Aethyta stood on the bridge of the Cruiser Cybaen and looked at the world they were approaching. It had taken more than a year of political wrangling to get to this point, but from where she was standing it was well worth it.
"Goddess, is that an Orbital Ring?!"
That is to say, next to a gobsmacked Matron Captain who had been shit talking about human accomplishments for the entire trip. Aethyta was also impressed, but knew full well her own people could accomplish the same if they got off their blue asses and tried.
The closer they got, the more details they could make out. There were two tower-like stations at the planetary poles, and the orbital ring had dozens of ships docked, including one of their newer behemoths.
"It sure looks that way. Busy people, these humans. Whelp," she spun on her heel and marched for the hatch, "I'm heading for the hangar. Tell my ride to meet me there."
'Her ride' turned out to be a marginally aerodynamic four engined space plane. The vehicle was a dull green with dozens of decals in bright colors and strong geometric shapes. She evaluated the craft as she clambered up the ramp. The interior was not tremendously spacious, but was well stocked with seats and hull racks. She handed her luggage to a lightly armored human, then started to settle into a seat, next to an elderly looking human woman who was flanked by two much more heavily armed humans. She reminded the Matriarch of a number of Dalatrass' she had met over the years.
I'll need to be cautious around this one.
"If you want ma'am," the human looked over as he stowed her gear, "Warrant Officer Farro's offered you the second seat for the ride down."
That was a no-brainer for the Matriarch: even if there was no real intelligence to be gathered, simply seeing how the humans controlled their craft could tell her a lot about how they prioritized things like safety or security. Plus, it was always distressing to not see where she was going.
The ride down was uneventful, though she was obviously being given a tour as they passed over a city at the base of one of the space elevators connecting the ring, and then over a great expanse of farmland until reaching a snowy base on a rocky peninsula. She could see several troop formations on an open courtyard, while individuals were running the perimeter.
The pilot swooped in to an unnecessarily flashy landing better suited for a combat drop.
"Welcome to Reach, ma'am. Go ahead and get your things from Petty Officer Spunkmeyer, and someone should be along shortly to get you settled in."
Aethyta unclipped herself from the co-pilot's seat. "So eager to get me off your boat?"
The helmeted woman shot her a sly grin. "Absolutely; as soon as I'm loaded up, it's back to the front where I belong."
The Matriarch smirked and nodded. "In that case, good hunting."
She collected her bags and stepped out into the brisk air. She could see the other passengers heading away towards a main complex, as a dozen Krogan sized humans in duty uniforms boarded the shuttle. Every one gave her an aside glance, though none were openly hostile.
Behind them came a normal sized, and very harried human in a formal uniform. "Commander Aethyta, I'm Lieutenant Gorman, UNSC Liaison Officer. Welcome to Sword base. If you'll follow me this way, I'll get you billeted, in-processed, and then to the Base Commandant."
The two made their way through the courtyard, past rank after rank of giant humans who appeared to be undergoing basic training. She saw several 'Spartans' running nearby; they seemed unusually awkward, while others pacing them moved with almost predatory grace.
"I wasn't given much information on this place on my way here. What am I looking at?"
"Sword Base used to be an intelligence monitoring base; but with the improved fleet yard, the Ring, and now the Spartan IV program, it was decided to move the intelligence apparatus into orbit and turn the base into a Spartan retraining center."
They were soon inside the main complex. Aethyta was subjected to the usual round of inspections, briefings, and given a sparse but private apartment. From there she was led to an office overlooking the courtyard.
A short, balding human turned to face them with a tense smile. "Thank you, Goreman, you're dismissed."
He came around the massive wooden desk in the middle of the room as the Lieutenant was leaving. "I'm sure somebody's already said this, but welcome to UNSC Training Center Sword, Reach." He proffered a hand, which she took in a solid but not competitive grip. "I'm Commandant Dean Norris. I'm sure you have quite a few questions." He gestured to a comfortable looking high backed wood and leather chair.
Aethyta sank into the plush chair and steepled her fingers. "A few; but we'll start with why your UNSC decided to post me here? Our last exchange officer served on a fleet ship on the front."
Norris shrugged. "Bit of politics, and a rare touch of common sense." He waved a hand and a series of holograms sprang up from the desk. "Last time, we were trying to impress on your Council what we were up against. After Operation: Red Ryder in the Terminous, High-Com doesn't feel we need another demonstration. We do feel," He leaned forward and gave the matriarch a hooded look, "that our training programs may have some... deficiencies. We were willing to overlook them during the Insurrection, and the first half of the Covenant War."
He leaned back as the hologram shifted from star charts and ship profiles, to what looked like biometric data. "Someone up top had an epiphany; a soldier who was already a veteran combatant while Great Britain was still trying to make the world England, might just have some ideas on how to train our troops not to be loose cannons."
Aethyta was genuinely surprised by the insight from who she had expected to be frothing at the mouth jingoistic nationalists. "I suppose that makes sense. What can I expect from these Spartans?"
The Commandant sighed. "Attitude, and a lot of it." He swiveled around and stood, looking out over the courtyard. "The Spartan II and III programs were carried out on children, with their training taking place over years. The current program, the Spartan IVs, is all volunteer veteran service members. They have training and experience," he turned around and leaned on the desk, "but the process is like going through puberty all over again. We need trainers who can keep up with them, take what they can dish out and give it back in spades, and maybe knock some of the smug off of them before they head out and get themselves killed."
Aethyta barked a laugh. "Sounds like trying to wrangle Maidens into Commandos. I assume I'm not alone in this?"
The human gave a relieved sigh as he pushed off the desk. "No, but none of our training cadre have undergone the program. As for wrangling, we have several Veteran Spartan Teams to knock heads, if it comes to that.
"If you don't mind, I have some administrative work I've been putting off. I'll pair you with DI Sergeant Zim. He can give you the Credit Tour, and then you can get to work."
...
Doctor Catherine Halsey clutched her case tightly as the elevator descended. He's here, I know it! She had wanted to bolt into the crowd as soon as she had stepped off the Pelican and find John; but her own discretion and her armed escort reigned in her impulse.
Patience, she thought to herself, I'm here now; there'll be time enough. She absently hugged her case as the elevator doors opened to a nondescript hallway.
A hallway that still had the 'ONI' seal emblazoned on it.
She didn't hesitate as she walked down the bright corridor, but suddenly felt strangely out of her element.
They arrived at an office with a single chair, and a holoprojector. She didn't need prompting to sit down, and the door was shut behind her. As the lights dimmed, the projector lit up.
Hello Catherine.
"Donnel," she kept any anger at the former ONI operative out of her voice. "Let's not mince words. I know Henry Lawson and Bryn Cole are here, and from what I saw there's nothing you need my help with regarding the IVs. What am I really here for?"
For this. The hologram gestured, and the facing wall retracted to show an icy cavern, which contained a partially buried structure. Your mastery of genetics is only one of your many skills; for example computer systems, such as the AI you have been carting around. We need you to help us access this one.
She stood and gaped at the structure. "This is... this is a Forerunner facility?" Donnel nodded. "On Reach, a Forerunner facility; the same Forerunners the Covenant worship, and in whose name they have been trying to eradicate us? The Forerunners whose bases Admirals Hood and Cole have ordered destroyed enmasse to prevent the Covenant from finding us?" She spun to face the image of Donnel. "And you parked your Spartans, my John, right on top of it?!"
I did, the senior most spy in the UTSG was non-pulsed by her outburst. I only rediscovered this site's existence two years ago. It gave me an excuse to stage forces here to crack its secrets, maybe finally get a real edge on the Covenant. We need to learn from this, not just blow it up and hope the Covenant doesn't notice. He cracked a humorless smile. Plus, having John here can serve as a motivator for you.
Catherine didn't bother to hide her scown at Udina's veiled threat. "What do you need me to do?"
What you do best: bend the rules until they cry for mercy, and give you what you want. The hologram pointed at the cavern. We know this facility was in fact a ship. We're hoping we can salvage its navigational archives, as well as any other secrets it may be hiding in its data-banks.
He gave a noncommittal shrug. You may also be asked to assist in integrating some of its salvage systems into the various ships in refit. There's high hopes that its slipstream drive and shields will be compatible with the Infinity. With that kind of mobility we could finally outmaneuver, or just out run the Covenant.
Catherine stood transfixed for a moment. "And in return?"
Some personal time with your children, when you aren't otherwise occupied of course.
The wall lowered and the door opened, this time admitting a single technician. I trust you will make the right choice, for all of humanity's sake.
...
Jane B-183 sat in the cramped 'Skycar', her Duffle Bag and armor case loaded into a following car. The skyline of Illium zoomed past as they made their way to the Spaceport in Nos Astra.
Differences in architecture aside, she really couldn't see a difference between this city, and any of the more developed UTSG worlds.
It was an odd perspective. She had gotten so used to aliens being more...alien; but other than the many different body types, it had all felt very familiar. There had even been a street preacher who thumped a holy book while pointing at her. She'd gotten more than a few responses like that on many extra-solar nations, though none after she had inevitably saved everyone's ass.
I'll just have to save everyone's ass all over again, she sighed and looked forlornly at the second car. Due to lack of infrastructure and security concerns, She'd had to leave her Mjolnr Mk. VI and battle-buddy Ogier behind. Instead, she had an upgraded SPI Mk III with an integrated DAI, or VI as the Citadel races called them.
She had been able to... smuggle her Brute Hammer as a piece of 'Cultural Art', but that was the only non-utility weapon she was allowed to bring. Again, she had been told this was for logistical and security reasons. She had her doubts, but she also had her orders so she would make due.
The Skycar pitched and banked as they approached the Government Docks. She could see a number of Corvette sized ships. Most were of the angular geometric Turian design, though there were some with the sweeping curves favored by the Asari and Salarians. To her eye, those last two bore an uncomfortable resemblance to Covenant aesthetic.
They passed all those, and instead came to rest next to a sleek black-and-white ship that looked like it should be in a Grand Prix, not a war zone. The overall profile was Turian, but this one was all smooth curves. By looks alone, she was a handsome and fast ship. Jane would see if she lived up to her aesthetic.
Once they had landed and Jane secured her property, a slate gray Turian with blue facial markings jogged over to her.
"Petty Officer Jane, I'm Lieutenant Garrus Vakarian, Citadel Defense Forces." He returned Jane's reflexive salute. "Specter Captain Kryik sends his regards, but he has some last minute arrangements to make. If you'll follow me, I'll get you billeted and give you a quick tour."
They made their way inside, directly onto what Jane recognized as the Command and Control Center.
"Isn't this a bit insecure; having your shipway airlock connect directly to CIC?"
Garrus buzzed as his mandibles and frill fluttered oddly. "We don't have a lot of room to work with. Since the only other airlock is in the hargar bay, adjacent to the drive core, this was felt to be the more controllable access."
Jane looked around the relatively cramped space. She was in a corridor lined with stations. Only about half were manned, while the rest were dark. To her left was a slightly depressed area, dominated by an enormous hunched creature.
Garrus noted her attention. "That's Helm and Navigation. Flight Lieutenant Jo-Kar. He's the best pilot in the fleet. Just ask him, he'll tell you."
Jane heard a slight buzz in Garrus' voice at what she guessed was mild teasing. This was followed by a near bone shaking bass laconic voice from the cockpit.
"Snidely- And Lieutenant Vakarian is the best shot in Citadel space. He'll tell you the same."
Garrus leaned in and stage-whispered, "He's just annoyed he got pulled from the Fleet Fighter program to fly the Nierra."
"Warningly- Don't make me come over there and sit on you."
Garrus seemed ready to continue the banter until he caught Jane's raised eyebrow. "-ahem- Moving on." They continued to the right, into a large domed array of monitoring stations surrounding a large central holographic projector.
"This is the Coordination Center. It's where the Captain monitors missions status', intelligence reports, and directs operations. Behind that bulkhead," he pointed to the back wall, "is the communications center and mission debrief. If any calls come for you, or you need to send messages out, that's where you will go."
They continued around, and Jane could see two armed guards by the Com Center door, as well as one at each hatch on either side. They headed down one deck to a large open area, with several crew chatting and eating.
"This is the Crew Deck. The Galley is self-serve, with color-coded options so you don't accidentally eat my Triffid and put yourself in medical; though it would be a mercifully short trip." He pointed to a glass enclosure, with a Salarian seen milling around inside.
"Over here is the Captain's Cabin, and down this way are the crew accommodations." They approached a series of angled pods of varying sizes.
Jane side-eyed her guide. "Your crew just goes into cryo when off duty?"
Garrus buzzed in the same manner as when talking to Jo-Kar. "Nothing as crude as that. The Sleep-Pods use localized time dilation at a factor of 1-4. You'll see the rotation schedule once you're fully inprocessed has you on several back to back shifts with only a couple of short breaks in between." He pointed at the pods. "This is why."
Jane wasn't sure what to think of the slave-driver's schedule Garrus described, so she brushed it off for now. "Can I assume they have reserve power, and can serve as lifeboats?"
"Yes, but not anything outrageous. In an emergency, the field polarity is reversed. If you have sufficient water, you can last almost three standard months inside one, while you would only experience a couple of weeks."
Jane huffed. "I think I'd rather just go into cryo. Especially since it doesn't look like I can fit in any of them."
"Yes, hence Specter Captain making arrangements. Come on," He headed back towards the stairs, "we've got a couple of other spots to see before settling you in."
They stepped into an elevator and began to descend.
Very.
Slowly.
"It's a freight elevator, it isn't supposed to be fast."
Jane looked at Garrus. "You say that a lot, do you?"
"Yes."
"Do you believe it?"
Garrus' mandible clicked. "Maybe, if I say it enough times."
"Are you sure this isn't part of Boarding Deterrence? Like, if someone tries to get to the upper decks this way, they'd die of old age before getting there?"
Garrus just huffed and buzzed. After a few moments, Jane braced against the wall, preparing to push the elevator faster.
"Please don't," Garrus never moved. "Jo-Kar did that on the first day. It torqued the lifting motors. It took two hours to get him out, and another day to get the elevator working again."
Jane settled in for the languid ride, almost jumping out once the doors opened.
"Welcome to the Hangar, armory and workshop."
The room was cavernous: big enough for several armored vehicles, or a couple of platoons of infantry. Instead, all she saw was a single six-wheeled vehicle with a turret on top, and several lockers along the far wall.
"That looks fun," Jane nodded to the armored vehicle. She walked over and looked at the massive tires and heavy duty all terrain suspension.
Garrus gave a different click and buzz. "Yeah, fun. You'll find out. Let's get your equipment stowed, finish the tour, and see if Specter Kryik is back."
Once Jane's SPI was put away, and her Brute Hammer grav-clamped to the locker, they headed down a ramp to a room with an enormous, glowing, spinning, exposed Exotic Matter Core.
"This is the Tantalus Core. It provides, well, everything. You realistically have no reason to be here, so I'd ask you to keep out unless asked."
"That won't be a problem," Jane eyed the ginormous Atomic Dough Mixer, "I've no intention of catching every form of cancer."
"Thank the Spirits for small favors."
Jane noted a similar tone to when he was teasing Jo-Kar. Maybe I'll have their mannerisms figured out quicker than I thought.
...
Aethyta braced herself as hard as she could in the 'shotgun' seat of the M12 'Scout-Hog', while Sergeant Zim slewed the surprisingly agile vehicle through the dirt path up to the Mountain Training Center.
"Sometimes I just want to hang up my Smokey Hat, grab a helmet and hop the first transport to the front. You know what I mean?"
The Matriarch nodded wide eyed as Zim jumped over a rut, the scout car bouncing merrily along.
Zim glanced over at her and let a grin creep onto his features. "Don't you worry none. I've been driving Hogs and Bandits for thirty years. I know what they will and won't do."
"What they won't," Aethyta's teeth clacked at a particularly dynamic landing, "won't do, is stop bouncing!"
Zim nodded, or his head bobbled with the rough road; Aethyta couldn't tell. "I'll grant you that. The M12 was designed with Pelicans and Spartan's in mind, and Spartan armor weighs as much as both of us together. Now the old Z12 HMMWV had a much wider wheel base and a longer chassis. Great stability and handling, but too big to be air-lifted using a Pelican."
"So you're saying," she choked her grip on the 'Jesus Handle' next to her head, "if we weighed more, this thing wouldn't bounce like a drunk Volus falling down stairs?"
"Not knowing what a Wollus is, I'll say yesWHOA!" He nearly slammed on the breaks as his passenger glowed blue, and the Warthog squatted down into the road. "What the-"
"Biotics," Aethyta commented absently as the ride smoothed out. "It's tiring, but worth it in this case."
"Not gonna argue, just warn a guy when you're gonna put on three hundred Kilos."
"Isn't there an unspoken rule about not discussing a lady's weight?"
Zim chuckled and shook his head as they drove. "Not judging ma'am; just making conversation."
Aethyta settled in for the much improved ride.
...
"This seems... excessive," Jane clutched her restraint harness, as the Mechanized Assault Combat Operations vehicle was moved into position for a 'hot drop'. "Couldn't we land, or take a shuttle as opposed to Jo-Kar making a bombing run with us as the bomb?"
"What's this," the Asari in 'conformal armor' across from her sneered, "I thought you UNSC types were all about 'Guts-n-Glory' orbital drop tactics?"
Jane leveled a flat stare at the cat-suited Commando. "ODSTs have a ten percent attrition rate from bad landings alone, and that's with every safety measure we can cram into an SOEIV. This thing," she thumped her helmet against the hull, "is an all-terrain minivan with rockets. There has to be a better way."
Garrus wormed his way back from the driver and gunner stations. "We don't want to tip off the local Mercs that we're here, so we can't bring the Nierra all the way down, and the MACO is designed with this kind of deployment in mind."
He just managed to secure his harness, when the cabin lights turned red and the bottom fell out of the world. Commando Theris whooped and laughed, while Jane and Garrus clutched their restraints. The drop was only for a few seconds, then the braking jets fired and the MACO bounced to a stop.
Jane took a few calming breaths as the vehicle started to drive. "I'm still hazy on why we're here. The Captain said there was a hostage situation, but also an acquisition opportunity?"
Garrus buzzed and shrugged. "You need a gun."
"I have it on fairly good authority that you, the collective you, have guns."
"None that'll fit your mits, girlie," Theris grinned as the MACO began crossing rough terrain, and bouncing. "For you, we need Krogan manufactured arms. And since those are illegal outside the DMZ-"
"You can't very well fly there and window shop-" Jane lurched as the MACO pitched wildy. "Were we hit?!"
"Just some rough terrain, ma'am. Nothing to worry about," the Salarian driver commented calmly.
When she looked at the other two passengers, she saw almost manic glee on Theris' face, while Garrus' features were pinched tight enough to be aerodynamic.
Jane choked her grip tighter on the crash harness.
"GoddaaAAAMMMMmmnnNNNIIIIit!"
The next five minutes were the most jarring experience in Jane's life, as the streamlined vehicle bounced, jetted, and flipped its way across the surface of the planetesimal.
They lurched to a stop as the turret traversed. "Please tell me this thing handles like that because of the low gravity." Her heart sank at the wicked grin on the Commando's face, and the pained one on Garrus'.
An alarm sounded just before the MACO hopped. The gun and jets fired while they were still in the air, and the vehicle began a manic slalom down a near vertical surface.
"Whoever designed this truck should DIE!"
As suddenly as the chaos began, it stopped with the MACO coming to a rocking halt. Everyone sealed their helmets as the compartment lights turned green, and the rear loading ramp dropped. Jane wasted no time clamoring out of the cursed rolling coffin, Brute hammer in hand.
She kept low and as she looked around. They were on the outskirts of a compound consisting of two large overhanging structures, and a single concrete disk bunker all facing an open area in the middle. there were a number of boxes a little larger than a bathroom scattered in between. On the ground were the charred, ruined remains of the former defenders, and the scrap metal of what might have been watch towers and gun emplacements.
Garrus and Theris moved up on Jane, and the three stalked forward.
"Odds are, the hostages are in the most secure compound," Garrus pointed at the concrete disk. "Jarwis and Peebe will keep the MACO hot, in case anyone from the out-buildings decides to join in the fun."
They were nearly to the bunker, when Jane saw something out of the corner of her eye. She threw up her Phalanx Barrier as a disk shaped grenade impacted form above. "This thing will take anything short of an artillery shell, but we only have thirty seconds."
Two more explosions hit the bubble as their radios squawked. Lieutenant, there are mercs on the roofs of the two buildings. I don't have a clear shot, but I think I can pin one of them down at a time!
Jane jerked her head towards the building behind them, as she laid her hammer's head at Theris' feet. "Have them suppress the right building." She looked Theris in the face plate. "You want a real Ride?"
Jane could see the grin in the Asari's posture as she stepped onto the hammer head. Jane felt the weight disappear as her passenger glowed blue. She looked back at her target as the Phalanx dome began to glow orange. "Five seconds."
Garrus buzzed in alarm. "You ladies are insane! Peebe, suppress right!"
The dome dropped just as the MACO started firing. Jane heaved, and launched Theris into the air over the left building. There was an odd flash of dark purple, and suddenly several individuals were floating above the building.
Jane couldn't hear the shots, but she saw the flashes as Garrus calmly sniped every aggressor with firing range precision.
"Bastards are trying to run!" Theris barked over the radio as she fired her machine pistol at the second building.
"On it! Cover me!" Jane sprinted the two dozen meters to the rear slope of the building. She hockey-checked the first person: a Salarian based on their environment suit. The body bowled over an Asari, but was dodged by the Turian. They managed a short burst of rifle fire before she brought the cutting edge of the hammer down on them. there was a jet of air and blue blood as the body fell away.
She was suddenly lifted into the air by a black glowing ball, and in her flailing she saw the Asari climbing to her feet, one hand raised. That was as far as the Asari got, as her helmet evaporated. Jane activated the hammer and yanked herself back to the ground, just as the Salarian stood up and started peppering her with pistol fire. She wound up, and put all her considerable strength into a gravity assisted SWAT!
"Sound off!" Garrus barked over the suit radio.
"Theris, good" Jane could see the Commando floating to the ground.
MACO, Good Jarwis called from the truck.
"Spartan, good," Jane glanced at the carnage.
Nierra to ground team; with incredulity, I just hit a flying Salarian. What are you doing down there? Everyone glanced around, unsure what to say to Jo-Kar. With frustration, Seriously, one of you did this, so one of you is cleaning it up.
Garrus began talking to Jo-Kar, as Theris walked over to Jane. "Girlie, that was incredible!" She tossed something to the Spartan. Jane looked over the weapon. It was a flat gray and black over-under double barreled long gun with a D-guard grip. "Meet the Striker. Second best long gun to come out of Tuchunka. Recoil's a bitch, but I think you can handle it."
Jane put away her Brute Hammer, and test fired a few shots into a nearby rock. The recoil didn't seem too bad to her, but she supposed that was an unfair comparison: her armor weighed almost three times as much as Theris.
"You're going to make me blush, and I didn't get you anything."
"Sure you did, you gave me a real ride! Come on," the Asari turned and headed back to the main bunker, "let's get back to the mission at hand."
...
"Huh!" -swish-
Aethyta had fought across hundreds of battlefields in her life, lost hundreds of friends and allies, and slain thousands of foes.
-Thwack- "Unh!"
This 'Spartan' she was facing now, was about middle of the road.
She locked his overextended arm in a brutal arm bar, a simulated dagger resting against his throat. "And you're dead. Again." She shrugged Spartan DeMarco away and stepped back to the center of the ring of trainees and Elder Spartans. "You cannot rely on reach and brute strength to get you through a close quarters fight." She turned to face the senior Spartans. "Any advice from your end?"
There was some general shuffling and shaking of heads.
"Stop holding back," the unspoken leader of all Spartans, the one called John, grated out.
"Oh, comeon Chief; she's our Council loaner," DeMarco huffed as he stretched his neck. "We can't just-"
"Not you." The entire ring froze as the perpetually armored supersoldier looked directly at Aethyta. "Spartans are the best, because we need to be the best. If we don't ever get tested to our limits, we won't know what they are. We will either choke in indecision, or get killed in a useless gesture."
He stepped into the ring and assumed a basic combat stance, his knife simulator in a relaxed reverse grip. "So stop holding back." In the fraction of a second she had to evaluate him, Aethyta could see he fully intended to fight as if his life depended on it.
The Matriarch flashed up a barrier just as the Spartan lunged forward. Both knew this was just the first probe, though the concussive force of the collision threw Aethyta to the side of the ring while barely maintaining her feet.
John was stopped dead in his tracks, despite his nearly three hundred kilos of mass.
The Matriarch wasted no time in throwing a warp to break the Spartan's ground contact. As he began to float up, she dashed behind. However before she could capitalize on the situation, he fired the jets in his armor and propelled himself out of the gravity well. They were now on opposite sides of the ring again, and Aethyta chose to initiate while he was still orienting.
She Charged him, hoping to off balance the Spartan and 'stab' one of the less unarmored spots. He folded with the impact, putting his heavily armored shoulder in the way of the slash. She had only a moment to guard herself as his knee snapped up into her midriff.
She let the force of the blow carry her away from the Spartan so she could reassess her foe. Aethyta had fought across hundreds of battlefields in her life, lost hundreds of friends and allies, and slain thousands of foes. John 117 was easily the match for any or all of them.
She also took in the ring of trainees and veterans, and saw shock, awe, and surprise.
Good, she grinned as she tensed for another Charge while planning how to probe and create openings in John's defenses, maybe I can make a difference in a few of these Maidens. Let's show them what Daddy Krogan's Girl can do!
The two lunged towards one another, fists raised for another round.
...
"Contact Left; engaging!"
-Boom-Boom-BoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoomBoom-
Jane ducked down behind a crate to let her Striker rifle's heat sinks catch up. She was on yet another border world in the Terminus, digging out yet another Batarian pirate nest. It was... educational.
"GRAHH!"
She all but pirouetted out from behind the crate as a Krogan smashed through it. She used the momentum for a roundhouse kick to send the thug flying-
-BLAM-
Right into Theris' field of fire. She'd found a camaraderie with the Asari Commando that grew into a synergy on the battlefield. It was like serving with Kaiden, only Theris was a little more fragile.
"Pull!" Fragile, but much more elegant. A blue glow formed over a group of Batarians hunkered behind a surprisingly sturdy guardrail, and Jane snapped off a shot into the middle of them.
-BOOM-
The explosive round shredded the one in the middle, and the shrapnel did in their battle buddies.
"No contacts left!"
"No contacts rear," Theris barked out.
"No contacts front," Specter Kryick dropped down from the rooftop he had been perched on. "All clear."
Theris stepped out from her cover while rolling her shoulder. "Aw, is that it?"
Jane pinged the surveillance feed for the base. "Looks like. We have been tearing through them for the last two months; we were bound to run out eventually."
The Specter's mandibles clicked in mild impatience. "We are not out here to feed your lust for adventure, Matron." He collapsed his rifle and swept his gaze over the compound. "That said, we have made considerable progress clearing out this particular Pirate company. Well done, both of you."
The roar of the Nierra coming in low to pick them up drowned out whatever snide response she had.
Once aboard, Jane headed straight to her locker to take care of her equipment; 'Captain Specter, Hero of the Citadel' would call her for post mission debrief once he' reported in.
"Astounding," Garrus' voice buzzed from behind her, "you actually managed to return from a mission not covered in the entrails of your foes. Was today an off day?"
Where Jane's report with Theris was synergistic, her relationship with the Lieutenant was like she imagined it would be with a little brother.
"Space-Dad doesn't let us girls cut loose the way you do."
"Yes, well he's got a-"
Spartan Jane and Lieutenant Vakarian, please report to the Comm Center. Spartan Jane and Lieutenant Vakarian to the Comm Center.
They both looked up at the speakers in mild surprise.
Jane glanced at Garrus. "What do you suppose that's about?"
His frill fluttered in uncertainty. "No idea. I doubt the Council wants a direct report from you, so it likely has to do with your people."
Jane shrugged and locked her SPI armor up, then they headed up to the Combat Information Center. They arrived side by side and saluted the Specter Captain who was reviewing star charts.
"Good, you're both here so I don't have to repeat myself." He returned the salute and brought up a colony chart; one Jane was familiar with. "We've been tasked in a joint operation between the Citadel Council, and the United Terran Systems Government Colonial Authority. Tell me Spartan, what do you know about Prothean artifacts?"
"Not much, Specter," Jane settled into Parade Rest. "Your people's technology is based almost entirely on Prothean relics, and there aren't any in Terran space."
Nihlus nodded. "Yes, though it would be more accurate to say they are only found within a short range of the Mass Relay network. A network your people are now operating around. One of your colonies, Eden Prime I believe it's called, turned out to be a former Prothean world. They've uncovered a fairly large site, including an active piece of technology."
Garrus gasped at the image that came up, though Jane couldn't figure out why. "Sooo, we found a giant Prothean glowstick?"
Garrus choked for a moment before staring at Jane incredulously. "That's a Beacon, Jane: a working Prothean Beacon!" He pointed at the faintly glowing gray spike. "These devices are repositories of Prothean knowledge; devices like this are how the Citadel races learned Mass Effect technology!"
"And your UTSG has agreed to hand this one over to the Citadel," the Specter turned and faced the array of images. "Relations with the Hanar Primacy, both with the UTSG and the Citadel have become increasingly strained of late, despite the efforts of the Council," his chin tipped down in concern before shaking off his thoughts and facing the other two again. "Your Director of Colonial Affairs felt handing over the Beacon should serve as enough of a salve to calm even the most zealous Hanar."
Garrus buzzed in thought. "That's still a very enticing target; there are a lot of groups that would be willing to risk war over the chance to get a working Beacon."
Jane nodded in understanding. "I take it, we are making the pickup?"
"Precisely. The Nierra is currently the fastest ship in the CDF, and your presence in the hand off team should help smooth things over with the Colonials."
"Extrasolar Nationals," Jane said absently. "Eden Prime isn't a colony any more; it's a sovereign nation with representative status in the UTSG Parliament." She locked eyes with the Specter. "You're likely to start a fight if you call them 'colonists'."
The Specter returned her level stare. "I'll keep that in mind for once we arrive; which should be in twelve hours. Get your gear in order, then get some rest."
...
Aethyta sat in the common mess, sipping what passed for tea. She'd tried their 'coffee' once; never again! She shivered slightly at the memory of nervous jitters and phantom biotic manifestations.
She looked around the mess at the various Spartans, clustered together in their assigned training teams. They were good soldiers, good people once you got past the uneasiness of their super-science origins.
What they weren't, was uncontrollable children.
She felt more than heard the approach of one of the veterans. A quick glance confirmed the Bravo Battalion Spartan Kat, her prosthesis giving mild whirs and clicks while it's inbuilt Omnitool glowed in an idle state.
The Matriarch had needed to do some deep digging to get any facts about the infamous raid where Kat had lost her arm. Aethyta was sure her own mother and father would have been quite impressed with that bit of strategy, cunning and heroism.
"This seat taken?" Kat glanced at the table, empty except for the Asari.
Aethyta's tendrils flexed in mild annoyance. "I don't know why your people insist on asking that, when you can clearly see it isn't." She gestured for Kat to sit across from her.
The Spartan set her tray down and sat with a faint smile. "Tradition. Humans are generally social creatures, but sometimes you just want the whole universe to fuck all the way off."
"True," Aethyta nodded sagely as she nibbled a piece of toast. "So what brings you over to my table?"
"Just wanted to chat, see how you were doing, get your opinion on our little setup, that sort of thing."
The Matriarch suppressed a snort at the obvious attempt at 'covert' intelligence gathering. Spartans were many things, but subtle wasn't one of them. She felt another shiver come on as she caught a glimpse of one of the newer 'recruits' named Locke.
Most Spartans...
She shook her wandering thoughts clear and refocused on her guest. "I'm doing fine, though my opinion is that I was lied to."
Kat visibly tensed. "Oh? How so?"
Aethyta looked into her cup. "I was given to believe that this 'Spartan' process resulted in hormonal imbalances, and that was one of the reasons I was brought on." She looked and swept the Mess Hall before focusing back on Kat. "Most of the younger Spartans like DeMarco and his team; they're like that because they are young.
"Then you get one like Palmer: she was in and out in a month before being sent up to Infinity." Aethyta shot her eyes to Locke's table, and his 'Osiris' team. "Locke's crew are just as skilled and disciplined as her, but they got here before I did."
Aethyta went back to nursing her tea. "I'm an old bitch, who's used to dealing with political schemes that take one of your lifetimes to play out. This is all well and good," she waved at the room, "but it isn't necessary. This program would be better served by being decentralized across several worlds. So why here?"
Kat frowned slightly, and Aethyta realized the Spartan might just be more subtle than she gave her credit for. "You think the same thing, don't you?"
Kat to a particularly fierce bite out of her fruit. "We only go out on Field Training Exercises one platoon at a time, rather than company grade maneuvers; the rotation through the Camp keeps exactly one Battalion's worth of Spartans on post at all times; and the Armory is adjacent to the Barracks, rather than across the Camp."
She set her apple core on her tray and looked down at her arm. "We're bivouacked here, and the last time Spartans were active at the Battalion level was for a major operation."
Aethyta was about to press her meal partner, when the PA system squealed.
Noble Team, please report to Briefing Room Three. Noble Team to Briefing Room Three. Trainer Aethyta, please report to Briefing Room Three. Trainer Aethyta to Briefing Room Three.
The two women spared each other a tense look, before wolfing down the last of their meals and heeding the call.