Returning from his subspace, Markus steps back aboard Raven and immediately reviews the latest data on Shepard's operations. He notes with quiet precision whether the Noveria quest has been initiated, his mind cataloguing every detail as he has two objectives within Noveria. First, he intends to raise Matriarch Benezia into a hybrid. He envisions harnessing her legacy as an Asari Matriarch, different from the Asari Spectre he raised, a true matriarch will have more refined biotic mastery. Through raising Benezia Markus will have a summonable units of pure biotic force. Tools to serve his purpose of diversity in his forces. WL1 is a powerful unit yet Markus wants a "local variety" to put it mildly. It's a calculated maneuver that promises a reliable cadre of loyal, if a bit modified, Asari operatives.
His second target lies in the ancient, nearly forgotten depths of Noveria. The Rachni queen. By raising her as a hybrid, Markus plans to secure a unique asset: a force whose primal capabilities, when integrated with his own methods, will greatly enhance his arsenal and size of his army. By simply commanding the summoned or hybrid Rachni Queen he will have endless units of Rachni Soldiers and Brood Warriors.
Despite the magnitude of these ambitions, Markus isn't one to rush headlong into matters without taking a moment to recalibrate. He understands the value of a brief respite, particularly when spent a year experimenting on Geth units. To that end, he instructs Onyx to set Raven's course for Omega. In the notorious expanse of the Afterlife, where vice and revelry provide a welcome distraction from the burdens of his plans, Markus intends to take a well deserved break.
In his quarters, amidst the hum of some music from the world he transmigrated, Markus allows himself a measured moment of wry reflection. He notes, with a touch of dry humor, that Shepard has sent multiple contracts addressed especially for him. He will not make it easy for the spirited commander to fix his "error" in judgement.
As the Raven glided silently toward Omega, an urgent transmission crackled over the decks. A terse communication destined for Aria. Memories of their last encounter still haunted her; Figure of the Ghost, a force of nature cloaked in darkness, had left a mark on her soul. She swiftly abandoned her loft in Afterlife, aware that provoking such an entity would only invite disaster.
Meanwhile, Markus stored the Raven within his subspace. In a heartbeat, he teleported to the threshold of Afterlife. As he stepped in, every eye within the club turned, a silent testament to his overwhelming presence. Towering at 2.5 meters in gleaming Defender armor, his muscular form cut an awe inspiring figure, exuding both dread and undeniable authority.
Making his way to the VIP loft, Markus found it deserted. A sly chuckle escaped him as he mused that Aria had, at long last, learned her lesson in humiliation.
In the pulsating heart of Afterlife, the dance floor shimmered under vibrant neon lights, a kinetic tableau of diverse beauty and primal energy. Quarian figures moved with fluid, mechanical grace, their intricate, luminescent visors reflecting the rhythmic pulses of the music. Nearby, human women swayed with a raw, untamed sensuality, their expressive movements a blend of instinct and art. Asari women glided with ethereal elegance, each step measured and mesmerizing, their blue skinned grace enhanced by centuries of refined culture. Their lithe, figure captivating, opalescent skin lent an otherworldly allure to every provocative move, as if they were in tune with the very pulse of the music.
Scanning the floor with a predator's precision, Markus's piercing gaze settled on a particular Asari and a Quarian whose dancing exuded an irresistible combination of confidence and subtle provocation. With a mere thought, he activated Absolute Subjugation, his power effortlessly bending their will. In a moment of hypnotic command, the chosen dancers found themselves compelled to leave the frenzied revelry behind and follow his silent summons to the VIP loft. Their elegant forms, now moving with a predetermined grace, disappeared into the deeper shadows of the club.
Nearly sixteen hours passed in the hushed, opulent confines of the VIP lounge, the air shimmered with an intoxicating blend of music and moans of pleasure. Markus, lounged amidst his carefully chosen companions. With effortless telekinetic finesse, he began donning his Defender armor, each piece sliding into place guided by his will. Reinforcing his satisfaction in both body and mind was the beautiful glow of ambient lighting reflecting on the Quarian's recently freed from her tight suit figure. Her light hued form a delicate, luminous contrast against the ambiance. He savored the tactile memory of her skin, marked by dark, thin elegant lines as a tigress, each subtle caress igniting quiet, unspoken pleasures as hours melded into a seamless, decadent reverie. The Asari on the other hand was a wild cat. Her light blue skin was a delicacy on it's own. Large assets jiggled through the hours of their shared relaxation session. Even though they had some difficulties on let's say logistics because of the size difference. Especially the quarrian beauty with her height of around 1.40 meter. They endured the ordeal of satisfying him and this in itself was deserving an applause. Maybe he should try Hanar next time he mused to himself.
When the moment of parting arrived, Markus's eyes gleamed with a cold, calculated light. Activating Absolute Subjugation again, he delicately erased any memory of his face and his true race from the minds of his enchanting companions. In a display of ruthless benevolence which he decided they earned through hard work, he let them to remain in the tender embrace of each other, left in a state of satisfied, tranquil slumber.
Markus teleported back to the perfect silence of the void outside Omega station, his mind calm and unyielding. Retrieving the Raven from his subspace, he reappeared in his private quarters and issued a command to Onyx: "Set a course for Noveria."
Meanwhile, aboard the Normandy, Commander Shepard sat brooding in his quarters, his expression a blend of regret and frustration. Every contract he had extended to Ghost had been rejected, a bitter reminder of the error he had made at the meeting on Normandy. Shepard's thoughts drifted to Tali's words, the fleet had been trying to secure a meeting with the Ghost for over a year, and only after a year and a half had the Systems Alliance even managed to have a meeting. Now, it seemed, his miscalculation might have cost him a formidable ally.
Unable to bear the weight of his own mistakes, Shepard decided it was time to seek counsel from those who understood the harsh realities of interstellar warfare. He gathered with his trusted crew members. Garrus Vakarian, Urdnot Wrex, and the last addition Liara T'Soni, to discuss the Ghost and the ramifications of his own failed attempt to assert authority over him.
In the cramped, utilitarian mess hall of the Normandy, Shepard initiated the conversation with a deep sigh. "I need your honest take on the Ghost situation," he began, his voice laced with both remorse and determination. "My attempts went nowhere, and I feel like I lost a chance to keep him within our reach."
Garrus leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Shepard, you know Ghost isn't someone you can just boss around like a regular soldier. He's a phantom that does what he pleases. I mean, his methods are beyond our comprehension. Trying to pull rank on him was a rookie mistake, plain and simple."
Wrex grunted in agreement, his voice deep and gravelly. "Aye, you made a mistake, Commander. You can't demand respect from a predator; you earn it by staying out of its way and letting it do what it does best. Ghost's got a reputation for decimating forces that would make even a Krogan sweat. You just pushed your chances too far."
Liara, with her gentle but piercing Asari insight, interjected softly, "It's not just about respect, Shepard. From an Asari perspective, Ghost represents a wild card in the balance of power within Citadel space. His actions, like the complete annihilation of those slavers and Batarians show that he possesses the potential to shift the entire power structure. Even if he's registered merely as a mercenary, his abilities are on a scale that could redefine our understanding of biotic power." She paused, her violet eyes reflecting both admiration and concern. "If he ever decides to align with one side, it could tip the scales in ways we can scarcely imagine. Just think if Salarians, Turians or may the Goddess forbid the Asari lost their government overnight. Without a commanding structure or even a spec of government Thessia, Palaven or Sur'Kesh will be in chaos. This person has proven hundreds of times that he has the ability to do this and this was the main reason for Asari, Turian and Salarians to approach him with respect and caution."
Shepard rubbed his temples, his frustration evident. "I understand that now, but it still hurts to realize that my attempt to assert control only angered him," he admitted, his voice low and conflicted. "I wanted to harness his potential for the Alliance, but it seems I only ended up underestimating him. I feel lucky to be alive to be honest"
Garrus offered a wry smile. "At least now you know better, Commander. Ghost isn't a tool you can just plug into your strategy. He's unpredictable, and trying to force him into our mold is like trying to contain a star in a jar."
Wrex chuckled, shaking his massive head. "You can't command a predator. You earn its wary cooperation. If you want Ghost on our side, you need to approach him with humility, not hubris. Let him see that you're worth his while, not someone who's just trying to assert authority."
Liara added, her tone measured and insightful, "And remember, even as a Spectre, you have to recognize that our collective strength depends on understanding these forces, not trying to control them outright. Ghost's actions, though chaotic, are a reminder that the galaxy is shifting. You must learn to work with such unpredictable elements rather than attempting to corral them."
Shepard exhaled slowly, absorbing the gravity of his crew's counsel. "I appreciate your insights. I suppose the only way forward is to adjust our approach and find a way to engage him on his terms," he concluded, his voice a mix of determination and humility. "We have to find a balance, or risk having him as an enemy."
As Raven approached Noveria's orbit Onyx's measured voice crackled through his comm, "Normandy is already stationed on Noveria, sir." Markus ordered Onyx to start to descent and land next to Normandy just so Joker might have a field day.
Meanwhile, near the entrance of the research facility on Noveria, Commander Shepard and his team of Garrus, Tali, and Ashley were already en route to the Research Facility. In a quiet corridor, Joker's familiar, playful tone broke the tension. "Hey, Commander, you should see Raven's arrival, she's looking absolutely stellar today! I've never seen a ship float with such grace. I might just fall head over heels for her curves," Joker quipped, his voice dripping with admiration, as he choose to inform the Commander on Markus's arrival in his own way.
As Raven landed adjacent to Normandy on Noveria, Shepard frowned while recalling the recent string of rejected contracts. "I can't believe every offer I sent to Ghost was shot down," he muttered. Determined to learn from his misstep, Shepard gathered his trusted crew in a quiet alcove near the facility entrance. to wait for Ghost's arrival.
Ashley crossed her arms, her tone skeptical. "I still think he's just another mercenary. A thug who got lucky a few times. We can't be sure he's the game changer you make him out to be," she remarked, others exchanged knowing glances.
Markus stepped into the entrance of the Research Facility at that moment. As he emerged, his imposing figure clad in sleek Defender armor turned heads; his eyes swept over the gathered group. He acknowledged only Garrus and Tali with a refined nod, then turned to Shepard. "Ah, a Spectre, is it? Whatever shall I do? I trust the big, bad Spectre won't dare arrest me," he drawled, his tone dripping with amusement. He deliberately ignored Ashley's presence. Even when he was playing Mass Effect 1 on his PC he disliked this character. He turned to Garrus and asked if Joker was still singing praises to Raven.
Garrus couldn't help but let out a low chuckle as he confirmed Markus's question, he turned to Shepard "You really think you can boss the Ghost around, Commander?" he asked in mockery "Look at him, towering at 2.5 meters and his figure is like a living fortress. No one's seen him without his helmet, so his true race is anyone's guess." Tali smiled warmly at Markus, "Indeed, your form is impressive, Ghost. Also I'm eager to learn more about the technology behind Raven sometime, if possible of course." she added. Markus inclined his head slightly and replied with playful elegance, "Perhaps, dear, I might arrange a private tour just for you, if you so desire."
Garrus chuckled again, "Tali, you know you're a bit short even for a Quarian, while Ghost here is nearly double your height!" Markus shot back with a mock bow, "I assure you, I am a gentleman of the highest quality, regardless of any perceived differences in stature." As the conversation grew lively, Ashley attempted a jab, declaring, "You are just another mercenary, a killer and nothing more." In response, Markus's eyes narrowed with cold amusement as he silently fixed her with a telekinetic grip, freezing her mid sentence. Turning to Shepard, he remarked sharply, "This is the second time a human has shown such disrespect, Spectre. Perhaps your kind lacks the wisdom to comprehend civility." he turned to Ashley "Let's see if maturity might add some wisdom to your insight." he added. With a thought he used reality manipulation, aging Ashley by fifty years in a heartbeat, her transformation leaving the group momentarily stunned. Markus released Ashley from his telekinetic grip. She fall and in her old body was not able to stand up immediately, she tried to pull her weapon. "Now, now," Markus mocked with a refined sneer, "such unseemly anger is hardly beneficial to your health at this age. It seems that not all wisdom is gained with maturity. Perhaps I should simply end you." he toned with a cold voice, turning once more to Shepard, he intoned, "This is precisely why the Systems Alliance has an enemy now. You will explain this to your superiors" he concluded while moving forward without waiting for them.
Commander and his team rushed after him as he was not bothered by the attack bots or the Rachni he simply take control of the bots and killed the rachni soldiers with telekinesis. He reached the chamber where Matriarch Benezia awaited. When Shepard and his team Garrus, Tali, and Ashley arrived at the Secure Lab entrance, Benezia immediately summoned a squad of elite Asari Commandos to her side. In one fluid motion, Markus with a graceful yet chilling display of telekinetic force, effortlessly dispersed the commandos, their bodies crumpling as if turned off
Stepping forward into the dim light, Markus approached Benezia, positioned before the looming figure of the Rachni Queen. Benezia, her indoctrination momentarily broken, spoke with quiet urgency, "Shepard, listen, Saren is the one responsible for the assault on Eden Prime." The Matriarch started to explain the Sovereign, how it was indoctrinating anyone inside of it and what she was doing here. She gave the coordinates of the Mu Relay to Shepard and turned to Markus. He regarded her coolly, a wry smile playing at the edges of his voice as he interjected, "Matriarch, it appears the indoctrination has already muddled your faculties." Benezia, nodding slowly, added, "Indeed, and I fear Saren tried to seek you out to indoctrinate you as well." Markus chuckled softly, his tone refined and dismissive. "Rest assured, I welcome such trivial attemts," he replied. "Now, the question remains: what shall you do with your diminishing freedom?"
After a measured pause, Benezia's eyes darkened with resignation. "Kill me, please," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I no longer wish to be Saren's puppet, trapped in this endless cycle of servitude." Geth units arrived the moment she finished her sentence. Without missing a beat, Markus extended his hand, his voice calm and posh as he declared, "Ah, the vacuum cleaners have arrived." With a subtle gesture, he commandeered control of the incoming Geth, their synthetic voices falling silent under his command.
Tali, unable to contain her astonishment, spoke up, "Ghost, how! Just, how exactly do you control these Geth? Could this power be extended or replicated to assist the fleet?" Markus raised a hand, a glimmer of amused patience in his voice. "Quiet, Tali," he replied coolly. "The Geth are merely machines, living constructs, if you will, that have earned their right to exist to my judgement. They pose no threat to me, nor do they demand our intervention. As for the fleet, every being must live with the choices it makes." Turning his attention to Shepard, he added, "Is that not so, Spectre?" Shepard opened his mouth to offer an apology for Ashley's previous behavior, but Markus dismissed him with a casual wave. "Do not trouble yourself with petty apologies, Commander. I trust you will ponder this matter in due time."
With an air of finality, Markus fixed his gaze on Benezia. "Matriarch, are you truly certain of your decision?" he inquired, his tone laced with both refined disdain and icy resolve. After a long, silent moment, Benezia murmured her assent. Markus's eyes flashed; with a simple thought, he extinguished her life in an instant. He then turned to the controlled Geth and commanded, "Collect the bodies of the fallen Asari Commandos I will deliver them to Thessia, along with the Matriarch." Shifting his attention to the Rachni Queen, he activated a lethal gas that quickly ended her reign, then moved her body into his subspace without alerting Shepard and his team. With his mission complete, he nodded to Garrus and Tali and turned to Shepard again pointing to Ashley with his head "I might revert her to her idiotic state in the future, send my regards to the Admirals." he concluded. He activated his Ethereal Wraith form once more and vanished with the bodies of the Asari Commandos, Matriarch and the Geth he controlled, leaving behind a pile of questions, an elderly idiot, a shocked Quarrian, an amused Turian and lastly an irritated Spectre.
Markus returned to the Raven with his grim spoils. The bodies of the fallen and a cadre of controlled Geth, his mind already whirring with plans for transformation. Once aboard, he initiated his scanning procedure on the lifeless form of Matriarch Benezia. With clinical precision, he created a copy of her corpse with his reality manipulation, then began the process of hybrid resurrection. Adjustments were made during the process: he increased her height and subtly reduced her age and size of her chest, ensuring that the resulting hybrid would bear little resemblance to the former matriarch, and thus remain unrecognizable.
Not pausing long to admire his work, Markus turned his attention to his second objective. In the shadowed depths of the facility, he retrieved the dead Rachni Queen and initiated the resurrection process, raising her as a hybrid. A move that would grant him access to a relentless force of Rachni Soldiers and Brood Warriors, free from the limitations of his summoning count. Satisfied with these initial transformations, he then moved into his private subspace, a realm where time and resources bent to his will.
Within the subspace, he recalled the previously raised Rachni Queen to test her capabilities. "Queen, I want you to lay as many brood warrior eggs as you can in five minutes," he intoned with refined authority. In a amazing display of biological precision, the queen began laying eggs. 100 brood warrior eggs in five minutes, using only minuscule fractions of his MP. When he ordered her to hatch the eggs, she consumed nearly 0.5% of his mana for every hundred eggs produced. Satisfied with the queen's efficiency, he added another three queens and ordered them, "Produce a force of 50,000 brood warriors. Let them stand ready for deployment."
Markus summoned a Matriarch and began the delicate process of integrating his Apex Fusion Protocol into her. His aim was to forge a unit that rivaled his WL1 hybrids, yet remained purely emblematic of the Mass Effect universe. Once the skill integration was complete, he proceeded to summon a total of 50 such Matriarchs. With a wave of his hand, he materialized skin tight matte black armor, reminiscent of that donned by female Quarians, though more refined. Outfitted with Blackwidow and M-76 Revenant rifles as standard weapons, they were assigned as elite guards for the Raven.
As the ship's course shifted toward Thessia, Markus transmitted a concise report to the Counselor Tevos regarding the events of Noveria. After a few jumps, he reached to Thessia's orbit, where an Asari frigate approached Raven. Twelve Asari commandos boarded his ship with solemn efficiency, tasked with retrieving the bodies of the Matriarch and Commandos. In a hushed, ritualistic tone, one commando whispered, "Returning to the Goddesses' embrace." They expressed deep gratitude in accordance with their cultural rites, a ceremony of honor that Markus regarded with mild disinterest.
In the dimly lit confines of a secure conference chamber aboard the Normandy, Commander Shepard addressed Admirals Anderson and Hackett through a crystal clear comm channel. Commander Shepard's voice resonated with a measured gravity as he reported the harrowing events of Noveria. "Sir, I must relay the consequences of our engagement in Noveria," he began, his tone heavy with regret. "My attempts to secure the elusive operative were met with rejection. Most notably the sudden, unprovoked alteration which resulted in some changes in Ashley's body have left us reeling. It appears that my overreach has cost us a formidable ally."
Admiral Heckett's response was measured, his voice low and controlled. "Commander, you speak of a capability beyond our comprehension. A power to alter the biological existence. Explain in precise detail what transpired." Shepard paused, gathering his thoughts, "During the confrontation, Ghost, with cold efficiency, dismissed our attempts. After Ashley's cavalier remarks and disrespectful tone Ghost has transformed Ashley's body. In an instant, she was aged by at least fifty years."
Admiral Hackett interjected, "Such an ability, manipulating biological age at will is unprecedented. It suggests that this individual is not merely a mercenary. Was there any other irregularity as well?"
Shepard's voice grew somber. "In the same engagement, I observed him commandeering Geth units with an ease that unsettled even our most advanced expert on them. With nothing more than a gesture, he imposed his will upon them, taking control of their networked intelligence to his command. This ability to subjugate digital minds signals a threat that extends far beyond conventional warfare."
As Shepard continued, his words were laced with a mixture of frustration and reluctant awe. "Furthermore, during our confrontation with Matriarch Benezia, she momentarily broke free from Saren's control and confessed that he was behind the assault on Eden Prime. She also mentioned he was employing a form of indoctrination to control her. Ghost dismissed her with a remark, asserting that the indoctrination had already muddled her faculties"
Admiral Anderson's tone carried a blend of concern and determination. "This is grave news, Commander. The implications of an operative capable of such profound biological and synthetic manipulation cannot be overstated. We must reassess our strategic posture." he added with a measured tone "Also I want a clear report of this Indoctrination you mentioned"
Admiral Hackett added, "It is imperative that we recover Ashley for scientific evaluation. Her altered state, as horrifying as it is, may offer us invaluable insights into the nature of this power. Our scientists must conduct rigorous tests to fully understand the mechanisms at work here."
Shepard, his voice subdued yet resolute, responded, "Understood, sir. I am coordinating her immediate transfer to Earth."
After leaving the communications room, Shepard lingered in the low lit corridor, his mind still reeling from the events. It was not long before Tali strode in with urgent determination, her eyes alight with a purpose she went in to room to report to the Quarian Migrant Fleet even as she was serving aboard the Normandy. In measured tones, she recounted the latest intelligence: Ghost had demonstrated his uncanny ability to seize control of Geth units remotely, a revelation that promised to upend everything the Migrant Fleet thought it knew about digital warfare with their nemesis. Her report, filled with technical precision and quiet awe.
Back on Normandy, Shepard's thoughts were heavy with regret and a wounded pride, especially in the wake of Ashley's public humiliation. A transformation so abrupt that it had left her a relic of her former self, she will be under constant observation by relentless scientists. In the aftermath of that incident, the absurdity of her "vacation" became a bitter joke to him; a sarcastic reminder of his own overreach. It was during this reflective moment that he decided to complete the mission on Feros. A campaign to investigate the beleaguered human colony of Zhu's Hope, where Geth forces, ancient ruins, and mysterious threats converged. Though the mission promised its own share of dangers and revelations, Shepard could not shake the sting of his previous error.
Meanwhile, Markus had not paused for contemplation. With efficiency, he had directed Onyx to scour Mercenary networks for assassination contracts on Earth. Onyx swiftly returned a tally of seventy contracts targeting key figures within the Systems Alliance; In a few calculated edits to excise names critical to the ongoing narrative of Mass Effect 1, 2 and 3's plot Markus accepted a total of sixty contracts. In a matter of four days, every designated target was executed with flawless precision, a message delivered in cold, unyielding strokes that reverberated across the Alliance. He has not forget to leave the small figurines as clear sign to who has conducted these works of art.
The carnage did not go unnoticed. High command and the admirals of the Human Alliance convened an emergency meeting, where Admiral Hackett's measured tone broke the tense silence. He explained that the recent wave of eliminations, so meticulously orchestrated appeared to be a direct response to the earlier debacle with Ashley Williams and Shepard's misguided attempt to assert authority over the rogue operator that defied conventional control. The gravity of the situation was palpable as Hackett underscored that these killings were not mere collateral damage, but a calculated retort by the Ghost, whose powers to alter biological states and commandeer digital entities had far surpassed all expectations.
Deeply troubled by these developments, Shepard upon his return from Feros resolved to act swiftly. He set course to the Citadel, where he sought an audience with the Council. In hushed tones and with measured resolve, he explained the unfolding crisis and implored the Council to facilitate a meeting with Ghost on behalf of the Systems Alliance. The Council, though reluctant as they were aware that Ghost operated independently and was not bound by their authority, agreed to forward the Alliance's request via the direct communication channels they have. In his final act of that day, Markus agreed to the request as he did not want to destabilize the Human faction anymore. With an air of quiet detachment, he ordered Onyx to set a course for the Citadel. Signaling the beginning of a new chapter.