RRW Gallena
"You stupid bosh'tet." Tali grinned as a certain Romulan subcommander whose hand she had been holding finally awakened from his slumber, "I told you not to get yourself hurt."
"Sorry…" Tovan grinned back, "That Elachi captain caught me by surprise. I thought I'd hit him…turns out I didn't hit him hard enough."
Tali, still putting on a show of being angry, chided, "I'd say not," before beginning to laugh, "I almost sent Chatika after you." Her laughter fading, she pleaded, "Next time…You take me with you…Promise?"
"Promise, Tali'Zorah vas Mol'Rihan." Tovan replied as Dr. Chakwas approached.
"Visiting hours are over." The human doctor announced with a warm smile as she regarded the couple. "Time for you to get some sleep, Subcommander. We're letting you go tomorrow. Dr. Aven and I need the bed space for patients with real problems."
"You heard the doctor." Tali chuckled as she patted Tovan's hand, "Dinner tomorrow evening."
"Aye, aye." The subcommander grinned back, returning his companion's gesture. "I'll see you tomorrow, e-lev."
"Tali?" Dr. Chakwas called out, gesturing to her office as the quarian engineer turned to the exit. "Can I speak with you for a minute?"
"Sure, Doctor." Tali replied as she walked in the doctor's office and sat down on a chair. "What's up?"
"Dr. Aven and I have been talking with the chief engineer, CMO, and chief science officer of the Aeolia, and we think we've found a way for you to safely spend at least some time out of your quarantine suit."
"You have?" Tali, startled at the sudden news, exclaimed, "How?"
"We can only do this in your quarters and maybe one or two other areas on the ship…" the doctor qualified, "…but Lieutenant Commander Barrows says that it should be possible to set up the equivalent of a level ten quarantine field in your room. That should kill any dangerous pathogens."
"What about…"
"Guests?" Karin smiled as the two women's gazes fell to the Romulan subcommander resting in bed. "You'll be able to have guests too. Of course, they'll have to undergo a full level ten decontamination before and after leaving your quarters…"
"What about…" The young quarian stammered, "Ummm…"
"More intimate activities?" The human doctor smiled as she nodded her head, "We think you'll be able to enjoy close physical contact safely. Of course…" the doctor qualified, "We're going to want to be absolutely sure about everything first…but so far…everything's looking good. Treasure and the rest of her people should be able to get everything set up for you once we get done with the current situation—that is if you want us to."
"YES!"
"Well…I think that settles it." Dr. Chakwas chuckled as she rose from her seat, "I'll let the others know. Now…" the human doctor commanded with an air of mock sternness, "Go to your quarters and get some rest. Doctor's orders."
USS Valley Forge
"Well…would you look at that." Commodore Magnussen exclaimed with a big smile on his face as the image of the captured Elachi supply ship appeared on the viewscreen.
"A pretty sight indeed, Commodore." Admiral Hackett, standing next to the Starfleet flag officer, readily agreed, a slight grin appearing on his face as well.
"Shall we inspect our newest addition, Admiral?" Soren quipped as he rose from his seat and gestured at the turbolift.
"Let's." The Systems Alliance fleet commander agreed, "I'm curious to see this Trojan Horse of ours."
The Captured Elachi Ship
The two flag officers were greeted by the commanding officers of the Gallena and Spoiled Princess as well as acting commander of the prize crew who first spoke. "Welcome aboard the Trojan Horse, Sirs."
"Good work, Lieutenant Commander Williams." Admiral Hackett, deliberately referring to the former gunnery chief by her current Starfleet rank, nodded approvingly as he turned his attention to the commander of the Gallena, giving the Romulan commander a warm smile. "How is Subcommander Kev, Commander?"
"Better." V'lana smiled back, "The doctors say that the spores have been flushed out of his system, but they're keeping him under observation for twenty-four hours." With a relieved chuckle, she declared, "It's going to take more than a few microbes to bring down my Big Brother. And…" she added with an evil grin, "….he's got someone keeping him company."
"From what Miranda told me…" Ashley remarked as she led her guests on a tour of the ship, "Tali and Twes worked well with each other. As did Rana, Dixie, and Liara."
"Ahem…"
Smirking at her old turian companion's pointed call for attention, Ashley quipped, "And…Garrus helped out some too."
"Some?" The turian vigilante chuckled, "And who dropped that Elachi drone that was hugging your face?"
Laughing, the former gunnery chief, conceded, "All right! All right! It was great working with you again, Garrus. Almost like old times." She finished, her laughter fading.
"Yeah." Garrus, knowing at once the reason for his old comrade's sudden loss of joy, commiserated, "I miss Shepard and Alenko too. It's not the same without them."
"I understand that you found more people who had been experimented on." Commodore Magnussen remarked.
"Yes, Sir." Ashley responded, "We found several tubes containing bodies that had been infected by Elachi and Thorian spores—and also the presence of Borg and Reaper nanites. They were all dead except for a Romulan male."
"He's in sickbay under level ten quarantine." V'lana interjected, further adding, "Rana and the doctors just finished carrying out autopsies on the others."
"What were the results?" Hackett inquired as they made their way to the supply ship's bridge.
"There seems to be a problem with the Reaper and Borg tech meshing with each other." V'lana replied, "Not surprising really…given that we're talking about tech from different universes. What is alarming though is that the Thorian spores seem to be in the process of sharing DNA with those of the Elachi."
"That is alarming." Soren agreed, further commenting, "From what I have read, the Thorian spores do biologically what the Borg do through technology—create a hive mind."
"Essentially." Ashley affirmed, "At least that was the case with the colonists on Feros. What's weird …" the former gunnery chief remarked, "…was that whenever we encountered those taken over by the Thorian spores outside of Feros, they were more like husks. The colonists at Zhu's Hope though, after we killed the Thorian, reverted back to normal…"
"Not completely." V'lana interjected. "While we were taking care of business on Illium before joining up with the fleet, one of my ground teams ran into a Feros colonist—an asari named Shiala."
"I remember her." Ashley exclaimed, "She used to be one of Benezia's commandoes until she was thrown under the bus by Saren and given to the Thorian."
"The Thorian was using her as a template for clones." Garrus recalled. "Shepard released her after she'd given her the Cipher and she promised to help the colonists."
"Yeah." Ashley concurred as she recalled the events of that encounter…
Flashback—Feros—Systems Alliance Year 2183 during the hunt for Saren
"Damn." Ashley swore as the giant Thorian, its last supporting structure severed, fell deep into the chasm below. "That thing was…" shaking her head, the gunnery chief remarked in a lower voice, "…that thing was scary. Scary as all hell."
"We're not done yet." Kaidan exclaimed as one of the pods opened up, releasing a blue-skinned asari wearing commando leathers, her body covered by mucous, on the floor.
Pointing his assault rifle at the asari, Garrus growled, "Want me to drop her, Commander?"
"Wait!" The asari begged as she slowly rose to her feet, "Please…do not shoot."
Making a lowering motion with her hand, Shepard commanded in a low voice as she shook her head, "Not yet. Let's hear what she has to say first."
Taking a deep breath as she realized that she wasn't in immediate danger, the asari spoke, her voice weak and strained, "Thank you for releasing me."
"Alenko…" the Commander requested, "Check her for injuries."
Holding her hand up as the dark-haired human approached, the asari declared, "I am fine…or I will be…in time…" leaving unsaid the rest of her sentence, that is if you don't shoot me in the next few minutes.
"Who are you?" Ashley demanded, her finger, while not on the trigger of her Avenger, remained close to the guard.
"My name is Shiala." The asari responded truthfully, "I…" this is where I get shot, the asari thought glumly to herself as she mentally prepared herself to meet the Goddess, "I…served Benezia. I was…I was…" she steeled herself for the inevitable outcome, "…one of her household guards. When she allied with Saren…I went with her."
"Shoot her now, Commander." Garrus growled.
"Gotta agree with Garrus, Skipper." Ashley echoed, "We can't trust her."
"Alenko?" Shepard asked, addressing her future lover.
Shaking his head, Kaidan replied, "I'm sorry, Commander, but I've got to agree with Garrus and the Chief on this one. She's too dangerous."
"Maybe…" Jane answered back as she looked into the eyes of the frightened asari seemingly accepting her fate, "Maybe not. There are a few things I'd like to know before I make a decision."
Recognizing the probing look the human Commander was giving her, Shiala lowered her head, "I will answer any questions you have and then I will submit without resistance to your judgment."
"Even should I decide…" Shepard deliberately left her statement unfinished.
"Even so." Shiala declared fatalistically, her tone one of surrender and resignation. "I will abide by your decision.
"Why did Benezia join up with Saren?" Jane questioned, "What did she think she could gain from such an alliance?"
"Benezia foresaw the influence Saren would have." Shiala answered honestly, "She had planned to guide him in a more gentle direction…"
"We've seen how that idea went." Ashley interjected with a derisive snort, her commanding officer cutting off any further comments with a hand gesture.
"You are correct." Shiala affirmed, "Benezia underestimated Saren. She failed to understand just how charismatic he was. She lost her way."
"Can Saren control minds?" Shepard asked in a worried tone.
"As I said…" Shiala replied, "She underestimated him. We all did."
"It seems you asari bit off more than you could chew for once." Kaidan commented.
"How could an asari matriarch…" Shepard queried, "…one of the most intelligent and powerful beings in the galaxy…fall under Saren's control?"
"It's not Saren." Shiala answered back, "He has a ship…"
"Yeah." Ashley remarked caustically, "We saw it at Eden Prime."
"Yes." The asari commando nodded her head, "Sovereign. I've never seen any other ship like it. Through it, he can dominate the minds of anyone around him."
"How so?" Jane asked.
"It's something called indoctrination." Shiala replied. "It's a very subtle process. It can take days or even weeks and once it's completed, it can't be undone."
"Are you sure about that?" Jane queried, "There's no way to reverse it?"
"None that I know of." Shiala answered back. "In all incidences, the process is absolute."
"You seem to be free now." Shepard noted, "How?"
"I…do not know." The asari responded truthfully. "When I arrived with Saren, I was totally under his control. I am…I am considered to be a fairly powerful biotic. More than the average asari. I think he needed my biotics to communicate with the Thorian and learn its secrets."
Turning her attention to her prisoner, the Commander continued her interrogation. "Why didn't Saren take you with him when he left?"
"I was left here in trade." Shiala replied, "As a gift to the Thorian in exchange for an alliance."
"So…" Jane drawled, "Saren sold you out too."
"Yes." The asari affirmed, "The Thorian as well. Once he'd gotten the information he needed, he ordered his geth to wipe everything out—including the Thorian…and me. He didn't want to leave behind any knowledge of its existence."
"Pretty drastic." Ashley remarked, "Although given Saren, we shouldn't be surprised."
Inclining her head slightly, Shiala confirmed the gunnery chief's words, "He knows you are searching for the Conduit and attacked the Thorian to keep you from getting the Cipher."
"What the hell is this Cipher?" Garrus interjected, "And why is it so important?"
"The beacon on Eden Prime gave you visions, Commander." Shiala replied.
"Yeah." Jane confirmed, "But I can't make heads or tails out of them."
"That's because they were meant for a Prothean mind." Shiala explained.
"That makes sense." Kaidan murmured, receiving an agreeing nod from his teammates.
"To understand them…" Shiala continued, "You have to think like a Prothean. To understand everything about them—the core of their existence. That's what the Cipher is. It is a key to unlocking the Prothean mind. The Thorian was here long before the Protheans came and built their city. It watched and studied them and when they died, it consumed them and, in the process, making all that the Protheans were a part of it."
"So…" Jane surmised, "What you're saying is that the Thorian taught Saren how to think like a Prothean?"
"Yes. The Cipher is the essence of being a Prothean." The asari commando further elaborated. "I can't describe it or explain it. It would be like describing color to someone who can't see. To understand, you have to have access to their ancestral memories that spanned countless Prothean generations. I sensed this memory when I melded with the Thorian. A normal asari would never have noticed it…"
"But because of your enhanced abilities you picked up on it." Shepard concluded, receiving a confirming nod from her prisoner.
"Correct. You cannot teach this sort of knowledge as you would poetry or mathematics. It is simply there.
"Is there any way of transferring that knowledge?" Shepard asked, her next words laden with meaning, "I need it."
"It is possible." Shiala replied, fatalistically surrendering herself to her execution after she had complied with her captor's demand. "I can link with you as I did the Thorian and with Saren."
"I don't know about this, Skipper." Ashley cautioned, "If she is what she says she is, then she could just decide to fry your mind."
Looking Shiala square in the eyes, Shepard replied in a low, even, tone, "You know what to do if that happens, Gunny."
Hefting her assault rifle, Ashley replied in a grim voice, "Yes, Ma'am."
Addressing her prisoner, the Commander ordered, "Do it."
"Are you alright, Shepard?" Alenko gasped as he caught the staggering and stunned Commander while both Ashley and Garrus kept close watch on the prisoner, their weapons pointed at her.
"What did you do to her?" Ashley shouted as her finger tightened on the trigger to her Avenger.
"Give us one good reason not to kill you where you stand." Garrus growled, his finger also hovering over the trigger of his weapon.
"Because I'm ordering you not to." Shepard, recovering from her recent meld, commanded in a low, yet firm, voice, "Stand down…both of you."
"Aye, Skipper."
"Yes, Commander."
"Commander?" Lowering his voice to a barely audible whisper, Kaidan spoke, "Jane?"
"I'm fine, Kaidan." Shepard whispered back.
"I'm sorry the process was so painful." Shiala apologized, "But you have the Cipher now. I gave it to you the same way I gave it to Saren. You now possess the ancestral memories of the Protheans. It will take time for your mind to process the information."
"We should get you back to the ship, Skipper." Ashley pleaded.
"In a moment, Chief." Shepard responded, turning to the asari, she continued her interrogation. "Can you tell me anything else about the Thorian?"
Shaking her head, Shiala replied, "Even though it had enveloped me, I couldn't understand it. It's so alien…so old…it's almost beyond comprehension."
"What are your future plans?" Shepard inquired, the meaning of her words not lost on the asari commando who realized that her fate hinged on how she answered that question.
"I would like to stay here with the colonists." Shiala responded sincerely. "They suffered greatly and I played a part in their suffering. I would like to make amends—if I can."
"You can't trust her, Skipper." Ashley warned. "She's just trying to keep from getting what she deserves."
"Gunnery Chief Williams is right." Garrus declared, concurring with his teammate's judgment. "She's lying."
"Kaidan?"
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, the Canadian biotic replied, "It's your call, Commander."
Deciding on her course of action, Shepard lowered her weapon. "The colonists are going to need all the help they can get."
Heaving a sigh of relief, the asari commando replied, "Thank you, Commander."
"I'm taking a chance on you Shiala." Shepard said as she holstered her weapon. "Don't make me regret it."
"You won't." Shiala vowed earnestly, "I promise."
Back to the present
"One of my ground teams ran into Shiala on Illium." V'lana recalled, "She was seeking help for that colony when they found out that the corporation they'd signed a contract with to investigate their condition had some unpleasant clauses in the fine print. It seems that her and her fellow colonists are still linked together as a result of their exposure to the Thorian and the corporation…Baria Frontiers…"
"We have contracts with that corporation as well for scouting reports." Admiral Hackett declared, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "They're normally not a problem…"
"It wasn't so much the corporation as its representative that was the problem." V'lana clarified, "She's asari and it seems that she has a personal axe to grind against humans. Anaya told me later that this asari blamed Shepard and by extension all humans for the loss of her daughters."
"A lot of human parents lost sons and daughters that day as well." Hackett grumbled. "I'd like to think their deaths meant something."
"As did turian and asari." Matriarch Lidanya pointed out, joining the conversation for the first time.
"We all worked together and lost loved ones that day." Caeus, the commanding officer for the turian forces, further declared. "I assure you, Admiral…their sacrifice was not in vain."
"I assume you were able to defuse the situation, Commander?" Soren interjected, bringing the discussion back on topic.
"Yes, Sir." The Romulan commander affirmed, "My team was able to diplomatically resolve the issue—although I went on ahead and authorized the assistance mission anyway—just to be safe. We sent a medical and science team along with a small security detachment to Feros to assist the colonists and protect them from any possible retaliation by Baria Frontiers or the odd pirate raid."
"Were you able to glean anymore information from the Elachi computers, Lieutenant Commander?" Soren asked, now speaking to his aide.
"Inventory lists…and some logs that our intel people are going over now, Sir."
"I have found frequent mentions of a race called the Solanae." Edi interjected, "It appears that the Elachi have an arrangement with them."
"Exchanging test subjects for technology." Ashley further elaborated.
"The Solanae being involved is not good news." Soren growled, "We've had dealings with them in the past—all bad. They are a definite threat."
"But not they're not the ones in control." V'lana conjectured. "Someone else is pulling the strings."
"Agreed." Admiral Hackett replied as the other captains and admirals in attendance nodded in agreement. "The question is who…or what?"
"That's what I'm hoping we find out when we take that station." Soren responded. Speaking to his aide, he queried, "What's the status of this ship?"
Addressing her bridge crew, Ashley ordered, "All stations. Report status."
"Helm and navigation are ready. As are weapons and shields." Shelana affirmed from her position at the helm.
"Repairs to engineering are almost complete." Treasure announced from the engineering station. "We should have warp drive back online in a couple of hours."
"The atmosphere on the ship is also almost completely purged of spores." Twesata declared.
"How long until the purge is complete?" The turian admiral inquired.
"Half-hour…hour tops." The Betazoid science officer responded
"Very good." Soren nodded his head in approval before diplomatically issuing his orders to Twesata and the other more junior officers, "We'll let you get back to your work now."
Taking the hint, Shelana spoke for the others, "Aye, Sir." Raising her voice, the Andorian tactical officer commanded her teammates, "All right. You heard the Commodore. We've got work to do." Turning to her best friend, the Andorian whispered, "Fill me in later…beer's on me."
"Catch up with you later, Shels." Ashley replied, then turning to her old companions, she smiled warmly, "Meet up with you later at our lounge on the Spoiled Princess? We can have a Normandy reunion of sorts."
"Count us in." Garrus affirmed, Liara quickly assenting. "Just let us know when."
After the junior officers had departed, Soren addressed the other captains and Admirals, "Admirals…Matriarch…I'd like to get with you to discuss final operational details. Would you be able to attend a conference on the Valley Forge in three hours. Commander Avesti…"
Immediately picking up on the hint, V'lana responded, "By your leave Commodore…Admiral…I need to prepare my ship and crew."
"Can you delay your departure by a few minutes, Commander?" Soren requested, "There are some details we'd like to discuss with you before you go."
"Of course, Sir."
"If you have no further need of us…" Matriarch Lidanya interjected, speaking for the other admirals and captains in attendance, "We'll be returning to our ships, Commodore…Admiral. We have much to do before the coming engagement."
Inclining his head in assent, the commodore responded, "Of course, Matriarch…admirals…captains. We look forward to seeing you at the conference later."
The Trojan Horse—after the others had departed
"I think that's a sound choice, Commodore." Admiral Hackett readily agreed after considering the Danish Starfleet officer's plan. "We would all benefit from a mutual exchange of tactics and experience, and I can't imagine a better individual to coordinate this project."
"Lieutenant Commander?" Soren called out to his aide.
"Sir?"
"Join us." The commodore dictated, motioning for Ashley to come closer.
Grinning as his aide drew near, Soren remarked, "You and your team did a good job, Ashley. The reason why I called you over is that we…" he gestured at Admiral Hackett, "…have an important task for you."
"Sir…" Ashley pleaded, "I'd like to…"
"Don't worry, Lieutenant Commander." Soren chuckled, "You're going to participate in the Trojan Horse operation."
"Commodore Magnussen's correct, Lieutenant Commander." Admiral Hackett smiled at his former gunnery chief. "We've got a very important mission for you that we think you're well suited for and that you'll enjoy."
"What's the mission, Sirs?" Ashley obediently responded.
"Our forces need to learn how to work and coordinate with each other." Soren explained, "This is something that normally takes a great deal of time—weeks…if not months. Unfortunately, we do not have that time. We have a maximum of twenty four hours to set up and organize our strike teams."
"While we don't have the time to extensively integrate our forces…" Admiral Hackett continued, "We can form a few elite, highly motivated, teams."
"As a symbol?" Ashley observed.
"Precisely." Soren affirmed, "Right now we're looking at fielding three combined teams. One team will consist of Starfleet and Alliance personnel, another of Starfleet and asari, and a third team Starfleet and turian. Commander Avesti's people will also be available for you to use."
"You know several of them already, Lieutenant Commander." V'lana stated, referring to Ashley's former Normandy comrades. I'm also going to give you three very good people from my ship: Hivan…a damned good science officer, Solana…she's an experienced combat officer, and Rodek…a first rate engineer."
"Jodrum Bau…A Council Spectre…will also be joining your crew." Admiral Hackett declared.
"Before becoming a Spectre, he was in the salarian STG."
"Aye, Sir." Ashley acknowledged before further inquiring, "What about the Klingons and Romulans?" Ashley inquired.
"They'll have their own teams and will report aboard the Trojan Horse." Soren replied.
"Sounds good, Sirs." Ashley acknowledged, "Anything else?"
"Here comes the bad news." V'lana responded with a crooked grin, "Each of the teams will have an embedded journalist accompanying it."
"Symbols don't work unless people can see them." Admiral Hackett remarked.
"Who are the journalists?" Ashley asked.
"You've dealt with two of them in the past." The Systems Alliance admiral replied. "Emily Wong…"
Nodding her head in satisfaction, Ashley observed, "I remember her from Commander Shepard's dealings with her. She's a good reporter and always dealt straight with us. Who else?"
"You're probably not going to like number two." V'lana quipped, "She's been nothing but a pain in the ass for me since she came on board my ship. I understand you've also had a run in with her when you were on the Normandy."
"You're not talking about who I think you are…are you, Sirs?" Ashley replied, gritting her teeth at the anticipated answer.
"Afraid we are." V'lana replied with a rueful smile, "Khalisah al-Jilani. I've been putting up with her for some time now. If you knew how close I've come to spacing her…" Taking a deep breath and exhaling the Romulan commander quipped, "Your turn to deal with her now."
Ashley joked back with a lopsided grin, "Permission to punch her lights out if she gets out of line, Sirs?
Laughing, Soren replied, "Only if no one sees you."
Chuckling, she then inquired, "Who's the third journalist?"
"Diane Alders—she hosts an extranet program." Admiral Hackett replied, "Don't worry about her getting in the way. She's an experienced combat journalist."
"I've never heard of her." Ashley declared, "She must have come on after Rana and I went through the rabbit hole."
Nodding his head, Hackett confirmed, "She'd made a name for herself in some circles as an embed correspondent during the Skyllian Blitz and later covering the Battle for the Citadel. After the losses we'd suffered as a result of defeating Sovereign, the Alliance brass thought that she'd provide a morale boost and so she was offered the position of host for Battlespace."
"Battlespace?"
"Frankly speaking…" the admiral confessed, "…it's ANN propaganda. Its intention was to promote interest in the Alliance military…"
"Recruiting." Ashley finished.
"Correct." Hackett confirmed, "Between the Skyllian Blitz, the Geth Incursion, and the fight against Sovereign, we've taken some serious losses, Lieutenant Commander. But, as I said, her purpose was also to promote morale and, for the most part, she's done a good job of that."
Lowering her head, Ashley interjected in a sympathetic tone of voice, "I knew a few of the marines serving on the Emden."
"Boris's squadron took heavy casualties. They bore the brunt of the fighting." Hackett stated, referring to the stern commander of the Scout Flotilla. His son served on the Cape Town and has suffered permanent brain damage as a result of the fight. He went in after some trapped crewmen and was injured. Boris doesn't show it…you know how Admiral Mikhailovich is…" the admiral said in a low tone, "…but he and his family are still reeling from it."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Sir." Ashley replied, "If you'd please…"
"I will." Hackett declared, lowering his head slightly as he anticipated the former gunnery chief's request, "I'm sure he'll appreciate it. He's not as harsh as many who have been on the receiving end of his criticism like to think, you know." The admiral confided, "In fact, in a lot of ways, he and Captain Hobson are very similar. While they might appear to be…and are…stern on the surface, they're both concerned about the well-being of their crews."
"Every captain has their way of leadership, Lieutenant Commander." Soren commented, shifting momentarily into instructor mode. "Some captains like to exercise their authority in an informal manner…"
"Like Zsa-Zsa…" Ashley concluded.
"Right." Admiral Hackett concurred, "While others like Captain Shepard…or Admiral Mikhailovich or your Captain Hobson…prefer a more formal style.
"So…" Ashley inquired, "How do you determine what works best for you?"
"A bit of trial and error is involved." Soren replied, "But a lot also depends on your ship and crew. While a light touch with the reins will work for some…"
"For other crews, you'll have to crack the whip." Hackett continued, "Experience will teach you when to go easy and when to tighten up."
"Aye, Sir."
"Commodore?" The voice of the Valley Forge's tactical officer came through the commodore's comm badge.
"What is it, Jeff?"
"Our sensors have picked up several extra-universal ships…one of the Alliance liaisons identifies the ships as being a Cerberus cruiser accompanied by other Cerberus ships and a mix of frigates and light cruisers belonging to a mercenary corporation—the Blue Suns. We've also picked up a Tal 'Shiar Dedi."
"Blue Suns?" Soren exclaimed, "Who are they?"
"We're familiar with the Blue Suns." Admiral Hackett observed, "They're a large, well organized mercenary company consisting of mostly humans, turians, and batarians. The batarians and turians tend to provide the majority of the ground troops and NCOs, while most of the officer ranks are human. Commander Avesti has had dealing with them. They're professional and disciplined—unlike the two other major mercenary corps—Eclipse and Blood Pack. It's no surprise that Cerberus would use them."
"That makes sense." Soren's hand went to his chin as he considered the information he'd just received. "What I'm curious about is…why are they here…and why now? Coincidence? Or are we looking at something else?"
"I have a feeling it has something to do with that Romulan and those bodies we found." Ashley observed.
"You're probably right, Lieutenant Commander. That makes it even more important for us to take and destroy that station as soon as possible." Soren agreed as he turned to the admiral. "Your ships could be of major assistance here. You can deal with that squadron while we take on the Elachi."
"I agree, Commodore." Hackett agreed.
"Lieutenant Commander…" Soren commanded, "You're to report to the Orizaba where you'll meet your Alliance and asari and turian team members."
"Aye, Sir." Ashley promptly acknowledged, further inquiring, "May I as who I'll be working with?"
His lips turning up in a sly grin, Admiral Hackett replied, "Lieutenant Thanoptis will be there to help you coordinate with the asari and Garrus Vakarian will be your turian liaison. You already know the Alliance representative I've assigned—Gunnery Chief Keys. Lieutenant Vega will also be available for you. Vega has been part of the Gallena's crew for some time and has participated in several operations with Commander Avesti's Romulan and Starfleet crew. Both men are already familiar with Starfleet protocol and can help you with the job of integrating Alliance and Citadel troops."
"Zsa-Zsa's sending her intelligence officer, Salome, to assist you as well." Soren interjected, "Lieutenant Jenkins' experiences as both an intelligence and science officer will be invaluable to you. She and the others will meet you at the shuttlebay."
"We're not taking the transporter, Sir?"
"Captain Shepard has asked that we use a shuttle." Admiral Hackett explained, "Most of the Orizaba's crew are not used to people suddenly appearing in front of them. Neither is Captain Shepard for that matter."
"Aye, Sir. Understood." Ashley responded, barely keeping the smirk off her face. "When do you want us to report aboard the Orizaba?"
"As soon as possible, Lieutenant Commander."
"I don't think I need to tell you that we have a great deal of work to do and very little time to do it in." Hackett remarked, maintaining a stoic front as he spoke.
"We won't let you down, Sirs." Ashley responded confidently. "Permission to get to work?"
"Permission granted." Soren said with a smile, "Dismissed."
SSV Orizaba.
Starfleet shuttlecraft Hanno requesting permission to land, Captain." The Orizaba's executive officer declared as the captain stood gazing at the Type-8 shuttle through the dreadnaught's observation window. "Looks pretty—doesn't it Ma'am? Bet it wouldn't last two seconds in a real dogfight."
"Definitely form over function." Captain Hannah Shepard remarked as she observed the shuttlecraft with a critical eye. "And you're right, XO. What's important is how a ship performs—not how pretty it looks. Tell them permission granted."
"Aye, Captain." The executive officer promptly acknowledged. "Do you want me to go down and meet our guests?"
"Yes." Shepard affirmed with a nod of her head. "Lieutenant Jackson and our marines, along with the turians and asari, are already waiting in the ready room."
"Aye, Aye, Sir."
Shuttlecraft Hanno
"Permission to land has been granted, Ash." Lieutenant Atris Nylysa, the Spoiled Princess's Troyan helmsman, remarked over her shoulder to the dark-haired woman standing behind her.
"Thanks, Atris." Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams, wearing a gold Starfleet minidress, her long raven-hair styled in a beehive, replied with a grin. "Bring us in slow and steady."
"Aye, Commander." Atris replied as she brushed aside a lock of mauve hair that had drifted out of place, "Making final approach. We should be there in a few minutes."
"Nervous, Ash?"
"A little." Ashley smiled as she turned to the Alliance gunnery chief standing next to her. "Just wondering about the reception I'm gonna get."
"Because you're wearing that uniform now, Boss Lady?" Vega interjected with an encouraging grin, "Don't be. Yeah…there are probably gonna be a few assholes. Just tell them to go fuck themselves."
"What the LT said, Ash." Donkey echoed, coming to the support of his old teammate. "It'll be okay—you'll see."
"Don't worry, Ash…" Rana murmured to her teammate and friend, "We've got your back."
"It's going to be just fine, Ashley." Garrus declared, adding his words of support. "Commodore Magnussen, Admiral Hackett, and the others wouldn't have put you in charge if they didn't think you could handle it."
"Thanks guys." Ashley responded, a warm grin crossing her face. "I needed that."
"Preparing to touch down." Atris called back. "Touching down."
"Time to meet the natives, Ash." Salome, the Belladonna intelligence officer, wearing a Terran styled blue midriff top and short skirt uniform, smirked as the helmsman smoothly set the shuttlecraft down.
Returning the Terran's smirk with one of her own, Ashley responded, "Let's get to work."
Exiting the shuttlecraft, Ashley and her party were met by the Alliance ship's XO and a pair of Alliance marines. "Welcome aboard the Orizaba." The executive officer, bearing the insignia of Commander on his blue uniform greeted the landing party politely, albeit coolly.
"Thank you." Ashley responded in an equally correct tone of voice, introducing herself. "Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams, aide to Commodore Magnussen. Permission to come on board?"
"Permission granted." The XO responded. Then, noticing the two Alliance marines in the Starfleet party, he addressed them by rank. "Lieutenant…Gunnery Chief…"
Coming to attention, both James and Donkey crisply saluted as they introduced themselves.
"Lieutenant James Vega, Sir."
"Gunnery Chief Donald Keys, Sir."
Returning the two marines' salutes, the XO queried Vega, giving a not-so-subtle snub to the gold miniskirt clad woman standing next to him. "I assume you two are the men appointed to act as our representatives to Starfleet?"
"They are." Ashley interjected bluntly. "I'm the person you need to speak to regarding the coordination of our forces in the joint operation. If you have any questions, I'll be glad to answer them. If not…as time is short…the sooner we get started, the better."
"Follow me." The XO, stiffening at the somewhat unsubtle rebuke, requested, "The marines that you will be working with are assembled in the ready room."
"What's going on here, Izzy?" Private Jean Moreau whispered to the marine seated next to him. "And why are the turians and asari here?" He asked, his gaze falling on the asari commandoes and turian marines seated by themselves on the front row.
"Damn if I know." Lance Corporal Isabella Sanchez responded, also speaking in a whisper. "Sarge just told me to get my ass down here on the double and behave myself around the birds and the blue babes."
"Yeah, I was told the same thing." Moreau replied as a grizzled gunnery sergeant, bearing the scars of several battles, approached the dais and took his place behind the lectern. "Sssshhh…Gunny."
"Maybe now we'll find out what's going on." Sanchez murmured back as the gunnery sergeant barked out, calling the meeting to order.
"Ten-Hut!" The gunnery sergeant barked as the lieutenant strode up to the dais and took the place of the gunnery sergeant behind the podium. "Listen up you bunch of useless goldbricks! The LT's got something to say."
"What's the op, LT? And why are the aliens here?"
"Because someone somewhere thinks that you're the best we have to offer, you've been assigned to a special mission."" The lieutenant replied, immediately silencing the young marine. "You see those asari commandoes and turians sitting with you? Well…get used to them 'cause you're gonna be working with them on this op. Treat 'em right and do as you're told, and they might even save your lives before this is all over. And if any of you got any beefs with nonhumans, keep 'em to yourselves."
"What are we waiting on, Sir?" Lance Corporal Sanchez inquired, raising her hand before speaking.
"We're waiting on the Starfleet officer who's running this op to come in and brief us."
"Starfleet?" Moreau questioned after raising his hand, "Who the hell are they, Sir?"
The lieutenant responded with a growl. "Starfleet is the military arm of this alternate universe United Federation of Planets you might have heard about from the news vids. Now, pay attention, morons! This Starfleet operates under a different set of rules than we do. Some information has been downloaded into your 'tools regarding who they are and some of their procedures. Until now, it's been locked. You're now cleared to view it. I'll give you a few minutes to look it over, then Lieutenant Commander Williams will answer any questions you might have and brief you further on the op."
"Lieutenant Commander Williams, Sir?" One of the marines exclaimed
"You heard me, Taylor." The lieutenant responded, "And before you ask. Yes…she is Wimpy Williams' granddaughter. Yes, she was listed as KIA on Virmire. And no…I don't know how the hell she ended up as a lieutenant commander in an alternate universe navy and wearing that party dress they call a uniform." Pausing as he received a comm signal, the lieutenant spoke in a low voice. "Yes, Sir. They're waiting. Understood." Addressing his troops once again, the lieutenant barked, "That was the XO. Ten-Hut!"
On seeing the female Starfleet officers entering wearing their blue, red, and gold miniskirts, one, wearing a midriff top with short skirt, Moreau let out a breath of air as he muttered under his breath to the marine standing next to him, "Think I can get a transfer to their outfit?"
"Take your seats." Ashley ordered as she took her place behind the podium "I am Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams, but before I joined Starfleet, I was Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams of the Systems Alliance marines. How I got to where I am now is a long story and some of it is part of that large file that has been downloaded into your omnitools. You can read it on your own time. Right now we've got a lot of work to do and not much time to do it in."
An asari commando stood up and after being acknowledged, announced, "Lieutenant Hermia, Ma'am. Matriarch Aethyta's Household Guard. What is the operation?"
"Check your tools." Ashley commanded, "As you can see, we're up against a fungoid race called the Elachi who we suspect are working with other actors including the Reapers and Cerberus from your universe, the Borg and Tal'Shiar from ours, and one or more mirror universe Terran Empires. Intelligence on each of these bodies has been downloaded to your 'tools. I'll give you a few minutes to process the information. However, it's also important to note though that there probably are other actors that we have not encountered as yet—so be on your guard."
"Lieutenant Octanis Donitis, 3rd Platoon, 43rd Marine Division." The turian officer introduced himself.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Do we have any idea as to who these other actors might be?"
"There's all sorts of speculation as to who might be pulling the strings." Ashley replied, "However, we have no real clue as to their identity at this time except to say that they're probably a very old…very powerful race. What their motives are and why are they doing this are questions we need to have answered—and soon. Hopefully, we'll uncover some information when we take that station."
"Is that our job, Ma'am?" Lance Corporal Sanchez inquired.
"Yes, Lance, it is." Ashley affirmed. "Because you all have been identified by your COs as being the best of your respective units, you have been chosen for an unique task. First off…" the raven-haired commander grinned, "…how many of you have heard the story of the Trojan Horse?"
"We're gonna use that captured ship to take the station." Private Moreau exclaimed with a big smile on his face.
"Exactly, Private!" Ashley grinned. "You all will be working with Starfleet, Romulan, and Klingon security forces in a combined operation. Our orders are to take the station, rescue any prisoners they might be holding, and then blow it the hell up. Any questions?"
"Yes, Ma'am." Sergeant Faulkner raised her hand, "While some of us like myself have worked with aliens before, many of us haven't and an operation like this is going to require good communications and timing to work."
"You bring up a good point, Sergeant." Ashley concurred with a nod of her head. "There is absolutely no way…given the time we've got…to carry out a successful operation with mixed teams. It's going to take a lot of time and training to make that concept work—time we just do not have right now. Instead, you'll be operating as independent units with one or two Starfleet, Romulan, or Klingon observers on your teams and you'll be sending observers to Starfleet, Romulan, or Klingon units. The observers will go back and report and make recommendations to their superiors so that we can eventually reach the point where mixed units will work."
"So…how's this going to go down, Ma'am?" Private Moreau inquired.
"Glad you asked, Private." Ashley chuckled, her laughter receiving similar snickers and giggles from the assembly. "Lieutenant Vega and Gunnery Chief Keys have both worked with Romulan and Starfleet teams and will act as advisors." She then read off other assignments before concluding, "Finally, the following individuals will be working with my team: Lieutenants Hermia and Donitis….Sergeant Faulkner…Lance Corporal Sanchez…and you, Private Moreau. Those individuals I've just named are to report immediately to the Spoiled Princess where you are going to undergo a crash course in our holodeck so come prepared to bust your ass because Lieutenants Shelana, Jenkins, Whaley, and I are going to put you through your paces. The rest of you will report to the Trojan Horse in six hours so tie up what loose ends you might have and maybe grab a couple of hours of shuteye because you're not going to have time once the operation kicks off."
"When does the party get started, Ma'am?"
"In eighteen hours." Ashley responded. "The ship we captured is due back to the station by then. We launch too early or too late, we lose the element of surprise. So…timing is key. Any questions?" After fielding a few queries, the Starfleet lieutenant commander concluded the briefing. "Take care of any business you need to take care of. Those of you reporting to the Spoiled Princess, grab your gear and report to the shuttlebay in thirty minutes. Dismissed."
The Spoiled Princess—holodeck
"Let Hermia set your target up for you, Kurn!" Rana shouted to the Klingon warrior as the asari commando targeted an Elachi beta hologram with a biotic slam, sending it crashing down to the deck in front of the bat'leth wielding warrior. "Now!" she shouted as the Klingon swung his bat'leth down, instantly decapitating the hologram.
"Well done." Hermia exclaimed as she trapped another hologram in a stasis field. "I can also immobilize the opposition for a brief time. Giving you the opportunity…"
"To do this!" The Klingon grinned as he swung his bat'leth in a wide sweeping arc, felling all three of the holograms trapped by the asari commando who ducked just in time, barely avoiding losing her own head.
"And Hermia…" Shelana, also observing the training session, warned with a chuckle, "Stay out of the way of Klingons when they're going in to melee."
Laughing, the asari commando quipped back, "Yeah…I found that out."
In another training simulation, Liara called out advice to a team from the Belladonna headed by the ship's olive-skinned executive officer, Commander Elisa Flores, "Always try to stay undercover when you're taking on biotics."
"What about psi-defenses?" Commander Elisa Flores inquired, "Are they any use?"
"They'll help fend off attacks like reave, domination, or stasis." Liara responded, "But they're less useful against the more physical attacks like pulling or throwing and you're going to need cover and good armor and shields to hold up against a shockwave or some vanguard charging you."
"So…the way to go is with polyalloy weave." Elisa surmised with a nod of her head.
"Right." Liara replied, "Physical augmentation and recoil compensating armor would also help."
"I see." The Terran XO exclaimed, "What would be lost in physical resistance with the utility armors is made up for by a slight boost to energy and kinetic resistance. That would help against both Elachi, Terran, and Tal'Shiar phasers, plasma weapons, and disruptors, as well as Cerberus or Blue Sun kinetic weapons."
"Exactly." Liara grinned. "It's a trade-off. Do you want the increased physical protection or a more balanced defense."
In still another training sim, Lieutenant Commander Cilla Oudekirk was working with a team of Alliance marines. Barely holding back her laughter as one of the marines was thrown to the ground by a Tal'Shiar hologram, the Dutch Starfleet officer cautioned, "Romulans are quicker and stronger than most humans, Moreau."
"So…how do I beat 'em?" The marine private inquired.
"Here…" Cilla strode up towards him. "What you have to do is use that speed and quickness against them. How's your aikido?"
Shaking his head, the private responded, "Sorry…I've only learned marine hand-to-hand."
"That's okay." Ashley grinned as she and the student she'd been working with, Lance Corporal Sanchez, joined the discussion. "Marine hand-to-hand will work fine. Just adjust for their speed and quickness." The former Alliance marine then called up to holograms. "Watch me and Cilla." She instructed as the two Starfleet officers engaged with the holograms, Cilla using a modified form of aikido and Ashley marine hand-to-hand, but with a twist—she added in a jiu-jitsu move to throw the hologram to the ground.
"The jiu-jitsu move and the aikido moves I used are easy to learn." Cilla declared, Ashley quickly agreeing. "Come over here and we'll show you." After several minutes of instruction, the Dutch Starfleet officer grinned, "Okay…you two ready for the main event?"
"Bring it." Sanchez grinned back as a pair of holographic Tal'Shiar appeared.
After several tries, the two marines, finally vanquishing their holographic foes, paused to catch their breaths. "Damn." Moreau panted, "Did you jack up the difficulty level or something?"
"Just ramped it up to what you're gonna be fighting if there are Tal'Shiar on that station." Ashley stated with a frown, "This isn't a game and you're not gonna be taking on a merc or scav gang."
"The Romulans, Elachi, and Terrans are going to be tough enough." Cilla warned, "We don't know what else might be waiting for us on that station: Borg…Breen…a changeling…more of those genetically and cybernetically modified krogans…"
"We get the picture." Sanchez interrupted, "We're gonna have to really up our game."
"Right." Ashley concurred with a curt nod of her head before ending the training session on a positive note. "But the two of you did get better and you did take down two of Hakeev's elite troopers just now. That's not a bad start."
"Ashley is right." Cilla remarked encouragingly, adding her praise as the other trainees began to exit the holodeck. "Go grab yourself something to eat and then I'd recommend that you take a shower and a nap. We go in for real in four hours."
"Aye, Aye, Ma'am."
Watching as the trainees departed, Liara asked her Dutch lover, "How did they do, siha, truthfully?"
Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Cilla replied honestly, "I don't know, lieveling. We taught them all we could in the time we had. We're just going to have to trust that it's good enough."
"It'll have to be." Ashley interjected, joining the conversation. "We better follow our own advice. Bylo should have dinner ready and then I'm going to grab a quick sonic shower and a couple of hours' nap."
"Sounds good." Liara smiled back as she took Cilla by the hand. "Lead on."
USS Valley Forge
"All ships report ready, Sir." The Valley Forge tactical officer reported.
"Admiral Hackett?" Commodore Magnussen hailed his counterpart now back on the Orizaba, "Are your ships prepared?"
"Ready when you are Commodore."
"Very well." Soren took a deep breath before issuing his next order, "Trojan Horse. You are cleared to begin Operation Iliad."
"Aye, Sir." Ashley replied from the command station of the captured Elachi ship before quoting, "Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this."
"Good hunting, Trojan Horse." Soren replied, then lowering his voice to an inaudible whisper, prayed, "My you return home soon my Andromache."