December 5, 11,987 CE

Outside a Warlord Base on Mavigon, Han System, Giedi Sector, Gemini Sigma, Attican Traverse…

An Union Space Colonial Administration D20 Heron dropship descended slowly to the barren surface, while two escorting F-41 Broadsword fighters maintained patrol overhead. A flight of YoRHa Ho 229 Flight Units landed some distance behind the dropship as well.

The mercenaries holding position around the base seemed unfazed, as radars and turret emplacements swiveled to follow the Union aircraft.

Looking out the window of the Heron gunship, "Turian" emissary Decius Tanigius- or IX-5, as he was officially known as- sighed. "I don't have a good feeling about this..." He whispered into his communicator.

"It is worrying that the Warlord wasn't willing to meet at a neutral location," Decius' handler, Union Intelligence Operator Sankara-55, replied. "But it could be just that Royaxi just wants to make a show of force at his stronghold. Don't worry though- we're ready for the worst."

"Yeah, that's what Commodore Berdimuhamedow said," IX-5 reluctantly concurred. "And we need to secure the sector one way or another. Let's just get this over with."

"Good luck, Five," Sankara offered.

IX-5 stood up and nodded to the head of his security entourage, YoRHa Unit 64B. "I'm good to go."

"Understood, sir." The Battler Android nodded and lowered the shuttle's exit ramp.

As the Infiltrator Machine and his Android escorts strode across the barren surface, IX-5 used his binoculars to scan the entourage and positions of of Mavigon's de facto ruler, the Krogan Warlord Vrutilak Royaxi, who stood in the center, brandishing a M-300 Claymore shotgun.

IX-5 relayed the imagery back to the shuttle, whose transmitters connected to the warships of the Giedi Sector Flotilla waiting in orbit.

"The Krogan by Royaxi's side..." Sankara muttered through IX-5's headpiece. "He's Blood Pack- Battlemaster Salamul. Wanted in Citadel space for war crimes, massacre of civilians, Intelligence picked up information on him from Council news transmissions. He's got Blood Pack Vorcha and varren… the rest are Royaxi's personal entourage of Batarian Mercenaries and Snipers."

"So, Turian, what brings you before me, the mighty hero, Warlord Royaxi?" Royaxi's voice boomed from hidden loudspeakers, as IX-5 came within a hundred meters of the Krogan leader. "Come to pay tribute to my greatness?"

"Wow, that's some self-aggrandizement for a two-bit pirate lord that needs to hire mercs to prop up his tyranny..." Sankara whispered quietly.

"Great Warlord Royaxi," Decius opened his arms in a friendly gesture, walking up close to the Krogan leader. "I come here today as a representative of the Gemini Sigma Peacekeeping Fleet. It has come to the attention of my employers that your forces have been… at odds with our own. However, I come here to offer-"

"Bah! It's their fault for getting in my way!" Royaxi scoffed. "This is my turf!"

"Warlord," IX-5 began again. "Our employer understands the… financial motivations for the… actions of your forces. We are ready to provide you compensation, a better deal, or even employment with our peacekeep-"

"I don't work for anyone, birdie!" Royaxi shot back. "We care nothing for your weak 'peace'! Do you even know anything about the warrior culture?!"

"Yeah… I don't think this is working," Sankara muttered.

"If you can't speak sense," Royaxi snorted, "Just pay your tribute and go."

"Warlord, we are trying to play nice," IX-5 narrowed his eyes. "You must understand that if you will not comply, our forces are willing to use force to bring you in line. We will ensure the security of this cluster- one way or another."

"Are you threatening me?" Royaxi's spoke in a cold, menacing tone.

"Just speaking the truth. Surely you've heard what happened to Hades Gamma a few years ago," IX-5 reminded. "Or do you need Battlemaster Salamul to tell you what happened to the Blood Pace forces there?"

Battlemaster Salamul tensed his grip on his weapon, and glared at the Union entourage.

"Impudent bird! My forces will crush you!" Royaxi declared.

"Warlord, your forces aren't even a match for my bodyguards," IX-5 shot back, noticeably irritated by the Krogan's irrationality.

"That's it, weakling!" The Krogan Warlord roared, charging at Decius. Immediately, two YoRHa Defender Units rushed forward, shields raised, but the sheer momentum of the Krogan caught them off-guard. The Krogan barreled into the Androids' shields at an angle, staggering them momentarily, before charging through the gap.

"Shit!" 92D exclaimed. "64B, help please!"

But the impact had slowed Royaxi just a little, and it gave IX-5 a chance to leap back.

"Stop, stop where you are!" 64B leaped forward, drawing her sword, while other YoRHa Androids rushed forward, swords and guns at the ready to cover IX-5.

"No one tells Clan Vrutilak what to do!" Royaxi roared, ramming into 64B, who then brought her blade down on his head for a moment before it was wrenched from her grasp.

"Man, your head is hard!"

64B fell over backward and the Krogan trampled right onto the Battler Android, but she was able to expertly throw him off.

"Surrender now!" A hidden blade came out of 64B's arm, which she held to the Krogan's throat.

The Krogan chuckled darkly and yelled out, "What are you doing, Salamul? Attack! Kill them all!"

Battlemaster Salamul lifted his shotgun and opened fire, while his Vorcha and varren minions charged. Likewise, the Batarian mercenaries opened up as well, machine gun fire and sniper shots ringing out.

"Go, go, neutralize all hostiles!" 64B barked to her YoRHa team. "Defenders, guard IX!"

YoRHa Units specializing in long-range combat laid down covering fire, while those specializing in melee rushed forward at inhuman speed, closing the distance with their organic enemies.

When Royaxi once again threw off 64B and lunged at the nearest Android, several YoRHa units peeled off from the main group and aggressively skewered the Krogan with their blades.

Behind them all, concealed minigun turrets on the D20 dropship opened up and raked through the enemy ranks.

It was all over within fifteen minutes. Vorcha and varren, tough as they were, were still no match for minigun fire and YoRHa blades. The Batarian mercenaries, having entrenched themselves behind cover, held out a little longer, but 64B had called down air support.

An F-41 bombing run later, all the Batarians were dead meat. Those that didn't perish to the initial fiery explosions, were killed by the shockwaves in close proximity. In all likelihood, they never even realized what hit them.

Battlemaster Salamul was the last to fall. Even badly burned, riddled with bullet wounds, and no doubt also suffering fractures and internal injuries from being at the edge of the bombing shock wave, he continued to defiantly fire his weapon.

YoRHa Units closing in for the kill still found themselves being damaged by Salamul's violent last stand, but his aim was becoming increasingly erratic and inaccurate, allowing the Androids to sweep in, their many blades stabbing through his flesh.

Finally, the old Blood Pack warrior dropped down, his last words utterances about never surrendering.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

January 15, 11,988 CE

Conference Room adjacent to Citadel Council Chambers, Citadel Tower, Citadel Station, Widow System, Serpent Nebula, Inner Council Space…

Councilor Josua Liis of the Asari Republics picked up her cup of Thessian Temple and looked at her newly-convened colleagues. "Councilor Irbot, what does the STG have to say about the rumors in Gemini Sigma?"

"The- what now- ?" Turian Councilor Tergius nearly choked on his cup of Nimines coffee.

"Why presume I would know anything?" Salarian Councilor Irbot replied smoothly.

"Because of your STG," Councilor Tergius scoffed. "But what is that about? What happened in Gemini Sigma?"

"Remember the 'Hades Gamma Peacekeeping Fleet' that cropped up a few years ago?" Liis reminded the Turian.

"The what?" Tergius wrinkled his eyebrows in confusion. "Did we talk about this?"

"No, but it made some news a few years back, under my predecessor," Irbot explained, blinking rapidly. "A group of mysterious ships calling themselves the 'Hades Gamma Peacekeeping Fleet' appeared along the Anansi-Ishtar Shipping Lane and reportedly attacked pirate bases throughout Hades Gamma. Easily overlooked considering the concurrent skirmishes along the border of the Crescent Nebula and the Ghurst Republic rearmament crisis."

Tergius had pulled out his own datapad and was perusing Turian records. "And they're still active? It would explain why the Hierarchy has been decreasing so many patrols in the area for these years. Especially considering the increased piracy in the Shadow Sea and Caleston Rift."

"So are you still going to still deny knowledge?" Councilor Liis eyed Irbot.

"I don't know anything other than what the STG has made known the Council, if you'd bothered to look in the archives," Councilor Irbot replied rather tersely, waving a datapad at his colleagues. "The STG investigated various rumors and leads on the origins of these 'Peacekeepers'- as far as STG could tell, there aren't any links between them and the STG, or the Shadow Broker, or the Batarians, or any corporation- at least the ones registered with the Citadel. Terminus power always possibility, but skilled if evaded STG detection so far.

STG prowlers have discovered mysterious, heavily-fortified bases and space stations set up on inhospitable worlds all over Hades Gamma. We're not completely sure- but most of them seem to be unmanned, operated by drones and mechs of designs we're not familiar with. A new species was also considered. Unlikely, but if so, they are exceptionally good at respecting Council law and concealing their true nature."

"What about the rumors of their recent Gemini Sigma?" Tergius asked urgently.

"If STG has found out anything yet, they haven't told me," Irbot shook his head. "But considering affairs on Sur'Kesh, I suppose anything's possible…"

"What's that mean?" Tergius demanded.

"It means, Councilor Irbot is losing favor on Sur'Kesh," Councilor Liis interjected rather bluntly. "Or perhaps I should say with the STG. Irbot was a last-minute appointment by Dalatrass Yirman of the Federalist faction, before Yirman was forced to step down from the Seghan corruption scandal last year. The new Dalatrass, Jaeyora, is basically the poster-girl of the Consolidationist faction, and is rumored to have been put in power by the STG behind the scenes. However, the Sur'Kesh Unified Assembly is still dominated by Federalist representatives, blocking Jaeyora's attempts to remove our dear friend Irbot here. Rumor is a number of Admirals in the Navy are also sympathetic to the Federalists."

"And that's putting it concisely," Irbot added a little sheepishly, indicating there was more complexity to the situation.

"Damned Salarian intrigue…" Tergius shook his head, putting his face in one hand. "What about the Shadow Broker?"

"Word is, he- or she- has been uncharacteristically evasive," Irbot sighed.

"Should I send a request to the Hierarchy to increase patrols?" Tergius offered reluctantly.

"You sound exceptionally… reluctant," Councilor Irbot pointed out. "I thought Turians would've loved to take such a… militant response."

Tergius winced irritably. "No, I just doubt the Hierarchy will take such a request seriously if there isn't an active threat. It's going to be a low priority, especially considering the ongoing conflicts in Ismar and Caleston, not to mention the insurgency on Kruljaven…"

"Plus, I don't want to be too obvious," Liis added, shaking her head. "If the patrols haven't found much so far, I doubt more patrols will. Let's send a Spectre- preferably an Asari…"