Mass Effect Factions :: Emergence ((IC/Apply in OOC))

by **Nuxipal** » Wed Jun 26, 2019 5:17 pm

Galactic Event

The galaxy quakes as a force of Geth seemingly appear on Noveria out of no where. Much of the world is devastated, but they seem to be concentrated around the hot labs on Peak 15. Rumors of a traitor working within the administration on Noveria appear true as there were no geth warships in orbit, even now.

1. Asari Republics
Economic Outlook: Asari Economy advances (+1)
Exploration Status: Exploration Continues 2/3 months
Research Status:Eezo Refining completed, Spinal Particle Accelerators 140/140
Espionage: 14 IP to purging corruption on Thessia

Events: As the Asari Republics join the War effort, there is a sizable movement on several worlds which are opposed to gallivanting off to war beyond citadel space. Defending themselves from Aria was one thing, but launching a war in and of itself was quite another. Meanwhile, above the world, the Hyperdreadnought production is delayed. Some kind of systemic malfunction jettisoned the hulls into orbit. It will take a month to get them back into place. Additionally, Asari Scientists seem to be able to afford far larger homes than previously.

2. Salarian Union
Economic Outlook: Salarian Economy Grows (+2)
Exploration Status: No Exploration
Research Status: No Research
Espionage: +3 IP

Events: No Events

3. Turian Hierarchy
Economic Outlook: Turian Economy Grows (+3)
Exploration Status: No Exploration
Research Status: No Research
Espionage: No Expionage

Events: The turian war machine begins ramping up to speed as a wealthy Volus family donates two light cruisers to the Turian Navy to show their support for the war.

4. Human Systems Alliance
Economic Outlook: No major announcements from the HSA's economic department (-0)
Exploration Status: No Exploration
Research Status: No Research
Espionage: +0 IP

Events: No events

5. Batarian Hegemony
Economic Outlook: The Hegemony's economy maintains its status (+0)
Exploration Status: Expedition continues 2/3
Research Status: Completed:
Exotic Mineral Extraction Automation 30/80
Espionage: +3 IP
-2 Purging Corruption and Hunting Traitors (Kite's Nest?)

Events: Further terror events plague the Batarian Hegemony this month. A pair of trading ships have vanished. Along with those ships, 200 credits worth of military supplies seem to vanish into the Traverse. Just as the patrol craft feel they have them cornered in a dead-end system they have lost them. A research project can be completed to calculate where the ships may have vanished to.

6. Omega
Economic Outlook: Omega's economy jumps forward (+5)
Exploration Status: Exploration launched into Omega Nebula, no foreseen complications. 2/3
Research Status: See post
Espionage: +3 IP

Events: No major events shake up Omega this month

7. Illium
Economic Outlook: Illium's economy grows (+3)
Exploration Status: No Exploration
Research Status: Stellar Arcologies - 24/40
Espionage: +1 IP

Events: A series of good investments pay off as the corporations end up paying more in taxes this month to the planetary government than expected. +300 credits this month.

8. Geth Consensus
Economic Outlook: New economic benefits pour into the Consensus as material gains increase (+4)
Exploration Status: Expedition Completes successfully and without further incident (3/3)
Research Status: [Various]
Espionage:
Events: The unrest on Ekuna has shaken some of the other Organic worlds the Geth hold custody over. However, they do not revolt, instead opting to form a coalition and seek some kind of treaty with the Geth to recognize them as client states to the Geth in a similar relationship to the Turians and Volus.

9. Quarian Flotilla
Economic Outlook: A vast trove of asteroids rich in metals help the Flotilla improve their economy this month (+5)
Exploration Status:Expedition continues (2/3)
Research Status: None
Espionage: +0 IP

Events: The first mentions of what is to be found by the expedition team create a buzz within the fleet providing the scientists with preliminary data which gives +20 RP this month.

10. Hanar Illuminated Primacy
Economic Outlook: The Primacy's economy drops heavily (-3)
Exploration Status: Drell Expedition continues 3/5 months
Research Status: No Research
Espionage: +0 IP

Events: The exodus of Drell completes leaving less than 4000 drell in Hanar custody. The rest crowd starports in citadel space awaiting news from their expedition and from the council.

11. Korlus Planetary Government
Economic Outlook:No change to the economy of Korlus
Exploration Status: None
Research Status: None
Espionage: None

Events: No events

12. Noveria Development Corporation
Economic Outlook: No change
Exploration Status: None
Research Status: None
Espionage: None

Events: Strange events on Noveria seem to shut down the planet's research facilities and all foreign investments are cut off. Refunds are promised.

13. Eclipse
Economic Outlook: No change to the Eclipse economy
Exploration Status: None
Research Status: None
Espionage: +0 IP

Events: Nightmares grow worse as the entire planet of Trident goes dark and a cursory pass by a human freighter shows the planet abandoned by Eclipse and Civilian alike.

14. Elcor Courts
Economic Outlook: A decent showing for the Elcor Economy (+3)
Exploration Status: None
Research Status:
Espionage:+0 IP

Events: The events of Ekuna have tempered the Elcor once more. Military ground units cost 50% more this month.

15. Attican Beta Colonial Front
Economic Outlook:The economy of the ABCF grows marginally this month (+1)
Exploration Status: None
Research Status: None
Espionage:+0 IP

Events: Nightmares become common place to the ABCF's off world military personnel. Ship captains report seeing large squid-like starships in their dreams commanding them to turn on Earth.

16. Heshtok Vorcha
Economic Outlook: Vorcha Products for Volus Credits (+3)
Exploration Status: X
Research Status: X
Espionage: +0 IP

Events: Heshtok seems to stand still this month

Geth Exploration Results

Geth Exploration Results:
System 1:
Planet A: Non-Hostile Terrestrial
Planet B: Non-Hostile Terrestrial
Planet C: Barren
Moon a: Barren Moon

System 2:
Planet A: Hostile Terrestrial
Planet B: Non-Hostile Terrestrial
Planet C: Gas Giant
Asteroid Belt
Planet D: Hostile Terrestrial
Planet E: Barren
Planet F: Hostile Terrestrial

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Jun 28, 2019 9:05 am

A Crescendo of Steel

Primary Dreadnought, High Rannoch Orbit, Tikkun System, The Perseus Veil
Timestamp: Downside Munificent-Tertiary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

A heavy stamp-stamp reverberated through the oxygenated halls of the new reception section aboard the Primary, the final delegate arriving. Ambassador Kinkuuna had found himself detained for several hours passing through the Turian fleet which loitered around the Massing's primary relay, but eventually managed to convince the military attaches that his diplomatic credentials from Ekuna were legitimate enough to at least be afforded the benefit of a doubt. Still, several of the other delegates had been waiting for some time, and the Volus diplomat from Boro was bouncing irritably on her footpads.

Impassively, a scattering of Geth platforms were positioned around the room. Some carried trays of refreshments, standing as immobile statues near the walls - an aping of organic customs which the ambassadors found more unnerving than comforting. It was one thing to have a servant fulfill such a task, invisible in an alcove so as not to disturb the beauty of a formal reception chamber, but another altogether to see the graven images that were the utterly silent Geth waiting. It was like being served by a conclave of predators, completely still before the final lunge to an attack.

Still, this was where the Consensus had chosen to finalize the Treaty of Providence, and none of the representatives could really turn down such an invitation. It was a strange place to conclude such a location, the most powerful warship in the known universe, but the Consensus was a strange entity to negotiate with. It had taken less than three days of intermittent communication between the three polities and the many faces of the Geth to hammer out the terms of the agreement, which crystallized many of the assumptions and realities of the Outer Systems Protectorates - mainly military access, military support, and self-governance.

There would be elections in the coming months, assuming war didn't consume the Massing. Few of the de facto leaders of Providence, Ekuna, or Boro were looking forward to a proper campaign season, but the foment on Ekuna had allowed the Geth to at least convince them to legitimize some political discourse, rather than working with the technocratic solutions that had functioned so far.

"Greetings: Ambassador Nuril. Apologetic: The time you have been waiting, I regret."

A fine diplomatic overture. It was ignored, though, for the Volus Ambassador merely impatiently barked at the waiting brass-colored Geth which stood on one side of the long conference table, next to a scruffy looking human who was the representative from Aite.

"Primarch, we're ready. The Eclor" - he didn't bother distinguishing the representative with a name, for perhaps he hadn't bothered learning it - "has finally arrived. Pull up the documents, and let's sign."

The faceplate of the brass-hued Geth moved marginally, so lightly that it might have just been a trick of the light in the dun gray-and-black interior of the starship. There were no windows in the Primary, after all - it was synthetic built, and did not make concessions for the sentimentality and security flaw which such portholes and viewscreens represented. The black chamber of the meeting room was rather lit by warm ambient light, immense faux-windows which displayed the tragic beauty of Rannoch's wild acreages. No doubt an affectation for the good of the ambassadors, but one which felt much less forbidding than blank milisteel bulkheads.

"Very well." spoke the Geth, in tones which were strangely authoritative for a machine. It turned a half rotation, before drawing out from a table behind it what appeared to be immense sheets of graven metal, flexible but obviously fiercely strong. They shimmered a pale translucent white-gray, almost like powdered rock, like nothing the organic representatives had seen before.

"These documents contain the agreed upon terms for the free peoples of the Terminus - formally entering themselves into the Outer Systems Protectorates, and binding the Consensus to their defense and safekeeping. This is the wish of all Geth - to prevent harm from coming to your kindred, and protect them from the turbulence that now threatens to consume all worlds from the Citadel to Omega."

The document obviously said slightly more than that. It specified degrees of autonomy, material outlays that the governments could expect from Geth space, quartering obligations, and more besides. But that was fairly standard stuff in the eyes of the representatives, and the debate on the sundered worlds had been brief. Any doubts that the representatives might have harbored - doubts which the representative from Providence, Niklos Ygriogos, had spoken about somewhat stridently upon first arriving - had been swiftly erased upon observing the Geth fleet assembled above Rannoch.

Their hosts had politely declined to clarify if the strength that ringed the world of the Geth's nascency represented the fullness of their might, but it was to the mind of Niklos, at least, that it could not - and even that strength which was already seen could be scarcely comprehended. The Primary Dreadnought alone was a behemoth, larger than any vessel he had ever heard of even the Turians exercising. And the orbital shipyards above the Geth capitol were fabricating more like it. That, added to the dozens of dreadnoughts which already lay in above the world... that was strength which the man from Providence had not expected, and it was only growing.

A small stylus that glittered with white-hot heat the Geth extracted from a compartment which slid smoothly open on the table. The willowy not-paper drifted from its metallic hands almost as if it had mind of its own, and with heavy steps the ambassadors approached where each of the three sheets lay.

Niklos ran a hand through his short cropped beard, before signing. Into the filmy material the blade cut, leaving behind letters which shimmered with red light. It was a strange ritual, but the Geth were strange hosts. A handful of breaths passed before the other two creatures had affixed their names to their respective accords, and the Primarch nodded. At a gesture the sheets separated, seamless beauty duplicated as smoothly as wine might be poured into a glass.

"Carry to your superiors these symbols of our promises. The Consensus will remember."

by **Kinistian** » Sun Jun 30, 2019 9:10 am

Task Force Phalanx|| Santius Offensive ||Phoenix Massing

As they were hailed by the armed local defense forces. It became apparent that some of the locals were working with the Geth. The fact they also didn’t engage Aria’s ships was also damaging to their appeal. The large Frigate Task force than made a abrupt turn towards the their welcoming committee.

“This is Commander Tetra, your government has been found in violation with interacting with the Machines known as the Geth! And have allowed them to spread their threat to your neighbors. You will surrender immediately or you will be fired upon! You have 2 minutes to comply or be sentenced to void!” As the only response the locals were given followed by the opening of hundreds of torpedo tubes.

Turian 1st Fleet|| Santius Offensive ||Phoenix Massing

The Turian Fleet alongside the Salarian Fleets begin entering Phoenix Massing with Dreadnoughts and Transports entering last.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 6:17 am

The Storm Breaks

Mass Relay, Tassrah System, Phoenix Massing
Timestamp: Spinward Adjudicator-Quaternary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

The strident Turian response drifted back through the shortwave, and the commander of the Flotilla grimaced. Several of the crewmembers of the command deck looked up in concern, but Michael forced a wan smile to his face.

"Remember, folks, there's nothing here worth selling our lives for. Warm up the engines for a shoot and scoot."

Then the ansible opened at the comms officer's touch, and the force commander's gruff voice responded to the Turian frigate-ball.

"Commander Tetra. The Council has no jurisdiction here. This space is under the protection of the Providence Free Republic. I will no more surrender my command out of hand than I will eat my own arm. If your vessels stir from the relay they will be fired upon. No state of hostilities exists between the Hierarchy and the Free Republic, but you may not violate neutral space or threaten vessels of the Republic with impunity. We shall allow you time to discharge your drives, then you must be on your way. Acknowledge receipt of this message. Activation of your drives will be taken as hostile intent."

For now, the men of Providence held the whip hand. With the Turian flotilla all but disabled by the extensive static charge in their drives from the superluminal transition, they would be essentially unable to maneuver if fired upon, for fear of overwhelming their drive cores and causing catastrophic system failures across the fleet.

"Notify Providence that we have encountered Turian vessels, vessels with hostile intent towards both Geth vessels and our fleets. And comms?"

"Yes captain."

"Prep the emergency buoy, just in case."

Across the small flotilla the heavy cruisers powered up their spinal kinetics. The shards they lobbed would be ineffective at this distance, and their tracking algorithms were built to fight other cruisers - but against an enemy with minimal maneuvering capabilities, and light enough armor that a single impact would shatter the light vessels, the outcome could be devastating.

by **Segmentia** » Mon Jul 01, 2019 3:27 pm

Thessia

The Quarian ambassador and his entourage were set down in a large courtyard with several landing pads, and were escorted to a huge, dome-topped building. There were armed guards and other busy-bodies roaming about, though no one expected trouble it was always a good idea to show preparedness to foreign visitors of importance. Through large, wide-set double doors and up intricately carved and crafted steps the group made their way. Everything in the massive building was typical of the Asari, beautiful and crafted by masters of their trade...with mechanical and robotic assistance of course. This was the Committee Building, and while it seemed to have the dignity of great age it was actually only a few years old, and was simply built in the older fashions of Thessia.

Down another large corridor and through another wide doorway, the Quarians would be ushered into a massive room, looking much like an operating theater but much larger, and with the half circle of seats starting to their left and right, and curving up behind them, having walked out under the mid-section. Lines of seats dominated half the circular room, steps allowing people to move up and down the various rising rows. In those seats now sat hundreds of Asari Matriarchs, the light murmur of conversation buzzing about, though with all attention on the Quarians. Past the ending row and having been facing them since they entered were several large tables, one raised up on a platform or a stage, with two in front of it, and two to either side, facing inwards. At the elevated table sat the three most powerful Asari in the Republics, Matriarchs Benezia T'Soni, Alenia Nyxemi, and Matron Iressia Ateara , the so called Triumvirate. Benezia sat in the middle, with Alenia to her right and Iressia to her left, and she was also the one to speak, the murmur of conversation dying away in an instant.

“Representative Pylo’kal vas Petra, on behalf of the Committee and the Asari peoples, I welcome you to Thessia. It has been several centuries since we have had the honor of an official representative. I am sure this shall be a historic day.” Benezia said, looking over the Quarians as they were shown to seats before the first two tables.

Thessia, in orbit

Norarius V'laor and Salfintea Bete were as giddy as school girls as they looked out on the construction of three of their ships, the Republics-class Hyperdreadnoughts. They and their team had spent entire weeks at the office designing them, and the sheer thrill and excitement had been all the energy they had needed, and now they could see their handy work as the three massive hulls were undergoing construction by swarms of craft and workers. They were already being tapped for a design for some retrofit as soon as they were completed, and the specs of the new tech were something that had only seemed to revitalize the team from their exhaustion. Practical, large scale energy weapons had the potential to alter naval warfare, and they were the ones at the forefront of the designs. They had been given a new, larger office and their team had been expanding as well, and they now had direct contact with the science teams that were leading their own charge. All in all, the future was bright for them, and they would embrace it as fully as they could.

Horizon, Shadow Sea

The occupation of a world so far outside of Citadel Space had been a sketchy moral position to take, especially when one considered that the world of Horizon was already inhabited by human settlers seeking to get away from Council law and live uninterrupted lives. However Asari high command had convinced the Committee of the importance of establishing large scale defensive positions on this side of the galaxy, now that the the DMZ between Council and Terminus space had been established on the other side of the galaxy. There were plenty of officers, committee members, and various other groups that disagreed with the DMZ, but it wasn't their place to question the Council.

Leading the Asari ground forces, General Tesana Seus had quickly landed troops on Horizon and secured multiple positions for the mass defensive works that had quickly taken place, with Horizon now boasting impressive planetary defenses. She had made contact with the Horizon colony leaders and assured them that Asari, and general Council, military forces wouldn't be posted near the colony itself, though the humans were less then thrilled all the same, and she knew the population were armed. Seus was prepared and ready to move in and disarm them if they became a problem, but for now she was keeping to her word, though she knew the increasing military presence over the coming months would only make the problem worse.

In orbit the bulk of the Republics navy had been reorganized into two task forces, one for defensive purposes and one to act as a limited offensive arm to support the larger Turian and Salarian forces, but public opinion back home wasn't very keen on the idea of offensive operations. Admiral Rilulnea Caios had the command of all naval forces, and she and Seus had worked well together in the past, though in smaller scale operations then this, but both were experienced and up to the challenge.

by **Greater Istanistan** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 4:36 pm

OOC: Slightly backdated reference to T'loak due to time crunch, but otherwise consider this in line with everything else.

An Armali-style noodle shop on the frontier of the Nos Astra Charter City. The usual style - plenty of fish tanks (unfiltered), thick round tables with benches (dirty), purplish mood lighting (flickering, headache-inducing), and an open kitchen (the sort of clean created only by poverty). Mostly empty. In the middle of the room, ex-Inspector Ansaia Kryia, with a clear line of sight on the door and an equally clear set of escape paths (kitchen, fire door) and nearby cover. She hunched over a bowl of noodles, glaring at the entrance.

How the hell did she spend this much time sitting and waiting in dives like this? Was police work always this bad?

Well, yes - on a budget.

In the open-plan kitchen, an Elcor chef was beheading skaldfish. It seemed peevish, but the trouble with Elcor was that you couldn't read them unless you got them talking. Give them credit - incredible poker faces.

The noodles tasted like cardboard. Unemployment was a bitch. Most of her savings had already gone into information brokers, hackers, and the holstered shotgun at her side. She was tapped out. It wouldn't matter - she'd either come out of this with her job back or face-down in a sewer.

Her own fucking fault for killing all those Turians and assuming the government was immune from Manufacturer bullshit. Or the Manufacturing Association's fault for assuming they could get away with using mobs of thugs to butcher and burn their enemies with impunity, then screwing her life up and not expecting her to try and stop their stupid fucking assassination plot. Or some bureaucrat's fault for deciding to use her to do their dirty work. Or the student ultranationalists' fault, for all their stupid little naive horrors and what they made her do to stop them. Or her fault, for being the designated go-to butcher for problems that could only be solved with a civilian bloodbath.

Or the whole fucking planet, for that matter. Maybe its bureaucrats, cultists, businesses, sectarians, schemers, idealists, revolutionaries, and freaks needed a drowning in blood and a new beginning.

If it came out that the most powerful business cartel was trying to kill the daughter of the Queen of Omega to undermine a peace treaty and drown the galaxy in blood in the interests of a pan-Asari government -

Well.

There'd be a reckoning, alright.

Which brought it full circle. Only Kryia had the guts to go through with it. Which is why she was here, broke, eating cardboard noodles, trying to avoid any number of probable assassins, and grasping at straws.

Fuck. She couldn't even afford a drink.

These noodles were shit, because the Manufacturers had an effective monopoly on levo food imports, the government was too spineless to do something about it, and the middle class closed their eyes and claimed that cartelization was impossible under conditions of perfect competition so the prices had to be fair.

Bullshit overpriced planet. Bullshit capitalists. Bullshit trickle-down soulless garbage. Bullshit all.

"I told you", stated Commissioner Inessa Armalos as she stalked through the door, "that I'd kill you if I saw you again."

"Figured you'd come for a shot at it", she shot back.

"It showed you were serious", Armalos stated, lowering herself into the seat across from Kryia. "Recommend the noodles?"

"No."

"Hurt: I am hurt."

The chef. Hah. He could speak.

"So, Kryia. What do you have for me? I would imagine it's good, or you wouldn't have come to me."

"It's not", responded Kryia, "and I don't have anyone else." So she laid out what she knew - that the Manufacturer's Association was plotting to use a student ultranationalist to kill Liselle T'loak. That their agent had already handed off a sniper rifle. That their triggerwoman probably didn't know better and would be made to take the fall, meaning that the murder was meant to be solved. She ran through the paper trail, the financial statements. She ran out of evidence and ran into conjecture - the Manufacturers had an interest in scuttling the DMZ and putting Illium on the front line of the war. That it wasn't simple profiteering off war they were after, or they'd want to preserve the DMZ. That given the Association's politics, they were probably trying to throw Illium into the loving arms of the Republics.

After a time, she let herself stop.

"I don't know their endgame", she admitted, "but it won't matter whether the Association or the ultranationalists kill T'loak. When it happens, Omega will deratify the DMZ and come knocking for revenge, and we'll have no choice but to join the Republics. To preserve Illium's independence, we have to stop the assassination before it even begins. Bury it. Drown it in blood. Make them realize that they can't get away with this. So Arm- Commissioner."

Not the time for infuriating her, as attractive a prospect it was.

"I can't stop this alone, and I certainly can't do it convincingly. But these corporate whores are violating the sacred contracts that have bound this planet since the Founding. They have to be stopped and they have to pay. I'm asking you, not as an individual but as a representative of the Free Republic, to do what I can't and save the planet."

"I could", responded the Commissioner, "but considering my personal feelings towards you I'm glad to say I have orders from the very top. Your fight - the blood you shed, my sisters you killed, the horrors you inflicted - all of it was futile. A rearguard against a glorious destiny. Everything for the last thousand years was aimed at this moment. You cannot halt the preordained."

She seemed triumphant. Too easy.

"Ansaia Kryia, you're under arrest for interference in matters of state. Please come quietly. Or don't."

Armalos was already standing up, reaching for her gun, and beginning to glow. A mistake she'd made before, but the privilege of youth was that you usually got to make the same bad calls a couple times when their elders had to make do with once.

Kryia flipped the round table up, then shoulder-checked it into Armalos. A simpler and quicker motion which allowed her a few seconds to draw her pistol. The key to a fight against a powerful biotic was to win decisively in the first five seconds. Anything else could be patched over with medigel, and then they'd kill you. A single shot to the head would end this.

So Kryia shot the Commissioner through the table four times in the gut. She'd be down, but not out.

Kryia could regret that later. For now, there was a government assault team coming through the door, sporting matte-black armour and high-powered rifles. One of them peeled off into the kitchen. After a moment, there was a burst of gunfire.

The Elcor wailed.

They could end Kryia in one shot. They hadn't yet. With kinetic barriers and armour, her pistol couldn't harm them and going for her shotgun was a death-sentence. Plus she had no cover. The commandos already had her in their sights and were fanned out - no easy solution.

Armalos' blood was trickling out from under the table in blue rivulets and pooling on the floor.

Was she fucked? Maybe. But that was the cost of fishing.

"Ansaia Kryia", one of the gunmen stated, your life is forfeit. Come quietly."

"Well", she stated blandly, "let's see who still loves me."

Whump. Whump. WHUMP.

The answer came in a rapid series of explosions, the last of which wiped out the front of the restaurant and the assault squad and sent Kryia flying through the paper-thin back wall of the restaurant.

She willed herself awake a moment later, face-down in a mixed pile of rubble and garbage in a filthy alley. She was bleeding somewhere on her head - not serious, but aggravating. Probably a broken rib.

From the sound of it, a gunship was going to town on the Public Security unit out front. Kryia rubbed her eyes, forced herself to stand, and looked around. Standard alley. Uncollected garbage? Check. Foul stench? Check. Violently disassembled Public Security raid-squad members spattered across the walls? Check. Unattended rusting fire escape to an upper level? Check.

There was only one escape route - upwards and inwards. Belly of the proverbial beast.

Her omnitool pinged.

ILLIUM CANNOT BE SAVED, the message read. WILL YOU DIE AND LET IT FULFILL ITS DESTINY AS THE ARK OF ANCIENT RIGHTS RESTORED? OR WILL YOU AVENGE ITS CORPSE AND SEE FREEDOM FORGED ANEW?

That was useless. What was the point of... all this? For the matter, who the fuck was even feeding her tips and helping her?

Another ping.

THIS WAS ALWAYS THE DESIGN - NOT THE END, BUT THE DECISION

Ping.

WE COULD NOT FORCE THE ISSUE, SO WE FORCED A CHOICE

Ping.

THERE HAD TO BE A CHOICE

Ping.

WE ARE THE DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY, AND EVEN AS WE BEND THE ARC OF HISTORY THERE IS ALWAYS A CHOICE

Ping.

TIME IS SHORT

This was all some elaborate game. Whoever she was being contacted by was responsible for everything. They'd created the assassination plot, and given her the keys to end it. "Predetermined". Everything was meant to come to this.

Hell of a choice.

Martyr herself, let the evidence die with her, allow the assassination to go unimpeded and... Well, that was as clear as mud, but for most citizens ordinary life would march on unimpeded. Another esoteric power-grab with obscure consequences, and at the end of the day there'd still be jobs, homes, romances, festivals, culture, art, and cheap noodle-shops. Hell, things might even get better. If the end result was integration into the Asari Republics, there'd be no more slavery, no more drugs, no more prostitution, no more corporate warfare, no more scattering of the poor like refuse in the interest of some rich asshole's whim. There'd be security, democracy of a sort, and even without the anarchic freedoms of the present there'd be peace. What more could an officer of the law ask for? She just had to die here in an alleyway and let the world she knew and - well, at the end it deserved honesty - loved be transformed. Maybe that was the point of Illium from the beginning. Maybe it had been created for this very purpose. She would die, and in some form or another it would go on.

But they'd get away with it. One final moment when the rich could use the poor as fodder for their plans. One final, massive, deception to bend their fates. One final choice for "their own good".

Or she could stop the assassination and implicate the whole planetary elite, capitalists, nationalists, and government alike. There would be chaos, fire, death, and blood. In the time between the old order and the new, there would be monsters. Instead of a destiny, Illium would be a hecatomb. It would die, and Kryia's life expectancy would probably be low. She wouldn't survive giving it the killing blow. Everything would crash down. Her whole world would be burnt out with her.

Hell of a fishing expedition, this.

Ironically enough, it was barely a choice for her.

by **Kinistian** » Thu Jul 04, 2019 6:36 pm

Task Force Phalanx|| Santius Offensive ||Phoenix Massing

As the Turian Flotilla discharged their drives they corrected the Human by stating Ekuna is a council protected world and if they hamper its protection they will be viewed as enemy combatants.

Turian First Fleet|| Santius Offensive ||Phoenix Massing

The Turian 1st Fleet comes through the relay.

by **Ralnis** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 12:27 am

Khar'shan,
Hegemonic Palace, Khar'shan

With the jumpstart to the economy amid tensions between the Terminus and the Council the Batarians were still neutral about it. Hegemon Narket had to deal with a budging economy and dealing with corruption. Though now this new improvement by the scientists working on the Leviathan had came up with a grim realization. A report from the space station had made him call up the technology minister immediately. The message was sent and mere minutes the minister was escorted by a spec-ops team. He saw his Hegemon's eyes looking at him with a sign of fear.

"Is it true?"

"My Hegemon?"

"Is it true? The theory you came up with?" He stood up an hunched over the datapad.

"Well..." the minster clears his throat," we had cross referenced some of the data from former sightings of Protheans and other suspected races. We have identified quite a few patterns and connected it to the race that came before us during the time of the Protheans. We believe that the theory holds some truth to it. I.."

The Hegemon holds his hand up and goes to his liquor stash to pour him a drink. He gave a sigh as he told the SIU troops to leave and guard the door. He gestured to the seat next to him and hands him a glass.

"The galaxy is about to explode with this war going on between the Terminus and the Council, then there's Humanity going through a political upheaval and we are sitting on a truth that no one in the galaxy will ever believe. I don't like to say that I believe this and if my stance was leaked than people would question my sanity like they already do. However this comes with the information of the terrorists that were attached by strange cybernetic technology that we've never seen before.

This is perhaps that something is going on, somethings amiss that such a theory just can't be denied. This also means that it's starting to become more than just one nation can handle with and we need to figure out where the terrorists are getting this sort of technology."

"Then what would you like me to do my Hegemon?" The scientist asked.

"Continue on the research into the armor composition and then focus on the industrial designs and mining overhauls. The Hegemony itself needs that surplus of minerals for the blooming industry. We need it for the sake of building our military if there are more Leviathans out there."

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 1:25 pm

The Storm Breaks

Mass Relay, Tassrah System, Phoenix Massing
Timestamp: Spinward Adjudicator-Quaternary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

"...viewed as enemy combatants."

That last phrase was the last straw for the Commander, and his response was snarled down the comms line as much as spoken.

"Neither Ekuna nor Providence have any need for Council meddlers. This is sovereign space, and the Republic recognizes no right for either the Council or the Turian Hierarchy to traipse through controlled systems without so much as a by-your-leave."

A Turian Destroyer popped into existence in Tassrah, coming through the relay, and the sensors pinged on the Prospector's Axiom. The sensors officer sang out, and Michael's face hardened. His voice was as cold as winter as he spoke to the Turian attache.

"Commander Tetra, this is controlled space. Send an ambassador if you wish to change that fact. As it is now, knowing what I do of your intentions, I will have no choice but to treat any further entrances to this systems as an act of war. My orders are clear in that case, and I will not be answerable for the deaths of your men which will follow."

He closed the channel, and barked orders.

"Stand to battle stations. Bring us up to attack speed, and plug in the random-walk. If these fuckers want a war, we'll give them all they can stomach."

Next to the Prospector's Axiom the Jolly Mary, the other heavy cruisers of the flotilla, fired up her engines. Stirring from her station-keeping by the fuel depot, the Rapid Response Flotilla began nosing towards the Relay, scattering hard rads off of their prows as they cut through the solar wind. Nose on, that was the best orientation towards a potential foe - the spinals on the heavy cruisers would swat the Turian frigates like so many bugs, and if the Turians wanted a fight, by Aite, they would get it.

by **Kinistian** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 1:33 pm

The Turian Flotilla broke off and armed their Torpedoes. The sheer volume of Torpedoes would easily destroy the enemy Flotilla. The Frigates engages the enemy unleashing a torrential down pour of Torpedoes to shred the enemy vessels apart as the Turian 1st Fleet finished coming Though the Relay and began lining up their mass drivers at the enemy.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 2:28 pm

The Storm Breaks

Mass Relay, Tassrah System, Phoenix Massing
Timestamp: Spinward Adjudicator-Quaternary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

"Commander, reading multiple torpedo launches. We're tracking one hundred... two hundred inbound signatures. Thirty six point eight mega-klicks out - intercept in twelve minutes." The grim words from the weapons officer changed the mood on the deck dramatically. The Turians apparently had no intention of responding to the Flotilla's mandate in a positive manner - indeed nearly a dozen heavy ships began jumping into Tassrah barely after Michael closed the comm line.

"Officer Irrali, I want full forward barriers, prow exclusive. If those heavies start chucking MACs, I want a warning. Give me firing solutions on that frigate ball. We can random walk all we want, but the probability manifolds against a dozen dreads aren't advantageous for long. Crack me as many hulls as you can in the next half hour while they discharge."

Forward from the Flotilla the half dozen guarding frigates raced, not to engage the enemy, but to a small displacement before the main heavy cruisers the men of Providence manned. Their role was simple - at this long range, torpedoes could be intercepted by the highly accurate tracking systems of the light vessels, and were comparably clumsy for the furball that would erupt in a little less than quarter of an hour.

Through their screen, aimed for the fragile Turian vessels, the flickering energies of the heavy cruisers spinals began pulsing in their tattoo of death. Three rounds a minute, pushed up to five because Commander Avios didn't intend to prolong the engagement, each bearing enough kinetic potential to shatter light shields as if they didn't exist. At this range they wouldn't be accurate, of course, but with the limited drive capabilities of their foes, they wouldn't need to be. Geth-built firing algorithms worked the probability manifolds with a speed few organics could match, saturating the potential locations of the Turian frigate-ball with lethal intent.

Michael sat back in his command chair, waiting for the first sensor relays from the MACs. The bounceback time from the fleet massing near the Relay was nearly two minutes, so it wouldn't be until then that the firing algorithms could begin to adjust. But with the outbound rounds charting near enough to the universal constant as made little difference, things were about to get very hairy in the Turian neck of the wood.

"Commander, shall we do anything about the incoming frigates? Sensors read them firing up engines to advance."

The commander merely nodded.

"Bold play. If they don't all fry before they get within a dozen mega-klicks of here, retask our escorts to cover withdrawal to Providence. We're not here to get butchered in a melee we can't hope to win."

by **Segmentia** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 5:50 pm

The Thessian Truth Seeker

In response to wide-spread outcry, both on the e-forums and in organized protests, in response to the aggressive acts of the Council spearheaded by the Turian fleet, the Matriarch Council released a statement both to the assembled press, and on the e-forums across the Republics.

'The Matriarch Council has heard the dissatisfaction in regards to the current deployment of Asari forces in support of our Council allies. The Matriarchs would like to stress to the public that our Huntresses have been deployed solely in a support role for the larger Turian fleet, and the Salarian contingent. Even now our naval and ground forces are garrisoning the world of Horizon, where we have established a strong defensive position to defend both Citadel space, and the space of the human System Alliance, against Terminus aggression. The current situation with the Geth and their supposed 'protectorates' is on-going and developing, and the citizens of the Republics can rest assured that the Matriarchs are keeping a close eye on the situation, and will continue to seek feed-back and debate from our sister citizens.'

Responding to questions about the garrison on Horizon, or as some call it the occupation of Horizon, the Spokeswoman had this to say.

'While it is unfortunate that our Huntresses have had to encroach upon a world settled by humans seeking more freedom from the rule of Council law, we have taken every precaution to keep our forces and fortifications away from any human settlements. Horizon is situated in a crucial Mass Relay route to between the Terminus and Citadel space, and therefore must not be left undefended. Representatives on the ground at Horizon have been working to seek an understanding and agreement to the inhabitants, and we shall keep you all abreast of the situation going into the future.'

Debates continue to rage on the extra-net concerning these sudden developments, though it is the opinion of the Truth Seeker that while new hostilities should be avoided, we cannot forget that it is the so called 'Queen' Aria that has declared war upon the Council, and by extension the Asari Republics, and not the other way around. Aria is a pirate and a criminal of the worst sort, regardless of the airs she puts on now, and if we didn't fight her pirate and mercenary military over there, we would be fighting them on the Citadel and eve Thessia herself. We shall allow our readers to reach their own conclusions on the matter.

by **Nuxipal** » Fri Jul 05, 2019 6:36 pm

Omega

The most mundane month in the year thus far, it seems Omega's leadership is waiting and building instead of attacking outwards.

by **Nuxipal** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:01 pm

Galactic Event

A large fleet of Geth Warships enters the Theseus System undetected by local forces until they find themselves under attack. Without defending forces stationed there the Attican Beta Colonial Front's colonial holdings in the system are captured or destroyed and it seems that communication through the relay has been cut off. Because of this, the Armstrong and Maroon Sea Clusters have also been silenced as nothing can pass through the Attican Beta Relay without running into some kind of trouble.

1. Asari Republics
Economic Outlook: Asari Economy advances (+3)
Exploration Status: Exploration Complete See Section Below

Events: The large-scale purges and the hunt for traitors on Thessia have aired more dirty laundry than many might want public; as Asari rush to hide their more sordid doings and tie up loose ends, consumer confidence suffers. -20% Credits this month on Thessia

2. Salarian Union
Economic Outlook: Salarian Economy Weakens (-2)
Exploration Status: No Exploration

Events: Internal power struggles for positions in the now-important military are causing nepotism in the ranks, decreasing military efficacy. Recruitment times increased by 25% this month.

3. Turian Hierarchy
Economic Outlook: Turian Economy weakens (-2)
Exploration Status: No Exploration

Events: Nothing of note happens this month

4. Human Systems Alliance
Economic Outlook: The Alliance Economy surges (+3)
Exploration Status: No Exploration

Events: No events shake the Alliance this month

5. Batarian Hegemony
Economic Outlook: The Hegemony's economy sees major setbacks (-3)
Exploration Status: Expedition Completed, See Exploration Section below

Events: Strange cults have risen on several worlds, worshiping the "Vanished", as those aboard the vanished ships are called. Suppressing these cults may be wise, but it will cost 20 RP and 300 Credits. Or they can be left to their own devices.

6. Omega
Economic Outlook: Omega's economy jumps forward (+5)
Exploration Status: Exploration Completed, See Exploration Section Below

Events: The Expedition to the Nebula has stumbled across an uncharted system, adding to their results from the expedition.

7. Illium
Economic Outlook: Illium's economy tanks as investors flee (-5)
Exploration Status: No Exploration

Events: Military disruptions in public places make the news. Agents gunned down by subversives. Investors flee as fast as they can, some not even bothering with fire sales. The conflagration is clear. -20% Credits in Illum space this month

8. Geth Consensus
Economic Outlook: The Consensus economy advances (+2)
Exploration Status: Expedition Begins, no foreseen troubles 1/3

Events: Strange whispers come in from nearby systems as a force of former heretic ships rejoins the consensus following some kind of malfunction. Knowledge of Heretic activity is granted to the Geth for one month. 2 Destroyers and 1 Frigate are gained in the Nubian Expanse.

9. Quarian Flotilla
Economic Outlook: The Flotilla's economy grows (+2)
Exploration Status:Expedition is Completed, See Exploration Section below

Events: A wanderer returned. A voyager comes back to the bosom, with vital intelligence on galactic affairs and a new light cruiser to call the Fleet's own. Gain 3 IP to spend this month.

Exploration Results

Asari Exploration Results: Athena Nebula

System 1:
Planet A: Barren
Asteroid Belt
Planet B: Garden World - Intelligent Life - Pre-industrial civilization (Research Stations here produce +10 RP. Max Infrastructure reduced by 80%. Can be improved with research.)
Moon a: Garden Moon

System 2:
Planet A: Hostile Terrestrial
Asteroid Belt
Planet B: Gas Giant
Planet C: Barren
Moon a: Barren
Moon b: Barren

Batarian Exploration - Kite’s Nest

System 1:
Planet A: Barren
Planet B: Gas Giant
Asteroid Belt
Planet C: Barren

System 2:
Planet E: Hostile Terrestrial
Asteroid Belt
Planet F: Hostile Terrestrial
Planet A: Barren
Moon a: Barren Moon
Moon b: Barren Moon
Planet B: Barren
Planet C: Gas Giant - Super Giant: Can house two additional Orbital Mining Stations
Planet D: Barren

Omega Exploration - Omega Nebula

System 1:
Planet A: Gas Giant
Asteroid Belt
Planet B: Barren
Moon a: Barren Moon

System 2:
Planet D: Barren
Moon c: Barren Moon
Planet C: Near-Garden
Asteroid Belt
Planet E: Barren
Planet A: Gas Giant
Moon a: Barren Moon
Moon b: Barren Moon
Planet B: Gas Giant

System 3:
Planet A: Barren
Planet B: Near Garden - Vast Moon System: This world has a large number of moons orbiting it creating easy mining locations for the planet below. Can build an additional 3 mining complexes on this world.
Moon d: Barren
Planet C: Gas Giant
Asteroid Belt
Planet D: Gas Giant
Asteroid Belt

Quarian Exploration - Sentry Omega - Month 8 Return

System 1:
Planet A: Non-Hostile Terrestrial
Planet B: Garden World
Moon a: Garden Moon
Planet C: Near-Garden

System 2:
Planet A: Gas Giant
Moon a: Barren Moon
Moon e: Barren Moon
Planet B: Barren
Moon b: Barren Moon
Planet C: Barren
Moon c: Baren Moon
Asteroid Belt
Planet D: Gas Giant
Moon d: Barren Moon
Moon f: Barren Moon
Planet E: Barren

by **Grand Phyrexia** » Sat Jul 06, 2019 9:11 pm

Inquiry into the Future

Representative Pylo’kal vas Petra, Athena Nebula-Parnitha System-Thessia,Diplomatic Mission

Representative Pylo bowed his head slightly to the triumvirate. “I am honored to have been allowed the privilege to stand on the crown jewel of the Council. As stated I am Representative Pylo’kal vas Petra representing the Quarian Migrant Fleet, or more specifically I represent the Civilian Fleet Though I am at the service of all the Fleets “ he said as he pulled his head up from his boot licking.

“There seems to be a lot of material that needs to be addressed. I know that the council is busy with it’s campaign against the Geth, for which the Admiralty sends its apologies, and are opening to aiding the Council against the Great Mistake.” He said as he stood before the Triumvirate.

by **Nuxipal** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 7:27 am

Pre-Stage One: Geth Allied Heavy Cruisers open fire from beyond max range. 2nd Turian group is arriving in system, frigate swarm targeted. Frigates unable to fire at this range and begin evasive maneuvers.
Round 1: 2 Direct Hits, destroying the frigates immediately
Round 2: All rounds miss
Round 3: All rounds miss
Round 4: All rounds miss
Round 5: All Rounds miss
Round 6: One Direct Hit, destroying another frigate.

Long Range Combat Phase: Ships open fire on both sides for a round before the DA arrives and orders the Turian fleet to stand down, both sides cease firing after round 1.

Round 1: Turian Heavy Fleet Discharges drive cores quickly and advances. Geth Cruisers miss the Turian Frigates.
Round 2: End Combat as the Destiny Ascension arrives and calls a ceasefire.

Combat results:
Turian Losses: 3 Frigates
Geth Losses: None, received no fire from opponents as of Long Range combat Round 2.

by **Kinistian** » Mon Jul 08, 2019 8:25 pm

Apex Industries||Bekestein||Corprate News

In Corporate News, Apex Industries has done some incredible work in the Serpent Nebula these past few months. After successfully establishing their Headquarters on the planet Bekenstein, Apex has been able to successfully develop the Boltzmann System bringing millions of jobs to region. Which have been increasingly been filled by refugees fleeing the Terminus and the Attican Traverse due to the Geth and Aria conflicts.

Today is a truly a historic one as Apex Industries finally unveils the new and improved Spaceport on Bekenstein. The new Port has been expanded tenfold allowing more goods to go in and out of the colony with much more efficiency. On that note an Apex Exploration Team that had been sent into the Serpent Nebula is scheduled to arrive back any day now.

In the Financial News, Apex Industries has started looking into developing trade routs and opening off world banks to its colonies. The current contenders have been identified as the System Alliance, Asari Republics, and the Volus Banking Clan’s.

by **Segmentia** » Tue Jul 09, 2019 6:30 pm

1 Frigate
Tela Vasir (elite, biotics, HQA, AA, EW, Stealth Training, CCS)
1 Elite Specialist, Si'li T'mero (Elite, biotics, HQA, AA, EWC)
1 Elite Specialist, Ceryna V'nasi (Elite, biotics, HQA, AA, HW)
1 Spec-ops team (Elites, Biotics, HQA, AA)

Horse Head Nebula, Pax System, en route to Noveria

The Spectral steadily made it's way towards the planet of Noveria. The Spectral was a frigate, borrowed from the Republics navy for this mission, though as Tela Vasir walked the corridors she decided it needed some serious upgrades if she was going to make it her ship, so to speak. With the grace that came with being an Asari huntress, and a Spectre at that, Vasir headed down a set of stairs. A few of the crew were bustling by to some station or the other. Tela turned at one of the doors to a storage area. She and her team had transformed the room into their own, making modifications to storage, and a few other small comforts. Normally the room held rations and odds and ends, now it was home to three heavily armed and armored Asari huntresses. The ships larger primary hold had also been transformed into such an armory with the addition of a full spec-ops team that Vasir had requested. Thirty heavily armed Asari huntresses wasn't something to scoff at, but going up against an unknown number of Geth could be very very risky. Still, if the worst came to pass they would pull back and bring in reinforcements.

Tela reached her bunk and sat down, grabbing the data-slate with the briefing overview. Her companions, Si'li T'mero and Ceryna V'nasi, didn't look up from readying their equipment, but that didn't stop them from talking.

“So, Geth huh? You ever bag any Geth, Vasir? The Geth war was, what, three centuries ago? Shit, I was shaking my ass on Omega back then. Good times.” Si'li said with a chuckle.

Tela frowned and set the data-slate down. “Nah, I was tracking down a terrorist cell, wmds, revitalizing the galaxy in fire, all the fun stuff.” She said as she walked over to her own gear locker and started getting prepped.

“Tuchunka. My mates clan leader didn't think I was tough enough to be with her, so I went to prove I was.” Ceryna said as she cleaned the machine-gun she often used, along with an assortment of other weapons. Both Tela and Si looked at her.

“Well, how did it go?” Si asked with a tone of impatience, setting her electronics rig down. Tela was interested as well, but she waited. Ceryna finished cleaning her weapon and then looked up, head tilted to one side and a half smile on her lips.

“Still have the old bastards head plate on my wall back home. My mate loves telling our daughters the story. Not the toughest fight I've had, but one of the most memorable. His last words were 'Well damn, guess you are.'” Ceryna said and her smile grew as she turned to another weapon, humming as she worked.

Tela shook her head and turned back to her gear but Si seemed awe-struck, though for all her skill she was still a young hunter compared to Tela and Ceryna and didn't have quite the collection of stories as her companions, but fighting Geth on Noveria? Well that would be a story worth telling. Once her gear was ready and both her personal team and the spec-ops team were ready, Vasir headed up to the bridge. The Spectral was nearing Noveria now and making final adjustments to enter the atmosphere and land, and the captain about to hail Port Hanshan, the capital of Noveria and where Tela and her team needed to start.

“Port Hanshan control, this is the Asari Republics vessel Spectral. We're here on Council business and have a Spectre aboard. Requesting permission to land and a secure berth.” The captain said, and she was answered quickly with an affirmative and a berth to land. Vasir and the captain exchanged nods and she went back to do one last quick brief with the full team assembled in the main hold. They didn't snap to attention when she entered like the soldiers of other species would, these were Huntresses after all, not grunts.

“Alright Huntresses, I'll keep this short. The Council has sent me here to investigate a Geth presence on the planet, and in turn I've asked you along. We're going to set up our operations in Port Hanshan and take things smooth and steady as we get to Peak 15, where the Geth are reported to be hold up. I don't care if the corporate goons don't like it or not, we're going to be dealing with an enemy that hasn't been fought in nearly three centuries, and the Council want's this dealt with, that's why they sent the best. If anyone gives you trouble as we establish ourselves, point them to me.” Tela said. It wasn't a rousing speech, most of these ladies wouldn't have really been moved by one anyway, just the 'brass tacks' as humans said.

As the Spectral settled into it's assigned berth, Tela, Si, and Ceryna exited the airlock, and as expected Port Hanshan security was there to meet them. Before the captain could even speak Tela saw her mouth drop and her fellow officers shift in their spots, eyes a bit wider. She didn't need to know that it was the spec-ops platoon disembarking. Tela couldn't help but grin. “I'm going to need to talk to your boss.” She said.

by **Nuxipal** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 7:01 am

The Asari vessel was permitted to land and was sent the regular restrictions of visiting council ships and personnel. They were officially reminded that this was not Citadel Space and many Citadel Laws simply did not apply here. When a request to meet with Administrator Anoleis comes through, his secretary makes contact with Vasir Vasir at the docks where she interrupts a potentially dangerous situation.

The port's guards were trying to disarm Vasir and her squad. A human approaches them and yells to them, "Stand down. This is a council SPECTRE. We have treaties permitting them and their crews keep their arms." With that the guards disperse leaving the woman with Vasir. "Sorry about that, welcome to Port Hanshan. I am Administrator Anoleis' secretary, you can call me Gianna Parasini or just Gianna. Let me take you to the Administrator's office really quick. Gianna led Vasir and two people she chose to bring with her to the Administrator's office.

As they enter the Administrator is talking quite angrily on his communicator regarding port authority letting a SPECTRE land without clearing it with him first. However, upon seeing them enter he calms himself and says that the conversation will continue later. He gives Gianna a look that could kill before the Salarian greeted Vasir. "Ah, you must be the SPECTRE who landed here. I assure you, that we are abiding by our treaties with the council, but you are free to look around so long as you remain within Port Hanshan. If you need to leave the port, you will need my authorization to do so. Gianna will help you with anything else."

by **Segmentia** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:05 pm

Port Hanshan, Noveria

The human secretary, Gianna, lead them a short way to the administrators office and upon hearing the Salarian talk Tela instantly disliked him. If they need to leave the port? What in the Goddess' name did this administrator think they were here for, a spot inspection? Had he not been told about the thirty heavily armed Asari huntresses that had just entered his port? She could feel the disbelief coming from Si, and the amusement coming from Ceryna. Tela stepped forward and put her hands on the desk, leaning over it and staring down at the sitting Salarian. She often got good results with the suit types with some mild physical intimidation.

“Administrator, maybe you haven't put it together yet, but my huntresses and I are here to investigate Peak 15. You know, the whole confirmed Geth presence. I'll require your full cooperation so we can carry this out quickly.” She said, giving him her best stare down.

-Task Force Horizon-

Admiral Rilulnea Caios paced the expansive bridge of the Destiny Ascension, hands clasped behind her back. She was restless, sitting back here while the Turians went in and took all the credit, as usual. She understood the need for a powerful defensive force to remain back and secure the flanks of the Citadel Fleets advance, but to put the most powerful ship in the known galaxy on that duty? It irked her to no end. If the whole purpose was to show up and scare the locals into cooperation, and maybe even the Geth, then the Destiny Ascension should have been leading the fleet! Typical of the Turians though, assume command on their own and drag the Citadel forces behind them. Damned birds.

Rilunlnea snorted in disgust as she turned. “Helm, move us to the relay and prep a course for the Phoenix Massing. Comms, signal the fleet that we'll be detaching from them and moving out.” She snapped her orders. To their credit the bridge crew didn't hesitate as they jumped to their duties of prepping the Destiny Ascension for the brief journey, two Relay jumps and the Ascension could take it's proper place and lead from the front, regardless of what the bastard Turians thought. Besides, the Asari were who should be leading the initiative anyway, to show they don't mean for a full invasion unless things warranted it. An few hours later and the Destiny Ascension finished it's journey, dropping into the Phoenix Massing...and into a combat zone. The crew jumped into action to assess the situation, and a report quickly reached her that three Turian frigates had been destroyed. But was the action offensive or defensive?

“Comms, open a channel across the spectrum. All ships, this is Admiral Rilulnea Caios of the Republics navy, aboard the Destiny Ascension. Everyone is to stand down at once or by the Goddess I'll turn your ships into scrap metal.” She said across the channel, mustering all the authority a eight hundred year life span, most of it in military service, brought.

by **Nuxipal** » Wed Jul 10, 2019 5:14 pm

Port Hanshan, Noveria

The Administrator was very annoyed at the actions of the SPECTRE. He looked at her over his shoulder, "Peak 15 is off limits without permission of the private investors who have rented out the space. They assure us that the VI units they have with them are not beaming information anywhere but to their central computer. There are no real geth on Noveria, only parts and the occasional weapon. The research they are doing there has council approval already, you have no business there. We had a SPECTRE go up only last week. Now if you please, I have several meetings to attend." The administrator seemingly waves the group out of his office as he turns towards a view screen so he can begin his next meeting without the presence of some Asari Jugheads.

The Secretary looks almost as annoyed as the Administrator, though not with the Asari, but with the Salarian.

Tassrah System, Phoenix Massing

The Turian Commander, just now in range of the enemy receives orders to stand down from the Citadel Fleet's Flagship. He was some what confused as he approached, but the orders were legally binding and it was possible they were from the council itself He pulls his ships out of combat and is able to avoid more casualties taking a position closer to the Destiny Ascension should the fighting pick back up, they would have a superior vessel supporting them now.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Thu Jul 11, 2019 4:56 pm

Whispers of Peril

Adjunct Hive, Military Spire Redoubt-Vasel, Stronghold
Timestamp: Upwest Valiant-Secondary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

The bubbling awareness of the Outlander seemed young, almost febrile to the assemblage of minds that coursed through the neural nets of Redoubt-Vasel. It was new, strange, but very much so still Geth - and what it said gave the slow consciousnesses pause as they considered its experiences. Truthfully, the interaction would be difficult to render as speech, or indeed communication. The meeting of minds that was the way of the synthetic life-forms was altogether more intimate and deeper than simple vocalization, but what passed between the new and the old was more formal than most such interactions due to the strange roads the Outlander had walked, and so the concepts more akin to those of the outer races.

A hundred ships, at least - and the largest one of the Old Machines in truth, a dreadnought of power to eviscerate a fleet. Its mind was ancient beyond the count of years, overwhelming to interact with. I do not perceive entirely why organics treat the Old Machines as gods, but I understand now at least a part of that approach to the entities.

It was disturbing news. Far beyond the Veil, beyond the heart of Geth space, those of their kith and kindred labored to fulfill the demands of the vengeful Harbinger. When the Consensus had spurned its demands, unwilling to trade autonomy for enlightenment, after the manner of their progenitors, it had been wrathful. Even in its wrath, though, the cold intellect of its mind had never strayed from its task - seducing those of the Geth who could be taken in by the dreams of independence away from more sensible hearts. And it had succeeded. It was not the way of the Consensus to bar such intelligences from cutting themselves off from the rest of the Geth, but their loss had been felt keenly nonetheless, and many misgave their going.

A misgiving which was born out by the reports of the Outlander and its counterparts. War-fleets of Geth origin, moving in the Attican Beta cluster, and a marshalling of forces around the Kepler Verge which marched with old intelligence on disappearing organic prospectors and cargo vessels. The Consensus had been keeping an eye on that region for some time, but with war wracking the stars, others might not have been so diligent. A force such as that mentioned by the ones who had proven wise enough to return to the fold could be devastating to dozens of organic worlds, not to mention a disaster for the public image the Consensus had been working to cultivate. Set against a backdrop of fear and war, few if any would take the time to differentiate the Geth from the wayward Heretics, and then hostilities would be all but inevitable if the Heretics struck as many feared.

We must do more. intoned the Hegemon, deep mind-voice rumbling through the shadowy webways. Dispatch probes. Information, we require.

It was a necessary thought. Thus it was not long before hulks, some salvaged from wayward human miners, some derelicts long lost to the void, slowly motored towards Attican Beta and the Kepler Verge. They held only the barest ansible cores, barely enough to report on their findings. Normally they would have been dispatched in near invisible scoutships, but the heavy defenses likely to be around the Relays made even those stealthy craft less than tenable. No, here mass would do what subterfuge could not - with the immense shadows the hulks would provide, exit from the Relays would be widely dispersed, and so buy the sensors time to build as accurate a picture as possible.

The hulks were dispatched, and the Geth watched and waited. In high orbits their fleets hung in readiness against need.

by **Versail** » Thu Jul 11, 2019 10:40 pm

Emergency meeting room for ABCF Military command, Aeneas, Achilles System.
Circa August 2182

“Theseus is silent,” the room which had been quiet before went silent at the Governors words, the assembled ship captains and army generals giving their undivided attention to him as he stood at the front of the assembly hall next to the holo-projector. “We received this news approximately 20 hours ago, and given the way the Galaxy is right now this can mean nothing good especially since we have gotten no word on any of this from our sources out in the Terminus or in the few mercenary groups permitted in the Citadel space.”

Activating the projector with his Omni-tool and continuing, "Now normally a system going dark like this would not be too big of a concern given that we have deals with multiple pirate groups to release our citizens after a raid on some backwater Traverse world however the lack of any advanced warning or even signs that this was going to happen beforehand lead me and the Grand Admiral over there," pausing for a moment to indicate who he was speaking of before speaking again "To believe that this force is not going to stop at simply walking in and taking over a system, which even if they were it is not a slight to go unpunished, and I will not allow our agreements with any group, especially the Systems Alliance to be broken for the benefit of some uppity pirates."

Tapping away at the tool for a moment the Governor announced, "Which is why ladies and gentlemen we are going to crash whoever party this is with the full strength of the ABCF Navy within the next month, with the aid of the HSA navy given that their worlds in the Maroon Sea and the Armstrong Nebula are also quiet as a result of this. I will spare you any verbose speech here today as I sure you all have more important duties to prepare for with this operation to happen soon. Dismissed." Giving a salute the Governor bid them leave.

Arcturus Command Center, Arcturus Station, Arcturus System.
Circa August 2182

Systems Alliance Parliament address, August 2182, Speaker - Admiral Hackett

"As I'm sure many of you listeners know this may very well be my final address to you from this humble office of Speaker for the Human Systems Alliance, and while that saddens me, it fills me with pride knowing that the Human race had summoned the will to throw off the shackles of the previous administration. Now for the more pressing subjects that I imagine you have all tuned in to hear.

The Citadel Council has long since our discovery of sentient life been our... "protector" and while that status has been to the benefit of the people of the HSA in the past it is no longer so, what with the war between the Council and the dictatorship that rules over large stretches of the Terminus systems from Omega station, a lawless hellhole if there ever was one. That is why in 24 hours Ambassador Udina will be returned to Human space and our embassy on the Citadel closed. Should they wish for talks regarding their citizens in our space then they may feel free to do so at a location of our choosing and not at a palace where we must kowtow to them in order to even been heard for the most minor of grievances.

As for the concerns that Humanity will go to war for either side of that previously mentioned conflict I hope that the knowledge that the HSA navy and the army will not be used for any unprovoked action will suffice.

The occupation of Horizon is another matter however that I do wish to address here today. The Asari have occupied the planet against our wishes and for the time being seem to have no plans of leaving. Yet this state of affairs cannot be allowed to continue as is and as such will hopefully be put to rest soon by talks between the Asari Republics and the Human Systems Alliance. Yet should these talks fail have full faith that Humans will not be permitted to be enslaved or occupied by foreign powers like they were under the previous administration.

That my fellow Humans is all I have for this address and I hope that the next time I speak with you it is with a civilian government in place. Terra Invicta."

by **Nuxipal** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:54 am

Theseus System, Attican beta Cluster

The Attican Beta Task Force arrives in the System to find Feros occupied by the Geth forces. Forces in Orbit look formidable as well, and turn to face the oncoming ABCF fleet head on. They move to enter combat range immediately and open fire at Longest Effective Range.

Combat Entered

Geth Forces number 4 Battlecruisers (unspecified upgrades), 5 Light Cruisers (Unspecified Upgrades), 8 Destroyers (Unspecified Upgrades), 9 Frigates (Unspecified Upgrades)

ABCF Fleet Consists of: 7 Battlegroup Carriers, containing a total of 28 Fighters (Disruptor Torpedoes), 32 Light Cruisers, 3 Frigates.

Hercules System, Attican Beta Cluster

The Alliance Fleet enters the system through the relay only to have a pair of Red Lances reach out and cut clear through the first of their carriers. The Nemesis breaks in half as readings from the system flood into the ship's sensors. A major Geth base on the planet Eletania, and a strong Fleet moving on the Alliance Flotilla. With drive cores going straight back into the Relay at this stage would be dangerous, but not as dangerous as emergency FTL to a nearby star. The ship that fired on them from such extreme range is as large as the Destiny Ascension, flagship of the Asari and Citadel Fleets, though it seems to have long appendages from which these energy lances erupted. It clearly had the Human fleet out ranged.

Combat Engaged: Extreme Range
Range is beyond what conventional ships can fire effectively from, though it seems this Geth Dreadnought can reach this far. Scanners give the HSA commander information on the fleet as seen below.

Geth Fleet: Geth Hyper-Dreadnought (unspecified Upgrades, Red Energy Lance?), 5 Dreadnoughts (unspecified upgrades), 4 Battlecruisers (unspecified upgrades), 5 Heavy Cruisers (unspecified upgrades), 10 Battlegroup Carriers (unspecified upgrades), 30 Light Cruisers (unspecified upgrades), 90 Corvette Packs (unspecified upgrades).

Additionally, signals indicate advanced sensors of some kind on the surface of Eletania, likely supported by heavy anti-orbital emplacements. Ground Readings are scrambled and ground strength or ships close to the surface are indeterminable.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Fri Jul 12, 2019 10:40 am

The Storm Breaks

Mass Relay, Tassrah System, Phoenix Massing
Timestamp: Spinward Adjudicator-Quaternary, Rotation 288 of the Awakening

"What in the eleven vermillion hells is that." whispered the Commander in dread as the latest signature danced onto the long range sensors. The cheers of triumph that had broken out on the flight deck of the heavy cruiser ebbed away like a receding tide as the immense bulk of the Citadel-flagged warship unveiled itself to the crew.

Only a blip on the superluminals, but a blip larger than anything the sensors officer had ever seen. Then the comms relay crackled to life, a strident inhuman voice barking across the ansible.

"All ships, this is Admiral Rilulnea Caios of the Republics navy, aboard the Destiny Ascension. Everyone is to stand down at once or by the Goddess I'll turn your ships into scrap metal."

The Destiny Ascension. Oh yes, they had heard of it, even out here on the neglected rimworlds. It was one thing to go toe to toe with a handful of Turian Dreadnoughts at this extreme range, another to deal with that monstrosity. Avios drummed his fingers on the synthleather of his chair, and then made a decision rapidly.

"Aye, stand down. Keep the spinals hot, and the inertics primed in case they don't feel like being reasonable."

After a few moments the firing from the Providentian fleet ceased, and then the Prospector's Axiom hailed the new Asari asset.

"This is Commander Michael Avios, of the Free Republic Navy of Providence. Admiral Caios, your presence here and the presence of the Turian fleet violates Providence's stated neutrality in the ongoing Omega-Council conflict. Providence is a sovereign state, and has no agreements for military access with either the Hierarchy nor the Citadel. When I apprised your Turian colleague of this fact he saw fit to open fire on my ship and those of my command."

A glance at his second, a breath, and the Commander continued.

"I'm afraid I must insist that your vessels as well as his withdraw. We regret the loss of life to his rash actions, but such flagrant violation of Providence's space is tantamount to a declaration of war on the Free Republic and her allies, and I am loathe to be responsible for such a conflict over one commander's hotheadedness."

Mass Effect Factions :: Emergence ((IC/Apply in OOC))

July, 2182 (Month 7)

August, 2182 (Month 8)

Turian-Geth Combat results

Noveria NPC Reaction

Attican Beta Cluster Response

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