The crew of the Produgal Son filed into the small dining area that was serving as a situation room.

"Thraak, what did you find?" Matt queried

"The creature appears to have once been a batarian, or maybe it's a twisted mockery of one." Thraak replied. It's been heavily genetically modified according to comparisons done by Eve"

"It has 83.7% DNA in common with the genome in our database of the Batarians." Eve added.

"Reapers?"

"Likely," Thraak agreed. "Repurposed Batarians used as shock troops against the rest of the galaxy, like the human husk we saw."

"Well, I'm not going to land us on the planet. Who knows how many millions of those things are down there." Neri said.

"Agreed. We can keep searching, maybe the Batarians got hit hard before the rest of the galaxy could respond" Matt said hopefully.

"Eve, what did you find on the computer systems?"

"Dozens of news reports, Captain. I've selected the most relevant ones for playback, if you desire. I've sorted them in chronological order. Keep in mind this is all the same broadcaster."

The display screen on the wall lit up. A serious looking Batarian read the news in an emotionless voice. "... General Balak demanded the government declare war if demands for the immediate extradition of the terrorist, Commander Jane Shepard are not met, for her wanton destruction of the Bahak system... "

"...Citizens panic as massive dreadnoughts shaped like some sort of insect warped into every system of Batarian space." The image switched to the unmistakable image of a Reaper. "The Hegemony attempted to reassure panicing citizens and slaves, stating the Reapers are allies. They are here to help fight the Humans." The broadcaster sounded dubious.

"...General Balak calls for all citizens to join forces against this new threat. The government immediately issued warrants for his arrest. The rest of us wonder if the governent has gone mad."

"...The government asures people that the war against the humans is going well with the help of our reaper allies." Now the broadcaster is smiling at the camera, talking in a smooth tone.

"...Our Reaper allies require your help in rooting out the traitor and terrorist 'General' Balak. Please proceed to the nearest processing station to take part in the war. be there for our crushing victory against the humans!"

"...A galaxy wide warrant has been issued for the arrest of the traitor Balak. He fled Khar'shan with a fleet. No doubt to join his Human allies. It's more imperative than ever that you proceed immediately to the processing station nearest you in order to help bring this criminal to justice."

"Well, I guess our friend in the med bay is the result of that 'processing'" Thraak observed.

"Captain, the following is from another broadcaster dated a year and eight months later." Eve said.

"Greetings citizens. This is Adzek News reporting. Celebrations are under way to mark the one year anniversary of the defeat of Reaper forces and the reclaimation of Khar'shan. The war hero, General Balak will speak, telling us again of his battles against Reaper forces throughout the galaxy. All praise The Shepard for Her Gift."

Matt's jaw dropped, while Jack and Thraak chuckled.

"Wow. looks like you're descended from a God!" Jack grinned. "Shut it" Matt replied, stunned.

Dahlie ignored them, looking at the last image of the broadcaster" I don't remember seeing that green glow in the eyes of the previous Batarian images we saw."

"Yeah I wonder what that is? Glitch on the recording?" "Probably"