MASS EFFECT: THE LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS
Special Delivery
It had been some time since the Firefly-class transport ship Serenity had returned to Earth. As one of the ships in the Sangheili Fleet Shadow of Fury, she spent most of her time amongst the stars, involved in one mission or another. The ship had seen better days; she was technically an antique, from a line of ships that had been decommissioned many years ago. As the small ship descended through Earth's atmosphere, her shape resembling a bird or insect, she shook ominously, giving the crew and passengers the impression that she was about to drop apart.
In the pilot's seat on the bridge, Call fought to keep the ship flying on a straight path. As she was an android she could not sweat, but her face showed clear signs of stress, her wide brown eyes staring doggedly out of the window, her pale fingers clutched so tightly on the control stick that it was very possible she would leave indentations on it. In the co-pilot's seat was the ship's captain, Alan Tyler, pushing his long brown hair out of his golden reptilian eyes as it kept shaking loose. His face, a distorted cross between human and reptilian, kept shooting glances over at Call as she fought to keep the ship in the air, his mouth twisted into a grimace exposing his sharp fangs. Atmospheric re-entry always made him nervous, as even his grey pebbly scales began to turn slightly pale, his claws keeping a tight hold on the console as if afraid that it would dislodge at any moment. Even his long, thick tail seemed to be reacting to the situation, as he involuntarily tried to wrap it around the seat to hold himself steady. For him, this was the worst part of any spaceflight, and he kept muttering silent curses as the ship bucked and the glow of the superheated hull was visible through the window. After several minutes the glow subsided, and the rattling lessened, though did not leave entirely due to high winds outside. It didn't help that it was night-time on the part of Earth that they intended to land, or that the weather happened to be rain, so the ship ended up flying through dark clouds, the glow of re-entry being replaced by an incredible amount of water.
"Security codes accepted," said a voice over the comm. channel. "You're cleared to land, Serenity. Approach on this flight-path. It's bad weather down here so watch for the landing markers."
"Roger, ONI Control," said Call, her voice barely more than a squeak due to her nerves. "ETA seven minutes." She shook her head as the comm. channels closed. "I don't know how Bishop and Alistair did this for so long." Alan felt a pang of regret when he heard those names, especially as he was reminded that the body of one of them was in their infirmary, waiting to be buried decently at home.
"Just take us in nice and easy, Call" said Alan, trying to sound reassuring. "Just remember that any landing you can walk away from is a good one." He stood up, keeping a tight grip on the console as the winds buffeted the ship about. "Bloody typical. First time we come home in a year, and it's pissing it down. You'd think we were landing in England, not bloody New York."
"Pardon me, Captain," said a cold female voice from the doorway.
"Doctor Halsey?" asked Alan, turning to face the speaker. She was an older woman with short, silver hair and wearing a white UNSC lab coat. She held onto the door frame leading down into the main corridor as she peered at Alan with a hardened expression, every line on her face seeming to give the impression of someone with a frosty demeanour.
"You're supposed to stay in your seat until the plane reaches the terminal," continued Alan. He didn't care for Dr. Catherine Halsey, not after everything he had heard about the woman.
"Whatever," replied Halsey, shaking her hand dismissively. "Kelly wants to know when the ship will be landing at ONI. I don't care to repeat her exact words, but she wants to be back on terra firma very soon."
"Won't be any longer than a few minutes," said Alan, his eyes narrowing.
"Good," replied Halsey. "Because I don't wish to be on this... vessel any longer than is necessary."
"And I'll be glad to see the back of you," said Alan. "I've heard a lot about you, Doctor, and there are a lot of people out there who want to see you rot in prison for what you've done, including me. The only reason I haven't turned you in to the Citadel Council is because Kiryuu seems to think you have some use, and even then I got the distinct impression that it was under duress."
"He has every reason to resent me," said Halsey, apparently not caring that the former President of the United Nations Space Command did so. "Yet he is still turning to me for help. It must be serious if he wants me on board for whatever it is he's involved in this time."
"Oh, you have no idea..." Alan breathed. Halsey and several other survivors had spent the last seven years on a Forerunner Shield Installation that was trapped in slipspace. For them, only two years had passed, and in that time they had no contact whatsoever with the outside world, so they had no idea that they were about to be briefed on the greatest threat the galaxy had ever known, one that had already destroyed all life in the galaxy an untold number of times, repeating a Cycle of Extinction roughly every 40,000 years.
"Captain?" Call chimed in. "We're inside the landing markers now. I'm taking us down."
"Good job, Call," said Alan, reaching for the intercom. "All hands, we'll be landing within the next minute. Once we've done so make your way to the cargo bay." He replaced the intercom.
"I suppose it's time for me to face the music," said Halsey, sounding almost bored. "I create the soldier that saves the galaxy from the Covenant, and this is what happens to me. That's gratitude for you." Without another word, she spun on her heel and marched down to the cargo bay, leaving Alan to just shake his head in disbelief.
"I swear if I ever have to have her on this ship again, I'm throwing myself out of the airlock," he muttered.
"With or without a spacesuit?" asked Call.
"Doesn't matter," replied Alan, folding his arms.
The Serenity was capable of performing vertical take-offs and landings, due to the rotating jet engines on either side of the hull. Call carefully lowered the ship through the torrential rain down towards a large oval courtyard surrounding a triangular building that was made of a dark metal. This was the New York division of the Office of Naval Intelligence. The city lights of New York could be made out in the near distance, and the courtyard was brightly-lit to help the Serenity with the landing. The ship soon landed with a heavy jolt, the whining of the engines dying away as it came to rest. Alan walked down into the cargo bay to find his crew and passengers gathered there. Four Spartan super-soldiers were present, standing close to the airlock doors, wearing their green MJOLNIR armour and their faces covered by the visors on their helmets. Stood with them were Dr. Halsey and Senior Chief Petty Officer Franklin Mendez, an older balding man with scars that ran from his brow to his chin. A rattling noise could be heard all around them as raindrops bounced off of the hull.
"Sounds a bit wet outside, Captain," said Mendez, as the mutant approached his passengers.
"Just head straight inside," said Alan. "I don't think Kiryuu wants any of you to come home only to catch the sniffles."
"It'll be good to see some rain," said the Spartan known as Kelly, who had an emblem that resembled a rabbit painted onto her breastplate. "Perpetual sunshine on a Shield Installation gets repetitive after a while."
"You'll be debriefed by Kiryuu Knight and Fleet Admiral Stephen Hackett when you get inside," said Alan, as he pressed buttons on the control panel beside the airlock doors. "Guess there's nothing left for me to say than 'hope you enjoyed your flight' and 'welcome home'."
The cargo ramp lowered and the airlock doors slid open, revealing the sodden courtyard. Instantly the Spartans jogged down the ramp and headed towards the ONI building, keeping in a tight, disciplined formation. Halsey and Mendez followed them, Halsey throwing her coat up over her head in an attempt to keep dry. As they left, another company of soldiers stepped onto the ship, wearing what looked like large waterproof ponchos and bearing several crates between them.
"You giving us a resupply?" asked Alan.
"Compliments of the Utah Foundation, sir," said one of the soldiers, throwing a quick salute. "We also understand you have a casualty on board?"
"I took the liberty of telling Kiryuu before we arrived, Captain," said Call.
"Understood," said Alan, nodding, his eyes closed and nudging his thumb behind him. "He's in the infirmary, just through that door and on the left."
"Thank you, sir," replied the soldier, motioning for two of his colleagues to follow him through to the common area, carrying a stretcher between them. Alan turned to look as his crew.
"Well, don't wait on ceremony," said Alan. "Get yourselves over there. Kiryuu will want us there for the debrief."
So his crew stepped out of the ship and into the downpour. First was Nicole-458, a Filipino-American woman who also happened to be a Spartan, and as a result was almost seven feet tall. Unlike the others, however, she was not wearing her armour, instead wearing slacks and a T-shirt, her hair spiked at the back with long bangs framing her face.
Second was Dorva 'Elus, a Sangheili, a race that resembled bipedal lizards with brown skin and four appendages that made up their mouths, earning them the derogatory nickname of 'split-faces'. He was the tallest of the crew, but like others of his kind he walked around mostly hunched, making himself appear shorter. He lumbered out of the ship with his gangly limbs, following Nicole towards the building. Call and Alan followed him out, with Alan almost feeling like he was about to be flattened to the ground due to the large raindrops.
He was about halfway across the courtyard when he realised there were two members of his crew missing. Looking behind him, he saw one of them. He looked like a bizarre cross between a wolf and an Eastern dragon, his lupine head having furry ears, long braided black hair and long fleshy tendrils that trailed from his nostrils. His skin was a deep forest green, with three triangular markings on his cheeks which were lined by webbed frills, and glowing cyan eyes. Out of his back grew green draconic wings, and behind him swayed a scaly tail with spikes and ending in two barbs. This was Megellan J'rasai, a Lengodo Kethosi, one of the many sub-species that made up the Precursor race, long thought to have vanished from the Milky Way galaxy. He was a Technomancer, a master of a technique which, when used properly, effectively allowed one to warp reality and access all the information they could ever want. The glowing cords that were the most obvious sign of a connection to the vast Array were extending from his head, splintering over his head to form a sort of canopy which the rain bounced off of. To Alan's mind it made him look like he was carrying a glowing umbrella, and he was looking at Alan with a cheerful expression.
"I see the weather on Erde-Tyrene is as variable as it was in my day," he said. Alan looked around and behind Megellan, for there was still one crew member missing.
"Where's Gillian?" he asked. "Is she staying on the ship?"
"No, Captain," said Megellan, peering at a spot to his left. "I just think she has not seen rain in a very long time."
Alan looked in the direction Megellan was facing, and saw his last crew member; a teenage girl named Gillian Grayson. Her shaggy black hair was now pressed flat to her face by the raindrops, and she was wearing an ornate environment suit sans helmet with circular patterns on it. This type of garment was usually worn by the Quarians, a race of people with such weak immune systems that they could only move about inside such suits. She had her arms outstretched to her sides, her long face peering up into the sky with a broad grin on it. Clearly she was having the time of her life feeling the drops of water splash against her face.
"I can stay out here with her until she's ready to come inside," said Megellan. "We'll meet up with you again later."
"Don't be too long," grunted Alan, feeling his mouth fill with water every time he tried to speak. "The last thing I want is for either of you to get pneumonia." With that, he sprinted into the main foyer of the building, where he saw the others waiting. Halsey and her group were stood away from the Serenity crew, apparently not wishing to mix with them for longer than was necessary. Everyone shook themselves, trying to warm up and making puddles at their feet.
Hearing footsteps coming from above them, Alan turned to see two people striding down the stairs into the well-lit lobby. The first was Fleet Admiral Stephen Hackett, a human male, dressed in a blue dress uniform with medals pinned to his chest. Like Mendez, he too had a scar that ran from his brow to his chin on his aged face, lined with a thinning grey beard. Beside him was what looked like a bio-mechanical dinosaur, wearing an immaculate dark suit over gleaming silver combat armour, a long tail snaking behind him. His head was reptilian in shape, covered with grey scales and with emerald-green dreadlocks made from the synthetic muscle tissue known as bio-syntech. This was Kiryuu Knight, the former President of the United Nations Space Command, and a former ambassador to Earth on the Citadel Council.
Already, Kiryuu was smiling when he saw Alan, stepping forward. He held out a silvery, armoured claw to Alan and immediately Alan took it.
"Alan," said Kiryuu. "It is good to have you home." His face then became dark and he dipped his head as the soldiers entered the foyer, carrying Alistair's covered body between them. "I am sorry about Alistair."
Alan nodded: "Thanks, Granddad. Is there any way his body can be taken back to London?"
"I've been able to contact his clan," said Kiryuu. "Don't worry; we'll make sure he gets back to them. Though I will say, in light of the tragedy, I am happy that all of you have returned safely." He then let go of Alan's own taloned hand and nodded to each of the Serenity crew before his eyes came to Dr. Halsey and he took in a deep breath. "Hello, Catherine."
"Hello, Kiryuu," said Halsey, looking up at the taller biomecha. "It has been a long time."
"Indeed it has," said Kiryuu. He looked like he was straining to maintain his rather business-like and courteous composure as he spoke to her. "How was your trip?"
"Bumpy," said Halsey. "Especially with that rickety old ship Captain Tyler commands."
"Well, it was not I who gave Captain Tyler his ship," Kiryuu began. "That was Lofwyr. I'm sure he would be very pleased to hear what you think of his old ship."
Halsey's face bunched up in disgust when she heard the name 'Lofwyr'. She took in a deep breath, inhaling through her nose as she collected her thoughts. Then, she leaned up to whisper into Kiryuu's audio sensors.
"Don't think I can't see the resemblance between you and Captain Tyler," she whispered.
"Figured it out already?" Kiryuu asked, lowly rumbling.
"I'm not that stupid, Kiryuu Knight," she said. "You know using G-Cells is outlawed. If I'm correct, you're the one who issued the ban. I should call you a hypocrite for creating something like him."
"Catherine, I had no hand in making Alan what he is," said Kiryuu. "And it happened prior to the ban, long before the world even knew who and what I am." His eyes narrowed dangerously at her.
"I've been given the warning to stay away from him already, Kiryuu," said Halsey. "You don't need to tell me as well."
"And I suggest you follow it," said Kiryuu. He backed away from her and looked to Mendez, who then nodded.
"Mr. President," he said.
"He's not the president anymore," said Halsey.
Kiryuu huffed and turned back to her, his mouth drawing a long frown. A lip curled and a fang flashed through the scaly lips.
"I wish to inform you, Catherine," began Kiryuu. "That thing you stole from me. It has finally been returned."
Catherine's stony frown grew and her steely eyes stared deeply at him. Kiryuu met her grey eyes with his own golden ones.
"Seven years has passed, hasn't it?" she asked.
"It has," said Kiryuu. "And she has delivered your package as well. She has shown me much about the Forerunners and their lies. I'm sure you've seen Alan's new crew addition, the green wolf-dragon who can use Technomancy."
Halsey nodded: "I have."
"Well, you haven't seen anything yet," said Kiryuu. He looked around for Megellan and his expression melted to match his disappointment. "There's one missing, where is he?"
"He's with Gillian," said Alan, walking up to him. "Re-enacting Singin' in the Rain, by the look of it."
Kiryuu nodded and backed away, standing right beside Hackett.
"It is a shame that he is not here," said Kiryuu. "His old friend would be rather disappointed in not seeing him with the group."
"Old friend?" Alan asked.
"I think he ought to be here when we have our little discussion," said Kiryuu. "No matter, I can start the debriefing without him."
"Kiryuu," began Hackett. "I figured you would tell Halsey about what's been going on these past seven years since she disappeared."
"Yes," said Kiryuu. "That."
"Alan Tyler mentioned these Reapers," began Halsey. "But refused to elaborate on them."
"Well, only because perhaps he knew I would be able to show you, Catherine," said Kiryuu. "Hackett, I hope I would not be too much in trouble if I make a little connection in the room."
"I think I can bend the rules just this once," said Hackett. "Sometimes seeing the Reapers in action is better than just seeing a little file on them."
Just then, Megellan and Gillian entered. Hackett's eyes lit up when he saw the Precursor.
"Ah, here he is," said Kiryuu. "Commissioner Megellan."
"I honestly didn't want to believe you," said Hackett.
Kiryuu rose and then brought himself to Megellan, holding out his metallic hand to the Lengodo.
"Bon'yurno, Megellan-ku" Kiryuu said and Megellan took it, shaking it ecstatically.
"Bon'yurno to'a ha, Knight-go" said Megellan. "Ru'gu na g'gander ethachi."
"Yu'garith ju'ma rigah lithor," replied Kiryuu.
"Echeso," said Megellan.
Kiryuu chuckled and then turned to Alan who gave him a bewildered look.
"I've been learning the language," Kiryuu said. "My new teacher has been rather helpful."
"Well, I know he always loves to teach others our language," said Megellan. "You are a bit nasally in your pronunciation, but better than I imagined for a beginner."
Kiryuu rocked back onto his heels, placing his hands behind his back: "He already taught me how to count–the hard way."
Megellan laughed, clapping his claws when he realized what Kiryuu had meant.
"Learning to count, the Blitzardi way," Megellan said. "I hope he didn't break anything."
"Only my pride," said Kiryuu, before turning to Hackett. "Hackett, this is one of the first Technomancers. As you can see, he is permanently connected to the Array."
"I would arrest him for it, but I don't think a cell would hold him," said Hackett.
"Probably not," said Kiryuu. "The ban is only on humans for now."
"You've banned Technomancy?" Megellan asked. "Why? We gave you that technology for you to freely use. Why ban it?"
"War," said Kiryuu. "Lots of war was caused because of it. Not exactly a ban anymore, more like a huge regulation upon it to keep people who would use it for harm from using it. Certain people must be approved to be able to even go as far as One Stripe."
Megellan sighed and dipped his head: "Well, it is your choice. Far be it for us to dictate what you do with what we give you. I am just sorry to see that it had come to that."
"For now, it is necessary," said Kiryuu. "But it doesn't mean we don't have Technomancers trained for battle." He stepped back. "Allow me to show you my skills." He looked to each of them. "Don't be alarmed; what you are about to see is nothing more than an illusion, but it will be rather vivid."
He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, allowing his mind to connect to the ethereal. He felt a part of him be lost to it, reaching out to the very edge of the universe and a hand coming in to caress him, inviting him in. Kiryuu opened his eyes. Instead of being the gold colour they normally were, his eyes had turned blue, glowing brightly like two blue-white suns. He tilted his head to the side as three triangular stripes appeared upon his right cheek. Then he tilted his head to the other side as another three triangular stripes appeared upon his left cheek. Then, he bent his head forward, allowing the ethereal, ghostly, cyan cords to grow out from the back of his head, parting his green dreads. They rose up and stretched towards the ceiling and appeared to disappear into nothing. Kiryuu rose up off the floor, floating as if he was being suspended by the cords themselves. His body was outlined by a faint, blue glow. Most in the room looked on with wide, amazed eyes, though Megellan looked on calmly. Kiryuu raised his hands and the room itself just seemed to crumble and vanish, giving way to the blackness of space. All around them they could see stars, billions of stars.
"Nice little display, Kiryuu," began Halsey. "But I didn't come here for a light show."
Kiryuu turned and without a single word, pointed towards the expanse on the right. Halsey turned and everyone followed her. Slowly coming up from the right was a vast, metallic, purple-hued ship with blue lights along the detailing. It was long, its bow tipped with feelers while the aft was smooth and sharp. Halsey thought it looked like a cuttlefish. There were many more looking similar to it, but each having different shapes and designs roaming with it as they made their way through the stars.
"Those are the Reapers," said Kiryuu.
"Ships?" Halsey asked.
"No," said Alan. "They're not ships."
"If only it were that simple," said Megellan, shaking his head.
The ships suddenly collided with themselves, each one coming together to form into a massive metallic ball. Then, the ball morphed, growing three long necks topped with draconic heads. Powerful forelegs and hind legs grew out as the body shaped. Twin tails whipped about behind the thing and a pair of great bat wings spread wide. The purple colour brightened, becoming golden and the three-headed dragon roared, a bell-like call sounding in different pitches from each head. Halsey's eyes widened. Alan just fumed as he saw that familiar shape.
"Catherine, meet King Ghidorah," said Kiryuu. As if on command, King Ghidorah whipped about, bringing one massive head towards her. Halsey stepped back and Kelly and Mendez surrounded her in a protective formation. Kiryuu shook his head. "It's not real. He's not here."
"Monster Zero," said Halsey. "The Reapers are–"
"The most destructive and dangerous being in the galaxy," said Hackett. "From what Kiryuu has told ONI, the Reapers are him, segmented off, acting as a collective to his will."
"The Reapers and King Ghidorah," said Kiryuu. "King Ghidorah is the cause of all the Cycles of Extinction in this galaxy. He uses his Reaper forms to cover the galaxy and kill much faster than he normally would as one being. Better to divide your efforts than just strike one planet at a time. Very effective strategy."
King Ghidorah's form morphed again, his golden scales turning purple again as his form divided back into the Reaper ships once more.
"You've seen the Mass Relays," said Kiryuu. "King Ghidorah built them from parts of his body. The substance known as Element Zero is also bits and pieces of him scattered all around this galaxy. And we use King Ghidorah's bits and pieces unfortunately to get around faster in the galaxy than we would normally through slip-space." The scene changed as an image of a Mass Relay appeared, the glowing ball of energy pulsating in the centre of the alien tuning fork as a ship approached it. A tendril of light grabbed the ship and suddenly it vanished, being propelled out through the fork end.
"King Ghidorah built the Mass Relays as a means for us to travel through space and become dependent upon him," said Kiryuu. "Once we are dependent upon his power, he comes, shuts down the relays, traps us, and picks us off one by one–causing the Extinction."
"And we are currently trying to find ways of keeping that from happening," said Hackett. "We've been asking our manufactures like Saeder-Krupp to return back to the Shaw-Fujikawa Drives. However, that's gonna make us rather slow in getting around the galaxy again."
"The Sangheili High Council is placing a ban from any of their ships using eezo," said Kiryuu. "But they already don't want to be a part of the Citadel Races given they wish to keep their independence and their big ships." He dipped his head. "I'm inclined to agree with them now. The point is, we must minimise the usage of the Mass Relays. You see, you come in contact with anything that is a part of King Ghidorah, you risk losing yourself to him. It's what he wants. He wants us to use his technology, he even wants us to find it in hopes we would attempt to use it against him."
The space vanished, reforming the debriefing room again. Kiryuu lowered down to the floor and disconnected, any signs of Technomancy usage vanishing.
"I have been informed that Cerberus tried to take technology from the Collector Base," said Kiryuu. "The Collectors were agents of King Ghidorah. They raided human colony worlds, collecting humans."
"Why?" Halsey asked.
"To make them into a Human-Reaper," said Hackett. "Mr. Knight gave me the file on it before you all arrived. Unfortunately, we still cannot quite act on Cerberus and their leader. I've kept this information classified from many of our own higher-ups, whom I fear are sleeper agents for Cerberus."
"Human-Reaper?" Megellan asked. "Oh no." He looked absolutely horrified by the news. His glowing blue eyes lit up and he backed away, feeling weakened. "No, no, he couldn't be trying to–oh no. No!"
"What's wrong?" Kiryuu asked.
"Humans and Kethosians are the only ones capable of using Technomancy," said Megellan. "However, the Forerunners stole some of those abilities from us. How they stole it was because they have the ability to mutate their own bodies for specific functions. They took hold of cell samples from my people and were able to mutate their own bodies to utilize Technomancy. The ability to Connect comes from your DNA. Your people, many, many tens of thousands of years ago agreed to undergo augmentation for Technomancy usage when we were ready to give you the ability. Because of this, every human has the ability to use Technomancy once you are shown how to Connect. But if King Ghidorah was capturing humans to create this Human-Reaper–then–then he could have the power to access the Array and–oh no. He's trying to get Her! She's the thing he's been trying to absorb since he came here. If he gets to her, he will control all of us."
"Her who?" Hackett asked.
"Her being the Array," said Kiryuu. "I can't really say any more than that. The Array is the centre of all knowledge that has ever come to existence. If King Ghidorah accesses that, then he will know everything and he will control everything." He shook his head. "And he can do that through humans. Don't worry, Megellan. The base was destroyed and so was the Human-Reaper."
"Thank goodness," said Megellan. "But it doesn't stop King Ghidorah, not just yet. He may try again with other means. Trying to use King Ghidorah's technology will be disastrous on its own. I do not suggest any of you attempt to use it for your own advantage. Even if you think you could use it against him. The Forerunners made that same mistake which is why the Flood exists. You cannot control King Ghidorah."
"So, this is what's been going on while I was away," began Halsey. "The galaxy coming under siege. You've let things go to hell, Kiryuu."
Kiryuu growled: "I don't think you understand the full extent of what has been going on, Halsey. Ever since we made contact with the Citadel, it's been one problem after another. Telek helped us get to the Citadel, we thought that we would have some allies finally among other alien races; instead we were smacked with alien bureaucracy. Then Sovereign came and I discovered what the Reapers were. Every 40 thousand or so years, the Reapers come back to create their mass extinction. Actually what they do is absorb our DNA to make more Reapers. Like they were doing with the Human-Reaper. They would do that for all the sentient species of the galaxy."
"And by doing so, they will take away Free Will," said Megellan. "Everyone's right to be who and what they are. It's all about keeping Free Will strong. The right to choose is the greatest power of them all. Take away that, you take away hope."
Halsey shook her head. Kiryuu could read that she was not the least bit horrified or shocked, just annoyed. That woman could never be horrified or shocked.
"We've faced genocide before at the hands of the Covenant," she began. "And now we're facing genocide again–all because you had to listen to your drunken space pirate, Kiryuu."
"You blame this on me?" Kiryuu asked. "I didn't even know what the Reapers were until they showed up. Not even the Forerunners spoke of them." He turned to Megellan. "Why didn't they speak of them?"
"Corrupted data in the Array," said Megellan. "They didn't want any of their failings to come to light. However, my people have faced the Reapers since they first appeared 250 million years ago. Only two generations of my people." He scratched the back of his neck. "However, while the Reapers are relatively new to us, we've faced others that are just as bad before. My people's existence is to keep creatures from the Far Realm out of the universe so that they will not hinder the evolutionary path of other sentient beings." Megellan crossed his arms. "There will always be other monstrosities coming from that place. Even if we do get rid of the Reapers, the fight is never over. We believe She made it that way so that we can keep on our toes, grow ever stronger with each fight. My people keep advancing with each battle with those monsters. I suppose the theories on it are correct."
Kiryuu sighed: "An ongoing battle. Wonderful."
"You are not alone in the battle anymore," said Megellan.
That statement alone brought a smile to Kiryuu's face.
"No, not anymore." He cleared his voice. "Hackett, would you be so kind as to fill in anything I've missed with Dr. Halsey? I wish to have a nice chat with Alan Tyler."
"Of course," said Hackett. With that, he ushered Halsey, Mendez, and Kelly as well as the other Spartans out.
Kiryuu walked towards Alan and smiled. He then looked to Megellan and motioned for him to follow.
"You all are free to roam about," said Kiryuu to the rest of the Serenity crew. "I just need to borrow Alan for a moment and Megellan. If you don't mind."
He took hold of Alan's shoulder.
"You need to see this," he said. And before Alan could say anything else, within a flash, Kiryuu, he, and Megellan had vanished. The next instant they were stood inside a vast chamber of black stone and golden, angular designs. Alan looked down upon the floor, turning in place. As he stepped, the floor rippled slightly, but it remained solid and firm despite it. He felt the ground quake slightly as heavy footfalls came close. Looking up, he noticed both Kiryuu and Megellan now in their true sizes. Megellan looked to be similar size to Kiryuu. Above them hung a high ceiling, golden and blue lights running along the gold plating. It looked strange and utterly alien. Though, he recognized the curly lettering along the walls as being what Megellan called the Blitzardi language, which served as the common language for all Kethosians due to Blitzardi rule. Kiryuu knelt down to Alan and then lowered a claw to him. Alan climbed in and Kiryuu slowly rose to his feet.
"Where are we?" Alan asked.
"We are inside the Shi'lithra," said Megellan. "The Battle Chariot of the Emperor."
Just then armoured guards wearing the familiar armour that Alan had seen Megellan wear the first time they met phased through the walls, causing the black stone to ripple. Electricity seemed to pass between them when they came through, lighting up the chamber in a brilliant golden glow.
"Blitzardi," said Megellan. "Imperial Honour guards." He then came to kneel upon his knees, bending low to the stony floor. "Excuse me."
Alan felt his heart tremble just for a brief moment as he watched the guards line the walls. Then, he saw one rather tall looking Precursor dressed in more ornate, angular armour walk towards them. He made both Kiryuu and Megellan look rather diminutive, Kiryuu's head barely even coming up to the Precursor's shoulder. His face was concealed behind the armoured, draconic helm. Golden brown hair flowed down, bundled up into dreadlocks and cascaded down his back. They were tied in ornaments and various bobbles that glowed blue. Guards stood in front and behind him. They turned and took side positions around the centre Precursor.
"Y sey sah," said the centre Precursor in the ornate armour.
"Hu sey sah," Megellan replied. "Ru'hashi."
The Precursor started laughing, building a deep chuckle. He lowered an armour claw and motioned for Megellan to rise. The Lengodo came to his feet, looking up at him. The other Precursor raised his claw and pressed a depression in his armour. His helm peeled back from his face and then the armour began to fold away, piece by piece until the Precursor was revealed. Standing in luxurious robes of scarlet, violet, and royal blue was a coppery-golden giant with a similar mixture between an Eastern Dragon and a wolf. Branched horns of gold grew out from his head. A pair of broad gold wings with ruby membranes folded gracefully to his back. Coppery, fleshy tendrils grew out from his upper lip. His tail was lined with a twin row of spines and tipped with two spikes that strangely looked polarized like that of an electrical plug. Electricity seemed to spark up and down between the spines. Alan could smell a faint scent of ozone about the creature, and a charge in the air. Even without the armour, the Blitzardi was still massively tall; Alan figured this Precursor could easily break even Kiryuu in half. The gold and copper Kethosian's eyes glowed blue much like Megellan's signalling his connection to the Array. Three pairs of black stripes lined his cheeks and the blue white cords hung loosely under his heavy mane. In his bangs were two broad stripes of white hair, giving him a rather wizened appearance. The Kethosian laughed and opened his arms wide, gathering Megellan up in them and hefting the smaller Lengodo up off the floor in a great, welcoming hug. Megellan laughed with him.
"You old bastard!" he began now in English. "I've missed you!"
"I never knew how much!" Megellan said. He looked down at Alan just as the Blitzardi let him go, lowering him to the floor. "Alan! I would like you to meet Emperor Xi Kedzuel Draconis. The current ruler of my species and two galaxies. Three if you actually count this one."
"Four, actually," said Kedzuel. "And a few outer clusters. No thanks to my megalomaniacal uncle. He just couldn't stop at one. But we'll stick to two since the legalities on Kethosian ownership of this galaxy are up to debate again. Given we've not been back here in a hundred thousand years. I think that leaving it to its own devices means we don't own it anymore."
Kedzuel lowered himself to Kiryuu's claw and to the tiny mutant standing with wide eyes as he came to him.
"He is Blitzardi, Alan," said Megellan. "They are the military backbone of my people."
"Kedzuel," began Kiryuu. "This is Alan Tyler. He is the one who saved Megellan from Halo."
"Hello," said Kedzuel. "I am very grateful for what you've done for my old friend."
"Uh, you're welcome," said Alan. "Um, Your Highness."
"Call me Kedzuel."
He leaned away only to elbow Megellan right in the ribs. Megellan growled, leaning over, holding to his side.
"You didn't even call, Mel," he said. "Gone a week and you don't even call."
"A week?" Alan asked. "He was gone–"
"Kethosian perception of time," said Megellan. "Only a week passed for me while I was there whereas life times passed for you." He turned to Kedzuel. "I had to do something. But I hear you let everything go to hell afterwards. Explain that, Kedz."
Kedzuel rolled his eyes just as he heard the sound of a panel drop from the ceiling, crashing on the floor just left of him. He snorted, crossing his arms.
"That doesn't sound good," said Megellan.
"Rur letho le!" Kedzuel called, barking out his command to a guard. "Ch'ga yakko!"
The guard nodded, swiftly leaning down to pick up the panel that dropped and picked it up. She slowly began to walk up the walls, nothing but the surface keeping her stable and finally rounding to the ceiling, setting the panel back into the hole. An orange beam shot out from her index claw and she began to weld the plate back into place. As soon as the panel was set, she kicked off the ceiling and landed back to the ground.
"Rada ho," she called. Kedzuel lifted a claw in a dismissal gesture.
"They don't make them like they used to," he said. His eyes came back Alan. "As you can see, we're working as hard as we can to get this old hunk of junk back together."
"This ship is one of the ships responsible for keeping the Reapers out of the galaxy, Alan," said Kiryuu. "When the Kethosians left the Milky Way Galaxy for Andromeda, they started their Cycles of Extinction."
"What I want to know is why you left in the first place," said Alan, putting his claw on his hip. "Meaning no disrespect, but we could have really used your help these last few million years."
"We never meant to leave the galaxy," began Megellan. "But all those who were not as technologically advanced as us started revering us as if we were gods. That was one of the reasons why we had to leave. We assigned the humans to the job of protecting the galaxy until the Usurpers stole that charge."
"And then my uncle went mad with power and started one war after another; we were left in a devastated state," said Kedzuel. "I've been trying to pick up the pieces since then." He sighed and looked up at the ceiling. "We forgot what was important and started turning upon ourselves instead and our society has been suffering since." He gave a shrug. "I don't even know how this Citadel Council Kiryuu and Malcho have spoken about will even take our return. We don't intend on joining it, though; our society is beyond their understanding. But if we are going to act within your galaxy and help with your fight against the Reapers, we need to make some sort of move to let them know we are here when we are ready for them to know we are here."
"It'd have to be something pretty damn spectacular," said Alan, shaking his head. "They've spent the last two years pretending the Reapers don't exist. They know full well what they are, but they want to 'prevent panic', to put it in their words." He groaned and rolled his eyes.
"As much as we don't want to cause any chaos as well," said Kedzuel. "I'm inclined to agree with them on the 'prevent panic' part. Sometimes mistakes happen when irrational people act."
"One of the reasons why Kedzuel's people have to act in secret for now," said Kiryuu. "If the Council knew that we are stealing resources in order to rebuild the ships, they would be furious."
"But you guys are rebuilding your ships here, right?" asked Alan. "Megellan told me the whole story. When we've got those ready will we even need the Council?"
"I'd say we would need their opinion on the situation more than ever," said Megellan.
"As I stated, technically, this galaxy belongs under my rulership," said Kedzuel. "You, your planet, this Citadel Council, the Sangheili, and many others, whether you know it or not, are my charges. Before we left, as you may have heard, to keep our resources stocked, we mined planets regardless to whether or not sentient life was on it. If it was, we would ask first, well, most of the time. It depended on the current Emperor. Some Emperors felt it was their 'divine' right to take your resources. Khan was one of those Emperors. I'm more the asking type." He scratched his furry chin. "Though there are planets without life on them for us to mine, many of these planets still fall within the jurisdiction of this Council and other sentient species. If one of these species finds us stripping that world bare, questions will rise, fingers pointed, and we would be in more trouble than we plan on."
"And the last thing we want to do is to show them the full might of the Kethosian empire," said Megellan. "We want to do things diplomatically. But there is also another reason why we want to involve your Council and anyone else willing to help."
"The protection of the galaxy shouldn't be left to anyone in particular," said Kedzuel. "If it is, all other 'lower' lifeforms will come to depend on that one society. It'll get to the point where you can't even tie your own shoes without calling upon the 'Guardian' species for help. And that creates stagnation. In some ways, my uncle was correct in having us all leave, but the method he did it was rather–shocking to the system. But if everyone is involved, everyone sees how important protecting this galaxy is, then we all learn to rely on each other rather than just one species who just so happens to have the better toys." He shifted his weight, placing his claws behind his back. "We may not share our technology with the other races, but we will share the responsibility. The fight against the Reapers is everyone's fight."
Kedzuel stepped back and opened up his arms. Bolts of lightning raced up and down his forearms and forked and splintered up, sizzling across the surface of the walls and ceiling. The lightning appeared to strike the honour guards, but they made no movements to block it. In fact, it seemed they were enjoying the display. Panels began to move and shift, filing themselves along the walls as a vast window opened up showing a spectacular view. Kiryuu brought Alan over to the window and what lay before them was the surface of the Earth. Down below Alan could see North America turning as it came into view. Alan's eyes widened, Kedzuel's massive ship was in orbit. A couple of UNSC ships floated on past the window but they took no notice of the alien ship watching them.
"They can't see us," said Kedzuel. "We are out of phase with reality here. Your ships will just pass through without even noticing us. But if we drop the cloak, what a fright we will cause." He looked back to the others. "This ship is almost repaired. I say we have a week left to work on it. Little wires here and there to solder. That sort of thing. But the other ships are still being repaired. I have them all in this system. It is maintaining the maintenance of these ships that is the problem. Even after we win the war, I will still need to have my people mine for resources. I would much rather not do it secretly. I wish to do it with the full confidence of the other races. And we want to build a new relationship with the species that live in this galaxy like we have before. To do that, we need to speak to centres of intergalactic governments like this Council."
"If we want to keep this galaxy safe," began Kiryuu. "I think working together with each other would be very important. No secrets should be between us."
Alan sighed, looking out of the window as North America slowly passed by beneath him. He was thinking about all of the people he had met out there in the galaxy, all of the alien species he had encountered. King Ghidorah and his Reapers were a threat to all of them, not just to the human race. Before this moment he had to admit to himself that he had never truly understood the scale of the fight ahead. He knew that Technomancers could potentially do anything, but Kedzuel's words rung around in his head. He understood now that it was arrogant of him to think for even a second that they should only rely on Technomancy, or be reliant on any single method to defeat the Reapers; that was the kind of mistake that was leading the Illusive Man down his dark path. He pictured the faces of everyone he had met on his travels, and he understood that they could not do this alone.
"Agreed," he said, turning back to face the towering trio. "The Council will take a lot of convincing, but we do have friends out there we can trust. I should put you in touch with Commander Kaelyn Shepard; she's the reason we're not facing the prospect of a Human Reaper, and she's got a long list of contacts we can make use of. Bear in mind it's not just the Council races and the other Citadel races we have to convince. We've got the Krogans, for one thing, and we'll have to get the Quarians and the Geth on the same side somehow as we'll need their fleets, though frankly that's asking for a miracle. I'm not confident anything could convince the Batarians to fight alongside us, though; they really have it in for humans." He folded his arms, his expression resolute. "We've got to start doing this while we've still got time, and as soon as we've got something concrete to go on we've got to get everyone involved in this fight talking in the same room. It's not gonna be easy, though; there's a lot of bad blood out there."
"Much of that bad blood," began Kiryuu, "I had a hand in creating. Most of it started when Admiral Hood suggested I should be an ambassador on the Citadel. Then when I started finding out about the Reapers and the truth behind them, out of fear that they would label me a conspirator, I had to keep some things from them. But that did not sit with the Council either. Ever since then, many have had little faith in me."
"I see," said Kedzuel, sighing in dismay. "This is most troubling."
"And now we are keeping ourselves secret," said Megellan. "A part of me right now wants to shout out to Erde-Tyrene that we have return, Kedzuel."
Kedzuel shook his head, his brow furrowed, the ornate beads in his mane jingling.
"I think we need to broaden our range," he began. "Bring more people in who we can trust." He looked down at the smaller mutant in Kiryuu's claws. Then, he turned to Megellan. "What do you suggest?"
"Alan Tyler's superior, the Sangheili Telek 'Heros may be one," said Megellan.
"Actually, I was about to suggest that," said Kiryuu. "If you haven't told him already, Alan, now would be a good time. Let him and his Shipmasters know, but only them for now. He is good at keeping secrets. I on the other hand will start working with President Mendoza and UN Secretary-General Ramalho." He dipped his head to Kedzuel. "I will do my best to ease the blow of your presence here, Your Majesty. We need to start preparing as soon as possible."
Kedzuel nodded.
"Alan," began Kiryuu. "As soon as you have to report in to Telek, if he makes any question as to why the Precursors haven't shown up, tell him they have, but for now are keeping a very low profile so as not to frighten the galaxy while they prepare for the Reapers arrival."
"I think I can do that," Alan said.
"Good," said Kiryuu. "I will keep you informed of our progress here as well. Once we have the Shi'lithra ready for a proper shake-down, we should be ready to reveal to the Council our intentions. I think demonstrating the power of this ship should be enough to give them a good eye-opener."
"This ship?" Kedzuel asked with a chuckle. "It would be like giving them a nice cold shower to wake them up. All I would have to do is drop the cloak. And if you give me the coordinates, I can be at the Citadel in a second."
Kiryuu chuckled.
"Alright then," said Alan, clapping his hands together. "In the meantime, I'll get out there and see if there are any other leads we can chase. I can't help but feel we haven't seen the last of Cerberus, for one thing; somebody's got to make sure they behave themselves. Let me know as soon as you guys are ready to move forward. Serenity and I will come running."
Kiryuu rumbled when he heard the word Cerberus and his lip curled into a sneer.
"Just when I get close enough to even so much as learn the name of the Illusive Man, he slips away from me," he said. "He and I are two chess players in a constant stalemate. Someday, I am going to take him down. I am glad that Shepard made the right choice and those who worked for Cerberus under her command have come to trust her more than the Illusive Man." He looked to Kedzuel. "I will contact Shepard and personally introduce you to her, Emperor Kedzuel. I think if I contact her first and then you follow me would be the best route."
"Good idea," said Kedzuel. "I'd hate to be on the bad side of another potential ally. Mel, stay with Alan on his ship. He could use your expertise. And I will keep you up to date on the progress of the repairs."
"Are you sure you don't need me here to see the final preparations, Kedzuel?" asked Megellan.
"I'm sure. Give me some credit, will you? I know I'm not the science type like you are, but I think I can work a welder just as good as anyone else."
Megellan shook his head: "No you can't, you're all thumbs when it comes to the welder. The Shi'lithra will have all sorts of scuff marks and hard gashes by the time you are done with the repairs."
The Blitzardi laughed.
"Oh, and one more thing, Captain," said Kedzuel all of a sudden. "Your grandfather has told me much about the ship you travel in. I have heard that a journey on the Serenity is like a journey back through time. Like Megellan, I have a fondness for the pioneer vessels that first carried all civilisations amongst the stars. May I perhaps ride as a passenger on your ship someday?" There was an odd look of child-like glee on Kedzuel's face, as if he was about to open his presents on Christmas morning.
"Ooookay..." he muttered, his eyes flicking to the ceiling and his mouth twisting into a smirk as he wondered if the 'Emperor' part of Kedzuel's name was a nickname rather than a title. "No time like the present, I guess. Who knows when you'll get another chance, right?"
"Awesome," said Kedzuel, grinning broadly.
