The Scions of Kobols
Mass Effect is property of Bioware
Battlestar Galactica is property of Ronald D. Moore and Sci Fi.
Chapter 7: Reunion
*** Citadel - 2 Weeks after the Incident at Relay 314***
The news of the incident at Relay 314 had spread like a supernova. The discovery (or rather re-discovery) of the humans shocked the entire known galaxy. Some thought it was a hoax, other believe that it was a long lost colony of the Colonial's that escape before the Fall. Few believe that it was actually the mythical Thirteenth Tribe that the Colonial always talked about, at least that was until the Council themselves confirmed it.
The discovery of the Earth humans had wage a furious debate among the Council itself. The Salarian were fascinated from a scientific point of view on how different these System Alliance humans could be from their Colonial counterpart. The Turian Hierarchy wanted to make Earth a client race, for the good of the galaxy they had argued. Naturally the Asari Republic vetoed that suggestion, it was one thing to turn someone like the Volus into a client race. After all, they were weak to begin with.
There was no telling how strong the Earth System Alliance was, for all they know, if they went by what they Colonial had, then at the minimum they would have over a thousand ship. Surprisingly the Quarian Federation sided with the Asari Republic but not for the reasons most people would assume. The Federation reasons were very self serving, right now they were a close second in terms of military power behind the Hierarchy. If the Hierarchy managed to annexe the Thirteenth Tribe, than in all likelihood, they would have more power and influence in the newly opened region. The Federation Fleet was already stretch as far as it could go, the Hierarchy however had more than enough ships to take the new sectors.
Therefore, it was in the Federation best interest to keep the Turians out of the Thirteenth Tribe territory. Beside, if the System Alliance proved to be strong then the Federation could use them as a proxy to keep the Hierarchy power in check.
So it was decided that the Turian Hierarchy would not mount any retaliatory attack on Earth if they prove to be legitimate. And in all likelihood would have to pay reparation to show that galaxy that they weren't bullies to all newcomers to the galactic scene.
The only issue would be what the Colonial Migrant Fleet would tell their distant human cousins. That was why beside the Council had three peace keeping fleet near Relay 314, no other contact with the System Alliance have been allowed. After all, first impression was everything, and it was better for the Thirteenth Tribe to hear their side before they listened to a clearly bias Colonial story. That was why they gave the System Alliance two weeks to prepared their First Contact team, to give the Council time to prepare their stories and present the Colonial history in a neutral light.
"Councilors, the task force at Relay 314 have reported that the…the System Alliance fleet are ready to travel to the Citadel," Matriarch Lidanya, the commanding officer of the Destiny Ascension reported. She was in charge of the Citadel defense and as such had a direct line to the Council itself. For her part, she remembered when the humans made First Contact with the Citadel. She quite liked the race and had plenty of human lovers in her time. The day they lost the Colonials was the day the galaxy became a lot more dangerous, in her opinion.
However, irony of ironies, now she was making "First" Contact with the humans a second time around.
"Tell them the Citadel welcome the System Alliance with open arms," Tevos declared and watched as the Citadel Relay begin spinning up.
*** Citadel Docks ***
Officer Zorah and Valkarian watch from the docks as other C-Sec squad fan out to keep order for the "first" contact with the...humans.
"Hah hah hah!" Lutis Vakarian laughed to his partner as he watch the crowd gathered at the docks. He was a Turian in his forties with blue face paint.
"What's so funny Vakarian?" Rael asked as he watched as the part of the Colonial fleet that appeared two weeks ago moved aside as the Relay 314 task force exited into Citadel space and immediately took up formation along side the Citadel defense fleet.
A moment later a bunch of blue lights blinked as ships of unknown design exited the Citadel relay and flooded the space.
"That!" Lutis chuckled again as he watched as the strange ships began to take up a military formation before a moment later more ship exited the relay. "We thought the humans were a dying species, but no, here is yet another batch of them, in the billions."
Rael declined to comment before he stared down down the ships as it close in formation and moved toward the Citadel. He could not help but think that Lutis was right. The galaxy did have a sense of irony.
"How many ships do you see there?" Lutis asked as he narrowed his eyes even as the murmur across the docks became louder as the new humans ship got closer.
"Three Dreadnaught and perhaps half a hundred support cruisers," Rael answered as he took the time to admired the new ship for the simplicity of their designs. It was a far cry from what their Colonial brothers had. They also appear to be sleeker in design compare to their aggressive bloated cousins. The color was also the opposite of those of the Colonies. Blue and white colors pained the humans hull, while the Colonials were red and black.
The ships stopped in front of the Citadel fleet for a full minute before three shuttles from their largest dreadnaught deployed and started to head toward the dock.
"Alright, here we go!" their Captain shouted as more news service crew tried to get closer to take a picture of these "new" humans.
Rael and Lutis had a relatively quiet spot even as the blue shuttles of the humans pulled into the docks. His eyes searched the crowd and saw more than a few Colonials in the crowd.
The crowd noise level let Rael know that the shuttles docked and a moment later opened. Immediately several armed humanoid figured exited the shutters. They were polite enough not to point their guns at the crowd but he knew they wouldn't hesitate to use them if needed. These were trained soldiers.
As if sensing nobody had hostile intention dozen of more soldiers pour out from the shuttles to secure the area before their diplomats exited the shuttles. The diplomats were easy to spot, they wore white compare to the others blue and grays. It was strange that they were still helmeted, probably afraid of catching diseases.
Their captain signal for Rael and a Lutis C-Sec crew to come over even as the humans in white scanned the air before a moment later they took off their helmets. The diplomat was an old human in his fifties, while his aid look barely out of their thirties. He appeared to talk to somebody before three soldier broke away and stood behind him. His guard detail no doubt, it was surprising he only took three with him. He was allowed twelve, after all that was what the Colonial brought when they first met the Council.
"Greetings, My name is Hector Mirozyan and my aides, Anna Lutsenko and Chen Yun," Hector introduced the other two human in white who took off their helmet and Rael had to admit they did not look any different from their Colonial counterpart. The female was blonde while the male had black hair and could have passed for Aerelon decent.
"Greeting Ambassador Mirozyan," Captain Ventri said surprising the ambassador a bit by addressing him by his surname. Something the Colonials did. "I'm afraid your protective guard would have to leave their guns here. They can still accompany you of course but we'll be responsible for your safety."
Rael saw the three humans in soldiers uniform appeared to bristle, before the Ambassador raised his hand to quell them.
"Agreed," Hector said before he turned to look at the soldiers. "Shepard, Jenkins, Anderson, you heard the… man?"
Hector shoot a look to Captain Ventri who only nodded.
"The air is perfectly safe, their filtration system must be amazing," the blonde woman name Anna as she lowered a device on her arm. It was an omni-tool that much was certain but looked almost primitive.
"God if I catch something…" the female of the group said before she took off her helmet and revealed a stunningly beautiful face even by Quarian standard. Her skin was pale, almost snow white, with blazing red hair and emerald like green eyes.
Rael never found himself attracted to humans but the woman before him was someone he wouldn't mind getting to know better if he didn't have a wife.
The two men next to her pressed a button on the side of their helmet before they revealed a white male that was grizzle in appearance and a dark skin one. It seem they were trying to represent their species diversity. They needn't, the Citadel was more than well aware of their species diversity.
"A question before we continue," Hector spoke up looking directly at Captain Ventrii. "During our first... contact with the Asari ship, we thought we saw a species that look similar to our own here. Who are they?"
Captain Ventrii swallowed roughly before he took a glance at the Colonial spectators who were looking at their cousin in wide eye amazement.
"I'll bring you to the Council and they can explain in greater detail, really it's for the best."
The three soldiers were already scanning the crowd and it was the female, Shepard, that pointed to the Colonial in the crowd.
"Ahem, we really should go," Captain Ventrii said before any more question that he wasn't suppose to answered was asked.
*** Presidium***
President Elizabeth Levy was flanked by her presidential guard as she watch the proceeding with the Earth Ambassador, Hector. She found it comforting that he was named after a great warrior of Troy in their legends. Even though she had a high political position, she did not rank as high as ambassadors. The men and women she saw with Ambassador Hector look like they all came from the Twelve tribes as if the thirteen tribe was made up of all twelve.
Once more she tried to contain her excitement, the proceeding was broadcast live to their Migrant Fleet who had done nothing but celebrate ever since the news came back of what they discovered. She had seen the ships the came from exiting the relay. They were so new, so different, in their design but looked very capable. Proven when they destroyed the Hierarchy patrol with no lost. From what little information she was able to gathered. Shanxi (definitely an Arelon sounding name) was the name of their garden world. The fleet the Turian destroyed was just a minor outdated fleet. They attacked with what they called the Second Fleet, which had number a little over two hundred ships. There had been over three hundred ships at Shanxi.
Over the past two weeks President Levy had been excited at that thought. The fact that they called it a Second Fleet meant they have more. They had an entire world! They have also been isolated and cut off, how many war ships did they have in their fleet now? A thousand? Two thousand? Dare she hope as much as what the twelve Colonies had at their height? Six thousand?
However as she sat here and listened to her Earth brother outline their history, she could not help but felt fear. They were young… too young and naive in the way the galaxy worked. They spent almost a hundred year in their solar system with no jump drive. They only had mass effect technology for a little over ten years. How could they have voluntary give total stranger such damaging information! Where was their caution?!
Gods of Kobol, how did Earth fall so far behind the Twelve Colonies?
Apparently Councilor Sparatus was also curious and asked what Earth was like five hundred years ago, Elizabeth did not miss the look they all shot her. But to her surprise, Hector answered honestly. The answer made fear grip her heart. They were sailing ships on wooden boats while their Colonial brothers were sailing the stars in their great ships.
Yes, her cousins were numerous but they were too young in the Council eyes, already the Turian was leading the Ambassador to agreed to certain concession regarding their colonization rights and shipbuilding.
'No! Don't let them cripple you with the Treaty of Farixen!' Elizabeth thought desperately. To her dismay her Earth brother was seriously considering it. She saw his soldiers look uncomfortable with the ideal.
"Do not agree Ambassador Mirozyan."
The voice that cut across the room with authority, the origin was seen at the entrance of the Presidium and Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief as Matriarch Limirae and Spectre Tela Vasir entered. Thank the Gods the Matriarch received her message in time.
"What is the meaning of this Matriarch Limirae, who gave you permission to enter such a historical proceeding?!" Sparatus said in outrage as he pointed to the Matriarch then turned to the Spectre. "Spectre Vasir you know better!"
To Sparatus surprise, Spectre Vasir only fold her arm and glare at the Turian before he eyes set about scanning the room. Elizabeth note that her eyes widen in delight for a single moment when she saw the Thirteen Tribe entourage.
"I am here to represent humanity in their negotiation with the Citadel," Matriarch Limirae proclaimed loudly. The crowd was only silent for a moment before there were loud conversation on what just happened even as new reporters from all over galaxy turned to their camera and update what was going on.
Tevos eventually restored order by threatening to toss out anyone that was distracting to the proceeding. Finally the Asari Councilor turned to the Matriarch and gave her a level look.
"This is a First Contact situation, we don't represent first contact species."
"Did you tell them about their Colonial brothers and sisters yet?" Limirae asked the Council and saw them fall silent. "Surely, the Council was not trying to swindle the people of Earth out of their birthright?"
Hector look from the Councilors and to the brand new Asari in confusion. "Can someone tell me what is going on? Who are you? What gives you the right to represent humanity?"
Elizabeth had to groan at her cousin defensiveness. How can he not realize this was a life line being thrown to him. Then again, the Colonials never trusted easily either.
"See? Ambassador Hector says he does not require your assistance," Sparatus was quick to capitalize on the opportunity to get the Matriarch out of the room as quick as possible.
"I didn't say that," Hector spoke up noticing that Sparatus was putting words in his mouth. He looked to this new Asari who was merely looking at him serenely. "What is going on? What do you mean our birthright?"
Matriarch Limirae looked up to the Council. "The Treaty of Farixen have already been signed by humans five hundred years ago. They are allow military freedom, Tevos you were there if I recalled correctly."
"That was signed by the Colonials not Earth!" Sparatus countered even as the crowd noise began to bubble up. Many races were restricted by the treaty that limit the build of dreadnaughts. For every five Turian dreadnaught, the Asari, Salarian and Quarian can build three, all other races are then allowed one. The only exception to that rule was the Colonial's a long time ago who had as much freedom as the Hierarchy in building as they pleased.
Hector merely remained silent and looked between the Asari walking to his side and in front of the Turian Councilor.
"Tevos, have you forgotten that the Twelve also signed for their Thirteenth brothers and sisters back then," Limirae said as she enlarged the subtext that Earth also was included in the Colonial group. Then another screen popped up showing the initial treaty the Council promised the Colonials, once again there was a 13th spot for an Earth representative. More and more documents were taken out with all the agreement the Colonials had with the Councils and always there was a 13th empty signature. "In all things."
"That no longer count!" Sparatus spoke up and looked to his councilors. "They are dead, we can amend it! All in favor?"
"Of course asking Earth to shoulder ALL of the Twelve responsibilities would be impossible, they are new so naturally something like a Council seat is not viable. However, we all remember how strong the Colonial Fleets was and how helpful they were to the galaxy. More importantly, how vengeful when you try to suppress them."
There were mutters of approval by Asari and Krogans who had been alive long enough to remember the humans and their strength. The Batarians appeared to be greatly agitated, after all they were the first contact with the Colonials and paid for it in full. The Salarians in attendance nodded their head reasonably while most of the Quarians were whispering among themselves.
Limirae turned back to Tevos and gave her a meaningful look. "At the very least, you owe them this."
Tevos face became complicated for a while before she settle down. "The Asari Republic vote to keep the Treaty of Farixen the same."
"The Salarian Union side with the Hierarchy, Earth humans different from Colonial humans, have not earn the right," the Salarian Councilor responded without needing to think about it.
This made all eyes turn to the Quarian Councilor who appeared to consider it for a moment before she stood up. "The Quarian Federation vote to keep the Treaty of Farixen the same."
"The vote is tied 2-2, the motion to amended the Treaty of Farixen failed, Earth get the same right as their Colonial brothers," Tevos declare and once more the crowd in attendance began to talk over one another about such a controversial decision.
"They cannot be part of the treaty if they didn't even know the Colonials existed!" Sparatus continued to argue even though he lost the vote, perhaps public opinion could be sway toward his side.
"And how do you explain them speaking in standard Caprican? A galactic coincidence?" Matriarch Limirae countered as if talking down to a child.
The Salarian Councilor was brought up short by that, it was impossible for a race separated by thousands of years could speak the same language with the same numbering system and alphabets. The chance of it developing was infinitely impossible.
Ambassador Hector looked as if he was not sure what right humanity just attained or rather, retained.
"Who are these Colonials?"
"See what I mean?" Sparatus pointed out as he looked smugly at the Limirae. "They cannot be a part of something they never knew of to begin with."
"There is a way to test if Thirteen Tribe had knowledge of their Colonial brothers," Limirae stated as she saw Sparatus might get his way. She went over to the Councilors and spoke in a low voice so that the Earth ambassador would not hear.
"Fine, but it's a long shot at best," Sparatus agreed as she motion for Matriarch Limirae to get on with her gambit.
"Tell me do these names mean anything to you?" Limirae asked as she began to list the Twelve Colonies name. "Aerelon, Aquaria, Canceron, Carprica, Gemenon, Leonis,Libris, Picon, Sagittaron, Scorpia, Tauron and Virgon."
Hector looked to his aide and whispered something too low for anyone to hear. The other races too were pretty interested if Earth was aware of their Colonial brothers and sisters. Finally the Ambassador turned to look at Matriarch
"Can you repeat it one more time?" Hector asked even though he saw Sparatus smirked victoriously while the Limirae was beginning to worry.
Even President Levy in the crowd looked on with bated breath. They scrolls had said it was at least 3600 years since Earth and their Twelve brothers had contact with each other. What if they forgotten their history?
"Is there a problem Ambassador?" Sparatus asked politely but there was a triumphant undercurrent in his tone.
"Well, the names that you mention, sounds similar to stars constellation we named on Earth," Hector spoke up.
"Oh?" Tevos asked this time feeling something akin to wonder.
Hector nodded.
"Yes, though the names are slightly different from what Mrs. Limirae say, it does sound similar to the most well known twelve constellation on Earth."
This time there were gasped from the crowd even as Sparatus began to have a sinking feeling. Twelve, the number twelve same as the Colonials.
"These constellation, can you see all of them from your planets?" Matriarch Limirae asked a smile threatening to break from the corner of her mouth.
"Could you show us what these constellation look like?"
Hector was at a lost. "We'd be more than happy too but I don't have access to a computer that'll show us. Astronomy is not my strongest point."
Sparatus saw a chance to turn this around. The last time humanity had free military reign they dethrone the Hierarchy as the priemer peacekeeping force. He could not let it happen again on his watch.
"You may use your database, but I wonder how we can tell if it's actually the Colonial feeding them the information or not?"
"I can draw it, sir, if you'd let me," the red hair human soldier spoke up to the human ambassador.
Hector looked at the Council and the Matriarch who gave him a look that said he should agree and nodded his consent. "Okay Hannah."
"Alright then... anyone got some pen and paper?" Hannah Shepard asked. A moment later some paper were printed out and given to the Earth woman. She sat on the floor and began to draw.
"This is Ares," the woman showed the symbol for Aerelon eliciting gasp from the humans in the crowd.
"And this is Taurus," the Earth woman now drew the Tauron symbol and on and on it went. Until all twelve Colonial Flags symbols were drawn.
Sparatus had no words. There had been no communication from the Colonial and the System Alliance that much he was sure of, the task force made sure of that.
"And when the Thirteenth landed on the distant world, they looked up to the heavens and was comforted by the sight of their twelve brothers; for they knew that they will never be alone," Tela Vasir quoted loudly from the Scrolls of Pythia.
President Elizabeth Levy watched as Matriarch Limirae informed Hector of Colonial history and pointed in her direction. She merely smiled to the man even as he saw amazement beginning to light up in his eyes.
All of her hopes, all of her people's prayers, have been answered this day. Their Earth brothers remembered them! Granted it was under different name but it was there.
However, Earth was too young, both to space travel and to the galaxy. The Colonial could help with that, help stream line and smooth out all the kinks as they explore the stars. They would bequeath all of their knowledge to their Earth brethren. They would make Earth strong, powerful, humanity will not fall a second time, they cannot fall.
It was than she remembered something, a project laid dormant during their war with the Cylon. It would have to be improved upon of course, they have collected enough data on the Cylon new Basestars and Citadel species to add upgrade to the blueprint.
Yes
They would give the Earth System Alliance Battlestars.
End.
Citadel Codex: Aftermath of Humanity Second Contact
By Tevos Anathael
After the shock of what happened on the Citadel. Earth-Humanity thought it was an "alien" trick to replace them. To say their Colonial cousin were shocked by their accusation was an understatement. Apparently, the people of Earth have quite the overactive imagination. They created media entertainment that often detailed alien invasions of all sort.
It was extremely interesting on what they thought what the galaxy was like as a whole. The most fascinating thing about their collection was the wide array of views they have on alien life. Some were spot on, the Twi'lek for example do sort of resemble the Asari in some aspect, even down to the dancing part.
Others were downright disturbing. Like that movie where a Rachni like creature burst out of a human chest in grotesque gory details.
A point of concern was their views on A.I Their media often make interesting points regarding A.I. As a whole, they appeared to genuinely respect A.I's as sentient beings, which is preposterous. They even made up the Three Laws of Robotics, to incorporate into their A.I projects. It's a simple yet complex guideline. Perhaps had the Quarians installed that in the Geth, or the Colonial had put that in the Cylons, their people would not have suffered.
An interesting point to note is that unlike their Colonial brothers, they still have "nations" and "States" on their planet. Political borders even as they venture out into space. Ridiculous. I cannot help but compare the Earth- Humans to bumbling children who are trying to figure out how the universe work. Unlike the Colonial who seem tired of everything.
A point of contrast that I would like to observe is their contribution to the galaxy. The first thing the Colonial contribute galaxy-wide was a new type of sub machine gun that was more efficient for people to use to kill one another.
The System Alliance contribution was a miracle product of bio-engineering called "Medi-gel" it can heal any wounds and the most amazing part is it work on all races.
Now, in the aftermath of humanity reintroduction to the galaxy, the question on most races mind were how the Cylons would react to the news. The people of Earth themselves were horrified by what happened Colonial brothers at the hands of the Cylons. However, this is where their naivete regarding A.I became glaringly obvious.
Against the Council wishes, they sent a single System Alliance cruiser into Cylon space hoping to foolishly open a diplomatic channel. Their reasoning was that Earth was not the Colonial humans and thus the machines might see the difference.
To my surprise, they were simply escorted out of Cylon Territory by twelve Basestars. They did not say anything but curiously, they did not destroy the Earth ship either. They did fire across the Earth ship bow as a warning, which was a friendlier reception than anyone have received in three hundred years.
Still, that did not deter the Earth humans as they continued to expand at an alarming rate as if trying to make up for lost time in the galactic community.
As of this entry, the Colonial Migrant Fleet have been absorbed into the System Alliance and have been settle on the Earth colony Elysium.
A fitting name for the Colonial remnant final destination.
On a separate note, holdings and business ventures that the Twelve Colonies had before had been bequeathed to the System Alliance. During the chaos of the Fall, a lot of the paperwork concerning the Colonials were overlooked. Among them, where company holdings the Colonial president at the time signed over to the Quarian Federation to execute on their behalf before anyone could recover from the shock of their species massacre.
Perhaps, if the Council had known at the time, we would have purge those humans company holdings, but the Quarian people were the beneficiary and they are only require to give it back to the Colonials when they found their fable Earth. Until such a time, the Federation would reap all the profits of those companies. It was a lucrative contingency that no one thought could ever be exploited, until now.
The Colonials holdings were extensive and would take some time to audit, the Quarian Federation were now trying to establish closer ties to the System Alliance, no doubt a lot of their black budget money were tied up in those holdings.
Time will tell if I did the right thing in upholding the Thirteen tribes rights.
End Entry.
AN: And here we are the last of the pre written chapters from a long time ago. So yeah, thanks for the reviews! So where do we go from here? I have no idea, I am not sure whether to do one shepard or two shepard. John and Jane.
I do know I want the Battlestar Normandy. The whole plotline won't be a rehashed of ME1-3 that much is for certain.
For those that want to know what a Battlestar can do. Go to you tube and type in Battlestar battle. It's the 10:07 min video. Picture everything the Battlestar is giving out as ME slugs with the maneuverability of an Eezo engine core. Yes even their vipers will be be mass effected tech along with their raptors with mini jump drives.
As for the System Alliance, they are pretty much stunned over everything. It's like finding out that you suddenly had a rich uncle who die and gave you everything. Not to mention a lot of the galactic contracts had Earth grandfathered in.
The Colonial meant it as a symbolic gesture really. Who knew that Earth would really appear one day.
On another note, I know a lot of people wish for me to give a "Humanity Fuck Yeah!" Earth, that what the Colonials were, they were "humanity Fuck yeah!" Then they in turned got fucked.
I noticed in ME and that the System Alliance and their humans had a fundamental difference from the Colonials of Battlestar. Like Lee Adama say in the finale of the series.
"We need to let our heart catch up to our minds."
It's safe to say the Earth humans hearts had caught up to their minds as they got most of the crazy bloodlust killing one another out of their system. Look at their color scheme also compare to the Colonials. Then look at the Colonial Emblem and how predatory it look compare to the System Alliance one.
I intend to draw the contrast between the two and how Earth humans impact the galaxy.
Also the 300 ships that arrive is the majority of the SA fleet even as they are laying down new hulls for more ships. They were willing to throw everything they had against the Turians. I believe the SA fleet at the time was 300-600 at most.
Thanks for reading!
