Hello again, everyone, and welcome back to my Mass Effect - MechWarrior/BattleTech crossover.
Thank you all for your wonderful patience and support. I greatly appreciate it, and the feedback you have provided.
Just so you know, this chapter will receive some edits in the coming days, just in case it doesn't jibe with the rest of the plot as well as I hope it does. Still, I am grateful to have a wonderful beta-reader, and I am also grateful for your wonderful input. You guys are the best.
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New Avalon
Mount Davion
May 15th, 3030
If there was someone that was currently very busy, it was Hanse. The First Prince finished signing yet another document on a noteputer before scrolling the screen to the next one. After taking the time to carefully read the document, he signed it as well, while rejecting the next document that came up.
All of this was due to the fact that he had made history once again. Not only did I sign the treaty that will lead to the formation of the Federated Commonwealth two years ago, I have also done something unprecedented: I have conquered a Great House. That, alone, is a feat worthy of the annals of history.
That brought his mind back to the previous few months that had passed. With the full capitulation of the Capellan Confederation to the Federated Suns came a large acquisition of territory. Numerous worlds in the former Capellan Confederation were laden with rich resources and a brain trust that would prove invaluable to the Federated Suns, and future Federated Commonwealth.
It also meant that there was a lot of power and territory to consolidate. With the oppressive regime that was House Liao destroyed utterly, save for one individual, insurgents and resistance groups loyal to the former regime would do anything to overthrow the rightful rule of the Federated Suns. As such, he had to find people that were loyal to the Federated Suns, and would ensure that the newly formed Sian and Free Worlds Marches, would stay firmly under the Federated Suns control.
Fortunately, for the overarching leadership of the newly formed Marches, there were two candidates for the leadership positions there. He had a choice for the Free Worlds March in place, but he knew who was going to lead the Sian March: Candace Liao herself. In fact, he heard that she had recently changed her name to Candace Allard-Liao, as an indicator of her romantic relationship with Justin Allard.
Either way, confirming her rule over the Sian March is going to be one hell of a headache, Hanse thought to himself as he turned off the noteputer for the day. Looking at the time, he could see that it was already 9 o'clock. Damn, I've been working for a long time, he thought to himself. I need to get some rest.
As he got up, he looked at a photograph that was on his desk. The photograph was that of himself, his wife Melissa, as well as an infant that she was holding in her arms. Hanse smiled at the photograph. That there is my son, he thought to himself. Victor Steiner-Davion.
As he thought of his son, he remembered what Vega had told him about his son, how he had become a consummate warrior, though didn't have the necessary skills required to maneuver through the minefield that was politics. I won't let that happen to him, he thought. Victor will have the skills necessary to survive the minefield of politics, and come out on top.
That thought reminded him of his potential future children, particularly Katherine Steiner-Davion. He could still feel the sting from known that, in another world and another time, she would become a despot and a tyrant that would be overthrown by her brother, Peter Steiner-Davion. It had stung him that his own failure to be a good father there would hamstring his daughter's development if he didn't do something about it. That much was enough for him to begin scheming a plan to save his daughter from that fate.
I will not let that happen to her this time around, should she be born, he thought to himself. I will be a better father. I will raise her to become a woman of the same moral cloth as my wife, Melissa. I will ensure that all of my children are well equipped to survive both the battlefields of war, and the battlefields of politics, while ensuring that they will be good men and woman worthy of being rules of the Federated Commonwealth.
As he thought this through, he heard the phone on his desk chime. Pressing the speaker call button, he asked, "Yes?"
"Sir, I have Dr. Ives and Dr. Alexandria on the line," his secretary said a moment later. "They're requesting that you visit them at NAIS when you have a chance. Apparently, they've made a breakthrough in various fields of research."
"Very well," Hanse nodded. "Inform them I will be there tomorrow. If any other calls come, redirect them to the Privy Council." With that, he went to bed.
. . .
The very next day, Hanse was down at NAIS with the two aforementioned scientists. Dr. Ives and Dr. Alexandria were two of the scientists that had been rescued from Taussen a little over a year ago, courtesy of Shepard's attack on ComStar, and his discovery ComStar's 'Hidden Worlds.' Dr. Ives was a short man, with black colored hair and bright blue eyes, while Alexandria was a little taller than him.
Standing at the test firing range for the campus, he looked at the two and asked, "You wanted to speak with me?"
"Yes," Ives replied, his face serene, while his voice betrayed his excitement. "I've managed, with my team, to make a breakthrough in weapons research. Would you like to know why I was imprisoned?"
"Yes. According to the information that EDI extracted from ComStar's databases, you were captured by ComStar for reverse engineering various weapons technologies. I take it you're demonstrating one that you managed to rediscover, yes?"
"Correct, sir. I was arrested because I managed to work out how to design and build Pulse Laser weapon systems. With my study of the weapons that the Wolf's Dragoons sent to this facility, I was able to figure out how they increased the range of Pulse Laser weapons to that of normal laser weapon systems. It took us about a year, but we managed to create a few prototypes for demonstration. I must also commend your scientists that were here before I came along. They did much of the legwork when it came to reverse engineering Pulse Laser weapons."
Hanse smiled as he heard that. The fact that Ives had done what most considered impossible wasn't too surprising. According to a psychologist, and Ives' family, he'd suffered cranial trauma when he was a younger child, especially to his brain's left anterior temporal lobe. When he'd recovered, he had shown the classic signs of Savant Syndrome, and a test had found that he had retained most of the skills that he would've otherwise lost. The wonders of the human brain, Hanse thought to himself. It's people like him that can quickly figure out how to get something like that right. "So, mind if I see this demonstration?"
"Certainly," Ives nodded. With that, he handed Hanse a pair of darkened classes, with the two, along with Alexandria, putting the glasses on. "We are ready. Begin!"
After a few seconds, Hanse turned his gaze towards the weapons in question. The weapons themselves looked like a ballistic weapon that was attached to a mounting chassis, but with key differences. Instead of an ammunition feeder, there were power cables, data lines and coolant pipes. In addition, he'd seen the focusing lens that would allow the free-electron laser to work properly. A moment later, each one fired in sequence.
Contrary to films, there was no sound when the pulse lasers fired. Instead, Hanse watched as the first one, a Large Pulse Laser, fired a blue beam that became bright blue towards the center. The laser beam seemed to flicker, though in reality, this was because the laser was pulsing so rapidly that the human eye couldn't accurately track it. A moment later, a bright green laser beam fired off, which was the Medium Pulse Laser. Finally, he watched as the Small Pulse laser fired, a thin, bright red beam firing off.
Once the weapons were done firing, he looked at the ranges they had reached, as well as the damage they'd done, courtesy of a camera near the other end of the range. To his surprise, the Pulse Lasers had reached the ranges that were normally associated with Standard Lasers. In addition, the weapons still dealt a considerable amount of damage, if the glowing holes in each metal plate were any indication. "Excellent!" he beamed. "How soon until they're ready?"
"We have a few things to work out still," Ives replied. "We're working with EDI to design a new type of coolant that should help the pulse lasers cool down faster, while also increasing the efficiency of each one. I'd expect these things to exit the prototype phase and enter limited production by early 3031, before entering full production in early 3032."
"What about ER Lasers?"
"We'll work on that once the Pulse Lasers are in limited production. You'll be seeing Clan-spec ER Large Lasers on the market by 3034. Others are working on the PPC weapon systems, and the like. Either way, we're making good progress."
"Good." Turning to Alexandria, he asked, "What about you?"
"Well, I was arrested because I worked out how to produce Endo Steel," Alexandria explained. "Quite minor, actually, especially since others were developing new weapon systems. I was able to recover my notes, courtesy of Shepard and his attack on NAIS. While my assistant and his friends are studying the Endo-Steel that the Wolf's Dragoons were kind enough to donate, I've been working on Ferro-Fibrous Armor. It took me about a year of working out, but I managed to work out how to manufacture the stuff."
"Nice. So, when do you expect us to see Ferro-Fibrous armor on the market?"
"I'd estimate around 3033 in limited quantities, and full production by 3035. The delayed time period is due to the fact that most of the Federated Suns is still getting the infrastructure lost during the Succession Wars rebuilt. I take it that you've directed them to do, yes?"
"That's correct."
"Good. That means that, even if we lose a facility, we'll still have the tech required to make the armor plating. I'll be studying the Ferro-Fibrous that the Wolf's Dragoons sent along. It's dense than Star League-era Ferro-Fibrous and, as a result, takes to shaping better. I've also heard about this Element Zero stuff that Shepard and his team brought along. If we can figure out how to use that stuff to compact the armor further, it'll take up as much room as Standard Armor, but will retain it's protective qualities. Imagine that."
"That I can," Hanse nodded. Already, he could imagine the surprised look of a Clanner upon seeing an Inner Sphere 'Mech with Ferro-Fibrous Armor worthy of the Clans. Looking at his watch, he said, "I'll have to get back to it now. Take care, and good work, all of you. You've done the future Federated Commonwealth a service."
"That we have, and we will continue to do so," Ives nodded. With that, the scientists returned to NAIS, while Hanse went to the DropPad. It was time to get to work.
. . .
Meanwhile, at another planet in the Federated Suns, Mason was currently busy going through various financial reports, from revenue to expenses. So far, from what he could tell, all was well with the Cavaliers, and it was clear that his decision to save up on cash and have some in case of a downturn was a wise idea. Finishing the last report, he looked at the amount of money that they had left.
Eighty million C-Bills in our pockets, he thought to himself. Not bad, not bad at all. It'll be a good reserve of cash in case there's an economic downturn. Plus, with the 'Mechs that we have, the fact we have talented technicians working on them should reduce the costs quite a bit.
As he looked at the financial reports, this mind began to wander back to what he should do, now that the Fourth Succession War was over. It's time to resume pursuing Black Inferno, he thought to himself. They still have to be stopped.
As he thought the matter over, he found that his reasoning for taking on Black Inferno had changed dramatically. For one, while he still wanted revenge for his father's death, he found that it wasn't just him or his father that were suffering. The information that EDI, the Normandy's AI, had retrieved from the Hilton Head HPG Complex told him that numerous colonies were being attacked by Black Inferno.
The reasoning why was simple. Those colonies were situated near Star League facilities that contained large amounts of LosTech. ComStar, as part of Operation HOLY SHROUD, was attempting to capture and/or destroy those facilities to keep the Inner Sphere in a technologically regressed state. Granted, that was a failure, thanks to the recovery of the Helm, Grauss and New Dallas Memory Cores, but they were still making it quite difficult for NAIS to do it's work.
Either way, I know I'm not the only person that is suffering because of ComStar's misguided ideals, he thought to himself. I don't want this entire personal mission to be out of revenge anymore. I want to bring back justice for all of the people that are suffering from Black Inferno's rampages. I won't become the monster that leads them, whoever he or she is.
Either way, he knew that it was soon going to be time to take the fight to Black Inferno, and he needed everyone on board. Hopefully, Garrus'll have recovered from his injuries and be ready to fight once more once we find out what Black Inferno is up to.
He winced as he recalled that particular tidbit of memory. About a week ago, while they were doing a contract for the Federated Suns, Garrus had been injured by shrapnel when an AC/10 shell from a Centurion penetrated the rear armor on his 'Mech. While he'd luckily avoided much of the shrapnel, some of it had embedded itself into his lungs, while breaking the ribs near his spine. Thankfully, they had been able to stabilize him, and Dr. Chakwas had enough of her medical equipment to perform the necessary surgery to remove the shrapnel.
He'll pull through, he thought to himself. Garrus is always like that. If he can survive his world's equivalent of an LRM to the face, he can survive that. Reminds me of a soldier from the first World War on ancient Terra. The Unkillable Soldier as it were.
Walking out of his personal quarters onboard the Cavalier II, he proceeded towards the mess hall, which was where most of the crew was currently gathered. Grabbing himself a few MRE's, he began to get some much needed food. 1PM, he thought as he quietly ate his meal. It's been a busy day.
As he said this, he heard someone coming over to him. Looking over his right shoulder, he watched as Nyreen came over and sat down, a similar meal in her hands. "Hey there," he said, with Nyreen smiling a moment later. "How are the kids?"
"Just fine," Nyreen replied. "Celicia and Nihlus are doing well. Iavalia and Vorenus are being their usual selves, which is just fine. Vorena is currently sleeping."
"That's good to hear." A moment later, he asked what he felt would be an uncomfortable question. "Are you doing alright?"
This time, Nyreen looked at him, her slit green eyes gazing directly at his own. "Can we talk in private?"
"Sure." With that, both of them got up and entered the stairwell. Closing the door behind them, Mason locked the door, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed. "This is as close to private as we can get, aside from my quarters," he told her. "Fire away."
"To be honest, I'm not," Nyreen frowned. Sitting down on a nearby step, she said, "With Garrus confined in the med-bay, I feel as though I'm missing half of my body. I keep dreaming about him as well, mostly of him finally recovering to spend time with me. Is he OK?"
"Yes," Mason replied. "Dr. Chakwas informed me that he's recovering quite quickly. According to her, if he keeps this up, we'll have to start calling him the 'Unkillable Turian.'"
Nyreen sighed happily. "That's a relief." Looking at him, she asked, "Can I be honest with you, Mason?"
"Sure."
"I'm afraid of one thing, Mason. I'm afraid of being alone, and of the kids being alone without a father to spend time with. Garrus means everything in the entire universe to me. He and I are one in a way. Whenever he's around, life is wonderful and enjoyable, but when he's gone, it's sad and dreary. I… I'm afraid that, someday, he won't come back from a mission."
Mason, hearing this, knew exactly why Nyreen was worried. "I know what you mean," he said to her quietly. "You love him, spent time with him… Hell, you've had sex with him, and the two of you deeply love each other, like you're two components of the same being. You're also worried that, if he does, you won't be able to go on in life.
"I know the sensation, Nyreen, because, like you've probably learned by now, I had that happen to me. Losing my father… it was like someone had cut off my arms and legs, before leaving me to die alone."
"Did you ever get over the loss and pain?"
"If I had, I wouldn't have gone after Black Inferno. I can't bring him back, nor can I guarantee that Garrus'll be able to come back safe and sound from a mission, Nyreen. What I can do, however, is ensure that, not only is Black Inferno stopped from causing any more death and destruction, I can also ensure that Garrus has the best chance to come back home, alive and well. That's all I can do."
"I know," Nyreen nodded. A moment later, she seemed to quake, before looking at him, her eyes starting to mist over. "Hold me," she asked.
Mason, sensing what was about to happen, gently took her into his arms, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulders. For a couple minutes, tears streamed down Nyreen's eyes as she quietly cried, her body shaking as she quietly sobbed. Mason did his best to keep his composure, though eventually, he too felt his eyes misting up. A moment later, Nyreen pulled back, before using a handkerchief she kept on her person to dry her eyes. "Feel better?" he asked her.
"Y-yes," Nyreen nodded. "I do. And Mason? …Thanks."
"Anytime," Mason replied. With that, Nyreen unlocked the door and left, but not before she gave Mason a smile. Mason smiled back, while he watched her go back to eating her meal.
A moment later, he looked up to see Shepard walking down the steps. "Thought I heard something," he heard Shepard explain. "Is everything alright in here?"
"Yep," Mason nodded. "All's well down here. I was talking to Nyreen."
"What about?"
"She's worried about Garrus. Remember when that Centurion blasted his 'Mech in the rear armor plating?"
"Yeah, I remember. Wrex got the cocksucker, though he's got some regret that he couldn't keep him covered. Too much fighting going on."
"Well, you can't do everything. Still, Garrus is doing fine, and he, hopefully, will be fully recovered by the time we find out what Black Inferno is up to."
"Me too," Shepard nodded. "It was touch-and-go for a while there. Thankfully, his genetic modifications meant that he could use the same medicines that we humans can without ill effect."
"I agree." Looking around, Mason said, "It's about time that I get back to my duties, Shepard. Take care of yourself, and make sure Wrex is taken good care of too. We need heavy hitters like him."
"Agreed," Shepard nodded. "I'll make sure he's good to go. See you later."
"You too."
. . .
Back at New Avalon, there was someone else that was also working hard to make sure her husband came home safe and sound. Working in one of the many underground offices of MIIO, Liara was processing some reports that had come in on potential threats to the Federated Suns. Taking a sip from some warm coffee, she quickly marked off which ones were nothing to worry about, and which ones were vitally important.
Ever since their arrival in the world they were in now, Liara had thought that her skills as an information broker, and as the Shadow Broker, wouldn't be put to good use. Fortunately, Quintus Allard knew talent when he saw it, and he had definitely seen it when he saw Liara's résumé. It wasn't long before she found herself, once more, in front of a computer screen, with information scrolling over it, working as an agent for MIIO's IGS (Information Gathering Service).
Initially, she had to work with a primitive set-up compared to what she typically used as the Shadow Broker. Recently, breakthroughs in processing power, memory storage and operating systems had allowed for the creation of significantly more powerful computers than what was commonplace throughout the Inner Sphere. While not as powerful as the computers she had used before the incident that had brought her and the Normandy to this newfound Universe, they were definitely a major improvement.
I miss you, Shepard, she thought as she looked at a photograph of Shepard, herself, and her two children. I hope you come home to spend more time with me soon. Still, I will ensure that our children have a future worth looking forwards to.
She was about to take another sip when a knocking was heard on the door. "Come in," she said a moment later. Seconds later, an assistant walked inside, papers in hand.
"These just came in," he told her. "Apparently, the First Prince has an assignment for you."
That had Liara's interest piqued. "Alright," she nodded as she took the files. "Thank you." With that, the assistant left the room, while Liara looked through the files.
Almost immediately, she noticed who they were on. They're not enemies of the Federated Suns, she realized. A moment later, her eyes widened when she saw the photographs. These are Garrus and Nyreen's children. Now why would the First Prince send me dossiers on them? He wouldn't do so without a perfectly good reason.
Fortunately, an answer wasn't long in coming, as she saw an update on her computer's IMS (Internal Mailing System). Opening it, she noticed that it was an IMS straight from the Director of MIIO himself. Apparently, he had gotten a call from Garrus and had directed it her way. Taking a moment, she carefully read what the message said.
After a few minutes, she leaned back in her chair, processing what she'd just read. So that's what all that's about, she thought. Nihlus is requesting training as a MechWarrior, while Celicia requires training in infantry combat, as well as biotic combat. Makes sense. They're getting to the age where Turians generally enter the military.
With that in mind, she knew that she had a few candidates in mind. Nyreen is a Cabal, so she's the natural candidate for training Celicia for biotic combat. I'm a perfectly reasonable biotic myself, so I'm another good candidate. As for infantry combat, that would be one of Ardan Sortek's men. His second-in-command is specially good at that.
As for Nihlus, well… I could have Shepard teach him how to use a 'Mech. Yeah, that'll be best. Plus, he also has Mason to work with, and Mason has all the hallmarks of an excellent 'MechWarrior. They're the best that we can do, and that we have.
With that in mind, she sent a message to Quintus recommending who would be teaching Garrus' kids how to fight. As she did so, another few documents appeared on the IMS. Opening them up, she quickly scanned through each one, before filing them away in various folders.
That also reminded her of another job that Quintus had given her. In addition to sorting through information, she was part of Operation EAVESDROPPER, an operation that Hanse had started up when he learned of ComStar's meddling. The goal of that operation was to bug various HPG's in the Federated Suns, and Lyran Commonwealth, without ComStar knowing about it.
This system of bugs would allow them to find out what ComStar was saying to it's agents, while also assisting the Counterintellgence Division on neutralizing any foreign spies that were posing as legitimate citizens within the Federated Suns. Reminds me of the debacle that Humanity had during the 21st century, when the CIA was accused, and found guilty, of spying on it's own citizens in violation of their Constitution, she thought.
Still, she knew that the work she was doing was of vital importance. All of it had the end goal of not only finding a way back to their home Universe, but to also destabilize and destroy ComStar in an effort to end their tyranny once and for all. It was a noble goal, but she knew she had to be careful. Reminds me of something one human said. 'He who fights monsters should take care not to become a monster himself, and if you stare into the abyss long enough, the abyss stares also into you.' The thing we have to do, is to keep ourselves from blinking, which is far easier said than done.
Either way, she knew she had a goal in mind, and she knew how to accomplish it. With that, she went back to work. There was a lot of information to scrub through, and not a lot of time to accomplish it.