Emperor Gothic. Book One. Part Eight.

Underground Base. Unnamed Planet Mass Effect Galaxy.

"This is bad, very bad".

Miranda's understatement seemed to sum up the situation very well and I couldn't but agree as the extranet programme ended.

"It certainly isn't good" added Jedi Knight Shan with her usual Jedi calmness "but is it as bad as it seems?. This Emily Wong is only one reporter after all and she has little in the way of evidence".

"Her lack of evidence won't matter" I corrected. "She's got enough information to peek the interest of other people and that includes groups that could make trouble for us".

"At least they are unaware of how much you really control" said Seven Of Nine who was attempting to comfort me in her own odd way. "From the news report and the other media outlets it seems that this Emily Wong is only aware of your connections to do Earth run weapons and star ship manufacturing businesses, she seems ignorant about your servants in the Alliance and Asari leaderships".

"True" I replied "but there's enough here to draw the attention of the Spectres who will report their findings to the council as soon as they have anything to report. But I can't imagine they will get far no alien Spectre will be able to investigate things to closely on Earth and there are no human Spectres since Sheppard is dead".

"Actually that's not true" informed Miranda "Ashley Williams was made a Spectre a few months ago".

That took me by surprise.

"How did that happen?" I asked of Seven Of Nine who was good at figuring out why things happen ,very fast.

It took her a few moments and several data pads to put the pieces together before she answered my question.

"Ashley Williams was made a Spectre due to our actions" reported Seven. "As a result of humanities advancement in military technologies the other Citadel races demanded that the Alliance decrease their fleet size. You allowed this because a smaller Alliance Navy would be easier to convert and because New Asuras is building warships that remain unknown to the galaxy. During the negotiations the Systems Alliance was offered several trade concessions in order to soften the blow Earth's economy".

I remembered that part but I didn't remember the part about their being another human Spectre.

"As I understand it humanity was offered the right to chose another candidate for the Spectres in order to 'sweeten the deal' as it were. Ashley Williams was the agreed upon candidate due to her service under Commander Sheppard and her part in the saving the Citadel".

How had I not known about this?. I hadn't even known there was a second human Spectre never mind who it was.

A thought then entered my mind.

A human Spectre could of discovered some of my plans. Spectres had access to resources others didn't and as a well liked war hero Williams could have been able to get access to restricted information via contacts within parts of the Alliance military that I didn't control.

That would explain how Wong had ended up knowing much. My converted were loyal after all and would fight to protect my plans but there was a limit to this secrecy. People could betray by mistake or two converted may have been overheard discussing me and my plans. Or perhaps even some computer system had been hacked.

Still however it happen I had to deal with this, but how?.

"Does it really matter?" asked Cameron. "When the Reapers arrive, all resistance will be crushed".

I didn't bother to reply to that. I knew that I could steam roll over the galaxies military forces and destroy anyone who stood in may way. But I had no desire to rule over a galaxy in flames. I wanted to control this galaxy not destroy it and Reapers would leave little in their wake.

But if my secret was out and the galaxy at large came to believe that I was mentally controlling so many VIPs it might cause a panic.

Also the secret services of the other races would likely send assassins and spies to kill me. In order to neutralise such a potential threat. And while I was protected and able to defend my own life, no defence was perfect .

Still I could stay in another universe most of the time that would make it tricky for the bounty hunters to track me down.

But that didn't really solve my long term problem which was that my slow take over had been partly discovered and my plans were likely to come crashing down around me.

I turned my chair to face my Harem and asked them for their suggestions. Given than I had been somewhat exposed I was now free to use less than subtle methods. Direct conquest was now an option and while I didn't have the forces to meet the allied fleets of the Citadel races I didn't have to.

"I think you should just conquer the galaxy" suggest Miranda "while you can just wait for the Reapers to arrive and have them as your fleet your still going to need an army to pacify worlds. And to get that army you can use the Collectors".

"The species called Collectors are insufficient for this purpose" argued 7 of 9. "They lack the numbers and the ships needed for such large scale conquest".

"I wasn't going to suggest using them directly" countered Lawson " I was going to say that we could use the Collectors to abduct the populations of Human and Asari colonies. Then the Collectors can modify them to serve as troops , who then can be used to garrison conquered worlds".

The idea of me becoming the Big Bad behind the Collector attacks on colonies made me laugh out loud. But aside from the amusement the idea offered it did have some merit. It was unlikely that anyone would connect me to the Collectors and they would serve as a good distraction.

Most of the average citizen of this galaxy would stop worrying about a possible mind controlling person taking over Alliance leaderships if the Collectors started attacking colonies.

Of course I'd need a bit more than that to keep people's minds off me. The whole galaxy wasn't going to be distracted by a few small settlements going dark. I'd need more to ensure that what progress I'd made wasn't undone.

"We could also openly aid the Quarians in retaking their home world" suggested Shan. "The Andromeda alone could led the Migrant fleet to victory now that you have upgraded their weaponry"

That would make a good distraction I had to admit but that war would be over quickly. It would have to be as the Quarians didn't have the resources or the population for a long drawn out war. So I'd need to start another war as well.

Perhaps I could do what Saren did, which was to build an army made up of mostly mercenaries and attack the less civilized parts of the galaxy. I could bring in converted troops from other galaxies as well as entire ships since the Andromeda could tow single vessels across the multi-verse in order to aid me in this plan.

I could build a large military force and wage war on the galaxy and it wouldn't matter if I won because it was only a matter of time before the Reapers arrived and when that happened I would sweep all my enemies aside.

Heck even without the Reapers I stood a good chance of winning given that I could control the Mass Reply network.

It would simple to shut it down and then take this galaxy, cluster by cluster. That might even be more fun than just letting the Reapers do all the work. And it would certainly give me something to do until the techno squids entered the galaxy.

I informed my sex slaves of my new plan without asking their opinion on the matter and started issuing orders.

"Miranda I want you track down Ashley Williams. Cameron once she has been found you take the Manipulator and bring Williams to me so I can make her mine. Seven I'm sending you to the Collector base so you can take command. You will began preparations to turn that base into a staging area for my fleet, the wreaked ships in around the Collector base will provide the materials you will need. Shan I sending you to the Halo Verse to command the Sith ships I left there to defend Earth. Make sure that the planet does not fall to invaders and continue aiding the UNSC in setting up its defences. I'll send some Asurans with you and Seven so you'll both have some aid in your work".

While things were currently going badly in this galaxy in the Halo galaxy things were going rather well.

Since the humans in that galaxy were living under a military dictatorship it had been easy to gain control there as I had simply converted all the highest ranking officers. This had taken mere hours as there wasn't much left of the human race in that galaxy any and every ship that could fight was already at Earth making it easy convert their commanding officers.

The people of that Earth were quite willing to join the Eternal Empire because I had offered technology to protect them anh through that a small hope for survival They felt much safer with the new planetary shields up and the powerful Sith ships in orbit (the ones based on the Harrower-class dreadnoughts) were a comforting sight in the SOL system as it meant that Earth was defended by ships not only able to fight Covenant vessels but actually win even when out numbered.

The fact that I truthfully claimed to be from another universe didn't really seem to matter as the converted believed everything I said and the average citizen didn't seem to care.

Not really that surprising as if your facing certain annihilation you don't turn down help even if it claims to be from another universe.

It also likely helped that my ships were clearly not UNSC in origin. It leant support to my claim that my ships were so powerful because few would claim that I was from a lost colony (which was a more reasonable claim) because a single colony could never have build such mighty craft that used such exotic weapons and FTL.

Or perhaps the humans of that reality were just more trusting of what they saw with their own eyes and the natives of the Mass Effect verse.

I was pretty sure that if a Halo was found in the Mass Effect verse was ever found people would be denying that it was a superweapon right up until it fired.

"What about the Citadel Council. Won't they take action if you attack worlds even if they are in Terminus Systems?" asked Lira T'soni my information broker who had been the one to bring this matter to my attention.

"I control half the Council" I reminded my Asari spymaster "I can keep them stuck in debate for a while and perhaps even have the two I control convince the others that they shouldn't interfere with the Terminus systems and also downplay my involvement. I also control the Alliance parliament so as long as they don't connect me to what the Collectors are doing they should leave me alone until I move into the Traverse and even then I can stall things".

The only reason I didn't seize control over the Alliance now was because I didn't control much of the military so if I had the parliament publicly appoint me Emperor while declaring Alliance was now the Eternal Empire, well people weren't likely to take that lying down.

And while I could shut the Mass Relays and use the superior Cerberus ships to take on the Alliance Navy piecemeal that would make me look like an invader and I just didn't have the troops to occupy Earth and the larger colonies or even some of the smaller ones.

I'd just have to wait until I had overwhelming force and combine that with my ability to 'adjust' people and then conquer the galaxy.

It would be a more messy way to do it and I'd have to spend more time rebuilding afterwards but that didn't really matter. In the end I'd still end up ruling this galaxy and gain the resources I needed to expand. This was just a minor set back nothing more.

"Your dismissed" I told the females in the room as they had waited for permission to leave.

I then rewatched the hologram to see if upon second viewing if it was any less damning but if anything it seemed worse. There wasn't just mention of my mind control powers there were to many details about it and the people I had converted.

No actually proof (aside from an audio recording mentioning me by name and mentioning that I was going to meet someone who needed to be controlled) but she'd used it well. People would pay attention, people that I didn't want noticing me.

I then realised that while my other concubines had left to prepare for their tasks Lawson was still here. She was standing still behind my chair starting at the muted hologram which was repeating the news report I'd just watched.

"Was there something you wanted Miranda" I asked of my personal assistant "Or are you finding it to painful to leave my presence".

My fuck toy blushed a little and I sensed that she actually didn't want to leave me but there was also something greatly distracting her.

"When you start over the galaxy will you target Illium?" she asked.

I nodded and said.

"The planet's mostly under my control so I won't need to bombard it or anything drastic but its a lawless world so I might need to send in a lot of troops to totally pacify it".

The former Cerberus operative frowned before saying.

"Then I find myself in the awkward position of having to beg for your help, master".

When Miranda said 'awkward position' she meant it, she got on her hands and knees, pressing her head to the soft red carpet that covered the floor.

"My sister is on Illuim, Majesty. I beg of you to let me bring her here she will be safe. Like me she could serve you well thanks to her gene mods. And while I can't deny you anything I'm sure that I could think up a few ways I could repay your kindness".

You didn't need to be able to read people's feelings to know that she meant every word she'd just said. And while she would gladly debase herself in anyway my sick mind could imagine if ordered she was offering to think up a few ways to humiliate herself and act them out all for her sister.

Family really is a weakness I'm glad I left mine behind me.

"I will fetch her myself and bring her here for you Miranda" I promised my personal aid. "You will be responsible for training her so that she can assume some of your duties. You will need help in any case as once the war starts your workload will increase".

Before Miranda could start thanking me I gave her a warning.

"And when I say that she will be your responsibility I mean it. She will be punished for her failures like you are only you will do the punishing".

I could sense her worry at that. My punishments were few because I didn't punish for minor things and most people around were converted anyway but when someone was truly responsible I took the chance to inflict great amounts of pain and humiliation.

Miranda might have to do such things to her own sister and this naturally concerned her but I saw it as a way of ensuring that Oriana would be well trained by her older twin sister.

"Yes my lord thank you" said Miranda who got up a bit to face me but stayed on her knees. "I know I've already asked for lot but I could go with to fetch she's not going to understand why she needs to leave if I'm not that. Converting her will make it easy but it will go smoother if I am there".

I had intended to take her with me of course but I might as well make it look like I am doing her a favour.

"Of course you may" I said getting up and dressing to go out and even on a world were many taboos were more relaxed than elsewhere they would still attempt to arrest me if I walked around half naked.

I dressed and then popped over to the Asari commerce planet just in time to run into some Eclipse mercs. Its seemed that events were picking up pace this galaxy so I'd have to pick up mine as well.

Nos Astra. Illium. Asari Republics. Mass Effect Galaxy.

Turns out that Asari Justicarsare a pain in the ass.

I'd discovered this shortly after picking up Miranda's sister as we'd had a run in with some Eclipse mercs.

It seems that Mr. Lawon (or whatever Miranda's father was called) wanted his youngest daughter back and some now dead guy (Niket or Nikat something like that) had been planning to make that happen with the help of a rather nasty Asari.

Thankfully for my big breasted assistant I'd been around with to deal with things and had killed (or converted when possible in the cases of Asari and Human mercs) everyone that stood between the Lawson sisters and the reunion I had planned.

Now with the a small army of loyal yellow armoured soldiers under my command I'd decided to go after the other mercenaries in this city in the hopes that I could get started on building that army.

I planned to have a cloaked and hyperspace capable Cerberus ship pick the mercs up and take them to Collector base once it was ready to start modifying my soldiers so they could better serve me. But to get the numbers I would need to even take a small colony I'd would have to convert a lot more these guys and likely a lot more elsewhere.

I'd also gotten the idea of setting my own merc group up as well using my vast fortune to fund it. Once converted and improved up they'd be the best merc group out there once they got some numbers on their side, and I had an idea on how to increase those numbers very quickly.

But for now I had to deal with this damn Justicar who seemed hell bent on ridding the galaxy of any mercenary she could find.

I wondered if this Justicar was the same one that appears in Mass Effect Two it would make sense given the timing.

I also wondered if I should convert her. An Asari powerful enough to take down a dozens of Eclipse would be a handy tool to have around but it didn't look like I was going to get the chance.

Judging by radio chatter a gunship was being deployed to take Samara (assuming it was here) and I had to decide between converting more mercs or gaining the closet thing this galaxy had to a Jedi Knight.

I weighted the pros and cons a little before deciding.

The pros outweighed the cons.

A Justicar was easily worth a platoon of normal soldiers as not only were they great fighters they were also powerful symbols. If I had one in my service it would scare and confuse at lot of Asari. Plus if I was going to be the next Saren I might as well have my own Beniza.

Before I acted I dropped Miranda and freshly converted Oriana back at my home base and told the older of the twins to get the younger ready to serve me. Which included getting bigger breasts and a tighter outfit before being further improved by gene mods.

Yes as shocking as I found it, it turns out that you can add to perfection as Miranda (and her twin) still had a little room for improvement, if only a little.

"I will destroy you!" screamed an well armoured biotic merc as she attempted to take down the Justicar.

Samara was faster her biotics were better and more well practised as the merc leader found out as she went flying through a closed door.

I didn't have biotic abilities myself and saw no need for them but I wasn't willing to use my near-ascended in public so I aided the Justicar using my more subtle mental powers.

Rather than convert the mercenaries she was fighting (which I couldn't while they were busy fighting anyway) I simple sent a quick burst of pain into their minds. Normally this wouldn't do anyone real harm but it was distracting and in a fire fight like this even a small distraction was enough.

The tide of battle turned in my favour as the troops under my control moved in and gunned down their freewilled counterparts.

Samara was naturally confused and when she saw an unarmed and unarmoured human she halted her attack.

I ordered my troops to peruse the now fleeing Eclipses. While I went to convert the Asari warrior.

Now that my powers wouldn't be noticed I lashed out at the Justicar pinning her to a nearby so I could convert her without worrying her fleeing or kicking my ass with her own powers.

The 'adjust' was harder than normal as Asari who live this long do so by being strong willed but I'd broken Matriarchs before it just takes longer to do and a lot more effort to pull off. But it is well worth it as Matriarchs have centuries of experience and knowledge to call upon, they also often command a lot of resources and command great respect.

Of course none of the test subjects I'd used had been that important as the Asari would of noticed if such influential figures went missing and back then I wasn't as willing to draw as much attention to myself as I am now.

With the conversion complete Samara knelt before me and said.

"What is your bidding, my master".

I nearly sniggered when she said that. Seems that I wouldn't have to train this one much or maybe I had just overdone the 'adjustment'.

That could actually happen as while I was rather skilled at conversion I still didn't really understand it that well and it was doubtful that I ever would. But I hadn't wrecked her mind at least.

The other mercs had now returned having chased down and killed their former comrades now that they had returned I would give them their orders.

"The Justicar is now in charge of you" I explained "You will follow her commands while you capture, not kill, as many Asari and Human Eclipse members as you can find. In a matter of days I will return with a ship which will take you to my base".

By that I meant the Collector base not my hidden underground one.

"There you will given newer and better weapons, and also receive genemods to improve your combat abilities".

Knowing the Collectors like I did they'd likely have cool cybernetics as well that could be installed (or would that be implanted?) aside these guns for hire making them even tougher.

"Then after some training you will serve me in my private army as I conquer entire worlds and bring this galaxy to its knees!".

I 'adjusted' them again this time making them want to shout and cheer for joy after my very short speech was done which was was kind of cool.

"Now go back to your base I will see you again in a few days".

The former Eclipse mercenaries and their new leader left me in order to go and prepare for what was to come. They were going to spend then next few days capturing as many of their former comrades as possible before heading off for a new life.

So I also a few busy days coming up.

I needed to organise my forces at the Collector base and have the ships fitted with Collector IFFs so they could used the Omega Four relay rather than have such fragile ships risk a hyperspace jump that close to the centre of the galaxy.

I also needed to make a few trips elsewhere and arrange a few things so that I could have the resources to carry out this war.

So it looked as if I was going to be a very busy conqueror over the next few days, and with that in mind I decided to get started now.