Terra Firma sensors were making regular sweeps of the region. Their main line of defense was the Sol relay, a bottleneck which they hoped to seal. But what they made up for in willpower, they lacked in ships, men and experience. So despite knowing that this day would come, the sensor operators on Gagarin Station was still shocked when the Alliance came charging hard out of the relay.

"Oh god! They're here! Get word off back to Sol! Alert the fleet! Somebody do something!"

The Terra Firma ships stationed at the relay swung about to face the Alliance ships. A comms message was broadcast to all Terra Firma personnel before it was washed away by a wave of jamming signals.

*********

"Umbra systems online, captain. All ships are jamming their sensors."

"Excellent. Gunnery, Hellrails are to target enemy cruiser Bandit 3. Hellbeams are to cover the transports and frigates. Helm, we'll cut in close to the station, drop our boys then swing round behind them while we still have our forward momentum."

"Aye aye, sir."

A glint appeared in Vladimir's eye and a disturbing grin spread out across his face. His blood was racing and he knew that the predator in him was loose. He was going to make sure Terra Firma knew what hit them.

As usual, Venetta's little ship Spirit arrived last. Also as usual, Spirit's crabby VI attempted an argument the entire way there, balking at her commands to speed up. She hated the think with a burning passion, but it had gotten her out of enough close spots that she considered it to be good luck.

Now, she cursed it with every fiber of her being as she emerged from the relay in a cloud of jamming signals and the silence just before an all-out space battle.


--


Margot sat with the marines aboard the Melbourne, feeling quite apart despite the cramped space, fiddling with whatever could be fiddled with(The shotgun that was already repaired, the armor that was already fastened as securely as it could go) as she waited for her turn. She looked like a rookie and felt like one too, making a simply grand impression as part of the Citadel Special Response task force sent. She wasn't used to waiting; usually her squad would be the one on the immediate offensive in situations. The defensive wait two years back on the Citadel was nothing compared to this. The fact that Margot was about to fight humans -- living, breathing, loving, hating, poor, misguided humans -- as opposed to machines, or criminals out for themselves made a huge difference on her morale. It didn't seem to help the other marines, either. Whatever his intentions, Vladimir's speech didn't do much to spark anger or hatred against Terra Firma.

Rilias stayed mute, used to the suspicious glares of the Alliance marines.

The comms chatter blazed as the battle began in earnest.

"Two bomber squadrons approaching on an attack vector."
"This is interceptor squadron Piranha. Intercepting bombers."
"Bandit 3's shields are down. Repeat, Bandit 3 no longer has shields."
"Kokoda, Bulge and Long Tan here. We're making a run on Bandit 3."
"Kill confirmed! Bandit 3 is dead in space! Good work people."

Vladimir surveyed the tactical monitor. The Alliance hadn't yet taken any losses and all ships were going strong. They had gotten the drop on Terra Firma but that wasn't to last for long. They needed to take the relay and Gagarin Station quickly to give their ships time to regroup and ambush Terra Firma's response.

"Helm, proceed to waypoint Indigo at flank speed. Keep the wreck of Bandit 3 between us and the station for as long as we can."

"Gunnery, I want all weapons to take out the PDS on Gagarin station."
"On it, sir."

"Comms. get me a line to squadron leader Kokoda."
"Channel open, sir."
"Kokoda, I need your squadron to form up alongside the Melbourne and give our transports an escort."
"Copy that Melbourne. Forming up on your wing."

The three frigates scooted alongside the Melbourne as she used the lifeless wreck of Bandit 3 to prevent Gagarin station from getting a clean shot. The wreck was five kilometres away, then three. One km, 500m...

"All weapons open fire."

The Melbourne cleared the wreck and her MACs opened up, picking clean Gagarin station's main guns. Her two particle cannons sliced through the secondary batteries as a hail of missiles spewed forth from their tubes to home in on the last defense guns.

Vladimir paged the loading bay. "All transports, you have a clear run into the station. Frigates Kokoda, Bulge and Long Tan are on escort. Launch when ready."

Private 1st Class Marcus Chow was geared up and strapped down in one of the assault transports being carried on the Melbourne. The 398th Armoured Division had ditched their vehicles back at Arcturus when they were assigned on this crazy mission. Apparently the entire unit passed the risk assessment, whatever the hell that meant, which meant they were here. He called out to his sergeant.

"Hey sarge! What the hell are we doing here. We're tankers, not foot grunts!"

"We're here cause the brass says we're here, Marcus! Now quit your bellyaching and suck it down!"

"So if the brass says we're suppose to be here, why the hell are the Citadel grunts with us?"

His Lt. entered the transport and caught his words. "They're here as a show of support from the Council. Now show them some respect, private."

"Sir, yes sir."

The Lt. turned to everyone on the transport. "All right, the Melbourne has cleared a path for us. One minute to launch. Check your straps and hang tight."

The hatch door started to close and everyone did a once over on their restraints. The intercom buzzed and the pilot spoke. "This is Romeo 419-er, requesting permission to launch."

"This is flight control. Romeo 419-er, you are good to go."

"Roger that, leaving the nest with the numbers. Romeo 419-er over and out."

<Vladimir>

"Sir, transports are away." updated Melbourne's flight control.
"Good. Keep them cover-" Vladimir cut himself off as the sensors alarm blazed.

"Multiple contacts!" shouted the sensors operator. "An enemy cruiser and three frigates. Looks like the first of the Terra Firma reinforcements."

"Eta to contact?"

"Five minutes before the cruiser is in firing range, three before the frigates reach Jump Zero."

"Alright people. The cruiser is designated Tango 1, the frigates are Unicorn 1, 2 and 3. Helm, put us on an intercept course with the Tango 1. Gunnery, Hellrails are to target Tango 1, Hellbeams on group Unicorn. Load all missile tubes with disruptor torpedoes."

<Marcus>

Marcus was listening to the comm traffic through his helmet. Things were going smoothly so far from what he heard.

"We're in the pipe, five by five."
"Update from the Melbourne, three frigates in-bound."
"We'll be landing before then, piece of cake."
"Our escorts are intercepting the frigates."
"Smooth run people. ETA 2 mins."

"Alright, marines." the Lt. called out. "Bravo Team is going in first. They'll secure the airlock and make a breach the rest of will exploit.

Marcus's sergeant responded. "You hear that ladies? I want you lot sharp, on your toes and ready for anything! Make sure you have your life support on. I'd hate to drag your sorry, de-pressurized ass back just so I can get your tags!"

Through the hull, everyone could hear weapons fire then the sound of the transports guns going off. "Sorry folks. The natives laid out a welcome mat and we had to wipe our feet. No atmo, so suit up. Touching down in ten... nine..."

"Bravo Team, get to the door. Guns at the ready, we're going in!"

"...three.. two... one... touchdown."

The Lt. slammed on the exit controls and the boarding ramp slammed down. "Go, go, go!"

They poured out into the docking bay, over the ripped bodies of Terra Firma soldiers hit by the transport's point defense guns.

"Oh sh*t!" crackled the comms. "This guy's got more than half his body missing!"

"Focus marines! Marcus, seal the bay, open the airlock and get us in!"

"On it sarge!"

Stepping up to the control panel, Marcus interfaced with his omni-tool while the others stepped up, ready to go in.

"Uploading trojan... overriding the safeties... bay is closed." Marcus wavered as the bay doors rumbled and the bay re-pressurized.

"Bypassing protocols... door is open!"

"Good work, private." his Lt. complimented. "All teams, move in!"

Bravo team made its way down the corridors of Gagarin station, encountering light resistance. The ROE for the mission was "shoot to incapacitate". While difficult enough, the Alliance supplied all boarding teams with stun grenades and flash-bangs.

Three targets had been assigned. The barracks, the control centre and the armoury. Terra Firma presence was minimal but the need to act quickly was present. The capturing of the station would be no good if they lost the space battle.

Marcus's objective was control centre. If they could gain control of it, then the rest of the targets would be much easier to capture. His squad pulled up outside the sealed bulkhead separating them from their objective.

His sergeant started giving out orders. "Nice and quick boys. Marcus, you've got the door. Frank, John, you two are on grenade duty. The rest of us, we run in and beat the ever-loving hell out of them. Clear?"

"Yes sergeant." They chorused back.

Marcus interfaced with the door control. So far, Terra Firma still hadn't changed the security protocols which made his job easy.

"Loading spike, get ready... opening!"

"Fire in the hole!" A stun grenade and a flash-bang rolled into the opposing room. The detonations knocked nearly all the Terra Firma soldiers, with a handful that were not unconscious milling about in confusion.

"Charge!"

It wasn't really much of a fight. Most of the defenders were just technical officers and the Alliance already had most of the veteran soldiers.

"Command, this is Team Bravo. Target 1 has been captured." the sergeant called in on his comm.

"Team Bravo, this is Command, job well done. Secure the security controls and aid the other teams."

"Roger that Command. Team Bravo out."

"Alright squad, secure the prisoners. Marcus, secure the controls and give the rest of our boys a helping hand."

Marcus sat down at a console and logged in. The previous operator hadn't even had time to lock his station.

"Okay... securing all the doors... Yep, all Terra Firma personnel are now listed as hostiles and are locked in their rooms. That should prevent movement. Now let's see... uploading Terra Firma ship movements to the fleet... done. And... that's about as much as I can do. We'll have to get hacker to bypass the rest of the stuff."

"Good work Marcus. Team Bravo, form up! We'll take the prisoners to the holding cells, take a breather there and await further orders. Now move, on the double!"

Edit: Ignorify this.

<Vladimir>

The enemy cruiser opened up with its main MAC as soon as it was in range.

"Sir, MAC shot in-bound."

"Alter vector by point o'five, point one and point o'three."

The Melbourne shifted its heading slightly to the right, making the approaching shell miss.

"Gunnery, give Tango 1 our reply."

The twin Hellrail MACs spoke and sent two solid slugs of tungsten at the enemy.

"Tango 1 altering course, shots missed." called the sensors.

"Helm, vector change to 15, 0."

"Altering course."

"Engines full burn for ten seconds. I want to be in his face."

The Melbourne rocketed forward, picking up speed relative to Tango 1.

"Uh, sir? Collision is a possibility on this course." the navigator informed.

"I know. Maintain heading."

The Normandy streaked across solar system at full non-FTL speed. Their stealth systems had been engaged for almost 20 hours, the full length of their early insertion into the system. The ship had been given a secret mission to chart out enemy defenses and check out former Alliance instalations.

The results were a bit unsettling, they had a good defense in the inner planets, so it looked like the seige would save them from the brunt of the defenses seeing as they would surround them from around the astroid belt.

"Maveric, whats wrong with your sensors"

"Jammed Cap, Its probably Umbra"

"We cant risk being picked up early, can you make a few shots without them" Curtis asked.

"Hell yeah"

Matt engaged the 'manual' targeting system. A new function of the onboard VI. Basicly it had put up a reticule the helmsman could use, and the VI would keep the ship steady once the target was designated.

He did it perfectly, the ship now locked pointing its loaded MAC at a Terra Firma carrier. Its launch bays were open, since it was hiding behind the rest of the fleet a Jump Zero.

The MAC fired, the cloaking and stealth systems dissapearing. The profectile landed in the bays, ripping through the interior of the ship. The lights went out, the thrusters dying instantly.

"Direct hit, nice work Maverick" Curtis said "Score another hit and jet right through the fleet to our guys"

The Normandy fired a few more shots into the enemy fleet. Maverick pushing the thrusters to their max and manuvered the Normandy through the ships and debris, finally breaking through enemy ships and coming into 'friendly' space.

"Link us into the Alliance, those jammers are annoying me now" Curtis said with a smile.

"Aye Aye Cap"

Curtis turned to the radio, picking up the small handset.

"This is SSV Normandy, where do you need us" Curtis said over the main Alliance channels.

<Vladimir>

"Sir, the Normandy's hailing the fleet."

"The Normandy? Where the hell did they come from! Concordiat, hook them into the battle network."

"Uplink established." replied the VI.

The comms picked up Captain Curtis's voice.

"This is SSV Normandy, where do you need us?"

"Slightly busy here." Vladimir muttered.

The Melbourne was using it's lateral thrusters to dodge shots from Tango 1. The enemy cruiser was being blind-sided by frigates that were nipping at it's shields and its movements were putting it off axis to the Melbourne, preventing the use of its main MAC.

"Helm, pull us about. Gunnery, load all missiles and lock on with the Particle Cannons and await my signal." Vladimir ordered.

The Melbourne turned off to the side, it's new vector would bring it alongside Tango 1.

"Fire!"

Twin beams lanced out to score a trail against the cruiser. Forty missiles blossomed out of their launching tubes and ignited thrusters on course for the enemy. The GARDIAN defense grid lashed out and a full half of the missiles were destroyed. That still left another twenty on course. The lasers struck once more but it was too little, too late as six disruptor torpedoes struck against the kinetic barriers.

"Comm, get a line to the Normandy."

"Channel open, sir."

"Normandy, this Captain Zdravic of the Melbourne. There's a wounded cruiser out there. Would you like a share in the kill?"

"Dont have to tell us twice" Curtis replied.

Maverick already turned the ship, locking onto the limping cruiser. The Ships VI targeted it, giving Matt the bearing. He took the Normandy in close, flying the ships about 150 feet from the hull of enemy ship.

The MAC fired, the slug landing on the hull and penetrating its armor. As the cruiser was dying, a CIWS gun opened up on the Normandy.

"AH SHIT, BARRIE..." Maverick called out, the ships light dimming and the ship shaking.

The Normandy's sheilds flared, the rounds continuing on through. The rounds peeled off part of the hull. Dark blue electrical sparks flew from the wound. The inner layer managed to stay intact, not allowing the oxygen to be sucked out into the vaucum.

The ship was knocked onto a wild trajectory. The power systems aboard the Normandy flickered on and off, the VI trying desperatly to keep the life support online. The VI triggered a code black for the Normandy.

Curtis was thrown to the floor, along with others of the crew. The emergency lightings red tones filled the ship, alarms going off in every inch of the cabin.

Maverick tried desperatly to keep the ship on course, but the thrusters were about dead, and systems were starting to stop responding to the bridge.

"WE'RE HIT, WE'RE HIT! HULL IS BREACHED, MINIMAL LIFE SUPPORT. SYSTEMS FAILING" Maverick called out over the open Alliance bands.

Mavrick quickly sorted through the systems, deperatly trying to bring the ship under his control. He started rerouting systems through undamaged networks on the ship. The blast was hard, seeing as it took out most of the data transfers for the ships systems.

"Ive regained minimal thrusters! We have do dock quickly" Maverick shouted

The lighting had returned, dimmed but not the dreary red glow of the emergency lighting. The ship lurched as Maverick hit the thrusters, turning the ship towards Jump Zero.

"The docks hostile!" Curtis yelled out, seeeing the turrets protecting a dock once used by Alliance brass.

"We have to, we cant maintain hull integrity much longer" Maverick yelled back.

Matt fired on the turret, the gun ripping off from the station. The Terra Firma marines locked in the docking bay fired on the incoming vessel with their rifles, but to no avail. They hit it hard, the Normandy shaking violently as it locked into place.

Curtis grabbed a rifle, a few Marines ran up to the airlock, ready to go.

"Clear the dock, fire at will" Cutis ordered

They opened the airlock, overriding stablizing the pressure. They were taking fire the second from stepping out onto the deck. The 5 marines from the Normandy took cover, returning small arms fire.

"This is SSV Normandy, we had to make and emergency dock. Held up in dock 16, all doors are locked" Maverick called on the radio, trying to hail the boarding parties.

<Vladimir>

"Oh gods! The Normandy's been hit!" called out the sensors officer.

"Gunnery! Open up everything on the cruiser, I want it dead!" snarled Vladimir.

The Melbourne unleashed a full broadside into the Terra Firma vessel, mercilessly ripping apart the cruiser in an unforgiving retaliation. Bulkheads collapsed and huge sections were torn open to vacuum. The crippled ship never stood a chance.

"Sir, target is dead in space. She's not coming back online ever."

"Cover the Normandy and get the boarding crews to get to her."

"Aye, aye, Captain."

********

<Marcus>

"Sarge, you get that?"

"Yes I did. Team Bravo, form up and double time it to the Normandy! Move out!"

Team Bravo made the quick run to the relevant section. From behind the door, the firefight between the Normandy's marine complement and Terra Firma could be heard.

"Okay squad, check your fields of fire and hit them hard. Door to open on three." ordered the sergeant. "Normandy, this is Team Bravo. friendlies advancing from the front. Watch your shots."

He nodded to Marcus who was at the controls. "One, two, THREE!"

The docking bay opened and the Team Bravo pushed forward, attacking the enemy from a new flank.

Curtis heard the transmission, and was glad the boarding teams had taken the station relativly quickly. He fired shots over cover, trying to distract the enemy until the others arrived.

When the doors opened the Normandy's marines breathed a sigh of relief. They got up, aiming their shots at the enemy. As the encircled Terra Firma marines realized what happened, they dropped their weapons.

"Cease fire! The're surrendering!" Curtis yelled out.

The marines on the Normandy's side stopped firing, knowing their ROEs for ground combat.

Team Bravo ceased fire and they moved up to secure the prisoners.

Team Bravo's sergeant strode up to Marcus. "Right, private. We need to split up. You are given the temporary rank of Corporal. Take half the squad and see what the Normandy needs. My half will continue with the mission. Get all of that, acting corporal Marcus?"

Marcus was a bit taken aback but recovered quickly. "Yes sir, I won't let you down."

"You do good work, Marcus. Keep it up and that temp rank might be permanent." The sergeant turned to his half of the squad. "Alright you lot! Take a minute to breath then we're taking this lot to the temporary holding area." he pointed the Terra Firma soldiers. "Good luck Marcus."

"You too, Sarge."

Marcus headed over to the Normandy's crew who were taking stock of the damage on the ship.

"Acting Corporal Marcus, engineer." he introduced himself. "Where can my squad and I help?" He jerked a thumb at his half of Team Bravo.

Matt had already exited the ship, and scrambled up onto the hull. It wasnt something one would normally do, but this wasnt a normal time either. He made his way up to the damage, seeing the outer hull had been vaporised, and the inner hull just barely holding in the air.

Also hit were various data cables, and thruster controls neccesary for proper handling of the ship. The ship itself was in alright shape, but this area cut off quite a few systems needed, along with steering out of FTL.

"Gonna need a patch job if were gonna get back in the fight anytime soon. We could probably do it here if we can find where those bastards put everthing, or head back to Arcturus and risk our hull bursting during the jump" Maverick called out to the Marines.

Marcus checked through the intel file on Jump Zero. Terra Firma had consolidated all the inventory into one spot to keep a better track of it with limited staff.

"Looks like they moved everything to the armoury." he called out to the soldier on top of the Normnady.

"A squad of Terra Firma goons is holed up there. Send me a list of what you need and I'll see if we can get it. Unless, of course, you have anyone who wants to come. I won't say no to an extra gun."