Prime Minister Adhiban's Office

Once again Admiral Hackett found himself in front of the prime minister's desk. Once again who could probably guess why. This most likely had to do with the council's offer of associate race status to humanity. More specifically he was probably here to advise on the arms limitation treaty that every nation that accepts the citadel must sign.

Adhiban spoke up "Have you looked through the council's offer?"

Hackett nodded "Yes, and I think we should accept."

Adhiban nodded back "Agreed, there are some issues however that I wish to discuss first. What are your thoughts on the 'Treaty of Farixen?'. Do you think it's wise to sign a treaty limiting the Alliance's navy? It will keep humanity at a perpetual disadvantage."

Hackett thought about how best to approach this topic. He decided to bring up a historical example. People Adhiban's age always payed close heed to history. Hackett knew that from personal experience considering he was up there in terms of age as well. "What do you know about admiral Yamamoto?"

The prime minister's face took on a puzzled expression. "He was an imperial Japanese admiral during World War 2. He masterminded the attack on Pearl Harbor. He died when his plane was shot down. I fail to see how his example helps clarify our situation."

"He was a strong proponent of the Washington Naval Treaty despite the fact that it limited japan to less ships than the United States or the United Kingdom. His reasoning for doing so was interesting. He thought that the treaty was the best defense against the United States. He understood that Japan could never produce more ships than the US and to try would be a wase of time and money. Since Japan could not get the bigger navy, the United States Navy would have to curtailed using other methods, which the treaty did. In his eyes it was a treaty to restrict the other parties."

Hackett paused to give the prime minister a moment to mull over the argument, before pressing on. "Sir we both know that as of right now signing this treaty costs us nothing. We cannot build to our limit of dreadnoughts unless we sacrifice all other concerns and that's not going to happen. What the treaty does do right now is keep the Turian, Asari and Salarian navies smaller than they otherwise would be. Sure, they renegotiate every once in a while, upping the limits but without it the Turians would have a much larger dreadnought fleet to throw at us."

Thinking for a moment the prime minister spoke up "And what happens when we do reach our limit? It won't happen overnight, but humanity is expanding rapidly and if we join the Citadel, we can expect even more rapid expansion. There are already plans in motion for several new colonies in council space. Eventually we will reach the cap and it may be sooner than we think. What then? Do we simply let our navy stagnate and leave it undersized and unable to defend us?"

Hackett replied emphatically "Of course not. When that happens, we will have other options. First and foremost, this treaty in no way restricts carriers. Carriers are a unique advantage we have over the aliens and we must maintain that edge. Building carriers will slow our dreadnought production pushing back the day when we reach the limit. It will also allow us to build more capital ships without being in violation of the treaty. We can also build 'one screw turn dreadnoughts' as my engineer have taken to calling them."

Puzzlement again flashed on Adhiban's face. "You'll have to explain that term to me."

Hackett nodded "It's an idea I had while I was ready the treaty. The council defines a dreadnought by the length of the main gun. That's why carriers aren't considered dreadnought as it has no spinal main gun running its entire length. Well I thought that perhaps we could build a dreadnought with everything you need except its main gun would be nonfunctioning. Since it technically has no main gun it would not be a dreadnought under the terms of the treaty." Adhiban's face stood still but Hackett could see interest in his eyes.

"The idea being that we could quickly convert the ship into a fully functioning dreadnought very quickly. I asked for an assessment from some engineers and they said that with current technology it would take about a week to convert such a hypothetical ship into a functioning dreadnought. However, if we were willing to put some effort into this idea, they were confident they could get that time down to a day. Hence the term 'one screw turn' since they are one screw turn away from being fully dreadnoughts."

Adhiban appeared unconvinced, "I doubt the council would be happy if we decided to bend the rules like that."

Hackett responded "It's not bending the rules, it's following them to the letter. I read the treaty terms; there ships are not in violation of any provision or statute in it. In any case it is not our job to make the council happy. However, the greater point is that we would have options when we come to the limit."

Adhiban paused for a second considering the facts. "Do you think Humanity should join?"

"Yes, there are tradeoffs but it's the best way for humanity to expand and prosper."

Adhiban nodded "Agreed, there is however, a hoop we must jump through, and I hope I can count on your support to do so."

"You mean the amendment? I am not a politician and don't want to be."

"You and I both know what needs to be done. I an unlikely to be able to do it without your support. The national governments are loath to surrender any scrap of authority. Your stock is very high right now admiral. People are comparing you to Nelson and Yi Sun-sin. With your help I could force this through. As for you not being a politician, well we both know you don't get to be the man in charge of the Alliance military without being able to play the political game. Can I count on your support?"

Admiral Hackett let out a sigh, "Yes, I'll do what I can."

"Thank you, Admiral, have a good rest of your day."

"You as well." Replied Hackett as he left the office. Adhiban was a shrewd man, Hackett had to admit that. He probably knew what Hackett's opinion on joining the Citadel was before this talk. He wanted Hackett to make the case for joining in order to maneuver Hackett to support the constitutional amendment. It's hard to refuse to support something you just argued for. Hackett would be annoyed if he wasn't willing to support Adhiban in his endeavors. Truthfully, he thought the best course for humanity was to join the Citadel and he was willing to step into the realm of politics to make that happen.

The main issue was that joining the citadel required certain laws to be accepted and enforced in human space. Unfortunately, the Alliance did not have the authority to do this. The name Alliance gave it all away. It was never meant to be a supranational government. It was created in order to defend and promote human expansion in space. It's constitution and governmental structure placed strict limits on its authority and ability to levy laws.

The upper house of parliament was made up entirely of unelected politicians who were appointed by the member states or the colonial governments they represented. Their entire job was to safeguard the autonomy of said nations and colonies. The lower house was made of elected representatives and was usually more open to the alliance's wishes but without backing from the upper house nothing could get done.

The constitution also placed stringent limits on the Alliance's ability to govern. It limited what laws they could levy and enforce. Truly the people of Earth and the colonies were more ruled by their nation or colonial government than by the alliance. Hackett knew that in order for the alliance to be the unified governmental structure the Citadel required for membership; a constitutional amendment had to be made. However, getting the upper house and the national governments to agree would take persuasion. Persuasion Hackett was willing to provide.

Arcturus Station Parliament Chambers.

Admiral Hackett sat and waited for the Prime Minister's introduction to finish. He and the prime minister had spent the last few days flying all over Earth and several colonies to get enough support to pass the amendment. It turned out that their initial predictions were wrong. The various nations of earth and the colonies were only too willing to sign on. Most of the laws and regulations the council required they already enforced. They were excited by the trade opportunities, more colonial ventures and other possibilities. The upper house would vote whichever way their nations told them to, so that arena was secure.

It turned out much harder to persuade the electorate than was anticipated. The people were distrustful, and Hackett could see their point of view. Humanity just fought a war with the aliens and now humanity was seen as bending over backwards to get laws passed the aliens wanted. Chants of 'we won the war and are losing the peace' could be heard from Ireland to Cathay. Hackett knew better, the war had not been won, humanity won one battle, but not the war. The war luckily ended before it got really going.

The prime minister had turned out to be right Hackett was proving instrumental in placating the masses and therefore the elected officials. His status as the mastermind of the victory at Shanxi played very well with the public. His vocal support of joining the Citadel had been instrumental in getting the support necessary. The vote on the constitutional amendment was just minutes away. Adhiban had ensured that Hackett's speech was the last word before the vote. They were reasonably sure of success, but it could go either way.

The prime minister's introduction was ending, and Hackett got up and walked over to the podium as the final words rang out. "…the arch-strategos of the victory at Shanxi, admiral Hackett."

Taking the podium which, the prime minister vacated Admiral Hackett began.

"Humanity has come a very long way in a very short time. In 1903 a rather famous prediction was made. It was said it would take man a million years to attain flight. Within the same year two brothers had done it. Now a scant 230 years later humanity has finished its first interstellar war.

It is truly impressive that so much has been done in so short a time, but we must not let this staggering progress blind us to the realities of the present. For taking the wrong turn at the crossroads we find ourselves at may ruin all that we have achieved. We must not delude ourselves into thinking that the way forward will be clear and easy. A great deal of blood, sweat, and tears will need to be shed to achieve the future we all hope for.

We have been offered a place in the greater galactic community, and I believe we should accept. I won't waste time by expounding the various benefits of doing so, that has been done better than I could by others. I will however dispel one common misconception that people hold. By joining the Citadel, we are not in any way shape or form submitting to foreign rule or agreeing to be weak and meek.

I will speak on the matters of the military as they are what I know best. By joining the Citadel, we are not signing away our right to defend ourselves. Our military will remain our own, our navies will patrol our space and be sovereign in it. Nor are we saying that we will keep our navies artificially weak. If it was so I would be arguing for the opposing side.

I have never believed in peace as achievable through weakness. I believe that the words in the federalist papers were true: 'A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.' If we become weak, we will have to go to others for our defense and that will come with a heavy price. A price I do not intend on paying. I will not let Humanity be weak. With a strong Alliance defended by a strong fleet I believe we will baffle any possible attempts made to restrain our growth. For there are dark forces in this galaxy that would do us harm if we let them. We dare not tempt them with weakness. Nor are we simply going to pay them off to leave us be, in the words of Robert Harper 'Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.'

I do not think we should join the citadel because it allows us a tranquility of servitude. I hold that we should join because it is the quickest, surest path to power and prosperity. The choice of which path we take is in your hands, representatives. I pray you make the correct one." With that said he left the stage and waited for the voting to commence.

Citadel Presidium Tevos' Apartment

Sitting on her couch Tevos with a cup of wine in her hands, and watched the human prime minister introducing the Admiral who planned the Turian's defeat. She was trying to get the measure of these humans and watching their political process at work was as good as any other way of doing so. She had been surprised when the human response came back saying that while they would like to join, they did not have the legal authority to do so.

That response and their explanation of why it was so, told her several things about them, for one they weren't a centralized state like the turians. The Hierarchy goes where the primarch of Palaven points. These Humans had a more decentralized governmental structure and yet it wasn't a direct democracy like the Asari nor the labyrinthine familial dynastic struggle of the salarians. It was a mix of representative democracy and appointed rule, with very strict limitations on the government's authority. Diplomacy with these humans will be more direct than with the salarians but less than with the turians.

Right now, the humans were voting on whether the Alliance would get the authority to legislate the laws the Citadel requires prior to acceptance into Citadel space. It was a first time a species replied with maybe when asked to join the citadel. She certainly hoped they would join, if they didn't it would cause a great deal of trouble down the line. The turians would want revenge and the batarians may start a war. It would be better for all if they joined.

The council already had a welcome package prepared should the alliance join. All new species get a welcome package when joining. It was done so new species could compete in a galaxy where the great powers dwarf all. The humans would get strong incentives to settle in the attican traverse. New colonies there would be free from certain duties and requirements for a certain period of time, this would allow for the humans to expand much faster and for their colonies to grow fast. This will be beneficial to all parties as she saw it.

The alliance gets to colonize into a largely unclaimed area not coming into conflict with the turians as the alliance sits between the traverse and turian space. Human settlement will bring a bit of order to the region. They will also act as a counterweight to the batarian's expansion. The humans bordered the skillian verge, a part of the attican traverse that the batarians were currently trying to colonize.

Batarian colonization of the verge was a concern that the council had. The batarians have been stagnating over the last century, with their economy actually seeing a period of sustained decline. Thank the goddess for that, that had been a blessing as it meant that the belligerent batarians were no longer had the ability to wage the undeclared border wars they loved so much. Unfortunately, it has also meant that instead of waging undeclared wars they funneled money into pirates and slavers to do their work for them. Batarian slavers and pirates had been getting bolder and they operated out of the largely lawless traverse.

The traverse and especially the verge were unsettled areas with vast untapped resources and many habitable planets. The batarians had started colonizing it and with these new resources flowing they might once again become a power worth noticing. Humanity could prove to be a useful buffer state between the batarians and civilization. If the humans managed to crowd out the batarians from the verge and analysis suggested they could, it would be a great boon for the galaxy.

It would also be a blessing to the colonies of the asari, turians and salarians. If the humans are successful, then the wrath of the hegemony would fall on them and the pirates and slavers funded by the Hegemony would focus on human worlds. Partially because a colony of a small up and coming, not-yet regional power was easier pickings than a council colony and because humans would be the Hegemony's rivals. If the council got lucky the batarian's effort to undermine humanity would strain their resources and further their decline.

Soon the council might get relative peace from the batarian savages which would be worth celebrating. The humans might not be so happy to be used as a buffer, but she didn't think they would complain, at least not openly. It would make them seem ungrateful, and not even the batarians were brazen enough to act insulted by a gift from the council, even if it did have ulterior motives behind it. Besides the traverse was a prize worth having. If the humans were successful, their influence would grow very quickly indeed. The only reason the traverse was not settled long ago was due to the extreme distance between it and the council race's core worlds. They could not properly defend any colony they set up.

While the council was counting on the humans to essentially fight the batarians for them they were confident this new species had what it took to do so. This type of welcome package would never be given to the elcor or some other non-expansionist state without a strong military. The alliance seems to be very interested in rapid expansion and this was the best way for them to get it. It wouldn't be easy but few things worth having come easy. Besides fighting with batarian slavers and pirates was one of the quickest ways to get some goodwill in the galaxy, and the humans could certainly use some of that.

Batarians were the galactic pariahs, they had good relations with no one. Tevos personally thought very poorly of them. Worse than krogan in fact. The krogan at least did some good for the galaxy. The only reason the batarians didn't do what the krogan did was because they couldn't. If the batarians had the numbers and resources, the krogan did at the beginning of the rebellions than as far as Tevos was concerned they would do worse than the krogan. Some might feel it was unasari to hate a species so but Tevos had knowledge of thing the general public had no clues about. Too many atrocities were committed by the batarians in the galaxy. The council race's hands weren't clean by any definition, but they were pure as the driven snow compared to the batarians.

She heard the last words of the prime minister's introduction "…the arch-strategos of the victory at Shanxi, admiral Hackett." She watched with interest as the human admiral walked to center stage. She took a good look at him. He was dressed in the blue uniform the Alliance wore. He had a thin oval face with that fur humans called hair around his mouth. The blue eyes and grey hair made for quite a contrast. She knew a little about human aging and she understood that the gray hair meant that a human has lived for a long time. Learning that was quite a shock! Finding a species that lived as long as an asari was exceptionally rare, only the krogan rivaled it her knowledge. These humans were apparently capable of going quite a bit further than that.

Tevos idly wondered what this new species would do to the wild maidens out there looking for something exotic and yet familiar. She could imagine the females being popular. She had seen several pictures of human women that would be considered extremely attractive to just about any asari. She feared a lot of maidens might be disappointed to find that since asari were so similar to human females they might not be to those female's tastes. As for the males, no doubt the asari would be a big hit with them but she was unsure of the opposite. They weren't ugly per se, but she felt that appreciating their features would be more of an acquired taste. Some might come to love it while others might never see the point. Others might enjoy them right away.

The human admiral began to speak and drew her out of her idle musings. She listened carefully to his speech, trying to discern humanities cultural tendencies. She knew better than to put too much stock into one speech and was wary to pull generalities from it. Even so, it would give her an understanding of the man in charge of the alliance military, and since he was trying to convince his fellow humans his words should at the very least resonate with them as well.

It was a short speech, but it at least allowed for Tevos to draw some tentative conclusions. These humans were probably more individualistic than other species. Their tight control on what their government could or could not do already made that stand out in her mind. The fact that they were so concerned about losing their sovereignty was also illuminating. Other species were less concerned about that. The volus for example actually asked to be absorbed into the Hierarchy. They were also a militaristic species although it could simply be that the admiral was more militaristic than the rest of his kind. After all the words he spoke would not sound foreign coming out of matriarch lidanya's mouth.

The first two tendencies if accurate would probably make it harder for the asari to maneuver the humans into their sphere. Especially considering the fact that the admiral had for all effect and purposes said that his mission statement was to not allow humanity to be controlled. However, the asari were adept at soft power. Coercing the humans by force had not been her plan in the first place. The fact that they were militaristic would prove exceptionally useful if they could be brought under control. The turians were good protectors of galactic stability but they could use some competition especially when it came to front line combat. If the turians were no longer as necessary than the relative position of the asari would rise.

At the very least she thought the plan to give humans incentives to colonize the traverse would work. This speech confirmed that humanity was very interested in rapid expansion. Hopefully they would give the batarians a good kicking, and also not prove to be as much of a nuisance as the batarians themselves. She doubted that would happen, however. Maybe her perception was being colored by the fact that the humans were at least pleasant to look at, but there were other considerations that made her hopeful. The humans like all civilized species had outlawed slavery. They had proven magnanimous in victory. They evacuated New Nepolita without even asking for anything and even fixed most of the damages.

Tevos yawned and decided to go to bed. She had no desire to wait until the votes were cast. The alliance had communicated to them that they were confident of the results and she had no reason to doubt their expertise in their own political system. Either way it was late, and she had a busy day tomorrow no matter how the vote went. She got up from her couch and walked to the bedroom. Slipping into her nightgown she fell into her bed and let sleep claim her.

Citadel presidium Embassy lobby.

Shepard left the lodging the council provided while negotiations were underway and went to wander around the magnificent station. It was his last day here, the Alliance had just joined the citadel and he was no longer needed here. In fact, he had already received new orders. He wanted to enjoy his last day. The sheer size of the citadel still boggled the mind. When not on duty he often left to walk around the presidium or even some of the wards. He didn't stroll too far into the wards. The citadel was effectively a large city and like all large cities had certain areas best avoided. He didn't know which areas these were, so he was careful with his wanderings.

He spent a lot of time talking to Avina the computer that helped orient arrivals on the station. Despite being annoying to talk to it had provided him with mountains of interesting and useful information. Things about what exactly the council was, how the various nations of the citadel governed themselves. Information about plenty of other species like the quarians, krogan, geth, eclor, volus, drell, hanar, keepers and others.

It was all fascinating to Shepard and if Avina was less than helpful he spent time browsing the extranet for information. One of the things he learned that caused him a great deal of relief was the fact that this station was not built by the council races but by the protheans. If the aliens were capable of building something like this than he saw very littles hope of ever catching up. Now he was much more optimistic about humanities prospects. Humanity was something of an overachiever by the alien's standards. Humans first achieved flight in 1903 and in 2133 they have made first contact with aliens. This was much faster than any other recorded species. The alien's technological progression took a lot longer than that.

He also spent a lot of time talking with Willian Davies back on earth. Davies was an old friend who was now CEO of the conglomeration of companies Shepard set up in the past 150 years. He used to be the COO before Shepard retired, and had since done very well in the art of making vast sums of money. For which Shepard as the majority shareholder was very thankful.

They spent time planning how to best make use of humanities entrance onto the galactic stage. If humanity was ever going to get catch up to the galactic powers than business would have to do its part. One key aspect of this would be to close any technological gaps that existed being humanity and the council races. Clearly there were many, a short stroll through the citadel saw aliens treating as common things that were nigh miraculous by human standards. Omnitools were the most common and visible example.

With Shepard being on the citadel he had information other companies didn't. True most of the information was very mundane but mundane information can make or break businesses. The common mundane fact that turians apparently couldn't eat human food was of enormous consequence for any corporation that wanted to export human cuisine. Using the information gathered Shepard and Davies had concocted several schemes.

The most brazen was the idea to hire plenty of quarians to help modernize the companies. Most firms would be undertaking a process of modernization as soon as humanity officially joined the citadel. If they didn't, they would not last long, alien business would outcompete them and force them into bankruptcy. However, with such a large demand for technologists the prices would be astronomical. Add the simple fact that the aliens would demand payments in credits which at the moment no one on earth had, makes modernization a monumental undertaking. Most firms would be hiring aasri, or salarians maybe some turians for the role.

Quarians however would be willing to work for a lot cheaper. Most of the galaxy despised them, but they had some very useful technical skills. They would also not have to negotiate with every single individual quarrian for a contract as they would have to for asari, salarians, or turians. They would simply negotiate a contract with the fleet and get them to send out several teams. Lastly quarians were also very useful since they would probably be willing to accept payment not in credits but resources. Their migrant fleet always needed more raw resources they could not get by themselves. Right now, credits were harder to come by than raw goods, at least for human corporations.

They would need massive amount of credits in the future not only to pay these foreign experts but to also import the necessary technology. The only way to get massive amounts of credits quickly was either loans or selling parts of the company to foreign investors. Neither appealed since they were unlikely to get a good price from foreign investors. Human companies would be seen as a risky investment. Loans however would have to be repaid. Davies and Shepard decided that they would go the loan route. Hopefully if they could get a deal with the quarians they would not need as much as other companies. Shepard had already marked out certain volus banks that might be willing to bankroll the endeavors.

Sheard hoped that since the migrant fleet was used to dealing with those that despised them, they would jump at the chance to deal with someone who valued them. Shepard found a young quarian who relayed a message back to his fleet. The response was a mixture of interest and overt skepticism. Shepard put them in touch with Davies and apparently negotiations were going well.

The only downside was the fact that this had to be done on the down low. Quarians weren't popular and if his firm was seen as too friendly to them that animosity might leak over. It was a risky play and both he and Davies knew it, but the prize was worth it. Getting modernized faster and much cheaper than the competition would be a massive boon and would help the firm compete on the galactic market.

He finally made it to one of the benches on the presidium park. It was as pleasant a view as available on the station and it was near an Avina terminal in case he had questions. He sat and watched the aliens walk by and smiled inwardly when some stopped to gawk. It was reassuring that he was as much a curiosity to them as they were to him. It made them seen a little less alien.

He hoped he would not be assaulted by any journalists this time. They seemed to hound him whenever he left the lodgings. One Asari had even got onto the presidium to try and ask her questions. Luckily security saw her and removed her. The presidium had stringent rules. Reporters were not allowed up there unless for specific reasons. Shepard had a long-standing rule of refusing to talk to journalists. Nothing good ever came of giving an interview in his opinion.

It was then when he noticed one particular turian standing nearby. This one did not seem to gawk like the others. He seemed angry, but Shepard had not yet learned to read turian body language yet so he couldn't be sure. However, he was wary enough to walk away. Any incident, even if it wasn't his fault, could reflect badly on the Alliance. So, he got up and started walking back but the turian followed.

That got Shepard worried, he didn't fear being hurt but he did fear that beating a turian who probably lost some family in the war on the presidium would not look good. So instead he decided to head for the nearest c-sec outpost. They were scattered around the presidium making sure everything ran smoothly. If the turian decided to make a scene there they would have to intervene.

Slightly before he made it there the turian got over whatever it was that kept him from making a scene.

"Hey human!" Shepard kept walking ignoring him.

"I'm talking to you!" The turian had caught up and grabbed Shepard's shoulder. Shepard abruptly stopped and turned to face the turian. Turians were tall on average. Roughly 6 foot 3 inches as Shepard figured. They were slender however and Shepard guessed that on average were weaker than a human. Shepard himself was tall for a human so he had a slight height advantage over this turian.

"Can I help you?" replied Shepard in his best diplomat voice.

"Yeah, you can explain to me why you humans think you deserve to be paid for trying to open a dormant mass relay."

"Well the treaty signed that ended the war spells out the councils reasoning on this quite clearly and the text of the treaty is readily available on the extranet. I could forward you a copy if you wish."

Ignoring everything Shepard just said the turian continued "You call that a war? That wasn't a real war that was barely a skirmish!" It was clear that the turian simply wanted a confrontation, and Shepard was determined not to give him one, no matter how much he wanted to stomp this nuisance into the ground. A crowd was beginning to form, and Shepard was cognizant of that fact. Hopefully one of them was smart enough to get c-sec involved before the turian did something stupid like throwing a punch.

"Whatever you decide to call it, the fighting has ceased. I do not think it's a good idea to restart the fighting here and now." The turian's mandibles flared which meant he was angry; he took a look around and suddenly became aware of the scene he was causing. Growling he walked away. Just at that moment the c-sec officers pushed their way through the crowd. An asari and turian, they walked up and the turian asked.

"You alright sir?"

"Of course," replied Shepard "Just an angry man who wanted to vent."

"I would like to apologize on behalf of the Citadel, visiting dignitaries should not be harassed in the street. I give you my word we will find that man." Shepard noticed another figure walking up behind the two officers, another asari.

Shepard played it off, he didn't want to cause a scene any more than what already happened. "Don't worry about it, no harm, no foul." The turians face scrunched up, most likely his translator had not perfectly translated the idiom. He looked prepared to speak when the newcomer spoke up.

"I'll take it from here officers." The two in question turned around and froze. The newcomer smiled and continued.

"That means you can leave, and please take the rest of the crowd with you." The officers jumped to obey and soon it was just Shepard and the asari left. Shepard recognized this asari, she was one of the guards he saw one that first day. She was also present at the embassies doing something or other, he could never really tell what her job was exactly. Everyone deferred to her and she seemed to walk around doing whatever she wanted.

She walked up and spoke. "I think it's time to introduce myself. Tela Vasir, special tactics and recon." The title meant nothing to Shepard but the way she said it and the way everyone obeyed her made it clear that it was a high office indeed. Which begged the question of why she was pulling guard duty.

"Lieutenant Shepard, Alliance N7. Pleasure to meet you."

The asari made a slight smirk. "You don't know what a spectre is do you?"

Spectre? That must be a shortening of the official title. "No, but I gather they must be important.

"They are the council's personal enforcers. The best in the galaxy and are given free reign to do whatever it takes to complete our missions."

Shepard smiled. Operative answerable only to the council itself and free to break whatever laws they chose. Sounds both fun and dangerous, Shepard hoped the council was careful in recruiting. "I see, and presumably now that the Alliance joined the Citadel, we our obligated to respect your authority? What can I do for you spectre Vasir?"

"Yes, you are, and I simply want to ask a few questions. Walk with me." Saying that she turned and walked away clearly expecting to be obeyed. For a second Shepard considered simply walking the other way. He decided against that course of action. No point in picking a fight over this. He sped up until he was beside her and asked.

"So why is a spectre pulling guard duty?"

She shrugged "The council decided it's best if someone like me was present, you humans are not popular with certain members of the galactic community."

"The turians brought this down upon themselves. Besides in the grand scheme of things it's not that big deal."

"True, but that doesn't mean they are going to see it that way. As you just experienced for yourself. They'll get over it eventually, but it might take a while."

Shepard gave her a look. If her job was to make sure nothing happened how did that man ever get close enough to start something. She evidently picked up on it.

"You were never in any real danger and I wanted to see how you would react. If I thought you were in danger that turian would be dead."

Shepard took a closer look at her, she was not wearing a dress like most asari but a form fitting outfit of some type of leather. He could not see any firearms open or concealed, but he didn't doubt her ability to make good on her words. One of the things he learned while on the station was that asari are excellent biotics. That strange ability that started appearing when humanity made it to the stars.

"So, what questions do you want answers to?" He was wary, if Spectres really were authorized to do whatever they wanted then this situation could go very bad very quickly.

"Honestly I just want you to satisfy my curiosity. You spent the last few weeks trying to learn everything about us, but we had little opportunity to do the same. You humans blasting onto the galactic scene is the most exciting thing that happened in the last few centuries."

That answer eased some fears but provoked others. Shepard had little experience dealing with aliens, even thought he spent more time around then than any other human except the diplomats. Knowing from experience how touchy humans can be if the wrong subject is brought up this could turn out poorly.

In the end his worries proved unfounded. Vasir led them to a small asari café on the presidium that had a dish she liked, and they talked. Vasir proved to be a brusque but interesting conversationalist. Shepard answered Vasir's questions about Humanity, and she asked a lot.

Vasir also answered Shepard's questions about asari and they discussed what they found odd about the other species. Vasir found human skin 'bland and boring.' Shepard found it strange that asari have eyelashes which are hair but don't have hair anywhere else. They both ragged on the fact that other species have three fingers 'how could they hold anything stably?' Or the fact that their legs go backwards 'how do they stand upright without tipping over?'

It was a great way to spend the last night on the citadel. Food could have been better though. The soup he ordered was strangely sweet. Perhaps it was an asari thing, but it was definitely not to Shepard's taste.

Author's notes.

This chapter went longer than I expected. I would really like to know what you thought about it so please do review. I especially want your impressions of the speech Hackett made. I'm not a speech writer (or really any sort of real writer) so suggestions for improvements are welcome.

I took inspiration for Hackett's speech from many places. One was the federalist papers as mentioned. Another was from JFK's inauguration speech specifically "We dare not tempt them with weakness." Also, I took inspiration from Samuel Adams and finally the quote by Robert Harper. I thought it fit with the theme of the speech and it's also present in ME1. If you kill Darius it shows up.

As for Vasir, I always thought it was a bit of a waste that you only meet 4 spectres. 3 of which die (or all 4 if you make certain choices) and you don't get to know any of them very well. Saren doesn't count he wasn't Saren anymore. So, she will show up in passing (at least once more in person) every once in a while, (or at least that's the plan for now). I think it will make a certain future storyline more interesting.

Most of the important stuff is done. I plan on one more chapter before moving onto ME1. It will be a bit different than the previous chapters. I hope you all will like it. Also, I would like suggestions for the name of the ME1 story. Names are always something I find hard to come up with.

I am also considering making a series of short one shots, (or like 2 chapters max) of certain things that happen between first contact and ME1. It won't be updated regularly or be in any chronological order. I will simply add to it when the mood and muse strikes me. Please let me know if you're interested in something like that.

Last thing Cathay was what medieval Europeans called China.

In reply to whynot who took the time to review. Your question about patriarch Shepard. His influence is economic. He owns a very large conglomeration of firms with a finger is just about every pie. He is not a thought leader or someone with a large personal following like an asari matriarch. He prefers anonymity, although that is obviously going to get stripped from him and the process has already begun to happen.

As for the aspect of kids and this ties into your second review. He has descendant but they are so many generations removed that they don't know him, and he doesn't know them. I wasn't planning on him having any living children, but your review has made me consider it. It would certainly offer interesting story opportunities. The one thing I would worry about is many too many storylines I can't adequately tie up.

On a personal note I usually play an earthborn shep so I never even considered the idea of Hannah Shepard.

Full quotes from which I took inspiration.

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."

― Samuel Adams

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

JFK

A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral.

Under a vigorous national government, the natural strength and resources of the country, directed to a common interest, would baffle all the combinations of European jealousy to restrain our growth.

FEDERALIST NO. 11