SfS-31

==Salvaging from Strife==
==Chapter 31 - Priorities==
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
------
===Part 1===
Elysium System
-----
"I grow impatient with your failure." Helena growled. She rose up from her crouch to loom over the Quarian still fiddling with his omni-tool. "You call yourself a Tech specialist, and yet you cannot even open a simple door."
 
"Watch yourself, warrior." Alenko warned his subordinate. Fresh from her sibko and Trial of Position, even after a few weeks under his command the Elemental was still troublesome. Still, she was his responsibility, so he lectured, "If you cannot keep your temper in check, it will lead you to defeat." He remembered those words from his training in the sibko.
 
Helena sunk back into her waiting crouch again, suitably chastised. "I understand, Point Commander." She still had enough hellfire in her to add, "This training scenario would go much faster were we to cut our way in."
 
With the three new replacements to his Point, Alenko felt far too much kinship with his former instructors at times. He suppressed the next thoughts of his fallen comrades. They had died a warrior's death, better than wasting away in old age. Instead, he grunted, "We are not damaging our allies' ship, Warrior." and checked his surroundings once more.
 
Nothing had changed. The stars in the black void of space above were still slowly shifting as the frigate they were standing on turned. His helmet's HUD highlighted the faster moving specks that were aerospace fighters and dropships. The airlock the Elemental Point and Quarian squad were clustered around was still sealed, while the sleek alien geometries of the frigate's hull had long lost their exoticism.
 
Somebody was trying to open a private comm channel with Alenko. The Quarian Squad Leader Kal'Reegar. "Sorry about the wait. Reckon we're not going to beat Prazza's team this time. I heard rumours one of Admiral Daro'Xen's projects wanted to test something on rather short notice, guess this must be it."
 
"In battle, one must always be prepared for surprises."
 
Kal'Reegar gave a short laugh. "Well, I still expect better from my men. While we're waiting, you heard anything about what the higher-ups are planning?"
 
Alenko turned to look at him. "I am a Point Commander, Squad Leader."
 
The Quarian shrugged. "Yeah well, you worked with Commander Shepard and Tali'Zorah, I figured you might know stuff. Maybe the Commander stops by for a chat once in a while."
 
He did. Alenko suspected, with a hint of pride, the mercenary needed advice on the Clanner elements of Normandy Initiative. Aurigan Royal Guard he may be now, but Shepard was still a mercenary who understood little of the Clans. "They are preparing for something soon," he said. "This round of exercises was supposed to be a final evaluation."
 
"Hope they aren't too disappointed with today's performance."
 
The slow Quarian finally spoke, "Squad Leader Kal'Reegar, I've got the airlock open."
 
"Good. Alenko, ready?"
 
"Aff," Alenko replied. "Point, Alpha formation."
-----
===Part 2===
Unknown System
-----
Saren Arterius considered shooting the geth platform badgering him. Perhaps that would teach the geth to treat him with more respect. Alas, he had a reputation as a wise prophet to maintain among the machines. And the geth would no doubt send another platform immediately to resume the nagging.
 
"No," he growled, enunciating each word carefully, "I don't know what pressing that button does."
 
"You are blessed by Nazara, you have studied the technology left behind by the Protheans. Surely you have additional insight?" The platform queried.
 
Saren looked back at the ancient Prothean interface, and the extinct language displayed over it. If only he had the Cipher, to make sense of his visions, or even just a decent Prothean expert. But none of the scientists who'd been brought were of any use, or sane, or alive for that matter. He was the only organic left.
 
Suddenly he saw only a jumble of meaningless images, before his eyesight returned. He was running out of time. Still, the episode left him with a vague impression. "Just press it," he gasped.
 
Nothing happened. Not even the flickering Prothean text changed.
 
The geth platform shifted its outstretched digit slightly to the right. "Should we press this button, Arterius Prophet?"
 
"Yes, yes," Saren muttered. They were on the right path, he knew it. 
-----
===Part 3===
Virmire System
----
Civilians thought of the STG as larger than life holovid heroes and villains. Alien militaries and governments considered the STG a bogeyman, an ever-present danger waiting in the shadows. Salarian dalatrasses viewed the STG as a threat to their complex schemes and power games. Captain Kirrahe of the STG thought the reputation was well-deserved, but left out all the difficult setbacks.
 
Here on Virmire was one of those. Captain Kirrahe stared at the massive crater before him. The verdant jungle had yet to fully reclaim the radioactive soil, bits and pieces of artificial rubble still sticking out from the ground.
 
"You know the drill," he finally announced to his STG unit. "Spread out and start searching for clues, items, traces, anything that may have survived." Dutifully, his men obeyed, dispersing past him down the gentle slope of the crater.
 
"No chance of finding anything here," Commander Rentola commented. "Virmire's a dead end."
 
"Probably, but we need to be thorough. The krogan were clearly here for something, and went to great lengths to conceal it. If we find nothing here, we will follow the krogan until we discover the truth, and resolve it." 
 
The STG still had too little information. Their sources on the krogan homeworld of Tuchanka had been unable to provide any clues. Clan Urdnot had clamped down hard, their holdings gone completely dark.
 
Kirrahe suspected only one thing could motivate the krogan to such efforts, something the STG had been working tirelessly for centuries to prevent. A genophage cure, one that would reignite the Krogan Rebellions. 
 
His vessel in orbit contacted him. "Captain Kirrahe, we have an update from Sur'Kesh. The krogan warband has split up and dispersed throughout the Terminus Systems."
 
"Then we track the ships down, one by one," Kirrahe replied. "Send a request for more reinforcements. Whatever Clan Leader Urdnot Wrex is planning, it must be dealt with quickly and decisively. This must have priority. Divert assets from other tasks if need be."
-----
===Part 4===
Migrant Fleet
----
"Forget Rannoch," Admiral Raan declared to the other admirals. She clarified, "we shall return to our homeworld someday, but Rannoch cannot be our current objective. It is too deep in geth-controlled space, too well fortified."
 
"We only have one chance to surprise the geth. We must use that to retake Rannoch!" Admiral Gerrel insisted, gesturing at the hologram of their homeworld floating at the centre of their meeting.
 
"If the geth are unaware of what this alliance is aimed at, they are too stupid to even be VI," Admiral Xen drily replied. "Neither we nor the humans have been hiding our intentions. The geth will be expecting us."
 
"So what should we do then?" Gerrel asked. "Hunting geth outposts on the fringes of the Perseus Veil is a waste of our time. Humans have been trying that for decades, and have nothing to show for it. No offense." He directed the last sentence to the holograms of Captain Kar'Danna and Commander Shepard, relayed from Elysium, standing on one side of the meeting.
 
The human shrugged. "None taken, I'm not Clan. Still, there is a difference between raids striking exposed targets and withdrawing, and a proper offensive with quarian naval support. What about Haestrom, in the Dohlen system? It's here on this side of the Perseus Veil, and Clan Snow Raven's most recent raid has provided up-to-date intel on the defences."
 
"Rannoch biosphere samples were a clear condition of this alliance," Xen insisted. "They are vital to the Migrant Fleet's medical research. Haestrom was a small scientific colony, and the planet is too hostile for sustaining life. There would be no Rannoch biosphere samples, especially not after the damage Clan Snow Raven inflicted on the old facilities."
 
"No," Admiral Raan agreed, "there are alternatives to Haestrom. Colonies which were able to transplant our biosphere, and still far less defended than Rannoch."
 
Admiral Zorah observed, "You have one in mind already."
 
"Yes, Nedas, here, close to the edge of the Perseus Veil." The holographic display between the admirals shifted away from Rannoch, highlighting another system. "The planet is geologically young and had yet to develop multicellular life when it was discovered. Quarian colonists began terraforming experiments shortly after arrival, and before the Geth War, they were reporting positive results."
 
"The geth would not have continued the terraforming."
 
"Even if they hadn't, the colony built multiple large biodomes as part of the terraforming project, not to mention the cryogenic storage facility housing specimens from Rannoch. If the geth follow their basic programming and maintain the colony, those samples should still be intact and viable. And if we are fortunate, it has been the three hundred years. That's more than enough time for the experimental biomes in the wild to grow and flourish."
 
"What about geth technology and intelligence on Saren?" Commander Shepard asked.
 
"There will be enough geth to salvage something. As for intelligence, quarian settlements were constructed with central geth mainframes to coordinate geth operations in the system. They took care of industrial operations, construction, life support." Raan paused briefly. "Automated defences. It was why the colonies fell swiftly when the geth rebelled. Their databanks store and process all the information the geth possess, everything we need will be there. Preferably, a team on-site should extract the files, but ripping out the servers and taking them back is always an option, if we must."
 
Admiral Koris, who had been quiet for much of the meeting, finally spoke. "I don't approve of passing through the Perseus Relay. There is a difference between borders of geth-controlled space, and their worlds beyond the Perseus Veil."
 
"The geth started this when they joined Saren and razed Coromodir." Commander Shepard answered. "As far as I'm concerned, anything geth is fair game." 
 
"We would need to pass through the Perseus Relay eventually to reclaim Rannoch. My researchers are confident their prototype viruses can give us an opening through the relay." Admiral Zorah spoke, before Admiral Koris could argue further. "What about defences at Nedas, ground and space?" 
 
"It was not a priority for long-range scouts," Admiral Raan admitted. "Lighter than Rannoch, if nothing else. Estimating from Haestrom's defences, we will need to commit multiple additional cruisers from the Fleet to secure the orbits and protect the landing force from geth counterattacks."
 
Zorah spoke, exchanging a look with Xen as he did so. "I won't risk endangering the Fleet without something from the humans. The Star League agreed to provide the Migrant Fleet with supplies and equipment we need." He directed his next words at Commander Shepard. "Admiral Xen and I requested a special shipment from ComStar. Precentor Shepard was supposed to handle it."
 
"My aunt will be returning from the Inner Sphere in a few days, I expect she'll be bringing the promised shipment with her. Is it something that will help us?"
 
"We will finalise our plans when she is at Elysium," Raan said, leaving the question unanswered. "Will the Precentor take part?"
 
"I don't believe so. Adept Williams told me Precentor Udina desired her presence on the Citadel, a personal debriefing on High Lady Arano's coronation."
-----
===Part 5===
Uninhabited System near Elysium
----
Precentor Shepard personally waited at the dropship's airlock. She was alone. The ship's crew was confined to quarters, ostensibly a safety precaution as technicians fixed non-existent defects. The ship's sensors were offline as well, and would be for the next half hour. 
 
She was unarmed, save for a single holdout weapon, a small detonator concealed in her left palm, and the heartbeat detector hidden under her cloak. She was alone, in the company of two human-sized and heavily armoured canisters, built to the old Star League's standards of durability, rated to withstand heavy weapons fire or an uncontrolled orbital descent. She was silent, contemplating the heavy charge she'd been entrusted with before leaving Coromodir.
 
"I disagree with sending so many to the Quarians," Precentor Lipeltic murmured to Precentor Shepard. Their eyes tracked the armoured containers being loaded onto the shuttle, hidden from prying eyes. "Even one is too many. Today they may be allies, tomorrow they may be enemies. But the Primus and Normandy Command commanded it, and so I obey. Six Vampire Stakes, to be delivered to the Quarian Migrant Fleet."
 
A light tremor ran through the hull. Shepard checked the time. Five minutes behind, but still on schedule. Accessing the airlock controls, she confirmed the presence of an atmosphere on the other side before she opened the airlock. Her right hand rested lightly on the sawn-off shotgun on her hip.
 
Five people in armoured space suits passed through the airlock. Four of them silently glided by Shepard towards the two containers. The fifth came to a halt directly before her, and raised the visor to reveal a youthful grinning face.
 
"Many thanks for the presents, Precentor," he said, sounding unnaturally loud in the silence. "Blake's blessings on you."
 
Shepard replied curtly, "Be on your way quickly."
 
"Is that how you treat a fellow brother?" The man sounded disappointed. "I expected better from one so devout in service to Blessed Blake. We are all Blake's followers, are we not?"
 
"You are heretics, nothing more," Shepard ground out with disgust. "Your Master is a traitor to Terra and Blake's will, and you damn yourselves following him. That your sins have been deemed temporarily useful will not redeem you."
"So narrow-minded, such pity," the heretic chided. "It seems you fail to truly understand the Word of Blake. Perhaps one day, you will find a place among us, and call me brother. But not today. You have your role to play, just as I do." With that and an insolent last wave to her, he followed the others handling the containers through the airlock.
 
Precentor Shepard shut the airlock, and calmly departed. Nobody met her in the corridors, and only a skeleton crew of trusted adepts awaited her on the bridge. Calling up the cargo manifest again, she checked. Four Vampire Stakes, to be delivered to the Quarian Migrant Fleet, as agreed.
----
===Part 6===
Geth Server Hub
----
Alert: Perseus Relay picket force confirms organic fleet on approach. Creator ships detected in fleet. Picket force initiating delaying action.
 
[PRIORITY]
 
Prediction: Rannoch
 
[CONSENSUS]
 
Call: Rannoch garrison data.
 
Simulation: Probability hostiles able to reach orbit of Rannoch 26%. Probability hostile victory 0%.
 
Conclusion: Rannoch garrison sufficient.
 
[DISAGREEMENT]
 
Simulation: Orbital bombardment of Rannoch and server infrastructure
 
Conclusion: Damage unacceptable
 
Suggestion: Pre-emptive reinforcement, concentrate defences
 
[Disagreement]
 
Simulation: Orbital bombardment of Rannoch and server infrastructure
 
Suggestion: Pre-emptive reinforcement, concentrate defences
 
[Consensus]
 
Formulating: Defence Plan Rannoch
 
Run: Defence Plan Rannoch
 
Alert: Picket force withdrawing from Perseus relay.
 
Alert: FTL communication degradation.
 
Alert: Hostile fleet has altered trajectory. Contact with hostile fleet lost.
 
Prediction: Rannoch
 
Suggestion: Continue Defence Plan Rannoch
 
[CONSENSUS]
 
Alert: Update: No reports from scouts on hostile fleet.
 
Call: Last known position of hostile fleet.
 
Prediction: Rannoch
 
Suggestion: Continue Defence Plan Rannoch
 
[Consensus]
 
Alert: Update: No reports from scouts on hostile fleet.
 
Alert: Update: No reports from scouts on hostile fleet.
 
Alert: Nedas reports unidentified inbound.
 
Prediction: Distraction. Priority Rannoch
 
[Disagreement]
 
Prediction: Hostile fleet. Priority Nedas
 
[Disagreement]
 
[Disagreement]
 
[Disagreement]
 
Alert: Nedas confirms presence of hostile fleet
 
Call: Nedas garrison data
 
Simulation: Nedas garrison defence
 
Conclusion: Nedas garrison inadequate. Reinforcements needed.
 
[CONSENSUS]
 
Alert: FTL communication with Nedas lost
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
031, Chapter