari, the same might have happened to him, but only outward sign of distress was a barely detectable twitch of his mandibles as he received news.
What followed could only be described as a lightning storm as the anomaly started disgorging ships, every ship followed by a flash of light as it exited.
"By the Goddess!" Everyone could just watch in stunned silence as a 2 kilometer long Dreadnought slammed into the puny research vessel as it exited the FTL, instantly vaporizing the puny vessel, only evidence of contact being a short light blue flash as shields absorbed the impact. The same Dreadnought was followed by dozens of similar sized vessels, and hundreds upon hundreds of cruisers, frigates and corvettes.
The ships exited FTL in incredible order, creating a huge screen of ships lining up against the now inconsequential Turian fleet. A Turian within him respected that
Not moving his eyes from the screen Admiral Naedio proceeded to give orders, "Pilot, contact Palaven command, inform them of our situation and request immediate mobilization. We have what looks like an invasion fleet inside Turian space. Forward the same message to the council at once"
For minutes ships kept disgorging from the void and as if that wasn't enough a huge space station exited last, releasing an enormous shockwave that that almost completely drained the barriers on his vessels. The civilian research ships lacking the barriers weren't so lucky as the ships and crew within were tossed like driftwood on an angry sea. The previous mandible twitch turned into a proverbial jaw drop at the sight of such monstrosity.
A mobile space station? Or is it a ship? No, it can't be, impossible, he thought to himself
With the space station in place the anomaly disappeared.
"STATUS REPORT NOW! I want all information on the alien fleet this very instant! MOVE IT!
"Analyzing" announced the VI
The alien fleet was arrayed in a wedge of ships closely packed together, and the galaxy map was now replaced with a display showing information as it was processed by the shipboard computers and sensors
"I have detected 21 unique ship models counting the space station. I also detect numerous civilian vessels among Alien fleet. The total number of capital ships is 115; 116 with space station. The smallest ship in their fleet measures 85 meters with 1200 models
In front of him a ship model was displayed, a small vessel, larger than corvette but smaller than a frigate, shaped like a moth or a butterfly, with small central body and widely spread "wings"
"The most common vessel numbering at 2000 models is this"
The display showed another vessel, this time a frigate by the looks of it, measuring 350 meters, shaped like a two pronged spear with some sort of disk at the front and sides.
"VI, give me a full tactical analysis"
"Processing... Means of propulsion, unknown. Armament... unknown. Sensors are not detecting any element zero signatures within or around the ships. I detect no communication signals between the ships. Capabilities... unknown."
"Well that was useless" he spoke to no one in particular
"Try to initiate contact with them admiral" Dr Sanae spoke up, finally regaining her composure. "We should try to avoid conflict with unknown enemy at all cost. We don't know why they're here, maybe they are lost, or this could all be a misunderstanding. We have to try!"
"You're right, even if we wanted a fight, it is a fight we can't win. Not yet at least, it will take time for us to gather our forces. VI, try to initiate contact, send them a first contact protocol."
"Sending, please stand by. Data transfer error, no QEC receiver detected."
Does it ever end... "Send the package on all available frequencies"
"Data transfer error no receiver detected"
How can they have such spaceships without means of communication... "Contact commander Korvus, commander Vinius, and commander Haran. I also the STG to send their commander. I want them all in the war room within the hour. Dr. Sanae, I believe you will have to represent the Asari interests in this situation.
One hour later:
"Any changes?"
"No Admiral, their ships haven't opened any communication channels, nor have they moved at all. Its like they are in some sort of stasis field"
"Thank you Falvus, notify me as soon as there is any change in the situation. I will be in the war room."
Final salutes exchanged, he headed into the spacious war room, at the centre of which was an enormous wooden round table, with holographic display at the centre, and haptic interface in front of the seats. With 6 people in it now, it felt eerily empty.
"Admiral" *everyone gave him a salute, before taking their seats.*
"You know why we're all here, we need to come up with a plan what to do with the aliens. We tried contacting them but nothing is getting trough. They either don't use our technology, or lack it completely. On the upside they haven't made any moves towards us or towards leaving the system. Dr. Sanae here suggested a peaceful solution and I tend to agree with her view, at least until our reinforcements arrive. I would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions, starting with captain Zelaan"
A Salarian rose from his seat, average in every way imaginable, a man who would never stand out in a crowd, and cleared his throat before speaking
"Call it a cliche, but I believe we should send a shuttle and try to board one of the vessels. Our frigate has detected no activity on any of the enemy ships. It just might be that they are empty, drifting in space, perhaps ran by a VI?"
Dr. Sanae stood up; "If that is the case then this could be the greatest discovery since spaceflight for any of our species. Just think of what we can discover! I advise caution, but if we get no response we have to try. If they really are drifting who knows how long they will stay here. Even a single vessel could offer incredible insight"
She sat down as she finished speaking, only for elderly commander Korvus to rise up:
"I agree with both of them. We are at an impasse. We can't leave the system and lose the sight of them. We can't let them leave the system. And it is obvious they are not responding. Something is obviously wrong"
"Commander, you can't be serious!" the young commander Haran spoke out of his turn. If commander Korvus's eyes were anything to go by that act gained him no friend. "Have you all lost your sense of caution? You talk of discoveries in amazement, whereas that is exactly what worries me. This fleet is massive. If the crew is dead, whatever killed them could still be aboard. What if its a virus, or some plague? What if their ships are taken over by mad AI's who killed the crew? Or what if they are alive and just consider us unworthy of contact. Hell, they might just..."
"That's enough!" this time it was Korvus who interrupted Haran; "What's the next thing you will say, that the ship is flown by Rachni perhaps? They came to take their revenge? Captain Zelaan, how fast can you get your team ready for boarding?"
"Three hours is all we need"
This time it was Vinius's time to speak;
"This is a joint project, we should sent a join team onto the vessels. STG should not be the only ones to claim the glory" spoke the tongue, but deep down he knew it was actually mistrust that Salarians will share everything they uncover. Important things. Small things. Things that fit inside a pocket.
"The glory? Ah yes, Turians and their glory. So be it, we will start preparing the shuttles. Send us your team, four men will be enough. We will send the same number"
"Wait, you can't just send a Turian and Salarian team in and call it a joint mission. We are..."
"You are too few and lack combat training Dr. If we encounter any resistance you will be a burden that we..."
"And if you don't? What if you encounter aliens but are unable to communicate with them, and they find you rummaging trough their ship?"
"In that situation how exactly would you help?"
"Well... I could meld with them and gain an understanding of their language. And even if that fails I am still a formidable biotic in my own right."
"Fine, fine have it your way. Are we done here?"
Rising from his seat Admiral proceeded to grab 2 vials of alcohol from underneath the table and pour it into cups, offering them to all present, careful to pay attention to amino acid chirality;
"To this endeavor then. May Janara bless us with good fortune and spirit of the third fleet grant us strength if we need it. Hoke!"
"Hoke!"
THe Turians twitched their mandibles, as tradition demands, sending small droplets of alcohol across the room as offering to the spirits and departed the room. The STG captain left with them, leaving Dr. Sanae to mentally prepare for grand adventure...
Next up, the boarding team departs and enters the dead alien vessel. What secrets can they uncover and what knowledge will they gain? Tune in in the next chapter.
Spoiler alert: Fleet composition bellow, skip if you care for spoilers
Radiance Battleship = 30
Revelation Battlecruiser = 10
Progenitor Mothership = 20
Halcyon Carrier = 40
Rapture Battlecruiser = 5
Discord Battleship = 10
Coronata Titan = 1
Total capital = 115
Titan = 1
Acolyte Corvette = 1200
Seeker Vessel = 84
Disciple Vessel = 2000
Illuminator Vessel = 1000
Purge Vessel = 150
Defense Vessel = 300
Missionary Vessel = 250
Aeria Drone Host = 80
Iconus Guardian = 150
Domina Subjugator = 30
Destra Crusader = 500
Solanus Adjudicator = 120
Talion Savior = 15
Herald Envoy = 5