Well, I really meant to publish another chapter for Embers of Chaos before I started writing this, but what can I say? This was way more fun to write. As mentioned previously, this is the first real story snippet, and while it's not as long as some of my other ones, I think it works. So sit back and watch as the Hivers take a trip to Omega, and decide to break all the rules.
Also, Aria is a pain in the ass to write. I did my best, but it's really hard to capture her mix of suppressed rage, confidence, and pure arrogance. Plus I've never actually played the Omega DLC, which would really have helped with this one. So let me know how I did!
On a totally unrelated note, I've had a few people ask me how the SotS ships match up with their Mass Effect counterparts. So I've taken the liberty of creating a chart for you that can be found on my profile page.
Shortly after first contact, the Orion Races realized just how vast the size difference was between Council ships and their own. So they did some redesigns, effectively adding the equivalent of a second mission section and doubling the size of their ships. The original size is also included in the chart, for your reference.
The chart is based off a different one, created by Euderion. Go look at his stuff on DeviantArt, it's completely awesome. You'll note that his has several ships I edited out, since they don't appear in my story (mostly different Reapers). I left in the Normandies and Alliance cruiser/dreadnought from ME 3, just so you get a good idea of how SolForce ships are different from Alliance ones. Link to the original image can also be found on my profile page.
"Your visitors are here, Aria."
"Thank you, Garka," the unofficial queen of Omega supplied dryly before turning to her other guest. "I think that's your cue to leave, Mongkha."
"Of course," the Morrigi replied, unwinding himself to snake toward the door. "Please, think about our proposal."
"Sure," Aria replied in a tone that indicated exactly how likely she was to do as he asked. Not bothering to glance at her new visitors, she continued. "So what does the great Princess Fire Sky want from Omega?"
The new party, that had to awkwardly skitter to the side to allow the Morrigi passage, consisted of a trio of Hivers, their exoskeletons dazzling in a mix of blue and orange. Two hulking Warriors stood in the front, easily filling the private room Aria had reserved with their bulk. Behind them, dwarfed by their size, was a single Worker, his spindly arms filled with electronic equipment.
"You are well informed," one of the Warriors buzzed, moving to one side to allow the Worker passage. Unbidden, he scurried forward and began setting up his electronics. Garka made to stop him, but Aria waved him off. "But you will have to ask our Mother that question yourself."
The Worker's equipment hummed to life, projecting the flickering image of a massive insectoid head that was at least the size of Aria's torso. She almost waved it off as a cheap intimidation tactic, but from the size of the Warriors, this was just a life-sized image of Fire Sky's head.
"I greet you in my name and the name of my sons, Queen Aria," Fire Sky clicked, her mandibles adding odd inflection to some of the world. "I trust you received my gifts?"
"Your air filters? Eezo would have been more valuable, but I'm sure the some of the people in the slums will appreciate the fresh air," she answered in a disinterested tone. "I know a bribe when I see one, Princess. What do you want?"
"Straight to the point? Very well," the Princess said, her face unreadable. "The Imperium is beginning a sensitive project. We would like your assistance with its implementation."
"And by sensitive, you mean illegal?" Aria asked with a smirk. "You have my attention. What exactly is so illegal the Hiver Imperium has to come all the way to Omega?"
The Worker activated his omni-tool and scurried forward, the holographic image of a Kowloon transport hovering in the air. The small creature pointed, and a new shape appeared, almost like a large bug clinging to the bottom of the ship.
"You want…a ride?" the asari asked, finally realizing exactly what the schematic represented.
"By the terms of the Citadel Truce, the Hiver Imperium is forbidden from constructing or operating any ship using a mass effect core. However, there are no provisions preventing us from hiring independent contractors to haul specific cargo to uninhabited systems and leave it there," Fire Sky explained, face assuming what Aria thought might be an expression of smug amusement. It was hard to tell. "Once there, we can open a gate and bring the rest of our ships through."
"If this isn't actually against the terms of the treaty, why are you here?" she asked pointedly, knowing there was more to it. "Go hire a volus merchant ship or something."
"The Council will naturally attempt to plug their oversight when it becomes public knowledge. While we can stall them, in the end, they are the ones that make the laws. All they will require is some legal justification to make it seem as they are not deliberately targeting us, and this opportunity will disappear. Even if they do not, they can deploy Spectres and other wet-works assets against us, destroying our Gate Ships before they have a chance to reach their destinations."
"I still fail to see how I should care about any of this. You want a smuggler? Hire one. There are a dozen different ships on the station right now that would be happy to help."
"Smugglers are notoriously fickle," Fire Sky answered, her distaste obvious. "They would happily betray us if they thought it more profitable to sell us out to the Council. But they would never dare cross the Queen of Omega."
"You want me to front for you?" Aria asked incredulously. "You seriously overestimate the value of your air filters."
"Obviously, we would pay in materials far more valuable than simple air filters. For example, we have only limited use for element zero, so I'm sure some of what my children mine can be sent your way."
"My answer is still no. I don't do politics, I don't take sides. I didn't get to rule Omega by painting a massive target on my back for the Spectres," the asari replied flatly. "I have enough enemies as it is."
"It would appear your reputation is undeserved," the Hiver Princess said in a dark tone. "Had I realized the Queen of Omega was a coward, I would not have wasted my time."
"Call me a coward again and I'll send your minions back to you in pieces," Aria snapped back instantly. "Your plan is foolish, and I will have no part in it. Go back to your caves, Princess."
"A pity. I had hoped for a partner in this," Fire Sky said far too casually. "But a vassal will do."
The Hiver Warriors moved like lightning, unfolding omni-blade on both their left and right arms as they slammed into Aria's guards, pinning them to the walls with the glowing blades hovering inches from their victims' throats.
"That was a mistake," the asari stated in a soft tone, rising to her feet and surrounding herself with a biotic glow.
"The mistake was yours," Fire Sky stated, completely ignoring the implied threat. "You believed my request was anything but a courtesy. I am a Princess of the Hiver Imperium. You are a glorified gangster pretending to the title of queen. And you are about to find out the difference between your title and mine."
The terminal next to Aria's couch chimed, and the face of a worried turian appeared, entirely on cue.
"Aria, six Hiver cruisers just appeared from behind an asteroid! They are approaching on an attack vector!"
"Target them with the defensive guns then!" she snapped, in a tone that indicated it should have been obvious. "If you want Omega, Princess, you'll have to send more than six of your little cruisers."
"Will I?" Fire Sky asked. "Your defenses seem to be taking a very long time to power up. My ships are almost in range."
"Grizz! Why aren't the defense firing?" Aria snapped, though she already knew what the answer would be.
"Someone cut the power!" the turian replied, looking at something just off screen. "No response from anyone stationed at the power conduits. I've already sent teams to investigate."
"You won't win," Aria stated, returning her attention to Fire Sky. "Even if your infiltrators kill my response teams, you can't possibly fight all of Omega."
"We don't have to. By the time your men retake the power stations we have seized, my cruisers will have disabled your defenses. From there, it's only a matter of how long you think your station will survive a sustained bombardment. Then I will go to the next pirate leader, and use you as an example of exactly what happens to those who think refusing me is the 'prudent' choice."
"Your mother is leaving you to die," the asari pointed out to the pair of Warriors. "You can't beat me and she knows it. She doesn't even care."
"It is our glorious privilege to die for our mother," one of the Warriors replied simply. "Would your children on this station say the same about you?"
"It appears my ships have entered combat range," Fire Sky said in an offhand tone. "Shall I tell them to open fire? The choice is yours, Aria. I have all day. You will submit to my demands. The only question is how many people have to die before you do."
Aria let out a cry of frustration before disappearing across the room in a flash of biotics. She reappeared next to the pair of Warriors. Before they could react, she jumped up into the air and smashed one biotic fist into the head of the nearest. It immediately exploded in a spray of gore. The Warriors partner instantly slit the throats of the men it was holding and swung one of its two blades at Aria's head.
She rolled backward, just out of reach of the blade and gestured, biotics flaring around her. The Warrior shot upward, smashing heavily into the ceiling. Then he was thrown downward, just as swiftly, crashing into the floor with enough force to snap several of his limbs and leave the metal floor stained with blood. Aria gestured again, and the Warrior repeated the process. She didn't cease until the Warrior's body stopped twitching.
Finally, she pulled the pistol off her hip and turned to face the Worker, who appeared to be frozen in utter fear. Realizing what was about to happen, he rushed for the door, only to be shot twice in the head before he even got close.
"Was that tantrum truly necessary?" Fire Sky asked, completely unfazed by the death of her sons. "My ships won't wait much longer. Hurry and make your decision."
Aria took a deep breath and shot a murderous glare at her aide and guards, who took the hint and hurriedly left the room. She took another calming breath and returned to her seat.
"Fine," she finally spat. "I'll find you your damn ships. Tell your ships to get the hell away from my station."
"I have no intention of sending my cruisers home," the Hiver replied with a smug tone. "Tell me, Aria, have you ever heard the human legend about the Sword of Damocles?"
"No," Aria snapped, brow furrowing in irritation again.
"It says that every Queen lives with a sword hanging over her, suspended by just a thread. It could fall and kill her at any moment, should she make even one wrong move," Fire Sky explained, her buzzing tone bordering on gloating. "Those cruisers are your sword, Queen Aria. If our plans are leaked, if our shipments are sabotaged, I will hold you responsible. And I will tear your station down around you, level by level."
"Are you finished?" Aria asked in a bored tone. "You have your damn ships. Stop wasting my time."
"Contact me when my ships are ready. Until then, I bid you farewell. Your Majesty."
The hologram disappeared, leaving the last mocking title hanging in the air. Aria waited a moment, then snarled and sent the communication device flying into the nearest wall with her biotics.
"Garka! Get your worthless ass in here!" she snapped, rising to her feet. The batarian obediently entered the room, respectfully waiting for her command. "Find Mongkha and tell him I'm starting to rethink his proposal. Then get me Mordin Solus."
Garka hurried out of the room, leaving Aria to stare at the bodies that littered the room in brooding silence.
"Don't fuck with Aria," she told the dead Hivers before turning on her heel and stalking out of the room, letting the heavy door slam shut behind her.
One month after Princess Fire Sky deployed several cruisers to Omega, five of these ships returned to Hiver space, several showing signs of energy weapon damage. Shortly afterward, Morrigi traffic to the station increased by almost 300%. Inside sources have reported that much of Omega's defense network has been overhauled to include Orion Arm energy weapons, and a Monitor Station is under construction at a nearby asteroid. No trace has been found of the sixth Hiver cruiser, which is still missing.