" At some point, I realized something. There had always only been one thing I was ever good at… Killing was like a natural instinct. No thought or shame behind it. Men like me… We'll only be a burden in due time…."
Time passed, things changed. In this age of technology and knowledge, the galaxy never sat still. Mads followed through on his promise. He would be damned if he didn't. Though Mads was never one to really give himself credit, the alliance sure had. They had complimented his talents, and had quickly assigned his ass to a marine platoon aboard a frigate. Mads had learned a lot, when he wasn't training, he was catching up. There was a lot to uncover. So much had happened over the last 150 years. Anderson had been a life saver for him. The man had not only been a good teacher, but a good friend as well. A good father figure, considering his original father had long since been lost to the earth. His time in the N7 program had given him a lot, and he had given back. Broken a lot of records in the meantime.
He had visited the graves of his loved ones, and he hadn't stopped crying for hours. But, he tried to make his peace as best he could. He knew no amount of therapy would ever fix him, that's why he had begun to indulge himself with some less than ethical things. It had mostly been drinking, and when he felt lonely, he took a women he met at a bar to his bed, only to kick her out the next day.
Not only that, but he had been paying visits to the current living relatives of the Romanov family. Most of them had trouble believing him, and he could certainly understand that. Still, they saw it was him after a while, especially with the Alliance backing him up.
He had even formed bonds with some of them. Harold and Joseph Romanov had been two of them. Father and son, respectably great-great grandson and great-great-great grandson of his brother. Even speaking with them could be surreal at times. But, they helped each other the best they could.
He kept his own past a secret; it was the best way to move forward. The alliance seemed to agree, and encouraged him to do so. This prompted him to cover his tattoos as well, even going so far as to wear gloves at all times.
Anyhow, that's beside the point. Thing is, shit went down on Elysium. Shit that would set things in motion for years to come, for better or worse.
11/8 2176
Elysium.
It was currently mid-day. The sun was high in the sky. The colony had summer the same time earth had it, which was wonderful, if not for the unwanted heat that reminded him too much of Syria. They had landed on the colony mere minutes ago, and now while they stood in formation, they awaited the other shuttles to arrive. The SSV Hong Kong was the frigate that was supplying the war materials.
Tensions had been rising for a while. Pirates and slavers had been making threats and promising of expansion. This had terrified the local population of the colonies near the terminus system, including Elysium. The alliance wanted stability, and had decided to send a platoon of marines to protect the place, only it was more to calm them all down.
Mads' N7 armor shined in the sun as he inspected his troops. They all stood firm, perhaps even unyielding. While the sun was doing a number on their skin, the mayor of the biggest settlement, and the de-facto spokesperson for the colony came to them.
"Good afternoon. I take it you are lieutenant Romanov?" The mayor was a lady, no more than 5'6 feet tall and probably in her early 40'ties.
"Correct, and I'm correct in assuming you are the mayor?" Mads asked back. She smiled before nodding.
"Yes, I'm Natalie Philips. I guess you could call me the mayor if you feel like it. I wanted to express gratitude for you being here. It means a lot to the population." She replied.
"No worries. I'd reckon nothing will come-" That was a lie, Mads did expect something to come "-But rest assured, we will protect this colony, whatever the cost may be. In fact, I would like to scout the frontier a little bit, set up defensive measures."
"You are more than welcome. It would make us all feel more secure. On a different note, we have converted the school into makeshift barracks for your soldiers. I have alerted the Volunteers as well." She said. Volunteers, fucking weekend soldiers.
"Excellent, thank you. We'll receive the last supplies before beginning scouting. See you around, Mrs. Philips." Mads said, the mayor greeted farewell as well and swiftly went away. Mads looked over the row of about 50 marines sent there.
"Wipe that fucking smile of your face, sergeant Shepard." Mads ordered.
"Yes sir." Was heard, but she was still grinning like an idiot. Jane Shepard was a promising soldier, showing leadership capabilities and was brave enough. Mads would be the one to recommend her, if he deemed her good enough for promotion.
Mads and Jane looked over the land. They had spent the entire evening looking over maps and checking which place was the most suitable for a landing. They looked at weather charts, and tried to see if they could predict when a possible invasion could be happening.
"How is your brother doing?" Mads asked as he took a drag of his cigarette.
"Good, I got news he was getting transferred to the SSV Warsaw." She replied as she looked over the horizon with her binoculars.
"What was his name again?" Mads asked as he crossed out a mark on the map.
"John." She swiftly replied. Mads chuckled a bit, she looked over at him a bit confused.
"Damn, your parents must be the least creative people in the universe." Mads joked.
"Fuck you. At least they gave me a name people could pronounce." She fired back.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that is insulting a superior officer." Mads remarked.
"Oh yeah? What are you going to do?" Jane asked.
"I have a few ideas." Mads replied with a wink. She simply shook it off.
"I think this spot is the best for a possible landing." She said as she handed the binoculars to Mads. She pointed to the spot.
He hummed in agreement. "Alright, let's put the boys to work." Mads ordered.
18/8 2176
7:47 PM
Outskirts of the major settlement.
They were still busying preparing. It had been a couple of days, and the soldiers were all getting restless. Mads had inspected the volunteer corps as well, and had found them lacking in most areas. Hardly fit for battle, and would probably run as soon as trouble showed it's ugly teeth. Mads was still looking over possible maps with a cigarette between his lips. He puffed some smoke out as he heard someone approaching with fast movements.
"lieutenant Romanov SIR!" They yelled, it was one of his marines. The marine took a moment to catch his breath.
"What's up Corporal?" Mads turned around and asked.
"Scans show several unidentified vessels have entered the system. What are your orders?" The marine asked.
"Fuck….. They came sooner than I expected. Alert the fifth fleet." Mads quickly ordered. Mads then quickly ran to where the marines were hold up. Most of them were relaxing, and a few had already gone to the city to hit the bar.
"We got hostiles! Everyone, get into position and await further instructions!" Mads yelled after them. They were slow to realize what he just said, but were quickly in their holes once their minds picked up the pace.
The next hour was pure chaos. Mads tried his best to keep an overview of the situation. Getting the volunteers into position and ready was a hard task on it's own, but he also had to advise where the guns should best be deployed.
19/8 2176
1:23 AM
Trench line.
Night dominated the scene now. Jane was keeping an eye on the vessel that landed only a few hours ago. It was clear that they were pirates, and they were here to raid and take some slaves with them. Mads was making the last round, trying his best to make sure everyone was as ready as they could be.
"Sir, I think they may be getting ready." Jane said, her voice was rather calm, but Mads reminded himself that she had never truly seen the face of war yet. Actually, he was the only one out of all of them to have taken another being's life.
"Damn, give me the binoculars." Mads quickly ordered, and Jane did as instructed. He zoomed in, until he saw, that the pirates were getting into armored vehicles. "Go to the east flank and support them there." Mads requested. Jane gave a quick "Yes sir" and saluted.
"Holloway, man the mounted gun." Mads barked to the corporal. Who also gave an affirmative response. "Smith, Jackson and Sondergaard, equip the rocket launchers with anti-tank rounds. Let's give these fuckers a run for their money." Mads picked up a launcher himself, and prepared it against the upper line of the Trench.
"Everyone else, fan out a bit. Pick your targets and mind the overheating." Mads ordered. Most people acknowledged the order right away. "How many do you count?" Mads asked to Jane.
"At least 500." She quickly replied.
"Let's hope the volunteers hold their lines then." Mads remarked, making the last adjustments to the launcher.
"They are moving out." Jane added.
"Shit, alright." Mads quickly replied. "Everyone! Hold your fire until I give permission!" Mads called out. He held out his hand in a tight fist to signal hold fire. His naked eye could slowly see more and more detail of the armored vehicles as they approached closer and closer. There was a haunting silence between the men. The enemies moved slow, and as the came closer, a Jane remarked.
"Mads, I think I see more than one species."
"I don't think pirates care what species you are, when you sign up." Mads fired back.
"No, I don't just see Batarians and Turians. There is Humans too, hell, even Asari." She said, her voice completely serious.
"God damn it." Mads muttered.
They approached with a maddening slow speed. Each minute felt like hours as tension was boiling over. Mads still held his arm in the air, keeping thins calm on their side. It was clear that the main army was using the armored vehicles as cover. When they were within 500 yards of the trench line, the war finally began.
"Open fire." Mads released his arm, and the marines finally got to work. The volunteers were still holding up, which was surprising. Mads took aim with the rocket launcher. A few of the rockets missed their targets, but when they hit, it made for a beautiful sight, and a much needed morale booster.
They managed to get a few vehicles before the pirates were in firing range of them. They returned fire, laying down their own hell to the soldiers. It was easy to see that quite a few volunteers sticking their tail between their legs and getting the fuck out of there. A few marines were killed in the few moments before the pirates were just in front of the lines.
"JANE! SUPPORT THE EAST FLANK!" Mads ordered. Jane was hesitant, but none-the-less, she left. As they tried desperately to keep them out of the trench, it became clear that they had to retreat. "Fall back!" Mads yelled out as he began to leave the trench as well. Just as he left the trench, a grenade sends him flying and smacks him against a wall.
He feels his head pounding as the ringing in his ear continued. He tries his best to shake himself back into reality as he witness the pirates killing their way through the trench. After getting a hold of himself, Mads arose and quickly gets an overview of the situation that is changing by the minute.
He saw sergeant Shepard on the ground, trying her best to stop a bleeding wound in her thigh. A moment later, a pirate approached her with slow movement and knife in hand. Grinning like a kid on Christmas. Jane tried to reach her service weapon, but it was just out of reach. Mads quickly dug his 44. Magnum out of his holster and took aim.
The powerful roar of the powerful magnum made everything else silent. The pirate went down with a gaping wound in his throat. Despite his efforts to stop the bleeding, the fucker die within a minute. Mads quickly shoot a few other pirates, before getting to Jane.
"Damn, are you alright?" Mads asked as he looked over the wound. He tried to get his medi-gel out.
"Does it look alright? Of course I'm not alr- AAAAHHHHHHH" Mads applied pressure to the wound and applied the medi-gel.
"Shut up sergeant." Mads ordered as he support her to behind a wall. Giving her the service weapon she had tried to reach, he supported her to lean against the wall.
"Stay here, and give me supporting fire. I need to get back there. If I-" Mads began, but was interrupted.
"Don't you dare say it."
"-If I die, you take control. Do your best to stall them as the city evacuate. Got it?" Mads asked. She stayed silent in an effort to protest his action.
"Do you understand?" Mads asked again, his tone more harsh this time.
"I do. Please, stay safe." She pleaded.
"We'll see." Mads said as he took out his own rifle and checked if it was fully loaded. With a finally nod, he left Jane's side. The entire trench was overcrowded with pirates. But, there was a silver lining to this. They hadn't expected an offensive.
Mads fired at every target he saw. Time slowed down for him, each movement was like an instinct, fast and pure. With their comrades falling like flies, they began to retreat to the trench line. Mads kept up his offensive, a few of the surviving marines joined in. In no time, the pirates were disorganized and on the run.
Mads ditched his rifle as it overheated to the point where it was burning in his hands. He took out his knife and his magnum and went to work on the remaining pirates in the trench. Taking them out with vigor and hatred. As he kept up his rampage, his magnum clicked, signaling that his last round had been fired. A human pirate pulled out his knife with a smug smirk. Mads put his magnum down in his holster and gave a menacing look right back at the fucker.
It was a standoff as they dodged each other's attacks, until the pirate grew impatient with the stalemate. He went on an unwise offensive, until to get a knife in the back of his skull. In that moment as Mads pulled out his knife, he heard the roaring engines of alliance fighters flying over him. He laughed, almost like a madman as he realized what it meant.
As alliance troops poured out from shuttles landing, he smiled as he watched the soldiers gunning down the pirates. That was when Mads spotted on Batarian sitting by the trench wall. He was bleeding from a wound in his stomach. His armor was fancier than any of the other low lifes that had tried their luck this night. He figured he must at least have had some status.
Mads went to his side, and squatted down. He pulled out his pack of cigarettes and placed one between his lips. He gave fire to it from his zippo lighter. Grunts came from the dying Batarian. "Who is behind this?" Mads asked.
There was no answer. "Give me a name, or I'll show you what I can do." Mads promised.
"Go ahead, you dumb fucking human.-" He stopped to cough up some blood. "-Whatever you think you can do, the man behind this CAN DO DOUBLE!" The then spat some of the blood in his mouth onto Mads' face.
"We'll see about that." Mads remarked as he took a drag of his cigarette. He blew the smoke into the Batarian's face. "I read a little bit about the Batarians. You guys believe your soul leaves through your eyes, yes?" Mads asked. There was no answer, but the look on the Batarian's face told him it was true. Mads then took another drag, and in one swift movement, jammed the cigarette into the Batarian's eye. He screamed as the eye became ruined beyond repair.
"Want to keep going? You got three left." Mads threaten as he grabbed the man by his collar.
"FUCK! Alright! His name is Elanos Haliat. But you don't want to fuck with him." The Batarian explained.
"May God have mercy on your wretched soul." Mads said as he took his knife and slit the bastard's throat. He gulped as the blood came out. His blood soaking Mads' armor.
Mads could still hear the gunfire going on, and when he looked over the trench wall, he saw the Alliance hard at work. Hours went by until the battle was finally over. The people still alive got the medical treatment they needed. The dead was treated with as much respect as they deserved. Mads watched over the battlefield.
He earned a nickname that day, one people still use to this very day. "The Red eagle". It came from his blood soaked armor, and the watchful eye he kept over the people there. A fair warrior. While Mads would never admit to having played any vital role, everyone knew he was the sole reason the colony was still standing.
"I have been called a lot of names over the years… The savior of the human race….. The devil himself. But the one that really stuck….. Was the red eagle. People need heroes, doesn't matter if you want one, or if they deserve it. They will make you one….."