Terra Nova. Alexander Drake's private laboratory.
Sensing the sedative finally wearing off and his muscles regaining full function, Sanguinius raised his arm to his eyes, rubbing them, as the special medical capsule opened up. Looking at his body and noticing the freshly regenerated flesh where the implants were installed in him, Sanguinius could sense all of them operating as he had expected and designed them. Feeling satisfied with the results he got out of the capsule, before dressing form fitting pants, shirt and shoes, Sanguinius left the operational room, where the only three persons that were allowed his personal Sanctum- Rhea, Ishtar and Ereshkigal, greeted him.
"So, how did it all go?" Alex asked of them, as the three looked at the monitor, showing his body.
"Neural receptors operating optimally, implants integrated fully, no signs of rejection." Ishtar reported, as she then turned to his vitals. "And vitals show that you are as healthy as ever, meaning you are healthier than the purest bread horse and can go for a run, and probably outrun those horses."
"Maybe, but I'd prefer we first monitor those implants integration and work for some time." Ereshkigal said with some concern, but then let out sigh. "But knowing you, Alex, we'd have an easier time taking over the Geth, though I imagine you have a plan for that too." Ereshkigal joked, as she then scanned him.
"Not yet, but it is in the works." Alex answered in an even tone, with Rhea shaking her head.
"I hope you are just joking." Rhea commented, before she turned to Ereshkigal. "Reading any abnormalities, Eresh?" She asked her, with the blonde shaking her head.
"Aside from the usual?" She asked with some mirth, hinting at Alex's unique constitution "All is in working order, all the insertion points have already healed, damage repaired. That regeneration chamber is good, I know, but this… I've got to say, Alex, you've won the lottery with the Initiative." Ereshkigal commented, as she transmitted the data to her sister.
"Yeah, all is green across the board, so he is good to go." Ishtar said confirmed, with Rhea approving. "Now is the good time as any to fill him on what's happened while he was out."
"Why, did something important happen?" Alex asked of them, with Rhea nodding, before filling him on the events of the 3 hours he was out cold. "So, to surmise, a Quarian fleet had emerged, with a pirate armada at their tails, with Nelson Carrier Group offering them assistance and are now escorting the Quarians to the Skyfall as we speak. Did I miss anything?"
"Yeah, a few small details. The flagship of the pirates was a Magnificent-class dreadnaught, and Tiserria T'Loak commanded it." Ishtar added, with Alex turning to her for more details. "She is the eldest daughter of the Omega Queen, or what Aria calls herself, and de-facto leader of her fleet, with that dreadnaught being her flagship. As for the ship itself, it was the mainstay of Asari Navy until 7 years ago, when they started to decommission and mothball them, after the introduction of the Benevolent-class, which had phased out those older dreadnaughts. Still, Magnificent-class is considered to be one of the most powerful out of any dreadnaught types, and our Nelson-class made short work of her with those Macro-accelerator guns."
"This alone will raise Citadel's concern, but the situation with the Quarians and Aria T'Loak could seriously complicate things." Ereshkigal noted. "Disregarding the raging Pirate Queen, Citadel Council doesn't take lightly to someone giving aid to the non-grata races, especially if they are technically member races."
"And on the other hand, Alliance Conventions are clear about First Contact scenarios, and provision of aid in case of emergency." Rhea spoke up, before she let out a sigh. "While you were out, your dad requested permission to utilize Skyfall's medical facilities for the wounded Quarians and shipyards to repair their vessels. I gave him the greenlight, Alex. They were desperate, beaten and posed no harm to us, so I've allowed them access here and sent call to our medicals." Rhea said, as she looked at Alex, trying to guess what his reaction will be, before he let out a sigh and answered.
"You made the right call, Rhea." Sanguinius answered, surprising the three girls. "Yeah, I know, pretty shocking to hear it coming from me, but as it stands, I agree with this decision. Speaking of them, how far away from Skyfall are they?"
"About an hour and a half away." Ishtar answered. "You know, after all the time we've known you, the last I would've expected you is to agree to help an alien race, considering your pro-human views."
"True, but that doesn't mean I can't see the benefits of us making more friends. The kind of friends that do not intend to exploit humanity for their own benefit, manipulate, or just use us." Sanguinius clarified. "And since my dad had made that call, I'll honor and respect it, and actually do one better. Ishtar, have the Hippocrates and Merit-Ptah arrive from Saturnine Docks yet?"
"They checked in just a few minutes after the start of the operation." Ishtar said, before she understood what he wanted to do. "You want to dispatch them to the fleet?" Sanguinius nodded.
"Okay, now I'm getting worried." Rhea spoke up. "Eresh, maybe we should run a couple more tests? You know, to make sure that none of his screws came loose, so to speak, because you are being an awfully generous towards an alien race." At that point, Alex let out a slightly frustrated sigh.
"Is this really such a shock to you? I am not racist, which I believe we have long established that. I am prejudiced towards alien governments, especially Citadel affiliated, yes, but not to the point of xenophobia." Sanguinius stated, with Rhea looking at him with an unconvinced eye, while Ishtar and Ereshkigal subtly exchanged looks and turned to him, making him let out a frustrated sigh. "Helping out a pariah race like Quarians would look good for Humanity as a whole, and demonstrate to the other Races, that we can cooperate and work with them, and send a certain message to the Council."
"So basically, you agree with it, because you see it as a way to stick to the Council." Rhea concluded.
"If that is how you wish to put it, yes." Alex agreed with her. "You could say I'm willing to give the Quarians a chance, since you agreed to take them in."
"Aw, and here I thought I had you all figured out. I knew you could be pretty petty at times, but the fact that you value my opinion?" Rhea jokingly responded. "You know, maybe you were right about those implants. At least they seem to have made you more manageable." Rhea chuckled with the sisters
"I've always valued your opinion, Rhea. And I am not petty." Sanguinius defended himself.
"Tell that to my Carnifex, after it had eaten your new favorite Apothecary in one go." Rhea reminded him with a dry tone. "Need I remind what you did the next turn?"
"Fair point, and in my defense, I had just spent several hours making and painted that model from scratch." Alex responded. "That's not to including designing the 3-D model and every single detail on it, only for your "Carny," as you love to call him, to just eat it."
"He does have a fair point." Ishtar agreed. "I'd be pretty pissed if something named "Carny" up and ate my handcrafted figure."
"Enough to throw the game for it?" Rhea asked her with a bemused smirk, with Ishtar looking at her and then at Alex with surprise.
"It is a really good model, and it is based off of an amazing character, Apothecary Minoris Meros." Alex simply said in his defense. "That, and it wasn't just because it. I've had an off day with the rolls."
"Yeah, sure you did." Rhea added with a suggestive tone, before turning to more serious topic. "So, sending help to the Quarians?"
"Yes, let's do it." After that, Alex activated his omni-tool. "Administrator Williams, do you read me?"
"Yes, Mr. Drake. What can I do for you, sir?" Daniel Williams, second son of Governor Andrew Williams and current administrator of Skyfall, answered.
"I need a status report on the Hippocrates and Merit-Phat, specifically their facilities and medical compliment." Alex requested, and the man immediately sent it.
"All medical equipment are accounted for, installed and fully operational, along with all the medicaments fully loaded. Medical personnel is fully accounted and ready, sir." Williams reported, with Alex nodded.
"Good, send them towards the Carrier Group, and inform the Nelson that we've dispatched them to take in the wounded and infected Quarians. Transmit to the captains and medical personnel protocols for work with dextro-amino acid based organisms, and orders fully disinfect the working areas." Alex informed the man. "I'll arrive within the hour. That is all."
"Right away, sir." Williams responded, and then Alex hung up.
"Guess the vacation is over." Ishtar commented. "That's a shame. I was hoping we could do the tests to actually see if the neural interface works as intended with your new toy. Guess that's on hold until this blows over."
"Not necessarily. We have equipment on Skyfall, so we can do the tests there, so let's load it up to the shuttle." Alex said, as he tapped the command for the lifters to load his current project onto his shuttle. "And to make some modifications on it along the way, and finish up another project in there…"
"Not to mention check out that new cinema they've opened up there. I hear the immersion levels are through the roof there." Ishtar added through her psyching link, before she turned with a bit of suggestive eye to Alex. "Maybe we could check it out, Alex, you and me?" The flirtatious tone was not lost on Sanguinius, and only his innate control of emotions stopped him from getting flustered.
"Ishtar…" Dry and serious tone of Ereshkigal rang loud in both their minds.
"What? You can have your turn later, sis. We all know how you like your dates…" Ishtar responded, with Ereshkigal starting to develop a blush at the images sent by Ishtar, with Sanguinius speaking up aloud to all.
"Let's get a move on." Sanguinius responded, as he left to get properly dressed in his personal room, where he let out a frustrated sigh. "What is with Ishtar and Ereshkigal, and what is it with me? When had anyone been able to make me feel like that?" He asked of himself, finding nothing in his mind and memory of such occurrences, when a woman's attention and moves on him made him feel flustered and… attracted.
There were a couple of instances when Sanguinius wished he was still in his Primarch form, though he had come to enjoy his more humane form, yet it also came with more than a few new things to deal with. The most prominent of them was going through puberty, which he had managed to achieve without a problem or rebellious stages thanks to his psychic control, but now… Now Alex was facing something he did not quite understand or even fully comprehend, and it frustrated and left him uncertain. He knew that Ishtar could be flirtatious and she was well aware of her beauty and attractiveness, not afraid to show it, but since that kiss she seemed to have focused her attention on Sanguinius, and Ereshkigal did the same, though her signs of affection were subtle and soft.
Sanguinius was quite able to perceive those, and he had seen in his past life how simple men and women engaged in romance and developed love. He had remembered attending a wedding of one of his adopted sisters from the tribe back on Baal with fondness, right before the Emperor arrived, and how happy and content she was. Being a Primarch, Sanguinius and his brothers never had any emotional need for spouses or significant others, or even romantic flings, as they were made for other things. That didn't mean that Sanguinius didn't understand love or affection, as he carried great love and affections for his sons, Emperor, Imperium and brothers. But romance… This was something completely foreign to Sanguinius, along with physical attraction to women, but being reborn as he was now had opened him up to this as well, and it confounded and distracted former Primarch, as well as changed his views on certain things.
This was the first time when Sanguinius felt himself so… lost, indecisive and confounded, and it was frustrating him. He had never even conceived a thought of pursuing any form of romantic relationship with anyone, or that he would grow attracted to someone, but now… Now he had to admit that he was feeling attractions, with that sudden and powerful kiss from Ishtar possibly being the trigger. Nowadays he at times caught himself thinking of the twins as more than just trusted confidants and friends, or his mind admiring Rhea's perfect figure, which caused him to feel embarrassed that he would think of his best friend like that, and yet he couldn't just shake it off.
Closing his eyes for a moment, Sanguinius had to admit to himself, that he was completely out of his depth here, and needed an advice on this, someone who could actually help him figure this out for good. Deciding that he would get on that when had the chance, Sanguinius dressed up and left his room.
SSV Nelson.
"Copy that, Skyfall. Nelson out." Arthur responded, just as the doors on to the bridge opened up, and in walked Captain Rael'Zorah, along with other Quarian Captains and officers. "That will be all, Lieutenant. Return to your stations. Captain Rael'Zorah, I hope your wife and daughter are doing better."
"They are, their conditions have been stabilized, and I must thank you and your medics, Admiral Drake." Rael'Zorah responded with genuine gratitude. "They are unconscious, but are alive and stable now… I… I owe you a debt, Admiral. For them and for all of my people you've saved today."
"It was the right thing to do, Captain Zorah." Drake responded. "I know my species has a certain reputation out in the galaxy, but we are not like the Krogans, despite what some may say."
"I will admit that the comparison did come up to my mind when we first heard you, and how you defeated the Turians in the Gorgon Conflict." Rael admitted to Drake, who simply chuckled. "Though we've heard only rumors, I understand that it was difficult conflict for your people, Admiral, both on land and in space, yet you've persevered and won. I can't help but wonder how did you manage that?"
"We were fortunate, Captain, plain and simple." Arthur responded to him. "I know how politicians like to play it as symbol of our great power and whatnot, but truth be told, I believe we were fortunate to win, and to survive it."
"Survive? You mean, you were a participant in that conflict personally?" Rael asked of him, Captain Aubrey speaking up.
"Not just a participant, but the reason why we've won the war in space, Captain Zorah." Jack Aubrey spoke up, drawing the attention of the Quarians. "Then fresh Captain Drake was the man who kept the fleet alive and fighting, until we've finally cornered and destroyed the Turians near Euryale. You ask me and other officers, he should have been made Rear Admiral back then in 2157, but brass considered him too young for that, so they instead stuck him as a Captain of our Flagship at the time."
"Wait, so you are The Gorgon Dragon?!" One of the Quarian Captain spoke up, with Drake raising a brow at that. "I-I mean, it's just…"
"It is the nickname we've heard Turians use towards the commander of the Alliance Navy in that conflict." Rael responded. "And I will admit, that I've pictured you to be more… imposing."
"I imagine." Arthur laconically responded. "I will admit that I am not a standard officer of the Alliance, and my career has been anything but normal within the Navy."
"That is true, though the Alliance couldn't ask for a better commander, sir." Aubrey responded, as he returned to his station.
"Your men have a very high opinion of you, Admiral." Rael noted. "I've seen few who could command the same respect and admiration like you do, and it is an honor to know you."
"Glad I've made a good impression, Captain." Arthur responded. "Captain Zorah, do you mind if I ask you, what exactly had happened? Our Intel on your race indicated that your Migrant Fleet does not splinter, and prefers to remain as singular formation. How did you find yourselves separated and drawing the ire of such a pirate armada?" Rael'Zorah stiffened, before deciding to answer.
"The Admiralty had dispatched us as an expeditionary fleet ahead of the main fleet body. Our goal was to scout and survey for potential worlds to claim and settle." Rael answered, before continuing. "For several weeks, all was going well and quiet, and we believed we were onto something, until that armada dropped right behind us, and attacked us without a provocation. I know what is said about my race, but I can assure you, Admiral, that we only ever do business with the pirates in extraordinary cases, and we suffer just as much as everyone does from them, if not more. But this… This was different from all other attacks before. There were no negotiations, bargains or ultimatums, they just opened fire on us, and so we ran through the only Relay we had access to, before ending up here."
"And they chased you all the way here, and were ready to fight us just to get to you." Drake noted. "I believe it is safe to say that someone very powerful and influential wanted you and your expeditionary fleet gone, Captain Zorah."
"But why though, and who? We've kept to the Terminus Systems and haven't even approached Citadel Space in the last fifty years, and as for Aria, we've stayed out of each other's business." Rael responded, with other Quarians agreeing with him. "What benefit would anyone get from seeing my race eradicated, safe for the Geth?"
"Maybe someone just didn't want you to find something? That is just my thought, but if someone is able to afford such a massive force and they threw it at you, it tells me that you may well were onto something in your searches." Drake shared his thoughts. "Well, regardless of the motive and perpetrators, what's important is that we've taken them out, and with any luck, this will serve as a message to all the other pirates."
"I think it will serve as more than just a message, Admiral." Rael added, as he looked around. "After today's battle, I doubt any pirate gang in and out of Traverse will wish to tangle with you and your… How did your Lieutenant called your dreadnaught?"
"It is not a dreadnaught, Captain Zorah, but an Assault Fleet Carrier." Drake corrected the Quarian, who looked at him with confusion at least that is what Drake perceived as such. "It is a type of capital ship, which serves primarily as a transport and base of operation for fighter craft, who operate off of it. While it has a size of a dreadnaught, it doesn't have the same main armament as a dreadnaught, trading it for flight decks, hangars, and repair and storage facilities."
"Forgive me, but what do you call those guns you used on the Vicious Huntress? She was the most feared vessel in all of Terminus Systems, the strongest dreadnaught of the strongest Pirate Queen, and you've destroyed in just several volleys of your guns." Rael responded with incredulity, with Arthur smiling at him.
"Those armaments, as well as others, serve supplementary and auxiliary purposes, mainly to support the fleet and protect the carrier, should it find itself close to combat. Standard doctrine in regards to utilizing the carriers is to have them outside of the area of engagement, sending out fighter squadrons to do the fighting, while it serves as their base of operation." Arthur explained to Rael. "You could say that the main armament of the Nelson are its fighters, and not it's guns, as befits a carrier."
"Yet it also carries guns with enough firepower to destroy dreadnaughts." Rael noted. "If I recall correctly, the Treaty of Farixen is still in effect across all Citadel members."
"It is, and as an Associate Member, the Alliance is bound by it, yes." Arthur answered the silent question of Rael. "We are currently maintaining 6 dreadnaughts, as permitted by the limitations of the Treaty."
"And this is… Is a carrier, as you've called it?" Rael asked, with Drake nodding. "I will admit, I have never heard of such type of ship before, one that solely focuses on the fighters, yet also maintains such impressive armaments."
"To be entirely fair, Nelson-class is not a standard carrier either, but the concept itself has been utilized by Humanity for almost 250 years. Back in then, before and after the First World War, nations believed that battleships were the main power of the surface navies, and have signed what is known as Washington Naval Treaty to prevent a naval arms race." Arthur explained to Rael, who listened with others. "In theory, it was supposed to prevent escalation of tensions among most powerful maritime nations, but in practice it didn't work, as nations just found a different way to expand their navies. Instead of battleships, they began to develop carriers, and when the Second World War started, carriers played a key role in the naval part of the conflict. The Pacific Theater of that war is a text book example of the power of the carriers, and after that war, carriers completely replaced battleships as primary naval force of the nations. We only returned to the doctrine of utilizing battleships, or dreadnaughts, when we ventured beyond our home system, and now… Now we are experiencing the resurgence of the carriers." Little did Arthur know, the entire bridge listened with interest to his monologue, clearly impressing all with his knowledge.
"I see, Admiral Drake. I think I would like to learn more of this Pacific Theatre you mentioned, and how your carriers were used in there." Rael said, clearly impressed by Arthur. "This Washington Treaty… It sounds a lot like the Farixen Treaty."
"They are similar yes, but Farixen could be said to be more specific, in it's classification of the dreadnaughts, hence why Nelson-class is able to carry armaments of relatively similar yield, without breaking the Treaty." Arthur admitted to Rael. "Hence the name of Assault Fleet Carrier, but her main power are the fighters."
"Yes, and how many of such vessels does the Alliance operate, Admiral?" Rael asked with clear interest.
"More than any other Citadel race." Arthur answered nebulously, before the sensors signaled vessels on approach. "Ah, they are already here." Arthur moved to the holo map of the system, bringing up their sector.
"Did the Alliance dispatch additional ships?" Rael asked, before he saw holograms of two massive ships moving to them. "What are they? Other carriers?"
"No, they are actually medical ships, belonging to the Angelus Corporation." Arthur answered, before he elaborating. "These are Hippocrates and Merit-Phat, formerly Everest and Elbrus, decommissioned dreadnaughts of the Alliance, which were originally supposed to be scrapped, but AngelCorp bought and refitted them into medical ships. They were dispatched here to take in your people."
"Medical ships?" Rael said again, before looked at them. "Why would they be here for my people?"
"Because the CEO dispatched them, and these ships have the most sophisticated facilities to help your people, Captain Zorah. And trust me- no one has better medical equipment than AngelCorp." Arthur assured him. "They can handle all of your injured and afflicted people immediately, better than we can now. I recommend you agree to have them help you."
"I will trust you word, Admiral." Arthur nodded to him, and the signals were sent to make appropriate preparations and actions. "But what is this Angelus Corporation, exactly? We have heard some talks of some super corporation, which supposedly controls your Alliance? Is it your government?"
"No, though I know a few people who would prefer them to the Alliance Parliament." Arthur said. "Angelus Corporation, formerly Angelus Industries, are Humanity's leading corporation on the market, with involvement in near every sphere, leading damn well every one of them, from pharmaceuticals to colonials. They are also the company that operates Skyfall, and one of Alliance's top military contractors, and primary colonial developer and investor. Along with that, they maintain a strict social policy of loyalty and help to their employees, making them far more loyal to them than other corporations."
"This sounds a bit too good to be true." Rael admitted. "I know far too many companies that would not hesitate to take advantage of their employees, especially if they have nothing, like my people."
"Well, I can assure you that the AngelCorp would sooner forego a lucrative deal, than betray their clients and employees." Arthur noted.
"What makes you say that?" Rael asked of him.
"Because I know their CEO, and he is a man of his word and principal." Arthur said. "At least that is the way I've raised him."
"Raised him?" Rael asked with confusion.
"He is my son." Arthur clarified, with Rael looking at him with more confusion and shock, as he watched the massive ships come into the view.
Terminus Systems. Omega Nebula. Sahrabarik. Omega Station. Afterlife Club
Striding inside her personal chambers and promptly closing the doors, while also putting up isolation fields, Aria T'Loak, Queen of the Pirates, the most powerful warlord in all of Terminus Systems let out an animalistic cry of pure rage, as her biotics flared up and trashed her entire room. Aria was known full well for her temper and how it was best never to cross her, with the sole rule obeyed on her Station revolving around never crossing her. Entire pirate kingdoms and mercenary companies disappeared and were destroyed for incurring her wrath, ensuring that all of the Terminus knew who truly called the shots on Omega and beyond.
She achieved this not just through cunning or ploys, but thanks to maintaining the strongest, most well supplied and powerful armada in all of Terminus, enough to make even the dumbest or most reckless idiots think twice before challenging her. Even coalitions of pirates couldn't effectively beat her, instead choosing to ally and pay her a tithe, ensuring she didn't go after them. And the pride of her fleet, the scourge of the Terminus Systems, The Vicious Huntress, was the symbol of Aria's power and might, the single sight of which was enough to make even hardened psychopaths quake with fear.
Such was the way for centuries… until today, when she had learned from the survivors, that her de-facto heiress and main enforcer, Tiserria, was dead, along with her flagship and close to a fourth of her entire armada and allies. In all of her centuries of living and running Omega, never Aria could imagine someone ever dealing her such a massive and crippling blow, one that threatened to unravel her positions, and the humans of all species dealt it. Of course she knew and saw them, with some finding their way here and several colonies already springing up in the Terminus Systems, yet Aria thought nothing of them, until now.
This entire ordeal, this affair should've been easy and clean, but instead it turned into an absolute shitstorm for Aria and she needed to deal with it fast. She had the survivors quietly executed and disposed of, but the news will spread fast, and when others hear of it, her rivals and allies will smell blood, and like sharks, they will strike. For now Aria needed to run damage control, but she will have this Alliance pay her, for no one fucked with Aria and got away with it unscathed, and this went for her secretive "allies" as well.
Entering into a secret isolated compartment with a holo terminal, Aria tapped the buttons, and immediately before her came the image of several prominent Asari Matriarchs.
"Aria, always a pleasure to see you, my dear." Matriarch Rhona said with a patronizing tone. "I assume you've taken care of those pests?"
"To the fucking hell with those space rats, Rhona." Aria did not waste her breathe, surprising the Matriarchs. "I just learned, that the entire fleet I've sent after those suit rats was wiped out. By humans! Care to fucking explain, how is it possible, that a fleet half their size, destroyed a fourth of my forces, including my daughter and flagship?!" She demanded answers with a nearly frenzied tone.
"Control yourself, Aria. Remember who you are speaking to." Matriarch Larentha immediately spoke to her with a threatening tone. "You may be Queen of that lawless hole you call Omega, but remember to whom you owe your position here. So stop your barking, and explain what has happened." Biting her tone for the moment, Aria did exactly as she was told, though with the inclusion of certain colorful words.
"This… This is certainly quite concerning. We clearly had underestimated Alliance's power, if they are able to achieve such a serious victory." Matriarch Kalla surmised thoughts of others. "Those Salarians have clearly been sloppy, if they've missed Alliance's new super dreadnaught… If these words are correct, then it is more powerful than our Benevolent-class by a wide margin."
"The Alliance must be either stupid or reckless, if they think they can just ignore the Treaty of Farixen and make more dreadnaughts than permitted." Matriarch Rhona commented. "This violation alone is grounds for conflict, surely they know of it."
"Except that this ship was not a dreadnaught, and Aria's data confirms it." Matriarch Kyrissa spoke up. "Dreadnaughts are characterized by their spinal running mass accelerators, but those were different, and those fighters… My Intelligence reported the Alliance testing out some novel class of ships, entirely dedicated to fighters, but it was only a conversion of their new mainstay cruiser. This is something different, an entirely divergent from previous Alliance vessels' frame, with those fighters… This couldn't be it..." She stopped for a second.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Aria asked of her, with other matriarchs turning their attention to their unofficial spymaster.
"There was some talk of some old human shipyard being refit and expanded several years back and that they were far better any other analogue. Our analysts dismissed it as just propaganda, but there were also rumors of some super dreadnaughts being built there already." Kyrissa added, before she faced others. "This confirms it, only this is not a dreadnaught, but dreadnaught sized carrier."
"Wonderful, and how pray tell did you and your courtiers missed something so massive?" Rhona asked of her with sarcasm. "I thought you claimed that you had eyes, ears and tongues near the top of the Alliance' brass. Are you telling me they didn't know about it too? Don't they own those shipyards?"
"Likely, they did, but not the real scope of it, and as for the shipyards, it wasn't run by the Alliance." Kyrissa continued. "Those shipyards, the Saturnine Docks as it is called, was bought by a human corporation… One we all have heard about in these years."
"Angelus Corporation… They have expanded into the military market, and are now providing ships to the Alliance." Kalla stated with irritation, while Aria's attention focused on the Angelus Corporation.
"It would appear to be so, and it is clear that they have expanded their works far more than anticipated by our analysts. STG claims they are present in various forms and capacities on every human colony within the Traverse, and thanks to them, the colonization of the Traverse is proceeding at an astounding rate." Kyrissa informed them all. "They've recently moved their main office to a space station Skyfall in orbit of Terra Nova, though it less of a station and more a habitable planetoid. It's size is above even the Citadel, and they already have over a hundred thousand souls living and working in there, not to mention everything a growing successful city would need, not to mention shipyards, dry docks, factories and more, and they are not yet finished with it. It is already a key supply and strategic point for all of Alliance, and is considered a rival to the Arcturus Station in importance. All of that is thanks to the genius of Alex Drake."
"Drake… That's the name of the Admiral that destroyed my fleet. Is that the same person?" Aria demanded to know.
"Clearly, you need to spend more time watching the news, instead of young maidens' bottoms, Aria." Rhona chided her. "The one who killed your rabid daughter is Arthur Drake, father to Alex Drake, the infamous Gorgon Dragon, as you pirates may have heard of him. He is Humanity's current legend, their best naval commander and the symbol of their might. But the one who supplied that ship is his son, the true power behind the throne, if you wish."
"Then I want that fucker dead." Aria demanded of them. "I don't care who he is, what his family or power is. Because of his new toys, I just lost my daughter, my flagship and my fleet, and I want him fucking dead! His father had killed my daughter, so I'll take out his son, so we will be even. Kill this bastard, or rather, bring him to me. I'll make him regret every second of his life." Aria was already making plans to take out Alex Drake in the worst possible way.
"Aria, calm yourself. This is not some two-bit pirate king, and you do not make demands of us." Kalla reminded her with strength in her voice. "Alex Drake operates only in the human space, and his security is among the best we've encountered. Our operatives and STG had no luck finding a way to him, and we've tried numerous times already to get to him, and he refuses to make any form of contract or contact with any company outside of Human space."
"True, but perhaps we may now have an opportunity to actually get close to him. Those Quarians, they are most likely going to be at Skyfall, and we can use it as a way to get our people on Skyfall. Have the Council send a commission to Skyfall to "ascertain" the validity of Quarians' harmlessness and determine the degree of Alliance's violation of the agreement with the Citadel." Kyrissa already began to form a plan. "Yes, we can also use the help of the Salarian Union, they will have the means to crack open Drake's defenses and get his data."
"And while the commission is distracting them, our operatives will get what we need." Rhona smiled at the idea. "We could also use this opportunity to take humans down a few pegs. Perhaps, a diversion on their planetoid, send it off orbit onto the planet? This will cover our tracks, and we can offer much needed help to the Alliance, in exchange for access to their technologies, and better deals. And as for who to blame, there is a reason why we've banned the Quarians, for they had unleashed the Geth. Who is to say that they haven't brought them into the Alliance space?"
"Excellent idea, but who should we have complete this? Our huntresses?" Kalla asked aloud.
"No, we'll need more than just them. STG will assist, but true work will need to done by someone even more hardened. Someone who has absolutely no qualms about such type of work… We'll employs the Spectres, and I already have the names for it." Larentha said. "Tevos does not need to know, while Dalatrasses will be only happy to assist us, as quite a few of them are in agreement with us on this matter, and we can use them as our scapegoats, if something goes wrong.. But the Turians… Fedorian is proving to be a far less manageable and agreeable with us, and worse, a much more capable leader than we expected. He'd rather have humanity stand on his side than against, so we can't trust him."
"Fedorian will be no help, but Sparatus is a different case, and he hates humans for embarrassing his race in their war, so he will be more than happy to help us. And once all will be said and done, Fedorian will just side with us, for the alternative will be far worse for his people." Rhona stated, before another voice spoke up.
"And are we certain that this is the best course of actions for us?" Benezia finally spoke up, drawing attention of all. "Despite all the mishaps and trouble, our investments into the relations with humans have paid off, and even despite Angelus Corporation's refusal to work with us, they have been a major contributing factor to Alliance's and Humanity's development. Thanks to them, the Traverse is finally starting to stabilize, and…"
"And we are losing our position and power, Benezia. Do not forget, that we our is the right and duty to guide and oversee the galactic balance and peace, and Humanity is doing everything to take it away." Rhona stated to Benezia. "You saw for yourself their capabilities and power, and what this Angelus Corporation has achieved and will achieve. Do I need to remind you what our analysts' prognosis was on Humanity's expansion and power if they continue like that? They would overtake us in less than a century, and if they have enough of those new super dreadnaughts… We can't revoke the Treaty of Farixen, it would spell disaster for us on the grander scale, but if we cripple humanity now and remove their true source of power, we will save this."
"This is the most optimal option for us all, Benezia, and one which involves the least amount blood." Larentha agreed. "Killing 12 million now to spare billions fifty years later is not even a choice for us. It is our duty to prevent a new war from the making. On the other hand, would you rather have humans multiply out of control and grow into a cancerous race akin to Krogans? We've already tried to trust them to remain civil, and look at how that turned out. We have a chance, and a duty, to prevent another Rebellion, and so we must take it."
"Agreed, let us arrange the details now." Kalla surmised for all, before she turned to Aria. "Aria, while it is regrettable that your dear daughter perished, rest assured her sacrifice will not be in vain. And as for stopping the Quarians from discovering our future mining words, you have our gratitude."
"And how are you going to repay me? I've lost a whole damn fleet and my flagship, and do I need to tell you what that means for me, and you lot?" Aria asked of them rhetorically. "How long do you think I'll be able to keep these varrens at bay when they learn that I've lost my dreadnaught and a fourth of my forces? And once that happens, which worlds do you think they will want to plunder first?" The veiled threat wasn't lost on the Matriarchs.
"Careful, Aria. You may be useful, but do not think that we can't find someone else to manage this backwater, if you can't do it." Larentha reprimanded her. "Right now, we can't do anything for you, save for offering our prayers to you."
"To hell with your prayers! Soon, every single scum in the Terminus will have learned of this defeat, and they'll immediately see it as a weakness from me. Do you want a war in the Terminus Systems, and someone like the Patriarch to rise to power, or worse, return to his position?" Aria asked them. "Because that is exactly what will happen, and when it does, I'll make sure that every soul in this galaxy knows, who exactly is running the show behind everyone's back… And why our people is the most advance." The single mention of it was enough to make every single one of the Matriarchs stiffen and glare at her immediately after.
"How do you know of it?" Rhona asked in a low tone, with Aria smirking at her.
"I know how to make people talk, and more than one of you has quite a loose tongue, when you get your azures licked." Aria responded. "So don't try to fuck with me, and if you send anyone after me, that information will go straight to the Extranet. And then everyone will know, how exactly our "democracy" is working in reality."
"We'll arrange for you a new flagship, and compensations for your losses, but after our affairs with Drake are settled." Rhona assured her. "And in the meantime, you can direct your scum towards a more productive cause, such as those colonies in the Terminus Systems. The Alliance has next to no presence in those, unlike in Traverse, and you can use new slaves to get your affairs in order. Until we are done with Drake, you best stick to them. That will be all." And with this, the Matriarchs disconnected, leaving Aria alone, angry and frustrated, but with an idea of her own, as she tapped her comm.
"Anto, set up a sit-down with the pirate leaders, as many as you can find. Tell them this will set them up for life." Aria ordered him. "And get me a contact with the Shadow Broker, now!" She almost barked at him, before hanging up, as she was forming a plan of vengeance towards both Drakes.
They will learn the hard way, why one doesn't fuck with Aria T'Loak.
Three days later. Exodus Cluster. Asgard. Skyfall
Rael'Zorah and Arthur Drake stepped out of the elevator, which led them to the top of the Angelus Spire, as it was commonly known around here, serving as the headquarters of the Angelus Corporation on the station and as a whole. In the days since his arrival here, Rael and his people were offered an unusual, for Quarians, amount of respect, help and assistance in all things, as well as access to local amenities. To say it all was surprising and shocking for Rael would be an understatement, yet the Humans acted in contrast to their more militant and expansionist reputation, showing themselves as empathetic and respectable.
Last three days Rael and his people have spent either on the station or on the medical vessels, visiting their loved ones, friends and compatriots, and Rael didn't tire of the enterprising nature of the humans. They've been able in a matter of hours figure out the Quarian physiology and biology, and then develop treatments for all manners, either creating them anew, or adapting existing ones already, some of which Rael never thought possible. In fact, he even heard speculations that they could actually solve the weakened immune system of the Quarians, which Rael thought was just a joke… But after a tour of their genetic labs, he became convinced that it was reality, and human scientists from Angelus Corporation could actually achieve it.
Aside from marvels of genetics, Rael saw the rest of Skyfall and to say it left him awe would be about right, as this was not some mining site or research outpost, but a fully functioning and habitable station, still expanding and growing, but already housing a permanent population of a hundred thousand. Here, form and function seemed to find a balance of coexistence, and Rael was reminded of the old footage of Quarian civilization in its golden age. And all of this was possible thanks to the will, genius and determination of a single man, one that Rael has heard so much about in these past few days, yet haven't had a chance to meet, Alex Drake.
Now it was about to change, as the man had arrived on the station and requested a meeting with them, which Rael and Arthur obliged. Moving past the secretary, they entered the man's expansive office, furbished in modern style, displaying around various successful projects and ventures of Angelus Corporation. At the window on the opposite end of the office stood arguably the tallest and most well-built man that Rael had seen so far. Standing at about 6.6 feet, or a little over 2 meters, even from behind Alex Drake looked like an image of human physical perfection, yet when he turned to face them, that was when Rael could truly see, why he often heard people say, that the man was truly something else.
Possessing a well kept mane of blonde hair reaching to the base of his neck, sky blue eyes and noble, handsome, almost as if chiseled out of marble, facial features, the man projected an air of power with his mere presence. He had a perfectly balanced physique, being equally well built without looking buffed, and lithe, without appearing thin, to the point that he appeared as if a live version of one of those statues from Human Renaissance Era Rael saw on a video. Even though Rael had not had much of an opportunity to interact and work with humans yet, he could easily tell, that Alex Drake stood out as the most astonishing one of them, and once he closed the distance with him, for the first time a relatively tall Quarian felt himself somewhat small.
"Captain Rael'Zorah vas Taeron, I am glad we could finally meet." Alex was the first one to speak up, as he offered his hand to Rael. "I am Alexander Drake, or Alex Drake, as I'm sure you've heard me called. Apologies for not being able to meet with you earlier, I had to resolve an unexpected issue. I hope in my absence, my employees have been accommodating to you and your people." At that moment Rael shook the man's hand.
"Yes, Mr. Drake, they were all most welcoming and respectable, as well as accommodating to our needs. I wish to extend my and my crew's gratitude to you and your people, for all you have done for us, and doing." Rael said, as they've released each other's grip. "And please know that I can see how such an act will probably land into trouble with your government and the Council. As a recompense, we are prepared to share whatever technology and information with you, however little it may be, and so long as it doesn't jeopardize the flotilla."
"That will not be necessary, and it is within the Alliance' Charter to offer help when requested, and since my father has made that call, all I can do is support his decision on that." Alex responded. "And as for the Council and their reaction… I can see how the Alliance Parliament may respond and fold under them, but I'm not as easily persuaded, or intimidated, to follow their double-standard policies. As far as I am concerned, you and your people are my guests, and so I will offer you all the necessary help."
"That… That is a relief to hear, Mr. Drake, thank you." Rael admitted. "Though to be honest, I can't help but wonder, why would you do so? I've heard from many about your dismay towards other species, especially the Council Races, so why would you be so generous with us?"
"First off, because it is what my father would want of me, and despite my appearance and status, I do still listen to him." Alex smiled to his father, before turning to Rael. "Secondly, while I will admit that I am pro-Human, I am not without the capacity of giving other species a chance, like my company does, as we do employ non-humans, such as Asari, Salarians and Turians. My personal grievances lie not so much with the species as a whole, but with their governments and their attitude towards humanity. And as for the Citadel Council, I am not their supporter, like much of Alliance's government, for multiple reasons. Thirdly… I will admit that I was actually curious to meet a member of your race for some time, and now I have an opportunity to do so."
"I see. I doubt I could tell you more than what you probably have heard or learned already about my people." Rael responded. "We are a people without a home, having lost it to our own creations, the Geth, with all of the galaxy either shunning or chasing us away. Your people are the first who had ever offered us such help, Mr. Drake… And rest assured, it will not go forgotten."
"I know." Alex said, before he his omni-tool lit up, showing the hologram of his secretary.
"My apologies, sir, but you have a priority message from the Citadel. It is the Ambassador Goyle, and she demands to speak with you and your guests, now." Secretary said, with Alex routing the call to his office's holo projector, immediately displaying the current Human Ambassador to the Citadel.
"Admiral Drake, Mr. Drake, that you for answering my call." Ambassador Anita Goyle said, before she looked at the Quarian Captain. "And this is Captain Rael'Zorah von Taeron, I believe?" Though it was not possible to see through the mask, Alex could sense that Rael took offence with that.
"It is "vas Taeron," madam Ambassador." Alex corrected her immediately, though with an internal smirk, while Rael was surprised he had caught on this fact. "Von," in Quarian language, translates to a person with weak bladder." Once more, Rael was surprised at Alex's knowledge, while Goyle didn't seem so amused.
"I will keep it in mind." She responded coldly. "I will get straight to the point. I wish I could say this is a diplomatic call, but it is not. Admiral Drake, I don't I need to explain to you, how your decision and actions regarding the Quarian fleet invading one of our core systems has affected our standing on the Citadel. I was led to believe that you are an educated and even sagacious person, which is why it came as a serious shock to me, that you've decided to openly violate one of Citadel laws, and implicate the whole of the Alliance with your actions." Goyle's cold and irate tone was enough of an indication to Alex and others as to the nature of her call.
"With all due respect, Ambassador, as I have submitted in my report, I had acted in accordance to the Alliance Conventions, in regards to the First Contact situation and providing assistance to an afflicted party. Along with that, I acted in my capacity as Alliance' naval officer, protecting our system from a real invader and threat in form of Tiserria T'Loak and her pirate armada." Arthur Drake reminded her with a steel tone, which did not seem to affect her. "I have submitted my report to Admiral Hojo, my immediate commanding officer, and he confirmed that I have acted well within my line of duty and responsibilities, and I've transferred my report to the Alliance Strategic Command. I assume madam Ambassador was granted access to it, and have read it's contents."
"I have, Admiral, as have my immediate superiors and the Prime Minister himself. Unfortunately for you and the Alliance, the Council did not deem invasion of the pirate armada as acceptable excuse to break one of their edicts." Goyle stated, with Alex letting out a humorless huff, which drew her attention. "And do not think this doesn't concern you, Mr. Drake. The Councilors have taken note of your acceptance of the Quarians on Skyfall, and your sudden enthusiasm in assisting them. Considering your general reluctance to do any form of business with the Citadel and your stance with their races, they find this more than a little concerning."
"And I find it concerning the fact how the Council is so willing to overlook their own law, when they decide that in conveniences them in any form or manner." Alex commented, with Goyle raising a brow at that. "Citadel Conventions, Section 4, Sub-section 3, Paragraph 3 reads as follows: "The Citadel Council recognizes the cultural, political and legislative institutions of their Associate Members and vows to uphold and not interfere in the internal affairs of the Associate Members, so long as any of their institutions, laws or actions to do not pose a threat to the Citadel Council races and Associated members, and do not violate any of the Citadel's Conventions." Last I checked, there was not a single legislative document to confirm that Quarians are a violating element of their laws, and it was well within the rights and duties of the Alliance to offer them assistance. Perhaps the Council needs to be reminded of that fact, Ambassador?" Goyle clearly wasn't amused or pleased with Alex's words, as she let out a tired sigh.
"Mr. Drake, despite your reluctance in engaging in the galactic politics, I am sure you are more well aware of the precarious situation the Alliance is in with the Council. The last year's debacle on Camala and information about Sidon have set us years, if not decades, back on our work in integrating into the Citadel Space. We are lucky to have not been expelled outright." Goyle stated to them. "And the Council hasn't forgotten your Corporation's involvement with Sidon." At that moment Rael and Arthur could've swore that the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees, as Alex crossed his arms and spoke up.
"And I haven't forgotten how you and the Prime Minister made me and my Corporation into scape goats, to cover your own asses, madam Ambassador." Alex stated in open language. "The only thing my company was involved in with Sidon is the design and construction of that facility, as per the contract Alliance signed with us. I wasn't the one researching AIs and financing Shu Qian, and if he were one of my employees, he would've been fired and handed over to you without a second's notice. So do not go pinning this on me, Ambassador, or using me and my company as your scapegoat. Now, get to the point, or get lost. I have better things to do than listen to you all day." Alex's open dismay did not escape from Rael, and Goyle decided not to pursue that avenue.
"The Council has expressed their disapproval and concern of your actions, but taking into the account your report, Admiral, they are willing to first investigate this and see, if any misconduct had taken place." Goyle informed them. "The Council will form a special joint Council-Alliance commission to investigate the incident, and determine if the Alliance was in the right to help the Quarians, or not."
"And I assume my and my people's words will not be counted as sufficient proof?" Rael asked with clear sarcasm. "I and my people have openly surrendered to Admiral Drake and openly submitted to every form of precaution and security measures. Our ships were in no position to pose a threat to you or your people."
"And yet you led the biggest pirate armada to our doorsteps, putting our people and colonies at risk." Goyle reminded him, with Alex glaring at her along with Rael and Arthur. "Fortunately for you, Captain Rael'Zorah, the commission will hear and take into the account your story, if you are willing to testify at the hearing."
"I will. It is the least I can do." Rael stated. "Unfortunately, none of our vessels are operable at the moment, and I will require a transport to come to the Citadel."
"That will not be necessary, as the commission will conduct it's inquiry on site." That immediately gotten Alex's attention. "Yes, Mr. Drake, you have heard me correctly. In three days, the commission will arrive on Skyfall, and I except you to offer them the level of respect and accommodations they deserve, Drake. I do not need to remind you what is at stake here."
"You need not worry, Ambassador. I shall offer them all of the respect and amenities that you believe they deserve." Alex made sure to emphasize Goyle. "I will need a list of this delegation, and I mean everyone, from top to bottom."
"I have provided you enough information as it is, Drake. Make do with it. Goyle out." Ambassador logged out, with Alex shaking his head at that.
"Maybe I should stop taking calls from Citadel entirely. They carry nothing but trouble." Alex let out a frustrated sigh, before he turned to Rael. "Sorry for dragging you into our politics, Captain. Afraid your ships require a bit more time to be repaired, as do your people to recover fully."
"That is of no concern, Mr. Drake. I'll be happy to testify, or at least have a chance to say what I think about those bosh'tets in their face." Rael said with a chuckle, which Alex reciprocated. "If I may ask, what was it about the AIs you mentioned?"
"Oh, that… Not to bore you with all the details, Alliance had a secret AI research facility on Sidon, which my company had been commissioned to construct. According to contract, it was a simple domed research facility, but when last year the facility was attacked by mercenaries and it's existence came to life, the Alliance used that contract as a way of pinning this on me, to save face." Alex answered. "My Corporation has a reputation as innovators and pioneers in near every sphere of science and research, but we have our limits, and AIs are strictly prohibited from development and research. Of course, the Alliance and Council did not care about that, and were happy to pin this and Shu Qian with his collaboration with Batarians on me."
"That sounds like it should've been the end of you and your corporation, Mr. Drake. How did you recover from it?" Rael asked of Alex. "I know that even suspicions of researching AIs were enough to destroy entire corporations, yet yours seems to prosper. How did you avoid that?"
"Fairly simple, I am man who knows laws of the galaxy and the races that populate it, so I can navigate them. That and I have the original contract on me, and an army of very loyal, very effective and very vicious lawyers working for me. The kind that not even Krogans would want to face." Alex responded. "Safe to say, the Alliance chose to not pursue this case, as did the Council, not that it served as a stop sign for their STGs and spies to infiltrate my company."
"And how often do they succeed?" Rael asked with humor.
"Never, and I intend to keep that way, so if you will excuse me, I'll need to make a few changes to my schedule right now." Alex then tapped his omni-tool, making a call to someone. "Rhea, change of plans. You've heard about Goyle's call?"
"Yeah, Ishtar just sent me the press release from the embassy and Alliance." Rhea responded. "I take it we've just had a change in plans?"
"Yeah, call up the girls here ASAP and every information-comms specialist we have at hand, we'll be working overtime. And get me Ryder, I'll need to talk to him about his work ASAP. With that commission coming in, you can be sure they'll bring in those pesky STGs or even Spectres, so we need to be ready for them." Alex said, as he transmitted to Rhea and the twins his work. "Project Noosphere is now our top priority, Rhea." And with that he hung up.
"Noosphere? Dare I ask what this is?" Rael asked rhetorically.
"You may, Captain. You said you wished to repay me for my kindness." Alex reminded him, with Rael nodding to him. "Consider this to be your chance. I understand you and your people know a thing or two about information processing and virtual defenses?"
"We've invented the Geth, Mr. Drake, and we know how to work and defend our ships networks from anything that has even a bit of harmful code." Rael boasted. "What do you need us to do?"
"Help me finish up this Project before the bureaucrats arrives." Alex asked of him. "I think you and your engineers will love this one." Sanguinius told him, for the first time, truly putting his trust in a member of not his own species.
Four days later. Council's compound.
Saren Arterius looked out the polarized window of the allocated compound, and couldn't help but feel impressed by the humans, or at least their ingenuity and industrious nature. Yet that feeling quickly passed away, giving way to the irritation and anger, as the last thing he wanted was to be here, on Humanity's bastard version of Citadel and Omega, playing a glorified guard varren to the commission. He would much rather pursue those leads left by Shi Qian, believing that what that human scientists was researching could give Saren the power necessary to humble humanity for good, after they had humiliated and disgraced his race, as well as caused his brother's death.
But with no way of finding it now, and with the Council's demand to be here, he had to comply, though he had to be fair, this assignment wasn't as bad as it was, especially when considering the true purpose of their being here. Truly, Saren could barely contain his mandibles from twitching from excitement at first when Sparatus informed him of their true goal here: infiltrate Skyfall Station, download all their technical data, send the planetoid down onto Terra Nova, erasing all evidences. This was exactly what Saren had signed up for, and his companions were all handpicked for this mission because they were like him: ruthless, efficient, prejudiced towards humans, without any qualms and ready to do the job.
Except so far, they have had absolutely no damn success, and this began to piss Saren off, as he turned back and walked into the isolated room, where two other members of Spectres were.
"Tell me you have finally cracked their damn security." Saren demanded of his Salarian partner, who continued to tap the monitor, while also shaking his head. "You are the best infiltrator and STGs finest hacker, Tolom, so why can't you break their primitive defenses? This isn't Geth Consensus."
"No, but it is something even better, and I cannot make heads or tails of their security system." Tolom Rau answered, as he continued frantically to try and break in. "All I know is that it is unlike anything I've ever seen among other security systems. It is… It's almost alive."
"How? Do you mean to tell me that they use an AI in there?" Cyriana Vaero, a Turian female Spectre, asked her colleague, with Tolom shaking his head.
"No, not an AI, something different, but extremely efficient. Like an immune system, only extremely hyperactive and developed, it immediately spots any outside intervention, and then moves to counter and destroy the invader." Tolom explained. "It rapidly adapts to any invader virus and codes I send, making them completely useless. Connecting to their primary network is impossible, and every secondary network on this station is also protected by this security system."
"And how long would you need to overcome it?" Saren asked of him, with Tolom finally giving up and closing his terminal.
"STG would need years and entire division of our best programmers, hackers and more just to figure it out… The design and functions do not match anything we've encountered and worked with before, even Prothean designed electronic warfare systems seem childishly pathetic before it." Tolom stated, as he rose up from his seat. "Outside connection is impossible, meaning primary plan is out the window. My recommendation is we move to our tertiary plan of action." When Tolom said it, Cyriana looked at him as he were drunk, while Saren stiffened.
"Tolom, I know that there was this plan in the works, but… This all sounds too unreal, and would it even work?" Cyriana asked of him.
"It will, the STG have been preparing for years, and all of the necessary components are already on the station, arrangements were made to transport needed shock troops before we arrived." Tolom stated, before elaborating. "STG has ran simulations, regarding progress of Humanity, all are not in our favor. With their current progress, war is imminent and ramifications would be worse than during the Rebellions, with Angelus Corporation being the major factor in the Human victory. Best course scenario-preemptive crippling strike, weaken humanity early on, and take out their greatest asset- Angelus Corporation and Alex Drake. Would've launched this attack later anyway, but with new resources available, now stand a far better chance at success."
"So we use those things you brought and make a run for the Angelus Spire? Are we even certain that the data will be there?" Vaero asked, with Tolom nodding.
"Positive, the Spire is the center of their operation, nerve center of the organization, our STG groups confirmed it." Tolom stated. "The attack will catch the people off guard, use surprise and shock to overwhelm, granting us a window to move. Additional forces on the diplomatic vessel will eliminate station garrison's leadership, decapitate them in one fell swoop, while forces with the commission will take Alliance politicians and leaders captive. Irissa and Neru are aware of the plan, fully support it."
"And Quentius?" Saren asked, with Tolom shaking his head. "Then he will make for a good martyr. It would look suspicious if all members of the commission got out safe. Still, I say we just kill those humans."
"Acceptable, but preferable to take them alive, specifically Admirals Drake and Hojo, and Ambassador Goyle, as well as Rael'Zorah, for his information on the Quarians, others will be eliminated." Tolom surmised. "There is the matter of Alex Drake. He is not on the meeting, and we have no clue where he is."
"Spire most probably. He'll turn up, we'll use his father as bait." Saren said, before turning to Tolom. "How long will you need to begin it?"
"Already started it five minutes ago." Tolom responded, as he grabbed his gear. "We have fifteen minutes before our window of opportunity opens. Let us move." And with that, the Spectres moved out in a hurry.
Meanwhile in the docks, five large container vessels, registered under unassuming company names, suddenly opened up their cargo holds, and out of them were began to come out the horrors of the Salarian Union's unethical works, preparing to unleash chaos on to the Station. And on the Beloved Fate, an Asari Dreadnaught which served now as the diplomatic vessel, Asari commando, STG and Turian Spec Ops units received their green light to move out, and did so under the cover of their stealth devices.
Angelus Sanctum. 20 minutes later
Glad that he was no longer needed for those pointless talks, Sanguinius quickly found himself working in his personal lab in the bowels of his Spire, tweaking and calibrating his current project, when all of a sudden he sensed through the Warp something coming. After his rebirth and reclamation of his soul's true power, Sanguinius had discovered that his foresight has been inactive, no longer haunting him, yet at times there were small flashes, sensations of danger and such, and now it was ringing hard. Putting aside his work, he moved to his terminal and connected to the Noosphere's security system… Before he froze in shock at what was happening right now before his eyes.
Security stations and Marine barracks were assaulted decimated by what looked like special forces of the Citadel Races, yet at the same time out in the docks, shipping and even living sections rampaged a whole menagerie of monsters. Swarms of genetically altered and pure-strain Rachni, foreign models of war robots, clearly controlled by AI, entire battalions of them, in all shapes and sizes, all destroying his work and people. Marines and station security couldn't respond and coordinate, as they were either engaged with the enemy or being killed, while those that could, fought and died, saving the civilians. This was only the start, before in seconds the station seemed in a state of all out war, and Sanguinius couldn't believe what he was seeing, as his mind ran rampant, trying to comprehend and find a right response.
It took him less than half a minute to fully deduce what had happened, and he resisted an urge to slam his head against the wall, for he was so damn focused on installing the Noosphere into the network and it's defensive protocols, that he neglected internal security systems of the separate sections, which were vulnerable to direct contact. Enemy's commandoes gained access to those access points, and then used them to open up a direct path for their shock assault forces to begin rampaging, using it as distraction, while the true goals of their operations were in the Spire and the Alliance leaders. He could see the Asari Spectres and huntresses already taking out Marines on the talks and taking hostage his father and others…
It was a thrice-damned decapitation shock assault, almost taken straight from his past. This was the favored tactic of Sanguinius, Horus and Alpharius when campaigning together, and former Primarch could see it all happen again before his eyes. He knew the commission was a set up, but he didn't anticipate something like this, and now he felt like Roboute Guilliman at Calth. However, the initial shock was already gone for Sanguinius, and a plan of action was formed in his head at a speed of a supercomputer, as he immediately used the Noosphere to send out a formulated plan of resistance for the forces on the Stations and beyond to the Fourth Fleet, which already began to respond. He then activated defensive protocols for the Station, preventing any more individual sectors to falling to cyber warfare, and isolating the attacking enemy to the sectors they were in already.
"Ishtar, Ereshkigal, find Rhea and stay in the Spire, I need you to act as coordinators for the defenses!" Sanguinius sent them the message through his psychic canal, before transmitting them a detailed plan of actions, at the speed of a thought, before he activated the omni-tool. "Alec, are you still in the Spire?"
"Yeah, I'm here, and I'm seeing a complete hell breaking loose out there? What is it, Alex? Did the Council declare war on us or something?" Alec Ryder asked of his employer.
"Assume so for now. What is the status of the integration of the Noosphere into the Project Talos?" Sanguinius demanded to know.
"Noosphere nods are all implanted and are responding, all units are linked up… You are not suggesting that we send them out there?" Alec asked of him, before he realized that otherwise Alex wouldn't have asked. "We have over three thousand different units standing by, just give the command."
"Activate Project Talos, set action Protocol: Troy." And at that moment Sanguinius closed the channel, and walked to his current project, before taking off his shirt. "Time to see if I can fly."
Conference area. 7 minutes later
"Now, Admiral Drake, call up your son and tell him to come out." Tela Vasir ordered the man, as she put a pistol to his head, while she and others led the prisoners out to the shuttle. "I won't ask you twice, Admiral."
"Then you may as well shoot me, Vasir." Drake responded, as they were led outside of the building onto the streets, where utter chaos seemed to be taking place. "Whatever you plan to achieve with this madness, you'll fail. The Alliance will not simply let it slide."
"We'll see about that." Vasir stated, before she saw two squads of the Asari Huntresses arrive. "What took you so damn long? You were supposed to be here five minutes ago?"
"The human resistance, it has stiffened seriously, like they organized now, and we've been getting chatter reports of the Alliance shuttles and dropships coming in already." One of the Commandoes responded, surprising and shocking the attackers. "And there are reports of some mechs attacking and…"
"What mechs, what are you…" And then at that moment, something had landed right behind the Asari Huntresses, with a force of a tank.
The people had all but a moment to take a look at it, but it was enough to leave a lasting impression upon all that saw it. Before them was a towering armored humanoid mech suit, covered in layers of unknown alloy, painted blood red and black, standing at close to 2.3 meters, fully covered in armor, resembling that of a human knight ever so vaguely. On each of the wrist it had some form of armaments, while behind his back, a strange jetpack was situated, with what looked like white mechanical wings attached to it, which moved akin to living ones, and in each of his arm, he carried swords of unknown pale metal, glistening with lightning running through it. Whatever it was, Tela Vasir could tell one thing – it was dangerous… and she was right.
In the next moment, the armor moved, and faster than Vasir could perceive, it, or he, took out all eight Huntresses of the first squad, with his swords, which didn't seem even bothered by kinetic barriers or ceramic armor. Second squad didn't last longer, as this armored giant rushed them, literally crushing their skulls with his weight, before dismembering the rest with two swings of his sword. Without wasting another breath, he raised his right arm, and out flied projectiles, each one of them literally blowing up Asari, Turians and Salarians upon impact, creating a scene of gore and horror. Vasir saw her former apprentice and fellow Spectre shot in the face, her blood and remains of her skull blinding her, before the armored giant cut her in half. All of this took just 7 seconds, and the sole reason as to why Vasir could perceive it all was because of her experience and special genetic treatments that enhanced her perception and reaction, yet nothing could prepare her for this.
The former prisoners were in shock and awe at what they just witnessed, as whoever this was, it had moved with speed and agility unmatched by anyone or anything. Despite being mechanical in appearance, this armor moved as if it were alive, and the pilot… Whoever it was, he just saved their lives, and when the immediate crisis passed, the armored giant moved closer to them, before his helm retracted, showing their savior.
"Alex?" Arthur asked with shock.
"Yes, father." Alex confirmed, as the shuttle of the Angelus Corporation landed. "It will take you all into the Spire, it is fully safe and secure. I need you to coordinate the defense with the others."
"But what about you?" Hojo asked of Alex. "What are you going to do, Drake?" At that moment, Alex's helm returned, as the wings swung open and the engines roared with power.
"I will end this." And with this, the Angel of Death soared into the air and flew straight to where the fighting was most desperate and fierce, determined to win the battle for Skyfall.
I imagine that none of you had expected things to take THIS turn so soon, did you? As you can see, the Asari Matriarchs have just made their biggest mistake of their lives, and now Sanguinius has been unleashed. Also, for his armor appearance, it as mix of Iron Man, his own armor and Guilliman's current armor, if you need something to imagine. And expect that armor show off all of it's cool features in battle.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and will share your opinion on it in the reviews or through PMs, and as always, feel free to leave a suggestions about future events in the story, questions or other things. Your contributions help make this story better.
Next time: Angel of Death
See ya!
