Fluttershy sat outside of the shuttle among the guards as they went about clearing out the mess she had made in repelling the final attack. C-Sec was slowly getting control back from Cerberus who'd never had a massive force on the Citadel, their success mainly stemming from their initial seizing of major infrastructure.
Fluttershy was checking out her internal wounds with her scanners, being slightly concerned at the damage. All the drugs in her system had gotten her back into fighting shape but she'd never thought heavy use of the stare could have such devastating consequences. I need to figure out why I got this reaction... Next time I might not be so lucky...
Fluttershy then noticed two familiar faces enter the large hangar with a third less familiar one. "Shepard! Liara!" she called out. The commander and asari turned to her, smiled, and came over.
"You look fantastic," Shepard smirked as he looked the pegasus' bloodied form over.
"I'll survive," Fluttershy chuckled back, turning to Liara. "Didn't exactly expect you out here, don't you have more important things to do?"
"The Normandy has great facilities to run my operations," Liara smiled.
"You look like you went through hell, feathers," the buff human male that made up the third member of Shepard's team commented.
"Fluttershy, James. James, Fluttershy," Shepard quickly introduced them.
"No need to flirt, James, I'm already taken," Fluttershy smirked, getting a bark of laughter from James.
"Don't worry, just innocent nicknames."
"So Shepard, you're here to show the Council what you found on Mars?" Fluttershy changed the subject, the atmosphere becoming much more serious again.
"Yes, we may actually need you for that but let's brief you with the Council present as I don't want to repeat myself."
"Sounds good to me." Fluttershy got back up, putting a little extra focus on staying up straight. A few minutes later they arrived at the temporary control centre that was set up for the council.
"Commander, what is the word from earth?" Udina immediately asked as he noticed the arrival of his fellow human.
"Bad. The reapers hit us extremely hard," Shepard stated grimly. "Second fleet's destroyed, and we lost Arcturus station in the first few hours."
"That's concerning... Hacket managed to contact me in a short message where he stated you had found critical information in the Mars archives?" Udina continued, Liara stepping forward and presenting a hologram.
"Yes we did. I have been trying to find a way to battle the reapers for months and managed to hit upon something on Mars," Liara expanded the hologram to show individual parts of what looked like a massive device. "I believe that this machine is the key to what the protheans hoped to be their way to victory..."
"There's a but," the asari councillor observed.
"They never finished it and the designs are not complete," Liara said with a sigh. "Part of the machine was being worked on not by the protheans but by another."
"Ours," Fluttershy quickly guessed.
"Indeed, but that leaves us with another problem. We never found any ruins of your kind."
"We can go look around Equis for more information?” Fluttershy offered but Liara shook her head.
“According to the data your kind worked on it at your capital world." The asari brought up a hologram of the milky way galaxy. "For a reason not detailed in the data the protheans were not exactly sure of that planet's location but they made an educated guess." A location was marked on the galaxy map fairly close to the edge of Citadel space. "That brings us to the second problem, there is no relay that would bring any of our ships into a range where we can travel to it with regular FTL tech."
"Then why are we discussing it?” the turian Councillor asked curtly.
"The Vindica can make a jump like that," Fluttershy proposed, knowing about the Titan's jump drive.
“Out of the question. Your princess has attached her vessel to our navy and its actions have proven it to be an invaluable asset to Palaven's defence,” the turian Councillor snapped. "I will not sacrifice Palaven for something we can't even confirm to work."
"Then can you at least spare resources to admiral Hackett for the sections of the device we do have the plans of?" Shepard pleaded.
The turian frowned. "Even if I knew what kind of resources I had available, I wouldn't know what I could spare. We might need a lot of it ourselves soon."
"This project might be the only thing that can gives us a tool that can defeat the reapers!" Liara exclaimed exasperated.
“We are all in this together but with the reapers pressing on our borders too anything we might spare now may mean the fall of world's of our own later.” the asari councillor sighed. “The cruel but unfortunate truth is that while earth is taking a beating we can prepare our own."
Shepard made a sound that seemed like a grumble and a sigh, shook his head, turned, and walked off. The council once again started arguing amongst themselves as Liara and Fluttershy both concluded nothing more was to be gained and followed him. James hooked up with them too as he'd stood back while Shepard talked to the Council.
“We need another solution," Liara stated grimly.
"Luna does not answer to the turians, we may be able to convince her to help us," Fluttershy provided.
"That would mean Palaven loses a vessel they deem 'invaluable' to their defence. That would leave his world less defended," Liara stated in response.
"I know, I know..." Fluttershy groaned. "But if it's a choice between a slow but inevitable grind to extinction or taking the Vidica to hunt for a device that can save us..."
"We're not going to figure out how to get things done from here anyhow," Shepard cut in. "I'm going to take the Normandy to Palaven, there's a spot open for you any time you want to join but you'll have to report to Bay 24 of the Alliance docks by the end of the day cycle."
Fluttershy smirked. "I'll be there, but I have to go check up on the Embassy first. I kind of left Twilight there without telling where I ran off to when going here... plus I think the ambassador would like to know about my new status."
"New status?" Shepard asked with a raised eyebrow.
The smirk on Fluttershy's face grew as she opened her wings to fly off. "Spectre."
i get the feeling both Garrus and Sheperd would say: "Dam she moves fast"
or something of the sort at how quick Fluttershy became a Spectre compared to most other races in the galexy... actually that makes me wonder, who was the very first spectre and how long did it take for them to become one, but also how long did it take for another to be announced? is flutters one of the first to be appointed so quickly i mean the Equestrians were only uplifted less then a year or two ago if i remember right, just starting out on space travel while humans and most other races already had a good majority of them with space travel experience.
Edit: also how has this been out for almost 30min already and no one else has Commented yet... it feels strange being the first one to do such a thing on a chapter.
10792187
i agree ... the sassyshy levels at the end are very much worthy of this. joins in with worshiping
10786680
New chapter, same question: How did Kaidan/Ashley get injured and earn their Specter promotion in the original timeline? I cracked open my old CE Game Guide to check, but they skimmed over that. I ask this again because I am trying to figure out if Sassyshy supplanted this event, or merely supplemented it.
10792177
Some unnamed salarian caught bombing. Council noticed he took out several threats they didn't know of and offered him a job with a 'new division' Basically gained first specter, started the group, and set precident for ends justify the means policy in same day. Anyone interested, there is a recording of the interview in the secret vault level during the citadel DLC.
10792177
Well, the Ponies situation is quite unique. They are a race older than all the others in the Citadel, they are better at bionics that the Asari + extra physical abilities by default (and that is not considering the princesses, who are probably on their own tier) and have better technology, yet they are being quite friendly about their introduction.
If the race that could usurp the power of the council races with no issue is willing to play nice, then you play nice with them, give them vote and voice as soon as possible and hope that they keep you around, that is probably what is running through the council races minds right now.
Well then I guess we know where we're going next. Also that ending remark is a very bold way for Fluttershy to end the conversation.
10792266
Well, it would be a balancing act. The Ponies can physically point to the biggest non-Reaper warship seen in probably half a dozen Cycles. So the other races really don't want to pick a fight with any race that can build that. Especially if they can build more. The fact that it's become a linchpin of Palaven's defenses speaks highly as to its combat capability and strategic value, considering how little training their crew had.
They have a natural full-race biotic capacity, similar to the Asari. They also possess magic, which no one else in this cycle understands, and gives them an unusual advantage. Plus, while the full power of the Elements hasn't been unleashed yet, it would be a significant game-changer, especially if the other races witnessed it in action.
As for Garrus and Shepard's reactions, I think it would be more like:
Shepard: "Damn, she moves fast."
Garrus: "You have no idea..." <looks sideways at Shepard, and coughs.>
Shepard: <grins and slaps Garrus on the back.> "C'mon, let's get to the Normandy."
10792300
Well, she is the bold one of her family.
Shy got hit by something big and nasty very close by, and so is likely to report to Celetia about her feelings, even if she hasnt had further thoughts?
Wonder if any Protean tech on Equestria is self repairing itself any by now? What are the parts they found on Mars? They ever actually get used in the game?
Awfully nice of the Turian councilor to admit he relies on the ponies he probably hates... while still thinking he can order them around.
Fluttertroll is best troll
10792565
I don't think the Turian Councilor hates ponies. He's so monofocused on what makes the Citadel races stronger that if an argument can be made for any given person that fits his mindset, he'll consider it. But once added to the available pool of resources, he expects that person to be ready, willing, and able to carry out the defense of Citadel space. Given how Turian society is portrayed, however, it's probably fair to say he expects no less from himself in every category as well, which is a redeeming value.
It's not like Udina, who'll gladly order a Spectre to a dangerous and possibly suicidal mission, but absolutely will not even consider lifting a finger to help in combat. He leads from behind, pointing at where he wants people to go. The Turian Councilor is the type who would lead from the front.
10792830
weren't the Turians a more war like society, not like how the Krogens live for the thrill of combat, but the Turians were always thinking about combat strategy's and what would be best to survive a first encounter with nearly anything
but reapersor is that just a DLCless fools inturpitation of the race?10792875
Turian battle doctrine is actually pretty basic. Their strategy is to just overwhelm any foe with superior numbers and means, hence the treaties with the Citadel limiting the amount of dreadnaughts other races can have compared to the turians. (Humans got around this by making them fleet carriers instead.)
Human battle doctrine is to concentrate forces near relays so when they need to they can cover more space with fewer vessels and if the need be there quickly consolidate.
10792263
Ashely/Kaiden got the crap beaten out of them by a Cerberus droid, once in hospital at the Citadel Udina proposes for either of them to join the Spectre's as the second human one.
10792883
Thanks. That question had been stuck in my head all week, and I didn't want to boot up another playthrough this close to the re-release.
10792881
ahh okay, honestly cant wait for the new ME:remaster to come out XD, will when it comes out finely get to play the dlc and not be in the dark with most things lol, but even still once again, thanks for the info CaptainAJ
Damn fine change of events... I hope we get a better than color changed ending...
11175926
Actualy if you check, i comment from chapter to chapter to a lot of readers. I can skip you if thats what you want
10792263
Udina wanted a pawn to use to kill the Counsil so the Spector position was offered, plus he had one Spector that would be perfect to put the other Counsil members into a difficult situation when Kaidan/Ashley didn't want to put a hole in Udina because he elevated them to Specter...
10792265
Possibly the best dlc ever
10792300
Priceless
10792565
True, but in the end Ponys have only one Dreadnought and Turians have the biggest military fleet... Playing nice will pay.
10792585
And Sassyshy has the best Sass to dish out
10792830
Are the Turian Counsel and the Primarch are the same Individual?
10792875
Turian = Spartans of the Galaxy
I wonder what their super weapon is.
- I speculate a virus based on a captured Reaper, they are maschines running on organic matter. Break the source code and base a virus on it and suddenly the very foundation of the running system is fucked.
- A weapon to make Relays inoperable, the Reapers focus is on being mobil, while denying the enemy the same mobility. If everyone is equally non mobil tje ponies still can help with movement and unlike the Reapers, they have numbers on their side.
Trillians of organic versus Million or Billion of maschines. Math tells everything.