Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

As Fang Zheng and the Reapers began the first wave of battle, Shupard also returned to Earth Star Alliance Headquarters aboard the Normandy.

"Anderson?"

As soon as she disembarked from the spaceship, Shupard saw Anderson standing in front of her, which surprised her.

"Why are you here? What about the Citadel?"

"I came back immediately after receiving your report...…"

At the moment, Anderson also had a serious expression. He gestured for Shupard to move with him, speaking as he did.

"Our outer defensive line has detected a massive unidentified object. In fact, just now, we've lost contact with outside the Solar System...…"

"So what do we do now?"

"The Star Alliance needs to hear your report...…"

"Report?"

Upon hearing this, Shupard immediately halted.

"We don't have time now, Anderson! The Reapers are arriving soon, and we should immediately activate the Solar System's defenses, evacuate civilians to safety as much as possible, and find ways to counter the Reapers' attacks instead of making reports! Every minute we waste now is a crime!"

"I know that too, but there's nothing I can do."

Anderson sighed helplessly.

"You're the only one who's faced the Reapers, you've communicated with it face-to-face, talked with it, and even blew it up. Only you know how to confront the Reapers. The Star Alliance just wants to gather enough information and intelligence, they are just...…terrified."

"...…Alright...…"

Hearing Anderson's response, Shupard sighed helplessly. She was no stranger to the Star Alliance's bureaucratic politics, even when the situation had reached such a critical point, they still needed reports, reports, reports...… Thinking of this, Shupard quickly quickened her pace and entered the Star Alliance's high-level conference room.

"Commander Shupard."

Seeing Shupard walk in, one of the high officials immediately spoke.

"It's a critical time, we won't say much. We've received your alert about the Reapers; we want to know more information."

"We don't have time now."

Shupard shook her head.

"The Reapers will not show us mercy, nor will they fear us; they will only annihilate us completely. What we need to do now is to mobilize all forces to fight against the Reapers. They will not negotiate with us, nor will they give us a chance. I've said before, the Reapers' goal is to harvest all life in the Milky Way!"

"...…"

Upon hearing this, the entire conference room erupted into chaos, while another high official frowned and forcefully slammed the table.

"Please don't be alarmist, Commander Shupard, your previous reports did not have enough evidence to prove your point...… We just want to know how to stop them."

"Stop them?"

Shupard let out a cold snort.

"This isn't a matter of strategy or tactics; they are more advanced, more powerful, and smarter than we are. The only thing we can do is to survive as best we can."

"But...… there must be a way...…"

"Report!"

Just at this moment, a sudden voice rang out.

"The Moon base has lost contact!?"

"What? The Moon?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken by surprise, and Anderson showed an incredulous expression.

"How can they be so close to us...…"

"—————!"

However, before Anderson could finish his words, a low, eerie sound came from outside the window. Everyone turned their heads in unison to look outside, and what they saw made their eyes widen in shock.

"My God...…"

In the clouds outside, towering metal creatures, several thousand meters tall, emerged from the clouds. They slowly opened their bodies, and then dark red light beams shot out, heading straight for the ground, flying directly towards everyone inside!

"Get down!"

"Boom!!"

Before Shupard's words had finished, accompanied by the sound of an explosion, the entire Star Alliance Headquarters was immediately engulfed in flames. When Shupard got back on her feet, she saw bodies strewn everywhere, with only her and Anderson having survived...…

"We need to return to the Normandy at once!"

Pulling Anderson up from the ground, Shupard no longer cared about anything else. The Reapers were here, just as fast as she had imagined, and these bureaucrats only sat here asking for reports...… They had clearly noticed something was wrong, couldn't they at least issue an evacuation warning?

A bunch of good-for-nothings!

Cursing the Star Alliance's stupidity inwardly, Shupard quickly left the conference room with Anderson. At this moment, the entire Star Alliance Headquarters was already engulfed in flames. Additionally, the Reapers had sent their drones and corpse puppets to conduct ground sweeps, leaving the whole headquarters in complete chaos.

Although Shupard had already issued a warning, the Star Alliance troops on Earth were not prepared to face such enemies and were caught off guard. However, Shupard had no time to concern herself with them; she took Anderson into the hangar and quickly boarded the Normandy.

"Hurry, we must leave at once!"

With Shupard's command, the Normandy immediately ascended, heading towards outer space. At this moment, a Reaper noticed the Normandy, and its massive metal body instantly turned, blocking the Normandy's path.

"Joker, dodge it!"

"I'm trying my best!"

Piloting the warship, Joker shouted as well, but it was too late. At that moment, everyone saw a red beam burst out from the Reaper's core.

"Boom!"

Although Joker barely managed to maneuver the Normandy to avoid the Reaper's first strike, he couldn't dodge the second attack. The Reaper's beam swept aside and immediately opened a gash on the Normandy's flank. Accompanied by explosions and flames, the Normandy veered off course, swaying and falling back towards the ground...…

Hmm? Why does this scene seem so familiar?

Before Shupard could process the thought, a violent impact ensued, rendering her unconscious.

...… She wasn't sure how much time had passed when Shupard slowly regained consciousness.

"Cough, cough cough...…"

She lifted her head and looked around. All she saw were crew members scattered around. Fortunately, since the Normandy was flying low, the impact wasn't severe. Apart from a few unfortunate ones who broke their necks, most people were merely unconscious.

As Shupard came to, many others slowly opened their eyes too.

"Quick, all crew members gather immediately and head to the nearest shelter!"

Grabbing her weapon, Shupard quickly issued the command. The Normandy was completely finished. It had just undergone emergency repairs, and after being attacked by the Reapers again, it had lost all power and was utterly destroyed. Although she felt heartbroken for the warship that had accompanied her for so long, Shupard gave the order without hesitation.

Upon hearing Shupard's command, the crew on the Normandy acted immediately. Meanwhile, Shupard hastily returned to the captain's cabin to put on her armor and weapons...… Hmm?

As Shupard finished putting on her armor and grabbing her weapon, just as she was about to leave, she suddenly saw a metal box placed not far away. Was this the gift Fang Zheng had given her earlier?

She recalled that he had mentioned... If you need help, open this Pandora's Magic Box, but you won't be able to regret it?

What on earth is inside here?

Thinking of this, Shupard hesitated for a moment but still picked up the box and cautiously opened it.

Then, she saw a giant, strange, centipede-like larva peek its head out from inside, curiously staring at her.

"Chi chi chii?"

"...…"

Staring at the larva, Shupard was dumbfounded.

What the hell is this thing?