Chapter 9
Q:
From: Francis charron (Guest) Francis charron:Just out of curiosity will there be a battleshiphip name BismarckA:
Ships of the Systems Alliance Navy will be named according to predetermined rules. Dreadnoughts will be named after the mountains, Frigates after the battles. Etc. But the SDF ships will be named after the historic ships. So there's a chance Bismarck will show up.
= place: Macedon =
The System Alliance ferry arrived a few minutes later. A large group of onlookers had gathered in front of the landing site to see what these new arrivals looked like. Among them was Asernia with a camera sending the image to the entire space of the Citadel. In front of the place stood the Primarch of Macedon with 2 guards. When the shuttle landed, several men in armor emerged from it. The only thing that could be deduced was that they are batarian-like in body and have five fingers. Aserina did not know what to do. On the one hand, it can be dangerous to approach them, after all, nothing is known about them. On the other hand, being able to interview the fleet commander and see what they look like will bring her great fame as the first person from all over the Citadel to interview a new species. As she was young by Asari standards, only 130, while being a bit impulsive, she decided to take the risk.
"Excuse me!" - she called to the soldier - "Asernia Jannini from Citadel Network News, may I have an interview, please."
"I'm sorry, this is an area limited by the military and officially under our occupation. Plus I don't like the media." - the masked soldier said.
"What's happend marine?" - the soldier commander probably asked.
"A space reporter wants to interview me." - said the weary soldier.
"You're lucky." - said the commander - "You will be the first human on alien television."
The comment made the other 2 soldiers laugh.
"What about the mission." - the marine asked.
"Give me a moment." - said the commander and put his fingers to his helmet. - "This is Anderson, they must speak to Rear-Admiral Hackett ... Rear-Admiral, some reporter is asking Marine for Interview ... Got it, and I'll do it right now."
"And what's the commander's decision?" - Aserina asked.
"You're either very stupid or very brave, but you're lucky because we have one more space on the ferry, and you've been given permission to interview Rear Admiral. This is a one-time offer. Are you coming or not?" - Anderson said.
"Yes." - she said without hesitating.
"Then please get in. Oh, and one more thing. Your cameras will be confiscated and turned off until you arrive at the conference room." - Anderson said.
"I understand." - she said, a little worried this time.
= place: Berlin-class crusier Tallinn =
After completing the surrender formalities and sending several Marine Teams to the surface, Hackett stayed with Anderson and Aserina in the conference room. Asari was initially very surprised by the appearance of humans, which resembled her own kind. Except for the color of the skin and hair on the head.
"You can start the interview." - Hackett said.
"Okay. First question: How long are you going to carry on this offensive?" - Aserina asked.
"Until the turians pay for the damage done to us."
"How many ships do you have?" - Aserina asked.
"This is top secret."
"I could have expected such an answer. How long this conflict lasts? "
"Officially, the date of the beginning of the war is the skirmish with what you refer to as relay 314, which was about nine days ago. Since then, we have had 3 battles and many skirmishes. I can tell you that the Turian losses were much greater than ours. For example, in the battle over this planet that took place today, we either destroyed or took all turian ships in orbit with no losses of our own."
"Next question. Is System Alliance as a whole open to diplomacy."
"Of course. The main goal of System Alliance is to ensure the safety of our citizens by all means available. If the Hierarchy apologizes and pays reparations for the action of its soldiers, we will be able to speak of peace."
"Judging by the reactions of your people, after they reacted to the similarities between us, the System Alliance must have at least some information about the Citadel and other races. May I ask how many and where do you get them from?"
"All I can say is that we captured a large group of prisoners of war and several ships at the very beginning of the war and hence this information."
"The last question. Are you in charge of an offensive force?"
"No. I only command the vanguard. The main part of our forces attacking turian territory is led by-"
"Rear-Admiral, you are being asked to step on the bridge. Mrs. Admiral Kastanie Drescher from has arrived aboard the Everest." - said the voice over the loudspeaker.
"Exactly. And now Captain Anderson will escort you to temporary quarters. If you need anything, please ask him." - Hackett said.
"Wait a minute, Hackett." - Anderson interrupted him - "You mean she's in my care now."
"Captain Anderson. We are on duty and I expect you to behave this way." - Hackett said.
"Sorry, sir!" - Anderson said quickly.
"That's good. And yes, she is in your care form now." - Hackett said, then got up and left the room.
= place: Everest-class dreadnought Everest =
"Lady Admiral." - Hackett said saluting.
"Take it easy, Hackett. Now, the report I asked for." - Dresher said.
"Yes, ma'am." - said Hackett and began his report - "It is as we thought. No civilian knew what was happening. Everyone was completely shocked. The colony leader claims he didn't know anything about the attack, but our lie detection machine revealed that he was lying. He was most likely fully aware of the attack, but he didn't do anything about it. We didn't push him harder so he wouldn't realize that the chain he was chained was our lie detector."
"The method of checking if someone is lying by checking their pulse is old but effective. At least on our species. We cannot say this for other species, but for now, we will hold it works. Is that all?" - Dresher said.
Hackett started to get a little nervous but told the truth anyway. - "I admitted and interviewed a reporter Asari. Of course, I didn't reveal any important information."
At this point, Dresher felt a little tense and looked at Hackett as if she wanted to murder him - "Hackett. You. Have. One. Minute. To. Explain. Yourself. "
"Yes ma'am." - Hackett said - "I figured we should show ourselves as victims of the turian aggression ahead of the galaxy. At the same time, I provided only non-classified information. Of course, the reporter was scanned and her equipment checked. There was nothing beyond the norm."
"Okay, Hackett. I have to admit it's a good idea. But if you screw it up, it's on your account."
"I understand and fully accept it."
"Okay. Now, we just have to wait."
= place: Matriarch Benezia private ship, a day later =
Benezia was not thrilled with the sudden sending of a task to conduct peace talks between the two races. The turians, who were known to be strictly militaristic and very proud, had just suffered their worst defeat since the Krogan Rebellions. And humans... about whom nothing is known. In the message, they said that they were open to peace talks, and the Primarch and the Council gave her the authority to conduct peace talks. She was too old for that. 912 years onwards, he has to fix political problems. After passing through the Relay, she was surprised to see more than 100 ships stretching from small corvettes to dreadnoughts. And the difference between some may have prompted the idea that there were at least two races involved in the attack. She will definitely have to ask about it, but first peace talks.
"To an unknown ship. You are in a war zone. State your reason or you will be shot at." - the man said through the communicator.
"This is ARV(Asari Republic Vessel) Verla. We have been sent by the Turian Hierarchy and the Citadel Council to conduct peace talks." - said Pilot.
"The ARVs are asari ships, not turians. We were attacked by turians and they are going to hold peace talks with us, not asari." - said the man.
"That's true, so we only have to negotiate a ceasefire as we've been closest. The actual peace talks will take place later." - said the Matriarch Benezia, not wanting to start arguing with the guy, which can order destroy her ship in seconds.
"You have permission to approach dreadnought Everest. Stay on the designated flight path." - the man said.
"It's been going well so far. Now it's time for the hard part. " Benezia thought.
A few minutes later she was in what appeared to be a conference room. A woman in uniform was standing in front of her, and two guards behind her. Behind Benezia there were 2 asari commandos.
"Before we begin, we should introduce ourselves. There is Admiral Kastanie Drescher."
"Matriarch Benezia."
"Please, sit down Matriarch." - Drescher said. - "Well, the turians sent asari to negotiate. If what they say in the Codex is true, this was probably the best choice."
"I was dispatched under the entire Citadel Council of which the turians are members. But Primarch Fedorian gave me full right to negotiate peace, or at least a ceasefire."
"It wasn't the Citadel Council that attacked us, but the Turian Hierarchy. I see no reason for sending a representative for the entire Council, but so be it. Our demands are simple. Recompensation for losses resulting from the actions of the Turian fleet, recompensation for families who lost family members in this conflict, fleet mobilization costs. Of course, there are still some important things to discuss, but these are the most important at the moment."
"While it's understandable, we'll have to work out the exact number of compensation costs later. First, we need to establish the exact laws of the ceasefire. Initially, my job was to convince you to come back to your space, but given how much you've gotten into here, there's no chance of that."
"You're right. But we can stop in this system and not carry out any activities in the neighboring territories. At least for the duration of the peace talks. We want the same from the forces of the Hierarchy and the Citadel. As allies, you will certainly act to help the Hierarchy, and I don't want any Salarian stealths ships in our territory. When we find one, we destroy it, or we take it over without asking. Is it clear?"
"Agreed, but only if we can do the same with your stealth ships."
"Agreed."
"One more question. What about turian soldiers trapped in your colony?"
"With a ceasefire, we will halt the attack on their forces. Or rather, what's left of them. You see ... most of the Hierarchy's forces have already surrendered to us. General Craig's maneuver take their main camp, where there weren't many soldiers, most of them wounded, anyway. The quick takeover of the camp allowed him to flank the troops of the Hierarchy. Before the arrival of our reinforcements, the turians were exhausted and lost almost all their armored vehicles. In addition, we had nothing virulent for them in this place. The remaining forces hid in the ruins of the city or in the forest. Of course, they will be treated in the same way as the Hierarchy treats ours."
"I think that's all, it only remains to sign the documents and you can say that the fighting is over."
"On November 11th. History really likes to repeat itself."
"Even though I'm interested in what's going on, probably someone will explain it to me at a later date. Now, if you allow me, I will return to my ship and report to my superiors."
And so the ceasefire was signed. Shortly after hearing the news, the turians stopped fighting the allied forces on Shanxi. Of the 50,000 that arrived at the colonies, only 14,500 continued the fight before signing the ceasefire.
