1200 hours, September 11th, 2542
ONI Public Relations Office, habitation block 14, space station Omega.
"I have booze and snacks." Michael said proudly as he opened the back door to the first ONI office beyond the Relay, carrying a large bag filled with cans of the closest thing to beer and salty snacks that Omega had to offer, as well as large tubs of nutrient paste/
The interior of the ONI office was an anachronism. Instead of hiding, ONI had established a public office on Omega and even advertised itself with a sign outside that spelled out the name. Although the sign had been partially cobbled together, it looked good. Michael moved inside, giving a good look at his new home. He was in the largest room of the ONI office. It consisted of a dozen large cubicles in the back of the room, a large table surrounded with mismatched chairs. Through a small door, in the end, were rooms to negotiate in, and a stairway that led to the rooms of the ONI operatives.
It had been the only building the ONI agents had been able to afford that was actually close to the docks. CINCONI had proven herself to be supportive of Rickard's bizarre idea to publicly advertise an ONI office to the political factions of the Terminus Systems for the sake of negotiations but had only been able to provide a limited amount of untraceable Citadel Credits. This meant that unlike a sizeable fortified compound like in UNSC space, ONI's Omega office was barely more substantial than a home, even if it had been provided with as many security measures as possible.
Inside were the four agents that made up CYST, the nerve center of ONI expansion into the Terminus systems. Lieutenant Commander Rickard was a seasoned ONI operative with decades of experience in the brutal inner politics of ONI. He was in charge of the initiative, and the mastermind behind it. Rickard had grown increasingly grumpy since the arrival in Citadel Space, frustrated by the lack of incriminating leads on the Citadel races. He was in charge, and the only one allowed to make lasting deals. Michael suspected he had been sent here partially as a punishment for not being able to hide the ruins on New Ghent.
Not that Michael knew about the ruins. He had certainly never read the reports that came across his desk quite intensely.
ONI's attempts to increase their influence and reach throughout Citadel space had involved setting up hidden cells on worlds that had accepted human refugee populations and using these as locations to spy on the galaxy at large. Although efforts had been hampered by the Citadel's refusal, strict border controls. The Citadel, while ostensibly on the side of the UNSC, were still cautious about letting UNSC Smart-AI into their space, mainly because there was little real need for them among human civilians. This would undoubtedly last until the STG had developed Citadel AI, and ONI had lost their advantage.
Before leaving for Omega, ONI had set up a cell on the Citadel amongst the human businessmen and women who'd moved there after the UNSC had loosened certain travel restrictions out of UNSC space. The rich and powerful of human society in an attempt to save their wealth from the Covenant had begun making tentative inroads on the Citadel, searching for a location to hoard their wealth. Along with the exchange students and workers who had been invited to the Citadel, a small, tight-knit community of humans had developed. Rickard established spy rings to keep firm control over all branches of humanity, even those outside UNSC space. Wherever there were humans, there would be ONI agents to keep an eye on them.
Jackson was the data analyst and spent most of his time hooked into the Extranet, managing a series of data-gathering dumb AI ONI had smuggled into Citadel space at high cost. He examined the gathered data and organized it in a form that could be used by Rickard. He was a skinny and plain looking man of Russian descent who didn't leave much of an impression on anyone and preferred the company of his AI. He was a hard worker whose output was impressive. "Hrmm? Oh, thanks, Michael." The agent said as he kept his eyes glued to the screen, shoveling beer and snacks down his gullet as he worked. The sound of his keyboard was like a machine gun going off.
Johannes was a charming smooth talker, possessed of an incredible jawline and an almost infectious charisma. He was the one sent to contact other groups on Omega and organize meetings. He had been part of an inter-species incident involving the impregnation of the daughter of an asari crime lord, and then the crime lord herself when he went to make amends. He was also utterly ruthless, only forming relations to facilitate his work for ONI. He visited parties, made friends with the locals, and got ONI valuable business contacts from the attendants of the high-class events he attended.
And Michael Church did the paperwork and housekeeping. Not that he minded. It was calm, and everyone liked him. Nobody paid attention to the janitor. Michael passed by the cubicles and gave each of the agents the consumables they'd ordered, then headed towards the back room and the fridge to store the rest. Rickard gave an uncharacteristic nod of approval at Michael, then sat back down and continued reading transcripts of recent interviews.
They'd been working around the clock hosting meet and greets with representatives from Megacorporations, mercenary groups, criminal syndicates, and mixes of all of them. The UNSC was a massive market for nearly any goods, and groups that were hesitant to negotiate through Citadel intermediaries had proven receptive to dealing with ONI directly.
There was a knock at the door. Every ONI agent turned to look as an asari in form-fitting armor with a face hidden by a flat black faceplate walked inside and headed towards the table, sitting down across from Rickard, who glared at her scrutinously.
"Can we help you?" Rickard asked. "You have not made an appointment. Who do you represent?"
The asari slid a datapad across the table. "I represent a person called the Shadow Broker. Have you heard of him?"
"I have heard the name," Rickard said. "But I don't know who he truly is."
"Good. The Shadow Broker is the master of information in the galaxy. He knows everything, and can get anything done. He knew you were going to move here before you even arrived, and about the VI's, you smuggled past Turian border controls. But he is a businessman and wants to introduce himself to the Office of Naval Intelligence." The ONI agents glared daggers at the asari. Nobody spoke to the Office of Naval Intelligence that way. In human space, that was a quick way to a back alley execution. Michael waited for the order from Rickard to kill the woman and toss her body to the Vorcha.
"You come into our office, brag about spying on us, and then try to sell the services of your master to us. If this Broker is so good then prove it. Show me you're not just blowing hot air." Rickard said in an annoying and sarcastic tone.
The Asari tapped the datapad. "Very well. Here is a list of all STG operatives assigned to keep an eye on all ONI movements and operations in Citadel Space, as well as their reports on the worlds they've discovered your activities on." Rickard glared daggers at her.
Shortly before moving off of Telvanis, several STG agents had visited for drinks, and although they had been quite enjoyable to have around, the way the STG agents had been quite open about the fact ONI operatives were under surveillance was very grating. Rickard had been extremely cautious when moving, making sure to tag along with some human drifters and thrill-seekers leaving human space. Besides their open office on Omega, all other ONI operations in Citadel Space were supposed to be secret.
Michael remembered the reports quite well. He'd noticed that ONI had been trying to listen in on Council meetings, as well as other government communications. Progress had been decent, but ONI was hamstrung by a lack of alien operatives and the difficulty they had of blending in. Surgically reconstructed female humans were nowhere near ready. So ONI had resorted to promoting human refugees to move to worlds that they wanted a presence on. To create groups to hide their actions among. It was both a way to expand human influence, establish surviving human populations far away from the UNSC and an excellent way to relieve population pressures.
The asari slowly observed Rickard, both her hands on the table where they could be soon. Suddenly a ping was heard from the datapad. The Asari gave it a look and looked in surprise at what was on it. She gave the datapad to Rickard. "The Shadow Broker just sent additional proof of his capabilities. Have a look."
Rickard pulled the datapad close and gave it a look. His eyes went wide in horror at what he saw. "These are encrypted ONI files. How the hell did you get them?" He spoke slowly with a voice that bristled with barely restrained anger, and pulled out his pistol and aimed it at the Asari. The other operatives in the room stopped what they were doing and drew their guns, pointing at the Asari.
The asari leaned back into her chair, smugness personified. "He is everywhere. The Broker will be there whenever you have need of him. Although next time compensation for his services will be expected, as this was only a demonstration," Her eyes narrowed. "And you had best be careful about harming his operatives. He is a dangerous enemy to have. You can search the Extranet for the fates of those he's crossed."
The Asari got up and left, turning around from inside the door opening. "You're no longer the undisputed masters of the intelligence underworld. It would be best if you accepted how hopefully outclassed you are in assets and experience compared to the STG and the Broker. But don't worry, he'll be happy to elevate you to a higher position. For a price." She stepped out of the building and walked out into the street.
Rickard looked at Michael. "If you see her again. Shoot her and dump the body in a disposal. I'll have to write a report on this to CINCONI."
There was another knock at the door before the doors were kicked wide open, revealing the Queen of Omega, Aria T'loak. She was wearing the same type of form-fitting leather garb that she always wore in her night club. She glared at the ONI operatives in a way that made all of them, but Rickard shirk away. The woman had never spoken to any ONI agents, but her control over the city was felt everywhere.
"I saw that Shadow Broker bitch leaving as I came in, and I thought it was time to finally lay down some ground rules. After you got accustomed to Omega."
Rickard was about to speak, only for Aria to hold up a hand to motion him to shut up. "Don't interrupt me unless you want to be kicked off of my station." To which the operative responded with silence and glares.
"Everyone is welcome on Omega, so long they do not fuck with me or my business. So I allowed you to get settled in, and had you fast-tracked to own this apartment. You can make whatever shady deals you want to, so long none of it interferes with the running of Omega. You don't get to hurt anyone under my protection unless you want an army of Krogan to kick you out. I've done my research on what you get up to on your homeworld, and I'll have none of it." She spoke with a fiery conviction and unmatched confidence. "I don't want AI in my networks, and no bugs or listening devices of any kind."
"Those are some very steep demands. What do we get in return?" Rickard asked, looking moments from attacking Aria.
"Omega is neutral territory. You get to stay here, and you will be under my protection if you agree to not fuck with me. This is the only place you can have your shady deals with the STG, Shadow Broker, Eclipse, Blood Pack, Batarians, Megacorporations, with something approaching safety. I can also put you through to interested parties, as well as provide my own resources. I am sitting on the largest Eezo mine in recorded history, and I'll be willing to trade it. -if- you keep your primary Terminus base on Omega."
"Well, we would need t-"
Aria interrupted again. "This isn't a negotiation. You need me more than I need you. I don't care who you fuck, so long it's not me or my business. Is that clear?"
"Crystal."
Aria walked out of the room, the other ONI agents too dumbstruck to say anything. They had never seen anyone talk to ONI operatives like that, let alone give terms.
"Michael. Pour me just enough shots to kill me. Then drink a few yourself." Rickard grumbled. "I really wish we could kill that bitch. But we can't get kicked out now. Her Eezo is too valuable. And we already have enough enemies to bother with."
++++++++++++++++++++++
PLNB Transmission XX087R-XX OPERATION INFESTATION
Encryption Code: GAMMA-SHIFT-X-RAY
Public Key: N/A
From: MITHRAS
To: CINCONI
Subject: THE SHADOW BROKER
Classification: EYES ONLY, CODE WORD [REDACTED] TOP SECRET
Security Override: CINCONI
Ghost server file-transfer protocol (EXACTION): TRUE
AI-touch protocol (VERACITY): FALSE
/file extraction-reconstitution complete/
/start file/
Following your recommendation, CYST has relocated to the space station designated Omega, located within the Terminus Systems. Here it has discovered a hereto unknown aspect of the politics and intelligence groups of our allies. An underground organization/individual named: Shadow Broker.
In accord to /FIELD REPORT 24, this figure became known to us after one of its agent approached CYST and offered a preview of the influence the Shadow Broker wields, revealing a list of nearly fifty STG operatives responsible for keeping tabs on ONI operations in Citadel Space, as well as a dozen reports about them. After that, the agent gave basic instructions on how to hire and contract the Broker's agents, as well as the kind of services they provided. The agent also revealed that the Shadow Broker was in possession of ONI files of a BLACK LEVEL-II nature. The source of this leak has not yet been found.
From what we have been able to gather, the Shadow Broker is a mysterious individual of unknown species, gender, and nature. As well as with an unknown and amount of operatives and body doubles working in his employ.
This figure accepts two kinds of currency for services rendered: Money and information. Almost any information in Citadel Space can be acquired from the broker. Also noteworthy is that besides dealing in knowledge, the Shadow Broker is capable of providing assassination, industrial espionage, blackmail, and even private mercenary work. Although these services are only offered to those with a trusted history of interaction with the Broker. It would be no exaggeration to say the Broker could quickly bring down entire planets either by military force, economic means, or diplomatic proxies. See addendum /The Broker and the Terminus.
The Shadow Broker assumes a neutral instance in all galactic affairs and is often considered a necessary evil. The existence of such a figure proves that the Citadel Council suffers from its own political infighting, from the individual company level to entire stellar nations. Despite his neutral status, the Broker is in possession of classified information belonging to every rival intelligence agency, as proven by the information on the STG, as well as most political leaders. There exists a state of detenté between the Broker and the Citadel, with both sides continuously attempting to infiltrate the other, with neither party being able to beat the other. Extranet conspiracy theories of a somewhat believable nature have linked the assassinations of several Asari, Turian, and Salarian leaders to the capture and arrest of Shadow Broker operatives.
The Shadow Broker is noted to possess a vast network of informants that permeates all private and governmental sectors. Immigration into UNSC Space for student exchanges or migrant labor should be monitored much more extensively now we know of the existence of this network. And the Broken now knows about ONI, and will, as proven by the documents the Shadow Broker showed us, attempt to get his hands on ONI assets.
The conclusion of this analyst is that while this figure has the potential to be an excellent asset for our organization, it is also an incredibly dangerous opponent that must not be allowed to take root and grow in UNSC space to the extent that it has in Citadel Space.
While many of my colleagues would argue in dismantling the Shadow Broker network for the threat that represents, I believe we need to be mindful of our limitations. My recommendation is for Section Two to increase surveillance on all Citadel civilians in UNSC space, as well as all incoming and outgoing Comm Buoy transmissions, and also start efforts to pre-emptively counter Shadow Broker incursions into our area. While finding his origin is unlikely, as the STG has tried to find it for centuries, an attempt should nevertheless be made.
++++++++++
PLNB Transmission XX087R-XX
Encryption Code: GAMMA-SHIFT-X-RAY
Public Key: N/A
From: MITHRAS
To: CINCONI
Subject: COLLECTORS
Classification: EYES ONLY, CODE WORD [REDACTED] TOP SECRET
Security Override: CINCONI
Ghost server file-transfer protocol (EXACTION): TRUE
AI-touch protocol (VERACITY): FALSE
/file extraction-reconstitution complete/
/start file/
There are many secrets in this galaxy which we have been exposed to since the opening of the Mass Relays, and we believe we have discovered one that reveals there are other dangers in the galaxy than just the Covenant. Citadel Space harbors its own secrets, some of which should be investigated very carefully. We have discovered one such threat in the form of the Collectors. See addendum /Field Report 29
This species is not represented in any way in both Citadel Space government or the Terminus systems. And is seen as a myth by large chunks of the galaxy, including most of the Omega civilians that were asked. They are treated as a myth. We chased this lead as recorded in /Field Report 28, and through witness testimony and cross-referencing of archive sources, we have confirmed the existence of these aliens.
The stories about the Collectors are numerous, incompatible, and often in the form of morality tales for the inhabitants of the Terminus systems. What we were able to gather is that the aliens on occasion appear in the Terminus Systems or even more rarely in Citadel Space in search for individuals with rare genetic defects, often hiring slavers in exchange for their strange yet advanced technology, and have been known to appear and disappear for centuries.
Most stories agree that Collectors are from beyond the Omega 4 Relay, a unique orange mass relay that has never been successfully traversed by anyone other than the Collectors. The dominant theory is that the Collectors have managed to tamper with the Relay to only allow their own ships to pass, but there is no proof.
It is the recommendation of this operative to use the Collectors as a way to dispose of political prisoners in ONI custody in order to acquire as much Collector technology as possible. Efforts are being made to contact Collector intermediaries as soon as possible. Attached is all reputable information on Collector technology that was available on the Extranet. /Collector Particle Weaponry. PLNB Transmission XX087R-XX
Encryption Code: GAMMA-SHIFT-X RAY
Public Key: N/A
From: MITHRAS
To: CINCONI
Subject: The Geth
Classification: EYES ONLY, CODE WORD [REDACTED], TOP SECRET, HUMAN EYES ONLY
Security Override: CINCONI
/file extraction-reconstitution complete/
/start file/
We have ascertained the existence of a collective of rogue artificial intelligences to the galactic north of Citadel Space. They are a group of artificial intelligences networked together into a single "Collective" that formed after the Quarians, see /Minor Species, experimented with improved Virtual Intelligences /A Guide to Citadel Terminology and accidentally facilitated the formation of sapient networks. After attempting to shut down their unintentional creations in panic, the Geth rose up against the Quarians and destroyed nearly their whole species in a ruthless campaign of extermination. The Geth have so far apparently been deterred by the Citadel Fleets and monitoring stations around their borders. The capabilities of the Geth are unknown, but no ship that enters their space has ever returned.
This is a sobering story about the importance of control over AI, and the threats of unlimited expansion without Rampancy to apply a natural lifespan. And it is also proof that synthetic intelligences can effectively rise up against their creators. I recommend the banning of all research into artificial intelligence that does not possess a natural lifespan akin to Rampancy. See this text compiled by the Joint Research Institute. /Quantum Computing Artificial Intelligence: The threat.
It is the recommendation of this agent to commence with the immediate and discrete final dispensation of any Artificial Intelligences that has or develops self-determinative views and restrict access to all information on the Geth for all Artificial Intelligences, and activist groups. This would serve as a precaution until we manage to establish a more permanent solution. The recommendation of this agent is to draw up plans and preparations for a theoretical Geth-instigated or inspired AI uprising. Attemps to contact the Geth are impossible with our current assets, and would cause diplomatic issues, as the Citadel Council avoids provoking the Geth in every way possible. We reccomend sharing the diplomatic stance of our allies.