May 31st
04:44
2228
Lorek, Batarian Space.
Jalnor had become a fortress. Anti Air defenses were scattered over every other skyscraper, and the Krogan had sent in reinforcements to back up the Batarian defenses. The very best of Clan Gatog was holed up in the university. Experimental Salarian designed power armor was issued to the troops at all the entrances. When the Sorceress arrived it all counted for naught.
She appeared in the music hall. Where scientists were still trying to pick apart the torn remains of alien technology. And as they looked up at Queen Nehellenia they recognized her as something new. She looked human. Except for her ears. They were pointy. Her eyes were purple, her hair was purple, and most of her dress was black. The Queen wasn't standing in the music hall. She was hovering above it. Peering at the advanced instruments with curiosity.
A young scientist stared up at the Queen with an equal measure of curiosity. All four of her eyes were locked upon this remarkable sight. Hatice, the science teams xenobiologist was floored by how human like this alien was.
"Can we help you?"
Queen Nehellenia glided towards the scientist who spoke. With absolute grace she landed ever so close to this stranger. Her words were still unintelligible but the wise Queen could read the sentiment behind them. Slowly, gently, Nehllenia placed one hand around the scientist's waist and another over her heart.
Hatice slid into a deep sleep. Fragments, dreams, and nightmares flooded her consciousness. She remembered all her old aspirations. Back when she wanted to be a soldier. So she could be strong and fight back the Reapers. Like . . . like Shepard. When she was young she wanted to be just like Shepard. The propaganda vids they'd cycle on monitors were burnt into her memory. She wanted to be strong, and to save people. After the war she still wanted to save people. That was her dream. That's why she studied xenobiology. So she could become a doctor who could help everyone.
The scientist opened her eyes. She almost fell over when the Alien finally let go of her. They were close. Close enough for her to tell that the alien was warm blooded. Just like a human. She smelled pleasant. Like a flower she bought at a shop in new London.
As strangers they peered into each other's eyes, still unsure of what to make of the other. In the Midst of this tyranny of silence the ancient Monarch resolved to take action.
Now that the young lady recovered from her slumber Queen Nehellenia took a step back, and considered what she'd seen. There were so many images to sort through. And giving a definite sense of meaning to all the words was difficult. Thankfully the good Queen had plenty of experience to draw from. So after a considerable pause she was able to piece something together.
"Please, take me to your Ruler"
June 5th
13:00
2228
Tuchanka, Krogan Space
"See anything?"
One Lady of Fire present. Urban Camouflage applied to her armor for the operation. She's a veteran of the Coronis Campaign. Non-Psychic. Armed with experimental 9 mm machine gun. Currently pressed against the wall of a supposedly secure location.
"Walls too thick"
Four Bravo range Mercurians Present. One, Sanguine augment pressed against the wall. She's frowning at the moment. Her superior senses cannot be brought to bear. Her three siblings are right behind her. They're all Raider pattern augments. Two sisters and one brother, all using Icaria armor with a K-11 bolt action carbine in hand. She was the odd one out. The Primaris cleared her for Engylion armor, and that cleared the way for the fearsome high capacity Personnel defense weapon she carried in her hands.
The Lady of Fire scowled, "Salt Heads, you ready?"
A voice crackled to life. There was some static. Tier II Magic interfering with communications, "Affirmative. Our Sensors detect seven life forms below us, plus Queen Nehellenia. This is the place"
"Good", whispered the Lady of Fire over the Comms, "Two minutes till the attack is prophesized to take place. Shoot to kill"
June 5th
13:03
2228
Tuchanka, Krogan Space
"I'm Glad we can finally-"
Urdnot Bakara was interrupted by an interdimensional breach. Something bleak and horrible writhed its way from the darkness. This alarmed the Batarian delegation, and annoyed Queen Nehellenia. Her right hand was raised when the Entity born of Nightmares made its presence known.
"Your insolence will be punished", remarked the Ruler of the Dark moon.
Streaks of dark lighting impacted the thing with no name. Its many gaping maws widened, and it screamed. The soul rending sound paralyzed the Batarians. Their blood ran cold and they fell one by one. Every one of the things long pale limbs fidgeted. The Shadow beneath it vanished.
"Die", ordered the Queen.
Just then a braching charge punched an elephant sized hole in the wall behind this being. A Krogan sized figure barreled towards the abomination. Their Meter long blade skewered the beast. Four more unknown fighters threw themselves into the room guns blazing. Suddenly a massive chunk of celling fell down on the beast. The gunfire stopped. Nine figures dropped down from above.
Dark blue armor, heat still rising from their fight packs, Neptune Marines had arrived. Rubble started to move. The Lady of Fire liberated herself from the wreckage. Her blade was still buried in the beast. She pulled it free. The wreckage moved again. One of the pale things appendages reached out towards Urdnot Bakara.
There was a sudden flash of bright light. The unmistakable shriek of an Urannian Particle rifle tore the atmosphere. After the round impacted there was silence. Real space righted itself, and the last Neptune Marine dropped down.
"Target Eliminated"
November 25th
16:44
3927
Crystal Tokyo
Mamoru Chiba was taking a bubble bath. And Ami Mizuno just kicked down the bloody door. She crossed her arms, she smiled triumphantly, and Mamoru Chiba was still naked.
"There will be no war"
"What makes you say that Ami?", responded the some how not freaking out tall handsome dark haired man.
"The Primaris of my world interrupted an would be attack on two key figures. And since the council doesn't know who or what has been targeting them we can look like the heroes"
"Until they find out what you've done"
"If- if they find out what I've done, and they won't"
Queen Serenities trophy husband stood up, stepped out of the tub, and dried him self off with a towel. Doctor Mizuno, the physician that cured all diseases on earth, put a hand to her face. The good doctor was experiencing a nosebleed. Mr. Chiba didn't seem to notice.
"That's an very interesting theory Ami. But, as a good scientist, you should probably check it for Bias. "
Ami Mizuno glared at him as he walked away. She glared at his pecs, and his abs, and his nice legs. And his fine ass.
Mamoru Chiba did have a fine ass.
Mercurian Pact Infantry and Cursory Information
Mercurian Doctrine stresses the importance of the preemptive strike as well as the necessity of reshaping the battlefield to suit your allies strengths and exploit your enemies weaknesses.
Mercury is the only planet on Sol that still uses conscription. They also have one of the smallest militaries in Sol. Barely beating out the nascent Neo Moon kingdom in pure numbers. That's because over 95% of their population is rated as ineligible due to either: A. being in school, B. pursuing research of some kind, C. Being employed in an critical occupation, or D. Scoring high enough on civics assessment test.
Mercurian Civic Improvement Program:
When a Mercurian reaches their fourth year they take a very special test. Their civic assessment test. It scores them based on intellect and temperament. Citizens are rated on a scale of A to D. Individuals that receive an A, who make up about 70 to 80% of the population, are set. They receive a free education and they are exempt from the draft.
Bravo- A Mercurian who scores into the B range receives Augmentation to help them become a productive citizen. To pay back on this heavy investment B range citizens have to perform a certain amount of service. Usually by working at a government run fast food restaurant, gas station, or childcare facility. B range citizens are eligible for the draft.
Charlie- The Mercurian who scores into the C range is also eligible for the draft. They make up the bulk of Mercurian conscripts. C range Mercurian receive a Cognis advanced intelligence implant. This is a synthetic intelligence that partners with the Charlie range individual. It levels out their personality. Which is important. A Mercurian without her composure is hardly an Mercurian at all.
Delta- Mercurians who score into the D range are pitied. Some of them are conscripted. Others join the military of their own volition. Most of their lives they'll be isolated. The Government sends them to boarding schools that teach the most dangerous of kinds of science, Magic. Delta range Mercurians are "lost" all the time.
Bravo Augment Patterns:
Khroma Template (Venom) - This form of augmentation is usually given to insecure Mercurians. It integrates its recipient with a pair of Infrared sensitive glasses, ammonia sensing nose piercings, and their neurotoxin secreting tongue piercings. Different tactical modules can be snapped onto her glasses. The Tactical Analysis module is the most popular.
Sanguine Template (Healer) - Typically assigned to energetic Mercurians with an sunny disposition. The Sanguine Template set requires several invasive brain surgeries to sync their minds with special issue contact lenses, and the synthetic fangs that replace their wisdom teeth. Her lenses let her see blood move through veins. Her cute little fangs let her inject an numbing agent into soft tissue. The relatively subdued nature of Sanguine modification lets her pass for a baseline Mercurian.
Raider Template (Survivor) - Well suited to adventurous Mercurian's with a high tolerance for pain. The Raider Augment set is made out of a nanobot injection to the thyroid gland, an second nervous system made out of durable synthetic fibers, and a bone crushing pharyngeal jaw. The psycho conditioning a Bravo receives gives her a great deal of resiliency. That, combined with the smooth healing properties of Raider Augmentation, has given rise to the myth Raiders are indestructible. They aren't. If you cut a raider, she bleeds.
Charger Template (Assurance)- Given to Mercurians with malicious tendencies. Involves the attachment of recycled artificial muscle to her back, shoulders, and Latissimus dorsi. Her lowermost floating ribs have been removed and replaced with fused synthetic plate that contains small amounts of Venesian dark glass. She carries instruments which detect both metal objects and electrical currents. So the construct is not safe from her. Furthermore she's been given replaceable metallic canines that lie behind her original teeth. These secrete a compound thats completely harmless to its host, and deadly to the alien.
Blithe Template (Mistletoe)- Often assigned to overly Idealistic Mercurians. This form of augmentation replaces their canines with heavy metal synthetic fangs that can inject a powerful numbing agent into soft tissue. Synthetic muscle is added to her jaw and hip flexors. Her mind is surgically linked to primitive thermo receptors within her tongue.
Mercurian Armor:
Infiltration Suit- An advanced evolution of the soft synthetic Musculoneural layer found in the Icarian scout suit. It was created to fulfill a demand and its development attracted the attention of Lady Mercury herself. After a month or so of her personal oversight the suit was ready for limited production. She radically improved the synthetic nerve system of the suit using information gleaned from the Terran Lamprey. This created a suit that possesses a "brain" without the need for a Cognis. She also boosted the density of its synthetic muscle tissue, and she introduced cell like nano hives that could be embedded into the suit to allow for repair and micro fabrication. This coupled with some advances that cannot be disclosed gave birth to the modern infiltration suit. It has been issued to allied forces across the stars. The Infiltration Suit brings darkness to make room for the light.
H-116- The pressurized suit that most Mercurian soldiers will use. It is, for the most part, made out of silicon rich aluminum. The chest area is up armored with a heavy metal module that consists of depleted uranium encased by wrought iron with a 1.6 mm parylene based nano composite coating. The suit protects against low velocity shrapnel and some airborne toxins.
Englyion- Mercurian Heavy Assault Suit. It uses the same frame as the H-116. The shell of the suit is composed of the same silicon rich Aluminum. And it has the same heavy metal chest module. Underneath that the Englyion stores a spall liner, synthetic nerves, synthetic muscle bundles, a suit Cognis, and a primitive life support system that keeps its pilot alive in the vacuum of space. The Englyion suit also carries two shoulder pylon mounted Venesian dark glass mine dischargers. When a Venesian dark glass mine goes off it creates an dampened space where weak psychics can't bring their reality warping powers to bear. The Englyion suit is standard issue for Delta range soldiers. Its issued to other Mercurians as needed.
Icaria- Its the "light" option for Mercurian soldiers even though it out weighs the H-116. Two main variants of the Icaria exist, and both of them are equipped with flight packs for tactical mobility. The goofy looking pressurized hard suit version is colloquially known as the "Bubble head" suit. It resembles the H-116, however its chest is up armored with a ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene breast plate in place of the Heavy metal module and it uses thermosetting polymers in place of silicon rich aluminum for its construction. This, coupled with the life support system found in the "Bubble head" version of the suit lets the pressurized version of the Icaria perform well in Venesian esque environments. The Scout version of Icaria incorporates soft and hard components. Its soft component is a skin tight synthetic-muscle and synthetic nerve hybrid layer that covers the user from their neck down. This soft layer syncs itself to the users movements. The suits petite ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene helmet, segmented titanium link nape protecter, short sleeved brigandine-blouse, short desert pattern skirt, tactical gloves, and desert pattern boots cover up most of the hybrid layer. If the Scout version of the Icaria is fitted with a rebreather and a life support module it can operate in Venesian esque environments.
Mercurian Small Arms:
K2 Rail Gun- A mechanically simple rail gun that accelerates molten Iron - Sulphur alloys at 1.6 km/s. It weights 30.5 kilograms. Its popular with young recruits. It is produced in truly massive numbers. The K2 was built with reliability in mind. Every front line combatant knows that if a fresh hot pack goes in then by the Queen a K2 will still shoot. Its a weapon that Mercurian's have come to trust.
K11 Sani - A rugged bolt action carbine. Its fed by a 4 round steel box magazine that carries 10.36 mm rounds. Its effective armor piercing round is designed for medium to short range engagements. The weapons heavy quick change barrels come with a suppressor built into them. It makes the bolt action carbine sound like a smaller caliber sniper rifle. This quirk combined with the weapons reliable armor piercing ammunition keeps the carbine in service.
A73- Simple Electric Ignition Submachine gun. The weapons slow 600 rpm rate of fire makes it easily controllable. It fires 11.43 mm short case less bullets, and uses a 50 round staggered row box magazine. Towards the front of the weapon the A73 mounts a 22.2 mm pump action under barrel shotgun that fires 95 grain 10.8 mm tungsten pellets. This smooth bore weapon boosts the close quarter effectiveness of the A73. If a 11.43 mm bullet doesn't stop a charging enemy then 20 pellets of Fuck You just might.
M kPDW - Mercurian short Personal Defense Weapon. The M kPDW uses a heavy 20 round polymer magazine. Its chambered for the unconventional 9-10.36 mm hyper velocity round. The 9-10.36 mm round is made out of a 10.36 mm case necked down to a martian 9mm bullet. This Chimera round possesses remarkable stopping power. The M kPDW has recently undergone some minor improvements. Its rate of fire has got up from 880 to 1,050 rpm. An 25 mm grenade launcher that fires High explosive or Venesian dark glass rounds has been integrated into the weapon system. Some Mercurian troopers tape three 20 round magazines together to speed up reloading. This spurred the creation of a limited issue 30 round magazine. Some Englyion users have taken to taping three of these magazines together. Rumor has it that a belt fed variant of the M kPDW is in the works.
M kG81 - The Mercurian Squad Support weapon. Its a semi-automatic magnetic accelerator that fires the ubiquitous Venesian 15.5 mm round. The weapon accelerates this round to 777 m/s , and actively tracks targets that come into its field of view. It uses the same 26 round magazine as the Venesian duster. The weapon is top fed. Theres a variable zoom electric camera at the front of the magnetic accelerator rifle that links up an electronic display behind the magazine. Mercurian techno-script etching adorns the metal to either side of this display. It grants the electronics a modicum of resistance to Magical interference. Monitor may still explode in the presence of an unagreeable sailor scout.
FmW4 Faust - Mercurian incendiary weapon. The 43.7 kilogram system carries 25 liters of semi ferrous thick fluid that it can launch 60 meters from its user. The current fuel mixture, which may or may not be slightly radioactive, is known to be a great deal less effective then the earlier mixtures of Mercurian fire. In the face of an ever shrinking material budget the FmW4 Faust is a weapon of the times. Expendable and deadly, like the mortals who must wield it.
Martian Naval Infantry:
Neptune, the New Moon, and Terra posses an uniquely versatile kind of worrier that belongs to a distinct service branch. The Marine. The Martian Navy, for all its might, does not posses Marines. Their Navy is not the Largest in Sol. Jupiters Navy holds that honor. Their navy is not the best equipped in Sol. The Terran Navy holds that honor. Its not the best trained in Sol. That honor belongs to the Uranians. The Martian Navy has the highest casualty rate in all of Sol. They hold that Honor. They use Naval Infantry.
Martian Skraeja- Technical Specialists who do everything. They conduct special operations, they resupply Grunts, they run com networks, they flying everything, they drive everything, they care for the wounded, they maintain equipment, they make up 40% of the Martian navy, and they wear less armor then every one else. They receive an petite composite helmet with camouflaged clothes accompanied by a Wyvern skin cloak .Thats Skraeja grade protection. Training starts at 14. They get two years at the academy. At graduation they earn the bloody cloak and then they're fed into Navy.
Martian Lady of Fire- Martian equivalent of officers. Training doesn't start till they are 28. Get sent to the academy for four years. The title and responsibility that comes with the identity Lady of Fire usually falls upon the first born daughter. However if she is unable or willing to take this path then it can fall upon a younger sibling of any gender. The armor they wear is simple and it is cheap. It relies on Heat resistant ceramic, mild steel, servo enhanced artificial muscle fibers, and faith. Sisters forge their own plating and sew in their suits muscle bundles by hand. The blade they carry is heavy. Many of them are ancient, dating back to the 26th century. It is short. A mere meter in length. These blades are made of Tungsten carbide. A material that ancient earthlings used in the production of ball point pens. When a Lady of Fire is ready to leave the Academy she will seek out a Wyvern to slay, as one does. And upon completion of such a task they may join the ranks of the Martian Navy to fight against all terrors that would threaten the stability of Crystal Tokyo.
Martian Grunt- Cannon fodder. Most are armed with a 9.5 x 50 mm rifle, recurve bow, 20 gauge incendiary pistol, two hatchets, six 50 mm High Explosive grenades, two 50 mm Smoke grenades, and an short knife with a 400mm tungsten carbide blade. Grunts are also given a mild steel breast plate, two small mild steel shoulder pads, and a composite helmet with a synthetic sapphire glass visor. The 4mm plate of their breast plate, 2mm plate of their shoulder pads, and small ceramic based helmet offer little protection against the weapons wielded by humanities foes. It should also be mentioned that their primary armament, the 9.5 mm rifle, isn't all that effective past 550 meters due its mediocre active infrared scope. They make up the other 40% of the Martian Navy.
Neptune Operators:
Neptune Marine- Equipped with a Minerva tactical flight pack to keep up with Uranian combat forces. They wear pressurized titanium alloy suits with two hard points on the upper chest piece. These hard points can mount extremely powerful sensors, extra armor modules, and compact anti-material weaponry. The suits are self sealing. They also carry a primitive emergency care system that pumps their user up with combat drugs and prevents death by exsanguination. Neptune Marines carry a variety of weapons. A favorite is the ancient 12.7 x 99 mm Machine gun since its a great deal lighter then the Particle rifles favored by their Uranian contemporaries. In the Marksmen role they'll use stripped down versions of the Particle rifle with reduced power. They'll also carry 37 mm coil guns into combat for low priority armored targets. For up close and personal work the Marines can draw their Silicon nitride survival knife. Neptune Marines often operate in 10 women teams called sections. Sections are typically attached to a larger Uranian or Mercurian force. The Uranian Military believes the Neptune Marine is roughly equivalent to an Sky Trooper. The Mercurian military classifies the Neptune Marine as a dangerously volatile asset.
Neptune Special Tactics Personnel- Elite soldiers of the Neptune Air Forces. They are tasked with infiltration, exfiltration, and various psychological warfare functions. To keep up with the Uranian Valkyrie, her contemporary and erstwhile rival, she is equipped with a Pallas sustained flight pack. To stay agile on the battle field Neptune Special Tactics Personnel use the 30 x 90mm low velocity auto cannon for close range targets and the 12.7 x 99 mm Machine gun equipped with a x 10 variable scope for medium range targets. Both these weapons use High-Explosive incendiary rounds for anti material work. Neptune Special Tactics Personnel also carry a upsized "Quick Mercy" variant of the Neptune Marine Silicon nitride survival knife. Its mechanized rotating teeth are made to cut through the reactive armor of Special Tactics Personnel. Which interestingly enough is inspired by the regenerative properties found in the Hydra, Neptune's Super Predator. And the suits warm shifting exterior makes it eerily reminiscent of a Mammalian nocturnal super predator found on Mercury. According to Neptune Inter-Services Intelligence research 9 out of 10 Mercurian's they polled would appreciate a suit redesign for Special Tactics Personnel.
Neptune Territorial Ranger- Trained military psychics who fight against enemies that hopelessly outclass them. The Neptune Territorial Navy can't train them fast enough. They can't replace the fallen quick enough. Their armor might have something to do with the abominable causality rates. Its a "soft" suit. The armored component is a multi-layer flame resistant skin that has 2 mm thick galvanized steel scales embedded into it. This allows for close fitting, albeit heavy, suit that Neptune Territorial Rangers can operate in thanks to their remarkable physicality and willingness to use their psychic abilities for mundane applications. On top of their protection deficit the Territorial Ranger faces a mobility deficit. They cary a equipped with a rudimentary Radar Frequency Interferometer pack instead of a flight pack. If theres Radar on the battlefield a Territorial Ranger will detect it, right before they get blown to smithereens by enemy fire.