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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, Alpha Origins	By : Veyron722skyhook Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 6173 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's characters. They belong to Bioware and EA. No money/profit is made by me from this.

Chapter List
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That's better! Done in much less time.

Added a few extra scenes I'm quite proud of as well.

So yeah... enjoy! :)

YEAR 3, The Criminal Element

2175: 3 Years after the battle of Elysium

12 Years before the Battle of Arkadia

"After losing Kallun last time, we definitely had a score to settle with this crime lord. This time there'd be no Helldiver Slayer to save him. This time, we were going to capture him. To be honest though, that was not the turning point. It's what we learned from it, and happened after that that was. If we had known that day about what the vague hints we heard would lead to... well... let's just say we would not have been so quick to regard it as unimportant…"

Chapter 10

The Turning of the Tide

Only two crime lords remained now. A human female, and Alpha's old acquaintance, Garth Kallun. After the somewhat disastrous last time they'd met, Alpha were all the more determined this time. Not to mention that this time they had help in the form of a Chinese information broker and a Justicar. The chance also of the Helldiver Slayer showing up again was slim this time. Last time Alpha had been one step behind, but now... now they were the ones out in front.

"So where do we start?" Saphira asked.

"First off we gather Intel and determine when a good time to strike is. Just barging in face first guns blazing isn't a recommended strategy."

It didn't' take long for Alpha to find an employee of Kallun's. The man had just come out of a discussion with someone else regarding the crime lord.

"You seem to know quite a bit about Kallun. Tell us what he's planning." Saphira demanded.

"I don't know much. Only what I'm told, nothing more." the man said frighteningly, more scared of the massive armoured Krogan that had him pinned to the wall.

"A pity. There's no reason to let you live if you've nothing to offer in return." Kraan growled.

"Wait, wait! There is one thing."

"Continue."

"He is preoccupied as of late. He oversees the production of many weapons."

"What of it? They're meant for what's left of the crime lords. This does not help us, which means it does not help you." said Austin.

"No, stop! Listen!" the man begged. "Not the crime lords. They're for someone else. The symbol these arms bear, they are different, unfamiliar. It seems Kallun is supporting another, but I know not who."

"Is that all?" Saphira asked.

"Yes. I swear it. I've told you everything I know. Please don't kill me!" the man begged again.

"We'd sooner destroy a stain glass window then kill you." said Austin politely. "However, since we can't have you telling anyone about us either…"

Unsheathing his sword, he used the blade guard to knock the man out cold.

Later that evening, with other members of Alpha having done the rest of the required recon, everyone had assembled to prepare their plan for tomorrow.

"Alright, I've gathered a layout of the area. The difficulty is getting in there without being detected. After that, getting to Kallun will be a piece of cake." said Leena, pulling up a holo map of the area.

"Don't talk about food." said Kraan. "You're making me hungry."

Before Dash could reply with some kind of joke Austin quickly spoke first and changed the subject back to the mission.

"What about Kallun himself though?" he asked.

"Here's what we've learned. Kallun makes his fortune selling arms and armour and is supported by many in this endeavour. He's the single largest death dealer in the system." Xun replied.

"A meeting is being arranged to discuss an important sale. They say it's the largest deal Kallun has ever made. He'll be distracted with his work. This is the best time to strike." said Ventra.

"The plan seems solid enough." Saphira nodded.

"I should hope so. After he got avay form us last time, we're all itching for a little payback." said Sandra.

"In the meantime, everyone be sure to get plenty of rest. You all need to at your best for tomorrow." said Austin.

Everyone simply nodded and went their separate ways. Austin meanwhile went to check his gear. As he finished checking his assault however, his elbow accidently knocked something and his sword fell on the floor.

Xun, having stood quite near, picked it up for him. Before she could give it back though, she suddenly took more notice of the sword. She began to look at it more closely.

"I never truly noticed this before. It's a fine blade." she said admirably. "Where did you get it?"

"It was given to me." Austin replied. "General Zartrack himself forged it for me as a reward for apparently being "the finest sword fighter" he'd ever known."

Xun gently drew the sword out of its holster. Unlike her katana, which was like any other, Austin's sword was clearly more designed and looked like it was specifically for a Helldiver's use.

Like a Katana it had a very slight curve to it, but only just. Oddly enough, it actually bore more resemblance to a feudal Japanese Kabutowari (a.k.a. hachiwara) sword due to the blade guard it had on the inside of the blade rather than on the outside. In a way though this did come in handy. The whole point of that bit was to both hook onto enemy weapons and also protect the user's arms if ever an opponent's blade got on the inside. The handle appeared the right size to be used by both one hand or two and had a guard over it made of an apparently black material which continued up the sword and around the actual blade itself as a way of firmly reinforcing the already strong metal part while leaving the front and back fully exposed so that they may do the cutting. The exposed silver part had a few ridges here and there as well, possibly there for durability. Most noticeable however was the writing on both sides of the black part of the main blade. It was Arkadian.

"Wow. It's even lighter than mine." Xun said in surprise. As she gave the blade a gentle swing, she noted how her arm moved almost as if she wasn't holding anything at all.

"A mix of Kartalrium and black carbon fibre." Austin explained.

"To be made from that… it must be very special." said Xun. "I've never seen its equal."

"Zartrack said the same thing when he gave it to me. It's a day I don't think I'll ever forget."

FLASHBACK

1 Year before the Battle of Elysium

The doors to General Zartrack's chambers slowly opened and Austin stepped in.

The young Helldiver had to admit, he was a little nervous. Not just because of the fact that Zartrack must want him for something very important if he'd summoned him like this through a private message, but also because he had never been in here before.

The chambers were not what Austin had expected. He had half expected the General's quarters to be filled with all sorts of ancient ancestral weapons, or possibly have every inch of the walls covered with medals and such. But no. Actually, it looked more like a library. There were several tall shelves filled with either codecs or very old earth books.

There were still a few relics and things on display though. A few looked like ancient writings of some kind. On closer inspection, Austin could see they were in Arkadian. It was hard to imagine that such an advanced race had once written on stone or paper in the same way humans once did.

A few other display cases seemed to house ancient armours, most of them very early Helldivers.

"Impressive, aren't they?"

Austin turned to find Zartrack standing pretty close. Someday he would have to ask how the Arkane did that. Appeared out of nowhere without a suit.

"Fine collection, I must say." Austin nodded.

"I like to honour our ancient history. Not that I'm saying I object to what we are now." said Zartrack.

Austin then took notice in one particular display.

This one was undeniably a human Helldiver, but it certainly did stand out a lot. There was no other way of putting it; it looked like a Spartan (not a Halo one)

It pretty much had all the essentials. The long spear, the shield, the sword, and most noticeably the massive Mohawk on the helmet.

In addition to that, this Helldiver had decorated his armour with all kinds of extras. A battle dress at the back of the legs, a long torn loincloth at the front, a line of skulls across the chest, a painting of playing cards on his right shoulder armour, and a skull painting on his helmet with glowing eyes.

As so many would probably say... total badass!

"Who's this meant to be?" Austin asked.

"That one? Well, don't you recognize him?" Zartrack asked, a tiny bit surprised.

"He looks familiar, I must say." Austin replied. "Can't remember off the top of my head though."

"This is Saint Theodore Draken, better known as Ares. One of the very first human Helldivers, and also one of the most famous." said Zartrack.

"Oh yes. I remember now." said Austin. "Kind of a living legend among the Helldivers. He trained my father once if I'm not mistaken."

"Indeed you are correct." said Zartrack. "Your father and I knew him rather well. We stayed close friends till the end of his days.

"End of days? I though he retired." said Austin.

"He did. By end of days, I mean his end of days as a Helldiver. This isn't his actual armour though. It is just a replica for display. I like to keep it as a reminder. He was a good friend." said Zartrack proudly.

"Did you teach him as well?" Austin asked.

"I didn't actually. He learned from an Arkane much older than me. Dead now sadly." Zartrack replied.

"Anyway, I'm guessing you didn't ask for me just for a history lesson?" said Austin.

"No. I asked you here because I have something for you." said Zartrack as he walked behind his desk and took something out.

Austin was amazed to find Zartrack holding what was undeniably a sword. Wasn't' like any sword he'd seen before.

"I have had many students before, Shepard. But never before have I trained someone who has such skill with a sword. Out of all the students in my fencing lessons, you are the finest student I have ever taught. I make no secret that you are also my favourite Helldiver student, but I definitely favour your skill with a sword more than your skill as a soldier." said Zartrack. "Therefore, I feel you have earned something very special for this."

The Arkane slowly walked up to Austin.

"Yes you already have a sword, but that is just a training sword, and it is nothing like this sword." he said.

For a moment, Austin was unsure how to react.

"Take it. It is yours now." said Zartrack.

Very slowly, Austin took it in his hand. He was instantly amazed by the weight. It barely had any.

"It's so light." he said in surprise as he weighed the sword slightly in his hands.

"Do not let that fool you though. It's strength and sharpness are not to be taken lightly." said Zartrack.

Austin examined the sword a little more. The craftsmanship was unlike any he'd seen before. Clearly this sword wasn't made by any smith among humans.

"Clearly it is Arkadian made. Where did you get this?" he asked.

"I made it. Forged it myself by hand." Zartrack replied.

"I didn't know you could forge, sir." said Austin in surprise.

"There's much you don't know about me, my student." Zartrack smiled. "Unpredictability, as you know, as is a powerful ally.

"It looks almost innocent." he said.

"But it's heart is pure. It needs the master it belongs to, and that is you." said Zartrack.

"Master, words cannot express how grateful I am, and I truly appreciate the effort you must've put into making this. But are you sure I am worthy of such a weapon? Something this powerful…" Austin asked.

"This sword was forged for you, and you alone. To anyone else, it is simply another tool like any other. In your hands however, it becomes something else entirely." said Zartrack. "I forged it especially with your fighting style in mind. What's more, it is forged from a mix of black carbon fibre… and Kartalrium."

Austin looked up in surprise at the mention of the word.

"I trust that makes you realize how special that makes this sword?" Zartrack asked.

"All too well, General." Austin replied, now looking at the sword with even more admiration. "I've heard many stories of other weapons like these… some I wasn't sure if they were even real."

Though Kartalrium was used in the armour of every Helldiver, for a weapon to be forged from that metal was very rare. Not just because it was more reserved for armour, but also because it was hard to forge by hand. Special heat was required to properly melt it, and it required skill to properly forge. Because of this, weapons that were forged from Kartalrium were not only considered rare, but also special. It was believed that these weapons had a special destiny, or were far more powerful than ordinary weapons. It was with good reason after all, Kartalrium was the strongest metal in the galaxy and was almost indestructible. Add to that it could absorb heat better than gold, did not conduct electricity, and (although this was just a rumour) was said to take in that which made it stronger.

"This one is especially unique, even among other Kartalrium weapons. It is the only one of its kind. Treat it well, and it'll serve you just as well. And believe me when I say this, Shepard, you could not wish for a finer blade." said Zartrack.

"I… thank you, General. I don't know what to say." said Austin as he drew the sword out its holster and gave it a few experimental waves. The sword felt like no other he had other held in his hand before. The lightness made it respond to his lightest touch and its movements felt so smooth and fluid. At the same time though it felt strong, like the sort of the weapon that really could do some damage.

"All I ask is that you use it well, and look after it. One does not come across a weapon like this every lifetime." "It shines, a dream that all warriors scattered in battle, past, present and future, hold and mournfully exalt as their final moments approach. You carry their will as your pride, bidding them to remain steadfast in their loyalty. As the only one of its kind, it is legendary and thus has a legendary name. Its name… Excalibur."

"You named it Excalibur?" Austin almost chuckled. He noticed how there was Arkadian writing on each side of the blade. He immediately translated it as the sword's name.

"And why not? It is a special sword, and I dare say I think it is worthy of having such a name." Zartrack smiled.

Austin then turned the blade over and looked at the other side. Rather than finding the same writing as he had expected, on the other side it said something different.

"And… my name as well." he said, almost surprised.

"As I have made clear, it is yours now. Let it also remind you of what I've always taught you. True courage is about not knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one."

END OF FLASHBACK

"One hell of a gift." said Xun. "And it still looks brand new. You've had this, what, 4 years now?"

"I've looked after it. I keep it clean, I keep it sharp, and I treat it as though it is a part of Me." said Austin.

"You should count yourself lucky." said Xun as she handed the sword back to its master.

"Oh, I do, Xun. Believe me. Sometimes I even still wonder if I am truly worthy of this sword." "It is named after a legend... and it pretty much lives up to that legend." said Austin, gently taking Excalibur back in his hand.

"I say you deserve it, Shepard. You've been leading us for 3 years now, and though not all of our missions have gone smoothly in the past, we've always found a way to succeed. It just makes us want to follow you anywhere, even to death." said Dash.

"Didn't think I'd ever say this, but I agree with Dash." said Kraan approvingly.

"I could not agree more. My 2 years of working with you has also made me come to see you and your squad as friends. Though I have disagreed with you in the past, your courage and wisdom has never led us astray. So I cast my sword with yours, if you will have It." said Xun, drawing her sword and gently holding it out.

"I will have it gladly, Xun. Austin smiled as he let Excalibur gently rest on top of Xun's katana.

"As will we." said Sandra, adding her Sai on top.

This was soon followed by Alaara's stun stick, Leena's tomahawk, one of Ventra's arrows, and one of Dash's pistols.

"You too, Kraan." the Scout smiled.

Though Kraan was unreadable under his helmet, it looked like he did approve. Gently lifting up his minigun, he let the tip rest on top of everyone else's weapons.

Saphira finally topped it off with her hand, creating a light hum of biotics around it.

"Your actions... are my actions." she smiled.

"To unity... and friends." said Austin.

Everyone else immediately replied in union.

"TO UNITY AND FRIENDS."

"You're men have failed to fill the order, which means I've failed my client." Kallun complained.

As it turned out, Alpha had managed to sneak through surprisingly easily, and they already had a visual on Kallun. They were cleverly hidden behind some nearby crates as Kallun oversaw the as of yet unshipped weapons. From this angle, Alpha couldn't see the symbol of Kallun's "client", but there were an awful lot of them.

The crime lord appeared to be in discussion with another man. He didn't look happy.

"We need more time." said the man.

"This is the excuse of a lazy or incompetent man. Which are you?" Kallun asked.

"Neither." the man replied.

"What I see says otherwise." said Kallun. "Now, tell me. What do you intend to do to solve this problem of ours? These weapons are needed now."

"Why do all the crime lords suddenly need weapons? I thought they were in hiding." the man asked.

"They are. These weapons are not for them." Kallun explained. "My new client is... shall we say different."

"And you think it's wise to do business with this "different" faction? After your previous attack by Helldivers and the fact that they have hunted down nearly all the other crime lords now?"

"After my new client promised me their fullest protection, a profitable business, and they also have a cause I can stand behind? Let me think... yes!"

"I see no solution. The men work day and night, but your "client" requires so much. And the destination... it is a difficult route."

"Were it that you could produce weapons with the same skill as you produce excuses."

"I have done all I can."

"It is not enough!" said Kallun angrily. "My client is not a patient man when it comes to things he has been promised."

"Then perhaps you and your new client ask too much."

"Too much?" said Kallun, his rising temper becoming more obvious. "I gave you everything! Without me, you would still be on the streets living in the sewers."

Even the assistant could tell he'd crossed a line by saying this, and he was beginning to shake a bit with fear.

"All I ask in return was you fill the orders I bring you, and you say my client and I ask too much?!" Kallun nearly shouted. "You dare disrespect me? You dare disrespect him? If he was here, you'd be begging for forgiveness, even as he had you impaled on a spike!"

"Please, Mr Kallun, I meant no insult."

"Then you should've kept your mouth shut!"

Kallun suddenly drew a knife out of his suit and sliced the man's stomach, causing him to stagger back with his clothes now stained with his sown blood.

"No! Stop!" he begged.

"Stop? I'm just getting started!"

The next bit was hard for Alpha to watch, especially without doing anything. But they couldn't' risk blowing their cover yet. If Kallun got away again...

Kallun stabbed and slashed the man several more times. It was any wounded how the poor human was still alive.

"You came into my city, stood before my men, and dared to insult me?!" he yelled, finally finishing the man with several deep stabs to the back.

"YOU… MUST… LEARN… YOUR… PLACE!"

Finally he let he body fall. One of Kallun's guards walked up to move the body, but Kallun stopped him with his cane.

"No. Leave the body." he ordered. He then addressed everyone. "Let this be a lesson to the rest of you. Think twice before you tell me something cannot be done. Back to work."

"If we didn't need him alive..." said Saphira angrily.

"I am sorry, Saphira. But we couldn't' risk ruining the plan." said Austin. "Though I am tempted to let you punch him really hard in the face for doing that."

"So what happens now?" Ventra asked.

"We wait. Wait until he's close enough."

Sandra gently took a tranquilizer round from her belt and loaded it into her gun.

As Kallun continued making his way closer and closer, the human readied his shot.

"He's almost in the blind spot. Wait for it..." said Austin.

Sandra tensed herself, ready to fire the second Austin gave the order.

Kallun soon came into view. Just a few seconds later...

"Now!" Austin whispered.

Sandra fired and the tranquiller hit Kallun right on target. With the sedative taking effect immediately, Xun swiftly grabbed him and dragged him behind the crates and out of sight.

Kallun's guards soon noticed that their boss hadn't reappeared.

"Mr Kallun? Mr Kallun!"

Alpha though were long gone now. This time they'd got out without any unexpected surprises.

Kallun slowly stirred as he awoke. When his vision finally cleared, he found himself looking upon a very familiar, and unwelcome, sight.

"Oh just terrific. You lot again." he sighed angrily.

"Did you really think we'd forgotten you, Kallun?" said Austin. "We never forget."

"I see you brought help this time. Too weak to handle this on your own?" Kallun taunted.

"You'd better shut up, or I'm perfectly willing to let my friend here put an arrow through your kneecap." Austin threatened, indicating to Ventra who had his bow ready.

"You'll pay for this. You and all your kind." Kallun spat.

"It seems you're the one who pays now, Kallun. You'll not profit from suffering any longer." said Saphira.

"You think me some petty death dealer suckling at the breast of war, Justicar?" said Kallun. "A strange target, don't you think? Why me when so many others do the same?"

"You believe yourself different then?" Saphira asked.

"Oh, but I am. For I intended to serve a far nobler cause than mere profit... just like them."

"Them? Who are you working for?!" Xun asked.

"I was to be but a piece, a man with a part to play. You'll come to know them soon enough, just as they already know you. They've not taken kindly to what you've done." Kallun smiled cruelly.

"Why do you speak as though they already know?" Austin asked. "Who are they?!"

"You're wasting your time, Helldiver. You'll not be getting anything out of me, and nor will your Arkanes. It is already too late for me."

What happened next literally made everyone jump back, including Saphira. Kallun's head practically exploded as sniper shot hit his head and went right through, leaving a big gaping hole where his left eye had just been, and blood pouring from it all over the place.

"Where did that shot come from?!"

Everyone looked to one of the roofs visible out of the windows. Out of the largest, they suddenly spotted her. None other than the Helldiver Slayer herself stood on top of the nearest and furthest building. She took a moment to stare at the Helldivers, wondering if she should kill them too, then she simply left.

"Should we go after her?" Xun asked.

"We'd be wasting our time. She'll be long gone by the time we get there." Austin sighed.

"One day soon we're going to get even with her too." Kraan snarled.

"Doesn't make sense though. Kallun and T'eenar both hired her. Why kill one of her clients?" Alaara asked, puzzled.

"They're probably not her only clients." said Austin seriously.

As the Slayer descended the stairs of the building, she opened up a comm channel to her... anonymous client.

"It's done. Kallun is dead." she simply said.

With Kallun dead, only one crime lord was left, apart from the Kingpin himself. This time, Alpha were now all the more determined to bring her in alive. Without her, they risked losing their chance of finding the Kingpin and ending this. Kallun's' death had already decreased their chances. This last one was their best shot. There was still the possibility that the Arkanes would be able to get enough information out of the others without the last two, but that wasn't a definite, and both Alpha and the Council weren't willing to take that risk.

Since she had only taken to hiding in an old safe house, it had made her rather easy to find thanks to Xun's contact. With the plan all set up, Alpha readied to breach.

"Alright, everyone. You know the plan. We do this by the book and this time we take her alive." said Austin.

"Just say the word, Commander." Alaara.

Just as Austin was about to give the word however, a sudden explosion inside the safe house caused everyone to jump back in surprise.

"What the fuck?" said Dash.

"Let's get in there!" said Austin.

Leena kicked the door in and everyone filed in. When they did however, they found a rather unexpected sight. The entire place was littered with dead bodies and almost tons of blood.

Noticing the body of the crime lord among them, Saphira hurried up to her and checked for a pulse. Nothing.

"Dammit! She's dead. They all are." Saphira cursed.

"I don't understand. How can someone take them all down without us knowing until the last minute and then just vanish?" said Leena.

"You think it's the Slayer? This does look like a bounty hunter's work." Xun asked.

"I don't think so. This is way too messy and violent for her. This is more like something Kraan would do. No offense." said Dash.

"None taken." said Kraan.

"Shepard!"

Everyone turned to see what Sandra had noticed. A large Krogan wearing the silver Krogan Warlord armour was stood on the upper levels, which were littered with even more dead bodies of ... security forces. Only one was still alive, and the Krogan had a firm hold over him.

Despite the human's struggle however, it was no use. The Krogan then suddenly flung him right over the edge, plummeting to his death. The Krogan looked at them for a minute before turning his back and disappearing into the smoke, leaving Alpha both confused and surprised.

"A bounty hunter." said Kraan. "He did this all by himself too.

"Who the hell was that?" said Ventra.

"I don't know. But I have a feeling that we'll find out very soon." said Dash dramatically.

The Kingpin sat at his desk, awaiting the call he was eager to hear. About 2 years ago he'd thought that perhaps he and the other crime lords could hide from the Helldivers, but now... now it seemed it was impossible to hide from them forever. This meddlesome Alpha Squad had already taken down most of them and had thus forced Kingpin's hand to tie up loose ends. He had been forced to hire Urdnot Thrax to eliminate the last crime lord. Without her and with Kallun also assassinated, he was now certain that the Helldivers would never be able to find him.

And then it happened, the incoming call activating showing a holo of Thrax's face.

"It's done." said Thrax.

"And the Helldivers?" the Kingpin asked.

"Now without a crime lord to interrogate." Thrax replied.

"Good. Without her, I think it's safe to assume their danger to me has passed."

"That's what you think." the Krogan thought. "I'll expect my payment in the usual manner."

"100 million as agreed. You've done well, Thrax." said the Kingpin.

With that, the call ended.

"Believe me, Kingpin, I'm just getting started." said Thrax. "Brace yourself, human. There's a storm coming."

Some thanks to jaffa3 for creating the character fo Thrax and suggesting ideas for future chapters as well.

You might not have noticed, but I also included a special cameo from the true creator of the Helldivers himself. I think he deserves it. Without him, none of this would've been possible. :)

Now, next chapter will be the last one in this act of Origins. After that, it'll be the 3rd Act.

Also to warn you in advance, next chapter will include a sex scene.

Until next time. See you soon! :)
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Mass Effect: The Helldiver Saga, Alpha Origins