Chapter 10: A New Alliance
Gunfire and explosions littered the surface of the human colony of Shanxi as the Turian ships above deployed more and more orbital bombardments on the colony below, the Turian forces monitored the planet even at the slightest hint of movement. The colony itself was battered and beaten smouldering ruins of many of the structures were all that remained but inside many Alliance soldiers hid trying to simply get at what food and medical supplies they culd for the civilian population that lived within the bombed out ruins of the colony. Inside one of the few remaining Alliance outposts that remained operational stood the one in charge of the garrison of the colony one General Williams who coordinated with what few Alliance teams he had remaining to try and get resources for the civilian population, Williams rubbed his scar in worry not just for his men but for the civilians who were starving from lack of food and water.
Above orbit several Turian scanners monitored what few life signatures could be found within the ruins and what movement could be seen was squashed at once with another orbital bombardment by the Turian commander who was in charge of the blockade of the planet.
"Increase bombardment by ten percent on the following structures, I want to ensure absolute submission of these humans."
A turian officer chimed in."Yes sir bombardment has been adjusted along with trajectory to the sites given sir."
"Good commence further bombardments, I want nothing left is that understood."
"Sir... we.. we have incoming signals but not from the relay.. by the spirits !"
The signals multipled in the dozens as the entire Turian blockade witnessed slipspace holes emerging all across the upper atomosphere of Shanxi even the Alliance could see the massive ships from the ground. The Turian forces stood in shock at what they were seeing the first time in nearly two thousand years a massive fleet of Flood dreadnaughts that overshadowed the entire Turian blockade of Shanxi, the Turian commander ordered for all ships to open fire on the ships at once. The Turian blockade force engaged with the Flood warships at once breaking formation along with deploying fighter wings to engage Flood fighters, the Flood ships had opened fire on the Turian ships as well slicing through three of them with ease as they drifted over the Turian blockade itself and toward the planet itself.
"Damage reports now," The commander said, "I want damage reports and system status now !"
"Sir we've lost engines and forward guns," A officer said, "We've lost primary systems to life support and main weapons, six other ships have been gutted as well."
The Turian blockade had been gutted in a matter of minutes, the Flood warships had broke the blockade by either using their weapons to slice through the ships or simply ramming into them to take them out of the fight but one or two Turian cruisers had retreated back to the relay sending a distress call to the Turian Hierarchy and Citadel Council about the current events that had just transpired. The Flood warships themselves did not pursue the retreating the Turian ships but instead returned their focus back to the planet, multiple pod structures separated from the Flood ships and drifted toward the planet along with multiple rows of Flood fighter ships ot escort them even a much larger pod is dispersed from one of the larger warships as it drifts to the planet. On the surface of Shanxi, General Williams along with several detachments of Alliance soldiers watched as the strang pod like structures landed on the planet each one landed at a different side of Shanxi they had even saw the massive amount of fighters which flew across the entire ruined city blocks of the city. General Williams didn't know whether this was another invasion force or maybe hopefully a friendly chat with a race that is looking to help out.
The remaining Alliance soldiers whiched garrisoned Shanxi had gathered at the border of the city putting up what defenses they could to ensure if this was another attack by a new enemy force, General Williams used his rifles minocular and examined the force that was coming toward the city thye appeared well organized all wore a hard lined containment suit with a strange small canister on the right arm each one had one but what was stranger was they had no armored vehicles escorting the troops. Williams saw through his scope what he saw was multiple cargo containers being brought to the city which looked like supplies even food and water. The massive force which marched to the edge of the city soon stopped in place as they did a single tall figure stood out from the rest the being stood nearly eight feet tall with a strange exo-skeleton like body with blazing orange eyes and a very human like face with features as well. The tall alien walked forward so did General Williams who decided to be brave instead of hiding behind a barricade both looked at one another till finally the alien extended it's hand to General Williams and in doing so had said it's name and it was Edgar to which General Williams thought was weird but funny as it was a very human name.
"I am General Williams," Williams said as he shook Edgar's hand, "I take it you were the one responsible for getting rid of the Turian blockade above us."
"I indeed was," Edgar said, "I have a very long history with the Turian Hierarchy as well as the Citadel Council."
"Huh so their are other races out their after all, guess it was to much to ask for just one invading force but still thank you for saving us from the Turian force."
Edgar smiled as he looked to the ruined city."Yes well my forces have brought food and water along with medical supplies for your wounded and civilian population."
"Thank you we need all the help we can get, the Turians did alot of damage to here... dammit all why did they attack us."
"From what I recently learned the Citadel Council has let's say placed a restriction on the opening of dorment Mass Relays so it's considered a crime but the Turians took this to far, General Williams if I may when further help comes from your people I wish to extend an offer of friendship."
General Williams was quite shocked at hearing those words but was even more shocked as he himself heard his own voice say he accepted Edgar's request and both shook on it, soon things got more complicated as overhead three Turian dreadnaughts arrived along with a single Asari cruiser but on the other side multiple Alliance ships had arrived it was the Alliance Second Fleet. General Williams along with Edgar had took a shuttle to the Second Fleet. Over Shanxi three fleets had gathered at a stand still but Edgar knew his fleet could cut through both in a instance but he did not want this as he wanted to see what would happen with the Council, Humans, and his own Flood now that they were all here. The three fleets had remained at a stand still not engaging with the human and Turian ships as they had not been ordered to not by their respected officers but the Flood would not engage without a single blink from Edgar himself. Edgar boarded an Alliance vessel alongside General Williams both had been escorted to a conference room by Alliance soldiers, within the room stood members of the Alliance, Asari Republics, Turian Hierarchy and the Salarian Union.
Edgar felt the eyes of the Turian, Asari, and Salarian diplomats on him but General Williams and Edgar took seats side by side of each other, the Alliance officials began the opening discussions with the diplomatic situation on what had happened on Shanxi and how they could fix it.
/Alliance Dreadnaught/
"We.. have all been brought here under extreme pressure after recent events on Shanxi and the loss of many Alliance civilians and soldiers, we hope this meeting can bring peace between out peoples."
"Your people broke Citadel law, the activation of a dorminant Mass Relay is strictly prohibited."
General Williams clenched his fist in anger."How were we supposed to know of such laws !," He said in anger. "We only accessed it to see what else was beyond our system."
Edgar put his hand on Williams shoulder and spoke."What General Williams says is true, The Turians themselves may impose such laws on Council space but this is Alliance space and they know nothing of Council Laws."
The Turian diplomat spoke out."How dare you have a right to speak here, your kind have no right to be here your nothing more then blood thirsty tyrants !"
"He has a right to be here were it not for him Shanxi would have fallen to you Turians from what I saw your people are blood thristy." Williams said as he pointed to the diplomat.
The Turian diplomat grew more angry finding that accusation absurd."Just how exactly do you say my people are any worse then the one who stands beside you human."
"Least he isn't the one who produced constant orbital bombardments on civilain populations !," Williams said, "Your kind killed hundreds of civilians even those who simply tried to get food and water for their own families, and you dare say you keep peace !"
"Please, please everyone we must remain calm I understand how both the Turian ambassador and General Williams must feel but we must find a way to sort out this situation we don't want war."
Edgar rolled his eyes knowing how Asari think and he spoke out."Yes indeed but I for one wish to say an Asari should remain silent their words may taste of honey but it is filled with poison I of all people know this."
"You have no right to say that you filthy..," She caught herself before gaining her composure back, "As I was saying we must craft peace not further conflicts even for those like you Flood.."
Edgar smirked as he rubbed his finger."Fine but before such things are to happen, General Williams has something to say to his superiors."
Williams nodded at Edgar and spoke."Yes after my friend here had saved Shanxi he himself offered assistance and alliance to our people, he has already delivered supplies food and water to the civilians along with medical care."
"Hmm interesting, if I may ask sir.. why exactly would you aid us we have nothing to offer in return ?"
"I require nothing from the Systems of Alliance, I only offer a hand of friendship and alliance between our two peoples all I ask in return is to simply see Earth."
"Um... that's all ?," the Alliance diplomat asked puzzled."Well I am sure that can be arranged give us some time to work it out if you will."
"Of course I have plenty of time to wait I shall leave one of my ships over Shanxi so you can get in touch with me."
Edgar left the meeting between the Alliance and Citadel Races as he wished to return to his ship to wait out the meeting and see what would end up happening as he sat on the bridge of his ship, Vitana walked onto the bridge wishing to speak to him.
"So I take it the talk with the humans and the Citadel Council went bad Edgar ?"
"No not exactly heh, the Systems Alliance has seem to welcome my friendship with no real problem." Edar said as he walked around, "But the Council has taken great concern with this."
"As they should after all we do have technology that dwarfs their own especially slipspace technology so we don't need the Mass Relays to get to one point to another."
"Yes, along with the Flood itself but I know you and Kella had concerns on why I never truly used the Flood but instead use just the Vorcha in their place along with the NewBorns who command them."
"Yes we.. did but I stand by your decisions on this Edgar as I always have if Kella could be here I'm sure he would say the same to you." Vitana said placing her hand on Edgars shoulder.
Timeline/ Codex Update/
2162- Construction of Arcturus Station is complete with the aid of Edgar and his Flood technology.
A orbital station is founded for trade and resources on the border of the Terminus and Attican Traverse between the Flood and Systems Alliance.
2164- Ivor Johnstagg is sentenced to 21 years in prison for attempting to assassinate Venta Tox, the volus ambassador to the Citadel. Although Johnstagg claims to be acting on behalf of the radical human political party Eternal Earth, no connection is found and Johnstagg is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Backlash from the assassination attempt jeopardizes the Systems Alliance's bid for an embassy on the Citadel.
The new relations between Alliance and Flood civilazations has become very beneficial, Flood knowledge has improved Alliance ships by 10 percent. Relations between the Citadel Council and Flood continues to harbor much resentment as The Flood voices their need for their own borders including the planets from which they already control.
2168- A truce is struck between the Citadel Council and The Flood as borders are established within the systems in which The Flood control as the following systems fell under Flood control. (Shrike Abyssal, Vallhallan Threshold, Hourglass Nebula, and Nemean Abyss)
2176- Batarian-funded pirates and criminals launch a surprise attack, later known as the Skyillian Blitz, on the human colony of Elysium. The assault is repulsed by the Alliance Navy and ground teams.
The Jon Grissom Academy is commissioned over Elysium, and becomes home to the Alliance's new biotic training program, the Ascension Project.
The Anhur Rebellions, a civil war waged over the practice of slavery, begin on the human and batarian colony world of Anhur and spread throughout the Amun system. Abolitionism supporters hire the Eclipse mercenary group to fight the batarian pro-slavery Na'hesit faction.
James Vega enlists in the Alliance military.
Kai Leng is awarded the N7 designation by the Alliance's Interplanetary Combatives Academy, but later that year he is dishonorably discharged and imprisoned for first-degree murder.
Miners at the T-GES Mineral Works facility on Mahavid uncover a Leviathan artifact. The miners are enthralled by the Leviathans for the next ten years and are used to carry out numerous experiments.
Batarian Raids begin inside Flood controlled space but are quickly eradicated and all slaves captured returned to Citadel and Alliance space.
2178- Without the knowledge of the Citadel Council, The Flood launch a massive assault on the moon of Torfan destroying the criminal base on the moon along with the entire population which was Batarian. The threat against human colonies from batarian extremists is curtailed.
2180- Flood borders extend to the Titan and Rosetta Nebula with Flood Hive-Worlds being spawned onto the planets, System Alliance planets are assisted by Flood science which create more habitable locations for the races of the Milky Way to reside on along with the restoration of the Drell Homeworld.
2182- Edgar assumes great prestige and friendship amoung the Systems Alliance, Drell, Volus, Vorcha and Hanar species of the galaxy. Further attempts by the Citadel Council to gain information of The Flood leadership fail as Edgar has refused to give any details of it's inner workings or even how far his relations go with the species as many find it strange how he doesn't resemble any of the species.
Hey Everyone DeathJoker here I wish to thank everyone once again on the massive support this story has gotten over the past year, but I also wish to thank not just the fans but my friend SaibotVapor who has been helping me with editing and going over how the story should progress.
Also I wish to let everyone know I am very sorry for this late update on Chapter 10 though I know it's not as long as Chapter 1 or the very least the usual amount of time to read but I will be working on Longer chapters starting very soon as I have been working alot from home and haven't had much time to update plus I have massive computer problems but now that it's all fixed I will be back on my original schedule plus writers block has been quite a bitch lately hahah.
But still thank you to everyone who has loved and followed this story I hope you all enjoy it to the end and remember leave a review if ya have questions.
P.S. The reason Edgar uses mostly Vorcha and the NewBorns Edgar created is for he is crafting a new version of the Flood as you probably have noticed with the Vorcha and how they contain small doses or even canisters of Flood spores within their suit systems so if the need to infect a planet is needed the Vorcha forces can create a controllable wave of infection across a planet. If anyone else does have questions on this leave a review hahah.