Arcturus Station, The Silver Office, September 22, 2192.
"You are live in 3… 2… 1…"
In times of war like these, it was important for the people to remember exactly why the war was being fought in the first place. The people need words of encouragement to keep them pushing, fighting, to keep the war effort going. That's exactly why President Harper insisted in his weekly addresses to the Alliance public, which both allowed him to bypass corporate media and interact directly with those that voted for him in the first place. It also helped that he used to be a media magnate in his time.
"Good morning, people of the Alliance. This is Presidential Address for September 22, 2192, week 364 of the war so far. And to address the first question right off the bat, we do have plans to deal with the Batarian Hegemony. We understand that the public requires some sort of idea about these matters, but resorting to leaking sensitive war information is not how it is supposed to be done."
Behind the scenes, the President's senior staff watched him work his charismatic media magic.
"So, with that out of the way, I can now announce some excellent news. As of yesterday, all remaining Batarian forces in Shanxi has surrendered and given up their arms. With the planet back under our control, we can finally start reconstruction properly. We have a few companies already under contract to help the effort, and we will leave a link to their websites for those who wish to volunteer."
The President flipped through a few pages of things he should be reading off of, but never does, to the horror of his PR manager.
"We've recently christened a new Dreadnought a few days ago, you may have seen it in the news. But for those that would prefer a more reliable news source, the new ship will be named Power and Grace as voted by the public 3 weeks ago. The ship's actually rolling off of the Drydocks half a week ahead of schedule. Things are looking up for our new shipyards." Harper said as a videos of the ship rolling off the Drydock was shown on screen.
He then went on to talk about several other subjects, like arms and munitions productions, a new eezo refinery being constructed in orbit over Elysium, as well as a new model of tanks to replace the aging Mattis class MBT. With all that said and done, he answered a few questions before making the next massive announcement. Reciting a speech he had written some few hours ago, he began to speak.
"My fellow Alliance citizens, as we approach the 7th year of our war, we must look back through time and reflect upon ourselves, and upon our nation. For while our Alliance is still young, it has stood through some of the toughest challenges known in our history. So when I look back at our short history as a united state, I can't help but feel proud that we've progressed from a house divided, to one that stands together against all odds. Standing together, I believe, is the most important thing for us to do, now and into the future. For events out of our control have shown, that our race is not alone in this vast universe. Not only alone, as recent happenings have shown that we are just one, out of dozens in this seemingly shrinking galaxy. Events have transpired and brought to us a new revelation."
The President took off his glasses for dramatic weight.
"We are not alone in our fight."
-000-
Sahrik Military Base, Taetrus, September 26, 2192.
"So doc, what is she?" Nihlus asked the medical office who just finished examining the Vat grown Turian they had taken from Sur'kesh.
The Doctor just shook his head as he removed the medical gloves from his hands.
"In short? a monster." He said. "I wouldn't want to bore you with the details as I doubt you'd understand."
"Try me doc, I was in med-school before getting drafted." Nihlus replied.
"Well, that's a surprise. We don't get much of that around here. Well, save for her at least." he said as he pointed to the vat grown Turian in the isolation lab. "Well, she's definitely vat grown. We can't find any of her parent's DNA traces, which is almost always found in in all Turian's skin. The deformities seem to be caused by direct implementation of some sort of gene modification and not a side effect of her being vat grown."
"So the Salarians could be growing perfectly fine Turian mimics then?" Nihlus asked. "That'll spell a security disaster for us!"
"True, but it seems our mimic's absent-mindedness is a side effect of being vat grown. My observation and studies conclude that her mind's growth was hemmed in because of her essentially being forced into adulthood. Without the proper neural connection with parents during the incubation process, the brain would not be able to connect into the nervous system properly, nor expand it's cerebral capacity, forcing her into a mindless state where her brain can barely process anything."
"So she's a vegetable?" Nihlus commented.
"In layman's terms, yes." the doctor answered. "though in theory, they could get around that if they took a longer time growing the mimics, as well as introducing a synthetic matriarch."
"Making a hypothetical vat grown mother for the vat grown baby, it'll work. It could work; the issue is making the synth-mom, as they'd have to go through the same issue that they're trying to solve." Nihlus clarified.
"Spot on once more, operator Kryik. I see that 16 years of violence haven't dulled your medical knowledge whatsoever."
"Yeah, I just haven't been able to flex it for a while." Nihlus sheepishly replied.
"Then let's consider that a warm up." The doctor remarked. He then brought a datapad with all his reports on it. "Tell me operator, what do you see?"
"Lots and lots of cybernetics, neuro-mechanical wires and… are those synthetic cells?" Nihlus asked for confirmation.
The doctor switched pages on the datapad and showed the next section of his findings.
"I thought so too, but I took a blood sample to try and confirm my suspicions and found out otherwise. They weren't synthetic cells, they're…"
"Really obtrusive cybernetics at a molecular level." the Blackwatch operator said, cutting off the doctor.
"Bluntly put, yes. And even worse, it seems to be secreting some sort of substance that's subtly modifying her genes. I can't tell how extensive the modifications are at the moment, but what I can tell is its using extremely advanced technology. We're talking decades, maybe even centuries ahead. How the Salarians managed to develop these are beyond me." the doctor explained.
"This… is quite disturbing. Any of that data we brought back helped you find out where it came from?" Nihlus now asked.
"Unfortunately no. The data seems to refer to files not included in the ones we have. I'd suggest trying to go hunting for the data, but considering that the STG and the SPECTRE Corps are going to be in high alert… I think we should wait for things to calm down a bit."
"Unfortunately so." The Blackwatch operator simply said.
-000-
Meanwhile, Somewhere in Terminus...
"Saleon, are you deaf!? They have a sample of what we're doing! Keeping it up at this rate is going to get us found out, let alone increasing the frequency of your experiments!" Kangl practically shouted at the scientist.
"All the more reason to pick up the pace of operations. We need to be able to use the weapon and mass produce it effectively before we are discovered. As I have told you before Kangl, how I deal with my subjects are none of your concern." Saleon said as he brushed of the fuming Salarian.
"It is my concern when how you deal with your subjects threatens our security!" Kangl said, barely avoiding slamming the table with his fist.
"For once, I agree with Kangl." An elder Salarian female said.
"But Dalatrass!" Saleon objected.
"My word is final, Saleon. You will reduce the frequency of your operations until I deem it is safe to resume the standard operations." the Dalatrass said through the encrypted voice line.
"I… I understand, Dalatrass." Saleon replied weakly.
"In the meantime Doctor, I have some other assignments for you. Kangl, you are dismissed. I require to discuss this with the good doctor in private."
Kangl excused himself and left. He walked to his room and entered it, locking the door behind him. Sitting down on his desk to finish up some paperwork, he was interrupted by a call on his omni-tool. Upon finding out who was calling him, he quickly scrambled to hide anything that potentially looked dangerous or classified. Kangl then answered the call.
"Hi dad!" a little Asari greeted enthusiastically.
"Hey there, Meela, how was the field trip?" he asked, putting a smile on his face.
"I haven't gone yet. The field trip starts tomorrow and mom promised me I could call you with her omni-tool before I go to bed."
"Well that's very nice of your mother. Are you going to bed soon?" he asked his daughter.
"Yes." she answered.
"Well I hope you get good rest then, it's important for you to rest up for your trip!" he then told her.
"Aww… but I want to talk to you!" she pouted out.
"Yes, yes, I would like to too, but you have an important day tomorrow, and if you don't get enough rest, you won't be able to enjoy it all!" Kangl reminded his daughter.
"Oh OK dad." the little Asari replied.
"Kiss your mom good night for me, and don't close the call yet!" he said. Kangl could see the feed change from an image of her face as his daughter ran through the house to give her mother
"Mom, dad says he wants to talk to you!" she was excitedly said.
After handing over the omni-tool and exchanging pleasantries, Meela left and went to her room.
"You look exhausted." The elder Asari said, more stating than asking.
"You could say that. It's been a long week, especially considering we had a security breach some time ago." Kangl explained.
"Is this connected to that Turian attack at Sur'kesh?" His wife asked.
"It's… complicated." He deflected.
"Aren't all Salarians?" she then mused, eliciting a laugh from the Salarian on the other end. "Meela misses you, you know?" she then added.
"I know… It's hard to make time to visit. Her birthday is in 3 or 4 months, isn't it? Maybe I can get permission to visit then." Kangl suggested.
"Actually, it's next month." She corrected.
"Oh. Time flies I guess."
"You will visit, ok?" His wife practically ordered.
"I will, I will." He answered. Knocking on the door alerted Kangl that someone wanted to speak to him. "We'll have to talk again later. Work, as usual."
"Alright love, take care."
"Good night Rana." Kangl bid farewell before closing the line.
Getting up from the table, the Salarian officer went to the table and opened his door. It was Saleon waiting outside.
"What do you want, Saleon?" Kangl asked.
"More of what I need. Arrange a security detail; I'll be making a trip off planet."
"Where to?"
"That is none of your concern." Saleon deadpanned.
"It is when you're taking my soldiers away from to do whatever you're doing which are not going to be my orders." The Salarian officer challenged.
"The Dalatrass will hear of you challenging her authority!"
"The Dalatrass will hear the same thing I told you. Either give me details, or you get nothing." Kangl ended the conversation by closing the door and locking it behind him. Potentially challenging the Dalatrass' authority is a massive risk, but he's already getting sick of everything that's been going on lately.
Hell, he just wants to go home and have this war over with.
-000-
HNS Magnus Imperatri XII, In orbit over Alpani, September 27, 2192.
The Magnus Imperatri lineage of Dreadnoughts had always served as the flagship of the Turian Hierarchy's Navy. So it seemed fitting that when (formal) first contact was about to happen, the Magnus Imperatri was the ship to be bringing the High Primarch there. With the High Primarch, was Ambassador Nyx of the Diplomaticorps, as well as representatives of the Turian Dominions. With all the important political personnel present, they gathered on the bridge, where Fedorian gave a speech. Said speech was being broadcasted throughout Hierarchy space.
"Soldiers, Sailors, and fellow members of the Hierarchy; in a short few moments, we will be going through one of the most pivotal moments of perhaps our entire existence. It is important, for us as a commonwealth of nations and races, that we bring this Systems Alliance into our sphere of influence! It is important, lest the galactic newcomers fall into the clutches of the Citadel Council, and their backhanded and scheming ways."
Fedorian let the weight of what he had said settle in for a few seconds.
"These people we have discovered are an industrious people, who value hard work, and the truth. The Truth! It is what is lacking in this massive galaxy. For everywhere we look, every corner we turn, we are confronted with dishonesty, with lies, and moral bankruptcy!"
The High Primarch had to hand it to his head of propaganda, that man knew how to write a powerful speech.
"So while it may be important to ask whether some cluster or system belongs to the corrupt and manipulative Council, let us ask a more important question: does the future belong to the honorable, hardworking people of the Hierarchy?"
Some yells of agreement were heard from the small crowd that had gathered in the ship's bridge.
"Therefore this task of mine, of ours, is to invite the Human race into our fold; to form a bulwark against Citadel Totalism, for only by stopping the Council's hordes can we stop the strangling of the truth, justice, and the traditions we all hold dear! Make no mistake, our goal in this war is no longer to bring those few who shield criminals from rightful justice, neither is it the protection of one mere state, but the safeguarding of all the free nations of our galaxy and thereby the salvation of all! May the Spirits guide us in our struggle."
Cheers and clapping flooded the bridge as the High Primarch finished his speech. The bridge was eventually cleared by the ship's garrison, and all the crew were sent back to their stations. The Magnus Imperatri's navigator confirmed that trajectory was on course, and the bridge-captain ordered them to activate the Mass Relay leading into Alliance territory.
The die has been cast. For better or for worse, the galaxy will never be the same again.
-000-
Galactic News Update:
Colonial News Center: Several surprises were revealed in President Harper's public address this morning, the least of which was the existence of more than a dozen other races, inhabiting our galaxy. One such race is set to make an appearance in Arcturus station very soon. Details of our upcoming guest are as follows…
Hierarchy Official News: High Primarch Fedorian has recently left Hierarchy space for the first time since his tenure as Grand Marshall of the Hierarchy. The High Primarch hopes to bring the Human people into what he calls 'A Bulwark against Council Totalism'. While political observers may be skeptical about the Human Race's willingness to join our side, we must keep in mind that the Humans are a completely new species, and is by its very nature Alien to us. While many would draw the physical similarities between the new Humans and the Asari, it still remains to be seen how this new galactic player acts in the field.
Tuchanka Federal News: Once again displaying their cowardice, the Turians launched yet another secret raid on Council territory. This time, they launched their heinous attack in one of the hearts of Council civilization: the Salarian homeworld of Sur'kesh. Using their underhanded methods, the cowardly Turians snuck several ships through the Mass Relay network and savagely struck several military bases in cradle of Salarian civilization. Had it not been the timely arrival of SPECTRE agents Tela Vasir and our own Urdnot Wrex to lead the defense, there's no telling if the Turians would have started bombarding civilian housing. Said SPECTRE agents are said to be receiving commendations from the Dalatrass Circle of the Salarian Union sometime soon, to reward their bravery in defending the Salarian homeworld.
-000-
Author's Notes:
I got a few slow days on my internship and decided to write this while waiting. If things keep up the way it is, I might be able to make a few more rapid-fire updates.
So I've started watching some documentaries of both World Wars in my spare time, as well as binge watching The Great War Youtube channel. It got me to realize that I've been slacking way too much in regards of the political sphere. I mean, I did mention them every once in a while, but they've always been as a 'side dish' to the 'main course'. While I've been touching the political section a bit more, I hadn't realized how much it really should've mattered to the story. This is why I'm going to be going a lot more in depth in the different political systems of the different races.
Also, some of you may remember that in Chapter 21 (Know Thine Enemy) I wrote that Quentius found it questionable on moral grounds that the Alliance was teaming up with the Batarians. While I originally wrote this down as him seeing things with his worldview, I've decided to expand this as the influence of war propaganda, something that we'll be seeing a lot more of soon.
If you guys can think of any way I can improve, let me know. I'm generally open to suggestions, those that are within reason at least.
As always, thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your day.