So another chapter for you all, thanks for everyone who favourited and followed this story. It really is an incentive for me to continue it.
Sorry for the wait.
Please leave reviews or PM to me, I really like it. (A great motivator)
This chapter will include [Rise of the modified Rachni, a secret facility and more]
(Flashback Year 2169 October)
(Ryvern POV)
"I want to make a secret facility that for now only me will know about, at least until a later date." I explained sitting on a nearby outcrop of metal.
"I see, what is its purpose and why do you need my help?" Levi asked, his hologram sitting on another convenient outcropping. All these coincidences, it was almost as if someone was planning it...
"Well I want you to run it, and what it's for is well things like personal projects and more secretive things that only I and you can know about."
"You know how I've been thinking of adding the Rachni to our race and organisation." I started.
"I doubt that at the beginning anyone will welcome them, not until they at least prove them selves."
Looking around at our surroundings I just thought of something.
"How long have you been waiting for me to arrive?" I asked suddenly, surprising him slightly.
"A few thousand years, I knew when you were coming though, so it wasn't as bad as it could've been." Levi replied.
"I see..."
"I brought some Quarians with me so hopefully if your clear you can come with me to discuss this further." As the Quarians took that as their cue to enter.
(End Flashback Year 2170 January)
(Ryvern POV)
Looking back on that memory it seemed so simple, as it turned out to be anything but that. Levi did indeed have some knowledge on how to communicate with the Rachni, we had also found an ideal site for our secret facility.
The only thing we had left to do was find and revive the Rachni, then see what their intentions were. If they would forge a new path or try to return to their old ways.
On the bright side our fleet of ships combined with what the Quarians brought we had a sizeable fleet nearly as big as any other race.
So here I was on our new explorer class vessel called Interstellar, trying to find that ship that Binary Helix found, hopefully this would not only benefit us but help John later in his missions.
Hopefully we would also have a lot more success with our more advanced technology.
Exiting warp I looked up from what I was working, the translator for the Rachni, hopefully the ship wouldn't be too far from our location.
We also had to expand our anti matter based technology, we still were relying mostly on mass effect weapons.
"Sam any sign of the ship?" I called out putting the finishing touches to the translator. We happily didn't have to move it anywhere as this prototype came quipped with the necessary equipment to revive any specimens we came across.
"There appears to be a unidentified object, matching your specification for the ship around a few hundred kilometres away." She said after a couple of seconds.
"Excellent, plot a course, I'll be prepping the lab for start of reviving them." I said leaving the bridge, while prepping the lab for the procedure I also started the fabrication of the body for the Rachni.
While they may prove themselves, the different bodies would definitely take some time, not only modifying ships to accommodate them but also be a bit strange.
Hence why I was making a more human like body, it would still have a Rachni touch to it though.
The reason doing it before even communicating with one, well they were bound to if not well, that would only be slightly problematic as I would've wasted some time that could have done something else.
Sighing I looked around the room While I had been focused on what I needed as it came up, I needed to start thinking long term. Taking the Rachni to either revive or kill is the first thing that would help this.
Another thing was what to do about Matriarch Benezia, she didn't want to join Saren and his cause.
The Prothean beacon exploding after transferring the quite frankly useless knowledge. It just showed snippets of memories about the Reapers and what they did to them nothing useful.
Thinking about all of this I just started staring at a wall in silence thinking.
-o0o-
"We've arrived Creator." Sam broke me out of my trance.
"Okay, I'll head over and see what I can find." I announced forgoing the armour, it started getting tiring after awhile.
Heading to an airlock I looked out into space that held the drifting Rachni ship, I had to say they could've invested in making them look more aesthetically pleasing. Though if it functioned better than it looked I spose that's what matters.
Jumping out from the airlock a thought just occurred, not only a good defensive feature but also saving resources.
Now that I had made everyone a Wraith we no longer needed air to breathe, thus no longer required airlocks on military ships, at least not all of them.
The jarring impact created from crashing into the Rachni ship's hull broke me out of that train of thought.
Shaking off the lack of feeling form the impact I started to look for a way to enter this monstrosity that could be barely called a ship.
Looking around for an entrance for five minutes I just decided to do the simplest option, cut a hole in the hull.
Through some stroke of luck I cut a hole in the roof of their CIC.
Dropping down the hole I looked around, other than the organic terminals it was pretty sparse. (Think of Wraith technology from Star Gate Atlantis)
Walking through the near black interior, or it would be if I didn't have night vision, seriously who would turn down the chance of being a Wraith, all these benefits and only the price of not being a pirate or have the luck of meeting me and making an impression.
Walking a for a bit through the ship I soon found their stasis pods, a few were cracked in some places, a few missing quite large pieces from the pods. Some losing power and the stasis failing.
It was quite sad really, scanning the surviving stasis pods I looked for a viable queen egg. While scanning I noticed something odd, the reason that some of the pods had lost power was because it was being directed some where else on the ship.
Following the flow of power through the ship I came to a dead end. Looking up and around where I was it didn't seem quite right, on the walls were what looked like it might lights of some sort, like it was leading to somewhere.
Pulling out my omni-blade I started cutting through the wall, I really needed to make a lightsaber, they were just so useful and could holes quickly.
Half a minute later I finally cut through the wall, which I was now suspecting to be a hidden door.
When the wall fell away into the room, to say I was surprised was an understatement. Inside the room was a larger pod, the egg inside it though not much bigger than a queen one, in fact it might even be smaller than a standard egg.
In fact the only way you would know it was more important than the other ones was that it was using power from the others to keep it in a stable stasis.
Looking round the room for its control, I set to work to revive it, whatever version of a Rachni it comes out to be it will be fascinating to see.
-o0o-
(February)
It had been a month since I started to hatch a Rachni egg. "Sam has the ageing modifications been accepted by the egg?" I ask out loud, I needed to start talking to people again. Spending a month basically on my own had made me start forgoing the need to talk.
"Yes, when it hatches it should age around twenty years before halting in around a day." She confirmed.
"Alright time to raise the temperature and leave it alone for a day or two." I said raising it from its currently freezing cold to mildly hot.
"Let me know when to wake then." I said leaving my chair to stand upright against the wall, having nothing better to do for two days.
-o0o-
(POV Hatched Rachni Egg)
Waking up in a strange place instead of a Rachni ship, the only thing that gave any indication of where I was, was the equipment surrounding the room.
The last time was during the war with those 'Council' Races.
Looking cautiously around the room I noticed a person standing still against a wall. Almost asleep, looking him over more closely I didn't recognise him as a participant in the war.
"Your awake." A voice calls out making me look around guardedly.
"Where are you?" I call out, not really expecting an answer.
"I'm not anywhere, I sort of don't exist, I have to wake up the Creator, he's not going to be happy." She said the last part more softly.
Looking back at the figure against the wall he starts moving.
Looking around the room his eyes then focus on me.
"Sam how long has it been?" He asks tensely.
"Four days." The voice replies.
"I said to wake me up when in three didn't I?" He asks ignoring me for the moment.
"And?" She questions, before the figure smirks.
"You want a body right?" Shutting her up.
"Good now..." He started turning back to me.
"What are you?" Halting my arrogant comeback, I remember I still don't know where I am.
"I am Zuri a Rachni Empress." I state getting a small look of shock appear on his face.
"Well..." He started trailing off, not saying anything for a few more seconds.
"Okay, I assume you know how the war ended then?" He questioned stopping his pacing he had started.
"Yes the near extinction of my race." I replied with a little anger.
"Well then, if anyone knew that you were revived they would hunt me and you down right, even extinct there is still immense hatred for you race?" He says slightly surprising me, even after this long they still hate us.
"Yes." I state a bit more sedately strangely getting a soft smile from him.
"Then depending on your answer to this proposal, they will never find out." He started before continuing.
Taking a breath before he starts speaking. "I believe your race deserves a second chance, that is why I revived you, I'm what is called a Wraith, I can convert other races to a Wraith and I want you to join us." He says surprising me fully now.
"You say you can turn people to become a... Wraith, what is that?" I ask slowly.
"This." He stated before his skin started melting away, four metallic like arms extend from his back, bone now visible, spikes growing our of his skull like a crown.
"This is my personal form, the only thing that all Wraith are the bone, everything else is customise-able." His voice now changed, more distorted.
"Why do you want me to join you?" I ask after looking at his form for a few seconds.
"Because I believe you deserve a second chance... And I want you and your race to help me fight a new enemy that will appear in around eleven years." He states.
"That is really all I can tell you, if you want more you have to join me and my people, I don't want to kill you, but if I have to I will." He states with an apologetic look.
My eyes narrowing at the last comment.
-o0o-
(POV Ryvern)
"Is that a threat, what makes you think you could even scratch me." She states aggressively
Sighing I jump forward suddenly, my extra limbs picking her up. "Don't underestimate me alright." I state coldly holding a blade to her throat.
"Okay, you win." She states, placing her down after that.
"So do you want to join us?" I asked my voice sounding weird as I revert back to my first form.
"On one condition." She states making me get slightly nervous.
"What?" I ask slowly.
"You become my mate." She says as if it was a normal thing, like talking what the weather was like.
For the next five minutes I now did an impersonation of a gaping fish, one I would deny to the end of the galaxy, while Sam was trying to figure out if she should be laughing or sympathising.
Finally regaining control over my vocal chords I asked. "A-any particular reason why it has to be me?" I asked.
"Well the main one is that you bested me in combat sufficiently, you revived me and your cute, isn't that enough." She asked tilting her slightly.
"U-u-uh... Ummm." I try to think of something to refute the claim.
"So if I agree you join us?" I finally say after thinking what she said through.
"Yeah." She acknowledged.
"Fine, I agree." I said getting a smile from her shaking a err... Limb?
"Well then since you've you joined us, you'll be coming to the inner council's next meeting, you are the leader of your people now." I add as she nods.
"You said that you could convert people into a Wraith, what races have you done?" She asked.
"A few Asari, A Salarian, humans and majority of our population is Quarian." I reply "Our total population is a little over seventeen point five million." I reveal getting a slightly shocked look.
"You have a minuscule population, when the other council races find out about you they..." She started getting interrupted by me.
"They won't do anything, first I personally have a lot of backing from the Asari race, and if the other races do decide to attack us they will fail." I begin "We will only reveal ourselves to the galaxy when the Reapers start their attack, they won't have the time to go after us."
"And how do they not know about you, you don't seem to be that old of a race, given that I don't remember any such race that has abilities like you." She asked slightly accusingly.
"That's because we are only a few years old, with only one minor difference, we are more powerful than any other race." I say gesturing her to follow me.
"But enough about that, I want to see if you'll like this?" I ask leading her into another room, this one having a body hanging from a harness. (Think of Kerrigan's body from starcraft) "Would you like that body to be yours?" I ask watching as she approaches it slowly, inspecting it.
"This could be my body?" She asks looking at the datapad nearby that had its specs.
"Yes, some things are obviously changeable, hair colour, eye and so on." I add walking closer as well.
"We can start the transfer immediately." I said as I observed her eyeing the body quite intensely.
"Yes, can you revive the other surviving queens?" She asked finally tearing her eyes from the body.
"Yes, the transfer for you should only take a couple of days, I can have Sam start the process."
"Very well, lets start then."
"Okay." I directed her to another room, this with a metal table. "See you in a couple days my mate." She says teasingly as she drifts into unconsciousness.
"Okay, maybe this was a bad idea." I mutter to myself thinking of what Tela and the others would say when they found out.
-o0o-
(POV Zuri)
Opening my eyes again only this time it felt strange, not necessarily bad nor good, just different.
Looking around the room I see my mate over looking several other beds holding bodies similar to the one she had looked at.
Trying to sit up, I only succeeded in rolling towards the floor, preparing for the impact that would no doubt help the slight headache I had already.
Only to feel two arms holding me, placing me back on the bed.
"Next time think before you act." My mates voice said turning to get a glass of something.
"Drink this, it should make you easier for you to talk." He says tipping slowly into my mouth.
"Thank you... My mate." I say slowly, it feeling slightly strange.
"Is that what your going to call me now?" He asks with a slight sigh.
"Yes, but I still don't know your name anyway." I point out as he looks apologetic.
"Ah, well it's Ryvern." He said looking at a datapad.
"Ryvern..." I say.
"Yeah, now how do you feel, any pain or discomfort?" He asks.
"It feels strange but it doesn't hurt or anything."
"Good good, now time to get you used to your body." He says as he pulls me up onto my now two feet slowly.
Trying to move forward a few steps, only to stumble and would have fallen to the ground if my mate wasn't there holding me.
"Okay this could take a while then." He said.
-o0o-
(February)
(POV Ryvern)
It had been a month since I first transferred Zuri into her new body and became her mate, the latter occurrence giving me enough of a reason to speed up project Chameleon which lead into Ghost.
Finally all the revived queens and Zuri had mastered their new bodies.
Time to introduce them to the rest of our race.
"Okay you've had time to get used to your new bodies, spending a month here." I paused.
"Now it's time to see what my inner council thinks of you before any further action is taken." This had them get slightly apprehensive.
"If they don't want you join join us on our home planet I won't allow you to be killed, you joined our race, you won't be killed because others didn't like you." I assured, only the queens still worried about it.
"How can you assure us that, wouldn't it be better someone like your leader guaranteeing that." One said speaking for the rest of them.
Pausing for a moment I then spoke. "Our race has Asari, Quarian, A Salarian and Human... The Asari councillor on the Citadel is part of it, including they're spectre as well." shocked looks from all but Zuri.
Turning to Zuri I asked. "Zuri do you know who the leader, think about everything I've said so far."
"Well you first had the power to accept or decline people joining the Wraith." She started thinking back.
"You were strong enough to beat me, you also knew a lot about high ranking people in Wraith society..." She trailed off.
"You are the leader... Aren't you." She states looking at me.
"Yeah I created the Wraith I am also an Exiled Reaper..." I state waiting for their reactions.
"So your telling us that your a Reaper, this enemy that will reappear in eleven or so years?" A queen asked incredulously.
"Yeah pretty much." I start walking over to a table. "I have to admit, I am somewhat similar, Wraith are built around Technology not organic life." Sitting on the table.
"I also like order, unless I'm causing the chaos, the Reapers on the other hand have no regard to organic life, they only care about order." I try to reassure them, well the queens more than Zuri.
"It sort explains how you are so strong my mate." She said making the queens look at her in shock.
"You chose him as your mate!" They shouted, thankfully not impairing any hearing anymore.
"Yes, didn't you hear how he beat me in combat." She said much to the shock of them.
"There is no way he beat you." One states pointing to me "Look at him, he's barely looks older than a child." after which they star
"You doubt me." I asked quietly, still heard clearly through the argument.
"Yes." The queens state plainly.
"I see, usually when people underestimate me they end up dead, for you I'll make an exception." I state softly
Not giving the queens time to react I lifted them all up with my black and now purple biotics. My head melting to bone.
"Know your opponents strength, it saves you the embarrassment of defeat." I say with my wispy, cold, distorted voice.
"Now apologise to me and your empress." I ordered. Getting a shaky nod before apologising profusely, while a nice added touch it was somewhat annoying.
Reverting back to my first form I then went back to the topic that had brought me here in the first place.
"Now that's out of the way, are you ready to meet my inner council?" I asked almost as if what had happened before never did.
"We would at some point any way right?" Zuri asked pointedly.
"Umm." I say looking like I'm thinking deeply. "Yeah." I say almost acting may age in this universe, shuddering when that thought crossed my mind.
"Oh you also wanted to see why were stronger than any other races." I say motioning them to follow me.
Heading to the forward viewing window showing the now worthless Rachni ship. "We powered it up so the shields would work, how long would it take for a council race to destroy in the war?"
"Maybe a hundred or so shot, ten to twenty missiles, but their technology would have advanced since then though." Zuri answered sceptically.
"Yes, but not much, the only time we seem to advance is when there is a need for it, weapons in war, medicine in pandemics or outbreaks and so on."
"This is what our barely modified weapons can do to it." I state ordering Sam to fire.
Five shots later all that was left was chunks of the ship, along with gaping mouths of the Rachni queens and Zuri.
"That's your barely modified weapons!" They screeched.
"Yeah, we've been more focused on making and converting ships and building our infrastructure."
"We're now directing our R'D to make armour and weapons based around our Antimatter technology."
"Wait, your not going to say that I'm your mate are you?" I asked nervously looking back at her.
"Of course why wouldn't I?" Zuri replied nonchalantly.
"Do you want to stay here for oh... few hundred years then?" I asked hopefully.
"But wouldn't the Reapers killed the galaxy by then." A queen questioned, making me sigh, expression and the finer parts of languages.
"Yes... Look never mind let's just get this over with." I sigh.
"Sam head for Home, also get the inner council ready for meeting our guests." I announced heading back to my lab, leaving the Rachni to seeing what had changed in a few thousand years.
-o0o-
I was really happy for this trip to end, while the Rachni looked up what had happened since the now temporary extinction of their race, the queens had found some interesting things.
First they somehow managed to find Anime and spent at least half a day watching it.
Then they somehow found their way onto the galaxy's stock market, investing in several companies that then spiked earning a nice profit. Still not sure where the hell they first got the money and then the luck for that to happen.
And finally and very annoyingly they found themselves looking at Fornax and other stuff similar to it, then coming to me feeling weird and expected me to do something about it.
Walking off the Interstellar as fast as possible, not before telling them to never mention anything about the return trip to anyone else.
After a brisk walk barely able to resist flying there, we were outside the meeting room.
Stepping through the door I was greeted by everyone, Tevos's hologram even there, perfect I had something to ask her about.
"Hello guys, anything important happen while I was away?" I asked taking a seat, the Rachni standing behind me.
"Not really, the Council hasn't found anymore about the 'Avians' as they're calling us, am I the only one that thinks that is a stupid name?" Tevos asked looking round at the rest of us, the Rachni in the room going ignored for now.
"Nope that is a stupid name, it doesn't really suit us, the only thing that that name represents are the wings but I digress." I agree before motioning behind me.
"As you can see not only was I successful in my endeavour but also got them to join us."
"So they were not extinct then." Tela says.
"In a manner of speaking, there were no hatched or awake ones, there were eggs in stasis though."
"And they can understand us and we can understand us." Aria asked not rudely, more curious.
"And I thought Rachni looked more like bugs?" Jack asked more naively than rude or curious.
Looking at Zuri, nodding my head.
"Yes we can understand you and vice versa and as for not looking like bugs is thanks to my mate." She said making me freeze, some others gaining angry looks the others sad ones.
"And who is your mate?" Tela asked threateningly but not about to jump to conclusions.
"Ryvern." At that I now was thinking about relocating universes, something with Levi's help might be possible.
"Is that true Ryvern?" Tela asked looking angry.
"Yes, it was part of the deal to join our people, and stop looking at me like that, why do you care anyway, you want to be my 'mate' instead or something?" I asked not letting my cheeky grin surface from my teasing.
The only reply I got was a lot of spluttering and curses.
"Anyway moving on from previous topics." I get the attention of everyone who had got distracted most likely in fantasy of one form or another.
"Tevos, how hard is it to open a night club on your home world?" I asked getting a surprised look and head tilt in return, this only made her look cute.
"Not to hard if you have some backing and money."
"Good I have both, I want to make a night club chain on Asari planets, while mostly for fun they can also provide recruitment and bases for Wraith." I explained getting some incredulous looks at the 'for fun' part.
"You want to make a night club for fun?" Tevos asked disbelievingly.
"Yeah why not, don't forget the other part of my reasoning either." I replied with a slightly child like smile.
"Why on the Asari home world though?" Aedop asked.
"Because I don't trust nor really like the other council races, we are going to use the Engel des Todes name as a way to get known."
"That's good, and you haven't done anything to get you imprisoned or anything so it will be even better." Kash pointed out as well.
"See good idea, can you help me?" I asked leaning towards Tevos, I really needed to figure out why the hell I was acting more like a kid recently. Maybe it had something to do with going through puberty recently.
"Fine, and how are you going to pay for it again?" She asked.
"All the Eezo technology and Eezo we stripped and mined from around here and our ships."
"Alright I'll get you a meeting with a matriarch to discuss the finer details of the project." Tevos said about to leave before I spoke up.
"Well most of the details the finer ones a restricted to anyone not a part of our race, so maybe one that could be recruited." I added now spending time thinking of said finer details.
-o0o-
(May)
(POV Tevos)
Finally getting enough time to go to Thessia to find a matriarch who would help and probably run a night club for Engel des Todes.
Heading to Benezia's first proved to be a good idea, at least from first impressions, also apparently not expecting many visitors either from all most of the free wall space either taken up by memento's of her daughter or of...
"Benezia?" I asked seeing her hugging a pillow with a picture of Engel des Todes on it, looks like Ryvern has made an impression on at least on of the matriarchs.
"More Engel..." Benezia moaned making me start to feel uncomfortable, deciding to wake her before finding out any more of her apparent dreams.
For putting me through the thought of what she was thinking when she moaned, the best way to wake I thought. (Yes a slight Yoda influence in that sentence)
Picking her up in my biotics I threw her a another chair while yelling. "Get up Benezia!"
This did the trick as she spluttered looking around for the reason of her quite polite if I say so myself awakening.
Immediately she hid the body pillow she was hugging before speaking. "Councillor Tevos, this is an unexpected visit, did you see anything?" She asked nervously at the end.
"Something along the lines of 'More Engel...' while moaning, does that count?" She said making Benezia turn very dark purple. Letting her splutter for a few more seconds I then spoke up again.
"Okay, let's just forget about that and move onto the reason of my visit." I put her out of her misery.
"Thank you, and that reason would be?" She asked going to get a drink.
"Well given your most obvious interest..." Benezia blushes again.
"You might be just the person for the job." I replied ignoring previous blush, nodding for her to follow me.
Heading into the shuttle that I brought for the visits, we took off.
"So where are we going Tevos?"
"Somewhere more private to meet someone." I replied cryptically.
-o0o-
(POV Ryvern)
So Tevos found a Matriarch to hopefully run the club, it would be slightly strange having a matriarch running the chain but eh.
The sound of an approaching shuttle broke me out of my thoughts of what people would think of a Matriarch running a night club.
Said shuttle landing behind me, the sound of talking approaching before them.
"So who are we meeting?" The voice making me stop slightly.
"So she found Benezia suitable then." I murmur to myself as they approached Benezia not noticing me in front of her, this could be useful.
"He's right in front of you." Tevos said walking back slightly letting Benezia's eye land on me.
How high she jumped when she saw me was slightly comical, it did make me wonder why though.
"Engel des Todes!" She squealed in shock and happiness I think it was.
"In the flesh." I state simply, watching as this matriarch acted like a human teenage girl with a big crush, or talking with their hero.
"Okay Benezia, time to calm down, I give her a few seconds to do so, now I want you to run a chain of nightclubs for me when I'm away doing business." I asked.
The look I got when I asked was really comical as her jaw dropped to the ground in shock.
"You want me to run your business for you Engel?" She questioned slightly disbelievingly.
"Yes, I also have another offer for you though, along with the other matriarchs too later maybe." I responded.
"First what are your feelings on the Rachni and Quarians?" I asked curious of her reaction.
"The Quarians don't deserve all the prejudice that has come from their creation of the Geth." She said after thinking for a moment.
"The Rachni it was more of a communication barrier, either way they're extinct so why would that matter." She questioned.
"In a few years." I began ignoring her previous question
"There will be an enemy that will be like nothing you've ever seen, stronger and powerful, if you want to know more then you have to join my race." I stated Tevos still watching and waiting.
"I can join you?" She questions, apparently the most significant thing I said.
"Yes." Her reaction to this wasn't quite what I was expecting.
"Yay." The Matriarch now hugging me like a little child would.
"Well this a... Interesting development." I say as Tevos comes up behind Benezia.
"So want to hear the bad news now?" Tevos says causing Benezia to turn round only just remembering she was still here.
"Wait if I had to join you, does that mean..." She trailed off looking at Tevos.
"Yes, she has joined me as well, along with some other people, and Zuri you can come out now." I call out, prompting Zuri to appear.
Now Benezia's reaction to her appearance. "What are you?" She asked nervously.
"I'm a Rachni Empress, pleasure to meet you Benezia." She said to which Benezia nodded quickly before jumping behind me.
"So you don't like bugs too much then huh." I say looking over shoulder at the cowering Matriarch.
"Of course not..." She said quickly, not convincing anyone though.
"Anyway back to the reason why we're here, opening a night club." I said feeling this conversation getting off track.
"Oh right." Came several embarrassed replies.
"Since you are part of our race, Tevos will give you the information on the specifics later on, while the main reason of opening one is for the fun of it." Benezia giving me a slightly weirded out look.
"The second is for holding supplies, meetings, recruitment for our race and cause."
Breaking out of her childhood mind set. "How many are there going to be and where." She asked.
"How many for now is at least one in every Asari city and as for where they, only on Asari planets, at most maybe the Citadel."
"Why only Asari cities, not Human, Turian or Salarian?" She questioned.
"Because I need to distance myself from Humans and the Turians and Salarians both don't do anything to help get rid of the slavery and piracy that happens." I say getting somewhat annoyed at them.
"I see, I'm guessing your main way of attracting people is by you being the one to own it right?" Benezia confirmed getting a datapad from somewhere, it was quite weird how that happened.
The Death squad watching out for John reported that Hannah Shepard had a similar trick except only with knives.
It would interesting to see what she would do when I appear in the later years.
"So I was thinking of a warehouse setting, plenty of land to play with, has a large capacity for storage and having people move around." I suggested breaking out of my thoughts.
"That could work, I'll work on some designs and compare them to yours if you want." Benezia offered.
"Okay, I have to do something, so I won't be here for a month or two." I state remembering I had to show the other that the Rachni were serious about the change.
"You have a few hours to days to show them to me before I leave." While this was mainly for her, I also needed to compile my own set of ideas. I had rough ones but they needed refinement.
-o0o-
Boarding the Ghost a week after our first encounter with Benezia, we had finally decided what we were going to do.
There would be two levels of the public club, at least known to them. The second floor would be a more VIP area, a third was only invitees or Wraith people.
The other two thirds would be for more like the Matriarchs and other high ranking people in Asari culture.
The ground floor would have a dark feel, representing the Engel des Todes or Angel of Death.
It wouldn't be too grim to discourage the people coming, but still get the feel of death across.
Hopefully it wouldn't actually feel death, hence why we were having Wraith provide security instead of a local group of Asari security group.
Only VIPs would only be allowed to have a weapon.
Then there was the underground floor that only Wraith would even know about, this would be for storing caches of supplies and weapons, the entire building itself would be like a fall out shelter.
As we got closer to the Reapers return the more room and supplies would be available for the rest of the Asari to hide and stay safe.
The first one should be nearly finished and ready for trialling when we were finished with our pirate hunting, one annoying thing was making the armour for them, especially Zuri having the extra extremities.
"Okay everyone we are going to find a pirate, however we are not going to use lethal force unless absolutely necessary." I state firmly.
"If we are hunting a pirate, we a we not using lethal force." A queen asked moving her arms around, getting used the the feel of the armour, while unneeded as Wraith had extremely hard bones which was the only thing that mattered.
"Because this one is special, Sam play the data we retrieved from Nassana Dantius." I stated, Zuri's eyes widening, while the queens went looking at more interesting things like latest of technology and entertainment *cough* Fornax mainly.
Zuri had been looking at the business and political side of the galaxy.
"Has it been done?" Nassana's voice asked. "Yes, the Divisions mercenary group's reputation has gone overboard, there are now bounties out for their heads and lives." A voice answered.
"Excellent, the payment has already been sent through to your account." She said with a note of finality.
There was a pause before anything more was said.
"That'll teach you Dahila, you and you little band of friends, you'll be hunted for life, that is what you get..."
Unfortunately what ever was recording must have been powered down as that was all that there was.
Looking at the Rachni I waited for their reactions.
A queen finally spoke up. "So pirate we are hunting is this Dahlia then?"
"Yes, though her full name is Dahlia Dantius, she ran a mercenary group called The Divisions, before whatever Nassana did, it was one of the most reputable merc groups out there." I paused.
"But as you heard Nassana arranged for something to happen that ruined them and their reputation, we are going to see what we can do to help, killing Nassana however is not an option, she will get her due... In time." I replied squashing the idea of simply going after Nassana.
"So what are we expecting when we get there?" Zuri asked.
"Well I gather that over the course of several months Salarians, Krogans, Humans and Turians joined, only to bring her down. I assume all that is left are the original members that are Asari." I replied.
"How are we going to incapacitate them, I doubt they will let us just walk in and restrain them." A queen asked slightly and unnecessarily sarcastically.
"Our guys back at the home world, that we really need to give a name, the R&D team came up with something like the stunners in Star Wars Clone Wars." I got blank looks at this.
"What you tell me that you managed to find Fornax but not Star Wars, what the hell were you looking..." I paused thought for a little before looking back at them.
"Actually, that's a good name, What about calling our home world Hell." Not really waiting for there response I continue. "Eh whatever I'll suggest it next time we visit."
Looking lost for a few seconds I remember the original point of the current conversation.
"Now since you have been spending your time unwisely by looking at Fornax instead of great movies that you should've, when we get back from this task you are going to watch all the Clone Wars and the Movies." I state my face contorting slightly at the stupidity of them.
Beckoning them to follow me, we went aboard the Ghost leaving Thessia behind us.
"Okay our first stop is going to be gathering information about the old Divisions before they got branded as pirates." And so we did taking a month to properly get a solid idea about them.
(June)
Okay it took a whole month to gather all the information needed as most people still associated The Divisions as pirates or slavers.
The queens however managed to keep me and Zuri entertained.
"My Empress, do you have a thing for being dominated?" A queen asked suddenly making both me and Zuri blush slightly.
"Would you like it if your mate dominated you, if not you might then you might be interested in younger meat." Another then chimed in.
Okay that's it, I'm finding a way to block their extranet access or at least allow me to monitor it, or give them something to do, clearly they had way to much time on their hands.
Most of the people that we talked to were split on what they thought of them, others were either focusing on the extremes. They believed they were extremely good or bad.
Basically even if we exonerated them from the piracy and slavery allegations, it would take time for them to get the reputation they had back.
So after a month of finding this out we were finally on our way to confront them, to see if they became the monster they were known as or they kept to the light side.
Coming up to there base on a remote moon circling a planet so far out that it might as well be its own planet.
Heading to the airlocks I looked back at them. "Don't reveal yourself unless you absolutely have to and unless your about to die, you don't kill the person attacking you." I restate clearly.
"Yes, we get it, you've only said it a hundred times already." A queen complained, unable to stand still.
"You mean like you how you still look at Fornax every free moment you have despite me telling you not to?" I countered, Zuri gaining a blush from even talking about it, the queens at least almost all looking sheepish.
"But it's sooo gooood, how can you not look at it everyday." She cried creeping me and everyone else out including her fellow queens.
"Let's just get on with this." I state tiredly, the next few years would be very long if I had to stay by her side for it. If she got a boyfriend I feel extremely and terribly sorry for him. Unless he is just like her, though knowing how much she watched I wouldn't be surprised if she just picked a random person up and started trying things out with him.
Opening the airlock I flew out of it as quickly as possible leaving the previous conversation behind just as quickly. The queens and Zuri taking a little longer as this was the first time using the space mode of their wings.
While flying closer towards the surface I took some time to think, it had been some time since I just appreciated the view being able to fly gave me.
As soon as it came, it left as we were nearing the base, as we got closer it was obvious that it was more for stealth than strength, the Eezo that was coming off it was incredibly faint if you didn't have a visual on the place it would be seen as just and Eezo crystal.
Landing on the roof of it we regrouped. "Okay we're expecting around fifteen or so Asari, judging by how hard it was to find this place probably means that they have grown complacent in the time here."
"If they still go by galactic standard time they should be all asleep, this should hopefully make it easy." I stated as we entered the structure.
-o0o-
As it turned out it was easier than I thought, I was right on the assumption that they were complacent given how long they had been here without being found. When we entered they were all asleep.
The stun effect from the modified guns would last another couple of hours. We would have to restrain them though, not that they could do anything to hurt us and hopefully the ship would still be fine, we hadn't tried launching biotic attacks against the inside on it yet.
-o0o-
(Dahila POV)
The moment I woke I knew something was wrong, the first of several things that tipped me off was my bed, it wasn't as soft as I was used to. The next thing, was that I was in quite an uncomfortable position with my hands behind my back.
Opening my eyes I looked around where I currently was lying, me and my fellow friends, now captives as well. We appeared to be in a hangar or storage room.
They too were also apparently realising the situation they were as a couple tried to break free of their restraints.
"I wouldn't bother." A voice calls out, from the door way. Looking towards it we saw a smallish figure in black armour looking at us. "So someone competent finally caught us and is going to turn us in." I state with a sneer, his reply to this however was quite unexpected.
He laughed, he laughed for a couple of seconds before calming down.
"Now why would I do that?" He asked making us look at him strangely.
"Because your after the bounty on us, why else." I said resignedly looking down, the others following my example looking down or angry.
"Why would I do that to a reputable mercenary group like The Divisions?" He asked making us look at him in shock, ever since we lost our perfect merc group everybody forgot about that name.
"I see that got your attention, anyway if I release you, you won't do something stupid that could end badly for you." He said not arrogantly, just as if he was stating a fact.
Not trusting myself to speak I just nodded. He came over to me and removed my bonds holding my hands behind my back.
"Now that you all are more calmer and if not then its your own fault I want to show you something." He spoke again as he released everyone else.
"So what happened to you to make you lot pirates and slavers?" He asked making some of us look at him in fury, he was implicating that we wanted to be pirates.
"We are, haven't and never will be pirates or slavers." I nearly screamed at him.
"I have several reputable sources saying otherwise, that your merc group was just a side job to disguise your more sinister intentions." He said casually leaning back into a chair.
"Then they are liars, we were betrayed by people who wanted to join us, they took slavery and piracy jobs, mysteriously disappearing leaving us to deal with the fallout." I said first shouting before quieting down gradually as I progressed through the tale.
The figure just sat there watching me. "Well?!" I yelled again.
"I believe you." He said evenly, not hearing him properly I yelled at him again. "See no one believes..." I pause going over what he said. "Wait did you say you believe me?" I asked astonished thanks to my bitch of a sister no one believed when I told them we were set up.
"Yes, I believe you." He stated again before standing up again. "I already knew that you were set up, if I didn't I doubt we would be talking to you now." He said making me realise something else.
"You knew from the beginning that we were innocent?" I double checked. "Yeah, while it was slightly amusing to see you go off like that I also wanted to see if the information I received was genuine."
"You Jerk!" I yelled punching him, sadly instead of at least winding him I broke my hand.
Looking down at the hand he sighed."Now your going to have to get that looked at." not doing anything about it.
"Don't you have any medigel around?" I asked getting a shake. "No, we don't need it anymore, so when the supply ran out we didn't bother getting more."
"Anyway I have something to show you." "Sam play the recording."
"Yes Creator." before the clip me and the Rachni listened to played.
I knew that my sister was a bitch after she didn't support my claim of being innocent but orchestrating the whole thing. "That Bitch!" I yelled forgetting about my hand for a moment.
Venting for a couple minutes I looked towards the figure who had yet to reveal himself.
"So what do you want then?" I asked hoping our bad luck might have turned good.
"Ah well, have you heard about someone called Engel des Todes?" He asked, I mean sure we basically lived under a rock but we still kept up with the news, just in case someone exonerated us.
"Yeah a recent arrival in the gossip of Asari thanks to all his success in freeing Asari slaves."
"Correct... I'm Engel des Todes." He then stated pausing before talking again "And I want you to join me and my race." He then said surprising all of us.
"You want us to join you and your race." One of my teammates asked. "Yes as for the race... That is a Wraith." He then started to smoke, his skin melting off his body revealing silvery white bone underneath.
"This is a Wraith, or more accurately this is my Wraith form." His now whispery and distorted voice came freaking out more than a few of us.
"And if we join you?" I asked looking at him closer.
"You'll never have to worry about being hunted again as well as joining a few of your people too." he replied. "As well as taking out your sister eventually." Now that got my attention along with a smile, as well as the other thing.
"You say eventually, what do you mean?" I asked evenly.
"You think that your sister hasn't made any enemies after all these years, if you want though I can guarantee that you'll get the kill though?" He offered.
"If I can get the killing blow then you have a deal." I said shaking his held out hand.
"Excellent now that that is out of the way..." He trailed off, removing his helmet in the process.
"Call me Ryvern." He said with a smile.
-o0o-
(July)
(Ryvern POV)
It had been a month since The Divisions joined our people, the majority of the month was taken up by getting them used to their new bodies and how to use them, especially after using their old one for so long.
Now heading back to our home world to see what had transpired in the several months that we were away.
As we were coming up the the landing pad for our headquarters, I remember the reaction the Asari had to the Rachni queens and Zuri, I think Dahila still hasn't gotten over it yet either.
Also though I couldn't be positive I think the queen that has taken severe liking to Fornax did something to one of them too, mainly because of how friendly they were together.
Hopefully she didn't try picking anyone up from here without their permission, knowing her though she wouldn't bother, at least not until after she had done what she wanted.
Walking out of the ship I just asked for Dahlia to follow me, the others could do what they wanted, well nearly all what they wanted.
"Lyil, could you put some people on the queen with all the sexual fantasies, I don't want her doing anything completely stupid." I said watching as she walked away with the Asari.
"Of course, I take it that everything worked out fine then?" She asked.
"Yeah, though don't let that queen buy anything other than basic essentials and food, things that exclude rope, chain and you get the idea right." I added as an afterthought.
"Why... Oh yeah that could be a good idea." She said now more nervously.
Turning to Dahlia I asked. "So what do you think so far?"
"There are lots of Quarians..."
"Well they are more than fifty percent of our population, we have a few human and a few hundred Asari."
"Anyway you're going to meet some of these Asari anyway right now, come on." I said gesturing to follow as we walked into the building.
Arriving at the inner council's room I turned to her. "Try not to be too shocked." I could tell by the confused look on her face that she didn't get what I meant.
Entering the room I was immediately greeted by a collective group hug, well apart from Tevos as she was a hologram, sneaking a peak at her I did notice her looking rather sad, I would have to pay her a surprise visit.
"Well hello everyone." I said with a smile as they broke the hug.
"So to begin as you can see I brought someone else new again." I said motioning towards Dahlia.
Most of them recognising her. "Now she has joined us, and if you need proof of why she is here." I quickly continued playing the recording.
"As you heard she was set up by her sister, the revenge will come later."
"Anyway what's happened since I've been gone?" I asked leaning back to Dahlia and whispering "If you want to look around the place you can." She nodded leaving us.
"Aedop and the research team has made great progress in removing more of our technology from the need of using Eezo and replacing it with Antimatter." Tela started continuing after a few seconds. "They have made several prototype weapons and armour." She added.
"Good, mainly focus on ship armour and weapons, ground forces aren't in as much danger thanks to becoming a Wraith." I reminded "Please let them know of this fact, increase nanobot production as well, it would speed up the time it would take to outfit ships."
"Also what do you think about 'Hell' as our home planet's name?" I asked getting slightly confused looks.
"I mean... Why not but..." Aria started.
"One, I like the name, not really creative but eh." I stated with a shrug. "Unless someone else has a better name or something." None came.
"Well then our home planet is called Hell." I decreed getting nods in confirmation.
"Anything else?" I wondered, getting head shakes in response.
"Well I have to find out what a certain queen, hopefully not doing anything to anyone." I said sighing calling the people watching her.
"Oh Engel what did you want to know?" What sounded like a Asari asked, the sound of muffled cries coming through as well.
"You know I think I'll call back." I stated hurriedly hanging up on her. I really didn't want to know what the hell was going on in there.
Leaving the building I went looking for Jack, I was wondering what kind of progress she had made since I last saw her.
I was curious if she would turn out to be the punk she was in the game, and if so when that would start to appear.
Walking to where her accommodations were located, A penthouse on a tower... Maybe a little excessive but meh we had plenty of room.
Heading up to it, I wondered what she would think.
Knocking on the door I waited for a few moments before she answered it, when she saw me however she quickly ran and hid, closing the door quickly in the process.
The main reason I could think of, well it might have something to do with her attire, already showing similarities between what she wore in the third game.
I had no idea why she hid from me though. Sighing I overrode the lock on the door allowing me access into her abode.
Moving to the centre of the room I looked around at my surroundings, she was certainly becoming her ME 3 character.
Still no sign of Jack though. "Jack?" I called out. "Why are you hiding from me?" I questioned still getting no response.
"If your worried about something, I can't help you unless you tell me." I said again.
Slowly I heard rustling from the bed, if you could call it that, it was more a pile of blankets and pillows.
"If your worried about something happening to you..." I state hearing the blankets pulled tighter. "Nothing will happen." I say reassuringly as a head appears from the covers as I turn around.
"You promise?" She asked hesitantly.
"Of course." I say going closer to her.
"Its just that... I was worrying what you would think of me for liking all of this stuff." She said quietly motioning around the room at the paraphernalia it contained.
"Why would I do that?" I wondered, I had an idea but I was curious of her reasoning.
"Because not many girls my age like stuff like this, and I was worried what you would think of it." Looking down.
"And why would that be, you can be whatever you want, beside you look cute in that." I said gesturing to the clothes she was currently wearing. Pretending not to notice her embarrassed look I continued with the reason for my visit.
"Anyway I came to see if you wanted to spend some time with me... Do you?" I asked as she soon forgot to be embarrassed as a excited look appeared.
"Can we?" She asked leaping out of the blankets in her excitement.
"Of course, question is what do you want to do, if you want you can become a Wraith fully?" I suggested having previously restricted for them to undergo the procedure for they were still on the fence.
"I can then show you how to use it properly if you like, unless you want someone else." I offered getting a quick head shake.
"No I want you." She said quickly now hugging me.
"Very well." I said as she rode on my back as we went to the evolving district, where we housed all our science and top medical research.
(August)
It had been a month since Jack became a fully fledged Wraith, while not only making her body stronger it also made her biotics stronger as well.
She could nearly form a singularity, quite the accomplishment for a nine nearing ten year old girl.
She was a quick study to the other aspects of being a Wraith, creating her own form as well something not many bother to do.
Thinking back it was fun seeing her get excited about it...
Shaking my head, I focused back on what was happening now.
My first nightclub opened a month ago, I was going to see how well it was going as well as proving that it was mine.
Watching the Ghost drop out of warp I was reassured by the fact that Benezia hadn't called for any reason other than resource acquisition.
The more secretive parts had come along nicely, it could now house a thousand people as was growing, by the time it was done it should be able to hold at least a hundred thousand each.
Docking in the underground hangar that was part of it, benefits of this being the first on was that it would be the biggest so it would be able to hold several ships as well as around a million people.
Walking up to the entrance I looked at the amount of people there, to say I was surprised was and understatement, it would seem we would not only get plenty of credits for expansion but also recruitment.
Somewhat unfortunately my appearance was not unnoticed, screaming, pointing and other annoying things followed, happily the Wraith guarding the establishment noticed as well, allowing me to get into the club without too much difficulty.
Making my way to the VIP section I soon found Benezia looking through datapads, a Asari entering every so often to deliver another one, taking one with her when she left.
"I see this is a great boost to our income then." I say sitting in a chair, surprising Benezia as she jumped, the datapad falling onto the floor.
"Engel..." She says slightly surprised taking a few moments to calm down.
"I wasn't aware you'd be visiting." She says picking up the dropped pad.
"That's because I didn't tell you." I stated with a smile, not that she could see it.
"Of course." She said looking away, stuttering her reply.
"Anyway." I began trying to get away from the former topic. "While checking on how the club had progressed but also to see if you wanted to see our home world as well as becoming a full fledged Wraith." I asked seeing the look of shock.
"You mean I can come and become what you are?" She asked, her reaction reminding me of Jack's.
"Yes, I'll have someone else supervise the club while your away." I said motioning her to follow me.
Walking to an elevated platform I spoke. "It's great to see so many faces here, and if you were wondering, yes I am Engel des Todes, and this is my club I hope you enjoy it." I said to the now assembled crowd, looking over everyone.
There were of course some that wanted to get as close to me as possible, that wasn't what got my attention, what got it was some of the Asari who stayed on the outer edges of the club.
Turning to Benezia I pointed out the Asari I was talking about.
"When hiring start with the people who look like they won't get a chance to work here, then move towards the more enthusiastic, the previously mentioned group you can start recruitment on to see if they would join." Before leaving the platform, security swarming me as I made my way to one of the outliers looking off into the distance.
Talking to the leader of the DS that was surrounded me I pointed out the Asari. "As we move past her bring her along with us, but do it discreetly." Getting a nod, murmuring to a few other members who broke off slightly now including the Asari, the patrons none the wiser.
The Asari noticed that it wasn't just a crowd that had left and taken her with it but the club's security. Looking around worried probably about what she did wrong when her eyes landed on me.
And another contestant in the gaping fish pose was introduced.
"Y-y-your..." She stuttered as the security left heading back into the club, as I lead the stunned Asari a to a more private place.
"Hello I'm Engel des Todes, its nice to meet you." I said first snapping out of her current state.
"Your really talking to me." She murmurs more to herself.
"Yes, now what is your name?" I asked calmly
"S-s-sesora" She stuttered still nervous.
"That's a nice name." I commented as she sat down, this comment thus leading to her blushing pretty hard.
"So why were you looking so down in there?" I asked looking at her for a reaction.
"Because at the time I would've never thought I would be talking to you like we are now, you are sort of a hero for me." She said, the last part a lot quieter, looking down.
"Well, that's good, the heroes or people you look up to should be the people who meet people like you." I started Sesora looking up. "I was once sort of like you except a bit worse." I revealed surprising her.
"I was always the one person who would get left out of something, often forgotten about as well, I got used to it eventually though."
"Anyway want to work for the club?" I asked moving on from the slightly depressing topic as her jaw dropped from the offer.
"I-i-i I could?" She asked, her eyes sparkling a little.
"Of course, go talk to a guard and tell them that I sent you." I encouraged pushing her towards one.
Leaving a message to keep an eye on her and all the others that would be hired for recruitment.
Leaving the area heading to the hangar to talk to Benezia and have her undergo the transformation.
Though I had to ask Tevos why she was acting excited and nervous around me all the time, it was quite strange, though I should probably be used to it.
-o0o-
(November)
"Levi, are they ready to deploy?" I asked in a near pitch black room.
"Yes Exiled One." He replied, his hologram providing the only source of light in the room, casting a eerily red glow around it.
"Excellent, deploy them in all the areas that I have mentioned." I said leaving the room, Levi's hologram winking out.
Hopefully this would make John's journey easier when it came to it.
-o0o-
(John POV)
"John." Hannah Shepard called out from the front day of their house.
"Yeah?" I called out putting down what I was doing, finishing an assignment.
"Could you come down here please, we have someone we want you to meet." She replied.
"Okay." I said kind of suspicious, it wasn't often that they wanted to meet someone.
However when I got down there I was not ready for what I saw.
"Hello... Brother."
Whoo a cliffhanger, I feel slightly terrible for this (not really) But I hope the fact that this is slightly longer than usual will have made up for this.
I hope at least one person can guess who the person that John's parents wanted to meet.
Through Death I Get My Silence...