1Okay, I'll try to keep a steady pace of more frequent updates.
As for Shepard, Their female and will be referred to as such.
Unregistered Cruiser (Informally known as CSV Fimbulwinter), 2186,
Kai Leng's brown eyes gazed out into the blackness of space, near the launch bays of the ship. It was a miracle he was still on for this mission, considering how everything before went south. After that detour, Grayson was experimented on, but he had managed to go on a rampage, and it took more Cerberus forces than it should have to go and stop him. Yet he escaped and made it to Grissom Academy, and things only got worse. Kai was not thrilled to have to reunite with David Anderson, since he was one of the many present at his court martial and dishonorable discharge nearly ten years ago. Nor was he thrilled to try and escape with broken legs, especially since the implants were still fresh and caused him pain.
"You are too important for me to waste, we need to prepare for a plan to seize the Citadel Council. Hopefully we can use them as leverage to help us control the Reapers, destroying such a power is short-sighted when we could control them. We have an asset within the Citadel who has worked to convince Councilor Udina that he needs our help." [1]
Kai was thinking about the last words he heard from the Illusive Man. Yet for once he did not seem to believe what he was saying, at least not entirely. Perhaps they could take the Citadel Council hostage, but why go along with controlling the Reapers, if Shepard seems dead set on stopping them? Kai knew of Tala Shepard when she was still in the Systems Alliance military, they were both present for the Skyllian Blitz, and she wasn't one to take a threat lightly even if Kai did not know what to make of the stories about her now. Kai had led a recon team on Elysium that gave some warning as to where and when enemy ground forces were going to strike; this had given Shepard some more time to set and coordinate defenses. [2]
They were both given recommendations to become N-7's after the defense of Elysium. Kai remembered the ceremony as one of the proudest moments of his life, when he felt like he fought for something important, not to mention the thrill of taking on impossible odds and having lived. Oddly enough Kai felt saddened to learn about the loss of Arcturus Station, even if it was ten years since he was there. Surprisingly enough Shepard wasn't too different from him in background, she too came from Earth, and from a less than ideal situation as a former affiliate with a gang. Now Shepard went soft, kowtowing to the Council in a galaxy were playing by the rules was playing with fire.[3]
'It would be nice to see Morinth again' Kai sometimes caught himself thinking about the asari, from a week ago.
"Agent Leng." Kai looked down at his omni-tool.
"Yes Pluto Command?"
"For Operation Brood Parasite, the Fimbulwinter will be the only ship capable of performing this mission. At present there is to be one month infiltration phase, and then the Council is to be captured."
"Is the Illusive Man certain about this? What do we have to gain from interfering with the Council when they are trying and failing to stop the Reapers? What good is human control over the galaxy if the galaxy is in ruins?" For the first time in a while, Kai felt the need to question the Illusive Man's judgment now that he knew more about this plan.
"Agent Leng, are you sure that asari didn't give you more than some trouble? What the Illusive Man plan's is to secure the future of Humanity, and controlling the Reapers is the key."
Before Kai could respond, an alarm blared out.
"All hands, Captain Johannes speaking, we have an object on collision course! I repeat a collision course! All hands get to the launch bays, or escape pods. If you can regroup, do so on planet Halza."
Kai quickly ran to a UT-47 Kodiak Drop shuttle, which had nine other occupants aside from it's pilot, six troopers, two engineers, a centurion and a phantom. With not much time left the Kodiak had blasted off with several other shuttles, as the cruiser was rocked by a massive explosion, while it fired in vain to stop it.
"Shit!" One of the soldiers exclaimed.
"Now what? We hardly have enough personnel to take a Citadel lower level, not to mention try and kidnap the council." The centurion of the group said wonder what would they even do now.
"Quiet!" Kai shouted, silencing the ship. "For now we survive and try and get the hell to safety." What Kai didn't say is they had a point, now everything has gone to shit, there's no chance they can capture the council, so now what are they doing?
Kai got a long hard look at the phantom, from what he knew phantoms received extensive implants in the body. He knew he had some of their gear such as a monomolecular blade, kinetic gauntlets, and a modified visor; he only had a few of their implants. Phantom implants largely to enhance reflexes and reaction time, along with some biotic resistance implants used to fortify the nervous system against biotic attacks, and kinetic movements. Of these implants Kai only had the biotic resistance implants and some kinetic buffers. [4]
"Well Commander, Halza is a contested Council and Batarian world." The pilot gave out a sigh before she continued "I still don't know what to tell the Illusive Man. Hey, this grand plan of yours got fucked by a random object, I guess that is it."
"Take us in." Kai ordered, they would have the luxury of panicking about that when they out of harms way.
"Understood. Although I am reporting a rapid increase in traffic and comm chatter, apparently there are plenty of refugees arriving from the Hegemony who seem spooked." The pilot reported.
As the shuttle moved further away from the Fimbulwinter, explosions and fire could be seen as the ship exploded.
'What kind of joke is this? Good soldiers for the cause, were just killed by a mere flying object. To think it could have killed us too.'
"Commander! Whatever destroyed the Fimbulwinter I it's some kind of ship, and it's in pursuit just as we're getting close to the atmosphere. Ah Christ, I hate wetworks like this, hope those people down there can get the hell out of here."
"What are you some Batarian-lover?" One of the troopers blurted out.
"No, I fought on Torfan against the slaving bastards myself, but if these stories about these Reapers are real and that thing is one, I don't want anyone to be subjected to that." The pilot remarked with annoyance.
Everyone save for Kai and the two engineers robotically turned towards the cockpit, after clutching their heads, it reminded Kai of those headaches he used to have not too long ago. [5]
"The Reapers will be of no threat, perhaps we should get you to stop the ship."
"Are you insane, good people I knew got killed because that thing kamikaze'd a cruiser and it doesn't seem that worse for wear. Commander do something here!" the pilots frantic voice came from the cockpit
"I order you to stand down, Now!" Kai shouted, unable to believe what he was hearing. They were Cerberus, they were more disciplined than this.
"No, They will be our salvation, you will see our truth or die here." The Phantom said as if possessed drawing his sword as Kai likewise drew his own.
"One last chance." Kai couldn't say he ever had to kill a comrade even if didn't necessarily like that many of them, only ex-comrades and traitors, and he really did not want to find out.
The Phantom charged with his heightened reflexes as Kai had moved to parry the attacks, as he heard the familiar deployment of turrets, as a hail of mass effect accelerated bullets had rung out firing into the crowd killing three troopers and wounding two others, as the engineer's pulled out their sidearms to join the fray .
It seems the engineers were on his side at least, and gunfire would keep them distracted.
"Kill them too!" the centurion shouted, but was killed by sustained fire by the engineer's M-5 Phalanx pistols, along with the two wounded troopers.
The phantom had quicker reflexes, but the chaos of the fighting limited his movements. Hoping to take advantage of this, Kai wielded his sword with his right hand, freeing up one of the kinetic gauntlets on his left. Firing several shots at the phantom's body, with one good shot hitting them in the shoulder, causing them to lose their grip, Kai quickly stabbed the phantom in the gut.
A minute had passed in silence, as dead bodies littered the floor of the shuttle.
"I'd like to panic and crawl up into a ball right now, but we have to keep moving. I take it no one knows why they went crazy?" The pilot asked, trying to regain composure.
Kai quickly looked at the reinforced cockpit door which was blocked by bodies, and moved them out the way. Inside the cockpit was a woman with dark brown skin and black hair. She gave him a quick glance and focused on continuing to fly the shuttle.
"No, but regardless our goal is still to try and survive, assuming we can ever get back into contact with Pluto Command, or the Illusive Man." Kai remarked sternly, but deep down he felt different. 'Should we? We've just killed our comrades even if they lost their minds. The Fimbulwinter is gone and how do we even get back to Chronos Station or even just another unmarked ship.'
"Do we even want to at this point?" One of the engineers remarked, taking the words out of Kai's thoughts.
"What's your name, Captain?" Kai asked of the pilot.
"Ingrid Schultz ex-Alliance military."
"What about you two? Kai remarked to the engineers."
"Ma Zhen, former corporate security. I wanted something with more purpose to it, than protecting some rich CEO or the other."
"Sophia Harris, ex-terrorist, at least on paper these days considering where I am." Sophia replied without much of a care.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, this thing, this."
"Reaper." Kai remarked, finishing Ingrid's sentence.
"Shit really? It is still on to us. How are we going to land with this thing behind us?"
"What was done during the Blitz, Anglerfish tactics." Kai stated with certainty. "We get this thing's attention and draw it away from a major population center, but not too far that we are isolated."
"That takes me back to Operation Clean Sweep. I hope to God we don't have to fight any Batarians down there this time."
"I don't understand, Commander, why not just let the Reaper rampage around at the Batarian's expense and go escape?" Sophia .
"We need a ship to get off of here, we are in no position to go play hostage takers, with two engineers, a pilot, and myself."
"I've heard about you, and"
"I am the Illusive Man's pet psycho right?" Kai said that while his visor could hide his eyes, irritation was clear on his face.
'Hmm pet psycho, Miranda always did have a way with words. It's a shame she had to betray us, but at least she was competent, unlike Brooks. How worthless could one person be?' Kai briefly thought back to some better times.
"If this seems 'uncharacteristic' of me. I enjoy a good fight especially against turians, krogans, and batarians, but we would be foolish to go pick a fight we don't need. We can pass ourselves as survivors, and tolerate the aliens company. Especially when we don't even know if we can shake this thing."
"Understood, Commander." Sophia seemed almost apologetic.
"Captain Shultz, scan the planet, for any place that would look like a suitable LZ."
"Got it. There are at least two locations near the Batarian city of New Korsh'ta, one that is six klicks away but it's near a forest, the other is three klicks away from the city but near an open field. The local spaceport doesn't seem too crowded"
"Take us down to the first location, we'll have more places to hide, and they won't have as fast an approach to the city."
"How exactly are we getting out of this thing to go run into a city, without getting shot by local authorities?" Zhen asked.
"We will have to stay low and deny any and all public affiliations with Cerberus, not that it should come up if anyone does wonder why a bunch of humans are this far away from the Systems Alliance."
"Command we are receiving a message from the planet." Ingrid had reported.
"Put them through." Kai held his breath, more trouble was the last thing he needed, he removed his visor to look less conspicuous.
"Unidentified Human Shuttle, this is New Korsh'ta Command of the Batarian Preservation Front. You have a Reaper on your tail, if you do not know they've been intent on wiping out all organic life. If you insist on your present course that damn thing here will come with all sorts of horrors."
"Understood, Are we going to be shot down?"
"It wouldn't matter, if they were going to find us anyway, all we can do is delaying actions to buy time. If you're going to land near here, we can send a Shav'ra over. I assume you came with that human cruiser that blew up not too long ago."
"And if we are?" Kai was hoping this would not lead to anymore problems, as he wondered how worse could this situation even be.
"I don't know if you're mercs or Alliance, but if you're good with a gun, I expect you're going to help us get as many people as possible out of here before we leave."
"You would save humans and expect their help?" 'Serves these thugs right that they need us now.' Kai mentally with a slight bit of pride.
"I saw those abominations kill a child, by transforming their own parents first." The voice over the intercom slightly cracked. "I'd kiss your Prime Minister's ass if it meant help destroying these things. Besides if your not going to fight you might as well kill yourself and save yourself from being one of those things, if they don't kill you first."
"We understand, we're prepared to fight." Kai replied. 'That gives us our cover to earn their trust.' Kai still felt unsure about this, but he had few alternatives.
"Fights are something you can win, this is surviving against impossible odds. I'm sending out a team now, stay alive out there."
"Alright you two take off the masks and show your faces. We need to look as reassuring as possible. Are either of you experienced with any of these weapons, because we're going to need more firepower." Kai said gesturing to weapons sprawled on the ground of the shuttle some still next to their former owners.
"Yes, I prefer the M-96 Mattock." Sophia took off her helmet and mask to reveal her features. She had pale skin, blue eyes, a buzz cut of brown hair, with several scars on her face.
"The M-25 Hornet, you cannot go wrong with something light and compact." Zhen replied revealing his face, his skin was a light yellow and he had light brown eyes and black hair.
"Captain Shultz, what about you?" Kai asked near the cockpit, figuring he might need every gun available.
"Just call me Ingrid, I'm not gonna be much of a captain once this shuttle gets scrapped. I'll take the M-25, I never cared much for assault rifles. Also don't mind me if, I'm too phased by the bodies, you can leave Torfan, but Torfan never leaves you." Ingrid remarked grimly. "We have ETA in fifteen minutes, I hope our new 'friends' come through."
"I just hope you can come through when we need you to fight." Ingrid had only given a small salute
'So this is what it has come down to, being aided by and aiding Batarians. I suppose I can worry about this more when my life is not in danger.' Kai gave one last thought as the shuttle continued it's descent down to the Earth
New Korsh'ta Command Center, Halza 2186
A batarian and an asari stood near the comm terminal, as it closed the channel with the human shuttle. The batarian gave a quick look to the asari.
"So, Commander Lamiris, what do you think about our situation because we have to leave soon?" The batarian asked of the asari who wore commando armor.
'That can't be Kai, from Omega can it?' The asari entertained the thought briefly. "Corporal Andun, Are these people truly prepared to just up and leave and run to any shelter they can find?" Lamriris asked but resisted the urge to slap herself after thinking about her words. 'Why would ask such a stupid question, you've known little but running since you were forty, and your never truly prepared for it no matter how obvious it is.' she mentally scolded herself.
"Not when they have no choice, what about the commandos under your command, are they prepared?"
"Truth be told I have never faced a foe like this, they seem like monsters from all accounts." Lamiris had as an all too familiar thought entered her mind. 'I wonder if this is what Mother thinks of me?' "However we will fight to the end, if we must."
"They are monsters." Andun gave a curt reply that seemed to get a reaction out of the asari, before he give a weary sigh. "I cannot say I'd see the Citadel races coming to our aid, nor can I say this, but I appreciate this help, even if the humans have yet to prove themselves."
"We commandos have a duty to protect." Lamris solemnly stated. "As a show of faith I want to assist this rescue team."
"Very well, they might take well to seeing their more than Batarians helping them."
As Lamiris left toward the vehicle bay, she only gave smiles and brief nods.
'Dammit it Morinth. Are you going soft? You just had to set an example for that eager stupid maiden, who lost her home because she reminds you of Falere. Yes, you've been a mercenary, and even joined two commando units, just for cover to satisfy your urges. By the Goddess, Commander Telizia, even gave you her sword, and thought you were an exemplary soldier with her dying breaths after that ambush on Selvos.' Morinith gave a quick mournful look at the sword by her side, next to her sidearm.
'Your proper place should be either mostly alone, or if 'proper' society had its way in a monastery for the rest of your life, or killed. You can't be anything more than a monster, so why keep taking a break from it and pretend you're a normal asari or a heroine? So you convince yourself you can kill for a good cause, when you kill whoever you love anyway?' Morinth quickly began to go into a rhythmic breathing exercise to try and calm down.
'Focus, you can wallow in pity later. At worst it's not Kai, and you can bring hope to Nyxanis, at best it is him, and you can still do the same assuming you don't screw up.'
Morinith had entered the motor pool attached to the commander center where a small team was prepped in front of a four wheel armored vehicle, which had several guns attached to it. Shav'ra's were Batarian troop transports designed for mobility, but could be loaded with a deceptively large armament.
Morinth was greeted by sixteen pairs of eyes, of the four batarians present a gruff female batarian stepped forward.
"Hmph looks like we are being graced by a sapphire shaded snake. Shall I bow before you, or stand in reverence of your long life?" The batarian practically spat.
"Hey Baran, you heard the Commander, she is here to help." Morinith figured Baran was the one who spoke earlier.
"I know Harak, but that doesn't mean I have to like this Citadel scum, where were these bastards when the Reapers invaded?" Baran shot back.
"The government said everything was fine, or that it was some Citadel plot, we didn't know until it was too late. Besides better late, then never showing up at all." Harak countered as Baran merely dismissed him.
"So this is just a simple escort?" Morinth was hoping to change the subject.
"Heh, it's simple until that damn thing lands, that's when the horror starts. Now lets get a move on." Baran gestured to the Shav'ra, as everyone proceeded to get in.
The Vehicle had proceeded to speed through the streets of New Korsh'ta. Warning sirens and evacuation orders were broadcast across the air, as civilians had begun to make their way to the city's spaceport. While off in the daylight sky a vessel in the vague shape of a cephalopod had begun to break through the atmosphere.
[1] As someone who has sided with Udina in ME 1, I never understood why he picked Cerberus over us, or even what the capturing or killing the council is supposed to do for Cerberus, unless it's supposed to make the 'plan' to control the reapers easier. Plan is in quotes because Indoctrination is one hell of a drug. Yes he's supposed to be the mean one and power hungry, but you've been reliable enough and he does give your Spectre back status in ME 2. Especially when Cerberus has an Alliance admiral murdered, and there is proof of their hand in things like Akuze as early as 2183 can he really trust them? It is especially jarring since Udina does mention that he lost a lot of people he knew when the Reapers attacked, so why go with the sympathy line only to make him evil anyway?
Indoctrination is given as theory in-game, but I don't buy it. I don't see how Udina could be indoctrinated either if that is somehow a reason. When is Udina going to come in contact with Reaper tech, save Sovereign's wreckage? Then again It's an ME 3 Cerberus plotline, so I don't know how much sense you can find there, other than we need Cerberus to be a threat somehow. So here I'm going with him being easily misled to try and justify what sets the Citadel Coup in motion. Especially since one volus does help out Cerberus of ignorance, because brining Shepard back does give them something of a decent reputation.
[2] I'm going with a War Hero Shepard, although Shepard did fight at Elysium regardless of background. Kai Leng apparently did recon missions, which I feel fit more of his style, and not direct combat, especially since he seems to do wet work than full on squad ops in warzones.
[3] Kai Leng did become an N-7 by the time he was twenty in 2176, and the start of Skyllian Blitz seemed to be a noticeable conflict to work with, and it does work for a War Hero Shepard. Although N-7 is merely a designation, it's not to imply them as equals, or that Kai would be 'better' even if Shepard is a Sole Survivor or Ruthless, and may get the designation at 2177 or 2178 respectively. Especially since even with a War Hero background Shepard would be two to three years older than Kai.
I'm also unsure of how long the Reaper War is supposed to last, or if ME 3 is supposed to take place over anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Especially if Javik recalls the war starting in his cycle quite long ago, then again Shepard has by this time destroyed the Reapers back door to the Citadel, and their currently slogging their way through Batarian Space, but just started their attack on Earth a few days ago.
[4] The time between Retribution and ME 3 proper doesn't seem to be given, I'm going with a headcanon that Kai Leng isn't filled to the gills with too many cybernetics. Basically aside from maybe extensive cybernetics in his legs he's still mostly human. Apparently phantoms do have gauntlets that fire bullets, instead of having them built into their hands, but it does look like that anyway.
[5] I'm taking a bit of liberty with some ME 3 Cerberus forces, not having Reaper implants and thus, not indoctrinated especially since oddly Petrovsky of all of people isn't indoctrinated I figured some must exist. If only to at least give a few more Cerberus characters that won't be mindless drones.