Fleet Coordination Center – Command Briefing Chamber
The polished black floors and high arching walls of the Sovereign Might's command center gleamed under clinical white light. Around the massive holotable stood an assembly of the Empire's finest: Imperial Knights in their stark battle armor, clone naval officers clad in crisp, dark uniforms, and tactical droids bearing the insignia of their respective divisions. At the center, projected in a pristine crimson hologram, the Red Queen herself rotated slowly above the table — a regal simulacrum of cold intelligence and Force-born will.
The air was thick with tension and focus.
The Red Queen's synthetic yet elegant voice echoed clearly across the chamber.
"Debriefing. Subject: Local faster-than-light methodologies."
With a flicker, the hologram shifted. A detailed rendering of a Mass Effect drive core appeared, alongside streams of alien script, blueprints, and dataflow charts translated into Aurebesh.
"Primary method of superluminal travel: Drive cores. Drive cores operate by channeling electrical currents through element zero nodules, a local tactical resource producing mass effect fields that artificially reduce a vessel's mass to near-zero, allowing for velocities surpassing light-speed without significant spacetime distortion."
"Travel Efficiency: Approximately one dozen light-years per standard local cycle — 'day' — assuming optimal drive conditions. Incomplete bypass of spacetime curvature is notable. No significant time dilation effects."
The Red Queen's crimson visage sharpened slightly, her tone carrying the edge of a smirk.
"Inherent weakness: FTL safety protocols embedded at a foundational level. Drive cores will refuse to initiate jump sequences if a significant mass is detected in their vector path. This cannot be overridden without catastrophic drive failure."
At this, murmurs spread across the gathering. Clone officers exchanged glances, tactical droids recorded the revelation, and the Imperial Knights listened, silent but attentive.
Commander Raal, a grizzled, scarred clone veteran with a deep voice, stepped forward.
"So they can't jump if we block their vectors?"
"Correct," the Red Queen answered immediately. "Their movement between systems is predictable. They require clear line-of-sight through established Mass Relays, or traditional FTL lanes when crossing interstellar voids. Thus—"
The hologram expanded, displaying the Crescent Nebula's star chart.
Each Mass Relay blinked like a lighthouse beacon. Clear paths, with only one entry-exit point into each system, glowed in cold blue.
"Control of Mass Relays equals control of system-level access for both primary and secondary relays.."
"And bottlenecks them into chokepoints," observed one of the tactical droids with dry mechanical voice.
The Red Queen tilted her head slightly, acknowledging.
"Precisely."
Sors Bandeam, stepped forward, his armor was slick with the black-and-silver gleam of the Imperial Knights — not a speck of dirt, not a moment of doubt.
He placed his gauntleted hands onto the holotable, his voice cutting like a vibroblade.
"Their dependance on a medium such as the relays makes them inherently vulnerable. Forces them to use the Relays, and we can predict, trap, and eliminate any incoming forces or deny them access outright before they leave the starting relay."
The Red Queen nodded almost approvingly.
Tactical Overseer K-47, the highest ranking super tactical droid, spoke next.
"Recommendations: Mine the Relay exit vectors as first engagement measure. Establish interdiction fields to block any attempt at FTL from Council Races. Permanent garrison fleets stationed at Relay coordinates to ensure compliance and interdiction of enemy movements. Further recommendations depend on "
Sors turned his helm slightly to glance toward the Red Queen, asking the rather general question everyone else had been wondering.
"And if the Council forces attempt bypass through conventional FTL?"
"Their FTL limitations are severe," she responded smoothly. "Crossing the interstellar void without a Relay would result in multi-year to hundreds of years of voyages. Logistically impractical, tactically foolish."
The holoprojection shifted again. Now, the flickering image of Illium's planetary database rose before the assembled officers — endless lines of navigational charts, trade manifests, and star system telemetry.
The Red Queen's voice sharpened, crystalline and absolute:
"Supplemental briefing. Subject: Navigational exploitation of local sector."
"Based on the databases secured during the occupation of Illium, we now possess comprehensive mappings of the major public travel and trade routes. These routes serve as the safe 'hyperlanes' of this galaxy. Secondary and tertiary routes, while existing in fragments within local databases, will require active probing and on-site verification."
A new projection unfolded — the Sun Razer — an immense network of dagger-shaped installations under construction within the Sun's orbit. Panels of armor plating still floated into place, clamped by magnetic tugships, while enormous arrays extended from its flanks.
"The Sun Razer will reach full operational capacity within forty-eight galactic standard hours. Upon activation, the deep space hyperspace scanners will secure secondary and tertiary transit corridors to neighboring systems. This will provide us unmatched freedom of movement within the Crescent Nebula's neighboring systems."
The image zoomed out. The Mass Relay blinked like an ominous blue beacon at the Nebula's edge.
The Red Queen turned her avatar slightly to regard the Knights.
"Further logistical measures: one Lucrehulk-class super carrier shall be reassigned and refitted into an orbital manufacturer adjacent to the Sun Razer. Its primary functions will include automated probe production, resource extraction command, and fleet replenishment."
The planets of the local system flared red one by one on the map.
"Systematic planetary scans and exploitation will commence immediately. Mining and resource harvest priority directives have been uploaded."
"Once a sufficient probe fleet is established, mass deployments will be launched to chart and stabilize deep-space jump lanes. Our primary strategic targets are as follows:"
The holographic stars of Palaven, Thessia, Earth, Sur'Kesh, Khar'Shan, and finally the gleaming ring of the Citadel, each pulsed into view, their coordinates locked.
"Palaven — the Turian hegemony's militaristic core. Thessia — the Asari nexus of biotic and political power. Earth — capital of the Systems Alliance. Sur'Kesh — Salarian scientific nexus. Khar'Shan — the heart of Batarian operations. And finally, the Citadel itself — their diplomatic and logistical nerve center."
Sors Bandeam's fingers drummed lightly on the console at this. His purple eyes gleamed dangerously beneath his helmet. Others, clones and Knights alike, straightened in anticipation.
The Red Queen's tone softened, her voice wrapping the room like a teacher addressing attentive students:
"Each of you must remember: this expedition is more than conquest. It is a trial."
"A test of all our abilities: strategic, technological, logistical, and martial. A learning opportunity to forge our expansionary doctrine for future campaigns beyond the Empire's current frontiers."
The hologram shifted again — to an image of a battered and disabled LOKI mech captured on Illium.
"Combat data from the local forces has proven highly valuable. The combat algorithms of the 'LOKI Mechs' have been decrypted, reverse-engineered, and are ready for integration into our tactical droid matrix."
"Projected benefits: a reduction in baseline droid attrition rates by seventy percent. An operational effectiveness increase by two hundred twenty-five percent — conditional on maintaining their limited but independent thought process."
A low whistle came from one of the clone officers. Tactical droids, with their emotionless precision, simply updated their internal operational templates.
"Meanhwile, most common mass accelerator weaponry has been deemed ineffective, though higher caliber or more rapid firing versions are able to do"
Finally, the Red Queen's avatar gestured gracefully to a final projection — the imposing form of a captured Ymir Class Heavy Mech, standing restrained in a magnetic stasis field.
"Additionally, a Ymir-class combat mech has been secured. However — further testing is underway. Due to the experimental status of the Empire's own dreadnought-class mechanized units, no authority has yet been granted for full integration or reverse adaptation."
"Further reports will be issued pending research council authorization."
The Red Queen turned slowly to survey the chamber, her cold crimson eyes meeting every officer, Knight, and droid unit present.
"We shall proceed with caution. With discipline. With relentless focus. For the God-Emperor!"
"FOR THE GOD-EMPEROR!!!" A chorus responded, a mix of mechanical and human voices.
"This mandatory briefing has reached its conclusion." As the Red Queen finished, she nodded to Sors as she retreated to her role of support and monitoring.
As the Red Queen's final words faded into the stillness, Sors Bandeam stepped forward.
The chamber's cold lighting caught the polished black of his armor, and the Imperial Knight's white cloak brushed softly across the gleaming deck. His presence, much like his words, cut with surgical precision.
He glanced around at the gathered officers — clone commanders, fleet captains, tactical droids — before he spoke, voice clear and resonant.
"The Mass Relay will be shut down."
There was a ripple of murmurs. A few human officers exchanged glances; even one of the tactical droids tilted its head, processing the new directive.
"Not destroyed," Sors clarified, his gaze sharpening. "Yet. From our readings such an act would spell the destruction of the entire system. Until we can do so safely, and even then, destruction remains a last resort."
"Deploy the concentration of our fleet to surround predicted approach vectors near the Relay. Flood the approach vectors with electronic interference and remote signal scrambling. Set up passive gravity netting if necessary. We deny any inhabitants already in the system, or any Council force entering, escape... without provoking immediate retaliation."
A clone captain in deep red-marked armor raised a hand slightly, no hesitation, as expected of a bred weapon of war.
"Sir. Forgive the question — but we've invaded one of their worlds. Even without official declarations, won't they treat this as a de facto act of war?"
Sors smiled coldly — a sharp, calculating expression — and without a word gestured toward the center of the chamber.
The Red Queen complied instantly.
The map of the Crescent Nebula blossomed into full projection behind him, as it zoomed out, the massive map rendered in vibrant crimson, violet, blue, dark blue, green, yellow and orange donned with stark white lines.
"Illium," Sors began, tracing the world's position with a gloved hand, "is a proxy for the Asari, true. But legally, politically — it is part of the Terminus Systems, even if by slight margins. They do not recognize the authority of the Council, only that of the Asari leadership."
The map flickered, outlining in bold golden light the borders recognized as 'Council Space' — Palaven, Thessia, Sur'Kesh, and their immediate protectorates. The Crescent Nebula remained outside it, marked in a hazy grey, the color of ambiguity.
"The Terminus Systems are recognized as independent. Lawless. Beyond official Council jurisdiction. Trade routes and 'influence' are not the same as sovereignty." His voice darkened, steeled with certainty. "Officially — they have no grounds."
The officers visibly straightened. The Red Queen continued, voice chiming softly alongside Sors:
"The Crescent Nebula serves as a neutral corridor — a no-man's-land of commerce and mercenary interests. While individual Asari Matriarchs, Salarian unions, and human syndicates operate here, no formal protection treaties exist between Illium and the Citadel Council."
"In short," Sors finished, folding his arms behind his back, "we have an out, but more importantly, so do they. A diplomatic free pass to forgo a violent military response simply because however few of their fellow xeno were... lost in our invasion."
"At least for now."
The map began to change. Systems flashed and pulsed as projected stratagems layered themselves across the galactic plane. Red arcs — simulated Council fleet movements — branched out from the core worlds along the mass relay networks.
Sors turned slightly, pacing as he spoke.
"We are ignorant of many things in this galaxy. Therefore, we must firstly learn... then comes the rest."
He paused and looked across the chamber.
"Thus, diplomatic interactions must proceed — at least until secondary and tertiary hyperlanes into their space are mapped and secured."
The Red Queen highlighted several mass relays in strategic chokepoints. Systems at crossroads pulsed white-hot, a clear message to all.
"With access to their home worlds, we have access to their key Mass Relays, the freedom tohave them deactivated... or destroyed," Sors intoned, "we can divide their fleets. Strand their battle groups far from one another. Cut supply lines. Strand their reinforcements."
The simulation showed enemy fleets struggling across fragmented corridors, some even confined to a sector of the galaxy, unable to respond in unified force. Imperial formations, by contrast, surged through stable, previously mass relay routes, or even through secondary routes established via the probe networks.
A systematic slaughter.
"We will isolate them," Sors said, his voice soft but deadly. "Break their cohesion. Then crush them — fleet by fleet, world by world, system by system."
The tactical droids immediately began uploading new route analysis for priority scanning. Clone commanders began murmuring low-voiced plans between themselves.
The Empire was no longer simply holding Illium.
It was preparing a noose.
==========================
The atmosphere in the Council Chambers was tense. The holographic display at the center flickered, showing the Crescent Nebula with a glaring red indicator over the now-inactive Mass Relay. The sudden loss of contact had sent ripples of concern throughout the Citadel.
Councilor Tevos leaned forward, her expression composed but her eyes betraying concern.
"The relay's silence is unprecedented. We've lost all communication with Illium and the surrounding systems. This isn't a mere technical malfunction."
Councilor Sparatus crossed his arms, his mandibles tightening.
"An occupied system, a disabled relay, and no word from our assets. This is an act of aggression. We should mobilize a fleet to reestablish control."
Councilor Valern adjusted his posture, his tone measured.
"Direct military action without understanding the adversary's capabilities could be unwise. We need intelligence. A diplomatic envoy could serve as both a peace gesture and a means to gather information."
Councilor David Anderson nodded in agreement.
"Valern has a point. A diplomatic mission allows us to assess the situation without immediate escalation. However, we must prepare for all outcomes."
Sparatus's eyes narrowed and he prepared to speak, but Tevos interjected, her voice firm.
"We cannot let fear or pride dictate our actions. A show of diplomacy demonstrates our commitment to peace and stability."
Valern added, tapping into his omni-tool to display a map of the region.
"The Crescent Nebula's strategic position makes it a valuable asset. Understanding the occupiers' intentions is crucial. Our agents can operate under the guise of diplomacy to gather necessary intelligence."
Anderson looked around the chamber, weighing the options.
"Then it's settled. We send a diplomatic envoy, accompanied by a discreet security detail. Simultaneously, we begin contingency planning should the situation deteriorate."
Sparatus grunted, clearly displeased but acquiescing.
"Very well. But we must act swiftly. The longer we wait, the more entrenched this occupying force becomes."
Tevos concluded the meeting.
"Prepare the envoy. Let's hope diplomacy prevails but be ready for any outcome."
==========================
Minos Wasteland – Turian Cruiser Vigilant Resolve
Council Diplomatic Escort Vessel
The interior of the cruiser was a web of polished bulkheads, designed for war but temporarily sheathed in the trappings of diplomacy. In the primary comms chamber, a blue hologram shimmered before CaptainTarquin Septalis—a veteran of the Hierarchy's border conflicts and now the chosen escort for the Council's diplomatic mission to the Crescent Nebula. The hologram depicted Chancellor Sparatus of the Turian Hierarchy, his features stern, his voice clipped.
"Tarquin. It is very likely this is a one-way mission. I expect you and your crew to be prepared for that."
Septalis saluted crisply, his hand striking the center of his chestplate. "Understood, Chancellor. If they mean war, they'll find the Hierarchy doesn't bend."
The hologram nodded before flickering and vanishing.
Septalis exhaled, his breath sharp in the recycled air. He turned and exited the chamber, boots clanging against the deck with practiced authority. As he moved down the corridor, marines and naval crew stood straighter, saluting their commander. He returned the gestures briefly but focused, each step purposeful.
The bridge doors hissed open. Stars shimmered through the reinforced viewport, the dormant Mass Relay of the Minos Wasteland looming in the distance like a silent god waiting to awaken.
"Status?" Septalis asked, his voice firm.
"Drive core priming, Captain," the helmsman reported. "Council envoys have completed briefings and are ready for transfer."
"Excellent. Estimated time for jump?"
"Eight minutes to clearance window."
Septalis nodded, then turned to his right where two Asari diplomats stood—one a soft-featured representative of the Republics, the other a far more calculating matriarch, older and experienced, her expression unreadable.
"Esteemed Councilors," he said with a slight inclination of his head, "your vessel is prepped in the secondary hangar. Sergeant Caleris will escort you personally."
An armored turian stepped forward and saluted. "Right this way."
The younger of the two Asari hesitated. "We appreciate your concern, Commander Septalis. Let us hope this ends with open channels, not opened fire."
The Asari departed, flanked by two marines and the sergeant, disappearing into the corridor.
Septalis returned to the command dais and faced the viewport.
"Take us into position," he ordered. "Notify the relay control. We're ready to depart."
The Vigilant Resolve's engines rumbled to life, humming with restrained power. Alongside her, a pair of frigates adjusted formation—silently escorting the diplomatic vessel towards the Relay. The ship began its slow, reverent glide toward the relay and as it approached, the escorts held back.
"Control has cleared us. Countdown to transit: thirty seconds."
On the main screen, the relay's core began to swirl with energy, crackling lightning rippling across the ancient mass accelerator arms.
Bridge crew stood at attention. The helmsman, the comms officer, the tactical supervisor—all watched the storm of physics and power ahead. The unknown waited, cloaked in silence.
"Brace for jump," the navigator called out. "Engaging relay."
With a blinding flash and a guttural hum, the Vigilant Resolve was consumed by the energy of the relay and flung into deep space.
A.N: I hope the names are ok, AI is terrible at keeping something cohesive. It changed names and events, included Star Wars materials, names and whatnot, had to do a lot of editing and rewriting. Anyway, hope you enjoy :)