The Perish

Disclaimer: I do not own Dead Space nor the Mass Effect franchises.

Content warning: rated M for strong language and intense violence.

A/N: For future references, in regards to this fic, I've conjoined the Dead Space and Mass Effect universe. In reference to this story, both universes coexists as one and are occurring at the same time. And now... on with the fic!

One :::

Them

Systems Alliance Admiral Anderson rubs at his brow and lets out a long yawn. For too long, he's been cooped up in his office on the Citadel, flowing through reports flooding in from all around Human dominate space. Reports regarding Human colonies vanishing off the face of the star maps—mainly the inhabitants themselves. There have been many leads trialing back to the Terminus System colonies, which, Anderson admits, isn't really a surprise.

He remembers, a few months back that a ghost of a man walked into his office asking for such aid in the matter. A man Anderson thought to have perished along with his ship. But there he was—standing right before his eyes and talking to him as if nothing had happened at all. Of course, there was something different about this man, Commander Shepard. He had a permanent gaze, almost eerie stare in his eye. Like he had lost his soul. He probably did, after learning who the Commander was now running with; operatives of Cerberus.

Anderson couldn't believe the Commander would divulge so low. Cerberus is and always will be an eyesore to the rest of the galaxy regarding Humanity as a whole. The name itself makes the other races jumpy, knowing that anyone in the organization holds a somewhat distrust of aliens or anything that isn't Human at all. Which was Anderson's reasons in turning Commander Shepard down, he couldn't be seen aiding an operative of that zealot organization—his reputation of show casting Humanity's best weighed upon it. Councilmen Udina wasn't much of a good influence for Humanity, the man could play some hard political ball, but as an individual, he came off too heated and had the stubborn of a child.

Humanity needs leaders who can represent the best and brightest, not stiff bags and certainly not terrorist.

Terrorist… humf. Anderson laughs at his own thoughts, especially association that word with Commander Shepard. Of course, when he turned a deaf ear to the Commander's help in the colony disappearances, he never knew what the Commander would do next. And to his almost surprise, the Commander pulled a Houdini in the Terminus Systems, slightly easing the corruption and mysteries surrounding the colonies. He knows, in his heart, that even though Shepard's… temporarily with Cerberus, that the Commander has some control of what he's doing, or was.

It's been weeks since Anderson had a fixed on the Commander's waypoints around the galaxy. But, for some reason, the Commander and his vessel vanished totally in a star system in the Terminus Systems. Knowing Shepard, he'll be back soon, storming through the door of his office like any other given day.

Breaking the stiff silence trapped in his office, the door does slides open, allowing the flooding sounds of the hall to trial in. Following a rush of the cool outside air, a human Council Embassy guard enters Anderson's domain but doesn't proceed three paces from the door.

"I apologize for the uninvited entry, Admiral," the guardsman speaks neutrally.

"No need to," Anderson replies scratching the fatigue out of his eyes. "What's so important that the Council couldn't message me themselves?"

The guard chocks on his words before uttering, "I'm sorry sir, but I've been explicitly notified to not disclose this information aloud…"

Anderson sighs, momentarily shielding his eyes, perfect…

"Alright son, it's alright, I know the drill," Anderson rises up from his chair feeling the numbness of his legs tingling up to his thighs. He straightens his uniform upon standing and meets the young guard's eyes, "I follow you, right?"

Following the guard down the sleek halls of the embassy section of the citadel, Anderson can't prevent his mind from wondering what the hell this is all about. Clearly this is an Alliance only matter, of which the other races may already know about somehow, but he plays along with it anyway.

The guard leads Anderson to a door near the end of the Human section of the Embassy, exclusive to majority of the Systems Alliance brass. A security screen grants Anderson and the guard to pass through, though it beeps off due to the guard's sidearm at his hip. The checkpoint receptionist gets a good look at the pair before waving them on to continue.

In a haste, the guard Anderson is following picks up his walking pace. Anderson might as well jog at this point in the rate they're moving.

Finally, the pair come to normal walking speed when they near a door situated halfway down the long corridor. The guard steps aside gesturing for the admiral to continue through the door. Anderson steps up to the door in which it slides open revealing a dimly lit room, emitting a neon blue hue from a powered on hologram projector. Around the projector, Anderson makes out a pair of humanoid silhouettes.

Entering the room, Anderson nears the group of people, where he makes out the back of Udina's head. Next to the Councilman stands fellow Systems Alliance Admiral kahoku, in his uniform blues.

Before any of them knew that Anderson entered the room, they are in the mitts of a heated discussion.

"…you mean to tell me all communication abilities with the colony have been lost?" Udina speaks in his usual, grudging tone to the admiral. "What about the com buoys? Surly the arrays have remain in tack?"

Admiral Kahoku shakes his head, wiping a bead of sweat off his forehead. "None of our asset have been able to establish a clear signal to the colony. We keep getting intercepted by static."

"Damnit!" Udina swears. The councilman takes a breath, and proceeds with a more relax tone. "Well that can be a blessing on our side, this com malfunction. It'll keep the rest of Council space off our backs while we sort through all this sh—" Udina abruptly stops mid-sentence once his attention falls on Anderson. "You're late." He says as a welcome to the admiral.

"I didn't know I was on the clock," Anderson replies, fighting to keep his tone neutral. "What's all this about?"

Udina pauses for a minute, determining where to bring the Admiral up to speed with. "I can't stress this anymore than this, Anderson," Udina begins to say with a strict tone. "What I'm willing to disclose with you shall in no way exit this room along with you, is that understood?"

Anderson gives the councilman a wordless reply, folding his arms tensely and giving Udina a steely stare. His gesture earns a sideways nod form the councilman who turns back to the hologram in front of them.

"There was an accident that occurred in the Cygnus System," Udina begins to explain, offhandedly. "We lost contact with the colony situated on Aegis VII…"

"Wait a minute…" Anderson interjects, "the Cygnus System, you said? I thought that system was deemed prohibited for colonization by Council Law?"

Udina steers his gaze over to a nervous looking Kahoku, who tugs at the collar of his uniform. For a long moment, neither men attempt to say anything, only enticing Anderson's thoughts. He takes the men's silence as they knew this to be true, and they also knew the punishment for breaking a Council enforced law.

"I… I can't believe you two," Anderson scoffs scratching at his brow. "How long has this colony been established and did the Alliance authorize this? Because if I can recall correctly, I have no recent memory of the secret meeting we had behind the Council's back to do this…"

"Anderson, would you just…" Udina stops himself from saying what's really on his mind. Instead, the hotheaded councilman tenses up then release a deep sigh. "Hear me out," he begins in a low yet intense voice. "You have nothing to worry about. You're presumption that the Alliance would cross the Council's judgment is… outrageous at best."

Anderson puts his hands on his hips and cuts his eyes away from Udina with the slight shake of his head.

"But to put your mind at ease," Udina continues, "no. The Alliance didn't and never have or will install a colony in that star system."

"Then who did?" Anderson questions.

Admiral Kahoku consults the hologram controls springing up an insignia that struck out as familiar but foreigner all-together to Anderson. The insignia, consist of an oversize white "C" with a red orb intermingled at the mouth of the letter. It doesn't look like Cerberus, or maybe it could be a variant of the infamous organization's sign.

"I know what you're thinking, admiral," kahoku says. "And it's not… them."

Okay… thanks for clearing that up, Anderson muses.

"It's the CEC," Kahoku goes on. "A multibillion dollar company that specialize in deep space mining operations all across the galaxy."

"Yeah, and breaking the law along the way," Anderson interjects. "Do you know what the council will do once they discover a Human base company mingling in a star system we have no business meddling in?"

"Yes, we're blatantly aware of the consequences Anderson—you keep reminding us every twenty seconds!" Udina snares. "It's what they don't know that'll guarantee Humanity's position in the galaxy. Shortly before your late arrival, Kahoku and I were contacted by CEC officials who have informed us that they'll handle the matter. They just gave us the heads up in case any other nonaffiliated person, namely nonhumans comes across the matter, to derail their advance in exploring the details of the incident."

"You mean withhold and conceal our illegal activities as usual?" Anderson restates sarcastically. "I can't even believe you just said this."

"Trust me Anderson, I don't like this anymore than you do," Udina reconciles. "But the incident on Aegis VII can and will corner Humanity's interest in a place it doesn't want to be. There is too much at risk to just come clean to the council."

In a way, Anderson finds himself agreeing with Udina on that one. This is the realm of galactic politics, which often lead to sweeping Humanity's dirt under the rug. And, somehow, now it meant putting his ass on the line for a lucrative mining corporation he didn't even know existed till now.

"So tell me how this company thinks it can sort out this... incident?" Anderson asks.

"They haven't spared us any details," Udina begins. "They did, however inform us that they'll handle the matter discreetly."

That's comforting, Anderson reflects, finally able to roll his eyes.