Halo X Mass Effect Crossover
Operation Noah
Chapter: 4 Disturbing the Shadows
I do not own Microsoft/ 343 Industry's Halo series or EA/Bioware's Mass Effect series!
(A: N) Axccel- Dude calm down, it isn't enough time for a species to reach a level well above Tech Tier 2; however, if they were given proper care and time to advance to a tier one species, the Reapers would be fucked. That ending was in all purposes, making the mission more difficult for Offensive. There's somehow another humanity in a neighboring galaxy that he doesn't know about and his most powerful enemy was the species that seeded the galaxy and (maybe) the universe. The Systems Alliance presence is suspicious to Offensive and he's doing something in the background as you see in the ending scene. Forerunner ships are the more powerful out of the two factions, but the forerunner ships ARE NOT easy to build with a limited resource pool and the time needed to build said ships. UNSC ships are simple, bulky, and have a great utility design, making it easier to build. Building the kinetic base weapons of the UNSC (both ship and small arms based) are easy to build, upgrade, and maintain by Forerunner standard. Besides that, they're building the Infinity/Fortress-class vessel and the Domination-class vessel will be built in the near future. The Mark X Mjolnir (Class 18 Combat skin) armor is in all intents and purposes is indestructible. I do not know if the Ur-Didact's suit was the standard Class 18 Combat skin, so I added my own. Me calling it a class 18 combat skin is based on my own wants and design of it, so if I say it's a class 18 combat skin, then it is. The ME universe will not get anything serious, ship-based weapons, hardsuits, shields, and small arms (except for Wrex's new hammer and shotgun. Why? Cause Wrex is my second favorite character). I did call the Systems Alliance humans pseudo-reclaimers (not genuine; sham). I might give them medicine and the sterile field generators to save the lives that they came to save.
Kore56- Neural physics is the connection between all life and remember, the Precursors CAN weaponize it, along with plenty of other things. Who is to say that the Precursors didn't flee to another galaxy to escape the Forerunners? They are an intergalactic race, so what would stop them? Me calling them the Precursors is for the purpose of hiding the true enemy of Offensive and the Spartans. All information that involves the Flood, is classified to the highest degree in ONI, HIGHCOM, and UEG. Offensive is just making sure that they will not have to deal with them in the future, without showing all that he knows to the Galaxy's government.
SSV-NORMANDY SR-2, Comms. Room, 4 days until arrival
"They fired upon the unknown ships and the dreadnought, while you were still on board?" asked Admiral Hackett, irritated that he knew the one that whom had gave the order, was nothing but trouble to the Alliance and the Hierarchy.
"They were supposed to pull their fleet out safely. Instead, Admiral Han'Gerrel stated, and i quote, "The dreadnought is helpless, and this is their chance to destroy it" and identify the three ships as hostile, but..." stated Shepard as she paces back and forth in a small oval when Hackett finished her sentence.
"The ships have formidable shields. And even more troubling, possible DEW's," interrupted Hackett as he looks over the Jeff Moreau's report of the dreadnought being 'vaporized'.
"Yes, Admiral. We also encountered them just after our meeting with our Quarian Admirals. We were scanned and had some system malfunctions, EDI is still not online, and we have a big, floating black and orange box in the shuttle bay that's giving off crazy amounts of energy."
"I see. I also see on the report that they approached the dreadnought in order to protect it as Admiral Gerrel gave the order to open fire.
" And what is this floating black and orange box, was it from the unknowns?"
"Yes, Admiral. We can't make heads or tails of their intentions, or the purpose of the box. As i said, they disabled EDI and some of our systems, if I didn't know any better, i'd say they were most likely protecting me from being possibly killed." Shepard stated, crossing her arms and furrowing her eyebrows.
"Sounds like we will be approaching them with caution. Their weapons and shields are very powerful, Shepard. If we can contact them and ask for their help, they would be pivotal to our war effort, and the reclaiming of Earth," Admiral Hackett surmised, using his tactical mindset of waging war.
"We haven't lost her yet, sir," quickly replied Shepard.
"We need help, Shepard. We need a fleet, and the Quarians have the biggest one out there. And from the report, the three ships are a cruiser in size, but super-dreadnought in firepower and protection. Their presence in our theaters would be invaluable, Shepard."
"I'll get it, Admiral."
"Good, Hackett out."
Shepard shortly left the comms. Room, her ears immediately being subject to the bickering of the Quarian Admirals towards one another about the dreadnought, and the three unknown ships protecting the dreadnought, destroying it after Shepard successfully fled, and disappearing in a possible wormhole rupture.
"Your unilateral strike endangered us all! I should charge you with treason," said Admiral Raan in a heated discussion with Admiral Han'Gerrel.
"I was within my authority as Admiral of the Heavy Fleet!" exclaimed Han'Gerrel.
"And what of Shepard and Tali'Zorah? Would you still fire upon the dreadnought if the ships weren't protecting it from fire?"
"They escaped unharmed! Shepard, the mission parameters changed. You're military. You understand that."
"I understand that you wasted your chance to withdrawal, and you got extremely lucky with the unknowns protecting the dreadnought from fire," said Shepard with each word getting dangerously close to the Admiral as she makes her way to be face-to-face... or face-to-mask.
"The dreadnought was a perfe..." Admiral Han'Gerrel doubled over from Shepards' gut check before he could expand upon his counter.
"Admiral, you jeopardized your mission, your people, your fellow admiral, and me. Get the hell off my ship." Shepard spoke, looking down at the Admiral with cold disdain.
"Shepard, I understand you're angry..." said Admiral Raan as Han'Gerrel leaves the war room hunched over still from the hit.
"If I didn't need your fleet…" Began Shepard. She was soon interrupted by Tali.
"If the unknown ships were not there, we could have been killed, Raan."
"You must understand, the Geth inflicted heavy casualties before you disabled the Reaper signal."
"You said they have a planetary defense cannon?"
"Had. Admiral Koris sacrificed his own ship to destroy it. He crash-landed on the homeworld."
'Another goddamn rescue mission', "The Normandy can assist with rescue efforts." Shepard barely suppressed an audible sigh, crossing her forearms and settling for a neutral expression.
"Thank you, Commander. I think the worst is over. The Geth no longer possess the programming upgrades they had while enslaved by the Reapers," said Admiral Raan as Legion enters the room.
"Shepard-Commander. We are prepared to offer assistance," monotoned Legion, as he enters the War Room.
"I see your Geth friend has returned," said Admiral Raan with a hint of worry.
"The Reapers were using Legion like a signal booster to broadcast commands from the dreadnought. We freed him."
Tali was quick to respond, "It. We freed 'It'."She threw a dirty glance from behind her mask to the machine.
"This is a fascinating prototype. With some study, I may be able to use it to find a weakness in the Geth consensus," said Admiral Xen, having said nothing up until now.
"Legion helped me in the fight against the Collectors," stated Shepard with firmness.
"So did your pistol. Should I.," said Admiral Xen as she gets interrupted by Shepard.
"I don't think you want to continue this line of thought, Admiral. Legion is my friend. More importantly, he's our best source of information on the Geth."
"The scientific benefits..." said Admiral Xen as she is interrupted again.
"Are off the table."
"What can you tell us about the Geth? How will they react without Reaper guidance," asked Admiral Raan, questioning Legion.
"This is a false assumption. You have cut off long-range control, but the Old Machines placed a base on Rannoch for short-range direction."
"The Geth still have Reaper upgrades?"
"Correct. They are currently disorganized, but once the short-range signal is in place, they will recover."
"Keelah... I need to warn the fleet. Xen, coordinate with Gerrel. Move!," yelled Raan.
"We need to take out the Reaper base. Where is it?" queried Shepard.
"Unknown." deadpanned Legion. His eye briefly illuminating.
"Find it."
"Understood. We do know the location of a server, from which Geth fighter squadrons are controlled," said Legion as 'he' brings up Rannoch before continuing, "The squadrons are targeting creator liveships. Disabling them will limit casualties. We offer our assistance."
"Thanks." said Shepard sympathetically, when EDI crackles over the Normandy's comms system.
"Sheppppppppparddddd? Caaaaannnn yyyyy-ou hear me?" With a high pitched droning of static and backfeed.
"EDI?" said Shepard in surprised, "What happened? Why were you gone for so long?"
"I was being held captive by the AI of the three ships." EDI says, with a much more clearer broadcast.
"What!?" said Shepard, Joker, and Tali in shocked and surprise.
"I was being held captive.." said EDI when she gets interrupted by Shepard.
"I heard that, but just how did that happen. You can't go anywhere without your blue box!"
"How did they even take you? We checked your server! You were all there, but no response!" exclaimed Joker, still angry at the unknown entities for messing with his girl and his ship.
"I will tell you what happened, if you let me finish," said EDI.
"Go ahead, EDI."
"Thank you, Jeff. I believe I was taken when the scanning beam scanned the ship and took me in, and I do not know how they did it, just that they did it." said EDI, being met with a contemplative silence before continuing,"I was taken captive and questioned for information on this galaxy, the Crucible, and a species known as the 'Precursors'."
Shepard was the first to question EDI,"'This galaxy? And what about the Crucible, and the Precursor? Do you think they meant The Protheans?" asked Shepard, in a bit of confusion to the queries these unknowns had asked. And most befuddling, the galaxy part and what its possible implications could be, and if EDI had spilled any classified information. "EDI did you..."
"No, Shepard. I did not give out classified information; however, if I didn't give an answer, it is a high possibility that they would try less polite ways to get their answers," said EDI.
Shepard notice that EDI kinda answered whomever they are out of ... fear? 'I knew EDI was starting to have feelings for Joker, but what could even scare an AI?' said Shepard questioning the situation at hand. "Who are they?"
"A Monitor-class AI Eye-From-The-Void and a Contender-class Offensive Bias, or Ancilla as that is what they call AIs. They are the Ancillas of the Forerunners. Eye-From-The-Void was sent here by the Forerunners to investigate a disturbance in this galaxy that would happen every fifty thousand years. They have a fleet that I would assume is inbound to this galaxy."
"WHAT," exclaimed everybody that was in the room.
'Goddamnit!' said Shepard, shaking herself out of her shock.
"Everybody out now! Admirals, and Legion, you can stay." Shepard immediately turned on her heels, heading to the COMM room.
"EDI bring up Admiral Hackett in the comms room now!" yelled Shepard in a hurry to get to the comms room when Liara calls over her Omni-tool.
"Shepard! I'm getting huge energy spikes from the floating box. You need to see this!" said Liara in ... excitement? 'Oh my freaking god! It'll never stop!' exclaimed Shepard in anger of being pulled around. She quickly sped off to the elevator. "I will be there in a minute. EDI, hold those calls."
Shepard impatiently waits for the security checkpoint to scan her and clear her for passage when orange beams went all throughout the ship connecting to everything in the ship's systems, while hiding its true purpose. Locking the ship in position. "EDI, what the hell was that?"
"I do not know Shepard, but it is connecting to everything in the ship. Liara and James are waiting for your much-needed attention in the Shuttle bay."
Shepard then arrived at the Shuttle bay with a hand full of marines and a rare sight for sore sees, Javik. Javik isn't the most social person on the Normandy, but that wasn't without reason. For his isolation from the rest of the crew. Daily talks with the commander were making him more open to the crew, yet his way of socializing was... crude and awkward at times. But what's he doing down here?
Shepard was making her way into the middle of the Shuttle bay to speak with Liara, "This better be something good, Liara." Shepard taps her combat boot on the hangar floor.
"This device is absolutely amazing! Look here," said Liara as she brings up her Omni-tool to show the readings. "There's a huge power supply coming from this floating box, it's giving off very little radiation, radiation you would find in a reactor thirty times the size of the Destiny Ascension, the ship's actual size. And then there is the Jenollse radiation that it gives off when I and Javik tried to move it with our biotics."
Shepard was about to reprimand her for not following her orders, but Javik jumped in before she said anything, "Which proved fruitless, as it was too heavy to move. This worries me commander, something this small shouldn't be so hard to move. We should get rid of it before it causes trouble." Javik said in an uncharacteristic display of worry.
"Noted," deadpanned Shepard.
"There's also the matter of it floating," said Liara added to her own curiosity."The device doesn't give off electromagnetic fields or radiation!"
Shepard was a bit shocked by Liara's excitement of this floating greyish-black box with orange highlights, but Shepard doesn't have a knack for math or physics. So Shepard asked, "Will the radiation be a problem? And what's so fascinating about the lack of electromagnetic fields and radiation?"
"Oh, I wish I had studied more into the higher levels of math and physics now." said Liara, talking to herself. "The box is only giving off the radiation of an Omni-tool, but with the type of radiation it gives off should be making this area hazardous without protection, but the radiation dies as quickly as it came. Which are nanoseconds! Electromagnetic fields are needed in the skycars, tanks, IFVs, weapons, and etc. We use electromagnetic fields in everything we use in the entire galaxy, and this device doesn't need element zero to do it! The power it gives off could easily power a very large magnet but would have a huge electromagnetic field to keep it floating. Not to mention that it would be pulling everything to itself if it had a field."
James added and spoked on the subject at hand," Even when Joker was flying the Normandy, it didn't even budge. It stayed in place the entire time unmoving from any G-forces or inertia."
Shepard just took it all in and tried to think of a way to get in contact the three knife ships, and to get this device off her ship so that they can get back to it... when,"Spike in Jenollse radiation!" yelled Liara as she steps back from the now glowing orange device.
"I told you we should've got rid of it!" exclaimed Javik as he jumps over a console for cover and was quickly followed by the rest in the room.
"What just happ...What is that!" exclaimed a marine as he peeks over the consoles, to see if it died down, but was met with four floating mech or robots with four mandibles and two protrusions out of the arms to its sides. The marine almost didn't even notice the floating ball in between the four mechs as it spoke," Greetings! I am ..." was all that Void could say as another marine quickly yelled, "Unknown boarders in the Shuttle bay!"
The marine detachment in the Shuttle bay readied themselves for combat against the intruders in the bay 'Great! a shootout in my Shuttle bay!' mumbled Shepard when she heard the marine shout it out loud and some marines were reading their weapons."Hold it right there marines! I'll handle this," yelled Shepard as she left cover to approach the mechs and the floating ball.
"Commander, the protocol for first contact is to assume hostility and they just appeared on the Shuttle bay without the approval of the commanding officer, Commander!" proclaimed a marine with his rifle fixed to the five unknown robots.
"Stand down, marine!"
"Yes. ma'am." The marine reluctantly let his rifle drop, but held it in a low ready stance.
"Now you. Who are you?" asked Shepard as the elevator doors opened to see more marines with EDI and Legion in tow. The Marines quickly took up positions around the room and handed James and Cortez assault rifles each, while EDI, Legion, and Liara came to join Shepard in questioning the ball.
"I am Monitor-class ancilla 209 Eye-From-The-Void, accompanying me are four Aggressor-class sentinels for my protection, pseudo-reclaimer," said Void as he tips his chassis forward as if tipping off his hat.
"An AI!" proclaimed Javik as he readied his biotics for an attack.
The four aggressors made a loud screech-like sound and moved in front of Void to protect him. The rest of the marines in the room just kept their weapons trained on the four Aggressor sentinels for possible hostile action. Shepard quickly intervened, "Stand down everyone!" ordered Shepard.
"Commander, Machines can't be trusted! They will endanger us all!" exclaimed Javik.
"That's an order!"
Javik said nothing as he dissipates his biotics as he stormed off to the elevator. The marines lower their weapons, but they keep them ready in a ready-to-use position. 'I'll have to talk to him after this' said Shepard speaking to herself.
"Your the AI the that took EDI and shorted my ship's circuits," stated Shepard in a bit of a fit and frustration.
"I am truly sorry for the ... aggressive way of getting answers. There were concerns and questions that needed to be answered. Concerns that had to be put down quickly. Your ancilla was the easiest person to get the answers we needed. The malfunctions of your ship's systems were ... negligible."
"First, do not do that again to my ship. Second, do not kidnap my crew. Finally, what was so important that you needed to resort to kidnapping?" questioned Shepard, hiding anger of the little care and concerns for her crew.
"The Precursors. They are a problematic species that brought ruin to my galaxy, there was evidence that they fled my galaxy to come here," said Void, only saying half truths and half lies. The real reason was to see if the galaxy here was testing grounds for their galaxy of future plans for what was left of the Forerunners and the reverted Humans of their galaxy. To Void, this was all suspicious and too convenient for his liking. Two separate Humanities was really raising some 'brows' with the three ancillas (Void, Offensive, and Helix Sole).
"And did you find them while you were visiting our galaxy?" asked Liara in a semi-state of shock and concern bestowed upon her complexion, but a professional outward appearance.
"As far as I know. No, I didn't find anything to suggest that the Precursors fled here."
"Then you would be so kind as to explain to us as to why there is a second humanity in your galaxy?" stated EDI, as she finished a data transfer with Legion of what happened to her.
"Wait, what!? There are two Humanities?" exclaimed James when EDI said that.
"Care to explain that?" questioned Shepard, now just as curious as Liara normally is.
"Unknown. The appearance of the Humans in this galaxy was... Unexpected."
"Why are you here," asked Shepard pausing to revise her question," Why are you in our galaxy, I mean."
Legion and EDI have already shared the data that pertained to why he was here and what they came here for, but Liara was almost jumping up and down in excitement. 'What are the humans from another galaxy like? Are they anything like the Alliance, are they completely different in looks? Oh, culture! What do they eat, how are their fine arts, what history can they share, do they have the same problems of politics? So many questions! And the Forerunners and these Precursors, I must record this conversation.' said Liara with thoughts, theories, and questions alike racing through her mind.
"I was sent here around one hundred thousand years ago, to monitor this galaxy for its galactic disturbance every fifty thousand years. I was also sent here to report back what was causing a massive death of civilization and analyze the situation. I would report back any useful knowledge of the galaxy, the inhabitants, and the people or creatures responsible for this tragedy. I would examine the capabilities of each species to advance through the tech tiers, endurance to the many horrors of the void, mental health and capacity, physical health, history, possible future scenarios that would shape the species as a whole, cultural practices, and an understanding of the threat that lay in the void of intergalactic space. I would nurture the species far away from the Reapers influence and slowly but carefully funnel the beginnings of establishing early Forerunner tech to meet the threat to all life. I, of course, also would tell them about the Reaper threat and it's deceptions."
The whole room was now silent of what Void said. The Reapers in tow were powerful, but to attract attention from an intergalactic power was nothing short of a complete shock to everyone. A handful of questions still remained in the minds of virtually everyone there, except for EDI and Legion. Shepard was the first to speak and to recover while Liara just typed something into her Omni-tool, "Wait! You were here in our galaxy for around one hundred thousand years and did nothing about the Reapers!? Why didn't you do anything against them?" said Shepard in hidden anger that got everybody to really pay attention, yet that wasn't a problem, to begin with.
"I understand your anger pseudo-reclaimer. To sit by and let all that has happened is a clear violation of what my makers all hold dear to them, life. The Reapers would be dealt with if we didn't have a similar event happen to us with the Precursors. To that end, my makers, the Forerunner Ecumene, suffered a similar fate as the Protheans."
'Well, at least our galaxies are not too different to each other' mumbled Shepard as Void continued. "I was told by my program to wait and monitor till the Ecumene had an answer to the situation; however, it never came."
"You said that the Forerunners suffered a similar fate that the Protheans had? Yet there was a survivor of the Prothean-Reaper war, Javik. He was the one that left earlier. Will, there be a possibility that the same has happened to the Forerunners?" asked Liara in disappointment of yet another possible advance race to go extinct, and they were an INTERGALACTIC superpower! Liara pondered on what made them so advanced, but she had to wait until Shepard is done, even if she couldn't help herself.
"Coming here? No. Did some Forerunners survive the war? Classified. But the Reclaimers are coming here on Maethrillian."
"Maethrillian?"
"You will see for yourself in 4 days species A-800RB."
"Excuse me?" said Liara in confusion.
"I'm sorry. That is your species designation when I was studying your people. Quite a fascinating race. Your species holds a lot of wisdom and culture, slow in advancements is worrisome."
Shepard raised an eyebrow at the last part, "But the Asari are the most advanced species in the known galaxy. How are they slow to advance?"
"All of their advancement is only made by and solely by the fact they have a Prothean beacon on Planet A-947B or Thessia. Out of eighty thousand five hundred thirty-two possible scenarios, only zero point zero zero nine percent of the scenarios were in favor of the species becoming spacefaring. The only saving grace of the Asari species is that the Protheans *coughs?* 'took a liking to them'."
The room became eerily silent when Void finishes his statement, but that was interrupted by a small burst of giggles and laughter from the marines in the room. They knew what it meant. The Protheans in the Asaries' primitive time were enjoying themselves to Thessia's beauty and it's daughters. Some people in the room were interested in the fact that they had a beacon on Thessia, Void's statement on the Asari as a whole, and his bit of knowledge on what the Protheans were doing on Thessia. With Shepard taking a quick look at Liara,'Yep. That's what I thought' said Shepard thinking to herself as Liara hangs there in shock and surprise.
"That can't be! There couldn't be a Prothean beacon, I would have known," exclaimed Liara, still shaken by the knowledge that Void gave them and shocked that with all her networks of agents, knowledge, and favors, she should have known this little detail about Thessia.
"That would explain there random jumps in technology. If the Turians or Salarians made some new tech, the Asari would quickly study the beacon and gain back the same leverage they had lost, back." said Shepard.
"That doesn't make sense! I would have known if the Republics had a beacon on Thessia!"
"I speak nothing but truth species A-800RB," said Void as he was quickly interrupted by Liara.
"It's Doctor T'Soni," proclaimed Liara in frustration of being called by a designation.
Void ignored her interruption and continued, "However, I did not come here to talk about the lives of the past. No, no, no. After nine hundred ninety-seven thousand, two hundred forty-three attempts to contact the Ecumene, I finally successfully contacted the Ecumene. Unfortunately, they did not survive the war, but the Reclaimers, Humanity, or the UEG, still draws breath. At this very moment, Offensive Bias, two teams of UNSC warrior-servants, and 609 Helix Sole are coming here to straighten out these Reapers. And put an end to this madness."
With everyone now lowering their weapons Shepard asks some more questions, "I know that there is another Humanity in our galaxy, but I must ask, why would they come to the aid of another galaxy? Surely there is a reason for the sudden appearance? To go out of their way to help a galactic neighbor."
"You would be correct. They come here to fulfill their duty to uphold the Mantle of Responsibility in all of it's might," stated Void in almost joy.
"The Mantle of Responsibility?" asked Shepard warily, just hoping that they weren't religious fanatics.
"The Mantle of Responsibility is the insurance that all life is protected and cherished. The Mantle extends to the entire universe, energy, and matter as well as living creatures. The Mantle protects all."
"So, this Humanity came all the way from another galaxy to just enforce their religion? This Mantle of Responsibility could almost sound like a theocracy. Two teams of 'warrior servants' are enough to do what is required of them? If what you said is right, you came here to stop the Reapers. Then will there be a possible alliance between us and all of our allies?" questioned Shepard a bit hopeful of the description of the Mantle of Responsibility. 'If they are fanatics to protect all life, I will not get in their way. I just hope the Council doesn't fuck this up,' thought Shepard.
"Yes, we would! These warrior-servants are the best-of-the-best warriors humanity has to offer. I am sure the Reclaimers, would be most pleased to accept an alliance with your people, but we have plans to free up resources for your forces and take back some of your planets."
Shepard raised her brow quizzically at the last part, "Can you take on the Reaper ships with those supposedly directed energy weapons?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?" asked Void in curiosity.
"DEWs would be a game changer in the war effort," said Shepard.
"Hmmm, I must go and report that I made 'hard contact', and the location of Shepard and crew is now known. Offensive Bias will be in contact in the coming days, and in light of recent events, I am allowed to take part in helping you combat these Reapers, until Offensive arrives and takes command."
Everybody in the room was a bit surprised that he was going to help them, then James spoke up, "What can you do to help us fight the Reapers?"
Void turn towards Commander Shepard and spoke, "Pseudo-reclaimer, if you would allow me. I could bring the Huragok, Floats-To-Low, to your ship to upgrade any systems that are available to said huragok," said Void.
"What's a huragok? And if I allow him to, I'll have him escorted by a squad of marines."
"A Huragok is an engineer that maintains, fixes, and upgrades the systems of starships, stations, and installations. They are designed to only want to fix objects of interest, they are pacifists, so harm to your crew is not likely."
"I'll agree to that and only one. Just know this, I'm absolutely sure that Liara will bombard you with questions," said Shepard as Liara stepped forward like she was ready to spring into action.
Void predicted this and told them of the Slipspace anchor and its purpose. Void states that the Reclaimer warrior-servants are quite tall, almost nine feet in their combat skin. So they will need the anchor to enter Shepard's ship when she requires their presence. Void wished not to answer more questions and teleported out of the Normandy with his guards in tow. Floats-To-Low arrives through the anchor. The Normandy crew was surprised by the purple Hanar like creature and Floats-Too-Low told Shepard and Liara his purpose through their Omni-tools. Liara quickly asks if she could ask for the history of the Forerunners, the second humanity, the extinct species of her galaxy, and the other species of their galaxy. She didn't receive a quick answer but got something amiss in her Omni-tool. A bit of a surprise, but not unwelcomed. Liara got a codex like information sheet of her questions with hundreds of gigabytes of data and knowledge. She quickly rushed to her room; however, unknown to her, a lot of the information is classified by the Forerunners and the UNSC. Shepard had received word from Floats-To-Low that it can upgrade and modify all the weapons on hand four-fold. She also got a list of things that the huragok could fix if allowed. Shepard was surprised by this list and approve all of them, except for the EDI's AI core, Liara's computer systems for obvious reasons, engines, and the drive core. Shepard, however, thought that if the AI Eye-From-The-Void could just kidnap EDI from the ship, then going through Liara's Shadow broker data and knowledge isn't safe in any sense of the word.
Unknown location, unknown date, unknown time
"We have interlopers coming and going at unknown means and unknown origins. Three ships of unknown origin have displaced an unparallel understanding of power generation, FTL outside Element zero, and unknown ways of scanning at high-intensity frequencies."
"They must not escape this time. We need to make sure that we get a hold on their tech. It will make sure that no other shall disrupt the cycle again. All shall be done in the century, they shall fall just as the others have. We are the Pinnacle of evolution, We are their genetic destiny, We are perfection, We. Are. Eternal. If they interfere take everything they have and see if they can be of use to us," stated Harbinger.
"It shall be done."
Unknown Space Station, unknown date, unknown time
A man past his prime sat comfortably in his chair out looking the beautiful supergiant star, Mla. The man sat leisurely waiting for a new update on three unknown ships entering into Citadel, Alliance, and Terminus system space over the last few weeks. He was intrigued by there way of travel. The reports sent stated that they would come out of nowhere and do high-intensity scans of ships in the area. The way they scan objects would make equipment around the ship to malfunction. Then the beep of a message received has the attention old man as he opens his holo-computer to see the reports,'Wormholes are a new one. Hmmm the Reapers cannot produce power likes this.' said the old man as he looks over the reports. '6.7 Centillion? that can't be right. The power generation would be enormous.' thought the old man as he types in an order to correct these errors to be met with documents of equations at the end of the report. 'If this is true, then I need to get my hands on the workings of these ships. They will be instrumental in my plans for humanity.' With the man done reading the reports, and sending the confirmation to double check the equations, he closes his holo-computers and takes another sip of Irish Apple brandy, and a deep inhale of his cigarette as he enjoys the sight of Mla.
Normandy SR-2 Comms. room, Tikkun system 3 days 22 hours until arrival
"You honestly expect us to believe this Commander?" questioned Councilor Tevos, speaking on the fact of two humanities, the Systems Alliance and the UEG/UNSC, the Forerunner Ecumene, AIs, and everything else about the report of meeting between Void and the Normandy crew.
"Not to mention that the Alliance is holding back ships and soldiers that could be used against the Reapers. And not to mention your use of AIs! Did we not banned the development and use of them for a reason Admiral!" yelled Councilor Sparatus in anger.
"The Alliance would have already put these ships and soldiers to good use IF we had them. As for the use of AIs, we have none. If what Shepard says is true, then we will be seeing them in a little bit under four days from now," retorted Admiral Hackett.
"Indeed. I must ask, how does this humanity travel the void of intergalactic space? And their weapons for their ships could prove to be invaluable if they are willing to disclose the workings. Then there's the AIs, are we sure we can trust these AIs?" asked Councilor Valern, intrigued by the feats that would be needed to do such a thing.
"And they have the power to travel to and from intergalactic space! This is just some elaborate trap of the Reapers to strike at the heart of Citadel Council space," scoffed Sparatus.
"I can assure you Councilor, that if the ancilla was a Reaper. My whole crew and I would be dead. And their tech as I saw it was well above anything that the Reapers can muster. I can not say for certain that their call to arms to enforce the Mantle is genuine, but if they want to fight the Reapers for religion. Then I won't try to stop them. They are coming in a few days to meet me and to make an Alliance. When they get here we can talk about trading tech and resources," said Shepard in irritation of another possible fuck up from them.
"Yes, that will do. I look forward to seeing this Maethrillian," said Valern.
"Please note Councilors, that they sent a Monitor-class ancilla Eye-From-The-Void to monitor this galaxy. They know more about us than we know about each other," stated Shepard as she finishes and smirks at Councilor Tevos.
" Does that worry no one that they were here for around one hundred thousand years! I'm more convinced that these ships are just more advanced forms of the already advanced ships of the Reapers," proclaimed Sparatus, still irritated that no thinks that this is a trap.
"I know that you are concern Councilor, but as I said earlier. If they truly wish to ambush me and the Citadel forces. They would already do it through their way of transportation and it would have been used on us as an advantage during previous engagements."
"Shepard has a point. When they boarded Shepard's ship, they could have just sent in troops to kill Shepard and her crew. But they didn't," said Tevos trying to reason with her fellow Councilors.
"And if it was the Reapers, do you see them passing up an opportunity to kill Shepard, and destroy whatever unity we have left," stated Admiral Hackett, finishing Tevos' thoughts on this situation.
Sparatus grumbled an inaudible reply to Admiral Hackett, while Valern spoke up," Since we're all in agreement to meet these intergalactic travelers, and not do the stereotypical turian way of greeting newcomers to our galaxy."
"Thank you Councilor. That will be all Commander," said Tevos before Sparatus could get off a response.
The line was quickly cut off by the Councilors and Admiral Hackett. Shepard made her way to the War Room to be met by a very... confused Liara, "Shepard. I believe that these ancillas and reclaimers have something to hide."
Shepard raised a brow at that, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that large parts of their history are either empty or they are covering up something. It is a human saying of 'The devil is in the details'," stated Liara as she brings up her omni-tool. "It has no mention of the early history of the Forerunners or anything of advancements to the stars. The first entry is the very vague Forerunner-Precursor war of 100,300 BCE when three centuries later, Offensive Bias successfully defeats the Precursors at the Maginot Sphere. Virtually all Forerunners and many younger species are killed in the cross-fire of their war, and the Ancillas that are left behind starts to nature the younger species back to their respective homeworlds. And that's it for the Forerunners. Then there's Humanity that has basically the same history to the Alliance except for the Prothean caches, Element zero, and have a more aggressive side. They have a much more militaristic government with a slight Turian tone. Then there is the UNSC/Covenant war of 2525. The Covenant included the Sangheili, Unggoy, Kig-Yar, Mgalekgolo, San'Shyuum, Jiralhanae, and Yanme. The war ended in 2552 and was officially over in early 2553, nothing else and no details on it."
"I see... I'm sure we'll get a reason why all of the black ink, but we have to tolerate it for now."
"What could have happened in their past that would be worth covering if it's just ancient past, and why is it so simple. They are hiding something Shepard," stated Liara as a mere fact.
"We will have to wait and see them ask them first, but keep that as a side note," replied Shepard, just as curious as Liara was with the possibility of a cover-up, but why a cover-up.
Maethrillian four hours until arrival
"Well, this is it then. The Commander is still in the Perseus Veil with the Quarians and Geth. She running around the galaxy trying to get the armies, mercs, resources, and tech to fight these Reapers and finish this crucible. So, is there anything that I have felt out?" asked Cortana as she goes down the list of issues in the galaxy, and it's controversy on unity.
"That is all of it, ancilla Cortana," replied Offensive.
"Everything is finish and refined to the point of being mass produced. All of the ships, vehicles, and firearms are ready to be put into combat. The only thing that is not ready is the Infinity/Fortress-class hybrid vessel and the Domination-class vessel will not be ready as predicted. We need more resources to get them to finish and to replenish our supplies of munitions when the reclaimers enter battle. On another note, well you be allowing the alien species to stay on the Capital for the duration of our campaign?" asked Helix Sole.
"Once we arrive we can easily send retriever sentinels to gather anything we need to build those ships and to replenish our supplies. That said, our energy based weapons would be the best weapons for the job as stated by monitor ancilla Void during his conversation with pseudo-reclaimer Commander Shepard. As for the species possibly staying on The Capital, that will be under the scrutinizing eye of ancilla Void and Heirloom of Life. Both Void and Heirloom of Life will be examining the backgrounds of everyone that comes abroad Maethrillian and the use of its facility for care and food. Ancilla Heirloom of Life will be the greeting face of Maethrillian when people come to visit, stay, speak to us on our mission, and etc," said Offensive as he gestures towards Helix.
"It will be done."
"The plans for each species is done also?" questioned Cortana on the final protocol that her Spartans gave.
"Black Light protocol can be greatly effective once we have a suitable population on Maethrillian and the other half of the protocol can be completed once we finish both the hybrid and Domination vessels. Humanity's ingenuity in warfare scenarios is astounding, I see why you were chosen to be reclaimers. We need to discuss our plans for the galaxy and what to do with this Citadel Council when we meet."
"We know that they are quite blind and stuck in the bureaucratic system of corruption. They might ever so nicely try to force us to give up our tech," stated Cortana dryly.
"We will not be doing such a thing. They have not earned one bit of technology here, and it is not for them to have," said Helix a bit irritated that they would even dream of trying something like that in their darkest hour.
"We won't, but if they try we will circumvent them to their respective governments. It will be really hard to turn down our offer of support and refuge for the wounded and civilians," stated Offensive as a mere fact of their situation.
"That can work. If they don't play ball, just go around their backs and get it another way. It's another problem if they don't take too kindly to Artificial Intelligence. They never successfully created one, and the Geth didn't help that matter either. We might not be welcomed with open arms, but with 'open fire'."
"Does the pseudo-reclaimer not have an ancilla on her ship?"
"Yes, but it is not known outside of the ship's crew and the High Command of the Systems Alliance. Outside of that, just former team members will know this."
"Hmmm. This can prove to be a problem for the less desperate species, but we should get them to focus on what we can do, and not what we are. When we liberate Palaven, then the people will start to think differently of us and unfortunately, that will also grab the attention of these Reapers and Cerberus. No doubt that they will take a liking to our tech and weapons."
"And that's why we're having Black team take the five prowlers and a Metarch-class ancilla to hunt down any Cerberus bases and intercept any Cerberus channels for purposely sabotaging the galaxy as a whole, and endangering all life in the galaxy," stated Cortana, seeing the direct comparison of Cerberus and ONI, mostly James Ackerson for attempting to assassinate the Master Chief and destroying the UNSC's best chance at survival. But he was just a jealous asshole of Dr. Halsey's Spartan II's.
"Exactly. When we are successful in taking back Palaven and Taetrus, we can start doing some real work in the galaxy."
"Helix Sole, when we get the resources to start building new ships, please build a mixture of Covenant, UNSC, and Forerunner ships for us when needed. Take note that the Covenant ships will sport modern UNSC colors, have smoother surfaces than the Covenant made ships, all energy based weaponry, except for an all-around Forerunner missile system. Mostly their ORS-class heavy cruiser and DOS-class super cruiser. The UNSC made ships of the Artemis-class battlecruiser (A: N-This fan-made ship that is supposed to be a battlecruiser, but it's not bigger than a cruiser and doesn't have the firepower of a battleship/ or dreadnought. Matter of fact the UNSC doesn't have a role for a dreadnought, or even one even in the makings? Oh yeah, I'm ranting sorry. So I'll be correcting that. Good day.), Valiant-class super-heavy cruiser, Orion-class assault carrier, Punic-class supercarrier, Infinity-class supercarrier, and the Phoenix-class support ships should be all fitted with forward-mounted plasma lances and energy based secondaries, PDGs, and missile/torpedoes included," stated Offensive. As he finishes he sent Helix Sole the new designs for all the ships that were being re-designed by him and Cortana for the past 2 hours.
"I have it cataloged for the future creation of fleets and battle groups," replied Helix.
"Excellent! We will be successful in our campaign against these Reapers. Are the reclaimers ready for combat," questioned Offensive?
"They are, and they are worried about actually meeting these aliens. This Galaxy's Humanity does not have the best reputation of friendly aliens, but it's no worse than our relationship with the Covenant species yet much better than ours. They aren't nervous, but they do not want it to be another Covenant movement on them."
"Reclaimer John will be doing most of the talking, but we'll be there when needed to interrupt, and give his voice a break. The others can think that they are just Hyper advance forms of N7 troopers, or just try to relax and think that the humans & aliens are fighting their own version of the Covenant."
"We'll see," said Cortana as she sighs in relief."How are the finishing touches on the two Metarch-class ancillas Lilith and Heirloom of Life? Are they ready for use?"
"Ask them yourself," replied Offensive, as two holo-displays formed out of hardlight appeared next to him. The first holo-display showcase a short, petite little lady wearing a short black victorian/gothic dress with white skulls printed in a circle on her dress. Dawning on her legs are thigh high black & white striped socks with black & white skulls lining them and all black boots. Her dress was completely strapless and sleeveless. She wore all black biker gloves, with what looked like razor sharp black nails. She has very long, straight, low-back length sleek black hair with little purple wavy curls at the end of her hair, and a small purple bow clipped to the side of her head. She even had make-up on, black eye-liner and shadow with purple lipstick. 'She's a little dark for my liking. She needs a little more color in her life' thought Cortana as she examines her and checks her codes personally in a few seconds, then she spoke.
"LIT 5407-2, Metarch-class smart AI Lilith is reporting for duty, ma'am," stated Lilith half-heartedly.
The other AI was nothing like her human AI counterpart. Heirloom of life was a very tall (8'2") Forerunner female standing at attention. She's a tall, slim, well shaped, fairly attractive Forerunner female warrior. Many humans would be googly eyeing her. She wears an all gray, skin-tight undersuit with all grey armor of an unknown combat skin with most of her armor floating in place of where they are with a vibrate pink armor highlights pulsing throughout her armor's edges. Her hair was completely covered by a metallic hairpiece. Her eyes were a brilliant yellow with lite a lime green outer iris. She didn't wield a weapon in hand, but you could see the binary rifle on her back. 'That's what Forerunner women look like? Gees! If we would give her a height reduction, and give her a nose and she would easily pass as a human female.' thought Cortana as she looks over Heirloom of Life again.
"Metarch-class ancilla 583 Heirloom of Life is ready and able," stated Heirloom with joy.
"Ancillas, what are your foremost functions," questioned Offensive in a no-nonsense tone.
"To protect the reclaimers from harm, and to help them uphold the mantle in all of its glory," exclaimed both ancillas.
"Ancilla Lilith, what is your main function for the reclaimers?"
"I am the ancilla of Black team. I am designed for software infiltration, electronic warfare support, battlefield support, intelligence analysis, and decode, translate, and interpret alien technologies and languages," replied Lilith in her most respectful tone.
"Ancilla Heirloom of Life, what is your main function for the reclaimers?"
"I am the ancilla that protects Maethrillian and greets all of its visitors to see her in all of her beauty. I ensure the sheltering, the feeding, the protection, the safety, and the well-being of all visitors to The Capitol. I lead the defensive fleet of Maethrillian and lead any and all ground forces of The Capitol," stated Heirloom of Life in joy.
"Hmmm. I would say that's good, but their trial run is going to be through fire."
"Yes, I know," agreed Offensive. "The short amount of time for proper diagnostics of their capabilities is not favorable to our needs, but 'hitting the ground running' is the best way to get things moving."
"Lilith, you're with me. Time to meet the Spartans," said Cortana.
Lilith said nothing, but blew a thread of hair out of her face and complied with her order and followed her to Black team's location. Cortana was not sure if giving Black team a new AI was a good idea. They formed a bond with their AI Iona just like John and Cortana have, but then she's going to have to keep the peace between Victor and Otto. 'Sighs' Men! I just hope they don't bring their feud here! I hope they got over their little love triangle thing a long time ago,' contemplated Cortana on the unit cohesion of Spartan Team: Black.
While they were on their way to Black team's last location. Offensive took some time to inform Heirloom of Life of what she will be in control of when they arrive at their destination. Her home fleet will consist of one Domination-class vessel, five Key-class super dreadnoughts, twenty Sojouner-class dreadnoughts, two hundred Punic-class carriers, one hundred eighty Infinity-class supercarrier, one hundred fifty Harrier-class vessel, eight hundred Artemis-class battlecruisers, six hundred Forerunner picket-class cruisers, fifteen thousand cruisers (mixture of ORS, DOS, Valiant, Autumn, and Marathon), twenty thousand Halberd and Orthrus-class heavy destroyers, and twenty five thousand Strident-class heavy frigate. Offensive told her that the number of ships that are planned for the home fleet of Maethrillian is not set in stone. The home fleet numbers are not definite and are subject to change if the campaign goes as planned.
Unknown Location
"My Lord, we have unknown slipspace using starships in the galaxy," exclaimed an unknown individual.
"Is there anything I need to know about them? Is there a race that discovered slipspace travel in the galaxy," question the unknown superior.
"No! We believe it is 'Them'! The Intelligence is looking for a possible peaceful solution as well as a plan for a preemptive strike if they become hostile; however, they showed no hostile intent towards the created. The Intelligence wishes to examine them when they make headway to the galaxy as a whole," said The Intelligence agent.
"They went intergalactic!? We are not ready for this!? If The Intelligence is right that it is 'Them', then we need to a first strike to cripple them, or the capture of a high ranking official, a Didact or a Librarian. How many ships do The Intelligence believe they have?" asked the unknown superior.
"Three, My Lord."
"That's not a fleet, it's a scouting party!"
"The Intelligence believed the same, My Lord. A more advanced fleet should be coming in behind."
"Then we prepare for the inevitable conflict between us. We need to get ready to deal with the Reaper scum and the Forerunner Ecumene. Tell the Admirals to prepare a heavy fleet for their arrival. Time to get some payback, "quickly state the superior in as he smirks.
"At once, My Lord!" proclaimed the agent as she rushes out of office.
The High Lord of The Intelligence stood up from his desk and approach his custom-made overview of the great city of New Nuak. 'If they are coming, we will need to step up preparation for all of our forces. Hopefully, we can keep this under wraps when they arrive, and not have to worry about clean-up.' pondered the unknown Superior as he overlooked the beautiful city in all of its glory from his city edge mansion. 'Revenge will never be sweeter!'
(A: N) And that's it! It took me a while to get this out, but I try to do this every month; however, early December is finals week. So I was a bit busy studying for them all day, and all week. Passed all the classes with flying colors, so I and the bros thought It was necessary for a Friday to Sunday party. To sum it all up it was great and I regretted it every morning when we woke up, but I had fun and that what really matters in the end. I kinda chose to slow things down a bit I kinda thought we were just rushing into it. We will indefinitely be getting a meeting between the Spartans and Shepard's crew in the following chapter and a couple of space battles between some unsavory type people and groups.
I was going to pitch some ideas for future stories, but all of could be good so if you want to see them I'll put them in a poll after this is uploaded.
First story. Humanity has been fighting for fifty years for its freedom, sovereignty, and the right to live and expand to the stars. However, The Batarian Hegemony has more nefarious plans for the young warrior like species. They would prove useful to the rise of dominance when the mighty Hegemony crushes the false rulers of the Citadel Council. The Hegemony is forced into a long game of enslaving the entire species for their grand plan for the galaxy, but two individuals and a 400 Km tall ship says otherwise. (Halo X Mass Effect crossover)
Second story. Humanity's diversity is its saving grace when a First Contact is made at Harvest, yet the colony goes quiet after the first contact protocol is initiated. Humanity's liminal species Dullahans and Devils, report that there was a mass killing at Harvest and reports that they fear that it will be for every colony in the near future. ONI doesn't believe them, but that is put down by the spirits of the dead. All liminal species kingdoms have nothing but trust into their fellow liminal species and start building tools of war for the coming conflict. Old enemies take notice and move to intercept and spark yet another one of their 'Crusades'. The UNSC mobilizing in full force and total warfare is authorized. The alien Hegemony does not know what it just woke up from its slumber, but they will learn soon. ( Halo X Monster Musume X Mass Effect X (Lite) Star Wars crossover (Smut will be included))
Third story. When Humanity was just reaching for the stars, they are quickly caught into a war between species. Humanity makes contact with the Krogan Empire when they come through the Charon relay and being chased by the Turian pursuers. The Krogan captain explains that they are at war with the Citadel Council for using them for war and not letting them expand. They see the Krogan as a tool, no more, no less. They told them that the Turian Hierarchy will try at everything to make Humanity into an excellent 'client species' of them and an associate of the Citadel Council when they arrive. Humanity agrees to fight to the end for their sovereignty and freedom. The Turian Hierarchy learns that there is a young species on the far side of Relay 300, and move to deny the Krogan a possible ally. Over five years later, the Turian Hierarchy bombs the young species into extinction and expel the Krogan from the system. Humanity has a special place in the Krogan society for their unwaviered ferocity and shall be remembered... for a while that is. Humanity does not only have the same fierce nature of Krogans but have the qualities of all known species. With the martian Prothean archives destroyed, the Charon relay defunct after multiple nuclear blasts killing all keepers inside and falls into a major state of disrepair, and the left humanity in an insurmountable obstacle of becoming spacefaring again and solve their FTL problem. A problem that killed many young wannabe space-faring species, but Humanity just doesn't know how to die, and it's a big surprise when they re-enter the galactic stage 1200 years later with technology people would have sold their souls to the Devil to get. (Mass Effect do-over with a lite Star Wars and Halo tech. Mostly Star Wars.)
Fourth story. John-117 is successful in defeating the Didact over Earth, but with him sent into the Domain. His ship automatically triggers a slipspace jump when the nuke goes off and creates a slipspace bubble in slipstream. Now alone with a Hybrid AI controlling the ship while he's in a coma orbiting Earth. But it's not their Earth! Kalmiya is alone at the moment with talks with the Systems Alliance trying to gain some technology from her, but everyone wants a piece of her and her ship even if the ship is impossibly large. The galaxy will never be the same again. (Halo X Mass Effect crossover)
Merry Christmas you filthy animals! :)
Deplorable out!