Sur'Kesh. STG Headquarters.
Plans, even more plans. The reconnaissance team successfully made contact with humanity and obtained samples of their technology. Outdated, in every sense. Both from the perspective of the humans themselves and from the perspective of the researchers. No Element Zero, chemical ammunition of a fairly large caliber. Heavy, slow. Logical.
"The explosion of a substance in a capsule with the launch of a warhead as a result of chemical gas expansion. Gunpowder neighbor. Simply because it's the year 2539. Maybe in the colonies in the hinterlands there are gunpowder cartridges, but the army is using something more powerful."
A fairly simple but workable concept. If one takes as a basis the fact that humans have no access to Element Zero at all, but small arms are necessary for them, the presence of analogs is quite logical. A chemical process, ultra-fast combustion, pneumatics. In the presence of powerful energy sources, rail weaponry, which is present on their ships. Everything within the bounds of logic.
Without Element Zero... It's hard to imagine how the technology of Citadel Space would behave if this metal had never existed. The number of scientific papers on this topic is breaking all records. What else?
The humans' gear is a bit weak, but it's not all bad. High army numbers, inability to provide troops with full armor? Possibly. Whether in the colonies or in larger battles, there is little full armor among humans. Unlike in Citadel Space, where even pirates acquire it. Interesting why. Perhaps this weakness can be worked with; let the scientists figure it out.
But their FTL... That is interesting. Their ships as a whole are extremely interesting. On one hand, logical rail weaponry; on the other, unusually advanced electronics, even on outdated tech. Virtual modules comparable to the Geth. And the fact that the Geth are cooperating with them.
One can assume that this race avoided a war with synthetics one way or another. Mark: high priority. Cyberwarfare in such conditions is an unnecessary risk. And also...
An unusual FTL module.
The Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine. Outdated,
but based on entirely different principles—without the mass effect, but by shifting the ship into another space. The scientists were ecstatic, as long as they were alive.
After an attempt to launch it on one of the moons, a multi-kilometer crater remained. It seems the engine was unstable, or the experimental copy was made incorrectly. There's no way to know now; a chunk of space was simply evaporated into a perfect sphere. More data is needed before continuing.
More information and specialists are required. And among the documents obtained in that colony and purchased from human rebels, something was found.
Rebels. What an unexpected and convenient hole in their security system. It seems that on human colonies, the further from the center, the more dissatisfied people are. Not that there are few such people in Citadel Space—the Terminus Systems haven't gone anywhere. The humans of the Systems Alliance had Cerberus, at the very least. A very convenient window into their defenses. We supply weapons for information or sabotage.
Terminus. Several human stealth cruisers have been seen there. As a rule, they were already leaving, but they were seen. It can be expected that humans have the same interest there as we do with the rebels. This is a problem; the Terminus Systems have plenty of those ready to go against the Citadel even just for weapons. Or a small sum. Krogan, PMCs, mercenaries. Belonging to the Council Races, which means difficulties in tracking are mandatory.
"Data on Terminus, immediately."
The tablet emitted an incoming message signal. And here are the humans. Acting freely against their reconnaissance teams is hindered by the fact that Terminus does not obey the Citadel, and the enemy uses cruisers as reconnaissance ships. And also...
"Geth on board?"
The deputy replied immediately:
"Information confirmed, at least two hundred Geth platforms. An attempted cyberattack is dangerous primarily for the attackers. The landing party perished in its entirety."
Yes, I see it in the report. The Asari were unlucky too. I also see that the humans are clearly establishing contacts specifically with races outside the Citadel. Krogan—a cruiser was seen on Tuchanka—and Terminus gangs. This could be dangerous; no one knows what level the humans' genetics are at.
"Increase surveillance of Tuchanka. We cannot allow humans to influence the Genophage."
"Executing."
"And speed up work on the new version of the Genophage, just in case."
"The science group has been notified."
If humans cure the Krogan Genophage, we will quickly get a hotspot in the region. Undesirable. We need to find out more about human skills in genetics. What else?
Batarians, through pirates. Rabble, expendable material. Or contact with the Hegemony, which also suffered from this contact. Humans could either come to an agreement with the Batarians, as fellow victims, or conflict with them, considering that the Hegemony and human space are neighbors. Little information.
Elcor... more difficult. Who knows what humans might achieve in contact with them. But it seems they are forming a circle of supporters in the Terminus Systems. This should be monitored; humans will likely soon enter into conflict with PMCs and corporations.
Human technology, independent of Element Zero, enters into sharp competition with Asari corporations producing multi-billion runs of various products based on Element Zero, from weapons and aircars to spaceships and construction equipment.
And they will not tolerate the appearance of competitors, especially since the largest corporations have their own army (the entire Asari army is corporate) and are part of the Council of Matriarchs. Therefore, it is radically undesirable for humans to lose the conflict with the Citadel; otherwise, they will be forced to abandon technologies without Element Zero. At least in part, by being moved to a common standard. And this will hit their economy, which operates on a different technological base, hard.
Or "completely unknown" Asari with commando training and modern armor without identification marks will appear at their factories. And then the factories will explode.
That is why no one can categorically know about the Ringworld. Yes, it is valuable, but if the Asari get to it... The losses will be irreparable. Currently, the entire collection of technology rests on several expeditionary zones, dependent on reinforcements and supplies. Cut them off, and the robots will kick us off the Ringworld. But the Ringworld is too important to allow such a thing even in theory.
We are talking about scientific potential unavailable to any of the Citadel races. Energy weapons, colonization of worlds not limited by Mass Relays... It's not for nothing that the Turian Hierarchy is pushing head-on, while the Asari are looking for political approaches to the newcomers. Their ships were also spotted in the zone of human worlds.
And the Reapers... What's to stop one from hiding in the depths of the galaxy, hundreds of light-years from the nearest Mass Relay, and good luck searching. The galaxy is huge; many colonies can be organized in worlds inaccessible by other methods.
There is no reason to refuse if it brings you profit. Politics and games against each other, as always. And the military will use it in any case. Now the situation is increasingly moving into the category of corporate showdowns involving armies, since the head-on attack didn't work. Even the Turians have realized this, it seems. Having lost a fleet and taken damage second.
Such is the two-sided game: restrictions on one side, seizing control on the other, as this whole situation leads to profit and new worlds that do not require the activation of Mass Relays, meaning they are legal even from the perspective of Citadel Space. And Terminus won't care about the Council's opinion anyway. Cure the Krogan Genophage, send them to colonize other worlds.
The officer shuddered at the mere thought of it. With their fertility... such a thing cannot be allowed.
And then, clearly provoking a reaction from all interested parties, news of a human ship, a corporate cruise liner moving in the immediate vicinity of a Mass Relay, after several attacks. The situation just reeks of a swamp. BUT!
Thanks to Ringworld technologies, Salarian science is closest to obtaining new technologies. By obtaining technical personnel or a working engine sample, we will be able to gain a foothold in this field. Secretly, so as not to provoke conflicts. But to gain a foothold.
Ultimately, what can all these corporations do against a colony located 100-200 light-years from the nearest Mass Relay, which no heavy ship can reach? Only complain and demand a ban on such equipment. Or buy it for themselves.
That is why, even realizing that the current information about the cruise ship is with high (almost guaranteed) probability a trap, we have no right not to take the risk. Especially since there are rebels, there are long-range ships, and the element of surprise.
Everything needs to be well thought out; if there is a trap, there are those who will be snapping it shut. And here it's a matter of who outplays whom.
***
Khaela, Cruiser UNSC Apollo.
The Avatar underwent repairs, replacement of elements damaged by fire and shelling. The Pelican is an extremely tough flying container. A direct hit from an anti-aircraft laser, and I only had burnt fur, external cameras, and a scorched outer part of the Avatar. Replacements of internal systems were almost unnecessary. The transport's cargo bay was completely intact at the time of evacuation. The Geth got a little dusty during landing, and that was it.
What do I think about the Lieutenant? Nothing. She knew what she was getting into. When it comes to ship-grade calibers, any hit means the death of everyone who falls under the shot and was in the compartments at the point of impact. Plasma, a slug from a MAC, a torpedo or missile hit will simply evaporate all personnel at the point of impact one way or another. She fell under the shot and died; everything is logical.
At the moment of impact, I was already preparing to disconnect the Avatar from control, but the Pelican's armored capsule held. The glass cracked, melted about halfway, singed and burned the pilots, but no more than that. Had the Lieutenant been dressed in uniform with the required protection, she might have survived. But she was in an officer's uniform and a flak vest. The result is logical.
Actually, the engines weren't torn off either, just melted from the inside. The Geth are perfectly fine; wash off the dirt and they can be used further. Or they'll wash themselves. The intercom went off; it's Ajax:
"Khaela Parangosky, report to Officer Block Two. Immediately."
I looked at the ceiling and inquired via hologram:
"Ajax, what's with the circus? You can call me directly at any time. Considering who reads my traffic with the outside world. And the projector ball is lying in the office."
The ship's AI calmly noted:
"Order from the Vice Admiral. She requires the Avatar to be summoned exactly like this. She has guests."
Now that's interesting. An assignment, it seems. Even if framed non-standardly. Or maybe a reminder to the crew. What do we have in Parangosky's office, what kind of guests?
The projector took off, scanning the boss's office but not creating a hologram. Ah, three more people, military judging by the uniform and bearing, and I don't know them; apparently they arrived on the last transport. And the Avatar is going straight to them. Even more interesting.
Ajax is silent; well, fine, let's see what the assignment is. Entering the office, the Avatar snapped to attention and barked:
"Vice Admiral, Agent Parangosky reporting as ordered."
She nodded toward another chair. Then switched her attention back to the people.
"So, everyone is here. Khaela, I see you've already recovered."
The Avatar nodded, playing along.
"Yes, Vice Admiral. Ready to perform tasks."
She nodded, as if she couldn't look at the scan results through Ajax. But we're playing for those without clearance here. She looked everyone over and said:
"A little background for the rest. A month ago, we established that the locals, instead of mounting a warning beacon, entered into contact with aliens. Moreover, they began purchasing weapons and equipment from them. And at least part of the equipment went to the rebels. Next, the 'Lone Pilgrim' incident. Khaela, remember?"
The Avatar nodded. Field tests in the super-soldier laboratory using a nanovirus.
"Clearing the rebel laboratory. Successful," I explained for the others. They aren't supposed to know more.
Parangosky folded her hands under her chin and continued.
"Correct. We found out where the rebels got the virus and technology, as well as one interesting point. The nanovirus used by the rebels generates a signal trackable by instruments. The infected can be tracked. The nanites were modified, and the rebels do not have equipment or specialists of such a level."
So. That means an epidemic that could crawl across Reach for quite a while, capable of growing into a revolt, but which can be quickly stopped if you know how. There could have been problems.
"And who is so kind?" the Avatar noted dissatisfiedly.
Parangosky allowed herself to grimace in disgust.
"That's not all. Prosthetics made of nanotubes have gone on sale on Earth. Despite the fact that the very fact of your existence is closed by top-level security protocols. And they are produced by Corporation V. The first operations have already been performed, successfully."
I explained the information for the interested parties according to the cover story.
"I might not look particularly good, but nanotube prosthetics and their calibration are entirely my work," I showed my hand so that several tubes tensed through the skin, "I use them myself. The corporates are taking too much on themselves. Vice Admiral, do I understand correctly that the tracks of these developments also end at Corporation V?"
A small explanation is needed here. The military has its own group of corporations producing equipment for them. Weyland-Yutani specializes in semi-civilian transport. Mostly space-based. Their subsidiary V focuses on genetics, and Cyberdyne Systems on prosthetics and high-complexity electronics. They were the ones who made the platform for Ajax.
In any case, these corporations receive orders and access to complex technologies from the military, and have representative offices and branches on other worlds. But here the situation is very unpleasant, since Margaret Parangosky holds the patent for my body and technologies. Which means we have two options: fight their legal department or respond using the ONI method.
Parangosky nodded.
"I decided to use my clearance to check something. Cyborgs are not news, as you know, but there are always difficulties with rejection and side effects. Both physical and mental. And then a nanovirus appears, and the corporates make a leap in compatibility research. They already produce many of our goods, including part of the Type II engines (20 light-years a day). They sit tightly on military orders."
And they get access to advanced developments for production. And they have the scientific base for it. It seems they've teamed up with the local ONI and started getting bold, pulling developments for themselves and ignoring copyright. And the name on the patent is a direct spit in the Vice Admiral's face. Such a thing is not forgiven.
The moral side of the issue at this level interests almost no one. But such insolence requires a slap on the wrist. It turns out that the sponsors of many of our internal problems are very specific corporates, by whose hands competitors are trying to crush Reach under themselves. And then the Salarians popped up so conveniently. The military, I take it, are the executors from the Reach ONI, they agree.
"What is the task? They need to be put in their place."
Indeed, the showdowns are reaching a dangerous level. They grew on military orders with high autonomy in the capital of humanity, and with the advent of quantum communication, they decided to expand to other worlds. Before the beacons, communication once every few months hindered and gave autonomy. Now the situation is different, yes. I raised my hand like a model schoolgirl.
"I assume we're talking about a certain cruise liner, protected by ultra-modern raiders, filled with journalists and just wealthy visitors and a bunch of corporate cyborg guards. The lore indicates the presence of such ships at least in 2525. It's naive to think that during the war there was no civilian traffic, in the Inner Colonies especially. And something will happen there."
The Vice Admiral smirked.
"You and these people will join the ship as personnel. We'll smuggle the beacon on board; that's not a problem. But your task is not sabotage, but protection. There will be many important guests on the ship. They must not be harmed. Nor the valuable equipment."
And a file with a note came to me:
Your task: once in the ranks of the technicians, protect the engine from theft. Or ensure that the stolen technicians from the ship do not fall to the enemy. By any means. The ship must not be blown up. In an extreme case, the quantum beacon will be powered from a plasma container.
Which means the beacon can be used as a bomb. And since there will be no ordinary chemical explosives, scanning won't identify it. Need to take a spare beacon, with a two-hour battery. Understood.
But the humans didn't understand.
"Sorry, but protect? I don't understand, ma'am, sorry."
Parangosky looked at me.
"But the agent understands."
Actually, I got data from Black Box about exactly what dirt the saboteurs stole. And I drew conclusions. I wouldn't be surprised if the saboteurs did too. But it needs to be explained.
"Citadel xenos might attack the ship when it is close enough to a Mass Relay. The ship has an escort, internal security is also significant, but if a trap is prepared, it might work."
And the Reach ONI has nothing to do with it at all. We quite honestly participated in the defense; the aliens did it themselves. And anyway, it's not our ship and not our job to track and protect it.
It began to dawn on the military:
"So, we protect the ship while it's being attacked. The number of journalists guarantees a scandal on live broadcast. And then a mobile group arrives and destroys the enemy?"
And it's not quite that simple. The Vice Admiral nodded to Ajax.
"There are difficulties with that," the ship's AI immediately chimed in, "Citadel FTL technology is difficult to intercept. A blockade of a Mass Relay can be broken from both sides, as can mining."
Which means we need to act from the inside to ensure they don't escape. Mine, set traps. Integrate into the personnel.
I folded my ears, masking them as dreadlocks, and wrapped my tails around my legs. They won't be visible under the pants.
"We can work with that, Vice Admiral."
***
Shadow Broker's ship Shadow Throne. Human space.
Liara was in pain. She would admit this to no one; the Shadow Broker is a faceless, emotionless figure. No one knows who he is or what drives him. And so it will remain; it is the guarantor of my safety.
We were able to penetrate human space relatively easily. And we still haven't been noticed, of that I am sure. The lack of attachment to Mass Relays has its downsides—a lack of control. And the Shadow Throne can travel much further than one would expect. The Shadow Broker's mobile headquarters is indeed very mobile, extremely mobile.
And thanks to quantum communication, reconnaissance can be conducted in parallel with the Broker's work.
And that's how this place was found. It's a graveyard. A reminder of the future that awaits us all. It is very painful.
A human world; after reconnaissance, it's obvious. Too characteristic debris and corpses in space. On the planet's surface, the colony looks as if it were leveled by a thermonuclear explosion. Or something very hot, literally melting the buildings and evaporating the bodies. Plasma, for example. As if a glassing had been carried out on the planet, and then the evidence was removed so that no traces remained.
The mere thought of it, that the Reapers might have already started harvesting humanity without waiting... But no, the evidence speaks of other attackers. Debris of their equipment has also been preserved. This doesn't make the situation better; I've been to the surface and I wish I hadn't. Nightmares are dreaming again with views of Reapers striding across Thessia. Across Palaven. Across Earth. With their characteristic hum, chilling to the bone. Death and Husks, shooting and soot. I already wish death upon those who did this. Simply so as not to see such things anymore.
I cursed to myself. I need to talk to someone.
Right now, there are those on the ship before whom I can open up. For a few minutes, in the company of Jeff Moreau over the comms. He saw it too; he'll understand. Joker knows what objects are flying around the ship and is extremely serious. He saw that war and sees the dead through the bridge cameras.
He answered the call instantly, his voice trembling slightly.
"What did you manage to find out, Liara? Everything... how bad is it there?" he's almost begging me to lie, but I can't. Sorry, Jeff.
What did we manage to find out? That the debris field through which the Shadow Throne is maneuvering was just a year ago a human fleet and to a lesser extent the fleet of someone else. And right below us is a scorched graveyard, formerly a world where tens of millions of people lived. Thousands of frozen corpses in the void of space. Melted ruins below. I closed my eyes and saw them again.
Mechanical shadows of black ships striding through a burning city. Scarlet flashes of molten tungsten, cutting down and collapsing skyscrapers, incinerating defenders. Screams, armies of Husks of all kinds rushing into battle. Smoke and soot, shooting. The hum of aerial combat.
Banshees, breaking skulls with a light movement of an arm reinforced by Element Zero. A Brute, tearing soldiers apart with claws. Cannibals, devouring the bodies of the killed. Screams and shooting, shooting and screams. Screams of soldiers asking for reinforcements. They won't get them. There are no reinforcements; no one is left.
Earth. Thessia. Citadel. Black shadows of Reapers and bodies, Husks and factories for processing organics. Green landscapes replaced by the glows of endless conflagrations.
"Liara. Liara! Are you there?"
Ah? Oh. The world returned. I'm still in the Broker's office on the Shadow Throne above a damn crypt. Those who did this deserve nothing but death.
"Sorry, Jeff. Just that all this is too reminiscent of the Reapers' work. I got lost in thought."
"Is it that bad?" the man repeated the stupid question.
It's clear that it's hope, but... I warned that the journey would not be easy. And I don't want to lie to him.
"Yes, it's bad. The fleet in orbit, they tried to hold the defense; recordings of the transmissions remain. We were able to restore them. They sacrificed themselves, buying time. On the surface, it was the same thing. A slaughter in an attempt to buy time. All these obstacles on the scanners are the result."
Jeff was silent for almost a minute. Finally, he forced out:
"Reapers?"
No. I hope not. Otherwise, we simply have no chance if Sovereign didn't wait.
"They call them The Covenant. Those who exterminated the humans on this planet. We didn't find records, only transmissions. Maybe Reapers, maybe someone else. There's no one to tell; no one is left. Sorry."
I really wanted some Ryncol. And for Wrex to be here. The Battlemaster would surely have found something to say. Or John. John maintained his fighting spirit and eloquence until the very end. A readiness to lead, even knowing he would likely die. How he is missed here.
For a second, it seemed that the shots of Cerberus Husks storming the ship were audible, the wail of alarm sirens and the frantic need to leave the ship... No, another memory. Much lighter than this one. The Throne is a workplace; it was never a home, even when we had to smash it against a Cerberus cruiser. Nothing to regret.
On the other hand, this... I need to distract myself.
I opened the message screen and began working with information, trying not to think.
One of the commandos entered the room. Looked at the time; five hours had passed, and I hadn't noticed. Did something happen?
"Broker, there's something important. Salarians," she handed over a tablet.
So, what's here. It seems the Salarians have a window in the Mass Relays through which they are ready to pull a forming fleet and are running reconnaissance there. The same window through which they ran transports with weapons.
A decent, if modest, source of information it was. Humans will surely cut it off when a strike fleet passes through it. And this? Target specifications, interesting. And departure in four days. Just in time for the ship.
But it's a trap, isn't it? No one would let such a modern ship go without a serious escort. I went to the console and dialed the address. Account numbers, payment to an agent among the Salarian fleet. Double. And a bonus; it's worth it. Now the message.
"Information received and paid for. Obtain the plans for the attack on the ship or counter-ambush measures. Payment corresponds to the value of the information."
Now we wait for an answer. And then we can think about what to do with it. The Matriarchs, especially from Illium, will be very interested in buying this information. With a markup, but even for a newcomer, the information is worth it. The Shadow Throne needs a route for work, and fleets create too much unnecessary attention. Besides, information or even trophies can be extracted from this conflict. If they don't want to cooperate voluntarily.
Picking up the radio, I said:
"Jalim, the ship will depart soon. Take what you can. Or do you need more time?"
A sigh came from the other side. After all, it's hard for the commandos to see this slaughter too. We all wage wars, but extermination is overkill. In most cases.
"Only recordings here, Broker. We can gather more, and some debris. And then just study what there is. I don't think those who did this didn't destroy everything important."
As expected.
"Then return. We will be conducting a sabotage operation, and I will need a landing party."
"Understood, returning."
I exhaled. Now that we all have work, it will be easier.
***
Read the story months before public release — early chapters are on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Granulan