Vas Messenger

Chapter Twenty One: The Empire

There were times - though very few - when the quarian was glad to be in a pressurised enviro-suit. Trudging through footfalls of snow on a fully iced world was one of them.

Somewhere deep in the white blur of the blizzard, the Angaran Resistance Base was buried. Only how any being could live through such cold, Iyali'Talaas could not fathom. Even protected, flecks of sharp ice crystals stripped all vision from her visor like falling comets. Each scraped across the glass, marring the once perfect in many glinting lines. The harsh breath of winter consumed all.

She could barely register the towering hunch of Jaal Ama Darav, only the trails of his cloak shifting through the northern wind as if something half-alive. Even her turian had to kneel within the softer banks, if to cease the wind from knocking him down.

The Pathfinder braced an arm over his helmet, calling to everyone over the howling of the mountain. "The Resistance should be hauled up through the northern pass! Looks like we're going to have to climb from here."

The only indication of a trail were the swishing lamps of glowing amber dotting the rising incline, each several metres apart with some half-consumed in frosted icicles. Still, as they begun the climb, the ever-rising walls to their left begun to shield most of the snowdrift, allowing sparse moments of clarity for the great blue-grey pinnacles of the mountains to be seen jutting out into nothingness, like grand stone titans baring their mighty shoulders.

To their other side the ridge fell away to harsh descents; each falling into depths smothered in arctic mist. Hauling oneself over ridges was never a particularly easy task, yet with the added ice the quarian found herself panting far too heavily. Her fingers scraped the rocks. Her toes slipped from the highest ledges, mostly into those behind her. It seemed even Voeld taunted her, mirroring her failures in icy reflections.

Jaal caught her hand upon one such ascent, burying his toes in white and lifting her until her feet scrambled to a solid purchase. From there the path veered into stable solidity. The soft crunch beneath their feet was replaced by harsh rock, as well as the crumbling debris of an avalanche connecting ridges together.

At the height of their final climb they happened upon a narrow ravine were a glow of gold highlighted the foothold of the Angaran Resistance Base. Two resistance fighters bayed them welcome, clad surprisingly in nothing other than black jumpsuits and helmets.

"Jaal, you're back," announced one of them, letting his rifle fall to the snow. "The Commander will want to see you. Head inside before the blizzard consumes the pass."

Despite first appearances, the resistance base was far grander than even what the quarian had seen on Aya. The entirety of the cliff face was shrouded by domed metal canopies that in the immense winter, crackled and spat. Cruisers of angaran design floated beneath, awaiting pilots.

Iyali'Talaas strayed to one such cluster, if to marvel at the craftsmanship. Sturdy along the wings, platformed in two tiers and controlled by a fanned propella at the base. The cruisers had her fingers itching to fly them. Inside the mountain were similar constructions, only land-based vehicles with windows glinting in sleet.

Much of the architecture within the base had been smothered or caved. There were hints of advancement: generators, ventilators, radiators that seemed to emit infrared light. Yet it did not relate to remnant or angaran as far as Iyali'Talaas was aware, for there were no humming veins or flora-inspired designs. It reminded her of basic technology, all metal bulks with no aesthetic design. Perhaps that was the purpose, considering it was a base of operations. Stark, cold and solid. Military at its heart.

Finally, they arrived inside the operations centre. Only it was not the angara or militia that any of the company noticed, but the great holographic image of a planet circling the entire chasm. Terminals sprouted from its base like roots, each holding screens and codes.

Iyali'Talaas reached for her omni-tool, only for Jaal to still her arm. He shook his head slowly, causing her device to disappear.

"Commander Anjik Do Xeel," he greeted, turning around to lightly bow at the hologram.

Ahead the female stature of an angara graced them from along the ramp overlooking the planet, her pink features sour and stern. She crossed the rampart and strode down the stairway, arms laced behind her back. Each step was made with precision; accuracy. She indeed was a commander, or at least played the role quite fittingly.

At the end of the platform her eyes turned to each of the company, narrowing only further until hers met Jaal. Her lower lip quirked, though the throbbing vein in her crown seemed to suggest it was a painful action, not one of sole gratitude. "So, these are the vesoen Efvra told me of. They don't appear to be much. Not like our other warriors. And you expect us to win this war with them?"

Jaal chuckled, coughing deeply into his fist. "They may not appear to be strong, Commander Xeel, but I promise you, these are the aliens that helped save Havarl. They have braved the worst of our native creatures and survived. I know they will not fail us."

"I see."

Drifting from her back, her arms advanced, wide. It was only then that the quarian caught the sight of a missing limb, inhaling quick at noticing the loss of both the commander's left hand and forearm. A battle wound, she was sure. "You are welcome here, as an ally of the angara. For now. Help my people and you may become more. Actions display your soul's intentions."

Pathfinder Ryder thrust one arm out, watching with a smirk as her own joined his. Commander Anjik Do Xeel huffed, impressed.

"I'm guessing by the appearance of your base not much has worked in the line of tactics. If your current plan hasn't worked then we'll need a different strategy," he said, gesturing to her base with a nod.

The Commander scanned her operations with a scrutinising eye, flicking across the human in a similar way. "Yes, we have held the Kett at bay very well, but a decisive blow has yet to happen. The longer this drags on, the greater our disadvantage. Our main weakness is a lack of fighters, though with you here that might just change. If you are as Jaal promises."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Splinter your group. Take several of your team down to the valleys and cleanse the Kett where they stand. Go to the lookouts and see what you can do to help our neighbours. We have made plenty of natural defences to deter the Kett, but the wilds aren't as timid. I could also use a few of your people in one of my campaigns."

At the sour fall of the Pathfinder's brows, the commander laughed and elaborated. "Not to worry. I can promise they will be safe, as safe as can be on this planet. Most likely safer than going into the valley alone. Do as you will but I will need a handful of your men. Speak to me when you are ready to assign them."

Lastly, she ushered the newcomers to one-side, peering behind to her people before whispering, "Please bare in mind, alien. Though you have Efvra's council, there are many here that will be wary of you. Jaal is a seasoned warrior with unmatched passion, but even travelling with him will not grant you save haven. Be careful."

"And," she warned as she begun to walk away, "if I hear of any of my men being injured because of one of your people, I would suggest leaving this planet very quickly. Aider or no, I do not allow treachery to stand unpunished."

Once the final warning had taken root, she slipped away into the shadows of the chasm, leaving the newcomers alone in a far corner by ice and stalactites.

Iyali'Talaas stared into the hologram of the planet, watching the display tilt and shimmer. There were navpoints on its surface, labelled noughts and crosses. She had to wonder, was it a real-time image, pictured by satellite, or a plan of plotted targets?

"Seems some of you are going to have to stay here," the Pathfinder spoke after sometime, his keen gaze already shifting between those in his company. "Seems I'm going to need a lot of muscle on my assignment. Might need to return to the Tempest to gather a squad. But you three, you could keep the angaran commander sweet while we do a little sight seeing. What do you think?"

Syrus clicked his mandibles, a hidden ire slowly surfacing. "More like play bait, you mean."

"Now, now let's not be hasty. According to her holiness over there you guys will be taking the easy route. You won't be on your own. You can get an in depth look at the battle tactics for me. In here, you will be my eyes and ears."

Jaal's eyes quickly furrowed. "You want to spy on the Resistance?"

"Not essentially. Look, we need mutual cooperation, which means we help you, you help us. Being cautious isn't a problem here, Jaal. We'll be doing your people a favour." The Pathfinder sighed, tapping the side of his helm. "Kallo, prepare the Tempest. I'm coming back. Get Drack and Liam ready to move out."

'Copy that, Ryder,' his comms link responded before a shimmer of light faded from his helmet. The Pathfinder returned to the others. "Better ask what the commander wants. I'll see you all when your task is complete."

With that he was gone, disappearing into the vast chasm just like the commander. Iyali'Talaas was left with her turian, Syrus, while Jaal Ama Darav distanced himself to query the campaign that required their help.

Since the mission began the quarian sensed that something had changed within her turian. She drew him to a patch of crumbled mountain rock with a hand, coaxing him to perch on one end while she sat on the other. "Syrus, about our fight-"

He sighed, rubbing the dead scales away from the base of his neck. "Kid, forget about it. That's not important anymore."

"Then, what is wrong? You do not seem like your lively self. Is this because of the planet?"

His left leg drummed the floor incessantly, inching further and further into soft snow. "I told you I wasn't comfortable coming here. This place, it's like the stations back on Palaven."

He chuckled, hoarse and throaty. He pointed to the terminals beneath the holographic planet, grinning from mandible to mandible. "Over there? I can picture where our commander sifted through his reports. Knowing now what he must have knew, spirits, makes me sick. Over there? We used to test our smaller ordinance. Rifles, stock rechecks, all small-sized jobs, but in the end, I knew some of the men taking those weapons wouldn't be coming back. It's the same here. Look around you."

She did. The angara seemed to be of a variety of ages, some small, some tall, some youthful, some old. A mixed batch for a militia.

"I expect half of these to be dead within the year. A third by the second. Always happens when families play war." He wiped the side of his maw, his third talon dug deeply into his face. "Being here was the worst situation you could put me under, kid. The worst!"

"Then why come back?" she whispered harshly, searching the base to ensure no one could hear. "Why follow me to the planet at all? You could have stayed on the Tempest."

"Because of you, kid! Because…" he growled, striking the snow in his rise. "Because of you."

Iyali'Talaas felt her chest swell uneasily in emotion. She bit her tongue from responding, instead choosing to allow the cold to clear his thoughts while Jaal joined their company.

"Well, flat-crown, what does she want us to do? Pillage a colony, burn their supplies, attack their fuel lines, hmm?" Syrus demanded, causing the angara to falter in his steps.

"Neither," Jaal uttered, his gaze shifting between the two of them apprehensively. "There is a colony of miners that we know to be captured by the Kett close to Hjara Station. It is a small delaav. We are to see the leader of the operation, Kjal De Onaad. He is in the medical centre. Come, I will show you the way."

The entirety of the angaran base seemed to be a warren of halls and corridors, many splintering off into sub-sections too small even for the quarian to slip inside. Others held private quarters and militia supplies, though the variety of crates seen seemed far too few for such a grand base. Either the Resistance hid their ammunition well in case of Kett infiltration, or there were not that many supplies at all. If that was true, the quarian wondered how long a war with the Kett could truly last with them on the winning side.

Through a blanket of warmed vapour she stepped into a much smaller hall than the previous. With the supply of many heaters, the medical ward was truly warm, but even so there were clusters of icicles along the eastern front were some of the mountain had caved in. Though what surprised her more were the numbers of injured groaning and withering in pain.

On her passing she counted eight at least, though that was only near the entranceway. How many lay in the neighbouring tunnels she dared not think on.

In her passing she caught the snicker of mischief, aimed directly at her. She paused in her walk for a moment, tilting back to find two angaran males staring her down. The instinct to whip her sidearm out was strong; her fingers twitching over her thighs.

The taller of the males, deep blue skinned, reigned further over her in an intimidating manner. His shadow shaded the entirety of her shawl, yet when she did not back down nay even move, his lips curled back menacingly. Spittle soon splattered her boots.

"And here I thought the watchers dealt with the aliens coming in here," his friend vocalised, patting the pistol attached to his outer thigh.

Iyali'Talaas felt a presence close-in behind her. She slipped a hand over her Equaliser, steadying her breaths while she waited for him to also speak.

A hand touched her shoulder, and a deep voice curled through the space between them. "This alien is our ally. I would suggest showing her respect. Unless you would rather deal with me."

"I'm not sure about respect, Jaal Ama Darav," she whispered, imitating a joyous cackle. "But they will have nothing to fear from me. It's a shame," she tsked, slipping in close to the tallest angara.

He did not back away until she bore her own sharp incisors, displaying them in a mirthless grin. In the correct light, he could most certainly see them through her visor's mist. "I do enjoy the taste of flesh in the weak and stupid."

The blue-skinned male suddenly blanched, his complexion taking on a paler shade. Both glanced between her and Jaal before skulking deep into the base, cursing in variants of shelesh.

Jaal's chest rumbled joyously. "Impressive. You were not serious about tasting their flesh though, right?"

The drop in his smile had her truly laugh. "No, Jaal Ama Darav. I do not eat angara."

"Good. That is… good."

The continued through the medical ward until they finally settled in a small alcove surrounded by gurneys and medicine. By their front was a counter filled with empty herbal supplements and jars. A woman lay across the far end hunched in pain. By her side stood another angara, male and tall, tinted in grey and lilac freckles. He attempted to heal her, spooning oils through her plump lips.

"Calm now, sister. All will be free soon," he soothed, resting her head on his lap. "Hush now, let the stars take the burdens of this world away from you. Let the whispers of your soul keep you clear in mind, make you strong in body. You will survive this, I promise you. Simply, stay in my arms a little while longer. Please."

The woman continued to breathe. The clutch on her abdomen soon disappeared, replaced by a calmed sigh.

He did not look up but seemed to know Jaal and his companions were there. "Are you the recruits Anjik Do Xeel sent? I hope you are better at fighting then this one." He stroked her cheek, lightly kissing her crown. "She will live but she was young, stubborn. Thought she could take on the entire Kett force by herself. Got punctured in the gut because of it."

He silently slipped from the counter and lay her head into a mound of ragged cloth. "Here's hoping the Kett grant us a calmer tide the next time we hit them. I'm not sure how much longer we can withstand. We're losing men daily. Most aren't even dead. They've been captured."

He turned back to them, a stern line etched into the swollen scar over his forehead. "There's a labour camp three days journey from here. Our intel speculates the captured came from Hjara Station. We're going to go there first, then visit the neighbouring colonies before finally hitting the camp. Any questions?"

"And what of the provisions?" asked the quarian. "Are any others coming along?"

Kjal De Onaad shook his head. "I have a small team set up but you're welcome to gather whatever supplies you'll need for the journey. I can't promise it'll be an easy ride travelling through Voeld but you'll be safer in one of our land rovers than an aircraft. Takes twice as long but there's less chance we'll be noticed by Kett. Anymore questions?"

Syrus leaned back against the nearest counter, tapping his arm with a claw. "And you say it's a simple rescuing job? Nothing else?"

"As far as we know. Might need to end a few Kett cruisers, blow up a few of their supply lines, but we're mainly there for the miners."

Syrus nodded thoughtfully, twirling a talon beneath his chin. "Then we accept," he said, his finality ending the conversation before more questions could be answered. He did not debate a reward, did not complain about the lack of information, or who the miners may have been. That unnerved Iyali'Talaas more than she cared to admit.

Before she had a chance to question him, the turian had already begun to stalk through the resistance base, back towards where the Tempest had been docked. Her feet made to follow him out of instinct. Only a hand on her shoulder ceased all movement.

"Come, there is something I must show you."

With gravid silence as deafening as space, Jaal Ama Darav guided the quarian across the remaining halls. Through it all she saw the meter on her enviro-suit plummet to below freezing temperatures. He was leading her outside.

At the end of the second corridor was an opening that led onto a different side of the mountain, far higher than the shuttle port or even where the Tempest had been placed. There were two heaters on either side of the entrance, casting the icy way ahead in an eerie blend of ethereal blue and fire gold.

It was a mostly barren ledge but it opened up to a horizon of distant mountain peaks, with valleys so smothered in white that only the thickest rivers could be differentiated from the land.

The quarian swept a hand over her visor, bracing another arm around her waist to steady the wind from beating her armour too harshly. "Why am I here, Jaal Ama Darav?" she asked, suddenly wary. Though the view itself was spectacular, she could not help the unease that stirred uncomfortably through her gut.

The height itself made her legs shake.

Jaal trod over to the very edge of the cliff, beckoning her to him with an outstretched hand. Fear dared her not to go, but trust was a two-way relationship. All she saw in his darkened stance and pale face was honesty. Always such.

So she reached out a quivering hand and allowed him to draw her close, until her fingers tangled in the fabric flaring over his chest. The very descent below them seemed to go on forever.

He swept his arm outward to the horizon. At first she did not see what he meant, only seeing further pinnacles casting a jagged line across grey-washed sky. But then, in the distance, she saw the shaded outlines of twisted spires and an eerie light striking one side of a long elevation.

She tiptoed further forward, curling his hands around her waist for support. "What is that?"

Jaal Ama Darav drew in a shuddering inhale. "What do you believe it is?"

The statue at the centre of the pinnacle seemed familiar to her, yet she was not sure where to place it. It overhung from the rock like a crucifix, twinkling in varient hues of flaxen as if signalling others to its vicinity. "Is it remnant?" she asked, staring at what she thought to be a distant, glittering temple.

He tugged her back to him, keeping his hands firm on her waist. "No."

Again, she tried, squinting through the evening blizzard that only seemed to thicken. "Is it angaran?"

"No."

Her voice lowered to a conspirational whisper, one only he could hear above the wind. "Then, who built that place? Why is it on Voeld? It has to be either. It cannot be…" her lips pursed questionably, the answer lying just out of reach.

The temple soon became clear. As if the very skies ordered calm and the snowy curtain enshrouding its identity were drawn open. For a dwindling moment Iyali'Talaas was taken back to the atmosphere over Aya, where she first saw a cluster of hive-like beacons adrift in an unsteady cosmos. Each held the same form as the statue, hung like downward daggers ready to plunge into the world beneath their blade, ready to spoil the planet to ruin.

The correlation between them was uncanny. It was as if the temple itself had been launched from a crashed starship, layered into the mighty foundation of a rising empire. The spires were its crowning sceptres.

Then, her focus switched to the ports along its spine, that oddly began to rove, searching the valley beneath. Each glazed like an eye, watchful and intent. Iyali'Talaas then knew, with certainty and terror, that among the many that the eyes sought for, she herself was one. Yet she dared not believe it. She thrashed in Jaal's hold, attempting to shake the shuddering realisation from her thoughts and mind and heart.

And then he told her and she knew. The name rung true to her mind, vast and impassive as a glacier, stirring her fingers into worrisome trembles that threaded knots into his cape. She had known it would come to pass. She had known the enemy of the angara to be ruthless, had heard the stories, seen for herself the atrocities just by ghosting through the base like a shadow.

It did not truly register, though. None of it had. Not until she saw the impassive monstrosity that now did not seem that far away. The idea of the Kett was always such a simple thing that did not warrant worry. To see it so close, at such vastness…

She trembled, soaked to her core in speckled frost. It was an empire they fought. An empire that at such a standing could conquer the entirety of Heleus.

"Can we truly end that, Jaal Ama Darav?" she asked, her eyes round in fear. "There are so many. Your people are so few."

Jaal in that moment seemed to have aged beyond measure. Amidst the raining snow and tepid cold, he seemed as torn as she felt, his once bright-eyes dim against his lilac pallor. In that heartbeat, his hope, his fight, his passion had dwindled to nonexistence.

Then their eyes met. Innocence and fear mingling into one. Whatever thought crossed his mind in that stare hardened his courage to a keen edge. He tipped her face to the horizon with a finger, embraced her so close that the pulse of his bioelectricity seeped into her agitated bones. "I must. We must. We must fight so that our children can one day live in a galaxy without fear of tyranny. And this, Iyali, is now your home. You too must fight, or the Kett will take all that you love."

He closed his eyes, giving her a view of the folds over his eyelids. Even they had the pattern of freckles that reflected in the shine of her eyes. Feeling herself relax, she too closed her eyes, leaning in to touch his forehead, flesh to glass.

I will do what I can, she silently promised, nestling into his neck. I cannot promise I will stay, but I will try. And if the time comes when I leave, I hope you do not feel ill of me. For it is who I am. For this, Jaal Ama Darav. I am truly sorry.