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Terra Pericolosa

Chapter 3: Illusiveness has players Part 2

4 days before Arrival/July/XX/2186

Horsehead Nebula/Anadius/ Cronos Station

The Illusive Mans Office

It had been very active around here lately that I more or less forgot my duty for a fraction of a millisecond thinking about it before I went right back to it. With the news coming from Batarian space me and all the other VI's on the station were occupied with keeping the Alliance from piecing the information together, that the Reapers were here. I had just gotten my last report from the Dr. Eva unit on Mars when I got a summons to the main office. "Hephaestus" Once I put myself in drone form I observe another VI dispersing most likely Ares I even feel him passing me threw the circuitry.

I take note that Kai Leng is in the far back corner of the room.

"Hephaestus I need you to make a team list from are operatives in North America for Operation Blackbeard and include VI Apollo for the Dr. Adam's body as well.

"Would you like it now or later sir?" I was under the impression that time was a factor but one should always ask TIM (something he picked up from the boys in the labs) for confirmation.

"Now would be good." He instructed without anything discernable in his voice of gratitude.

"At once sir" for no other reason then to give the humans visual confirmation that I was working I moved the sphere layers that made up the drone around in rotations. "Done, should I read it to you or send it to your tablet sir?"

"Both, read me the top three profiles." Snatching the tablet from his armrest he waited for me to start.

"Should I start with Truth or Dare sir?" I asked. "…excuse me what was that?" fearing the human wouldn't take the meaning well I explained in detail.

"Sorry sir but the first two operatives have worked together for some time and seem to have made there C.N's a running joke sir" the human huffed his cigarette but waved me to continue.

"Sir, Field Operative C.N (Code Name) Dare, real name Ruri Kuro is one of are top snipers as well as a loyal agent with no Reaper implants duo to her prier condition. I recommended her to either should the mission go wrong, take out Commander Shepard or assist in there capture."

"Next is Field Operative C.N Truth, real name Lilith Krono. She is part of Kai Leng's first batch of Phantom trainees and because she is a loyal member her implants have been held back because of her last deployment." My brief pause in the report was not missed by the humans as they question me with here eyes.

Giving into pressure a very un VI thing to do; "Sir, I need your confirmation on this next operative as I was hesitant to add him to the list?" the Illusive Man looked at the data pad as well as Leng. "Huh, I don't like him either sir he's another Paul Grayson waiting to happen, he already has the Red Sand problem." Leng added his own concerns.

"Leng I'm surprised by you this man took out an Asari Justicar and commando unit in under 2½ minutes and you're not impressed?" the man put hate in his next words. "No"

"Non the less read the profile." Waving me on to continue my explanation.

"Field Overseer C.N Siberia, real name Georgi Stalin one of are few elite Aquila that go into the fields. First to take the reaper implants after we were finished with Grayson. The man's last mental exam was canceled half way when he went on a 'Blood Rage' of shorts."

"He'll do but I want him as backup only, if anything goes wrong he is to kill all the operatives are we clear?" the man checked the list and turn back to his projection.

"Sir before I go Morpheus just got a report from are mole in S.T.G as well as my own from Dr. Eva, would you like me to read them now."

"No I'll do it go along get the team informed and send Siberia a Inferno armor set as well."

"Right away sir"

Cerberus Codex

Operation Blackbeard

The objective of this operation is to get a Cerberus infiltration team to enter UNAS Alliance HQ. Dressed in Alliance blue's the team is to get as close to the SR2 Normandy as well as Commander Shepard. Once the team is with in proximity of objectives there are to hold Shepard hostage until pickup via Normandy with VI Dr. Adam to replace EDI. If either team fails to meet there assignment in the time allowed by field team leaders the targets are to be eliminated as well as team suicide to avoid capture.

Hephaestus is one of several VI's on Cronos station his original purpose is to forge any and all 'paper work' needed within the Cerberus chain; as well as guide misinformation to enemies of the organization.

As the name insures Ares is the VI in charge of all Cerberus trooper and navel deployments including war assets.

Morpheus original and still important job is the welfare of all personnel within the organization. Described as an all seeing doctor and manipulator, he manages all informants and interested party members. He has recently taken on all administration duties such as payroll, background checks and others minor duties.

Cerberus Facility: North Star

Coast Mountains: Mount Sirenia/ 2 Days before Arrival

It was a quiet summer day in the mountains, mostly nothing out of the ordinary aside from two women jogging along a small rocky path going with the terrain whether it be snow, water, or grass.

One of the two women is of Asian dissent roughly 5'11 with a dark violet colored hair and a short angled bob hairstyle. She had what appeared to be genetically modified lavender eyes with a small fading freckle line.

The woman jogging next to her was of African dissent maybe 6'1 with the brighter side of brown skin; light baby blue hair accompanied with a short cut and modified red eyes.

"Did you read the mission report we got? It's about time we did something I was getting bored from this rotation back home." Both women jumped a log that must have fallen some time ago.

"Reading it right now, and so far I do not like it. It's more akin to suicide by cop or in this case military police." She wiped some sweat from her forehead. "And this guy there sending us sounds like a nut case if you ask me." Pushing a branch out of the way they continue on going up hill.

"So are you going to refuse the mission?" The women being just above average height looked down on the smaller women. (But not by much)

The said women just looked a little sad but smiled again. "If my life is required…" A small pause in her speech. "…my debt to Cerberus and the illusive man is worth it."

The other women just smiled. "Good because your early retirement plan would consist of me having to cut you down" The sad part was that it was all true.

Just then they rounded the path and came into site of there bunker. Nothing fancy or something one could see from the air just a landing platform for one, a garage with a Red Cross painted Hammerhead for there cover should someone ask, and a observation room a level above. With a total of 15 men and women (5 girls, 10 men) the base was just right for field operatives. When they got closer they could see that 2 unmarked Kodiaks had just left. The base's VI Yeti came on to there com with what they were about to ask.

"Operative Truth and Dare you're needed in the control room at this moment." He was a useful little guy not to smart but useful. Not wanting to keep there guest waiting they changed out of there sweats. Walking into the observation room in Cerberus officer's uniform; sat down and looked to the man staring outside. The men next to him turn around first looking like the perfect Arian aside from the red interface visor that ended in his head.

"It's nice to meet you I'm Apollo VI monitor of the Sol system the body before you is Prototype 303 cover name Dr. Adam my companion before you is Overseer Siberia we are to assist in Operation Blackbeard with in the next few hour's we will discuses the details of everyone's role in this endeavor." The other man just turn momentarily to us just to get a look, he was not a pretty fellow. A white buzz cut, grey eyes and easily 6'6 with a frame of a box almost like a caveman, he'd put a drill instructor to shame.

The next two hours in the briefing room with everyone got boring fast and the big guy never said a thing which made me question more as to why he was here. The only thing I picked up aside form the roles of everyone was that we got Cerberus Assault Armor not big bulky ones the smooth higher tech ones, of course those weren't for me and Lilith we kept are Nemesis and Phantom uniform. When it was all set and done everyone went there own way as for me and Lilith we went to are lockers.

"Hey I'm going running one last time tomorrow what to come with?" Lilith asked pulling her things out.

"Sorry can't got to make last minute adjustments to my Cyclops Hood. But if we make it threw this mission you can take me to the city for once sis." Pulling out her rifle Ruri went to the adjustment worktable. "What do you think level 5 barrel and a L3 scope?" "Yeah, yeah that's fine." "Are you even listening to me? Ehw don't wear that." Referring to Krono's Collector Armor she had gotten for being part of Omegas capture. "It makes you look like a cicada for heavens shake."

"That's only if you put the helmet on too so take it easy. Besides I like how it fits my frame so well, and sticks out my 'assets' so well." Shaking her bust in front of Ruri, who just rolled her eyes at the immaturity. "What about your Phantom suit, isn't it good for doing that?" Still trying to win at everything she does. "Can't wear that one in public and it feels more like a wetsuit too thank you very much and goodbye."

Afterwards Ruri was closing shop around the base checking in on her guest who preferred to stay in the command room, Dr. Adam seemed to be talking to Yeti vocally "weird for a VI". The Overseer just waved her to go while reading into a tablet which she was just too happy to do. Going outside to see the stars she came across the newest guy coming outside of a closet.

"Trooper what are you doing at this time of night?" He had been here for over two months nothing particular about him stuck out. "Mam! Sorry just finished cleaning a spill in the garage heading in right now" He rust past her in a small sprint. Being the curries one that she was, Ruri looked inside the broom closet not finding anything to show that he was cleaning something. "Maybe he was rubbing one off…at least he cleaned that up well" Being it was a small base and leave was hard to get it could get rather 'lonely' seeing as she and Lilith were off the market leaving only three other women to choose who to release 'stress' with. "Buyers market"

Once outside Ruri went down a small path to a drop off of the cliff and looked to the sky. "When the Reapers get here the Illusive Man will know what to do." She really and truly believed that, how could he fail with all he's done.

5 Minutes Earlier

"Captain Cerberus is making its move I repeat Fire Alarm is ago" Sho Lin finished his report and dismantle his communication devise into varies cleaning supplies. Walking out he ran in to Ruri who he swore did her rounds early. "This is bad, think of something damn it…oh I got it". After his little run in with one of the commanding officers of the base, Lin checked his gear for the next day. "Shits going to hit the roof man I'd better make it unharmed or Larns and Nimitz are going to win the bet".

Command Room

"Siberia a scrambled message just left the base it could be a security breach shall I awake everyone?" Apollo had just found out himself from Yeti when they had been discussing each member in the base's social life. "It seems the message left threw multiple exit ports so as to not pinpoint the origin sir" If he had been a real person he might have ducked from the tablet hitting his physical body.

"Useless Robot you will do no such thing. If these idiots find out that there compromised they will pack up and leave before the fun so keep it down. There all going to die anyway when the Alliance gets here, so me and you are going to leave in the morning and complete the objective." The little blue shine coming from the mans right eye was glowing just a bit brighter as he continued to get closer to Apollo. "I see sir then what of the mole?" Siberia just smiled more in what the human call 'over enthusiasm'.

"I already know who it is but I'll hunt him down later…now stop talking before I kill you. All I have to say is you were gaining AI properties and I took action after you killed every one on the Normandy." At this point he was in Apollo's face. "I'd never dream of it sir"

Huffing Siberia walked away to a bunk he pulled out earlier. "I know you wouldn't, you can't even dream."

Cerberus Codex

Cerberus has a number of Field bases across every continent North America has itself 5 bases with the Caribbean included. There locations are as follows: Yucatan peninsula, Kansas Plains, Appalachian Mountains, Coast Mountains, and the British Virgin Islands. The Field bases provide fire teams and local support for any operation should they be needed. Cover Operatives can report safely from any of the following bases.

Apollo is the VI monitor of all Cerberus activity in the Sol system. Apollo is one of the oldest VI's Cerberus has within itself; worry about his age and the amount of knowledge he has collect over the year have prompted some to think that Apollo might one day acquire AI intelligent.

Yeti is the VI of the North American region; his home and main server are within the very walls of North Star Base, Yeti is currently next in line to take over Apollo within the next few years. [side note: Yeti is to be renamed after his promotion]

An Aquila by all intents of the word is a specter within Cerberus ranks with the authority to investigate, kill, overrule, and take command of any Ground/Navel forces. Aquila's only answer to the Illusive Man and Overseer Kai Leng. There are only 5 know Aquila's 1 of which have stepped down from (Redacted) position many years ago. There C.N's are as follows: Siberia, Israeli, Equator, Fault, and Cancer (Retired)

Part 2 End

Authors notes: Again longer then I intended. I truly didn't see me making the VI's bigger in the plot but now I might have to make them a profile in my notes so I don't lose track of them. Oh and leave me something of a review, people don't read stories that haven't gotten any…they can be one worded for all I care. Good, great, give me more, you suck, poop. Any of those will do. Again please tell me if you see or read any errors.

Next is my first take on action scenes oh and you meet Nova Team so far you've only read of 4, 6 to go.