Arius stared at the high-resolution projection screen showing the vid-call of the five corporate tycoons from Illium. The term "Gang of Five" was an understatement; these were among the most influential and cunning individuals in the galaxy. Their web of financial influence was considerable, capable of shifting economies on a whim.

The call was delivered to him aboard the Normandy, live from Illium's temporary hub of operations. A staggering amount of resources were locked into the private sector, especially those like the "Gang of Five" who were paranoid about keeping their fortunes. The corporate titans had recently flexed their muscles against the Reaper fleet, deploying their defensive forces and a substantial array of fission weapons to focus on troop transports rather than the near-invulnerable capital ships. Their decision, a strategy suggested by Arius, had ground the impending invasion to a halt, buying them invaluable time.

And now, they sat before him on the screen, the weight of their influence clear in the steady gaze of each member. "Thank you for your time, esteemed members," Arius said, setting a cordial tone. "The galaxy no doubt recognizes the considerable risks and investments you've taken. Your recent defence against the Reaper invasion was not only strategic but also admirable."

One of the five, a sharp-eyed asari named Telara, inclined her head in acknowledgement. "It's not entirely altruistic, Arius. Our survival is linked to the success of these investments."

Arius nodded. "Of course, Telara. Survival is indeed the biggest motivator. And yet, your choice to focus your defences on troop transports was an unconventional strategy. It seems you recognized the merit in the approach I suggested."

Rygel, a salarian business magnate known for his strategic cunning, leaned into the camera. "Yes, your strategic advice proved sound, Arius. But what else do you have to offer?"

"A live feed of Reaper locations," Arius said, watching the expressions of the five shift in surprise. "Information that you won't find on any news outlet, or in any military brief."

The silence following his proclamation was palpable. "And what do you want in exchange?" asked Nirene, an influential human in the interstellar real estate business.

"Resources. Additional materials, technical personnel, anything you can spare. The Normandy needs every bit of help it can get. The information I offer can guide your acquisitions, streamline your operations, and perhaps even save lives."

An asari named Seraphia, a powerful figure in biotech, frowned. "How did you come by this information, Arius?"

Arius smiled wryly. "Let's just say, some corners of the galaxy are darker than others."

The fifth tycoon, a turian called Septimus known for his defence conglomerate, leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "A compelling proposal, Arius. However, we need assurances."

Arius nodded, "I understand. I am willing to offer an initial stream of Reaper locations for the next 24 hours as a show of good faith."

Septimus considered this. "We will deliberate on this, Arius."

Arius acknowledged with a slight bow of his head. "I trust in your judgement. Remember, the longer we wait, the more we risk. Illium's recent victory has given us a brief reprieve, but the Reapers will not stay at bay for long. Time is our most precious resource now."

The call came through. Septimus appeared on the screen, the outlines of the other four faintly visible in the background.

"We've evaluated your proposal, Arius," Septimus began, his voice devoid of the usual corporate monotone, instead reflecting an unusual solemnity. "We understand the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in. We've already seen the value of your strategic counsel during our defence."

He paused, the air seeming to thicken with the tension. Arius kept his composure, knowing that any hint of desperation could be interpreted as weakness.

"We've seen the Reaper location data you've provided," Septimus finally continued. "It's disturbingly precise, which means it's either incredibly valuable or an extremely dangerous bluff."

Arius nodded, keeping his features carefully neutral. "I assure you, it's the former."

Telara interjected then, her voice softer than Septimus', but no less authoritative. "What guarantees do we have, Arius? How can we be certain you'll continue to provide us with this information? This isn't like any other business contract."

"I understand your concerns," Arius replied, his gaze unwavering. "But we're not dealing with typical business scenarios, are we? Our usual protocols have to be thrown out of the airlock. All I can offer you is my word. The galaxy's survival is our shared interest. If we fall, so does everything we've built."

The silence that followed was deafening. Arius could see the five corporate powerhouses exchanging glances, their expressions carefully guarded. Eventually, it was Nirene who broke the silence.

"Alright, Arius," she said, her voice steady. "We're in."

Arius allowed himself a small, victorious smile. "You've made the right choice. Thank you."

"There's one condition," Rygel interjected suddenly, his voice razor sharp. "We want continued transparency. We want to know exactly where our resources are going, how they're being used."

Arius met Rygel's gaze evenly. "I appreciate your concern for transparency, Rygel. However, I'm sure you understand that in times of war, certain projects demand a degree of confidentiality."

Rygel frowned. "We are not interested in underwriting a blank check, Arius."

"Understandable," Arius said with a nod. "Let's agree on this then, your resources will be allocated to a project we'll refer to as 'the Fusion Initiative', a project vital to our survival. We will provide updates on the progress and resource usage, all within the bounds of security protocols. The actual details of the project must remain classified to ensure its success."

Rygel appeared to mull over this for a moment, his eyes narrow. Finally, he gave a sharp nod. "Very well, Arius. But we expect diligence and frequent updates."

Arius nodded. "Agreed. You will have regular updates on the 'Fusion Initiative'. Now," Arius said, clasping his hands together. "Let's get to work. Time is not on our side."

.

The moment the connection was severed, Arius let out a sigh of relief. It quickly transformed into a chuckle, his eyes shimmering with triumph. He had realized a long time ago that there was a limit to how large a sword a man could swing but none on the amount he could pen. Compared to the work of rending flesh and bone, this work almost seemed like cheating.

"I think that went very well. What do you think, EDI?"

"You handled that adeptly," EDI's soft, synthetic voice remarked. "Your negotiation was both tactful and assertive, ensuring you kept the upper hand."

Arius gave a nod of acknowledgment. "Thank you, EDI. This victory, of course, also belongs to you. Your analysis was spot on."

EDI continued, "I've been observing the 'Gang of Five' for some time. Their collective influence is considerable, and their ability to cooperate and compete simultaneously is unique. However, in their conversations and their holdings, some cues suggest possible vulnerabilities."

Arius skimmed through his notes. "Do you mind reviewing them while I have you here?"

"Not at all. Let's start with Telara. She's recently invested heavily in biotic amplification technology. It implies she's trying to enhance either her own biotic capabilities or those of her private army. This might indicate insecurity or a power grab. Either way, it could be exploited."

"An interesting suggestion," Arius mused, a hand resting on his chin. "What about the others?"

"Rygel," EDI began, shifting the display to show a series of financial graphs, "is overextended. My data indicates that while he appears strong, he has heavily invested in several ventures that are, unfortunately, situated in Reaper-occupied zones. His urgency in the call, his demand for transparency, may be stemming from a need to ensure he doesn't lose any more assets."

Arius smirked. "That would certainly explain his tone. It's always about the credits for these types. And the rest?"

"Nirene's interests lie primarily in real estate," EDI explained. "Given the current state of the galaxy, this means her assets are extremely vulnerable. Every planetary loss to the Reapers is a hit to her portfolio."

"A position I wouldn't envy. And the turian?"

"Septimus has his resources heavily tied up in defence contracts," EDI said. "His conglomerate is doing well, but he's also taken on significant debt to ramp up production. If the war doesn't turn in our favour soon, he may find himself in a precarious position."

"And Seraphia?" Arius prompted.

"Seraphia's biotech empire is vast," EDI began. "She has a near monopoly on certain proprietary tech. However, she's been facing resistance, both politically and in the form of corporate espionage. Her drive to be on the winning side of this war may stem from a need to solidify her position and eliminate competitors."

"Hmm. It seems they all have their soft spots. It's good to be aware of them, just in case we need to press any buttons…" he began to say, but the cogs in his head had already turned, jump-started by the trail of fresh blood, ignited by the old forces of pride and competition.

For the second time as of late, the old Prothean itch bubbled under his skin, demanding its dominion to be asserted over all others. Disturbed from their slumber, those snakes in the garden of his heart silently slithered down the path of ruination and stratagem, contemplating the efforts required to pit each vulnerability against the other and slowly rip apart the gang's exploitative enterprises to feed their hungry war machine. As his thoughts darkened, a shadow slowly passed behind his eyes.

For Telara, he considered spreading rumours that Seraphia or Septimus was on the brink of revealing an advanced biotic amplification technology. By doing so, he aimed to stir Telara's anxieties about her investments. As an alternative, he thought about leaking information questioning the reliability of Telara's biotic tech.

For Rygel, Arius pondered offering him a lucrative deal to safeguard his investments in Reaper-occupied zones, but with a catch — Rygel would have to betray the others. Additionally, emphasizing the prosperity of the other members' investments might sow envy and distrust in Rygel's mind.

Nirene's vulnerability lay in her real estate holdings. Arius thought of suggesting to Septimus and Telara that they should steer clear of real estate, implying that such ventures were unsound. To further corner Nirene, he contemplated offering her protection for her assets, but at a cost that would alienate her from the rest.

With Septimus, Arius saw an opportunity to highlight the risks of his defence contracts, especially if the war's tide didn't turn. By hinting that other members were considering diversifying away from the war effort, Arius hoped to make Septimus doubt their loyalty.

Finally, for Seraphia, Arius planned to fuel her suspicions about corporate espionage. He contemplated intimating that one of the gang members might be orchestrating these moves against her. To add fuel to the fire, he considered backing her competitors, thereby exacerbating her challenges.

Arius folded his arms and looked down at the list of concessions they had made to him in exchange for the Reaper data he was providing. It was long, but it could be longer. Much longer. He wondered how long it would take to dismantle the gang from within, ensuring only he would reign over Illium. He could afford to be patient; Their brief, fleeting lives could not.

Unaware of the thoughts swirling in Arius's head, EDI's blue lights blinked thoughtfully. "Indeed. Even in the face of galactic annihilation, personal ambitions and vulnerabilities persist. Humanoids, irrespective of species, are driven by a blend of self-interest and collective goals. It's what makes them both unpredictable and fascinating."

Perhaps it was EDI's casual, impersonal observation, or the words she chose - Arius was suddenly transported to his recent discourse with Liara about the more unsavoury qualities of humanity and starkly saw a likeness burning within the flames of his ambitions. Alarmed by this realization, his gaze shifted to an organizational board on his left. It listed the ongoing war casualties per world and major city, numbers mostly. Still, he had purposely placed a holo of a truly horrific scene from a ruined and sacked Earth city being processed by the Reapers. In the scene, a group of ragged humans were getting herded into a Reaper processing ship, moments away from being converted into a genetic paste. One of the group members, with harrowed eyes, had by chance looked directly at the photographer when the still was captured, a moment away before being pushed in and never seen again. The eyes looked at him now, as they did anyone who dared gaze through the eyes of the photographer.

The flames of his ambition were instantly extinguished, with the dying wisps of ash carrying the shame of his daring. He reclined slightly, covering his face with his hands, and let out a heavy sigh.

He had committed himself to supporting the Normandy throughout the war, addressing every need, including morale. But he wasn't isolated from the galaxy; the weight of time seemed to stretch him thin, and the relentless toll of war eroded the once resilient foundation of his psyche. Memories of brighter days haunted his every waking moment, and his dreams were now shadowed by doubt and despair. Each day, the battle was not just against the external enemy, but also against the creeping shadows of his own mind. This internal fight grew more taxing with time. He found himself averting his eyes from the graphic feeds of carnage and blocking out the cries of countless souls. The onslaught, which he had always anticipated, left him feeling increasingly helpless. The inexorable march of time and war had worn him down, pushing him to the brink of his own sanity, teetering between lucidity and madness. What frightened him the most was the certainty that they would sink even deeper, that his next lapse would strike soon and without warning, causing him to forget all that he had held dear.

"Start preparing the information packages for Illium, EDI, and sanitize them well. We wouldn't want to hand over more than they bargained for."

"Arius, your agreement with Illium's 'Gang of Five' appears advantageous however, any misuse of the information by the corporations could lead to amplified risks."

"That is true. However, the updates we provide will come from a source that is now secondary to us. Do you recall our last mission to the Hercules system?"

"The mission where we extracted data from the interferometric array?" EDI questioned.

"Correct. Some brilliant minds have tuned the Crucible into the command switches of the mass relays. We now possess a real-time galactic map, pinpointing every Reaper in the Milky Way. The Caduceus Array system, that I've been overseeing, is now obsolete in terms of scope and accuracy. As it's no longer useful to us, we can repurpose its less accurate Reaper data for our new allies, a service they'll pay dearly for. This strategy far surpasses any salvage value we could have garnered from simply selling off the probes. We still retain the upper hand in this agreement and need all the resources we can get. No war can be fought without a bankroll."

EDI's avatar flickered slightly as she processed his statement. "Understood," she finally replied. "I'll begin processing the feed."

"Thank you."

.

After EDI's dismissed herself, Arius collated his notes and updated the list of galactic assets they were owed with the resources they would soon receive from Illium's tycoons. While he did so, his inbox pinged with a message.

From: Kasumi Goto

Subject: Done and Dusted

Hey Arius,

You know, for a shady organization that prides itself on secrecy and control, Cerberus really needs to upgrade its security. Maybe they spent all their credits on Shepard and not enough on keeping snoopers like me out. That big, old Cerberus artifact you had your eyes on? Let's just say it's on its way. Honestly, I've had more challenging shopping trips.

Til our next misadventure,

Kasumi

P.S. Forward my fee to the Refugee Relief Fund. There are people out there who need it more than I do.

Arius scratched his head. As with everyone else Shepard associated with, Kasumi was so good at what she did that it bordered on disbelief. He submitted a donation to the Refugee Relief Fund with Kasumi's agreed-upon fee with an additional bonus. Then, he sent her the receipt and a thank you note to conclude their business.

He quickly drafted a letter to another contact and dispatched it.

Subject: Delivery Schedule Update

Change in plans. Chassis arriving before the engine parts. Adjust accordingly.

Arius