For The Republic

A true compromise is when both parties leave the table pissed off...

-The Wanderer


Emperor Caesar the Immortal of the Holy Empire of Rome tightened his grip on his seat as the ship left the safety of the hanger. The shuttle shook fiercely as it left the hangar once again reminding him this wasn't a roman vessel. The shuttle was a converted Republic LAAT Gunship. He really couldn't say converted. Seats were just added and weapons removed plus it was painted in the UN light sky blue instead of the Republic's dark blue. Roman shuttles were a much smoother ride allowing him to forget he was flying. Tightening his seatbelt Caesar tried to hide his nervousness from his associates but to no success.

"Don't tell me you are still afraid of flying, Caesar!" said the Wanderer with that wide grin of his that Caesar stated hating centuries ago.

"If God had wanted us to fly he would have given us wings! I will never understand how you find such an experience enjoyable!"

"Don't you admire the freedom of it all? The ability to go anywhere you want with no boundaries"

"No. The chance of plummeting towards the ground sours the experience for me."

"It's not like you'll die from it." Said Head Consul Dido of the Carthaginian Republic. "Besides we're in space. Not in an atmosphere."

"My dear Dido that is what makes it more terrifying. The knowledge of that instead of being rewarded with broken bones I'll have to endure floating through the void hoping I am rescued." Responded Caesar "Besides whether it is in the sky or among the stars we aren't on the ground."

"Caesar you need to get some excitement in your life and stop hanging around your palace all day. Do you have someone hold your hand on a roller coaster?" said the Wanderer

"Oh stop it you two. I refuse to spend the rest of this flight hearing you both prattle on like children." Said Premier Catherine of the USSR who had long given up the elegant dresses she wore in favor of more utilitarian clothing. "Not to mention that you don't have much to talk about Wanderer. Over 6000 years old and you've still haven't learned how to swim."

"Swimming doesn't come naturally to some people! It's hard!" said the Wanderer

"Friends. As illuminating as this conversation is I believe we should focus on the matter at hand. Which is the imminent negotiations." Said President Bismarck of Germany

"He's right. Does anyone have a plan of action?" asked Dido

"The reports I forwarded to you from Goyle say this is a multi-species alliance we are dealing with." Said the Wanderer. "It's similar to our United Nations with each species providing something in exchange for power and influence."

"I'm going to take a wild guess and say the species you fought on Vietnam were the soldiers of this alliance." Said Caesar

"You are correct. The other species do contribute militarily but are inconsequential when compared to the 'Turians'. If we are lucky we might just end up fighting them."

"And if we are unlucky" asked Catherine

"We'll have the entire galaxy trying to get a piece of us. Though Goyle tells me that won't happen." Said the Wanderer with a smirk "Our species has made some big waves. The energy weaponry and power armor my troops demonstrated on Vietnam were things they didn't think were possible. That and the entrance we made were enough to show the entire galaxy we mean business."

The entrance the Wanderer was referring to was UN Fleet coming out of hyperspace. Goyle informed him that this Council expected them to use the Gate and were quite surprised to learn humanity had an alternate form of space travel. This would give them plenty of leverage in coming negotiations or a huge advantage if it came to war...

"30 seconds until we land." Said the pilot.

"Alright everyone. Nothing too fancy. We negotiate peace and possible trade agreements that are heavily in our favor and get out. Are we all in agreement." Said Caesar.

After everyone gave their confirmation Caesar said "Good. I'll take point."

The door of the shuttle slid open revealing a waiting crowd of aliens. Some were reporters and other appeared to be law enforcement keeping order but the vast majority appeared to be normal civilians. Whether made up of humans or aliens a crowd was still a crowd and humanity's leaders had a lot of experience in wooing a crowd. They were dignified but friendly and at the same time showing a bit of their true personalities. The Wanderer was giving his trademarked grins while Bismarck gave off the friendly grandfather vibe he possessed. Behind them the shuttle took of the return back to the ship.

Their quadre guards were nothing but professional taking up defensive positions around them to ward off any potential attackers. That was to be expected since they were from the UN Special Operations Group. The UNSOG was comprised of the best soldiers from every nation and city-state. United Republic Rangers, Roman Praetorians, Russian Spetsnaz, Hanoian Viet Cong, and Carthaginian Sacred Band just to name a few. Well at least the best soldiers that weren't taken by XCOM. Caesar could count on a single hand the best of his Praetorians that weren't picked up by XCOM this month. That number was expected to increase tenfold now alien life had been discovered and is potentially hostile.

Two alien law enforcement officers led them to an elevator to, and forgive him for sounding too cliché, 'take them to their leaders'. The elevator was taking an awful long time allowing him to get a closer discreet look at these aliens. The armor they were both wearing seemed too heavy for a normal patrol cop. It was more in line with the Republic's SWAT or Germany's GSG-9. The alien to his right was one of the 'turians'. A species of avian ancestry and from what the reports said a species known for its military skill. The alien on his left was an Asari. An all-female species that could easily pass for human if it wasn't for the blue skin or tentacle appendages on their heads. That huge cross shaped ship out there belonged to them and was the most advanced ship in the galaxy besides theirs of course. They also had an Asari guide. She was a bit of a bore pointing out interesting locales and explaining them in a way that struck Caesar as condescending. He understood she had to phrase it in a way as not to be misunderstood but every time she went on about Citadel achievements she did like she was speaking to a not so bright child.

They entered the so-called Council Chambers and Caesar admitted he was impressed but only a little. The room was nicely decorated but to the point where it was tacky. The Councilors were atop a podium placing them far above whoever they were speaking to. A not-so subtle way of saying 'we are better than you'. It reminded Caesar too much of that bastard Hitler, who used every opportunity to show he was better than everyone else. The Wanderer might think otherwise but his alliance to that blustering fool was one of convenience. He hated every minute of it but he needed someone to stand with him against the Republic and Hitler unfortunately fit the bill. He was still kicking himself over that miscalculation. It ended up getting a city turned into a radioactive ruin which his people had to rebuild since land is hard to come by on Earth. All around the room were balconies that were slowly filling up with reporters, ambassadors, and other important figures.

The group approached the Council. Time to get this show on the road. Caesar stepped forward since everyone grudgingly agreed he was the most charismatic and his position as head of the UN Security Council gave him a lot of authority in such manners.

"Esteemed members of the Citadel Council I am Julius Caesar Emperor of the Holy Empire of Rome and United Nations Security President." He said bowing his head respectfully. "I'll be conducting negotiations on behalf of my colleagues."

"Forgive us Emperor" the Asari Councilor Tevos, if he remembered her name correctly, said "But we were expecting to be conducting negotiations with the Wanderer of the United Republic for the incident on their colony."

"It seems there is a misunderstanding here Councilors. The planet the Turians attacked belongs to the Republic of Hanoi which the United Republic protects. Due to treaties created over a century ago the attack on Hanoi by an alien power is an attack on all human nations."

Caesar internally smiled when he saw the other two Councilors quickly glare at their turian counterpart. Not only did they risk war with the Republic but the rest of humanity as well. The Councilors quietly debated among themselves before saying "We would like to end all hostilies and offer you an embassy."

Caesar frowned. "An embassy for who exactly?" he asked

"There is only one embassy per species so you will all have to share one." Replied Tevos.

Caesar turned around to face his colleagues to see if they thought the same as him. The frowning faces told him yes they did. "I'm sorry Councilors but we have to refuse your generous offer."

"A Citadel Embassy is a great honor." Said the Turian Councilor who was struggling to keep his voice in check. "Most species petition for centuries to receive one. You shouldn't throw this opportunity away lightly."

"Once again Councilors I must say that we have to refuse." Said Caesar "We may seem united but the truth is…"

"That we all hate each other." Interrupted the Wanderer.

"He's always does that…" mumbled Caesar. Speaking louder so everyone could hear. "Despite how… brutishly it was put my colleague is correct. Over 6000 years of political, cultural, economic, religious, and personal animosity our nations find it hard to work together."

That wasn't a lie. Caesar didn't want to share anything with the Republic because they just end up owning. That International Space Station that was built a hundred years back was constructed mostly by the United Republic. The Mission Control was based in the Republic. Most astronauts that used it were from the Republic. It was international in name only. He was glad that despite being based in and equipped by the Republic XCOM was a true international organization. The first XCOM commander was Roman. When XCOM moved its main HQ from Republic City to the moon only then could he breathe easy.

"We are…saddened that you will not join the galactic community." Said Tevos.

"Councilors" said the Wanderer stepping forward to Caesar's annoyance. "Despite us not joining the Citadel it doesn't mean we can't have a good relationship. I propose we meet again in a few days' time and hammer out trade agreements & a possible military alliance."

After a moment of deliberation the Asari Councilor said "We accept your proposal."


A couple of days later the human leaders found themselves in one of the Council's private conference rooms. The Wanderer would be the one doing most of the talking this time since in the words of Caesar 'he was incapable of keeping his big mouth shut'. That was a lie. He could the cold and calculating when he wanted to. It's just that Caesar seemed much too happy so it was his duty to bring him down. That would give people the idea that him and Caesar hated each other but it was more of a friendly rivalry by this point. Caesar would get him back by sending him Hate-Gifts. Just last Christmas Caesar sent him a large portrait of himself that read 'To my biggest fan!' and like the 5000th Annual Fruitcake. He just can't throw them away since that's a waste of food and giving it someone is the same as saying 'I hate you'. They just take up space in a closet. The Wanderer looked around at the bored expressions of his fellow leaders and dare he say 'friends'. They were just as bored as he was. The Council had them waiting here for a good ten minutes now.

When they finally arrived Councilor Tevos greeted them all. Before they started negotiating they all thought it would be prudent to properly introduce themselves and better learn about each other's species and history. The human leaders were surprised to learn that Citadel were not in fact built by them but by the Protheans.

"The Protheans left many technological wonders scattered around the galaxy." Explained Tevos "Every time a new piece of technology is discovered our technological advancement shoots ahead by centuries. It is galactic law to share any found piece of prothean technology with the galaxy so all may benefit. Despite not joining the Citadel we hope you will share any prothean technology with us."

"We wish we could help you there but we haven't found any working prothean tech in our space. It was all destroyed most likely by the prothean themselves. That relay over Vietnam was the first working one we'd ever seen." Said the Wanderer

"So you have encountered no Prothean technology?" Said Salarian Councilor Rernal "We assumed the advanced pieces of technology we prothean derived."

"Nope. That was all us. Republic scientists and engineers are possibly the best in the galaxy." The Wanderer said proudly "It seemed like yesterday when electricity was invented…"

"And he never ceases to remind us." Said Catherine slyly smiling at the Wanderer's unamused look.

After promising to report any found Prothean technology talks then moved to trade agreements. The Council wanted access to hyperdrive, energy weaponry, and power armor. The human leaders were a bit apprehensive at trading such powerful technology to a civilization they just met and Bismarck mentioned that the Republic doesn't even trust them with the secrets to power armor. Medical technology and some civilian gear was to be freely traded however. Republic Stimpacks and Roman Medi-gel were going to be popular in Citadel Space.

Things almost went sour when talks drifted to fleet sizes and borders. Turian Councilor Sparatus was in complete denial that each human civilization had a fleet able to match the turian navy on their own and possessed dozens of colonies. The human leaders refused to sign the Treaty of Farixen and Citadel Conventions not wanting to limit their militaries in such a way. They did agree to issue public statements promising not to open mass relays. When Rernal mentioned the ban on Artificial Intelligence it was then things got complicated.

"You gave them equal status to organics?!" yelled Sparatus "Are you out of your mind?!"

"Hey it works. I can't speak for my fellow heads of state but I can say that the Republic's synthetic citizens have done nothing to warrant any suspicion and since their creation seek to better emulate humans who they consider their parents. I personally mentor the first AI ever created."

"I always wondered about that." interrupted Dido "Please tell me that isn't some daughter I could never have kind of thing."

Ignoring Dido the Wanderer continued on. "Gladys is all the things people should aspire to be. Kind, intelligent, and loving. She may not be human by birth but she is in spirit! I consider her to be the kid I always wanted…"

"Allah help him…" facepalmed Dido.

"…and see bright things in her future." The Wanderer finished.

The AI debate continued on for a half an hour longer. The Council wanted to continue pressing the issue but seeing the humans weren't going to budge conceded. AIs weren't allowed in Citadel Space unless they stay on military vessels or are approved to set foot on Council worlds and stations. Things did look up when the Wanderer offered to help Turians conduct patrols to which Sparatus gave one of his rare smiles.

Negotiations were starting to come to a close but before they could leave there was one last thing that needed to be answered.

"How old are you?" Asked Rernal suddenly

"Medical technology has increased the human lifespan to 100 years on average." Said Caesar.

"No. I mean you specifically. Emperor Caesar mentioned that 6000 years of personal animosity made it hard for your people to work together. The Wanderer said it 'seemed like yesterday electricity was invented' and that he mentors the first AI which I'm guessing isn't a recent invention so I ask again how old are you?"

The human leaders all look at each other and with a grin and a nod they silently agree. "You figured it out a lot quicker than we expected." Said Bismarck approvingly "We thought you would learn when our people began to freely share information. I myself am only 221 years old though my friends are over 6000. We are immortal."

"That's not possible…" said a shocked Tevos

"This has to be a lie" said a disbelieving Sparatus

"Is it so hard to believe?" said Bismarck "Your own people live the age of 1000 even though despite medical advances other species can only dream to reach a quarter of that."

"But how have you managed to live so long?" asked Rernal

"Honestly… we don't know. We have a theory but it's just that. A theory. One born of wishful thinking. I appeared in a nation ruined by war. My predecessor wasn't the best leader. I had no idea what was going on but I knew what I had to do. I had to lead because no one else could… not the way I can. My friends have told me over the years the same story. Appearing in the world with no memories of past lives but with an intense desire to lead and ability to do so very well."

"There has to be more to it than that!" said Rernal

"There has to be." Said Bismarck "If you find out lets us know because we'd really like some answers."


Civilopedia

Low Altitude Assault Transport (LAAT)- The LAAT often referred to as the Republic attack gunship or Republic Gunship, was a specialized gunship designed for aerial-based support and infantry transportation. Affectionately referred to as the 'Larty' by soldiers the LAAT was a beloved asset in any military since it is designed to fill any role from troop transport, aerial support, and even vehicle deployment. Every Republic ship larger than a corvette is designed to carry at least two.

The turian military recent ordered 20 LAATs of various types to see if it was a suitable replacement for their aging gunships until they could design one themselves. Reports say that the response from turian commanders is very positive and that the Republic can see a massive order of LAATs in the near future.

The World Leaders- The world leaders is a term used to refer to the Immortal heads of state of the United Republic, Carthage, Rome, Germany, and Russia. The leaders are immortal in every sense of the word. They are unable to age, be killed, or die from illness. There are downsides to this apparent blessing however. The leaders still can get sick and feel pain.

In 47 CE during a smallpox outbreak Caesar caught the disease and was in pain for over 3 months before his immune system finally pushed it out of his system.

In 3857 BC while fighting barbarians the Wanderer takes and a battle ax to his lower back. It leaves him unable to walk and in excruciating pain for a while. His healers could do nothing but give him herbs and watch in amazement as his nerves slowly reconnect.

Another downside is that the leaders are completely sterile therefore unable to reproduce which coupled with the fact that they'll outlive everyone they love and care about makes them wary of forming attachments.