Chapter 2

Review answer: I don't plan on making this a habit, but I feel I should explain the Schahl Empire after some reviews. As I thought about a mass effect crossover, I noticed there are distinct technological paths that galactic civilizations follow. More often than not, it is a specialization; Mass Effect-Mass Manipulation, Halo-Dimensional Manipulation, Warhammer 40k-Psionics(Correct me if I'm wrong since I know little about it), Starwars-good old fashion FTL of Hyperspace(which fits several space sci-fi empires). With this in mind and a brain full of recent Isekai anime…I thought I have yet to see spacefaring fantasy earth with gods, dragons, demi-humans, and heroes. So I up and created the Schahl Empire, which will be better explained as the story progresses, but their technological niche is magic, but with technology, with a sort of technomancy nature to it(classic fireballs, ice spears, devices that cast magic for the user,...etc). I eventually wanted to create a story of my own that covers an entire planet's history of development(stone age through space age in a magic setting, the weak link being space age), so I'm doing this as a challenge and practice I guess. At the same time, I love Mass Effect and Halo and hope to emulate the way they approach space combat to an extent. If anyone has read the halo books, aside from Master Chief being a bad A, the space battles are insane. Also, I realized I messed up the dates for the fall of reach and the Skyllian blitz, ill be moving forward with that corrected. Additionally for this xover, the spirit of fire was rescued after the UNSC realized arcadia had gone silent, as in doesn't exist anymore. I'll stop rambling now, on to the story.

Captain Jacob Keyes

Orbit over Reach

July 12, 2552

Captain Keyes opened his eyes groggily, finding that several medics were huddled over him with scanners and various other instruments, "Give me a status report. How many casualties did the covenant fleet inflict on the battle group."

Watanabe calls out to the captain with no hint of distress, "actually sir, there were no casualties. In fact, the entire covenant armada has simply vanished. Additionally, Admiral Stanforth wants you to report in as soon as you are able."

Keyes blinks and wonders if he's dead. If not dead then dreaming. "What do you mean they vanished?"

The medics back off when Keyes waves them away, reclaiming the captain's chair, "I'm fine, patch me through to fleet command. Tarkov, the Comms Specialist creates a connection request and sends it to Captain Keyes's viewing screen.

"Captain Keyes, a pleasure seeing you are unharmed," the tough grizzled voice of admiral Stanforth appears on the screen, "We are in touch with Fleetcom and have learned every habitable human world, station, and ship have found themselves in a solar system bearing copies of habitable planets. What we do know about this miraculous event is that all covenant forces have vanished in space and on the surface of Reach. Standby for further orders, Stanforth out."

Captain Keyes nods, "establish a shipwide announcement ensign Tarkov."

"Yes sir, you are now live across all stations of the ship," Tarkovs thick Russian accent carries over the bridge.

"This is captain Keyes to all hands. We have found ourselves in a mysterious situation. The covenant armada is gone and reach is secured. As it stands the battle group is completely intact and I will relay any information to the crew as I myself learn the details. Keyes out." Keyes finishes his update and the crew responds with cheers!

"Sir, orders from Admiral Stanforth's ship. We are to collect spartan teams from the ground defense on reach and fireteam sent to Reach Station Gamma, then regroup with the fleet." Tarkov calls out across the cheers.

"Comms get Spartan-117's pelican back here asap and set course for ODP generators on reach. We'll enter the atmosphere and pick up remaining Spartans with a pelican," Keyes orders in line with those given by the admiral.

The bridge settles down and quickly performs all necessary tasks, "Sir transmission from 117. He says the station is scuttled and has a detachment of marines now inbound to the Pillar of Autumn. Additionally, sir, Noble Team is requesting pick up. Dr. Halsey is with them with a priority one package, ONI has also relayed such orders, sir."

"I see, get a pelican to their position and bring em aboard," Keyes places the pipe from his jacket into his mouth and begins to absentmindedly chew on it, one thing on his mind. How would he act when Halsey arrived. Perhaps he would have to send a message to Miranda.

Lt. Stanton Shepard

Last Remaining FOB, Elysium

July 12, 2176

Shepard stood at the table with the three green armored giants. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the behemoths. They commanded such an imposing aura, but he wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. Giants and both men and women suddenly dropped from the sky to slaughter Batarian pirates. More surprising is that under the gold visor, the blue visors, and some silver visors were humans, a faction Shepard has no knowledge about. He silently hoped in his heart they were not Cerberus.

"We have successfully pushed the Batarians from the center of the city," The giant with 092 written on his chest plate states, "where are locations we need to go first to rescue civilians?"

Three gold visors look at Shepard who quickly returns from his thoughts, "we have civilian bunkers here and here." Shepard points to two locations on the holo map displayed above the table.

"Acknowledged. We'll send ODST squads there immediately," Comes the curt reply from 092, "where are the enemy forces located with the greatest concentration?"

A voice outside the room shouts, "incoming." a loud boom is heard and the table shakes along with the room.

Shepard notices that not a single one of the giants reacted or even stumbled just now, " the enemy has fortified their position in the partially destroyed colonial affairs building that oversees the colony."

092 nods and speaks to the other giants without turning his head, "Spartans we will assault the building and kill enemy forces. Check fire in case of civilians. Lt. Shepard, continue to rally your forces and defend the perimeter of the FOB so we have somewhere to relocate civilians to."

Spartans? Does that mean they are linked to earth? Shepard nods, "yes, sir. Can I ask real quick, who are you guys with? Cerberus?"

"We are the sword and shield of humanity, the UNSC," 092 says and walks out of the room with the other two Spartans.

A marine suddenly bursts into the room and looks distressed, "LT come quick, they are executing Batarian prisoners."

What! Shepherd's mind goes into overdrive and he dashes out to hear gunshots within the FOB. He rushes out of the command room and towards the ten UNSC ODSTs and snaps one of their guns up into the air, "stop we can't execute unarmed prisoners!"

The ODST takes his gun out of Shepard's hands, "Don't tell me you're defending these Xeno Pieces of shit."

Shepard can't see what expression the man has, but knows it probably isn't a good one. "Citadel Law states that prisoners taken in battles must be treated fairly until their government reclaims them or gives them a trial for war crimes."

Another shot rings out and a nearby ODST drops the Batarian behind Shepard, splattering red blood across the ground.

Shepard glares when the ODST in front of him snorts, "Orders are to take no Xeno survivors, Beside the universe won't miss salvers like them."

Shepard is left by the ODSTs and looks over the thirty or so Batarian prisoners who were executed. This was madness, but realistically what could he do? The UNSC is an unknown faction and is also saving civilians.

Shaking his head, Shepard moves amongst defending personnel and gives orders.

Spartan Jerome-092

Outside Batarian Fortifications

July 12, 2552

Jerome uses hand signals unique to Spartans to have Alice and Douglas spread out. They will assault the Batarian base from three points to spread the enemy forces out. After they arrive at their positions, Jerome blinks a light in his hud. Getting two winks in confirmation, the Spartans move.

A loud whine blares over the shouts and commands of Batarian commanders to their subordinates. Whoom! A Large red laser slams into the front gate of the colonial affairs building. Shrapnel tears into defenders near the doors, and an unlucky Batarian behind the door finds himself a large hole in his chest.

Without wasting even a microsecond, Jerome launches into the enemy ranks like death itself. Batarians struggle to mount a defense, but Jerome was easily predicting their movements and bullet trajectory. When a round did hit him by chance, golden shields would flare and lose two percent. Batarians become mere meat in the grinder of the death machine that is a spartan.

Jerome fires a burst into a Batarian on his right while pulling a knife and slicing the throat of one to his left. He is tossed airborne for a moment when a Batarian does something he has never seen before. The enemy pirate had purple energy enveloping him, the unknown attack catches Jerome by surprise.

Strain is visible on the Batarian's face from just that one blow. Jerome quickly realizes his weight is what mitigated the lapse in his tactical awareness, but he will not be caught off guard again. Landing on his feet Jerome dashes forward and punches the glowing Batarian. It flies backward, a crate in its chest.

Jerome watches as a large machine smashes through the remains of the gate to the building. Such a large machine looks dangerous, but Jerome quickly notices it fails in comparison to the cyclops aboard the Spirit of Fire.

Missiles launch from an arm on the mech, that's when Jerome enters what his fellow Spartans call spartan time. Time seems to slow to a crawl as four missiles stream towards him billowing white smoke. Jerome leaves his knife in a Batarian and drops his assault rifle. The first missile is directed away to his right where it will strike a group of Batarians trying to regroup. Missile two is redirected straight up. The last two Jerome snatches from the air and spins around, redirecting them back at the mech. Finally, he pulls a magnum from his thigh plate.

To his right Batarians are splattered on the walls and street in pieces. Two missiles strike the large mech. Its shields drop and staggers the massive machine. Jerome fires four shots into the left knee, shattering hydraulics. To end the machine Jerome sprints forward to deliver a kick to its chassis. The metal crumbles under the immense force of the blow. Instincts drilled into his head by Mendez scream to leap back from danger. In the next moment, the mech detonates, destroying the front of the building.

Jerome retrieves his knife and assault rifle after returning the magnum to his thigh plate. A quick visual scan of the front of the building reveals several dozens of dead Batarians. Jerome steps forward into the building and finds his Spartans advancing towards him covered in red blood and pieces of Batarians.

"Building is clear," Douglas reports.

Jerome nods and checks comms, "Trooper Gonzales, status of civilian rescue op."

A Voice cuts through the radio, "civilians evacuated and returning to base."

"Affirmative," Jerome says in reply, "Batarian main force destroyed, eliminate stragglers."

PFC. John Campos

Boarding Craft

July 12, 2278

The boarding craft lurched slightly as it lined up to the slaver ship, "Alright marines, we got some Xeno Bastards daring to enslave humans. Slaves have been outfitted with a control chip at the base of their skulls. Should you encounter them, disable, but do not harm them." John's squad leader yells over the sound of a plasma cutter breaching the pirate ship's hull, "We are to secure the ship and take prisoners if able, but your safety and the safety of the slaves take priority. Ready up and stay frosty marines.

John checks that his technomancy rifle has a loaded magic unit and his preferred spell set is equipped with ice spears. The rifle reads full and indicates he can fire up to fifty spells before replacing the magic unit.

A large clang sounds through the boarding craft as the ship's hull falls away. Thirty marines dash into the pirate ship firing at targets as they appear. John fires two ice spears with two trigger pulls, the first shatters on the shield the pirates use, and the last impales a pirate center mass.

Marines take some fire but the green magic barriers flare to protect the marines from what appears to be a grain of sand size projectiles. John can only watch as sustained fire from several pirates on one marine collapses his barrier, blood drains from crevices in his battle suit, "medics!"

The wounded marine is quickly dragged away to the boarding craft. John retaliates by switching his rifle configuration to lightning bolts. A blast from his rifle smacks a pirate dead center and arcs between several pirates, frying their shields and leaving victims twitching on the floor. Shots of fireballs and various other spells dispatch the pirates, allowing the boarders to keep pushing forward.

Rounding a corner, john finds himself looking at a Batarian slaver holding a slave hostage, "take one move closer, and ill blow her brains out!."

The Captain makes a gesture with his hand that john quickly interprets. John slaps a hand to his forearm and finds himself behind the Batarian slaver. John grapples the scum to the ground freeing the slave, who just stands there with a blank expression. The slaver's gun slides away. As a precaution, john quickly shoves a nearby rag into the slaver's mouth to prevent any verbal commands that would kill the slave, then casts magic binding cuffs to take the slaver prisoner. Brilliant blue rings loop around the slaver's ankles and wrists.

Returning to the Squad, seeing a marine lead the slave towards the boarding craft. John and the squad continue to move through the ship saving slaves and killing or capturing pirates. Then they find themselves at the bridge.

"Prepare breaching spells and ready light magic to disorient the bastards," The squad captain orders. John quickly stacks up on the right side of the hall to breach the ship's bridge.

One marine steps forward and levels his rifle at the door, "Breaching!" There is a bright flash followed by a boom! The marine closest to the door on the left tosses a small sphere into the room while enemy fire whizzes into the hall.

There's a sound similar to a camera flash, signaling the marines to storm the room. Batarians are tackled to the ground and tied up. One Batarian firing wildly is cut down with a light blade.

"You human scum! I'll..mfpmph." John silences the slaver scum by smashing his face with the butt of John's rifle. Blue cuffs quickly appear on the slaver's hands.

"Command, Slaver ship is pacified. Requesting transport for enslaved individuals and criminal scum," the squad captain reports in and john feels somewhat relieved. Mission over and was a success.

Admiral Kastanie Drescher

Orbit over Elysium

July 12, 2157, SA Calendar

Admiral Drescher wasn't surprised when the two new commanders came up on her screen and Captain Cutter spoke first, "Ground forces eliminated minimal casualties."

The orc commander nods and says, "excellent! We have taken control of all pirate ships in the system and rescued any enslaved individuals."

"System alliance reinforcements are supposed to arrive soon," Drescher informs them just in case they would've fired on the ships, "How many prisoners will be cared for."

"No surviving ground forces admiral," Cutter says with zero emotions on his face, and Drescher can't help but wonder if that was intentional. Ghoruk informs her of less than a dozen captured pirates.

"Now then admirals I think we can say now that the situation is under control," Drescher tackles the elephant in the room, "do you have a way to contact your ruling governments?"