Flames of War

by ICHeart

The USF...founded in the ashes of the Great War has spent years rebuilding. They are inheritors of the Forerunners and are ready to take hold of the Mantel...but first they have to deal with another Galactic Superpower. However, dark forces gather as these two groups fight to gain control of the Galaxy.

4. Chapter 4

Yo! So I've had some extremely positive reviews considering Flames of War! I hope you all continue to enjoy the story no matter which direction the story heads in the future.

Now for a reminder I will be going into extreme detail on any character during this story, as it will focus on the politics, battles, and strategies employed by both sides. Then it will go into the Mass Effect games, but not focus on Shepard or the Chief during those times.

When the Reapers arrive you can expect some major battles as the USF will employ their full might to stop the Reapers, while the Council does what they can to just survive.

Now onto the Contact War!

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"That's quite a large fleet." Stated a human officer at the bridge of a fairly large USF Raven Class Stealth Cruiser. It was slightly smaller than a normal Cruiser, but was the first of a new model of stealth ships developed by the USF since the beginning of the war.

The war had reached a certain stagnant as the USF made some rapid gains against the Batarians in the opening stages, but now the Batarians were much more prepared for USF tactics.

Meanwhile the council seemed to be more than willing to sit back and gather it's strength as many outer colonies began to fall to the main fleets of the USF. Knowing that they didn't have the sheer number of ships needed to subdue the Council the USF had only attacked the fringe worlds where a large Council presence wasn't needed.

However, the USF wasn't going to just sit back on there lax policies forever. Already new ships were being built at advanced shipyards outfitted with Forerunner technology reverse engineered from the Forward Unto Dawn with a twist of human ingenuity.

The Raven Class Stealth Cruiser was one of the first ships to be built with the new technology. It's main weapons consisted of numerous hardlight cannons on its hull that could pound through nearly any other ship of it's side. Along with that point defense lasers and missile covered the ship to help engage at closer ranges. The ship was installed with the latest slipspace drives that made it one of the fastest ships in existence, but the most useful part was the way the slipspace portal masked it's own presence.

This particular ship had the important mission of locating the Quarian Migrant Fleet in Council Space and observing it until a small diplomatic fleet could be sent into the system. This particular mission had taken two weeks to find the fleet and another week just observing it while the diplomatic fleet traveled to their location.

"It seems the Qaurians are just about through with this system." Stated an ensign on the bridge as he stared at the 50,000 ship fleet. The ship had at first filled many of the sailors with awe, but now after seeing how patched up the fleet was made it seem as if it couldn't handle even a small USF fleet.

"Sir! We are getting a message from the 235th Battlegroup! They are in position and are asking if they are clear to proceed into the system?" called out a man working on the communications of the ship.

"Disengage the stealth system and broadcast on all available channels our intentions of having a meeting with their fleet." Ordered the captain as his crew began to disengage the ships stealth system.

Immediately the Migrant Fleet began to scatter in panic at the ship that had suddenly appeared within firing range of the fleet. What intelligence had claimed was the Heavy Fleet, moved to shield the rest of the fleet and the larger ships began to approach the Stealth Cruiser.

"Have they received the message?" asked the Captain as his comms officer kept laboring away at his position. It was obvious he was nervous as his eyes kept darting back and forth and sweat ran down his face.

"Captain! They are acquiring a lock as we speak? What should we do?" asked the weapons officer, but the Captain just raised his hand to stop the officer from talking.

"Do not send power to the weapons, all power is to be on the engines and shields. I don't want this to go sour due to them misinterpreting us, so continue to broadcast the message and establish contact with their Admiral." Stated the Captain as his crew nodded.

"Sir they have us surrounded, but they haven't fired upon us yet. I have em! They are establishing a connection to our ship now!" stated the comms officer as the captain smiled.

"Put em on the big screen!" ordered the captain as a large screen turned on to reveal four Qaurians all sitting at something along the lines of a podium.

"USF ship you are ordered to leave this system now or risk being fired upon! We do not wish to be associated with your people this close to Terminus Space." Stated a male Quarian who seemed to hold the most power at a time like this.

'This must be Admiral Han'Gerrel, he is exactly as I pictured him.' Thought the captain with a small smirk. "It is not our intentions to put your people at risk Admirals. The USF only wishes to secure peace for all people in the galaxy in the name of the Mantel. All that I ask is that you just talk to my superiors so that you can at least listen to what we have to say, you may like what you hear."

"I seriously doubt that! You USF may know a lot about us, but don't believe you are the only ones able to learn of the other species. We know how you rely upon the use of A.I.s to command you ships, how do we know that they will not turn on your orders and attack us if we allow you talk to us?" asked another male Quarian wearing a purple suit.

"Admiral Rael'Zorah has a point…we cannot in good conscious trust the A.I.s that you use. Our people have already suffered too much." Stated the only female admiral Shala'Raan added in.

"Don't be hasty now Admirals, perhaps it would be prudent to at least here what they have to say!" the last admiral Zaal'Koris stated what he believed was the right course of action.

"Are you mad? We have no idea what their intentions are!" yelled Gerrel angrily as Koris merely crossed his arms.

"There is no need for this violence Admirals, I have been instructed to let you see a few of the benefits the USF is going to allow to your people. One those happens to be a functional Slipspace engine for you use and experiment on if your people would like. Second, is a membership to the USF, but that is completely mandatory and will not be forced onto your people if you accept." Stated the captain as the four admirals began to debate among themselves.

The Captain knew that they would now at least hear his superiors out now. The chance of receiving a working slipspace engine was too good to pass up for a space faring people like the Quarians. However, the option to join the USF would surely get their attention too.

It took 15 minutes for the Quarian Admirals to finally respond to the Captain. Like he predicted they had agreed to allow the 235th Battlegroup to come in, but with strict orders to keep a safe distance away from the fleet. All the negotiations would take place on a Quarian ship designated for diplomatic missions.

"The Ambassador has agreed to all of your terms, now to make things clear the ambassador is a Sangheili so do not be intimidated by his appearance." Stated the Captain as the Quarian Shala'Raan nodded.

"We have already prepared for something along these lines…are there anything else we should know? Now to be clear we will not allow any A.I. onto our ships." Stated the Admiral as the Captain nodded.

"Yes, we had a feeling you would say that so we made it a point to turn all of them off for the time being. Okay my men are sending a message to the 235th Battlegroup now, they will be here momentarily." Stated the Captain as a large slipspace portal opened in the blackness of space.

From the portal shot out a 6 Frigates, 2 Cruisers, and a Reach Class Battleship. A small fleet compared to what the Quarians were fielding, but what the UNSC lacked in numbers was easily made up in quality and size. The Cruisers and the Battleship dwarfed everything the Quarians could field and while the Quarian ships looked as if they were falling apart, while the few UNSC ships were all dressed to kill with the best armor and weapons known to the Universe.

The small Battle Group took up positions around the small stealth Cruiser as the Quarian admirals could only stare in awe at the ships. "We await your ship Admirals." Stated the Captain as the broadcast was shut off.

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"Did you see their ships? They were massive and not even an ounce of element zero was detected on board! This may be our chance to finally retake Rannoch and eliminate the Geth!" exclaimed Rael'Zorah in excitement. He now finally had the chance to fulfill his promise to his daughter.

"Don't be hasty! These UNSC prove that it isn't impossible to coexist with the Geth! Maybe they can help us establish communication with the Geth again and negotiate a peace with them! Besides they may see your plan for the Geth to be genocide!" exclaimed Koris in horror at what Rael'Zorah was proposing.

"Koris is right, we can't be too hasty on this…even though I loathe to admit it. The UNSC proves that we can live with A.I.s in peace…maybe we should try to negotiate with them again." Added Shala'Raan to both Gerrel and Rael'Zorah's surprise.

"I can't believe I am hearing this! The Geth took our world and nearly killed our whole race in that damn war!" shouted Gerrel in anger.

"In a war that we started in order to kill every single one of them! What would you have done? You would've fought to preserve your life right? You forget that the Geth could've finished us, but decided not to…to this day we still don't know why! Maybe they didn't want to kill so many of us." Explained Koris as Gerrel scoffed, but Rael'Zorah had a thoughtful pose.

"We will discuss this later…for now let's get back to the meeting. Who will we send as our bodyguards and advisors?" stated Raan, getting them all back on schedule.

"I am bringing a marine by the name of Kal'Reeger. He is the exact personification of a Migrant Marine…hopefully he and his men will show that we can be useful fighters." Stated Gerrel as every admiral nodded.

"I would like to bring Tali as an advisor for us." Stated Rael'Zorah silently.

"What? She is far too young and naïve for something as important as this!" shouted Shala'Raan in surprise.

"I have already thought this through…she is scheduled to begin her pilgrimage soon, but why does it have to be in Council space? She can help us in showing these new people that our image in Council Space is incorrect and who knows what she can bring back!" argued Rael as both Kori and Gerrel nodded in agreement.

"That has plenty of merit to it…very well I will send for Tali this instant. Who knows she may replace you one day Rael if things continue the way they are." Joked Gerrel as every admiral chuckled at that.

"Get the shuttle ready, we have to make our way to the Yabba now." Stated the admirals as they stood up and left the bridge to make their way to the Yabba, the ship where the negotiations would take place.

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Tali'Zorah was having a very weird day. Sure it had started out normal enough, but now with the Migrant Fleet having taken evasive maneuvers when a USF ship was spotted. Next thing she knew she was to make her way to the Yabba with everything she was to bring on her pilgrimage.

"Tali'Zorah nar Neema reporting to the Yabba at Raal'Zorah's request." Stated Tali to a Quarian in a green environmental suit.

"Welcome to the Yabba, Tali'Zorah. The Admiralty Board is waiting for as we speak, they seem to be quite tense. Although, I'm not surprised considering the ships that the USF brought along for this meeting, one ship alone looks like it could take the fleet. Then they have warriors that can even put a Krogan to shame in battle, if things get dicey the fleet could be in a lot of trouble." Stated what Tali figured to be head of security on the Diplomatic Ship.

"Really? Even the Batarians have never attacked our fleet in force due the size of it. What makes these USF ships so different?" asked Tali innocently, but the Marine just chuckled.

"Come look out this window then…we aren't too far from their ships so now you can get a good look." Stated the Marine as he gestured to a window and was utterly surprised by what she could see.

The ships, in her opinion, were beautiful despite being robust and boxy they shined like a beacon in space with their boxy robust design that showed that they were made for combat in the most hazardous of wars. The one that had most of their attention though was the largest ship, it was larger than even the life ships of the Migrant Fleet and the other ships were all larger than the standard cruiser.

"They don't even use Ezio…I have no idea how they can run a ship that size without it, but I sure would like to find out! I did see a smaller ship earlier come into the system from some sort of portal, must've been one of their slipspace portals." Stated the Marine as Tali soaked all of this information in.

Sure she had heard all of this before as the Codex was filling up with as much information as it could on the USF and its species. However, there was much that people didn't know about these new races and the Quarians were in a position to learn more than any other.

"Well best not to keep the Admirals waiting!" stated the Marine as he gestured for Tali to follow him once more. It wasn't long before they were in the delegation room where the Admiralty Board was currently waiting.

"Tali! It is good to see you again Child!" exclaimed Shala'Raan as she embraced Tali in loving hug.

"You too Auntie Raan!" exclaimed Tali to her surrogate mother figure. Her father was to her Aunt's side with his arms crossed. "Father…is there a reason why I have been selected to be here today?"

"Yes Tali there is…now as you know the USF has requested a meeting for us to discuss future interactions between our people. Now we have no idea what they are planning on discussing, but what we have learned is that we may possibly be allowed a seat in the USF. However, the biggest thing we have learned is that if we accept their terms they will give us a fully functional slipspace drive." Stated her father as Tali stood flabbergasted at this piece of news.

"But what does this have to do with me?" asked Tali as Rael sighed in either annoyance or regret.

"You are to begin your pilgrimage in a few weeks, and as my daughter we can trust you to do what is right for the Fleet. So unless things turn hostile, you will be acting as a representative of us by being the first Quarian to have a pilgrimage in USF space." Stated Shala'Raan as Tali was shocked by that bombshell of information.

"But..." started Tali, but Shala'Raan interrupted her.

"It's okay Tali, we know it will be scary and there may not even be a chance they will accept. We have never dealt with these species before and therefore nothing may come from any of this. But think of the possibilities? Who knows what you could bring back to the fleet?" said Shala'Raan in awe at the possibilities.

"Your right…who knows this is a new journey for us. Maybe we could actually have some friends in the galaxy for once." Added Zaal'Koris in excitement as a detachment of marines entered the room.

"Admirals! The UNSC has two dropships docking in the hanger bay this very moment. I have marines already on standby, but I believe it would be more prudent if you were in attendance…not that it is my decision." Stated a marine professionally in a deep tone.

"Thank you Kal'Reeger! We will follow you this very instant." Stated Admiral Gerrel as the Admirals all stood up with Tali following their example.

They arrived at the hanger just as the two large dropships landed. As they landed the hanger sealed and began to decontaminate all bacteria and germs on the ships themselves.

Then the dropships ramps flew down opening the dropships cargo bay. Out of each came a contingent of men and women armed in some sort of green armor that covered only their most vital areas. Next followed 4 large figures in intimidating armor and large weapons carried on their backs. They easily stood as big as a Krogan and were even more intimidating with their helmets on.

Then came what could only be the leaders of the Human delegation brought on board of the ship. The one leading was dressed in a white ceremonial uniform decorated with a number of pins and ribbons. He looked young, or at least what the Quarians thought was young as his skin was smooth and his hair was dark brown.

He saw the Quarians looking at him and his troops through the window and smiled at them as the decontamination process began. Immediately though the four large robot looking guards brought their guns up to bear in alarm, but the leader of delegation immediately calmed them down before any harm could be done.

Soon the decontamination process was through and the USF delegation was allowed to exit the hanger bay. "Welcome to the Migrant Fleet! May this meeting bring prosperity between both our races!" stated Shala'Raan in a pleasant tone.

"Thank you for the hospitality of meeting with us in such a short amount of time! I am Rear Admiral Spruce of the USF 31st Fleet and may I say it is an honor to be brought aboard your ship. It sure is a beauty, isn't men? Well let's get this meeting under way, I'm sure you will love to hear what we have to say." Responded the Admiral merrily as the marines smirked at the Admirals energy.

The Quarians themselves were put off guard by how energetic this admiral seemed compared to what they were expecting. They had expected a rough grizzly sort of man from a species able to take on the Council and still win. This man had completely caught them all off guard…just like the USF had planned.

"Yes I'm sure we will, I am Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Kwib Kwib leader of Civilian Fleet." Introduced Koris as he lead the delegation to the negotiation room. Little did he know that a few of the marines were chuckling at his name.

"Kwib Kwib?" asked Rear Admiral Spruce in surprise at such a weird name.

"That's a story for another time." Stated another admiral interrupting Koris before he could go on his story. "I am Admiral Han'Gerrel of the Heavy Fleet and the primary arm of our defense."

"How about the rest of you? It would be nice to know your names so I do not look like a total fool in the future." Stated Spruce as the remaining Admirals introduced themselves.

"And what of you?" asked Spruce as he looked at the clearly nervous Tali'Zorah.

"What? Me?" she asked as she began to wring her hands together.

"She is my daughter Tali'Zorah, she will be sitting in on this meeting to prepare her for the future." Stated Raal'Zorah coming to his daughters rescue.

"Interesting I wasn't aware that your admiralty board was based upon who your parents were." Stated Spruce in slight concern.

"Don't worry Admiral. Each Admiral must prove themselves before they can be nominated in our race. Tali here is perhaps one of the greatest minds our people have ever have. When she was four she created small drone capable of entering FTL with just a few scraps and a small amount of Eezio." Stated Shala'Raan, coming to Tali's defence.

"Wow is that true?" asked the Admiral to Tali, who could only nod due to how nervous she was. It wasn't just the stare of the Admiral that was making her nervous though, it was also the hulking being that was walking right beside her in white armor and dark blue designs on it.

"Impressive. I wonder what you'd be able to do with a slipspace engine." Stated the large being from beside her in a deep voice making her jump in surprise.

"Indeed she would Commander! I'm actually quite interested to see what one such as yourself is capable of!" exclaimed Admiral Spruce as the Quarian Admiralty board was smiling under their helmets.

Soon both parties were seated at a large circular table with their guards all standing at the ready just incase negotiations went sour. "I'm not going to sugarcoat these negotiations Admirals. I will lay out what we would like from you and then I will tell you what we plan to offer to you in exchange. Then you can debate any fine details when I am through." Stated Spruce as the Admiralty board nodded.

"That is acceptable…what would you like from our people?" asked Han'Gerrel.

"I request on behalf of the USF and all it's species that the Quarians remain at least neutral in all further conflicts between the USF and any Council Race. Second, we would like to ask for tactical and scientific advise in concern to the use of Mass Effect technology. Last, any and all information that your species has on the Geth as their creators." Stated Admiral as the Quarians smiled at the fact that the USF had taken an interest in the Geth, hopefully one that would result in the Geth being destroyed.

"We are prepared to offer your species an invitation to the USF as a full race able to take an active role in our government. Before you ask, the USF does not believe the Council was in the right when they turned their backs on your species when you attempted to attempt genocide on the Geth." Said Admiral Spruce before he was interrupted by an angry Admiral Gerrel.

"What! Attempted genocide? The Geth rebelled against us their creators when we attempted to deactivate the Geth to prevent them from becoming AIs! They had no right to resist us in the manner they did!" yelled the Admiral in anger, but it wasn't Admiral Spruce that answered but Admiral Koris.

"And what would you had done if they had been the creators and we had been the created? Would you have fought for your survival Admiral?" asked Korris in anger at the man.

"There's a difference though! We are alive while the Geth aren't!" retorted Admiral Zorah.

"What defines something as being alive?" stated the large soldier that had talked earlier.

"What was that soldier?" asked Gerrel in slight aggravation.

"What do you define as being alive? The human race was once pushed to the brink of extinction not too long ago by those we call our allies now. That war would've resulted in the death of our race if it wasn't for our AI brothers and sisters. More than a thousand times did an AI give it's life to ensure that my race could survive when they could've easily have betrayed us, but not once did they and our people are alive because of them." Stated the soldier in his deep voice, making ever Quarian in the room quiet down at them.

"The Geth rebellion resulted in the deaths of 7.3 Billion Quarians! You would never be able to understand!" argued Gerrel as Spruce suddenly looked extremely angry.

"Our race lost over 30 billion and 543 planets to those that I would now gladly trust with my life. Your people attempted to commit genocide against a race that was only starting to realize what life truly was…what would you have done in their place?" asked the Admiral as all the Quarians in the room suddenly looked ashamed of their actions." Stated the Admiral in a quiet, but fierce voice.

"Your right…" stated the most unlikely person in the room, Tali'Zorah. "We tried to kill them all…so they defended themselves."

"Tali…" warned Admiral Zorah, but Tali just glared at him through her mask.

"No Father! They are right and you know it! If our ancestors had only thought things through than Rannoch could still be our home!" she cried out in anger as the USF personal looked at her sadly.

The soldiers who had fought in the Human/Covenant War knew exactly how she had felt. Many of them had been on earth during the final battle and knew the feeling of loosing one's home.

"We can come to this another time…let's continue, shall we?" offered Shala'Raan as everyone agreed.

"Okay as I said before, as a member of the USF an attack or offense committed against your race is considered an attack against all of us and we will defend you to our fullest capabilities. Now if you accept our admission to the USF then your race will have full access to our technology and any planet that is based upon your DNA structure which is actually quite a few." Stated Admiral Spruce as a few of the Quarians perked up at this information.

"Next our species consist of some of the best genetic therapist in the world. If it would be possible we are willing to assist your species in strengthening your species immune systems to live on said planets. The rest of the details have already been transferred to your Omni-Tools in a detailed data packet." Explained the Admiral as they admirals began to debate amongst themselves.

"We just have three questions before we will conclude this meeting. First, will we be required in fighting in this war at all? Second, what are your plans concerning the Geth. Last, we would like a member of our race to live amongst some of your species to get a feel for what the USF exactly is." Asked Shala'Raan as the Admiral nodded.

"We do not expect your species to fight in this coming war as your people have already been weakened. Last, the plans concerning the Geth actually required us to have one of your people come with us as an ambassador for the Geth as we were going to meet them above Rannoch when we were done here. Is Mrs. Tali'Zorah here the Quarian you were planning on sending, because I believe we can accomadate for her." Stated the Admiral as the Admiralty Board nodded.

"How does that sound to you Mrs. Tali'Zorah?" asked the Admiral as Tali nodded.

"I would like to see our peoples home." Stated Tali.

"Excellent! Pack your things Mrs. Zorah like food and the likes for no species in the USF is Dextro Amino Based! We will be in your system for the next two days, we await your answer before we leave." Stated the Admiral as he began to leave with his guard.

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"How did it go Admiral Spruce?" asked Lord Hood from a Holo Projector.

"I believe that the Quarians will be accepting our offer Lord Hood. The offer is a better deal than what they have ever been accustomed to in the past." Stated Admiral Spruce as Lord Hood smiled. "Sir how are we to make it to Geth Space past all the Council blockades at some of the Major Relays?"

"Do not worry…we have located the location of a major base of operations for the Council. The fleets are already mobilizing and will be attacking before you leave. This should have the council recall all their ships between you and Geth space." Stated Lord Hood as Spruce nodded.

"What of the conquest of Batarian space?" asked Spruce.

"Yes, the Batarians." Snarled Hood. "We have encountered a small fleet of Batarian ships claiming to wish to help us free their citizens from the controlling Batarian government. Through them we have learned that Batarians that favor the slavery polices only make up their core worlds consisting of 20 planets while the rest wish to see the end of the slave trade. Our new strategy is to put this group of people in Charge of their people through isolating the slave planets from the others. As things are the Batarian ruling government will be overthrown in just a few months." Stated Lord Hood as Admiral Spruce nodded.

"Very well Sir! Hopefully the Geth will not be hostile like the Quarians believe." Stated Spruce as Hood nodded.

"Indeed." Ended Hood.

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The 41st Fleet was a smaller fleet consisting of mostly Unngoy and Yanme'e with a few Sangheili troops for leading some of the units, but the Unngoy and Yanme'e were still in charge. This fleet was only in the system due to both species demanding to help fight as they saw it as an honor now to fight alongside Humanity whenever they could.

It was a smaller fleet with only 1 Assault Carrier, 5 Cruisers, 2 Destroyers, 7 Frigates, and 8 Corvettes with most of them being of Unngoy design. They had really changed themselves since the end of the war with becoming mainly engineers instead of fodder like they had used to be.

The Unngoy now manufactured 70% of all ships used by the former Covenant species. Many humans joked that if the Unngoy had been doing something like that during the war then the humans' would've been overrun in just a few days by the never ending supply of ships.

Control of the fleet itself fell under the command of a Unngoy Fleet Admiral, the first of his kind, Admiral Nomnom. He had seen fighting on Installation 00 alongside the Arbiter during the Great Schism and the Invasion of Balaho by the wretched Kig-Yar. During the Invasion of Balaho Nomnom took control of the few ships defending the planet and skillfully directed them to a major victory against a much stronger Kig-Yar fleet, saving the Unngoy Homeworld from glassing.

Now he had been put in command of his largest fleet to date and a large army of Unngoy and Yanme'e to assault a Turian industrial planet on the fringe of their space.

"Fleet Admiral! We are going to be exiting slipspace in one minute!" squeaked out a Unngoy Ultra as we walked up to the Admiral.

"Have all ships charge their weapons and raise shields. I would like to offer them a chance to surrender, but if they refuse I would also like to be ready." Said the Admiral in squeaky, but still deeper than any others voice.

"It will done, Admiral!" answered the Ultra as he waddled off.

"Are the fighters and dropships prepped? I want all drop zones taken as quickly as possible. Scarabs and other heavy weapons will be dropped as soon as they are taken." Ordered the Admiral as a Major nodded and went off to relay said order.

"Exiting slipspace in 5…4…3…2…1…mark!" stated the helmsmen as the ship gave a sudden lurch to exiting the portal.

"Sir! We have dropped right outside the range of their fleet! I'm counting 42 ships in orbit and numerous other defense platforms surrounding the planet and it's surface!" called out the sensors officer.

"Get me communications!" called out Admiral Nomnom.

"They are receiving the message, putting the Turian Admiral on now!" stated the comms officer as a visual of the Turian Admiral appeared on screen.

"Greetings! I am Admiral Nomnom of the USF 41st fleet! Power down all weapons and surrender or I will be forced to lay siege to your planet! If you comply none on the planet who do not resist will not be harmed!" declared the Admiral in the most noble voice he could muster.

"Is this a joke? I was expecting something more than this!" laughed the Turian Admiral in amusement as he looked at Admiral Nomnom. "I have seen Volus more fierce some than you! If you believe you can take my world then try, but prepare to learn why we are the most powerful race in the galaxy!" said the Admiral with a sneer.

"So be it Turian. I offered you a way out…the lives of those lost today will be on your hands! Fire all plasma torpedoes!" yelled Nomnom as every ship in the fleet with plasma yields fired their payloads.

With just the first volley alone 7 of the 42 ship fleet was decimated before Nomnom's eyes. "Do not give them a reprieve! Fire the Hydras and plasma cannons! Launch all scarabs to harass the enemy fleet!"

Lights lit up the space sky as thousands of projectiles lit up the sky as both fleets traded blows with each other. Two Turian cruisers and a dreadnought combined their fire to destroy a frigate under Nomnom's command.

"Concentrate fire on their dreadnoughts!" ordered Nomnom as blue fire lance out of his assault carrier into a dreadnought. The plasma ate away at the hall as more and more ships converged on the ship before it finally lurched and broke in half in a bright explosion.

"Have the corvettes break away from the engagement and concentrate fire on their orbital defenses. Once a hole has been made launch all dropships too clear the landing zones!" ordered the Admiral as his ship shook as a Turian cruiser had run into it as it's engines had been destroyed.

"Fire a torpedo and take out that ship." Said the Admiral as he watched a blue ball of plasma incinerate a Turian Dreadnought that was pounding away at the shields of a destroyer.

"Sir! A hole has been made in the defenses of the planet!" stated the comms officer.

"Have all ships execute a slipspace jump and put us between their fleet and the hole in their grid. Once we have jumped launch all dropships and remaining fighters!" Nomnom ordered as the fleet entered slipspace and reappeared right between the Turian fleet and their planet.

Thousands of dropships and banshees flew from the ships hangers and descended to the planet below as anti air fire rained from the ground below. The corvettes then descended to the planet and began destroy the anti air batteries themselves.

"Admiral! The Turians have reformed and are moving on toward the fleet!" shouted the Sensor operator.

"Fire the Energy Projector! Show them why they should never insult a race of the USF!" ordered Nomnom as the Assault Carrier, From the Ashes, fired it's most deadly weapon.

The beam of energy cut apart a single dreadnought and two cruisers as many more ships opened fire with their plasma weaponry. The Turians could do little as their fleet was systematically decimated from the superior weapons and shields of the Unngoy Fleet.

"Admiral! The enemy fleet is retreating to the relay. Congratulations on your victory." Shouted the comms officer.

"The battle is far from over. Have all frigates and cruisers assist with ground operations while we mop up their orbital defenses. Also send a message to the Arbiter that it is okay to send in troop transports." Ordered the admiral as his men did what was needed.

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On the ground things weren't doing as good as they had been in space, but still better than expected. The Turians on the ground weren't hindered by a very large difference in technology and their training was superb. However, the Unngoy and Yanme'e had come far from what they use to be.

Yanme'e drones kept Turians pinned down as Unngoy advanced upon position and position with plasma rifles and needlers killing all that popped up. Fuel Rod cannons had been used effectively to destroy vehicles and stronger positions as Ghosts and Wraiths decimated the enemy tanks.

However, the biggest advantage lied in the banshee's and scarabs of the USF that had complete air superiority as the dropships and gunships of the Turian forces stood little chance against the Unngoy air units.

More than once stubborn Turian positions had been reduced to rubble due concentrated fire from several phantoms and banshees as the Unngoy and Yanme'e swarmed the position.

Last came the dreaded Scarabs that had been dropped the instant the Turian Fleet had been forced to retreat. Entire battalions of Turians ran in terror as the Scarabs marched along the planets plains supported by banshees and wraiths.

Already the Unngoy could tell the difference between the Turians and Humans in battle. The Turians favored a strict military doctrine and refused to use strategies that seemed unorthodox to the average soldier while the Humans would do something ordinarily seen as stupid, but turned out to be extremely effective.

More than once the Turians had charged a single Scarab hoping to overwhelm them through sheer force. They did not count on reinforcements and air support to eradicate the attack before it had even truly begun.

In only three days the battle had been all but won. The Turians had been utterly humiliated by a species so similar to ones that they had forced into a subservient position in their government. Volus on the planet had been utterly surprised to see the Turians picked apart by the Unngoy, proving that size did not mean anything when it came to war.

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"Congrats on your victory Admiral! The USF is lucky to have men like you in our service." Stated the Arbiter Thel'Vadum as Admiral Nomnom saluted him.

"Thank you Arbiter! I strive to achieve the goals of the USF!" he squeaked out.

"I'm not surprised. A relief force is being sent to the planet as we speak. When they arrive you are to head towards Relay 314 to meet up with a much larger fleet to launch an attack deep into Council Space…hopefully at the Citadel. You will be given command of a new Assault Carrier Class to lead your portion of the fleet." Stated the Arbiter as Nomnom looked shellshocked.

"Thank you Arbiter! You will not be disappointed!" he squeaked as the transmission cut out.

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"The USF is pushing our fleets back one planet at a time! We have already lost contact with the Batarian Homeworld and several Turian and Asari planets have gone dark!" said Valern at Citadel Council Room.

"What do you propose we do then? Leave our planets in danger to launch an assault that may not work at all? No we Asari refuse to have our people die in a futile attempt to push our enemies back!" stated Tevos in contempt for the plan to launch an all out attack on the Humans.

"The same goes for the Turians! I will not leave Turian space open for attack just because the USF is approaching Salarian space. The Turian Hierarchy has it's own needs that is must address first. I'm sorry Valern, but like we have done with the Volus we cannot risk sending fleets to defend planets that are not ours." Stated Sparatus with authority as the Salarian Councilor looked at his two fellow councilors in horror.

"We must stand together or we will fall! Can't either of you see that?" cried out Valern in desperation as he had heard the USF had begun to press into Salarian space while pushing aside every defense the Salarians could put up against them.

"I'm sorry Valern, but an enemy ship was spotted above Thessia just the other day. With Thessia under threat we cannot spare a single ship to help your people." Tevos tried to explain in a weary tone.

"So that's it? You aren't going to help my people?" asked Valern in anger.

"We are sorry Valern, but you would do the exact same thing." Responded Sparatus as Valern glared at him, knowing that it was true.

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That's a cut folks! Sorry it took so long for an update to any of my stories, but I've just been so lazy lately. I've had so many days off and all I feel like doing is sitting in my room and do nothing.

I have good news! I got selected to go to Thailand this summer from May 23rd to June 23rd for the Army CULP program and 2 weeks later I'm going to Airborne School. That's right I'm going to be jumping out of planes!

Hard work does pay off! Trust me!