Song that Relays Through the Galaxy (ME/Macross crossover/fusion)

I've written the first chapter for this story a while ago, and while I'm not sure whether I can go back for it soon (busy with other stories on a different site), I wanted to post this and see what people think of it and maybe have some new ideas. Chapter 1 is fully written and I'm putting final minor edits as I post it. This is also a translation (of my own story, yes) and I'm not a native English speaker, so help with the language would be appreciated.
This is more of a fusion story, not a direct crossover, as I wanted to balance some elements (as in: no Dimension Eater a.k.a "easy solution to Reaper problem").

Prologue: Happy Birthday to You


Earth. Macross-city Spaceport. 2060.

The shuttle with a NUNS emblems onboard has softly touched the runway. A second later two escort VF-19F touched it with their "boots". The ramp lowered and a slender woman dressed in an officer uniform quickly walked towards the meeting delegation.

"Captain Shepard, good to see you", a man with thin moustache offered a hand. "Dr. Gerard Guynemer, science head of "Melody" project".

"Hannah Shepard", the woman offered her own hand, raising an eyebrow when instead of simply shaking it, Gerard touched her hand with his lips. "I think it's a bit excessive greeting, doctor".
"I understand", the man sighed theatrically. "Military protocol leaves no place for chivalry, alas".

"You can show all the chivalry you want to "Melody" when she's ready", Hannah narrowed her eyes. "As far as I know you're the one responsible for social adaptation as well".
Guynemer nodded.

"One of the reasons I was made the head of the project", the man gestured towards the waiting car. "And one of the reasons "Chaos" want you for our NUNS "Overseer".
"Overseer?", Hannah walked to the car.

"If a military career officed is appointed as a science project chief supervisor how else would you call it?", Gerard followed her.

"It's called "project of strategic importance". the captain snorted. "Although I am surprised that Chaos requested me personally".

"You are Captain Hannah Shepard who personally visited all the families of those perished suppressing Havamal Task Force uprising on Ouroboros." Guynemer opened the car door before her. "All 373 on them. On three different planets."

"Is it your primary reason?"

"Given what we're trying to create, we need the most humane officer in all the navy", the scientist shrugged. "Currently we believe that you are that person. Whether it true or not we will figure it out once we begin working together."

The car left the spaceport heading to the Chaos PMC research center.


Armored doors opened letting Hannah and Gerard into enormous hall. In was filled with complicated machinery and computer systems. Hannah, being familiar with the technology eyed the supercomputer taking up a half of the hall, controlling all the other machines. Wide cables snaked on the floor, at some point even improvised bridges were made over them, leading to the center of the hall – a giant transparent tube with a figure of an infant inside.

"Doesn't look like your standard cloning machine", Captain Shepard noted, giving a polite nod to collective researchers.

"Standard machines are good for cloning humans and zentradi", Guynemer shrugged. "The errors are less of a deal there. In some ways they are even welcomed, artificial evolution, so to say. But we need to recreate the organism with maximum precision, and with a very badly preserved DNA fragment."

"I read the briefing", the captain nodded. "But it still baffling how different the machines are. Dow think after the Phase One is complete we can use the development data to improve the existing machines?"

"I don't believe I've even thought about it", the scientist honestly replied. "All my thoughts are focused on the current phase now".

"I guess this is one of the reasons NUNS wanted a military supervisor", Hannah waved a hand. "Sometimes the byproduct of such project overshadows the main result".

"I doubt anything could overshadow out project", Guynemer grew darker. "Especially if the rumors for the real reason of its development is true".

"I wouldn't want for them to be true either", Shepard approached the cylinder looking at the figure inside. "Hello there, Melody".

"Mikumo", politely but firmly corrected the scientists. "My late wife, who supplied the human genome sample, insisted on this name. Wanted her to have something of her culture. Melody is a beautiful name, but we as the research team decided to… expand the project goals, given the objectives Chaos has, the initial NUNS framework turned out to be too narrow. So, we too wanted to give her a name that meant more than "the product of Project Melody".

The woman gave him another look.

"I can understand expanding on the framework even within the original goal", Hannah looked at the capsule again. "It'd be wise not to tell the NUNS brass about it".

"Lady M approved our approach, if anything", Gerard gave her a small smile. "But I'm glad you share my opinion on it".

"Testing me, were you?" the captain gave him a crooked smile in return. "I think we'll get along well".


A year that passed since Hannah Shepard joined the Melody Project was more than successful one. The project went exactly as scheduled, so the captain was a bit puzzled when Gerard Guynemer asked her to urgently meet him in his office.

""Chaos" is moving me to a different project", he declared to Hannah as soon as she stepped over the doorstep.

"Gerard, that's absurd", the woman bit her lip. "You were the head from the very start and, besides, we are all banking of your role in Phase Two".

"They found something that resembles an Evil Series on Ouroboros", the scientist winced. "And they need their best xenobiologist and Protoculture biotech specialist".

"And given you fit both descriptions I can understand why they're conscripting you exactly." – Hannah winces as well. "But Evil Series? Aren't they all accounted for and… neutralized?"

"I certainly hop so", the man tiredly lowered himself on a chair. "But you understand, Han, I can't really refuse".

"No, you can't", the captain nodded.

"So, from this day on, you are not just the official supervisor of Melody Project, but also its science head. Phase One almost complete anyway, and Phase Two…", he wiped his face with his hand. "And Phase Two is exactly why I wanted you personally for our supervisor. Just in case I'm removed from the project. Or is something happened to me, like it happened to my wife. In this year I got to know you well enough, and I'm sure there's no better candidate for Phase Two. In fact, I think you might be even better than me for that role".

"I think you overestimate me", Hannah walked closer. "And my approach would be… peculiar".

"Perhaps that exactly what we need if the rumors are true", Guynemer grew darker. "I wouldn't want it to be this way, but… if there's a war… who would fare better than you?"

"I wouldn't want to either. But you're right", Hannah nodded. " Good luck, Gerard. Take care."

"You too, Han".

Phase One was officially nearing conclusion. Hannah Shepard stood in the middle of the hall, looking at the "organized panic" of technicians committing final procedures.

In the cylinder, the suspended figure, no longer an infant but a slender young woman with long purple hair was the only one who remained calm in the lab. But that's because the girl was still "asleep". Her eyes were closed and only the brain activity monitor showed that the sleeper's brain was still actively functioning, absorbing the information.

"Everything is ready, final injections done. Immune system test completed – the system is functional", one of the assistants shouted to Hannah. "Ready to finish Phase One and begin Phase Two".

"Begin", Shepard nodded.

The liquid filling the capsule drained, leaving the girl to hang on specially-constructed bracing. The glass lowered into the floor and the captain with quick steps approached to the final product of Melody Project.

With careful movements she removed the synthetic umbilical cord, injectors and sensors. Then came the turn of the holding straps and the capsule's inhabitant hung on Hannah's shoulder.

Finally, after waiting a few moments, the captain reached for the girl's head, decorated with a wire-entangled "crown" with purple Fold Quatrz crystals.

Carefully Shepard removed the contraption from the girl's head, leaving it hanging on the wires.

For a few seconds the silence reigned, finally broken by a sharp, desperate inhale. The woman pushed off and the captain's green eyes met with wide-open crimson ones witnessing the world for a first time.

Shepard helped the "newborn" to get up, giving her the chance to adjust to her own motor functions.


Finally, the girl turned to the captain again given her a questioning look.

"Happy Birthday, Mikumo", the captain smiled. "I'm Hannah Shepard, the chief researcher".

"Hannah. Chief", the girl finally said something herself and everyone in the hall cooed at the sound of her voice. "Are you my mother then?"

Hannah nearly stumbled herself.

"I guess, I am", she smiled and received a bright smile in return. "Happy Birthday, Mikumo Shepard."

Chapter 1. Debut: Sephira-Prime


Mass Relay near Sephira-Prime. 2067

In a flash of blue light, Eos a small Northampton-class light recon frigate "materialized", or to be more precise, slowed down to sublight speed near the Mass Relay.

"Deviation is little under fifteen hundred kilometers", the ship's pilot winced. "Still can't get used to this type of "precision" with Relay jumping".

"Fifteen hundred is good", the alien standing nearby told him. "Your captain will be pleased".

He nodded to the young woman entering the Eos cockpit before leaving himself.

"I don't like this alien guy", Jeff "Joker" Moreau who was occupying the first pilot chair drawled. "'Fifteen hundred is good', har-har three times. With a Fold Jump a hundred is bad already".

"With Fold Jump we'd be getting here three months", Messer Ihlefeld replied getting up from the second pilot seat. "And that's if we didn't run into a Fold Fault and had to go around. Whatever you say, but travel trough the Relays will speed up the life in the galaxy".

"At least until LAI finish their new Fold Drive", Moreau exhaled noisily. "And I don't like him. SPECTREs are trouble. Call me paranoid but for a new space drive test run you'd expect a scientist or an engineer, but not a Citadel spook".

"You're paranoid", replied Ihlefeld in a blink, turning to salute the newcomer. "Ma'am".

"At ease Lieutenant", Mikumo Shepard approached the observation window. "And Joker isn't as paranoid as he looks. We're in horrible condition for a shakedown run – from two fighter wings we got in emergency from Aether only Delta Squadron is equipped with pilots, Pin-point barrier not tested. All we did test was a Mass-core drive and new stealth system, and then they send us to a mission with a Citadel SPECTRE with the full authority he'd normally get on their territory".

The lieutenant sighed.

"I'm more trying to convince myself, Ma'am", the man nodded at the star system visible in observation window. "What can the Citadel even need on Sefira-Prime?"

"Not the Protoculture ruins that's for sure", Joker grumbled. "If our guys found those, they wouldn't let anyone nearby".

"Last time Protoculture ruins were found on Ouroboros", Mikumo reminded him. "And that finding caused all Task Force Havamal to go completely off their rockers. Nobody's risking that again."

"Hey, I'm not suggesting anything", Moreau raised his hands. "Let's just hope it really is a stealth system test. After all Sephira-Prime is in Terminus and here we need to watch out to not only Fold Jumps, but the four-eyed freaks as well".

"I'm glad that interspecies cooperation spirit is at all-time high here", Mikumo snorted.

"Hey, I'm happy to see all of the Galaxy inhabitants, especially Vordorian catgirls". Joker unsuccessfully tried to make an apologetic face, which called for a short laugh even from a grim Messer. "But slavery… Even our most primitive kin left this practice behind long before First Contact. Can I have at least some racial superiority?"

"'Racial superiority' only gets you punched in the face", calmly replied Ihlefeld. "Trust a German's descendant on that".

"Besides, we're the coolest the galaxy as is. Without and racial superiority", Mikumo grinned. "Especially in mus…"

"Joker. Status report", the intercom barked with the voice of Eos' captain David Anderson.

"We've passed the Mass Relay, captain. Stealth systems are online as ordered. Other readings are normal".

"Good. Make a connection to NUNS headquarters on Sephira-Prime, I want the reports ready the moment we approach the planet".

"Aye-aye, captain. Be ready, though", he added with a less complimentary tone. "Nihlus is looking for you".

"He's already here, lieutenant", the captain's voice wasn't too cheery as well. "Tell commander Shepard to meet us in the comms room".

"Heard that, commander?", Jeff turned to the young woman.

"I'll be there", she nodded. "Lieutenant Ihlefeld, just in case, check your squadron for combat readiness. I don't like this".

"Will do", the man straightened.

"At ease", Mikumo saluted in reply, turning to the exit.

The comm room she reached only five minutes latter having to stop for short chats with the ship's navigator and overly excited marine. However, the captain was nowhere to be found in the comms room, only Turian SPECTRE, looking on Sephira-Prime's image on the monitor.

"Commander, glad you made it first", he greeted. "I hoped that we will get a chance to talk".

"Well, I'm here", Mikumo swept the room with her eyes.

"It's a pretty interesting place, Sephira-Prime, don't you think", Nilhus meet the woman's eyes. "Heard it's beautiful."

"Garden world always are", Mikumo shrugged. "But personally, I never was on Sephira-Prime".

"But you know of it", the Turian kept on his track. "First human colony in Terminus. A symbol of sorts".

"It's more of a symbol to the Citadel, than it is for us SPECTRE", Mikumo shrugged again. "We started colonizing the Galaxy half a century ago, and not so much because we wanted, but out of necessity".

"Ah, yes", Nihlus nodded. "To be honest, your history is difficult to comprehend. An almost five million ship fleet. If not for the records its mere existence, not even speaking of your triumph over it, would be considered an overblown myth".

"Four million seven hundred ninety-five thousand one hundred twenty-two. And the reason for victory was knowing our enemy, SPECTER Kryik", the young woman waved her hand in the air. "Most Zentradi were not known for creative thinking back then – protocol must be obeyed, even if it means that retreating flotillas are left without central command and retreat as well".

"And still," the Turian turned to the screen again. "Sephira-Prime is considered very weakly defended planed by your standards".

"Mostly because we don't want diplomatic issues with the Citadel", Mikumo cocked her head. "If it wasn't for that – the standard protocol for a new colony is thirty years cover with a Macross-class carrier. But in your government's opinion such a vessel is 'a major source of tension'".

"Can't disagree here. Your military strength… scares the Citadel Council", the SPECTRE's jaws opened in a grimace the translator implant interpreted as a crooked smile. "In fifty years you managed what the Council needed hundreds for. Especially given how little technology you got from your "Precursons" than we from ours".

"Thank you for a kind word, SPECTRE Kryik", Mikumo replied to his smile with her own. "But I don't think you called me here to pay compliments to my people".

"Exactly", - the tough-built dark-skinned man replied entering the comm room. "I think we need to tell Commander Shepard why really is here".

"You are correct", Nihlus adopted a more official pose. "As you've probably guessed, it's not a simple tour cruise".

"No, I heard they take experimental ships from test runs for tour cruises all the time", Mikumo rolled her eyes. "SPECTRE, skip the introductory speech, the crew is twitchy as it is".

"We are here to covertly evacuate a high-value cargo", Anderson interrupted Shepard before overly direct woman could continue. "A week ago a research team on Sephira-Prime dug up a Protean ruin and found something akin to a interplanetary beacon there".

"Why does all the ancient civilizations begin with "Prot-"?" Mikumo thought absently. "Or is it the translator software issue?"

Out loud she said something else.

"That is a valuable find, of course, but why all the secrecy? Within an accord with the Citadel government all discovered Protean artifacts are given to them on the condition of our researchers given full access to them".

"And here's where my story begins", Nihlus moved to the center of the room. "Formally I was only supposed to organize the extraction expedition, but when I started, I found traces that someone was also collecting data on the Protean beacon and Sephira-Prime planetary defenses. That was a restricted information, so whoever this was they tried to cover their tracks, means that there's a mole somewhere in the Citadel".

"Epsilon?", Mikumo immediately called on one of the most probable candidates. "Or the Shadow Broker?"

"I don't think it's Epsilon", Nihlus shook his head. "Their operations are often on the edge of legal, but they managed to not cross the line yet. The Broker also tries not get involved with pirates and terrorists. While whoever was collecting the data was interested in the defense systems specifically".

"So you took a stealth frigate", the commander nodded. "But why ours?"

"I was in your territory at the time", the SPECTRE shrugged in a surprisingly human gesture. "I wouldn't have had time to organize and expedition from somewhere else".

Mikumo nodded again. This seemed close to truth.

"And one more thing, commander…", Anderson began only to be interrupted by Joker's worried voice.

"Captain. You need to see this".

On the room's main screed appeared an image of an enormous, squid-shaped ship, hanging over the city and firing red beam on the NUNS ship descending from orbit.

"That's not ours", Mikumo felt obliged to state the obvious. "And not yours. Looks like our cover's been blown".

"Looks like it", Nihlus nodded. "I'm willing to bet my SPECTRE status they're here for the beacon. Means we need to get to it first."

"That thing survived the main cannons of Thuverl-Salans on orbit", Joker butted in again. "I don't think anything but a Macross Cannon can take it".

"We got no Reaction Torpedoes either and our guns are worse than a Thuverl-Salan's", Mikumo rubbed her chin. "Ground team with Valkyrie support?"

"Most reasonable option", Nihlus agreed.

"Joker, short jump to Sephira-Prime's orbit, as soon as we hit the atmo, launch the fighters then disembark the ground team outside its weapons range", captain Anderson began giving orders. "Lieutenant Ihlefeld, you'll support the recon team. Stay away from the enemy ship".

"I'll grab Jenkins and we'll go with Nihlus", Mikumo nodded.

"I move faster on my own", replied the Turian.

"That beacon of yours, can it be carried by one person?" the girl raised an eyebrow.

"No", the SPECTRE shook his head.

"Then there's no point splitting up", she gave a crooked smile. "Don't worry, we'll keep up".

The ship descended and the squad put on the jump packs.

"Eh", Mikumo sighed. "What I wouldn't give for a combat EX-Gear".

"They come in combat variants?", Jenkins checked his pack.

"New LAI development", the commander raised her rifle securing the magnetic strap on her armor. "Almost a mini-VF, but they only got them of the "Frontier" for now".
"The 55th always gets the coolest toys", Jenkins sighed theatrically. "While we have to do this the old-fashioned way".

"On the other hand, you got kinetic barriers", Nihlus checked his jump pack, his weapons were already hanging on his armor's magnetic locks. "Don't overestimate them, but they should protect you from a stray bullet. Ready?"

"Born ready!" – Mikumo with a grin on her face jumped the ramp first.

Nihlus silently followed after.

"Nobody respects the tradition", Jenkins grumbled under his nose going after them. "Geronimo!"

Jump packs slowed their descent over the surface. The heavier Nihlus even dived ahead of Shepard and was the first to touch the ground of Sephira-Prime.
"We're on the ground", Mikumo reported to the communicator. "Lieutenant, do you copy?"

"There's some interference", Ihlefeld replied. "But its minor for now. Launching the drones, they'll work as repeaters as well. You got UAVs incoming, fast".

"Take cover", the SPECTRE barked, even though his comrades were already moving looking for good positions.

Small drones appeared on the surface almost immediately after the squad took cover, littering the clearing with flasher of blue fire.

The team opened fire in response and Nihlus smashed on of the drones on the ground with biotics as well. The drones weren't too tough or fast, so the outcome wad easily determined.

A small flock of vaguely boomerang-shaped Cygnus drones sent by Ihlefeld passed over in the sky.

"Monitoring a firefight on the road, about one click from you, infantry, no vehicles", Ihlefeld grumbled into the comms. "And we're engaged with enemy fighters, so the fire support will have to wait".

"How much?", Mikumo responded.

"A lot", was the reply. "Mass-effect fighters, overwhelming with numbers. And that "shrimp" is shooting something like a laser. Will take twenty minutes, at the least."
"We cannot wait", Nihlus waved at the comm. "We'll have to go around or push through their infantry".

"Around is no good", Jenkins checked the maps. "Deep forest all around and the local forest is swampy. We'll get stuck".
"Breaking through it is", Mikumo concluded.

She clicked a couple of buttons on her comms.

"Took the Cygnus swarm under our control", the young woman waved a hand and the drones obediently followed ahead. "They aren't armed, but have a couple of useful tricks".
"Roger that, commander", the pilot replied. "Take care".

The squad moved onwards, trying to keep closer to cover.

The situation was far from ideal for the Sephiran defenders. Most of their squad was either dead or incapable of fighting. Only one combatant, a girl looked like was still firing back at the aggressors.

"Onwards!" Mikumo took a grenade from the holster, sending it flying.

The grenade exploded forcing two enemy combatants to leave cover and that allowed the ground team from Eos to take a better look at them. Tall, thin humanoid figures with long necks and singular glowing eye. Nihlus cursed in some untranslatable Turian expression before strafing them with fire.

Jenkins focused on enemy drones, he managed to get two before a shot from a grenade launcher or something like that forced him into cover.

"Plasma, dammit". Mikumo cursed peeking from behind a large boulder and meeting one of the opposition with a short burst. "Or something like plasma. Don't count on the barriers too much".

The enemy on the other hand did count on barriers, some of them thew up mobile cover generators – transparent blue hexagons hung up in the air.

The transparency did a disservice to one of the enemies. Nihlus waved a hand and the enemy hiding behind it was surrounded by blue glow, lifting him in the air, right into Shepard and Jenkins' fire.

The female combatant managed to reach them and Mikumo finally could take a better look. Long purple, a more reddish hue than Shepard's own, ponytail and long pointed ears gave out Meltran blood. No surprise she stood longer than others even without kinetic barrier.

The "grenade launcher" fired again. The commander leaned out for a second checking on the enemy and moved back with a slight grin.
"Nihlus, Jenkins, new girl! Focus fire at their drones!", she ordered. "I need a clear sky".

There weren't much enemy drones left by the moment and several lucky shots took out the rest.

Mikumo took a moment then jumped on top of the boulder she was covering behind simultaneously throwing two more grenades at the enemy "grenadier's" feet. A large red-plated "flashhead" shoot back, but his weapon's projectile was too slow, Shepard already moved from the line of fire, the grenades detonated under the enemy's feet but it still remained standing. Mikumo made a gesture with her hand before diving into cover.

One of the Cygnus drones hanging in the sky, separated from the flock accelerating. All of the drone's pin-point barrier, weak as it might have been, focused on the front edge of the meter-wide "boomerang", leaving it almost defenseless but at the same time turning it into a supersonic blade. The red "flashhead" didn't even have a chance to dodge before the drone cut him in half.

Instead of blood a shower of sparks and some white fluid splattered around. Other attackers flinched but kept shooting. Without the grenadier, however, they had a much harder time. Already thinned by the defenders, the "flashhead" squad couldn't hold out too long against better trained fighters.

"Clear!", shouted the Turian after checking the sensors.

"Whew", Mikumo sighed, happy for the breather. "Hi. Mikumo Shepard, commander, NUNMC."

"Cadet Mirage Falina Jenius", the girl replied standing at attention. "Sephira-Prime Flight Academy."

"Didn't expect to meet a Flight Academy cadet here", the commander honestly admitted.

"I was to be assigned to the plane tomorrow", Mirage winced. "These bastards didn't have the decency to wait for a day. Then again… they struck at the Academy first. I only saw Akulas in the air".

"Akulas", Nihlus joined their conversation.

"PMC Akula, aka "Shark", the Meltran snorted. "Well, PMC is pushing it. S.M.S. is PMC with their own fleet and bunch of bases, Akulas are a pirate band for hire with an old Zentran tub and a dozen of outdated fighters. Though I'll admit they thought well even when their scow was downed by that squid".

"Speaking of squids, what do we know of the attackers?", Mikumo gestured to said attackers' remains.

"I think, these are synthetics… I read something about them, but long ago. They're called "goths", I think?", the cadet mused.

"Geth", Nihlus corrected her. "Synthetics from behind the Perseus Veil. But what are they doing here?"

"Well, they didn't report to me", Mirage shrugged. "But nothing good".

"Why would the geth need Prothean beacon?", Mikumo mused out loud. "Something doesn't add up here".

"The beacon? Maybe the Akulas know more? They were responsible for surface-level security", the pointy-eared girl raised her hand. "Their ship crashed nearby so if there's any survivors, they can tell us something".

"Worth checking out", Nihlus nodded. "Shepard, Jenkins".

"I'm with you", Mirage raised her rifle. "Not like I have anywhere else to go".

"We could use another gun", Mikumo nodded.

"Here" Nihlus threw the girl something resembling a small belt with a hexagonal buckle. "My backup kinetic barrier generator. Worse than the in-built ones, but better than nothing".

"Thanks", Jenius strapped the belt and it beeped with a transparent cylinder flickering around her for a second.

"It's not a pin-point barrier, so it won't protect from plasma, so don't keep away from their fire anyway", Shepard noted. "Those bastards shoot plasma".

"Aye-aye, commander", the Meltran saluted.

"Let's go".


The way to the downed ship was almost uneventful. A couple of times they ran into drones or geth patrols, but not in the numbers to present any serious threat.
"Now this is strange", Mikumo noted climbing the ship's hull. "During their rebellion geth almost completely exterminated their creators. During our AI rebellion, Sharon Apple raised hell by taking over all of the Earth's planetary defense system. And these guys aren't that tough without numerical advantage".

"You need to ask the Quarians about it, Shepard", Nihlus climbed after her. "But judging by rare reports of those who ran into them, the geth get… dumber the less of them are around. Don't count on that too much, though. Survivor Bias is well-known thing".

"But we'll keep this under advisement", Jenkins moved to climb as well, but stopped looking at his feet.
"Belay that", Mikumo raised a hand. "Only dead here".

"Commander!" the marine shouted. "There are tracks here. We may have a survivor. One very big guy".
Mikumo looked at the tracks. Indeed, whoever left them was a very large man.

The squad followed the tracks. They didn't have to stare at the ground for long – gunfire sounds were soon heard from afar.
Amidst a clearing filled with abandoned archeological equipment another geth patrol was shooting at the small metal cabin, typically used by space expeditions. The building was covered with scorch marks, but build for planets with extreme conditions, still soaked up the plasma bolts.

From half opened window single shots barked from time to time, someone was shooting back with a handgun. The shooter took careful aim, the gun was probably a standard, not a Mass-Effect one.

Nihlus habitually "grounded" the enemy drone. Mikumo and Mirage, as Jenkins rained suppression fire on the synthetics, slipped between the crates and flanked the robots taking two more out. The Turian surrounded by glowing biotic barrier almost smashed into a third, shooting point-blank with a shotgun. The remaining two geth continued to fire back, but pinned by Jenkins caught another of Shepard's grenades.

"Clear!", Mikumo shouted, before her eyes widened. "What the…?"

Among the abandoned containers, shovels and other equipment stood definitely alien constructs that the squad didn't pay too much attention to, at first – four long metal spires on tripods that had… corpses impaled on top? Or some synthetic dolls resembling people.

The spires suddenly folded and the humanoids slipped from them and rushed the commandos hissing. Mikumo cut down the first one with a burst, but the other one managed to close in and strike at the girl. The kinetic barrier flashed and Shepard rolled back, dodging the next strike. The ghoul raised its arm again but was destroyed by Mirage's gunfire.
Jenkins, too shocked by what he saw, couldn't take good aim and the ghoul pushed him on the ground and was striking at his armor. Mikumo removed the corpse with few precise shots. The last ghoul was finished by Nihlus pulverized with a shotgun.

"What was that?!" Jenkins yelled. "What WAS THAT?! ZOMBIES?!"

"Heard from other SPECTREs about these, but never ran into them myself before", Nihlus raised his voice slightly. "They're called 'husks', 'mummies' or 'carcasses'".

"Stiffs", offered Mikumo shaking herself with a grim smile.

The cabin door opened and a very large man, almost two and a half meters tall in what looked like tattered uniform remains leaned out.

Mikumo cocked her head. Judging by green skin and pointed ears – a Zentran, but a small one.

"Ernest Johnson. Captain… ex-captain of the Kestrel", he boomed. "Before you ask, micronization stuck in the middle due to an old wound, goes neither here nor there".

From behind the good captain's back two civilians peeked out. A very tense woman and a strange man shaking like he was in a middle of a nervous tic.

"Commander Mikumo Shepard", the young woman introduced herself in turn. "We're here…"

"You're here for the beacon", replied the shaking man with almost crying voice. "But its not here. The Akulas took it, but it doesn't matter… We're all… all doomed… I saw… Nobody will be saved. Soon only corpses and ruins will remain".

"What's with him?", Nihlus clutched the shotgun.

"Manuel is not himself after we dug up than beacon", the woman said. "He was always a bit out there, but now…"

"Is it insane to see the future? The destruction coming to us? To understand there's no hope, and there's nowhere to run?", Manuel started shaking again.

"Hush, Manuel, I'll give you your pills as soon as I talk to…"

"No! Doctor Warren, I saw it. All we know would crumble like…"

Mikumo took off her helmet, her long purple tresses fell like a waterfall on her back. She stepped up taking Manuel's face with her palms. The girl took a deep breath and…
Mikumo's voice always was pleasantly melodic, but only now everyone could truly appreciate its strength and depth. Even without external musical accompaniment the melody of the song flowed in the air transmitted with just the voice. For a moment everyone froze, enchanted with the song.


Manuel stopped shaking, his eyes cleared.

Mikumo stepped back with a smile.

"There", she said. "Better now".

"Oh", her "patient" breathed out with a fascinated voice. "Thank you, Anima Spiritia".

"Yakk! Deculture!" the stunned Johnson let out.

"I knew that music and songs carry special meaning to your people, but to see than with my own eyes…", equally stunned Nihlus added.

"Alright, guess we're…" and again Mikumo was rudely interrupted.

A geth transport passed over the forest dropping down three giraffe-like tripods, one large and two smaller ones.

"Take cover!" Shepard yelled crabbing the civilians by their collars. "Not inside, BEHIND!"

The people were already running when the first machine walked into the clearing. Jenkins who was last, got distracted for a moment and a powerful blast struck the ground right near him, the blast wave threw him behind the cabin.

Mikumo gestured Nihlus at the downed man, while pressing buttons on her comms.

"Lieutenant Ihlefeld!", she yelled. "We need air support, STAT!"

"…ou….n….rep…no…dinates…" the voice replied through the static.

"Damn", the commander hissed. "They're jamming the comms".

"Send 1-7-1 on emergency frequency on repeat", Johnson picked up Jenkins' rifle. "Before my ship went down I saw one of ours nearby".

"Let's hope", Mikumo pushed in the sequence.

And to everyone's joy an unfamiliar voice broke through the static.

"Roger. ETA one minute".

The cabin shook and the walls were getting pounded again. Geth walkers showered their cover with both main calibers and smaller guns.
"Alright", Mikumo raises her rifle. "I'm going to command my drone and try to distract…"

"That's suicide Shepard", the Turian interrupted her.

"Do you have a better idea SPECTRE?", the young woman raised an eyebrow.

"He might", Ernest pointed at the sky.

A second later missiles rained down on geth walkers. Shields flashed blue and the tripods began shooting at the sky.

Two more seconds later a roar sounded and an old VF-11 "Thunderbolt" in GERWALK mode smashed into one the biggest walker with the ballistic shield secured on the left arm, knocking it down. Kinetic barriers flared and popped and the Thunderbolt slammer gunpod's bayonet into the twitching walker. A moment later the pilot opened fire. 30mm shells shot almost point-blank tore the walker's hull apart.

Keeping with the motion, the 'Bolt shifted to Battroid mode turning around and football-kicking the second tripod. The geth machine flew away like a stuffed toy, if stuffed toys were surrounded by flashes of popping barrier.

The last tripod was met with another salvo of micro-missiles and after that the pilot finished the kicked down unit with several gunpod bursts.

Standing still for a few moments and confirming that there were no more targets, the Thunderbolt folded back to GERWALK again. The canopy opened, but the pilot did not move out opting to use a loudspeaker.

"Hey, grunts, anyone alive?" carried over the clearing.

"Cypher", Jonson grinned walking from behind the cover and waving a hand.

Mikumo kneeled beside Nihlus over downed Jenkins.

"How is he?"

"Burns, shock, concussion", the Turian replied. "Medicaments stopped the worst, so he'll live. But he's not combat-capable".

"Who's 'not combat-capable?' Just give me back my rifle and I…" Jenkins tried to get up but wobbled and fell down. "Shit".

"You stay here" Shepard replied in unquestionable voice. "Cover the civvies. I'll put up evac beacon".

She raised to her feet and walked to the fighter standing in the clearing.

"I thought you were being metaphorical when you said they were pirates", the young woman turned to Mirage rubbing her chin.

The Thunderbolt's ballistic shield was emblazoned with a stylized Shark, but obviously painted over old logo of Flint's Free Fleet.

"Commander", Johnson greeted the new arrival. "Cypher says comms are back online. Looks like the walkers were jamming them".

"Good", Mikumo nodded. "I heard your people took the Prothean beacon".

"Yeah. Just yesterday sent it to spaceport loading station", the captain waved a hand in the city's direction. "It's likely on the cargo rail terminal. Do we have a line with the city?"
"We do", the Akulas pilot nodded. "Cypher to Goodfellow. Three-three-one".

The speaker came alive with noise and faraway cries.

"Goodfellow he…. Drop that corporate crap and scam!" someone yelled, obviously into another mic. "Evacuate you morons! Corpses got no use for money!"
"Hey, what's going on there?" Cypher smashed his hand on the panel.

"Idiots going on here!" came the reply "City gone tits up and I'm in the old comms center. Who made it?"

"Me, Viper, Omega and the captain. Viper and Omega were shot up by the Cthulhu-wannabe there", he sighed. "And we got NUNS commandos looking for the beacon".

"Captain's alive?!" the voice was genuinely happy. "The beacon still on cargo platform. They didn't load it on the train, can see it on cameras right now – civvie cams are all wired, can't jam the wires".

"Roger, Goodfellow. Keep us updated, just in case".

The shadow fell over the clearing and Ihlefeld's black-and-white VF-31F touched down, followed by 2nd Lieutenant Chuck Mustang's VF-31E.

"Oh, cavalry. Just in time, as usual", Cypher noted venomously.

"Commander", Ihlefeld's voice sounded through the comms. "Had to track you visually, couldn't get a lock on your location".

"Geth are jamming the comms. Thankfully just locally", Mikumo waved a hand dismissively. "We know that the target is in the city train terminal, just need to get there before the geth."

"On foot it's about fifty kilometers by the road", Ihlefeld replied. "Air is closed – enemy flagship attacks everything that flies above the city".

"We can get in via railroad tunnels", Johnson offered. "The railway mostly goes under the hills. If we move fast we can get through, my guys one checked it as a… safe evacuation route."

Nobody has bothered to voice that the captain meant an improvised Vanquish Race that broke pretty much every safety regulation.

"It's that or on foot", Nihlus concluded. "If we're not lucky enough to find a car".

"No time to look for a car", Mikumo sighed. "Cypher, right? Take me and Nihlus, you're in the lead. Lieutenant Ihlefeld – fly on our wing. Second Lieutenant Mustang, you're handling evac. Can you carry five people?

"Commander", Ihlefeld interjected. "Letting the merc go first is not the best idea and I don't trust him with your life. Permission to take point?"

"Do you know the exact route?" the mercenary bit back. "No? Then I'm in the lead."

"We're going with you", cadet Jenius raised her hand. "I'm not going to sit down when they're razing my city".

"Hey, kiddo", Johnson raised the rifle over his head turning to the wounded Jenkins. "I'll give it back to you later".

"Kind of easy for the pirates to follow us" Nihlus muttered approaching.

"Officially, we are PMC on civilian government employ under local NUNS branch supervision", Johnson shrugged. "Unofficially, I once was Black Rainbow and half of my guys are Vindirance first, pirates second – not everyone got pardoned back then.

"I just don't like those guys", Cypher lowered the VF's hand to Mikumo and Nihlus. "'Nuff said".
Ilhefeld picked up Johnson and Mirage.

"Let's go".

VF-11 skated over the ground, covering the passengers with a free hand from the incoming air. The gunpod prudently locked in transportation mode. VF-31F trailed it leaving the last VF to evac the wounded.

Raising over the forest for a short moment the Valkyires immediately dashed to the tunnels, hugging the treetops. Cygnus drones obediently followed them.

Seeing the maw of the first tunnel the fighters rushed to it, diving to the relatively safe space.

"The railway is mostly tunnels", Cypher's voice came from the comms. "But it raises to the surface in a few places. Be ready for evasion maneuvers".

"What about the station itself?" Ihlefeld raided a question.

"Station is in the lowland from where the shrimp landed and covered by high-rises", the merc chuckled. "Don't get too high and the threat is minimal, unless it decides to shell the whole sector".

"It shouldn't", the Turian intervened. "They're here for the beacon and they obviously need in intact, or they'd just razed the city already".

"First clearing in 45 seconds, hold on tight", Cypher commanded. "Boost before the exit, clear sky for about five kilos, then the fork, take the left one".

"Roger. Left", Messer replied dryly still annoyed he had to follow a pirate.

Light shined ahead and the Valks flew out of the tunnel still carefully covering the passengers from incoming wind. Now the blue-grey alien leviathan flagship was seen clearly.

"Left!" Cypher suddenly shouted, throwing his fighter to the side.

Ihlefeld followed just in time, fractions of second later the ground was plowed by red stream.

"Bastard" the merc cursed. "Move!"

The machines dashed faster, sliding around railroad posts, small hills and trees.

Second blast went over them, "crossing" the railway and digging a deep trench, but this time the shot went wide the cannon wasn't made for small-sized targets.
The flagship's gunner wasn't about to give up however. The third blast was made with preemption, cutting a glade in nearby forest in went right before their noses
.
Both Valkyries jumped over the crimson fire beam and the tunnel was seen just ahead.

"Left!" Cypher reminded diving in first.

Ihlefeld was in just behind them and the tunnel was alight with red light, the final blast struck right before the entrance.

"Clingy asshole", the mercenary breathed out, slowing down to look at his "cargo". "Everyone alive?"

"Alive", Mikumo adjusted her hair – her helmet didn't survive the geth tank encounter. "And even fine if you don't count bruises".

"Sorry lady", a snort sounded "First class tickets were sold out, had to improvise".

"Next time pick a plane with a back seat", Mikumo hmm-ed. "Instead of stealing junked museum exhibits".

"It's not junk, it's a classic", Cypher fired back. "More importantly, hey L.T. you did notice that this thing is not really a beam too?
"
"First time I thought sensor error", Ihlefeld's tone was surprisingly calm. "But's it's visible on radars after it fires, so this is not an energy weapon".

"Looks like that's what saved our bacon there. Whatever it was, it's not light-speed". Mikumo rubbed her chin. "If its visible on radar, must be something solid".

The tunnel exit showed up ahead.

"Next tunnel has only one entrance", Cypher warned. "But right after the entrance there's a fork, the right one leads to the station".

"Be prepared, the flagship will be waiting for us", Ihlefeld cautioned.

"It'd be strange if it didn't", the merc took a deep breath. "Everyone ready?"

"A moment", Mikumo interrupted, and obeying her command the Cygnus drones flew ahead of the fighters. "We'll let the drones go first".

The UAVs flew out of the tunnel dispersing immediately, and the red light flashed ahead.

"He bought it! Move!"

Cypher's Thunderbolt jumped around at full speed, the Valkyrie "jumped" over the deep trench crossing the railway and skated onwards.

Figuring he's been had, the flagship rained fire on the fighters trying to anticipate their moves.

Cypher and Messer demonstrated miracles of piloting trying to dodge the weapon fire and keep their "cargo" safe.

The red streams now hit with less power, but with higher rate, throwing up clouds of smoke and steam from vaporized soil. The railway began looking like someone trying to scratch out a line on a paper list.

Ihlefeld's VF-31 almost danced between the shots, dodging with incredible pirouettes. Cypher and his older VF-11 had it way harder, it was obvious that the machine was moving at the very limit of its capabilities. Sometimes the red flashed went mere meters away from the Valkyries making their passengers to feel the heat from the blast.

Despite all that the machines were breaking through to the next tunnel, the last one ahead of them. When only the last dash remained, geth fighters rained from above. Not stopping, both Valkyries shot out a flock of missiles, keeping on the move, but now the situation complicated by a margin – beside the flagship firing at them, the enemy fighters' cannons added to the lightshow. VF-31's side flashed with pin-point barrier a couple times. The Thunderbolt did not have a pin-point barrier systems and evading the geth cannons the fighter nearly ran into the flagship's blast.

Somehow Cypher managed to slip between the two fires, but the right wing was cut almost to the root. The Valkyrie shook, but dived into the tunnel and a moment later the second fighter followed.

The geth tried to pursue, but the lead not expecting a fork in the tunnel ran right into the separation. Ihlefeld turned around and blasted the pursuers with the missiles and VF-31F main turret. The heavy cannon easily tore through the shields and hull of one of synthetics' fighters and tore off another's stabilizer – loosing control it crashed into the tunnel wall. The remaining geth machine became prey for a dozen micro-missiles, which broke through its shields and then tore in apart.

The fighters slowed down again.

"Everyone alive?!" the lieutenant's voice betrayed the worry for the first time.

"Alive", Mikumo replied a moment later. "Nice flying, boys".

"Wing's a bust", reported Cypher with a sigh. "Don't count on me for air combat, only fire support".

"I'll manage", Ihlefeld snorted. "Wasn't counting on support anyway".

"I think we all need to calm down a bit", Nihlus put in. "Is this the last tunnel?"

"The last. Ten kilometers away is the exit right to the station."

The fighters' comms came online.

"Goodfellow to Cypher", the voice broke in. "Cypher, captain, is anyone there?"

"Cypher here", the merc replied. "Captain alive as well, but he got no comms".

"Drat", muttered Goodfellow. "Alright, you listen then, there's some sort of ruckus on the platform. I get the lightshow was in your honor and the tinmen getting twitchy. Oh, yeah, and some Turian prick is strolling around there, looks like he's running the show".

"A Turian?" Nihlus asked surprised.

"Maybe that's your mole?" Mikumo stiffened. "We'll need to take him alive then. Goodfellow, can you identify?"

"I can make a snap of his mug", came the reply. "But not send it to you right now".

"Take it", Nihlus interrupted. "Can you describe him?"

"I'm not a specialist in Turian faces", honestly admitted the observer. "Not sure what to pay attention to. But he's got lightly-grey skin and is not painted, like usually".
Nihlus inhaled sharply.

"You know him?", Mikumo turned to the Turian grabbing the Valkyrie's finger more comfortably.

"I got my suspicions, but…" the SPECTRE shook his head. "Before I see for myself, I can't say".

The young woman's crimson eyes narrowed.

"As you say, SPECTRE".

"I'm not trying to hide anything", he shook his head again. "But I need to be sure before throwing down accusations."

"Got it". Shepard nodded before calling on the pilots. "Ready to move out?"

"Hey, mercenary, wait a moment", Ihlefeld flipped a switch and from his Valkyrie's leg container a few more Cygnus drones came out, orbiting around the Thunrerbolt. "They'll cover commander Shepard. And you as well."

Cypher barked out a laugh and his Valkyrie saluted pressing free hand to the canopy.

The fighters flew outside of the tunnel and, after carefully setting their passengers down, shifted into Battroid mode.

The Prothean beacon was moved closer to the center of the platform, several armed geth units were standing around it. And before the beacon, held in the air by unknown force was a grey-skinned Turian wearing sleek grey armor.

The synthetics barely had the chance to raise their weapons before being tor apart by the Valkyries' head laser bursts. The Turian lowered onto the platform and turned around meeting Nihlus' gaze.

"Saren", the SPECTRE said. "Don't know what kind of games you're playing but this has come too far".

"Nihlus", the alien greeted his fellow Turian calmly. "I'd say that I'm glad to see you, but I honestly didn't want you involved in this situation".

"It's over Saren", Nihlus tensed. "Surrender".

"I'm afraid that is not possible", the grey Turian crossed his arms over his chest. "My work is far from finished. Counter-offer, Nihlus, join me. I have a need of trustworthy allies on my journey".

"I don't work with madmen", Nihlus cut him off. "You killed multiple civilians, your actions put us at a brink of a war with the Humans".

"This is an acceptable sacrifice", Saren waved him off. "You have no idea what's the stake right now".

"And yet, I highly doubt your action is sanctioned of approved by the Citadel, SPECTRE Arterius", Mikumo raised her rifle. "Drop your weapon, an we'll let you live".

"I cannot do that", the Turian smirked and geth dropships and fighters popped out from behind high-rises immediately opening fire.

Their guns and missiles struck the arches and cargo cranes above the platform.

"Watch out!" Mikumo pushed away Nihlus who was standing right under the falling debris of one of the arches.

The Turian rolled on the ground, immediately jumping back up.

"Shepard!" he yelled out his eyes finding a pile of debris with only one arm visible sticking out of it.

The SPECTRE moved to help but in the corner of his eye he witnessed a biotic blast, barely diving away.

"Barefaced bastard!" Nihlus growled, but didn't have time to fire at his former comrade – the geth units started dropping on the platform from the ships and the squad had to return fire.
The Valkyries couldn't help much, in fear of stepping on their comrades the Battroids stood rooted in place, shooting at the synthetics' transports.

"Dammit!" Johnson growled hiding behind one of the crates.

The Zentran managed to down several geth, but more synthetics kept approaching and their drones were swarming in the air.

Mirage managed to down one, popping from behind the cover, but had to slink back immediately as several more drones peppered the platform near her with their cannons.

"Crap!" Mirage hissed. "They're just going to overwhelm us".

"I'm really sorry it has come to this, Nihlus", Saren's voice carried over the platform. "But we really have no other choice".

The geth tightened the ring around the squad. Nihlus biotically brought down another drone flanking them, but even he knew that it was only a matter of time before the others arrive.

"You've done it now". The woman's lips curled into a smirk.

The Cygnus drones that mover erratically over the platform only dodging the geth fire, suddenly flocked to the pile of debris that under which Mikumo Shepard was buried under, simultaneously blasting music on all frequencies.

Shepard's arm, that hung limply before, pressed into a fist and a purple light shone from every crack between the debris.

A moment later the pile blasted apart and the drones spun into circles around the young woman rising to her feet. The inbuild holo-projectors activated, turning Mikumo's sleek combat suit into a concert dress with a chiffon skirt.

The music blaster louder and a strong, powerful voice filled the air.


With a single jump Mikumo dodged the enemy fire raining on the place she just stood at. Part of the shots were deflected by Cygnus drones that continued to orbit her with incredible speed.


The young woman pulled out a pistol and with several precise shots downed two geth, the third one got its head cut off by one of the Cygnus drones. The machines moved around Mikumo in complicated geometric patterns creating strange surrealistic trace with their movement.


Nihlus grabbed one other geth drone with his biotics, but instead ramming it into ground as usual the Turian launched it into another drone flanking Mirage. Only a second later his brain realized that he didn't see the other drone, but knew exactly where to throw one.


Mikumo's crimson eyes shone with malice and glee at the same time and her lips curled into a predatory grin. The young woman took down another synthetic and moved in leaps towards confused Saren.


Nihlus ducked and a burst from Mirage's rifle went over his head popping the shields on another synthetic. The Turian shot back without looking finishing the enemy.
Two more geth again tried to flank them, but Johnson rushed ahead with a roar downing them with almost blind shots. Nihlus had yet to witness Zentradi battle rage and in any other case he would've been awed. But now he just biotically raised another geth up into the air into his comrades' line of fire.


Mikumo dodged a pistol shot, ducked under the biotic blast and pushing off from one of the geth, almost literally fell on Saren's head. He barely moved aside attempting to blast the young woman with biotics again, but a Cygnus drone intercepted his shot. The drone was blasted away and the bright flash caused by mass effect field colliding with pin-point barrier blinded the Turian for a second.


Nihlus knew songs and music played large role in Human culture. He knew the Humans always played music during general battles claiming that the songs help them fight better.
He just never expected to that he himself will fight better with the rhythm of music. The whole squad moved as one, in a perfect synchrony, covering each other's blind spots. Even the Valkyries managed to find a moment when their allies wouldn't be fried by jetwash and rose in the air. Still in Battroid mode, back-to-back, the pilots began to methodically exterminate the enemy flyers, making the ground fighters' job easier.

Johnson rushed a trio of geth, the synthetics raised their guns but the Cygnus drones daring everywhere hovered before him projecting the pin-point barriers to create a cover between the synthetics and the Zentradi. Plasma shots splattered over the barrier which winked out exactly a moment before Ernest would've slammed into it. Instead the Zentran grabbed one synthetic and using it as a club crushed another one. Sparks flew. The third geth only managed to turn his gun's barrel at Johnson who grabbed the robot by the arms and with one strong pull tore them off in another shower of sparks. With the next move the Zentran brought the torn arms onto the flashlight-head.


Nihlus strengthened his shields with biotics allowing another enemy shot splatter on them harmlessly and Mirage who used the Turian as a cover shot off the geth's head off.
They bent to different sides allowing a Cygnus to pass between them cutting a heavy geth grenadier apart.


Saren dodged Mikumo's attempt to shoot him in the face. The Turian grabbed the arm holding the pistol.

Mikumo struck with another. Behind the holographic frills Saren didn't notice the army knife glowing with dull green light of pin-point barrier right away.


He still managed to dodge, and the blade only grazed his face, cutting into the metallic turian skin.

The Turian barked in pain but raised his pistol forcing Mikumo to duck and dodge.

Yet the young woman's breath didn't even hitch for a moment and she continued to sing even in the middle of the battlefield.
Saren jumped back boosting his jump with biotics and calling on his own transport drone that he hopped onto.


Attempt to fire at Shepard from the air didn't yield any results. The Cygnus drones blocked his pistol shots and then the woman began jumping them like steps throwing her remaining grenades in the Turian's face with her free hand.

Explosions blossomed in the air and even boosting his shields with biotics didn't protect Saren from all the shards.
The Turian growled, pressing a hand onto a stomach wound but didn't drop the pistol.


A bright flash announced second geth transport going down and it became obvious that the synthetics were losing the battle in the sky. Most of their fighters were thinned out and without the numerical advantage the geth flyers were doomed.

Saren spit out blood and growled in frustration, but understanding that Mikumo's squad got the upper hand, he stopped firing and directed his drone back to the flagship.


Shepard did not pursue, instead joining her comrades in exterminating the remaining geth. In just a couple of minutes the synthetics were finished and the squad gathered around the beacon.


With the final words of the song Mikumo, still standing on the drone, performed a bow, after which her holographic dress shattered in the motes of light replaced with combat suit once more.

The Valkyries touched down nearby.

"They're running", Mirage said looking at the retreating geth. "Strange they don't cover the retreat…"

"Back in the tunnel! Now!" Johnson barked.

Mikumo jumped at VF-11's outstretched hand, the mech was already grabbing Nihlus and Mirage with the other. Ilhefeld grabbed Johnson in one hand and the beacon in another and the machines dashed back to the tunnel. They barely made it inside when the enemy flagship rose into sky on pillars of marron flame. Already familiar red beam struck the platform several times destroying its remains and sealing the tunnel entrance. Thankfully, for one reason or another the geth flagship didn't fire any WMD missiles, so despite the station being wrecked and high-rises cut down, the tunnel remained intact.

Setting their passengers on the ground again the Valkyries folded into GERWALK opening canopies.

"Everyone alive and well?" Mikumo looked at her roughed up squad.

With a choir of affirmatives, she nodded and tiredly leaned on a wall with her back.

"So, what now?" Mirage asked.

"We wait", Johnson shrugged. "If that asshole is still flying out there, we can only wait for the Navy to arrive, that's five-eight hour jump from the nearby base. If not, it's still prudent to wait before peeking out".

"We've retrieved the beacon", Nihlus nodded. "Better to wait for the Navy and move it back to the Eos after its safe".

"Speaking of…" Mirage approached the place Ihlefeld set the beacon at. "Is it supposed to sparkle like this?"

A moment later invisible force started pulling her towards the Prothean device. Mikumo reacted first, and with a dash she threw the Meltran away from the beacon. But the field didn't care whom it was pulling in and the young woman was trapped herself.

The beacon flashed and a crazy kaleidoscope of images stood before Mikumo's eyes, they smashed into her mind like a sledgehammer. A few more seconds the tension felt too strong, then she felt like flying and then consciousness left the young woman.

"Mom!" a girl with bright purple hair burst into the room like a whirlwind. "I passed!"

Hannah Shepard looking at Macross city view from the window turned to her daughter with a smile.

"You had any doubts?", she opened her arms.

Mikumo covered the distance between in two steps and hugged her mother.

"Honestly, I was a bit worried", she replied with a calmer voice.

"Well", Hannah pulled away a bit still keeping her arms on her daughter's shoulders. "I think we should celebrate while we have time. I have to leave for Eden in a week".

"You're actually getting transferred then?" Mikumo sighed. "I hoped we'd get the chance to learn something from legendary Hannah Shepard at least for a little bit".

"N7 training program stats in a month, there would be no time to be bored", Hannah smiled sadly. "Still not cutting your hair?"

"If my hair slows me down – I've not been training hard enough", Mikumo smirked. "So, where are we going to celebrate?"

"I think this city has enough places where two lonely women can find trouble on their tight asses".

"Mom!" Mikumo blushed.

"What?" Hannah shrugged. "Or don't you think your mom is still…"

"…looking good. I think she's waking up".

The dream faded away and Mikumo was greeted with the ceiling of Eos' medbay.

"Ugh" she drawled raising her hands to her temples. "How long was I out?"

"Around five hours" a familiar voice called from behind her. "Hey, Karin, she's woken up."

"Taking liberties, captain?" the second voice belonged to Eos' ship doctor Karin Chakwas.

"Only with you", Anderson stepped forward, helping Mikumo to sit up.

"How are you feeling commander?" Chakwas leaned to the young woman shining a small flashlight in her eye.

"Like the day after mom and I celebrated my acceptance to N7", Mikumo breathed out, pushing the hand with the annoying thing away.

"Yes, I heard about that legendary rampage", the doctor hmm-ed good-naturedly. "If you're up and joking, perhaps you're in good enough condition to tell us what happened".

"That thing is like the old Protoculture psi-sensors", Mikumo rubbed her temples again. "Only of lower quality. It tried to upload some message in my brain, but all I've got are the murky images of combat synthetics and a big war".

The door opened with Nihlus walking in.

"Glad to see you in good health", despite his words the Turian looked depressed. "The council must know what happened here. Saren was one of our best SPECTREs. To think he turned traitor".

"Think he'll be arrested?" Anderson raised an eyebrow.

"If he's not an idiot he won't be a sector near the Citadel". Shepard stretched, rising to her feet. "We got camera records, objective control records, witness accounts, including another SPECTRE. All that left now is to fire charges officially".

"And we're doing it while on our way to Citadel", the Turian nodded. "On a thin hope that Saren is dumb enough to have stayed within the Council's reach".

"I guess we're leaving as soon as the defense fleet arrives?" Mikumo looked at Anderson questioningly.

"Already here. Got here two hours ago", he smiled slightly. "The Command sent it as soon as they learned of Nihlus' mission. A precaution. A few formalities remains and we're ready to depart".

"Formalities?" the young woman asked.

"Cadet Jenius requested transfer to Eos", Anderson raised one finger. "Sephira-Prime Flight Academy, pretty much, ceased to exist".

"She a good fighter, any crew would benefit having her", Mikumo nodded. "Anything else?"

"The Akulas survivors would like a favor", Anderson nodding to medbay exit. "They're waiting outside. Given that you were the one on the ground with them I figured you'd be the best judge Shepard".

"We couldn't have done it without them". Shepard walked towards cargo elevator, the captain in tow. "I think we should at least hear them out. Coming, Nihlus?"

"No", he shook his head. "I still need to work through multiple reports".

The elevator set Mikumo and Anderson to the planet surface. Three very roughed up Valkyries stood by Eos. Mikumo recognized Cypher's VF-11 by the missing wing and near it was a VF-17 Nightmare with its legs in a mess and, here the young woman raised an eyebrow in surprise, an ancient SV-51 with its wings also clipped.
Nearby several men sat lounging in the shadow of the VFs. She recognized Ernest Johnson enormous bulk immediately.

"Gentlemen", Anderson greeted the group.

"Captain Anderson", Johnson nodded. "Commander Shepard".

"Liam Gallaher. Goodfellow", a poorly shaven man in square glasses introduced himself.

"Cypher", a shaggy haired bear-like guy nodded shortly.

"Just Cypher?" Mikumo gave him a look.

"In our line of work names are better left for friends, commander", he shrugged.

"Hm", Mikumo smirked. "It must be funny to fill out forms without mentioning your name".

"I got spares", the mercenary smirked back.

Mikumo turned to other two gesturing to continue.

"Noah Wilson, Viper", a grim man in his 40s nodded to the last one, a Zolan judging by his fur-covered arms. "And this is our King Bailout, Omega. Or Nazir Grffith".

"Well, you challenged the title today Viper", the guy bit back. "Cypher the only one to get back on his own, as usual".

"So, gentlemen", Anderson interrupted the banter. "You wanted to ask us something".

"We do", Johnson gestured to his men. "If it's possible, give us a lift to a planned with a functional spaceport. Our employers, surprisingly, refused to pay".

"Really?", Mikumo leaned in curiously.

"'Drop that corporate crap and scam'. I told Goodfellow that his mouth is his worst enemy", the Zentran smirked clearly not disapproving of his subordinate. "But he never listens. And there's just not enough of us to simply hijack a ship for payment".

"So, you want a lift to Tortuga from us?" Mikumo smiled.

"Preferably", the Zentran waved a hand. "NUNS high brass… won't be happy with our presence".

"We're going in a slightly different direction…" Mikumo drawled in a thinking tone.

Anderson looked at her questioningly.

"But we got openings", the young woman smiled brightly. "It just so happens we're short on crew, especially pilots".

"Is this a hiring pitch?" even Johnson was taken off guard.

"I think it also would be best if you and Cypher gave your accounts on the Citadel as well", Mikumo added in a more serious tone. "Besides, I have a gut feeling that this story is not over today".

"I don't think you can pull it off", Johnson shrugged. "As I've said, NUNS brass isn't very happy to see us".

"That's why you're getting hired by Chaos, it just happens that Eos belongs to them with NUNS only commandeering the ship for an emergency mission", Mikumo smiled craftily. "However, I am afraid, gentlemen, we got no space in cargo holds for your museum pieces, you'll have to get by with our VF-31s".

"Deal", Cypher stepped towards Mikumo first. "We're not getting a better deal anyway, captain".

"As for your planes, Chaos will take them to storage", Anderson rubbed his chin. "I think they got facilities for… rare technological specimens".

"Where did they even got a fifty-one?" he muttered under his nose.

"Alright", the purple-haired young woman smiled again. "I, commander Mikumo Shepard, am happy to welcome new members of the Eos crew".

End of part one.