The bridge level, where the briefing room was housed, was thrown into a flurry of action. While support members manned their stations at designated sector entrances and the elevator, other crew members walked around the large oval galaxy map dispersing information or receiving. It sent a flush of militaristic pride through Sophia. Every officer’s dream was to have personnel who knew precisely what to do and do it well. The average guaranteed a mistake, which cost far too much. The crew she had was anything but. Extraordinary. She wondered how the Council and Directors acquired said personnel. Through subtle muscle and diplomacy she was sure. 

“Captain.” Sophia turned to see who the voice belonged to. A tall turian walked up to her. A holopad in his hand. “Support is ready to go. They’ve been briefed as you’ve instructed. It’s good to finally get moving. Idleness is not my strongest suite.”

“Neither is it mine, Arterius.”

The turian had been selected to lead the support teams of the Palamecia. Operating as the ships muscle, repelling and ground side support for the operatives were their mission. Though Sophia wasn’t given their dossiers to read — nor would she have the time to peruse their files due to numbers — each must have a talent to be here. Though teamwork was suppose to be given, she wanted to evaluate them. When mixing so many species together — each with a differing tactical style — things happened to go awry. This was no different.

“I’ll be waiting down in the hanger,” Arterius said. “Glad the operatives are aboard. Took them long enough.”

“I’ll signal you when we arrive at the destination,” she said. “Make sure your team is armed wi—“

“Entry and Fortification Kit. Got it.”

Sophia nodded as she continued to the briefing room. She side stepped a walking crew men before she reached the door. The support member threw her a crisp salute as the door opened. Her gaze focused on the individuals who had gathered. There were six in total. Including her. Earlier that day, she was expecting more, but Sira had corrected the mistakes. Those who weren’t present had been removed from the program and kept under ‘guard’. 

There were two geth, a drell, a human, and a asari present. A combination of individuals like this would be impossible in other circumstances.

“Good to see all of you found your way here.” Sophia walked around the table until she came to a stop at the head. “I’m Captain Silversten. I don’t think I need to tell you all why you’re here. Out of the trillions that could have filled the very seats you occupy, they’ve been given to you. There is a new enemy upon us, an enemy we know nothing about. As members of Echelon, we will be the vanguard against the Legion. As they've already gone active, our work begins now."

Sophia took a seat in her chair as she reached over and pushed a button. The lights in the briefing room dimmed. In the middle of the table, a partition opened as a spherical metal grid revolved to reveal a hologram knob. With another press of a button, a display filled the table’s empty space with a mini galaxy map.

“We will now begin the briefing,” Sophia said. The galaxy map disappeared as a space station — a cylinder structure with a wide ring around its midsection — floated within the holograms display. “This is the J.S.S Armstrong. A human — turian platform. As of 0540 of last week, contact with the station has been lost. A turian insertion team was sent in. We haven’t heard from them since. Sira, enable the contingency A protocol.”

“Contingency A enabled, Captain.”

On the holograms screen, rectangles blinked into existence as a small line connected each to a different part of the space station. Within the rectangular box were four names made up of call signs. “We’ve been issued directives to personally intervene in this matter. As of now, reports are unsure of the reason why we’ve lost contact with the turian team or the station. Two possibilities: highly capable rogues or Legion.

“This operation will be carried with three teams: Eagle, Wolf, and Bear. Eagle will be comprised of myself, Prime, and Drake. Phalanx, Bastion, and Hunter will make up Wolf. A caveat for Wolf. Arterius will be heading you. I’ve explained the mission parameters to him. Lastly, Bear, comprised of support personnel, will keep our insertion point secured.

“Eagle will head towards the bridge. Our primary is to secure any video documentation and assess the immediate situation. Wolf will move through crew quarters and make their way towards the engineering bay. We’ll need those systems back online. Survivors are a secondary to both groups. The Directors and Council want this station kept intact. It’s our job to get it done.”

Pausing, she let the silence linger for a moment. Staring at the hologram, she finally looked towards all those sitting in the room. “Questions?”