Chapter 13 Manipulations and Machinations
Shepard sat down in the CIC. An Asari yeoman handed her a datapad, "Commandant."
"Thank you Shai'ras. Update me again in four hours, unless the situation changes." Shepard said.
Shai'ras saluted, "Ma'am." And walked away.
Shepard smirked when she overheard Shai'ras say to one of the comm officers, "She remembered my name!" After smirking she turned to the datapad.
The datapad reported that Aria was fully ready to trick Illium once the second stage was done. Shepard smiled. She was ready to begin the manipulation of the top warlord.
"Grizz, has Caedishus gotten our "leaked" information?" Shepard asked.
"Yes we have confirmation that he is mobilizing to annex all the smaller groups near him, against their will." Grizz answered from his seat next to Joker.
"Which leaves the last grouping closest to Illium, excellent. Are our forces positioned where I ordered?"
"Yes, they're all ready to strike out immediately."
"Which brings us to the waiting game. Joker, keep on standby."
"Aye aye, Shepard!" Joker responded as he began running diagnostics and holding the FTL at ready.
After two and a half hours the comm officer said, "We're being hailed by Severius, Commandant."
"Put him through." Shepard waved in acquiescence.
"Hail Chancellor. Good news, my friend and ally in the next zone is going to contact me just as soon as Caedishus gets greedy and jumpy. We'll have foreknowledge of just where to reposition if we need to before the official cry for help comes out. Plus, with the propulsion upgrades on our ships it'll be very easy to outmaneuver them once in position."
"Precisely. We can secure superior position within his own territory before he can even mobilize his forces. Shouldn't have to wait much longer, now."
A few hours later Severius called, "Shepard, they're on the move on our projected path."
"Alright, steady everyone. The time is fast approaching." She pushed a few buttons on her chair to open the ship intercom, "Krogan marines, get ready to storm the capital. We'll be good to go in a half hour or less, and with you plus air support the battle should be over in just a few hours."
"You got it, Shepard!" The Krogan leader replied.
"Try not to slaughter noncombatants; and if you can, capture the warlord alive; I want to humiliate him, not necessarily kill him. But aside from that, have fun!" Shepard warned.
"Well, alright. But only for you."
"Heh, thanks boys." Shepard closed the channel.
A half hour later exactly, the distress calls came pouring into the warlords from their people and militaries as they got blitzed. And they called for help from any allies. Finally Caedishus formally declared war on the budding Confederation. Shepard leaned back and said into the intercom and fleet channels, "All hands! All hands! Man your battle stations! This is not a drill. Squadrons prep fighters and interceptors and hold steady. Move out!"
Joker punched it, and the ship blinked into FTL.
Two minutes later Caedishus's capital planet was in sight. "Achieve orbit and drop the marines!" Shepard glanced at her battlefield map and noticed an ion cloud just to the side of the standard military lane. "I have an idea, position three frigates inside that ion cloud, and an interceptor just above the cloud. On a signal the interceptor will fly into the cloud and release a burst transmission. The sudden burst of static will signal the frigates to fire. Perfect ambush of Caedishus's reinforcements."
The crew smiled mischievously as they directed the Batarian style frigates into position, with an Asari interceptor as signal.
"The marines have landed; air support is clearing the way." Grizz reported.
"Good, give me a general channel." Shepard said.
"Channel open, ma'am." The Comm officer answered.
"This is Chancellor Shepard, to all warlords except Caedishus. Aria's Pirate Confederation is offering full membership and protection from any outside attacks; we will liberate you from Caedishus's forces freely either way, but remember if you do not join we will withdraw and leave you to your fate in the event of another attack."
As expected, the entire grouping called in with requests to join. Either out of gratitude or recognizing the changing times. Shepard smiled as her plan was coming together. She relaxed, because she placed Patriarch in control of incorporating the group into the Confederation. She closed the channel after confirming the requests to join and said, "Get me a visual channel to Caedishus's private bunker."
"Channel open, on the map screen, ma'am." Shepard nodded and stood up, straightening her overcoat and sash and setting her cane down to lean on.
"Ah, Chancellor. You reacted quickly to my declaration of war."
"Of course we did. As soon as your… victims called for help from members of Aria's Confederation we began mobilizing. We launched as soon as you declared war."
"In addition to being able to outfly my ships, how?"
Shepard smirked, "Why not? New and improved propulsion tech. Do you surrender?"
Caedishus glanced down at a datapad one of his aides handed him and sneered, "Your fragile alliance hasn't won yet." Then he made a motion with his hand to cut the transmission.
Shepard pushed a button to bring the maps back up, and just as she expected the FTL signatures for Caedishus's retreating forces showed up along the line to the side of the ion cloud. "Send the signal to the interceptor on my mark." She waited until the ships were a half a minute out of optimal alignment, "Mark!"
The message went out and twenty seconds later the interceptor reported back successful weapons launch. Ten seconds later the two lead vessels in Caedishus's armada brilliantly exploded from direct hits before they could pull their shields up. "Send a message to his head admiral, likely in that third vessel judging by the ID signature, asking for his surrender."
"Yes, Commandant." The Turian XO said with evident excitement in his voice.
A few seconds later the comm officer relayed the admiral's response, "He'd like to discuss terms."
Shepard smiled, "I'm sure he wants to be sure the men and women under his command won't be mistreated, put him through."
She waited for the nod from the comm officer, "This is Commandant Shepard."
"Straight to the top, I like this streamlined approach. My terms for my surrender are simple. I only have one: I do not want my men and women to be held as POWs or for any political reasons. In return I will surrender myself to your ship personally."
Shepard glanced at her crew to get a feel for how they wanted to play it before making her decision. They seemed accepting of the terms. Shepard spoke, "Terms granted." She motioned to her comm officer to give her a fleet channel, "All ships cease fire! Their admiral has surrendered." She motioned to cut the fleet channel and said to the admiral, "Your shuttle or mine?"
"Since I have a choice, mine."
"I give you thirty minutes to report a launch, admiral." Shepard sat back down in her command chair.
The admiral paused in evident surprise, and then with gratitude in his voice, "Thank you, Commandant."
Thirty minutes later the Krogan reported they had reached Caedishus's palace with no casualties, and were making their way to his bunker. On their request, Shepard recalled their air support.
The doors to the CIC opened and in walked the admiral flanked by Turian security from Shepard's ship. Shepard got up and gestured towards her briefing room just off the CIC, "Admiral Kyrikus, please step this way for debriefing."
"You know my name?" He said as he followed Shepard into the room.
"Of course. It would be disrespectful to not know one's opponent's name. And simply foolish to not know their capabilities." Shepard shut the door behind them.
"Well, what is it you want to know?" Kyrikus said as he took a seat.
Shepard sat down opposite him, "What was your position on Caedishus's attack?"
"I don't know if you'll believe me or not, but I was opposed from the start. His plan was short sighted, rash and failed to account for any backlash of any kind. In fact I suspect he played right into your hand." Kyrikus smirked the final sentence. "If I may ask, how were you able to adapt your ships' firing positions so easily?"
Shepard eyed him for a few seconds, smiled slightly, and got up. She walked over to a nearby counter and popped the cork on a bottle of fine Turian liquor, the admiral's favorite no less. As she began pouring a glass she said, "How well do you know Earth history?"
"I admit I brushed up when I heard about your budding alliances under Aria." He replied.
"More specifically does the term "Needle Gun" have any meaning to you?" She made her way over and handed him the glass.
"Yes, it was an innovation of Earth's gunpowder based weapons. One of the early models of bolt action rifles, which would be a vast improvement over muzzle loaded weapons. My Earth history is not as good as my knowledge of weapons, I confess I love weapons. You Humans have an… artistry in your weapons at times that other species tend to lack more often than not."
Shepard sat down with a very small drink of her own of Batarian ale given to her just after being wounded, given by Anto primarily, but also from Aria's other guards. She answered his question, "Well, certain improvements in sub-light propulsion I made to ships in my control, is my Needle Gun." She raised her glass in salute, which was returned and she took a small sip.
She set her glass down, but before she could say anything else, Kyrikus swallowed part of his drink and asked, "And those ships hidden in the ion cloud?"
Shepard laughed, "When I arrived in system I noticed it there, just off the projected military space lane. It was a quick, improvised ambush and quite the risk. I had an interceptor waiting for a signal just outside the cloud. Fifteen seconds for it to fly in and deliver it's burst of static, five seconds to launch weapons, ten seconds travel time."
His brows raised, "You thought of that on the fly? Impressive. (Sigh) What is to become of my men and I?"
"Your forces, and ships, will be integrated into the "Confederacy." Every one of the liberated warlords has already joined. What becomes of them after that is not my say. And as for you? I'm not sure yet, but I suspect I won't keep you in suspense for long." Shepard said. She got up and said, "Please excuse me, Admiral. I have a battle to finish."
"Of course." He seemed lost in thought.
"Help yourself to the Turian liquor." Shepard gestured in the direction of the bar. And she left him alone.
CIC
"Any reports?" She asked.
Yeoman Shai'ras spoke, "Krogan marines report that they are in the process of breaching the bunker, but that it's larger than they anticipated, more in line with yours and Patriarch's predictions." She had full military posture
Shepard smiled, "Thank you, Shai'ras. Relax." As Shepard stepped past her, she patted Shai'ras' shoulder. She glanced around the room at the smiling faces, "Be proud of the victory today, but remember: Illium's forces are next, that's the true test."
"Aye, aye Commandant." Was the dominant answer. As she knew would happen, their smiles strengthened as their resolve to impress their commander galvanized.
She smiled, "Grizz, Anto. Prep the Krogan's evac shuttles, and prep my shuttle to follow them down; and don't worry, you're both coming with me." She made her way to the map in preparation to accept Caedishus's unconditional surrender. she said to her flagship's XO as she stepped next to him, "Captain Kyrikus, thanks for the tactical advice on your brother. I suspect once the field reports come in, they'll back up your suggestion for what to do with him."
Captain Kyrikus smiled, "Thank you, Commandant. Could I speak to him?"
"Not yet. Wait until after my little surprise gift to Caedishus's previously conquered rivals, alright?" Shepard answered. At the look of minor confusion, Shepard decided to elaborate on her reasons, "I want the good admiral to act surprised and confused at my suggestion."
The Captain went, "Ah." And nodded his head.
A few minutes later the Krogan leader called on his own line in a successful capture. "Shepard! He surrendered like the coward you said he was, I'm surprised you want him alive at all."
"Well, you're right he's not really worth the trouble. And he's not going to survive very long, but don't tell him that."
"Oh I get it, a political kill. Make him useful in death as a symbol." The Krogan surmised.
"Something like that, yeah. Evac shuttles are on the way, I'll pick up our prisoner myself."
"Comm officer Alleina, transmit my order for the… newest members of the Confederacy to meet here. Let them know: "Caedishus is going to be in attendance, whether he wants to be or not." That'll get them here fast." Shepard said.
"Aye, aye." The Asari replied.
Yeoman Shai'ras stepped over to her friend, with a big smile, and said quietly, but not quietly enough, "She remembered your name, too!" She patted her friend's shoulder.
Shepard very quietly chuckled to herself and shook her head in amusement. She opened the intercom, "Grizz, launch the evac shuttles in five minutes; I'll be right down."
Shepard walked up to the helm, "Don't worry Joker, I'll be back in less than a half hour."
"I'm not too worried, you got Grizz and Anto backing you. Incidentally, I think those two Asari have a crush on you."
Shepard glanced down warningly at Joker, "Yeah, probably. Just, shush." She placed her index finger in front of her mouth.
"Right, gotcha. Playing it cool." Joker said with a silly grin.
Shepard smiled, despite trying to suppress it, "Shut up, Joker." And she walked towards the hangar bay. On the way she said to Captain Kyrikus, "You have the bridge, captain."
"Aye, Aye."
A half hour later Shepard was back on board with her prisoner. Two hours later the other warlords assembled in a large meeting room, set up like a court.
Shepard sat in the largest chair, with her cane in front of her leaning on her shoulder, on one end of the room; and the warlords took their seats in stands set along the walls and were slightly elevated.
Shepard motioned with one hand and Admiral Kyrikus was brought in in handcuffs and sat down to Shepard's left. Shepard opened her Omni-tool to use a voice amplification tool, "Announcing captain of my flagship, Captain Kyrikus."
Admiral Kyrikus's eyes widened and he looked up at Shepard. Shepard discreetly motioned for him to be quiet for now. The captain took his seat to Shepard's right.
Shepard continued, "Is anyone notable absent?" When no one said any warlords were not in attendance Shepard finished the thought, "Then we can begin. Bring Caedishus forward."
The warlord Caedishus was brought forward and shoved into the center of the room, in the light.
"Grand Praetorian Caedishus, you stand accused by your peers of…" That's as far as she got.
He interrupted, "I see no peers here. Just lessers, and one pretender. And I stand in chains. I demand to be released!"
Shepard cleared her throat and motioned at Admiral Kyrikus. Caedishus blinked a couple times, "No, you can keep him. He failed me."
Shepard barked out a short laugh, "On the contrary, you failed him." Deep breath in, "You stand accused of…" That's as far as she got again.
"Release me!" He shouted.
"You interrupt me one more time and I will personally shoot you in the foot!" Shepard relaxed her "angry" expression and continued, "You stand accused of the attempted theft of Sovereign territory, the unlawful deposition of Sovereign rulers, and the acts of unlawful espionage and conspiracy. You will be tried and sentenced by a jury of your peers… or I suppose, those of us already here anyway." Shepard ended smirking; this sentence was met with amused, if slightly muffled, laughter and scattered applause.
"…How will I defend myself?" He said with an angry scowl.
"Details of the case?" Shepard asked.
The warlord who was Severius's contact. Stood up and presented all the evidence in a carefully constructed manner.
When he was done, Shepard said, "Can you refute these charges?"
"I didn't do that. He did!" He pointed at his admiral.
Shepard looked to the admiral, "Admiral? Can you refute his attempt to use you as scapegoat?"
Admiral Kyrikus turned an angry glare on Caedishus; who was looking smug, if a little confused at Shepard's wording. "Yes. I have transcripts of his orders, and even my objections, and my attempts at disobedience right until he went around me, even that didn't help him. He tried appointing himself direct head of his military, but that didn't help. Finally he went behind my back, ordering the few captains actually fanatically loyal to him to initiate the attack. This forced me to move into those areas and try to assume control and bring about order to the chaos he caused."
Shepard nodded, "Captain Kyrikus, to my right has field reports that state the admiral performed even better than he claims. The fanatically loyal captains were mutinied on all but two ships, he regained some ground until he realized we could reposition our ships much faster. When Caedishus called for help from my one cruiser, backed by two frigates that weren't even in the battle, he ordered a full "expanded" territory retreat to the home system to try and overwhelm us. It evidently failed, but that is a solid strategy by all means." Shepard smirked down at Caedishus.
Caedishus frantically searched his mind for something to say. He finally settled on something with an easy smile, "I…" That's as far as he got.
Shepard interrupted, "I see, there is no evidence to the contrary, the court's jury will render judgment. And… if applicable… sentence." Shepard smiled knowingly, she knew exactly how this was going. She manipulated Caedishus into acting arrogant and like an asshole, and boy did he deliver. She manipulated him into accusing Kyrikus, whom she knew had irrefutable evidence to the contrary.
After barely half a second the same former warlord who presented the evidence stood up, "Unanimously guilty verdict, Chancellor."
"Sentence?" Shepard said, looking up at the Batarian.
"Execution." He said.
"Objection!" Caedishus yelled in panic.
"On what grounds?" Shepard asked.
"This is obviously a hung jury!" He shouted in desperation after twenty long seconds of frantic thought.
"Jury? Are you hung?" Shepard asked with a deadpan expression.
The Batarian answered, "Before the Admiral's testimony we thought it was possible he was guilty."
"There you see? They gave your accusation a fair examination." Shepard said in an exaggerated tone and a ridiculous smile.
"I refuse to submit!" He shouted angrily.
Shepard gave a snarky laugh, "(Heh heh heh heh), Well you see…" She dropped the smile and got forceful in tone as she stood up, cane in left hand, "You don't have to!"
Shepard's white uniform began glowing a bluish purple as her biotics were summoned up. With a slight, but emphatic, gesture of her right hand she sent a burst of controlled energy at Caedishus. His previously unbound hands and arms launched behind his back. Shepard clenched her right fist and Caedishus's hands slammed together, resounding loudly in the silent room, when they slammed together he winced in pain. Shepard dramatically slammed her right hand down, and the biotic energy flared up just a little brighter. Caedishus was forced to his knees with a shout of surprise and his eyes widened in a lot of pain. Shepard spoke without any sign of effort or strain, "Captain Kyrikus, unlock the admiral's cuffs."
"Aye, aye ma'am." He got up, stepped over to his brother and whispered, "You owe the Commandant for this, not me. I barely helped.
Admiral Kyrikus got up, rubbed his wrists and Shepard said to him as she relaxed her stance and posture, without letting up any pressure on Caedishus. The biotic glow faded as she sat back down and leaned back nonchalantly. She pulled her pistol and handed it to the admiral, "Would you like to perform the honors, admiral?"
"After that asshole's attempt to put me in front of his firing squad. Let alone everything else he's done. It'll be a pleasure to be his new firing squad." He took the pistol readied it, walked calmly over to Caedishus and aimed down at his head. Without any regard for last words he pulled the trigger.
Shepard dropped the biotic control and Admiral Kyrikus handed the pistol back to Shepard. She placed it back in her holster beneath the overcoat. "Get someone to clean up this mess."
The Batarian stepped back up just as he was supposed to, "What are we going to do about his territory?"
Another warlord, didn't matter which one, stood up, "I say we split it up."
Shepard smiled, "That would be a mistake. It would cause far too many problems. All we need is a replacement." She paused as Admiral Kyrikus sat back down. "And I don't think we need look any further than the admiral."
Admiral Kyrikus rapidly stood back up, stumbled slightly, but recovered. He shouted, "Wha- What?!"
"Look, I've got nothing against the admiral, but why don't we just split the man's territory?" That same warlord argued.
Shepard sighed, "In case you've forgotten this is a united Pirate Confederacy. His whole territory will join, all we need is a capable administrator. Admiral Kyrikus is honest, keeps to his word, honorable, smarter, more efficient, and his forces are loyal. Plus, according to reports, the civilians in this territory are loyal to him as well. Best of all, to him mostly, he doesn't have to give up his admiralty."
"But why shouldn't we just break up his territory into smaller manageable sections and give it out piece by piece to us?" Another warlord asked.
"And how would your people react to such a thing?" Shepard asked back.
"Poorly." She admitted.
"Listen, we all profit from this territory joining the Pirate Confederacy, but none of us profit anymore from a fractured territory than from a solid one. It's simpler, cheaper, easier, and more efficient to simply assign a new administration. I say again, we need look no further than the admiral."
That finally convinced them and they "voted" to make it happen. Shepard turned to the admiral
and formally gave him his new office. After that she invited him and the captain to drink with her in her
briefing room.