SSV NORMANDY, LANDING PAD 2
FEDERATION COMMAND CENTER
ANHUR 3, ANHUR SYSTEM
EAGLE GALAXY
In the dim, blue-lit glow of the Normandy's Combat Information Center (CIC), Gunnery Sergeant Charlotte Burk Sheppard moves with precision and focus. Her fingers glide over the console as streams of data flicker across her terminal, a digital cascade of information pouring in from the files retrieved at the abandoned Cerberus base on Anhur 2. The sleek, minimalist design of the Normandy's interior contrasts sharply with the rugged battlefield they just left behind. Here, it's quiet—the hum of machinery the only constant.
The data is vast, exabytes worth of encrypted files, scientific logs, schematics, and transmissions. If given time, Charlotte could devour the information, decode the secrets Cerberus left buried in the ashes of Anhur. But time is a luxury she doesn't have.
"EDI, begin analyzing these files," Charlotte says, her voice steady, but with a hint of urgency. She addresses the Normandy's Asgard AI, her gaze still locked on the streams of data flowing across her screen.
The figure of EDI shimmers into view between two terminals, an ethereal projection of the ship's AI, glowing softly in the dim room. There's a curiosity in EDI's voice as she responds. "What am I looking for, Gunnery Sergeant?"
"Start with the colony transmissions," Charlotte begins, tapping a few keys to bring up the logs. "Colonel Yang mentioned that they've been sending out distress signals to Federation HQ for months. But those transmissions were never received. I need to know why."
"Understood," EDI replies, her voice smooth and artificial, but there's something almost human in her tone—something thoughtful. "Beginning analysis now."
Charlotte leans back slightly, rubbing her temples. Her mind is buzzing with the weight of everything they've learned in the past few hours. The devastation at Anhur, the sudden retreat of Cerberus, and now, the discovery that something far older—far deadlier—might be lurking behind the chaos.
Across the CIC, Ashley Williams, clad in her battle-worn armor, approaches. Her posture is tense, arms crossed as she watches Charlotte work. "You really think there's something in those files that'll explain all this?" Ashley asks, her voice low but carrying a note of skepticism.
"I don't know," Charlotte replies, not looking up from her screen. "But it's all we've got right now."
There's a brief silence before Ashley speaks again, her voice softer this time. "Listen, Charlotte… I'm sorry."
That catches Charlotte's attention. She pauses, turning to look at her friend. "Sorry for what?"
"For not believing you earlier," Ashley says, her eyes downcast. "Back when you first said something was off with Cerberus. I didn't see it. I didn't want to see it. But after everything we've been through… I believe you now."
Charlotte studies Ashley's face for a moment, the tension between them palpable. She knows Ashley's apology is genuine, but there's still a wound between them, a rift that hasn't fully healed. "I appreciate that, Ash," Charlotte says, her voice quieter now. "But we don't have time to unpack all that. We need to focus."
Before Ashley can respond, EDI's hologram flickers to life once more between them, her luminous form casting soft light across the CIC. "Gunnery Sergeant Sheppard," EDI begins, "I've found an anomaly in the colony's communication logs."
Charlotte turns back to the console, her fingers dancing across the keys as she pulls up the new data. "What kind of anomaly?"
"The transmissions were sent from Anhur as the Colonel stated," EDI explains, "but something has been intercepting and rerouting them before they could reach Federation HQ."
Ashley frowns, stepping closer to Charlotte's station. "Intercepted by who?"
"It's not a 'who,'" EDI clarifies. "It's a 'what.'"
The holographic display shifts, showing streams of data crisscrossing the planet's orbital network. EDI isolates a signal—a thread of information tangled in the mess of Anhur's satellite systems.
"There is an ancient artificial intelligence embedded within the colony's communication array," EDI continues, her tone almost wary. "It has been monitoring and redirecting all outgoing communications to an unknown location."
Charlotte leans in, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinizes the data. "What kind of AI are we talking about here?"
"Unknown," EDI replies. "But its code is ancient—far older than Cerberus. Its architecture predates known civilization by millions of years."
Ashley's brow furrows in confusion. "What do you mean 'ancient'? How can AI be that old?"
Charlotte doesn't answer immediately, her mind racing as she processes the implications. "You're saying this AI has been here since… when?"
"During the time of the Ancients," EDI clarifies. "It appears to be from the Alteran civilization, the same race that constructed Atlantis."
Charlotte and Ashley exchange a look. The Alterans—also known as the Ancients—were the precursors of so much advanced technology across the galaxy. If they had left behind an AI, it could mean something far more significant than just a Cerberus experiment gone wrong.
"We need to tell Colonel Yang," Ashley says, already stepping toward the comm station.
"Already done," EDI replies, ever efficient.
Just then, a soft chime emanates from Charlotte's terminal. Her decryption algorithm has finished. She quickly transfers the decrypted files to EDI for further analysis. Cerberus had gone to great lengths to encrypt these files—layers upon layers of protection—but Charlotte's persistence has paid off.
As the decrypted data floods the holoscreen, Charlotte opens the first major file: "Project Hyperion". The screen fills with schematics—massive, intricate designs of a Mass Relay unlike anything Charlotte has ever seen. Its name is scrawled across the blueprint in ancient script: Spatium Navis Vectura ad Astra.
Ashley, standing beside her, squints at the text. "Latin," she says. "It means… 'Spaceship for transport to the stars'."
Charlotte nods slowly, pulling up more data. "Looks like Cerberus was after some kind of Alteran starship," she mutters. "But why?"
Before anyone can answer, a second file opens: "Operation Pastus Progenitor". The holoscreen displays more data—genetic research, strange symbols, and a cryptic reference to "The Harvest."
"Pastus Progenitor… The Harvest?" Ashley repeats, glancing at Charlotte. "What the hell were they planning?"
Charlotte scrolls through more of the files until her eyes lock onto a name in the reports, one that sends a chill down her spine: "Sanguine Generalis Opilio".
"What does it mean?" Ashley asks, sensing the shift in Charlotte's demeanor.
Before Charlotte can answer, EDI's voice interjects. "According to cross-referenced data from the Atlantis database, General Opilio was one of the Alterans who left Earth millions of years ago. He commanded one of the city-ships, like Atlantis, and ventured into unknown galaxies."
Charlotte stares at the holographic cityship now rotating in the display. "Are you telling me there's another cityship out there?"
EDI nods. "Yes. And Cerberus didn't just lose control of the Reaper—according to these records, the Reapers were an ancient enemy the Alterans fought before they fled Earth. They knew they couldn't defeat them without… something."
Commander Sheppard and Colonel Xi Yang stride into the CIC just as the holomap projector flickers to life. A rotating image of the ancient cityship illuminates the dimly lit CIC.
"The rough translation reads," EDI continues, her voice solemn, "'The bloodline of the General Opilio will destroy the Reaper. They are the key to its destruction.'"
Sheppard's expression darkens as he approaches the display. "Cerberus didn't abandon Anhur 2," he murmurs. "That damn thing harvested them and turn those people into those zombies."
Charlotte turns to Sheppard, her voice hardening. "Commander, they mention your bloodline."
Sheppard's gaze is cold, calculating. "If there's more clues to Anakin, we'll find him."
The room falls silent as the weight of the revelation settles on them. Outside the Normandy, the war-torn planet of Anhur 2 continues to smolder, but inside the ship, a new battle plan is forming—a race against time to stop Cerberus or the Reapers, find Anakin Sheppard, and unlock the secrets of an ancient civilization that holds the key to humanity's survival.
Commander Sheppard squares his shoulders and looks around the room. "Gear up," he orders. "We're heading back to the Cerberus base. Whatever we're looking for, it's there. Let's move."
ABANDON CERBERUS BASE
ANHUR 2, ANHUR SYSTEM
EAGLE GALAXY
The Normandy descends down to the planet atmosphere, her shields protecting her from the heat from reentry. The thick atmosphere of the planet causes the inside of the Normandy turbulence, as the marines and the SPOC units held on. The inertial dampeners weren't working for several seconds after they made reentry. As the cloak is activate, it hid the ship from being detected by the Reaper. The engines hum softly as she hovers over the rooftop of the abandoned Cerberus research facility. Below, the city stretches out in endless ruins, the streets crawling with mechanical zombies, former colonist turned into a unstoppable abomination.
On the rooftop of the facility, Colonel Xi Yang, Commander David Sheppard, Ashley Williams, Charlotte Burke Sheppard and two squad of marines materialize in a flash of light, their boots hitting the hard concrete with dull thud. The cold wind whipping around them as the streets below them are roaming with the zombies. As the group fans out, moving into circular formation, Sheppard walks up to the edge of the rooftop, brought up a holo binocular and he take in the sight of millions of the mechanical zombies swarming the streets.
He read the sensor readout on his holo binocular and and it says "900,000,000" Then he saw a massive creature moving slowly on the horizon. It's as tall as a skyscraper and it resembles a gigantic flea. It's insect like body moves with it's long legs carrying it toward the tallest building that's still standing in the colony.
"They haven't detected us yet, Commander." EDI voice crackles softly over Sheppard earpiece.
"Good," Sheppard mutters. "How many have turned?"
"According to Anhur Colonial Census Bureau, the planet had a population of 2.4 billion Federation citizens," EDI replies. "Our sensors indicated approximately 900 million have been transform into those mechanical zombies.
Sheppard grits his teeth. "Prep the naquadria bomb to encircle the planet."
The Naquadria bomb is a weapon of last resort.
Behind him, Colonel Xi Yang steps forward with a grim look on his face. "Sir, we can save these people." Yang pleads with the Commander.
"You think they can be saved?" Sheppard said as he turns to face him and pointed towards the zombies. "Look at them, Colonel. They're already gone."
Yang clenches his jaw, he want to say something but knows that Commander David Sheppard is right. Without another word, Sheppard slowly walks toward the door leading down into the facility.
"Ashley, Charlotte, head to the research labs" Sheppard orders.
"Yes sir," Ashley responds as she checks her plasma rifle. "Marines, on me."
Charlotte gives a quick nod to Sheppard, then pulls her own sniper rifle from the magnetic mount from the back of her armor and follows Ashley towards the door. The two women moves with 4 marines falling in line behind them. As their boots crunch on the cracked concrete of the rooftop. As they approach the door, the metal rusty door hung ajar.
The wind howls around them as they make their way inside the Cerberus research facility. The exterior doors groan against the storm outside, but the true unease begins once they step past the threshold. Inside, darkness swallows the space. Power to the building has been cut off for days, maybe weeks. Only the emergency lights cast a dim, eerie glow along the metallic walls, their flickering creating unsettling shadows. Dust particles hang suspended in the air, floating in the stillness. Occasionally, a distant clatter of shifting metal or debris echoes, disturbed by the wind creeping in from outside, like ghostly whispers in the quiet.
Charlotte glances around warily before activating the holographic map projected from her armband. A pale blue light illuminates her face, giving her features a haunted look. "We need to head to the lower levels," she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as it crackles over the comms.
Ashley nods, taking point as she leads the way down the narrow corridor ahead of them. The Marines flank them closely, their weapons drawn and ready. Through their visor HUDs, they scan for any signs of movement. The facility's silence feels almost oppressive, broken only by the occasional shuffle of their boots against the floor. As they move deeper into the building, the walls bear scars of a violent past—burn marks, gouges, and bullet holes, clear evidence of a battle fought here.
Charlotte stops briefly to inspect a blackened section of the wall, running a gloved hand over the burn marks. "Energy residue indicates it's about six months old," she says after a quick scan. "Looks like someone tried to fight their way out."
"Or in," Ashley replies, her voice grim as she surveys the destruction. It's clear that something went very wrong here.
They reach a stairwell leading to the lower levels. The steps groan and creak under the weight of their armor as they descend into deeper darkness. The flickering emergency lights cast long shadows, and the air grows heavier, thick with the stench of rot. The deeper they go, the more overwhelming it becomes—a sharp, pungent smell of decayed flesh.
At the bottom of the stairwell, they reach the research labs. The door to the main lab hangs ajar, its heavy steel frame twisted and bent as if something massive had forced its way through. Ashley signals the Marines to take position on either side of the entrance, their plasma rifles trained and ready.
"We're going in," Charlotte says as she steps forward and pushes the door open, the metal groaning in protest.
Inside, the lab is a disaster zone. Broken equipment and debris litter the floor, scattered like the remnants of a storm. Smashed monitors hang limply from walls, and broken tablets are strewn across the room, the remnants of hasty evacuations. In the center of the chaos stands a massive glass chamber, its surface cracked and empty. Whatever experiment had taken place here was long gone.
"What the hell happened here?" Ashley mutters under her breath, her rifle still raised and pointed at the empty chamber. There's an uneasy feeling in the room, a lingering tension as if something—or someone—could jump out at any moment.
Charlotte moves toward a console and begins typing rapidly, her fingers flying over the keys. The holographic screen flickers to life, but the data is corrupted—lines of code scrolling erratically across the display. "Great," she mutters, bypassing the damaged system as best she can.
Suddenly, a faint noise echoes from deeper within the lab—a low, rhythmic mechanical hum, almost like the sound of breathing. The Marines tense, aiming their rifles toward the sound.
"Something's still here," Charlotte says quietly, her eyes darting to the shadows.
A section of the far wall slides open with a hiss, revealing a hidden chamber. A tall figure steps out, clad in gleaming white armor that bears the insignia of Cerberus. The figure's glowing blue eyes scan the room, locking onto the intruders.
"Contact!" Ashley shouts, raising her rifle as the Marines open fire. Plasma rounds streak through the air, but the soldier's armor deflects most of the shots, sparking as they ricochet off the white dragon-embossed plates.
Before they can react, the soldier lunges forward, moving with terrifying speed. It slams into one of the Marines, sending him flying across the room. The impact is brutal, and the soldier doesn't slow down as it advances.
"Fall back!" Charlotte yells, ducking behind a console and firing her sidearm. The Marines continue their assault, but their plasma rounds seem to barely slow the soldier.
Ashley spots a crate of discarded equipment and races toward it, yanking out a heavy plasma launcher. "Let's see how you like this!" she growls, firing a round directly at the advancing soldier.
The explosion rocks the lab, sending debris flying. The soldier stumbles, its armor smoldering from the blast, but it's still standing. It slowly raises its weapon, targeting Charlotte. Before it can fire, a well-placed plasma shot from Ashley strikes its side, sending it collapsing to the ground.
"That was too close," Charlotte exhales, relieved but shaken.
"What is that thing?" Ashley approaches cautiously, her rifle still trained on the fallen soldier.
Charlotte doesn't respond immediately. She's back at the console, fingers flying over the keys again. As the system finally cooperates, she finds what they're looking for. A file flashes on the holographic display, a name catching her eye: **Sheppard, Anakin. Blood type: O-negative, ATA Positive**.
"I found it," she says, her voice tight with urgency.
"Found what?" Ashley asks, glancing over.
"What we came for," Charlotte replies, quickly downloading the data. "We need to get back to the Normandy."
Before they can make their move, another noise echoes through the lab. This time it's a metallic clattering, followed by the sound of growls—low, inhuman, and mechanical.
"We've got company," Ashley says, pressing a button on her wrist comm. "Normandy, this is Williams. We have hostiles. Request immediate beam out."
Charlotte and the Marines form a defensive line near the lab entrance, their weapons aimed at the dark corridor. The growling and scraping grow louder, closer.
"Copy that, Williams," comes the crackling voice of the Normandy's lieutenant over the comms. "Trying to get a lock on your position, but the signal's scrambled."
"Dammit," Charlotte mutters under her breath, gripping her rifle as the growls intensify.
"We don't have time for this!" Ashley shouts, her gaze fixed on the corridor where the faint glow of blue eyes begins to emerge from the shadows. "Work faster!"
The comms crackle with static, and the lieutenant's voice cuts through. "Still working on it!"
The growls turn into snarls as mechanical figures step into the dim light—zombies, their eyes glowing blue, their metallic limbs clicking with every movement.
"Get us out of here, now!" Charlotte yells into the comms.
"Got it!" The lieutenant's voice breaks through just as the horde rushes forward.
"Wait!" Charlotte shouts, running toward the fallen soldier in the white armor. She quickly attaches a transporter beacon to its chest. "Take this one too!"
"What are you doing?" a Marine asks in disbelief.
"Intel," Charlotte snaps.
The metal door bursts open as the horde floods in, growling and snarling as they charge toward the team. The Marines open fire, plasma rounds tearing into the advancing creatures, but they keep coming, relentless.
"Now, Normandy!" Ashley yells, firing burst after burst into the horde, but it barely slows them.
Just as the creatures close in, their teeth gnashing, a brilliant blue light engulfs the team. In an instant, they vanish, beamed aboard the Normandy, leaving the snarling horde behind.