Sorry for the late update, guys! The last few weeks were busy for me (if you consider studying and playing Dragon Age: Origins and XCOM), so I got little time to write this chapter. But rest assured that this story is up and running!
By the way, as a Brazillian, I'd like to express a few words regarding the match between Brazil and Germany before we can begin. First, I'd like to congratulate the Germans for their efficiency in dealing against our team (which simply "lost" their way before even match could begin). It was well deserved victory and I can safely say that German football earned a lot of my respect after that match. Second, on behalf of my good people (not the imbeciles), I really apologize for the way some of our rooters mistreated the guy who lost his hearing during the match. That was definitely uncalled for and the idiot who did this deserves to be punished severely. And third, well, I think I've said what was to be said. So, I wish good luck for the rest of the teams who managed to survive in this World Cup.
I just hope my country is ready for some rebellions, because the people here are already getting furious towards our incompetent government...
Anyway, this chapter here is actually part one of two which will display how First Contact will work out. So, I'd like your opinions if I'm doing okay so far or if there are things should be corrected or added... Thank you for time!
January 29th, 2246 - 19:36
Echo Ridge
Geo and Sonia Stelar's house
"Cosmo? Are you ready yet, hon?"
"Coming! Let me just tie this up!"
Sonia Stelar sighed as she waited her son at the living room, already regretting not to have warned him earlier to get dressed. As customary every year, Echo Ridge High School was throwing a graduation party for all students who managed to pass with flying colors; and Cosmo just happened to be one of those students. Although most students had already their careers planned at college, her baby chose to work at WAZA as the new member of their Wave Teams. She was so happy! Cosmo always dreamed to be the MegaMan his father had been when he was only 10.
"I'm ready!" Cosmo stormed off his room wearing a midnight blue tuxedo. Cosmo was 1,86 m tall, with normal waistline and clearly with some visible muscles which implies the boy has been training for a time. He had a light skin, front spiked brownish hair that was so common in the Stelar family which gave that aura of a hero and green eyes inherited from his mother. While he had a carefree attitude most of the time, he could get easily committed to something whenever he had the wish to. He is very smart and kind to others, although a bit shy when meeting someone for the first time. He never does anything without Omega-Xis at his side. After all, the AMian has been like uncle and best friend to him ever since he set his eyes on this world.
Sonia whistled at him. "Wow, isn't my boy the ladykiller today!" She was proud about her choice of tuxedo for him. It totally fit him since he liked blue, mostly because he loved to hear stories about his dad's adventures as MegaMan since he was a child. Imagine the boy's surprise when he first wave-changed with Omega-Xis.
Cosmo rolled his eyes at his mother's antics, already expecting that remark. "Mom, you know I'm not into that kind of stuff yet."
"Yeah, yeah. Career equals priority and women equal distractions." She sighed. Looks like he has been hearing a lot from Luna's and Zack's daughter. "Seriously, hon, you have pressing yourself hard ever since your dad first started training you three years ago to be the MegaMan he was. I know it isn't easy with him and Mega as your teachers, but you need to relax sometimes. Besides, mommy here wants to be a granny someday, you know."
"M-MOM!" He half-shouted with his cheeks already heating up at the mere thought of…, you know. "I told you, when the time comes you'll be the first to know!"
"Your mom is right, Cosmo." Omega-Xis appeared next to them. "Your dad already had his eyes for Sonia when he was 14, but the guy always chickened every time he got the chance until he actually had the guts when he was 20! Well, thanks to the bossy alien here!"
"Look what I have done, mom. Now uncle's going to pester me about this until I freak out and randomly start kissing girls!"
"Oh, that'll be fun!" The AMian chuckled.
"Didn't know you were such a teaser, Meggers." Mega growled as he heard that voice, especially inciting that insulting nickname that Dr. Goodall had given him years ago. How he had tolerated her presence around him all this time was something he would never understand. Lyra, Sonia's Wizard, appeared before him from her Holoband. "By the way, you know that EM beings can have relationships too and I know some FMians and AMians females who are quite interested in you."
If Mega had it in him, he would have blushed about now. No matter if you are a human or EM being, when a guy hears he has quite the fan club things can get embarrassing. "Do I have to repeat myself for eternity!? Women and I don't get along! You're proof number one about it."
"Hmph! That was just rude of you!"
"Now, now… Why don't both of you calm down, eh?" Sonia intervened. "We don't want to spoil Cosmo's special night now, do we?"
"No." Mega and Lyra answered sheepishly. The former singer star giggled at that as it was always so easy for her to get these two to chill.
"Well, then. We should get to the car. Your grandparents are already waiting inside you're your dad. Cosmo, can you lock you the house when you exit, please?"
"Got it." As they left the house, Cosmo stopped by the eye scanner next to the door. He configured it to lock all entries and windows before having his eye scanned to give his confirmation to the device. With a beep, the Real Wave system quickly does its work and creates metal sliders to close them. If anyone were foolish enough to try to barge in, the security system would easily detect the attempt and call the nearest police station. Thanks to this marvel of technology, burglary has significantly reduced around Echo Ridge.
Finished with his work, Cosmo turned and walked to the hover car that was parked outside the garage. Before he entered, he could see his dad grinning mischievously at him along with his grandpa at the back seat. Cosmo knew that when the two were acting like that, that's because they were up to something.
"Ho ho, looks like someone's ready for the ladies." Kelvin joked as he chuckled. And that's another person besides his mother who teased him about his puberty. Though, Kelvin was the active joker of the family. Normally, Cosmo liked to hear him because he could easily make anyone laugh but messing with his teenager problems was getting really old.
"Thanks, grandpa." Better not giving them pleasure and stay quiet, he mused.
However, much to his salvation, his grandma actually pulled Kelvin's and Geo's ears which earned a painful groan from both. "Stop it, you two. Can't you see that's making him uncomfortable?"
"But I didn't do anything, mom!" Geo quickly remarked.
"You sided with your dad earlier which is enough for me to give some punishment." Hope smiled warmly then. "Now that everyone is here, we should get going before it's late. You know how Luna gets, don't you Geo?"
The man gulped and quickly revved the Real Wave car. The thought of Luna's harsh scolds is enough to get the old gang cowering in fear and that's something not even Bud Bison, who grew very fit and strong since 20 years ago, would have the courage to face.
"Mom, you're terrible sometimes, you know that?" Geo complained.
"Dude, stop being a wuss and drive!" Mega shouted from Cosmo's Holoband.
"Okay, okay!" Everyone laughed, including Cosmo. He was happy to have such a cheerful family…
January 29th, 2246 - 20:01
Echo Ridge
Echo Ridge High School - Gym
The drive to the school was a peaceful one. Upon arrival, Geo dematerialized the car and let Cosmo lead the way towards the gym, although his parents already knew the building since they had attended here long ago. It was smaller than the Elementary School, but things here were much more fun. This school was equipped with cutting-edge laboratories that had almost all kinds of equipment to deal with according their specific disciplines, something that Cosmo loved to tinker every so often when he had the chance. Though, he preferred the Astronomy and Engineering sections as those were the areas he interested in pursuing at college.
The Gym was on the other side of the building. It was incredibly large for a school of that size, though the principal insisted that the place should be constructed to house all kinds of equipment for sports and other stuffs. So, basically, it functions in three ways: obviously as a sports ground, a storage room and, if needed, for events like this night's.
Through the hallways, the group could already hear the loud sounds coming from the DJ the principal had hired. The party had started, which meant bad news for Geo and Cosmo. They were in for a world of pain.
And speaking of pain, after they opened the door they faced a certain woman with a duo of ridiculously large ponytails. And she was mad.
"You're LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LAAAAAATE!"
"Ack!" Both father and son covered their ears, already sweating bullets. The noise was so loud that even startled a few guests walking near her.
"We're just five minutes late, Luna!" Geo began complaining.
"Don't even start, Geo! You had years to improve your timing, but I see that you still lack commitment!" Then, she noticed Sonia and Cosmo. "Hi Sonia! Long time no see! And Cosmo, nice party your school built here!"
Luna Platz Temple. Her appearance didn't change much from when she was 10, due to an unusual use of make-ups. However, she is now way more elegant as she likes to portray herself as a high-society woman. She and Zack have started a promising accounting enterprise 4 years ago which quickly went to the top companies of the world. Everyone knew who they were since the duo often appeared in magazines. Today, she was wearing a beautiful evening gown with expensive-looking brown high-heels and a few jewelries here and there.
"Yeah! Where are the others?" Cosmo asked.
"Kelly and Jim are somewhere among the crowd, but last I heard they said they were going to wait for you around the food table!" She answered.
"Heh, I probably know why." With that, he went ahead to look for his friends.
"So Luna," Sonia started. "I see you have been well these days according to what magazines!"
"Teehee! The Temple Accountings sure has been busy since we made our way to the top. I was discussing with Zack if we should open a branch on Sharo now that we have been receiving numerous suggestions from the local companies there! Our analysis suggests that this initiative should raise our incoming by 37% by the end of the next year!"
"Good for you, Luna! I'm sure both of you are proud of your efforts!" Geo smiled warmly. "By the way, where are Bud and Zack? I don't see them around!"
"Well, Zack couldn't come as he had some paperwork to take care of! About Bud, I thought you knew! He said something huge was happening in WAZA, though he didn't say what!"
"Something huge, huh? I better make some calls then!" Then he turned his parents. "Dad, Mom, I need to go to WAZA and check this out, so could you tell Cosmo?"
Kelvin gave him playful punch on the shoulder. "Go do your job, son! But call us if you need Omega-Xis for, you know…"
"Will do!" With that, Geo exited the gym, leaving Luna to stay with Sonia and Geo's parents.
"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Stelar. It's certainly great to see you again. Sorry for I didn't greet you earlier."
Hope smiled. "Don't worry, dear. I know you had a lot to share since the last time you came to Echo Ridge. By the way, how are your parents?"
"Oh, they're quite fine actually. They're enjoying their retirement at Netopia right now."
Meanwhile, Cosmo continued to struggle through the dancing crowd to find his friends at the food table, Kelly and Jim. He chuckled when he thought why they marked it to be their rendezvous.
That Jim and his stomach.
Jim was much like his dad, Bud Bison, in his younger days. Quoting his own father: 'That guy is an eating machine. Period.' He is a chubby good boy with a heart as big as his healthy gut. He has no shame being a slightly fat boy and loves to eat every kind of food he sets his eyes on. But unlike his dad, Jim was much smarter and was capable of great things due to his strength and wording which is why he was applying for Law school this year. He usually has his Wizard Helios at his side, who is phoenix-like AMian who used to be a scout of the AMian army before coming to Earth.
Now, Kelly was more like her father than her mother. She was an usually quiet and calculating one but had an air of unbeatable confidence. Although Cosmo is the leader of the group, Kelly is the knowledge bank of the group alongside her Wizard and best friend Vulpya, who is purple kitsune-like FMian that was a master tactician back when she was part of the FMian Royal Defense. But she is also thoughtful, creative and genuinely cares about others.
"Yo, kid! I can smell Vulpya's frequency coming from over there!" Mega shouted from Cosmo's Holoband as he pointed the teen's arm at a general direction. "And if I know Helios too, I'd bet he isn't far away either."
Following Mega's advice, Cosmo gently pushed through the crowd until he found the food table. There he found Jim eating the food like if there was no tomorrow and Kelly watching him quietly from behind. Before he made his appearance, he took a moment to look at them.
Jim was wearing a black suit which was neatly ironed and his black hair was surprisingly combed. This was a first for Cosmo as he has always seen the boy with messy hair since the day they first met! Kelly on the other hand, he had to admit she was jaw-dropping. She was wearing a purplish minidress which fit her form quite nicely and her long straight blond hair was slightly waving to the smallest breeze as if she had a godly aura.
"Hey guys!" Kelly and Jim turned.
"Hey Cosmo! About time you showed up, man!" Jim stopped his eating and high-fived his friend, though he forgot something important.
"Dude!" Cosmo shouted the moment he sensed food on his hand. "Clean your hands next time!"
"Hehehe!" The chubby boy laughed sheepishly. "I kinda forgot!"
Then it was Kelly's turn to make her greeting. "For a moment, I thought you wouldn't come!"
"Sorry, I had a little problem while getting ready!" He chuckled. "Thanks to that, dad got some scolding from your mother!"
Kelly giggled at that as she loved to see those two bickering at each other for their elderly friendship's sake. "You might end up like your father if you keep getting late from now."
Cosmo gave a smug grin. "Is Kelly the Quiet One going to start yelling at me from now?"
"Well, you can always test me!" She smirked back. "I've no shame in using some of my mother's traits to set our leader straight!"
While the teens had their friendly banter, their Wizards took the opportunity and warped to one of the Wave Roads above the Gym to have a conversation of their own. Or rather, have a battle of their own…
"Come on, Omega-Xis! I've waited too long since our last match months ago. Today, I'm going to beat ya into a pulp!" Helios screeched.
Mega scoffed. "Strong words for someone who doesn't learn when to quit. How many times you lost to me? I think I lost the count."
"Why you little-" But before the phoenix EM being could continue, Vulpya also joined him which the both AMian frown in surprise.
"Don't tell me you're joining this guy, Vulpya. I thought you said you didn't like 'meaningless' battles."
"Yeah, really. You're the one who always calls us fools for acting like this."
The kitsune EM being snickered. "Oh, believe me. You two are still fools in my mind, but for once I want to have a match against you, Omega-Xis. I've always heard our King Cepheus talking about you and your host defeating Andromeda when I was still part of the Royal Defense, but I never had the chance to see your true power closely. Well, until now. So, what do you say, Savior of Earth? How about a two-on-one match?"
"Hmph! I hope you two are ready then. It has been some time since I last went buck wild."
"Good! I want to have the pleasure of beating ya at full power!" Helios said.
With their chit-chat done, they all cried in unison. "Wave Battle! Ride On!"
Galactic Year 2143 - Council Era
Quarian Migrant Fleet
Command Bridge of the Zaerah
Captain Walo'Follo vas Zaerah gazed out of the window of the command deck at the other ships that composed the flotilla. There were so many that it was impossible to count and not get slip the track of the numbers. They all ranged from live ships to combat and scout ships to more supply shuttles. Each ship served a purpose in the fleet whether it was insignificant or not. They were all necessary since the Quarians weren't known for being picky.
A sense of sadness came over him. Something that all Quarians experienced whenever they thought about the flotilla. Despite the sheer size of the Migrant Fleet, being the largest one of the galaxy, it wasn't definitely the most powerful. Each of these ships represented a home to the Quarians. Each ship was literally a large mobile home and the whole fleet was the home of their entire race. A loss of a single one of them would deal a devastating blow to them since they didn't have their homeworld anymore thanks to the Geth. Their survival basically depended on stripping asteroids or planets of minerals and resources or obtaining ships that were no longer functional to repair and add to the fleet or dismantle to repair their current ones. This was what they were doing, or at least, preparing to.
Not too long ago, the flotilla had arrived in a new system, in an uncharted star cluster, and found something interesting. First was that it had planets, with only four identified so far and they turned out to be rich in resources. Second was that there was an asteroid belt that probably suggested more planets beyond. Third, and the most important fact, was that there was a Mass Relay orbiting the ice world which was the last planet of the system. This caused a lot of confusion among the Conclave.
However, the most confusing event was the strange piece of machinery his ship stumbled with not far from the Migrant Fleet. Initial scans showed it had no life forms but it was definitely functional, which was evident by the traces of communication spikes sent to an area beyond the asteroid belt. This alarmed the personnel of the Zaerah in a great deal as everyone already came to a dreadful conclusion: this system was already occupied. By who, none had the answer.
After these reports, the Captain silently walked over to his communications officer. "Have scavenge and decontamination teams bring this artifact to our engineering deck for analysis and send the word to the Admiralty Board. Things just got complicated here."
"Yes, sir." As the officer typed some holobuttons to address the message, Captain Walo turned to face the screen as he observed the machinery blissfully floating in space from the screen. His thoughts so deep that he didn't sense someone approaching him from behind.
"Father?"
The Captain turned to find a young female, namely his daughter. "Yes, Ceela?"
"I repaired your omni-tool like you asked." She gave him the device and quickly stepped back. Since her father was a Captain, she liked to keep things formal while he was on the job.
With a few tweaks, the omni-tool beamed in action on Walo's wrist and soon found out it was working like a charm. "Thank you greatly, my dear. I would not know what I would do without your skills."
"We have been through this so many times, father. I'm more than happy to be of assistance." It was then that she looked at the screen. "More importantly, what is that?"
"We will discover that soon enough, I'm afraid. By the way, why don't you join the scavenge team? They could use some of your talents, you know."
"Alright, I will see what I can do about this. I will have a report as soon as I figure what it is." She said before giving a salute and storming off.
Walo could only chuckle at his daughter's eagerness, but he didn't doubt it that her skills could be crucial in understanding the mystery behind the machinery.
January 29th, 2246 - 20:24
Electopia's WAZA HQ
Command Room
The highest ranking part of WAZA was in a state of controlled chaos. Officers and Wizards of every category went to and fro as they placed their efforts in gathering as much intelligence about the swarm of unidentified objects that had just appeared above Charon's orbit.
Chief Arthur C. Eos, or commonly called Ace by his friends, was analyzing the images that been transmitted from the Earth's elderly probe, the New Horizons, that was sent to Pluto two hundred and a half years ago. He pressed his temple in an attempt to diminish the headache he had received since he first looked at them. HQ had just received two interesting photos before they lost contact with the probe.
The first one depicted in great detail the "asteroids", as how his officers had labelled before, amounted together thousands of kilometers away from brightly Plutonian moon Charon. The forms were too perfectly geometric to be considered as such and that's when the realization downed in the room. To say anxiety overwhelmed the people in there would be an enormous understatement. Everyone in there knew that Earth had no way to possible defend itself against a threat like this one. The first military spaceships were still being designed and constructed at Echo Star right now and reports said it would take until the next month to complete just their chassis. To top his worries, Geo had resigned being MegaMan years ago and no doubt hadn't trained ever since he assumed the post of lead scientist after the unfortunate passing of Dr. Goodall. At least, his substitute was already showing great results in simulations and mock duels with Taurus Fire and other Wave Changers.
Returning to the second holopicture, his eyes ran around the shadowy figures of three aliens holding some kind of orange Holoband tools. Yet, the most intriguing thing in it was their eyes. They seemed to shine a white light as if they were like magical beings he heard from fairy tales. Fairy tale or not, those beings were no doubt already messing the probe right now, to which purpose he didn't know but certainly didn't seem good at all.
Their ships' movements have been already detected beyond Jupiter which meant that they were also exploring the system right now, which meant it was a matter of time until they set those luminescent eyes of theirs on Mars and then Earth.
Suddenly, he heard the room's shutter hissed as it opened. Exiting it was Geo Stelar and Bud Bison.
The Chief smiled as he saw the two, though he expected Geo to be in his son's party. Nevertheless, he was glad to have him aboard this mess all the same.
Arthur walked over to them and gave handshakes to each . "Geo, I thought you were at your son's graduation party."
"Luna told me WAZA was facing something big then I got curious. Besides, Cosmo is a grown man now so I'm sure he will understand." The former hero explained. "Now, what's this big thing that got everyone in WAZA spooked?"
Then suddenly, Acid appeared just next to Arthur. "If you please turn your attention to the screen, Geo."
With that, Arthur and Acid led the duo to the room's massive screen. When Geo set his eyes on the objects, his eyes widened in surprise and turned to Bud which only nodded, confirming his thoughts.
"Exactly what you are thinking, dude." Bud said. "Those are spaceships."
Geo gaped. "So we're talking about aliens here? Why I wasn't informed of this?"
Arthur laughed sheepishly. "Uh, I didn't want to spoil your son's party?"
"That's a half-ass excuse, Ace."
"What? It's the truth!"
"Ahem!" They turned to Bud and the passing officers who were smirking at them. "It's nice to see you two bonding and all, but we kinda have a problem to solve first. So Taurus, do the FMians and AMians know which race is this?"
The ex-FMian general appeared from Bud's Holoband and observed the screen. "I honestly don't know, partner. Neither of our races has found other aliens in space as far as I know. Actually, you humans were the first one."
"So, this is a Second Contact for all of us, huh?" The Chief walked over to one of officers responsible for monitoring the aliens. "Officer Nigel, what's the status on their movements?"
"Sir, their exploration ships just converged a million clicks away from Mars' orbit, but they're not showing any kind of aggression towards us. The vast majority of their fleet is still immobile around Pluto. Sir, I don't think they mean us any harm. Otherwise, they would be swarming our cities by now."
"In this kind of business, anything can happen, son." Arthur replied, to which Geo and Bud agreed as they have already experienced the FMian invasion attempt when they were just kids.
"Does the Coalition of Nations know about this?" Geo asked.
"We've already sent a message to each national representative explaining the situation. They're already making their way to Netopia for an emergency meeting to address this."
"And assume Earth and Mars are in DEFCON 2?" He asked again, receiving an affirmative nod from Ace.
"Each nation's military have received orders to assembly and stay ready in the next 3 hours. WAZA Wave Squads are also being assigned to remain alert at Echo Star to infiltrate the enemy's systems." But worriedness took over Ace's form as he looked at Geo. "However, morale is quite low at the moment since we don't have any military ships put in our defense. The other HQs are asking if we'll have MegaMan's support when things get ugly."
"You know that I'm not the same Hero of Justice I've been when I was just a teen." Ace nods. "I'm too old for this kind of thing, Ace, and I became tired of fighting long ago. Mega still thinks I'm a wuss until today for that and this made him change his host to Cosmo. You know the rest…"
"You think he's ready to face the stars?" Ace asked a bit concerned.
"I honestly don't know, Ace. Me and Bud taught everything we know about fighting and how to defend himself when he's unable to wave change, yet I still worry he may not be ready to engage against unbelievable odds like I did in the past. The power of the BrotherBand is what sustained me, but Cosmo doesn't know it yet. I just hope-" When he was about to continued, Geo sensed Bud's powerful pat on his shoulder. And how that hurt…
"Relax, Geo. You did these things as a 10-year-old kid and you always came out on top, so I'm sure your 18-year-old son will do fine."
"I just hope you're right, Bud." He sighs as he retires. "I'll call Cosmo and Mega to come over."
Quarian Migrant Fleet
Conference Room of the Liveship Rayya
There was a new feeling of anxiety in the large conference room of the Rayya, which served as the meeting place of the Conclave, that all admirals felt. Each of them knew that this meeting, and its outcome, would have a major impact on the Quarian race. The fact that it was being held in private only added to anxiety. When they had received your word from the Zaerah about the unidentified object they found in their patrol and about the garden world they located a couple of galactic hours later, the admirals had been the ones to get the information, although it had already been leaked among various sectors of the fleet. Wild rumors were running uncontrollably as they spoke. Several said that the fleet had found an unknown planet inhabited by one of the Council species (which was quite impossible since it was quite rare for them to forward exploration parties to open dormant relays and the Quarian people had already violated the law by opening one in the Attican Traverse to get this far); others said that they found an uninhabited planet where they could settle down; and there were even a few who believed that they found the last remnants of the Protheans.
Even if these rumors were false, they could cause more harm than anything else. The Quarians had already enough worry about without them. This whole situation was literally a time bomb waiting to explode at any moment. The captains and the admirals were doing their best to prevent that from happening at the moment, trying their hardest to solve the situation with much professionalism.
"The initial reports from Zaerah's engineers indicates that the technology behind the machinery is primitive compared to what we have now in the fleet." Admiral Daro'Xen vas Moreh said aloud to the other admirals as she read the archive sent by Captain Walo'Follo. "They also found out that sole objective of the 'probe', as they called it, was only to transmit images from the planet we are orbiting back to the garden world. We might be dealing with a newcomer species here."
"They do not seem to be that primitive as you think, Xen." Zaal'Koris replied as he brought his own datapad and transferred a picture, which taken from the Zaerah, to the other admirals. It showed a space station, rather small compared to what the Turians had, with a hexagonal ship factory linked to the one of the edges. In the picture, the aliens were building a frigate-size vessel of unknown pattern. "As you can see, those beings are capable of spacefaring although they are still at the beginning of their journey. There is so much to learn from them and vice-versa if we make peace."
"Zaal, I also share your views but we must be cautious." Rael'Zorah's voice echoed around the room. "It is quite clear that we are more technologically advanced than these species, but what if they are like the Krogan? I would rather not deploy our people's lives to fight so many unknown variables at once. I think our best way out would be to simply ignore these aliens and continue on."
"Are you out of your mind, Rael!?" Daro'Xen exclaimed. "Look at what we have found before us! A whole new civilization in the galaxy and the Council does not know a thing about them! Think of what we could learn from them. And also let me remind you that the fleet is in desperate need of supplies and resources to replenish our stockpile. Therefore, we cannot afford to continue wandering in space aimlessly."
"It is surprising hearing this from you, Daro. Considering that you only care about your experiments or whatever you do in your lab." Han'Gerrel glared her who gave one of her own in return. "However, it is true that we are in greater need of help right now since we have come a long way fleeing from Terminus pirates and Batarian slavers to arrive in this peaceful spot of the galaxy. I concur that it would be of our best interests if we made an alliance with these people, provided that they prove to be non-hostile beforehand that is. If that happens, perhaps there is a chance that this system can be a new home for our people."
"What about Rannoch? Our home cannot and WILL not be this system, even if those aliens allow us to settle here! Our true home is out there in the Perseus Veil, dominated by traitorous Geth!" Rael'Zorah countered angrily, which made all in the assembly flinch at his words.
All but Shala'Raan vas Tonbay who stood strong and firm on her central position in the Conclave. She eyed her brother-in-law with sympathy, for all of them wanted the homeworld back in their hands as much as he did, but he had to understand that the Quarians were fighting a long and dreadful war for survival and currently there was no way they could continue their journey through space without risking more lives than the few they already had. She also didn't want to trouble the aliens with their own problems, but desperate times demanded desperate measures.
With a clear of her throat, she pronounced herself to the Conclave. "While Admiral Zorah is indeed correct that we should return to homeworld and retake it, we cannot do such task with our current readiness as you are all aware. Our fleet can barely survive with the resources and supplies we manage to gather in our travels, counting a few times we have closely on the brink of extinction. Yet, our efforts bring us to this system today! Full of resources, a garden world that can sustain us for a while as we strengthen our numbers again and a peacefulness that we have not met since the day we left Rannoch. I am not saying that we should cling to these aliens like the beggars the Council and Terminus races see us. The Quarians are also a proud people and as such, we will honor whatever agreement after the peace negotiations are done."
After taking a pause, she continued. "As an Admiral, I will do only what is best for all of us and my being tells me that we should indeed ask for help to the aliens. Rannoch will not be forgotten as, one day, we will be setting our feet there renewed." Then she eyed the admirals firmly before making her final request.
"Will the Admiralty please take the stands and make the votes?
Guys, I'll be delaying the Codex information to the second part since I think it would be more convincing if they started along with the encounter of Mass Effect's races. Afterall, the Codex is a content normally used by Bioware games. Also, it's better for me to pack up the info on a chapter rather than placing on every one.
I'll also be displaying a news report every Sunday to show the status of new updates for my stories. I'll start doing this at this Sunday...
Thank you again for your time!