Synopsis
In 2163CE the Citadel is the center of galactic politics and home to 11 million people. The population rises rapidly as humans flood into the heart of the galactic community. Citadel Security Services are already becoming increasingly unequipped to deal with the many problems that come with integrating a new species, when they suddenly find themselves racing to stop a series of horrific explosions. Are the newly arrived humans connected? With only one lead and limited time as the blasts intensify, officers like Vereus Okranos gather every resource in a desperate attempt to halt the devastation.
Author's Notes:
After sifting through the mountains of fanfiction, I've found some truly fantastic works. One such piece adds that writing fanfiction is incredibly fun and incites all those who haven't tried, to do so. And so here I find myself, with my first fanfic. I am more than open to, in fact openly ask for constructive criticism. I'm learning on the job so I'd really appreciate the input.
Chapter One: Spirits!
In 2157 CE, the galactic community watched in horror as the Relay 314 Incident (or First Contact War), consumed turians and humans alike. After three months of brutal fighting, the Citadel Council intervened, brokering peace and revealing the galactic community to the newcomers. A year later, the humans learned the potential of biotics, setting up training programs and developing the necessary implants soon after. Six years after that, and the Citadel was home to many humans. The first experimental L1 human implants were being tested, and many turians were open to interaction, albeit tense ones.
C-Sec officer, Sergeant Vereus Okranus watched one such interaction. Humans still had a tendency to stare at other species, but otherwise Vereus was surprised at how fast they had adapted. Many had made Tayseri Ward their home, and as such became part of his jurisdiction. He watched the human gape at the turian's sharp features, and even more at a passing hanar.
I guess it makes sense for them to stare, he thought. They looked so strange, with soft skin like asari, pink colouring like hanar and crowned with strange fringe-growths he'd never seen the likeness of before.
He watched the strange stuff move. Hey, they look kind of like the plants of Oma Ker. Can they be even vaguely be related to the blades of grass or tendrils of ocean plants? Doubt it. Either way, these humans are strange in so many ways. Spirits, they must see us Council races as more than a little bit strange. He dragged his wandering mind back from the intriguing image of human with fern fronds on their strange, round heads, as a scuffle broke out at the security desk. A young turian officer stepped in to try and bring it under control. Vereus watched carefully as his counterpart become increasingly frustrated with an irate human in front of him. The constable cast a pleading glance in the more experienced officer's direction, so he sighed and strolled over.
As he guided the younger turian through the complexities of dealing with tired and equally frustrated immigrants, he contemplated the other barriers in turian/ human interaction. Without sub vocals to guide them and lacking any understanding of the species, turians seemed to struggle immensely with human conversation. If not for his experience with and lessons learned from a long-lived asari, Vereus felt he might have struggled too. As it was, the only species seemingly capable of not offending humans were the Elcor. All these humans, in a strange place with strange aliens, they were bound to be on edge. Be courteous Vere, he thought. Helping them cope, helps you too. And it helps poor Lavern. Less than ten minutes later, he sank gratefully into a chair. Lavern plopped down next to him, young face looking more than a little relieved.
"Wow. They're strange aren't they?" He said."Gosh, I guess we must be pretty weird to them too. I mean, spirits!" He paused to watch a human youngling run past. "They aren't what I expected, anyway."
Vereus' mandibles tilted outwards in a turian smile, as he listened to the enthusiastic constable's chatter.
The happy hum of Lavern's sub vocals were suddenly joined by a strange buzzing sensation just under Vereus' fringe.* He looked up in time to see the youngling fall over and begin to cry. Liquid leaked down the human's face. Tears, he remembered. Turians couldn't cry. The child was panicking, in whirlwind of people walking around, without a second glance. He got up and approached, careful not to seem threatening. To his surprise the child seemed only grateful as he gently helped them back to their feet, and out of the crowd. The youngling smiled up at him and he nodded, he turning back toward Lavern. Suddenly, the buzzing sensation intensified to a painful level. Vereus clutched at his head and sank to his knees in shock.
He thought he saw Lavern begin to shout something, but he couldn't hear. he could barely see. Everything seemed to slow down.
The far wall appeared to disintegrate, fire spilling around the edges of debris as it burst towards him. He just had time to shield the child with his own form before the blast hit him too. He vaguely remembered being slammed into something solid, before his mind shorted out.
Consciousness came rushing back, accompanied by pain shooting up his spine. The world span and sounds were muffled under the ringing of his earholes. Then he raised his head, wincing as it protested. Lavern was closer to the blast. Oh shit, Lavern! Vereus scanned the area, vision blurry and shifting, as yelling, screaming and crying figures ran past or lay still on the blackened ground. His frantic gaze found his friend ten feet away. He was lying too still, in blackened armour and a puddle of blue. Vereus tried to call out, but nothing got past his lips. He pushed himself to his feet with a shudder and took two halting steps, before pitching forwards.
He saw the ground rise to meet him, and everything went black.
*see art/Turian-Anatomy-Study-399020084 for a useful diagram of basic turian anatomy. Thanks to kaji :)