Chapter 15
Forerunner Leviathan class Keyship.
Sector 375, known to Reclaimers as the Sarum system, 102745 years, 3 months, 25 days, 12 hours,32 minutes and 40 seconds after deactivation by rampant ancilla.
Approaching the predicted location for breaking orbit.
Unit 30-29 shifted through the data passing through the ship's sensor gird, slowly but surely plotting the best possible course to move the ancient Keyship out of the Gas giant's orbit. "Reclaimer Sanders, we are approaching the breaking point of our orbit. Main engines and thrusters will be firing momentarily."
"Alright you heard the AI, on your feet Marines!" Shouted Sanders at the Marines taking a rest in the corner of the control center. The marines grumbled slightly before they got up, shouldering their MA5B assault rifles into firing position. "Spartans let the medics take care of the wounded. I need you two on patrol."
Jerome and Alice gave green acknowledge lights as they pick up their weapons, their silence signifying how seriously wounded their fellow Spartan was. Dr Anders got up from one of the damaged console that she had fixed, and walked over to the Golden Sentinel currently hovering over the main interface. "How goes the repair process?"
The Sentinel tilted slightly at it sent enquiries to the non-combatant constructor Sentinels currently filling the hallways of the Forerunner Ship. "Main Engines operable at 35% capacity, power levels maintaining at 90%. The constructors have discovered micro fracture in the power conduits connecting the weapons systems to the reactors, current estimate 2 hours and 34 minutes needed to completely seal them. Secondary weapon systems…..Operable, shielding is currently at 28% and climbing at 2% per minute." Replied Unit 30-29 in its monotonous voices it dutifully deliver its report.
Suddenly the sensor of the Forerunner vessel blared out warnings as multiple ships began to approach it. "Warning incoming vessels on intercept course!" warn the dumb Ancilla as it attempt to power up the ships weapon system. "Diverting power from main engines to weapons…"
"Belay that, those are probably the civilian tugs assigned to pull this ship back. Lower the shields and let them through" ordered Sanders as he watch the familiar bulky designed tugs move into position throughout the length of the Keyship. One by one the ships attach themselves to the hull of the Forerunner vessel, magnetic clamps finding purchase on the ancient metal.
"Orders confirmed. Receiving stellar coordinates from the leading vessel… linking systems for synchronized burst." Replied the Sentinel as it linked with the ships attached to the forerunner vessel. "Firing main engines in 3…..2…..1" all the ships attached throughout the hull of the forerunner vessel fired their fusion drives, slowly but surely accelerating the velocity of the massive Forerunner ship. "Recalibrating calculation… estimate 2 minutes before arrive at coordinates."
Human and Covenant ships parted ways out of the course of the Forerunner vessel as they moved to evade the bulk of the 17.85 kilometer long vessel that was slowly approaching the middle of the sphere formation…
Asari Flagship Destiny Ascension ,
Positioned around relay 314's receiving relay,
Holding formation with the remaining Citadel fleets.
"Status of the ship?" Enquire Matriarch Lidanya as she paced through the CIC dimly aware that she had not rested for quite a long time.
"The mass effect core is currently stable. Kinetic barriers operational at 70.5%, weapon systems are still active. But our hull have suffered significant integrity lost when some of that energy weapon bled though the barriers." Reported the operation Asari as she red off the console.
"How significant? Can we survive a mass relay transit?" asked the Matriarch as she was unwilling to abandon the pride and Flagship of the Asari fleets. The operation officer transfer the report to the Matriarch's personal omnitool which she read through quickly. Lidanya gave a sad sigh as the reports indicate that the Destiny Ascension will not be able to retreat through the relay with the hull plates of the top of the ship half melted. "Get the Engineers to fix what they can and see if they can repair the damage enough so we can retreat if need be." Ordered the Matriarch as she considered her options. "…. Arm the self-destruct system just in case." She said quietly to her XO.
The XO nodded and went to prepare for the worst case scenario.
Suddenly the alarms throughout the CIC blare into life, "By the Goddess what now? Swore Matriarch Lidanya as she head over to the sensor operator.
"Matriarch, the sensors have identified a new ship!" reported the sensor officer as she quickly ran through the data. Her eyes widen at the reading currently flowing across he console. "Sensors reading estimates….. the ship in question to be …17.85 kilometer…. And still not even a hint of Eezo from any of the ships." Gulped the sensor officer as she continues to scan the sensor data.
The Matriarch was silent even as she contemplates the ramification of a ship that large and with the usage of eezo it was an unbelievable technological achievement. Whoever these races are they have very advance technology that was on a completely different based than those used by the Citadel fleet. The Matriarch's thoughts were interrupted when the communication officer shouted out. "Incoming signals from the Warbringer and Advancer. Putting them through."
The hologram of Turian General Septimus Orake and Salarian commander Pehlan appeared on the holo pedestal, both look obviously in discomfort as they nervously glanced off screen, probably at the sensor data on the new ship. "Still think of them as savages?" asked the Asari as she attempted humor to ease the situation. Commander Phelan was not amused however "Unlikely designed by the race present. Sensors indicate the ship was already here before they arrived… we only dismissed it as a large Trojan asteroid as there is…. Was no known ship that size ever designed or encountered."
At this, the Turian General obviously perked up. Matriarch Lidanya was suddenly unease at where this conversation will be heading. "So you're saying that this ship was probably not designed by these savages?" Asked General Septimus Orake as attempt to reconfirm what the Salarian was saying. The Salarian commander merely nodded. "Then doesn't that mean we could lay claims to that ship?"
The other 2 commanders stared at that Turian General in shock as if he was mad. Lidanya voiced out their concern "Are you mad? Those ships have more than enough firepower to annihilate us, and you are suggesting we just go over and take a ship that we didn't even know about in the first place?"
"The Salarian said they didn't even design it in the first place, so I would say that it's a fair game. And the Turian Hierarch agrees with me." Grinned the Turian as he suddenly cut the com channel. The Matriarch swore violently as the Salarian commander stared. "Pehlan this is going to hell, we have to stop him before he really gets us in trouble." The Salarian commander did not answer. Suddenly Matriarch Lidanya was worried with the Salaran's silence. "Please tell me you are not considering this."
The Salarian commander looked up at this point, "The Turian does have a point. I'm sorry. The Salarian Union has also the same opinion as that of the Turian Hierarch. There is nothing I can do." With that the channel was cut off.
"By the goddess have they gone mad?" Cursed Lidanya as her bridge crews stared at her. "Com open a channel to all Republic ship, and get me a connection to the Shadow of Intent."
"Channel opened Matriarch." Reported the com officer as it sent hails to the ships.
"All Republic ships, formed up on the Destiny." Ordered Lindanya as she switched over to the Shadow of Intent's communication frequency. "Shadow of intent can you hear me?"
There was silence as the ship's VI translated and send the message. "Destiny Accession, this is FleetMaster Rtas Vadum, what is it?" growled the Shangheili as he was interrupted from his rest.
"Please be warn, I have no control of this situation. The others have…" was all Matriarch Lidanya managed to say before the Warbringer and Advancer opened a broadcasting frequency.
"The Turian Hierarch and Salarian Union lay claims to this system, all ship from other fraction must withdraw and leave behind all the artifacts in this system. Refusal to comply will result in your destruction." Came the Septimus's voice.
"What madness is this?" growled Rtas as he return his attention to the Asari. "Are they foolish enough to believe they stand a chance in a conflict with us?"
"I cannot speak for their action as the Asari Republic has never use force when it was unnecessary." Replied Matriarch Lidanya as she worriedly glace at the Salarian and Turian ships moving to surround the Asari comparative small fleet.
Fleetmaster Rtas Vadum growled as he glanced at the tactical data that now projected the unfortunate position of the Asari fleet. "Matriarch move your fleet towards us slowly, I shall guarantee upon my honour as Fleetmaster of the Covenant Separatist that you and your ships shall not be harmed by us." Said Rtas as he made his decision.
"I thank you for your courtesy." Replied the Matriarch Lidanya as she cut off the com channel to the Shadow of intent. "All ship move towards the Separatist fleet, we will seek refuge from this fight." The Asari captains send their acknowledgement before the Asari fleets powered up their engines, pushing their ships towards what remains of the Sangheili fleet.
Suddenly "Matriarch the Turian and Salarian fleets have opened fire!" shouted the sensor officer as she read through the new data. Seconds later mass accelerator slugs smashed into the kinetic Barriers of the Asari fleet, frigates detonated in balls of fire as their weaker fields were overwhelmed.
"Keep moving, we are almost there!" shouted the Matriarch as a few Asari frigates turned around to buy time for the majority of the fleet. But even before they could finish their turns, bright white beams of energy pierce the darkness of space, cutting a pursuing wolfpack of Turian Friagtes in half. There was a stunned silence before the Turian and Salarian fleet switched targets from the Asari to the Shadow of Intent. Swarms of mass accelerator slugs pounded the ship's shields but they shrugged it off as the slugs were mere annoyance.
Covenant Separatist Assault Carrier Shadow of Intent
Sarum system, 10 years unit into the Age of rebuild
Holding position around Forerunner Keyship.
Fleetmaster Rtas Vadum growled as he glanced at the tactical data that now projected the unfortunate position of the Asari fleet. "Matriarch move your fleet towards us slowly, I shall guarantee upon my honour as Fleetmaster of the Covenant Separatist that you and your ships shall not be harmed by us." Said Rtas as he made his decision.
"I thank you for your courtesy." Replied the Matriarch Lidanya before she cut off the com channel to the Shadow of intent.
"Fleetmaster the others are firing on the Asari vessels!" shouted the Sensor operator as he screen the data.
"Dishonorable cowards!" cursed Rtas before ordering "Fire the Energy projector, provide cover for the Asari fleet. He watched with satisfaction as a wolf pack of Turian frigate got neatly cut in half by the energy projector. "Ask if the human Admiral can provide a distraction." Ordered Rtas as he switched his attention towards another approaching wolfpack of frigates. The Shadow of Intent barely shook from the hail of Mass accelerator slugs that drummed its shield.
Seconds later, the human's grey hulled vessels release another huge swarm of missiles, directed at the Salarian frigates that are catching up. Detonation filled the path as Salarian Guardian lasers started to fire at the missiles in a vain attempt to save themselves. "Foolish," laughed the weapon officer as he witness the destruction of another wolfpack.
"Indeed. All ship move in. Teach these cowards the meaning of honor" Ordered Rtas as he smiled in anticipation.
Authors notes: Ya probably gonna be bombarded with question after this chapter. A Schim has occurred. But if you check the mass effect wikia, you'll notice the Salarian and Turian have a closer relation. But the Asari dun. So with that in mind this will be the result. Enjoy. And thanks to RamenKnight for beta reading this.