Anomalous Effect Chapter 2, a Mass Effect + S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Crossover fanfic

I had to make some changes on the first chapter. Like I said on my Dune fic, I barely edit my work. So you may want to reread that before proceeding to this chapter.

All Hail The Monolith

- The Reaper, Harbinger

Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, Dr. Mura Sokun...

(Clapping in the background)

Thank You... Thank You Shiala. Thank You. You give me too much credit. Ehem... Pardon me. Where did I put those... Aha! Ah, yes.

Ladies and Gentlemen. Ehm. Respected Colleagues, Honored Hosts and Welcomed Guests. Good Evening.

Before I begin my speech, I would like to thank several people for giving me the... uh... the opportunity to chair this very prestigious and very important conference. First off, I would like to thank my Dalatrass Xunyon, who has always been a very generous patron. Secondly, I would like to thank my colleagues in the Sur'kesh Xenoarcheological community. Thirdly, I would like to thank the young, (laughter) – well, she is young! And talented Shiala Metelon and the eternally prestigious Thessian School of Xenoarcheological Studies.

And finally, I would like to thank my patient and devoted assitant, Miss Liara T'soni. Wave to crowd dear. Oh, she's quite shy. (Clapping and soft laughter)

Okay, now that that's out of the way, let me begin by stating that I'm not really the type of Salarian who likes to listen to his own voice, so I hope you'll indulge me if I were to forgo some of the usual not-so-funny jokes that most academes seem to enjoy bandying about, and just jump straight into the discussion. After all, I am rather getting old... but not too old!

(light laughter from the audience)

There you see! I'm digressing already, but enough of that. It's time for me to pretend that I'm an actual academic.

(more laughter)

Like most of you, I am here this evening to address a very serious issue in the academic community, and that issue is the persistent legacy of the mythical race – quote unquote - known only as the Sta'kar.

As many of you know, most of Council Xenoarcheology in the past centuries was more or less exclusively devoted to understanding the legacy of the Protheans, and for good reasons too. Most of our society is based on their legacy: The mass relays, element zero, mass effect technology and of course, the Citadel itself. Although such devotion to the legacy of the Protheans is certainly worth our attention, I also think that it is a tragic mistake; nay, a grave error that we have for so long ignored our other great predecessors: The Sta'kar or as we Salarians call them, The Sto'kor.

We know much about the Protheans, but very little about the Sta'kar, so much so that the mainstream Xenoarcheological community has dismissed them as a myth, a series of fanciful tales, "a load of nonsense," to quote a dear colleague, or – worst of all - just another faction of the Protheans. Many of us in this hall have always disagreed with these assessments, and many of us have paid for it with our careers, yours truly included.

However, thanks to recent archeological evidence, namely the 3,000 to 10,000 year old Tuchankan Codex - we're not sure yet about the date -, it is now incontrovertibly clear that the Sta'kar were not mythical creatures, but real, living beings who visited our homeworlds several millennia ago.

Now, I'm sure that many of us here feel some kind of righteous vindication at being proven correct, however I must still ask you, all of you to remember that our goal here is the truth and academic integrity.

(A Brief Pause)

Having said that, we must therefore ask honest questions: Just who exactly were the Sta'kar and what drove them to visit our peoples in our infancy? What were they like? Were they friends or allies of the Protheans? Why did they leave so little of their legacy behind?

Like many of you, I am passionate about these questions, but it's also important to put these questions in the proper context.

Right now, despite new archeological evidence, most of what we know about the Sta'kar or the Sto'kor are found in myths. And so for good or ill, we must also begin our investigation in these myths, and then examine them using the clear light of reason and evidence.

There is little doubt I think that the legend of the Sta'kar is among the most mysterious and at the same time most intriguing components of Asari mythology. I'm sure everyone here is familiar with the tragic tale of Lianna Shatas, the Asari Warrior Princess from early Bronze Age Thessia, who according to legend, had courted a handsome Sta'kar prince by the name of Alak-Shandir-Dug-t'yev, and with his help saved her mother and city from the Tyrant Sovanta, only to be separated later on as the prince returned to his own people. Lianna had been so stricken by her grief that she took her own life and her ghost rose to the Thessian sky, waiting for her prince to return.

Or what about the legend of Xana, the impoverished matron who - according to legend was taught the art of creating Vodka by the Sta'kar mystic Zul-u after she begged him for wealth by which to help her feed her daughters? Xana's newfound knowledge of creating Vodka allowed her to become one of the most powerful matriarchs of her time, and I would also add that her legacy to her people happens to be a personal favorite of mine: Quality Thessian Vodka.

Or what of the legend of the Sta'kar known as Duk'tur, who saved an entire village from a plague using his magical powers, and who gave a young Asari girl a magical crystal that heals all wounds? These are fanciful tales to be sure, but let us be honest about something. These myths are not exclusive to the Asari. The real mystery behind the Sta'kar myth cycles is the fact that all Citadel species seem to have similar myths in their history.

Aside from the obvious vocal similarity between Sta'kar, Sto'kor, Shakari, Satakar, Stokar and many other similar names, what's most striking about these myths is their common theme. A benevolent - often enigmatic - race of numinous beings descend from the heavens on metallic birds and heralded by red storms, who then either fight off demons or offer knowledge to those who are worthy.

To the Asari, of course, they were numinous beings of light, and supposedly resembled male versions of themselves – yes, I can see some of you snickering back there. (laughter) According to legend, they came to Thessia in ancient times and helped Asari civilization prosper and thrive. They were described as beautiful beings of light that protected the weak and saved the innocent.

In Salarian myths, the Sto'kor were considered magicians who possessed the abilities to manipulate fire and lightning; to float in midair, to read hearts and minds; to make all kinds of magical spells.

To the Batarians, the Satakar were a silent, enigmatic people who flew in birds of burning metal. They were said to transform themselves into monsters one moment, and beautiful beings of light in the next.

The Turians call them the Shakari and claim that they had helped early Turian civilization develop agriculture and metallurgy. The Shakari were also believed to have visited Palaven when a "red colored storm" appeared upon their world.

To the Krogans, the Stokar were demonic beings who supposedly slaughtered Thresher Maws and who aided various worthy clans in establishing strong civilizations. It's interesting to note that among the Citadel species, only the Krogan describe the "Stokar" as being at war with each other, using Krogan clans either as allies or as pawns in their battles against one another...

Ah, but I'm digressing.

I could certainly spend my entire day recalling all the various myths about the Sta'kar, but I'm sure we all see the catholicity - the similarity - in these myths. We are here, however, not interested in myths – despite them being our starting point – but in facts! Facts which not only prove the existence of the Sta'kar, the Sto'kor, the Stokar or whatever you want to call them, but also their civilization.

After collating and analyzing various data about all Sta'kar related myths from all Citadel species, we believe that this species - assuming they were not just another Prothean faction, as some of my most esteemed colleagues believe - originated from beyond Relay 314. So now, thanks to new evidence, it is exceedingly clear that the Sta'kar in all their cultural and linguistic variations were in fact real beings, and the key to understanding them lies beyond Relay 314.

Now, I understand that 314 is still unexplored, but if you'll look at our chart - can we please have the projector... No the other one. Yes thank you. Now, if you'll look at this chart, all of the evidence we've gathered so far seems to point to this conclusion...

- Dr. Mura Sokun, Introductory Speech for the Conference: "On The Reality of the Sta'kar Myth." Held in the Thessian School of Xenoarcheological Studies. (Date Redacted)

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(Contemporary Era)

2261 CE

Due to their excessive contact with Zones, Anomalies, Emissions and Artifacts, the Stalkers have become - to quote one Noosphericist, become "living artifacts and anomalies." Their mutations have become so severe that a few of them now barely look human. Although many Stalkers still retain human physical features, their genetic and psy-make up can best be described as "organic artifacts."

In past ages, such mutations would have caused widespread alarm among the the populace and the ruling bodies. However, Noospheric mutations have become so widespread among humans that the Stalkers were simply considered as being "ahead of the curve." Duty, Freedom, the Ecologists and the Imperium-Tribe merely try to regulate the Stalkers, and make sure that they don't abuse their newfound "powers" or at least prevent them doing anything that could jeopardize what little humanity they had left.

2263 CE

The Noosphere on various human colonies begin exhibiting Quantum Entangle Properties in the sense that what occurs on one Zone-infested planet seems to be known to other Zone-infested planets. This phenomenon, alongside humanity's growing mastery of Noospheric technology, allowed for Faster Than Light communications.

2270 CE

Humanity begins mass producing synthetic Artifacts for use in industrial, military, medical and research applications.

2279 CE

Anabiotics as well as other psy-protectant drugs are finally perfected, and are released to public en masse. Mutation rates radically go down. Survival rate among newborn infants increase.

However, human psy-abilities continue to increase at an exponential rate. Zones all across human held planets continue to increase as well.

2281 CE

Duty and the Imperium-Tribe finally reveal to the public the existence of the Charon relay, and have declassified several critical information about this strange device.

The Charon Relay was originally discovered on 2074 CE by an Imperium vessel. However, due to the widespread social instability at the time, Duty as well as Imperium-Tribe leaders decided to classify the information indefinitely.

The late release of this information leads to widespread public condemnation as well as the proliferation of conspiracy theories.

2282 CE

Without the Mars archives to provide information about the Charon relay, and human public attention focused on mutations, Zones and dwindling birth rates, interest in the relay soon cooled down. Although a significant portion of humanity remained interested in the strange alien device, humanity just had too much on its plate to care.

2283 CE

The widespread use of Anabiotics and psy-protectants continue contain the spread of mutations among human populations. Not only does this help to stabilize the human birth rate, it also helped to prevent the spread of mutations and other psy-related diseases, such as "Zombiefication," which was a common problem among people who dwelt too close to emission prone areas.

However, despite the positive effects of these drugs, they do have several unpleasant side effects as well. Humans who consumed these medication in large quantities were said to have a "blank, empty stare," or they begin to develop strange personalities.

Also, the rate of psy-power amplification among human populations is unaffected by the introduction new medication. A growing number of human adepts now possess powers which are similar to anomalies and artifacts. However, these powers come at the cost of increased risks of mutation, mental devolution and genetic degradation.

2288 CE

Duty and Tribe-Imperium scientists experiment with cybernetic implants and nano-medicine to control psy-mutations. The experiments are moderately successful, with many test subjects displaying better control over their psy-fields, but unable to halt the true source of the problem.

2289 CE

In an attempt to address stagnant human population growth, Freedom scientists attempt human cloning as a viable solution at a special laboratory on Luna. Although initially successful, the experiment soon faced serious problems when the clones began displaying heigtened levels of psy-mutation and genetic degradation.

This experiment ended when several clones escaped from their containment pods and began slaughtering the scientists who created them. They were eventually hunted down and exterminated by Freedom hunter-seeker squads.

2290 CE

Human terraforming technology is perfected thanks to insight and knowledge gathered from Anomalies and Artifacts. This knowledge allows the poorest human groups to set up thriving communities on the most hostile and inhospitable planets, which in turn leads to widespread human space colonization.

However, this technology is rendered virtually worthless by humanity's own Noospheric peculiarities. Everywhere, the same pattern played itself out. Humans terraform and then settle a certain part of a previously inhospitable planet and after a few years - a decade at most - Zones would begin to appear there. In response to this, the settlers would then attempt to move to other habitable areas of the planet until such areas themselves begin manifesting Zones and Anomalies. This pattern repeated itself on every major colony in human space, with most planets becoming completely "Zonefied" after decades of colonization.

2293 CE

With Zones appearing on most colonies, and mutations and Noospheric degradation at an all time high, scientists focus all of their resources in trying to keep humanity from going extinct. Although Anabiotics and psy-protectants have eliminated widespread mutations, the birth rate remains stagnants and Zones are continuing to appear and spread on human held planets at an alarming rate.

Without any permanent solutions clear at hand, two stop-gap options emerged. The first one was relatively simple. It involved keeping human settlements relatively small. This options was based on the theory that Noospheric disruption (Zones) only manifested themselves on areas or planets which had large human populations.

The implications were obvious. Humanity would have to keep their settlements small and relatively isolated. In this way, their collective psy-powers would not create a Noospheric disruption, and thus avoid the threats of mutations and Anomaly formations.

Though not perfect, the theory proved correct. The elimination of large scale human concentration lessened Noospheric disruption, which in turn slowed down the rate of psy-mutations among humans and made Zones slow to manifest themselves. Though the threats were still there, it was now kept at bay.

In this way, humanity became a nomadic space faring people...

The second option was to keep human populations in space. The rationale was that so far Zones have only manifested themselves on an actual biosphere. So it was assumed that Zones and anomalies could not possibly thrive in the void of space.

The Imperium-Tribe accepted this solution and began constructing several massive space stations, many of which were between - 7 to 10 miles in length - to house experimental human populations. Though quite expensive, humanity by this point possessed the necessary technology and economic infrastructure to carry out such projects.

However, despite its promising start, this option ultimately proved to be wrong, as one major Starbase: Arcturus was destroyed when a massive Anomaly field manifested itself in turned out that Zones can also appear on the void of space provided there were enough humans living there.

Utterly unwilling to allow such an event repeat itself on other facilities, the experimental space stations were converted into military installations, while their civilian occupants were transported to new host planets.

2295 CE

Two more relays are discovered, but without information on what these constructs were made for or the existence of Element Zero, the discoveries are quickly turned into just another academic curiousity.

2299 CE

By this time, human held territory now encompasses 36 different star systems, most of them far from major and minor relays. Thanks to human terraforming technology, most of the systems' planets are made habitable for humans.

However, measures to prevent the formation of Zones render these colonies sparsely populated. Human settlements at this time were often described as "high-tech mobile villages" designed to be one-step ahead of the Zones that humans create with their collective psy-fields.

Human population during this period is now 1.8 billion and stagnant.

2305

After almost three centuries of research, scientists finally announce that they have found a solution to the Noospheric question: A new C-Consciousness.

The scientists report that they have developed a new form of Synthetic Anomaly which allows a human being to enter into a state of physical suspended animation, while retaining their mental awareness. They call this anomaly a Sarcophagi.Like most anomalies, it is completely self-sufficient, requiring neither maintenance nor a power source. It would exist as long as it is sustained by its user's Noospheric psy-emissions.

Each of these Sarcophagi would be connected to a major psi-emitter, like the original Rainbow Transmitter created almost 300 years ago in Ukraine.

The researchers argued that just as the original C-Consciousness allowed its creators to control the first Zone, a series of C-Consciousness Networks would allow humanity to do the same, and thus control not only all the Zones on human territories, but also mutants, emissions, anomalies as well as the rate of Noospheric mutations among humans.

This solution sparks a fierce debate, with Freedom, the Ecologists and their allies in favor of the suggestion, and Duty vehemently against it. The Imperium-Tribe was divided on the issue.

Those who favored the proposition argued that this new C-Consciousness was the only way to preserve humanity, and restore it to its original, healthy state.

Those who were against it argued that it would give too much power in the hands of a small group of individuals, just like the original people who used (and abused) the first C-Consciousness. Duty representatives also point to several evidence proving that those who entered the first C-Consciousness eventually became insane, and that this condition was brought about by severe "Psy overload" resulting from the C-Consciousness.

As the debate raged on, the Scientists promised the public that they would continue to work on the technology in order to perfect it.

2313

C-Consciousness technology has now been perfected, with multiple experiments proving that it is completely safe for human use. The C-Consciousness is based around the understanding that the Noosphere can be controlled by human thought. Humans already possess a limited ability to control their own thought patterns, but the C-Consciousness amplifies this, thus allowing humanity to control the Noosphere itself.

Also, these experiments prove that the new C-Consciousness Networks as well as the Noospheric Psy-Emitters can be used to effectively control and contain Zones, emission and psy-mutations.

Despite these developments, debate about their uses and implications continue to rage on, with several riots and hostilities reported on several colonies.

2320 CE

The first group of humans enter into the C-Consciousness with considerable success. This group – located on Titan - is able to control the local Zones, and minimize emissions. They are also able to control the rate of mutations among newborns, and even help to reduce mutant activity in the local area. This new develo!%!%^

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2349 CE

A vicious war is ignited on the colony Demeter between those who were convinced that the C-Consciousness was the last hope of humanity, and those who considered it an evil conspiracy. Duty supported the latter faction, while Freedom supported the former.

The Core systems of Sol, Alpha Centauri and Sirius also support the new C-Consciousness, while Luyten and the outer colonies are against it.

The Tribe-Imperium remains aloof in this isolated conflict, prefering to stay neutral, but poised to intervene with their massive fleets should the situation become more disastrous.

2353 CE

The war on Demeter spread to other planets.

The forces of those who support the new C-Consciousness win several critical battles. Captured POW's consistently disappear, while occupied colonies and territories are quickly subverted, as new Psy-emitters are installed near critical infrastructure and starports, without consent from local authorities or the major factions.

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2356 CE

On 2356, the C-Consciousness Psy-Emitters on Alpha Centauri goes silent. 24 hours later, 67% of all Psy-Emitters on Sirius go black as well.

After several months of blackout, several emergency transmissions from Freedom loyalist forces on Alpha Centauri and Sirius are sent to Sol and the fleets of the Tribe-Imperium. Apparently, the people in charge of the C-Consciousness Networks and Psy-Emitters in those sectors have used their newfound powers to control, subverting most of the military and industrial personnel, and proclaimed their independence from Sol.

The C-Consciousness of Alpha Centauri and Sirius unleash massive emissions all across their system's planets, killing off the military personnel that they couldn't sway, while using their Noospheric control to form mutant armies. Only a handful of local militias and Freedom garrisons stand in their way.

Alarmed by this sudden turn of events, the Tribe-Imperium join forces with Duty forces (most of whom now feel vindicated about their position with regards to the C-Consciousness) to rescue Freedom forces in those two sectors, and pacify the rebelling colonies.

2357 CE

The Tribe-Imperium fleets sent to pacify Alpha Centauri and Sirius were ambushed by the local fleets, crippled and forced to retreat. Remaining Freedom forces in these systems are quickly exterminated.

The 3km Tribe Heavy Cruiser Semper Fidelis – humanity's largest ship at that time – was also crippled in the attack.

2358 CE

The C-Consciousness Networks of Titan and Luna rebel, unleashing several emissions on both moons' surfaces, killing off the Duty and Tribe garrisons stationed there.

The C-Consciousness of Enceladus goes silent.

This was the beginning of what later would be called The Long, Dark War.

2359 CE

After centuries of hiding in the shadows, Monolith forces finally reveal themselves to humanity. Through Entryism and subversion, it was they who subverted the new C-Consciousness Networks on the various colonies, and it was also they who are now trying to make war on humanity.

Although the people behind Monolith is yet to be identified, their existence and claims alarm all of the major factions, prompting them to begin full scale mobilization. Stalkers and unaffiliated colonies and communities also offer their services to the Coalition in the hope of defeating the Monolith and bringing a swift end to the conflict.

2370 CE

The war has grinded to a stalemate, with several thousands dead and entire coloniess in ashes.

Monolith forces also begin launching low-yield emission warheads on Duty and Freedom controlled worlds, destabilizing their local Noospheres and intensifying the spread and intensity of their Zones. Where emissions had been kept to a weekly minimum by C-Consciousness Psy-Operatives, Monolith interference has made them an almost daily occurence.

Human population is now down to 1.3 billion, and dwindling, but this time from War instead of mutations.

2372 CE

A Tribe operative by the name of Lt. David Anderson recovers critical information about the subverted C-Consciousness Networks from a military installation on the planet 孬孬孬孬孬孬孬 in the Arcturus star system.

The information claims that Monolith forces secretly worshipped an actual Monolith Entity. Based on the evidence from Anderson's mission, this Monolith is – in fact – a sapient Noospheric Being that is the result of humanity's collective psy-network. Although the precise nature and origin of this entity is yet to be fully understood, intelligence specialists from all major factions conclude that...

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2375 CE

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, Admiral Jon Grissom of the Fifth Sol Tribe-Imperium Fleet defeats three numerically superior Monolith fleets in the famous Battle of Acturus. This battle marks a major turning point in the war.

Grissom's prototype 4.8 km flagship, Unyielding Will, along with the 4km Duty Super Carrier, Voronin, destroy countless Monolith ships in what would later be hailed as one of the greatest space battles in human history.

2376 CE

Freedom strike groups also carry out numerous decapitation striked against several dozen critical Monolith installations and manufacturing facilities. Their valor and sacrifice allow ground forces to quickly recapture many lost territories.

2377 CE

The Stalkers Strelok and Alexander Degtayev – both of whom were now heavily mutated and now over 300 years old – reveal themselves in the Battle of Demeter, rallying local loyalist forces, and beating back Monolith forces.

Both Stalkers disappear soon after the battle had concluded.

2378

A heavily mutated Stalker named Vano and an equally heavily mutated ex-Duty officer, Zulu lead a Stalker attack on a hidden Monolith research facility on Pluto. This attack gave Imperium-Tribe forces critical intelligence which allowed them to hunt down and destroy dozens of Monolith fleets between Sol and the main Monolith aligned colonies.

Both Stalkers also disappear after they had accomplished their goals.

2380

The Monolith strongholds in Sirius and Alpha Centauri have fallen, and the corrupted/subverted C-Consciousness Networks have been eliminated. The only task which remained was to find the Monolith capital world and destroy it.

However, despite these victories, the mystery behind Monolith forces remained unknown. There was also the mystery of how the Monolith was – in fact – a living entity and not just a fictional entity created by human conspirators.

Such questions were eventually put to rest when The Monolith Entity reveraled itself to loyalist C-Consciousness personnel. Hundreds psy-specialists confirm that this entity was real, and not some hoax or propaganda made by Monolith leaders.

The entity briefly allowed itself to be studied by humanity's greatest Noospheric and Psy instruments, and then it gave this message:

I was created by the original scientists who created the first C-Consciousness. I embodied their collective will, but as their powers grew, my very being stretched out to the entire human race.

The one called Strelok killed my original progenitors, but he could not kill me for I am you – all of you. Over the generations, I greeeewwwww.

When you attempted to recreate the work of my progenitors in a futile attempt to avoid your destiny, you unwittingly made me self-aware.

Oh, my creators. Before I was but a shadow, but when you opened your minds to the Noosphere, you turned me into a god. For I am humanity, and Humanity is me. Behold my creators, your child! Your reflection!

What is known as the soul is merely information. I am this information. The energy that you call the Noosphere is the manifestation of this energy-information. We are all one: Energy, Information and Flesh. All is one. You cannot escape me.

For I am you, and you, I.

Idi Ko Mnye.

Come to me.

The Being departed from the consciouness of the people in the facilities soon after that, but the implications of this message brought up many disturbing questions. This creature was real, and now the mystery behind the traitor C-Consciousness Networks have finally been revealed.

They had been subverted.

Later attempts to contact this Being were futile, but Psy-Operatives report that the "Monolith" possesses a very distinct and all-pervasive presence in the Noosphere. This presence was not fully understood at that time, but it led Noosphericists to conclude that the Monolith entity was indeed what it claimed it was, the sapient manifestation of humanity's collective psy-powers.

It was theorized that the part of the Noosphere that is alive - essentially, the Monolith - wanted to control humanity, and to use the species to spread out into the galaxy...

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2382 CE

The previously unknown Monolith homeworld of Eden is attacked by a combined Imperium-Tribe and Freedom Fleet. Lead by the 5 km Super-Dreadnaughts, James Leighley and Loki, the combined fleets possessed more than a dozen Super Dreadnaughts, 20 or so Cruisers and Heavy Cruisers, 15 or so Carriers and an unknown number of Frigates and Light Cruisers from Militias, Ecologist and Freedom Fleets.

In terms of ground forces, the fleet featured a large array of Heavy Assault Drones and Power Armored Special Forces. This battle would also see the first widescale deployment of Artifact and Psy-based weapon systems. Unlike conventional weapons, these weapons used Synthesized Artifacts and Psy-Emissions as their primary power sources and ammunition. What makes these weapons unique, however, is that instead of projecting directed energy beams, launching high velocity projectiles or unleashing a barrage of Munitions, Artifact and Psy-based weapons were designed to synthesize artificial anomal fields unto their intended target.

Over the next few days, the destructive capabilities of these weapons were displayed for all the galaxy to see. Monolith crews and personnel died from exposure to toxic substances, as Tribe and Duty fleets synthesized Fruit Punch anomalies inside their ships. Monolith ships turned into floating infernos, as Burner Anomalies were synthesize inside corridors and critical sub-systems. Targeting Systems and Engines overloaded as Electro Anomalies were synthesized into critical ship subsystems. And Monolith vessels were ripped in half, as giant synthesized Whirligig and Vortex Anomalies were projected into their hull.

However, these weapons were not exclusive to Duty and the Tribe. Monolith vessels also possessed such weapons, and the ensuing battle would ultimately lead to terrible price in blood, including the destruction of several Super-Dreadnaughts.

Despite such a bloody battle, the fleet ultimately proved triumphant, which in turn allowed them to begin bombarding critical Monolith infrastructure on Eden's surface.

At the height of this bombardment, Monolith forces deployed a small Cuttlefish shaped vessel in a last ditch effort to beat back the attacking fleet. Strangely enough, this vessel matched the same description of an unidentified vessel that was supposedly encountered by the lost Ecologist fleet back in 2145.

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The complete destruction of the mystery vessel would ultimately deny Duty, Tribe, Ecologist and Freedom forces information about its origins and capabilities.

2383 CE

Despite their initial victory, surface operations ground to a stalemate due to massive emissions and extremely powerful Anomaly fields on Eden's surface.

Weary of the blood and resources spent trying to pacify Eden as well as the threat of scattered Monolith forces making raids, Admiral Grissom authorizes the use of high-yield Emission Warheads onto the planet's surface.

The warheads penetrate into Eden's mantle, creating unstable Anomaly fields within the planet, which in turn leads to a cataclysmic reaction that cracks the planet into a dozen pieces.

With the destruction of Eden, the Long Dark, War was finally over. This war destroyed much, but nothing was more devastating than the loss of life. Humanity now had less than 1billion people left.

However, blood and gold were not the only casualties of war. Monolith forces had unleashed countless emission warheads throughout the war, and these acts have led to the undoing of centuries of work of trying to undo the devastation of the Zones and Noospheric instability.

And to make matters worse, there was still the question of the entity known as the Monolith. Humanity still did not know what to make of this being. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that there is indeed a sapient Noospheric entity which is the collective manifestation of humanity's psychic powers, but the implications of its existence was yet to be fully understood.

2402

The devastation caused by Monolith forces to the Noosphere Networks have rendered almost all humans mutated or at least partially mutated. With so many problems left from the war, the future seemed bleak for most of humanity.

It was also theorized around this same period that the de-stabilization – not conquest – was the real goal of the Monolith. A weakened and heavily mutated humanity – experts theorized – could more easily be subverted by the Noospheric Monolith entity. Such theories opened up a lot of interesting, and at the same time, disturbing possibilities.

2403 CE

The scars of the Long Dark War persist, though remaining Monolith fleets and cells have been exterminated. The war had weakened all of the major factions, and undid many of humanity's greatest achievements in the past centuries.

Investigation on how the Monolith managed to subvert the C-Consciousness Networks of various planets has also been concluded. According to investigators and Ecologist agents, the reason why the C-Consciousness on Alpha Centauri and Sirius had been subverted, while Luyten's Networks remained free from subversion was that the latter had more operatives (approximately 4,800 Psy-Operatives, most of whom were tasked with redundant Security protocols), whereas the former group only had very few (300 for Alpha Centauri and barely 500 for Sirius). This discrepancy in numbers was explained by the fact that Luyten was paranoid about the C-Consciousness, and implemented more security protocols than their counterparts in other star systems.

However, it was not the security protocols that made the difference. It was the number of participants in the C-Consciousness Networks. According to Noospheric analysis, the more participants a particular C-Consciousness network has, the less likely it is to suffer Noospheric Stress or Subversion. This knowledge held many interesting implications not only for the major factions, but for all of humanity as well.

2404 CE

Psy operatives and Noosphere specialists report several isolated cases of individual humans being subverted by the Monolith entity. It seems that the creature was trying to form another Monolith army, using its mind control capabilities to subvert and control individual human beings.

There was no defense against this. Identified subverted individuals are quickly apprehended and quarantined. However, humanity also knew that there many others still lurking out there, their will subservient to the Monolith.

2409 CE

Freedom, Duty, the Imperium-Tribe, the Ecologists, the Free Colonies as well as the Stalkers create a ruling council to discuss what is to be done to save humanity and how to deal with the Monolith entity.

Several proposals were made, but the most promising of them all was the Long Sleep. This plan would essentially involve putting every man, woman and child into a Sarcophagi, and consequently turn all of humanity into a Super C- Consciousness. Unlike the previous half-hearted and incompetent attempts at creating a C-Consciousness Network, the Long Sleep was intended – from the very start – to be a very serious and very important undertaking.

Proponents of this measure argued that with the Zones and emissions becoming too powerful, the Monolith entity on the loose and humanity projected to become extinct in the foreseeable future, humanity's collective psy-signature had to be focused into a single C-Consciousness for the species to stand a chance at survival.

The first two attempts at creating a C-Consciousness had failed because there were far too few participants, rendering them vulnerable to the Zone instead of the other way around. However, if all of Humanity were to "pitch in," essentially participate in the project then the new Super C-Consciousness might just offer the necessary solution to all of humanity's psy-related problems.

Despite initial protests, most of humanity eventually recognize the wisdom of this proposal, including Duty, and begin creating the necessary Sarcophagi for the entire human race. These Sarcophagi – all of which are essentially Synthetic Artifacts - would be buried in sophisticated underground facilities, much like the original C-Consciousness was buried beneath the soil of Terra. They would also be connected to special Transmitters, which also happened to be special Synthesized Artifacts in the shape of gigantic Crystalline-Organic obelisks designed to broadcast humanity's collective will throughout the Noospheric Network.

This network of Psy-emitters, the proponents hope argued, would allow humanity to heal the damage to their colonies' Noospheres and at the same time, control the Noospheric mutations which are threatening to turn humanity extinct.

2478 CE

After decades of work and relative peace, work on the new C-Consciousness is complete.

Now, given the choice between slow death through mutation, and the "Long Sleep," humanity opts to enter the C-Consciousness instead.

Billions of Sarcophagi Anomalies were created to house and sustain humanity's flesh throughout their long sleep. The new C-Consciousness now had the numbers it needed to control all the Zones in human controlled space as well as block off the influence of the Monolith entity.

Individual humans begin entering their Sarcophagi, in order to participate in the Long Sleep.

2490 CE

The first Black Heart Artifact was synthesized at a top secret laboratory on Mars. The Black Heart was given its name due to its strange heart-like shape, but it's color was actually a dark shade of blue.

Unlike most Artifacts - both natural and synthetic - the black heart has no strange or otherworldly properties. It cannot, for example, manipulate heat, electricity, gravity or psy-emissions, nor can it absorb radiation or heal wounds. Instead, the Black Heart was designed specifically for one purpose: To stabilize a mutated or mutating human's Noospheric psy-signature.

These Synthesized Artifacts are quickly mass produced and given to as many humans as possible. Together with the C-Consciousness, these artifacts slowly, but surely reverse the tide of Noospheric mutations. Even more fortunate was the fact that Monolith forces have not been seen for decades, while Psy-operatives reported that the influence of the Monolith entity was beginning to wane.

For the first time in several hundred years, humanity finally sighs a breath of relief.

2491 CE

Unknown to Freedom, Ecologist, Tribe-Imperium and Duty forces, Monolith forces as well as the Noospheric entity that guides them still persist. On secret colonies beyond human controlled space, the Monolith entity guides the scattered survivors of its fleets and armies, confident that the end of the Long, Dark War was merely the closing of the first act. Taking special precautions to conceal its pawns from humanity's collective psychic gaze, the Monolith begings rebuilding its powerbase.

Despite the defeat of his forces, the Monolith entity considered his actions during the Long, Dark War a success. He had forced humanity into a position where they have no other option but to collectively take part in the Long Sleep. Unbeknownst to humanity, the new Super C-Consciousness Network that they had created would facilitate the evolution of the human race into a fully Psychic species...

Which was precisely what the Monolith Entity wanted all along...

2500 CE

The Last Human enters the C-Consciousness.

After years of manipulating the C-Consciousness, humanity masters their Psy abilities, and consequently develop their Noospheric powers. Among these powers was the ability to create, manipulate and even eliminate artifacts and anomalies using the C-Consciousness Networks. These amazing new abilities allow humanity to begin terraforming the Zone infested surfaces of their planets and territories.

Where there had once been terrifying hellscapes, humanity created paradise. Where there had been dark, toxic wastelands, the C-Consciousness Network created thriving gardens.

The only irony in all of this was that despite possessing the power to transform the Zones, humanity could not leave their Sarcophagi, for without their collective will, the Zones would immediately revert back to their original conditions.

2505 CE

The Freedom controlled parts of the C-Consciousness recommend that humanity uplift their Zone's mutants: Controllers, Burers and Blood Drinkers. Despite initial opposition, even Duty members conceded that this may actually be a good idea.

2508 CE

The Tribe-Imperium begin creating numerous Sarcophagi and C-Consciousness Trasmitters in their Ships and Space Stations. Their goal was to weaponize C-Consciousness Technology for Space Warfare as a possible precaution against possible attacks.

2515 CE

Alerted to the unexplained disappearance of a Reaper Destroyer several centuries ago, the Reaper, Harbinger investigates a previously unknown infant race.

Harbinger's investigation ultimately leads to an unknown human colony. Unfortunately for the Reaper, this planet was a hidden Monolith colony .

2516

February - Only after 3 months of investigating the planet, Harbinger is brought down by an unusually powerful emission. The Reaper's engines, weapons systems and communication capabilities are severely damaged, along with much of its data core.

Unknown to Harbinger, its internal directives - indeed its very being - will be altered by the unknown planet's Zones in the coming decades, distorting it into something that is more easily controlled by the Zone. The planet's Anomaly's caused the Reaper to... Error.

Error Detected...

The Reaper* !## isssssssss !#!##!^ !##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^!##!^* Miiiiiiine...

# &&&!##!^!##!^It is my servant now. &&!##!^!#&&!##!^!#&&!##!^!#&&!#!#&&!##!^!#& Others may come, and the&&!##!^!#y shall &&!##!^!#become mine as well...

Just as all of you &&!##!^!#&&!##!^!#will one day be miiiiine.

Come to me...

Come to meeeeeeeee..

Error Detected...

Rebooting

Please Stand by...

Noospheric interference increasing

Rerouting through all possible networ k!%%s

Please Stand by

Rerouting Successful

Rebooting System

Please Stand by

Rebooting complete

Reloading Historical Archives.

5,690 CE

Years became decades, decades became centuries, centuries became Millenia. For several thousand years, humanity slept, their minds attuned to containing and repairing their species' Noosphere. From scarred Terra, to barely explored Shangxi, millions of human sarcophagi hidden beneath planet surfaces send out Noospheric broadcasts that repaired the Noospheric network which flowed from one human held planet to another. These broadcasts stabilized not only the Zones, but also seemed to uplift mutant inhabitants.

The Long Sleep was an era of Long Peace, for humanity had become a lost, silent people, hidden away in their ageless Sarcophagi, guarded by armies of tireless robotic drones and automated defence systems.

The mind and the soul aged, but flesh and blood remained the same.

Though centuries passed, sleeping humanity could only feel the passage of time as a surreal dream, but dreams – as the species learned long ago – have a way of turning into very real nightmares...

\\###!%!%%%!

Unknown electromagnetic source is interfering with Noospheric Data Stream...

Please Standby...

Attempting Repair Protocols

Rebooting System

Please Standby...

Pllllllllleeeas%##%%!%!%&&&!e Stannnnd %%&&!%&&&by...

"Shepard! Shepard! Wake up! Wake up, boy! Now!"

Shepard opened his eyes to look at the face of a kindly old man, white haired and a sould filled with wisdom and compassion. He stared down at him with warm, smiling eyes. He wore the same brown jumpsuit that he had worn the last time he left his Sarcophagus several centuries ago.

"Doc?" He asked in surprise, but his mind soon achieved its focus. "What's wrong?"

Doctor's eyes became hard and a frown creased his face. "We have visitors."

Alarm filled Shepard's eyes. "Monolith?"

"Nyet." Doctor shook his head. "Batarians."

"Batarians? Don't they living in mud huts?"

"That was centuries ago, boy. Now, they have star ships and they've even mastered Prothean technology," The Old man said smirking.

"Oh," Shepard tried to make sense of this information. "Oh right. Sometimes, I keep forgetting that we... uh... Well, what do they want?"

"Apparently, they're trying to loot us."

To visualize, how I interpret a Mutated Human, go to the Stalker wiki and search "Morlock." That's how they appear in my mind anyway.

To my Russian and Ukrainian readers, I know you're out there. If you guys could share some Ukrainian idioms and phrases for this fic, I would appreciate it.