An Anthem x Mass Effect Story

I do not own Anthem or Mass Effect, both are owned by BioWare. The only things I claim in this fanfic are my OCs. This is my first fanfic so any and all criticism will be greatly appreciated.

Meeting the Locals

When Desolas finally landed, he was shocked at how, despite the brand new trenches and walls set up, they were already scarred by bullet holes, burn marks, and what suspiciously looked like claws.

Wounded were being rushed around, out of the trenches and fortifications and into medical tents, soldiers being swapped out as fast as they were arriving. He caught one of the commanding officers right as they were escorting another squad of medics, "Sergeant, report. What happened down here?" He asked and gestured around to the rest of the camp. After snapping off a quick salute, the officer replied, "Sir! The local wildlife had been more troublesome than we thought, and our enemy seems content with hit and runs so far. We've lost 34% of our food stores and over half of our ammunition blocks on the first day to one of those hit and runs. The enemy apparently has some sort of weapon that deploys a toxic, acidic cloud."

Desolas was in shock from multiple things, how could they strike so fast? How could they do so much damage? What is with these people and acid?!, before a downward spiral could occur, he turned back to the officer. "And the walls? Surely something that could do so much damage would be more than a hit and run?" he questioned, and the soldier replied, "That would be the wildlife part, sir. If you'll follow me, the science team has managed to recover some samples." He said and led Desolas off.

In another tent, Desolas saw the bodies of two vaguely humanoid things, and he had to do a double take just to get the full picture. Both bodies had incredible amounts of muscle, yellow leather-like skin, blue chitinous plates, two arms that went to their feet, with massive claws and hands big enough to wrap around a turians head, digitigrade legs, 6 solid red eyes with three on each side, two of which were bigger than the other four, and a mouth with constantly exposed, 4 inch fangs going all the way to the back of its jaw. There was a small team of Turian, Asari, and Salarian scientists working on them, taking scans and looking to be preparing the bodies for dissection.

A salarian, in charge of the science teams made his way over to Desoals, and just by the way he moved he could tell this scientist was STG, or at least former, "General, Doctor Mordin Uzon, thank you for coming." the salarian said, slowing down enough for a more formal introduction, "What are these creatures, doctor?" Desolas asked, both curious and somewhat horrified, wondering how such monstrosities could exist. "We call these two Berserkers, after old Krogan warriors from before rebellions. We call them this because they've shrugged off and even healed a majority of fire thrown at them, these two only brought down by lucky shots to the back of the head, and the inside of the mouth." The salarian said in a quick, hurried tone as usual for his race. "Also observed an increase in aggression of survivor when its partner was killed, possibly mate or close pack mentality."Desolas felt another bit of fear at that, imagining a whole pack of these beasts.

Clearing that thought, he moved on to another creature, this time insectoid with two tails, six legs, and no eyes, a hole clean through its abdomen told him of its fate. "And this creature?" and the Salarian perked up, obviously liking the discussion of the particular creature seeming to be his favorite, "ah, that one. Haven't come up with a name for the species as a whole, but the one you're holding up is called the scout. Have also observed variations such as this one, which we call the fighter," The salarian pointed out what he thought was an entirely different creature, somewhat similar in shape, but with no tails and two massive jaws, four big spikes with many smaller ones seeming to act as teeth, "and there was a worker variant, though detonated on death with remains melted away by acid." the Salarian said sadly, and Desolas honestly wanted to know what screw up in nature occured to give so many creatures acid.

Uzon spoke up again, "There were two more creatures we managed to get samples of, though due to size and flammability we've had to keep them outside." Uzon spoke as he led Desolas out the back of the tent, and he gasped, one table, there were several winged creatures being examined by scientists in biohazard suits, and off to the side there was a creature so big a table wouldn't have been able to fit it.

"I suppose that answers my questions about the claw marks and dents in the walls" Desolas started, "And the Smaller ones caused the flames" jumped in Uzon as he led them over to said smaller ones first. "Science team taken to calling them scorchers, due to special organs in neck and secondary stomach granting ability to 'breathe fire'." Uzon showed a dissected one, and the organs in question. "As for the big one, it has no name as of yet, not enough data. All we were able to see was the end of the fight."

Desolas sighed for what must have been the millionth time today, going over this information, "And the bullet holes? I assume that it was from the surprise attacks?" he asked, feeling like he should know this, but Uzon shook his head to the General's surprise. "No, still wildlife. Appear to be a species of hivemind insect that mimic basic shape of dominant life form. When exposed to areas with new species, they transform to similar, however when exposed to turians, salarian, asari, they change, match us instead. Bugs also capable of building primitive armor and surprisingly powerful, if shoddy, weapons"

For Desolas, this was simply too much. A new species, a planet that was trying to kill everything, and a ship managing to jump out of system seemingly without a mass relay, it was all too much for the General to take in at once. As Uzon was walking away, Desolas stood up, having made up his mind, and started walking back to the command center.

When he entered, he received salutes from all soldiers inside, "General, what's our course of action?" One asked, and Desolas put his hands on the table, surrounded by officers, "Start setting up for the attack, I want Tyrus tanks and Jiris vehicles providing heavy armor and support while Mantis gunships keep an eye out for any more of the flying wildlife. We'll see if we can get the Mantis' and maybe a frigate to hit the enemy's wall, but once we've breached it we need to rush in as fast as we can to put down any resistance. This planet is too dangerous to stay on for an extended period of time, and our enemy obviously knows where to hit us where it hurts. Once we subdue the enemies, we'll begin immediate evacuation and destruction of their city, this world is simply to hostile to support any sort of real long term colony, and the last thing the Citadel needs is another Rachni if one of those bug creatures manages to get ahold of one of our ships." Desolas said, knowing what the aliens will probably think about him destroying their colony, but to him this world was simply a death sentence too horrible for him to condemn any soul too. He only hoped the locals would be understanding of his decision.

X

General Williams of the sentinels was pacing on the wall again. He had just heard reports from the Corvus interceptors about their "hit and run" on the enemy. Apparently, the aliens looked like a hybrid of a wyvern, a human, and with the claws of a brute, not to mention they were well organized, disciplined, and would probably be difficult, if not impossible to break. If he strained his eyes through his weapon's scope, he could just barely see movement through the trees, though whether that was Shanxi's wildlife or the newcomers, he couldn't tell.

Suddenly, a freelancer strode up, clad in the experimental mark 3 ranger javelin, "Freelancer Anderson, how can I help you?" Williams asks him. David Anderson was one of the most skilled freelancers alive, having been successful in silencing over 7 relic incidents single handedly, with quite a few more when assisted by his usual fireteam. "Nothing at the moment General, just came to enjoy the view" he said with an easy grin as he looked out, "you think we'll get to meet our interstellar neighbors soon?" He asks, getting pumped up for a fight. He had just received his new Javelin, and was more than ready to explore all the new improvements. Overall, it didn't look too different from the Mk.2 ranger, except it had a bit more armor plating, a sharper, more angular build, and slightly bigger thrusters to account for the extra armor. General Williams also spied the improved weapon systems, with a third micromissile pod in the center of his back, and both a tracking missile and venom dart launcher on one arm.

Then, rising out of the trees they see 3 medium sized ships heading their way, along with many vehicles leaving the trees. "Guess that answers your question, freelancer." Williams said and hit the alarm, where every sentinel that wasn't already alert suddenly stood upon the wall, weapons forward and ready, while others hooked their javelins into massive, manned turrets with greater guns than the automatic ones. Meanwhile, at the forge, Freelancers were getting in gear, though 15 stayed behind as 200 rangers, 185 colossus, 75 interceptors, and 25 storms prepared themselves, getting just behind or on top of the walls, setting up sniper perches for some while others almost couldn't wait, wanting to rush in headfirst to protect their home, as freelancers were more used to attacking than defending. Then, right as they were all in place, the unmistakable noise of a missile in flight was heard.

X

Desolas watched with a strange feeling in his stomach as the missile flew, before detonating in a massive cloud of smoke and fire. As the smoke cleared, that strange feeling turned to ice as there wasn't even a scratch on the wall. "Sir! The wall has a barrier!" One of the officers shouted, and sure enough as more missiles flew, the sides of the wall lit up blue. As the soldiers charged forward along with tanks, providing fire as automatic turrets over the top of the walls opened up, mowing them down left and right as they ignored barriers.

"Sir! The bullets are too big for our barriers to deflect. They're ripping us apart!" An officer shouted over communications, When Desolas noticed this, he broadcasted a message to all forces, changing tactics to rely more on cover and the Tyrus to protect them. As soldiers got closer, the first look at the enemy was revealed.

Up on a turret, a tall figure in bright white armor with blue cloth aimed a massive rifle. When it fired it struck the barrel of a tyrus and blew it apart, revealing that it used explosive ammo. Thankfully, a gunship flying overhead was able to target a missile that was a little higher, forcing the figure back down as the shields absorbed another blow, and flared brighter, which Desolas now recognized that they were growing weaker. "Keep firing! Throw everything at the walls! We will get through!" He shouted as the soldiers rallied, and soon, the barrier flickered one last time before falling, and wounds were starting to appear in the wall.

Desolas was smiling, finally able to make progress as large sections of the wall were peeled off or shattered by constant fire and more missiles, before a soldier pointed up, "Sir! Enemy contacts, high!" And Desolas looked up, seeing hundreds of dark dots coming up from behind the walls, the enemy had finally come out to play.