Chapter 3

Demons

We didn't know the true scale of the Turian defeat until much later. But even the limited bits of information that did leak out were enough for fear to grip the Citadel races. The Citadel's premier military, the Turians had lost the first battle with this mysterious new species and lost badly. Hundreds of ships and thousands of lives lost. Then survivors started telling stories of black armored demons with black visors. Phantoms that would appear out of thin air, wreak devastation, and then vanish like ghosts. Many dismissed these stories as ramblings of traumatized soldiers. But years later, at Elysium, and again at Torfun the same stories emerged. These demons of humanity that would make a Krogon swoon. Thank the goddess for these demons of humanity because without these N7s, I would not be alive today.

Shanxi

Immediately after orbital drop

Anderson studied the screens that were his window to the outside world. Turian weapons fire arched up in a futile attempt to shoot down his drop pod. The on-board computer tracked all incoming fire and automatically adjusted its trajectory to avoid any incoming fire. It wasn't perfect but it did get more of them to the surface than otherwise would have without it. Anderson adjusted his flight path so he would land a few meters to the west from his original landing sight. A collapsed building currently occupied it. Seeing nothing else to threaten his landing he locked in his trajectory and braced for impact. At the last moment braking thrusters fired and inertial dampeners kicked in so he wouldn't be turned to paste on impact. The impact was still enough to cause a strained grunt to escape him. Ignoring the discomfort, Anderson grabbed his rifle from the storage rack next to him as the explosive bolts on the door charged.

A moment later the ready light above the door turned green and Anderson punched it causing the door to blow off the hinges. Even before the door landed Anderson was out the pod and heading for the nearest cover.

"All Victor three four's report in," Anderson said as he slid into cover and activated his active camouflage.

"Victor three four two green."

"Three four one green."

"Three four three green."

Anderson took a moment to study the tac map before deciding to alter the plan slightly.

"I got blown off course slightly, RV on three four two's position."

Three clicks answered him and so he moved swiftly to the new RV point. Despite the fact he was invisible Anderson still stayed in cover as much as possible. Any number of things could go wrong with the tech and expose his position. Arriving at two's position, Anderson found his squad in a fire fight with a Turian unit. Anderson moved to a good vantage point to flank the Turians before linking up with his squad.

"Two, check fire to your nine, I'm coming up on their flank but I got a bit of open ground to cross," Anderson said pausing at the edge of said open ground.

Even though his active camouflage should keep him hidden, open ground was still open ground and any number of things could go wrong.

"We got you, alright let's give the boss some cover fire," two said as the rate of fire noticeably slackened from his team.

The Turians also noticed the change in fire rate and cautiously began investigating why. Anderson smiled at the shock they were about to experience.

"3…2…1…suppressing," two said as a torrent of weapons fire crashed into the Turian position.

One Turian was caught in the open and went down as several rounds tore into him. The rest dove back behind cover where they were quickly pinned. Anderson charged across the open space with a frag grenade already primed. The active camouflage struggled to keep up with his rapid movements but with his squad suppressing the Turians, there was little they could do. Anderson tossed the grenade while he slid into cover and waited for the explosion. One of the Turians tried to shout out a warning but was to late. As soon as the grenade went off Anderson broke cover and advanced on the Turian position, his squad right behind him.

"Clear," his squad announced after dispatching the survivors.

"Victor three four to Athena, we've landed and linked up successfully," Anderson reported.

"Copy Victor three four, proceed to objective," Athena replied instantly.

"Copy."

Anderson and his squad moved toward the Turian headquarters without a word. They quickly made it to the target building as they had landed only a block away. The building was for a local news outlet and the Turians were using the numerous comms devices and dishes to talk to and coordinate their forces. Reaching their staging point they paused as Anderson contacted Athena again.

"Victor three four in position for stage one."

"Stage one…execute," Athena commanded

Athena had barely got the words out before an explosion and an eruption of gun fire rumbled out from the opposite side of the building. That was the distraction teams making a lot of noise to hopefully pull defenders away from seven two and his squad. After a few tense moments Athena's voice crackled over the comms.

"Victor seven two and three four proceed to your breaching points," Athena commanded.

Anderson and his squad moved out and rounded the corner where they found a pair of Turians guarding the eastern side of the building grounds. Anderson shot one while three killed the other before they could radio a warning. They reached the side of the building and launched ascension cables from their gauntlets. Once secured the micro computer in their armor automatically began retracting the cable and they quickly scaled the building to the roof. In only moments they were at their breach point and his squad wordlessly began setting the breaching charges in a circular pattern. A data pack from seven two appeared on his visor and Anderson opened it while linking his squad into it so they could see it too. Seven two had attached their signal imaging device to the wall. Using various signals and sonar the device translated that signal into a visual image, in short it allowed them to see through walls. Seven two linked Anderson's squad into the data and their armor's micro computer adjusted the image to reflect their different position. A wire mesh outline of the Turians underneath them sprang up through their helmet visors. Athena quickly assigned targets between his squad and seven two. Confirming the order, Anderson's squad knelt in a circle in the middle of the ring of explosives with their rifles already pointing at their assigned targets

"Victor three four set for breach," Anderson said.

"Victor seven two set for breach."

"Athena to Victor units, stage two…execute," Athena said with finality.

Citadel Space

Tevos watched the screens with mounting fear as every Turian ship that didn't surrender was ruthlessly destroyed. Thankfully the aliens were honoring surrender and not just executing the Turrians. The ground battle was no better as position after position was overwhelmed and destroyed with a speed and efficiency that she just couldn't comprehend. Tevos and the other councilors focused their attention on one screen as word that the Turina ground side headquarters was under attack. The screen showed the main room where the command staff and their guards were frantically trying to secure and destroy any sensitive data. Out of nowhere the wall on the right side of the screen exploded inwards. Immediately after that Tevos caught a brief glimpse of a cylindrical devise flying into the center of the room. Tevos had to squint and cover her head as a blinding flash and a head shattering noise filled the screen and speakers. Tevos's jaw hit the floor as another explosion erupted and a portion of the ceiling fell in. To Tevos's equal part amazement and horror, black armored soldiers were riding the chunk of falling ceiling into the room. At the exact same time more black armored soldiers were pouring in through the hole in the wall. In perfect synchrony every Turian guard was shot dead at the exact same time and every officer captured only seconds later. The whole thing was over in less than five seconds and if it hadn't been for Tevos already sitting she would have collapsed. They watched as one of the alien soldiers casually walked by the camera that was feeding them the images. The soldier stopped and turned towards the camera causing the silver N7 logo on his armor to glint. The soldier tilted his head to the side as he studded the camera for a moment. The black of his helmet and visor giving no clue as to what he was thinking. Then the soldier casually drew a pistol and shot the camera causing static to fill the council chamber.

"H…how?" Arterius stammered just as shocked as the rest of them.

Tevos stood on shacky legs and stood in front of Arterius with what she hoped her fear and shock addled mind registered as confidence.

"Enough, we are making peace," Tevos demanded.

"What! We can't just stop now, too much Turian…"

"And how much more blood will be spilt if we continue this, how much Salarian and Asari blood?" Tevos practically screamed causing Arterius to click his mandibles shut.

It was suddenly very quiet in the room as Tevos never let her emotions burst like that.

"How many millions…billions have to die to satisfy Turian pride. I warned both of you this was a mistake. What if this isn't even their entire military? What if they have more fleets? More armies? Stop this aggression and offer peace or the Asari Republics will levy sanctions against you that will regress you back into throwing rocks at each other," Tevos threatened the Turian Councilor with a fire in her eyes.

After a moment that felt like eternity the Turian Councilor nodded before walking away. Tevos watched him go for a moment before bringing her aid up on her communication device.

"Yes Councilor," the pretty young Asari said sweetly.

"Prepare my diplomatic ship and get the team packed, we have a war to end…before we all pay."

"Yes Councilor," the assistant said before ending the call.

"Goddess grant me success," Tevos prayed before walking to her private office to get ready for possibly the most important negotiation of her life.