AN: Hello and welcome, tis I Danen5. Wow over 400 views and in just a short amount of time. I must say this is quite unexpected, I wasn't expecting this kind of response but hey the more the merrier. This chapter will expand a little on the Zakan's history, though only briefly.
Disclaimer: ME and Stellaris belong to their respective owners, companies and persons etc. OCs and AU events are mine.
Note: The Zakan are a not overly benevolent or malevolent maybe somewhere in the middle. Aliens under their domain are treated fairly but have no say in military matters except for local governance of their planets, military aid is provided for them by the Zakan but any alien is allowed to serve a minimum five year tour in the military and may even apply for officer candidacy.
Draconis Galaxy (40 billion lightyears from Milky Way)
Planet Zakan
2648 IY
30 years later...
0000 hrs
Capital city of Basrik
The Festival of the Mothers. A truly grand and expensive event, the one time that all of Zakan comes together to celebrate the birth of the first Empress. A time to showcase to the world the cultural traditions and customs that define what it means to be a Zakan. This time around it won't be just a time for when the memories of the past are shown to the newer generations, this time the Zakan will unveil their history to their alien subjects. The same aliens who at first defied their dominion and were later shown the error of their ways when the swift sword and military might swept their insignificant military away.
Basrik was filled with visitors both domestic and alien, the night sky lit up in a brilliant rainbow show of lights, the colors pink, red, silver and the occasional purple all of which signify the dominant power of the Zakan. Most outsiders would think it odd that those colors took precedence but when asked the Zakan would only say 'for the Mothers'. Tonight of all nights the square in front of the Imperial Palace was packed with a very large crowd, much more than expected by the planning committee. The tall spiralling buildings with curved sides were lit up by huge holographic displays that showed those who could not see many of the events unfolding of what kind of cultural shows the Zakan were putting on.
There were sword dancers illustrating the age of the blade, then came the psionics who demonstrated the power of the mind over matter, manipulating their surroundings. The crowd, especially the aliens, stood in awe at the display of power as they had only seen the military applications of such power and to see it used for more peaceful events was quite pleasing. As the many events and shows passed the crowd became silent. from the steps of the Imperial Palace that led down to the square, was the Empress in all her splendor, dressed in a long and flowing gown that seemed alive showing her still slender form and the envy of all other Zakan females. Her silver hair reached her waist and if one looked closely they would noticed that each strand moved on its own volition. Her pink eyes glowing as she let her gaze fall upon those in front of the crowd.
She made her way to the middle of the square where a fountain spouting graceful arcs of water and a statue of a man sculpted from gold and silver stood proudly. The entire city was adorned with gold and other precious metals to show off the wealth and power of the Imperium with each step of the Imperial Palace adorned in gems of varying sizes. Once she stood near the fountain the Empress raised her hands in the air and she began giving off a silver-pink aura that shined brightly causing those nearest to her to cover their eyes. Her eyes glowed brighter and she muttered underneath her breath then with a yell she spread her arms out and a blinding pulse of pink light covered the entire city and continued covering the planet. This did not stop here as the light began glowing outwards encompassing nearby colonies until the entire Imperium was blinded by the light.
Then all was silent and the people present saw into the mind of the Empress as she began showing them of the Zakan's heritage. Images flashed before their very eyes and formed a mere feet away from them, it showed of how the Zakan females first met with their bond mates. Large ships of unknown design, very sleek and silvery descended from the heavens and these gods deposited the men onto the planet. Silence. Another flash and an image showed of the first few hundred years of brutal domination under the hands of the first Zakan males, it was shocking to say the least that first; not only were males probably from another world and second; that the females had to go through hundreds of years of hardship before something happened that changed everything for the better.
Aliens present and seeing this were either shocked, confused or simply contemplating whether or not those ships were still around but most of all they were curious as to why the Zakan were showing them what seemed to be their most intimate past, perhaps they were beginning to learn to trust species not of their own, perhaps they were feeling generous but it did not matter. This time the third image showed a warrior, he was tall like most Zakan males and wore an expression of disgust and anger at the brutality of his fellow man and when he met with a female she instinctively bonded with him and from there the birth of the Imperium, of the first Empress, and of the first Emperor brought about the fall of the Corrupt and the rise of the Mothers.
This Champion of the Empress was more powerful than any other known psionic and only matched by the current emperor. He rendered the armies of his Empress's enemies near useless and when the dust had settled peace began its reign over the Zakan under the guidance of the first Empress. From then on other images were shown of the Zakan's history and accomplishments all of which were the memories of the Empress's predecessors until she showed her own memories of the rise of the Imperium into space onwards into the vastness of the galaxy encountering many friendly or hostile aliens until now. Her strength failing the Empress nearly collapsed but was caught by her bond mate and Emperor, the right hand of the Empress, leader of the Imperium's military might and undisputed warrior.
Gently placing his hands on her waist and shoulder to support her, the Emperor grinned in a goofy way than caused some in the crowd to chuckle. Then a cheer from the back of the crowd made the Emperor turn his head towards the palace steps and saw his three sons marching in confident strides, they were dressed in their ceremonial ebony plated armor with silver lines adorning the shoulder guards as well as a long and flowing cape of golden silk touching the ground. He suddenly frowned in disappointment when he saw that his third son, Ruteba, had not cut his wavy black hair that was slicked back and shined under the barrage of lights. He shook his head but stopped when his bond mate stared at him, amused.
"Citizens of the Imperium!" a voice boomed over the invisible speakers catching everyone's attention. It was the sound of a man's deep echoing voice that somehow reached even the colonies and conquered worlds. "I give you the Scions of the Emperor, protectors of the Imperium and Guardians of the Mothers!"
A loud cheer erupted from the crowd and the three princes bowed respectfully, their long thin braided shoulder-length hair, or in Ruteba's case reached his waist, and then straightened up and turned to face their father. The Emperor gave each one an approving nod but stopped at Ruteba and simply shook his head.
"Is there something on my face?" the young prince asked innocently. His two older brothers face palmed but his father glared daggers at him not saying a word whilst his mother giggled.
"And now without further ado!" the announcer declared. "I give you the chosen leader of the Vanguard, the Spear of the Imperium, the Scion of the Emperor! Priiiiince Ruteba!"
Another round of cheers from the crowd but there were a few murmurs and confused looks from among them as well. Everyone loved the third prince but his antiques and his sense of humor left something to be desired. He was overall a nice guy but he had a knack for pissing off just about everyone he meets. His father was still wary of him being chosen to be the Spear of the Vanguard, chosen to head the push into the Swarm's home galaxy. However, the Empress had personally nominated him to lead the expedition for some reason and even the Council of Mothers were skeptical of the young man's ability to keep his sanity long enough for him to finish his mission and pave the way for the main forces into the Swarm home galaxy.
The third prince stepped forward three paces and with the entire Imperium watching him across their dominion, he began his speech. "People of the new and improved Imperium! I am honored to have been chosen for this great mission. To be the Spear of the Vanguard that pierces into the heart of our hated enemy's home world. They say that the Swarm came many voiced that these hideous abominations felt no fear and no pain for they are parasites! But let me tell you this, by the time we are at the very door step their home planet. The Swarm will finally know FEAR! They finally feel PAIN! And we will not stop until every last one of them pays for the lives they took! For the homes they destroyed! For the planets they burned! We will make them PAY!"
When all was said and done the prince's speech seemed to have awoken a deep desire, by those present in the crowd and those citizens watching the live broadcast from the colonies, to do nothing but tear apart their hated enemy limb from limb and then incinerate them until nothing remains but vapor. The fire has been lit and it will consume everything in its path and nothing will stop it.
Meanwhile in the Milky Way...
A salarian ship patrolling the rim edge of the Terminus systems for any signs of pirate activity managed to pick up subspace audio anomalies that was swept aside by the comm officer who dismissed it as nothing more than white noise. It was however, logged into the archives but none would be intrigued about it for some time.
Alright this is the second chapter...it shows a little of how the humans from the Milky Way got to Draconis galaxy. As to why they are all males? Well that'll be explained later on. Reviews and honest comments are welcomed. Ideas come from feedback so feel free to say or add something. Till then...Danen5 going to Police Exams-wish me luck!
