Saren watched as the red light burned through the target, a stream of molten metal running down the thick plate.
A short alert sound and a flash of light indicated that the weapon overheated and it immediately shut down.
The item in question was the first prototype handheld laser gun made by the Citadel after studding the original Soviet design...and Saren had the honor of having the first one.
"Impressive isn't it?" asked Victus as he examined the damage the weapon did on the target...a piece of armor taken from a decommissioned turian frigate "to damage the plate of such thickness with a simple handheld weapon is amazing, to say the least."
He looked at the other turian and waited for Saren to give his verdict on it.
The Spectre nodded...while the weapon didn't go entirely through the target before it overheated it was still impressive, no handheld weapon he knew had so much destructive power... "True but in my opinion this serves better as a replacement for heavy weapons than a main infantry weapon, the rate of fire is simply put bad, as in shotgun bad. I wouldn't want to rely on it if the enemy outnumbers me more than two to one" said the turian, he also noted that it was also bulkier than the Soviet design.
"I agree, but this is the first handheld laser weapon we produced so we are certain that with time some of the deficiencies will be fixed" replied Victus.
"It performed better against mechs and spacecraft so we are currently focusing on laser cannons instead of small arms" continued the general as he handed Saren a datapad containing a few designs and schematics "though to retrofit the whole fleet will take at least thirteen years...and will cost us a lot of credits."
"I see" said the Spectre, though it was clear that thirteen years was too long.
When Victus gave the same assessment data to the Council, they had similar reactions...but the reality was that they were doing the best they could with what they had. Then there were people like Tevos, who was displeased with the news because it was too fast for her taste.
In the Hierarchy service to the state was mandatory and workers could and would willingly work on public projects for minimum or even no pay for a period of time, dramatically reducing the overall funds that the Primarchs needed to collect from the people...on the other hand she had to get the Asari Republics to increase taxes for her citizens.
And even then a lot of public spending programs had to be cut to keep up with the Hierarchy, to make sure that the asari and salarian fleet's weren't left behind.
Victus could only imagine the reaction the new taxes will cause on Thessia and her colony's...he was sure that the Matriarchs dreaded the results of the next election.
"Also the new technology has thrown our military doctrines in the garbage" added Victus "the age of kinetic barriers is coming to an end, and with that dreadnoughts lose much of their usefulness. On the other hand small support craft like fighters will gain on importance, as well as any vessel that has good stealth capability."
As they talked another person entered the testing area, making the turians turn to the newcomer.
"General, Saren..." the newcomer greeted the duo "just the turians I was looking for."
Both turians focused on the asari "You were looking for us?" asked Victus.
She nodded "Actually just you, as you know the Citadel is in a bit of a mess at the moment so I was told to hand in my report to you."
"That is a understatement, this could easily cause the collapse of the Council" was the generals dry reply as he took the datapad from the asari Spectre.
Saren clicked his mandibles "I think that the masses are too frightened of the Soviets to risk breaking up the Council at this point. Together we have a better chance fighting off any invasions."
The asari snorted "You should have seen the public outcry when it was released on the extranet news. First there was astonishment and denial, then after they figured out that the information was real and not a joke the shock came. The idea that the Terminus was occupied and everyone there subjected to alien rule was enough to cause riots. They were only a small minority though, most didn't care too much as long as it didn't effect them personally."
Saren listened to the asari with interest, he wasn't in Citadel space when the announcement was made so he was curious how the public reacted...it would show how ready they were for war if it broke out.
She shrugged "The Soviet threat did have one benefit, the fear of Soviets invading Citadel space had triggered a demand that the Treaty of Farixen be changed and that all military branches should be expanded. Naturally that depends if there will even be a Council after this debacle."
"Hmm, it wouldn't hurt to expand our forces" agreed Victus "we could have a fleet ten times the size if the restrictions were lifted."
"True, but what would you use it on?" asked the asari "all those shiny new ships and no enemy to fight? Waste of resources."
"We have the Soviets now" added Saren.
The asari smiled "True. That reminds me, one of my contacts told me that the Soviets have contacted the Migrant Fleet."
The two turians clicked their mandibles in agitation "You want to bet its geth related?" asked the Spectre.
Victus shook his head "After what you told me, that would be a sucker bet. Well having enemy's makes life interesting. I guess I should inform the Councilors about the newest clusterfrak, you two are as of now on leave until the next mission."
Saren nodded "Will you attend the funeral?"
Victus shrugged "I don't know if I'm going to make it, I'm neck deep in work because of all these incidents. But since you are going to Palavan, could you bring a package to the R&D department?"
"Of course"
"Great, I'll have the STG bring it to the Memory later. Well, seems my time is up. Got to run. I'll see you at the funeral if I make it" said the general as he excused himself.
The asari looked at Saren with a frown "Funeral?"
The turians mandibles twitched "Nihlus."
She shook her head "My condolences...what happened?"
"Soviets, what else..." answered the turian coldly.
"How about you tell me the details after a few drinks?"
Normally Saren would have refused, but he wasn't on a mission now and the drink could help his nerves a lot "Sure, why not."
"Excellent, lets go then" said Tela Vasir as she and Saren left the room.
