The Shadow of Old Transgressions (Homeworld/Mass Effect Crossover Quest)

The Vorcha: A Galactic Pest
The Vorcha are a hardy if short lived species. They have an aggressive clan based structure that resorts to violence as the first, last, and only solution to any problem they face. Combined with their ability to adapt to almost any environment and they have managed to find homes on most space stations and even large ships throughout the galaxy.

Due to the aforementioned violent nature of the Vorcha this is absolutely not what the actual owners of those space stations would prefer, and they tend to spend large sums trying to keep the Vorcha out. However the Vorcha can be quite clever when they need to be and almost nothing short of totally purging a station's atmosphere is enough to get rid of them entirely.

In terms of interaction with the greater galactic society the Vorcha have no government or real technology given their lack of long term planning. Instead they operate in small clans using equipment scavenged from whatever station or planet they happen to be living on. They do make very effective soldiers if brutality is not an issue. As such they see substantial employment in criminal organizations as enforcers, and in more legitimate mercenary organizations as shock troops.

Some mining companies employee them for hazardous excavations due to their robust adaptability, but anything that requires more precision or technical sophistication is usually beyond them. A few Asari companies have attempted to carefully teach vorcha colonies to be more civilized in the hopes of getting more useful workers. However this is seen as somewhat unethical interference by galactic society and tends to fall apart after the first few generations with the colonies reverting to their violent natures.

Somewhat less known is that some Bentusi also have a habit of trying to raise civilized Vorcha. This is frowned on by Bentusi society as a whole as it is seen as perilously close to keeping a sapient creature as a pet, but tolerated in the hopes that a stable Vorcha civilization might be created.

Due to their endemic nature the original home planet of the Vorcha is unknown. It is believed to have been lost some time in the tumultuous era of the Rachni War due to one side or the other bombing it into oblivion. However since the Higarrans utilized the Vorcha heavily as front line troops against the Rachni they were already spread across much of the galaxy by that point.

System Omicron Sixteen
Progenitor Fields

You prepare for a multi pronged attack on the starfish. You will come in from behind while Ulysses's group attacks it head on and the fighters come in from the sides. You are fairly confident in this plan. Your fighter complement is depleted, but Ulysses's group is fresh, and the starfish has been fighting without pause since before you even arrive.

After carefully timing your maneuvers all the elements come together as your fleet hits the starfish from multiple directions. Which is the point when the starfish proves that it really deserves to be the galaxy's bogeyman. It blurs to the side faster than you've ever seen a ship that size move. Well the Wraith's FTL skips are faster, but this is clearly a normal engine burst not some exotic drive system.

The end result is that your carefully orchestrated flank attack is now off center with the majority of your forces now attacking from the same side. You and the flicker frigates are still coming in from the rear, but most of the fighters and Ulysses are now on the same vector.

A vector that the starfish fills with weapons fire. It is no automaton and has clearly learned from the last attack. Your dervishes and cherubs are annihilated with precision ion cannon fire while Ulysses is subjected to a withering plasma barrage. It is fortunate that only three arms are remaining or he would likely need a new body again. You don't escape the starfish's fire either as it proves to have turrets even on its rear hull. Though fortunately your defensive field is enough to keep your group safe.

The battle is saved from being a complete disaster by two things. First the slingers are still working splendidly. Their missile salvo is even denser than before and intermingled with the cherubs to shelter them from the starfish's fire. At the last moment they boost their engines and slam across the starfish's arms. It isn't quite as precise a target as last time, but the arms have already taken repeated poundings and the most damaged one breaks free and begins to drift.

The other stroke of good fortune is that Iuno and Aurora have tuned Iuno's new ark hangars to produce an immense swarm of fighters. A constant stream of acolytes and cherubs swirls between Ulysses and the starfish allowing him to withdraw.

Unfortunately while your own attack run goes relatively better it turns out the starfish has a lot more rear armor than you expected. The Raawan digs into it, but the Marduk and Kwan's weapons just scour away at its armor. It's unfortunate that you've already emptied your missile pod or you could have done more yourself. Something to remember for next time.

In the confusion the starfish darts forward and heads towards your own fleet's support ships. The slingers scatter and Iuno, Laverna, and Aurora have swarms of acolytes, but the shepherds are still replenishing their dervishes leaving them vulnerable. The starfish destroys one with a volley of plasma then slides sideways and literally crushes the other with its two remaining arms.

You begin reading a massive power signature as the starfish turns towards Iuno. It appears to be charging its particle weapon again. You divert more power to your own engines and begin trying to get between the starfish and Iuno when suddenly Ulysses shout's over the flotilla network. "Stand clear!"

He pings a Bentusi hazard warning across the starfish's position and you instinctively peel away. Your elders have drilled that signal into you, and you know Ulysses wouldn't use it for no reason. The Raawan and Kwan turn with you, but the Marduk continues its attack. You don't have time for talk so instead you grab the Kushan frigate with your manipulators and put your engines to full power carrying the heavy frigate away.

As you do a second massive power signature flares from Ulysses position. Taking a closer look with your sensors you see that part of his housing has lifted away exposing what is clearly an enormous cannon that you don't recognize. Ulysses and the starfish rush to complete their respective charging sequences first, but Ulysses proves just a little faster.

A massive fusion charge rockets out of the cannon. The thing is the size of a dervish and quickly closes the distance with the starfish. It attempts to dodge, and even succeeds, but it is insufficient. As the charge passes the starfish it detonates in a cataclysmic explosion that engulfs the starfish and destroys all your nearby fighters. You and the Marduk are buffeted, but fortunately your defensive fields absorb most of the blast.

Once the shock wave passes you recalibrate your sensors and take a look at the starfish. It's remaining arms have been destroyed and its main body is drifting. You still read power signs though so you order every surviving fighter to engage, and after a bit more pounding the starfish finally stops emitting any signs of life.

"What was that Ulysses? Why didn't you use it earlier?" you call over the fleet net.

The other Bentusi laughs, "Haha, well I wasn't sure it would work. I found it in an old wreck. It's why I was so late, but I haven't quite got it figured out yet. I could use a tow by the way."

You take another look and see what he means. The cannon seems to have partially melted Ulysses's hull and he is drifting.

"Just give me a moment and I'll get you straightened out." Aurora is quick to move into position and begin patching him up.

Meanwhile Laverna has started examining the starfish's hulk with a few resource drones. "Yeesh, this thing was tough wasn't it. I guess the elder's war stories were true after all."

As the post battle cleanup proceeds one of the Keeper destroyers leaves the Progenitor hulk, which you are pretty sure must be some sort of Keeper base, and flies over to meet you.

"Thank you Bentusi. I am Oracle and I am grateful for your assistance against the Interloper. What has brought you here to this time and place of our meeting."

Finally you can actually do what you came here for. "We seek aid of our own Oracle. There is a terrible menace threatening the galaxy. We call them the Void Wraiths and they have both advanced technology and the ability to subvert minds and systems."

You send your standard datapack and wait while the Keeper peruses it. "That is concerning indeed. We normally stay out of the affairs of the galaxy, but you have helped us so we will help you. Unfortunately the Interloper has destroyed most of our local forces." The Keeper takes some time to consider and you can feel it communicating with the other destroyer.

"I will accompany you for now. What is your plan to deal with this threat?"

That is the question isn't it. You contemplate your next move as you check in with the others. The Wraiths have been quiet, but that just means you don't know what they're up to. You get the feeling you don't have much time left to collect allies.

[ ] Return to the Grand Conclave
You've gathered more allies and a lot more data. Time to go check back in with the Galactic Council and see if you can convince them this time.

[ ] Help the Illuminated Primacy
With the war you've heard rumors about you doubt the Taiidan have had time to clear out the pirates from the Primacy's colony. It's not the Wraiths and it's perhaps not the most important thing in the grand scheme of things, but there are still lives at stake there.

[ ] Visit Kharak
You aren't sure what's going on with the Kushan right now. Are they fighting a war with the Taiidan. Are they raiding? Is it just one faction of them. Do the remaining exiles on Kharak even know what's going on? Maybe you should find out.

[ ] Resupply at Irune
You've lost a good number of drones now. It might be a good idea to replenish your fleet. The Irunese shipyards would be happy to help with that.

[ ] Seek Bentus's Advice
You've well and truly exceeded your mission parameters. You don't really answer to Bentus in the sense that the flicker races think of superiors and chains of command. But Bentus is still the wisest elder of the Bentusi. It might be a good idea to ask for their advice.


You also consider searching for the Vaygr, but you decide against it. They're too far out in the galactic rim, not too mention hostile, you don't think you'll have time to find them, convince them, and get back before the Wraiths make their move.

Aurora also wants to stop and finish the cruiser, but that should be easy enough.

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Acquired: T-Mat Salvage
New Ally: Oracle-12e
Ships Lost: Shepherd Destroyers

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[ ] Work on the Fleet
-[ ] Pick a Research Project.
-[ ] Pick a Character to work on the project.
-Current Options: Laverna

[ ] Pick a Codex/Interlude
-[ ] Write In
Pick something you'd like to know more about.

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Quest Note: The next bit will actually be an interlude involving the cruiser and how you unlocked it.[/h2]