8th Army Corps HQ, Thargora Thoraga, October 16, 2192.
Quin'Ra vas Rayya stepped off of her cargo shuttle and onto the landing platform as soon as the Turians outside had given her the all clear. Her assistants helped her offload several crates worth of supplies that the Turian military was more than eager to buy from the Migrant Fleet. Goods such as Dextro medical supplies, food, and cybernetics are in high demand in the Turian front lines, and the Quarian people aren't above selling them for large profits.
"Here you are commander, food, meds, and another 1000 sets of cybernetic limbs, as well as half a thousand pairs of eyes, though I don't exactly believe that these sets are going to be staying together for long." Quin said as she handed the Turian officer in charge the complete shipping manifest. The officer signed for the delivery on her omni-tool.
"Well, you're right on that point. Not that it matters though. The grunts here have gotten into personalizing their robo-limbs. Doctor Nyx says it's how they cope with loosing arms and all that, to give them some semblance of control over their fate." He explained. "Can't say I understand how that's works in detail, but if it keeps the troops happy, I'm happy."
Quin nodded as the commander lead her over to his desk where she would receive the approval documents for her payment, which was a massive load of raw materials in addition to the credits already wired to her account.
Over by the desk, was one of said crippled soldiers, and one of the medical staff wearing a blue coat was accompanying him. The staff member seemed to have a rather nasty looking scar on her throat, though Quin couldn't tell what got her that in the first place.
"Ah, Doctor Nyx, good morning." The commander said.
"Good morning as well commander." She replied. "Quin'Ra, it's good to see you too."
"The feeling is mutual, Doctor." The Quarian replied, recognizing the doctor.
"Ah, forgive my rudeness, this is Captain Lekh Kuril." The Doctor said thoughtfully, introducing the soldier she was accompanying. Quin noticed that the Kuril had a very basic prosthetic left arm, as well as missing an entire left eye. It would seem that the Turians really are desperate in this front; Kuril's left arm was nothing but metal rods and a claw!
"Good morning commander, good morning to you too Miss…"
"Quin'Ra" The young Quarian hastily told the Captain her name.
"Quin'Ra, yes." Kuril continued. "So you're the one who's been delivering our limbs huh?" Kuril casually asked.
"Yes, as well as extra food and medical supplies. I think you'll find the prosthetic arm my crew and I have brought to be of very high quality.
"Well, do these cyber-arms come with machineguns?" Kuril then asked.
"No. It's illegal to mount weapons and firearms on to prosthetic. Citadel laws." Quin answered.
"That's a shame, I know a lot of folks who would like having fallback weapons in their prosthesis. I mean, an extra gun is a lot more reliable than these short swords we're given after we finish training." The Commander remarked as he tapped the hilt of his sheathed blade mounted on his belt.
"Looks like you'll be getting that arm upgraded sooner than expected, Captain." The Doctor said.
"The sooner I get back to the front, the better. Only the Spirits know what madness Victus might pull off while I'm gone." Kuril replied.
-000-
Hall of Lords, Caldur City, Anhur, October 16, 2182.
Civil war might be completely detrimental for a nation, but in this particular case one party stood to either gain, or lose the most.
The slaves.
And nowhere was this more evident than in the cradle of the uprising itself. This was the situation that thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of slaves in the city found themselves in.
One in particular, a middle aged Asari matron 550 years of age by the name of Tala T'mai, brought herself to the provisional government's center to ask the most important question she had after a quarter century of slavery:
"Well, what now?" She asked the official that was meeting her.
"Plans are being drawn up right now to ship all of you back to Citadel space." The official answered. "We hate to have to use you people again, but the Commanders-in-Chief want to shore up support in Citadel space. The best card they can play right now are you people."
"Best card to play?" The Salarian accompanying her asked.
"Cards to play, like those old games that… eh, never mind." The official sheepishly said. Most of the former slaves still don't know about the Humans as of yet. His slip of tongue using a Human figure of speech was an accident.
Tala was relieved to hear that she wouldn't be pressed into any more work she didn't want. Half of her life was already wasted living in chains, so anything other than compelled labor is good news.
However, this brought about a concern.
She's been gone for over 250 years; a quarter of her projected lifetime. Tala doubted there would be anything waiting for her back in Citadel space, especially considering how she got stuck on this entire debacle in the first place.
Hesitantly, she asked the official.
"What if I don't want to go back?"
Her Salarian friend looked at her with widened eyes; the Batarian in the room wasn't surprised much. In reply, the official shook his head.
"Unless you're willing to stay and contribute to the war effort, you have to leave." He said. "We're barely making do with what we have right now, the Republic can't feed, much less take care of all of you."
"Why don't you want to leave? I thought you were eager to 'get out of here'?" the Salarian asked her.
"That was then, this is now. There's nothing back there waiting for me. Isn't there anywhere else I could go? Maybe the Asari enclaves in Turian territory would accept me!"
"We've already consulted them on this matter; the Turians are not taking in non-dextro refugees. Quarians only, and even then they're going to be shipped straight to the Migrant Fleet to…"
"Gather sympathy with their fellow dextros." The Salarian finished for the official.
"More or less. We also aren't shipping you to the Terminus for the obvious reasons." The official continued. "You'll just end up back with the Hegemony, and that's unacceptable both in moral terms and in practical terms."
"You don't want the Hegemony to get more workers on their manufactories, and you don't want to deal with the guilt of having us get caught again." The Salarian said.
"Basically put, yeah."
"So what other options do I have?" Tala asked again.
"Well, you're not the first one to bring this issue to us; there are a surprisingly large amount of people who feel the way you do. There is one more angle we can try to play, but we're not sure if we can get this through with them." The official now said, scratching his chin slightly.
"Get it through with whom?" Tala asked for details.
"Nobody you need to know at the moment." The official hastily said. "Right now, just know that we won't be deporting you anywhere for the time being." He continued as he got up and showed the pair their way out. "We'll get back to you when we have a breakthrough on your situation."
With that the two were sent on their way.
"Those last few remarks were rather… odd, wouldn't you say?" Tala asked her friend.
"Certainly! They won't send you back to Citadel space, they won't send you to the Turians and they won't let you stay here." The Salarian thought as he spoke. "Perhaps they're trying to send you to these new people I've been hearing about as of late."
"New people where? What am I missing here?" Tala now asked the Salarian.
"Oh, you haven't heard of the Humans yet?" the Salarian asked her in return, to which Tala responded by shaking her head. "Well then Tala, we better find someplace else to talk about this. You're in for a lot of surprise."
-000-
The Silver Office, Arcturus Station, October 18, 2192.
Ambassador Nyx is now having another one of his negotiation sessions with President Harper, this time with Representatives Zhao and Krotoshinsky along for the ride. Primarch Fedorian and a majority of the Hierarchy's delegation had returned to Turian space to resume their duties. This left Ambassador Nyx to continue the plight.
Because they have been approached by the Commanders-in-chief of the Batarian Republic on the matter, the group has agreed to discuss the situation and the implications of the civil war.
Zhao and Krotoshinsky were present because they lead the two largest political parties in the Alliance Parliament. Harper had pleaded to them to form a coalition government at the onset of the war. Graciously, they have agreed. For obvious reasons, Terra Firma and the Alliance Totalist Party have been left out of this meeting.
Joining them over the holographic communicator was the acting foreign minister of the Batarian Republic, Moth'omar.
"The situation with our supplies is growing bleaker by the day. We simply do not have enough food to supply our people for long. Rationing has already been enacted, but even then our situation is unsustainable in the long run." Moth told them.
"The Hierarchy will do what we can in regards to munitions and weaponry, but I'm afraid that regarding these refugees, we can't do anything." Ambassador Nyx told the Batarian foreign minister.
"Logically speaking," Zhao spoke. "The Alliance is going to be most qualified to take them in, so long as these refugees are a Levo bases species."
"We're already going through some rationing as well Mrs. Zhao." Harper brought in his opinion. "Massive military expansion means less people in the farms. Output's taken a massive hit, and taking in all these refugees are going to put even more strain or our supplies."
"I understand Mr. President, but taking in these people is going to be a massive boon for us in the long run." The Globalist representative defended. "By taking them in, we can secure ourselves a good image in the eyes of the galactic community."
"And what of our own communities?" Harper countered. "We have enough on our plate as it is. While I'm certain that these refugees are going to do wonders for external PR, it's going to be a nightmare for internal PR. I'd imagine the lesser of the Old Nations, especially those in Africa, are going to object to us spending resources on these Aliens, whilst we have trouble managing our own problems. We have to sort out our own rooms first, for lack of better words."
"Mr. President, I think I have a good solution to this issue." Krotoshinsky said.
"Well Mr. Representative, I'm all ears." Harper replied.
"For one, I agree with Mrs. Zhao on this matter. Taking in these refugees will be of great benefit to us."
"Thank you for that Krotoshinsky." Zhao said to the Polish representative.
"Yes, but I'm not sure you'd agree with what I have in mind." He continued. "My proposal is to filter out the freeloaders from the useful ones."
"Excuse me?" Zhao asked, rather confused.
"What I'm saying is that, we only take in refugees who are guaranteed to be useful. We should only take aliens who could help speed up our research, who could tell us about their technologies, who can tell us about how the Council works and how to take advantage of them, and most importantly, those who can assimilate into our society."
"That would exclude a great many of them! These people were slaves, Krotoshinsky, not scientists or socialites. I suspect that you thought of this exactly because it would exclude a great many, if not all of them." Zhao argued.
"Which is why I believe it is best that we filter as much of them as possible. Not all of these people are going to fit in and be useful to us. By only taking in those who are guaranteed to benefit us, we can spread the resources around much more evenly." The Polish politician argued back.
"An interesting proposal, Mr. Krotoshinsky." Harper said. "Anything you'd like to change from this, Zhao?"
"By only taking in a select few, we risk looking like we're profiteering off of the civil war, as opposed to actually trying to help." She thought up. "Perhaps by broadening the qualifications we can still filter out the 'freeloaders' as you call them, and the one you believe are 'beneficial'."
"Civil service." Harper suggested. "By having the refugees do a mandatory round of civil service, we can show that these aliens can function in our society, as well as show that we aren't just profiting from the conflict."
"Add military service to that, and I'm fairly certain you've got the Nationalist Party's vote." Krotoshinsky said, leaning into his seat.
"Optional military service, and yes, I also think the members of the Globalist party are likely to agree to this, even if it would take some persuasion."
"It's not going to solve our problems entirely, but it's a first step towards a solution. Thank you President Harper, my people owe you a great debt." Moth said after listening to the two heads of Parties reach an agreement.
"Keep your people's end of the bargain Minister, and we'll be on a run towards being even." Harper replied.
-000-
SPECTRE Corps HQ, The Citadel, October 18, 2192.
Wrex and Vasir had hit a dead end on their leads from the STG blacksite they had visited earlier. Whatever thing was being grown in those labs had been spirited away by the Turian Blackwatch operators that had rudely interrupted them. However, the SPECTRE Agents had been able to note down the equipment being kept at the raided lab. Things like DNA extractors, Biomaterial Synthesizers, a Cybernetics Fabricator, and also several growing vats. Vasir didn't like the implications of the STG actively using these kinds of machines; after all, extensive gene modification is extremely illegal. That was the conclusion she got from reviewing her notes again at least.
"If all that is true, *wheeze* then it is very disconcerting." The Volus Councilor, Bola, said over the communicator.
Wrex suggested that Councilor Bola was, at the moment, the only Council member they could trust. The Salarian and Asari Councilors were likely to be complicit in this. He reasoned that the two were so politically connected to other persons-of-interest that a scheme such as this should be known to them by now. The fact that they're not doing anything about it means that either they are in on it, or are turning a blind eye to it.
The equipment that the STG blacksite held was bleeding edge stuff, hard to purchase and very, very expensive. The fact that the SPECTRE's best Cybercrime Investigator, a Volus named Elow Jan, can barely find out how it ended up in their hands should tell how deep into the political minefield they're going to have to venture to get to the bottom of this.
"We are certain it is." Elow told the councilor. "There are only 30 Biomaterial Synthesizers of said model ever made. *wheeze* 27 of them are purchased by various research institutes around Citadel space, 1 of them was bought by the Okeer Clan in Tuchanka. *wheeze* 2 of them are currently undergoing repairs in the manufacturer's workshop, and those are owned by private research companies, still here in Council space."
Vasir now stepped forward.
"The ones being used in the Blacksite has the same registration numbers as the one being owned by a major Asari research institute in Armali." She said.
"That's T'soni territory, Benezia's sphere of influence." The Volus Councilor said.
"Exactly, and it's an open secret that Matriarch Benezia has Councilor Tevos under said sphere of influence." Vasir continued. "Frankly it's a miracle the rest of the Republics haven't pulled out of the war effort yet."
"I understand why you would approach myself, and only myself for this *wheeze*. Investigate further into this. I want more evidence before I want to do anything with these accusations. *wheeze* Just because these things happened where the other Councilors have their eyes and ears, *wheeze* doesn't mean they are involved." Councilor Bola now said.
"Yes sir." Wrex said. "Will you bring this to the Krogan Councilor?"
"No. *wheeze* Clan Gatatog are deep in bed with House T'soni. We'll keep this small for now."
"Understood." The SPECTRE Agents said.
The Councilor closed the line, leaving the three agents now by themselves. Vasir let out an exasperated sigh as she moved away from the communicator and onto a bench nearby.
"We're really deep in this one huh?" She asked Wrex, who gave out a loud chuckle.
"You did say this was potentially game changing." The elder Krogan mused.
"Not like this though. A plot implicating the Councilors is way more than I had expected. I just thought this was a rogue STG network needed to be put down, the usual deal you know?"
"*wheeze* It would seem the plot runs deeper than that." Elow said. The Volus was greeted with the confused faces of the other SPECTRE Agents in the room.
"I omitted some data from the Councilor earlier. *wheeze* There was a small link was also found leading to members of the Citadel Central Bank. Specifically, *wheeze* the one in Irune."
Wrex replied to the Volus.
"That's Turian occupied space. You think they're in on this too?"
"*wheeze* Inconclusive, the last few transmissions between them was three days after the Turian invasion of Irune began, a day before the sacking of the Central Bank, and the last one eight days later, right before we lost contact."
"That would make it two years ago." Vasir added.
"Yes. *wheeze* That is why I omitted it as I would rather get some more information on this matter than I have right now."
The Volus ended on that and excused himself out of the room, leaving Vasir and Wrex on their own.
"Well Vasir, I guess we did learn something about you today." Wrex quipped.
"What's that?"
"Your gut isn't one to be messed with." The Krogan finished.
-000-
Archive Update:
Excerpt from the book A Newcomer's Guide to Understanding the Asari by Tala T'mai, published 2204 by Harper Multimedia Co. in Alliance space, and 2209 by Independent Literary Society in Council and Hierarchy space.
"Despite being the oldest civilization to exist in the known galaxy, Asari society still clings to ancient tribalism regarding their allegiances to the city states, which evolved into the various political cliques or Houses as we called them. Unlike what most of you would think, Houses aren't limited to just one Lineage, as the different Lineages we've discussed earlier will most likely pledge their allegiances towards one of the Houses. For example, the Vasir Lineage has pledged their allegiance to House T'soni, which is the dominant House in Armali. This would align the Vasirs to T'soni's political goals. So even if a Vasir managed to enter a position of importance, such as Councilor Tevos at the time of writing, she would still be subservient to House T'soni's will.
This was the result of several millennia worth of political maneuvering and plots. While one could draw comparisons to the Turian or Human's allegiance to the state or nations back when they were still bound to their homeworlds, Asari plots and schemes can take a very long time to actually play out. A very long time, in this context, is not just years or decades, but even centuries if need be. Because of this, Asari politics can seem very static, add to that most Matriarch's dislike upsetting the status quo, then you have a situation where most of the major Houses have entrenched their influence and strangled out the lesser Houses. Another example from House T'soni would be the absorption of their ancient rival, House Ciala, some 12 centuries ago. After that, not many of the different Houses have made any major moves, instead opting to consolidate their own powers.
This is completely different to the Human political battlefield, where the different parties in the individual states of Earth are as dynamic as the political battlefield in the Alliance parliament. To an Asari such as myself, the rate at which these events happen can become dizzying at times. Even the United States of America, infamous with what is essentially a two-party state system, still has a more dynamic playing field than the political conflict between House T'soni and House Dantius."
Excerpt from The Great Powers and Total War by General John J. Shepard, published independently 2260.
"I think it's unfair that the Asari are touted as the 'French Alien'. They're always portrayed as always needing back up from their allies and are incapable of fighting on their own. Just through evaluating the Asari I have under my command, I disagree with these notions completely. Many of them are just as capable, as aggressive, and as ferocious as any Human, Turian, and Batarian Marine I've served with during the Reaper War. I do, however, think it is fair to say that the Asari high command, generally always looking fifty or sixty steps ahead in their plans, often fail to capitalize on new opportunities that pop out in the third or fourth. And this I believe is their greatest downfall. While the extremely long view Asari leaders often take is effective in a peaceful environment, this way of thinking can often be detrimental to you during war. Such inflexibility undermines your commander's ability to wage said war. Political ambitions have little to no place in trenches and foxholes; the fact that so many in the Asari high command have their own agendas should worry all boots on the ground. Their high command schemes against each other so much that it almost makes me pity them."
-000-
A/N:
Greetings fellows, tis' thy guy, Dovahcheese, backeth again with another addition of mine own story. In between mine damnation of life, I hath did manage to writeth down another chapter.
Nary has there been a tale more woe than of mine own life.
Bard Alexa, playeth thy lute to Despacito.
Alright, shitposting aside, things had been pretty hectic as of late, so I'm honestly really lucky that I've managed to even get to work on this. I hope this works.
In reply to one review by Admiral Sakai, yes I too did notice the last few chapters had been rather aimless, and perhaps it was a reflection of my current of life, I don't know. I'm sure that by the time society has devolved into reviewing fanfiction in English classes, some overexcited Sheffield born, blonde haired, chubby English Language teacher somewhere is going to dig straight onto the lack of direction as just that. I mean, the same thing totally didn't happen with an excerpt about sunlight and shadows in my highschool.
I've also done some more world building, this time for the Asari. Their society wasn't as well developed as I liked it to be in Mass Effect, so I've taken some personal liberties. After all, any society that has existed for as long as these 1000 year old chicks are, political cliques are eventually going to form up.
Anyways, I hope you like what I've written up so far. As always, review or send me what you think about this stuff so far.
Thanks for reading, and enjoy the rest of your day.