Merely Performs the Duty of its Office:
ME:1-ME:2 Bridge
Chapter 1
In the ornate throne room in the Chapter Keep of the Knights of the Storm on the planet of Matanuska meets the leaders of the Imperilis Secondus of Man. It's Master, Horus of the Second Legion, is currently looking over a holographic projection of the Milky with his inner circle. To his immediate right sits Zephyrus, the first captain of his legion of Astrates. On his left sits Lord Solar Hoeth clad in the ornate uniform of His Most Divine and Honorable Imperial Navy. Around them sits representatives from the rest of the Imperial Government. They are here to discuss the next stage of their crusade.
"It has taken one year for us to conquer the formerly named Neamen Abyss now Segmentum Tempestus. We have accomplished because we were underestimated and the Abyss held no real foe. The Batarians though weak and craven are still a unified empire with a large and trained military will not to our forces so easily. Plus I have made us enemies of the Citadel and their armies. We also need time to organize and streamline Segmentum Tempestus and the Hephaestus Forge System." States Horus.
"Milord," starts Fabricator-General Tyr, "I need more skilled workers. While the servitors and labor I have are sufficient enough, I need more Magos and Engiseers with knowledge and aptitude with machines to expand."
"Are there not enough from the freed slaves?" asks Lord Marshall August Drake "Even the Xenos when properly motivated are shaping well to the life of service and sacrifice of the Guard."
"No Lord Drake there are not." Replies Tyr with what could pass as annoyance in his mechanically altered voice. If I don't skilled works and soon the Mechanicus will not meet its obligations to the Imperium. I will not be the first Fabricator-General since Kelbor-Hal to fail the Imperium in such a magnitude."
"Sirs if I may?" asks Inquisitor Lawson. She is representing the Illusive Man at this meeting. The Lord Inquisitor is busy playing king maker in Alliance and recreating his black operations teams. Seeing Horus nod the table shifts their harden gazes on their youngest member. "The Quarians could provide us with the necessary skills. They also have problems with the Council."
"I agree," Ignis buts in, "The Council treats them like shit and so does most of the galaxy. Offer them some new ships and a mountain of dead geth and we will some of the best engineers and tech-priests boring us all with chants in binary praising Omnissiah while changing a light bulb." His remark was meet with soft chuckles and a glare from Tyr.
"Very well," says Horus happily, "Tyr have your retinue meet me and Lord Hoeth on the Asgardia in thirty minutes. We will take a battlegroup to meet with these Quarians and convince them to walk in my Father's light. Hoeth have you and your men be on their best behavior. No unwarranted killing."
"Yes Sir."
"By the Will of Omnissiah."
"Good then dismissed." Commands Horus pleased with the outcome of this meeting. "Inquisitor stay for a moment." He waits for Miranda to retake her seat. "You will be joining us on this mission. I hope you a point of contact with the Quarians. Also let the Council know of this meeting. We will force the Quarians to join or face the combined might of the Council." As Horus continues to outline his plan he becomes less pleased and jovial but cold and cruel. His lips twist into a razor sharp line, his posture predatory, and his eyes gleam with barely suppressed power.
"I will at once Milord," Miranda replies after swallowing a shudder of fear. "I have the prefect contact as well. A Quarian named Adar, Adar'Kiral vas Honorata."
"Set up the meeting and prepare a briefing on him. You are dismissed."
A few hours later Horus sitting in his state room aboard the Asgardia places the date-slate with Adar's bio down. It seems that he a great hatred for the Citadel and their restrictive outright hateful policies regarding their race. He has suffered greatly at the hands of C-Sec. He will make an excellent point of contact for the Inquisition to arrange a meeting.
One Month Later:
By the Grace of the Golden Throne.
Inquisitional Missive Ordo Xenos
Ward Scheme: Omnissiah Primaris Aquila
To: Warmaster's Council
From: The Most Holy Inquisition
Subject: Mission details and Aftermath of Quarian Enlightening
Classification: Magenta
Summary:
Inquisitor Lawson in response to the growing need for an expanded Mechanicus proposed a meeting with the Quarians. A xenos with engineering skills similar to that of the Jokaero Weapon smith. The mission was accepted and a battlegroup consisting of the revered Asgardia, two battlecruisers, ten standard cruisers, twelve destroyers, and thirty frigates to ensure the protection of the blessed Son of the Emperor, Warmaster Horus and the sanctity of the negotiations. As per the Warmaster's directives Quarian Adar'Kiral vas Honorata was contacted along with the nearest rogue Spectre, determined by Ordo Archive restriction level Vermillion, Tela Vasir.
Outcome:
Successful recruitment of Quarians.
Accused Citadel of attempted Genocide
Capture of Xenos Vasir
Beginning Hunt for Shadow Broker
Established the power of Inquisition
Details: Recruitment
Throne Agent Taylor meet with Adar on Citadel. Adar is presented with a data-slate containing the authenticated death certificates of the ganger boss that resulted in his sister's death and the C-Sec agent who imprisoned him. These were given as a show of faith and goodwill, (Also used for testing the ability of newly recruited Vindicare Assassin Garrus Varkain and Death Cultist Thane Krios). Adar was rightfully pleased and contacted the Quarian Admirals to arrange a meeting.
A week later the two fleets meet in a neutral zone between the Terminus Systems and Citadel Space. The Quarians, as all xenos should, were awed and terrified by the sheer might and majesty of the Imperium's Battlegroup and their leader the Warmaster. The Quarians had no choice in the face of the manifested will of the God-Emperor but to accept a meeting. Horus arrived on the Quarian warship Fortus, one the few surviving cruisers from the Mourning War.
The thunderhawk gunship flares its blocky bulk and lands with a grace thud. The front ramp lowers with a loud metallic clang! Thump…Thump…red eyes glow in the dark…thump the honor guard of Lord Horus emerges. The assembled xenos cringe in terror. As the Knights of the Storm stand as imposing statues another figure emerges. Warmaster Horus, his grey eyes alight with excitement. His short black cut in a tight buzz. His deep blue terminator armor gleams in the ambient light. He towers over everyone, his presence fills the crowded hangar bay.
"Admirals I, Warmaster Horus Primarch and leader of the Imperilis Secondus, thank you for granting me this audience. I hope you will come to see and embrace the teachings and light of my Father, the God-Emperor of Man and Master of the Galaxy, by joining us." With his greeting over the Admirals and Horus adjourn to a conference room to begin.
"My demands are simple. We require your people's expertise in the arcane art of techno-sorcery. We offer you the protection of the Imperium, gene-therapy to enhance your immune systems, the genocide of the Geth, and the inevitable reconquest of Rannoch. You just need to join us and swear your loyalty and your soul to the service of the God-Emperor of Man. If choose not any future interactions will take into consideration this dismissal honored Admirals."
As the two parties continue their talks a small mercenary fleet enters the systems and proceeds at battle speeds toward the Flotilla. Over all vox channels the leader introduces herself as Spectre Tela Vasir and has been directed to arrest any members of the Imperium and their allies.
Details: Accuse Council of Genocide
Septentrio linking with the remaining astropaths harnesses and using their combined psychic might plants several commands for Vasir to order her ships, while outnumbered still very powerful vessels, to attack the Liveships thus dooming the Quarians as a race. Vasir than broadcasts her orders to arrest the Imperium members present, their ships, and the Quarian admirals so proper punishments can be levied. Lord Solar Hoeth rightly told the pathetic Xeno off. This action triggered Septentrio's hidden command. Vasir then stated that the Quarian people should now consider themselves enemies of the Council and the Citadel. Several of her ships then opened fire at the Quarians, damaging several. Her own vessel did a micro-FTL jump and appeared next to the Liveship Rayya and opened fire with its cruiser grade arsenal.
The battlecruiser Lance Held High jumped into the path of the projectiles saving the Liveship while Hoeth Teleported several squads of Kasrkin and a unit of four Terminators to take Vasir captive.
Details: Capture of Xeno Vasir
Hoeth and the imperial vessels quickly with the use of their energy weapons reduce Vasir's fleet to ash seconds after they opened fire. The assault teams quickly wiped out the entire crew of Vasir's ship and transported ported her to an awaiting shuttle for later interrogation by Ordo Xenos.
The Kasrkin secured the mass effect core and the engineering spaces with no losses. Several injuries were sustained from biotic attacks. Injured troopers will recover within a few days. While they rigged the ship for remote destruction the Terminators tore a bloody path to the bridge. All resistance was crushed with ruthless efficiency. Ave Imperator.
Through saving the Liveship Rayya and the other promises Horus made the Quarians have decided to embrace the teachings of the Emperor. His word be praised. Along with the lessons and skills of the Mechanicus. The Emperor's Guidance bless us all.
Details Shadow Broker:
An initial scan of Xenos Vasir's mind discovered her solid connection to the Shadow Broker. Confirming Inquisitional Archive data. Also that she has very strong and resilient mental barriers. Torture and interrogation planned for her when she is placed in Watch Fortress Cronos.
The acquiring of the Broker's assets is major Inquisitional goal to expand the covert operations of the Imperium. In addition it will allow us to better deal with threats to the Imperium. Additional Agents are being tasked with dealing with the Broker.
Details: Established the power of Inquisition
Since the original Alliance with Horus the Inquisition has constructed a single 2km long dreadnaught it has been renamed (place holder). This ship under the command of Lady Inquisitor Lawson discovered the planet where the mercenary band originated from and delivered Imperial Justice to it.
The planet was bombarded from orbit and half the survivors were condemned to Arco-flagellation and let loose on the other prisoners. The planet was then turned into an asteroid field via Exterminatus. The whole process was broadcasted over the extranet. Not one living thing was spared.
Report ends. Further information is sealed by the Order of the Inquisition.
The Emperor Protects.
Author Note: This Chapter and the next three all deal with the Inquisition.