Author's Note: Hello again, it's been a while. School started again so that got in the way, but it's almost the summer holidays (yay!) so expect more updates then. Until then, I'll try to fit in writing but it may not happen. Some people mentioned the fact that only the Asari (Vareena Korla) reacted to the presence of humans. The CUFS ground forces were wearing full body armour and there was no other visual contact, so of course the Turians didn't realize they were dealing with humans (in part). Now then I've also had people requesting that I write "question time" between Admiral Christina Whyte and Vareena Korla. However, I would rather get on with the story, otherwise we'd have at least one chapter of the two of them just talking. Vareena will only be explaining the basics to Christina (i.e. the Citadel, the species, the Relays etc.), so that doesn't really need to be explained. This chapter will pick up from immediately after this conversation. It will also include the description of Vareena's clothes that was missing from the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't even own copies of these great games so what do you think are the chances that I own the Mass Effect and Halo franchises?
On the surface of the Turian colony of Quadim
Christina stood up from her seat after Vareena finished talking. Walking over to the window, she looked out over the city.
"And this is all true? All accurate?" Christina asked, turning back to the Asari.
"Indeed. After all, what do I have to gain from withholding information? I want this war over, and soon. You have said wish to avoid unnecessary deaths and as I have said, launching an assault against the Citadel and holding it to ransom would allow a peaceful resolution," responded Vareena.
"OK then. I must admit though I find the differences and similarities between our civilizations astounding. Humans in two galaxies with an identical history up until the development of space flight. It's incredible," Christina remarked.
"I agree. However it may have something to do with these Forerunners you mentioned. After all, you said they enjoyed acting god," Vareena pointed out.
"Good point. I'll get Dr. Halsey to look into it. Now then, I am going to return to my ship. And you will be joining me," the Admiral said.
"Of course. I'm curious to see your ships."
On Pelican D-153 en route to the CUFS vessel United Stand
"This is a far better design for a combat vessel. It actually sports a large array of weapons. The drop ships used by us sport very few weapons, needing to be supported by fighters and gun ships. But this is both a drop ship and a gun ship. So efficient. I love it," Vareena prattled, looking around the troop bay of the Pelican.
The quartet of SPARTANs and Sangheili on escort duty looked at each other in confusion. Admiral Whyte just leaned her head back against the bulkhead with a sigh.
"Just wait until you see our battleships. Then you can be impressed," one of the Sangheili remarked, earning a chuckle from the two SPARTANs and a grin from the other Sangheili.
"What do you mean? I'm sure they're – Goddess, what is that?" Vareena yelled as she looked out of the front of the cockpit at one of the ten-kilometre carriers.
"That's a carrier. And isn't our destination," one of the SPARTANs said, correctly guessing her next question.
"Well, what is our destination?" Vareena demanded.
"That is our destination. The United Stand," the pilot told the awestruck Asari, indicating the forty kilometre vessel in front of them.
To snickers from the rest of the group, the Asari could only sit there gaping as they approached the giant ship. Her expression remained unchanged when they landed in a hangar that looked like it could have held a Turian frigate and still have room for a few drop ships. As she stepped down onto the deck, she noticed the lack of usual slight hum of the engines.
"This is incredible. How can you not hear the engines?" Vareena asked, turning to the Admiral.
However, it was not the Admiral who answered.
"Young lady, you are almost thirty-three kilometres from the engines. Of course you can't hear them."
Turning, Vareena found herself face-to-face with a hologram. Candon bowed slightly to her before introducing himself to her, after which she introduced herself.
"Two things though. One, a ship of this size would need massive engines to move at all, never mind at any sensible speed. Second, 681 is hardly young," Vareena retorted.
"OK then. Two things. One, evidently our ships operate differently so we can't apply our standards to the other's ships. Second, you look extremely good for your age, Ms Korla. Many women would die for a figure like yours," Candon answered, looking the curvaceous, relatively scantily clad, and now blushing, Asari up and down.
It was true. She was, as humans so eloquently put it, fucking hot. Her attire did little to hide that. She was clad in knee-high black high-heeled boots and black half-thigh length shorts (seemingly hard (A/N think hard suit)). A white, solid top that was exceedingly low cut, sleeveless, strapless and went to just below her breasts, with a large gap at the front, putting her cleavage in full view was all that was covering the top half of her body. Over the top of that, she wore a calf-length black coat.
"Asari not only age slower than most species but also live longer, usually living for about a thousand years. And if we do move against the Citadel, you'll have to make yourself seem a lot dumber. AIs are illegal in Citadel space and not everyone is as understanding as me. The only reason I've not freaked is that I was forewarned and notified of some of the basic history of AIs in the UNSC and then CUFS. And I've seen a lot in my time as an Asari Commando; being one of the best fighting forces in the galaxy means you see a lot of the galaxy," Vareena explained.
"Quite. Now then, shall we head to the bridge and prepare to set course for the Citadel?" Christina said.
"Indeed. Lead on, Admiral!" Vareena cried with a grin.
Chuckling, Christina led the way out of the hangar toward the bridge.
'Time to finish this,' she thought to herself.
