AN:

Be advised: I moved back the discovery date of the mars archives. This was simply to make the canon System Alliance fleet and colony numbers look more realistic, nothing else was changed. Simply, cannon system alliance is unrealist/wanked with only 8 years between mars archives and first contact (of course this goes AU from first contact onward).

System Alliance Space

TV channels all across the Alliance suddenly cut from their shows to emergency news broadcasts. Online entertainment providers like Netflix and Hulu displayed pop-ups on their costumers' screens, allowing them to tune in. Phones and computers simultaneously began buzzing and ringing as notifications streamed in over the internet.

"A new development on the Shanxi Communication Blackout has just come in; the Parliament has entered into an emergency closed session just behind me at Arcturus. If you look in the top right corner of your screen, you'll see playback of the arrival of nearly every high ranking Alliance military personal just minutes ago," began the new reported. "We've been receiving reports of massive troop mobilization across the Alliance. A few videos were just sent in, I'm seeing this for the first time too."

As the reporter talked, several videos took over the new broadcast. Hand held recordings showed men and women in both civilian and military uniforms literally pouring through the entrance of a military base. Shuttles streamed into the sky towards low flying ships above.

"This was just outside Fort Independence Spaceport on Earth, non-stop shuttle flights have been taking personnel to the Fourth Fleet since late last night," the reporter spoke over the video.

The video suddenly changed to a view of Arcturus space station. The camera, which seemed to be on a news ship, zoomed onto a single ship from the fleet surrounding the station. It became clear that the ship was a carrier, as the sloping side armor was actually split into two overlapping pieces. The hangers were protected between these the two slabs of armor.

Suddenly, many small craft began exiting from this gap between the two sloping pieces of metal. A literal swarm began to form as the fighter just kept coming from within the massive craft.

"These remarkable images are from the Third Fleet just outside Arcturus. We've identified this ship as the SSV Higgs, a Churchill-Class carrier built just five years ago," told the reporter. "As we've been covering for the past month, there has been an ongoing communications blackout from the distant colony of Shanxi. The Second Fleet only last night was sent through the the colony's relay. Many are theorists are proclaiming this may be the start of an insurrection."

Suddenly, the video cut from its loop of the SSV Higgs back to the outside of the Parliament building. The camera was struggling to follow behind the reporter, all around other news stations were similarly rushing towards the doors of the building. A previously locked door was now wide open for the media to enter. Capitol police was seen directing the reporters through the labyrinth of hallways towards a press box overlooking the main house of parliament.

"It looks to be a joint parliament meeting, we can see the Prime Minister has already been called up by the speaker and is about give an address," narrated the reporter. Within seconds the roar of the new crews had turned into a few hushed whispers as the Prime Minister called for silence.

"In 2069, Armstrong Outpost was established on Luna. In 2069, humanity stepped out of its cradle. We walked among the stars, no longer squabbling over territory or resources; for the galaxy promised infinite prosperity! We had reached peace eternal. In the years to come we spread our wings across our home system, we learned to harness the power of stars... and so much more. Then in 2118 everything changed; we were not alone. From the mars archives our technology advanced centuries! Medicines and technologies gave our citizens a life of luxury never before experienced. Peace was eternal," began the Prime Minister. With steel eyes he scanned the room, his steady and deep voice having entrapped the audience.

"Last month, July 6th of 2157: a day where eternity was shattered. For our peace was not endless; war, war once again has crossed our path. A series of distress calls were received from Shanxi," spoke the Prime Minister. "The Second Fleet was scrambled to a state of battle readiness and fourteen hours ago entered the Shanxi system. Despite not knowing what they may face, the brave men and women rushed to the aid of their fellow citizens. Led by Admiral Drescher, the fleet was witness to a vicious siege of the peaceful colony. After a short but intense battle, the Second Fleet defeated the enemy invasion force with little casualties; allowing the escape of only two small frigates."

"The unknown force had abruptly and viciously engaged the 23rd scout flotilla during a routine activation of a relay. Although beaten back, the enemy was soon to return. The valiant militia led by General Williams not only defended the capital city of Jinyang but organized a brilliant counter-attack which encircled the enemy landing forces."

"We are at war. We are at war with an ALIEN race that prefers to shot first and ask questions later. Yes, we are at war with another sapient species. A possibility we have considered but hoped against since the Prothean ruins were first uncovered. We are at war with a race we have no idea the capabilities, the number, nor the location. We are at war with something many didn't believe we'd ever encounter, intelligent life. Yet do not cower; the System Alliance has hoped for peace, but we are prepared to fight. And make no doubt, we shall fight till our dying breath. For this enemy has proved through indiscriminate orbital bombardment of civilians that they will take naught but our extinction! There will be no surrender!"

The Prime Minister began gradually raising his voice in his speech.

"No matter the time nor effort it takes to overcome this aggression. No matter the resources nor wealth that must be used in protection. No matter the sacrifices we must face, I believe I speak the will of this parliament and this people when I say that this race and all other races will be shown that humanity will not lay down. We will not bow in the face of barbarism and brutality. We will not lay down without a fight, we will not go quietly into the night!"

Now the Prime Minister had dropped to barely a low murmur.

"The aggressors knock on our door. We have known that we were not alone in the stars. But if we must be alone in the stars to have eternal peace, than so be it. With confidence in our armed forces, we will gain victory over our foes. It is with this I declare that this body has voted since the dastardly and unprovoked attacks on July 6th of 2157, the System Alliance has been at a state of war with these savages."

Shanxi System

"Admiral, are you sure this is the wisest course of action?" Asked the Minister of Defense, the Prime Minister also listening in. An FTL comm buoy had been dropped in the Shanxi system as soon as the Second Fleet had forced out the enemy. Nearly immediately, Drescher had been in contact with her civilian leaders. The comms buoy sent the information over the relay nearly instantaneous. Therefore, as long as the two parties weren't too far from their buoys to cause time delays, they could have nearly really time talks.

"It's clear from General Williams' report that the enemy wasn't prepared for the number of single manned craft we utilize in combat. They didn't even bring a carrier with them for a ground invasion! I didn't display my carrier attachment in this counter-attack, so I can use them in a surprise thrust through the relay. It would overwhelm whatever is on the other side," repeated Admiral Drescher. "Furthemore, it is strategically important to establish a forward operation base outside our own territory. We need to create a buffer zone between Shanxi and these aliens."

"And what time period could such an attack be made?"

"Ideally a few weeks of repair for many of my ships, months for the most damaged ones. But I've made the decision that we will leave behind the most damaged ships here at Shanxi, and press forward with whatever is combat able. We must press the advantaged before the enemy brings another fleet to bear."

"Indeed. Then proceed, but no further than the next system. The next fleet is still days away."

"Yes, Sir. I understand," Drescher saluted her superior. She quickly moved to give orders to her subordinates. She had already prepared the fleet to move out, she had only needed orders from above. Her entire force, minus the combat ineffective ships, had arranged themselves around the recently activated relay. The relay, deactivated before the aliens used it to invade, was one of two in the system. The other led back into Alliance Space, where the second fleet had come from.

The Alliance was already rushing for ideas to fortify the relay. Mines were being constructed out of disruptor torpedoes. Plans were being drawn up for Dreadnought sized cannons to be arranged around the relay in defensive space stations. Some were even calling for plans to be made for the destruction of the relay. Drescher believed the best defense was to go on offense.

She walked to the bridge of the Everest, many sailors giving her salutes as she passed by. The command space was already a buzz of activity as the officers prepared for the second battle in only a few short hours. A count down clock was in the corner of the bridge screen, showing when they would jump.

"Status?" She called out to her XO.

"The fleet is ready to jump. There was a slight malfunction on the primary LIDAR, it appears to be battle damaged, but we've switched to secondary," reported the Executive Officer.

The last few minutes of waiting were a nerve wracking affair. For all the fleet knew, they could be jumping into a fortress. They could all die from a massive mine field around the relay instantly upon arrival. They just didn't know.

When they arrived in the system they immediately started a battle. A small picket force of frigates were instantly crushed by the overwhelming firepower of the Alliance cruisers and Dreadnoughts. Nevertheless, the small rearguard served their purpose; an alien corvette managing to speed away at FTL. The technicians aboard the Alliance fleet frantically worked to create a navigation system for the new system, so the fleet could accurately communicate plans and movements.

"Thermal and electronic signatures from deeper within the system! About 25 AU away!" Detecting fleets in system was relatively easy. The heat given off by ships in the vacuum was a giant indicator. Communications between ships could be picked up from far away, being the only sources of EM in the system. RADAR was much slower, having to hit the target and return, and also had a significant drop off in , just focussing on the heat could tell you the class of ship. Dreadnoughts were like a floodlight compared to the flashlight of a frigate.

"Three dreadnought analogues! Accompanying cruisers and frigate, heavy on the cruisers."

Drescher looked at the sensors readings. They were floating around another relay orbiting a planet deeper in the system. They had just arrived. It seemed she had missed the window to plant an ambush within the system.

One of the key pieces to this battle would be if the enemy had carriers. If they did... then Drescher wouldn't be going back to Shanxi. The problem was that heat signatures were nearly identically for dreadnoughts and carriers, and RADAR would take too long and wasn't accurate enough at such distance.

Drescher thought about her options. The enemy signatures appeared to be in a rather defensive grouping, so even with the element of surprise (which see now didn't have thanks to the alien corvette) she would still have a battle on her hands. They outnumbered her, meaning a she would have to even the odds. She'd have to rely on her carrier group. She sent a message back through the relay for the two vessel to proceed into the system.

With a quick order she had her forces scramble into a battle formation and prepare to FTL to the enemy fleet. She ordered the carriers to angle their main hangar away from the enemy, and prepare to launch anti-ship sorties. She then ordered the fleet to FTL to the enemy.

Within seconds of arriving, the enemy had scrambled to face the vector of the arriving Alliance fleet. There was some advantage to the Alliance, as even with a few minutes notice the enemy would still be scrambling their sailors to battle positions. In their current formation not all ships were facing the optimal way to bring about GARDIAN lasers on an approaching group of fighters. However, the enemy was ready for a battle. They were, after all, only a single relay away from Shanxi.

Some of the alien frigates and cruisers quickly formed into packs and swam towards the Alliance fleet. A huddle of cruisers and frigates stayed behind and protected the three dreadnoughts, who began to orient for long range fire. It was all according to Drescher's plan.

The Alliance carriers began to disgorge hundreds of fighters armed with disruptor tipped missiles. These fighters stayed behind the hulking shape of the carriers, hiding them from the enemy. Finally, upon Drescher's orders, they swarmed.

The enemy dreadnoughts had lost a significant amount of anti-air capability when the majority of the frigates and cruisers formed into their wolf packs. They didn't know the Alliance carriers were anything but more dreadnoughts. Fighters have great acceleration, allowing them to speed up and around the approaching packs of alien frigates and cruisers. Said packs had massive inertia, meaning they couldn't easily stop and return to their dreadnoughts. Mass Effect cores helped with this, but nothing to the extent of allowing the thousands of tons of metal to turn on a dime.

It was a near massacre when the fighter swarm approached the alien dreadnoughts and their small number of escorts. They had GARDIAN systems, but these were point defense weapons aimed at disruptor torpedoes. They worked great against these missiles that had lots of fuel, not as well against the more heavily armored fighters with forward ablative armor. Furthermore, fighters had room for ECM equipment. Several hundred of these ECM sets approaching at close range meant reduced targeting ability.

The fighters carried smaller disruptor torpedoes than ships, as they were shorter ranged. The fighters, in contrast to the torpedoes, were propelled by fusion drives and were lightened by small eezo cores. While the efficiency of delivery by missile versus fighter could be argued; the fact was that the small single manned machines were disposable.

Should dreadnoughts engage in a duel, there was going to be heavy damage to both side. Very costly damage that often made captains hesitant to engage. Fighters could be built cheaply by the hundreds, and allowed the carriers to strike at the dreadnought without put their multi-billion hull at risk. Most importantly, the disruptor torpedos provided a potent weapon with which the dreadnought could be destroyed by much smaller adversaries.

The first pass of fighters, which happened in mere seconds, had four torpedos from each fighter streaming towards the dreadnoughts and escorts. Without any carriers to launch a fighter wing to intercept, the aliens were doomed. Two dreadnoughts crumpled and twisted from the warping eezo fields, before being ripped apart by their own core's going critical. The other dreadnought managed to hold on, but was left helpless in the void. The Everest quickly prowled on the defenseless vessel, its main gun tearing it apart in short order. A second pass was completed on the remaining cruisers, each fighters using its two final missiles before accelerating back towards their carriers.

It was a simple fact that carriers were just as deadly in space as in water. Disruptor warheads were simply so powerful that it allowed small disposable fighters to be put at risk instead of the capital ships, maximizing damage and reducing potential losses.

The battle wasn't over yet, though. Drescher now had the advantage, having a dreadnought and two carriers advantage, but she now had to manage the rearmament of all the strike fighters. The enemy frigate and cruiser count still slightly outnumbered her own, and combined had a lot of AA fire, but that was something she thought she could manage.

"Admiral! New ships coming through the relay!"

Just as the officer gave the warning, a trio of smooth ships appeared out of the relay. Drescher ordered them brought up on screen. Two were smaller frigates sized vessels with two protruding arms to either side. The other was cruiser sized with an additional arm protruding downwards. The middle of each vessels was empty.

"Admiral I'm receiving a message in Prothean!" Announced the comms officer. "It's says 'peace' !"