Chapter 28: Escalation

The space battle continued on despite Xamutet's declaration of war against the Aeldari naval forces. Craftworld Istafar's remaining light cruisers however, began to fall back behind their cloaking holofields. Their meager advantage was quickly countered by sensor pings from the Shuvat. With the combat data from his cousin in hand, Xamutet's shadowy form leaned back against the command throne upon his bridge. His audio emitters rasped a satisfied grunt. Xamutet's glowing eyes then wirelessly sent the command to his auxiliary bridge crews of former Turians, "Initiate Phase Jump protocols and prepare the Star Pulse Generator!"

Jade lightning streaked around the massive Necron vessel and in a blinding flash, Xamutet's ship vanished from the Mass Relay, reappearing ahead of the Cerberus task force and Solvatas' remaining ships. A buildup of energy was detected from the Necron flagship's core which spurred Solvatas to send an order on all bands, "All ships pull away from that vessel and brace yourselves!"

The SSV-Krakatoa initiated its Phase shifter, becoming translucent along with its escorts as they turned and attempted to flee. The Normandy along with other fast moving frigates withdrew and made a hard burn away from the recently arrived Necron ship. All the Reaper drones by contrast, changed course in unison to intercept Xamutet's cruiser. A sphere of energy expanded from the core of the vessel and after several moments, a blinding flash and a wave of kinetic force and energy erupted outwards. The speed of the wave even outpaced the quickest of Aeldari ships, their frigates being consumed in the blast wave along with the Reaper drones. Aeldari cruisers too damaged to escape were rent apart by the force of the blast when it struck them. A portion of the debris field was also caught in the Star Pulse's wake, cracking asteroids, detonating ship wrecks, and consuming anything caught in its path. After a few moments, the energy wave finally lost steam, its power weakening over several hundred more kilometers before finally dissipating. What was a moment before, a cascade of destruction, was now nothing more than a current of kinetic force that nudged a few more wrecks before evaporating.

When the proverbial dust settled, the allied forces looked upon the devastation and their jaws dropped. Solvatas was of course indifferent. The Star Pulse Generator was one of the most devastating weapons in the Necron arsenal. Only ships of the line like the Harvest class could carry it. But it seemed that the generator itself may not have been as stable as it usually would have been. Through her ship's sensors, Solvatas could detect fluctuations in the Necron flagship's power grid and it seemed as though Xamutet's systems were struggling to keep it under control.

Solvatas opened a communique to the Necron flagship, "Xamutet, I am detecting fluctuations in your vessel's power grid. I can have forces to move in and assist while you make-"

"I need nothing exile! I will handle the rest of the Aeldari myself!" The Necron lord exclaimed, cutting her off.

Solvatas slitted her eyes, "You're exposed cousin, I can at least send forces to provide cover and-"

"No! You have other matters to attend to. This...hindrance...is only a delay."

Several Aeldari light cruisers re-emerged from their cloaking fields firing lances and pulsar cannons against the fore of Xamutet's ship. The crescent bladed front of the Necron vessel bore the brunt of the enemy's counterattack, boiling away pieces of it, and heating up portions of the blade edge. In response a powerful green tinged lance of energy beamed out from under the crescent of the ship and struck one of the Aeldari vessels. It hit below the armored fore of the ship and knocked out much of the lower decks in a green explosive blast of anti-matter particles.

Solvatas recognized it as a Necron Particle Whip, a powerful Necron Gauss weapon. However normally there would be a pair of such weapons beneath the forward crescent hull of the ship. While the blast gave the Aeldari ship quite a bloody nose, it simply shrugged off the loss of its lower fore decks and continued its assault, firing more plasma and torpedoes. The Lightning Arcs sprung to life on the large Necron ship, striking down the torpedoes before sending even more powerful lightning to strike the forward hull of the sleek enemy vessel. The strikes of lightning sundered through the already damaged fore decks, detonating ordinance and frying Aeldari crews. Suddenly, a massive explosion occurred, ripping apart the lower decks of the enemy cruiser. The Istafar ship's lights began flickering and it slowed to a crawl. The other Aeldari cruiser then engaged holofields and fled into the void in a sudden burst of engine thrust. However, Xamutet's ship lights along the hull also flickered and began to strobe, indicating something was going wrong. The weapons systems suddenly stopped firing and then the ship turned completely black, its power system having suffered total failure. Luckily the Aeldari ships had chosen to flee behind their holofields instead of pressing the advantage. But now Xamutet's cruiser and its immediate opponent were both dead in space.

Solvatas cursed, "That damned idiot! Shepard! General! You two must move in to assist!"

The Cerberus Commander was indignant over the comms, "Our forces have done enough here Necron. I am going to retreat and preserve this ship. Based upon your recent scans there are only several enemy vessels remaining after your fellow's gambit. I'm sure your...loyal followers and Shepard can finish the job." General Petrovsky replied, carrying an air of smugness that spat from the man's lips.

The Vymark was not amused, "Do you really think the Illusive Man will take kindly to his General fleeing the field simply because he found his fellow commanders distasteful?"

"Perhaps, but you have a bigger problem at the moment. Goodbye...Vymark."

Solvatas grew irritated as the comms ended. Quickly, she shifted focus back to the battle. The next time those Aeldari ships came about, they'd unleash hell on Xamutet's cruiser and that would be the end of it. Damnable fleshling fools! We're on the cusp of victory or defeat! She cursed inwardly, her mind ran calculations and saw only one weapon capable. It would be the Thanix on the Normandy. That weapon along with her remaining loyalist frigates are now the only ships capable of taking on those last two Aeldari light cruisers. She contacted the Normandy, "Shepard, it is up to you and your pilot now. Regroup with the last of my forces and make all speed to support Xamutet before the remaining Aeldari destroy him."

"We're on it but I don't know if we'll make it in time!" Shepard warned.

"Then I'll provide you with what time I can...and hope that fool's ship at least can endure some punishment." Solvatas replied, cutting the comm and refocused on the battle.

She initiated her ships phase jump drive one last time, the power systems of her ship stressing from both the damage and yet another surge of energy that it was now called to muster. Solvatas cast her die, her oculars closing, hoping that chance would favor her and not cause her ship to explode. The Shuvat was wreathed in electricity and a burst of energy covered her vessel in a flash before she disappeared.

The Necron escort shuddered when it emerged from the jump, appearing beside Xamutet's cruiser. Solvatas felt through her Necrodermis the audible strain of the vessel along with emergency systems compensating power output variables and critical failures. There was still enough power for a sensor ping and she sent it... the Shutvat's suite of sensors once more reaching out and detecting the remaining Aeldari light cruiser hiding behind its holofield. The other one was still in front of them, slowly lurching forward in the void, carried by its own momentum. The vessel's entire underside, starting from its fore deck to its mid-section, had been ripped apart by explosions and were still venting material into space. Solvatas could imagine the Aeldari crews were working to get it online as quickly as possible in order to unleash one last salvo before their deaths in order to see Xamutet destroyed. The Vymark sent commands to her vessel to turn and fire its remaining Lightning Arc batteries. Green lightning flared from the badly damaged Necron escort, scorching and scarring black tendrils into the enemy ship's hull. But it wasn't enough, and quickly the Aeldari cruiser began to light up again and return fire with several lances of white lasers onto Xamutet's ship. If they get their plasma cannons working again...

"Shepard, where are you!?" Solvatas shouted over the comms.

"We're coming in right on top the bastard hang on!" The Commander exclaimed.

In that instant, a beam of red hot energy struck the Aeldari light cruiser from above, along with lances of green beams beside it. The energy tore through the central axis of the Aeldari ship and severed it in two. A wing of fast moving frigates, led by the Normandy soared through the remains of the enemy vessel. The two halves of the Aeldari ship then detonated into a pair of iridescent explosions as the wing of smaller ships got clear of the blast waves.

Solvatas was internally relieved, but plainly responded, "Good, but there is still another cruiser Shepard and the Shuvat is in no shape to fight. The enemy is cloaked and is prowling around us. Sensory data will be available in a moment."

"Roger that, we're coming around now."

But as the communique ended, sensors warned of incoming torpedoes from behind. Solvatas issued the command and the Shuvat spun as fast as possible to meet the threat and used its lightning to destroy the enemy ordinance. Then Aeldari plasma ordinance struck Xamutet's ship from below, tearing off an entire section of it.

"Damn!" Solvatas exclaimed. She watched helplessly as the enemy cruiser continued its assault on Xamutet's ship from underneath, firing plasma and lance batteries upon its underside. "Commander, Xamutet is under attack! We need assistance!"

"We're on it!" Shepard responded.

The Normandy and its wing found itself behind the enemy cruiser, its Thanix ready. Once more the beam of red hot energy fired and struck around the engine section of the enemy vessel. Suddenly the engines of the Aeldari cruiser flared and it shot ahead at incredible speed while at the same time changing direction. The rest of the Thanix's shot now hit nothing but dead space. In the cockpit of the human frigate, Joker cursed, "Shit! That thing can move fast when it wants to!"

"Warning multiple objects emerging from the enemy vessel!" EDI warned.

A quick glance at his holographic screen showed him what the several dozen objects were via sensor data, "Shit, we got fighters incoming!"

"Preparing countermeasures." the AI cooly replied.

Flying out from their mothership, the Aeldari fighters appeared in the Istafar colors, black and white with blue highlights. They reminded Joker of older human atmospheric fighters but sleeker and much quicker. The swarm of enemy fighters began to unleash laser and plasma shots from their weapon pods. The Normandy spun and fired its own lasers as it went through the fighter ball, taking out several as it passed alongside its own wing of ships. The fighters suddenly spun around and chased the frigates, inflicting heavy damage upon the rear end of the wing of frigates as they chased.

As for the Aeldari cruiser, once more it was cloaked and was no doubt circling, looking for a killing strike upon Xamutet's disabled ship. Solvatas's sensor suite was once more ready to deliver a ping, until the Shuvat was once again struck with white hot lasers from above. The Shuvat began to spin away, but the lasers sustained firing on the Necron ship. Necrodermis boiled away and alarms and warnings blared in Solvatas' throne room. The Aeldari ship was bearing down above her now to finish her off.

Then a lance of emerald light slammed into the enemy cruiser's side. Then another beam hit it again and forced the lone Aeldari ship to change course and flee behind its holofield. A grumbling, annoyed voice barked over the comms, "You need not bother any longer with your vigil cousin."

The Necron cruiser's lights began to flutter and then shone brightly once again. Solvatas was now detecting the ship of the line had recovered from its power issues and was now ready for battle. The Black Death spoke with authority over the communication suite, "Now, I shall end this battle once and for all!"

The Solvatakh cruiser's engines roared to life and began moving towards the Aeldari ship's last known position. The Shuvat's sensor suite sent out one last scan at Solvatas' behest, detecting the ship attempting to head towards the Collector base. Swarms of Doom Scythes were released from Xamutet's vessel, assuming formation before flying towards the beleaguered Normandy. Brilliant green lightning began to engulf the large Necron vessel before disappearing in a flash of light. The same burst of light appeared again in front of the fleeing Aeldari ship, dissipating to reveal the Necron cruiser now burning towards it at full speed. It fired its Particle Whip towards the rear of the enemy ship, boiling through its lighter rear armor, piercing through the engine block and out to sever the rear fin. With its manuevering suddenly cut, the Aeldari ship now was unable to avoid the Necron harvest vessel's charge. The crescent moon fore collided into the Aeldari light cruiser, the damaged blade edge cracking under the strain of the collision as it carried the enemy ship along through the void. Then the Necron ship reversed its engines and let the enemy ship fly free from its grasp. Xamutet fired all weapon systems as it spun away. Sections of once pristine Wraithbone hull were now ripped away by particle beams and bursts of emerald lightning. A critical hit to the central axis caused the Aeldari cruiser to explode like a blossoming flower of colors from a spinning top.

Meanwhile, the Aeldari fighters continued to harass the Normandy and its fellow frigates. Their beams and plasma rounds leaving scores of blackened scarring on the recently upgraded armor of the human scout ship. Several other frigates had been disabled by the Aeldari and were in flames. Joker gritted his teeth as the enemy craft continued to outmaneuver him and EDI. Then the formation of Doom Scythes appeared and the Aeldari fighters, seeing they had run out of time, proceeded to flee. Joker grinned as he primed more missiles, "Oh no you don't! You little bastards aren't getting away that easy!"

Missiles were unleashed and yet even in the face of defeat, the Aeldari struggled to survive. They performed maneuvers of pirouettes and sudden shifts in direction that seemed impossible to the humans witnessing it. But Joker's missiles were just to keep the Aeldari off balance. The Doom Scythes sliced into the Aeldari formation, beams of uncaring emerald green striking down the evasive fighters now unable to stop the inevitable. Several managed to flee the sudden massacre only for the Normandy to cut in with laser fire of its own to finish them.

With the void now clear of the enemy, Xamutet announced to all remaining ships in the vicinity, "The battle in the void is now won. It is time to finish this!"

"Not so quick cousin, if you're thinking what I know you're thinking, it would be ill-advised." Solvatas cut in.

Xamutet grunted, "It would only take a well placed focus of fire to destroy that pathetic rock and all within it. Why wait?"

"Because then you would rob the Phaeron of his revenge, remember? That was the whole point of you coming was it not? I also happen to have servants within that rock. Individuals that would be rather...troublesome to replace."

The commander of the Necron flagship huffed, "Your servants survival is not my concern...but in regards to the Phaeron's wishes you are right. So it is to be a ground battle then?"

"Indeed. Meet with me at these coordinates within the station's dockyard. I will gather my forces and meet you there."

"Very well...exile. I shall meet you upon the field soon."

With that sorted out, the communique ended and Solvatas brought up another comm link to the Normandy, "Shepard, it is time. I am sending you coordinates based upon my earlier scans of the station. From there we should be able to reach as many points of interest as possible to achieve our objectives."

"Got it, we'll be there." The Commander replied.

Collector Station, Docking area.

The Normandy landed along with the other remaining frigates within the remains of the docking area of the Collector station. This segment of the station was a total mess after Solvatas' attack. Gangways and super-heated debris were still scattered throughout, along with the insect-like corpses of Collectors strewn all around. Despite the dock's state there were still several places where frigate's like the Normandy could make a landing. The Necron Ships remained at a distance, transporting warriors in via Ghost Arks to the position in order to begin securing the site.

Shepard and his team had assembled and suited up appropriately, wearing fully sealed armored hard suits and helmets. Their skeletal allies were now scouring through the rubble and chopping the Collector bodies to ensure they were dead. Sometimes a screech was heard indicating one was indeed still alive for a moment before being torn apart. The other Omega frigates had dispatched teams of their own. The soldiers included Turian, Batarian, Vorcha, Human, a few Krogan and even Necron units being led by a single soldier in familiar looking armor. It was a Turian too by the looks of it, wearing a rust colored Turian hard suit and he came ahead of the others to greet the Commander.

"Commander Shepard." the Turian officer greeted, a Phaeston rifle in his hands.

Shepard nodded but noticed something recognizable, he replied, "You sound familiar..."

"I would hope so. You helped me out some time ago back on Omega when Aria was still in charge."

A Vorcha behind the Turian suddenly grumbled and spat something under its breath in its helmet before the Turian officer looked over his shoulder. Even behind the black visor the Vorcha sensed hostile intent and backed off behind several of its kin. Solvatas' field commander looked back to Shepard. The former Spectre then had a good idea who it was, "Captain...Gavorn right?"

Gavorn nodded, "You got it. Saved me a lot of trouble back then thanks to you."

"So you're leading Solvatas' troops here?"

"Sort of, not all of them of course. Omega is now locked down by order of the Phaeron. So other than her own personal troops here and on her ship, we're all that's left of the Omega forces she's got."

Shepard crossed his arms, "You decided to stay on eh? No hard feelings after she took out Aria?"

The former Omega Captain shrugged, "There was some, lost a few guys I knew when that all went down. But that's the Terminus for you. It forces you to make tough choices and I decided that if she was the one to be in charge, then I just would have to deal with that. Besides, it seems she took notice of me and put me in charge of helping police the station at the time. I was already doing that under Aria when it came to the Vorcha, so it wasn't too big of a change. Other than having to deal with more problems than the usual Vorcha reports."

"So she recognized your talent and gave you a command position huh? I suppose that was a perk of staying on."

"I guess, it certainly hasn't been easy. Collectors attacking the station and now the boss getting exiled by her own boss...yet, she's still determined to move forward. Like Aria was...in a way. I respect that. A lot of us do. Its why we're here."

"Did you know she was a Necron?"

"Not until recently. I guess having been kicked out of the Phaeron's good graces she decided not to hide behind the mask anymore. I always suspected something about her before though. As an Asari the air about her...never seemed right. Having worked under Aria and around a lot of 'em before there's a certain vibe about Asari you can always sorta sense. Not so with Solvatas. Her demeanor was... too cold for a race like that, even for a Matriarch."

Sudden emerald bursts of electricity appeared beside them, startling a few unprepared individuals in the groups of both commanders. The Vymark herself along with Nev'El and more units of Warriors and Immortals appeared beside her, "Commanders." Solvatas acknowledged.

Gavorn gave a slight bow while Shepard simply replied with a nod, "Vymark."

"We will need to be brief in our planning. While the potential for enemy eyes to be watching us is possible, it is more likely the Aeldari may have used their clairvoyance to prepare a defense in advance. Despite their powers, with Xamutet and his forces, we have the numbers and the strength to finish them." Solvatas stated confidently.

"How much is he bringing exactly?" Shepard asked.

"Several hundred Warriors and Immortals along with five thousand auxiliary units."

"Auxiliaries?" Garrus asked concerned.

"Impressed units from conquered territories. Usually those who have broken dynastic law or forcibly augmented into our forces due to need." Solvatas explained.

"And how exactly are these units...augmented?" Garrus said, scowling as if he already guessed the answer.

"Do you really wish for me to go into details of the procedure... Garrus Vakarian?" Solvatas dryly replied almost sounding bored with eyes slitted.

The Turian shook his head, "Of course, you and the Collectors are so alike like that. How else can your kind keep control with a population that won't just bend the knee to whatever you want."

The Vymark tilted her head before warning, "I'd suggest you keep those comments to yourself for the time being. I agree, it is in poor taste augmenting organic beings in such a...crude process. But the decision ultimately wasn't mine to make."

Garrus placed his taloned hands on his hips, sarcastically quipping, "Oh I'm sure you were so broken up about it when you heard. Not like your kind actually cared about these people in the first place."

"That's enough Garrus, you've made your point and I agree. But right now we need them...as much as we don't like it." Shepard said looking to his friend while also putting himself between his Turian compatriot and the Vymark.

"I'm just saying what everyone else will be thinking when they see our "allies" in the field. May as well voice our grievances while we still can." Garrus explained, furrowing his scaled brow.

"Than I hope you got it all out of your system Vakarian. Xamutet is not one to tolerate such curt responses. When he arrives, I must impress upon all of you to never speak out of turn and let me and Shepard do the talking. Understood?" The Vymark asked plainly.

"Or else what? He'll actually kill us on the spot? He'll do that to allies before an operation?" Kasumi asked, baffled and truly wondering if Xamutet was that crazy.

Solvatas shook her head while she explained, "We're not exactly on good terms with the dynasty at the moment...and my cousin has killed for lesser offenses."

Kasumi huffed, while she replied sarcastically, "Wow... he must have been a real 'charmer' at parties back in the day."

"Hardly, but if that is enough to placate your need to air grievances than I suggest you keep anything else to yourselves." Solvatas warned again.

Right on cue, large bursts of green electrical light appeared behind Solvatas and her soldiers. When the light faded, what was left in its place, was a monstrous being on three metallic spider legs. Behind the giant figure were Immortals donned in black necrodermis alongside a pair of Lychguard. When Solvatas turned to see, even she couldn't help but gasp through her audio emitters what she was looking at. Before her was the visage of a Skorpekh Destroyer. Its upper body was that of any Necron but it was borne up by three large spider-like legs. Its necrodermis was pure black with one glowing green eye from its face, while a mangled mesh of wires connected to an opposing Skarab eye. It bore a long shafted reaping scythe in one hand, crackling with energy along the blade. The upper skeletal body was that of a Necron Lord reinforced in further armored black necrodermis.

Solvatas recognized it immediately before slowly voicing aloud who this was, "Dead gods...cousin?"

"Yes exile...it is I." Xamutet responded, his audio emitters giving off a more distorted variation of his usual tone of voice.

"What have you done to yourself?"

Xamutet brought his free hand into a fist before striking his reinforced metal rib cage, "Become the weapon my Phaeron needs of me to be. For I am now Nemesor of the dynasty! As the leader of my Phaeron's armies it was only fitting I...evolve into my new role as he evolved into his."

"By becoming a Destroyer?!"

"I am not like those insane lunatics! I am the blade of my Phaeron and I bring ruination to all things! But like any good blade, I know when to be sheathed. However, I do respect the Destroyers dedication to destruction. Hence my new form is a reflection of my pledge to my Phaeron and to avenge myself upon all who have crossed me!" Xamutet exclaimed, his clenched fist shaking with his eyes glowing brilliantly.

Solvatas frowned, though one couldn't see it, "This is about Du'Maat isn't it? What did he do to you?"

"He infected me with some kind of virus. It turned all who had been struck by him into maddened creatures that then spread it to others. I had my death mask cracked by a Lychguard so infected. Thankfully my systems were able to deny the virus in time...but my necrodermis now cannot reform properly. Thus I decided if I cannot be restored to my original state, then I would be reborn anew! This form is superior to my original, with greater speed and strength! Du'Maat best pray he doesn't encounter me again. I would tear him apart and display his head and parts as a warning to all who dare cross me or the Phaeron again!" Xamutet declared, his burning eyes scanning all around him as if his warning included everyone else present.

"I can't imagine any here would argue with that Xamutet. But is this truly what you want? To be seen only as a weapon, nothing more?" Solvatas asked tepidly, but inwardly was incredibly wary.

A growl was emitted by Xamutet, leaning back on his rear leg as he stood up straighter atop his new lower portion, "We have talked long enough, now we must be about the butchering of our foes."

Solvatas gathered herself and nodded, now looking to the other commanders and withdrawing a green orb from her waist, "Indeed, let's be about our business then."

The green orb left her skeletal hand on its own and glowed, emitting holographic windows that drew Gavorn and Shepard closer, leaving their teams to stay at attention, with some nervous now at the giant Necron's earlier declaration. With two metal fingers Solvatas encouraged a closer approach to the orb as it gathered available data, loading it into the windows that now appeared to all four commanders. A holographic x-ray diagram of the Collector base appeared before them, featuring a complex network of tunnels and chambers within. Multiple green dots were indicating their current position but there were also other green dots scattered in other locations both above and below them.

Solvatas began, "The situation is thus, our main force is gathering here at the dockyard. From this position we can muster and assail many different points of entry within the base to bring about its destruction. However, there are other objectives that must be accounted for first."

The Vymark looked to her fellow Necron commander, "What is the Phaeron's demands regarding any further assistance on this matter?"

Xamutet huffed again through his audio emitters, "He decreed that he would only commit himself to battle if it was assured we could corner Grenthor within. I presume he means to personally avenge himself. I certainly would in his position, such as when I find Harbinger and bring him to heel before I tear him to pieces."

Solvatas nodded, "Very well, then to ensure his will shall be done there are several matters to attend to. First we need to cut off the Aeldari's means of retreat. Legion and other units have detected strange energy readings leading upwards toward this section of the base here." The Vymark explained, her skeletal fingers tracing green dots upon the hologram in front of her that then created a faint line to other commander's holos. The line then traced from the isolated green dots to the upper portion of the base where Necrontyr script was displayed with a faint red aura projecting around a large chamber.

"The readings were unusual but based upon my experience, I have deduced it must be some kind of Webway gate." The Vymark explained.

"Webway gate? Is that sorta like a Mass Relay device or something?" Gavorn asked.

Solvatas nodded, "In a manner of speaking, though how they established such a thing in this galaxy is...disconcerting. The original Webway was leftover from the Aeldari's creators. It is a vast network of inter-dimensional tunnels that once connected a vast galactic empire. This gateway would imply that they have somehow managed to create a Webway all on their own."

"Or a similar equivalent." Shepard interjected, "They've certainly had the time to figure things out while living on their new artificial homeworld. There's no telling what kind of technology they discovered during their time there."

"A fair point Commander." Solvatas acknowledged, "Regardless, for our purpose this gateway must be destroyed. So long as it stands, they could use it either to deploy more forces or once the battle turns against them, flee at their leisure."

"We may need a sizable force to attack that thing. I'd imagine it would be well protected." Garrus commented crossing his arms while contemplating the image on the holo.

Xamutet took several steps forward, the glow from the holograms lighting up his obsidian form in a green hued light, "Hmph, its all too obvious what must be done. I shall lead our forces into a frontal assault at this location." The Nemesor pointed and a line began to form and trace at the point of his skeletal index finger from his free hand. From the line he circled a chamber at the central axis of the base before continuing, "Based upon your minion's intelligence gathering cousin, vast quantities of data and communications is being processed there. It is likely the Collector's command and control...where Harbinger is likely located."

"Ah so your usual approach Xamutet?" Solvatas quipped, one eye slitted while the other remained an orb.

The Nemesor leaned back, his arms returning to a neutral stance, making his armored chest plate more pronounced, "It is logical. The Collectors will do their utmost to protect their leader and no doubt they will draw the Aeldari to aid them in their defense. With their forces being diverted to aid against the main thrust, it will allow you and your...allies... to proceed with other objectives."

"Depending upon their relationship with the Collectors, the Aeldari may not necessarily divert too much of their defensive line away from their gate. Past skirmishes remind us that they are quite self-serving and would never wholly commit to aid allies if it meant taking too many casualties." The Vymark reminded.

"Whats down here in the lower section?" Shepard asked pointing at a very large chamber several sections below the central Command and Control area.

"A large chamber of some kind, we are still gathering intelligence on the area. Based upon the most recent forays by my few Canoptek Scarabs, there appears to be a network of tubes pumping some kind of fluid to the rear of that chamber. It appears to be some kind of organic substance. I am only now commencing an analysis of said substance, it should be complete within a few moments." Solvatas explained.

Gavorn hummed in thought as he crossed his arms, "Pretty big place, maybe its some kind of storage facility?"

Shepard motioned for Miranda and Garrus to join him at his hologram, "What do you think?"

"It could be where they are creating more of themselves. Possibly growing them via cloning or other means. We never got a good analysis of the Collector's bodies Shepard." The Normandy XO said.

"I did." Solvatas interjected, "After the battle on my station, we had plenty of bodies for study. It seems the Collectors are all clones. Prothean clones if your DNA data on that species' traces were any indication. This facility could very well be where they are creating their forces."

Miranda's eyes widened at the revelation, "Wait a second! Protheans?! How is that possible?! Even through cloning, their genetics would have horribly degraded over that many centuries."

Shepard furrowed his brow in thought as he thought about it, "Maybe the Reapers figured out a method to at least keep their DNA stable. It does make sense though...the Reapers wouldn't just let all their slaves die out from the last invasion. So they kept the survivors alive, modified them, then exposed them to the galaxy under a new guise, the Collectors. Kidnapping or trading new species for their experiments and when necessary, use them to facilitate another Reaper invasion. Especially since Sovereign's attempt failed at the Citadel."

Garrus nodded, "It certainly fits the evidence. But it doesn't change what we're up against. We have numbers sure but if they can just make more, they could potentially overrun us by unleashing unfinished copies. They could have hundreds...possibly thousands. If we can't assault that facility directly we should at least sever it from the rest of the base by sealing the tunnels. Could be done either through hacking their systems or by collapsing them."

"All irrelevant conjecture once Grenthor is dead. After which, the Great One or I will simply bombard the station to dust and be done with it." Xamutet said dismissively.

"Analysis of the substance from the tubes is complete...wait." Solvatas paused.

"What is it?" Shepard asked.

"It is DNA as I suspected, but...it is not Prothean." Solvatas looked to the Commander and slitted her eyes, "It is Human."

"What?!" Garrus exclaimed.

"But that doesn't make any sense either! Why in the hell do they need Human DNA?" Miranda questioned.

Solvatas shrugged, "I do not know, perhaps it has something to do with their experiments that Shepard mentioned earlier."

Garrus then realized something, "The colonists...is it possible to make a comparative analysis with DNA on record?"

The Vymark shook her head, "We could, but we do not have the time-"

"We've gone over this long enough!" Xamutet suddenly shouted, his patience at an end, "My forces will deploy to destroy the enemy's command structure. So long as you prevent Grenthor escaping, you are free to waste time where ever you choose to go!"

Solvatas turned to her black metallic kinsmen, "Xamutet we need to-"

"No! I've entreated this farce long enough! You are not in command, I AM! I will take Harbingers head, you will destroy Grenthor's means of escape. Once you've performed your part, the Great One will arrive to deliver the killing blow before we leave this place and destroy it."

"Protocol dictates that even in exile I still hold some command authority when attached to a Nemesor's command. We may need your forces to assist us in our task!" The exiled Necron insisted.

Xamutet approached and leaned down towards his wayward cousin, eyes glowing bright, his voice growling, "I never initiated such protocols...exile. Thus I am under no obligation to listen to you or your menial's complaints. Complete your objectives with what you have. I may send forces to your operating areas...if the Great One wills it."

"And if Grenthor escapes because of this?" Solvatas retorted.

The Black Death's head tilted slightly, his gaze still burning, "Then that will be your problem to resolve...not mine."

When they finished speaking, more and more bursts of energetic emerald energy appeared behind him. It began as another dozen of Necron Immortals, then several dozen more, followed by warriors and auxiliaries. They then arranged into formation behind the Nemesor as he turned away from the congregation of Commanders. With his scythe raised high, energy crackling along its blade. Xamutet declared, "To me my warriors! Let no fleshling survive our wrath! Purge them all!"

Solvatas could only shake her head as Xamutet joined alongside his stream of warriors, now moving in perfect formation. The clanks of their metal feet were joined with the louder stomps of their Necron general marching beside them, eager to bring his scythe to the enemy. Necron forces continued to teleport in, while the formation marched on where they quickly formed with the main column. The Necron soldiers were like an assembly line of death, their lifeless glowing eyes and weapons the only glowing contrast to their dark metal skin.

Garrus could see among them, the shapes of Turian-like Necrons alongside the human Pariah Auxiliaries within the formation. The Turian's jaw dropped behind his helmet, "Spirits...Shepard...those are-"

"I know...there's nothing we can do for them." Shepard said empathically.

The Commander's friend tightened his talons into a shaking fist, "They deserved better than this Shepard."

"They do...but we can't do anything for them right now. We have to stay focused, can you do that?"

Garrus was quiet for a moment, then sighed, "Yeah...but now I really wished I had that drink back on the ship first."

Solvatas spoke up again, getting the assembly's attention away from the continuous columns of Necron forces and back to the holographic of the Collector base, "Well... since Xamutet is now committed, we must decide on what our tasks shall be. It would appear my few scouting scarabs have been caught and destroyed...surprising."

"Seeker swarms?" Shepard asked.

Solvatas tilted her head, still slightly perplexed, "Possibly, however they were able to provide more data before they were discovered." The holographic display of the Collector base was updated with new blue dots concentrated around an area in the presumed cloning facility. Solvatas continued, "My scarabs were able to locate the source of where the Human DNA was originating and they detected human heartbeats via pulse scans coming from this location."

"There are colonists alive?! That's surprising considering what we've just learned." Miranda said.

"If there are people alive down there, we can't just leave them." Garrus declared.

"They are not a priority Vakarian. After all they may be indoctrinated and become a liability if allowed to return." Solvatas stated.

Shepard crossed his arms stating, "We don't leave people behind. Can't that device you gave us before detect any kind of Reaper indoctrination?"

The Vymark shook her head, "That machine is strictly for the safe removal of the mind shackle. Maybe it could provide a thorough scan of a subject, but if it does not know what to look for you would end up with either false positives or finding nothing at all. A waste of time, of which we have little."

"Even then, we could still keep them safe and detained on our ship until its all over. Then we can figure out if they're indoctrinated or not. If there's a chance to save those people..." Shepard insisted before being cut off.

Solvatas scoffed, "You would be willing to waste time and resources on people who may very well already be essentially dead or worse? I know like the Aeldari, you Humans care about your kin...but these people may not even be useful in the end. They're certainly not enough of them to warrant dividing our forces any further."

Garrus pointed an angry talon at the Necron, "That's because your kind doesn't understand people! Just like any AI, all you Necrons can see are numbers...not the individuals that those numbers represent! They aren't machines you can just throw away! Those are sentient beings who are being experimented on and killed for only Spirits know what! We're not going to abandon them!"

Miranda nodded in agreement, "Solvatas has a point...but so does Garrus. Life...is precious. Perhaps you cannot see the logic in it, but we can't ignore whats being done to them. These people don't deserve whats happening to them. If we can save even a portion of those taken, we can say that we didn't lose all of them. That in of itself to us is a victory."

The Necron exile shook her head at it all, "Hmph, victory you say? A quaint naive notion, but fine. Use your forces as you see fit if you are so determined. My forces will concentrate on the gate."

Shepard raised a hand, "Hold up. You don't have to do it all, the Normandy team will split up."

"But we may need everything we got in order to get into that cloning facility Shepard! Solvatas can handle the gate on her own." Garrus said.

"Yet the only reason we're getting help is because of the possibility of them taking out Grenthor. That buys us time to get the people out of here. Otherwise if Grenthor escapes, Xamutet will just blow up the asteroid and kill everyone in it, right?" The Commander said looking over to Solvatas.

The Necron lord merely shrugged, "Indeed, that includes even us if we cannot escape quickly enough."

"Right." Shepard nodded before looking back to Garrus, "Hence if we can take that gate out, then the Aeldari and the Collectors will fight even harder. Which in turn buys us more time to save those people."

"Yes, and I don't know if any of you thought about it, but there may be another Aeldari fleet on the way. We need to get this done quickly." Miranda reminded.

Shepard nodded, "Then I'll take a team to assist Solvatas in knocking out that gate. Garrus you take the rest and find a way to get the colonists out of there."

Garrus sighed, "I guess I kind of set myself up for this job didn't I?"

"Well you were the one making the big deal about it." Kasumi quipped from the back.

Shepard then approached the rest of his team, "Alright, time to choose who's going where and get moving." The former Spectre then brought his right fist into his open left palm making a loud armored smack as he announced, "Its time to bring these people home!"

The Normandy team acknowledged with some light cheering and nodding, leaving Solvatas shaking her head, internally groaning at their enthusiasm. She looked ahead towards the entrance to the Collector base and the final battle, eyes slitted in contemplation.