PLEASE READ THIS

Hello everyone, it's me Littleswiss. I wanted to apologize for the big delay in the story. I got really discrated with real life and writer block. I hope that the next chapter will arrive sooner than this one. Also, I want to address the problem concerning the grammar and overhall structure of the precedent chapters. Yes I saw that it had a lot of mistakes now and I will correct them. However, I'm currently in the impossibility of doing so, as all of them are on my main computer back in Switzerland while I'm in England. So I will ask all of you to bear with me until then. Thank you.

Oh and thanks to .944 for the new name.

I do not own Mass effect or the Elder scrolls, Bioware and Bethesda do.

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On Hylia

As the protocol wanted, Serana made sure to send the signal as soon as possible if an elder scroll was discovered. Once it was done, she immediately got out of the safe and the cave where the little cult of Hermaus Mora was present. On the way to the exit, she made sure to destroy all of the diverse shrines and other potentially magic objects that could interfere with the retrieval of the scroll. She knew very well, by experience, that any sort of magical objects, as small as they might be, could have a dangerous impact on a mission. Especially if it had any connection with a daedric prince. When the last of the objects were only mere ashes, she exited the cave and found herself at the entrance. The air was now tense, even the normally busily lively forest that was around became quiet, as if it knew that something big and potentially dangerous was going down.

Now she could execute phase two of the protocol. The beacon she had sent before was only one that stated which planet the object of power and knowledge, not the exact coordinate of the place. And that was what she did, setting a proper beacon, encrypted of course so that only the empire could have access to it. Once the little task done, she went back inside with haste. She knew that the Kel, as her friend call them, could move on their own and completely disappear for the rest of existence. How? She did not know. But the example of the incident of the Great Library proved that. Even if all of the strongest magic and defensive devices could not hold them. Rola had tried once to explain them to her, as she was the one with the most knowledge about everything that had to do with magic. The explication had left her more confused than anything else. So she gave up trying to understand them and just accepted the fact that they both existed and not existed at the same time. All of the scientists and other scholars were trying to rack their brain and figure what exactly were the elusive elder scrolls. This happened since the dawn of their civilization and still continue to this day.

She stopped thinking about those mystical objects and went back to her serious mode, the one she wore when she was on a mission. But then she couldn't help but think of what was going to happen with the Asari. If she her guess was right, the first fleet should be mobilized for the recovery. And if there hadn't been a sudden change in the hierarchy, it meant that her 'friend' Branwen was coming. Both had a somewhat tense history between themselves. It was no secret that the general was a proclaimed member of the Dawnguard. Even after all those century, the Guard was still active, tracking all vampires. However when it concerned Serana, well, it was complicated. Sure her secret of being a vampire wasn't totally secret, the high sphere in the politics and army knew about that. And of course her 'statue' wasn't easily accepted by everyone, particularly Branwen. Now Serana remember the first words 'Bloody Smile' addressed to her:

"I don't like you and you don't like me. But that doesn't mean I won't work with you. The Emperor and the Grandmaster may trust you, but I won't. Be assured that at the slightest sign of you acting like your species, I will not hesitate to end you." What a charming woman.

Arriving at the safe, she was relieved that the scroll was still in its place. Now, she only needed to make sure than nothing that wasn't from the empire could enter and potentially take the scroll. She disappeared in the shadow, keeping watch. It was now only a matter of waiting.

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1st fleet, aboard the Fury of Talos, unkown system.

When the alarm went off, it took everyone by surprise, except the general. Some were at the mess, others were doing maintenance work when the red lights and blaring horns were seen and heard respectively on all station of the first fleet. Everyone one stopped what they were doing and immediately went to their respective post. It was an organized chaos. Men and woman of all races were running left and right and in such a manner that could have left a nest of ants dizzy. While all of this was happening, the voice of the general was blaring threw the speakers, shouting "This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill, everyone at their post now! We are going to the departing immediately for the planet Hylia for a complete quarantine."

Between all of those people that were running right and left, one figure was not concerned by that. He was currently sitting at the shrine of the ship. This was a regulation for all standard imperial ships. And of course Talos was represented as well. This was one the first thing the Grandmaster did when she had enough power, she lifted the ban on Talos's whorship. This increased her popularity with the Nords but this action wasn't well received with the Altmeri Domain. However this was a long time ago.

The priest was wearing some simple gray robes. His long beard was as gray as his clothes. He didn't had any hair. His head was as shaved as a newborn. The constant blaring of the alarm didn't even fazed him. All of his concentration was on his current task, praying to the divines. The hissing sound of the door opening didn't wake him from his state. The person that entered the room waited until the man finally acknowledge their presence.

"Yes? What is it?" Asked the priest with his old and weary voice. He might not be as old as the Grandmaster but the wrinkles and different age spots that adorned his face showed his advanced age. The person that entered and heard him and spoke with a voice that only could belong to a Argonian.

"Father Alexius, you are asked on the bridge." The old priest sighed before getting up with his old bones. On the side, leaning against the wall, was his cane. Gripping it with his hand, he made sign to the other occupant of the room that he was ready to follow him. Nodding, the Argonian crewman left the room, followed by Alexius. In the different corridors and rooms they went through, everyone was running around, preparing for the mobilization. However when the different people saw the old man, they all made place for him and his escort. Both of them didn't even flinch at the blaring horns and flashing lights that constantly reverberated in the corridor of the ship. They took an elevator, taking them to the bridge where the general was waiting for them.

Once on the bridge, the duo was greeted by the sight of the woman who controlled the First fleet of the empire. Wearing her uniform perfectly, not even a little wrinkle could be seen. The uniform was inspired by the old ones that wore the legion during the age where they had only swords and spells. The color red and gold were prominent, as such was the banner of the empire. However it was still a lot less bulky that the one that were used during the Skyrim civil war. More form fitting but not too much as it wasn't incident, it left a loft of liberty of movement for the wearer. And of course her chest was showing the numerous medals and other honors that she received during her career.

The general turned around sharply at the hissing sound of the door. The argonian saluted her and stayed in that position until he was told 'at ease'. The greeting was more respectful towards the old man that stand there.

"Father Alexius."

"General." he responded in his hollow voice. Before she stated why she made him come here, the Redguard made sign to two soldiers to keep watch outside of the room.

"I will be straight to the point. We have found an elder scroll." The simple notion of that fable word made everyone in the room gasped, froze and gag if they were currently eating or drinking something. However only a bushy eyebrow was raised by the father. A silence took hold of the room, only the frantic breathing of the ones that had the worst of the shock was heard. The slight nod from him gave her the request to explain further.

"Not long ago we just received a golden code from one of our top agent that came from the planet Hylia. We are the closest fleet near that can act. As you may not know, father, when a golden code is given, only, and only a full fleet is deployed." She explained, making him again rose an eyebrow. It wasn't how the golden code worked, but the slight venom that came out of her mouth when she said the words 'top agent'. And from what he had heard, that meant that it was probably her that discovered the scroll.

"And I presume that you will need me as I am the only moth priest that you have in the vicinity." The words left his mouth as the wind that left a hollow tree.

"Exactly. I would wish for you to stay here until we arrived at the planet. This will only take a few hours." As soon as she finished, a crewman call out for her, saying that all of the ships of the fleet were ready for immediate departure.

"Good." She pressed a button on the board that was in front of her.

"To all station of the first fleet. This is general Branwen of the Fury of Talos. All ships must now leave for the coordinate that have been sent to you at once. This is not a drill. General Branwen over." The transmission ended.

All of the ships presents turned towards the closest relay before jumping through it. And at last, the Fury of Talos jumped too.

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Nirn, Skyrim, College of Winterhold.

It has been a few days since the Grandmaster and archmage of the college left with haste. At first a lot of the student body was a little surprised by this and wild rumors spread like fire among them and the teaching staff. It was said that a new threat had arisen and that the archmage was needed again or that something had been discovered. Some joked about that this was a new 'quest' for the aged dragonborn. The statute of the Grandmaster as the fabled dragonslayer was no secret. However these rumors died down as quickly as they came. And soon the college was back to its previous state.

No one was really worried about their archmage, knowing fully the extent of her power, but one person was, Liara. Even if she was the one who could say that knew the old woman well, apart from the emperor himself and the vampire specter, she was still worried for her master. The bond between them was the like of a mother/grandmother with their daughter/granddaughter. And that constant worry could be felt through her work. The young Asari could be seen having a constant worried frown on her face while she was studying. And that was noticed by the currently alive librarian, a krogan named Urk, also known as 'Blood Letter'. He was an oddball amongst the Krogan. He was almost the complete opposite of the stereotypical bloodthirsty lizard. Calm and composed, he was cunning, smart and also patient (although it was really thin). The only way you could possibly really, really, make him angry was by either harming the books of the Arcaneum in any way (which was how he earned his title) or to put him in the same room as another one of his species. He didn't like his own blood, finding them 'a bunch of bloodthirsty idiots that could not see the difference between the value of books and toilet paper.'

Urk had been trying to read the book he had in front of him for the past hour but each time he was reminded of the presence of one of the only Asari present in the college when a not so subtle sigh of worry escaped her lips every two minutes. Grumbling between his breaths, he shut his book with a loud clap that echoed through the room and surprised by the occasion a few students that quickly jumped a little. However this sudden noise wasn't even registered by Liara and neither the loud footsteps that followed. Only a loud and insistent cough finally managed to cut her of the thoughts that plagued her mind at the moment. She looked up from the opened book and saw him.

"Hum, Hi?" She said hesitantly. She was really intimated by the pissed look the Krogan wore. Without a word, he leaned his head to the side, signifying to follow him. Now she was confused but nonetheless got up and obliged to his 'request'. On the way, she swore she could have heard him grumbled 'Last time that I help a student. Need to keep my reputation' but it was probably just her. She didn't know where they were going until the Krogan stopped in front of a pair of door that were behind the counter. Taking a key holder from his side, Urk found which one he was looking for before opening the door on the right.

"Stay here." Were the words before he entered the room. While she was waiting for the Krogan to finish whatever he was doing, Liara couldn't help herself but running scenario upon scenarios in her head as to why he asked to follow her. Then her brain went to formulate a possibility that wasn't really 'decent'. She instantly blushed at that, blaming that goddess damn book with the female Argonian in it. It was a complete accident when she stumble upon it by chance! She didn't know that they had that kind of books in the Arcaneum!

Her internal struggle was suddenly stopped by the rough shaking of her being by a hand on her shoulder. It was Urk. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, if such thing was possible for his species. She tried to hide her previous embarrassment and looked at what he was currently holding in his hand a big bottle of...something. Probably alcohol. She didn't have the time to ponder on it when the said bottle was shoved into her arms. Confused by this, she tried to talk to the lizard but he was already gone and back to his place at the counter, reading his previously started book. Seeing as the was nothing left to do, she decided to stop her studies for the moment and go back to her quarter. She took her belongings and the different books she had taken from the shelves of the Arcaneum and walked out of the gigantic room. The corridor were busy with people of all species. All of the occasional looks that were threw in her direction were noticed by her. In a moment of self-consciousness she checked if her apprentice robes had anything on it, like a stain or something. She failed to realized that it was the large bottle of alcohol that caught the attention of the few that threw quick glances at her direction. This was understandable. The idea of the quiet and shy Liara transporting a big bottle of unknown alcohol was completely absurd.

Of course the real reason for the glances was completely ignored by Liara, as she strolled towards her own room. Being the apprentice of the archmage have perks, such as having a private room for oneself. And that she was really grateful for. After a few minutes of walking, taking turns and stairs, she finally arrived in front of the door that leaded to her quarter. After entering the code on the console, she entered it. The room itself wasn't really large or fancy, it just served its purposed of being a room. A bed in a corner, a little table with two chair in the little kitchen that was provided. And of course a small bathroom with all of the necessities. The young Asari dropped her books on her table before sitting on one of the chair, bottle in front of her. She was still not sure why the librarian gave her this bottle, apart from drinking it. Well, she had nothing to do now so she shrugged and decided to try a little of this mysterious liquor. She took an empty glass, poured some liquor in it and started to drink it gently. At first she almost gagged because of the very strong taste of alcohol that assaulted her taste buds. And of course she went into a coughing fit as her reflex took control. After she calmed this momentary little fit, she tried to take this time a little sip from the glass and managed to drink it without any problem, apart from the strong taste that she wasn't used to.

She was going to regret doing that.

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When she woke up, she didn't even remembered where she was. But one thing was sure, she was somewhere really cold. The floor was cold, the air was also cold. Beside the cold, her head was instantly assaulted by the biggest headache she had ever experienced. It was even worse than the time when she used her biotics at the maximum. She tried to got up but before she could do anything, she heard the sounds of hurried footsteps and was suddenly hauled to her feet by this person.

"Have you any ideas of what you have done young lady?" Asked a very annoyed voice. In the blubbery mess that was her vision, Liara saw what seemed the face of a woman in yellow robes.

"W-what..." She didn't have the chance to respond that she was interrupted by the angry priestess.

"No what. You are going to clean this mess before you even consider leaving." To further prove her point, she pointed at the mess that was the room. Bottles of alcohol of all sort were lying around, empty and other things such as a giant toe. What had she done last night was completely lost to her. She only remembered the start.

She was gently drinking the alcohol offered by Urk when someone knocked on her door. Surprised, she got up and wondered who it might be. She was even more taken aback by the person who stand in front of her when she opened the door. It was a man with black hair wearing some black modern clothes. He presented himself as Sam Guevenne. Then the small discussion was lost to her but she remembered inviting him inside to share the bottle. She didn't knew why but his name rang a bell but in the name of the goddess she couldn't tell where she had heard that name before. And the strange thing is that she wasn't afraid of him, not in the least. She couldn't explain it but he was trustworthy. She blamed this trust to the alcohol already in her system at the moment.

It was then in the middle of her thoughts that her hand came across a yellow old paper. Curious, she took it and turned it over, seeing as something was scribbled on it. It read:

Dear Liara, last night was a blast! I hope you had as much of a good time as me. We should do that again in the future.

Your friend,

Sam.

She didn't have any time to ponder in this that the priestess made her presence known, as she had observed like a hawk the poor Asari that was currently experiencing the worst hangover in her life. She just had finished cleaning that she was gripped by the collar of her uniform and pulled along.

"Now that you have cleaned up your mess, I will ask you to leave now." As soon as those words were said, Liara was thrown out of the temple with no hesitation from the priestess. The young Asari hit the cold stoned floor with a huff. She got up grumbling a little, dusting herself. Before the angry priestess shut the door off, she muttered "that's the 51th this year."

Now that she was alone, Liara looked at where she was and recognized the city. It was Markath. Even with all of the years that separated the time when her master was just a simple mage and now, the city in the stones still conserved its look. Of course it was now bigger, with holograms at each corner flashing ads in the face of the pedestrian and had a more "modern" architecture, even if the stone were still present.

She didn't had time to wonder over the city and so decided to get down from the temple of Dibella. She started to walk through the winding streets of the stone-city. She came across numerous species, majority the one native to Nirn. Of course here and there she could see a few ones from the citadel. While she was walking towards the stable (of course there wasn't any horse anymore, but shuttles. However the name stayed the same) she passed by an open bar where she heard the chatter of the patrons and also the sounds of the holo-screen. She was going to continue on her way when sh heard that sentence:

"Special news just dropped in. Apparently, the first Fleet of the empire has been seen in the new Asari system where the recent founded colony Hylia is. No information had been released yet and no communication from the empire to explain this sudden move. This could have really bad repercussion in the future. Stay tune for more information."

When she heard that, Liara was confused by it. Something was up, she could feel it. The empire would never make such an aggressive move against the Asari Republic.

She had a bad feeling about this.

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And done. So what did you think about it? Please leave a review to tell me. I know the issue about the spelling and others of the precedent chapters but I cannot do anything about it. The precedent ones are on my main computer back in Switzerland and I only got my little laptop with me. I will correct them when I will be back.

So I hope you like that chapter and until next time,

Littleswiss.