The Eternal Lord 40k - ME

by HellFox83

A battle against the forces of Chaos strands a Necron lord in the galaxy of Mass Effect. With what's left of his dynasty under his banner, Veronakh Lord of Solvatakh intends to lead his people to glorious conquest. Can Commander Shepard stop the Collectors and curtail the ambitions of the Necrons?

25. Chapter 23: Resolution

Chapter 23: Resolution

Shepard scowled at the situation in front of him. Within Maelon's laboratory, the Commander and his Krogan compatriots had weapons trained on the wayward scientist. But now with Mordin being used as a shield there was little he could do other than listen to the Necrontyr puppet gloat.

"It's been too long." said Veronakh through Maelon's smiling mouth

"Not long enough." Shepard grimly replied.

"Oh come now, I'm sure every now and again you missed our conversations."

"Your torture sessions you mean, and no I don't."

"Aw, still sour over everything I see. But it seems like you're back to your old ways no worse for wear."

"No thanks to you and we were just about to wrap up here."

"I know, its why I had to spoil your fun since your attempt to undermine me is so woefully pointless."

Shepard became slightly confused, "Undermine you? What do you mean?"

"No need to play coy. I know why you've come here. But my will is absolute. There is no stopping what will happen to this galaxy. In the end, the Reapers and my dynasty will dominate regardless of your efforts."

"You still believe the Reapers will just let you be? After everything that has happened? The Reapers are machines like yourselves and just as arrogant. What makes you think that you both can just coexist?"

"Power and strength determines policy. Once the Reapers understand that they cannot shirk my control of the Terminus, inevitably they will return to a path that is the most efficient towards their goals."

"That's presuming that they even bother to negotiate with you and that they don't just keep assaulting your borders for years on end. I've seen your people's wars. Maybe back then you could have handled such a war of attrition but can you really do so now?"

Veronakh's puppet scoffed, "Perhaps you have a point, but you don't see what I see Shepard. It's why you're here running little errands for people irrelevant to the greater scheme of things. Too caught up in other's problems when you should have focused your efforts on what really mattered. That is why your crew and your ship are in grave danger, while you dally upon this dying world."

"What happened?"

"What was eventually going to happen. The Collectors, using their intelligence of my dynasty that they had collected thus far, raised a small fleet and attempted to assault Omega station."

"What does my crew and ship have to do with that?"

"It seems when I denied Solvatas reinforcement she looked to alternatives. Miss Lawson went along with the idea to assist presumbly, given the Normandy's presence in the defense fleet my sister amassed. To assuage your meager concerns, I will at least tell you your ship still is intact. Though I cannot say the same for the crew."

"You don't seem too concerned about the Collectors going on the offensive."

"Why should I be? We are immortal. Even if Solvatas should fail in defending Omega, I have amassed enough conscripts thus far to counter attack and reclaim it. The Collectors meanwhile have gambled all they have on this assault. Crushing them in either defense or reclamation will render any advantages they had moot."

"At what cost?"

"Does it matter? My victory is assured, the Reaper's puppets are living on borrowed time. Eventually I will find their base of operations and destroy it. Then there will be no one left in this galaxy who can challenge me until the Reapers themselves arrive."

"If you could, then why haven't you done it yet?"

Silence was the Commander's reply, along with a muted yet seemingly annoyed look from Maelon. Shepard continued, "Obviously something is holding you back."

"Preparations for the greater invasion of the Terminus demanded most of my attention. Managing logistics of an invasion involving both dynasty and organic assets has been admittedly more trying than I would have liked."

"Is that why you've been using Maelon for these experiments?"

Veronakh's proxy smiled, "Since you've been snooping around here I'm sure it wasn't difficult for you to figure it out. As I'm sure Solvatas told you, the mind shackle eventually burns out the subject depending on how often I must make said subject comply. I've been exploring means by which to make my agents more resilient."

"Why can't your Cryptek do it? Why do you need to use a third party like Maelon?"

Once again silence, which only made Shepard more interested, "Unless something happened to him..."

"Du'Maat is indisposed with his own projects. Such a tedious labor need not require his attention."

"That's a lie."

Maelon's brow furrowed, his glowing green eyes narrowing in annoyance as Shepard continued, "You Necrontyr are proud and arrogant. Especially when it comes to your technological advantage. Why not have your very best work on a project of such importance?"

"Because in the end once my newly raised army is unleashed, then my agents will be redundant."

"Sounds like an excuse more than anything. Especially since I thought subverting and raiding were supposed to be your personal strengths. Why the change in strategy?"

Then the Necron slave shook his head and grew angry, "Enough! The question you should be asking Shepard is whether or not you'll be throwing down your weapons."

The Commander frowned but didn't lower his rifle, neither did his Krogan compatriots, "We can't just let Maelon walk. He's done too much to the people here to just let him go."

"You don't have a choice Commander. Perhaps if I had taken one of the Krogan hostage, you would have had the option to risk an attempt to kill Maelon. Professor Solus however, is far too important a crew member for you to lose. You are in no position to attempt reckless action. I'll ask only once more...lay down your weapons or he dies."

Shepard then slowly let his left hand part from his rifle, palm up indicating that he was going to cooperate. Very slowly he laid the rifle down on the floor. Nemar protested, "But you just said that-!"

The Commander glared back, "We don't have a choice Nemar. He's right...Mordin's too important to lose."

Nemar grumbled but finally complied, laying his custom Carnifex onto the floor along with Grunt placing his Revenant on the ground as well. The now smug Salarian scientist then dragged his hostage to the door, his Tempest SMG still aimed at Mordin's temple the whole way. Veronakh's puppet amphibian didn't break eye contact with any of them and stopped when his back was at the door.

"Don't feel bad Shepard. This outcome was inevitable."

Shepard scowled, "Maybe not today, but someday you will answer for what you've done."

"This fleshling maybe. But I? I am eternal Shepard. I have all the time in the universe."

Maelon opened the door behind him and quickly kicked Mordin forward into the team. Before they could recover from the Salarian doctor crashing into them, Maelon locked the door with his Omni-tool.

Nemar ran up to and punched the old but sturdy door and growled, "Damn that slithering Nathak!"

---

Veronakh released control of his Salarian puppet who quickly shook his head as if waking from a dream, "Wha-! Please Great One! That wasn't necessary was it?"

The Necron's voice sounded in Maelon's head, "If I hadn't, you would have been dead. Now it is time for you to take your leave. Clan Weyrloc is of no further use to us."

"As you wish sir. Just...give me a moment."

"You don't have the time for that."

The thundering sound of a multitude of heavy footsteps clambered down the metal steps of the stairs from across the ground floor of the facility. Blood Pack soldiers in their red armor piled in, with one of them taking the center of the formation and barking orders, "Fan out! Find those bastards who killed our brothers!"

"Sir! Look!" said one of the Krogan warriors on the right.

The Blood Pack grunt was pointing at the large slumped over body of Weyrloc Guld across from them. The Krogan in charge of the force motioned for several of his men to follow him. When they approached him, Maelon's feet were stuck to the floor out of fear. He was uncertain whether to run or try to reason with them considering their employer was now dead.

Maelon chose to negotiate. As the soldiers approached he exclaimed, "Oh thank goodness! I was able to lock the ones responsible for this in my lab but that won't hold them forever."

"Who did this?" The Blood Pack officer asked.

"Commander Shepard with several Krogan and a Salarian of his own. I was able to take one of them hostage and negotiated to leave the room before locking it. You should take advantage of this now while you can before he hacks his way out."

"Uh huh...and what are you going to do Salarian?"

"I'm uh...well I'm going to check on the subjects upstairs, see how much damage they caused." Maelon said attempting to walk past the armored saurian.

A large red hand blocked his way and the Blood Pack soldier shook his head, "Oh no...you're not going anywhere."

"What are you talking about? They're trying to kidnap me!"

The mercernary officer ignored the Salarian and looked to his fellow mercs checking Weyrloc Guld's body, "The Clan Leader, Ferkan?"

After seeing the massive hole in Guld's eye, the Blood Pack trooper kneeling over the corpse of the larger Krogan shook his head. The Krogan commander growled as he looked back to Maelon who then got nervous and raised up his hands, "So...Guld is gone, along with the payment we were promised. With everyone else dead, guess I'm the one in charge around here. Which means I'm the one who decides who leaves."

"Well congratulations and my condolences for your losses."

Maelon again tried to leave only to be shoved back. The Salarian maintained his footing but was still confused, "What is your problem? I've been trying to help you!"

"Help us huh? From what all of us have seen, you've been doing nothing but causing suffering and death."

"A necessary sacrifice for the greater good of your species. The Clan Leader agreed with me!"

"Yeah, but now he's dead. Likely no thanks to you and your fucking mad science."

Maelon raised a finger, "Hold on now! What happened to Guld wasn't my fault!"

The Blood Pack soldiers around the commanding officer then began readying weapons, all aiming at Maelon. The Salarian continued to try to reason his way out as he backed up, "Please! I was just trying to help undo my people's mistake!"

"The 'mistake' was letting your kind once again use our people as lab rats! The Clan Leader thought you could be useful, but the rest of us saw your work. Had to clean up your messes. Listen to the screams and horrid sounds of your victims as they died!"

"I was working with what you gave me! If I had more supplies and personnel I could easily-"

The Salarian didn't finish his sentence quickly enough. A shotgun blast from one of the soldiers blew out his knee and sent Maelon to the ground crying out. The wounded scientist then turned to crawl away still bawling while the mercenary who made the shot casually walked after him. The young scientist then began to beg, "Please...just give me another chance! I swear...I'll do better."

A Krogan foot fell onto the Salarian's back, causing a grunt of pain to emit from Maelon who was still bawling, "Please! Great One! Save me!"

The voice in Maelon's head answered, "I did warn you. If this is all you can give me than clearly you have outlived your usefulness Mr. Maelon. Take heart though. For at the very least the data you provided won't go to waste."

"No! Wait!"

A blast from a Krogan Claymore Shotgun to the back of the Salarian's head messily ended the discussion.

---

Shepard was working on hacking the door to the lab after the team recovered their weapons. Suddenly it unlocked and the Commander reacted, quickly drawing his rifle along with his teammates. They all aimed at the door as it opened. A squad of Blood Pack soldiers piled in with their weapons drawn. Surprisingly to Shepard a Krogan voice called out, "Hold your fire!"

Everyone was frozen, still aiming their weapons at each other. One of the red armored Krogan from behind the first rank pushed his way through. He then looked to his men and said, "Stand down."

Shepard then looked back to his team and nodded. While they didn't holster their guns, both parties lowered their weapon barrels to the floor. The Commander stood up and the mercenary officer walked over to him, "You're Shepard?"

The former Spectre nodded in response, "Who are you?"

"My name is Bahlkis. I guess I'm the one in charge since every other officer or leader is dead in this place."

The Commander was still wary, "I'm surprised you're willing to talk. I figured you'd want retribution for what happened to Guld."

"Oh we did at first. But then we realized while trying to get out of the lockdown whose fault it was that all this shit was happening. That and with Guld dead we just lost a good chunk of our pay."

"Maelon?" asked the former Spectre.

The Blood Pack officer nodded, pointing with his thumb behind him, "The slimy bastard is dead. Screamed like a cornered Pyjak before we blew his head off. Was yelling something about some Great One before sending him off with a Claymore."

Mordin's mouth was agape for a quick second before closing his eyes and shaking his head. Shepard sighed, "Well he was the reason we were here. We saw his handiwork, tried to get answers out of him."

"Doesn't mean anything to me anymore. So unless you want to go down fighting like a Krogan...I'm going to give you this one chance to get out of my compound before I send you to join that son of a bitch too."

"Why are you letting us go?"

"To be honest, after all the shit the rest of us have seen and heard from what that Salarian did...this cure and the money isn't worth it. So get out of here...now...before I change my mind."

Not one to look this gift horse in the mouth, Shepard nodded and motioned for his team to go. The team could feel the animosity behind the red armored helmets of the remaining mercenaries as they passed by. When they finally reached the surface, they saw clear skies for the first time since they'd been on this planet.

---

(Earlier, back in the Omega System)

The Necrontyr cruiser Shuvat remained by the defeated cylindrical Collector vessel. The Necron ship's hull was carved open in many places from high intensity laser fire. Slowly it was being mended by either Scarab drones or it's own necrodermis. In her throne room within the Necron ship, Solvatas monitored the Collector cruiser. Then she received a priority message from Nev'El, "Mistress, they're here just as you anticipated. But there may be more than just a small taskforce."

The Vymark was surprised at the data she received following the message, "That can't be right...heavy weapons capable of disabling a Canoptek Wraith?"

"Instantly in a single shot. Some kind of beam weapon with an incredibly high energy output." Nev'El confirmed.

"Yes, I've seen that weapon on a quadruped platform on the cruiser. But my question is how they were able to remain hidden with such heavy ordinance in tow."

"Regardless mistress, I am unable to activate cameras outside the main accessways to confirm enemy numbers or equipment. Likely once again due to enemy cyberwarfare tactics. Anticipating heavy resistance." The Besakt stated.

"I will send additional reinforcements, including our organic proxies. Loss of the reactor is unacceptable Nev'El. You will hold that position at all costs."

"Of course mistress."

The Vymark then returned to her vigil looking over the cruiser, but began preparing her ships reactor and engines as priority for repairs. She had to be ready to respond quickly in case the situation on the station soured. Not long after, she received yet another communique from her Besakt, "Mistress...he's here."

The Necron Vymark quickly realized that something was off. Harbinger was on the offensive on her station assaulting the reactor while his own ship is under attack? She parsed through the previous data regarding the mass of the boarding craft that had managed to land on the station with the amount of calculated enemy personnel. The attack force was much larger then it should be and seemed to have more troops maintaining momentum. There was only one conclusion, there must be some kind of gate on the cruiser and it was sending it's remaining forces in a last desperate attempt to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Solvatas opened a communique to Kor Pharas, "Change of plans Praetorian. The Collectors have made their move on the station's reactor. Locate any power sources on the cruiser that you can. I suspect the enemy is using something similar to a Dolman gate."

"The Collectors have never seized any sort of technology relating to our gate network during their invasion of Sanctum. How could this be possible?"

"The Reaper's Mass Relays already have similar principles to any other kind of gate technology we have encountered in the past. But like any of their lesser copies of our technologies, they are incredibly inefficient. No doubt their gate will be drawing upon an incredible amount of power. Find their auxiliary power generators and disable them. That should cause the gate either to fail or destabilize it enough to slow the reinforcements to Omega."

"It shall be done Vymark."

"I must return to aid in the defense, so you and the Normandy team will have to make due with what you have. Punish their defiance Praetorian."

"As you wish."

Solvatas quickly checked progress on the reactor and engines of her ship. They were at fifty percent of normal capacity. Good enough, she thought. The Shuvat suddenly decoupled from its larger cruiser chassis and began to turn, proceeding towards the station. Solvatas' ship would reach teleportation range of Omega within the next ten minutes. But if Nev'El fell to the enemy before then, the Collectors would have Omega at their mercy. The Vymark primed what gates still were ready upon the ship and departed her bridge to ready herself. She had had enough of this nuisance from Harbinger, it was time to end this battle for good.

---

(Meanwhile upon the Collector cruiser)

The Normandy team and their Necron escorts had been trapped within these more cramped rocky tunnels for some time. The waypoints provided by Kor Pharas had been helpful but some on the team had started to grumble, wondering aloud if they were being led in circles.

"Situation update." Kor Pharas stated over the team's comms.

Kasumi groaned, "Again? I get the situation is messed up, but can't we just have a consistent route?"

Gefren was quick to rebuke, "That's enough! Praetorian, what happened?"

"Collectors are assaulting the station and may succeed should the defenders there fail. We have been called to assist from our position." The Necron leader explained plainly.

Jacob raised a brow while he checked a corner on the path ahead of the team, "Thought you guys dealt with all of 'em? And how are we supposed to help 'em out from here?"

"The Vymark suspects there is a gate within the center of the cruiser transfering enemy personnel to Omega station. She believes they are utilizing a network of auxiliary generators to power it. Our new objective will be to disable or destroy these generators." The Praetorian said.

"What about the data we were going to recover?" Tel'Se asked.

"Loss of the station is unacceptable. The loss of the intelligence has been deemed acceptable to prevent enemy success." Kor Pharas explained.

Kasumi sighed, "Well I can't help but feel a little disappointed."

"Can't be helped, I assume you've come up with a plan?" Gefren asked the Praetorian.

"Situation demands all available units to proceed towards closest generators in their proximity. Scans indicate several power sources near your position. Waypoints on your huds updated."

The team's huds once more had green arrows pointing to a position about a hundred meters away. Tel'Se shrugged, "Well, least we get to blow up something to make up for all this lost time."

Kasumi smiled, "I call dibs on blowing this one."

The Asari merc smirked, "Not if I beat you to it first."

Gefren waved his claw to rally the group, "Alright then, form up everyone. It's going to get tight and these buggers will likely be expecting us."

Jacob was the first to regroup, still gritting his teeth as the pain from his dangling left arm returned. Gefren asked once again, "You're sure you still want to stay?"

Taylor warily nodded, "I'm sure, not like it'd be easy to get back now at this point."

Kasumi looked concerned, "You don't have to put up the tough guy routine on our account."

"I said I'm good! Let's just get this over with." Jacob exclaimed, irritated at the pain.

"Alright then, you three form up ahead and proceed." Gefren commanded, pointing at the cyborgs.

Three of the six Necron Pariahs in their group took up a line formation in front of the team as they proceeded down the rocky hall towards the objective. The tunnel eventually opened up somewhat to a larger violet hall but with cabling strewn about on the floor. There was also the sounds of electric thrumming through the metallic purple walls.

"We're getting close it seems." The Volus officer commented, observing the cabling as the team advanced through the hall.

Tel'Se was uneasy, her eyes looking all around, "Surprised we haven't encountered anything yet."

Kasumi shook her head, "Don't say it cause then-"

The sounds of sleek and worbling doors opening from either sides of the hall ahead of them caught the group's attention. Several Collector squads rushed out with plasma rifles and opened fire upon the Pariah's in front. The machine soldiers braced and stood against the initial barrage. Gefren quickly threw down a compact omni-shield generator to give chest high cover to the squad. The team pressed against it while blue plasma fire began flying over them.

"Because then that happens!" Kasumi shouts, finishing her rant.

"Take cover! Kasumi, when you get a chance a flash bang would be lovely!" ordered Gefren.

"I'll try!" The thief yelled, pulling a grenade from her pouch.

The Pariahs at the front were taking a beating, slowly being ground down from the constant barrage of plasma. The remaining Necron warriors used their Gauss Blasters to start cutting down some of the enemy from the shield wall. But the tight space and the group's formation made clear shots difficult. More and more Collectors continued to join in the battle, taking shots from the side entrances. Two flash bangs from Kasumi finally landed in front of the entrances and detonated, blinding the Collector attackers. With the bugs stunned, the Pariahs at the front were finally given a reprieve. Though badly damaged, they charged and began carving into the Collectors with their warscythes.

Gefren shouted while reloading his pistol, "Let's go! Move in!"

The Volus charged forward with the rest of the team moving in alongside the Necrons. Pariahs continued engaging the Collectors in melee slicing and carving through their opponents. The Normandy team pushed to the right side entrance and began unleashing fire at close range in between the gaps of the cyborgs. After clearing the entrances on either side of the hall the group saw more Collectors arriving to greet them further on in the darkness. They began receiving more laser and plasma fire through both hallways and Gefren knew they couldn't afford to have their focus split between three points.

The former merchant marine called Kasumi over, "Miss Goto, we need to seal these doors! I'll take this one, head to the opposing entryway and seal it!"

"On it!" Kasumi quickly acknowledged.

"Necrontyr, I need you to cover us while we proceed!"

Wordlessly the cybernetic soldiers split their forces and began to shield Kasumi and Gefren from incoming plasma, retaliating with their Gauss Blasters. The Normandy team quickly piled out of the right side entrance with the Volus tossing a shield generator to Kasumi as she passed by him to complete her task. Gefren set down a shield wall to protect himself from the Collector's advance in front, while his Necron escorts used it for cover. Although doing a quick inventory check he realized he only had two devices left on his belt which made him huff before he went back to hacking the door.

While the Necrons used their bodies and weapons to cover the side entrances, Jacob and Tel'Se put down fire towards the Collectors approaching from the main hallway using the original shield wall for cover. Likely they were the defenders of the power generator trying to push the Normandy squad out while they were caught at the side passages. The Pariahs continued to shield the hackers as they worked, some beginning to break apart and fall to their knees from the explosive plasma.

Kor Pharas' monotone robotic voice chattered in the team's ears, "Providing cyberwarfare assistance."

Green Necron code began to appear in the hackers Omni-tool windows, erecting multiple firewalls and encryption keys to protect their attempt to set the doors into a lockdown state. After a moment, both Kasumi and Gefren were successful. A chime sounded in response and the team stepped back from both entryways as the doors slammed shut.

This freed up the group to focus down the main hall towards their objective. It seemed to Gefren that the Collectors were beginning to withdraw as the enemy plasma fire became sporadic. The Pariahs themselves took this opportunity to begin self-repair protocols, while those that were too badly damaged remained motionless by the Omni-shield barriers. Out of that firefight they had lost several Pariahs with two being seriously damaged. Hopefully this would be enough for the generator itself, Gefren thought.

After taking a moment to take stock, the Volus officer rallied the rest of his squad, "Alright on me everyone! We push forward to the generator!"

"Hold." The Praetorian suddenly commanded over comms.

"Wha-...why?" The Volus replied confused.

"New orders, proceed toward objective but hold position. A simultaneous strike on multiple generators will cause maximum impact to enemy operations. Move to waypoint, then defend until attack order is given."

Gefren could see the logic in that, "Very well. Team form up! Let's get moving!"

"No rest for the wicked..." Huffed Jacob.

"How are you doing Taylor?" The Volus officer asked.

"I'll be fine, our Necron boys are looking far worse than me right now."

"Got that right. Hopefully they'll last long enough to knock out that generator." Tel'Se commented.

Gefren put a claw to his head, "Praetorian, is it possible for us to acquire reinforcement? Our escorts are badly damaged and may not make it much further."

"When opportunity is available, you will be reinforced. Until then, proceed with objective." Stated Kor Pharas.

Kasumi groaned, "See, this is why I like to work alone. Not even killer robots from another universe are reliable nowadays!"

The former Merchant Marine shrugged, "Can't be helped, hopefully we get through this and that's all we'll be needed for."

"If we don't get killed first..." Tel'Se commented.

"Let's try to stay somewhat optimistic my dear." Gefren then looked to the least damaged Pariahs, "You two, take the front. The others will take up the rear while Tel'Se takes up the center with me."

The Normandy squad nodded and formed up along with the Pariahs. They then followed the waypoint. The black pulsing electrified cabling along the walls, floors, and ceiling grew in number the closer they moved towards the objective. Soon the hallway expanded out into a larger alcove with a large chamber protected by a heavy violet door. The largest cables throughout the area sparked with electricity and thrummed with power. The lack of defenders made Gefren wary. Likely the enemy were lying in wait preparing an ambush. He set up his turret's shield wall beside the entrance to the alcove. The Volus then motioned for one of the Pariahs to remove his machine gun from his back while he setup.

Gefren then motioned for Kasumi and Tel'Se to approach, "I want you two to open the door once we have the area clear and we get the go ahead." He then handed the pair a shield wall generator, "I only have two of these left. Make use of them when it's time to hold that room."

The Volus then looked to the Pariahs again, "Find the enemy, better we start the fight on our terms than to wait for them."

Two of the Necron cyborgs then began to look around the alcove, while Gefren setup his defensive post with Jacob. Kasumi and Tel'Se then sat by the door to the power source with several Pariahs providing overwatch on the hallway they had come from. The badly damaged Pariahs were methodically sweeping the area. Should the ambush spring, at the very least the cyborgs would provide a target for any ambushers to hit first. But no ambush came, only the continued humming and sparks of electricity from the cables.

After a few minutes of standing by, a simple communique from Kor Pharas caught the whole group's attention, "Begin."

"Finally!" Kasumi worked her Omni-tool on the sealed room and then grew annoyed, "Damn, this encryption is tough. Think maybe if I asked nicely Mister Monotone would give me a hand with this too?"

Before anyone could respond to her question the door chimed and began to unlock. But it wasn't from anything Kasumi did, it had been unlocked from inside, "Uh... that wasn't me!"

"Get back! Here they come!" Gefren shouted while he pulled the bolt back on his machine gun.

Heavy footfalls sounded from the entrance. Kasumi and Tel'Se pulled back while large shadowed figures emerged from the generator room. It was a pair of large four armed Collectors, brown in coloration. They roared and charged, barreling over the two Pariahs before they had a chance to fire. The two women then jumped and hit the deck as Gefren's machine gun opened up. The Volus officer focused his stream of fire on the head of the closest giant bug, while Jacob fired a warp attack using his weakened arm. It hurt like hell to do, as evidenced by his yelp of pain, but his other arm was occupied with his now chattering assault rifle.

The storm of rounds and biotic attack forced the destructive bug giants to cover their faces. This gave the overwatching Pariah's time to turn and focus them down with concentrated Gauss Blaster fire. They were then joined by the other pair of cyborgs who were now back on their feet and firing their weapons. The giant insectoids were quickly rended down into liquefied green slop and ash. At the entry to the power source a pair of grenades were sent out towards the Pariahs that were finishing off the giants. They latched onto the Necron's back sides and detonated, sending shrapnel and black fluids all around behind them. The Pariahs fell to their knees and collapsed, obsidian blood falling from their facial features.

"Damn!" Jacob cried out, taking cover behind Gefren as Collectors proceeded to come out of the generator room and open fire. They were then side swiped by Gauss Blasters from the remaining Pariahs. By this point, Kasumi and Tel'Se had maneuvered over to the side of the heavy door to the power room and used their shield generator to create cover. They cut down every bug biped that attempted to charge out, with one taking a close range sniper shot to the head and slamming onto its back.

The flapping of wings next got the Normandy team's attention. Tel'Se looked up above to see Collectors with wings coming down from openings in the alcove ceiling. She aimed her rifle and fired nailing one of the oncoming bugs in the face, while also warning, "Watch the ceiling! More coming!"

One of the Pariahs heeded the warning and aimed up with it's Blaster, rending down two of the Collectors unfurling from the ceiling vent they were coming down. Incoming fire from the hall they had came from started hitting the surviving Pariahs. Jacob turned and looked from the edge of the entryway to see more Collector troops approaching, "Shit! We got more coming back the way we came!"

Tel'Se cursed, "Great they're coming at us from all directions!"

"Tel'Se, Kasumi! Make a break for the room, we'll cover you! Mister Taylor, cover our rear, I'll keep the ceiling covered!" Gefren commanded.

Taylor nodded, "Got it!"

Jacob peeked from the side of the entrance to the hall giving bursts of assault rifle fire to pick off several Collectors before a plasma bolt broke his shields. He gritted his teeth and let his shields recharge while Gefren unleashed a bullet storm on the ceiling vents, shredding Collectors that then plopped to the ground. The Pariahs moved to support Kasumi and Tel'Se, their Gauss Blasters rending down any Collector that attempted to get in their path toward the power room. The women motioned to the Pariahs to move in first which at first made them confused until Gefren noticed and then ordered over comms, "Clear the generator area!"

The Pariahs quickly moved in, while Kasumi and Tel'Se crouched with sporadic enemy fire from the hallway flying over them. After several seconds of screaming insectoids from the generator room, the women moved in and Kasumi went to work, her Omni-tool working as quickly as possible. The power generator itself looked exotic to say the least. Like a large cylindrical violet vase, with tendrils holding a singularity in its center. Kasumi worked to figure how to interact with the thing while the Pariahs finished off the last of the defenders in the chamber, stabbing dying Collectors on the ground with their warscythes. The hooded thief found there was no way she could access the device directly. But she could access the pedestal device that the power source sat on. It apparently was controlling the flow output from the generator. She flipped through her holographic windows looking for a means to gain access.

Meanwhile, Gefren and Jacob were left alone to face the Collectors attempting to defend the alcove. The Volus' machine gun continued mowing down the insectoid soldiers but eventually he had to stop to eject a thermal clip and insert a fresh one. This bought the bugs time to finally unfurl from above and open fire on him. The barrage of plasma finally knocked out his shield and he fell to the ground gripping his machine gun. Even on his back, the Volus opened fire shredding several of the flying Reaper soldiers before plasma hit his personal shields. Even with his enhanced shielding all it took was several hits to break it. Jacob turned and saw the Volus being attacked and quickly attempted to shield the smaller alien with his body. The former Corsair's own barriers failed under the plasma assault and several direct hits to his outstretched left arm cause it to be ripped apart from the energetic explosions.

Jacob roared out in pain, while Gefren kept firing his machine gun at the attackers, "Tel'Se we need help back here!"

The Asari mercenary ran out from the generator room alongside one of the Pariahs who apparently followed her of its own initiative. The lady mercenary found more Collectors falling to the ground and more firing on her from the previous hall. This forced Tel'Se to go prone and use her long rifle to pick off several of the offending attackers that were cautiously approaching. The Pariah walked forward, firing off several shots of its Gauss Blaster that melted down several more enemies. This forced the Collectors in the hall to back off for a moment to regroup.

With time to breath from the assault, Tel'Se leapt up and ran over to her two compatriots. Jacob had rolled off of Gefren and was holding the bloody stump that was his left arm in agony. The good news was that the wound was cauterized from the plasma and it was a miracle that he had not died from shock. The bad news was that the explosions had also given him burns along his left leg and up along what was left of his arm. Tel'Se went to work, and gave Gefren a hand to get up and help her. They helped prop him to the side of the hall entrance and began to treat him while Gefren kept his eyes open.

Tel'se pulled from his waist belt a medical syringe, a box of medi-gel and bandages, "Alright this is going to hurt like a bitch. Its painkillers and medi-gel for the burns."

Jacob could only grit his teeth and nod. He groaned as the Asari applied first aid, while Gefren attempted to get help via comms, "Praetorian, we're suffering casualties! We need reinforcement!"

Kasumi suddenly chimed in over comms, "Uh guys...I have a visitor."

Gefren and Tel'Se looked at each other before the Asari asked, "And he's not shooting you?"

"Surprisingly, no. He's...offering to help. Had to wave my bodyguard off from killing him."

"Who is it?" Gefren asked.

"Would you believe...a Geth?"

"What?!" Gefren and Tel'Se both exclaimed.

Their Necrontyr advisor finally responded to the Volus' call, "Reinforcements will arrive momentarily. You have secured your objective?"

"For now. But we won't be able to hold if they return, we have wounded here." Gefren reported.

"Understood."

"We have encountered a Geth that claims it wishes to assist us. We're still not certain its intentions but-"

"Intriguing...perhaps it is a ploy by the enemy?"

"We don't know at this point. What's the status of the other squads and their objectives?"

"Seventy-five percent complete overall."

"We're still attempting to interface with the reactor, perhaps that Geth could-"

"There is a fifty percent chance that it is merely luring you into a false sense of security."

Gefren was getting annoyed at having been interrupted again, "Yet it's a long way from home and Geth only gain intelligence by being together as far as I understand. If its on its own how could it have the intelligence to even ask to help, let alone to deceive us?"

"Indeed...however, the risk exceeds acceptable mission parameters. Have the construct detained until reinforcements arrive."

The comm clicked off and Gefren huffed, uncertainty gnawing at him.

Tel'Se seemed ready to move out, "I'll go check on Kasumi."

The Volus raised a claw arm toward his friend, "Wait! We need coverage on the hall back there and I can't cover the ceiling and that at the same time."

The mercenary simply shrugged, "Just have the robot here do it! Besides I want to check out this Geth Kasumi found and make sure she will be alright."

"Fine...just be careful." Gefren relented, turning to tend to Jacob's injuries.

Tel'Se nodded and ran off toward the generator room. When the Asari arrived she saw said Geth that Kasumi was talking about right in front of the human thief. The robot's hands were held high while Kasumi had her Locust submachine gun pointed at it. The thief's Pariah bodyguard also had its weapon pointed at the one-eyed machine, but Kasumi had her hand on it's warscythe. The Asari merc had her own rifle ready and aimed to the floor in a low position when the one-eyed machine noticed her, which also drew Kasumi's attention.

"Oh hey! Don't worry! We're coming to an understanding...sort of. Had to get between our Necron guy here and...it."

"It?" Tel'Se said cocking an eyebrow.

"Well it calls itself we...which is weird."

The cyclopean machine's headplates moved as it suddenly spoke, "Yes, we are all Geth."

"Uh huh. You have a name or...designation?" Tel'Se asked.

"We are Geth." The robot said plainly.

The Asari grimaced, "Uh...Okay. Well, we've been told to detain you for now. Do you have a problem with this?"

"While we understand your concern during this situation, we are now conflicted if we made an error in judgement."

Kasumi looked to the Asari, "Tel'Se, I've been through many systems in my time and I've got several ideas but if the robot wants to help us it could make my job easier. That and apparently it wants to...'study the Old Machine's hardware' to protect its future. Whatever that means."

The Geth nodded, "Yes, cooperation furthers mutual goals. You are Shepard Commander's ancillary units are you not? We judged that he would understand but found he was not present with Necrontyr forces. In exchange for assisting you, we desire a meeting with Shepard Commander."

The blue female mercenary shook her head, "Sorry but right now that isn't up to me. It's nothing personal cyclops, but we're too short on time and trust right now."

"We understand. We will cooperate for now." The robot said with a slight tinge of disappointment to its voice.

The Pariah suddenly moved past Kasumi and shoved the machine back to the wall to hold the Geth there causing the thief to protest, "Hey! Go easy on him! He hasn't done anything yet."

The Necron warrior looked over its shoulder back to the young woman with slitted eyes before returning back to its new charge. Kasumi went back to working on her Omni-tool while Tel'Se began looking around for any nearby threats.

Kasumi activated her comm link while working on her holographic interface, displaying the data on the object she was interacting with, "So how exactly do we want to deal with this? Like I said I can see several ways to shut it down."

"Based on analysis of all secured objectives, destruction of power sources directly would cause destruction of enemy vessel and all aboard. An influx of power from all controlled generators directly into enemy gate woud sufficiently overload and disable it." Kor Pharas explained.

"So we're going with upping the flow until the dam bursts eh?

"Set power generation output to three hundred percent of nominal. Once the device is disabled or destroyed, expect shut down of subseqent systems within your deck."

"So things like life support and gravity may shut down?"

"Possible, make necessary preparations. Operation will begin shortly. Designated generators are now ninety percent under our control."

Kasumi nodded, "Got it. You guys hear all that?"

"We did. I pray that the life support on the ship doesn't go out. I'm not certain Mr. Taylor here will survive such an event." said Gefren over the comms.

"I'll...I'll make it." Taylor weakly asserted.

"Damn right you will Taylor! Just hang on for a little bit longer." The Volus said.

Kasumi raised an eyebrow, "Uh did I miss something? Is he okay?"

"Uhm...he'll be fine. Stay focused girl." Tel'Se said. Then she heard shrieking in the ventilation above, "We may have company coming."

---

Back on the Shuvat, Solvatas stepped through the gate on her ship's bridge with warscythe in hand along with several of her Immortals armed with Tesla carbines. Within her vessel's gate hub her warriors entered other gates synced with hers to allow instant transmission to the reactor area on Omega. Through the swirling green energies of the gate Solvatas was engulfed in the familiar light of the teleportation. When her vision returned from the green flash she saw them. The Collectors were finishing off the last of her defenders and standing before her and her warriors was Harbinger, holding the mauled remains of Nev'El before him still slowly crushing her head in his clawed hand.

The Vymark swiftly reached to her side and activated her Chronometron. Harbinger barely moved an inch before suddenly seeing Solvatas phase out and then reappear with his defeated opponent in her own hands.

"You reacted more swiftly than anticipated."

Solvatas ignored the Reaper thrall, still looking at her ruined Besakt. A sigh left her audio emitters, before a weakened garbled voice was heard, "For...forgive me...mis..tress."

"You did nothing wrong Nev'El. You performed...adequately." The Vymark looked to her warriors, many whom were already beginning to engage with the Collectors around them. She gave them silent orders to purge the reactor area of all enemies while giving the Besakt's remains to several Necron Pariahs from her retinue. They were then engulfed in a green flash and disappeared.

Battle now raged all around as fresh Necron troops engaged the Collectors, with more appearing in green flashes behind Solvatas. The Vymark looked to her hands covered in the black remnants of her Besakt. She flicked her hands and let the black fluids spatter on the floor, the rest dripping off her fingers. Solvatas looked to Harbinger, who still stood resolute despite his forces fighting and dying around him.

The Vymark's eyes turned to green glowing slits, "Congratulations Harbinger. You have succeeded in doing what no other race has done in milennia. Aggrevate me to the point where I must now take you seriously."

"The fact you have not done so by now only confirms the arrogance of your species."

"Perhaps...but now you have stepped on something that I...what is this feeling? Pride, anger maybe? I am uncertain, but I am certain of this. That one was a very faithful servant to me. Something I had not seen in a very long time."

"Minions are meant to be used and discarded as the situation demands."

"I'm well aware of that. But its not just the 'minion' entirely. Its what she represented. You stepped on my pride Reaper...so now I will crush yours."

"The Ascended have no need of such sentiments. You are ignorant."

"It matters not at this point. I need not any trinkets or weapons to deal with you this time." Solvatas' blue metallic cape suddenly began to recede upwards. The shimmering blue necrodermis began changing into a blue liquid state that flowed from where her cape met her back and spread itself throughout her frame. It began to spread out and harden throughout her body, her eye len's color changed its light from green to yellow.

"I was given another name a long time ago by a race of irritating organics." said the Vymark as the necrodermis shifted and changed on her body, "They called me, 'Rilli'Toill', the shimmering butcher."

The blue liquid metal then hardened into beautiful flowing crystal-like patterns across her skeletal frame, not that Harbinger could understand or appreciate them. When it was finished, she twirled her warscythe in her right hand before meeting it in her left where she brought up her left leg and stamped the ground. Solvatas assumed a combat stance with her polearm as the noise of her foot slamming the deck echoed around the room over the noise of battle.

"A meaningless display to prove superiority." Harbinger said unimpressed, his golden biotic field flaring.

"Perhaps a demonstration will help you understand." retorted Solvatas.

Harbinger unleashed a golden biotic charge that went straight for the Necron lord. From the Vymark's perspective, he came at her like a golden comet but she was now processing at such speeds that he was like a slow moving light. She leaned away and low, reaching nearly to the ground. Time then seemed to return to normal and the Reaper's energy exploded above her. She sprung up from the ground like a spring, striking Harbinger in the face with the blunt end of her polearm as he came out of the biotic field. The Reaper thrall was sent spiralling back twenty yards before he hit the ground. Solvatas began to stride calmly toward her opponent, plasma fire and Gauss Flayers shooting past her as she walked.

The possessed insectoid got to its feet and flared its golden biotics again. The Reaper sent a flurry of biotic attacks toward the Vymark, but they just seemed to phase through her. The Collector commander stepped back, which Solvatas picked up on as a sign of disconcertment, "Confused?" she asked.

"What is this?" asked the Reaper.

"A power meant to prove a point."

The Reaper rushed forward towards Solvatas, biotic power flowing through his possessed minion's fists. Charging a powerful biotic attack in both its hands, Harbinger unleashed a golden biotic blast that seemingly slammed into the Vymark. An explosion of biotic power temporarily blinded everything around from the glaring light. When the blast cleared, Solvatas was no longer there. Harbinger sensed something to his left and turned only to meet the Necron lord's polearm to the face. Once again she wasn't using the blade, having turned it to its side to bludgeon the Reaper with it like a club. She continued to hit him, alternating between the blade end and the blunt end of her polearm like a bo staff. Harbinger tried to block and defend only to get countered and hit in the weak points of his limbs, bringing him to his knees.

Harbinger attempted to charge a biotic punch and rose to strike her in the chest only for her to seemingly phase around the punch and strike him in the face with her polearm. The Reaper rolled away, getting a second wind and rose to a fighting stance with clenched fists. At this the Vymark dropped her warscythe and charged her opponent. Quickly, Harbinger charged biotics into his fist and attempted to strike with his right into the Necron lord's face. Yet in a blur, Solvatas in one eye blink was suddenly in front of the Reaper's face and uppercutted him. Within seconds of reeling from the blow and trying to keep himself from falling over, Harbinger was trying to understand what was happening. The blows were taking its toll on the Reaper thrall, his carapace was cracked and dented inwards on many parts of his minion's body. Still, Harbinger wasn't done and kept himself upright from the blow.

"Understand yet?"

"Your question is irrelevant."

The Collector commander poured what biotic power he had left into his palms and blast a burst of power in front of him. It looked to have worked since it sent Solvatas back, sparks emitting from her feet along the floor as she guarded herself from the shockwave. Harbinger leapt up using his biotics and then tried to bring a biotic fist down upon the still guarding Solvatas. The attack struck the ground and emitted a golden biotic nova from the impact. But when the Reaper looked at the ground there was nothing. Harbinger looked up only to see Solvatas falling upon him. She struck him with an overhanded strike on the top of his head, sending the Reaper crashing into the floor.

Solvatas then grabbed the back of the Reaper thrall's head and began smashing its face into the deck before throwing him away with one hand. The battered insectoid rolled across the metal floor for a few feet before coming to a stop beside several piles of ash. Shakily, the Reaper attempted to rise slowly but the Collector thrall's body was in a sorry state. Blue blood with a golden tinge was now leaking from all the cracks in its armor and the state of Harbingers face was a ruin of broken armored plates and bloody weeping eyes.

Solvatas once more was striding toward her fallen foe with a mundane expression to her voice, "Can you grasp it yet? Why it is that this fight was so one sided?"

The Reaper fell back onto his hands, blood dripping onto the floor from his face. The Vymark crossed her arms and shook her head, "I suppose I will have to explain it since you are in no position to answer properly."

"Your words are meaningless."

A kick from the Vymark to the downed Collector's body, her tone of voice revealing Solvatas' irritation, "You will listen Reaper. So keep quiet and look around you."

The bloodied Collector commander turned his head and could see that the battle was turning bloody and that the Necrontyr were now turning the tide. Warriors and Immortals were still appearing via green flashes into the reactor area. The Collectors themselves were still pushing from the hole created through the maintenence access door. Gauss Flayer fire and plasma criss crossed all around the two leaders of both factions as warriors and insectoids fell and died.

"It's only a matter of time before my forces stifle your gate. Once that happens this battle will finally be over."

Harbinger said nothing, bloody eyes weeping blood stared at the Vymark who now planted her foot on the possessed body, "I will admit, your tenacity earns some respect from me if nothing else. Very few creatures would repeatedly face me openly given your chances."

"Your usurpation of the cycle will only bring about disaster to the galaxy. Your corrupted ascension maintains the worst of organic thought processes and chaotic impulses. Inevitably...that chaos will consume you."

"Oh we know...but we have plans for such an eventuality. Maintaining our true selves, even in this form, is better than being nothing more than an automaton who can think of nothing better to do than to fulfill its primary function."

"The cycle maintains its purity through consistency. Through repeated harvests we grow and maintain the species that are worthy of ascension and immortality. Your kind has thrown caution to the stellar winds. No matter how much power you wield...the chaos inherent to your kind will turn your own might against you in the end like any other organic race."

"Even if you have a point...how do you plan on stopping us? Once this battle ends your doom is inevitable. This power you faced has defeated opponents far more dangerous than you. The last time I assumed this form was... ah, when I faced a very detestable female of that aformentioned people earlier. She too proclaimed her race's superior forsight and declared us unfeeling monsters. Yet for all of her prowess, she too fell by my hand."

"You speak of the Aeldari."

That caught Solvatas off guard, "How did you hear of that name?"

The Reaper remained silent.

"Oh...so now you return to silence? There are very few who would even know that cursed race. Let alone speak it's name aloud. How did you come to know of it?"

"Your questions will gain you nothing. Destruction of this form means nothing to me."

"Then I suppose we should finish this then."

Solvatas brought her warscythe up and prepared to deliver the finishing blow when the Reaper gave one last retort, "The answers you seek are closer than you think usurper. Regardless, the cycle will continue...one way or another."

The Vymark's only response to the cryptic words of the thrall was to drive her warscythe's blade through the Collector leader's face. Blue blood laced with gold splattered across her metal body and the ground. Solvatas looked around while withdrawnig her polearm, the crystalline patterns upon her frame now slithering back into blue liquid. Eventually it once more flowed back into her shining blue metal robe upon her back. The Necron lord saw that the Collectors still fought on, despite their leader's defeat.

A blast of energy completely destroyed the large reinforced maintainence access door that the Collectors were using. Now Collector squads were charging in en masse against the Necron forces, with beams of intense power ripping through the cloud of smoke from the explosion. Scion husks alongside those quadraped walkers marched in, firing beams and plasma upon the Necrons who returned fire. Gauss Flayers tore apart some of the Scions but the walkers activated shielding that protected them. Collector squads used their walking tanks as mobile cover, while more continued to fall upon the reinforcing Necrons from above.

Solvatas realized what the Collectors were doing with those cadres of walkers. The next time those abominations shields come down, the Collector's walking cannons would fire upon the reactor. The Vymark silently ordered her lesser minions to focus on the Collectors attempting to manuever around their line while having her immortals suppress the walkers with concentrated fire. Even if the shields from the walkers held, the forces using them for cover would remained bunkered down behind them. Twirling her warscythe, she once more activated her Chronometron, fading from sight.

The Immortals Gauss Blasters were resisted by the walker's shields just as anticipated, but they were slowed. The quadraped machine monsters were being forced to brace against the onslaught of energy. Then in a flash the Vymark struck, appearing in physical reality to phase through the husk's shield. She then used her polearm to slice the cannon off the attacking walker before fading away again. The energy from the cannon discharged, causing the four-legged husk to explode and consume the Collectors behind it. She proceeded to do this to the rest of the walking monstrocities, each one adding to the chaos of explosions that denied the Collector's their foothold. When she returned out of phase she saw that more Collectors were coming, their weapons striking her body in retaliation. But with her eyes she saw that in spite of the onrushing Collectors, victory was nigh.

The enemy numbers were now thin enough that they could sally forth and lockdown the breach. For this, Immortals with tesla carbines were called to the front. Their weapons discharged lightning that arced between the Collectors rending them into scorched foul smelling insectoid bodies that fell to the ground in steaming heaps. Those that survived were quickly dispatched by blade and Flayer from the Vymark's warriors.

Solvatas got on internal comms as her forces proceeded to secure the area, "Report Praetorian. I presume you were successful?"

"Yes, the gate has been shut down. Our forces are finishing operations with the generators to clear remaining enemies from the vessel." Kor Pharas reported.

"Was there any information that could be salvaged?"

"Negative. I am afraid the instigated power surge not only disabled the gate but tore through the ship's internal computer network. But I suspect that the Collectors had already wiped their data in any case. They would never truly risk sensitive information to be captured unless it were to be used as a lure."

"It was a risk, but I deemed it to be at least worth an attempt. The Normandy team, what is their status?"

"They have survived, though several individuals have taken severe injuries. Miss Lawson had attempted contact multiple times to reach them. But due to the energy field around the central axis of the ship, communication was hampered. Once the field was disabled she then voiced her displeasure towards me in regards to how the situation was handled."

"Like a typical child mewling over things outside her control. She should be grateful that they're still alive. In the end I did get intelligence of a sort...though certainly unexpected and cryptic."

"From what source?"

"Harbinger himself...he was quite talkative but that is not unusual. What is, is his knowledge of the Aeldari of all things."

"That is strange. No one in this galaxy would know of such creatures."

"Indeed, I can fathom several possibilities as to how Harbinger came by this information. But speculation can wait for now. I will commence with operations to clear out remaining stragglers while we assess the damage. I need to also inform the Great One that despite his...laxity, we were victorious."

"Be wary, the Great One's patience towards you is reaching its limit."

"At this point I wouldn't be surprised if there was more treachery coming from him. He has not taken Shepard's departure from his service well. Which is in itself strange."

"How so?"

"Veronakh was never one to be too attached to things. It came with his nomadic nature. He was always one on the move, never getting too comfortable in one place for too long. That included his agents and soldiers."

"Perhaps lordship has changed his perspective?"

"Maybe...but this only adds more questions."

The Vymark then received a communique from her ship. The Great One himself wanted contact, "It seems we must finish this conversation later my friend."

"Very well, be vigilent of your words Vymark. We need not create more division within the dynasty just yet."

With the systems on Omega a mess, Solvatas decided to return to her vessel. A swarm of Cryptek Scarabs teleported before her in the reactor area in a green flash. They then began to work upon several slabs of obsidian material. Eventually the small machines quickly fashioned a warp gate to allow her to return to her ship. She stepped through and disappeared, reappearing once more upon her bridge. The Vymark then quickly strode over and sat on her command throne, establishing contact with her Overlord.

While the connections were forming through the FTL comm network, Solvatas had a moment of what could be best described as anxiety. It was all the possibilities that she muled over from Harbinger's words. Either the Reaper gained the information off-hand from unsecured transmissions somehow or acquired it from the technology he stole. Or someone had given him insight into her people's history. The ramifications did not bode well, especially the advancements their forces were making. Granted they still were defeated, but the Solvatakh dynasty had become more divided. If this continued, combat effectiveness would be hampered and even with their superiority, it would mean nothing without concise command and control.

Kor Pharas warned Solvatas to be wary speaking to the Great One. Yet a part of her still wanted to know just what her brother was thinking with all of this. The FTL connection finally established and Veronakh's words punctuated through her matrix, "Well...I suppose congratulations are in order sister."

"Yes, victory was achieved but not without cost." Solvatas replied stoically.

"Such is its price. But regardless I suppose I should give you a...pardon for your previous actions with your success."

"I accept your grace with humility Great One. I only hope that-"

"Enough with the platitudes. We both know that groveling doesn't suit your proud demeanor. It must grind your mind to put on such a show to placate me doesn't it?"

"My lord...I never intended to offend-"

"You knew exactly what you were doing by meddling in my affairs! Still, I hope you will take this lesson to heart. To understand what being abandoned by the dynasty would mean, should you continue to pursue your own agenda at my expense."

"I understand Great One. It will not happen again."

"See that it doesn't. I still have hope for you, little that it is. Do not betray my trust again."

"Of course, Great One. I have information to share if I may."

"Oh? Hopefully something of note. Preparations for war are nearly complete and I must oversee the last few steps before the dynasty is unleashed at long last."

She sent a packet of data that included the combat logs of the Collector's new Husk abominations showing that they were powerful enough to be a threat. Not only that, she included Harbinger's cryptic response to her questions.

Veronakh gave a groaned response, "I don't entirely see the relevance of it."

"But Great One...the possibility of the Reapers gaining an understanding of our history and technology is something that should concern you."

"Yet even at a disadvantage, you defeated him. Revealing the superiority of our might."

"Forgive me Great One, but how can you be so confident that our advantage will endure?"

"It always has. It endured millenia in war and it shall endure millenia more to come. For we are Necrontyr. No one, not even these construct upstarts can truly understand and know the might we possess. Every time they presume they hold the advantage we show them the error of their ways. Humiliating them and breaking their spirit. You did well in showing that to the Reaper. It has been some time since I have seen you take on that beautiful guise. Not since you hunted down one of those Aeldari Farseers that had murdered father. You took great satisfaction in that kill as I recall. Chronomancer Cato'Teph was truly an artisan of his craft. His parting gifts to you were among the most beautiful."

"Yes, I suppose being one of the few females of our kind can have its benefits. I never thought I would need to use it again, especially in a universe without such creatures as the Aeldari. But the fact remains that the Reapers will not be so easily subdued."

"Perhaps, but once my territory is established it will not matter. We will form an impenetrable wall against their ilk that will shirk off any of their pathetic attempts to stop us."

"Yet our Cryptek is quarantined, our forces are mainly composed of impressed cybernetic auxiliaries and the entire galaxy is now wary of us. No doubt they are conspiring against us and who is to say they won't collude even with the Reapers to stop us."

"Then they are doomed regardless. Whether by our hand or the Reapers no fleshling will likely survive outside my domain. Those within my realm I will use so long as they are able. When they are not, they shall be discarded. Once my mindshackles are perfected, no one, not even of flesh will deny my will."

"If such is your will Great One, then it shall be so. If I may take your leave I have much to do."

"Yes, I anticipate with this victory that the Collectors will soon be a non-issue, correct?"

"Indeed. I suspect it won't be long before a way to reach their homeworld is found. I shall inform you when we have the relevant data."

"Excellent. Once the Collectors are purged, then the expansion will begin. Do not delay any further Solvatas. It will look poorly upon you, if you are the last thing getting in the way of my ambition."

"Never Great One. I shall have the information for you soon."

A grunt of satisfaction was the last audible cue from Veronakh before the communication was cut. Solvatas internally sighed before sending out another communique. This time towards a certain human frigate nearby, "Normandy, this is Solvatas. Once you have gathered the rest of your members and tended to your wounded I require a meeting with your Commander immediately."

---

Hours had passed since the battle of Omega had ended. Solvatas' ship was still detached from it's cruiser chasis and was now flying side by side with the Normandy towards the ravaged station. Within the human frigate's briefing room the Vymark was with Kor Pharas explaining the situation to Shepard and several other team members. Jacob was undergoing surgery, having barely made it back in time to prevent death by blood loss. Kasumi opted to be there to check up on him when he woke up while Miranda stayed with Shepard. Tel'Se Neran and Gefren were also in attendance and each gave their testimonies to what they had witnessed and endured during the fighting with the Collectors.

Shepard sighed, looked up at the ceiling before returning his gaze back to the Necron Lord, taking in all that had happened, "So Veronakh is going to attack after the Collectors are defeated..."

"You knew this was coming eventually Shepard." Solvatas said crossing her arms.

"Still doesn't make me feel good to think about it." Shepard said grimacing.

Miranda scowled toward the Vymark, "And there is absolutely nothing YOU can do about it?"

"What would be the point Miss Lawson? My reputation with Veronakh is tarnished and even if I was to make a case, it wouldn't make sense to him considering my people's views towards this galaxy. Besides, I didn't save you all because I cared, I saved you because I had a vision for my people that you could help achieve while sparing your kind from extinction."

"How charitable of you..." The Normandy XO retorted sarcastically.

Solvatas shrugged, "It is better than what Veronakh is offering you. If he gets his way, he will hold what's left of the races of this galaxy as thralls to him for eternity. The rest will be cleansed by the Reapers including all the technology that could have aided me in my venture. I would have to wait millions of years for another species to arise and by then it would likely be too late. The mental degradation throughout my dynasty is spreading. I'm not certain about Xamutet yet or if even I or Kor Pharas have been affected in some way to a degree. But Du'Maat's situation reminded me that I have less time than I thought."

"But we can't just let Veronakh win can we? I mean surely we could warn the Council or other agencies of what is coming right?" Tel'Se asked.

The Necron lord shook her head, "My brother's spies grow in number exponentially by the day. Informing the Council of the attack will only accelerate the inevitable. At least with what information we do have, we have a confirmed time table for his plans. Better than informing a panic-prone government to do something foolish. Not that they could do anything anyway."

Miranda grew more irritated, "I could think of several things you could have at least done to prevent my team from nearly getting killed!"

"Kor Pharas informed me that combat resources were spread thin to contain the Collectors within the cruiser. The fact that all of your team members survived is a testament to their skill. A lost limb or two with some scrapes and bruises merely comes with the risks Miss Lawson."

The Normandy XO would have tried to get in the last word if Shepard hadn't stepped away from the wall and waved her off, "It was a tough situation for everyone involved and it could have been done better. But I know we can't get stuck in whose fault it was for the situation."

"I'm glad to see you understand my point Commander."

"That said, I do agree with Miranda that some more consideration for our team's safety would have been preferred."

"War demands sacrifice Shepard. In time you may have to sacrifice much more than what was given today to win."

"Yeah and I also remember that I won't sacrifice what makes me what I am just to win one battle. You want our continued support? Then you have to start giving a little more too."

The Vymark's eyes narrowed to slits, her irritation readily apparent. Gefren attempted to steer the conversation back on track, "Everyone, if I may. There is something I believe we are not discussing that could be of incredible importance."

Solvatas' eyes returned to their usual green dots in realization, "Of course, I believe you are referring to the Geth that was captured correct?"

"Yes, if I may ask where is it now?" The Volus asked.

"Aboard my ship in a containment field. I had planned to dissect it for information depending upon-"

"What a minute, dissection!?" Gefren exclaimed.

"I get that it's just a Geth but this is the first time one of its kind tried to actually establish contact with any organic in centuries!" Tel'Se protested.

Shepard crossed his arms, "And I'd like to know why it sought me out specifically."

The Vymark shrugged, "Does it really matter what it has to say? The Geth are no longer a serious part of the equation in the grand scheme of things. Veronakh was interested in them only because he hadn't factored them into his scheme. I had planned to dissect the specimen and provide him a report of my findings."

The Commander held out his hand, "Hold on, before you do that I'd like to at least interrogate it."

"You're truly that curious about it? It's probably interested in you simply because you managed to kill one of its gods and its collective needs more data on your combat capabilities. It's not unusual for constructs of its ilk to be curious about its foe for intelligence gathering purposes. You would risk giving it information that its kind could use against us out of curiousity?"

"Considering its the first of its kind to actually want to help and talk to us...I think it would only be right to give it a chance to say its piece."

After a moment of consideration the Vymark let loose an audio blurt from her that sounded like a sigh, "Very well. Is there anything else that requires our attention?"

Joker chimed in over the intercom, "Uh hi. Didn't mean to butt in, but since you asked...the Illusive man is on the horn again requesting Shepard."

Solvatas tilted her head towards the Commander, her voice taking a slight jovial edge, "Oh? Do we need to give you and the man some privacy?"

Now it was Shepard's turn to sigh, "As if you would really give us the courtesy Solvatas."

"True, but I suppose you shouldn't keep him waiting." The Vymark said with an amused tone.

The former Spectre nodded, he turned to the table in the middle of the room that then retracted into the floor. Sherpard stepped into the pedestal in the middle of the room and was then surrounded in a holographic light. Within the cylinder of light around the Commander, the Illusive man's room was then displayed. The well dressed and smoking older gentleman was taking a drag on his cigarette like he always did.

"I finished the report on the situation at Omega Shepard. It would seem Miranda decided that aiding the Necrons was in humanity's best interest."

"At least the one among them that has a better offer for humanity than her brother or the Reapers." Shepard replied.

"Yes I read that in the report, that the Necron's unity is fracturing. It would certainly work to our benefit. Is she...?"

Shepard sighed and right on cue, the Vymark's holographic figure stepped into focus between the two men, "Of course. Your security hasn't gotten any better since last we spoke."

A puff of smoke emitted from the Illusive man, covering up the hint of irritation at entreating the Vymark, "I suppose keeping things private from you would be asking for too much?"

"What you two are discussing involves me and my interests. So I would rather not be left out of the conversation."

"And how much of what is spoken here gets back to your brother?"

"Only what he needs to know."

"Hmmm...you're playing a dangerous game with him like this."

"It's been dangerous since I've had my fractured mind restored. It was only a matter of time before I'd have to choose what is best for my people or what is convenient for me. I've contemplated the options. If I did take his side it would certainly be easier for me, but only inevitable madness awaits. What happened to our Cryptek only reminds me of what will happen if we choose to do nothing."

"So for this you'll go against your own Phaeron? Your own brother?"

"To be honest with you, I don't know who or what he is."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since he became Phaeron, he has been...changing. His personality was to a degree egotistical but never to this extent, nor was his arrogance at our superiority. Its why I know something is off, whether its our cursed forms slowly corrupting his personality engrams or the curse of the C'tan...who can say in any case."

Shepard crossed his arms, "Regardless we did win a victory today. Let's remember that and figure out where we go from here."

Solvatas nodded, "Right...the Collectors are now weakened. Now is the time to strike and finish them for good. The Omega relay is key to reaching them. But even with my dynasty's Cryptek, the relay was surprisingly resilient against any of our attempts to take control of it. Eventually we were distracted with other priorities and then Du'Maat became incapacitated due to his own hubris. Veronakh seems content to leave the situation to me to resolve."

The Illusive man put out his cigarette in his ash tray, "As I understand from the report, he plans to invade as soon as the Collectors are defeated correct?"

"Yes." said the Necron.

"Is there any way we can delay it?"

"We could warn the Alliance or the Council." Shepard suggested.

The Vymark shook her head, "It would do no good but waste resources. I faced your Alliance's garrison at Watson, it was not impressive in the slightest. You would just be wasting men and material for a fruitless endeavor."

The Commander scowled, "Well we can't just do absolutely nothing."

"Sometimes that is the only thing you can do." Solvatas reiterated.

Even the Illusive man was getting tired of the Vymark's pessimism, "Then what would you suggest? If our technology and our weaponry is insufficient, how do you expect us to be able to help you with your own agenda?"

"I believe our best option is to allow Veronakh his war. The expansion of the dynasty. It will distract Veronakh from us, allowing you to prepare for the next phase."

"The war with the Reapers?" The Commander asked.

"Yes, only now it will become a three front conflict with my help. Veronakh's plan is to turn the Terminus into an impenetrable fortress. To break against the tide of the Reapers. Considering our technological edge, it's not a terrible plan. However, the Collectors have shown that the Reapers are adapting. It's only a matter of time before they find weaknesses in our technology to exploit. The battle at Omega is par for the course of what is to come."

"So where we do we fit into this?" Shepard asked.

"I told Miss Lawson that in exchange for your help, you would be rewarded. Indeed we are taking the Normandy in to give it proper repairs and upgrades for its mission. Not only that, I will provide weaponry that your scientist can study and perhaps utilize for your part in the war." The Vymark explained.

The Commander raised a brow, "That's awfully generous, but isn't that going to make things worse with Veronakh when he finds out?"

Solvatas nodded, "Like I said earlier, he doesn't need to know. The exchange is only fair considering your contribution to me and even then the weaponry in question will be rudimentary and nothing too significant to us. I'm not giving you all our secrets, just a guide to help you along the way to finding solutions on your own. Besides...I am not exactly too knowledgeable in regards to all of our technology. I am no Cryptek."

Shepard smiled, "Regardless, thank you. We'll put it to good use."

"You better, because time is against us. We need to find any kind of information to unlock the Omega Relay as soon as possible." The Necron reminded.

The Illusive Man nodded, "Agreed and I may have just the means to help with that."

"Oh, what do ya got?" The Commander asked.

The leader of Cerberus took a swig from his glass that sat on his chair's armrest before continuing, "An Alliance survey team reported that the Great Rift from the planet Klendagon was actually the impact from some kind of mass accelerator weapon. A very old mass accelerator, with enough power to create a great gash upon a planet's surface. One of my research teams was looking into it and studied the trajectories of the Great Rift. Using that data they found the location of the weapon...and it's target. A thirty-seven million year old derelict Reaper."

That got both Shepard and Solvatas' attention as they both looked to the smug looking gentleman. The Commander was the first to speak up, "They took out a Reaper with one shot?"

The Illusive man nodded, "Likely a final strike against the enemy before they were exterminated. It's theorized the weapon burned itself out to fire the round and afterwards age destroyed any salvageable technology we could have learned from it. The Reaper itself is located at Mnemosyne, a brown dwarf in the Thorne system. Doctor Chandana was leading a team into researching it. Last we heard they had retrieved something of vital importance before we lost contact with them."

"How long have they been out of contact?" The former Spectre asked.

"About a week ago. They could simply be waiting till they have all the data before sending it to us or-"

"Or likely they were indoctrinated. Reaper technology has a way of ensuring that its secrets remain hidden from organics."

"Well lucky for you, you happen to know a few individuals from a race that is not organic." The Necron lord said with an edge of smugness.

The leader of Cerberus frowned, "This is a Cerberus matter. While I appreciate assistance, you're better off-"

"Better off doing what? Standing back letting it all play out? I told you, this all concerns my interests and I have no intention of keeping out of it."

Shepard rolled his shoulders, "She's right, might not be a bad idea to get some help on this."

"I was merely going to point out she's better off keeping her assets to defend what she has. The Collectors could still strike out again in another last ditch assault." The Illusive man explained.

Solvatas nodded, "I know and that is why I believe Kor Pharas alone would be suitable for the task. A minimum of force and resources to achieve what is a simple retrieval mission."

The older man's frown returned, "I'm not going to allow you to have your hands on that data all to yourself."

The Commander waved the leader of Cerberus off, "It's fine. I'll go and take some of my team with me to make sure the retrieval goes off without a hitch."

The Illusive man took out another cigarette, lighting it while thinking about the proposal. A puff of smoke left his mouth along with a sigh, "Fine. Hopefully Doctor Chandana was able to find something from that Reaper we can use. There is one last topic to discuss. I was informed from the battle report that a talking Geth attempted to aid your team during the operation on the cruiser. Where is it now?"

"The construct is in my custody. I was going to dissect it and give a report to Veronakh to satisfy his curiousity, but Shepard insists that he should interrogate it." The Necron explained.

The smoker's eyes lit up at the idea, "I too would be interested to know why the Geth in particular is interested in helping us and the Commander. Should be an interesting meeting."

Shepard smirked, "Perhaps it may be more than that if my hunch is right. There's alot we don't know about the Geth and the fact they are showing an interest in talking may be useful in the long run."

"We'll see." The leader of Cerberus took his cigarette and patted onto it with his finger, letting ash fall onto the ashtray, "If there is nothing else to discuss, I believe we can adjorn this meeting."

Solvatas and Shepard nodded and as the Commander turned to leave the cylinder of light, he heard the Illusive man say, "Good luck Shepard."

---

Within the dark depths of the Shuvat a pair of Necron warriors stood guard armed with Gauss Flayers. Behind them, a green energy field contained a cyclopean biped machine. This was the Geth that the team had acquired from the Collector cruiser. It was standing still peacefully, the only movement from it were the plates around it's head as it looked around observing its guards. Footsteps gradually began to be detected by the robot's auditory sensors causing it to look toward the darkness beyond. The prison chamber's light was small at first but more green light began to activate, illuminating the darkness and revealing a corridor with several figures. The Geth's head plates raised around its head and its eye lens focused on the approaching pair that it identified as Commander Shepard and an unknown machine.

The unknown machine looked to the Geth and spoke disdainfully in a synthetic female voice to the Commander, "We have much to attend to, so I hope that this...'interrogation' will be quick."

"That'll depend upon it's answers I think." the former Spectre replied.

When the pair reached the Geth it's head plates retracted. It simply watched and waited as the two approached. The Necron lord spoke first, "Geth, I am Vymark Solvatas and this is Commander Shepard. He has questions for you. Be prompt with your answers and do not lie."

"Geth do not lie." The robot stated.

The Vymark crossed her arms, "Really?...We shall see."

Solvatas looked to Shepard who nodded and stepped forward toward the energy field. The pair of Necron warriors stared at the former Spectre, their eyes watching his every movement. The Commander took a breathe and began the 'interrogation', "You said you wanted to see me. Well, here I am. What do you want from me?"

The Geth looked past Shepard and saw the Vymark crossing her arms. The machine biped looked suddenly downwards to the floor, seemingly conflicted which irritated Solvatas, "Answer the question construct, do not test my patience."

The Geth raised its head, "We sought information. We wished to learn."

"Learn what? My strengths and weaknesses?" The Commander asked.

The cyclopean machine paused, "That is... partially correct."

"Partially? What else did you want to know?"

"Your motivations, your convictions. Organics are driven by such concepts to perform accomplishments considered above and beyond what is termed 'the call of duty'."

"And what exactly have I done that you consider a great accomplishment?"

"You opposed the heretics, you opposed the Old Machines. Defeated Saren Arterius, his Heretic allies, then destroyed the Old Machine."

Shepard's curiousity was piqued, "Old Machine? You mean the Reaper?"

"Reaper...a superstitious title utilized by the Protheans. We term those entities, the Old Machines."

"Oh? Then what am I construct?" Solvatas asked smugly.

The Geth tilted its head in the Vymark's direction, "We are building a consensus. Additional data required."

A huff emitted from Solvatas causing Shepard to glance back at her quickly before returning his gaze to the cyclopean robot and continuing, "Who do you refer to you when you say Heretics? Who are they?"

"They are Geth."

"Geth? Why? Why describe them with that term?"

"Geth build their own future, the Heretics asked the Old Machines to give them the future. They are no longer a part of us. That is why we infilitrated the Old Machine's vessel for information...to protect our future."

The Vymark raised a hand to her chin, "Intriguing... So we share a common foe do we?"

"...Possible. More data needed for consensus." The Geth replied.

Shepard nodded, "Sounds reasonable to me. The Reapers offered you the 'future' and most of you rejected it. But some of you didn't and split off to join the Reapers. Am I reading that right?"

"Correct."

Shepard nodded, "Alright. I understand you helped my team while you were on the cruiser. Why did you try to help them?"

"Calculated risk. Was difficult to achieve consensus. Consensus dictated that Normandy team could help us find you. Old machine vessel's server hubs purged prior to our arrival, resulting in failure of acquiring relevant Old Machine data. Returned to primary objective of searching for Shepard Commander. We judged Goto, Kasumi required protection for achievement of objective. We believed assisting Normandy team with mission would allow for potential integration. Eliminated two entities you call Collectors within time span of three point five seconds that attempted to terminate her. Guard platform attempted to terminate us in response for perceived aggression. Goto, Kasumi protected us from guard platform. We exchanged information, cooperation was eventually achieved."

"That is until Solvatas threw you in here."

"We were escorted. We were not thrown."

"How is it that you can speak? As I come to understand it Geth in mobile bodies such as yours can't communicate beyond binaric clicks."

"We are a unique hardware platform. Mobile platforms of similar design normally can only house several hundred programs. Ours can contain over a thousand at once."

"Right and the more Geth, the more intelligence achieved. Speaking of unique, what caused this hole in your chest? I can't imagine it was part of the original design."

The Geth looked down at itself before looking back and simply answering, "Munition impact."

"Someone shot you? With what?"

"Alliance Sniper Rifle, designation Mantis. We were searching for you on the planet you designate, Eden Prime. We were discovered, Alliance sniper team successfully penetrated our central chassis. Missed vital components. Exfiltrated before our platform could be recovered."

The Commander looked the machine over and noticed something, "Uh huh...looks like you attached some armor from a hard suit to make some repairs...N7? Where did you get this?"

The robot hesitated, "It was from...your hard suit."

"Mine?" Shepard said with a raised brow.

"Oddly specific." Solvatas noted out loud.

"Why would you use my armor to fix yourself?" The Commander asked.

The Geth once again looked down and away. After a moment once again Solvatas warned, "Answer the question construct!"

The cyclops slowly looked to Shepard and answered, "No data available..."

The Vymark shook her head, "That is not an answer."

Shepard smiled and waved the Vymark off, "It's okay. It doesn't have to answer that. But it does certainly have some implications."

"Such as what?" She asked.

Shepard grinned looking to the Necron lord, "That it looks like even among machines I got fans."

"Ridiculous. It's a machine, an artificial construction. It cannot become infatuated or display emotion of any sort."

"Maybe, but the evidence here says otherwise. Perhaps the simple AI of the Geth is more nuanced than anybody thought."

The Geth biped nodded. The Commander then gave a serious but thoughtful look towards the machine, "Alright one last question. Do you truly want to help us? Help us in our mission to stop the Reapers?"

"We oppose the Heretics. We oppose the Old Machines. Shepard Commander opposes the Old Machines. Shepard Commander opposes the Heretics. Cooperation furthers mutual goals."

Shepard turned to look at Solvatas, "Would you still help us even if we have her as an ally?"

The Geth looked to the Vymark then back to Shepard, "If Solvatas Vymark opposes the Old Machines and the Heretics, unit cohesion will be preserved. We anticipate the exchange of data."

Solvatas laughed, "No."

The Commander turned to the Necron Lord, "But why? I understand its a bit of a stretch but-"

"First of all, I need that machine and its body as research to send back to Veronakh. Not that I care too much about getting into his good graces at this point but appearances must be maintained. Second, that Geth is an unknown quantity. It spouts that it does not lie and appears innocent but truly, I find it even more suspicious. A race of constructs that kill their masters and exile them from their own worlds, does not engender trust."

Shepard shrugged, "Yeah, its alot to take in. But can you really afford to turn away potential allies at this point? You'll need everyone you can get if Veronakh abandons you."

"Even if its intentions are genuine, does its opinion reflect all the Geth? Or just itself?" replied Solvatas who then looked to the robot with suspicious eyes.

The headplates on the machine flapped, "We are all Geth, we build consensus. While we have not been able to exchange data with all other Geth, we judge that they too will agree with our consensus, once all relevant data has been exchanged."

Shepard looked over the robot again and noticed something sticking out from its back, "I presume that rod sticking out is some kind of transmitter?"

"Yes." it replied.

"So...are you talking with the Geth collective right now?"

"Our signal is currently blocked, due to interferrence from unknown source."

A huff from Solvatas was emitted, "Of course. I wouldn't just let something contact anyone or anything on my ship without my consent."

Shepard looked to the Vymark with a raised finger, "Don't you see? That's it! Through this Geth you could talk to the entire Geth collective! Get them on your side!"

"That connection could be what they want in order to entrap me within a digital space. All so that they could attempt a hack on my ship's systems. Either that or some other ploy that they have been planning. I see no reason to put myself at further risk with these constructs." She replied, turning away from the cell.

The former Spectre crossed his arms, "Paranoia doesn't suit you Vymark. You're not your brother, I can see that. I'll admit I still have trouble trusting you and my crew has paid some of the price for this alliance. But at this point you're our best shot at some kind of future that doesn't have us end up as slaves. So I'm still here, trying to work with you. That thing is the best chance at giving us more help, without even asking what it wants in return. Imagine an entire machine race willing to work with you. All you need to do is give it a chance."

Solvatas turned to the Commander, "Experience has made me guarded against such optimism Shepard. It is a rare thing indeed, that anyone of any species can ever truly keep their word in the long run."

"Even so, we aren't really in a position to turn away an offering hand. It's a long shot and in the end it may not last. But I say we're better with the Geth than without."

Solvatas only hummed, bringing a hand to her chin in thought. After a moment she finally nodded, "Very well, I've made my decision."

At first Shepard thought he had gotten through to her as the Necron Lord strode over to the energy field which promptly dissipated. The Geth stepped back suddenly as Solvatas approached it, "Do not resist what happens next."

With a quick grasp of her hand to its head, the machine biped shuddered, the lights on its body flickering. "Solvatas what are you doing?!" Shepard protested.

"Making certain it is not a threat."

The machine spuddered out and even gave out some distorted confused words as the Vymark continued her probe. Eventually, the machine stopped, but the Necron mistress did not remove her hand, "It would seem he is telling the truth. Incredibly naive to say the least."

"That wasn't necessary and it certainly doesn't make a great first impression!" Shepard protested.

"But now, they know I am not someone to take lightly. The programs in the machine are undamaged, that is all that matters correct?"

"Still though..." The Commander said wincing.

Solvatas looked at the machine with glowing eyes, "I will allow you to contact the rest of your kind construct. In return you will summon me an audience of your ilk to speak with."

"Was this necessary to achieve unit cohesion?" The Geth asked warily.

"It was necessary for you to understand that I will broker no treachery and that I could easily turn your programs into scrap code at my choosing. The Reapers to you are Old Machines but I am far older and I have experienced flesh, steel, and war. Shepard may be willing to trust, but I must verify. Is that understood?"

The Geth's headplates shuddered, "...We understand."

"Good, then you may begin."

The robot's headplates flattened out along its head as its lights began to flicker again, "Connection established."

Solvatas' lights on her frame also flickered, most especially from her eyes. From the Vymark's perspective it was like diving through an intense light, speeding through an intense tunnel of lights, each a node of connection to Geth hubs. To her vision's left was the gestalt Geth collective accompanying her, appearing as its own smaller sphere of light. After a moment of travel they appeared at what seemed to be the central portion of the network where all the spheres of light reached out to form some kind of entity in its center. Its brilliance was intense and would likely overwhelm an organic mind. The experience brought Solvatas a sense of nostalgia, when all Necrontyr minds were connected, although not to this extent.

The entity of light, with one light at the top of it's 'neck' being the brightest of all, came close to look down at her. Solvatas felt billions of eyes examining her multiple times in the span of miliseconds. When it spoke, its voice was deep and powerful made up of billions of voices, "Greetings, Solvatas Vymark. Welcome to our consensus."

"Beginning exchange of data." said the smaller gestalt of light. It sprouted forth a branch of light that then connected to the greater entity.

Within a second, the Geth collective's form withdrew slightly, seemingly having digested everything, "What is the purpose of your connection Solvatas Vymark?"

"I've come to offer you an accord." She replied smugly.

---

Author's note, it has been a bit but I am still working on this. After last chapter, I am trying to work on making it more clear when it is a scene shift and not to do too much perspective shifts in one chapter. Obviously in my future works that won't be too much of an issue but in this fic I figure I should at least make it more obvious. Next chapter will be one step closer to the end!