NOTE1: Greetings, everyone! I'm back with another chapter. I hope you will all enjoy it. Oh, and Prometheus-G747, check your inbox from time to time, mate!
NOTE2: Easter Egg for Battlestar Galactica coming right up! In reality, another blatant reference to the great series. And I'd like to ask you to read NOTE3 & NOTE4 at the end of the chapter for some general info on the plot. No spoilers, I promise.
NOTE2bis: Apologies if grammar mistakes slipped by. I'll make sure to read it once more after I post and correct them. I tend to spot the ones that eluded me after I post it. Thank you for your understanding.
Chapter 19: We're All Dreaming…
It could be said that Atelas Razea's dismissal from the military was one of the most stupid decisions taken by the Republics. If her own record is any indication, her way of thinking would have greatly benefitted the Asari military in the following decade. It was an ill made decision, solely based on the desire to find a scapegoat and a move by the matriarchs of Unified Fleet Command to oust what they perceived a major rival, what the Humans would call 'the odd one of the group'. A flag officer whose concern lied not just with the objective, but also with the people under her command. That political stunt filled her with great antipathy towards the Republics. And we can see the consequences of their decision in the following decade.
(Planus Photius, historian and director at Palaven Military History Museum, Interbellum: Politics of the Galaxy)
Dis System, Orbit over Jartar
SSV Ebony Star, 2163
The stealth destroyer operated mostly under orders of the Alliance Intelligence Command, the Ebony Star, took position in high orbit over the planet Jartar. Stealth systems were engaged the moment they dropped out of hyperspace in the far outer reaches of the solar system. They had been going at sublight speed ever since, only entering the atmosphere of the gas giant Raysha to vent accumulated heat without giving their position to any possible watcher.
The 420 meters long Ebony class stealth destroyer was the newest class of stealth ships commissioned by the Systems Alliance. They sported top of the line technologies for the day, and had the longest operational range on a single resupply for any of the stealth ships the Alliance owned. And they were more than one thousand light years away from Alliance space, reaching into territories not charted by Humanity. Officially, that is. Without even knowing, they were deep in what would later be known as the Attican Traverse.
Captain Adama, also known as 'the Drinking Philosopher' in the Alliance Navy, stood in the CIC with part of his crew, his eyes upon the tactical display. His ship was in the center, the planet rendered underneath, a giant dot on the surface of the planet right below them. Known for his days during the Insurrection and afterwards, he became famous with HIGHCOM after retaking control of his former command, the SSV Salamis, after half the crew turned rebels mutinied and hijacked the cruiser.
"Right where they said we'd find it…" Commander Tigh said as he read the coordinates of their mission objective. "The scans match perfectly with what the AIC told us. Look at it! Two kilometers!"
"We have larger ships… Though not warships" Adama commented.
"Yeah, and a dozen Olympus carriers being built. These? There could be thousands of these."
The AI assigned to the ship walked to the tactical table. Unlike many AIs who serve as ship-wide AI in the Navy, there was a significant minority who used their Universal Platform to blend in with the crew instead of living solely inside the vessel's systems.
"Everything checks, Captain. I did, however, detect traces of element zero based propulsion in the system, two days old at best," the AI with a male form UP reported. "Their signature is unknown."
Adama looked up at the AI for a second. "What do you mean 'unknown', Leonis?" the senior most officer of the ship asked.
"Not in our database. We only use element zero propulsion in civilian intra-system travel. Either these are a new design, possibly separatists who ran during the Insurrection and developed new engines based on the element, or they are… unknown."
"You mean alien," Tigh concluded.
Leonis simply nodded with his robotic head. Adama sighed. "Something of such great significance for the Human race we could find and we are sent to test a super weapon in a secret operation in the very system."
"It might be the AIC behind this op, but the final order came from the Fleet Admiral," Tigh reminded everyone. "We must go on with this, Bill," he told his friend and commanding officer.
The AIC made it quite clear on every occasion they got that failure to complete the mission with success would have severe repercussions on the senior crew of the Ebony Star. The Director of AIC, Nathan Bourne himself, spoke with Adama, Tigh, and Leonis, to further accentuate the seriousness of the mission. He didn't tell them anything more than what they needed to know. No extensive background information, just what they needed to complete the mission without asking too many question after returning home. They'd gone to long lengths to convince the crew too of the secrecy of the mission.
"Sound general quarters," Adama calmly ordered.
In less than a second after he gave the order, the red lights activated ship-wide. Leonis' voice could be heard through the speakers as he executed the order. "General quarters! General quarters! All hands man your battle stations! I repeat, general quarters! General quarters!"
Due to the crew being in alert mode since they entered the system, the call was more for protocol than necessity. "All stations reporting ready, sir," Leonis informed Adama.
"Fire control, nuclear ground strike missile, launch tube three, missile pod Alpha, special munition," Adama ordered. The code 'special munition' was for the nuke they were carrying, meant to use on the designated target.
"Aye, sir!" the officer responsible with overseeing the weapons 'trench' replied before speaking into his headset's microphone, "This is a nuclear mission order…" he said and followed up with other instructions. An automatic system took the missile from the its secure holding spot and loaded it into the launch tube.
"Status of the warhead?" Adama calmly asked after two minutes.
"Warhead primed in launch tube three, port missile pod Alpha," Tigh answered after glancing over his data feed. The multipurpose Chimera missile launch system was moving the missile into position. The missile was fitted with a prototype nuclear warhead, codename: NOVA.
"Firing solution?"
"Firing solution acquired," Leonis reported. "Distance: 26,210 kilometers. Bearing: 315 by 340 degrees [1]. Missile guidance system configured and activated."
"Open launch tube door. Set ground zero in the middle of the target," the CO further ordered. Outside the ship, on the port side amidships to front, four massive retractable armor plates covered and protected the missile tubes of missile pod A. One of them slowly retracted and exposed the launch tube to the void of space.
Adama inhaled, filling his lungs with as much air as he could before exhaling. "Fire when ready."
"Firing in three… two… one… warhead away!" the AI reported as the missile's propulsion system went active and ignited for the first phase. It cleared the launch tube and traveled in straight line for a kilometer before the onboard computers established the trajectory and corrected its path, constantly communicating with Ebony Star to maintain the most accurate solution. The second phase engaged and the missile's engines ignited after the corrections were applied. The NOVA warhead hurled towards the planet and breached Jartar's thin krypton and xenon atmosphere. Active target seekers came to life and locked the missile for the final phase of its attack. The engine gave all it had in an effort to imprint the highest velocity possible to the missile. It had been thirty seconds so far.
From the CIC, the crew could follow the missile on the tactical table and on a display that showed live footage from a hull mounted camera. Forty seconds since launch. The missile was 10 meters above the hull of the two kilometer long crashed ship when the warhead detonated. The flash could easily be seen from orbit with the naked eye. A half second long lifespan of the flash followed by an ever expanding ball of nuclear fire. A supersonic wave of fire consumed everything on a large radius. The heat that reached into the millions of degrees Celsius consumed atmosphere and vaporized the crashed ship that served as their target.
"My God…" Adama muttered as he watched the destruction the prototype nuclear device inflicted on the planet. The surface was literally cracked open. Had the planet been geologically active, millions of tons of lava would have poured through. "What is the Alliance really preparing for?" he truly wondered. The planned build up couldn't be based solely on the threat of another major war against colonial factions and separatists, it was too much militarization for it. Hell, there even was a selective draft implemented on Earth. The captain knew there was something else going on. There was another hidden reason for this, and the AIC was behind it to a good degree. They knew something. Perhaps Bourne wanted to convey a message when he said "Space is vast, dark… and monsters lurk in that darkness." But it wasn't his place to question it right now.
"Target destroyed. The warhead is more than effective. Mission objective achieved, Captain," Leonis reported. "We must immediately evacuate the system."
"Leonis, plot a series of randomized hyperspace jumps. Then take us to Reach," Adama ordered. Although not yet officially adopted by the Alliance as a law, Adama employed the protocol put forward by Hackett and Anderson. He wasn't going to take any chances if there were traces of element zero based propulsion in the system. One of the few times the protocol was enforced before being officially adopted.
The Ebony Star engaged its FTL drive and vacated the system. Hours later, a Batarian dreadnought entered the system via mass effect FTL, shortly followed by a Council ship operated by a SPECTRE.
Sahrabarik System, Omega Station
Afterlife Nightclub, Aria's Private Room
Present day
Omega, the capital of the Terminus Systems, is gently orbiting Sahrabarik with billions other asteroids that make the asteroid disc between the planets Urdak and Imorkan. The station is on par with the Citadel when it comes to dimensions. The massive asteroid the station's been built into is extremely rich in Eezo, its main export product. Omega produces 60% of the total amount of Eezo produced by the Terminus Systems. This was the primordial pillar of Omega's influence in the galaxy. If you were a warlord or a mercenary organization operating in the Terminus and you wanted Eezo to keep your tech running, you became friends with Omega. Never raise a hand against Omega, answer its call, and you were set up.
The Terminus Systems aren't as calm as one might think. Simple piracy, kidnapping or minor raids are what the civilized citizen know about the region. Unlike the part of the galaxy controlled by the Citadel, here are no reporters at all to report on the raging fires. The few reporters who venture into the Terminus do it at their own expense, literally. They need bodyguards. Capable bodyguards. And those aren't cheap at all. There are constant battles fought between different factions. The only uniting factor for all these factions vying for supremacy is their desire to oppose the Citadel, the common foe, a mentality established by the Krogans who fled here after the Rebellions and continued their sparse efforts from here.
And Omega was the Council of the Terminus Systems. Aria T'Loak, Queen of Omega, knew that before she overthrew Patriarch two hundred years ago and took control of Omega. Patriarch, the fierce Krogan who ate the heart and used to wear the skull of the former ruler of Omega, a Turian whose name was lost in the sands of time, is now Aria's trophy. He made his days mostly in Afterlife, drinking, whoring, and telling stories.
"What's in it for me?" Aria asked the holographic form of Tevos Belsari, the Asari Councilor on the Citadel, as she considered her offer. "You already asked for my help when it came to the stunt with the Migrant Fleet. And I see how that backfired on you and me," she said without mentioning she lost all the capital she invested for that particular matter.
"Money. A lot of money. And the Batarian colony of Anhur. I know how you've always wanted to get that thorn out of your side," Tevos anwered.
Aria's expression did not betray any thought or emotion. "I have mercenary groups contracted by both the Hegemony and the rebels. They can turn on the Hegemony forces there whenever I give the word."
"You would've done it if you knew it would work. But we both know that it isn't that simple. The Hegemony thinks we don't know, but Military Intelligence has us appraised with the latest developments in the Terminus, Aria. Anhur won't simply fall to you. You need the extra political backing to secure it. We can give it to you."
"You're asking me to stick my neck into the grinder, Tevos. You better give me a few assurances before. If those pink skinned pyjacks find out it was me who pulled the strings, they'll blast Omega to Goddess's sweet tits with nukes," Aria said.
"You get me the manpower and I'll handle subtlety. I've been doing this for two centuries since I became the councilor, and two more before that. If anything, Omega will only have to gain from this," Tevos assured her with sincere confidence.
"I'll hold you to that. If trouble comes my way, I'll send it your way," she coldly told Tevos.
"Remember who helped you rise to where you are now. You owe the Republics," Tevos said condescendingly.
Aria's brows furrowed, anger visible in her blue eyes. "The matriarchy sent me here as a whore. You wanted to use me all along. I am not as stupid as you first thought. So I don't owe the Republics a varren's bottle of piss!"
"So, what is your final answer?" Tevos asked sternly.
After a few seconds of thinking it over, Aria opened her mouth to answer. "I'm in. But only while it is profitable. First sign of trouble and I bail out of this operation."
"Didn't expect more from you…" Tevos subtly tried to push an insult at her former lover. "Contact me once you have the mercenaries and Balak's network."
The link was cut from Tevos' end. Aria sat on her sofa, one leg going over the other. She downed the glass of rum in a swift move before using her biotics to open the door. "Bray!" she called out the name of the Batarian that was her lieutenant. The Batarian who stood watch on the other side of the door walked in. Aria reached for the comm device, pulled out a chip, and handed it to Bray. "Put this in the safe marked INSURANCE. Nobody must access its contents."
Bray took the small chip in his gloved hands. Aria's conversation with whoever it was that she spoke with was stored on it. "Business?" Bray asked.
"A gambit, not business," Aria half clarified for him. "Put that away in the safe. It's my way out of this shit if I'm about to fry my ass."
Bray nodded and left the room to do as ordered. Aria thought of Tevos' proposal. If all went well, she would get rid of the Hegemony's influence over their part of the Terminus, a colony, and lots of credits. Another scenario is that the Hegemony wouldn't budge and actually discover about this in time. The worst case scenario is that the Alliance find about this, links Aria to it, and comes with a thought of vengeance. After all, who in civilized space would cry if the capital of lawlessness was to disappear some day? Best case scenario is that she plays both sides accordingly for maximum profit.
Thessia, Armali
Atelas Razea's apartment
Not two months ago she was Admiral of the Asari Unified Fleet. Now she is a simple matron whose name became taboo on Thessia and in Asari society. After her shameful dismissal by the board of officers on that day, Atelas met financial problems right off the bat. The hags were coming for her in any way they could. After all, she was the one who surrendered nearly 500 ships to the Humans at Relay 314.
'Of course I surrendered! They talked to us long enough to distract us and hack into our communications and systems. Who the hell would have guessed there were AIs!? I saved all those ships and lives!' she thought. Indeed, the crews and ships had been returned. After they had been studied and tinkered with. At the end of the day, her decision saved some 70,000 lives and the matriarchy used her as a scapegoat for the outcome of the war. She was the most obvious one. Even if nobody was really at fault for the raids on Parnitha. If Atelas would have made a stand at Relay 314 in the handicapped position she was in, she'd have lost the whole fleet for nothing. Nobody anticipated such a move on behalf of the Alliance.
Her money seized by the bank, her apartment confiscated because she was set up. Those pulling the strings didn't give her a meter of space. Mass media wasn't kind on her either. Even those who she called friends, who have helped her grow in the Unified Fleet, have discarded her to better their own position. Such ruthless it was the life of an Asari in high positions. A volcano was erupting inside her, a volcano fueled by the feelings of rage and betrayal.
As she curses the matriarchs and matrons who put her in this situation, she stuffs her bag full of objects of personal value. Good thing she had a second account open at a Volus owned bank and that account wasn't liquidated like her main one that was opened at an Asari bank. It wasn't a lot of money, just an insurance policy for hard times. Times like now.
She would travel light. No heavy luggage. Travel because the Republics were no longer a place for her. She wanted to go to Illium, but that was risky. Aethyta now lives on Illium, in Nos Astra. She was exiled for other reasons, that much Atelas remembers. It was just over a century ago when it happened. But many matriarchs held major influence there. Illium, while an independent colony that sits between Citadel and Terminus space, was founded by the Asari and most of the trade was with the Republics. There were favors and loyalties owed by both sides to each other. She knew how far the hags would go to retain their power and political clout. And, compared to her, Aethyta was a saint. If she was to reflect on it from a historical point of view, Ardat Caeri was in her shoes 19,000 years ago during the Muraria Coalition War.
Where else could she go? Omega? No, that was a death sentence. She's a pretty famous figure now for all the wrong reasons. And the villains there would be happy to claim a head like hers. It would also give the matriarchy's arguments more credibility. And she wouldn't want to give the matriarchs the satisfaction of her death.
Only one idea came to mind. But following that idea is synonym to burning every single bridge to the Republics and her race in general. Every single bridge she has left. She learned a few things about it prior to the signing of the ceasefire between the Alliance and the Council. But it would irritate her wrongdoers to no end. Not because of what she will say, but of what they think she will say. Her conscience told her that it was a bad idea. A very bad idea. But what is there left to lose other than her life at worst? Not much.
Atelas threw the backpack over her shoulders. She walked to the apartment's hallway. A mirror was hanged on the wall. She used to check her look with the help of that mirror before heading out for the day. She checked her look one last time in the mirror. Her dark blue war paint around the temples, cheeks and eyes was in nice contrast with her blue skin. Her clothes were of her favorite color – blue and nuances of it. Similar to Human training clothes, a fitting attire for the regular 20 degrees Celsius that was the norm in Armali this season. Long sleeves to protect one's skin, and shoes for long walks. Goddess knows she will have to walk a lot.
Taking one last look behind, she leaves the apartment that served as her home for many decades. She locks the door and leaves the keys at the apartment building's reception. The next time she will return… everything will have changed.
Reach, Viery Territory
Bastion, Residential neighborhood
The taxi came to a stop on the side of the road. It hovered a second over the spot before slowly touching down to allow the passenger to get out. That passenger was Shepard.
"Keep the change," he told the driver as he handed him a 50C bill, or 50 credits bill.
"Thank you, sir," the driver replied.
"Thank you," Shepard thanked him for the ride before he got out.
He put a meter between himself and the taxi. The car's mass effect field engaged once more to lift it half a meter off the ground and leave. Shepard felt the cold evening wind wash over his shaved head. The brown leather jacket with red lines along the arms and the zipper kept him warm. Not that he'd need the jacket in a minute. He checked to see the bag he was holding in his right hand had everything in it. Everything was there.
He started walking to the door of the house right in front of him. The house was the same he knew as a child. He grew up playing in the backyard, or with the other kids on the same street. The light in the living room was on. Shepard walked up the stairs leading to the door. He considered knocking on the door, but thought better and simply opened the door and stepped inside.
"-welcomes back the Liberators of Shanxi with open arms. In contrast to all the good news, Ambassador Anita Goyle has stated that negotiations with the Batarian Hegemony and the Asari Republics are stagnating-"
'Must be the TV,' the Marine thought to himself. He slipped off his shoes at the entrance and walked to the living room. As he walked along the hallway, he couldn't help but notice the Alliance and American flag still hanging on the wall. His father used to tell him that 'every true patriot has the national flag in his house, be that of your family's home country, or that of Humanity.' The star spangled banner reminded him of home, of the homeworld, of Mother Earth. 'Not everybody was born on Earth, but we all owe her,' his father told a young John.
"-refused open trade deals proposed by Ambassador Irissa Myrais. President Montgomery and the military are adamant against open trade, considering a strictly regulated trade agreement like with the Elcor, Turians, and Krogans the safest choice. A few senators have expressed their concerns regarding this policy-"
Shepard hanged his jacket on the hanger before stepping into the living room. His father was sitting comfortably on the sofa that faced the TV on the wall, the remote by his side. He seemed to notice Shepard's presence.
"Son? That you?" he asked as he slowly got up, using his hands to push himself up.
John felt a wave of empathy was over him as his father put some effort into standing up. His right leg was missing. He'd left it in the Carriatta Valley on Eternium, back in early 2154. A robotic leg replaced his leg. John walked up to him and the two hugged each other.
"Father!"
"Why didn't you say you're coming?" the older Shepard asked. "I'd have cooked something."
"Nah, it's alright, dad," John said. "I've brought some burgers. I know how much you like them. And a scotch."
"God bless you, kid," his father told him cheerfully. "Haven't had one for a while. Let's go grab a plate, least I stain anything and Hannah kills me next time she's home. Speaking of your mother, what's her up to?"
As they walked to the kitchen, John answered his question. "Spoke to her yesterday. She's with the Einstein in orbit over Shanxi. They'll be replaced by Battlegroup Hawking in three days. She might make it home in five if nothing pops up."
"Good," his father said as he grabbed two plates and two glasses. "Haven't seen her since the attack on Shanxi. At least the two of you two get to see some action. I'm stuck here with the news."
"Hey, come on, don't tell me that the DR6 system I've bought you is gathering dust upstairs," John said. He was referring to the virtual reality full dive Digital Reality Model Six, a platform created to interface between the user and the computer for virtual reality tours.
"It's getting old after a while."
"It's the best on the market!"
"Yeah! And it gets old after a while…"
"You don't have to play shooters only, you know?"
"Those are the fun ones. Tried one of those popular role play games… what was it called, Sword Art Online? Interesting stuff, but I can't get the hang of it."
Shepard shook his head. He put the burgers on the platters and then into the microwave. His father opened the scotch. "So, when you leaving?" he asked John.
"Tomorrow at 3PM. I have to report back on the Normandy by 8PM. Anderson will kick my ass if I don't."
"Anderson, eh?" Shepard senior said as he remembered the man. "Switched to the pussy side. Navy all kind of pussies. The Corps is for real men! Remember that!" he joked as he handed his son a glass. "Here's to the Marines! Who's like us!?"
"Damn few. And they're all dead!" Shepard junior replied.
"Hoorah!" they both cheered before downing the drinks in a go.
"Guess the Captain stripes look good on him… Used to save my ass a few times back in the day. Tell him I said hi when you see him," the older man said after the sensation of burn on his throat subsided.
"Will do, pa!"
The ding of the microwave notified them that their burgers were ready. The two sat down and ate together, telling stories and jokes. Like father, like son.
Earth, Australia
Queensland, Brisbane International Airport
"Alex fucking Wyatt!" Eddie shouted her name as the two approached each other until they hugged with their whole being.
"Edward bloody Gozner!" Alex returned. "So good to see you again."
"You telling me?" Eddie asked as he let her go from the hug. The two were of similar height. "Oh man, how I've missed you."
Alex just smiled in return. Her natural right eye was brimming with light and joy. But her left one looked dead. Eddie was quick to catch on that. In fact, her smile revealed neatly hidden scars on her face's left side.
"Alex, what happened to your face? Did you sustain an injury?" he suddenly asked worried.
She shrugged before answering. "Grenade to the face," she nonchalantly clarified.
Eddie looked at her dumbstruck. "What the hell!? How can you say that like it's nothing?" he asked.
"Lived through it, didn't I?"
"You could have just as well died."
"Yeah… But I didn't."
A few seconds of awkward silence followed this little exchange until Eddie spoke. "So… can you see through things with it?"
"What?" Alex asked unsure if she was following him.
"You know, like through clothes or cards. Because if so, I see a poker game happening. We could steal the money right from under their noses!"
She simply laughed and slowly shook her head in a negative response. "Cheeky Kraut! Come on, let's get moving. We have a lot of catching up to do."
They got into Eddie's car and talked while he started the engine and started driving. They cleared the parking lot before engaging in Brisbane's traffic.
"How are Nikki and Faye? I can't wait to see them," she asked.
"They're hyped up. They know you're coming home and… well, I doubt they had much sleep last night. How was your flight?" Eddie asked in return.
Alex looked outside to the towering buildings. The city was as shiny as ever. "Quiet, relaxing… It took more to embark on the flight to Brisbane than it took me to get from Reach to Hermes Station. You? Still working for PROSEC?"
Eddie nodded. PROSEC was the short name of the security company he was working for, Professional Security. He was employed there ever since he turned 18 and refused to follow a miner's life like his father did. The pay was better in the mining sector, but he would have to be away for far too much time. His father was still working in the mining industry as a chief engineer on the Dukatan, a state owned mining ship that's operating in the Kuiper Belt.
"Yeah. Work's been tough recently, what with the war and the bloody morons that rose up in protest…" he complained somewhat.
Alex turned to look at him in confusion. "What happened? We didn't hear anything of riots."
"'Cause they were here on Earth and not in the colonies. Not a lot of news coverage for them either, with the war taking every headline," Eddie answered.
"Why did they protest? Guess they weren't the peaceful kind either."
"Well, the oh so illustrious social justice warriors took to the streets, angry on the Alliance that we were waging a war against aliens, instead of engaging in peaceful relations. They didn't care Shanxi was attacked, nor did they care the history these aliens have with the Quarians… No, the evil, privileged Humans must be blamed and they must burn the Alliance flag and riot in the streets to make sure they piss off everybody on a light year radius," Eddie said with anger interwoven in his words.
Alex sighed heavily at that news. She felt insulted and angry that they'd burn the flag of the Human Systems Alliance in the streets. "Privileged Humans? How are we privileged?"
"Different technologic base for a start. Then hate speech and aggression on our part."
"…"
"Yep! They should make a guide, 'How to Take Over Humanity', and the only piece of advice they have to follow in that direction is to make sure people like these get elected in high places. And I won't even start with the arguments over the Asari being called women despite the fact that they're monogendered. Oh boy, did they have a thing or two to say about that," he said and the two laughed at that.
"Typical. Doesn't even surprise me anymore."
"I'm shitting you not. Left a big damn mess near the headquarters of Australian Arms, near town hall, and the local Army garrison. The police and the gendarmes put them down good. Boss ordered us geared for riot this past month. Aside from those incidents, there was a feeling of unease. The people were tense… scared. Guess an interstellar war has that effect. But… it wasn't worse than you guys had it. How was it out there?" Eddie asked.
"I only went on a single mission where I was injured…" she mumbled.
"Come on, Alex, what's with that mood on you?"
She didn't say much. She knew a few things for sure. Nobody might've told her, but she was smart enough to deduce them. Her superior skills and smarts had been noticed since boot camp, shortly after enlisting. That's why she was offered a place in the N7 program. Shortly after boot camp, she was sent to Titan to start the interplanetary deployment training program. Then the long and arduous zero G combat training followed. Her talent for electronics and natural smarts got her a post in the Engineer Corps. Then… the tour on Reach kicked off. It was a nightmare. But it was the kind of nightmare that turned boys and girls so green they piss grass into survivors and Humanity's best soldiers. She graduated every N training, from 1 to 7, with excellent results. She even took part in raids against pirates and rebels in Alliance space. To be an N7 at the young age of 24 was an outstanding achievement.
The Alliance put a lot of faith in her, probably more than in many other N7 Marines out there. The new rank and title came with great dangers, but the pay was fat too. She got to see the outer space, the colonies, just like she wanted to when she was a child, as well as to support her sisters' education and save some money for later on. There was also the honor of being the sword and shield of Humanity. But, for all the effort invested in her, she felt like she severely underperformed. This will be the last time she failed like this. Never again will empathy or any other factors hinder her performance and threaten the team or the mission.
"Alex? Earth to Alex V. Wyatt!" Eddie called her.
"Huh? What is it?" she asked.
"You were spacing out on me."
"Sorry… just thinking."
A creepy smiled curled on his lips. "About what? Maybe one of those Quarians?" This took her by surprise.
"Wh- what?"
"Come on, don't feign ignorance. Your sisters were in a frenzy that evening. I could hear them from the other end of the house, singing about how Alex and a Quarian sat in a tree and- OUCH!" he jerked and the car veered to the right when Alex's pointing finger tried to lodge its way between his ribs. "Fuck, girl! I'm driving!" Alex was laughing instead. "Mad woman…"
"Don't ask, Eddie," she jokingly threated after laughing.
"I'm not judging you. With those hips…"
"And what would Melinda say if she found out her boyfriend is hunting Quarian booty?" she asked a bit threateningly.
"Now hold on there! Mel is open minded."
"She'd still be pissed off. It's one thing a threesome with Humans, and another one a night with an alien."
"Then it's a threesome with an alien."
"You're hopeless," she said and shook her head. "How's Mel doing, by the way?"
Eddie's smile wanted to fade when he heard the question, but he forced himself to keep it. "Better than ever. Moved into the new apartment, finished her master's degree. She got a new job at the Office of Colonial Affairs after a contest."
"What's she working as?" Alex asked.
"Some fancy job title she told me. I only remembered the essentials – IT work for this new system they're developing to take aliens into account. Mostly Quarians," he answered. "By the way, did you know that Peter enlisted?"
Now it was her that was surprised. "Peter?" she asked and Eddie nodded. "Same old Peter who used to shit his pants when his mother called him?" and Eddie nodded for the second time. "Same one who was afraid of rodents?" she asked a bit incredulous.
"That same Peter."
"Holy shit! What branch?"
"Marine Corps, just like you. I found out through social media. He posted a picture with himself in the new uniform. He came a long way from the scared kid we knew him in high school," Eddie said.
"Why did he enlist? He didn't strike me as the kind."
"I think he enlisted as soon as news from Shanxi reached the Alliance. We really underestimated him. Lots of folks enlisted recently. One of my coworkers joined the Army recently. Lots of young folks. I had half a mind to go for the Marines but Mel talked me out of it," he said as he slowly pushed on the pedal to accelerate on the highway. The city had grown enough so that the two cities were now almost one, a highway connecting the north and south of Australia's eastern coastline.
Alex shook her head contemplatively. "For all the great things and benefits that come with actively serving, there are a lot of dangers as well. I think my respect for him just went up a mile or so."
"Live fast, die young, leave a good looking body behind, eh?" Eddie tried to squeeze in a joke, but her only reaction was to avert her gaze to the scenery once more. "Good thing this war didn't last long."
"We all have to do our part for what we hold dear."
Eddie's hands were on the steering 'wheel', his attention divided between the road ahead and what he could see in the driver's middle mirror. Modern cars don't really have a driving wheel per say, but a hybrid between a wheel and a piloting stick to allow the driver to go higher if the situation called for it. Of course, it was illegal to go higher than one meter above the designated traffic lanes (which mostly were the old asphalt roads) without a good reason. And the law was very harsh with those who didn't follow the rules. Traffic Police had eyes everywhere to catch them. It was treated as an emergency lane for firefighter trucks, ambulances, and law enforcement cars.
Eddie's eyes once more turned to look into the rearview mirror that was sitting a bit at an angle to give him a better view of the traffic. He caught a glimpse of her scarred face. He remembered how smooth that skin used to be before. He unwillingly remembered how he used to caress that cheek and hold her tight in his arms when she had one of her breakdowns from the time she still lived with her parents, or when Autumn left, or when her uncle Pauly died.
Or when the two of them and Melinda, Eddie's girlfriend, got so drunk they ended up having a threesome. None of them remembered everything. But waking up naked next to each other in the same room was reason enough to investigate how they ended up like that. Melinda's phone held the answer in the shape of videos. That was the night he and Alex went out to have a few drinks to cheer Eddie up. It was the night he met Melinda, a student back then.
He still didn't want to truly accept it, but he knew it couldn't be any other way. He loved Melinda. He loved her a lot. But he loved Alex more. Had she been heterosexual, Eddie would have tried his luck since teen years. But it wasn't to be.
"Why did you become all so gloomy now?" he asked as he took a left turn to exit the highway now that they're in Gold Coast.
"Why do you think I'm gloomy?"
"That's how you always are when you're suddenly captivated by the scenery for no apparent reason," Ed answered. "Spill it out. What is it?"
She sighed and lifted her shoulders. "Not gloomy, sorry. Just thinking…"
"You're thinking a lot for the past 15 minutes… What's on your mind now?"
"Things, in general. Life… how much beauty I can find in the normal urban landscape and hate it at the same time. At night it looks like the starry background of space, all these lights… the cars like falling stars streaking across the roads…" she said and Eddie simply laughed. "I know, I had one of those moments of randomness again," she admitted.
"Hey, we could go on a camping trip if you're up to it. With the girls and Mel. Would be a nice break from the day to day life. A workmate used to go to this place in Lamington National Park, Green Mountain Campground," Eddie suggested.
"That would be nice."
"Prices are good, the scenery is awesome. Or so he bragged about it."
"When are you up for it?" Alex asked him.
"When you leaving?"
"Tuesday morning. I have to report back at Reach on Wednesday evening. We'll have war games going on the following month," she answered.
"Then how does this weekend sound? The girls aren't busy with high school, Mel's free, and I can take a paid leave for Friday and Saturday. Sunday and Monday were free either way because of how our shift is planned," Eddie told her as he drove the car into their street.
"Great!"
"Aaand we're here! Come, those little devils can't wait to see you," he said as he parked the car on the side of the road and stopped the engine. Alex got out and inhaled deeply. It was the familiar smell of fresh coastal air.
'It's good to be home,' she thought as she made her way to the entrance of the apartment building.
Arcturus Eletana System, New Rannoch
Va'Seras, Spaceport
Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay was waiting at the spaceport of the largest settlement on the Quarian people's new planet. She was waiting for Tali'Zorah, her 'niece'. The spaceport was huge, being designed to service freighters, light warships, and civilian liners. There were a fair few kilometers between the spaceport and the housing apartments. The Alliance's construction rate astonished the Quarians. In just two months since both parties ratified the treaty signed at Brussels, there was enough room for one and a half million Quarians to live, all necessities included.
Other settlements sprung up near the main city, Va'Seras. Va'Seras is a name derived from the Quarian word for pilgrimage. The Conclave saw it fit to name the main city after the Migrant Fleet's tradition that young Quarians undertook in an effort to better their race's situation. A few thousand old civilian ships had been cannibalized for the metals required to erect the buildings and infrastructure to support the Quarians on their new home. The people were happy to live on soil after nearly three centuries of exile. The total settled population of New Rannoch was 12 million, with the remaining 5 million to settle after the cities grew enough in size. That doesn't mean that they are not visiting the planet nearly on a daily basis.
Rael'Zorah was a better diplomat than he thought. His negotiations with the Alliance about sharing medical and non-military technologies, as well as securing further aid were fruitful. The Quarian Republic will be in the Alliance's debt for a generation after they fully become self sufficient. It would take time to pay those debts, Humanity being their lifeline for the time being. But it was a debt worth making, for the future it secured for the Quarians is worth a lot more. Now her friend for more than 20 years serves as her race's diplomat to the galaxy on the Citadel, in a shared embassy with the Alliance. He and a bunch of economists were able to obtain licenses for Alliance inventions they could produce and sell on the galactic market with the Alliance. Daro'Xen, the next in line after Rael to the R&D department, convinced the Conclave to start developing advanced VIs and omnitools to use and sell.
Tali's flight touched down at the designated pad on the spaceport. It was one of the many Alliance flights that brought home the engineers they sent during the exchange program. The Human engineers left the Quarians for Arcturus Station, their expertise significantly influencing and improving Mass Effect technology in Human space. Raan had to give it to them, they had already unlocked the vast majority of Eezo's secrets on their own, prior to meeting the Quarians.
"Auntie Raan!" Tali shouted after she disembarked. She made a beeline for Auntie Raan.
"Tali'Zorah!" the older Quarian woman's warm voice called her name as she embraced her beloved niece. Although she wasn't a biological relative, Tali called her aunt because of Shala'Raan's past with Tali's mother and father. She and Tali's mother synchronised suits so that they could be in the same clean room for Tali's birth. Raan was the one who delivered Tali; as a result, she was sick for a week. "Good to see you, child. How was your time with the Humans?"
That was enough for Tali to start talking, talking with no ending. Shala thought she heard at least three different stories in less than five minutes.
"Calm down, my dear. Not so fast."
"Oh, I- sorry! Didn't want to. But it was awesome! You should have seen their ship's antimatter power generator! We could revolutionize energy generation for our whole civilization! They didn't let me close to weapons, or other secrets like their stealth tech, but what they let me see… it's incredible! Oh, and their software!"
"Good to know that you're so into it," Shala said. "Because you're starting work on a project tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!? So soon?" Tali asked.
"Yes, tomorrow. It's quite important," Shala answered.
"What is it?"
She took Tali's hand and started walking. "It's secret for the time being. Not many know about it. Gerrel and Rael's idea of a project. If it succeeds… well, I'll only say that we will be one big step closer to reclaiming the homeworld," her aunt said with a smile on her lips.
"Keelah…"
Citadel, Presidium
Batarian Embassy, Jath'Amon's Office
Jath'Amon crashed, for he did not gently sat down, he crashed into his chair. His demeanor was broken, instead of the calm and amiable Batarian, he was frustrated and bitter. A whole lot of negotiations for little to no gains. The Humans blocked the Hegemony's demands on the territorial dispute within the Verge with a new argument every time. That woman, Goyle, was skilled negotiator. And Zorah, the Quarian diplomat, wasn't helping him in any way when he took part in some sessions.
Jath'Amon feared the consequences would be bad. The High Hegemon, Dorcador Dhothan, had appointed a call meeting with him to discuss the outcome of the negotiations so far and set up new strategies for future proceedings. The leader of the Batarian Hegemony was already on the line, as Jath'Amon noticed the incoming call.
Jath'Amon answered. "Greetings, High Hegemon," he greeted his superior. No holographic image appeared. It was a simple call.
"Greetings, Ambassador Amon. I have read the short version of the diplomatic meetings with the Alliance. I assume they are accurate?" Dhothan asked.
"They are. The Humans are not willing to move the border a finger past what they call the Elysian Fields, or the Reaches of Khan'mark as they are known to us. Not even if we offer compensations," Jath'Amon replied.
"That's very unfortunate. The Reaches of Khan'mark are more than promising resourceful wise," the High Hegemon said. The Batarians were able to identify from long range two habitable planets in the region. Other scans and short exploratory expeditions discovered the region of space near the Mass Relay rich in minerals and ores. The Hegemony had already claimed and started a slow process of mining in the rest of the Verge, a sector of space already rich enough, but the Reaches of Khan'mark, or the Elysian Fields as the Humans called it, was a prize worth claiming. "I don't want to exhaust the diplomatic option yet. Keep talking to them, Ambassador."
Jath'Amon shook his head in a negative manner. Not only because he knows what the answer would be from the Alliance, but also because the High Hegemon was considering other, less diplomatic options. "High Hegemon, I strongly advise against any sort of hard action against the Humans if diplomatic talks fail."
"You think I'm stupid, Ambassador?" Dhothan sneered. "I'm not suicidal. We already have problems on Camala, Anhur, and Erszbat. We need to quell the rebellions there before we make any brazen move against the Alliance. But even that is a no go. The only planet we know of theirs is Shanxi. And that's all the other way across the Traverse, near the Turian border."
"We don't have much to work with. No luck this time," Jath'Amon said with simulated sadness.
"We will make our own luck when the time comes. But nothing like the High Hegemons did in the Terminus Insurgencies. The galaxy already dislikes us enough. We need the Council's help more than ever… The Leviathan could have been the advantage we needed. Alas, we play the hand we've been dealt to our best. A good day, Ambassador. Keep me appraised with your success, or lack of," Dhothan said before closing the call.
"Bastard," Jath'Amon cursed. "Four eyes and none of them can see the truth," he said before getting up and walking to the window that gave him a good view of the Presidium's main traffic lanes. Skycars of all varieties traversed it in both directions. The more expensive and fancy looking ones belonged to the diplomats, governments, businessmen. The simpler ones belonged to the regular folk who came to, or left from work.
These people knew nothing of the real business that's made behind the curtains, about the workings of the plays of power, of ambition, that their society is subject to without knowing. Jath'Amon wondered when this galactic kettle's contents will explode. It lasted for this long… yet Jath'Amon knew that the Humans might spill it. He had to drag it for as long as possible. This time, the Hegemony can't fight, not even head on. High Hegemon Dhothan is right, they need the Council on their side. But the way his superior put it makes Jath'Amon suspect it'll be a scheme to instigate the Alliance into some violent act and demand the Verge as compensation during a negotiation with the Council's backing.
Until they can move, they need to deal with the uprisings on the three colonies. The galaxy doesn't know about them so far, or so Jath'Amon believes. The STG was too busy with the Humans and Quarians, and a source told him there were tensions between the Union and the Hierarchy. He expected the rebellions on Camala and Erszbat to be put down in the very near future. The Batarian military had decades of experience in putting down armed rebellions. Anhur was somewhat special in the picture of events. A former Fledgling State that was annexed by the Hegemony, it stands on the border of Asari – Terminus space, and close to the Nemean Abyss. They needed to quell that rebellion there before the Hegemony can move its 'enforcers' from the Nemean Abyss into the Verge. Many eyes were focused on Anhur. Mercenaries were already fighting against the Hegemony's External Forces and their 'auxiliary forces' there, mercenaries hired either by the Republics or the Fledgling States. Jath'Amon himself was responsible for providing monetary aid to the rebels.
Then the Leviathan mentioned by the High Hegemon came to mind, the huge ship they found on Jartar, in the Dis System, back in 2163. They had to get rid of the already established Salarian scientists there before towing the Leviathan back to Hegemony space. Although classified information, Jath'Amon was able to read about it. The shitstorm it stirred on the Citadel was a thing to behold, with a SPECTRE, Saren Arterius, sent to investigate what's going on. The Hegemony was moving a dreadnought into the system to take the ship away for technologic study before somebody else did. But, not long before the dreadnought or the SPECTRE arrived in system, the Leviathan was missing, a huge crater in its place. Scans showed that a massive nuclear blast vaporized the entire area. The blast vaporized everything on a 100 kilometers radius, ground zero was the two kilometer long ship. Everything was leveled on a 400 kilometer radius. The surface had been literally cracked. The heat was probably that of a star, in the millions of degrees Celsius. Whoever built and deployed that weapon must be a maniac by any standards.
That construct was supposedly a treasure of technologies. And it was gone. Of course, the cover-up was real. They only knew somebody or something was out there with dangerous toys and they weren't afraid of using them. The STG claimed they had no intel, the Council denied the incident by covering it up as an asteroid impact, the Batarians said they didn't know what it was about. And so, for 17 years, things phased into obscurity. Could it have been the Humans? It couldn't. They were totally unaware of the Citadel until recently, and couldn't have ventured far from their territory. The years didn't match either. They couldn't have expanded so close to the Hades Gamma stellar cluster.
Jath'Amon sighed and then went out to meet with a few associates and eat together. A new series of negotiations will follow the next days. The Verge is large enough for two races to share. Space is vast enough. A new idea came to mind, considering the Alliance's unique FTL travel. No conflict needed to arise from this territorial dispute. Especially not one his government can only fight on the defense. A losing defense most likely.
Arcturus Station, Administrative District
Presidential Office
President Kevin Montgomery was a very busy person since Humanity made contact with the rest of the galaxy, his shoulders now bearing the weight of a civilization among many. Or three civilizations if he was honest with himself. Humanity was literally the lifeline of the Quarians and Krogans. Throw the Batarians to that mix. The ongoing negotiations with the Batarians weren't getting anywhere. Their ambassador, Jath'Amon, kept pushing for the same terms, only compromising a bit every time. Goyle kept turning him back every time because accepting the Hegemony's offer on territorial exchange would hurt national interests. He was beginning to fear what the Batarians could do.
Humans were starting to leave Alliance space a few at a time, their desire to see the galaxy and the aliens overcoming their fear and xenophobia. Kharak's colonists have shown real interest in leaving Alliance space. He had given interviews since he returned from the Citadel, lots of them. He was very popular with the masses as well. His rival, Donnel Udina, had 15% of the hearts and minds. In the last election, which took place in February 2180, Montgomery beat him with 56% to 30% of the total votes, the remaining 14% taken by two other contenders. Udina was starting to catch up, his xenophobic attitude being in line with what many people thought of the Council.
There had been 10 presidents since the establishment of the Alliance in 2102, Montgomery being the 11th. Two of his predecessors served two terms. Depending on his actions, history will remember as either the greatest president of the Alliance, or the one who sent Humanity on a bloody road to hell. Or, no matter what, still end up walking on a bloody road to hell. That's what he thought were his options right now as he listened to Wrex's story.
"Clan Chief, you do realize your story is a bit hard to believe," he told Wrex as he rubbed his forehead. Wrex simply stood there, no chair tough enough to hold him right now. "Without evidence… I can't mobilize the Alliance for war with a shadowy, elusive enemy that most of the galaxy thinks of as myth."
"I knew you wouldn't believe me," Wrex's harsh voice answered through a translator. "Political and PR moves aside, that's the sole reason why I accepted your invitation – to tell you about what lurks out there. Thought maybe you would listen."
Montgomery's right hand was at his chin, his giveaway body language that he was thinking things through. "Are you absolutely positive of what you've told me? Wasn't this the result of post traumatic stress disorder, if your species ever suffered from it?" he asked Wrex.
"My race is bred for battle, mister president," Wrex forced himself to spell the formal title. "I have seen death and conflict for the better part of my life as a mercenary. I don't suffer from anything. Those Collectors are out there. And it is only a matter of time until they come after you too, in some shape or form. I've seen what they do. This is no laughing matter. Their weapons are much more advanced than what everyone has. Their technology overall is superior to what the galaxy has. Your faster than light drive aside. We got out of there because of my skill… and because we got lucky."
"I understand that, but why would they do that?" Montgomery asked in return. "I'm trying to put myself in their shoes, try to think and imagine what they want based on what you've told me. And I can't find any reason they would do that other than to cause death and destruction."
Wrex shrugged. "I don't know. All I know for sure is that they pop up from time to time to kidnap us, melt us into some sort of organic paste, conduct experiments on us, turn us into monstrous aberrations, test them against us in combat, and then disappear into the Omega 4 Relay. This smells like the prelude to an invasion to me," the battlemaster answered.
"One in the making for hundreds of years. If the reports are to be believed, the Collectors have been… collecting – guess that's the origin of their name – individuals of different races since Humanity was going through the Renaissance," Montgomery remarked. "Is this the reason you're so proactive in uniting Tuchanka? Prepare for war?"
"If you're hoping to lecture me on peace and all that, then you found yourself the wrong Krogan, president. While I am grateful for Humanity's help, I can also see things for what they are: you need friends. You're helping us now so that we will help you in the future if it comes down to trading blows once more with the Council. You're not doing this simply out of the kindness of your heart. Nobody does it. Never met someone like that. There's always an ulterior motive. Yours is to gain a new friend. Mine is to make sure my kind survives the gathering storm," Wrex said somewhat accusingly. "I am preparing for war. A war that will drag the whole galaxy into its jaws. Sooner or later those pyjacks will come out in force."
"Has anybody investigated this phenomenon? Or, at least, try that mind meld thing the Asari are so fond of?" the president asked to which Wrex shook his head.
"No. Mind melding to find out whether somebody says the truth or not is not considered irrefutable evidence. Somebody can convince itself that he is right and the mind meld won't tell whether it was a lie or not. Put enough thought into brainwashing yourself and you have effectively nullified that method of investigation. Or the Asari could be corrupt…" Wrex explained why mind melding was not considered evidence in any official investigation.
Montgomery stood up from his chair, his hands planted on his desk. He tries to read Wrex's stone face, but he is met with the expression of an overgrown toad that's been through more melees than one would normally be comfortable. "We also believe in what we are doing, Clan Chief," Montgomery's determined voice cut through. "While it also serves national interests, helping the Krogan race is a moral duty as well. Some of our best scientists in genetics and xenobiology have started research in an effort to cure the genophage."
The Krogan's expression suddenly showed surprise if the sudden shift in his expression was any hint. "I didn't say anything about it in public because of all the antipathy this would gain us. But it doesn't mean we won't be giving it our best. You get your people on the right path, astray from the kind of behavior that got you in this nasty situation, and we help you rebuild."
"The Council will hate your guts for this. It will break down any possibility for future relations with them," Wrex pointed out.
"What the Council doesn't know will not hurt them."
Wrex grinned at that response. "Perhaps I had judged you too early, Human," he said with a short, deep laugh.
"And I won't be dismissing your case on the possibility of the Collector threat either," the aging man said. "Before you leave for Tuchanka… I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd sit down and have a long, detailed talk with Intelligence Command about what you've told me."
Wrex nodded. "You've got a deal," he replied before shaking again hands with Montgomery and being escorted outside by an aide.
The president poured himself a glass of water and drank it in a go once he was alone in his office. What Wrex told him resonated with something he was briefed on by the former head of AIC, Director Bourne. He couldn't place his finger on it, but something told him the two might be linked to each other. He sent Wrex to the AIC with the topic. He couldn't risk divulging secrets to the alien, secrets about a few dangers Humanity came across in its brief existence among the stars. He didn't want to believe it either, but it doesn't matter what one believes. The truth stays the same, regardless of beliefs. Perhaps it's also time to reconsider that delay in the next naval buildup.
Two knocks at the door distracted him from his current thoughts. "Yes?" he called out. His secretary's head popped in. "Mister president, Ambassador Irissa is here to discuss the possibility of trade agreements with the Republics and about the Krogan situation, just as scheduled," she informed him.
Montgomery nodded and put the glass down on his desk. "Send her in in a minute," he told her. It was merely a week since the alien embassies opened on Arcturus, all in the same building in the Administrative District, and he was in talks with the Asari ever since. Sometimes he hated having this much decisional power. He could assign somebody else, just as qualified, to deal with them. But, as Humanity's main face on the galactic stage, he saw to negotiations as much as possible. Especially when it was with the Asari at the table. Something about them simply rubbed him the wrong way.
The experience he earns through all the interactions will prove invaluable to the future leaders of Humanity, he'll see to it. Perhaps if the politicians of the 20th century lived today… they would have had different views and would have been more united. But their circumstances were different. They only had to deal with Humans, not aliens who'd want the subjugation of the species. Only other nations who wanted the subjugation of their nations. If they even cared about their country, that is. Even today there are those who look out for their profits, with little care for the masses.
He vanquished those thoughts from his mind for the time being. Ambassador Irissa walked into his office a minute later.
[1] I'm using three dimensional representation in my story. When one says X by Y, X refers to the bearing on the plane of the ship (the horizontal plane), and Y refers to the vertical plane reported to the imaginary line. The measurement is made counter trigonometric wise, with 0 degrees being directly ahead of the vessel/central point of reference, and measuring to the right. I think it's like this on the submarines. Long story cut short: X is the azimuth, and Y altitude (elevation). Just Google "azimuth", go to image results, and the very first picture best describes what I'm talking about here.
NOTE3: Well, as you can see this chapter had a focus on individual characters. So, what is it that I want to tell you? No spoilers, really. I see some people are pointing certain things in the reviews: why are you doing more of this and less of that / what will happen / will the past have an impact / etc. Let me tell you that this arc will focus on everything between first contact and what barely resembles canon events. It means politics, pretty lots of politics and conflicts (not necessarily military conflict). It will set up things big time for the following two arcs and will offer background info on how the galaxy looks like in my story. And why am I focusing so much on a few groups in the detriment of other groups? Prometheus-G747, you insisted on this. Well, it's because I want to finish this story sometime before I die of old age. I have ideas I could develop for the Hanar, Elcor, Drell, Volus… but I really don't have the time to put it down. I must focus on the biggest players due to constraints of time. Otherwise I'd end up updating once two or three months… It's more of a compromise. Also, I try to offer as much diversity as possible, as many characters opinions as I can, and diversify them but keep them in line with what the character actually thinks like. And, through narration, try to expose some of their thoughts. It's kind of a very fluid POV through narration. You can deduce opinions, thoughts and feelings of the characters from the narration that seems to be based on their POV.
NOTE4: I know I haven't got around to answer every review, but I am limited by circumstances. I tend to read them from my phone while at work. And I don't like writing PMs via phone because I'm still not used to touch screen. I hate writing on that shit. And by the time I get home, I either forget or don't open the laptop because I'm tired. Update time might take another blow because of the job and because I have to take care of my Bachelor's Degree project now that my last year as student starts. You might see slower updated because of this. I write on the run, rarely having three or four hours in a row to put my ideas on this digital paper. I hope you can all understand this. Another important thing, please don't pester me with "please update X story" messages because it won't have any effect. I like writing, but I can't do it all day. This is a time pass activity and I put it in service to your entertainment. And when I write, I write on what I have inspiration. I really want to update War of the Worlds next because I have a few ideas for it. The Lost Civilization will be the 2nd next. Thank you! Issues addressed in author notes might not be addressed in PMs if mentioned by the reviewer.
NOTE5: Next on TIHoM: we see more of Garrus and his investigation; we get to see what Atelas Razea does and the implications of it; more politics and some shadowy work. This is the planned content. I might add more. Or substract from it. Depends. Thank you for reading! Next chapter name: We Will Die Chasing This Feeling.
NOTE6: Oh, and The Terran Gambit just updated yesterday or so. Go check it out if you haven't already! Latest chapter is a treat!
A STORY BROUGHT TO YOU BY Apollonir
THANKS TO TheOffensiveAussie
FOR SOME OF HIS IDEAS ON THIS CHAPTER