I Do Not Own Anything Halo Or Mass Effect, Just This Made Up Story ;)
By the way, I changed the time-line slightly, if you would like to go back and take a look. I added the Unggoy and also gave the Council a larger fleet. When I put the Systems Alliance fleet into council standards they were roughly even, now the Council has more numbers. Also the N7 group is not made, due to the fact they have many other special forces groups already. Enjoy :)
Codex
Systems Alliance Ship Classifications
Frigate – Measuring in between 490 meters and 535 metres in Length, 156 meters to 199 meters in Width and always 112 meters in Height. It sports a single MAC cannon, more powerful than Mass Effect based armaments. It also has 40 Archer Missile Pods ( 30 Missiles per pod ), 8 Point Defence Cannons. Its protection is 1 Meter of Titanium A Battle-Plates and Energy Shielding more powerful than Mass Effect based Kinetic Barriers. It carries up to 6 Longsword Fighters and Seraph Interceptors. These are usually used in patrols or 'Wolf-pack Flotillas' of up to 8 Frigates. These are the Scouting vessels and also used in support roles as well as main naval engagements.
Destroyer – Measuring in at 500 Meters in Length, 200 Meters in Width and 120 Meters in Height. These vessels are armed with 2 MAC's and up to 50 Archer Missile Pods ( 30 Missiles per Pod ) and also have 8 Point Defence Cannons. The Protection it has is 2 Meters of Titanium A Battle-Plates and Energy Shielding. It is solely used in Naval Engagements as it is used for supporting Cruisers and also Escort Missions.
Cruiser – Measuring in between 1150 Meters and 1200 Meters in Length, 290 Meters to 360 Meters in Width and 300 Meters in Height. They can have 1 or 2 MAC's depending on their Cruiser type. They have 80 Archer Missile Pods ( 30 Missiles per pod ), they also have 16 Point Defence Cannons and also carry a large supplement of Infantry, Aircraft and Ground Assault Vehicles. They also have up to 16 Longsword Fighters and Seraph Interceptors. Its protection consists of 2 Meters of Titanium A Battle-Plates and Energy Shielding Systems. These ships are the workhorse of the Systems Alliance Navy. These ships are the used at the head of fleets, mainly used in Naval engagements and can also used in Ground Support.
Carriers – Measuring in at 4000 Meters in Length, 500 Meters in Width and 500 Meters in Height. This vessels main armament is its Fighters, Interceptors and Bombers. It sports a single MAC for ship to ship combat. It also has 30 Point Defence Cannons to defend against boarding parties and other vessels. These vessels have up to 5 Meters of Titanium A Battle-Plates and also Energy Shielding. It can carry up to 300 Longsword Fighters and Seraph Interceptors. This vessel is usually the flagship of any fleet. It is used for Naval engagements mainly and Planetary Invasion through Aerial Bombardment, the vessel itself never enters a Planets atmosphere.
Dreadnought – Measuring in at 7000 Meters in Length, 800 Meters in Width and Height. It has 3 MAC's and 100 Point Defence Cannons alongside 200 Archer Missile Pods ( 30 Missiles per Pod ). its protection consists of 50 Meters of Titanium A Battle-Plates and Energy Shielding. It contains large amounts of every vehicle in use by the Systems Alliance Military alongside many Infantry Regiments. It also contains up to 100 Longsword Fighters and Seraph Interceptors. This vessel is used as the Arbiter of Naval Warfare but also capable of ground support. Only one has been constructed but another is scheduled to begin construction.
Comparison to Citadel Fleet – Systems Alliance Naval Capacity : 2000 Frigates, 2000 Destroyers, 1000 Cruisers, 50 Carriers and 1 Dreadnought in SA Specifications.
Citadel Council Naval Capacity : 6500 Frigates, 4000 Cruisers and 1000 Dreadnoughts in Council Specifications.
If the Systems Alliance ship numbers are converted into Council Ship Classifications their fleet is as follows. 4000 Frigates/Cruisers, 1000 Dreadnoughts, 50 Carriers and 1 Oversized Dreadnought. Even though the Council has a much larger fleet, the Systems Alliance has better technology.
Relay 314 System – Turian/Krogan Patrol Fleet
General Desolas Arterius is a Turian who has served a long time in the Military. He has fought against slavers and a few small wars and rebellions. He knows how things work in Council space and how and when to act. He is very loyal to the Council but always puts his species first. He was currently aboard the Dreadnought Indomitable, patrolling the system to ensure all is well, patrolling alongside his Krogan Counterpart who is known as Admiral Torsk. Admiral Torsk is a cunning and brutal tactician. Always preferring a straight on fight much like his Turian Counterpart. But unlike his Turian counterpart his brutality knows no bounds, his species has been called Brutal and Horrible for many reasons. The way they treat enemies and what they do to their prisoners. Krogan Brutality is Outmatched by none.
Their were rumours of pirates or slavers operating in the System and they were directed to investigate. The fleet consisted of 2 Dreadnoughts, 8 Cruisers and 16 Frigates. A mix of Turian and Krogan Forces. But the system was empty. Bar a few abandoned outposts on the only habitable planet. Said planet has been disputed for colonization rights between the Krogan, Batarians, Asari and Salarians.
General Arterius entered the Combat Information Centre or CIC on his ship, where he would command the Fleet he is in charge of. He walked up to the galaxy map and hit a few buttons. The Map changed from a view of the Galaxy to just one of the system in detail. It showed the star and its surrounding planets. The planets consisted of 2 planets in the habitable zone however both were desolate. There were also 2 large gas giants that were on the outer edge of the system. The mass relay was at the edge of the system, but it was dormant. Unable to be opened by law, a law that if broken means an immediate death sentence.
"What are the reports?" asked Desolas
One of the operators turned to Desolas.
"Sir, our scans show that whoever was in the system had left roughly a few days ago. The abandoned outposts still have signs of recent use." replied the Turian Operator
"Very well, keep up the standard procedure, get me Admiral Torsk on the line" ordered Desolas
The comms flared to life and a voice came over the speakers.
"General, what can I do for you?" asked a deep Krogan voice, clearly Admiral Torsk.
"Torsk, we will be sending men down to the planet. We shall both be searching the bases for any evidence of slavers or pirates. Understood?" informed Desolas
"Yes Desolas. My men are eager to fight. Send us the location and we shall be under-way. Maybe you Turians might learn a thing or two about warfare from us" quipped Torsk
"Well, If my men want to lose their brains to excessive head-butting I will point them in your direction" replied Desolas with laughter in his voice.
"Sir, we have a contact, unknown make and they just came out next to the Relay!" shouted the Turian Operator.
"What!? What are they doing?" asked Desolas
"Their activating the Relay sir! Its coming online now!" shouted the Operator
"Not on my watch, Torsk co-ordinate with my ships and help me deal with these newcomers. We cannot afford another Rachni war" ordered Desolas
"You always get me into some good fights don't you Desolas? Very well, lets show them the might of the Council" replied Torsk as he disengaged comms with Desolas
The tactical display showed the Alien ship turning to face the incoming vessels, it was the size of a Council Dreadnought. The ship seemed bulky, as if function was meant to be its design and not form. The ship was not giving of any element zero readings but was having large energy spikes from their Reactors.
"Sir, their readying weapons systems!" barked an Operator.
"Order all ships to target their Dreadnought. That Relay must not be opened!" barked Desolas
Desolas looked moved over to his ships Window so he could see it for himself. His Dreadnought and Torsk's were at the back of his fleet, next were the Cruisers and then the Frigates. The alien ships were beginning to take aim at separate targets, ready for battle.
"Open fire!" barked Desolas
Within seconds rounds had left each ships cannon in his fleet, aimed at the Alien Dreadnought. The rounds were hitting it's Kinetic Barriers which seemed strange because they should not have any without element zero and they were also stronger than normal barriers. They held if only slightly. Within moments the Alien ship opened fire. A single round left the Alien ships MAC and instantly 2 Cruisers were not transmitting signals to Desolas.
"Sir, the Orphus and Faeter are down! Their barriers couldn't hold against that vessels main gun!" shouted the Operator
"It cleaved down 2 ships in one shot!? Bring it down now!" barked Desolas
The Relay finally came online and was ready for usage. The Alien Dreadnought turned and began heading for it.
"Don't let it escape!" shouted Desolas
All of the ships under his command were firing as fast as they could, attempting to down the ship before it could leave. Rounds were hitting it but to no avail. The Alien Dreadnought used the relay and left.
"Dammit! Make a sweep for survivors and regroup by the Relay. We have to stop that vessel before it can warn its people. We have 5 minutes then we are heading through!" ordered Desolas
The comms flared to life.
"Desolas, seems that these newcomers have some powerful weaponry. Weaponry that the Krogan Empire is interested in." stated Torsk
"Yes, I saw. They also have an advanced barrier system. I think its best if we destroy the vessel and learn what we can. Before another Rachni war begins" stated Desolas
"Very well, on your order we will pursue" stated Torsk
"We have 4 minutes before we pursue, at which point they will fear us" stated Desolas
Torsk began laughing "I like the way you think Desolas, lets get to it"
The ships were getting as many survivors as they could from the 2 downed Cruisers before they pursued.
Onboard the Systems Alliance Cruiser – Right of Way
The ship had been discerning what the Relay was used for, for an hour or so. When the shipboard AI figured it out it recommended trying it. The request was sent and was given approval. The ship had readied itself and when it hit the relay it was in transit for no longer than a second before appearing in a whole new system. The ship was a solely Human controlled ship but nevertheless represented the SA. The Captain was eager to see what the relay could do and it was extraordinary.
"Martin, where are we?" asked the Captain to the Shipboard AI
The AI materialized "We are in a system approximately 50 light years away from the Shanxi system. We travelled that distance in less than a few seconds. Quite the journey if I do say so myself." replied Martin
"Hmm,get this other Relay online. We need to report this to HighCom. They will most definitely be interested in this discovery." stated the Captain
"Sending the activation signal now" replied Martin
A few moments of silence occurred before Martin spoke again.
"Captain, im picking up Unknown vessels in the system. Their converging on our location." stated Martin
"You know first contact protocols. Assume Hostility, I want the shields up and weapon systems online. How many vessels are their?"asked the Captain
"I would assume they are 2 Cruisers, 8 Frigates and 16 Corvettes. Quite the welcoming committee" stated Martin
"Im not gonna risk my crew unnecessarily, get the relay on and we will leave the system. Have they made any attempts to communicate?" asked the Captain
"No Captain. Their charging weapons!" exclaimed Martin
"Target 1 of their vessels and prepare to fire, do not fire unless fired upon. Is the Relay ready?" asked the Captain
"Nearly there Sir" replied Martin
The alien ships all began firing on his position. Rounds slammed into the shields and dissipated. His Cruiser then fired at one of their ships. The round cleaved through it and another vessel before stopping in its tracks.
"Report!" barked the Captain
"Shield holding at 50.5 %" replied Martin "Relay is online"
"Get us through that Relay, we need to alert the Shanxi defence Garrison." ordered the Captain
His ship began manoeuvring rapidly to escape. As the ships neared the Relay Martin spoke again.
"45%, 37%, 28%"
The tension rising as they hoped to escape before being damaged further.
"20%, 13%, 5% shield offline" stated Martin "Hull breach on decks 1 through 5"
"Seal appropriate bulkheads and prepare for transit" ordered the Captain
The Cruiser was losing atmosphere, the bulkheads rectified that though. The Relay shot out a blue line that looked like electricity that struck the Cruiser before it was propelled into the Shanxi system 50 light years away.
"Get me a line to General Williams. We need to alert Highcom" barked the Captain
"Long range communications offline, we need to get close for short range transmission" stated Martin
"Very well. Get us there" said the Captain
"They don't seem to be following us." stated Martin
"Oh, they will. I doubt they wanted to say hello with that attack." replied the Captain.
The vessel moved closer in system before the Alien vessels came through the Relay. At which point they closed in on the Right of Way.
"Dammit, can we get a line to the General now?" asked the Captain
"Yes sir, putting him on now" replied Martin
The screen flashed on, showing General Williams.
"Come in Right of Way, Do you read?" asked Williams
"Captain Koloway here, we are being tailed by hostile vessels do you copy!? Bring the ODP's online now and prep for Planetary assault!" barked the Captain
"Very well, bring your Cruiser over to help with the ODP's. Ordering evacuation to designated bunker sites. Sending a message to HighCom now. The earliest reinforcements will arrive is 1300 tomorrow, drop all available troops and equipment you have down planet-side. Wouldn't want them wasted in space now would we?" ordered Williams
"Their closing on my tail. Are the ODP's ready to fire?" asked Koloway
"Firing now, do not deviate from current course" replied Williams.
The only battle-cluster above Shanxi opened fire one after the other and begun loading the next shots. The Battle-Cluster consisted of 3 ODP's.
"One round hit its intended target. Enemy frigate down" stated Martin
The alien vessels began entering FTL to the other side of the ODP cluster. When they re-appeared they opened fire before the ODP's could turn to fire.
"Recommend deterring enemy ships!" declared Martin
The Right of way turned to suppress the enemy but to no avail. The alien ships were relentless and kept firing at their targets. The ODP's fell one by one under the sustained fire of the alien vessels. The alien vessels lost 3 more Corvettes from longsword fighter attacks and a shot from the Right of Way.
"ODP's are down" stated Martin "Alien vessels are targeting us!"
The Captain decided to do what all honourable Captains do in such a situation.
"Abandon ship. Martin plot a course into the Enemy formation!" declared the Captain
The ship began speeding towards the centre of the formation. Charging its MAC and firing its Point Defence Cannons at the enemy vessels. Escape pods were launching, heading to the planet below.
"Are the crew gone?" asked the Captain
"Yes sir" replied Martin "Shields are down and the enemy vessels are breaching the hull. We have a reactor leak, detonation imminent"
The Captain furrowed his brow, filled with determination. "Get us as close to the enemy Cruisers as possible. Its been an honour serving with you Martin" stated Koloway
"And I with you Sir. Im glad to die alongside a Creator" replied Martin "Impact imminent on enemy Cruiser"
The countdown reached 0 on the display. The Vessel collided with an alien Cruiser, damaging both severely. But before anything could happen next, the ships reactor reached critical and detonated beside it. Destroying the Right of Way alongside an Alien Cruiser. General Williams would have to hold out until the next day before a Battle-Group will arrive. The lives of the Civilians rest on his hands. The Alien Corvettes descended into the atmosphere of Shanxi, dropping troops to engage and pacify the colony. Longsword fighters were intercepting what they could, in an attempt to delay the enemy as much as possible before the Reinforcements arrive.
HighCom – The Ark SA Headquarters
The highest ranking Military leaders were present at the meeting bar the few who were to far away on patrol. All fleet Admirals of the Systems Alliance. They were all Human or Sangheili and all knew of what had begun at Shanxi. Fleet Admiral Hood gestured for everyone to sit after exchanging the salutes between one another.
"Alright, we received a transmission via slipspace Comms from the Shanxi Defence Garrison. The Cruiser Right of Way had proceeded with its activation of the Artefact now dubbed as a 'Relay'. They were met by enemy vessels that proceeded to engage them. Forced to retreat due to superior numbers they fell back to Shanxi and held there. Last report shows that the ODP's and the Cruiser were lost. The enemy has begun a planetary invasion." stated Hood
"What is the meaning of this attack?" asked Fleet Admiral Sesa Rufem
"We don't know. However we must retaliate swiftly. I propose that Fleet Admiral Harper lead the attack as it is a Human colony that was attacked. Are we in agreement?" asked Hood
Everyone nodded to acknowledge his suggestion.
"Very well, Harper you must leave immediately. All fleets are to be mobilized for the possibility of war" stated Hood "Get the message out to all other Officers in the Alliance. Full alert"
The group began running over the details while Fleet Admiral Harper left to board his ship. The invaders are in for a nasty surprise.