The Opened Way
Chapter 1
Call the StormForce Battalion Men!

Anboreas Galaxy
Time: 12:04 PM EST (Earth Standard Time)

The Two Blast Capper Cruisers drifted silently through space. The FlakBurner and Pumpshot were sent to investigate odd radiation readings coming from Sector 67. Normally 2 Cruisers would be with a bigger group, however Elysium High Command had been getting increasingly worried about encountering another race or races and felt best to send out a smaller force instead of a larger one. It was easy to tell that something was out there due to the odd radiation that did not match any known type.

********************

"We are in deep trouble." Commander Hijo'caa vas Dena thought.

The Quarians had been fleeing Citadel Space for nearly 20 years. After saving the Citadel Council the Quarians hoped to be able to make amends for the actions of the Geth…it didn't work. The Citadel Council voted that it was the Quarians themselves who faked a Geth attack…and ordered their destruction. Now the Turians had caught up with the Migrant Fleet once again.

"Sir! New Contacts appearing on scanners!" A junior officer reported

"Turians?" Commander Hijo'caa vas Dena queried.

"No sir…these are new. Sensors cannot get an active lock on them but what little we are getting show these ships to be over 700m long!" The junior officer replied

"Over 700 meters? KEELAH!" Commander Hijo'caa vas Dena yelled in shock.

********************

Both Commander Jar Crangia and Terg Barruin were in a state of semi-shock. They expected to encounter something…but not 2 different races battling it out.

"Sensors indicate they use the same weapons and put out that strange Radiation we've been detecting. Also scanners indicate the presence of non-combat vassals in the larger fleet." Robt Carn reported.

"Hmm…it could be possible that the larger fleet is fleeing from the smaller one due to the presence of non-combat ships. Commander Barruin what do you suggest we do?" Commander Crangia asked.

"Hard choice Jar. We could help them out…but then we risk war with a race we know nothing about. We also don't know whose the victim here. For all we know it could be the smaller fleet." Commander Barruin replied.

"SIRS! 3 of the non-combat ships have been hit by what appears to be a heavily accelerated projectile. All 3 ships were destroyed!" Robt Carn reported

"That settles it! We're helping the larger fleet! They're innocent until proven guilty! ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS!" Commander Crangia ordered.

********************

Time: 12:34 PM EST (Earth Standard Time)

The Human Cruisers slowly turned towards the Turians fleet who were too occupied with the Quarians to pay much attention to the new arrivals. They were completely caught off guard when the Human ships fired. 2 Massive yellow beams hit a frigate each and punched through them like paper, the beams continued on and damaged 3 cruisers. The Humans ships had closed into about 11km out.

Well within range for their ship sized SP-STABBERS and Shadower Launchers to begin firing. Heavy shells encased in magnetic energy crashed into the Kinetic barriers of the Turian Ships. The SP-STABBERS continued to pound on the barriers of the Kinetic Barriers finally the small Frigate shields collapsed and its armor wasn't able to stand up to the exotic munitions of the ISDF cruiser. Finally after destroying 24 Turians ships the Turians had enough of these upstart newcomers. The Turian Commander deployed 100 Frigates to get rid of the two Cruisers. This had the unexpected effect of giving the Quarian fleet some breathing room.

The Quarian Commander had been breathing hard as he saw the new race slaughter 24 Turian ships. While a small amount it gave the Quarians fleet some breathing room as the small amount of ships were destroyed. The 100 leaving to attack the newcomers also gave some much needed room for the Quarians. Only about 1/3rd of the remaining Quarian ships were functional ships of war.

"Sir! More Turian ships have arrived…THEY'RE DREADNOUGHTS! 6 OF THEM!" JOS Goo'co Vas Dena reported.

"6? SIX? It seems today is the end of the Quarian race…we are doomed." Commander Hijo'caa vas Dena thought in despair.

********************

Time: 1:24 PM EST (Earth Standard Time)

"Commander we have sustained a moderate amount of damage and sensors are showing that 6 massive ships have jumped in with energy readings far above any of the other ships out their. The 6 ships weapons are active as well sir and from what I'm getting from the sensors the once larger fleet is down to about 1/3rd of its strength." Robt Carn mentioned as he looked up from the sensor screen.

"6 more ships…1/3rd of its warships left and large amounts of non-combatant ships destroyed. Moderate damage to both our ships and out of the 100 that attacked us a good chunk remain. For such small ships they're very quick. That's it!" Commander Barruin thought.

"Robt! Send a message to Elysium High Command! Tell them we have another war on our hands and assemble the StormForce Battalion! We need all the firepower we can get!" Commander Barruin ordered.

"Are you sure sir? The StormForce is only used in dire problems!" Robt Carn replied.

"Yes I'm sure! For all we know those non-combatant ships are the only remaining civilians for that race! We are not going to let Genocide be committed on our watch!" Commander Barruin ordered.

"Roger that sir! Sending message!" Robt Carn answered.

"I hope this works!" Commander Barruin thought

Humanity had along ago mastered FTL communications and it was used very often. Many times they were used to report attacks by Covenant ships and mention odd anomalies. Asking for the StormForce was seen as a last resort. It was the secret battalion of the ISDF. It has only be called into service once and there was no record of any survivors.

To call for the StormForce was equal to calling for a WOA or War of Annihilation against the race that they were called up to fight. Commanders were trusted with the codes to call for the SF Battalion. Any Commander that misused this code faced Life in Prison or Death. They were regularly stationed at Elysium due to its importance to humanity. The SF is composed of 600 Blood Runners Patrol Frigates, 350 Blast Capper Cruisers, 190 StrongArm Battleships, 140 Junction Carriers, and 100 StormCaller Dreadnoughts.

********************

Location: Elysium
Distance from Current Battle: 89 Light Years
Time: 1:29 PM EST (Earth Standard Time)

"Sir! We're receiving a transmission from Commander Barruin!" Jacob Traynix yelled.

"Hmm? Commander Barruin? Very well lets see what he has too say." General Carmiago Cameron replied.

"Sending it to your desk now sir!" Jacob Traynix reported.

The General's eyes grew wide as he read the report. The 2 Cruisers and their commanders had stumbled onto a battle. At first they decided to possibly retreat and talk over what to do…those thoughts ended when they saw 3 non-combat ships destroyed ruthlessly by the other race. They decided to intervene and started to attack the smaller fleet. While against a good chunk of the ISDF's rules, it also made sense why they attacked the smaller fleet. Both their families and others were victims of genocide when France, Spain, and North Korea rebelled against the ISDF.

General Cameron got up and closed his door. Checking all areas of the room he opened a discrete computer situated on his desk that looked like a regular part of the desk. This was the only way Generals could contact the SF Battalion.

"You called General Cameron?"

"Yes I did Commander Lobas. 2 Cruisers have gotten caught in a massive battle between 2 races. They decided to attack the smaller fleet that had destroyed 3 non-combat ships. The report says that the larger fleet is down to 1/3rd of there amount of warships that the larger fleet had when the 2 cruisers jumped in. Apparently the Smaller fleet is intent on genocide and summoned reinforcements. 6 large ships jumped in using whatever their FTL system is and General Barruin has called for your Battalion." General Cameron explained.

"And your opinion? You should not make this decision lightly Commander." Commander Lobas replied.

"I'm authorizing it. The ISDF will never allow genocide to happen as it has in the past. I want the SF Battalion ready to go ASAP." General Cameron answered.

"Very well General. I shall ready the men. We of the StormForce Battalion will not allow genocide." Commander Lobas answered.

"Good luck Commander. General Cameron out."

********************

On board the Dreadnought StormCaller; Commander Lobas was preparing his men for action. Taken from Veterans of numerous battles, they were brought into the SF Battalion under absolute secrecy.

"Is everyone ready? All ships accounted for?" Commander Lobas asked his Captains.

There was a unanimous YES from all Captains.

"Very well. ATTENTION STORMFRONT BATTALION! PREPARE FOR FTL JUMP INTO BATTLE! EX OBSCURIS LUX! JUMP!" Commander Lobas ordered.

***********Author's Notes***************

If you need more information on whats going on in my head during the planning and working stages go to www (DOT) Factpiletopia (DOT) com/ viewtopic (DOT) php?f=14&t=1514

Just replace the (DOT) with a period and get rid of the spaces. You can find what ships look like and possibly a bit more info than what you would get from just reading. It also has faction pages. Constructive Criticism allowed.