Something pinged on Captain Powers' command holotable, causing him to focus his attention onto it. Detailed, three-dimensional diagrams of the many ships appeared, and Nikolai was studying each one with utmost attention. Charts, zoom-ins, module displays and even possible cross sections were all present. The A.I. swiped his hands across a floating flat console as a vodka bottle sat by his feet. "Scans are finished, I take?" The Captain asked as he leaned on the glass crystal. "What've we got?"

"Well," Nikolai picked up the bottle and took a swig. "Six of them are obviously warships. I've gathered, decoded, and decrypted enough radio transmissions to know their names." The models of the ships, their names next to them, identified them as the [i]Romanova, Oblivion, Pale Quiver, Helios, Spirit of Wind,[/i] and [i]Forward Spear[/i] all zoomed in to show weapon emplacements. "It appears that quite a high percentage of these ships use energy weapons." Turrets of varying design and make suddenly detached from the ships and hovered in the centre, rotating a few times before floating next to their respective owners. 

First was the flying hunk of junk that was the [i]Romanova.[/i] Several sections of the 'ship' lit up. "The [i]Romanova[/i] appears to use a modified tesla coil. I detect a weak force field surrounding it. Twenty-first century era nuclear missiles and machine guns appear to be its secondary armament." 

The [i]Oblivion[/i] was next. "The [i]Oblivion[/i] uses a mix of magnetic weapons and energy weapons. So far, it is the only ship that has the same, if not a few years behind, level of technology as us. Their shields are roughly equivalent to that of a [i]Magnitude[/i]-class battlecruiser. It has a particle cannon much like ours as its primary weapon system. I detect multiple hangars on it." Sectors of the craft appeared to open up in a simulation of craft getting launched out.

Next, multiple, tiny turrets on the smallest and admittedly most graceful ship were highlighted. "The [i]Pale Quiver.[/i] Funny little thing, really. If I am correct, this ship was built for fast pursuit. It has several laser turrets and a single belly-mounted energy cannon, along with two torpedo launchers. It is equipped with shields that only seem to be good for protection against energy weaponry. If it ever turns hostile, I suggest firing a railgun salvo at the target. Missiles and point-defence weapon systems should have no trouble tracking it."

The frigate-looking ship, the [i]Helios[/i], was next, showing quite a few weapon systems. "Here we have the [i]Helios[/i]." Nikolai stated, matter-of-factly as he casually sipped his vodka. "This one has railguns and missile pods for nuclear missiles mixed with an unknown material. I will designate it as HE-01. Point defence systems appear to be in abundance. Shields are strong, just slightly stronger than ours. I'm detecting a very basic form of artificial intelligence controlling most of the ship's systems." 

He swiped and the odd triangular ship appeared. "This is the [i]Spirit of Wind[/i]. By far, this one is the most advanced out of all of the craft here. Many of this ship's weapons are energy-based, along with several magnetic weapons. It holds missiles of varying payload, but a hundred megatons is its most powerful one, if scans are correct. There are several large spinal cannons that fire kinetic weapons a fire rate of estimated eighty rounds per minute, per gun. Its hull is made up of an unknown alloy, for this reason I will designate it as SW-01." Nikolai took a final sip of his drink before gently laying it down on the 'ground'. "I have to admit that this one is quite startling. This one has no life readings at all." To emphasise his point, the words 'NO LIFE SIGNS' appeared after a sensor scan swept the ship. Powers raised an eyebrow. "Is it abandoned? Or is it controlled by an A.I.?" A two-dimensional flat display popped up, showing a pulsing line and flashing numbers of binary. "A.I. controlled. That's for sure. I picked up electronic transmissions only emitted by robotic constructs. From this data, there are exactly 3,874 units on board, excluding the ship, which itself is a gigantic A.I. construct. In a way, it operates much like our automatous [i]Mayfly[/i]-class frigates."

Finally, the destroyer-sized vessel appeared. "At last, this one is the [i]Forward Spear[/i]. This one, like most of the ones before, has ion cannons and a single magnetic accelerator cannon, or MAC. It is almost the same as the ones mounted on ships almost two-hundred years ago. However," The ship suddenly seemed to flicker and disappear, the only trace of its existence on the holotable was a light blue outline. "I believe this one has cloaking abilities much like our own stealth corvettes and fighters. I can't be sure." 

Every representation blinked out of existence and was replaced by three others. The giant floating wing was the first one to be shown.  "This one is the [i]Vorascant[/i]. While it has multiple energy weapons on board, it appears to be a colony ship. It is powered by an antimatter reactor with a slightly lower power output than the [i]Paramount's[/i] Antimatter Condenser." The area of the ship with the highest energy reading was highlighted in green. "Cold fusion is its secondary power source. I am detecting strange electrical signals coming from the inside, but I cannot perform scans for some reason. I will designate this VO-01."

The giant disk that looked more like a mobile repair station was next. "Here we have the [i]Intrepid[/i]. As its appearance suggests, it appears to have been built for resource collection and repair. However, it has a handful of energy cannons on board, likely for defence against stray asteroids or debris."

The final 'ship', which resembled a massive manta ray was the last one to be shown. "This one is the strangest of all. For some reason, I can't pick up any radio signals at all, and scanners are having a hard time with this one. However, thermal scans have shown that this one is an actual living creature." Powers' eyes widened as he took a step back. "But [i]how?[/i] How does it breathe? How does it even survive in a vacuum?" While it was true that several alien species discovered on numerous colony worlds [i]could[/i] survive in space, most of them only lasted a day or so before expiring. Nikolai turned to him with an equally confused expression. "I don't know. I'll store Data File BS-01 on this 'bio-ship' for further analysis." 

The ships faded out, only for them to be replaced with a holoprojection of the [i]Oblivion,[/i] which had launched several craft, likely transports. Powers closed his eyes and took a breath, before opening them again. He pulled out a small vial of clear liquid and dropped some onto the fresh bloodstains of his uniform. They disappeared almost instantly. "Right. Launch Stingray and Gladius squadrons, and a flight of Firestorms. Along with that, tell launch Locust fighters. Status on shields?"

Nikolai looked away for a second. "Eighty-six percent and climbing. But don't you think this is too much, commander?"

"I am [i]not[/i] taking any chances." Powers almost growled. "Increase security in Hangar Bay Primary, and get two companies of Marines down there, and a squad of Special Security Suits. Make sure all turrets in the area are tracking any and all craft entering the [i]Paramount.[/i]" Nikolai stuttered for a second, before nodding and disappearing. Satisfied, Powers adjusted his hat and turned around to the elevator. A pair of Marines fully covered in grey, white and blue powered armour signifying their role as security saluted as they flanked Powers' sides. From there, the trio began to make their way down to the hangar.

Outside, two dozen or so fighter craft and gunships flew out, guarding the [i]Paramount[/i] like bees around a hive. In the massive hangar bay, a company of Marines, all in powered armour, stood waiting with their weapons ready, along with security troopers in much heavier and bulkier armour.


[hider=Weapons and Vehicles of the UEGNC]

[hider=AF-31 Stingray Multirole Fighter]
[img]http://img00.deviantart.net/31e9/i/2013/075/c/1/fighter_by_proxygreen-d5yauc8.jpg[/img]

The AF-31 Stingray is the mainstay starfighter of the UEGNC. They are equipped with two four-barrelled autocannons, four missile pods, and a rotating ventral gun. They, like all UEGNC aircraft, are propelled by two pairs of repulsor engines.
[/hider]

[hider=AF-27 Gladius Fighter Interceptor]
[img]http://66.media.tumblr.com/48e6f5d3613411c2d44d5c11e796a851/tumblr_myj9a6HfMw1rfyiu4o1_1280.jpg[/img]

AF-27 Gladius is the most commonly seen interceptor fielded by the UEGNC. They are more lightly armed than fighters, but make up for it in speed and manoeuvrability. They use three rotary autocannons, two missile pods, and two gauss cannons. Their speed comes from five sport repulsor engines.  
[/hider]

[hider=GMP-341 Firestorm Gunship]
[img]http://img15.deviantart.net/d0f5/i/2012/104/c/5/thor__empire_frigate__by_kypcaht-d4w78tx.jpg[/img]

The Firestorm Gunship is one of the fastest and deadliest gunships used by the UEGNC. While not meant for dogfighting, they can still pose a threat to fighters with their homing SWARM missiles and four railguns, accompanied by three cannon turrets.
[/hider]

[hider=DYF-40 Locust Drone Fighter]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/42/59/84/4259843c2f3dc69adba7efc9c4bc078c.jpg[/img]

Weak and vulnerable but incredibly fast, cheap, and easy to produce, these unmanned fighters are the mainstay of any high-risk area. They are armed with four autocannons.
[/hider]


[hider=Types of Power Armour]

[hider=Marine Powered Combat Armour]
[img]http://www.halopedia.org/images/0/0f/HReach_Noble6_concept.png[/img]

[/hider]

[hider=MPCA/Support]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/2f/46/01/2f4601235907d35f4454c953c03b0ed0.jpg[/img]

[/hider]

[hider=MPCA/Heavy Infantry]
[img]http://guiltyspark.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/gs_Jorge.png[/img]

[/hider]

[hider=MPCA/Aerial Assault]
[img]http://photos.imageevent.com/afap/wallpapers/videogaming/haloreach/Reach%20Concept_Carter.jpg[/img]
[/hider]

[hider=Special Security Suit]
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/77/04/4c/77044c2f7087cf17c8b90142fa4e65d9.jpg[/img]
[/hider]


[hider=ACAR-38]
[img]http://img04.deviantart.net/56db/i/2013/082/c/e/corp_assault_rifle_by_therollingman-d5z0vti.jpg[/img]

The Advanced Coil-operated Assault Rifle 38, or ACAR-38, is the standard issue assault rifle for general infantry. It fires 8.41x63mm PTF rounds at a rate of 1,650 rounds per minute.   
[/hider]


[/hider]

[/hider]

[hider=Paramount Interior]

[hider=Hangar Bay Primary]
Main Hangar
[img]http://img03.deviantart.net/6d58/i/2015/238/c/9/enigma_hangar_by_icedestroyer-d9798h5.jpg[/img]

Central Launch Facility 
[img]http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/halo/images/6/6b/Halo_Online_-_Anvil_Station_-_Hangar.png/revision/latest?cb=20150908164231[/img]

Fighter Launch Bay
[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k7frurZi8Ls/UVqV-BsEIeI/AAAAAAAAAXY/KcjBIuvwc7w/s1600/space-depo-destiny.jpg[/img]
[img]http://img03.deviantart.net/b1a3/i/2015/047/c/5/sci_fi_hangar_by_vattalus-d8i9enr.png[/img]

[/hider]

[/hider]