[ Standard Human Date] March 11, 2544.
TORFAN, during the human offense.
Hana Shepard, the jounin leader of her squad, normally led each attack, but this time she allowed one of the ninja under her command to act first. Kishima had distinguished himself as an excellent combatant, and she wanted to see more of his skills.
His decision proved correct when he blew up the path to where the prisoners were, destroying some really sturdy walls. However, the strength of the attack wasn't the only impressive thing; Right after the explosion, Hana saw Kishima move quickly, attacking the Batarians who had escaped the explosion.
Close behind, Hana moved along with the other ninjas in the squad and eliminated all threats so quickly that they were unable to defend themselves. When it was all over, a strange silence dominated the environment, which was soon broken by a small voice.
"Lady Lena?" In a crying tone, a small figure hidden by the bodies of the adult captives softly called out. That voice caught the attention of a human figure who was then standing over a Batarian corpse, with his hands so tight around the man's neck that his fingers were going into the flesh of the neck. The woman seemed to come out of a trance, blinking her eyes quickly and looking around for whoever had called her.
"Kal?...Where are you?" The voice that came from the calm and sweet woman belied her dirty and disheveled appearance especially her hands which were soaked in vivid red blood which for Hana aroused her curiosity to know if it was from the woman or the Batarian who had been strangled to death with her neck broken and 10 perfect holes the size of the woman's fingers, it had been a brutal death... That left a smile on Hana's face.
Batarian who had been strangled to death with a broken neck and 10 perfect holes the size of the woman's fingers, it had been a brutal death... That left a smile on Hana's face.
Faced with the silence that followed, Hana approached the woman, who was still motionless, lost in her own thoughts. "Who is Kal?" Hana asked, trying to get her attention.
The woman, still looking dazed, met Hana's eyes with an expression of pure despair. "Sinj... I promised her... I promised I would take care of him... They tried to take him... They took him away," murmured the woman, shaking through her tears.
With compassion overflowing in her heart, Hana reached down and gently placed her hand on the woman's shoulder. "Don't worry, he's safe," he said in a comforting tone. At the same time, she signaled her squad to bring the boy who had called the woman earlier.
The squad members acted quickly, bringing the boy who had been hidden among the prisoners, despite the worried protests of the other captives.
Before her, Hana observed the small Quarian boy, in his dirty protective suit and shaking with fear, but seeming to want above all to get closer to the woman who was crying at his side. Not wanting to prolong the child's suffering, Hana confirmed that he could get closer. The boy didn't hesitate and threw himself into the woman's arms, who held him with all her strength, protecting him with all the love that only a mother could show.
Hana's heart warmed as she witnessed the emotional reunion. She stepped aside, allowing them a moment of privacy to hug and comfort each other.
Turning to her squad and the rescued colonists, Hana conveyed her instructions firmly. "Listen, you are being rescued. Everyone needs to calm down and wait here. I have already sent a signal and your rescue transport out of this miserable moon is on its way. You are safe." Hana's words were received with screams of joy by the colonists, who hugged each other in relief, tears in their eyes. When the commotion calmed down, Hana addressed her squad. "We will continue moving forward. The safety of all captured colonists is priority. Therefore, some of you will stay until the rescue team arrives and will also ensure that no slavers escape through the entrance we have opened. Marim, you will be responsible for this. Keep it up." be vigilant and protect civilians at all costs.
His squad nodded silently, ready to follow his orders. Hana knew that everyone was eager to fight, but they also understood the importance of saving their people, no matter what the cost.
...
Dreadnought End of the Line _ During the attack.
In the ship's control room, a ninja officer entered, announcing his presence. The tense atmosphere in the room was evident, with officers moving frantically as they watched the battle unfold. Monitoring screens displayed real-time images of ground and air operations, while communications boomed over loudspeakers.
Commander Minato Uzumaki focused on the reports that came incessantly. The newly arrived officer delivered a concise summary of the current situation:
"On the ground, our troops advanced successfully, breaching enemy defenses and rescuing captive colonists. Although Batarian resistance was significant, our forces overcame it with overwhelming efficiency. In the air space, our forces won a crushing victory over the Batarian vessels, intercepting and neutralizing enemy defenses. Our fleet has managed to suppress enemy defenses and open the way for ground operations. Although the battles are still ongoing, the advantage is clearly on our side as we evacuate civilians from the moon."
Minato nodded, satisfied with the reports. "Good, send this message to all captains: Continue monitoring closely and be ready to respond to any changes in the situation. Our mission is not over yet. We must ensure that every colonist is rescued safely and that the Batarians are contained completely."
"Yes sir!" The officer left to convey the Commander's orders.
Turning to one of the officers beside him, Minato asked the question he had been trying to avoid from the beginning. "How many casualties so far, Kazuma?"
"Of the seven thousand humans captured, two hundred and twenty-seven did not survive and their bodies are being brought back home. As for the other colonists, we know they only took twelve thousand, and more than seven hundred did not survive, mainly Asaris and biotics due to the surgeries they underwent." Kazuma responded coldly, each word hitting Minato with pain.
Beside him, a mocking sound was made. "If we can call it surgery. It was more like a roulette wheel of death to see who was 'lucky' to survive and who would die first", said the man with an expression of pure disgust on his face. "I believe whoever did this could only be called a butcher and not a doctor."
"Tom, I know it's revolting, especially for you as an Iryō-nin (ninja doctor), but you need to concentrate," another man scolded him.
Wanting to get it over with before it turned into an argument, Minato asked again. "And among our ninjas, how many casualties?"
"Less than 24 casualties so far, Commander." Kazuma replied.
Minato stopped, thinking about the deaths. All for the ambition of those scum. "It's a low number. We can handle it if our plan is still going well. Let me know as soon as the evacuation is complete. I'll take care of the rest."
The sentence in his voice scared everyone who heard it.
...
Batarian Base
Baktor looked over the latest information and images about the attack on Torfan one last time, wondering if he had made the right decision in sending some of his men to join the defense force. He had hoped it would be quick and easy, just as he had thought when they attacked Mindor, but once again fate had shown him otherwise. The attack on Mindor was not easy; Human shields made it difficult for ships to land and enter cities. Even those that succeeded faced problems, as the Batarians were unable to break into the bunkers and capture enough humans to meet their sales targets to buyers.
Now, his only concern was how to escape that situation alive, while witnessing the carnage caused by humans outside the bunker.
In that labyrinth of corridors and dark rooms, where the Batarians' laughter and conversations about their imminent victory in the attack had previously echoed, immense tension now reigned. The silence was only broken by the sound of heavy breathing and hearts beating against their chests, and by the crying and despair that echoed throughout the room.
And in the corner of that room was the cause of the crying: the human colonists, kept in better conditions than the other prisoners, as they would be sold to the highest positions of the Hegemony. However, this did not change the fact that they were waiting to be sold into slavery. The mere knowledge of this, coupled with witnessing how the Batarians treated them merely as merchandise, had shattered their hopes and dignity.
They were just civilians! Although they possessed Chakra, they were capable of only the most basic control. They were like babies with a gun in front of them; They wouldn't know what to do and were just taught not to touch the gun. Basic control, that was it!
And with each moment, the crying intensified, which irritated one of the pirates who was waiting for the imminent attack. Armed, he went to one of the cells and kicked the first human in front of him.
"Shut up!" He shouted, readying his gun. "I'm tired of hearing you whining. The next one who opens his mouth, I'll kill, I swear!"
"What do you think you're doing, you idiot!" Baktor exclaimed, pulling the pirate away from the cell.
"Sir, they...'
"They're our only chance to make it out alive!" Baktor shouted, interrupting the man.
"Now, they are no longer slaves, they are hostages. They are our guarantee that the humans will not invade and kill everyone in here. So, if you kill one of them, I will kill you myself. Understand?"
"Yes." The pirate murmured, scared.
"Not listening to you, you imbecile." Baktor spoke threateningly, holding him by his clothes.
"Yes sir!" The man shouted.
"Excellent." Baktor said, releasing him and turning to the others. "That goes for you too. If any of you try something like that, it will be the last thing you do."
The threat left all the pirates tense and nervous, until everything was interrupted by the sound of a bird whistling. Through the bunker doors, a small, white, glowing shape passed by and took the form of a bird. It flew up to the ceiling, and, with everyone watching, the bird shone more brightly, its music becoming louder and distracting everyone present.
Baktor watched in wonder at the beautiful bird and its song, which made him wonder why he was so worried! Damn the Hegemony!, profits or the damn attack. He didn't care if humans invaded the place! That human song was beautiful... Wait! Humans?...Humans!!
"The humans!" When Baktor came to his senses he shouted as loud as he could, hoping to rouse his men. Unfortunately for him, few reacted quickly enough. From the shadows of those still in a trance, their enemies emerged and grabbed the pirates, cutting or breaking their necks, quickly wiping out more than half of Baktor's forces.
Frightened, the remaining pirates began to shoot at the shadowy figures, but it was as if they were made of real shadows, and all the shots went through their bodies. Amid the chaos of gunfire, some of the pirates even shot their own colleagues, resulting in deaths and serious injuries.
"Stop! Stop, you idiots!" Baktor screamed desperately for a moment, until his men realized that nothing they were doing was having any effect in the shadows. When the shooting stopped, the shadowy figures melted away and returned to the shadows on the ground.
"Return to your posts. This was just a distraction." Baktor ordered, heading towards the cells. "Don't allow them to get close to the hostages. And if they try anything else, I'll start killing the hostages. Listen!" Baktor said, he shouted, referring to humans.
The pirates, still scared and stunned by what had just happened, obeyed their leader's orders, but the tension was palpable, and every moment they expected an attack from the shadows.
Meanwhile, outside the Bunker, Hana Shepard watched as the Batarians seemed to lose control of the situation. Her plan was working, but she knew she needed to act quickly to prevent things from getting out of control.
"Shinku, is your jutsu ready? And Shinji, do you have enough Chaka to take everyone through the shadows to the Bunker? And the barrier?" Hana asked the two Nara twins who were on her team.
Shinku, the eldest, responded first, his hands forming a hand seal. "Yes, ma'am, the jutsu is ready. With the Batarians' numbers falling, I can cast the genjutsu now."
Shinji, the youngest, also confirmed, his hands resting on the ground as the shadows moved around him, forming a circle. "I have enough ma'am, and the barrier will withstand any attack from the Batarians and the colonists will be safe."
At Shinji's words, Hana felt momentary relief and began ordering her team to attack. "Great work, Shinku and Shinji. Prepare to act when I give the signal. We will ensure the safety of the colonists and end this threat once and for all."
Receiving his leader's order, Shinku began to sing a beautiful melody, which was echoed by the bird inside the Bunker, but only the Batarians were able to hear it. Within seconds, some of the pirates began to scream in fear, and some were even sobbing from crying.
One of the Batarians dropped his weapon on the ground and tried to crawl away, shouting that a Thresher Maw was behind him. While another struggled on the ground, saying he was being devoured by Rachni.
Baktor was standing still, staring at something impossible before him. unable to believe what his eyes saw. He witnessed a living nightmare in front of him. All of his men, those who had fallen in battle under his command, were rising from the dead. And even worse, those he himself had sent to their deaths were rising as well.
Pale, decomposed bodies moved awkwardly, their torn clothes hanging in tatters.
Baktor's heart quickened as he watched in horror as the dead approached him, their empty eyes fixed in his direction. A shiver ran down his spine as he realized that it didn't matter what he said to himself if he was still seeing it.
As the Genjutsu spread, some saw illusions of invisible enemies, monsters, or their deepest fears, while others completely lost track of reality, attacking indiscriminately.
--
Dreadnought End of The Line
Commander Minato stood in the massive inner hall of the spaceship, silently observing the stunning view of the moon Torfan through the vast observation window.
The hall was impressive in size and grandeur, with imposing arches and pillars that extended to the soaring ceiling. Soft, diffused light illuminated the space, creating an atmosphere of serenity that contrasted with the imposing nature of the warship.
Minato took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his responsibilities as commander of the ship and leader of his crew. As his eyes roamed the lunar landscape, he reflected on the waste of such a majestic place being used for such horrible purposes.
"Commander." A voice called from behind.
"What?" Minato replied, without turning to see who it was.
"We just received the latest report."
"Continue." Minato turned to face the member of his crew who called out to him. His expression was serious but calm as he waited for the report.
The officer swallowed hard before continuing. "The reconnaissance report says that all of our settlers have been rescued, Commander. And most of the other slaves imprisoned in Torfan have also been freed."
Minato nodded, absorbing the information. "Great, get everything ready. It's time for the last part of the attack plan." He ordered.
"Umm, sir, there's one more thing." The officer said nervously.
"What?" Minato asked
"We have also detected suspicious activity on one of the nearby moons. There appears to be movement of unidentified ships, we believe they are the forces of the Citadel Council, more specifically the Salarians."
"Oh! So they've decided to show their faces now, huh? Tell me, are there still any of the little Salarian spies in Torfan?" Minato asked.
"Yes sir, they are still there." The officer responded.
"Great, I have a little surprise for them." Minato responded for the first time since the attack began, smiling warmly.
The crew member nodded and quickly stepped aside to relay orders.
...
In the vacuum of space, over the moon Torfan, Commander Minato was positioned.
Protected by the blanket of golden Chakra he had created around him, Minato focused on his last assault against the Batarians who still occupied the moon.
Aware that all of his men had evacuated safely, Minato prepared to execute the final part of the Kages' plan to put an end to the attack.
Summoning his Susano, Minato radiated his powerful Chakra. His halberd, held steadfastly high, as he prepared for the final blow.
"No mercy!" shouted Minato, his voice echoing in the vacuum of space as he launched himself towards the moon. His Susano accompanied him, ready to unleash his devastating power.
With a precise strike, Susano's halberd pierced the surface of Torfan's moon, splitting it in half. Fragments of the moon dispersed across space, marking the end of the attack and the victory of the Alliance.
...
[Standardized Human Date] March 11, 2544
Citadel- Council tower
Sparatus hurriedly entered the council room, his serious expression reflecting the urgency of the situation. His eyes swept the room, finding the other counselors already sitting at the table.
"You took your time, Sparatus," was the Salarian advisor's first remark.
"I came as soon as I read the message you sent me", replied Sparatus, heading to his seat and taking a place at the table.
The atmosphere in the room was tense, the counselors knew that there was a lot at stake and that every minute counted. Sparatus adjusted his posture, preparing himself for the meeting to come.
"Since we're all here, I have just one question: what do we do?" Councilor Tevos asked, seeking guidance in the face of the challenging situation.
"What do you mean? They destroyed Torfan, Tevos! We can't allow them to have that much power! We have to find out what kind of weapon they used and confiscate it. I told you from the beginning: 'They have weapons that can destroy a moon. What kind of species needs such a destructive weapon? I'll tell you, barbarians, species that have always known violence since their existence," Sparatus recalled, his voice filled with indignation echoing in the room.
"I know that, Sparatus! But pointing out that detail won't help anything", replied Tevos, upset with Sparatus' childish behavior. "Look, we have to discuss our next steps and decide how we are going to confiscate that weapon from the humans and any others like it."
"I don't think we can do anything about this," said Councilor Vikkan, concentrating on his omni tool.
"What do you mean, Vikkan? Of course we can do something! This weapon is too dangerous to be in the hands of humans," Tevos intervened, expressing his concern.
"Yes, that's true. This 'weapon' is very dangerous, except it's not a 'weapon', Tevos," Vikkan replied.
"What?" Tevos asked, confused.
"What are you talking about, Vikkan? What do you know that we don't?" Sparatus questioned, just as confused as Tevos.
Advisor Vikkan looked up from his omni tool, his expression serious as he explained.
"Listen, the agents I sent from STG sent me these images. Look," Vikkan said, sending everything to her colleagues' omni tools.
"Vikkan, what am I seeing?" Tevos asked, startled by the images.
"This 'weapon', as I said, is not a weapon in the conventional sense," Vikkan explained. "From what we're seeing, it's this individual who carried out the destruction of Torfan."
Sparatus looked at Vikkan, not wanting to believe what he saw. "Is this a joke, Vikkan? Do you think you can believe that? Such a thing is impossible."
Vikkan took a deep breath before continuing, aware of how difficult it was to believe that. "I know it seems difficult, but we already know some of the things humans can do, like their FTL, which basically manipulates the very structure of space-time for their travel, or their elemental jutsus. This is... Apparently yet another thing they can do."
"By the spirits, what are we going to do?" Sparatus said, placing his head in his hands.
"This isn't over, I have other news for you." Vikkan said.
"Another one! What else now!" Tevos exclaimed nervously.
"The fleet that was on the attack is coming to the Citadel. They should be here in less than an hour."
"Already? But so quickly." Sparatus questioned.
"Have you forgotten what their FTL is like? They're only going to take so long because they're taking care of the colonists." Vikkan explained.
"Hahaha great we have to deal with them now." Tevos laughed nervously.
...
-Continues in part 2-