Just under a year ago the Asari Republics sent a cruiser out on a scouting mission to the Nubian Expanse. The 'Azedes' was tasked to scan nearby systems for possible garden worlds and resources. Far better suited for long excursions than any frigate, the cruiser performed two prior searches before arriving in Anchiorn. Following radio signals the ship came upon a spinning ball of rock and water nearly twice the size of earth with an imaging satellite pointed straight at them. Turvess, homeworld of the Raloi had officially been discovered.
After failing to establish analog radio contact, a surprisingly difficult task for such an advanced ship, A first contact package was safely landed at the telescope's estimated control center. Nearly the size of a standard refrigerator, the capsule contained numerous instruments; atmospheric samplers, electromagnetic detectors etc. A linguistic decoder and cultural analysis virtual intelligence nicknamed Rosetta was developed by Humans as a way to prevent another first contact war. Along with the VI was two dozen easy to use translator headsets preset to basic trade tongue. During its time among the Raloi people, Rosetta compiled a simple codex.
A distinctively avian species living in a caste system, the Raloi divided their planet's large pangea like continent among the world's five superpowers known as clans. Each one, Vukoma, Dwara, Jebuk, Yadan and Ragnal holds a roughly even portion in radial symmetry around a circular range of mountains. The central area while at a higher elevation than most of the world is still low and flat enough to house a large field and forest surrounded trade city referred to as 'Cloud Reach'. The apparent planetary capitol was currently occupied by the Vokuma clan.
"Really, not a single picture? Cheap piece of crap." Shepard frisbeed her datapad to some corner of the hanger bay. It was 0800 hours, landing day. In just an hour the Spectre would have to play schoolmarm to 30 overgrown children, most of whom had guns. Shep decided to get out her bitchiness now. The last thing anyone needed was a diplomatic incident. She did the only thing any good military leader would.
"Get a move on people! I've seen dead turtles prep shuttles faster!" She shouted taunts, slurs and epithets that would leave a Krogan raised by Batarian pirates gobsmacked. That was until Erane showed up to watch all the commotion. Shep may have been a loose moraled and foul mouthed marine, but she still didn't want to be a bad influence. The girl's small giggle and a crewman's grown told her that she was at just the right amount of crudeness.
Normandy's standard complement of Kodiak drop shuttles; while good for deploying a pair of fire teams, were a tad small for the multi-raced delegation. Shepard chose to have them replaced with a more substantial vehicle, something able to withstand the potential use of nuclear weapons. Just in case the Raloi wanted to live out any peri-atomic age civilization's fantasy of nuking some space invaders.
The System's Alliance Naval Corps of Engineers designed UC-48 'Ursa Major' was without a doubt a prime example of what Humans could create. With state of the art Kinetic barriers, Hyper compressed Titanium alloy armor, Four heavy duty individually cored thrusters and enough cargo space to hold a fully loaded Mako.
A hefty price tag initially kept its number in the low dozens. However a series of vids filmed by a Bloodpack mercenary monikered 'Demolisher' started to show up on the extranet. In each recording the Krogan along with his pet Varen 'Fellbite' would test the durability of a confirmed stolen UC-48. Assault rifles, shotguns, warhammers, grenades and rocket launchers had no effect. After a week long break the photogenic reptile returned with daily vids. A pair of unfortunate Vorcha pilots flew the shuttle through numerous tests, each one more absurd than the last. Dodging anti-air cannons, submerged in radioactive ponds, ramming into dilapidated ruins even knocking Harvesters out of the sky.
The now famous 'Flying Tomkah' finally met its match when Demolisher had it used to harass a Thresher Maw. Despite all its previous damage, the craft withstood being the enormous annelid's chew toy for nearly ten minutes. Eventually the worm's acid ate through to the main core. The estimated .3 kiloton detonation eviscerated the Maw and left a nearby Demolisher with moderate radiation burns along his left side due to shielding Fellbite. The Krogan labeled the Ursa Major as 'Worthy of respect' and 'Built Tuchanka tough'.
Most of the ground team had assembled in the hanger. Everybody was wearing their sunday best. Pressed clothes, light perfumes, well manicured talons, decorative silks, polished armor and crisp clean face markings. Even the Elcor doned what amounted to a woman's business suit, with the help of her Loki mechs no doubt.
"Ok people." Shepard called out hoping off the shuttles roof. "We are here on behalf of not just some companies or organizations, but of our respective races. This civilization is younger than any the Council has attempted to contact." Several nods showed in the crowd. "We do not know how they will react to us. We also have no data on social cues, body language, temperament or even what they look like, so be on your best behavior. Do not assume anything about their culture or their construction; we do not need someone peeing in the punchbowl." A handful of laughs. "The bridge-crew has sent and received simple burst communications. The Raloi know we are coming and have given us coordinantes to an LZ right in the heart of their capitol. It seems they are trusting us enough not to conquer them today. That said everyone find a seat and get comfy."
"Reegar!" Shep yelled up to the catwalk. "Ship's yours until we get back. No parties, keep the doors locked and make sure the kids are in bed by eight."
"Understood Ma'am." The Quarian marine lied.
The group filled in to the drop ship with surprising enthusiasm. It had been a long journey and they wanted to get their feet on the ground. Shep felt the same and smiled as she sat next to the Turian pilot.
"Let's go shake some hands!"