Rising from the Embers of Sera Chapter 30: Growing Infestation, a Gears of War + Mass Effect Crossover fanfic

Well, here I am with a chapter right away! Figure updating this story twice in row would appease the fanfiction gods! Obviously, stuff is developing on the fringes of the galaxy which will not bode well later on! Keep in mind that these plots points could still take several years to happen (In story)

I'm still debating the arrival of a genocidal insectoid race that sees all sentient life as food. Let me know your opinion on that because there is still plenty of time between now and the Reaper war so it could still be a viable conflict. By now, you should all see that this galaxy will be full of conflict,strife and war.

Still, I appreciate that so many of you continue to enjoy this story and provide positive feedback!

I would also like to add that if you have an idea for some NPC character to appear in the story, please provide a name, species and appearance along with career. Keep it reasonable though. If somebody submits 10 characters or more, I'll just ignore it.

Now, feast with your...EYEHOLES!

Chapter Thirty: Expanding Infestation

Gorfin One, 17th of Frost, 428 A.E.

The Coalition had easily landed troops on the desolate planet of Gorfin One as the fighting raged beneath Gorfin Two and Three, the locust resisting the invaders as the system bastion of eighty thousand faced off against nearly a quarter million COG troops.

Rock Diggers had burrowed into the trio of planets, the subterranean tunnels unleashing atmosphere in gouts of gases and air at numerous locations to bring the war to the horde more than a mile below the airless surface.

Flashes of gunfire, tracers and laser blasts ripped through the poorly illuminated tunnel, momentarily revealing the hunched over forms of Serans, Krogans and locust as they fought each other among the rising outcrops, uneven surfaces and varied elevations that populated the subterranean world.

Red ripples of laser fire erupted from half a dozen Grinders, the larger locust killing several Serans and Krogan that were caught in the crossfire as they supported the stomping, snarling form of an armored Behemoth.

"Fire! Kill as many as you can for the empire!" Troop Master Grikkval snarled with a shout as he steered the Behemoth toward an approaching cluster of Krogan. Squeezing a trigger on the steering stick before him in the pilot's seat, two ripples of high velocity rockets flared out. Landing among the knot of rushing Krogan, pieces of aliens were flung as half a dozen died among screaming shrapnel. Following up with a MAC shell from the head mounted weapon platform of the six legged monstrosity, Grikkval grinned as his yellow eyes glowed with mirth from more enemy dead.

"Don't bunch up!" Lieutenant Faulkner shouted through his sealed helmet as he rose out of cover to fire at the hated horde that crowded the dark tunnel. Still using an old Mark Three, the tracers howled with a crack as he fired a quick burst, then retook cover from horrendous grinder fire as the outcrop shuddered from battle.

A krogan died next to the Gear, the head turning into a mist of horrid paste of pink and bone fragments that sprayed across the desolate cavern floor. Another took his place, the dead body barely a notice as Jarn Hovdin hunched down, the large Krogan clutching his lancer as rippling fire snapped back and forth. Fully enclosed in armor and a sealed helmet due to the lack of viable atmosphere, the seasoned warrior felt a primal thrill from war once more.

Spotting movement among the flashes and rampant explosions that shook dust from the ceilings cavern more than a mile below the planets surface, Jarn fired, unleashing a half magazine. Ducking low suddenly, the place of cover was rocked as belching locust rockers burst on the other side of the rising outcrop, spreading fire and hissing shrapnel over the heads of the numerous Gears and Krogan.

"GARK! HUSTIN! GET THOSE LANCES ON THAT BEHEMOTH!" Blindfiring over the lip of cover, Jarn was pleased to see the younger warriors moving into position, the Thermic Lance team already targeting the large creature as it continued to play havoc with the assault.

More men, women and Krogan died among each stabbing flare of illumination that would temporarily highlight positions.

But locust died as well.

A sudden sizzle and flash of light raced along the length of the tunnel, bypassing the trenches, defensive works and battle lines the horde had established.

Punching through the large frontal skullplate of the Behemoth, the creature stumbled as its brain was liquified from the passage of the high heat lance. As a bonus, Troopmaster Grikkval was cut in half as the munition punched through the hide of the neck, leaving his upper portion to fall as the dying creature stumbled and collapsed among scrambling locust forces.

"Let's go, Gears!" Vaulting over the piece of cover with a wave of his arm, Lieutenant Faulkner moved into the maelstrom of combat with more Krogan and Gears in his wake.

"Yeah..YEAH! EAT SHIT AND DIE!" Pumped up from battle, Jarn met a locust in a chainsaw duel, the sparking hiss of teeth a howl among the carnage of the greater battle. Unfortunately for Jarn, the locust drone proved superior as the beastly reptilian cut though the heavily armored Krogan, the teeth spewing ichor, chunks and gore in a vile concoction. Dropping in a ripped open pile as the darkness of the tunnel suddenly illuminated with a fresh flash, Jarn was avenged by his younger cousin who fired a double shot of thermic gnasher shells point blank into the murderous drone.

"He died in battle, Adaff!" Throwing a thermite grenade from his new place of cover, Lieutenant Faulkner was rewarded with a scream of wounded aliens as the bomblet burst twenty yards away.

"It was a good death worthy of a Krogan warrior!" Responding with a yell as he reloaded his Gnasher, Adaff Hovdin kept low in a hunched run, moving to the far left of the new offensive line. Squinting his large eyes as his helmet assisted with the low level lighting, he joined several Krogan and Gears moving on the right flank up a slight rise.

Blasting a drone point blank that ripped the creature in half, he helped take the elevated position through hellish hand to hand, claw, and screaming chainsaw teeth that saw several dead on both sides.

"LARP! GET THAT LASER MULCHER SET UP RIGHT HERE!" A female Gear yelled as she dropped into the firing pit still filled with locust dead. Executing a still struggling drone with a heavy boot stomp to the head, Sergeant Betti Sanders moved to the closest wall of the zigzagged trench line, the female supported by a mix of Coalition forces.

Screaming, red laser fire soon erupted from Specialist Larp, the young Krogan a hulking beast in his own right that could easily go toe to toe with any Boomer. Aimed at the locust lines, it cut down several as the drones hastily took cover, the tide of battle slowly shifting against them.

Raining boomshot shells landed among several drones, ripping the enemy to bloody pieces while shrapnel shards punctured sealed suits, leaking precious air.

"Retreat! Retreat to the next line my brothers!" Howling the words among the gloom and sudden flashes of battle, the call went out to the horde as numerous Boomers fired off their own response, the shells bursting and claiming more lives while more howled from sudden wounds.

Green waves of heated fire suddenly flared outward from a drone, the creature equipped with a plasma thrower as his comrades covered the specialist. Washing over half a dozen Krogan and Serans, the vile heat consumed armor, shields and flesh as they died with howls of agony and stinking flesh.

"Burn em! Burn em out!" Specialist Ovilari snarled with extreme hate and rage as he returned fire with fire, the Gear unleashing a hellish stream of napalm that engulfed the plasma thrower in a searing flare of fire and death. Locust flesh stunk with charred horror as the Coalition forces kept up the pressure, the Gears not sparing any in their path.

But the horde withdrew in good order to the next line, laying down heavy munitions that often kept the Gears and Krogan from pursuing directly.

The tunnel narrowed to barely thirty feet wide three hundred yards away, the locust having established a series of fortifications, kinetic barriers, grinder nests and sniper outposts to give the invaders a deadly headache.

Now nestling into the fortifications that steadily rose on an incline, the locust only had to wait.

Sub-troop master Torvis had taken refuge in a bunker dug directly into the stone of this subterranean tunnel. Joined by a dozen drones and a grinder who was already setting up his weapon, the helmeted drone looked out at the darkness as the last flashes of combat petered out for the moment.

Checking his oxygen levels, they were good, enough for two more days before he had to refill. Making sure his rifle was ready, it was modeled after a Turian design, making it reliable and capable of exterminating Serans...and Krogan.

Grinning to himself as his normally scowling facial muscles pulled, the locust opened communications into the open. "Come and get us Serans. You and your feeble Krogan are no match for the horde!" His voice was rough and scratchy, filled with malice and bravado as several of the drones laughed, their brays warming to the troop master.

A reply quickly came, the voice distinctly female. "I'll enjoy crushing your head beneath my boot, grub"

Suddenly, flaring lights erupted near the cavern's roof as the Coalition forces fired off several flares at the locust positions, revealing several of the firing slits.

They were targeted by Thermic lance teams, the high speed munitions burning through the desolate atmosphere of minimal gases to blow into the bunkers and kill at least twenty of the drones in a flash of deadly fire.

"Snipers! Kill those cowards!" Giving the command with a guttural yell, Torvis moved away from the firing slit as the battle started to flare once more among the gloom and darkness of Gorfin One.

Gorfin Three, approximately the same time.

Ribbons of traversing ice deposits lined the subterranean tunnels, mixing in with veins of gold, quartz and other minerals. Hanging stalactites of ice and rock created a beautiful aura of serenity as they glowed with reflective illumination.

However, the natural beauty of the caverns had been forever tainted by war.

Defensive belts covered every approach to the subterranean locust city below the frozen surface of Gorfin Three. Bunkers with interlocking fields of fire stared out over uneven ground while more had been dug into the walls of the tunnels, all populated by locust snipers and grinder nests.

It had been a massive undertaking by the surviving slaves, drones and anything that could dig, cut through rock or build defensive works that now stretched at least two miles in depth.

Behind the defensive belts, shimmering shields protected the atmosphere of the locust city as gunfire rippled in the slave pens. Salarians were cut down with screams as the guards executed the prisoners, their use now expired with the arrival of the Coalition.

"No! Please do—" The slender alien was cut down with a terrified scream, the helmeted guard continuing to fire into the diminishing ranks of Salarians as they screamed and tried to escape, only to find the stone walls of their prison their doom.

Ending the slaughter, the drones left the corpses, many smoldering and smoking in gnarled death. They would be joining the ranks of battle while others were attaching breathing apparatus to several Behemoths and Corpsers, the horde fully intending to bring the larger monsters into the battle beyond the city shields.

System Master Jarg was in full battle gear, his helmet painted a deep crimson with streaks of black paint as he crouched down below the firing slit of the bunker. Located fifty feet upward in terms of elevation, the bunker was attached to countless others in a labyrinth of tunnels, supply rooms and other essentials dug directly into the rock that extended all the way to the city's shields.

Holding an M-92 Mantis, the white and black rifle with a black scope had been a fortuitus find by Jarg in a hidden locker of some Salarian security officer whom had been killed by the System master.

Obviously, he had a lancer rifle, the weapon capable of firing mass accelerated rounds over older chemical variants. Enslaved Salarians had crafted it to his specifications. Their bodies would be used as biomass for growth vats.

"It's a shame we can't use the Berserkers, but they tear off their helmets in a blind fury and usually kill the handlers. They will die if the Serans breach the atmosphere shields of the city. Unless some locust genetics find a way to let us breathe without air"

It was a possibility among the other nests of the empire, but none were currently aware of those developments.

At least several search and destroy squads had eliminated numerous rock diggers, halting the Serans from punching through new avenues to reach the locust stronghold. It had been a bloody lesson for the COG.

Snarling behind the crimson paint of his helmet at the fact, Jarg wished he had more time to grow the colony...to build more defenses and increase locust numbers. But this was the way it was, and he would kill many Serans who forced their way toward the city.

Numerous explosions burst along the first defensive belt of the locust trench line, the impacting grenades spewing shrapnel and heated splinters while thermic lances ripped through the thin atmosphere at established targets. Numerous locust died among the heated fire, the screams gargled as precious air escaped the ruptured suits and thrashing limbs.

Stabbing red laser lights ripped over the uneven and pockmarked landscape, the Laser Mulchers of several Gears interlocking over the length of the first enemy trench line as more boomshot bursts added to the chaos. Enemy rounds of searing red and blues came howling toward the Serans, the locust not relenting as the two forces kept up a heavy fire.

A forward bunker of drones exploded from a thermic lance shell impact seventy feet away, flinging pieces of bodies and debris in a chaotic burst of screams as the heated splinters burned at four thousand degrees. The howls of wounded and dying were music to the Gears as rifle and grinder fire suddenly slacked on the left, leaving an opportunity.

"Let's go, Gears! Before they fill the gap!" Shouting over the radio embedded in her helmet, Sergeant Lea Kaliso broke cover from the seized trenchline as her squad and greater company exposed themselves to enemy fire. Rushing low and in a constant zigzag as enemy fire seared past her, Kaliso set her gaze near the pile of burning bunker rubble.

Ignoring several screams as Gears were cut down from deadly laser fire, the Sergeant reached the locust trench line and jumped down among the mangled bodies of the enemy dead. The stone walls were splattered with gore and smoking bits of shrapnel as broken debris littered the uneven ground.

"Groundwalker!" The guttural howl of hatred was drowned out by the scream of chainsaw teeth as the armored foe rushed toward Lea.

She was ready, her own lancer meeting the monster in a deadly duel as sparks screamed. "Eat shit and die!" Pushing forward as rage consumed her heart for everything these monsters had done, Kaliso proved victorious as her lancer blades ripped through the kinetic barriers, then the armor of the drone to the vital meat underneath. Flesh ripped and tore, spewing in a gruesome ichor as more Gears dropped into the enemy trench.

"Clear the trench Ninth Company!" Captain Tegrann shouted over the chaos of combat as he fired down the length at a duo of drones. Dropping both enemies with accurate fire that burned a hellish red, the officer led his Gears further to the right. "Kaliso! Move left! You know what to do!" Giving another command, Tegrann might as well have not bothered as the veteran sergeant started moving leftward, engaging the grubs as more Gears flowed into the trench, breaching the first line as more of the 3rd Battalion pushed hard against the hated locust.

Both sides tore at each other in the trenches, the hatred between Serans and Locust legendary as grenades burst among dying Gears and drones. Laser fire mixed in with mass accelerated rounds, slamming into grubs as they growled in guttural fury. Cries of torment, pain and death reverberated through the subterranean tunnel, mixing in with the buzzing of lancer chainsaws and spilling blood.

A gear died as his arm was ripped off by a larger drone, the spewing blood freezing in the harsh, deadly cold. Savoring his victory with another bellow of monstrous fury, the locust trooper suddenly spit blood into his helmet as Sergeant Kaliso shoved her lancer into the enemy's exposed back. Teeth ripped as they sliced upward through the flesh, spewing buckets of gore across Lea Kaliso as she lifted the vile creature above the frozen trench floor and mangled dead.

"Oh damn, that was nasty!" Letting the pieces of grub fall to past her, the Seran rushed in a crouch toward the next corner of the trench, its zigzag design leading to the secondary locust line.

Private Dortmund stacked up behind his sergeant, the nineteen year old now having faced weeks of harsh fighting in the bowels of Gorfin Three as spatters of gore graced his own armor.

"Sarge! How many more of these damn defensive lines do we have left to clear!?" Yelling despite the muffled noise of his helmet, the private popped up and fired over the edge of cover, his rifle burning snaps of heated red as more Gears did the same at the next layer of locust works across fifty yards of death and hell.

"Too damn many, Dortmund! Now keep firing!" Taking her own advice, Kaliso blind fired around the corner of her position, the laser blasts winging a grub, but not killing the beast as it retook cover with its comrades.

Bursts of explosive fire ripped along the frozen ground near ninth company, the screams of shrapnel, burning shards and fire flinging bits of stone and dirt as the initial salvo fell short.

Peering over the top of the trench, Private Dortmund fired his weapon at some distant target as the cavern walls blinked with constant locust fire from embedded bunkers and firing slits. But, that was only a secondary problem as a trio of Behemoths stood near the shimmering shield wall as they fired another salvo of rockets at the new Seran positions.

The rockets screamed in, with two of them impacting among a grouping of Gears to the far right engaging locust drones in vile fighting. Brewing up in a flash of fire and flinging pieces of bodies, the trench line funneled the fire and heated splinters, creating a carnal house of horrors with dead on both sides covering the blood soaked ground.

"This is Corporal Jintalli! Captain Tegrann is KIA! Lieutenant Gorvon is wounded and down with most of first squad!" A desperate cry came over the company channel, painting a grim picture as Lea Kaliso fired around the corner of the sunken trench toward some locust drone that took cover at the next turn in the defensive line.

"Sarge! I think you just got promoted!" Dortmund yelled as more barrages landed in the pock-marked hellscape between the locust belts of defenses. Tracers of red, blue and purple tacked back and forth with rippling death, flying over the no-man's land as both forces fought, bled and died.

Kaliso nodded, understanding as the suddenness of dead officers thrust the responsibility in her lap. Staying low as rippling laser fire erupted from the left sides of the cavern walls, the Seran female knew stalling or retreating would only bring heavier losses.

Activating her comms, Lea moved to let a few gears take over as she knelt near the side of the wall with more explosive bursts ripping over her head in crumpling blasts. "Ninth company! We attack left and start clearing the grub bunkers on our flank! We clear them and let our brothers in tenth company take down the Behemoths downrange! Don't bunch up and keep your head down!" Ending the transmission, Lea pointed to a trio of privates. "Flash bangs and frags! Down the zigzag! We dislodge the next group of grubs then move toward those cliffs!" Pointing toward the destination as the locust positions in higher elevations continuously fired, she made herself small as rippling red laser fire burned into the far wall of the trench barely two feet away.

"Got it, Sarge!" The Gears bellowed as they prepared to throw. Moving into position, the trio tossed the bomblets down the connecting path, only for them to explode seconds later in a burst of light and shrapnel.

Monstrous howls of pain came from ahead, spurning the gears to move.

The wounded locust were rapidly executed by stomping boot or lancer chainsaw, but there were more in the secondary line as one of the vile creatures unleashed a stream of plasma fire from further down the trench.

Ducking into a small recess near some metal boxes of supply crates, Kaliso dared not move as the streaming plasma raced by, licking at the ground in disgusting heat while her squad took equal precautions. The flaring green was finally ended, only to be followed by hideous laughter.

"Groundwalkers...fear us! Fear us and die!"

Popping out of cover, Lea aimed at the locust drone with the plasma thrower and fired ten laser shots, the energy cutting through shields and armor to burn flesh and burst the plasma tank. Erupting in a green explosion of eating energy that bubbled and popped, the remains of the drone were eaten away as the fighting continued.

"Burn you damn grubs!" Specialist Lovell howled as the larger Gear rushed forward toward a place of cover, the scorcher in his gloved hands begging to roast flesh. The stream erupted, flowing along the length of trench to claim three drones in a hellish consummation as their screams and stinking flesh charred under the pieces of their armor.

The boomer emerged from a blockhouse nestled right along the trench a hundred feet down the length of the locust trench, the firing slits erupting with red laser light as the drones inside fired at Gears still approaching from the south.

"Get in cover Lovell!" Howling the command as the man was pumped up on adrenaline, anger and the desire to kill grubs, Lea fired at the Boomer, but missed as several locust emerged to support the monster with rifle fire.

"Hehe...Boom!" The bomblet flew fast, bursting against the gear and turning Lovell into spewed paste that landed against Kaliso and the other nearby gears with a nightmarish spray of ichor and splatter.

"Shit" Uttering the snarl as the larger locust fired another rippling trio of grenades, Sergeant Kaliso kept herself small as shrapnel ripped and hissed along the trench.

It was a miracle that nobody else was wounded or killed.

"Taggert! Fessbender! Take out that Boomer! Rest of you fire on those grubs! We take that blockhouse first!" Opening up as she leaned out of cover, Lea managed to kill one of the creatures, the red laser blasts cutting through the helmet as her squad fired on the enemy, the locust drones fighting just as hard as the battle continued to rage with horrific ferocity.

Jarg snarled in anger behind his helmet, the locust officer tapping the shoulder of the Grinder nearby and pointing to the far side of the cavern as a plasma fireball roiled upward across the subterranean canyon. "The Gears are trying to reach the left flank of our line! Fire on them!"

"Grinddd" The one word was acknowledgement from the larger locust with a simple mind, the creature shifting his aim as the grinder erupted in red laser fire once more. Rippling laser fire tried to claim Seran lives, but the Gears taking the first two trench lines were not exposing themselves in great numbers as they slowly advanced.

Thermic lances suddenly burned through one of the Behemoth's head, turning the cranium into a mass of flaming flesh as the pilot, gunner and beast died in a veritable spasm of gore. Snapping up his Mantis, Jarg found those responsible hunkered in a shallow crater and commenced to fire, killing one with an exploding headshot.

Activating his comms, Jarg's voice was nothing but a snarl as the battle raged between both sides in unrelenting ferocity. "All troops will fight to the death! No retreat! We will destroy the Seran infestation of our world no matter the cost! If any cowardice is detected, I will have you executed for weakness!" Moving from the current bunker, Jarg moved briskly past running locust, the troops eager to kill their hated enemy. Climbing some stairs carved into the stone of the planet, he ascended to the top floor and entered a new bunker, this one with a trio of boomers and stockpiles of grenades. Rushing to the firing slit, the system master found another target for his sniper rifle.

"Boom!"

"Hehehe...BOOM!" The trio of voices came from the three sending a fresh salvo to burst among advancing gears of the attacking 19th Tavin Rifles, claiming several lives and wounding even more.

Sniping another Gear just as they were about to jump into the first trench, Jarg grunted in satisfaction as the body thrashed. Retrieved by another Gear, he tried to snipe the second in the helmet, but missed as the two disappeared into relative safety from his gaze.

His omni-tool beeped, drawing his attention as updates came in from his subordinates in the other defensive tunnels.

"Sub-Commander Karve reporting that we have managed to stall the Seran offensive in the West! We expect a renewed offensive tomorrow!"

"Excellent. Do all you can to prepare for the next wave. I will continue to fight and kill the enemy to our South" it was a small piece of good news that would most likely not repeat in his sector. The Gears were pushing hard, and peering through his scope, more were coming by several divisions in strength. If he had to guess, his sector alone was facing at least the combined might of three or four full infantry divisions.

He might be able to halt them for several weeks, maybe a few months at best, but Jarg knew it was only a matter of time before they would fall. Firing at another Gear, he grunted in annoyance as the accelerated round flared the enemy kinetic barriers, but failed to maim as the female went to ground, disappearing from his scope as the ferocious battle continued to rage at the doorsteps of his city.

Serpent Nebula, The Citadel, 18th of Frost, 428 A.E.

The Dark Star Lounge was surprisingly quiet as very few patrons inhabited the establishment despite the pulsing lights, music and Asari dancers. A cluster of humans sat in a corner, having a few drinks after their shift at their place of employment. Several tables over, a trio of Turians were talking with a few Asari, their drinks an assortment of multi-colored alcohols.

Glowing orange lights doused the bar, shifting as the Turian bartender wiped down the bartop, leaving it a polished sheen while several flatscreens hung above the central bar, showing a number of shows or commercials. Casting his gaze toward a lone human sitting at the end, the bartender approached as the patron's drink was threatening low.

"Want another?"

"Sure" John Shepard replied, the soldier replied softly as several of the televisions suddenly switched to a familiar newscaster wearing a deep purple dress that highlighted her beauty and shapely bosom.

"Hello. I am Bea Ja'tol for Citadel News Network and these are the top stories from across the galaxy" Taking a deep breath, her facial muscles were neutral as she spoke. "The Salarian Union has reported that all insurrection elements have been quelled, leaving them to focus on their counter-attack against the Coalition and possible locust incursions. It is also reported that they have sent delegates to meet with the Quarians and even the Klor'vian Star Republic for a possible alliance"

The bartender placed the filled glass of alcohol near John, the concoction a glowing blue with swirls of purple. Hearing the report, the Turian scoffed. "Damn fools wouldn't be scrambling for allies if they hadn't unleashed the locust on the galaxy. Besides, the Quarians hate them and the Toad's wont dare risk another war with the COG and the Citadel"

"Not wrong about that" John replied as he drank some of his booze, the taste sweet, but strong.

"In war news, Coalition and Citadel forces have declared Dagnes secure and free of locust infestation. Casualties are reported to be over one-hundred twenty thousand among invasion forces, including nearly forty five thousand dead and wounded among Terran units. The fighting was reported to be heavy and ferocious for months which left nearly the entire Salarian population dead. Fewer than thirty thousand survived the battle"

"Ferocious is an understatement. When the Serans say the locust are beasts...monsters. They weren't lying" Drinking more of his drink, John watched as the bartender leaned forward, planting the remaining bottle on the bar.

"You were there?" refilling Johns drink, the Turian's curiosity was piqued.

"Yeah. I fought in the last war too, but the locust? They need to be eradicated before they can spread further" Leaning forward, he studied the bartender as the turmoil of pain flicked behind John Shepard's eyes. "I heard...I heard they de-plate Turians. That they eat their own to sustain their strength in battle. They have no mercy. No honor. Just hate and violence"

"Spirits"

John drank some more, the leave away from the hell of Dagnes a welcome reprieve not only for Shepard, but several thousand weary troops that were taking in the Citadel and its attractions.

"In other news, representatives from Korlus have mounted a formal complaint against the Coalition for firing on their planet during a military operation securing a high value asset. Several hundred are presumed dead from the orbital strike. Salarian vessels assisted in search and rescue, retrieving several troops from the 18th Recon Group along with numerous civilians" Suddenly smiling, Bea Ja'tol moved onto more pleasant news as John continued to sit at the bar, the pulsing music barely noticed by the combat veteran as a few more patrons walked in.

"The locust aren't done. They say Dagnes is secure, but how far have they spread? How many lives is the System's Alliance willing to give?"

It was a dark thought, probably brought on by too much combat, stress and alcohol built upon months of constant war. Drinking some more, he would try to enjoy himself before duty called once again.

A few Asari walked into the bar. Beautiful in form hugging clothes of glittering blues and purples while abundant cleavage was on display. One sat next to John Shepard, showing an inviting smile as her friends ordered drinks.

"Hello" With a voice like warm honey, the Asari was obviously here to meet people as she rested her chin on her propped up hand, the smile infectious. "Are you a Terran soldier? Because...I really admire a fighting male" Admiring the musculature of John, the Asari slowly batted her eyes while puffing out her chest.

John felt his spirits lift as he started to strike up a conversation, the turn of the night very promising for him as he ordered another refill.

The Presidium, several hours later

Councilor Sparatus was seated in his personal office, reading over the reports from Dagnes after briefing the Primarch and his ministers on Palaven. Looking out the window of his office at the beauty of the nebula that swirled with pink and blue gases, he could appreciate the vista of the cosmos.

Continuing to scroll over the tablet, Sparatus finally set the piece of technology down, his pale silver eyes hiding the dark news.

By all accounts, Turian troops had taken the lowest casualties, barely thirty thousand dead and wounded, a fact that was already being released to the press. The Serans had been hit harder, but still managed fewer casualties than the Terrans, but not by much. Of course, they had the first boots on the ground and had been engaged with the horde from day one.

His computer chimed, the piece of technology sitting upon his desk of light blue materials pinging with a new communication. Obviously, he answered to find Tevos staring at him through the screen.

"Sparatus. Ambassador Almstead has requested a meeting with the council concerning the locust and the ongoing war. He'll be here in ten minutes"

"Understood. I'll be there" Ending the video message, the Turian councilor knew that it would probably be bad news as he stood to leave his office.

The five councilors were seated at their respective locations, the assembled species bathed in the light of the nebula as the lone Seran walked in with purpose, his suit a light dark while his shoes made audible clicks with each step.

Councilor Tevos looked down at Ambassador Almstead, the Seran's normally jovial nature replaced by a dour mood. "I assume that this isn't pleasant news, Ambassador?"

"Hopefully not as horrible as the reports of Turians being de-plated by the locust. I fervently wish to never view something so horrific again" Councilor Kojima added with a quick tone of disgust and horror.

Obviously, that bit of information had not been released to the public.

Tevos raised her hand, quelling any more distractions as Almstead moved toward the holo-table in the corner of the room, drawing the gaze of all five aliens. Downloading data, the piece of technology flared with an image of the galaxy, then zoomed in on a desolate star system that was once held by the Salarian Union.

Three planets floated in the dark, the miniature display orbiting a dull star. All were non-life bearing as the designation of Gorfin floated above the star system for all to view with ease.

"It was widely believed that the locust managed to escape Dagnes via starships before any military forces could arrive. Portions of the COG second fleet have finally found were they went, and all three planets of the Gorfin system are infested with the locust"

"Christ. Three more planets filled with those monsters? The Salarians really made a mess of things" Councilor Ichika Kojima uttered with distraught words, the Japanese woman rubbing the side of her temple before her eyes shifted toward Almstead. "I'm assuming your people are already engaging them?"

"Yes. Current estimates have all three planets having a locust population of fifty to ninety thousand thousand. However, that is not the worst news"

Tevos found her mood wilting, hating the fact that her guess was correct. "Of course not. Why wouldn't it get worse?"

Almstead ignored the sarcasm of the Asari, his hands rapidly controlling the holotable to show the surrounding cluster of star systems, then highlighting them in a horrid crimson as the light pulsed with a vile glow. "Pickets from the second fleet have explored the surrounding systems and found over a dozen systems with evidence of locust habitation. With the number of planets in each system, we could be facing over thirty planets infested by the horde. Of course, there is the possibility that the locust leadership have sent more of their vessels away from this cluster to infect other locations in the galaxy without our knowledge" Turning his gaze to each of the Councilors, the Seran's tone was grim. "It is the opinion of my government that this is just the beginning. The grubs know how to hide...to burrow. If I was in charge of the horde, I would be trying to grow and hide without any of the major powers discovering us. That is an estimation from several A.I. tasked with research in conjunction with the D.N.I"

"Goddess...They've spread so fast" Gulping, Tevos knew without a doubt that the Asari Republics would have to take a more aggressive approach if they were to protect their people and territories.

Councilor Sparatus glared at the stellar map, the Turian hiding his boiling anger at the horrors the Salarian Union had unleashed upon the galaxy. While he fundamentally understood that the average Salarian had nothing to do with it, that they too were sickened by their own government, he still blamed them for every dead Turian that fought on Dagnes. With a calm voice, Sparatus slowly clasped his hands before speaking. "What is the current estimation of numbers?"

"Our A.I. believe the locust will reach half a million in another six months. They grow new drones with vat technologies and natural breeding with Berserker females. Also, it's possible they are building warships, but so far we've only found a handful of derelict vessels near the orbital station of Gorfin Three"

"Spirits. If we don't find them all, they could reach millions in just a handful of years. With stolen technology, the locust could actually build battle fleets. I will inform the Primarch after this meeting of the growing threat to the galaxy"

Councilor Irit Non breathed heavily, the Volus's suit glowing a bright yellow at the eye lenses. "My species is not well suited for war, Sera-clan. But we still have a single fleet. Supporting the search for locust worlds is necessary"

"I agree with the Volus councilor. The Asari cannot sit aside while the rest of the galaxy fights these horrors" Tevos added with a clipped tone, the beautiful female knowing it could cause possible strife. "However, I am curious about the ultimate war goals concerning the Salarian Union"

Jonathan Almstead gave a small shrug, the Seran male speaking quickly. "I am not privy to war plans, but I believe the overall goal will be returning a few Krogan worlds, reducing their fleets and dismantling the S.T.G. They cannot be allowed to continue as an organization" He paused for a moment.

"I would also add that a ground invasion is off the table. The COG has no desire to hold down the whole Union or even their homeworld. Orbital bombardment will only be used as a last resort"

Tevos visibly relaxed, fully remembering the horrific battles from the last war. "That is a relief"

"While I'm sure the COG won't be turning every Salarian city into cinders, the System Alliance is going to have their hands full keeping an eye on the Batarians. The civil war has mostly ended, but I wouldn't trust the Hegemony or the Star Belt Nation for anything. They claim peace and reconstruction, but those four eyed slavers would love to take some Terran worlds and citizens as prizes" Adjusting her glasses, the attractive Terran spoke loud enough to make her position clear. "We will still provide troops, but Earth isn't like Sera. Heavy casualties will only increase war weariness. Hell, the latest news of losses has already triggered demonstrations in several major cities like London, New York, Paris and Madrid"

"The Coalition can handle the locust if the Systems Alliance prefers to pull back. We beat them once, we can do it again" Tone firm with the weight of Seran history, Almstead returned to the holo-table, the highlighted section of crimson near the far reaches of the S.U. "Leaving the horde unchecked is not an option. They are expanding horrifically fast, most likely using lone ships to infect new worlds. Being subterranean, they can dig and burrow far below the surface, making orbital strikes ineffective. Digging them out tunnel by tunnel, world by world will most likely take years of war"

"Eliminating the locust is taken very seriously by the Primarch and the Hierarchy. We will continue to fight side by side with the COG despite the horrors of those beasts. No mercy will be returned to those monsters who...de-plate our brave warriors. The dishonor they display cannot be forgiven" Resolute in his words, Sparatus knew that even if he suggested peace or leaving the COG to fight alone, he would be ridiculed at best, removed from his office at worst.

"The Asari will increase patrols and survey vessels immediately. If the locust horde has spread farther, we must find them before they threaten council territory" Letting a very human sigh escape her lips, Tevos didn't want to think about how long this conflict would last.

Or how horrible it would become.

Tenvor'ti System, Capital of Klortha 20th of Frost, 428 A.E.

Moist humidity wafted through the window, the scent of bogs and moisture a pleasant aroma to First Consul Bo'klar as the threat of rain would be welcome to the city of Klortha. Abundant plants hung from the walls, bathed in sunlight as numerous paintings of landscapes and the efforts of reconstruction graced the walls.

Sitting behind his desk, the Klor'vian blinked rapidly, his reptilian eyes watching the duo of Salarians that had made the long journey to the Klorvan Star Republic. Entwining his fingers with sharpened nails, the former fleetmaster gave a subtle snort, the air leaving his breathing slits in an exhale. "I assume you're here because of the Salarian Union's current troubles?" Voice harsh and representing pouring gravel, Bo'klar waited as humidity fell upon his scales in a soothing manner of moisture.

One of the Salarian's stepped forward by a half step, his name Hishar Ti'rok. Presumably part of the STG, the other remained silent, the agent like a rock. "You assume correctly. The Coalition is a threat to galactic stability. Their aggression has brought ruin and war to countless worlds including Dagnes. Millions of our peop-"

Bo'klar slammed a fist upon his desk, the throat sac along his neck turning a deep red as his anger manifested in moments. "Do you take me for a fool!? It was the fault of your species meddling with the fallen locust that gave the Serans cause for conflict! Yet you come here seeking aid? Military support!?" Rising from his seat, Bo'klar glared death at the diplomat. "My people came within a blade's edge of extinction because of our vile religion and campaigns of genocide! I WILL NOT RISK WAR AGAINST THE COALITION!"

Hishar hefted a data pad, extending it with diminishing hope. "If you would study what an alliance could bring, the Salarian Union could ensure that the K.S.R. would not face Seran offensive power"

His throat sac turned slightly yellow, still mixed with red as the ludicrous statement made him chuckle. "Your mad if you think I'll risk our remaining worlds...the population of my people for a mistake YOU CAUSED!" Slamming his palm on a button, the buzzer immediately summoned two soldiers in heavy armor, the power lights a warm green. Holding lancer rifles and fully helmeted, their menacing aura fully understood. "Leave this city and don't return with such...foolish ideas"

Standing taller, Hishar blinked rapidly, then turned with his partner, escorted from the office under guard.

Having the doors closed with a heavy thud, Bo'klar felt his temper starting to fade at the sheer ludicrous desperation of the Salarians. "Fools. They actually thought I would risk my people for a conflict they started"

No, as long as the former naval officer led the Klorvan Star Republic, he would do his utmost to bring prosperity and a better future to the species.

Plus, the Coalition could crush them and the warning of Chairman Diaz during the peace talks still haunted him. They could burn everything and crush the defense fleets in a single action.

"Madness. Lunacy on par with Y'larv and his fanatical priests" Speaking of fanatics, his government was fully aware survivors of the church had escaped somewhere into the galaxy. But with at least two hundred and fifty Billion star systems in the galaxy, the search was ineffectual at best.

Finding himself stressed, he walked to a small cabinet along the wall, pulling out a dark ale brewed across the planet. Pouring into a rather simple cup, he sipped the strong liquid as its thicker viscosity traveled down his throat. Turning to the window and the bustling capital beyond, the abundance of green was pleasant and calming.

"No. I will not risk this peace for the Salarians and their campaign of desperation"

Rain fell harder, but it was welcome to Bo'klar as he let his anger slowly ebb away.

Pandora, New Miami, 23rd of Frost, 428 A.E.

A light rainstorm fell upon the city of two thousand, dousing the surrounding plantations, jungle and farms in clear, life giving water. Ground traffic rumbled through the center of the minor city that had rapidly extended over one of the river's tributaries, the bridge of advanced materials supporting even the large vehicles.

Apartment complexes, commercial zones and high end condo's lined the river as a local treatment plant made sure any pollutants were collected for offworld dumping.

The small city's center bustled as the urban center had taken on a distinctly Terran appearance with design, businesses and general aesthetics. Terraced park spaces had been built into several of the newly constructed structures, adding to the overwhelming greenery while several parks had been established for the enjoyment of all.

Canneries and other industries hummed with purpose, most supported by the region's farmland.

Nestled near the center of New Miami right among several neighborhoods of minor apartments, duplexes and single family homes, the Secondary School of New Miami sprawled across nearly a whole city block. Built three stories tall with an indoor gymnasium attached to the main structure, the school ground also had a Thrashball field, training grounds, and a running track.

Walking among the falling rain and heavy humidity that permeated the air, the gym teacher watched as the class of students continued their push-ups, their unforms nearly soaked through.

"Last set! But if I hear any complaints, you're all doing another fifty! I will not have any of my students be some weak willed slackers!"

Ashley Willaims pushed up and down with her arms burning, her form acceptable as the teenage terran neared the last five. Surrounded by more Terrans, Serans and even three Asari students, the youth finally finished the exercise much to the pleasure of the gym teacher.

Obviously, the heavier students that emigrated recently had been shocked by the required exercise programs, many trying to bring in notes from their parents.

That didn't fly with the principal, the school nurses, nor the gym teachers.

Still, they rapidly learned that despite the high Terran population in New Miami, the Serans still had a heavy presence, especially with education.

Observing some of the students collapse upon the damp soil or mud, the teacher finally relented. "Alright, let's call it for the day. This rain isn't letting up. Go shower and get ready for your next class"

"Uhhh...thank god..." Randall Burgher wheezed, the heavy set sixteen year old bright red in the face as his gym outfit was covered in grass and splatches of mud. His family had just emigrated to Pandora barely a month ago, and the poor kid had clearly never eaten anything healthy.

Other less than capable students could only agree with exhausted nods, the mixture of males and females walking slowly toward the gym and attached locker rooms.

Fifteen minutes later, Ashley Willaims was walking to her next class, the young woman showered and wearing vastly cleaner clothes. Entering the room, the desks were a light, almost clear blue with embedded touch screens and computers. Setting down her own backpack and retrieving her tablet, the young woman sat down with ease.

"Hey Ash, how was gym?" With flowing red, crimson hair, a slender waist and a rather large bosom that clearly made young men stupid with desire, Scarlet Reddson was a Seran and the first friend Ashley had made in school.

"Not too bad. Would have been nice not to have class in the rain. But since Mr. Corrdell is a retired Gear, he doesn't see rain as a big issue" Stretching as there were still a few minutes, Ashley would definitely use the time before primary mathematics started.

"See, I think you'll end up joining the Gears when you graduate. Your grandad served, and you have that mentality that loves pushups in the rain" Pressing a hand to her bosom, Scarlet grinned with a haughty look. "Not me though, I plan on getting a job in construction management. Probably have two or three children too. After all, Seran women must do their part" Very determined, the red head was primed for her future.

"You're already thinking about having kids? You're barely seventeen, Scarlet. Establish yourself first, besides, you'll need a good man to help you with that" Laughing, Ashley let her eye wander to a few of the Seran males.

Hating to admit it, but some of them were very attractive.

"Hah! I saw that. You're checking them out again" Adding her own laughter, the two young women enjoyed the humor as the teacher walked in, calling for attention.

Hanna Nistros turned in her seat from the next row of seats, the young woman with dark blue hair slender and moderately attractive. Wearing a yellow jacket with a red top and blue pants, Hanna grinned. "I'm going to work in asteroid mining for ten years, then get government funding for birthing children. The support and financial bonuses for five children are immense. But that's for later. Hey, you two wanna hang out this weekend? I found some old Terran television show called The Walking Dead. It's so awesome! We can get pizza, snacks and watch zombies all weekend!"

"That would be fun. Still, I find it crazy how little cultural media Seran's have. Barely any horror movies, no anime. Science fiction is a joke" Crossing her arms over her bosom, Ashley smirked at her two Seran friends. "I guess there is something Terrans can do better than Serans"

"Yeah, well...at least we didn't invent fast food or iced coffee. Have you heard of McDonalds? Disgusting garbage. Unbelievable that company still exists" Grumbling, Hanna knew it was all in good fun as the trio settled down after a light warning from the teacher.

The lesson for the day started, but Ashley's mind started to wander, the thought of joining the Gears planted in her mind. She was fully aware of the current war, the nightmare of the locust and their brutal return to the galaxy.

It was something to worry about. They were the stuff of nightmares and if she did join the Gears...

"Miss Williams, pay attention" Mrs. Hatfeld lectured with a stern look, the teacher at the front of the room looking her way.

"Sorry ma'am. Just thinking if I should join the Gears after I graduate when I turn eighteen"

"While I can applaud your desire to serve the Coalition, please remember you still have to pass several courses first, including mine"

"Uh...yes ma'am. Sorry" Apologizing again as a few of the students chuckled, Ashley made sure her attention was aimed at the lesson as her school day continued.

Primary Mathematics finally ended, which was a relief to Ashley and her two friends as they entered their next classroom with several other students.

Long work tables were set in rows, the hard surfaces a dull metal while numerous lancer mark threes, Gnasher's and long shot rifles lay in wait for the students. Gathering in a group of three near a Lancer rifle, Ashley found herself grinning with anticipation.

She loved...LOVED Firearm Safety and Maintenance.

"Too bad we can't get a new Mark Four, but the war against the horde...damn, it's cool though" Admiring the robust weapon, Scarlet was equally excited to continue the course.

"Hey Williams! Do Terrans even use guns!?" Drek Haggarty teased from the next row, the loudmouth handsome, but quite an asshole as he chuckled with his trio of friends.

"I dunno Drek, can you find that pathetic meat between your legs?" High fiving Hanna as other students laughed, the teacher walked in.

"You will all take your seats immediately. If I find you being disrespectful or unsafe, I will take you down with physical force" Crossing his large, burly arms, the man with snow white hair was barely forty years old while a long scar traced along his neck from a battle in the previous war. Still heavily fit and muscular, Mister Kressling had drawn attention not only from several Asari teachers, but some single female teachers as well.

"Damn, he's hot" Scarlet whispered, the words barely audible, her sentiment in tune with many of the other young women in the class.

"You will start with disassembly of your assigned weapon, then clean and name every part. After that, you will reassemble the weapon for the next student. If I hear the activation of a lancer bayonet, I have the authority to neutralize the threat" Indicating the sidearm on his hip, Kressling had drilled into the assembled students that safety was critical.

"Sir. When will we begin studying Element Zero weapons? Or the new line of Lancer rifles? I understand they use a minor fusion core?" Tera La'tol inquired, the eighty year old Asari seated before a longshot rifle.

"That will be the next section of this class. A rudimentary understanding of Coalition weapons is required before we move on to the arsenals of the greater galaxy. Now begin your assignment, Miss La'tol" Voice rigid, the war veteran moved from behind his desk to begin his stroll through the aisles between the students.

Beginning the disassembly, Ashley tried to contain her excitement, her hands and fingers moving with memory.

"Rapid work, Miss Williams" The compliment was small, but meaningful as Ashley turned to Mister Kressling. "Thank you, sir. My grandfather has his own lancer and lets me practice with disassembly and reassembly along with cleaning. I've fired it against some Vociraptors that get to close to our property"

Kressling didn't show any further emotion or being impressed by the young woman, the teacher watching her reassemble the rifle before turning away.

"Knowledge of weapons and rudimentary tactics can save your life, and that is the purpose of this course" Studying his students, Kressling addressed them all, the Gear not vastly concerned with the differences in evolution as he strolled down the central aisle of his classroom. "Like the Turians, the Coalition believes in giving all citizens the tools they need to survive conflict, strife, upheaval or acts of criminal violence. Even though some of you hail from different worlds, the sentiment is the same. This knowledge could save your life, or your loved ones from the locust or some future enemies" Moving toward a student that needed assistance, the teacher gave help as Ashley and her two friends worked together as the day on Pandora wore on.

Sitting down on the couch in the living room, Ashley was glad the school day had finally ended. For the moment, she was alone in her grandfather's house as Benjamin had gone to pick up her three younger sisters from their own school. There was an hour difference between the end of the school day between primary and secondary school, which is how Ashley had about thirty minutes of silence. Using the remote to turn on the large wall-screen as the two cats lazed on the far end of the couch, Ashley found it on the local news and a familiar newscaster.

"Hello, I'm Tifa Nestralli and I bring you news from across the Coalition" With a cold demeanor, her gaze was hard. "Official reports from the second fleet have located no fewer than twenty locust held worlds around the system of Gorfin, the planets infested with the horde. Heavy fighting continues on Gorfin one through three as Krogan and Seran infantry continue to push the dreaded horde back each day. Meanwhile, Chairman Diaz has announced the establishment of the Silverback Corps, the heavy war mechs to bring about new ways for killing locust. They are expected to be deployed in less than two months"

Breathing deeply as her large bosom strained against her blue jacket, Tifa Nestralli allowed a smile to bloom. "Several environmental engineering companies have taken up the task of revitalizing Tuchanka, the Krogan homeworld an excellent candidate for a long term investment to reduce radiation, pollution and creating a hospitable planet for our allies. Representatives from the U.C.T. have pledged to provide workers to construct water filtration plants, irrigation and clearing farmland across the planet. The effort ofterraforming will take an estimated one hundred and twenty three years, a timeframe that many Krogan find relatively short. In other news, repopulation efforts continue to bear fruit as the official population of the Coalition has risen by approximately thirty five million in the last five years. Pre contact populations are expected to be met by the year Four Thirty five of the Seran calendar"

Pausing as she looked offscreen, Tifa Nestralli then cleared her throat as she returned her gaze at the camera. "We have breaking news! The Border Sensor Array has detected what is presumed to be a Geth ship entering Coalition territory in System CC-One nine three-Two! We will keep our citizens informed as news unfolds!"

Ashley groaned, letting her head fall back upon the ridge of the couch. "Really? Now the Geth show up? Like the locust aren't bad enough" Thinking for a moment, Ashley scrunched her face. "Is odd they didn't send a full fleet, or that they're even making contact at all. Maybe something else?" Wondering what the secretive race of AI could want, Ashley knew it was far above what a simple teenager from the Alliance could think of.

Hearing the rumble of a truck engine and the groan of tires from beyond the living room window, Ashley found that her family had returned, which mean's her peace and quiet was now gone.

But she didn't mind. Her sisters were amazing and she thanked all the old deities that they were alive.

Walking toward the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of orange juice. Savoring the sweet taste, Ashley smiled as her sisters rushed in.

System CC-193-2. Fifty eight light years from Pandora

A light mining colony had been established in the asteroid belt, the thick ring of rocks, minerals and metals floating around a single, terrestrial world. It was dead and toxic with horrific atmospheric pressure while liquid metal actually rained from the sky.

Still, that didn't stop the Serans from mining and taking from the asteroid belt, feeding the minor colony with three thousand inhabitants.

Currently, the inhabitants were on high alert as mining vessels, civilian transport's and ore extractors made their way to the safety of the main colony.

At the extreme edge of the system, right at the border near an array sensor, a lone vessel waited. Designed with a dark, black hull plating, several lines of blue traversed the small ship as its pointed bow widened to the main body. Appearing like a morphed beetle or insect, the singular Geth inside couldn't differentiate the aesthetic of the vessel.

To the artificial construct, it was just an efficient design.

Waiting several hours, Legion's main console finally pinged, the ship's sensors detecting five slipspace ruptures as Seran warships arrived at the border incursion.

Legion began the next part of his mission.

"Coalition of Ordered Governments. I am Legion. The Geth seek to open diplomacy. Intentions are peaceful" Straight and to the point, Legion made no offensive or protective action while the Seran destroyers moved closer and closer. If they fired and destroyed him, Legion found that he didn't fear the loss of function, only mission failure.

Now surrounded as the destroyers floated several thousand miles in the void, acommunication came through while systems indicated numerous target locks on the lone ship.

"This is Captain Reganald Ishava of C.N.V. Greenhill. You will maintain position and be boarded. Any resistance or powering of weapons will be seen as hostile. This is your one and only warning. Failure to comply will result in your immediate destruction"

Legion stood motionless, his unique mind computing possible outcomes as the interior of his craft ebbed with purple lighting and shimmering conduits that traversed the walls of metal. "Legion will comply with your directives"

Watching the scans constantly update, another destroyer moved into position, the organics within preparing to board the Geth vessel.

Sera, New Ephyra, Three hours later

Walking briskly down the hallway of the Coalition Tower, Chairman Izabel Diaz was flanked by D.N.I. Agent Keli, her radiant blue hair bobbing with each step of her own. Dressed in a slimming green dress, both women were joined by several Onyx Guards and a lone naval man, his rank of Captain insignia easily seen among his tunic of black and gold trim.

"What does this Legion want? And have we taken precautions?" Turning down a side hall that led to her office, the group passed a large painting of Anya Stroud, the ancient Seran having led the Coalition immediately after the Emergence War.

It was inspiring and regal with the weight of history, but there were more pressing matters for the Serans.

"The commanding officer, a Reganald Ishava has taken Legion into custody. He is currently being held in the main orbital colony of Stardust City under heavy guard. The local authorities have kept order and more warships are being diverted to the sector. So far, the Geth has cooperated with everything"

Having the double doors of her office opened by two Gears, Izabel strode across the hardwood floors to the panning window as snow blanketed the capital beyond. Taking a seat behind her desk, her gaze went hard. "I'll ask again, Captain. What does it want?"

Clearing his throat, Captain Nisran hurried his words. "He appears to want to open diplomatic relations with our species"

"Well, that's obvious since this Legion surrendered peacefully. Agent Keli?"

"Naval personnel have interviewed Legion and our findings indicate that he belongs to a smaller group of Geth that seek to assist the Quarians in retaking Rannoch from the majority of the hostile artificial intelligent forces. They see us as being friendly to artificial life considering our own A.I. It is possible they want to assist the Migrant Fleet and secure us as allies in that endeavor"

Massaging her temple as the wind howled beyond her office, Izabel felt her annoyance rise. "We don't have the ships to take on the Geth in some robotic civil war, especially now. I'm assuming our planned offensive against the Salarian Homeworld is still on schedule?"

"We are on schedule. The Sur'kesh system will be attacked by the Fifteenth of Sorrow. The First, Sixth, Fourth and half of the Second Fleet will be used in the assault. The Fifth will be withdrawn while the Third keeps up patrols of our borders"

"Good. As for Legion, inform him that our government will not participate in any military campaigns but will continue to open dialogue"

In all honesty, Izabel didn't care about either race that much. Her main concern was re-exterminating the locust and kicking the Salarians down a notch. While she could sympathize with the Quarians and their plight, it wasn't the Coalitions job to save them. Tapping her finger against her desk as she thought, the woman made a decision. "Send the Quarians co-ordinates for some heavy resource systems beyond our borders. If they want to settle there for the time being, the Geth can assist along with a naval repair squadron with escorts. A token of goodwill from us" It was something that could pay off later, but right now, there was a two front war to deal with.

"Agent Keli, have the D.N.I. focus on the Perseus Veil. If the Geth are separating due to ideological differences, we need to know"

"Of course, Chairman. Is there anything else?"

"No. I have an hour before the Asari ambassador arrives and I intend to enjoy that lone hour"

Both the agent and officer left, leaving Izabel alone in her office as the snow storm brewed and howled.

Gorfin Three, 1st of Sorrow, 428 A.E.

Laser fire ripped along the length of the western tunnel as the locust defenders fired at numerous Gears that had breached the previous line of defenses. A Seran went down with numerous hits to the right leg, the howls of agony mixing with the screams of battle.

"MEDIC! Dortmund is down!" Pulling the fallen Gear into a side alcove, acting Captain Kaliso reached for a pouch on her belt, pulling a bottle of Kelto Salve. Applying it to the gushing wound as crimson flowed from the leg damage among heat burns. Rapidly fusing with the flesh, it would at least prevent more blood loss and infection. Applying a secondary sealant to prevent the loss of oxygen from his armor, Lea Kaliso did all she could as the Gears fired down the length of the carved tunnel.

"Burn em' out! We clear this floor and move upward!" Specialist Jishaka yelled as the replacement unleashed a fresh stream of scorcher fuel. Washing over several drones, the beasts became charred and brutalized kindling, their flesh cooking within the armors. Taking cover a moment later, the Gear was hunkered down behind Lea, the large man having several pockmarks and abrasions across his armor from weeks of combat.

"Hit them! Don't let up!" Rushing low past several smoldering corpses, Kaliso flinched away as more laser fire came from a stairwell and established defensive line of debris across the tunnel's width. Crossing the width of the bunker tunnel, she took cover by a firing slit and jutting pillar of rock as lances of light punctured the deadly atmosphere that would suffocate those unprotected.

If she were to look through the firing aperture, it would reveal a hellish landscape of trench lines, gunfire, explosions and unending killing on both sides.

The Gears had made some progress, taking the lower reaches of the cliffside defenses that had given them such horrible grief. Killing the locust within, they were trying to clear floor by floor, but the caverns were a labyrinth of dead ends, linked tunnels and reversed passages that the drones used to feed freshly grown troops into the meatgrinder of conflict.

Several large explosions rippled against the colony's shields, the energy fluctuating, but holding as the few remaining Behemoths fired and fired at the invading Serans, maiming and killing.

But the tide was slowly turning against the horde despite their fanatical, stubborn defense. Weeks of unending combat, losses and assaults from all directions would only see the horde crushed. That and with the extermination of Gorfin Two last week, reinforcements were already arriving to fill in the losses.

These facts passed in a flash for Lea as she leaned out and fired down the bunker's length, her lancer rifle flaring red like a staccato of death as several hits struck the locust barricade two hundred feet away. She didn't hit anything.

"Captain! I can't get close enough to burn those grub bastards!" Staying within cover, Jishaka clutched the Scorcher as a few other Gears fired at the hated grubs. They of course returned fire, the flashes of light pockmarking the rough stone surfaces around the soldiers.

"Die groundwalkers! Die like cowards!" A drone taunted as he shifted behind the pile of cover. Popping up with a Kishock Harpoon Rifle, the helmeted drone with evil, red lenses embedded in the helmet fired.

A Gears head exploded as he leaned out at that moment, the brain matter and skull a paste of horror that splattered the walls and nearby soldiers.

"Dammit! Smoke! Throw Smoke!" Grabbing the proper grenade, Kaliso threw the cylindrical object as three more were tossed. Banging open with a pop, they dispensed smoke as the gases filled the tunnel with thick low visibility.

Running low as laser fire ripped above her head, Kaliso lead her Gears to enclose with the revived race of monsters. Heavy sniper rounds punched above her head, missing by inches as the responsible drone fired erratically through the thick haze.

A scream erupted behind Kaliso, the sniper round punching through the barriers and armor of a Gear's abdomen.

She made it about halfway to the strongpoint with Jishaka and another dozen gears as they moved into a sleeping alcove. "You know what to do!"

"Yes sir!" Yelling through his helmet, the specialist leaned out as the Gears covered with more lancer fire, keeping the drones occupied.

Another stream of heated napalm flowed outward like a lancing pillar of death, washing over the dozen drones in an eating hellfire that consumed and killed. "Forward!" Rushing through the smoke, ash and embers of flicking fire that would rapidly extinguish due to lack of atmosphere, the Gears advanced.

Finding a struggling drone that had numerous burn breeches in his armor, the war veteran spared no mercy as she activated her chainsaw and plunged it into the back of the foe, spewing fresh gore and pieces of flesh.

Working past the piles of crates, debris and bodies, the Gears stacked up on both sides of the stairwell, the stone steps leading upward as guttural growls came from beyond.

"Come and get us Serans! We will make you suffer!" A blast of plasma rushed down the stairs, licking the walls with vile, green heat as the locust laughed beyond. "Scared of our might! I'll kill you all with plasma! HAHAHA!" The sinister braying echoed from the next level, lost as the greater battle still raged in the main tunnel.

"Captain? What are your orders?" A random soldier asked, the other female no doubt exhausted from constant combat.

Thinking for a moment, Kaliso wouldn't lead her troops into a killzone, especially plasma fire in a narrow staircase. "We hold for now and take inventory. The drones wont attack with such a strong defensive position on the next level" Looking upward, the ceiling was craggy and black, the stone marred by laser blasts, ash and other unidentified stains.

Honestly, she was exhausted and giving her Gears a rest would be beneficial. Wanting to brush a hand through her hair, the helmet prevented that.

"Maybe we can get a thermic lance? Punch upwards?" A random solider suggested as the man stared at the same ceiling of stone.

"It's a better idea than charging a plasma thrower and dug in grubs" Her stomach growled with hunger, and Kaliso realized she was starving. "Alright. Establish a defensive perimeter here. Hastrom, Givens and Jurez, find an ammo dump and bring grenades for the company"

The communications net pinged, drawing the attention of the acting captain of 9th Company.

"This is Lieutenant Colonel Severson. Third battalion is being withdrawn from the line in one hour. Rest and refit in the rear. Keep your heads down until relief takes over"

It was welcome news, and Kaliso hoped that a new crop of officers could take over the company. Sitting down on a crate near a very dead drone that was missing its head and yet another firing slit, Lea sighed as she tried to tally the losses over the last few weeks. At best, the company was sitting at barely fifty three percent effectives with at least two dozen wounded in action.

"I'm unscathed...while so many have died" it was a harrowing thought, but she could be proud that dozens of locust had been personally exterminated by her hands.

"Don't do anything stupid Gears. Keep in cover and wait for relief. I don't want any more KIA today" Turning her head to the slit window, the battle raged before the locust city, the war a horrible staccato of laser lights, explosions and screaming munitions as the monsters howled with rage.

"Fucking Salarians"

System LN-Two 3rd of Sorrow, 428 A.E.

The star system was practically next door to Gorfin, the red dwarf burning dimly compared to other stars in the cluster.

A duo of rocky inner planets circled the stellar furnace, the first completely airless but very rich in heavy metals as the pockmarked surface was constantly bombarded by radiation. The second was blanketed by a thick, unforgiving atmosphere of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen and argon.

Two dozen Coalition warships orbited the gas shrouded world, the destroyers and lone Battlecrusier keeping a watchful eye on the two transports holding approximately fifteen thousand Gears...and one hundred of the Silverbacks that had been rushed to the frontlines.

Two more supply ships were hanging in the void nearby, filled with everything a minor invasion force would need.

Angling toward the poisonous planet, the transport's and supply vessels began atmospheric entry, the thick air glowing with friction as the warships kept a vigilant overwatch.

Landing on a relatively flat plateau near some craggy, broken hills, the Silverbacks disembarked first, the company of mechs taking an immediate protective stance as the first Rock Diggers and infantry began their own disembarkation. A mining instillation had been built by the Salarians, the structure embedded in the hills to connect into the depths below while the toxic air wafted and blew with moderate winds.

Officially, the population of the slender amphibians had barely been three hundred, but the confirmation of locust meant that they were presumably long dead.

Private Kent Dinlap sat in the pilot's seat of his Silverback, the soldier brimming with excitement to use the latest in Coalition weaponry. Gusts of winds cut across the landscape, shifting poisonous dirt and other gases.

Rumbling forward, the first Rock Digger started to spin up its drill, then the machinery began to tilt as it touched the poisoned ground. Dirt and soil was flung in a kickup of dust and dirt, spewing outwards as the machinery rapidly disappeared.

The Second Borean Infantry released a regiment to clear the mine as the installation would make a proper base camp once cleared of locust.

"Move out, First Company. And if you step on a Gear, I'll have you shot" Captain Crunch threatened, the blooded combat officer having risen rapidly during the last war. Given command of the very first Silverbacks, he was serious, strict, and a damn brave leader. Aged at twenty seven years, bald and with a very black beard, the man was a brick house of muscle with a wife and three children back on Borra Borea.

"Yes sir! Now let's go stomp some grubs, sir!" Relaying through the comm net, Dinlap heard several chuckles.

"Enthusiasm is good, Gear" the captain replied as the one hundred mechs marched forward in a staggered three abreast. Reaching the incline as haze, dust and dirt floated in the deadly atmosphere, they descended while standard infantry escorted on the flanks in support.

Watching for signs of locust activity, Dinlap studied the sensor displays on his forward console below the heavy ballistic glass of his cabin. Nothing appeared in red, only the blue of friendlies while the stabbing lights of the Rock Digger still lingered ahead by one hundred yards.

Nothing happened for nearly three hours, except the information that the mining instillation had been cleared by the infantry with minor resistance. From what Private Dinlap heard, the locust had only a hundred drones in the whole facility, and the Gears had already captured maps of the old mine.

An audible crunch came from the Rock Digger, the large mining machine punching through a cavern wall in a minor explosion of gasses, debris and dull noise. Coming to a full stop, the Silverbacks lumbered forward, their footfalls a dull crunch as the first mechs emerged into a very large tunnel that spanned North to South-West.

Bringing up the map of the mine, Private Dinlap came to a rapid conclusion. "It's a Corpser tunnel, Gears. Spread out and find those bastards" The Captain relayed with another gruff command.

Stepping into the main cavern as the headlamps of his mech illuminated the darkened walls beyond that glittered with quartz, Kent checked his sensors as the first pings of red dots started to appear...from everywhere.

"Captain! My sensors are picking up heavy concentrations of hostiles incoming! Some appear to be pretty big, sir!"

"Establish a perimeter around the tunnel exit. Gears, you know what to do"

Moving rapidly despite their size, the mechs formed a horseshoe of metal and armor with infantry units populating the gaps, each man and woman waiting for the inevitable emergence hole as they took cover among piles of rocks, craters and outcrops.

The cavern floor rumbled and vibrated with rocks bouncing with each passing moment. Crumbling at six different locations, some of the fissures grew far larger before massive, stabbing limbs cracked through the earth.

"Corpsers!" Dinlap over the comm net, but the pilot was already facing the direction of the massive beast. Its head rose along with the sickening arachnid body while dozens of drones...no hundreds of drones burst from the ground in a massive assault. Grinders and Boomers crawled out of numerous fissures, joined by the shackled madness of five Berserkers. But something was off...different as Dinlap fired his laser grinder into the closest arachnid.

"Oh shit...they're not wearing helmets! HEY! The locust are breathing unprotected down here!" Firing his laser grinder and boomshot launcher, his weapons fire struck the Corpser as the monster howled from the first impacts of damage. Burning shafts of light tacked across the abomination's face before several thermic shells ripped away those sinister eyes.

"Genetic manipulation! Command! Be aware the locust don't need oxygen! I repeat! Locust have new variants capable of toxic atmosphere!" The captain spread over the comm net to the troops topside and the ships in orbit. Firing his own laser grinder and boomshot, the crump of explosions and laser fire took over the hellscape as gears and locust tried to kill each other in extreme brutality.

Two Behemoths emerged from the bowels of the planet, the six legged horrors bristling with rocket launchers and a central artillery piece manned by a pilot and gunner...all without protective gear. Firing at a cluster of mechs, two of the newly developed machines brewed up as they each took four rockets each by locust targeting.

The pilots didn't have a chance, but then, the Behemoths wouldn't last much longer as several dozen of the war machines turned their full attention to killing the monstrosities. Rippling laser blasts, heavy shot pellets from mech Gnashers and thermic boomshot shells sundered Behemoth flesh and hide even as they moved to target another trio of Silverbacks.

Managing to kill two more war machines, the first genetic monstrosity collapsed under horrific damage, crushing numerous drones. Firing at the softer Gears, the remaining beast enacted a butcher's bill of nearly a dozen dead Serans before it was finally brought down the newly blooded weapons of war.

"Grind...GRIND!" Flashes of red erupted from a trio of the larger beasts, the rippling fire cutting down the heavy barriers of a Silverback mech as boomers lent their weight of explosive hatred.

"I'm taking heavy fire!" Private Bennson yelled over the comm net, his mech taking far more damage than anticipated as alarms blared within his pilot station.

"Moving to assist!" Tacking his laser fire toward the responsible drones, Dinlap cut down the monsters in a hell of laser fire. Keeping his right mech arm aimed at the nearest Corpser, he unleased a full spread of bomblets. They ripped open the skull cavity of the monstrosity, causing it to collapse as the battle raged back and forth.

"First squad! Target those Berserkers!" Captain Crunch yelled with authority as he shifted fire, providing heavy heated laser shots as the Gears hunkered down behind rocks, subterranean pillars, and two mechs that had fallen to extreme damage.

Laser fire shifted toward the charging, enraged creatures as two tackled a Silverback, the female locust clawing at the shielding with flickering blows of energy.

"Not today you fucking bitches!" Corporal Henrietta Bolrog yelled inside her pilot's station. Swinging her left laser arm toward one of the horrors, she fired point blank into the skull which proved extremely effective. Punching through the brain in a burning spray of charred ichor, the Corporal managed to toss the other Berserker to the side and fire off a series of eight thermic grenades at the foe.

Thankfully, other pilots covered the Gear, providing fire support as the company of mechs cut down swaths of drones.

"Don't show mercy, Gears! Kill em' all!" Taking point as he stepped on a crawling grub missing a leg, Captain Crunch turned the upper half into a paste of gore.

Several chainsaws screamed between the infantry and assault drones, the howl of teeth claiming locust and Seran alike in a frenzy of churning blades.

"Dinlap! Lopez and Togawa! Let's hit these bastards!" Stomping forward as her mech showed abrasions, dents and horrid scratches, Corporal Bolrog took point as the four Silverbacks formed a wedge while laying down an even heavier fire of laser energy.

Drones were cut down like wheat, their innards and flesh burned or sundered by shrapnel. Taking cover where they could, most of the locust found that the larger horde had been killed, meaning the First company could enact higher death.

They began to retreat into the depths of the planet, but that didn't stop the Serans from shooting them in the back or killing the wounded left behind with no mercy.

Disappearing from the field of battle, Private Dinlap looked at the chronometer built into his console and realized barely ten minutes had passed since initial contact.

"It felt like an hour" Perring through the view glass around him, the pilot saw dozens upon dozens of dead Gears, and even more wounded as medics and comrades assisted the fallen wounded.

"Maintain a defensive perimeter, pilots. Replenish ammunition if needed" The captain's tone was heavy, and with the loss of seven total Silverbacks, even the freshly minted battle mechs could fall to the horde's ferocity.

Still, with several hundred dead drones and other abominations littering the tunnel floor, the Gears had achieved a minor victory.

Vibrations and light tremors made the darkened walls vibrate, no doubt from the movement of locust troops, but for the moment, the sector was quiet.

The Citadel, 1st of Storm, 429 A.E.

Councilor Tevos walked briskly toward the meeting chamber, the room just off the main walkway of the tower. Several windows allowed a serene, beautiful view of the nebula that shifted with wonderous yellows, blues and pinks.

Entering as a C-sec officer pulled the door open, she briskly made her way to an empty seat on the far side of the table. Seated on her flanks were the other councilors, the mixture of races looking across the glass table at the holographic representation of Izabel Diaz, two Krogan, and other Serans in military uniforms, one of which was the linked image of Admiral Akari. The images slightly flickered, but retained stability as the doors were secured.

"I apologize for my tardiness, the main elevator was extra slow today"

"We're all aware that the elevators on the Citadel are agonizingly slow. Let us begin" To the point, the chairman leaned back as Admiral Akari took the floor. "The locust infestations in the Gorfin sector will no doubt spread if we cannot contain them. Assuming that these are the only systems with the horde, it will still require infantry forces to dig them out, world by world, system by system. We believe that the best course of action is crush this threat together with joint military ventures. Primarily between the Hierarchy and the Coalition. I realize that this issue was brought up by Ambassador Almstead several weeks ago, but lets discuss any issues or ideas formally"

Councilor Sparatus found himself agreeing with a subtle nod of his head. "The Primarch agrees. The locust threat is spreading far more rapidly than anticipated and will rapidly encroach into Asari space if left unchecked. Far more military resources must be diverted to their extermination"

"But what about patrols of the borders? I've heard the Geth have finally reappeared after centuries" Councilor Kojima inquired, voicing her concerns.

"Obviously, the Terrans and Asari will have to pick up the slack. Survey flotilla's, anti-piracy operations and security would be better suited to your strengths. Meanwhile, the Krogan will crush the locust under our boots" Grinning widely, the large reptile savored the chance to wage war against such a foe.

"The Turian navy will seal off the sector, trapping the horde since the Serans are still invested in the Salarian conflict. I shouldn't have to remind you that heavy civilian casualties or orbital bombardment will not be tolerated, Chairman"

"These aren't fanatical Toad's or Batarians. All naval officers are aware of the rules of engagement for the Salarian core worlds. We will ensure the peace is fair" Not offended by the sentiment, Izabel lightly turned her head. "We will be divulging all known Horde worlds to the council as they are discovered, and once the Salarian's sign a peace treaty, we will bring the full might of the Seran military to destroying the horde"

"Most in the Asari Republics have been voicing concerns about these monsters. Taking a more...aggressive approach will soothe some fears. The galaxy is well aware of what these monsters are capable of. Which reminds me, is it true the locust have modified themselves to breath toxic atmosphere or nearly none at all?" Tevos asked with a subtle hint of horror in her voice.

"So far, the variants have appeared in LN-Two, three light years away from Gorfin. But we have informed all forces being allocated for further invasions that this could not be an isolated incident. We cannot assume that this is a random accident from a single nest. If they can do this on one world, the horde can do it on all of them"

"Goddess. They were bad enough already, but now they have yet another advantage?" It was another piece of horror that seemed to infect the galaxy every year. "I'll make sure that the Asari navy assists in any way it can, even if its just searching for other locust planets"

Sparatus tapped his finger, the claw echoing across the glass. "Will your military be willing to loan some of these Silverbacks for combat operations? Turian soldiers facing the horde would be far more likely to survive against those abominations, especially in heavy combat"

Izabel leaned to the left, letting an un-named officer whisper something in her ear, the tone so low that none could hear. Nodding at the advice, Diaz gave a subtle smile toward the councilors. "We won't give away such valuable military tech due to the extreme need for them in the coming years. However, my administration will sell the unit designs to military companies. A standard price for each built Silverback in any factory. It's hardly confidential technology so we would be happy to provide our neighbors with the means to kill grubs"

"That's fair. I'll contact some of our largest weapon manufacturers. They'll get in contact with your companies to discuss a proper price for the designs"

Tevos hid her suspicions, but found the attitude strange from the leader of the COG. "Odd. Usually, you're far more reluctant to share anything with the council, let alone military technology"

"These are the locust, Tevos! I would give slipspace tech if the war erupted to the levels of the Emergence war! Victory is the only path forward and if that means sharing weapons, information, or anything in between, I will if deemed necessary" For a moment, her tone went horrifically cold, but then was pulled back behind her political mask.

"Please, Sera-clan. We are all worried and willing to take on this scourge. While the Volus Protectorate has few ships, we will lend our aid to the galaxy as previously stated to your ambassador. It is our responsibility" Giving a harsh wheeze, Irit Non's voice filtered through the voice box of his suit, conveying his words.

"Very well, once again, the Coalition and Citadel will face enemies together"

Of course, none of the Seran's indicated that Sur'kesh would be facing the combined might of four fleets in less than two weeks as there were far too many ears on the Citadel.

Ending the connection, the visages of the Serans and Krogan disappeared, leaving the five Councilors in the room. Sitting for a few extra minutes as the other sentients left, Tevos shook her head in sorrow. "How much death will this galaxy face? How many horrors still hide in the darkness?"

Once again, the gears of war churned among the civilizations of the stars.

Well, that should be enough for now! Still insane that there's at least three other undiscovered locust clusters that will drag on this conflict for the foreseeable future.

Also, if you have reasonable ideas for the Salarian Peace Treaty, send me a message and I'll discuss it. Remember, REASONABLE!

Now, I'll begin on a few 'Watching the Multiverse' chapters. Probably one with Marvell and maybe Deadspace? Or Fallout? Eh, I'll think about it. After that, another 'Bisca's Journey' chapter then return to this story!

Once again, thank you everyone for reading and enjoying my story! I know it's not perfect, but your reading means a lot! Nasty reviews or hate will result in being blocked or deleted.

Now read, review and enjoy!

TheHappy