Cerberus Space Facility.
Two Days After The Investigation Into Freedom's Progress.
Meeting Room.
"Shepard. Good work on Freedom's Progress." The Illusive Man greeted the Commander as her holographic image appeared within his office. The leader of Cerberus had requested that Shepard immediately meets with him upon arrival to discuss the new information discovered back on Freedom's Progress.
"The Quarians forwarded their findings from Veetor's debriefing." The Illusive Man inhaled some smoke from a cigarette. "No new data, but it's a surprising olive branch, given our history." He sounded honestly surprised that the Quarians upheld their end of the bargain regarding any info that Veetor might tell his people. "You and I have different methods, but I can't argue with your results." They now knew the enemy's face, who was kidnapping the human colonists, and now Cerberus could plan to stop the threat and hopefully get the colonists back to their settlements.
Shepard had a displeased expression as she stared at the Illusive Man. "You ever think about playing nice once in a while?" The Locust Queen folded her arms. "After all, being nice can get you far more friends and results than just attacking innocent people without warning." Illusive Man grunted in annoyance, knowing that Shepard was referring to the Migrant Fleet infiltration mission that happened a few months ago. The mysterious Cerberus leader exhaled a smoke cloud before responding to the Commander's not so subtle hint to Cerberus's methods to deal with specific threats.
"Diplomacy is great when it works but difficult when everyone already perceives you as a threat." The bloody history of Cerberus meant that nearly all the non-human species and the Alliance saw them as a threat. "But more importantly, you confirmed the Collectors are behind the abductions." Illusive Man was beyond satisfied with this new knowledge as the location of the Collectors homeworld was well known to specific groups; the only problem was how to get there and rescue the colonists and stop whatever the Reapers were planning.
"Tell me what you know about these Collectors." Shepard stared at Illusive Man with annoyance yet chose to get back to the current problem regarding the abducted colonists. If she was going to fight the Collectors, she needed as much information about them as possible. The hunt for Saren and years fighting against slavers has taught Shepard the value of knowledge and how it could mean the difference between victory or defeat.
The Illusive Man exhaled more smoke before revealing what he knew about the Collectors. "They periodically travel to the Terminus Systems, looking to gather seemingly unimportant items or specimens." He took another inhale of smoke before continuing. "Usually in exchange for their technology." A frown appeared on his face as Cerberus once tried a few years ago to get their hands on some Collector tech with undesirable results. The operatives assigned to that mission were all killed, and the Collector technology was destroyed.
"When their transactions are complete, they disappear as quickly as they arrived; back beyond the unmapped Omega 4 relay." The Omega 4 relay was going to be a problem, yet Illusive Man had figured that a solution could be found as the mission to stop the Collectors proceeded. "Until now, we've had no evidence of direct aggression by the Collectors." The Collectors had been a mysterious species that made no secrete of their desire to collect unique items, yet never before had they shown aggression towards another race on the scale that Freedom's Progress revealed.
"Why is the Omega 4 relay unmapped? It was inside the Terminus Systems, and with that part of the galaxy filled with insatiable pirates and brutal slavers, surely someone would know what was beyond the infamous relay. What do we know about it?"
The Illusive Man's expression was grim. "Only that no ship passing through it has ever returned." The space beyond the Omega 4 relay had become as legendary as the Bermuda Triangle back on earth, maybe even more infamous as it had an untold number of vessels disappear through it over the aeons. "Our best guess is that the relay reacts differently to Collector vessels, allowing them safe passage." Shepard grimaced as that meant that getting past Omega 4 would be rather tricky to accomplish.
Illusive Man breathed out more smoke clouds. "If they can manipulate relays, that's just further evidence of the connection with the Reapers." The galactic heroine didn't argue since only the Reapers showed the capability to manipulate the Mass Relays scattered throughout the known galaxy.
"Any ideas why they've shifted their focus to humans?" If the Collectors were servants of the Reapers, then why go after humans. The sentient starships cared only about continuing their precious 'Cycle' of galactic genocide, and Shepard failed to see how abducting random humans help with that objective.
"If they're agents for the Reapers," with the evidence collected on Freedom's Progress and over the past two years by Cerberus operatives, it was almost certain at this point they were agents of the Reapers. "It could be any number of reasons." Revenge for Sovereign's destruction at the battle for the Citadel, harvesting supplies to create an army of husks, research materials for new bio-weaponry there wasn't enough data for the Illusive Man to say for sure why the Reapers were abducting the colonists using the Collectors.
"Obviously, humanity played a huge role in Sovereign's destruction." Shepard resisted the urge to roll her eyes at how smug the Illusive Man sounded at the comment on humanity's role in a Reaper's death. "That might have been enough to draw their attention." Illusive Man was confident that humanity and, more importantly, Shepard's role in the death of Sovereign was the reason why the Reapers were focusing on the human race.
"What really concerns me is why they bother abducting the colonists." Illusive Man's eyes shined with concern and curiosity on the motives of the Collectors. "Once the humans are paralysed, why not just killed them." Shepard had to admit that was a good question and, frustratingly enough, one that neither had an answer to. The Commander groaned and decided to ask another question about the Collectors as trying to figure out their motives for the abductions at the moment was just giving her a headache.
"What are the Collectors getting from these deals?" Perhaps Shepard could figure out the Collectors next move if she learned what they got from their dealings with slavers and mercenaries.
Unfortunately, the Illusive Man had bad news on that front. "The Collectors aren't very forthcoming about their motives." He crushed the old cigarette upon an ashtray and got out a new one. "Generally, they seek out species with rare genetic mutations or abnormalities." Shepard's eyes narrowed with suspicion as that sounded like a research team getting sent out to learn about anything biological that might pose a problem to the Reapers plans for their harvesting.
"They pay slavers and merc groups exorbitant sums to obtain these specimens. And then they leave." So the Collectors used the same shadow tactics as the Reapers by getting others to do the dirty work for them. "But they've never targeted a single species before. And the previous sample sizes were in the dozens, not the tens of thousands." Hum, so whatever the Reapers were scheming, they needed a massive amount of humans to get it done.
Shepard stared at the Illusive Man with some suspicion. "You're holding something back." She realised as the Cerberus was acting far too calmly to haven't at least suspected the Collectors or Reaper involvement in the colonists' abductions. "How do you know the Reapers are involved?" Illusive Man exhaled smoke before explaining why he suspected the Reapers involvement in the colonist abductions.
"The patterns are there, buried in the data." Once Illusive Man personally analysed Veetor's data, he saw the patterns that connected the Collectors to the Reapers. "The Council and Alliance want to believe the Reaper threat died with Sovereign." A hint of disdain entered the man's tone as he hated that the Alliance and Councilmembers tried to ignore the massive threat to their existence. "You and I know better." The Illusive Man's eyes steeled with resolve. "I won't wait until the Reapers are on the march. We need to take the fight to them."
Shepard nodded as waiting for the Reapers to make the next move could spell the end of them. "I'll need a team. A damn good one." The Drones were a great asset to her small forces, but she'll need experts in multiple fields that wouldn't have a problem with marching into the jaws of death. The Illusive Man must've thought the same thing as he typed a few commands into the computer installed into his chair and sent a list of some kind to her Omni-tool.
"I've already compiled a list of soldiers, scientists, and mercenaries. You'll get dossiers on the best of them." He relaxed into the chair. "Finding them and convincing them to work with you could be challenging, but you're a natural leader." He complimented while Shepard went over the list. "I'll continue to track the Collectors. When they make their next appearance, I'll notify you and your team. Be ready." Shepard's eyebrow raised when she saw non-humans on the list; given that Cerberus cared only about humanity, she thought humans would be the only species on the recruitment list.
Shepard looked away from the list and asked about her former crewmates; Ashly was still in the Alliance and even promoted to a higher rank. Anything else about her friend was supposedly classified. Wrex was apparently on Tuchanka leading Clan Urdnot and was trying to unite the Krogan Clans. Shepard already knew about Tali since she saw the Quarian on Freedom's Progress. Garrus went missing shortly after she was blasted into space; Cerberus had no clue where he was currently located. And as for Liara, she's on the world Illium and was shockingly enough working for the Shadow Broker. None of them were in any position to help her in this battle against the Collectors.
Shepard was saddened at the loss of her former teammates yet moved onto the idea of her spectre status. "I'm still a spectre. Maybe I can get the Council to help us out." At least get Anderson's help on the Collector threat as the human Council member respected Shepard and, most importantly, understood the threat the Reapers represented to the galaxy.
"If you think you can convince them, by all means." The Illusive Man tone conveyed that he didn't expect much from trying to get the Council's help. "Just remember. You've been gone a long time. Things have changed." An understatement, some of the Council's politics have changed for the worst and very little for the better. "Oh, and be careful with the Drones when visiting the Citadel," the Illusive Man exhaled smoke. "Knowing the Council races, they'll get nervous at meeting a genetically engineered species." And the subtle warning that they'd try drowning her in politics if the situation wasn't handled correctly was understood by Shepard. She grimaced at the idea of dealing with the Council on the political battlefield.
"You worry about the Collectors and Council politics." Shepard has fought on countless battlefields, yet the political one was a type of warfare she wanted to avoid whenever possible. "I'll make sure my team's ready." The current equipment and weaponry she and the Drones were using would need to be replaced by more powerful models, but those things can be gathered during the search for the people on the recruitment list.
The Illusive Man smiled. "Good. Two things before you go." He took a drink of alcohol from a nearby glass. "First, head to Omega and find Mordin Solus. He's a brilliant Salarian scientist." Mordin's declassified records suggested that he was perhaps one of the most brilliant scientists in the whole known galaxy. "Our intelligence suggests he may know how to counteract the seeker swarms."
"Sounds good." Shepard knew that having a possible countermeasure against the seeker swarms would make fighting the Collectors much more straightforward. A genius like Mordin could also help Shepard develop ways to improve the Drones combat potential. "What's the second thing?" If the next piece of information was as valuable as the last one, then maybe the fight against the Collectors would end a lot faster than she expected. Although given Shepard's track record, she wasn't too hopeful on the subject.
Illusive Man grinned smugly. "I've found a pilot I think you might like." Shepard stared with suspicion at the Cerberus leader, not likely how his tone conveyed he knew something she didn't. "I hear he's one of the best." He exhales smoke. "Someone you can trust." Illusive Man deactivates the communication device returning Shepard to the empty white room. However, footsteps could be heard coming towards her location; Savage and the Drones guarding the room raised their weapons as a familiar starship pilot walked into view.
"Hey, Commander," Joker greeted with a smile as Shepard turned and stared with surprise at the Normandy pilot standing before the Drone guards. "Just like old times, huh?" Joker ambled past the Drones, who growled yet otherwise did nothing to stop the most excellent human pilot in the galaxy. The Normandy duo stared at each other for a few moments before gently hugging each other as they've finally been reunited after two whole years since the destruction of the Normandy. After a couple of seconds, Shepard stopped hugging Joker and smiled happily at her friend, knowing that they've got a lot to catch up on since her hibernation.
Time Skip.
Cerberus Facility Docking Area.
"I still can't believe it's you, Joker," Shepard commented while she and Joker entered the Cerberus facility docking area where crew disembark or re-embark their assigned vessels. Savage and a Drone escort followed dutifully, and Joker wasn't the least bit fazed by the sight of the Locust Drones as Shepard had explained their origin during the walk to the docking area. Needless to say, that Joker hadn't been pleased to learn that the Commander had her Stem cells experimented with yet chose to let it go for now as the results got Shepard a badass army.
Joker laughed. "Look who's talking. I saw you get spaced." The fact she'd survived and came back stronger than ever before was enough to earn Shepard a permanent place in the badass hall of fame in Joker's book.
Shepard smiled at Joker's attitude; she never felt this happy or relaxed since awakening within the Lazarus facility and investigating Freedom's Progress. "I just got lucky." It was true; if her mutation hadn't activated when it did, she'd still be dead. "How'd you get here?" Shepard couldn't picture Joker willingly joining an organisation like Cerberus without a good reason.
Joker sighed sadly. "It all fell apart without you, Commander. Everything you stirred up, the Council just wanted it gone." Yeah, that sounded like something the Council would do. However, Shepard was surprised that Anderson hadn't done anything to stop them. Then again, the galaxy was in chaos when she was active two years ago, and he might've been forced by both Council and Alliance to help halt the waves she created after Sovereign's death. "Team was broken up, records sealed, and I was grounded." He sounded bitter at the last one, and Shepard grimaced as Joker was the best pilot out there and to grounded him was a crime in itself.
The Normandy duo walked near a viewport. "The Alliance took away the only thing that mattered to me. Hell yeah, I joined Cerberus." They halted at the centre window.
"You really trust the Illusive Man?" Shepard questioned whilst staring out into the void.
Joker snorted. "I don't trust anyone who makes more than I do, and the Code L experiments you've told me about on the way here piss me off." Joker knew that if the rest of the Normandy crew knew about the experiments, they'd have stormed the Lazarus facility and gave Cerberus a piece of their minds. "However, some of them aren't that bad. Helped protect your body while it was healing. Let me fly." An excited grin was etched on Joker's face as he pointed to the void where something could be seen floating.
"And there's this." Joker folded his arms while still grinning like a madman. "They only told me last night." He informed as floodlights activated, revealing a new Normandy far bigger than the last version that got destroyed two years ago.
Shepard felt herself smirking as she saw the new Normandy. Savage and his kin nodded their approval towards their Queen's new vessel. The first of many warships the Drones guarding their Queen hoped to obtain, as a fleet was needed to fight against those that might dare challenge the might of the Locust Horde. Joker was pleased that the new Normandy has impressed the Commander, and with a soft smile, the pilot placed a hand on Shepard's shoulder.
"It's good to be home, huh, Commander?" Joker asked while gesturing to the new Normandy.
Shepard nodded. "I guess we'll have to give her a name." Joker agreed, and both of them headed to the docking section where the new Normandy was connected. Savage and the Drones followed and kept any Cerberus personnel away as their Queen and her Shipmaster headed for the vessel.
It was time to start the hunt for the people on the recruitment list, and their first stop was the dark sister of the Citadel. The Omega space station.
Freedom Gate.
Dr Wilsons Secrete Laboratory.
Mian Experimentation Lab.
Whimpering could be heard echoing within the experimentation lab as Tevalga Edois, a barely over one-hundred-year-old maiden that served as an exotic dancer in a semi-popular nightclub, laid strapped naked on a metallic medical table. Tevalga's brown eyes, which she inherited from her human father, frantically darted from place to place, trying to find something that might help her get out of the steel restraints that kept her captive. She would've even screamed, but a strap of flexible metal was covering her mouth, preventing Tevalga from voicing her fears.
"Struggling won't do you any good." Tevagla whimpered as Dr Wilson emerged from the darkness, pushing an anti-gravity medical cart carrying strange equipment that she's never seen before. "Those restraints were designed to hold a Krogan experiencing blood rage. And the collar around your neck prevents any type of biotic abilities from being used." The cart stopped near the medical table. Dr Wilson grinned while examining the equipment he brought for the newest Code L experiment.
Tears fell from Tevalga's eyes as she stared terrified at the man that had kidnapped her from her apartment a few hours ago. At the time, she'd believed that Wilson was just another ordinary, albeit slightly creepy, human that was just looking for a quick night of pleaser. Never did Tevalga suspected that the man she invited into her home for sex would inject sedatives into her neck and take her to an unknown laboratory so that he might perform some illegal experiments on her body. If Tevalga had just said no to Dr Wilson, then maybe she'd still be free and safe at her apartment.
Tevalga's trip down memory lane was halted when Dr Wilson softly started to clean the area around her neck with a washcloth. The restrained Asari tried to fight back, but a metallic strap covered her forehead, thus restricting her movement. Tevalga was forced to stay still as Dr Wilson prepared for the latest Code L experiment using an Asari as the base instead of an ordinary human. Once the neck was adequately cleaned, Dr Wilson moved back to the cart to retrieve the piece of equipment needed to start the operation.
"You're quite lucky, you know," demented giggles escaped Wilson's lips as he lifted something off the cart. "You'll be the first Asari and Biotic to be given the gift of the goddess." Dr Wilson turned back to Tevalga whilst holding a syringe filled with Shepard's Stem cells. A muffled scream left Tevalga's covered mouth as the needle came closer by the second. A mad laugh joined the frightened Asari's cries.
"Yes, I know it's quite exciting!" The needle pierced Tevalga's neck, and within moments the Stem cells were injected into her bloodstream. "The endless possibilities that Her Divine Majesty can grant to mortals is truly awe-inspiring!" The restrained Asari couldn't respond as white-hot agony filled her veins as the Stem cells began infecting Tevalga's body, preparing it for the splicing process that Dr Wilson planned to perform on her youthful form. Within minutes the pain became far too much to handle, and Tevalga went unconscious.
Dr Wilson huffed when Tevalga became unconscious. "Huh, she didn't even last five minutes." The test subjects back at the Lazarus facility had lasted far longer than this Asari. Then again, those test subjects had been mercenaries and slavers. "Oh well, better get back to the task at hand." Wilson grabbed another syringe containing Harvester D.N.A. he tapped the needle once before injecting the creature's blood into Tevalga's bloodstream.
Once he was done with Tevalga and the other test subjects that he'd captured these last few days, the real fun could begin. The citizens of Freedom Gate shall embrace Shepard as their goddess and saviour, and Dr Wilson will be the prophet that opens their eyes to the truth. Oh, Wilson couldn't wait to begin the grand work ahead of him, yet he must be patient, for Cerberus was no doubt searching for the location of this laboratory. The Illusive Man was a heretic and sought to destroy him and prevent the divine truth from spreading out into the galaxy.
Well, let the Illusive Man and his fellow heretics come. By the time they find this place, he'll be ready for them.
The new breed of Locust shall rise!