NOTE1: Greetings! This chapter took longer to publish than I wanted. I always revisited it to edit a few parts… well, I still get that hunch but I bring it to you in its state. This would have been a never ending cycle of editing every time I felt like I was ready. Not much for Ch 12, but I hope you enjoy it :D

Chapter 12: Frailty

The Human is a most interesting individual. I have had a few Human customers pass my establishment's doors since contact with them. Some were much more intriguing than others. I have seen in them the potential for the astounding and unimaginable. But also for the ultimate destruction, what they are willing to do to protect what they hold dear. And what they'd do to the one responsible for the loss of their loved ones.

One thing that stands out is the Human's desire to win and conquer. There is an ambition and a fire burning in them. I have seen their thoughts about the Citadel and the galaxy. They were awed by the Citadel and that sparked a fire in their minds and hearts, a burning passion to have it for themselves; contrary to what we were expecting – to provoke a feeling of humility and leniency.

I realized then that I witnessed images of grandeur and of conquest. I realized that the Council is at a greater risk than during the Rachni Wars and Krogan Rebellions. These people aren't simple brutes who charge head on or genocidal insects. They are intelligent, compassionate and absolutely ruthless if needed. We have firsthand witnessed their skills honed for conflict and it sent tremors throughout our military.

We must tread carefully with this species, for they have the intellect to outmaneuver us, the patience to outlast us in the long run, and the belligerence to grind their foes into dust.

I will end my report by quoting a famous figure in Human history, a quote I've read in one of their thoughts during the meld. A people's sayings and quotes says a lot about them. And so does this: Veni, vidi, vici. I came, I saw, I conquered.

(Agent Consort's report to Asari Military Intelligence, Personal notes)

Earth, London Alliance HQ

1st November 2157

"Leonard, stand still for a damn moment," a 24 years old Averescu heard the voice of the same woman who was neatly arranging his uniform not long before the ceremony. "You'd think that they'd drill it into you to look better than this."

"Dammit Ana, you sound just like Kat," the officer said back to his sister as she patted him on the shoulders.

"She'd be so proud if she saw you today like this," Ana said with a glint of sadness in her voice. "Come on, baby brother. I know she's watching you right now. Go. After the ceremony we'll go have dinner in the evening with Michael," she told him and waved him away with a smile on her lips.

A ceremony in memory of every man and woman, in uniform or not, who died during the Insurrection a few years ago was being held in major cities all around Alliance space. The ceremony in London was going to unfold in the large courtyard of the Alliance Headquarters here. Soldiers, Marines and sailors were standing at attention in the middle. Each of them in their unique colors – blue and a little black for the Navy, black for the Marine Corps, and green for the Army.

The civilians were seated closer to the gardens of the courtyard. It was a warm autumn late morning and the trees were shedding their leaves every so often when the wind blew. Averescu was in the second line of the small parade block representing the Navy.

He glanced over the civilian stands to make sure his older sister was there. Ever since he got news of his girlfriend's death in 2154 he was trapped in a downwards spiral of emotions. But his sister was always there to comfort him. He'd give anything to see Katerina alive and well. If only she didn't join the Corps…

The fanfare began to play traditional military music for the opening as high ranking officials filed onto the stage.

"Hey, isn't that Hackett?" Averescu heard the person behind him ask.

"Where?"

"There, by Vice Admiral Hirata's side."

"Holy hell, sure looks like him."

"Damn, wish I'd be Rear Admiral at his age. Guess he's the second Grissom."

"Shut up, idiot. You can barely keep track of your designated station and you want to be Rear Admiral?"

"I'd like to see you pull the kind of maneuver Hackett did at Hermes Xi against those rebels."

"Shut the fuck up, boys!" an angry Marine hissed at them from the Marine block on their left. Averescu turned his attention to him. He saw a person about the same age as he was, maybe two or three years older. He had big scars on the right side of his face, mainly in a circular manner around his eye which was definitely artificial. It was a younger Zaeed Massani.

After a few minutes of fanfare, the music died and the highest ranking person took the word. It was Vice Admiral Hirata Yasuko.

"It's been three years since the conclusion of the bloody strife known as the Insurrection. We have collectively shed blood, paid in lives for a greater and better Humanity. When we thought that we were a strong nation, rebel and traitorous elements both to the Alliance and Humanity manifested themselves on the colonies of Kharak and Eternium.

But, just like our revolutionary forefathers of the 21st century, we were able to overcome those criminals who didn't mind if they killed thousands of children and mothers, if they took thousands of innocent lives in their struggle to divide us for their personal ambitions.

We have gathered here today to remember every brave man and woman who made the ultimate sacrifice for a united Humanity. To remember the sailors who died in the cold void of the space, the soldiers and Marines who bled in the deserts of Kharak and in the cities of Eternium."

As the female Vice Admiral of Japanese origin finished her opening speech and made way for a Brigadier General of the Marine Corps to say a few words, all hell broke loose.

It began with a cracking sound specific to super high velocity bullets. A sniper just took a shot at somebody in the vicinity. Then gunfire at one of the entrances to the courtyard. Civilians were panicking while the people with military training were going into combat mode. Averescu reached for his sidearm, an M10 pistol, and pulled it out.

"Get down!"

"Alliance Intelligence Counter Terrorist unit, everybody get down!" a loud voice said. Men geared in the characteristic black armor set of Alliance Intelligence poured into the gardens from the backstage. They held their rifles aimed at the crowd, looking for somebody. They filed through the civilian stands and were converging on a spot somewhere in the last row.

In the last row was a man wearing gardening clothes, Harper's Commodities was written on his clothes. Probably one of the people whose job was to maintain the gardens of the London Alliance HQ. Harper's Commodities is one of the many companies founded by Jack Harper's father, the latter inheriting his father's business empire. Said company was well known Alliance-wide and provides house work services.

"Liberty or death!" said man cried out loud.

Some civilians from the front rows were being evacuated. But none were too fast. For in an instant, the stands went up in flames. That day, Leonard Averescu watched his older sister burn to death. His only family left. He was again unable to do something, just like when his girlfriend took a bullet to the head and he wasn't there to save her. But he was here now. When Leonard threw himself with his sister in his arms into the small pond in a dire attempt to save her life, it was too late. He would find out a week later from his would-be brother-in-law that his sister was pregnant. Leonard howled in emotional pain way more than from the pain felt by the burns on his arms, the latter rather feeling numb compared to the former.

SSV Atlantia, QEC room

Second Fleet, Eridani System

Present day

"Yes, sir. I have effectively ordered the cessation of offensive operations against the Citadel Council member governments," Hackett reported to the president. "I've recalled Mikhailovich's forces that were raiding Salarian shipping lanes and opportunity targets. I've recalled Radovid's task force from progressing further into enemy space. His new orders are to consolidate any gains made and start evacuating the Army units who are occupying Usmenia."

"And the attack on the Turian home system?" Montgomery asked. He had relocated to Arcturus from Earth as soon as he heard about the Turian ambassador wishing to discuss a ceasefire.

"Halted. The Normandy is on her way to Arcturus to drop off enemy hardware and to change her nuclear arsenal. She's still going to exchange her few Sunburst and most Shiva nuclear warheads with the Apocalypse missiles. Should things go south, we will have her on standby to destroy Turian shipyards, fuel refineries, fuel depots, supply stations and what else she can find worth nuking in Trebia System."

"Good thing it never came down to the second part of your offensive operation," Montgomery sighed. "Ambassador Goyle should start negotiations with the Asari diplomat at Magna soon. Hopefully we can conclude this war sometime soon."

"Don't sound apologetic, mister President," Hackett told him. "It wasn't us who went looking for a fight. They attacked Shanxi and we responded to that aggression. There is nothing we should feel bad about. Now that they came to us asking for a truce is in our advantage. I just hope you will secure us a good standing on the political scene."

"You do know that I and Representative Koris were planning to send Goyle and Zorah to the Citadel, right? If they didn't come, I wanted us to go to them before we blew this into a war of extinction."

"I wouldn't have gone that far, but I see your point and agree with you, sir. My duty is to defend Humanity with weapon in hands if worst comes to fruition. Yours with the pen," Hackett added.

"True. Alright, Fleet Admiral. Thank you for your time. I have Director Harper on another line with further events that require my attention. Please keep me posted," Montgomery said. Hackett saluted him before his image disappeared from the QEC projector.

Hackett stepped off the QEC small platform that picked his image to display somewhere else. He had yet another meeting with Casiade and Singh to attend where they'd analyze their current standing. Hackett took a break of 10 minutes from constantly giving orders, analyzing the current theaters of operations and coordinating the Navy accordingly.

"Sir?" he heard a feminine voice. Hackett opened his eyes to meet the Atlantia's Captain. She was offering him a cup of coffee.

"Thank you, Captain. Really needed it. I wonder if Grissom had it this hard in his days."

"Raising a kid as big as the Alliance Navy back then certainly wasn't easy. But our job's never easy."

"Indeed…" Hackett admitted and rubbed his chin and face to feel how much his facial hair had grown. He felt the scar on his right side and remembered the day he got it. Many innocent folks died that day because of the AIC's incompetence.

Serpent Nebula, Widow System

Citadel, Turian Embassy

"The nerve on that man…" Sparatus cursed as he recounted his conversation with Flavian. The proud Turian representative on the Council just got a mouthful from an advisor. An advisor! Basically, Flavian told him in a professional yet salty way that he must bring the news to the Council about the ceasefire, forward them all necessary documentation and successfully engage and conclude the negotiations for a lasting treaty with the Alliance and the Republic. In the event of failure, Primarch Fedorian would use his political power to get rid of him as a Councilor and appoint him a shitty post. If he isn't found guilty of derelict in the line of duty.

True, Fedorian had more political power and influence than Sparatus. But that didn't mean that the Councilor didn't have support within the ranks of the military. There were a few generals and admirals who backed him up. No, Sparatus would comply for now with the orders.

'Just when everything was going well…'

Sparatus met his colleagues in the Turian Embassy. Ever since Fedorian told them that Ambassador Quentius was on his merry way to broker peace, Tevos found herself spending more and more time in the Turian Embassy. And Valern had to go there too if he wanted to meet his colleagues since they spent most of their time there than in the Council Chambers.

"Tevos, Valern. Ambassador Quentius was successful. He signed a peace treaty with the Humans and Quarians," Sparatus announced.

"Thank the Goddess!" Tevos muttered a silent prayer too.

"Here, have a look on this," Sparatus offered the two a datapad each with the document in digital form.

The Asari and Salarian Councilors read the document. Tevos developed a frown when she read the clause stating that the Hierarchy will not give military aid to the Republics and Union in case the conflict would go on. But she was more than happy to see that Quentius, being the good and smart man he was, had the enemy agree on halting offensive operations. The Hierarchy was taking one more step towards diplomacy rather than military response.

"Must personally congratulate Ambassador Quentius for his work," Valern said.

"Primarch Fedorian allowed Irissa passage to Magna so she can take it one step further. The Humans have returned Admiral Eudorian to the Hierarchy," Sparatus further added. He bit the part where he wanted to say "so we can question him on his incompetence to subdue this race."

"What is Primarch Fedorian planning to do?" Tevos inquired.

"Now he should be in a session with the military summit he summoned. STG Commander Jonis and Matriarch Lidanya arrived at Palaven Command hours before the summit."

"Councilors!" they heard a Turian's voice. The three turned to see Executor Venari Pallin of C-Sec approaching them.

"What is it, Executor?" Sparatus asked.

"Bad news. A large group of Asari protesters have occupied by force the Edroki Plaza and the entrance to the Council Central Archives on the Zakera Ward. C-Sec there have been unable to stop them," Pallin reported.

"What? How in Spirits name aren't you able to control a group of civilians, Executor!?" Sparatus inquired.

"Local commanding officers refused to use force, Councilor. I gave them permission to use force to clear the Plaza and the Archives entrance. They refused," Pallin answered.

"Use force? Executor, your job is to protect the citizens, not harm them needlessly," Valern pointed out.

"Still, we must do something. Edroki Plaza is a major commercial hub and most commerce and transactions there have been paralyzed by the angry protesters. Companies have closed their doors and stationed their own security forces to protect their central headquarters from possible looters and vandals. Unless we want the gangsters to make an appearance in force we must do something about it."

"What's the situation at the Archives?" asked Tevos.

"C-Sec forces charged with guarding the Central Archives have sealed the entrance to the second level and have put up barricades. They're using riot suppression gases to drive the mob out of the first level. I request permission to dispatch forces to Zakera Ward from Bachjret Ward to assist in dispersing the protesters."

"Are they protesting in regards to the war?" Tevos' calm voice asked.

"Yes. It should appear on Citadel News too. Those aliens' public declaration instigated the civilian population to unrest and open protests. They're demanding the Council takes action regarding the situation, least we see them in open riots all across the station," Pallin said.

Tevos sighed. There were protests on Thessia and other Asari colonies too. And they were threatening to degenerate into riots with the word out there that Human forces have captured Usmenia and are threatening to occupy Lessus too. Not to forget the brazen raid on the Parnitha System. The Asari population was scared and felt somewhat backstabbed. Montgomery did well to portray the Council as the warmongers and Harper's plan was giving results. "When sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them."

"Executor, please prepare a detail for Zakera Ward. I will take two SPECTREs with me and address the people in the streets," Tevos said as she got up.

"What are you doing, Tevos?" her Turian counterpart asked.

"I'll tell the people what they want to hear," she clarified and walked out of the Embassy.

"Executor," Valern called to get his attention. "I'd like to come to C-Sec HQ on the Presidium to better analyze the situation."

Pallin looked at him for a moment before replying. "Uhm, sure. Follow me, Councilor."

Valern's real purpose was another one.

Palaven, Cipritine

Palaven Command HQ, Military summit

Inside the huge bunker that served as Palaven Command's headquarters a meeting was taking place. One summoned by Primarch Fedorian to consult with representatives of his allies regarding the newly arisen Human and Quarian threat. The Hierarchy had contingencies on how to deal with the Quarians previously to their disappearance. But with the Migrant Fleet now gone in some unknown parts of the galaxy for a few months, with no knowledge on its new capabilities, on its logistical support, on its deployment, the contingencies had been nullified.

Turian officers and aides were representing the majority numbers-wise. Fedorian was present. So was General Septimus Oraka, an aging military commander who was thinking about retirement in the following years. Representing the Asari Republics was Matriarch Lidanya. She wasn't the happiest person when her superiors sent her on a very short notice to Palaven from the Citadel. Representing the Salarian Union was STG Commander Napol Jonis, one of the highest ranking officers of the STG.

"Let us take a look at our situation," Fedorian started the meeting after introductions and greetings were over. "So far, the Hierarchy is in no immediate danger of being attacked due to the ceasefire our ambassador was able to obtain, and due to our fleets having quarantined the sector of space that contains Magna and Relay 130, the only known route into Citadel space from Relay 314 where the Humans were discovered."

"Obviously not only route," Jonis said. "They found an alternate route that circumnavigates the Relay 314 – Magna – Relay 130 corridor and attacked the Asari Republics and the Union. Either there is such a way, or these Humans actually developed an alternate form of FTL that doesn't require the use of Mass Relays."

"Eezo is the only-" Oraka began when he was cut off by the STG Commander.

"Didn't say independent of Eezo. Just that it doesn't require the use of Mass Relays. The possibility exists for it being a very advanced Eezo based FTL drive, but few available readings on Human vessels seem to contradict that theory. We detected a very low Eezo spectrum on their ships when compared to Citadel vessels."

"The fact remains that our fleets are unable to counteract them if they can drop out of FTL wherever they want," Lidanya added. "The Republics have considered the same scenario Commander Jonis briefly presented. We're using asteroids, derelict ships, remains of stations and satellites, anything, to build bubbles of debris around strategic locations."

"You Asari have witnessed firsthand how tough their dreadnoughts are. Its barriers would resist against impacts at FTL speed on debris," Oraka said.

"But other lesser ships wouldn't. That will leave the dreadnought much more vulnerable without its escorts," Fedorian continued and got a nod from Lidanya.

"Risky strategy based on the assumption that they are traversing the void in real space FTL," Jonis stated.

"Are you suggesting something, Commander?" Fedorian asked politely.

"The possibility exists that they're not using FTL in real space. Again, it's lacking evidence, but the possibility exists. We know too little about the aliens to draw conclusions."

Fedorian sighed. "Our strategic locations are heavily defended both by ships and a dense grid of weapon platforms. I am confident that they'd hold just enough for reinforcements to arrive. Last thing we want is the aliens crippling our industry, economy and military with surprise attacks."

"Either way, it's more than worth noting that our tactics are rigid. I have been in a session with the Asari military matriarchs and they refuse to acknowledge that the galactic naval doctrine is too rigid. We have a very slow response time to threats, as if we still have weeks to prepare for it," Lidanya said. "We are no longer fighting the Krogan here."

"Indeed. The Krogan didn't make use of discretion when preparing for battle. They massed forces in open sight of the Council during the Rebellions and we had time to prepare for it," Fedorian admitted. "By going over what we witnessed happen in the past two weeks, I believe that renovation of naval tactics are in order. We need a much more fluid defense. That's why I wanted the Citadel Joint Fleets to be reformed into a rapid response and mobile force."

"Such change will take time to implement, Primarch," Lidanya noted. "What intelligence do we have on them so far?"

A projection was brought up. It showed profiles of Alliance ships as recorded by Quentius' ship with its retrofitted passive surveillance systems. The first thing they saw was the small frigate. A Turian intelligence officer took the word.

"We have identified this ship to be of the frigate analogue. It looks like it boasts a spinal large caliber cannon for a frigate. We believe that they don't fire mass accelerated rounds at high velocities, but they're still a vessel to be reckoned with if the raids on Salarian shipping lanes are anything to go by."

"Vessel very quick. Must have thin armor," Jonis said.

"Indeed. They seem to have missile tubes too on their dorsal sides. We have also been able to identify AA mounts on them. Low AA rating forces us to deduce that they're susceptible to disruptor torpedo attacks from very long range."

Then a presentation of a destroyer replaced the frigate.

"This ship falls in the category of light cruiser. Like the frigate analogue, this has a spinal projectile based high caliber cannon. It has heavier armor compared to the frigate, as you can see here…" he highlighted sections of the ship, "and here… it has additional plating mounted on its standard hull. It's mostly concentrated on the front of the ship than its rear. They could lead the charge and take a punishment if that is their role. But they're quick too for the rather heavy armor they seem to boast for a light cruiser."

"A fight between these light cruisers and our frigates would be a massacre according to our simulations," Septimus said. "Our frigates can win only if they outnumber these ships by an order of 4 or with cruiser support."

The image was replaced by an Ares-Class cruiser. It was put side by side with the destroyer. Fedorian watched his colleagues' reactions. Lidanya had her big eyes wide open as she took the details. Jonis was hard to read, his Salarian face perfect for a Skyllian Five card game.

"This is a light dreadnought analogue…"

"Like those the Hierarchy built and maintains, the 'pocket dreadnought'," Jonis quickly said.

"…Armor-wise, we can't tell much. Just that it can take a beating from an Asari cruiser as seen in the raid on the Parnitha System. Their main gun is, as you all know, energy based or particle based. They are extremely dangerous. Only a ship of similar size or higher can efficiently take it down according to simulations. And that is with damage taken by our ship. They have heavier AA coverage and a potent secondary armament, most likely designed to counter lower classes."

The Spirit-Class battleship appeared next.

"This is their mainstay dreadnought. It measures up to 1,500 meters in length, longer than any regular Citadel dreadnought, with armament to match its size. From what scans and visual data we gathered, we identified a projectile based spinal cannon AND an energy or particle based one. The armor looks quite tough and it's safe to assume that their barriers are formidable. So far we have identified at least 21 of these vessels in Asari space and at Magna. They're a tough opponent but overwhelming them in simulations gives us the victory. Keep in mind that these simulations have been run based on the little data we were able to uncover and most of it are assumptions."

"There's still those behemoths of ships, larger than two kilometers," Lidanya said. "They seem to lack main armament and they act as a support platform for strike craft."

"Although a seemingly useless concept, it has destroyed an Asari dreadnought and severely crippled another," Fedorian said. "This new concept of vessel fundamentally changes everything we knew of naval warfare."

"Indeed. We have nothing to effectively counter it. One wonders how the Humans came with that concept. I assume they have had plenty of experience with the ship. Maybe cultural experience?" Jonis theorized.

"It pales in comparison to the monster that we've seen at Magna," Fedorian said and nodded to the officer. He brought up the image of SSV Sirius, the Reach-Class Fleet Carrier that acts as the flagship of the Third Fleet.

"Goddess!"

"Quite troublesome indeed… this nullifies the theory of these aliens relying on Eezo technology. Sizes and variety of vessels clear sign of a belligerent race. Must not underestimate."

"There's also one astounding detail than could prove game changing in naval engagements," Lidanya said and got the full attention of everybody present. "Our ammunition."

"What of it? Please explain what you mean to say," Fedorian demanded of her.

"We have fought them most and have the most data on their ships. Their armor's tough. No denying there. Advanced titanium alloys. And it's thick. Our mass accelerator shipboard cannons fire shells that flatten on impact and expand to deliver their kinetic energy on a higher surface and tore off chunks of hull plating. That exposes the interior and causes violent atmospheric ventilation. Their main cannon shells are similar, but they don't flatten. They penetrate armor. A similar case can be seen when we're looking at their secondary batteries. The shells fired are of an armor piercing variety. They go through our hull and penetrate up to a few decks before they detonate some high explosive payload. This deals further damage in that it leaves an opening from where the ship vents air and the explosion further damages the interior," Lidanya explained.

"I see your point, Matriarch. We could develop an armor piercing slug for our mass accelerators, you mean?" Jonis inquired.

"Indeed. It might take some time, but it's vital if we want to punch through that thick hull plating. We can't add much armor to our ships because it would raise Eezo consumption. An armor piercing shell with a delayed flattening effect would be fantastic."

"Indeed. Any word on Admiral Eudorian?"

"We still have to wait for Admiral Eudorian's return so we can debrief him and gain any insight from a commander who's been in a large scale battle with them. His experience will give us a better understanding," Fedorian said. What he and the others didn't know yet is that Eudorian was removed from command prior to the battle and confined to the brig. "Has the STG been able to break through their cyber defenses? Any luck in that field?"

"Unfortunately not. The few attempts we made were futile. The crews of our electronic warfare crafts reported a formidable cybernetic and electronic warfare defense suite on the enemy ships. Attempts to hack one of their dreadnoughts has resulted in the loss of our ship. I theorize there might be AI involved or extremely advanced VIs," Jonis said.

The possibility of the Humans using AIs was very disconcerting. That had them thinking for a few moments.

"While I don't deny the possibility, I consider it unlikely," Oraka forwarded his opinion. "The Quarians hate AIs. If these Humans have them… I don't see how things would work out between the two. Even up to the point of a military alliance."

"You can't afford the luxury of principles when your race is being pushed to the edge, Septimus," Fedorian added.

"Well said, Primarch," Lidanya approved. "Who is to say that it wasn't the Quarians who made them? I think SPECTRE Vasir and the STG team assigned to her during her investigation came up with the possibility."

"Indeed. Pirate ships in the Traverse were hacked flawlessly. Possibility of AI existence very high," the Salarian spoke. "And the breach of extranet security protocols hints at the same possibility."

"We'd need to stretch our forces way too thin to conventionally hold off the initial onslaught against them," Oraka admitted. "I believe it would be time to call on the races with no seat on the Council to raise military funds and free some of our patrols so we can use them somewhere else."

"That is something we will have to bring up in the Council. It's a very sensitive matter with the Batarians. And one just as delicate with the Elcor after the Council's…" came Fedorian's voice who held back a few bad words about the Council regarding their method of dealing with the Elcor after the incident that involved them, the Quarians and several Turian warships.

"Why wait for them to strike?" Jonis asked. "Why don't we strike with a powerful fleet if hostilities rekindle?"

They considered it for a moment. The holographic projection brought up the little info they had on that sector of the galactic map.

"We know too little about their space. No star charts, nothing. I thought the Salarians didn't go in blind..?" Lidanya questioned.

"Sometimes we need to adapt. I believe the Council will integrate them into the Citadel species in the following years and they will share their maps with us. But if it doesn't happen and war rages on we must take action. A powerful push through their Mass Relay network will eventually lead us to key locations of strategic value. It'd be a great undertaking, but it is the only feasible way to have them focused on defense."

"It's enough for a few ships to slip past our defenses to hit us where it hurts. But the Commander's proposal is the only feasible one I see if worst comes to fruition," Oraka said. "But we need to be careful and not leave the Terminus borders undermanned."

"The only ways into Citadel space is through the Illium corridor and through the Traverse. We can blockade the main Relay nodes who link to the Traverse and hold any Terminus incursions at bay," Fedorian came up.

"Some colonies will be left at risk of attack, with no ship to defend them if we focus in a few focal points," Oraka pointed out.

"We can't win everything," Fedorian stated. "If we have the time, we will deal with the Terminus threat. They've been a thorn in our sides for too long. The Hierarchy was considering for a while now to establish advanced fortifications along the Attican Traverse – Terminus border. That way we will secure the Traverse and start colonizing it without too much trouble from pirates. That'd also put the Hegemony into place and we could use those fortifications as staging points against Terminus warlords."

"Wise to keep secret until now. The Republics would've vehemently opposed it. Maybe the Dalatrasses too."

"Only military can truly understand us…" Lidanya sighed. "Politicians…How are the Krogans factoring in?"

"Urdnot Wrex is slowly but successfully bringing the clans of Tuchanka together. Unless we do something about it, we will have a much more dangerous Krogan race on our hands. We don't know Wrex's ultimate goal," Jonis said.

"The Krogans are years away from any significant threat to our security. They can't even afford a war due to the genophage's effect on them. For the time being I suggest the STG keeps an eye on them and if we see signs of heavy arming we will step in," came Fedorian's confident voice on the matter. "So, are we in agreement with the aforementioned strategies?" he asked and got affirmative replies.

"Good to hear. Let us already form a fleet within striking range of the Relay 130 – Magna – Relay 314 corridor. I trust that you will bring this up to your governments and military high command. General Oraka here will be the Turian liaison to this effort. He's got a good record on large scale multispecies operations and logistics. Please keep in touch with him. And let the politicians worry on how they'll get the client races to mobilize and gear up. This concludes our very first session. We'll reconvene after a break to discuss details."

Fedorian fell into his seat after Lidanya, Jonis and others left the room. Oraka was about to make a move for the door too when the Primarch's voice stopped him.

"Septimus…"

"Yes, sir?"

"What is your take on this?" Fedorian asked. "On this whole mess."

"Honestly sir, it shocked me when I watched the alien… president's rant. We are at a severe disadvantage. Without intelligence on them… we are in a very bad position. They have the Quarians' star charts and know every location of interest to us while we know next to nothing about them," Oraka stated in a professional manner. "But that isn't something we don't know already. I have spent some time around Asari officers and the way Lidanya was talking… well, her superiors won't fancy the idea of a joint fleet. If anything, they will try to defend their space. They're scared. We can rely on the Union for some spy work, but I don't know what the Dalatrasses will say. Jonis recognizes the threat and what should be done, but he's acting on orders from their leadership. And, dare I say, your arguments with the Citadel since that incident with the Elcor, Quarians and the Eezo deposits only strained relations between the Hierarchy and the other two Council races."

"And I was right," Fedorian said. "I don't love the Quarians, but neither do I hate them. The Republics and Union, through the Council, abused its powers with those sanctions on the Courts of Dekuuna. Then they had to send a thousand warships looking for them… 500 Turian vessels, one being a dreadnought, lost…"

"What also concerns me just as much is if Desolas really started this. And why Eudorian didn't stop him."

Fedorian tapped with a talon on the table. "I think we should grant Quentius that investigation he told me about… For a decorated general like Arterius to go against our principles and rules… It certainly isn't comforting me when I think that there might be more than it meets the eye," the Primarch told Oraka, his mind going into suspicions and remembering Flavian's story about possible hostile elements within the Council echelons.

SDSV Ocean Princess, Conference room

Close to the Magna Mass Relay

Ambassador Irissa of the Asari Republics and negotiator for both the Republics and Union found herself face to face with a fuming Anita Goyle and a rather calm Rael'Zorah. She had to face an extremely angered Averescu earlier that day who almost shot a Salarian on the accusation of being a spy.

Basically, the Salarian's usage of passive scanners and sensors mounted in his suit before leaving the Citadel was the last drop, the cherry on top of the cake for the Human officer. He was forced to play 'greetings committee' for a second time now. And when Irissa and her entourage went through the mandatory check-ups, just like Quentius, the scanners picked up her Salarian bodyguard's devices.

Averescu was furious and all hell threatened to break loose. His Marines had their weapons aimed at the Asari diplomat and her detail while the Rear Admiral had drawn his sidearm and put it against the Salarian's forehead. It was his XO, Commander Novitska, who defused the situation. Irissa could understand the man's violent reaction to the discovery of a spy among a diplomatic delegation who wanted to negotiate peace. No matter, Averescu had the Salarian put under arrest and locked in the brig of the Spirit of Fire, apparently pending trial. She cursed the idiots within the STG who thought this would be a great idea. On the other hand, Averescu will get a mouthful from Ahern and Hackett for his stunt.

"An extremely sour and counterproductive start, Ambassador Irissa," Rael began. "It's things like these that give us reasons not to trust your word for a ceasefire."

"I had no knowledge of this," Irissa tried to placate them. She genuinely didn't know, as one would conclude by the surprised look on her face when the flag officer pulled the gun on them. "I apologize.-"

"The Citadel Council itself will apologize in front of the whole galaxy, Ambassador," Goyle coolly cut her off. "Let me cut it short for you and present to you the situation. First, you attack us because we dare help a people in need!"

"That wasn't the Council's inten-"

"Second! Your SPECTRE and soldiers butchered civilians on Shanxi," Goyle said, not finished yet.

To that Irissa looked extremely offended. "I can h-"

"Vasir!" Rael said. The duo wasn't giving their Asari counterpart much of a chance to voice her thoughts.

"What?"

"Tela Vasir. And her Eclipse mercenaries. I didn't know that the Council employed mercenaries," Rael further provided. "That's a whole new level of scheming gone wrong…"

"Third! You masquerade a spy as a bodyguard? We're a patient people, Ambassador. But there's so much we will tolerate. The second was already past the tolerance level. The Alliance went to great extent to keep hidden the crimes committed by your forces. If the public finds out, they will call for blood in the streets. I strongly suggest you reconsider your next steps as a Council, Ambassador. If you wish for peace then I advise you to reconsider, least you invoke Humanity's wrath," Goyle pressed on. Rael didn't see her this fired up before.

After a staring contest, the two females seemed to relax a bit.

"Alas, we're here to find peace," Rael steered the dialogue towards its original purpose. "Ambassador Irissa, am I correct when I say that you're speaking for both the Asari Republics and the Salarian Union?"

"Indeed, Adm- I mean Ambassador Zorah. You are correct. The Council has empowered me to speak and negotiate a ceasefire in the name of all three governments. But seeing how my Turian colleague did a very good job before my arrival, I am left speaking for the Republics and Union," Irissa replied.

"Are there any terms you want to push forward?"

"We'd like to push for a basic ceasefire. The Turian Hierarchy already reached the points we wanted to bring forth and the only thing left for me is to formally conclude the bloodshed. However we would like Human forces to withdraw from Asari and Salarian space."

"That's one for the military. And it will have to wait until a peace treaty is signed," Anita replied. She got up and handed the Asari a Quarian made data chip with basic information on Humanity, the Systems Alliance and the Quarian Republic. "Before I forgot, please bring this back to the Citadel. If you excuse me, I will be back with the documents to be signed."

Irissa felt greatly insulted at how she was dismissed by the woman. She, a diplomat of the Asari race, the most advanced race in the galaxy, a diplomat here to broker a peace with the race who had the audacity to attack her home system, was barely acknowledged and shown proper respect by these upstart Asari imitations ever since she arrived.

"I apologize for my colleague, Ambassador Irissa," Rael'Zorah said in a calming tone while Irissa was focused on her own thoughts. "We will resume dialogue once she returns with the documents and we can move on to where higher level talks occur."

Aboard Turian diplomatic ship

En route to Palaven

Garrus was on his way home aboard Quentius' ship, the latter choosing to stay on the Asari cruiser which brought Irissa to Magna. The Hierarchy vessel was making a bee line for Palaven where it'd leave the two Turians, one an Admiral and the other a C-Sec detective.

Garrus was looking at the picture he'd taken with Shepard's team the day Montgomery made his public speech, a day before Shepard, Kaidan, Alex, James, Edi, Tali and Ashley left to fight his people. Last day of peace, first day of war.

Garrus was so caught in his own thoughts that he didn't hear Eudorian taking a seat near him at the table with a plate of food from the small buffet that Quentius had packed from the Citadel before leaving. A variety of dextro food was in his platter, from Palaven's sweetest fruits, to juicy raw vegetables and a reptile's meat.

"What you looking at there, son?" Eudorian asked.

Garrus shifted uneasily. He had finished eating the first good meal in a long time, not the Quarian paste he had to endure. As a former military man, he was used to the same food, tasteless and normally hard. But the paste was more like a soup. He shifted his attention to the older naval officer.

"Sir, apologies. I didn't notice you were here," he tried to change the suspect as he subtly closed his omnitool.

"It's alright," Eudorian asked as he bit from the meat. "Who were those aliens-"

"Humans," Garrus corrected.

"…the humans in that picture? I didn't meet many of them. Spent most of my time in a cell and in an interrogation room from time to time. Unlike you…"

"Buddies. And I didn't choose I stayed."

"I wasn't saying it an a bashing manner, young man. Heard about your story from Ambassador Quentius. Come on, tell me about them," Eudorian pushed.

Garrus opened his omnitool's interface and brought up the same picture. In the left side of the table where they were eating at the Galaxy Lounge restaurant on Arcturus Station was himself. Shepard was the next person with a burger in his left hand while the right one was giving a mock military salute. Ashley was more presentable than her CO, giving a sideway glance to the camera. Then it was Tali-

"That Quarian's without her mask!" Eudorian exclaimed. "How- Why isn't she wearing it? I heard their immune system isn't good."

Garrus chuckled. "She's Tali'Zorah."

"As in Admiral Rael'Zorah's daughter?"

"Yes… they're working on a permanent solution to their immune system and she was using the intermediary booster pills that day," Garrus explained. Eudorian could guess a hint of affection in Garrus' voice. "Anyway, the next one is Edi, an AI," he paused to see Eudorian's reaction which didn't come.

"What? I know about their AIs. Even spoke to one of them during interrogation. No point in losing sleep over that topic right now. Who's the other female?"

"Her name's Alex," Garrus replied. The brunette was smiling and giving the Vulcan salute. Next to her, Kaidan was looking like he was having a good laugh.

"What's with that grouping of her fingers? Is she trying to imitate a Turian hand?" Eudorian asked.

Garrus chuckled again. "No sir. That means 'live long and prosper' in their culture. Apparently it's a two centuries old salute from an early science fiction series of theirs. Shepard did mention Alex had a thing for old human media culture. The man next to her is Kaidan. Good man that one too. And the last one's James. He can give a Krogan a run for his money, that kind of a beast he is."

Eudorian checked James better. True, the shirt was rather tight on him. His light Mohawk was giving him a rebel's look. His shoulders were pretty big and an intensely worked physique was showing through his shirt. He looked tall too. Eudorian has seen Humans in armor or uniform, but none were coming close to the beefed up soldier in the picture. It helped James that he was an N7 and that N7s were given extra augmentations for increased endurance and strength. Nothing on superhuman levels, but an N7 was a tough nut to crack. The population didn't know this little detail and it was a state secret.

"My money's still on a Krogan," Eudorian jested. A short silence followed his words.

"Say Admiral," Garrus said and paused for a moment, looking for the right words, "why did you attack them? Why start this war?" and he turned to look Eudorian in the eyes.

The older man swallowed the food in his mouth. He felt offended but the lad didn't know the whole thing, so he could be pardoned.

"I didn't want this to happen," he started. "It was Desolas' and Vasir's screw up. I did my duty to the Hierarchy and the Council. But due to how Councilor Sparatus assigned seniority to us, I got outranked by Desolas when we found their planet. Nothing went well… I got removed from command, lost my ship… my crew, my soldiers…"

At the mention of Sparatus' name Garrus' blood seemed to flow faster through his veins. 'That bastard…'

"Hey, kid!" Eudorian said aloud.

"Huh?"

"You were spacing out on me. What got you so concerned?"

Garrus breathed in air and wanted to speak. To tell the older Turian what bothers him and what he suspects is going on. But he thought better and slowly exhaled the air from his chest.

"Nothing… I'm thinking about all those lives lost," he stated with a short pause. "They wanted to come out to the Council, Admiral. They genuinely wanted to meet us in a better light than the current situation. But the Council had to screw it up! Like they always do!" he said the last sentence with anger. Garrus stood up and slowly walked out. "Excuse me, Admiral. I want some time alone."

'The Turian Rebel…' Eudorian thought with a glint of glee. But his mind turned to its cynical side. 'The times, they're changing.'

CODEX UPDATE:

[C1] Jon Grissom

Jon Grissom (2035 – 2113) was a pioneer of human space exploration, the first Fleet Admiral of the Systems Alliance Navy, strategist and theorist of space combat, and a Rear Admiral of the United States Navy. He was the commanding officer of a United Nations small exploratory vessel in the early 2090s, the UNSV Interstellar (for the warship, see SSV Interstellar), and the commanding officer of the Alliance's First Fleet between 2108 – 2113.

Born in the United States of America in 2035, Grissom didn't distinguish himself as a child, being considered 'an average Joe' up until he decided to follow a military career in the Navy. He graduated from the USNA Annapolis and had a swift ascension through the ranks up until a scandal that had him stagnate for a few years.

When the United Nations called for explorers to chart the stars, Grissom immediately joined the program as a volunteer. After multiple interviews and examinations, he was given command of the UNSV Interstellar, a 150 meter long exploratory vessel equipped with the first generation of hyperspace FTL drive. Among others, Grissom and his crew are credited with the discovery of Horizon in 2092, and with the first expedition to the Orion Nebula in 2094 when they almost became stranded due to an FTL drive failure.

With the founding of the colonies of Eden Prime, Horizon and Terra Nova in 2102 and the formation of the Systems Alliance Armed Forces, Grissom decided to join the Alliance Navy along with his crew. He was given the rank of Rear Admiral and the command of a scout flotilla of 6 frigates.

Drawing inspiration from Earth's navies, Grissom theorized new tactics for the infant Alliance Navy. He is known for being the mastermind of the Summer Contingency, for theorizing the early blitzkrieg tactics in space based on quick missile frigates and carrier groups, the mobile planetary defenses (still in use with the planets without ODPs), and for his contributions to the theory of 'brother relays' (a theory used to determine whether a Mass Relay has a partner and the number of Relays it links to through various pinging tests and without activating it).

Jon Grissom was promoted to the rank of Fleet Admiral by the first president of the Systems Alliance, the first person to hold the rank, in early 2108 and given command of the First Fleet in late 2108. In 2110 he was appointed Chief of Naval Operations. He would hold the position until his death in 2113.

He is survived by two children, one son and a daughter, and five grandchildren. A statue was erected in his honor in Horizon's capital city in 2110, one on Arcturus Station in 2115, one at the Reach Naval HQ in the capital city of Bastion, one in his hometown, and one at London Alliance HQ. The Jon Grissom Naval Academy in orbit of the ocean planet Beta Gabriel, next planet after Reach from the star Epsilon Eridani, is named after him, as well as the carrier SSV Jon Grissom. Jon Grissom is one of the few recipients of the Star of Terra, highest military honor that can be bestowed upon a Human.

[C2] Leonard Averescu

Leonard Averescu (born in 2133) is a Rear Admiral of the Human Systems Alliance Navy, commanding officer of the First Heavy Recon Fleet, and acting captain of the battleship SSV Spirit of Fire. He is renowned through higher echelons for his efficiency when executing missions and the ruthlessness he employs. He became famous after first contact with the Migrant Fleet in 2180, for which he and his expeditionary fleet are credited.

Born in the city of London to a family of Romanian origin, he was a quiet and retreated child. As a teenager, he attended high school where he met the woman he got engaged with later on, Katerina, before being deployed during the Insurrection. Averescu joined the Alliance Naval Academy in London at the age of 18 where he followed the weapons mastery and tactical specializations. He graduated and was immediately deployed with the Ensign rank aboard the SSV Yashuman, a now decommissioned Alexander the Great class destroyer.

Averescu fought in the last year of the Insurrection, joining the fray a year later than his fiancée Katerina who was already serving as a Marine on Eternium. Her death would hit him hard. After the war, Averescu followed specialization courses at the Jon Grissom Naval Academy in new naval tactics revolving around the use of the new battleships. He would lose his only living family member in 2157 in a rebel terrorist attack at an Alliance ceremony in London. His sister's death caused emotional damage he'd never recover from, turning him into a workaholic for a few years as a means to escape grief.

Leonard Averescu served on several ships, in chronological order: SSV Yashuman, SSV Horatio Nelson, SSV Verdun, SSV Spirit of Luna, and last the SSV Spirit of Fire which became his command in 2172. He took part in multiple campaigns of the Systems Alliance against rebel elements, against piracy and alien threats during his career: the Insurrection (2154), Operation UNITY (2158 – 2159), Operation COAST GUARD (2162, 2164, 2166), Operation TORTUGA (2166), the defense of Rho Anchorage (2166), Operation RAZGRIZ (2173), the Alliance – Council War (2180), Operation PAYBACK (undisclosed date), Saren's Betrayal and the March through Terminus (undisclosed date), the Reaper War (undisclosed date).

He indiscriminately used nuclear ordnance (Shiva nuclear missiles) against the Turian fleet at Shanxi during the relief effort. Although criticized by Council officials and some people within the Alliance later on, his tactic paid off, as he saved Admiral Drescher's forces from being overpowered if the battle dragged on. His nuclear streak didn't end there, he maneuvered around the terms of the peace treaty signed between the Council and the Alliance to further justify deployment of nuclear weapons in his operations. One nickname that stuck with him is 'Averescu the Impaler'.

History remembers him as one of the cruelest Human commanders of the Systems Alliance Armed Forces, especially after the events that unfolded at Torfan, the cleansing of Khar'Shan, and the methods he employed during the fight against the Collectors and their allies. He lived up to his promise of "I'm gonna make the whole of Terminus howl!", as he mirrored the Unionist General William Tecumseh Sherman. He's also hailed as a hero by many who previously lived in fear of slavers and warlords, most of those being alien individuals.

NOTE2: Thank you for reading my latest chapter! Yeah, I know, not great :( but I promise the next one will be better. We get to see the higher level talks. Somehow I feel like I didn't live up to the chapter's name. I think I will edit this… no promises again. I will notify you in the next chapter if I edited or not.

NOTE3: Somebody suggested the treaty is signed on Arcturus. I wanted to talk to you in PM but you reviewed as a guest, so… won't really be happening due to obvious reasons. Sorry, mate.

NOTE4: Next chapter: More of the Normandy's crew, Alliance and Quarians prepare to leave for the Citadel, more thoughts and reactions from other factions to this new race as more comes to light, further behind the scenes work undertaken by corrupt Citadel officials and Fedorian grazes the surface of a huge conspiracy.

NOTE5: Don't forget to leave feedback!