glowing eyes

Shepard looked at his watch–time was running out. Turning to Anderson, he noted that the frigate commander had heard and seen their conversation and agreed with Shepard's decision on the problem of navigation in the Utopia system. The XO took a few steps, climbed onto the pedestal, and approached the commander of the ship, who was leaning with his elbows on the handrail surrounding the Star Chart. “Sir. Pressley and I discussed only the first part of our work in the Utopia system. Only as far as navigation is concerned," the commander of the landing crew said quietly. “Before entering the repeater, we will need a short drift – from half an hour to an hour and a half, during which we will have to conduct a remote reconnaissance of Eden Prime and the situation in Utopia as a whole. In order to act only for sure in the future.” Shepard moved the image of the Star Chart up, and called up the image of the "shrimp" in the vacant place. “According to the updated data, the size of this ship – along the vertical axis – is a maximum of two kilometers. This is also indicated by the primitive scale of the images from the Archaeological Data Set.” Shepard called them up on the screens, combining them with the rulers. “I assume that he will not stay in the orbit of Eden Prime and will definitely land on the planet.” Shepard, restraining himself from verbal explanations, quickly formed screens with text information in free space, visible only to the commander and the XO. “We will have to use the planet's infrastructure and climate.” He paused briefly so as not to elaborate further on the possibility of "tickling" this superdreadnought. Deep down, Shepard, of course, hoped very much that he would be able not only to "tickle", but, quite possibly, to immobilize this ship. Make him unarmed and safe. “Are you willing to take the risk, Captain?” Anderson looked at the first officer without surprise. Shepard noted with satisfaction that Anderson must have recognized this ship with something very painful for his memory, otherwise the ship's commander would not have hidden it when talking in the cabin, when both images from the Archaology and images of the ship directly received from the observation stations with the disguise removed lit up on the screens. The commander of the landing crew did not insist either in the cabin or now that Anderson immediately shared with him the reason for his silence. But there was a reason. And besides Anderson's direct involvement in the events related to this ship, Shepard did not see any other reasons. “Yes. Today we still have time for all possible preparations. There are less than twelve hours left until midnight. Tomorrow we will have to act according to plan, and be ready for both improvisation and active counteraction, Commander," the XO replied. “Good.” Anderson called the officer of the watch. “Come to my cabin, Captain.” Shepard nodded and walked to the left and behind the striding commander of the ship. When he entered the cabin, he caught a nod of permission and blocked the doors. Anderson turned on the wall screens from his laptop. Shepard brought up the necessary data on them. “I couldn't ask you many questions in CIC, Captain," Anderson said. “But I clearly understood that you already have a plan ready, which includes not only disguising yourself and going from planet to planet, that is, what you discussed with Pressley. I guess you wanted to conduct several full-scale alarms and exercises, carrying them out both today and tomorrow.” “You're right, Commander," Shepard said. “I really have a plan that provides for a real fight against this ship. May I speak plainly, sir?” “One way and no other," Anderson said. "If we're going to risk the ship, the crew, or use military weapons, then we need to know exactly what to do, how, and when," Anderson nodded. “According to the same surveillance, communications, and control posts that received the scan data you know of the ship heading for Eden Prime, I was able to understand that the ship has a powerful source of energy. I'm sure it's very powerful when compared to the best currently known by any organic intelligent race. It is he who allows this superdreadnought not only to be absolutely invulnerable even to the coordinated attack of several of our dreadnoughts in space. But as you've already seen, I'm not of the opinion that this ship will operate from the orbit of Eden Prime.And, due to certain prerequisites, I am sure that this ship is more vulnerable on the surface of the planet. And he will land, I have no doubt about that.” “And what are your prerequisites?” Anderson asked. “Driving such a ship to an agricultural planet just to shoot at its surface from orbit is too unlikely, although I won't deny the possible course of events.I don't understand why the Superdreadnought follows our area of responsibility exclusively. I don't understand why he's targeting Eden Prime with such precision. Usually ships of this class are empty and, moreover, they do not sail alone. They are accompanied by a powerful escort, in a "warrant". This means that this giant has everything he needs not around himself, but inside himself. And in this regard, I would give priority to the amphibious forces. The command of such a ship is probably able to understand that burning areas, destroying agricultural settlements and entire cities with the forces of even one huge and powerful ship is too exotic and adventurous, frankly speaking, an occupation. Which means that the arrival of this monster on the planet Eden Prime has some other goals, much more important than setting massive fires.” Shepard switched the screens, displaying information about the Prothean beacons.” I've already said, Captain, that I know the real reason our ship is being used in the Eden Prime area. The Protean lighthouse.” “You're right, Shepard," Anderson nodded. “The leadership of the Alliance of Systems decided that the Prothean lighthouse found by earthlings on Eden Prime would be transferred to the Citadel for joint research of this outstanding artifact, left over from the extinct race fifty thousand years ago.” “Should I understand this gesture of goodwill by the Alliance as an attempt to boost humanity's political standing among the Citadel races?” Shepard asked. “And this is also the case. Unfortunately," Anderson said. “As an officer of the Alliance's MSF, I don't like hiding this from the crew of a frigate, but if they know about it, it won't add to their peace of mind. Since our ship has a state-of-the-art system installed on board that ensures invisibility from detection, including optical tracking sensors, the command of the Alliance's MSF instructed us to excavate the lighthouse and deliver it to the Citadel at high speed. In any case, no matter who I received instructions or orders from, they all referred specifically to our invisibility system. I'm sure they were ordered to do so by their superiors. Who, quite possibly, have never served in the army. Not a day. And that's why they don't understand and don't know a lot.” Anderson was silent for a few seconds. “The archaeological team is already waiting for us. According to the latest telemetry, they have already completely dug out the lighthouse. In an undamaged state, thankfully. If we humans are at all capable of professionally understanding what condition can be defined as intact for him.” “When we dug up the Prothean outpost on Mars, Captain," Shepard said “We also found something like a lighthouse there. Anyway, thanks to the information we received from the Prothean outpost, we were able to locate and activate the Charon repeater and reach Arcturus. Does this mean that we Earthlings expect to have a share in the information obtained from the intact lighthouse, working in partnership with the main races of the Citadel Council?” “As an ordinary person, Shepard, I wouldn't count on any share," Anderson replied. “But as an Alliance officer and frigate commander, I am obligated to be guided not by personal preferences, but by a more important level of interests.In any case, I don't know for sure yet whether such beacons have been found anywhere else in the galaxy. There are, of course, some reports of varying degrees of validity, but... our lighthouse on Mars is more than a lighthouse. This is not an ordinary transmitter with a receiver, but a repository of information. We humans have spent several calendar years reading several pages of a certain text, finding, guided by the information received, the Charon repeater, activating it and reaching out to Arcturus. And here, quite recently, as a result of excavations on Eden Prime, we find an intact lighthouse. Exactly as it most likely should be. Inactive, too. There are different scenarios for the development of further events in the circles of the Alliance's leadership," the ship's commander clarified. “I understand that this lighthouse would be very useful for us, earthlings and humans. Unfortunately, we are no longer alone in the universe and we must learn interstellar diplomacy.” “As far as I understand, Commander," Shepard said, “For the Citadel Council, finding a lighthouse in Earth's area of responsibility is undesirable, unless, of course, the lighthouse is transferred to the Citadel and, accordingly, handed over to the Council.” “Yes, Shepard," Anderson nodded. “We are too young a race for the Citadel," he looked at the omny-tool screens. “The Asari - three thousand years of space flight, the Turians – a thousand years of flight, the Salarians – two thousand years of manned long-range flights through explored and unexplored parts of the galaxy.Naturally, they will not want to give us, the people, the opportunity to make full use of the information that is undoubtedly contained in this lighthouse, either collectively or individually. No matter how good-neighborly relations between us, the people and races of the Council were now and in the recent past.” “Then, Commander, I'll ask you directly.” Shepard straightened up, but did not accept either the "attention" stance or the position convenient for the fastest start of the "String" state. “Does the Council know about this ship?” He glanced at the screen, where an almost two–kilometer-long shrimp was crawling towards Eden Prime, covered by a six-kilometer "cocoon" of cosmic dust. “They're keeping quiet about it, Captain Shepard," Anderson replied. “I believe that they are either hiding something securely, or they simply do not know how to explain it, or they are simply afraid, since even the "Path of Destiny" against such a superdreadnought is a boat.” “That's not what I'm talking about, Captain.” Shepard did not direct his gaze at the commander of the ship. “I'm talking about the role you personally played in the fact that this ship is now roaming our areas of responsibility. And he is heading for the pearl of the agricultural colonial infrastructure of the Earth.” “You found out that, too," Anderson remarked emotionlessly. "Well. Since this is now part of our job, I'll tell you.” He sat back in his chair. “To tell you the truth, it was quite unpleasant for me to see how easily you open something that I would prefer to keep as closed as possible, at least until my own biological death”, The commander was silent for several seconds. “I know this ship, Shepard. His name is "Saveren", less often he is called "Nazara".It first became known as an artifact discovered by a scientist, Dr. Shu Chian. This doctor, for some reason, became obsessed when he was working with this ship artifact. The work was carried out at the secret base of the Alliance, located on the planet Sidon. It is a large planet with a thin layer of atmosphere. There, under the "dome" protection, an Alliance base was built, where research was conducted. Officially, in the field of artificial intelligence.” “Shu Chian? The Galaxy's leading AI expert?” Sheppard was interested. “Or at least considered a leading one?”The special Forces captain clarified. “Yes, Shepard," Anderson confirmed. “This project on Sidon was very dangerous for the Alliance, because artificial intelligence, as too many people were convinced at the time, was capable of subjugating all of humanity, followed by all other intelligent organic races, if one did not learn how to control, limit, and effectively manage its development.” Anderson hesitated. – “I wouldn't say that, but I had to intervene in this project, in its work, when Shu Chi'an came under the influence of this ship.” “A mental influence? Soft reprogramming? Indoctrination?” Shepard asked. “If you already know what's behind these terms..." said Anderson. “Then I hardly have anything to add. Yes, Dr. Shu Chian has fallen under the influence of this monster. It turned out that the ship possesses effective technology for influencing the mind, and, consequently– the behavior of an intelligent being. Simply speaking... he is able to subdue and control them. This ship was discovered not far from the space occupied by the Geth at that time. Kali Sanders worked next to Shu Chian, officially she was a representative of the technical staff, but unofficially… Who knows, who knows.” Anderson paused with the continuation of the story for a few seconds. Shepard made a mark in his memory. “After noticing the inadequacy of Shu Chian's behavior, she began to try to report this "non-standard behavior" to the Alliance of Systems. Taking with her the data on top secret research being conducted at that time, Kali fled to Elysium, the largest human colony in the Skillian Reach. All the inhabitants there were obsessed with safety at that time, and Kali decided that she would be protected there too. And by the time Sanders was already on Elysium, the base on Sidon was attacked by the "Blue Stars". Shepard, you understand that Sanders, who fled the base shortly before the attack began, became one of the main suspects in its organization. Even the fact that the "Blue Stars" themselves wanted to capture Kali did not give the official, one might say, state law enforcement forces any reason to clear her of suspicion.”Andersonwas now saying "jerky," making frequent pauses in his presentation and sipping water from a large glass. “There was another character, Dr. Qian. He captured Kali, hoping that she would help him in his research. At that time, I was promoted to the level of a candidate for Spectr, and Saren Arterius was appointed my supervisor. It was I who, under a false name, of course, took Kali out of Elysium. And it was Saren and I who had to storm the plant for the production of element zero, in fact, a mining and processing plant, and I'm sure you, Shepard, know very well how huge and difficult they are to storm with small forces.” Anderson was silent for a few seconds, gathering his strength and his thoughts. That's when Saren proved himself.… In all its glory. I refused to blow up the factory, because at that moment there were still workers in it, in its workshops and on the territory. And Saren… He not only blew up the factory, but also framed me, reporting and, I think, convincing the Citadel Council in his own way that it was my fault. Kali... she was there. That Qian kept her there." Anderson took a sip from his glass. A hostage, a prisoner. I don't know exactly who he thought she was then. But he held it tight. Kali and I only met a few times after I was stripped of my Spectrum candidate status. And every time I felt that she was moving away from me. She transferred to the Academy named after her father, Admiral Grissom. She worked there as a consultant.” Anderson took another sip of water from his glass. – “It's complicated. I thought I'd never meet that monster, Shepard.” Andersonlooked up at the screen, where the silhouette of the monster ship was glowing. “And I... I hate to say this, but Kali and Saren… They're the same age. I don't know why, but it's unpleasant.” There was silence in the cabin. Shepard considered what Anderson had said. The commander of the ship continued to drink water from a large glass in small sips. “John, go ahead. Take care of the crew and the ship. I need to be alone. Decide what to do next,” Anderson said when more than half an hour had passed. “Anyway, we're going to have to fight. And if we can, we can win.” Shepard stood up without a word, nodded to the commander of the ship and left, closing the door of the commander's cabin tightly behind him. Lieutenant Alenko was already hurrying towards him. “Captain, sir. May I report?” The officer stopped two steps away from Shepard and stood at attention. “Report, Lieutenant.” Shepard stopped and turned to Kayden. “Corporal Jenkins has completed his training," Alenko said clearly. “Together with him, five military policemen partially completed their training. What are your orders, sir?" “Continue training.” – Shepard internally found the tuning of the "String". “Order all the trainees to put on a full set of combat suits and armor, as well as take real, but unloaded weapons. Continue training only in spacesuits, armor and with weapons,” the captain asked, seeing the surprise on the lieutenant's face. “After the training is over, let everyone rest and have lunch. I order you to draw up a daily combat duty schedule. For our rapid response team. There are three to five people from the landing crew. All members of the group should be on duty in armor, spacesuits, wearing helmets and carrying combat weapons. Is something unclear, Lieutenant?” “I'm sorry, sir. Maybe it's not that important right now, but I don't feel any migraines at all. Earlier, in the afternoon, she literally devoured me," Alenko replied. “I'm glad for you, Lieutenant," a faint smile touched Shepard's lips. “I believe that by getting rid of migraines, you will now be able to spend almost a full day working with the crew. And especially with the landing party. Any other questions?” "Not at all, sir. May I go?" – Alenko stretched out even more, saluted. Go ahead, Lieutenant. Shepard gave a military mirror salute in response to the lieutenant's greeting and walked slowly towards the pilot's cabin. Unlike many crew members, Jeff Moro, nicknamed the Joker, was more imbued with the danger posed by the commander of the landing crew, so as soon as John Shepard touched the hologram in the lock of the entrance hatch leading to the cockpit, Moro was already standing next to the chair facing the entrance and tried not to show much how he felt. It's inconvenient. “I wish you good health, sir!" Moreau greeted Shepard as he entered, giving the required greeting salute. “Hello, Lieutenant.” Shepard mirrored the greeting clearly. “What's the situation like?” “On the ship or on the course?” – Moro couldn't resist teasing and realized too late, to his regret, that he shouldn't have done it. “Ley-te-nant?!” There was a distinct edge to Shepard's voice. “I have a destroyer pilot in my squad of policemen. With five years of practical experience. And participation in military operations. Or do you still believe that you cannot be held accountable for hijacking a spaceship?” Shepard was turning into the very figure that had scared Corporal Jenkins half to death. And if Jeff Moro had previously seen this figure radiating a deadly sepulchral chill on the screen of a remote monitor, now it was no more than one and a half meters away, completely real and quite tangible. “I need a pilot in your place, not a voyeur, Lieutenant Moro. And I'll get it.” Shepard excelled without exclamations and without shouting. The captain went to the copilot's seat and typed a short command on the console. “I will not allow you to fill the computer system's memory with "porn".” The XO watched Jeff slowly turn pale, realizing that the collection he had lovingly collected was being erased, and the erasure was complete, with a wild gibberish of symbols blotting out the vacant space. “Since the CIC now has a full complement of specialists, your task, Lieutenant Moro, is not to monitor what is happening on the ship, but to perform purely piloting functions.” The fingers of both Shepard's hands performed a complex dance on the keyboard of the other console, and Moro saw the additional screens go out. Calculate the approach course to the repeater in the Utopia system, but so that we stand to the side, in a safe zone and can conduct covert reconnaissance. I'm waiting for your report on the course and planned and calculated approach maneuvers in fifteen minutes. On my omny-tool.” Shepard, ignoring the pilot's amazement, said through clenched teeth, barely opening them. “If you want to stay in this chair with your rank and position, you will work hard and efficiently,” with these words, Shepard turned to the entrance to the cockpit. “And just try to gossip with someone on the Extranet.,”he typed a complicated command on the side console. “Consider that you no longer have an Extranet in the same volumes.” Shepard stepped over the threshold of the cabin. The hatch cover cut off the noisy exhalation from the pilot's seat. After leaving, Shepard mentally thanked the teachers of the n-Seven Academy, who instilled in him a love of programming and learning all kinds of techniques. If he hadn't had such draconian training, which he had to go through in just a year, the conversation with the pilot might have dragged on. “Erich Goeben to Captain Shepard.” The commander of the landing crew spoke softly into his shoulder speaker. A minute later, one of the policemen stood in front of the XO, confirming his diploma as a destroyer pilot to Captain Anderson. “Erich, I'm ordering you to take the co-pilot's seat and monitor the actions of Lieutenant Jeff Moro.At all times, he should be engaged only in his immediate duties. I instructed him to calculate the course to the repeater and determine flight maneuvers to clarify the location of the hidden parking of the ship with the condition of conducting remote reconnaissance activities in the Utopia system. In the future, he is obliged to devote all his working time to improving his professional skills and abilities. You are an outstanding pilot yourself, so you can chase him in the tail and mane. Now the position of co-pilot of the frigate Normandy is assigned to you, Goeben. If Lieutenant Moreau fails, the position of first pilot will pass to you, and he will take care of other things. Not related to piloting. In accordance with paragraph two hundred and fifty-four of the Combat Regulations of the Alliance MSF, you are assigned the rank of Lieutenant of the MSF during the performance of your duties as a co-pilot. Any questions?” “Not at all, sir! Thank you, sir! Permission to carry out, sir?!” The newly minted lieutenant caught Shepard's nod of approval and rushed into the cockpit. Shepard grinned from the corners of his lips: he was well aware that the "Joker" would neither provoke nor win over the imperturbable and pedantic Erich. In addition, the pilot is always the pilot: Erich, and "in the second seat" will be able to show the Joker what it means to be a combat pilot-practitioner.