It said half charge okay not full it was orginally meant to surprise them... or something.

btw thanks to all of you for the views and hope you enjoy

2580 June 11th a UNSC research fleet is attempting to activate a relay in the New Epsilon Novara sector. Jump completed and successful they are intercepted by an unknown fleet, the records of battle after contact:

/UNSC/CONFIDENTIAL/: RELAY NEW EPSILON NOVARA/

EYES ONLY

AI: SARA 5R4R Smart AI Recording…

(UNSC Military Standard Time 01:17)

Captain Jacob Reyes a man in his early twenties lean and strong built, with a look of confidence and determination and fatigue stood at the command bridge of his Frigate Autumn Leaves as they approached the same dark navy coloured object they had encountered in space some months back.

They had activated a relay within the Guliean Cluster, the ship had been slung shot thousands of light years within minutes, Jacob and his people were dumbfounded, once they had managed to return he reported his findings of the mysterious relays.

UNSC and Republic at first had been sceptical of such find until a proper team had been dispatched, though it was the first of many relays the UNSC and Republic decided for a more thorough investigation before trying to activate anymore relays.

It had been until a few months later when another four others in multiple sectors had been uncovered that an agreement was made for regulated jumps into new space, but due to high risks involved the UNSC made sure each jump had a small escort of ships to each new sector of space.

Jacob for his reputation had been commended for his discovery and was asked to scout out any other relays and to report each new sector he discovers, that is how he ended where he was.

He was soon to complete another survey of new space that would be soon open for access; the young man was still running the thoughts of what he would be accomplishing. "The day I ended as captain at this age would be like a dream for any ensign but here I am only in my twenties and the captain of a frigate and the fleet with it."

The UNSC had seen the astounding records of the young captain, Jacob had an impressive collection of commendations against pirates in the sector, even though his tactical superior maneuverers tend to nearly get his crew killed, he proved that he could do nearly impossible manoeuvres.

The fleet record had him for a discharge after his insane method of removing a terrorist threat on the UNSC command ship Judgement of Truth which had an entire board of Admirals who had witnessed the beautiful execution of his plan.

The Admirals were soon placed to have him removed or court martialled, but a twist of luck changed this, the Admirals decided not to waste his talents but instead gave him a choice.

The promotion to captain and continued service to the fleet or an honourable discharge and commendation from the fleet, the commander accepted the continued service to help pay for the damage but the admirals were thankful that and public view wanted him in the fleet because of his talents, the promotion of the hero of Haze was welcomed by all.

The view of space in the background of the relay made him wondered what other opportunities were to come, the galaxy was large but it was just another adventure for him and his crew, the recent events soon died down with brutes being severely forced back to the border and mop up pickets had finally stopped loyalists from entering UNSC space.

His efforts in Epsilon Novara had paid off with more colonies becoming habitable and new trade industries appearing, the only difference was there had been no action no new objectives either than research and activation of relays.

The bridge of his new ship was a buzz of the usual business, scientists scrambling about with calculations around operations officers and techs making sure all systems were functional and Sara buzzing in every so often out of boredom.

A tech officer reported. "Sir we completed final preparations, shall we go ahead sir?"

"You have my authorization, all hands prepare for jump in one minute and brace for deceleration." He finished saying as they ran the length of the relay. The sudden acceleration of the ship from normal sub-light to speeds unreachable in FTL slung them across space until they reached their destination moments later.

The light of the other suddenly activated as Jacob's fleet came rushing clear out of relays grasp.

The jump into the new region of space was cut short as his tactical officer alerted him. "Sir picking up multiple unknown signals on intercept course."

"What?" He looked at the sensors as they picked objects on approach to their fleet much faster than he liked, the sudden blaring of alerts told him otherwise, the crew horrified at what was occurring they were being targeted.

"All ships break orbit from relay and move into tactical formation delta, the non-combatants are to withdraw to Shanxi and alert UNSC High command, the Nostra-Liger and Verde Stalker are to provide support on either side."

"Begin MAC and set at half charge, the Vulture gunships are to be deployed if the unknown ships are hostile, if so begin deployment of fighters around the flanks then begin forward assault, we'll break their fleet formation and scatter them, but only on my orders."

The unknowns came in to view; the stretched wing spans of eagle frames distinguished them from the hexagonal and boxy matte black armoured frame of the UNSC vessels, the fleet had consisted of medium sized ships approximately half to third the size of their own frigates, the 15 vessels faced off with the 9 of theirs excluding all support gunships and research vessels.

The seconds etched away as tensions rose, Jacob tries to signal the opposing fleet with a standard first contact greeting, there came no response then suddenly the unknown fleet opened fire.

The Autumn took three rounds starboard, though the shields had been active one struck the hull at high impact knocking the crew sideways, Jacob thought. 'What the hell, their using smaller MACs against us, where did they get MAC tech?'

Sara alerted him. "Sir the Heath grow and Long Show were hit minor damages to starboard and aft plating, it seems our opponents have also MACs but are incapable of larger or more powerful rounds, but further analysis suggest..."

"Sera stop!" She paused. "Sera we need to win first before we try and analyse them while their trying to KILL us." He turned his attention back to his fleet.

"All ships initiate evasive maneuverers and fire at will, prepare for ship to ship combat." The 9 UNSC ships returned fire; the massive 300kg slug of tungsten shot out at 50% the speed of light, this was one of the last thing enemy crews saw a massive slug impact against their vessels.

The Dauntless Path fired her dual MAC capable of firing three repeated shots each, six slugs flew out and only four struck, though the damage was distinguishable, two enemy ships lost their starboard plating and one cut clean open from the bow, the last impacted against the engine of a cruiser completely obliterating the vessel.

The crew of the Autumn Leaves watched as the battle progressed; the flanking maneuverers caught the enemy fleet in a bad position as both sides began pincer in on the centre of their fleet forcing them to scatter.

Though the second volley from the opposing ships caught the Dauntless and Heath grow in the forward section forcing them to evade, another vessel Forever more a frigate was struck across both sections of plating disabling their reactor, and one to an area near the bridge, the ship only had back up generator keeping them afloat.

Sorry for the late update and please remember to critique