Hero of Elysium

Chapter 1: Diamond of the Petra Nebula

Alliance Troop Transport SSV Gold Beach in orbit over Elysium

Shepard was standing alone in the portside obeservation bay admiring Elysium, the planet that would be home for this tour of duty. A good place to blow of steam, if the stories he'd heard about it were true. Before shipping out, his company commander, captain Kahoku had shared some knowledge of his own about what was known throughout the Alliance as the diamond of the Petra Nebula.

The oldest human colony in the Skyllian Verge closely resembled Earth, with similar landmasses and oceans. Due to it's strategic position in the mass-relay network, Elysium had quickly become a major hub for travel and commerce. As a result many different species followed, integrating themselves in the fast growing population. As it grew over the years so did the demand for more protection. After much debate, Alliance Parliament had decided to reinforce Elysium with more troops and ships. The Eighth Marine division would be stationed on Elysium to ensure its safety while also using it as a staging area for future Alliance operations. Until the deployment of the division had been completed, Alliance marines like himself would be having well earned shore leave.

"Well I figured you would be here, enjoying the view Shepard?"

Shepard turned around to face my second in command of Bravo squad corporal Lee Marshall. Both knew each other since basic training and had become close friends despite their different upbringings. Lee had grown up without parents in Hong Kong and joined the Alliance because it was the only way he knew of to escape a life of poverty on Earth. Shepard on the other hand was born to a strong military family with a long history of serving the Alliance navy, right after turning 18 he'd followed his parents example and enlisted. Best choice of his life so far, even with all danger that came along with it.

"Among other things, care to join me?"

"Might as well since I wanted to talk to you about something." Lee took a spot next to him, briefly staring at Elysium before speaking up again.

"How long is it going to take before we touch down on that colony? Because I think our fearless lieutenant has outstayed his welcome with the crew of the Gold beach."

Lieutenant Daniel Richards had only joined the unit a couple of weeks ago but had already burned al his bridges with the soldiers under his command. That was bad enough on it's own but the crew manning the ship didn't escape his welcoming personality either. After a number of complaints about his behavior, he'd quietly searched up some information regarding their new leader. It made for boring reading.

Richards had transferred from Alliance intelligence and had never been in active combat before, a huge blockade for any upcoming promotion. That meant the only reason he was here was to get combat experience before advancing up the chain of command. Fortunately for everyone involved, Elysium had never come under attack despite the ever present treath of pirate raids. The chance that Richards would have to command soldiers in combat was almost non existent.

"I've checked with the pilot, apparantly we will arrive earlier than expected so if you want we can tell the guy's to get their gear ready."

Lee let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God, another day longer stuck in space with Richards and we would have been forced to drop him on an uncharted planet."

"Hold that thought, it may prove useful later." Both men shared a laugh as they left to find the rest of Bravo squad.

Alliance HQ – Fort Constantine – Elysium

Fleet Admiral Tom Moore was sitting in the war room, reading with growing disbelief the orders he had received from Alliance High command on Earth. His superiors deemed it necessary to delay the deployment of the Eighth Marine division by several weeks due to lack of pirate activity. He knew that recent combat operations had delivered a huge blow to pirates assests in the Skyllian Verge, effectively wiping out several criminal factions. The fact that there had been no signs of pirate ships for over a month was all the evidence they needed. Why send Alliance troops to Elysium when there was no tangible proof of any danger?

"Well Robert command reacted as I had predicted, orders are to just defend the colony with the forces that we have at our disposal right now." He looked up from the data pad to his second in command from the Sixth fleet, Rear admiral Robert Carrington. He wanted to know the opinion of his subordinate who'd proven to be quite useful in the past.

Carrington shook his head, already aware of what this meant for them.

"The majority of the fleet was send back to Earth for a maintenance overhaul, leaving only a token force of frigates and a single cruiser to defend the system. We both know that should we come under attack from a hostile force, our only option is to delay them but without reinforcements that won't last long."

"Sir, I have an update for you." Moore's military aide reported.

"Go ahead major."

"The SSV Gold Beach has arrived in orbit over Elysium and will be landing shortly at Fort Contantine. It contains the Forth company from the Eighth marine division."

"That's the best news I've heard today, make sure that the commanding officer has his orders waiting for him upon arrival." The major snapped off a salute as he took his leave.

Moore glanced at his omni-tool, the shuttle would be arriving shortly. "Enough work for today Robert, we can spare some time to visit the Philadelphia. I'm sure her commanding officer will be glad to hear that the company her son is serving in has arrived."

Batarian diplomatic ship Salt Cloud – Unspecified location – Terminus systems

"Destroy the colony on Elysium and leave no civilian or military survivors, whatever resources you can find are yours. Make a statement that the Alliance will never forget, maybe then they will learn to cease their foolish expansion plans." The batarian representative for the Hegemony had a cruel smile when he finished his instructions.

Elanos Haliat didn't like to deal with the batarian Hegemony, personally he despised them. Like everyone else he had heard stories about the incredible military might the batarians claimed to have. Information collected over the years he had dealt with them however painted another picture. Their massive armies and fleets were a hollow threat, lacking proper equipment and leadership. Fortunate for them a giant government propaganda machine did an admirable job of hiding these flaws. Still they had money and influence, two things he needed if he wanted to become the unofficial leader of all the pirate crews. For the time being those criminals listened to him but without further successes a dagger in his back was bound to happen.

"Just see to it that the credits are in place and you will have your war. One that can only start if you know how to disable the automated defenses on Elysium." He added. "If those damm things are still active when I arrive our fleet will be decimated."

"Don't worry about that, I have someone in the Alliance military who will take care of it. Your only concern is to achieve victory over the Alliance forces. I'm certain you already know what happens to people who fail us?"

A shiver ran down his spine, every pirate had also heard the stories about the long list of people who failed their batarian sponsors. Most of them simply disappeared inside the infamous prisons they possessed. Not a retirement plan he was looking forward to.

"Yeah yeah you don't have to tell me twice, I'll take care of it."

Alliance codex

Alliance Eighth Marine division: A fighting force that consists of fifteen thousand Alliance marines drawn from all sovereign powers on Earth. It was founded shortly before the First Contact War had begun and was among the reinforcements send to liberate Shanxi under the command of General Paul Constantine. Fighting a unknown enemy for the first time put a huge amount of pressure on the marines. Even so, they fought a successful campaign to dislodge turian forces from the planet, earning them a reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

It is currently being send from Earth to the Alliance colony of Elysium in order to strengthen ground forces in the Petra Nebula. Deployment of the division has been slowed down however thanks to political bickering inside the Alliance parliament.

The current commander is General Andrew Constantine, son of Paul Constantine.