In 2157 The humans began the first contact war by activating Relay 314. The war may have been chalked up to an incident based on misunderstanding, but humanity refused to negotiate. By the time the council had intervened an incident had turned into full scale war between humanity, and a far more technologically superior Turian empire. Still, humanity stayed in the dogfight for five years. It was the battle of New York, in which Commander Garrus Vakarian established his reputation, that decided the final fate of humanity, and they were subjugated under the rule of the Turian empire. In exchange for their aid in ending the war, mercenary groups were offered certain human subjects, to bolster their numbers. The battle of New York led to a massive loss of human life, as did the war as a whole. However, the ultimate result of galactic peace made the total costs to both sides worthwhile. The last known human colony in existence was eliminated a mere five years after first contact was made.

-A Turian Citizen's Guide To Modern Warfare (Educational Edition)

If you were to ask me, the human species is entirely beyond hope. There is an inordinate amount of disorder; humans with no allegiance are common. Lying, turn coating, and otherwise traitorous behaviors are the norm. Look at their planet- They've nearly destroyed themselves! How can we make peace with these people?

If you ask me the human race deserves worse than subjugation; They deserve annihilation. We are being merciful. In a certain light, we are even their liberators.

-General Haimus, 2159

They are prone to lying cheating and manipulation. Physically they are a robust species, but mentally it is doubtful they will ever match turians either in ethics or intelligence. They are suitable enough soldiers, but not fit for command. Humanity is not a species of leaders. Much like the Krogan, they are a tool in the hands of more capable species. In a few hundred years of turian leadership, we may see a change. This can only be accomplished by a total and complete breakdown of human culture. They must be absorbed and assimilated, and, until that process is complete, equality is nothing but a dream for them. Even the most basic citizenship is beyond them.

-The Private Correspondence of Pimarch Fulius, 2160

New Terra Nova, 2182

It was nine in the morning when Stephen Neilson came to work. The streets were full of activity. There was always work to be done on New Terra Nova. It was, after all the only hope of humanity. Men and women operated vehicles, building new huts, and buildings. New Terra Nova was nothing if not a growing community. Nielson encouraged citizens to reproduce as quickly as possible, and refugees still arrived sometimes, though that had lessened as the turians tightened their collective grip around humanities neck.

Factories sent steam up to the sky as they created vehicles, explosives, and ammunition. All the tools needed to create a war. And war was coming. Nielson only had to figure out how best to attack.

Nielson had arrived in asari space with but a handful of terrified colony dwellers, he had picked up from the burning remains of their homelands. The Asari had extended the offer of a planet within their space in hopes that a peace agreement would be reached and humanity could return home. Over the two years of the war, however, it became apparent that the result would be subjugation, not treaty. New humans were escaping and arriving by the day. The loan eventually turned into a show of human support by the asari. Even as the war resolved and humanity toiled under turian whips, the gift remained.

Stephen Neilson prided himself on this little area of human control. He had taken them from a few frightened humans to a bustling colony and soon they would become an army.

Today, however, Neilson was not happy. He tapped his fingers on the windowsill, before rotating his chair around to face the visitor.

"We have allies," he said deliberately, "We have an entire Asari faction that sees the evil of what humanity has faced and overcome. We have salarians who have helped us overcome the technological challenges of starting from scratch. We even have batarian allies, who would help us if only to spite the turians. What makes you think we can't win?"

He had been over this a dozen times with Matriarch Benezia and both of their tempers were short."You have allies, but how deep does their allegiance run? Your allies hang by a thread. The Asari will sever their support to avoid a war. The turians will not free humanity without a fight. You are but one outpost-the only outpost- of human resistance. I advise patience. Build your forces, and as you grow, your people will come home to you."

"No." Neilson sneered, "I've had enough patience. I watched turians kill my family and friends, my wife, my child." The last word choed in the room. "I've no time for your patience. Did you really travel all of this way to propose we wait?"

"No."

"Then why would you arrive unannounced only to remind me we do not have the power necessary to re-gain our empire."

"Because," Benezia said, "I have another solution. But it is rash, it will not be easy, and it will require asacrifice beyond what has ever been asked of you." Nielson looked up and raised an eyebrow. After a long moment he walked from behind his desk and sat at the couch. He gestured for Benezia to have a seat.

"What do you propose?"

Benezia sat down delicately. "Have you ever heard of the reapers?"