To make my writing a tad more manageable, I'm assigning a classification to the empire's ships and their comparison to other space vessels. Also, I did some basic math and realized if the carrier is only two thousand meters, where would the fighters possibly fit 300 of them? This occurred with many ships. So I guess this is an overhaul and correction. The ships are made to kinds like oversized "Hot Commodity" from Destiny 2(except the Kingfisher fighters).
Eagle Class Carrier: Length; 2000m Width; 500m Height; 750m
This class of ship was designed entirely with Fighters in mind, therefore, there are only the crew and fighter pilots aboard. This class of ship is used for patrols and defense fleets only. Carries 110 fighter craft and is crewed by 100 people, excluding fighter pilots.
Powered by one Magic Prism Core. Does not have a main weapon, just point defense turrets. In an emergency, the carrier can hold up to an additional 1000 people for evacuations, after fighters have launched or been jettisoned. Double the size of an SA carrier. (2x as big as SA heavy carrier and only 500m larger than UNSC carriers)
Kingfisher Class Fighter: Length; 10m Wingspan; 5m Height(with landing gear); 5m
Designed, without prior knowledge of F16s, similar to F16s and a touch smaller to boot. Armed with a rotating cannon firing 30mm ammunition, and armed with six missiles. If authorized, a fighter can carry a nuclear missile. The craft can transition to atmosphere and space. (couldn't find a measurement for SA fighters but is way smaller than UNSC fighters by at least 2x, 8x for the Broadsword, UNSC fighters are ridiculously large in one case…)
Falcon Class Cruiser: Length; 1000m Width; 400m Height; 300m
This class of ship can hold an average of 1000 people. Three companies of marines(200), one company of special forces(100), and three hundred crew. Cruisers are armed with plasma lances, plasma torpedoes, and a forward-facing Mass Acceleration Cannon. Point defense weapons run along the outer hull. Each Cruiser has seven hangers filled with dropship transports, heavy armor, and several ground transport vehicles. Powered by three MPCs. (larger than SA cruisers but smaller than UNSC cruisers)
Basilisk Class Dreadnought: Length; 4000m Height; 1000m Width; 2000m
These behemoths of a ship are the heavy hitters of the Imperial navy. They sport a star cannon to the front, plasma lances, plasma torpedoes, and three MACs firing 200 kilotons of depleted Uranium-tipped rounds. Powered by six MPCs(three for just the star cannon). This class of ship can hold four times the crew/marines. There are twenty-eight hangars, again four times that of the cruiser. (4x larger than SA Dreadnought, twice as big as phoenix class colony ship)
Mythos Class Super-Carrier: Length; 6000m Width; 4000m Height; 2500m
There is only one class of this ship currently made, The Ethertons Retribution, and carries only three times as many fighters as a regular carrier. There is a full Batallion of Spartans(1000) and a crew(1000) on the ship. This ship also houses Emperor Schahl when he leaves Earth. The Ship has a staggering nine MPCs, (three to power the star cannon). It's only armed with plasma lances, torpedoes, and point defense weapons besides the star cannon, and no MACs. (6x larger than SA's largest dreadnought and 3x larger than phoenix class colony ship)
Syracuse Class War Station: Shape; sphere Diameter; 15km
This massive monstrosity is designed to be a flying fortress. It wields a star cannon and several MACs powered by a whopping eighteen MPCs. There are point defense weapons, plasma lances, and plasma torpedos. They are housing 1000 Kingfisher Fighters and two battalions of marines containing three companies of special forces. There are one hundred and five hangars. These are expensive to make and therefore are only used to defend planets, i.e. in every other defense fleet of the largest population centers. (Larger than earth's moon by a little under three times)
Star Cannon: A cannon that fires a spell designed to emulate the Sol star's inner core. firing a condensed directed beam with a temperature of 27 million degrees Fahrenheit.
Magic Prism Core Type 2: Utilizes a large Mana Stone from the largest and most powerful monsters and dungeons, usually 10m in diameter. These are utilized in starships and defense grids and cities. Allows use of jump gates.
Magic Prism Core Type 1: Utilizes medium size Mana Stones from medium monsters and dungeons, usually a meter in diameter. Used in smaller civilian and military vehicles and ships. Allows use of jump gates.
Magic Storage Device: Utilizes small Mana Stones to power small devices like military rifles, often taking the shape of rifle magazines or cylinders for civilians.
Argentavis Class Drop Ship: Length; 40m Width; 25m Height; 20m
This ship is designed to carry military personnel and haul ground armor and vehicles. It can hold a full platoon of marines in the cargo bay(30 marines). The drop ship carries vehicles or supplies below the cargo hold. (it looks like a much larger "eos raptor" from destiny, also slightly larger than a UNSC pelican)
Ground Vehicles-
Tortoise class troop transport: Length; 30m Width; 15m height 25m
Has four wheels with a lowering ramp on the sides and back. Can carry a platoon of marines. The top speed is 30kph. Armed with two .50 cal chainguns. (similar to Halo elephant vehicle, but closed and streamlined.)
Ostrich class rapid transport: Length; 4m Width; 2m Height; 2m
Smaller and faster than the troop transport. It has a capacity of five marines. The top speed is 130kph. It is armed with one .50 cal chaingun. (similar to modern humvee)
Dragon Class Tank: Length; 15m Width; 9m Height; 8m
This tank hovers above the ground with a top speed of 25kph. It is armed with one .50 cal chaingun and 150mm high explosive ammunition. Due to the new anti-gravity tech, it is three times slower than an M1 Abrams tank used by the US. (slightly bigger than the scorpion tank in halo)
Patrol group: One carrier and two cruisers.
Defense Fleets: Two carriers, five cruisers, three dreadnoughts, and occasionally one war station.
War Fleet: Five carriers, Twelve cruisers, and 8 dreadnoughts.
Schahl Empire has colonized 80 worlds, but only large population centers have a defense fleet (26 Planets), while the rest have patrol groups (53 Planets).
Done. that took me two hours of math and research into sizes of real vehicles and comparing them to halo and mass effect vehicles. Two hours that I should've been doing homework…stats 1040 sucks. Anyway onto the story!
Cyril Oestreicher
Argentavis Dropship en route to Citadel
July 26, 2176, Approx 5:00 AM
Cyril followed much of the same pattern as Demaris experienced when arriving at the citadel. Accosted by C-Sec, then inevitably let in to see the council. The Batarian Ambassador stood beside the Turian councilor. Unlike Demaris, Cyril is without an escort, not that he needs one.
In the viewing decks to the left and right of the council are dozens of spectators. Salerians look on curiously, Turians look on with annoyance, and Asari carries a holier than thou expression. Cyril can see a few looks of pity among all.
The Batarian ambassador looks quite smug standing next to the council and Cyril already knows the Batarians have refused. The UNSC had sent prowlers to Batarian space and only found them fortifying their positions. Cyril however had a specific task.
Tevos looks down at Cyril, whose eyes are hidden by his hat and body hidden by his brown duster. Her eyes bear arrogance and age, attempts at hiding it are evident in her white makeup some Asari wear in cultural fashions.
"Greeting Councilors, My name is Cyril Oestreicher, General of the Schahl Empire" Cyril greets the Xenos, "I have come on behalf of the United Earths Alliance, specifically the Schahl Empire. I have come to see what the Batarians have decided to do, hopefully, use their brains for once, and return all human slaves."
Tevos speaks before the Batarian does, "I would appreciate it if you didn't use insults while we try to better navigate this situation. It is true that the Citadel has outlawed slavery, however, as it existed in Batarian culture before they joined the citadel, prior slaves are allowed. That being said the Batarian Hegemony has officially stated that they do not have any human slaves."
Jath'Amon, the Batarian Ambassador speaks up now, "The Hegemony did not sanction or provide funding for any pirate or slave raids. To request us to invade our people's homes just to check them would violate their rights."
Cyril bursts out into laughter, "What rights? You live in a caste system, those below you are viewed as scum. But let's move on." Cyril lifts his head to look directly into Tevos's eyes, "Am I to assume that your statement is that of the council? That you will do nothing while humans are enslaved, raped, and killed by the Batarian culture?"
Sparatus glares at Cyril and snarks, "The humans are protected, protected by Palaven.."
"Then where were you!" Cyril roars, "While thousands of your 'vassals' were murdered and ripped from their homes and lives? Were you slow to act or were you just not wasting Turian lives? All I see is a group of people with their own egos so far up their own ass it is stick out your mouth."
"You dare take that tone with me human?" Sparatus shouts back, "I think Humanity needs to be taught its place in this galaxy."
Cyril's face contorts into a cruel smile, his tone becoming softer, "Before I inform you of what the Empire is about to do, let me tell you something. I grew up on the plains of Wyoming in a peaceful settlement that only occasionally had to deal with orcs, Bandits, and slavers. But one fateful day, a day meant to be the best in my life became the worst. Orcs, Bandits, and Slavers spurred on by terrorists came and attacked my home. They killed my sister, father, and mother right before my eyes. I will never forget the look of fear on my sister's deceased face with poison of all things seeping through her blood, delivered by a mere nick on her neck. My Father run through with a sword, then my mother. I had to kill for the first time at the age of ten just to protect my life. I and the schahl empire will not tolerate this kind of violence, the abhorrent practice of Slavery."
The council can only look on with stoic expressions, while the spectators whisper and gossip. With the tone Cyril took, many are in tears.
"This is an official declaration. The Systems Alliance hereby removes itself from the Citadel and will not be held to its laws and rules. All of humanity is now united by the United Earths Alliance, three separate governments, and one goal to leave our mark on the stars. We hereby declare war on the Batarian Hegemony. We will reduce any force that opposes us to dust."
The next action taken seals the fate of the Batarians and Human relations with the council. Cyril dashes forward at a speed that should be impossible by anyone. His speed is due to a physical enhancement spell subtly cast by the Assisted Casting Device on his neck. Within a second, Cyril has one of his Colt Single Action Army Revolver pressed to the head of the Batarian Ambassador Jath'Amon's Head. Bang! The Batarians Head finds a neat little hole in the middle, in the next instant, his body burst aflame. Jath'Amon doesn't even scream while burning, he was dead when the bullet sprayed his red blood and grey matter on the floor behind him.
Cyril kicks off the railing in front of the councilors, Flipping gracefully in the air and landing on his previous position. He takes off running toward the docks.
"Murder!" Sparatus bellows among the cacophony of screams issued by the spectators, "Capture that human!"
C-Sec quickly forms in the way of Cyril's path to the elevator, stacked in two's or three's behind cover. Cyril smirks, he knows they won't fire at him with so many civilians running around like headless chickens. The Gunslinger on the other hand never misses.
Pulling the second Colt from his holster, Cyril hits C-Sec officers in the arms or legs. He was told only to kill the Batarian Ambassador, with no other Casualties. Each C-Sec officer hit finds a block of ice forming around their arm or leg. Kinetic shields can stop the physical for of his bullets, but not his enchantments on said bullet. Cyril would later find out his specially made bullets did drop three-quarters of their shield when hit.
Cyril pulls off the most eye-widening acrobatics. He leaps off of civilians, trees, and decorative rocks in his mad dash to the elevator. C-Sec officers can't hit them, even Demaris had to fight seriously to stop Cyril.
Sliding into the elevator, Cyril Smirks. He could have just left, but he wanted to mess with C-Sec a little bit. A small personal Jump-Gate opens beneath Cyril's feet. One moment Cyril is looking at the Citadel, next he is inside his Argentavis Dropship.
The docking clamps are shredded when a Jump Gate Appears beneath the dropship. Outside the Citadel, Cyril guns the engines and swiftly flies away from the Citadel.
"Open a channel to Ethertons Retribution," Cyril orders while he places his hat on the control console.
"Right away!" the cheerful voice of Cyril's personal A.I. acknowledges his command.
Suddenly a hologram above the control console reveals Demaris Schahl, "Report."
"The Batarian Ambassador is dead, returning to Ethertons Retribution," Cyril informs his friend and leader.
Demaris nods and relates to Cyril's new orders, "You are to report back and link up with your Gunslingers for deployment."
"It will be done Demaris," Cyril cuts the communication and leans back into his seat. A jump Game opens beneath the ship, it will take a few hours to reach the staging point near Khar'Shan.
Admiral Levi McEwan
Emperor's Hand, Basilisk Class Dreadnought
War Staging Area
July 26, 2176
Captain Jacob Keyes, along with seven other captains, appear above the Admiral's holo table. He had requested that the UNSC's ships on this operation be briefed.
"Greetings UNSC captains," Levi greets the captains of the UNSC, "I'm sure you have your orders, but we will soften up the enemy so you can get closer to Khar'Shan. Captain Keyes will follow behind the departure of the fleet by about five minutes to ensure mission success for the Pillar of Autumn. Other ships will join the initial attack."
"Much appreciated Admiral," a one Captain Keyes nods, "Is there any additional data about the enemy forces we should be aware of?"
Admiral McEwan brings up the readouts from UNSC Prowler Shadow Strike, "As you can see, due to the reliance on the relay network, the majority of forces are stationed in front of the relay with a 100,000km distance consisting of two hundred Turian ships of varying classes. The Turians only have three Dreadnoughts to assist the Batarians and the remainder are frigates and cruisers. We shouldn't have to worry too many fighters, seeing as the Hierarchy focuses on big guns over having fighters." McEwan then shifts the data view to show Batarian forces, "They have five Dreadnoughts, and another one-hundred and fifty frigates and cruisers."
"What is the plan of attack for those of us in the battlegroup?" A UNSC captain, Captain Joann Erickson, asks.
"We will attack in a way they literally do not expect," Admiral McEwan lays out the battle plans, "We will use Jump Gate to appear above the Batarian defense fleet. The bow of your ships pointed at our ignorant enemies. Aim Primarily for engines to cripple the Batarian ships, then ready for a frontal assault from the Turian Fleet." McEwan changes the frame of data again, "Then all ground forces will invade every city to capture them. It won't be instant in collecting every single human in Batarian space. Orbital MAC strikes are authorized by the UNSC in softening Batarian military sites and ground teams will leave nukes in slave markets and or warehouses once humans have been rescued."
All the UNSC captains give confirmation of orders, "Then get ready to move out, Operation Freedom begins in two minutes, McEwan out."
The holo table ends the connection with UNSC ships, "Comms, relay orders to the fleet as per my discussion with UNSC personnel. Then instruct all ships to have MACs ready."
"Aye sir!" the ensign standing at comms confirms the order, "Relaying orders now."
Amiral McEwan now looks over his forces one last time on the holo table. He has five Eagle Class Carriers, twelve Falcon Class Cruisers, and eight Basilisk Class Dreadnoughts. The UNSC had provided one Autumn Class Heavy Cruiser and five Charon Class Frigates.
The time for the operations comes quickly. Admiral McEwan's dreadnought Emperor's Hand shudders as the Jump Gate carries the ship through space.
United Earths Alliance's war fleet of thirty ships suddenly appears or emerges from slipspace. A.I.'s on all ships Calculate what the Xenos would take minutes to do in mere milliseconds, calculating the trajectories of MACs, and plasma lances. Not plasma torpedoes as that would destroy the ships as opposed to disabling them. The United Earths Alliance wanted ships for materials and study.
The Emperor's Hand shudders as a MAC round is fired. Two hundred kilotons of a depleted uranium tipped round abruptly slams through the engines of a Batarian dreadnought, effectively leaving the ship dead in the "water". The shield of the dreadnought lasted at most for a millisecond before the MAC round bore through the hull.
Mac rounds and plasma lances eviscerate Batarian ships. With one salvo, over a hundred Batarian ships are disabled. Only a few dozen frigates and cruisers remain operational.
A minute later, likely before any Batarians are capable enough to react to the war fleet, the second salvo of MACs and plasma lances disable the remaining ship.
"Admiral McEwan to all ships," Admiral McEwan states, "Deploy all ground forces and UNSC ships assist the ground forces with orbital support. All Imperial Carriers deploy Fighters and all cruisers and dreadnoughts prepare to face Turian forces.
Five hundred fighters are deployed from Imperial carriers and form up into a small ten fighter squads. The Imperial dreadnoughts take the center and are surrounded by Imperial cruisers.
"Comms, get me a line to the flagship of the Turian fleet," Admiral McEwan barely waits a minute before a Turian appears on the holo table.
"I am Admiral Levi McEwan," McEwan warns the Turian, "We Don't want too much Unnescesary conflict with the Turians, our conflict is with the Batarain Hegemony, but we will respond with force should you attack our fleet."
The Turian takes a moment to collect himself, McEwan can surmise his actions against the Batarian fleets have him shellshocked, "I am Admiral Veltius Marcenianus. We are here to protect the Batarian peoples from warmongers. We will not allow you to occupy Khar'Shan."
"It seems like you don't understand the situation Admiral Veltius, we have already disabled over a hundred and fifty Batarian ships, but by all means fruitlessly attack my fleet," McEwan goads the Turian Admiral on.
"Insolent human!" Admiral Veltius has a clipped tone, "You ambushed the Batarians with your illegal ships, we will rain Palevens holy fire upon you!" The connections are then promptly cut.
"Get me firing solutions on the Turian fleets," Admiral McEwan orders, "and have the fighters advance and harass the Xenos."
The war fleet surges forward, much slower than the fighters. The Turian fleet does the same but barely has a hundred eighty fighters.
Fighters clash first in the void between the two fleets. Both fighters are fast and noble but Imperial Kingfisher Class Fighters outnumber the Turian fighters a factor of eighty-four percent. Turians fighters are decimated with only a dozen or so imperial casualties.
The Imperial fighters charge into the Turian formation and use their 30mm chainguns and missiles to great effect on the frigates and bombers. Explosions and plumes of ignited atmosphere light space like a sick fireworks display.
Suddenly, all the fighters pull back just as the first MAC round from a cruiser slams into a Turian dreadnought, its shields flare for a moment before the hull buckles, bends, and shatters. A new hole straight through the dreadnought appears followed by the tell-tale signs of a Mass Effect Core going critical. The dreadnought becomes a flaming lotus of fire.
Other ships bear the same fate from plasma lances but were able to fire off a few shots. An Imperial Cruisers Magic barrier flares from five hits before fading and is gutted by six for Mass Accelerated Rounds.
Salvo one had destroyed ninety-four Turian ships and the return salvo had destroyed two Imperial cruisers and dropped the shields of two dreadnoughts. A devastating loss for the Turians and a minor loss for the United Earths Alliance. Admiral Mcewan Smirks as he readies to relay new orders.