[Location redacted]. [Positioning redacted]. 2186 Citadel Calendar. [H-Hour. M-Minute.]
User: [Redaction error], Operative. Unauthorized access not yet detected in network.
There was a change in the grid. Their grid. An extremely concerning change, and it went far beyond everything that was going on in the Crescent Nebula.
This change, whatever it truly was, became noticeable three days ago. These trigger alarms activated throughout every inch of the network from large hidden data clusters. She didn't know why exactly it started three days ago. At first she thought it was some kind of trap to draw her out. So naturally she was cautious and forced herself to bid her time.
She immediately relocated to a different planet. She found a server access location. Slowly sliced into the confines of their networks -unnoticed...she hoped- and found an entrance for one of these large data clusters that lead her to this facility.
From what she could tell it wasn't a trap.
So for the next two days, two days with no food and sleep and extremely little water, she edged her way inch by inch through this base. She survived only off this metabolic-nervous-endochronic modification implant that was built for lengthy ops like this.
But they were nearly reaching their limit. God...God damn she really had to use the bathroom.
If only she had some of the cloaking tech some of her old crewmates had. It took her nearly seven hours to find the perfect moment to slip by into this room. It took her another three hours waiting in a cramped storage closet for the guards to leave so she could access this info terminal. She couldn't simply kill them and dispose of the bodies. No. Not this time. She couldn't risk activating the alert system.
This change began long before three days ago. It was subtle, so subtle not even she could detect it. In hindsight, with most of the evidence right in front of her, she wanted to hit herself over the head for not recognizing it.
Well, that'd have to wait.
A lot of things would have to wait. She thought she knew mostly everything about them. She thought she'd seen it all, witnessed the worst of atrocities... On no level was this as revolting and horrifying as some of the things they did...but...it was disturbing.
It was disturbing what they know and didn't know.
She read the date one more time… Yeah. That was correct. Her cryptologic intrusion didn't destroy or alter the data. No. This was all correct. All original.
God, this goes back nearly five years, longer depending on how much they knew, and this was the first time she was seeing any of this.
And, with the new developments in the Nebula, on Illium, the network was on high alert. She could see the activation of an unprecedented amount of logistical supply lines. Relocation and redeployment orders. Stand by sequences. Scramble codes and mobilization of...hundreds of thousands of soldiers they weren't supposed to have. Not because they didn't have the money, but because they had no access to that kind of manpower.
Unless they're involvement with indoctrination was...deeper than she thought. She wouldn't be surprised at this point. With how little she really knew...
She downloaded everything she could. The window was closing. Only a few more seconds before the VI detected an intrusion and alerted the system.
Maybe if she manipulated a sub-router...There, a few more seconds. Two terabytes so far… Come on, just one more byte at least.
Prioritize this info...come on. Reroute access feed. Documents from five years ago. Come on….
God damnit.
Time ran out. She had to pull out. Cover her footprints. Damn. All she needed was a few more seconds maybe. She might've had more time if she didn't forget that tripwire in the server reset cycle. She barely saved herself by triggering a premature reset loop which unfortunately placed the VIs on high alert. Unavoidable. From there she had to quietly dig through the server. Slowly, carefully, and worse of all patiently.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid mistake. You should've seen it, you idiot.
How vital the info could've been. Well, she prioritized whatever reports she didn't have a chance to read. She had a photographic memory. She'll just write down what she did read or something. It'd have to be enough.
She wiped the sweat off her face. The grime, the embedded dirt left a dirty streak on her sleeve. Let's hope it was all worth it.
Well, the process was nearly complete. Her cryptologic spike was deleted. She was filling the gap with garbage data and scrambling it all across the network. It'll take the VIs a while to sort it and figure out what was going on. All that was left was to activate another reset cycle to ensure everything was truly gone. Do that….then sneak her way out.
As long as she didn't screw up again.
Just do what you have to. You'll get out.
She had to get her data driver out of here safely. She could send a spike in the VI network, draw some guards away to certain terminals and make her escape easier. But that'd be risky. But just the idea of traversing back through this base wasn't exactly her idea of fun.
No. Just keep taking those metabolic extension pills. Don't risk anything. Just do what was necessary.
There was a buzzing vibration in her hand. She opened up her Omni-tool, saw what was the problem.
She placed these small security VI feeds throughout the surrounding hallways. Four guards were coming down the hallway, on a direct course to this room.
They had their rifles raised. They were in a defensive formation
...How? How did she screw up? She took every precaution. She covered her steps. There was no alarm trigger. No emergency network alerts…
...Nothing to warn her.
You idiot!
But how? How did they find her? She checked the data clusters. There was no tracker. No trace detectors. She told no one. Absolutely no one knew where she was going or what was happening. She disappeared like usual out of thin air.
Where the hell did she screw up? There…
They were getting closer.
For God's sake, focus.
She tapped her Omni-tool and removed the data driver from the terminal and severed the connection.
She ran into the storage closet and pulled out her Lotus weapon block. It transformed into the small grey and black SMG. She aimed it right at the door, finger on the trigger.
Could feel her heartbeat increased. Every pump of blood shook her body. She held her breath. Just waited for the show to begin.
Could hear the room door open. The muddled sounds of metal boots entering the room. The clanking of armor and guns.
Calmed herself. Took in a deep breath and held it. Five slow seconds breath in. Nine seconds hold it. Seven fast seconds breath out.
She concentrated on her left hand. Calmly concentrated. She could feel air moving across her skin. The blood redirected and seemingly traveled where she wanted it to. Blue and black embers ignited from the palm. Closely orbited around her fingers.
One of the guards was giving orders to begin a breach.
She quickly looked up. No. The air vent was way too small to escape. Only one way out of this.
She knew for a fact they wanted her alive. Not just because of her dad. She was a high value asset and they weren't going to lose her.
If she remembered her former training, they would override the doors and throw in a flashbang, charge in with Guardians to knock her down and drag her out of here. That was the usual tactic. The tactic they'd trained for.
She just breathed.
Five slow seconds. Nine seconds. Seven fast seconds.
The embers moved faster. Grew larger, more numerous.
Five slow. Nine. Seven fast.
Could hear someone tapping on the terminal outside. The doors were about to open.
Five. Nine. Seven.
One of them said to get ready.
Five. Nine-
The doors opened up. She immediately saw the small white cylinder tossed into the room.
She reached her hand out. The embers moved away from her fingers and traveled towards the cylinder. The black and blue eezo threw it back towards the end of the terminal room.
She covered her eyes and felt the cylinder ignite. The bright flash burnt her checks. Her hearing was consumed by a ringing sound.
The Guardian was unaffected. He charged into the room with his metal riot shield at the ready. She moved her hand. The embers repositioned towards the riot shield. The embers surrounded the shield and tossed it out of the Guardian's hands.
He tried to reach for it, turning away from her. She blindly shot her Locust. Eezo rounds pierced his armor. Blood splashed out.
She latched her hand onto his metal chest piece and pushed him back. She stayed low and placed more rounds in the bastard to make sure she was pushing a dead body.
She entered the terminal room. Looked to her right. There was another soldier. He was blinded by the flashbang, disoriented and stumbling. She aimed her weapon and fired off the remaining clip.
He was done in an instant. She turned left. A second soldier. He was beginning to regain footing.
Not fast enough. She let go of the Guardian's body and released whatever dying embers remained in her hand at him. His head twisted in an unnatural direction. A lifeless body fell to the floor.
She turned to the last remaining soldier. Centurion. He took the flashbang directly so he was still out of it.
The Locust was out of ammo and her biotics were drained out. She tossed the SMG and pulled out another weapon block.
It quickly transformed into the M-385 Talon pistol. She sprinted at the Centurion. Shoved the barrel right in his stomach and squeezed the trigger. Eezo ball beads pierced his armor, digging into his body. Blood seeped from the wounds.
She pulled the trigger another time for good measure.
The Centurion moaned. Still alive. Tough bastard. She used up the last round. The moaning stopped. The body stuttered back and fell into the terminal.
Silence engulfed the room.
Less than five slow seconds and the four guards were dead on the floor. Four heavily armored guards that were nearly a foot taller than her.
And it took a lot more energy and ammo than it should've. She reloaded the Talon, went over and grabbed her Lotus.
Black dots roamed across her vision. It felt like someone was drilling right through her skull. It felt like something wanted to crawl out of her stomach.
She shook her head and pulled out a small black pill from a case on her belt. Popped it into her mouth and it dissolved nearly instantly. The feeling began to subside.
You'll get rest soon. Focus.
She nodded. Opened up her Omni-tool to the security camera feed.
Well, the ringing faded and she could finally hear the emergency alarms. There's that warning she was looking for.
And she saw more guards moving down the hallways. Phantoms this time. Swords ready. Advanced training in biotics.
Of course. she learned from experience the mission always got a lot more complicated.
It didn't matter how complicated. She needed to get this data out of here. She'll dig her way through all the bodies if she had to.
She had to get the data out of here.
She had to get this information to Shepard.
…
Well, it started to make a lot more sense. That was for sure.
At first he thought it was just a difference in ideologies.
Well...this was definitely a different idea. Now it made sense why there was such a divide between the two.
Lasky wasn't sure what to make of this. From what he's learned so far, Reapers weren't a biological threat. They were highly advanced computer. There was a possibility it could be some sort of Forerunner construct, like the Sentinels or Prometheans. Just...if these were constructs they were on a scale the UNSC had never seen before…
But then again, the UNSC had never witnessed a Forerunner structure like Requiem or the Onyx shield world they found Doctor Halsey on.
Well, if Roland was right that the Crucible was some type of Forerunner...something, then that means the Reapers had to be Forerunner too…possibly. But It still doesn't make any sense how anyone, nonetheless Human beings, could fabric Forerunner tech.
In any event, Lasky thought the Catalyst plan was mostly reasonable only if it had some solid evidence. Both of them, the Illusive Man and Shepard, were placing all their cards in it, even though they really have no idea what it did. Complete desperation. Lasky could sympathize, but when the UNSC placed their trust in the Chief it's because they knew what he could do. And if it were Forerunner… Well… The one time the Chief placed trust in Forerunner tech he nearly activated a Halo.
Lasky just hopes they aren't making the same mistake.
Even if the Catalyst did work and the Crucible was activated, it seemed simpler to destroy the Reapers. End the threat. What does the Illusive Man have to gain by controlling them? What would he do with them?
"Control them…?" Lasky calmly said after a brief silence. Shepard crossed his arms, leaned on his left foot.
"I understand simply destroying them would be an easier solution, however I see much to gain if their technology comes into our possession." The Illusive Man responded. He took out, what, his fifth cigarette now?
The Captain nodded. "When you say 'possession', do you mean Cerberus or the galactic community…?"
"Humanity, Captain."
Lasky stayed silent. It's not as if the UNSC strained from using Forerunner or Covenant technology. But nothing even close to the level he was suggesting.
The Captain eyed Shepard and his crew. God. They're so tired. Liara and Shepard looked like they were gonna fall over. And here, the Illusive Man looked freshly groomed.
Differences.
"Primarily for Humanity alone?" Lasky asked.
"It would advance us by millenniums. Our dominance throughout the galaxy would be unrivaled. Our power would be unmatched. Humanity's destiny is at stake here, and I intend to see Humanity's destiny fulfilled. Our technological and biological evolution progress beyond what we could ever imagine."
Yeah, don't we all?
He was skirting around what he truly meant with all this poetic parallelisms. What would dominance of his vision of the Human race be? Dictating over the other galactic races?
Lasky had already seen the product of Human dominance. Dominance plagued by fear and authoritarianism certainly without lack of reason. Created from nearly sixty-two years of war, chaos, turmoil, instability, decay, destruction, and death on a scale never before seen in Human history, the UNSC of the era after 2552 built up their military force to nearly three times larger than the pre-War forces to rid the old Covenant and prepare for unknown Forerunner threats while ONI ran intelligence gathering, counterintelligence, assassination, sabotage, and political manipulation on a vastly deeper scale than the Navy originally thought.
Most of these actions had its own reason, but in reality the UNSC didn't particularly care about the Human race being a dominant race. It just wanted to keep Humanity safe. At least that's how the Navy saw it. That's all they ever wanted unlike ONI. If it meant Humanity had to be the pinnacle of sentient beings with the UNSC, the Navy at the forefront, then so be it.
Right now, dominance and safety went hand in hand.
"Here's the thing…" Lasky began. "The Reapers have been kicking your ass for months it seems like. Nearly every race is under threat of extinction. Shouldn't survival be your main goal? You can worry about Humanity's 'destiny' and 'evolution' later."
The UNSC didn't particularly focus on the aftermath during the War. Because in their case, an aftermath seemed more and more unlikely everyday. The Captain imagined they were in a similar situation.
"Survival of the fittest…" Roland added. "Not only that, but now we're a factor. Let's face it, we got here a few hours ago and pretty much kicked the hell out of the Reapers…"
"Only a small force." Tali said.
"Could you have pushed them back in such a short amount of time?" The AI responded
The suited alien shrugged. The two white lights seemed nearly closed. "We wouldn't even been able to push them back."
"Exactly. So, what's the point anymore is what I'm saying. Sure, there's still a lot of unknowns between the two of us, but, the plan seems obsolete."
"Observing it only in matters of military firepower is narrow and superficial," The Illusive Man said.
"At this moment there seems to be a lot of dangers taking control of the Reapers. How you'll take control, maintaining control, and what you'll do after this is all over," Lasky replied.
"As I said, we theorized the Crucible sends some type of electromagnetic pulse." The Illusive Man said. "If it's a message that details the Reapers to deactivate or self-destruct, we plan to hijack that signal and alter its message. If in the unfortunate event of a galactic wide EMP, we already have classified plans to combat large scale electro-technologic failure."
Classified. Sure.
Lasky didn't like how vague this plan was… The same goes to Shepard and his crew but at least they admit they had no idea what would happen.
And how does he know if it even was...a…
Signal?
"This signal that you keep mentioning...Are you sure that the Catalyst is the only thing that can activate it?" Lasky asked.
Lasky didn't respond at first. He sighed, rubbed his face. He looked to Roland and the AI nodded no.
Lasky was pushing it. First Contact was one thing but Cole Protocol. was a-whole-nother scale. It was one of the last things the Navy still trusted ONI to effectively enforce due to their commitment and…
But the Captain was thinking more in terms of common sense than protocol.
Roland winced, as if it pained him to say it. "I'm just making you think of all the consequences. I'll support you if…"
"What is it, Captain?" Liara interrupted. She looked like she was losing her patience.
Nosey aren't we? Captain Lasky took a breath "We found the God's Key, the Relay that brought us here through a high-intensity electromagnetic radio wave. We tracked it, and as soon as we found the Relay the signal cut, giving us no time to properly identify its structure or who sent it. We don't know why the signal started, but it brought us here."
In a similar way how the Infinity discovered the Composer on Installation 03. The signal spread across the galaxy and the Infinity was able to pin it down. And like the God's Key, the radio wave cut with no time for proper analysis.
At this point, it was just coincidental that the two signal allures were similar in their method. But...it was a very interesting coincidence.
"We've never heard of a Relay being discovered through a radio wave." Liara said. "Usually, it's the discovery of nearby Prothean artifacts that contains the galactic coordinates of the Relay… However, this is a special situation. This is the first time we've discovered a two-way relay. A Relay has a different receiver and launching point. Essentially multiple one-way roads across the galaxy.. There's no backwards compatibility."
"That sounds...inconvenient." Roland said. "You can't back track?"
"You'd have to travel around the full circuit if you simply want to travel back to the last relay, or simply travel down a different alternating road. " She said, crossing her arms. "The Illium Relay is the last point of a main circuit road that connects with the Citadel. And now we know it's connected with your 'God's Key.' A back and forth connection with the same receiving and launching end. A hidden circuit road. Something we've never seen before."
"And you've never noticed it before?" Roland said.
"You have to enter a certain trajectory to be launched from the Relay. And the trajectory puts you in parallel similarity with the end of the Relay. No one's ever entered in another trajectory, usually because it causes contradictions with the electrical current contained in the dark energy…" She stopped herself then rephrased her words. "It causes electronic failure. And, with the heavy presence of dark energy that surrounds each Relay, we've never been able to scan it fully, and by Citadel law, it's illegal to interfere with them for the fear something...drastic might happen…"
"So who knows how many of these Relays have two connections." Lasky said. "If it works let it work. Could this signal be what the Catalyst would activate? It covered a large distance, over light years."
"Admittedly, I have no idea." The Illusive Man responded. "However, I'd have to assume this signal would be created out of Dark Energy. It's the only material we know of that can travel vast distances in a short period of time."
"Actually it wasn't," Roland said. "I'm not fully sure how your radio systems work, but every time we've seen a wave from you guys it's surrounded by a gravitational depression, as if it were made of matter. This signal emitted from the Relay had none of these properties, so we assumed it was...some type of tachyon particle."
The Navy only knew this much information on the signal, or even that it existed, because of the information report Captain Florence sent to FLEETCOM when ONI asked his patrol to redirect to the Key. It's far more than likely ONI knew a lot more, yet this was all they had to work with.
"It wasn't dark energy? Liara asked. "Could it be possible the signal was sent through the way you achieved FTL flight…?"
"We can't confirm that." Lasky sternly said. Slipspace was common knowledge, but technology falls under Cole Protocol. "Whatever this signal was, however the Catalyst works, is mostly based on theories. Theories with little proof."
Lasky moved crossed his arms from the at ease position. He gathered his bearings. "So far, mind you, your plan, Illusive Man, seems to have the least amount of evidence. And that's saying something. Frankfully, what you've explained so far is vague. We don't need specifics now, but we need some type of idea of what's going. And not only that but your goals imply some...very negative things that are in conflict with the UNSC despite our similar mission objectives."
"Actually, Captain, our theory holds the most evidence." The Illusive Man responded, almost smug, as if he was waiting for this moment.
"Well then, how so?"
"This plan was created with spark that severed the end of our relationship." He brought up a hologram.
It was a elongated asteroid. Thin and tall, encased in metal plating that jutted out at certain intervals. Crude hangar bays and compartmentalized structures. It was ugly. The metal looked worn and dented. Scrapes plastered over large areas that Lasky could describe as poor emergency repairs. Dozens of antennas covered the top and within the center of the metal sheeting were these pale sickly yellow lights.
"No...that was destroyed…" Shepard said, distraught.
"A good portion of it, yes." The Illusive Man replied. "The Collectors, the vanguard of the Reapers, were genetically and synthetically modified descendants of the Protheans completely subjected to Reaper control.
"I resurrected Shepard in order to stop this threat. We found their main base of operations within the center of our galaxy six months ago. Shepard and his strike team took control of the base with surprisingly minimal casualties. For Shepard, it was a simple, if not polarized choice. Preserve the base and have access to unprecedented advantages to prepare for the Reaper invasion or destroy it and ease an idiotic moral standing that-"
"You and I both know it wasn't that simple!" Shepard interjected. He looked pissed. Liara put a hand to his chestplate, as if to hold him back. "...I destroyed that base not only because of the Indoctrination and everything that hellhole stood for but you, and you alone would be the only with access to that information. You wouldn't share it with the Systems Alliance. You wanted it-"
"I wanted it because it will-"
"Gentlemen." Lasky quietly said, a little tired of the arguing. First Lieutenant Dubbo, who remained mostly off to the side completely silent, stepped forward and shouldered his weapon. "Whatever the reason, Shepard destroyed the base?"
"He thought he did," the Illusive Man said. "We've recovered large amounts of intel and structural systems and technology that was still intact. And since then we've been studying the remains, and it has led us to the theory that the Catalyst is a weapon...that can be altered. Not only that, but we are working on the device for it to be altered."
"Why the hell didn't you mention any of this beforehand?" Roland asked.
"As I said before, it was classified." The Illusive Man said. "Cerberus comes prepared, Captain. We create strategies based on logic, not fear. From the analysis of the remains of the Collector base we have determined that the Reaper AIs can be controlled, in a similar way to the Geth."
Lasky nodded. At least that was a more satisfying answer. "You want to take control of the Reapers for evolution and so on. With AIs that are supposedly millions of years old I can see the technological advantages. I guess the question is where do you see yourself in all this?
"Where do you see the UNSC?"
"...If you're implying, Captain, that Cerberus with me at the head would be the tyrannical ruler of the future Human race, then I am deeply sorry I have misled you." The Illusive Man said, as if offended. "I didn't 'open up' to the Systems Alliance particular because I believe they are incompetent and incapable to lead Humanity to a secure future. They have proven that time and time again when they weren't able to defend their outer colonies and submitted themselves to Council power.
"And I'll say it now before Shepard does: We are committed to halt the creation of any alliance so long as it is committed to destroying the Reapers. Because if you build that weapon and use it improperly, you are throwing away one of the best opportunities in Human history. I want to end this war, I want to protect Humanity. However, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to ensure Humanity has a future. And if you merely destroy the Reapers, you are guaranteeing an end to Humanity's future."
"How the hell does that-?" Shepard began.
"There are far more terrifying and powerful beings in our galaxy and beyond that you or I can not even begin to imagine. The threat does not end with the Reapers. Our existence is fragile - and whether we know it or not, whether we want to admit it or not - we are constantly under threat from extinction. Shepard, I am certain that no matter the outcome, no matter what happens, we will survive the Reaper threat. The UNSC is living proof of this," the Illusive Man motioned to Captain Lasky. "However, I am not certain we will be strong enough to survive the next threat that is bound to rise into existence just like the Reapers. The Reapers have unlimited stores of technology and power that can save us. Save us from poverty, hunger, disease, and death.
"Humanity must take its rightful place. I do what I do, I commit extremely questionable acts, actions that I will never forgive myself for Humanity -and believe me Shepard, you're not the only one with a moral conscience - I am not thinking of our future of a species in the next ten or twenty, or a thousand years, but...as an entirety.
"This will set Humanity for eternity. This is our Reclamation. Our future. When the Reapers began their invasion, it had already begun."
…
To even have the audacity to somehow justify everything he has done…
Liara wasn't a stranger to commanding and participating in...morally grey acts. Everyone had their justification, yes. But he was the enemy, he wanted to kill Shepard and the crew of Normandy. Thus, it was enough justification for her to demonize him. And she needed no more than this logical reasoning. No good or evil, not even right or wrong to despise him - simply he was the opposing enemy.
Unfortunately… Shepard never saw it that way. She wanted to say it was this human notion that there was such a thing as defined nature. Certainly the Asari were oddly quiet on such aspects, but she saw a world of pure perspective. Sometimes, other people, good people, were against you for their own reasons. And sometimes those good people needed to be removed from your path at all costs.
But the Illusive Man wasn't a good person... When the Illusive Man described some mythical threat that's more dangerous than the Reapers, it seemed more an excuse. Cerberus had isolated themselves from Citadel society, growing more hostile everyday to alien races. They were in a hole and instead of trying to climb, they decided to keep digging. It was their own fault.
That's how she made herself think about all of it. Even if it might be slightly...contradictory. At least that's how she got herself to sleep at night...The truth was...this wasn't exactly something she could easily embrace without remorse. Without doubt.
And...there was something else. Something strange. Lasky was still locked in a hard set emotionless face throughout the Illusive Man's speech until the end. Some nonsense about reclamation of Reaper technology. He seemed...distraught and shocked. A face that exposed a plethora of emotion and suddenly disappeared. It definitely wasn't by the Illusive Man's speech, but just those mere words.
What significance do they hold?
"Okay, God Emperor of Man…" Roland said. There was no shock on the little AI hologram. "So you're doing this because you see a greater threat than the Reapers?"
The Illusive Man spoke, "you've hinted at this 'Great War' fought nearly five years ago, that nearly brought an end to your subgroup of Humanity. Yet the threat has ended, hasn't it?"
"There are still small splinter factions of the former enemy, yet are in no way capable to wage war against even a single UNSC fleet." Lasky said. He was more quiet than previously. He wasn't looking at the Illusive Man. He was staring into space, past the hologram. "Humanity is secured."
"Yet, from what I can tell, Captain, the threat seems very real-"
"And how do you know that?" The Captain uncrossed his arms.
"Because you make it obvious, Captain. We have been analyzing your ships in the system. The Infinity and nearly every other ship in Battle Group Dakota have immensely better reaction times, newly manufactured and are overall better designed. Compared to the reinforcement fleets, they are old and worn, and have most likely been maintained throughout decades. You're building more ships, Captain. And if there's no other threat than the remains of an old enemy, then there's no reason to design new ships."
For the first time Lasky was silent. The Illusive Man continued, "what we've learned from our agent's capture by ONI is that the UNSC, while more powerful, is unstable. And while I do not understand the full situation, I can conclude you are on the very brink of some type of shadow war. We are fully prepared to deal with whatever comes. If it's ONI, I can assure you that Cerberus is very good at waging a shadow war. Yet, we've sensed that you, Captain Florence, and even members of ONI were afraid of some type of real threat. Something beyond the Reapers. You're building to combat it. What is it?"
Captain Lasky hardened his face again. He took a sharp breath, "we are preparing for a very real and extremely hostile threat that is none of your concern, and ONI is none of your concern either. However, what made you so scared of some unknown future - possibly some unreal threat?"
Liara had to give credit where it was due. Captain Lasky maneuvered perfectly out of the Illusive Man's emotional trap, and it was impressive. The Illusive Man knew it too. He smiled.
"I guess the same thing as you, Captain. The Reapers have only proven that we know nothing of this galaxy," the Illusive Man said. "I am simply asking what else is out there now. The Reapers were completely unexpected, created by something extremely powerful. It is the question of their creation that causes me such great concern. Who were they created by? How long ago? Why? These beings created a cataclysmic cycle that has lasted millions of years. And if these beings were here, how easily could they not only destroy the Reapers, but mankind? I imagine the days after this war will be filled with great anxiety if the Reapers ever returned somehow, or their creators. Or...if the reason they were first created ever presented itself again."
It was funny. Liara used to be concerned with those same questions all the time a few months ago. Now, it was more consumed with "will we survive tomorrow?" and "how many casualties were there today?" and in a lighter sense, "what's for lunch?"
Well, the Illusive Man seemed to be making no new ground. Lasky still seemed...out of it.
"Cerberus is willing to do whatever it takes. Whatever sacrifice-" He spoke.
"Every sacrifice?" Shepard exclaimed.
Oh no.
Shepard continued. "Everything you've done? Tali mentioned it earlier, and the Illusive Man seemingly forgot, but he's killed thousands, and would've killed millions, if not billions if it weren't for us. Your men killed hundreds of Alliance marines and scientists to get your hands on the original Crucible plans. You killed hundreds of Salarians to stop the genophage. You tried to kill millions of Krogran to stop the formation of an alliance. You tried to take over Omega. You kidnapped dozens of students and nearly killed one of my crewmates on Grissom Academy-"
"A lot of bad things…" Lasky said. The Captain eyed the Illusive Man, waiting for an explanation.
The Illusive Man stared down Shepard. The holographic laser eyes basked in...not anger, but annoyance.
"Victory needs no explanation, Captain. Defeat allows none,"e finally said, still looking at Shepard. "I'm willing to make the hard choice. Every choice had its reason. Something you cannot understand, Commander."
"Captain…" Shepard began. There was that angry fist again.. Liara slightly leaned on his body to calm him down. "You can't control the Reapers. Saren tried to control them, and look what happened to him! The Reapers...I've seen it, I've felt it. They try to degrade you, turn you into something else-"
"Indoctrinate you," Liara finished off to make sure Shepard didn't say any more. She was glad he brought it up. "We've witnessed it before. Scientists, soldiers, politicians try to study and research Reaper technology...a decent portion ended up indoctrinated. Allies turned against us. In fact, the same thing happened to a certain Cerberus research facility that you personally sent Shepard to investigate and destroy. I'm surprised you yourself haven't been indoctrinated-"
"Such a notion is ridiculous," the Illusive Man interjected. "We've learned from our past mistakes and have become extremely cautious. We've thoroughly developed counter measures for all known Reaper cyberwarfare incursions."
"Maybe you should also explain this device you claim that can alter the Catalyst, control the Reapers." Liara said. "You already know of our Crucible project. Since I know this ghost project exists, it's only a matter of time before I find out what it exactly entails.."
The Illusive Man took out his...seventh cigarette. He lit it and crossed his arms. He was well aware of the capabilities and assets Liara possessed. But...she was bluffing. Cerberus had the capabilities to match. However, she did wonder if her skills were on par with the Office of Naval Intelligence...
But before he could say anything Lasky spoke.
"Actually, yeah. What is this device?"
He flicked ashes off the burning cigarette. He walked right into that one. "This device is a more simplistic, modified, and a lot smaller designed key mechanism based on our research of Reaper AIs and Geth-Reaper relationship codes. It's a small alteration message that can be fitted to the Crucible."
...Goddess. Cerberus actually had a plan to infiltrate the Crucible and plant a weapon alteration device. He just handed that right over on a silver platter.
Well, she knew where to reposition some agents.
"Wow… You really want to control the Reapers." Roland commented. He recognized it too.
"I believe tenacity to be a great virtue." The Illusive Man responded.
It was good to see the UNSC wasn't totally convinced to join Cerberus' side… Then again she was pretty sure they weren't convinced to join their side either.
"And there's no way for both sides to come together? To cooperate?" Lasky said.
"I've been trying to do that this entire time," Shepard said. "But every time, we've been met with hostile force. I've reached out but he won't accept it."
Shepard. Please. Enough. Liara wanted to say. Obviously she couldn't.
She still slightly leaned on him, unnoticed by Captain Lasky. The Illusive Man probably saw it but he didn't particularly care.
"Because we don't want to destroy them, Shepard. We certainly do want to stop them."
"We're trying to stop the Reapers. And we're doing everything we can!" Shepard yelled. "This isn't about the Catalyst, we are helping people!"
"And so are we, Shepard. Horizon. Trillions of credits in aid throughout the galaxy. Counter strike teams, where if it weren't for them the Reapers would have overrunned the galaxy by now. We are also in this fight. But everything you do is to complete the Crucible. Cerberus is alone. And no one will come to help us. How do you expect us to act?"
Shepard spoke. "You try to kill innocent people. You've already killed-"
"We're running a full circle," Lasky interrupted. The two learned to be quiet when he spoke. "Doctor T'Soni, you said this Crucible and Catalyst, and the Reapers are millions of years old. The Reapers were built by this unknown species and the Reapers designed the Relays - and the Crucible and Catalyst were designed by countless species over past cycles…"
"Yes…?" Liara began.
"Is there a possibility that you're wrong?"
"Wrong about...?"
"Their age."
That was a strange question. Of course, considering the insane logic of the situation it wasn't unreasonable to question the validity of the Reapers and their history.
But she's been through all known trials of doubt. They were millennia old. They were here long before the Protheans. And the Crucible plan had been proven to be millions of years old.
"There's no question, Captain. This is a plan that has been passed down through tens of thousands of cycles. We have seen things that leave us with no doubt."
The Captain nodded. He looked off into space again as he spoke. "Okay... I'm sure the Illusive Man had his justification the same way you had your justification - Shepard - to sacrifice Human fleets and destroy the Collector base. Until proven otherwise, I'll assume every thing both of you have done was in the name of your idea of survival."
Shepard was about to speak. Lasky cut him off, "Roland. Status on Lord Hood?"
"Slipspace is acting normal... Lord Hood will be here in ETA twenty minutes." Roland said. "I'll begin preparations for his arrival."
The Captain seemed tired. Poor him. Though she'll admit if she was an observer to this bickering between the Illusive Man and Commander Shepard it would become annoying.
Proven otherwise. Goddess
"We'll continue this conversation when Lord Hood arrives." Lasky said, a little weary. "Figure...something out. I'll have Roland type up a report on everything we discussed and send it to Lord Hood. We'll also want to have a talk with Admiral Hackett, and more than likely this Citadel Council.
"You and your crew can wait outside with Lieutenant Dubbo. Illusive Man...well, you can stay right there. Far away from each other as humanly possible."
So the first stage of negotiations was over. They overstayed their welcome. Lasky most likely needed time to process...everything, and remove whatever emotions overcame him at what the Illusive Man said.
The reclamation? She couldn't figure out what it meant but at least it was some type of key point she could research once she got back to the Normandy.
First Lieutenant Dubbo began to shuffle the four of them out. Liara got her last words out.
"Captain, we appreciate you taking the time to see us. We truly hope we can work something out." She said, utilizing the Asari charm influence her species possessed.
"Yeah. Of course you are." Lasky said. The face of kindness was slowly coming back. "I'll inform Lord Hood. I assure you I'll provide an unbiased report."
She smiled back and nodded.
Right.
Lasky was still open. Thank the Goddess. All they had to do was box the Illusive Man. Try to convince Lasky that what he wanted was...
Against UNSC interests.
And she needed help for that.
...
Considering everything… Well, that could've gone better.
The Illusive Man knew exactly what to say when it really mattered. To say Lasky wasn't a little bit more interested in Cerberus than the Citadel would be a lie.
The four of them were stuck outside the bridge. A metal door and an armed marine in between them.
Tali leaned against the right side wall, slid down until she hit the floor. She laid her head against the metal and closed her eyes.
She spoke softly, as if she was drunk and trying to hold it together. "...I can't believe the Illusive Man tried to even justify himself like that."
Shepard took the cue from Tali, sat down on the opposite wall, and tried to catch his breath.
"Well he's gotta find some way to sleep at night. I doubt Tylenol P.M works that well," Garrus said while keeping his eyes on Dubbo. As if the Aussie was going to try anything.
"He should try alcohol then." Shepard responded.
There was this weird twitching in Shepard's thigh muscle that kinda hurt. His hands felt like they were shaking. Black spots danced in his vision.
Liara sat next to him. Her arms hugged her knees. She kept her eyes on Shepard, made sure he was okay. She leaned her body on him. The purple blood all over her face was mostly dried off. Heavy dark blue circles formed under her eyes. Her blue skin was slightly pale.
"Well, at least the Illusive Man hasn't tried to kill us yet," Liara said. She smiled at him. "He's always been so close to victory, but we're always there to stop them. We always do."
Talk about that optimism…
"What do you think of Lasky?" Shepard asked. Liara was better at reading people in her cold absolution.
"I think Captain Florence was right," Liara said. "He was more open and asked questions where need be. He wasn't totally drawn to the Illusive Man if that's what you're asking, even though he appealed to the UNSC's...character."
Shepard nodded. It was something at least. The battle wasn't over. He wondered what the Illusive Man planned to do. The UNSC would be a tremendous force on the battlefield, and could overrun both Citadel and Reaper strategic positions in mere months… But like the Reapers, would he be able to control them?
Would Shepard and his crew be able to?
"Captain Lasky seems like he knows what he's doing." Liara continued. "Now we have to deal with this Lord Hood."
"And...the Citadel Council."
She shook her head, as if the very thought of those four idiots pissed her off. "We've barely conjured a relationship with the UNSC. If I know Citadel diplomatic first contact procedures, which I think I do, then this would only push the UNSC further towards the Illusive Man, or completely push them out of any sort of alliance all together. The only reason the UNSC, Captain Lasky, has allowed the Illusive Man to come this far is because they identify with the extreme reactionary struggle of survival."
"So what do you suggest?' Shepard asked.
"Evidence. It's no use portraying the Illusive Man as this evil figure who kills people necessarily and unnecessarily to further his cause. I'm beginning to believe the UNSC were once in the same position as he was and committed the same actions," Liara responded. "It's pointless trying to convince them that his plan won't work because...let's face it, we don't know if our plan will work. We have to make him look like a threat to them. That he'll try to control them and hurt them in the same way he tried to do with you and your crew."
And that was scary to think about. What did the UNSC do back then in order to survive? The worst Shepard ever done...was leave people behind. Too many people.
"I don't know. Do you actually see the UNSC trying to kidnap people and commit genocide?"
"...The use of nuclear weapons without second thought. When Captain Florence was nearly seconds away from destroying a city filled with innocents without remorse to enforce mere protocol certainly says something."
Shepard remained silent.
"We all have to do what we must to survive." Liara said.
No. "When I went through N7 training, the first thing they taught us was that both the right and wrong decision will get people killed." His voice got quiet, only for her to hear. "That's just the way it is… But I am not like him."
Liara sat up straight. "That's not what I mean…" She put her hand on his shoulder. "You and I know what those sacrifices were for. The galaxy has someone worth following."
The dark blue eyes were calming, and they were sincere. Shepard sighed, rubbed his face, gained a hold of himself. How many people did the Illusive Man nearly killed, or had killed who were close to Shepard? It was a long line of bodies, and the passing days made it harder and harder to count.
"And what is it for?" Shepard said. "I think about the future but..."
...A lot of things became harder as the days went by in this war.
"Maybe...maybe we should go back in there with evidence." Shepard said, moving away from those thoughts. "We can gather more specific files on him."
Liara understood. She didn't want to think about it either. She let her head rest on his shoulder, and spoke in that reassuring tone. "Create a behavioral profile. And files on the Reapers, on the Catalyst and Indoctrination.
Shepard simply nodded, and let himself close his eyes for a second.
He wanted to slip away to sleep… Just relax and let it all go. For now at least.
"If it's any consolation, mates. I think ol' dude's kinda weird." Lieutenant Dubbo said out of the bloom.
God. His voice might as well be a gunshot.
"We appreciate that…?" Liara began. She moved her head from Shepard's shoulder.
"I mean, well, bugger also pretty much summed up the majority of the UNSC."
Shepard opened his eyes. Perfect.
"What do you mean?" Liara asked, a little curious.
"Well, five 'ears ago we were pretty much in the same position you guys are in. Nearly dead. Everything fucked," Dubbo said. "I fought for about a year and a 'alf during the end of the war. I fought side by side with the traitor covies too. Cool mates. I'd side with you guys. The Illusive Man seems to focus on one thing: Humanity. But the 'UNSC has that covered.
"Still, guy has a point. Not like we stripped enemy tech."
"Still…" Liara said. "From what I've seen, Reaper technology is far different and more dangerous than Covenant technology.
"Might be… Wouldn't 'eally know, ma'am. I just shoot stuff." Dubbo walked back to the door and just kept a watchful eye, let the rifle relax for the first time since Shepard met him.
If those purple ships and aliens fighting on the Illium surface were the Covenant, then Shepard could confidently say Dubbo doesn't have much of a clue on the tremendous difference of Reaper technology.
"That reminds me, that signal?" Shepard said to Liara. Let's face it. He wasn't going to get any sleep
"You've been thinking about it too?" Liara quickly said. She was phasing out.
"Little preoccupied, but I'm sure you've been."
There was a small smudge of dried purple blood still left on her lower chin. She wiped it off as if she finally noticed. "The Reapers used the Relays to manipulate spacefaring species, and the UNSC and this Covenant were the first ones to break away from that process. The first ones we've seen. Right now we have to assume the signal proves nothing about the Catalyst. That'd be jumping to conclusions."
"Do you think the Reapers activate it? To draw everyone into the cycle?"
"It...doesn't...make sense. Why now? After nearly six months of war? And, it certainly doesn't look like it, but the Reapers already had their hands full. Why bring in an enemy that's evidently a lot more powerful than them?"
"Well...who else would signal them?"
She sighed, leaned back on the wall. "Maybe it was some...strange Prothean contingency plan. Or these Forerunners the UNSC keep mentioning."
Shepard noticed First Lieutenant Dubbo stiffened up. He slightly moved at the word 'Forerunner'. Liara noticed it too.
"Any idea who they are?" Shepard asked.
"A highly influential, technologically advanced intergalactic race. I'd have to imagine they're from the last cycle. But the Protheans are the only species we know of capable of taking a subgroup of Humanity and manipulating them to have a similar psychosociocultural state while preventing allopatric speciation at the same time… At least as far as we can tell. They had a research station on Mars observing Humanity. There's no reference of these Forerunners in Prothean archives. And the Protheans created an empire so vast that we can't even imagine, larger than Citadel Space and the Terminus Systems combined, so there's bound to be some type of contact, something mentioning them…"
"Well, I guess the UNSC would borrow tech from them like we borrow tech from the Protheans?"
"I assume so...but the Lieutenant didn't mention it," Liara looked over to Dubbo.
"As I said, don't know much about that. Never dealt with that kinda stuff. Way above my pay grade." Dubbo responded. His words seemed shaky, and with his helmet on and visor blocking his face it was hard to tell what was going on.
Liara made a slight frown and turned to Shepard.
"But...I don't know, Shepard. It could even be possible the Forerunners rose a cycle before the Protheans during the birth of humanity. But nothing could survive two cycles, and the Protheans had to have mentioned something about Forerunner ruins. Maybe the Forerunners did some work on the Crucible? I don't know."
Liara took another look at Dubbo, then leaned in closer to Shepard and whispered, "it's evident the UNSC know a lot more than they're letting on. They have their reasons for keeping technology and...military strategies a secret, but history? There's only one reason they'd keep that a secret."
"Why's that?"
"If it's still relevant. The Illusive Man said something that threw Lasky off guard. I'm pretty sure it didn't connect but it was interesting. Something about reclamation of Reaper tech...I-"
"Mates, watcha talking 'bout?" Dubbo interrupted. He stepped closer to the two.
"Uh..." Shepard began. He looked to Garrus.
"So uh…" Garrus said, taking the cue. "What ah...kinda soldier are you? How's it like in the 'UN Army'?"
Smooth, like sandpaper, Shepard thought.
Dubbo immediately turned to Garrus. He was quiet, as if offended. "No, mate… I ain't a soldier. I'm a Marine. Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. First ones into combat. 105th Division, Infinity detachment. How 'bout you mate?"
"Oh...former mercenary. Former cop. Now I'm out here saving the galaxy. You know how it is…"
"A cop…?"
"I was just there for the donuts."
Dubbo grunted, letting Shepard and Liara's conversation go as it became apparent they weren't going to continue. He continued to talk with Garrus about a plethora of things.
Shepard and Liara sat in silence for about ten minutes while Garrus and Dubbo still chatted away. Liara leaned on the Commander again. A comforting hand on his. Tali was dead asleep. The white lights were gone and she was breathing calmly.
God. Sleep, actual sleep, sounded more and more appealing. Just… well, it depended on how long this conversation with Lord Hood would be…
He'd imagine the Citadel Council would simply stir a meeting aboard the Citadel. Make it public. Boost morale... Speaking of which, maybe it'd be best to send their first status update to Admiral Hackett. He'll have EDI…
Oh. Right.
He'll just have Traynor do it...
He hoped it wouldn't be another two, three hours spent on that bridge like this diplomatic meeting. He's energy and his patience were running out quick. And he could feel a sleep-deprived headache coming on.
God.
He relaxed as best he could with the twitching muscles, the soreness, the headaches. It could be worse he guessed. The crew couldn't have been with him. Liara couldn't have been with him.
There was a loud screeching sound. Shepard recognized it. An attention alarm.
Roland's voice played over the ship intercom, "attention all hands. Attention all hands. Now hear this! The tenth and twelfth fleet has just entered the system. Operational control of solar territorial jurisdiction has been transferred from Fleet Admiral Alvarez to Fleet Admiral Lord Hood. Operational control of local planetary orbital positioning and surface deployment has been transferred from Captain Lasky to Fleet Admiral Lord Hood. Prepare for Lord Hood's arrival. Out."
Break's over it looked like. Shepard slowly stood up. It hurt a lot more than it should. He lped Liara up, while Garrus broke off from his conversation to help a weary Tali.
"More fleets?" Liara said. "That's around another three-hundred ships."
"They know how to put on a real show don't they?" Shepard said. "All for one system. A bit overkill."
"But it seems to work."
Lieutenant Dubbo got on his comms and was relaying orders. A little panicked as he moved from one channel to another.
There were footsteps in the adjoining hallway twenty feet behind them. Shepard turned to find dozens of sailors moving about, off to do...something.
Preparing for Lord Hood's arrival… The head of the UNSC.