1350 hours, May 20, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)
Mess Deck, UNSC Trafalgar, in slipspace transit to New Ghent
Doctor Catherine Halsey took another spoonful of nutrient paste.
Diplomats. The word still rung falsely in her ears. The idea that alien life could befriend humanity and seek peaceful contact had been floating around in scientific circles for centuries before the Covenant declared a holy war against humanity, and Halsey could still remember some of that old optimism of her youth. She was truly excited about the possibilities this meeting offered.
She'd practically been dragged out of her lab and shoved aboard a Pelican heading towards the UNSC Trafalgar when the word of New Ghent had reached Reach. Admiral Parangosky had ordered the best, brightest and most disposable scientists on Reach whose expertise seemed to be even remotely useful for first contact diplomacy to be sent on this mission. The quarters set aside for them had quickly become an eclectic mess.
ONI scientists from Section Three with thousand-yard stares mingled with xeno-botanists from the universities of New Alexandria, R&D researchers from SinoViet Heavy Machinery, economists, bureaucrats from a dozen different branches of the government and a handful of ancient men and women who'd been taught First Contact Protocols before Harvest. At first it had been difficult to get everyone to interact, but as the first contact package the aliens had sent began to disseminate fully that started changing.
The journey to New Ghent had been one full of impromptu seminars held in briefing rooms, the mess halls and sleeping quarters. There were furious debates on the most minute aspects of what they knew. From the facial structure of the asari, to the liquid tertiary nervous system of the krogan. But one of the most popular topics to discuss was without a doubt this "mass effect" and the capabilities it could provide, such as the so-called "biotics". In the end, the captain of the Trafalgar had decided that the best course of action was to just seal off their section of the ship and leave the scientists to their own devices.
Catherine Elizabeth Halsey normally stayed away from the mess decks of ships she travelled aboard, but she'd come to enjoy the lively debates being held.
"Doctor Halsey. What do you think of these mentions of anti-AI laws? It's your area of expertise." She heard a voice behind her, and turned to look. The speaker was a young man with an unkempt beard and short messy hair; he approached her, followed by a handful of other scientists.
"At first I was concerned these aliens were luddites, but their classification of synthetic life is fascinating. It appears their classification of artificial intelligences splits them into two groups. They have so-called "virtual intelligences", which is what we would call a dumb AI or a low grade commercial smart AI. And then there are the artificial intelligences proper. At first I thought they would be like our smart AI, but that was erroneous of me. They are not based upon a Riemann matrix created via Cognitive Impression Modeling and then run on any computer system with enough processing power."
Halsey was getting into the thick of it now. It was good to discuss this with fellow scientists; she'd spent too much time with secretive ONI spooks who avoided her like the plague. She began gesticulating as she talked. "Instead, they seem to not have developed Cognitive Impression Modeling technology at all. What they call an "artificial intelligence" is a purely synthetic intelligence that has been raised from a handful of slow-running processes on a quantum computing rig and is almost completely devoid of any innate sense of morality, empathy, or other human notions instilled into our smart AI during creation." Halsey thought of what to say next. "If, as I suspect, such an intelligence does not naturally decay due to a rampancy equivalent, you have a potentially unlimited superintelligence without any true understanding of human morality and ethics."
A shiver went through the disquieted scientists who'd started listening. Catherine just smiled at them. "The UNSC would never approve of the unrestricted creation of a potentially unlimited superintelligence, but the fact they are capable of running an AI on quantum computers is fascinating. We've never really explored that avenue of research since the discovery of crystal-based AI computing. Perhaps something about quantum computing makes Cognitive Impression Modelling impossible?"
The ship's intercom activated. "All hands, prepare for slipspace emergence."
None of the other scientists seemed bothered by this. They'd only be called upon when it was deemed necessary for them to be involved. For now, they'd continue their discussion.
"Why do you think these aliens do not have slipspace drives?" The scientist across from her at the table said, taking another swig of water. "I mean, for larger capital ships. Have we just not seen them yet?"
Halsey thought of this, recalling what she'd read from the notes of the men who'd developed the technology.
"Well, the invention of the original slipspace drive was very much a shot in the dark, and possibly even an accidental discovery. That last part is still being disputed. It's quite possible that they've just never discovered slipspace by sheer chance. If not for Wallace Fujikawa and Tobias Shaw's persistence, we might have not developed any form of faster-than-light travel for centuries."
"Or millenia?" The scientist across from her asked. "If they had another form of FTL, stabbing around in the dark hoping to make the one in a trillion discovery in the field of quantum electro-dynamics wouldn't be high on a priority list. And even then, the fathers of slipspace technology have still not been surpassed in sheer capability."
"Quite possibly, yes. Perhaps normally slipspace is discovered much later into the life cycle of a species, but we just made the right breakthrough to do so much earlier. It's quite feasible we were just lucky and clever enough."
Halsey's datapad blinked. She brought it up, the holographic projection of Déjà flickering to life. The dumb AI was one of her best assets and had proven to be a priceless source of advice to Halsey… and a way to alleviate her conscience. "Doctor Halsey. Vice-Admiral Whitcomb needs your presence in the meeting room. He wants you to be at the official summit when the alien envoys arrive."
"I'm on my way, Déjà." Catherine said.
-
1443 hours, May 20, 2542 (UNSC military calendar)
Hangar Deck Four, UNSC Trafalgar, New Ghent system
The UNSC Trafalgar was an enormous ship, and it took Halsey far too long to finally get to the hangar. She listened in on the message received from the alien ships and avoided the ecstatic crewmen that moved to their stations. It was unusual to see such excitement in people nowadays, instead of desperation. Hope really was a drug.
The meeting room had been set up on one of the hangar decks of the Trafalgar to house the alien envoys, both because it was large enough to suit the needs of the meeting, and because it could be vented into space if necessary. Halsey dearly hoped such a measure would not be needed. The tables were being cleaned for the fifth time since she'd arrived, and decorations were being moved back and forth to create the best initial impression possible. There was an air of frantic excitement in the air as the final preparations were made, checked and then checked once again.
Vice Admiral Danforth Whitcomb nodded at Halsey as she entered the room. He was looking through the files he'd been given by the Security Council. Halsey knew just how much was riding on this alliance and that the UNSC was desperate for a source of hope in the face of the Covenant's inexorable advance. There was little they wouldn't do to secure an alliance.
"Doctor Halsey, as one of our chief scientific minds, I would like for you to sit next to me for the official meeting, so we could show not only our military prowess, but also our scientific acumen." Whitcomb sighed. "It's difficult. Every instinct screams at me this is a trap, but all our evidence starkly points against it. Their "Codex" couldn't possibly be a fabrication by the Covenant, it is far too complex and in-depth. And the technology doesn't fit what we have seen the Covenant use. This really could be a turning point in the war. If we can get them to ally with us."
"What is the Security Council willing to give up?" Halsey inquired.
"We need damn near everything, from food to exotic elements. We can spare nothing except our technologies. So we'll be looking for a way to trade that to the aliens for everything they're worth. In exchange, we'll be trying to get our hands on whatever they'll offer us - mostly their faster-than-light engines, superluminal communications and their ground forces hardware. But in the end? We need everything we can get."
"What is the current list of objectives from the Security Council?" Halsey asked.
"A military alliance, whatever economic or military support they can give us, trade deals for bulk imports. Everything in that order."
The door Halsey had entered through opened again, and six lines of ODSTs in full dress uniform marched out in lockstep. As they did so, a pair of spacers began rolling out a literal red carpet along the path the alien envoys would have to take. The ODSTs took up positions behind the chairs assigned to the UNSC diplomats and envoys, their stark white uniforms and black rifles contrasting each other. Halsey noticed that the soldiers present were both men and women and represented every human ethnicity; she wondered if that was intended, and assumed it was - to demonstrate a full spectrum of backgrounds UNSC's soldiers had.
Whitcomb looked at his antique mechanical wristwatch. "They'll be boarding us in a few minutes. We're as ready as we'll ever be." He adjusted his medals, straightened his collar and stood at the end of the red carpet, hands behind his back as he awaited the aliens. "I'll greet them, guide them to their seats, and then it's up to the diplomats to decide."
Halsey glanced at the massive inner airlock door, its lights now glowing red, indicating that there was hard vacuum outside. The outer hangar doors had opened to allow the alien shuttle in.
-
"Citadel ship, this is Trafalgar Control. You are cleared to enter the assigned airlock. Please keep any weapons holstered for the duration of the meeting."
Benezia looked out the cockpit canopy of the diplomatic shuttle at the ship they were about to land on. It was a massive bulky warship, bristling with guns and lacking in any kind of decoration that an asari ship would have. She wondered if that said anything about these humans, or about the state of their military. Whatever the case, it looked more like a mobile space station than a warship.
She'd been waiting for this moment since she'd first heard of what was going on beyond the relay, and her daughter's conscription into the scientific advisors working for the Turian Hierarchy. She'd objected vociferously, but to little avail. In the end, she'd reneged and agreed that it was for the best if her daughter stayed away from combat postings. Which she had.
For the first meeting, she had merely taken the ambassadors of each race, as well as two advisors each, so as not to clutter the meeting.
The shuttle approached the hangar bay airlock and slowly used its thrusters to come to a stop inside. The outer airlock doors closed, and vents lining the walls opened up, filling the airlock with air. The inner doors opened next, and the shuttle continued on, proceeding to set down on the landing pad. Benezia looked out the viewports and saw the human envoys and ambassadors about to meet them. They were all dressed in white clothing that looked like it was modified utilitarian apparel, with most of them wearing caps, medals pinned on their chests. They stood at attention, rifles shouldered and aimed upwards.
Benezia left the cockpit and headed into the passenger compartment. The ambassadors were all standing up from their seats and making their final preparations. Most looked at their datapads or physical notes or discussed the agenda with fellow representatives. Benezia would be the speaker for the Citadel, but only for the initial meeting. After that, it would be a nightmare trying to keep all the diplomatic talks on the same level.
The Matriarch felt the shuttle settle and headed for the exit. She stepped into the decontamination chamber and watched as the airlock cycled.
-
Doctor Catherine Halsey's eyes went wide as she saw the sheer variety of alien ambassadors emerging from the shuttle.
There were blue humanoids that moved with purpose and grace, led by a female in a black robes that seemed to command presence and attention from all around her. Most of these "asari", as the first Contact Package called them, wore dresses or skin-tight suits of armor.
There were the turians from before, the avian-looking aliens wearing bulky suits of armor and marching in perfect lockstep. Alongside them were amphibian-like aliens with long gangly limbs and massive deep black eyes.
These three races took up position in the lead of the Citadel delegation.
Next came hulking quadrupeds that moved on massive limbs and slowly and ponderously took their position. Each was followed by some type of personal robot that served a purpose unknown to Halsey.
Moving up next were small squat aliens in what looked like pressure suits. There were dozens of them, their suits featuring complicated designs and adorned with symbols and trinkets of a nature that Halsey could not discern.
There were floating purple aliens that looked like jellyfish, which hovered over the ground with the help of what had to be an antigravity device.
Finally there was a smaller group of greenish-brown-skinned, four-eyed aliens that seemed to be having trouble fitting in with the rest. They seemed to stand totally apart from everyone else. They moved to the far right of the arriving diplomats, and put some space between themselves and the others, although it looked like this was very much mutual, by the awkward shuffling of the squat aliens.
The asari in the black robes stepped forward, walking across the red carpet towards the waiting admiral Whitcomb. She approached him, and stopped two meters from him, then spoke up.
"I am Matriarch Benezia, diplomat of the Asari Republics and representative of the Citadel Council. In the name of peace and friendship, I cordially greet you all to the galactic community. We wish to formally ally with you in the face of the Covenant threat." She bowed.
Admiral Whitcomb saluted Benezia. "We humbly accept your offer and extend the hand at peace. Please sit down, so we can work out a formal alliance. We've brought diplomats and representatives from many organizations within UEG space. Our scientists are also eager to meet your own advisors."
Benezia smiled. "We have our own advisors and experts aboard our ship. After we have formalized our military alliance, we can talk matters of trade and diplomacy." She motioned towards a turian in a full suit of sealed black armor, who walked up next to her. "This is Primarch Fedorian of the Turian Hierarchy, he will be taking point in further negotiations regarding military matters."
"That sounds excellent. Please take your seat here." Whitcomb said, guiding Benezia to the chair at the middle of a long row of tables set out for the Citadel ambassadors.
Benezia and the other alien ambassadors quickly took their seats.
"Lady Benezia. You may have the first word, if you would." Whitcomb smiled.
Benezia nodded. "I have been sent here by my government to establish a full military alliance against the Covenant, as well as provide military, industrial, and humanitarian aid for your people. Our first course of action will be to formalize this alliance and lay the groundwork for military cooperation. After the conclusion of these negotiations, we will help your people to integrate into the galactic economy so you can begin purchasing materials and finished goods from the manufacturers in the wider galaxy."
Halsey raised an eyebrow: surely these aliens wouldn't be so generous. There had to be an ulterior motive - propping up the UNSC as a bulwark against the Covenant, perhaps? That was the first thing she could think of.
Whitcomb nodded. "I assume you wish for some type of unified command system for our forces? Or at least a way to coordinate such an effort? How would you go about doing this?"
Primarch Fedorian spoke up next. "Exactly. We're currently setting up a network of supply depots, scouting fleets and communications systems for the forces deployed. We wish to use New Ghent as one of our main naval bases as well as as a terminus of a supply route to your territories. But it would be better if our fleet could operate more freely in your territory to better respond to attacks. It's why we've brought superluminal communications buoys with us - to allow for improved communications."
Catherine's eyes went wide. Cole had been right: these aliens did possess superluminal communications. Such a thing could revolutionize many aspects of the human civilization, and these aliens were offering to share a few examples. It was almost too good to be true.
The turian continued. "We have been mustering our fleets and forces and can deploy at a moment's notice. We want to make the most we can of any surprise our appearance might have caused. I understand you are hesitant about giving us the coordinates of your worlds. So as a show of good faith, you can give us the location of your former colonies and territories, and our forces will move to reclaim and hold them. That will buy you time to recover, and us time to arrange the technology exchange." The turian sounded totally assured of himself.
Halsey narrowed her eyes, trying to find anything hinting at treachery in the alien's voice, but there was nothing she could discern. He seemed to radiate conviction and purpose. And there was little actual risk for the UNSC, was there? In the increasingly unlikely scenario this was actually a Covenant trap, they would already know the location of these worlds.
Admiral Whitcomb nodded. "That is an excellent suggestion. Just a few months would at long last give our fleets an opportunity to regroup, repair, resupply, and prepare to assist in your offensive operations. "
Benezia nodded, placed a small circular device on the table and then called up an orange hologram around her left forearm. With a press, the device projected the schematics of a spherical object with a large protrusion on one side, emitter lenses visible on the blueprint. "This is a standard Extranet communications beacon. They allow for instantaneous communications across interstellar distances. If we are to form a united front against the Covenant, we will require constant communications. We have with us ships capable of constructing these devices. If you'd allow it, we can immediately set about establishing a comm buoy network in UNSC space. That will allow constant direct communications between our governments and our militaries. After the initial connection is established, we can begin expanding this communications network to encompass most of your space."
Whitcomb scowled. "I am hesitant to allow unknown devices into UNSC space. Can we examine the blueprints and the technology in question?" He glanced at Halsey, letting the scientist know that she would take the point in this. "To keep our navigation data safe, we'd like to move these communications devices ourselves. We can move your ships in the hold of the Supercarrier Punic."
Benezia smiled. "Naturally. Comm buoy technology is open source in Citadel Space. After our negotiations, we'll hand over the blueprints for examination by your scientists. We'll also provide you with advisors to teach you to construct your own."
Whitcomb's face didn't show any emotion, but his body language eased up a little. "Ah yes, this "element zero" that your first contact package spoke of. We've never discovered it ourselves, but the possibilities intrigue our scientists. Perhaps we could consider a technological exchange after we've hammered out our alliance - slipspace drives for mass effect cores, for example? We'd be greatly interested in upgrading our messenger ships - they could use the extra speed."
The Primarch spoke up again. "I believe that a full meeting where we can discuss our respective technological bases is something that should be arranged as soon as possible, but only after the alliance has been formalized and the military matters resolved."
Whitcomb nodded. "I will have you provided with the coordinates of the worlds in the Covenant invasion corridor that have been lost to the enemy or discovered by them. If you can give us breathing room, we can see about arranging technological exchange or integration with your economy. But that does not matter if we can't stop the Covenant's advance."
After a brief, quiet exchange between Benezia and the Primarch, the latter responded. "That's acceptable. We'll move our fleet to defend your worlds while your forces regroup, and we'll set up the communications infrastructure that you can use to coordinate your defenses. Then, with your worlds tied into a superluminal communications network, we'll be able to properly organize technological exchange, economic support and military cooperation."
Whitcomb nodded in assent. "I agree. We have brought diplomats, scientific experts, legal advisors and economists with us. I propose that they meet yours and begin negotiations in advance of the construction of these "comm buoys", so that we can immediately make use of them when they come online."
"Excellent." Benezia gave a reserved smile. "I take it this ship will remain here in orbit? I can have our advisors and diplomats brought over."
Whitcomb's gaze darkened. "Good. But that brings me to another topic - specifically, the alien artifacts on New Ghent. We will be preparing to move the wrecked Covenant battlecruiser offworld as soon as we can and prepare to excavate the derelict discovered underneath the Covenant landing zone. What are your intentions regarding them?"
Catherine eyed Whitcomb incredulously; she hadn't heard anything of another alien ship. Had something happened between Cole requesting diplomats and their arrival? She'd ask him later, when the time was right.
Benezia turned towards an amphibian-looking alien sitting next to her, opposite of the Primarch, and they whispered something. "In Citadel space, all xenoarcheology finds are to be shared equally amongst all species to preserve the balance of power and ensure equal access. As it was disabled by turian forces and crashed on a human world, we propose that the Covenant wreckage be moved elsewhere if possible and examined by a joint research group. We can share the progress our scientists have already made."
Catherine felt off about sharing such a discovery with aliens, but she couldn't deny that it was a sensible proposal. And the UNSC needed this alliance desperately.
After a few seconds of deliberation, Whitcomb made the decision she expected. He grit his teeth and nodded reluctantly. "That is… acceptable. I expect that your progress so far will be shared with us posthaste?"
Benezia nodded. "Certainly. However, we have not been able to actively explore the second ship. The fungal and bacterial ecosystem that has developed inside has proven difficult to remove, and the biochemical byproducts are exceptionally dangerous to most forms of carbon-based life without protective equipment. Exploration has been slow and difficult, restricted by the rate the ship is being cleared out at. The same proposal as with the battlecruiser stands."
Whitcomb frowned. "That makes sense. We'll consider it."
-
Benezia smiled at how well the negotiations went. She had the leverage, and the humans had the desperation. The right mix of care, reasonableness and generosity ensured that the UNSC delegates easily agreed to the terms of her proposal. It wasn't that unexpected, however: the humans were in a desperate war for survival, and the Citadel Council offered them a lifeline.
The Council had every reason to be generous and assist the humans however they could. And Benezia was totally convinced of the need to do such a thing, but she still wanted these negotiations to go faster. She'd formalize the military alliance as planned, help arrange the creation of a comm buoy network in the UNSC space, and then make sure that every useful bit of technology for the fight against the Covenant would be shared between both sides. She'd expected the humans to offer the Covenant battlecruiser in exchange for the buried ship, so she'd quickly had the issue resolved on the spot. The law on xeno-archeological artifacts was the most strictly enforced law in Citadel space, and she had no intention to let the humans hoard an ancient warship.
Vice Admiral Whitcomb stood up. "I agree on the current course of action regarding the Covenant. As the representative of the United Nations Space Command Defense Force, as empowered by the Security Council, I accept your offer of a military alliance. The subject of technological exchanges and economic integration shall be broached in due time, once the comm buoy network has been established and we no longer need to be concerned with the delays caused by courier ships."
The Matriarch looked over the assembled representatives again, and wondered just how much of the human militarism was part of their culture or how much was due to the necessities of war. They were definitely militaristic, but she wondered if they were meritocratic. If there had been a military takeover of the government, that could lead to systemic corruption. Therefore, human power structures bore further investigation later.
"Agreed." Benezia smiled. She was happy the humans weren't so paranoid about alien life that they couldn't agree with reason and common sense. This would just require a deft touch to guarantee a stable alliance: just the right mix of friendship, cooperation and subtle indirect coercion.
After that the meeting devolved into an exchange of pleasantries from both sides and promises of military assistance and economic support. No concrete decisions were made, but with gentle persuasion and concise argumentation Benezia steered the conversation more and more towards formalizing an alliance.
-
Doctor Halsey and Admiral Whitcomb met after a break was called for the meeting. Catherine looked at Whitcomb and asked the first question, "So, what do you think of them, Admiral? I am suspicious of their generosity. It makes me think it's a trap."
Whitcomb shook his head. "No. It all makes perfect sense. They're propping us up out of enlightened self-interest and a desire to turn us into a bulwark against the Covenant. It's what any intelligent being would do in a situation like this: they support the ally closest to the front lines and make sure they don't have to fight in their own territory." He sighed. "It's the dream of any politician: a politically expedient move that's also altruistic."
"Should we be worried?" Halsey asked.
"No. Their actions are understandable, and in any case, we don't have the luxury to say no. To be frank, I wish I hadn't been sent here, but someone had to represent the Security Council in matters of defense. Economic integration and technological exchange will be discussed by the others, once we have formalized the alliance." Whitcomb suddenly stopped, looking lost in thought. "I just had an idea. For the war effort."
Catherine wondered what Whitcomb meant, but he did not elaborate. Instead she thought of the marvelous technologies on offer. From the sounds of things, the diplomats would be pulling an all-nighter to discuss the technological exchange, and she was earmarked to attend the meeting. She was looking forward to it; the gravity manipulation technology used by the newcomers was remarkable, and she couldn't even imagine the UNSC manufacturing the sheer volume of antimatter that was likely being produced by the Citadel. These "mass effect" technologies had great potential.
Meanwhile, delegates started heading back and taking their seats; the break had to be over. Catherine went back to her seat, noticing that Whitcomb was already there.
The admiral stood up. "Our course of action regarding the military matters has been decided for now. But I would like to make a request of your people. We humans are tired and worn out by this war, and our people could do with a morale boost. I'd like to ask for representatives and soldiers of all your races to be there on Earth once the alliance has been formally signed."
Benezia looked befuddled, but the turian Primarch merely nodded. "Like a parade? If so, I agree. If you want, I can have a regiment parade through the streets of whichever cities on your homeworld you want, at the time of your choosing. And so will the rest of the species represented here."
There were murmurs among the alien envoys, but most quickly nodded in silent agreement.
"Excellent!" Whitcomb said, a smile on his face. "I am sure our people will appreciate the gesture."