Reviews and Stuff
Important Note: Writing this Fanfic has gotten me into playing XCOM 2 WOTC Long War again, so I will be releasing Chapters slower as I immerse myself in the Second Ethereal War (ADVENT Occupation of Earth vs XCOM Resistance and Theodore's role in it. Back to the horror that is missing 99% shots.
edboy4926: Cheers mate. SAM hasn't been made yet, while Alec has started the research into making him, he is far from complete.
fresh prince1: I am slightly confused with your question due to the grammar but I am assuming your question is why did they get Alec and Ellen so soon? As it is explained Sara will only join UNSC-XCOM if they help her mother and UNSC-XCOM wants Sara Ryder because she showed her competence in combat during the Raid of Intai'sei and she is a Biotic user and they want to start research into Biotics.
MarauderPrime12: Yeah it was, they won't be going back for a while which is bad news for AMBER Team. Cheers mate.
Knighthunter911700: As I stated in Chapter 1 (or 2, can't remember which) I am writing this story for fun, it writing helps me relax after a hard day of work. I had several ideas other then the messages but they didn't work as well, also I kind of like the messages. Sorry about not being very descriptive about what was going on with Ellen Ryder, in the hospital see was laying in the Hospital Bed until everyone was teleported with Psionics, when she appeared on the Pelican she was in mid air due to being on the bed and fell to the deck, she was then strapped into a troop chair by the ODST/Mechanic/Deck Master and fell unconscious from the High Gs. I haven't expended on what happened in the UNSC ship which is a heavy corvette but by Council Standards which I was using at the time is the size of a Frigate, she will most likely be put into Cryo. Also, side note the Asari they took with them is restricted in one of the Crew Quarters.
Azai Jin: Your welcome mate and cheers for the compliment. For the most part they are, Ellen is in the most serious condition but will be put in Cryo almost right away, the Pelican has seen better days and her engines need an overhaul from Six's maneuver. Theodore is also unconscious but that is due to Psionic Exhaustion from Teleporting more then himself. AMBER Team is another story. Scott Ryder is currently assigned to the outpost looking over the Arcturus Stream Relay, and stuff will be happening with him soon.
Crazzytony: Cheers mate. As stated in the review above he is overlooking the Relay leading to the Alliance's Capital, I don't want to say to much more as I am still debating between two options with him.
Drago – X6627: I am going to attempt I am confused by your review due to the spelling and grammar but will answer to the best of my ability. As I have explained in previous chapters, in the first chapter I screwed up with calculating the UNSC FTL Travel times, so I said they have Forerunner Slipspace drives but I wanted Mass Effect Ships to have a faster travel time to the UNSC, so the way I am calculating UNSC-XCOM Travel Times is instead of Lightyears per Day, they travel at Parsecs per Day. I am not sure what you mean by 'Hack if they had a ship they could have been there instantly' but I am assuming you mean if they have a Forerunner Ship they could be there instantly, they do not have Forerunner Ships.
V1lla32: Cheers for the compliment mate, one particular Council Member is very angry at this stage.
Guest (Faction Name one): While XCOM only has four people representing it, I have already committed to UNSC-XCOM.
Guest (wow): I keep seeing you comment 'wow' or something similar, is it a good wow or a bad wow?
Guest (Ships): I am highly considering adding more ships from the UNSC, I am also tossing around 2 ideas with XCOM, though I have mostly committed to one.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: August 31st, 2180
Time: 0800hrs Local Time
For the past eighteen hours AMBER Team has been traversing the Inner Tunnels of the Citadel, at first they were expecting to see at least some people, but Aurora explained that only the Keepers of the Citadel are allowed in what they are calling the Catacombs. While Aurora is more than capable then hacking into the Citadel remotely, she doesn't want to risk it has C-Sec and every other organization on the Citadel is on high alert after the botched escape, everyone agreed that for the time being direct connections only to access anything unless it was of the utmost importance.
That being said they aren't in the complete dark about current events as news agencies broadcast on an open frequencies, all of them are talking about the same thing, the 'attack' on the Citadel last night. While most of them are made up of speculative facts and not evidence there are about five who are going on the evidence only but compared to the hundred others, a lot of peoples version of what happen last night has been skewed which is causing Civil Unrest as people thing the Citadel is going to be attacked.
As AMBER Team watches several more of the Keepers pass by undisturbed by their presence Aurora who has been guiding the three Rejected SPARTANs announces they have made it to the complete opposite side of the Citadel, the Zakera Ward where ODST Unit Alpha-Nine recruited Fetor, although Aurora tells them they are nowhere near the Warehouse District and they all know no one would suspect them as they are in dull civilian clothes, also unarmed which annoyed Rene-081 when they were ordered to go in without weapons or armour.
Making their way to one of many secret doorways that lead into the Citadel Proper they exit the Catacombs into the Zakera Ward in a market area; they are sure to make the exit quick, so nobody sees them appearing out of a wall.
"Aurora, what's the plan?" Ralph-103 asks knowing she already has their next week planned out.
"First we need to acquire Omni-Tools, then weapons and armour." Aurora replies in their earpieces. "There is a Retail Store nearby that sells Omni-Tools."
"Do we have any credits?" Kirk-018 asks, as AMBER Team makes their way to the direction Aurora indicates.
"We can, but it wouldn't help us, as we have no Omni-Tools to make the transaction." Aurora replies.
"First Priority is to keep a low profile; Special Deployments is coming to get us any time soon." Ralph explains.
"Do we know who long it will be until they get us?" Aurora asks.
"Chances are we will have to get of the Citadel ourselves, that won't be happening though." Ralph replies.
"Intel and Asset acquisition?" Rene-081 asks.
"Yes." Ralph replies as they turn the corner leading to their target.
As they walk on long the sides of the massive area to avoid most of the people, their target is in one of the most heavily populated areas of this Market District.
"I.. understand." Aurora says emotionally.
"Aurora?" Ralph asks concerned as she doesn't usually get this emotional.
"It's nothing that will affect my capacity for now sir." Aurora replies trying to remove the emotion from her voice.
"Understood." Ralph replies.
"We have known you for five years Aurora, you're a part of the Pack like the rest of us, if you want to talk we are here." Rene states.
"I know." Aurora replies in her usual emotionless state.
"Any store that has less people around?" Kirk asks.
In less than a second Aurora taps into the local C-Sec Database to get a better look at the Market District but as the stores open many people are getting their morning shopping in. Seeing as the Markets have too many people, Aurora starts looking at the nearby districts. There of the districts are Residential Districts and the last one is a Shipping District for the nearby Warehouse District, copying a map of the district and all locations tagged by C-Sec, there is a suspected Blue Suns Supply Post. Making sure she deletes all tries of her inquires and activities in the C-Sec Database, she leaves the C-Sec System to maintain her standing orders limiting activity in Citadel Systems, an order she will happily obey but it also leaves her with very little to do, making her very bored.
"There is a Shipping District adjustment to this Market District, C-Sec suspects that there is a Blue Suns Supply Post." Aurora replies.
"Do they have Omni-Tools?" Ralph asks.
"Unknown. We can wait for nightfall to steal them from the Market District." Aurora suggests.
"We go for the Outpost, being a Mercenary Supply Post they should have weapons and armour as well." Ralph declares and they start making their way to the Market District.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: August 31st, 2180
Time: 0800hrs Local Time
"This is completely unacceptable!" Spartacus screams slamming his fist into the small table within the Private Council Chambers.
Matriarch Lidanya maintains her calm posture as Valern comes to her defence. "Spartacus, the Matriarch is not at fault, by the time she knew an incursion took place the UNSC had already left." While Valern speaks it is easy to hear the anger in his voice, but it is not directed at his fellow Councillor.
"Spartacus, please calm yourself." Tevos says keeping her normal calm demeanour.
Spartacus' Mandibles flare. "Forgive me Matriarch, I simply which to prevent this from happening a third time."
"As do I Councillor, the protection of the Citadel is my priority and I have failed twice, these people, whoever they have found a way to use an unknown method of FTL, I simply don't have the numbers necessary to protect the Relay and the space around the Citadel without compromising the security of the Relay." Lidanya explains.
"We need more ships, and the STG is unable to provide anymore without compromising our operations." Valern states.
"The Turian Hierarchy is also unable to provide them without affecting our Patrols in and around Council Space." Spartacus says, as the Hierarchy bolstered the Citadel Fleet after the First Incursion.
As Tevos listens to her companions talk about not having enough ships to have an effective and unconventional defence strategy she thinks back to the transmission she got from Admiral Hackett of the Alliance Fifth Fleet offering to bolster the Citadel Fleet. Under normal circumstances only Council Members provide assets to the Citadel Fleet but given the current limitations in stopping UNSC Incursions, she is giving the offer serious consideration.
While on the outside Tevos is her usual calm self, her fellow Councillors know that she is just as angry as they are, and as her internal debate gets heated she has to remind herself to listen to the others in the room.
"What about the Alliance." Tevos blurts out and she recoils as she says it.
"What?" Spartacus asks more confused than angry.
"I received a message from Admiral Hackett of the Alliance Fifth Fleet, the Systems Alliance is offering to bolster the Citadel Fleet." Tevos explains.
"They are asking for a seat on the Council again?" Spartacus asks annoyed.
"No." Tevos replies having recomposed herself. "They are only offering to aid in the defence of the Citadel, the message didn't imply in any way that this was contingent on getting a seat on the Council and they know we will refuse if the offer if it was."
"If I may Councillors, we need the ships to defend the Citadel against this new form of FTL." Lidanya states.
"I agree." Valern replies. "However we must explicitly state that if the Alliance provides aid to the Citadel Fleet that they are in no way a Council Member."
"I agree." Tevos replies. "They must be made aware that this does not lead them to being a Council Member."
"Is there any other way?" Spartacus asks defeated.
"Not unless we wish to compromise our other operations and put our colonies and people at risk." Valern replies.
"If we must." Spartacus replies quietly taking his seat.
Valern activates his Omni-Tool and sends a message to the Spectre outside to allow the four Alliance Representatives in. Seconds later, Ambassador Udina, Admiral Hackett and Captains Anderson and Shepard enter the small room, as there is no room at the small table they have to stand with Matriarch Lidanya in front of the table, making the small room slightly cramped.
"Thank you for waiting for our decision." Tevos says.
"Honestly, we were expecting to wait a while, but we thank you for your rapid decision to our offer." Udina replies hopeful.
"We will agree to your offer of assistance to provide ships for the Citadel Fleet, but you must be made aware, in no way does this mean you are members of this Council. You are only providing ships for the protection of the Citadel and its citizens." Tevos explains in her usual calm state.
"We understand, we only want to protect the Citadel any way we can, UNSC-XCOM may have helped us during the Raid of Intai'sei, but their actions here have made their intentions clear." Udina replies.
"Who will lead the Alliance Contingent of the Citadel Fleet?" Spartacus asks getting straight to business.
"I will." Captain Shepard speaks up. "While I will have indirect control of the Alliance Ships in the Citadel Fleet, Matriarch Lidanya will have overall command, we will follow her orders to the letter." Hannah replies.
"And the SSV Rome?" Valern asks, looking at Captain Anderson.
"You mean the follow up operation." David corrects.
"Yes." Valern replies.
"We will not be disclosing the details of that operation, very few know about it, and it is best it stays that way." Steven replies, the only person not assigned to the SSV Rome knowing what they found.
"If there are deta…" Spartacus says but is interrupted by David.
"We will not be disclosing details of that operation."
"Captain…" Spartacus is interrupted again, this time by Steven.
"Our decision on the matter stands, no details on the follow up operation will be disclosed and that is the end of this discussion."
Hannah standing to the side of him in the small room gives him a quick side eye, she has known Steven since before she knew Marcus and she can very clearly hear the fear in his voice, not fear of talking back to the Turian Councillor but fear of whatever was found, the same fear her two children had when she asked about it. Looking over at Udina, she can tell that he is equally in the dark about the follow up operation and it is irritated as much as the Councillors.
"Very well, how many ships will you be leading to the Citadel Fleet?" Spartacus asks, irritated at the humans' decision.
"The Systems Alliance Navy is willing to provide a significant number of ships." Udina replies and gives a nod to Hannah.
"Sir." Hannah replies and looks to the Councillors. "The Alliance Navy is willing to provide, two Einstein-Class Fleet Carriers, four Mumbai-Class Battlecruisers, eight Brussels-Class Light Cruisers, four Yokohama-Class Light Cruisers, two Berlin-Class Heavy Cruisers, two York-Class Heavy Cruisers and twenty-two Talavera-Class Frigates." Hannah explains.
"Is that enough ships to fill the gaps in the Citadel's Defences?" Tevos asks.
"More than enough Councillor, we will be able to protect the Relay and patrol the space around the Citadel and have a hand full in reserve if the Alliance provides all those ships." Lidanya replies.
"Which we will, if you accept our proposal." Udina adds.
Looking to her other Councillors and they give a slight nod of confirmation, Tevos replies. "The Citadel Council accepts your proposal Ambassador, and we thank you, any assistance you can provide in the defence of the Citadel is very much appreciated."
"Thank you Councillors." Udina says.
"Before you go, there is another Ryder is there not?" Valern asks.
"Yes." Steven replies. "First Lieutenant Scott Ryder he is currently assigned to the Arcturus Stream Relay Outpost."
"Would UNSC-XCOM make a play for him as well?" Valern asks.
"We don't currently know the intentions of UNSC-XCOM, the SSV Rome is assigned to find them." Steven replies.
"A single ship?" Spartacus asks surprised.
"If you like Councillor, we can reassign the ships assigned to the Citadel Fleet to aid the SSV Rome." Steven replies with a hint of humour. "First Lieutenant Ryder is being put under surveillance, after the actions of Alec with AI Research his and Sara Ryder's careers were effectively ended. Keeping him at one of the Alliance's most heavily used Relay Outposts will enable us to keep an eye on him, so for the time being he will be remaining where he is." Steven explains.
"Thank you all for coming, please see yourselves out." Tevos says.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: August 31st, 2180
Time: 1000hrs Local Time
It took longer than usual to get to the adjacent Shipping District, with the State of Emergency from yesterday's incursion C-Sec is out in a show of force, with many checkpoints in place, with Aurora's help AMBER Team isn't stopped or suspected.
The three Washout Spartans make their way past the dwindling group of people, years of honed instant is screaming with every fibre in their body to kill anything not human, but like any good SPARTANs they will follow their orders.
"Anyone that is left behind on the Citadel will go to ground and begin Intel and Asset Acquisition Operations." Theodore orders during the briefing an hour before they transferred to a civilian ship.
Most of the activity in this district is in the air or from the massive cranes that are moving tonnes upon tonnes of supplies, materials, and equipment.
"The target building is at the end of this street." Aurora announces as they turn a corner leading to one of the massive cranes.
"Hack into C-Sec to get a live feed, I want numbers and weak points." Ralph orders.
"Done." Aurora replies almost instantly. "I have visual on three of the four sides, I see four Humans and one Batarian, but I don't have visual on the inside."
"We've had worse intel before." Rene comments and Kirk gives a nod.
"You also had a SPARTAN clad in MJOLNIR for most of those operatives." Aurora replies. "We need to be careful."
"Most." Ralph echoes. "We may be Washouts, but we are still better then whatever lowlife is in that building. Aurora full attack on that building, keep everything under wraps. 018 you got the rear, 081 take the right side I got left." He orders as and the slip into the two alleyways.
In less than a second Aurora has full control of the building, the one transmission being sent out, Aurora mimics the receiver so the Blue Suns Officer in the base is non the wiser as Aurora backtracks the call and learns enough about the person the Batarian was talking with that he wouldn't immediately suspect anything.
Through the internal security cameras Aurora can see that there are a total of eight Blue Suns, four Humans, two Batarians and two Turians, most of them are on the second level which is used a living space while only the Blue Suns Captain and two other Humans are on the first level.
In the C-Sec System Aurora gets an automated ping request for identification, she quickly and quietly deletes the ping request before erasing her movements within the C-Sec System and leaving it, but she leaves a small part of herself to act as a Police Scanner in their communications systems to alert AMBER Team of any incoming C-Sec.
"In position." AMBER Three Kirk-018 says over Squad Comms.
"In position." AMBER Four Rene-081 echoes.
"In position." AMBER One Ralph-103 echoes. "Three, go for the Batarian Officer, Four take the human in the supply room, I got the front guard, eliminate your targets and regroup at the stairs leading to the second level." He orders.
Several seconds pass as Aurora waits for a Blue Suns Merc on the second level to walk away from the stairs. "Execute."
As one the move towards the building, the locked rear door opens at Aurora's command allowing AMBER Three to enter in the supply area, rushing the confused guard, Three uses his speed and strength to put the human in a headlock before he can alert anyone and with a quick and powerful snap he is killed. Grabbing the dead mercs assault rifle he makes his way to the staircase, Aurora explaining that the weapon is called an M-7 Lancer and it operates on an overheat and cooldown principle similar to many Covenant Weapons.
As AMBER Four approaches the building the window slides open at Aurora's command allowing her to climb in, across the small hallway she sees AMBER One doing the same before moving to the front door as she goes to the small communications room on her side of the building, the door opens and the Batarian turns in surprise as AMBER Four delivers a quick one-two knock out before snapping his neck.
The three Washouts regroup at the staircase, One and Three both have an M-7 lancer while Four has an M-6 Carnifex. Moving up the stairs, there are six doors in the small hallway that spans the building, quickly and effectively AMBER Team kills the remaining Blue Suns with ease as all of them are caught off guard and unaware they are under attack.
"C-Sec just received an anomalous tip; they are sending a Patrol Car to investigate this building." Aurora informs as the last Blue Suns Merc is killed. "There are Omni-Tools, armour and weapons in the Supply Room downstairs, you have ten minutes."
"We only need one." Ralph replies.
True to his word AMBER Team was walking out of the Blue Suns Supply Post within a minute, carrying a crate with Aurora directing them they quickly make their way into the Catacombs of the Citadel.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: August 31st, 2180
Time: 2000hrs Local Time
Throughout the day civil unrest has been on the rise as from the Second Incursion the day before, the Council has been in one meeting after another to ensure that the Citadel is protected to the best of their ability, with the detachment of ships from the Alliance, that job has been made easier but in no way not difficult. As the three Councillor stand at their Podiums in the Public Council Chambers as they listen to the end of Barla Von's speech on expected Market Fall with the State of Emergency making Trade and Business difficult.
"We understand the current situation is making Trade and Business difficult, but the defence and protection of the Citadel are our main priority right now." Tevos replies.
"Surely if they were going to attack they would do so before you put the fleet on high alert."
"We do not know the intentions or the plans of UNSC-XCOM, we don't even know who they are or why they made two incursions into the Citadel, the safety of the Citadel must take precedence." Spartacus retorts.
"The Market is a fragile thing, we must not let the Unknown-Clan disrepute our way of life, if we are to survive we must protect that which enables us to live our lives and pay for our defences." Barla argues.
"I agree with Barla Von, we must find a way to preserve our way of life without lessening our defences of the Citadel, I call a vote to end the State of Emergency but to keep active fleet deployments to ensure safety and prosperity." Valern says.
"I second the vote, with the assistance of the Alliance we are able to maintain security under normal circumstances." Tevos replies.
After several seconds Spartacus speaks. "I third the vote, under reservations."
"Very well, at midnight tonight the State of Emergency will be lifted. Thank you all for coming." Tevos finishes.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: August 31st, 2180
Time: 2010hrs Local Time
AMBER Team watches the Council Broadcast in their little alcove in the Catacombs, as nobody ever goes in them they don't have to go deep to avoid detection, to make coming in and out they made a Base of Operations near the entrance of the Catacombs they have been using to gather supplies. They have been spending most of the day getting familiar with the Omni-Tools and weapons, as well as repainting their new armour from the Blue Suns Colour Scheme to a black and white Colour Scheme with an AMBER Wolf on the front.
Aurora used one of the spare Omni-Tools to make herself a small Holo-Emitter for her avatar.
"So, what's the plan?" Aurora asks as the broadcast ends.
"We need a way to move through the public and to gain intel." Kirk replies as he finishes the repaint on his armour.
"A security company would work; I can use my connections to get the jobs we want." Aurora explains, by connections everyone knows she means access to the Citadel Systems.
"Let's call it Nova Security Corps." Ralph says.
"After the you know?" Kirk asks surprised.
"Who cares what we call it, if it lets us do our mission then it works." Rene replies annoyed.
"You've already made a company under that name haven't you?" Ralph asks the AI.
"Yes sir." Aurora replies.
"Start us small so we have an opportunity to get use to the new weapons and armour." Ralph orders.
After several seconds Aurora replies. "There is a local politician that is looking for a security escort into one of the rougher parts of the Zakera Ward."
"We'll start with him." Ralph replies. "What are the details?"
"If he accepts we are to meet him at his office at zero-eight-hundred hours tomorrow morning." Aurora replies. "Sir, requesting permission to dig deeper into the Citadel Systems."
"The Field Commander's orders are still in effect." Ralph replies.
"I understand sir, it's just something feels off about the Citadel." Aurora explains.
"Off, how?" Ralph asks as he finishes repainting his armour.
"The Council believes that the Citadel was built by the Protheans, but it feels older, a lot older." Aurora replies.
"We'll look into later, but for now we focus on mission." Ralph orders. "I'll take first watch."
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: September 1st, 2180
Time: 0800hrs Local Time
As the three Washouts wait in the waiting room of Lucilio Agmius' Office the morning news is starting.
"This is Emily Wong of Citadel Newsnet. Midnight last night the State of Emergency was lifted allowing the citizens of tourists of the Citadel to return to their normal routine. In a historic act the Systems Alliance will be joining the Citadel Fleet to bolster the defence capability after the rest incursions into the Citadel using an unknown method of FTL, while details about this new faction is currently limited the Systems Alliance released a statement several hours ago of the first recorded sighting of UNSC-XCOM, for unknown reasons they helped defend the Alliance Colony of Intai'sei during a Batarian Slave Raid, where they showed both primitive and advanced technology. The reasons for the incursions into the Citadel are currently unknown but the Council has released a statement that one of their best Spectres are searching for them." They let the news broadcast fade into the background as the receptionist calls them over.
"Lucilio Agmius will see you now." The young human says.
AMBER Team makes their way into the office where a Turian is sitting and writing into a Haptic Interface. Ralph places his helmet under his arm as Kirk and Rene stand slightly behind him with their helmets on.
After about ten seconds he stops typing and looks over the three humans.
"I am Lucilio Agmius, you don't look like much." The Turian comments.
"If you want protection hire us, if you want someone that looks the part don't waste our time." Ralph replies.
"Very well, do you have a name?"
"Ryan." Ralph lies, using his cover name.
"I will be hiring you for five days to protect me in the Lower Residential District as I make my campaign, if we are attacked I expect you to die before I do." Lucilio explains.
"I want to kill him." Rene says over the radio.
"Are we hired or not?" 'Ryan' asks wanting to end this conversation.
"Straight to business, I like that." Lucilio replies. "You're hired."
"Koby, Rose, reception, I got the package." Ralph orders as he places his helmet on and stands just outside the door. "For you're protection the door needs to remain open." Ralph says, hoping to get any amount of Intel from this mission.
"I understand, we will leave in a couple of hours." Lucilio replies and returns to typing at his Haptic Interface.
"Aurora." Ralph says into his sealed helmet.
"Sir?"
"Next time, find a human." Ralph orders.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: September 1st, 2180
Time: 1000hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Received
From: Primarch Fedorian
To: Councillor Spartacus – FW: Citadel Council
Due to the recent Incursions into the Citadel the Terminus Systems has been emboldened and several pirate groups have been making their way towards Council Space and Alliance Occupied Attican Traverse Clusters. As such the Turian Hierarchy Navy is unable to provide any additional forces to the Citadel Fleet. If it is necessary the Reserve Forces will be activated to provide additional forces.
End Transmission.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: September 1st, 2180
Time: 1005hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Sent.
From: Councillor Spartacus
To: Primarch Fedorian – FW: Citadel Council
We have discussed the situation and we understand, with the ships provided by the Alliance Navy we have ample ships to 'hopefully' defend the Citadel and stop the next Incursion.
End Transmission.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: September 1st, 2180
Time: 1100hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Sent.
From: Councillor Valern
To: Spectre Nihlus Kryik – FW: Citadel Council
The Alliance has been surprisingly secretive in regard to the Follow Up Operation of the Raid on Intai'sei, whatever they found has them scared, you are being assigned to investigate both the Alliance Follow Up Operation and into UNSC-XCOM, any information you find is to be reported immediately. Spectre Jondum Bau will be taking over your investigation into the disappearance of the Ryders and UNSC-XCOM Forces at the Huerta Memorial Hospital.
End Transmission.
Location: Widow Station – Citadel
Date: September 1st, 2180
Time: 1102hrs Local Time
Secure Transmission Received.
From: Spectre Nihlus Kryik
To: Councillor Valern – FW: Citadel Council
Understood Councillor, I will endeavour to find out what the Alliance found, and I will ensure to be careful.
End Transmission.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach
Date: September 4th, 2180
Time: 0800hrs Local Time
Over the last several weeks, Fetor'Hara nar Rayya has been spending most of his waking hours studying UNSC technology, at first he tried to make a type of Kinetic Barrier for the soldiers and marines but that plan quickly got put on the backburner due to the lack of Element Zero. Whether good or bad he has also gotten use to being around Agiad, besides the little girl who still hasn't given her name, he has spent most of his time with the Smart AI, one of the first things Agiad taught him was the differences between the UNSC AI and the Geth, which helped. He quickly determined that a lot of the UNSC's Technology is designed and built for war, but nobody has explained what war yet.
At first Fetor tried to study XCOM Technology but without anyone from XCOM being here he is finding it very difficult to not get bogged down in the very advanced technology, considering he doesn't even understand the base elements, except that it is an extremely tough alloy, and their power source is unlike anything he has seen before.
So in his free time between study lessons he has opted to try developing a weapons system based on UNSC Technology which has resulted in a new weapon, the M12 Special Operations Carbine or M12 SOC for short. It has a length of six-hundred millimetres with a weight of two-point-seven kilograms when unloaded and three-point-four when loaded, it can fire in semi-automatic, burst, and automatic, has a magazine of sixty-four rounds that sits in a small box magazine, with three stacks of bullets, it has an effective range of three-hundred-forty meters and a max range of five-hundred-ten meters.
As Fetor and Agiad finish working on the prototype the only door into the lab opens and Admiral Murphy walks in.
"Director, you wanted to see me." Ben says as he walks over.
"Yes." Fetor replies and turns around. "As you know R&D has extremely slow without Element Zero, for Mass Effect Based Technology, so we need some, and by some I mean a lot." Fetor explains.
"A fact I and the rest of HIGHCOM are aware of, the problem is that with the Fearless tied up in construction efforts here at Reach, we don't have a ship capable of taking on a large amount of supply." Ben replies, having used this same argument in a HIGHCOM Meeting.
"You tasked me with teaching your people about Mass Effect and to begin R&D Projects using it, I can teach your people just fine but without putting what they learn to practical knowledge significantly reduces your changes of fully grasping it." Fetor explains.
"And I understand that Fetor, perhaps when the Naval Yard starts and finishes construction can we use the Fearless to gather a supply of Element Zero, but for the time being the decision of HIGHCOM stands." Ben replies.
"I understand sir." Fetor replies understanding his logic of the situation. "Sir, permission to start research into a cure for the Quarian's weak Immune System?"
"If you need any resources let Agiad know, and we will sort something out." Ben replies and Fetor can't help but smile.
"Thank you sir."
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach
Date: September 4th, 2180
Time: 1000hrs Local Time
Life for Nicole changed a little over a month ago when her family and friends were killed in front of her, that anger, the emptiness that has been left has driven Nicole as she embraces her new life of begin a soldier, while many around her see her as an outcast that shouldn't be training with ODSTs, that hasn't stopped her. Like every other morning for the past several weeks Nicole has been doing PT with the 19th Shock Troops Brigade, if you can call three hundred ODSTs a Brigade that is. Brigadier General Tarkov made it clear that Nicole wouldn't be receiving any special treatment because of her age and if Nicole was honest with herself, she didn't want any.
A betting pool was made on how far she would last before giving up and almost all of the ODSTs were wrong in betting within two weeks, she has fallen and failed a lot since beginning her training with them, but she has earned some respect from them as while they laugh and tease her when she fails, sometimes spectacularly, she always gets back up.
When she isn't doing PT or other types of combat training with the ODSTs she is training to become a Combat Medic with Agiad being her instructor and in the past week several of the ODST Medics have taken in upon themselves to help which has only increased the quality of her training.
Lie every other day they finish their morning PT off with a ten-kilometre run around Firebase FLEETCOM which hasn't really ben a FLEETCOM facility, more of a Whatever is Planet side is Based Here Firebase, making it the most heavily populated Firebase on Reach.
As usual when they come to a stop outside of the ODST Barracks Nicole falls against one of the walls and proceeds to throw up her breakfast from five hours ago and use water to get rid of the taste.
Veres walks over and sits next to her as she uses mud to cover the vomit.
"I was wrong about you, most people breakdown when their family and home is destroyed. I'm sorry." Veres admits with his Hungarian Accent.
"I… I can't get them being killed out of my head." Nicole replies through heavy breaths.
"You won't, there is no point in trying, use the anger and the pain you feel to make yourself a better marine, but don't let it control you, there are times when you will have to control it." Veres explains.
"How?" Nicole asks looking at his battle-scarred face.
"With time and the proper training." Veres replies. "I've seen more destroyed planets and horror scarred people to know that your XCOM friends, whatever they went through, whatever their war was, changed them for the worse, but they are able to control their urges and emotions, you should ask them."
"They've been deployed a lot." Nicole says with a hint of sadness.
"I know, I and ever other ODST wants to go with them whenever they deploy but we know we can't, what their doing out their will help us in the long run." Veres replies. "I've seen the way they look at you, it's not as a child that needs to be coddled but as a soldier in training, when that training is complete, I'd bet anything they wouldn't hesitate to deploy you with them."
"But I need to finish my training first." Nicole surmises.
"Yes, don't go looking for a fight, the fight will come to you, be ready when it does." Veres replies and stands up. "See you at eighteen-hundred Kidd."
"Sir." Nicole replies and lets her head fall against the barracks wall.
Location: Epsilon Eridani System – Reach
Date: September 6th, 2180
Time: 0100hrs Local Time
For six days Riara Leto has been kept in this small weightless room, with only a Zero-G Hammack to keep her company, who even has ships with no gravity? At the same time three times a day the door opens and a little over two-meter tall mech thing, maybe it is a person, but the armour looks way to heavy, and they throw a military ration pack in the room before sealing the door.
She tried once to escape but that thing moves a lot faster then it should, and it hits really hard, so she hasn't tried again. With nothing to do she has tried to meditate but the whole being kidnapped thing is making it hard to focus, she also tried to determine how she teleported but quickly came up empty.
The door opens, which is strange because she won't be getting another meal for at least five hours, instead of the black mech thing, the woman from the hospital that wanted to see her mother is standing there, Sara she said her name was.
"Are you going kill me?" The Asari asks from her Zero-G Hammack.
"Kill you, no." Sara replies as she floats over. "I'm sorry you got caught up in the middle of this and for having been restricted to stay in here."
"Where are we?" Riara asks.
"We are about to enter a system called Epsilon Eridani, it's a new system to the galactic stage, you will be staying with us for some time." Sara replies.
"What about my family, my friends, my work?" Riara asks emotionally.
"You will be able to send a message, it will be awhile before it is sent but it will be sent, it will be heavily monitored on what you can say." Sara explains.
"All hands prepare for Slipspace Exit." A female voice says over the Intercom.
"I need to return to my family." Sara says and pushes herself of the wall out of the room and the door closes behind her.
The Crew Quarters are located in the middle of the ship, ten doors leading the small rooms, at the aft of the Crew Quarters are the tightly packed fifteen Cryo Pods, making her way to the closest Alec looks like he is sitting against one of the pods but with the Zero-G he is floating, Sara floats down next to him. Her mother Ellen is currently resting peacefully in the Cryo Pod opposite them, with the ice particles only an outline of her face can be seen through the pod door, a small screen next to it giving a medical readout, text at the bottom of the screen says, 'Seek immediate Medical Attention'.
Five hours pass, father and daughter not moving, not talking, just waiting for what will be the life or death of a woman they both love.
"All hands prepare for Atmospheric Entry and Gravity, fifteen minutes." The same voice says.
Alec and Sara float through the Crew Quarters to the small kitchen and strap themselves into the Jump Seats, NOBLE Six orders Riara into the Kitchen as well and she straps herself into her own Jump Seat at the small dining table that can fit four people, Six who has been the only person walking in the Zero-G environment due to her Mag Boots stands behind the Asari with her right hand on her sidearm.
"All hands, beginning Atmospheric Entry and Gravity, one minute."
Over the course of the next twenty minutes the UNSC Little Rascal and UNSC Tourist enter Reach's Atmosphere and land at the Aszod Industrial Area Landing Zone, which is currently empty of the other two Heavy Corvettes as they are on Patrol in the System.
"All hands, welcome home, and for those that aren't from here, welcome to Reach."
As the three visitors adjust to the gravity Six snaps to attention and gives a picture-perfect salute.
"At ease Lieutenant." Field Commander Harrison says returning her salute as he walks into the Kitchen from Fore.
"Alec, Sara, welcome to Reach, Medical Teams are being cleared to enter as we speak to prepare Ellen's Pod for travel to Firebase CASTLE." Theodore explains.
"A Firebase and not a medical facility?" Alec asks as he stands and adjusts to the gravity, followed slowly by Sara and Riara.
"Firebase CASTLE is where the research will take place for a cure to AEND, Ellen will have to remain in Cryo for a while until the team assigned to her can find a way to stabilize her." Theodore replies.
"I understand." Alec replies.
"Sir." Patrick says behind the Field Commander.
Turning he accepts the Data-pad from the ship's CO.
"HIGHCOM wants you to report in ASAP, Operations Fleet is grounded until the Battle Damage can be repaired."
"Battle Damage?" Riara asks confused.
"During the extraction, the Operations Fleet engaged the Citadel Fleet to by time for the Pelican to board, or rather crash." Theodore replies as he reads the report from HIGHCOM. "Speaking of captain, we need a new Stealth Pelican."
"Arrangements are being made to switch out with the one from the Shooting Star." Patrick replies.
"Understood."
"All hands, you may now disembark."
"No offence to your ship and crew captain, but I am getting of this Tube to stretch my legs, Six an Army unit is outside for the prisoner." Theodore explains.
"Sir." Six replies. "Move." Six orders the Asari.