Omega
Abigail's eyes seemed to have narrowed themselves into a permanent position of the Predator's Gaze. But she couldn't help but smirk at the audacity of it all. That is if I am right about who the former Krogan general still is. She considered the thought for a split second, given the recent revelations of her behavior she wondered if she had projected an insane mistrust on the hapless Krogan. No, he hasn't done anything to actually prove he isn't trying to build an empire out here, yet.
"What do you think?" His voice graveled out causing her to jolt slightly.
She eyed them again studying them; they certainly are impressive, the meta objects pointed downwards to a new docking bay cut into the Omega rock formation. "I see them, I acknowledge them." She blew out the air of her cheeks again seeing the squadron of new fighters docked in the bay. "But, why wasn't I informed of their existence, until now?"
Kurl's face pulled back into a semi sneer, "Because it was not relevant at the time. Do you tell your superiors or your officers and men every stray thought which may occur to you, every bit of intelligence?"
Usually, "Yeah, as a matter of fact."
"Do you tell them as soon as you find out yourself?" Kurl pressed forward instantly as if she had fallen into the perfect logic trap.
"I tell them as circumstances permit." Abigail grunted.
"Then circumstances now permit that I tell you I have been gathering fighter squadrons and trained pilots for Omega's defense." He barred his teeth in a grin that managed to convey both triumph, and ferocity.
"For Omega's defense?" She bit sarcastically.
He scowled and his eyes narrowed, "Of course, why else?"
Abigail thought about it for a second before answering, "Aria never armed Omega. To her it was criminal back water hardly worth the attention of the universe. A vital port for Terminus Systems interests, but it never paid the Council or anyone else any head given it was more profitable to keep the station intact and 'defenseless' rather than invite a major military attack. You have done so. I wonder why."
"And look what happened to Aria, the second Cerberus wanted the station, they took it, forcing her onto the Citadel. And now she's dead." The last was said bluntly.
"True enough, but Fighters can project power."
Kurl snorted, and barred his teeth again, then began to laugh at her. He tried to restrain it, but it spread throughout his body and caused it to rumble until his throat was emitting the tell-tale sounds. Abigail arched her eyebrow and crossed her arms at him giving him a minute.
He finished and shook his head, "Yes, true. But how much power? With the Quarians making inroads in the Terminus Systems, even with their current problems, acting as a counter point to any pirate activity the power they could project are minimal. To project enough power to do anyone minus a few rogue mercenary bands I would need ships, Frigates, Cruisers, a Dreadnaught could come in handy."
"It's a start, besides Aria was able to gather a fleet to her when she attempted to retake the station."
This did nothing to assuage Kurl's mocking grin, only making his eyes narrow. "Aria's fleet was a rag tag assembly of Turian and Alliance rejects, a fleet which was promptly crushed, I would have to start. Even with the state of the Galaxy, and especially with the state of the Galaxy, since the Reaper war beginning to build a battle fleet would be suicide."
Abigail waved her hand in a go on expression.
"With the Reapers destroying most of the Galaxy's star navies down to their bare minimum any attempt to build a battle fleet by a formerly rogue Krogan Warlord in the Terminus Systems would cause alarm amongst the politicians. Even the Council would react quickly to the challenge and move to eliminate me before I could start the…"he grinned, "Terminus Rebellions."
The Valkyrie sighed, "OK, fair enough. Doesn't mean you wouldn't start building one anyway, just for spite. Especially with the chaos in Council Space who would notice a Krogan general building a fleet."
Kurl sighed, "True, I suppose. And I should have been building a fleet to protect myself from the now aggressive posture of the Alliancce and the Council Governments." He turned to her, "but this situation was unforeseen, especially by me. A Krogan, huddling in Omega, with no intelligence services."
Shepard nodded slowly, "Alright, regardless, we need these fighters now. Are the pilots trained?"
Kurl chuckled, "As much as can be expected for a mercenary unit made up of some Vorcha and a rag tag assembly of other species, without any real military discipline. Most of them returned to their respective home worlds, and I was no pilot."
Abby stroked her chin, "And Joker is no drill instructor…but they will have to do."
"Agreed." Kurl grunted.
"Well, onto the next bit of news." Abigail said spinning on her heals as a way of dismissing Kurl, but mostly to refocus her mind on the next problem.
Omega-Residential Area
"You sure about this?" Cameron Shepard asked as they walked down a dark…and dank…corridor heading for Omega's residential area proper.
He saw Abby's natural frown deepen, "You aren't?"
"We just agreed to arm a civilian population and put them on the front lines of a major battle." Cameron explained.
"Ah the Aria problem."
"Sure, Aria ordered her people to be armed in order to manipulate Nyreen." Cameron remembered needlessly.
"Yeah, I approved of her actions, just not the reasons for those actions."
Cameron shot his compatriot a look and crinkled his brow angrily.
"What?" Shepard narrowed her eyes and swiveled around to him. "This is their home Cam. They have every right to defend it from any foreign invasion how they know best. I am willing to bet that most people, when it came to it, even if they would not pick up a gun to join the Alliance Military or Police Services they would pick one up to defend their home, and family, from attack. In fact, it happened during the war."
Cameron nodded somberly.
"Besides," Abigail muttered, "most of these 'civilians' are one form of mercenary or another. And the occasional war vet looking to escape the hassle from the Alliance after things went south."
Cameron snorted, "Right, but not all of them are, and in fact I doubt its most, just people trying to find a place in the universe like anyone else."
Abigail shrugged, "I suppose we'll soon see."
Cameron nodded seeing the hatchway open up before them, the sign they were reaching their final destination. The path opened up as they entered a metal courtyard of some sort, about eighty meters long, cleared away of any clutter or anything that could get in the way of the demonstration. Cameron eyed the tightly grouped clique of civilians and Omega population, about eighty in total, standing in a ragged undisciplined line.
Well, at least we know they aren't military, Cameron thought glumly.
He moved to the center of the group and eyed them, "My name is…" he gulped self-consciously, "Cameron, I am an ex Alliance Navy Commander with the designation N7. That means I am the best that my species has to offer in military discipline and skill. I have been asked by my immediate superiors and Ranaak Kurl to train any volunteers into an effective fighting force."
Cameron let his words sink in glancing across the rows of civilian trainees waiting to be here, less than he expected. But, if they were a part of a mercenary arm or former military then they would not waste their time trying to learn how to shoot. And they would not lower themselves to learn 'military discipline'. He shifted nervously, if I am right then that means that Abby was wrong, well mostly. He needed to continue the presentation.
"I will be teaching you how to shoot, how to use a weapon, how to engage a target with orders from superior officers and designated noncoms, and I will be teaching you discipline under sustained enemy fire. Now, before we begin, are there any questions?"
"Yes, I have one." A smooth voice spoke out from the back.
Cameron swiveled to face a female Batarian who was glaring at him. He nodded at her.
"We're just Civilians, what are we supposed to do against trained soldiers? How are we supposed to defend ourselves without being slaughtered?"
Good question, Cameron shifted nervously; he tried to come up with a proper response. "Trust me, I will train you to get you-"
He heard an annoyed sigh from his right and turned to see Abby step forward scooping up the Avenger he had there to use as his base weapon.
"This is a gun." She hefted it across her chest. "This is not a snake, it is not alive, it has no will of its own. It's a tool, of death and destruction, but a tool, one that can be controlled and harnessed by anyone. The only difference between a Soldier and a Civilian is a piece of paper certifying them as such. Anyone can learn to shoot, anyone can learn to shoot military grade weapons, and anyone can use them, for good or ill, that is up for you."
Other than a certain ease of access to equipment, Cameron smiled wanly, but Abby ultimately had a point.
"So," The Valkyrie cocked her head to the side, "Shall we begin?"
He saw eager nods from the crowds mixed with a few timid ones, but no one left or shook their head. She beamed at them and turned to Cameron, "Good luck."
"Thank you." He nodded as she turned to leave, and then turned back to the group, "alright, form into lines and step forward to the firing range."
The group turned into three lines and marched to the firing range they set up next door. It was a target range with a series of eight targets set up down fifty meter range.
It will do in a pinch.
Along the line there were Avengers, Phaestons, a couple of Mattocks and even a spare Revenant placed along the arms table. Along with three thermal clips next to each weapon, and a box of thermal clips along the wall in the back.
He took ten minutes to squeeze off two clips from the Revenant going through all the proper, and even some of the improper techniques. Aiming down the sights, 'firing from the hip', simulating checking around corners, short bursts, long bursts, the principles of muzzle climb. But there was no way he was going to be able to teach them everything so he let the group loose on the targets.
The Commander watched the troops from a distance. They were surprisingly good, at least as far as their fire rate was concerned, but the good news was at the very least they were willing to take it slow. Firing off small bursts, or single bullets, getting comfortable, some not getting comfortable at all, but few of them just completely hosed the trigger in the early going, other than the man arming the Revenant.
After about a minute Cameron decided to have them swap, moving completely to the next station with the people shifting mainly from left to right. Cameron peered in at the Mattocks, the woman manning it, a Turian, was using the weapon pretty expertly just firing above the bulls eye. But, the Mattock a baby could effectively use, at least for accuracies sake. Cameron knew, even though he preferred the Revenant. Which, I suppose is the point Abby was trying to make.
After the people cycled through the weapons he sent them at it again, this time going among them and correcting mistakes and trying to show the people how it was done all the while keeping track of the time, God, what I wouldn't give for a competent NCO, at least they are disciplined. But, this was his show, his responsibility if they were going to get ready for the upcoming battle.
Normandy-Bridge
Abigail walked down the neck between the bridge and the CIC, cup of coffee in one hand and datapad in the other; the latter showed the preparations and defenses that Omega had waiting for any of the potential attackers. Most of the main batteries that Cerberus deposited in their war effort and occupation of the station remained; many of those were still operational though it was hard for Kurl or anyone else to obtain parts to keep them under maintenance. But, along with the three fighter squadrons Omega would certainly provide a great line of defense for them.
"Captain," Traynor startled her causing her coffee to slosh to the deck, "sorry."
Abigail muttered darkly, "It's ok Lieutenant, report."
"EDI has finished consulting with her opposite numbers and the Quarians and the Geth are only sending us twenty ships a piece."
Twenty? Abigail's eyes widened. She gave Traynor a dark eye.
"The Quarians and Geth are not willing to risk that many forces for a high risk operation, especially with so many of their fleet currently down for repairs due to the attack they suffered." Traynor explained, "Don't shoot the messenger."
Abigail snorted, and shook her head, "I won't. Was it really that bad?"
"The Geth wouldn't say, but nevertheless there we are."
The Captain sighed, her shoulders slumped, I feel like I've just lost. "Any more cheerful news?"
"Well," Traynor smiled brightly, "I have heard from a rogue Alliance unit, they broke off from Alliance command five months ago. They say they are willing to join us."
"How many?" Abby smiled.
"Five."
Damn it Traynor!
"Its five more ships then we had five minutes ago." Traynor pointed out.
Very helpful, "We are still outnumbered nearly three to one."
Traynor shrugged, "You'll find a way."
Abigail arched an eyebrow, "Why?"
"Because you always do."
As if that was the most obvious piece of advice Shepard had ever been given in her life the communications spun on her heals and returned to her duties. The Captain watched her go her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed, but slowly she began to smile, that smile slowly spread through to her eyebrows and caused them to spread out. She shook her head and continued to her cabin.
The humor before the storm, The Valkyrie smiled ruefully.
…
"The Forces of tyranny move on the last stable Citadel of Freedom and liberty. Win, lose, or draw, it is often the struggle that matters. For every time you say no, every time you make a stand, then the more likely you are to be remembered, and your struggle will not be in vein and will be remembered. To have future generations take up the cause again, for no force of tyranny can ever truly survive. That is the promise of our struggle."
AN: Well, a lot of people have been subbing and favoriting this story of late. Welcome. Reviews are always appreciated. Tell me why you like this story or why you don't, maybe you are just adding it because it reminds you how horrible something can be? Either way your reviews will be more then appreciated.