CHAPTER FOUR

It had been month since Kar'shan mission, Kai leng was now in his final stages of recovery his physical therapy had gone well and now he was in the special variable gravity training room that allowed workouts to be done at normal to three times Earth gravity, an intense regiment that all Cerberus solders and operative now were subject to. Kai leng's omni tool flashed from an incoming call as he was doing some pull ups it was the Illusive man.

"Hello Kai good to see you ,I'm glad your recovery went well, come up to my office we have to talk" said the Illusive man.

Kai patted down himself his nearby towel , put on a clean shirt and made his way to the Illusive man's office. Kai leng could see through the large viewing window that the station was now orbiting a sub-dwarf star that emanated a blueish purple hue. The Illusive man stood looking out at the view while swirling a glass of Brandy.

" Glad you could make it, The footage you recovered was troubling to say the least, our analysts have projected terrifying numbers for the Reaper fleet that is arriving from dark space and invading Batarian colonies all reports count hundreds of thousands ships, even if the galaxy was united a conventional battle would be a losing proposition. Refugees have already began showing up on even the Citadel. It seems the entire Hegemony was under control of the Reapers by the invasion as evidenced by their disorganized response. I do have some good news however , we have infiltrated C-sec and Councilor Udina will co operate in seizing the Citadel fleet we have even recently taken Omega from Aria thanks to General Petrovsky, our assets are growing daily, however we need a way to secure ourselves against the Reaper's most powerful weapon namely Indoctrination."

The Illusive man used his omni tool to bring up the haptic computer interface in his office

"Dr Henrey Lawson has theorized a process for mapping out Reaper to husk communication methodology he believes he can find a vulnerability in Reaper communication allowing us to exploit it, we have constructed a facility on Horizon to reach that end but sacrifices will have to be made, the first mission will be to free many of our operatives captured during the recent raids by the Turian Hierarchy, they are being held in a High security prison on Cyrene a small colony world in the Terminus systems, The second will be to abduct the colony population"

Kai leng's expression turned to one of confusion

" Abduct the entire colony? How will that be even possible"

"I have initial plans, Cyrene is a small colony with a total population of around five thousand consisting of largely automated farms and automated factories the alliance maintains a small base with about fifty personnel to provide protection for the citizens from pirates and slavers. We have a small amount of the serum from the remains of the seeker swarms that the collectors used to subdue their victims our chemists have converted it to gaseous form a squad of fighters have been outfitted with the solution it will be used to incapacitate the bulk of the colony's population . You and Cory can handle the tactics of the operation she will be in her room"

The Illusive man looked some what distraught, operations like these and the reality of the arriving Reapers weighed heavily on him.

Kai leng made his way to Cory's room. the Illusive man allowed his agents full autonomy over their personal quarters a fact highlighted by the appearance of Cory's room which would have seemed unusual for a normal twenty seven year old woman. The walls were painted with a bright pink and an assorted stuffed animals were scattered all around as Cory sat on her bed hugging a small stuffed dog and watching some cartoon on her large monitor.

To say she was Kai leng's opposite would have been the understatement of the century. "Hello Kai, you look well" she said in a somber tone as she turned off the monitor.

"What's on your mind Cory" asked Kai seeing the telltale signs that something was wrong he wasn't exactly a sympathetic person but was going to attempt to console her.

"I keep these hearing voices since I got these implants. I think the Reapers may be trying to control me like Grayson, In the end the Reapers had twisted his will to be their obedient pawn" replied Cory her voice breaking up and filled with terror.

"Remember Miranda ? the one who led the Lazarus project to bring back Shepard after the collectors destroyed the first Normandy. Her father is working on a defense for that our next mission will play a key part" said Kai attempting to calm her as he opened the mission files on the room's large monitor.

"We will have to kidnap the colony of Cyrene and free the Cerberus operatives arrested in the Turian raids"

Cory's expression changed from one of sadness to anger and confusion "Kidnapping a colony ? this is not what Cerberus stands for, what happened to being humanity's shield and sword this is a far cry from testing weaponized Thresher maws on a few Mairnes or Biotic experiments on a few kids, this is an entire colony Kai, you have to see this goes too far !" Cory clearly did not approve of this mission.

"We have to be able to fight against Indoctrination, the colonists will be used to run tests at a new facility somewhere in the terminus systems this is the only way we know of so far" Kai said attempting to justify the atrocity.

"This better be worth it Kai, we've done some nasty stuff but this... " Cory said pointing to the monitor.

" It will, and humanity will be all the better for it." replied Kai.

"When is the mission ?"

"Tomorrow, let's go work out and then get some rest"

The station was alive with activity, almost all operatives not previously assigned were being ferried via shuttles to the the two Carriers and light frigate headed for Cyrene. Kai Leng and Cory boarded a UT-47 drop shuttle headed for the Athena Carrier. There were six Troopers, two Nemesis snipers a two Phantom combat operatives already on board none had on their helmets and they all greeted Kai Leng and Cory with curt nods. The Shuttle door closed as they boarded and disembarked the Chronos station the virtual windows of the shuttle presented a spectacular view of the entire Cerberus fleet against the immense beauty of the expanse of space.

"Do you know were Mara is?" Kai asked Cory.

"She is following Dr. T'soni , Shepard's Asari friend, something about a countermeasure against the Reaper fleet she's been running all across the galaxy from Quana to Feros she said she was going to Kaje ,the Hanar home world the last time we spoke"

"Approaching the Athena" said the pilot as the neared the shuttle bay of the massive carrier.

The shuttle doors opened as the craft docked and Kai leng and Cory were greeted by a Trooper in full armor.

"Kai leng ,Cory Kim. General Chang is waiting for you both in the stragety room on the combat information center deck where he will brief you on detailed mission specifics, I will show the way" said the Trooper

The Carrier's shuttle bay held twelve shuttles easily and also boasted a hangar bay that held six UF-21 Trident Fighter jets able to fly in both space and atmosphere. The ship also was outfitted with six Thanix cannons and twelve Disruptor torpedo bays and equipped with modified Silaris Armor making it far more powerful and durable than any Alliance vessel of the same class. The trooper led Kai and Cory to the ship's elevator. After a brief wait the elevator doors opened revealing the CIC. Eight officers had their own terminals each an officer tasked with critical administration of ship resources and were stationed around an oval shaped table that had a large holographic display projected in the center showing the various sections of the ship and their respective damage levels, power output, weapons status and life support signs.

"This way, General Chang is in the Strategy room" said the trooper as he stood at a door to the back of the room .General Chang a man of Oriental descent was surrounded by six Centurion soldiers in shielded armor all commanders of the squads that would be carrying out the operation. The strategy had a large cylindrical holographic projector in the center with analysts at various computer terminals monitoring government and some civilian communication going to and from Cyrene

"Kai , Cory Glad you could join us. Good that you have fully recovered Kai and I hope you can keep up with the rest of the team until your special implants are ready" said the General. The ship lurched forward as all operatives were now onboard even with inertial dampeners Kai leng could feel the slight movement as the drive core was engaged and the ship started to move.

"Okay Gentlemen and Lady this operation will have to be executed with precision we have to take out communications buoys and power stations so there will be no chance of off world reinforcements as the Alliance does maintain a presence in the star cluster". The General tapped his omni tool displaying the corresponding demonstrations on the room's holographic console.

"Four teams will be deployed planet side. the first team will land at these coordinates and destroy the power station that will disable the prison's anti aircraft defenses while the second will take a fighter squadron and do a fly over along this path deploying a paralytic solution harvested from the remnants of the collector swarms the third team will land at these coordinates and recover the colonists. Kai leng and Cory will lead a team to liberate the prisoners at the Alliance correctional facility at these coordinates, unfortunately we don't have enough of the paralytic solution to use on the prison plus the wind speeds at the prison would make it unusable outside the facility so your teams will have to do this the hard way expect heavy resistance Intel says the facility is guarded by a total of fifty alliance Marines capture any of them too if possible. An Engineer will help you enter the facility and provide support, Cory, Kai you will both command a team of two troopers, two guardians two nemesis snipers and two phantoms if things get dicey you will be able to call for an orbital drop of an Atlas Mech we need a field test anyway. You all have your orders we will arrive at the colony in about four hours, Dismissed "

Kai leng and Cory made their way to the crew deck to plan the details of their mission and meet with the team. The mess hall was the ideal area for such a task. they were already waiting at a table when Cory and Kai arrived. Cory opened the map of the prison on her omni tool got strait to business.

" Okay everyone Intel says the perimeter is guarded by ten alliance solders, four sentry towers each with snipers serve as lookouts at the corners of the fence the inner area is patrolled by six guards armed with modded m 8 avenger rifles we will strike soon after the power is cut" said Cory.

"I've used tranquilizer darts before but those would be useless against armored Alliance Marines the shots would have to be precisely aimed we'll need a way to use a small dose of tranquilizer to immobilize them any suggestions" said Kai leng.

" I can modify The m-28 raptor sniper rifles used by our Nemesis ladies reducing the stopping power and adding a delivery system to the ammunition for the drug unfortunately the mechanism cannot work on smaller caliber weapons, as for the remaining guards with the power cut and the AA guns down I can have a small fleet of armored combat drones ready by the time we arrive they can fire bullets and rockets confusing the guards while Jana and Alexis take the shuttle and drop in, our usual smoke cover won't work as the winds at the prison are brutal year round but their tactical cloaks will allow them to slip in and deliver the drug, " said Hector McDermott a man of Caucasian descent, Jana and Alexis the Phantom operatives both Latina women ,the troopers , guardians and Nemesis snipers all nodded in agreement.

"Good Idea, Hector gather what you need to make it happen, the power failure will leave the prison defenses in disarray they have a small generator for powering the electromagnetic locks on the prisoner cells and the surveillance system Kai leng can take a team of Guardians and Troopers to disable it once the area is secure Hector can gain access and disable their magnetized locks. ETA is about four hours team let's get it done" said Cory

The colony of Cyrene was having another relatively peaceful day for a colony in the Terminus systems that is. The small town school educated children from grades K to 12 was at full attendance while their parents were busy at work tending the automated farming machinery that grew their crops , working the mines, or guarding alliance prisoners and securing the colony. The peace was however was broken when the assault began with a simultaneous attack by both Cerberus carriers and a light frigate on the three comm buoys in the system instantly cutting off all off world communications a small Ut 47 Kodiak shuttle carrying six troopers and two engineers then made their way the hydro electric power plant were they successfully infiltrated the facility and incapacitated the unarmored staff with tranquilizers they then proceeded to destroy the six power generating turbines cutting off all power to the town. Both the Athena and Persephone carriers then deployed a squadron of twelve fighters all carrying a paralytic payload in tow, the fighter jets arrival was heralded bay loud sonic booms as entered low atmosphere over the small developing town and deployed the gas, the five thousand residents were instantly frozen in place, upon conformation shuttles were deployed to begin ferrying the incapacitated colonists back to the carriers, with the power off and the "colony kidnap" underway the Alliance prison was now vulnerable marking the beginning of Kai Leng and Cory's mission.

A Ut-47 shuttle carrying Kai leng, Cory Kim, and their team was now in route to the prison in what seemed like a normal approach when the prison's anti air craft weapons targeted the shuttle and with a salvo of rocket fire depleting the shields. the pilot shuttle was caught completely off guard by power still operation at the prison and barely began to maneuver when the attack started he quickly reduced the shuttle's altitude aiming fro a nearby clearing in the forest below.

"I'll have to land the shuttle the kinetic barriers can only take so much" said the pilot

The shuttle pilot landed in a small clearing about half mile away from the prison while dodging the shells from the anti aircraft guns. The prison over fifty miles away from the small colony town in an endless jungle, if somehow prisoners escaped ,the exotic fauna of Cyrene or the distance from any civilization would surely kill them. Leng's team would have to cross that and figure out how to retrieve the prisoners without getting killed. Kai Leng contacted the General.

"General Chang the prison still has power the AA guns forced us down, care to explain" said Leng.

"What ! All the turbines at the power station were destroyed, Intel guys must have dropped the ball ... Ok it seems that the prison has gotten a set of higer capacity generators recently that have been powering the anti aircraft guns along with the security systems. The situation has changed retrieve the high priority targets casualties are acceptable, I'll have an ATLAS mech on standby call if you need it"

"We'll get it done just be ready with two shuttles for extraction" said Leng

"Okay everyone situation has changed, looks like the AA guns still have power they will blow us out of the sky if we approach. Lana, Alexis you two with me we'll use our tactical cloaks to get close to the guards at the front of the prison and dispatch them, Snipers use the trees to get a good vantage point and take out as many guards on the perimeter as you can, Hector have your drones destroy the two AA guns at the front that will allow us to call for an ATLAS to dispatch any of the renaming forces our shuttle can then land Kai , the Troopers and guardians will skirt around the back and destroy the generators while we occupy their forces. Since we landed so far we'll have to move through half mile of jungle before we can get to prison."Ordered Cory.

Streaks of sunlight illuminated the foliage under the canopy and powerful winds kicked as the team entered the jungle, in contrast to the the green plants on Earth, much Cyrene's flora had dark blue leaves , the sounds of various animals filled the area. The team made their way slowly through the jungle still on alert as reports stated that lethal animals inhabit the jungle, That moment a quadruped with purple fur leapt from a nearby tree and attacked a trooper it clawed and scratched at his armor trying to dispatch the invader to no avail the trooper grabbed the animal and flung it to the ground and crushed it's skull on his boot.

"What the HELL was that ?" asked the surprised trooper.

"Who knows, looks like a purple cheetah" replied a guardian.

That moment a multitude of the animals previously hidden in the vegetation of the forest started to rush the team their armor made the attacks ineffective but having hundreds of the animals attack was a massive annoyance, in the confusion Hector brought up his omni tool while fighting off the small animals unsuccessfully trying to end him, luckily he had researched the Cyrene lynx and had downloaded an audio recording of their natural predator and put it on loud speaker the animals quickly dispersed.

"What would we do with out you Hector" said Cory

"You would manage" replied Hector humbly.

The team pushed on and with a few minutes the front of prison was in view , located in a clearing the two story building was encircled by a 12 foot chain link perimeter fence with four sentry towers and AA guns at each corner. Twenty alliance solders were patrolling the lawns of the prison.

The two snipers used tactical cloaks to get into position in some nearby trees with thick leaves they immediately started taking out guards on the perimeter one by one with paralytic darts , Hector launched four steel armored drones in sets of two to attack the AA guns simultaneously the auto targeting system destroyed two of the incoming drones but were destroyed in turn by the remaining drones this was enough clearance for Cory to call in an ATLAS mech due to the fact the the remaining guns were only able to turn 180 degrees making them unable to target the mech. The twelve foot piloted white bipedal vehicle made a earth shaking thud as it landed from orbit, it's mass effect field reduced it's mass and built in thrusters fired, slowing it down and protected it from the fall. All the guards on the perimeter were now rushing to the front of the compound in an attempt to destroy the powerful mech that had landed giving Cory and the Phantoms a chance to enter the yard by easily cutting through the fence using their mono molecular blades they popped some smoke grenades for some cover but the heavy winds made it a waste so they joined the fray. An alliance guard fired at Jana but her biotic barrier held as she injected a dose of paralytic drug through his abdomen he staggered and fell to the ground. Cory easily incapacitated a nearby guard while Alexis injected the leg of another the ATLAS pilot was firing 30mm gunshots at a squad of guards as they attempted to bring down the powerful kinetic shields but failed as the guns easily tore them apart, within ten minutes all the guards on the perimeter had been killed or incapacitated, the prison doors then opened and another twenty guards surged out, the ATLAS pilot fired an explosive artillery shell killing the five guards on the front line while Sniper fire incapacitated another four as they made their way forward. Cory, Jana and Alexis after a few seconds of cooldown activated their tactical cloaks to close the distance between them and the squad of guards they incapacitated the second squad one by one until their cloaks ran out of power a nearby guard shot Alexis twice at point blank range with her modified M-22 eviscerator shotgun disrupting her barrier and ripping through her light armor killing her instantly. Jana then ran her blade through the guard's chest killing him for quick 's drones now fully repaired easily dispatched the remaining guards.

Kai leng two troopers and two guardians used the massive cluster fuck taking place at the front of the compound to skirt around and enter the rear entrance Kai leng cut through the perimeter fence with his blade and the team made their way the twelve kilo volt generator a trooper set some shaped charges and ten seconds later the large BOOM of the resulting explosion sent shrapnel flying about. The base and the remaining AA guns were now powerless. The team made their way to the back door lead by a guardian, Kai leng was impressed that both Guardians were able to carry their sixty pound armored riot shields so far without any effort a benefit of their implants. the guardian opened the door and began shooting at guards on the second floor of the split level prison his shield effortlessly soaking up the return fire until a Biotic pull field ripped the riot shield from the Guardian in front sending it falling to the mess hall below. The remaining guards opened fire ripping through his armor and killing him instantly.

"Get to cover" shouted Kai Leng to the rest of the team that had been taking advantage of the cover the riot shield of their now fallen squad mate had two remaining troopers ran past their teammate's body and ducked behind a rectangular steel plated section of the nearby guard rail while the remaining Guardian continued to move forward firing his talon handgun at the remaining guards. They were on the second floor of the prison and the Biotic guard guard had taken cover in the prisons control room across directly in front of the team's position wating on his Biotics to cooldown, he was most likely the warden of the facility. Kai Leng fired his m-25 hornet sub machine gun into the room shattering the glass causing the Warden the break cover to try and deploy another Biotic attack but Kai leng used his Omni tool to send out a wireless electrical overload that disrupted the wardens Biotic barrier distracting him causing his warp field to miss, the remaining guardian continued a slow walk toward the walk way where four other guards opened fire but failed to penetrate the power bullet resistant riot shield he was carrying he opened fire on the warden drawing his focus from the team.

"OPEN FIRE" shouted Kai Leng.

The assault troopers fired on the unprotected warden instantly killing him. That moment Cory's team entered the prison from the first floor followed by four of hector's drones all aimed at the remaining guards.

"Why don't you guys just surrender we are only here for a few worthless prisoners they are not worth your lives and you have clearly lost, just go home to your family and friends" said Kai Leng Attempting to manipulate the reaming guards.

"WE SURRENDER" a guard shouted dropping his weapon and raising his arms, the remaining guards followed suit realizing that the battle had been lost. Twenty six of the forty soldiers that attempted to prevent the intruders from entering the prison lay dead outside, the rest had been neutralized by the tranquilizing sniper fire. The team secured the remaining nine guards using zip ties in order to not have them try to escape as they were dosed with the paralytic drug. Kai leng then went to the command room now that the facility was secured the first order of business was to find and release the Cerberus operatives, a total of twenty tacticians and leaders. Their locations were stored on the dead warden's omni tool Kai leng retrieved them and gave the information to Hector as The electro magnetic locks had to be disabled as they still held enough magnetic charge though the power was cut.

The Cerberus prisoners all assembled in the prison's mess hall as they were freed and gathered around a single table while Cory Kim made her way to Vice Admiral nelson who was seated in the middle of the group, a man of Caucasian descent with ginger hair and a freckled face in his mid fifties he was the highest ranking of the officers that had been incarcerated during the Turian raid.

"Vice Admiral Nelson good to meet you, I'm Cory Kim, we are here to liberate you. Do you think the rest of the prisoners will join our cause ? Said Cory as she removed her helmet revealing the signs of implantation to the Major.

" We've only been here a few months but none of the prisoners have any love for the Alliance as you probably already know many of the prisoners are here for breaking breaking rules of engagement against those Aliens during various Alliance operations, they will fit right in at Cerberus, If you don't mind me asking what is that on your face " said the Vice Admiral

"Good to hear Vice Admiral, what you see is the next generation of Dr. Nuri's work, most of our operatives have been fitted with varying implants that improve combat efficiency, it is of of the reasons we could take this prison with such a small force" said Cory she then opened a link to General Chang and ordered hector to open the remaining one hundred and eighty cells, the prisoners were indeed cooperative and were eager to join Cerberus as repayment for their liberation.

"General we had two Casualties Jana Lopez a Phantom combat specialist and Thomas Jones but the base is secure send the shuttles, " said Kai Leng

"Good work we will be there shortly" said the General

A fleet of six shuttles soon arrived at the prison along with the shuttle Cory and Kai leng's team had landed on the team boarded . the tranquilized guards were put into stasis pods that rendered them comatose, it was a quick task with the new found help from the now free prisoners. The shuttles then began ferrying them to the carrier in orbit the operation was now complete.

"Can't believe Jana died, I recruited her myself straight out of high school,if that marine was a foot farther away her implants would have allowed her to heal from the shot" said Cory

"Her sacrifice is necessary humanity will survive for it" said Kai.

"Typical Kai Leng, going through the motions with no emotions what so ever, How do you do it ?"

"I... don't" replied Kai

"Never mind a Loki mech would show more remorse for a fallen teammate than you".

Back on the carrier Kai leng,Cory Kim and Vice Admiral Nelson were called to a meeting with General Chang " Amazing work, a service for Jana and Thomas will be held soon, we're are currently on our way to a new facility being set up by Dr. Lawson and Dr. Rotham, viewing windows and location data will be blocked as we cannot have the location known. "

"What kind of facility" asked Vice Admiral Nelson.

"You can get the answer to that when we arrive, for now take a tour of the ship Vice Admiral with Petrovsky on Omega you will soon be in command of the new fleet" said the General.