Decanus Vakarian having a bad day. First there was the fact that he found out the patrol that was sent out yesterday was still missing and presumed dead, the third one in two weeks and the first one that had men from his centuria. What really annoyed him was that this was supposed to be a quiet sector for the remnants of his legion to recover from the front lines, specifically the simultaneous enemy attack with underminers and poison gas that decimated them. Finally there was the fact that he had to escort a soldier dispatched from one of the hastatim units through this Spirits-forsaken forest.
Logically he understood the need for hastatim, without them any war the Turians fought would not end until one side was wiped out to the last supporter, but that did not mean he wouldn't prefer to deal with a member of a cabal. And they made his plates itch.
On the bright side they were nearing where contact was lost with the patrol so he'd be able to discover what happened to his comrades. A moment later he regretted that thought as they rounded the bend to find the scene of a bloodbath.
The patrol was obviously dead. A couple had entire portions of their bodies ripped into a bloody mixture of flesh and metal by what was most likely biotics. Three more were missing portions of their heads and were lying in their patrol positions, they likely died in the opening salvo. Another one looked like he had gotten caught by a grenade, going by the mangling and the scorch marks at least. The remaining four were all riddled with the large entry holes that were becoming iconic for their enemy's weaponry.
The hastatim, Vakarian never bothered with learning his name, took one look at the situation and started barking out orders, "Get a perimeter set up and keep an eye out, they could still be around or left traps like the last patrol. Decanus, get in contact with command and tell them we've found the bodies and to send men to secure the area. And nobody touch anything, we don't know what they've rigged or could be important later!"
As Vakarian started following the orders he rolled his eyes, none of them were going to take risks after that mine went off when they tried to move a corpse last time and took a quarter of the retrieval team with it. He had just made contact with command when he saw something fly out of nowhere and land in the middle of the clearing and called out, "Grenade!" while diving for cover.
Before any of his comrades could react the grenade went off with a blinding flash and there were simultaneous gunshots along with the distinctive sound of biotics followed by the screams of the unlucky person to be hit. Almost instantly the clearing was filled with the mechanical sound of the enemy's weapons and the tapping whoosh of his allies' return fire. However that quickly died off and by the time his vision cleared enough for him to get his bearings a figure charged him and bashed him in the face with the butt of their rifle, disorienting him again. This was quickly followed by pain in his hand and knee before he passed out.
Shepard frowned as Gabe pulled his knife out of the Turian's hand, "Were both really necessary?"
Gabe shrugged, "Had to ensure he couldn't still be useful. If it was just the knee he could still do deskwork, and we don't know how long it'd take them to heal just the hand."
"So why not just cut the knot and lob off the hand?" Shepard asked as he helped in stripping the bodies of supplies.
Gabe shook his head, "Don't want to risk him bleeding out, corpses won't drain their supplies like the wounded," he then whistled as he secured the Turian's rifle, "Be glad he was disoriented; think this is a heavier version of their standard rifle. Would've punched through are armor like it wasn't even there."
"Well let's be thankful for small mercies. I'd rather not get Eezo in my system and die, thank you very much," Gadsden said while searching a body before freezing, "Guys, think you'll want to have a look at this. If I'm not wrong this one's got that hastatim symbol you showed us."
"Huh? Let me see," Gabe walked over and looked where she indicated, "Well I'll be damned it is one. Hey Udina, picking up any pings nearby?"
Udina checked his equipment, studiously avoiding looking at the scene all the while, "Nope, if you work quickly you should be done before they can scramble."
"Excellent, inform me if the situation changes. Think it's time to send a message." Gabe paused as he noticed something, "Oh, looks like this is your unlucky day. Bastard's still alive. You guys might want to look away."
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Admiral Sparatus frowned as he walked into his ships med-bay. Currently it was filled to the brim with soldiers too injured to continue the fight that were waiting for transport to the fleets staging point on their way to the medical centers on Pavalen. The sight never failed to bother him and make him curse the Conventions preventing him from just bombing the fortifications to dust. As things were he made a point to come down every day when there was a lull in the fighting to check up on his men and remind himself that his actions have consequences.
After a few moments he spotted the doctor in charge and made his way over, "Doctor, how is everyone?"
The doctor finished typing on his omni-tool and looked up, "Admiral, good I was just about to send for you. The ambush survivor woke up earlier and just cleared the tests. I'll take you to him now."
Sparatus gestured for the doctor to lead, "What is his status?"
"Overall good despite being unconscious for three days. He was shocked to be alive and upset to learn about the deaths of his men, more so than his injuries. I recommend you do not share the fate of the hastatim unit attached to his squad with him. Here we are sir," with that the doctor returned to his duties.
When the soldier, Vakarian Sparatus remembered from the file, noticed him he nodded his head, "My apologies for not saluting sir, but my hand…" he indicated the stabilizers locking his hand and arm.
Sparatus waved him off, "It's understandable, and for what it's worth I'm sorry about what happened to your squad. Now I'm going to need you to go over what exactly it was that happened."
It took time, but Vakarian eventually managed to haltingly relay the events of the patrol.
As far Sparatus one part of the report stood out, "That sound, you said it sounded like biotics?"
"Y-yes sir," Vakarian replied as he tried to get his thoughts away from the horrible screaming.
Sparatus frowned, "Thank you. This is our first confirmation of enemy forces using biotics. Now I'll leave you to your rest," with that he stood to leave.
Before he could go Vakarian asked, "Sir, if I may. The doctors wouldn't give me an estimate for how long until I'm fit for duty again. Could you ask them on your way out?"
Sparatus frowned about how to respond, "I'm not the best to answer that, but you'll find out eventually. I read the reports and between the damage done to you from the ambush and an infection that sprung up you will not be able to return. And unless things change back home there aren't any desk positions for you to be shifted to as is normal in these cases."
"But sir, I have a wife back home and the military is all I've ever known. How am I going to do my part bringing in money?" Vakarian had the look of a Turian whose entire world had just come crashing down around him.
Sparatus looked at him sadly, "There are things in place to help you, and the reports are optimistic about you regaining functionality, just not to the level required for active service. Personally I've read your file and, while it's not the same, think you should look into being an officer. It might suit you and there's always a need for them." With that Sparatus left him to his thoughts.
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Back on the planet's surface the human team was happy to be near the ride back to their hideout.
"First thing I'm doing when I get back is taking a warm shower, had enough of these stupid forests for a lifetime," despite the words Udina's smile betrayed his happiness.
Gadsden snorted, "Amen to that. I can't wait to get this suit off. I swear it tingles."
"It's all in your head. You know as well as I do that the engineers are paranoid about stopping leakage," Shepard shook his head, "Anyway, what I'm looking forward to the most is a nice hot meal. At least in space the rations are halfway decent."
The other's made affirmative noises save Gabe, "You're also in a tin can surrounded by death. Personally I prefer to stay in atmosphere where I can at least influence my fate. Now keep an eye out. I wouldn't be surprised if they had sentries near the edges of the forest."
That sobered everyone up quickly and they made the rest of their journey in silence until they arrived at the small dugout beyond the tree line where their vehicle was hidden.
Gabe looked around, "Margaret, come help me get the jeep started. Shepard, Udina, you provide overwatch and come when we signal we're ready."
With that they took off across the field and disappeared into the hidden garage. A few minutes later they poked their heads back out and signaled they were ready. Shepard and Udina shared a look before they started jogging over to the others.
At about a third of the way Udina looked over, "Come on, I'm carrying the heavy communication equipment and still keeping up with you. Is that the best you've got?"
It was at that moment that a shot rang out and Shepard collapsed. Udina just stared at him for a moment before what happened registered and he charged the source of the round.
Meanwhile Gabe's blood ran cold as he felt the connection with Udina become swiftly muted, almost as if he were dead, yet saw him perfectly fine and charging, "Shit! Gadsden, suppressing fire on those trees, I'm grabbing Shepard."
He didn't wait for a response as he ran out and the sound of heavy fire came from behind him. He quickly reached Shepard and swiftly cursed the lack of cover as he began moving him back towards the bunker.
The moment he arrived he began checking for injuries by cutting off the back part of Shepard's armor and swore at the mass of blood and ceramic that was the small of his back. Swiftly he cleaned off what blood he could risk before covering the area in medigel in the hopes that it would keep it stable enough until they reached the better facilities at the safe house.
Once he had done all he could to stabilize Shepard he poked his head up to the sight of Gadsden trying to calm a shaking Udina who was covered in Turian blood, "He should live but we need to get to the safe house as soon as we can."
With that they all quickly got into the vehicle and went through the tunnels as quickly as possible. During which Gabe took great pleasure in activating the incendiary charges they had scattered throughout the forest to cover their exit.
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General Williams rubbed his eyes as he looked at the person who had woken him up just after he fell asleep, "So what is it that had you get me out of bed?"
The man, Williams was too tired to bother with his name, shifted slightly, "The search fleet reports that they've found the enemy staging point."
That got the general's attention, "Issue orders to have everyone ready for an offensive by the end of the week. Now unless there's anything else I haven't slept in two days and am getting some rest." With that he returned to his bed and the glorious sleep that it held.
Intersystem Network
Office of Special Services: The Office of Special Services (OSS) is the intelligence arm of the Human-Quarian Alliance, and before that filled the same role for the Human Collective. Its authority covers both counterespionage and espionage operations regardless of location, though there are different rules in play depending on whether or not the subject is a citizen, and special operations such as the rumored Chameleon Project. Not much is publically known about their activities currently save for what can be determined from their charter and the policy that operations must be declassified once those involved are at no risk.
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Shanxi Flora: Trees: The trees of Shanxi are relatively unique in that several common species react explosively to sustained high temperatures such as fire or to sudden structural degradation. The exact mechanics are currently not known but it is believed to result from high pressure sap rapidly expanding. The function is better understood as the explosion serves to spread seeds widely and can help clear the immediate area of competitors. While normally this does not result in much danger, bar being located in the surrounding area on an uncharacteristically hot day, should there be fire present they can cause what would normally be a minor fire into an inferno as flaming debris are launched through the air. A fact that served as a rude surprise to the original colonists.
A/N: Not much really to say here save that I've always considered biotics to be these horrifying eldritch powers which people are perfectly sane to be wary of in the "respect the docile but highly venomous snake" sense
Also since the information I've found only says the Turian military is structured similar to the Romans yet only the leadership and promotion system is elaborated on, all their army ranks and everything is based on my limited understanding of the Roman military