Special Thanks to Rigged Bomb, six samurai of dragon order, Trife, akatosh117demon, Lord Anime, Raging Akuma D and pwashington for their reviews. I'm grateful for it.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to the Mass Effect or God Eater games except for the ocs that I have made.
P. S To Thaqif, yes I already read those stories you recommended a long while ago so please stop sending any more unnecessary recommendations to me that are wholly unrelated to my story and also to answer your question once and for all, I think the fic is dead because a year has already passed since its last update and in my opinion, any fic that takes more than one year to update is considered a dead fic for me. Also to the others, sorry if it feels a little bit shorter than usual as I'm a little bit busy at the moment with other stuff (namely, Fallout 4).
Chapter 9: Behind the Shadows
"Your telling me that your 'acquaintance' is a batarian?" Saren expressed in disbelief as he and his brother were being escorted by a pair of krogan mercenaries that act as hired guards for Desolas' 'acquaintance'.
"I did said former, right?" Desolas said
"Your acquaintance is a batarian." Saren repeated again for him "What's next? We're going to be working with a human on this project now?"
"It was only a relationship of mutual benefit." Desolas explained "Edan Had'dah was one of my best contacts within the Batarian Hegemony and he always provides me with excellent information regarding the Hegemony and the Terminus Systems in exchange for some... 'certain benefits'. Besides, I'm pretty sure he can be trusted enough."
"And what makes you say that?" Saren asks
"It's because he also has the same desire as us." Desolas chuckled "He also wants revenge against the humans for what they did to his homeworld of Kar'Shan. Personally, I can't blame him. I mean rendering an entire planet uninhabitable just for the sole reason of the Aragami infesting it? Come on, you never saw the humans doing that to their own homeworld. The hypocrites."
"Still, if General Sidovia were alive, she would have asked the Primarch to have you court-martialed for dealing with a batarian." Saren chided
"But Sidovia is dead isn't she?" Desolas replied smugly "It is because she was foolish enough to trust those humans despite knowing that they would obviously betray us in the end. I'm really surprised on how she even became a general in the first place because of foolish nature."
Saren winced a little bit at what his brother said "Desolas... you shouldn't be talking about someone like that."
"Why? Because someone might hear me?" Desolas scoffed "Relax, no one's going to report us about what we said."
"That's not what I meant brother. What I'm saying is..."
Saren stopped in the middle of his sentence as he saw a batarian approaching them with two more krogan mercenaries following behind him.
"Captain Desolas Arterius, it's been a while since we have last met." The batarian spoke out "How long was it again?"
"Omega." Desolas replied with a smirk "Aria never liked the surprise we left for her, especially after it blew up half of her favorite lounge. And by the way Had'dah, you should address me as a general now as I have been promoted."
"So I heard." The batarian replied before he turns his four eyes towards the other turian accompanying Desolas.
"So I take that this other turian is your brother, Saren. Am I correct?"
Saren sneered "Don't think that just because we are working together doesn't mean I tolerate your kind."
Had'dah shrugged "Well, I'm glad to know your thoughts about our situation together. Would have been awkward if any of us tried to play nice to each other. Am I right Dr. Oguruma?"
"Indeed." A new voice suddenly spoke out from behind Had'dah as the krogan mercenaries standing beside him depart to make way for an unknown individual "I couldn't care less about who I'm working with, as long as you get me what I want."
Saren's eyes went wide as he saw the appearance and species of this new individual who's wearing a pair of lenses and a medical outfit that utilizes a white long coat that falls well below his knees along with a yellow colored undershirt underneath. The person sports gray colored eyes along with hair that had become white due to his elderly age which is hidden under a yellow colored bandanna that's been wrapped around his head.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Saren expressed in disbelief "A human?!"
The decrepit, aged human standing in front of them simply chuckled before he lits up the cigarette that's dangling in his mouth, taking a small puff out from it before speaking.
"So you've noticed. I'm Dr. Daigo Oguruma. Pleased to make your service."
Saren seethed as he almost drew the pistol from his side when Desolas quickly stopped before he does anything rash with it.
"Saren, calm yourself down." Desolas instructed him
"Calm myself down? He's a human, brother." Saren hissed "I could barely manage to stand your despicable batarian friend here but the human is a whole different story."
Dr. Oguruma chuckled again "Different story? You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about there young man."
Had'dah sighed as he decided to explain everything himself.
"I suppose I owe your brother an explanation here. This human here is Dr. Daigo Oguruma, one of Fenrir's previous top scientists and one of their best experts when it comes to their so-called God Eaters. Currently, he is now working for me as he told me that he is on the run from Fenrir's government after he... what was it again that you did that cause Fenrir to put a large bounty on your head?"
"Aiding a deranged madman in his plot to bring paradise on to our planet after wiping out the majority of our population." Dr. Oguruma casually said as he took another puff from his cigarette.
Had'dah nodded "Ah yes. That."
Saren's eye began twitching noticeably "So let me get this straight. This human is not just any ordinary person, he is a dangerous man who's been branded as a fugitive by his own government for aiding some psychopath in committing mass genocide to his entire species? Are you out of your mind?! That human will obviously backstab you the moment you turn your back on him! How can you even trust a being like that?! I thought my brother said that you hated the humans?"
"Ah yes. That." Had'dah replied casually "Don't worry about that. I'll have you know that I still despise humans and their kind, especially Dr. Oguruma here."
"The feeling is mutual." Dr. Oguruma chuckled
"As for your worries about Dr. Oguruma betraying us, don't fret about it." Had'dah assured him "When I granted him my protection, it came with at least three base conditions. One, he will help me develop new ways and technologies that will help the Hegemony fight back against Fenrir, ensuring the revenge of my entire kind. Two, he will follow every last one of my commands and orders whenever he likes it or not and if not, well, there's always condition number three. Dr. Oguruma, can you please show them your new implant?"
Dr Oguruma sighed as he took off the bandanna on his head which revealed a crudely large scar that runs down the base of his skull to the back of his neck.
"Condition number three," Had'dah continued "is that should he try to disobey any of my orders, escape or just generally displease me with anything that he does, well anything that's standing behind the back of his head will go... what was the name of that human artist again?"
"Jackson Pollock." Dr. Oguruma answered
"Ah yes. Jackson Pollock." Had'dah nodded "So there. I'm pretty confident that we have Dr. Oguruma's loyalty especially his life in this matter. He wouldn't dare to betray us at any moment now, knowing that I can easily pop his head anytime like a volus with a suit malfunction."
"Still, he's a human." Saren sneered
"And a very useful one to be exact." Had'dah countered "As I have told you, I despise this human with everything that I got, but I can't deny that he has been useful. The new technologies he had helped us develop-"
"Ehem." Desolas gives out a noticeable cough.
"-which I would eventually share with the Hierarchy, has greatly benefited the Hegemony's military on a large scale. For example, using Dr. Oguruma's knowledge, we were able to develop an advance cloaking device that allows a vessel to avoid being detected by Fenrir's advance scanners."
"Avoid detection? That's impossible." Saren snorted "The humans' scanners are far too advance. Not even the STG had manage to infiltrate their defenses."
"That's because the humans utilize a technology that's far different from what the rest of the galaxy are using." Had'dah retorted "With Dr. Oguruma's help, we manage to create a cloaking device that functions specifically against the humans' scanners which is how we even manage to retrieve the artifact that we have found floating near the border space between their territory and the Geth's."
"Interesting." Desolas mused "If this stealth technology that Dr. Oguruma helped you developed can be this effective, then can I trust that the Hierarchy will be receiving samples of it soon?"
"Don't worry," Had'dah assured "once we have manage to perfect the technology, I will be donating several samples of it to your race. All I just want in exchange is to ensure your words that the humans will get what they deserve for their arrogant actions."
Though Saren knows the numerous advantages the turians could receive if they would continue working with the batarians, he could still feel his metallic skin almost crawl over the simple fact that they are dealing with a batarian out of all possible species.
"Now then, should we be off to see the artifact my men just discovered?" Had'dah asks
"Why certainly." Desolas chuckled "I can't wait to see the appearance of what the reason for humanity's defeat will look like."
***Meanwhile***
"...and according to our reports, only 5.54% of the entire total candidates have 'failed' their aptitude tests. Fenrir officials are now sending their regards towards the families they left." Brooks reported
Director Harper frowned at the information given to him by his secretary. "5.54%? Then that means over at least 500 candidates died during the testing."
"An acceptable loss when compared to the previous test results of the predecessors of the PN7 Bias Factor." Brooks stated
"And what of Luke Shepard? Did he survive the testing process?" Director Harper asks
"Fortunately yes." Brooks confirmed "However, there is one detail that I think you should know about."
"And what is that?"
"Luke Shepard's compatibility rating is absurdly high." Brooks replied "According to Dr. Chakwas' medical checkup report, his rating has surpassed even the previous record held by former 1st Unit leader Yuu Kannagi."
"Really?" Director Harper mused "Is there any reason why Shepard's compatibility rating is so high?"
"As of now, Dr Chakwas is still hypothesizing on several ideas on why Shepard's rating is so high." Brooks answered "But the main idea she has now as of this moment is that due to Shepard being the child of two particular God Eaters, his body has been granted a natural compatibility with the Oracle Cells that had been injected into him but so far, she hasn't found any solid evidence to prove this idea."
Director Harper nodded "Interesting. Just keep me updated on any developments on this particular individual, as well as with the rest of the successful candidates."
"As you wish Director." Brooks replied as the transmission was cut off by the director.
Reaching for the glass of scotch that's resting on the left armrest of his chair, Director Harper smirked as he brought the glass to his lip.
'Luke Shepard, I hope that you do not disappoint me.'
***XOXOX***
MISSION RANK: Difficulty 1
STORY: Combat Training 1
CLIENT: Yuu Kannagi
FIELD: Training Center
REWARDS
-30 Credits
-20 credits
-10 Credits
TIME LIMIT: 30:00
CARRIABLE STUN GRENADES (per person): 8
Info
- Learn how to use your God Arc in combat. Your goal is to defeat the 5 targets and devour the core of at least one of them. Devouring yields you materials which you can use to craft parts of your God Arc.
MISSION MEMBERS
NAME/CODENAME
1. Luke Shepard/SHEPARD
2. Aki Tamashiro/AKI
Confirm members?
YES/NO?
…
…
…
The large steel doors opened and Shepard and Aki found themselves immediately back to the room where they first took their aptitude test only this time, the large machine in the center was gone and the room was left bare except for the damaged walls and themselves.
"Hey there you two!" Yuu's cheery voice greeted them over at the room's intercom system "Welcome to your first training session. Before we start, I would like to inform you two that the objective is to hone your enhanced instincts and combat abilities. During this session, we'll be giving you two a total of 5 targets to defeat."
"Five targets? That doesn't sound too hard." Aki grinned in confidence
"Don't count on it. We haven't even fought any kind of foes up until now." Shepard chided her when the floor in front of them suddenly slid open and 5 things jumped out from the opening.
Though he had never having seen an Aragami face to face before, Shepard was pretty sure that their appearance should be far more... organic than the things that are standing before them.
The surface texture of the creatures was wrong, being almost metallic in nature. The creatures have no visible features, only a sharp fanged maw that keeps snapping attentively. The creatures possess a large flat tail floating behind them and stood on two legs kinda like a therapod dinosaur except they don't possess any arms.
"These creatures are artificial Aragami." Yuu's voice explained "They are created specifically to mimic the behavior of certain species of Aragami in order to train our regular God Eaters against a particular species of without them having to actually confront it in combat. These creatures here are based upon the most common species of Aragami, the Ogretails."
At the mention of the name of the creatures they are based on, the artificial Aragami gave out several large growls and hisses at the two new God Eaters.
"Though artificial Aragami are considerably way weaker than the real thing, I suggest you two still take them seriously as they can still seriously injure you two with their attacks." Yuu suggested "Furthermore, I will assist you two during this session by providing you two with details on how to get accustomed with your God Arcs. So, are you two ready for your session? Cause we are about to begin immediately."
"Well Aki, you heard the man. Are you ready for this?" Shepard asks as he adopts a combat stance and grasps his God Arc (which is currently equipped with a Short Sword/Assault Gun/Tower Shield combo) firmly in his hands.
"You betcha'!" Aki cheerfully replies as she hoists her own God Arc on her shoulder "I have been waiting for this moment in my entire life!"
"Begin combat training!" Yuu announced and the five artificial Ogretails came charging straight towards the duo with their fangs wide open so that they can take a large bite out from them but the two God Eaters quickly rolled out of their way and easily evaded their attacks.
Retaliating, the two God Eaters swiftly leap back into combat, with Shepard dashing forward and landing several quick stabs and slashes at one of the creatures' sides while Aki jumps high in the air, yelling "Death from above!" and lands a devastating over-the-head blow with her God Arc right on another artificial Aragami's head, knocking with such force that the creature was sent flying before it crashed into another of its kind.
A lone artificial Ogretail tried to lunge towards Aki who simply smirks in response and raises her God Arc in its shield form to block its attack. The force of the creature's attack managed to pushed Aki back by a tiny bit, causing her to laugh and say "Is that all you got?" before she rapidly switches back to her blade form and swings her God Arc in a strong upwards slash which practically launched the fake Ogretail high towards the air.
"Hey Shep! Don't miss it!" Aki cheerfully states as she swiftly switches again to her shield.
"Don't worry, just leave it all to me!" Shepard replied to her as he dodge rolled several spikes that were launched at him by one of the artificial Ogretails from its tail until he made a leap over another one and lands on Aki's shield. Using her shield as a springboard, Aki throws Shepard into the air, allowing him to reach the Ogretail that she launched momentarily into the air seconds ago and slash it rapidly in midair, killing it quickly before it lands back on to the ground.
"Woo-hoo! Teamwork!" Aki grins widely as Shepard finally lands on his feet.
"Don't celebrate just yet. There are still three more of them." Shepard reminded her as the three remaining artificial Ogretails snarled at them before they immidiately charged at the duo once again.
Meanwhile at the observation deck, Yuu was carefully observing the duo's training session, meticulously examining their combat abilities, fighting styles and most importantly, their teamwork which is the most important and essential detail that a God Eater must possess in order for them to have a high survivability rate in combat and Yuu already finds theirs to be extremely remarkable and outstanding considering that the two new recruits just met each other a few hours ago.
'Impressive.' Yuu thought in admiration 'Even I had difficulty getting along with some of my peers during my first time yet these two are displaying a cooperation rate that can only be found in people who have fought years along with each other. I wonder if it's an innate talent of theirs or a side-effect of being a 4th Generation God Eater?'
Back into Shepard and Aki's training fight, the duo had just recently disposed two of the artificial Ogretails after taking them down without much effort and now, only one fake Ogretail remains and is currently being pressed back by the relentless assaults of the two God Eaters.
"I'll eradicate you!" Aki gleefully states as she swung her blade hard onto the creature's unprotected side, slicing it open and causing the beast to howl in pain while Shepard deals the final blow on it by ramming his God Arc directly into the wound Aki made, sinking his blade deeply into it until it exits out from the other side, skewering the fake Ogretail like an Aragami shish kebab.
INFORMATION: All 5 targets defeated!
"Phew. It's finally over now." Shepard sighed in relief as he pulled his God Arc free from the corpse it is impaled on.
"It was pretty fun actually." Aki smirked as she approached the creature's corpse and began readying her God Arc in its devour form "Though it still isn't enough to satisfy me."
"Focus Aki. We still need to try devouring this thing first." Shepard reminded her as he also readies his own God Arc.
"Fine. Let's just get this over with already." Aki replied to him as the black, monstrous maws of their God Arcs shot forth and took a large bite out of the artificial Ogretail's corpse.
Obtained Simulated Item
Obtained Simulated Item
Obtained Simulated Metal
Obtained Simulated Metal
Obtained Simulated Item
Obtained Simulated Metal
INFORMATION: Accomplished mission requirements!
"Excellent." Yuu's voice announced over at the room's intercom system "You have completed your first training session. I have to admit, you two are pretty good considering this is your first time."
"Good? Come on, what you should mean is that we are awesome! Right Shep?" Aki grins
"I think we shouldn't be too overconfident." Shepard replies to her "He did say that the things we fought are considerably way weaker than the real thing right?"
"Well, I still find your training results to still be significantly exemplary." Yuu's voice continued "As a result, the two of you will now be considered immediately fit for assignment."
"What?! Already?" Shepard expresses in surprise
"REALLY?!" Aki exclaimed rather enthusiastically "We're going to be sent on a mission soon? YAHOO! This. is. the. best. day. EVER!"
"Calm yourself down. We are not going to send you two immediately on any difficult mission yet." Yuu's voice informed her "You two are still a bunch of fresh recruits."
"Awww." Aki sighed in disappointment "So you are going to assign us to one of those boring ass, easy missions? Lame."
"Please understand." Yuu requests "The more difficult missions are reserved only for God Eaters with veteran experience in combat. They are not meant to be assigned to just any person who asks them."
"He's right Aki." Shepard agrees "We have to earn the right first before we can be assigned to any difficult task."
"Fine." Aki muttered rather dejectedly "So what will our assignment be like exactly?"
"I'm glad you asked." Yuu replied "You two will be assigned to the newly formed defense unit to the Fenrir branch of one of our latest established colonies, Eden Prime, which is dangerously close to the border between ours and Terminus space. Though we haven't encountered any attacks yet coming from the Batarian Hegemony after we destroyed their homeworld while pirates have been avoiding our colonies like the Black Plague, Fenrir still wants to make sure that this new colony remains absolutely secured in case either of the two launches a surprise attack on one of our many territories."
"Eden Prime huh? I guess Fenrir is still fond of naming most of their colonies after ancient mythology." Shepard stated
"My thoughts exactly." Yuu agreed "Anyway, you two will be assigned and transfered to the Fenrir Eden Prime Branch four months months from now. Fenrir has given you two ample time so that you can train and prepare yourselves for your eventual transfer."
***MISSION COMPLETE***
RESULTS
Mission Rewards
-30 Credits
-20 credits
-10 Credits
[] SELL ALL
X NEXT
(HELP) Credits will be added. Items will be sent to your storage.
RESULTS
Other Rewards
-Restore Pill X2
-Simulated Item X3
-Simulated Metal X3
[] SELL ALL
X NEXT
(HELP) Salvaged or obtained through unbinding attacks.
RESULTS
Profile Data
Mission Time: 1:07
Successful Devours: 0
A-Bullets Passed: 0
A-Bullets Received: 0
Condensed Attacks: 0
Successful Link-Aids: 0
Incapacitated: 0
Rank: SSS
(HELP) Profile info for this mission.
Overwrite saved data?
YES/NO?
...
Changing the storage media...
…
...
Saving...
Do not remove the storage media...
...
...
Data has been saved
***Chapter End***
***Codex Entries***
Eden Prime- A large human colony founded near Fenrir's border with the Terminus Systems, Eden Prime is known to be one of the largest agricultural producers within Fenrir's territories where the planet's resources account for at least 20% for humanity's entire agricultural sector as well as being the chief source of raw ingredients for the production of Fenrir's (in)famous line of non-alcoholic beverages, Dr. Sakaki's 'First Love Juice', which has absolutely become a well-renowned product within the galactic community after its first introduction on the Citadel markets via the Volus.
Currently, Eden Prime's Fenrir Branch possesses a few thousand God Eaters as well as several thousand God Arc Soldiers within its ranks in order to protect the colony from any hostile attacks. Because of the lack of God Eaters under its ranks, the local branch director, Henry Lawson, has made a personal request to Fenrir Valhalla Branch Director Jack Harper for Eden Prime's branch to receive several thousand new God Eaters that were created via Cerberus' PN7 Project which Director Harper granted without further ado.
***Fenrir Database Profiles***
Yuu Kannagi- Enlisted in the former Fenrir Far East Branch during the year 2182. Former Captain of the Far East Branch's 1st Unit as well as a former member of the now defunct independent support unit Cradle.
There is a lot to be said about this person's abilities in the former Far East. From high combat capability to a proficient mental strength and personality, which, made him one of the best God Eaters in Fenrir's history.
Achieved the greatest merit along with his fellow 1st Unit members in the former Far East Branch for foiling the 1st Devouring Apocalypse caused by Director Schicksal's Ark Project scheme.
It should be noted that the present information is considered as Top Secret outside of Fenrir's territory.
God Arc: Long Blade Assault (New-Type/2nd Generation)
Dr. Daigo Oguruma- A former Fenrir physician, scientist and engineer who mysteriously disappeared years ago after former Director Johannes Von Schicksal's Ark Project plot was revealed and foiled by then 1st Unit leader Yuu Kannagi. Dr. Daigo Oguruma is currently wanted by Fenrir officials due to his part in aiding with the former director's plans as well as with hypnotizing and drugging then Private Alisa Amiella into attempting to kill Lindow Amamiya and Sakuya Tachibana which fortunately failed due to unforeseen circumstances. However, despite the vast resources and reach they have within their territories, Fenrir has so far, come up empty on the fugitive doctor's current whereabouts.
It should be noted that the present information is considered as Top Secret outside of Fenrir's territory.