First Contact with the Angels (Remake)

by AntrosAscended

Horus rebelled against the machinations of Chaos and sacrificed himself for the Galaxy; Lorgar's Rebellion finally seems to have become a distant memory for the Imperium. On the 30th Anniversary of the Warmaster's death, a new swath of space would be found by accident, setting in motion whole new possibilities or new failures. I'm Antros And I'm Back to remake my first Story

3. Chapter 2

First Contact with The Angels

Welcome to the Next Chapter of First Contact 2.0. I hope you are doing well and that reading this may help improve your feelings.

Chapter Two:

Quarantined Non-Imperial System

Segmentum: Andro

Systems Classification: Adeptus Nol-Exectus Onyx

Aboard Promotor Class Civilian Transport: Melrose

As the Melrose and the Hegemony's 65th Fleet faced off in the expanse, tension crackled like static electricity aboard the Bridge of the voidship. The once majestic silhouette of the Melrose, now a weathered and battle-weary vessel, she stood defiant against the looming threat of the Batarian armada. Roughly 3.5 kilometers, the Melrose bore the scars of its tumultuous past. Its hull was once adorned with intricate designs and marvelous statuework. Now, though, it bore the ravages of time and neglect. Cratered and stained black from the harsh void of space, the Melrose retained a haunting beauty, a testament to the trials it had endured.

Despite its dilapidated appearance, the Melrose was armed with a formidable array of weaponry befitting its Imperial heritage. Two hundred strong flak turrets bristled along its hull, ready to intercept any incoming threats with rapid-fire autocannons. While primarily designed to fend off smaller attackers, these weapons could still threaten the lightly armored Batarian vessels under the right circumstances.

But it would be the Melrose's macro cannons that would genuinely inspire awe and fear in the Xenos fleet. The Eight cannons mounted on its starboard and port sides were a daunting sight for any opponent. These massive artillery pieces boasted an effective range of 10,000 kilometers. and fired multi-kilotonne shells capable of devastating even the most heavily armored adversaries. With their raw destructive power, the macro cannons were the Melrose's most brutal asset in the coming conflict.

In addition to its conventional weaponry, the Melrose boasted two pairs of scaled-down Lance Arrays, called Las-burners. They could emit focused, high-powered laser beams that could pierce through enemy energy shields with terrifying efficiency. While not as potent as true lances, these energy-based weapons could turn the tide of the battle in the Melrose's favor, catching the Batarians off guard with their unexpected ferocity.

Macrinus wasn't ready for the battle, but he knew neither was his crew. So, with a heavy heart and a burdened soul, he ordered the first volley from the ship's Macrocannons to unleash their brutal fury on the onrushing fleet.

…

Aboard Batarian Hensa class Heavy Command Cruiser: Glory of Khar'shan

Admiral Prota aboard his flagship, the fleet possessed a significant numerical advantage over the Melrose, the name the alien had seemingly called his ship. However, Prota's fleet had a greater advantage in speed and maneuverability over the Melrose. Since their arrival, the Melrose had only managed to reverse itself a few hundred kilometers, while the Batarian fleet had closed the several million-kilometer gap in only a few minutes. This indicated they could outmaneuver and outflank the alien ship with nearly total impunity.

As he assessed the Melrose, Prota, he looked at the holographic representation of the 65th fleet. It was comprised of 56 ships ranging from frigates to heavy cruisers, each bristling with anticipation that Prota found off-putting given their wretched situation. But his strategy was clear: test the Melrose's defenses and exploit any weaknesses they found. With the intent to disable the Imperial vessel's weapon systems or propulsion, the Batarian fleet was prepared to engage in a deadly dance of tactics and firepower all of it draped in the unforgiving expanse of space.

Quickly Prota made up his mind and began ordering the fleet. Already the first wave of fighters launched from the 65th fleet could be seen streaking towards the Melrose like predatory birds of prey. His fingers danced across the holographic display, issuing orders precisely as the pilots awaited their commands.

"Focus fire on the Melrose's forward defenses. We'll test their weapon's capabilities before moving in for the kill." Prota commanded, his voice echoing with an authority he found hollow.

As the order was relayed to the waiting pilots, Prota's gaze remained fixed on the looming silhouette of the Melrose, its battered hull a stark contrast to the sleek, menacing form of the Batarian vessel he commanded. With each passing moment, the tension aboard the flagship grew palpable, the air thick with the anticipation of the battle to come.

As Prota caught the fading light of his escort ships in the window he barked out "All Fighter wings, engage at will," His voice cutting through the din of the command center. "Target the enemy's weapon systems and exploit any openings in the hull that you find. We must break through their defenses and cripple their ability to fight back."

As the Batarian fighters closed in on the Melrose, Prota watched with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. He knew that the initial volley would be crucial in testing the enemy's defenses and gauging their strength. With a silent prayer to the spirits of his ancestors, Prota clenched his fists, bracing himself for the coming onslaught.

"Fire at will!" Prota commanded, his voice resolute as the first wave of Batarian fighters unleashed a barrage of disruptor torpedoes and mass accelerator rounds toward the Imperial vessel. The space around the Melrose erupted in a dazzling display of energy and firepower, the vacuum of space shimmering from the weapons discharge.

The Batarian weaponry had primarily impacted against an energy shield, which rippled vibrantly in his viewport. Only minor distortions were detected by the Khar'Shan's scanners. It would still be some time before the barrier was overcome if they could manage such a feat. A few exceptions were reported where the shots had been fired from beneath the shield's radius. These few shots managed to disable several smaller turrets mounted on the front, though many more were unharmed.

But as the Batarian fighters rounded on the ship for a second run, this time with their torpedoes, ready to deliver what Prota hoped would be a more decisive blow, Prota's eyes widened in disbelief as brilliant beams of energy lanced out from the Melrose, cutting through the darkness of space with deadly precision. The unfamiliar weapons, glowing with an otherworldly intensity, sliced through a squadron of Fighters, four Batarian Frigates, and one of the Heavy Cruisers like a hot knife through butter, leaving only trails of ashy debris in their wake.

"What in the spirits' name..." Prota muttered, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of his horrified crew. He had suspected the Aliens were more advanced than his people by their ship's size, but nothing could have prepared him for the sheer ferocity of the most definitely energy-based weapons he saw now. At that moment, as the searing blasts of energy consumed the first Batarian ships, Prota realized that they were facing an enemy unlike any they had encountered before.

As the remnants of the first wave of fighters scattered in disarray, Prota's shock turned to grim determination. He knew that they could not afford to underestimate the Melrose or its crew. With a faltering sense of duty and resolve, he issued orders to regroup and reorganize their forces, readying them for the next battle phase.

"We will prepare for another assault," Prota commanded, his voice echoing with a newfound sense of urgency. "We may have underestimated our enemy but will not be deterred. We will show them the Batarian Hegemony's strength and the 65th fleet's might. Forward!"

…

Aboard Promotor Class Civilian Transport: Melrose

The Hegemony fleet was preparing for another attack run on the Melrose. The first three had cost them a fifth of their fleet, but they seemed only slightly shaken by this fact. After each wave, they were learning how to evade or even counter the Melrose's outdated weaponry. Despite this, Macrinus was happy to see his ship was holding its own and had yet to suffer any hull breaches. At least on any decks with crew actually still permitted on them.

Despite their seeming good standing in the battle, Macrinus had begun planning to break for the Mandeville Point of the system. However, in their current position, the nearest point would still take them another few hours to reach, even at full speed, and it was on the far side of the system, no less. While they'd evaded any severe damage thus far, the Captain knew it was only a matter of time until something went wrong for them.

They had managed to stop all attempts by the Batarians to board the Cargo bays on the ship's flanks. But it was unlikely the Melrose could hold them off indefinitely, and if boarders got on the ship, things would get messy quickly. The Governor would surely realize what was going on if he hadn't already, and even his meager retinue of retainers could negatively affect the ship's precarious situation even further should the arrogant noble try to assert control. Captain Macrinus shuddered at the thought. Whether ignorant of the true threat or reckless, the governor could unwittingly cost them the battle by deploying his bodyguards and enforcers against the ship, exacerbating their volatile situation.

Beyond that, the Governor or his followers were only a passing thought in Macrinus' mind. What had arrested his attention was the shift he'd seen in his wife. Before these Xenos emerged, she'd been almost sullen. Now, she was reborn by the fury of a proper voidbattle. Her face was its ever-disciplined mask of control, but he could see the energy blazing behind her eyes. She lived for battle, and while she loved him, he did not doubt that, he knew she only ever came truly alive in such moments.

She coordinated the fire of the Macro Cannons, Lasburners, and Missile arrays. Only a few moments passed before eight enemy vessels were corralled into a Kill Zone. There, they were blasted into searing afterimages on his retinas, prompting Macrinus to smirk in satisfaction as the Batarian fleet fell back to regroup for a fifth time. They would hopefully have a little reprieve before the next assault.

…

Aboard Batarian Hensa class Heavy Command Cruiser: Glory of Khar'shan

Prota stood on the bridge of his flagship, his expression grim as he watched the tactical display showing the devastation wrought upon the 65th. The losses were staggering, far beyond anything he had anticipated. Three failed boarding attempts had cost them dearly, with dozens of ships lost and countless lives sacrificed in the relentless struggle against the Melrose. The void around them was littered with the wreckage of ships once under his command, a grim testament to the ferocity of the Imperial vessel they faced.

Prota clenched his fists in frustration, his mind racing as he sought a way to turn the tide of the battle. They threw everything at the Melrose, but their efforts seemed in vain. The enemy ship was a fortress, its defenses seemingly impenetrable to their assaults.

"Prepare the next wave," Prota ordered. "We will show these Imperial dregs that the Batarian Hegemony does not falter in adversity. Send out the next squadron of fighters and prepare the Destroyer wing to assist them. We will strike at the shutters on the rear of their starship."

With a flurry of activity, the bridge crew sprang into action, relaying Prota's orders to the rest of the flotilla. All fighters launched from the remaining light carriers, their engines blazing as they sped to their target. A group of Destroyers followed, their relatively heavier weapons primed and ready to unleash their disruption torpedoes upon the Melrose.

As he saw them speed away, Prota commanded the troop carrier Tunerron and anxiously watched as it sluggishly moved to join the assault. As it moved to take up a position and wait for an opening, the minutes felt like hours as the cargo doors came closer in the viewport.

Prota's heart pounded in his chest, a mix of anticipation and dread filling him. He knew the real battle would begin once they breached those doors. The Melrose was a behemoth; capturing it would be a prize beyond measure. But it would come at an even higher cost, and Prota was prepared to pay it, for his beloved Regora and Oletha, he reminded himself.

As the Batarian attackers reached optimal firing range, Prota gave the order. "All Units attached to Squadron Prime, concentrate fire on the cargo bay doors! All Line-Ships prepare to cover their attack!" The fleet responded almost immediately, a barrage of concentrated fire hammering the reinforced blast doors of the cargo bay. Disruptor torpedoes, eezo-based projectiles, and a slew of slower-moving ballistic weapons rained down on the Melrose, their collective barrage aimed all at one target.

At first, the Melrose's blast doors were unaffected, clearly designed to withstand tremendous punishment. But as the assault was sustained, a toll was slowly exacted on the unknown material used in its construction. Dozens of small explosions erupted along the surface of the doors, plumes of fire and debris billowing outwards. The Melrose retaliated with renewed fury, its rear-facing weapons systems targeting the Batarian ships that dared to approach the cargo bay.

Then, with an almost unmatched speed, the blast doors finally gave way. The massive bulkheads buckled and twisted under the assault before collapsing outwards with a shower of short-lived sparks and debris. A larger piece of the door flew by the Glory of Khar'Shan's viewport, it would have clipped the ship's wing were it not for the pilot's keen reflexes. Other ships in the fleet weren't so lucky, however. With many of the other spaceships' own pilots fixated on dodging the perimeter defenses of the Melrose, some were caught unaware by the sudden detachment of what remained of the doors. Their shields were easily overwhelmed by bulky hunks of scrap metal, and their vessels were destroyed outright amidst the debris cloud that came away from the target.

But they had finally achieved something; after nearly seven hours of devastating one-sided battle, they had gained a chance to strike back. A gaping hole now stood where the doors had once been, revealing the dark maw of the cargo bay beyond. An energy shield, registered as only retaining the cargo hold's atmosphere, lay between them and the ship's insides.

Prota's heart leaped as he watched the breach unfold on the screen. "We've done it!" he exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. But even as he celebrated the victory, he knew the battle was far from over. The real challenge lay ahead. As the Tunerron prepared to make for the breach, Prota knew their chance to seize this prize awaited them inside that monstrosity.

…

Aboard Promotor Class Civilian Transport: Melrose Prow Cargo Bay

Melida hurried through a slew of dimly lit corridors, her footsteps echoing faintly against the metal decking. She'd managed to evade discovery but her heart raced with an unsettling amount of excitement and trepidation. Her mind was laden with the weight of the task she'd been given. The Governor had entrusted her with a mission of the utmost importance. One he'd told her could potentially turn the tide of the battle in their favor. How he'd known the ship was in trouble was unknown to her but it was not her place as his attendant to question him.

Melida was no stranger to unusual assignments but something about this one felt different. Clutched tightly in her hand was a strange artifact, an ornate brooch, it was unlike anything she had ever seen. At first glance, it looked like a simple piece of jewelry to her, but something was abnormal about it. Eventually, she noticed a low hum of energy emanating from the brooch. The Governor had told her that this artifact was a key set to unlock whatever lay between her and a crate in the cargo bay, the contents of which he said to be the key to their victory.

Soon Melida approached the cargo bay, she felt a shiver run down her spine as her part in the mission was supposedly coming to an end. Another set of massive doors loomed before her, their reinforced surface a barrier between her and her goal. The hum of the artifact seemed to intensify as she neared the doors, its energy pulsating in an unsettling rhythm with her own heartbeat. With a deep breath to steady her nerves, Melida reached out with trembling hands to touch the control panel beside the doors like she had been told to.

The moment her fingers made contact with the panel, the artifact in her hand emitted a bright flash of light. The cargo bay doors responded almost immediately, their massive mechanisms whirring to life. The doors began to creak open, revealing the vast expanse of the cargo bay beyond. Melida didn't wait for them to open all the way before she sprinted through the opening.

Her eyes widened in awe as she stepped into the cargo bay. The space was filled with rows upon rows of crates and containers, each holding supplies and equipment brought aboard by the Governor and his entourage. But her gaze was drawn to one crate, in particular, a massive container set apart from the others. It was this crate that the Governor had spoken of, the one that held the means to turn the tide of the battle.

Unaware of the crate's contents, Melida approached it with a mixture of curiosity and reverence. The artifact in her hand continued to hum softly, its energy resonating with the strange new rhythm that both fascinated her and terrified her. As she reached the crate, the artifact emitted another flash of light. This time the flash was accompanied by a surge of etheric power that seemed to flow from her hand and into the container. Melida fell to her knees and dropped the broach its leeching influence on her falling away as contact with her was broken.

The crate door opened with a deafening clang as it fell to the metal floor. Revealing the container's dark interior, Melida's breath caught in her throat as she peered inside, her eyes widening in disbelief at the sight in front of her.

Before she could fully comprehend what she was seeing, the cargo bay was filled with alarms blaring. The sudden noise startled Melida, causing her to jump back in surprise. Alerted by the commotion, a patrol of Enforcers began to rush towards her and the crate, their weapons drawn and ready.

As they approached, Melida sat frozen, the artifact humming nearby. Her heart pounded in her chest, and her mind raced with fear and uncertainty. She had unlocked the crate as instructed, but what was in it? What had she unleashed? As the guards reached the cargo bay doors, Melida could only watch in horror, knowing that she had set something in motion that would change the course of the battle and the fate of everyone aboard the ship.

As the first Enforcers reached the container, their heavy boots echoing ominously against the metal floor, Melida's heart pounded in her chest. The artifact lay discarded beside her, its humming growing fainter as it lost its connection. The guards, their weapons raised, quickly spread out, surrounding the open crate with caution. There were a little over a dozen, of them. Their dark carapace armor was ready to be sealed the void should their helmets be put on.

"What are you doing here?" one of the guards demanded, seeming to be the leader of this team. His voice was filled with suspicion and discipline-tempered fury. Several of the Guards turned their heads to look at her.

Before Melida could reply, a low growl echoed from within the crate, sending shivers down her spine. The guards tensed, their eyes widening in horror as the first creatures began to stir. From the shadows of the container, a massive, snake-tailed beast emerged, its fur draped in a patchwork of mismatched colors and textures, its eyes glowing an eerie shade of orange.

Without warning, the creature lunged at the nearest guard, its razor-sharp claws extended. The nearest guard barely had time to react, his scream echoing through the cargo bay as the creature tore into him with savage ferocity. The other guards opened fire, their weapons blazing, but the creature seemed unfazed. Its thick hide deflected the energy blasts, while the solid slugs could only pierce the first few layers into its flesh.

As the guards struggled to fend off the monstrous chimera, Melida remained frozen, her eyes wide with terror. She had unleashed something beyond her worst nightmares, and now innocent people were dying. Amidst the chaos, a male guard named grabbed Melida's arm, pulling her to her feet. "We need to go," he shouted over the roar of gunfire and the growls of the creature as it lunged for its third victim. "Now!"

Reluctantly, Melida followed the guard, the artifact forgotten on the floor as they made their way toward the cargo bay doors. As they ran, more creatures emerged from the crate - scaly cat-like monstrosities with razor-sharp teeth and canine-like beasts with an uncanny intelligence peering from behind their eyes.

The guards fought bravely, even managing to kill the first creature. But One by one, they fell, overwhelmed by their attackers' sheer number and ferocity. The final six guards led Melida through the maze of crates and containers, dodging the creatures as they made their way toward the cargo bay doors.

Another guard was killed as he broke from the crates the creature tearing his throat as it bore him to the ground The Officer who'd spoken to her shot the man in the head with his pistol as they ran, silencing his horrid screams and ending his misery.

As they reached the doors, the guard who'd grabbed her quickly activated the controls on the far side, pulling her along while the other four survivors turned back to stop the creature's approach. Their shotguns and Lascarbines rained in on the abominations, mowing down the first wave with general ease. As the doors began to close, Melida glanced back one last time, her heart heavy with guilt and regret. She had unleashed something terrible upon the Melrose, something that had cost the lives of eight people.

Finally, the doors sealed shut, cutting off the sounds of the creatures and the chaos she had caused. A pit the depth of the void filled her gut as she knew her master had not intended her to live, nor did he wish the Melrose and the lives aboard it safe. Whatever Governor Albestus had planned could not be allowed to come to pass. But her thoughts were suddenly cut short as the Lead Guard approached her. The butt of his gun connected with her temple before she could try to say anything to him. The world went black, and Melida fell into a deep unconsciousness, one she had silently hoped never to wake from.

…

Aboard Promotor Class Civilian Transport: Melrose

A new series of alarms blared throughout the Melrose's bridge, tightening a knot in Macrinus' stomach. His eyes darted between the various displays, trying to make sense of the anarchy unfolding around him. The first breach, the one at the rear cargo bay, had been made ready for boarding parties. But the second breach, in the front cargo space, was a grim surprise.

As the details of the second breach was fed directly into his mind, Macrinus felt a sense of dread settle over him like a suffocating shroud. The situation had escalated beyond his worst nightmares, and with each passing moment, the odds seemed to stack ever higher against him.

Not only had an unwelcome first contact with an unknown alien species quickly descended into unprovoked aggression, but their flotilla of escorts and fighters bearing down on the Melrose with lethal intent. The wretched Batarians' damage upon his beloved ship was a bitter blow. They were under attack, and while he believed his ship and her crew could have prevailed against the Batarians long enough to have reached Mandeville Point and escape their predicament, his problems weren't only them, not anymore.

The governor's betrayal, his insidious scheme coming to light, struck the hardest blow to their chances. The crew Macrinus had known and served alongside for years were falling victim to the governor. The realization of their predicament hit Macrinus like a physical blow, leaving him feeling hopeless. They were trapped, caught between an alien enemy and a traitorous ally, with nowhere to turn for salvation.

Macrinus momentarily pulled himself out of his thoughts to survey the situation unfolding on the bridge, Macrinus felt a flicker of anger ignite within him. Anger at the injustice of their situation, anger at the betrayal of their trust, and anger at the overwhelming odds they faced. But beneath the anger, there was a gnawing sense of despair. How could he hope to prevail against such overwhelming odds? How could he protect the ship and crew from enemies within and without? How could He protect his beloved Amosha?

But as if perceiving his crisis, his loyal Lieutenant turned from her duties and looked at him, gifting him with a small reassuring nod. It was as if, by spell, her faith in him sparked a new sensation of strength within himself. Macrinus knew he couldn't afford to dwell on these questions, not now. He had a duty to fulfill, a responsibility to protect the Melrose and everyone aboard her. He would fight to the bitter end no matter the cost to ensure their survival.

With a heavy heart and a steely resolve, Macrinus returned to the battle raging aboard his ship. They were outnumbered and outgunned, but they would not go down without a fight. For the sake of his crew, for the honor of the Melrose, they would stand their ground and defy the odds stacked against them.

Macrinus knew their options were rapidly dwindling and he only had one real choice he needed to make for the safety of his crew. Turning his comms unit to the Astropathic Relay, he issued the order to send out a distress signal into the warp. It was a desperate move, one that carried with it the faint hope of salvation and the likely curse of prosection should it arrive but it was their only hope. The Astropathic Headmaster responded over vox his solemn, raspy voice, confirming the order. The sounds of empyric distortion echoing through the link told him the Headmaster was already beginning to call upon his psychic powers to lead his choir in the canticle.

The line went dead as the Headmaster cut the link, prompting Macrinus to instruct the ship's communications officer to broadcast another distress signal on all major frequencies into the system. It was a long shot in the dark, but they couldn't afford to overlook any possibility of rescue should a patrol hear them, or even just a listening post relay their message.

As the distress signals were sent out, Macrinus felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. The fate of the Melrose and her crew now rested in the hands of fate, a fate that seemed increasingly uncertain with each passing moment. He could only wait and hope their pleas for help would reach someone who could come to their aid. The future was uncertain, but they would fight on, clinging to the faint hope of survival in the face of overwhelming odds.

---

Alright, that is the end of Chapter 2

Please let me know how it is. I'm a bit annoyed. I thought this was longer, but I just wanted to finish this chapter so we could move on to the next one. However, I feel I will still be sluggish in getting through that one since it's likely to be a pull-away chapter to showcase elsewhere. I have to set up some more stuff, but yeah, hey, I wanna get this chapter out so I can make some more progress and get the parts I want to get to faster since I've been pretty slow at getting this and the last Chapter done since I kinda am at a crossroads and am not sure what to showcase in this story and how to do it in a way that is a bit faster and you know, actually good to read. I'm scared this might not be that good, but again, I'm moving along, and I wanna get to some new stuff. Especially Primarch and Space Marine Stuff next time, and get the plot rolling. Sorry Again I'd wanted to do more this Chapter but I feel I didn't really deliver what I had wanted to put in this section, but as I said I want to get to writing the Next Chapter and I needed so set up some more foundations for stuff and just get a bit of stuff happening for an inciting incident for the story. Thanks!

Now for My Responses to Reviews (those either posing questions or I simply wish to discuss openly, and sorry If I don't include your comment I've been adding to this gradually and might miss a few or not feel I needed to respond or the point is made elsewhere.)

Hay seus

"This looks really good so far but I have question will the alliance still exist or will the imperium take that role cause I mean they could still but just as a lost colony or something else but i can't wait for citadel reaction to the imperium cause no way in hell could they beat them. Also almost forgot the geth are fucked due to them being AI"

I'm still not sure whether the Alliance will exist in this universe. Still, if they do, they will likely be a Lost Colony from LONG before Old Night who lost contact immediately and, due to shenanigans, forgot they weren't the original grouping of humanity.

Guest Reviewer

"The content is good, but:

The timeline is too short considering how long such conflicts normally are in the 40k universe. Primarchs, fallen or loyal, think in decades and centuries, not months or years. The Imperium moves on after 4 years? The Imperium is a huge place, changes do not happen so fast and news can travel slowly in the backwater areas."

While true, the Timeline is a bit quick, but even the original Heresy only took nine years to start and end. And Lorgar was far less successful than the Lupercal. He could only turn a fraction of his brothers to his side and corrupt minor elements of their Legions. Even the 'True Mechanicum' was far less impactful due to their loss of Mars almost immediately, something that greatly hampered the Imperium in the Original Timeline. So, while you're correct, I felt this was an easy timeline, and I only tried to hit the major events. Plus, there is no Ruinstorm to split the Imperium.

edboy4926

"Interesting intro

Looking forward to more

Hope for a peaceful first contact."

Thanks. I'm glad you are enjoying the Story. More is indeed on the way. Regarding Peaceful Contact, well, we'll see how the rest of the Citadel reacts.

Guest No2.

"(I) hope you don't conveniently forget that hive cities have void shields."

I won't since the last time I attempted to write this story where I had only read a few books, and most were Blood Angels and Primarch Books I've now greatly enhanced my knowledge of the setting and know a whole lot more, hence why the stories have been so different so far…

Jacob.

"Hope you don't forget how overpowered Warhammer 40 K ships are void shields don't have a Health limit the only way to take them down is you overloaded with so much firepower or infiltrate them sabotage them within."

Yes, I am aware of that now as well. Certain weapons can pierce them or bypass them altogether. Some of these weapons the Citadel races have minor investments in, like Torpedoes, though the data I could find on them was rather lackluster. If they are even somewhat similar to 40k Torpedoes, they should bypass the void shields due to moving slowly enough not to trigger the shield to deflect it, though their damage is relatively minimal, as shown in this chapter. Plus, if a ship can move in below the shield, they would also have free reign to damage it, hence the heavy reliance for many void battles on their fighters and bombers.

tta160

"i hope system alliance exist because it will make human reactions to imperium more interesting."

I'm still on the fence, though I think it would be really interesting to see their reaction and the Imperiums, especially from an Imperium less deprived of its core tenants like the pre-Indomitus Imperium.

ShadowCub

"Interesting, really hoping for a story without Shep...humanity was so damn lame and embarrassing in ME. Hopping in bed with the enemy, ass kissing aliens."

Thanks. I might have a Shepard Esc figure appear like last time, but it is similar to the last time I tried to write this story. But she'll be an Imperial even if the Systems Alliance exists in this galaxy. Last Time, she was an Imperial Veteran, and this time, it might be something similar. Also, After playing ME a bit myself (the First one only thus far, I'm a completionist, and I'm scouring the game for all the lore I can find), I can say, yeah, they do kiss up a lot, but it does in the universe make sense even if its clearly the wrong decision in hindsight. But at the same time, in ME, humanity is the one that steps up to fight the Reapers, and we are stated as giving them a harder time than most other species in the previous cycles.

Legionarie27

"Hope Chapter 1 is almost done I'm excited to see what you do with it this time I hope you have fulgrim meet with sanguineous and they both fight alongside each other"

Yup, I'm hoping to do a bit more this time and Hope I can Include a moment of the two being side by side.

rollynolly

"Having the system alliance in the story could be interesting imagine them meeting with the imperium would be a blast as they can meet up after post contact with the citadel also the battle will happen between the imperial and Batarian will be in the Imperial favor."

Yeah, that might be interesting, but I'm more likely to have the Alliance appear before they meet the Citadel if I do have them show up. And yeah, the Imperium does have a way bigger advantage over Citadel ships due to them not relying on ME fields and also way more advanced tech from the Golden Age of Humanity. But the Melrose now has very outdated weapon systems and is overall in terrible condition due to the captain's financial situation, meaning the Batarians are fighting what is a horrendously underpowered behemoth that they are still getting slaughtered by it.

Hay seus

"I won't I really enjoyed the new chapter and the one things I want to know are is the mass effect races mass effect tech and weapons or are did or are they advanced enough to pose a small threat to the imperaim also I feel like you should add the system alliance so we can get a human perspective to the imperium besides the alien ones also I almost forgot you add the reapers too they will not be true threat because the entire imperium but I feel like it would add something that would allow the to show its full power to the ME races because the batarien won't even be a speed bump in true war also that nobel is acting rather heretically but that me be just me. Also I forgot to mention for the system alliance I feel like it should be pre contect but up to you for that choice if you decide to add them."

I am glad to hear you are enjoying the story still, Hay. The ME factions' tech will be how I estimate it based on pre-first contact lore, which is really sparse on the fandom site for them, so it's only going to be somewhat accurate. Whether that means it's more or less powerful than they actually would be, I am really not sure. But I'm ultimately trying to allow for a story to attempt to be told, but hey, we'll see if I overestimate or underestimate them. And Yup, after this chapter, the Governor's disposition should seem more open. And yeah, if I do have the Alliance, I would want to focus on their feelings on the pragmatic nature of the Imperium. They would almost certainly be in the pre-contact stages of development, and they would likely be assimilated in some capacity by the Imperium, but we'll see.

Asharzal

"Thanks for the chapter! And please have the Imperium exterminate the Batarians, their entire culture is repulsive and disgusting. Glass Khar'Shan and impress upon the Council just how small of a fish they really are in this gargantuan ocean."

You're welcome. And I may not go that hard, but they will certainly learn that their mistakes will cost them their dominion, if not their species entirely. The Citadel will certainly learn the true scale of the universe.

tta160

"is there any system alliance because it will be interesting to see a reaction of imperium."

Maybe I want reader input on whether they should be included since I'm personally on the fence and am interested enough to divert energy into developing them. That is ultimately a decision I would like input on.

The Disquieting One

"good sfuffs. adding this to ME & 40k fanfic recs on tv tropes"

Thank you. I'm actually quite happy to see this :)

Animes Doramas Y Mas

"Since English is not my first language, I write to you in Spanish. I like your story, the development of the great crusade and your version of the Lorgar heresy. Also, your development between the emperor and the primarchs is logical, not like the canon where everyone is autistic."{I translated it. Please let me know if that's correct.}

Thanks I feel that way a bit too but the story had to be fitted retroactively in the setting so I makes sense stuff is a bit unnatural at times.

Travis Btmb

"Tftc" {Thanks for the Chapter}

You're Welcome!

"(I don't speak English, sorry for the spelling mistakes)

about the alliance, I think that if they showed up, it would have to be in a big way,or else they would be eclipsed and annexed to the Imperium,perhaps a lost primarch fell into one of their colonies,It would be interesting if Jane Shepard is a lost primarch, it would be unexpected, plus it would be funny since the emperor said that he would have only sons and thus the emperor would give a free pass to the alliance like he gave to Ultramar. Interesting chapter, it is not common to see a crossover fanfic that mixes Warhammer and Mass Effect,

They are usually of the type: a faction or character is transported to another universe,I like that in this case it is a first contact type fanfic."

For not being and English speaker you write very well. Yeah I'm still not sure whether to include them and I am ultimately wanting to just ask people whether they want them in the story or not. I worried they'd be eclipsed as well, I'd rather not do a lost Primarch story since I am not to interested in that as some people are which is fine I just have now read the books where they are mentioned and I now find it a moot point so to speak. But yeah I would want them to have some actual story presence so I'd likely have to include something to make them more important and necessary. And I'm glad to hear you are finding the story interesting as well hope you enjoy this one as well.

giblo126

"It feels very bizarre having a Batarian, especially one just on a simple raiding mission, try to apprehend an Imperial on the spot. It's very out of character."

While I get you, and it is a bit over the top, the original story I made opened somewhat similarly, so I kept it. Plus It's less he was actually trying to arrest him and more saying what can be best skewed to fit Batarian interests to cover this up as a more legal matter than it is, though with the Batarians being a Terminus System group that is less important, but I get you. Though the Batarians are a rather Arrogant culture, they seem to embody many 'toxic' traits like a heavy emphasis on a caste system and a hardy reliance on species-based slavery and exploitation of the weak at all times.

AustinWormLover

"Pretty nice, are the ship types for the Imperium the same as in canon? Cause that's gonna be a curbstomp for the Emperor."

Mostly as I can find lore for Great Crusade Ships and stats for them is a bit more difficult than modern Imperial stuff, which have more established lore. But From what I can find GC (Great Crusade) era ships were way more powerful with few exceptions to modern imperial ships and the story will mostly keep to that. Again the Melrose is more like a Modern Imperial Ship due to outmoded weapons and support systems while still being very tanky, though that damage absorption is rather diminished due to its poor upkeep. With many levels being off limits due to system failures and the like.

Thanks again if you read this far! Have Great Day/Night!