Mass Dragon Effect 1: Shadows of the Past
Chapter 2: The Battle for Eden Prime Part 1
I do not own Dragon Age or Mass Effect; both are properties of Bioware. While Dragon Age Inquisition was above average, it does not hold a candle to Dragon Age Origins.
Beta Reader: Albert
Last Update: 11/13/2021
Location: Edge of Cluster 11533/Dark Space/USS Normandy
Human Date: February 2, 2183
Dark space is a term used to describe the area of empty space between solar systems, black holes, and other celestial bodies. Regions of space that do not have any kind of value, militarily, commercially, or otherwise, are known as dark space. In other words, the perfect zones for secret mobile bases or places to hold private meetings. Much like the one happening between two warships from two different organizations. The smaller warship was a Spirit class frigate from the Citadel Council. A long neck warship with two folding wings, each attached with two engines seen on Human System Alliance and most Federation vessels. The warship was designed with a combination of technology from both the Federation and Citadel forces. Though its exterior design closely resembled the human delta shape and turian avian designs with a long neck.
The second ship had a design that carried through to the second-generation warship made exclusively for the Union of Federations. The same ship that flew in from the Exodus Cluster, the USS Normandy, a Specter class heavy frigate that was the successor to the Spirit class frigate in every form. It was a more powerful warship with a longer neck and a thicker and more substantial body and armor, especially the ship's back end. Which was an oval shape hull instead of the narrow, rectangular shape body. Allowing it to have thicker armor and more space for an increase in its capabilities, including increased carrying capacity of troops and vehicles. A warship dwarfed the Spirit class ship it was connected to via its long docking arms. Arms attached to both the USS Normandy and the Council Ship CSV Spectral.
Outside the airlock, Rear Admiral Anderson, Captain John Shepard, and Commander Jane Shepard waited patiently for their new guest. John stood stiffly in his black dress uniform with the three gold Captain stripes on the sleeve cuffs. Jane was more informal. So informal that it made her brother glared at her vest uniform underneath her open, black uniform, with the Commander's three stripes that were green, the color of a mage soldier. John was not amused.
"Sister, button up your uniform," John ordered.
"Why? I'm not the XO of this ship. I don't even know why I'm here," Jane said with a frown.
"You're needed because I requested it, so please, Jane, try to look professional for me," Anderson pleaded in a warm, grandfatherly smile.
Jane could not fight against such a smile and sighed in defeat as she buttoned up her uniform. "Alright, I'll do it. But if I have to look professional the whole time, I'll scream."
"Don't worry, you'll be back in your armor soon enough," Anderson smiled.
"Part of this mission that you're not at liberty to tell us, sir?" John asked his commanding officer.
"Not at the moment, as this came from my superiors on a need-to-know basis, but I'll promise you'll find out soon," Anderson stated with a small smile.
"Can you at least tell us who we are greeting?" Jane asked.
"Of course, we are greeting a SPECTRE from the Citadel Council," Anderson stated with a slight smirk.
He understood their concern as his two officers looked slack-jawed as they both declared, "What?!"
Before they could question him further, they were forced to stand at attention as the doors opened to reveal a turian SPECTRE standing in front of them. Turians are a species that resembles a cross between birds, such as ostriches and raptors, and dinosaurs, specifically velociraptors. They have physically tough, scaly skin around their hardened head with a flat nose and mouth instead of a beak. Most turians have their skin covered by ceremonial paint, white in this male turian's case. The spines at the back of the head never moved as his green eyes scanned the room before they setter on the three humans before him. He then smiled, flexing his flexible mandibles on each side to show off his sharp teeth under dark brown skin.
The humans looked up as the turian towered over them as he held up his right hand while the other held a military bag over his left shoulder. "SPECTRE Nihlus Kryik, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Anderson took his hand, and the human's five fingers wrapped around the turian's three long fingers, "The pleasure is mine. Welcome aboard the USS Normandy. These are my field officers: Captain John Shepard and Commander Jane Shepard."
"So, these are the legendary heroes of Elysium, most impressive. I've been following your careers since," Nihlus smiled as he turned to Jane. "You, in particular, Commander Jane Shepard, have been of great interest to me. It takes an extraordinary person to rally the populous against an attack. It is also amazing that not only that you survive the attack on Akuze, but you were also able to kill a Thresher Maw on foot."
"I wouldn't have been able to do it without my team, sir," Jane stated with a small blush on her lips.
Nihlus smiled as he looked at Anderson, "Humble too. I see you choose wisely."
"Perhaps, though she can be a pain in the butt when it comes to authority," Anderson joked while Jane pouted.
"Oh, I feel so insulted," Jane stated as she shook her head.
"This is what you get for not acting professionally, Commander," John stated as Nihlus turned his attention to him.
"Ah, Captain Shepard. I can see your reputation is well deserved," Nihlus stated with the turian's equivalent of a raised eyebrow.
"And what kind of reputation is that?" John asked.
"The kind that matches the title the batarians gave you, the Bucher of Torfan," Nihlus stated with a blank stare.
"And that has you concerned?" John asked with a raised eyebrow. "Surprising considering that the SPECTREs have the freedom to do whatever they want as long it's not treasonous against the Council. Including murder, manslaughter, and war crimes, to name a few."
"Just because the law does not interfere with our job doesn't mean some of us are without honor to follow it," Nihlus stated with anger that forced John to back off.
"I'd apologized for insinuating you have no honor," John stated with a neutral tone.
"Well, I think we've talked enough, Nihlus. If you follow me, I will show you to your quarters," Anderson stated toward the turian.
"Thank you, Admiral. I'll think I'll drop off my equipment," Nihlus smiled before he turned to the two younger humans. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Captain, Commander."
The two officers bowed in response as Anderson looked to the cockpit to yell out, "Joker. Cortona and Eliza have the coordinates to our next destination. Once they hand it over, set a course immediately."
The pilot, evident by the purple stripes used to signify the rank of a 2nd Lieutenant (a line and a dash), turned to the purple and green holographic woman. The woman smiled at an unshaven man in a ball cap and a vested uniform before she gave him the coordinates. Lieutenant 2nd Class Jeff "Joker" Moreau scanned the coordinates with his green eyes raised with curiosity. He then turned to his commanding officer to ask, "Um, sir, these coordinates take us back to the Exodus Cluster towards Eden Prime. Are these accurate?"
"They are Joker," Anderson answered before he asked his own question. "Is that a problem?"
"No, sir. But I was wondering if we may take a nearby cluster's Secondary Relay back to the Exodus Cluster rather than the long way," Joker suggested to Anderson. "It should cut our time by quite a few hours and lower our collective boredom."
"Confirmed Mon-Capitan. It would turn a ten-hour trip into a four-hour one," Cortona confirmed.
"Fine, then use the relay, but only to the edge of the solar system. Far enough to allow us to fly in with our stealth system if need be," Anderson ordered as the pilot smirked.
"Aye, aye, Admiral," Joker smirked as he moved away from the small frigate before entering FTL towards the nearby system while John and Jane stared at their commander.
"We're heading to the peaceful garden world Eden Prime with a SPECTRE? A SPECTRE who is not normally allowed in Federation Space? Why?" Jane asked for both siblings as they were both curious about it.
"I'll explain later during a debriefing as we get closer to Eden Prime. I'm sorry I can't tell you more, but all I can say is it's a black opt mission deemed to be need to know," Anderson stated with an explanation. "You'll understand once it's time to reveal it."
John sighed as he stated, "We'll trust your judgment, sir. You have not let us down so far, sir."
Anderson nodded as he led Nihlus through Combat Information Center (CIC). A room filled with crew members sitting down or standing over holographic control panels. They were deep at work, peering into holographic images of the ship in front of a galaxy map. A map that is used to plot a course by commanding officers on top of a platform over the map and crewmembers, rather than in the center surrounded by crewmembers like most Federation ships. The crewmembers watched in silence as the Admiral and SPECTRE reached the elevator and waited for the doors to close before beginning to talk among themselves. Mostly the humans talked as the geth concentrated on their tasks while the few krogans stood guard with their fellow human soldiers.
Among them were John and Jane as they walked into the CIC, "Well, that was interesting. I wonder what our mission is going to be?"
"I don't know. I have a feeling it's going to be bad," John expressed his concerns.
"You're telling me, Captain," stated a bold man with white hair under his chin, lip, and sideburns. A high-ranking officer in a dress uniform with two silver lines and a silver dash stripe to signify the rank of Lieutenant Commander in operations. In this particular officer's case, navigations. "I don't think it's wise to have a SPECTRE onboard, especially a turian."
"Is that a bit of racism I hear in your voice Pressly?" Jane asked without a hint of amusement.
"No ma'am," the Lieutenant Commander quickly replied, as he seemed to glow in embarrassment. "I just have a family history with them. My granddad and father fought in the Human Turian War. Lost some friends during the turian invasion. And lost, even more, when the Council refused to help Earth during the Darkspawn War."
"That was over thirty to forty years ago. You can't blame Nihlus for those events," Jane pointed out.
"I guess not, though I wouldn't trust a SPECTRE, especially a turian," Pressly added in his thick, American Western accent. "We're part of the Federation Navy and answer to the Union of Federations, but Nihlus does not answer to our superiors. In fact, as long as he completes the mission, he doesn't even answer to his Citadel Council, and that is dangerous. I just hope Anderson knows what he is doing by letting a SPECTRE onboard."
"You don't think Anderson is up to the task?" John asked.
"I know he is," Pressly nodded. "He is a veteran from every conflict since the Darkspawn War on Earth and is one of the most decorated Special Forces there is. If he melted all his medals down, he could make a life-size statue of himself at least. I can trust him to keep one turian in line."
"That's good to hear. I would hate to tell the boss you don't trust him on the mission," Eliza stated as she popped up behind Pressly.
The man almost jumped out of his skin in shock while Jane smiled broadly at Eliza, "Nice one, Eliza! Though I hope you don't plan to do anymore sneaking up on our old navigational officer. It wouldn't do Pressly any good if you gave him a heart attack."
John just shook his head as he looked at Eliza, "Where is Cortona?"
"She's in the cockpit, talking with Joker. I now know where she gets her disruptive manners," Eliza stated with a bit of disdain on the AI's face.
"I feel sorry for Kaidan then," Jane stated with a bit of a giggle. "He's at the bridge as acting operations officer."
John bit his lip to prevent a rebuke before he turned to Eliza to ask, "So Lieutenant, are you willing to tell us anything about our mission?"
"Um… nothing except don't expect much fighting as our mission will be a pickup. So-o-o-o-o-o, nothing to worry about," Eliza quickly added.
"That's good to hear," stated the British accented woman with silver hair in a medical/scientific version of a military suit with two white stripes of a medical officer. "Action usually means I'm patching up soldiers in the infirmary."
"Don't worry, Doc. I promise not to be in the infirmary anytime soon," Jane jokingly added. Much to the woman, Leutetant 1st Class Karin Chakwas, amusement. Though she tried to hide the smirk on her smooth cheeks and long chin.
Although she did not bother to hide her amusement in her steely green eyes that moved into a mocking glare. "I hope so as I am tired of treating you, your brother, and all the soldiers under both of you from every hard mission you go on. Which seems to be the vast majority of them."
Sinclair rolled her eyes at her own station before she turned to see three more personnel coming up. The elite ground team sent on most missions from the ship. That includes Lieutenant 2nd Class Legion-VII, Lieutenant 2d Class Trex in full body armor, and Lieutenant Commander Velanna O'Connell. The girl who was in full uniform, gloves, and a ball cap hid most of her features. Velanna shyly surveyed the group, trying to blend into the shadows as she walked over to one of the few people she trusted, Captain John Shepard.
"Sir, why is there a turian SPECTRE on this ship?" Velanna asked quietly.
"Apparently, we're doing a joint mission on Eden Prime," John told Velanna.
"So, nothing dangerous, huh?" Trex asked with a pout.
"I doubt it. Nothing volatile happens on the peaceful joint farming world known as Eden Prime," John stated, not knowing how wrong his words were.
Location: Exodus Cluster/Asgard System/Eden Prime/Communication Relay
Human Date: February 3, 2183
On the surface of Eden Prime, chaos descended on the populous as men, women, and machines laid down their lives defending the planet from the violent invaders. The cities were protected by shield generators, while areas outside of these cities were evacuated to shelters as soldiers fought in the burning fields around them. In one particular location, a platoon was protecting a communication relay with their lives. Over forty soldiers in camouflage armor fought with ferocity as a black-haired, tanned human beauty rallied her troops. Her discipline was steady as her ponytail did not even split as she fired from her long, powerful, Black Widow Sniper Rifle.
Her brown eyes were filled with determination as she yelled, "Hold the lines as long as you can! We need to call for reinforcements, or we will be over-run planet-wide!"
"I am trying to break through the interface Ash, but it's going to take time," the soldier at the console reported.
"Well, keep at it. Our other communication towers and the QEC were taken down when they destroyed our Command Center and crippled the Space Station. So we will have to make do with what we have," Lieutenant 1st Class Ashley 'Ash' Williams stated as she took another shot.
"Lieutenant Williams, I see a large horde of enemies charging at us," reported a krogan as he pointed off in the distance.
"Shit, get ready, and hold the lines!" Ashley Williams ordered as she pulled out her M-96 Matlock and opened it with her semi-automatic rifle.
"Lieutenant, I've broken through the interference, and I am uploading the message," stated the soldier at the communication antenna.
"Set the message to be played on a loop and pray someone gets it!" Ashley Williams ordered as she fought alongside her soldiers, saying a silent prayer. "Please, oh merciful Lord, hear my prayer and deliver my men and me to safety… Amen."
Location: Cluster 11533/System 11533-1/Relay/USS Normandy: Deck 1
Human Date: February 3, 2183
Within a small, recently discovered red star system, the USS Normandy headed full speed to a Secondary Mass Relay. Smaller than a Primary Relay, Secondary Relays are specialized mass relays that can be used to go in any direction or connect to a Primary Relay. Secondary Relays also have a limited range of a hundred lightyears. Opposed to Primary's that could transition over tens of thousands of lightyears in one jump or even further when connected to a series of activated mass relays. Though they were only going as far as a comic skip, so a Secondary Relay was all that was required. Joker counted down as the USS Normandy made its approach to a Secondary Relay.
The ship's engines closed into the wing for its final approach before the USS Normandy hit the relay. A magnetic light show appeared around the relay before it attached to the vessel and slingshot the ship into the Exodus Cluster, Asgard System, as Joker reported, "Thrusters… check. Navigation… check. Internal emission sink engaged. All systems are online. Drift… just under three hundred K."
"Three hundred K is good. Your Admiral will be pleased," Nihlus stated as he walked away, passing Jane and John Shepard.
Joker waited until he was out of earshot to grumble out loud, "I hate that guy."
"Nihlus gave you a compliment, so you hate him," Kaidan stated in a deadpan tone.
"Remembering to zip up your jumpsuit on your way out of the bathroom, that's good. I just hit a target zone the equivalent size of a pinhead with the equivalent of a pea shooter, so that's incredible," Joker snubbed Kaidan.
"Actually, amazing would be a better term. The average ship suffers a drift of six hundred kilometers using a secondary relay at a short distance. While a Primary Mass Relays have a normal drift of three thousand kilometers," Cortona pointed out.
"Exactly my main point," Joker exclaimed with a broad smile. "It's proof that SPECTREs can't be trusted. Call me paranoid."
"I'll have to agree with Joker," Jane nodded along with Joker's comment. "This is the fourth time I ran into him in four hours, and it always feels like he is observing me. It's kind of creepy."
"Seeing things that aren't there, little sis?" John asked with a raised suggestive eyebrow. "Maybe you have a crush on him?"
"Brother, the only people I've been attracted to have been human males and… um… maybe that one time with a therapeutic asari…. Joker, snap out of it!" Jane yelled at the pilot as he developed a dreamy look while Cortona laughed.
Embarrassed, Jane sulked until John gave a small snort. Feeling the need to get back at her brother, Jane attacked the man with her own comeback that had one distinct advantage, it was the truth. "Anyway, outside of that one case among dozens, I have never been attracted to an alien. Unlike a certain Captain with a certain Lieutenant Commander," Jane pointed out, forcing John to blink with a surprised expression as Jane moved the conversation on before he could ask how she knew. "Besides, even if I was attracted to an alien, I'm not one for people that are by the book or discipline men that most turians are. A rule that includes most of the men I work with, no offense Kaidan."
"That's fine. You're a bit too headstrong for me anyway," Kaidan waved her off with a heartfelt smile.
Joker was about to make a comment when he was interrupted by a call over comm, "Joker, status report."
"Just cleared the mass relay and entered into the Asgard System. The stealth system is engaged. Everything seems fine," Joker reported with a stiff posture that caused Cortona to giggle.
"Good. Find a Comm Buoy, and link with it. I want status reports delivered to High Command before we reach Eden Prime," Admiral David Anderson ordered over the comm.
"Aye, aye, Admiral," Joker replied before he realized he had one more thing to report. "Better watch yourself, sir; I think Nihlus is coming your way."
"He's already here, Lieutenant," Anderson growled in a way that made Joker snort. "Have John, Jane, and their team report to the war room for a debriefing!" Anderson ordered before the comms were cut.
"You heard that, sir, ma'am?" Joker asked.
"He sounds angry. Something must have gone wrong with the mission," John stated with disdain as he moved toward the end of the ship.
"The Admiral is always angry when he talks to me," Joker grumbled.
"Can't possibly imagine why?" Kaidan added as he got up to walk with his commanders.
The USS Normandy is a five-deck ship with four main decks and a large cabin quarter at the very top. A cabin that is reserved for the ship's commanding officer and Very Important People (VIP) to sleep. Along with holding private meetings with VIPs or discussing privately with those under their command. The other four main decks can be summed up with a few words. Deck 4 is the hanger bay for shuttles, the Mako, and a smaller hover tank version of the Mako, the M-44B Hammerhead. Deck 3 housed the engineering section and the cargo facility. Deck 2 housed the ship's crew quarters, lounges, medical facility, mess hall, and firing control. Finally, Deck 1 had the cockpit and CIC, along with other specialized systems needed for a warship of its class. It was Deck 1 that the entire ground team gathered and waited since they knew deployment was inevitable and quickly gathered around their commanding officers.
On the starboard side of Deck 1 was the Research and Manufacturing Facility closed off to most personal, and it was only accessible via the CIC. The team went through the port side designed as a waiting room and a secured door guarded by a human and a krogan bickering like a married couple. Past the guards was the War Room, a large facility that held meetings to discuss missions before and after deployment. It was also the frequent haunt by officers like Sarah and Eliza, working hard to keep the ship up to date with data accumulated across the galaxy. It was the perfect place for Nihlus to camp out in as he looked at a holographic image of Eden Prime as the team walked in.
He soon turned his attention to the large group led by John and Jane Shepard. "Commander, Captain, I was hoping to come early. Give us some time to talk before the Admiral arrives."
"About what?" Jane asked with an inquisitive look.
"Well, about Eden Prime for a starter," Nihlus pointed out. "I hear it's quite beautiful."
"To hear how my old uncle, and one of our ship's marines and possible cadets, Sergeant Jenkins describes it, it's a paradise," Trex stated in the background.
"What he said," Jane nodded along as she pointed back to Trex.
"Yes, a paradise. Serene, tranquil, Eden Prime has become a symbol of unity to the Federation and so much more." Nihlus nodded along as he went in for his point. "Proof that the krogans can achieve domestic peace and humanity can colonize not only the stars but also protect them. But how safe is it really?"
"You know something?" John asked suspiciously
"You humans are still newcomers to the galaxy, and your allies have only recently ended their 'exile' to return to the galactic stage. Do you think that all of you are ready for this?" Nihlus asked while Anderson appeared behind the turian.
"I think it's time for them to know what is really going on, Nihlus," David Anderson told Nihlus, who nodded in acceptance.
"This mission is more than a simple pickup mission," Nihlus told the group.
"Wow, I guess Joker's paranoia is not as farfetched as I thought," Kaidan mumbled as he took a seat.
This left Legion-VII to ask the critical question with an annoying click, "Why weren't these units informed of this Anderson-Admiral?"
"You know the drill for top-secret missions; you only get the details on a need-to-know basis," Anderson told the group as they nodded in acceptance. "A research team unearthed some kind of Beacon on Eden Prime. It was Prothean."
This caused the group to gasp as Velanna quietly muttered, "I thought the Protheans disappeared fifty thousand years ago?"
A mutter Nihlus heard as he smiled at the meek elf that squeaked as Nihlus answered to her muttering, "Their legacy still remains. The mass relays, the Citadel, our ship drive cores, anything that is powered with eezo (elemental zero) are all based on Prothean technology."
"This is big. When humanity discovered the Prothean Archives on Mars, it jumped forward our technology by over a hundred years. We discovered the application of using element zero to manipulate gravity and the mass of objects using dark energy released via electrical currents. Thus, allowing us to make powerful kinetic weapons, kinetic barriers (shields), manufacture stronger material, and achieve faster than light travel through manipulated mass effect fields.
"The only thing comparable was samples of dilithium crystals taken from dimensional rips from the darkspawn's homeworld before the darkspawn invaded Earth. For the dilithium crystals' amplitude in storing and focusing energy allowed us to make particle plasma weapons, more efficient energy converts, highly efficient fusion reactors, and make anti-matter reactors possible," Anderson explained to the crew. Just before Anderson added, "And while it's debatable if the Protheans ever found a sample to study dilithium crystals, one thing is for certain. The Protheans were the masters of using elemental zero and reached levels we have not achieved yet."
"A fact that is especially concerning when the units take into account that the Beacons were determined to be long-range paleotechnology. Used by the Prothean Empire's organic units for instant communication via telepathy," Legion-VII clicked in response. "Meaning, it is possible that it holds information about what caused the Prothean Empire to disappear. If not, hold in its databanks significantly advanced pieces of technology. Something that many units would kill for."
"Exactly, that is why we need to pick it up and deliver it to the Citadel. Where both Federation and Council scientists are waiting to examine it," Anderson explained.
"Why are we taking the Prothean Beacon to the heart of Citadel Space instead of keeping it or bringing it to an independent planet?" John asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No offense to you, but all the members of your club do not have the best reputation," Nihlus stated sadly. "The krogans are viewed as brutes due to their part in the Krogan Rebellions. And until recently, they had no unified government outside of gangs and pirates. The quarians, while losing their images of thieves during their time on the Migrant Fleet, are still distrusted for making the geth. And I don't need to tell you people's fear of AIs in Citadel Space. Especially since the geth drove the quarians into exile for a time before the two made up due to you humans needing help driving out the darkspawn from Earth."
Legion-VII clicked in annoyance as the turian continued, "And humans are viewed as too ambitious, too unpredictable, even dangerous. Combined with being the only distributor of dilithium crystals, building an independent military organization outside the Citadel, and being involved in the bloodiest conflicts in the last one thousand years… well, I don't need to go on, do I?"
"Sharing that Beacon will be good PR for us and improve our relationship with the Council. Besides, we need their expertise anyway. They have been studying Prothean technology longer than we have," Anderson explained to his men with a nod before Nihlus approached the group.
"The Beacon is not the only reason I'm here."
"Nihlus is here for two specific reasons. First, to determine if the team will be a good fit for future joint operations. Second, to evaluate you, Commander, as a potential SPECTRE agent," Anderson explained.
"I guess it explains why I keep running into him," Jane mussed while Velanna made a soft, quiet question.
"Why would the Council accept a foreign power agent as one of their own?"
"Even with some joint operations in the Attican Traverse and the lawless Terminus Systems, both sides recognize it is not enough. Especially when you consider two points. One is that we haven't done any major joint operations since our war on Batarian backed pirates and slavers some four years ago. The other is the increasing number of criminals committing crimes in Council or Federation Space, only to run to where they have no jurisdiction. It has convinced both sides that something must be done to ensure terrorists have nowhere to run to.
"Therefore, the Council proposed this idea. One member from a First Battalion team member will be accepted into the SPECTREs to become a Citadel Council citizen and a spokesman for the Federation. While the Citadel's SPECTRE becomes a member of the First Battalion and a citizen of the Federation that would speak for the Council. From there, they will work together to hunt down criminals that try to use the Federation's independence to run from the law," Anderson explained while Nihlus nodded along.
"You two humans and your entire team showed skill and commitment to not only get the job done but to do it right. It is exemplary and why I nominated your entire team to be a SPECTRE. Not just you, Jane Shepard," Nihlus stated, shocking the group into whispers.
"Why would a turian even do such a thing?" John asked out loud.
"Not all turians hold a grudge for mistakes of the past. Some of us see potential in every race in your club and how much a… ally the Federation can be," Nihlus quickly corrected himself.
"I assume this is good for the UF?" John asked.
"Yes, as we need to decrease tensions and secure our borders. And this will accomplish both, even if it's just the one team as currently planned. Therefore, I expect you to be on your best behavior Captain," Anderson stated before Nihlus took over.
"I need to see your team in action. Eden Prime will hopefully be one of several missions we do together. And hopefully serve as a future example for possible permanent team-ups between SPECTREs and other Council forces with other Special Forces in Federation Space," Nihlus added. While Anderson looked at Nihlus as though he expected the omission of the fact that this joint team the Council was asking would be an extended trial period. Along with being a long-term plan to slowly integrate Council and Federation forces
Anderson then turned as Nihlus continued his conversation. "Assuming the Commander passes her evaluation, I will be working exclusively with you, Captain, on all future operations."
"Don't you mean Admiral?" John asked.
"He knows what he means, Captain. As no matter how this mission turns out, Eliza and I will be transferring to USS Waterloo. And Captain John Shepard takes command of the USS Normandy," Anderson announced to the group.
"Sir?" John asked in confusion.
"This has been a move I've been planning for a while now. And with the push for Jane to become a SPECTRE convinced me now is the time to hand over the reins as it were," Anderson explained with a chuckle. "I know you all will do well."
The whole crew stood motionless until Jane developed a small smile as she stood straight and saluted Anderson, and the rest of the soldiers followed suit as Jane stated, "We won't let you down, Sir!"
"I know you won't, Commander, but thank you for the reassurance," Anderson smiled as some of the staff chuckled before he got serious. "Now I suggest you all suit up. We'll be heading to Eden Prime-"
Anderson started off when Joker interrupted him over the intercom, "Admiral, we have a problem!"
"What is it, Joker?" Anderson demanded.
"We've picked up a distress signal from Eden Prime. It's not pretty," Cortona had answered for Joker.
"Visual," Anderson ordered.
Immediately, the holographic image of the planet turned into a cube with a large screen on each side, showing a massive battle was taking place. The color picture showed many gunfights as a woman in camouflage armor appeared on the screen. The tanned woman with a target scope over her right eye yelled at the screen to tell anyone the situation.
Rather she tried to through all the static, "This is Lieutenant 1st Class Ashley Williams of the 212th infantry on [static] Prime. Speaking for General Martock of [static] Haliot to say we are under attack from [static]. We're suffering heavy [static]. Our defense fleet and QEC have been destroyed. Most of our communication are [static], and our [static] defenses were hacked, making them inoperable. We need [static] assistance. Please send… my God, what is that?"
The cameraman turned his camera towards the sky to show a ship 2 km long with tentacles descending onto the ground before static. "There is nothing else except for static, sir. Nothing," Cortona reported over the comm.
"Reverse the image and hold at twenty-eight-point-three seconds," Anderson ordered, and the image stopped at the ship. One look at the image made him quietly blurt out, "So it returned."
"What?" Jane asked out loud as Anderson looked with interest.
"Something I'm not at liberty to say except that last time we saw that ship, it cost us several ships and thousands of personnel. This will be bad," Anderson stated before turning towards Sarah. "Sarah, relay this SOS message to high command. We need reinforcements now!"
"Yes, sir!" Sarah saluted before she ran to the QEC station to carry out his order.
As the qunari relayed the message, Anderson continued on his orders, "Joker, move us in fast and quiet. We need to get to the Beacon."
"Aye, sir!" Joker replied before disconnecting to do his job as Anderson looked over the crew.
"Alright, Jane, you will take Kaidan, Trex, and Legion-VII to the planet below to retrieve the Beacon with Nihlus. I'm hoping the combination of heavy firepower and Legion's hacking ability will be enough to get to the Beacon and secure it. Even with a small team."
"A small team will increase our chances of success," Nihlus nodded, concurring with Anderson's reasoning.
"What about survivors?" Kaidan asked Anderson.
"Helping survivors is a secondary concern. The Beacon is your primary concern," Anderson told the group.
Jane flinched at the order as she grumbled, "Yes, sir!"
"As for you, John and Velanna, I have a separate mission for you two," Anderson stated to the human and elf. "As you may know, today was Unification Day for the Krogan Clan Alliance. As such, the Supreme Commander of the Krogans is down there to give a speech of a changing tomorrow. Since we cannot afford to lose him, I am assigning you two to find Urdnot Wrex and keep him alive."
"Damn… why couldn't I be on John's team?" Trex muttered out loud while John saluted.
"I'll find him, sir, but I'll need a guide, as well as a hacker of my own," John told the Admiral.
Jane had a solution when she stated, "One of our ship marines, Jenkins, was born on Eden Prime. He would surely make a good guide."
"I'll take him, but I'll still need a computer expert since we don't know what we will face exactly," John pointed out.
"Go down to Engineering to see if Adams has anyone. If he does, get then suit up and prepare for planet-side operations," Anderson ordered the crew. The men ran out to get ready for the beginning of a long haul.
Location: Exodus Cluster/Asgard System/USS Normandy: Deck 3
Human Date: February 3, 2083
Under the hum of the element zero drive core, a female quarian in a blackish-purple suit with a yellow combat technician stripe around her neck was on her back, working on a console. She was putting the last pieces together as the final stage of her repair work as sweat dripped from her cute, thin face. That slid past her long pale eyes and onto her long, fizzled hair. The quarian felt relief in completing her repairs when she felt a tug on one of her two-digit toes on her right foot.
The quarian shrieked as she yelled, "Chief Adams! What are you doing!"
The human chuckled as he stated, "I needed to get your attention somehow, Tali. Now come on out. We have an important guest here."
The quarian, Tali, slowly pushed herself out to face the older, tanned human with crew-cut brown hair and green eyes. He stood in a black jumpsuit alongside a tall, armored blue-eyed guest. A man she recognized as she shot up and saluted the Captain, "Ensign Tali'Zorah nar Normandy reporting in, sir!"
"At ease, Ensign, this is not an inspection," declared Captain John Shepard. "Lieutenant Commander Greg Adams told me that you're the best if I'm looking for a field technician with hacking skills. Is that true?"
"I graduated top of my class and was recruited out of the Academy due to my training. I'm also qualified in all weapons, sir!" Tali nodded with a nervous step.
"Any field experiences?" John asked, and Tali nervously shook her head.
"No, sir! I was recruited just as I graduated from the Academy a month ago. Though I had trained for field operations while in the Academy," Tali explained why she had a single yellow line stripe for her ensign rank. Instead of the orange engineering and technician color seen on Adams' rank insignia of Lieutenant Commander, two lines and a dashed stripe.
"Well, you're about to get a crash course. An unknown enemy is attacking Eden Prime, and we'll need a computer expert and a possible hacker on the field. So, get ready, Ensign!"
"Yes, sir!" Tali saluted as she scrambled to find her helmet as Adams followed her.
She fidgeted as she opened up her locker to pull out a large helmet with a glass visor that showed only her eyes through the visor. She had difficulty snapping it on due to how nervous she was when Adam helped her put on her headgear as he used his soothing words to calm the young woman down. "Calm down, Tali. You'll do just fine."
Tali smiled as the last snap was put in place as she pulled a purple cloth over the back of the helmet, "Maybe, but I wasn't expecting to be doing fieldwork so soon."
"Well, they will always keep you on your toes, but trust me, you can do this, and you have some good people watching your back," Adams smiled, trying to reassure the young woman.
"Thank you, Chief. I won't let you down," Tali saluted before she walked towards the elevator with a confident step.
Tali did not hear Adams say, "Stay safe," to her as she walked into the elevator. Instead, all she heard was the closing of doors as the elevator descended to Deck 4. The doors soon opened to reveal the Captain waiting for her.
The Captain stared at the scared girl before asking, "I'll trust you have personal weapons?"
"Yes, sir, I'll just need to get them out of the locker to modify them," Tali stammered.
"Then snap to it," John ordered, and Tali immediately followed suit as she went to a workbench.
She pulled out two weapons. One was the Geth Plasma Shotgun, a geth shotgun that can fire at three points at once. The second was the Arc Pistol, a slick pistol that shoots electrical charge bullets enhanced by the disrupter modules she programmed for both guns. Allowing it to fire electrical charges that can weaken shields with the Arc Pistol firing a higher voltage. She quickly got to work as Commander Jane Shepard looked over with a comforting smile as she picked up her weapons.
"Don't be nervous, my brother may seem stern, but he'll make sure you get through this alive," Jane stated with a small smile.
"Thank you, Commander," Tali nervously replied.
"Call me Jane, Tali. Commander makes me feel old," Jane giggled in response.
"Yes, Jane," Tali nodded as she looked at her weapons at the workstation. "Do you have any recommendations? I didn't expect to be in the field so soon after graduating."
"I suggest you stick to the standards, like extended barrel and piercing slash shredder mods to increase damage from your weapons, especially against armored targets. Stability damper and smart choke for pistols and shotguns to improve accuracy. Then a thermal clip capacity upgrades to increase the number of thermal clips you can carry within your guts. And a standard melee weapon to keep your guns from being too cumbersome and something to engage at close range. In this case, a melee stunner for the pistol and a bayonet for the shotgun.
"Scopes are only useful for rifles, and sniper rifles are designed for medium or long-range attacks. For rapid-fire or short-range weapons, best to stick to stability dampers or smart chokes seen on shotguns. Making the weapon lighter is only useful for heavier weapons, and the user also uses power amplifiers to increase the potency of biotic, mage, or omni-tool tech-based attacks. Other types of specialized technology are best left to the discretion of an expert. Such as heat sinkers or heavy versions of weapon upgrades that increase accuracy and power of the weapon considerably at the cost of weight," Jane explained to Tali, who nodded as she quickly got to work.
However, her work did not stop Tali from asking questions, "Is this common for all soldiers in the UF?"
"Only for elite soldiers or officers, otherwise it's just extended barrel, bayonet, and scope slash stability dampers slash chokers for soldiers. Some of these specialized loadouts aren't even given to N Special Forces below N5 unless they pay for it. Just think of it as a perk of being recruited into the First Battalion," Jane explained with a small smile as Tali finished her modification before the two headed to the hanger door.
At the hanger door was a chubby face sergeant with blue eyes examined his heavy, rapid-fire, M-55 Argus assault rifle. Unable to hold in his excitement, "Finally, I'm going to see some action. Hopefully, this will be the end of guard duty on this ship and into fieldwork!"
"We'll see if you remain happy when you see so much death that it upsets your stomach Sergeant Jenkins," John defeated the Sargent's enthusiasm.
Jane gave him parting words, "Don't worry about it. If you're lucky, this may not be the last time you join our team. Just keep your head high and follow orders, and you will be fine."
Feeling perked up, the Sargent smiled at the Commander as the soldiers turned towards the Admiral waiting for them.
"Remember, your objective is to secure Urdnot Wrex and the Beacon while keeping an eye out for this unknown enemy. Everything else is secondary," Anderson told his men as they nodded in acceptance.
It was then that Joker reported, "We're approaching Nihlus's drop point. Man, it's a mess out there."
Jane was surprised as she turned to see Nihlus with a small yet heavy M-11 Wraith shotgun out, ready with a heavy, turian style Krysae Sniper Rifle on his back. The sniper rifle is a monster that is able to fire exploding heavy rounds for massive damage. "You're not coming with us?"
"I move faster on my own," Nihlus stated as he ran out of the ship.
"Nihlus will scout out ahead and give reports on narrow beam communication that should cut through the interference. Otherwise, I want you on communication silence," Anderson ordered.
"We've got this!" brother and sister exclaimed at the same time.
"The mission belongs to both of you. Good luck," Anderson nodded before they had reached the second drop zone. Both teams ran out of the ship and went their separate ways once they hit the ground.
Exodus Cluster/Asgard System/Eden Prime: Team 1
Human Date: February 3, 2183
On the planet below, chaos could be heard descending off in the distance as John and his four-man team walked across the field to see bodies of civilians laid on the ground. Jenkins gasped as he stated, "My God. What happened here?"
John pulled out his omni-tool to scan the corpses to exclaim, "This is odd. Several of the people were killed by melee weapons. Others were killed by unknown weapons that seemed to fire a beam of needle bullets similar to geth weapons but with more power."
"That suggests it's not any of the various warlords found in the Terminus Systems or the Batarians, but someone else with very advanced weaponry," Tali gasped.
"Who could have done this?" asked Velanna.
"Let's find out!" John suggested as they moved forward at a slow pace, ready for anything.
Every second was agonizing as they found no enemy units. Only native life forms called gasbags, bloated creatures that made popping sounds as they floated along. The team was stiff as they approached a ledge when they heard movement in the crunching of grass. Thinking they finally met the enemy, John ordered Jenkins to approach the area with a subtle gesture. Jenkins nodded as he moved on ahead as the other three followed with caution.
Jenkins looked over the edge, hoping to find the enemy and find some action when he saw nothing in the field ahead. He looked up as a creature that looked like a short, green goblin in black, organic armor jumped on top of him. Jenkins screamed as the monster raised his sword high and brought it down, again and again, three times before his shield broke, and the beast stabbed Jenkins in the neck.
Jenkins fell to the ground as the creature slowly raised up to face them with blank eyes. A creature they recognized as Velanna raised up her sniper rifle and yelled in suppressed fear, "Darkspawn!" before putting three bullets into the goblin's head. One of many that appeared as several sickly human-looking darkspawn called grunts came into view as goblins and grunts decloaked. Tali quickly as her Geth Plasma Shotgun killed one close by while John cut one down with his dual omni-blade. A few grunts did not like it as they took aim with organic rifles, only to be jammed with a wave from a glowing omni-tool in Tali's hand.
Meanwhile, John wasted no time in firing with his semi-automatic M-96 Murdock to kill two of the darkspawn while using a biotic warp to destroy a third. While Velanna concentrated her toxikinesis on creating a toxic field in the center of the approaching horde. The horde firing on her began coughing widely as the acidic vapor entered their throat. Death was inevitable, but they were relieved of a slow one when Tali'Zorah fired an incendiary blast from her omni-tool fabricator into the toxic gas. Creating an explosion that killed most of the darkspawn. That left the last darkspawn to be killed by a strike into the head by Velanna's vine whip formed in freehand with biokinesis.
The crackling sound of the broken skull was the relief they needed to hear to know the battle was over, they had won, and John knew who to congratulate, "Good job, Ensign. Your quick thinking got us through this ambush swimmingly well."
"Thank you, sir," Tali answered with a smile as Velanna examined Jenkins before looking up with a sad face that conveys that he was beyond help, for he was already dead.
Seeing that face, John shook his head to state, "We'll worry about his body later; right now, we have a mission to finish."
Velanna stiffly nodded as she turned over the darkspawn to do a scan to find something of interest, "Sir… I'm picking up a larger number of implants in the darkspawn, and I can't tell you half the things it does. I'm sending it to Cortona and Eliza now."
"Wonderful, so we're dealing with darkspawn with advanced technology. This is not our day," John had sighed as he pulled up his omni-tool to contact his sister and the SPECTRE, "Jane, Nihlus, heads up. I've identified the enemy. It is darkspawn."
"Tell me something I don't know!" yelled a familiar female voice on the other side of their comms.
Location: Exodus Cluster/Asgard System/Eden Prime: Team 2
Human Date: February 3, 2183
"Tell me something I don't know?" Jane yelled as she used her electrokinetic to fire off a pulse of energy. Sending a wave of electricity into a horde of darkspawn wet from her previous hydrokinesis-based attack.
Her team made quick work of the thin body, amphibian-looking darkspawn that appeared around her. Their shields, while relatively strong, were not able to handle the power attack combo. Soon the sound of battle ended as she wiped some blood off her tomahawk as she reported, "We've encountered some darkspawn as well, vrog subclass to be specific."
"So, with the grunt and goblin types means we encountered darksapwn derived from humans and salarians so far. Looks like we've found our attackers," John told his sister through the comm.
"Looks like it, but I have never seen weapons like this before," Jane stated as she tried to pick up the organic sniper rifle.
Just before it disintegrates within her hand as she jumped up in shock. She looked around to see the darkspawn's armor was also falling apart as her team tried to scan as much as they could. Jane snarled as she stated, "Don't bother trying to salvage it. It appears to have a self-destruct mechanism when its users die."
"Yet it was not fast enough to prevent me from analyzing the shit out of your scans," Cortona added through the ship. "Not that I can tell you much, except not only is the armor organic, but I've found several implants along its body. I can't determine what all of them are, but a few of them are similar to slave implants that Batarian slavers are known to use to keep their slaves obedient. Along with general enhancements to make them stronger, faster, and generally more dangerous."
"Someone is controlling them and making them more dangerous? Well, that's just great!" John snarled. "The Darkspawn War cost us nearly two billion humans, krogans, geth, and quarians during their invasion of Earth when they were just organized animals. Someone controlling could mean a war the galaxy has not seen since the Rachni Wars. Especially since, unlike the Darkspawn War, they arrived via spaceships rather than fluked dimensional rips."
Jane sighed as she asked through the comm, "You got all this, Nihlus?"
"I have and scouting out darkspawn camps. After we get the Beacon, we'll search for evidence on who is controlling them," Nihlus reported, and Jane nodded along.
"Sounds like a plan," John added through the comm for a brief pause before he gave her his status and some bad news. "We'll be heading out now. Tali had just downloaded a map for us to use since our guide did not survive our first encounter against the darkspawn."
"Jenkins is dead!" Jane almost yelled as her body shook.
"Yes, he's dead, but we'll worry about that later. We've got a mission to complete," John stated through the transmutation.
Jane quivered as she stated, "I hear you, and we're moving out. Jane out."
Jane disconnected the comm before she ordered her subordinates forward, "Come on, we've got a mission to complete. Let's step on it."
Her fellow soldiers nodded as they headed out into the field, their weapons ready for a long haul. Off in the distance, an old krogan was singing war songs to rally his men. While a 1st Lieutenant was running for her life. The Battle for Eden Prime had just begun.
Done with this chapter, it was not as long as the first, but I felt it was an excellent place to stop for the Battle of Eden Prime. Not much different from the original, though. I mainly improved some of the descriptions and gave some hints of the Council's long-term plans. The asari can make a plan that takes a century or two to accomplish, and the others will follow their lead. Hope you enjoy it.
Character Stats
Name and Rank: Supreme Commander Urdnot Wrex
Species: krogan
Class: Vanguard (biotic)
Special: can fall into a berserker mode in combat
Melee Weapon: biotic mace
Grenades: lift grenade
Kinetic Weapons: Striker Assault Rifle (heavy barrel), Graal Spike Thrower (heavy barrel), and Blood Pack Punisher (heavy barrel)
Ammo: warp rounds
Name and Rank: SPECTRE Nihlus Kryik
Species: turian
Class: Hypnotist (tech)
Melee Weapons: electrical omni-blade
Kinetic Weapons: M-11 Wraith, M-77 Paladin, and Krysae Sniper Rifle
Ammo: cryo rounds
Name and Rank: Lieutenant 1st Class Ashley Williams (N6)
Species: human
Class: Marksman (soldier)
Melee Weapon: omni-blade
Grenades: frag grenades
Kinetic Weapons: M-96 Mattock (heavy barrel), M-3 Phalanx, & Black Widow (heavy barrel & thermal scope)
Ammo: drill rounds
Name and Rank: Ensign Tali'Zorah nar Normandy
Species: quarian
Class: Combat Engineer (tech)
Melee Weapon: monomolecular bladed knife
Grenades: arc grenade
Kinetic Weapons: Arc Pistol & Geth Plasma Shotgun
Ammo: disruptor ammo