A/N: Hello all! No, I'm not dead, I've just had a busy few months. I recently graduated college before managing to get a job several states away from where I was living previously and then I just so happened to arrive during my new job's busy season...as such, Fanfiction has been on the backburner for a few months. Everything appears to be settling down now, however, so the next update should certainly be out sooner than this one was. Sorry for the shorter length guys, I just wanted to get this one out before somebody declares me KIA. Hope you all enjoy!
Touhoufanatic: Glad you enjoy the story so far. Hope to see more of you.
Axcel: Glad you're enjoying it. I find it ironic on your description. I was thinking the same thing when I wrote it.
Ethan Demas: Hope I haven't kept you waiting for too long!
Terraca: Well, look no longer!
mikawillems: Cool indeed
BrotherCaptainShepard: So…Imperial Guard/Space Marine fan?
Draed: Well, I suppose you've gotten a bit of that oh shit moment with this one.
redcollector: Yeah, shit's gonna go down
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FIREBASE ECHO, TAITUS, TALAVA SYSTEM, CALESTON RIFT
LOG START, (15:16 ZULU, 1/28/2184)
"Sir…we have a problem."
"What kind of problem, Lieutenant?"
"Major, we just picked this up over the Amun Comm Buoys…"
"Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is ident Q-012. Authorization number A-067-4. All propulsion, command, and weapons systems report as offline. All crew report as offline or nonresponsive. Sensors report damage and enemy vessels in close proximity. Automated self destruct reports inoperable. Computer systems report extensive damage. WARNING, automated data purge incomplete. Requesting external assistance. This message repeats…mayday, mayday, mayday…"
"…damn…how bad is it?"
"It's bad, Major, SigInt reports a spike of Turian naval transmissions present in the area. From what we can understand from their transmissions the crew appears to be a total loss…all KIA. They appear to be attempting to access the ship's computer banks as we speak, but it appears that their attempts to break through our encryption so far have been…unsuccessful…"
"But of course they'll get through eventually."
"That's a real possibility, sir. Command wants a search and destroy op done to tie this up ASAP. They told me to come talk to you."
"Of course they did. Tell them my team and I will get it done. Tell Egnalius to get his QRF ready and loaded on the Phantom immediately."
"Yes sir."
"Dismissed."
…
…
"Mars?..."
"Sir?"
"Get the Phantom ready for deployment, we've got a job lined up."
"Roger that. I'll call in the kiddies."
"You do that. Phantom out."
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Shepard had to admit…he was impressed.
How could he not be? The ship he was standing in, that he commanded, was the most advanced piece of military space-borne tech in existence. It still made him smile a bit inside when he thought about it. The Normandy was back, bigger, badder, and more capable than ever. The only thing missing was his old crew, but that was another problem for another day. Right now, the amalgamation of Cerberus and AIO personnel on this ship would have to do, and he certainly wasn't complaining about the team of N7 and Cerberus Phoenix Commandoes stationed onboard as security, even if it was only to protect their respective side's investment.
To top it all off, the brief final shakedown cruise and systems checks were about to be finished, meaning that he could stop twiddling his thumbs and actually do something other than stare at system reports. He was particularly interested in the dossiers that the Illusive Man had forwarded his way. They held quite the collection, everyone from a professional mercenary to a renowned assassin to a hardened criminal. Well rounded too, the proposed group held everything from biotic specialists to tech experts. He was even surprised to see a familiar name on the list…Tali. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised, she was invaluable during his hunt for Saren so it wasn't unbelievable that she would make the cut now. It bugged him, though, at how few familiar faces that he would be seeing over the course of this mission…Ashley, too public of a figure…Liara, caught up on her own individual crusade…Garrus, dropped off the face of the earth…it bugged him more than he cared to admit…
Not to say that he didn't appreciate the crew he currently had, Joker and Chakwas' presence did much to tone down his natural paranoia over this whole fiasco, and even he could admit that Jacob and Miranda were good at their jobs, and don't even get him started about the AI…he couldn't help but sigh…it just wasn't the same.
He needed a distraction and that need had led him to the ship's briefing room on Joker's request, where the ship's installed QEC sprang to life with two very familiar visages…
"Director. Illusive Man.", he stated in greeting, professionalism mirrored in his voice and stance.
"Shepard.", came the simultaneous acknowledgement.
"We have a mission for you…one with a limited window of opportunity.", the Illusive Man began as he took a drag from his seemingly ever-present cigarette. "Three hours ago a Turian patrol group in the Amun System apprehended what appeared at first glance to be a standard configuration merchant vessel, squawking an IFF that designated it as the MSV Ever Faithful, that strayed into one of their new restricted travel zones in the Traverse.", a hologram sprang to life depicting exactly what Shepard expected to see from a standard bulk transport, "After attempts to get the ship to heave to failed, the Turians resorted to attempting to disable the craft…"
"And here comes the catch I assume?", Shepard asked, with a wry smile plastered on his lips. The Illusive Man continued his speech without missing a beat, however, as he sipped on what he could only assume to be some form of liquor…
"The attempt did not go as expected, just as you surmised. The vessel apparently had been refitted at some point with military grade weaponry that had been installed and hidden beneath the ship's superstructure: heavier barriers, disruptor torpedoes, even a cruiser grade main cannon. The result was the crippling of the cruiser, HSV Bostra, and damage done to the frigate, HSV Strike Talon." Shepard gave a low whistle at the report, inflicting such damage on a Turian naval flotilla like that, and with only one ship, even with surprise, was no small feat.
"I can see why this might be interesting to some people, but how is this connected to our mission.", Shepard asked. He watched as the Illusive Man's graze drew over to the Director, who quickly picked up the question…
"First off, the ship does not exist…anywhere. No paper trail, no traceable material, the crew all check out as missing through varying means…ghosts essentially. That element merely provided us a passing interest, until we heard this…", a screen sprang to life, displaying an image consistent with an audio file, "Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is ident Q-012. Authorization number A-067-4. All propulsion, command, and weapons systems report as offline. All crew report as offline or nonresponsive. Sensors report damage and enemy vessels in close proximity. Automated self destruct reports inoperable. Computer systems report extensive damage. WARNING, automated data purge incomplete. Requesting external assistance. This message repeats…mayday, mayday, mayday…" Shepard's eyebrows rose at the message.
"Automated self destruct? An automatic data purge?...you've got my attention." The Director's darkened features furrowed in wary concern as he continued.
"…As I'm sure you can guess, the contents of this signal indicate that this ship is a part of a larger unit…a unit we are as of yet unaware of. The most notable piece of information we have managed to receive, however, comes from a contact within the Turian navy who reports that although they have only managed to crack a couple of the data files from the ship's computer banks those they have contain a number of words flagged by our system. Most notable: Reaper, Collectors, Sovereign, and Geth…further attempts to recover more files have, for the moment, failed and I have managed to get Hierarchy Intelligence to allow the dispatch of one of the AIO's tech teams and they report that they should be able have a majority of the ship's computer banks decrypted and ready for transport by the time you would arrive at the outpost the Turians have relocated the ship to in the meantime." Shepard's face furrowed in confusion.
"Why would you think this is related to Reaper activity? After all, you could find those words getting flagged in any current Citadel codex collection." The two men before him didn't say a word, with his only response being when the Director hit a single button…
…and what sprang to life was the visage of 'Sovereign-class' dreadnaught…a Reaper. Dozens of lines of text and indicators darted across the design in varying locations, all unreadable to Shepard's eye as they seemed to only display an indecipherable… "It's a code" The Director's hands met before he leaned forward with his chin resting on them in silent approval.
"That's exactly what it is.", the Director replied, "What you are looking at, is what we believe to me the design schematics for a Sovereign-class Reaper. Everything from weapons loadouts to armor thickness to core output, we think is on this ship's computer banks. Your mission, Commander, is to proceed to the Eagle Nebula and ensure the complete retrieval of the AIO's copy of the ship's data and escort it back to Outpost 14-Theta for full analysis.", the Illusive Man now cut in.
"The importance of this data cannot be overstated, Commander, analysis of this information could finally provide the insight humanity needs in order to survive the Reapers…"
"Know your enemy, know yourself, and you will win a thousand battles." Shepard added, quoting the maxim from the Art of War.
"Precisely.", the Illusive Man took one last drag on his cigarette…Shepard turned to face the Director…
"I'll get it done, sir.", the Director replied with a nod.
"Good luck…and Godspeed, Commander.", It took only moments for Shepard to recognize the dismissal and depart, thoughts racing in his head over the mission he had just been given. He had some preparations to make…a ship to launch…and Reapers to kill…
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ATTICAN TRAVERSE, EAGLE NEBULA, AMUN SYSTEM
HIERARCHY INSPECTION FACILITY N-614
01:00 ZULU 01/30/2184
SR2-NORMANDY
It was official, whoever designed this engineering marvel deserved a raise. Shepard loved his new ship. Hell, if the installed AI hadn't been there Joker would've probably married it on the spot, what with the almost tangible sense of drooling glee he buried under all that sarcasm. Movement from the Horsehead Nebula to the Amun system in just over a day while running dark and without a single stop for static discharge was very impressive indeed, considering that most combat vessels could only operate at this level of activity for a few hours at most before needing to stop for some reason or other.
That's not to say that there weren't some things that needed improving. The food for one because, bless Gardner, but with the standard issue military crap he was currently stocked up with mealtime turned out to be a slop more often than not…let alone what happened to your digestive system after months of exposure…alright, Shepard realized he was being slightly overdramatic, but if he was going to run his own 'non-military affiliated' ship again, he'd rather have something more than just the consistency of mud for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
His second gripe actually came from Joker. The scanning systems currently installed were not up to par with what he'd come to expect from organizations like Cerberus and the AIO. After all, why dump billions of credits into a top-of-the-line ship only to skimp out on the last little details? The answer was time, apparently…or at least that's what he managed to pull out of Miranda in between introducing herself and him getting poked with pro-Cerberus propaganda…regardless, he'd already put in a requisition with the resident AIO engineer for a replacement, who assured him the refit would take more than a few days with the carte blanche that the Director had provided his mission.
The armor and shielding weren't bad either…they just weren't good enough. It certainly wouldn't be able to take a hit from the Collector vessel that cored the previous Normandy with the only slight upgrades that the new ship provided over the original. Now getting those replaced was a whole other animal. There were simply no practicable upgrades available to the AIO and Cerberus, who had informed him that the only real upgrades that they were aware of galaxy wide was the Silaris heavy ablative armor plating recently touted by the Asari Republics as the cutting edge of armor design. The Asari were playing the upgrade pretty close to the chest though, so much so that Cerberus hadn't been able to retrieve and replicate a sample before his improved condition accelerated the SR-2 Normandy's construction timeline.
The new Javelin torpedoes stood as a sizable improvement over the original Normandy, however, Shepard wouldn't bet on them against that cruiser that took out his last vessel, let alone a full-size Reaper. He needed more firepower. The Director had informed him that the AIO was developing a weapon designed to replicate the effect of one of the Reaper's cannon on a smaller scale, but completion was still some time off and field testing out further still. He was assured, however, that his ship would be the first to receive an operational system as soon as it came online, assurances Shepard knew the Director took very seriously.
Those were problems for another day, however, now he had a mission to complete, which immediately focused his mind as the Normandy finally arrived at the outer edge of the Amun system with Shepard standing at the helm, armor and weapons strapped on and ready to go.
"Joker, hail the outpost. Tell them to inform the AIO group on site that we've arrived for pickup.", the order fell from his lips with an ease that only years of command experience could give…
"Aye, aye Commander, calling the space turkeys now."…and was met by the time honored Joker response. Shepard could almost set his watch by it. "Outpost November Six One Four, this is the SSV Normandy requesting clearance to approach and dock, over." Shepard waited one moment…then another…this was taking too long…
"Try again."
"I say again, this is the S. S. V. Normandy requesting docking clearance. Outpost please respond." The static of a non-reply remained.
"It's not looking good sir.", Shepard's head merely tilted slightly to the side to acknowledge the statement as the ship's resident N7 Shadow, callsign Raptor, made her appearance, black body armor shimmering in the artificial light. She was merely one of the four commandoes Shepard had tapped for this mission, two N7 and two Phoenix…with insignia removed of course. After all, no one wanted this mission to become a clusterfuck just because of some…unfortunate…realities of war.
"I repeat, this is SSV Normandy requesting an approach vector and docking clearance for Outpost November Six-One-Four, Outpost please respond."…another few moments pass…
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"Lancer, this is Menace Control, I've got an incoming contact, IFF designates it as the SSV Normandy. SigInt indicates that they're attempting to contact the station. Please advise, over."
"Menace Control, Lancer, Barrier Actual will have control of the command center momentarily. He'll stall them as best he can. If they continue their approach, let them walk into our net then execute at your discretion."
"But sir! Isn't that?..."
"If it is then it sure isn't his anymore, you have your orders. Lancer out."
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…another order formed on Shepard's lips…
"SSV Normandy, this is Outpost Control, we read you…"
…and promptly died at the sound coming through the bridge speakers.
"Apologies for the late response, we've been having problems with subspace comms for some time now. You're here for that human tech team right?", came the distinctive thrum of a Turian voice playing through the ship's speakers.
"Affirmative Control," Joker replied, all business now, "we require docking clearance and an approach vector."
"Roger that, Normandy, you are cleared for approach to Docking Clamp Two. Move to three-five-five by negative twelve degrees respective to your current vector for approach…"
"Something's not right here." Shepard glanced behind him once more, to find the entirety of his away team had joined him in the cockpit, the voice coming from one of the Phoenix Commandoes, Ra if he remembered the names correctly.
"…note, Normandy that Docking Clamp Two will be inoperable for a few minutes while our tech finish up a routine inspection after a recent ship examination. We will inform you when it's ready. Copy, Normandy?"
"I'd call it fifty-fifty.", came a reply to Ra's statement, coming from the group's N7 Demolisher.
"We're not calling it yet, people, so keep your heads in the game.", Shepard added, instantly quieting the conversation before turning back to Joker, "Follow their assigned course, but be ready for anything."
"Aye, aye, weapons and barriers at one-hundred percent, moving to approach vector…Outpost Control, we copy, moving to heading three-five-five by negative twelve. Normandy, out."
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"Lancer, this is Control, the Normandy is on approach. We have visual and the vessel does not match any known design, repeat, no known design. What's your status, over?"
"Control! Lancer! Remaining enemy forces are putting up heavy resistance near the aft storage bays! We're trying to find a workaround now! What's their ETA?"
"Five minutes, sir."
"Menace Control you have permission to disable or destroy the incoming craft as soon as it enters the minefield. Do not allow them to land! Lancer, out!"
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The Normandy's approach was deceptively quiet as the ship moved in spite of the tension that gripped the cockpit's occupants, which only grew worse as the outpost came into visual range. There appeared nothing unusual that could be seen other than the apparently militarized 'merchant' vessel, which clearly sported signs of heavy battle damage across its hull, but other than that…no debris, no flashes, no sensor contacts…it was eerie…but Shepard's instincts were screaming at him…and he never ignored that feeling.
"All hands, battlestations.", he ordered, his dead calm voice laden with tense steel.
"Yes, Commander.", came the reply of the ship's resident AI…EDI…which finally made itself useful as the ship's lighting flared red and a short alarm wailed in announcement. One swift motion saw his helmet sealed in place, his newly issued T5-V 'Destroyer' armor finally ready in its completed state.
"Anything on sensors?"
"Negative, I do not detect anything on any of the sensor suites.", EDI stated. The tension remained. Shepard's fingers began to itch for a weapon…
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"The Normandy has entered the minefield."
"Good. Light 'em up, Ensign."
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Alarms suddenly blared…
The Normandy lurched, Shepard and his team slamming into the walls as the viewport lit up with the fires of an explosion…
"Mines!", Joker yelled, wincing in pain as the chair impacted his ribs. The impact did little to slow his hands though as he rapidly punched in dozens of control orders and the ship dove down…
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"Bottom Stream Cannon firing…shot away"
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"Barriers at thirty percent!...", Joker barely got off the report, and Shepard and team off the floor, before a lance of light arched right over the hull…where the Normandy had been…"Oh shit!" The pilots hands flew faster now as ship sped up and went evasive.
"Hostile contact detected bearing one-five-zero by positive forty-two…", EDI reported…
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"First shot, total miss, total recharge in two minutes, firing top Stream Cannon."
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"Incoming!", Joker yelled as the other occupants braced themselves…
The Normandy jolted in a split second as her pilot used every scrap of engine power that she had in order to evade…
Another lance of light followed a split second later…
The Normandy shuddered at the impact as the beam glanced her hull. "Glancing hit to the aft cargo bay! Minor damage to after barrier emitters! Barriers down to zero percent!", came Joker's frantic report as Shepard barked out a question.
"Can you get us to the station?!"
"Not unless you want our asses blown off! I'm having a hard enough time evading these guys as it is!", the immediate response was testy, it's message quickly reinforced by EDI notifying them of an incoming mass accelerator round…
Shepard's mind raced with adrenaline as his options flashed in his head. Direct deployment was a non-starter, the second Joker stopped his frantic maneuvering the new Normandy would go to join the last that only left…
"Can you get the airlock doors in line with the station?!", Shepard asked as the Normandy quickly did a quick barrel roll to avoid another accelerator shell.
"Sure! But why the hell?!..."
"Just do it!", Shepard barked, his team reading his mind as they darted to the airlock doors. Shepard gave one last look at the pilot before doing the same, running one last check on his armor to make sure it was airtight…
The inner airlock door hissed closed behind him. "Good morning gentleman and slightly more scary ladies, this is your captain speaking. I would like inform you that you may experience some turbulence during your flight due to the unpredictable weather we're having, as such I would insist that you keep your armor airtight and away from large speedy objects…" Raptor looked at him, head tilted in question. Shepard just shrugged, Joker was Joker after all. "…and finally I would like you to get out, take names, and enjoy your flight on Air Normandy…"
The outer airlock door sprang open…air quickly rushed out as the team inside began to move…Shepard could see stars…a station…another beam of light slice through space next to the ship…
…before he was sucked out into the endless void.
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R&R!