After the battle of installation 00 The UNSC began to build and expand, with allies of the Sangelli, the Unggoy, the Mgalekgolo/ Lekgolo and the Huragok. All other Covenant races were hunted to the brink of extinction, some to extinction in the case of the Jiralhanae and San 'Shyuum. While expanding they decided to rename there-now joint government the Systems Alliance, they also discovered an ancient method of transportation that their scientists called a "Mass Relay". When it was discovered that this mass relay was powered by dark matter it was soon locked down with a constant military presence in system. Later while exploring the edge of the Orion arm of the galaxy that they were situated in they came across a Forerunner Exploration party, made up entirely of machines, and they soon joined the "Reclaimers" in the SA thanks to this discovery the military aspect of the SA was never going to be greater, as with help from the Forerunner party the Ark was again located and repaired- to the point where we could make ships with enough fire power to crack a planet, these ships were called Cortana- Class cruisers, which measured at 36 kilometres in length- only eight were made and even then their crews were kept in constant Cryogenic sleep, ready to be awoken at a moment's notice and their main gun was codenamed Ragnarok- the planet Cracker it was a MAC cannon that fired 60,000 tonne rounds at 24,000,000 kilometres per hour.

Of all the "Patrol routes" in SA could hand out Shanxi System was by far the dullest, it was three large cruisers Patrolling one system and, in shifts, sitting in the centre of the system and constantly watching the "Mass Relay". Little did they know how much that could, and would, change.

2755: July 11th: Council Space: Citadel: Galactic Standard Time 12:00

"General Arcturus, just because the newly active Relay is within Turian space does not mean that you can lead a crusade into unknown space without Council support." The Asari Councillor was trying to explain.

The General looked at her with steely confidence in his eyes. "I already have ma'am the expeditionary fleet has already been sent along with a Military escort, and as you can see I'm too busy arguing with you to stop them."

The Turian Councillor raised his arm to silence his Asari colleague's outburst. "Quiet now. He does have a point he did already send the fleet before he got here, but she also has a point you should have waited until your fleet had council backup."

The Salarian opened her mouth to speak before a rather distressed Turian came running up, "General Mission report from the expeditionary Fleet sir, you have to read this sir."

The General took the pad and read through the report and his mandibles began to slow down until eventually they stopped all together, he looked up at the Council and merely said. "I don't think that a Council fleet would have made much difference." And then uploading the mission report before sitting down and crying and saying that he was sorry over and over again.

2755: July 11th: UNSC Space: Shanxi System: UNSC Capital Vessel Spirit of Fire: Galactic Standard Time 08:00

Admiral Cutter sighed, when he had been awoken by Serena and told that the UNSC were refitting the Spirit of Fire he had gotten more than he had hoped- even if he was now sat on guard duty on a piece of highly dangerous equipment. He didn't think his day could get any worse until…

"Admiral, the Mass Relay is powering up someone, somewhere has activated it and is coming through." Serina the Spirit of Fire's Ai told Cutter.

Cutter responded instantly. "Battle station, full alert. Get Autumn's Fall and Infernal Wrath here asap. Call for all available backup, I want to be ready for anything."

Almost as soon as he said that both Autumn's Fall and Infernal Wrath turned and headed for flanking position on either side of Spirit of Fire. Suddenly slipspace ruptures appeared on the edges of the system and Several Everest-Class Assault cruisers entered system, they were the Price of Vengeance, Pitiful Lust, Unhindered Rage and the Finite Supply of Ammo. They were followed by Autumn's sister ship the Summer Drought along with the Infinity and two Infinity-Class Battle Cruisers the Archangel's Revenge and the Endless Humility. All of which fell into a grid formation based around the 2.5 Kilometre long Command Ship. Then the Mass Relay flared and out came a large group of ships, some armed-these were obviously military ships, and some unarmed- more than likely exploration ships.

Admiral Cutter analysed the situation. "Charge the MAC's and scatter with intention to surround." He ordered the fleet then to his own weapons officer. "Charge the hardlight cannons and Spartan laser grids, load the torpedo bays and arm the slipspace missiles, we are not letting them in without a fight."

The exploration craft quickly vanished back through the relay leaving a dozen, barely frigate weight ships behind, with weapons charged. "Does Infinity, Archangel's Revenge or Endless Humility have Forerunner sensors installed? I want full scans of those ships if so."

Serina was instantly sending messages to the appropriate ship board AI's and soon orange beams of light extended from all three Infinity-Class ships.

2755: July 11th: Turian Command Ship: Unknown Space: Galactic Standard Time 08:30

"General, the large ships are sending some sort of sensor beam towards our ships!" The Helmsman Called.

General Desolas Arterius responded with. "Warn them that if they don't stop I will open fire on their command ship."

2755: July 11th: Spirit of Fire Bridge: Shanxi System: 08:31

"Admiral, the lead ship appears to be hailing us." Serina stated.

"Appears to be Serina? I need definites here, I want to avoid another war."

Serina placed her hand on her hip. "I'm not sure Admiral I received a message but I am unable to decipher it."

"Hmm. Get them to scan the computer cores and attempt to analyse their language."

2755: July 11th: Turian Command Ship: Unknown Space: 08:34

"Sir! The sensor beams are now focused on the computer cores!" The helmsman reported.

"OPEN FIRE! ALL SHIPS, ALL GUNS CONCENTRATE FIRE! THEY'RE TRYING TO RAID OUR DATABANKS!" Desolas roared.

All the Turians charged weapons emptied themselves into the Enemy Dreadnought.

Desolas smiled, until the Dreadnought ploughed straight through the incoming hail of fire and all it did was shimmer blue.

2755: July 11th: Spirit of Fire Bridge: Shanxi System: 08:40

"Sir their weapons are discharging on our position."

"Serina! Possible damage?"

"None sir, the shields are more than strong enough to withstand that assault."

Cutter smiled, "Time for a show of strength. Charge straight through then open fire to disable not destroy, disable. That goes for all ships."

The Spirit of Fire charged through the incoming fire and then returned fire with full fleet support, systematically firing point-to-point lasers at the unknown ships. They tore through armour plating and the engines on the first few, causing chain reactions and destroying those ships. Then as the enemy fleet ran to the Relay the devastating assault continued. One ship was crippled before it reached the Relay of the rest only one had reached the Relay unscathed. Admiral Cutter looked at the destruction before him and said. "They'll be back. Serina, send a report to HIGHCOM along with a request for as many ships as possible and for a Spartan boarding team to deal with our lone captives here."

2755: July 11th: Council Space: Citadel: Galactic Standard Time 12:30

Silence reigned supreme in the Council Chambers as the Councillors read and reread the report they had been given, General Arcturus had been removed from the proceedings and the councillors then began a debate on what to do. The Turian spoke up first. "We should take a fully armed Military convoy and attempt to negotiate if that fails then we go to war."

"Agreed." The Asari responded.

"All angles considered. Must agree with Turian." The Salarian repeated.