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

Deep Void

Bentusi Relay Post

"It would ease our minds if you were better equipped. After all exiting the galaxy is no easy feat in the best of times, which these are certainly not. We have heard that you were already preparing to begin the transition to a harborship. Would it be possible for you to do so now?"

Gallus considers before replying, "I can certainly see your point, and it would indeed be a good if I could build a larger frame. However there are certain difficulties. Such a thing is normally accomplished by multiple elders working in concert. There is no defined design for a harborship, but rather what they design and build together. The process normally takes several decades and is not easily replicable."

"If we were to try and accomplish it." There is a pause as Gallus does some simulations, "It is possible barely. We will need some place to build a shipyard of large enough scale. A system with plenty of resources and time to build in safety. And we will need a harborship class hyperspace core. Unfortunately the calculations required to produce one from scratch our beyond combined intellect. Without more elders involved we will have to acquire one from a derelict harborship, of which sadly there are several."

"I can take you to the Irune system. They are safe and rich, and they owe us several favors. I think I can convince them to build the necessary shipyard for us. They built this body after all." Iuno does a little twirl, or rather a very large one in her massive Ark frame.

"That will be suitable. How well versed are you in ship design?"

"Not as much as I would likely need to be for this project. Aurora and Laverna handle most of the needs for hull designs in our group."

"Unfortunate, from my scans she is the only one with a large enough hangar to move a hyperspace core besides myself."

"I could come with you to Irune while the others search for a core."

"That would cost us an entire extra trip, and there's no telling where we'll finally find one. Better if you come with us."

"Yes, I'll just work on the schematics as well as I can with Iuno." Gallus shares a few of the design problems so your group knows exactly what is necessary. Unfortunately they are extremely daunting. Harborships are not simple to build.

"What if we find other elders? Would that help?" you ask after considering various plans to salvage a hyperspace core.

"Certainly, I'll upload a list of those I have talked with about the matter. But I cannot say where any of them are now?"

"Well we'll keep an eye out at least."

There are a few last minute details to take care of, such as Aurora sending all the children she was caring for over to Gallus, and then the elder Bentusi and Iuno jump to hyperspace to make the trip back to Irune. Oracle 13 joins them for protection.

The rest of you consider where you might be able to find an actual hyperspace core. Obviously you'll have to search the site of a battle where a harborship was destroyed, which is a terrifying prospect in itself, but one you have steeled yourself too.

The question is which one, and you are regretful that you even have options.

[ ] Daidalos
Daidalos was one of the harborships who supported the Sentinels in their war against the T-Mat. Unfortunately the reef ship Enlil found and destroyed Daidalos as the opening move in its campaign to reach the Grand Conclave. With how recent the battle was it's likely that if the hyperspace core survived the attack, then no one will have taken it yet. However you will likely need to deal with salvagers actively combing the wreckage.

[ ] Aegle
Aegle was destroyed heroically when they protected a cluster of Taiidan colonies against a T-Mat offensive. It took the combined assault of five starfishes to bring it down, and they were destroyed in the assault. The Bentusi have already been to the site and cleared out the initial scavengers. And the scope of the battle means that there may still be some Bentusi examining the T-Mat wreckage, but the proximity to the flicker worlds means you may also need to deal with scavengers of a more official sort.

[ ] Kalypso
Known as a center of arts and philosophy, Kalypso was one of the harborships least equipped for a war, and as such they were destroyed by the T-Mat fairly early. The battle site has no doubt been thoroughly stripped by both Bentusi and scavengers, but there aren't many actual uses for a harborship class hyperspace core. Kalypso's core might still be intact.

Western Rim

Solathi Cluster
Outskirts of the Tureth System

You've been in a lot of debris fields in the course of your life. They ranged from the remains of pirates you destroyed to the massive relics of the progenitors. Usually the difference between them is more a matter of scale than anything. And it bothers you that as you slowly drift through the debris field of Aegle the same still holds true.

For an elder of your people to have been reduced to this state. For the debris to be little different than that of pirates or a decades old disaster. Well it just doesn't feel right. The only real difference is the color of the debris. The golden hue of Bentusi hull armor standing out in the darkness of space. Otherwise it could be a relic of any point in galactic history.

Nostalgia isn't what you came here for though. You're after a hyperspace core and there's only one place it could be. The largest piece of Aegle left is a massive chunk that dwarfs your entire flotilla. It's more than large enough to still house a working portion of Aegle's gestalt, but unfortunately you don't sense any power coming off it. You can only hope that means other Bentusi have already been here and rescued whatever part of Aegle survived, but you can't help but consider far worse possibilities.

Unfortunately it seems that someone else definitely has been here. When you search the most likely place to find a hyperspace core you find that someone has gone to work with cutting beams and drills to pull out a large portion of the wreck. A portion that can only be the hyperspace module given the various sensor trails you're reading. Not that that was the only thing they took of course. You can see the marks of scavenging all over, but it's the only part you're interested in at the moment.

Fortunately the core might be gone, but it left behind a trail of errant emissions. And since it was of course a hyperspace core you can follow the scavengers right through that otherworldly dimension if you need to.

Tracing the quantum waveform you make a jump and then another and another. Each one makes you more uneasy as you realize where it's leading you. Not to some run down pirate base or smuggler station, but rather to the main planet in the system. It looks like you're going to have some trouble getting the core back.

And sure enough when you make the final jump you find yourself over Tureth IV, a watery world with a teeming population according to both your sensors and the latest galactic almanac. You can also read the core clearly. It's stored on the orbital station hanging above the planet. From your records it appears to be a fairly standard setup with a small shipyard and some transit facilities to help merchant convoys.

It hails you almost immediately and you see an image of a Salarian, "Greetings Bentusi. This is Lorian Station. What brings you to the system?"

You consider your response.

[ ] Be Cordial
It irks you that they have taken the hyperspace core, but you have no real quarrel with these Taiidan. You can inquire about the core and see if you can take it back. Perhaps offer some lesser technologies to sweeten the deal.

[ ] Be Aggressive
The flicker races shouldn't have violated Aegle like this. Not only was it a desecration, but it's dangerous too. If they tamper with it in the wrong way it might pull their entire station into hyperspace. Aegle was larger than the station after all. Impress upon them the danger of what they're dealing with and demand that they return it.

[ ] Stall for Time
Instead of being upfront about your intentions, ask for local information and rumors. Maybe do a little trading. In essence you'll just stall for time while you and your friends hack into the station and gather more information about where exactly the hyperspace core is and what's being done with it.