Standard disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect, nor any other content that you recognise. Some characters and systems are original creations. I am receiving no money for my work.
Zodiac System – Zodiac Group
2112.11.10
The bridge crew of the Destiny Ascension looked up in shock as rather than giving Matriarch Lidanya permission to engage, Martriarch Benezia swept towards the Helm and Nav positions to get a better view of the main tactical plot.
"10% is the maximum amount of the main drives thrust that the reversing engines can counteract?" Matriarch Benezia asked quickly.
Matriarch Lidanya nodded cautiously in conformation, getting the feeling that she wasn't going to like where her fellow Matriarch was going with this.
"Then you may commence battle manoeuvring at 10% of maximum thrust Matriarch." Matriarch Benezia stated distractedly as she searched the tactical plot for some solution to their plight.
"Matriarch!" Matriarch Lidanya's voice was filled with horror. "We can't manoeuvre properly on 10% thrust! We can't fight a battle like that!"
"We're not fighting a battle Matriarch, we are just making sure that we are not target practice for the human guns. I refuse to believe that our only option is to compound the turian error." Matriarch Benezia's voice was determined, she wasn't giving up on a peaceful solution until the first round was fired.
"Admiral Raeka is challenging the thrust limitations Matriarch." Comms called out uncertainly
"Tell him and the rest of the salarians to deal with it and follow orders. And get the SSV Trafalgar on the line." Matriarch Benezia stated decisively, staring down Matriarch Lidanya. The other Matriarch looked like she wanted to argue, but the slight movement in the shadowed recesses of the bridge put an end to that defiance. Glancing at the floor rather than face the figure in the shadows, Matriarch Lidanya backed down.
Seeing the acquiescence of Matriarch Lidanya, the comms officer nodded and changed Trafalgar's link to the Citadel Fleets banner officer network from listen only to two way.
"Matriarch Benezia, this is Captain Bordey. We have monitored the situation." The confident tones of the first human captain to encounter the asari reverberated around the deathly silent bridge of the Council bannership.
"Do you think you can convince the human Admiral to stand down Captain? I don't want this to turn into an all-out war." Matriarch Benezia asked calmly.
"It's a big ask in these tactical circumstances, even without a destroyed frigate in the mix muddying the waters." The human Captain replied honestly. "But we will see what we can do."
The entire Citadel Fleet held their collective breath as SSV Trafalgar broadcast in the clear at the rapidly closing human fleet.
"This is Captain Edouard Bordey of the SSV Trafalgar calling Admiral Katrine Drescher. Admiral, I can see the Cotopaxi on my sensors so I'm hoping you're with that fleet. I am transmitting our clearance and authentication codes now."
"What is he doing? Why can't we understand him?" Matriarch Lidanya burst out, almost panicking.
"He's not using the human language known as English Matriarch, it's the only one we have translation software for and has been shared via melding with Lieutenant Walailak." Comms reported.
"Benezia! Aren't you going to stop him? He could be making this situation a thousand times worse!"
"How exactly could he make this situation worse Matriarch?" Matriarch Benezia replied calmly. "We're already sailing into a battle we don't want. Captain Bordey has probably chosen this language as an additional proof of independence to the human Admiral, she must know that we are likely to only have translation software for English. I think we can extend the good Captain a little trust in these matters."
"Or enough rope to hang himself and his species with." The shadowed figure in the corner of the bridge muttered, speaking for the first time since entering the bridge.
"Well at least I know your not a computer programme. Even if the asari have developed a translation programme for French as well, they couldn't recreate that god-awful Québécois accent. Report sailor." Admiral Katrine Drescher's clipped, Parisian accent was noticeable even to those that had no idea what was being said.
"Admiral, SSV Trafalgar engaged in commerce raiding against the turian forces until being lured into a trap and boarded by the asari 17 days ago. We were then non-violently interrogated for information as to the situation in Zodiac and Theta."
"Do you have enemy forces aboard now?"
"Negative, we are in complete control of the Trafalgar. Vicksburg, salutation, gravity."
"You know full well that the not under duress passwords are invalid after more than 48hrs of being boarded by enemy forces Captain."
"Acknowledged Admiral, all the same we are not under duress. We are with the Citadel Fleet of our own free will and at their non-compulsory invitation."
"Say your piece Captain Bordey. I'm not saying I believe that you're not under duress, but you deserve to be heard out."
"Admiral, the turian fleet attacking Theta was acting against the orders of the Citadel Council, from the fact you recognised half of this fleet as asari and have captured a turian dreadnought I'm guessing you know about it. The Council is livid, as soon as they found out what the rogue turians had done they gathered and dispatched this fleet, deliberately consisting of only asari and salarian ships, under the command of one of their most experienced ambassadors."
"Their orders are to halt the actions of the renegade turian fleet, arrest and detain its command staff, and blow them all out of the stars if they refuse to comply. From the looks of things, you've beaten them to it."
"And their plans for us?" Admiral Drescher's voice was granite hard.
"The Citadel ambassador has orders to open diplomatic communications with humanity, they were expecting to have the proof of defeating the renegade turian fleet to offer as their good intentions. The size and power of this fleet was to be turned against them, not against the Systems Alliance."
"Why then did they destroy one of my ships? SSV Talikota was destroyed without reason or warning."
"The Talikota was effectively destroyed by a collision Admiral. Their only option to avoid collision was to dive into the oval in the asari flagship. Asari ships have two drive cores, I'm sure your chief engineer can tell you what happens when two drive cores interact, and they do so in the centre of the oval on asari ships, it's the reason for its existence. Talikota was ripped apart by the dark energy and gravity maelstrom, it was neither a deliberate nor hostile act by the asari."
There was silence across the comms frequencies for several minutes.
"Admiral, I know I am asking a lot, but please, the asari don't want to fight us. If we can find the courage to trust them on that then this war can be over, today. If not, thousands more are going to die. I know you can't be sure of anything I'm saying, so I'll use a code phrase that no handler would allow through. Firefly, the definition of interesting: oh god oh god, we're all going to die."
There was silence across the bridge of the Destiny Ascension as the humans conversed in the unknown language. When the comms frequencies fell silent for a second time all of the asari held their breath, waiting for something – anything – to indicate if the human Captain's plea had been successful. Hardly daring to hope that they wouldn't have to fight today.
"Course change!" Sensors called out suddenly. "Human fleet is diverging, spitting into thirds. Two are going high at diverging angles, one low but maintaining approach."
"They're moving to bracket us." Matriarch Lidanya said sadly, she had hoped that Matriarch Benezia's last ditch appeal would avoid battle, but it seemed it was not to be. "Those positions will put them up, ahead and to the right; up, ahead and to the left and below and ahead of us. They'll all have clear firing arcs for their main guns while being out of the line of fire for all of the main guns of our fleet, asari or salarian."
"Not yet." Matriarch Benezia stood routed to the spot, answering Matriarch Lidanya's request before she had even made it.
"Matriarch, the enemy fleet is engaged in aggressive battle manoeuvres and is approaching at high speed. You MUST give us the ability to manoeuvre properly!" Matriarch Lidanya was almost speechless with shock, to leave them sitting ducks for the human fleets gunners on the vague hope that they might not fire, it was insane.
"Not Yet." Matriarch Benezia was resolute.
"Matriarch! This could result in the destruction of the entire fleet despite our numerical and firepower advantage!" Matriarch Lidanya tried again, desperately trying to make Matriarch Benezia see that she was going to get many fine asari and salarian sailors killed if she continued to cripple the fleets ability to manoeuvre.
"I said Not Yet Lidanya!" Matriarch Benezia raised her voice for the first time since coming aboard. The bridge fell to total silence as the crew observed the battle of wills between the two Matriarchs.
"Benezia." The shadowed figure said only one word, but it was enough. Matriarch Benezia's shoulders slumped as she admitted defeat; and prepared herself to watch a bloodbath.
The defeated Matriarch whispered her acquiescence. "Very well Matriarch Lidanya, you are…"
"COURSE CHANGE!" Sensors practically screamed announcement brought the tension back to the bridge full force.
"New destination?" Matriarch Lidanya snapped out, never taking her eyes off Benezia, if the dam woman went back on her decision to let her engage properly now then she was going to throw a warp at her face. Council ambassador and renowned commando or not!
"None, Matriarch." Tactical whispered in awe, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "They're flipping, the human ships! They're all flipping!"
Stunned silence fell.
"Confirm." Matriarch Lidanya whispered, hardly daring to hope.
"Confirmed Matriarch, the course change has protected their engines from direct shots. We can only hit their sterns with glancing blows on their new courses, but they have all flipped and are burning at full power on their main drives. They will reach 0/10 intercept in 20 minutes at current speed." Tactical replied swallowing nervously and awaiting orders.
"Will they still be bracketing us at that intercept?" Matriarch Lidanya queried curiously.
"Yes Matriarch. Their overall course remains unchanged, they will be able to fire on us from three directions and will be out of the firing arcs of all main guns of the fleet." Tactical confirmed the Matriarch's suspicions.
"Your move." Matriarch Benezia stated confidently, energy flooding back into her. "This is a negotiation with ships, not words Lidanya. The human Admiral has exposed her sterns to us, she wants something in return."
"An advantageous firing position if we turn out to be lying." Matriarch Lidanya nodded respectfully at the screen showing the human fleets movements. "She's showing weakness to us, so we have to show weakness to her. Otherwise she's going to flip her ships again."
Matriarch Benezia turned, but before she could speak Matriarch Lidanya spoke again.
"Helm: Fleetwide order: Cut main drives and engage reversing engines. We are going for a 0/0 intercept with the human fleet. All ships are to maintain current orientation, no main guns are to be pointed at the human fleet of I'll throw the offending captain out the airlock myself."
Matriarch Lidanya looked up at the slightly surprised Matriarch Benezia. "I don't want a shooting war either Matriarch, and an Admiral that dares to expose her sterns like that? Well she has a quad alright, and I'm willing to see what she has to say."
Matriarch Benezia nodded respectfully to her counterpart while staring at the human ship marked SSV Cotopaxi. The turian fleet had been defeated by these humans and that made these negotiations the most important first contact since the one with the turians themselves. Matriarch Benezia felt an excitement she hadn't felt since her maiden years as the human flagship slowly grew larger on the screen, it was the excitement of the unknown.
Codex Entry: Humans – Special Forces
(Citadel Codex, First Human SPECTRE Collector's Edition, 2183)
Systems Alliance special forces come in two types, the navy special forces, and the army special forces. More highly trained than even the marines, these are the truly exceptional sailors and soldiers of the Alliance. The highest rank, N7/A7 is the Alliance's answer to the SPECTREs.
The designator N or A is used to denote whether the sailor / soldier is a member of the navy or army special forces, while the number is used to denote their skill level with 7 being the highest.
The special forces have an interesting relationship with the military ranks system and do not use non-com ranks higher than chief petty officer / sergeant, nor officer ranks higher than captain / colonel. They are far to skilled to leave the field and place in a flag officers' role.
To advance passed these limits, N sailors must transfer back to the navy and enlist in the N forces training programme as an instructor. The same is true for the army.
N1: Those who complete the first round of training are given the designation N1 and are granted the rank of sailor first class. They are then sent for additional training. The instructors will keep an eye out for promising talent and recommend their promotion to leading hand.
The same is true of the army A forces with the relevant ranks being private first class and lance corporal.
N2: To advance to the rank of N2, N1s must specialise. The most common specialisations are sniper, tech, demolition and medic. Unlike in the main military branches, specialisation alone is not enough to increase rank from sailor first class. Increasing an N force grade is seen as reward enough.
The instructors will keep an eye out for promising talent and recommend their promotion to petty officer.
The same is true of the army A forces with the relevant rank being corporal.
N3: To advance to the rank of N3, N2s must learn a second specialisation. As an N forces squad will never exceed 8 soldiers, and will often only contain 4, this dual specialisation is required to ensure the fireteams and squads have all of the skills needed to complete their missions.
Unlike in the main branches, specialisation alone is not enough to increase rank from sailor first class. Increasing N force grade is seen as reward enough. The instructors will keep an eye out for promising talent and recommend their promotion to chief petty officer The highest non-com rank special forces can hold.
The same is true of the army A forces with the relevant rank being sergeant.
N4: To advance to the rank of N4, N3's must specialise in a shipboard operation, usually engineering, environmental or piloting, to enable them to assist in the running of their insertion vessels. Keeping the number of people who need to know about their missions to the absolute minimum possible.
Once this has been accomplished, they will be deployed. A single fireteam of 4 N4s is assigned per cruiser detachment / squadron. The instructors will keep an eye out for promising talent and recommend their promotion to ensign.
The same is true of the army A forces with the relevant rank being 2nd lieutenant.
N5: N5s are individual N forces sailors that have shown particular skill at both lone working and defensive tactics. They are assigned the rank of lieutenant and are placed in command of the protection detail of VIP targets such as the Prime Minister, the Alliance's Citadel ambassador, the Space Lords and the Sky Marshals.
The same is true of the A forces deployed in the army with the relevant rank also being lieutenant.
N6: N6's are N4's who have caught the attention of their superiors and have been recommended for the final and most intense N forces training available. They are assigned to the Alliance fleets and strike groups in squads of 8 upon completion of their training.
The instructors will keep an eye out for promising talent and recommend their promotion to lieutenant commander.
The same is true of the A forces deployed in the army with the relevant rank also being lieutenant colonel.
N7: N7's are N6's who have shown the ability to work alone, either without the need of a dedicated N force fireteam, or with support from standard personnel found near their objective.
To enable the maximum use of this lone working ability, all N7's are granted the rank of lieutenant and are placed in the executive officers slot on navy frigates.
There they are to learn how to command a navy warship, so that upon completion of that training, they may command their own insertion ships. This drastically improves information compartmentalisation on the ultra-sensitive missions they are deployed on.
Upon being signed off as capable of commanding a navy warship, the N7 is promoted to lieutenant commander and is placed under the direct authority of the Second Space Lord at fleet headquarters.
Accomplishments on the battlefield and the successful completion of missions can see the N7 promoted to commander, the most commonly held N7 rank, or even more rarely to captain. The highest officer rank an N force sailor can hold.
N7 captain's often mentor newly graduated lieutenant commanders that they believe hold particular promise, a certain spark of undefinable ability that the captain believes makes the N7 capable of passing the commander rank celling to become one of the handful of N7 captains themselves.
The most famous N7's are the newly appointed SPECTRE, Lieutenant Commander John Shepard, and his mentor; Captain David Anderson.
Timeline Changes So Far
First colony on mars: 27 years earlier than canon
Discovery of Prothean ruins: 64 years earlier than canon
Founding of the Systems Alliance (council of nations version): 63 years earlier than canon
First Contact War: 45 years earlier than canon