Chapter 18

Unknown vessel.

Dark Space between the Milky way Galaxy and Pegasus Galaxy

Inactive after 50,000 Years.

…. Receiving Burst Transmission…. Data confirmed…..

….Forerunner status…. Extinct…. Secondary Objective Achieved….

Resuming Primary Objective… Beginning Testing of Reclaimers….

Unit Nazara begin Operation Citadel…. Orders sent….

The Dark space between the galaxies was black as usual until a red light suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Following a predetermined course the vessel transitioned into FTL….

UNSC Astraeus class Battleship Field of Hope

Sarum star system, 2563, September, 19th

Leading 5th Fleet.

Vice Admiral Ivan Cole sat down even as he observes the Civilian tugs currently moving around the space collectively clamping onto the strange device that is that the Asari's have called a Mass Relay.

"Looking good, clamps are secured. We're bringing it back as soon as we finish synching our slipspace drive Admiral" reported the leading Civilian tug even as they begin to tow the now active relay towards the predetermined location.

"Good. 5th fleet will jump as soon as your vessels read ready." Replied Cole before he cut off the com channel "Tell Frigate squadron 5 they will be patrolling this space for anymore stranglers. Have them be prepared to switch with 4th fleet reinforcements." Cole said as he got up.

"Roger that Vice Admiral" replied Tanya before her avatar collapsed in a swirl of photons. Suddenly her disembodied voice filled Cole's personal Com unit. "What about the Asari's? From what they were willing to give, their flagship has suffered extensive damage and we seem to have taken their only means of returning."

Cole gave a sigh before answering "Fleetmaster Rtas Vadum wants to take them to the nearest joint colony so that negotiation can begin. Since we're heading the same location we're giving them a lift." Before he returns his gaze to the viewport "assign Battle group 8 to begin hard dock procedures so we can move them. And set course to Shanxi."

Asari Flagship Destiny Ascension.

Currently known to Separatists as The Sarum system.

Engaging in repairs to outer hull.

Matriarch Lidanya frown as she scan the reported sent to her by the engineering crews. "This can't be right…" she muttered before she switched the com to the engineering channel. "Engineering, are you certain of this report?"

"Unfortunately we are Matriarch" responded the distressed chief Engineer "Our hull is reacting badly to the sudden heating even when we managed to stop the plasma's progress through the hulls. We estimate the hull will fail disastrously if we attempt a FTL jump, even worst with a Relay jump. And no amount of reinforcing with the plates from other ships will fix it."

"How disastrous?" asked the matriarch, as she continues to read through other parts of the report.

"Imagine an insect that got squashed on an air car's windshield." Replied the engineer curtly.

Matriarch Lidanya winced slightly at that comparison before sighing. "Roger that CIC out." She gaze sadly at the CIC of the Destiny Ascension the ship having been the pride of the Asari. Will it really have to be left behind?

"Matriarch incoming communication from the Humans," the communication officer reported, as she put the transmission on speaker.

"This is the UNSC Cruiser Savannah, to Asari flagship Destiny Ascension. Do you copy over?" asked the captain of the UNSC vessel.

Matriarch Lidanya was surprised at the humans as the Covenant Separatists called them. They look so much like the Asari that some of the crews are speculating whether the universe have given them a distant cousin. "UNSC Savannah, this is Matriarch Lidanya, we can hear you." Lidanya replied as she personally connected her mic to the com system before asking "Is something the problem?"

"Negative, but we heard your flagship is facing some… difficulties. And we are willing to offer you some assistance." Came back the voice.

Matriarch Lidanya swore that if she didn't know better she would have believed she was talking to another Asari. "We are grateful but my engineering teams have said that this ship is no longer saveable. We are planning to move to another vessel instead."

"I must insist." Came back the other voice. "Fleetmaster Rtas Vadum made it very clear that we should do anything possible to save your flagship, since it has something to do with the honour your crews earned and if there's one thing we have learned with our relationship with the Sangheili it is to never belittle their honour unless you fancy an energy sword fight to the death." The UNSC captain replied.

Lidanya sighed sadly as she replied. "We can't our calculations show that this ship will not survive our FTL jump, much less a relay."

"Who said anything about a relay?" asked the UNSC captain. "We have been ordered to perform hard dock procedures and get you to Shanxi with slipspace."

Matriarch Lidanya could have sworn the captain of the UNSC vessel must be grinning at this. "We are grateful for your help. But may I enquire what is this hard dock procedure?" but there was no reply.

Suddenly the alarms blared before the sensor officer shouted out. "Matriarch! Two UNSC cruisers are on intercept course. Possible collision imminent!" even as she continue to calculate the course to determine their action. Suddenly the alarms died out. "Not a collision course but pretty close" reported the officer as she finished her calculations. "They are coming alongside us Matriarch."

Matriarch Lidanya frowned at this sudden action. She considered her fleet's position before deciding to take a leap of faith. "Lower the kinetic barriers." Her crew stopped what they were doing before staring at their matriarch. "Do it. If they meant us harm they would have blown us to pieces already. And bring the side cameras online."

"Lowering kinetic barriers" replied the ops officer as she pulled her hand across the holographic console. "Bringing the cameras online."

The galaxy map was replaced with two holographic windows each showing the huge grey bulk of the UNSC cruisers. White puffs of thrusters were evident as the two cruisers move closer using their docking thrusters for finer control. "Contact in 20 seconds Matriarch" reported the sensor officers as the other crewmen watched the closing cruiser pairs.

At the last possible seconds the docking thrusters flare into life. Slowing the two Marathon Mark2 cruisers to a halt, there Magnetic clamps on the sides opened wide. The cameras were suddenly blacked out by the bulk of the cruisers. "Contact" Reported the sensor officer as a series of thumps echoed throughout the Asari's flagship.

"Docking clamps secured. Everything looks good. Alright Destiny ascension hope you're ready for your first slipspace trip." the voice of the UNSC captain stated.

"Thank you." Matriarch Lidanya replied. Before the UNSC captain cut off the transmission, she asked "May I know who you are?"

"Of course, the name's Bella Forge." Came the reply before the channel finally cut.

Secluded Forerunner Shield world.

Edge of Dark space.

Scanning dark space.

A Blue hued sphere floated through the many ducts that lined walls of the installation he was put in charge of. "Hummm hu ummmm huh ummmm hmmmmmm" hum the monitor as it slowly floated into the control room.

"What have I told you about humming?" A figure asked sitting in the command chair of the control room.

"That you dislike it?" replied the monitor as he looked around the control room.

"Exactly" Replied the figure as it turned back to watching the sensor data. "Have the sensor array in sector 54 picked up anything?"

"Nothing unusual, a few stray asteroids and comets… oh my." the monitor replied.

Raising an eyebrow, the figure got up and walks over to a holographic console. "They're back. Monitor, activate the emergency protocols. Codename "Reaper", authentication code Theta Gamma Charlie."

"Code confirmed. Beginning protocols activation." Replied the monitor as it worked. Suddenly it paused "Maker what off the Reclaimers currently orbiting this planet?"

"Wake them. The sentinels should have done their work." the Librarian replied as she once more move back towards the command chair of the room.

"I shall do so at once." Replied 343 Guilty Spark as he floated into the building's extensive ductwork toward where the Reclaimers ship lay inactive… hidden among the ever-growing fleet of Forerunner warships.

Author's note: yes this chapter is really short by my usual standard. But I can't help it. Got exams coming in 1 week time so I have to finish this chapter in a hurry. Hope you all like it. See you when I get back from exams.