Enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it. Next chapter will have a lot of surprises that is for sure!

R&R, voice your opinions, questions, critique, debate, and excuses…. whatever you want.

Chapter 4: Fury

The sounds of gunfire were going down. The fight was mostly in the north of the city by now. Imperial Alliance forces had completely surrounded the geth, leaving them no escape in the ensuing battle.

Sergius had been sitting, talking to his friend Darel for the past two hours. Both had a small rivalry, but it's that professional, healthy rivalry you find in best friends or even brothers. Of course, Darel knew his accomplishments and expertise were nothing compared to Sergius, who was truly, like some soldiers described him, "The New Caesar."

"I heard that the Enclave is currently negotiating with the Dwemer Imperial Household and the Roman Empire's chamber on Earth. You think we will finally get this?" Asked a smiling Darel as he played with a bullet that had been on Sergius' desk for a couple of days.

Sergius was looking at the window, reclining on his chair with both his hands on his head, relaxing after hours of planning and debate with other officers, including Darel.

"Yeah I mean it would be good for the balance of power to be settled." Answered Sergius in a relaxed voice, clearly finding the outside more interesting than the conversation, which made Darel smirk.

"What are we going do with Brutus?"

That question caused the Supreme General to growl, which made Gerrel laugh softly.

"That piece of shit is due to show his face today, he better or else I will send my Arcanii to arrest him."

Gerrel knew General Daniel Brutus. A descendant of a great noble family and having the name of one of the heroes on the human Bible. He was a sarcastic, foul mouthed and a savage general, which made some people dub him "The Barbarian."

He had led the defense of Ludilmis back in 1905, which he did through lack of command, communication and intelligence skills. Rumors said that he had achieved the rank of general thanks to connections with the High Command structure. It came as no surprise to anyone in the military.

Sergius loathed him and the two had gotten into a fight just before the Morning War. Sergius had beaten him up so bad Brutus had to be rushed to a hospital. Brutus had since begun calling Sergius "Daddy's Boy" or "Golden Boy."

"Oh he will, of that I am sure, but first we must look for charges against him, he has a lot of connections and will probably get away with it if we don't press him hard enough."

Sergius' eyes narrowed. "Leaving more than five thousand quarians behind is a fucking war crime that will be enough to destroy that bastard in the eyes of High Command."

Gerrel smiled and nodded happily. "Can't wait to see his ass behind enemy bars."

"Amen." Smirked Sergius.

The two then got quiet as Sergius checked his Scutum pistol on his desk. Scutum Inc was one of the most powerful firearm corporations of the Roman Empire. When it merged with the dwemer company Staltierium Corp, the company became the mainstay of small firearms for the Imperial Alliance Army. High quality, cheap in production and extremely reliable in combat. Pistols had a thermal clip of fifteen bullets, and greek fire ammo was common among some of them.

"Have my baby ready for anything when Brutus comes."

Gerrel nodded at the human and caught sight of something outside.

"Looks like he's here."

Sergius smirked. "Time to get rid of this before we begin preparations for Operation Aztec Lance."

The group of seven was already close to Command Headquarters. Small geth resistance made their path a little unstable and slow at first, as the powerful super soldiers were keeping a close eye on their package, Special Operations Soldier Mara'Xen.

"This is Zeus, come in Hermes." One of the Arcanii said suddenly, breaking the silence that had ruled the group for over three hours.

Mara's hair was blocking her vision. She then fixed it and caught one of the Arcanii looking at her, who then immediately looked the other way. 'Not so disciplined now huh?' She thought as she smirked.

"This is Hermes, geth resistance is going down. Cyclops and Minotaur have already broken through their defenses over."

"Confirmed Hermes, is the way to Command Headquarters cleared of geth?"

"Affirmative Zeus, road is cleared. Geth resistance is concentrated in the north."

"Thanks Hermes, Zeus out."

The main Arcanii then talked. "Let us move, geth resistance will probably be zero from now on."

The group moved through the streets, taking cover with cars, tanks or anything that was large enough to let them stay unseen from prying eyes.

"Friendly group." One of the Arcanii said.

Through the next street, a powerful convoy of Imperial Alliance soldiers, along with tanks and light artillery was seen moving at high speed, going up north, where the main battle was taking place.

Mara was busy thinking on her squad, the death of her engineer and the numerous codes the Arcanii managed to use in battle. 'Akadian, Flower Punch, Skull Carrier and Zeus…. Wow, these guys are truly impressive…'

The fact that they spoke in short sentences and never actually showed emotions brought memories of the geth to Mara. These soldiers were efficient, extremely well trained and armed to the teeth. 'Not even a Geth Colossus could stop them'

As she took cover in a destroyed Alliance tank, she thought of the numerous rumors she heard of the Arcanii when she attended academy school on Edus Primus.

Cold blooded killers, assassins, dark agents and super soldiers who worked behind the scenes and gave credit to the legions or the urban cohorts or that they were just a myth, many rumors indeed for one of the best special forces in the galaxy.

The best rumor she heard was that of an Arcanii agent killing a Spectre in close combat. Maybe it was a lie, as Spectres were also tough as nails, but the Arcanii showed another level of blood thirst and discipline. The fact that these engaged in wars and large scale battles with such efficiency and could work in teams or separate with equal efficacy, were an edge over Spectres. Moreover, some Arcanii were chosen from birth. Children that were orphaned or did not have any family at all could find themselves in the military days or months after being born. In addition, Arcanii kept a close eye on extraordinary soldiers in the Legions or young biotics that showed true potential from a young age. Like a shadow, they move in the darkness and recruit adept soldiers and make their records disappear within minutes.

Supposedly fake, but some insisted that there were quarians and drell in the Arcanii. Not surprising for Mara, as quarians were excellent fighters in terms of technology and the drell were some of the best scouts in the Imperial Alliance military.

"Clear, let us move. We will get there by sunset." The main Arcanii said as he walked calmly through the main street that connected to various points of the city, destroying Mara's thoughts in an instant. Intelligence gathered showed that this avenue was important to take for supplies and reinforcements to get into battle within minutes.

Mara nodded and moved along.

"This is fucking absurd Sergius and you know it!" Exclaimed a short, stocky man with blue eyes at the Supreme Commander of Imperial Alliance forces in Rannoch.

"Don't you forget you are speaking to your superior officer Brutus." Gerrel said, putting slight venom to the last word.

"You dare talk to me Gerrel? It is all because of you quarians that we are here trying to take you out from the shithole you got yourselves into!" Brutus ranted as his face turned red.

Sergius had just been listening to his rant, nodding and shaking his head at times. Truly, this man pissed him off, but a show of lack of discipline could give him serious consequences in the eyes of High Command and the Senate.

"We are here because we want to help Brutus, like it or not. We are helping our brothers in arms against a genocidal group of machines." Sergius pointedly said in a calm voice.

"You are here because daddy and his senate dogs want you to fight their damn war! We've lost millions by now! Colonies destroyed and millions of our people dead within a few years! How can you explain that? How can you, Sergius, the "New Caesar"" Brutus taunted with heavy sarcasm in his voice. "To justify this nonsense!" Brutus exclaimed and pointed his finger with rage at the other human.

The Arcanii guards had been watching from the shadows the exchange, and the two had been calmly talking to each other.

"Intervene now?"

"Let it be, we will intervene once his life is at stake."

"It is right now."

"It is an order from him."

"Then what is the next objective?"

"Stay unseen, wait and strike when necessary."

"Roger."

Brutus had been pacing around the room, ranting. Gerrel, Sergius and the adjutant of Sergius, Lieutenant Ori'Fasr Vas Rannoch had been listening to Brutus and his continuous attacks on everyone there.

"You think we deserve this? You think we need to help quarians? Why? They created those synthetic monsters! They should do the job themselves!"

"You are saying this because you fail as a leader, Brutus, which is not our fault." Sergius said. Gerrel laughed softly while Brutus turned almost green in anger.

"I do not fail! Quarian military is too damn weak to support most of our attacks, and the refugees are just a damn liability in the battlefield!"

"You are a liability!" Another voice exclaimed which made everyone turn at the door.

General Marcus Scipii, one of the best generals and most decorated officers in the IA Military, stood there with his Urban Cohort guards. A tall, hazel eyed scarred man with a violet helmet with countless medals all over his body was glaring at Brutus. While he was not as muscular as Sergius, everyone knew that Marcus had a fiery personality at officers who did not do their duty and a warm yet strict heart at good soldiers under his command. Honestly, before Sergius landed on Rannoch, he was the main force behind the stabilization of the frontlines and the safe evacuation of millions of quarians from the war.

"You just keep complaining when you are the one that lacks balls and ability to do much other than rant you stupid fuck!" Marcus exclaimed while pointing a finger at the short man in front of him.

Sergius smirked at Marcus' timely arrival. Gerrel covered his mouth to not let a huge laugh escape. He was really enjoying the fire thrown at Brutus from all sides.

"You… you dare?" Brutus whispered while narrowing his eyes at Marcus in absolute rage.

"Yes I do! Everyone on High Command just heard your tantrums, and they have ordered your immediate arrest you utter piece of shit." Marcus said as he nodded at the corner of the room.

Suddenly, two soldiers appeared and approached Brutus. They were wearing black armor and a blue-black helmet, which gave them the rank of veteran Arcanii.

"General Brutus, you are under arrest for the charges of dereliction of duty, attempt of murder of a superior officer and genocide." The Arcanii soldier said as he put handcuffs on the now fallen general.

"Attempt of murder! What the… My father will hear of this you bastards!" Brutus exclaimed desperately at Sergius, hoping he would change his mind with his threat. Indeed, Brutus' father was the second richest man in Imperial Alliance Space, and the owner of several corporations that controlled ammunitions and firearms production. A man to love and hate in the eyes of many, but not by the son of the emperor and chosen man from the Imperial Senate.

"I really don't give a damn about your father. He will not be able to bail you out kid, this is now strictly military."

Three heavily armed men walked fast through the countless politicians and military officers in the Imperial Senate Complex of Edus Primus. The men saw hundreds of humans, dwemer and quarians walking back and forth with suitcases and military uniforms, going from one office to another. Lawyers and traders were also seen in some of the chambers, debating and arguing with others.

Finally, one of them spoke. "Politicians everywhere… I feel we are in a cave with wolves and lions…"

The other two chuckled while they dodged people in the hallway. "Roger that, we feel oppressed here…"

The three finally made it to the end of the hallway, where two powerful doors stood defiantly against them, blocking their way to the Imperial Senate Chamber of Debate. The symbols were beautifully carved on the doors… A huge shield where a spear at the right side and a flaming sword on the left stood proudly to the people that managed to see. The sword had the word "lealis" carved on it while the shield had "corage" and the spear "honoris." The doors were easily over twelve feet high and over ten feet wide. Truly a show of mighty workmanship from the Dwemer and the Romans.

Finally, one of the soldiers opened the door and they were soon overflowed by shouts and angered screams. Yes, this is how the Senate debates, just like it did when Caesar came to power. Now, they were debating over the Turian Hierarchy and the Morning War….

"We need to pull fleets against the turians! They will attack now that we are in a war we so locked in!" Screamed a dwemer senator to get the attention of the "angry mob" beneath him.

Like a Roman Senate Complex in ancient times, this one was designed in the same way. Powerful and veteran officers sat at the very first line, while the more inexperienced would be added to the other lines above them. Yes, it was sort of like an amphitheatre, except with politicians…. Dwemer and humans debated and ranted loudly; filling the soldiers' ears and taking them back to the battlefields they once lived through.

"Are you insane? If we pull one of them, another one of our colonies will be destroyed by those synthetics!"

"No way! The war is being fought correctly! We are surely winning!"

"Winning? We are losing ground everyday! If it wasn't for Sergius, our armies would've been annihilated years ago!"

"We must help our quarian friends! They would have done the same for us!"

"That is what you think! No way would they be doing the same thing for us all! They were reluctant to help us if a war with the Council would take place!"

The soldiers stood there; completely ignored, annoyed at the huge mess they called the Imperial Alliance Senate. If they were like this every day, there was no hope for them in the future. Yet, they were to see a particular senator, one with vast military experience and great knowledge in the political stage. His name… Flavius Sergius….

"SHUT UP!" A voice echoed through the room with such fierceness and authority that everyone shut their mouths immediately.

"You are senators; you are the force behind our people, ACT LIKE IT!" A man with the purple imperial robes stood at the center, waving his hands violently at the senators.

Then, a dwemer with similar clothes stepped in. "Our people elect you to protect and feed them, behave and shut your mouths before I put my Dark Legion on your asses!"

The senators looked and each other and just sat down, awaiting the further ranting from the two most powerful individuals in Imperial Alliance Space.

"Now that we are calm…" Maxentius began… "I, dwemer emperor, Maxentius, inform you of the arrest of General Brutus. He has been taken into custody thanks to Supreme General Sergius, General Gerrel and General Scipii."

The politicians began murmuring and arguing with each other until one stood up.

Sergius sighed. "Yes Kaeso?"

"With all due respect your majesties; will this affect our trade and communications because of Sir Brutus?"

"No, we already talked to him, and he agreed with us. We had to… remind him of his place and ask him to step aside before he would do something reckless."

The senators nodded happily and some even smiled.

"Now, about the Morning War, for those who still support our help to the quarian race… raise your hands." Sergius said.

More than three quarters raised their hands. 'Hell yes'

Maxentius smiled. "Now, those who are against."

No one dared to raise their hands. 'Bunch of wolves…'

"It is decided, our help to the quarian race will continue until the geth are brought down and exterminated." Sergius said, earning a nod from Maxentius and every senator in the huge chamber.

Finally, the three soldiers were noticed by Sergius.

"Gentlemen, please come and voice your concerns." Maxentius said just as Sergius was about to speak.

The three men nodded and walked towards Sergius, who was looking at them intently. They looked like Urban Cohorts, but there was something about them that made it quite… strange. Their armor was light compared to common heavy armor found on other soldiers and special forces and their demeanor was that of normal people. 'Not Arcanii..'

"Your majesties." The soldiers knelt before the two emperors. They both nodded to each other and smiled.

"Please rise and tell us… what is your business here soldiers?" Sergius asked cautiously. Arcanii agents stood at every corner of the room, ready to act if any of their emperors or senators were to be attacked. Lesson had been learned from the Ides of March.

One of the men approached him and whispered on his ear…

"Sir, we've found something important you should see…"

"What is it?" Sergius asked quietly.

"A geth that can talk…" The soldier replied with fear and concern on his voice.

Sergius stood there, dumbfounded as the senators and Maxentius himself eyed the exchange with curiosity.

"You what?" Sergius exclaimed, making everyone jump from their seats.

Yes, even though the Morning War is centuries behind… imagine the pressure on the geth collective from the continuous assaults from the Allied Forces. They had to do something to survive…. Which is all I'm saying to you guys lol.

Ides of March was the event when Julius Caesar was betrayed and killed by his own senators and friends. A tough lesson for the future…

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Oh, by the way, today is my birthday! Party!

I will disappear for the whole day but at night I will be back, don't know if drunk or not, but I will be here!

R&R!