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EDI

Enhanced Defense Intelligence

0 · 218 views · located in Mass Effect Universe created by Bioware

a character in “Mass Effect: On the Edge”, originally authored by The Ghost Writer, as played by RolePlayGateway

History

EDI (pronounced as "ee-dee")(Enhanced Defense Intellignece) is the artifial intelligence installed on all of Cerberus' Omni Cell vessels. She serves as an advisor, and is temporarily granted access to the ships' defense and cyber warfare suits during combat. EDI is a "shackled AI", meaning that she is restricted to heavy precautionary protocols that will prevent her from going "rogue", as was the case with the geth.

Canonically, EDI makes her first appearance in Mass Effect 2, where it is revealed that her technology was derived from Sovereign; implying that she is, indeed, of Reaper origin. This may partially explain why she is portrayed as such an unusual AI with the ability of developing her own personality as the game progresses. In "On the Edge", each EDI unit is different. On the SIC Titan, Commander Horn called EDI "Serah", but she is referred to as "Nikki" on the Call of Victory by its helmsman. Commander Titus prefers to stick with calling the Vindicator's own AI "EDI".

Throughout the ships are various projection terminals, where EDI's blue "orb" appears when she is being spoken to directly, or if she needs to relay pertinent information. This can always be done over the ship's intercom system, but the crew probably find speaking with at least a hologram of a talking globe more "personable".

Unlike the geth, which operate as a networked intelligence of billions of programs, EDI is one sole program - another insight into the advanced technology of the Reapers.

So begins...

EDI's Story

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Braden Reynolds Character Portrait: Commander Jonathan Titus Character Portrait: Darcy Mansfield Character Portrait: Elizabeth "Lizzie" Rikers Character Portrait: EDI
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The arching spikes of discharging dark energy around the Vindicator's element zero core was tantalizing to the eyes. Being a biotic, Braden felt nearly renewed being so close to a massive sphere containing the same energy he could manipulate with his mind. The eezo core had a relaxing effect on his mind, despite the lack of nutrition. Lizzie, who had her head leaned back against his chest, with the two of them sitting on the floor of the core's surrounding deck against a bulkhead, had brought them some food from the mess hall to munch on. It wasn't much, but it was enough to keep the boy going for a while longer.

Both of the teenagers had spent the last hour with each other, in the exact same spot. The engineers hadn't objected once to their presence, and Braden assumed that was Lizzie's doing. He figured she must have convinced them sometime earlier in the day that they wouldn't get in the way. As Lizzie slumbered against him, his mind began to recall the events of the past day. Waking up and feeling hateful animosity towards Cerberus, finding comfort in the arms of the girl he loved, releasing the hate still inside him through Villayn's training, and finding peace once again with Lizzie. He still felt angry at the people he was working with, and he knew that only time would tell if he could truly trust Commander Titus and Yeoman Brown.




"Darcy, what the hell is up with the beret?" Titus demanded with an amused smirk as he approached the helm of the Vindicator. His pilot was wearing a black beret, perfectly formed over his right ear. Judging by the fact that the wool was smooth and shaven, Darcy must have had it for quite some time. Though it wasn't a part of the Cerberus crewman uniform, it matched the black, white, and gray colors.

Darcy spun around in his chair and revealed a giddy smile from cheek to cheek. "Isn't it sick, Commander? A few marines on deck five found them in starboard cargo, we must have accidentally picked up the shipment at our last resupply stop. Terminus depots aren't always the most reliable when it comes to tracking their customers' goods."

"That was three days ago," John noted, folding his arms.

"Yup. I've been shaping it in the shower every morning; finally shaved it last night and let it dry out. How does it look?"

Titus leaned back, inspecting the ridiculous hat left and right, but he honestly couldn't find much to object to. It was dorky, but sharp at the same time, and it conveyed an air professionalism about Darcy that Titus thought he would never see. Besides, the beret out-did the stupid ball caps any day of the week. After taking a moment to fully appreciate Darcy's new fashion accessory he let his arms drop and asked, "How many of those were in the shipment?"

"More than enough if you're thinking what I think you're thinking."

"Then I'll keep thinking." The commander moved around to stand beside Darcy, directly between him and EDI's ever-present sphere, and changed the subject, asking, "Is that our relay?" The mass relay Titus was referring to was growing closer as the Vindicator made its approach.

"That's it," Darcy confirmed, rapidly tapping away at his cyan-colored haptic interface. "We'll make the jump through and I'll plot us a direct course to Lucr'n. Our current ETA to target is two hours, fifteen minutes. Now EDI's already taken a look at the planet's recent geological surveys. She found a few things you might want to take note of."

On cue, the ship's AI chimed in with her report. "Lucr'n is located close enough to its system's sun to warrant the use of heat protective armor. Over the past millennia, the planet's protective atmospheric layers have deteriorated due to a build-up of greenhouse gases. This was most likely caused by a planet-wide war event during its final moments of civilization. Whatever cataclysm started the decay is no longer traceable. While your shields are strong enough to hold out against the penetrating radiation, they will be ineffective in a firefight. Mass accelerated rounds will go straight through and your hard suit's armor will have to absorb the impact alone."

"Wonderful," Titus mused. "So, what have the archeologists been using for protection?"

"Thermal resistant white suits," EDI replied. "They sacrifice armor in favor of specially designed shield boosters. The suits are also equipped with a thrust capacitor."

"A what?"

"Adding to the dangers of Lucr'n are frequent earthquakes and tectonic tremors, possibly another result of the cataclysm that ended the Prothean civilization-"

"It was the Reapers, EDI," Darcy retorted. "We all know it was the fucking Reapers."

Ignoring the helmsman's interuption, the AI carried on without any emotional inflection toward him. "Some quakes can cause large debris to break off of ruins and endanger the lives of nearby archeologists. To compensate, a back-mounted thrust capacitor provides a powerful enough boost - using a micro fission core - to propel the individual several hundred meters, safely removing them from the danger zone. It is not a 'jet pack', but a more level alternative."

Titus nodded, but rubbed his eyes. “Berets, earthquakes, and jump packs... Just get us to Lucr’n, Darcy.”

“Aye-aye, Commander.”

Titus spun around and walked back down the helm toward the CIC. As he passed through, he observed many of the CIC operators settling down in at their terminals, preparing for the eminent mission. Each of them, though they appeared to perform the same task as their neighbor, played a vital, unique role in keeping the Vindicator running and operational. Most of the technicians in the CIC were combat operations managers; relaying vital intelligence to and from the battle grounds, or assisting in space warfare. While EDI did most of the data logging and calculations, it was up her human counterparts to execute commands.

“I hope you’re ready, ladies and gents,” the commander said as he briskly made his way past them. “This mission is going to get interesting.”




“All hands, prepare for relay jump, in thirty seconds!” Engineer Sullivan announced as he practically ran at full speed from one end of the core room to the other, skipping nearly three full steps as he partially jumped up onto the main observation platform. In response, Braden and Lizzie, now fully awake and alert, jumped to their feet and made their way up to the platform for safety. Being too close to the drive core during a relay jump could be dangerous if something went wrong.

Already, the giant sphere began to pulse violently with massive arcs of discharging dark energy. “Core levels stable, eezo reaction normal,” Engineer Foster stated as she approached a wide haptic interface and began to busy herself at the controls. There was another pulse, one more massive than the others, and Braden figured that the Vindicator was now very close to the mass relay that Darcy was about to make a jump through.

There was a crackle over the core room’s intercom as Darcy’s amplified voice came over. “Relay jump commencing in three
 two
 one!” As soon as his tongue struck the “n” on “one”, a final pulse burst outward from the sphere. The room was blinded in a brief second of blue-white light, and Braden felt a surge of energy passing into his own body; a vibration spreading throughout his nervous system. His head went light, and the room started to spin. Though the light was now dissipating, nearly gone, so was his vision. During the final few seconds before total darkness, he felt his legs give out, and he saw the ceiling of the core room high above him come into view, and heard the muffled voices of his friends call out to him.

“Braden? Braden?!”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Braden Reynolds Character Portrait: Commander Jonathan Titus Character Portrait: EDI
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"Captain!" one of the Aurora agents yelled while rapidly tapping away at an expansive haptic interface before him in the Aurora Project's Noveria command and control center. "Cerberus signature detected five hundred meters from the west perimeter! Closing fast!"

Marcus Shire stepped into the dim lighting that circled around the control room's ceiling directly overhead the many workstations similar to the beckoning agent's. He leaned in close to gain a better visual of what his operator was had found to be worthy of alarm, which was a live video feed of a fast approaching Hammerhead, adorned with the unmistakable white, black, and orange colors of Cerberus. Though their emblems were on the sides, and hard to make out in the relentless blizzard outside, the IFF's returned ping confirmed who was inside. A smirk formed across his grisly face and he stood up straight with both hands behind his back and his shoulders broad. "Condition Delta!" he barked. "It looks like Cerberus is bringing the fight to us."

The white lights overhead flashed to red, and the entire command room was now tinted in a darkened vermilion glow. Aurora officers picked up their paces, practically double-timing it across the raised walkways that ran in a similar circular pattern behind the control consoles, surrounding the primary battle operation table in the center of the room. Captain Shire guided himself with a calm grace back over to that very table, where he leaned forward on the chrome and overlooked a giant hologram of the terrain and his precious compound. One simple Hammerhead? Is that all?

He briefly wondered who in Cerberus had decided to attack him so boldly. The NDC could have very well detected and traced their presence on the planet already, and were perhaps sending a scouting party, but Cerberus wouldn't risk openly exposing themselves like that. No, it had be an outside cell; an operation being put together by someone that didn't have any direct ties to the technology corporations on Noveria. Commander Titus? The thought had definitely crossed his mind, and it seemed plausible. If that was true... The sly grin on Marcus' face grew twice as wide.

The captain was going to enjoy this little skirmish.




Commander Titus rubbed his eyes with his thumb and index finger, wanting to pound Sentry's skull in for the reckless slave comment in front of Braden. Yet, as he told the no-doubt perturbed teen, the man simply didn't know. Besides, there was always the off-chance that Braden might actually play it cool and forget about it. But there was also the chance that he could go on an emotionally-fueled biotic rampage through the ship when they got back. John shook his head free of the thoughts, wanting instead to just focus on the mission. It would be best to simply cross that bridge when he got there.

Both the commander and Operative Taylor stood above the Vindicator's galaxy map in the CIC. With the tap of his fingers on his Omni-tool, the map dissolved and a hologram of the area of operation materialized to take its place. Their new toy, highlighted in Cerberus' famous fiery orange, glided across the ice- and snow-covered terrain with ease. Aurora's compound had been built on a complex base of primarily concrete, with higher elements constructed using a metal alloy. EDI's scans revealed massive thermal heat signatures radiating from below the bases. They were more than likely some kind of heating system put in place to keep the ice from over-taking the foundations. The concrete, Titus also noticed, wasn't poured there; it was placed there. Giant slabs had been molded and dried off-world, and delivered to the location to provide a quick foundation for the base and vehicles.

Overall, it was a well fortified position. Tall cliffs surrounded the compound on all sides but the west, where Sentry was quickly making his approach from. GARDIAN defense turrets had been installed in all corners, capable of providing both air and ground defense; unlike the air-only turrets on Anhur and most colonies. EDI had marked the location of four different power-sources, each linking to a particular turret nearby. Since the compound did not have a single, primary power house, every one or two structures required their own source of energy. If Sentry was going to survive against the turrets, he would have to use the Hammerhead's maneuverability to sweep in and take out their power units. A single tower wouldn't be able to touch him up close because of its height, but his ass would be left open for the other three towers to take a shot if he wasn't in and out fast enough. There was also the concern of the two M35 Mako armored units. They were fast, but difficult to maneuver; and their armor was weakest in the rear. Yet, if their 155mm cannon managed to deliver a direct blow to the Hammerheard, Sentry and Braden might as well abort the mission and bail out.

Titus didn't like the odds; and he especially didn't like his decision to send Braden down there for a "learning experience". He wanted to punch himself in the face, or drive his head into the handrail he was leaning against in front of the map. Veronica had already voiced her disapproval, and if the boy came back in a body bag, she promised to personally eject him out of one of the torpedo tubes. As much as he wanted to bring the Vindicator in for the same kind of bombing run that Darcy performed back on Lucr'n, he knew he couldn't. The Illusive Man planned ahead: knowing that Aurora would have had air defenses waiting, he sent the Hammerhead. That was the only way they could pull this off. He began to wonder if that's also why he had specifically chosen Mr. Valentine to come along with the package.

"Titus," EDI said aloud over the speakers before materializing on a nearby projection terminal next to the map's viewing platform, "I have detected a lot of troop movement within the base. The Hammerhead's IFF has been pinged, and Aurora is now fully aware of who we are. Sentry is now in range of their GARDIAN defense towers."

"Any good news?"

"Yes. Dr. Porter has reconsidered ejecting your body out of a torpedo tube, given the intimate relationship you two share. She has, instead, opted to eject you out of the airlock if Mr. Reynold's returns deceased; finding it to be less cruel."




The memories of his year as a tortured slave under Gavin's abusive and twisted control had tried to crawl into the back of Braden's mind, but he bravely pushed them back. He had to be focused on the mission, and Sentry's joke was just that... a harmless joke. He couldn't blame the man for not knowing his past, even if he wanted to turn his brain back into the primordial muck it had evolved from. But such thoughts were also unhealthy, so the teenager sucked it up and returned his focus to the terminal in front of him. The controls and readings were a bit confusing to understand at first, but his time playing Divide and Conquer on the Jon Grissam Academy's computer network had taught him a thing or two about military lingo. As it turned out, the stuff in video games wasn't so different than the real thing nowadays.

An alert message suddenly flashed across his screen: HOSTILE ARTILLERY FIRE DETECTED! EVASIVE ACTION RECOMMENDED!

He didn't need to be a military brat to understand what that meant. "Uhm... dude! You might wanna-" His voice was overpowered by a boom! somewhere outside the Hammerhead. Considering they were still alive, and the hover tank hadn't rocked or jerked from an impact, Braden assumed that the shot had missed; but probably by only a few yards. Out of instinct, Braden reached for and pulled the M-8 Avenger that Titus had given him closer and set it directly up against his seat, securing the butt of the rifle with one hand pressing it against the cushion.

If need be, he was ready and willing to fight today.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Braden Reynolds Character Portrait: Commander Jonathan Titus Character Portrait: Darcy Mansfield Character Portrait: Stephen "Sentry" Valentine Character Portrait: EDI
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#, as written by Gunneh
Sentry urged the Hammerhead forward, weaving in and out of cover as best he could to avoid the artillery fire that was raining down around it. He cut a glance over to Braden and smirked at the sight of the boy clutching the Avenger to his chest as though it were a teddy bear or a shield that would keep the bad things away.

"Hammerhead to Viper," Sentry called out. "Mark those towers for us, please. Shit's already starting to go to hell down here and I'm not fond of the idea of getting lost in a warzone."

"Uploading the data to you now, Sentry," EDI replied to him. "There are four GARDIAN defense towers in all, each with its own power source located close by. My scans are picking up increased movement within the perimeter, and three Mako tanks are moving to intercept."

"Thanks for the good news, EDI," Sentry replied. He held the course steady as they crested a small hill and the entirety of the base was shown to them, along with the three Mako tanks that had taken up defensive positions near the western wall of the compound where Sentry was supposed to bring the Hammerhead through.

"The ride's going to get pretty bumpy from here on out, kid," Sentry said to Braden. "I've piloted one of these things quite a few times, though, so I know what I'm doing. The main thing I need from you is to not panic. I'm not going to let these assholes have the honor of killing us." Braden nodded and loosened his grip on the Avenger. "Good deal. Now let's have some fun."

Sentry hammered on the boost and the Hammerhead shot towards the compound like greased lightning. One of the Makos fired and Sentry swerved hard to the left, knowing full well that Braden's eyes were glued to the sight of the shell striking the snow where they'd just been moments before. Another tank fired and he zagged to the right, feeling the shake from the shell exploding into the earth somewhere to his left. His eyes darted to the guage on the console that displayed the amount of boost that the hovertank had before it needed to recharge, noted its dwindling levels and kicked the boosters on.

The Hammerhead shot into the air and soared over the Makos and whatever ground troops had shown up to support the tanks. He heard bullets pinging off of the armored hull and smirked to himself. He forced his full attention back to the console in front of him andspun the Hammerhead in the direction of the closest defense tower, kicking the boosters back on at full force to slow their descent.

Two Mako shells crisscrossed over the Hammerhead as Sentry pushed the hovertank through whatever gaps he could find, dodging troops, bullets, and GARDIAN shells alike. The VI rang out in a warning as a Mako pulled into line behind him. It fired, the shell slamming into the wall nearest the Hammerhead, showering the vehicle with debris from the blast. It fired again. This time the shell struck the ground just behind the Hammerhead and the explosion shook the hovertank hard, but Sentry steadied the controls and hit the boost again and shot off across the compound to the first GARDIAN power station.

"Just swing through," he said to himself as he neared the power station and swung the Hammerhead broadside, letting it float along parallel to the outer wall.

"Light the power supply up-"

He fired the Hammerhead's main gun several times in succession.

"-and then swing out around the back."

He drifted the vehicle around the back as EDI said something about one tower being offline. One single Mako was heading straight for the Hammerhead, and the driver seemed hell-bent on not changing his course. The tanks main gun fired and Sentry swerved to miss it. It fired again and the Hammerhead narrowly avoided the strike. Sentry's eyes darted up and across the compound and saqw the GARDIAN's moving for another shot. He looked over to Braden and then back at the Mako careening towards them. Someone had to move first, but not yet.

WARNING, the VI shouted, COLLISION IMMINENT.

"That's almost the plan, Sparky," Sentry mumbled. The Mako and Hammerhead were mere feet away from each other now. He saw Braden wince out of the corner of his eye, the boy bracing for impact.

And then Sentry swerved out of the way, missing the tank by inches. The Mako made a sharp move to try and follow the Hammerhead, but the GARDIAN shell that just been fired at the targeted Hammerhead struck the Mako instead.

"EDI," Sentry shouted as he shot off toward the next power station, "tell Titus that he owes me a beer for making that fucking trick work."

"Why don't you tell him yourself, Valentine," Titus replied. "Get the rest of the op done with that kind of style and we'll talk about it."

Sentry laughed and took the rest of the towers with a surprising amount of extra confidence. Even Braden had lost what little fear he'd had in his eyes and was now sporting what Sentry and Titus would have probably deemed a decent war face. Sentry wheeled the Hammerhead back around towards the western side of the compound where they had entered and began the long trek back to the exfil point.

"Hammerhead to Viper," Sentry said. "Prepare for exfil. ETA is ten minutes."

"Copy that, Hammerhead," Darcy replied.

"Good work, guys," Titus added. "Get back here some you can get some res-"

An explosion rocked the Hammeread and all the consoles flickered and then went dark. The hovertank dropped from its low altitude and jolted its two passengers around quite a bit, but when the movement stopped, Sentry was out of his seat and climbing through the emergency hatch. There was a decent sized chunk of the Hammerhead's outer hull missing and sparks shot out of the gash.

"Fuck," Sentry said to himself before opening his com to everyone. "Mayday. Hamerhead to Viper. We've been hit and we're experiencing some minor difficulties."

"What kind of minor difficulties," Titus asked, his voice more panicked than it had been moments before.

"A whole mess of critical system failures," Sentry replied as the bullets started pinging off the Hammerhead. He took cover as quick as he could and pulled the ML-77 rocket launcher from over shoulder. "Seems we happened to forget that there were two other Mako's on our tail because they had their heads shoved in the sand so well."

"Can you fix it," Titus asked. Sentry looked over at the gash for a second before a bullet whirred past his face and he darted back into cover.

"I can, but it'll leave us really uncovered while I get it done," he replied as he poked his head out of cover long enough to fire two rockets, each of them slamming into their respective Mako targets that had taken up a defensive position a few yards away. "I'd say...fifteen minutes, minimum."

"Get to it, Valentine."

"Aye aye, sir," Sentry replied as he tchrew down a combat drone and a sentry turret. "Braden, give me some cover fire. If you get into the shit, let me know."

Setting

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Braden Reynolds Character Portrait: Stephen "Sentry" Valentine Character Portrait: EDI
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#, as written by Gunneh
Well, in a neat little town they call Belfast, apprentice to trade I was bound
Many an hours sweet happiness, have I spent in that neat little town
A sad misfortune came over me, which caused me to stray from the land
Far away from my friends and relations, betrayed by the black velvet band .


Sentry swayed along with the music as it poured from the computer console in the corner of the room, cradling an M-8 Avenger assault rifle in his arms as if it were a newborn baby. The swaying soon turned into what could only barely be described as a waltz, and the assault rifle became a dancing partner. The dance became more intricate as the music continued, with Sentry spinnng and swaying along to the melody. As then chorus kicked in, Sentry brought the barrel of the gun up to his lips and sang along with the music:

Her eyes they shone like diamonds
I thought her the queen of the land
And her hair it hung over her shoulder
Tied up with a black velvet band.


"What the...?"

"Holy Christ," Sentry exclaimed. Braden's voice caused him to jolt and the Avenger slipped from his grip, but he moved with an almost inhuman speed and caught the assault rifle, ejected the thermal clip from the weapon, and caught the clip in his left hand. He turned to look at Braden and laughed heartily at the boy's expression.

"Sorry, Braden," he said as he laid the weapon on a nearby table with the thermal clip beside it. "I forgot what time it was. I was just getting some work done, you see."

"And practicing unsafe weapon procedure," EDI added.

"Yes," he added. "And practicing unsafe weapon procedure. First lesson: Don't dance with your weapon and/or sing into the barrel like a microphone. For one, it could get you hurt, and two, it makes you look like a jackass."

"Agreed, Operative Valentine," EDI replied.

"Hush, woman," Sentry chuckled. "I didn't hear you complaining during the performance." Valentine focused his attention back onto Braden and smiled. "What's going on, big man? You look confused."

"Just wondering what kind of... music... that was," Braden replied.

"It's a traditional Irish song called The Black Velvet Band," Sentry said with a smile. "See, I'm a spacer. I was born and raised on Alliance stations and Alliance ships, but my mother and father, they were both from Dublin. My father was an engineer who was extremely grounded in all of Ireland's history, especially the music, and my mother was a nurse who was a little more 'with the times' than my father happened to be."

Sentry brought his arm up and his Omni-Tool sprang to life. He tapped a few buttons on the interface and the music started playing again, only at a lower volume this time.

"I was raised almost the same way wither of them had been raised, and I was brought up with a lot of the traditional things from back home," he continued. "Especially the music. I know it's a lot different than anything you might've ever heard, but I love it."

"Only music I really know is the club and trance played on Omega...," Braden said, casting his eyes across some of the weapon racks to distract himself from what appeared to be a creeping thought.

"Looks like there's a story there," Sentry said with a soft smile as he noted Braden's expression. "We'll get to that another time. Till then, let's get to teaching you about shooty things, kay?"

And the lesson began.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Op Chief Susan Vasquez Character Portrait: Helmsman Joseph Butcher Character Portrait: Yeoman Andrea Chel Character Portrait: Commander Jensen Ross Character Portrait: EDI
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It was all too clean for Jensen Ross, the halls of Cerberus bases have always been so damn clean. It made him feel uncomfortable, like he’d reached the end but did not know it. He stopped in a seemingly empty room and strangely felt even less comfortable as the light went completely off. But Ross did not have to wait long for his employers image to appear before him. He snapped into a salute. "Sir"

The Illusive Man remained seated in his chair with his back facing the new Omni Cell commander. As he read through the various reports scattered before him in a wide array of orange haptic projections, tapping off the burnt ash at the end of a cigarette, he tilted his head slightly over his shoulder and said, "Commander Ross. I'd like to personally welcome you aboard the most important undertaking of your career."

Ross tried to suppress the wince that came from the words "Commander." A reaction the good doctor has mentioned may never leave his psyche, but he was much more comfortable with the title than he'd ever thought he would be again. "Thank you for putting this old soldier back together sir. Anything you need done, I'll make it clean and quick."

There was a momentary pause while the Man took a drag of his cigarette. "The same kind of attitude another Commander in Omni had... The very one I actually need you to eliminate as your first assignment." The Illusive Man turned his chair around slowly to face Ross' projection straight on, and then stood up to walk across the black titled floor with his trillion-credit swagger and cool confidence. "We've located the Black Hornet in the middle of Sigurd's Cradle. Its commander, Joseph Poitvin, has... gone rogue. After he failed to obtain a simple Prothean cache, containing information that could have proven invaluable to our efforts against the Reapers, he fled."

Ross tensed a bit, an assassination as his first mission since being put back together. Talk about learning to swim on the deep end, though in his case it is more like learning to swim again. "From I recall the Black Hornet was a good ship, never got to meet Poitvin himself though. He'll be a tough catch but nothing I can't handle. Sigurd’s Cradle, two systems. Alliance presence. Been through there a few times during my years with them. Are we to assume he's under their wing?"

"Poitvin was former Alliance, but they'll never take him under their protection - not after what he's done with Cerberus, and especially not after being labeled as a war criminal for the execution of several biotically-gifted children in Ascension. He's alone out there, but the fight won't be easy. The Black Hornet is, or was, one of our most advanced frigates: fast, stealthy, and capable of quick, precision strikes. He's a Machiavellian at heart, ensuring that he leaves nothing left of his enemies. Once you find him, Commander, don't even give him pause."

"If working for you has taught me anything about the Alliance now that I'm on the outside looking in. It's that they are not above making good with bad people. They just keep that a little more quiet." He paused a moment in thought and then said. "If he does not have the package with him sir, am I still to execute with extreme prejudice? I am to assume part of this mission is the package. Correct?"

"I believe that Poitvin failed entirely to obtain the data, and that's why he fled Cerberus. He doesn't take kindly to failure. But if there's a chance that he did recover it - making his abandonment peculiar - then I'd like it to be recovered, if at all possible. That would require boarding the Hornet; a very risky operation and one that its commander will try everything to prevent you from doing."

The Illusive Man took another drag of his cigarette before making his way casually back over to his chair and taking a seat. He dabbed off the newly accumilated ash into the tray on the arm of the chair, before laying the cigarette down completely. "I expect great things from you, Ross. I trust you won't disappoint me... as your predecessor has done.” The image of The Illusive Man faded out and light came back into the room.

“I have no intention of ever failing again.” Said a determined Ross as he walked out the door.

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The Commander was the first person inside the new ship, he’d just thrown on whatever he had at the top of the pile. He didn’t feel right wearing a Cerberus uniform in the first place, and he sure as hell was not going to wear anything that denoted the rank he now held. Until he earned it anyways. Two softer footsteps followed him and she was more than comfortable in a uniform. Any uniform really. She looked in awe of the ship.

“For terrorist group Cerberus sure seem to have some top of the line stuff.” Said 2IC Susan Vasquez as she stood besides the Commander at the bridge of the ship. At 5’ 4” she didn’t come close to the commander in intimidation or size, but she carried herself with an air of confidence that commanded every bit of attention as her CO. The visible scars on her face showed she had more than enough stories to tell. They continued to look over their new home as they walked to the helm. “Hell I’d even say some of this stuff puts the Alliance to shame.”

“Well I don’t know much about the relics the Alliance plays with now but since I been here seeing the big ol C on a ship means I have to get my hands on it.” The voice had come behind the pair and while the 2IC looked back the commander stood still as he looked out into the stars. “This girl will probably fly like nothing else, but then again I guess when you have more money than god you could throw all the money you want at something and it will be the best.”

“Don’t underestimate the Alliance Helmsman Butcher.” Said the commander as the bright eyed and bright smiled young man came between the two veterans. At first he’d had been about to put his hand on their shoulders and part them like the Red Sea. But the commanders size and Susan’s ice stare made him reconsider that idea. He opted to slip between the two and flop himself on to his seat.

“Oh never sir, but this baby has got some big guns with the new Thanix Cannon. GARDIAN Lasers to slap all the flies away, Heavy Silaris armor to take everything the Alliance or anyone else can dish out and CBT Barriers. It's the ship that made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs.” The Helmsman Joesph Butcher looked up at the two with a smile of a proud parent and with a bit of hope in his eyes at his little joke. That was quickly gone however as the 2IC looked at him like he was mad and the Ross acted as though he didn‘t hear a thing. “Hm
.Never seen that one huh? ”

A soft female voice seemed to fill the room. “Highly unlikely Mr. Butcher, as the movie is over two centuries old and is usually only found on illegal bootleg vids.”

“Well yeah only illegal since no one wants to buy the rights to a ‘dead series.’ A classic man that’s what it is.”

“By age alone it may be called a classic yes.”

The commander finally looked away from the star ahead with a sigh and looked up, “I take it you’re the AI. Rumors about the newest Cerberus ships having them seem to be true.”

“While you are correct that I am an AI, you are incorrect that we is on every new Cerberus ships. We have only been placed inside ships The Illusive Man has deemed of extreme value. My name is Phillis.”

“I suppose that is a vote of confidence by him then.” Said Susan with a smirk then her dark blinked hard as the name click in her mind. “The hell?
Phillis? Who names an AI Phillis?”

The ship spoke again. “My original title was EDI. However Helmsman Butcher found it important that I be called Phillis.”

“After my mother.” Said Butcher who’s face turned into a big grin as the Commander let out a chuckle. “I figured it was better than my original idea of HAL.”

“Now see I’ve seen THAT movie Mr. Butcher.” Said a commander with a grin on his own face. “You made the right call.” He looked up to the ship. “Can you tell us more about the ship Phillis.”

There was a brief pause before the gentle voice and human voice from before became more robotic and somewhat sinister. “I can’t do that Dave.”

“You showed an AI 2000 A Space Odyssey?” Ross eyes burned into the helmsman. Suddenly Butcher didn’t know if he could sink into his seat any lower. “Pillis
Tell us more about the ship
.now.”

“Sorry sir.” Said Phillis her voice back to normal.

A smirk appeared on the face of Susan as she leaned back on the side of the ship and pointed at the helms man. “Ok him. Totally saw that coming but her,” she said point to the ship. “I’m pretty sure I heard fear in an AI’s voice. Bravo sir.” Ross grinned at Susan and remembered why it was important to have her with him again.

“The 1st floor houses the Armory with shooting range, Cargo and shuttle launch. On the 2nd floor there is both engineering and the Main Battery as well as myself. The 3rd floor is all the crew quarters including Med bay, Lounge and Gym. The 4th is what you are currently on, houses the CIC as well as Yeoman Chel’s office. And the 5th-”

The Commanders head had snapped up. “Andrea is here?”

“Andrea Chel? Your shri-“ She began before thinking better of it. “friend is on the ship? Isn‘t she a civy?”

“I am Op Chief Vasquez,” came the reply, it’s tone was confident and carried with it a English accent. The three turned back to look at the new arrival, and though uniforms have never been designed to flatter a woman’s figure. This one could do very little to hold back hers. “However you will not find a better person to watch the mental health of the crew.” He smile was stunning, “Or my friend, hello Jensen.”

Jensen smiled back, “Hello Andrea, it’s a surprise to see you. More so that you would wear a uniform.”

Dr. Chel looked herself over and made a face as though she had smelled something foul. “Ach this thing? It’s not the most flattering or most comfortable of clothing.”

“I think they feel just fine.” Vasquez piped up from besides Ross.

“Either case, I’m glad I have my own room.“ Chel continued as though she did not hear the Op Chief. “We will need it to continue our sessions Jensen and for me to get out of
these. Even for a short while.” He eyes seemed to fall between both Ross and Susan as she let out of chuckle. “I shall go make sure my room is up to the standards I had asked. Come see me for a session after we take off Jensen. We need to make up for the one missed before.”

As the doctor walked off Susan looked to where she had been looking. Helmsman Butchers mouth was hanging open. She helped him shut it by gripping the gap between the shoulder blade.

“AHHHH ok ok!” Shouted Butcher as she nearly kept the grip all the way till he was off his seat. He waited till Susan was not looking and gave his Commander 2 thumbs way up. Ross rolled his eyes and started off away from the helm.

“I want everyone on board now, we leave in 15.”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Marine LT Menar Character Portrait: Op Chief Susan Vasquez Character Portrait: Helmsman Joseph Butcher Character Portrait: Engineer Alexander Pegg Character Portrait: Commander Jensen Ross Character Portrait: EDI
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There stood a single figure in engineering peering up at the core in complete awe. Alex had been on many ships before, hell, he had designed a few private models for those with the money to blow. This ship however, was something else. A piece of art as far as he was concerned. He leapt at the chance to work with Cerberus a few years ago. He’d heard of the advance technology that the controversial organization had and after a few years he’d thought he’d seen it all until he was offered this post. Sure the money was good, but hey, he had enough of that.

He was suddenly snapped out of his revelry when a strong voice came over the comm.

“This is Commander Jensen Ross to Engineering, I want to be underway in 5 minutes. Make it happen.”

Alexander was never much for the military side of things, he’d most often been just the brains behind the ship. This whole answering to a “Commander” would have to get some getting used to. Best give it a try, Alexander thought as he replied. “Engineer Alexander Pegg here. She is ready to go Commander.”

Suddenly a very different voice came over the radio, this one a bit higher in pitch and obviously belonging to a younger
.horribly energetic man. “Wait wait. Was
.was that
.are you Scottish? Oh man, come on. Say, ‘I’m giving it all she’s got Captain!’”

The voice and request had stunned Alexander to silence but after a few moments he said. “Wha
who are you?”

“Oh this is Helmsman Joe Butcher. And I think we’ll be great friends Scotty.”

“But
my name isn’t Scotty. It Alexander.”

“Whatever, now come on say ‘I-‘ahhhhh!”

Alexander felt ping of joy from the annoying voice being in pain but at the same time was concerned that the ship’s Helmsman might had just been hurt before even leaving. A softer female voice then came over the comm. “My name is Ops Chief Susan Vasquez. Welcome aboard Engineer Pegg, I’ve
asked Helmsman Butcher to keep the comms between Helm and Engineer clear.

“Yes
Um. Thank you Ops Chief.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joe rubbed his shoulder slowly and hissed in pain, “Jeez are you sure you’re not part Turian. Those damn fingers feel like talons.”

Phillis’s voice filled the helm once again. “It would be impossible to have a mixture of Turian and Human DNA. Also Turian females do not have breasts, which Ops Chief Vasquez clearly has.”

Ross, though having left the helm after talking to the engineer, was still at the Galaxy Map down the hall. He could hear every word from the helm and tried surpressing a laugh which instead turned into a loud snort. This received an icy stare by Susan before she looked up at the ship and growled out. “Thanks Phillis.”

Ross was trying to regain his composure as he saw the Op’s Chief leave the helm and walk toward him. “Yeah laugh it up ass hole.” She growled as she stopped by his side.

Ross looked down at his Chief Ops, fighting a grin, "Are you threatening a superior officer or making a pass?"

Susan just shook her head at him, "You wish."

"For which one?"

"Both."

They both laughed at the old joke between them. Looking at his watch Ross saw that all the fun and games was over. It was time to go kill a Frenchman. “Phillis, is everyone aboard?”

“Yes Commander the Marine Lieutenant has just arrived.”

A thunderous voice boomed into the CIC, “Arrived and not believing his eyes.”

Ross was rather surprised to know his doctor was on board. He was even more surprised however to hear this voice coming from the Helm and turned to face him with a fake but convincing deathly glare. “Menar? Now why the hell would Cerberus make a krogan like you my LT.”

The krogan Menar was built just as wide as any krogan you can think of, but as he walked closer to and stood a few feet from the Commander, it revealed his height to be about the same as Ross or perhaps shorter. The face was much like the armor, weathered with perhaps millions of gashes and dents. “Why would they put a broken Alliance wash out like you in charge of the whole damn thing. If you were willing to lead you should have taken my offer to go into business together.”

Ross shook his head. “That was a few years ago Menar. Cerberus has spent a lot of time and money putting this old soldier back together.”

Menar let out a gruff laugh, “Shame they couldn’t do anything about your looks. I would think that a face as clean as yours hasn’t ever seen a fight. But then again I‘ve seen the trouble you got into Omega, and still don‘t know how you didn‘t even get a scratch.” Menar’s smile was gone as he thought a bit more about the man before him. “Just how does Cerberus know you’re ready for this?”

Ross grinned and crossed his arms, “How do they know they could trust a krogan who’d sell off a fertile female for the right price?”

Menar’s face was dead serious before he broke into a smile. “I guess you don’t and I guess I won’t know if you’re all there till we see some action.” He let out a dark chuckle, “This will be an interesting start.” Menar took a step closer and looked into Ross’ eyes. “But if you go to pieces out there with my neck on the line, I’ll be damn sure to throw you over the horizon.”

Ross met the krogan’s stare, “And if I ever feel any target on my back I’ll make both of your nervous systems scream.”

Susan had once been danger close to an aerial bombardment by an Alliance Cruiser, it carried enough force to send a Mako flying over head. While Susan remained lying in her trench wishing she had been deeper. She was pretty sure she was less nervous then than she was now as the two warriors faced off. She’d even taken a step back before the krogan grinned and said. “A interesting start indeed., See you later
.Commander.”

Ross watched Menar head down the elevator before turning back to the Galaxy Map. “Joe. It’s Ross. I have an enemy ship to board. Sigurd’s Cradle. Skepsis system. Put us between Watson and Darwin then give me a call. I have some files to look over.”

The voice over the comm was obviously excited to get the show on the road. “Will do Commander, Who was that last one to come in? He looked as wide as a krogan.”

“He is krogan Joe. His name is Menar, and old ‘friend’”

“Krogan? Him? Isn’t he a little small for a storm trooper?”

“No idea what you are talking about, but you should ask him. It’d be a good way to test the medic’s skill on this ship.”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Marine LT Menar Character Portrait: Op Chief Susan Vasquez Character Portrait: Helmsman Joseph Butcher Character Portrait: Commander Jensen Ross Character Portrait: EDI
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Susan looked down at her feet for a few moments as she leaned back on the desk of the briefing room. The Commander had just told her his plan to kill Commander Poitvin but not only that but to take the ship with as little damage to it as possible. It was a bold and audacious plan. It was also crazy, it left one important detail to chance. She didn’t like fighting with a heavy dependent on espionage. Faulty intel always seemed to lead to many good people dying. She was pretty shocked that Ross of all people would develop a plan like this. Then again he was never one to walk before he could run.

“Just
.how sure are you of this Jen?” Susan looked up at her friend. She didn’t need to say what in particular she was unsure about.

“It’s not going to be like last time Sue. I think we are solid. Drea marked the target herself. It’ll be there when we need it. She’s the best in the galaxy.”

Susan raised a curious eyebrow. But not about the fact that the doctor was the best psychologist in the galaxy. That much was pretty well understood after reading her dossier. But what did rub her the wrong way
. “Drea sir?”

Ross made a mental note to slap himself on the back of his head. “Yes Drea
her idea. Very informal. Helps build up trust she said.” He looked up at his Ops Chief and crossed his arms. “I would think he results speak for themselves. I mean here you are ready to do something stupid and risky with me again.”

Susan grinned, “I would never say anything we have ever done together was risky.”

“Thanks for that. But if your all done busting my chops I’d like to get the rest of the team in here.” He waited a moment and couldn’t pass up digging something in for revenge. “Oh Joe will be joining us as well.” He grinned as her usual smile turned into a glare. “We need to verify if your pilot can even get us close enough for this place to succeed.”

Susan let out a disgruntled sigh as she crossed her arms, “He better fly better than he talks with women or else I say we throw him out the airlock.”

“Phillis let everyone else in please.” Ross said without being able to hide the chuckle in his voice. Before the doors opened though he stood besides his Ops Chief. “Don’t tell me the helmsman is stealing your heart.”

Susan would usually have thrown a punch, Ross knew this. So Susan thought he was dirty son of a bitch for saying that when he knew she wouldn’t break rank in front of the others. But she thought a quickly stop on his toes might get her point across though she knew it would do little to inconvenience the Commander.

Ross waited for his troops to get inside, ignoring the bee sting Susan left for him. The krogan was particularly restless, not wishing to sit as the 2 others and Joe. “Ok Phillis bring it up.” With that the room darkened and a pair of planets and sun began to appear. “We know our target is keeping low in the Decoris system, most likely around the planet of Leana. Cerberus agents have reported supplies being purchased at Sanctum and being taken off planet by people matching some of the crews descriptions. Helmsman Butcher here has already put us on coarse with the estimated direction they last traveled.”

Menar spoke up, “So why call me and my marines in here Ross. Sounds to me like you know where he is. Why don’t you take this thing and blow him out of the sky?”

“Because we are not simply blowing the ship away Menar. We are going to board a highly armed frigate and take it over. Grab all the data we can and leave before Joe here split’s the ship in half.”

The krogan let out a unsatisfied grunt at the answer, “What’s the point of this data? From what I read on the mission he couldn’t complete and chickened out telling the boss.”

“We don’t know that for sure Menar. And I don’t leave things to chance. If the information is there, we are going to get it.”

Menar growled, “My men and I are not some flashy infiltration unit Ross. Then again they aren’t like Krogan. They are a lot more squishy. Maybe they prefer to be sneaky.”

The reply was not Ross to give, instead it came from one the Marines. And it was as quick as Ross had expected. “Permission to tell this Krogan fuck you sir?”

“Granted. And now if everyone is done with the chit chat I will continue. With Phillis handling the cyberwarefare department, we should be able to get a Kodiak right into the shuttle bay. We believe the Hornets own AI was destroyed which will give her the chance to run around in their systems causing all sorts of chaos. But she will put depressurizing the bottom floor and shuttle bay as a priority as it will be our entrance. It should be clear till the evaluator because of it. From there we split to two groups. Menar you’ll lead Ricks and Ozio through the 2nd floor and Susan and I will take the second. We expect to run into the bastard to who’s in charge there. Once clear leap frog us to the Captains Quarters, find every piece of data you can and get back to the shuttle. Once Susan and I are back aboard and we are away Joe will turn the ship to space debris”

“Why not keep the ship if all goes according plan?” Joe said with his arm raised.

“Cerberus has no time or money to spend on dragging that ship around. Not with the Alliance so close to the fun. They will be sure to notice something and investigate soon. We get in, get out, get the fireworks, get smashed. Oorah?”

Mostly what followed was various forms of acknowledgement with the only other oorah coming from the Ops Chief on his side.

Phillis voice began to echo throughout the room, “Excuse me Commander but we are coming up to the planet Leana.”

Joe just seemed to be unable to control himself. “Oh god. We’re out of control! Who’s flying this thing!”

Everyone else just stared at him.

“Oh right that’s me. Back to work.”

Ross rolled his eyes as he looked back at the others as they left. “Let’s get ready to work people.”