Mass Effect – Shattered Existence

Prologue

In the year 2148, explorers on Mars discovered the remains of an ancient space faring civilization. In the decades that followed, these mysterious artefacts revealed startling new technologies, enabling travel to the furthest stars. The basis for this incredible technology was a force that controlled the very fabric of space and time.

They called it the greatest discovery in human history.

The civilizations of the galaxy call it... MASS EFFECT.

In the years that followed Humans continued to advance and develop at a startling pace. Their desire to expand resulting in numerous conflicts, including the now famous First Contact War an event still remembered in the mind of humans and aliens alike. By 2176CE humankind had become a noticeable part of the galactic community with an ever continuous pressure to take on more responsibilities in the Citadel. Such desire for power didn't make many friends… especially with the Batarians.

Now known as the Skyllian Blitz it was a major assault on the human colony of Elysium in 2176 CE. A huge band of pirates, slavers, and batarian warlords, partly funded by batarian financiers, launched an attack into the Skyllian Verge, intending to destroy Elysium. Instead it became synonymous with the heroic stand of Commander Shepard and those who rallied behind him before Alliance reinforcements arrived to repel the threat.

For two years human operatives had hunted down any pirates they could find responsible for the Skyllian Blitz. Following any rumours which could possibly lead them to the culprits in a desperate attempt for retribution, It had led the prototype SSV Vindicator across the Terminus Systems before the blinding rays of FTL travel pierced the orbit of Lorek and the SSV Vindicator became a sight for all to see like a star erupting in the curtain of the night sky. It's luscious fauna breathing life down below will the ship descended into the glittering sea which radiated across the hull of the frigate as it flanked into the shore side. Looking across towards the settlement to the west embedded in the side of a mountain before he the ship landed with a gentle thump. Then there was silence as the SSV Vindicator's engines off-lined will the stars above illuminated the night sky within the SSV Vindicator it was a different story.

Moving around at a hectic pace the crew of the SSV Vindicator were forced to multi task as ship navigator Vincent kept his eagle eye's on the sensors ever wary encase activity popped up. Every man and women on board were aware of what they had been tasked and the important personnel they carried with them at the time. N7 Operative Shadow-Strike had been with the program for over five years and now he was being sent to investigate reports of Batarian influence in the attack on Elysium. The scars that crossed his body a sign of his excruciating training. As limb by limb was covered up by the impressive T-5V Prototype Battlesuit will his piercing blue eyes stared across the armoury that had been provided for such a mission. His gloved fingers wrapping around the stock of a loaded N7 Typhoon which was effortlessly slung over his back despite it's encumbering weight. Other weapons quickly being selected such as the N7 Piranha Automatic Shotgun and a silenced N7 Eagle Heavy Pistol clipping into his armour as he armed himself for the expected close quarters scenario.

It was seconds later that the gentle wind rushed the cargo hold will Shadow-Strike adjusted his helmet into place with a large clunk as comm signals went online. Advanced hydraulics in his suit activating as they worked against the weight of his suit. Effectively silencing the trudge of his feet as the 6,7 ft tall suit moved through the murky jungle as toxic steam emitted from large geysers. The steam covering his face as blue rays quickly cleared the visor will he kept his eyes out for lifeforms in the darkness as he came to a stop in front of a large barrier. A simple flicker in the visor causing it to activate nightvision will he began sending information back to the ship.

"I'm moving in on the colony. It's the standard Batarian colony set up from the looks of things a few guards… Well what do we have here". In an instant Comms Officer Nelson replied trying to pick up on what Shadow-Strike had found.

"Come in Shadow-Strike. What have you found?".

"The guards have got markings on them. Blue suns from what I can tell Batarians and Turians only I don't see any humans. I'm sending scans of the foundation."

Standing in the communications room of the SSV Vindicator seconds later Comms Officer Nelson spotted the incoming scans as they were projected across the viewing planes of the rooms war board. Small individual buildings popping up piece by piece as Nelson stepped over to the board waiting for the scans to finalize and give him a coherent three dimensional image of the land.

"Ok the scans are coming in. I'd proceed cautiously from here out remember you know the rules sir if your found."

A second later the comms were interrupted with the sound of fencing being melted open viciously by the jagged edge of an Alliance Omni-Blade before silence returned and Nelson went back to the incoming scans. There was a large building of interest which quickly became of importance to the comms officer as he ran his finger across the model as he tried to figure out access routes.

"We're sending you back the scans. Radio silence from here out."

Following the paths suggested in the scans Shadow-Strike stuck to the ground level of the compound as he slowly circled around taking less populated guard routes. Every step he took with a sense of cautiousness. Before he came to a stop as the T-5V Battlesuits right leg armour plating popped out allowing him to draw his silenced N7 Eagle before the plating crunched back into place. Edging his way across the winding crossways and deceiving paths he stuck low as the jet black armour masked his presence will he searched for his target. Coming to a stop Shadow-Strike had went straight for the largest colony shelter it was by all means the most obvious target. Peering across the rest of the colony from high above just below the very peak of the mountain as Shadow-Strike came to a stop in front of the high security blast doors. If he was looking to assassinate the target Shadow-Strike might have considered just blowing the support columns but the target was wanted alive a Batarian "Entrepreneur" named Romen Bagnarah. Alliance reports indicated the target was a nasty piece of work he was xenophobic and by all means a perfect conspirator of the Skyllian Blitz. Raising his arm to the door Shadow-Strike activated his omni-tool as the device began to interlink with the system firewalls before the tool sent a huge rush of medi-gel into the system as the door overloaded opening wide. Muzzle flash illuminating the small reception area before two bodies hit the floor in quick succession the landing being the only sound as Shadow-Strike entered the room. He was well aware the door couldn't be closed after it was overloaded with medi-gel he was now on the clock. Moving through the building Shadow-Strike kept to the walls with his pistol raised the two blue suns in the reception had been caught off guard but he didn't want to risk becoming complacent as he took each corner methodically. Most of the blue suns within the house didn't have helmets a security measure to ensure they couldn't be infiltrated through the use of disguised. There was sounds up ahead as Shadow-Strike came to a stop trying to focus on the voices.

A disgruntled and deep voice coming first as it sounded like the harsh tone of a veteran blue sun Batarian. "We get paid stop your whining it's safe work and easy work."

The second voice was of a young Turian though as the male spoke with a sense of confusion in his voice. "But why don't we actually go out there and actually kill a few of them. Their easy prey."

"The humans are better as slaves than dead. The council races just like to insult our race by even accepting such scum."

"Turian's are much a council race as the others they didn't…"
Suddenly the young Turian was silenced as his scales made little difference in the solid lead that impacted across his skull carving a large hole in his face which spurted green blood into the four eyes of the Batarian. The distraction giving ample time for a follow up shot as the Batarian slammed into the metal door before he even had time to sheath his weapon. Then there was sounds from behind as Blue suns were alerted to his presence as Shadow-Strike reached behind his back… he was going loud. Very loud.

Bursting open the door three blue sun mercenaries came face to face with the glowing red circuitry of the T-5V Battlesuit with a gloved finger holding firmly onto the trigger of an N7 Piranha. An exchange of bullets from either side as the battlesuit was covered in the blue haze of it's shields which held firmly under fire will the N7 Piranha burst through the mercenaries shields with a torrent of lead in all directions. Quickly scattering lead, blood and body parts across the room with six thunderous shots that echoed throughout the colony alerting everyone to the sound. A swift flick of the wrist ejecting the experimental thermal clips systems that allowed the shotgun to fire at an excessive rate of fire. Something Shadow-Strike showed off as he moved into the central room firing off two rounds into an armoured guards chest with enough force to send him through the window bulletproof window behind him. His entire waist rotating towards a Turian standing behind the door. The Turian's phaseton battering his shields before the weapon was stopped mid clip by the spread of hot lead from the N7 Piranha's barrel. There was a single Batarian left standing with a Raikou standard line pistol raised to Shadow-Strike's head… he couldn't kill the target. He couldn't kill Romen Bagnarah the Batarian behind the large wooden desk.

"You've attacked me in my own home scum. You'll pay." Rising up out of his chair the Batarian kept his weapon honed on Shadow-Strike's head as he paced in front of the table expecting for his security detail to arrive. Swiftly lowering his right shoulder guard the T-5V battle suit suddenly revealed it's special hawk missile launcher. The device unleashing it's payload as it fired instantaneously at the Batarian's feet exploding with the force of a concussive round what forced Romen Bagnarah to the ground. Deactivating the suits "devastator mode" the circuits stopped glowing as suddenly Shadow-Strike charged forward slamming his foot across Romen Bagnarha's jaw before he could retaliate. "Romen Bagnarah under Alliance Law you're being charged for the crimes of slavery, assault and the selling of…". Forced to interrupt his speech Shadow-Strike rose up from the ground as fourteen mercenaries began to storm the building. Holstering his N7 Piranha back into his backplate there was a sudden click as he pulled out the large light machine gun known as the N7 Typhoon. Slamming into cover as he used the wall of the central office as cover will his circuits began to enlighten again making him an obvious target in the red glow known as destroyer mode. As blue sun mercenaries made their way into the room interlinking the central corridor and the main office Shadow-Strike pounced spinning out of cover as he stood his ground. Each chamber spinning furiously as they wound up before unleashing a deadly hail of bullet at over 10,000 rpm at full spin even the powerful suit hydraulics struggled to keep control of the weapon's recoil. With chunks of lead being spat out of the N7 Typhoons single large barrel both Turian and Batarian alike were ripped apart along with the environment. By the time the weapon eventually came to an abrupt halt all that was left moving was falling parts of dust from the ceiling and walls will blood filled the floor Shadow-Strike made his way back to Romen Bagnarha. The injured lump of flesh struggling to pull itself up as Shadow-Strike grabbed him viciously by the neck slamming him back into the ground unconscious.

"Package acquired."