Upload Two
Author note.
Before I start, I'd like to apologise. At the time of writing this I have five reviews, three showing support, so to; Kevik70, RabidArmenian and R-A-B-G1 I would like to give thanks. Now on to the apology since Johnwolf234 and Laice made some very good points against my Fan-fiction and I completely see where they are coming from. Since this is my first fan-fiction, I do not expect this story to be amazing and am sorry that my skill in writing is lacking. As the two of them mentioned, I made the FoF fleet seem very weak at the end of Chapter One, which was not my intent. Hopefully this chapter makes up for that. As I stated before, this won't be a curb stomp, so please don't get too mad if I make Humans look weak at times. Anyway, I am sorry for upsetting two-fifths of those who reviewed and I hope that I will be able to deliver better content in the future.
…Oh, right, I should probably mention that I do not own either Arpeggio thingy nor the ME thingy, just for copyright issues. Forgot to say that in the first chapter but am too lazy to edit it in.
Theta System, Turian Hierarchy Dreadnought 'Might of Palaven' – 2nd July 2157.
"Yes, sir. The primitives were spotted decelerating at a dormant Relay in the Theta System. Before they began to do… something to the dormant Relay in question." Reported the captain, tone steady and eyes full of conviction. A man who truly believed his actions to be just, not that either General Haxius or Admiral Arterius were going to tell him otherwise. He continued, "We fired on them before they could activate it. A single ship escaped, however."
The three Turians stood alone in a briefing room, standing around a map of the local star cluster, the Theta System highlighted in the middle as the current location of Admiral Arterius's fleet.
Admiral Arterius arrived in-system an hour ago after receiving a request for reinforcements from the 73rd patrol flotilla. A fleet that had once numbered seventy-four was now whittled down to fifty-nine. Four ships had taken out fifteen of the Hierarchy's warships. An unacceptable insult, one that must be repaid in full. One hundred and seventy-two vessels at his command, more than enough to deal with a foolish race of primitives.
"Good, sounds like we have another race who thinks themselves above galactic law, ignorant of it or not, they will be punished." Admiral Arterius stated with a snort. His mandibles spreading wide in a grin, "Perhaps we can gain a new client race for the Hierarchy, while dishing out justice on these primitives. Were you able to track the ship back to its home system, Captain?"
"Yes, sir." Pride sneaking into his tone, "Judging from their predicted course, they came from this system." He pointed to an unexplored system on the three-dimensional map.
"Well, then." General Haxius said, a smile of his own forming, "Why don't we go get the Hierarchy a new client race? My troops are ready, Admiral."
"Yes, this will be a glorious day for the Hierarchy, a new client race and the punishing of foolish primitives. We will be heroes." Admiral Arterius activated the comm unit on the wall near him, "This is Admiral Arterius, patch me into the entire fleet."
"Go ahead, sir", came the brisk response.
"All ships, this is the Admiral. In few moments we will be laying in a course for the home system of a bunch of primitives who think themselves above galactic law. But we go into battle for more than just galactic law this day, we go into battle for the Hierarchy itself. To not only teach these primitives why you respect the law, but to bring them under Turian rule. Today, we get the Hierarchy a new client race. Remember this day men, for we will once again show the galaxy why you don't cross the Turian Hierarchy!" He allowed the words to sink in, before adding, "All ships set course for the Relay, let's go introduce ourselves to the natives." A smirk forming on his usually stern face.
Another client race, with this move, the Hierarchy will once again prove itself the foremost military force in the galaxy. If all goes well, not even the terminus systems will dare send pirates to enter council borders for a few months. 'As it should be', he thought, 'We are justice, after all'. His smirk only grew at that thought.
(A/N: Never been a fan of the Turians, they just generally seem far more arrogant than they have any right to be. That is not to say I'm pro Human or a Human supremacist, I think the Quarians are actually my favourite of all the races, but something about the Turians just bugs me)
Shanxi System, Shanxi Command, Capital City – 2nd July 2157.
"A Monday… it would be a Monday that the aliens choose to attack on." General Williams muttered under his breath, staring at the screen showing near two-hundred vessels that just appeared from the Shanxi-Theta Relay. One day. One day was all they had to prepare. When the science ship had returned and broadcast to the whole damn system what had happened in the Theta System, he thought the damn ship had gone mad… no, he hoped the ship had gone mad, but there they were, alien ships.
"Sir, the Fast battleship 'Haruna' is requesting permission to lead the defence forces in an interception of the alien forces." A comm tech called over his shoulder, barely taking his eyes off the screen, daring not miss even one line of information I fear of missing something important.
"Have the alien vessels detected them, yet?"
"Doubtful, sir." Came the immediate reply, "The defence fleet is on the far side of the system to the aliens."
Williams thought for a moment, "Then permission denied."
"Sir?" Confusion evident in his voice.
"Tell Haruna to lead the defence fleet out of the system and inform Arcturus that we are under attack, with luck the alien vessels will think that the ships they destroyed were all we had." He paused a moment before adding, "Our token defence fleet won't stand up against one-hundred and seventy-two ships, especially if they are as powerful as the sensor logs from the science ship showed."
"Understood, sir." A small pause, "Message away, sir. Haruna confirms and will comply, though… well, she was quite vocal of her disapproval and took a little convincing."
"She can be as vocal as she wants, I'm not throwing away lives in pointless actions, thirteen ships verses almost two-hundred? Suicide. Our only hope is reinforcements from the second fleet." A thought came to him, "Commander, how many combat trained Mental Models are on Shanxi?"
A commander, turning away from the report he was reading, looked at the General. "Seventeen registered, sir. All off-duty."
"Call them in, I don't care if you have to promise them triple pay. Something tells me those Mental Models will be just as valuable in the upcoming fight as a team of N7s, don't you agree, Anderson?"
Walking out of the shadowed corner, Anderson looked impressed. At first glance, he didn't seem like much. Heavy built, maybe, but just your average person. Appearances can be deceiving, however, Lieutenant Anderson of the N7 program was pretty famous throughout the Empire for his skill and actions in reducing the pirate threat in Imperial space. His skill was legendary. "You noticed me, eh?"
A nod was the only response from General Williams, still waiting for Anderson to answer the question he asked him.
After a short pause, Anderson sighed, "Yeah, Seventeen of 'em, huh? That'll be a pretty powerful team… or several damn effective hit an' run squads."
"Then you will be in charge of them, Lieutenant. Your mission will be to be a headache, cause the Aliens as much grief as possible; bomb supplies, ambush patrols, you know the drill. You have free reign; do as you see fit." Williams turned back to the map of the capital city before Anderson could argue. "Comms, how is the civilian evacuation coming along?"
"Seventy percent complete, sir." Another brisk response, perhaps the comms tech may be in for a promotion after this, a cool head in stressful situations is always praiseworthy. "Militia reports that it will be complete within the hour, sir."
"Understood. Good work." He turned back to the Commander. "All right, the aliens will get here within two hours, bring all planetary defences online and confirm all troops are in position. I want all planetary missile launchers loaded with corrosive torpedoes and to focus fire on any and all landing craft that the aliens may launch, all orbital launchers are to be loaded with vibration warheads and will target only ships that have their shields dropped by the Mass Accelerator orbital platforms. I want fighters loaded up with anti-fighter payloads only but arm the bombers with anti-ship ordinance, disruptor torpedoes would be preferable." The General sighed, 'If only we had some super-gravity cannon platforms'.
"Yes, sir." A short pause, "All companies are in position, with exception of the Militia who will enter positions once all civilians are in the bunkers, sir."
As Williams watched, the alien vessels drew closer and closer to Shanxi, nearly within optimal firing range of the orbital platforms. "All orbital defence stations are to deploy Klein Fields and lock targets". Leaning forward over the map, arms folded, General Williams muttered to himself. "Alright, their move."
Theta System, Turian Hierarchy Dreadnought 'Might of Palaven' – 2nd July 2157.
"Admiral, the primitive's world is dead ahead, their defence satellites will be within range in five minutes." The clear and calm voice of the tactical officer to his right, once again proving the discipline of the Turian Navy, not that anyone would doubt it.
"Good, raise shields and power weapons. All ships are to load anti-ship shells into their spinal launchers and prepare to lock targets on the nearest satellite." Admiral Arterius commanded.
"Sir? If one of those shells misses and hits the planet, the council will-" Started the tactical officer, shock evident on his face.
"The council aren't here." Raising his voice, he glared at the tactical officer as if daring him to respond, "Are you questioning the orders of your superior?" The council and their stupid laws. By the time the council find out, the Hierarchy will already have subdued these primitives.
"N-no, sir. Of c-course not, sir." The officer stammered, before turning back to his workstation.
Arterius glared at the back of the officer's head for a moment longer before turning back to his tactical display.
A few minutes later the tactical officer spoke again, "Sir, we're in range!"
The Admiral allowed a smile to cross his face as he uttered the word. The word that would bring about great change to not only the hierarchy, but the galaxy itself, not that he knew that at the time. "Fire".
The ship shuddered beneath him as the main guns of his dreadnought fired in tandem with the fleet, its rounds joining the hail of shells as they tore across the space between the Turian fleet and the satellites at barely a percentage of light-speed (A/N: Barely a percentage of light-speed may not sound like much, but if a slug hit an object at that speed, it would hit with the power of an atomic bomb!). Admiral Arterius watched in satisfaction as over half of the satellites were enveloped in fire as the momentary explosion, caused by the sheer kinetic energy hitting a stationary object, flashed bright. Yet another smile spreading across his mandibles.
That smile died on his lips as the explosions cleared… all satellites were… intact. Shouts like "Impossible", "Some had to be damaged" and "They must have been shielded" filled the bridge, before Turian discipline kicked back in.
Arterius was just about to order another barrage when his sensor officer reported, "Sir! Fighter craft heading towards us, coming out from behind the planets moon!"
Arterius didn't even have chance to order his own fighters intercept them before another shout came, this time from his tactical officer. "Orbital platforms are returning fire!"
"Launch fighters to intercept enemy fighters and order all ships to intensify forward shields. Evasive manoeuvres!" Arterius could do nothing but watch as the swarm of hundreds of enemy fighters engaged the few dozen of his own and as a barrage of slugs came streaking towards his fleet. He activated the internal comm system, "All hands brace for impact."
The Admiral was expecting the returned shots to hurt, but what he wasn't expecting was for his whole ship to shudder and for many of the bridge consoles to explode spectacularly in fountains of sparks. It was all he could do to hold onto the railing as many of his crew were thrown around like rag dolls.
"Damage report, fleet status, now!", he called as the shaking subsided.
"Shields down to thirty percent, several primary conduits have overloaded, now switching over to secondary and tertiary." Called an officer from the engineering station.
"Three corvettes destroyed, two more disabled. One frigate has had main power knocked offline. Seven ships reporting no shields!" came the response from comms.
Tactical, this time, "I'm seeing dozens of missile launches and those weapon platforms are lining up shots again, sir!"
"Impossible! How could the primitives have such powerful weaponry!" Shouted his XO.
"Doesn't matter, now. Give the command for all ships to fire at will, stay in formation. Their shields had to be drained from our first barrage." The Admiral turned to his private comm and activated it, "General Haxius, do you read me?"
"Yes, sir", Came with swift reply. "Feeling a lot of shaking here, sir. Everything alright?".
Arterius ignore the question, "General, launch all landing craft immediately, get your men on that planet, now!"
"Yes, sir. Launching."
Shanxi System, Shanxi Command, Capital City – 2nd July 2157.
"General, first volley reports a success against the alien fleet." The Commander reported, "A half dozen had their shields knocked out and three ships were destroyed. They are lining up shots for the next volley and orbital launchers have launched their vibration warheads at the shield-less ships. Impact in thirty seconds. Several of the alien projectiles hit the planet, sir, but they were miles from the nearest settlement."
General Williams grimaced. 'Three ships, out of one-hundred and seventy-two. With the drain their fire caused on the Klein fields, they will overwhelm the orbital grid before long'. "What is the status of our fighters?"
"Fighters are handling their fighters and we outnumber them in that regard, our bombers are making a push for their forward ships now, sir." He paused, while checking the readings, "Sir, enemy ships are launching what looks to be transports, they are heading for Shanxi with a small fighter escort, should we target them with the orbital platforms?"
Williams thought for a moment, "No, keep firing on the larger ships, we need to whittle down their fleet. Target the transports with the surface emplacements when they enter atmosphere, only."
"Yes, sir."
If they were going to win this battle, they needed to take out as much of the alien's space force as possible to reduce enemy supplies and firepower that they can use against the planet. Even with short notice, Shanxi was more than prepared for ground warfare, with the ground battalions having trained in urban warfare for situations like this. General Williams turned to face Anderson but smiled when he saw that Anderson was already gone. Likely to meet up with the Mental Models.
His smile died on his lips as he saw the ground emplacements open fire on the transports that were just beginning to enter the atmosphere. There were too many, far too many for their emplacements to take down before they got to the ground. Those transports looked big enough to hold a lot of men… or aliens, rather.
Pushing the doubts from his mind, he focused on the bigger picture. He had to keep fighting just long enough for reinforcements to get here. It was likely that the Empire would send the Second fleet, the fleet that was always kept on alert. The Second fleet, over a thousand of the Empire's finest ships led by the Fog Super Battleship 'Yamato' and the three veteran battleships; the 'Kongo', 'Bismarck' and the 'Hood'.
A grim smile flashed across the General's lips as he thought of what would happen when the Second Fleet arrived, but that was provided that they were still around to see it.
"Sir, the orbital defence stations are firing their second volley!"
As Williams watched on the tactical display all of the mass accelerator satellites fired in tandem at the approaching forces, the wave of projectiles shooting past their oncoming counterparts coming from the alien vessels that now appeared to be firing at will. The impact was less than he had hoped, the aliens knew how much of a punch they packed and were taking more intensive evasive actions to avoid them. Thirteen impacts were registered and Williams nodded in satisfaction as four enemy ships erupted into flame and several others began to drift. Once again, this launching of projectiles was followed by a stream of vibration warheads to tear the shield-less ships apart and tear them apart they did. Out of the one-hundred and seventy-two vessels, thirteen had now been destroyed. 'Only one-hundred and fifty-nine more to go'.
"Sir, we just lost two of the orbital MAC platforms!" The Commander reported over his shoulder, while typing out orders, furiously.
'Damn', so the Klein Fields were beginning to fail under the strain. This wasn't good. "What is the status of our bombers?"
"Bombers are encountering heavy anti-fighter resistance from the ships but will be beginning their bombing runs of the leading enemy vessels in t-minus thirty seconds, sir." The Commander smiled over his shoulder a moment, "Sir, we have mopped up the enemy fighters, our fighters are now moving in to reinforce the bombers and their surviving escorts."
Looking back at the tactical map, he saw with horror that dozens of alien transports were touching down within the city parks and at the city edge, soldiers beginning to pour from the, like a river. 'We didn't manage to take out as many as I hoped'. But, unknown to the aliens, the parks that they landed in where exactly where the General had predicted that they would try and capture as footholds. Biting back a smile, Williams turned to the Commander, "I think it's time we gave our new visitors a warm welcome, don't you?"
"Yes, Sir!", giving the order to spring the trap, the whole command room silently watched as the parks erupted into flame as explosives placed in the sewers under the parks detonated. With the explosion funnelled upwards towards the surface, the whole park and surrounding building were turned into one big, smoking crater.
Cheers erupted from everyone in the command centre. Everyone except General Williams, who merely muttered under his breath, "Alright, your move."
Author Note:
Well, it hasn't even been a day since I uploaded the first part, but I wanted to get out a second part as soon as I could so that I could clarify some things as well as get the story moving. I mentioned in the summary that Humanity were still weaker than the Turians and some have seen this as wrong since the anime 'Arpeggio of Blue Steel' showed some pretty powerful stuff on the Fog ships, I would like to apologies for my poor wording of that as I should have wrote that the Humans were more powerful one on one, but are still massively outnumbered by the Turians and those numbers are what makes the Turians stronger (Quality doesn't always beat quantity). We'll see how things change when the Second Fleet arrives… *Evil grin*
My second year of university starts next week and I have funeral to plan and sort out, so I may not be able to upload a third chapter for a week or two, but I will try! Anyhow, let me know how you think I did, so I can know whether you want me to continue. Many thanks if you have read this far, I appreciate any responses and look forward to writing for you all again!
