Khan stood there overlooking his territory. The new city replaced a floating island on Shell 2. He had celebrated the completion of another campaign by indulging in the new arrivals and his current consorts. He looked at his list of the worlds he still needed to conquer. Including the first world he started with, he's completed six out of forty.
He hoped the rest won't be as boring but then he thought about Saint's Row. If he hadn't activated Chimichanga mode then he probably would've ended up with the original, maybe. Sure, he's got a bunch new toys but ultimately that was a waste of time.
While he may have a extended amount to play with he still shouldn't waste it carelessly.
However, Khan did learn he has a glaring blind spot. Khan thought back to his time with the Trial System, more specifically Resident Evil. Sure, he never struggled in a fight but that was because of his enhanced strength and speed allowed him to overpower anything he faced. He had no real technique, sure he knew basic boxing techniques, but his style was mostly that of a brawler. He considered how to change that, and Jade Empire was a leading choice. However, he also had a different pressing issue.
His world was still a version of Septerra. Sure, the territory he claimed was blending in well enough, but he was going to run out of room will quick. He needed more space, that meant claiming whole planets and supporting suns and stars. That meant either Star Wars or Mass Effect. The problem was that while both had prime real estate, both were properly occupied. And both would require a real military campaign that would take a few years to build up the necessary forces. Mass Effect will most likely drop him a little time before the attack on Eden Prime. While Star Wars on the other hand could drop him off right before the clone wars begins or it could even drop him off before the events of the phantom menace. If it's the latter, then he'll have ten years to prepare but if it's the former then he'll have to play catch up to take advantage of a three-year conflict. Not an exciting gamble.
Khan thought back to the Marvel campaign. With six months of preparation his forces were large enough to hit a few places on earth, the flagship of the Shi'ar, and Asgard. Of course, he still needed support. With two years of proper preparation, he could probably build a force to destroy the Reapers and conquer and occupy the galaxy. 'Hmm, might be more fun that way. I help Commander Shepard, maybe provide a few clues to help convince the council that Reapers are real, convince to actually prepare then I could have a real war on my hands. In Marvel I was largely maneuvering everything to make them sitting ducks but considering how boring the last one was. I want something to sink my teeth into. Plus, Shepard isn't an idiot, so deceiving them should be more entertaining. Then again that might depend on whether or not Shepard is following the path of a Paragon or the Renegade.
With enthusiasm he reached out to start the next campaign only to stop just before reaching the threshold. Khan realized that he might have gotten too excited. First, he wasn't really dressed to do anything. Second, it would probably be in his best interest to explain his goals with his officers so they can act accordingly in his absence. And finally, he should take this opportunity to potentially expand on his arsenal.
He got dressed, then traveled his territory. Checking the progress of his other projects helped pass some needed time. Then Khan made his way to Tanya's office. He found her doing paperwork, organizing the logistics between the shells.
He stepped in and said, "Tanya, I have good news for you. In the next campaign I will be adding whole planets and the needed suns and stars."
She stood up and adjusted her uniform. Tanya had decided to wear her own custom military uniform instead of a suit or the uniform of her old country. It was both practical and functional. She then turns to face Khan and asked, "Alright sir, I'll bite. How is this good news for me?" Because once we have the needed planets, we can start making a proper military force on this end. Which means you will no longer have to worry about going out into the field and eventually you can start delegating your more tedious work."
Tanya thought about for a minute before saying, "Yeah, I can see how that's good news for me. With other planets we can really put are military production into high gear. And with proper training, we'll get officers who can pick up the slack. Alright, I'm assuming your here telling me this instead of just doing it because you want to discuss the plan going forward."
They both sat down and then Khan said, "You are correct. This time we'll be conquering planets properly. Now the Marvel campaign while successful, was largely a learning experience for the both of us. We learned that we could produce troops, equipment, and capital ships at the same time, but such ships will take longer. The Zerg had the fastest production time, but the Imperium had the slowest with four months for one crusader class ship."
Tanya nodded her head and said, "Definitely a trade off there. Will we have a similar time table as last time?" Khan answered, "Actually, we'll have a time table of two and a half years. Give or take six months. Also, thanks to gathering the Infinity Stones we'll be able to rapidly improve are production time among other things."
Tanya smiled and said, "So we'll be able to build proper forces this time. Alright, what do I need to know about the opposition?" Khan fell silent as he thought about how to describe the answer. After a few minutes, he said, "Well, first let's talk about the big bad. The Reapers, an AI race with mobile platforms averaging two kilometers in length. They are all about preservation through destruction. That being said, they seeded the galaxy with their technology to make sure their targets develop along a controlled path. They show up like harvesters from outside the galaxy, they do it on a cycle of fifty thousand years. That being said, pound for pound Imperium ships far out class them. And so do the Protoss if I'm being honest."
Tanya thought about what Khan was saying then her eyes widen slightly and then she said, "So the two and a half years is our window before these Reapers show up." Khan nodded and said, "If we do it right we can take them out in one big fight. And it's going to have be in one fight, because while they can be blindsided by unknown tech they can adapt rather quickly. So if we miss our window they'll be that much harder to take on. But, if were successful they rest of the galaxy will be far more traditional in terms of combat and warfare."
Khan continued explaining the abilities of the Reapers and the nature of the other potential enemies. When he was done, Tanya poured herself a glass and had a sip. When she was done, she said, "It sounds like it will be a strait forward campaign, as long as this... Commander Shepard isn't successful in uniting all the factions under one banner. So, what else can you tell me about this... person?"
Khan let out a quick sigh and said, "Well there's the rub. They way this world is set up they could be a man or a woman. They could be a war hero or have a history of being ruthless. Maybe they're trying to live up to a legacy or trying escape their past. We won't know until we get there."
Tanya put her glass away and said, "That explains why you'll be leaving as soon as you set everything up. You'll be observing them. Seeing their reactions and learning their history." Khan responded, "Correct, I'll also need to analyze a few things from the only active Reaper within the galaxy. If I can catch a sample of the signal Sovereign uses to notify the others that it's time. Then we might be able to accurately track them. And to do that I'll need to be in the thick of it."
They went over the finer details, then Khan said, "Alright, I'll go see if I can expand our potential resource pool with a few more specialized units." Then he left. But after he did he got a notification.
[Congratulations, you earned the achievement: Communication Is Key - You can now share thoughts or visual information with anyone you choose to associate with.]
He stopped for a moment. Khan couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed, because he just got an achievement for sharing his plan before he actually did it. He resumed walking.
He soon arrived at his throne room, it was quite spacious, plenty of room for any potential encounter. Then he remembered he still had those three tickets for Warhammer 40k exclusive summons. He activated them.
[Congratulations you successfully summoned the following:
Kartha Vakir - bonus: Grey Knights
Jae Heydari - bonus: Rogue Trader Network
Ragnar Blackmane - bonus: Space Wolves]
'Hmm, a little bare bones. Was it because I used all three at once or was it the tickets themselves? Anyway the Grey Knights and Space Wolves were real prizes, but the those that came with it...'
Vakir and Heydari acted as expected, they treated Khan as if he was personally appointed to be the emperor's voice. Blackmane on the other hand wanted a fight, and Khan obliged him. The fight was short but intense. Ragnar Blackmane did the Space Wolves proud, proving why they truly are experts in melee combat. After it was done Khan didn't get another achievement, but he had fun anyway.
After everything was settled, he pulled up his system and selected Mass Effect. As he looked at the customs settings, Khan remembered he could set everything up to be just so. He could even choose Shepard's background, morale alignment, and even choose what they would look like. But that wouldn't be as fun. Because, Khan wouldn't be going against Commander Shepard, he would going against whatever he created.
He chose to start on the Spear of Adun this time. The Martyr and other flag ships he would be adding later, but he needed the Spear of Adun to be available in the immediate for his plans.
As his background shifted, Khan that he was in a similar starting point as last time, except instead of being in a hollow nebula, everything was in a section of space that was outside the active relay network. He then pulled Fate's Plan and found the main story hasn't started yet. Or more appropriately the powers that be are currently choosing their human specter candidate. Which means he has a little time to get things set up.
Khan was tempted to check in on Shepard but he wanted it to be a surprise. He immediately started building the bases on each of the planets. He also set up a background for himself and grabbed some local hardware. He summoned Tanya and a few others to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Khan managed to finish setting everything up just as the distress signal was sent out from Eden Prime. He immediately entered the Shadow Nexus and quickly found himself on Eden Prime just in time to see the Normandy fly overhead. Now it was time for some real fun to begin.