Bloodied Shadows
Kallen gunned the Glasgow forward sweeping a knightmare rifle over the various possible points which Geth could emerge from. The situation was certainly tense, as she and the other knight cautiously but quickly travelled down the path towards Port Hanshan. The Glasgow's cockpit also was cramped even more so by the presence of her father. She never agreed to what the man had been doing but he was her father and there was no way in hell she would entrust some corporate no name knight with his safety, not when she knew she was better than them.
The other knight continued to press forward, it's sensor feed shown through one of the support screens of the cockpit. Kallen could even hear her father muttering about things he saw from the feed. "Sir Eugen move ahead. Father and I will follow after you." Kallen ordered simply.
"Yes, My lady." Sir Eugen answered, his knightmare speeding forward in compliance. The Knightmare would scout the last third of the road to the Port ahead of Kallen and her father, not because Kallen feared ambush on the road at this point, but due to the lack of attackers the young redheaded knight could only guess that the detected Geth were operating on one of two missions, either they were guarding one of the other peaks, though their behaviors thus far made that seem like a strange proposition, or they were preparing to launch an attack on the Port in which case being able to react as a support to properly destabilize the enemy would depend on Sir Eugen's scouting.
"My Lady I have sight of the Port Garage for Peak 13, the doors are open...I think. Knightmares!" Sir Eugen reported hurriedly, however he was only able to get three rounds fired off before he Knightmare detonated under a intense burst of fire. Just outside the Garage there had been a small force of enemy Knightmares as well as Makos, each had a frame with customizations familiar to Kallen.
"Who are these guys?" Kallen's father asked reminding her of his presence. Inwardly Kallen cursed, if he wasn't here she could just speak to them and slip past without fighting, or even help them, but right now her dad was right behind her and even if the Black Knights were her allies and were here to fight him, as both a Knight and as his daughter she needed to protect him or least her honor as a Noble Knight of Britannia would mean nothing at very least to she herself.
"The Black Knights...I don't think I can fight them while protecting you. But don't you worry dad, i think I can push through and get us to safety." Kallen told him already preparing to push her Knightmare through the gauntlet.
"If anyone can do this it's you...I'll just brace myself her just in case." In response to her father Kallen rolled her eyes. She was ready. With a simple finger movement Kallen sent the Glasgow flying forward it's rifle firing into the leg of the first Knightmare to appear on it's sensors.
The Black Knight's response was swift, and their formation strange but suitable. Even as the first Knightmare's leg was blown away the two Makos peppered the shield of her Glasgow while the other three targeted Kallen's leg. her decision was instantaneous Kallen targeted the rear-most Knightmare firing into the Machine's shield brining it down even as her own machine's leg was blown away.
"Hold on!" Kallen shouted as her Cockpit span her angle and target locked. simultaneously Kallen started two emergency practices. First she triggered the emergency beacon system. The signal quickly going to the Port causing the port authority to raise an alarm, and like Kallen suspected, placing the Port back into lockdown. Second Kallen triggered the ejection system of her Knightmare, her Cockpit rocketing out from the frame of her collapsing Knightmare. Her target tried to dodge, but they were too late, with it's shield down the rear Knightmare's head was crushed by the Ejecting cockpit, causing it to skip off the crumpling machine before bouncing back into the hanger of the Port just before the Emergency doors started to slowly lower.
The landing despite the Mass Effect fields in the cockpit to prevent injury was still immensely painful, Kallen struggled to keep conscious even as the hanger doors slowly closed hiding her fellow Black Knights from sight even as they tried to react to what she had just done. It was bitter sweet to get such a win over against her own allies even if it was such a small one.
EC
"We lost Walcot and Davis's units Lord Zero. No casualties, however both units are totaled." One of the Black Knight soldiers in the Mako reported. The soldier was dressed in a open market variant of human combat armor with a customized helmet with the Black Knight's face visor incorporated. The current exchange was unpredicted and certainly not nearly what Lelouch had hoped for that second pilot had evened the score of downed knightmares in a instant escaped retribution while also raising Port Hanshan's alarm.
"Our Mako will stop and retrieve them. Todoh, you and B2 will continue on to the objective. P3, P6 retrieve B1. P1, P2 retrieve B3." Zero ordered swiftly. Wordlessly the last two Knightmares and the other Mako took to the road speeding ahead. The assault's cover was most likely broken and now speed would be their only redeeming factor.
Zero watched the advance through displays in his helmet as well as the four soldiers as they extracted the two downed Knightmare pilots. However without active combat nor any new tactical information coming the Black Knight's leader's focus was allowed to shift back to the Asari in his vehicle. It had taken a little research, and C.C. coaxing confession from her, however Lelouch knew that the Asari was a former Eclipse mercenary who was still alive due to a mixture of a determined bitter grudge against a Quarian she blames for the death of her lover, a Geass gifted to her by C.C., and a delusion of divine purpose.
He wasn't sure what twisted mythos she had created in her own head, but if Lelouch wanted her absolute loyalty he needed to weave himself and his purpose into the mythology that Asari was playing in her mind.
One of the picture feeds flashed and Zero was pulled from his musings to witness the starting battle. The Knightmares were easily brushing past the outer defenses of Peak Thirteen. The first Mako was now moving towards the Garage where it would disgorge it's six passengers allowing the Black Knights to make a bridgehead within the facility. The firefight against the outer perimeter guard was easy with the support of the two Knightmares, and within minutes the first half of the Black Knight infantry were entering into the Peak. With Zero and his team only a couple minutes behind, if everything continued this smoothly then they could take all the research, researchers, and the financial backer visiting today without much issue. With such thoughts Zero dismounted from the Mako and walked into the facility prepared for battle, but not the battle he was to witness ahead.
EC
The facility was dark, the old lights no longer able to function, likely left on until they burnt themselves out. A heavy layer of dust lined the floor and every surface to be seen. Initially the disuse worried Jondum that he had found the wrong location, until he found the footprints in the dust. The moment he saw the footprints, always a single pair the Salarian deduced the importance of this facility. This was the private sanctum of the Spectre's current target.
Even so the facility was a darkened tomb. The dried blood and abandoned corpses their stage of decomposition having them deceased for many many years told the Salarian that the site was one likely used before the Relay 314 War. If pressed the Spectre could probably make use of the discarded rifles laying at the sides of each of the slain, however a combat of endurance was not likely to take place between Jondum and his prey.
After careful exploration the Salarian found his way to a long abandoned security station. A dead guard lay rotted into his seat while another two's bones littered the ground by their seats. However the station's computers were still functional and after some simple work from the Salarian expert the last security recordings from the computers were downloaded onto his omnitool and the security checkpoints were disabled.
Giving the chamber another check Jondum Bau positioned himself so he was facing the only entrance into the station then began to play the security footage. It showed a top down view of the station, the three guards were at their desks when a green haired woman charged into the room wielding a longsword long enough to be used with a single hand or two handed. She slashed the throat of the first guard, leaving him to choke on his own blood in his chair, the other two leapt up the first only to be impaled on her blade, the second tried to fire his rifle but her kinetic barrier stopped his gunfire from damaging her long enough for the woman to pull her blade then slash the man's hand off before thrusting her blade into his heart. The encounter was completed within twenty seconds.
"They really didn't deserve it but they were in my way." The Salarian could practically feel the warmth of the woman's breath on his neck as she spoke, just beside him the same green-haired woman from the footage was bent over smiling at him.
In turn Jondum frowned at his opponent. "Psychological tactics, non-standard approach, clearly the defensive measures were inadequate."
"I wouldn't really call a sword a psychological weapon." The green haired witch countered, while Jondum glanced out the station's dirty windows, kneeled, and prepared for the coming assault.
"The footage consisted of standard Britannian close quarters, noble methodology. Emphasis of shields to defend the noble, traditional sword, utilized in a manner to disarm and to bypass shields. Seen as crude, in reality innovative and situationally successful, proper counter requires skill to perform." The woman smiled. Now.
The Spectre threw a grenade through the open door, the blast throwing up a cloud of dust and concealing him as he rolled out of the room. Indeed With a rifle, likely taken from one of the corpses nearby in hand his target was left staggering back from the blast. Jondum fired several rounds into her lowering the staggered woman's shields before firing a concussive round into the woman knocking her on her back. Quickly the Spectre followed with a strike with his fist meant to render the target unconscious.
Jondum sighed, with the target unconscious he just needed to secure her and then to drag her out into his... The Spectre stopped mid movement, the spectral illusion still was there smiling at him, it wasn't moving but something about it's presence sent the Spectre back on edge. That's when he heard it, the sound of a rifle's weight dropping into place as someone took aim.
With a snap decision the Spectre threw a grenade backwards before darting forward towards cover. several rounds impacted his shield before he reached it, but the blast stopped the fire long enough for Jondum to reach his cover, aim and return fire. It was only twelve rounds fired, but that was enough to kill the second target. She fell to the ground eyes already lifeless, green hair splayed about her body her expression one of mild surprise. Now two identical women lay on the dust covered ground, all while the apparition walked into the hallway and cast a smile towards her hunter.
EC
"Khaldre, I think we should leave the Knightmare alone, he seems awfully busy." Euphemia called to her Salarian friend as he stood by the old Britannian Knightmare. The Salarian diplomat was pestering the pilot of the machine with a series of questions while a number of Loki guards stood by his side. Euphemia was about to walk the several meters over to the Salarian, introduce herself to the young student pilot and ask for his forgiveness and indulgence for her friend when a filtered voice stopped the Britannian Royal mid-step.
"Excuse me, Miss Villetta, Princess Euphemia. My name is Tali'Zorah Nar Rayya, Villetta and I met briefly on the Citadel, though our meeting was indefinitely postponed...umm, your Highness." Euphemia concealed her surprise as she turned to look upon the young Quarian woman behind her. Euphemia had spent plenty of time around Quarians learning the meanings behind the designs on their suits as well as the features seen as attractive for them, and Euphie was certainly look at a near universal beauty. Next to the Quarian stood a rather uneasy looking Villetta.
Villetta spoke up before Euphie was able to speak. "It is good to see you here of all places however Miss Rayya my Princess is quite busy with her duties and the affairs of this...celebration."
"Oh please Villetta I don't see anything wrong with talking to her. I'm sorry we didn't get to meet before the horror that took place upon the Citadel." Euphemia then stuck her hand out casually and after a moment Tali took it and shook hands with the kindly princess.
"Yes, though I'm surprised to encounter you here so shortly after the events on the Citadel. I thought your Empire would have recalled you for safety." Tali stated, the Quarian already probling for details.
"My sister isn't aware that I'm here currently...though I am sure she'll call any moment now." The pinkette Princess stated with a polite smile and soft giggle.
"T-then why are you here if I may ask?" Tali almost could sense the cold sweat on her brow.
"Well to support my friends of course." Euphemia answered quickly, before adopting a mischievous smile. The Princess of Britannia then leaned in close to the Quarian and whispered. "Particularly with getting Villetta and a certain handsome man together." The Britannian then stepped back from Tali with a joyful spring in her step.
However the Pilgrim's shaking then violent response of actually attempting to hit Villetta as the woman, in concern for the Quarian, when she came close was certainly not what Euphemia had expected. Rather than the similar excitement Euphemia had expected the Quarian threw a punch at Villetta cursing in Khelish. The knight deftly avoided the unprovoked attack and swiftly moved to restrain the agitated Quarian, though Tali'zorah was quick to retaliate kicking backwards and sweeping Villetta's leg.
The pair stumbled as Euphemia watched astonished. Villetta moved to pin the Quarian while the Quarian was struggling to strike her. Nervously Euphemia looked about. What could have caused Tali to become so agitated, what would everyone thing witnessing this?
"huh, Wait don't fight!" A familiar voice came through a speaker.
"Susaku?" Euphemia perked up, recognizing the voice from the Knightmare as Susaku's.
"Alert, Mechanized unit in proximity to threaten Diplomat, moving to remove threat from premises!" Robotic voices all stated in unison.
"Wait no!" That was certainly Khaldre calling to the Loki Mechs, Euphemia was turning to address the machines and Susaku. She needed to stop this drama before it escalated.
CRACK!
Pain lanced through the Pink haired princess' jaw, and her head was forced to the side. In shock Euphemia brought her hand towards her face, looking sideways to the panicked looking pair of Tali'zorah and Villetta as both fell to the ground just before something moist, sticky and heavy fell on Euphemia pushing her to the ground and blinding her to the world around her.
Click,Click,Click,Click.
"Wow what a scoop!"
"Someone stop that man!"
"Princess Euphemia!"
The panic and voices roared through, and all Euphemia could feel was immense embarrassment. She had meant for this all to be sweet and nice and now she had somehow ruined everything. She didn't even know how but she was certain of it, like always she was foolish and her foolishness and impulsive decisions just made a mess of everything.
"Princess Euphemia." A strong hand pulled her back to her feet. She had to fight back the tears, the embarrassment and shame. She was standing now, likely with much of the Alliance's media soon to see her in her failure, but as a Princess of Britannia she couldn't show shame.
"Princess are you OK?" The voice was sweet, kind and caring. She pushed back the embarrassment to face the one questioning her, only to look up and blush as she stared deeply into the eyes of Susaku.
"Princess?"
"Y-yes I'm alright." And suddenly the chaos that she was at the center of was entirely alright, none of that mattered for Euphemia at the moment.
EC
"Hey Shepard, you should see this." Wrex's voice pulled Shepard from the destroyed Geth half buried in the snow. Quickly the Spectre walked over to where the Krogan was standing.
"This wall here, it as destroyed with acid." The Krogan announced plainly, as Liara joined the pair looking at the wall.
"And that's significant?" The Asari asked.
Shepard smiled slightly before turning towards the Asari. "Well so far the Geth haven't used chemical weapons, so this means that some other group did this. Maybe something the lab was working on or one of the Mercenary bands that Saren..."
"It was Rachni." The Krogan's blatant statement stunned Shepard slightly.
"Rachni the extinct insect race you Krogan boast all the time about exterminating." Shepard challenged.
"That's right, any Krogan old enough will waste your time describing the damage, and almost any Krogan will recognize the Rachni on sight. I'm not a veteran of that war but i've seen enough sites to recognize the signs. That limb we found hanging a while back and the corpses all share similar signs of what's supposed to be a Rachni attack." Wrex clearly wouldn't tolerate any challenge so Shepard decided to just let him have his conclusion and wait for more evidence.
"Wouldn't it make more sense for someone to make weapons based on the Rachni than their species to somehow still be alive and here?" Shepard fought to hold back her reaction, of course Liara had to follow her example and challenge Wrex despite the issue more or less being settled.
"It's Rachni, I'd bet two thousand Cred on it." The Mercenary stated bluntly.
This gained a flustered but stubborn response from the blue skinned alien of the room. "W-well I'd take that bet!"
"Ha you? A likely in debt University student, I'll love to see you pay." Wrex barked back a confident smirk on his face.
"No I'm not in debt, and i'll enjoy seeing you pay me!" Liara was far less confident, but her own stubbornness left her agreeing and smirking back competitively at the Krogan.
"Anyways, let's move on."
EC
It was much further until the group encountered their first major disruption. The facility's VI core had been disrupted, and while Shepard had done some significant hacking the matter was that the reactor needed to be reset and enemy forces had displaced the dish that allowed the facility to make a stable signal connection to Port Hanshan.
Likewise Geth had been stationed at the reactor and the dish making the repairs the facility needed ever more difficult. However Shepard still had successfully battled her way through the small squads of Geth and restored the facility. Now the VI core was active and all she had to do was run through the final portions of the programming so she could descend into the Hot-labs.
"Message packet sent to Port Hanshen, tactical analysis update complete. Warning Port Hanshen is currently under attack, attackers unknown, attacker numbers unknown, damage to port unconfirmed estimated as minimal. Port Hanshen is in full lockdown procedure no assistance may be rendered. Hot-lab conditions are unknown communication cable to Hot-labs has been physically cut. Site structural integrity has been compromised. Protocol calls for the Hot-labs to be purged however with communications with the Hot-labs lost manual purge will be necessary." The VI reported shortly after Shepard had accessed it.
"What is inside the Hot-Labs?" Shepard asked.
Behind her Wrex scoffed slightly. "Rachni."
"I apologize you do not have proper permissions from the Binary Helix board to access that information."
"Then what have caused the damage to the facility?" Shepard asked exasperated.
"I apologize you do not have proper permissions from the Binary Helix board to access that information."
"May we access the Hot-Labs?" Liara interjected.
"Direct access to the Hot-Labs is not possible, however access to Rift Station is possible. Ask authorized Binary Helix personnel from there to petition to the Binary Helix board for permission to access the Hot-Labs."
Shepard just sighed. "Of course. Well how do we reach Rift Station?"
"Tram access to Rift Station was restored. Please access company tram car and await arrival at Rift Station."
EC
Zero advanced through the combat wracked with the bodies of Britannian and corporate mercenaries. The defenders were skilled soldiers however they were neither elites, nor in a position of power with two Knightmares tearing through the facility. Compounding the issue of course was Zero's presence, his Geass causing sudden betrayals, and his intellect and tactics easily dismantling any obstacle the desperate defenders could array against him.
Zero didn't even need to draw his weapon as he calmly walked through the combat, relying on his shield to defend him from lingering attackers, his orders and Geass to win the fight, and Janyrka to eliminate any pressing threat to his life. The combination of forces made attacking the peak a near trivial pursuit. Zero walked through rooms checking on computers and various terminals, hacking as he went. Meanwhile the secret Emperor used his helmet display to watch as each of his soldiers executed his orders giving new directions as needed, though with his plan and the soldiers under his command that was seldomly needed.
"Zero, we've cleared the upper level, we're ready to descend to the midway point and the Hot-labs." Todoh reported over the coms, while a picture feed of the Commander exiting his Knightmare was displayed.
Next to Zero Janyrka scoffed. "Brit idiots forgot to purge the Hot-labs. A raid like this only takes place when you've got something the enemy wants, best to at very least temporarily seal off the prize than let them get it." The mercenary's logic was sound but she clearly was missing some crucial context for her assertions.
"Todoh be careful something's happening down there." Zero advised while now working to access the peak's VI core.
"WARNING UNAUTHORI-" Zero's hacking stopped the VI, brining the computer into line, he had expected the task to be greater than it was but elements were in place to make the hacking far easier than expected.
"Access granted, Welcome doctor. Warning multiple unauthorized requests have been made by your department within the last four hours, Warning Specimens number 476, 502, 503, and 504 have all breached containment, Specimen number 448 is still unaccounted for. Possibility of contamination of Hot-Labs personnel at 67%. Warning facility under assault by unauthorized personnel no response from Port Hanshen security has been made. " The computer reported. Something was running rampant in the Hot-labs and clearly the system and likely the personnel here were more in threat of it than they were of a assault they never saw coming. Or perhaps a risky situation was turned into a disaster by Zero's own assault, either way Lelouch needed to act now.