On the remote planet of Faros, the Galactic Coalition finds itself in a dangerous situation following an unsuccessful invasion. Guided by the legendary Commander Jane Shepard, the Coalition is getting ready for an important operation: to storm an Alliance stronghold. The mission is essential; taking control of the stronghold is vital, regardless of the measures or sacrifices required. Without this stronghold, they would not last until the arrival of additional support. They're left with no other option but to launch an attack.
After a thorough three-day period of reconnaissance and gathering intelligence, the team has done their utmost to prepare. Shepard is moments away from giving the green light for the counteroffensive. She takes a moment to check her trusty, albeit cracked, watch. From a distance, she can see what could tip the scales in their favor. Despite taking substantial damage, the Geth have managed to salvage a major portion of their Armatures and Colossus platforms. While battered, these platforms are still operational and pose a problematic threat.
Shepard's base, together with two others, are set to strike the heart of the Alliance stronghold. Meanwhile, other units located further down the battle line will engage the Alliance. The hope is that by dividing their forces, even though ill-advised by any battle doctrine, they hope they can successfully capture the Alliance stronghold. Failure isn't an option. As Shepard's watch indicates the beginning of zero hour, she lifts her flare gun and releases a flare into the sky, marking the start of the attack.
The Alliance base immediately switches to full alert as the Geth Armatures and Colossus platforms start their relentless attack on the fortress walls. The Alliance tries to respond, but the Geth continue their bombardment uninterrupted. Updates on the assault on the Alliance lines are communicated via radio and, for those without radios, through their own flares.
As the Geth's machinery pounds against the walls of the base, the sound of incoming gunships fills the air. A few Armatures redirect their efforts from the fortress to take on anti-air duties. From the vantage point of a bombed-out building's roof, Shepard oversees the unfolding battle. She knows that soon, she will be on the ground, leading her troops from the front. For now, the battle continues, and her war is far from over.
--
Planetary System of Eden Prime
A few hours have passed since the battle on Faros took a more hopeful turn. At this moment, Katherine Hudson, the helmsman and executive officer of the Enterprises, is heading for the surface of Eden Prime. A few hours earlier, an important Turian figure surrendered to the Coalition, voicing a desire to defect. Katherine's task is to rendezvous with the representative from the Turian Republic an Intelligence operative, the Shadow or Sara Anderson, and try to arrange a potential deal. She's about to meet her lover's ex-partner, a thought that brings a smile to her face.
As her shuttle starts its descent, Katherine gazes out the front window, taking in the war-torn landscape below. It's been just over two weeks since the liberation of the planet, yet fires continue to rage unchecked. She steers the shuttle to a landing spot on the fringes of the main city. As Katherine disembarks, Aubree rises and trails behind her toward the designated meeting point. En route, they pass makeshift medical tents teeming with EPR and Coalition soldiers. She wonders, should she refer to them all as Coalition soldiers now, given the EPR's entrance into the Coalition.
In reality, Sara Anderson, also known as the Shadow by the Coalition and Phoenix, is a wanted criminal. Despite her fugitive status, the unparalleled intelligence she provides is invaluable. The Coalition had previously ignored her warnings about Faros and suffered severe consequences as a result. Therefore, for the time being, the Shadow is tolerated, especially given her current contract with the Turian Republic, one of the Coalition's major powers.
A woman dressed in a black uniform and a black balvara catches Katherine's eye from afar. She approaches the woman, who happens to be the galaxy's most-wanted individual.
"Shadow, it's nice to see you," Katherine greets, receiving a similar response from Sara. Sara then leads her towards their meeting spot with the Turian defector. As they approach a bombed-out restaurant, Katherine notices a Republic soldier guarding another Turian clad in blue and gray armor. The blue clan markings are familiar to everyone in the galaxy, signifying the Vakarian clan. Garrus Vakarian is arguably the most well-known member of the clan, though currently, his sister, Chairman Solona Vakarian, holds more political power in theory. Katherine walks up to the two Turians, and at Sara's signal, the guard salutes and returns to his post.
"It's been quite a while, Garrus Vakarian," Sara remarked, prompting a laugh-like response from his mandibles.
"Indeed, Akuz was quite an adventure. How's your shoulder?" Garrus responded talking about a event so long ago, before London, causing Sara to chuckle. Katherine took her seat beside Sara, taking in the sight of the Turian. She could see why Shepard was long ago smitten with him, but she couldn't help but be skeptical of his motives. He could have severed ties with the Hierarchy months prior. Sara, in her usual straightforward manner, decided to voice this thought.
"I'll cut to the chase. Why choose to defect now? You had the opportunity to leave the Hierarchy months ago," she asked, maintaining a composed yet probing tone.
"I made the decision to leave two months ago. Escaping Victus and the Normandy wasn't an overnight move. Victus has become extremely cautious since he decided to betray the Alliance. His security detail has increased exponentially. I left due to my growing discontent with the Hierarchy's position in the war. They're planning something, though I'm uncertain of what it can be. Victus has kept me out of the loop for some time. The Hierarchy is planning something important. The council's forces are just a smokescreen," Garrus confessed while the two women studied him.
"I believe I could convince Shepard of the upcoming threat if I could speak with her. Whatever Victus is searching for, it's on Faros. The only thing that comes to mind is the Thorian. It's located miles below the building we were in," Garrus added.
"Setting up a meeting with Shepard at this moment is somewhat difficult," Katherine mentioned, causing the Turian to look at her.
"I thought it was a trick? Shepard is on Faros? Everyone believed she wasn't on the planet..." Garrus voiced his concern.
"Yes, Shepard is currently on the planet, trapped behind enemy lines. She and the remnants of the Coalition invasion force are battling to survive. Is there any information you can supply that might be helpful?" Katherine asked, her gaze fixated on the Turian.
"I can give a few pieces of information, but not much. As I said, Victus has kept me in the dark since I returned to the Hierarchy... Do you think you can set up for me to get planetside?" Garrus turned to the two women.
"We believe it's possible, with the Enterprise. But first, I've been instructed to take you to the Chairman," Sara informed him, causing Garrus's mandibles to twitch.
"Chairman?"
"Yes, Chairman Solona Vakarian. Your sister," Sara confirmed, standing up from her seat.
"Oh... I'm in for it then..." he mumbled to himself.
"Just as a heads up...Shepard has a new partner. So be careful with your words and actions," Katherine warned as she too got up from her seat.
"I had a hunch... Can I ask who it is?" Garrus asked. Katherine turned to face the Turian.
"Me..." Katherine answered bluntly. Garrus was taken aback, not because Shepard was with another woman, but because it was this specific woman.
--
Shepard currently finds herself walking alongside a Geth Armature Platform, which is relentlessly firing at the Alliance walls, resulting in significant damage and creating large holes. Observing the infantry, Shepard notices a mixture of fear and anticipation in their eyes. Despite losing a few Armature units and a Colossus, they still have a considerable force remaining. Shepard plans to employ the Armatures in conjunction with the ground troops during the upcoming assault.
Glancing over at Karen, who is engrossed in reading status reports on the other fronts, Shepard is pleased to find that some areas are holding steady while others are surprisingly pushing the enemy forces back. Shepard promptly issues orders to the advancing units in those specific areas, instructing them to maintain their current positions. It is a hopeful moment for Shepard, as the presence of the Geth walkers seems to have shifted the balance of power in their favor.
Finally, as the last section of the wall collapses, Shepard swiftly grabs her rifle and securely fastens their helmet. With a resolute command, she orders the ground troops to move forward, closely followed by the Geth Armatures. The Colossus, having completed its assault on the base, shifts its focus to anti-air duties. Shepard deftly jumps over the low wall of rubble, ready to lead the charge.
"Follow me!" Shepard commands, prompting Karen to immediately trail behind her while the rest of the Coalition troops follow suit. As they advance, the Alliance forces open fire, resulting in numerous casualties among the troopers. However, the Armatures retaliate, obliterating many of the Alliance defenders, forcing the remaining ones to retreat towards their fortified positions with a few machine gun emplacements. The defenders rapidly unleash a barrage of fire onto the assaulting Coalition forces. Amidst the chaos, Shepard finds herself in the midst of the intense battle, lagging a bit behind due to her ongoing injuries that haven't fully healed yet.
Upon reaching the rubble where the wall once stood, Shepard leans against the remnants, coughing and struggling to breath. She clutches her left side, feeling the discomfort caused by her injuries. Temporarily removing her helmet, Shepard coughs again, her hand stained with a faint reddish hue on her black glove. Hastily putting her helmet back on, she presses forward, her rifle slung across her back. She draws her pistol from its holster and commences firing at the Alliance soldiers.
The Armatures continue firing at the Alliance forces, forcing many of them to retreat towards more fortified positions. Shepard reaches a disabled Alliance machine gun position, struggling to catch her breath and wheezing heavily. Karen notices Shepard's condition and quickly moves over to her. She can hear Shepard's labored breathing and observes her chest heaving with difficulty. Concerned, Karen calls a medic over to attend to Shepard's needs.
Meanwhile, the Alliance troops have regrouped inside the main building and surrounding complexes, seeking more defensible positions. The medic swiftly approaches Shepard and activates her omni-tool to perform a scan. It is revealed that one of Shepard's previously set broken ribs has broken loose, puncturing her lung, narrowly. Fortunately, there doesn't appear to be any additional damage, but Shepard requires immediate medical attention available at the base facilities.
"I need the med bay secured now!" the medic demands, stressing the seriousness of the situation. Karen gazes at Shepard, worried for her. The medic promptly dispenses some medi-gel to provide temporary relief and support, although it won't fully heal Shepard but will help keep her alive until they receive the all-clear signal. Moments later, the call comes in confirming the successful securing of the med bay.
The medic called over two Turians to escort Shepard to the medical facilities, which thankfully were located in a separate section of the main complex. While making their way towards the medical bay, a few Alliance soldiers, concealed behind some ruined walls, suddenly opened fire on them. Reacting swiftly, Karen retaliated with her own shots as they sought refuge inside the med-bay.
Once inside, they swiftly moved Shepard to an auto-doc and carefully positioned her on a gurney. The medic promptly commenced treatment, while Karen and the Turians stood watch, ensuring their surroundings remained secure. The medic, now focused on her task, removed her helmet and tossed it on the floor.
--
Three hours had passed since the intense battle started. The Alliance stronghold proved to be a problematic challenge, but with the priceless help of the Geth walkers, victory was finally achieved after a grueling two-hour struggle. Regrettably, the number of Alliance prisoners was scarce, as many had managed to escape while others were killed in the chaotic chaos of the battle.
Understanding the limitations of their resources, Karen made the decision to allow the remaining Alliance forces to escape rather than burden themselves with the responsibility of detaining them. Currently, they only hold ten enlisted soldiers and three officers as POWs. Meanwhile, Karen herself was situated in the med bay, keeping a watchful eye over Shepard, who lay on a gurney. Despite not sustaining any injuries during the assault on the stronghold, Shepard had suffered a fall from her shuttle early on in the invasion. Now, as the situation demanded, Karen assumed command.
The medic who treated Shepard provided an update, assuring Karen that the treatment had been successful. Shepard's recovery was expected to take approximately two days, with her breathing remaining calm and steady.
Karen watched in disbelief as the stronghold fell into their hands. The victory seemed almost surreal. The Coalition swiftly mobilized, starting the taxing task of transferring their gear and equipment to the newly acquired stronghold. After careful review and understanding among the leaders, they have decided to maintain their current outposts while relocating a select few closer to the stronghold. Once the relocation was complete, it would appear on the map as if they were engaged in a bulge-like formation.
Word quickly spread among the remnants of the Coalition, and they began referring to their current situation as the Battle of the Bulge. Karen recognized that this hard-fought victory was merely the initial step in their ongoing struggle for survival. The challenges they faced were far from over, and the battle ahead would require their utmost determination and resilience.
--
Three Days Later Aboard the Phoenix Space Vessel Enterprise
Katherine maneuvers the Enterprise into orbit above the Provisional capital world of the Coalition, positioning it just above Rannoch, the Quarian's Homeworld. She patiently awaits the arrival of the shuttle carrying the Turian leader to the Enterprise. News of this has already spread to both the Coalition and its adversaries. Commander Shepard has successfully captured a stronghold that will serve as a temporary base until the Coalition can provide further support. However, there is still no definite timetable for when that support will arrive.
The people of the Coalition have bestowed upon Shepard and her troops the moniker of the "Battered Bastards of Faros." In the midst of these events, Katherine receives a signal requesting permission for the Chairman to come aboard the Enterprise. She promptly delivers the appropriate response and contacts Garrus, calling him to the helm.
After a brief interval, Katherine swivels her chair and rises to her feet as Garrus arrives. She walks over to stand beside him, and Sara joins them, positioning herself behind Katherine and Garrus at the Command Information Center (CIC).
The door unlocks, and two Republic soldiers armed with rifles step through, followed by a slender Turian female adorned with the distinctive Blue Vakarian clan markings. Solona approaches the small group, and the leader of the Turian Republics gazes at Sara first, then shifts her attention to her older brother. A flicker of amusement passes across her mandibles before Solona unexpectedly slaps her brother on the cheek.
"Okay... I deserved that," Garrus responds, shocked but fully understanding. Solona then embraces her brother before pulling away.
"What took you so long?" she asks, even though she had already read Sara's report.
"Vitcus is being paranoid. He's planning something on Faros. I need to reach Shepard," Garrus implores his sister.
"Shadow... Do you have any information on Vitcus's operations?" Solona inquires, addressing her Intelligence Director.
"I can confirm that he's involved in something, but it's not related to Faros. It appears to be centered around Horizon," Sara reveals, prompting a nod from Solona.
"However, that doesn't mean Faros isn't being used by the Hierarchy," Sara interjects. "I can assemble a small team to infiltrate the area and report back to Shepard. Hopefully, we can confirm Garrus's findings. If Victus is truly as paranoid as he claims, there might be details I've overlooked."
Solona gazes at her brother, a knowing expression on her face. "You want to be with Shepard, don't you?" she says.
"She is my friend, Sol. And I have much to make up for," Garrus responds. Solona simply nods, her attention now shifting to Sara.
"Get your team and get my brother to Faros. It's time for the galaxy to see Shepard fighting alongside a Vakarian again," Solona declares, prompting Garrus to express his gratitude. Solona informs him that she must depart for an important meeting with the rest of the Coalition leadership. However, she promises Garrus that they will have a long talk once he finishes his mission on Faros.