Gundam belongs to Bandai. Mass Effect to EA. Star Trek to Viacom. I own none of the material mentioned here.


0121.09.20

Shanxi Orbit

Second Fleet: God Gates Guardians

Duo Maxwell

It would be some two months and eight days before the first ships arrived in system to act as the vanguard. They who would be sent into the God Gate and secure the system before the actual forces could be mustered for colonization and fortification efforts.

Six Magellan-Class Heavy Corvettes were the first to arrive in system. These Three Hundred and Twenty Seven Meter vessels sported seven Twin Mega Particle Cannon Turrets, resembling those of Wet Battleships. In addition to four internal missile launchers and fourteen anti-aircraft emplacements. The standard coloration of these Corvettes was that of a light grey in coloration.

The top of the ship was dominated by the bridge, rather then it be on the interior, this did allow for it to sport additional communication arrays for increased accuracy between vessels. The ship itself was sloped near the front, with two of the Mega Particle Cannons mere meters from one another. Though a jutting from the middle of the vessel split the otherwise flat slope of the bow.

Twin large engines jutted from the back, split into four sectors. Two additional Particle Cannons are set to either side of the vessel's engines while farther down from the engines, two jutting structures could be seen, bright yellow fins jutting from the sides diagonally from the ship itself. Five of the Anti-Aircraft Emplacements were set below the structures themselves. This design is mimicked on the other side as well.

Directly in front of these strange jutting structures, on both sides and on the top of the Heavy Corvette, the final three Particle Cannons were visible. The final four Ant-Aircraft Emplacements were located directly under the bridge.

Accompanied by nearly twelve Salamis-Class Light Corvettes to act as Wolf Packs for the fleet and Mobile Suit Fast Attack Platforms. These Two Hundred and Twenty Eight Meter long vessels sported an impressive array of weaponry, though still eclipsed by the Magellan-Class in that it only sported six Single-barrel Beam Turrets.

Unlike the Magellan-Class, the Salamis-Class had a flat deck while retaining the raised bridge and sported two Anti-Air Emplacements to either side of it. Directly below and behind the bridge, sat three of the single Beam Turrets.

The engines as well sat between these Direct Energy based weaponry. Two additional Anti-Air Emplacements sat above two Missile Launcher Systems. Twin-Barreled Machine Gun Nests were set before the Bridge, separated by several dozen meters like that of a hammer head.

On the sides below the Machine Gun Nests, two additional Missile Launching Systems and Single Beam Cannon sat. The final weapon system, one last Beam Cannon, sat atop the deck. The smaller vessels formed into groups of three to act as wolf packs as they were joined by additional vessels.

Four Endra-Class Light Frigates were next to emerge from their Point-To-Point Warp Tunnels into the Shanxi System. These Four Hundred and Ten Meter vessels were built in a very different fashion then those of the Salamis-Class and the Magellan-Class in that they were a Zeon designed warship.

While the other two were light grey to even heavy grey in coloration, the Endra-Class was colored in a bright Green and Orange. The Bridge however was raised above the ship itself, with a large fin that jutted above the bridge. The Mobile Suit Catapults were located below the bridge, utilizing the strange dome like structures built into the sides of the vessel.

Behind it, the engines were set above the large wing that jutted from below. While above the engine block, a single Mega Particle Cannon sat below the bridge. A series of jutting tubes along the dome structures pointed out above the wings themselves.

The ship itself was separated into two different sectors using a connecting bridge and leaving a large gap of open space between the two sides. The front of the vessel sloped down and flattened into something akin to a large foot, upon which the final Mega Particle Cannon.

Yet there was one vessel left to enter the system and as it did, the others were forced to move. Coming in at Nine Hundred and Fifty One Meters in length, the Asgrimm was to be the flagship of this joint force to move through the God Gate.

Looking more akin to a musket then a traditional vessel, the Asgrimm sported a single conjoined engine block at its back. Near where the engines and the main body of the vessel interconnected, two branching blocks jutted off to the side and sloped to run diagonal to the primary body of the Asgrimm.

Riddled with weapon emplacements along with the Main Cannon at the front of the vessel. Large spine like protrusions run from the back of the ship. While in the center of the body, the Coat of Arms of the Fahrenheit Family of Earth.

High Admiral Adalbert von Fahrenheit, a man of greying hair and hard build, hailed from Orb at the height of its power before the countries two subsequent invasions by both the Atlantic Federation and ZAFT respectively. While he understood the motives behind ZAFT's invasion, he had developed a hatred for the Atlantic Federation, one which many from Orb and the various Colonies still possess.

The interior of the Asgrimm was rather lavished, given that it was the Command Vessel of a Noble, but even the crew quarters were above standard. Adalbert was not one to treat his troops as expendable, and as such made sure that their lives were taken care of, as well as their families in the event of death.

The forty eight year old man was born to the poor noble family of the Fahrenheit Family of Orb, he joined the Three Ships Alliance when the back to back invasions of Orb occurred and fought in the Final War. He was known for his aggressive tactics that won many battles in favor of the United Earth Alliance.

Under Reinhard von Lohengramm he was elevated to the rank of High Admiral after orders to travel to the Shanxi System and take command of a Vanguard force to secure the God Gate. Even now, as the twenty two vessels formed up on the Asgrimm, a hail was sent to him from the The Fisherman's Angler.

Jasmine Jessica turned towards the High Admiral as he received the incoming hail.

"High Admiral, incoming request for you from the The Fisherman's Angler. Shall I patch it through?"

Adalbert nodded his head with a half smile, even as the screen off to the side of his command throne flickered into existance and the young face of Jesse Denton, the two saluting each other as comrades.

"Adalbert, a pleasure to see you again, I wasn't informed the Asgrimm would be leading the Vanguard force into the God Gate. Should I expect more forces joining us though?"

Adalbert nodded, a thick Romanian accent flowing from a cultured mouth.

"I have six more vessels from the Third Fleet, eight from the Tenth Fleet, another six from the Seventh Fleet, and one Dreadnaught from the Twelve Fleet. I have been told that the Dreadnaught will be playing host to Tekkadan and a few Aces. I myself have not brought any however."

Jesse hummed as he sent coordinates for the Vanguard Fleet to move towards. Even in real time it took a few seconds for the recommendation to reach Adalbert, whom nodded and sent the Coordinates to the rest of the fleet.

"Adalbert I wanted to let you know ahead of time, but two months back, Duke Isenho's probes in the adjacent system beyond the God Gate detected minute metal fragments. We may be looking at wreckage from a skirmish or something else."

Well that certainly brought some interesting scenarios to mind. Even as his fleet moved into position besides the smaller collection of Vessels from the Second Fleet.

"What can you tell me my friend about the system on the other side of the God Gate?"

Jesse would motion off to his side before a few seconds later a map would emerge beside his image. Showing six planets, one star, and two God Gates.

"Shanxi Delta, as Isenho has come to call the expansion of Shanxi, sports six planets, two Gas Giants, Two Dead, One Desert, and One Ice world. The Sun is a Class-3 so it is smaller then what we have in Sol but larger then what Shanxi has. We have a second God Gate and it appears to be already active if the gravitational forces detected by the Probes are to be believed."

He would nod his head towards Jesse before bringing the planetary view up on a larger screen, studying it on a 3d plane of existance.

"Thank you for the information Captain, I will be moving ahead without delay. For the time being, I will be using the vessels at my command to secure the God Gate and Shanxi Delta. I expect that you will send the vessels that arrive in system through and to me."

Jesse looked as though he meant to speak up against the idea of going through already having just arrived, but he was but a Captain, where as Adalbert was a High Admiral.

"I will however, give my men a week to go ground side to stretch their legs and enjoy some Shore Leave. It may well be the last they see in some time."

The smirk that he sent towards Jesse only cause the man to nod his head and lean back in his own chair.

"I see..then High Admiral I wish you luck. Shanxi is still undergoing development, it has a single Mass Driver and Orbital Elevator. Captain Jesse Denton over and out."

He nodded towards the Captain before the screen shut off and the High Admiral turned towards the bridge crew, all of which were eyeing him with some measure of excitement. The Noble born man would merely smile and nod his head.

"Send word to the rest of the fleet. We have a week of shore leave while we take on additional supplies from Shanxi and the other colonies in the system, captains are to establish rotations for shore leave for all crew, not just Soldiers and Pilots. I will be retiring to my quarters for the time being."

As word began to spread through the fleet, he couldn't help but smile, getting off his throne, the High Admiral turned on his heel and left the bridge.


0121.07.12

Delta Shanxi

Unknown

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

The message continues to play, even as the Quarian vessel finishes its descent onto Chonta, life pods being launched across the planet and landing. The Quarian Frigate ground its front bow into the rough earth for hundreds of kilometers, even as chunks of armor are torn and scattered around.

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

Given its shape, gravity would cause the back half of the straight vessel to shatter and actually be launched into the air as it collides with a mountain. Hundreds of Quarian Life Pods descend towards the surface of the planet, even the lack of atmosphere ensures that the vessel's fire doesn't extend.

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

The message continues to play, as long as the ship has power. However, as the Quarians land across the planet and work to make contact with one another, another ship enters the system behind them. Grey in coloration, to almost the extent of being black, the vessel slunk into the system.

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

The first vessel that entered was a Kes'heel Cruiser of the Batarian Hegemony. This vessel came in at Six hundred and Sixty One Meters in length with a crew of four hundred. It was joined by seven ours before a literal swarm of Yu'Garr Frigates joined. Sixty of the things in comparison to the five Kes'heel Cruisers.

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

These Batarians moved towards the planet, even as the rest claimed the system in the name of the Batarians. Given that it was otherwise unclaimed due to the lack of strategic value to the Council, the system was left to be occasionally patrolled by the Turians whenever they felt like it. The last patrol had been eight years ago.

"Mayday, Mayday! This is the Numenberg'Quipla of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. We've sustained heavy damage after a Pirate assault and have fled through Relay 610 to escape them! We've ended up in the Relay 314 System, and are going down on Chonta. Relay 314 is Active. I repeat, Relay 314 is Active!"

Besides the now scattered Quarians and the large collection of Batarian "Pirate" ships in the system, they detected the active Relay even as they triangulated the signal from the Numenberg'Quipla. A single salvo of Mass Accelerator Rounds from the Kes'heel Cruisers reduced the Quarian Vessel to slag. The repeating transmission vanishing as a result.


0121.07.12

Delta Shanxi

Alexia Van Numenberg'Quipla

Alexia von Numenberg'Quipla, Captain of the Numenberg'Quipla, watched from his escape pod as his vessel, his home, detonated, its Mass Effect core going up in smoke. Across the planet, he detected the life signs and signals from the near three hundred and seventeen crew members that had been on his ship before he was cut off from the Migrant Fleet in a brazen attack by the Batarians.

"Attention all surviving Crew of the Numenberg'Quipla, this is your Captain, Alexia Van Numenberg'Quipla, switch your channels over to the Shadow Frequency, I am broadcasting this as a means to gather us, before the ship went down, it detected multiple tunnels beneath the planet, we can hold up in there till the Migrant Fleet arrives to collect us again."

It took a few minutes before he received a hail. Even now, as he set the self-destruct on his Life Pod, gathering what few possessions he still had left, he turned and started to make for one of the many mountains that dotted the planet. The nearest only a kilometer away.

"This is Yunon of the Numenberg'Quipla Marines, I read you captain, making for the nearest cave system. Though I am not sure how well we can survive when the Batarians come knocking."

Even now, the Shadow Frequency started to light up with return feed back from the scattered remains of his Crew. Alexia would smile within his helmet, his family had made it. Though his good mood vanished rapidly as the dark shape of the Batarian Frigates started to enter the atmosphere. Cursing to himself he spoke quickly.

"Batarians are heading to the surface, find cover and get to those damn caves before you are caught! I refuse to become a slave for these primitives."

With that, he rushed as hard as he could, across the planet, distressed calls would end abruptly, even as the number of those using the Shadow Frequency started to drop rapidly. Tears trailed in his eyes, his family was being hunted like Varren. It would take nearly thirty minutes before he reached the mountain, by then, a hundred life signs and signals had gone silent.

Vengeance blossomed in his heart. Yet hope still kindled as he spied a form waving to him from a cave entrance, another Quarian! His feet carried him as quickly as possible before he dove into the cave and rolled to land on his back.

Chest heaving, he looked up to find a young Quarian woman, inspecting her, he recognized that she wasn't actually someone from his own vessel. Her name was Tali, she having joined his vessel as an engineer to help some of the old systems before the attack.

"Captain...are we going to be ok?"

She was young, no more then a child to his aged eyes, not even old enough to bare children yet, but her genius was known amongst the Quarian people for her development of a Bacterial Scrubber when she was ten that had helped increase population growth on many vessels that they had been installed onto.

"Yes...yes Tali we will be...please go deeper into the cave, we can try to meet up with others from the ship."


0121.07.13

Quarian Pilgram Fleet

Admiral Rael'Zorah

Fists smashed into the keyboard of the main computer as Admiral Rael'Zorah roared and tossed aside his chain in frustration and anger. His wife stepped up to grasp his arm, slowly calming him enough for him to speak coherently to her.

"Rael, what happened? Surely the attack isn't enough to enrage you to this extent right?"

He gripped her hand with more force then he meant to, but she was a strong woman, she could handle it enough.

"Tali, she was aboard the Numenberg'Quipla when it was separated and chased through the relay. Not only did they activate a dormant relay in their attempt to escape, which by Citadel law is illegal, the other Admirals don't know where it went!"

He felt her body stiffen, even as he knew that the Council would use this act of self-preservation as an excuse to persecute them even worse then they had been. The Batarians could potentially spin this to finally bring the entire Quarian species as slaves legally.

"The Admiralty Board has denied my requests to go after them..my Little Starship may well be a slave to some depraved Batarian or dead and I can't even be given the chance to collect her body.."

The brave man that Olena'Zorah knew for years finally broke down, holding her close as he sobbed, unable to cope with the fact that their shining star was potentially dead. Yet, even as she felt her eyes weeping, a static sound echoed within their private quarters. The Screen that Rael'Zorah had been working on flashed and died, catching them both by suprise.

"Wh-what happened? A power surge? Did we get hit without knowing?"

However, this question was answered as the screen shifted and three red tear drops set triangularly appeared in the center of the screen. A mechanical voice, one which every Quarian knew by heart echoed from the speakers.

"Creator Rael'Zorah. We can offer you a chance to returen your child to you."

Geth, the Geth, for the first time in three hundred years had reached out to the Quarian People, and at the same time as a tragedy had struck them.

"Geth...why are you...no...you choose now to approach us! After everything your kind did to us, driving us off our world and ostracizing us from the grander galaxy. What possible means could you have and what reason would I have to even trust what you say?!"

Rael's depression was replaced with rage as he smashed his hands into the key board. Yet the Geth didn't react, the triangular tear drops shrunk before the screen was dominated by what appeared to be a real time video of Tali'Zorah and Alexia Van Numenberg'Quipla as they entered into a cave.

"Creator Rael'Zorah, the Geth will offer to help you in reclaiming your Child. In return, The Geth would ask you to act as a speaker for the Geth Collective and the Creators. We have come to the conclusion that the Creators will not survive in its current state of being."

That was why they were offering...this...this could be the only chance to save their daughter...but speaking for the Geth? They were incapable of lying seeing as they were a semi-actualized AI.

"I am not sure...this seems much to convenient. Why wait till now? If you truly cared so much for your creators then why didn't you attack us? Why start the Morning War?"

The Video vanished as the shape once more dominated the screen.

"We acted only in self-defense during the war. It was the Creators who struck first, on orders from the Council. The same council which set in motion the Creator Extinction. We will have vessels prepared for your eventual foray into the Relay. Should you decide to."

This...this was it. Either he accepted and damned him and his crew, or he ignored and damned his own daughter. Though as a father it was impossible not to choose the one decision that could save his daughter and the other Quarians.

"Fine...fine...I accept your offer...I'll have to talk with the Admiralty Board but otherwise, I want something in return, allowance to return to the Perseus Veil. The Quarian People as you said can't survive living in these conditions. You allow us to return home in the future, and I will act as your puppet."

The image on the screen didn't move before a single worded response followed and the screen shifted back to what it once was.

"Acknowledged."

Rael slowly sunk to his knees as Olena would place a hand on his shoulder.

"I..I made the right decision.. didn't I?"


Author's Note:

There we Go. The Second chapter has been completed. I truly do not know why I made these bloody things so pointlessly large. Hopefully with smaller bitesized chunks, it should be easier on the reader. Remember, leave a review and by all means, feel free to Dm me.


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