May, 20 2457 AD/2157 CE, Local star cluster Sol system, Earth, ESF Supreme Assembly.
The entire room was in an uproar. The news about the Turians and their attack caused everyone to burst out in demands for war.
"The Turians attacked us because of a law we didn't know?! Where the hell do they think they can go and uphold a law when it doesn't exist?!" One of the members of the assembly yelled and there was murmurs of agreement.
"From what we can tell they don't have mobile suits and they mainly use their laser weaponry to defend themselves in knife fights." Another member said making wonder why.
"Mister president what should we do against this threat?" One of the level headed members said through grit teeth because he was trying to calm himself.
"We are going to send a large fleet to protect Shanxi should the aliens return to attack." The president said.
"Do we know what we are facing?" An assembly member asked.
"Admiral Grissom managed to access the Turian vessels database and retrieved what they call the 'Codex' where we found out that the Turians were a part of a galactic alliance called the Citadel Council. The Council is made up of three top species. The Turians provide the military might of the Citadel and they are both the military might and its police force."
"But why did they attack?" An assembly member asked with a hint of anger.
"From what Veda could grab the Citadel encountered a race called the Rachni while trying to open a relay almost a thousand years ago and the Rachni were hostile from what we could tell. They uplifted a species called the Krogan for weapons and wiped the Rachni out before creating a law that deemed opening a relay illegal wanting to not star another Rachni war. But it seems that history would repeat for them only they are the Rachni."
Everyone was seething with anger because the Turians attacked just because of a law they didn't know!?
"Mister president what do you think the Turians actions would be?" Assembly member Shirin Grad nee Bakhtiar asked. Shirin looked to be in her early fifties thanks to her Innovator abilities.
The president looked at her in the eyes before he says with a sigh "From what Innovade Erde says they would likely invade the colony thinking that it was our home world because we are an 'upstart race' since we don't use Element Zero."
A lot of assembly members growl openly.
"Will Celestial Being join in on the battle?" assembly member Klaus Grad asked. Klaus had some grey hair but that was due to stress that came with his job.
"They will and Gundam meisters Lieutenant David Shepard is already at Shanxi coordinating ground defense while also advising civilians that were living at residence to leave the system." The president says as he looks around "Any other questions?"
"Yes sir, you said that they were part of an alliance with two other alien species. What are these two species?" That question made everyone mutter in agreement wondering what other species there were.
The president sighed rubbing his forehead to relieve himself of a headache that was growing before he activate two holograms and one brought up an alien that looked like an amphibian while the other surprised everyone because it looked like a human but with blue skin and instead of hair there were what looked like tentacles growing out.
"The amphibian race that you see are called the Salarians from what Veda gathered and they provide the logistics and scientific mind of the Council while the blue humanoid woman species are called the Asari but from what Veda found they are a female only race and they have a telepathic ability where they can connect their minds with someone else's. The Asari also represent the Councils diplomatic arm and from what we found they were the first to descover what they called the Citadel which was where the name came from." The president says before the holograms vanish.
"Sir how long do you think it will take for the Turians to attack?" A veteran assembly member asked.
"From what Veda gathered since hacking into what they call the Extranet they are amassing their forces now and are growing their fighters to combat our mobile suits."
"Well they won't stand a chance against the Gundams." An elderly assembly member says and everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
"Is there any more questions before I call this meeting a close?" The president asked and an assembly member rose her hand saying "Who is going to lead the defense of Shanxi?"
That got everyone asking the same thing before the president says "We are sending in Major General's Kati Mannequin."
Everyone was quiet and thankful that they would be sending in a war hero against the new enemy.
"Very well if there is no more questions I call this meeting." The President was interrupted when an assembly member says "Uh sir I think we missed something."
Everyone looked to the assembly member.
"What is it you have to say?" The President says with a curious look.
"Sir I went to take a look at this Citadel Council and I found something that we may have a reason to not be a part of them if they offer." The member says and it confuses the entire assembly even more.
"What is it?"
"Sir I found that the Citadel has banned the use of AI's, they have a treaty which states a 5:3:1 meaning that these Turians have the most Dreadnoughts with the Asari and Salarians having the second most and any associate race having the least, I have also read the so called 'Citadel Conventions' I can understand because of the damage of a WMD. But what has me angered is that they have their own A-Laws branch." The last sentence sent the entire room into an uproar.
Assembly members shout about the stupidity of the Citadel in ever making such a group. Many are wondering what atrocities these Spectres have done.
"I see why you wanted to bring it up." The President growled. During the years when A-Laws were still around they destroyed his entire home town but there were very few survivors.
"I say we prepare a larger fleet for a counter attack should the Turians swat away the hand of peace." An assembly member who was a former soldier says from his seat and everyone thought about what he said and nodded their heads in agreement.
"Very well is there anything else we should discuss?" The President asked but no one answered.
"Very well then this meeting is over."
May 21, 2457 AD/2157 CE, Apien crest, Trebia system, Palaven, Turian Fleet High Command
On the Turian home world, Tonn Actuss was waiting for the military leadership of the Hierarchy to give the verdict on his incident at Relay 314. For the past three hours they had been reading his report over the skirmish with the unidentified race that destroyed most of his fleet. He was hoping the Hierarchy would allow him another chance to finishing what he started, with an entire armada of ships at his command he was sure he could win. He knew that was unlikely however at best he'd probably be demoted, serve or captain a frigate. He didn't even want to think about the worst case.
The military leaders of the Hierarchy had three high ranking officials who were just finishing reading the reports Actuss had wrote for them. Admiral Mehrkuri was first to start the conversation.
"Obviously Captain Actuss did the right thing for upholding Council law, by stopping this race from reactivating anymore mass relays."
"We don't deny his actions are justified, but he could have handled it better than immediately opening fire," Said Admiral Krek "Non the less we should be more concerned about this new species; they have ship board long range energy weapons, a jamming signal that jammed both communications and scanners but what really concerns me is their mechs which are also out fitted with energy weapons." His voice filled with some concern.
"Yes from the reports it appears that they have mechs armed with energy weapons and that one of them single handedly destroyed one of our cruisers with a single shot." Said Admiral Lo.
Mmmh they must be an aggressive species, no race that's about to leave their home system would have weapons like that, so it's more than likely Actuss did the right thing, by opening fire, they probably would have attacked anyway." Said Admiral Mehrkuri.
"What I'm find interesting is their ships do not appear to use element zero. The only thing that our ships sensors were able to scan was that they did not detect any of the element on the enemy ships."
"How is that possible?" Said Admiral Lo "Element zero is the bases for all mass effect technology in Citadel and Terminus space, even the Geth use Eezo."
"We must strike back and subdue them now, before the council discovers what has happened, they will have to accept what we and whatever story we got this new species to say, as the truth." Said Lo.
"And once we obtain their technology the Hierarchy would be truly unstoppable. Who should lead the fleet back through relay 314?" Asked Krek. All three of them took a moment to think about it. They all eventually rested on one person, Admiral Lo spoke first.
"General Desolas Arterius." Mehrkuri and Krek didn't even have to say anything, their faces said it all, and they were in agreement.
"Right have Tonn Actuss come in." Shouted Mehrkuri.
Tonn Actuss walked into the meeting room; the admirals were sitting across from each other about to give him his final judgment. "Captain Tonn Actuss you were brought before us over the incident of relay 314we find you not guilty over the incident. You will not lead an assault back through the relay, instead you will be und the command of General Desolas Arterius who will lead the assault back through relay 314, and attack the planet you believe to be the enemy's home world."
Tonn Actuss was happy and surprised not only would he be given another chance, but he will be under the command of one of Palaven's greatest Generals, Desolas Arterius. "I will not fail the Hierarchy again." Said Actuss. He saluted the Admirals and walked out of the meeting but what they didn't know was that they were being watched by Veda who recorded the entire meeting.
Shanxi system, Shanxi, Shanxi defense force HQ, Landing pad
At the HQ landing zone flew down a shuttle escorted by two GN-XIII. When the shuttle came closer to the ground the engines turned and faced the ground where it hovered for a second before touching the ground a side door opens and out came Major General Kati Mannequin.
As they left the shuttle they were met by Brigadier General Williams.
Williams salutes the General who return it before saying "Welcome to Shanxi HQ Major General."
"Have the prisoners done anything rash?" Mannequin asked.
"No all they do is just sit in their cells well only those who didn't agree with the orders while those who did are just trying to find ways out of their cells."
"Where have you placed the ones that didn't agree with the attack order?" Mannequin asked.
"They are currently in a better area but still being watched and I have the ship's captain in the interrogation room." Williams says before both enter the base as the GN-XIII move to the mobile suit hangers.
"So what can you tell us about the Turians we have right now?" Asked the Major General.
"Well the Turians have been easy since half of them stopped bothering to try and escape though the ones that do… the Automatons keep them in check."
As they pass the cells Mannequin sees 4 Automatons standing at the exits in case the Turians attempt to escape.
"So they are being used as guards?" Kati asked curiously.
"Yes and the reason is because humans would need to eat, sleep, and other things while machines can't."
They continue through the halls until they reach a large room with a table in the middle but they weren't the only occupants because in the room as well was Shepard.
"Ah it is good to see you again Major General." David says with a smile as he salutes.
"So what did you manage to glean from these Turians?" Mannequin asked returning the salute.
"Well from what I was able to learn the Turian in charge of the fleet ordered their fleet to go through what we now know is called a Mass Relay and he thought we were an immature race and attacked without warning though we were able to see that not all of the Turians agreed with him, not even the Turian ship captain we have." David says crossing his arms.
"You've had firsthand experience against their forces so tell us, do we have a chance?" Williams asked and his answer was a nod from David who says "They rely on kinetic weapons and kinetic shields so our beam weapons should pass through their barriers like a hot knife through butter but they have a type of missile they call a disrupter torpedo which can do damage to our shields but thankfully we have a way to counteract that problem only that it will leave us defenseless against other types of weapons."
"So it's both a shield and a sword?" Kati asked surprised and David nodded his head as he says "Yes and they don't have mobile suits so that gives us another advantage though I may have to advice we have the mobile suits keep their distance from they're vessels since they only use energy weapons as a close defense system against missiles and or fighters."
"So we have a chance." Williams says with a smile.
"Though I still say we should evacuate the civilians off world. The fleet will be defending Shanxi and since the Turians will likely send their own fleet they're mass accelerator rounds will likely miss and might hit the planet so we should be save in case the rounds miss target." David says and they nod their heads knowing what he was saying.
"Does Veda have the numbers of the enemy forces?" Williams asked curious and they understood what he meant.
"No not yet but he reports that he will have it a day before the invasion and we exactly have 5 days until they arrive."
"Then that gives us some time to make a tactical plan." Williams says crossing his arms.
"Do we know where the prototype orbital particle cannons are going to be placed?" David asked.
It was true because two months before the first contact incident the ESF were constructing a particle weapon that were made in case of either asteroids that fleets were able to destroy or in case of invasion.
"Command plans on sending them along with the fleets they will be sending our way." Mannequin says as the door opens.
"Colonel!" A familiar voice shouted.
Mannequin scowls slightly before she says "It's Major General! When is that ever going to sink in!?"
"Heh sorry." Patrick Colasour says with a sheepish grin.
"Do we know how long until the civilians are evacuated?" David asked and Williams gains a sober look saying "We just evacuated ten percent but… most are being difficult."
"We mostly dealt with terrorists not another military and it has been over a century since the last major conflict." David says crossing his arms and everyone in the room nodded their heads in agreement remembering the battle against the A-Laws.
"Uh how many ships will we be having?" David asked curiously.
"They are sending the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh fleets and the Ptolemy will arrive and on the way down I got word that Captain Graham Aker and his Solbraves team would arrive later after the Ptolemy." Williams says and David puts a hand to his chin saying "So that gives us 45 Virginia-class, 57 Baikal-class, 48 Volga-class, and 42 Nile-class ships and add the Ptolemy and the Artorious and that gives us 194 ships and with the mobile suit numbers being 284 GN-XIII, 275 GN-XIV, 265 Gaga Cannon, 174 Over Flag Astros and if Aker comes we will add the 6 Braves. If we count these mobile suits and the Gundams in space then we have 1,008 mobile suits while there are 200 on the ground and since we are the only ones who use beam weapons that gives us the advantage."
"That it does." Mannequin says before she looks at the table and closes her eyes saying "But we will need a plan of action should they land on the ground."
"What do you think we should do with the mobile suits stationed on the ground?" David asked.
"Why not keep them down there as a world defender?" Patrick asked and everyone in the room looked at him like he grew a second head.
"What I'm just asking!" Patrick cried out.
"I have to admit it but Patrick had a good idea." David said with a smile growing on his face.
"So at least we have something good in case they manage to land forces." Williams says with a smile too growing on his face.
"But the question is… who will lead the attack." Mannequin asked
"I'll get on that." David says walking towards a terminal which was labeled VEDA long range communications.
Once the communications device was activated David pressed several keys and a few seconds later a data package was sent.
"It says here they are going to send one General Desolas Arterius. From what the data says he is a well-respected officer but he also has a younger brother who was enlisted into the Spectres." David says and the room grew silent remembering from the briefing that the Spectres were the Citadel Councils version of the A-Laws. "It also says that he had many successful campaigns against criminals, slavers, pirates, and terrorists but only when he had the upper hand." David says scoffing at the end as he continued reading.
"It also shows his strategies and I mean he literally writes down his plans… I mean he even had a plan that was made two months ago!" Felix shouted looking at the data.
Mannequin looks at the data and a smile finds its way to her face and everyone looks at her as she says "I believe with his background we will have a plan for the coming battle."
May 23 2457 AD/2157 CE, Undisclosed location, Turian Colony, Edessan Orbit Turian fleet
Orbiting the Turian colony world of Edessan, a fleet of different size and class ships were assembling and preparing to launch an attack on the home planet of the hostile race beyond relay 314, to subdue them and obtain their technology to strengthen the Hierarchy's military. A Turian was looking out a window of a space station at the assembled fleet, and that he would soon command, but until then he had to prepare the fleet and assemble the best soldiers for the ground assault.
"General Arterius how goes the preparation for our attack on this new race?" asked Commander Vyrnnus.
Desolas looked at Vyrnnus as he stood next to him and then looked at the fleet. "We are on schedule I'm just finishing the roster and about to go over Captain Actuss information about the enemy's strength." Said Desolas. He was surprised by the enemy's weapons, ships shields, and large mechs; a way to use energy weapons instead of kinetic rounds and also both their ships and mechs have no element zero at all with shields that can block guardian lasers. He can see why the Hierarchy wants their weapons, mechs, and any other technology they have.
"Vyrnnus make sure our frigates, cruisers, dreadnoughts, and destroyers have an extra supply of disruptor torpedoes they seem to have more of an effect at collapsing the enemies shields." Said Desolas
"Right away General." Replied Vyrnnus as he walked away to make preparations. Saren, Desolas brother walked past him and went to stand beside Desolas; Saren Arterius was a growing Turian famous in the military and would soon become the youngest Spectre ever in Council space.
"Saren come to see me off to win a huge victory for the Hierarchy?" Asked Desolas as he turned to face Saren.
"I wish I was going with you, but I'm needed elsewhere." replied Saren. "But I know you will come back a hero for all Turians, I have something here to toast your victory." Saren brought up an expensive bottle of Turian brandy.
Desolas took the bottle and looked at it, it was his favorite kind. "Save this for me when I return we will drink it together on Palaven." He handed the bottle back to Saren and the two look out into space looking forward to that moment.
May 23, 2457 AD/ 2157 CE Arcturus Stream, Arcturus system, Arcturus station
Arcturus station was a well-defended installation with 294 different classes of ships and multiple mobile suits while in dock was the Celestial Being vessel Ptolemy.
A door opens and walking onto the station was crew while approaching the group was Ian and Linda Vashti.
"Hey guys we heard about the attack is everything alright?" Ian asked even though he was an Innovator he had some grey hair growing.
"They were evacuating civilians and sending ships there right now though from what I was able to hear they have evacuated 40% of the population right now." Tieria says with a stern look.
"Ian are the new Gundams finished?" asked Sumeragi
"We just need to add the finishing touches on the 00Qa[T] but it should be able to go into battle later." Ian replied
"What about Zabanya, Raphael, and Harute?" Tieria asked
"We just need to install the GN drives from yours and they should be at 100%."
"And just in time before the battle." A familiar voice says and they turn to see Captain Graham Aker approaching them wearing his uniform.
"Graham it is good to see you again." Sumeragi says with a smile.
"It's good to see you all as well but I came to tell you that Command has requested that the Solbraves travel with the Ptolemy to Shanxi since we both will be traveling to the same system." Says Graham
"How long will it take to load the mobile suits?" Sumeragi asked before Graham held up a hand saying "Don't worry the Solbraves will be traveling via the Artorious so that way you won't have to waste space."
They hear the sound of metal on metal and turn to see a container which was open to show an orange and white mobile suit while another held a green and white Gundam which had what looked like shield pits at its sides.
"It seems they are already loading the Zabanya and the Harute." Lyle says with a smile.
"They are moving as fast as they can because they don't think that one Gundam is going to be good enough to stop an invasion." Graham says clenching his fists before taking a deep breath "Shepard is a good soldier hell he was given a lot of medals and was searched out for the A-Laws but refused saying that 'I don't follow the procedure'. He always was a charismatic man and I figured that Celestial Being would look for him."
"You know Shepard?" Allelujah asked surprised.
"I only met him once or twice when I was still with the A-Laws. He was a bright kid but I was a part of the group that went looking for him but he turned us down and I also found out he joined the Coup d'état group but only when you attacked the Celestial Being. He was the GN-XIII pilot that single handedly destroyed two Baikal class ships and 19 A-Laws mobile suits before those Gaga showed up." Graham says with a hint of respect for the man.
"Are you all talking about Lieutenant Shepard?" A familiar voice says and they turn to see Billy Katagiri walking up to them holding a data pad.
"Billy do you know him?" Sumeragi asked confused.
"Why yes I was the one who helped him fix the 1.5 Gundam while you fitted it with a pure GN drive." Billy says surprising them before he looks at Tieria and says "Tieria I also wanted to let you know that the Raphael was sent here from the Celestial Being since it was meant to be your machine and we can load it up right now."
Tieria looks to see a large container which was labeled Raphael on it.
"I would appreciate that." Tieria says nodding his head.
"SO how many days until the attack?" Graham asked and Tieria closed his eyes saying "We only have three more days before the battle."
"So we have enough time to finish the adjustments before then." Sumeragi says sighing with some hope.
May, 24, 2457 AD/2157 CE, Shanxi HQ
The fleet gathered around the planet while large vessels were leaving the planet and entering FTL meaning that they were evacuating the civilians.
In the Shanxi HQ mobile suit hanger stood David Shepard as he held a data pad showing some modifications that were made to the 1.5 Gundam.
"Lieutenant Shepard!" A voice shouted and he turned around to see Andrei Smirnov approaching him.
"Andrei what can I do for you?" David asked with a smile.
"I was told that command wanted to speak with you." Andrei says making David raise an eyebrow.
"They do? Well then I better get going." David makes his way to the exit before he stops "Oh I am wondering what happened to the Crossroads?"
"They were sent to Arcturus just this morning." Andrei says and David nodded his head continuing towards the communications room.
Once in the communications room he activates the receivers before it showed several ESF officers and David saluted them.
"Sir, Lieutenant David Shepard reporting as ordered!" David said military training kicking in.
"At ease Lieutenant. We have read the reports that you were the one who crippled the Turian frigate which gave us some data and because of that Katagiri has helped us in upgrading our shields but the problem is that they will be finished on the twenty-seventh." A General with black hair that went to his ears says.
"We called you here not just on congratulations but also because both the brass and the assembly decided to promote you to the rank of 1st Lieutenant due to your heroism." Says Vice Admiral Kim.
"I thank you for the promotion sirs." David says saluting again before Kim says "We also want to let you know that the Ptolemy and the Artorious are on their way right now and should arrive by the end of the tomorrow."
"Sir why tomorrow?" David was confused on why it would take that long.
"The reason for the delay is because of a terrorist engagement which would test the performance of the new Gundams." Admiral Drescher says bringing up an screen to show the Harute, Zabanya, Raphael, and 00 Raiser engaging black painted Enacts.
"Why did I only see the Harute, Zabanya, and Raphael fighting? Where is the 00Qan[T]?" David asked.
"It seemed that during the transportation of the Qan[T] there was a systems failure but do not worry it will get some action." Admiral Drescher says as the screen vanishes.
"So now all we have to do is pray to god that we can get through this mess." Kim says with a hint of concern.
"It's not up to god. It's up to us." David says as he turned around looking out a window as he watched GN-XIII and Flags guided shuttles into space.
"We must win or else the Turians will know where Earth is and if they do then we will likely suffer casualties if they send a much larger force than this one." David says turning back to the group.
"I must cut this meeting short sirs because I have business to attend to." David says and the officers nod their heads before he cuts the link.
May 25, 2457 AD/2157 CE, Undisclosed location, Turian Colony, Edessan Orbit Turian fleet
The fleet was ready. The fleet consisted of 290 ships with 20 dreadnoughts 125 cruisers and 145 frigates while the number of fighters numbered to 2,040.
"General all ships are ready to travel to Relay 314." One of the crewman of the dreadnought Palaven hammer says.
"Understood now when we reach it open a communications channel to Commander Vyrnnus and Captain Actuss." Desolas says with a serious look.
"Yes sir, estimated time to arrive thirteen hours which will be tomorrow afternoon." Desolas nods his head as the entire fleet made their way away from the planet unaware of a curtain computer system watching them and relaying info.
May 25, 2457 AD/2157 CE, Shanxi orbital command station
The fleet was in position while four more transports entered FTL.
"90% of civilians have been evacuated sir!" Says the AI Francis who was transferred to the station while entering the control deck was Major General Mannequin.
"Oh well this is good." Francis says drawing the Major Generals "What is it?"
"It seems that Veda has sent us their fleet numbers." Francis says giving Mannequin the data and as she looks over it she sighs in concern and says "It seems we will have our work cut out for us."
"Ma'am the Artorious and Ptolemy have just arrived." Francis says with a smile.
Mannequin looks out into space at the approaching vessels while one thought went through her head 'Which side will be favored in this battle?'
Author note: I hope you enjoy the update and if you have anything to ask please tell me either through the reviews or PM.