Authors note: Due to the sheer size of this extended universe I have wrote, I take it upon myself to describe to the best of my ability the factions and politics involved in mass effect original writing from the Mass effect game was rather illogical, with human race originating at the southernmost part of the galaxy, but having colonies all the way up to the northern inside other race's space, many who are very hostile, like batarians.
Sometimes I wish fanfiction net allowed images so I could draw maps, it would make it so much easier. So I have to resort writing this and try as best to explain what is happening in the galaxy, worry not, after this note I wrote the next chapter that was a long time coming.
I will bring sense to the lack of sense when it comes to territories and factions inside mass effect, and positioning of the Imperium as well.
Pardon my conversational way of speech, but I find it necessary, hopefully this wont happen again.
Imagine a galaxy, it is our milky way, in its center is the core, dead worlds and black holes, see it like that and you will orientate yourself better.
The Human race, originated in the southernmost part of the galaxy, south of the Galactic Core, in what is known in Mass effect as Local Cluster, humanity could never expand westwards which is to the left in galactic scale, because the western part from galactic core was controlled by Citadel Space, with races like Asari, Turians , Salarians, and even Krogan.
Humans would naturally expand eastwards due to lack of space to the west, last time humans tried expanding west Shanxi happened and first contact war.
In ME universe there is such a thing as Attican traverse, it separates Citadel Space and South humanity from the Terminus systems, it spreads from west to east just above the galactic core in a relatively thin line. Above the Attican Traverse there is a region of space called Terminus Systems.
It is in that space that Imperium found its Empire. But I will get to that, we build it from south to north, gradually.
Humans therefore expanded east, taking land. They tried expanding north circling the Core, and it is there, on the border of Attican traverse, where the citadel federation meets human borders, near the center core that Anhur is located, a world shared by Batarians and Humans. It is why the Imperium could not directly intervene in Anhurian Heresy, because the Imperium and its Capital Indomitus are at the very north west of the galaxy, very far away from its current reach at the beginning of our story.
Center east of the galactic core was once Quarian territory, now inhabited by Geth, they take solid portion of the Attican traverse.
Quarians of the " Crusade of the Lost" universe are now situated on center west of the galactic core, where they found their new homeworld and Reich, in place where Attican traverse borders Citadel Space.
West of the Galactic core, going north until Attican Traverse, and even encroaching a bit into it, and south until the very edge of the galaxy lie Citadel Space, or Citadel Federation as we know them in our timeline. Citadel Federation is a militaristic confederation of Asari, Turians and Salarians.
Krogans live on the militarized border zone between South local cluster humanity and Citadel Federation at the southern part of the galaxy, it is a zone that splits the galaxy in half, and goes south from Galactic Core and all the way to its edge, with a huge ( in galactic standards) buffer zone between And Southern Humanity led majorly by Cerberus.
In the Attican traverse and parts of terminus systems, in what is known as three way border between Quarian Reich, Citadel Federation and Imperium of man is a region of space simply known as the " Plague Stars" , it Is a cluster sized region without any known ruler, as nobody claimed it, it therefore descended into the Anarchy following the period of Imperial Consolidation post Batarian war, and Citadel Federation's reformation into militaristic union of individualist races.
Going from the galactic core, some 80% of the Terminus systems and entirety of the northern galaxy, east and west, is claimed, or in some way dominated by Imperium of Man, their seat of power lies at the West most ,and northern most part of the galaxy, where they established a capital world of Indomitus.
World of Aurelian ,where the 5 year siege, and the Quarian invasion happened, is found south from Indomitus, just north of Terminus systems, in the western part of the galaxy, it was established and controlled by an Asari Planet state. Namely the Asari are run like the ancient Greek city states in the lore, only on the galactic scale it passes into planets, fiercely individual and old, it is not unknown for various colonies to spring up without the wider asari race knowing, or caring about it.
The Galaxy is namely split up between 5 truly powerful factions, and other medium or small ones.
Citadel Federation in the West.
Cerberus Domains in the South.
Geth in the East.
Quarian Reich in the Center West.
Imperium of Man in the North.
Rest of the galaxy is led by Alliance remnants, various warlords of different races, Batarian nomadic fleets, and so many other small races trying to survive in this galaxy of War.
Without taking more of your time, enjoy the next chapter.
ACT I : The Human Struggle.
In the wake of alliance's dissolution, the human planets in the southern galaxy suffered periods of unrest and invasions, no longer united under a single form of governance each planet was left to its own devices.
Many, after a period of instability and bloodshed embraced Authoritarianism; democracy was forsaken for the belief in a leader, for only a leader would get humanity through this hard time.
In the core worlds of the former alliance, Cerberus exhibited an absolute control over all, except for the Solar system itself where Alliance remnants and other nations still fought for supremacy.
Cerberus sought to expand towards other abandoned colonies, to mixed results, as the human ingenuity and adaptation showed itself once more.
Various systems united; resurgence was seen, as many dead or forgotten ideologies sprang back to life. Old dreams of the Earth were once more dreamt by the now isolated and leaderless humanity.
On Earth, in the old continent of Europe , tired and weary from war, its population hungry and disenfranchised by the petty and self-indulgent leaders which lead them deeper and deeper into misery began to unite over an idea that was asleep for so long.
In Various European nations, people rallied, uniting under something which they felt would cast aside their differences and once more bring prosperity unto all, they fought and died for this idea; unrelenting tide of people chanting old songs and old war cries fought as they toppled their own corrupt governments.
The leader of this idea, known only under the alias that he went by, Julian the Apostate, named as such by his enemies, for he was the only one who offered the solution as opposed to endless war amongst the warring Terran states.
Not much was known about the man himself, only that he was born somewhere in the Italian peninsula many years ago according some sources, others though consider him to be born elsewhere, for the man himself was an enigma; He organized the disunited European nations and the armies which held no desire to fight amongst each other for petty reasons, and gave them a purpose that they did not have for 20 years, ever since the fall of the Alliance.
He was incredibly charismatic, tall, curly black beard and hair, reminiscent of the ancient roman emperors or Greek philosophers, his figure was contemplated by many, some spoke that he looked like Marcus Aurelius, others that he indeed looked like the last Roman pagan emperor, Julian.
Others indeed noticed that he bore unique features which to some looked like he resembled all the emperors at the same time, with charisma to boot, martial prowess of incredible skill. He was said to be quite muscular, his very presence inspiring sheer awe and inspiration.
He truly looked like the leader of Men.
After assembling many thousands of volunteers; This new army fought alongside the people and deposed their old governments, bringing new ideas and leadership, one they thought could only do better for them.
There was a sight not seen for millennia, Red flag with an Eagle on it waved freely in many of its nations, uniting under old dream of single empire dominating all, many nations were quick to depose and execute their own leadership whom they blamed for the destruction of ozone layer and the dissolution of the human domain in space.
Once more a single word could be heard as a unifying cry, as the armies of the Eagle conquered what little remained of the independent states of the world.
ROME.
First Europe was united. As history tends to repeat, Julian managed to attract many soldiers who refused to wage endless wars on Terra, with each passing day his personal army, now known as LEGIO I RESTORATORIA, managed to assemble some 340 000 men, these men fought against the domestic italic armies, defeating them in several cities before marching upon Rome itself, the city, bearing many historical landmarks surrendered upon the army's approach, it was here where the flag of the Neo Roman domain first spread.
From its new birthplace, Roman Respublica, spread outwards, defeating nation after nation, weakened from years of war, plagued by economic crash, starvation and dissident people, they were easy prey. The people themselves rose up, some cared not for the ideals of the new Roman nation, all they cared about was peace that came, and the establishment of order the legions enforced with Gladius and Gun.
The Conquest; or Liberation of Europe as Romans called their actions, happened fast, Spain decided not to fight after prolonged period of anarchy, French-Burgundian Empire provided a symbolic amount of resistance as their armies were exhausted fighting the Prussian Reich.
Balkan nations, disunited beyond belief at this point were actively fighting amongst each other, so much so that many willingly called Romans to assist in their war efforts. When the roman armies entered the war stricken nations, they disbanded the local armies and simply told them they were now part of the Republic. None were too willing to fight against that, war saturated as they were, many of them were grateful that the conflict finally ended even as their leaders were promptly deposed.
Before long, Europe was finally united under the banner of Roman Republic. Prussian Reich attacked the Rhine-Danube border and tried to push into France, underestimating their enemy they were surrounded and forced to surrender.
It was time for Rome to push into the Germany, after 23 centuries, the Roman Legions once more crossed the Rhine river, this time, there were no forest where Germans could surpise them, for they were all burnt in the fires of war. No traitors for the Legions "Legio II Frankia" and "Legio I Restoratoria" were led by skilled informants whom were dedicated to the cause.
They pushed deeply into Germania. City after city surrendered at the sight of the Eagle. Their armies gone, the Prussian Reich simply unconditionally surrendered and was integrated as province of Germania into the Republic.
Rest of the Europe surrendered soon thereafter, or was quickly humbled by highly motivated and disciplined legions.
Julian consolidated the united Europe, factories roared to life stronger than before, the new united Europe created weapons of war on the scale that was unfathomable.
Space vessels, aircraft and tanks came out of factories wearing the color of Red and White, the legions restored carried their uniforms with unimaginable pride as they walked upon the soil of those ruined states that they liberated from their own despots.
Those who sought to resist were swiftly crushed under the neo roman legions, then the armies of resurgent Rome flooded Asia which was weakened by constant state of warfare and starvation, mild resistance was had, as the exhausted Asian confederation had no determination to wage war in the scope the Neo-Romans had.
After the consolidation of Asia, Julian ordered the greatest road to be built linking Europe and Asia once more, Via Juliana – this road once more connected trade from asia ,and various myriad of goods were traded bringing prosperity to all.
African splinter nations which exhausted themselves in brother killing wars, whose infrastructure was destroyed so thoroughly in which finding pre war machines and technology was seen as ultimate priority , had no single united military entity to resist any foreign invasion. their population almost halved from polluted fields, littered with mines and lingering radioactive weaponry had no ways in resisting the roaring industries of united Europe and Asia.
Stormed from the Mediterranean Sea by gigantic naval invasion not seen in centuries on Earth, and through continental route via Syria Palaestina, disunited African nations were one by one swiftly conquered.
After one of the African nations killed a Legio fraction which numbered around 20000 men, whom they were offering winter quartering from the harsh African nuclear winters, Julian ordered 12 legions to march into the traitorous nation and bring Roman justice unto them.
Making an example, so as to assure that there were no rebellions, the entirety of the Central African khanate was destroyed, half of the population outright slaughtered, and rest sold into slavery. In all, some 8 million people were slaughtered, and uncountable more now used as work force into the rebuilt African mines which churned unimaginable quantities of resources for the war effort.
Unwilling to wage war against the new Earth superpower, and upon receiving the ultimatum from the Roman Senate. South American nations resolved themselves as client states, silently integrating into the new united world led by Julian, for their compliance they were allowed a slight autonomy, so long as they obeyed the Princeps and the Senate.
North America, with its numerous splinter states, still valued the old dream of freedom and democracy and decided to form a coalition to resist the future invasion of this authoritarian nation they saw as a threat to their very own existence.
Expecting invasion from the Ocean and reinforcing the coastline, the American coalition dug in and waited for the ships to arrive.
They never did.
Risking the cold and inhospitable terrain of the Russiano-Canado frozen wastelands, the roman armies used all the vehicles they could muster, protecting them against the damning cold of the north and under the leadership of the Henry , roman general from the province of Britannia, they invaded from the frozen north. learning well from the history, the casualties from the frost and terrain were bare minimum, and soon enough, the biggest roman army was pouring into the coalition's territory, taking city after city with almost no resistance, as the armies were all deployed to the ocean.
Only the Civil Guard tried to resist, being swiftly destroyed by veteran legions.
By the time the Coalition managed to retaliate it was too late. They could try and dislodge the entrenched armies of Rome suffering hundreds of thousands of casualties, or they could submit, and join the proposition sent to them by the Julian, the total unification of Earth. And naturally, they would retain some of their old ways, much akin to the Greek polises when conquered by the previous Rome.
The American Coalition, after 20 years in the constant state of warfare, relented. The terms and conditions were more acceptable than a new war which would cause immense destruction.
And so it was, that after 23 years of human wars, the Earth was finally united. Reorganizing various petty states and differences, all separatism and attempts at revolting were crushed with extreme measures.
Julian was proclaimed as the Optimus Princeps, (the best emperor), gained the epithet Restitutor Orbis (the restorer of the world), and reorganized the world leadership under his and control of the senate, this new world order was named SPQT, Senatus Populus Que Terranus, Senate and the People of Earth. With Rome as its capital city, and Julian the Apostate as its ruler.
These events on Earth threw the wrench into the Cerberus plans, for the disunited earth factions were easier to control. Now, united- and under strong leadership, all Cerberus representatives from various nations were cast out.
Once more, the forges of Earth roared, this time not to kill its own children, but to expand outwards, and into space, as mass rebuilding efforts were well under place.
Taking the Salarian tech for atmosphere regeneration, SPQT built said towers all over earth seeking to restore the Ozone to its fullest, for as it stands now, Sun was both a blessing and a curse upon earth.
What remained of the Alliance fleet had choices to make, they could fight against Cerberus incursions into earth space until they diminish into nothingness, as they had no real true planets under their control where they could build new vessels and repair old ones. Or, They could do what some already suggested among their ranks, and offer their services to new united earth.
Ideologically opposed to SPQT, they could not agree on what to do for some time.
It was the invitation by Julian himself that solved the dilemma, he offered to meet the remnants on the restored MIR space station around Earth, there, they would decide the fate of the Human race of the southern part of the Galaxy.
The details of discussion are not precisely known, but it is said that Julian presented his case with oratorical skill not seen since the 20th century, his words carried such weight that even the oldest ,most zealous Admirals in their refusal to join the SPQT silently and quite respectfully listened to his case.
After their meeting was done it was said that alliance remnant fleet circled around the earth for one whole day, following the rotation of the Earth, symbolizing that the sun has set on the Alliance, and has risen on the SPQT-the new Earth leaders.
Across the Earth jubilant peoples celebrated and were overjoyed to see that their dreams of unification were happening, Alliance ships were more than welcomed into the SPQT, former transgressions against Earth were pardoned, and many young and gifted fleet officers crewed the old ships of the alliance, long since lacking skilled crews after the demise of their rulership.
Admirals of this new fleet worn their Red and White uniforms with pride, their uniforms were made of highest quality space boots, wholly white pants, and their jackets were white, with red stripe crossing on X axis in front and back, with red epaulets on their shoulders.
Soon enough, the alliance fleet had its blue painting removed from the hulls, and in their place was now the colour red, Roman Eagle and SPQT symbolism. Alliance brought with it some 800 ships, all fleets were now in Sol system, or what remained of the fleets after decades of war and civil strife.
Mars was soon reincorporated into the SPQT, for it had few scant depopulated colonies which without support from earth collapsed.
Julian had bare few years to assemble armies and fleets with which he could wage war should it come to that. His fleet inspired hope in the fragmented worlds of humanity, promising them unification in time, and those pacified colonies of Cerberus began to show first signs of revolting and civil unrest, much to the anguish of the Illusive man, whose dream of total domination of humanity slowly began to crumble.
Feeling that the time was running out, and knowing that he is only partialy ready, he commenced the greatest ship building, many new ideas of ship building ,military, weapons and other technologies began to circulate the SPQT, making SPQT ships quite efficient and powerful, compensating for their low numbers.
His efforts were not in vain, and SPQT could stand on its own for the first time ever since alliance. He knew that time was now to do what he did not desired to do for a long time, knowing that it would upset the galactic balance in a ways even he could not anticipate. But knowing from his long studies that galaxy will soon face terrible threat which not Cerberus, not SPQT, not even Imperium could face alone.
Julian was prompted to do something quite unexpected, and sent the official invitation to the leadership of Imperium, with the words.
"Tell my Children, I call them home."
Act II : The Arrival
There was a feeling of dread in the galaxy, an unexplainable guttural feeling of sheer existential dread one would feel when facing something of unimaginable magnitude.
Those connected to the warp felt it shudder at the prospect of something so vile approaching, they too knew that whatever was approaching, it was powerful, way powerful than anyone could expect or face.
It was just as the Imperium was making its relay jumps to face the foes of Plague Father, that there was a call for help in the southernmost part of the Citadel Federation, then. Nothing.
South humanity, disunited as it was maintained its own communication systems, they issued a simple SOS from many outer rim worlds, and then died down.
Any attempts to reconnect failed, and any ships sent to explore went missing, it was not long before those systems which have sent help also went dark.
This darkness which has snuffed out the planets of many races in the outer rims of the galaxy caused a high amounts of panic and paranoia among everybody, Citadel Federation retracted their own fleet intended for the plague stars and consolidated all the forces they could muster.
South humanity, most of it controlled by Cerberus gathered what fleets they had and retreated to the most secure and defensible systems where Cerberus built wonders of war in preparation for the galactic conflict that was to come. But not this conflict, and not from this enemy, for it devoured stars and jumped system to system with impunity, it knew the galaxy far well than anybody else.
At first, the danger was pouring from the south, Citadel Federation and South Humanity were first to be attacked, with speed which was uncommon to any galactic race.
But soon enough the Geth exploded outwards into the stars claimed by minor races of the East Center galaxy, such was their ferocity, their rage and anger that they offered no surrender conditions to organics on the worlds they assaulted, their war constructs slaughtered with impunity and they were relentless in their assault.
It was obvious that Cabalite Geth were out for blood, and many smaller races united into a veritable military force, all with a single goal in mind. Survival.
One fleet of long black ships crushed through any opposition and made a straight line for Anhur, the world which suffers for years now, any Citadel Federation fleet that was there fled back into their own space upon hearing the information, and now Anhur, with all its many warring factions was left to the mercy of this new enemy.
At the northern most and eastern most part of the galaxy a small imperial outpost was befell by huge black constructs. Their story was known as their Astropath sought to deliver as much visual information as possible against this new enemy, this description of these events are for the eyes of imperial loyalists only.
"Sector 11, clear, systems nominal, praise be Omnissiah." One of the red hooded techpriests spoke as he finished his checkup.
He moved a few steps further and began his connection with another terminal.
"Sector 12, clear, systems nominal, praise be Omnissiah" as if stuck in a loop he repeated and continued to another terminal, almost idly observed by few imperial soldiers positioned here.
"Tell me again Crassus, of the old Imperium, what was it like? " one young soldier, his uniform sky blue asked a very old and decorated soldier in dark green uniform, akin to a sergeant.
"This again Molexus. How many times do I have to speak the tales of old heroes, I am sure by this point you have memorized them all"
"Indeed I had good Crassus, but it is one thing to dig words from my memory, and another to hear them be carried by emotion of someone who have lived them."
Gently rubbing his own forehead the old soldier resigned to speak his story yet again to the youth born in this universe.
"Would you believe me Molexus if I said again how tall the spires of Ithaca were? That to walk to them would take you many days, and you would feel great climates change as you went from hot searing desert warmth and arctic cold? That as you climbed the stairs you were never alone but had company for days as many priests and faithful climbed them also?
Such was my world Molexus. It was Ithaca, the great temple spires were built to honour a saint whom vanquished the great darkness which has fallen upon our planet. Darkness made of green and anger, barbarious and murderous filth called the Orks. You would loathe Orks, Molexus, if you could see them, they walk on two legs like us, but are no more human than our dogs here.
They went about killing, enslaving and burning everything, given enough time they have built gargants. Do you know what Gargants are Molexus? Imagine our Titans, but crude, badly designed forms made for Total War, their size equal to our largest titans, and as shoddy as they looked, could prove more than a match for them."
"Gzzk" The techpriest overheard and turned his head to the old veteran. "Brother, what you say is tech heresy, per the book of Codes 11001…"
The old one simply waved his hands at the priest.
"Please, no need to be upset, my dear priest. We are just telling a story, please, pardon any offense I might have caused."
The priest ogled at him for some moments more before turning his form towards another terminal. "Sector 18, clear, systems…" he continued on with his mantra.
"As I was saying Molexus, these gargantuan forms swarmed our world, our titan legion was brave, heroic in their acts, true Gods of War on the battlefield, they were few, but more than a match for several gargants. Even so. They fell."
"Impossible."one of the assembled youths said. "The Gods of War are immortal, they are the strongest land units we have, and are invincible. "
The old one looked as the young soldier triumphantly praised the machines of the omnissiah.
"You would know, Basil, if you were old as me, and saw what I did, that what matters in the field is the fiery spirit of man, when the machines sputter their last fuel, and their guns melt from overuse, their ammo depletes, and their servos stop moving, only the muscle of man could be used to strike down at the terrors of the galaxy. "
The young soldiers looked upon the old veteran and the young soldier, humbled by the words of someone who has lived for over a century of sheer war.
"I know young ones that what I say I unknown to you, for you were not there to see it, but blessed are those in the Emperor who believeth without seeing. For as he is my witness, I have seen all which I speak about.
Even as our mightiest guns went silent, the many million strong green tide kept pouring through the gaps in our defenses, our spirits were crumbling, for no man can keep calm in the face of such sheer brutality.
It was the Emperor himself which heard our fervent prayers, and from the skies dozens of drop pods came crushing, and we saw that from them came golden clad angels of the Emperor, Space marines.
I have heard only their battle cry before they joined us in the battle, I am sure that if I forget even my own name, I would never forget what their leader said."
"For those we Cherish, we die in glory!"
The old one paused, giving time for his story to sink in, and he noticed more than a dozen soldiers and few officers eagerly listened to his words.
"These yellow marines fought with unparalleled skill, they killed thousands of orks, the tide was turning, Gargants were being destroyed form within by their own skilled soldiers which have infiltrated it.
But even the angels are just like us, made in flesh by the Emperor, and they fell, one by one, their numbers went down.
I have never cried in battle young ones, not when my friends died, for they have joined the Emperor, not when I saw my home trampled by the green horde and even as my village burnt with all its people dead.
But with each fallen angel, I have felt unbearable sorrow, and I have prayed, unlike ever in my life, I fought, even as shrapnel ate at my flesh, I was unwavering.
I saw them, they kept fighting , some used their thick armour and deflected deadly bullet for the common soldier, risking themselves for us.
They plugged the gaps in our defenses, with their very lives, giving us valuable time and buying our lives for the price of their own.
I never stopped praying, and they never stopped fighting. I believe with all my heart that the Emperor heard us, for the sky was split asunder, and one gigantic angelic figure clad in golden armour appeared, a living saint of the Imperium.
Her voice was thunder and her voice was fire, for even the wounded felt their strength return, even the dying stood again on their own legs and carried a weapon.
Such was our fervor that we charged. There was no order for a charge; we were compelled to do so by the sheer overwhelming presence.
And the green tide broke, their warmachines burning and beasts dying by the thousands. We pushed and pushed, and we were victorious, killing their leader and splitting the horde into infighting before picking them off afterwards.
We were victorious. And the angelic saint was nowhere to be seen, she led us to victory, and just as she appeared, she was gone. I have no doubts that she was needed elsewhere, to another battlefield. But I praise the Emperor to this day, and i am grateful, that she appeared on mine.
The yellow marines saved us with their noble sacrifice, they collected their fallen soldiers stoically, they did not show it, but they lamented their dead kin. We watched as they carried their own fallen into their ships.
And we stomped our feet and clanked our weapons in respect to the living and chanted the hymns of war to the fallen. They were silent as they departed our world. I have not heard of them since, I hope the Emperor protects them, and knowing their brave heart, I am sure he does, even now as we are far from them.
Soon after; we rebuilt, a temple was made to honour the saint and the noble marines, and I was rewarded as the member of the PDF with war decorations, and was convinced to join the Guard not long after, and in my life I have seen many brave men and women join the guard and serve the Imperium, and I was proud to have fought alongside them. My life was his currency, and I am sure, I have spent it well for all its duration. "
He finished and smiled gently as he remembered all those with whom he made memories to last a lifetime.
Silence fell onto the station and even the priests were respectful of the story and continued working in silence. Many young soldiers and officers contemplated what he has said and were still standing in respectful silence.
But silence was broken by the proximity alarms immediately after.
"All men, to positions! We have a breach" the senior officer barked his commands. He approached the priest with great goggles attached to his head.
"Tell me ,what do you see, who is upon us!"
The priest was unresponsive and kept shaking, blood flowing out his mouth and a sizzle was heard in his head gear, shortcut followed soon and a loud scream from the priest as the gear fried his head, his head slammed against the command desk and smoke started going from his head.
Not wasting a moment the senior officer issued orders.
"Arm all weapons, send a message to the imperium, we are under attack! "
From the outer rim of the galaxy, from the cold void of space, the old machines finally felt prepared and arrived.
"By the Emperor… " one of the gunners spoke as he saw them " look at the size of them. There must be thousands. "
"We do not stand a chance. Fighting them is suicidal. I order an evacuation, soldiers to your pods, servitors man the weapons, we will buy you time, find a hiding place onto the nearby planet, locate our caches, and simply survive, I have no doubts the imperium will come one day, and you must remain alive until then. "
The young and inexperienced hesitated, then obeyed and proceeded to their pods.
" Lord. Not enough manpower remains for proper operational function of the stations weaponry. Additional manpower required for manning the weapons. " a cold voice of the servitor said
Some of the youth upon hearing these words began to return to some of the empty stations before being cut off.
" No. this time, the old will not send the young to die." The old veteran Crasus said to those who not until long ago listened to his stories. " I have lived a long life, and you have plenty ahead of you in the service of the Imperium, his currency is not so lightly wasted. I will man one of the guns, I doubt that even if all all are manned that we would make a difference.
Go to your pods. Live to fight another day."
The youths were lost for words, humbled by this old giant.
" The emperor protects good Crassus." The youth said.
" The Emperor protects, Molexus. Go now, it is up to you now to share my stories. Good luck."
They shook their hands and the youths went to the pods, some of which were already launching.
At this point 80% of all gun batteries were manned, sufficient to buy time for those escaping against the thousands of machines approaching them.
"Macrius, are the cannons loaded? "the old veteran asked one of the volunteers
"Loaded and Angry, the machine spirit screams in rage at the preposterous invaders." The young soldier responded with a wide smile.
"Unleash the machine spirit! " the old one pointed at the massed numbers of black vessels "Fire!"
The station was illuminated by mass driver discharge , plasma and laser weaponry soon following and spearing directly towards the incoming enemy.
Impacts on the blue shields of the black vessels resonated harshly, the crackling of the energy indicated that the stations weapons hit hard, the dark vessels did not respond, either lacking range or lacking concern for what the station could unleash upon them.
"Second volley! Fire!" the officer ordered
This time as the weaponry fired, the closer proximity of the dark machines proved to be of bad judgment as one dark vessel lost its shield allowing for plasma round to begin melting inside of it, it coiled around itself, violently shaking
"The abominations are mortal, praise be the Emperor, fire at will, unleash everything we have upon them! " the officer enjoyed their moment of defiance against insurmountable odds.
Its metallic scream reverberated amongst its kin, whom this time around, upon seeing the death of their brother began charging their main weapon, from the black mass thousands upon thousands of glowing red energy began collecting and charging for singular strike.
"This is it men, may the Emperor guide us towards his light. Lets give them our final greetings, all solutions to the target 113. Burn the bastard. "
Station of the Imperium roared once more and engulfed another black vessel, its 2 km frame gave in upon the impact of the torpedoes and mass driver weapons, its innards burnt and its belly ruptured from the ordinance, it was huge, and it had huge guts, spilling them into the empty space.
It was moments later that all dark vessels fired upon the stations, red light engulfing the station, void shields ate the energy of the vessels before giving in against the sheer unimaginable power, failing and letting the station hull to take the next round.
Metal melted and wiring shortcut as the laser weaponry ate through the hull, command desk was obliterated instantly, its heroic crew doing its duty until the last breath.
As the station burnt and died, the escape pods were entering the orbit of the nearby planet. They could only look in anger as their brothers died to the onslaught of the machines.
As they safely landed they hurried to the bunkers and crewed anti space weapons ready to fight back when the machines decided to come for them.
They never did.
Tens of thousands of dark vessels just proceeded towards the relay leading deeper into the imperial territory. Seemingly ignoring the survivors of the station now isolated on the planet. Realization has set in that the machines do not consider them a threat worthy of their attention, they are stuck here, and it would be easy for machines to come back and finish the job, providing starvation does not get them first. They resolved to speed up the process though, and launched many troop transports towards the planet, win or lose, what remains of the survivors would be of no threat to the Reapers.
Unbeknownst to the survivors, the galaxy was under siege, from many entry points into the galaxy these same machines assaulted other races and nations, their numbers endless, the Reapers prepared for this event countless millennia ago, they woke their sleeping brethren who were not needed for this cycle, every single reaper who was sleeping for innumerable cycle was woken.
The Reaper numbers were truly gargantuan, they had millions of years, thousands of cycles to build their vessels from the races they incorporated. And now every single reaper was awoken to do one final job of wiping the slate clean, not just of this galaxy, but of all the other ones, where there is life, there is possibility for the chaotic anomalies, reapers concluded, so the only way to truly stop any other anomalies like Anhur ,they would have to resolve the problem of those who caused the anomalies, the sentient beings.
It was not war that came to the milky way, it was genocide of life, and none would be spared in the coming conflict.
Act III : Total War
Many desperate acts came to be in this dark period of galactic history, the Imperial fleet turned around at the precipice of the final victory, Chaotic forces made their move, and other players made their acts on the stage known, much to the sorrow of the galaxy, for each of these actions preceded much suffering on the grand scale.
It is hard now to think of the galaxy as a place of peace that it once almost was, before the imperial arrival and the end game stage that it now plays on.
Many relays flared to life upon Reaper incursion, many new races flooded the galactic stage, no longer contained within their systems, but fostered onwards by destructive curiosity.
The Citadel Federation Empire had a noteworthy event during the opening stages of the final play that all actors in this galaxy were obliged to play. This unified entity of Salarians, Asari, Turians, Krogan and few other races were in retrospect wise to have embraced paranoia and war effort on such a grand scale, for the old Citadel Space races would be an easy target for such an overwhelming power that Reapers represented.
More than Three decades passed from the arrival of the Imperium into this universe, and three decades is a plenty time to build a significant force when fostered with fear mongering and rage inducing propaganda.
The Citadel High Command considered the old Citadel Station as a risky seat for their power, considering it an exposed part of its body where a surgically placed blade could cut any and all leadership capacity. Namely this opinion came from more than a few terrorist acts from Cerberus and Imperium, one which saw the 4th wing of the citadel being carefully mined by the imperium and its agents, this part of the wing housed prisoners of war, captured informants ,and generally some people the Imperium did not want others to have.
With months of preparations the mines were activated and 1/5th of the wing instantly detached in a violent explosion, life support failing as power was lost from the center of the citadel. There were no survivors, as the agents proceeded to kill anyone who remained alive. Citadel federation desired vengeance, but lack of knowledge who caused the explosion prevented any sort of meaningful action, there was some revenge actions sure, but it was mostly done against fragmented remnants of the former alliance, few worlds were taken, stations destroyed and pirates hunted down, CFE proclaimed victory in retribution and settled the issue, unwilling to wage war against either Cerberus or Imperium at that current point in history.
Realizing that the Citadel was such a weak point, the CFE created a decentralized military command, and highest officers were connected by Quantum Communicator , on each capital planet, finest officers in the specialized bunkers now had direct conversational link to their racial compatriots. Thesia was connected to Palaven, Palaven to the homeworlds of their client races, and they managed to cooperate quite efficiently, without being compromised as if they were all coagulated in one singular point in space, the only officials remaining in the stations were insignificant diplomats and other minor officers which had no impact on grand military structure. This would prove to be the saving grace of CFE.
When the reapers arrived, their fleets were numerous and fielded from 1000 to tens of thousands of reapers of various shapes and sizes, each suited to its task of extermination.
If reapers had a weakness it is in their specialization, the shape and their machine precision, rare was a ship that was bigger than 2km , for the reapers considered it a waste of resources, in countless millions of years that passed they noticed that galaxy was never truly capable of producing a vessel that could pass that mark, and so they never considered it a viable investment of creating countless ships pass the 2km mark. But it would be madness to consider they did not had anything stronger, for the galaxy is old, and some race could have produced heroes of its own era to challenge established doctrines of war.
Reapers avoided the milky way ever since the arrival of the imperium, and they went blind to it the moment they felt the Anhur Anomaly, closing their eyes so as not to be corrupted by the illogical event which pierced the very fabric of reality.
And so for many years they improved themselves to better resist any corruption of their logical cores, taking many years to adapt and overcome their natural fear of illogical things.
Considering that they are ready to wipe the slate clean, the reapers mustered 100% of their forces, many which have not been active for countless cycles, and then decided to invade the Milky Way once more.
Their incursion was not solely militaristic, they opened their eyes and gazed through the artifacts across the galaxy and saw that it was radically different than when they last checked decades ago. Their northern artifacts were blind or gone ,for the Imperium simply burnt or destroyed anything which was foreign to them, prehistoric artifacts simply were shattered by superstitious masses and if there was a chance to see what the Imperium was capable off, it was now gone.
If the machines could feel anger, this would have no doubt caused it. And reapers were not simply machines, they could feel, but could not act impulsively, they decided that this approach of galactic cleansing would be done with methodic precision and calculated movement, they were slow in their actions, very, very slow, they did not jump relay to relay in their desire to siege many worlds at the same time, they could not risk anything escaping their gaze.
So they resolved that in their first act of war they would swarm from the south, east and west, avoiding the unknown north, for it was a region of space which was barely populated in many cycles until this point, and considered the south life bearing regions first on their agenda. they could not take any chances to lose a fleet or give enemy info on what they were.
They sought to activate the citadel and get one of their fleets instantly there, but the signal could not be activated. Searching for reasons as to why this was the case, the reapers activated relics with which they could see in the citadel, to consider Reapers didn't have eyes everywhere in this galaxy is idiotic, and many eyes opened.
They contemplated their move, this cycle was different. The races of this cycle had no single point of command, this provided serious complications. They could not simply turn off the relay station now and isolate systems, that way risking the races organizing some unexpected form of resistance, as they had no way to cut their central command and preventing them from truly fighting back.
This had to be done the hard way, system after system, with the relay network online, they could not risk organics escaping somewhere in their desperate attempts to survive.
They would bait them, their fleets were invincible, or so the logical core thought, they would give organics something they usually don't, hope.
Tricking them into thinking that they can organize any meaningful fleet resistance and fight back. This was all an illusion, for the reapers were innumerable, this way the organics will seek to fight, and not escape, at least until they see that this was all a gigantic trap, but then it would be too late, with their fleets gone, the organics would be systematically exterminated.
Agreeing on many topics of war and logistics, they approached from the outer rim of the galaxy, and invaded.
One of the first organic races to strike back were Citadel Federation Empire. Seeing this assault as one of the Cerberus or pirate raids, assembled some 200 ships, mostly small, insignificant vessels which could be spared in a punishing expedition meant for the outer system which went dark.
All fleets on their leading vessel had Quantum Communicator, they were expensive to make, but Turians forced this initiative, money be damned, they would not have their ships operating at lowered battle efficiency.
The following recording of the events in what was dubbed by the CFE as "The First Contact Aggression" came to be only because of this communicator, the event itself was classified at first. But nothing can be hidden forever.
"Mission Log, Day 8 of our travel to the system of Xyrrahuimal. Or Zhiram in the vocabulary of the Turian Hierarchy. This system belongs to one of our newest client races, whom joined the galactic stage not few years ago, it was in our best interest to turn them into client state as fast as possible as a way of saving them from the human plague.
Our arrival into the system of Zhirians is expected in few minutes; our mission, preservation of our client race from an unknown aggression, presumed to be Cerberus, but on a scale uncommon to them.
My flight officer is signaling that we are almost in their system; this log will continue being recorded via my personal camera and other recording divices all over the fleet for better event recording. Captain Roggas of the Turian Hierarchy, part of the Citadel Federation reporting."
The turian presses his recording device on his chest, ceasing personal recording.
"Fleet entering the system in 5…4…3…2…1." The flight officer spoke and the fleet warped into the system.
Their arrival was welcomed by the single word of its captain
"What the hell…"
And Hell indeed it was, the home planet of the Zhirians was close to the relay, and even from this position the planet was seen as burning, its dark side fully engulfed in fire. And countless black objects circulated the world itself surgically bombarding it. Two of its moons were shattered open, their cores exposed, the invaders did not desire to waste time conquering those, one of those had Turian base located in order to safeguard the system against invasions, in its place was only a burning crater now.
Only the capital planet was seen as point of interest. Unbeknownst to the CFE fleet, the Reapers were recruiting. Capturing the Zhirians and turning them into their first land units, with serious hardship, for the Zhirians were over 2 meter (over 7 feet) tall and muscular, resembling human gorillas in appearance. And they fought with everything they had against the Reapers.
"Captain, what do we do?" the officer asked his superior. Before he could respond the black objects coagulated and attacked with unexpected speed.
"Defensive formation! I want recon on how many there are of them here . this was not just a simple raid, this is a full blown invasion!" the Captain almost howled his orders, drool falling from his mandibles.
The black vessels mostly 2km in size approached in a firing position against the fleet which was now taking defensive shape. The odds were highly against them, but the Turians were not known for simply retreating.
"Captain, there are thousands of them, the computer is having troubles scanning the vessels, their shape is unknown….this isn't Cerberus."
The red glare of death emanated from the reaper vessels and unleashed their deadly salvo. Near 30 vessels of the Turian Fleet were instantly obliterated into nothingness.
"By the God of War, such power!" one of the officers on the capital vessel spoke and rose from his place and gazed at the burning ruins of the destroyed ships.
"Sit down soldier! " the Captain shouted and pointed his finger at the turian which rose up. "We aren't done yet!" his gaze now fixated on the reaper fleet
"Fire all we have, show them the power of the Citadel Federation and the Hierarchy!"
The small vessels of the anti pirate fleet opened fire upon the black vessels, the salvo impacted upon the shielding of the Reapers to little effect, ordinance was not concentrated and smaller ships picked their own targets, this was catastrophic mistake which became evident when the reapers, unphased and unbloodied, charged their weapons once more.
"Brace for impact!"the Captain spoke.
Once more the red rays of death surged onwards, eating alive the metal hull of the ships, and obliterating them instantly.
40 vessels this time around perished. And more reapers filled the empty gaps of their formation, it would appear that the next salvo would also be the last salvo.
The Captain knew this, he was a veteran of the Turio-Krogan conflict 10 years ago in which a warlord of the krogan assembled a small fleet and challenged the Citadel Federation, it was not a fair challenge and the Warlord lost after a single space battle in which the makeshift krogan fleet was outnumbered 5 to1 , discussions about the battle are still ongoing, but many agree that it was a desperate attempt of the krogan to die in glory and not wither away due to genophage. Last reports after that battle is that krogan clans on Tuchanka were unified by a leader of the clan Urdnot, and that they were militarizing.
So the Captain decided to follow in the example of the Krogan Warlord, his fleet was humiliated. Indeed, he lacked warships or any other dedicated space battle ship beyond common 100-150m corvettes. But that still did not mitigate his feeling of wounded pride upon his entire race and the Federation which he truly believed in and served.
"All remaining ships. This is the Captain, we did not expect this, this overwhelming power, but it lies on us now that we do not go down as cowards and weaklings in the annals of history. Our retreat is cut off, they expect us to break and attempt to run, hunting us down as a band of hunters would Shatha.
But we will not run, and we will not be cowards, for all our lack of power to win, we will do one thing they do not expect. We will draw blood.
My last order! Aim at the vessel my ship is targeting, it is 160m long, and it made a mistake of approaching far to close to the wounded beast! Obliterate it! In the name of the Federation! For Palaven! "
The fleet crew cheered one last time and aimed at the reaper 160 meter ship which sought to connect to a ship and drill a hole through it with its laser weapon.
It was fast approaching, and no doubt its systems warned it, a bit too late, that the entire fleet is poised at it. The entire fleet howled its weaponry at the 160 tall reaper, first impact harmlessly bounced off the shields of this ancient construct, following firepower impacted and risked heavily to overload the shielding, as the fleet volley came to a close the shields collapsed and one lucky torpedo drilled itself deep into the reaper, and exploded from within, blasting the vessel apart.
The victorious cheer would not last for long as the reaper fleet idled a second, seemingly confused at the death of its brother, not expecting that to occur.
An eye for an eye. Was the dominant thought of that moment.
The Reaper fleet charged their weapons and the citadel fleet expected oblivion, only for it to be delayed a minute more.
The entire fleet of Reapers unleashed their salvo, and directly at the leading vessel of the Citadel Federation's fleet. The Turmoil of Khizra lived its last moment. The captain of that vessel smiled as only a Turian would, knowing that his memory will not be spoiled by any foreign army. He was illuminated in the red glow of the reapers charging their weapons before seconds later his ship turned to nothing but small debris and ash.
The fleet, now without its leader, sought to repeat its tactic and searched for a target in vain, as the smaller vessels of the Reapers, seemingly humbled retreated behind their 2km brethren, and before the fleet could find a solid targeting opportunity were engaged in volley after volley by the Reapers, obliterating the entire fleet.
Reaper armada has won the first battle of this galactic conflict, and soon enough many systems would be under siege as more and more reapers attacked isolated outer rim systems.
War has finally come to the entire galaxy; be it ready, or not.