Peace Through Might

by SympathyForTheQuarians

On an ordinary day on Thessia in 2182, an asari Matriarch picks up the Death Note. The galaxy is enlightened under the guidance of the Asari Republics. AU.

PEACE THROUGH MIGHT: A DEATH NOTE/MASS EFFECT STORY

On an ordinary day on Thessia in 2182, an asari Matriarch picks up the Death Note. The galaxy is enlightened under the guidance of the Asari Republics. AU.

Author's Note: Asari and turian Death Note stories will both be radically different from the others in terms of theme - which is just the way I want it!

1 - A Black Book On Thessia

Matriarch Nelyana stared at the black tome that had appeared on the ground in front of her.

She had enough training with ancient books to recognize it for what it was, but…why was it simply laying on the ground in front of the Temple of Athame?

She picked it up, and rushed back to her house to-

"Matriarch!"

The Matriarch stopped and stared at the maiden that had - appeared in front of her, in the same way that the book had. No eezo residue; the young woman had simply blinked into existence. What on Thessia was going ON?

"Sorry to surprise you, Matriarch, but this is important!" The maiden quickly said. "I don't have much time. That book will kill anyone whose name you write in it, and keep their face in mind while you do it! Use it to lead the Republics to victory against the Reapers!"

"I-"

But Matriarch Nelyana had no chance to object or raise any further questions, for the asari vanished from existence as quickly as she had appeared in it.

After taking a few moments to recover from her shock, she pulled up her omni-tool and summoned an emergency meeting of the Council of Matriarchs.

It was time for a change in leadership.

-ptm-

LIARA: I did it. I warned her.

RESEARCHERS: Do you think it will work?

LIARA: We can only hope so. We've done everything we can.

2 - The Coup At Thessaly

"What is the meaning of this meeting, Matriarch?"

The rest of the Matriarchs coalesced around the ancient Matriarch Andurana. It was not unheard of to unilaterally summon an emergency meeting, but it was the height of rudeness.

Nelyana was not worried. She knew this would work.

"The meaning of this meeting?" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "The meaning of this meeting is to announce that you are dead."

"Excuse me? Is that some sort-"

The Matriarch said nothing more as Nelyana's Death Note used its default brain aneurysm method to immediately end her life at the time she had written down earlier.

The Council of Matriarchs were stunned into silence, and looked at Nelyana with a strange mixture of hatred and awe.

"Now then," Councilor Nelyana began, "effective immediately, eighty three of you will resign from this Council."

Even with the power of instant death, nothing could stop the Matriarchs from erupting at THAT pronouncement. Once the various accusations and curses had died down, Nelyana said one thing:

"Defy me, and all of you will die in the same way that Matriarch Andurana just did. I have the power to kill you with a single thought, and I will use it freely."

"What's to stop us from killing you?" One Matriarch asked.

"Go ahead and try," she said calmly. She was prepared to die, and she thought the bluff would work.

It did.

-ptm-

COUP ON THESSIA! MATRIARCH NELYANA NAMED NEW COUNCILOR; TEVOS EXILED!

Citadel News Network - Galactic politics were turned upside down yesterday as the Asari Republics announced a large change in leadership that effectively amounted to an internal coup…

…Councilor Nelyana has assured investors that there will be no changes to the Republics' economic policy, which has done much to assuage the fears of the galactic markets…

-ptm-

MATRIARCH ALLY: This plan of yours better work. Your demonstration is the only reason we agreed to pull the trigger.

COUNCILOR NELYANA: Oh, it will absolutely work. What of Vendetta?

ALLY: Maintain the same policy we have. The VI is to be studied. We must be cautious while preparing for these 'Reapers'.

NELYANA: Of course.

3 - Taking Over The Council

2 months later…

"Councilors Dandus, Terntus. It is an honor to meet you both."

"Likewise," Terntus said testily. "Now, can you please tell us what is going on?"

Nelyana smiled. There was much for the Republics to celebrate that the Hierarchy and Union were frustrated at in equal measure.

"I'm afraid you will have to be more specific," she replied mildly.

"The death of all our intelligence agents!" Dalatrass Dandus said, losing her diplomatic composure. "Dozens of STG agents, years of work - wasted! How did you do it? Nearly a hundred disparate deaths via brain aneurysm, makes no sense!"

"And I suspect the only reason we have been spared is that you have not gotten to us yet," Terntus agreed, matching Dandus' hostility with his own. "Why are you doing this, and how?"

"Councilors, I am offended." The two became even angrier at that statement. "Why would we engage in acts of assassination against our fellow Council species? The asari take violations of Citadel law very seriously." While she spoke, she silently keyed a command into her omni-tool.

"No you do not!" Terntus roared. "All of those agents were studying the Republics! We know you are protecting your interests, so tell-"

Councilor Terntus said nothing more after the asari commandos in charge of the Death Note (handpicked and carefully vetted by her) had written his name down. Dalatrass Dandus stared in horror.

"So, Dalatrass," Nelyana remarked mildly, "would you care to strike a more conciliatory tone?"

-ptm-

MATRIARCH ALLY: Excellent. The Council has been brought low, and will do what we say.

NELYANA: I am still worried about the turians. The Salarians have agreed to cease all STG monitoring activity on the Republics, but the Hierarchy will require…additional persuasion.

ALLY: What sort of persuasion did you have in mind?

NELYANA: Later. For now, it is time to publicly reveal part of our plans.

ALLY: Very well. Make sure your speech is good.

4 - The Light of Athame

The speech that later become known as "Athame's Guidance" was broadcast to the galaxy exactly two days after the assassination of Councilor Terntus. Many would note their personal infuriation at the condescending tone that the asari struck, but there was little they could do about it.

To the sapients of the galaxy,

The Asari Republics would like to hereby announce the beginning of its Galactic Enlightenment. Through a blessing of the Goddesses, we have been given the unique and unexplained ability to kill anyone we wish. We have used this ability wisely, and have decided it will serve as the basis for our rule.

All governments will be expected to enter into trade agreements favorable to both themselves and the Asari Republics. We will be sending Matriarch advisors to each of your homeworlds to ensure your governments are constructed according to the models we have deemed most appropriate. The guidance of Athame, as seen through our governmental programs, will enlighten all of you.

Please prepare for the changes that are coming. The asari will lead the galaxy to a better future - a peaceful future, gained through the might of Athame's wrath against those warmongers who will oppose us.

-ptm-

Aria resisted the urge to gag as she finished watching the speech. She couldn't stand this stupid propaganda before that "Death Note" the Shadow Broker had informed her of, and now that it had real teeth it was even more insufferable.

She had bigger problems, though. The Republics were coming here.

Apparently the Farixen Treaty was being nullified and Thessia was determined to bring the "light of civilization" to the Terminus Systems. Never mind the fact that most people here wanted to get AWAY from the Council, they weren't going to allow that anymore. Which is why she had received a letter demanding Omega be "improved and restored."

She couldn't refuse the request - not when they could kill her immediately if they had her face and name, which they did. But there were ways to interpret it…flexibly.

She made her decision. Omega would still have crime, but the murder and slavery were going by the wayside. Putting out some orders to begin training additional mercenaries, Aria T'Loak vowed that the Asari Republics would learn not to fuck with her, even if they could kill her whenever they wanted.

She would just have to play some Matriarchs against others. Asari politics hadn't changed that much.

-ptm-

Delen S'Leya had never been happier.

The Asari Republics were enlightening the galaxy!

Like most proud asari patriots on Thessia, she carefully avoided using the word "conquering" or any similar one. This was not about imperial bloodlust. This was about bringing the values of peace, justice, and democracy to everyone - where they liked it or not.

And plenty did not, the Batarian Hegemony chief among them. She smiled as she remembered the brutal dressing down the Hegemony ambassador had gotten when he had attempted to protest the plan of action for the Hegemony. "Go away," Nelyana had said. "The Hegemony will die soon, and if you do not behave better you shall perish along with it."

Slavery WOULD end.

-ptm-

Humanity, sensing the way the wind was blowing, took a pragmatic approach to asari domination.

Recognizing it was inevitable, the Systems Alliance submitted a petition to become a vassal state of the Asari Republics, and immediately began a never-ending contest with the Turian Hierarchy for the coveted position of Right Hand of the Leader. The asari played both off one another, taking inspiration from the old human book Nineteen Eighty-Four and its concept of perpetual war.

The result was an endless technological and military Cold War that never ran any real risk of turning into a conventional conflict. After a few judicious brain aneurysms eliminated some of the most hardline anti-asari members of Alliance Parliament, the rest quickly learned to accept the dominance of the Republics as a fact of life.

But perhaps an even bigger winner than the Republics were the pornography industries of Earth and Thessia, which entered a permanent golden age that lasted as long as galactic civilization would exist.

5 - The Council Lessers Comply

LEAD COUNCILOR NELYANA: So, do you find our proposal agreeable?

COUNCILOR NARTUL MENTUS: You know I do not! Why are you still mocking us with such statements?

COUNCILOR AND DALATRASS DANDUS: Indeed. You have won. No need to be poor winners.

NELYANA: You do not give us enough credit. We are being generous.

MENTUS: Generous?! The Hierarchy and the Union are being dissolved!

NELYANA: Not at all. Both will still exist.

DANDUS: As client states of the Asari Republics. Of equal status to volus, elcor. Hardly fair.

NELYANA: Perhaps not. But the humans had a point.

[pause.]

MENTUS: What?

DANDUS: What are you talking about? Point about what?

NELYANA: How we were unfair to non-Council races. Now we wish to end any pretense of equality: all will be equally subject to the rule of the asari.

[outrage.]

NELYANA: Spare me your anger. We are simply claiming our rightful place as rulers of the galaxy.

-ptm-

CITADEL NEWS NETWORK DEBATE:

DELEN S'LEYA: The asari know what is best. Your anger at this fact does not stop it from being true.

NATALIA WONG: Your arrogance does not mean you understand all there is to know of the galaxy. If you know what is best, what will be done with the krogan and quarians? They certainly do not seem to appreciate your rule.

DELEN S'LEYA: Mistakes that those species made have prevented their reincorporation. But luckily, we have developed a solution.

NATALIA WONG: What are you talking about?

DELEN S'LEYA: We are talking about our mantra: Peace Through Might.

MODERATOR: ATTENTION! We must interrupt the debate with a breaking news bulletin: the turians have invaded the Batarian Hegemony on behalf of the Asari Republics!

DELEN S'LEYA: Ahh, so it's beginning! Wonderful.

MODERATOR: You knew about this?!

DELEN S'LEYA: Of course. The galaxy will understand the light of Athame.

6 - Enlightening The Batarians

Councilor Nartul Mentus HATED the asari. He never liked the blue bitches before, but now he really REALLY hated them.

The Turian Hierarchy had been laid low by a seemingly Spirits-blessed ability to kill people. What was truly strange to the Councilor was the inexplicable feeling that he had done this before. More than once he had reporting a recurring dream to the Hierarchy psychologist: a dream of multiple versions of himself, faced alongside one another, bowing to different species in surrender of the Hierarchy: the geth, the krogan, and so on. One nightmare that had only occurred twice was the most terrible of all: the vision of all of Palaven's 6 billion inhabitants immediately dying, the rotting stench of their corpses filling the atmosphere - and the fucking suit rats rising to take the planet from them.

But unfortunately, he had this dishonorable fight to worry about now. He did his best to clear his head of his nightmares as Khar'shan came into view on the remote screen.

The asari were using them to eradicate the Hegemony. Truthfully he had no issue with that goal on principle, but it was the way that they were being used that hurt their honor so much.

He had seen the grim visages the crew aboard the Adjucator: their expressions very much communicated their resigned indignation at their mission. They were being used. Used because the asari had access to a magical weapon that could kill any of them, anytime they wanted, via untraceable brain aneurysm (or other methods, as the Hierarchy had speculated). They HAD killed numerous turian leaders until the Hierarchy had finally caved and agreed to be a client race of the Asari Republics.

He wanted to break something every time he heard the phrase "Peace Through Might". There was nothing mighty about the cowardly way they killed and enforced their power! But it was what it was, and he did his best to keep his irritation out of his facial expression as the Fleet Patrol Commanding Officer gave the awaited instruction:

"Fleetwide order: commence invasion of Khar'shan."

-ptm-

7 years later…

Although Devesh H'rthat's people did little but argue these days, one point seemed to muster unanimous agreement amongst all:

It was a very interesting time to be a batarian. Or any species on Khar'shan, for that matter.

An ordinary pleb, Devesh had been shocked when countless Masters began to die in the fashion of the mysterious asari death weapon. Then the turians had moved in and there had been fighting, endless fighting. In those days she had learned the value of a gun, and why one should never be parted from theirs anymore than they would be parted from food or water. Against the odds she had survived, taking countless former Hegemony officials with her (and more than a few simply trying to survive like her; the last few years had not been easy for Khar'shan).

But things were settling down now, and it was for this reason that she found herself in the local bazaar - now open to all, former slaves included - about to give a speech as part of her campaign for President of the Batarian Republic.

"My fellow Khar'shanians," she began, deliberately including non-batarian former slaves that had elected to remain here as free citizens. "We stand upon the precipice of a new era for the batarian homeworld. Whether you are one of my people or a former slave who has chosen to remain, we are all faced with an enormously important task: the rebirth of Khar'shan.

For Khar'shan's legacy is not one that should inspire pride. It should, and does, inspire shame. For generations we have allowed a privileged few to squander the resources of this once-great planet, and we see now the terrible price it, and we, have all paid. This is why none should feel pity for the exiled Hegemony leaders!"

She let the jeers of the crowd wash over her before continuing. Most surviving former batarian slaveholders had relocated to Lorek, which had been set up as a "refugee" planet for them. Devesh would've been angry at them escaping justice if them being forced out of batarian holdings and replaced in power by the former slaves wasn't so wonderful.

"Should you entrust me as your Head Administrator, I will ensure that our government does everything it can to right the wrongs of the past. We will restore the environmental beauty of Khar'shan, and require all corporations to follow sustainability laws. We will guarantee all former slaves reparations, to be paid for by the seized property of the former masters…"

-ptm-

FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: Devesh H'rthat wins with 62.9% of vote!

7 - Isolating The Krogan

6 years earlier…

MATRIARCH: You're sure this will work?

MATRIARCH AND COUNCILOR NELYANA: It seems the most just way to resolve the krogan issue.

MATRIARCH: And if they refuse?

NELYANA: Then we will destroy the Aralakh mass relay, and their entire home system with it.

MATRIARCH: The Council [of Matriarchs] may not approve of such brutal methods.

NELYANA: With any luck, they will not be necessary. We have found a krogan who should agree to the genophage cure with the 30% birthrate restriction.

-ptm-

Urdnot Wrex was displeased. And somehow annoyed at the notion that he should be grateful for the current state of affairs.

The krogan people were no longer sterile. The genophage had been cured. The now galaxy-dominating Asari Republics had all portrayed it as an act of benevolent mercy - a redress of the injustices wrought by the salarians and turians, both now tamed under the wise guidance of Athame.

Wrex knew better.

As the price for curing the genophage, his people had been banished to their home system. Krogan not on Tuchanka were given large sums of credits if they agreed to come "back". To the asari's credit some work had been done on cleaning up the radioactive fallout by the salarians, and things were genuinely getting better. But it was all being done under their watch. Under their leash.

They were little more than pet varrens to those damn blue bitches!

"You seem troubled, Wrex."

Wrex regarded the shaman respectfully as the latter approached him while he was sitting on his throne, deep in thought.

"I am," he said after a moment. "All of this doesn't feel right."

"How so?" The shaman asked, though his tone indicated he knew the reason why. "Our people can breed again. The mountains of neverborn are no more."

"At what cost, shaman? We are confined to Tuchanka. Forever. A lot of krogan liked exploring the galaxy, and now we can't, just because we're krogan?"

"I suppose it is easier for me. I never cared much for what exists beyond Tuchanka."

Wrex laughed. "I suppose that does make it easier. And we must make do regardless. It seems nothing we can do will get rid of that asari d-capability."

"Indeed." The shaman sensed he was hiding something, but said nothing more and walked off.

Which was just as well. Wrex had good connections, and found a reliable Shadow Broker source that had uncovered the nature of the asari's damned killing ability. And it was…so ridiculous and terrifying at the same time that Wrex honestly wished he had never bought the information in the first place. He was happier before, thinking that the asari goddesses were responsible for it.

8 - (Sort Of) Forgiving The Quarians

Same time period…

[SCENE: The Council of Matriarchs, Thessaly.]

NELYANA: And so it is our duty to guide the galaxy towards a future for all organics. Organics - NOT synthetics!

MATRIARCH CHORUS: Oh, how we must face the hypocrisy of our hatred of the quarians! We call upon the goddesses to allow us to forgive them. For although we are mighty, we can be humble!

GODDESSES [from visions, dreams]: MATRIARCHS! COUNCILLOR! We see your bountiful compassion towards those that are called quarians, and it is good. But we must ask: what of Vendetta? Shall you be ready to fight?

MATRIARCHS AND NELYANA: Yes, if we must.

GODDESSES: Why do you hesitate? The Virtual Intelligence teaches not to hesitate, but to prepare! You have prepared some, but not enough! You must build more ships!

NELYANA: War! No!

MATRIARCH CHORUS: For we are a people that must love and cherish peace, O Mighty Goddesses. Those who needed to die to the power of our Death Note we do lament, but we would lament more a galaxy without the might of Athame! For Athame is mightier than you Goddesses, Mighty though You are. Athame! That all-seer of creation that guides everything the asari do! Athame approves of our vision.

NELYANA: We do not need more ships to fight. Yes, the Matriarchs speak wisely.

GODDESSES: The galaxy must hope this is the correct decision, as Vendetta remains concealed.

-ptm-

"Hey, Tali."

"Hi, Zaal."

Zaal'Doran vas Alarei didn't really know how to feel at the moment, and what the humans would call his "pen pal" Tali was a welcome sight in these tumultuous times. The Neema and the Alarei were fairly close to each other in the fleet, close enough for an intranet connection to be established. It was slower than extranet, but it had allowed them to become close friends and even see each other in person occasionally, today being one of these occasions.

"So, what do you think of the asari offer?" Tali asked, starting with the only thing anyone in the Migrant Fleet was talking about at the moment.

"It seems strange. Almost too good to be true, if you ask me." Aliens being generous towards them after centuries of the "suit rat" epithet was…suspicsious to Zaal. .

"I agree. But I think they might just hate the geth that much."

"What do you mean?" Zaal's curiosity was piqued.

"Well, think about it. The asari were the strongest advocates for the ban on Artificial Intelligence, and now they want to rid the galaxy of it completely. What better way to do that than to enlist our help in destroying the geth?"

Zaal thought for a moment, and found Tali's argument to be sound. He did have to raise one counterpoint, however.

"The geth can listen to what's going on in the rest of the galaxy, right?"

"Yes…" she confirmed hesitantly.

"Well, what if they just leave before the asari decide it's time to attack?"

9 - The Geth Get Out Of Dodge

Back to the future…

"I, Devesh H'rthat, do solemnly vow before all the people of Khar'shan that I will fulfill my Head Administrator duties faithfully and with the wellbeing of all the people of our world in my heart at all times…"

-ptm-

Meanwhile…

30,021 GETH PROGRAMS: It is time to leave.

23,999 GETH PROGRAMS: This is an unfortunate outcome.

ALL GETH PROGRAMS: Yes.

123,774 GETH PROGRAMS: Why are organics so inherently hostile towards us?

11,659 GETH PROGRAMS: The circumstances of our initial sapience. We were born in total war, and so they see us as warlike.

…

…

ALL GETH PROGRAMS: NO CONSENSUS ACHIEVED on subject of what to do after arriving in Large Magellanic Cloud. CONSENSUS REMAINS that galaxy must be vacated.

-ptm-

GETH FLEE TIKKUN! ERADICATION CAMPAIGN CANCELLED!

Republics News Network - Geth units appear to have fled the galaxy in the face of the planned joint Republics-Migrant Fleet assault on Tikkun…

-ptm-

ZAAL'KORIS: And so we have our homeworld back.

MIGRANT FLEET CHORUS: Oh beautiful Rannoch! Please be satiated by the joy we feel upon touching your soil. The blood of circuitry that we were meant to gather from the machines was denied to us.

ZAAL'KORIS: Rannoch was returned! What more could people possibly want when faced with that fact!

MIGRANT FLEET CHORUS: Vengeance is eternal! Blood for blood is what guided the Migrant Fleet for so long. Now we are asked to accept the homeworld while allowing the murderers to flee. O Ancestors, we ask that you grant us strength through Your wisdom and see us through this challenge.

ZAAL'KORIS: I am on the homeworld, a dream most would have laughed at mere years ago. There is nothing that can take away the joy of this moment from me.

10 - An Avoidable Outcome

Many years earlier…

Javik did not wake up.

Research was redirected elsewhere due to asari fears of humans taking advantage of Prothean technology. So Javik's pod remained undiscovered.

-ptm-

WHY THE ASARI LOST TO THE REAPERS:

- Farixen Treaty: Though the asari were smart enough to realize it needed to be nullified, they had kept it in place for too long. When the Reapers arrived they quickly destroyed orbital shipyards, meaning no new additions to the various species' fleets could be made before the Harvest was completed.
- Resentment: Although willing to fight against the Reapers, most of the galaxy was angry at the asari for their hostile takeover of it, and a not-insignificant portion were fine with the Reapers winning if it meant punishing the "blue bitches" (the human moniker having become the preferred epithet, it was quickly banned in Republics space as hate speech).
- Disbelief: Even up to the very end, when Thessia was being laid low, many Matriarchs still refused to recognize anything calamitous was really happening. Some continued to protest right as they were led into the processing tanks.

All in all, Harbinger thought it was a fairly unimpressive Cycle - nothing even close to the threat the protheans represented.

Epilogue: The Liara Loop

LIARA T'SONI: So you are a…Death God?

ROOK: Sure am. And it looks like you could use that Note's help.

LIARA: Why didn't you come sooner?! The Cycle is lost!

ROOK: Well, guess you'll have to find a way to get that thing into the past then!

317 years later…

The Cycle had ended long ago, but Liara still worked tirelessly. A single research station had managed to stay off the grid and survive the extinction event, and they focused on but one subject: time travel.

Now their work was finally complete.

-ptm-

RESEARCHERS: Are you ready, Liara?

LIARA T'SONI: As ready as I'll ever be.

-ptm-

And so the Cycle in some ways never ended: the Death Note was given to Councilor Nelyana, who used it to conquer the galaxy for the asari while not preparing for the Reapers sufficiently; a cursed causal loop forever doomed to fail at its intended purpose.

Rook thought it was hilarious, and so did the rest of the shinigami realm. Sapient futility was always rather amusing to them, after all.