A/N: This one is a bit short unfortunately, but well it's a transition chapter. We'll be back to full size next time. As always, like, hate, see something you want to comment good or ill on? Leave a review. I feed on them. Also incase anyone is wondering where the next ISoaN chapter is, it's 50% done, got delayed by multiple surgeries in may and wasn't feeling very jovial so didn't end up doing much writing for the generally happy toned ISoaN. I'm hoping to get back in gear on it tommorow and have it out in a week or two.
A/N2: Alot of you are probably wondering why the heck this shows up in your feed twice. The reason for that is well, as you'll see, this is an extended version of the chapter that was here before. This version of the chapter mixes what was the original draft of the chapter, with the final product of the chapter. In an effort to maintain transparency. The reviews from the deleted chapter (as I am unsure if they will remain or not) are posted at the end of this chapter, along with responses. Also note, much of the extended scenes have little to no editing done to them, as they were cut early on before proper editing happened. I decided I'd rather get the updated chapter out now and deal with the lumps of poor editing, rather then leave the original version of the chapter up. I hope you all don't mind (you'll likely find alot more commas then normal), next time we'll be back on our regular editing schedule.
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect
Sol Space, April 2nd, 2065
If one had gazed at what was once Sol, cradle of humanity, they would see nothing. Blank space, empty of anything but dust, daunted the naked eye. Had said observers more advanced tools, they'd pick up the cosmic gases left over from when the system's sun exploded. Maybe they'd also see the small black hole sitting at the center of what once was a thriving star system.
But the system was not yet totally empty. At the very far edge, far enough to have been counted as barely within the system itself, any observer would see what had been humanity's saving grace: the Charon Relay. thrown into its new position the force of the supernova, the relay had stopped itself by means quite unknown to humanity. Beside it, the large form of the League of Nation's headquarters station sat,dwarfed by the relay itself but larger than any other human station in the known galaxy.
Today the system also had quite a fair number of visitors. Wealthy civilians, government officials, scientists, anyone who could get a valid reason and a pass to the station was there. After all, each of them would go down in history as some of those to first behold the intergalactic community; or the first to gaze at the exotic arrivals.
"Here to see the aliens..." Benezia muttered under her breath as she stepped off the Nefrane. The vessel docked in one of the large stations docking arms. The vessels sleek lines and curves standing out starkly compared to the much rougher designs of the human ships nearby.
Speaking of the humans, they were swarming over the landing bay. Hundreds of them. The species lined the catwalks and side paths to stare down, wide-eyed, at Benezia and her support crew. Captain Tychus from the turian vessel walked back straight by her side. They also had one of her techs, Priiy, who was doubling as her runner and communications officer on board the human station.
"Don't they know it's rude to stare?" Tychus grumbled, and Benezia had to agree with him. Being the center of attention was expected, but she had always hated being in the eyes of so many. She prefered to do her work from the sidelines or behind the scenes.
Still, she was here now, so all she could do was take a breath and stiffen her lip. Heading down the access ramp she took in the appearances of these humans more. They were remarkably diverse, at least in height and build. Some were tall, on par with Turians, even a few large enough to see eye to eye with a Krogan. Others were short, even a bit shorter than the short end of the asari spectrum, closer to Vorcha in size.
The tone of their skin was drastically different as well, very similar Asari there. To an outsider they might not realize it, but there was dozens of asari skin tones, and each one could tell you something of where the asari in question had come from. From the purple tones of Lusian asari, to the lighter blue of a Thessian, she wondered what the human colourations meant.
At first glance, the majority of the aliens seemed to be pale, or at least lighter in tone. Running from what she'd relate to almost a less saturated hanar pink colouration, to something a bit more like a brighter and softer turian green. They were wildly inaccurate but it was the closest connections she could make. Then there was small spatterings of darker colours, even a single man that was of such dark colouration that it made the lighter parts of this face stand out much more noticeably.
She wondered what that might have meant for some to be in much smaller numbers than population in colonies would be the most obvious. Benezia would also catch sight of more of the 'females' though they too seemed to be in smaller numbers around the station.
Looking to her side, she saw Tychus wasn't looking at all the humans around them though. Instead he was focused on the humans in front. These ones bore uniforms much closer to Jaskulski's, though of various colourations and design.
One of them, tall and well built, truly making the resemblance to a krogan a bit more noticeable, approached. The humans had assisted in constructing a better translator during the trip over, using their work on the Japanese language version as a base. It was thanks to that that Benezia would know this human was speaking to them in 'Swiss.'
"Welcome to Geneva Station, headquarters to the League of Nations. I am Guard Commander Blosch." Benezia had to suppress a small laugh as that came up as 'beard-less.' She had learned from Jaskulski that the white thing coming off his face had been a 'beard.' He said it was usually a sign of age and experience. She suspected this man's name was unfortunate if such was true. "We are here to escort you to the main meeting hall."
Benezia gave a formal nod, starting to follow after the human group as they turned and led the way. "We are in your care."
"Hopefully we won't end up regretting it." Tychus grumbled again.
It was a rather long walk, but soon enough the group reached the main chamber. Benezia having taken another breath as she prepared herself to deal with likely, at least a few human states. Unfortunately that breath did not prepare her to walk into a room with what seemed to have nearly two dozen representatives, all standing behind a flag to tell her they were indeed from different countries.
'Goddess help me.' She thought to herself. 'This will be a nightmare.'
-WoE-
Sol Space, April 14th, 2065
Benezia had learned one thing over the last twelve days, namely that her initial thought of politics with the humans being a 'nightmare' was extremely underselling it. These people had a more than a dozen distinct political entities and each one had their own goals and wants. Then they were divided into three separate political blocks which kept tensions even worse. To be honest, she hadn't even had much time to talk most days. Instead the humans just bickered at each other over whatever the current topic was. Really, it was like trying to herd vorcha.
As it was the negotiations could indeed be called intense though if one wished it. So far there had been nearly two flare ups of war between the human states, and one directed at the Citadel. Honestly the longer she was here, the more Benezia thought it might be better to just back out of human space entirely and close the relays. They reminded her too much of the Krogan. They were too willing to jump on each other over the slightest perceived insult.
So far though some ground had been made. Much to the ire of the councilors the humans had insisted that they wouldn't be part of Citadel space. There was no negotiation on that point, and it had driven Druscus up the wall. They had agreed, after the ambassadors of 'Germany' and 'Italy' had talked down the Japanese one, to international borders at least as far as Citadel and Human space was concerned. Drawing the line at Shanxi and saying that all on the human side was human and everything on the far side was Citadel.
At the moment reparations were the problem. The turians had wanted the humans to pay them reparations for casualties caused in what they saw as a policing action, while the Japanese demanded a sum so great in human terms that it had flabbergasted most every human in the audience. Needless to say, such negotiations weren't going anywhere quick.
With a sigh, Benezia put the finishing touches on a message back to Liara, explaining that she'd likely be delayed for a while longer, and headed back to the conference hall. The humans seemed to be up for negotiation at any time, but they also insisted on these long recesses that just seemed designed to let people scheme in the wings. It almost felt like she was in the Council of Matriarchs at times.
Sol Space, April 20th, 2065
"Absolutely not! The German Reich will not open it's borders to traders. We will not allow our markets to be flooded with xeno filth."
Benezia resisted the urge to palm her face in her hands as she watched the portly German ambassador's jowls quiver in rage. All that had been suggested was some form of trade agreement. The 'Treaty of Shanxi' had been finalized earlier that day, and now was in the final process of drafting and readying for signatures. She had figured, and the council had agreed, that maybe the opening of low levels of trade between the independent Human space, and the Citadel would be reasonable.
Apparently not, at least for some states.
"Imperial Japan agrees with the German ambassador, we will not open trade with the xenos."
"I do believe it is time for a recess. We should give all nations a proper chance to consider the offer and ramifications." Came the nasally voice of the british ambassador, and soon enough the group was dispersing.
Benezia was prepared to head back to her accommodations as usual, but found herself waylaid by the American ambassador. James Toole was the man if she remembered correctly. For whatever reason Benezia was reminded of a salarian whenever she looked at him. He was tall, lanky, and just as slimy as the amphibians.
Giving a small nod, the man would motion down the hall to one of the conference rooms. "Miss T'Soni, if you would come with me. Myself and the Entente are having a conversation about your proposal in the conference room. We'd like to have you present."
That was one thing Benezia and the council had come to figure out over the past few days. The 'Democratic' powers seemed to be much more open to relations with the Citadel. The asari didn't really believe it had much to do with their morales, as she still saw some looks of disgust at her presence from some members when she stepped into the room. If anything she thought they were just more willing to work with an outside power to become stronger. While the 'Soviets' and 'Tripartite' pact members seemed much more focused on becoming powerful without outside help.
Still, it was better the nothing. Even if she didn't trust these humans any further than she could throw them without biotics, she'd sit at their table and negotiate out a series of trade deals. Shanxi relay having been turned into a 'neutral' relay certainly helped matters.
Citadel, April 21th, 2065
The council was meeting once again, though not for the reason the three councillors would have likely expected if asked the day before. The three had been meeting every day to talk with Benezia and Tychus about negotiations with the humans, but today they were looking over the work of a Salarian STG agent that had been attached to Benezia's vessel without her knowledge. The agent's job had been simple, he was to try to slip into the human's computer systems and learn everything he could.
Despite the simplicity, the task had ended up taking much longer than expected, namely because the human computer system operated on an entirely different system then the citadel. For the citadel, they had carried the system of 10s over to the basic operation of their computers, for the humans, they apparently used a system of 2s. It had taken some time to figure that one out, but now they had access to the human version of the Extranet.
All three councillors present couldn't help but be a bit confused at how it was known as the Internet. It was an odd coincidence that was piling on top of significantly to many coincidences already.
Tevos had hoped, in some vien logical reasoning, that what they would find would not make the situation worse somehow. To say the least what they were pulling up was doing the exact opposite. Wars, blood and death, those three things seemed to categorize much of human history. It was only recently that it seemed to have died out, and even then, a moment of observation of their version of the citadel could tell one they were ready to go to war once more at a pin drop.
The VIs assigned to assist in sorting out the STG's findings had also pulled out hints of other things. Things like a 'Unit 731' that rumours, and a few apparently leaked documents, mentioned live experimentation of weaponry and gasses along with other horrors. Talks of mass incarcerations that had high fatality rates, purges of entire sectors of some states populations.
Really, every new document they got their hands on seemed to only point to a species that was indeed as potentially risky as the Krogan. The only difference was that these ones got to space on their own.
"Well, I think this proves me right." Druscus growled as he threw his tablet on the table, a page from their 'Wikipedia' showing something about the 'Battle of the Somme.' "These humans are dangerous, they murder themselves in the millions over the death of one person or even less."
"Do seem prone to violence, but seems generational. Tensions build up over years and then release in one go." Ibam commented without looking up from his own omnitool. "We might be able to predict danger periods and redirect. Still, less dangerous than Krogan. Humans understand peace. Glorify war yes, need it no."
Tevos just rubbed the bridge of her nose, taking a moment to digest an article about the slave trade. "There is some good too. They appear to have been like the Batarians before, but abolished slavery on their own."
"Just about anything compares favourably to the Batarians." Druscus was unimpressed by the argument. "We've already come to a deal with them, one that I can at least agree to if not like. We can wait, by the look of it they'll kill themselves off eventually."
The turian leaned forward and tapped the table between them to get Ibam's attention. "Though I propose we increase the funding on the human genophage project, along with increase the amount of funding the citadel defense fleet receives. We may have need of them before the humans can deal with themselves."
"Agreed." Came Ibam's quick reply. "We may need a strong deterrent sooner than later."
Tevos nodded, almost a bit forlornly. "I'll agree as well. Let's just hope neither end up being needed."
Sol Space, April 22nd, 2065
Benezia took in a deep breath, watching as the Italian ambassador wrote his signature on the Shanxi treaty. He was the last one before her that would sign, the signatures of each major, and some minor states covering the bottom of the document. Around the room hundreds of humans crowded into bleachers and booths to watch the event. Flashes from cameras breaking out every time someone went to sign. There was even a few asari and salarians from her boat here, allowed in under heavy watch to take their own video and pictures for the Citadel to record.
Finally, the Italian ambassador stepped aside, and everyone looked to her. The matron unable to resist a bit of maiden esq pepping up of herself as she stood up. 'Okay Benezia, you can do this. Just don't trip on the way up there and it'll be fine.'
Walking up to the podium where the document laid, cameras flashing everywhere. Benezia put her scrawl onto the bottom of the document, and ushered in a short era of galactic peace.
-WoE-
Timeline of Humanity, 2065-2070
April 22nd, 2065: Matron Benezia, following intense negotiation with all all human powers, reaches a peace agreement between Humanity and the Citadel. The agreement, known as the Treaty of Shanxi, leaves Humanity as a whole outside of Citadel space. Neither side pays reparations to each other, and Shanxi is designated as the border of Human and Citadel Space. Following negotiations, the Citadel established a tier system for relations with Human nations. The Western Allies fell into Tier 1 and became regular, if distant, trading partners, while the Tripartite and Soviets fall into Tier 3, otherwise known as 'Hostile Actors.'
July 2nd, 2065: A second connection between Human and Citadel space is discovered at the joint US-Commonwealth system of Mackenzie's Landing (Commonwealth) and Williamsport (US) when the Quarian Migrant Fleet travels through a self opened relay just slightly beyond the at the time Batarian border. The Quarians, having been not informed of the encounter with Humanity, manage to barely avoid causing conflict when the locals panicked and thought they were being invaded.
July 15th, 2065: Following negotiations, the Quarian Migrant Fleet is allowed to enter Commonwealth Space. Further negotiations ensue even after this point as the human state is eager to gain as much knowledge of Citadel space as possible.
February 11th, 2069: Official negotiations between the Quarian Migrant Fleet and the Commonwealth come to an end, with the Migrant Fleet joining the Commonwealth. The action draws the ire of numerous human factions, but when the United Kingdom publically supports the move, the public rancor dies down.
September 19th, 2070: The first Krogan mercenaries and 'migrants' are seen in Human space. Generally, the strong aliens find work in Western colonies. Acting as bodyguards for important individuals or extra defenders against local wildlife, the Krogan population remains small but constant.
December 1st, 2070: Tensions begin to rise between the German Reich and the Little Entente over the Javor systems. The set of start systems was colonized by the Czechoslovakians, but directly in the path of German expansion. Tripartite forces mobilized.
December 2nd, 2070: The Soviet Union goes even more silent than usual.
December 4th, 2070: Rising tensions lead to the mobilization of Little Entente forces.
December 5th, 2070: French-UK-Commonwealth-American forces mobilize.
December 6th, 2070: The 'Great Space War' or 'Braun's War' begins as German forces invade the Javor systems. Simultaneously Italian and Japanese forces invade the Norduk and Manila systems respectively. As a result, the Tripartite goes to war with the Little Entente and the West.
-WoE-
Citadel, December 10th, 2070
"It looks like what we expected to happen finally has come around." Druscus said to the other two members of the council. Tevos was still there, and likely would long after he died. Ibam had unfortunately passed, replaced with Jakart. The turian did not like the new Salarian councillor. Jakart was very withdrawn, and toted Tevos' line over near everything.
"Indeed." Tevos said with a sigh. "We should avoid intervening on either side. Unless the humans are willing to come to us."
Jakart nodded. "Humans likely don't want us helping either."
For one of those rare times, Druscus was actually on side with the other two. After the loss of turian life at Shaxni, and given a few years to calm down, he was very much onboard for just letting the humans massacre each other. "We should move more assets to defend the relays out of humans space and wait. Best case, the humans kill each other off enough for the survivors to come running to us. Worst case, they still likely will be weakening themselves for years to come, or the Tripartite wins and takes over human space. In that case we may need to move in."
Two more nods of agreement, and the decision was made. The Citadel would not intervene in the humans war.
-WoE-
Timeline of Humanity, January 2071-August 2071
January 11th, 2071: The Javor systems fall to the Germans with immense casualties suffered by the Czech forces. Allied counter attacks begin at Shanxi and Dorn systems
February 7th, 2071: Allied counter attack at Shanxi repulsed, Norduk and Manila fall to the Tripartite. German advance into Czechoslovakian territory continues.
June 11th, 2071: Allies gain a foothold at Dorn, Czechoslovak forces, reinforced by Yugoslavian and Polish fleets, halt German forces on the outskirts of the New Prague system.
June 17th, 2071: German forces break through French defenses at Bar, French forces put on the run as Brienne and Vertus systems fall shortly thereafter.
July 22nd, 2071: German forces halted at the French colony of La Marche with heavy casualties.
August 3rd, 2071: Italian forces advance beyond Norduk and into the Alexandria and Darwin systems. Japanese forces advance into Rabaul system.
-WoE-
Illium, August 7th, 2071
The following scenes may disturb some viewers. Please be advised.
The screen was one of many, while the Citadel had remained out of the human 'Great Space War' they had taken a bystander like interest in the conflict. Many bars across space would turn to the news whenever something important happened, or keep one station on it at all times. While much of the information came from the side of the 'Western Allies' as they allowed the occasional embedded reporter, that didn't meant it was in the Allies favour.
The images on the screen right now were of the defense of a planet called 'Darwin.' Video rolling of human orbital defense emplacements, literal mountains of guns and shielding, burning as ground fighting showed Commonwealth forces being pushed back by Italian troops.
The images would minimize into the corner of the screen as an Asari news anchor came on the screen. "While the humans conflict has gone on for less than a single year, current estimates by the Galactic Peace Organization put the casualties at somewhere in the realm of 7 billion. The GPO blames extensive orbital bombardment by German and Japanese forces for much of the casualties."
"Heh, sounds like quite a fight they are having." A rather grizzled looking Krogan muttered to himself as he sat at the bar of Eternity. "Almost wish I was there."
The bartender, an asari matron raised an eyebrow at the krogan that was nearly as old as she was. "Really, here I thought you were talking about not wanting your species to die off Wrex?"
The krogan, Wrex, chuckled. It was a hearty laugh that shook the bar a little bit. "I said almost, I'm quite good here for now. Might see about going to human space after this wars all done. Might just fit in there."
-WoE-
Timeline of Humanity, 2071-2072
August 27th, 2071: Italian forces break through at Alexandria. In the following months they capture Benise and Neo-Mysore systems. Dorn finally falls to the Allied counterattack.
August 31st, 2071: USS Iowa and its battlegroup manage to slip past German lines and encounter H-258 in transit between systems. The ensuing engagement results in 57% casualties for USS Iowa's battlegroup, including the battleship itself, but H-258 is sunk by shellfire and finished off by torpedo strikes from the light destroyers Samuel B. Roberts and Tabberer. German morale suffers heavily when the ship fails to reach it's destination.
September 15th, 2071: Japanese forces capture Rabaul with heavy casualties. Having secured the planets significant element zero mines, they halt their advance.
September 22nd, 2071: The battle of Gwynedd occurs as Italians advance past Benise. The Italian navy suffers a catastrophic loss to a combined UK-Commonwealth force and is put into retreat, shortly thereafter they lose control of Benise and Neo-Mysore.
November 7th, 2071: The Italians manage to stop the UK-Commonwealth counterattack at Alexandria, though they lack the forces to launch another advance.
December 19th, 2071: German advances renew at La Marche, counterattack against Dorn begins.
March 3rd, 2072: The constant fighting at La Marche and Dorn drains both Germany and the West. Trying to break through, German Admiral Manfield attempts to use his L-Boats to strike Allied ships directly in rear defensive positions. While initially successful, the Allies quickly establish defenses against the stealth boats and L-Boat casualties climb quickly.
March 31st, 2072: Allies are forced from Dorn system, and the Germans are once again repelled from La Marche. Fighting mostly dies down at this point.
June 2nd, 2072: A ceasefire is signed between all powers. Most sides are eager to end the war as most nations maintain fleets at an estimated 40-50% of their pre-war numbers.
-WoE-
Citadel, June 5th, 2072
"Damn, it's already done." Druscus sighed to himself. Leaning back in his chair as he watched the news tick by. The humans had done quite a good job of killing themselves off, around fifteen billion dead. As it was, Druscus was quite certain if the citadel wanted to, they could take out the humans now. Send in the Turian fleet and force them into line.
The problem was those damned embedded reporters. Against all common sense, the humans had become popular among the populace, or well at least the Western Allies and Little Entente. They had become the 'underdog' and people had cheered when news they had begun their counterattack had come around, and now many were volunteering for international reconstruction efforts. Just going in and invading everything now would be political suicide for everyone involved.
Still, the war had done one useful thing, it had helped divide the humans further. The Western Allies were already relaxing wartime trade restrictions, while many in Citadel space were calling for the Tripartite's heads.
All in all, it could have gone much better from Druscus' perspective, but it could have gone much worse. There was just one thing that confused him though. Why hadn't the Soviets intervened?
-WoE-
Timeline of Humanity, 2072-2085
July 11th, 2072: The Great Space War officially ends. The Western Allies and Little Entente are the side that loses the war as the current borders are made permanent, with Czechoslovakian space cut down by 1/3rd. The United Kingdom loses 4 systems, 3 to the Italians and 1 to the Japanese. The USA loses 2 systems to the Japanese, the Commonwealth loses 1 system to the Italians, and France loses 7 systems to the Germans and one to the Italians, approximately 1/4th of their systems at the time. In terms of fleet casualties, the Germans suffered the most heavily, followed by the French and Italians.
August 11th, 2077: The Human economy has recovered from the Great Space War for the most part by this point. The Human population would take till 2081 to reach pre-war levels.
May 13th, 2084: The first Batarian raid against human space occurs at Williamsport. The Western Allies send an ultimatum to Batarian space to stop any future raids.
April 2nd, 2085: A second Batarian raid occurs against Williamsport and Mackenzie's Landing, followed by a month of serious raiding that is put to a stop by the arrival of a significant defense fleet. A second ultimatum, this time to hand over all Batarians involved in the raiding to the United States and Commonwealth for persecution within 30 days is given to the Batarian government.
May 2nd, 2085: The Batarians do not respond to the Ultimatum. The Western Allies declare war on the Batarian Hegemony.
-WoE-
Aratoht, Bahak System, Batarian Space, Orbit
May 3rd, 2085
Gaphi Fedforr was not having a good day. First the engineering officer had received a message that one of his premier turian slaves had managed to escape his home while he was stationed in orbit. Then he had been put on alert for whatever reason the governor could come up with for the day, and was stuck standing at his post with nothing to do. The space above Aratoht was clear like it always was.
At least that was what Gaphi thought, a moment before the sirens blared. Even during the governor's little shows of power, the enemy alert sirens were never used. Honestly, Gaphi was surprised the damned things even worked.
Unfortunately even before he could check to see what was happening, he felt the ship shudder beneath him, and a new siren started to sound - the depressurization warning. The Batarian threw on his helmet even as the ship rocked once again. Turning to some of his grunts he shouted, "Get the shields online!"
Unfortunately, it was all for naught, as a moment later the engineering section of the Tunerron was hit by shell fire from the HMCS Hyderabad and moments later, broke apart.
The skies above Aratoht were alight with fire as a combined fleet of Commonwealth, American and British vessels dropped into the system from the relay. Having then jumped to nearly on top of the defenders using a short FTL hop that caught the Batarians off guard. The defense fleet, comprised of only a dozen or so vessels, was immensely overwhelmed by the attacking force and wiped away within twenty minutes of initial entry into the system.
Even as the last Batarian vessels were being struck from the skies, the lumbering forms of troop transporters were slipping into Aratoht's orbit, onboard were what would become the next generation of much of the West. When people looked back to the time, they could pick out dozens of important individuals aboard those transports. Fresh faced recruits, seasoned veterans of the Great Space War, or anywhere in between. People that would one day go on to change the universe in their own small ways.
Onboard the USS Argonne, in the vessels enormous launch bays, one fiery redhead was stepping aboard her landing shuttle. Cynthia Shepard, a fresh recruit into the United States Marine Corp, didn't realize she'd be stepping into history, at least not into a personal place in the books.
On the HMS Agincourt, another Shepard, John, of no relation to Cynthia, was crossing his arms as the pod doors closed around him. The Special Air Service operator taking a deep breath as he readied himself for insertion behind enemy lines. He too, would have his place in the history books, though at least on Aratoht it wouldn't be his name but his actions that would make it.
Finally, on the FS Bombarder, a green pilot was getting his first chance at combat. Geoffrey 'Plaisantin' Moreau eagerly at the helm of the small ground support frigate. Already he was dropping in through the atmosphere alongside the first wave of shuttles to hit known Batarian defensive positions and soften them up for the ground attackers. The man maneuvering the old ship around anti-air fire with skill that belied his age.
Aratoht was where legends were born, and the invasion had just begun.
Codex Entry: The Kingdom of Italy
The Kingdom of Italy stands as one of the Great Powers of human space. Generally it is regarded in the 6th place spot for some period, it has since risen to 5th place following the "Great Space War"/"Human Civil War" (see Great Space War.) Generally considered as the 'lightest' of the Tripartite pact, the Kingdom of Italy is technically a constitutional monarchy with an elected government. There are indeed other parties then the the ruling Fascists that run each year in a regular election cycle. Due to the way the system is design though, these secondary parties have no real hope of gaining a majority, and even if they did, the ministers are appointed by the King, and the King alone. Though at this point not even the King could actually dispose of the National Fascist Party without bloodshed and rebellion. Surprisingly enough, the National Fascist Party actually is surprisingly popular among the Italian populace, even with those that migrate away from the country. In general this is believed to be because in comparison to Germany, the Soviet Union and Japan, the Italian fascists do not engage in regular prosecution against it's own populace.
That is not to say the PNF is bloodless as it had harsh rules over the Libyans and Ethiopians while Sol still existed, and it maintains hard line stances on gender equality and other matters. The state is also known to occasionally make troublemakers 'disappear.' It's more a matter that it keeps such matters low key and takes much more of a stance to maintain itself as a 'People's party.' It also has helped that under the PNF the Italian state has made significant gains in living standard for the average Italian, along with repeated successes diplomatically, militarily, and colonially.
Italy also stands as an outlier to the other fascist state (see the German Reich) in that it never took a stance on the 'Jewish' Question. This was mostly assisted by the PNF under Mussolini, and the Zionist Italian Jews reaching an agreement during the Italio-Ethiopian war. Mussolini offering parts of Ethiopia to the movement in exchange for political support (see 'Judaism in Ethiopia.') At the time many who agreed to this saw it as a temporary measure, which would later come to pass in in 1982 and 2027 (see 'Israel', 'Zion' or 'The establishment of the Jewish state.') To this day it continues to deflect German overtures toward the matter of the Jews that remain within Italian space, and as a result a thriving Jewish Italian community has contributed back to the PNF government.
Militarily, while Italy maintains one of the largest standing armies among the Great Powers, it is generally regarded semi-farcically by other states. It's navy is generally considered in a better light, but many countries put Italian military might firmly in the 'Paper Tiger' category even following their successes in the Great Space War. While initial engagements in the war went in Italy's favour (see 'Battle of Norduk' and 'Battle of Alexandria') they started to show cracks, namely in poor equipment and officer training during the Battle of Darwin (see 'Battle of Darwin.') The navy also showed markedly poor gunnery and that many of its vessels did not meet their published statistics. This came to a head at the Battle of Gwynedd (see 'Battle of Gwynedd') which resulted in a catastrophic loss of 44% of the Italian Navy in a single battle. The following battles of Benise and Neo-Mysore (See 'British-Commonwealth Counterattack of 2071') showed the weakness in the Italian army when they did not maintain full space control, with massive numbers of Italian troops surrendering rather then fight a losing battle as commanders called for suicidal charges and last stands.
It was only thanks to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth's own overextension at the Battle of Dorn (see 'Battle of Dorn') that resulted in the Italian navy being able to rally itself and stop the counterattack toward the end of the war. As the war was a definitive victory for the Italian state even with the poor showing in later battles, it is unsure if any lessons from the war sank into Italian command.
The Reviews from before the Chapter was modified, along with responses
From Patriota1993: I rather expected the Citadel Council to try to manipulate the Great Space War to unite them into one nation under their rule. Somehow I can not imagine Asari tolerating a species that is not allowed, them to "guide" it, or turian tolerating someone with a bigger fleat (as a species). They have too much EGO to do this
Response: While I agree that the Citadel would not like humanity being independent, the Human fleet is not larger then the Turians (it is infact, about 1/3rd the size of it at the time of the Great Space war.) Ontop of that sticking your hand in here would be like sticking your hand in a hornets nest, unless the humans came to the Citadel with an offer, it'd be more risk then it was worth.
From Kejmur: 15 billion people died in "Great Space War". Holy crap, talk about massive number. Well now Batarians will get a taste of similar casualties.
Benezia and her reaction on first contact with human politics was hilarious :D.
Well this is more data heavy chapter, but I enjoy those myself as history fan ;). So yeah, good job again.
Response: Indeed, unrestricted orbital bombardment does not a low casualty war make. I hope the expanded chapter will give you some more chances to be entertained without sacrificing the data.
From Butters101: Why did you skip out on the council negotiations? Seems very lazy to be honest especially being that you used a bloody timeline to try to further the story which is possibly the worst way to continue it. Hell you missed out on the reactions of the council finding out about there history, the tensions between coutries and how they might want to go about exploring them. You even mention the negotiations were tense. How where they tense, you take the reader out of the story when you switch to aa timeline halfway through the chapter. It lazy story telling and i really suggest you come back to this.
Response: I actually agree with much of what was said here (though I like timelines as they are a good succinct way of getting info across.) The original draft of this chapter was much text heavier (as can be seen in this halfway between version of the chapter.) It flopped hard with some of the people I showed it to beforehand, due to being a veritable mountain of text with slow progression, and as a result I was talked into cutting it down into the state it previously was in. I didn't quite like the change, but agreed that the original version was to wordy and to much talking head syndrome. This review though spurred me on to creating this version of the chapter, which takes some scenes from the original and modifies them to fit a relatively faster narrative. While this might still not be the chapter you are hoping for Butters (and anyone else who had similar complaints as we lost a few follows with the posting of the last chapter,) I hope this one achieves what I meant to do with the last version of the chapter a bit better.