THREE
After three years in deep space the Idenna had been unsucessful in finding an uninhabited world for the Quarian population who required a planet that could support dextro-amino flora and fauna, however the massive carrier had been mining surface minerals on the worlds they had found and was now filled to capacity. Onboard was a young Gillian Grayson and Hendel Mitra the only two human crew members of the Idenna. The carrier had surveyed over a hundred worlds hoping to find a new home for the Quarians, some were inhabited with primitive life forms,they even found twenty unactivated mass relays, but now they were returning to the known galaxy to unload their cargo, tons upon tons of platinum, element zero, iridium and helium three all valuable to the fleet. The ship had been on a six week journey to return to the only mass relay they activated during their mission it connected to the Haskins star system in the terminus systems known for it's single planet capek that was home to a collection of small Hahne- kedar robotics manufacturing plants and research labs .
"Getting approach vector from the relay.. Preparing for FTL jump" said the flight lieutenant over the intercom. The ship's drive core lit up as the ship was engulfed by the dark energy that instantly rocketed it to the ship light years away from uncharted space back to the known galaxy in seconds.
"We are almost home everyone Kelah-Selai" said Captain Ysin'Mal vas Iddena
The Quarian captain was seated behind the four officers on the ship. Hendel Mirtra who had been serving as the ships security chief. Ugho vas Idenna was the ships cyber warfare specialist, Dezan vas Idenna the flight lieutenant and Kesh'Ann vas Idenna the communication specialist
"Strange readings coming up on our long range scaners" said Hendel Mirtra
"What do you mean" asked Captain Ysin'Mal vas Iddena
"An old Batarian cargo ship with over two hundred weak life signs as if in medical stasis ,a mix of Asari, Human, and Turian close together on board with a group of twelve Batarians on the bridge " replied Hendel
Quarian scanning software and hardware was the best of any race in the entire galaxy a testament to the technical prowess of the race, variances between heart rates body temperature and chemical make up could be read even from thousands of kilometers away inside the hull of a ship.
"Definitely slavers hospital craft are clearly marked and this one has no registration data on the extranet, we have to disable them before they attempt to attack, sound the red alert and scramble fighters, Ugho get on hacking their systems to disrupt their plans of battle as much as possible and prepare some firing solutions, the scanners can't determine their shield strength and the fighter team will need support " shouted captain Ysin'Mal vas Iddena
"Acknowledged, they are using unsecured communication frequencies and have not properly configured their ship's systems firewalls, I guess they never expected to face Quarian cyber warfare give me a minute and I will have full access to every thing, weapons, gravity." said Ugho vas Idennna
Hendel left his station and headed for the elevator leading to the ship's hangar bay upon arrival he headed to his locker were he donned his blue Quarian made space suit with kinetic armor, six other Quarians, three pilots and three marines were already present their environmental suits rated for the vacuum of space along with Gillian who was already at her locker putting on her specialized suit also. Gillian was the only minor on the ship but Her status as one of only two Biotics aboard and some persuasion from Hendel the Captain allowed her to be part of the fighter team.
Hendel headed to the to the four passenger fighter he piloted along with Gillian and three Quarian marines, the ship was a custom Quarian vessel that could be used to board other ships. The other pilots followed suit as the ship's hangar bay door opened shielded by a mass effect field that maintained the atmosphere and gravity of the hangar. The other Quarians boarded their craft and took off, departing in the direction of the slave ship.
Hendel's ship took point ordering the four ships in a vic formation as they approached the slave ship
"Fighter one,on me we have to get close enough to board, two, three and four attempt to flank the ship before they notice" said Hendel the fighter team leader.
The Fighter squad started their final approach the slave vessel which in turn started to open gun it's ports Hendel's team's presence had been noticed.
"EVASIVE MANEUVERS Try to fire at the guns test the shields !" shouted Hendel over the comm unit.
The team followed orders firing short controlled bursts at the gun ports the powerful shields flashed while being weakened the ship attempted to return fire but Ugho, the Quarian cyberwarfare specialist had taken control of their guns making them fire wildly into the deep expanse of space totally missing the fighter squad he also stopped the ship drive core making any evasive maneuvering on the Slave ship impossible the battle was becoming almost too easy.
"Fighter team break off, a salvo of disruptor torpedoes are on the way" said captain Ysin'Mal vas Idenna over the fighter ships tight-beam comm channels
thirty seconds later three disruptor torpedoes struck the slave in quick succession ship's kinetic barriers they flickered blue and disappeared.
"Shields are down disable the guns" said Hendel.
The fighters all opened fire at the slave ship's gun ports and soon small explosions could be seen and fires started from the destroyed ports, the damage to the ships hull was minimal thankfully. Th The initial attack hand not ensured that ship was now fully disabled.
"I'm going in to board we have to eliminate the bridge crew, Ugho seal off the cargo area" said Hendel
"The bulkheads are sealed the cargo area should have atmosphere intact while you board, I can also turn off the mass effect fields that generate bridge gravity plane" replied Ugho
"Acknowledged, we're going in now" said Hendel
The fighter landed beside that the slave ship's air securing itself with powerful magnetic clamps. a plasma breach and cutting drone was deployed an onboard VI system hacked the airlock to decompress it and erect a mass effect field to preven explosive decompression when the blukead to the bridge would be opened. The drone then cut a small hole into the ship's airlock disabling the mechanical locks. A docking tube then extended from the fighter to the slave ship giving Hendel's team access to the slave ship.
Hendel exited first, taking point followed by Gillian and the three Quarian marines. The ship's pilot was the first contact he was using his seat as cover in expectation of the intruders, he fired a burst of gunfire at Hendel his shield easily withstanding against the gunfire Hendel returned fire whith his customized m7 avenger rifle cutting through his shields Hendel followed with a biotic warp field pushing and pulling the Batarian's flesh causing him fall to the floor dropping his weapon wincing in pain, A Quarinan marine delivered the final shot to his head ending his suffering. The boarding team then took up positions in the pilot's area it was large enough to easily hold the five man crew. the crew deck ahead had six curved support columns and a circular table in the middle of the room filled with displays for star system navigation weapons control ,aiming and a small holographic map of the galaxy good places for cover.
Distinct bursts of gun fire started emanating from the crew deck toward the cockpit Gillian sent a powerful Biotic pull field toward three unshielded Batarians who had broke cover, sending them floating into the air , she then opened fire along with the Quarian marines ripping through their armor and splattering blood and guts all over the crew deck.
" We're going to take your ships and sell you all off as revenge for killing our team" said and a Batarian as he broke cover and started recklessly firing from his vindicator assault rifle at the team. Two Quarian Marines returned fire ripping away his shields Hendel followed with a Biotic throw slamming the crazed Batarian into the wall at great force he was finished off with a burst of gunfire.
Hendel then activated his omni tool "Ok team let's end this, magnetic boots on" tapping the omni tool he opened a channel to Ugho "turn of the bridge gravity please" said Hendel to the cyber warfare specialist.
" No problem" said Ugho who now had full control of the poorly secured ship's electronic control systems. Tapping the execute command on his haptic console the slave ship's gravity was no more.
The seven remaining Batarains all were forced into weightlessness and due to the lack of gravity they began flailing about, the boarding team was however secured to the ground by their magnetic boots took the opportunity to clean house, they all started firing short controlled bursts at the slavers and one by one they went limp.
Hendel then turned his head to Gillian who smirked knowing what he was planning, Hendel sent a Biotic throw while Gillian sent a Biotic warp both Biotic attacks converged on the last remaining slaver the two fields interacted creating a biotic explosion ripping the Batarian apart sending body parts over the room the Batarian slavers had been no match for a true trained military force. The Quarian marines were impressed they had never seen any real action during the Idenna's tour but they had trained along with Gillian and Hendel on the Idenna's holographic training area.
"Everyone ok ?" asked Hendel.
Positive answers came from each of the team. Hendel tapped arm to activate his omni tool opening a link to captain Ysin'Mal vas Iddena.
"Crew deck is secure we are moving to secure the rest of the ship" said Hendel
"Good work Hendel, is Gillina ok ? I still feel apprehensive about allowing her to join the boarding party"
"She performed brilliantly and the custom suit Ugho and his friends made for her is excellent" replied Hendel.
"Ok, Keep me posted I'm opening a comm channel to the Migrant fleet we have to figure out what to do with the captives" replied Ysin'Mal vas Iddena.
"Noted, signing off" said Hendel ending the comm link
"Gillian can you stay here while we check the cargo hold ?" asked Hendel
"Ok, no problem" Gilian replied in a slight robotic tone a telltale sign of her autism. Even though her condition had improved since not being subject Cerberus Biotic experimentation, Hendel was not sure how she would react to the possible torture Hendel had known Batarian slavers to impose on their captives. During his service in the Alliance Hendel had been part of teams that liberated slaves during patrols in Alliance space. The experience was not something he would wish on his worst enemy.
The team proceed to the cargo hold an open room with around two hundred transparent tubes arranged in rows. Asari,Human males and females and a few Turian Males were in the display unnerved Hendel certainly not the worst had seen but definitely the strangest, each captive was in a sort of stasis, displayed as a piece of merchandise it sickened Hendel that sentient beings had to be treated this way.
"Each tube has a control panel and data on the person inside" said one of the marines.
The tube in front of Hendel seemed interesting it housed an Asari her purple skin tone shimmered under the small light emanating from the tube her face accented with white streaks, Using his omni tool Hendel accessed The data on the captive she was a two hundred and twelve year old from the planet Illium.
"I'm opening this one be alert" said Hendel
Hendel tapped the open command on his omni-tool , the tube hissed and retracted the asari inside stirred slowly opening her eyes. A blue field of Biotics engulfed her body as she lunged for hendel knocking him back to the tube behind him the Marines in the room trained their guns on the enraged Asari.
"Don't shoot !" Hendel said dropping his gun and raising his arms
" Why should I not kill you all ?" asked the Asari
"We liberated this ship from Batarian Slavers I assure we mean no harm"
"Hmm, ok then what do you plan to do with us"
"I don't know, We are still trying to figure that out"
"I am a spaceport official on Illum I have been there sine my birth, I think was drugged at a party, I awoke a few times at a base of some kind long enough to figure out that I was captured by slavers I was soon drugged and awoke again here, If you are interested in helping, I can get us through customs on Illum, I suggest you check and interview the rest of Captives carefully" said the Asari as she rose and calmed her Biotics.
"Connect to a comm bouy and get into contact with the fleet" said Captain Ysin'Mal vas Iddena
The console in front of the Comm specialist lit up with activity as he contacted the fleet on secure channel
"Priority Message from Admiral Shala'Rann vas Tonbay" said the comm specialist
A holographic image of the admiral materialized on the bridge.
"To all Quarian vessels and those on Pilgrimage Rendezvous in the Illum star system immediately" said the recording of the admiral. Captain Ysin'Mal then clicked a button on his console opening a channel to Hendel
"Hendel, what's your status" asked the captain
"The cargo hold is secure we are interviewing the former captives an Asari says she can get them through Illum customs to their freedom" replied Hendel
"Throw the slavers out the air lock and return to the Idenna, let the lieutenant pilot the cargo ship in close formation to us and bring Gillian the one who said she can get them through customs to the bridge." said the captain
" Wait are you sure we can just throw them out ?" asked Hendel
"Yes, Hendel Ugho has just finished searching the Extranet this ship is wanted for piracy on three separate colonies within the Terminus with instructions to capture or kill the crew we could even collect a bounty but the Idenna is being called back to the Migrant fleet I will brief you on the matter later" replied the captain
Fifteen minutes later the slave ship was cleared of the slavers the airlock was repaired and Hendel was returning to the Idenna with Gillian and the Asari, No other former captive had made any attempt to attack most were farmers and miners from remote colony worlds a few exotic dancers were also among the group. Some of the Quarian marine team stayed back to pilot the cargo ship while the others followed Hendel to re-dock their fighter craft on the Idenna and get some Dextro and Levo rations for the captives . Upon docking Hendel made his way to the bridge followed by Gillian and the Asari
"You're pretty, I'm a Biotic too " said Gillian in her usual monotone voice
"Thank you dear, May I ask why are humans in the Migrant fleet ?" asked the Asari
"We are hiding from a Terrorist organization" replied Gillian with no change in her voice
The Asari was taken aback by her somewhat casual sounding reply to the question. that moment the elevator doors opened revealing the bridge. "We'll talk more later dear" sadi the Asari as she walked confidently into the bridge.
"Hello guest, I'm told you can help us out of our current predicament, may I have your name Hendel neglected to tell me" said the captain addressing the Asari.
"My name is Niara'Tlani I was born on Illum during it's construction I work for Aria T'loak. I have been using my position to change the illegitimate to legitimate forging ship registrations, manifests the works when needed on Aria's behalf the relaxed laws on Illum make this fairly easy, she will be grateful to the Migrant fleet for rescuing me"
"Is slavery not legal on Illum, Can I trust you that the captives will be truly free" asked the Captain
"We prefer the term Indentured service it's a far cry from what the Batarians practice, extensive contracts are drafted and insurance and accountability is required for all indentured servants on Illum and violations are met with steep penalties, the captives however will be free to do what ever they please, let me contact my office to set up the specifics"
"I will trust you Niara, fate has it that we are to meet with the migrant fleet in the Tassale system if you can get new registration for the cargo ship we will need it for the Fleet as you can understand"
"No problem, it's the least I can do for the rescue".
A half hour and two mass relay jumps later the Idenna arrived in the Tassale system the entire Migrant fleet was present fifty thousand star ships in close formation Illum officials most likely called their presence an annoyance. Niara offered to pilot the captive ship accompanied by Three quarian marines and dock it on a space port on a small island on Illium to avoid any misunderstandings with ground control who usually buried Quarian piloted vessels in bureaucracy hoping they would leave, the shipping manifests and registration had been changed while they were in route and the captives were released with enough credits to get them back home.
"Open an encrypted tight-beam link on frequency 73254 to the Tonbay requesting an audience with Admiral Shala'Rann" said captain Ysin'Mal .
"Connection established" said comm specialist Kesh'Ann as a vid screen initialized showing a comm specialist from the Tonbay
"Idenna please confirm" said the specialist
"My body travels to Distant stars but my soul never leaves the fleet" said the captain
"Identity confirmed ,the admiral will be with you momentarily" said the The comm specialist on the Tonbay
Five minutes later a holographic representation Shala'rann vas Tonbay the Admiral of the Patrol fleet materialized on the Bridge.
" Ysin'Mal I assume you found a new home world for us" said the admiral in a sarcastic tone
"Unfortunately, no Admiral, we mapped a hundred worlds but none were suitable to support Dextro Amino flora and fauna, we did however have an encounter with a Batarain slaver ship and were able to add it to the fleet we also filled the Idenna to capacity with valuable minerals and resources" Said the captain
"Great work Captain the resources and the ship will benefit the fleet immensely, I know you got my message so I will cut to the chase we are about to launch an offensive to retake Rannoch from the Geth" said the admiral
"There will be heavy casualties but why now ?"
"Our newest admiral Tali'Zorah recently joined a human captain named Shepard on a campaign against the enigmatic collectors rendering them no longer a threat the revelations from the mission how ever are leading us to believe that the collectors were agents of the same race of ships as "Sovereign" a race of sentient machines that will soon invade the galaxy we have to get a home world before they arrive we can meet and look at the evidence in detail if you like but I would like to talk to Hendel and Gillian ,I trust they are ok" said the Admiral
"Yes they were instrumental in taking the Slaver ship they are on the bridge now actually"
The captain motioned to Hendel and Gillian to move closer allowing them to be picked up by the 3d camera. The two humans were now visible to the Admiral
"Hello Hendel and Gillian your presence on the Idenna had benefited the Migrant fleet greatly but I am sure you heard we intend to begin a war against the Geth and we cannot in good faith ask you to follow us as you joined us to protect Gillian from Cerberus but we will now be launching an offensive against the Geth she would not be very safe here, our children will also be kept away from the battle, I hope you understand"
"What do you think Gillian ? Asked Hendel
"It's Ok ,I want to visit Ms Sanders and see my Dad"
"We thank you for your sanctuary in these past three years, but can you tell us about any Cerberus activities you may be privy to"
"Well, we know they have gained popularity among the humans recently after their recent campaign against the collectors however we have received reports that a recent Turian operation has rid the systems Alliance of many high level operatives tied to Cerberus."
"Thank you admiral we will find transportation at a space port on Illum" said Hendel
"That's all for now then captain Ysin'Mal" said the admiral as the comm link was closed
"The Marines have just returned" said the flight Lieutenant.
The Marine lieutenant made his to the bridge to deliver his report.
"The captives were released without incident they will all be returning to their homes, a few decided to stay on Illum, Niara was able to get new registration for the slaver ship and she set up a discount for ship weapons at one of the stores planet side" said the Lieutenant
"Hendel and Gillian will be needing a small shuttle due to circumstances they will be leaving us now" said Captain Ysin'Mal.
"Understood I will take them Niara has smoothed things over with the Spaceport officials across Illum we should have no trouble dropping them off" replied the lieutenant.
