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

Kyrask Nebula

Damascus Bastion

It actually takes you multiple attempts to find a Sentinel bastion that is actually active. The first few you went to had been emptied and decommissioned. You'd take that as a sign that the Bentusi were preparing for war, but unfortunately you knew your people.

There were Sentinels still fighting the T-Mat, and there were likely those who would aid you against this new threat, but by and large the Bentusi were ingrained against such violence. You estimated that at least 30% of the Bentusi population had already fled the galaxy, and that number was rising every day.

Still that left 70% you could reach out to, and you did eventually manage to find a bastion with a number of Sentinels stationed at it. You warn them of the massive alien ship and its plans for Ascension. And fortunately they take you seriously. You are after all known as an expert on the Wraiths and most of them think of this new threat as an evolution of them. Something which is even true from a certain point of view.

It also helps that your words have the echo of Bentus as fragments of memory inform you of the peculiarities of the various Bentusi you meet with.

Unfortunately time is not on your side. Even as you spread your message to the various bastions and cradle nebulae the galaxy continues to move. The T-Mat have slowed their offense, but not stopped it. And now you are receiving reports that the Vaygr have arrived at the edges of Taiidan territory drawing republic fleets towards their northern systems.

You haven't heard anything about Ascension explicitly, but the rate of colonies going missing has slowed significantly. Normally that would be good news, but you get the feeling that Ascension is busy reasserting control over the Wraith forces, and that this is only a short reprieve.

The question is what the Bentusi should do about it. They are divided on the subject and your voice has weight far beyond your relative youth.

[ ] Gather the Fleets
For thousands of years the Bentusi have wandered the galaxy alone or in small groups with only the great harborships as gathering points. Even the T-Mat were dealt with by harborships and small groups of sentinels. This is not sufficient. It is time to call all the Bentusi together for the purpose of restoring the peace of the galaxy.

[ ] Renew the Fight with the T-Mat
The T-Mat continue their slow assault and only the Bentusi can provide a defense. However with the loss of Ninhursag the tide has turned. The Sentinels should continue to reinforce the haborships and fight back until the T-Mat are no longer a threat to the galaxy.

[ ] Bolster the Flicker Races
The time of the Pax Bentusi has passed. It is time for the younger races to step up to the plate as defenders of the galaxy. The Bentusi will spread out and appeal to the younger races offering them technology and aid at very reasonable rates. This will bolster their forces, though what they will do with their increased capabilities remains to be seen.

Then there is the question of the continued Bentusi exodus. More and more exchanges, tenders, and even harborships are leaving the galaxy all the time. Each one is a loss to the Bentusi forces here. You could try and rally them to aid the galaxy instead of fleeing it, but it would not be easy.

[ ] Rally the Bentusi
You need every Unbound soul you can get in these trying times. You'll have to work hard to convince those who would rather flee to stay instead, but doing so will significantly add to the Bentusi's ability to help the galaxy.

[ ] Encourage those who wish to flee
It isn't necessarily a bad thing that the Bentusi are fleeing. It ensures that whatever happens here the Bentusi will survive. And can you really ask those who would rather leave to stay and fight. Do you even want them too? Plus letting them go would give you more time to focus on other tasks.