Chapter 1: Danger Zone
2181 Desponia was a mystery from the moment it was discovered by human space probes. It remained just as ambiguous after being briefly visited by a certain Alliance hero during the Reaper War and even now, the eerie planet continued its enigmatic existence. The ocean covered world hadn't been explored since its discovery and rarely visited. The unfortunate few who had ventured to its surface out of curiosity never returned. The occupants preferred their privacy and had done a superb job of maintaining it over the years. Desponia was located within the outer recesses of the Sigurd's Cradle Cluster, a cluster that happened to rest within the center of the Terminus Systems. That fact alone went a long way towards ensuring that no denizen from any civilized region of space would venture close enough to bother them but that was about to change...
"Any idea what it is exactly we're supposed to be gathering intelligence on?" a heavily armed turian operative asked gruffly while sitting inside of a shuttle that was slowly descending towards a planet that hadn't been visited in decades.
"You've read the reports just like the rest of us. You already know why we're here." an asari colleague casually responded from a seat across from him.
"It's a waste of time if you ask me." another asari agent added while stretching next to her. "Assuming they're even real, they haven't made a move since the war with the Reapers.
"There's also the fact that we're operating based on intel gathered by the Alliance alone." the turian continued in a slightly derisive tone.
"Is that a problem, Vellus?" an equally well armed human sternly interjected from his turian associate's right. "Don't forget that Admiral Shepard was the one who confirmed their existence, in person mind you. And he's the only one who's ever traveled to this rock and made it out alive."
"Then why wasn't he handed this mission? Or one of his children?" the turian scoffed.
"My guess is the Council doesn't want him knowing about it." the first asari surmised.
"Four SPECTRES sent to snoop around some big ball of water just to see what some undersea colossi are up to. We have such a charming profession, don't we?" her colleague mused.
"This is no laughing matter. I was in the middle of preparing for an important operation in the Terminus Systems. This detour will cost me valuable time." the turian complained.
"You think you're the only who was busy? I had my own business to finish out here and the recent turmoil was the perfect time for me to…" the human abruptly stopped himself after noticing the way his asari companions were eyeing him.
"So you both had assignments to complete, missions that involved venturing into the Terminus Systems. Interesting." the second asari thoughtfully stated.
An air of quiet quickly took hold of the shuttle but was promptly broken as the craft jolted forward, shaking everyone inside violently in the process. "What the hell is going on?" the human shouted while bracing himself.
"Pilot, what's our status?!" the turian demanded in a panic.
The human pilot didn't respond and continued to accelerate the shuttle towards the planet with a vacant expression on his face as a small trail of blood ran from his nose. None of the passengers had time to register the full scope of the situation or notice the gargantuan being that was slowly rising from the ocean that their craft was spiraling towards. And no one aboard would be heard from again for several months…
The planet Lorek was not only a rare example of a habitable world but also a habitable world that occupied the Terminus Systems and hadn't been claimed by the local warlords and criminals. That had at least been the case in the past before the Reaper and Trio Wars. Located in the Fathar System of the Omega Nebula and originally annexed by the Batarian Hegemony, the planet boasted a population of nearly five million Batarian colonists at one point. However, in recent years that population suffered a significant decrease and transformation. The colony was still dominated by Batarians but the denizens who now called it home were the very worst that their species had to offer. Pirates, slavers and criminals of all types had established strongholds across the surface and the surrounding space was filled with heavily armed war vessels utilized by their masters in order to perform raids in neighboring systems against rivals. Raiders were the ones calling the shots in this particular territory and everyone who resided in the Terminus Systems was aware of that fact. But in spite of the circumstances or perhaps because of them, there was at least one person on the planet's surface at the moment who wasn't a Batarian or a raider but he was equally deadly if not more so.
Inside a well fortified compound, a pair of guards within a security control room were preparing to end their shift. After opening the door that led inside their posts, they were both promptly killed by a pair of shots from a new model particle pistol, the Will-O-Wisp. It was a powerful, yet silent firearm that had been designed for stealth operations. It was also one of the current standard weapons that all of the Terminus Fangs used. The intruder who was wielding the weapon promptly holstered it after executing his victims and quietly slipped inside of the room where he immediately began hacking into the compound's security systems and deactivating everything that he could. The slightly short human interloper then made his way back outside after checking the vid-screens of the compound's interior and plotting the fastest way to his intended goal. Once he was sure that the coast was clear, he immediately darted down the hall. His movements were swift and within minutes he'd already scurried through several corridors and traversed a marathon of stairways, all while silently executing any hapless guards who happened to cross his path.
After reaching his destination, a large office that rested in the center of the complex, he was almost caught off guard by a ceiling mounted security turret that instantly opened fire as he approached.
"Shit! It must be connected to a separate system." he furiously whispered.
He quickly deployed a decoy that drew the machine's fire while he took cover behind a pillar in order to plan his next course of action. While he pondered exactly how he'd proceed, an alarm suddenly sounded across the entire installation.
"Oh, you dirty turret. Did you just rat me out?" he mumbled in frustration while drawing his pistol.
Before he could curse the machine further, it was suddenly sealed inside of an incredibly destructive sphere of biotic energy and destroyed. As he prepared to make a witty comment about the turret's demise, he noticed that a squadron of heavily armed Batarians was closing in from his rear. They wasted little time and began firing ballistic blades at him and followed up with several inferno grenades in an effort to flush him out from the other side of the pillar where he'd taken cover after they'd appeared.
"So much for get in and get out without alerting anyone." the intruder scoffed. "You gonna handle this or what?" he irritably added, apparently addressing an apparition that no one else could see.
It appeared that his imaginary ally was in fact real and quickly proved so by downing a trio of batarians with a string of well aimed headshots from a new model Spectrum Particle Sniper Rifle. Before the dead men's cohorts could register what had happened, they too found themselves on the receiving end of the mystery sniper's aggression. As warp laced particle shots tore through their ranks, the last remaining pair of soldiers attempted to retreat but were quickly killed by a pair of electrified omni-blades that pierced the backs of their necks as a tall, well toned mystery man decloaked behind them. He took a moment to brush off his black and silver combat armor that bore the symbol of a wolf before calmly rejoining his friend.
"Oh, bravo!" the shorter intruder sarcastically quipped. "The mighty Ghost Fang donning his impeccable Ethereal Armor saw fit to intervene just in the nick of time to save little old me. I'm deeply honored Your Highness. Shall I lick your boots in gratitude or just remind your cocky ass that we've still got a job to do?" he added in agitation.
"You did end up asking for help, Rabbit." his partner reminded him. "And I can't help it if I'm that damn good."
"Why? Why you? Of all the people I could've been partnered with…" Rabbit grumbled before leading the way forward towards the formerly guarded office.
"I was the only one on hand when you got the call. Besides, it could've been worse. You and I both know that. If Vince wasn't away right now-"
"Don't even say it." Rabbit bitterly interrupted while hacking the lock on the office. "I'll never team up with that bastard, especially now with everything that's happened. We're in the middle of a war and that fucktard is off lounging around with his-"
"Watch it, Rabbit." his friend warned. "She's still my sister. And you know this all broke out after he'd already left. He probably doesn't have a clue what's going on right now. It's not like battles between Terminus natives are headline news in Citadel Space."
"Sure, just give him a free pass. It's not like he doesn't get enough of those already." Rabbit bitterly responded while completing his hack. "I just hope Liv doesn't know about it. And that she's okay right now." he quietly added while opening the newly unlocked door. After they both entered the office, he immediately got to work on hacking into a console that was resting on a desk.
"She'll be fine, Rabbit. She's got Lou and Leon with her." his partner assured him.
"Maybe you're right. You guys have come a long way these past three years. Especially you, Ghost Fang. You're officially the best wetwork agent we've got. Must be nice." Rabbit earnestly stated while working.
"It has its ups and downs, just like any other job." his friend replied stoically.
"I know it's none of my business but how much longer are you gonna keep everyone in the dark about what you do? I understand secrecy, it's a necessity when it comes to our line of work but this dual identity bullshit is even starting to piss me off. At least tell the rest of your family. It can't be easy keeping this from everyone except for your parents and the twins. Everyone else thinks you're a worthless bum and listening to Ray badmouth you every time we all get together is annoying me at this point. It's only gonna start up again even worse once he gets back from his training with Zaeed. That idiot doesn't have a clue how many times you've saved his sorry ass from the shadows over the years. Listen Na-I mean, Ghost Fang. At least tell Lou, he'd understand and he is technically in charge right now." Rabbit urged.
"You know I can't. I have to keep my cover intact. Lou, Liv, Leon, they've all gotten way too famous since they set out on their own. Add Angelica and Vince to the mix and most of our family has a high profile. It won't be long before Ray and Jordy join them. I've gotta stay low, Rabbit. The more people think I'm a lazy, irresponsible, slacker, the better. It makes it easier for me to move around, gather info and neutralize targets when necessary. Our operations on Illium are a lot better off for it too, don't even try to argue that point." his friend fervently explained.
"Damn it and I thought I was the only pitiful martyr destined to suffer in silence." Rabbit replied in exasperation before releasing a sigh. Afterwards, he continued his data extraction before something strange caught his attention. A small bit of significant information that was not only shocking but also quite distressing. "No!" he frantically exclaimed. "We've gotta go, NOW!"
"What's wrong?" his partner asked in confusion before taking a glimpse of the information on the console that he'd been hacking. "How did they-Nevermind! You're right! Let's get outta here and contact Lou! That damned thing is headed straight for them and they won't see it coming!"
"Helluva time for Mal and the rest of the old guys to be away." Rabbit grumbled before finishing his data extraction. "Let's bolt!"
The duo immediately set off at a sprint from the office and quickly ran into even more squads of Batarian soldiers who were awaiting their arrival. "We don't have time for this!" Rabbit's partner raged before unleashing a salvo of energy blasts from his hand that promptly homed in on their foes and exploded, decimating their ranks.
The pair continued their mad dash for the exit encountering another squad of guards that the Ghost Fang quickly destroyed with another biotic salvo. After reaching the corridor that led to the entrance of the complex, they encountered a much fiercer resistance in the form of soldiers who were equipped with riot shields. The biotic infiltrator promptly disarmed them with a pull while Rabbit tossed a flashbang grenade that stunned the mob. Both men took advantage with a string of shots from their chosen firearms before rushing outside of the installation.
"The shuttle is rigged to blow, right?"
"Of course it is which means we're gonna have to steal a ride from these jackasses before we can leave. But we have to make it fast." Rabbit anxiously responded.
"I know." his friend agreed. "Lou, Liv, Leon, everybody, hang on." he quietly pleaded while readying his Spectrum. An enemy drop ship was already closing in.
"Units four through six, with me! We're securing the capital by nightfall, that's a promise!" Lucas Hunter roared while leading his men in a counterattack against their enemies outside of a destroyed apartment complex in the middle of Heshtok's capital, Hatash. The twenty-one year old was in the middle of facing a multitude of difficulties, challenges that he'd never imagined having to face in his father's absence.
Heshtok was being invaded and the forces laying siege were more than formidable. The enemies leading the charge had obviously planned the assault for years, possibly even decades and the timing in which they executed their strike was uncanny to say the least. The Terminus Wolves possessed five formidable fleets that were tasked with protecting Cartagena and mobilizing on other fronts when necessary. Their two most powerful armadas were currently being led by the Terminus Hunter and acting as protection for a secret project that had taken decades to construct. He and the other original members of his group were overseeing the final phases of the project's completion deep within the uncharted recesses of the Nemean Abyss. Another two fleets had been left behind to safeguard Cartagena Station in their absence while the final one had been deployed to liberate Khar'shan from the Yahg. This unfortunately left Heshtok and the Vorcha without a means of backup should the worst ever occur.
It was an oversight that no one ever considered to be a liability. The Vorcha possessed fleets of their own and thanks to their leader, they were as advanced and well armed as any Citadel Race's. The problem lay in who there were facing. The combined might of every ragtag pirate group in the Terminus Systems in addition to the Forgotten, Yahg Marauders and Batarian Raiders were bearing down on them. All eight of the Vorcha's fleets were being pushed to the limit in fending them off and enemy landing parties were still managing to slip through the fighting in order to deploy heavy combat mechs, Yahg Commanders and other troublesome ground forces who were equipped with breathing masks to protect them from Hestok's toxic volcanic gases. Worse yet, enemy Krogan were being deployed as well. Soldiers who'd grown dissatisfied with their people's current peaceful coexistence with the Council Races and who were eager to conquer a new challenge, that challenge being the Terminus Hunter and his military forces. The invasions were sudden and came without warning, the only saving grace being the fact that the Hunter Triplets and their friends happened to be visiting Heshtok when the chaos first erupted.
They had immediately assumed control of the forces positioned on the planet and in space while mobilizing every soldier and agent who was stationed elsewhere in an effort to gather reconnaissance and cripple any possible enemy reinforcements. Many Fangs had already been deployed to assist in the retaking of Khar'shan but a few had remained on hand and were already doing what they could to aid the war effort. Some were making their way to the Kyzil System in the hopes of joining their young leaders but others were performing more perilous missions, assignments that would undoubtedly maim the enemy in more ways than one. Amid all of the carnage and turmoil, Lucas Hunter found himself carrying a heavy burden. Before his father had left, he'd placed him in charge of Cartagena and in essence, everything else. It had obviously been a playful token gesture at the time, no one could've foreseen the madness occurring right now. He, his siblings and their closest friends had just taken a break from their usual work and decided to have a vacation on Heshtok with some of their Vorcha acquaintances. They had no idea what was in store for them.
"Get the Hyperions ready and concentrate your fire at those Gaias on my mark!" he yelled while pointing out a squadron of heavy mechs in the distance. His Vorcha subordinates instantly obeyed and took aim with a slew of particle variant heavy weapons dubbed Hyperions. "NOW!" he roared.
A split second later, his men let loose with a bombardment of concentrated particle beams that quickly annihilated the incoming mechs at the other end of the battered street where the fighting was taking place. After destroying the newest wave of enemies, they continued their sweep of the area, flushing out any enemy stragglers they came across and killing them. Once they completed their search, Lucas decided to make contact with a friend.
"Grace, my men and I just cleared out the Vorash district. I'm heading back to the base now. Let the others know once they check in from the other areas." he informed her after opening a comm line.
"Lou, you sound exhausted. Don't overdo it."
"I'm fine. I'll fight as hard as I have to in order to drive these bastards off. We aren't losing Heshtok." Lucas replied in exhaustion.
"I just spoke to Leon. They're still struggling up there and the enemy isn't easing up. This might not end unless we-"
"No. We've been over this before, Grace. We're not pulling any fleets from Cartagena, that's exactly what these assholes want us to do. We all know that's their true goal, their real prize. They've been bleeding us for weeks and they're gonna keep hitting Heshtok with everything they have in an effort to draw our defenses away from home and I won't allow it. We'll fight them off with what we have until the Grey Fleet can get here. They can send as many mechs, Krogan and Yahg as they want. I'm not backing down. And I won't let Dad down either." Lucas vowed.
"Fine, but I'm sending someone to meet you." Grace sternly informed him.
"Don't bother, my men and I can-"
The sudden explosion, Grace's desperate plea that he respond, the massive hole in the street, half his units lying dead and wounded and the giant Krogan battlemaster standing before them armed with the latest model Claymore-it all came too fast and only added to young Lucas' already mounting battle fatigue.
"You're one of the Terminus Hunter's brats, right?" the behemoth barked. "It's turning out to be a good day after all." he gleefully added before laughing.
Lucas quickly got to his feet and erected barrier while pulling out his Lumina Particle Assault Rifle. "Yeah, I guess it is." he calmly responded before taking aim at the bruiser. His day was about to get a lot harder.