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?

27. Chapter 25: Ramifications

The Eternal Lord

Chapter 25: Ramifications

---

Planet Veridine, muster point of the Solvatakh Dynasty, ETA eighteen hours till IFF readiness.

The Vymark contemplated with a hand to her chin while entering a green portal from her ship's gate network. Accompaning her was a repaired Nev'El and a cyclopean Legion equipped with a unique looking rifle of Necron design. She recalled the Praetorian's initial reaction to her decision to visit the Phaeron, as her form was being translated through the gate of energy, "I do not agree with this action Vymark." Kor'Pharas had stated over the comm link.

"I expected you wouldn't Praetorian. But this is the only way to let down his guard...even if only a little. I must show I am willing to still stand before him and not hide when I give the news. It is only right that the word of the Aeldari's arrival comes from me personally, just as will my questions to him." Solvatas replied.

"But will those two be enough for your protection? The Phaeron could decide to end your existence on a whim of his choosing and there would be no escape."

"I have calculated a plan for that. For now it is simply a matter of gathering data. I am sorry but that is all I can tell you for now. You have your objective regarding the IFF and I have mine. I must know for sure, old friend."

"Know what?"

Solvatas paused for a moment before answering, "I want to know, if Veronakh... is truly lost to us."

---

That discussion with Kor'Pharas had been several hours ago. The Necron lord's contemplation of the conversation was interrupted by her sudden emergence from the portal on the planet's surface. The world had become more desert-like since the Vymark had last been here, with darkened skies and dark brown sands blowing with a howling wind.

Solvatas had returned to Veridine where the Phaeron himself had apparently come to oversee final preparations for the war on the Terminus. She suspected a more sentimental reason for his return. It was here after all that the beginning of this new dynasty was made. Now, rising above the remains of the former colony were the towering obsidian spires of the Necron race. Skeletal warriors marched in perfect unison, entering into portals leading to various sites. Likely they were on their way to other mustering points across the Terminus. Mighty engines of war, from Canoptek Wraiths to Spyders bearing Twin-linked Particle Beamers affixed upon their backs, floated past. Other machines such as Scarabs and unarmed Spyders were erecting more spires and monuments to Veronakh's glory. Solvatas walked amidst all of this, focused only on the grand black pyramid that now lay ahead of her. Its green lights were glowing and pulsing with power and the symbol of the Solvatakh dynasty was shining off it's surface.

"Are you certain this is the best course of action mistress?" Nev'El asked. The Pariah was feeling her refitted arm and examining it in front of her.

Solvatas shook her head, "I don't see any other means to reach Veronakh. If I question him via internal communications he may simply just dismiss me out of turn, thus leaving me without answers. Once he commits to war, he will likely not allow for any kind of distractions, from me or anyone until it is won. If I am to get my answers it has to be now."

Legion examined his surroundings as the trio walked towards the pyramid. The machine was taking in as much visual data as possible, "We appreciate that the Necrontyr race also work with efficiency in mind. Being formerly organic, we find it surprising that your transition allowed you to come to similar conclusions as us."

Solvatas shook her head, "Only the highest ranking members of our race retain any semblance of their organic heritage Legion. The rest are practically automata, their personalities heavily suppressed or degraded. Others are merely menial laborers with only limited intelligence for thinking."

"How do you maintain stability with so few minds to coordinate with?" The cyclopean asked.

"Protocol." The Vymark stated, "It was established in the beginning of our transition. The Phaerons were the most to benefit from these edicts. Much to the chagrin of detractors such as myself at the time. But I don't have time to explain all the details. I need you to map out as much of the updated layout of Veronakh's palace as possible. I may have need of it later."

"You believe it is a trap?" Legion asked.

Solvatas nodded, "Quite possibly, but one cannot move forward without risk. Preparation in such a case is always key."

"We understand." The Geth nodded.

Solvatas returned the gesture, "Good. Eventually I will have to leave both of you to meet with the Great One. Should I have need of you, those devices I installed within both of you will be able to detect the low frequency EM pulse that my beacon will generate. It may not last long, so take advantage of the data provided and use it accordingly."

The Asari Pariah walking beside them was still testing her arm and hand. She looked to the Vymark, "Are you sure I am ready mistress? My biotic powers have been reduced by fifteen percent due to combat damage. I have been training to the best of my ability but-"

"It will have to be enough Nev'El. Regretfully I should have trained you harder before the battle with Harbinger, but time continues to be our adversary. You must focus on what capability you can muster and adapt. That is all I ask of you." Solvatas advised.

Nev'El was quiet for a moment before simply replying, "Yes mistress."

The three of them continued on through the palace gates. The slanted obsidian walls separated, revealing within the Solvatakh Immortals with weapons drawn. Thankfully the platoon of Necron soldiers weren't there for them, they marched past the Vymark and her entourage, continuing on to the portal gates on the surface. It seemed they were likely to be transported off-world to other positions of importance. The three of them walked the blackened necrodermis halls, with only the ambient light and the green highlights of the Necron pyramid lighting the way. They walked up a flight of stairs to a grander hall with Necrontyr symbols marking multiple entrances to different portions of the structure. More Lychguard protected several of them. The pairs of giant skeletal warriors were standing at attention, their weapons brandished and at the ready.

One of them recognized Solvatas, his eyes pulsing for a moment as he analyzed her, "Vymark Solvatas, you are expected."

The Necron lord gave a slight nod in kind to the guardian, "Indeed, is he through here?"

"Yes, and your Besakt must remain here as the Great One commands."

"Of course." the Vymark said with a hint of irritation.

Solvatas nodded at her Besakt bodyguards behind her and they returned it in kind. The Vymark then made her way past the Lychguard who then turned to follow her into the passage leading to Veronakh's throne room. When Solvatas and her escorts were out of sight Nev'El motioned for Legion to follow her. They proceeded down a passage that was unguarded and when they felt safe enough Nev'El spoke openly, "Alright, release the Scarabs."

From within Legion's frame a small swarm of Necron Canoptek Scarabs activated with a bluish tinge to their eyes. They then dispersed from his rib cage and onto his limbs where they then took off into various nooks and crannies in the hallway before disappearing from sight. The former Asari asked her Geth compatriot, "Will those be enough to accomplish your task?"

"Yes, we were able to transfer enough ancillary Geth programs within each scarab platform to complete the mapping objective."

"I was asking if the number of platforms was a sufficient amount, not the programs." Nev'El corrected, shaking her head.

The Geth's metal iris opened wide as it calculated, "We estimate mapping completion in twenty minutes barring any potential interruptions or obstructions."

"That's pretty quick considering the size of this pyramid."

"Solvatas Vymark requires only relevant data in regards to escaping from the structure. Thus eliminating unnecessary routes that would be counter-intuitive to said objective."

Nev'El nodded, "Alright, I suppose all we can do now is wait."

After a moment of observing the other Besakt's body language, Legion asked, "Does your organic mind find the process of waiting for Solvatas Vymark...boring?"

"Maybe...why do you ask?"

"We use the term because we understand organics find tasks such as guard duty or 'standing by for orders' typically tedious or 'mind-numbing' as it is referred to on the extranet. We are curious as to the effect an organic mind within a platform such as yours has in regards to the prospect."

"I suppose I feel...indifferent actually."

"Explain."

"Ever since I was transferred to this platform, my emotions have been greatly subdued. Though they can still emerge with enough pressure, I find myself either indifferent or content. I suppose I see the world now more...logically."

"An interesting development. Is this due to the platform's hardware? Software?"

"I couldn't tell you to for sure Legion. All I know is, I am what I am now and I made the choice myself."

"Do you have any regrets?"

"Perhaps...but I can't think about that now. Too much to focus on at the moment."

"We understand that is a difficult question under present circumstances. Organics tendency to value emotions made us wonder if without them...you felt less."

Nev'El was quiet for a moment, "Sometimes."

The sounds of mechanical footsteps approaching interrupted the pair's conversation. A Lychguard with narrowed glowing eyes strode to them and spoke with an annoyed tone, "What are you two doing?"

"We simply were having a conversation and I wasn't comfortable with the amount of eyes staring at me. Is that a problem?" Nev'El replied with slitted eyes of annoyance.

The Lychguard returned her gaze in kind, "It may be, should you continue to speak to me in such a manner, Besakt."

Nev'El bowed, "Forgive my tone Lychguard, I am not used to being separated from my mistress and I find standing by to be quite irritating. If that offends you I apologize."

The Lychguard's eyes returned to their normal spherical glow, "The Phaeron orders that you both do not stray from your designated waiting area. Finish your talk and proceed back from whence you wandered. Do not let me remind you again."

"Yes, of course."

The Lychguard turned and proceeded back to his post. Legion looked back to Nev'El still curious, "We thought you were indifferent to being separated and standing by, did something change?"

Nev'El shook her head, "No Legion, I simply told him an excuse to buy ourselves some time."

Legion cocked his head, "You lied."

"It wasn't entirely untrue and it gave us what we needed."

"We understand. Though we find falsifying data in most circumstances to be counter-productive."

"Lying is a necessary evil at times when dealing with others whom you cannot wholly trust. It is what it is Legion. What is the status of the data compilation?"

"Acknowledged. Mapping of relevant data at twenty-three percent complete."

"Good, we probably only have another few minutes before the guards get suspicuous again."

---

Solvatas entered a grand hall with her Lychguard escort and a familiar figure was waiting for her, standing beside an obsidian pillar. The black coated necrodermis of Xamutet made him out like a shadow emerging from the darkness, bearing glowing green eyes as he approached, "Well well, I hadn't expected to see you here so soon cousin."

"Xamutet. I thought you would be on the front lines ready to begin the slaughter. Strange to see you back here." Solvatas replied.

The dark Necron Lord walked beside the Vymark along with the Lychguard as the group proceeded towards the throne room, "It was at the Phaeron's discretion. He wished me to be present when you brought your news. We were going over final attack plans when you arrived."

"So it's finally begun?"

"Oh yes, the pieces are in place and the warriors and war machines are ready. The time of our dynasty's revival is at hand. Soon all of this galaxy will learn to fear us."

Solvatas nodded, "Indeed."

"I heard you faced and bested Harbinger himself in combat. Good to hear your gift for war is still intact. I feared your matrix's refusion with your old memories had caused you to regress in your fighting capability." Xamutet lightly jabbed as they walked.

The Vymark narrowed her ocular lenses, "With or without them I am still Solvatas of Solvatakh. Just as you are the 'Black Death' Xamutet. I was wondering if you would ever live down the fact that Harbinger successfully raided a world under your care. Good to see that the Phaeron has recognized you regardless and that you have the honor of leading our armies to battle." She said jabbing back.

Xamutet gave an audible grunt at the not-so-subtle slight, "Certainly a sight better than what happened to your station cousin. I hear the Reaper's thralls gave you quite a thrashing. Your Besakt nearly killed, your station wrent asunder, and that your secret weapon though effective was also slashed to pieces."

"An exaggeration. Even now my station and my ship's cruiser chassis is undergoing repairs and it will soon be ready to deliver the killing blow to the Collectors. Given this duty I suppose that I have the honor of releasing you from your leash once the Collectors are destroyed."

"Hah! It can't come soon enough! I would relish the chance to crush the insect again myself. But orders are orders and I admit you have more grievances to cleave from his flesh than I."

"True, but all those creatures are just host bodies. For the real Harbinger is a ship, one waiting at the edge of the galaxy with his fellow cephlapod Reapers. I hope the Phaeron has a plan to deal with such a large fleet, since a lack of ships has been an issue since the beginning."

"I am sure the Great One has already considered it. We need only fulfill our duty."

"Yes...I suppose you are right." Solvatas replied reluctantly.

The group finally arrived at the end of the hall to a grand throne room with obsidian pillars alongside the walls. Lychguard stood at the ready along the pillars and Solvatas couldn't help but feel like she was being led to a noose to be hung. Each of the Lychguard's eyes were tracking the entourage along the steps up to the throne. She knew this may end badly, but once she confirmed that Veronakh was unfit to rule, she could adjust her plans accordingly. Deposing a Phaeron was within protocol, but that was still to be confirmed.

Once they reached the steps to Veronakh's throne, Xamutet and Solvatas took a knee. Veronakh nodded and with a gesture of his hand, dispersed the escorting Lychguard back to their posts. The Phaeron declared, "Welcome back sister. It has been sometime since you returned to Veridine has it not?"

"Yes Great One. It is good to see Solvatakh's glory rise once more. But if I may ask, why have you personally returned here?" The Necron lord asked.

"Sentimentality, though I suspect you already assumed that was the case. Indeed from this seed of Solvatakh we have now sprung forth once again to claim the stars. Before the business of war begins I simply wished to see the peace...before the storm."

At the Phaeron's uttering the entire throne room began to move upwards. The ceiling parted as the entire throne room area proceeded up to a higher floor. Once they reached a level near the pyramid's top level, the wall behind them separated. Solvatas glanced behind and saw through the now revealed window that they were at the upper level of the palace. She gazed down at the skyline of the other obsidian pyramids and spires in the distance. It was striking, memories of ancient times washed through her memory banks, evoking a slight twinge of nostalgia.

Veronakh gave an audible sigh of satisfaction from his audio emitters, "To think, months before, this world was just another backwater with a research post of fleshling colonists. Now, it and other worlds within our burgeoning dominion shall be covered in works and structures to our dynasty's glory. A shame so many cannot be here to appreciate the work we have done."

"Yes, would that my father and yours Great One could be here to see this." Xamutet commented.

Veronakh laughed, "Hah! Don't be so sure cousin. Father would likely have pointed out all the flaws of our plans before deriding us and uncle would have simply just gone to war and complain how slow we were to rouse. He was always impetuous like that."

Xamutet shared his Phaeron's laugh, "Ah too true. Indeed we should be underway now. But I suppose before that we should appreciate this calm and hear out what your 'dear sister' has to say."

"Indeed. So tell me Solvatas, what news is it that you felt so important that you had to come yourself?" Veronakh asked, his tone revealing some irritation.

With both of her detractors gazes upon her, Solvatas maintained her composure while still kneeling and looking to the floor. Her skeletal left hand turned into a tight fist and she looked to her brother in his slitted eyes, "Great One. I have come to inform you of a newly discovered threat to the dynasty. I would not be here if it was not serious enough to warrant your attention."

"Oh? That's difficult to believe considering our might and this galaxy's inequities. But please, continue. I only hope for your sake that you're not simply overblowing a minor nusance." Veronakh replied, eyes still slitted.

"It is quite serious I assure you."

"Show me then." The Phaeron commanded.

Wirelessly, audio and visual data from the previous interaction with Kor'Pharas was shared with her fellow lords, their eyes pulsing as their mechanical minds digested the information. Xamutet was the first to speak while the Phaeron remained silent, "That is...impossible!"

Solvatas narrowed her eyes toward her fellow lord, "It is not cousin, 'they' are here."

"But how!? Our very coming was also a nigh impossibility! How could the Aeldari have completed such a feat?!" Xamutet yelled.

"I do not know cousin. I am having my contacts look into it, but for now we should reconsider our options. There's no telling what scheme those fiends could-"

Solvatas was interrupted by the sudden rising laughter of Veronakh, a slight jittering occured in the hand that was now clenching his face. The Vymark inwardly was disturbed at the sight, something which the Phaeron clearly detected after his bout of laughter was finished. Collecting himself, Veronakh returned once more to a calm demeanor, "There shall be no change to the plan."

"But Great One-"

"This news changes nothing Solvatas, in fact...this presents an opportunity." Veronakh said, his voice surprisingly jovial.

"Opportunity? For what purpose?" The Vymark asked.

"Revenge..." Veronakh grimly replied, a hint of relish in his voice.

Solvatas and even Xamutet leaned back slightly as Veronakh rose from his throne, "It is clear. Fate truly does favor us. Why else would it deliver our most hated enemy to us at this very moment!"

"But...you do not believe in fate brother." Solvatas said shaking her head in disbelief.

"Yet despite all the impossibilities and all the odds against this reality, it has happened!" Veronakh declared. The Phaeron then laughed again in jubilation, disturbing Solvatas even more before musing, "Atop all that you have shown me...Craftworld Istafar... of all those knife-eared mongrols. I believe you sister when you told Shepard that Farseer Grenthor will be with his ilk where ever they are hiding. Trying to stop the Commander and Kor'Pharas from acquiring the IFF, reeks of that fleshling bastard attempting to control the inevitable."

Solvatas shook her head again, "The Aeldari will not make it easy brother. They never have and no doubt they will use whatever tricks, proxies, or more of their clairvoyance to find a way to stop us. I'm hoping to find leads that can tell us just how far their reach is."

The Phaeron pointed his staff towards her with a commanding voice, "I entrust you to be in charge of this hunt once your mission is complete sister. But I suspect they may attempt to thwart you again in reaching the Collector homeworld. Shepard himself may draw more Aeldari to him. Such an effect could prove to be useful bait for your purposes."

Solvatas nodded, "I intend to speak with him once I conclude my business here. Of which there is more that I wish to speak of other than the news of the Aeldari."

"Speak then."

Solvatas took a moment to gather herself for what she had come to say, "Great One, how exactly are we to manage the entire Terminus on top of potential Aeldari raids? Would that not neccesitate changing the plan, at least to accommodate our old foes?"

"Because even with their interference my plan will succeed. It's too many avenues of egress for the Aeldari or even the rest of the galaxy to wholly slow, let alone stop. The whole point is to overwhelm the Terminus with so many fronts and battles, that they have no choice but to capitulate. The Terminus itself is petty and divided, with little reason to form coalitions or alliances. Isolated with no hope of support from others, the worlds of the Terminus will fall one by one."

"Aren't we overextending ourselves in turn? Even with our forces bolstered by conscripts, we can only occupy so much of the Terminus effectively. Not only that, the Aeldari's capability in war is far above the rest of the other races. No doubt they will raid and pillage our fleshling menials, who in turn will see even we cannot protect them or our assets. As a result that would lead to more rebellion. We also should consider tightening our own personal security, since this is the same craftworld that has a reputation for assassination."

The Phaeron waved her off, "I've already made appropriate calculations, all you need do is do what you are told to do...Vymark."

"With all due respect Great One...this is not how you normally wage war." Solvatas said, her spherical eyes returning to slits.

"Careful cousin...you were doing so well up until this point." Xamutet warned.

The Vymark's gaze fell on the dark skeletal lord, "I don't need your advice Xamutet. I only need an answer from the Great One."

"You expect me to answer such a derisive statement?" Veronakh spat.

Solvatas looked to her lord and gave a slight bow, "It was not intended to be Great One, I merely pointed out it is not how you Veronakh would wage war in the past."

The Phaeron's staff came down on the floor, making a loud clack that echoed across the room, "Oh? Then how would I have done it? Enlighten me."

Solvatas stood up still maintaining eye contact with Veronakh, "I know you would have used less force. You were never one for overt displays of power. You were always about using proxies to accomplish your goals without direct involvement. Any time you used direct action, it was to achieve an objective quickly, like a quick slashing dagger. Your lack of forces due to our father's derision forced you into such measures."

Veronakh shrugged, "Which now I no longer have to abide by. I fail to see how my actions are out of character. My plan is death by a thousand cuts across a thousand worlds. How is that-"

The Vymark's eyes slitted, "Because your 'thousand cuts' across a thousand worlds is ridiculous. Your army is still not large enough to occupy all of the territories you intend to capture and added to that you insist on fighting in open battles with all these potential adversaries? Throwing massive armies across all these planets to satisfy ego was something father would have done...you hated how he operated. You preferred to simply play the long game and merely take the objectives that were needed, no more or less."

Veronakh eye's suddenly dimmed and re-illuminated again, "That is...that was a long time ago. My role now has forced me to reconsider my methods."

"Reconsider your methods? Truly?" Solvatas pressed.

"Yes! The Phaeron must show strength and resolve to prevent rebellion as well as to keep his enemies cowering. I realized that when I saw the complete picture of our options that this was the best way forward."

"This...this was the best way forward? With all due respect Great One but I feel compelled to use a crude human term that can only describe what I am hearing... as bullshit." She spat.

Xamutet stood up incensed, "How dare you use such slander! You've gone too far Solvatas!"

Solvatas continued despite her cousin's protest, "You were better than this Veronakh. Methodical, precise. Now you are akin to a lesser version of our father and for what? Because you don't trust your own capabilities? I know because you confided in me, during the ancient days, that you always had felt unworthy of your position. Father shamed you and I for all those years during our time of flesh, shaming us both for not living up to his ridiculous standards."

"What is the point of this questioning?!" Veronakh shouted.

"Because I want to know who truly is leading us. Who are you Veronakh? There's too much descripency between who you were then and now to ignore."

"I am-...I...no...there is nothing wrong. But...perhaps there...it...it...it" Veronakh began to sputter and convulse, falling back onto his throne, seemingly having the Necron equivalent of a mental breakdown.

Forbytr and the Lychguard now surrounded Xamutet and Solvatas. The head of the Lychguard himself rushed to his Phaeron's side, using his ocular sensors to determine the Phaeron's distress. Solvatas activated her internal beacon while everyone was distracted with Veronakh to alert her Besakt.

"What have you done Solvatas?!" Xamutet exclaimed angrily.

Solvatas shrugged, "Revealing what I suspected to be the case. Don't you see cousin? Veronakh's mind has been degrading. I cannot say if it was his elevation to Phaeron that accelerated the process but as you can see, he is definitely not himself."

Finally Veronakh's convulsions ceased, his eyes now vacant of light. Forbytr stepped back and looked behind him to address the Necron Lords, "It is over, the Phaeron's systems are rebooting. But know this Solvatas, your slander towards the Great One shall not go unpunished."

Solvatas nodded, "I would expect no less Forbytr. But as you can see, the Phaeron is not well. If this continues, leadership may need to change hands."

"And you would no doubt elect yourself Solvatas?" Xamutet derided.

"Actually you may be better suited to rule Xamutet. Fitting for one who is to lead our armies to battle." Solvatas baited.

"Hah a laughable jest, but not an unwelcome prospect. It would be good to simply destroy all resistance and play none of these games that you and Veronakh seem to peddle."

"Quiet, the Phaeron stirs." Forbytr commanded.

Veronakh slowly began to stir and sit himself properly in his throne. His ocular sensors flashing before turning solid as his systems came online.

"Great One?" Solvatas asked tentatively.

Then Veronakh once again began to laugh, but not in the voice they expected. It was deeper and more malicious, with a cruel intent of mockery. Solvatas felt anger within her, though with her mental controls it only came out as a venomed reply, "I can't believe it."

The elder Phaeron stopped laughing and with a wry tone responded, "Oh dear daughter. You're far too smart for your own good."

Forbytr and the Lychguard took a knee in response, realizing who it truly was. Xamutet spoke as he too took a knee, "My lord... Kotorin."

Kotorin waved an open hand to his minor lord, "Yes nephew...it is I. For once again I have cheated death. Though I must admit it has taken great pains to reach this point."

Solvatas was incensed, "Father...how is this possible?!"

"Oh come now, daughter. You're clever...all you need do is think and the answer should be plain to you. For I did nothing without reason."

Solvatas began searching the archive of memories within her mind and eventually began to voice her thoughts as she began to see the pattern, "Wait...Trazyn?! Why would he offer such secrets to cheat death to you?!"

"Well, I possessed something incredibly rare, something that he personally wished to savor and remember fondly."

Solvatas seemed taken aback, "He gave you such secrets...in exchange for a rendezvous with me? That hardly seems like an appropriate exchange. All we did was talk and tour his galleries."

Kotorin scoffed, "You? Don't think so highly of yourself daughter. He was simply more concerned about some trinkets that my dynasty possessed. I thought it odd, but he was quite insistent and I was irate with you at the time. I hoped that maybe he would kidnap you and make you an addition to his galleries. Instead he took you on a tour. In the end I still got what I wanted and you made...I suppose a positive impression on him. All I cared for was the means by which he escaped permanent dissolution. Something he was more willing to give thanks to you. It seems even in this fleshless age of our people, daughters do still have their uses. Even if they are spoiled upstarts, as well as Triarch sycophants. Now that the Praetorians are gone, with the exception of one...Szarekh's minions can no longer stop me from claiming what is mine."

With a gesture of his skeletal hand, Kotorin's Lychguard stood and surrounded Solvatas. Xamutet also got to his feet and stepped away, now taking a place by the steps up to Kotorin's throne.

Solvatas didn't back down, even as she was surrounded by guards, "But your own son!? Does Veronakh even still live? Was it you this whole time?!"

Her father shrugged, "Trazyn didn't share with me the whole secret to his immortality. He only gave me enough to have a clue, which I expected from one such as him. However, I don't think he counted on Du'Maat, a very talented Cryptek whom I had recently brought into my employ. He and several of his fellows scrutinized and shifted through the data packet Trazyn provided for some time. Eventually, they were able to fashion from it a means by which even if I am destroyed...that it would only be temporary."

"The crown..." Solvatas realized aloud.

"Yes." Kotorin confirmed tapping his gilded necrodermis headpiece, "Was it the laugh that gave it away?"

"It did seem awfully strange for Veronakh to burst out in emotion like that during the coronation. I accepted it because I thought it was just the freedom of lordship overwhelming him."

"It was my effect on his subconscious breaking through prematurely. However, I was now merely a subconscious 'second mind' upon Veronakh's engrams. Though the fool didn't realize it. I knew I couldn't exert too much influence too quickly. So I had to bide my time, providing confidence subtly when he became uncertain, and eventually bit by bit, he came around to my way of thinking."

"You corrupted him-"

"Corrupted? Please...right now he is simply asleep and only receiving subtle guidance when necessary. But your questions now complicate matters. I can't let the boy suffer because of your insistence and I've had quite enough of that tone of yours girl." Kotorin sternly replied pressing a button on the arm rest of his throne.

Suddenly Solvatas found herself frozen in place, a green stasis field enveloping her. She looked downward to see that the floor she stood on was glowing and emitting energy. Then a Lychguard withdrew some kind of dagger-looking device and stabbed it into her back. He then pressed a switch on the back of the device and a jolt of energy shot through Solvatas systems. Her internal HUD brought up warnings of damage and viral contaminations going into her motor and necrodermis systems. The stasis field surrounding her suddenly ceased and she fell to the ground, jerking and shaking, struggling to move her limbs, "What...what have...what?"

"I had Veronakh prepare this for you in case you continued to be a problem. Du'Maat gave me the inspiration for this piece. A small thing, but quite potent when used on a troublesome Necron lord."

"Why...why do all this?"

"Why? You of all the court would ask me that?"

Kotorin stood up from his throne, his guards parting to allow him to stride up to Solvatas' fallen form before kneeling down by her face and speaking with a hushed angered tone, "Because this dynasty...is mine. It is not yours, not your fool brother's, and it is not the damned Triarch's! IT IS MINE!"

The Phaeron stood up, anger rising in his voice, "It was foolish of my own father to think that 'blood matters'. Bah! What kind of foolishness is that?! You became the Triarch's lackey. Veronakh became a weak recluse on the the fringes! This is what I tolerated your fool mother for all those years?! To bear me pathetic, flawed offspring who betray me?! I shared the god's immortality with my family and court and what did that bring?! Failure and disappointment! It is quite clear to me now, I cannot trust stewardship of this dynasty with any of you!"

The Lychguard grabbed the Vymark and brought her up, her limbs dangling now like a marrionette on a loose string. A guard near Kotorin handed a device to him and he showed it to her face. Solvatas recognized the key-like device, for she previously had it inserted into her matrices before.

"Father...please..do you really...really think that will work a second time?"

"It will be a more permanent arrangement this time girl. That impertinent arrogance of yours has grated me for the last time. I would rather have a lobotimized daughter than a traitor! I tried to warn that boy not to reward you with that piece of you I cut out. But the fool still had respect for you and his honor protocols compelled him. Lo and behold look what happened, you returned to the Triarch with open arms. But rest assured, once I'm done with you, Kor'Pharas too shall know my displeasure."

"Do you know...how you died...father?"

"Of course! Grenthor destroyed me as I slept."

"Did you know how... how an Aeldari force was able to slip into our tomb world undetected and kill you?"

Kotorin kept silent as his daughter continued, his eyes burning with rage, "That's right...someone...let them in. I don't know... who...but I checked...security."

The Phaeron's grip on his device tightened as he listened, realizing that this would be his daughter's last sentient thoughts and therefore she had no reason to lie. Of course, someone betrayed me then too, he thought.

Solvatas spoke again, once more putting all effort into being coherent, "We all hated you father. You were violent before...but bio-transference only made you worse...all the nobles you maimed...the abuse to your family...to even your wife."

"She was just a means to an end like everything else. Nor'tala's only purpose was to bear me healthy offspring. What she gave me was good enough at first; but of course the possibility of rot and cancers were replaced by childish sentimentality and weak wills resulting in seclusion. Is that why you continued your crusade against me with the Triarch girl? Because of your low-born mother?"

"Of course! What you did to her was unforgivable!"

"I gave her what she earned! Especially considering how both you and Veronakh turned out."

"Sacrificing her to the gods in that furnace...no transference... I only learned that after the fact... and by then we were already enslaved to the C'tan...I couldn't even mourn her... but I never forgot...or forgave what you did."

"I suspected that was the case for your weakness. But at least now you're finally being honest instead of feigning loyalty." Kotorin said maliciously as he grabbed the side of her head.

Kotorin slowly brought the key-like device towards her cranium. A burst of electricity emanated from the end of it as it approached Solvatas' head. The discharge that struck her temple caused the necrodermis of that portion of the Vymark's head to mold into a key-hole. This allowed the device easy access and when it entered her head, Kotorin smugly spoke, "Farewell daughter. A pity that this is what you reduce me to."

Suddenly a shot of green light struck the Phaeron on the side of his face, tearing off the lower part of his false jaw. Cursing and covering his face, the Phaeron pulled back behind his Lychguard, with Forbytr himself standing between his lord and whoever fired the shot. There was no sign, but the Lychguard's ocular sensors were compiling the data and sweeping the area. Another shot rang out and hit one of the Lychguard in the head, piercing the necrodermis with surprising ease. The guards in turn raised their Dispersion shields and surrounded the Phaeron as he was recovering. In their midst they still had Solvatas and they too covered her while keeping her held up.

"Who dares!" The Phaeron called out. Necron Warriors and Immortals rose from platforms as the floor of the room opened forth. Squads of the Phaeron's warriors scanned the area before some suddenly began to shutter and jerk. Their eyes and lights suddenly flickering before changing color to red and they began to attack their fellows. Kotorin's Lychguard held fast and any warriors that displayed any symptoms were swiftly cut down.

Kotorin was flabbergasted, "No! What is happening?!"

The ceiling opened and allowed a metallic female to fall through. Her forearms revealed glowing chambers of power that generated a field around her. She landed quietly in the midst of the Lychguard that were still distracted by the infighting. Nev'El looked to her mistress and then brought her arms together before unleashing her full biotic power within two seconds via open palms. The Lychguard barely had enough time to notice and bring their swords down on the Pariah before the biotic shockwave sent the whole formation and the Phaeron reeling away. Nev'El's machine reflexes allowed her to catch Solvatas before she hit the ground from the blast. Enveloping both of them in mass effect fields, Nev'El leapt up from the formation as the Lychguard returned to their feet.

"More treachery!?" Kotorin roared.

Nev'El only looked back with slitted eyes toward the Phaeron as she landed yards away from them. More shots rang out and Lychguard fell. Kotorin realized it was coming from some sort of matter disintegrator. It was the only thing that could possibly pierce necrodermis so easily within these halls. Nev'El turned to run while carrying her mistress, though her speed was slowed by the dead weight. Lychguard chased after her, where an entrance opened to the side wall of the throne room. A blast of energy lashed out from the created doorway, forcing back Kotorin's warriors as they braced behind their shields. Solvatas, still upon her Besakt's shoulder, forced herself to look up and saw someone whom she thought was still imprisoned below. Inwardly...she trembled, for in front of her was Du'Maat, now staring at her with a blood colored eye and bearing a Staff of Light.

---

Previously in the area where the Vymark had preplanned for them to go in the Phaeron's palace.

"Are you close to being done? We're running out of time before the guards come back." Nev'El stated to her companion with a tinge of anxiety.

"Seventy-five percent complete, five more minutes required for satisfactory results."

The stomping of metallic feet on the obsidian floor spoke otherwise as Nev'El turned to face what was coming, "I don't think we have that time now."

A pair of Lychguard strode towards them, irate slitted eyes were affixed upon their metallic faces, "Your failure to comply shall no longer be ignored. You will come with us, willingly or otherwise. The Phaeron will tolerate no more defiance."

Nev'El and Legion looked to each other and the former Asari silently formed a fist with her right hand. The act caused the Lychguard to draw closer and ready their weapons.

Unexpectedly, a set of claws tore through the torso of the guard on the right. He looked down to see a pair of gleaming bladed fingers protruding from him. Then the claws sliced all the way through the rest of the torso bisecting the Lychguard. Revealed from behind the fallen guardian, a dual clawed Pariah let out a scream and then quickly biotically charged into the other Necron guard. Once the Lychguard was slammed into the wall, the berserking female Pariah began slashing and tearing the remaining guard's arms off before ripping off its head.

The bisected guard on the floor attempted to reach his legs to reattach them but the Necron maniac was quickly on him and began slicing him apart, screaming bloody murder through her audio emitters. When the pyschopath was done, she looked to Nev'El with slitted eyes and emitted a hiss.

The Asari Pariah backed away in response, but readied her biotics while Legion drew his MDR, a Moleculor Disintegrator Rifle that Solvatas had designed specifically for the Geth soldier. Black and smooth in design with green lights, it activated with a hum of energy as Legion took aim. But the maniacal Necron Pariah sidestepped Legion's shot, disappearing and melding into the obsidian wall beside her.

Nev'El sent a warning pulse to her comrade. They both jumped back. The mad Necron reappeared from the ceiling and slammed into their previous location, her claws slashing across the floor. With another sweep of her claw in the air, biotic power sheathed her bladed fingers and biotic energy waves lashed out at the duo. Nev'El activated her barrier in turn, protecting herself and her comrade from the cutting waves of energy. Legion fired again but once more the biotic psycopath disappeared into the floor, melding into it. Nev'El's Necron senses once again detected a disturbance at her feet causing her to roll forward just in time to dodge another strike.

Twirling up from the floor, the psycotic Necron Pariah assaulted Nev'El's former position, causing Legion also to roll away. The mad robotic creature roared in frustration when Nev'El began sending out biotic throw attacks. Each attack slammed against the insane Pariah's body but was buffeted against her armored frame. However, those attacks were merely meant to get the cyborg frustrated. As predicted, the crazed Necron rushed Nev'El, claws outstretched to rend her apart.

But Legion was ready. The robot had switched weapons to a hand held Geth sub-machine gun to pepper the mad Necron with rounds, chipping away at the creature's armor. At the same time Nev'El prepped her biotic Flay attack. Charging the attack through both of her hands, the former Asari jumped back just as her enemy attempted to tackle her. In mid-jump Nev'El fired her attack, enveloping the insane cyborg in a biotic field that began rending its body down to the molecular level. The Pariah screamed in anger and then charged her own biotic field even as her own body was being rended down. She let out a menacing scream and then a biotic blast of incredible intensity followed from her form, blowing back both Legion and Nev'El, knocking the latter off her feet.

The crazed Pariah, despite her ruined form, then appeared on top of the former Asari now ready to rend her to pieces just as she had done with the Lychguard. But a voice called out before the killing strike, "That's enough Jack! Return!" A roar of anger came from the mad cyborg's audio emitters before an incandescent light enveloped her and in an instant she vanished.

Nev'El stood up and looked behind her. There in the hallway, was the supposedly imprisoned and contaminated Cryptek Du'Maat. His eye was a strange orange color and there was jerking and twitching motions in his limbs that indicated he was not well. The hunched Necron attempted to assuage suspicion with a wave of his hand, "It is alright...despite my bearing."

Nev'El got back to her feet but remained wary, "Cryptek Du'Maat... how did you escape?"

"Even I am...uncertain. But I can help you. Vymark Solvatas was good to me during my time here and I knew this eventuality would come. I have so far been able to maintain a modicum of control from my...other. But I cannot contain it for long and I would not wish to infect you with my curse."

The two stepped back from the Cyptek, their inner firewalls and wireless intrusion programs operating at maximum to prevent any emanating viral infections from Du'Maat. The Cryptek nodded, understanding the precaution, "I can show you a route to help your mistress. We must be swift."

The pair looked at each other as the Cryptek began activating a side panel by interacting with the obsidian control surfaces on the wall. A doorway appeared and a kind of lift was within. Du'Maat stepped back and beckoned them, "Go first, I will follow later...and help when I can.

---

Presently in the throne room of Veronakh/Kotorin's palace.

"Du'Maat..." the Vymark uttered, held by her female Besakt.

"Solvatas. It is good to..." The Cryptek struggled mid-sentence to get out the words. A groan of frustration emanated from his audio emitters as the viral infection began to eat at his higher functions.

"Go!" Du'Maat shouted.

Nev'El nodded, still carrying Solvatas who could only look on helplessly as Du'Maat stepped into the chamber. Legion decloaked past him, firing several shots to keep the Lychguard in front of Du'Maat on the defensive. More rounds slammed into the energy fields of their dispersion shields before Legion continued past the Cryptek to follow Nev'El.

The Lychguard quickly began their counterattack on the Cryptek who then gazed at the pair of Necron warriors with a twitch afflicting him. Before they could bring their blades to bear upon him, the Lychguard suddenly stopped mid-swing. First their motor functions began to shudder and shake, their eye lenses flashed. They had unwittingly gotten too close to the Cryptek and his virus was now wirelessly working upon the both of them. They dropped their weapons and held their heads, sporadic audio emissions came out of them that sounded like sputtering and guttural words. Within seconds, the infected Lychguards fell upon each other, throttling each other in a grapple on the ground. They eventually found their swords once more and began carving each other apart.

Du'Maat then merely walked past the exchanging guards, striding towards the Phaeron and his assembled Lychguard escorts. They all backed away and with a wave of Kotorin's hand a green barrier appeared in front of the Cryptek. Du'Maat almost look puzzled at the barrier before him when another was brought forth from behind him and it gradually began moving to box him in. The Cryptek made a holographic panel appear in front of him and with only a few keystrokes halted the barriers. He then jabbed his metallic hand through the burning barrier before shattering it with a clenched fist.

"Stay back you damned fool! Have you truly lost your mind at last Du'Maat!? I gave you everything you asked for and this is how you repay me?!" Kotorin roared.

The Cryptek then went from his hunched jerking and twitching form to standing upright and straight. But his eye lens was still blood red and he pointed his staff in the Phaeron's direction, "This isn't just about repayment...old fool. It is about reality...about inevitability."

Xamutet and several Lychguard had heard enough and separated from the Phaeron's group to engage the Cryptek. Du'Maat brought back his staff to his side shaking his head at the three, "I'd be cautious if I were you...I'm quite contagious."

The words prompted the trio to grab nearby Gauss Flayers strewn upon the floor and open fire. But Du'Maat quickly activated a device on his metal waist and phase shifted, turning into a transparent form which found no purchase for the Flayers attacking him. One of the guards then hefted his Warscythe from the ground and flung it at the Cryptek, hoping to hit Du'Maat when the shift ended. Du'Maat simply sidestepped from the attack. This raised suspicions in Forbytr, who found it impressive for one who was supposedly infected with a computer virus to be so quick. The guard Captain looked to his Phaeron and internally communicate with him, "Make haste your escape Great One, we shall handle this."

"No! I need you by my side, the others can be sacrificed but I cannot lose one whose loyalty is unquestionable." Kotorin replied.

"I would pay more attention Great One." The Cryptek remarked out loud.

Suddenly more warriors and Immortals arrived from below behind the Phaeron's throne. However these Necrons had red eyes and aimed their weapons in their Lord's direction. Forbytr and several of his fellows quickly went to their lord's defense, dispersion shields raised to absorb the incoming Gauss Flayer beams and Tesla Carbine lightning.

"If you had the sense...perhaps you could have truly seen what was coming." Du'maat commented, still evading shots from Xamutet's Staff of Light and the Gauss Flayers with his phase three had spread out but kept their distance as the Cryptek approached, still transparent. All of them kept their wireless defenses on full alert and stayed back. One of the guards recovered his war scythe and attempted to impale Du'Maat from the side while the other with Xamutet fired ranged weapons at the exact moment the shift ended. The Cryptek repaid the melee attack by evading the beams and grabbing the shaft of the obsidian polearm. He then channeled powerful electrical energies through it and into the Lychguard, stunning him before crouching and with both hands swinging the weapon, flinging the Necron guardian into the other. Xamutet was growing furious and grunted audibly in frustration, but he knew if he wanted to retain his sanity he had to fight defensively, which was against his nature. The Necron Lord didn't take his eyes off the Cryptek, but he couldn't keep his focus on him for long as the sounds of a struggle was heard to his left.

The downed Lychguard were fighting each other and it seemed that the one that had been thrown had gotten infected by Du'Maat's virus. The mad Necron warrior was on top of his sane brother, pounding on him with his fists before drawing his Hyperphase sword from his side. He then began chopping, slicing rents into his fellow Lychguard's head. The infected Necron hit again and again and again until his fellow guardian's head was an utter ruin of sliced necrodermis metal and sparking internals.

The mad warrior looked to Xamutet with blood colored eyes and swiftly rushed to attack him. Xamutet set his Staff of Light to maximum output and fired. Slicing horizontally he severed the Lychguard at the waist. The momentum from the Lychguard's rush sent his upper body flying forward and crashing into Xamutet, the two of them fell to the floor. Another struggle ensued, and the Lychguard atop of the obsidian lord attempted to cleave into Xamutet's head with its sword. The black Necron Lord attempted to bring his staff up to ward off the infected guardian but it was too late. Several blows landed and carved into Xamutet's head, resulting in a roar of pain and anger. The obsidian warrior suffered another blow to the head, but then grabbed the offending blade at the hilt and held it, forcing the maddened Necron to use both hands to withdraw it. Xamutet then used his other hand to angle and blast the offending guardian with his Staff of Light through the head, sending electricity and parts blasting out along the exiting beam. The blood red eyes of the Lychguard died wherein it finally fell going limp upon Xamutet's body. Finally freed of the struggle, Xamutet rolled the Lychguard's corpse off of him and covered the side of his head with his hands, audibly groaning with a distorted vocal emitter.

Du'Maat walked past the fallen lord, speaking, "I would suggest you retire for a time to recover Lord Xamutet."

"I will rip you apart traitor!" Xamutet exclaimed still cluching his head and groaning angrily.

"Not today I'm afraid."

A holographic glyph appeared before the Cryptek which Du'Maat rotated and twisted, causing the floor below Xamutet to sink, taking the cursing Necron lord below, "You are damned Du'Maat! When I return you will suffer for this!"

The Cryptek ignored the fallen lord's words and moved over to the throne, where the Lychguard and Kotorin were fending off the infected Warriors and Immortals. Forbytr himself was destroying the last of them with his sword before he was forced to turn and face the approaching Cryptek. The head of the Lychguard and the remaining guardians assumed a defensive formation in front of their Phaeron.

Du'Maat unleashed a blinding flash of light from an object that he withdrew from his waist. From this light a female Necron Pariah with bladed hands fell to the ground on all fours, growling she looked towards the assembled Necron guardians.

Du'Maat lowered his head by hers and spoke softly, "As I promised...the one who robbed you of your skin is before you...tear them apart, reclaim what is yours."

Jack's eyes went blood red with fury and she screamed. Rising with biotically charged hands she unleashed blasts of biotic power. To their credit the Lychguard held fast, their feet magnetically adhering to the obsidian floor, their dispersion shields engaged. Jack leapt towards them and spun like a drill, her bladed fingers outstretched wreathing in biotic power. The Lychguard formed a shield wall, locking their shields together to block against her strike. When the energy of the shields interacted with the energy of Jack's fingers it caused a blast to push her back. She fell back down the stairs and hissed in frustration. But she recovered quickly getting back on all fours. Jack used her biotics to leap incredibly high where she spotted her target.

Kotorin was attempting to flee the throne room behind his seat of power. The Phaeron growled at the glyphs on the door that were now flashing red before looking behind and seeing Jack high above. Wreathed in green biotic energy the Pariah then dove towards him, reaching out with both hands. But the shield and body of Forbytr then slammed into the mad Pariah, sending her flying away towards one of the pillars along the side of the room.

The Lychguard now separated into two groups, one to protect Kotorin as he continued to try to escape and those joining with their captain in an attempt to bring down Jack. She screamed out in rage as she leapt back up from the floor, now crouched and ready to lash out once more but instead the Pariah melded into the floor, disappearing from sight. The Lychguard realized her next move and sidestepped away just in time. The Pariah then jumped up from the floor beneath two of them seemingly missing her attack. However, Jack's claws gave her enough reach to slash at their leg joints thus forcing one of the guards to one knee while the other fell foward after attempting an overhanded slice at her shoulder.

Quickly Jack fell upon the Lychguard on his knees and began ripping him to pieces while Forbytr attempted to bash her off him. Quickly she rolled away and melded once more into the floor, the Lychguard Captain was now on full alert for her next appearance. Forbytr's fellow Lychguard was attempting to stand, getting on his hands and knees when suddenly he burst in half as Jack reappeared twirling through his mid-section. She then landed on her feet and hissed at the guard captain before she attacked again. The Pariah assailed the veteran guardian with her claws once more, forcing him on the defensive behind his Dispersion shield. She then endeavored to slide under his guard, attempting to hit the guardian's legs. But he quickly jumped back and slammed his shield down. The resulting shockwave forced Jack to dig her claws into the floor to stay grounded.

Jack then slashed her glowing claws toward Forbytr, sending out a flurry of biotic slices at him. The Lychguard Captain held fast behind his shield, the biotic attacks negated by the shield's energy field. When the flurry of attacks halted, he looked past his shield to see that Jack had disappeared again. Forbytr then began calculating within miliseconds all the possible avenues of a new attack before he realized where he was. He was now directly by the Phaeron's throne and just as he realized it, Jack emerged from the back of the throne and leapt out.

But the attack was not aimed at the Lychguard Captain. Jack flew past the warrior before he could hit her with his sword and disappeared into the floor near the Phaeron. The trio of Lychguard by their lord prepared themselves, shields and swords at the ready. Several seconds passed before once again Jack assaulted them. Appearing from the wall by the Phaeron, she attempted to slice at him with her claws but Kotorin was able to block with his staff as she passed, creating glowing green slash marks in the mid-portion of it. The Phaeron's guardians attempted to pin her down but she simply melded into the floor yet again to evade their swords. Forbytr rejoined his compatriots and they silently nodded, reforming around the Phaeron.

Metallic footsteps by the throne were heard and the group looked to see Du'Maat now standing by the throne, casually leaning by it with his own staff in hand. Kotorin's eyes glowed intensely, turning to irritated slits as he called out to the Cryptek, "Call it off Du'Maat! If you have any sense left in you, stop this madness before it infects the entire dynasty!"

"Not yet. Jack can be quite...stubborn. Especially since I promised her your head." Du'Maat cooly replied.

"You cursed fool!" Kotorin spat.

Those words were then followed by Jack silently appearing in the midst of the group from below and unleashing a biotic blast that sent them all flying away. From there, Jack leapt upon one of the fallen, gouging the guard's throat and tearing off his head. She then fell upon another Lychguard and ripped him apart before being forced to retreat by Forbytr who once again failed in his attempt to strike her. Their female foe once more escaping into the shadows, the only remaining Lychguard looked to his captain who nodded in his direction.

As the psychotic Pariah assaulted them once again from the wall, the surviving Lychguard warrior allowed himself to be impaled and then quickly held Jack in a tight embrace. This allowed Forbytr to finally chop off the right arm of the maddened Necron before she could pull herself free. Unfortunately it also took the arm of the remaining Lychguard with it, allowing Jack to slip free from the warrior's hold before Forbytr could grab her to finish her off. As Jack slipped out of its embrace, her embedded glowing claw slicied through the necrodermis just like a knife through butter.

Forbytr was now left alone to face this menace, who once more melded into the shadows like a wraith. Kotorin then decided at that moment to stop his attempt at escape. Silently choosing to fight beside his loyal servant, the slight tilt of the Phaeron's head indicated to his subordinate that they would fight this battle together.

They went back to back, their glowing eyes watching for any sign of movement or disturbance. All the while Du'Maat watched the fight unfold, leaning on the throne. Why the Cryptek hadn't joined in to finish them both off was still unknown to the Phaeron. But for now they would deal with whatever came. A burst of sparks and parts came from the last fallen Lychguard, who was attempting to reconnect himself with his lower portion. The clawed arm of Jack had burst through his neck and head and now was remelding back into the floor. Kotorin looked to Du'Maat once more with slitted eyes, "Last chance Du'Maat...end this...NOW!"

The Cryptek shook his head, "This exchange will be decided in the next strike Great One. Then...we will see."

The pair braced themselves. Jack's hand appeared from the back of the throne, a biotic sphere of energy formed and then was thrown in their direction. It took only a second before the hand retreated back into the ether. Forbytr moved to intercept, dispersion shield at the fore. Another biotic shot was detected from above them as the first slammed into the Lychguard captain's shield. The blast hit the guardian's hunched upper back forcing Forbytr to one knee. Jack then leapt from the floor from behind Kotorin, who spun around attempting to strike her with his staff. Once more the mad Pariah struck the weakened mid-point of the staff, severing it into two halves before attempting to dive onto and slice apart the Phaeron. Kotorin fell onto his back and with his foot he caught the Pariah in mid-air and sent her tumbling over him towards the now ready Forbytr.

Jack tucked into a ball to avoid the oncoming blade of the Lychguard that sheered off a layer of necrodermis from her back before her flying body hit him in the chest. Untucking and landing in a crouch she launched another biotic attack into the air before beginning another frontal assault with her remaining claw. Once more Forbytr took cover behind his shield and before he could get in a counter blow, the biotic attack struck him again from above.

Forbytr's guard now disrupted, Jack got within her opponent's stance and sliced off his shield hand at the wrist. The hyperphase sword of the guardian rushed in to the Pariah's head but caught only air. Jack may have ducked the blow, but a swift kick from the guardian sent her back to the Phaeron. The Necron Overlord struck her flying form back down to the floor in an overhanded strike with his right hand. Kotorin's foot then landed on her lower back, pinning her down as Forbytr approached ready to deliver the final blow.

Jack cried out in desperation, clawing at the floor attempting to pull herself from the foot of the Necron Overlord as her executioner brought his sword down upon her. Her claw bit into the floor and in a surge of strength she ripped her upper body from her lower half, spilling black fluid, machine parts and gore onto the floor. Forbytr was caught off guard as the upper half of Jack then used biotics to fling herself into him. With his strike missing her, her remaining claw was able to stab in the right side of his head. She screamed at Forbytr's head as the light left his ocular lenses, where he then fell to the floor with a crash. Jack then began to stab repeatedly into his head.

Kotorin roared in rage, grabbing Jack's remaining arm while stepping on her back again. The Overlord pulled and ripped off her remaining arm. Kotorin then grabbed her neck with his other hand, lifting Jack off his guardian. Turning the Pariah over to look him in the eyes, he in one swift motion impaled her through her lower chin with her own arm, the claws going into her brain. A gurgling sound was heard through audio emitters, black fluids spilling through the exposed teeth through the sides of her cheeks. Kotorin threw away the make-shift weapon before tossing her to the floor. Another gurgle emitted from the fallen Pariah before Kotorin smashed her head in with his foot, splattering metal and blackened gore around the point of impact.

A sigh was emitted by Du'Maat, who shook his head at the scene, "A pity...I hoped she would have at least attained some measure of revenge against you. But I suppose I was overly optimistic in my calculations."

"The breaking of this toy of yours is only the beginning of what I will do to you Du'Maat." Kotorin vowed, pointing a skeletal finger at his betrayer.

Du'Maat shrugged, "Then why do you hesitate?"

Kotorin said nothing, clenching his fists looking at his treacherous servant who shrugged his shoulders after a few seconds, "Because you are afraid of the madness...the virus I no doubt will infect you with if you even try to approach me as you are now."

The Phaeron growled in frustration before asking, "How is it that you even remain functional? Those infected with the Flayer's curse devolve into rabid animals. Yet you still stand and even dare to mock me."

"Flayer's curse? Is that what you think this is?"

"You created a Flayed One with your own hands! One you forced me to put down at the cost of my loyal servants! What else could it be?!"

"I'm afraid Great One, you gravely misunderstand. The virus in question was never the Flayer's curse...that was an assumption on your part. The virus...was one of my own design. I made it long before we came to this galaxy. It was a contingency...in case you decided to betray our agreement. As for Jack... I merely drove the poor girl mad when she angered me. I have...predelictions, you see...that have nothing to do with the Flayer curse. To ensure the court wouldn't become disgusted with that aspect of myself, I separated it from my main personality engrams. This 'other' self...manifested again when I worked upon Jack, reminding me of another whom I once adored. When you contained me, it allowed me time to reflect and reintegrate myself...to become whole once again. Escape utilizing Jack was difficult, attaining her cooperation without her rending me apart even more so." Du'Maat said, standing up from the throne and beginning to walk slowly toward the Phaeron.

Kotorin began to step away from the Cryptek until his back hit the wall, "I knew this possibility could eventually arise ever since you commissioned me to create the crown on your brow. I kept your secret as was the agreement. But I'm afraid now that you have revealed yourself, the final portion of our contract is fulfilled."

"What do you mean?!" The Phaeron exclaimed.

"What I mean...Great One." Du'Maat's eye color and chassis light color then turned to an orange coloration, "...Is that my contractual obligations to you are now finished."

Kotorin cocked his head, still confused at the Cryptek's declaration as he continued, "Truly I do not wish to turn you into a babbling incoherent idiot. Especially since Solvatas' brother Veronakh is still technically a part of your matrix. Therefore I will take my leave now, along with some repayment that I feel is owed."

"You're insane...you will get nothing more from me."

"I'm afraid you have little choice. After all my virus has already taken a portion of your forces into my own... simply just take a look around and you will see."

Kotorin wirelessly tapped into the observation systems around the courtyard witnessing strife all over the palace and palace grounds. Necron continued to fight Necron with now orange eyes all around the area, blasting each other with Gauss Flayers and Tesla carbines. Machines grappled, attempting to tear each other apart. Wraiths and Spyders tangling with each other with claws and writhing bodies. In the back drop of the chaos, Kotorin spotted Solvatas held by her Besakt Nev'El, reaching one of the portals and escaping before he could send the shutdown signal to the gate network.

"Damn you Cryptek!" Kotorin shouted.

"The strife caused by my virus will only be temporary if you cooperate. All I need now is your permission to allow the transfer of warriors, constructs, and resources. I will then leave, take my warriors and go about my business." Du'Maat replied, smiling internally behind his expressionless face.

"So this was all just a part of your scheme...to gain power for yourself?!"

"Of course...who else would be more deserving than I who kept secrets for you, helped you maim your detractors, putting on the airs of being the humble servant, allowing you to do whatever you wanted."

Du'Maat stepped closer, his staff of light now at the ready, preparing to incinerate the Phaeron should he make a move. Kotorin clenched his fists again, a growl emitting from him, "You will not get away with this. Mark my words."

"Oh but I will, as far as today is concerned. For all your arrogance you're not that stupid...Great One. Give me what I want and all this ends."

"How can I be sure of that? Considering your treachery..."

"This is not a request o'mighty Kotorin. Seeing as how I've disabled the reformation protocols in this room, you either do as I demand or you die again, here with your warriors. I may care enough to prevent Veronakh from joining you in utter insanity but I don't think he or Solvatas would mind sacrificing themselves to ensure you die a true death."

Grumbling audibly, the Phaeron with a flash of his eye lens ceased the alert and began the process of transfer. The request appeared in the corner of the Cryptek's vision for transfer and he accepted it swiftly, a sigh of satisfaction leaving Du'Maat's own audio emitters, "Good to see you still see sense despite your overbearing nature."

"You will regret this Cryptek, I promise you."

"Maybe, but I am quite certain that at the current moment, I will be the least of your worries." Du'Maat said, taking a bow, "Farewell Great One. I doubt we will meet again."

The Cryptek turned to leave, soldiers under his control appearing from platforms below through holes in the floor. They formed around Du'Maat as he walked back to the lift, the rear of the Necron formation walking backwards with weapons still trained on the Phaeron to dissuade any last minute attempt at defiance. Kotorin growled, taking one of Jack's arms that remained on the floor and threw it past his throne in anger. Du'Maat's guards didn't react as the Cryptek didn't consider it a threat, merely a tantrum of a typical Necron lord humiliated.

Kotorin stomped past his throne shouting as Du'Maat entered the lift, "You will pay for this treachery Du'Maat!"

The Cryptek shook his head as his entourage entered the lift with him, calling back, "No...I think not. The technological supremacy of the Necrontyr...is wasted on one such as you Kotorin. I gave you everything you could have possibly needed to succeed...all you need is the wit to use it properly."

With that, the doors closed. Kotorin sat on his throne, his skeletal hand digging into his face before turning into a fist and pounded the armrest of his obsidian throne. He roared in frustration before sighing and leaning back in his seat. This would set things back considerably, but possibly he could still recover from this. The plan still could move forward even with the losses of this moment. In the end, he would still have his empire. Once the current situation was settled on Veridine he would ensure that Solvatas and Du'Maat would not escape the inevitable retribution that was owed.

---

Normandy bridge, several hours later...

Shepard was on the CIC of the Normandy, going over preparations for the mission at the Collector Base with Miranda, when a communique was received from the Shuvat. It was Kor'Pharas who had promptly left suddenly before now, informing Shepard that they were inbound and in need of assistance. The Commander cocked a brow once again at being needed by the Vymark. But the Necron Praetorian explained that she had been infected by a computer virus and was in dire need of tech expertise. When pressed about why they couldn't turn to other Necrons for help, the Commander learned of Kotorin and how Solvatas was nearly lobotomized. The Vymark herself was still in the grips of the Phaeron's virus and if it was not treated soon, her systems would begin to fail. This could result in her suffering a true death due to the the virus possibly infecting her ship's reanimation protocols, should they engage and try to revive her. The Praetorian couldn't take that risk.

The Normandy met up with the Shuvat near the planet of Bindur, with the Praetorian explaining that his ship's greater chassis would arrive within the hour. When Shepard asked why that was, he explained that the Phaeron had declared he and Solvatas exiles. The Triarch Praetorian had made sure to protect the crews of the ship and the vessel itself from being claimed. For part of the protocols involving exiles did allow a work-around for lords in exile to have some kind of parting forces for protection. The Commander was now tapping his foot, sighing to aleviate some of the anxiety he was feeling at once again having to help out this Necron lord. Truth be told he wasn't sure if there was anything he could do since Necron tech was completely different from anything the techs on the Normandy had dealt with. Misiya'Junan nar Raya, Nemar's assistant was wringing her hands nervously. Shepard had wanted to see what the young Quarian could do, but he wouldn't blame her if it was beyond her capability. Other techs would be assisting as well, but Shepard wished that Tali were awake to help with this.

The door to the side of the cockpit opened, the Triarch Praetorian ducked down to enter into the Normandy proper alongside a contingent of Necron Immortals escorting a floating obsidian slab. Upon it rested Solvatas, her motor functions jerking and twitching and her chassis' lights flickering in and out. The slab was also covered in an energy field, likely to contain any wireless connections attempting to reach out to any system to spread the virus. Behind the slab followed Legion and Nev'El who stood on either side of Kor'Pharas.

The Praetorian made a slight nod in the direction of the human Commander, "We appreciate your assistance in this matter Commander."

Shepard scratched the back of his head, "Yes...well if all these favors keep up we're going to have to start a tab. If I am to be honest its hard to say if we can help her. I'm personally not the best at dealing with alien computer viruses but my team and I will do what we can."

"In this dark time, there are no options off the table Commander." Kor'Pharas stated.

The Commander then crossed his arms, "You haven't explained about Du'Maat. Why not seek him?"

"He is not answering communications and his whereabouts are unkwown. Based on the data from the Vymark's Besakt, it is possible he has either succumbed to his viral infection, deceased, or simply cannot respond. In either case we cannot rely upon the Cryptek at this time."

Shepard sighed, "Alright, we can take her down to the medical bay. I'm trusting that the energy field will prevent any potential infections from reaching the Normandy systems?"

"Of course." The Praetorian gave a curt nod in response. With a mere look to the escort, the Necron soldiers took the slab to the CIC elevator with human personnel nervously glancing as they passed. Shepard then thought again to the Farseer's words from earlier, it was partly why he had some anxiety about this whole situation. If Grenthor knew this would happen, he may have a plan to take advantage, either to kill Solvatas himself or maybe even someone from Shepard's crew. To what end Shepard didn't know and didn't like the prospect.

His train of thought was interrupted by the approaching of Legion and Nev'El respectfully, "Thank you Commander." Nev'El began.

Shepard only nodded to the Asari Besakt before replying, "I won't lie, this is new territory for us."

The Quarian tech Misiya comforted herself by holding her left arm to try to ease her own anxiety. Shepard noticed and gave a smile of confidence, "But we're some of the best around in our fields. If anyone can figure out how to save her, its us."

"Again, thank you Commander. I appreciate your words. If you will excuse me." The Besakt said, quickly striding to catch up with the rest of the escort.

Legion also had a few words to say before joining the others, "We will standby near the AI core and assist EDI in counter-intrusion duties and provide own assistance to the task if required. Do you to approve of this action?"

Shepard smiled, "I'm sure EDI would appreciate the help Legion. Just make sure you don't get caught up in it too. I would hate to see the Geth collective suffer from Kotorin's bullshit along with the rest of us."

"We judge that we will be sufficiently protected along with all Geth. We...trust Shepard Commander's judgement."

Shepard cocked a brow to the machine, "There was a pause there. Are you...nervous?"

Legion's iris opened wide then closed slowly as it looked downward seemingly in contemplation before returning to Shepard's gaze, "No, we simply...do not wish to see Solvatas Vymark suffer termination due to our failure to protect her."

"It wasn't your fault Legion. I'm sure you did the best you could at the time." The Commander said giving a sympathetic expression.

The machine looked to the side with it's cyclopean eye, seemingly like it didn't wholly believe Shepard's words. Realizing the entourage was waiting, Shepard decided to get the robot back on task, "Go on, they're waiting for you. We'll talk more about it later."

Legion looked to the Commander seemingly perking up at the prospect of further conversation and nodded, "We look forward to the exchange of data."

The cyclopean machine then went off to the join the rest of the Necrons before they descended down the lift. Misiya gave a relieved sigh, as if she was holding in a breath, "Ancestors Commander, the Geth too?" the Quarian girl said shaking her head and looking down in disbelief.

"I know its alot to take in and I wouldn't ask you if there was anyone-"

The girl looked to the Commander with fear in her eyes, "Sir! I'm not qualified for something like this! That and with a Geth looking over my shoulder and those...skeletal robots. You're putting me under alot of pressure!"

"I know...Tali had to deal with a lot of pressure too. She was an Admiral's daughter with all the expectations that came with that. She got caught up in my investigation with Saren, and on top of that also had to complete her pilgrimmage. Yet I believed in her and she found the strength to get through it all. You can do the same."

"But I'm not an Admiral's daughter or some tech protege...I'm just a nobody. A low class Quarian girl working tech jobs with a Krogan boss."

"Yeah and a guy like Nemar wouldn't pick up a weak Quarian nobody and trust them to do the jobs he can't. You're stronger in your field than you give yourself credit for."

He placed a hand on her shoulder which startled her somewhat but Shepard gave her a reassuring smile, "It's okay. I'm not asking you to perform a miracle. All I'm asking is for you to take a look and see what can be done. You're not Tali, but you aren't a nobody either Misiya. You can do it."

Misiya's feature's relaxed behind her mask as she absorbed the Commander's words. After a moment she finally nodded, "Okay, I can do that."

Shepard nodded approvingly, "Alright, go on ahead. I need to speak to Miranda first."

Misiya returned the nod and began making her way to the elevator. He walked up to Miranda, who was going over a data pad in her hand taking note of the Quarian as she passed by. The XO then looked to her Commander and smirked, "Your charisma never ceases to amaze me."

"Sometimes all one needs is a little encouragement to face their fears." Shepard replied warmly as he walked up to his XO.

"Too true. But something tells me its not the girl that you're concerned about."

Shepard shrugged, "Yeah...something is bothering me about this."

"Its what Grenthor told you in that dream wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Awfully convenient that this would happen right before we begin the operation."

"You suspect the Aeldari will try something?"

"Quite possibly, I can't be sure what or how. Add more personnel to the security detail around medical and I want techs to sweep around that area for any residual effects."

Miranda nodded and proceeded to a console to begin drawing up a personnel manifest and to make announcements. Shepard then joined Misiya and the two of them proceeded down into the medical wing.

---

Normandy Medical Bay, thirty minutes later...

Dr. Chakwas stood by the still comatose Tali on her bed as the entourage came in. Kor'Pharas remained outside on guard with several other Necron Immortals, unnerving any crews there with their wary automaton gazes. Shepard remained with Kor'Pharas, overseeing his crew in order to make sure that his security worked smoothly. The Commander looked into the Med-bay to see that they had moved the slab by one of the beds, the energy field encompassing it was now enveloping a bed on either side to allow the Quarian tech to work. They had brought in a mobile terminal that was now connected to Solvatas' body physically. Shepard understood that it was off the grid and couldn't transmit wirelessly, so any issues encountered would simply be isolated. Solvatas had finally stopped seizing but now her body's lights were indicative of issues, flickering in and out. Misiya at one point put a hand to her head, shaking it in frustration as she worked on the terminal. Legion was on standby like he said he would. The other Necron's were ordered to wait outside after Shepard politely asked Kor'Pharas to give the Quarian girl space to work. The Praetorian agreed only after confirming that Legion and Nev'El would stand guard within the room.

Nemar also arrived to check with the Commander on his subordinate. He waved to Shepard as he approached the former Spectre who acknowledged him with a nod, "How's she doing?"

The Commander looked back through the med-bay glass to see Misiya working fervishly at the terminal within, "Well she's doing what she can and I was able to at least keep too many eyes from staring."

Kor'Pharas gave Shepard slitted eyes in response, "Which we only entertain because of our limited options."

"Hey, you want that girl working at her best? Then don't crowd her. Hell most of the time I just let her handle tech stuff by herself unless there is some jackass deciding he likes to eye a vulnerable female working on a computer. Dregs like that slow the job down." Nemar said shaking his head.

"Heh, I don't think you need to worry about that with them." the Commander joked.

"Like they got the parts for it!" The Krogan laughed.

Kor'Pharas shook his head at the giant reptile, "Disgusting."

"Hey, don't be a pill about it and relax. You certainly have enough Krant to keep out anyone ready to start something."

"Recent events leave nothing to chance...saurian."

Nemar gruffed at the comment before focusing on Shepard whose gaze was distant as he observed the crew, "You seem distracted boss."

"Yeah I...I..." Shepard said bringing a hand to his suddenly pounding forhead. Tinnitus suddenly sounded in his ears causing him to close his eyes. Nemar asked if he was alright but it was like hearing through a fishbowl and when the Commander opened his eyes, the world was distorted and slowed down.

Then an etheral voice spoke, feminine with a playful tone in his head, "The crux of fate, fretting over the dead. Typical of his kind."

"What...who are you?" Shepard thought, his mouth unable to keep pace mearly mouthing the words.

"A child of Asuryan, now an adopted daughter of Cegorach and you are the Shepard. The fated one, bringing many to either ruination or salvation."

"You're Aeldari aren't you?"

A playful laugh echoed in his ears, "It deigns to ask such a silly question. Perhaps it should ask another?"

"Okay. What do you want? Why are you here? I told Grenthor that I'm not so easily manipulated. So unless you have something more substantial to tell me-"

"A warning. The last one. The last that will be given before destiny proceeds. It is not just yours at stake. There will be others whose destinies will end here and others that will end later. But the choice of when, is upon you, at this very moment."

"You came all the way here to threaten me and my crew, just because we won't go along with your scheme?"

A sigh breathed into his mind, "Fate has woven a tangled web about you. You force us and we therefore must force you. If this is the path you have chosen Shepard, then declare it here and now. Otherwise, we give you one last chance to change what will be."

Shepard's mind was groggy and his eyes slowly closed. In the darkness of his own thoughts he found his resolve and let it resound through his mind for the alien to hear, "Just do what you've come to do. This is the fate that you also chose. You could have tried a different way, but because you're too proud and scared you won't even dare try! So come then, if a fight is what you want then so be it! Just don't blame us when the Reapers decide to come for you next!"

"The custodians will have their time. But for now the climax of this particular drama is upon us. A son of Asuryan has already committed to his part. I believe you have met him o'Shepard. The spirit of the bloody-handed now rages upon the air. Let destiny...commence!"

Within that moment, the psionic hold upon Shepard released and then from behind him the Med-bay exploded sending glass all across the galley. The techs in the galley were sent to the floor from the explosion now crying out in pain from glass and debris hitting them. Shepard was stunned at the scene as the alarm klaxon sounded. Then he found his voice, "Misiya! Chakwas!"

The smoke coming from the med-bay prevented Shepard from seeing what had happened. As the dust cleared a green biotic barrier revealed itself, covering the slab carrying Solvatas, Chakwas, Tali and Misiya from the explosion. To the side of the barrier was Nev'El, her necrodermis scorched black, her arms sparking and metal palms glowing green with biotics, now shaking on one knee before releasing and letting go.

"They are...safe Commander." Nev'El said before Legion went to Nev'El's aid, also scorched from the explosion but not as badly as his fellow.

"Misi!" Nemar called out, rushing into the ruined med-bay and finding his assistant. She was hyperventalating when the Krogan found her. Misiya then fainted and Nemar had to catch her in his arms before setting her onto the ground. Chakwas quickly rushed over to examine her after making sure that Tali was alright.

Kor'Pharas and the Necron soldiers were already on the hunt, their eyes trailing something before getting Shepard's attention, "Remote detonator! The signal sent was close!"

An air of space moved near the lift and the Praetorian called out, "There!"

The Necron elite then unleashed a barrage from his wrist mounted weapon at the area near the elevator but it was too late. Whoever it was had gone into the lift and was fleeing. Shepard, enraged, was now in pursuit, rushing to the elevator and punching override codes into the lift controls. He then forced the doors open where he saw the lift below heading down toward level four and quickly dropped onto the top of the lift. He grabbed the top of the emergency hatch and jerked it open where shots of blue light nearly struck him from within the lift. Shepard unleashed an overload blast and revealed the assailant. It was an Aeldari, bearing the same black and white hooded armor as those within the derelict Reaper, angry blue eye lenses staring back at the Commander.

"You!?" Shepard said realizing the psyker Aeldari's words from earlier and then putting it all together. This was likely the same Aeldari that had fled from them on the Reaper. Somehow he had infiltrated the Normandy and was among them the whole time, waiting for this opportunity!

The Aeldari warrior only responded with his Shuriken pistol, sending more shots flying towards the lift's roof and tearing holes where Shepard had peered into the lift. Shepard set his Omni-tool to sabotage and with a wave of his hand at his foe, overloaded his opponent's weapon. Upon pulling the trigger, the weapon's energy cell overloaded and exploded causing the Aeldari to toss the weapon to the floor of the lift. Shepard drew his Carnifex pistol and fired but the alien assassin evaded the shots, moving to the corner of the lift out of his view. The Commander dropped down to his cornered foe, who threw a dagger at him before he could get a bead on him. Shepard's pistol caught the dagger, now ruined and sparking electricity. Shepard gasped at the sight before baring his teeth in anger at the Aeldari who drew another knife. The Commander tossed his weapon and activated his Omni-tool's blade function, becoming an electrifed arm mounted twin blade.

The two charged each other in the descending lift, their blades meeting each other and deflecting each other's attacks. The pair of combatants attempted to slice and cut at each other but Shepard's augmentations and the Aeldari's natural agility made them evenly matched in such close quarter fighting. Finally the pair became locked in a struggle, each holding each other's arms to prevent the other's blade from reaching them. They locked gazes with each other, the Aeldari grunting and gritting his teeth behind his helmet with Shepard's bearded face grinding his own in exertion and hatred at his enemy.

Despite this deadlock the Aeldari spoke through clenched teeth, "This...is only the beginning...Shepard. The blood of my brothers...shall be repaid with yours and your masters!"

"Who...are you?" The Commander replied, the Aeldari's blade getting closer with every second.

"Tylon Rhylanth. Son...of Grenthor Rhylanth..."

Shepard's realization allowed Tylon to get his blade to cut into the Commander's cheek. The Commander slipped his arm inside getting better control of the Aeldari's blade arm allowing him to get close and knee the alien in the groin and stomach. Shepard then got a leg around his opponent's and threw him down before throwing a punch, mounted blades pointed toward the alien's chest. Tylon rolled from the strike and kicked Shepard back allowing him to get back on his feet just in time for the elevator doors to open. The Aeldari still held his knife up at Shepard, positioning himself to retreat out of the elevator with the Commander approaching.

The former Spectre smirked as loud footsteps were heard and a roar bellowed. The Aeldari looked to his right down the hallway just in time to see Grunt to rush him head on. But the Aeldari gracefully leapt over the rushing saurian alien and got onto his back where he stabbed him. Grunt roared in pain and then crashed his back into the console behind him, sending the Aeldari off and crashing through the glass of the hallway and into the cargo bay below.

The Krogan groaned while Shepard reached around and removed the knife from the tank-born's back, "You okay Grunt?"

"Bah! Just a pin-prick, I'm good."

Shepard nodded, "He's not getting away, follow me!"

Before they could continue the pursuit the entire Normandy shook and the Commander had to hold onto a railing close by. He got on the comm link, "Joker what's happening?!"

"We're under attack! Multiple ships on intercept! I dunno what they are but they're coming in fast!"

The Praetorian Kor'Pharas joined the call, venom audible in his voice, "An Aeldari strike force no doubt. Commander, I must take command of the Shuvat. I will coordinate with your pilot from the throne and we will handle the enemy vessels. Continue your pursuit!"

Shepard nodded and motioned Grunt to follow him as they headed to the cargo bay. The Commander got on the comm one more time as Grunt rushed over to his room to grab a spare Avenger rifle he was practicing with and tossed it to him. The Krogan made ready with his Claymore shotgun while Shepard made an announcement, "Security to the cargo bay, we have an intruder! All stations full alert!"

Alarms sounded as the pair continued their hunt.

---

Author's Note: I apologize for the length of time it took to get this out. Once again personal problems slowed things down a bit. I'll spare the details for its pretty...well personal. Like literally starting over again for me in some ways. Writing whenever I can has been my constant so its been helpful for me to keep working on this.

I appreciate all of you who have stuck by me and supported me through this time. I've got new stories and other projects in the pipe I have been working on to share as well. So next chapter we're going to try to finish this story strong and then explain what will come next. Until then, see you in the next one!