Author's Note: Hello again, everyone who still reads this. Some people mentioned that they felt the negotiations were short or that the chapter was boring. I'm sorry if you found it boring but it had to be there and I felt it should be done like that. If you thought the negotiations were too short, tough; I couldn't be bothered writing the equivalent of a few hours of them going "no this should be there", "we're not agreeing to that" and the like. Also a few people have asked so I'll say it now; the Master Chief will NOT appear in this story. I don't think he's a good character. Someone expressed confusion over whether this is all in the same galaxy. The answer is sort of: the events of the Halo games, books etc. were set in one galaxy; Mass Effect and this story are in the neighbouring galaxy. Now then, on with the story, which will in part be more of a timeline.
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?
2574: In the early months of the year, the CUFS and the Citadel Council form a treaty. The CUFS opens an embassy on the Citadel, with the Citadel receiving an embassy on Horizon. The Intergalactic Tunnel and the fact that the CUFS resides primarily at the other end are kept secret. Neither side feels comfortable sharing technology, although some information is exchanged. Vareena Korla joins the CUFS as their advisor on Citadel cultures, species and technologies, although she is unable to provide schematics for technologies. She is made aware of the nature of the CUFS.
2578: The CUFS hand over a Prothean artefact to the Citadel, officially because they have no interest in it. In truth, they have spent a year studying it and have discovered that Protheans and Forerunners use the same language, at least in written form. Admiral Whyte and Captain Whyte have their first child, who they name Preston Frederick Whyte.
2580s: Tensions are still relatively high between Turians and the CUFS. The Systems Alliance attempts to capture a CUFS ship for research. When the CUFS discovers this, they promptly retaliate against the HSA, sending three HSA patrol fleets to dry dock for a year. During this time, the first Batarian slavers attempt to enslave people at one of the CUFS' colonies. Every single ship is shot down instantly after failing to comply with instructions. The Batarian Hegemony takes this before the Council, claiming unjustified murder of their people. Admiral Whyte, the CUFS military ambassador, provides evidence that the vessels failed to comply with instructions and hence were destroyed. She then makes a statement in a press conference stating that slavery is not tolerated within the CUFS and that slavers will be "executed on sight". This causes tension between the Batarian Hegemony and the CUFS. The Salarian Councillor, Seliron, retires, being replaced by Valern. The Whytes' second and third children are born and are named Catherine Jessica Whyte and William Philip Whyte. George Campbell gets promoted to Vice Admiral after clearing out three pirate and five slaver bases within twelve days without a single casualty. A patrol fleet of the Turian Hierarchy witnesses the glassing of a planet by the CUFS after the CUFS finds it to be Flood infested. Upon being told of this, the entirety of Citadel space goes into uproar, with the entire populace crying out for the CUFS to get rid of those weapons. The CUFS refuses, greatly increasing tension. The Whyte's final child, Linda Evelyn Whyte is born.
2590-2593: After years of searching, the archivists find the explanation as to why Protheans and Forerunners wrote the same: the Forerunners had spread into that galaxy as well, however when the Flood attacked them, they quarantined the galaxy, cutting all ties. It was effective, for the most part, with very little of the Flood managing to cross the Tunnel. The Forerunners that survived became the Protheans, coming to rely upon the Relays and the like. The Forerunners had also apparently brought humans into the new galaxy to see if they would develop in different ways if they were apart. This is all kept top secret, being told only to the highest-ranked CUFS personnel and none of the Citadel species, except Vareena Korla. The last of the originally planned Alliance-class Super Dreadnought is completed. A group of mercenaries manage to board a CUFS frigate and almost succeed in capturing it but the ship's AI, upon realizing that there are no surviving CUFS personnel, vents the ship before jumping to slipspace. Upon the frigate returning to a CUFS military outpost, the CUFS retaliates against the mercenaries, wiping out the entire group.
2594: The Systems Alliance makes another attempt to get a Council Spectre. Once again, the Council agree to evaluate the candidate, a woman called Commander Alexis Shepard, sending the Spectre Nihlus Kryik to join her on the new Alliance frigate, the SSV Normandy. Meanwhile, Admiral Whyte attends the annual Council Charity Ball, an event that the majority of celebrities and dignitaries attend and receives a great deal of media coverage…
Onboard the Citadel
Christina and Philip Whyte approached the entrance to the Citadel Grand Hall arm in arm. The Admiral was clad in an ankle length, black gown and matching three-inch heels. Her husband was wearing a black suit with a light blue shirt and red tie. After showing their tickets, they continued into the room to find a great deal of people already present.
Within minutes of arriving, they were already separated. Philip was talking with two famous retired Turian officers about the differences between Slipspace and the Relay network. Christina meanwhile, was busy talking with Councillor Tevos and Admiral Hackett about how etiquette varies amongst cultures. The evening continued such, with the couple rarely being together for very long.
However, by the end of the evening, Christina had found that when she didn't need to play the part of Councillor, Tevos was nice to be around. She found herself organising to meet up with her for a meal later on that week.
It was getting late and Christina found herself once again talking to Hackett and Tevos when it happened. Hackett's omnitool beeped, alerting him of an urgent call. Excusing himself briefly, he went into a corner take the call. When he returned to the two ladies, he told them the bad news.
"One of our colonies, Eden Prime, has apparently been attacked," Hackett informed them.
"Wasn't that where the SSV Normandy was going on her maiden voyage?" Tevos asked.
"They're the ones who told us. They're heading back here, at which point we'll get a full report. What I know so far isn't good. The beacon's been destroyed and Kryik is dead. It's pretty much been a disaster," Hackett summed up with a groan.
"Well, anything the CUFS can do to help, just let me know. I'll do what I can, Admiral," Christina told him, giving him a sympathetic smile.
"As will I. I will do all I can to help you," Tevos added.
"Thank you, Councillor, Admiral. I may need to take you up on that, but for now, I need to go. I need to try and get some sleep in before I have to hear about this disaster. Goodnight, ladies," Hackett said, turning to leave.
"Yes, I should probably go too. Leaving the four kids at home with the babysitter for too long is just asking for trouble. If you'll excuse me, Tevos, I need to find my husband and leave. I'll see on Friday," Christina said in farewell.
"Indeed. Goodnight, Christina," Tevos said, moving off to speak to an Asari Spectre called Tela Vasir.
Moving through the crowd, Christina managed to avoid being flirted with by a Human actor, caught an Elcor's glass as it was knocked off a table and managed to prevent to slightly drunk Turians from getting into a brawl. When she found her husband, she excused him from the conversation before leaving with him.
Once they were back in their exceedingly large apartment, they went to bed. Christina's last thought before she fell asleep was, 'This incident with Eden Prime isn't done yet, and it's probably going to give me a headache.'
