Not much to say at the moment.
Don't own Halo or ME. I do own my OC's and race.
"Damn it! There had to be a corridor or some passage or something to help us get through this! Where the hell is it?!" A women all but screamed. She was wearing a white lab coat, though it was partially ripped on the sleeves, what with her hands gliding on smooth and sharp surfaces. Her skin was white, though not like snow, with brown hair that reached an inch or two past her shoulders, and bright blue eyes that anyone could loose themselves in. She was just below seven feet, the same height as her husband.
This woman was Maykial Keresk, wife of Emperor Keresk. She was currently on Installation 00, or the Ark. She was here with the science team that had dedicated a great portion of their lives trying to unlock all the secrets if the station. 10 years they had given, quite some time, though for Maykial, it was more of a blink of an eye to her. Or at least it would have been if her husband and kids where here.
"You said there was suppose to be a passage way in this area?" She asked the human male behind her.
"Yes. Scans say that it's on the other side of this wall. The only problem is we can't find the door."
"Isn't that obvious?" She sighed. "Why didn't Reverent tell us about this?"
"It's quite possible that he couldn't gain access to the entire system himself. Remember, he wasn't the orig-"
"Open already!" Maykial screamed banging the wall a few times before throwing her weight on it.
Boom!
"Ow!" She found herself on the floor.
"Hey! Look at that! You opened it!" The man said. He walked up to her. "Seems your impatience payed off this time."
"Screw you Dan." She glared at him while picking herself up.
"You know, I'm surprised you were even able to get the passage open. That wall wouldn't budge for anything." He looked around.
"Then how did I open it?" Maykial asked, rubbing her shoulder.
"Actually, that was me." A synthesized voice answered.
Both Dan and Maykial froze, recognizing a synthesized voice when they heard one.
A monitor.
"I'm guessing that you are the monitor of the Ark?"
"Not exactly. If you could help me out of containment, I'd be happy to assist you." The voice said.
"Where are you?"
"Continue straight down this hall, make a left at the first crossway, and I'll be in the container at the center of the room."
They both began down the hall, who's walls were bare of anything, even the specific designs the Forerunners were known for. Dan decided that the room was built for practicality then artistic praises. As they made their way to the containment, they entered a room, possibly a few hundred feet across, though it wasn't the biggest room on the station. Arches landed from wall to wall, all of them converging at the center where a large white cylinder enclosed a pedestal of some sort. The cylinder was partially see though, as you could make out a few shapes, with a control panel in front.
"There you are. I'm in this cylinder. If you could go to the panel and release me." He repeated.
"Why are you even in here?" Dan asked, placing his hand on the panel. The cylinder snapped to the right, before snapping to the left, then gently lifting itself, revealing a flouting teardrop-shaped casing with three eyes and a glyph in the center. All three eyes were glowing blue.
"Ah. Thank you. It's only been a little past fifty years, but that's relatively long to me."
"You never answered my question."
"Oh yes! My apologize Reclaimer. I was in that containment module for protection purposes. When the Ark detonated along with instillation 04, this was one of the few rooms that survived the blast. Unfortunately, the module was damaged to the point to where I could not open it myself."
"So you've been here the whole time? Even when John-117 was here?" Maykial asked.
"I only made it here when the Key ship came here. I was on the ship, and I tried assisting the Reclaimer when we arrived, trying to redeem myself."
"Redeem yourself from what?"
"It is a rather touchy subject. I wish not to speak about it. But enough of that, I must introduce myself. I am 05-032 Mendicant Bias, Forerunner combat AI. I am here to help you Reclaimers. And I can see that your two species have survived. How wonderful. Follow me please." The AI flew past Dan and Maykial, beginning its short journey to the Forerunner archives.
"You seem a bit more in control then Guilty Spark." Dan said.
"I remember, he was here as well. How is he?" The AI asked.
"He, uh, when rampant." Maykial answered
"Oh. Well...that is unfortunate."
"You don't seem really conflicted with this information." Dan said.
"It's not as if I'm not saddened with what happened, it's just hard to break up about it. I didn't know Guilty Spark well, only seeing him twice during the Forerunner-Flood War."
"Forerunner-Flood War... Guilty told us a little about that, as did Reverent Warrior."
"Reverent Warrior? He's still alive?"
"He's alive and well." Maykial said. "He's on Alpha Capital, aiding with the war effort."
"You are in a war? Oh my, I'm not up to date with these events. One moment please." Mendicant began glowing slightly brighter for a few seconds before he spoke again.
"Ah, now I see. So you met this Citadel Council rather violently. Asari, Turians, Salarian, all these races survived. That's rather surprising, though welcomed none the less." Mendicant said as he approached the panel. He glanced at it for a few seconds, his eyes dimming slightly, before a thin, hair like white beam shot from his center into the panel.
"Guess the fix goes to the microscopic level." Dan said.
"There. You should be able to access my creator's data." Mendicant said, turning to them.
"What was wrong with the DNA scanner?"
"It was damaged, and never repaired properly. The device requires a blood sample in order to function, and that component was never there. Though Reverent Warrior is a monitor, he is not the Arks'. I've been here long enough to work all the systems on the instillation." Mendicant said. "Go ahead." He motioned to the panel.
Dan placed his hand on the panel, the platform glowing a soft white, Dan feeling a strange lightness in his hand before the large four story door opened.
"Finally!" Maykial screamed in joy, booking it straight through the now open room, leaving two startled and staring males.
"Is she always like this? I don't remember Airecantians getting excited over much during the time of my Creators." Mendicant asked, the closest thing to question on his 'face'.
"Only when she does what we love, which is everything about Forerunners." Dan replied, and both Mendicant and Dan winced at the squeal coming from the women inside.
Citadel
"All Citadel forces, this is Councilor Tevos. Stand down; cease further hostilities against the invaders. I repeat, cease further hostilities against the invaders. If you keep fighting, you won't have a home to go back to."
All fighting on the Citadel stopped almost immediately at those words. The remaining C-Sec forces dropped their weapons, hands raised, an expression of grim acceptance on their faces. They knew it was going to end like this, either by death or surrender. Many were thankful for the latter. They watched as alien, and to the dismay of many, human marines began taking them to the makeshift camps for prisoners. At these camps, injured we're attended to, which surprised many, seeing as they had fired at the Citadel, and were only a second ago trying to kill everyone on the station. Some prisoners even asked the aliens a few questions, and the aliens would respond, as long as it wasn't about military hardware. They only gave vague answers, but were polite enough.
In the arms of the Citadel, multiple search and rescue parties were going from building to building, taking the survivors out and to medical centers they had set in the Citadel's many hospitals, the ones not destroyed by the initial assault. Though a few were reluctant to leave with aliens or traitor humans as they saw it, they none the less compiled, their need to survive outweighing their unease. Their reaction was much like the prisoners of war.
The main three Council members themselves were still in the Presidium, now where the lesser council races would stand when meeting with the Council, while Kilel stood where Tevos would normally stand, staring down at the Councilors. He had to smirk inwardly; here he was, Kilel Keresk, prince of the Airecantian Empire, standing where the supposed most influential leaders of galactic government would, staring down at said leaders with the demands of unconditional surrender after they had suffered a short but devastating war, mostly for the Turians.
He only took comfort staring down at the Turian Councilor. He mostly avoided eye contact with the other two, staring at their foreheads.
"I trust the message was sent to Hierarchy space?"
"They will receive it shortly." Tevos said. Spartues glanced at the ground before continuing to glare at Kilel.
"Good. Now, we will discuss the terms of surrender. I apologize in advance if some terms seem unethical, but it is necessary. Are we clear?"
"Very well." Tevos and Valern said in union, while Spartues simply nodded. "What are your demands?"
"We'll start with a simple one. After this war is over and all UOS forces are removed from Citadel space, no Citadel ships will be allowed into UOS space without a pass, while military vessels are prohibited to enter UOS space at any time. The United Orion Systems will recognize this as well, and show the Citadel Council the same courtesy. If these requirements are not met, said peace treaty will be rendered null and void. Do you accept these terms?" Kilel asked.
"We accept these terms." Spartues said.
"Very well. Next; the Turian Hierarchy is to pay reparations to the UOS, a total of one hundred fifty two billion credits to pay for the damage caused by this war, as well as the mobilization of the UOS military. If these requirements are not met, this peace treaty will be rendered null and void. Do you accept these terms?"
"One hundred fifty two billion credits?! How much radiation has your skull absorbed to think we'd pay that?!" Spartues all but shouted.
"Over a hundred billion credits is rather mediocre to what we need. The UOS military was mobilized with the assumption that the Turian Hierarchy would invade once more. Couple that with the Empire military's invasion Hierarchy space, the attack on the Citadel, and the deployment of the largest space station we've created, it adds up to six hundred fifty two billion Airecantian Capitals, about eight hundred billion in Council credits. We are paying for most of it, but you must take the weight for the damage you caused to UNSC colony Harvest and Empire colony Mankaldon, as well as the dead that defended their homes, and the families of the dead."
"We will accept this." Tevos quickly said.
"What are you thinking Tevos?! The kind of capital they're asking for could cripple our economy!" Spartues said, eyes now bloodshot. Tevos glanced at him, but was cut off before she could reply.
"She is well aware of that." Valern stated. "But do you have any better propositions? If you haven't notice, we don't make the demands, they do." He said, glancing at the Turian. He didn't respond, so Tevos looked forward once more.
"Very well. Next; the lesser races of the Council are to slowly be admitted as full Council members."
"You do realize that this demand in itself might take centuries to become a reality?" Valern asked.
"The other council members are not yet ready to take the responsibility of full membership. They have not proven themselves as of yet. But the possibility of becoming a Council member was never denied." Said Spartues.
"I understand this, though with all the requirements needed to be accepted as a Council member guaranty that the lesser species would have to do nothing short of defending the Citadel themselves from this attack. That is why, as the Councilors of the three member races, it is also your responsibility to help prepare the lesser members for full membership, such as helping them develop their economy to match yours, or fund the construction of a formable military that fits that races requirements. I am not demanding that they become members at this moment, which would not bode well with Galactic government. We are asking that you help them, as so they are more prepared when the responsibility is thrown upon them."
"These demands are reasonable." Spartues said, a little shocked that the demand was all that reasonable. Maybe he was being too bias.
No, they attacked Pavalen. That was reason enough to mistrust them.
"Next; the Turian Hierarchy will give the UOS the Turian commanders who instigated this war. Said commanders will be tried by a military and civilian court who will decide what is to become of them. We will forgive the bombing of the Empire colony Mankoldon if this requirement is met. If not, the Turian Hierarchy will pay an additional ten billion credits. You are to make your choice now."
"I'm sorry to say that it will not be possible to give you the commanders." Valarn said.
"And what reasoning is behind that?"
"They're dead."
"Oh...well, that clears everything. This demand in considered null and void. You will not be required to pay the fifty billion." Kilel said, waving his hand dismissively.
"What gave you the idea that we would hand them over to you if they were alive?" Spartues sneered.
"As I stated earlier, they started this war by invading a UNSC colony and bombing an Empire one. Had they contacted us peacefully and explained why it is unsafe to open a dormant relay, we would have complied, and we would have met much more peacefully instead of bombing the Citadel. Do not blame the UOS for starting this war. Those 'commanders' are the ones to blame. Now on to the next demand."
Pavalen
"All Hierarchy forces, this is Councilor Tevos. Cease further hostilities against the invaders. I repeat, cease further hostilities against the invaders."
General Valkerin could still hear Councilor Tevos words on the battle-net, ringing in his ears. It didn't surprise him that they lost. It was guaranteed that they'd loose, it was only a matter of when. He was thankful that it was sooner. With the Airecantians setting off nukes and firing kinetic strikes, they'd render this planet uninhabitable if it continued by nightfall.
The Airecantians had given him information that the Citadel had been attack at the same time the Hierarchy space was, by a galactic power known as the United Orion Systems, or UOS for short, comprised of six races, with five governments representing them. The race that attacked Hierarchy space were an alien race called Airecantians, or as many Turians called them, 'Krogen on steroids.' They were even more militaristic then the Turians, as shown by their military might and size. He'd even figured that the Human System Alliance weren't the only humans in the galaxy. How was that possible? He didn't believe it at first, but many of the humans that were on planet were showing just as much shock as he was, even military personnel. Both humanities were similar and different in ways, especially technologically, enough so that he was convinced. Now, he was in a prisoner camp, where they were treating a burn that he had on his left mandible from those damn slug throwers. He noticed that a few injured Airecantians were here as well, one particularly with a large gash on his side. The man should have been bleed out within minutes, but some strange substance was keeping him alive. Something called biofoam. It acted like some kind of biological cork and pain reliever. It stopped the bleeding, but glowed a strange green. It was keeping many alive, both Turian and Airecantian.
"Ow!" He shouted as a female Airecantian jabbed his chest with a needle.
"Hold still. You're bleeding a little too fast. We'll get to you as soon as we can, but we're dealing with others right now. Just don't move too much." She said as she injected biofoam into his unknown wound.
"Thank you." He said as he noticed his breathing became easier.
"Mhm." She mumbled as she began working on his burn.
As much as he hated to admit, he wasn't so sure he'd give them the same treatment if they had been the prisoners of war instead. He'd have them executed on the spot, and seeing as to what these people were treating them, he couldn't help but feel disgusted with himself. These people could do the same to him, but they chose to treat the wounded, and they showed respect to everyone, regardless of if that Turian might have killed a friend or not.
Now he was thinking of future events. Now that this UOS had introduced itself, it would be hell for the years to come. Some would panic that there was a government just like the UOS, one that could win a war against the Citadel Council, which it already did. Six more species had been introduced, unfortunately, rather violently, and that would affect species relationships. There might be much hostility between many, and it was unknown if some took certain comments as a threat and decide to kill because of it. Military wise, the Citadel would begin researching better technology to combat the UOS, with military equipment being produced at much higher numbers, along with recruitment. Specters and STG would begin espionage in UOS space if they could. Politically, there would be the problem of losing member races. At the prospect of the Citadel and Hierarchy space being invaded, many would question if the Council could protect them, and then the possible withdraw of their governments, who would then join the UOS. If they didn't leave the Council, they would demand a seat on the Council, and try gaining support through the UOS.
Troubling times were ahead, Valkerin was sure of it.
"This galaxy loves to throw curve balls at us doesn't it?" He said. He thought he got the human metaphor right.
Apparently he did, as the women answered back without hesitation. "You're telling me. I didn't think we'd meet another alien race this soon. Yet here we are."
"Just wait a few years, we'll probably find more."
"Another headache." She said. She pressed lightly on the bandage on his face, making sure it would stay on. "Alright, come one." She said while helping him stand and walk to a makeshift operating table. "Let's close this wound."
"You don't seem to like Turians very much Emperor."
"It's not the Turians themselves I dislike. It's the idiotic government that has the procedure of shooting anything opening a relay, or the commanders who decide not to question their orders and proceed with it to the end. That is not how a healthy military is to be formed." Keresk said as he glanced at the many Turian prisoners. They weren't prisoners per say. They didn't lock them up and leave them like you'd think, he'd let them wander to a certain existent.
He had to give the Turians credit, they were very brave. At the prospect of finding a fleet of ten thousand city sized ships and advance weapons technology, the Turians responded as they normally would; they retaliated. Many even stood their ground when Airecantian units charged their positions, and kept fighting even when the radioactive fallout was literally raining on them. They had his respect.
"Emperor, the Empress is hailing you." One soldier said, holding a holo pad.
"Very well. Leave me." Keresk said, taking the holo pad. His soldiers left and he tapped the pad.
His wife, Maykial, was standing in the middle of a room Keresk hadn't seen on the Ark before. Her lab coat was ripped, though more so then it should have been, and many other scientist, human of otherwise, were running to and fro behind her.
"Is something wrong Maykial?" Keresk asked, raising an eyebrow at the scene before him.
"Is something wrong? I'd say everything is right!" She shouted triumphantly, throwing a fist in the air. Keresk raised his eyebrow even higher. She was kind of acting like a child. Sure, it was fun when she was home with him, but over there...
"And what is it that has you all riled up?"
"We've unlocked the Forerunner Archives on the Ark."
Keresk eyes widened, which hurt since it was a rare gesture for him. They've finally unlocked the data? It was keeping all scientists at bay with the DNA locks that would not respond to even human DNA. But they were able to make it work. How'd they do it? Did they try both Human and Airecatian DNA at the same time?
"How'd you do it?" He asked his wife.
"We explored much of the Ark, and Reverent was able to find a passageway. It wouldn't open for anything, until another monitor, Mendicant Bias, opened it for us and repaired the DNA panel. He explained to us that why he was there, and that he was ashamed of what he did during the time of the Forerunners. He helped fix components at the sub atomic level. We were able to access the archives. Military, medical, and civilian technology is going to hit a boom. We also have historical data, ranging from an ancient humanity that achieved Tire One technology, the Forerunner-Human War, to the Forerunner-Flood War. We have everything except for improved FTL travel."
"The data was corrupt wasn't it?"
"Sadly yes. But that's just a small down side. Everything else is open and ours for the taking. I'll be sending this info to all governments so we can begin building this tech. Just thought I should let you know honey." She said with a big smile.
"Thanks Maykial." Keresk said with a soft smile. "How long until you're back to Airecant?"
"About another ten months. With the finds we get here, we're going to get busy."
"Oh damn it." Keresk cursed, now a frown adorning his features.
"Sorry Alito. I know it's been ten years, but this is very important." His wife said with a defeated tone.
"I understand Maykial. I'll talk to you later."
"Love you Alito."
"Love you too Maykial." Keresk cut the connection, then sighed right after, rubbing his eyes.
"Sometimes I hate my wife's occupations." He scratched his head.
"I hear ya' sir." Bulldog said on the side, shaking his head. Keresk had to smirk at this.
Citadel
"...built in order to house Citadel citizens who's homes were destroyed. In a few days, the main bulk of UOS forces will leave Citadel space, leaving token forces around the Citadel and Hierarchy space for defense duties until they have the ships and numbers to defend themselves once again. This is not part of the treaty, and you have a choice of accepting or denying this offer."
"We accept this generous offer." Tevos stated, relived that they alone wouldn't accommodate alone for the civilians who had lost their homes on the Citadel. From what Kilel had said, they were already building what was known as a 'Living Station'; a station about five kilometers long that would house a few of the civilians. Over a hundred were being built, in case the numbers of civilians were too large.
'Let's see how they react to this curve ball.' Kilel thought. This was one way to get what the UOS needed.
"We are now onto our final term. The last demand is; the Systems Alliance is to be evicted from the Citadel Council and annexed by the United Orion Systems, more specificity the United Nations Space Command."
He could see clearly on their faces that they were shocked by this term. It wasn't, however, the kind of shock he was expecting. He was expecting a 'why would we do that?' shock, when instead he got a 'why would you want them?'
"You don't seem too conflicted about this."
"It's not that we aren't. We just never expected a demand remotely close to that." Valern said, rubbing his chin. "If I may ask, what interest do you have in the Systems Alliance?"
"I see it as simple; there cannot be two human governments. One is always bound to clash with the other, and some of these clashed can be bloody, possibly start another war between the UOS and Citadel. We see it as a better alternative to annex the Systems Alliance with our human government, the United Nations Space Command. They could represent humans as a whole, without the major political and possible military conflict that would no doubt take place."
"I see much sense in that." Spartues said. "Know this though; we will have to vote on this. The lesser members must decide what they want. Know that you may not get what you want."
"If the vote states otherwise, you are to force them out of the Citadel Council. We have to try this one way or another. It they are voted out, we will decrease the reparations by ten billion credits, while force will be twenty billion."
Spartues shook his head in amazement. They wanted the humans that bad? Enough to where they were willing to shave off twenty billion credits? Why in the name of the spirits would be not accept this?! By glancing at his fellow Councilors, he could see the same thoughts running through their heads.
"We accept these terms." They all said in union. Kilel couldn't help but smirk, which looked like a smile to the Councilors.
"Very well. I am sending a copy of the peace treaty. You will be sent to your respected homeworlds to discuss it with the rest of your people. I will give you two days to sign this treaty before it is rendered null and void. I have ships waiting for you." He said as he gestured to the exit. The Councilors started to the exit, with SIGMA troopers following them closely. All would be brought to their homeworlds in UNSC frigates. There was no need to scare the population of the other two Council races, while the Turians, well; it wouldn't matter at all, since there was a fleet of ten thousand ships in their orbit.
"Kilel? Are you there?" A voice came from his comms.
"Yes father?"
"Are you still in negotiations?"
"We just finished. We were able to convince the Council to hand us the Systems Alliance, and I can only hope the annexation is smooth."
"If the UNSC plays it right, it will be alright. I've received word from your mother that they have unlocked the information on the Ark."
"The Ark? They finally did it?" Kile asked in surprise.
"Yes son. She's sending all the data to the UOS governments, and they'll begin producing this technology."
"So how are we going to start father?"
"Like we always do, we focus on military and medical tech first. Civilian comforts can wait. Colonization is another we must focus on. We have a lot of work ahead if us Kilel." Keresk said with a small chuckle. Even he was getting excited about this technology boom.
"Yes we do father. Yes we do." Kilel said, a small smile of his face.
