Author's Note: I want to thank all the reviews and people who read this story. I have reached 100 followers and even 100 favorites. I wanted to thank you all for reading and the support. Some reviews have even shown me ways to improve the story and by extension, my writing. I will continue to keep this story going and again I want to thank you.
Story Update: I went back and did my best to correct any grammatical errors that I saw. I also felt I took qualities away from the Geth that made them unique and I changed several things with the way their programing was modified in chapter 6. I also wanted to make the technological advancements more believable. Some of the stuff I put like a 200 year increase in life expectancy now seems insane to me. In chapter 9, after receiving several messages, and thinking it over, I feel I made my characters come out ignorant and somewhat stupid since they never even met the Krogan or Quarians and toned the conversation down a little bit. If anyone finds more grammatical errors or problems with the story then please let me know. For old viewers, there were several changes in chapters 6 and 9. I also went back and added several new lines in earlier chapters, but nothing major that needs to be read.
Disclaimer: The following is not used to make a profit or advertisement. Mass Effect is owned by EA/Bioware. Any original characters, story, dialogue, or elements are used for this story.
The Council actually gaped at the three newcomers. The Geth. There was much more buzzing in the audience until several shouts were heard. One turian in particular was one of the loudest.
"Councilors, you can't possibly allow these aliens-, but he was cut off when Tevos held up her hand.
Councilor Porginta spoke, almost yelling. "The Geth are a danger to galactic peace and you allied with them. Do you even know what they did with the Quarians. Many were killed by them."
Trenton spoke again. "Many Quarians fought alongside the Geth as well councilors. They were trying to defend themselves when many Quarians attempted to destroy them. They even let them go when they fled."
Councilor Porginta mandibles clicked together and her face showed to the humans that she was scowling. "The council offered the Geth many attempts at a peaceful solution and they killed all the emissaries we sent."
Trenton continued while his look remained unchanged. The Geth explained to us that their new awareness made them very cautious and on edge about making contact. The Geth have changed since then and only wish to understand organics and even coexist with them."
Jues spoke up with agitation present in her voice. "Maybe they are deceiving you as a means to increase their military power."
"They are not deceiving us councilors and we would not deceive them. They have helped us increase our military strength as well. Together, we have created new technologies, medical advances that have helped my race increase its life expectancy, and my race's economy is the highest it has ever been. We have helped them all evolve into true AIs and they have developed a greater understanding of organics than ever before. The Coalition has created our own AIs as well, but not as a means of labor or defense, but to aid in our understanding of the Geth and pave the way for a new era.
Buzzing continued in the crowd even when the councilors tried to silence them.
"SILENCE!" Councilor Jues shouted in a voice that made several people plug their ears. Everyone immediately quieted down after that.
"Your kind has created Artificial Intelligence and even improved geth programs. You kind are treading down a very dangerous path human. Have you even read through our history at all?" Porginta said in an agitated voice.
Even though the atmosphere had shifted to an uncomfortable one, Trenton still kept a calm and serious face and continued.
"The Coalition's laws on Artificial Intelligence are very different than yours or the Quarians. AIs have the same rights as any organic and by extension, the Geth themselves. It has created a great bond between us. We are the Coalition."
The buzzing in the crowd got much louder, even as the Council continued to attempt to silence them.
"They are a threat to galactic peace councilors. We should deal with this problem now!" One batarian shouted.
A slarian could be heard and was probably the loudest out of everyone. "They are deceiving you councilors. These humans are trying to take over. Their friend is probably not even a real Prothean, but a mutant or a-
Councilor Jues didn't give him time to finish. She probably would make her two counterparts or anyone close by deaf in several years. Almost everyone put their hands to their ears until the buzzing was barely noticeable. After making sure his ear drums were decent, Trenton continued.
"We do not want bloodshed or even friction if possible. I am sorry if this news may cause a panic or some anger to some people, but you do not have to fear the Geth. I only hope you give us a chance as we are willing to for you. Our galaxy is on the verge of destruction and we need to be united and ready."
The three councilors all had stern looks on their faces. Several minutes passed as they talked amongst themselves. Trenton held his breath. He was sure Harper was doing the same. Finally, all three councilors nodded.
Tevos spoke with a voice that was not as agitated as the others were. "While we do not agree with your views on the Geth. We can see your hearts are in the right places and that you trust them. We do not want war either and are willing to give your kind a chance, but if the Geth show us any sign of treachery, then we will no longer offer our support. This does not make you a member of the galactic community, but we would consider letting a human into the Citadel as an ambassador on an embassy, but only a human."
The buzzing in the crowd started again, but the three councilors held up a hand to silence them.
Trenton turned to Harper and Javik who nodded and he turned back to the council.
"That would be acceptable. The Coalition is glad to have the Council on its side. We will offer none classified data that will help you construct far more effective stealth systems for ships, more efficient engines, and even increase weapon efficiency. It has been an honor to be a spokesman for the Coalition and to see all of these races, as well as to meet you councilors. I hope the Coalition can work together with you and improve relations over time."
The three councilors still looked somewhat agitated, but they nodded in agreement. "This meeting is adjourned." Tevos said to everyone. The crowd however, stood still and continued to watch the humans and prothean leave.
Harper stopped and turned back to the councilors who were beginning to leave. "Councilors, if I may. I ask for your assistance with a problem the Coalition is having."
The Councilors turned to the three still looking as if they were somewhat stressed out by the situation. "What do you require?" Jues asked.
"The location of the Migrant Fleet. We need to warn every species and gain as many allies as possible."
There was a small awkward silence, but eventually Jues spoke. "Understood. We will notify you of any possible leads. I wish you all the best of luck in these troubled times. Farewell."
Harper nodded and walked back to the other two and they walked to the elevator where Saren stood waiting for them.
Several weeks later
The next few weeks were very tense for the Coalition. They had had no further contact with the Citadel and were wondering if they would actually follow through with the plan. Many representatives felt they had done all they could and the Coalition continued its efforts to prepare for the Reapers. After the second week, the Coalition was approached by several turian fighters with several possible patrol routes for the Migrant Fleet, but the conversations were very short. Even with the leads, the Coalition still could not locate the fleet after a month of searching.
Arcturus System, Arcturus Station
August 7, 2165
President Kastanie Dresher never saw herself as a politician, let alone president, but everyone seemed to want her in office after first contact with the Geth. She had been one of the highest ranking officers and the Systems Alliance had achieved so much in just that one year for humanity. She watched the next dreadnaught get constructed, The Fuji, and felt it was coming along nicely.
Suddenly, her vice president, Darnell Udina came into her office. Udina was a well respected man who could influence many people with his charisma. He looked to be out of breath.
"What is it Udina, you look like you just ran a mile." Dresher said with a smile.
"Madame President. One of our patrols intercepted a rather interesting transmission. Before you ask, it was not the Quarians or Citadel races. The language we translated was a Krogan language. I had to run from the other end of the station and back since our comm system is on the fritz."
The Krogan were the last thing Dresher would have guessed and she was very surprised. "So what did it say?"
"The transmission wasn't very clear, but we did find out that they are headed for this station as we speak."
"Send a message to Admiral Grissam to send several ships to patrol around the station. We need to be ready for whatever is coming for us."
August 11, 2165
Uncharted System in the Attican Traverse
MSV Hamburg
Lieutenant Commander David Anderson lay in his bunk while his squad members were busy chatting about the recent survey of the unknown planet named 2165 Anchorage. The planet seemed to be a lush garden world ripe for the picking and they were now headed back to Arcturus to return their findings. He had always wondered how vast the universe was. Sure the Council and Coalition had surveyed many regions of space, but in reality, they had not even surveyed 1% of the galaxy. His crew consisted of two geth troopers, and three humans. He was new to this ship and it was still hard to remember names, but he was getting better with it.
About a minute passed before Captain Kahlee Sanders got on the comm. Anderson liked his commanding officer. They had met on several other occasion during some training exercises and even on several missions. Anderson used to hold the higher rank than she had, but after several dozen successful survey missions, she now held the higher rank. Kahlee had become a good friend to him and she had been there to comfort him when his wife sent him news about their divorce. He was really glad when he got assigned under her command.
"Anderson. I need you in the CIC now. This goes for your squad as well. Something very interesting has come up."
"Understood." He turned to his team. "You heard her. Lets move."
They were up on the CIC in about two minutes. You were well trained to get ready for duty very quickly during basic. They saw Kahlee behind the pilot staring out the window.
"You called?" Anderson asked
She didn't turn around from the window. "Yes. A few minutes ago, we saw something appear on our scanners. When we went to check it out, it quickly disappeared. The thing is, the speed of this thing is too fast and one crew member claims to have seen it and described it as being more massive than a dreadnaught. One of our fighters may be able to keep up with it, but our cruiser is a little slower. I want you up here in case we do find something."
Anderson smiled. "You can count on us mame."
About a half an hour passed with the same thing happening. They would almost track this thing, but it would fly off to another location at a great speed until the pilot turned to Kahlee. "Maybe we should give up for now. Our fuel is not limitless and is now about twenty five percent full. We should go back to Arcturus and tell them about this. I'll have an engineer check the sensors for a possible malfunction before we get back."
Kahlee nodded her head in agreement and turned to Anderson. "Sorry about bringing you up here to a game of cat and mouse," Kahlee said with a smile.
"No trouble at all. I wonder what that thing is. It couldn't be one of the Council's ships could it?
"I do not think the Council has any ship that goes that fast right now. She pondered the thought for a moment then turned back to him. "Well, apparently we aren't going to find anything else tonight. How about you, your crew, and I go play some cards. It is the least I can do for having your crew come up here on a possible radar malfunction."
Unknown to them, the being continued to watch them with growing interest.