(A/N): Christ, it's been a year, and it's barely December. At least there's Andromeda to look forward to. Just don't screw it up EA & Bioware.

Chapter 2: Welcome to H+

"Reuniting" with those from Earth went as well as a family reunion where the cousins, aunts, and uncles are all assholes, yet you have to accept the attitude is hereditary. Both the Alliance Systems and the rest of the Galactic community weren't exactly comfortable with the revelation of our connection. While understandable for the Council, I feel that any mistrust from the "normal" Humans is misplaced. I can't help but feel sorry for them though, entering a world where prejudice towards them has already been formed.


July 13, 2157

12 hrs/29 min/02 sec

Council Conference Chamber

"It's good to know you two are just as concerned as I am about these newcomers," Councilor Taex said with relief.

"Technically speaking, I'm mostly concerned about their biological connection to the Augmented species of the Terran Republic, and how they came to be of their current state. I'm starting to believe they may have omitted some information concerning their accelerated evolution," Councilor Sancso stated. "As far as I'm concerned, the only difference between both species is that one group is biosynthetic, the other is organic. Other than that, they have similar tactics, politics, and culture. Essentially, we're dealing with the Terran's first contact all over again, except the Hierarchy is at the receiving end."

"Answers will surface in time, and they aren't too threatening just yet. They aren't nearly as advanced as any of us, or their biosynthetic counterparts. However, I fear that the Alliance will use this relationship as a bargaining chip with the Terrans and gain this same advantage. Should we have conflicts in the future, we'll have to combat the same threat on two fronts, neither of which we can afford," Councilor Tevos imputed. She was fearful of the Terran's great advancements, and how they already had outstripped the Asari on several fronts in terms of technological progression.

"So far, that doesn't seem to be the case, but I do feel we can't allow these 'original Terrans' to gain momentum so quickly just yet. I have no problem allowing them to play around in the Attican Traverse, maybe they'll rub shoulders with the Hegemony, and we'll be the least of their concerns," Taex proposed, leaning on the table and supporting his chin with his arms.

"I'm aware it was the Heirarchy that had to step in to prevent the Batarians' extinction at the hands of the Terrans in the first place, and I will not take up the same responsibility should history repeat itself," Sancso growled, slamming her palm on the table and allowing her mandibles to openly twitch to get her point across.

Tevos believed the Batarians had done much less than their fair share to Galactic developments than any other race had, and as such deserved what horrors they faced. "The Batarians wouldn't be a grave loss. Should the Alliance finish off and scatter the Batarians into a government-less, nomadic race, so be it. So long as the Alliance Systems have something to rid their angst on."

Sancso retreated to a calmer stance. "So be it. But I've made my decision process clear, so I hope you two do likewise should the situation arise."


July 14, 2157

10 hrs/20 min/29 sec

ShanXi Colony

Fredrick hadn't imagined finally encountering Humans from Earth to be so uncomfortable, nor did he expect the same reaction in return. It was only ten days after the conflict ended, and both subspecies were already giving each other wayward glances. "Normal" Humans weren't nearly used to the same level of implantation or synthetic tissue composure as the "Aug" Humans were, and were still becoming accustomed to having biotics among their numbers. Most notably among biological differences was how Augs stood a foot taller than the average Normal, and how their strength was much more comparable to a Rhino.

Politically speaking, both the Alliance Systems and Terran Republic had started on the wrong foot. The Earth's current environment was a ruined shadow of its former self, and uncontrolled industrial work and population growth had allowed smog to choke up almost half of the developed world. Furthermore, a Third World War had finally broken out towards the end of the Twenty First Century, and was still reeling from the fallout of the aftermath. When politicians had finally met, the Alliance was eager to "reunite" under a single government, when the Terrans were found distaste with the proposition. The Terrans argued that what was Delta Station had long since broken off and become it's own government, own species, and own culture, but was still willing to send aid to show recognition of relations.

For now, Fredrick was going to be sent back to the broken Earth to pick up the pieces and stich them back together, but was still helping to repair the ShanXi colony. As of the very moment, he stood in front of wide-eyed young Alliance troops, as he presented them each bit of equipment in the Terran arsenal at a firing range, Anderson standing at the head of the pack.

"Particle weapons is the basis of our arsenal," Fredrick started simply. From the advancements we've made on Khonsu, we more commonly use accelerated particles over thermal rounds. As a direct-energy weapon, we're basically firing off a string of charged particles. Hence, the projectiles lack any true mass, and generate no recoil. The reasons why everyone else isn't using these weapons, is because they are incredibly heavy," he explained as he handed his rifle to Anderson, causing the soldier to struggle to keep the weapon level. "Firstly, the materials we had to work with on Khonsu are much more dense than the metals used to normally manufacture guns are. Secondly, these weapons are more oriented towards our own physiology, so the only other species you'll most likely see using these weapons are Krogan. Hopefully, you were paying attention to the slides Captain Hong was providing, so you'll understand what those are," Fredrick answered, gesturing towards some soldiers giving confused glances. "Thirdly, these things require these dense, compact materials to fire and work. You're basically carrying a miniature, more advanced Hadron Collidor, and the particle beams you are firing off will melt materials of lesser heat resistance. Trust me, I've seen it happen," Fredrick finished, prompting a few laughs. "Now, we move onto the toys."

Fredrick picked up his trusty LSAP rifle from a table to his side and showed it to the crowd. "This is the standard issue LongSword Accelerated Particle Rifle," he started. "It is derived from the M4 carbine platform, except the handle has now been stretched over the entirety of the main body, flattened to allow various attachments, and clips are these bioelectric cells that are recharged using our biocells, directed to the exterior of our suits at our lower back, I'll get to the armor later." Fredrick turned to the range, aimed the weapon, and fired a few times. "While it isn't an automatic-fire option like its predecessor, it has fifty round clip, is best suited for medium range, and is capable of severe burns and dismemberment if it doesn't kill you." Fredrick then turned around, put the weapon down on the table next to him and drew out the LSAP-Sniper variant. "The sniper variant has an extended barrel for completely reduced spread, and is pretty self explanatory."

Fredrick turned his attention to the LBP machine pistol on the table. "The Light-Burst Particle machine pistol, derived from the MP7, was designed with greater spread and chip-damage in mind. The accelerator track is half the length of the rifle, causing a greater chance of random deviation. There is an extended barrel option for those who are comfortable with greater control," he said before turning back to the range and giving the machine a light burst.

Once again, he put the weapon down and picked up the SAP pistol. "The Short-rail Accelerated Particle pistol, like the M9 it was based on, is a side arm meant for personal protection. Usually, it won't be used unless for covert mission, officer protection, specialist protection, and civilian use. Unless you're feeling really nostalgic and want to dual wield these," he explained as he twirled the gun around, before returning it to the table.

"Then, there's the Saiga-12's long lost grandchild Dispersed-Energy Pulse shotgun," he continued, picking up the short weapon. "Rather than a beam, the weapon releases a pulse of energy in an expanding cone formation. The shot will completely disperse at long range, so don't try to snipe with it," Fredrick said, as he demonstrated on various targets at the firing range.

He put down the weapon and swapped out for a railgun. "This is the only projectile-based weapon we use. It's capable of firing various types of projectiles at longer ranges, and is capable of firing various ammo types. How it works should be pretty self explanatory." He simply showed the reloading mechanism and a few different ammo-type magazines. "Originally, we used an old fashion grenade launcher for this role before we replaced it with this."

Fredrick returned the railgun before pulling a large crate from under the table, typed in the lock code, and whipped out an MG-14. "This is basically the great-great-great-great-grandchild of the MG-42. It has a coolant barrel on the underside of the main barrel, and is the heaviest of the whole arsenal. Unless you skipped out on history, this monstrosity should be pretty self-explanatory. You'll only see this in gun placements, and carried by the incredibly brash, as it either requires another generator altogether for charging, or extra large batteries, because pulling the trigger will reduce the unlucky bastard at the receiving end of the barrel to a fine red mist. The weapon itself comes with a bipod for stationary placement on the field, for those who aren't heavies," he continued to explain as he set up the weapon at the range, including attaching a stationary power source. "You gentlemen can give it a demonstration run later, but now for the armor."

He removed his helmet and turned it around for everyone to see. "As you can probably tell, the top half was based upon the PASGT helmet, or Kevlar helmet, with an added lower component that does seal onto the rest of the suit. Under the circumstances the environment had some oxygen, the dual filters on the front allow the helmet to filter out this air while saving and restoring the oxygen cells in the back of the suit. These oxygen cell can allow the wearer to thrive in inhospitable environments for up to twelve hours." Fredrick put back on his helmet, and allowed the seals to take place, before continuing. "The suit is a composed of a bodyglove and several other insulated layers, before being covered by the muscular metal mesh. The mesh is designed to allow full mobility, yet thorough damage resistance, topped off by additional armor plating." As the final part of the armor demonstration, he pulled a battery from the lower part of his back, where the shotgun would usually go. "Our suits do stem some bioelectricity to recharge our ammunition clips. Originally, this was because we wanted to save on materials, but now it's so we can keep up the fight without too much worry of low ammo."

Putting back the battery, Fredrick allowed a sea of nanites to coat his left arm. "Now, nanites are the magical reason we aren't skeletons huddled around what's left of a fire on Khonsu. No doubt you've seen these being used on wounded and ill in the medical wing by now. First and foremost, they serve as our immune system and allow us to recover much quicker." Without warning, Fredrick pulled off his helmet, opened his mouth slightly, pulled out his pistol, held it up to his right cheek, and fired, sending a bolt clean through both cheeks. Without acknowledging the pain, he continued, "Now, having two extra holes in your face is incredibly inconvenient, even if they are just piercings. Fortunately, our bodies do consist of glands that hold and grow more additional nanites." Proving his point, both cheeks puddled with nanites, before shrinking and revealing the repaired tissue underneath. "Nanites can also be used for mechanical reasons, and engineers bring their own type for repairing machinery. Major White should be back by the garage repairing some of your vehicles if you want further demonstration. Finally, nanites make an excellent form of extra protection while active." For his final demonstration, he had the nanites cover his whole body, forming his shield. "If you're fighting one of us, and you see this happen, you better stay in cover until we finally drop this, because you will not be able to shoot through this."

"Finally, there's the list of abilities you'd expect in combat, such as strength, agility, excessive use of biotics, cloaking, seeing through walls, and withstanding various other hazards on the field no one else can. And yes, our bodies are capable of withstanding EMPs, or we wouldn't be here. Anyways, I've got matters to discuss with your staff sergeant. For now, dismissed." The soldiers saluted, and either went their way, or proceeded to attempt firing the MG-14.

"Well, I suppose baby steps are the way forward. I'm not entirely in agreement with my superiors that the proposal at that conference last week was a good idea," Anderson started, approaching Fredrick as the two walked through the gradually repairing colony.

"Neither do I, but I'm grateful that we are at least showing some friendly gesture to get developments on the right track. Tell me, what is Earth like currently?" Fredrick returned.

"Where do I start, Major Müller? Infrastructure is strong, but the thick smog, rampant poverty, and overpopulation were starting to get to us. At least everyone was forced to work together after the Third World War. Hell, had the war lasted a week longer, there would've been nothing left. May I ask what Khonsu is like?" Sergeant Anderson responded.

"Clean, well kept, strict but fair, we've probably done a much better job of industrial regulation, and we do have multiple programs to ensure the severe limitation of poverty and crime. Like I said, it was a rough start, and there were a few people who had to be dragged kicking and screaming to make sure we could survive. We've been able to maintain population growth by spreading out in the Delta Nebula, and people usually have a tendency to stick within the confines of the system. We are able to track ourselves through the registration on our implants, but the Galaxy still isn't exactly comfortable with 'synthetic' life forms. Especially after the Geth uprising from three hundred cycles ago," Fredrick explained.

"'Geth' sir?" Anderson asked.

"A race of artificial intelligences made by the nomadic race, the Quarians, as servants. They had readily added more and more to the Geth's processing capabilities as simply virtual-intelligences until they became sentient. While innocuous at first, the Quarians panicked and started a war with their own creations, resulting in their self-exile. The Quarians have primarily lived on a large fleet of ships ever since," Fredrick answered, reminding himself that these were all new concepts to Anderson and the others.

"I see. Why haven't they established a new home on another planet?" Anderson asked.

"Apparently, it's punishment for being so careless with AI, because of regulations against doing so. However, I don't see how dooming a race to long-term possible extinction is going to teach them, or solve anything for that matter. They even had their embassy rights stripped," Fredrick grumbled.

"I'm getting the impression the council has earned your ire. May I ask what?" Anderson asked once more as they approached the garage.

Fredrick narrowly resisted the urge to suddenly lash out. At the word "ire," a brief flash of Tevos and Samelthea's faces briefly flashed in his mind's eye. "They all have their secrets. Some of which they use to their advantage over other races, and would turn into a political bombshell if someone leaked them."

The two approached Nolan White from behind as he worked on a M35 Mako. Fredrick still couldn't help but grin whenever he saw one of his original teammates, and this introduction was no exception. Nolan withdrew a long strand of nanites from the interior of the engine before turning to greet the two. "Fredrick, good to see you, man! Just doing my best to repair your tanks, Sergeant," Nolan greeted as he patted Fredrick on the shoulder, unlike the reserved Nolan from the Twenty-First.

"Do you have everything you need, Major? I know resources are scarce from the war, so I understand if you experience a few limitations," Anderson asked.

"Nothing like that, but I still would like to ask just who the hell designed this thing, Sergeant? Because just from scans and having the nanties poke inside alone, I can easily tell you these miserable hunks of metal are more likely to land your troops in the infirmary than it is going to get a guaranteed enemy-KIA," Nolan answered, raising an eyebrow. "Don't get me wrong, these have all the right components, it's just they're poorly tuned to the conditions they'll be travelling through. The steering module is slow to respond, the suspension is too highly tuned, it's top-heavy, and there is no terrain compensation for the gun, essentially a recipe for endless friendly-fire incidents. The only positives are the protection, displays, and the main gun, and I know for a fact from my early days with Fredrick that we're better off on foot."

"I'm sure the sergeant will pass on your complaints, Nolan," Fredrick started. "While Williams and the Admiral oversee negotiations on the Citadel, I was going to be in the recovery operation back on Earth. I presume you would be there as well?"

"Yeah. They want me along too to help install the atmo-scrubbers. Just how bad did the smog on Earth manage to get, Sergeant?" Nolan answered before turning to Anderson.

"Pretty bad over the years. You'd have to go far out to the countryside back in Britain to get a good view of clear-blue sky, and people in more urban areas are starting to wear small masks, so you shouldn't have to worry about scaring anyone with those helmets of yours. Seriously, did any of the original colonists bring a copy of the Star Wars vids?" Anderson described further, before trying to add a semi-cheerful tone at the end.

"Well, I don't exactly see the point of having open-visor helmets or exposed oxygen connections at the back of the helmet either, sergeant," Nolan commented.


15 hrs/45 min/32 sec Local Time

London, Britain, Sol System, "Local" Cluster

Earth had most definitely changed. In the wake of the Third World War, more of the past had been reduced to ash, leaving room to build and heal. With the new flow of resources from the few colonies they had established, the inhabitants of Earth began to climb over the buildings of old, forming newer, sleeker buildings, and more of them. Regardless of the wounds of the past, they still had pressing issues threatening their survivability.

However, measures and efforts to stem the effects of industrialization, overpopulation, and unregulated manufacturing had ultimately failed. In the face of both the destruction caused by the war, and the greatly delayed effort to expand to space caused by the wormhole collapse, the governments couldn't maintain control anymore. Eventually, the fragments of the old world banded together one last time to make a solid push to Mars. By 2103, multiple countries had established colonies, and had finally found the one element they had never a chance to receive from Khonsu: dark matter, which they called element zero. By the late 2140s, they found a Prothean laboratory, which ultimately jumped their technology to the pace of the other space-faring races. Ultimately, the newfound ability to become a space-faring species had called for need for a new group to regulate and oversee colony management and space travel, giving rise to the Systems Alliance.

While they had the technology to finally move away from the caustic fuels polluting their world, the damage was already immense. Fortunately, it was not irreversible, and among other installations to stabilize living on Earth. Unfortunately, change would still take its time to take effect.

"Well, I guess Omega isn't the worst place in the Galaxy," Nolan commented nervously. Fredrick, Nolan, and a detachment of troops just hung over London, getting a wide view from the gunship they rode. The two were going to an Alliance HQ set in London.

"Well, the smog here looks much better than it does in other locations, but it's still bad. I presume you'll be deploying the atmo-stimulator is some centralized location?" Fredrick asked.

"Yeah, and I presume you'll be working your way with the politicians. Again. But it'll still be a moment to behold, right?" Fredrick honestly preferred the loose yet positive looking Nolan compared to the protocol-zealous and head-tight Nolan of the Twenty-First.

The gunships came to a halt on the large airstrip just towards the south of the Alliance structure. "Well, here we are, Nolan. Enjoy the stay while it lasts." Fredrick took his first steps on the ground below him, and took a good look at the world around him, before being followed by his fellow soldiers out. It was a strange sensation, first taking look at the world around him. On the tarmac were personnel of various rank approaching to meet them and the cargo freighters following the gunships. He knew it would be years to fix the problems the two races faced, any prejudices any thought of the other, and the inevitable defense of one another in the inevitable conflict with the Harvesters, but his actions mattered this time. That moment meant more than another soldier deploying in a civie-central, it was the moment the colonists of Khonsu finally returned home.