A/N: I have no excuse for the late update. All I can say is that I've been busy with life and that hasn't left much time for me to write.
Chapter Seven
"Transmitting coordinates for the meet."
"So where are headed?" Sarah asked Suvi after the comms went silent.
"Looks like the large dreadnaught in front of us," Suvi said after double checking to make sure that the coordinates are correct.
"Alright, "Sarah said turning to Kallo. "Get us there."
Kallo nodded before maneuvering the Tempest past the other ships and through the debris of the pirate and Kett ships to the large dreadnaught. Flying past the debris Sarah saw bodies of different species floating in space amongst the debris, looking away Sarah focused on the large dreadnaught, its massive size easily dwarfed the Arks which was considered an engineering feat back in the Milky Way.
"SAM how large is that ship?" Sara asked once she got a good view of the large dreadnaught.
"A little over two kilometers in length," SAM told Sara and the crew who remained on the bridge.
"Incredible," Suvi said.
"Tempest, this is the Kalros. You are cleared to land in hanger six. Admiral Shepard will meet you there."
"Copy Kalros. Proceeding towards hanger six." Kallo said before receiving another set of coordinates this time from the Kalros.
"Kalros…" Drack said to himself getting the attention of Vetra.
"Drack?" Vetra asked looking at the krogan who stared at the large dreadnaught.
"It's odd that a ship would be named after Kalros."
"Why is that?" Sara asked intrigued.
"Cause Kalros is a krogan name and a part of our culture. What's left of it," Drack looked down as he said the last part with sorrow. Sarah felt bad for the old krogan who witnessed his culture and his people slowly fade into nothingness, truthfully the galaxy didn't know much of Krogan culture or history, everyone assumed that they were always brutes who valued war.
"What does it mean?" She asked Drack.
"It's a name the ancients gave to the first thresher maw. "The Mother" is what it means." Drack explained to everyone on the bridge who listened to the story. "Krogan can't own ships at least according to the turians. So it's odd to see a ship named after something in Krogan history." Drack looked to dreadnaught and smiled somewhat, "fitting name though."
"Why?" Peebee asked also intrigued, she heard stories of the krogan from her mother but she didn't listen.
"Only ever saw Kalros once and that was when she took down a salarian shuttle in her territory." Drack said smiling at the memory, "it was a beautiful sight and display of the power that Kalros possessed." Looking back at the large dreadnaught, "from what I've seen that ship lives up to its name."
"Approaching hanger six." Kallo told them ending the conversation/impromptu history lesson.
Turning around to face the command platform Sara watched as the large hanger door opened for them. Looking to Kallo, Sara gave him a nod to go ahead and land in the hanger.
"Lucky they have a hanger large enough to accommodate the Tempest." Vetra said voicing her thoughts to everyone.
Slowly the Tempest entered the hanger bay, bays on the underside of the ship opened for the landing gears to extend. The Tempest set down in the middle of the hanger, the large doors closed behind them.
"Here we are," Kallo said as he powered down the ship's engine.
Sara sighed getting herself together, "alright. Let's greet our saviors." She told her crew before heading towards the bridge exit to the cargo bay.
"Don't you think we should make ourselves more presentable?" Cora asked Sara, her military discipline coming out as she remembered that they were meeting an Admiral. Looking to everyone on the bridge only Suvi, Kallo, Lexi, and Gil are the only ones wearing their uniforms, while the rest wore their usual casual clothes including her.
"Don't have time to change. Besides the Initiative didn't supply me with a 'proper' uniform." Sara said turning around to face Cora and walked backwards, lucky for Sara most of the doors on the Tempest are automated and open when approached so the door opened for Sara and closed when she exited the bridge.
"At least leave your jacket behind!" Cora shouted at Sara but the doors closed before Sara could hear what she said.
Sara leaned against the Nomad with her hands in her jacket as she waited for the rest of the crew to arrive. Finally, the crew arrived except for Cora who finally arrived two minutes after everyone else wearing what could be considered the Initiative's version of a military uniform. Cora wore a leather jacket that is similar to what Captain Dunn and Sara's father wore, she wore boots with the pants tucked in giving Cora a more military look.
Looking at Cora, Sarah felt underdressed as she wore her casual hoodie and wondered why she didn't get a uniform like Cora. Sara has a leather jacket but that's something she brought from the Milky Way. Pushing the rogue thoughts away Sara pushed herself off the Nomad and went to the control panel for the cargo ramp doors.
"Let's hope our meeting goes better than the one on Aya." Sara said turning to the crew with a small smile.
"The difference here is that instead of showing up with a ship on fire. You show up with the Kett and exiles at your back." Jaal said honestly causing everyone to look in his direction.
"Think positive Jaal. Think positive," Sara said turning back to the control panel pushing the open button. Sara walked back to join her crew, making sure to stand at the front with Cora beside her.
"At least we have help now," Liam said.
"Exactly," Sara said looking back to Liam.
"Course this could all be a trap."
"Liam?" Sara said in sweet voice that made her sound scarier.
"Yeah…" Liam asked nervously.
"Shut up."
The Normandy
After transmitting the coordinates for the meet to the Tempest, Marcus looked at the 3-D map from his command platform for a moment before typing in commands on the command console. The map changed to display the three captains of the S.D.'s.
"Captain Thela the Tempest will be docking with the Kalros. I'll be there shortly." Marcus told Captain Thela who nodded in return before disappearing from the rest of the Captains. "Captain's Neeva and Noon, I want you and your battle groups on security and protection detail. We don't know if the Kett or the pirates managed to get of a call for reinforcements. Alert me if more show up." Marcus told them, the two Captain's saluted, Marcus returned the salute before cutting the transmission.
"Sir."
Marcus turned around to see his yeoman holding a data pad out to him. "What is it?" he asked stepping down from the command platform until he was ground level, taking the data pad from Sydney.
"Damage reports for the ships that were in combat." Sydney told him before going back to her station.
"Chloe, get us to the Kalros." Marcus said over the intercom. Reading the reports showed that the ship in combat sustained little to no damage, in fact only one frigate sustained damage to the engines and repairs are already underway, the rest of the ships only received scorch marks on the hulls. After sending off a quick message to the damaged frigate for an update on the repairs, Marcus handed back the data pad to Sydney before walking back to the command platform.
"Approaching the Kalros," Chloe said over the intercom. Marcus left the command platform and entered the elevator, hitting the button for his cabin he waited. Exiting the elevator Marcus entered his cabin and went straight for his closet to change his uniform for his dress blues. After changing clothes Marcus grabbed his officers hat before leaving his cabin and entering the elevator again.
Arriving back in the CIC Marcus went straight to the airlock located near the cockpit. Entering the cockpit Marcus saw Sasha waiting for him also wearing her dress blues.
"Docking with the Kalros," Chloe told them from the pilot's seat. Hearing the docking clamps attach themselves to the Normandy, Marcus and Sasha entered the airlock and waited for the cycling protocol to finish, once the protocol ended Marcus pushed the open button and exited the Normandy with Sasha. Marcus and Sasha are greeted by Thela, the Captain of the Kalros waiting for them.
"Welcome aboard, Admiral." Thela said with a salute which Marcus returned. "The Tempest will land in hanger six," the Captain told Marcus as she led them to the tram to take them to hanger six. "Have a security team meet us there. Also have additional teams in place. Out of sight," Marcus told Thela upon entering the tram, Captain Thela forwarded the orders when the tram started to move. The time it took for the group to arrive in hanger six was not long so by the time they arrived the Tempest has already landed in the hanger bay.
The trio exited the elevator where they were met by a small security team armed with nonlethal weapons, the security team saluted Marcus who returned the salute before walking past them down to ground level. "The other teams in place?" he asked Captain Thela who followed closely behind him along with Sasha.
"Yes, sir. We have three teams of N7's standing by." Thela told Marcus.
"A bit much don't you think?" Ava asked Marcus.
"I'm not taking any chances here. Especially after the welcome we received." Marcus told Ava before coming to a stop in front of the Tempest just in time to see a ramp descend and the cargo bay doors open.
Tempest – Cargo Bay
Sara waited in anticipation for the cargo bay doors to open, while waiting for the doors to open Sara shifted her weight from foot to foot, waiting isn't one of her strongest suite. Finally, the doors opened Sara walked out of the cargo hold with her crew following. Sara noticed eleven people waiting for them, eight of them are armed making them security, three of them two humans, a man and woman and a krogan which made an odd sight stood in the middle wearing dress uniforms identifying them as officers.
Looking around the hanger Sara noticed that the hanger personal were off the side doing their jobs and looking at them with curiosity.
Ignoring the stares Sara began walking towards the group directly in front of her with Cora at her left and the rest following behind, looking at the group in front of them more specially the three in the middle with security personal flanking them. Sara noted that the woman and the krogan stood to the left and right of the man in the middle, noticing their ranks as she drew closer to them. Both the woman and the krogan bore the rank of Captain, and the man in the center has an Admirals rank.
Finally reaching the group Sara walked up to the Admiral with Cora, the rest held back a little weary of the security team. The Admiral held out his hand which Sara took and shook.
"Pathfinder Ryder?" The Admiral asked after shaking hands.
"Yes and you're Admiral Shepard." Sara stated letting her hand fall to her side.
"Correct, Admiral Marcus Shepard. This is my XO Captain Sasha Beckett," Shepard gestured to the woman on his right who nodded at Sara. "And this is Captain Thela of Clan Urdnot," he told them gesturing to the Krogan to his left.
"I'm Sara Ryder, human pathfinder." Sara told Shepard, "this is my XO Lieutenant Cora Harper." Sara gestured to Cora on her left.
"Pleasure to meet you," Shepard told both Sara and Cora along with the rest of her crew. "Let's take this to the briefing room. Your crew will remain here," Shepard told Sara who nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. That's when everything went to hell.
"Geth!" Drak yelled getting the attention of everyone in the hanger as he drew his side arm. Turning around quickly Sara saw that most of her crew drew their side arms save for Kallo, Suvi, Lexi, Gil and Jaal. Looking to where the crew aimed Sara saw a geth unit near the front of the hanger, acting on instinct she and Cora attempted to activate their biotics only to the be stopped when Shepard put them both in a biotic stasis field.
'Shit' was the first thought that entered Marcus' head when the krogan on Sara's crew shouted "geth" and drew his weapon. The security team quickly raised their own weapons and got in front of him, Sasha, and Thela. At this point the N7's emerged from their hiding spots and trained their weapons on the Sara's crew. Noticing a faint blue glow surrounding Sara and Cora a dead giveaway for biotics, Marcus quickly activated his own biotics and put them both in a biotic stasis. All of this happened in thirty seconds.
"Lower your weapon! Now!" one of the security team members shouted at the krogan.
"Drop your weapon!" Another one shouted at one Sara's crewmember. The hanger erupted in shouting from the security team telling Sara's crew to stand down.
Marcus knew that he had to quickly defuse the situation or else a firefight would erupt and in the hanger the chance of a stray round hitting one of the hanger personal are high. "Everyone hold your fire!" he shouted, quickly the hanger quieted down. Most of the hanger personal had already taken cover those that didn't quickly did or left the hanger. Releasing the stasis field on Sara and her XO, with the stasis field gone both Ryder and Cora fell to their knees. "Pathfinder Ryder tell your crew to stand down," Marcus told Sara when she rose to her feet with Cora.
"Everyone lower your weapons," Sara told her crew, all of her crew looked to each other before lowering their weapons except for Drack who kept his weapon trained on the geth. "Drack… lower your weapon." Sara told Drack hoping that he would listen to her unfortunately Drack scowled as he tightened his hold on his pistol.
"Drack you have three seconds to lower your weapon." Marcus informed Drack, "one."
"Drack…please," Sara pleaded with Drack who began examining his surroundings looking for an opening he could exploit.
"Two."
"Drack…" Sara heard Vetra say. Looking around Sara saw the everyone in the hanger putting their fingers on the trigger.
"Drack! Lower your fucking weapon!" Sara yelled at the krogan putting as much authority as she could into her voice. Drack glanced at Sara for a moment.
"Thre-" Marcus stopped counting when Drack sighed and lowered his weapon. Slowly the security team advanced on the Sara's crew and relieved them of their weapons. Marcus exhaled slowly, "N7's stand down." He told the N7's in the hanger which they immediately did, they kept their weapons at the ready just in case. With the situation now under control Marcus directed his attention back to Sara and Cora who appeared relieved that the situation didn't end with a firefight.
"I'm sorry about Drack," Sara apologized to Marcus who nodded.
"Your crew will remain under guard while we discuss our situation." Marcus told Sara who nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. Before Marcus could lead Sara and Cora out of the hanger the geth that caused Drack to draw his weapon approached the group. The security personal slowly raised their weapons a clear warning to Sara's crew to not try anything.
Marcus eyed Sara's crew carefully when the geth got within arm's reach of Drack, Sara also watched interested and concerned at what Drack might do.
"I apologize for causing all of you distress with my presence." The geth stated which caused everyone in Sara's crew including both Sara and Cora to show surprise of a geth actually apologizing. Drack was the first to respond.
"Why is there a geth here?" Drack asked the question that everyone in Sara's crew wanted to know.
"They're our allies." Marcus simply stated.
"How can that be? After everything they did to the Citadel!" Cora shouted at Marcus who turned around to face her.
"Check yourself Lieutenant Harper," Marcus walked to Cora and stopped directly in front of her. "You may no longer be in the Alliance but while you are on any of the ships in this fleet. You will show respect." Marcus said while looking Cora in the eyes.
"Sorry sir," Cora said while mentally hitting herself for disrespecting the chain of command that she learned to respect when she was with the Alliance and the Asari military.
"As long as we're clear." Marcus said before turning to Sara and gesturing for her and Cora to follow. Marcus led Sara and Cora out of the hanger to the tram that took the group to the bridge. Stepping out of the tram Marcus led the way to the briefing room.
The briefing room is a large room with a center console in the middle of the room, surrounding the console is benches. Marcus stood by the center console, Sasha stood to his left and Captain Thela his right. Sara and Cora approached the console and stood facing Marcus from across the console.
"So how did you guys get here?" Sara asked Marcus the obvious question that is on hers and Cora's mind.
Marcus almost smiled at the directness of the human Pathfinder, a quality he could respect. "We arrived using this," Marcus activated the center console and brought up the image of the Delta Relay. Upon seeing the skeptic looks of both Sara and Cora, Marcus began to explain to them what the Delta Relay does. Both Sara and Cora could not believe what they are hearing only when they saw the footage of the Delta Relay in operation did they finally accept.
"Now what is the status of the Initiative?" Marcus asked Sara before she could ask another question.
"The Nexus is damaged and still operational. We have four Arks missing the Leusenia, Paarchero, Natanus, and the KeelahSi'yah." Sara briefed Marcus on everything that happened the moment the they arrived in Andromeda from the death of her father to the establishment of Prodomos, even the Remnant vaults to the Anagara, and ending with their conflict with the Kett.
"So far are the Kett the only threat?" Marcus asked Sara when she finished.
"No, there are also the exiles." Sara told them and explained when she saw Marcus give her a questioning look.
"So we have both the Kett and the exiles to deal with." Marcus said, "what about the Angara?"
Sara looked shocked at what he asked before remembering what Jaal told her about the Roekaar. "There is a faction in the Angara that don't like Kett and us. The Roekaar." She told Marcus before transferring everything that Jaal gave her to the console which displayed the info allowing everyone in the room to read it.
"Ok, so we have threats from three major factions. The Kett, Exiles, and the Roekaar. All of whom have a problem with the Initiative and therefore us." Marcus spoke after reading the report on the Roekaar. 'Three different threats and a lot of innocents caught in the middle.' Marcus thought to himself.
"That about sums it up," Sara said bringing Marcus back from his thoughts. "Pardon me for being blunt but we have some questions of our own." Sara said while looking Marcus in the eye.
"I'll answer your questions when we're on the Nexus." Marcus told her never looking away, "some of the answers are sensitive and may not be too your liking. Better to get it out in front of the Nexus leadership."
Before Sara could ask what he meant the center console came to life displaying a Krogan wearing battle armor. Both Sara and Cora couldn't help but stare at the V.I., "a message for Admiral Shepard from the Normandy." The Korgan V.I. said before disappearing.
Marcus opened his omni-tool and saw a message waiting for him from Ava informing him that the discharging process for the fleet will take another hour to complete and that the ship with engine damage is now repaired. Closing his omni-tool Marcus looked to Sara. "We can continue this when the leaders of the Initiative are present as I said earlier some of the answers are sensitive."
"I'll upload the coordinates for the Nexus then." Sara said opening her omni-tool.
"Just wave your omni-tool over the console." The console once again displayed the armored krogan.
Sara hesitated, "what type of V.I. is this?" She asked to no one in particular.
"It's an A.I," Marcus automatically answered. "I'll explain everything when the Nexus leadership is present." He told Sara before she and Cora could argue his tone leaving no room for argument. Sara was briefly tempted to argue the point but decided it was better not too.
"I assure you that I will only take the coordinates for the Nexus." The krogan A.I said looking at the two women who looked like they wanted to activate their biotics which for them is understandable given what the geth did to Eden Prime and the Citadel and the dangers that A.I's presented.
"If we're going to help we're going to have to trust each other." Marcus told Sara and Cora when he saw their expressions. Noticing the way Sara fists were clenched while Cora slowly flexed her fists her eyes darting to Sara waiting to see what she would do. Sara slowly exhaled as she unclenched her fists closing her eyes she pushed the images of her friends and teammates who died on Eden Prime.
Opening her eyes Sara activated her omni-tool and waved it over the center console, deactivating it immediately afterwards.
"Coordinates received and transmitted to the fleet." The krogan A.I said before disappearing. Sara looked Marcus directly in the eyes saying 'don't make me regret this'. Marcus blinked in response showing that he understood the wordless conversation between Marcus and Sara went unnoticed to the rest of the people in the room.
"With that, Captain Thela will escort you and Lt. Harper back to your ship." Marcus told Sara and Cora ending the briefing. Captain Thela escorted Sara and Cora out of the briefing room and back to the hanger. Marcus and Sasha stayed behind.
"You were a bit harsh on Harper." Sasha stated while Marcus took a seat on the nearest bench, Sasha looked at Marcus and saw that he removed his officer's hat and set it down next to him.
"Needed to gauge her reaction and see if she and Ryder are going to be a problem." Marcus said while running a hand through his hair. "Ava, bring up Harper and Ryder's service records from their time in the Alliance." The center console came to life displaying Sara and Cora's service records side by side. Sasha quickly read through their service records and noticed two things that jumped out to her.
"Sara Ryder was on Eden Prime with the Prothean research team during the geth attack." Sasha said before waving the screens away bringing a new set of screens. This time displaying the images of Sara Ryder and Cora Harper in their Alliance uniforms.
"While Cora Harper had squad mates serving on the Asari councilor's security detail. From her time with the Asari commandos." Marcus spoke rising to his feet, picking up his hat and walking to the center console standing next to Sasha. "All of whom died when Saren and the geth took control of the Citadel."
"Given their reactions to the geth in the hanger. I think it's safe to say that they still harbor some resentment." Sasha stated the obvious. "As does everyone in the Initiative I would imagine. Given what happened six hundred years ago."
Marcus sighed as the thought hadn't crossed his mind but was quickly replaced with another thought. "Then why use A.I's?" Marcus asked Sasha who seemed to be thinking of an answer. "Given what happened at Eden Prime and the Citadel you would think that the Initiative would be hesitant to use A.I's."
"Maybe they thought it was a risk worth taking." Sasha spoke after giving the question some thought. "After all time has no meaning to A.I's, so six hundred years of drifting through dark space is nothing to them." Sasha explained her reasoning to Marcus nodded at her answer.
"Either way people in the Initiative are going to take issue with the geth. Not to mention the Krogan and the Rachni." Marcus stated feeling the beginnings of a headache just from thinking of their reactions. Feeling a hand on his shoulder Marcus turned to see Sasha smiling a gentle smile.
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it." She said her smile never fading, "after all, we survived the Terminus War and everything after." Sasha reassured Marcus before removing her hand from his shoulder and letting it fall to her side.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Marcus said smiling from the gesture from Sasha. Sighing Marcus looked at the images of Sara and Cora in uniform, he had to admit that both women are attractive especially Cora but instead he found himself looking more at the image of Sara.
The Alliance uniform helped hide her figure but still managed to make her look attractive. Her brown hair done in a bun in accordance with Alliance regulation, her brown eyes held determination that Marcus often saw in N7's. All in all, Sara Ryder is an attractive woman it also helped that she rarely used make up at least from what Marcus saw.
Turning to the image of Cora Harper he saw the same thing he saw in Sara, the only difference is that Cora has blonde hair that used to be longer before she cut it into the current style he saw her with. Just from looking at the image it is obvious that Cora could have been a model rather than a soldier but being a biotic didn't really offer much in the way of employment.
"She's beautiful isn't she?" Sasha asked when she noticed Marcus looking at the photos of Sara and Cora.
"Who?"
"Cora Harper." Sasha stated the obvious knowing full well that he wasn't looking at the photo of Cora.
Marcus' lips turned upward in a crooked smile as he shook his head before grabbing his hat and walking to the exit. "Let's get back to the Normandy," he said as he left the room leaving Sasha behind as she also grabbed her hat and followed Marcus out of the room.
"You always did prefer brunettes." Sasha whispered.
Arriving back at the Normandy Marcus and Sasha entered the ship and were immediately greeted by Sydney. "Sir, Sara Ryder from the Tempest is trying to contact you." She told Marcus.
"I'll check in with Ava and get a status of the fleet." Sasha said before walking off to her office. Sydney nodded at Marcus before going back to her station.
"Ava, patch Sara into my comms." Marcus told Ava while walking to the CIC.
"Already done."
"Pathfinder Ryder I understand that you're trying to reach me." Marcus said once the comm channel opened up.
"Admiral Shepard, I would like your permission to leave the Kalros and make a report to the Nexus. Need to make sure that they know of your arrival."
Marcus understood what Sara really meant, 'me and my crew would like to leave a ship full of geth'. "Permission granted, we'll meet you at the Nexus when our FTL is operational." Marcus told Ryder when he reached the CIC and walked up to the command platform, the center projection came to life showing a live feed of the Tempest already in the process of taking off.
"Understood, we'll see you at the Nexus."
With that the comm went silent and Marcus watched as the Tempest retracted its landing gear and departed the hanger. Closing the screen with the security feed Marcus turned around to face Sydney who continued checking reports at her station. "I'll be in my cabin let me know when the fleet is ready to use FTL." He told Sydney who looked up from her station and replied with a 'yes, sir'.
Stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for his cabin. Stepping out of the elevator and into his cabin Marcus was about to go to his desk when he remembered the package and video from Liara. Sitting on the couch Marcus grabbed the data pad and played the message, the image of Liara greeted him.
"Greeting Marcus, I hope that you are doing well in Andromeda." Liara said before sighing to herself and looking away from the camera before looking back at the camera. "It's hard to fathom that you're in a different galaxy, but considering everything that happened six hundred years ago with the Reapers. I shouldn't be surprised." Liara looked at something off camera for a moment before focusing back on the camera. "I know that you have doubts about your ability to lead a fleet. And I know how much you hate being compared to Jane but she did too during the Reaper war. Having the hopes of an entire galaxy brought out the most self-doubting that I have ever seen from her."
Liara spoke that last part with a faraway look in her eyes. "And right now you have that same responsibility to the fleet and those under your command. Don't fight it, eventually you'll learn to accept it just as she did." Liara took a deep breath, "I have faith in you. The same fire that burned in Jane, also burns in you. That fire that makes those around you willing to follow you into the lowest depths of hell and back."
Liara smiled to herself. "You're a fine man, a fine soldier, and a fine Admiral. You can do this plus you have the help of Wrex and Grunt. Never forget that." Liara laughed to herself when she mentioned both Wrex and Grunt. "Tell them that I'll miss them both and not to cause too much in structural damage. Jane once told me that 'home is not a place where you shut yourself off from the world. That it's a place you travel long and hard to find.'"
Liara voice choked at little when she quoted Jane. "Her story is over and yours is just beginning. I hope you find your home in Andromeda, and may the goddess guide you."
A tear landed on the blank screen, Marcus set the data pad on the table and wiped the tears from his face before taking a deep breath to calm his emotions. Once he got his emotions back under control Marcus pulled the package closer to him and opened it. Inside there is a picture frame with a note attached.
'Never forget where you came from – Liara'
The picture showed the original Normandy crew posing in front of the Normandy with Jane in the center.
Setting the photo down on the table next to the package, taking a second look inside. Marcus saw another smaller package inside. Reaching inside and pulling the smaller package out revealing it to be a model ship, the Normandy SR-7. Smiling for a moment before opening the package and removing the model ship along with the stand and going to the display case that held his collection of model ships. Entering the code for the display case, the glass parted in the middle allowing him to set the model next to the Normandy SR-6 model. Once the model is set in place Marcus reentered the code for the display case and the glass came together in the middle sealing the display case.
"The discharging process is complete." Ava said over the intercom.
"I'll be down in moment." Marcus replied turning around to head for the elevator when stopped just as he exited his cabin, turning around he went back into his cabin and grabbed the photo from the table in front of his couch and set it next to the others on his desk. Exiting the elevator and stepping into the CIC Marcus made his way to the cockpit where Sasha is already waiting for him. "What's our status?"
Chloe pushed a button on her chair and the seat turned around so she could face Marcus. "As Ava surely told you. The discharging process is complete, and we can safely use FTL."
"Coordinates for the Nexus?" Marcus asked. This time Ava appeared on the holo display next to the pilot's seat.
"Already inputted. The fleet is ready to go FTL on your command." Ava told him.
Recalling Liara's words to him, Marcus took a deep breath and activated the comm link that patched him to the entire fleet. "This is Admiral Shepard; all ships prepare for FTL." He ordered the fleet and gestured to Chloe, giving her the signal to go FTL. Chloe's chair turned around once again to face the controls and begin the FTL process.
The Normandy is the first to go FTL quickly followed by the rest of the rest.
Kadara
Inside of Sloane's office, Sloane sat on her 'throne' reading a report on the forces that she sent to intercept the Initiative's reinforcements. "So… the krogan failed not only to secure the supplies or the ships, but he also failed to kill the Pathfinder." She said after reading the report given to her by the survivors on the attack who fled when it became clear they were outclassed. Right now there is a turian and asari wearing scavenger armor looking skittish. "Does that about sum it up?" Sloane asked lowering the report to glare at the survivors who fidgeted under her gaze.
"Y-yes, ma'am." The asari stammered looking down hoping that she might live through this.
"Look at me." Sloane ordered the asari who obeyed only to shot in the head by Sloane. Rising from her 'throne' Sloane walked to the turian who wished that he had weapon right now. "So instead of fighting. You decided to run the moment things turn against you." Sloane spoke while walking to the turian, stepping over the corpse of the asari and started circling him. Holstering her weapon Sloan kicked the turian behind the knees forcing to the ground where she started punching him in the face.
"Do you have any idea how fucking weak you made me appear just now!" Sloane shouted while continuing to punch the turian until she beat him to an inch of his life. "My people are supposed to be fearless!" She shouted as she introduced her boot to the turian's face, bringing her boot down on the turian's face repeatedly until she heard a sickening crunch beneath her boot. Breathing heavily and wiping the sweat from her face she composed herself before walking back to her 'throne'.
"Make sure people get the message, Kaetus." Sloane said when she sat down, "anyone caught running from a fight will be killed." She told Kaetus while she crossed her legs and leaned into her seat. The turian nodded before gesturing to the guards to take away the bodies.
Kett Dreadnaught – Verakan
Inside the private quarters of the Archon stood a figure, the figure is tall and leaner than humans or any of the other Milky Way species. The figure's body is covered in white bones that doubled as armor and has no discernible lower jaw, its head is covered in a large translucent dome that reflected the light, a large headpiece extended from the figure's head which could be considered a crown. This is the Archon, commander of the Kett forces in the Heleus Cluster.
The Archon is currently examining an image that is being displayed in the center of the room by a small drone that floated behind him. Hearing the doors to his quarters open he didn't bother turning around knowing that his second in command has come to pester him again.
"We have a problem," the Primus said when she got to close to the Archon who waved his hand in front of the small drone causing the image to disappear.
"Is the Empire pestering me for updates?" The Archon asked knowing full well that is the exact thing the Primus is going to say as she always tells him that the Empire is constantly asking for updates.
"The Imperator does not like being ignored." The Primus said pacing back and forth, "it won't be long before he revokes your status as Archon and puts someone else in charge.
The Archon turned around to face the Primus. "Someone like you?" he asked closing the distance between so that he towered over the Primus. "Until that day comes. You will follow my orders." He told the Primus, he didn't need to make a threat as it is implied.
"By your orders, Archon." The Primus said keeling to one knee, "we still have a problem. The Third Suppression Force have gone silent." She told the Archon still kneeling.
"As I recall they were responding to a signal from the newcomers." The Archon said before turning around to face his vase collection of the Ancients One's technology.
"They sent a distress call requesting reinforcements. By the time they arrived, they found only the remains of the Third Suppression Force." The Primus then told everything she learned to the Archon.
"It doesn't matter." The Archon spoke before gesturing to the small drone which once again displayed the previous image. "One of them will lead us to what we seek. And once we have control of the Ancient One's vaults." The Archon gestured to the image, "we will proceed with our original purpose."
With that the Primus rose from the kneeling position and exited the Archon's private quarters, leaving the Archon to his thoughts.
The image that the Archon is studying is taken from his exchange with the newcomers when he tracked the one who interacted with the vault before they escaped.
Sara and her crew.
A/N: I wanted to show a little of Sloane and the Archon in this chapter and what they are doing in their spare time.
Also I've taken some liberties with Sara by saying that she was on Eden Prime during the geth attack. I like to think that when the beacon was discovered the Alliance dispatched Sara and her team to secure/study it. Also Sara and Scott are both twenty-five instead of twenty-two. Marcus is twenty-nine, so he's four years older than Sara.
Sara's physical appearance is the default character as is Scott's. Marcus' physical appearance is the default male Shepard from the original trilogy, just picture him with more hair, a scar over his right eye and clean shaven.
With that I will post the next chapter when I can and I would ask all you to be patient with me. I don't have a lot of free time right now to write and the posting will be here and there but I'll try to set a schedule for posting.
