---Fifteen Minutes Later---
Reaching the edge of Citadel space, we happened upon a decaying Interstellar Gate. Surprised to find such a valuable relic wasting away out here, I asked Liara to check the Citadel Council's database for information. Politely apologizing to me, the Asari scientist informed me she could not access such information.
"My purview is exclusively the Prothean and their technology. Anything beyond that, which is unavailable to the public, is restricted.", Liara insisted. "What about you, Samara?"
"Already on it.", Samara answered, using her elevated access to search for information.
Locating archived documents from fifty years ago, Samara informed me this gate was currently ownerless. The previous owners went bankrupt after a series of poor investment choices. With no intergalactic travel happening in this sector, the loan company left it here to rot.
"Just so I know, what is Citadel's stance on abandoned property?", I inquired, rubbing my hands together. "If I were to commandeer this Interstellar Gate, would there be any issues?"
"I believe the human terminology 'finders' keepers' accurately applies to this situation.", Samara giggled, in a playful tone. "As the council recognizes it as abandoned property, anyone is free to claim it as their own. Safe to assume you are interested?"
Nodding my head approvingly, Samara set about submitting the paperwork while I ran some scans on the relic. Curious to know which society built the network, I hoped it was one I already had information on. Waiting a few moments for the raw data to come in, Jarvis and I sifted through the findings.
"Well, I'll be. The Time Lords played a major part in the construction of the Interstellar Gate Network.", I said, recognizing their distinct technology and language. 'Hmm… They must be relics of the Time Wars. As not all their allies had temporal technology, this must have been their solution to getting them around quickly.'
"Forgive my ignorance, but who are the Time Lords?", Liara inquired, having never heard of the race before.
"The Gallifreyans, more commonly known as Time Lords, were one of the oldest sapient species in the universe. They were one of the first to explore the heavens and had near-perfect mastery of time manipulation.", I explained. "You have likely never heard of them because their civilization was destroyed during the Time Wars. To my knowledge, there is only one surviving Gallifreyan… The Doctor."
Writing this information down, Liara was fascinated by this new information. Before she had a chance to ask any follow-up questions, Loki divulged our secondary plan to the Asari.
"Aside from lending aid to the Human Galactic Empire and their allies, we are venturing to their region in search of The Doctor. He holds the key to restoring the connection to Asgard and the other divine realms.", Loki further elaborated, taking the opportunity to introduce herself. "By the way, my name is Loki Odinsdottir. I am the daughter of Odin Borson, King of Asgard and Protector of the Nine Realms."
Expecting the Asari to be astounded, Loki's proud smile faltered when they began to laugh at her.
"I am sorry, but are you insinuating Asgard is real, and you are Loki, the God of Mischief?", Liara questioned, giving her a sympathetic smile.
"It is goddess, not god! Does it look like I have a dick to you?!", Loki huffed, twitching with anger. "For your information, Asgard is real, and you stand before Asgardian royalty. As we have not intermingled with mortals in quite some time, I will forgive your ignorance."
"I am willing to believe Time Lords are real because time manipulation is plausible.", Liara remarked. "What I cannot accept is the idea that gods are real. They are nothing more than primitive people's attempt at making sense of the universe around them."
"Hate to break it to you, Liara, but Loki is telling the truth.", Nocturnal insisted, coming to her aid. "Deities and demons are very real. Just because you do not believe in us does not make us any less real."
At her wit's end now, Liara looked at them with annoyance. Politely asking them to cease with their jokes, she expressed her desire to learn more about the Time Lords. Enraged, Liara was insinuating they were liars; a heated debate broke out between them. Keeping out of their discussion, I focused on getting the Interstellar Gate online.
Establishing a remote connection with the gate's systems, I ran a self-test to see what components had failed or were missing. Once I had the results, using previously acquired Gallifreyan data, a swarm of nanites was dispatched to make the necessary repairs. As the gate began showing signs of life, the arguing abruptly subsided.
"You are every bit the prodigy Caliza made you out to be.", Liara remarked, approaching the viewing window. "It usually takes months, sometimes years, to make an Interstellar Gate operational again. You did it in less than fifteen minutes…"
"I can understand now why Councilor Tevos was so adamant about allying with you.", Samara commented, sneaking a glance at me. 'It also explains why she subtly asked us to seduce him. While I feel uncomfortable with it, duty demands I do whatever it takes to protect the people of this galaxy. Without his military might and technical genius, the Reapers are certain to wipe us out.'
"I appreciate the compliments.", I said, stealthily reading their minds. 'Well… That confirms my suspicion. At least Tevos sent two capable women instead of pencil pushers. I am curious to see where things lead us from here on out.'
Returning my attention back to the gate, I could hear Lala and her sisters frantically writing down notes. Eager to collaborate on projects with me, they were likely recording my methods and techniques for future reference. Surprised they were using pencil and paper instead of tablets, I presented them with three ruggedized units. Graciously accepting them, the trio shelved their notebooks and began checking them out.
"Please do, but only a data connection for now.", I instructed him.
Receiving no response over the primary connection, Luxion utilized the quantum backup on the second attempt. Establishing a connection almost instantly, he promptly brought up a live feed of the other side. As the image began streaming to the main screen, I slowly rose from my seat in shock.
Locked in a futile struggle against the insectoids, the Human Galactic Empire and its allied forces were on the verge of collapse. Outnumbered twenty to one, a debris field of their fallen comrades lay scattered as far as the eye could see. I recognized various ship designs from groups like the Legends of the Galactic Heroes, the Lumeris, the Riftborn, and many others dotted across the screen. These individuals, pushed to the galaxy's edge, were likely all that remained of their races.
"All ships, prepare for immediate enemy engagement! We are going in hot.", I commanded. "Luxion, can we engage the Interstellar Gate?"
"Alright, how about opening a communication channel with them?", I asked, trying to avoid barreling in without giving them a heads up.
Confirming it was possible, Dair hailed the surviving vessels on all frequencies. Impatiently waiting for what seemed like hours, I forcibly connected our ship to the allied fleet.
"This is Primarch Victor von Stark of the Imperium of Man. Do you copy?", I calmly spoke over the roar of violent explosions. "My armada is preparing to jump to your location to render assistance. If you are hearing this, fall back immediately!"
"Hello, is someone there?!", a female voice called out, scrambling to the radio operator's station. "This is Alexandria von Syriaca, fourth princess of the Human Galactic Empire. Did you say you are coming to aid us!?"
"That is correct.", I confirmed. "Please have your forces fall back immediately. They will be caught in a powerful spatial distortion otherwise."
"Understood.", Alexandria warily replied. "If… if I may, how large is your military force?"
"Just over 1.85 million vessels in total.", I answered, receiving an audible gasp from her. "A million warships, five hundred thousand support vessels, three hundred and fifty thousand medical ships, a cityship, and a mobile defense platform."
Faintly hearing her begin to weep, the captain of her vessel ordered the allied fleet to pull away. Disengaging from the insectoids immediately, they vacated the area, much to the bugs' confusion.
"Time to flatten these pests.", I remarked, retrieving Aremus' blade and Stormbreaker from my inventory.
"In that case, allow me to tap into the power of Orb of Agamotto. Using its mystical properties, I may be able to use a Force Storm to get us to our destination instead of the Bifrost.", I requested, telepathically.
Complying with my request, the blade helped me secure the lock I had been missing previously. Tapping into the Force to help open the connection, a breach began to open before us.
"ALL FORCES, ADVANCE!", I commanded, calling upon the Odinforce. "Strike down the enemy and render aid to the survivors!"
Opening fire the moment things stabilized, we rapidly advanced upon the enemy force.