Chapter 51
The Empire Strikes Back
Kaiser Naruto found himself in a room full of Imperial Admirals. The brightest officers of his fleet were currently busy understanding the information relayed to them by the scouts they had sent through the Mu Relay. He favorably looked at Raval who stood at the head of the table understanding each and every strand of data.
The Imperial Fleet Admiral had made a good call to send probes and scouts to search the enemy territory. The information that was relayed back was disturbing and would have been catastrophic had the Imperial Fleet blindly charged in...
Naruto knew he was not without his own flaws, unlike what most people thought. One of them was his ability to remain scarily calm, he considered himself to be a soldier who lead from the front with his troops behind him. While that kind of thing was desired in ground warfare, it was foolish in space where a single mistake could cost the deaths of thousands.
It was this reason Raval was appointed Fleet Admiral for he had that talent which he was currently displaying even as the other Imperial Admirals worried about the situation.
"4,000 Ships?" asked Admiral Bucock in concern, the old man's wrinkles showed as he furrowed his brow.
"They are stationed in a triangular formation ready to encircle our forces and eliminate us one by one. If I remember correctly, the Turians used this tactic once in the Rachni Wars..." commented Admiral Lin Pao curiously,
"It suggests the possibility that Saren might be commanding the enemy fleet. He does not want us to reach that Prothean Colony called Ilos..." suggested Admiral Morgan,
"What's the matter? We have better ships than them, we will crush them!" encouraged Admiral Rommel,
"Admiral Rommel is right. We have to attack or the troops would lose heart. There is no other choice, Fleet Admiral..." urged Admiral Reinhard strongly,
Naruto saw Raval glance at him for any suggestion he might have, but the Kaiser remained silent. It was test not just for Raval but for the Kaiser himself. Whether the Kaiser had made the right decision and whether Raval was the man to lead the fleet would be decided by his decision.
Instead of getting tense, Raval smiled and ruffled his dark brown hair while clumsily looking at the enemy formation.
"It is true the enemy outnumbers us and it will be the bitter truth to the end. But I think we can win..." he suggested,
"Can you explain what do you have in mind, Fleet Admiral?" asked Lin Pao skeptically,
The Chinese officer's silent remark might have been tolerated by Raval who smiled, but the Kaiser was not going to entertain such actions. The next moment, Lin Pao was on his knees grasping his chest as the full might of the Kaiser's killing intent landed on him.
"Is that your discipline, Admiral?" asked Naruto furiously,
"Kaiser, I can handle this. Let Admiral Lin go, he's just cautious for the safety of his men..." requested Raval,
"You're too kind, Raval. Fine, I will let this insubordination slide this time but the next time I will have your heads. I have appointed this man Fleet Admiral because I believe in him and if any of you doubt my judgment then try to rebel..." challenged the Kaiser,
The Admiral's took a step back when the famed Sharingan flared to life in their leader's eyes. They had heard tales of how the Kaiser defeated Aria's entire army and the Pirate Queen herself single handedly in combat. The man was not to be trifled with...
When the Admirals backed down Naruto gave the signal for Raval to continue explaining what he had in mind. And his friend didn't disappoint...
"The enemy fleet on the right and left flanks number 1,000 Ships each. And the enemy fleet in the center commands a total of 2,000 ships bringing their total number to 4,000. Twice of what our ships are at the moment, however the enemy lacks the upgrades we made since their fleet is made up of traditional and older Geth Ships. They may have the numbers but we might be able to turn that on them instead..." explained Raval calmly,
"How can we do that?" asked Reinhard curiously,
"By walking right into their trap, of course..." said Raval with an cunning grin,
Naruto merely raised his eyebrow at the absurd idea. The Admirals looked as if they had been slapped but didn't comment on Raval's craziness or risk the wrath of the Kaiser who favored this man.
However, the Kaiser's confidence in this man was not proved wrong when he explained his plan to the people in the room.
By the time he finished explaining Naruto already had a satisfied smile on his face, same was the case with Reinhard and Rommel who were the fastest and bravest Admirals in the Fleet.
Admiral Morgan and Admiral Bucock agreed to go forward with the plan obediently, and if they had doubts they did well in hiding them from the Kaiser's perceptive eyes.
Admiral Lin Pao was the only one who didn't believe in the plan, however he was a career officer who had not rose up in the ranks without adapting to the political scenarios. In this case, it was the Kaiser who trusted Raval and Lin Pao had no choice but to agree with the orders given.
The plan was bold, reckless, even suicidal. One single mistake and the Imperial Fleet, no matter their superior technology would be destroyed.
And what irked Lin Pao was the eerily calm Raval was practicing with a smile on his face.
The Kaiser gave his blessing to the plan and went back to take command of his prized ship the Hyperion. Only time would tell whether the man's desire to conquer space would come true or die with the trust in his friend's folly.
"This is crazy!"
Naruto found himself facing an extremely pissed off Normandy Commander who also happened to be his mother as he finished explaining the plan.
"It'll work..." he assured confidently,
"I can't believe you'll allow him to do this. He's, he's..." said Kushina hesitantly, when she found her son was not going to relent despite her protests.
"She's right, Naruto. This is madness..." warned Mikoto, much to Kushina's surprise.
Unfortunately for both the women, the Kaiser was in no mood to entertain their concerns. Instead he got up from his command chair and spoke confidently.
"We will prevail and destroy the enemy with this plan. You're either in or out, but I believe in the officer I chose. That is all..."
Kushina sighed and nodded reluctantly. Mikoto shook her head but seized her protest, Naruto smiled and nodded to Garrus who started commanding the Hyperion marines to transfer the cargo's to the Normandy.
As the marines got to work, Naruto stood at the helm.
He knew he was placing all bets on this plan, on one man's vision. He could understand why his remaining comrades might consider it a bad decision, but Raval had trusted him with his life several times before it was time he returned the favor.
And what kind of a leader would he be if he couldn't even believe in his own comrades?
Destiny was witness that he had done everything in his power to get everyone to this point. And he would see them through in the future as well.
That was all there was to think about it.
"Joker, when the transfer of cargo to the Normandy is complete we'll join the Fleet and pass through the Mu Relay..." commanded Naruto,
"I hope you know what you're doing, Kaiser..." warned Joker,
"I know" answered Naruto grimly,
(Reaper Flagship)
Saren Arterius narrowed his eyes when the sensors on board his Reaper Capital Ship lit up alarmingly. Several haptic screens flashed before him and what he saw made him steady his breath.
The enemy had arrived.
And apparently not alone.
He nearly growled when the Hyperion, the Kaiser's flagship was the one leading the fleet. Was that man a fool or madly brave placing his ship at the front like that?
However, Saren nearly stumbled out of his command chair when the massive Dreadnought now identified as The Himalaya came out of the relay. The sheer size of the ship was larger than Sovereign himself making Saren clench his fists.
So, the enemy had devised some nasty toys and were willing to bank on them to destroy his forces?
He saw the enemy had 2,000 ships in total. Half in comparison to what Saren had not to mention the Reaper Capital Ship he was currently on board.
"Commander, the enemy is walking into our trap. 1st and 2nd Fleet are moving in to flank them!" reported his Geth aide,
"No, have them retreat back to point seven-nine-four. If they go too far ahead, we won't be able to box the enemy in. Not to mention I don't want them to stand against that Dreadnought..." countered Saren,
The Reaper voices in his head agreed with his decision. His masters had distributed their fleet with 1,000 ships on each flank. And Saren on board the Reaper Capital Ship stayed in the center with 2,000 ships. Judging from the trajectory of the enemy forces they would try to engage his flanking fleets before moving towards him.
But if he could move them back, then all three fleets combined would encircle the enemy forces and wipe them out. The enemy dreadnought would be a serious problem, but he was sure with help his Reaper Capital Ship could destroy it in time.
Saren smiled when the enemy seemed to be moving right inside the middle of his trap...
Until...
"WHAT!"
The entire Imperial Fleet sans the Hyperion and that cursed Imperial Dreadnought suddenly changed course. Instead of approaching towards Saren's main fleet, they instead turned to the left flank. Saren didn't have to be a genius to figure out that his entire 1st Fleet was outnumbered.
"2nd Fleet, Attack them from the rear. Main Fleet, charge ahead and surround them!" barked Saren urgently,
But even as the remaining two Reaper fleets moved in from the right flank and center, the Imperial Fleet commanded by Admiral Reinhard and Admiral Rommel tore through the third enemy fleet on the left flank. The enemy had deployed some kind of virus that crippled the frontal Geth ships leaving the formation vulnerable.
Saren was left helpless to watch as the enemy ships started destroying his entire left flank mercilessly. The most bitter fact was that they had developed some new kind of shields and tougher armor that his Geth Ships were not able to break.
However, in doing so the enemy had left their Kaiser and the Dreadnought alone against two converging fleets.
"Kill them all!"
(Imperial Flagship: The Himalaya)
Fleet Admiral Raval saw the glorious destruction of an entire enemy fleet on the left flank in a matter of minutes. This was the beauty of space, even the smallest distance was in millions of kilometers and that had prevented Saren from coming to the aide of his pawns in time.
And thus he was about to lose 1,000 Ships in a flash.
However, a wounded tiger strikes much more fiercely. Raval knew that...
"Sir, enemy fleet on Starboard!" warned Admiral Flavus, his second in command.
Raval saw Naruto taking the Hyperion alone to face against Saren's incoming main fleet head on. He steadied himself, the enemy's left flank was almost destroyed. The right flank was now in front of his dreadnought, if he didn't stop them here then his entire fleet would be attacked from the rear while they were busy destroying the left flank.
Not to mention Saren with his Reaper Capital Ship and 2,000 Geth ships was closing in fast.
It was a complex pinch...
"Time to test this bad boy's power..." thought Raval seriously,
"FIRE!" commanded Raval,
The Himalaya shook as its massive rail gun fired the first slug followed by several dozen more attacks from the Thannix cannons. If that was not enough firepower, the Imperial Dreadnought launched forth hundreds of missiles that raced towards the Geth Fleet in front of it.
In response, the enemy swiftly dispersed their ships at a distance managing to evade many incoming projectiles. However, the few shots that did struck resulted in complete destruction for any Geth Ship be that be a Cruiser, frigate or even a destroyer.
"Incoming barrage!" warned an Imperial officer on the bridge,
Raval gripped his command chair as nearly a thousand Geth ships launched their full devastation towards his ship.
"Activate GN energy Shields! Broadside cannons to the defense!" commanded Raval in a composed tone,
Maybe it was his calm aura or the faith in their ship but the Imperial officers didn't panic and carried out their duties perfectly. In any other scenario a single ship, let even a Dreadnought facing against an entire fleet would be nearly suicidal but the Himalaya was built to fight Sovereign and was currently the strongest ship in the Imperial Fleet.
It proved its worth as a bright blue aura lighted up the dark space. The thousands of slugs and missiles lunched by the Geth struck the massive GN field and were deflected away like simple flies.
Fleet Admiral Raval saw the enemy Geth Fleet halting their charge on seeing their attacks going in vain. He exchanged a glance with Admiral Flavus whose mandibles twitched in a victorious grin.
"Himalaya, forward. Let's tear through their center!" commanded Raval,
The new thrusters designed from Reaper ships own models gave a massive jolt as the Imperial Dreadnought marched forward. The Geth Fleet realized that the elephant was about to go mad and instantly started retreating while firing everything they had to bring down the monstrous Imperial ship.
Raval again gave the order to fire and nodded in satisfaction when his ship destroyed the entire frontal line of the enemy fleet in one single barrage.
"Sir, Four Geth Ships going to FTL. They are trying to Kamikaze themselves..." yelled a human officer,
The Fleet Admiral looked towards his own Geth ally standing on the bridge. This was a possibility the allied AI's had predicted their rogue brothers doing once they discovered that they were no match for the mighty Himalaya.
Raval saw the four Geth Ships seizing their suicidal charge due to hacking done by his own Geth and wasted no time to blast them to dust with his powerful guns. However, the danger was yet to pass so he made his next move.
"Launch Drones!" commanded the Fleet Admiral,
The Himalaya opened several of its ports unleashing thousands upon thousands of armed drones. The Imperial officers and crew saw them sail right inside the middle of the Geth fleet turning the enemy's area into a bloody melee match. Even if the Geth Ships had more firepower and better shields, the drones had agility and speed. Not to mention they were armed with GN missiles that pierced through the enemy armor and shields like a knife slicing through butter.
Fleet Admiral Raval nodded in satisfaction as within half an hour, once a 1000 strong Geth Fleet was now reduced to mere 200 Ships thanks to the Himalaya and its drone forces. The remaining enemy ships tried desperately to take out the Imperial Dreadnought but were repeatedly stopped by the drones.
With the battle almost over, Raval saw the Imperial Fleet had completely destroyed the enemy fleet on the left flank. He looked at the casualties and was quite shocked to see not even one friendly ship had been destroyed. Few were damaged but still in the fight.
Sighing in relief, he ordered his officers to quickly mop up the remaining Geth ships.
His eyes shifted in the direction where he knew the Hyperion, his Kaiser's flagship was continuing a valiant charge towards Saren's Reaper Capital Ship and nearly 2,000 Geth Ships.
"Move Fast! We have to aide the Kaiser!" barked Raval,
The Imperial sailors high on victory didn't waste a second as they engaged themselves in killing as many rogue Geth ships with great speed.
Saren had nearly lost half his fleet but all of it would be worth it if he managed to kill the Kaiser.
Raval could only hope his Admirals could live up to the trust the Kaiser had placed in them. The alternative was simply too dark to imagine...
(Hyperion)
It was a testament to the Kaiser's command that the Hyperion's crew remained calm even as their ship was now almost in range of the enemy fleet. The Hyperion was strong vessel, but against a Reaper Capital Ship and so many Geth ships its destruction was imminent.
"It seems Saren is pissed..." teased the Kaiser, making Mikoto roll her eyes.
"He lost half his fleet to Raval and yours combined madness. I don't fault him..." retorted Mikoto,
"Guys, while I'm enjoying the rush of adrenaline I'd rather prefer not to be space dust..." said Liara worriedly, as she saw the enemy getting ready to target their ship.
"Hold your ground..."
Tali nearly wet herself as the Hyperion's kamikaze charge came to a halt. The Kaiser was still sitting in his command chair tapping at his arm rest.
The crew looked uneasy despite obeying the order with just seconds before the enemy destroyed them.
"Alright, turn around. Retreat and run like hell!" said Naruto quickly, as he saw the enemy pass a certain point on the battle map.
"Buckle up, LADIES!" yelled Joker,
Thankfully the crew had taken their battle seats and strapped themselves in as their crazy pilot nearly made their ship flip. The Hyperion fired its thrusters blindly and its engines were put to test as the Reaper Fleet locked on them.
"Shit!" cursed Garrus,
Tali's jaw dropped to the floor as the second the enemy fired the first shot, a wave of explosions happened all around them destroying hundreds of ships in a glorious fire. She had seen this tactic just once before and at that time the now friendly Geth had lost so many ships.
"Zephyr Particles..." commented Tali in surprise,
Mikoto sighed in relief when the Normandy emerged on their port side dropping out of stealth. The Alliance Frigate matched the Hyperion's pace as both ships ran like hell as the enemy fleet was marred in its own destruction.
"You crazy bastard!"
Naruto chuckled when his mother's face appeared on the haptic screen in front of him. Her cheeks were red, her face marred with sweat and relief as she glared at him. Although he didn't miss her victorious grin...
The Normandy had successfully remained hidden as the enemy fleet came charging in, Saren in his anger completely missed the Zephyr Particles Kushina had spread in the entire sector and when he fired it resulted into the destruction of his own ships that were right in the middle of those dangerous particles.
"I told you it'll work..." said Naruto calmly,
"YOU WILL PAY IN BLOOD FOR ALL THE BLOOD YOU'VE SHED!"
Impossible!
Mikoto saw Naruto whirling back in horror as the Reaper Capital ship stormed out of the raging fire completely unscathed. Its declaration was heard clearly across the Hyperion on all speakers, its weapons locked not on the Kaiser's ship...
It was for a brief flash when Naruto's gaze connected with the artificial image of his mother and her ship, right before the Reaper fired its laser that enlightened space...
The Normandy SR-1 went down!
