So I went back and edited the end of chapter 2 as Oblivion and I felt it didn't fit there i will be putting that in at a later time when i feel it is necessary, so for those of you who got to read it before the edit lucky you ;).
Sorry I didn't update last month, had some family stuff happen and couldn't get to writing. Also please understand that I do this in parts of my spare time if I'm not writing I'm either playing video games of reading other stuff, I get to it when I get to it.
Another big thank you to oblivion who has been helping me write this, without his help, it wouldn't be as good as it is
I don't own the Overlord(オーバーロードŌbārōdo?) novel or anime series created by Kugane Maruyama.
I don't own the Mass Effect trilogy developed by Bioware game studios.
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Council Arrogance
Shepard felt like she was over her head after what she just read in that document. In all honesty, it was the stuff of nightmarish fantasy. Thought, at the same time it was very ironic now that she knows who, or rather what kind of being all that nonsense it came from - naturally, she still had no clue who really, or what kind of being really Esdeath was, but that was the last thing she wanted to worry about in her current situation.
Currently, the redhead woman followed after the person in question, leading her, Joker and the always faithful EDI down a long bending hallway that seemed to go on forever with no windows. When the commander asked the person in question how long the walk would be, the girl with the white hair just waved her hand as if it swat a fly and said "be there soon quit complaining, don't be like Garfield..." of course that was five minutes ago and Shepard was getting stressed out because of the constant need to worry it seemed to be a universal constant when she was around this girl.
She glanced back over her shoulder, seeing Joker's pained, sweating expression who - despite his aching limbs and body - seemed to have slightly shocked yet excited face - likely from what she had just read. EDI, of course offered a neutral expression, but something seemed to be happening in that head. Honestly, Shepard was still getting used to her friend's new form and was still a bit resentive about who or what was used to achieve it. Despite this little bit of an unsavoury fact, she still seemed to be her normal logical self and that was good to know, 'hopefully it would stay that way…'
Turning her head back to Esdeath who had her hands behind her back, the trio followed the girl who walked in a kind of innocent way, twirling and jumping from time to time like an excited child. Yet, in reality, she was anything but those aforementioned things.
All three of them wanted to ask where they were going, but before any of them could state their inquiry, the short girl stated her own, she either read their mind or was simply faster - the first was more likely if you asked Shepard.
"What's wrong Sheppy? Need to have a break? Looking a little pale." The speaker said, not even bothering to turn her head and look at her.
"Ha...that's funny considering who's asking." She sated with a slight grin.
"Hmm...Yeah I guess that's true... nahhh! Won't change yet I'll keep that for later no point pulling it now… maybe when she shows up...yeah that will be great hehe."
"What are you talking about?" The redhead asked with a tilt of the head.
"Hmm oh nothing just thinking out loud, don't worry about it… something for later." She mumbled before sighing. "Did you want to ask something? Ask and walk… Or are you like that fat dad from the cartoon? Hmmm? Can't even chew a bit of gum and walk at the same time? Don't worry, little puppy, we are almost there, our destination is just around the corner."
Behind them, Joker heaved a sigh of relief at that statement. Even if his Vrolik's Syndrome was gone his muscles were still weak and this walk was killing his legs.
"Yeah. I got this one lingering question that's been bugging me ever since I met you on the citadel"
"Ohhh and what would that be? Not my sexual preference I hope…" she grinned impish, sticking her tongue for a moment. "I like you Sheppy, not that much though. But if you ask me nicely I am not against it." the pale girl teased as she continued to walk.
"Wait? What?! No not that, can you stop and turn around so I can talk to you face to face!? This is serious!"
Esdeath turned not around, but from her hands' movement it was evident what kind of faces she makes. "ThIs iS SeRiOUs! I aM ComMaNDeR SHeParD! TAkE mE SeRIouSlY! I'm CoMManDeR ShepaRD, and ThiS is My FaVOriTE StoRe iN THe CitaDEl!" she ridiculed Shepard for a moment, over exaggerating her speech pattern and "expressions"
"..."
Well, it did not earned Shepard's approval, only a muffled laugh from Joker and a slight smile from EDI. All in all, it was an awkward situation.
"Okayyy. Joker looks like he's about to die… So, a little rest is due for him. Hopefully, he will survive the journey…" Esdeath knew too well, if she didn't give anything to Shepard, but only annoyed her constantly she will become more grouchy, demanding to leave. "That would be pretty disappointing…"
Indeed, the Reapers winning because Shepard got overly frustrated by her would be indeed an amusing outcome, and it would be an interesting story line to follow, but also, Ainz would scold her to death afterwards, after Earth fell and the Reapers concentrated their forces against them, the task to defeat them would fall to their servants, and the two of them. In other words, after that it would be their task to clean up the mess that remained after the battle. It was much more fun and reasonable making Shepard do the dirty work, no?
"What?" The ace pilot watched his commander and the ashen skinned girl, considering this as a very vague, distasteful joke. "Not funny…" he muttered under his breath, looking very dark.
"You'll be fine right Joker?" Shepard, like a caring "mother", asked looking at the man who was now trying to catch his breath behind her.
"Sure…. yeah…. haa…. I,I'll…. Be…. fine…. C,Commander. What was that about dying?"
"See he'll be fine, now can you turn around."
"Arrr fine." She lazily stated as she turned on the heels of her boots. "Happy now… I've turned around now, spit it out, what's the big question?"
Shepard stopped and slightly glared down at the ashen skinned girl, while Joker stopped behind and sat down a little bit, resting his back on the metallic walls.
"Who are you people? What are you people? You and that Ainz guy What do you want?"
For the first time since she had seen her on the citadel Esdeath offered a serious expression and stared back at her, with her mismatched eyes, and that black sclera of hers, it was an ever more intense glare. She pulled back and brought her left hand up to her chin, tilting her head into a thinking pose for a few seconds. She was honestly cute in a way, but also, quite frightening if one considered her nature, or stared deeply in her unnatural looking eyes.
"Hmmm… How should I say it to you so you understand?"
When she was done she seemed to bounce up on the spot releasing her chin in the process and raising her index finger.
"Oooo I know! That will do just fine! You see, we're walking talking plot devices. As to what we want? Well, me personally I want to fix that horribly written three coloured fireworks display…" She spun around her own axis, arms spread wide like wings, on her face a childish mischievous expression.
"Man that was bad."
In the next moment, her neck slumped closer to her shoulders, lowered slightly, remembering something ghastly disturbing.
Her face contorted, twisting into an expression of an intense feeling of annoyance and disgust. An impossible expression materialised on the girl's face. Her eyebrows contorted upward, wrinkles appearing along her spotless forehead, eyes, and mouth. Her strange eyes narrowed themselves in a strange way... the girl looked to the side, like a person who urged herself not to look at the mentioned subject of disgust. Comically, her nose seems to disappear into just nostrils. Her mouth revealed her teeth, clenched in an intense revulsion. Indeed, it was an impossible expression, almost like a face Kasumi once showed Shepard from one of her so-called "anime". Yeah, it was just like that…
"What the…?" Joker voiced his confusion, but the strange expression only lasted for a few moments before the girl shuddered, and the expression disappeared. Immediately, the girl continued before anyone could voice their opinion.
"As to what Ainz-san wants... haven't asked him, no clue."
"What the fuck are you talking about, will you take this seriously!? Everyone's life depends on it!" Shepard said intensifying her voice along with her glare.
"The life of everyone…?" she rolled this sentence on her tongue, rolling her eyes, looking into the distance, then… "Nope…" Pressing the letter "p", she stated bored. "Not interested in that stuff…"
"What?! Why!? Are you mad!?" yeah, Shepard was aware she shouldn't of asked that, she knew the answer too well - for her regret.
"Partly yes… But that's not the only reason. The real reason is…" She remained silent, intensifying the obvious tension, taking a deep breath before continuing grinning. "Because that's what you want! Because, that would be cheating! Because I am not getting paid enough to solve your homework! Because the plot would never progress if we solved your problems! No action! No excitement! No character development! It is like a bland isekai with an overpowered protagonist then!"
She spread her arms, throwing her head back, staring at the ceiling, grabbing towards the nothing in the air. Like the devil who wants to pull down the heavens from the sky, she looked like a zealot who found what she had searched for, for so long.
"I want you to fly! To struggle! To experience the story at its fullest! To defy the inevitable strings of fate that pull you back! To go against the blunders of inevitable casualty! To dance according the instrument of your own decision! To fight! To War! To…"
"Love?" asked EDI suddenly.
"Bah! That too, but let's not force it. A forced romantic story line in the midst of an action movie, sci-fi, fantasy or anything usually just ruins the complex plot…" her enthusiasm flattened immediately, just waving at the possibility. "At least, for me…"
"Figures…" Shepard rolled her eyes, she should of expected this answer.
"Look. All you need to know is that I'm here right now helping you, Shepard. If I didn't want you here you wouldn't be here, that's all you need to know, the plot demands your presence here!" her index pointed at the hard flooring. "In the current case, you are the "catalyst" of the current situation! Victory, or loss, your actions will greatly affect the end result and the fate of the future generations of this galaxy. Etc. etc. You know what I mean. Just the usual. Defy the impossible. You have plenty of practice with that, I think. No pressure… just do what you do best, and everything will be alright."
Shepard furrowed her brow, looking more and more frustrated. "So, let me clarify this, basically, you brought me here, just dump all the task on me..." Shepard crossed her arms, tilting her head, she was less than amused.
"Basically, yes… outsourcing is a pretty good way to cut expenses, after all. But you shouldn't complain, you basically gain all the tools you will ever need. From this point forward, even a chimp can solve the galactic crisis." She smirked deviously while nodding. "Knowing this! Ding! Ding! Ding! The job is yours! Congratulations! Now then! Stop asking useless questions, don't waste your own, and my breath! Start your work, define a great story for us! Stop slacking miss soft stomach, or we will cut your pay at the end! End Note, we actually don't pay you..."
She poked Shepard's hard abs once, then a few more times, looking slightly confused. Shepard really wanted to gob smack the girl, but then suddenly remembered who, or rather what she was. Risking total annihilation from some poking was not worth the effort.
"He said soft on the edges…"
"What the heck are you doing?" Shepard raised her brow, staring strangely the girl.
"Disappointing canon divergence." she mumbled in return, visibly sulking in disappointment. "Ah, whatever… What I want to say…!" Esdeath "khm"-ed, clearing her throat and offering once more a serious expression.. "Do you have any idea how boring forever is? A little fun every decade or so never hurt anyone…well, mostly, I think… Besides that other guy, but he practically asked for that, it wasn't my fault."
"Arg, fine I give up. Can keep moving I just want to sit down and relax for a bit, this day has been stressful as is. You right to keep moving Jeff?"
"Sure Commander, can I just get a hand up I think I'm stuck down here." She turned around with a tiny grin on her face and offered a hand to her friend. After Joker was reluctantly up on his feet they made their way to a door that looked different then all the others they had passed on the way here, it was a solid metallic black in the shape of a circle surrounded by a grey outer edge that acted as a seal. At a glance it looked like a typical bulkhead door door but as Shepard looked closer at it it had a slight green glow to it that was barely noticeable, what the glow ment, well she couldn't care less.
"So what's behind the weird glowing door?" Joker asked sarcastically, seemingly noticing the glow as well.
"A gate, I'm throwing your crew through it so I can get to work. I'll have someone set up some arrangements for you guys later." The girl said with childish boredom.
Reaching the door, it opened up revealing a waiting area where Shepard crew, noticing the door had opened everyone turned their heads to see who it was, some were standing in groups talking, some were sitting on the floor not bothering to find a chair as there seemed to be none for some reason.
As Shepard entered the room she noticed the stares and broke off from the group to go and talk to her crew just to make sure everything was alright. Just as she was about to reach a group she noticed a large object in the middle of the room and turned to get a more detailed look.
It was a large disc like object with some weird unknown runes on the outer edge and a large wedge with a clear section so you could just see there rune that it was resting on, it reminded Shepard of something she had seen before but she couldn't put her finger on it.
She turned back and headed for group of people she was walking to previously, she would find out what it was later.
Citadel: Council Chambers. One week later...
Albedo didn't want to be here anymore, the mere sight of these vermin thinking they had any importance was repugnant. Even so, she endured, even so, she gritted her teeth and gulped down the humiliation, continuing her job anyway because that is what her lord wished of her.
Yet, it didn't helped … not at all, the disgusted feeling was still here. The urge to vomit from these creatures was ever present. Her trigger finger itched ever intense, ever intense to annihilate the few, and dominate the rest. All in the name of her lord. All in the name of her beloved one!
These mongrels… they were a stench! Wasting time and resources. Her time... her dear husband' resources and future subjects! Even hating humans and the rest, she would never allow any harm befall Ainz's subjects. Her lord wanted them protected, and she obeyed. No matter how distasteful she found this play. She protected them, and these four… these four just played with the lives of her dears future subjects, abandoning them, allowing them to be enslaved, using them as mere tools.
"Disgusting mongrels…"
'Tap-tap! Tap-tap…' Hearing one of the councillor tapping on the hard table made her remember why they are here now. Why this small council sat together.
As always, the second supreme being was late. But why was she surprised? That child usually was late for meetings or she just never showed up. Even after one thousand years she couldn't understand the essence of being precise, to always arrive earlier than when the meeting starts.
"But I suppose, it cannot be helped. She was always like that…" Albedo still couldn't understand why her dear picked up this "stray cat". Her military significance and prowess was indeed remarkable, not even talking about all the strange inventions she came up with… indeed, her mind just as remarkably strange as was her power.
"But I suppose, all serve their purpose. Ainz-sama wouldn't of recruited her back then, if not for some higher reason." Remembering the tale how Ainz recruited the forty one, the guardian overseer scolded herself at once. Still, even after all those years, she was unable to understand how Ainz could bear her chaotic nature.
She would never dare to say it out loud, but time to time Albedo had the urge to civilise her a little bit. Just like a mother would a stray child. She still respected her as a Supreme Being, and was fond of her somewhat as she considered her as a little sister, she never wished for. Yet, because of her lack of parentage, the girl lacked some common sense, and proper toilet dates. Unfortunately, even despite their best efforts, even after teaching her what they can, often she simply ignored these lessons and followed her chaotic nature.
It had been more than a hour since this meeting started, the meeting she herself requested, and she still was not here! Though, Albedo would understand if a Supreme Being was late - due them having numerous duties they had to attend - duties were more important than this little game with these slugs.
But as her dear adopted sister, she at least expected that much decency from Esdeath to notify her big sister.
"Hopefully, she educates her children better. Until now, aside from a few pranks from the boy's part, the two behave decently. Hopefully, they won't be like their mother when they grow up. I wonder who was the father though…"
Albedo allowed herself a low sigh, massaging her spotless forehead. If not for her inhuman self control she would have long ago disposed of these pests around her. For now, being locked inside with them for one whole hour - not really discussing anything noteworthy as they waited for the Supreme General - even their continuous breath, even the flow of their blood started to tick her.
'Wheeze! Wheeze! Wheeze!' 'Lud-dub! Lub-dub! Lub-dub!'
Their heartbeat and breathing… the flow of blood in their artery's was extremely loud for her senses. And the noise just grew by the minute. Yes… having supernaturally sharp senses sometimes was a curse rather than a blessing. In silent times like this it was extra annoying.
"Ambassador Albedo, may we ask what is taking the esteemed general so long? We have been waiting here for more than a whole hour, our time is precious as I'm sure yours is too."
'ThE GaLl' she almost spat, only in the last moment swallowing her rage.
"Yes councillor Tevos it is. Please forgive her. Lady Esdeath is a… free spirit, she does what she wants and sometimes this results in her not showing up on time to meetings or other matters of importance, if everything goes according to her whim, she shouldn't be too much longer." Albedo stated, somewhat feeling shameful, and at the same time angry. Shameful because how her adopted sister acts all the time, shameful, because despite her best efforts she could not educate her about such matters. Angry, because this lowlife dared to question her, and the decision of a Supreme Being.
"Yes, well let's hope that is the case. Anymore time spent on waiting would be better used discussing other matters of importance." refuted the Salarian councilman. This caused Albedo to make barely audible 'tch' sound.
"Is it always like this…?" Anderson leaned forward, measuring Albedo with a incredulous expression.
"Yes, as I said. She is like a stray cat. Unpredictable. She shows up whenever she wants, and call us when she wishes."
"Tch! Ridiculous!" Sparatus threw his hand before folding once more above his chest. "Please forgive me saying this, Ambassador Albedo, but if this… Supreme General acts like this all the time, maybe your dear husband should consider replacing her. In the Turian Hierarchy an impotent military leader equals a dysfunctional unit. Considering she is the highest ranked military leader in your military, I am surprised your army is still functional."
Albedo glanced at the Turian, her eyes filled with rage for a moment. Then, as she remembered what happened with the last person who said something similar about her, she can't help but release a muffled chuckle. She knew all too well what happens to those who revile the names of higher beings.
"Ah! I wonder what that machine will do with you… poor fool… Fufufu!"
"Sparatus!" Tevos glared at her colleague, giving him a stink eye. "You can't say such things! I am sure Lady Esdeath has her reason to delay her arrival… right, Ambassador Albedo? Please forgive my colleges unprofessional behaviour!"
"Hmm, it is nothing. As I said, Lady Esdeath is like a stray cat. You can't expect her to show up when you want to. You can only hope she will appear when she whims it. She arrives when she arrives. That's the only thing I can say."
"I am surprised your army is still functional… what an incompetent leader…" Sparatus mumbled so quiet, only Albedo was able to hear it.
If it was Ainz who they spoke about, this whole station would have turned into a graveyard by now. But as it was not her task to avenge such sacrilege in the name of Esdeath, she left it for the girl's own servants. She was sure, many of them would do a lot worse with these people than she ever could if they ever got to know what the Turian spouted just now.
"When she whims? Heh? What does she think of herself as? She thinks we, the galaxy busiest leaders have time for games like this?" Sparatus raised his brow and shook his head angry. "This is starting to look like a joke. I propose the relocation of this meeting. Ambassador Albedo, tell this…" the Turian stopped his tongue, reconsidering his words before continuing. "Supreme General of yours. If she wants something, seek us out personally. I have had enough of this."
This was statement which Tevos can only answer with a flat silence. Indeed, despite her almost a thousand years, and famous Asari patience, she was as well started to turn impatient.
"Hmm, indeed. This start to become bothersome. I propose we conclude this meeting in another time. When all parties will be available."
"Agreed!" "Agreed." "Agreed…"
All four agreed, pushing a few buttons on their console.
"Then, it is decided." Valern hummed.
Despite all that went down today, Albedo still kept her cold, perfect mask. Not even flinching, only glancing in the direction of the councillors sat on her side.
"But before we conclude this elusory gathering. In the case that our next meeting concludes in a more meaningful way, let me ask, Ambassador, why did your Supreme General ask for our presence today? Hmmm? Why did she needed all of us? Was it just a prank, or did she have something meaningful to say? Please, if you have any information about it, share with us, so we can be more prepared next time."
All four watched her, awaiting her answer. And Albedo answered, giving her considered, cold headed answer.
"That I do not know councillor Valern,I deal with mostly politics and internal affairs I could only take a guess as to why." Of course she knew why… she wasn't an idiot it was clear as to why… but she wasn't going to tell them that, it was naturally the task of Lady Esdeath. As she put it: "Don't be a Grinch snow white! Don't ruin the surprise and fun!" And thus, she obeyed the order of the Supreme Being.
"She wanted to show you something." Albedo only said as much. "She only told me that much…"
"..." Silence descended on the whole room, everyone watched Albedo with a dubious gaze.
Sparatus was annoyed, Valern was intrigued as what the girl wanted to show them, Tevos really wanted to have a shower after a long day, and Anderson… the Councillor of the System Alliance already face palmed inwardly, thinking all of this was a bad prank from the girl's part.
"Well, then it is concluded. I officially announce the end of this session!" all signed, then suddenly!
"Whelp, maybe next time then… bye…" A voice said, coming from everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.
"Where did that voice come from?" Sparatus mumbled, looking around confused, already reaching for the sidearm he always carried with himself, Valern was on to call the Spectre agents stationed outside the doors, and Anderson just physically groaned, remembering his first interaction with the child like woman causing him to face palm from the memory; everyone looked in his direction.
"Is something the matter Anderson do you require some rest." Valern inquired, not knowing what the strange sound ment.
"No Valern she did this to me when we first met, I'll bet she will show up behind one of us and say something insane." all the councillors looked at Anderson as if he were mad,
"Then she is coming?" the Salarian blinked with his large oval eyes. "Hmm, maybe she hacked the loudspeaker… possibly…" Valeren theorised right away about how she could be heard everywhere and nowhere at the same time, the theory only got the answer. "EHHHH! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! My little smarty! You are just wrong!"
Albedo just sighed, shaking her head tired and massaging the temple of her nose.
"Lady Esdeath, please…" she asked nicely, glancing around a little bit insecure.
She had experienced it more than once in the past, usually meetings like this resulted in her being groped or fondled form behind and then some witty remark being said.
"Oh! Fine! Fine! If you don't want to be measured, your loss, Sis-Sis! I am just worried about your health. Ainz-san would rather have a firm woman, not one which is sagging!"
Her face went red right away, gulping insecurely. "Just please, get this over with, if you don't, I will report it to Ainz-sama…"
"Oh! You mean Emperor Palpy? I am the unburned Vader and I don't fear Palpy… But… ehhhh! Have it your way…"
"Can you just stop it?" Anderson glanced over his shoulder, everyone else followed his example. "We have things to discuss here, important things…"
"Well thanks for ruining the surprise you big meany! I had it all planned out too, well I guess that doesn't matter now. I still have one or two tricks in my sleeves. Hehehehe!" Surprisingly, the voice came before them, not the way the councilors were looking.
"What the…" Sparatus almost swore before at the last moment stopping his tongue. Valern and Tevos were still unable to understand how the girl managed to get into the room without alerting the STG units and Spectres monitoring the room.
"Hello there…" Indeed, she just quoted Obi-Wan from Star Wars… Albedo stood up right away, kneeling and lowering her head.
"I welcome you, oh, Supreme Being."
"Eh! Hello Albi girl, what's up? As I said, don't be grouchy, or I will tell Ainz-san you sag..."
It was slightly offensive because a demoness like her can never sag, either way, due to this sentence the woman started to blush intensively and anger gathering in her stomach. "Insufferable child…" she mumbled barely audible.
"Anger also makes you look older, Sis-Sis…" Whispering in her ear, she patted her head like a good girl, sitting down on the empty place near Albedo, positioning her legs on the table leisurely.
"So, what's up? You guys are here early…"
The councillors eyed the girl who even according to their strict measurements couldn't be older than 16 or 17. Her skin ashen coloured, her head crowned with a white flowing hair reaching entirely to her waist, adorned with a military cap of Earth design. Both her body and face perfectly proportioned, wearing a white military uniform that resembled a mix of a German Gestapo officer uniform from the WWII era, and something else, giving her some matter of style.
Her feet covered by a slightly high heeled combat boots. Caressing gently on her side a katana with black scabbard, with golden swastika guard and nicely combed handle. On the end of the pommel a broken chain hung. Even looking at it gave chills, and an unnatural feeling for the surrounding people.
"The "esteemed" general we presume." Sparatus asked sarcastically giving a slight bow of the head. She just glanced at the man, her eyes strange. Double coloured with a strange pitch black sclera. Tevos was honestly astonished seeing this, making her remember her kinds melding process.
"Bingo!" She smirked.
Her dismissing attitude honestly unnerved everyone around, raising their ire even more.
"I presume, there is a good reason behind your lateness… Supreme General…" Valern stated his question tentatively, measuring her from tip to toe. Honestly, even knowing Asari kind, from her appearance and attitude he would never had figured out what rank she bore.
"Nope…" she glanced at the Salarian lazily, recovering a bag of chips from her long trench coat. "Because I was not late. I'm never late… Do you want some chips? It is really good!" Opening the bag, she offered it to the councillors, but only silence awaited her offer.
This one sentence made Valern eye furrow. "What she is speaking about?" All four looked at each other, questioning, and the girl formed an "O" with her mouth.
"Oh! I see, you are confused. Let me explain…" she cleared her throat, standing up on the chair, pointing her index upward while placing her other hand behind her back. "A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to." he quoted a famous book and even the wisest wizard.
"So, you intentionally made us wait…?!" Sparatus glared at her furiously, and was on to call the guards to lead her out. "Are you joking!?"
"Made you wait?" she only offered a lazy glance, cracking a potato chip with her teeth. "You are the ones who arrived too early…"
"WHAT?!" Sparatus jumped up, hitting the table. "Don't joke with us! You were late by more than a whole hour and you say we arrived too early!? Have you no sense of time!? Have you..."
She raised her hand, stopping the jabbering Turian. "Time is relative, Mr. Turian. Have you heard that? More so for beings who perceive it differently, or stand outside of your space time. According to my clock…" She recovered a pocket watch of a strange design under her coat, opening it and watching it bored. "I am a few billion years early. You're lucky I checked around the Citadel, or you could have waited here until the end of your days."
"I have had enough!"
"Sparatus!" Tevos tried to stop him, but the Turian already pushed the button. "Send security, we have an invader in the council meeting room!"
Immediately, the sliding doors opened, several Spectre agents approached. Albedo already shook head head, sighing, knowing where it will lead.
"Sparatus, she is…"
"She just violated at least a hundred laws, even with diplomatic status she can't get away with this. As a council member, I have the right to lead her away!"
"Miss…" An Asari Spectre touched her shoulder, right away her face contorted in a weird way (Excalibur expression). Pulling her knees on the seat and hugging them. "I don't take it lightly when someone touches me, Scram! You are disturbing my personal space!"
The blue woman just raised her brown, thinking nothing of it… and when she wanted to use force… 'Flash!' The spectre was teleported outside of the door in that moment, immediately, every spectre aimed their guns at the girl, yet, when they raised the guns on her, every weapon turned into a dildo, starting to vibrate in their hands, shooting soap bubbles.
"Play with it…" she glanced at them munching chips with a huffish expression.. "Now, adults are speaking, scram… touching a girl just like that…? Perverts…" simply waving her hand, the Spectres watched each other, and when they wanted to detain her, the same happened with them, all teleported out. After this, each time an agent opened the door, and stepped through the door frame, they were teleported back to their original position, like an endless loop.
"What the…"
"Intriguing…" Valern hummed, going closer to the door frame, seeing the Spectres stuck in an endless loop. Of course the Salarian scanned the anomaly right away. "Heavy temporal disturbance… Time loop? Unexpected…"
He turned back to the girl, who just winked at the man, pointing at him with her indexes while forming a gun. "Ten points for the STG!"
"Supreme General, I hope I don't have to remind you, this is the heavy violation…"
"Yeah! Yeah! Yada! Yada! Political bullshit. Not interested. Don't worry, you can leave the room anytime you want. No one will hold you back," she waved away Tevos' worry who flattened under a moment, stopping her mouth. "That is a localised time loop if you are really that curious. It only affects those who want to come in. You can leave anytime… I will not stop you..." 'Crank!' Sparatus' eyes twitched, being disturbed by the constant gnawing of the girl.
"Then…?"
"We are here to discuss things? No? Let's not waste more time! I have a few very intriguing projects running in the meantime, let's not waste more breath on unnecessary prattle."
"Projects?" Valren eyes started to shine brighter, catching on the occasion. "Well... may we inquire as to what this project Lady Esdeath is working on? If we can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to ask. The Salarian Union is a committed supporter of every scientific advancement." The Salarian stated hoping to get a beneficial deal, maybe some new technology to study in an effort to help the STG scientists that have been studying the outdated tech they were given months ago. They had yet to figure out anything about how there technology worked, they just kept reporting the same thing "it doesn't make sense" in each report the council was given.
"Dammit! Damn Valern!" Tevos bit her lip, feeling she will lose the grasp on the situation. "As well is the Asari Republics, if you need scientist, or any other resource, please don't hesitate to ask. I am sure we can all benefit from the scientific advancement if we work together…"
Anderson just rolled his eyes, first Valern, then Tevos, these two really can't deny their greedy nature.
"Naahhh! I am fine. But thanks anyway… Also… Nice try bucko." She pointed her fingers at the two, forming a gun firing motion with her hands, shocking both councillor slightly. "But if you can't even understand that easy tech we gave you a few months back, you are less than likely to understand this one."
"Did she just…" Valern and Tevos looked at each other flabbergasted, Albedo allowed herself a small smile. Indeed, these primitive people lack the necessary craft to understand what their technology can offer. It was not surprising they couldn't understand it.
"But hey! A pointer! Just because I am nice. You are trying to understand it too much! Let your imagination rule! Don't force it. Never go full retard! That's magic for you! It will never operate according to the whim of your home dimension, because it originates from a different plane! And with your current understanding it is more than impossible to force it to your bidding. It works differently, the rules of your reality means shit at the metaphysical level! Like surfing, follow the wave! You will never understand it if you go full retard… feel it!"
"What!?" Sparatus mumbled, not understanding a word that the girl spouted.
She just leaned back, taking out another, perfectly sliced and cooked chip, watching it like an engineer her creation. "Never go full retard…" she mumbled before she continued munching on it.
Tevos maybe expected the girl to point out their intent right away, but Valern was slightly caught off guard. He didn't expect this "girl" to figure him out so quickly .
"Well, thank you for the pointers… Lady Esdeath, if you need our help, don't hesitate to ask…" 'Never go full retard…' this sentence still made no sense. Yet, both Tevos and Valern will relay it to their researchers.
"Either way...if this meeting doesn't go as I'd hoped you may end up seeing it yourselves. And pleeease drop the titles I'm not a big fan of useless things... just Esdeath will do. Or Esdese, or whatever you are comfortable with..."
"Well…" Tevos glanced at her fellows, clearing her throat. "In that case, Esdeath, I'm sure you want to get straight to the point as do we, since, as you said we arrived too early, but still waited an hour. Would you kindly inform us as to the point of all this, I hope it was worth the wait."
"Jeez don't get your knickers in a twist Miss Cthulhu, I was just about to get to it." Sparatus and Anderson had barely contained their chuckle, Tevos only raised her brow having no idea what the hell a Cthulhu was. Valern just stared at her with a neutral expression, then sat back at his seat.
"Well I can see where your AI got its personality from." stated Anderson under his breath
"Ah! Yes! As you know, like father, like son. In this case, a child usually follows his/her parents footsteps." she sighed smiling gently, remembering the time when she started to teach the AI and her two children. "But let's not waste more time lamenting on the past. Let's start it! Goldie would you please show them the images we captured last week." With that the golden child resembling Esdeath's younger version showed up on the middle of the table in a bowing position. "Yes Mother right away!" The cheerful AI said standing up and waving one of her hands from left to right.
Immediately hundreds of images and videos popped up on the holographic display emitted from the table, each one containing hundreds of sovereign class ships and smaller unknown types, some close ups of each type. Oddly, one contained a weird picture, a girl with black and white hair and eyes, sticking out her tongue taking a selfie, behind her hundreds of red lights signalling the enemy were charging their cannons. She was not even nervous, just offering her goofy expression, her fingers in the shape of a V.
Anderson was immediately stunned out of his cheerful attitude showing visible signs of discomfort, the other councillors not so much they seemed to look almost bored and disconnected. The first to speak was Sparatus who seemed to be rather angry about this display.
"This is what you gathered us for! 'The Reapers'?" he said with air quotes "It seems someone has been talking to that traitor Shepard too much. I refuse to accept this as proof of their existence, these could be simple forgeries or fakes concocted through some other means not of our knowing." However, glancing at a few pictures which gave precise technical details, seeing how lifelike those pictures and videos were, a faint doubt started to materialise in the Turian.
"Agreed, as Sparatus has stated these could be simple forgeries we cannot accept this as proof." Tevos stated supporting Sparatus
Esdeath mentally face palmed at this "Even after overwhelming proof they still refuse to acknowledge their existence well this was a failure, the hard way it is. They are really like back in the game… ah, well.' She offered a mocking smile. 'Seeing their expression when we show them will be much more fun this way! I can't wait!'
Anderson had finally collected himself enough to ask the only questions on his mind as he interrupted Valerns reply of agreement "Where were these taken and how long ago? How much time do we have before they reach us? And how many are there?" Asked Anderson as he sputtered out questions in quick succession with growing pools of sweat on his head.
'Well I expected at least him to think rationally.' "These were taken a week and a half ago in the Bahak system with them numbering roughly one thousand, with new ones continuously arriving to the system." Esdeath said flatly, standing up, walking near the window and staring at the Presidium under them. "You would think they would hide it better, yet…" she glanced at a keeper, marching through a bridge to do its maintenance duty. 'They're hiding right in front of their noses. The perfect place… Fufufu… Harbinger-kun is so crafty…'
...
Suddenly station wide alerts started blaring, red lights flashing and the armoured shutters around the council chambers stated to close, throughout the citadel everyone had started to panic they new what those sirens meant and it was nothing good, it meant the citadel was under attack!
...
Back in the council chambers the councilors were starting to worry multiple reports were coming in from there separate intelligence feeds and they were saying the exact same thing that the citadel was under attack.
Tevos tapped some buttons on her Omnitool opening up a channel to the Destiny Ascension she put the live feed up on the holo display so everyone could see what was happening "Commander T'kavus report! what's happening out there?"
"Ma'am we under attack from a single vessel that showed up out of nowhere! It's similar to the one that attack the citadel Two years ago but its main weapon is different and has no support ships, now it just has a similar energy signature to the weapons of the Sorcerer Kingdom' dreadnought's." the counsellors looked at Esdeath suspiciously as she was staring off into space.
"And Ma'am... it has energy shields that have shrugged off everything we have thrown at it nothing is getting through…"
"A Reaper? How did it get here? How are they already this close?" Anderson said lightly but it was enough for Esdeath to hear it from across the room
"What? I don't see anything! Did you see something? Absurd… there are no "Reapers" here… We dismissed that claim, don't you remember?" she said dripping with sarcasm. "Oh! If you mean that ugly little bug out there… don't even worry about it. If you imagine it hard enough, it will disappear! Just like all your problems? That's how you used to do it? Right? Let's try it… concentrate really hard!" She invited the councillors with a wave, clenching her teeth, offering an expression like when someone was trying to relieve a stuck stool. After a few seconds, she opened one eye, looking around questioning. "Is it gone? Did it work? No? Why not? Maybe we didn't we deny it hard enough! I know, you can do it! Come on! Let's try again!" Sparatus glared at her with a rather angry expression
Tevos was the first to break her silence as she'd had just about enough of this and began to talk down to the pale woman. "General Esdeath what is the meaning of this why does that thing have your nations weapons? how is that possible?"
Esdeath sighed and turned around on the heels of her feet, picking her ear with her pinkie putting it all the way in, then inspecting it. "Ugh! Did that come out from me? Horrible!" In the next moment pucking away the ear booger with disgust, teleporting onto the table, sitting cross legged staring down on the table in front of the councilors.
"How…?" Valern, and all present gasped, unable to believe what happened, how the girl appeared before them so suddenly.
"Well…" she glanced through them with her strange eyes, staring them down from her position. In the next moment, just to increase the awkwardness of the situation, pulling out a boxed drink and a straw. "I didn't feel it was necessary to inform you since you didn't believe me… and as I perceive it, there is nothing out there..." the girl, penetrated the box with the drinking straw. 'Puck!' "Am I right? Mr. 'Reapers'..." She gave one last gaze to the already fuming and ashamed Sparatus.
Tevos glanced at her and asked "Didn't feel the need to inform us of what prey-tell? If you have any information as to this matter... "
Esdeath put her hand up interrupting the Asari, she finished her juice box with long slurping sounds agitating the already annoyed councillors once more before she answered the question. "The AI of a major research facility went rogue, it was corrupted after a reaper virus invaded its neural network looking for anything of value, this caused the AI to malfunction and leak the blueprints for the prototype designs of the weapons, mana cores and shields(lie) that were used on your ships when our fleets first "met". She looked back to goldie with an inquisitive look, the A.I seemed to of got what she was asking.
"It was isolated and is currently going undergoing rehab, re calibration and will be tested thoroughly so it can be reintegrated back into the A.I community."
"See!" Sparatus shouted pointing at Goldie who was standing on the table innocently, ignoring her statement. "Didn't I tell you that A.I can't be trusted! I told you this months ago that you should of destroyed them all, it was only a matter of time until they started to betray you!" Esdeath looked at the Turian as if he was a mad man rambling on about the end of the world.
"Okay mister 'end is near' what happens when your soldiers get PTSD or have gained a mental illness through some other means? Hmm? Do you put them down for being defective and not worth the effort or do you rehabilitate them? curing them over time…" she wasn't just defending the malfunctioning A.I she genuinely wanted to know…
"Well… um… their people, they're sent to special division in the Ministry of warfare and cared for in rooms capable of handling such needs, these are just artificial beings there's simply no comparison… it would be like putting a sky car in front of a therapist after its had a major crash and ordering the doctor to figure out what's wrong with it."
'How very archaic… well it's to be expected of such a lowly creature' Albedo thought to herself but couldn't help wondering why Esdeath had just teleported next to her with a big grin. 'this isn't going to end well.'
Before Esdeath could make her point and embarrass Albedo even more T'kavus interrupted. "This is very interesting and all but what do you people suggest we do about that." she said with an extremely agitated voice switching her camera feed to an outside view, the "Reaper" had just finished destroying a Turian carrier that had tried to flank the massive ship from behind. It had turned on an impossible angle firing its main cannons in a sweeping motion as it came around.
'Oh Thank Ainz, you have my gratitude insect.'
"Now I'm not sure if you care but a lot of people are dying out here. I had a friend on that carrier he was a good man." She switched the feed back to her face which now had a sad but firm expression. "I'd like an explanation as to how to kill this thing?"
The council looked at Esdeath with a hopeful expression who only replied by pulling another bag of chips out of her pocket dimension and started eating. Finally she answered the hope filled glare and with a shrug of her shoulders and a mouth full of food. "What, I didn't see anything… that ship blew itself up... there is clearly nothing out there."
"You have got to be joking there is a ship out there with your stolen weapons and your just going to pretend like it doesn't exist!" Sparatus shouted in full blown rage.
"Yep..." she said happily, "It's ironic, isn't it, hehehe?
"You can't be serious! What do you want?! Why did you even come here?! What was the point of all this?!" Sparatus was having none of it, he was seriously considering pulling his side arm up from his hip to shoot this insane child.
"To give you a warning… and have some fun, that was the only part that seemed to workout…" She said saying the last part in a muffled voice though still audible. "I really should've expected this outcome… arr well what can you do… somethings never change, Albedo we're leaving…
"Yes Esdeath-sama"