DISCLAIMER: Mass Effect video game is the property of its respective owners and the author has no financial gain from it. Original Characters and story concept are mine though.

A/N: I am back from holidays and unfortunately it's time to get back to work. Despite being away I've managed to squeeze in an update, but now it's time to begin a whole new chapter. This update is a bit shorter with 4,6k words. I sincerly hope that you enjoy it.

My beta is still the one and the only Redentor

Chapter 4 – Mastering The Tools Of War

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.

Sun Tzu

While I liked and enjoyed the elegance and sharpness of my dress uniform, nothing could beat the comfort and utility of our camouflaged garrison fatigues. I met Galtieri at 08:30 am and true to his word he never mentioned the events of yesterday. If anything, he was even more eager to get back into our workout routine. We've run even more today than we managed on Friday and we took some time to do hand-to-hand combat training afterwards. This time after changing our workout clothes we didn't go for breakfast in the mess hall, but we had Lox in his terminator-like chassis deliver the food to us. Helpful Lox also brought his holo-tablet and we did a short data-transfer on the IT technology in Mass Effect Universe. The knowledge transfer was painful as always, but I was getting used to it by now.

Major Sharpe approached us, when we were getting ready to go to the shooting range. I stood at attention and saluted him and he passed me a small box.

"This is for you, Officer Cadet Dubois. It's a symbol that you are truly part of the mafia." Sharpe said officially and motioned for me to open the container.

I used my wrist-comp to open the locked box and inside I found two 213th Infiltration Brigade shoulder insignias and two small, dark grey strips which said '3rd Btn.' and below the battalion's motto: 'Hold Fast'. There was also a silver beret flash with the brigade symbol – two crossed swords with the Confederacy semi-cog in the background and a number - 213. Although we didn't have any ceremonial music playing or anything, the moment felt very solemn and serious. I looked at Sharpe and Galtieri and said.

"Thank you, sirs. It's an honour to have an opportunity to serve with you."

I didn't say that just to please them. I felt really distinguished by the fact that I would be reporting directly to those two men. I had spoken with Captain Shi-Lee and Captain Miles yesterday about my training under Galtieri and the talk I had with Sharpe. Catherine Miles told me that both Captain Galtieri and Major Sharpe were very well known in certain circles of the Confederacy Special Forces and they were quickly making names for themselves in the Security Branch as well. I was also made aware by Colonel van Koolwijk, that sharing private combat memories is rarely done with green recruits for fear of them developing PTSD if data transfer was established without taking precautions. It was also considered a sign of trust when it was done, because it showed that the recruit had proven that he was able to handle such pressure. I had no idea what I did to earn such an honour in Lucas Galtieri's eyes, but I was moved by it nevertheless.

Both officers took out the shoulder insignias and battalion stripes from the box and put them on my shoulders, fastening them to my fatigues with magnetic locks. I opted to install the headgear flash myself and proudly placed the blue beret on my head. Lox offered to take other insignias and put them on my dress uniforms to which I happily agreed. Afterwards, Major Sharpe left citing other responsibilities he needed to attend to. I finally got to learn his first name, but to my quiet disappointment it was Frederick, not Richard. Oh well…

We stayed on the shooting range for three hours and by the end of it my arms were sore from exertion. This time we focused more on accurate shooting. I was expected to quickly switch between the moving targets and tag each of them with at least one accurate shot. It was a gruelling task and when the novelty of shooting futuristic assault rifle wore off it felt like a chore. The last hour, on the other hand, was very exciting as we spent it on a tactical shooting range combined with an obstacle course. This time I had to move between various covers, while Lox operated a laser pointer rifle at the end of the range, which simulated enemy fire. I was expected to fire a short burst that would silence the gunner on the other side and that gave me few seconds either, to adjust my aim and fire another shot or to move toward the next cover. This task I had to repeat a few times as well, but it was very exciting as on Galtieri's suggestion I was changing my tactics slightly on each try.

All in all, it was a very productive day. I spent an hour or so recuperating in the swimming pool, but afterwards I had to receive a few data packages from Lox on IT technology and cryptography. I seriously doubted that I will ever require either of them and voiced my doubts to Galtieri. He simply shrugged it off and said.

"It doesn't matter if you need it or not, Officer Cadet. If it's in the curriculum you have to learn it."

Yeah, some things never changed, no matter where I was. After we were through with our data transfers we went for a quick spar. I truly felt like I was getting somewhere with hand-to-hand combat, but it would be weeks before I could be anywhere near proficient with it. In previous sparring sessions, I had only managed to last a minute or less under Galtieri's onslaught, usually culminating in embarrassing knockouts. But I had progressed with my footwork and boxing. Now fights began to end with myself, woefully tapping out of my trainer's scissor or chokeholds. Martial arts it seemed, was a many faceted diamond. When we were finished with the training we went for a quick meal in the mess hall, which was hauntingly empty. As we sat there I finally had some spare time to ask Galtieri another question that was bugging me since yesterday evening.

"Why did you allow me to see your combat mission memories, sir? We barely know each other as it is."

Galtieri poured himself some coffee from the pot as he pondered my question. Finally, when I started to fidget, he answered.

"Your mission will be far from easy, Officer Cadet. Reapers are a terrifying enemy, even if we have a non-belligerence agreement with them now. As such, we decided with Major Sharpe that you will be needing all possible help to succeed. And besides…" he smiled "I do know you, Dubois. We know you're entire life, before the consciousness transfer to our 'verse and I knew that you could handle whatever we throw at you."

After a moment he added with unhappy murmur

"And we learned that ourselves, despite the bloody IDD's refusal to hand over their data on you."

That was new – I had no idea that Security Branch was that invested in the consciousness acquisition procedure. It also explained the animosity that existed between the Security Branch officers and Interactive Dislocation Department personnel. I smirked at the thought – it was a classic example of bureaucratic warfare. Spooks and eggheads had overlapping responsibilities and it resulted in a vicious tug-of-war where employees on both sides guarded their territory like a pack of wolves. I might be wrong, but it could also explain why Dr. Anneke Koeckritz was willing let me know about the fact that I would eventually be sent to the Mass Effect universe, against the wishes of the Security Branch. She didn't actually break any rules as she only dropped some subtle hints, but she wanted to spite the 'firm' in some small way. And she succeeded, after a fashion. And doubtless it was for the same reason that other members of the Consciousness Acquisition team were so forthcoming in sharing their own experiences with Security Branch. An old proverb 'where two quarrel the third one wins' was proven true once again

What was really sad about all this was the fact that bureaucratic battles of attrition were not usually waged over important resources or money from the budget. They were done purely to satisfy the participants and to reaffirm themselves that they were in the 'right'. I've seen it done dozens of times in the office and I always considered it counterproductive, but it was as much a tradition in government agencies as going on Italian Strike.

I was also confused to some extent by Galtieri's words, because in all honesty I couldn't see what in my previous life indicated that I was better suited for the task ahead than any other guy who played Mass Effect. I wasn't even that much of a fan of the series.

"Do you honestly believe that I can succeed, sir? Major Sharpe, when we spoke yesterday, pretty much said it, that he didn't have much hope for peace with the Reapers. And we both know that the Confederacy is not going to intervene when the bloody abominations begin their Harvest."

Galtieri's face was serious, but I saw some glimmer of emotion in his eyes. It appeared just for a second and was just as quickly gone, before I could identify what it was. He took a sip of his coffee and said.

"I believe you will have the tools and training to make a difference, Dubois. And I'm sure that you will do your best, because I can see in you a man who, despite his faults, wants to do the right thing."

"It is a hell of a gamble though, betting it all on one man, sir. It gives us a single point of failure, when push comes to shove." I pointed out, as I put some peanut butter on my toast.

"I agree, Officer Cadet, but don't forget that you will not be alone. The 213th Infiltration Brigade will be there for you and we can do some creative accounting to have Confederacy cough up more resources or men if we need them. Security Branch will never leave their man hanging." said Galtieri with a smile.

I nodded. It would be a waste of resources to build up a man with a brand new body just to let him die in some universe. Like it or not, I was the Security Branch's investment and they wanted me at the very least to make that investment worthwhile.

"Besides," added Galtieri after a moment of thought. "There are plenty of people in the Mass Effect 'verse who are willing to make a stand, they will just need either a little nudge in the right direction or a little help from behind the scenes. There is the Systems Alliance with Admiral Hackett and Captain Anderson. Even the Ambassador Donnel Udina – he does the wrong things, but for all the right reasons. There are people in the Turian hierarchy like Adrien Victus. There is Dr. T'Soni who can achieve many things if she is provided with the right resources. There are numerous others like Captain Kirrahe or Garrus Vakarian who want to do the right thing. Even Cerberus was willing to provide resources for the fight, before The Illusive Man got indoctrinated. Finally, there is Commander Shepard and the crew of the Normandy. You will have plenty of allies, but you have to husband your resources all the same, because if you can't stop the Reapers from their Harvest they will come at the Galaxy with full force."

Galtieri exhaled heavily as he emptied his coffee cup.

"Just so you know – if the worse comes to the worst we can extract you. But we can't fight the Reapers with the resources of a single brigade only. That's why we deploy you in advance. But always remember one thing: you know what is going to happen. If the Mass Effect universe were a game, you would be our cheat code," he finished with a smile

"I've been called many things in my life, but never a cheat code, sir"

"You are being cheeky, Officer Cadet," grumbled Galtieri good-naturedly.

"Yes sir."

Galtieri got up and motioned me to follow him. We left the nearly empty mess-hall and went toward the barracks occupied by the Duty Platoon.

"We still have some time to work on your weaponry. It better be clean and in tip-top shape when I inspect it tomorrow morning or you will regret it, Officer Cadet. When we're done you will have the rest of the evening to yourself. It's the weekend after all."

"Yes sir. Thank you, sir"

So we went to the Duty Platoon barrack and collected some of my weapons and my lightweight Interceptor body armour. We took it to the small workshop that was joined with the barrack and I took my time to reacquaint myself with the weaponry once again. I noticed that thanks to the training so far and the memories transferred from Galtieri I didn't have to think about field stripping the carbine or my sidearm. It was as if I already knew what to do. I admit that data-transfer technology might as well be the greatest invention that the Confederacy ever made. Forget dimension hopping – with data transfers you could have an army of specialists created in any field you needed. No civil engineers? Take some construction workers and have them absorb knowledge. No medical doctors? Same thing. Confederacy didn't have to worry about knowledge shortage, because it took them mere minutes to pass enough knowledge to someone and have a competent worker to do the job.

As usual, there is no rose without thorns and so it was with the knowledge transfer technology. Galtieri warned me that data-transfers will help me gain basic orientation in every topic I absorb, but the experience on how to use it will only come with time and dedication. For example, you could transfer me the knowledge on using the laser-scalpel and human anatomy, but it doesn't mean that I will be able to perform real surgery. I would require long hours of additional training before I would even be allowed to attempt such a responsible task. Nevertheless, I would gladly have accepted access to data-transfers during my time at the University, painful transferences or no. It would dramatically decrease my study time and leave me with more freedom, which appealed to my lazy nature.

I barely noticed the time pass as I cleared the weapons. Futuristic firearms were more sophisticated in their design than our gunpowder counterparts. Thankfully the weapon designers took into consideration the need for field stripping and they streamlined and simplified their creations to the maximum. Everything you might need for stripping and cleaning your main weapon was included in the rifle stock. With the sidearm it was a bit more complicated, but you could still strip it without any extra tools. Unfortunately, the Interceptor was full body armour and required a properly kitted field workshop to strip and clean it. On the other hand, the armour was very durable and rugged so it could be used in a very hostile environment for a lengthy period before it required general maintenance. A boon if I ever found myself in a position for survival and extraction techniques.

All in all, I noted that both the weapons and armours of the Confederacy operated on very advanced designs which had been field tested multiple times in various environments. This guaranteed their durability and economy, without a shadow of a reasonable doubt. Say what you want about the Confederacy's overdeveloped bureaucracy, but their quality standards were second to none.

When I was done with my equipment maintenance I was dismissed by Galtieri. As it was still early evening I found myself at loss at what to do. So far the officers were pretty much organizing my time here, as it should be in the military, but when I was expected to find something to do by myself I was stumped. I considered my options and discarded all of them. I couldn't go out and meet my friends, because they weren't here. Neither was my family or my girlfriend – I bravely fought off another wave of loneliness and guilt when I thought of them.

I considered visiting Patricia again, but what could I say to her? She pretty much slept with me because she was ordered to. I knew that she would gladly have sex with me again should I ask her, but was it how I wanted to spend my time here? Train to be a good soldier and agent by day and fuck the brains out of your superior by night?

I shook my head and decided to go back to my bunk. When I came back I went about cleaning the room. I was finished all too soon and found myself sitting on my bed, once again at a loss of something to do. Suddenly, there was a beep on my wrist-comp that signalled an incoming message. I activated the tool and read it. It brought a smile to my face.

It appeared that Captain Catherine Miles was a woman of her word. She sent me her nude pictures painted by her husband. At first I thought that she was simply being shameless, but when I opened the first one I was actually surprised at the beauty of the paintings. Most of them were done through holographic applications on tablets, but there were a few done with traditional canvas and paint. Mr. Miles was obviously a talented man who loved his wife very much. Catherine wasn't plain by any standard, but his paintings seemed to bring out and emphasize her natural beauty. Many times I've encountered nudes that were presented as erotic art, but were in truth nothing more but glorified porn. Here there was no obscenity or vulgarity of any sort, only the true beauty caught in a moment by a talented artist.

I typed a message to Catherine.

'These paintings are beautiful. Is there any chance to see more of your husband's work? Please send him my compliments. Regards, Peter'

I put a smiley face at the end and clicked a send button. Only afterwards I started wondering whether they used emoticons here. I received Catherine's response shortly after.

'Glad you liked it. I'll see what I can find for you. :)' seems like they used smileys after all 'Last night was a blast, we should meet again sometime. How was Patricia?'

I wasn't even surprised that she was aware of our nightly activities. Knowing my luck the whole facility would know the details by the weekend's end. It was possible that some people will look down on me because of what I did, but I couldn't care less. I was being sent to fight the bloody Reapers for Christ's sake.

'Sorry Catherine, I don't kiss and tell. ;)' was my reply

'Oh you tease… I'm going to get the full story from you. You just wait. :P See you soon!'

And so we ended our exchange of pleasantries. Seeing as there was nothing better to do, I took out my holo-tablet and started reading some more of my training materials.

The next two weeks were a haze of activity for me. As promised we went through my basic training at what must have been a record speed. In between the physical activities and weapons training I've had plenty of painful data transfers, which left me mentally exhausted. I waved away all concerns about my well-being, knowing that each passing day brought me closer to deployment and the bloody Reapers. I've been asking Major Sharpe constantly whether they made any inroads on the diplomatic front, but so far Confederacy Diplomatic Corps had been very reticent about sharing any official news. As far as Sharpe could determine through the back-room talk, Confederacy diplomats were having very little success negotiating with Reapers about anything other than a non-aggression pact. It was very bad news for me. There was simply no way that the Confederacy would get involved in a war with the Reapers, unless the machines fired first. Unfortunately, I knew that Sovereign, Harbinger and the rest of their merry band of artificial creeps were way too smart for that. They could easily calculate the odds of fighting a war against a polity that spanned tens of thousands of worlds in multiple universes, which could use their starships to jump in and out of combat at moment's notice via dimension hopping.

All things considered, I wasn't very surprised that the Confederacy diplomats had such trouble negotiating with the Reapers. The machines, for all their sophistication and advancement were relatively simplistic in their programming. They wanted to preserve the intelligent life in the Galaxy and the only way to do that (according to their code) was to melt the people down to make another Reaper. They didn't accept any half-measures, and they would not resign from their crusade. I had no doubt that the existence of the Multiverse Confederacy threw them out of the loop for some time, but it would not make them back down on their harvest, especially if they knew that the Confederacy would not intervene. The Confederacy diplomats were probably at fault as well – they were civil servants used to compromise and back-door political agreements. Reapers with their all-or-nothing philosophy left no room for manoeuvre. The only thing the Confederacy negotiators could do was to threaten a war, but if the Reapers were aware that these were empty threats, they would not back down. Confederacy diplomats were unhappy with the situation, but they had no way to circumvent that roadblock.

Meanwhile, I was scheduled to take part in a large scale tactical exercise with the 3rd Battalion and elements of the Confederate Armed Forces stationed on this planet. The exercise was codenamed Lightning Rod and I was nominated by Galtieri to be a Team Leader during the next patrol. Our task was simple – traverse heavily forested area in a stealthy manner toward our objective, scouting enemy positions and keeping our forces updated on them. Opposing Force's had the opposite goal, which was to hold out their heavily entrenched positions and eliminating all infiltrators – our patrol among them. I was very excited, but also apprehensive at the task ahead and I took time to familiarize myself with the terrain, equipment and my team.

My second in command would be a veteran of the Confederate Army and Security Branch Tactical Squads, Sergeant Major Caleb Aberswythe. He was an imposing, dark-skinned gentleman with the manner of a British squaddie, albeit a cultured one. I'd met him a couple of times during my previous training exercises and learned to depend on him when the situation got rough. He always kept a level head, even in the most strenuous situations and was a trusted SNCO who had served with Major Sharpe and Captain Galtieri before. At first he treated me like a pest, but as I decided to simply shut up and do as I'm told and he slowly warmed up to me. He learned that I would only protest his orders if I had a valid reason to do so, thus we slowly built up a mutual respect and rapport. As with the British Army, the Confederate military and Security Branch tended to place freshly-minted officers with veteran NCO's who would teach them military craft as well as discipline the enlisted soldiers.

Initially I was surprised, that so many people in the 213th Infiltration Brigade knew each other, but as Aberswythe explained this unit was created for the sole purpose of infiltrating and possibly subverting the Mass Effect universe (or should I say - Sub-verse F-Out number 524) and that would require perfect unit cohesion, knowledge of military and External Affairs Bureau procedures and a core of veterans, which would keep it all together.

I was pouring over the holographic maps in one of the training rooms, when I noticed the door open. Captain Galtieri and Sergeant Aberswythe entered the room – when they were together, they always seemed to be goose-stepping. I stood at attention and saluted both men, which they returned. We all sat down at the conference table and Aberswythe asked.

"What are you doing up here so late, Officer Cadet?"

"I'm just preparing for tomorrow's exercise, Sergeant." I responded promptly

"Are you nervous, Dubois?" that was Galtieri. He seemed amused for some reason.

I decided to be honest about this for once. The fact was that I was a nervous wreck. I really wanted to brave it through, but I knew that if I don't spill the beans now it will only get worse as time went by.

"Yes sir. I operated under the impression that I would only be responsible for myself during the course of my deployment. But now it turns out that I will be putting others in the harm's way."

I shook my head in disbelief.

"I can't believe I'm doing it, sir." I admitted reluctantly "I don't think I can stomach the idea of leading someone else to their death." I shrugged "I don't care if I die, because in all honesty I have nothing to live for here, but the others…" I trailed of.

Aberswythe watched me with a serious expression, while Galtieri responded. He sounded weary.

"There is no way around it, Dubois. You will need to learn to shoulder the responsibility someday. Unfortunately, for you that day is tomorrow. That is the burden of command, Officer Cadet. Once the training is done, you will be promoted to an officer yourself and will be required to make tough decisions. Others will look up to you and you need to be up to that task."

I looked at both veterans with guarded expression.

"Does it get any easier, sir?"

"No, it doesn't," answered Aberswythe. "But I'll be there with you all the way, Dubois."

It took me a while to learn why armies around the world treasured their NCO's as much as they did experienced officers. These tough men and women were truly the salt of the earth. Their calm and steadfast presence helped the junior officers immensely, while their experience, level-headness and courage could salvage even the most hopeless situation and bring the soldiers home. While the Security Branch analysts found no need for me to serve with a proper, senior NCO Galtieri arranged for Aberswythe to take me unofficially under his wing. I trusted Galtieri's judgment and respected the veteran Sergeant Major. For that reason Aberswythe's simple statement was enough to calm me down.

I stood up from the table and saluted both men.

"Thank you, sir. Sergeant." I nodded at Aberswythe. "Permission to be dismissed?"

Galtieri returned my salute and said.

"Granted."

I did a crisp about-face and left the training room.

A/N: That's the first part of Chapter 4. The next one will cover the military exercise.

Have a good one!

RosoMC