Alternate Past, Uncertain Future Mk. II
Chapter 31
Civil War: Trials, Deals and Hubris
As far as humanity was concerned, the world Reach had once been second only to Earth in terms of population, industry, and strategic importance. As a Fortress-world, as many called it, it overshadowed all other colonies in regards to its sheer military might. Second only to humanity's homeworld itself. And it was the first of the worlds where Forerunner artifacts were discovered by humanity. Being the UNSC's fortress world, it was the headquarters of the UNSC itself, much like Earth was for the UEG.
During the Great War, Reach had nearly fallen against the Covenant armada. Entire regions were glassed, cities turned into little more than smoldering ruins and the once great fortress world of humanity ransacked. Yet, it had remained in human hands.
Now in the time since the Great War, the world of Reach has more than regained its former glory since the Battle of Reach. Some considered it to have surpassed its pre-war state. The cities had not just been rebuilt, but enlarged and expanded. Ruined facilities were restored, as was its military might, for all its branches all across the planet. In the space above, the great orbital defense platforms were rebuilt and replaced, its navy only outsized by the Home Fleet protecting Earth itself.
It was also the home of the Spartan Corp. Though admittedly, Spartan Captain-Commander John-117 never expected to return home like this.
"Let us...review your mission report again. Captain-commander." Lord Hood began. "You reported that Rebels had decided to strike against the Hegemony Legislature, and immediately following that, the Executive branch, in spite of their losses?" When John simply nodded in response, Hood briefly gave him a questioning look before returning to his neutral stance. The de facto leader sighed as he put the down the report, "Off the record son, just what were you thinking allowing this?"
To clarify the situation, John was not before a military tribunal, as he was not being charged with any crimes or court-martialed. Rather, he had been ordered to Reach after his latest dead drop, which contained his report that involved the loss of all three members of Gray Team. As such, only those who knew of the details of Operation Spartacus were present.
"As you said sir, off the record, it was my decision to let the batarian Jella Korragan make the decision without any interference on my behalf. There was and is a level of distrust regarding humanity." John decided that, whether it be on or off the record, it would be better for him to tell the full truth." I had decided that to try to exercise control over Korragan ran the risk of fracturing the Rebellion between those who would accept our aid and those who would reject it."
"Be that as it may…" Paragonsky started, "That does not explain how three Spartan-IIs under your command died in only a single engagement." The ONI Section III Director tapped her copy of the mission report. "I find it difficult such a group of primitives can stop, let alone kill even just one of our top troopers."
Hood wanted to level a glare at his peer, but kept his focus on the once Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy. All Spartan-IIs possessed an impressive physique, and more than their fair share of scars. 117 seemed to have even more than the norm, even discounting the still healing wounds he had. The lost eye covered by a metal eyepatch until a replacement could either manufactured as flash-cloning one was not possible for the Spartans. The augmentation process prohibited it as they could augment the eye again. His face glowing red by the healing cuts. Hood guessed that the Spartan would have liked nothing more to deck the ONI Director, but was held back by his own discipline.
"With all due respect, ma'am. My Spartans did all they could, but we were still caught off guard." John said as he defended his fallen brethren. "Spartan Mike-120 died due to a high-velocity impact with a reinforced wall as he was violently projected by the explosion from an anti-tank mine. Cause of death was severe spinal and cranial trauma. Spartan Jai-006 died by a fatal hyper-velocity shot from an unknown weapons system. Cause of death was decapitation by ballistic trauma." Unnoticed by most was how John's hands had balled tightly into fists, the leather gloves straining against the tension.
"And what of Spartans Adriana-111 and Linda-058?" Hood asked before Paragonsky could. "You listed them as MIA but your explanation is somewhat...vague."
"I lost contact with 058 as she was displacing but I have reason to believe that she is still alive. 111 however, my last contact was during the retreat from the palace. She stayed behind to cover my escape." No one bothered asking if he thought she survived, the fact that he put her as MIA said enough for all of them.
"If you had describe the battle in a single sentence Spartan, what would you say?" Hood asked softly. The admiral still resented Parangosky for starting all this behind his back, and Hood still wasn't convinced that they were doing the right thing by fomenting insurrection and revolution in a nation that had done nothing to humanity. But regardless of the politics and policies involved, Lord Hood thought that their soldiers in the field deserved more respect and consideration than the head of ONI was showing.
"To quote Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke, sir: 'no plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force'."
Hood, and to everyone's great surprise even Paragonsky, smiled some what at that statement. "How very true."
"The enemy was well trained and well equipped by their standards and against the Rebel forces. They were fighting defensively and possessed superior numbers. For the record sir, taking into consideration all the factors, even the presence of my Spartans, my survival was not a guarantee."
"Did you realize that by wiping out their political leadership you would terrify the rest of the leaders in Citadel space AND put a soldier like High Admiral Datak Korra in charge of the Hegemony?" Parangosky asked coldly.
John nodded, "Yes, ma'am. None of these actions can be traced or blamed upon the UNSC, due to Korragan's public claims to them. The Admiral's rapid consolidation was however, unexpected."
"Besides Margaret this scheme of yours was always going to generate bad PR for us. There's no way that we can start an INSURRECTION in a neighboring country that were supposedly at peace with and come across as the good guys" Lord Hood said bluntly.
Admiral Parangosky glared fiercely at Hood. Not used to being spoken to that way, especially in a setting like this. Seeing such an expression from the terrible old woman would make most humans fear for their lives. But Hood was the only man in the military with even more real power than her, so he simply gazed back calmly.
"Moving on from the grievances…" A third voice interjected, John smiled ever so slightly at the voice of his 'mother'. "What is done is done, what matters is what we are to do next."
"What then, is your recommendation Spartan?" Hood asked. "The UNSC can not, under its own auspice, aid the Rebellion."
John as silent for a moment as he considered his options. He had never run a covert operation of this scale before in his entire career. This wasn't even a covert operation by that definition. "I am...uncertain, sir. Until the Hegemony begins to show its new stratagem, which is all but a certainty now, it will be difficult to plan for. My only recommendation is the deployment of more Spartans for the time being."
Terrence Hood affirmed the decision. "Very well Spartan Captain-Commander. I'll authorize whatever you feel that you will need for the continued Operation. However, I do have one more question: what is the status of the batarian leader? You have implied in your mission reports several times that she is the lynchpin of the Rebellion, yet at the time, that she may compromise the entire operation."
John unexpectedly found himself reluctant to speak badly of the batarian woman that he had fought through so many battles with. It was one thing to admit to his doubts about Jella Korragan in a dry report. But saying them directly to Lord Hood's face felt like more of a betrayal. Nevertheless he was a soldier first and foremost so he said, "Korragan is still a potential risk due to her bloodthirsty nature. However she seems to have curbed that desire. Unless she were to step down willingly, to remove her would do more harm than good, sirs."
"This is a problem of our own making. We deliberately built up Korragan so that the batarian slave population would have a symbol to believe in and rally behind. Because of that she's now influential enough that her virtues and vices can and has effected Operation Spartacus as a whole" Doctor Halsey added.
Admiral Parangosky disliked the fact that an alien was having such influence over one of her most important operations. But because Operation Spartacus was essentially her brainchild she doubted that anyone in the room would have much sympathy for her views. Besides, Parangosky didn't like confessing to weakness of any sort. "We always anticipated this possibility though, and have contingencies in place should Korragan go too far out of line."
Eager to change the change the subject, Parangosky informed the others. "The Asari Republics recently announced that they will be sending hundreds more commandos to 'eliminate the terrorists in the Hegemony.' How well will the rebels be able to cope with this new challenge?"
"The former slaves that make up the bulk of the Rebellion are not equipped to deal with a threat like the asari commandos. Even if they were, their numbers are now largely fresh recruits. They've lost the majority of their veterans in the last set of engagements. In the event that the Rebels are forced to engage the Asari forces, my Spartans will be taking the brunt of the battles." John bluntly answered, noticing something odd as he spoke.
Thanks to his enhancements, training, and experience John was very good at reading human body language. Therefore when he spoke of 'neutralizing' hundreds of asari commandos he noticed that it seemed to bother Admiral Parangosky. Which was very puzzling, because she certainly had no problem with killing, specially when it came to aliens.
The Spartan commander was becoming more and more convinced that the head of ONI had some sort of scheme in the works involving the asari. The only question was, what was Parangosky planning, and how bad would the fallout be once it reached its climax?
"Is it worth it, soldier?" Lord Hood asked suddenly.
"Is what worth it, sir?" John asked in confusion.
"This fight, this entire conflict." Hood clarified. "Are the lives being lost, the fact that you have become what you were made to fight against, does it seem we are in the right, Spartan?"
John stood in silence for a moment. He hadn't thought of it in the way that Hood had said. He was right though. The correlations between the Rebellion and the Insurrection were too many to deny. Yet, there were more than a few differences.
"I am not sure. In my eyes, the UNSC was never the Hegemony, the Rebellion is not synonymous with the Insurrection. I do not believe that we are in the wrong."
"Be that as it may, you have not answered my question, Spartan." Hood pointed out.
"Is. It. Worth. It?"
The Spartan took a breath. "Permission to speak freely, sir?" Hood raised an eyebrow in surprise but nodded anyways. "Lord Hood, I am a Spartan. An infantry commander. I am not a politician. I am not a policy maker. I can not decide if this will be worth it until it ends. And until that time comes, I only hope that as my 'father' has taught me, that the lives lost, were lives well spent, rather than lives wasted."
**APUFMKII**
The Terminus Systems. The lawless, unruly region of space at the borders of Citadel Territory. A haven for smugglers, slavers and all manners of criminals, alongside the runaways, the refugees, and optimistic colonists.
Being a lawless region as it was, it still possessed a hub of commerce and power. That hub was Omega. A once Element Zero rich asteroid, it long since been cracked open and its bounty mined. From the remains, came Omega Station. It was often called 'the Citadel of the Terminus', a polar opposite to the beautiful, rich and ancient construct. Few locations in the Terminus could compare to it. And of course, like all territories on such frontiers, it was ruled by the iron fist of a single individual.
That individual, was Aria T'loak. An asari whose past was unknown, but whose strength was undeniable. Nothing in Omega, or the space around it, passed or occurred without her knowing, and her cut of the profits. To ignore her, hide from her, or try to usurp her meant death, and that was if she was feeling charitable. To deal in the Terminus, was to deal with Aria as far as many were concerned. Which was why a human was meeting with the asari warlord in Afterlife, the club that served as Aria's headquarters.
"So, what brings my favorite human back to my doorstep?" The warlord asked as she gazed upon her latest visitor. "It's been a while since I last saw you, after all."
"I'm the only human you know, Aria." The ONI agent replied. "I can see you've been enjoying the fruits of our relationship quite well however." Said 'fruits' could be seen around them. Outdated and obsolete UNSC body armor could be seen being worn by those loyal to the asari Warlord. Those from the UNSC Army, Navy and Marines, some in intact sets, others in hodge-podge collections, from both Pre and Great War era. The trade was obviously not limited to just protection, but weapons as well. MA5-series rifles and M6 pistols were now a common sight on Omega; an image of their loyalty to Aria and her power.
"Yes, quite." Aria poured two glasses of Thessian Rum, before offering one to the ONI agent who took it. "I've found it enjoyable ending any upstarts with what they call 'primitive weapons'." Many in both Citadel and Terminus space had scoffed at the idea that the UNSC had used non-mass accelerator weapons in their short-lived war with the Council. Or the idea that they could be useful in the modern era. Aria had thought otherwise. "Their last moments are always so satisfying to see."
"How so?"
Aria paused for a moment before answering. Taking in the sight of the ONI representative. Georgia Biggs was a small woman, blonde, fair skinned, and pretty in a girl-next-door sort of way. In demeanor, she tended to be polite and courteous. Which was why Biggs was used to represent ONI's metaphorical carrot, with other certain, less courteous individuals being the proverbial stick. Usually being sent to recruit people or groups to ONI's cause.
But Georgia Biggs' public persona was just a mask. Underneath the smiles and flattery was an extremely cunning and ruthless woman. Willing to do whatever it took to advance ONI's ambitions.
"A krogan mercenary with delusions of grandeur decided that he should run Omega, so him and his gang tried ambushing me the last time I left Afterlife. My boys were outnumbered ten to one in that little skirmish and we still managed to wipe them all out without getting so much as a stubbed toe." Aria boasted.
Of course the fact that Aria had learned about the ambush beforehand and attacked with the element of surprise was a factor too. But having superior firepower definitely helped, and it was certainly an advantage the asari never wanted to give up. UNSC arms, after First Contact at Harvest, were designed with the Covenant in mind. An overwhelming amount of both firepower and firerate to quickly take down and breach Covenant shields and armor.
Meaning, that when Aria's forces had ambushed the Krogan and his underlings, the UNSC weapons obliterated their kinetic barriers ands so badly perforated their targets that there had been little left of their foes. After that incident, Aria had ensured that everyone loyal to her was equipped with UNSC arms, and made sure everyone knew it.
"So, what does bring you back to me?" Aria asked, "I assume that this is because of the 'Great Revelation', 'sister'?"
"If I'm your sister, how come you never call, bitch?" Georgia said with a smile.
Aria's watching bodyguards tensed at the insult but their boss only laughed. Georgia had quickly realized that the asari warlord didn't appreciate the insincere flattery that she used to butter up most people. So instead the cynical ONI agent let more of her real personality shine through when talking with Aria.
"But seriously, why are you here?" Aria asked coolly once she had finished laughing. Her demeanor making it clear that she wanted a real answer this time.
Georgia lost little joy she had at the question. "You were right, that it had to do with the 'Revelation'. My bosses sent me to see just what it's done here in the Terminus, specifically with you."
"What exactly do your bosses want from me Georgia?" Aria asked. She had given ONI a great of information, and introduced them to many useful contacts in exchange for all the guns and other goodies she had gotten from ONI. But it had always been on a case by case basis. With Aria making clear that she was merely doing business with the Office of Naval Intelligence, not working for it.
"How strong is your position Aria?" It was a simple question, but meant so much more. Just how safe and secure was her grip on her power? Could someone or a group remove her from power? Or more simply, was it worth to continue doing business with her for ONI?
"I am the Queen of Omega and I have more influence in the Terminus Systems than anybody except maybe the batarians and since you're currently having your pet monsters try to overthrow their government, I don't think you can cut a deal with the Hegemony." Aria replied confidently.
"Influence matters little in the face of overwhelming odds and firepower, Aria T'loak. As the batarians can most certainly attest. I am talking about REAL power." Georgia shot back.
"Nobody RULES the Terminus Systems, human. People settled this area of space to get away from oppressive governments, societies, or corporations. It might LOOK easy to conquer to an outsider, but as soon as any wannabe conqueror's warships and troops leave a system Terminus people just go back to doing what we've always done. After we finish strangling the wannabe to death with his own intestines of course." Aria said with a sneer.
Georgia just frowned. While the warlord's declaration did answer her superior's question, such a concept was foreign to the Agent. An everlasting independence? At best it was a pipe dream, at worst a fool's folly. It wasn't possible.
"I suppose it must sound strange to somebody who grew up in a military dictatorship." Aria added when Georgia didn't say anything right away.
"And here I was thinking that you weren't an idealist, Aria." Georgia retorted. "Humanity tried that once before, you know. It was called the Insurrection. They wanted to turn the frontiers of human space into something like the Terminus. When the Covenant came during the First Insurrection, they found themselves without friends or allies. They simply became another number in the billions dead. They tried again during the Second Insurrection after the wars. The UNSC ended them with a single engagement."
"That's why you destroyed Impera wasn't it? You needed the turians to hate humanity because without a common enemy the whole system falls apart." Aria said as she looked down at Biggs. Feeling like she was on the edge of figuring out something vital.
"No, a single person destroyed that world because they had broken a peace that had not even lasted a single generation after we had been at war for a single generation." Biggs refuted.
"Neither of us were there so I doubt we will ever know the real story." Aria answered with a shrug. Then added, "However you measure it I'm the strongest person in the Terminus Systems.
"What. Does. ONI. Want." Aria demanded as she glowered down at Biggs.
Biggs just sighed, evidently the asari wasn't going to answer her properly, least not properly for her and her superiors. 'I suppose it'll have to do for them.' She thought to herself.
"As you know, due to the Great War and the Council/UNSC war, humanity has been denied total access to the greater. We have been barred to anything but the barest of trades. Our only other option remaining is the Terminus. The question is Aria, can we count on your support when we do?" Georgia asked.
'Humanity is planning to expand into the Terminus Systems. And they want my support' Aria thought as she translated the political doublespeak.
It was a scary thought.
Humanity's military power was even greater than the Citadel Council's. And the main thing that had kept the Council from ever conquering the Terminus was lacking the necessary will and resolve to do so. Human expansion could bring an end to the independence that the people of the Terminus had guarded so jealously for centuries. But if Aria turned ONI down they would just go to some other Terminus warlord, and all too likely give him or her the resources to take Aria down.
Still, there was Aria's own pride and independence to consider.
"I won't be your stooge." Aria said bluntly.
"And no one is demanding it of you." Biggs replied, as she tried to defuse the tension before it could even form. "An alliance with the right people could see your family in power for generations."
Aria doubted that. Since since to an asari the term 'generations' could mean thousands of years. And she doubted the current human government would be around for that long. Still Georgia's words partially mollified her. So she asked "that seems...agreeable...but what do your bosses want from me right now?"
"For now, aside from a promise to prepare for the future, we would like an asari willing to work for humanity. More specifically, an asari extremely well versed in asari law and customs."
"I'll have to ask around but I think I can do that." the uncrowned ruler of Omega said carefully. Wondering what the humans were scheming. She almost asked Georgia Biggs what they needed the asari legal expert for, but decided not to bother.
She doubted she would get a straight answer out of ONI.
**APUFMKII**
The Aloe System was on the edge of salarian territory. None of the planets in the star system were capable of supporting life, it had few natural resources to speak of. It was an out of the way system that few had even heard of it, and fewer still traveled through it.
Thus making it the perfect locale for the Salarian Union and the Special Task Group's secret experimentation. Particularly, technologies and methods considered too dangerous to be explored on the homeworld. And for today, that meant Slipspace technology.
A salarian cruiser was parked in the middle of the system, its bow aimed at the general void. "Craft-1 approaching designated target zone. Translight engine is spooling up."
"Received, Craft-1. Ready your coordinates and prepare for test-phase." On a space station orbiting one of the dead worlds in the system, Mordin Solus was watching the test and all data feeds with keen interest. While officially he was still the security advisor to the Salarian Councilor, he was also the one in charge the STG's secret Slipstream Space program.
"Keep watch on all power-readings and sensors. Record all data in triplicate." The STG veteran ordered, his subordinates giving their confirmations as they carried out their tasks. Today marked what humans would call a 'Red Letter Day'; the first test of the purely salarian, and Citadel Council for that matter, built Slipspace FTL engine.
Nonstop work had begun since the Citadel's first introduction into the physics of Slipspace. Theories, equations and blueprints had been devised, discussed, explored and the vast majority scrapped to reach this point. The craft that was serving as the test bed was one of the redesigned Salarian warships built in the aftermath of the Citadel-UNSC war. It had been prematurely yanked off the production line by the STG exclusively for this purpose. Several systems, such as the secondary and tertiary weapon batteries had not been installed. The Mass Effect Core, the technology that allowed for their short-range FTL, had been installed but removed once arriving in the system. In its place was the slipspace drive.
Mordin knew that even if this test was a success it would only be the beginning. That it would still take months to years for the Union to design and build Slipspace Drives for all their warships (and probably even longer for the Citadel Races as a whole). Nevertheless, the salarian scientist was optimistic that this could be the first step to achieving military parity with the UNSC and New Covenant.
Solus watched all the data carefully as the prototype warship moved into position. Studying the readings as the vessel 'warmed up' its Slipspace Drive. Observing as the captain of the warship issued commands to his small and highly skilled crew. Feeling the anticipation build as the Slipspace Drive was 'activated'.
The reality-warping device engaged flawlessly, the energy feeding into it without issue. A fact that surprised no one, as they had already done so several times. Radiation surged as the energy built up on the cruiser's bow.
Those watching almost yelped in surprise as blue energy rippled across the cruiser's hull, it's kinetic barriers rippling in its wake. But that was the extent of it as a great blue disk ripped itself into existence directly before the cruiser.
'Disappointing,' Mordin noted, 'Edges of portal still jagged, torn. Human portals far more streamlined, cleaner.' Still he supposed, that was only because they were still learning the physics behind the portal. "Craft-1, status of portal and drive?"
"Sir, the portal appears to be stable, but the drive. We've sent a few engineers to make manual adjustments sir. We've got spares in case they disappear though." Mordin nodded in understanding. During earlier tests of slipspace drives, several engineers had tried to make manual adjustments to them mid-operation. However, many of those engineers had simply vanished, quite literally. No remains or ashes, just gone. Under normal circumstances, they would not have tried to do manual adjustments, prefer to just shut the portal down and adjust while it was on stand-by. No one tried to shut-down a slipspace drive after the first incident after all.
But desperate times called for desperate measures, especially with the humans and their batarian allies going after the leaders of the Hegemony with increasing ferocity. The leaders of the Salarian Union were all too aware of that fact that they might be next on humanity's hit list. So this project had been given the highest priority, those involved knew they had to do whatever was necessary to make a breakthrough. Even giving engineers tasks that they were all too likely to 'die' doing just so this test would succeed.
"Craft-1, permission given to proceed with test." Mordin confidently commanded.
"Understood, entering portal now, sir." Every eye was glued to the screens as the prototype spaceship entered the Slipspace portal. Observing the data from numerous sensors as the vessel slowly disappeared from view. Feeling the tiniest burst of satisfaction as everything seemed to go according to plan.
Several solar systems away, a Salarian STG Task Force fleet waited patiently. The strange thing about Slipspace was that every calculation they did, it always ended with a destination far from their starting location. At least, much further than Mass Effect travel was capable of with the use of Mass Relays. They were still working on formulas for shorter distances, for the past several years for that matter.
As the tail end of the craft finally entered the portal, it clapped shut with much less fanfare than when it opened. A collective sigh of relief sounded. "Continue recording of data. Will await communications from Arrival Fleet."
The warships of the STG taskforce waited patiently for a few minutes as the tension built. Communicating with Mordin Solus to make sure that everything was fine on his end. Then they waited for an hour with no sign of the prototype. Then another. And another.
Finally after more than half a Citadel day of waiting, they were forced to accept the fact: neither the cruiser, nor its crew, would be returning.
Mordin sighed, the STG would be officially black-marking this experiment as yet another cruiser's registry would be stricken from all records, as would the lost resources. The crew onboard memorialized, or at least as much as STG operatives could expect to be.
He was not looking forward to reporting this to his superior, Councilor Valdn. The salarian Councilor had been growing increasingly obsessed with matching humanity technologically, especially when it came to Slipspace tech (which was perhaps humanity's greatest advantage over the Council Races). It was a common obsession amongst the salarian leaders, who resented losing their traditional role in known space as the galaxy's greatest scientists. But with Valdn it went beyond that.
Unlike the Dalatrass, who led the Union or most other salarian leaders, Valdn had experienced humanity's power personally. When agents of the UNSC had assaulted and kidnapped him, and then easily fought their way through the soldiers and warships assigned to protect him. Then forcing the salarian Councilor and his colleagues to sign a treaty at, both metaphorically and literally, gunpoint.
Valdn's own peace of mind demanded ensuring that such a thing be prevented from ever happening again. Which meant making the humans respect (or better yet fear) the Council Races' military power. And the most basic requirement to making that happen was the ability to reach humanity's core worlds, just as the humans could already reach theirs.
Today however, was a massive setback in that goal. And unless the cruiser returned from the dimension of slipspace, they would never learn what had gone wrong and why. For all intents and purposes, they were starting over again.
Mordin, while he was not dreading, was not looking forward to what would be a very uncomfortable meeting with the Salarian Councilor. His omnitool pinged as he received a message. Opening it, he read, "Sir, Councilor Valdn requests that you contact him at your earliest convenience, for updates regarding the Project." Despite the kind wording, Mordin read between the lines. 'Request' meant 'demand' and 'convenience' meant 'Right now'.
Figuring that was would best to get the unpleasant task over with rather than keep the Councilor waiting, Mordin called the Councilor. The sophisticated STG equipment sending a message straight to the Citadel. With numerous safeguards in place to keep anyone from listening in, and with even more security measures added so that even if someone did, without the proper codes the signals would be nothing but meaningless gibberish.
Valdn had been expecting the call so he answered immediately. A life size hologram of the Councilor appearing before Mordin. As a similar one of Solus appeared before Valdn in the Councilor's Citadel Tower office.
"Greetings Councilor you appear to have lost weight I suggest nutrition supplements to stay within the healthy range of a salarian male of your height and age" Mordin said in his usual (all too blunt) way.
"Cut the pleasantries, Solus." Valdn's face showing that he was not in the mood for any jokes or niceties. "What's the status of the slipspace testing? How did the drive perform?"
"Results were mixed: the prototype vessel successfully entered Slipspace but then failed to reappear at the designated time further data needed" Mordin replied.
"More data?!" Valdn snapped, "Damn it Solus, that was nearly an eighth of your entire budget that went into this prototype of yours! And you're telling me that it failed to show up at all?" His temper cooling somewhat, with a much calmer voice, added, "Do you have any theories as to the failure at the very least?"
"All UNSC and Covenant vessels that we have observed are heavily armored such protection may be necessary for vessels to survive in Slipspace of course it could be that in combination with some other factors as well" Mordin theorized.
"Heavy armor? So you're saying that your prototype possibly just fell apart because it was 'thin-skinned?" Valdn asked incredulously. The salarian councilor visibly slumped at the news. "Tell me, do you have any suggestions to prevent this sort of debacle from happening again? And do you have any potential candidates to serve as your replacement?"
"Are you firing me Councilor?" Mordin asked in surprise.
"No, not at all. But I feel that you are no longer best suited for this Project. That someone else would be best to advance this project." Mordin wasn't sure if he could believe the Councilor, already reviewing various contingency plans he had made if the STG decided to 'retire' him. "That said, Solus, I want to reassign you to Project Bruticus. The current project head says that it will be ready in a matter of months, but I feel it needs to be accelerated. Something I only trust that you can do. After all, I recall the work you did regarding the scrapped Opius project with the turians."
"This behavior is atypical of both you and the STG Councilor what has changed?" Mordin asked thoughtfully.
"It's the Batarian Rebellion, they have become...a threat." Valdn answered. "More so than we've ever expected or planned for them to become, Solus. The Hegemony Legislature and President, along with most of his Cabinet, have been assassinated by the Rebels. Both of them in a single day. There's barely a handful of survivors, and the military has been forced to declare Martial Law to maintain order."
That certainly changed things. If the humans had gotten to the point that they were killing the leaders of the Associate Races then potentially no one in Citadel Space was safe. So he replied "understood need to increase salarian martial power paramount when do I leave?"
"As soon as you're capable of." Valdn keyed his omnitool. "I am forwarding you all the data I have on the Project, along with a copy of my orders that you are taking over the Project. Also, Mordin, be careful with these subjects. While we have negotiated with the leader of this species, this Maccabeus of Dosaic, I do not trust them. Be cautious."
With that Councilor Valdn ended the call. Leaving Project Bruticus in the hands of Mordin Solus. Mordin hoped that he could fulfill the Councilor's expectations this time, considering the stakes involved.
**APUFMKII**
Pallin Jared hadn't experienced this kind of giddy excitement since he had been a child playing with toy soldiers. But this was no children's game, because now he had a real army under his command. However, the chairman of the Sons of Impera had to share authority with his asari treasurer.
At least in theory.
In practice, the chairman had almost all the power within the organization, the power that mattered at the very least. Treeya Nyxeris controlled the purse strings of the Sons, but Jared had had a great deal of influence over her ever since the matriarch fell under the sway of his hateful message. Influence that had only increased since the Revelation, because now Treeya was desperate to prove that both she and the asari people as a whole, were not being controlled, guided, or even influenced by humanity in any way, shape, or form.
But the militia that the Sons of Impera had formed was still officially headed by Treeya herself. So Pallin Jared had to let Nyxeris think she was in charge. Which was why he was now answering the questions of the nervous former businesswoman, who seemed to want to go over every detail of the operation before Jared and his troops left for Kar'Shan.
"Are we SURE that our asari fighters have already arrived on Kar'Shan?" Treeya asked as the shuttle she and the chairman were on took them to the main spaceport on Palaven, where Jared was meeting up with most of his troops.
"No, but Jona Sederis said that they should get to Overseer City in a few hours." Pallin replied patiently.
Jona Sederis had been the obvious choice to lead the asari fighters he was sending ahead to scout and establish the Sons presence in batarian territory. Well before he arrived with the militia's main force, Pallin still remembered the basic rules of warfare instilled into him during his mandatory service in his youth. Jona was personally loyal to the chairman, a skilled soldier, and hated humanity even more than Jared. Perhaps most importantly, Pallin knew that Jona would do whatever it took to win.
"A few hours?" Treeya gave him a blank look, "Shouldn't they have been there earlier?"
Pallin shook his head. "Better they be slow and secure, than quick and sloppy." Looking over the matriarch, who was decked out in a brand new set of Serrice Council armor. "How does the armor fit?"
"Comfortable, if tight." She answered. "I'll adjust, it's just a new fashion sense for me." What she didn't add though, was how nervous the armor was making her feel. It wasn't just a set of armor, for her, it was physical proof that she would going into what amounted to a true warzone. It was the first step to yet another massive change in her life.
Unbeknownst to Treeya however, was the fact that the Chairman had absolutely no intention of sending her into any firefight if he could help it. First off, he wasn't about to risk anyone that was following him being killed by her incompetence. Secondly, in the event that she proved to be a battlefield messiah yet to be revealed somehow, which he seriously doubted, he wasn't going to allow her to steal his glory.
Winning fame on the battlefield would give him the political capital to do what so many turian war heroes had done before him and pursue high office in the Hierarchy. Once he had done that he could start making the Sons anti-human policies into law. So that the the Citadel Races could finally get on the CORRECT footing when it came to dealing with the 'apes' from Earth.
As the shuttle arrived at the spaceport Jared gazed out the window. Taking in the sight of hundreds of turians, with a few salarians and other non-turians scattered here and there, preparing to get aboard the freighters Treeya had recently purchased for this mission. The shuttle settling down on a raised platform so that Pallin could gaze down upon and address the whole crowd. As he exited the shuttle his followers began to murmur excitedly. Waiting for The Leader to address them. A waiting militia member handing Pallin Jared a microphone before he began to speak.
"Sons and Daughters of Impera, years ago, we all came together in a moment of grief and despair. When the humans destroyed our namesake, and killed our friends, our families and our loved ones. Before that day, we were strangers, rivals, and even enemies with those we now call our comrades. And in that moment of weakness, we came together, and have grown strong."
Jared paused for a moment, making sure that he had his audience's full attention. Then he started to speak in more somber tones. But with an expression of quiet fury etched upon his face.
"But our enemy remains active. The influence of the apes from Earth continues to spread throughout known space like a cancer. The DISEASE has spread to the Hegemony, threatening to turn the entire nation into nothing but a puppet state for terran monsters. Monsters that threaten to destroy everything we hold dear."
"No longer. Today, we leave to begin our campaign to take hold of the ape's influence and cut it away like the malignant parasite that it is!" Jared shouted, his followers cheering at the words. He gestured for Treeya Nyxeris, who had been standing behind him throughout the speech, to come forward. The matriarch seemed uncomfortable having so many eyes upon her, but she nevertheless stood straight. Heavily drawing upon her experience dealing with shareholders when she was still a businesswoman.
"Treeya Nyxeris who has tirelessly worked to build up the Sons since the beginning will lead this charge. Leading us to victory as we crush the agents of HUMANITY beneath our kneels like the snakes that they are!"
As the crowd began to cry out in support of Treeya the matriarch was filled with an elation and pride she had never felt before. This was far beyond the dedication of workers who felt appreciated and well compensated or the gratitude of shareholders that she had made rich. These people were praising her as though she were a goddess; an avatar of victory who could do no wrong.
Watching the expression on his treasurer's face, Jared knew that she was fully committed now. The kind of hero worship that she was getting a taste of, the feeding of her ego, was all too addicting. Countless individuals had fallen to its enticement before and been consumed by it. Now he just needed to accomplish one more thing to pierce humanity's aura of invincibility and propel himself and the Sons to the heights of power.
Humble and humiliate a Spartan, and let the whole galaxy watch as he did it.
**APUFMKII**
Far from notions of genocide, feelings of hate and thoughts of revenge, the galaxy was in a far calmer state of affairs on the border world of Jarum. Particularly in the capital city of New Ozai and within the new dwelling of one special family.
The 'Kissing Cousins' couple, and their two children were having their first dinner in their new home since having, more or less, abandoned their previous home to escape the press that had hounded them since their Revelation.
"Daddy, couldn't we live somewhere better?" Jane, Michael's pretty blonde daughter asked.
"You promised that we would live in a place like we did when mom was around" Jane added.
Their new apartment wasn't a suite by any measure, but it was a step from where the family had been living before. Though for Jane, the home she had when her mother was still around had been 'much' better. "Aleey agrees with me, right?"
"My name is Aleesha." the asari child whined. Upset by the way that Jane always seemed to be giving her nicknames. Turning to Rayna Cardiga as she said "mother make her use my real name."
"Mother make her use my real name." Jane said in mockery before sticking her tongue out at Aleesha.
"Settle down, both of you." Michael chastised. "We're living here thanks to our new friends. Be thankful to them."
"But daddy…" Jane began to whine, only to yelp in surprise as a tennis ball flew well over her head, but still ducked in surprise. As she looked back up, she glared, as best as a child of her age and stature could, at the 'attacker'. "You jerk!"
"Oh calm down kid, it wouldn't have hurt you." Katya said with a smirk. Earning a smile from little Aleesha and a frown from Rayna and Michael each. Jane stuck her tongue out at the 'asari', who responded by holding up another tennis ball.
"Us asari have to stick together." Katya told Aleesha in a mock whisper. Ignoring the look from Jane, Katya focused on the couple. "So, how have you two been settling in?"
"This place is lovely." Rayna said sincerely with a smile.
The pleasantly plump asari was wearing a sundress as she sat at the head of the dinner table. Michael was sitting at the other end of the table dressed in a T-Shirt and jeans, while the girls were wearing matching swimsuits as they were planning on using the pool outside right after dinner. Whereas Katya and her 'girlfriend' Janice Jackson were sitting across from each other, wearing seemingly ordinary clothes that they had actually spent a significant amount of time picking out, to make sure that the outfits looked respectful yet casual.
"I'm glad to hear that." Janice smiled. "I had to pull some strings to help you, but what's a few favors between friends?" In truth, she hadn't even done anything of the sort. The apartment and all its amenities had been in place to serve as an ONI refuge but repurposed once Janice had requested it. "I'm just glad to hear its working out so well for all of you."
Michael turned to Janice the only other human in the room as he asked the woman "have you been watching the news recently?"
"Yes I must say its terrible what happened to that batarian president I hope that our own people aren't really involved" Janice said insincerely.
"I don't know...I know virtually nothing about this President Kol as a person but considering the things the batarian government has done while he was in charge I can't say that I'm sad he's gone." Rayna told them.
Everyone looked at Cardiga in surprise. The asari matron was one the nicest and most forgiving people that any of them had ever met. Rayna saying that she was glad that somebody was dead seemed pretty out of character.
As though reading everyone's thoughts, "I meant what I said" Rayna said defensively. Then added softly, "when I think about what they have done over the centuries to others, and what they would have done to me and mine if given the chance..I can't explain but my blood runs cold."
That put Rayna's comments in a whole new light. Considering her caring nature, it made sense that she would feel sympathy for the victims of the Hegemony. Moreover, one of the fews things that people didn't realize about the matron, was that Cardiga could not and would not forgive any who tried to hurt her daughter. So knowing of the Hegemony's reputation and the actions that they condoned, it made it very easy for her to condemn the autocratic nation.
However, that was not the only thing the ONI agents saw within the matron. 'It looks like there's some fire under all that softness…' Katya thought cynically. 'Now all we need to feed it and let it out.' More convinced than ever that they had done the right thing 'recruiting' Michael and Rayna for ONI's next big project. 'There's not much scarier than a mother protecting her children when it comes down to it.'
"You and Rayna have a lovely family" Janice told Michael. The seemingly spontaneous compliment surprising the couple as it was quite the tangent from the previous topic. Pressing on, taking advantage of their surprise, she asked, "I'm curious though, I don't see anything like a wedding band on you two. Too busy to the 'tie the knot'?"
Rayna and Michael looked at the woman in surprise. Even though they were lovers, living together, and raising each other's children in the same house (with Rayna thinking about possibly having another daughter with Michael), they had never thought about getting married. Humans were regarded by most people, including asari, under the wing of the Citadel as dangerous outsiders at best, and violent treacherous genocidal savages at worst. Cardiga and Smith wasn't sure it would even be legal anywhere in human or asari controlled territory for them to get married, and doubted anyone would perform the ceremony.
"I'm...not sure it would even be possible for an asari and a human to get married." Michael admitted.
"Why not?" Katya rebuffed, "I don't see any legal issues about it myself. Unless someone passed a new law while we were talking." Suddenly with a feral grin, she leaned forward, "Unless, of course...this is an 'open' relationship?"
Cardiga wasn't sure what the 'asari' meant, but Michael did, as his face went red at the implied statement.
"Katya!" Janice slapped her friend across the shoulder. "Don't say something like that! Especially with children here!"
As if on cue Aleesha asked, "mom what's she talking about?"
"I'll tell you when you're older," Rayna told her daughter, having finally figured out what Katya meant and having NO intention to discuss such a thing with her innocent (but all too curious) little girl.
Janice just sighed at having 'dodged the bullet' with the children. Deciding to move back to safer topics, "While she could have worded it better, I agree with her. I don't see anything blocking you two from getting married. Don't you two love each other? I've seen married couple with more issues than you two."
"Of course I do." Rayna and Michael said at the same time. Then looked at each other in surprise. But then the asari matron spoke as she admitted, "It's not about lack of love...it's just that...humans are so hated and feared by everybody that I doubt anyone in Citadel space would marry us."
"And it's not much better in UEG-controlled space either...the Great War made xenophobia the norm back home. Most humans would probably consider us traitors just for being…" Michael almost said lovers, but then he remembered children were in the room and finished with "...friends."
"So, that's it then...is it?" Janice almost whispered. It wasn't a surprise that it was a reason, but rather the reason. "You're afraid of having nowhere to run to, is that it? You'd be outcasted everywhere."
"So you not going to be my new blue mother?" Jane said with a pout. She actually liked Rayna and her daughter, but her motives were entirely mercenary. Because Janice had pointed out when Rayna and Michael had left her alone with the girls that night, that if Rayna became her stepmother, she would get birthday presents from THREE parents (her father, her absent mother who still mailed her birthday presents, and Rayna herself). Rather ingenious for a child, but expected when it came to such matters.
Katya smirked while Janice outright giggled at the little girl's declaration. Rayna's dumbstruck, jaw-dropped look only adding to the effect. "You should close your mouth, Rayna, before something decides to fly inside." With a near audible 'click', the asari's jaw snapped shut, briefly glaring at the human woman before gently smiling at what had become her pseudo-stepdaughter.
Meanwhile Michael was thinking furiously. Unlike Rayna who had simply outlived all her previous mates, including Aleesha's salarian father, Michael's ex-wife was still very much alive. And she was at least as xenophobic as the average human. Smith wondered how she would react if she found out that her daughter Jane was being raised by an asari.
As though reading Michael's mind, Katya decided to break the silence, "You know, I haven't read much in the way of human literature. But there was one author who stuck with me. Specifically a quote of his, 'Do not go where the path may be, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail'. Ralph Waldo Emerson." When she received confused looks from all of them, she explained, "You two are a symbol now. A beacon. If you decide to try to get married, that's going to send a message to everyone. And maybe," Here she glanced over to Janice, "maybe others will follow you too."
Michael and Rayna exchanged uncomfortable glances. While they DID want to make the galaxy a better place, neither of them had the ambition or confidence to be comfortable with setting themselves up as a role model for the people of the civilized universe. Not to mention the risks involved, of having the all the hate directed towards them, and by relation their children as well.
"You know, if you two did get married, it might distract everyone from all the negativity in the galaxy. Make them focus on the good and peace, instead of fear and war." Janice suddenly added. "Give people some hope, something to look forward to." As the couple in question shared looks and contemplated the idea, they were ignorant of how the two agents before them were already planning on how to best use their new friends.
"We will look into it" Michael said, to which Rayna simply nodded.
The words themselves were mild, but based on Michael and Rayna's tones and body language the ONI agents knew that they had convinced them.
'Perfect...I knew they would be useful and with any luck at all the asari will never even realize that we've beaten them at their own game' Katya thought with a smile. Not even Janice able to guess at the cynical thoughts running through her mind as she played the role of the helpful but somewhat mischievous asari friend.
**APUFMKII**
Far from the courts of humanity, conspiracy of civilians or the deals of outlaws, the Shadow Broker sat content aboard his ship, hidden within the borders between the light and dark sides of the world of Hagalaz and its storms. A ship, that had been under the Broker's control since, well, several of their predecessors. Because there had actually been many Shadow Brokers, with each one ascending to the throne by assassinating his or her predecessor. The current Shadow Broker was perhaps the most paranoid. Virtually no one ever saw him in person and he almost never left his heavily defended office. Surrounded by databanks filled with secrets that could easily save lives, destroy careers, or start wars. And since his business WAS information, business was good.
And business had only gotten better since the arrival of the humans. Explosively introducing themselves to the Galactic Community, they backhanded the Council's military might as though the Council Races were petulant children. Terrifying the known universe's Powers That Be by kidnapping the Citadel Council, and outraging the turians and their allies by destroying the world of Impera. And as a result, kicking off what was perhaps the greatest Arms Race in recorded history.
In the aftermath of these events, there was now a need and desire to seize any and all samples of human technology that they could get ahold of. Weapons, armor, even simple parts of ship plating was highly desired. And of course, where there was a demand, the Shadow Broker was more than happy enough to provide a supply. The Shadow Broker and his numerous agents were raking in enormous profits faster than ever before, and if they could have had their way; this state of affairs would continue indefinitely.
Unfortunately another war between humanity and the Citadel Races was, in the Broker's eyes, all but inevitable. Between the turians desire to avenge the loss of Impera and humanity's own continuing attempts to expand their influence at the expense of the Council Races, it appeared to only be a matter of time until another galactic war broke out. The first of the Proxy Wars had already begun, with the Batarian Civil War. The Rebels backed by the humans, and the Hegemony by the Council. It was only a matter of time before another such proxy war broke out.
But not yet, not quite. While the Broker didn't know the plans of the UNSC, he was fairly confident that the humans were going to make sure that when war did break out, it would be on their terms. For the Broker, a never ending Cold War between the major Superpowers would suit him best. However, he doubted that was possible.
Normally the Shadow Broker did not care who won a war. But a new war between the Citadel Races and the UNSC was all too likely to end in the conquest and/or destruction of the defeated party. If humanity was conquered or wiped out the Shadow Broker doubted it would really change anything for him and his organization. But if humanity won…
He had heard of their proliferation of Artificial Intelligences. From the more basic units to those that behaved like an organic would, but with far greater intelligence and power. Those alone would cripple the ability of the Broker's agents to gather data and hide amongst the masses. What good were firewalls and proxies if an AI could simply push them aside as though they were never there? Taking into consideration humanity's military power and xenophobia, along with the reputation of their Office of Naval Intelligence…
Probably meant that the Shadow Broker would not be able to continuing operating in the event of humanity conquering the Council Races. With the advantages granted by their A.I.s, their already large and powerful intelligence gathering apparatus, and free reign of the former Citadel territories, the humans would be ready, willing, and able to track the Broker down. The Shadow Broker wasn't sure whether the humans would try to make him and his organization work for them at that point or simply kill him and seize all his assets. But either possibility was intolerable to the powerful information broker.
But that was a worry for the future. At the moment neither the Council Races nor the UNSC seemed eager to enter into a full scale war, or resume it as it were. The Shadow Broker had more pressing concerns, such as the Justicar situation.
The Justicars appeared to be trying to track him down, or at least fatally damage his network. This was the not first time they had tried to do so, nor was he the first Shadow Broker to be targeted. Fortunately his organization was compartmentalized to the point that virtually all of his agents could reveal no more than a few of their comrades. Each time they had gone after his network, and by extension his agents, the Justicars quickly found themselves time and time cut short as their leads were exhausted. The Justicars involved halting their efforts shortly thereafter.
This time however, was different. Rather than hunting for the Broker, they were hunting something else...More specifically, they were hunting his Agents. From the most elite of his forces, several just shy from the ranks of the Council Spectres, to the most inexperienced of recruits in his private army. The Justicars had learned from their prior efforts. This time, instead of trying to cut off the phantasmal head, they had chosen, to use a human term, 'death by a thousand cuts'. Simply put, if they could not kill the Broker, they would kill all under his command. Tear the Broker's Network apart piece by piece until there was nothing left but the Shadow Broker himself. This way, even if they failed to kill the Broker, they would have effectively neutered him.
And they had already begun their new Crusade. He had already lost dozens of agents. Most of them were fairly low level, but a few of them had been in key positions. One key fact about those agents however, was that the vast majority, if not all, had been stationed in Asari space. The Justicars were apparently cleaning house. Furthermore, more than a few of the veteran Agents had been captured, and then interrogated. The data they had apparently given leading the Justicars to more and more senior members of his organization. If this pattern continued, the Broker would soon be blind to the dealings within Asari space.
Something that the Shadow Broker could not, and would not, tolerate. While the Justicars might have started their Crusade, the Shadow Broker would end it. And he knew just how to accomplish that. Entering a few commands onto the console before him, he waited for the response.
The tattooed face of Tela Vasir, Council Spectre appeared before him. She was wearing nothing but a bra and panties, revealing a lot of shapely blue flesh, as well as numerous tattoos, and a few scars from close calls during her dangerous career as a Spectre/Shadow Broker agent. There also appeared to be bite marks on her neck and breasts, and Tela seemed more...agitated than usual.
"Vasir, I trust that you are...well." The Broker did make an effort to seem...sociable, with his more competent Agents. Despite his total disregard for their lives as a whole.
"To be honest sir you called at a bad time I was busy maintaining my GOOD working relationship with Councilor Tevos when you called" Tela said with a little smile.
Glancing over Vasir's shoulder, the Broker could indeed see the sleeping body of the Asari Representative. 'Interesting.' He thought, 'This could prove invaluable in the future.' He made sure Vasir saw where his focus was, "I trust that this line is secure, Vasir? There is some...business that needs attending to. And quickly."
"I have all the Councilor's security codes now. The ones she didn't just tell me were easy enough to figure out based on what I already knew. This line is the most secure in the Citadel." Tela confidently replied. Then added "as for Tevos herself I gave her enough sedative to knock out the old girl for hours."
The Broker nodded as Tevos proved once again, why she was one of his Top Agents. "Well done. Moving to the matter at hand, how far along is your conspirator's plans to end the Justicars?"
The Shadow Broker knew all the details of the conspiracy because Tela herself had told him. In truth she would rather not have gotten her boss involved. But even if she hadn't told him he would have found out eventually, and if the Shadow Broker found out that one of his top agents had kept something like that from him, he wouldn't have hesitated to have the agent in question killed.
"Everything seems to be proceeding according to plan. At this rate I think were will be ready to make our move against the Justicars by the end of the year" Tela replied.
"No, that is unacceptable." The Broker interrupted, "The Justicars have to be eliminated before the year's end. Several months in advance." Seeing Vasir's shell shocked reaction, the Broker explained. "The Justicars are tearing my network apart in Asari space. It will not be much longer before they move on to the rest of Citadel space, and cut off my influence in the Republics. That can not be allowed to happen, is that understood?"
Part of Tela wanted to protest. To say that most of the conspirators were experienced old matriarchs, but were still stuck in the old ways to using time and patience to carry out their plans. That they would balk at the the idea of, in their eyes, a hasty and reckless plan. But she knew that the Shadow Broker was not the type of boss who would tolerate excuses. Besides, if the Justicars were cutting their way through the Broker's network it would eventually lead them to her. So she simply asked, "How long do I have?"
"Six months, if the Justicars do not further accelerate their actions." The Broker replied. "I will grant you and your conspirators whatever resources you will need to accomplish this, but realize this: this is an order, not a suggestion. Should your fellows refuse to follow it, tell them that once I lose my reach within the Republics, I will begin to reveal their identities one by one to the Justicar Order. Should my Network fall, I will ensure that I do not go alone, is that understood?"
"Yes sir." Vasir said formally. Without another word, the Broker cut off the connection, leaving the asari Spectre to her thoughts and lover.
Tela Vasir sighed as she sat lay down next to the Councilor. Cuddling close to the matriarch. Wishing that she had someone that she could truly confide in. Contemplating the seemingly impossible task that she had just been given.
She had to convince a group of privileged and set in their ways old asari to actually make a move against the Justicar Order. An order that possessed the most skilled, powerful, famous, and respected warriors the asari people had. Figuring out a way to marshal their resources into a killing blow against these legendary warriors.
And she had to do all this in less than half a year.
"I'm screwed." Tela Vasir moaned to the universe at large.
**APUFMKII**
Author's Note:
aDarkOne here:
The theme of this chapter is probably hubris. All the factions are making plans, and cutting deals, based on the premise that they understand their enemies and rivals, and are smarter than pretty much everybody else.
But most of them will be disappointed :)
I think that one of the reasons that I created Rayna Cardiga and Michael Smith was just to have a few relatively ordinary honest characters for people to identify with. Rayna and MIchael provide an Everyman POV in a galaxy full of liars and schemers.
Follower38:
With this chapter, we have expanded to beyond just the few Superpowers and their point of view. Now the unofficial Superpowers have now made an appearance: The Queen of the Terminus, and the Shadow Broker. I've gotten some reviews that this story is increasingly negative, well, this just how I thought the story would go, considering all the animosity from the wars. I'm pulling from real-world examples as well when I write, specifically the United States after Pearl Harbor and 9/11.
But moving on, we are still stepping things up in this story, and needless to say, the Hegemony will soon learn just what killing a Spartan means. And yes people, you read that right. Maccabeus of Dosiac. The Jiralhanae. If you thought the Salarians were bad for messing with the Yahg...
As always, please leave a review. :) On a sidenote: APUFMKII is now 15th for highest number of reviews in the Halo/Mass Effect crossover category. Let's try to get it even higher now!
