Location: Cerberus Frigate 'Albatross', drifting the outer orbit of the Newton System in stealth mode.
Year: 2182
Lieutenant-General Oleg Petrovsky was a patient man. While his superiors back on earth acted on impulse, negotiating on hair trigger tempers and bringing disgrace to the Alliance, he ran a silent reconnaissance crew of fifty-three crewmen operating in terminus space. An offense that would've resulted in slow and painful death had he still worn his Alliance blues.
But he was no longer in blues. The new black and gold Cerberus emblem replaced the Alliance crest on shoulders several months ago. He wore it proudly, as a reminder of all the sacrifices it took to put it there. That's why day in and day out, he worked his crew to the ground, gathering any shred of viable data that could help The Illusive Man. A patient man just like himself, The Illusive Man was the last leader for which Petrovsky had any shred of respect. While the hot heads battled councils back on Earth, Cerberus and The Illusive Man gave him tools to protect the people that mattered.
Any mission undertaken by Cerberus had significant ramifications for humanity. Petrovsky knew this and made it his sworn duty to get the job done and never tolerate failure. All fifty-two missions since his inception into Cerberus have ended with results, change and most of all praise from The Illusive Man himself. It was an honor to work for this enigmatic man and he had absolute trust that every action undertaken by The Illusive Man was carefully thought out and in the best interests of the people.
So when Armistan Banes boarded his ship, he didn't question the savage man whom the dossier described as a scientist. Kept his mouth shut when Banes flooded the lab portion of their cruiser with some experimental toxin and didn't say a word when the scientist's erratic behaviour interfered with crew morale. In fact he took it upon himself to keep the crew in line while acting like a buffer between them and the crazed but gifted biochemical engineer. But when he read The Illusive Man's orders in regards to a new mission where Banes' was in control, Petrovsky couldn't stay quiet anymore.
The Ontarom mission was a delicate situation. Some Alliance-aligned Cerberus members didn't take the switch in command lightly. If any one of them informed the Alliance, years of insidious work and deep cover personnel could be in danger. Extracting these agents and regaining their Intel was vital and required the same patience and diligence of any sensitive mission. That's why Petrovsky found it almost insulting to give command to a frantic man like Banes. It also didn't help that the rogue officers were Petrovsky's ex-comrades.
Oleg flicked through the list in frustration, noting his former agents. All very good and capable people which would make this mission the hardest yet.
Armistan Banes strolled into the conference room like he owned the place. And if Oleg was to believe the orders, he technically did until the end of this mission.
Banes didn't wear a Cerberus uniform, opting for a good civilian suit instead. The younger man could've looked smart, even well meaning had he not savagely torn the arms of the suit, turning it into a strange top that emphasized lean muscled arms. He was strong, cunning and could have been the son-in-law who might have impressed him back home. Instead, he was the epitome of reckless and didn't care who he pissed off as long as The Illusive Man backed him.
"Ivan!" Banes shouted his favorite nickname that Petrovsky despised. "Chatting up the Illusive Man behind my back again, friend?"
"Clarifying," Petrovsky replied, keeping his cool as he typed the codes for linking up with their boss. "I don't like these mission parameters."
Banes hopped on the console table and let his feet dangle to the ground like a spoiled brat. "Why? You go in, you slice, you dice, you come out," he said, punctuating each action with a chop, sweep and fling of his hand. "What's not to get?"
Petrovsky fixed him with a scolding look to which Banes only laughed. "I'm glad you find this so amusing," Petrovsky muttered, hitting the last sequence. "But butchering potential Cerberus recruits won't help us in the long run."
Picking at the fine threads of the damaged suit, Banes smiled, saying, "Lighten up, Ivan. They made a choice. No Cerberus in their future. No life."
"We can extract the intelligence without use of force," Petrovsky argued. "These are men and women who pledged to the Alliance, want to serve humanity. We can take their intel—"
"Then we kill them!" Banes said gleefully, bouncing to the ground and walking to stand beside Petrovsky in the holo-projector. "They took my work, Ivan. I want it back and I want them dead for it. Don't tell me you're getting cold feet in your old days?"
Petrovsky bit back his comment, there was no reasoning with a mad man so he decided to save his arguments for The Illusive Man.
The holo-circle lit up in the ground, rising until is surrounded them with a clear projection of a black room. Petrovsky felt ambivalent towards this mode of communication, preferring face-to-face meetings but understanding the significant security considerations all the same. After all The Illusive Man personally oversaw all twelve active Cerberus cell, he was to be protected at all cost.
The fiery dying star provided a magnificent backdrop to The Illusive Man's chair as he spun to greet them.
"Lieutenant-General, Banes, good to see you getting along," The Illusive Man said, taking a long deliberate puff from his always lit cigarette. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Ivan's not happy with me, Illusive Man," Banes said, turning an exaggerated look of disappointment
"You mean Lieutenant-General Petrovsky," The Illusive Man said coolly, taking a drag from his cigarette before his bioluminescent eyes settled on Petrovsky, "General?"
Revelling in the act of seeing Banes taken down a notch, Petrovsky plead his case, "Five Cerberus agents led by Elena Flores left their post. I understand you want to retrieve their data. But is killing them necessary? They belong to the highest echelon of Alliance black ops. Future assets in my eyes."
"And past colleagues of yours in mine." The Illusive Man said even as he sized him up with the brightest of blue eyes. Petrovsky could swear they were glowing. "I didn't picture you as an Alliance sympathizer."
"My attitude on the Alliance has nothing to do with this," Petrovsky said, holding his ground but feeling it give. "I don't want to destroy potential assets."
The Illusive Man seemed to consider this before nodding. "I can live with that. I'm giving you authorization to extend our hospitality to these assets only because of your history. If they return to their posts, no questions will be asked and they can continue serving Cerberus. But if these assets become a liability I expect you to take care of them, General."
"Your generosity won't be forgotten," Petrovsky said. That's another thing people missed about the Illusive Man, he actually listened to the people he employed. "Thank you."
Banes' look of complete boredom and barely suppressed rage confirmed that speaking out was the best decision. Anything that made this monster step back and think was worth the effort, there was no doubt about it.
"Keep me posted, General. Now I need a moment with Banes," The Illusive Man dismissed and Petrovsky wasn't about to test his resolve a second time. Petrovsky turned to head out, eyeing Banes and his crooked smile with distaste.