Mass Effect/AEC: Chapter 7 (c.4): Penumbra

Club Penumbra, City of Quentius, Level 5 , Colony of Phletagus, Cocytus Nebula, Nemean Abyss. May 17, 2198

The club thrummed with the beat of a deep bass. The three of us huddled at the end of the secondary bar.

“This is the third-” said Vega.

Jack interrupted him, “Fourth.”

“Yeah, fourth place we scoped out, jefe,” said Vega.

“She has to be here,” I waved my hand, “somewhere.” At that moment a gaggle of thugs burst through the entrance. One of the bouncers intercepted them. One of the intruders pointed a gun at him. The bouncer stopped in his tracks with raised hands and backed away slowly. “We got visitors and I bet credits to donuts that they are looking for the same thing we are.”

Jack cracked her knuckles, “Hell yeah.”

I pointed to a salarian that bounded up a set of stairs to the ViP balcony,”You two keep an eye out down here, I’m after the salarian.”

“Got it, jefe,” said Vega.

I blended with the crowd that edged away from the newcomers. The club goers sensed the tension in the air even if they didn’t know the source of it due to the loud music and substance-addled senses. I turned invisible and made my way to the door. As I bounded up the stairs I heard first a muffled grunt of pain, then a gunshot followed by another higher pitched scream. The salarian armed with two combat knives stood over a woman.

Nyte.

I rushed past the gunman near the door. My omni blades buried deep into the salarian sunken chest. As the assassin collapsed on the ground Nyte fired two quick shots that took out the second attacker. A second later I realized that the salarian’s knife had lanced against my side.

It’s only a flesh wound.

“Stay still,” I said to Nyte.

“Medigel won’t work. Just help me up,” she said.

I pulled her up to her feet but her legs folded, “No worries, I got you.” I switched to a fireman’s carry as I moved toward the exit. I stepped over her dead companion and the other thug. I radioed Vega, “Have Nyte with me. We need an evac now.”

Sounds of screaming patrons and gunfire mixed with Vega’s reply, “Working on it, jefe!”

My vision blurred when I hit the bottom of the stairs. Sounds dulled and objects came in and out of focus.

“I got her,” someone said to my right. Then I took off running for the exit with someone beside me. Something rectangular appeared in front of me, then a blue veil fell over my eyes before everything turned black. 

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Mass Effect/After Earth Chronicles: ANN News – Krogan Army Fields New Family of Vehicles

ANN News Desk

From Alliance News Desk on the Citadel

May 17, 2199

Krogan Army Fields New Family of Vehicles

by Amita Quita

CITADEL, PRESIDIUM-  After many years of joint development with Alliance R&D the Krogan Planetary Army (KPA) announced the adoption of a new series of combat roverr, officially designated, “Kakliosaur”. This family of vehicles include:

• The Mk. IIAI Main Combat Rover armed with a 16.0 centimeter caliber main gun, a coaxially mounted 1.5 centimeter caliber machine gun and either one or two point defense 4.0 centimeter caliber sentry guns.
• The Mk. IIBI Area Defense Rover equipped with a sextuple 5.5. centimeter caliber rapid fire hybrid gun/missile mount for air defense and anti-drone operations.
• The Mk. IICI Scout Rover equipped with a 9.0 centimeter caliber main gun, space for at least five dismounted soldiers and launch pads for up to four short range recon drones.

These vehicles joined the reliable Tomkah, an infantry fighting vehicle that has served krogan forces well for centuries. These additions to the krogan arsenal signaled a continued effort to modernize their forces and bring them up to galactic military standards.

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Mass Effect/After Earth Chronicles: ANN News- Shuttle Bomb Swarm Hits Chav

ANN News Desk

On location in Chav

May 16, 2198

Shuttle Bomb Swarm Hits Chav

by Lionel Storm

NEW BRISTOL, CHAV– Twenty hours ago hundreds of explosive laden civilian vehicles struck military and civilian installations across Chav’s northern hemisphere. The so called “Shuttle Bomb Swarm” hit multiple isolated installations. Each swarm contained several waves of explosive ladened VI operated vehicles that crashed into their targets.

One such target was the Regional Defense Station of Low Valley. The station with its joint Alliance/ CPM (Chav Planetary Militia) garrison guards the Low Valley area known as the planetary breadbasket. It provides 50% of the colony’s foodstuffs in the form of wheat, rye, corn, and rice fields. At 03:33 hrs. local, the first wave of shuttle bombs crashed into the outer perimeter of base. The survivors erected kinetic barriers around the base’s central structures and repositioned the reminder of their air defense systems in a ring around the central headquarters building. For more than three hours dozens of car and truck bombs attempted to blast their way through to the militia’s HQ with little success. The attacks stopped once an alliance marine task force reached the beleaguered defenders.

The colonial government has not released any official estimates of casualties but reports from regional hospitals claimed that they were swamped with casualties and at least one morgue rented several portable refrigeration units to keep up with the demand. 

Mass Effect/AEC: Chapter 6 (c.4): Bookkeeping

Outside the Chamber of Ministers, New Arcturus Station, Arcturus System, Arcturus Stream, May 14, 2198

People came and went through the packed corridors of the station while the intercom blared a stream of announcements.

“Admiral Cazador please report to Admiral Hayase’s office.”

“Captain Sheridan, your shuttle is waiting on docking bay five.”

“Ensigns Mariner, Rutherford, Boimler, and Tendi please report to the VR training area immediately,”

“A reminder to all new arrivals, the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only.”

“Commander Thompson-Ramos to Admiral Lyndon office.”

I dumped the remains of my lunch in the nearest trash can and followed the nav point to Lyndon’s office. After a brief wait as the Admiral’s aide informed her of my presence I was led inside.

“Commander, it’s so good to see you. I hope everything is well?” asked the admiral.

I indulged in the perfunctory small talk I had little time for. The galaxy smoldered while we exchanged pleasantries, “Yes ma’am. The Kursk is ready to depart as soon as possible.”

Lyndon nodded, “Yes. Well there is the matter of some bookkeeping before you get your next assignment. First, parliament extended the Executive Powers Act for another thirty days. That gives the PM a limited set of emergency powers to deal with the current crisis. Among said powers is the ability to recall key personnel from the individual reserves as well as to fast track promotions. Congratulations Captain Thompson-Ramos.”

I shook the offered hand, “Thank you ma’am.”

“Second, with a new rank comes new responsibilities. “She handed me a datapad, “You will take command of the newly formed one-hundred and twenty-ninth scout flotilla.”

I scrolled down to the list of assets that made up this new formation, “Sevastopol, Tobruk, Kasserine, El Alamein? This is the entire first tranche of new stealth frigates.”

“Yes. They are currently on other duties but will transfer to your command as soon as they are able. Your mission is to hunt down the raiders attacking our supply lines wherever they may be. You have full sanction to pursue any lead or target beyond Citadel space. Prosecute any and all targets with extreme prejudice.”

“The Council is going to love that.”

“Captain, you’re a Spectre tasked with protecting galactic peace by any means necessary. This is well within your wheelhouse.”

“Understood. It also says I will have a squad of N6 recruits as well as a biotic squad in support. That means that if you add the marines aboard these ships I should have a company size force under my command.”

“Yes. Is that an issue?”

“It could be. I need a clear division of labor and someone with the experience to train and command such an eclectic group.”

Lyndon squinted, “Do you have anyone in mind?”

“Lieutenant Commander James Vega. He is an excellent officer with an impressive record who is overdue for a promotion.”

“I’ll see that it gets done. Any more questions, captain?”

“Not at this time, ma’am.”

“Very well, good luck and good hunting.”

I saluted and left the office. I received a message in the corridor outside the admiral’s office. The omni-tool projected Nyte’s face, former Cerberus operative and now a member of the Chainbrakers, “Commander we need to talk. I need your help. Meet me at these coordinates as soon as you are able. Time is of the essence. “

It never ends.

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Mass Effect/AEC – ANN News: Batarians Reclaim Kha’shan

ANN News Now

May 5, 2197

Batarian Forces Retake Khar’shan

by David Rukil

ANN News Center, Vancouver – After over a year of fighting Reaper remnants in their home world of Khar’shan, the Batarian Assembly released the following statement:

It is with boundless happiness that we declare today, ‘Liberation Day’. Today we mark the reunification of the Batarian people and a new chapter of our history. We would like to thank our allies from among the Citadel races as well as beyond for their sacrifices as they fought alongside the sons and daughters of our homeland to retake our world from the ancient enemy. In the coming weeks we will ask for full reinstatement to the Citadel Council with all the rights and responsibilities that membership implies.

Furthermore we pledge ourselves, once again, to the end of slavery in all our territories and holdings. Those who trade in the liberty of others will find no purchase here and will know the Batarians as their eternal enemies.

We have learned much, suffered much, endured even more, but today we will join the galactic community with our eyes open and our heads held high. Tomorrow begins today.

The Systems Alliance, Quarian Autonomy and Turian Hierarchy released a joint statement congratulating the Batarian Assembly in retaking Khar’shan. They also expressed that they would continue to provide any humanitarian aid the new Batarian government required.

Mass Effect/AEC – ANN News: Alliance Space Aflame

ANN Headlines Now

April 15, 2198

Frontier Aflame

By Iris Dunnigan

MILGROM, BEKENSTEIN– Multiple flashpoints erupted during the past week across Alliance space. From attacks by biotically infused insects to clashes with pirate fleets, a deluge of bad news hit the Prime Ministers desk:

• Libertas: Remnants of the former government have launched a series of shuttle-bomb attacks against provisional government targets ahead of a planned referendum on the colony joining the Systems Alliance.
• Martel: Hundreds of thousands displaced as ferocious klixen attacks drive back the local militia. Reports show that the alien insect infestation has spread to other colonies, including Eden Prime, by as of yet unknown means.
• Arborea: A failed jailbreak attempt left a dozen guards dead alongside one hundred prisoners in the accompanying prison. Local authorities decline to comment on who the target of the jailbreak was or which group or groups were involved in the attempt,
• Luna: The Extra-Solar Consortium, a trade group for and by Alliance based shipping companies announced yesterday that the frequency of attacks on both independent and corporate-owned ships in the Attican Traverse increased by thirty-six percent in the last month, a quadrupling of such incidents in the last five years. A spokesperson for the consortium called for Systems Alliance to increase their patrols in the area as well as set up a convoy system along critical routes that linked the Traverse with inner council space.

Minister Hackett announced deployments of Alliance Marine brigades to the affected colonies and a limited call up of reserves to bolster the fleet at this time. Opposition parties warned that if the PM doesn’t offer a plan for a vote to Parliament they will call for a vote of no confidence.

Mass Effect/AEC – ANN News: Biotic Bugs Infest Colonies

ANN News Desk

On Location on the colony world of Martel

April 12, 2198

Biotic Bugs Infest Colonies

by Paul Wolfram

Patrice Province, Martel – <The scene opens with a human correspondent in an ANN news studio>

“We now bring you a live report from the colony of Martel. Paul, can you tell us the situation there?”

“Yes. Behind me you can see the streams of people, thousands of them, fleeing their homes from sudden attacks by what the local government describes as biotically enhanced alien insects. These appear to be similar to an insect species native to the planet Tuchanka, although at this moment there is no indication of when or how they arrived on the planet. As you see in the distance the militia is attempting to take down several of what look like cybernetic versions of thresher maws.”

“Thresher maws, Paul?”

“Indeed Marty. Except these ones don’t spit acid, but instead use some kind of energy beam to attack their targets.

<Sounds of fighters buzzing overhead>

And those are the planetary militias air forces engaging what look like harvester creatures.”

“Paul, does that mean we are dealing with Reaper’s forces?”

“As of right now we have not seen any Reapers or intercepted any of their signals. In fact these ‘klixen’ seem more intent in demolishing or consuming anything within reach rather than carry out the type of harvesting we saw during the invasion.”

‘What about an Alliance response, Paul?”

“So far we have not seen any Alliance forces arrive on the colony, although local government officials assure us that they are in contact with the office of the prime minister and that reinforcements are on the way.”

“We can only pray that they arrive soon. Thank you Paul for your reporting and stay safe.”

<The ANN correspondent nods and signs out.>

“That was Paul Wolfram signing out. We will update our reporting as new information comes in. For now this has been Martin Chow, from our ANN studios in Hong Kong, signing off. Good night and good luck.”