Chapter 2: The Coming Storm

On October 29th 2157, Humanity located an inactive Relay with the intent of reactivating it, for expanding the territory, and for the continuation of Humanity. Unfortunately this did not go unnoticed. The Turian Hierarchy who were the peacekeepers of Citadel Space, found Humanity trying to activate the Relay. This action, unknown to Humanity, was against Council Laws. The Turian Hierarchy, instead of engaging in communications with the Unknown fleet, opened fire on "Unarmed Civilian Flotilla".

A single ship survived and fled the system heading toward the fully developed Human colony, Shanxi. The Turians gave pursuit on the single ship with the intent of finding out where it would lead.

The Hierarchy who slaughtered the lives on the Alliance Civilian Fleet, unknowingly unleashed a sleeping Giant.

The Vid on Screen played the Alien Ships bombarding, and landing planet side of Shanxi. A Reporter, recording the catastrophe on a floating camera, was seeking shelter on the outskirts of the embattled city.

"You can see, as the ships are not distinguishing between Military or civilian, they're striking anything in mass. Authorities are warning all citizens to flee large cities to reduce death toll and to…

Hold on I'm getting new information, Governor Alex Shoril has given full military and police authority to Shanxi Command Garrison, General Williams."

A curl of smoke drifted up past the large Vid Screen as channel rolled through channel, and multiple channels played on the screen. Each channel sampling the destruction of the invasion.

The Director continued to observe the chaos on the screens, ignoring the figure dressed in a black trench coat, and gas mask approaching his seat. The click of his booted heels sounding in the spacious chamber of the Black Op Dreadnaught Bridge.

He stopped at the side of the Director, and stared at the collage of chaos playing on the screens. "It is as we feared; this is why the politicians of Earth wanted to destroy the Relay's. They were terrified of what we might find, and look what we let in…. what is the situation on Shanxi?"

The Director inhaled his cigarette, still studying the Vid screen on the Bridge.

"Deteriorating and fast… These alien invaders are making no distinction between civilian and military targets."

The "Messenger" began pacing around the bridge. "Bastards… So what happens now?"

The Director ground his cigarette in a metallic tray, and turned his gaze on "the Messenger". "The Alliance Parliament is in chaos due to the invasion, so it's up to us to act first."

"The Messenger" locked his gaze with the Director's. "Jack?"

November/2nd/2157

Location: Hidden Moon Facility, located near the Charon Relay.

The Mess hall on the facility was large, large enough to hold one hundred people or more. The sterile, harshly lit room displayed empty cafeteria benches, the cold light playing over the three figures sitting at a table.

Jack, who was eating his lunch as May sat close to him leaving Kai leng raising an eyebrow at May, still wondering why May is acting so strange around Jack. Before the three could continue their meals, Jack is approached by Subject 50 Jake.

"Hey Commander did you hear about Shanxi?"

Jack angled his head towards Jake. "Yeah…. I also heard how the Alliance is acting like headless chickens right now."

Kai Leng looked at Jack and gave a small chuckle. "The Alliance Parliament is in utter chaos, I don't know why the Director is still a part of the Alliance Branch?"

May gave a worried look at Leng. "Leng the Director is supporting Humanity right now through the Alliance Government."

Leng gave a sarcastic laugh at May. "HA! The Alliance Government is letting our species burn over and on Shanxi."

Jack's expression on his face is unmoved, by the opinions and facts circling around him. Kai Leng looked at Jack. "Shepard what do you think? Should the Director do a Split, or try to feed a rotting corpse of a so called government."

Jack knew that Leng had no love for the official government of Alliance, due to their inaction maybe he was right, but then again why haven't we acted to save Shanxi.

Jack looked at the endless void of space through the window, but before he could reply, the group is approached by their tech specialist subject 3, "Eric".

"Commander."

Jack turned around to face the Lieutenant. "Lieutenant?"

"Urgent Message from the Director." Eric was tapping commands on his arm tool interface, shortly after a few seconds a hologram of the Director appeared. With the Director in view, the group stood at attention. Through the hologram Jack noticed the Director was smoking.

The Director breathed the smoke out of his mouth. "Commander Shepard."

Jack stood at ease "Director it's an honor to be called sir."

"No doubt Commander, I have a surprise for Hell Dog Platoon."

The Group looked at each other, then at the hologram. "Surprise sir?"

Taking another inhale of the cigarette. "Yes, have you been watching the vids of the invasion of Shanxi?"

Jack's eyes were fixed on the hologram and void of all emotion. "All too well."

The Director gave a small grin at Jack. "Today is Hell Dog Platoon's lucky day."

Jack raised an eyebrow of the statement. "Lucky sir?"

Director put out his cigarette. "You're going to liberate Shanxi."