A/N: Hey here's the second chapter for The Three Empire's! Also you guys had good questions brought up excellent points and I would PM you all back if I could but I'm way too lazy to do that. Now there were a few questions that stood out and I'll answer them in A/N's or the story.
970910: The Reason why the SA, and Colonies aren't absorbed is quite simple the UNSC aren't war mongers even the Great Roman Empire only started wars where they were the victim or there ally was.(Course there's instances of lying but that's beside the point!) My point is just because they can do it doesn't mean they will and one other thing 30 billion plus people live in the 12 colonies, 10-15 billion live in the HSA that's a lot of people to control it's basically "Your more trouble than your worth" kind of scenario.
Also for the sake of combing 3 universes together I do have to make the galaxy bigger to where the UNSC and its territory is star wars terms controls the Outer Rim entirely and is extending into the Mid Rim. While the Council and Terminus hold the Core Worlds, Inner Rim, and has territory in the Mid Rim. And the Deep Core is still obviously Collector territory. And the 12 colonies of Kobol is on the border of Inner Rim and Mid Rim.
And before I forget I don't own Halo, Mass Effect, and BSG.
September, 27th 2711 Castor System
UNSC Phoenix-Class invasion barge The Triumph
Main Bridge
Vice-Admiral John Xavier a man of 143 years of age but with the appearance of someone in their late 20's. With Prophet Technology the Human race easily enjoys an 800-900 year life span. And with humans reaching into maturity at 18 years of age that gives the typical Human in UNSC space A LOT of time to master many skills and do many things in there long life times. Military being a mandatory one for everyone in UNSC space ranging from a short 3 year span of service to Reach's 25 years of mandatory service.
Vice-Admiral John Xavier stood at about 6'3 with black hair and brown eyes he was currently looking at the tactical map at the center of the bridge going over where to place his ship and escorts to protect the small dusty planet of New Erde-Tyrene. John thought back to how this all came about.
New Erde-Tyrene one of the newer colonies founded ten months ago and closer than any other colony to the center of the galaxy in what's been called the Mid Rim. New Erde-Tyrene holds a population of about 245,000 Humans, 30,000 Kig-Yar, and 110,000 Unggoy. 9 months ago it was quiet community of only about 10,000 humans and grunts with the biggest thing coming to their small colony the Human and Kig-Yar merchants. But with the UNSC pushing for more colonization inward and the discovery of a device which can only be described as a giant tuning fork this small little colony has jumped from 10,000 colonists to 385,000 thousand colonists.
The UNSC though has quarantined the tuning fork ONI theorizes from intense study that the tuning fork device is a transportation device of sorts describing it like "Someone building a highway across the galaxy." This news terrified High Command because of the fact almost 400,000 colonists are now at risk of an enemy by passing all there outer defenses, radar systems, and interdictor gravity wells designed to pull ships from SFTL.
So it was decided to send out a 3.5 km Phoenix Class-Invasion Barge The Triumph based off the original Phoenix Class-Colony Ships this ship has more weapons is 1 km longer and is boasted in being able to single handedly take entire worlds with little to no support. And her escort groups to make sure New Erde-Tyrene defenses we're prepared but not defend the colony that was left to the two 497.4 M Vanguard Class Destroyers. The Triumph's escort consisted of 8 cruisers two 1.17 km Halcyon Mark II's and four 1.192 km Marathon Mark III's each came with two 614 m Warrior Class Destroyers, four 535 m Paris Heavy Frigates, and a new type of ship two 517 m Daring Class Frigates. The Daring though the smallest supports a new experimental Energy projector developed by R&D to try to equip the weapon that once was only capable of being supported by a ship 1 km or longer bringing the total number of extreme long range weapons from ten to twelve for the 59 ship fleet. John was confident that the amount of fire power a modern 28th century UNSC Fleet could handle anything except a Forerunner fleet itself. The fleet did an in-system jump to the tuning fork and John took his seat.
"Ney activate the gate." John said to the podium next to his chair a blue light flickered on revealing Napoleonic general Michel Ney.
"Oui vice-amiral" Ney responded the center of the tuning fork then began to spin rapidly and a blue light started to brighten up as well John turned to Ney.
"So Ney what do you think will find on the other side?" John asked Ney just shrugged.
"Who knows this device isn't Forerunner too young but whatever it is hostile or not it's no match for the UNSC Vivat UNSC." John just smirked.
"And Long Live the UNSC to you as well."
The tuning fork finally finished doing whatever it was doing was now ready and safe for the 51 ship fleet to go through and they did.
Artemis Tau
Athens system
HSA/Colonial patrol (Mid-Battle)
SSV Cruiser Constantine
Bridge
Captain Avery Miller a man of African descent was not having a good day him his Berlin Class Cruiser Constantine and his escort four Hastings Class Frigates Berlin, Paris, Athena, and Rio had to do a joint patrol with a Colonial patrol of three Gunstars the Minerva, Neptune, and Sacred Scroll's with him put in command on paper this was supposed to be a quiet, boring patrol now it's turned into a fight for their lives when they entered the Artemis Tau. Who's ever idea it was to set up a colony so close to Kite's nest and the Harsa system the home system of the Batarians needs to be shot in Avery's opinion. But now wasn't the time to worry about that he had a battle to win in.
The enemy ships weren't pirates but mercenaries particularly of the Blood Pack variety 14 in all one cruiser and thirteen frigates had ambushed them destroying the frigate SSV Paris but the colonial frigates capable of carrying a complement Vipers quickly launched them along with his 12 F-61 Trident Fighters. The fighters especially the Vipers quickly launched missiles, and while not making it through the Gardian laser systems was enough to make the pirates back off giving the human joint fleet a chance to regroup.
"I want the Constantine to concentrate fire on that cruiser everyone else is free to pick a target and get me the colonial captain tell him he's nuke's free. And send a message back to Arcturus Station let them know that the Artemis Tau is under threat!"
The Constantine's crew quickly yelled out "yes sir's!" and got to work the Constantine quickly unloaded three rounds into the enemy cruiser a two generations out of date Batarian one and quickly brought down it's kinetic barriers with the first shot and destroying it in the second, the third shot just passed through the debris'. The Alliance frigates also scored 5 kills 3 for the Berlin and one each for the Athena and Rio the colonials took out 3 enemy frigates at the cost of the Neptune which went up in a huge explosion when it's FTL engine was destroyed by the engineers as per orders for all Colonial ships at least that's what the VI battle computer was telling Avery.
"Sir the Captain of the Minerva has just sent us confirmation nukes are prepped and ready for launch."
Avery nodded his head at the comm officer.
"Good have him launch at the remaining enemy ships I want them gone." The comm officer nodded and sent the orders to the Minerva and Sacred Scrolls.
Gunstar Minerva
Bridge
Captain Salazar Krios a man of 5'11 black hair and clean shaven making him look younger than the 44 was happy to finally be able to use his nuclear complement. Standard aboard all Colonial ships with the discovery of the Citadel Council and there severe aversion to nuclear weapons due to the Krogan rebellions Colonial captains have been having trouble with using them lately.
With Colonial officials stressing in each captain to not use them unless absolutely necessary and never near a habitable planet. Some higher ups are questioning if they should even continue using them to gain more favor with the Citadel this made Salazar cringe in disgust nukes while yes dangerous and shouldn't be used lightly still have a place in battles and he could think of many times just one well-placed nuke could do and save lives!
But luckily the captain of the Constantine had some sense and realized that if he committed his forces they're wouldn't be much left of at least the Alliance frigates. Colonial ships while sporting a mix of Kinetic barriers, and mass accelerator cannons still rely on the armor of their ships absorb the eezo fueled rounds and torpedo's and are even looking at co-operation with the Asari on a next-gen type of armor.
"Sir the nukes are prepped for launch we just need you to give the command." An officer said to Salazar.
Salazar nodded and turned to his first officer who nodded as well they both took off their necklaces which held the keys that both needed to be turned at the same time to allow the launch of nukes. And while such a procedure might be considered primitive in a modern society that gets everything done at the push of a button this procedure is still in use in the colonies to ensure no nukes are used by any one man and it also does give the Citadel Council comfort in a complicated system that needs to be followed before using any world destroying weapons.
"Ready Theo?" Salazar asked his first officer Theo who nodded.
"Ready when you are sir." Salazar and Theo then both turned the keys at the same time.
Seconds later dozens of missiles from the Minerva and Scrolls followed by four nuclear tipped missiles made its way to the five remaining pirate frigates. And while the gardian laser was able to stop the regular missiles it allowed the 4 nuclear ones to get close and detonate lighting up the space around the five frigates in a bright white light seconds later it was done all that was left was the small amount of twisted remains of the five blood pack frigates for a few seconds everyone went quiet for some this was the first time ever seeing a nuclear device going off.
Cheering though came seconds after from the fighters, and the ships the bridge aboard the Constantine was full of happy faces hugging each other on a job well done. Even Avery the overall commander of the patrol group smirked and shook his first officer's hand. Defeating a larger force that ambushed you would surely earn promotions, commendations, and other rewards. But just when Avery was going to give his next orders the ships naval flight officer yelled over everyone else.
"MORE SHIPS INCOMING!" making everyone stop cheering and to see what's going on.
What came out of FTL was 6 pirate cruisers, 7 destroyers, and 21 frigates who were preparing to fire on the entire patrol group. The patrol group tried to go towards the active relay and go FTL but the 7 destroyers blocked there path.
Cruiser Sword of Khar'Shan
Bridge
Charm knew he shouldn't have trusted those Blood Pack to do the job right it was a simple job attack the Alliance ships, damage the Colonial ones and capture the Colonial FTL But they couldn't even take out more than two of the ships one of them was a Colonial one which he explicably stated only to DAMAGE!
Charm like every other Batarian of notable wealth in the galaxy was eager to get their hands on the Colonials FTL engines with it the Batarians could use it and attack inner council space even make runs on the Citadel itself without having to go through the relays. For years now the Hegemony has been trying to get a Colonial FTL through any means but what do they have to show for it?
Nothing zip nada the Colonials kept construction of the ships and engines solely in the Cyrannus system. They had enacted a law while considered racist by everyone but was smart in only hiring humans who could prove there of Colonial birth and even then only Colonials born on high class worlds like Picon. Not to mention Colonial seen outside of their territory or council space was always rare. Catching them even harder the Colonials and Alliance are extremely secretive when it comes to joint patrols to keep situations like this from happening. Charm couldn't tell you how much the Hegemony has paid the Shadow Broker to finally dig up some dirt and pick an easy target with a Colonial ship in it.
Now he has two Colonial ships FTL's in his hands and trapped in a corner he couldn't let this opportunity pass him by or there'll be hell to pay that's for sure.
"Make sure to block there transit path and shoot any ships attempting to leave we don't need them going FTL to the relay and leaving the system."
The officer nodded and Charm observed one of the Alliance frigates stray too far from the main group and get blasted to pieces by the destroyers.
SSV Cruiser Constantine
Bridge
"DAMNIT" Avery was pissed they just lost the Berlin who got too far from far the Gunstars protection. Avery wasn't a fool he knew that these pirates were after the Colonial ships it's something every captain in the alliance is briefed on when doing joint patrols with the Colonials. That their alternate FTL systems attract many scavengers looking to make a fortune selling it to the highest bidder.
"We can't go to FTL and back to the relay those destroyers are blocking our path head for the inactive relay at least it will put some space between us." Avery ordered.
The Alliance/Colonial patrol quickly made an FTL to the inactive relay 117.
"Someone get me a line to the Minerva's captain." An officer nodded and a few seconds later the hologram of Salazar Krios came up.
"Yes Captain Miller?" Salazar asked.
"Captain my forces are prepared to make a final stand against the pirates here at the inactive relay as per the Adama protocol your ships are too use your FTL systems to leave the system or if unable to self-destruct." Avery told Salazar the protocol that all Colonial and Alliance officers are drilled into their heads.
The Adama protocol was founded in the early 2160's when a Colonial Defender class cruiser Argos almost found itself captured by pirates. Due to the three thousand plus strong navy of the 12 Colonies it wasn't until 2162 that every Colonial ship was outfitted with kinetic barriers and mass accelerator cannons. This meant that for some time Colonial ships were facing horrible odds against pirate ships and had to always be escorted by Alliance ships to help them. But Alliance ships weren't everywhere and the Argos was almost taken had not a Loki class heavy cruiser came and nuked the ship and quickly went FTL escaping. The captain of the heavy cruiser would have probably been executed had not Adama captain of the notable Battle Star Galactica defended the captain stating that losing their FTL to pirates would have been worse.
The captain was left off with a slap on the wrist and Adama had published a new protocol to the brass for approval the Emergency Priority Order 012131A-1 nick named the Adama protocol. The protocol called for the destruction of the ship's engine, and or ship and the securing of the ship's engineers by either escape pods, Vipers, Raptors, or if necessary death. This protocol while hated by the president and Quorum was passed pragmatism over human rights had to take precedent now a Colonial engineer has one of the highest paying jobs in the Colonial military easily surpassing the First Officers though the threat of execution to keep the secret of Colonial FTL out of enemy hands has probably something to do with that.
"Sorry captain but we can't go FTL again the core is too heated up take twenty minutes to cool down looks like were going with self-destruct." Salazar said grimly.
"Then it's been an honor captain Salazar." Avery told him knowing they were all dead.
"Hopefully we'll meet again the fields of Elysium." Salazar said waiting for the enemy to come which they did the Frigates forming on the sides in wolf pack formations. The destroyers forming the front with the cruisers behind them steadily advancing on them pushing them closer to the relay.
Just as the pirates were going to fire on the ships the relay behind the Alliance/Colonial ships began to activate.
"What the hell who activated the relay?" Avery said he was thinking of doing it himself but knowing that would just delay the inevitable not to mention if he did survive his career and life would be over anyways.
"No one sir the relay was getting activated on the other side!" said an officer at a terminal.
"Great so first contact species and they get to see the Batarians blowing us up to hell." Said one officer.
Cruiser Sword of Khar'Shan
Bridge
"What the hell did they turn on the relay?" Charm yelled at one of his officers.
"No sir the relay was activated on the other side." His officer told him.
"Alright then stop advancing can't risk pushing the Colonial ships
"Sir the pirate ships have stopped advancing it seems they're just as curious about what's to come out as well." Another officer said to him.
"Sir the Minerva, and Scrolls are prepared to self-destruct just waiting for the command and the Athena, and Rio are requesting orders." Another officer said to him.
But Avery couldn't think of anything they were trapped they couldn't move forward for obvious reasons it would just get closer to the guns of the pirates, they couldn't move back they would get smashed by whatever was coming out of the relay.
"Tell them to maintain position were stuck and there's nothing we can do about it but tell the Minerva and the Sacred Scrolls that if you have any Raptors or Vipers with FTL capability you better launch them now, but don't self-destruct until I order them too or my cruiser goes down." Avery ordered the crew got to work distributing his orders.
Avery turned back to look at the screen showing the relay's inner rings spinning up and what came out shocked him to no end. 50 cruiser size ships came from the relay followed by 8 dreadnaught size warships, but what came next shocked everyone even the Colonial captains and personal. What came out was a massive dreadnaught 3.5 km in length this ship had just destroyed the previous the five biggest known ships in the galaxy for the record of being the largest. Destiny Ascension, and the Battle Star's Galactica, Columbia, Athena, and Archeron.
"What the hell!" Avery yelled out loud when the VI told him the size of that ship.
Cruiser Sword of Khar'Shan
Bridge
"What the fuck is going on!" Charm yelled at his subordinates not liking how a fleet of cruisers and dreadnaughts just came from the relay.
"I don't know sir." One subordinate said fearfully knowing Charm could shoot him at any moment and no one would care.
"Well then explain to me how a fleet of fifty cruisers, eight dreadnaughts and one mega dreadnaught that's 3.5 kilometers long even exist!" He said angrily Charm didn't like surprises and now being out gunned tremendously isn't making him any happier.
"I don't know sir but we are picking up no eezo on those ships they're clearly a new species that achieved space flight." The Officer told to him Charm looked at him directly in the eyes all four of them.
"Sir the alien fleet has just sent us a message but I can't pick it up too garbled." Another officer said to him but Charm ignored him.
"No eezo absolutely none at all?" Charm said then grinned as an officer charged with the retrieval of a Colonial FTL he was forced to watch the naval portion of that war games the Alliance and Colonials had all those years ago to get a feel for their tactics. He saw what an outnumbered but technologically advanced fleet could do and it looks like he gets to do the same thing.
"Prepare the cannons to fire I want that fleet destroyed they don't have eezo so that means they must be some upstart race let's show them the power of the Hegemony!" He said grinning thinking not only would he get Colonial FTL's but a whole new race to conquer and make part of the Hegemony.
UNSC Phoenix-Class invasion barge The Triumph
Main Bridge
"Well this is certainly an awkward situation we found ourselves in vice-amiral" Ney said to John.
"Yes coming out of that tuning fork straight into a battle what's the situation and now the larger enemy force is aiming their guns at us wouldn't you say Ney?" John asked Ney nodded and brought up a hologram of the space around them.
The hologram showed the larger enemy force bunching close together so that they could perform a large volley of shots on his fleet.
"Well amiral our shields are at 100% and a first contact package was sent but it looks like they ignored it seems their more interested in fighting then talking." Ney said smirking.
"Charge the Energy projector and let's end this quick then." John ordered and Ney and the crew got to work preparing for a fight a quick one thanks to the energy projector though.
After the Human Covenant war the UNSC Infinity had one of the first experimental energy projectors now this weapon is a main armament on any UNSC ship over 2 km.
"Enemy projectiles incoming." One officer said.
102 small mass accelerated rounds flew from the pirate fleet as with all mass effect ships being able to quickly discharge 3 rounds before having to stop due to heat buildup and continuing would either cause recoil damage or burn everyone up inside.
The rounds made contact with over 40 hitting The Triumph itself but what shocked everybody was the blue hexagonal pattern shielding flaring up where the hits made their mark. This was what was being seen happening from all the ships in the UNSC fleet.
"Any casualties?" John asked.
"No sir though one of the frigates Joker took 7 shots and its shields are at 32% and the Destroyer Goeben took 5 its shields are at 83% besides from them all other ships are fine none of the escorts dipping under 95%." An officer told him.
"And our own shields?" John asked the officer smirked but Ney beat him to it.
"Around 88% amiral." Ney said and continued with.
"Sir the energy projectors on all ships are primed and ready for firing." John smiled.
"Ok then have the Triumph and the cruisers along with the Daring's to move forward and fire the energy projectors I want a wide burst not pencil thin and get our particle beams ready as well and destroy the bastards."
"Why move forward sir I mean we can get them from here?" Ney asked.
"I want to keep those other aliens alive for questioning besides Ney haven't you heard? 'The Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend.'" John said while his ship, his cruisers, and two frigates move forward quickly getting next to the Alliance/Colonial ships.
"Also prep an EMP blast and Ney see if you can hack into their computers take what you can and turn off there camera's and try to stay discreet Ney."
"With Pleasure vice-amiral." Ney saluted and his hologram disappeared
Cruiser Sword of Khar'Shan
Bridge
"WHAT THE HELL!" Charm screamed slamming his fist down on the galaxy map.
"HOW THE FUCK WERE THEY ABLE TO SHAKE OFF A FULL SALVO!" Charm kept screaming to no one in particular.
"SIR THE ENEMY SHIPS ARE POWERING UP THEY'RE PREPARING TO FIRE!" The officer said
Charm's eyes widened with horrid realization that he was doomed because he had bunched his ships so close together evasive maneuvers would be impossible. The tactic of grouping together to perform one huge salvo while effective in destroying ships makes you horribly vulnerable afterwards making it a tactic only to be performed when you can assure the enemies total destruction from it. Because if failed you just made yourself a sitting duck which the pirate fleet just did.
With Ney hacking into the Alliance/Colonial ships the 11 ships of the UNSC fired their energy projectors. The devastation was enormous all of the destroyers and cruisers were either caught in the blast or were sheared into pieces by being in proximity of it. The frigates had little chance as well there pathetic heat shields did little to stop the frigates from turning into giant ovens.
As soon as it started it was done when everyone from the UNSC ships to the Alliance/Colonial ones got a good look at what was left one side was surprised while the other looked on with a bored 'Been there done that sort of deal'.
The pirate ships or what was left of them were melted pieces of slag some pieces glowing white hot purple or red before quickly cooling down in the -270 Celsius vacuum of space. The frigates on the fringes of the formation didn't look that much better one that was still intact and didn't fly to pieces, explode, or just plain melt was plain black. Not painted black like the UNSC counterparts no this ship went from rust red to overcooked black.
UNSC Phoenix-Class invasion barge The Triumph
Main Bridge
"Well that's the end of them Ney how goes the hacking of our 'friends'." John asked Ney.
"Surprisingly easy sir they have some sort of construct but it's clearly not sentient in any sense of the word and there firewalls well if you can call them walls and not a line in the dirt are just as abysmal. Ney said.
"Really well what do we have Ney?" John said
"Well sir after reviewing their history these people are actually humans." This earned a surprised look from John.
"Humans…Ney are you sure you're not hitting rampancy?" John said seriously because even though Smart AI's can easily overcome that once severe problem the fact that Ney is saying these people are another space fairing human civilization certainly raises concerns over Ney's mind.
Ney just scowled at that John would insinuate he was going crazy.
"No sir my mind is perfectly still intact but after reviewing their history and bringing up our own it does actually make sense on how they came to be." Ney said John still not believing it asked.
"How so then Ney?" Ney's scowl got even deeper and he turned orange a clear sign that an AI was getting mad.
"There insurrectionists sir and if they're history is anything to go bye there ones who fled en-masse during the height of Vice-Admiral Preston Cole's campaign in the 2540's." Ney said going full red.
Now this raised red flags all over the bridge and with John. Shortly after the Human-Covenant war or Great War when colonies were being re-established and isolated colonies were being brought back into the fold a new colony world unregistered before or during the war was found. It turns out it was founded by a group of refugees from a glassed colony it was a small colony whose main defense was secrecy when a UNSC Frigate parked itself right above the colony the people were repatriated. This process was done a few more times on other worlds where refugees from the war made their homes most became part of the UNSC without a struggle too weak to fight back or just want the protection that the UNSC now offered and the benefits as well. Some did fight back but small refugee colonies were no match for the veteran legions of UNSC Marines, ODST, and other forces.
"Give me the information and get me into contact with HIGHCOM and send a copy of the data you've gotten from the ships to them immediately." John ordered quickly downloading all the info Ney had gotten from the ships and John downloading them through his neural link instantly learning all that there was.
John then closed his eyes and focused not a second later he was standing in an oval room surrounded by the men, woman, synthetics and Digihumans who lead the UNSC and her empire. While he's not really standing there with advancement in the neural links especially for commanding officers coupled with Ney John is able to contact anyone sharing his rank in the neural link or higher. (If he's allowed to communicate with them.)
"Vice-Admiral John Xavier we've all downloaded the data your orders are as followed observation this…Human Systems Alliance and 12 Colonies of Kobol aren't the typical refugee colonies with some militia men the first one has had almost 200 years to build up a sizeable force and establish themselves while the other if were to believe from the data is over 2,000 years old." Said a man to his right well not really a man more a blue ball hologram to his right a Digihuman.
Like there name says a Digihuman is well a human who went digital they abandoned their physical bodies to become pure information though it doesn't stop them from using a variety of platforms if necessary.
"Yes sir's" John saluted and just as quickly as he came his hologram disappeared. Which suited everyone just fine with a 1300 world empire to govern, and control alien population's quick, and informed decisions has become the norm in the UNSC.
SSV Cruiser Constantine
Bridge
"Did you see that?" One of the men at the terminals asked the man next to him who just nodded dumbly.
"Yep an entire pirate fleet wiped out in a few seconds." He said.
One of the officers not dumb struck by the display walked up to captain Miller.
"Umm sir orders?"
"Hail them and prep a first contact package." The bridge crew nodded their heads and quickly got back to work.
"Ugh sir there seems to be an issue we've established some contact but most of where were getting is garbled up their algorithms for communications are advanced more advanced than ours."
"Just try to isolate the signal and send the first contact package on all frequencies they
"Also have the Minerva's captain here as well we need to represent all of humanity to our new cousins." This earned Avery looks from everyone in the bridge he just smirked and pointed at the side of the large mega-dreadnaught which proudly displayed an imperialistic eagle and the words UNSC the Triumph. This made everyone blush in embarrassment for not being able to notice the huge English words written on the side of the biggest ship they've ever seen but then again you can hardly blame them not after that devastating show of power but still the idea that these were humans made everyone giddy with excitement.
Before making contact with the 12 Colonies of Kobol the concept of another Human civilization space fairing or not would be scoffed at by everyone in the HSA. But after the contact with the 12 Colonies and hearing of their origins now the idea of meeting other humanities may be considered small to non-existent but still possible after all no one really knows what became of the 13th tribe all those years ago. But more importantly anyone with an opinion on politics knows that another Humanity added to their own just means more power and trade for the HSA and 12 Colonies over the Council.
A hologram of the captain of the Minerva appeared soon after.
"Captain Miller." Krios saluted to the commanding officer finally being able to follow proper protocol.
"Captain Krios." Avery saluted back.
"So has our fellow Human saviors answered your hail yet?" Krios asked his hologram showing him eyeing something probably the mega-dreadnaught.
"Not yet there communications algorithms is making it hard to establish contact immediately but we should be able to adjust to pick them up soon and I see you realized there humans as well." John replied.
"Yes we can see from the big English words written on the side and what garbled transmissions we can pick up is pure English no translators so they can't be the 13th tribe." Krios replied.
Avery realized this as well that what they were picking up even garbled had some words in it that was pure English no translators, no variation from what the Alliance uses. Caprican the only other language outside of the Alliance list of languages that resembles English even has its own differences besides the obvious writing but also Caprican could be described as a mix of Ancient Athenian/Greek and English mixed together.
But this wasn't mixed or had any other variations this was pure English that only meant that these ships came from Earth! Avery just smiled at that and turned to his communications officer.
"Get me Arcturus command immediately and keep sending messages to the mega-dreadnaught." Who nodded and established a link to Arcturus the image that came up was the famous Vice-Admiral Steven Hackett Avery and Krios saluted the commanding officer immediately as his image came up but with Avery still smiling.
"Captain Miller, captain Krios I assume you're calling me because you were able to repel the pirate attack?" Hackett asked thinking that's why Avery was so happy.
"Well in any case my dreadnaught and 9 Alliance cruisers and 8 wolf packs along with a 2 BattleStars and their 15 Berzerk cruisers is coming to support you and secure the system." Hackett continued.
"Well sir we were able to repel the first wave of enemy pirates but a second wave came to reinforce them but that's not why we're calling the relay was activated." Avery responded.
"Explain Miller?" Hackett asked curious on why Avery was so happy if he didn't defeat the pirates and the fact that one of the most heavily enforced laws in Citadel space was just broken.
"We were able to handle the first wave of pirates but soon enemy reinforcements showed up and pushed us back to the inactive relay not allowing us to transit to FTL to the active relay sir." Avery explained Hackett nodded for him to continue.
"The relay then activated on the other side and what came out was a 59 ships all cruiser size or larger."
"First contact!?" Hackett exclaimed making contact with a space fairing species were rare and always had profound effects on galactic society.
"Somewhat sir but the ships and comm signals that were able to pick up are all in English sir." Avery said Hackett looked in though then looked at Krios.
"The mythical 13th tribe?" Krios shook his head.
"No its perfect English not even Caprican is that close to your language it could only mean one thing sir Earth ships." Avery said Hackett looked in deep though.
Unlike Avery who was an Earth Enthusiast a faction that's been around since the Colonials and Alliance made contact. Basically a bunch of people who share old Earth collections, and artifacts and even info if available. So it's no surprise Avery would hope these people were from Earth but Hackett isn't going to jump the gun just yet and declare these the people are from the HSA motherland. Then he remembered something important.
"Wait what do you mean what you were able to pick up?" Hackett asked.
"Well sir we haven't been able to pick up their transmission only garbled word." Avery explained.
Hackett didn't like the sound of that Alliance VI's are renowned for their abilities even able to talk with somebody with an old Earth ham radio. This meant these Humans had either very advanced technology or extremely alien design both didn't sound good if they turned out to be hostile.
"Keep trying to establish contact with them and if you can warn them of our arrival we don't need to surprise them Hackett out."
UNSC Phoenix-Class invasion barge The Triumph
Main Bridge
"So were just supposed to play nice and observe them?" Ney asked.
"Correct HIGHCOM wants us to observe them and see what we're dealing with." John responded to him.
"Also how are we coming along with turning there frequencies into something we can talk to with them and here their response Ney?" John asked while some garbled stuff was able to get through and the intent was obviously peaceful he'd like to know what they're saying without every half word being cut out.
"Harder than I thought if you want a comparison try getting your neural link to call one of Apple's old 22nd century iPhones." John winced at that comparison.
"That bad huh well keep at it I'm sure we can-"
"Sir more ships are incoming!" an officer yelled.
"What onscreen now!" John ordered.
The tactical map flickered on quickly and showed the entire Artemis Tau they quickly tracked the energy buildup of ships to another tuning fork device on the other end of the system. Out came 50 ships matching the largest ship and the smallest ones with the red arrow head shape. While 17 ships came out matching the two round head shaped ships and side pods.
"Clearly their reinforcements no doubt meant to handle that enemy force we just destroyed." Responded the officer who warned John of this fleet's arrival.
"They're sending out signals lots of them clearly our friends warned them of our inability to communicate at the moment." The officer told him.
"Ney how are you coming along in that being able to pick up their lower frequency?" John asked not afraid of being attack if the technology of the pirate fleet is anything to go on then these ships should only be slightly more powerful and if that's the case it wouldn't even be a fair fight.
"Almost there sir and…got it you're ready to communicate sir." Ney said.
"Good." John said then pressed a holographic button sending a transmission to the fleet of ships heading his way.
"Greetings this is Vice-Admiral John Xavier of the UNSC Phoenix-Class invasion barge The Triumph Representing the United Nations Space Command and her empire."