Shepard Quest Mk VII, Age of Revy (ME/MCU)

[tri2]

IC reasoning for attacking Torfan first? Big amount of enemy naval and ground assets on a less defended location
Torfan less fortified than Khar'shan

take out the enemies there means just that many less in the rest of the total enemy territory, and if it means more enemies leave their more heavily fortified systems to come take back Torfan? even better.

Also since there are dreadnoughts in system that means some high ranking batarians should be here and important data can be captured if they manage to capture their computer's intact.

Batarians massing at Torfan cause of their Terminus 'allies' being part of the group, at least that is what seems to be the reason from the chatter your intel people could overhear. Not want hundreds of allies at khar'shan.

torfan is not really a industrial center as more of a fortress moon, since it was already a heavily defended place when it was just a pirate den with deep underground fortresses and a lot of pirates and ships. now even more so with more underground stuff, surface fortifications, and anti orbital defenses, and a space station built in orbit.

edit: plus not taking out this gathering of military hardware means if attacking somewhere else, like khar'shan you have to worry about a huge ass fleet coming behind you sandwiching you between them and a even more heavily defended place. or they don't and go out and start attacking other places. though admittedly that last one is a risk no matter what, but it is a calculated risk.

 

[Fanhunter696]

why the hanar didn't moved the drell population on a less wet woreld is beyond me.

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Well, they didn't know that moisture was that dangerous to the Drell when they rescued them... So I assume that most of them were already integrated in Kahje when they started getting sick.

And I am pretty sure that most of the Hanar Colonies are also oceanic worlds, so which limits the "Dry Planets" available for the Drell in the Hanar space.

OOC gonna need to research that condition a bit more to see if peak treatment would cure it or make it worse

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And why would make it worse? Despite the legends, Ardat-Yakshi are not demons or monsters, they are Asari unlucky enough to be born with a terrible genetic condition... Change those faulty genes with regular ones and you have an absolutely normal Asari...

We have seen that the Ardat-Yakshi living in monasteries are perfectly normal girls... And for what we have seen on Morinth when Ardat-Yakshi ends up becoming evil monsters is less because they are born psychopaths, and more because when your whole race treats you like a monster to scare their children for what is essentially a rare genetic disease, and your only two options are either to accept life imprisonment or be executed for the crime of existing (It doesn´t matter that you have not harmed anyone)... Well, that tends to mess up your head badly, "The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to receive its warmth" and all that...

I honestly dont want to give Asari more, they already have thousands of years of life, and space magic for everyone of their generations.

Also not to mention the protheans did alter them to be able to use biotics and maybe increase their lifespan. If people want to give Asari the treatment I want to at least make it difficult.

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Well, even if they are already long-lived they are still obviously affected by genetic diseases (just take a look at the Ardat-Yakshi), and we would look like an ass by doing that to every species on the Citadel (and some outside of it) and not doing it to them.

Plus, on the mechanic side of things, changing the -10 mallus for a +10 bonus when dealing with the Council is pretty nice.

 

[tri2]

And why would make it worse? Despite the legends, Ardat-Yakshi are not demons or monsters, they are Asari unlucky enough to be born with a terrible genetic condition... Change those faulty genes with regular ones and you have an absolutely normal Asari...

We have seen that the Ardat-Yakshi living in monasteries are perfectly normal girls... And for what we have seen on Morinth when Ardat-Yakshi ends up becoming evil monsters is less because they are born psychopaths, and more because when your whole race treats you like a monster to scare their children for what is essentially a rare genetic disease, and your only two options are either to accept life imprisonment or be executed for the crime of existing (It doesn´t matter that you have not harmed anyone)... Well, that tends to mess up your head badly, "The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to receive its warmth" and all that...

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the asari claim's it is a terrible genetic condition, but what if it is natural? what if that condition was supposed to be there via the protheans? would peak treatment remove it, or would it strengthen it, would it make the mental issues worse or would it prevent the mental issues? I do not really trust the words of asari when it comes to their own shames

 

[Fanhunter696]

the asari claim's it is a terrible genetic condition, but what if it is natural? what if that condition was supposed to be there via the protheans? would peak treatment remove it, or would it strengthen it, would it make the mental issues worse or would it prevent the mental issues? I do not really trust the words of asari when it comes to their own shames

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Well, for once that what Samara and her wife were told by the doctors that they were both carriers, so that sounded pretty nuch a recesive genetic condition to me...

And I don't really think that the condition was inserted by the Protheans (no matter how powerful a sterile creature is a genetic dead end), but if they do, we'll then it is definitely on their genes (like their natural biotic powers), so the Peak asari should be able to correct it.

 

[Parzival95]

I could easily see the ardat-yakshi being the result of the protheans unfinished work. Being able to kill other people to increase your powers is some cultivation shit.

Not really sure how that works when they kill non-biotics; but ardat-yakshis beginning as a failed Asari super soldier deal could work.

 

[tri2]

yeah, if you keep the prothean desire for a successor warrior race army in mind, the ardat yakshi sounds like the asari version of a super soldier but with a built in replication limiter to make sure it does not reproduce, letting the asari race to naturally create super soldiers that could get stronger by devouring all of their weaker fellows if needed in order to fight the armies of the reapers or even the reapers themselves.

 

[TaliesinSkye]

IC reasoning for attacking Torfan first? Big amount of enemy naval and ground assets on a less defended location
Torfan less fortified than Khar'shan

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This makes sense. Militarily, I think you would call it a spoiling attack. When an enemy is massing forces they're probably getting ready for an offensive. You can stay on the defensive, or you can try to take the fight to the enemy and attack their force while it's still gathering and unprepared. Done well, it can be an extremely effective tactic, and one of the best ways for a smaller force to try to even the odds with a larger one.

I think humanity's admirals are making the right call, and doing the best they can with the forces they have.

 

[newwriter]

Seeing this update was a pleasant surprise. And yeah, I am worried about the planned attack on Torfan. Out of the universe, We know that the Reapers are backing the Batarians. This war is a proxy conflict between the Citadel races and the Reapers. However, to me, it seems that the Reapers, after failing to capture Revy, are now using the conflict to observe Revy's tech in the field.

Considering that the Batarians likely accelerated research on the Leviathan of Dis, it is likely that the Reapers are directing the Batarian war effort through their control of the Batarian government. Not to mention, the Reapers, through the Collectors, likely pushed groups in the Terminus to support the Batarians.

I imagine the Batarians likely have some advanced Reaper tech they have been holding in reserve. Laser Weapons, Advanced Armor, Advanced Mechs? The battle will be a bloodbath.

 

[Ancient One]

The reapers do not actually have laser weapons. They use a sort of magnetic cannon instead that shoots molten metal.

 

[tri2]

The reapers do not actually have laser weapons. They use a sort of magnetic cannon instead that shoots molten metal.

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the mech that attacked landing had laser weapons not just mag cannons

 

[Nalanaya]

the mech that attacked landing had laser weapons not just mag cannons

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Additionally, the Oculus(?) drones, the ground/air mechs that board the Normandy in the Suicide mission and act as Space Superiority for Reaper fleets have a laser weapon in their 'eye'. Albiet one that doesn't rip through shields like it honestly should...but that was probably a game-play thing. Same with Javic's particle rifle needing to chew through less advanced barriers like any other gun.

 

[w34v3r]

yeah, if you keep the prothean desire for a successor warrior race army in mind, the ardat yakshi sounds like the asari version of a super soldier but with a built in replication limiter to make sure it does not reproduce, letting the asari race to naturally create super soldiers that could get stronger by devouring all of their weaker fellows if needed in order to fight the armies of the reapers or even the reapers themselves.

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This is probable, seems like a prothean version of the tree of life virus that Niven humanity used in the Kzin wars, or the adeptus astartes from 40k.

 

[newwriter]

Also, I can't wait to see how the Mordin storyline in this quest will unfold. Out of universe, we know that Mordin is a mole for STG and that he likely has provided classified information on PI to STG. And yet, at the same time, he has played a pivotal role in PI's genetic cures and treatments. The Salarians, and the rest of the Citadel races, would have never accepted gene treatments so quickly from a Human Company (after all, think of all the nasty things a Human Company could do to genetic treatments to other races) if Mordin hadn't given his assurances and stamp of approval.

I am interested in seeing how much information Mordin has passed to STG. Sure he is in the genetic departments of PI, but he is a damn good spy.

@tri2, I noticed that we haven't seen any hints that the Citadel races are producing new tech in response to the SA's new Tiger IFVs, Hammerheads, drones, and Spacefighters. All the major Citadel races have their own powered armor. But I would imagine that behind the scenes, the Turians have been pouring massive sums into upgrading their existing ships. And we know that Citadel Races have a joint RND program in response to PI. I imagine that part of the reason for the significant troop commitment by the Citadel races is to observe the performance of the Tigers and Hammerheads as well as to test their own new toys.

Will we see the Citadel Races deploy new tech like Mechs or new vehicles?

 

[DakkaMania]

This makes sense. Militarily, I think you would call it a spoiling attack. When an enemy is massing forces they're probably getting ready for an offensive. You can stay on the defensive, or you can try to take the fight to the enemy and attack their force while it's still gathering and unprepared. Done well, it can be an extremely effective tactic, and one of the best ways for a smaller force to try to even the odds with a larger one.

I think humanity's admirals are making the right call, and doing the best they can with the forces they have.

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Thee is also the issue that while the Batarians can bypass the Relay network, the SA and Citadel can't.

That means they need to secure strategic points to move their fleets through and set up supply lines.

Places like Torfan.

There is also the issue that bypassing the Relays is a one-way trip. Your fleet either wins and runs back the regular way, or you lose it all.

Taking out Earth or Mindoir was very much worth the potential loss of the fleets. But the Batarians don't have infinite fleets. They can't keep throwing them around without the payoff being worth it.

So odds are further attacks on highly defended worlds are unlikely. Which still forces everyone to keep fleets in easy response range.

My guess is that the Batarians will use it to quickly move reinforcements and drop fleets on SA/Citadel fleets to take them out via local force superiority and then run.

Which is fairly workable as a plan. Except all the Pydnas are probably gonna turn said fleets into so much confetti.

 

[Parzival95]

I dunno, I figure the Reapers have already caused the Geth schism at this point in time. So if this drags on long enough, we could potentially see a Batarian-Heretic alliance under Reaper direction, selling it as splitting the Terminus between them.

Shit, as the Batarians get more desperate I can see them increasingly horrifying the Citadel as they break out more awful Reaper tech and destroy the fabric of their society to fuel the war.

 

[newwriter]

I dunno, I figure the Reapers have already caused the Geth schism at this point in time. So if this drags on long enough, we could potentially see a Batarian-Heretic alliance under Reaper direction, selling it as splitting the Terminus between them.

Shit, as the Batarians get more desperate I can see them increasingly horrifying the Citadel as they break out more awful Reaper tech and destroy the fabric of their society to fuel the war.

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Having the Geth Heretics aid the Batarians would be amazing to see in the quest. Although it would terrify everyone else in-Universe.

 

[UberJJK]

the asari claim's it is a terrible genetic condition, but what if it is natural? what if that condition was supposed to be there via the protheans? would peak treatment remove it, or would it strengthen it, would it make the mental issues worse or would it prevent the mental issues? I do not really trust the words of asari when it comes to their own shames

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Would that matter though? Peak Human isn't some magical "Press X to double SPEICAL stats" or nonsense like that. It is an advanced genetic modification program to optimize human capabilities and is explicitly customizable:

Dr. Young finally got to the end of his review saying, "All things told we'll probably need a full year of treatment to fix the bone structure. That does however give us a lot of time for the upgrade cycles."

"We have several options, the buff superman look has been very popular." the Doctor continued, switching the screen to show a 3d hologram of Jeff, but with the physique of a well muscled body builder.

"Of course we can go all out," the screen showed even buffer Jeff, "or go for something more moderate," the screen switched again showing a build more suited for an acrobat.

"Reflexes," Jeff injected during a pause, "I don't really care about being super strong or tough, just a bit more durable than I am now. But reflexes, agility, dexterity that stuff has high as you can go."

With a few key presses the screen shifted again. The on-screen Jeff changed, still athletic looking but defiantly built for agility. "Yeah like that."

"Well good then. I'll have the treatment setup for that."

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so I don't see the program doing anything we don't want it to do. Especially when treating AYs is a separate tech (although as a weapons program removing the breeding limitation by letting AYs choose to kill rather then being locked on would be an interesting cure).

Instead I think the far superior complication would be finding out that ancient Asari were genetically modified. That alone would be a problem for a lot of Asari but finding out that AYs were intentionally created by whoever modified them would cause all manner of social unrest if revealed.

 

[Red Bovine]

Something I think can reasonable happen is that the Earths governments making changes so that no singular person like Revy could have too much influence on Earth. Which would be hilariously ironic since said laws would do a lot of good by reducing the influence of rich people and companies on Earth governments. Doubly ironic if it was the elite and powerful people on Earth that pushed for it because they feared Revy taking control of everything on Earth with her influence and so thought it was 'the lesser evil' here.

 

[Nalanaya]

I suppose if we're bringing up wide-reaching stuff...one thing I found a little odd was the constant comments on how nice humanity was for spreading around Peak Genetic treatments, or how surprising it was that they had 'forgiven' the Turians for their war. And while that might actually be the case for the average Citadel citizen...I'd think the higher-ups and those closer to the source (in particular Mordin as POV for a lot of these comments) would know better. Dr. Rebecca Shepard and the Sirta Foundation are the generous souls freely (or as close to that as is economically feasible) releasing these treatments. And they are very much outliers. Humanity as a whole has had very little to do with it, and for the most part Paragon hasn't really been a thing long enough to start changing the zeitgeist that dramatically yet.

Now, the humans are definitely taking advantage of that kind of rep, and it's certainly true that having it and the benefits it brings could actually shift the human race and their politics into genuinely being more xeno-friendly and integrated into galactic affairs...but they nevertheless aren't all different people just yet. Still the same old new kid on the block with a habit of rushing colonization (though that has been sharply curbed), grasping for power (it's kinda ridiculous how fast the SA rose in prominence in the Citadel in canon relative to their age and size, though at the same time the Council was also fairly stagnant to just make that contrast harder), and with a deeply unpleasant and not at all minor human supremacy party near the core of it's politics (though, they aren't unique in that regard).

 

[newwriter]

Something I think can reasonable happen is that the Earths governments making changes so that no singular person like Revy could have too much influence on Earth. Which would be hilariously ironic since said laws would do a lot of good by reducing the influence of rich people and companies on Earth governments. Doubly ironic if it was the elite and powerful people on Earth that pushed for it because they feared Revy taking control of everything on Earth with her influence and so thought it was 'the lesser evil' here.

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I would imagine that the earth-centric corporations/more established corporations would put some form of loopholes to legalize their influence while discriminating against off-world corporations. Perhaps, a law requiring several years for off-world companies to become naturalized on Earth before being allowed to donate to Earth Political parties, etc. Of course, Earth-based/pre-first contact war corporations would be exempted.

 

[UberJJK]

Something I think can reasonable happen is that the Earths governments making changes so that no singular person like Revy could have too much influence on Earth. Which would be hilariously ironic since said laws would do a lot of good by reducing the influence of rich people and companies on Earth governments. Doubly ironic if it was the elite and powerful people on Earth that pushed for it because they feared Revy taking control of everything on Earth with her influence and so thought it was 'the lesser evil' here.

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While certainly possible that some governments might do so Earth is currently divided into at least 19 large governments, the 18 founding members of the Systems Alliance and the Union of Incorporated Nations made up of nations too weak to be invited to the Alliance table, and there are solid implications for even more nation states to exist. So while at least some will certainly try we only really need one to defect and accept PI influence to act as a test case and demonstration for the other nations to see the benefits.

Something else to consider is that Paragon Industries is already representing what many would consider a concerning percentage of the Alliance's GDP. Based off old estimates I think we are projected to account for something like 4%-5% of the Alliance's total GDP this year. Which fits with Hacketts thoughts in this update:

The amount of taxes gained from her company were the main reason why they were able to rapidly expand the Alliance Navy to its current size, before the total of ships was less than 700, but now they were able to almost double that, significantly strengthening the current fleets.

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This quarter we paid 1.7 trillion credits in taxes and a further 1.0 trillion credits to purchase a planet. Sure we made something like nine trillion credits from selling military hardware to the Alliance but we are the golden goose in so many ways a lot of people are probably terrified over the influence we wield. Only offset by the fact by every account Revy does her best to act like the Paragon her company is named after. Even that is probably concerning to a lot of people who fear she'll cause serious, if perhaps benefical, disruptions to things they care about because she thinks its right.

 

[Red Bovine]

SNIP

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Eh, could see SA deciding that being more pro alien is extremely beneficial in the long term and may be helping out Revy an PI along with encouraging human and alien friendship. Think about it, while Revy does give a huge advantage it doesn't change the fact that humanity is pretty much outnumbered by the alien races who have been around to build for literally thousands of years with the Citadel Council being over 2 thousand years old. With likely the main reason that humanity is able to fight the Batarians as well as they have due to them being crippled by sanction for hundreds of years, leading to severe reduction and even degradation of all their industry.

By integrating and having great relations with the Council races it lets them expand a lot more easily and having more power overall. Especially considering that humanity is likely close to getting a council seat due to all that's been going on.

As for the capitalist dystopian conditions in Mass Effect; well we can absolutely solve that for humanity if we want. Earth's population is 11.4 billion while a Paragon Industries Arcology houses 10 million for 2.5 billion credits, 100 Production, and one quarter. A thousand of those would thus house 10 billion people for 2.5 trillion credits and 100,000 Production. Depending upon what our other demands for funds and Production look like we could arguably do that next quarter.

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Canonically Mass Effect Andromeda had the Arks which IIRC could each hold aorund 100 thousand people and there were around 4-6 of them. And that was supposed to be a secret project done in secret. Imagine that we could do better with Revy's tech and industrial capability. Thinking it may be plausible to build an ark that transports 10 times that number to a planet in around a month at since according to google around 6 million people travel by plane across the world each day if I got that right.

Snip

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Think that a realistic problem a lot of people would have is that even if Revy herself is a good person many could be understandably worried if someone else with as much capability as Revy shows up. An there is also the fact that Revy could end up dead and the people that replace her could be far less benevolent.

Just look at all the real life issues caused by a number of companies that don't care about anything but making money. That said think that as long as we stick to space colonies for doing really crazy stuff an having more influence over would probably be less problematic for the established people on Earth.

 

[Slamu]

the asari claim's it is a terrible genetic condition, but what if it is natural? what if that condition was supposed to be there via the protheans? would peak treatment remove it, or would it strengthen it, would it make the mental issues worse or would it prevent the mental issues? I do not really trust the words of asari when it comes to their own shames

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I mean, that implies you would trust the Asari about other things. I trust them less than the Salarians, honestly. At least with the Krogan you know where you stand.

 

[HanEmpire]

Wonder what the Council of Matriarchs are up to these days. They must be running some deep social engineering to check Humanity's rise and keep the Asari on top. What could it be?

 

[Slayer 10321]

Wonder what the Council of Matriarchs are up to these days. They must be running some deep social engineering to check Humanity's rise and keep the Asari on top. What could it be?

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Keep in Humanities good graces and angle for being the preferred partners when it comes to business deals and R&D projects?

They're smart enough to see that keeping Humanity down is counterproductive and ultimately detrimental to their best interests. So they'll just hitch themselves to Humanities rocket and milk for all its worth, how Humans like Asari for being so similar to themselves.