While Louise and Bouquet were busy with Political Talks, on the frontlines the War was raging on in full force. If you could even call it a war.
A one-sided slaughter would be a more fitting term. The Batarian Fleets were overwhelmed and their planets were easily conquered. The Alliance had only small losses, the Batarians could do Nothing against the Geardems. Of course, the Alliance still had lost some Ships but mostly just Frigates and Cruisers. Only 3 Dreadnaughts had Fallen and in each case, it only happened due to concentrate fire from a Batarians fleet. It truly showed that the Batarians stood no chance against the Gamindustri Alliance. Planetside they even had less to show against Humanity.
Geardems, after all, were not only able to operate in space but also in the atmosphere. On top of that, they also had to deal with Leanbox Titans and Lastations Black Gears. But the worst of all for the Batarians were the SD Geardem's.
SD GearDems where Syncs with the pilot's body, it was designed like a Geardem. Most of them were designed by the best Geardem Mechanics Planeptune had to offer, they were the most advanced units Planetune had to offer, just one SD Geardem can be a squadron of the current military Geardems. But the most Powerful of all was the NGS Geardem's. An SD Geardem's designed by Nepgear herself.
They obliterated any Batarian land forces. Those who surrendered were taken prisoner and those who refused were swiftly, and painless, eliminated. Sometimes the CPUs even entered combat themselves which ended the fighting faster. But while the war was brutal, the CPUs were careful to not endanger the Batarain underclasses too much and free as many slaves as they could. The "War" only lasted a month, The Gamindustri Alliance was on their way to Khar'shan the homeworld of Batarians. but on one Planet they found some interesting...acquaintances.
Back then Black Heart was leading a Squad of her Crimson Guards on one of the Batarian mining worlds, named Jazuka. The whole planet reminded her of a dark dystopian Sci-Fi game. The whole planet was covered in factories that also seemed to be Cities. The few places that were left unmarked were pretty much dead. This Planet once may have bin a low-class Garden World but now it was a dead rock the Batarias use to farm for Minerals.
Black Heart in her Next Form was currently in what was a rather small Factory Area. It was abandoned years ago according to intel, there not supposed to be here, but they detected life signs. She had split up from her Soldiers, confident that she was able to handle any threat. She still of course never led her Guard down and had her Grip firmly on her Sword. She was currently in what seems to be the former command center of the factory. The consoles here were all rusted and derelict, only a single holographic panel flickers. But what surprised her were signs that only recently someone was here. Then suddenly she heard a small noise behind her. She immediately turned around.
"WHOS IS THERE!? SHOW YOURSELF!" She looked right at a stack of old boxes filled with Screws and other parts, probably for maintenance.
slowly an unarmed Batarian with only three eyes came into view.
"P-Please do not shoot. I have no intention of harming you Lady Black Heart." Black Heart was surprised a Batarian called her by her name and even was respectful. So far even when begging for there life most Batarians did not call her by her proper title. She also notes that the Batarian's head was slowly lifted to the left. normalizing meaning nothing but in Batarian Culture Body language was important. This was a clear sign of respect.
"I ask again who are you?" She still had her Sword pointed at him but spoke more calmly.
"My name is Chavan. I am the leader of the Resistance Cell here on Jazyka. Or... at least what's left of it.." Once more Black Heart was surprised but her Face stayed a steel mask, not showing any emotion.
"Resistance Cell? I did not know the Batarians had rebellions going on." A snort came out of Chavan's Mouth.
"As if the Hegonomey would ever allow something like that to be known. Most think of us as are branded Terrorists due to Batarian Propaganda. As you may or may not know the lower castes are not allowed to leave Batarian Space. So we rebel against the Hegemony and the Caste System, pretty much anyone in the Lower Castes belongs to us. Sadly most are too afraid to show active support, not that I blame them." Black Heart start interest at the Batarian and then lowered her sword, but kept it in a ready position.
"How many of you are there?" He lowered his head.
"Not... not much. We were about 70 but... well we were discovered a few days before you're Invasion. Most of us were killed. Where now roughly a Quarter of our cells' original size and most of us are wounded and need treatment. I saw you landing here and came...to offer a Deal" Black Heart nodded, signing that she wanted him to continue.
"I was a member of the Higher Castes until, well... How do you humans say? I stuck my nose into where it did not belong. I learned of a secret base that housed something special. The Leviathan of Dis. I don't know much except every single scientist working on it has gone crazy and they have to replace them every few years. I found some recordings of the first few Scientist... they prayed to the thing as if it was a God. I have the coordinates. If you help my friends than I gladly will give them to you so you can destroy it or even take it yourself." Black Heart considers his Words. This... Leviathan sounded Dangerous. But much more intrigued her this rebellion.
"What does you're rebellion hope to achieve? Do you just want to replace the Current High Cast?" His three eyes narrowed slightly.
"We want to get rid of it. Turn the Hegemony into a Democracy. Most of us hate the Hegemony and all it stands for. Our Race is seen as Nothing more but arrogant Criminals by the other species. Centuries ago we were a proud Race but now...we're not much better than Krogans or hell the Vorcha." A small smile appeared of Black Hearts face.
"Well, then it seems we have a common Enemy. I will help your people and will destroy this Leviathan of Dis. If what you say it's true it probably better to just outright blow it too pieces with an orbital strike than risk getting near it." Chavan gave a short nod and led Black Heart to the wounded Batarian Rebels. Most of them were in horrible shape, one having the left side of his face comply burned, another one lost both of his legs and some were on the brink of Death... they would not make it. They all were transported away for Medical Treatment and Black Heart left with them to debrief here fellow CPUs on the situation.
Meanwhile on the Citadel. The Councilors were sitting together to eat lunch on one of the Presidium balconies when suddenly a news Report on one of the Bigs Screens started.
"Welcome to Citadel News I am Nalisa you're host, today we welcome a Special Guest. Lady Purple Heart the CPU from Planeptune took time out of her busy schedule to be here today." Immediately all three Councilors looked at the screen. Purple Heart was sitting in her purple business suit beside the Asari reporter and smiled at the camera.
"Lady Purple Heart we are thankful that you could make it for today." Said Nalisa.
"It's the least I can do, I know some of our... recent action caused some concern at the citadel so I found it necessary to come here and maybe clear some things up." Tevos would prefer they would do more than just clear things up like ending this outrageous war.
"And I'm sure we got more than enough questions to make it worth your time. our watchers at home you can send us questions at the number we are showing below on Screen. Now, the first one is already here, let's see, oh dear, this is from a worried Turian who wants to know if you're people and your sister are well after being held captive."
"Well, first I want to thank you for the concern and yes. They all are well, some are obviously... shaken but they are recovering and I hope the same goes to all the members of the Citadel races that returned home." Explained the goddess her smile never vanishing.
"How wonderful. Now the next question one I'm sure many have asked. What is the goal of the war? Are the rumors true that you intend to wipe out the Batarian Race?" Purple Heart took a deep breath before she answered.
"No... I admit I do not like the Batarians.. .but I will not punish the innocent. Many lower caste members never even leave their planets or Batarian space and have nothing to do with the crimes committed by their government. We are extremely careful to not harm civilians and limit ourselves to military targets and strictly limit the youse of most powerful weapons in cities. Of course, civilian casualties are unavoidable in a war, like this but we try our best. Recently Black Heart came in contact with a Batarian resistance cell against the Hegonomy. We will assist this group in taking down the current government and then help them rebuild it." The counselors looked surprised.
"Rebellion? Did the Batarian not tell us on multiple occasions those were terrorists? Huh, should have known they lied to us. Valern?" As if knowing what Sparatus would ask before he even had finished his sentence Valern had already searched his Omni-Tool for reports.
"STG Reports do say that there are terrorist organizations. Information is sadly not all that easy to gather, duo to them only operating in Batarian Space. But many Agents suspect and commented that they do not believe they were just mear terrorists. Seem they where correct" Tevos found it more surprising how easy the two believed Purple Heart. That the CPUs were so willing to work with Terrorists where just further proof for her that they can not be allowed to continue existing without the Guidance of the Asari and the council.
"A Rebellion? I haven't heard about that. Do you mean the Terrorist Group that has threatened the Hegonomy for years?" Asked the Reporter but Purple Heart denied it.
"They are not a terrorist group, they are Batarians from all casts who fight against the Hegonomy. At the moment they aren't many but they offered their assistance in the form of valuable information and in return, we will help them establish a new government."
"Will they join the Alliance as a Client Race?"
"There is no such thing as a Client Race in the Alliance. If they join us they would become our equals and would have a representative that has as much say in the Alliance as we do. But if they join us or want to remain in the Council or rater return to the Council is their choice, not ours" Many listen in to the interview wich continued for two more hours.
In this interview, Purple Heart also announced that it's now allowed for all aliens to request Alliance Citizenship, something that shocked the Citadel residents greatly but also made some really excited. All but one. He was a Turian, slightly disfigured face and a mechanical Arm. He stared at Purple Heart, his eyes burning with pure hatred.
"you will pay humans... I will make all of you pay and destroy the danger you are... and avenge my fallen Brother." He walked off, plotting and scheming how to take down the Monsters that were unleashed upon the Galaxy.