I don't own Mass Effect
I start this chapter, my grandfather recently passed away. He was a true blue aussie with Scottish heritage, he could play the bagpipes beyond beautifully and his paintings...they were so good I could use them as backgrounds on my computer and tell people that they were photos and get away with it. He used to paint the backdrops to theaters, massive tarps that you could use to cover a house or bus.
He built his own house with his own two hands, it had the most wonderful rough rock tiles and he loved his scotch...I love you poppy. If I'm anything like you or have half the life you had I will have lived well.
Guest-annoyed: OKAY THAT IS IT! Blaze has to be a bot no human could have this much free time to review nearly every good fic on this damn site!
Barla Von "No one knows who he is. I have a theory that it is an entire group acting under on identity. How else can they juggle so many contacts at the same time? How else could they prevent all that information from getting crossed?"
Story Start
Omega Nebula
Amada system
Normandy-Cockpit
Three weeks after the Battle of the Citadel
Shepard was on edge, if Callum was right than any day she and the Normandy would come under attack, leading to the possible the destruction of the latter and the death (at least temporarily) of the former.
Not that Shepard had any intention of dieing, an ambush was a lot less effective if you knew it was coming after.
Truthfully she didn't want to be here, but while the Council had recently lost a lot of influence and power, due in no small part thanks to her very public dress down of them, they still had some. And they were focussing most of it on her, probably because of that exact reason.
Privately Admiral Hackett had come to her and said that he could use what influence to get her out of chasing down the geth...well the heretic faction of them at least. Or he could use it to push for preparations against the Reapers. Less than three weeks and the Council were already trying to bury their heads in the sand and lable Sovereign as a once off threat. This time, thanks to Private Callum and her own public humiliation of them it won't be so easy for them to do.
So she had two options, get out of this wild goose chase and hope Hackett still had enough influence and favours to make a difference or to bet it all on black and hope she made it out...she chose the later.
Even if she got out of this lame assignment the Collectors would still be after her. She would have to keep looking over her back, ready and waiting for an attack she knew was coming but not when, where or what form. Even if she stayed on Earth she had no doubt that somehow the Collectors would send an assassin to take her the second she was vulnerable.
But if she stayed, then she knew what she was facing. Roughly when and where it was going to happen giving her an edge. An edge she was going to make the most of. She had taken as many precautions and steps to push things into her favour as much as possible. If everything went well then they'd make it out of here alive, or at least give the Collectors a bloody nose. If it didn't...well she was also prepared for that too. The bulk of the Normandy crew was on leave, if they weren't absolutely necessary then they weren't here. The number of people on the Normandy was less than half it usually was. Most of her ground crew was gone too.
Garrus was ordered back by C-sec, likely another example of the Council being petty. Callum was still in rehabilitation, getting used to living with one less eye until he got a replacement with Gamora their helping him. There was more than one joke going around about her playing 'nurse'. Scuttlebutt had apparenlty spread rumours about a very passionate encounter between the two in the showers making more than one person and gender envious.
Even if that wasn't true Callum needed some time of, also even if he was ready for duty Shepard didn't think she would have him on board. Ship battles let alone ship evacuations were difficult enough without operating with limited vision. Especially if you werent yet used to it.
Tali and Liara were of the ship working on Vigil and Liara was trying to get access to the archives on Mars. Hopefully, they'd be able to use a combination of both to find any Prothean tech or designs they could use. Wrex was off trying to get a head start unifying his people.
Though they were gone each had left her a 'gift' of sorts before they left. Hackett had made sure the Normandy was retrofitted with a bigger gun, it wasn't a thanix cannon which from what she could understand would give them the firepower of a deadnaught but even the slightest increase would help. Hackett also had the engines overhaulled, good thing too as Joker had burnt out a couple of important parts with his redlining of the engine.
Garrus then calibrated that gun to give almost an extra 20%. Before they left, Tali and Liara were able to modify and improve their scanners. When the Collectors attacked they would see them that much sooner and be able to send details back to the Alliance. Also, with Adam's help they were able to modify the shields. They could take almost fifty percent more damage but an extended fight would burn them out to the point they would need to be replaced.
Wrex had also given his present in the form of two rockets that were now in the cargo bay. They were big, ugly and old. Dating all the back to the Krogan Rebellions but still functional, they were also incredibly illegal. If she wasn't a Spectre she had no doubt getting caught with not one, but two of them would have led to a lengthy prison sentence. Even if they managed to blow up the Normandy she was prepared, the fact that they didn't target any of the escape pods suggested that they knew she wasn't on any of them. That combined with the fact they could pick up the Normandy suggested high-tech scanners, so to be safe she had removed her tags from her suit and left her helmet in her cabin, the helmet she carried was a backup that had the identification tag of someone who was currently on leave.
If the Normandy did blow up they would see her helmet and tag was still on the ship, she however would be on an escape pod waiting for pickup. She would then use the information scanned of the ship and that she was attacked so soon after the Battle of the Citadel to go after the Collectors.
By the time they started going after human colonies, they would be ready and waiting for them. After taking out the Collector cruiser they'd go through the wreckage and find what they'd need to go through the Omega relay.
"You okay Commander?" asked Joker breaking her out of her thoughts.
"I'm good Joker." answered Shepard
"You sure? 'cause you've been acting a bit odd recently." said Joker not convinced "You've also been spending a lot of time with me in the cockpit. Now I get it, if you want to spend time with me just say so, you don't need to go and make excuses."
"Yeah right. Get your head out of the gutter before I jank it out, that's not why I've been hanging around." answered Shepard
"Then what is?" asked Joker seriously, humour gone.
"Just feel like something is about happen." said Shepard, deciding to go with a partial truth "Like the second shoe is about to drop and land on us."
"What shoe? Saren's dead and the massive lobster shaped bringer of death, which may or may not be a Reaper is gone with him." argued Joker
"I wouldn't put it past Saren or Sovereign to have a backup, if for nothing more than to be petty." replied Shepard before adding "Plus remember what happened the last time the Council sent us directions."
"So is that why we have all those little 'upgrades' all over the place? You do know that they affect the handling right?" complained Joker "I've had to get used to flying the Normandy all over again plus those missiles gives us a heavy ass."
"Hold on...Commander I'm picking up a nearby ship." interrupted a woman named Talitha Draven who was working behind Joker "It looks like a cruiser but I don't recognise the make."
"Where is it?" asked Shepard
"Behind us but it's closing the distance fast...hold on its changing direction. It's now on an intercept course with us." warned Talitha
"That's not possible." argued Pressley "Stealth systems are running and we are far out of visual range, there's no way they can see us."
"Joker evasive maneuvers now!" shouted Shepard
"But..." started Joker
"NOW!" shouted Shepard
Twisting, the ship suddenly jerked to the side. Just in time to avoid a beam that missed by mere meters, millimetres by space-faring standards. If Joker hadn't already been moving it would have hit.
"Joker get us out of here, same rules as Illos! Burn out the engines if you have to but I want the Normandy somewhere safe! Talk to Adam to see what else you get out of our power. Ensign Talitha, send a distress signal and every single reading that we're getting. Pressley, I want you to get everyone ready for evacuation. Don't launch the escape pods yet but I want everyone ready."
"Commander...how did you know they could see us?" asked Pressley
"This is the second time we encountered a ship of unknown origin, I think we all know how that went last time. Ash, we have a problem, a big cruiser that can see right through our stealth drives. I want you to ready the packages just incase." said Shepard getting onto comms as Pressley evacuated the first deck
The next few minutes were tense, at the speeds they were going at the inertial dampeners did nothing, they felt every single turn. Despite Joker's skills the Collector vessel eventually got a hit in on one of the engines, limiting the Normandy's mobility. Despite that Joker got his own hits in.
"Pressley, launch the escape pods! We can't win this one, Ash I'm on my way to you now." said Shepard over the comms "Joker keep the Normandy running as long as possible, get us as far from the escape pods as you can before bailing out, get in some more hits if you can. Ensign, make sure he gets out. If I have to come back up here to drag his ass out I'm going to put my boot up both of yours."
"Understood ma'am, I'll make sure he gets out." promised Ensign Talitha
Leaving the cockpit, Shepard headed for the stairs. After getting there she'd open a maintenance hatch to get to Ash and make sure those missiles connected. Then they'd use the escape pods in the cargo bay to get out. With Pressley organising the evacuation the only people in the cargo bay should be Adam and a handful of people. The bulk of the escape pods were near the crew quarters there were two on each side of the engineering deck...because that slow-ass elevator was nowhere near fast enough if you needed to evacuate the ship.
Unfortunately, as she reached the halfway point. Between the cockpit and the map...the second hit collided with the Normandy, tearing through the command deck and causing decompression. Sucking her right out into space.
Newton's law said an object would remain in motion unless something acted against it...and there was nothing to stop her in space.
Thankfully when she had been sucked out of space she had hit one of the walls on her way out, she definitely had a bruised if not cracked rib, but it had absorbed a lot if not most of her inertia. What was left she used her biotics to slow, then stop her spinning.
So there she was, roughly about thirty metres from the Normandy, crippled, leaking air and slowly losing integrity. There was a sort of...serene beauty about it. But she needed to get back on board, there was no way her personal supply of air would last long enough for help to arrive. But how? She could use her biotics to get her back, like Callum did to get on that luxury ship but he already had inertia pulling him in that direction. All he had to do was 'nudge' himself.
She however had just stopped the majority of hers, so she would need to build it back up. The question was how, she could take it slow and ensure she stayed on course but that would take more time than she had. The other option was a charge, problem was if she missed there wouldn't be a second chance.
Just as she was preparing herself she felt a biotic field appearing around her as she was pulled back towards the Normandy.
"I've got you Commander. " came the unmistakable voice of Kaiden over her comms
Looking at the hole that was blown in the side of the Normandy Shepard could make out the forms of Kaiden and Solana.
The distance closed to twenty metres, then fifteen, then ten. Just like it seemed that she was moments from being back on board the Collector ship made another pass, flying overhead. Its beam hit the second level of the Normandy and caused secondary explosions throughout the vessel.
At the same time she was blown even further away than she was before, the field pulling her toward the Normandy had vanished and she felt a new pain blossom in her side. Looking down she saw a large piece of shrapnel pertruding from her stomach. Blood floating away from her into the depths of space
"Solana, Kaiden are you okay?" asked Shepard desperately, teeth clenched from the pain
"We're alive." came Solana's reply, pain also present in her voice as was something else "But Kaiden's knocked out...we...we can't get you."
"...get out of here. Make sure the both of you get off the Normandy alive. If Joker has any sense he should have left by now as well." ordered Shepard
"But commander..." protested Solana only for Shepard to cut her off.
"That's an order...besides, you already said you can't get to me. The ship is seconds from blowing up completely. Even if I could do a charge I won't make it in time. Even if you could create a makshift rope we wouldn't make it Get out of here and tell Garrus...I'll meet him at the bar...one way or another."
"...yes commander." replied Solana regretfully before hopefully making it to an intact escape pod.
Looking at the ruins of the Normandy, a once proud ship Shepard waited. She could make one more attempt to get on board, but her body was too busy trying not going into shock for her biotics to work properly. And even if they were the ship was seconds from detonating. It would be a small miracle that Solana would be able to drag Kaiden to an escape pod before it was too late. It staying intact long enough for her to aim, then biotcally charge her way on board wasn't going to happen.
So she did something else, hopefully she'd be back. Hopefully Callum would be right about one more thing...if she didn't though, there was one thing she had to know.
"This is Commander Shepard, has everyone made it off? Ash if you're still there get out, the Normandy's finished and won't last much longer."
"Ash's gone commander, I sent her back up when the second beam hit." came Presley's voice over the comms.
"Pressley what are you doing?" asked Shepard
"If we can't save the Normandy we can avenge her. We couldn't use the missiles before, Jokers flying was just to chaotic to get a lock. But if I wait until that ship gets close enough I can take it down with us." answered Pressley
"There's a good chance that's going to be one-way trip Pressley," warned Shepard
"We all make it one day Commander, besides there's still one escape pod left near me. If make a run for it I just might make it. What about you Commander?" asked Pressley
"I can't get to any escape pods." answered Shepard
"...then it has been an honour serving with you ma'am. If it makes a difference most of the crew managed to evacuate safely. All I need to do is make sure it can't pick off the survivors." said Pressley
"Aim well Pressley." said Shepard in farewell, already knowing the chances Pressley had on making it out were only slightly better than her own
For a final time the Collector vessel made its approach. Unlike the previous times which were fast and quick, this one was slow and deliberate. Like a predator who had crippled its prey with quick attacks and only moved in for the final blow when its prey was defenceless.
Only this prey wasn't defenceless, as its main weapon glowed an ominous yellow, two rockets were fired. One of them was destroyed by the beam itself as it fired, the other hit the Collector vessel the same time as the beam hit the Normandy.
One ship was scuttled while the other was completely destroyed. The last thing Shepard saw was a part of the Normandy's hull flying towards her head before everything went dark.
One Week later, Citadel Space
After Shepard's death, the Council had been quick to try and regain their lost power and influence. Even going so far to use Shepard's death as a stepping stone, labelling it 'a tragic accident'.
Hackett though, wasn't having any of it and had given the Council his own version of dressing them down much to the detriment of Udina's stress levels. Demanding that investigations begin on the on the species that attacked and then destroyed the Normandy as well the continued investigation of the origins of Sovereign.
Tevos had replied that an entire race cannot be judged by one encounter and that it was possible that they might have perceived Shepard actions as hostile and merely wanted to defend themselves. She even went so far to insunuate that any possible relations between the new species and the Citadel might be hampered due to her use of highly dangerous, not to mention illegal rebellion era missiles. 'While Spectres are allowed to any and all tatics to complete their mission didn't mean that restraint isn't sometimes needed. And clearly Commander Shepard could have used more restaint, perhaps even tried to open communications with them.'
Hackett had immediately reminded Tevos that it was the Council who had ordered Shepard to investigate that region of space despite her wishes and that he had seen hanar on the Presidium display more hositlity than the Normandy had done. Or was she just going to ignore the fact that she ship had opened fire as soon as the Normandy detected it. "Not only was their attack unprovoked but it was a clear example of someone driving a knife into someones back as they walked away. The fact that the Normandy was only one of a few ships that were destoyed or had vanished in that region cooberates this. If anything the Normandy should have been assigned backup...backup that I remember requesting, even if they merely waited in a nearby system."
"Admiral Hackett..." started Tevos
"I've also gotten word that your already pulling investigation teams from Sovereign, despite the fact they've yet to find anything conclusive. This, combined with your reluctance to look into this matter, tells me that either your incompetence is still continuing or that you are secretly glad that someone that has been so vocal against you is dead or somethingthat is even more nefarious. " interrupted Hackett
"Are you trying to suggest the Council might have been involved in the Commander's death?" asked Valern
"I'm just pointing out that a mere three weeks after saving the Citadel then dressing down three Council members Shepard was killed in a surprise attack...maybe someone decided that even out of the public eye Shepard was gaining too much influence and wanted to remedy the situation." suggested Hackett
It was complete nonsense of course but Hackett knew what was coming and he also knew that if he gave the Council an inch they...or at least Tevos would take a mile and then act like that was the deal the entire time.
"Admiral." started Tevos, sounding insulted "Despite our disagreements Commander Shepard was a hero and we will always be grateful for her actions during the battle of the Citadel. Which, if you remember, also included saving our lives."
"You say that, but a mere second ago you were also reapproching her use of 'force' despite the fact the missiles were only used as a last resort to ensure that the unknown ship would not go after the escape pods. There is also the fact that many other Spectres have used much less 'restraint' than Commander Shepard showed. I'm sure Councilor Anderson could give you an example of former Spectre Saren, an incident that you were more than happy to ignore at the time. Also, don't think to use the 'we have learnt from our past mistakes and must...' card. Its nothing more than a political play and you know it. If it had been any other Spectre the missiles would have never been brought up." argued Hackett
"What are you suggesting Admiral?" asked Sparatus
"Suggesting?" asked Hackett "Nothing, however we will continue to investigate the ship that attacked and destroyed the Normandy unprovoked. Should any ship of its make be detected near our worlds it will be met with lethal force unless they show themselves as a non-threat and stand down. We will also be continuing the investigation into Sovereign's orgins, where and when it was found by Saren as well trying to reverse engineer its weapons...taking in mind Commander Shepard's suggestions to avoid indoctrination of course. You of course are welcome to join us but we will do it on our own if necessary."
"Indoctrination, are you really taking such a thing seriously?" asked Tevos haughtily "Commander Shepard might have been a distinguished soldier but even she was not immune to being tricked and it is clear looking back that Saren was able to fool her or at the very least mislead her on a number of occasions."
"If someone told me a hundred years ago that there was a race that could reproduce with any sentient being alive, or told me a few hundred years earlier that it was possible to lift things with your mind I would have called them crazy yet your species has been doing both for thousands of years."
The meeting continued on for some time after that. A mere month ago, Hacketts words cpuld and would have resulted in the immediate loss of his position or at least the removal of him from the public eye, as humanity tried to recover from his faux pas. Now however the Council had lost their reputation, there credibility, power and influence. It had started with Shepard and it continued with Hackett. No longer would people stay quiet when it came to criticising the Council in the fear of them retaliating in one way or another.
Two Weeks after the Normandy's destruction
Outside the Perseus Veil
Onboard a small vessel
Ship ID H7415h6
"Are you two sure about this?" I asked as I looked around the cockpit. Which for a vessel of this size accounted for nearly half of the whole ship.
Nearby were Tali and Gamora. We each had our own console but since neither Gamora or I had any experience operating any ship systems Tali was doing the bulk of the work.
"I'm sure," responed Tali" thanks to Admiral Hackett, humanity has made some preparations for the Reapers in the guise of being prepared for another Collector attack but the asari are slowing him down as much as they can.
The turians are doing there own preparations but thats mainly so they remain the race with the most powerful ships and fleet and to replace what they lost during Sovereign's attack. While the salarians are hiding their hand.
Ever since you told me that the geth uprising didn't go the way I was told and there was hope for a future for both of us. I've been thinking what that might look like, what we might achieve together. With them on our side we might have a chance at beating the Reapers. Not only will they be able to cut down on production times but they'll be able to spot flaws in any devopling technology long before they become a problem.
And the relationship wouldn't be a oneway street either as we can give them ideas that they wouldn't come up with on their own. Like those ideas you told me about...if we can get something like that working we can hold our own."
"I to agree that this is the right choice. Sovereign has already used a geth faction against us to great affect. When the rest of his kind arrives they will no doubt continue from his example and keep us at odds with one another. So that we don't form a united front, if however we tell the geth what we know, they will at the very least realise that the Reapers always intended for their destruction to happen and will act accordingly. "
"Alright if both of you are sure...Tali let them know we're here." I said
Typing a few command codes Tali began speaking.
"This is Tali Zorah nar Rayya, I am here with my companions Callum Maclean and Gamora Is'ley. We come in peace in the hopes of a united front against the Old Machines, to show that we mean no harm I offer you my pilgrimage gift. Also, be warned that heretics might be monitoring you without your knowledge."
"All we can do now is wait for their reply." I said and wait we did
Nearly two months after the Normandy's destruction
Illium Bar
"It's not often that someone offers the amount of credits you did just for a damn chat." said a grump voice sitting down
In front of me sat the one, the only...Zaeed Massani.
"That was so I could have your attention, I have something I want to over with you. But before that I want to ask you a question. Who do you think is more dangerous, you in your prime or you as you are now?" I asked
"And why does that matter?" asked Zaeed sounding annoyed...well more annoyed
"I think its the former. People don't get to your age doing what you do by accident, let alone are still doing it. I half remember some saying about how an old lion is still more dangerous than a young lion in its prime. Something about experience and it winning battles that its younger wouldn't. What if I told you I could give you the strength, speed and agility that far outseeded what you had in your prime. That you could run like a cheetah and punch like a gorilla?" I asked
"I'd say get to the goddamn point." answered Zaeed
"I have a prototype of an undersuit that can do all that and more and I'm willing to give it to you...right now." I answered
"And what do you want in return as this ain't Christmas and you sure as hell aren't santa." asked Zaeed bluntly
"You know about the attack on the Citadel and the destruction of the Normandy?" I asked
"Everyone who's been hiding underneath a rock for the last thirty years and their dear ol' grandmother knows about that." remarked Zaeed
"There will a time where I'll need your help on a mission. A mission that people might not becoming back from" I answered
"A damned suicide mission? That's what this is all about?" asked Zaeed "You want me start a mercenary group for a mere suicide mission?"
"Its not just that, the deadnaught that was at the head of the fleet, it's not a dreadnaught and there's a lot more of them on the way." I answered before handing over a tablet. "Here is all the information we have on them and the Collectors who we also believe are working with them. Also on it is detailed information on a certain person that you've been hunting as well as a certain person I want you to take under your wing and the credits to get her out."
"I ain't no damned babysitter. So not only do you want me on a suicide mission you want me to fight a war as well?" asked Zaeed
"A babysitter...no, just someone she can trust, teach her that being a bad ass doesn't mean you have to be a bad person. On the tablet are also a number of things she would want to know, also...she might run into someone from her past, someone she knew as a kid. If at all possible I want them to leave alive."
"Why are you doing this? And why should I fight a war for you? A missions one thing but I'm going to need something extra if you want me to stick my neck out for an extended period." said Zaeed
"Because she deserves better, and so does the other person. They both had an upbringing that they didn't deserve and I want to give them at least a chance of something better. As for the war...the same force that I'm talking about is coming for all of us and is the same force that wiped out the Protheans."
"No one knows what happened to the Protheans other than that they all disappeared."
said Zaeed
"No one knew what happened to the Protheans." I corrected "There's not going to be a single safe place to hide when they get here. What a mainly want you is for a single missio to hit the Collectors and or Reapers hard. After that your free to do what you want. What I hope you'll do is thin or occupy Reaper forces, either from being hired by governments to help evacuate civilians, hit specific targets or just squeeze money out of the rich to go and bring their kid home safe. Either way I don't care. As long at it negatively affects the Reapers or Collectors. You'll get credits and I get the knowledge that someone is getting their asses handed to them. Speaking of kids though, you might want to see yours before it's too late."
The second I said this I felt a pistol being pushed against my knee.
"I sure ain't getting father of the year anytime soon, hell I probably have a few extra that I don't know about. But if you think you can dangle their safety its about to get very ugly for you." said Zaeed coldly
"Apologies, poor choice of words. Your son isn't in any danger, nor will he be anytime soon. If anything he will outlive both of us by six hundred years at least." I said, trying to ignore the gun
"You trying to be funny?"
"No, have you seen the tv show star trek?" I asked
"Just how goddamn old do you think I am?"
"It's a show about..." I started
"I know what its about, now get to the point before I decide to take the suit and tablet in return for leaving you alive." interrupted Zaeed "Abet with a missing knee."
"Your son's joined the Andromeda Initiative, its a large group of all species that's travelling to the Andromeda galaxy for exploration and colonisation. If you ever wanted to say anything to him or give him any advice now would be the time to do it. He's going to need it."
"And why would that be?" asked Zaeed
"Whole new galaxy is going to be very different, but its still going to have similar problems.
Humanity has had to fight other species in this galaxy, why would different in another? Listen, I've taken up enough of your time. Keep the tablet and undersuit and let me know what you decide.
Also, if you say yes, the weapons and gear that I give you and your group are for you and your group alone. If someone leaves they leave them behind unless theres a good reason and you are a hundred percent sure it won't bite us in the ass. I also don't want anyone trying to reverse engineer anything. If someone new joins and there is not enough let me know and I will make sure you get what you need." I said before getting up and walking away.
A day later I got a call...Zaeed was in.
Three months after the Normandy's Destruction
Omega
Afterlife
"I need to speak to Aria." I said to a particularly rough-looking batarian
"Get lost human, no one speaks to Aria unless she wants to. Certainly not a one-eyed bastard that looks like he just got here." came the reply
"And if that bastard has information on someone breaking the one rule of Omega?" I asked
"...hold on a second." said the batarian before taping his ear "I got someone here who claims he knows someone who's causing trouble for Aria...got it, understood. Alright you can head up but I hope for your sake you have something worth while. Last person that wasted Aria's time took a week being scrapped off the pavement."
Heading up the stairs I came face to face with Aria sitting on her couch bored. Between her and me were four guards that were looking much less bored. Plus a fifth that gave me a thorough scan.
"I don't often see someone from the streets...even if that someone was involved in the recent battle on the Citadel." she said surprising me, I didn't think I would even be on Aria's radar
"Surprised? You shouldn't, while you are almost a nobody you became a blip for fighting next to Commander Shepard. It is only because of that we have any clue on who you are. It is also only because of that you haven't already been chucked out of Afterlife as an example not to waste my time...however should this still be a waste of my time, that example will be much worse." warned Aria
"Have you heard about how both the Systems Alliance and the Turian Hierarchy are increasing their fleet size and strength?" I asked
"I know that." remarked Aria still bored "Your telling me information I already know. They might have put the Matriarchs panties in a knot but as long as they don't turn those fleets against me I don't care...and if they do I'll make sure they regret it."
"What if I told you it was because of Sovereign, Saren's so caĺled flagship that both of them are increasing their military strength." I offered
This actually got a laugh from Aria
"I'd call you an idiot. Your commander might have been a few things but an ancient race of ship sized synthetics are just ridiculous. If the Alliance and Hierarchy are really believing that story they're being lead by bigger idiots than I thought. No, more likely their just using that as an excuse to bolster their numbers as much as they can before the Matriarchs put their foot down and put a stop to it."
"So you believe the Council's story of Sovereign being a geth construct?" I asked
"I didn't say that." said Aria sounding annoyed "Even for it's size it was far more powerful than the other geth ships. My theory is Saren came along some old derelict ship from the Prothean era and had the geth repair it. Or he stole high tech weapons designs, killed the designer and made up that story to hide its origins. Either way its weapons were most likely a once off as otherwise the rest of the geth fleet would have had them."
"You might want to look at this." I responded, handing over a tablet to a nearby guard who in turn gave it to Aria after checking it.
"And what's this?" asked Aria
"Proof that Sovereign wasn't a once off, that there are more of them out there. You might have even heard of one...Leviathan of Dis?" I asked
Frowning Aria answered
"That just gives credidance to the idea of them being an ancient war ship. Not that there's an army of them out there."
"How long ago did the Protheans vanish?" I asked
"Do I need to give you a reminder why you shouldn't waste my time?" warned Aria
"No, I just want to make a point. The Protheans are thought to have vanished fifty thousand years ago. There are multiple artifacts of their culture and technology. Now most people are told that the Citadel and the Relays where their greatest achievement...there's just one problem." I answered
"And that is?" asked Aria
"They far predate the earliest Prothean artifact. Even if the Protheans were space faring for much longer then we thought why would they be using the equivalent of great gran's spaceship to get around? The evidence is in the tablet." I offered
"And if I chose not to believe this evidence?" asked Aria "Messing with Relays is one of the few Citadel laws that I bother caring about."
"The tablet also includes a video evidence of us finding the Prothean IV on Illos. Talking about how the Reapers invaded through the Citadel as well as its true nature and origins as both a massive relay and a Reaper construct."
Now this got her attention, for the first time during the whole conversation Aria actually looked interested.
"There's a lot of value on that VI, even a recording could net me a large sum of credits. Still though, asari have living there for longer then your calendar has been counting. You expect me to believe they could have missed something this big?"
"How much do you know about Omega?" I asked making Aria snort
Getting to her feet Aria strikes a dramatic pose
"I AM OMEGA!"
"And do you think Tevos knows half the things about the Citadel that you know about Omega? When you took over Omega you took it over completely, when Tevos took over she just made sure she had the best accommodation. " I answered
"Oh and you're an expert on Tevos now?" asked Aria mirthfully
"No but you are, or at least you know her better than me." I said causing her to loose that mirth.
"And why would I know her?" asked Aria in a voice that warned me to choose my words carefully.
"I don't know and it's none of my business but I know you do. I also know about the asari's dirty secret." I answered
"And what kind of secret would that be?" asked Aria
Instead of answering I hand over a folded piece of paper. Opening in Aria froze before ripping it up and glaring at me.
"I also want to know if you had to choose between seeing your daughter again and knowing that she was safe which would you choose?" I asked
Around me the guards stiffened
"A lot a matriarchs would want me to kill you right now and thanks to your last question I'm one of them. So unless you want to die in the next five seconds you better give me a reason to let you live and tell me how you know that."
"I know that the same way I know the Reapers are coming. One of the things the VI known as Vigil told us was that after the Reapers retreated the survivors on Illos sent out a message. You can probably see where I am going with this."
"I see, now assuming I take you seriously and assuming that everything in the tablet agrees with what your saying what do you want from me?" asked Aria
"I want you to get ready, the Reapers are coming and everything single bit of help is needed." I answered "And when there arrive there won't be a single safe place to hide, not for long at least."
"If these Reapers are coming and they are as much of a threat as you say they are why should I stick my neck out? Why not let the Reapers and the Citadel fight it out and pick up the pieces later?" asked Aria
"To reasons, one your assuming that they can win. The Reapers wiped out the Protheans and who knows how many other species before that. The other is that your assuming that the Reapers won't be coming after Omega, they will. The only question will be if your the only one left at that point."
"In that case what makes you think I won't hide? Asari as you know live a long time." responded Aria
"Because you're Aria and no one takes Omega from Aria." I answered
"I don't like the fact that your implying that you know me but your right, no one takes Omega from me. That said an unwinnable battle is just that, Omega is important but as I said asari live long lives. I can always come back after they left." suggested Aria
"The other species were taken by surprise. When you know someones about to kick your door down it kinda lessens the impact and we still have a number of years left before they get here."
"Alright, you've piqued my interest. I won't promise anything but at least you get to leave here alive which is more than most can say who've pulled the same stunt you did." dismissed Aria
"I've got more information that you'd want to hear." I offered
"Ohh and what is that?" asked Aria
"First off Reaper technology has mind altering properties, those that, say enter the Dis are no longer the same afterwards nor are their choices their own. Second, you might want to keep an eye on both the Collectors and the gangs. We believe the former are working with the Reapers and the later will be gunning to take you out." I said getting a raised but non-existant eyebrows
"Oh is that so, you have any other information?" asked Aria
"A friend of mine might be coming around here soon. I was hoping you might keep an eye out for him, make sure he's not going to get any nasty surprises." I asked
"And what's the name of this friend?" asked Aria
"Archangel, also I was hoping I could ask you a question. "
"Sure, go ahead. Just don't expect that I'll answer it." responded Aria
"An answer to my earlier question." I answered
Looking at me carefully Aria answered
"...the only thing more important to me than Omega is her. If anyone or anything harmed her there is nothing wouldn't do to make sure they suffered as much I could possibly make them. I hope there's a good reason you asked me that question."
"There's a project called the Andromeda Initiative, you might have heard of it."
"Of course I've heard of it, despite how quiet their trying to keep it. I've got a certain turian that keeps coming to Omega for spare parts for goddess' sake." answered Aria "But I get your point, if it's going to be as bad as you're suggesting then it might be worth the idea of sending her along. With what I taught her she can cut up her own piece of space and finally get to work on her own legacy. Now unless theirs something else I suggest you 6 I change my mind about not killing you."
"Two more things, one I suggest keeping an eye out for ardat yakshi that might be coming. Like Archangel I'd like you to keep an eye out for her...but not in a friendly way this time. Also you might have a barman poisoning customers."
At this one of the guards gave an awkward cough.
"Something you want to share with the group?" asked Aria, tone indicating that a new job might be the least of his worries
"We've had a few more death nearby than usual...they were poisoned." answered the guard
"Find who it is and bring them to me. Now!" ordered Aria "Thanks for bringing this to my attention, as a bar people have certain...expectations when they walk through that door. Not getting poisoned is one of them. Now unless you want to personally see a particularly brutal example of why you do not fuck with me I suggest you leave now."
Seven Months after the Destruction of the Normandy
Unknown location
Shiala woke with a start and heart hammering, she had no idea where she was but everything was pitch black. She couldn't even see her hand infront of her face, extending her arm she tried to feel anything that would give her a sense of her surroundings...there wasn't anything. Asside from the padding she was lying on, there was only a smooth surface in every direction. It was like she was in a box...or a coffin.
Heart continuing to race Shiala struggled to remember how she got here. Her thoughts felt sluggish so she was definitely drugged but why?
While life as a Cerberus captive wasn't glamorous, she was given basic comfort and any moments where she wasn't poked and proded she was free to spend how she liked. Whether that was taking a long bath or watching a vid. Would she have left if given the opportunity? Of course she would have but asside from a few incidents where someone had went to far she hadn't put up any resistance. Rana had put up even...wait where was Rana? Panic renewing she tried to see if there was anything loose, perhaps a corner of a panel that she could use to escape, there wasn't.
The last thing she remembered was Rana being escorted out of their living quarters quarters, there's no telling where she would be now. With no one else to talk to asside from the scientists and guards, the two of them had quickly become somewhat friends, or at least promised to watch each others back.
"I wouldn't do that." suggested a voice suddenly, a voice she only heard once but would always remember.
"You." shot Shiala with venom in her voice "I should have known you couldn't be trusted. Where am I and what have you done with Rana?"
"You're inside a pod aboard a stealth ship, your college is in a pod next to you safe and well." answered the voice
On queue, the surface in front of her started lighting up. On one side appeared a sleeping Rana, on the other was a video of the Illusive man.
"Rana wake up! Can you hear me?!" called out Shiala
Slowly but surely Rana started to stir, and just like she had, became distressed when she realised her surroundings were unfamiliar.
"Shiala? Where...where are we?" asked Rana in confusion and no small amout of fear
"You are both aboard a ship that is only known to exist by a handful of people me included. Should you try to escape it will self-destruct. Should it be intercepted before it reaches it's destination it will self-destruct, after it's mission is completed it will fly into the nearest sun to remove any trace of it ever existing." answered the Illusive Man
"But but you'd promised we wouls be free after we helped you." protested Rana
"And free you will be, just not how we first thought. Before this conversation goes any further you should know that you are talking to a combination of a VI and multiple recordings of me."
"We're stuck in metal boxes. I guess we different opinions of 'free'." snarked Shiala
"A temporary measure." dismissed VI Tim "Once we reach your destination you will be free. Another opportunity has come up and I need you to do one more thing."
"And why should we trust you?" spat Shiala "You've already changed the original deal. What stops you from altering it any further?"
"For one, you don't have a choice. For another, I kept the parameters of the deal intact. Zhu's Hope has been successfully relocated and while not thriving they are flourishing. Also, thanks a clerical 'error' they are the proud owners of two new anti-aircraft cannons. Something they think Commmander Shepard is behind. When the Reapers do arrive they will be far more capable of defending themselves than anyother colony close to their size.
As for Rana, just before you departed she was injected with a cure for the Reapers indoctrination."
"Wait you already have a cure?" interrupted Rana "I thought it was going to take years?"
"I made it a main priority to find a cure and detection method. More work is still needed, but an opportunity came up that could and would not wait. I first thought to send only one of you and keep the other to continue to perfect the technology but came to the conclusion that you were much less likely to do anything...rash if you were both sent together." answered Tim
"Sent where?" asked Shiala
As in answer two planets appeared on the screen. She didn't recongise either of them.
"One of these planets is home to an avarian species, that recently became spacefaring and we expect they will soon make contact with the Citadel races. Should you choose that planet you will warn them of the Reapers upcomg arrive and convince them to hide all evidence of their technology. The other planet is home to a small colony of a Citadel species, humans who's ship crashed there some time ago. Since then they have...regressed to a pre-technology age. Should this mission be successful, not one but three species will survive should the Reapers win. Your own being one of them. I have to admit I am envious of the fact that as long as a single asari lives, so does the possiblilty of their species surviving...as long as she has access to a meld cable partner that is."
"Why? I understand why you are saving your own race but why the asari and this other race?" asked Rana
"Why I am saving the colony is obvious, it allows to possibility of humans returning to the galatic stage should the Reapers succeed. As for the asari, if a single asari on either of those planets will create a population of them within a hundred or two years. One the asari is much easier to transport than, say two or three hundred turians. In regards to the native species however, they are only just becoming space faring. As they are now, they would be little help if at all in fighting the Reapers. They are just too new to the scene to do much. In fifty thousand years however...things will be quite different.
Dispite everything we can do, winning against the Reapers will never be a sure thing. They have been wiping out species for who knows how long, the odds are not in our favour. If I cannot save humanity I will do my best to make Reapers pay and make sure humanity has the chance to rise again.
You'll have three hours to pick which planet you wish to live on before you re-enter stasis. Should you wish to go to the same planet one of two data modules will go to the other. The other module will go with you. The data modules contain all the evidence we have on the Reapers and Protheans. All the latest technology and instructions on how to build them.
There are multiple degree's in all fields included, from engineering to medical so that all the knowledge in Citadel space will be passed down . We have also included more simple technology for them to build so that they are not thrown into the deep end but can instead start small and go from there.
In essence they will have everything they need to fast track their civilisation from a just barely spacefaring race to an advanced one. That is without included any unique tech they might have developed on their own.
Each planet will come with its own dangers and benefits. The planet that houses the recently spacefaring race will provide you with comfort, you might even be able to rejoin galatic society during your lifetime should the Reapers be defeated, especially if you use the stasis pods. However, off the two it is the most likely one to be detected and should the Reapers find it they will raze it to the ground and there will be little you or they can do about it.
The second planet is less likely to be detected. I have already taken steps to improve those odds. If you chose that planet you will remain in stasis until the Reapers have departed. My hope is if the in slim chance they find the lost human colony, they will leave it alone as the humans there have returned to a hunter and gathering mentality. You're more likely to live a full life their but it will be a life without the modern comforts you are used to and it could be thousands of years before your daughters or more probably you're great granddaughters see Citadel space again...choose well." said Tim before his part of the screen went blank and was replaced by information.
Eight Months after the Destruction of the Normandy
Illium
Morinth idly sipped on a cocktail blend of some overpriced Illium alcohol as she looked at her surroundings. She had only been here a couple of months and already it had been better than her last half century.
She might not have cared about the recent attack on the Citadel but it was certainly useful for her. Her mother hand been after her relentlessly the past few hundred years. 'Old hag needed to give up and get laid.' thought Morinth to herself
While she had always escaped from her mother, she was constantly pushing her deeper and deeper into the corners of asari space. Like a noose slowly tightening around her neck, each time her mother got wind of her there were less and less places she could flee to.
However that all changed when Citadel was attacked, it gave her the first chance in over two centuries to flee asari space. The asari went through a lot of effort and the minimum number of people new about the asari's dirty secret. A big part of that was monitoring any asari that were leaving asari space as that was where the majority of asari born from the bond of two other asari. Thus the bulk of Ardat Yakshi were born in asari space, normally it would have been much to risky to leave asari space the way she did because everyone was so concerned about the death toll on the Citadel that no one looked at her twice. The few times they did all she had to do was put on the waterworks and tell some sob story about her bondmate being on the Citadel. The idiots bought it like a charm, now she was in Illium, a far better place than her last planet. It had a variety of options, including escape routes such as into the Terminus, not only that but there were plenty of criminals to slow her mother down or distract her. After all the hag couldn't chase her if she was busy dealing with a drug lord or...any criminal that could or would harm an innocent.
However, the best part was the new drug that was going around Illium, one of the side effects was brain damage, hemorrhaging and neural decay. In other words she could go wild to a degree that she had not been able to do for nearly eighty years with little chance of being discovered. All she had to do was sprinkle some of the drug around their apartment and pump some into their bloodstream before their heart stopped beating and no one had any idea an Ardat Yakshi was involved. There was also new victims to choose from, asari had grown boring, even if they gave her the biggest power boost per meld. Either it was an unsuspecting maiden who had no idea what was going on or it was a matron who with her stronger biotics and experiences was a bigger danger. Not enough to take her out, but enough that there could be...complication should she realise what she was at the wrong time and put up enough of a fight. Matriarchs were completely off the table, even if she would one gullible enough or slowly coaxed them closer their deaths rarely go unnoticed. They were also just as powerful as she was, if not a bit more. In a few centuries it might be safe enough to go after them but not for now.
Her favourite choice at the moment were humans. They were quite exotic, not many were in asari space, at least not near her or in a position where she could take them out without causing a stir. After coming to Illium she had already tried a few of them, they were a treat. The males especially...always so eager to please, they were diverse too so she didn't think she would get bored of them any time soon.
That diversity was also annoying at times to however, her first human had a small log between his legs...ohhhh how it felt as he spread her apart, it was like doing it with a krogan without all the weight, plates and rough hide. If only she had known how rare it was for humans to have one that big, she would have taken more time to saviour him.
Instead, she had been disappointed about how most of them were significantly smaller, her last target had one that was barely bigger than her finger. She had almost killed that one by snapping his neck rather than going through the meld.
As she sipped the last of her drink she spotted something unique...an asari but an asari the like of which had never seen. She must have been out of touch from the galactic scene more than she thought as she had never heard of there being green asari. They must have been relatively new or not yet common as she wasn't the only one watching. It might be a bit more risky than she should chance but she just found her new target.
It took some work but eventually, she was able to coax her over. First, there were drinks and then she was taking her over to her apartment. While each meld would cause damage it was rare the first one would kill them...at least within the first day that was, especially if it was with an another asari. Or krogan for that matter, the few krogan she had been with had lasted almost twice as long as the others. That was unless she did it all at once, not unlike eating a cake in one sitting rather than enjoying it over a number of days.
This green asari however...she was unlike anything she had before. The more powerful the individual, biotically of otherwise the bigger rush she got and the more powerful she became and the rush, the passion she got from this asari was unlike any she had gotten before. She had intended to draw things out over a few days at least, make it look like like had begun experimenting with drugs before she went too far and OD'ed. But it had been so much better than she had expected, that she couldn't help but finish it off. Again much like a unexpectedly delicious cake.
Laying on the bed Morinth idly makes plans on what to do with the body. Depending on whether she was at her own place or theirs she'd either tidy up, leave some drugs around, inject some into their bloodstream or take them and dump them in a bad neighbourhood after doing the same.
However, since this green asari would more noticeable she would have to be extra careful that nothing led back to her. Perhaps an incinerator would be the way to go this time? It would take a few extra steps but at least that way there wouldn't be a body to trace back to trace back to her and...the body next to her shifted.
Eyes snapping open in shock Morinth looked at the asari laying next to her who was looking at her in a mix of annoyance and disappointment.
"Is that it? Or will there be more?" asked the green asari annoyed
Morinth had no idea what to say, she could have sworn the meld should have killed this asari. But here she was, looking none the worse for wear.
"I see, how very disappointing." continued the asari before standing up and getting dressed. "From your behaviour and how you approached me I had assumed that you had experience in sexual matters. While the mental side was adequate the physical was far from satisfactory. Though I notice you had no problem being satisfied, I thought asari were known for their ability to have pleasurable relationships with all species. I see now that is not true, I only wish it had cost so much of my own personal time to find out, and I had such high hopes. I had thought that I might have found someone that had a sexual prowness to rival the one that pleasured my sister instead I got a wet blanket.
I will be sure to inform my sisters so that they do not waste their own personal time on you. Now if you don't mind I'm going to try to put my remaining time to something that is actually pleasurable." said the green asari before leaving the room
Morinth made no move to stop her, she couldn't, she was to stunned. She was so sure that meld should have killed her, especially with how powerful it was. Asside from her first, the closest she ever got to a meld that powerful was with a biotic krogan who was in his prime who was left nearly brain dead afterwards. No matter how strong that asari was she shouldn't have been able to walk away. Certainly not without a healing factor as good or greater than...wait did she just say that she was bad at sex? That couldn't be true, she was sex and death given form. She has had followers that would kill dozens if not hundreds of people for a mere touch of her hand.
Outside the apartment
While her emotions had not developed as much as her sister Gamora, the asari clone could tell she was deeply annoyed. Frustrated even, few of her sisters had managed to find partners, even temporary ones that could invoke the same amount of passion as her Callum did. What was odd was that from what they knew, he wasn't as experienced as some of the others they had met nor as skilled, yet when her sisters had compared those experiences with the ones that their eldest Gamora had they were somehow lesser.
One of her other had overheard a father talking to his son about the matters of reproduction...how it was pleasurable but that it was more pleasurable if you were doing with someone important to you. Like a life partner, it had been thought foolish but perhaps an emotional attachment was the reason their sister Gamora had a much more powerful reaction than any of them did. Sometime after their sister Gamora had joined the Normandy and began seeking a relationship with the one known as Callum, the Old Growth began contemplating sending more of it's asari clones out into the galaxy.
Eventually, the Old Growth did just that. Sending out asari clones to gather information, technology, biologic samples, resources, anything and everything that could help it survive. Instead of working constantly for the Old Growth however, it gave each clone a daily portion of...personal time. Time were they could do anything they wanted as long as it did not harm the Old Growth or bring any negative attention towards it. Each sister used this time to develop their individuality in the hopes of becoming more like their eldest sister Gamora. Separate from the Old Growth but still a part of it. Thanks to Gamora they learnt the importance of new experiences and they all wanted to experience their own.
Morinth's part can be taken with semi-seriousness. A reviewer (Blaze I think) asked if more asari clones would be appearing. From that I just had the idea of one of Gamora's sisters surviving the meld with her and telling her she was bad in bed.
There done, mine effect is officially finished. The next update will be announcing the first chapter of the sequel.
