Arthur's comm unit chimed at 0900 hours, pulling him from a light sleep. Scarlet stirred against his left side, her red hair catching the dim light from the bedside display. Nyx remained motionless on his right, though her golden eyes opened immediately.
"Commander Cousland," the automated voice stated, "priority briefing, conference room twelve, 1000 hours. Attendance mandatory."
Arthur acknowledged the message and carefully extracted himself from between the two Nikkes. His prosthetic hands moved smoothly as he reached for his uniform, the goddesium joints responding without hesitation.
"Another mission already?" Scarlet asked, sitting up.
"Seems like it." Arthur fastened his jacket. "I'll know more after the briefing. Get the others ready for a potential deployment."
Nyx stretched, her bronze-toned limbs catching the light. "Want us to prep full loadouts?"
"Standard reconnaissance configuration. If it's something specific, I'll send word." Arthur paused at the door, looking back at them. "And Nyx? If I ask about your combat readiness, I need honest answers."
"You'll get them," she said with a slight smirk.
Conference room twelve was exactly as Arthur remembered from yesterday's counseling session. Deputy Chief Andersen stood by the tactical display, reviewing data on a datapad. He looked up as Arthur entered.
"Cousland. Punctual as always."
"Sir." Arthur took a seat across from him. "What's the situation?"
Andersen activated the display, showing a tactical map of the surface. "Sector Eighteen, one hundred sixteen kilometers northeast. Three days ago, Commander Jane Shepard went dark during a long-range reconnaissance operation. Her biometrics flatlined six hours after last contact."
Arthur studied the map. Sector Eighteen was deep in contested territory, far beyond the usual operational range. "Her squad?"
"The Nikkes were recovered by emergency extraction. Shepard's body remained at the crash site." Andersen zoomed in on a marked location. "Cerberus wants her recovered for conversion."
The implications hit Arthur immediately. "She's been dead for seventy-two hours."
"Which puts us at the outer limit of the conversion window." Andersen pulled up mission parameters. "The operation requires fast retrieval and return. CEO Harper estimates three to four days total—two days travel to the site, six to eight hours for body recovery and stabilization, two days return."
"Why ground approach? Cerberus has aerial assets."
"Sector Eighteen is swarming with flying Raptures. We've lost two drones and a shuttle attempting aerial reconnaissance." Andersen highlighted several red zones on the map. "Anything airborne gets shredded within thirty seconds. Ground insertion is the only viable option."
Arthur examined the route carefully. The path wound through multiple sectors with varying Rapture concentrations, avoiding the heaviest infestations but still requiring constant vigilance. "Four days without extraction support."
"Correct. Your squad will be operating independently for the entire duration." Andersen's expression was serious. "Cerberus is providing Ashley Williams, one of their Nikkes who served under Shepard. She knows the terrain and has personal investment in the mission's success. She'll act as guide and additional firepower."
"Why Monarks specifically?"
"Because you've proven capable in contested territory, you can operate without constant oversight, and your squad trusts your judgment." Andersen leaned forward. "This mission tests everything, Cousland. Your tactical capability, your ability to lead under extended pressure, your judgment when things go wrong. If you succeed, it proves you can handle difficult assignments. If you determine the mission is unviable, you have full authority to abort."
Arthur recognized the unspoken message. This was both an opportunity and a test. "What's the real priority here? The conversion, or whatever Shepard found before she died?"
Andersen's pause was telling. "Shepard transmitted a partial report before her death. Raptures using coordinated tactics beyond normal parameters. Wreckage suggesting Nikke components integrated into Rapture bodies. Evidence of technological hybridization." He met Arthur's gaze steadily. "If the conversion succeeds, her memories might contain critical intelligence."
The weight of that information settled over Arthur like a physical thing. Raptures using Nikke parts. The implications were staggering. "Who else knows about this?"
"Classified need-to-know. You're being briefed because you need context for the mission's importance." Andersen deactivated the display. "Deployment is 1800 hours. That gives you eight hours to prepare your squad and integrate Williams. Questions?"
"Supply allocation?"
"Full authorization for extended operations. Ammunition, rations, medical supplies, camping equipment. Whatever you need for four days independent operation."
Arthur nodded slowly. "Then we'll be ready."
"One more thing." Andersen's voice stopped Arthur at the door. "Yesterday we discussed the balance between caring for your squad and completing objectives. This mission will require you to push hard, possibly harder than you're comfortable with. Can you do that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Dismissed."
Bay Twenty-Three felt different when Arthur entered an hour later. His squad was already there—Scarlet checking weapons, Lyra reviewing topographical data, Nyx inventorying ammunition. They looked up as he approached.
"Four-day operation," Arthur said without preamble. "Sector Eighteen, body recovery mission. Commander Jane Shepard went down three days ago. Cerberus wants her retrieved for conversion before the window closes."
Scarlet's crimson eyes sharpened. "Shepard? I've heard that name. N7 program, special operations background."
"That's her." Arthur activated his datapad, projecting the route. "One hundred sixteen kilometers northeast, contested territory, no aerial extraction available. We'll have a Cerberus Nikke joining us as guide—Ashley Williams, served under Shepard previously."
Lyra studied the map with her analytical precision. "Four days is a long time exposed on the surface. Supplies?"
"Full authorization. We'll requisition everything we need for independent operation." Arthur looked at each of them. "This is the longest mission we've attempted. It'll test our cohesion, our endurance, and our ability to adapt under pressure. If anyone has concerns, speak now."
"I'm in," Nyx said immediately. "Been on the surface longer than four days before, back in the Outer Rim. It's survivable."
Scarlet nodded. "If they're asking us specifically, it means they think we can handle it. Let's prove them right."
Lyra's blue eyes showed targeting calculations flickering across her irises. "The tactical challenge is significant, but manageable with proper planning. I'm ready."
Arthur felt pride swell in his chest. "Good. Let's meet our guide."
Ashley Williams was waiting near the equipment lockers, and Arthur understood immediately why she'd been chosen. She stood at 172 centimeters, athletic build, with short brown hair and sharp green eyes. Her armor was practical—matte black tactical gear with minimal ornamentation, designed for function over appearance. An assault rifle rested against her shoulder with the ease of long familiarity.
"Commander Cousland," she said, voice crisp and military. "Designation Ash, Cerberus combat specialist."
"Just Arthur is fine when we're not on official channels." He gestured to his squad. "Scarlet, combat specialist. Lyra, sniper. Nyx, heavy weapons."
Ash nodded to each of them. "I've reviewed your mission records. Impressive performance for a newly formed unit."
"We work well together," Scarlet said, her tone neutral but evaluating.
Ash's expression softened slightly. "Commander Shepard was... is... the best officer I've served under. Getting her back matters."
Nyx crossed her arms. "You know she might not be the same person after conversion. Memory fragmentation, identity issues—it's common with mass-produced units."
"Shepard won't be mass-produced," Ash said quietly. "Cerberus is allocating resources for a custom conversion. But even if her memories are fragmented, even if she's different—she deserves the chance to continue fighting. She wouldn't want her experience and training wasted."
The conviction in her voice was genuine. Arthur respected that. "Then let's make sure we bring her home. How well do you know Sector Eighteen?"
"I was part of Shepard's squad on three prior operations in adjacent sectors. I know the terrain, the likely Rapture concentrations, and the defensive positions we can use for rest periods." Ash pulled up a detailed map. "The crash site is here, in what used to be an industrial district. When we lost contact, Shepard was investigating unusual Rapture activity in an old manufacturing complex."
"Unusual how?" Lyra asked.
"Coordinated. Tactical. Not the standard patrol patterns." Ash's jaw tightened. "They were waiting for us. It felt like an ambush."
Arthur exchanged glances with Scarlet. That matched what Andersen had told him about Shepard's partial report. "We'll approach with that assumption. Shifty, you on comms?"
"Always, Commander!" Their operator's cheerful voice came through immediately. "Four-day op, Sector Eighteen, extended support protocol. I've already coordinated with Cerberus for redundant communication channels. You'll have full satellite coverage for the entire route."
"Good. We deploy at 1800. That gives us six hours for final prep." Arthur looked at his expanded squad. "Full loadouts, camping gear, four days of rations and ammunition. Ash, integrate with our supply requisition. Scarlet, coordinate weapon distribution. Lyra, plan our route with contingencies. Nyx, make sure we have enough firepower to handle sustained engagement."
They moved with practiced efficiency, each member understanding their role. Arthur watched them work, feeling the weight of command settle across his shoulders. Four days in hostile territory, racing against a conversion deadline, hunting for a corpse in a sector where Raptures had demonstrated unprecedented tactical awareness.
He'd faced worse odds in the Outer Rim, but never with so much riding on success.
Six hours later, Squad Monarks stood at the surface elevator with Ashley Williams, fully equipped and ready for deployment. The massive platform descended with its characteristic vibration, carrying them toward the dark tunnel that led to the surface.
Arthur checked his rifle one final time, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon against his prosthetic hands. Beside him, Scarlet's red hair was tied back efficiently, her expression focused and ready. Nyx hefted her rocket launcher with easy confidence, while Lyra's sniper rifle rested across her back, her blue eyes already calculating distances and angles. Ash stood slightly apart, her green eyes distant, thinking of the commander they were going to retrieve.
"Radio check," Arthur said quietly.
"Scarlet, online."
"Lyra, online."
"Nyx, online."
"Ash, online."
"Shifty here! All systems green, satellite coverage confirmed, weather is overcast with light wind. Surface temperature fourteen degrees Celsius. You're clear for deployment."
The elevator shuddered to a halt. The massive doors began to open, revealing the desolate surface beyond—gray sky, ruined buildings, the perpetual silence of a dead world.
Arthur took a breath, then stepped forward. "Monarks, move out. We've got a commander to bring home."