Imperial Reckoning: Humanity Return

Chapter 44: The Battle for Destin (Part 1)

The final months of the battle for Malevolon Creek had been grueling, an endless grind of attrition and siege warfare. The once lush plains surrounding the Batarian capital, Destin, were now a wasteland of broken defenses and blood-soaked trenches. Batarian resistance had been fierce, and even with the superior might of the Imperium led by the Lord Commander Shepard and his sisters, progress had been slow and costly.

But now, after months of brutal fighting, they had reached the walls of Destin, the last major stronghold on the planet. The final battle was at hand. Victory was within reach, but it would not come easily. The Batarians had dug in, reinforcing their defenses with every weapon, turret, and wall they could muster.

The Imperial Command Center was dimly lit, the air thick with tension as the key leaders of the campaign gathered around a massive holographic map of Destin. Each individual in the room carried the weight of the war on their shoulders, from the hardened generals to the expert advisors.

Shepard stood at the head of the table, flanked by Tali’Zorah, his trusted engineer, and his sisters—Angrya, Petra, and Ferrina—the three Primarchs of the Imperium. On the other side, the Spectres, including Sidonas, Nihlus, and Saren, watched with steely focus, though the tension between some of them was palpable.

Shepard cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the room. "Tomorrow, we begin the final assault on Destin. We’ve held out this long, and reinforcements from the Great Crusade are arriving within the next cycle. But we need a coordinated plan if we’re going to break their defenses and take the city without unnecessary loss."

A series of nods followed, but the room was still tense.

Before anyone could speak, Tali’Zorah, standing slightly behind Shepard, stepped forward and addressed the room, her voice firm despite the magnitude of the moment. "I’ve analyzed their infrastructure," she said. "The Batarian capital relies heavily on its electrical grid to power the turrets and shields protecting the inner city. If we take it out, their defenses will collapse. I can infiltrate their systems and disable the grid from within, giving us an opening to storm the gates."

There was a moment of silence. Angrya glanced at Petra and Ferrina, weighing the suggestion, while the Spectres exchanged glances. It was Saren who broke the silence, his disdain dripping from every word.

"A Quarian?" he spat, glaring at Tali. "You think a Quarian has any place in a meeting of this importance? You don't belong here, tinkering with your machines while real warriors plan the battle. You’re out of your depth."

Tali’s eyes flashed behind her mask, but before she could respond, Shepard slammed his fist down onto the table, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "That’s enough, Saren!" he growled, stepping forward and glaring directly into the Turian's eyes. The air seemed to crackle with the sheer force of his fury. "You have no authority here, and you certainly have no right to question who I bring into my war council. Tali is here because she’s an expert—better at this than anyone else in this room when it comes to technological warfare. Dismissing her out of some petty grudge is not only short-sighted, it’s downright insulting."

The room fell into a heavy silence. Saren’s jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. The hatred in his eyes was undeniable, but with Sidonas and Nihlus nearby, he was forced to restrain himself. He glared at Shepard, but he knew that he couldn’t act on his feelings—not now, not with so many eyes on him. Finally, he shut his mouth, though his eyes never left Tali, burning with anger.

Shepard turned back to the others. "Tali’s plan is sound. We take out the electrical grid, and we cripple their defenses. No unnecessary losses. We go in tomorrow when the Crusade reinforcements arrive."

Ferrina Russ, ever the warrior, tilted her head and crossed her arms. "Reinforcements, huh?" she asked, her voice carrying a feral undertone. "Which one of our sisters is coming to assist us? Not that I mind, but we’ve been holding this campaign without much help from the rest."

Shepard’s gaze softened slightly. "I don’t know," he admitted. "The Emperor has kept it a surprise. This sister is one we haven’t encountered yet, someone… special. She’s been kept in the shadows, but the Emperor believes now is the time for her to join us."

Ferrina’s brows furrowed. "And she’s ready for this? It seems a little sudden if she’s been kept hidden this long."

"We’ll have to teach her on the fly if it comes to that," Shepard said, his tone resolute. "But if the Emperor wills it, she’ll be ready when the time comes."

Petra nodded thoughtfully, her focus on the map. "Fine, but we need to make sure we’re fully prepared. If reinforcements are coming, we’ll hit them hard from all sides. Angrya, your World Eaters will spearhead the assault once Tali disables the grid. Ferrina, your Space Wolves will flank their strongest defenses."

Angrya’s eyes glinted with barely contained rage, the Butcher’s Nails in her skull constantly driving her to a state of near-bloodlust. But she nodded, eager for battle. "We’ll tear through them."

Saren, still simmering, muttered under his breath, "If only you were more discerning with your allies."

Shepard shot him a warning glare but chose not to escalate further. "Get some rest," he said, addressing the entire room. "Tomorrow, we end this. You’ve all earned it."

One by one, the commanders left the room, but Shepard lingered for a moment longer, his thoughts heavy. As the door closed behind them, he felt the weight of the coming battle settle on his shoulders.

Tomorrow would decide the fate of the Batarians. But as much as the victory mattered, keeping his army, his sisters, and his allies united mattered even more. The battle for Destin would be fought on multiple fronts, not just on the battlefield, but within the fragile alliances he had worked so hard to build.

He turned to Tali, who had remained silent after Saren’s outburst. "You okay?" he asked softly.

Tali nodded. "I’ve faced worse. I’ll get the job done, Shepard."

He smiled, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know you will. Let’s finish this."