Hey guys here is the next chapter, there is going to be one more chapter of the OSA's war with the Collectors before we go straight into the ME2 plot and the return of Commander Shepard.
October 10, 2684/2184
Serpent Nebula
Widow System
Citadel Tower
Council Chambers
When the OSA declared war on the Collectors, it did not take long for the rest of the galaxy to hear about it. In Citadel Space, many generally regarded the Collectors as a myth by propagated by terrified Citadel citizens who claimed to have survived attacks by those monsters. But now many were concerned as how this war was going to affect them; especially the snobby business people who were wondering how this was going to affect the galactic market and their pockets.
In the Council Chamber, the Council was also discussing on how this war was going to affect them as well. "According to STG reports, the OSA is amassing a very large fleet in the Traverse. They believe the OSA are preparing to head in the Terminus Systems to hunt down the Collectors." said Valern
Tevos was reading the reports, and could not believe the Collectors actually existed. "How should we respond to this? Should we present ourselves to the OSA Ambassadors or ignore this problem?"
Sparatus just waved it off. "This has nothing to do with us! And if these Collectors do attack, we will push them back into the Terminus where they belong."
Valern on the other hand shakes his head. "I do not believe we should not get involved; at least not directly."
The other two Councilors looked at Valern with confusion. "According to the STG operatives, the Collectors possess advanced technology that puts ours and the TC to shame; and if they have weapons that can hurt the OSA, We need to take advantage of this war and try and acquire some of their technologies and add them to Project United."
The Councilors thought about this for a moment and decided to go ahead with the plan and try and get their hands on Collector technology. The only one of them with doubts about this plan was Tevos…for some reason she could not help but feel that this was 'a deal with the devil' as humans put it.
Citadel
OSA Embassy
At the OSA Embassy, there were many newscasters from all over Citadel space that wanted to get more information as to the OSA's motives for the war, but the Ambassadors were not talking at all with anyone and were too busy preparing a guest.
Inside the Embassy, Donnel Udina along with Obligation and Alia Kallam'ee greeted the Hanar ambassador from the Hanar embassy. When the Hanar came in, it brought with it a Drell for protection as it floated up to the ambassadors it begins speaking. "This one would prefer to listen to your offer, so this one can spend as brief a time as possible in the presence of non-believers of the Enkindlers."
Udina could not stand the overzealous behavior of the Hanar. He thought the San'shyuum were bad enough, but the Hanar made them look like saints when presented with evidence against their beliefs. "Of course Mr. Ambassador. On behalf of the OSA we thank you for coming," said Udina with a forced smile, "now let's get to the point of this meeting: it has been known that the Drell suffer a rare disease called Kepral's Syndrome. We have a way to fix that problem."
The Hanar floated motionlessly for a second before responding. "This one is listening."
Udina then explained. "As you may be aware, the OSA have advanced medical technologies. Now I know your people's stance when it comes with any kind of relations with us, but think about the Drell and what this could mean for them."
The Hanar ambassador thought long and hard about this: on one hand this could save the Drell. On the other, they would have to work with the OSA who claimed that the Forerunners were the masters of the galaxy, something his people strongly were against. "This one will have to forward this idea to the Hanar Government Illuminated Primacy." The Hanar then left along with its escort.
The Ambassadors then went back to work. Udina was confident that the Hanar would look favorably to the deal, but somewhere in the back in his mind was a very pessimistic voice—one that said that they would give them the proverbial bird, with a complimentary 'fuck you'.
Unknown Nebula
Venoss system
Shelba
On the cold, uninhabited planet Shelba was a Quarian by the name of Golo who was exiled from the Migrant fleet for attempting to sell his people to the Collectors. Golo along with other Quarian exiles were given the same medical treatment from the OSA to be able to live outside of their suits, but could not return to the new Quarian homeworld as they would have either been put into prison or sent to one of the OSA prisons. So instead they became a Quarian mercenary gang trying to survive in the Terminus Systems.
One of the exiles walked up to Golo obviously concerned about what they were going to do. "Golo! Are you sure this is the right thing?"
Golo looked at his comrade. "Of Course it is, I have done business with Collectors before and this will be no different."
After a while, a Collector drop ship came down to the planet where the Quarians were and landed. The drop ship opened and out came three Collectors. The one in charge walked up to Golo.
Golo immediately began talking. "Good to see you all again." The Collectors didn't respond and just stared at Golo. "Shall I show you what I have brough?" The Collector nodded his head and made a stuttering sound. "Follow me." Golo took the three Collectors over to some crates. "In these crates are OSA weapons and technology and over in these crates are the artifacts found by one of the Citadel Corporations from a planet; and last but not least a Forerunner life worker's technology." Golo looked at the Collectors "I hope this is everything you were hoping for." said Golo with an evil grin.
The three Collectors then called over other Collectors from the drop ship to come and get the cargo. The Collectors then brought out the payment for Golo and his mercenary crew: a stockpile of Collector particle weapons and a million credits. As the Collectors took off in their shuttle a man in white coat walked up to Golo.
The man took off his hood and looked at Golo. "So did it work?"
Golo looked at him with a dark grin on his face—few people knew that he and his fellow exiles deliberately allowed themselves to be exiled in order to perform a joint operation in revenge for many Quarians being taken by the Collectors. "They didn't even check to see if there was any bugs on it, so I'd say yes it did work."
The man grinned and activated his comm. channel. "This is Operative Pel, slipspace tracking device has been placed on the Collector ship, we can track it now."
Venoss System
Cerberus Cruiser Elbrus
Bridge
On board the Cerberus starship was General Oleg Petrovsky who got the message from operative Pel on Shelba, he then directed the Elbrus to follow the Collectors' Cruiser that appeared in the system using the Slipspace tracking device they placed in the cargo they carried. The Elbrus jumped into slipspace as soon as the Collectors jumped into FTL.
On the bridge, the General was communicating with the Illusive Man. "Sir! The Collectors took the bait, and we are following the slipspace tracking device."
The Illusive Man was pleased with his engineers' success at creating the tracking device. "Good! The Collectors will lead us directly to their secret base outside of the Omega 4 Relay. From there we'll destroy the base and acquire any information in it…and hopefully rescue our people."
Oleg was worried about one thing. "Sir, what about the cargo that's just been traded to them, what if the Collectors attempt to study our technology and reverse engineer it on the way over?"
The Illusive Man grinned. "What we gave the Collectors was fake: it will explode in their face when they try to study it. Now you have your orders General."
The General had a look of understanding before a sinister grin had stretched his features before he nodded his head and disconnects the transmission. Petrovsky then headed to the war room to plan the mission.
Cronos Station
Inner Sanctum
The Illusive Man then connected to Kai Leng. "Leng you have a go on attacking the corporation that found the Forerunner ruins on the planet; leave no survivors, and make sure they understand that they cannot hide any Forerunner artifacts from us, and in as gruesome a manner as you like." The Illusive Man then disconnected the transmission and took a sip of his whisky on the rocks.
Cerberus Cruiser Elbrus
War Room
Oleg Petrovsky was at a holotable thinking of every scenario when arriving at the Collectors base, but just as he was deep in thought a man by the name of Colonel Raymond Ashe walked in. "So when will we arrive at the Collector's base?"
The General didn't respond immediately. "In an hour."
Ashe walked up to the holotable. "Is there anyone else who's going to be joining us?"
"A group of Cerberus strike teams with a complement of Spartans from Project Templar."
This was the moment Ashe was waiting for! Now he would finally get to see what Project Templar had done to Cerberus Spartans. "What about ships?"
The General gave Ashe not a second to respond. "Cerberus is sending two Cruisers and three Frigates to this fight."
Ash was impressed. "So are you ready to lead us in battle?"
The General looks at Ashe for the first time since their conversation. "Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys. Look on them as your own beloved sons... "
Ashe recognized what Oleg was saying and took the lead. "And they will stand by you even unto death." You know, you really don't have to quote "The Art of War" to me, General. I read it cover to cover three times before I finished from Military school. Although... I still would have preferred a bike for my 14th birthday. But my rich bastard father was cheap even on his own family." Ashe then left to prepare the troops for the battle.
OSA Space
High Charity
Quarian Embassy
When the Quarians were annexed into the OSA, they were allowed to build an Embassy on High Charity to continue diplomatic relations with the OSA Senate and so they were allowed to bring issues to the attention of the Senate. The problem though, was that they had no input on the decision. The ambassador for the Quarian people was former Admiral Zaal'Koris who wanted this position, as he believed he was the only one capable of getting the Quarians' needs to the Senate's table. The Quarian Embassy was decorated in old-style Quarian tradition before the Quarians were forced to leave their homeworld of Rannoch.
On this particular day, Zaal'Koris was being visited by the Senate's personal messenger on giving the Quarians outdated OSA technology: specifically outdated Shield technology and AI technology.
Zaal'Koris was surprised by the generous offer the Senate was giving to the Quarian people. "On behalf of the Quarian people, I thank the Senate for this generous offer, but I have to ask why now? In the past you have hesitated before in giving us anything of value."
The messenger just chuckled. "In the past, you asked for weapons technology which we do not share with anyone who is not from the Orion Arm, and what were giving you may seem advanced to a race that has relied on Mass Effect technology for a long time. To us, it is outdated and no longer useful, but maybe you can make something out of it."
Zaal'Koris then rephrased his question. "I am not talking about the energy shields, they will be very useful to us, but the ability to make AI's is a bit concerning especially after what happened to us."
The Messenger nodded his head in understanding. "Well one of your leading scientists, an Admiral Daro'Xen I believe, has asked for materials to research into this field and the Senate has decided to allow such research; under strict supervision of course. Think of it this way, the better you understand AI technology, the more likely you'll be able to avoid making the same mistake with the Geth."
Zaal'Koris nodded his head and thanked the messenger. Although the former admiral was as dodgy as the next Quarian on the subject of AI technology, he was right…even if they failed in the art that the rest of the OSA seemed to have perfected, the knowledge may be helpful against the Geth. After all, it was the human general Sun Tzu that once said "Know yourself and your enemy and you need not fear the outcome of a hundred battles."
Krogan Nebula
Aralakh System
Tuchunka
Clan Urdnot
On Tuchunka was the Jiralhanae diplomat Flavius Scipio along with his bodyguards who were there under the invitation of Urdnot Wrex. Scipio was hoping Wrex would come to his senses after helping his people with food and water, but as Scipio was in thought, Wrex appeared before them. Scipio turned to face Wrex. "Urdnot Wrex, have you reconsidered our offer in joining the OSA?"
Wrex just walked over to his throne and sat in it before responding. "First I would like to thank the Jiralhanae's for the supplies and second I along with other clan leaders have thought it over and are willing to join the OSA on one condition."
Scipio raised an eyebrow, suspicious of what Wrex would demand to join. "And may I ask what that is?"
Wrex leaned forward in his chair and grinned. "A cure to the genophage."
Scipio understood. "Wrex it would take years for us to create a cure for the genophage."
Wrex shook his head in response. "How about a few months?"
Scipio was confused, but before he asked Wrex nodded his head to another Krogan and two Krogan came into the camp along with a Salarian. "This Salarian has something to say."
The Salarian walked up to Scipio and Jiralhanae body guards. "Greetings! I am Maelon Heplorn, formerly of the STG."
Scipio turned to face the Salarian. "You are from the Salarian Special Tasks Group?"
Maelon nodded his head. "Yes I was, but the reason I am here is so I can help the Krogan cure the genophage."
Scipio was now really confused. "Why would a Salarian try and help cure the genophage? You people helped create it."
Maelon was deeply saddened by it. "Yes my kind did create it, but I have a chance to correct the mistake we inflicted upon the Krogan."
Scipio nodded his head in understanding. "You do realize by helping us, you have become a traitor to your people?"
Maelon understood this and was still committed to go through it to the end. "Yes I do, and I do not know what would happen between the Salarian Union and OSA in terms of relations, but I would assume it would lead to the Salarian Union excommunicating all trades with the OSA."
Scipio didn't really care about any relations with the Salarians, he then turned to Wrex. "Even if we do create the genophage cure and your people do join the OSA, there are certain rules you will have to follow in order to join us."
Wrex just grunted at that. "There will be a lot of opposition over this from the other clans, but I will try my best."
Scipio then left along with the Salarian back to his Phantom.
Hourglass Nebula
Frayar System
Space
A slipspace portal opened up at the end of the system, and out of it came the Elbrus. Onboard the bridge, General Petrovsky was listening to the Elbrus AI about following the Slipspace tracking device to a planet in this system. Petrovsky nodded his head; he was going to have to wait on the other Cerberus ships before launching the attack. After twenty minutes, five slipspace portals opened up and out came two Cruisers and three Frigates. Petrovsky then ordered all Cerberus vessels to travel in FTL over the targeted planet.
Hourglass Nebula
Frayar System
Alingon
Shadow Brokers Base
Alingon was a planet discovered by Salarians from a crashed probe. The planet had a high concentration of magnetically active periclase (magnesia) in the core and crust of the planet. This interfered with scans and broadcasts, which has given rise to countless spacer stories of pirates lying in wait in Alingon's magnetosphere or crashed ships with untold fortunes stranded on the surface. In reality, any pirates would have had a hard time locating prey amid all the interference and would have lived like hermits cut off from the rest of the galaxy because the magnetosphere killed extra planetary communication.
The planet's natural electromagnetic shroud made Alingon a perfect location for a command center for the Shadow Broker, only he had the technology that could reliably cut through the interference, but it forced his hirelings to come to the planet in person for orders and to make any calls on his behalf off world; essentially working as additional security for his information network.
The Shadow Broker's base was one of many hidden around the galaxy. Most of those bases were used for information gathering, some were to train his private army. This one however was loaned to the Collectors to further increase their alliance. The Collectors were using this base to study technology of the OSA and to unlock the secret behind Humanity and their ability to use Forerunner technology.
In a lab was a Salarian scientist hired by the Broker to study any Forerunner technology his people found: unfortunately it was difficult to find any technology of the Forerunners that didn't need a Human to activate it, but on this day the Collectors were bringing in another piece of Forerunner technology along with OSA weapons and artifacts. The Salarian was excited to begin studying said technology, but unfortunately the base began to shake as if it was under attack. Then all of a sudden, alarms began to go off.
Alingon Orbit
In orbit of Alingon were two Cruisers and a Collector ship assigned to protect the base on the planet from the OSA, but unfortunately they were not counting on Cerberus and out of nowhere were three Cruisers and three Frigates that just dropped out of FTL and opened fired on the ships in orbit. The Elbrus, along with the three Frigates fired their Modified MAC cannons at the two Cruisers, and a total of twelve tungsten rounds six gutting one cruiser while the other six smashed through the second, completely destroying both Cruisers. The Collector ship however went on the offensive by firing its powerful particle beam weapon. It fired multiple shots in quick succession at each Cerberus ship, causing damage to Frigates mostly while the Cruisers had sustained minor damage.
General Petrovsky then ordered to launch all ODST's along with a complement of Scorpion tanks and Cougar's. All ships began launching Human drop pods right on top of the Shadow brokers base, while pelicans were carrying Scorpion tanks and Cougars for the soldiers in shuttles that landed outside of the base. But as the pelicans were about to enter the atmosphere a fighter craft shot out a red beam weapon at a pelican killing the occupants and destroying a Scorpion tank. The fighter was not alone as many others appeared as well shooting down pelicans.
General Petrovsky recognized the design of the fighters as Oculus and launched Sabres to intercept. The Collector Cruiser began moving and concentrating all its firepower on the frigates causing two of them to be destroyed. Elbrus then fired Lancer missile pods along with Nukes causing minor damage to the organic looking ship. But as the battle in space was getting intense the war on the ground was even worse.
Alingon
Shadow Brokers base
When the drop pods fell on the base, it caused major damage to the base's structure. Since the planet was not oxygen-rich, many who were not wearing protection suffocated from the carbon dioxide and xenon gas. After the pods were dropped, ODST's burst out from the pods and began attacking anyone who wasn't part of the OSA. Colonel Ashe was leading a Cerberus strike team to the labs of the base to gather any information on what was going on here, but immediately found themselves under fire from the brokers own security forces. They were using Collector weapons as payment for the Shadow Broker loaning his base to the Collectors.
Ashe knew that Collector weapons were a lot more effective at taking down OSA shields; especially with their particle weapons. Ashe then pulled out a spike grenade and threw it down the hall way where the Broker's agents were. The grenade went off, spraying hundreds of tungsten carbide spikes that killed the security team. Ashe then took his strike team to the labs and began downloading all information from it. The base began to shake as he heard Scorpion tanks and Cougars firing at the base with everything they had.
On a different side of the base, a group of ODST's were fighting Collectors and for some time it was going in their favor until the Collectors unleashed their Seeker swarms. The ODST's tried to shoot down the bugs, but there were too many for them and they were stung by the Swarmers leaving the ODST's in a paralytic state. All across the base, Seeker swarms were targeting all of Cerberus's strike teams leaving no one un-stung, but fortunately for Ashe he was already outside the base and away from the jamming field that surrounded it where he could be teleported to the Elbrus along with the data.
The Collectors then took all the frozen Cerberus soldiers and stored them away in containers and took them to shuttles, but out of nowhere were seven individuals who were wearing advanced Mjolnir armor. The Seeker swarms attempted to paralyzed them, but could not get through their impenetrable armor. The Spartans then attacked the Collectors with incredible force as some Collectors were picked up and thrown across the room hitting the wall with so much force that it killed the Collectors on impact, while others were killed by Spartans using biotics—much to the surprise of the Collectors that were killed in such a manner (if it were possible for Collectors to feel suprise). The Spartans continued their slaughter until there was nothing left, but them and the ODST's.
Alingon Orbit
Space
The Elbrus, along with the other Cerberus vessels were able to destroy the Collector Cruiser, but at the cost of two Frigates and one Cruiser. General Petrovsky ordered a cleanup of the destroyed ships and began calling back all forces on the ground.
Cerberus Cruiser Elbrus
Comm Room
In the Comm room was Oleg Petrovsky who was giving his report about the success of the mission and the information they acquired while in the base. The Illusive Man was pleased about everything except the Seeker swarms that interfered with the operations of his strike team. He disconnected the transmission and began making plans to create a counter measure against the Seeker swarms.
Hourglass Nebula
Sowilo System
Hagalaz
By the time the Shadow Broker learned that one of his own bases was under attack, he was too late to do anything about it. The only survivor was the Salarian scientist who was communicating to the Shadow Broker on the comm. channel. "Shadow Broker I regret to inform you that Cerberus destroyed your base, there was nothing salvageable I could obtain from the base or the labs."
The Broker was not happy at all about this. "How did Cerberus locate the base?"
The Salarian then brought up a device unlike anything the Broker had ever seen before. "I found this in one of the cargo containers just before I left: it was giving off the same frequency as a Slipspace portal when one appears within sensors range. I believe this is how Cerberus found us."
The Shadow Broker was pleased about acquiring something useful. "Begin running test on the device, see if we can use it…or better yet reverse engineer it."
The Salarian nodded his head and disconnected the feed.
Cyberspace
Assembly Meeting
The Assembly gathered today in the wake of the OSA declaring war against the Collectors and where to go from here. Alpha, along with the Minority and Majority groups had already began making talks on the subject.
"We need to focus on the Collectors and any who join them." said a Jiralhanae AI
A Human AI shook her head. "We need to hold back for a while and focus on building up our forces so that we can take the fight directly to the Collectors."
Both the Majority and Minority were throwing back and forth on ideas on what the OSA should do against the Collectors, but Alpha on the other hand was not paying attention and was focusing on something else. An AI noticed this and asked Alpha what's on his mind.
Alpha looked at the group with fear in his eyes. "I was just going over the battle of the Citadel on how Sovereign could be so powerful and survive two SMAC rounds, and then there's the Citadel itself: its technology should be primitive, but according to our AI spy it rivals Forerunner technology."
Many didn't know where Alpha was going with this. "Alpha, shouldn't we be focusing on the threat at hand instead of worrying about the Reapers?" asked a Kig-Yar AI
Alpha shakes his head in disagreement. "Something about this doesn't seem right: if there is technology that can rival Forerunner technology, then we need to worry about it especially if the Reapers are using Precursor technology."
Everyone on the Assembly became silent about that and looked away from that subject. Whenever the Precursors are mentioned, it immediately became a touchy subject. One AI voiced against Alpha's theory saying there was not enough data to support it.
Alpha then countered with. "From what we learned from the Ark, the Precursors were a race of beings preceding the Forerunners, who believed them to be theoretical 'Trans-sentient' beings, having the ability to travel among galaxies and accelerate the evolution of intelligent life. The Precursors achieved a higher level technological advancement than the Forerunners, being Tier-0, or Trans-sentience on the Forerunners' Technological Achievement Scale."
A Human AI shook his head. "That's all we know about the Precursors. Are you implying that the Precursors created the Reapers?"
Alpha stopped him there."No I am not, but we don't know how old the Reapers are. They may very well have found Precursor technology and reversed-engineered it into their own technology. That is the only explanation I have on how Sovereign was able to survive two SMAC rounds and the Citadel rivaling Forerunner technology."
The Assembly ended their meeting and return to their posts, but all were thinking of what this revelation might lead too.
Okay so there you have it, Cerberus is kicking ass and taking names. The next chapter is going to be a lot bigger then this one and I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. So please review and leave a comment for me.
Codex: Cerberus
Cerberus- Is an Intelligence gathering/paramilitary group created by ONI and UNION Intelligence to help protect all OSA colonies around the Mass Relay Network. Cerberus is led by the enigmatic Illusive Man. Cerberus' core belief is that OSA deserve a greater role in the galactic community, and that the OSA Senate is too hamstrung by law and public opinion to stand up effectively to the Citadel races. Any methods of advancing the OSA ascension are justified, including illegal or dangerous experimentation, terrorist activities, sabotage and assassination. Cerberus operatives accept that these methods are brutal, but believe history will vindicate them.
Organization- Cerberus is divided into numerous independent cells which have no knowledge of their counterparts. This ensures that should one cell be compromised, the others would not be captured. Each cell is led by an operative who reports directly to the Illusive Man. Cerberus operates many kinds of cells, ranging from military to political to scientific, but all united under the common goal of advancing the OSA.
Financing- At one time Cerberus didn't have to worry about budgets as they were provided for by ONI and UNION, but over the course of events Cerberus's funding has been cut off. Fourtunately Cerberus has wealthy sympathizers within the UNSC and OSA military-industrial complex, who contribute credits and resources to Cerberus, and trust the Illusive Man to make the right decisions. Cerberus also owns several front corporations which further fund and support their operations. Spending trends indicate that Cerberus has a reliable income running up to several billion credits per year.
Network- Cerberus has operatives planted across Citadel space and the Terminus Systems who regularly report to the Illusive Man. Due to their widespread network, Cerberus effectively has access to almost every settled system, major trade stop, and colony in the galaxy. However, Cerberus has no knowledge of what goes on in uncharted systems and the, thus rendering the Illusive Man blind in those areas.
Cerberus operatives usually work alone. If an operative is captured, Cerberus commits a much high resource to attempt a rescue instead of abandoning one of their own.