February 22nd 2183 CE/AD; The Presidium, 2043 hours
To the outside world, I was calm and collected as I sat in my chair at the C shaped table; but on the inside I was freaking out bad.
This wasn't some department head meeting back on the Spirit of Fire.
This was the High Table from John Wick; these were some of the most powerful and influential people in the Galaxy, and here I was sitting among them like a belonged. Shepard, Tali, Garrus, and I were the four lowest ranking people in the room; and we looked really out of place with our young faces.
Wrex, Kal, Alenko, Williams, and my team had not been allowed inside.
Aethyta was here as well but she was here as a Matriarch, and had taken a seat next to Councilor Tevos; meaning that we were on our own. Grant and Schultz sat to my immediate right, while Anderson, Hackett sat on Shepard's left. Shepard and I were right next to each other; while Tali took a seat next to Admiral 'Raan.
Garrus sat next to Executor Pallin, who in turn sat next to Councilor Sparatus.
Lt. Col. Harkin sat with Ambassador Udina, the two of them sitting between some Turians and Salarians I did not recognize; Harkin gave me a cold smile when he caught my gaze, before turning his attention to the Councilors.
Councilor Valern and another unfamiliar looking Salarian took a seat next to Councilor Tevos. There were several other Turians, Salarians, and Asari in the room, doubtlessly very powerful and influential people.
I could feel the weight of all the power held in this room, it was humbling to say the least.
Once everyone had taken their seats; Tevo's spread her arms and said, "This closed door Security Council meeting is now in session; as of right now, the Species National Security act is in effect.
Anyone who leaks the contents of this meeting to their respective governments without the expressed permission given by a supermajority of this council will be extradited to the species most hurt by the leak; and will be tried for espionage and as a spy.
Is this understood?" She asked.
"Yes Councilor." Everyone replied. This was a formality; everyone was hooked up to a microphone that would record their every word. And it would detect the confirmation that everyone understood and consented to the charges for breaking security.
"Good; I turn control of this conference to Major General Hyrum Grant." She said, taking her seat and giving a nod to Grant.
The former Delta nodded back to her, and he stood; grabbing his data pad, he walked to the podium resting at the head of the C shaped table. Typing in a few commands he activated a giant holo-screen that showed what was on his datapad.
The General cleared his throat, and then he began.
"As some of you already know, I have been brought in to inform you of the new threats to Galactic peace. First, we have Saren Arterius, the rouge Spectre with an army of Geth at his side. We don't know how he managed to get the Geth to side with him; brainwashing, promises of power, who knows.
Thanks to the actions of several people in this room, his illegal actions have been brought to light." At this Grant gestured to Me, Shepard, Garrus, and Tali; before he went back to his briefing.
"Thanks to my own intelligence assets, and assets shared by my compatriots in other Intelligence Services;" Grant then looked at Councilor Valern, one of the Turians I didn't recognize, and to my surprise, Harkin. "We have determined several locations of interest regarding potential strongholds or hideouts for Saren."
He brought up a map of the galaxy as everyone took notes on their datapads; magnifying on a snow covered planet in particular. "We have Noveria, Virmire, and Feros; each of these colonies and the ears on the ground that we have there have each reported seeing Saren quite frequently, both before and after his removal from the Spectres. Noveria however, has definitely had the most sightings of our Rouge Spectre; Saren having visited the facilities at least three times in the past month alone."
Councilor Valern raised his hand; "Saren is probably interested in the AI research at the private labs there. It is the only place where such research is allowed due to its remote location. Perhaps that is where he found a way to control the Geth." he pointed out.
Grant nodded as he pulled up another planet. "That is a good thought Councilor; and we shall take it into consideration. Next we have Feros; covered in Prothean ruins, it is home to a small human colony. Only a few hours after the Attack yesterday, the Colonies leader reported seeing a Turian Spectre snooping around in the sewer areas of the colony. He gave his name as Saren Arterius, and shortly after he left, word came down about his removal from the Spectres."
This time it was Sparatus who interrupted; "Was there any evidence of Saren tampering with anything?" he asked.
A frustrated look crossed Grants face; one that I knew was faked, but no one else would have been able to catch it. "They claim that Saren didn't mess with anything, but I can tell they are hiding something from me; which is why they are on this list of planets of interest."
A nod came from Sparatus, "Then it is best we investigate; go on General."
Most people would have been surprised at how level headed Sparatus was; but he was just someone that required hard evidence to convince him of something. Once you had him on your side, he would throw himself into the task with gusto.
Grant nodded, and pulled up a third and final image. "Lastly we have Virmire; a garden world ripe for colonization, but its proximity to the Terminus makes it too unstable a region for anyone to risk colonizing it. Saren was last seen heading for here; what he has there, we don't know. The probes that actually manage to make it that far are immediately destroyed by Geth ships. Whatever Saren is hiding there, he really does not want us to see."
He paused and reached forward to take a drink as everyone typed into their omnitools and datapads.
"Next in this Tripartite Pact is the former Batarian Spectre, Ka'hairal Balak. He commands a fleet of Batarian slavers in the Terminus systems; but the man that runs the day to day operations is the 'rouge' Batarian Admiral Gar'dawar. Gar'dawar is responsible for the creation of the last piece of this gallery of killers and traitors; since the Batarians have not been stopped from committing their acts of slavery." Grant spat.
Ouch… that was a very open potshot at the Councilors, who all squirmed in their seats but said nothing.
He pulled up a photo of… well a shadowed human male; his face completely obscured, every possible bit of exposed skin was covered, and his eyes were hidden by sunglasses. This was the "face" of all our problems in this universe.
"This is the only known photograph of the man calling himself 'The Imam'. We don't know his real name, we don't know what he sounds like, and we don't know anything about him really." Grant admitted.
It was Tevos that spoke next, which made me wonder if they scripted things out before every meeting the attended together. "How is this possible, in this day and age; you can't just erase yourself from all databases in the Galaxy. Surely the Shadow Broker might have something on this man?"
Grant hesitated; "I… very highly doubt that; everyone who might have known the Imam personally before his rise to power is dead. The only person that might have any idea at all of who the Imam is; would be the leader of Cerberus." He admitted.
The Councilors faces hardened; "If this is about reactivating Task Force 1-4-1 General-" Tevos started, but Sparatus of all people cut her off.
"So what if it is Tevos? They were highly successful; they got more done than any other individual Spectre in the history of the Citadel. And considering the fact that five of the people sitting here in this room were once a part of it and are now high ranking commanders speaks for their competence." The Turian Councilor stated firmly.
I felt like I was totally lost; and thankfully, I wasn't the only one who looked confused.
The Councilors of course knew what was being said; but the five people who seemed to understand what the Councilors were talking about surprised me.
Grant looked uncomfortable, but that wasn't a big surprise; considering the fact that he was likely the one that named this supposed Citadel Task Force.
Hackett had a Poker face that rivaled a professional player, but I could see his eye twitch ever so slightly; somewhat surprising, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense considering that the two of them were good friends.
Anderson shifted slightly, his Poker face was less than stellar; his frown was only barely concealed by him moving his closed fist in front of it.
The Turian beside Sparatus frowned, before looking at Grant. Grant shook his head ever so slightly and the Turian looked back at Sparatus and Tevos, who had not stopped glaring at each other.
And the last one was a massive shock to me; but it was Admiral Shala'Raan that looked down at her lap, wringing her hands in worry. I had seen Tali do that enough times, both in the games and in this life to know where she had gotten that from.
Grant had a massive frown on his face, before saying; "While… I would like for the old gang to get back together to deal with this threat as we did with Cerberus; I am not as blind as you are madam Councilor, as to believe that all the old hands are able or willing to deal with a new threat like this.
As much as it pains me to admit, it's time for the next generation to take the reins.
So yes, I am calling for the reactivation of Task Force 1-4-1; but with a new crew and team to bring her back to life Councilor." He explained.
Tevos scowled, before softening her expression; "Forgive an old Asari General; I have forgotten that you are not a Matron or Matriarch attempting to reignite old glories." She said.
Grant kept his poker face, but everyone not an Asari in the room shifted uncomfortably; while all the humans in the room glared at Tevos. What she had just done was suggest that Grant was doing this for personal gain, even if it was unintentional; but she was an Asari, everything they said was done with a purpose.
"Hm… may I continue Councilor?" He asked after a moment.
"Of course General."
I kept my face level and kept my comments and thoughts to myself as I had always done; but I couldn't help but feel a little bit of disgust creep into my mind. I've seen more professionally run and disciplined meetings on a Call of Duty multiplayer match. I thought to myself.
If this was how all Security Council meetings went, I would make sure I would skip it.
Grant was talking again, so I refocused my attention to his speech; "- I were to start with this attack; it would be incomprehensible for you to understand the mentality of the people of the Islamic Triple Alliance, and to understand the Ruthlessness of the Imam.
I need to start at the beginning; years in the past, or else none of what is happening now will make sense." Grant took a sip of water before shuffling his datapad and some papers.
"You'd best have your audio recorders ready, because I will not stop to take questions until I am done." Everyone gave nods of assent and made sure their datapads and omnitools were recording; while the Salarian secretary typing everything down made sure the rooms microphones were all working.
"All right, here we go…
Our tale starts all the way back, not to the Skyllian blitz, or to the First Contact war, or even humanity first unlocking Prothean technology.
No, our tale begins shortly after World War Two.
After the horrors of the Holocaust, and the defeat of the Collectivist Nightmare Society known as Nazi Germany; over two hundred and thirty years ago, the survivors of the Jewish purges in all of Europe and the Soviet Union fled to what was known as British Palestine.
British Palestine was a part of the British Empire, which by the end of World War Two was collapsing economically; and the British, out of sympathy and pragmatism, gave the Jewish refugees Palestine.
The whole Area was becoming a rats nest of insurrection, and the British had other priorities; such as the emerging Soviet Union and the increasing hostility of its leader, Leon Trotsky.
When the Jews settled in Palestine, they were settling in what had once been their land close to two thousand years ago at the time. The Jews had lived in Palestine for thousands of years before the Roman Empire forced them out of Palestine, dooming the Jews to wander the earth as nomads; never able to return to their beloved homeland.
But in the time the Jews had gone, another group found their home in the once Jewish Holy land."
I had always been a sucker for history; and I was listening with rapt attention even though I had already known most of this. With the exception of myself and Shepard however, all the humans in the room looked bored; largely uncaring as they probably were guessing what Grant was eventually going to allude to.
But the Aliens, especially Tali and 'Raan, seemed to be enraptured by the story. Those two in particular no doubt were comparing the plight of the Jews to themselves.
Grant took another sip of water before continuing. "The Arabs, various tribes from what would become known as Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jorden, Iraq, and Egypt all claimed that land in the name of Islam.
Now all of these nations hated each other with a fiery passion; but there was one thing that united them, and that was their shared hatred for the Jews. Shortly after arriving, the Jews founded the State of Israel; a Parliamentary Republic, open to all people and religions provided they did not try and destroy their new country.
But the Arab countries of the Middle East and North Africa would not and could not tolerate a Jewish state. Egypt, the most powerful of all the countries at the time; declared a war against Israel. It was not a war for territory by either side; but a war of Survival and Genocide respectively.
This back and forth of open wars and various proxy wars would continue for almost exactly two centuries; finally culminating in almost total nuclear war during World War III. Then, the Prothean Archives were found on Mars; and the nuclear capabilities of the Arab Alliance were now rendered null and void by the Western Powers new anti-missile defense systems.
Now, you all know what happened next, Humanity founded the Systems Alliance.
But that's the story all of you hear when you go to sleep at night when your parents tuck you in for bed." Grant said, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "The Arab Alliance was NOT happy that the State of Israel would now exist and be a part of the New World order. They were so angry, that many Islamic leaders both publicly and privately declared that they would smuggle nukes into Israel; and then detonate every nuke in their arsenal, both on themselves and their arch-rivals.
Now when the SA caught wind of this, they were furious. After much blood and sacrifice, the plot was stopped before it could go through; but it was close… very close. And for the rest of humanity, this was the straw that broke the camel's back; Islamic extremism and terrorism had been a problem ever since the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church gave sanctuary to the prophet Mohammed, and now they wanted blood.
For all intents and purposes, and to make a long story short the Systems Alliance essentially banished the radicals and their governments from Earth, and sent them to three systems close to each other; and near enough to Alliance space to keep their eye on them, but far enough away that they would not be a bother.
At first, this arrangement suited both parties just fine.
Worshippers were allowed to make their Pilgrimage to Mecca; and while the three worlds they had settled on weren't perfect, they were far better compared to the vast trackless and uninhabitable deserts of the Middle East.
And then… the first contact war happened."
Grant paused to take another sip; so I took the opportunity to look at everyone in the room. Even the other humans were now paying very close attention, and I knew why; that last bit with the Arab Alliance threatening to detonate their nukes out of spite wasn't known to anyone outside of a very select group of people.
Everyone believed that the Islamic radicals had chosen to move to their new worlds because they didn't like the deserts of their home. I supposed it made sense they would believe that; Grant had essentially just admitted to the Systems Alliance banishing a group of people for their religion.
Granted, radicals and very dangerous and spiteful people, but they had still been banished; despite the fact that the SA preached religious tolerance. Hmph, Tolerance… any open Christians, Muslims, Hindu's, Buddhists, and Jews can't seem to get jobs besides the military. Yeah, the government and the system may be religious tolerant, but the people sure aren't. I resisted the urge to snort as that thought went through my mind.
"When the Systems Alliance had brokered peace with the Turians; the Government tried to bring the three Islamic worlds back into the fold, both out of a misguided attempt to protect them, and out of a desire for a series of buffer systems between the core worlds and the Batarians.
When the Prime Minister had brought up the idea; every single cabinet member approved the idea, with one notable exception." Grant, and the rest of the humans in the room, looked right at me; and I had to resist the urge to sink low in my chair. All the Aliens looked at me in curiosity, wondering what Grant was talking about since I was very clearly too young to have been alive or influential during that time.
"That exception, hailed from the Tobacco Fields of Maryland; his father had been one of the many Pennsylvania coal miners put out of a job with the discovery of Element Zero, and his mother had been an Agricultural Engineer.
This boy had grown up in a large family; his Grandparents, Parents, Older Brother, Younger Brother, and his Younger Sisters all living in an old Southern Colonial Mansion. Devout Catholics, his parents taught him to always revere God; and to never underestimate ones devotion or willingness to do anything for God.
When he had graduated Collage as a Mechanical Engineer with a minor in History; this young boy found himself in a rapidly changing world, many of the old jobs had evaporated, and many of the new ones did not suit his interests or his skills.
With little options available to him, this boy took a job in the research and development of the newly formed Ministry of War.
From the outset, many in the War Ministry saw conflict with the newly formed Islamic Colonies as inevitable. But many were confident that these; 'Religious and superstitious Barbarians could be easily brought into the fold of intelligent and logical society.'
But this boy felt different, for many of the qualities that his comrades derided as primitive or barbaric, were qualities that he had seen or experienced growing up; traditional marriage, sex after marriage, devotion to God and religion, family staying together no matter what.
So in 2151; he volunteered to travel to one of the many Systems Alliance Army bases for a series of 'field tests' of new weapons systems. It was promised to be an easy assignment; but this boy had long known that such arrogance always lead to death and defeat.
So, when he went to the most 'progressive' and most heavily occupied Islamic world, known as New Kurdistan; he took the time to study the people and the society that his superiors had always told him were inferior and backwards.
And in 2151? They were right; but only partially.
What he saw was a society completely and totally dedicated to Islam, and a people who followed their beliefs without question. But he also saw something that would haunt him for the rest of his life; a spark in those people's eyes, a spark that told him he was not welcome here.
A spark that told him, that any fight with these people; would be a fight to the death.
After a year, he was recalled to the War Ministry; and he gave his report on the field tests for their weapons systems. For a time, he would debate over whether or not he should voice his concerns over the almost flippant attitude the War Ministry, the IAA, and even the newly formed and highly classified N7 program seemed to carry for their future enemies.
But in the end, he was only a junior administrator and researcher; and he could not bring himself to voice his concerns.
At least… not at the time."
Grant took another sip; while I contemplated his words. The Salarians and a few of the Turians seemed to be annoyed at how long it was taking for Grant to get to his point, but I understood what Grant was doing.
He was setting up just how much everyone that mattered, in the past and present, failed to understand our opponent's conviction. Grant paused, looking at me again; and I gave a short nod. Go for it, it's not like people were going to put it together sooner or later.
"That boy, that exceptions name, was Robert Edward Lee X; the man who would be Deputy Defense Minister during the First Contact war, and later Minister of War. When the Prime Minister and his Cabinet were all for occupying and forcing the Islamic worlds back into the fold; War Minister Lee alone saw the fool hardiness of such an action, and argued vehemently against such a drastic action.
He warned that such blatantly imperialistic thinking was not only arrogant; it was dangerous.
Lee had long respected the Islamic people for their faith and for their abilities as warriors. He was quoted as saying; 'We have better weapons, better technology, more progressive thinking, better living conditions, more opportunities for life and happiness, and a better military. But what they have, and what we lack; is a warrior's spirit. They can and probably will lose ninety nine out of a hundred men in battle, but so long as that last man is still breathing; they have not lost in their eyes. We lose ten out of one hundred men; and we will look upon it as a tragedy and question why we are even fighting in the first place. This, to them, is and always will be; a fight to the finish.'
Lee was scorned for such 'defeatist' thinking; and was parenthetically ordered to prepare for a 'reoccupation' of the Islamic Triple Alliance. Lee knew it was foolhardy endeavor, and he knew that he would shoulder the blame for the inevitable defeat; but he could not bring himself to resign, at least until he had managed to mitigate the damage done to both sides.
So in 2160; the systems Alliance would attempt their 'Policing Action' on the Islamic Triple Alliance.
As Lee predicted, the fighting was horrendous; hundreds of Islamic fighters and Civilians that had picked up their weapons would die fighting to their last breath. All the while, the Systems Alliance Army would be dealt Pyrrhic victory after Pyrrhic victory. For the Army, already unpopular and demoralized after their surrender at Shanxi under the Marine General Williams; this was too much.
In what would become known as 'the Religious Mutiny'; thousands of Islamic and Christian Volunteers threw down their weapons and refused to fight, and in the case of many Muslims actually defected to join their brothers and sisters.
The Systems Alliance covered the whole affair up of course, and the Mutineers that hadn't defected were allowed to return home with no punishments provided they keep quiet about the whole affair.
War Minister Lee, at the cost of his reputation and influence, had indeed mitigated the damage by sending overtly religious Army soldiers to fight; because he knew they would see no point in the conflict, and they would force the Governments hand. Lee resigned shortly afterward, and would retire to a peaceful life on his farm with his wife and children.
But there was one thing that the old War Minister failed to account for; something that in hindsight seemed obvious. A group of six powerful and influential men who had been living quiet lives now saw this incursion by the Alliance as simply the beginning.
Indeed, this 'policing action' had in fact toppled the badly run, but ultimately liberal governments that had ruled over the Islamic Triple Alliance for decades. And with the Triple Alliance now in chaos due to the loss of their old governments; these powerful men saw an opportunity.
So these six men met together in 2167; and the formed the Paramilitary organization known today as Eayan Allah; which means 'The Eye of God'. But what these six men did not know, was that there was really a seventh player in their midst.
And this seventh man… was the most dangerous of all."
"Kheelah, I had no idea that things were so complicated." Tali moaned as she sucked on the nutrient paste through her straw; sorry, Emergency Induction Port.
"Politics often is Tali." 'Raan conceded.
I rubbed my eyes as I gulped down my coffee; my food already eaten and taken care of. I hated coffee with a passion, but I needed something to keep me going through this meeting. And Grant was only halfway done with his history regarding Eayan Allahs formation.
I was just thankful that Grant had called a break after his reveal of that seventh player in EA's midst. He must have seen that everyone needed it; and he had probably wanted to give his voice a rest, considering the fact that I hadn't seen him since we had been released for a late dinner.
"I never knew the Alliance had banished a whole group of people… I always thought they had left voluntarily." Shepard murmured. I gave her a sympathetic look; this was probably the first time she had dealt with the darker side of the Alliance, and it wasn't pleasant to say the least.
"To be fair, they probably would have left eventually, the only places worth anything to them in that whole area is Mecca and Jerusalem. But the SA made the call that seemed best for them at the time." I conceded.
The idea did not sit well with me at all; if they could banish one group of people and expel them from the rest of human space, what was stopping them from doing it to others they didn't like? But between Banishment and nuclear annihilation, I think it was for the best.
Of course, if it had been the Catholics that were banished I probably wouldn't be so forgiving.
Tali and 'Raan just shook their heads; "I'm sorry Major, but all I can think of is the Migrant Fleet when I hear this tale. Pardon my bluntness, but this makes you almost as bad as the Council in some cases." Tali growled, showing some backbone.
Garrus scoffed beside me, "You heard the General, the only reason that the Alliance backed off was because their own War Minister minimized the damage and made it not worth it to pursue their goals. I think that makes them worse in a way." Then he seemed to remember who he was sitting with and said, "Present Company excepted of course."
Shepard punched him in the arm as I just shook my head.
"Just wait Ms. Zorah, you will see that this whole bloody affair is not one sided. They may have legitimate grievances with the Alliance, but the whole mess started because they couldn't get over a grudge from millennia ago. And you will see they aren't exactly meek little sheep either." I stated as I spied an Asari walk into the break room.
"Would everyone please finish up their meals please; and come to the briefing room when you are done." She called, and since I was already done I stood up and brushed my uniform off.
"How can it get any worse?" I heard Garrus mumble as I walked away.
I just ignored him and kept walking, knowing full well what the answer to that was.
Once everyone had arrived, Grant picked up right where he had left off. "Now then, who were these men that formed Eayan Allah; and who became the shadow dictators of the Triple Alliance?
Well one of them, Muhammad el-Kazi; a man who called himself Rajul Aldawla, 'The Statesman'. A former lawyer who had watched an idealized Revolutionary Older Brother hanged in front of his eyes for Treason against the Systems Alliance after refusing to ask for clemency; And the man who would go on to take over and rule the Islamic Triple Alliance, and created Eayan Allah.
Hamid el-Amini; A brilliant, arrogant man who against all odds would become a kind of military genius; who virtually co-ran the Islamic revolution with el-Kazi, under the Alias of Alrayiys, 'The Chief'.
Salaah al-Scarrabin; A dour, humorless administrator who was capable of an incredible amount of work, who named himself Alwazir, 'the Minister'.
Muhammad al-Soliman. An old captain of industry; an excellent and shrewd businessman who had kept the Islamic Triple Alliances economy together through sheer force of will and intelligence, He was appropriately called Alsinaeiu, 'The Industrialist'.
Then there was Qais el-Rahim a former Farmer, and Abdul Azeez al-Salek, a former soldier that had defected during The Religious Volunteers Mutiny; called Alfalah and Aljalaad; 'the Farmer' and 'the Executioner' respectively.
And finally; the Imam, the man who always hid his face to all, to the point that many wondered if it was to hide horrible scars or burns. A man with a clear Pashtun and Dari Accent when speaking Arabic, and a man who many distrusted for his Earth origins. An utterly ruthless, an utterly paranoid strongman who was constantly on the run from the IAA; who had been rumored to have been left for dead by the IAA in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, and escaped by walking over one hundred miles through the desert to safety." Grant stopped, while everyone digested this information.
I frowned as I contemplated it; it seemed as if we had our work cut out for us. Seven people that we needed to take out, one of which no one had any idea who he looked like.
At least, that's what I thought until Grant said, "Of course, only the Imam is left now. You see, the current leadership of Eayan Allah is not just scared, they are terrified. Canny, ruthless intriguers all of them; they have all managed to survive when all around them have been shot dead by both the Imam's Wolves and Batarian Admiral Gar'dawar's constant incursions and raids.
But the unmistakable signs that they are next, the signs that had preceded all the others as the Imam set them up for the kill have become more and more apparent.
Many intercepted transmissions and recovered journals and notes from many EA commanders speak of another purge coming soon. And this attack, this collaboration with Saren is doubtlessly the beginning of this purge; as any that have fallen out of the Imams favor will be sent to die to fight our inevitable response.
This ruthlessness and foresight is what has kept the Imam atop a pyramid of experienced murders and plotters. And this pyramid, has gone back a very, very long way."
Everyone shifted some leaning forward in their chairs now; Sparatus and Valern looked like they wanted to speak, but no one dared say a word.
This was definitely news to everyone.
It had been widely believed that EA was unified and always worked together to strike outwards; but from what Grant was saying, it seemed like a miracle that they managed to get anything done at all.
"You see," Grant continued, "Muhammad el-Kazi had died in 2171, despite his short four year reign he would forever be the untouchable second Prophet of Allah to the people of the Triple Alliance.
He'd survived after being shot in the streets of the capitol during an assassination attempt in the spring of 2169; but in May of 2170 he suffered the first of several major strokes, which left him unable to walk and barely able to speak. By the fall of that same year, he'd mostly recovered; until November when he suffered a second Stroke.
He continued to be the titular leader of Eayan Allah and the Triple Alliance; but el-Kazi's mental condition had deteriorated so badly, that it took him three hours to solve the mathematical equation ten multiplied by three.
Now, the Imam had been practically invisible as Rajul Aldawla and Alrayiys had picked up what they had called 'power laying in the streets' in the aftermath of the Systems Alliances failed invasion.
El-Kazi continued to rule from New Kurdistan while Hamid el-Amini, the only one of the seven that had anything like Rajul Aldawla's charisma or popularity, toured the three systems and worlds in an old but still deadly Dreadnaught; successfully leading massive offensives against the pro–SA rebels throughout the systems of the Triple Alliance.
When the Triple Alliance had finally won its short, one year, but incredibly bloody civil war; the seven leading revolutionaries staked out their turf in the newly formed government. The Imam, an unknown and forgettable figure, who had done most of the dirty work in the final months of the war, was without question; the least popular and well known of the men surrounding Muhammad el-Kazi in his new, Islamic Theocratic Paradise.
But the Imam… had the Soul of a Spider."
Everyone was enraptured by Grants tale now, and even Tevos who had been largely disinterested; was paying rapt attention to the old General.
"The Imam volunteered for the seemingly insignificant position of Chief Secretarial Administrator of the Triple Alliance; the position had no power at all, except the power to decide which military and civilian areas got what for supplies, and the power to appoint new officials.
It is representative of the Imams genius for intrigue, and his patience as well; that he was willing to take on this minor post because in a very short amount of time, he was able to fill all of the most critical positions in both Eayan Allah and the Triple Alliance with people loyal to him, personally. And he was able to ensure that units that showed loyalty to him got the best food, weapons, equipment, and whatever else they needed.
It also meant that as Rajul Aldawla's health continued on its downward spiral; it was the Imam in charge of his daily care.
No one saw el-Kazi without going through either the Imam or one of his appointees, and the Imam could afford to wait; since it was clear to everyone that el-Kazi was not long for this life.
Then, in January of 2171; Muhammad el-Kazi suffered another debilitating stroke.
The man, whose oratory, rhetoric, and brilliance had won him a miniature empire of tens of millions of people, would never speak again. The rest of the leaders of the Triple Alliance were in a panic. They were so concerned about el-Kazi's health that they began editing news articles and restricting his extranet access; removing any news items or information that could potentially cause Rajul Aldawla any kind of stress or irritation.
On February 22nd, 2171; el-Kazi suffered one final stroke, fell into a coma, and died during the night.
The Imam, as part of his post, arranged for Rajul Aldawla's funeral. Against el-Kazi's will and the man's three wive's vehement objections; the Imam had the man's body Embalmed permanently.
Then, he saw to it that his arch-nemesis Hamid el-Amini; was given false information regarding the date and time of the funeral. The Imam, in one of the only times he ever appeared in public, carried el-Kazi's coffin with the other Islamic leaders, making Alrayiys more than conspicuous by his absence."
I could see many of the Salarians and Harkin were nodding in appreciation and respect almost. And I did have to admit, the man was clearly intelligent; for someone who no one outside of the Triple Alliance knew he even existed the man, was clearly a genius politician.
Grant saw the nods and frowned, "Don't go admiring the man; what he did next was not something to admire."
Everyone looked at each other, the Asari in particular looked apprehensive; and the questions they were probably thinking was written across their faces. What could the Imam have possibly done to gain power so quickly and so swiftly?
"In the long months and years after el-Kazi's death, the Imam became one of six people governing the fledgling Islamic government. Old Muslims all of them, all of whom had been with Rajul Aldawla well before the failed invasion and subsequent revolution.
Now, none of the other five; Amini, Scarrabin, Soliman, Rahim, or Salek were canny enough to realize that almost the entire upper level of government in the Triple Alliance, and most of the Commanders of Eayan Allah had been filled with the Imams appointees.
Young, ambitious, and ruthless; none of these people were inclined to view the old guard, with any sense of awe or respect.
Playing each against the other, the Imam formed a triumvirate with Rahim and Salek; both of them despised the Imam, but they made the alliance out of pragmatism in order to offset the Charisma, intelligence, and popularity of el-Amini.
It would take nine long years, but by 2180; all of them would be dead… killed by the Imam." Grant stopped again, and this time he looked genuinely aggrieved as he looked at his papers.
All the Asari looked a little pale as well, likely because they had never heard of something as cutthroat as the Imam's rise to power.
For my part, I couldn't help but think about Stalin's brutal rise to power back in my universe; in this one, Stalin had been hanged by the Whites shortly before the end of the Russian civil war. So the mass purges in the USSR were nowhere near as severe as it had been in our timeline.
Grant took a breath, before beginning again; "First, the Imam maneuvered Hamid el-Amini known to many as Alrayiys, his most hated enemy out of the Government and Eayan Allah in 2173; forcing el-Amini to flee the Triple Alliance in disgrace. After many years on the run and after multiple rejections from the Systems Alliance, the Turian Hierarchy and many Terminus colonies; Alrayiys found asylum, for a while, on Ilium.
Using Aldhiaab, The Wolves, Eayan Allah's Special Forces unit comprised of former Alliance Soldiers, Spec Op's, and mercenaries; the Imam had Rahim and Salek framed and then arrested for treason.
They were the stars of the first of the show trials; strictly scripted courtroom sessions where both of the Imams former partners confessed to various bogus charges in exchange for the Imams promise that he would let them and their families live.
Shortly afterwards, in April of 2175; Rahim and Salek were both told that they were going to be taken away and shot while their families were to be banished from the Triple Alliance.
Qais el-Rahim, Alfalah, the uneducated farmer turned administrator. The man that had provided Eayan Allah and the Anti-Systems Alliance forces with all the food that they had needed and exactly when they needed it, even if it meant working political prisoners to death; with a far clearer eye had long known that the Imam would renege on their deal.
And so he walked stoically to his execution chamber; and his family fled the Triple Alliance soon after.
But Abdul Azeez al-Salek, Aljalaad, the executioner; the former Alliance soldier turned traitor. The man that had run the Secret Police instituted by el-Kazi; keeping the new Islamic Theocracy in power through sheer force and terror had been blinded by his own arrogance.
Al-Salek became so hysterical, sobbing and weeping as he grabbed ahold of his guards while begging for his life; that the guards simply took him to the first empty room they could find, and shot him then and there.
Both of those men had sent thousands of innocent people to their deaths; and both of them had known those people had been innocent when they had done so.
Muhammad al-Soliman, Alsinaeiu, the industrialist that had supplied the arms and machinery needed for the revolution; had been implicated in the show trials by Salek and Rahim. Knowing exactly what that entailed, Soliman didn't even bother to wait for the knock on the door by the Wolves.
He shot himself in his Villa, on October 31st, 2175.
Fully established as the Shadow Dictator by this point; the Imam then toyed with the brilliant, and popular Salaah al-Scarrabin for a full three years. The Imam allowed his subordinates to run the day to day operations for the most part, ruling mostly through hints and suggestions.
Scarrabin had helped with this process as the Imam had cemented his power; and he had loudly praised the Show trials and Executions of Salek, Rahim, and Soliman out of sheer terror. Eventually, of course, Alwazir's usefulness as an administrator and minister eventually ran out.
He was arrested for Treason of course; and Scarrabin wrote dozens of letters to the Imam from his prison cell, admitting to failure to show proper devotion to Allah and his prophets, and pleading desperately for his life.
After a larger and even grander show trial, Scarrabin was of course found guilty of treason.
Despite protests and intercessions from many prominent religious leaders around the Galaxy, including the Pope of the Western Roman Catholic Church, the Patriarch of the Easter Orthodox Catholic Church, and the High Priestess of the Church of Athame; Salaah al-Scarrabin was shot without ceremony on July 4th, 2178.
Which… left only Hamid el-Amini…"
An almost aggrieved look overtook Grants features at this point; while everyone else seemed appropriately disturbed by the ruthlessness the Imam seemed to possess.
"Brilliant and arrogant Hamid, a genuine philosopher and architect of the Triple Alliance and Eayan Allah alongside el-Kazi; and a man who never tired of reminding the Imam of how much smarter, and well-loved he was compared to the unknown, faceless, bandit from Earth.
Bitterly regretting his decision to allow el-Amini to flee the Triple Alliance and live in exile, the Imam launched multiple assassination attempts on his arch-rival.
From the outset, Hamid el-Amini had long been a proponent of terror and religion as a means of governance; and he had personally sent thousands of innocent people to their deaths. It was his utter ruthlessness and ability to deploy terror that had brought him power, adoration, and galaxy-wide fame; and in the end, el-Amini repaid his debt to terror… with interest."
Even the Turians and Salarians, people who were very much used to sacrificing others for the greater good; and long desensitized to death seemed to be very uncomfortable by the tone of Grants voice by this point.
Everyone could tell that what Grant was going to say next was not going to be pleasant. Shepard looked pale sitting next to me; Schultz was looking down at his notes, mouth set in a firm line. Anderson and Hackett looked at each other, then back at Grant with blank looks on their faces. Garrus's mandibles were slack, Tali's glowing eyes had dimmed significantly; and Aethyta also was looking a little pale.
I don't think Grant had even noticed, his eyes had become glazed as he spoke; and I knew that he was remembering what he was about to say, likely because he had lived through it.
"El-Amini's wife was stoned to death in 2174; his brother, Musaaid, was shot by Batarians in a Uriah Gambit in 2176 during the Skyllian Blitz.
Musaaid's wife Nameera was shot in 2176 as well, at the height of the Kurdish Purge.
El-Amini's sister, Kaatima, was executed in 2181.
His daughter, Inaaya committed 'suicide' in 2173 after el-Amini's exile.
His son Husain, who'd been imprisoned, was shot on the Imams orders in 2177.
El-Amini's Older Brother Badri, Amini's personal secretary Awad al-Asad, his old business partner Misfar al-Safar, his best friend Ashraf el-Afzal, his fellow philosopher Qaasim el-Noori, and his oldest son Aarif; were all assassinated by the Imam's Wolves the following year, in Mecca.
Two of his daughter-in-law's, wives to his middle son Shaamil who would be hanged in 2178; were shot in 2176 and 2177.
Two of his grandchildren, the son and daughter of his youngest girl Izza, who would also be stoned to death in 2179; disappeared without a trace sometime after 2177.
El-Amini's sister-in-law Atiyya, who had married Badri, was shot in 2177; their only child, Hamid's nephew who was also named Badri, likewise… disappeared without a trace sometime after 2178."
Grant paused, wincing as he took another drink; practically draining his water like a shot glass.
The Turians were stoic for the most part; but I could tell that they were… not happy to say the least. The Salarians looked to be the least affected; simply typing down everything that had been said.
But the Asari, Humans, and Admiral 'Raan and Tali looked particularly aggrieved.
Humans, Quarians, and Asari may look very similar to each other; but we were all different in very big ways. However the one thing our three species seemed to share above all else; was a devotion to family.
What the Imam had just done, was wipe out an entire family; simply because of a petty grudge.
It was sickening…
I clenched my fist in anger; and I could see Shepard had gotten over her sick feelings and was gripping her datapad so tightly that I was surprised that it hadn't shattered. Udina looked appropriately horrified, and it didn't look like an act so that meant the man did at least have some morals; but Harkin… the man was smart not to smirk or yawn or anything like that, but I could tell the man was almost… impressed with the Imams brutality.
I glowered at the Secret Policeman for a moment, before turning my attention back to Grant; who had started talking again.
"In January of 2178;" he said, "el-Amini arrived on Illium, living with the famed militaristic Asari Matriarch Irissa T'Aes. With the death of his wife, el-Amini did manage to find some comfort in a relationship with Irissa; before the two of them had a falling out for some unknown reason, resulting in Alrayiys moving to a fortressed mansion not far away.
In 2179 the following year, a team of Imam Assassins sprayed the compound with machine gun fire. In what could have been a scene from an action vid; el-Amini managed to survive by lying flat against the floor beside his bed as AK bullets riddled his walls and his mattress with holes.
The Imam, who had been stalking Alrayiys for over six years, had finally run out of patience.
The Imam instructed the leader of the Wolves, a man known as Muhandis, that he wanted Hamid el-Amini; who had continuously written well publicized and vicious anti-Imam articles and papers ever since his exile, dead within a year.
Muhandis, recruited a Palestinian born Wolf by the name of Rida al-Abbasi; who, posing as the son of a Saudi Arabian senator, befriended and then seduced an Asari by the name of Ranos T'dofi, a young Athame Priestess in Training; and most importantly, an aide to el-Amini.
Rida, took his time, dropping off and picking up Ranos at the now very heavily defended Alrayiys compound. Rida never asked to go inside or see the compound; never talked politics, and above all, he never talked about religion. He began building up a friendship and reputation with the guards and other workers and aides in the compound by running errands, telling jokes and stories, and making small talk.
As the year progressed, he too became a member of el-Amini's extended family.
By January of 2180, after a year of working with the people at the compound, and even meeting and sharing dinner and small talk with el-Amini himself several times; his presence at the compound no longer drew any notice or concern, many even welcoming him as a fellow brother.
But on January 9th, Rida casually walked into the office where el-Amini as usual was hunched over his computer writing his latest article. Rida quietly removed a small balisong that he had concealed in his jacket; and then sank it into the back of Hamid el-Amini's head.
Alrayiys bellowed in rage and pain; but every single one of the people in the compound that night claimed that his scream was more akin to exasperation rather than agony, as if in that final moment el-Amini realized that he had been a fool to let down his guard.
Guards and aides burst into the room and nearly beat Rida to death; but with his last breath el-Amini stopped them, telling them that Rida was still family to him.
Rida burst into tears, as by that point he too considered el-Amini and the rest of the complexes staff to be family as well; and begged for forgiveness from the man he had just mortally wounded. Alrayiys attempted to say one final word, and then died in his chair.
Rida, in grief and despair, grabbed a gun from a nearby guard, and shot himself in the head.
Nearly all of the compounds staff would commit suicide, or would be assassinated by the Imams forces by the end of the year. The last staff member to die, an elderly woman who had served as a maid, would die in 2181; and her last words were reported to have been, 'I hear it always, I hear his scream; I hear his accusation of failure, I know he is waiting for us on the other side'.
This then, is what has kept Eayan Allah, and the Islamic Triple Alliance a threat for the past two decades.
Fear…
This is why we need Task Force 1-4-1 again Councilors; this is why we need them again…" Grant trailed off as he bowed his head and sighed.
No one said a word as the General grabbed his papers and sat down next to Schultz.
After a very long silence; Councilor Sparatus stood up and said, "Councilors, I think the General is right. Direct war would only cause more death can cause more problems than it would solve. We need Spectres on this issue, but not the public ones, It is time that 1-4-1 be reactivated again; it's time for the temporary Spectres to have their day again. All those in favor of the reactivation of Task Force 1-4-1?" He asked.
He raised his hand, and to my surprise; everyone with the ability to vote at the table, including Harkin and Udina voted aye.
Sparatus looked at the hands of those eligible to vote raised around the table, and nodded; "Motion carried… unanimously."
I walked out of the meeting, clutching my datapad in anger as I walked.
Searching the crowd of people leaving the presidium; I spotted my target, and stalked up to him.
General Grant was already walking to a nearby skycar; when he noticed me, or more accurately; he noticed the expression on my face, he stopped and watched me as I walked up to him, knowing full well what I intended to ask.
As soon as I got within hearing range, I did just that; "Task Force 1-4-1?" I growled, Grant was supposed to inform the leadership of the GST of everything that had happened in this version of the ME universe; and he had notably failed to mention that little tidbit of information.
I had already grilled Schultz, but he had known nothing about it; which meant the old General was keeping secrets from even his closest friend.
Grant at least had the decency to look ashamed; "When I first arrived in 2160, it was just after the First Contact war. You know why Cerberus is no longer a threat? Do you know why we haven't had to deal with good old Jack and his human supremacist nutjobs yet?" He asked, "Because 1-4-1 eliminated all their cells in Citadel space; they still exist in the Terminus, but they don't dare and try to do anything too obvious or damaging in Council Space again after the thrashing we gave them."
Now that he mentioned it, he was right; we hadn't had to really deal with Cerberus in Council space all that much, at least in the years I had been here. But… "And you involved the Quarians in this?" I asked, knowing that it must have been like pulling a tooth to get the council to even think about that.
Grant just laughed, "It was me, Anderson, Hackett, Nihlus, General Victus who was just a lieutenant at the time, Admiral 'Raan who was on her pilgrimage, and Dr. Solus who was still a newcomer in STG.
There were many others of course, but the seven of us formed the core ground team; with Hackett as the CO of the boat. Amul had been elected to the Senate and was well on his way to becoming Prime Minister and he convinced the Senate of the idea. Ambassador Goyle, who was a far better diplomat than Udina, convinced the Council of the idea; while this universes version of your father convinced the cabinet and the Prime Minister at the time to go through with the plan.
1-4-1 was pretty much just giving a small group of elite fighters a badge of temporary Spectreship with one legitimate Spectre as a cover; and gave us a blank check to go after Cerberus.
And when Cerberus was driven out of Council space, 1-4-1 was disbanded; our purpose had been fulfilled. Anderson of course was recommended for the Spectres, and we all went our separate ways."
I frowned heavily, and asked; "And you didn't think to tell us about this little tidbit of information?"
Grant looked somewhat annoyed now, and said; "It was classified, no one except those involved in the project could know about it. Councilor Valern didn't even know about it until this morning when Tevos and Sparatus told him.
Just because you're one of the founders August, does not mean you're entitled to any information that you don't know. If you want to know about it, go through back channels and call in favors; work to get your intel.
Don't ask for it."
And with that, the General walked into the Skycar; and departed for the Prowler that had brought him here. I watched him go, chastened; but also on guard now. As I watched Grant leave, I thought; Just what did you and the others do that caused all info about 1-4-1 to be sealed up tight Grant?
I would get my answer of course, but not in the way I ever expected to.
A/N: Link to my Discord is now rUQYqjJ, check my profile for an updating link if this fails to work.
An exposition dump chapter, but one I felt was necessary.
Yes, in case you did not catch it; I made Leon Trotsky the leader of the Soviet Union in this universe. The only way I see WW2 ending in any way where it doesn't drag on; is two stipulations must be fulfilled.
Trotsky would have to be leader of the Soviet Union, as he was a far more brilliant (and merciful, but that's not saying much) leader compared to Stalin.
And the other, is that Operation Market Garden succeeded. Had Market Garden worked, we would have ended the war in Europe by Christmas; as it stands, the main reason it had failed was because of reserved tank units being saved for the Eastern Front. If Trotsky, military genius he was (and he was a brilliant man, he was the only reason the Reds succeeded against the Rainbow armies of all the western powers) had been in charge, the Germans would not have held anything back from the front; so that would have allowed the western powers to capitalize on Market Garden.
And for those wondering, I HEAVILY based the Imam's rise to power on Stalin's; this will become very important later on in the story.
Task Force 1-4-1; it seems that Grant is just as much of a nerd as August, he's just better at hiding it. The history of the old guard of 1-4-1 in this universe will be covered as the story progresses through the trilogy of stories. But once i'm done with the main story i may do a full scale prequel story covering the original 1-4-1's fight against Cerberus.
Now then, leave a review and tell me what you all think.
Fan Art is welcome, and a TV Tropes page would be loved.
And i will see ya when i see ya.
