I just watched the extended Steven Universe intro and it was awesome!

Disclaimer: What does that have to do with anything?

Nothing. Disclaimer!

Disclaimer: We own nothing.

Humanity's Legacy

Chapter 2

The Citadel truly is a marvel of the most advanced technology. The greatest construct the Protheans ever created, the station acts as the center of all civilized government in the galaxy. At over 44 kilometers long, with armor that can withstand days of bombardment, and one of the largest defense fleets, led by the most powerful ship in space, the Destiny Ascension, the Citadel is a power nothing can stand against. But its purpose is not to dominate. It is to act as a beacon of hope for those in a galaxy full of dangers. Many akin the Citadel's design to that of a massive hand, reaching out to the stars to welcome new species into its fold. And yet, a hand still requires eyes lest it place its fingers into the maw of a predator. That is where the Citadel Council comes into place. They act as the eyes, guiding the Citadel to safe species that can stand amongst the galactic community, and what species must be left to their own devices. Thus they gather in their private chambers, discussing matters not meant for the common ear.

"That fact of the matter is that we simply don't have enough information to go on. Entering the relay has the possibility of ending in disaster," Councilor Tevos of the Asari Republics spoke. This latest meeting had the three most powerful beings in the galaxy quite bewildered. Councilor Meerin of the Turian Hierarchy flared her mandibles in frustration. As the defenders of Council space, Turians never liked being in the dark about any threats. Councilor Yesh of the Salarians merely looked thoughtful, as if this was simply another puzzle for her to solve. In all honesty it probably was, but it wasn't a puzzle Tevos or Meerin were comfortable with. It was Meerin who spoke up next.

"Disaster or not, you are right. We don't know anything about what's happening behind that relay. I think it is better to find out, lest we be caught unaware," despite her usually confident tone, Tevos could detect small hints of worry in the Turians flanging voice. Not surprising, considering this has Potential Rachni disaster written all over it.

"Also concern in unknown signature," Yesh commented in her species typical fast paced dialogue. Unlike most other Salarians on the Citadel, Yesh never picked up the habit of speaking slower for other species benefits. Luckily for them, the other two councilors have been around her long enough to keep track of what she is saying. "Relays do not open on their own. Must be activated through specific signals. Fact that signature disappeared, and no others were in system, suggests highly advanced stealth technology. Fascinating, would love to study-"

"As you said, fascinating and concerning," Meerin interrupted before her counterpart could go off on another tangent. "That kind of tech would allow them access to any system in our space."

"No, unlikely." Yesh waved off her concern easily. "Stealth technology can not apply to relays. Give away position moment they are used. Will set up warning systems for now. Not much else to do." She paused to breathe. "Need more data."

"And the space beyond the relay?"

"Send scout. Must still be aware of possible hostiles."

"Very well then," Meerin conceded, bringing up her omni-tool. "I'll have captain Kavar send a frigate through as well as reinforcents to secure the system."

"Then this council is in agreement," Tevos finished, taking a more relaxed posture. She turned to Meerin. "So, I hear you'll be retiring soon."

-0-

"Mommy come on! Science Fun Today is almost on!"

Orin shook his head at his daughter's antics as the little blue Asari ran down the hall and around the corner, trying to get to the apartment as fast as possible. He turned to his bondmate at his side.

"I will never understand how children actually enjoy that show." His wife smiled at him the way she always does, causing his mandibles to twitch.

"Wasn't your father a scientist in the Hierarchy?"

"I thought Asari genetics didn't work that way." She chuckled at his comment, swatting his shoulder gently. Her laugh was cut off however.

"AAIIEE!"

"Kahi!" Orin shot down the hall, his wife close behind, his heart thundered in his chest. 'Spirits don't let anything happen to my little girl!' He turned into the other hall only to see-

"Ha ha ha ha! Stop it he he that tickles!"

Orin was looking at . . . he didn't know what he was looking. A creature was standing over his daughter, licking at her face before backing off jumping and barking. It looked almost like a Varren but it was smaller, leaner, and covered in what looked like fir. Its fur was brown and black and it stood up to his daughter's height. His saw his daughter reach out and pet the thing. It seemed to like that as it leaned into her touch before lying on the ground and rolling onto its stomach, his daughter rubbing what he assumed was its belly all the while. "Funny Varren," his daughter said joyfully. The . . . funny Varren (honestly he couldn't think of what else to call it) rolled back onto its front before licking Kahi's face again.

"Kahi," his wife beside him said cautiously getting the attention of both their daughter and the creature. "Come here please."

It was at that moment Orin made eye contact with the creature. Instinct kicked in for both of them, his mandibles flared in warning and the creature began to growl. The fur on its back rose and its front lowered, its sharp teeth bared at him. Orin's talons twitched as he stared at the creature, the eyes of one hunter meeting another. That is until Kahi bopped the creature on the side of the head.

"Bad Varren, no growling at daddy." To everyone but Kahi's shock, the creature actually stopped growling. In fact, it lowered its head and ears and wined of all things, like a child who knew they did something wrong. Kahi just smile and hugged the creature. "That's okay Varren I forgive you." That perked the creature right up as it barked with what Orin could only assume to be happiness. Suddenly however it stopped, frozen in place. Orin could swear that he could hear a strange buzzing in the air. The creature licked Kahi on the cheek one last time before running down the opposite hallway, disappearing around the corner. Kahi's shoulders sagged. "Oh, I wanted to play with Varren some more."

Orin relaxed as soon as the creature went around the corner. He turned to his side when he felt his wife's hand on his shoulder. "What was that?" she asked. The old Turian looked back to where Varren had disappeared.

"I have no idea."

-0-

Silent. Everything was silent. There was no noise, no whisper of a breeze, just a silence distinct of a dark room. And like all silence, it disappears. The door slid open, the rays of the sun pouring in, chasing the darkness into the corners. A switch and the artificial lights chased away even that. The sound of steps quickly filled the room, like thunder in a previously calm meadow. The room was empty. Nothing but a large window and a few consoles, the keyboards beginning to collect a hint of dust, and a single silhouetted form.

"Physical keys?" The form turned, seeing another enter the room behind him. "Isn't that a little primitive? This clearly isn't a Homeworld so it has to be some sort of outpost."

"Did you find anything?"

"No sir. The entire place is empty."

"Then we aren't going to find answers here." He brought up his arm activating his omnitool. "This is Arterius reporting in."

"Go ahead Lieutenant."

"Sir, there's nothing here. This entire place has been stripped. It's empty." The comms were silent for a moment.

"Council's not going to like this. Alright lieutenant, gather your squad and report back to the Soul."

"Yes sir." Desolas deactivated his omnitool before turning to the other soldier. "Pack everything up. We're leaving."

-0-

Alak Vtar cursed as he took cover; bullets pinged against the stone around him. This wasn't supposed to happen, where the hell was his back up?! He flinched as that damned sniper took a shot on him, keeping him pinned. It was that damned sniper! He's been playing hell on his squad all morning. Another shot at his cover. "Screw this!" he yelled over the comms. "I'm going in!"

"Alak don't!"

Too late. The moment he was out of cover the sniper put him down. Alak's four eyes widened as he saw the respawn timer. "Damn it! Can no one take out that damn sniper?!" he screamed out. He was all for a challenge, hell Terminus Trials was one of the toughest combat sims you'll find on the Citadel, but this is ridiculous. The minute his squad entered the arena, they've gotten hell from that camping whore. The only reason his team hasn't lost completely yet was because of their own sniper. Alak smirked. Damned assassin was more like it. He took out enemy players faster than anyone could notice, all while staying out of eyesight of the sniper.

"Alright fall in!" the squad leader for the round called out. They gathered around the virtual Turian as they waited for the next round. "All right, here's the plan. We aren't getting anywhere as long as that sniper keeps taking us out, so we need to take him first. Alak, Grev, you two keep that sniper pinned keep his attention on you. Shadows, while he's distracted you sneak around and take him down. The rest of us will hole up and keep the others on their squad off our backs."

The ten second warning came up as they readied their virtual weapons. Alak may have preferred the real thing but this was a close second. He cast a glance over to the one who was supposed to save their ass. There was a reason they call him Shadows. Full cover body armor painted completely black, a faceplate darker than the rest of him, not to mention the guy is as quiet as the dead of space. Alak didn't know who he actually was but he hoped the Hegemony had more soldiers like him. The way he fought, he was probably one of the more elite Special Forces, the ones for Hegemony leaders. Certainly be a waste of his talents to put him in the suppressors. The guy was a crack shot, with his rifle and his pistol. Alak was brought out of his thoughts by the ringing of the alarm, his squad falling into position. He was quick on the draw, him and the Krogan spotting the sniper then raining bullets on the guy. The sniper was another odd thing about this match; he'd never seen a Quarian shoot like that, definitely better than what little he had seen of the Migrant marines. Luckily for them, he wasn't an upfront fighter, but Shadows was and he was just as good a shot.

He could hear the others shooting but he paid them no mind; he was keeping three eyes on the sniper and one on Shadows. He was almost there, they just had to-

"Agh!"

"Shit, Grev's down!" Alak ducked barely in time before a round could take his head.

"Keep him pinned Alak, Shadows needs more time!"

Alak cursed once again before coming out of cover. He stopped though when he noticed the sniper wasn't focused on him. Instead he was focused on Shadows who came at him with a knife. 'Huh,' he mused. 'Didn't know they had knives in this sim. Wonder if he's any good with it.' And good he was. Both Shadows and the Quarian were dancing on that platform, trying to get one up on each other. Shadows may have been small for a Batarian but he was fast. The Quarian on the other hand may not be an upfront fighter but apparently he was no slouch in hand to hand. Fortunately, a Batarian vs a Quarian in hand to hand is a no brainer, even in the sim. He smiled as he saw that Quarian bastard take it in the gut.

Round over. Game match. Winner: Blue Team.

"Woo hoo! That's what I'm talking about!" Alak cried as he stepped out of the sim pod, the others following suit. "Damn, where's Shadows?" someone asked. "I got to buy that guy a drink!" The room quieted as they all looked around. No one in the room with them was Shadows.

"Hey!" Grev called out to the Salarian in charge of the pods. "Where the hell is Shadows? Shouldn't he be here?"

The Salarian just looked at him like he was stupid, which he probably thought he was. "I don't know what you're talking about. No one by that name entered the pod. Every one apart of the match is already here."

"That can't be," someone on red team spoke up. "The Quarian on our team isn't with us."

" . . . Maybe you should all stay away from the sims for a while," he said as he set up for the next match. Every one piled out of the room wondering what had happened. Alak certainly didn't know. He did know one thing.

He needs a drink.

-0-

"Most peculiar." Reports from the scout had come in an hour ago hence why the Councilors where meeting once again. "Not Homeworld. Obvious outpost of some kind," Yesh muttered. "Yet stripped clean. Only structure left."

"Why would they do that though?" Tevos asked. None of this made sense. They had sent the scout through only to find a near empty system, nothing in there but a garden world and a single building. It couldn't have been a ruin, it was far too new, but the world supported no species that could have built it.

"Don't want to be found. Only explanation. Other relay in system active. No way of knowing how many between us and their Homeworld," Yesh continued. "Very interesting. Tells much about them."

"Tells us what?" Meerin asked. She may have known Yesh for years but she was always difficult to follow even on the best of days.

"What little technology found at outpost centuries behind our own. Possible primitive species that does not wish to be found."

"Why though?" Tevos asked again. "Why would they hide?"

"Perhaps fear us? Fear we will aliens will destroy them if found."

"That's ridiculous," Meerin cut in. "Our very purpose is protecting new species."

"They don't know that," Yesh reminded her. "Taking precautions. Hiding themselves. If focused advancement on stealth technologies." She breathed in. "Near impossible to find them."

"Then should we send an envoy into the new relay? Try and make contact?"

"No," Meerin stated seriously. "If they wish to stay hidden then invading there space may be seen as an act of aggression."

"Yes. Best we let them come to us. In mean time, should leave fleet to secure relay," Yesh suggested.

Tevos was silent for a moment. She didn't like this situation at all. To think these aliens would believe them dangerous. She shook her head at the idea. "I hope we are doing the right thing."

"We always do."

-0-

"Boss, what are we going to do?!"

"Shut up!" Nadar mumbled under his breath, cursing his bad luck. This was supposed to be an easy job, just steal the goods and get stow away on a merchant ship, but somebody screwed it up. Now he and roughly two dozen mercs were trapped in a warehouse, C-sec waited outside for them to make a run for it so they can be gunned down. He cursed again. There was no way out but the front, and going out there was a death sentence. The Krogan had to think for a moment. Something that would be easier if the damned Batarian next to him would shut up long enough for him to come up with a plan.

"There's no way out of here! We are going to die!"

"By Tuchanka's mighty sun would you-"his eyes widened when he saw the red dot between the man's four eyes. "GET DOWN!" His warning came too late as three heads, including the Batarians, exploded in a shower of grey matter. Nadar and his crew drew there weapons.

"What the hell was that?!"

"Where did that come from?!"

"How did-AGH!"

That's when the Varren were set loose. All around him, Nadar saw mercs fall, the walls and floors covered in an assortment of different colored blood. People were dropping like pyjaks, blood erupting from wounds that came from nowhere. That is until he saw a blue blood splatter land on the air itself. He smirked and aimed his shotgun, blasting the cloaked enemy in the stomach. The cloak dropped revealing a black armored clad Batarian. At least he assumed it was a Batarian, it was more the size of an Asari but it lacked the mammary glands and he couldn't see through the face plate. Didn't matter now though. He shot the gut again, making the guy bend at the waste.

"Got you now you shit throwing pyjak!" The grin immediately left his face when he saw the thing stand back up. His shock cost him as before he knew a knife was plunge right beneath his head plate. He was dead before he hit the ground.

The doors to the warehouse burst open, C-sec pouring in, guns raised. The captain leading them in stopped dead in his tracks, gasps could be heard from behind him. All of them, every twenty three mercenaries.

Dead.

"Spirits, what the hell happened here?"

-0-

Zaal'Koris nar Shellen was in a wonderful mood. To think, not a month into his pilgrimage and he was already able to find an abandoned shuttle. The locals thought it would never fly again. He got it up in a week. Now here he was, on his way back to the Migrant Fleet in one of the shortest pilgrimages in the fleet. He probably broke some sort of record. He wondered what ship he should join when he got back, maybe the Defrahnz or the Iktomi. He was so giddy, he couldn't sit still. An alert caught his attention amd he turned to the monitor. A Turian patrol fleet? This far out of Council space? He heard rumors something was going on in this area but he always disregarded it. No matter, he had no business with them. He'd just skirt around them. At least he would if his ship didn't rock violently.

"Ancestors what was that-"

He couldn't speak. Right outside his ship, right in front of the window, a ship shimmered into existence. It was frigate class, he could tell instantly by the size. The ship was tri pronged; two short wings along the length of what he assumed to be the main body. A symbol was painted onto the side of the ship, depicting a red planet with what looked like a city on what would be the North Pole. 'How in the name of the spirits did they cloak that?!' Koris' thoughts screamed out in his head. Static erupted from the ships comms bringing his attention back to the monitor.

"Unidentified ship state your purpose and designation."

Koris did nothing for several minutes, trying to comprehend what had just happened. He snapped out of it when the strangers asked again. He pressed the hollo key to respond.

"This is Zaal'Koris nar Shellen, pilgrim of the Quarian Migrant Fleet. Who are you?" Probably not the best thing to ask but he was curious.

"We are Anculus. We request to come aboard."

Koris certainly didn't expect that, nor did he know what an Anculus is. "Why?"

" . . . We wish to speak."

Hope you enjoyed that. Waiver if you will.

Waiver: Please review!