Firestorm: Chapter three: The Siege of Shanxi

293rd Army Brigade HQ, Shanxi: August 13th 2592 1310 hrs.

Captain Jennifer Turpin was understandably apprehensive... No, scratch that that, she was down right terrified; and with good reason. The WINTER CONTINGENCY had not been declared since the Battle of Earth, forty years ago. And Earth herself had barely survived the attack. What chance did Shanxi have?

As the commanding officers and their company commanders filed into the briefing room, a few looking disgruntled at having their leave cut short, Turpin could not help but analyze the situation.

Shanxi was lightly defended. The UNSC only had three ships in orbit, well two now that the Abyss was being repaired, and had about three thousand soldiers on the ground, not including the irregular militia, who roughly numbered about another four thousand, but they were ill-equipped, and were of varying degrees of dedication, and competence.

Turpin knew that if Shanxi was to survive they would need reinforcements, as their counter attacks would be able to do little against a determined invader.

Quite chattering filled the room, as the officers took their seats, some laughed at jokes, while others grumbled amongst themselves, while they awaited General Williams to make his appearance. It wasn't a long wait. No sooner had the last officer sat down, when General Williams marched into the briefing room.

"Ten Hut! Officer on deck!" Turpin bellowed, saluting, as the General moved to stand behind the podium that was beside her. Chair legs scratched the floor as those in the room snapped to attention.

"At ease." Williams said, as he saluted back, waiting patiently for them to resume their seats.

"Well, I know that some of you are upset, with leave being cancelled." The General began easily, "but at least you'll be safe from Mess Sergeant Patloski's infamous 'Cure all Hangover Tonic.'"

A few men chuckled, the rest, including Turpin herself, shuddered. Patloski's 'cure' was a thick bland looking substance, not unlike porridge, that smelled tantalizingly wonderful, but tasted, according to one man's opinion, like "old, well used gym shorts, mixed with sweaty socks." To top it off, Patloski was an evil genius. Somehow despite him belonging to First Battalion's Delta Company he managed to ensure that every company, of every battalion was well stocked with his 'cure,' which was shared out the morning after every leave.

As Turpin shuddered again, the General continued. "However, most of you have probably heard the rumours, that less than two and a half hours ago, humanity made contact with another hostile alien life form. Unfortunately, these are not rumours, but actual facts."

The room sat stunned silence. Then the whispering broke out.

"Again?"

"What now?"

"What if it's the Covenant again?"

"Or the elites? I knew we couldn't trust them. Split-lip bastards!"

Williams raised a hand, and the whispers fell silent. "At approximately 1000hrs this morning, unknown hostiles engaged the civilian research ship Beyond Reach, as it was investigating an unknown alien construct in orbit around Galestrum. Unfortunately the Reach was destroyed, and all hands were lost. Lt. Commander Gomez, commanding officer of the UNSC frigate Beyond the Abyss engaged the hostile ships, destroying one, and heavily damaging another."

Cheers broke out. They had at least gotten some payback; maybe even made the aliens think twice before messing with the UNSC again.

Williams allowed the celebrations to go on for another minute, before raising a hand, and again bringing the room to silence. "The Abyss was damaged during the fight and was forced to withdraw; but do too the arrival of the UNSC warships, Fist of Odin, and Into the Fire, and the destruction of two more enemy craft, the aliens were forced to withdraw."

Cheering broke out again. However General Williams immediately silenced the enthusiasm. "Be that as it may, we cannot over look our situation here. An unknown alien force has discovered Shanxi, and has proven themselves to be hostile. That is why I'm issuing this order: the WINTER CONTINGENCY is now in effect. All UNSC personal are to report to their barracks for emergency orders."

No cheering. No whispering. Just stunned silence. A declaration of the WINTER CONTINGENCY meant one thing: Shanxi would be invaded.

"The plan for Shanxi's defence is simple. First, and Third battalions will be assigned to Bountiful and Fraserton respectively. Second battalion is to be withdrawn from field exercises and stationed in Harptown and act as our mobile reserve."

When General Williams had chosen Harptown as the new HQ for the 293rd, Turpin at once knew she was dealing with a very cautious and deliberate officer. Harptown was Shanxi's oldest settlement, and was the only pre-evacuation settlement to be refounded during the resettlement. Harptown was now the refining capital of Shanxi and boasted five space elevators to the main shipping station, where the refined titanium was shipped off world.

What made Harptown a great HQ choice was that it was connected to the vast majority of settlements by rail, which in case of emergency could be used to transport large quantities of men, and material relatively quickly. It was also the only settlement on Shanxi that was surrounded by jungle on all sides. Most settlements had cleared dozens of square kilometres of jungle either for their vast mines, or in vain attempts at farming. Harptown had been built in support of the mining industry, and what few mines were actually opened quickly dried up.

No longer seeing a real purpose in keeping the jungles back, the people of Harptown had allowed the fast growing jungles to grow right up to within only a single kilometre between the city's wall and the deadly jungle.

In short, Harptown was easily defendable, and near impossible to besiege from ground. An invading enemy, would find it almost impossible to land troops in sufficient quantities to take the city, and would be forced to take the major mining settlements of Bountiful and Fraserton first in order to be able to move on to Harptown itself.

Turpin shook her head. Listen to the general, she scolded herself, he's already thought of all this no need to dwell on it.

"Fourth Battalion will be in split up at put in charge of recon and stationed on the outskirts, and in the smaller settlements. Colonel Gustav." Williams nodded at the commanding officer of Shanxi's militia, "I want the militia mobilized immediately, and for your best companies to join Fourth Battalion on recon duties. The rest will be split and assigned to either Fraserton or Bountiful to augment our numbers."

The aging, and portly commanding officer of the militia nodded as he made a note on his data-pad, as he stroked the slightly bush mutton chop moustache that he proudly wore, as though it was a symbol of honour. Turpin herself believed it made him look like those old aristocratic British generals from the eighteen hundreds.

"Once the enemy makes landfall, it will be the Fourth Battalions responsibility to find their landing zones. We will then attack these zones with only enough of our forces to disrupt their operations and to destroy necessary supplies." Williams continued, as Turpin stared at him in confusion.

WINTER CONTINGENCY called for immediate counter attacks to throw the enemy off the planet. Not the delaying and defensive strategy that Williams' was seemingly committing his forces to.

"Lastly, I don't expect this plan to survive five minutes after contact, so I must make this absolutely clear. We are to delay, and defend. We do not have the numbers, the equipment or the supplies to fight an offensive campaign. Any questions?" Williams paused for a moment as he waited, "No? Then you all have your orders. Dismissed."

The sounds of scrapping of chairs and the low murmur of discussion filled the room as the officers quickly vacated the briefing room. Turpin waited for the last of the officers to file out the door before she approached the general herself.

"Captain Turpin." General Williams' nodded in greeting, as she saluted. "Something I can do for you?"

"Permission to speak freely suh?" Turpin asked after a moment of hesitation.

Williams nodded his consent.

Turpin took a breath. "What the bloody hell is going on suh? You issue a WINTER CONTINGENCY order which calls for offensive operations, and instead plan for delaying and defensive tactics? What is going on?"

The General was silent for a moment. "Captain." He stressed her rank, letting her know that she had better listen. "I want you to listen, and listen closely, this doesn't get out. Understand?"

Turpin nodded.

Williams glared at her for a moment before continuing. "The base's AI, Lily, informed me this morning that Shanxi's sun is producing massive radiation storms right now. Worse, these storms are interfering with intragalactic communication. UNSC command has no idea what is happening here."

"How long before we can send out a distress single?" Turpin asked.

Williams shrugged. "We've no idea. Worst possible scenario is that COMs are out for a month. Best? Three or four days. Lily is estimating two week until communications are back up. Right now I'm expecting and preparing for the worst; that it could almost two months before any reinforcements can get here. If they get here at all"

"And if we were to go on the offensive..." Turpin trailed off.

"We would dead, and the planet in enemy hands, before any relief got here." Williams finished.

The two stood in silence for a moment. It was Williams who broke it. "In the meantime Captain I suggest a trip to the armoury and the range. I have a feeling that we will need to be familiar with a weapon in the next couple of weeks."

Turpin agreed. "Yes suh. It certainly sounds like it suh."

Hierarchy Fleet High Command, Palaven. Five Galactic Standard Days after the Battle of Relay 314 1600 hrs.

Rear-Admiral Lucius Raverus shifted uneasily as two turian admirals and a single general glared down at him. It had surprised him, how quickly the military had moved to place him on trial. Just a standard day ago, he had arrived at Palaven with what remained of his scouting group. His report on why he was returning with only two ships and been submitted three standard days ago when they had come into range of a COM buoy.

Scarcely an hour after the two ships had docked; Raverus had received a message, telling him that he would be facing a military tribunal for his action and subsequent losses during the skirmish around what was now known as Relay 314.

The tribunal had ripped into and grilled him for several hours over every detail in his report. Despite the grilling there was one topic they continued to visit.

Fleet Admiral Adrinos Helexus leaned forward, as he scrolled through the data-pad on his desk. "I must return to this matter Raverus. In your report, a single ship, that you, yourself estimated to be the size of a light cruiser, destroyed a Hierarchy frigate with a single shot, and was able to heavily damage a second. This is correct?"

Raverus did his best not to sigh. This was the fourth time that this matter had been called to attention. "Yes. The alien ship turned to engage us, after we prevented an unauthorized and illegal activation of a mass relay. Relay 314."

To Helexus' left, General Aella Dorsou glanced up from where she had been starring off into space. "Yet this alien ship engaged you, only after you ordered and succeeded in destroying their ship. Which your report, as well as several of your officers, point out was obviously a civilian ship with no defences what so ever."

Another topic that had been brought to light several times during the hearing. Raverus honestly didn't believe that had acted wrong. The aliens were attempting to activate a dormant relay, in violation of Citadel law, as well as common sense. Activating dormant relays had led to the Rachni Wars.

Raverus nodded. "I did. I ordered the ships under my command to fire on the target after it became apparent that the aliens were attempting to activate the relay, which was in violation of Citadel law."

"Citadel law, that they had no idea existed." Dorsou countered, as she leaned back.

He had no answer for that.

"It doesn't matter." Palicus Falco, the admiral to Helexus' right spoke up, as he glared at the general. "Rear-Admiral Raverus was justified in his actions that he took against the aliens Citadel convention is clear on the activation of dormant relays."

General Dorsou nodded her consent. "Citadel conventions maybe clear on this matter, but these aliens obviously had no idea what they were investigating, or had any idea that there was other intelligent life outside their system. And we introduced ourselves by attacking their ship."

"And they responded by destroying three of ours. They have warships for the spirits sake! It's obvious that they are not peaceful, and are expecting hostile reactions!"

"So we should obviously try our hardest, like the Rear-Admiral here, to provoke a war with a new alien species who are obviously, just leaving their home systems." Dorsou countered as she tossed a glare down at Raverus.

"Enough!" Helexus barked. "It doesn't matter General Dorsou if the aliens had no idea of Citadel law, the conventions are clear that the activation of a dormant mass relay is to be stopped at any cost. Rear-Admiral Raverus acted accordingly. That is not the subject of this military tribunal. This tribunal is to shed light on why three fifths of the ships sent out to investigate Iulus cluster did not return."

The general glared at Falco for a moment before turning away from him. "I... Concede the point. Raverus actions were justified by Citadel law."

Helexus nodded at her, before he turned again to Raverus. "You state in your report that after the destruction of the alien ship, the frigate Noctem was destroyed, by a single shot of unknown source. How did you respond?"

Raverus clasped his talons behind his back as he met the tribunals gaze. "I ordered that the frigates Vitae, Invictus, and Vitiosus, form up in Ikalium formation, and move to make a torpedo run on the ship, while the Impervious gave them cover."

The three members of the tribunal nodded. It was a standard tactic, a salvo of disrupter torpedoes to eliminate the kinetic barriers on a ship, and distract them from the larger guns. The enemy ship would often be destroyed by either the massed torpedoes or the large gun of the cruiser.

"The ship avoided several shots, but we managed to score a direct hit. It surprised us, as the shot ripped through the enemy ship, altering us to the fact that the enemy had no kinetic barriers. Before I could order the frigates to take advantage of this new information, they were swarmed by a massive missile launch. There were hundreds of them, the missile managed to deplete the frigates barriers and heavily damaged the Vitae, scattering them from their formation.

"The enemy ship then moved to place the relay in between it and the Impervious. That's when two more ships appeared on LADAR destroying the Invictus as well as the damaged Vitae. With no other options, I was forced to withdraw into FTL."

Helexus scanned through his data pad again. "You're subordinates reports also indicated that this action was the only option available to you. Any more questions?" Helexus asked his fellow judges. Falco quickly shook his head; Dorsou scratched her mandibles for a moment, and then shook her head.

Helexus nodded as he turned back to Raverus. "Rear Admiral Raverus, you are dismissed while this tribunal examines the testimonies of you and those of your crew and subordinates as well as the available data from your ship's VI."

Raverus saluted, turned smartly, and marched quickly out the door.

"You've been in there a while sir." Captain Flecius Helacix greeted from where he sat, just outside the tribunal's large wood doors.

"Captain Helacix. I'm surprised; I thought that stuck in the same boat as me, with those... varren." Raverus spat, as he jerked his head back at the door that led back to the tribunal.

"I was." Helacix said, as he leaned against a wall. "They tore me a part, looking for holes in the reports, trying to get me to admit to incompetence or worse, they even asked me questions about your sanity, sir. Bunch of barefaced..."

Raverus held up a hand to silence the captain. "I know. One of them on my tribunal tried to get me to admit that I was looking for a way to provoke a war. I did what needed to be done."

"I know, sir. I know."

The two were silent for several minutes. Each wrapped up in thoughts of the future. Most were bleak. It was at times like this when you couldn't stop thinking of the worse case scenario, when you kept entertaining thoughts of your own doom.

"What do you think will happen, sir?" Helacix finally asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Raverus shrugged. "I don't know. Best case, I think we end up demoted and stuck on some faraway planet in the hopes that we will retire early and fade from public sight. In the worst case, I think the Council will get involved and we will get arrested for 'murder' for that ship that was destroyed."

Helacix chuckled. "Kind of figured that's what would happen."

Again silence fell between the two officers, as the time ticked by. Two hours past in the hall, and still no one came to get them and Raverus was getting worried.

What if they never called him? What was he supposed to do? Go to a hotel? How could they reach him then? They'd think he had gone AWOL and then he'd be in real trouble.

Finally the door pushed open, and a uniformed guard stuck his head out into the hall. "Rear Admiral Raverus. They're ready for you."

"Good luck sir."

"Thank you Captain." Raverus said, as he pushed into the room.

As he marched quickly into the room, Raverus noticed that the three tribunal officers were standing at attention, and were not seated on the raised dais that dominated the centre of the military court. Then he saw why and immediately snapped to attention.

Just off to the right of the dais, stood a turian in an expensive, well tailored suit. Bright white tattoos of his colony covered almost all of his face in an intricate pattern. Behind him stood four guards, dressed in heavy battle armour, each caring an assortment of high quality weapons. Nothing but the best for a Primarch's personal guard

Raverus was not overly concerned about the visible guards. He was sure that there was probably another six or seven hidden around the room somewhere, ready to pounce at a moments notice.

"You are Rear-Admiral Lucius Raverus, correct?"

The Primarch waited for Raverus' nod of conformation before continuing. "I am Primarch Alphoeus Imbrex. I'm here to discuss the recent developments in Iulus cluster and the loss of many of our brave soldiers."

Raverus was confused, but he waited patiently as the Primarch continued. "A hostile alien race discovered attempting to activate a mass relay, who then, proceeded to attack a turian patrol when they attempted to stop them from violating a Citadel law."

Raverus finally felt the need to speak up. "Sir, I'm sorry but I don't understand what's going on."

Primarch Imbrex flared his mandibles in a grin. "That is more or less what happened according to your report, is it not Raverus?"

Raverus nodded, though it wasn't exactly what he had put in his report, it was, if someone tweaked a few incidents, basically what had happened.

The Primarch flared his mandibles in another grin. "Then you have given the Hierarchy the perfect reason to return to that sector, and attack this dangerous new species that we turians have discovered."

Realization dawned on Raverus. Primarch Imbrex was looking to add an addition to the client races under the Hierarchy's banner. If the aliens were conquered now, before any of the Council species could discover what had transpired, they would have to accept the story of both the Hierarchy and what ever sympathetic government that would be established, as the truth.

"Now, you have experience against these aliens, at least in ship engagements," the Primarch continued, "What can you tell us about them? How many ships did they have? What kind of weaponry? Professionalism?"

Raverus was silent for a moment. "Sir, I must stress that my combat experience is negligible. I only fought against a single ship, I have no idea what their personal is like, what their doctrines are, or even how many ships they have."

Primarch Imbrex was not paying attention. "We must hurry. I'm assembling a fleet of three heavy cruisers, six light cruisers, and twelve frigates. These will be split up into several groups which will depart from different areas of turian space, but will arrive at the rendezvous within a five galactic days. I'm also assembling the necessary ground support, and have assigned the Gothis 14th Infantry Legion as well as the Rocam 9th Mechanized Legion to the pacification and occupation forces.

I trust that this should be enough to pacify any local resistance. Now if you excuse me... Oh by the way, congratulations on your promotion, Admiral Lucius Raverus, your subordinates will contact you to finalize your invasion plans. Good day."

Raverus was stunned. When he had been called to appear in front of a military tribunal, he had expected the worst. But instead, he had been promoted, and put in command of an operation to subjugate the aliens that had killed three hundred of his men, and destroyed three of his frigates.

He looked over at the tribunal Fleet Admiral Helexus appeared disinterested, Admiral Falco shrugged; he was happy with the out come. General Dorsou was glaring at him; the tribunal had obviously not turned out the way she had wanted.

"Well then," Helexus began, "this tribunal is concluded. Admiral Lucius Raverus, you are herby cleared of all charges. Dismissed."

Turian Hierarchy Heavy Cruiser Impervious. Eleven galactic days after the Battle of Relay 314. Unexplored system in the Iulus cluster. 0013hrs.

Admiral Raverus stared at the tactical map that filled the CIC. Several spy probes had been launched into the system, and what they were seeing had removed all doubt that this alien species was no doubt taking its first steps into space.

The probes showed that there were still only three ships in orbit, and what appeared to be a single repair and refuelling station. No extra ships, no apparent defensive build up, and only a single fighter patrol that was currently making a sweep on the other side of the system.

Of course they would have a difficult time finding the invasion fleet. Under Raverus orders, only life support was running. Everything else had been deactivated to keep the element of surprise. What little heat radiation that would be detected would be minimal, and appear to be background interference from the system's star.

Raverus was nervous. In two minutes, he would give the signal for his ships to engage. His plan was fairly simple; he had sent the other two heavy cruisers, with two wolf pack groups of frigates around the outside of the system to flank the planet.

At 0015 hrs Raverus would have the Impervious and the six light cruisers move into combat range, and destroy the station, before pulling back, attempting to draw the ships in orbit after his battle group. Once the enemy moved to engage, the two flanking groups of ships would ambush the enemy, using their speed to bypass their powerful guns, and engage them at the nearest possible range.

If there was any chance of success, the turian fleet had to hit them hard, and fast with a precise strike. Once the enemy group was neutralized, the troop ships carrying the ten thousand men of the two legions would launch the ground campaign, by sending their shock troops to secure a beach head for the main landing force.

Raverus was not overly concerned with the ground operation; he left to General Desolas Arterius of the Rocam 9th, and overall commander of ground operations.

Raverus checked the time device. One minute to go. "COMs, are the battle groups in position?"

The lieutenant dialled in a few numbers, waiting for the response of the two officers who had been placed in charge of the flanking attacks to report in. Seconds ticked by, Raverus could feel his heart in his gizzard. Everything depended on the flanking attacks.

"Sir! Both groups are in position and are ready to proceed with the attack."

That didn't make him feel any better. "Thank you COMs, prepare to alert the fleet we begin operations in," The Admiral stared down at his time device as he called out the seconds. "Five... Four... Three... Two... One... Commence offensive. Ships of centre group may begin their attack runs."

"All ships of centre group, begin your attack runs on the enemy station. Repeat: all ships of centre group, begin your attack runs on the enemy station. We are green for offensive operations!" The lieutenant yelled into his transmitter.

The Impervious' engines hummed into action, as the ship moved forwards. Raverus glanced at the tactical map, the other ships of centre group kept pace, as they entered the system in perfect formation.

"Admiral! we are in range of enemy station, main gun is charged and locked. Awaiting your order sir." The weapon's officer yelled from console.

Raverus looked over at the weapon's officer. "Fire!"

UNSC destroyer Fist of Odin. In orbit above Shanxi. August 27th, 2592. 0500 hrs.

It had been two weeks since the alien force had retreated. Two weeks and nothing had happened. No scouts, no probing attacks, not even a fighter patrol had come through Shanxi's system.

Had the aliens actually been Covenant, Captain Travis Haroldsen knew that within two maybe three days, a fleet would have jumped into the system, and Shanxi would have been glassed.

But they weren't fighting the Covenant. They didn't know who they were fighting. All Haroldsen, and the rest of the UNSC knew was that some aliens had destroyed a civilian research vessel without provocation, and the General down on the ground had declared the WINTER CONTINGENCY, and for the past two weeks, the two undamaged ships of his battle group had remained on high alert.

Haroldsen was tempted to call General Williams and attempt to get him to withdraw the WINTER CONTINGENCY order. But had decided not to, as he had no idea what they were facing. The only data that had been retrieved from the wreckage of the Beyond Reach, and the newly repaired frigate, Beyond the Abyss, was that the enemy used kinetic weaponry, though on a much smaller scale then the UNSC MAC guns, they were able to fire at a much faster pace.

A fight between them was like a fight between an assault rifle, and bolt-action.

Haroldsen rubbed his forehead, attempting to ease the headache that had been plaguing him for the past week. He was stressed, tired, and worried. He tried not to show as he walked up and down the Odin's bridge, studying consoles, and conversed with his crew.

They were no doubt as stressed, as worried as him; it was not everyday that you discovered that there was another alien species wanting to kill you for no apparent reason, other then the fact that your species existed.

Haroldsen stomach growled in protest at the lack of nourishment. He hadn't eaten today, or yesterday for that matter. That was probably one of the reasons for the headache.

"Commander Gomez," Haroldsen called to his XO. "You have the bridge. I'll be in the mess in case of emergency."

"Aye, aye, sir." Lieutenant Commander Rachel Gomez saluted as Haroldsen disappeared from view.

Haroldsen had transferred the Lt. Commander after the skirmish over the alien construct, and assigned his previous XO to command the Abyss. Not out of any sort of punishment, but out of prudence. Gomez had single handily fought off a half a dozen ships, destroying one and seriously damaging another, stalling them until help could arrive; it was the reason why a Silver Star now decorated her uniform.

But Gomez knew more about the enemy than anyone else. Although that was not saying much, as she had only played tag with the enemy for a few minutes, but she was the closest thing to an expert that the UNSC had right now. She had protested her transfer, wanting to stay aboard the Abyss, she wanted payback, but Haroldsen had been adamant.

The bridge elevators doors had just opened, Haroldsen had barely taken a step, when the alarms sounded. "Enemy contacts on radar! I repeat! Enemy contacts on radar! All crew to battle stations! This is not a drill! I repeat! This is not a drill!"

"Fuck!" Haroldsen cursed as he thumbed the elevator button, cursing the elevator in vain, hoping to make it move faster.

The doors had only just opened, when a bright flash of violent light filled the bridge. Several crewmen stopped in their tracks to stare out the window. Unable to help himself Harold took a quick glance. Where Anchor 1, the docking and shipping station, had once been there was now nothing but scrap. It had been blown apart by several direct impacts. Haroldsen, and the rest of the crew knew that there would be no survivors.

"They just blew up the Yard! Those fucking animals just blew up the Yard!" One of the crew screamed.

The aliens had claim a second civilian target.

"Enough Ensign!" Haroldsen barked at the crewman, now was not the time. "Stow it away and get to your station! Gomez report!"

Gomez looked up from the console she had been studying. "Captain! Half a dozen radiation spikes were detected outside the system roughly thirty seconds ago. I sounded the alarm and signalled both the Fire and the Abyss a warning about the incoming hostiles."

Haroldsen nodded at his XO. "Get damage control into their positions, now! Helms! Plot get me an intercept course! COMs, radio the Fire and the Abyss into position to guard our flank as we move to intercept! And send a signal down to General Williams!"

The bridge crew leapt into action, as the engines hummed into life.

"Gomez. In your debriefing you indicated that a single MAC round was enough to destroy one of their ships, correct?" Haroldsen asked his XO, without taking his eyes off the tactical map.

Gomez hesitated for a moment. It had been enough to kill a smaller ship, but the ships on the tactical map were producing more heat radiation, indicating larger ships. She honestly didn't know if a frigate's or destroyer's MAC gun was capable of destroying a large ship, with a single shot.

"I... I don't sir." Gomez shrugged, "The ships I faced before were smaller, and I suspect the larger the ship, the more powerful the ship's shields."

Haroldsen looked over to her, a savage smile spreading across his scarred lips. "Well, I say we find out. Alexis!"

A bright green avatar of a short, petit woman, her hair cut close to the nape of her neck, flickered to life. "Yes, captain?"

"Get me a target, and arm the Archer pods."

"Sir?" Gomez looked up in confusion.

"You reported that Archer missiles were effective against their ships, once their shields had been dropped. If the first MAC round only depletes their shields, I want the missiles to fire, so we can conserve our big guns." Haroldsen answered.

"Captain, I have a shot on Charlie Three lined up. Permission to fire?"

"Fire!" Haroldsen barked.

The ship rumbled as one of the destroyer's MAC guns fired its six hundred ton projectile. The round slammed into Charlie Three, its shields briefly flicking to life, before dissipating under the strain of sixty-four kilotons of kinetic energy. The ship was still alive, but its shields were gone.

"Pity." Haroldsen commented, after a brief silence. "If we had been a cruiser, that shot would have killed the damn thing. Oh well. Guns, fire my Archer salvo."

"Yes sir!" The Lieutenant hollered back, as she keyed several switches. "Archer barrage, firing in three... two... one..."

The deck was light in a bright fiery orange, as dozens of missiles streaked towards their target. Bright, deadly flashes of light shot out from the unshielded ship, swatting the incoming missiles as they approached their target. A few dozen were destroyed by the aliens point defence system, but there were so numerous, that many got through, and slammed into the ship before detonating, tearing great chunks out of the ship's hull.

The ships engines died, as its shattered hull drifted off, nothing more then an empty shell, dead in space. The crew exploded into cheers, as the five enemy ships, turned to face their opponents.

The Odin shook as several shots from the enemy struck her, wounding her, and tearing holes in her hull. The Odin shook it off, however, and continued her advance towards the enemy.

Haroldsen was quite aware of the danger now. Although his ships could easily destroy those of the enemy's, the quick firing enemy guns could literally rip his ships to shreds with the massive amounts of fire they were able to produce.

Now was the time to play his trump card. Although Haroldsen only had a single fighter squadron for patrol duties, he figured that they would distract the aliens long enough to divert their attention away from his three ships, and towards the more immediate threat of his fighters.

Although it meant sending the squadron to their most certain deaths, it would by his ships time to inflict more casualties.

"COMs! I want Major Thompson's squadron to engage those..." He was interrupted by radar operator before he could finish.

"Sir, more blips on the radar! Fourteen craft! Approaching fast! From both the port and starboard flanks!"

"Fuck!" Haroldsen cursed. "COMs belay that order, have Major Thompson engage the ships approaching port side, have the Abyss support them! Then get the Fire moving, and have them engage the other group at minimum range! Guns, Alexis! Concentrate on the group in front! Get me another target, and prepare an Archer barrage!"

Haroldsen knew they were going to die. The UNSC ships had proven to be more powerful then the aliens, but they were incapable of fighting so many at once. But they were not going to die alone.

Another rumble from the Odin's second MAC gun, knocked out the shields of another enemy ship, the Archer missiles followed after, tearing into the hull, and causing huge amounts of structural damage, and causing the ships engines to go critical and detonate.

For the first time in his career, Haroldsen found himself cursing his old ship. The Fist of Odin was what sailors had taken to calling a pre-war ship, unlike the rapid charging MACs of post-war ships like Abyss,and post-war second gen ships like the Fire, whose MAC was capable of firing a full three times before they needed to be recharged, the Odin needed a full seven minutes to be able to fire again. Unit then the Odin was a sitting duck.

"Helms!" Haroldsen shouted, gesturing at the tactical map, even as the ship rocked from another impact. "See that bastard at the back?"

"Yes sir!"

The ship in question was producing more heat radiation, indicating a large ship.

Haroldsen's mouth formed a snarl. "RAM HIM!"

"Sir?" The stunned helmsman asked, after a second of hesitation.

"I said, RAM HIM! NOW!" Haroldsen shouted, as another volley of shots slammed into the ship.

Klaxon alarms sounded, as Alexis began spouting off lists of the damage that had been sustained. "Hull breaches are present on decks four, and seven. Fires are spreading throughout deck five. Life support has been lost on deck three. Engines are operating at fifty percent of normal capacity. Captain, the Odin will not survive another round. I suggest abandoning ship. Now!"

Haroldsen hesitated a moment, before nodding. He was supposed to take care of his crew, not make some vain suicidal charge. He raced over to the intercom, "All hands, this is Captain Haroldsen! Abandon ship! Repe..."

A bright, flash filled his vision, and then nothing. The UNSC Fist of Odin, exploded under the combined fire of the aliens centre group.

Admiral Raverus breathed a sigh of relief, as the first ship exploded. His forces had taken more of a beating then he had thought possible. Two of his light cruisers had been killed in the brief exchange. But he was in good position, as only two ships left, both of them were presenting their broadsides as they had turned to engage the flanking forces.

"COMs I want the cruisers Diem, and, Infiniti to assist the right flank, while the Capax, and the Delenda, assist the left. Helms, keep the Impervious in position." He turned to Captain Helacix, who had retained his captaincy; despite Raverus' instance that the battle scarred Captain receive a promotion as well. "Captain Helacix, inform General Arterius that he can begin landing his troops."

"Admiral! The second alien ship was destroyed, as well as what remained of their fighters. Losses on the left flank amount to two frigates destroyed with all hands, and light damage to the cruiser Macte. They are awaiting orders."

Raverus nodded. "Thank you COMs. Have them destroy what satellites remain in orbit, then have them take up positions around the planet."

He was breathing easier now. The aliens had put up a courageous fight, costing him almost a fifth of his forces. But Raverus could see the end now. The ground campaign would be swift and decisive, especially with now with his ships holding orbit around their planet.

A brief flash in the distance signalled the end of the engagement.

"Admiral, the last alien ship has been destroyed. Causalities from the left flank amount to three frigates destroyed... along with the heavy cruiser, Hortus. With all hands." Raverus was stunned.

He had entered into this battle with three heavy cruisers, six light cruisers, and twelve frigates. All together the turian fleet had lost one heavy cruiser, one lightly damaged, two light cruisers, and five frigates. Twelve hundred turians had died in the ten minute battle that had raged over this planet.

"Admiral... Sir... what are your orders?" Helacix asked hesitantly, as he looked at the shocked form of Raverus.

"Order... Order the fleet into positions above the planet. Tell... Tell General Arterius that the fleet is prepared to provide orbital support, including, with my authority, bombardments in support of ground operations."

Captain Helacix showed no surprise. It was after all standard Hierarchy doctrine to use bombardments in support of ground operations. In turian culture, there was no such thing as civilians in a war zone.

"Understood sir. I will inform Arterius of your decision to allow orbital bombardments, and for him to begin his landings. These aliens will not know what is about to hit them!"

UNSC 293rd Army Brigade HQ, Shanxi. August 27th 2592. 0513 hrs.

"Lily! Tell me you got that distress call through!" General Williams yelled at the AI's hologram that currently occupied a small portion of his desk. "They are here now! We don't have any time left!"

The small avatar shrugged. "I sent the message, but the radiation is still strong. I don't know if they will receive it, or what kind of condition it will be in."

Williams cupped his face in his hands, as he took several deep breaths. They were running out of time. The Fist of Odin, according to the small tactical map on his desk, was already destroyed, and the Abyss, and her sister ship Into the Fire were not going to last much longer.

"What are the chances that the message will have made it to the UNSC?"

Again the Avatar shrugged her shoulders. "Unknown. My best estimate puts it at a forty percent chance."

Williams sighed. "That will have to do. Lily put me through to the men."

"Yes sir. Patching you through."

Williams waited until Lily gave him a nod.

"Men. Humanity has faced the unknown before, and won."

In her fortified position, in a settlement far outside of Bountiful, Platoon Sergeant Henichi and her platoon listened to the message on their radios.

We have persevered and endured against the genocidal monsters of Covenant, and won. And now the people of Shanxi look to us to do it again.

In his squad's billet in Fraserton, Sergeant Mac Seain, kicked the Dregs into silence as he tried to listen to the broadcast

To fight against the unknown. To fight against the monsters that attack us for no other reason then we are here.

Captain Turpin listened with a half an ear, as she picked out a pistol from armoury.

But we will fight, we will prevail, and we will endure. It is our courage and our strength that will win this day.

Williams took a shuddering, calming breath even as the light from missiles streaked into the air, as the anti-air defences all around Shanxi light up the morning sky. "Humanity is watching. Good luck and God's speed."

Well here is my late Christmas, Hanukah, Festivus, ect. gift to all of you. The siege of Shanxi has begun and I hope that you all enjoy it.

There are, however, some points I would like to talk about, specifically human shielding technology. It is stated that human shielding is fairly limited, and to shield their ships, the UNSC would need another fusion plant to power the device which would massively escalate the cost of construction.

Although it is reasonable to conclude that further research would decrease the cost and increase efficiency, after a devastating war most of your resources would be spent on rebuilding not studying, or researching new technologies. So yes sometime humans would probably develop shielding at some point but not in the near future.

Thank you and be sure to read and review.