0121.09.26

Shanxi System - 314 Mass Effect Relay

Entroa Batarian Hegemony 65th Pirate Fleet

High Admiral Octab'noel

High Admiral Octab'noel grinned to himself as he looked out of the View Port at the oncoming Relay. Though the conversation with Jath'Amon a day or two prior rested on his mind. The Council had begun to debate pushing into the Terminus and thus threaten the entirety of the Batarian Operations, all because of his actions in claiming the Chentari System for the Hegemony.

His raids may have equaled billions of credits in slaves and material but the Council was starting to shake off their thousands of years of rust and dust and start to mobilize. The War with the Terminus was just years away from transpiring.

If it wasn't for Jath'Amon he would have been none the wiser. The Ambassador had been stalling the talks between the Councilors through every means he could, from death threats sent by anonymous sources to even potential kidnappings on family members.

Then two days ago, Octab'noel received the message that the Council had finally figured out where he was launching his raids from and he had two days to either verify the existance of another civilization on the other side of the Relay or begin to fleet back to the Terminus with their Ill Gotten Goods.

Sadly, Octab'noel was nothing if not vicious. He had left half his fleet, which had grown after Jath'Amon and the Batarian Council used the Relay in the Terminus to bolster his forces, making nearly a thousand vessels beneath his command.

"All forces, move for the Relay!"

Those he had designated as Alpha Fleet moved forward, Five Hundred Planetary invasion vessels, complete with some ten thousand slaves. Blue Sons, Blood Pack, and Head Hunter Mercenary Vessels were paid to join in, cut of the spoils when they returned. If they weren't turned into slaves themselves.

Over a hundred thousand individuals with enough hardware to turn any sector into an meat grinder for the Council. Which was what was going to happen when the Council started their invasion into the Terminus. He was suspecting the Rachnii Wars and Krogan Rebellion were about to loose their standings as the worst conflicts in Council History.

It took ten minutes before his ship passed through the Relay and the rest of the fleet joined him. Comms started speaking across the fleet as Captains and Lesser Admirals directed ships by name or Captain into position, forming a Three tiered Cresent Moon formation.

It was now that he noted the vessels in the system. There was no true uniformity, much like his own or the Councils. From strange grey and blocky vessels, to vibrant greens and reds.

"All ships, I want scans of those vessels."

Even as he watched, his screens zeroed in on the sides of the ships and spied what looked like space-superior fighter crafts. In addition to that however, he saw something that drew his attention and confused him greatly. Humanoid sized machines of some kind. he could see the arms, legs, torso, even the head. There were so many different styles to these things as well. Some with two eyes, some with One eye, some with Four, and some with Six.

"What in The Twin Gods Names...Helmsmen, see if we can't get more scans on those massive mechs? I want to know what their Ezone Cores are, and how they could build them that massive."

Even as tactical data came back, something puzzling caught his attention as the largest vessel, scans putting it at two kilometers, was moving towards the planet. Vessels of this new species sending objects towards the planet as they put themselves between the Batarian Fleet and their own world. Aben'sur spoke up a few moments later.

"Sir, reports are coming in, no Element Zero readings at all. Some untapped pockets in many of the moons and asteroids, but this species seems to ignore them...their technology is still primitive then."

This drew a savage grin from him as he sat back.

"Aben'sur try and open up a comm channel with these creatures, let's see if we can't get them to willingly surrender? Not that i don't want to test out the latest Hegemony vessels, but I do like a willing slave after all."

Aben'sur nodded before turning back to his system and started trying to send out a request for a communications. However, once he was able to pick up the systems of this new species, something caught the aging Batarian's attention.

"Sir...the frequencies seemed to change as soon as I sent out a request...it's behaving in a manner I've never seen before. In fact, it almost seems...alive..."

Color drained from not only his face but the faces of most of the crew as the implications sunk in and Octab'noel came to a realization. That caused his eyes to narrow and his anger to flare.

"A.I. All vessels, ignore any attempts at hail. This species has been found in breach of one of the few laws the Hegemony and the Council agree on. They have vacated all rights as of this moment. All forces, move in and prepare to fire at will. We will teach them the folly of their actions today."

Even as he sat back and watched, his fleet drew closer to the opposing vessels. Then when his systems stated he was in range, his ship fired its spinal mounted Mass Accelerator Cannon. The blazing light streaked across the blackness of space before it smashed into one of the green vessels. However, it struck it at an angel that caused the vessel to list to one side rather then penetrate. The round gouged along its bulbus side before spiraling through two of the mechs and flying off into deep space.

Then his jaw dropped when one of the alien ships fired. A bright green beam of energy ripped from one of the twin connected guns and proceeded to gut a Destroyer from nose to engine, bypassing its Kinetic Shielding and boiling away its armor like it wasn't even there.

"So the enemy has direct energy weapons...yet lacks shielding...all forces, break up, I want the invasion going while we hold their fleet's attention!"


0121.09.26

Shanxi System - Orbit

Expeditionary Fleet

Reinhard von Lohengramm

Reinhard observed the incoming vessels from across the system, four more Laurasia-Class vessels were streaming in to join his own forces. However his mind was far from at ease as he looked towards the probes that had been sent through the God Gate and their images. Vessels, nearly a hundred of them, had arrived since the last probe was sent out two months ago. Intelligence dropped the ball on this one, having neglected to continue probing and exploring Delta Shanxi.

"Duke...Captain Jesse. You both understand why this meeting is being called. We face a true first contact scenario. The ELS are sending some of their vessels to join us but for the time being we are faced with not a faceless hive mind but what appears to be a species that can build and maintain vessels."

Reinhard would breath out as the other two looked between one another. The fleet that The UEA could provide numbered just under sixty vessels and most were no larger then four hundred meters in length. The largest being his own flag ship. Captain Jesse spoke up next.

"We knew that there might have been vessels on the other side High Admiral but these vessels have been arriving steadily over the last two months if exhaust spectrometry from the probes is to be believed. How they arrived I haven't the faintest clue. But that is not to say that things can't proceed. If they prove hostile I can hold the sector with my mobile suits and the few mobile armors I have. I will be forced to retreat if they push through the God Gate however. We have no tactical knowledge on these vessels, what weapons or armor they use."

The High Admiral nodded his head, he understood the captains worries. Shanxi was barely considered colonized and he wasn't willing to loose soldiers defending an easily replaceable world. The Duke however had objections.

"I will say that this talk of retreat and failure is unbecoming of men of your caliber. We survived the One Year War, Two Plant Wars, the Eve Wars, and even the Final War. Retreat if you must but I ask you to leave some mobile suits planet side. I can defend the colony till relief forces arrive. It is the duty of a Duke to defend his people."

Duke Isenho pressed a fist to his chest. Of course the man would rather die then give up what humanity had claimed. Though there was no telling what the aliens on the other side of the God Gate would do when the fleet went through initially. Hopefully they could establish proper first contact and peacefully form good relationships with the species.

"We have no time to contemplate anymore Gentlemen. Tekkadan forces aren't amongst the fleet and await their role in this, I have several aces that left their families for this journey. We've wasted enough time contemplating. Command has sent down its final verdict. The Lord Commander wants us through the God Gate within the day. The ELS representative may join us if we can keep from opening hostilities. Captain Jesse, I want you and your ships to deploy fifty percent of their Mobile Suit and fighters to Shanxi. Marines as well."

Jesse seemed about to argue but nodded his head hesitantly before turning and sending the message through the fleet.

"Duke, can I expect you to put your planet in War Time Regulations? We will use the Fisherman as a means to evacuate the planet along with its esc-"

The High Admiral would be cut off as a yell from below his throne caught all three's attention.

"High Admiral! Picking up energy fluctuations from the God Gate, something is coming th...scratch that, multiple objects are emerging from the God Gate..Gods above...one of them is measured at a kilometer in length. We have a dreadnaught on the field. I repeat a dreadnaught is on the field!"

The color drained from Jesse's face even as Reinhard took command of the situation.

"Jesse deploy your fighter wings and Mobile Suits now! Fall back and start the evacuations. Someone patch me through to the rest of the fleet. All ships! Move to Phase Two and prepare locks. I want a full screen between us and the Fisherman."

The Russian born man's authoritative voice broke through the panic and terror at seeing hundreds of vessels entering their space so suddenly and orders were followed. The Expeditionary Fleet formed into a screening wall while curving it to keep all guns focused forward.

"Duke, prepare your Mass Driver and Elevator for mass use, I'll leave the deployment of your colonial guard to you. Make use of the mobile suits sent planet side."

Duke Isenho would nod before his screen turned black and Reinhard would be left alone once more, before he turned towards his Communications Officer, Elrick Hampton.

"Elrick, send an emergency Communications Request to command back on earth..."


0121.09.26

Sol System

Earth - First Fleet

High Lord Commander Ófærr Stjarnagram

The flashing light on the console caught the one eyed mans attention even as he was standing up from his command throne and preparing to leave for the mess hall. Ófærr sighed before sitting back down, even as he merely nodded towards Jessica, his Communications Officer to give his report.

"High Lord, the call appears to be from...the Shanxi System, placed by High Admiral Reinhard. Shall I patch it through my Lord?"

Lord, a title that Ófærr had earned during the End War...it still rubbed him quite the wrong way if he was being completely honest with himself. With a sigh he turned his attention towards Jessica and nodded his head.

"Aye las, patch them through."

Leaning back in his Command Throne, the High Lord placed his chin upon his right fist and watched the screen. More then likely this was going to be final check in before they pushed on through the God Gate. What Ófærr wasn't expecting was the Lord Admiral to appear to pale as well as shouting orders. When he finally noticed Ófærr, he bowed his head.

"High Lord we have a situation! As of 0700, a fleet of ships pushed through the God Gate, at least two hundred. Our Engineers and Neo-Dolls are saying that they are military class or refurbished civilian craft of an unknown make. Their vessels are producing -"

Ófærr held up a hand to silence the High Admiral and caused him to grow quiet as the older man leaned forward.

"So what yer tell in me is that ya have unwanted visitors in the Shanxi airspace, ya can't tell what tha bloody hell they are, and they outnumber ya three to one. Am I gettin all that correctly?"

The bridge of the Winds of the North grew quiet as the assorted crew members stopped what they were doing or slowed down to listen to the conversation.

"Yes, yes High Lord, that is what is happening. No attempts to hail them have been tried yet but it might be prudent to attempt it. We may...be looking at a second first contact scenario since the ELS descended onto earth. What are your orders?"

Humanities second First Contact with a potential alien species. After the debacle of the ELS nearly was ruined by the old branches of the Atlantic Federation and their Shadow Masters in Blue Cosmos, they had to play this one by ear and do things slowly. So a decision had to be reached.

"Jessica, send ah connection to the Twin Queens, we'll need their insight on this matter."

Jessica gulped, but complied with the order as Ófærr turned back to Reinhard.

"I take it ya have started to evacuate Shanxi yes? What have ya done beyond that?"

Reinhard was starting to regain his composure as he breathed out.

"My Lord I have deployed the vessels sent to me by yourself in a umbrella formation between the newly arrived fleet and the plant. Mobile Suits and Fighters are forming squadrons and being launched as we speak. The Fisherman under Captain Jesse is being used as a means to evacuate the planet, its Mobile Suits and fighters sent planet side to bolster the Garrison."

So far it was a tactically sound idea. Ófærr would hum deeply as he ran his hand through his chest length beard, the older man frowning however.

"Lad, what can ya tell me about the ships you are seein? Got any scans back yet?"

A nod would answer the question and logs were forwarded to Ófærr by the dozens. His one eye slowly trailing over each new one. The sizes were somewhat impressive, though there was no telling what type of weapon, armor, or even power source these aliens utilized. However something very glaring caught his one eye.

"Reinhard...these reporets yah sent me, they say ah good chunk of this fleet is using vessels no larger then two hundred meters, but they are stayin behind what are clearly salvaged or new military vessels, given the weapon hard points."

The High Admiral nodded his head, even as he is about to say something, alarms begin to blare. Reinhard's eyes growing wide.

"High Lord, the fleet is advancing, all attempts to communicate with them have been unable to connect to their systems, we are getting hard point power readings across multiple ships... I am seeing Fighter-profile vessels being launched from ships as well from several hangers. They are on an attack course!"

Hostile, that was never good. With a sigh he nodded his head, even as Jessica turned back to him.

"High Lord, the Queens are ready to receive you. What should I tell them?"

Ófærr growled, his voice resounding through the bridge as he looked first to Reinhard.

"High Admiral, these be your orders, you hold that damn planet until evacuations are done, am I clear? We will begin preparing a relief force. Send what you can planet side and then pull back. You may decide how to handle the situation at your own pace, Give em Hell High Admiral."

A salute from Reinhard was followed by the screen turning black and Ófærr leaning back with a tired sigh. So, conflict has found humanity once again.

"Patch tha Queens through, they need to be made away."


0121.09.26

Sol System

Earth - Sanc Kingdom

Earth - Orb Union

Queens Relena Peacecraft and Lacus Clyne

Relena and Lacus, the Twin Queens of Humanity and the guiding light of the species since the end of the End War, voted by humanity as a whole, the two were placed into the role given how influential they became due to stances. One with a stance for peace and pacifism, focusing on humanitarian goals. The other, while not as blood thirsty as their chosen Lord Commander, understood the value of aggression when applied to the right places.

As such, when they were jointly called upon at the same time by Ófærr, both understood something was going on. The first to answer the call was none other then Lacus Clyne. With trailing pink hair that ran down to the small of her back, just over her hips, to silver eyes, the First Queen of Victory was a sight to behold back during the first PLANT-Alliance War.

Now with another twenty years under her belt, Lacus had developed into a stunning woman that rivaled that of Meer Campbell, a figure that turned heads of both genders, succulent hips and breasts that stood out. She was dressed in the usual kimono that she had become well known for during the wars she took part in.

With two parts, the first being white jutting shoulder covers connected to strips of light and dark pink that ran off to the sides of her arm diagonally and then behind her back. A single strip of pink cloth as well ran to the floor from just beneath the shoulders.

The second part of her clothing was a tad more complex, given how it was a mixture of edges that circles around her throat, one side overlapping the other. Purple and pink, the edges at atop a larger black pattern that was tied to purple sleeves and a pink sash to hold it all together.

She still sported the two golden hair clips given to her by her father over her right eye, and her hair was tied up with a red ribbon.

"High Lord, while it is wonderful to see you, I must ask why you have called me at this hour? Have you detected something in the system or is this about another LOGOs sighting?"

She was somewhat tired, her and Kira's child had been keeping her up after all. Well their sixth. Kira may have been somewhat tender and mild, there was no denying that the young man could easily keep up with her when she wanted to de-stress after a long day. Heero was the same way with Relena actually.

Before Ófærr could say anything however, a second screen appeared in the call and Relena joined them in the conversation.

Striking light blue eyes, sharp but soft features, the young Queen, given her status as an Innovator, still retained the beauty she held when she was instrumental in ending the Eve Wars.

Her hair was done up with a black bow behind her head while she wore the Sanc Kingdom's Royal uniform befitting their queen. Gold Shoulder pads with many tassels fluttered off the sides over her shoulders. Her top piece was a white suit with a raised purple collar.

The Royal Crest embroidered on both sides of the collar and lapels. A Neckerchief was tucked around her neck and under the second set of ballistic armor she wore. White gloves covered her hands and black with light blue, like the neckerchief, wrist felt.

"Lacus, Ófærr, what seems to be the problem? It is unusual for us to be meeting all at the same time again. I was about to go and visit Cagalli in the capital."

Ófærr seemed to regard both of them with a mixture of regret and sadness before it vanished and was replaced with the stoic man they knew him to be.

"I hate tah be the one to break this to yah, but as of 0700, Military Time or 7:00 A.M. today, the Colony of Shanxi, under Duke Isenho, has experienced humanities Second First Contact."

This caught Relena's attention as well as Lacus'es own. Second First Contact?

"Are you sure about this High Lord? You must be absolutely sure that we are dealing with another Alien Species and not just a hoax LOGO's or Oz has cooked up for us."

Relena's suggestion had merit, given the times the two had tried to wrest control of a colony or a planet from the UEA in the past twenty years since its founding. However their old friend shook his head.

"Nay, not this time. I've run the schematics and scans of the vessels in system to all known data bases, and none of them were ah match. In addition, we couldn't detect any Nuclear energy or known sources of energy asides from one. Mass Effect Field."

This revelation drew gasps from her own lips, Relena looking over despite being on two different computers. They knew what this could mean. The Archives had spoken of the Fields, and what that could entail.

"Reapers...are we sure? These could be Prothean Survivors coming to reclaim their territor-"

Relena, sweet Relena, she wished dearly that this was the case, but it didn't look like that would be what was happening. So Lacus, interrupted her.

"I am sorry Relena, we know from the Archives that the species went extinct, there is no way these are them. It would seem that the galaxy truly isn't as empty as we once thought."

She could see that Ófærr's face was drawn into a grimace as he sighed out and shook his head.

"Last transmissions was that the fleet enterin the system was on an attack vector with High Admiral Reinhard's own expedition fleet...what would you suggest my Queens?"

The moment of truth, and it was one that she was dreading. Relena spoke first however.

"We need an ambassador ready in the event these aliens can be reasoned with or brought to a diplomatic ending, I am suggesting TT12-01 Delta of the ELS Government of Minds to fill this role. We will however need to introduce it to a vessel or body to allow for assimilation. That is the quickest suggestion."

The ELS would present an interesting take on the situation but there was no telling what the aliens reaction to the Living Metal Aliens could have.

"If we can hold them, we can potentially crack their systems with Neo-Dolls like Penny or Pei Two and communicate with them. If these are the Reapers as you suspect Ófærr, then we will need to keep our forces as far away as possible to ensure limited Indoctrination occurs."

It was so far a sound plan and one that he could get behind given the nodding of his head, but there was still much to be done. So Lacus would herd the conversation from here.

"Relena is right in that we will need an Ambassador, but we will also need to protect our interests. I am authorizing the Deployment of the 42nd Fleet effective immediately. If this is the foe I think they are, then it will be our only hope to dragging them to a stand still while we fortify our inner colonies and outer ones."

The 42nd, a Black Fleet, on the books they didn't exist, on the books, those that learned about them were transferred over to the Fleet after an "accident". They are given a full rundown of the reasons for the secrecy after a brain scan. Some however have shown to be LOGOs or Blue Cosmos Moles and are executed without mercy.

"Are ya sure las? There be ah few apart ah that Fleet that I'm not sure the current combatants in Shanxi will be comfortable with bein around."

Ah...Stella...Shinn still showed feelings and sadness, visiting her grave every year. To remind himself of the horrors of the war and to not let them repeat. If he were to learn a Neo-Doll had taken on her personality, appearence, and somehow inherited her memories, things might turn out badly.

"Yes Ófærr, there is no other way. Prepare the Black Fleet to move out at once, and break off additional forces from the other Forty One Fleets as a reinforcement Fleet."

With a nod of his head, Ófærr leaned back, listening as the Two Queens of Humanity began drawing up plans and ideas on how to proceed, all the while, sending encrypted messages to the supposedly non-existent Forty Second Fleet.


Please Like, Favor, Subscribe, and leave a Review! I love to answer those when the chance arises.