Three weeks later. Solar Expanse. Sol System. Saturnine Docks.
Located on the orbit of Saturn and drawing materials from surrounding moons and asteroid rings, Saturnine Docks are the largest orbital complex within the Human space, serving to provide now Human Union with the ships and parts. In light of the Salarian attack on then Alliance and decimation of the Navy, these Docks have become all the more important to Humanity and their Navy, as it's shipyards and docks went into a veritable overdrive in order to repair and get as many ships ready as possible. For weeks, automated assembly lines and living engineers and workers alike worked for nearly nonstop, knowing that the Union was not going to simply sit back and let the Turians do the heavy lifting.
Every ship that could be salvaged was brought in here, and every vessel that was in its finish touches was rushed into completion and in this industrious marvel, Quarians played a critical role. Out there in the galaxy, no one knew how to repair, modify, assemble and work with ships better than Quarians, for their current existence completely depended on them, so it was no exaggeration to say that every Quarian was an engineer. And Balia'Zorah vas Taeron was no exception, and as soon as she was discharged by the medics, she, like most of her kin, have volunteered to help around the colonies and shipyards, with her being assigned to the Saturnine Docks, considering her expertise in working with drive cores of large vessels.
Balia had to give credit to humans where it was due, as she could not imagine any race being able to not just withstand such an onslaught, while also losing their government and suffering heavy losses, but be able to unite, remain ready to fight, and even reform and so rapidly prepare for battle. She recalled stories of how Quarians struggled after the Morning War, and how it nearly ended their race all together, if not for the Navy commanders literally taking over command from the remaining politicians. This decision had saved Quarians, and the formation of the Interstellar Human Union may well has saved Humanity from the worst, and Chancellor Drake was getting results that his people needed.
Situation in Colonies improved rapidly, and the crisis on Earth had largely ended, while the now Union Navy and Army were growing rapidly, as did their industries. And now, when it was announced that a major offensive was going to take place against the Asari Matriarchy, everyone pulled their weight in here in order to get as many ships ready for battle. Balia ran another diagnostic on the drive core of the Assault Fleet Carrier, before she called her friend Shala'Raan vas Caeson through an omni-tool.
"Shala, we are beginning the activate process of the drive core. What's the status on your?" Balia asked of her, as she initiated activation sequence.
"Operating at efficient capacity, no signs of fluctuations or exhaust trouble." Shala responded, as Belia activated the drive in full with the Union engineers. "Power flow is reading within all normal parameters, drive core harmonization achieved."
"Confirming, all systems are operating within acceptable parameters." Once that was done, she sent the data to other engineers. "Thanks, Shala. I'll see you outside."
"Of course, Belia." Shala responded before hanging up, as Belia walked to the chief engineer.
"All systems are responding, no power fluctuations or anything… Thanks, you've saved me and my men a ton of time with those calibrations and converter installations." Chief Engineer shook Belia's hand. "We'll take it from here on. You and your friends should get some rest, after pulling so much work."
"It was no problem, and if you need any more help, we are ready to help." Belia offered, with the man smiling.
"Thanks, we really appreciate it, we do, but you guys need to get some R&R, especially after so much work you did on the Rodney and Zheng He." Chief Engineer replied. "C'mon, we'll handle it from here. You and your friends need to get some rest. Alright, everyone! We've got a warship to prep for battle! Let's get her up to snuff!" Therefore, Belia departed the engineering, where soon she ran into her friend Shala, along with other Quarians.
"Let me guess, they've told you to get some rest or something like that?" Shala asked, with Belia nodding. "Perhaps someone should tell them the same, what with the way they were working these past few weeks." Shala commented, as they went towards the docking area.
"Maybe, but it does feel… odd." Belia spoke up. "The way they treat us, like we are not… You know."
"Yes, like we are not outcasts or enemies or just undesirables, but actual people, and the way they respect and at times even show admiration for our work… I get what you are saying, Belia." Shala said. "I never had anyone ever look at me the way those engineers looked. Some have even called me a genius when I've finished their drive calibrations."
"I've heard the same, still, those are some of the most sophisticated and advance drives I've ever worked on, or even saw." Belia noted. "One of those is enough to power a Turian dreadnaught, but two in one ship… Did you see the kind of firepower it is packing?"
"I saw their main calibers tear T'Loak's dreadnaught like it was made out of rotten wood." Shala responded. "And they also have a lot of smaller, yet similarly configured guns. No wonder that that the Salarians weren't able to destroy a single one of these monsters."
"True, though I'd say their fighters are even more of a reason to fear these ships." Belia commented. "Anyway, have you heard the reports from the scout ships last night?"
"No, I was on Wales, applying the modifications to her GUARDIAN Systems. Why, what did those Union scout ships report? Salarians are rebuilding at Sur'Kesh?" Shala asked.
"No, it's the complete opposite, with Sur'Kesh and entire system having been declared an exclusion zone for anyone without a direct authorization from Humans' Strategic Command or Turian High Command to enter." Belia responded, with Shala surprised to hear it. "At first I thought it was because to be the target of second attack, but no, it wasn't. I heard from one of Admiral Drake's aides, that entire system is now quarantined due to some super virus rampaging through it."
"Virus? As in an electronic virus?" Shala asked and Belia nodded. "I thought that Salarians had one of the most heavy defended and protected networks in the entire galaxy, well, after Humans and their Noosphere. What exactly had happened?"
"Didn't hear any specifics, but from what I've pieced together, that virus infested every single bit of net in their home system and just destroyed everything. Comms, electronics, labs, data banks, stations, ships- all were now gone, who civilization just evaporated, corrupted and beyond any form of repair, and it's not even the worst of it." Belia said to Shala. "Remember when I told you about the Salarian Shroud Network?"
"Yes, atmospheric processors, built to produce air particles in order to sustain and restore planet's atmosphere. I remember you worked on one of them in your Pilgrimage days." Shala said.
"Yes, and Salarians had a whole network of those on their Sur'Kesh, because of the effects of the rampant and uncontrolled industrialization in their early history. Those Shrouds were also hit, and they started to poison the atmosphere and air." Belia stated, with Shala starting to realize the sheer scale of disaster. "And without access to even an omni-tool… It sounded like they didn't stand a chance."
"Keelah… So the whole planet and system, with everything in it…" Shala asked with a hushed breath.
"Dead and everything with a receiver to it is infected by this virus, which seems to completely dismantle everything in its wake." Belia told Shala. "Everything safe for those specially bred Rachni and whatever other horror those STGs worked on are now dead on Sur'Kesh. Over 10 billion… And that's not to mention the sheer chaos it will cause to the rest of the Salarians."
"I can't even fathom what will happen now with them." Shala said, as she and Belia exited the ship and were on the dock proper, where they ran into Admiral Arthur Drake, discussing something with the officers. "Admiral Drake?"
"Captain Raan, Ms. Belia'Zorah." Arthur greeted them, as he sent his orders throughout the Fleet. "I've just received the update on the Fleet's status. On behalf of the Union Navy and Saturnine Docks, allow me to express my gratitude and admiration for your work. Without your help, we wouldn't have been able to mobilize so many ships so quickly."
"We were only happy to assist you, and repay for what you did for us." Belia responded. "And I doubt any Quarian would've passed such a rare opportunity. Our people are practically born engineers, and for us, working on our vessels is as essential as for others raising crops. Getting a chance to work on such advance and powerful ships has also given us plenty of insights for our own operations."
"They it's safe to say, that this was a mutually beneficial arrangement, with us also learning much about engineering." Drake responded. "Almost forgot, I've spoken with the Chancellor, and he wished me to pass along compliments and gratitude for your tremendous work. He says that without your assistance, we'd be dealing with far more trouble, and that he'll find a way to repay you for it. He also hopes that you've been treated as befits your exceptional expertise and capabilities, or something along those lines."
"You can tell Chancellor, that we've been treated with respect and consideration which our people have not received from anyone in hundreds of years." Shala responded. "It is almost surreal, to be treated in such a way by an entire race."
"Well, everyone out here knows how much work you are doing for us, and everyone appreciates it immensely, especially after you have been through." Admiral Drake responded. "Strategic Command and Chancellor are all grateful to Captain Rael and the rest of you for remaining to help us. If there is anything we can do to…"
"No need, Admiral. We have all we could ask for and then some more. Thank you." Belia assured him. "Admiral, I wanted to ask you something. Regarding Salarians…" Arthur's face didn't harden, and he simply let out a sigh.
"I guess it was to be expected, that the rumors spread… The Chancellor and the Primarch will make their announcements within the next few days, but overall rumors are true." Arthur confirmed it. "The whole Pranas System is now an exclusion zone because of an extremely aggressive computer virus, which completely dismantles every software program, it touches, civilian or military. Turians have sent their own scouts in the area, and their frigate stopped dead in space mere moments after it entered system. By the time word got around to the Skyfall and we've dispatch our own ship, the Turian frigate was destroyed because it's core overloaded, and as for the Salarians… Safe to say, they had it the worst."
"Just how bad is the situation in there?" Shala asked of him.
"We've sent several frigates, all equipped with Noosphere, to survey the system, but so far, we've found no survivors, and atmosphere of Sur'Kesh is now poisonous to everything safe for the Rachni that are now it's sole populace. Last report said that all specimens have gotten out of the labs and are now forming ant-like hives, but there are no indications higher intellect or sentience within them, which confirms the autopsies, that these Rachni were specially bred by Salarians without higher cognitive work, made into animals." Admiral Drake stated. "But aside from them, all Salarians are now gone there, and the remnants of their military and Dalatrasses as well. Chancellor and Primarch are now reaching out to the Salarian colonies, to establish communications, but I hear that it is a mess out there as well."
"Did the virus spread to them as well?" Belia asked of them.
"No, thankfully. It remains locked within the Pranas System, and unable to spread to anything outside system's boundaries. Our scientists are analyzing it, but the general consensus is that this virus had gotten out of one of STG bases, and was possibly being developed as a first wave weapon, intended to disrupt communications and electronics, but it had gotten out of hand. Its effect on Salarians was catastrophic, but from what we know, this kind of thing has already happened before, but on much, much smaller scale." Arthur responded. "It's impossible to prove anything now, since there is nothing but jumbled mess and corrupted bits to read in the networks, and going down to Sur'Kesh is a death sentence, as it is now turning into a new desert. And as for the colonies, the Dalatrasses in them were the first to sense that someone has happened to the central government and STGs, and have decided to capitalize on it. I believe it is safe to say, that the only Union now present in the galaxy is Human."
"So the Salarians are now fighting a civil war too?" Belia asked, with Arthur nodding. "But what forces do they even have to do it? I thought their entire Navy and army are done for."
"They still have retained some frigates and cruisers, either in repairs, mothballs and other means, but those numbers won't be of any use against a coordinated strike by pirates, not to mention other galactic forces." Arthur stated. "To put it bluntly, the Salarians are now in such a disarray and chaos, that they are doing more damage to themselves, without us fighting. Chancellor will announce their state soon as well, but it is partially because of this development that Primarch has been urging an attack against the Matriarchy. The longer this war goes on, the more Terminus Systems and Attican Traverse pirates become bolder and start attacking now defenseless colonies of Asari and Salarians, not to mention Turian outer frontier."
"But is the Union actually ready for it?" Belia asked of Drake, yet before he could answer, he received a message on his omni-tool, and his expression was enough of an answer for the Quarians.
"Guess we are now." Arthur said. "Strategic Command has just sent out a call for all Fleets. We are going on the offensive in three days from now."
Six days later. Athena Nebula. Parnitha System.
"What is the status of our Fleet, Larentha?" Rhona demanded to know of the de-facto commander-in-chief of the Asari, who, along with most of her staff, were currently present on a station in orbit of Thessia, overseeing the preparations.
"All fleets have been mobilized and positioned to counter every possible vector of attack." Larentha said, as she brought up the map of the system. "Knowing the disposition of the Relays and what systems our enemies control and can access, I've discerned three potential routes of entry into Thessia. Having consolidated our forces and all of our resources here, we've gained a substantial advantage over the Turian and Human Fleets."
"But will those forces be enough against them, Larentha?" Kalla asked of her. "We've sacrificed all of our outer systems and colonies to those dissidents and the Turians. The public here is only listening to us because they are afraid of our dreadnaughts, after we have used them to squash the rebellions. If we lose this battle, it will be our end."
"Which is why we will not lose, and my strategy will ensure it." Larentha told them. "I've divided our forces into four parts. The first three will act as screening forces near the Relays, delaying the enemy and providing time for my main force to come and strike. I've consolidated our all dreadnaughts and half of our entire force into a single armada. It will form our main fighting force, which will simply obliterate all that Fedorian will throw at us. Such a concentration of dreadnaughts has never been seen in the galaxy, and I am certain it will be enough to break their momentum. And even if those won't be enough, we can rely upon this stations' defensive capabilities, and even the reserve fleet stationed at our escape route on the far side of the system."
"But will it be enough to ensure our victory?" Rhona asked of her. "And do not forget the super dreadnaught that the humans have."
"You are too scared of it. Their Assault Fleet Carriers may be powerful, but they are too few, and they would never risk…" That very moment sensors of the screening fleets picked up activation of their Relays, with Larentha turning her attention to it. "Report! Which one of the Relays is active?"
"All three, Mistress. Reading… Only four vessels, three dreadnaught classes and one cruiser, all Human designs." Sensors officer reported, with Larentha not understanding what was going on. "No further ships are in bound."
"Confirm again. What are those four ships doing?" Larentha demanded to know.
"Confirming, no more… Wait, the ships are powering up their FTL Drive!" The sensor officer exclaimed with shock, with Larentha widening her eyes.
"Impossible! No FTL drive system would ever activate in front of any big object or within star's gravity well!" Larentha exclaimed, completely taken aback. "P-plot their courses! No, shoot them…"
Unfortunately for Larentha, she was did not have the chance to finish her second command, as the human cruiser reached FTL speed and slammed directly into the Matriarchy's Command Station. The nerve center of the entire defense of the Matriarchy became a new sun in the next second, disintegrated by the ramming attack of that cruiser, with the incoming debris hitting nearby defensive platforms that Larentha kept close, destroying them all with them not even having chance of firing. However, this was not the end of it, as the dreadnaughts also gained enough speed to close the distance between them and the screening fleets, and the moment they seemed to materialize before them, was when Parnitha System saw three more suns.
Each of those dreadnaughts was filled to the brim with the most powerful explosive materials that could be found, completely automated like the cruiser, and then sent to destroy the enemy fleets. Within a few seconds, the Matriarchy had lost much of their fighting force in Space, with each of the screening fleets suffering massive losses, effectively reducing their full power to a half or less. And with the entirety of their naval command assembled on the Command Station, they were left both decimated and leaderless, and it was at that point that the allied Human-Turian Fleet, coming through all three Relays in form of three battlegroups, which immediately proceeded to press on their attack.
USS Nelson. Battlegroup Beta
"Confirming, Battlegroups Alpha, Beta and Gamma have all finished entry and are now en route to the targets." Sensors' officer reported to Aubrey. "Reading enemy fleet straight ahead, the center of their formation is gone and close to half of the ships are either damage or disabled."
"Looks like the branders have done more damage than we anticipated." Jack Aubrey said, before he gave his orders. "Helm, maintain full speed ahead, we can't get bogged down in here. Weapons, pick your targets and fire, but hold back the fighters, we'll need them against the dreadnaughts."
"Sir, orders from the Admiral." Comms informed them. "Turian 11th Fleet and Carrier Group Wales will engage the screening fleet, our orders are push on and link up with the rest of the Battlegroups." Aubrey nodded.
"Make it so. What's the projected enemy force we are going up against?" Aubrey demanded of the sensors.
"Reading 26 Dreadnaughts, Magnificent and Benevolent classes, along with 152 cruisers and 341 frigates of various classes, all consolidated into a singular armada, which is now moving out to meet us." Sensors officer stated to Aubrey. "Their formation doesn't give them much room for maneuver, sir, and they appear to be scrambling to reestablish their order."
"Confirming, our Battlegroup has just cleared the screening enemy, Alpha and Gamma reporting the same, coordinates for the link up are uploaded." Comms officer reported. "Sir, new orders from the Admiral, we are to form the center of the fleet formation."
"Fighters, prepare to launch. First group is to engage the enemy fighters, second will torpedo the enemy. Targets of priorities are the dreadnaughts, main batteries are to focus on the cruisers, secondary target frigates." Aubrey ordered. "We need to clear the path for our bombers to do their job. Status of the enemy?"
"Moving towards us, sir, but it doesn't seem to be assuming a battle formation and appears… Monitoring multiple ships are starting to break off from the formation, triangulating vectors now." Sensors reported. "They are attempting to flee, sir! Wait, several of the dreadnaughts are turning to face them… They've opened fire with their main calibers upon them!" Aubrey they saw how a not so small collection of cruisers and frigates were getting destroyed by their own forces, before they heard a voice come in on the open channels.
"To all Asari forces, this is Chancellor Alexander Drake, head of the Interstellar Human Union. Our and Turian quarrel is with your leadership, the Matriarchy, which has disregarded the laws and foundations of both Galactic and Asari society. Any vessel that does not wish to participate in this battle and wishes to surrender, are to power down your arms and drives and remain in your place." Aubrey and others listened to their leader. "You have my word that you will not be harmed and upon end of this battle, you will be transferred into custody of the legitimate government of Asari Republics. This offer extends to all Asari ships and captains, that are yet to open fire, upon our fleets, or your own, but know this, commanders of the dreadnaughts: we know of your atrocities, and will grant you no quarter." And so the statement was made, and the battle in proper began.
Battlegroups Alpha, Beta and Gamma linked up and formed a coherent united force, coordinated and planned in advance by the Turian and Human Strategic Commands, with the Turians bringing the main numbers to bear, constituting 70 percent of the attacking force, with Frigates, Cruiser and Dreadnaughts. Though Humanity was bloodied and lost much of their Navy, they have rapidly rearmed, prepared and repaired their battered ships, and now they brought to bear their finest, led by 6 Nelson-class Assault Fleet Carriers, which formed the centers of the Battlegroups, supplemented by their Carriers, Cruisers and Frigates.
Chancellor Drake's message had an effect on some of the Asari ships, as they complied, but many more did not, and were still moving to engage, the forces being seemingly equal to each other. Joint Human-Turian fleet brought to bear to this battle 14 Dreadnaughts, 6 Assault Fleet Carriers, 29 Carriers, 112 Cruisers and 291 Frigates, with the rearguard detachments still engaging the screening fleets, before they surrendered and hurried to join. Within a few moments, the battle that would decide the fate of this war was to commence in proper.
The first ones to fire were the Nelson-classes' main armaments, followed by Turian Dreadnaughts a moment later, before the rest had opened up in a captivating show of destructive orchestra. Matriarchy's ships responded, but their return fire lacked the coordination and coherency of the Turians and Humans, with not even all of their able and willing ships having firing solutions, as the death of their Naval Command and Larentha in opening seconds had crippled them. First casualties came in, and they were Asari, as their most forward cruisers were demolished by the Human Nelson-classes, opening up holes in the defensive positions of the Asari for the fire upon their dreadnaughts. The storm of hellfire ensued, as the two fleets exchanged fire, and in this moment when Asari Fleets were blinded, Human carriers performed their foremost duty, launching their fighters, and within a span of 3 seconds, 12 hundred Raptors were launched and immediately moved to attack their prey.
Amidst the swarms of Raptors and Turian fighters, as well as flashes of kinetic and missile fire, nearly all sensors were blinded to more minute discrepancies, and this is what allowed over three dozen dropships to slip past the Matriarchy's battle line. Carrying on them not a full invasion force to mount a full on ground assault, but enough to hit various high priority targets on Thessia, and take them out in advance of the main invasion. If the Navy's primary fighter was the F-7 Raptor, then their dropship was ADS-5 Eagle, which doubled as both the shuttle and an assault gunship.
Before its introduction back in 2164, Alliance relied on shuttles to carry their Marines into battles, and didn't make any use of dedicated gunships, but with the expansion into the Skyllian Verge and Attican Traverse, came the need for a more direct air-to-ground support, and simple shuttles weren't going to cut it. Eagle changed that, and it was adopted just a day after Raptor and rolled into production, and although it faced many detractors among the Alliance Parliament for it being too heavily armed, seemingly being oriented for a full-scale war, the Navy and Marine Corps grew to appreciate and love it. Despite it's seeming simplicity and ease of production, the Eagle is a reliable, sophisticated assault dropship, with enough firepower to take out an entire enemy platoon alone, as well as able to take a beating, thanks to it's thick hull and powerful kinetic barrier.
And at this moment, Staff Captain Richard Shepard was glad that he and his platoon worth of Union Marines and Turian Shock Troopers were being brought to their target on an Eagle, instead of a flimsy UT-29. Looking around, he saw his men, all dressed in modern new combat armor, checking and preparing for the battle ahead, while he checked his M12A1 Assault Combat Rifle with an underslung grenade launcher. Fixing his side arm to his hip on his armor, Shepard turned to his Turian counterpart, Lieutenant Vorenus, who too inspected his troops, and gave the man a nod. When they heard the announcement that they were now past the enemy fleet, Shepard spoke up.
"Alright, men, listen up! You have all heard the briefing and heard what our job today is, but just to be clear, here's the special sit-rep for you all. Our target is a comms relay station, which facilitates most comms on the planet between the Matriarchy's forces. We are to knock it out, permanently, not to hold it, before the main assault arrives." Shepard informed them all, before they linked their omni-tools. "Now remember, this is Asari homeworld we are about to fight on, so if any of you people thinks this will be a walk in the park, then I suggest you forget it ASAP. Every Asari down there is a Biotic, and nearly all of them have been the military for hundreds of years, and what's more important, is that this is their home we are invading, so expect them fight fiercer than a drunk Krogan. On the ground, we'll have a two Argonaut mechs and two Eagles for support, but aside from those, we'll be on our own. Now, who's like us, men?!"
"DAMN FEW!" Marines answered, before adding. "AND THEY ARE ALL DEAD!" Marines stated, ready for battle, with Shepard nodding to them, before he turned to Vorenus.
"Your men seem quite motivated, Captain." Vorenus commented, while he viewed his own. "We Turians usually do not have the same… enthusiastic approach for such operations."
"Yeah, we just have different ways of expressing our emotions and dealing with stress, but they are more than ready, I can tell." Richard Shepard responded. "Now then, LT, I understand you've got biotics in there as well, right?"
"5 out of 11 we are deploying, myself included. Primarch is bringing everyone he has for it." Vorenus responded, with Shepard nodded. "We've studied your tactics in preparation, but…"
"I know, we still a bit short on the Biotics, so here's my plan: we'll take the front line, you stay in the backline, provide cover, support and barriers, while your other men take care of the rear." Shepard said, with Vorenus nodded. "And make sure that all of your Biotics have fully seal your armor, or else they'll only be good as an infantry." Vorenus said, and just as the gunships began to decelerate, prompting Shepard to put on his helmet, activating its HUD.
Soon enough, the Eagle decelerated and the ramps opened up, with the Union Marines jumping out, activating their jump packs to decelerate their fall, quickly opening fire, taking cover and making progress. Shepard was among the first to land and didn't waste time to giving out orders to his men, while also taking cover from the attacks, as he saw close to a full company of Asari Army before him. Just was predicted, they based their tactics on their Biotics, so when Eagles released several missiles containing special anti-biotic gas, it proved decisive, turning this into a streamlined ground war, where Humans and Turians had a full advantage.
Wasting no time in utilizing the shock, Union Marines advanced in tactical formations, with Turian Shock Troops providing covering fire and Biotic attacks, with the two Argonauts, armed with their assault cannons, one with Thermal Cannons and second with missile bod, decimated Asari lines. Above their heads, Eagles unleashed hell with their cannons and missiles, turning the architectural marvel of Thessia into rubble. Shepard led his men straight to the doors of the comms center, jumping above heads and landing in the midst of the Asari, gunning them down with merciless meticulousness. Suddenly, a loud thud was heard and Shepard saw one of his Marines hit by a sniper, his barriers down, but the armor stopping the round from penetrating chest plate. Through his HUD, he could see the man sustained a blunt force trauma and directed the medic to him before he gave out orders to clear out the upper levels from the Asari Snipers and other forces.
Just as one Eagle was busy with it, the second one engaged the in coming shuttles, with Shepard and Vorenus forming a breaching squad for the assault, while the rest took up defensive positions. Hacking the door, followed by thrown grenades with gas and incendiary, they cleared the foyer, two once enemies now working together with uncanny synergy, with the Turians silently marveling at the abilities of their Human counterparts. Soon, Shepard and Vorenus were at the main control center, breaching it and quickly clearing out, with Shepard taking out the last Asari by beating her with the stock of his rifle.
"Area is secure! Techs, see what you can find on the enemy dispositions and send it to the Navy. Team 2, what's your status report?" Shepard asked over comms.
"Encountered heavy resistance at the generators, just flooded place with the gas." Shepard heard one Lieutenants speak. "Gas is working, clearing the place now!"
"Good, keep me posted." Shepard ordered, as he turned to his engineers. "What's the status on those comms?"
"We are in, sir, and we've got a whole treasure trove of info here." He informed him, as he began to send it to the Navy. "We even have the locations of the Matriarchs here. Looks like they are holed up in some ancient temple, and they've got several scientific teams with them as well."
"Any mention as to why?" Shepard asked.
"Nothing specific, only that it's coded as highest priority, and every military unit is to ensure the safety of this site." Engineer reported. "Every Matriarch that wasn't blown with the Command Station is in there."
"Alright, transmit it to the Command, along with everything else that seem important." Shepard ordered, before he got a call from the second breaching team.
"Team 2 here, sir, just finished up setting the charges. Ready to detonate them at your command." Shepard heard.
"Alright, wrap things up, we are leaving now!" Shepard ordered, and the assault teams were out of there and quickly loaded onto the Eagle, yet before they left, Shepard detonated the charges.
The resulting explosion took out the entire array system and rendered the Asari Command blind and deaf to anything in this sector, while Shepard and his forces redeployed to secondary targets. Soon additional Eagles joined up with his and now they were composing a fearsome force, which was now to establish proper beach heads for the incoming full assault forces, even as the fight up in space raged on.
Lieutenant Commander Kara Thrace was not what most would call a good officer, but she was a good pilot, one of the best fighter pilots in the entire Alliance Navy, according to one of her previous COs, Admiral Arthur Drake. She had a penchant for not listening to orders of her superiors and acting on her own, as well as not being afraid of letting others know her opinion, which landed her in hot waters more than once since she graduated Flight School. After one particular stunt she had thought her carrier was over, until then Captain Drake had pulled some strings with the brass and got her transferred from the Second to the Fourth Fleet on to England, where she truly flourished.
The Alliance frontier was as dangerous to the colonists as it could get, and the Fourth Fleet's England, and later Nelson, Carrier Groups never lacked for pirates, slavers, privateers and would be warlords to beat up. Kara flew under Drake's command since 2162 to 2166, until she was approved as an instructor for the Colonial Defense Force on New Rheinland, with the purpose of training local fighter pilots. That was three weeks before the Salarians attacked, and when they did, she and those young bloods flew out to meet them in battle, alongside Veneto and others. She lost count to how many fighters she took down, knowing only that she managed to shoot down two frigates with her missiles, but what she did remember was the aftermath. Out of 12 pilots she trained, only 4 returned, and what they returned to was a scene straight from hell, with thousands of kilometers of lush forests now ablaze, and the news that they were not alone in this.
Kara remembered the confusion, fear, anger and simple seething rage that all felt, yet also helplessness when they heard the news… But when they heard Alexander Drake speak, tell them exactly what they needed to hear, it gave them all something that they thought was lost with the Alliance- hope and will to fight. Drake had managed to mobilize all of Humanity to rebuild and to avenge this travesty, and in just a month, they were now here, fighting the very scheming crones that had destroyed the Alliance, yet birthed the Union.
Flying her Raptor through the hail of laser traces and slugs, Kara found her target in form of several Asari fighters, and after maneuvering over and getting on their tails, she fired her guns. Five shots, and one was going down already, before she chased the second one, bringing her down with a cannon burst, while the third on disengaged completely.
"Starbuck Squadron, this is Vulture Squadron. We are beginning our run on the enemy dreadnoughts, requesting escort, over." Kara heard over the radio, before she answered.
"Copy that, Vulture-1. This is Starbuck-1, request heard and approved. We have you on our sensors, moving to escort." Kara responded, and commanded her squadron to move in for support, with her squadron reforming close to the Vultures in the chaos of battle, before she noticed something. "Nelson, this is Starbuck-1. I'm seeing some strange activity on the enemy left flank. Looks like a squadron of frigates is breaking formation and moving ahead."
"Copy that, Starbuck-1, we are seeing it. Maintain your course." She received a reply, with Kara complying. "Starbuck-1, reading two squadrons bearing down on you and Vultures."
"Got it. Moving to intercept." Kara confirmed. "All Starbucks, intercept these targets!" She commanded, and the Starbuck Squadron went into a full throttle, breaking into two wings and then engaging the Asari interceptors, which were soon joined by one more Asari squadron and two frigates.
Initially, it seemed like the Starbucks were done for in that moment, but before a minutes was done, the second wave of Raptors struck the Asari lines like thousands of swords, and the disorganized squadrons of Asari were literally obliterated. The frigates that moved to engage were torn apart by half a dozen of torpedoes, with their broken up husks drifting towards larger ships, as Starbuck finished up her enemies, while Vultures finished their run right before her eyes. Engaging the enemy dreadnaught from all sides, first wing send out disruptor torpedoes, which overloaded the ships shields and GUARDIAN systems, before the rest send out their main weapon.
F-7 Raptor was a world apart from the past fighters and bombers, in large part because of the various weapons systems developed for it, and among the SAP-12 Stormbreaker Torpedoes. Slower than most torpedoes by a certain margin, but designed with a heavier payload and as an armor piercing armament. Designed to pierce through the heavy armor of dreadnaughts, against which it was specifically designed, Stormbreakers upon impact do not simply explode, but penetrate into the hull, and once deep enough, they explode. The damage unleashed them is extreme for the dreadnaughts, whose tougher shell hides a softer interior, and once those interiors get blasted by high-yield explosives, it can be enough to destroy them from just a few shots.
The Benevolent-class that was currently attacked received 8 of those torpedoes, and once it was hit by all of them, the resulting explosions practically tore apart, before exploded from the inside, with Kara glad to have polarized windshield to see it. Once it was done, she saw multiple more bombers and fighters in squadrons diving at the enemy, and while she would be more than happy to assist them, she was running low on ammo, alongside her squadron, so commanded to get back on the Nelson. The day wasn't over yet, and she is certain she will be able to score a few more kills.
Battlegroup Alpha. THV Taetrus.
Like all members of his race, before becoming a Primarch and a politician, Fedorian had served in the Turian Armed Forces, primarily in the Navy, from the midshipman and ending up as Captain of a cruiser. He had first-hand experience in space naval combat and engagements, and believed that the nature of the space warfare was set in metaphorical stone, and that it belonged to the dreadnaughts and their high caliber cannons. Now, as he stood on the bridge of the Hierarchy's most advance and powerful Manae-class Dreadnaught, which was firing at the Matriarchy's cruisers, he watched as Human Raptors were scouring the void between Asari ships like locusts, and devouring their preys with same avarice.
Despite his military career, Fedorian never fully took an interest in the Human invention of Carriers, considering it nothing more than a doomed to fail experiment. A vessel completely and utterly dedicated to carrying and operating fighters, which were nothing more than support crafts in the fleets? He and other Turians saw as nothing more than a waste of resources, and even when the reports began to come in from Traverse and the Verge of their performance, he wasn't exactly impressed. Fighting pirates was one thing, but a fully dedicated and organized Navy was a completely different one… And after the Salarian Blitz, as it was called now, which left the Salarian Navy decimated and nearly dead, Fedorian and others took notice of the fact that the Human Navy managed to preserve much of their Carriers and Fighters.
Now, a month later, when they began their campaign against the Asari in earnest, Turians were able to see what those carriers and fighters could really do, and result was terrifying to say the least. Humanity had invested in their fighters as none has done, and it turned a one weapon that could literally destroy entire fleets if used correctly, and Union Navy were masters of fighter combat. The Matriarchy preferred to fight fighting retreats or just give them entire systems, drawing them closer and closer to Thessia, while consolidating their forces for a single decisive engagement. Fedorian and Turians didn't wish to commit to it initially, but the plan proposed by Chancellor Drake won him and others over, showing the ingenuity and determination of Humanity when it came to winning battles.
"Confirming, 8th Dreadnaught is down, their formation is starting to strain, but the backline ships are filling in the gaps." Fedorian heard the reports, as he watched that dreadnaught go down.
"So far everything is going according to plan, even better than anticipated." Fedorian heard Admiral Gilad Palleon speak up to him. "Got to admit, I was rather dismissive of Humans and their fascination with fighters… But seeing them doing all the heavy lifting now, I can't help but feel as if we are being humbled. Everyone who is flying those Raptors are braver, or crazier, than some Krogans I know."
"That they are, Admiral, and it is thanks to them that the Human Navy even managed to survive, or so I've heard." Fedorian noted, as he watched over two thousand Raptors wreaking havoc on the Asari fleet. "Before I heard of those Raptors and their pilots, I never imagined that someone as small as fighter would be able to decide course of battles, but now I see why Humans were ready to sacrifice their dreadnaughts so readily."
"Not that they have much need of them, with those monsters that house these birds of prey." Palleon responded. "But on that note, do we have any idea as to how did those Humans figure out the way to use FTLs within planetary systems? Isn't it hardcoded into all FTLs by the very tech to prevent catastrophes or something like that from happening?"
"I've asked Drake about it, and he said that they've found a way around it, or something like that." Fedorian said. "Still, turning their dreadnaughts into literal bombs and sending them at the enemy… And according to him it was an old naval tactic. What did he call them, brainders?"
"Branders, Primarch. From what I've learned, they were primarily used when Humans were still using wooden ships to traverse their seas and oceans on Earth, and it gradually fell out of use. During their times, they were most of then used against packed up fleets, either in bays or rivers, for maximum effect." Palleon said. "Using those to take out the Asari Command Station and thin their screening fleets… Larentha could never have seen it coming."
"No one would've, last time I ever heard of a ship used for ramming was during the Krogan Rebellions, and even Krogans didn't pack those up with whatever Humans put in those branders. Thanks the Spirits they were not around back then, or else the Krogans would've gotten the idea and probably loved it." Fedorian commented, watching and observing the operation of the Human carriers. "Branders may be too much… But these Carriers and how they operate, as well as those fighters, they are changing the face of the space naval warfare, if you ask me."
"Perhaps, they sure are a powerful force multiplier, but it's not just the Carriers that makes them so powerful, but also fighters, and their pilots. They are in a league of their own in all accounts." Palleon said.
"True, and that is exactly why we shouldn't be taking note of them." Fedorian said. "Spirits, those fighters made Raganis' fleet look like joke, and now they are turning Asari into nothing nine years later. What do you think would happen if they were to attack us like that, Admiral?"
"We'd have one hell of an uneven battle on our hands." Turian Admiral admitted, as another enemy dreadnaught went down. "You wish for our shipbuilders to make them?"
"Once this war is over, we will be the dominant power in the Citadel Space, and it will be our duty to see it properly protected, and we will be stretched thin, trying to protect it all." Fedorian said. "I've already talked about it with Chancellor Drake, but he is adamant that Humanity retains it's autonomy from the Citadel, though he has pledged to sign non-aggression pact with us, and maintain a defensive pact as well."
"Considering what his people have been through, I can see why they'd rather not get involved with the Citadel, not to mention that they'll need years to fully recover after the Blitz." Palleon said. "As for the Carriers and fighters, I believe we can work out the logistics of it, sir."
"Good." Fedorian said, before multiple lines of light pierced the Matriarchy's fleet, destroying all of the struck ships. "And here is Battlegroup Delta…" Fedorian commented, as the fourth Battlegroup has finally made itself known, arriving from the northern hemisphere of Thessia.
Battlegroup Delta. USS Drake.
"Confirming hits on the Asari Dreadnaughts, same with the Ushakov. Asari formation is collapsing, reading multiple signals for surrender." Arthur Drake heard from his officers. "They are surrendering in droves, sir. Even some of the dreadnaughts are hailing to allow them to surrender."
"Granted. Our quarrel is not with them, but with their leaders. Speaking of which, have we confirmed their location?" Admiral Drake asked.
"Yes, one of the insertion teams have uncovered their location. We have cross-referenced the coordinates and found information on it. It is the Temple of Athame, located in Armali, a cultural and historical site, of no seeming strategic importance or value." Commander Hannah Shepard reported to Arthur Drake. "Doesn't make sense for the Matriarchs to retreat there, and there are also reports of scientific teams with them… Admiral, recommend we run a full scan of the place." Drake gave his nod, and the teams did so.
"Scanning… Sir, we reading some form of a power build-up in the place, but these readings are unlike anything we've seen or recorded in our data bases." One of the officers reported. "Running comparisons with all known instances within Turian archives… Match found and… Sir, it is Prothean in nature!" All of the officers turned to the man in that moment.
"Confirm!" Arthur demanded.
"Confirmed, sir! It is Prothean, sir! Power signature is identical to the Prothean Beacon found on Manae, only this one is far more powerful, sir!" Officer reported.
"Meaning it is a fully functioning Prothean Beacon, as compared to the Beacon on Manae." Arthur concluded, before he examined the situation in space. "Do we have any beach heads prepared near this place?"
"Affirmative, sir! Elements of the 4th,7th and 11th Battalions have established a safe zone for our assault ships to descend into the atmosphere and begin the invasion in full, all within area of Armali." Commander Shepard informed Admiral Drake, and he turned to the hologram of his son, Chancellor Drake.
"Your orders, sir." Arthur asked of him.
"Proceed with the assault. Have Raptors provide close air support to the units on the ground and clear a path to the Temple." Alex Drake stated. "We take that Temple, we end this war for good. Begin descent, Admiral." And with this, Alex disconnected, and Arthur turned to give orders.
"All assault ships, begin the assault descent procedures. Escort squadrons, provide cover for the assault ships, priority target are surface-to-air defense installations and large concentrations of enemy forces, avoid hitting civilian sectors at all costs." Arthur commanded, as he observed, as 15 England-class carriers, converted into assault ships now began to descend upon the surface of Thessia, bringing with them the full might of the Union Marines and Army.
Thessia. Armali. Temple of Athame.
"H-how did that fleet slip past us without being noticed?! We had fleets stationed at every Relay, Larentha assured us that all exits were covered for good!" Rhona demanded to know, as panic gripped her, as the temple shook from sounds of war surrounding them all, with Armali now fully under siege.
"Th-they've travelled close to North Pole, obscuring our ground sensors, as for how they've arrived into system, I-I have no idea. We've not registered them on any of our sensors near the relays, only the initial fleets." One of the Asari officers reported, before Rhona literally backhanded her out of anger. "M-mistress, I…" And then the Temple shook from several high caliber rounds hitting the Temple, as the sounds of gun fire and war grew closer and closer.
"Then... Then they've arrived through the secret relay, b-but how..." One of the Matriarchs said. "Benezia! That bitch has betrayed us! She told them of it and how to get to it! The Reserve fleet wouldn't have been able to do a thing agaisnt this force and..." Another explosion was heard outside, and then came readings of the massive ships now entering air over Thessia.
"The Human England-classes have all stopped their deceleration, and are now unloading their cargo! Reading multiple troop transports, dropships, armor transports and more, all being delivered immediately to the battlefields, with support of the Human gunships!" Sensors officer reported. "Two of those ships are now in Armali's aerospace, and…" At that moment the Asari heard explosives just outside of their armored shields, and seemingly a new cloud appearing in the air, as seen on the holograms.
"What is that?" Kalla asked, before turning away from it. "Damn it! What is taking you all so damn long?!" She turned to the scientists, who were now working with the Prothean Beacon, active and pulsating. "Why is it taking so damn long to download all of the archives?!"
"We are trying, but something within the Beacon is preventing any form of download. We can interface, but can't…" And then the Temple shook even more violently, before the barrier around the Temple finally collapsed, followed by the destruction of the blast shield, leaving it completely open.
Within several seconds, the earlier dispersed gas made its way into the Temple and all of the Asari felt its effect, rendering them unable to use Biotics, which left them completely defenseless, when a trio of Argonaut mechs made their appearance. Without wasting any time, they trained their assault cannons and fired upon the Asari Huntresses and soldiers without any mercy, turning them into nothing more than scattered pieces of flesh. In less than half a minute, the entire armed contingent of the Matriarchs was removed, and in moved the towering figure in crimson red armor and two bloodied swords in his arms, followed by a full platoon of Marines in similar colored armor. The Matriarchs all knew who it was, with Rhona and Kalla moving closer to the Beacon, before they heard the man responsible for their downfall speak.
"Matriarchs." Alex Drake spoke, holstering his swords, yet not removing his helmet, as he looked at the Prothean Beacon, pulsating with power. "Ah, so this is the answer to your supposed superiority. No natural predisposition for sciences or superiority of the Asari… Your entire civilization and its position was built around this, a stolen and concealed piece of archeotech."
"It was left to us by the Protheans for a reason, for they saw our true potential and chose us to lead the Galaxy in their stead! Ours is the will that shapes the galaxy!" One of the Matriarchs' called out. "You and your primitive kind have no right to deny it for us!"
"Deny you? We've destroyed it, and today we ensure that your arrogance and folly never again endangers anyone, or serves as reason for an attempted genocide." Drake stated. "Surrender, preserve at least some of your dignity…"
"Never, and if we can't have this… Then none shall as well!" Kalla then suddenly triggered through her omni-tool the Beacon, as it pulsated far more violently, shaking the entire place at that moment.
Sanguinius sensed how the piece of the xeno tech before him was about to go critical, and without any warning, he ordered his men out of the place, before he extended his shields out, just before the Beacon went critical. The Prothean Beacon shook one more time, and then exploded, sending out a pulse of violent energy that disintegrated all that was near and within the Temple, safe for Sanguinius, who used his Psychic might to withstand the blast. Once the blast wave passed him and dissipated, he bolted out of the temple, mere moments before it began to collapse, burying all the secrets and people it held in itself.
Several hours later.
"We are still encountering sporadic fighting in remote places across this planet, but they are all too few and far in between." Fedorian spoke to Alex Drake, as they all looked at the ruins of the Temple of Athame. "Once the word that the Matriarchs were finally gone, any semblance of an organized resistance had crumbled, and we'll have the planet under control before the day's end… But overall, I believe it is safe to say, that the war is over."
"It is, and with it a whole era ends with it." Drake commented, now standing in his official garb, with Fedorian nodding. "I understand that you wish to preserve the Citadel Council, with all of the members included?"
"For all the follies of the Matriarchs and the Dalatrasses, there is no denying that the Council has served as a mediator and means of maintaining peace between the races." Fedorian commented. "I know many within the Hierarchy believe that it would be best if we simply subjugate the Salarians and Asari, but I am of different opinion. We are not conquerors, but warriors, who fight to preserve the peace, and that is what we will do. The system will need to change, naturally, but it is the best we have so far… And Humanity is welcome to it, to stand as an equal to us." Fedorian stated to Drake, who considered it, before answering.
"We have already discussed this, Primarch, and my answer and decision remain the same." Alex Drake answered. "As self-centered as it may sound, but our priorities take precedence before those of others in the galaxy. With the loss of Arcturus and Earth's governments, we now need a new functioning government and system that Humanity can trust and depend upon, and I intend to give it to them. And there is an entire myriad of issues that require urgent resolution, some of which I've now inherited from the Alliance… To put it bluntly, I literally do not have time to play galactic politics."
"I understand, and though I wish that I could depend upon you and your people in the coming years as allies in the Citadel Council, I can see how it is imperative for you to solve your immediate problems first." Fedorian said, as he let out a sigh. "This just means that everything else is falling upon the Turians now. Have you seen the latest reports from the Salarian colonies?"
"I have, and the events happening there remind me of The Unification War, only even worse." Drake said. "It would seem the Salarian Union was only held together by the STG and Dalatrasses' tight grip over economy. With them and Sur'Kesh gone for good, the Colonies are now fighting for dominance like starving rats. Only a military intervention, with a full blown occupation, may be the only way stabilize and save this entire ordeal, before it spills into something worse."
"I've already ordered several Fleets to be dispatched to them, and in regards of Sur'Kesh and Pranas System… I severely doubt the Salarians will ever recover from this blow." Fedorian said. "And as for the Asari, the news of the Beacon have already made it out, and to say that it is a shock would be an understatement. The new Republic government denies knowledge of it, and I am inclined to believe them."
"As am I, the Matriarchy had gone to extreme lengths to preserve this secret for centuries, being fully aware of the consequences of their decision." Drake commented.
"True, which leaves Benezia." Fedorian recalled. "The Asari new government wants everything of the Matriarchy gone, including those same Matriarchs, even if she had helped us."
"We promised her protection from prosecution, and I intend to uphold it." Drake suddenly said, before adding. "Interstellar Human Union will not pursue her with the intention of punishing her. And as for the new Asari government… That is well outside of my control." Fedorian understood what he meant.
"Hm, I suppose that is true, and we do have plenty of our own issues to deal with, to be dealing with one duplicitous Matriarch…" Fedorian commented, before he turned to face Alex Drake. "Who would've thought, that after all that had happened, our two races would be able to put in the past our differences, and achieve this. I cannot imagine it could've been easy for you, Chancellor, given your past… But I am grateful, that we were able to look past our First Contact."
"I will admit, that I am not a man who can easily change his views, but I am glad that I did in this case." Alexander Drake admitted, before he extended his hand to Fedorian, who accepted it. "I wish you good fortunes, Primarch Fedorian. We may not be ready to enter Council, but should you need aid, we will be ready to give it to you."
"As will we, Chancellor Drake." Fedorian assured, as their respective shuttles arrived. "May the Spirits look after you and your people, Chancellor." And with this, the two leaders of previously mortal enemies parted ways as friends.
Three days later. Skyfall Station. Alexander Drake's private lab.
"Okay, Alex, you mind explaining what was so important that you've forgotten about the meeting you planned?" Rhea asked of him, as she, the twins, Jack Harper and Admiral Arthur Drake entered his lab. "I know I am your de-facto right hand woman, but I am not exactly qualified to be running an interstellar empire, at least not yet. Also, what's with the suit?" Rhea asked, seeing as the armor Sanguinius designed stood before them, instead of being in the storage.
"This is what is up." Sanguinius said, before pushing a few buttons on the omni-tool, and suddenly from the power suit came a green virtual ball, which then took a vaguely humanoid form, much to surprise of all. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet Vendetta, a fully functioning Prothean VI, modeled after one of their chief scientists, and until recent events, a resident of the Beacon on Thessia."
"A fully functioning Prothean Virtual Intelligence? B-But how did it come to reside in your armor, especially without your notice?" Ishtar asked of him.
"I've installed in my armor data collectors in cases when I needed to run large amounts of data through, and right before the Beacon was destroyed, Vendetta transferred itself there, along with the entirety of the Beacon's archival knowledge." Alex revealed to them, much to their combined shock. "As for how I did not notice it at first, he put himself in an inactive state, and it was only today when I ran the diagnostic that I found this unwanted occupant."
"This platform was the only one to possess sufficient data storage and processing capacity." Vendetta suddenly answered. "My primary goal- preservation of the knowledge and information for the future races, at all costs. Asari Matriarchy, as you refer to them, have destabilized the beacon and began its cycle of destruction."
"This VI had been in that beacon all this time, and yet the Asari never knew of it?" Arthur asked of his son, who nodded. "They have had hundreds, thousands of years to study and examine it. How could they not facilitate effective communication with it?"
"Asari attempts and methods proved incompatible to facilitate my activation, but they were effective to connect with some, non-essential, archival data." Vendetta answered. "Upon the transfer, I have examined and adjusted my systems to ensure effective communication between me and you."
"And you possess everything that the Protheans had achieved before their disappearance?" Harper asked of him.
"I do, I was specifically created and placed in that beacon to ensure the Asari's development along the necessary path to ensure their and galaxy's survival." Vendetta answered. "Unfortunately, they have proven to be incapable of achieving it, despite the high hopes of my creators. At the same time, your race, at the time of our observation of you, was not deemed worthy of entrusting our full knowledge to you."
"What is he talking about?" Ereshkigal asking of him. "What is it about the galaxy's survival?" At that moment, Sanguinius' face turned grim, and then he turned to Vendetta.
"That is why I've called you here." Alex said. "Vendetta, tell them everything that you've told and showed me."
"Do you wish me to start at a specific point or topic?" The VI asked of him.
"Yes." Sanguinius said. "Tell us of the Reapers…"
And so Sanguinius and others finally learn of the looming threat over their existence, while the Galaxy enters, what a certain unassuming Cardassian tailor would call "uncertain times." The Asari are shamed, in shambles and weakened, while the Salarian Union is dead, leaving the Turians as the dominant power in the Galaxy, but for how long? And how far will Sanguinius go in order to preserve Humanity from the incoming threat?
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will give me your opinion in the reviews, as well as offer your suggestions for the future of the story and ask questions about it. As always, your contributions help make this story better. Also, on that side note, we've surpassed 1000 Followers mark a couple of days ago, you guys are all awesome, thank you all for such active support!
Next time: An offer of a new home; To boldly go where no one has gone before…
See ya!