So here's the full release sorry it took so long, but writing isn't even in the top 5 of my priority list at the time, that and I had a lot of RL stuff going on this month and I just couldn't get to it. Please enjoy
P.s i did change somethings from the beta release
Thanks to Oblivion2991 for helping as usual
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.
Please support the official release.
Overlord Effect
Chapter five
Albedo had begun to finish her 'fight' with the Reaper. To call it a fight would be to give the creature too much credit, it was more like that of an angry child playing with a new toy. Every time it went to attack she simply blocked it with her shield whether it was an arm trying to hit her around or Lazer fire from its ventral guns, she blocked its attacks, it lost a part of itself, its gradually disappearing legs were torn off or plating went missing, if it could feel anything she was sure it would be begging for mercy and she wasn't going to give any. It last remaining gun was firing constantly, beam after beam flew at the overseer trying to disintegrate her, emphasis on 'trying'. When it collided with her shield it simply bounced off and hit one of the multiple arms of the station leaving it more damaged then it was before.
This back and forth continued on for a time, she wanted to enjoy this, it had been so long since she had got to kill and maim something but this wasn't fun at all… it was boring… it couldn't scream or beg. It was like an empty shell, or even a ragdoll. A lifeless machine without any capability to feel agony or compassion.
Given this much, she was heavily dissatisfied, even more so considering the fact that for a long time this was her only chance to enjoy herself.
"Maybe I shouldn't be that greedy…" she thought deep inside, scolding herself for a moment, even considering asking Cocytus, Aura, or even that flat vampire to help her with her constant urge of battle. "Yet, the best thing would be to enjoy myself with Ainz-sama!"
She chuckled sultry, licking her lips sensually, slicing off another bit of plating from the creature, before pummeling the machination under the surface with her shield. Indeed, she was a demon in the fullest sense! Both taking her nature, her race, and her desires in consideration.
"KReee!"
It was almost like the machine screamed in agony, but in truth, it was only the sound of the failing servos and moving parts. Like the gears, the stuck parts unnaturally grinded against each other, on the verge of breakdown, the creature tried to optimize the inner workings of its parts.
"Ah! A scream! Finally! A scream! Scream some more! Scream for me!" Albedo grinned and crackled like a mad warlord, continuing her assault. Her lower part slowly starting to moisten as she found some enjoyment in this until now meaningless beatdown.
She continued to tear bits and pieces off of the ship wanting to get another reaction it simply reacted by trying to shake her off or through thousands of spider like repair drones at her in a desperate effort to kill or maim her. This only served to lessen her enjoyment once again any kind of good feeling had turned to dust like that of this stations enhabatence.
What filled to void in lue of her positive stressed relieved state could only be described as rage of the purest degree such that the ship she was standing on seemed to shake like a child who had just witnessed a murder, then her aura began to flare up it crushed the outer shell of the ship leaving a rather large indentation in its hull then it cut off likes a water main had just been cut then she started to shake and raised her sword hand over her head.
"DIE YOU BASTARD!"
She swung her sword at such a speed that it caught space-time and dragged it along the blade edge of the blade causing reality slash slicing that went straight through the hull of the massive ship and out the other side sheering it clean in half bisecting right down the middle, but she didn't stop there, no her wrath at this insect was immense… she focused it all on the half of the ship that had started to float away. She swung her sword again and again, over and over until it was nothing but large randomly sized bits of reaper.
When she was done stared down at what was left of the dead reaper, her face under her helm crumpled into an annoyed expression and with a "Tch" she floated back to spire more annoyed than she was before.
With the council
"A party! A fucking party! Why in the name of God would you want to start a party!? millions of people just died! Your insane...This is insane- "
And thus, Anderson began to rant while Esdeath just sat back and let him get it all out.
"Hmm…" all around, she just hummed, watching the battle leisurely, even when Anderson stood Infront of her, yabbering about responsibility, and the fact, she can't play with the lives of millions of people, she basically "looked through" him. Her higher perception allowed her to ignore petty material obstacles that may hinder other's vision.
"Oh! Albi-chan… you are such a bad girl, Fufufuf!" she pulled her leg under her, hugging it with one of her arms, while biting her thumb.
"Are you even listening to what I'm telling you?" Anderson roared infuriated, but she just waved.
"Yeah. Yeah! Just continue your jabbering! I feel bad about myself already. I can pay attention…" she said with a flat expression, using a bored tone.
Though, she could pay attention over many things and multitask if she wants, she completely ignored Anderson's rant. Chatting with a few of her friends, and watching the battle in the meantime.
"I see, then… YOU CAN'T JUST IGNORE PEOPLE! MASSACRACING MILLIONS! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!?"
"Sorry pops… I feel bad…" she mumbled, trying not to grin, and thus, the man continued for a few more minutes.
All the while she just sat, nodding her head, trying to look as bored and miserable as possible - it was really hard. She could barely contain her laughter by the end.
Anderson tried to state his point, and in the end, it came to that he lost all hope of convincing the girl to help and change her ways. Leaning over on the invisible wall that had kept them all 'safe' huffing large gulps of air, he was on the verge of breakdown. The rest of the council- the ones that were conscious- looked at Anderson oddly with a mix of satisfaction and sadness.
"Are you done? Got that out of your system?" Esdeath asked looking lazily at an exhausted Anderson.
"Mmm hmm" he said exhaustively, looking up at the ashen girl. "I give up… you're like a child. Grow up!"
"Fufufu… if my kids could hear you, they would applaud your effort and realization."
"What?" it was a completely absurd statement, or even idea that this person with such a personality had a child and not taken away by some governmental authority. Anderson and the rest of the council could hardly fathom the possibility.
"Ah, nothing. Or…" she glanced at the battle with a slight proud smile on her face, seeing Albedo almost finished with her "bully run".
"I mean…Khm!" she cleared her throat, regaining her "business" face.. "Good, all we have to do is wait for Albi-chan to finish her little game, and we can start inviting our guests… in the meantime how about I show you that something…"she said tilting her head and grinning slightly.
"Oh, nevermind would you look at that she's finished already guess it can wait then." just then bits and pieces of the reaper corpse - some bits bigger than others- drifted by the massive hole in the Spire that it had cut out earlier.
The councilors jaw was left gaping as the superstructure floated by unperturbed by the smaller bits around it. The next thing that came into their view was Albedo with a raging purple aura emanating from her body.
And then it stopped suddenly when she stepped onto the partially destroyed floor In Front of them, she calmly walked up to the transparent shield and walked through it like it was never there to begin with.
She took off her helmet, clutching it under her left arm and knelt in front of Esdeath her head up staring with her yellow glowing and ravenous eyes into the eyes of the supreme being, like they were barely holding back the beast within them.
"May I be granted leave to go home to Nazarick Esdeath-sama...?"
"That bad was it?"
"Yes…" she replied flatly, looking away with a sour face.
"I suppose… but you'll have to wait a minute I've got to fix something first. Then, we can spar if you want. Or, I can nag Ainz-kun some to spend some time with you."
"Yes… that would be good. I need to release some tension…" she just muttered, evidently glad someone understood what she wants.
"What!? What are you going to 'fix'" Sparatus said with exaggerated air quotes "Everyone is dead! And this station is scrap metal!" he yelled as he looked at the girl. He was still a bit shaken up by what happened earlier but nonetheless he said it anyway. The next moment wishing he didn't say anything as Albedo turned to him her killing intent flared up only slightly but the Turian felt a chill run up his entire body like he had just walked into a frigid blizzard on some nameless snowball.
"I'd shut up if I were you or it's going to get ugly, you don't want to see her when she's truly pissed off." Stated Esdeath, teleporting near sparatus and whispering.
"As for what I will fix?" she stuck her tongue, and mischievous stuck her tongue while folded her fingers behind her back. "Watch and you will see, my little padawans! Watch, and learn from the master of the order and chaos!"
"Well then!" she clapped her hands, brushing them together like she was on to conduct a great act. Raising her arm like a glorified musical conductor. "Let's start, the restoration…"
"Let's get started!" [Temporal Restoration] she incanted her skill casually, and before their disbelieving eyes time stated to flow backwards, the girl, like she conducted some sonata, moved her hand, conducting the restoration of the timeline. Her moves perfect, like she followed the rhythm of some great opera.
"Hmm, hmmm! Hmmm!" like no one heard it, just her. The Supreme Being heard the sonata of time, space and existence. Conducting the restoration with her very will. Her hand moving gently, conducting the reversal of time/space to a set state. Restoring the layer of the onion like universe.
"So beautiful… the tragedy of time, space, life and death…" she mumbled, her eyes still closed, on her face a calm, serene smile, in her head, listening the horrific beauty of existence rewriting itself!
"Do you hear it, Albedo?"
"Unfortunately, I am unable, Esdeath-sama…" the succubus said somewhat sad, but with a move, and Albedo as well started to hear it. Her tears gathering in her demonic eyes immediately. "So… tragic, so beautiful…!"
Any normal being hearing the sonata of space/time would end their existence erased, yet, for the two, it was an indescribable melody conducted by numberless instrument and voice.
"What the…"
"Impossible!" muttered all councilors watching the horrific scene.
Outside, the Reaper that was cut to ribbons earlier was reconstructed and fighting nothing but empty space, the hole it cut in the Spire stated to repair and the fireball that hit the station rolled back over their original position.
All the screaming they could hear from below them reversed sounding like a demonic howl until finally the citadel fleet rematerialised where they were before this tragedy began. Acting as if nothing happened. When it was finished, they found themselves standing around the pale girl and a still armoured kneeling Albedo. The queen, sniffing, trying to wipe her tears of joy.
"That… that was beautiful!"
"Don't worry, I made a recording, give it to you after we are finished here…" Patting Albedo head, the pale girl chuckled gently, the succubus queen nodded.
"Thank you…"
The councilors looked around confused and disoriented, the human councilor was the first to inquire about what had just happened
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Anderson raged, he was more confused than anything. Was this some kind of highly detailed illusion or was it real ? Did everyone die or was it all an act.
"I loaded a save." Esdeath stated smugly, sticking her tongue like a rebelling child who wanted to piss off her parents, not caring about how they reacted.
"Are you saying you rewound time?" Valern inquired, still shaken from what he saw.
"Hmm, let's just say… occasionally I find time manipulation irresistible. Controlling it offers so many appetizing opportunities…"
"Then… that was, really time manipulation? Or was it some trick…?" Anderson asked suspicious, still unable to comprehend, or believe what he saw.
"What does it matter? What difference does it make?" asked the girl innocently, like the two would be the same thing.
"A lot…" and the grumpy man answered, crossing his arms.
"Well…" she looked away. "Let's just say time has always fascinated me, so I taught myself how best to use it.
"And why time of all things?"
"Well…" she smirked. "There are four dimensions you can perceive. Although, usually with your limited three dimensional perception, you only use, or care about three. Length, width, height… the fourth is time. What would you have me fall in love with? Width? Don't be ridiculous!"
She chuckled them off, making the councilors blush in embarrassment.
"Though..." She looked out, time still frozen around the whole cluster.
"Time, reality and existence manipulation and control is nothing more than data and information manipulation. Time reversal is simply the restoration of information to a previous, or a later "layer"…"
"Layer?" Valern raised his brow, somewhat confused by the explanation.
"Like a computer backup?"
"Well…kinda like that. But to put it simply..." she chuckled. "… imagine your universe like an onion - well superonion you could say - with infinite quantum layer complexity. It contains, contained, and will contain all the information and possible variety of information that happened, happens, and will happen in your universe. Nothing lost! Everything is stored in the right place! If you know, or can search which layer and quantum state contains the information you need, you can restore and modify it as you like! That's it! It is easy! You see! Even dense people like you could do it if you really try!"
Now, she's just starting to get offensive, even Albedo admitted to the simplicity of these people.
"Though, it is an overly simplified explanation even dense beings like you can understand. In truth, it is much more complex thingy… maybe in a few million, or even a billion years, you will understand. Of course, if your races still exist at that point."
"Well… thank you…" said so Valern while he and his fellow councilors looked together, being somewhat offended after the girl called them stupid.
"Ya wanna go now? We do have a party to get to, don't want to let the guests beat us there." She said happy as she opened another gate this one big enough for all of them to fit through all at once.
"Is it safe?"
"Just as much as going through any hole in space time is… maybe a few atoms will be displaced or lost! But that's all!" she stuck out her tongue mischievously, winking. This of course, made the councilors more worried.
"Come, come… Hurry up, Goldenrod, or you're gonna be a permanent resident!"
"What?" Asked Anderson.
"Man you haven't gotten a single reference yet! Do you even watch any of the classics, you know Star Wars, the Matrix those kinds of movies. I thought you Earthlings at least knew a few… but this? Shame!" she pointed at Anderson with a flat expression and sighed exhaustively .
She then looked to the Salarian as if to ask a question "You know... I'm not sure why you guys haven't figured it out yet, you have quantum communications so it shouldn't be that much of a leap to entangle two EZO atoms and pump a tone of negatively polarised energy through it, you could probably get something similar to this with enough trial and error… just make sure you account for the EPR paradox or you'll all end up as children or dead either one is bad." she said it so casually... as if it were the most obvious thing in the Galaxy… but this little statement could revolutionise space travel leaving the mass relays as relics of the past.
"Well... time to go!" she said happily, teleporting behind them with a mischievous smile and gently pushed them all through the portal still a little shocked.
(A/n. I thought I'd explained what just happened if some of you didn't get it. Wormholes, traversable wormholes are theoretically possible by using exotic matter with negative energy density. Ezo can technically do this based on how it works in the Mass Effect Universe so it wasn't a far shot to say it could create a wormhole. That's all.)
Ssv Everest: Systems Alliance Capital Ship
News of what happened to the citadel spread like wildfire through the extranet. Earth's governments along with the system's alliance began to panic, multiple communications were sent to the Turian, Salarian and Asari governments but they only had the same information they did. Ships from the council races were sent to investigate but any attempt to access the Serpent nebula through the mass relays were barred entry as the relays were malfunctioning saying something along the lines of 'destination does not exist' and any attempt to correct the error was unsuccessful it was almost as if it was true...
As the news began to spread through the greater public, rampant speculation on what was happening began to condense into conspiracy theories this eventually resulted in accusations being thrown left and right some of them towards the Geth, most of them to the Sorcerer's Kingdom for which they adamantly denied all involvement and or knowledge about the situation, but they did say that the kingdom and its colonies were ready to stand and support any effort to investigate what had happened. This was welcomed by political groups but as always it seemed to fuel the further creation of theories and conspiracies.
…
Admiral hackett had enjoyed his shore leave on Earth as overseeing the construction and repair of hundreds of ships had evidently been very stressful. The moment he got aboard his ship the relaxed atmosphere he gave off was soured when a ship wide announcement sounded that the citadel had gone completely silent.
The Everest and the entire Arcturus fleet was immediately sent to investigate what was happening but at the moment they were still en route to join up with the other council race fleets in Apien Crest the Turian home system, they agreed to focus all their efforts on one relay in the hope that any errors may be resolved quickly if something had happened the combined might of the the council races would come down full force on whatever or whoever had caused this!
The hours long journey between major systems had become something that just blended into the background as you got older and the Admiral for one could attest to this statement. He stood staring out the main window of his ship watching as super liminal winds flew past his ship each time he went through a relay this view always changed, he was quite enjoying the view right up until they suddenly dropped out of mass stream his ship coming to a slow gradual stop.
He turned around calmly and spoke to the ensign closest to him, the kid was sweating his face off, rataled and nervous at what his holo screen was telling him.
"Report, what's going on?"
"Sir! We have dropped out as a safety precaution. There is a massive amount of energy building on the main deck! If these readings are correct it's similar to the portals that the kingdom uses!"
"Where?" He inquired looking around.
"It's right next to you sir!" As the ensign spoke a mass of swirling black energy appeared and the Admiral backed off past his view table, down the short flight of stairs and took cover behind the guard rails.
"Get ready I want to be ready for anything that comes through it" multiple people pulled their sidearms from the weapons compartment near their work alcoves and aimed at the portal. A moment later a figure stepped out it was 5'9' had red hair and was wearing system's alliance navy casual attire. The Admiral had already guessed as to who it was but when the figure spoke in a very familiar voice it only confirmed his theory. "I fucking hate portals."
"Shepard?" He inquired, getting out of cover and putting sidearm away, his crew following shortly after.
"Admiral Hackett, it's good to see you again sir!" Said the redhead as she turned away from the gate and looked at the Admiral. Shaking the hand he greeted her with.
"I wish I could say the same Commander but the current situation calls for a more stoic attitude, what happened to you? You were supposed to hand yourself in a week ago."
"Yes sorry Sir, I got sidetracked and I think kidnapped… I'm not so sure on that part."
"Well in any event I hope you can explain why there is a wormhole on my command deck." He said looking behind the redhead.
"They told me to come get you Sir. I think you're going to want to see what they have to show you."
"Who is 'they' Shepard can you be a bit more specific."
"The Kingdom, Admiral. They're watching the Reaper fleet."
"I'm sorry commander I must be going deaf, are you saying they're here, already? That may mean that they're responsible for the Citadel going silent..."
"Yes sir I am but I'm not sure what you mean did something happen to the Citadel?" She asked worryingly. She had no clue what was happening outside during her stay on the ship, she hadn't heard what had happened on the citadel or what was happening anywhere else for that matter.
"We don't know yet, we can only speculate at this point but three hours ago the Citadel' extranet traffic completely stopped as did all outbound signal's that were being monitored and the mass relays aren't responding to requests, the engineers are saying that it doesn't exist."
"Damnit what did she do?" Shepard said quietly.
"What was that Commander?"
She sighed and crossed her arms. "I'm not sure if this has anything to do with it but a while ago I was transported onto the ship that's observing the Reaper fleet by the Supreme Admiral of the Kingdom, she left me in a weird prison cell and said she'd be back later. That was three hours ago. I've been speaking with one of her subordinates ever since, nice guy but he's a bit creepy, smiles to much.
"That isn't a coincidence if they've attacked the citadel this could mean war, and if what you say is true and the Reapers are here we're all screwed."
"I don't think they would do that Sir, I think they want to help us, my ship's being refitted and from what I've been told it'll make this ship look like an old sailboat, plus like I said the reason I was sent here was to get you for a meeting with the other leaders of the galaxy."
"So your working for them now?" He asked incredulously. And without any hesitation Shepard replied with a constant insulted like tone.
"Definitely not Sir, my allegiances are still to Earth and the System's Alliance, we need ally's and these people are some of the most powerful in the galaxy we are going to need their help whether we want it or not!"
"I suppose that will have to do then, for now."
"Can we go then..."
"Aye… let me take care of a few things first." he turned from the Commander to his first Officer.
"Captain korven your in-charge until I get back, head to the closest relay and link up with the other fleets, am I understood?"
"Yes sir!" The captain said looking a bit annoyed, Apien Crest wasn't that far away now but getting there without the speed of a mass relay would take a few hours more of traveling.
And thus, the Admiral took care of the usual bureaucratic things, handing down the command of his ship while he was away.
Tachanka: Krogan d.m.z
Above Tuchanka a relatively small gate opened allowing a just as small ship through, it wasn't that large, maybe large enough to fit a small team of human occupants, but no, today this ship was carrying a single occupant a turtleman of immense size and stature. This turtleman's name was Dermoch Leatherback an old tribe leatherback chieftain from one of the final wars to be fought on Gown prime.
His tribe along with the others in the area had fought hard in the 'war' against the supreme ones to keep their independence but in the end he and his fellow chieftains surrendered to the Sorcerer king after a massive display of power. He leveled their sacred mountain Infront of their eyes with some kind of glowing sword that fell from the sky, when it touched the mountain there was a bright light and then an explanation so loud they thought the thunder god was screaming when the smoke cleared there was nothing left but a smoking crater, what the king said afterwards was something about being tired of stubborn people, the turtle man chief wasn't really listening at that point -perhaps that's why he was being sent to retrieve the krogan clan chief- since that day his people had been prospering for nearly eight hundred years and he hadn't regretted bowing before the skeletal king, any grudge he had felt had since faded now he only felt thankful to the king and was ever ready to serve.
Traditionally these Krogan weren't that dissimilar to his species the turtle men, they had a similar caste system, they were tribal and respected other tribes but what was most different to them was that his species disliked needles battle, they preferred piece and discussion rather than fighting but would fight if needed, warrior monks were trained from the day they could stand until they were called on to defend their fellow tribesmen and they were a force to be reckoned with especially turtlemen of the razorback, hard shell and leatherback tribes, they were once referred to as walking tanks by the Supreme ones, at the time they didn't know what that meant, but as time moved on they eventually got the meaning behind those words and it gave them pride to be referred to as such.
...
After he left the gate he had entered the atmosphere minutes later and was coming up on what the Krogan referred to as the demilitarized zone, a place where the Krogan clans could come together without any fighting but from a secret recon mission that was conducted before his arrival it was confirmed that fighting between males happened on a regular basis within the zone mostly over females…
It seemed quite odd to him at first but after reading up on what had been done to these Krogan over a thousand years ago he quickly understood why they would do such a thing, especially if the female was fertile. If the same thing was done to his race he was pretty sure they would shed their peace loving shells and revert to infighting over a fertile prize as well…
He was getting closer now about fifty kilometres out and was receiving hails from the command centre near the D.M.Z.
"Unidentified ship please slow your approach and state you business, failure to comply will be taken as hostile intentions this will result in you being fired upon. I repeat slow your approach and state your business."
In a low gruff voice he replied. "DMZ command this is the Advenae, I am here on a diplomatic missions for Sorcerer kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown per request of his Majesty. I request permission to land and an audience with your leader Urdnot Wrex."
"Permission granted. Wrex was starting to wonder when you'd show up, I'll let him know your coming, dock in bay five guards will be there to meet you when you arrive."
"Acknowledged." He proceeded forward to the aforementioned dock and engaged the auto docking procedure, it ending with clunking of docking clamps locking into place . He got out of his pilot's chair and made is way slowly to the door.
He could see the six waiting guards on the other side through the one way glass, weapons down but they were there, Dermoch wondered to himself for an instant if they could hurt him...He chuckled a little to himself and pressed the button on his right to open the door with a test sound it opened swinging upwards so as not to get in the way.
As he stepped out tucking his head in slightly trying not to hit the door seal above, the Krogan guard's on the other side looked at him with a surprised expressions. He was similar to them but not at the same time.
He was tall over eight feet bright green eyes and black scale skin, on his back sat a large thick black leather shell that stretched from the back of his neck right down to the small tail that stuck out of the bottom of his shell he wore a green cloth like sash that started at his neck, wrapped around the back of his shell and covered his waist down to the top of his knees
"I am Dermoch Leatherback it's a pleasure to meet you all." he said, giving a slight bow of the head.
"Haa, this way it's a bit of a walk so try and keep up." replied one of the guards. That one was odd maybe he was just young, the plate on his head wasn't completely formed, it was still in separate bits of bone and skin, he was curious he may get the chance to ask later now wasn't the time.
After a long walk through the ruins of a city they arrived at a courtyard like area, destroyed and crumbling buildings surrounding it, in the middle a throne like chair made of concrete and rebar sticking out of it. Sat on this throne was a Krogan in a grey suit of armour scars down the right side of its face and a focus in its eyes that could kill if looked at the wrong way.
As they approached the Krogan chief he stayed seated while Dermoch remained standing, he didn't mind respect had to be earned with these people and at the moment he had none.
"So you're the diplomat from the new guys heh, bit weird looking, was expecting someone more human, like that woman from the council meeting a few months back, I liked her she gave those pijacks a good kick up the arse." Said wrex, smiling at the memory of that meeting.
It is was a bit disrespectful but was to be expected. These Krogan were very straight forward, they didn't like to beat around the bush and they all seemed to have an air about that said 'get to the fucking point already!'
"Your reputation precedes you Urdnot Wrex. I am Dermoch Leatherback former chief of the leatherback Tortle tribe and your new contact with the Kingdom of Ainz Ooal Gown."
"Good to know, why are you here? It's been months since you lot showed up to the stage I was expecting someone earlier."
"That is regrettable, unfortunately other things needed to be taken care of and your planet's atmosphere has a unique composition, it required a certain body type for a long term stay, I was her majesty's best choice in this matter."
"Hmph! Is that so and what makes you so special?"
"My, and your people have a similar history, and of course, as you can see, appearance. Our values are somewhat the same though our outlook on battle is not as respected as your people is. Thus it was decided I was the best choice."
"Fair enough I suppose, now the message."
"I was told by my superiors to give you the message, I have not been told what it means simply that you would. It does sound concerning though."
"Ha haa That's funny, give a diplomat a message and not tell him what it means. Well, what is it then." Wrex inquired as he gave a curious expression.
Dermoch pulled out a little holo disc from the sash he was wearing, he turned it on the blue light within flickered for a few seconds and the image of a man in a striped suit appeared and began to play."The Reapers are here if you wish to see them and perhaps discuss with the other leaders of the galaxy about what to do, let the man standing Infront of you know he will do the rest. If you accept and wish to bring someone with you, you may do so." "That's it." Throughout the message Wrex' face turned from humourous, to shocked and then to contemplation. He then looked up and into the eyes of Dermoch, neither moving from the others geys.
"Hmmmm, There is a lot of information in that first sentence… what are the other races doing, do you know?"
"No, not me personally but I was informed that others were being sent to gather their leaders for the discussion."
"Which ones?"asked wrex.
"The ones that matter, the Turian Primark and the one called Garus, Admiral Hackett and one Commander Shepard, Dalatrass Linron of Sur'kesh, the Admiralty of the quarian fleet and a representative from the Geth collective that will be arriving with his majesty Ainz Ooal Gown. As well as the Citadel Councilors."
"Ooo those are big names, I'm glad somebody is showing respect to the Krogan and I'm half tempted to go just to spite them all hahaha but if Shepard is there I suppose I have to go."
Dermoch smiled in understanding and spoke with an amused tone."If you wish, I can request a gate be open for you and you can go through, someone should be there to meet you."
Wrex turned to look at the group of Krogan that brought Dermoch to wrex earlier and smiled.
"Grunt your coming with me, we can't leave Shepard and Garrus alone with those bureaucrats they'll get bored… I'll figure out what to do with you lot later."
The Young Krogan replied with a simple "Hmph" and stepped away from the group and near to Wrex.
The Urdnot chief turned back to Dermoch still smiling. "Do what you need to do, I wanna see what if feels like to go through one of these gates that people have been going on about."
"Very well." He put his and up to his head, tapping it lightly and said "My lord you may open a gate they have accepted the invitation." A moment later a hole in reality opened up and with some excitement both the Krogan literally jumped through it and it closed.
There was one problem though… what was he supposed to do?
Palaven geostationary orbit above Citri: Primarch capital ship, Euderion
The situation was slightly annoying, and in all entirely ridiculous! If he would be a human, he would just say: 'one big cluster fuck'! And strangely the Primarch of the Turian hierarchy could very well agree with this strange statement.
When the Citadel went quite Palaven was the first to lose contact, as well, to react.
Small riots among the lower ranked citizens right away started to break out, demanding answers as to what happened to their loved ones, what happened with the seat of the galactic community?
Naturally, these incidents were quickly brought under control by the military police. And although some people arrested under the disturbance, most protestors were released without charge, the rest, kept under lock, as they caused more serious infractions. Yet, it was not their biggest concern now, such minor things could always be dealt with later…
When the news got to Primarch Fedorians office, requests for operational support was sent to the other races right away!
A small group of Asari ships packed with their Commandos arrived in Apien Crest not long after the requests were sent, the Salarian STG had yet to arrive but we're coming along, as well the System Alliance promised a few experts to spare just to investigate the strange problem. Unfortunately, they are delayed, facing problems from a sudden and unexpected drop from the mass stream.
"Have we heard anything new? Anything at all?" Asked the Primarch, his voice evidently filled with frustration and worry.
It wasn't aimed at anyone in particular but to anyone who had anything to say. As a response he received a collective "No sir" from the Turian bridge crew.
"Dammit…!" he allowed himself a small vulgarity, looking away concerned, watching someone on his right intently.
Standing there, leaning over the central display, that someone tapping away on the interface, someone he had only just met.
Garus Vakarian was his name - if he remembered correctly - highly recommended by central command. His file size alone was enough to be quite impressive, let alone the things it contained. If not several for sources confirming the details, he wouldn't even believe it.
In truth, the real reason why he was here because of his knowledge. If the rumours were to be believed true about these so called "Reapers" and this man knew anything about them he could prove quite useful.
For this, the high command even came up with a military rank, just for him.
"Consultant Vakarian?"
Having been called the Turian stopped what he was doing immediately and looked up at the Primarch. His body stiffened right away. "Yes sir!" He said seriously, saluting the man before him.
"At ease Vakarian, I just have a few questions."
"I will answer to the best of my ability, Sir!" Garus visibly relaxed at this and looked at the Primarch with a face that said please proceed.
"Good! Do you think the collectors or these so called Reapers are behind this? I'm not going to even ask about the kingdom that's not what your here for." nor he has the necessary knowledge, both were aware of this.
"That's for the best Sir, I've only met two or three so I know just as much about them as you do. And no, I don't think either are behind this, the collectors were wiped out and from what I personally know. And according to our best knowledge, the Reapers don't have the ability to block quantum communication. I don't think anything is capable of that."
'Then what is going on?' His line of thought was interrupted by the ship's Captain as he walked over and saluted before the Primarch. Waiting to be spoken too.
He turned to the captain? "What is it captain, tell me something good."
"Sir, I'm very sorry to interrupt but the Salarian lead ship is requesting docking permission."
"It's not a problem, permission granted have their commander meet me here when they arrive, please contact the leader of the Commando unit from thesia and have them join us as well. Hopefully the STG have something new."
"Yes sir!"
…
A few minutes later the STG cruiser made its way to the Euderion coming to a slow gradual stop.
As permission was already granted, the boarding ramp extended from the small cruiser, connecting to the behemoth that was the Turian capital ship.
Loud locking sounds of the docking clamps filled the ship and with a small amount of time later, a small group of Salarian STG led by major Kirrahe made their way across the boarding ramp. They were met by two Turian guards and taken to the bridge where they would meet at the entrance with the lead Commando of the Asari republics.
"It has been some time, Kirrahe…"
"Umu…Long time no see Calira" the Salarian just nodded, being he knew the leader of the Asari Commando unit, they didn't even bother with formalities. It wasn't the time for idle chatter, both knew this, proceeding in solemn silence. Only sharing a few bits of info under the way.
...
The bridge door opened with the usual 'sssst' sound, and both parties made their way through the large door.
Over to the central terminal where they were quickly greeted by both Primarch Fedorian and Garrus Vakarian.
"Captain Kirrahe!"
"Garrus Vakarian!" they shook hands. "It is good to see you."
"You too, my friend." Garrus grinned, he was glad at least someone familiar had popped up in these hard times.
"And Major Kirrahe, now, to be precise." he corrected Garrus, making the turian consultant raise his brow.
"Congratulations!"
"Khm!" their chat abruptly disrupted by the Primarch, all parties watching them with an awkward silence.
"Ah! Please excuse me Sir! It's been some time since we last met."
"It is fine, Consultant Vakarian, let's proceed." The Primarch was a strict man, but was not without heart. He would have acted similarly meeting someone he knew. True, in a more low-key manner, considering his position of a Primarch. But nonetheless, he greatly appreciated friendship and companionship between soldiers.
"Well then, let's start. First, I'll ask Major Kirrahe. Did the Salarian STG manage to find anything?"
"We may have, but it's only speculation, three hours ago councilor Valern notified Dalatas Linron of a meeting between the council and the military leader of the Kingdom. The subject for which they were to talk about is unspecified."
"Didn't they say they had no idea as to what was happening, is this some kind of ploy?"
"Unfortunately that may be a lack of communication on our part."
Reacting to the mysterious deep voice everyone on the bridge all at once pulled their side arms and looked around for the owner of the voice. Scanning the area for any intruder present.
"Who said that?!" asked the primarch in an elevated voice, demanding answers with all his authority.
"Please put the guns away I don't feel like being shot at. Its bad enough that Ainz-san made me come all this way. I have no idea how to deal with, nor the mood to deal with some trigger happy aliens."
"Show yourself!" yelled one of the Commandos
"Argh, Fine but put your guns away. I am not here to hurt anyone, if I was you would all be dead already."
"Well that's reassuring." Garus offered a dry response, as he put away his rifle.
"Vacarian what are you doing?"
"Sir, he's form the kingdom likely some kind of diplomat, the least we could do is hear what he has to say."
"Finally someone with a brain, guns away please I'm not coming out until you do."
"I don't like it." remarked Kirrahe
"Your STG, you're sceptical by nature." Said Garus. The Salarian only replied with a low "hmmmm."
"Fine guns away but keep them at the ready." Stated Fedorian.
"Great that will have to do, down to business then." As the voice spoke a man in a well tailored black suit with red under shirt and orange tinted glasses slowly made his way out of the wall he was phased into scaring the hell out of the young Asari that followed her commander in. She was here for field experience, the only reason she was here was because she was at the top of her class in the academy and unfortunately this didn't mean she was experienced by any scenes of the word.
"By the goddess!" It was already too late for anyone to stop her when she brought her gun up to shoot the human thing that had emerged from the wall.
"No stop!" Ordered her commander but it was already too late.
'BURRRT! She fired a full round into the head of the thing brain matter and bits of bone being splattered against the wall behind it. It fell down dead and unmoving.
"What have you done!" Shouted Garus
"You may have just started a war." Said Kirrahe in a disheveled voice.
Calira facepalmed shaking her head. "Take her to the brig for now I'll deal with her later I want to know how we're going to explain this." She stated in an annoyed tone.
"No it's fine that's what I get for trying to play a prank when I'm surrounded by guns… my bad." the corpse sat up with the left side of his head reforming back to its original shape after it had been torn through by the grain sized shells from the pulse rifle.
He raised his gloved hand up to his healing skull and pointed at it. "Ya see, this is why I wanted the guns away! Now I'll have a headache until I get home. My wife is gonna not stop laughing..."
Everyone on the bridge stared on in mute horror watching the scene play out Infront of them.
After what felt like an eternity some people managed to pick their jaws up off the floor, when in reality it had only been a few seconds, in the end Garus spoke up as none of the others had to as of yet.
"Are…..you okay?" asked Garus as he looked down at the man.
"Yes, yes I'm fine. Can we get down to business now I just want to go as soon as possible." He stood up in one fluid motion going from sitting down to standing up without any assistance whatsoever off as if physics didn't apply to him.
"What are you?" Inquired Kirrahe as he watched the spectacle. His inquisitive nature as a STG was telling him to gather as much information about this man as he could, currently the Salarian union knew next to nothing about the extraordinary races that inhabited the Sorcerer's kingdom beyond what was given to them in the codex they had received Of course. Unfortunately, there was no mention of a race that could get their head blown off and still survive. Not in the context of something like a Dullahan but that was a different matter entirely, one they were still trying to figure out.
"I'll get to that in a moment, I'll introduce myself if everyone is in acceptable mind."
"Proceed" grumbled the Primarch
"Okay. My name is Alucard Bloodred, head of diplomatic meetings within the Sorcerers kingdom and as of now messenger boy of the king, nice to meet you all."
"Yes, but…"
"Now let me explain what's happened to your citadel and why you can't get to it or communicate with it."
"So you did know what was happening, then what was with that public statement your communications office put out earlier?"
"That was us trying to keep face, it's better to come out and say you don't know what's happening then tell you populus that your loved ones are accidental hostages by an insane Greater deity class being with a security complex, oh yeah that'll go over just fine… she does what she wants, someone tried to stop her once and they weren't seen again. Besides that what would sound more believable to your people?"
"Your... kidding right?" Asked one of the Commandos.
"So this has all been some kind of fass? I demand proof!" Exclaimed the Primarch, he was starting to become angered by every word that was spoken, millions of credits where spent just to get this to happen and now he was being told it was all an accident, that was unexpected and infuriating.
Alucard sighed at this bringing his head low as he did so. He then lazily waved his hand and cast saying [Dimensional Lock] the space outside shimmered briefly but was seemingly undetected by the people on the bridge. He looked to the Primarch. "Try and contact someone, anyone will do."
Fedorian went to the communications centre of the bridge and ordered them to make contact with central Command in Citri, he instantly received an answer. "Sir I don't know how it's possible but command is not reachable at all and now our ships aren't responding either, we're only getting is static."
He walked back to the others until he was face to face with the night walker, they could clearly see he wasn't in the best of moods.
"Please… explain." He said in a furious tone.
"Geez, okay calm down. I'm not sure if she used the same method as I'm not as powerful as she is, but what I just did was create a type of walled space around the ship, it cuts out any method of communication or teleportation to outside space for a certain time period."
"How long can this time period be and what kind of scale could it extend to?" Asked the major.
"Hmm, the one I've got around the ship could probably last for a few years but that's only because it's small, Esdeath is one of the most powerful beings in the Galaxy she could sustain a system wide block for a few hundred years if she wanted to, but I don't think she'd do that. She'd get way to board."
"Your not joking are you? There has to be some way to get in, some kind of back door there's no such thing as a perfect defence, perhaps your ships wormhole drives could get in. Have you even tried?" Asked the Salarian, little was known about
"I don't think you understand major, you CAN NOT get in if she doesn't want you to, Ainz-san might be able to do it but he's currently busy with an important meeting, the actual reason I was sent here to meet with you."
"Then I suppose there's nothing we can do for now" Fedorian said exhaustively. "I'm not dropping the matter in fact I fully intend to speak with your king about it, I don't care how powerful someone is they can't just around blocking bits of sovrin counsel space at their leager." He paused for a minute thinking about what he had just said. "by the spirits that it sounds ridiculous."
"What was this meeting about." Inquired Garus.
"Something about Reapers, I haven't heard the term personally, at least when not referring to Ainz-san, but whatever they are they sound like fun, maybe I'll get to fight one…."
"I wouldn't recommend that, your a bit on the small side."
"Ooo, now I really wanna fight one." Garus looked at him for a moment trying to figure out if the human thing was serious or not.
"Ahem!" Scoffed the Primarch trying to refocus the conversation.
"Are yes, if you wish to go to the meeting step through this [Gate]" in the process of opening the hole in reality opened up on the closest wall to them he disabled the lock around the ship. The Salarian walked over to it tapping on his omni tool, data needed to be gathered on this method of transportation. The initial data that was being displayed by his omni tool was as chaotic and indecisive as the data he studied from the first contact incident, maybe if he went through it he could collect more data in passing the transfer. Perhaps a way of reverse engineering it could be achieved. All the major would have to now is wait for the others.
Ignoring the Salarian and his gibbering, Alucard continued "It will take you to the location, and no before you ask it's not accessible by mass relay the one in that system was destroyed from what I've been told." Some of the people in the room visibly deflated at this hope to avoid going through the weird hole in space time, the Salarian on the other hand was trying to run through it.
"Is the system's name name Bahak." Queried Garus.
"Yes." Answered the night walker
"Do you know something Vakarian?" Asked the Primarch.
"Yes sir, while I was working with Commander Shepard aboard the Normandy she went on a solo mission to rescue a scientist and somehow managed to somehow throw an asteroid at the relay in that system stopping a very imminent reaper fleet from coming through sparing us a month or two, but if there here sir going to the meeting may give us the opportunity to develop some semblance of a strategy against them."
"I see… duly noted consultant. We shall go then." He turned to ships captain and spoke in a commanding tone. "Order the fleets to stand down for now and inform the of what happened while we were gone, I want a full report when I return."
"Yes sir!"
"Good now hurry up and leave so I can go home and rest this splitting headache that you gave me feels like my heads about to crack in two."
"Just had to run it in didn't you…" noted Garus while the young Asari that shot him looked away embarrassed.
"Yup, now go so I can go."
"You know for a diplomat your incredibly rude." Calira said in a dismissive tone crossing her arms.
"Noted, but that tends to happen when you've shot said diplomat in the head. Also a bit of advice you might want to put a gag order on anyone that's not supposed to see what's on the other side of that gate, it sounds kinda classified."
"I see, but that won't be necessary, kadett Vava you are to return to you quarters on the Silvana and wait until we return, you are not to talk to anyone about what you just heard, am I understood?"
The still embarrassed kadett gave a small salute, acknowledging her orders and left the bridge. A few minutes later the others walked through the gate with some trepidation to the relief or Alucard who immediately closed the gate and disappeared from sight.
"Miliara (his wife) is going to be hysterical when I tell her what happened, she always told me my pranks would come back to bite me one day."