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Chapter One: Discovery
"Were it so easy…"
Thel Vadam gazed up at the steadily rising sun of Sanghelios, this thoughts scattered. He usually awoke at this hour, as the head of his keep he needed to be up and ready for anything. But he had never taken the time to actually look at the massive red star that illuminated their world. That which gave them life, and could just as easily take it away.
The light of dawn broke the horizon, the keep of Vadam shining brightly like a gem. Built into a mountain, the keep of his namesake was among the most prized and envied on all of Sanghelios. He had fought for it more than once, Sangheili of lesser family's would send assassins. He had won every time, further adding to his name.
But recently, he was facing battles he could not win. The unified rulers of his people, the Covenant, were beginning to implement new rules. Families that had long ruled his people since the dawn of time were being supplanted. The lesser races such as the Jiralhanae were being promoted to more and more important tasks. It was a time of political chaos, and Thel feared for his family. This was a fight that needed words, not swords. And Thel had never been good with words.
"Were it so easy…" He rumbled aloud, eyes casting down to the courtyards below his chambers. The children were just beginning to arise, their morning lessons already underway. He chuckled as they began training with wooden swords, flailing and squeaking when struck.
All children of Sanghelios were warriors, it was tradition. But Thel took pride in raising others, while still teaching the arts of war. Farming, building, even medical studies. These were all important things, and Thel knew that. Even if most Sangheili did not…
He turned away, slowly moving back into his private quarters. The room had massive open windows, allowing the breeze from the mountains around them to carry right into his chambers. He pivots his head when he notices a faint purple flash at his desk. A communicator.
He her out a heavy breath. Already he could find no peace, and the day had barely started. He moved to his desk and retrieved the communicator, a holographic display lighting up with a message, written in the glyphs his people used for words. As he read, his eyes narrowed, breathing slightly increasing.
"Fleet Master, you are needed in the war room in Bdaoro. Code Veron."
He paused, the code words flashing in his mind. Veron was a phrase Sangheili military used for an unknown situation. It meant that higher command was needed to verify the issue at hand, and deal with it, one way or another. He only knew this because he had learnt it when he was a child. As far as he could remember, Veron had never been used in his life time. Perhaps even further back.
This was urgent. Very urgent.
Thel stormed out of his quarters, startling several Sangheili as he moved past them. He was known for a calm disposition, and he was sure that they'd seen the look on his face. He stopped by the armory, located near the heart of his keep.
"How can we assist you, most noble Kaiden?" One of the workers asked, bowing as he entered the chambers.
Thel nodded curtly, acknowledging his display. "I require my armor, and perhaps a weapon. And quickly."
"Your will be done." The worker said, bowing again and racing off to do his bidding.
He came back moments later with the armor. Bright gold in color, and decorated with various ornaments and glyphs, the armor of a fleet master was impressive indeed. All warriors aspired to one day wear this armor, a novelty that had not worn off on Thel. He pulled the pieces on as quickly as he could, finishing by sliding the helmet into place. The end result made him look much larger, and deadlier.
The worker hurried back with a large, purple rifle. Large pink crystals jutted out from its top, the barrel sleek and glowing from within. The Type-31 Needle Rifle was considered an older weapon by Sangheili standards, but Thel personally loved it. It fired just right for him, hitting its mark every time. He was also given a Plasma Pistol by the worker, which stuck nicely to his calf armor.
He thanked the workers before hurrying out, moving into the courtyards. Children cheered and waved as he walked by, the woman scolding them before acting just as childish. He waved to them all, thanking them for their kindness, before heading into the hanger area. Here, several Phantom ships as well as their drivers awaited.
"Kaiden, where do you need to be taken?" One asked, already stepping into the dropship.
"Bdaoro. And fast." He ordered, stepping inside. The interior was illuminated with purple lights, and was hollow. This allowed for more troops if needed, or a vehicle to fit inside. But it did mean he'd have to stand. Fleet master he might be, but he didn't dare try and take this pilots ship.
The pilot nodded, heading into the cockpit. "Your will be done, Kaiden."
He felt the familiar gut feeling as the ship ascended. Anti-Grav technology had been a staple of his people for hundreds of years, and was a part of both everyday life and the military. The ship was powered by such technology, effortlessly hovering into the air before beginning to accelerate.
Thel watched as the keep receded into the distance, standing by the side of the craft. The bulbous ship lacked sides, allowing for easy access. It also activated shields while in the air, to prevent anyone from falling out. He hung onto a rail above him though, just in case. The light of the sun was truly bright now, illuminating all below. The water of the large lakes glittered like jewels, and the sky bright orange of the dawn, not a cloud to be seen. It should have been a good day.
So why did this message make him feel nervous?
It didn't take long to reach the city, the spire like buildings reaching up like the tallest of trees. Below, citizens of all sorts began their day to day lives, busy moving from one point to another. Thel spotted the military complex on the outskirts, easily identifiable by the energy barriers that blocked it off from the rest of the metropolis.
The Phantom touched down, and Thel spotted a Sangheili of Minor rank waiting for him. He thanked the pilot before stepping off, the Minor rushing to greet him, blue armor reflecting the sun above.
"Fleet Master, it is an honor. I have been instructed to lead you to the war room."
"Then do not let me obstruct your duty." He replied, gesturing for the warrior to lead on. The Minor bowed his head, before turning on his heel and leading him through the complex.
Around them, Thel could see Soldiers preparing themselves. All Sangheili in the military were instructed to be ready for war at all times, as civil war was not unheard off. But the atmosphere was different today, Thel could see and feel it. The Warriors were moving hastily, more so than usual. Weapons were being loaded, Armor checked and checked again. And the Soldiers themselves seemed jumpy. Nervous.
Thel noted all of this, coughing to get the Minors attention. "Warrior, what has happened? Is it civil war?"
The Minor hesitated. "I have been instructed to remain silent unless asked by the Supreme Commander. I dare not break my vow."
"Of course." Thel assured him, cursing inside. The Supreme Commander reported directly to the Sangheili leaders, the Hierarchs. He was the only one Thel would have to take an order from, if one was presented. If he was here in Bdaoro…then something was truly wrong.
He was lead into a massive circular building, its surface a dome. Inside, Sangheili was various ranks hurried about, all of them rushing. Thel's nerves were beginning to snap, but he maintained his pose. It was unlike a leader to show such rude behavior, however much he wanted too…
They reached a war room, in the heart of the complex. Thel immediately spotted several other Fleet Masters present, including his friend Rtas Vadum. And before them, was the Supreme Commander, Xytan Wattinree. His armor shone like chrome, lighting up his surroundings. It made Thel's own feel dull by comparison.
"Ah, Thel Vadam. Please, join us." Xytan ordered. Thel immediately stepped into the small gathering, those of lower ranks sticking to the outskirts of the room, not daring to come close.
"I hope this is not some kind of joke, Supreme Commander." Thel said with a small chuckle, but in his heart he knew it was anything but.
His friend, Rtas, shook his head. "I'm afraid not Thel, the situation is pretty dire."
Xytan silenced them with a wave of his hand. He spoke. "Now that you are all here, we can start…"
Xytan moved toward a small holographic table close by, the others gathering around it. Xytan turned to face them, his mandibles flexing with anxiety. "Several hours ago, our long range scanners detected a craft, not of Covenant origin."
The screen lit up. The display showed a ship the likes of which Thel had never seen before. It was sleek, long and thin at its front. Its rear ended with what looked like a pair of wings, some kind of engines attached. It also had fins on its rear. The whole picture made it appear like some kind of stealthy predator, utterly alien. It reminded Thel of the fierce winged hunters of his home, who snatched up pray without remorse. He shuddered.
"Though the craft is not of our design, its technology has been recognized." Xytan said, sighing heavily. "It was checked, and checked again. But it is still true…this craft is emitting vast gravitational fields, much more so than normal."
Thel felt a chill run up his spine. "But, those were a legend. Stories."
"We know they are not." Xytan said with a growl. "We all know the tale. The times of the Forerunners, and their greatest enemy. The Machines who bent gravity to their will, that rained death down upon their worlds. We know them, as the Reapers."
The war room filled with murmurs, which Thel did not take part in. The Reapers…the beings said to have destroyed the gods of Sanghelios, the Forerunners. Beings who uplifted his people, taught them how to read, write, create. It was said the Forerunners had chosen his people for a great purpose, a purpose that would now never be known. Legend or not, anything capable of destroying an intergalactic empire like theirs was to be feared.
"Do we know the size of the enemy vessel?" Rtas asked.
Xytan nodded grimly. "Indeed, the ship is estimated to be around 100m."
The room fell silent, before another Fleet Commander laughed. "That would mean the ship is tiny by our standards, Supreme Commander. Why not simply send out a Cruiser and destroy it?"
"Small it may be…" Xytan said slowly. "But we do not know its capabilities. It is bending gravity around it, for all we know it could be denser than it appears. Also, you have not taken into account what a ship that size is doing on its own. It could be a scout."
"Then we must neutralize it with all haste." Rtas said loudly. "I will command a cruiser out there immediately, just give the command."
But Xytan wasn't looking at Rtas, he was looking at Thel. "Vadam, you have not said a word. What say you in all of this?"
Thel paused, considering his words carefully. "I believe that this vessel is more than it seems. It has writing on the side of some sort, perhaps its appearance here is co-incidence. That said, it cannot be allowed to just fly closer without further investigating."
Xytan's mandibles flexed into a smile. "You have always been the most unorthodox with your tactics. You have won battles in way's others, even myself, wouldn't have thought of. I am giving you command of this mission. How will you proceed?"
Thel looked back at the display, the slowly rotating vessel as alien as before. "I will take a Corvette out there myself, with men I trust. I will see if this ship is hostile or not, and if the beings who crafted it can be reasoned with. If not…the destruction of my ship will alert you to their intentions."
The others began mumbling, but Xytan silenced them. "Risky, but I have faith in you Thel. Leave at once, I want this resolved as soon as possible. May the gods watch over you, brother."
"And you as well…Supreme Commander." Thel said, bowing. He turned and left immediately after, avoiding eye contact with any who stared. His mind raced as he thought of what needed to be done. Crew would be needed, warriors he knew well. Weapons, Ammo. He needed to be prepared for anything.
As he stepped outside, he looked up into the sky again, as if he could see his target from the ground he stood on. He rumbled in his chest.
"Were it so easy…"
A galactic hour earlier…
"Joker, you're lost."
Joker, the pilot of the SSV-Normandy, shook his head vigorously. "Of course not Shepard! I'm just…getting my bearings. Yeah, that."
Jane Shepard rolled her eyes, lightly tapping the back of Jokers head. "Whatever, just get us back on course would you?"
"I'm trying!" Joker complained, gesturing to the multiple displays in front of his pilot's seat. "But something's constantly interfering with the sensors. I can't get a lock on the nearest Relay."
"Just…do something. I don't know, use your flying magic."
Joker raised a brow, snickering. "Roger that Commander, I'll just cast a spell shall I?"
Shepard shook her head, smirking. "You do that. I'm gonna go check up on the rest of the crew."
"That's cool. I'll just be here…alone."
Shepard walked off, leaving the now alone Joker to talk to himself. The guy may have been an oddball, but he was the best damn pilot the Alliance Navy had. Shepard wouldn't want anyone else flying her ship.
She moved down the main walkway, saying brief hello's and saluting to the Navy personal responsible for keeping the ship from crashing. Joker may have been the pilot, but there was a lot he couldn't do on his own. Weapon systems, radar, stealth fields. The Mass Effect generator. The Normandy was a small ship, and so needed a smaller crew, but that still meant dozens of Alliance personal.
But Shepard wasn't too interested in stopping to chat to them. Because the Normandy had picked up some…interesting crew members recently. The inclusion of Aliens on the team had more than a few of the crew on edge, but Shepard was loving it. The new crew members came from all backgrounds. Mercenaries, C-Sec and even a Doctor.
In fact, that was who Shepard planned on talking to next. She descended the small stairway near the back of the ship, moving down to the crew quarters. This floor was more cramped, wedged between the CIC above, and the Hanger below. But it was cozy, and Shepard preferred it that way. She couldn't imagine the Normandy being any bigger…or having something ridiculous like leather seats.
She walked into the Medical office, the Doctor's room through the doorway on the other side. She opened the door, knocking lightly afterward.
"Oh, Shepard! You scared me…" Dr. Liara T'soni said, jumping. She dropped several papers she'd been holdings, immediately bending down to pick them up. Shepard chuckled and helped her, kneeling down and grabbing the last few pages.
"I thought you would be used to that by now." She commented, handing the pages over to the woman.
"Well, I guess you could say I haven't gotten used to you yet." Liara replied. "You are human after all. I'm still getting to know your customs…"
Shepard grinned. Liara had a human like face, and shape, but that where the similarities ended. Her Species, the Asari, were an all-female race of high intelligence. Their skin was colored blue of varying shades, and also looked rougher than human skin, appearing slightly more course. Asari lacked hair as well, instead having hard crests on their heads. They were regarded as some of the most beautiful people out there, and Shepard was inclined to agree. If she swung that way, she'd definitely want to get to know the Doctor more…
"It's called knocking, not that hard to get." Shepard chuckled, looking down at the papers. "What are these anyway?"
"Just documents about my archeological digs." Liara said, looking down at them briefly. "Would you like to read through them? I find them very interesting."
"I'm sure they are, but I only stopped by to check on you." Shepard said with a sheepish grin. "Wanted to make sure you hadn't walked into the men's rest room again."
Liara's cheeks turned a dark shade of blue. "I told you it was an accident…"
Shepard laughed. "I'm just kidding. I'll leave you in peace now, come find me if you need anything."
Liara nodded, smiling as Shepard left. She nearly bumped into another person on her way out, earning a startled grunt in her ear.
"Uhh, sorry commander. Guess your red hair isn't as easy to spot as I thought." Kaiden Alenko muttered, rubbing his nose.
"Oh shit, sorry. You ok?" Shepard asked. Kaiden nodded, putting on a smile.
"Oh I'm fine. The most action I've seen since Eden Prime." He chuckled. "How's things up top? I've been reading, haven't kept up to date."
"Jokers lost…again." Shepard said.
Kaiden frowned. "Hmm, maybe I can help…I'll catch you later Shepard."
"Later Alenko."
Kaiden hurried off, running up the stairs. Shepard shook her head as she strolled into the lift, located in the middle of the crew quarters. The lift went down into the hanger, where the rest of the crew she wanted to see spent most of their time. As the lift door opened, she was greeted by another human face, though one she was far less fond off.
"Oh, Commander." Ashley Williams said curtly.
Shepard nodded. "What are you doing down here, Chief?"
"Just…talking to the crew." She said, avoiding eye contact. She stepped into the elevator and pressed the up button, leaving without another word. Shepard grimaced. Out of all the crew, Ashley was the most…Xenophobic. She wondered exactly what the 'talking' entailed.
"She was asking how I'm so handsome, in case you were wondering Commander."
A smile instantly cracked on her lips, as she turned to face the voices owner. "The only thing you're handsome too Vakarian is a Krogan."
Garrus Vakarian, a Turian, chuckled. He clutched at his chest, as if injured. "Oh, you wound me Shepard. How will I live on?"
"I'm sure you'll find a way." She said with a grin, walking over to him.
Garrus's species were far more alien than Liara's were. Tall and thin, he resembled something akin to a bird. His skin was mildly metallic, covered in plates and crests. His head ended in a sort of beak, two flat mandibles covering the sides. All in all, not something Shepard thought of as attractive, though Garrus was an exception. They'd been firing off jokes at each other since he came aboard, instant friends.
"So what brings the great Commander down here? Why have I, a lowly worker, been so privileged?" He said, flexing two of his three digits in the air sarcastically. Shepard found it hilarious when the aliens tried to imitate human expressions, though Garrus pulled it off rather well. At least, compared to Liara.
"Nothing, I can't check on a friend?"
Garrus did a double take. "When did we become friends? I don't remember signing that on the contract."
Shepard shook her head, laughing. "You're a goof, you know that?"
"True, but you love it." He shot back, smirking.
"Nah, remember? A face only a Krogan could love."
"Speak for yourself…" A voice from the other side of the hanger rumbled. "I ain't kissing him."
Shepard turned to face it's owner, who was working at a weapons bench. "Wrex, didn't anyone tell you not to listen into others conversations?"
Urdnot Wrex turned his massive body around, lips peeling back into a grin. "Sorry, that isn't something taught on Tuchanka. Besides, its not my fault. You two aren't exactly quiet over there."
"How do you even hear Wrex? I can't seem to find your ear holes." Garrus commented, tilting his head. "No matter how many times I peek."
Wrex's people, the Krogan, looked as if they came from Earth during the time of the Dinosaurs. Large, scaly and with reptile like eyes and mouths, they looked like giant lizards, minus the tail. Big and Bulky, the Krogan were the largest species in Council accepted space. They were prized as fighters, due to being highly resilient in combat. This however, was due to a horrible past. One Shepard had felt nothing but horror at hearing…
Wrex grumbled. "Watch it Vakarian, don't make me remind you that I beat you in an arm wrestle…about five times now."
"True, though in my defense…you do have big arms." Garrus said, looking down at Shepard. "I bet I could beat the Commander."
Shepard smirked. "Sorry, I'd probably kick your ass too."
"Joker would kick your ass, and he's got brittle bones." Wrex said, his body shaking with quiet laughter before turning back to his bench.
"What you working on?" Shepard called out. Wrex grumbled something and kept working, ignoring her.
"You know Krogan, it's never big enough." Garrus commented. "So anyway Shepard, can I help you with something? Is it finally time for us to commandeer the Normandy?"
"I can't commandeer my own ship you idiot."
"Sure you could, though you would have to use an alias."
"Why the heck would I do that?"
"To steal your own ship. Come on Shepard, keep up." Garrus said, lightly flicking her hair with a clawed finger.
Shepard rolled her eyes. "Ok, you're getting too weird for me…again. Is Tali in her usual place?"
"Of course, that girl never leaves the engine room." Garrus said. "If you go in, could you tell her I have some Dextro drinks that we can share. I'd ask you, but, you might die."
"Gee thanks." Shepard said. "I'll pass it along."
Shepard left as Garrus called out something to Wrex, which earned him another loud growl. She walked across the hanger toward a small doorway which led into the back of the ship. Inside, the space was cramped, more so than anywhere else. A few Human technicians were down here, but they weren't who Shepard had come for.
"Hey Tali, you down here?" She called out. Her answer was a curse followed by a thud.
"Shepard!" Tali called out, appearing from around a bend. She dusted herself off. "Its good to see you. What brings you down to the engines?"
"What? I can't say hey?" Shepard asked, looking the girl up and down.
The Quarians were a bit of a mystery, even to other aliens. They wore full body suits their whole lives, never removing them when away from home. They're immune systems were vastly weaker, which meant the suits saved their lives. They didn't live on a home world, rather a home fleet. The Migrant Fleet was the largest known in the galaxy, and yet is was mostly life ships, not weapons of war. What a Quarian looked like under the suit was a mystery…
"Of course, though I don't imagine you stopped by just to see me." Tali said, her voice slightly filtered by the helmet she wore, which had a large reflective visor. "Did you want an update on the Mass Effect Core?"
"Nah, I was just checking up. Though Joker's currently lost. Have any ideas for that?"
"What's wrong exactly?" Tali asked, hand on her hip.
"He says the scanner is jamming up or something." Shepard tried, tech talk not her strong suit.
"Hmm…" Tali pondered. "He could redirect all non-essential power to the scanner, give it a boost. It's not like the rest rooms are needed anyway. You can just go in your suits."
"Yeah uhh, we can't do that." Shepard told her.
"You can't? Wow, Humans are weird…"
Shepard laughed, before remembering Garrus's request. "Oh yeah, Garrus wanted me to tell you-"
The ship suddenly lurched, causing her to lose her balance. She quickly readjusted, catching a falling Tali before the Quarian hit the ground. The lights flickered, turning off for a second before coming back on. The engine began making a lot of noise.
Shepard swore. "Great, now what is he up to?"
The comms came on as if to answer her, an uneasy Joker talking. "Uhh, Commander? I think you want to see this…"
Shepard sighed. "I have to go, see you Tali."
"Of course Commander, good luck."
Shepard stormed back through the hanger, up the lift. She began moving up the stairs, patching her Omni-Tool to the bridge. "Joker, you had better start explaining."
He answered immediately, any humor in his voice gone. "Ma'am, I made a light jump after you left. I thought I'd detected the relay. But we found…something else."
"What?" Shepard asked impatiently. But Joker went silent again, earning another curse from her.
She made it to the command floor, walking swiftly through the CIC toward the bridge. The crew was in a flurry, voices and commands being fired off rapidly. Kaiden came running out of the Cockpit, meeting her half way. He looked white as a ghost. "Commander, it's…"
But Shepard wanted to see already. She walked right past him, bursting into Jokers area. Joker turned in his chair, also quite pale. He didn't say a word, simply pointed out of the viewing screen in front of them. Shepard peered out, eyes narrowed. At first, she didn't know what she was meant to be seeing. It just looked as if they were in a nebula of some kind. Purple in color, and very solid.
But then, the Purple shape moved, and Shepard finally understood. Her mouth fell open, and she took an involuntary step back. That size, it couldn't be. It was impossible by all known laws of physics…
And yet, it was there, right in front of them. A massive ship, easily dwarfing their own. Worst of all, the ship wasn't like any she'd seen before. It was sleek, purple colored. An odd shape, almost like an oval. She couldn't make sense of it.
"Commander…what do we do?" Joker asked, all eyes turning to her.
She took a deep breath. "Joker, alert the crew. Prepare for battle."