The Hidden Guardians - Chapter 2
The SPARTAN fire teams have returned to Infinity having secured the Alliance deep space radar facility. The Vesuvius transmits the location of one of the Alliance's field docks to let the Infinity use for the upgrades they had planned. The Elite commander informed the group that the Covenant ships would acquire a base of operations for the battle group and asked permission for the Infinity's frigates to join them. The Alliance Admiral responds confused and then drops his mouth in awe as six UNSC frigates drop out from underneath the massive flagship and move over to join the Covenant.
Before the nine ships jump into slip space and leave the system the Vesuvius sends them a data packet with information and schematics on the peoples of this galaxy and their structures to avoid their worlds. The infinity is standing by the space station, a close up of the hull shows dozens of mechs YMIR and light installing weapon positions all over the hull. The new, complete weapons glisten in the light of the blue sun of the system. The covenant/UNSC battle group drop to sub lights in an uninhabited star system and move to the fifth planet of the system, a tiny red class m planet with an orbiting moon of methane atmosphere. The covenant battle master orders a deployment of Phantoms loaded with supplies to begin the establishment of a base of operations. One of the helm elites exclaims that he has detected a groundside base. No life signs, with aesthetic properties of an invasion base of the "Geth" it seems derelict but the elite points out they have yet to calibrate their sensors to detect the Geth.
[Several hours later] Elites are patrolling the surface of the planet with their rebreathers on while Banshees fly overhead in a display of the military strictness of their kind. In a large sectioned out part surrounded by the daunting facility phantoms are dropping off supplies and resources to turn the facility into a functional military base for the stranded forces to use as a stronghold. In what appears to be a control room Elites are fiddling with the workings of what appears to be a forerunner teleporter. An orange clad Elite orders them to move faster with the device as it will enable forces to travel from the civilian facilities the humans are setting up. The humans hinted as the UNSC forces, the Elites grunt and move slightly faster and visibly more irritated.
A few star systems over in the med bay facility of the Infinity. A Doctor moves over to the group around the bed holding the wounded SPARTAN troop, and tell them that while it will take time the chances are positive of a recovery. However, they have an issue of a corrosive material that they haven't been able to expunge from her yet and that they don't know what to do with it. Captain Laskey turns to the SPARTANs around him – Palmer and Delta team – and orders Palmer to take a Pelican and meet with the Alliance Admiral on the Vesuvius to ask if they can help with the corrosive material. As he turns to Delta to give them their orders the tannoy speaks up and Roland says that the Captain will want to see this.
When the Captain and Delta are on the bridge they go up to Roland's holo-projection and beside him is a hologram of the Elite battle master setting up their new base of operations. After a lengthy discussion Laskey exclaims that it can't be possible, to which the Elite presses a few buttons and Roland reports he is accessing a livestream video. Laskey turns around to the veiwscreen and orders it on screen. The scene before them leaves them all stunned. A half dozen warship of design unknown to them, but the scans they have confirm that they are Geth going by the readings the Alliance provided. But that isn't the main thing, the battle master's vice rings out, as the view pans they see hundreds of tubes holding Robotic life forms of every size within them, and in the distance, a ship much larger than the others, one of massive significance to the allied forces seeing this. A Geth dreadnought.
A day later, after obviously sharing what they had found the Infinity drops out of lightspeed travel with an Alliance flotilla comprised of the Vesuvius, a few escort cruisers and scout frigates, including one Normandy class frigate. Pelicans deploy from Infinity cruising to the ground while the standard blue shuttles deploy from the Vesuvius, with the Normandy class ship, The Gibraltar, moves to land in a clearing set up by the Elites and UNSC technicians. Everyone assembles in the bases makeshift commend centre to discuss what they have found. The Admiral explains to everyone that the Geth attained true artificial intelligence status just before the end of the war, proving to be a very useful ally with their advanced shields and weapons, but they went silent not long after it ended, some factions even resorting their heretic coding. No one knows what happened to trigger this but given that these Geth are still asleep then they can only assume that they are safe to awaken. In a counter to this theory the Elite ship master states that they don't know if these Geth will be allies even if they do awaken and aren't heretical. Laskey states that it is true, but with so many Elites and SPARTANs present, not to mention the Alliance Marines, awakening one to get an understanding of the situation can't be all that bad.
After a lengthy debate everyone has agreed to awake one unit, with a sizeable marine compliment, Delta team and a few squads of Elites surrounding the area, a technician starts the process of awakening one of the Geth Primes, believed to be one with the most info about what is going on. Power flickers throughout the section as the technician works, and everyone is getting uneasy, the marines are twitching, and the SPARTANs take a step back while the Elites look nervously around to their leader. The lights stabilize for a while and then suddenly black out, only the glow from the Geth's hibernation tubes. Clicking can be heard amidst the rest of the noise from the Prime's tube. Everyone gets even more nervous as the shield over the Geth's optical piece opens, a soft red light glowing out from the lens. The tube opens, and steam forms flooding the area as the treated air floods into the much, much warmer air of the section. The Geth steps out and towers over everyone, its red armour shining in the dim light of the stasis section, and the minor light reaching the area from the nearby docks. Everyone' weapons ready and tighten to aim at the Geth. One sentence is heard in a dull robotic tone.
"What are you doing here?"
The cold clicking voice rings out through the hall again, "Who are you?" The organic forces are shuffling back, on edge due to this Geth calmly towering over even the tallest Elite seemingly unbothered by the array of weapons pointed at it. Laskey steps forward, smiling to the Geth and extends his hand out towards it. He greets it introducing himself and asking for how it identifies itself. The Geth ignores him and immediately asks what organics are doing here. Waving his hand to the military behind him to lower their weapons he begins to explain everything that's gone on over the past few weeks after finally coming to the current end of the story Laskey asks what the Geth uses to identify itself, and why they are all hibernating here. Once again ignoring the first question the Prime turns round and starts walking down the gangway towards the docks, gesturing to the handful of ships hiding here, the Geth says that they are all following orders.
[Flashback]
Geth ships dip and dive around each other, firing away at each other in a battle obviously between heretic and non-heretic Geth. The Heretic ships on the offense have shifted their colour to a more reddish hue as they openly engage their once comrade. The Red force, greatly outnumbered seems to be desperate to break through the Geth line, a single cruiser managing to do so when Heretic reinforcements arrive. The Cruiser's main cannon can be seen charging but before it can fire on the planet a red beam slices through it from its port side. A Reaper ship, with blue lights shimmering in place of the old red lights soars past the detonating debris and past the Geth line to counter the Heretic forces. With the advantage of numbers and a Reaper ship against them the Heretics retreated, sacrificing a few heavy cruisers to hold the line long enough to do so.
The Reaper vessel turns round and descends onto the surface of a nearby planet – landing in what is obviously a slightly older version of the facility they are situated at. The Reaper addresses the Geth beneath them all a Prime wearing an N7 plate on its shoulder. The Reaper asks the Geth to look after this planet until he wakes up again as this will be titled the "Hibernation Facility". The Reaper then lifted up a few hundred feet turned off again and docked in a chamber underneath the facility.
[Current time]
"Over the next few weeks our fleet docked in these dockyards above that of "Him". Laskey looks around to the Alliance Marines and then to the Admiral catching a look on his face as the Admiral stares unfocusedly beneath them. The Geth turns to face the three militant groups facing it and went on to explain a bit of its past with him and that "He" gave it its name in memory of a dear friend he once lost.
Barnett turns and asks what "His" name is, the Geth replying that he should know already as his name should be revered throughout the Galaxy. Barnett shakes his head disbelieving the Geth's subtle clues forcing Laskey to ask the Geth again. The Geth replies that "He" is the man who controls the former invading Reapers. The man who controlled over all AIs for a short time before pulling his control back to only the Reaper forces. Alliance marines and Officers are stunned when the Geth Prime says "His name is Shepard."
Barnett explains that Shepard disappeared seven years after the war with the Reapers and when he did all the AIs were released from his control so the Geth saying that he had been living with them for so many years after is causing them a great amount of distress. Shepard was the Galaxy's most significant hero after all. Laskey mutters how he could understand he feels if he learned something similar about "The Chief". Barnett looks quizzical but doesn't press it. Isagah'r and one of the ship masters approach the humans and explain that Isagah'r will be taking over the Ground Base as its leading officer the Elite a giant even for its kind looks down to the humans and exclaims a guttural greeting in Sanghelli. Laskey turns to the Elite and asks it a few questions most notably about using the facility as a base of operations to which Isagah'r explains the Prime said he would activate a few more Geth to help them getting the facility online and helping to show how to run the systems. Nodding Laskey asks if Isagah'r would mind if they used the Infinity to transport some of the buildings from the dead worlds they've found to use themselves on the planet. Isagah'r said he'll talk to the Prime about it but there would probably only be logistical problems. Barnett – confused as to why they have been so cooperative – asks just why have the Geth been so cooperative. The Ship Master comments on how they've dedicated themselves to defending the planet while the Geth sleep and given how not even the Geth can compare to their technology the Geth seen the logical thing to do was let them uphold their legacy for a while longer.
[Time frame: Several weeks later]
Pelicans start transporting constructions works and pairs of transports take buildings down dropping them off outside the Geth Walls. Laskey walks through a bit of construction with Palmer walking beside him complaining about the use of SPARTANs as common builders to which Laskey retorts between their increased physical abilities their MJOLNIR armour makes them best suited out of all the UNSC facility they have with them and given that they have no significant enemies right now to fight they should focus on setting up shop and searching for a way back. Palmer asks Laskey how that's doing and he looks down a little bit before sombrely replying that even though all of the cruisers the Infinity has were deployed along with all Covenant ships and a few of the Geth ships the Prime allowed them to use they still haven't come up with anything indicating they could use to get home. Palmer sighs and says they may need to start being more aggressive in their search for another station. Laskey agrees but points out until they have a base set up and defendable they cannot afford it. Palmer groans and asks if the SPARTANs could at least be loaned out to that admiral from the local human forces so they can see some action. Laskey sighs and looks at information on a data tablet – presses a few buttons to sort out some of it and then agrees saying that they can work something out with the Elites and Geth to get the work done fast.
Palmer grins before replying to Laskey telling him not to break his back without her and Laskey sighs a retort out before Palmer walks off asking Roland to send a message to the Alliance Admiral. In one of the Infinity's communications room Palmer and Delta team are standing talking to Barnett. Palmer asks if the SPARTAN forces could assist Alliance military in the field and almost as soon as the words are out her mouth O'Masson puts in that the SPARTANs are going crazy with boredom only having the Infinity's training programme and building the colony to do. Barnett asks how that is going and Palmer answers that with the SPARTAN work most of it is completed and if he OK's them to assist then the Geth or Elites can finish off the remainder of the work – or the standard UNSC forces can with a bit more time. Barnett sighs and says that there is a mission the Council are looking to get done but given that multiple SPECTREs have failed it not many people are up for it. He tells them that they'll ID themselves as an experimental military unit under his command to prevent everyone finding out about them. If they get it done they'll reap in the credits and potential weapons and info whilst boosting the Alliances reputation in the Galaxy. Palmer nods agreeing to the terms and asks when they can be picked up. Barnett says that his fleet are currently operating a few star systems over so if they can transport over to them they'll take them the rest of the way.
With some negotiating Palmer secured a phantom and had it jerry-rigged with a Prowler's cloak device. The Phantom soared up through the clouds breaking atmosphere several minutes after. It then flew right past the Infinity which was slowly moving in orbit of the planet broadside out in a defensive posture. Laskey's voice comes out over the Phantoms comm unit "Good Luck SPARTANs – don't let the UNSC down." To which Delta team and Palmer reply that they won't.
When the Phantom – which O'Masson has dubbed "The Hidden Storm" – drops out of FTL it immediately raises its cloak however The Gibraltar did notice the signature of the ship and FTL exit and soared over to where it was last seen. The ship's captain relayed the info onto Captain Moreau the flotilla commander who contacted Barnett reporting what the Gibraltar detected. Barnett then started broadcasting on all frequencies asking for the SPARTANs to de cloak. Everyone on the Admiral's bridge gasped in shock or reacted in a similar way when the phantom de cloaked right outside their veiwscreen. Palmer replied that it would have been too easy to eliminate them and moves off towards a hangar bay on the Dreadnought class vessel. When the SPARTANs get off they are met by an armed party of Alliance Marines aiming at them, again, and Barnett in the back. He asks Palmer not to get so cocky with them again and then turns around ordering the SPARTANs to be escorted to the briefing room.
[Vesuvius briefing room]
Barnett is halfway through the history of the First Human SPECTER's story when Captain Reid asks what the mission he has for them has to do with it. He replied that the mission is back on the same planet Sheppard saved that started the whole thing. Eden Prime. He then explains that the Terminus Fleet they were engaging when they all met has hired a Krogan fleet and army to capture Eden Prime and the Alliance is spread too thin backing the Turians with their problems as well as defending the Citadel. Barnett says that he can promise a fleet to engage the Krogan ships but they don't have the ground forces to retake the colony. Palmer nods and says it should be a simple matter for one SPARTAN let alone 4. They plan to use their Phantom's cloak to sneak onto the planet and deploy at two separate points and move towards the centre eliminating all threats they come across. When the fleet turns to deal with them probably via orbital bombardment the Alliances' First Fleet will drop in and take the fleet by surprise from behind.
[17 minutes later in FTL]
Reid groans about being bored with how long they have been in FTL for just for between system jumps. Jackson comments with a similar level of dismay but Palmer tells the two officers off for disrespecting the technology of the people who helped them. Reid apologises for being rude but not what he said as he is used to technology a lot more advanced than this and is about to say something else when Barnett walks in declaring a change of plans. He explain that he has just heard word from the Krogan King and is excited to say that he has dedicated a number of their ships and troops including himself to the mission to liberate Eden Prime. Jackson asks for an explanation when they feel a lurch forward and Barnett tells them to deploy the First Fleet is engaging the Krogan Merc fleet with the backup of the Krogan Royal Armada's 3rd fleet.
The Phantom whirrs into life soaring out and down towards the ground as several red and black shuttles do the same backed by fighters of similar colours with a strange set of 3 symbols engraved on their sides in white. O'Masson said that he wished he knew what they stood for and Palmer said that they can find out later they had a job to do. The Phantom dropped off O'Masson and Reid at a clearing a few hundred meters south of the Colonies farming and transport centres a few Km from the capital city. They started moving off once the Phantom cloaked again – Reid noticed a large amount of blue dots moving towards the centre quite fast and a group of Red dots moving towards the Blue dots equally as fast and noted that this left a much smaller force blockading the critical centres only a few hundred metres ahead of them. When they got there they seen four Krogan kicking at a door trying to get in and three civilians through the window. They moved off, O'Masson going left and Reid breaking right hiding behind a tree and a pile of broken rocks respectively. They pounced out of cover and laced the aggressive Krogan with bullets, most rattling off their shields before bringing the beasts down. By the time the first two were face down in the mud the second two Krogan had gained ground on them forcing the SPARTANs into hand to hand combat. Reid dismantled his enemy's attacks with some advanced martial arts eventually causing the Krogan to drop for a few seconds. He then grins and his armour starts to hum and glow a soft orange colour. He stands again somehow regaining his strength. They continue in an exchange of blows for a while before the Krogan lands a head charge knocking Reid to the ground. He looks up and sees a shotgun aimed at his face, and a bright flash of light as the Krogan fires. Fortunately the SPARTANs shield absorbs most of the impact allowing him to counter again in hand to hand combat, managing to draw his knife and press it through the Krogan's flesh and severe the nerves in his spine through the neck.
O'Masson was having similar issues with the Krogan – deciding to beat it down with sheer strength instead and managing to prevail as the Krogan takes hit after hit both being worn down. The Krogan lashes his head upwards smacking O'Masson in the face of his helmet knocking him back and then charges the SPARTAN. The Sergeant then takes a step back, and brings his right foot up catching the Krogan just under the knees and flips the beat onto its back and draws his pistol in one swift motion. After unloading the clip into its face he drops down exhausted and Reid joins him saying they can only stop for a few minutes. They hear an excited chuckle as the two they dropped earlier get up with a soft orange glow around their armour. The men stand up groaning and draw their rifles when two loud cracks are heard and the Krogan are dropped and sent a few feet back. The SPARTANs look behind themselves and see a massive amount of Krogan bearing the same symbol of the shuttles and fighters on their armour. Reid raises a hand and thanks the friendly army identifying himself. The leader of the army stomps down the rest coming up behind him and he introduces himself impressed that humans could stand up to two Captain level Krogan in hand-to-hand combat. O'Masson thanks him for the compliment and asks who he is.
"Me? I am the Krogan King. Leader of my people's military and economical might. These 'Mercenary' Krogan fleets shame what my friend allowed me to build all those years ago by attacking this world and I will burn them to the ground. But if you need a name, my name is Urdnot Wrex human."