Here is the chapter, sorry for the long wait, but what can you do? But it is here so there is no need to get all fussy over everything. Now I got a lot of complaints about why the System Alliance allowed the Council to walk all over them, it is simple really.
The System Alliance is an Ally of the Council and has integrated into their society and become a joint ally of theirs meaning that they have signed treaties and agreed to certain laws. Meaning that the Alliance cannot do certain things, development of genetic technology that is deemed illegal, A.I. Technology, and building of a certain number of Dreadnaughts and other ship classifications as well as having a specific quota on ship numbers.
This is the Law, they have to follow it otherwise they are breaking it and if the Alliance is found to be harboring those who are suspected to be both genetic experiments and WMD's the Alliance has no choice but to comply. But the Council instated new laws to limit the Alliance that the System Alliance Parliament were foolish enough to agree to save face. But these laws were made to stop the Alliance from possibly creating super weapons and soldiers, and the Council does have a right to impose these laws and regulations on the Alliance if they prove a threat because they are technically part of the Council but not an official leading body in it.
Are We Alone
Chapter 06: The Tension Rises
Arcturus Station
Hackett sighed, he knew that this day was coming for him, but he had hoped it would have been a long time down the road, when he would retire and not have to deal with this shit ever again. Politics in the military were annoying as it is, but dealing with those in the government was even more tiresome. Usually because they never got anywhere, they talk but never follow through unless it benefited them.
But when you tried to do something right when getting involved, you get the attention of the wrong people. At this current moment he was dealing with three of those individuals and each of them were the three he did not want to bother with anymore.
"You cannot continue to resist these sanctions and official legislation we have put down, you are causing more issues to rise the longer you fight this," Tevos said, scowling noticeably as she lectured Hackett, annoying him because she thought she could lecture him like a child.
"Really, because as far as I am aware I haven't done a damn thing but my job, and followed these sanctions of yours without a complaint," Hackett replied, touching the brim of his hat and pulling it over his eyes. 'I am willing to bet that pisses you off.'
He would have liked to add that, but sometimes things best left unsaid were better than saying anything at all. The Council had enough problems with him, didn't need to bring up anymore for him, at this moment they hated him for following the rules they set up but also going around them. It was really annoying them, something he took immense pleasure in, and he had no intention of letting up.
"You have actively made Fleet movements and patrols outside of our authorization," Sparatus said, but it was more likely a growl with how his opinion on humanity has turned up in the last few years. "You have sent the Second and Third Fleets out on patrols along the borders without authorization from us or the delegation fleets we have in place."
"Yes, but that was done to compensate for the severe lack of resources you have provided us, in the event that the Council is unable to secure the borders the System Alliance is permitted to protect them, that was part of the Treaty of Farixen as well. Under that clause we are fit to protect our own systems where you are not able to," Hackett replied.
The loopholes he had found were good, and since the Council put them up so quickly to get on top of the Alliance there were a few places they could exploit. They were hastily made and therefore not officially sanctions and could not override other treaties and agreements made beforehand and could be exploited unless stated otherwise.
There was no way the Citadel Council could patrol their entire system, and while they could stop any System Alliance Fleet when they made movements towards the borders and withhold them for moving in large numbers. But they couldn't stop those Fleets if they were standard patrols with only light cruisers and possessed no capital ships, a law that was part of the Council Treaty signed during the end of the First Contact War and only applicable in Council Space.
"Just because you split them up doesn't mean that you haven't moved their entire force along the borders and outer colonies, that is reason for concern," Tevos replied.
"I won't doubt that, but as you are aware no ship is allowed within a certain distance of those borders, and those Fleets are only maintaining patrols within adjacent systems to those borders and the planets we have under our jurisdiction, we haven't made any aggressive move here, only defense," Hackett replied.
The Council had tried to prevent any sizable force from moving towards the borders or between planets and systems, but so long as those fleets kept a certain distance from those borders and with small numbers it did not matter. He used this to smuggle most of the Fleets to the outer reaches of their Space in order to protect the borders, a play the Council was pissed at.
But in truth they followed regulations to the letter, so they couldn't exactly call them up on it.
"You do realize that having two Fleets present along the borders is a problem for us," Valern replied. "Recent attacks have decreased along the borders, for such a sizable force to be present I see as unneeded."
"But considering that fact that these sanctions you have imposed have caused a severe decline in military presence near the outside colonies we are forced to shore up defenses in systems were the risk of attack is most likely," Hackett countered smoothly.
The Council also failed to prevent emergency action from being taken with certain Fleets, if a distress call was sent out they were able to send out forces to secure regions under attack. The Council couldn't stop this, and it allowed Hackett to get those Capital ships there without problem and maintain their positions in key systems to direct their forces over the entire border.
It was a nightmare dealing with the Council on this, trying to keep their military and navy under a lot of red tape. The reasons he could understand, easily, but the danger they were putting the System Alliance in was not getting them anything.
The Fleet restrictions made it difficult to get soldiers off world and on rotations, meaning that certain planets have had marines stuck groundside for a year or two longer than intended. It was causing stagnation in command and troop movements, in fact aside for the Fleet Hackett was able to move their main army reserves couldn't be placed groundside for the fear of them being trapped there if there was a recall for the ships.
The Council had put their entire military in the ringer; their only defense left was their Navy that was scattered along the border systems they controlled. While the other Fleets were mostly grounded, unable to leave port for any reason, it was a miracle they could have any fleets on the move. Mainly because the Treaty of Farixen, while it mainly dealt with the limitations of Dreadnoughts within a fleet it also played a part in restrictions on limiting fleets. It meant that a race cannot be permanently disarmament of all their navy and military so to keep up defense and protection of their territory and space.
They had a limit to ship sizes and classifications and also how many ships are permitted, that was based on classifications and also territory size. While the System Alliance boasted a massive territory they were limited to how many specific crafts could be created and the concentrations of fleets within proximity of one another unless emergencies were required.
It was the only thing they could use to prevent the Council from enforcing some of their more unpleasant demands.
"We understand that, but we have offered Fleet assistance in protecting these locations," Tevos stated.
"That you have, but they are so small in number that the gaps in the defense are poor, while the main areas you tend to guard on the edges of Council and Alliance space, while the borders of the Traverse and Batarian's territory are left heavily undermanned. Some would call that protecting your own interests," Hackett replied.
"Careful Admiral, one man already lost his position and livelihood because of his stubbornness, and foolishness," Sparatus warned.
"He lost it because you strong-armed our government to handing him over to you rather than letting us charge him, you made it personal when you took one of our own and charged him with treason and had him locked away," Hackett replied.
"You hid secrets from us, things that we were surprised to find about you, and what your government and military was hiding," Sparatus replied.
Hackett knew he was referring to Cerberus and likely other rogue elements within their military and government, understandable. But still the fact these issues had been cleared up and dealt with only made this matter all the more frustrating. They had been dealt with and were no longer an issue, but the Council continued to press them, looking for any excuse to continue this witch hunt.
"But none of those things rely on the intent of this, you did all this because of the anomalies, because of them you started this and you have found absolutely nothing to prove we made them, are working with them, or even know what they are," Hackett replied. "You can scream at us all you want and say we did it, but when the evidence shows the contrary, you just can't believe it."
Sparatus glared at him as his mandibles flared with irritation, that was completely and utterly true. Not a single shred of evidence existed that proved that the System Alliance knew or heard of the existence of these anomalies before the events of Elysium. They had no way to keep this charade up for any longer, if they continued they would be overstepping themselves and facing more than just unhappy humans.
Tevos sighed, placing a hand against her head and seemed to be in thought. Her usually guarded expression turned to one of fatigue, actually looking tired.
"I think we should cut with the political talks, and actually speak with some openness from this point," She said, surprising really that it came from her, usually the calm and stoic Ambassador couldn't be so easily forced to let go, but it seems she was as tired as she looked. "Admiral, you know why we are doing this, why it has to be done."
"I do, but as I have said there is no evidence to support why you are doing this, even with all your searching and snooping around you have done nothing but oppress the Alliance and made a bad image for yourself," Hackett replied.
"We know we are causing issues, but what happened has caused a great deal of worry across the entire galaxy," Valern said. "Entities that can wipe out armies and ships with ease, possessing powers and abilities that none could match and all of them appear human."
"Can you not see that this is an issue, we cannot allow you to roam freely with the chance that the System Alliance is responsible for creating these things," Sparatus replied.
"And while no evidence has turned up, we have found cause to be concerned with the fact there was a paramilitary terrorist group within your government and military, alongside several research fronts as well, a likely suspect in this, especially with the research they were conducting." Valern said.
"They are all dead and buried; you know this, so I suggest you stop it now. Because if you keep up with this tyrannical rule over us, we might eventually have enough of it and decide to rise up against our oppressors," Hackett replied.
He watched as the three stiffened at the bold threat, surprised likely more than afraid, before he saw their professional and imposing political facades return.
"Are you threatening us Admiral? Remember, we have already dealt with one traitor, do not instigate something you cannot win by yourself," Sparatus warned.
"Ines was made a traitor because you were pissed that he didn't reveal this information to you when it occurred, but if we did it anyway all that would have happened is you start this witch hunt of yours earlier and likely prevent us from securing our borders from further pirate attacks," Hackett replied. "We did it to make sure you didn't fuck up our territory because you didn't like the fact something you can't control came your way."
That was a very dangerous thing to say, it may be true and blunt, because as much as Hackett was right saying that made a nice big target on his back. As much as being in politics was about keeping a level head and choosing the right sides, when something personal comes along they take all that negative means out on you.
Now that he has pissed off the Council with his resistance and openly challenged them, more than likely they will make some threats.
"You do realize that any further acts of aggression on your part will result in action on our own, you are on thin ice right now Admiral, do not lose what little leverage you have left to challenge us," Tevos said. "We can make this very uncomfortable for you."
"I would take care with who you threaten, attacking another Admiral and further destabilizing the Alliance, you've already ruined enough lives with this and getting rid of me will only take away the one person keeping our species from doing something they would regret. But maybe you should do it, make the human race remember all that hate from the First Contact War and maybe it is a little too early to forgive," Hackett replied, a bold declaration, one promising war.
The three were silent as they took in the threat, one saying that if they kept pushing that they would be dealing with open warfare with the System Alliance. The three did not respond, instead they cut the connection, unwilling to give a reply to the threat from the Admiral.
He gave a snort of derision; they had been on their asses long enough now that most of the System Alliance Parliament was getting sick of them, no more ass kissing or buttering up, they wanted their rights back.
Apart from that most humans were taking actions in different ways, some actively supporting the anomalies and basically chanting their names in the streets. Clothing, toys, games and even a few shows had popped up with these guys in them, they were a hit and people loved them. Be it to piss off their alien oppressors or simple love for these guys, it did not matter, and they were getting attention.
Others had been bolder and risk dissolving most trade and cooperation with the Council races to spite them. But even those who didn't do it out of spite did it anyway to save what money they could before a possible sanction occurred that cut trade, turning to the Traverse and even Terminus for possible clients and customers.
To put it shortly, humanity was getting riled up with the Council looking over everyone's shoulders now.
'Only a matter of time now, before someone does something to spark this powder keg,' Hackett thought, he didn't know if he should be worried or not.
"That damn man thinks he can threaten us!" Sparatus yelled as the doors of their chambers closed.
Sparatus skulked towards the large bay window that sat on the far side of the room, taking up the entire wall and giving a clear view of the Citadel. The many blinking lights of the stations arms and the pulsing nebula's beyond in space did nothing to quell his outrage. Yet while within this room he could vent his frustrations rather than let them simmer and cool, he would release them with every roar as if they were fire.
"He declares open war, something like that cannot be tolerated!" Sparatus growled, whirling on his fellow Councilors, both of whom stood there relaxed and composed compared to their turian counterpart. "We must act now, before he can do anything, if we strip him of his position…"
"We cannot, this will not work," Tevos said, strolling to the window and looking over the arms of the Citadel before giving a sigh. "We were able to prosecute Admiral Ines Lindholm because his own government was also affected by this and he covered up a treasonous act on a galactic scale. But with Hackett, sadly that won't work, in fact it would only cause further issue."
"She is right, the Alliance as a whole is becoming much more aggressive with their opposition of our presence in their space and control over their government." Valern stated, hands behind his back and speaking most calmly of the three. "We did not plan this right, we were too hasty, and neither did we carry it out in a manner that reflected any calm, the Alliance is beginning to turn on us, and we sadly are responsible."
There was a silence for a moment; realizing creeping on that this entire endeavor of theirs would result in absolute chaos for them with nothing to show for it. They could do nothing without proof, and the Alliance had given them everything to show they were innocent and now that the evidence said so, they did not let go.
They held on too long and now they were causing problems within their own space, and also causing a massive political cloud to hang over their heads. Be they thundering is one thing, but when they strike down upon the Council for their actions they will know they have overstepped themselves. Their incursion and oversight of the Alliance was never meant to be this long, it should have only been a few months just to get what information they could.
But they kept lengthening it, hoping to gain something.
"This is affecting more than just the Alliance, trade has broken down between them and the Asari Republic because of some of the sanctions, we are actually losing a lot of trade with the System Alliance," Tevos said.
While the Asari provided a good deal of trade in the Galaxy it was still a major blow to them, eighteen percent of that trade was to humans and the System Alliance as a whole. That was trillions of credits of technology and work lost because of their actions, something the Council of Matriarchs were not pleased with.
Even if they had ordered these actions taken the repercussions on them was not what they wanted. But it had been placed on their heads for this massive delay and drawn out investigation that provided nothing to substantiate the loss and the level of repercussions they were facing from the human race.
"Word has it that they are now trading with those in the Traverse and Terminus instead," Valern said, glancing at his colleague and also aware that there has been a severe drop in trade with the Alliance as well.
"Along with dropping nearly all forms of trade and cooperation, I fear we may have turned the Alliance against us," Tevos said, knowing that the Alliance becoming neutral faction or even an enemy would be disastrous for the Citadel Council.
The System Alliance provided a stabilizing agent for them, because of the regions they occupy they created a natural buffer against the Batarian's and eastern section of the Galaxy. Because of this the space they occupied prevented the Batarian's from expanding out and building a sizable empire. It also prevented many attacks and aggressive acts on their part against Council Space.
But they also added a natural barrier for their Eastern borders, allowing for a sizable defense for their controlled space, but if the Alliance actually withdrew, the Council would have lost a great deal of territory and support. But also likely it could cause a political nightmare in the fact that losing the Alliance could be seen as a sign of weakness. If they pulled out and went about their own methods without the Council's approval, it would spell all kinds of chaos for them.
"Yes, we have been very hasty to find evidence against the Alliance, and sadly that has caused us to turn an ally into an enemy," Valern said, shaking his head and wondering how he got so caught up in this, possibly intrigue and knowledge of how the humans created such entities maybe, but it did not matter.
"We need to rectify this issue immediately, possibly rescinding several sanctions and allowing for trade and benefits," Tevos suggested, but even she doubted that, all it would do would make them more aggressive, feeding a snarling varrin was never a good idea. "If we show some faith maybe we can stem some damage and regain what we lost. Prove that they are innocent until proven otherwise."
"Innocent?" Sparatus growled.
"We have already proven otherwise with our actions, Terra Firma has taken this chance to make several stances against us and sadly they are taking, nothing we do can stem the damage. It is like dressing an infected wound, we cover up the dirty mess beneath and hope no one sees it," Valern replied, knowing such a tactic won't work.
Those human supremacists think that the Council is taking away all their rights and based on what they have been doing he cannot doubt that. The Council and their sanctions have quite literally halted all forms of freedom within the Alliance, all people of power have been called to submit and now those people want that freedom and power back.
"To hell with what they think, I refuse to believe that the System Alliance is innocent in this, they have appeared on multiple worlds, reports coming in of sightings on different planets as well, all of them human," Sparatus growled, knowing that these things could not be anything but Alliance soldiers.
The locations they struck, strategic and important events that had they not been involved it would have been a grim note in the System Alliance's history. They saved entire worlds and doomed them to aid the Alliance and the human race, appearing when disaster struck and ended major threats. How could it be anything but a plot by the Alliance?
"STG reports that it is actually civilians in cheap clothing, the Alliance is actually using this as a means to profit, selling merchandise in order to bring in some more credits," Valern replied.
It was to be expected really, the anomalies were hot news, and with the Embargoed by the Council in certain financial areas that had forced them to rely on different trading avenues. But in truth even he did not expect that the anomalies would become a fad people got hooked into, he thought the religions were bad enough.
But one hundred billion credits in six months, that wasn't too bad considering, but barely anything to brag about. Yet still even their respective races were getting in on the hype, even those in the Traverse and Terminus systems seemed to be taking an interest. But it wasn't anything interesting; a fad would last for so long before people became bored of it.
But that did not change the fact that the System Alliance was starting to be seen differently; many feared that this is the beginning of a possible expansion. They have always been seen as a very aggressive race in terms of how much territory they accumulated in their rise to the stars, which was only a short two decades.
Some fear that when they cannot claim anything else peacefully, they will turn to war in order to compensate. Their controlled territory of the Alliance was nearly the same size of the Councils Inner Space, their entire space being the same size as those shared between the Turian, Salarian's as well as the Krogan DMZ.
Although most of those fears were unfounded due to little proof, but recent events many have reaffirmed them. Their next line of discussion broaching the source of those fears, fears that they all shared.
"But we have a bigger problem," Valern said. "If the Alliance is weakened or splits, we risk it being overrun by the Batarian's, if a war breaks out that space will be shattered, and with our presence and recent actions we may be called to account for that. The Quarian schism was one thing, but this could be much worse, especially since we had a direct hand in it."
"Yet you forget, those anomalies, they likely would prevent such a thing. They have appeared on many worlds that have been subject to open engagements, it is likely this will keep the Batarian's from making a move," Sparatus said.
"Yes, but even then if the economy or anything else becomes crippled within the Alliance it may crumble, a species can fall to more than just war," Tavos replied, knowing that war won't be the end of the Alliance, it will be their embargoes and restrictions. "And if they fall we may be dealing with vengeful people, and if one of those anomalies attacked there is nothing we can do."
"A good reason for us to find a solution to as quickly as possible, if these anomalies continue to appear and we have no defense against them, who knows what they could, and will, do," Valern said.
Scientists from every field were working to determine exactly what these things were and none of them had come up with anything of note. Mainly because they couldn't even grasp the power they had or the means in which it could be harnessed in a human body. Their speeds reaching the subsonic level, and a level of strength that was impossible to calculate, with durability virtually impossible to determine.
While Element Zero did have its uses, even it couldn't accomplish the feats being seen by these beings, not on such a small scale anyway. More than that, it would appear as if they were completely devoid of anything related to Element Zero in terms of these abilities. It was some form of energy manipulation but the energy in question simply did not exist, or more accurately could not be detected. All they could pick up was massive amounts of atomic particle displacement as this energy leaked out and saturated an area.
"The Cell has been built; all we need to do is capture one…" Sparatus started before he was cut off.
"The Cell may not be enough, that monster on Torfan released enough energy to actually destabilize the moon's tectonic plate, that alone is a horrifying prospect if it was contained in something that cannot hold it," Valern replied, remembering the reports from Torfan, that moon had become completely inhospitable after the incident.
In fact the moon had shifted orbit several meters as well, not much, but considering the power of that strike it made it all the more frightening. The Cell was designed to harness the energy from the Destiny Ascension and three other adjacent ships to create a powerful barrier to hold one of these beings in it. But deep down he had his doubts it would be enough to contain them, even one.
"Especially this close to the Citadel," Tevos interjected. "We have no idea what these beings are, but they are a major threat to the stability of the Galaxy and we cannot allow them to remain active."
Their main objective was to capture one for study and determine any viable weaknesses, after that they would work on created counter measures. These things could take on armies and starships, there was no way they were going to risk facing them without something that could do some damage. But the scary part came with the means to actually capture one.
Three Weeks Later
Captain Anderson was not in the mood for this, truly he wasn't, but it would seem that fate was deciding to be cruel as usual for him. Standing before him were three individuals, all Turian, two were soldiers in black armor, top of the line in both equipment and position, Blackwatch.
But the one that stood between them and ahead was someone of note, General Invectus, someone that had originally been put in charge of the joint Turian and System Alliance stealth ship. They called it the Normandy, it was to be the state of the art in stealth systems and maneuverability, it was a symbol of cooperation and trust between the two enemies.
"You're taking the Normandy," Anderson said, looking over the report and giving the General a glare, something he received as well.
"The Government of Palavan is very concerned about keeping this Stealth Ship in your hands, as of now the ship is being decommissioned and sent back to be placed in dry dock," Invectus replied, keeping his words short and posture straight. "I had hoped it would not have come to this sadly, but with how things are going there is no way around it."
"Of course not, because what can we do when our entire race is being placed under the thumb of another, some would call that tyrannical, and we all know tyrants don't last long," Anderson said.
"Careful, that attitude is the reason why many have lost their positions in command," Invectus stated, truth be told he doubted that the System Alliance could create those things, there is no way anything like that could be created, or even exist for that matter.
"Yes, and by throwing us to the fire you are making everyone more heated and raging, so I advise you tell the Council to back off before things get worse," Anderson replied, he knew that the Council was behind this, the Governments and leading bodies of Palavan, Surkesh and Thessia didn't do anything big unless they got the Council to do it, perfect fall guys and also excellent people to show that their races were united in common cause.
That cause happens to be taking the System Alliance apart piece by piece until they were sure they couldn't be a threat. This was nothing more than a power play to make sure the Alliance remembered who was top dog so that if they thought about doing anything the Council didn't like they would press down hard.
"As far as I am aware the Council is planning on letting you up soon, in a few months' time…"
"Months?" Anderson asked.
"We have already endured four years of being controlled and handled by the Council, and you tell me now they are going to be letting us?" Anderson asked, his glare all the more smoldering. "What else haven't they torn apart to look through that hasn't been?"
"Cerberus," Invectus replied.
"Cerberus, now that is funny," Anderson replied, his words grim and less than pleased. "We dealt with them over a year ago, or more correctly you did."
It was old news now, the rogue Black Op's group known as Cerberus has been all but destroyed, their entire faction had been destroyed and broken apart. Many different cells had been found throughout Alliance Space and the Traverse where Cerberus has set up shot. Dabbling in many illegal experiments and technologies, but through the Councils efforts they had all been tracked down and destroyed.
Their leader was known as the Illusive Man, someone who was not publically known or even seen by many of the operatives. But it turned out that after dissecting much of their forces they found their hideout, a Station in the Hades Gamma System. It had been raided and their leader killed, a one named Leon Trotsky, a man who was formally an Intelligence Officer in the Alliance Navy.
How the man went on to create this group and let alone lead it was not known, but he certainly made it a force to be reckoned with. But he along with his faction is dead, there was nothing left of them inside Alliance Space.
"Even so there may still be remnants hanging about, we cannot allow anything to remain," Invectus replied.
"This is a joke, there is nothing left for you here and you are now picking at anything you can in order to stay here, there is nothing left to find or prove that we are responsible," Anderson replied. "You are pissing off a lot of people, do not push any harder or find an excuse, take one more thing from us and I can assure you that what comes next will not be pretty."
Invectus did not react to the threat, they have been made before many times over the last few months. From politicians to the common citizen was rebelling against the Councils authority over the Alliance, something they cannot get out of and that was making people angry.
"We will be sending people to collect the Ship soon, make the preparations, that will be all," Invectus replied, turning and walking for the door.
Anderson watched him leave with his two guards, his hands clasped in front of his face and dreading what will come next. Not only was the Council shutting down the entirety of the Alliance but they were taking from them now, that would not go over well. Many will think that the Council will start annexing off territories near the borders of their space and imposing laws over specific worlds.
The problem with being a Council Affiliated is that their laws can superimpose over theirs, meaning that they can impose certain laws and restrictions even within their space. That is the cost of integration in the Galactic community, you have to sacrifice some rights to prove you were trustworthy, or this happens. But this was much worse than that, the Council was overstepping itself and a lot of people were feeling it, and they were having enough.
"Time will tell if we truly want to be part of the Council, because if they keep pushing we won't be answering to them for long," Anderson thought.
Eden Prime
"This is pretty boring," Sergeant Donkey said aloud, the short blonde haired soldier looking down at the excavation with as much enthusiasm as the rest of his squad.
"Couldn't agree more," Rasputin said, leaning against a nearby rock as the archeology team continued excavating the site.
They had been assigned to watch and protect the team as they dug through the dirt to find anything of value beneath the surface. The entire site was massive, about an entire square kilometer of ruins that were being unearthed. Fallen structures mostly, and a few tablets with writing and pictures on them but nothing else, to them it was pointless really.
"Why the hell are we out here for? Get some of the damn FNG's to come here and do this, not like there is anything dangerous around here," Donkey said, shaking his head and also annoyed he had been put in command.
Ashley William's was a better candidate than him to lead this squad, but even then this was not a job someone would want to lead on. It was boring as hell, it was hot and there was absolutely nothing to do other than complain about their current predicament.
"We haven't gotten an FNG in over two years, for god sakes we have been stuck here that long and unable to get off world," Ashley barked back, her ire rising as that line of reply brought up an even sourer subject for all.
The fact that all of them had been stuck on Eden Prime for nearly three years with no means to get off world and even transfer was a nightmare for them. Messages off world were scarce; both in occurrence and content, leaving them to worry about their families, and them likely in turn grew concerned. In fact the Private of their squad, Jenkins, was meant to hop off world around three months ago to go to Arcturus Station to get deployed. But like so many others they were forced to remain grounded.
"Yeah, things are not getting better for us," Bates said, shaking his head.
"I haven't seen my husband in years, and he has been trying to get me off world for the last year," Bhatia said, it had been pretty hard for her being away from her husband for so long. "He told me that the Council may be letting up soon, that I might be able to slip through and finally meet him back on the Citadel."
Her positioning on Eden Prime had been done and meant to be a short one, but since all traffic between planets were halted including troop movements she couldn't get off-world. No one could, for the last two and a half years she had been stuck on this rock with only limited communications with her husband.
"Fat chance, the Council has the Alliance by the balls and no one is doing anything," Ashley replied, glaring at nothing.
This entire thing was a sham; the Council was trying to squeeze the Alliance into submission because it was actually able to defend itself and because there was something out there looking out for her species. Her mind drifted to that, the angels, the ones that had protected those colonies and they smite anyone that threatened the innocents there.
Never before in her entire life has she been sure of a god watching over her, that there was someone out there protecting them. That maybe she can feel safe knowing that when her time came to meet her maker it will actually be something to see.
"What do you expect; the Council imposed a lot of laws on us when we joined them, and now we are dealing with the repercussions," Donkey said, shaking his head. "Although I never expected them to have this much power, bloody politicians bent over backwards just to save face and now we are stuck with this. Typical."
"Hopefully things will change soon," Ashley said.
A shout from the ruins caught their attention; they could see the archeologists below rushing towards something. The squad looked at one another for a moment before they rushed down, not willing to risk something happening while they were standing with their thumbs up their asses.
Rushing through the ruins they find the archeologists all clambering around a collapsed section, finding within a recently excavated tomb. Many thought it was some sort of ceremonial burial site, the Devil Dogs pushed through and stared down into the pit.
"What's going on down there? Everyone okay?" Sergeant Donkey called down, seeing three people below around some kind of obelisk.
"We are fine!" A red haired woman called out, Dr. Warren was her name, she was smiling and looked absolutely giddy. "We are more than fine."
In front of her was a large onyx object, smooth and metallic, and seemed to be thrumming with dormant power. She ran her hand over the object and took several steps back, clasping a hand over her mouth and giving a laugh.
"What's down there?" Ashley called.
"A Prothean Beacon!" Warren called back, and a murmur of surprise sprung up from everyone.
"Get back to base," Donkey said, looking to his team. "Tell them everything, but make sure they keep this quiet."
Hope you enjoyed it, up next is the Eden Prime mission.
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A special thanks to: Krazyfanfiction1, Halitar, Ahsanrox, Reality Deviant, Law77, Edboy4926, Prototype Gear, Bringer of the Morrow, Guisniperman, Aesir19, Inverness, JJN37, Dutoc, Indecisive Bob, Bobboky, Mayhem296, Tiggz, Girl-of-Action, Meech Macko, Hollowichigo12, Alchemists19.
Tormound: The System Alliance is part of the Council and held under specific laws, the only way they could have been given a Council Seat or even considered for one is because they follow and act under Council Law and are forced to adhere to it. They cannot do their own thing and be part of the Council, it is illogical, the Council is like the UN and they are forced to carry out specific laws that make a Nation comply with the UN and all nations rather than allowing them all to follow their own rules and reasons.
As for Ines' trial, he was convicted of hiding information that could threaten the stability of the galaxy, falsifying information to protect the Alliance, while also bribing and threatening others to keep quiet about the information and even lying to his own Government. Using his military powers and privileges to hide this information and threatened the stability and agreements made between the Council and System Alliance.
Jigentou: Yeah, didn't really put much thought into it and just chose it.
Six Samurai of Dragon Order: Spirits of the other races do exist but are different than Soul Reapers, because technically the reason Soul Reapers exist and are as powerful as they are is because of the Soul King and that will be explained upon later.
Xenter: That Politics man, their figure heads for their governments and meant to be shown as a unified front for all Government bodies in the Council that rule over their space. But there are many other races that are part of the Council that are forced to adhere to their rules or else, pretty much because that it is it. The Treaty of Ferixen for example applies to all Council races and those allies with them, but this treaty is more than just Dreadnaughts as it encompasses other things militaristic as well.
Because of that the Council would have certain amounts of power over the races that join them among the Citadel as allies. This isn't just them being buddies and trading stuff, this is like the UN, you want to join you follow our rules or you can get out and no one is above the law in that situation and if you break it you will feel their heavy hand come down. You don't rule the Council by being soft and letting people do what they do, you do it by making it known you can control them when they get out of hand. Look at the Krogan, that is a perfect example when someone got out of control and they handled it, not in a smart or nice way either, but that is what they are willing to do.
Ssg1: As I have said before the Alliance is forced to comply with rules of the Council, they cannot do as they please because if they could they would be conducting to their hearts content in fields that are highly dangerous like A.I. research. But they follow the laws and restrictions of the Council because they are part of it and are forced to comply with their laws and restrictions when they are breached. But the fact these entities appeared over three worlds that are directly affiliated with the Alliance and two were major military offensives raises questions and suspicions. It is pretty obvious and really people should pick up on this, I don't spell everything out, you're not children.
Kinunatzs: I do not follow? What do you mean humanity regaining their Spiritual Powers? Also the reason for the Council doing this is because of certain laws and… forget it, look at the first three long responses and you will get it.
Mangahero18: Spiritual Particles exist on a separate dimensional plane that is basically the spirit plane that runs parallel to the material plane. When a ghost is here they can have some interaction with the material world, but often it is about the density of their power and matter that allows them to interact.
But with the Shinigami they are forced to basically compress their power down and actually force a sort of manifestation in the material world in order to exist in it and that is because most worlds and even space quite literally has no spiritual realm. If they didn't do this they would basically die, their spiritual form exploding outwards no differently than a human body exposed to the vacuum of space. The reason is simply, they manifest and condense their power to keep themselves alive.
Koper: Even if they deleted memories evidence would remain of their passing, video feeds an example and there are people beyond their reach to wipe. Also you are correct the Council is like the UN, but while the Council cannot govern their race they impose laws and sanctions that are used in accordance with certain acts. They can demilitarize a race, just like certain nations in the UN can halt member's military actions and prevent them. This is no different.
Feral Creature: Maybe…
Squadpunk 2.0: I agree, and I have a plan.
Harbringer of Kaos: Yeah, they need to step up and I think I know the guy to do just that.
Suna Chunin: Most of the sacrificial Cerberus group was wiped out already, but there are remnants still floating about and they will get their chance to die.
Dark Vizard447: No, not Cerberus, they are chasing down something much worse. Something as dangerous as Yhwach. Remember the Muken is a place where they imprison the Worse of the Worst, and there are always things down there not meant to get out. For they are Immortal.
Shrek: Of course, Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life.
Vinayakdj1: Trust me, what I plan will surprise you and remember, Yhwach is but the son, and when you hear what these three are and who they are tied to you will understand the significance.
SomethingAncient: Remember that the spiritual realm is completely composed of Spiritual Particles, and they help with making the dimension resemble a natural world. The Air, soil, grass, everything simple thing is made up of the same element. But when you place a soul in a place that is practically a vacuum they would behave in a very similar manner to a human. There is a physics behind the spiritual realm even if it is the afterlife. Space does contain something akin to a spiritual plane but it is chaotic and dangerous, think of it similar to the Dangai but worse. Only planets that develop spiritual entities like humans can create spiritual realms like the Soul Society. As it has been shown the souls of humans has been instrumental in maintaining the stability of the Soul Society and if it is halted than that realm collapses.
Bardshark: The events will be a little different, but mostly the same.
Matt Kennedy: Because mainly the body does restrict them to a material form, even with their powers that body can be damaged more easily. After all it is a physical body and has physical limitations compared to spiritual bodies.
Yiggdrasill: The Reapers are machines and would try to understand them, coming down to the conclusion they are some form of dimensional entities. The concept of spirits and gods would likely be brought down to organics finding a means to try and understand them but failing and resorting to something simple.
PhoenixCorpse: Trust me; it can happen, sooner than you think.
Thank you all for reviewing and I hope that you enjoyed the chapter.