Thanks for all the reviews and feedback guys. And woops. Meant to put down Maria-062. There.
So we have our ships, we have our current crop of Spartans and we have the UNSC.
But lest we forget, they are not the only faction in this galaxy.
When I say I am just jittery with excitement, I'm underselling it. I cannot put it in words as to just how long I've wanted to write this particular crossover. In terms of a timeline, it's close to around 8 years by this point. Yeah, it's been that long.
Anywho, let's not lollygag any longer around here.
On to the show.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.
The Halo Effect War and Civilization Chapter 7: Ignorance is Bliss
Their crusade is upon them.
The war of salvation has begun.
The Covenant shall burn the heretics for their blasphemous actions against their holy figures and they shall know damnation.
The Great Journey, their path to Godhood. This is one of their many steps as the Noble Hierarchs have marked this new age as the Age of Reclamation.
They would know the folly and transgression for their heresy and see the light of the Covenant reign down holy righteousness upon them all.
Our time has come to truly prove ourselves worthy of the Great Journey.
These humans shall know only death and suffering.
Those that have allied with them, the Wookiees and Mon Calamari will suffer the same fate. Heresy will only lead to their own damnation upon this mortal plane.
We are the right arm and eternal swords of the Covenant.
We shall uphold our oaths and writ and purge this galaxy of any who prove to be blasphemous.
As is our way.
Upon the planet of Sanghelios, multiple clans with their thousands of members and retainers outfitted themselves for war.
Our holy crusade has begun.
Plasma swords were ignited all being raised above their heads as war cries reverberated across the planet of their culture, ancestors and people.
The Age of Reclamation has begun.
2526/2170
Citadel
Council chambers.
She was alone for the most part.
She knew her fellow council members and colleagues were outside the room or in other parts of the Citadel Tower.
Frankly, she was glad she could have some time to herself.
Politics… are draining to a maddening degree at times.
This council meeting wasn't really all that important in hindsight, it's just the chore of it that can get to one.
Tevos may be a few centuries old by this point, passing the seven hundred mark a decade ago but politics have the innate ability of rearing its head and reminding her about how trivial certain things are.
Honestly, Sparatus is as stubborn as they come for a Turian. Bull-headed, cocky, and prideful of his heritage.
They were discussing simple matters.
About resource management.
Yes it's important but for Goddess sake, it was for the Eezo mines that the Volus managed that they had decided upon years ago.
Why must certain Turians be so stubborn?
Sparatus was only balanced out by the Kel-Dorian Councilor Gnost-Dural. A consummate student of history, Dural was always one to use history first and foremost as the basis of his decisions. He's also a skilled Biotic user to the degree of a sage. And a dear friend of hers.
"What's on your mind?" asked a familiar female voice.
Tevos lifted her head up to gaze upon her other close friend in the council and someone she has known for nearly 400 years by this point.
Her skin was blood red and her montrals were marked with white markings and grey stripes. Eyes the color of a dark grayish blue, rather than the usual council clothes that most would wear, this Togruta was garbed in the brown robes of the Kel-Dor sages.
Shaak-Ti was someone that Tevos had relied upon for centuries by this point, one of the closest friends she has ever had.
Calm, quiet and reflective, Shaak-Ti was sharp with her skills as she was with her mind, wit and words.
Formerly a TTAZ ranger, she eventually became a respected politician earning the title of councilor after a hundred years.
The day that happened, Tevos had never felt more relieved.
Not to say that Ti was biased.
Her time as a ranger and tutelage under the Kel-Dor Sages have made her a well-rounded and naturally open minded individual that soaks in knowledge like a sponge and tries her hardest so that all sides could come to a unanimous compromise.
"Shaak-Ti." Tevos greeted kindly. "Apologies. I did not see or hear you come in."
"I don't blame you. It appears much is troubling you." Ti pointed out.
"Not so much trouble." Tevos admitted, leaning back into her seat. "More… just tired. Today's meeting felt… uneventful to say the least."
"Perhaps." Ti nodded, going over to an empty seat next to her and sitting down. "Or maybe we are just trying to find out what to argue about next."
"There seems to be plenty of it." Tevos remarked.
"But for what exactly?" Shaak-Ti inquired. "Much has not occurred since the Yahg incident."
Tevos couldn't help but shift about in her chair in an uncomfortable manner.
It had only been over forty years by this point but the memory was still quite fresh in the eyes for a species that can live past a thousand years.
All those ambassadors she had sent to their deaths.
Her friends and fellow council members have stated before that the fault was all their own.
But in Tevos' mind, she was the one who initiated the meeting. She helped in choosing who to send to meet with the Yahg.
And none returned.
Though the entire council at the time took the blame upon themselves, Tevos always kept that mistake to herself.
Never again.
"I do not know by this point, Shaak-Ti." Tevos said after a moment of silence. "I feel as though we're not looking for reasons, we're looking for excuses. Excuses to argue and complain. I understand that the galaxy is constantly in motion but for once I feel we are at a standstill."
"There is the expedition team we had sent out recently." Shaak-Ti brought up.
"Ah yes." Tevos nodded. "And what of them? Have they found something galaxy shattering?"
The Togrutan Councilor only chuckled aloud. "I never pegged you for one who has an interest in history Tevos. Even after all these centuries. Gnost-Dural would love this conversation right about now."
"I can enjoy history." Tevos argued jokingly. "Have you not forgotten all the classes one must take?"
Shaak-Ti smiled at her friend. "Perhaps an escort can join the expedition. We can bring that up for our next meeting."
"A defense fleet for an expedition?" Tevos muttered. "That would seem like an unnecessary waste of military resources."
Her friend chortled. "You sound like a Turian now."
"Being around so many Turian councilors after so many years, you pick up a thing or two from them." Tevos remarked in a wry tone.
"Clearly." Shaak-Ti conceded. "Still perhaps it would be necessary. Our recent expedition force was sent out on the fringes of secure Citadel space. There's many dangers to be presented there."
Tevos crossed her arms in thought, mulling over Ti's words. There was merit to them so to speak.
The outer borders of the Citadel space is tenuously protected at best with many bounty hunters, raiders and pirates that tended to patrol that area with their fair share of smugglers.
"Maybe." Tevos considered it. "Have they found anything of note?"
Shaak-Ti held up her arm, bringing out her Omni-Tool as she began going over the recent findings that she had received.
"They have found the ruins of a structure that is not Prothean."
"Not Prothean?" Tevos said in slight surprise. "What did they find?"
"What is found on a few other planets. The structures of those that preceded the Protheans." Shaak-Ti stated making Tevos frown.
Those that preceded the Protheans or simply, the Predecessors as they are called by most of the Citadel species. Those structures and what many assume to be their technology has been found on a litany of worlds.
The most profound thing about them was their locations being upon the homeworld of nearly every species within the Citadel species save for a select few such as the Quarians and the Krogan. They have been studied for centuries yet somehow; nothing could be uncovered about them.
Many had figured this to be technology of some kind which means it could perhaps be reactivated. Others figured it to be a waste of time, especially after the advancement of many races via the Mass Relays.
Over time there were some attempts at research and trying to understand just what these unusual predecessor structures were but nothing came out.
Or… that's how it seemed to be.
When one would look over the files and findings of the structures, there was an unusual dismissive tone about them. How they are deemed inept and useless with nothing that can serve the greater galactic community.
Yet there were those who persevered and after centuries of study, managed to decipher the true name of the ones that had constructed these large structures.
The Forerunners.
The species that came before the Protheans.
Who or what they were had remained a mystery for thousands of years by this point to the races under the Citadel.
They really didn't see a point to studying them as much as there were the occasional few that advocated that they should put time into truly investigating just what these structures were.
It just never came around and there was a strange growing consensus as to why that is.
There was one extremely radical Salarian who with a Kel-Dor and Twi'lek made a claim that every time one distances themselves from the Citadel and the Relays, the structures of these Forerunners become infinitely more intriguing.
This was promptly and quickly laughed off as ludicrous sentiment.
However, there was an underlying support that many were unaware of.
"Do you have any idea what this one might be?" Tevos asked.
"I know only as much as you do, Tevos." Shaak-Ti stated.
Tevos slumped slightly in her seat. "Anything else of note or interest?"
"The Salarians and Duros have been advocating for another expansion out into unknown space." Shaak-Ti said.
"Again?" Tevos frowned. "Even after what had happened with the Yahg?"
"They appear more determined this time." Shaak-Ti noted. "Our fellow Salarian and Duros council members were all for it. They even managed to rope in Dural and even Sparatus of all Turians."
"Truly?" Tevos asked in surprise.
The Togruta nodded. "Indeed. Leontyne even expressed interest."
At the mention of the Twi'lek Councilor, Tevos couldn't help but have a more guarded expression.
Out of all the councilors, Tevos trusted Leontyne Saresh the least. It wasn't that she was necessarily bad per say.
Far from it with the way she championed herself for others but… she couldn't help but feel that Leontyne always had a more subtle, ulterior motive behind her words and promises.
Maybe it was her just overthinking things but she knew she wasn't alone when Shaak-Ti murmured to her that she'd keep an eye on Leontyne after she was selected to be the next Twi'lek council. That set the stage for her to always be wary when conversing with Leontyne.
If Shaak-Ti of all TTAZ was wary of someone, you know to keep your eyes open and guarded.
"And what of Leonie?" Tevos asked expectantly. "Where has she gone off to this time? Hat or shoes?"
"Hats." Shaak-Ti said knowingly with a small grin.
"Ah." Tevos nodded. "And how many has she collected thus far?"
"I believe the last count for hats was upwards of up to three hundred thousand." Shaak-Ti said in recollection. "As for shoes… a dozen or so away from a million."
"By the Goddess." Tevos remarked in amused astonishment. "Where does she keep all of that?"
"One could only imagine if they are being honest with themselves." Shaak-Ti said, thinking of their charismatic and eccentric council and species member.
Leonie was undoubtedly the most well known and most popular member of the Council and it was hard pressed not to see why.
She usually is found spending time with many of the Citadel races across the Citadel itself, enjoying lavish parties or going to those who are in need and simply being present for their issues.
She lives by the notion of what makes our people happy makes me happy.
Being an eccentric collector of materialistic items has seemingly endeared her to many as well, bizarre as that may seem.
Still, Leonie wasn't on the Citadel Council for nothing. She was an adept warrior, practitioner of arts, collector of one as well on top of having a keen understanding of people.
She had been one to always advocate what was best for all parties and had worked well with Turians and Kel-Dorians on many occasions due to their cultures and ways of life emphasizing the belief of the individuals helping the whole.
"Maybe we should consider rolling back the restrictions of Mass Relays." Tevos said, making Shaak-Ti look at her in slight surprise.
"Truly? You wish to do such a thing?" Shaak-Ti inquired.
"I… am slightly unsure if I were to be honest." Tevos said with her expression unreadable. "After the incident with the Yahg… I am still rather hesitant about the idea of going through more Mass Relays. We may stumble across more aggressive races. Or maybe we shall encounter benign and peaceful ones."
"We haven't expanded all that much." Shaak-Ti said with a small shrug. "Zul Hun constantly points out how little Citadel Space has expanded overall in the past few decades."
Tevos shook her head with a small smile. "Leave it to our Duros councilor to wish to expand and explore."
"It's in his nature as he enjoys reminding us." Shaak-Ti said knowingly.
Tevos thought on the matter for several moments, the idea of expansion and stretching out the borders of the Citadel.
Many of their best have theorized that they were in a sense of stability for the time being. Resources were constant and while there are the occasional immediate problems, there hasn't been much in the way of long lasting conflict for some time now.
There would of course come the time where this peace would come to an abrupt end as the universal laws of conflict would always rear its ugly head in the end.
Maybe it was better they face this head on… or maybe not.
The Rachni Wars, Krogan Rebellions and Yahg are enough of a deterrent.
And yet still…
The possibilities of meeting other lifeforms out in the galaxy still remain an intriguing and alluring idea.
After all, how else was the Citadel Council and their current way of life supposed to come into existence.
By taking chances and exploring the great unknown.
"Then shall we bring it up in the next Council meeting?" Shaak-Ti inquired. "I am confident at least three of our fellow Counselors would be more than up for the challenge."
Tevos chuckled, knowing all too well who would jump at the prospect of expansion and exploration.
"Perhaps we shall." Tevos said. "But first, I'd like to find something to drink to soothe my aching head from today."
"You can always meditate with me."
"Shaak-Ti, even you know that I only do that in my most desperate of times." Tevos remarked with a small smirk. "And that's not my current state right now."
"Good to know." Shaak-Ti rose from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I shall be visiting an old friend."
"Give him my regards, won't you?"
"Naturally."
Citadel Biotic Sages Academy
A blue skinned Twi'lek stood from the sidelines, observing a class of two dozen and so making the same motion of a punch before their trainer off to the side let out a "HA" with the group immediately shifting their stance in unison.
Almost all of them.
"Mission." The Turian instructor pointed out. "Your right leg is off balance."
Said Twi'lek cursed under her breath, re-positioning her footing and displaying a more stable stance.
Next to her, her best friend shared a look with one another until their instructor once again made a loud proclamation making all perform a diagonal high kick and stomping their raised leg back down to the ground.
"They are coming along quite nicely." A baritone voice said from behind the blue skinned Twi'lek. "Your two students are coming along at an admirable rate, Aayla."
"Still have much room for improvement, Master Plo."
"There is always room for improvement." Plo Koon, Headmaster of the Sages Academy of the Citadel said with his arms crossed. "Though in terms of the TTAZ… you have the benefit of time."
Aayla Secura, Master Sage of Biotics and Ranger of the TTAZ army chuckled knowingly.
"And yet, even with all that time, some prove to be as inept in learning new things and end up stagnating themselves." Secura said with a knowing tone.
Plo merely nodded, observing the class as the instructor informed them to stand straight and collapse down and cross their legs.
"The key to Biotics within the way of the Sage is clarity of self with spirit, body and mind." The Turian said. "It is a foolhardy and short sighted view to see your abilities with Biotics as nothing more than just a tool and means to utilize this ability in your life to get what you want. But to truly become adept at becoming a master Biotic and a sage, one must let go of preconceived notions of Biotics and open themselves up to a greater galaxy of possibilities."
The Turian then closed his eyes and exhaled.
He sat there before the class for several moments until the familiar hue of Biotics appeared around him.
It seemed to permeate off of the Turian in a strange mist like fashion before items around him began to be encompassed by the Biotic mist.
Eventually, the Turian and several items around him began levitating with the avian-like alien beginning to float as well.
The class looked on in awe and wonder. Many had heard and seen holovids of this display of Biotic control but seeing it in person is another matter entirely.
After a few moments of floating in the air, the Turian pressed down and exhaled a calming breath. Opening his eyes, he couldn't help but smirk slightly at everyone's gaze upon him.
"Biotic meditation." The Turian instructor elaborated. "Created and perfected by my brother race of the Kel-Dor, it is one of the highest forms of Biotic control. The Nervous systems we all possess connect everything within our bodies and the Kel-Dor people have discovered a means in which all nerves are unified and work in tandem with one another to create a feeling of serenity. This is a technique only mastered by the most talented and persistent of those who wish to study Biotics. The Kel-Dor stages have deemed this the ultimate ability of Biotics as many have called it the culmination of mind, body and soul. The unity of all three that would make you above the masters. A Sage."
There was a great sense of anticipation among the students as they listened to the Turian Master regale them with tales of great heroism and overcoming adversity with those that had a complete mastery over Biotics. Abilities and tricks most couldn't even wrap their minds around.
It was at that moment that Plo Koon opted to make himself known to the class as his baritone voice was heard by all.
"Normally we would tell you this at the start." Plo Koon said, making many students gasp slightly before all bowed in respect. "But you are all ones that have either been recommended for this academy or trained with great tenacity to enter. After this day, your lessons shall increase tenfold and we Sages shall be vigorous in your training. This is the only time we are giving you an option now up front. Normally, you can leave at your discretion. But after this day… how many of you would live knowing you walked away from unlocking your full potential?
The assembled group of Biotic users stood fast and showed no signs of leaving after witnessing their Turian Master display such proficiency in Biotics and the Head Sage's declaration of training hell. They will not back down from it.
Seeing the results, Plo nodded with his arms behind his back.
"Very well then, let's begin."
-One Week Later-
Ahsoka Tano collapsed onto her bed with a sigh of complete and utter exhaustion.
Her friend Mission Vao was no better, only getting the upper half of her body onto her own bed with a loud groan.
"I thought I was in better shape than that." Mission whined aloud.
"Better shape?" Ahsoka asked in a low voice. "I didn't realize Master Plo was so fit. He beat us all without even using Biotics. It's not fair."
"I see you two are adjusting as expected." Said an amused voice from the front of their room.
Both turned to see a smirking Aayla Secura leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed.
"Aayla." Ahsoka said cheerfully. "I'd come and give you a hug but I think my legs will give out."
"I can't feel… anything." Vao bemoaned. "I'd rather fight a Thresher Maw then go through Master Plo's training again."
"It's only been two days." Aayla said with a laugh, seating herself on Missions bed as it had the most space.
"No, it's been a few months now." Ahsoka argued back. "These two days are nothing short of hell."
"Goddess, I'd never think I'd see the day where you two were so beaten down." Aayla remarked with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah, have you ever done anything like this?" Mission challenged with Aayla giving her a slightly bland look.
There was a moment of silence until Mission conceded and had her face down onto her bed as she gave out a muffled scream of defeat.
Aayla only laughed at her younger student/friend's plight.
Suddenly, a whirring and ringing noise was heard from the lone table within Ahsoka and Missions room prompting them both to let out disparaging groans.
"Aayla, can you-"
The older Rutian Twi'lek already stood up and responded to the incoming call.
A holo-transmission of a young Asari appeared upon the table.
She looked up and smiled. "Master Secura, what a pleasant surprise."
"Hello Liara." Aayla greeted the Asari. "You know you don't have to call me that. It's just Aayla to you and the others."
"Force of habit, Ma- Aayla."
"How are you faring?"
"Well enough." Liara said. "I've been busy to say the least."
"So I've heard." Aayla said. "Hope you aren't working yourself ragged Liara. Not after what happened last time."
On her end, Liara's expression changed into one of embarrassment. "That only happened once."
"And as your older sister, I make it my effort to remind you three of all your mistakes and misgivings." Aayla teased.
Liara only huffed, crossing her arms and looking away in annoyance.
Though Aayla wasn't their blood sister by any stretch, she had been a part of their lives for nearly sixty years by this point having been an older sister figure to them for many decades. It wasn't uncommon amongst the TTAZ for close knit groups of friends to refer to one another as sisters.
While Ahsoka, Mission and Liara were only just about to break into their hundreds, Aayla was 336.
Nearing the start of her Matron phase of a TTAZ lifespan, Aayla was a Twi'lek that hailed from the TTAZ colony world of Ryloth.
At a young age, relative to TTAZ standards, Aayla was compelled to join the rangers at a young age having an aptitude for utilizing Biotics in a combative sense.
Sent to a Sage academy, she studied under the tutelage of several Biotic masters and Sages until she had met the newly appointed Sage Master Plo Koon.
Though she was older than him by a good few decades, he was without question her master, elevating her to the rank status of Journeyman within the Sages academy's.
Well on her way to being a Master.
It was during one of her personal Journeyman missions that she found herself on the homeworld of her people, Thessia.
During her time there, she had encountered three young children that were playing about in one of the gardens of Anerzesa.
An Asari was being pulled around by another Twi'lek and Togruta, both of whom were younger than their Asari friend and were eager to play.
They had run up to her at one point, Ahsoka nearly knocking herself against Aayla's leg.
And… it was strange at how well they had gotten along so quickly and easily. Both Ahsoka and Vao instantly recognized her as a ranger and were openly in awe of her. Liara was a bit more hesitant to get to know her but when Aayla displayed knowledge on history taught to her by the Sages, the young Asari was quick to warm up to her.
Since then, by a string of coincidences or one may even call it fate, Aayla would always encounter the three young girls until she had inexplicably been declared their older sister by Mission and Ahsoka.
Not that she didn't have anything wrong with that. In fact she found herself enjoying the title quite a bit and embraced the role whole heartedly.
"Where are Ahsoka and Mission?" Liara asked after a moment.
T'soni was met or heard, rather with two distinctive groans of pain and suffering.
Aayla stepped aside to reveal to Liara her two friends laying down on their beds with them having positioned themselves to at least be facing her.
"Goddess, what happened to you two?" Liara asked in slight surprise. She had never seen her hyperactive friends so stationary before.
"These two Padawans are discovering just how much Master Plo had been holding back on them." Aayla said with a teasing grin making both girls bemoan their situation.
"Everything hurts Liara." Ahsoka whined petulantly.
"I can't feel my… everything." Mission cried out overdramatically making Liara look at them both in bewildered pity.
"It couldn't have been that bad?" Liara said inquisitively.
"It's been only two days after the real training began." Aayla stated with a wry grin.
"Goddess." While Liara was sympathetic to the plight of her friends she couldn't help but have an underlying sense of amusement. Seeing her friends who usually had boundless energy, she found it hard to deny the funny scene before her. "Are you sure they can handle this?"
"Liara?!" Ahsoka and Mission both cried out in betrayal.
Several moments of silence passed before the group broke into a small laugh.
"How have you been Liara? How's the excavation coming along?" Ahsoka asked.
"There are several ruins we have found recently." Liara said. "And it is not of Prothean design."
"Not Prothean?" Mission repeated in slight confusion. "What else could it be then?"
"It's the other ruins. The one similar to Thessia and several other locations." Liara elaborated. "I believe they were called the… Forerunners if memory serves me correctly."
"Forerunners?" Ahsoka repeated, not exactly knowing what Liara was talking about.
"I have heard about this." Aayla said with a slight frown, thinking over the name. "Though much is not really known about them. What have you found Liara?"
"It wasn't much really." Liara admitted. "We're not entirely sure how it got here or how it works. All we have is going off of previous research and excavation. These Forerunners came before the Protheans by a good number of years, possibly 50,000. Maybe even more. They were advanced enough to colonize on multiple worlds though we haven't found much of them. Last we checked there had been only a few dozen worlds that were found to house these ruins."
"Anything special about them?" Mission asked, now becoming intrigued by all this talk of ancient civilizations.
"That's just it, there's only theories and speculations." Liara stated. "Much that we don't understand at all. No traces of Eezo, no traces of biotics. We can't exactly figure out what it was that made them space faring races. From what I had read up on them, most of the ruins that were uncovered were the furthest from Relays with perhaps one or two exceptions. Only Thessia has these ruins."
While the four members of the TTAZ race were having their conversation on the Forerunners, on the Salarians planet of Sur'kesh a young up and coming Salarian was diligently going over his own set of data in regard to this ancient alien group.
Though he had just broken through a decade old, by Salarian standards due to their short lives, he was nearing adulthood.
This Salarian was rapidly going over a litany of data pertaining to many species with him humming a jaunty tone that he had heard a Zeltron once sing. Currently, he was going over another recent string of energy readings.
They had been growing with a recent spike in the last year alone.
Whatever it was, he wasn't exactly sure.
None within the Citadel knew just what this energy was supposed to be. Even those not associated with the Citadel had no idea though there wasn't much to go off of. The best they had were the Quarians and they were mostly concerned with their self-preservation then researching energy readings that possibly served no purpose for their flotilla.
Still, this was immensely fascinating to research and learn.
Whatever this energy fluctuation and reading may be, it was coming from the undiscovered parts of the galaxy.
And quite frankly, Mordin Solus shares the Duros sentiment of exploration and discovery.
There were hundreds of planets inhabited by the sentient species within this galaxy. There was much that had been accomplished in these long Millenniums of exploration, expansion, war and peace.
Yet the fact remained that by many experts' estimations, the Citadel species had only explored perhaps ten percent of the entire known galaxy. Possibly more, possibly less but they were limited.
Mordin recognized it right away.
Advanced as they were, Solus was quick to realize that they were also limited. Their reliance on Eezo and the Mass Relays for interstellar travel hindered them to a grave degree.
When learning about the Forerunners, limited as the knowledge they have on them as it is, Mordin saw an ancient species that had successfully expanded across the stars without the reliance of the Mass Relays. Without the use of Eezo.
Many within the fields of xeno-archeology, science and interstellar travel chalked up the downfall of this race that came before the Protheans of their failure of not utilizing the Mass Relays or Eezo.
But Mordin had come to the conclusion that this was a fallacy and short sighted conclusion. How is it that the Protheans who were believed to have constructed the Mass Relays, who had also utilized Eezo also suffered such a sudden extinction?
The data just wasn't adding up.
Mordin had devised a thesis he had been working on that perhaps, these "Forerunners" utilized their own unique form of FTL before meeting their downfall by an unknown force or means. Similar to the Protheans.
It did not matter whether or not they used technology similar to one another, the Protheans and Forerunners were both extinct ancient civilizations that used different forms of advanced technology.
The Citadel inherited the Prothean technology.
Who's to say that another sentient species hadn't done the same for the Forerunners?
Perhaps there were other sentient races out there that had a more fundamental understanding of the Forerunners compared to the species known to the Citadel.
It was a Salarian who had managed to uncover the name of the preceding race that came before the Forerunners.
Then an Asari along with a Duros and a Kel-Dor had furthered research by uncovering that they were about 100,000 years old, possibly even older.
Yet… there was one piece of information that was kept from the public.
Nobody knew what it was but a Zeltron and Salarian had discovered another word that seemed extremely prevalent among the ruins.
Something called a Reclaimer.
This was certainly a fascinating word to be found among most of the ruins.
What could that possibly mean?
Reclaimer…
If one were to break down this word, the first part would be one of obvious interest.
Reclaim.
"Take back what is lost? Maybe, maybe. To return and take what had been scattered." Mordin rambled to himself in rapid speech.
With the word Reclaimer came the belief of something or someone coming back to take this technology or these ruins. But for what purpose?
"Loss of technology? Inheritance? War? Plague? Extinction?" Mordin continued listing off these possible theories, all the while comparing the energy readings to those that were recognized within the Citadel.
No matches.
Absolutely none.
This both frustrated and enticed the Salarian to a great degree.
He knew there were answers out there.
Mordin was absolutely positive there were. And he also knew that just by sitting around here he wouldn't be able to get those answers anytime soon.
He wasn't a TTAZ or a Krogan after all.
Mordin knew that the only way for him to get these answers was for him to go out there himself. He absolutely needed to go out into the vast unexplored parts of this galaxy.
"Mordin Solus."
The Salarian was so preoccupied with his own work he had failed to notice another Salarian had entered his workspace.
He looked up from his Omni-tool and saw a lightly green skinned Salarian standing a few meters away from him.
"Ah Rorwarth." Mordin greeted politely. "Apologies for not hearing you."
"None needed Mordin." Rorwarth waved off. "How goes your work?"
"Stagnant with no sign of advancement." Mordin stated though with no sense of frustration.
"A challenge then." Rorwarth remarked, earning a hum from his younger contemporary. "I've always known how much you enjoy such vices."
Mordin smiled a bit at that comment.
Rorwarth Gebano. 35 years old and a mentor figure to Mordin, he shared several of his own… eccentricities if you will.
Primarily their enjoyment of studying other species and humming differing types of music.
Rorwarth stood beside his younger protege, both overlooking the same set of energy readings that Mordin had been studying for the past few hours.
A comfortable silence lapsed between the two until...
"What if I brought you a different challenge?" Rorwarth spoke up after a few moments. "One that involves your work here."
Mordin blinked, slowly turning his head towards his older friend who kept his eyes on the screens with a small growing smirk.
He was unsure of what to say so the best that he could come up with was,
"...Meaning?"
Rorwarth turned to his younger colleague.
"There have been… rumblings and stirring going on within the Council." Gebano said. "The Council has yet to make it official. No public announcement has been made but it shall come to pass within the coming months, perhaps a year at latest."
Rorwarth brought up his Omni-Tool and sent a set of files to Mordins with him promptly opening said files.
Blinking, Mordin to a moment to read over the title that came with all these new files.
"Citadel Council Official Expeditionary Exploratory Force?" Mordin read aloud.
"Name is a work in progress but the groundwork has been laid out." Rorwarth explained. "Many have agreed after years of debating. It is high time we start doing what we have done best in the past. Explore and expand. Discover what is waiting for us out there in the endless void. We've grown bored of looking at the same star charts, traversing the same relays and systems and visiting the same planets. Conflict… will come but we are prepared. Now more than ever to show a unified front."
"How much is being put into this?" Mordin asked, rapidly sifting through multiple pages.
"No expense is being spared." Rorwarth stated with confidence. "We've learned from our past interactions with the Yahg, The Rachni and the Krogan. If we meet any hostile force out there they will be met by forces of our own. But the primary purpose of this is in the two E's. Expedition and Exploratory."
"Numbers? Staff? Personnel?"
"Within the coming days and foreseeable few weeks and months, many specific individuals will be approached." Rorwarth explained.
Within a docking port of the Citadel, a Zeltron was busy at work replacing an engine from a small fighter. She had black splotches all over her pink skin yet it did little in taking away from her alluring beauty.
Wiping a bead of sweat off her forehead, the Zeltron turned to see a well-dressed Turian standing before her.
"Deliah Blue?" The Turian asked with the Zeltron blinking in surprise.
"That's me." She confirmed.
The Turian had his Omni-Tool out a second later and sent her some files.
"Please Read this and don't speak of this until the selected date and time."
Bewildered, Deliah had no time to ask just what it was he was talking about as he walked away a second later.
Thrown for a loop, Delilah Blue quickly brought up her Omni-Tool to see just what it was she received. After several seconds of reading, her eyes widened to a great degree.
"They will be judged on merit, capabilities, expertise, talent…"
A Kel-Dor watched with his arms crossed as several of his students continued to practice with their physical exercise.
"Master Plo Koon?"
The Kel-Dorian Biotic Sage turned to see an Asari before him.
"Can I help you?" Plo asked politely.
"I have been told to bring you this." The Asari sent him the package she was charged with via her omni-tool. "Keep this under wraps until the date is officially announced."
"This is a massive undertaking that will involve our best."
A large camp of archaeologists were busy at work, excavating their latest find when suddenly, all of their Omni-Tools pinged aloud.
Confused by this, they all opened them up to find out just what it was that they had been sent.
"Liara!"
"I know! This is… by the Goddess this is…"
"We shall go out into the unknown as we have many times before."
A lone Turian had returned from a mission that he was directly tasked with by the Council.
This Turian was a Spectre and one of their best.
He had sat himself down in his favorite bar within the Citadel to relax after a strenuous ordeal routing pirates and slavers when…
"Nihlus Kryik."
The Turian turned around to see a Kel-Dorian standing before him.
"Can I help you?" he asked.
"Your next mission." The Kel-Dor stated. "Straight from the Council."
'Another mission?' Nihlus internally mused. 'So soon?'
Bringing up his Omni-Tool, Nihlus's jaw slightly fell open upon reading the contents of what he just received.
"When the time comes, you will be called upon." The Kel-Dor nodded, leaving the Turian to read the new mission he was to undertake in the coming months.
"And when the time comes that we meet other species? We will meet them with our best and brightest but toughest and strongest as well."
"Are you perhaps referring to the Krogan?"
Rorwarth snorted. "Perhaps. There was conversation of having the Quarians join as well."
"Truly?" Mordin asked in surprise.
"Yes. A lot of changes are going to happen within the coming years, Mordin." Rorwarth said with a fond tone. "Perhaps I'll live to see them all. Perhaps I won't. But what I do know is that you are going to be there at the front of it all. And when all this is passed on in history, I expect the name of Mordin Solus to be known for centuries to come."
"Oh do stay alive." Mordin pleaded jokingly. "I would very much like for you to see me in all my posturing and boastful nature. I'm certain the Salarians deserve to have one glory-hog at least in their lifetime."
Rorwarth chuckled, patting his friend/protege on the back with encouragement.
"I expect nothing less from you, my friend."
And there we have it folks.
Isn't nice how they're all so unaware?
How badly things are gonna get for them?
Gyahahaha.
Ah, things are getting interesting now. One side of the galaxy has just plunged itself into war.
The other… continuing their life of relative leisure, unaware of the conflicts to come.
Not much I could think of to say really in this note other than this.
It's not a Halo crossover if it doesn't got any Spartans. Star Wars addition there may be, but BSX and I have made it clear the kind of Crossover this is gonna be.
It's gonna be one outside the box and one that I believe hasn't been or is rarely told on this site. We want to tell different stories with as much creative freedom as we possibly have.
It's why we got ourselves a timeline for this particular story. To create a sense of order as events pass by.
So, me and BulletStormX wish you all Adieu. There's more chapters to write and Samurais to kill cause Ghost of Tsushima is fucking amazing.
Rate Read and Review and as Always Have Nice Day.