And now for the first chapter of Radioactive Dawn. Please let me know any criticisms both good and bad and what you thought of the chapter.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 1

Relay 314

Turian General Larquin Arton viewed the live stream of the scene begin transmitted from scout frigate observing the development. The bridge crew of the turian dreadnought Last Will shared the screen each with a look of determination covering their faces. Together they watched as an unknown species tampered with the mass relay labeled as Relay 314.

The Last Will's communication officer broke the silence, "General, our frigate reports that they are picking up discharges. The unknowns are attempting to power up the station." With this information Arton made his mind, and while not one who wanted to spill blood over such a small and insignificant enemy he had to follow the Relay Activation Directive and put a stop before these foolish creatures released yet another plague. He observed the three ships before him. Two were clearly military and frigate class while the third was civilian, most likely the one conducting the activation. Even though it was larger than the two enemy frigates, no weapon systems were detected.

The ships were ugly and bulky. They did not possess the streamlined looks of ships long integrated with Prothean technology as the Council races did. He wondered how advanced this race was. After a few moments thought he decided not very and that a couple of cruisers could easily handle the situation.

"Order two cruisers to dispatch and engage the unknowns." He said to the Last Will's Captian. "Target the two frigate and destroy them but do not disable the civilian ship. Engage it but allow it to retreat. Have a scout frigate follow it to its point of origin and relay all information." With the new orders the fleet came alive. Two cruisers were dispatched and with a flash jumped into mass space. A few minutes later the ships appeared on the view screen exiting mass space.

The unknown ships immediately started to act in response to the new arrival. Power output from the military ships was detected to increase but they did not move closer or engage the approaching ships. Shuttles could be seen departing from the relay and returning to civilian ship which began to move behind its escorts. As soon as the turian cruisers were in range, and without and warning, they opened fire. Many rounds quickly left the turian ships on course for the unknowns. Easily enough rounds to a minimum disable the ships with the opening round.

Yet the Generals eyes bulged as he watched the slugs come in contact with the enemy frigates. Ship so small and weak should have been easily overtaken with the opening round but with a shimmering of what appeared like their kinetic barriers they received minimal damage. Then the frigates began to accelerating towards the cruisers. As the communications officer reported a spike in the ships energy output thick beams of red light were emitted from the frigates. Upon reaching the turian cruisers, explosions ensued.

The cruisers began venting atmosphere, fire raging on the inside where impacted could be seen through a newly created holes. The small figures of crew could be seen being ripped from the ships and into space. While not a crippling blow in any way the scene just witnessed was terrifying. Whatever these new creatures were they possessed very advanced weapons.

"Sir," the weapons officer chimed, "Those are energy weapons, they have completely bypassed our barriers."

Worry appeared in the general's eyes. "How is that possible? No one has been able to develop energy weapons that can strike from that distance, the power requirements for that would be astounding. Is there any way to neutralized those beams?" Anger and worry emanated though his words as he spoke.

"Not with the barriers sir." the officer continued, somewhat in awe of the effect of the weapons. "They are made for stopping kinetic weapons. The armor is what protects from energy damage, but we have only had to worry about Guardian systems, not ship to ship engagements. But the power it would take to fire a beam that powerful and over that distance and do that amount of damage to our ships would be incredible. A ship so small... there's just no known way to do what it just did." During this conversation the cruisers began returning fire.

"Is there any way to alter the armors so they can provide better protection?" asked the general.

"Yes sir, but only by adding armor to each ship which would require them to be docked." the weapons officer said as he hands went away at his station. "However it seems that their rate of fire is low and out data coming in suggest that if we increase our rate of fire we could stand an advantage. A small change in our engagement scenario should give us an edge. Although it will put our weapons in danger of overheating much more quickly." A few seconds passed by then the officer reported that an update was ready for the calibrations of the weapons. With a nod from the general the update was sent fleet wide including the two ships in battle. With the new update the two cruisers began firing at an increased rate.

While the cruisers were stunned by the power of the attack they, as turians do, pressed the attack and with the update increasing the rate of fire their superiority was soon confirmed. Continued firing eventually brought down the barriers on the frigates. Armor was quickly removed as the ships continued to fire. Suddenly a port explosion exited with extreme force from one of the ships. Listing to starboard uncontrollably it slammed into its sister ship. Both ship stopped fire.

Using this opportunity the cruiser advanced and continued to fire upon the ship. While they had damage that would require a few weeks in the yard they managed to overcome their enemy. Seeing that the battle was lost the unknown civilian ship turned to run its two escorts reactors went critical, either by damage or by orders from the commanders.

In a flash the ship jumped out of the system. Quickly passing by the two cruisers the scout frigate pursued. After a few more moments with the civilians ship's trajectory established it followed. The cruisers by this point had stopped firing but scanned the area, searching for survivors or salvage but nothing remained but twisted metal, blackened and scarred from the battle.

After another few hours a data burst was received from the scout frigate. Data stream began as along with the written report a series of pictures was shown on the screen. A planet rich with life was the first image. A magnified image showed that there was a single city on the planet. An estimate population was set around 25 thousand. Surrounding the planet was a decent detachment of ships. Six frigates class and three cruiser class ships were shown.

The communication officer after examining the information addressed the general. "Sir, with the details of the info we can judge that this is a main colony. Terra-Forming has been done to a large scale with an estimate that this has been going on for over two hundred years. This therefore must be a relatively old colony for that amount of time. Given the estimated population level with a colony so long in development we can determine that this is a main colony. Since this is determined to be a main colony we can also determine that the ships present represent the bulk of their fleet."

After taking a pause and clearing his throat the officer continued. "Furthermore, after an examination of the recent encounter and surveillance taken so far we can also assume there technological level. While exhibiting unknown energy technologies has been determined that they, while effective, are completely inefficient. Power requirements alone lead us to believe that the use of these weapons is short lived. Note however that the shield seem to be of superior quality than what we are currently equipped with.

We have identified Prothean technology in use, specifically with the FTL drive, but we have determined that this species limited in what it knows of that technology which is why they are relying on ineffective tech. The fact that we have not come into contact with this race before even though they are within relatively close proximity to our borders makes us understand that they do not have a large manufacturing capability which limits their size. All assumptions come from the on board science team as well as the ships computer. They are deemed accurate." The officer upon finishing his report waited for the General to make his next order.

After a few moments of thought the general ordered communications to send the report and all available information to turian high command and told them that he would stand by until new orders on how to deal with this new race was received. With that completed he gave the captain command of the bridge and left for his quarters.

Six hours later he received a reply while in his room. High Command, after running their own projections, deemed his report accurate. The 22nd Fleet, which also included another dreadnought would be linking up with his 7th Fleet with him in command. After this was done both fleets under his command would travel to the new planet and take it by force. The main priority was gathering of information and unknown technology. General Arterius would be accompanying the 22nd fleet to lead the ground assault. Operation were set to commence in 3 hours. He was also informed that this must be done quickly before word to the council was reached.

Three hours later after the other fleet jumped in both fleets left their naval station, set on a path of conquest against a truly unknown enemy.

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Another beautiful day dawned on the Brotherhood world of Ellen. Standing on his balcony overlooking the capital city of Insignia, Elder Rayvon, with his eyes blue and hair gray, marveled over what his people had accomplished in only a three months time. Already the world was mostly terra-formed, lushes green life covered the land. He also held pride in knowing that his colony ranked number one in development time in all the Brotherhood and Union. As the sun continued its early morning rise the elder looked on, content with his life and accomplishments and happy for the peace he experienced for so many years. As he thought this last thought a chime came from his pip-boy.

Looking down to his left wrist at the thin silver bracelet, he directed his thoughts towards it and a holographic display of dark green covered his arm. He saw the source of the chime, a call from Ellen's military command. "Hello, Ralph," he said in a good mood answering the call from his friend and second in command, "What can I do for you this fine morning.

The raspy voice of the necro-human Ralph responded, his voice strained and worried, "Boss you need to get down to command immediately. We have a problem."

Ralph's worried voice shook the elder, very few things could cause his old friend to fright and it immediately disturbed him. "What happened?" he asked. He left the balcony and made his way through his large apartment towards the exit.

"We've made contact boss and it isn't good." With those words the elder turning his quick walk into a run. Scenarios began flashing in his mind and none of them were good.

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Upon arriving at the command center located in the center of the city, Rayvon immediately noticed the flurry of activity by his men never before seen on this planet. Aids were running around relaying messages. Every terminal was on with every amount of information shown. Commanders were in deep discussion with each other. Rayvon still did not know the extent and as he approach Ralph he was immediately filled in. "Boss, the VS Rolo, the one investigating the new relay, just returned a few minutes ago. She was attacked by unknown forces. Her escorts did not make it." He brought the elder over to one of the view screens and ordered a video to be played. The video was shown from the perspective of the Rolo and showed as their ships were attacked without warning and destroyed. "Now boss, look at this," he said as he zoomed the video in on where the initial return volley made content with the enemy ship. He centered on one of the figures that was blown from the ship and after the image was cleared he saw the enemy. The creature was of reptilian look, his mouth open in what must have been agony. A humanoid it was with small eyes drenched in fear.

"One more thing boss," Ralph continued. "After our ship returned to the system our scanners picked up another ship a few minutes later. It's just on the edge but I bet you it is watching us and taking notes. I ordered our ships to not intervene."

"Smart idea," the elder stated, " We don't want this situation to escalate further and if they are coming for us, then it's best not to show our hand just yet." He sighed, thinking. Then to communications . "Send all of this information to Arturus Station. Put with it an emergency alert with request for Union fleet support. Our defenses are not capable of withstanding a large attack and I am afraid that is what we will face."

Turning to the military commanders in the room he began giving out orders in preparation of an alien assault. Military forces were mobilized and placed at key areas around the city. For the first time in many years these power armored soldiers would be waging war.

Civilians of proper age and willingness were given weapons, although most already had them. Armed civilians were placed behind city line in evacuation centers to assist with civilian defense if the worst came to worse. Vertiberds were put on alert as well as all AA batteries. Unfortunately city shield were not yet installed and not able to be used for the coming defense.

This city in the face of the coming challenge banded together. Every man, woman and child did their small part and before long all defenses were in place. Tension ran high in the city and could be felt by everyone. Fear of the unknown gripped the eyes of soldiers and civilians. Just as the sun finished its morning dawn on the next day alarms blared. The enemy had arrived in Ellen.