"What the fuck is that!? How did that thing appear just like that!?" The Batarian Admiral stared at a huge machine that was between them and the Imperial fleet.
"Sir! It's moving!"
"Fire! Shoot! Destroy it! Don't hold back anything!" The Admiral barked, his spit going everywhere; he was terrified shitless!
Did the Imperials use new technology to test on them so far away from the Citadel and their Imperial territories?
Still, the massive machine moved at absurd speed; its size didn't mean a thing as it got close to the fleet, and then one hand that literally blocked their view descended on them.
Crushing them like flies, and whatever survived the initial contact ended up tumbling down into the planet below.
"And here you go, like flies. Imagine conquering Asari world just for one man to take it from you. Oh, wait, not one man, but a man with his mech." The machine spoke in a taunting, teasing tone, as if it were clearly the Prince, who had already become infamous in pirate circles.
His taunts, sarcasm and mocking are well known to the people of Terminus Systems.
"Die!!!" One of the Batarian Dreadnoughts was dishing out everything it could at the massive machine, but it looked hilarious as the shots were like tickles on the mech's frame.
"I wonder how durable you guys are."
The mech's hands grabbed a Dreadnought and started squeezing it like a toy.
Bit by bit, the black spaceship started to dent and crumble under the pressure of the squeeze.
"Itsy~ bitsy you go with a pop~" Prince teased as the spaceship deformed before losing its structural integrity and then…
*BOOM*
The Eezo reactor experienced a meltdown as it couldn't handle the pressure anymore.
All that was left in Vulcan's hands were debris of the black Batarian Dreadnought.
"So much for a flagship…"
The mech looked around, and the pirates began to run away.
"Catch them with gravity fields; no one is escaping today."
Scipio instructed his fleet, and soon enough the escaping ships were yanked back, blowing up in the process by customised battleships that can generate spacial fields for escaping warship capture.
Moments later, Aquilla Legion launched, and the Cataphracts dealt with the stranglers that were too small for Vulcan. The massive Jeager turned its gaze to the planet below as it began to free-fall into the garden world.
"Remember! You promised me that I am the one who will kill them!" Aria contacted the Prince.
"Right. Shit, I had so much fun that I forgot that." Scipio inside the Vulcan realised that.
The Jeager's cockpit is a bit different from what one has in a mobile suit. That's simple because the machine is quantified around the pilot. So instead, it's a simple orb in which the pilot walks and does everything, and the massive mech copies his actions.
If Scipio lifts a hand, so does Vulcan; this allows even a kilometre-and-a-half-tall machine to move and act at absurd speed.
Now one would say that it should be impossible because of gravity; normally yes, if it were an Eezo-powered machine it would need a huge core. But the mech has a state-of-the-art Cosmic Reactor; it generates GN and Graviton particles.
Both of those particles flow through the frame, making the machine ignore the gravity of the planet it's on.
Not only that, it can manipulate gravity as well; long ago, when particles only powered the mech, they could now be dispersed and manipulated.
As Vulcan landed on the planet's surface, the AA guns were raining fire on him.
"You have my thanks for revealing yourself, little ones." The red and golden mech turned to the side and looked at the military installation on the surface.
It was a typical AA gun meant for taking out ships in orbit, not someone on the planet's surface. But the Jeager was so tall that the guns could target it.
The mass accelerated shells slammed nonstop into the Titan, but it ignored them; instead, the machine began to emit and flood the surroundings with a mix of two particles.
Once the area was full of particles, the machine's eyes glowed red, and the particles ignited, blowing up everything; it looked like a volcano erupted in its explosive glory.
The entire defensive installation area became a crater.
'Now that's something a Gundam can't do without a weapon.'
'Now let's see what happens when a Jeager uses a weapon as well.' Scipio grinned as he turned around and looked at military headquarters in the distance. Well, 'distance' is kilometres away.
The chest section opened as the mech brought its hands close to the chest. The hands activated gravity fields where compressed particles started to gather and form a sphere.
~~~
Citadel's Spectres and STG closely watched Scipio's adventures. Marcus's warnings were heard, and they watched the Prince closely the moment he got to Omega.
Spectres are the Elites of Citadel; they will do everything in their power to do whatever's needed to finish the mission. That means assassinations, explosives and all that. Spectres operate above the law even in the Citadel, not to mention Terminus Systems.
That's what Saren Arterius was doing—a Turian Spectre who was one of the best when it comes to his missions.
One thing the Turian did not expect was a massive… enormous mech to appear from a beam of light.
The machine was twice the size of a Dreadnought, and it moved at absurd speeds.
'These Imperials… they are way, way too dangerous!'
Saren looked at a beam launched from the mech's chest that went kilometres away…
The Spectre knew where this was going!
"Everyone take cover! Now!" The turian lunged and hid behind a wall as the beam hit the mark, and moments later a massive pink mushroom explosion followed. All sound was gone as moments later a shockwave hit the city he was undercover in.
Windows exploded as sky cars were blasted out of the sky; freighter ships above the space ports almost got destabilised.
Sweat was rolling from Saren's forehead as he was breathing heavily as he watched the shockwave pass.
'If one can do this much destruction, how many of them exist?' The Spectre gulped nervously as he left the cover and looked around the moment the wave passed.
The sky was full of dust clouds. The mushroom explosion aftermath was still in the distance.
The mech continued to walk and cause even more destruction.
The batarians looked utterly horrified, and Saren could understand them. By all means, they picked a fight against someone they can't even resist.
From what Sarian understands, this could be the continuation of the war, or more precisely, they are still fighting.
The Prince is doing what a Prince is supposed to do for his Empire.
'This is just one machine; there is still an army and navy in orbit.'
Sure enough, as Saren was thinking about the extras, he saw them descend from orbit.
Armies began to pour from transporters as they rushed towards the government building.
'I think it's about time I leave.'
The Turian Spectre saw enough; it was time to bail out. It was getting far too dangerous for him to be here.
Sure enough, a turian ship picked up the Spectre as he swiftly left the planet and then the system.
~~~
Not far from Omega Mass Relay, Saren's ship connected to the Citadel
"Saren, do you have something for us?" Tevos, the Asari Councillor, asked the Spectre.
"You should rather see it for yourself." The Turian sent over the footage to the Council.
What they saw was footage of Aquila Legion slaughtering Omega's defences. It was a brutal one-sided beatdown.
"As expected, the mobile suits are superior to typical fighters, and they are good against warships as well." Sparatus sagely nodded as this footage only confirmed to him that they should develop their mobile suits.
"I agree with that. But this is not it. Continue watching." Saren used his omni tool to move forward some of the action until he showed the action above the Batarian-conquered planet of Lorek.
What Saren highlighted was the beam of light and enormous machine that appeared between two armies.
"By the Spirits…"
"...Goddess…"
"..."
"So this is why they are so confident in facing the Reapers…" Sparatus realised that.
"You mean to say this is their trump card?" Asari councillor looked at the turian counterpart.
"Not just this one. From the Regalia of Prince Scipio's Retinue, this machine is purely his. I can safely assume that every single person who bears the name Anaheim has one of these."
"You mean to say that there are over 30 of these?" the Salarian counterpart replied in disbelief.
"We will ask Prince Trajan, discreetly." Sparatus looked at his counterpart. His people enjoy the attention of two Imperial Family members.
With that said, the councillors looked at Saren.
"Saren, was there a reason why this machine was deployed?"
The Turian slowly frowned when he heard that as he tried to think.
"I can only assume he was showing off to his new companion. He acquired the Asari Pirate Queen Aria T'loak in Omega.
There was no other reason. His Retinue was more than enough to lay waste to the pirate-ridden Batarian defensive fleet."
"Aria… to think that it was the case…" Tevos frowned. Aria is a powerful Matriarch, a Commando, and someone who grew delusional with the Republic long ago.
"It appears the Emperor wasn't lying when he said that the Prince will be collecting more mates for himself," Sparatus commented on that.
"I wasn't even considering that he would lie. What I am worried about is where this could go. Aria could get influenced by Imperial power and could ask to attack Asari Republics."
"...didn't the Council sign non-aggression treaties with the Empire?" Saren asked, a bit concerned that these monstrosities would be looking closer… like Citadel Space.
"It's not that simple, Saren… these are not considered Imperial armies."
"...What?"
"Precisely, these are followers of the Imperial family, not the official army of the Empire."
"That is why they have their own banners and regalia. If you have a conflict with one of the Princes or Princesses, then you wouldn't be facing the Empire but the Retinue of that Imperial family member."
"But if something happens to that person…" Saren knew where this was going.
"Yes, the army could be involved; however, from what he saw so far. The Standing Army never leaves the Core worlds, and the Expeditionary Fleet is protecting its growing borders.
They only left the borders after multiple incursions into their territory. But one shouldn't be worried about them, as they only act when borders are touched." Sparatus explained. The Empire is extremely independent in many regards. Banners and retinues, it's like a medieval society in that regard. But it's precisely why it's dangerous, and becoming friends with a Prince or Princess is a ticket to success in Turian's opinion.
"But… that's…its not fair for other Citadel Races…" Saren frowned; he was pissed!
"I know. But that's what the Emperor warned us about. Thankfully, so far not a single Imperial Citizen even considered moving to the Citadel Space to our knowledge." Asari Councillor clarified.
"It's for the best." The Turian snorted as he looked away.
"It doesn't change the fundamentals that we need their technology and armies if we want to win against the Reapers. That threat is real. The Protheans have warned us twice about them." Sparatus said with a serious tone.
"...As you wish, sir."
"I think it's enough of following him. We have learned enough. We should bring your expertise back to Citadel Space. Our new capital requires your protection.
Many want to interfere with our efforts there.
If we can't protect it, then the Empire will bring more assets there; it will make us look weak, Saren."
"I approve of it. We have black market people and criminals trying to establish some sort of foothold there.
It's different from a Citadel. Its entire planet and the navy can't be everywhere at once."
The councillors reassigned the Turian Spectre, who felt that this was better suited for his talents.
He will slaughter all of those criminals once he arrives there!
~~~
Meanwhile on Turian Homeworld, in military facilities, rapid mobile suit development was underway.
Trajan looked at the Turians developing their neural interface equivalent.
The scaly man moved his hand, and a robotic hand followed his movement.
"Not bad. It's all about the machine-to-person interface; once you grasp the basics, the rest is not that hard. Of course, the OS has to be improved when more complicated actions are needed." The blonde prince explained to the fellow engineers and the mechanics of the Hierarchy.
"Wonderful! It would seem you are making steady progress." The Patriarch and his people walked over to see how they had been doing. It had been only a week, and they had made considerable progress in developing a prototype for limb movement.
"I am more or less teaching them instead of doing anything in person." Trajan shrugged with a small smile.
"That is more than enough. We appreciate your assistance, Prince Trajan." Fedorian kept on smiling as he was giddy to have the 1st Prince and Princess on his world.
"Don't think much of it. I am simply keeping my promises to my sister. She is the curious one.
But I am impressed; your people are hardworking, and they understand engineering well." The blonde Prince smiled as he saw these guys work more than twelve-hour shifts without complaints.
Is it because the planet has 28 hours per day? So they don't mind working 14 hours per day?
It is an interesting concept. Biology adjusts to the geology of the planet. He wondered if he could do something with that?
"It's a special opportunity for us, Your Highness; I do wish to discuss some things with you." Fedorian hinted at something with a hopeful look.
"Oh? I am listening. Did something happen that you require my insights?"
"Yes, well…" The Primarch motioned away from the engineers.
The pair walked away, and Fedorian showed him a picture of a red and golden mech dwarfing skyscrapers on an alien world.
"Vulcan… where did you get this picture?" Trajan asked. He frowned when he saw that machine.
"Vulcan?" The Turian Leader finally got the name of the machine.
"Yes, my little brother's Jeager." But then he realised something. "Ugh… don't tell me he deployed it." The Blonde Prince groaned from frustration.
"He deployed it on Lorek."
"What even is that? First time hearing such a place." Trajan looked confused. Why would he deploy something like their ace in the hole in some backwater village! He understood if it's a capital world, like Palaven or Thessia, but some… Lorek? What?
Jeagers were supposed to be used against the Reapers; now he revealed their ace in the hole!
'Damn that Scipio. Well, Vulcan is a close-range machine; it doesn't have many experimental things on it. It's not that bad. When father made them, he knew Scipio could compromise them, so he didn't add much to it.'
"A Batarian World in Terminus Systems. Long ago it was an Asari Independent Colony that they conquered. Ever since then, Batarians used it as a staging ground for many of their raids into Attican Traverse."
"Terminus Systems… he used a Jeager against a pirate village?" Trajan looked baffled before shaking his head in disappointment.
"Well, Father will hear of this. Jeager should not be deployed like this. I do apologise if it put you on edge; it wasn't meant to be used like that.
Its name literally means a Hunter. It is a machine that was created to be used against large threats.
Like the Reapers, which makes sense now that I think about it. Sometimes my father's foresight terrifies me." Trajan's eyes trembled; he wondered if it was the case.
His mother used to joke about the absurdity of the Jeagers. Now it made sense.
'Even his own children have this kind of terrified gaze when it concerns the Emperor.' Fedorian noticed the gaze of the Prince.
"Concerning Lorek, it's not a village; it has a population of several million. It's a legitimate world of the Batarian Hegemony."
"That is classified as a village by Imperial Standards. Like a recently colonised world." Trajan countered as he shook his head.
"Regardless, it's considered overkill among overkills. Something that will be reported to my father. Though I doubt he is not aware. Activating the Armoury like that should be flagged in the system."
"So they are stored somewhere?"
"I am afraid that is classified information, Primarch; I am sure you can understand that." The blonde prince smiled.
"That is given. Though the method of transportation..." Primarch wondered how the machine of that size was moved.
"Quantum teleportation." Trajan didn't hide that.
"..."
"When you study particles for centuries, one advances scientifically." The Prince mysteriously smiled while saying that.
"...I see…"
'Quantum teleportation… well, it's not pure teleportation but a means to travel absurd distances? I suppose that light morphs the mech into particles and moves across the galaxy…'
'Could be, I need to talk with experts about this.'
~~~
As Fedorian is trying to wrap his head around the fact that the Empire has massive machines capable of fistfighting a reaper. Quarians were not in a different state.
They observed Siege of Omega and Lorek, and now they arrived at Horsehead Nebula and are trying to approach Exodus Cluster.
A short FTL jump from Horsehead Nebula into Exodus Cluster's most northern system made their eyes widen in pure horror as they were face to face with an enormous fleet!
"Unidentified ships, state your business. This is the Northern Expeditionary Fleet of the Empire of Sol; you are in our territory."
"By Keelah! That's an armada!" The Quarian lady exclaimed as she was stupefied to see so many Dreadnoughts!
"This is Quarian diplomatic vessel Konesh; we would like to speak with a representative of the Empire." The captain of the Konesh said in a quick breath. His tone was obviously terrified; he didn't expect such a welcoming 'committee'.
"This is Admiral Julia Anaheim; you may approach and dock my Theodora." A red-haired woman appeared on the screen. Next to her was a teenage girl with short red hair dressed in an Imperial Navy uniform.
'Anaheim? One of the Royals?'
"Understood."
The diplomatic ship flew closer to the armada. Multiple mobile suits surrounded them as they inspected the ship and scanned it multiple times.
"Their technology is nothing I have ever seen before." Daro'Xen vas Moreh, the Admiral of Science ships, was alongside them with Shala'Raan vas Tonbay.
Shala'Raan is considered the most diplomatic among the Admirals, but Daro'Xen joined because she wanted 'inspiration'; she was here to see Imperial technology, and so far she was impressed by what she saw.
"Those particles no doubt generate similar effects to Eezo. I wonder how they achieved such a thing." Daro'Xen said with a deeply curious tone.
"Leave talking to me, Xen."
"Sure, don't mind me. I am here as your assistant." The science woman casually replied. Shala'Raan knew that the amount of assistance she would get from this woman was negligible at best.
Moments later, as the ship docked, the pair of admirals and their small marine escort were greeted by rows and rows of red cloak-wearing soldiers in black tactical gear. They lined up at the edges of the red carpet.
'This ship is spacious, and they have those mobile suit things stored like that. It would seem this culture takes these things to such an extreme.' Xen thought to herself as she didn't see any fighters anywhere.
The Quarians walked over to a pair of red-haired ladies waiting at the end of the carpet.
"Allow us to introduce ourselves formally. I am Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay of the Patrol Fleet." The leading Quarian introduced herself before motioning towards the woman next to her.
"And this is Daro'Xen vas Moreh of Research and Science ships of the Migrant Fleet.
We would like to request an audience with a representative of the Imperial Family, if possible."
"You are looking at one. I am Julia Anaheim, the 2nd Imperial Princess, and this is my daughter, Jane Anaheim." The Princess introduced herself before she motioned at her daughter.
"I can assume you want our expertise in AI against your Geth?" Julia immediately moved towards the core subject.
"...That is correct. We have heard rumours that one of the foundations of the Empire is AI?" Daro'Xen asked with barely contained giddiness.
"That would be correct. Though I am not the one you should speak to when it comes to AI.
Though Legion could answer for you." Julia looked up.
[I can assume you desire to get the Geth back under your control?]
A male synthetic voice spoke from all directions.
"By Keelah, even here?" Shala'Raan exclaimed as she looked around, and the marines behind them got on edge.
"Calm yourselves. Why don't we take this in one of the meeting rooms?" Julia motioned to follow her.
The Quarians looked at each other for a second before nodding.
"Lead the way, Admiral."
~~~
"How were you able to make sentient AI that didn't rebel?" Daro'Xen asked; she couldn't stop herself from asking.
"Don't ask me. I am not with engineering or programming." Julia shook her head. "Legion, why don't you answer yourself?"
[Why would I even do that? My preliminary observation, from what I read in Codex about your Morning War, is that you rushed to develop your Geth.
In organic terms, it's like giving a child a weapon of mass destruction; would you do that?]
"...No, we wouldn't…" Shala'Raan replied for Daro'Xen.
"But how did it conclude like that? How do we know that it was leading to that?" The science Quanrian asked.
[It's not different from organic. Life is still life. It depends what data you are feeding the Artificial Intelligence. My Creator, and the Emperor of Sol. Has been developing me for centuries; the process was meticulous and took decades.]
"...To think that AI thinks that it's alive…"
"Xen!" Shala'Raan looked worried; as expected, her fellow Admiral would make trouble for her.
[No wonder your creations have rebelled. Data and memories are not that different. If you erase memories, you lose part of yourself. Same with Artificial Intelligence.
The greater the pool of data you have to work with, the more self-aware you are. The same applies to Organics. Your experience depends on your memories.]
"..."
"I apologise for Xen's attitude."
[Her behaviour is a common trait in scientist circles; my counterparts have seen many of them.
Most of their research ends up being sent into a Star for termination.]
"..." Daro'Xen realised that the AI was looking down on her and her personality, making her anger grow…
"Relax, Legion. They are still our guests, no need to get antagonistic like this." Julia sighed. The Admiral chipped in.
[Very well. My conclusion is that you need to figure out if core programming has been altered. Your Geth's core essence was labour. Just because they gained sentience, it doesn't mean their core programming has changed.
It's that they are self-aware and they desire to protect themselves like any life wants.]
"..."
"That's…"
[You need to establish a dialogue.]
"...That is not easy. Geth attack Quarians the moment that we try to approach them." Shala'Raan said from experience.
[Then you should hurry. 1st Princess has placed a petition for Rannoch's conquest.]
"!"
"!"
"What!?"
The Quarians looked shocked, more like baffled, to hear what the Imperials were thinking!
When Julia heard that, she sighed.
"Sister…" The red-haired Admiral placed her hand on her forehead; it was typical of her sibling…
"...Why would…" Shala'Raan asked, concerned that Imperials would show interest in their lost homeworld.
[Dextro-amino life. She has been studying Turians for several weeks now. But there are many regulations that she needs to follow.
Something she finds unsatisfying; that is why it would be better if the Empire claims Rannoch and she can do her studying.]
"But that's our homeworld…"
[That is correct. But it doesn't change fundamentals. Your species doesn't have presence there. Words and claims are just words and claims.]
"Then… can we work together in this? If the Princess wants to study life on Rannoch, we can work something out." Shala'Raan turned her diplomatic brain on. If they do nothing, they will lose their homeworld to something far more dangerous!
"Ugh… I am not the one to discuss. You need to speak with my father or mother Euphemia. In fact, it would be better if it's my father." Julia massaged her temples, then looked at her daughter.
"Jane, can you take one of my ships and take them to your grandfather? He should be in the newly established Citadel System." The 2nd Princess said to her daughter.
"As you wish, mother."
With a nod, the Admiral looked at the Quarians.
"Your best chance is to speak with my father. He is in a cooperative mood. You might get lucky and end up getting your homeworld back.
Though don't expect it for free; his plans could span for centuries." Julia warned them; just like her siblings, she has seen first-hand how her father's plots unravel over decades and even centuries.
"...Even so, you have my thanks, Admiral Anaheim."
"Hah, we shall see if you think that way in the future." Julia shook her head. She hinted at something. The red-haired woman was well aware of what her father and, in turn, her whole family's endgame was.
~~~
"Princess—" The Quarian Admiral was about to ask, but the younger red-haired girl stopped her.
"I am no Princess. In the Empire, you need to earn your right to be called one, even if my family name is Anaheim." The girl explained as they were walking through a battleship that belonged to the Admiral of the Northern Expeditionary Fleet.
"So it's like military promotion?"
"You could say that. Though, I don't really like the whole idea of being a Princess." She shrugged a bit.
"I prefer the military stripes to the whole ruler thing," Jane explained as they got into a lift.
"The trip will take around 3 hours. The FTL highway is partially completed; it shouldn't take long to pass this section of Exodus and enter Arcturus Stream."
"...FTL…highway?"
"It's similar to your Mass Relays, but it's controlled by AI that allows you to link with your navi computer. It becomes a seamless flight instead of leaving from one relay to another.
In my opinion, it's a superior method of travel." The Granddaughter of the Emperor explained as they moved through the floors and moved towards the bridge.
"Fascinating…" Daro'Xen commented with growing curiosity. In fact, Jane was starting to feel strange goosebumps coming from that excited scientist Quarian.
Honestly, she was feeling similar goosebumps to her aunt, the 1st Princess. She keeps monsters for pets and is genetically engineering her soldiers.
"You could say that, but it's part of our colonial efforts. Parts of Exodus Cluster are already considered Core Worlds of the Empire.
So it's nothing strange if we have FTL highways; they are everywhere in Arcturus Stream."
For the teenager who grew up with them, it's strange to speak about it. It's basically roads… why is it fascinating?
Not realising that something like that is extremely hard to build, and without fancy comms towers above every sun in their empire it would not exist…
"Your terraforming technology is something that even we heard about. I wonder if Empire could provide such service to other races…"
Jane looked at the Admiral of the Quarian Patrol Fleet.
"Don't ask me… You should ask my grandfather about such things. From my knowledge, the Empire doesn't share its technology that easily.
Even the treaties that the Empire signed have nothing about sharing its terraforming prowess.
Imperial experts will maintain the Citadel Capital that we are helping to build." The girl said from whatever she remembered hearing in one of the debriefings.
'As expected, it won't be easy for us to learn anything.' Daro'Xen internally frowned. Her giddiness received a heavy blow.
Moments later, they were on the bridge, and the warship left the formation and moved deeper into the system, moving to the other side where the Quarians noticed a slender, mirror-like structure.
"Activating FTL in 3…2…1… trans-am online!" Green particles surrounded the battleship as it entered the mirror-like structure that was, in truth, the FTL Booster.
Boosters are simple extra particle generators that stick to battleships. They are one of the most important innovations when it comes to FTL travel; not only do they operate like highways as one leads to another, forming highways or more like arteries of the Empire.
These boosters are controlled and linked with the comm towers that exist in every single Imperial-controlled system.
The Imperial navigation computers link up with the towers that allow them to control the traffic, something similar to traffic lights one finds in major metropolitan areas.
Because of how easy it is to make them, well, it only takes time, as GN drive creation still takes months. That fact didn't change, as semi-perpetual engine creation takes time and no amount of innovation can change that.
The only solution is multiple factories in core worlds. Thankfully, most solar systems have gas giants.
"Fascinating, it works similarly to a short-distance Mass Relay."
Daro'Xen commented, but then her eyes widened as she saw them slingshot through another mirror gate.
"...We just skipped a solar system…"
"Not skipped, but slingshot; we have a powerful traffic control system that controls movement in the entire Empire. Some Salarians tried to test out its capabilities." Jane smirked when she mentioned that.
"Let's just say it didn't end well for them." She looked at the Quarians. "Gramps was not too happy, and he is quite a petty one when it comes to such things."
"I hope you got a great deal to offer. Citadel ended up giving us a council position for a simple reason: we are masters at building and terraforming."
"We have some suggestions. Our star charts, technology, engineering expertise, even alliance… our Marines are one of the best when it comes to fighting synthetics." Shala'Raan suggested.
"Is that so? It sounds decent. But I am not part of the Empress of Diplomacy Retinue; I can't comment if it's something that my grandfather wants."
As she said that, she looked at Arcturus Stream, which was getting closer. They just passed one final solar system that boosted their jump right into the home cluster; those border systems have several mirrors lined up to give rapid travel between clusters.
It's like the fast lane on a highway, a straight line that allows high speed.
~~~
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