Omega Protocol: Shadow Recruits
Chapter 2: Aliens!
Here it is, first chapter of my massive fusion fic and let me first apologize for the large codex entries which I promise will gradually disappear and be replaced by in-story exposition. Let me just make it clear though, The United Systems Alliance will serve as the protagonists of this story. They are not America in Space, but are more akin to a united Europe in Space. Space America is the UCN/ISA.
This will not be a humanity makes nice with the Quarians and gives them a nifty planet to settle down upon. Synthetics are simply too ingrained in human culture, that it is not something that they'll just get rid of because others say so.
Also in order to outweigh human badassery and level the playing field. They are unable to have Biotics.
Last but not least, since I'm not a native English speaker I would greatly appreciate it if you would point out grammatical mistakes for me. Anyway I hope you'll enjoy reading the story.
"We've outgrown such silly superstitions as believing in an almighty being in the sky. Now Xenu! We all know he is the true god." - Unknown Scientologist, year 2133.
August 11, 2390
Thellia, Wen Kroy
Ariadne system
United Systems Alliance
Wen Kroy the city of lights and spires, with mile high sky scrapers dotting its skyline and a population of one hundred million, it is the most populous city in the United Systems. New York on Speed or New York Turned Up to Eleven is what the locals call it. A massive city located on a river mouth and covering three islands plus the mainland. It is divided into four parts. The Upland is the part of Wen Kroy located on the mainland. It is more sparsely populated than the rest of the city's territory and generally flattens out the farther north from downtown one goes. Mauritius is an island located just beneath Upland and is the most densely populated part of the city. It is home to several skyscrapers. Benath Mauritius lies Liberty Island, not as densely populated as Mauritius but also home to several super tall structures. To the east lies Gotham Island, though only half of it is covered by cityscape. Like Upland, the farther one goes from downtown the more sparsely populated it becomes. The entire area of Wen Kroy is twice the size of New York City. The island Mauritius is two times larger than Manhattan.
A clean, safe and peaceful city if you like cameras on every street corner and police droids armed with automatic weapons patrolling the streets. Despite the extremely tall skyscrapers the city is well lit and good urban planning has ensured that its well run and public transport is efficient.
From space major cities on Thellia dots its surface as massive rings of light, each connected by ribbons of city lights. All stretching across the planet in an intricate pattern that allows wildlife and nature to coexist with urban sprawl. Still despite being the most populous planet with the largest cities in the Frontier. Thellia is but the habitable planet orbiting the fourth star in the quintuple star system of Ariadne. Culturally and politically significant, but not the capital.
The 500 Galactica is the tallest residential skyscraper in Wen Kroy, with a height of two kilometers one could look over the entire city from the buildings penthouse. One such person did just that, he was clad in simple blue jeans and a simple white shirt. One side tucked into his pants. His arm leaning against the window. A glass of amber liquid in the other. His hair was black, his eyes were violet, his features handsome with just enough of a mix between East Asian and Caucasian that he could pass for both.
The bedroom he stood in was dark. Illuminated by the light of the moon. It was raining outside. Only the occasional sound of thunder interrupted the patter of rain. He stood watching the lights of the city beneath him. Cargo ships taking off in the distance and the light klaxon from vehicles thousands of feet below. He was brought out of his quiet musings when his phone rang.
"This is Kusanagi," he answered before emptying his glass. Grimacing slightly from the burning sensation in his throat.
"Uhuh... I see," The man sighed before making his way to the dresser. Discarding his clothes and putting on a pair of dark green cargo pants and a matching officers jacket. Last he took his gun and placed it in his shoulder holster. He took one glance at the sleeping form in his bed, knowing she would leave in the morning. The man then walked to the elevator for the long ride down to the lobby. On the ride down he placed a headset in his left ear. Calling the one person he knew would be awake at this time.
"State your name, rank and file please," Greeted the mechanical voice of the secured line.
"Major Shinichi Kusanagi. Agent Alpha One Tango. Request contact with Echo Delta India Six."
"Confirmed Major. Your line is secured."
"Major it's six thirty in the morning, never took you for an early riser," a warm female voice greeted him.
"Nice to hear you too EDI and I am when I need to. I know shore leave is first over in a week, but we have to cut it short. Orders directly from Olympus. So you better wake Joker and gather the crew. I expect full combat readiness at 0800. Meet you at the dock."
"Of course Major. Over and out."
Shinichi tapped his headset and gave a slight smile. "Just another day at the office," he muttered. He did a quick brass check before exiting the elevator. He waved his ID badge at a squad of police drones before taking a taxi to the spaceport.
"We have finally reached the stage of human evolution where we are able to look like Final Fantasy characters" - Unknown Transhumanist, year 2133
Shinichi Kusanagi lazily waved his ID as he walked through the spaceport customs check towards the enclosed military area. He nodded at the greetings from passing soldiers as he walked towards the landing bay.
The Bucephalus was a majestic ship. A modern version of the old Heliades-class like the USCSS Prometheus. The Bucephalus had been retrofitted as both a science vessel and stealth ship. While capable of limited orbital bombardment and space combat it primarily relies on its fast warp drive and maneuverability to run from combat before it happens. Perfect for clandestine operations. Perfect for the kind of organization that Major Kusanagi and his crew is part of.
As Shinichi approached the lowered cargo bay he could see his crew of twenty already standing at attention with his second in command EDI waiting for him.
"EDI," he greeted with a weak salute giving the android a lopsided smile. "I see that you're still using the Tricia Helfer model."
"If it ain't broke Major. Don't fix it," EDI replied. "Now I believe that the crew are anxious to hear the reason behind the abrupt end to their shore leave."
"Sure EDI, retract the cargo bay and I'll tell you all." EDI didn't move a muscle as she remotely retracted the cargo bay into the Bucephalus.
"At ease people. Now I'm sure you're all curious why your vacation has been cut short..." Shinichi stopped as his 1st lieutenant and pilot had raised his hand. "Yes Joker?"
"Was it a Cylon attack?" Joker said, tipping his trademark pilot cap in a salute.
"No Joker it was not a Cylon attack and killer robots from space. No matter how awesome. Do not exist. Now shut the fuck up and let me finish before I restrict you to decaf for the rest of the tour."
"Great. May as well serve it in the airlock. Hard ass," the lieutenant replied while elbowing crewman Rolston in jest. Making him chuckle. Chief engineer Adams facepalmed.
"Now where was I." Shinichi brushed a hand through his hair and took a breath before standing beside EDI. At six foot he was only an inch taller than her. "Two months ago, June seventh to be exact, the Peoples Republic of China found an inactive mass relay. They chose to reactivate it and took five ships through. Only one returned. It was heavily damaged and managed to reach the nearest colony Shanxi. There the ships only survivor. An android managed to bring back a warning." Shinichi quickly rubbed his eyes before continuing.
"The Chinese have made first contact with a hostile alien race. A race that from all evidence is intelligent and well versed in warfare. One week ago a distress signal was received from Shanxi and one day later all contact with the colony ceased." The entire crew stood still. Even Joker. While there had been major military conflicts besides the first and second Extrasolar-Wars it had always been between humans.
"We will travel to the system closest to Shanxi. Rendezvous with battle group Manticore and make contact with the USS Harrington. The United Systems together with the UCN has agreed to aid the Chinese in liberating their planet. While you will see combat. We are not part of the liberation force. Our primary objective is to assess the enemy and find out how big a threat they are to the US. This is a direct order from the President Caldwell herself. Now prepare for your battle stations we'll be leaving this rock in ten."
"MOVE IT!" Exclaimed EDI before the dazed crew scrambled toward the elevator.
Shinichi and Kelly Chambers - the Bucephalus' counselor - were the last to take the elevator to the bridge.
"What was her name?" Kelly broke the silence.
"What?"
"Her name Major?" Kelly repeated.
"Ehm... Oriona... Oriana. Yes," Shinichi said a little flustered at the counselor's question. "Oriana Lawson. I think..."
Kelly let out a soft sigh before speaking. She knew Shinichi was going through a hard time. His relatively stable life, if you could call it that, had hit a low point since they returned for furlough. She placed her hand on his shoulder. "I know It's hard, she was one of the few people not directly involved in your life. A fixed point that you could always hold on to. But you have to move on. If not for our sake. Then for your own."
"I know Kelly. I know. Hell I've done enough shit that this shouldn't really affect me. But... I don't know... She was special," Shinichi said as he tiredly rubbed his eyes.
"Shin. You're twenty six. There are millions of girls out there like Kasumi. You just have to stop whoring around every night to find that person." Kelly gave her superior officer a teasing smirk as she removed her hand from his shoulder.
The elevator stopped and they both stepped out on the bridge. "You offering?"
"Don't tempt me like that Major. You know I'm taken." Kelly hit Shinichi's arm while acting scandalized. She then quickly turned around. Slapped Samantha Traynor - who let out a yelp - on the ass and stalked towards her office.
"Maybe you should put some ice on that," Shinichi said as he moved past the stunned communications officer. He shook his head lightly trying to put out the thoughts of what his counselor and comm officer were up to during the night and took his place on the bridge. Located up front between EDI and Joker.
"So Major. You think this is the beginning of another great adventure?" Came it from Joker. The pilot was in the middle of prepping the ship for take off.
"I sure hope so. A month of paid leave isn't exactly my cup of tea. Been boring my ass off."
"Well I sure don't. I had to sacrifice this baby on the last one." Joker gestured towards his beard.
"All systems checked Major. We're prepped for launch," EDI informed before Shinichi could reply to Joker.
"Wen Kroy Control this is the Bucephalus. We cleared for launch, over?"
"Bucephalus this is Wen Kroy Control. You are cleared for launch. Over and out."
"You heard the lady, take us up," Shinichi exclaimed before taking his seat in the captains chair. Located a little behind the pilots. "All personnel this is Major Kusanagi speaking. Strap yourself in and prepare for take off."
"Take off in fifteen seconds." EDI's calm voice reverberated through the ship. "Fifteen. Fourteen. Thirteen."
"I always find it creepy when she does that. You know talk through the ship," Joker said directing his statement at the Major.
"Cut the chatter until we're in warp Joker." Joker simply threw his hands up and refocused on his panel.
"Seven. Six. Five. Four and take off."
The rumble of the Bucephalus' four ion engines shook the ship as it slowly lifted into the atmosphere. Rising higher and higher by every minute. Shinichi always loved this part as it made him feel free. Unbound by the grasp of the earth beneath him. It reminded him of being a child again. Together with his brothers and sisters. Before they were scattered across the stars.
"We are fifty kilometers above planet surface Major," EDI informed him.
"Donnelly status?"
"Dilithium chambers at maximum Major we're cleared for warp."
"Joker maximum warp in five."
"Sure thing Major."
"All personnel prepare for warp in five, four, three, two, one. Blast off!" Shinichi ordered as Joker hit the switch accelerating the ship beyond the speed of light. From inside the Bucephalus space would seem to distort itself as the stars became strobes of light. For the outsider the ship would seem to stretch itself before shooting across space faster than you could see. The only evidence left behind being a trail of disappearing blue dust.
"All systems are go Major. Estimated time of arrival. One hour," EDI reported as Shinichi untangled himself from the captain's chair and took his place at the bridge panel up front. The blast shield surrounding the cockpit had been closed. The space going by them in warp being shown on holographic displays.
Shinichi stretched his arms before relaying a message to the crew. "Okay people you heard the XO. ETA in one hour. Chow or shut eye, your choice."
"So Major, what's your thoughts on this mission of ours?" Joker asked as he let EDI take care of the autopilot.
"This ain't the first time we've dealt with hostile extra terrestrials. I just hope it won't be like the Noodle Incident again."
"Yeah we could do without another one of those. You know aliens with acid blood versus predators with more weapons than Rambo I can take. But scary black liquid turning people into super fast, super strong rage zombies. That's crossing the line."
"Fucking Koreatown," Shinichi let out as he leaned with his back against the control panel.
"Let's just hope next time we wont stumble upon any artifact that'll upset the entire space-time continuum."
"This ain't science fiction Joker," EDI deadpanned.
"You got a point there, besides I'd rather not climb a clock tower in order to get back to the future."
"That depends which version we're talking about," EDI added, "Is it the 20th century version the 2080s version or the one that came out in eighty-five?"
Joker shook his head. Adjusted his cap and turned his attention towards the Major. "So Shinichi, scuttlebutt says that you and Little Miss Cat Burglar aren't together anymore."
"She's not a thief, Joker," Shinichi said, glaring at his pilot.
"Oh, really. Then how do you explain the hundred bucks I lost when I greeted her during that get together three months ago?"
"You must have dropped them."
"Admit it, Major. She's a thief, I might not have any evidence that she is one, but she is!"
"Kasumi is not a thief. She's a sweet Japanese girl studying law. Following in her parents footsteps." Shinichi said, patting Joker on the shoulder. The two had gone through many a discussion with the lieutenant accusing his now former girlfriend of being a covert kleptomaniac.
"Okay...I might not have any proof of theft, but every time we had her over I always felt that I needed to check the house for parts she might have pawned off," Joker stated.
Shinichi laughed and turned around. Heading for his private quarters. "It's just my opinion though, there's really no reason to go spreading it around." He heard Joker remark followed by EDI's soft laughter. The Major brushed a hand through his hair and rolled his eyes at his two pilots.
"Ghost in the Shell. Originally the English name of a Japanese manga and anime has been used as a term to refer to people who have uploaded their brains into a cyborg body. The so called ghost refers to the humanity one retains even if your body is no longer your own. Over time it has also come to refer to the so called human behavior within androids that either attains or have been created with true independence."
A Travel Through History By Neil Sagan
United Systems Alliance
Among Earth's supranational governments like the United Colonial Nations and other sovereign powers within the Milky Way Galaxy, the United Systems Alliance stands as one of the youngest and most powerful. A relative upstarts compared to its contemporaries, its location and huge boon in resources and habitable planets has ensured the United Systems skyrocketing rise to a Galactic superpower.
Despite the Alliance part of its name the United Systems Alliance (USA) - commonly referred to as the United Systems (US) is a federal parliamentary democracy, with a president as its head of state. Each planetary government within the US agree to exist semi-autonomously - the degree of autonomy varies from each system - under a central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, equality and the sharing of knowledge and resources.
The United Systems follows the Nordic model of a mixed economy, characterized by a large welfare state, a high level of public expenditure and a universal social system (including universal health care), financed by taxes and not by social contributions. The welfare model is accompanied by a taxation system that is both broad based and with a progressive income tax model, meaning the more money that is earned, the higher income tax percentage that gets paid. While this does leave the US with some of the highest tax rates in the Galaxy. The population is largely content with this as it supports the massive welfare system and ensures a free education for all.
Law
The United Systems has some of the strictest law enforcement in the Galaxy, with squads of police droids patrolling in all cities and surveillance on every street. Not even the police themselves are exempt from surveillance as officers are required to have a minimum of one droid escorting them as backup when on duty. As droids are incorruptible due to their programming, they ensure that the police do not abuse their power and report back directly to the Internal Affairs Department. Only officers that go undercover are exempt from "droid surveillance" as the people call it.
Censorship has been prohibited within the US since its inception. This effectively means that published material does not need prior acceptance from a censor before being released, also known as prior restraint. However, child pornography, hate speech, blasphemy, copyright, libel, and state security laws do exist, which means that a people can be held responsible for statements in publicly disseminated material that violates these laws.
Territory
The Frontier is an open cluster of around 150 stars. Each star has at least one Earthlike planet within its habitable zone and all habitable planets have close to 24 hour days. The capital planet of the United Systems, Ariadne, has a day-night cycle of precisely 24 hours and a revolution of exactly 365 days.
The amount of tampering that Those Who Came Before did to the cluster is unknown but believed to be massive. Whether the cluster started out as natural is unknown. A result of having been left untouched for millennia, the local flora and fauna has over time evolved on its own. Sharks still remain the same though.
That was the first story chapter as you can see humanity has made first contact with a Council race, but which one will be surprise. :-P
As the timeline is different it could be anyone.
Right now I've introduced you to one of the three main characters who will all be named after a famous spy, though the names you have to figure out by yourself. They also work for a secret organization that will be introduced later on.
I try and make my main characters as non-descript as possible so people can imagine how they look themselves, but I do still model them after real actors or video game character. In my head Shinichi looks like Rush Sykes from the game "The Last Remnant." A more mature version though and with Steve Blum's Spike Spiegel voice.
One thing you probably have noticed us that there will be numerous shout outs ranging from not so obvious to the obvious. Like the entire Cylon discussion.
Well I hope you liked it so far and I would love it if you would give me some reviews. :-)
P.S. Can you guess who Shinichi's ex is? It's pretty obvious. XD