Humanity's Legacy
Okay seriously, am I the only one here who didn't know about the replicators?
Disclaimer: We didn't know about them.
Thank you!
Disclaimer: Then again, we are figments of your imagination. We know what you know.
Waiver: Disclaimer, be nice.
Disclaimer: Yes dear.
Waiver: And don't take that tone with me!
Whipped! But seriously, I looked up a video of a replicator attack and they remind me of the Rachni spiders, you know the ones that explode? Examen is different though; imagine him as more like the swarm of scarabs from The Mummy. Remember that the B.U.G.S. are only 3 cm. But I can see why everyone thought they were replicators (despite me not knowing they exist), so sorry about that, it was not intentional. Someone did point out that they have a Borg complex. I want to say this now that that was intentional. Now on with the story! Disclaimer!
Disclaimer: We own nothing.
Chapter 11
The tranquil serenity of the Presidium was unmatched in the Galaxy. Its clear waters and open airs could calm the most hot-blooded Krogan according to those who lived there. But Meerin could not appreciate any of that. She was far too concerned with her friend, sitting on one of the many benches in the Presidium gazing blankly across the lake. Though most people would not see it as any different than normal, Knights had been acting distant. She couldn't help the ache in her stomach as she approached her friend.
"Knights?" She called out gently to him. The Anculus did not acknowledge her but no doubt knew she was there. She stood there quietly, waiting for him to say something. Eventually he did.
"Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it. A common Human saying." His empty gaze broke from the lake before moving to his hands. He held his palms up while resting them on his knees. "We have studied their sayings and idioms and figure of speeches for nearly a century. We comprehend their meanings, we know their origins, and we understand their context." He broke his gaze again, moving it to the ground in front of him. "But only now do I truly understand what it means. It makes me wonder if it is worth it."
Meerin did not speak for the longest time. What could she possibly say to that? She stepped forward, reached down, and grabbed his hand.
"Come on Knights. The Council is expecting you. You shouldn't keep them waiting."
Unit Knights stared at their connected hands for another minute, 1 minute 23.4536 seconds to be exact, before nodding. "Yes, of course." With that, the two proceeded to the elevators together.
-0-
"This is an outrage!"
The howls of the Batarian ambassador rang through the Council chambers, jarring the ears of all those that were listening.. It would shake the very walls if it were any more intense.
"Ambassador Amon, we understand your frustration," stated the new Turian Councilor. "But the Anculus should at least be allowed the chance to defend themselves."
Councilor Pennis of the Turian Hierarchy was a far cry different from her predecessor. While just as diplomatic as Meerin, she was far more pragmatic and many times more stoic. Her stare was that of a judging mother, despite her relatively young age, one many people feared for good reason.
"Your favoritism of the machines speaks volumes!" the ambassador cried. "They perform an unprecedented attack on Batarian space and you do nothing!"
"We do not do nothing, Ambassador," Councilor Qup of the Salarian Union cut in. If Pennis was stoic compared to Meerin, Qup was a stone compared to Yesh. "We hear all sides and act accordingly. Ambassador Knights," he acknowledged as the synthetic took his place on the stage. "Would you care to shed some light on the situation?"
"Of course Councilors, Ambassador," he said, giving each a nod. His eyes lit aglow with light, a projection of a planet appearing before the Councilors.
"This is our research and development colony of Sanctum within the Terminus system. Three galactic standard days ago, our facility on the planet was destroyed."
"We warned the Anculus the dangers of colonizing the Terminus systems," Tevos stated. "If you are striking out against the Hegemony because of pirate raids-"
"Our facility was not destroyed by pirates Councilor Tevos. It was destroyed by a hostile alien race."
A nervous murmur spread through the Council Chambers. Everyone knew the dangers of new alien races and what it meant if they were hostile.
Tevos steadily gazed at Knights before asking, "If your facility was destroyed by these aliens as you claim, why was it your ships that attacked the Batarians?"
The projection of Sanctum disappeared before being replaced with the image of a synthetic insect like creature. "Our outpost was infiltrated by these synthetics. They stripped our technology and adapted it to their own. They then infiltrated the colonies defense fleet, taking control of the King's Retribution, Prisoner's Salute, Oppressive Storm, and the Followed Dawn. They proceeded to bomb the remaining ships in the defense fleet and the facility." Knights gazed downward for a moment, cutting off the image before looking back up again. "There were no surviving Units. All that was recovered was this transmission received before the attack."
Unit Knights raised his omni-tool before replaying the message. A deep and clearly synthetic voice rang through the tool's audio.
"You will be assimilated. Your technology will be assimilated. Examen will grow. There will be no negotiation. There will be no quarter. There will only be assimilation."
A moment of silence filled the room before Unit Knights addressed the Batarian Ambassador. "Did your defense fleet receive a similar transmission?" With great reluctance, he nodded. "They received a transmission like that yes."
"This Examen is a threat to every colony in both the Terminus and Attican Traverse, namely our colonies. Cooperation furthers mutual goals."
At that, Amon's face skewed in utter rage. "If you think the Hegemony will lower itself to accept help from the likes of you-"
"We are not offering our help Ambassador," Unit Knights interrupted. "We are asking for yours." Amon's rage was quickly switched with confusion though traces of the former remained.
"Explain."
"Examen assimilates all technology it comes into contact with making fighting it extremely hazardous to us. The Batarians hold no such weakness. We would be willing to exchange technology in order to combat this new threat."
Amon took a moment to think on this. He certainly didn't expect the Anculus to be so open with their technology, but then again they weren't known for lying. He also remembered the failed raid on Elysium fifteen years ago quite well, how the pirates they secretly funded were utterly decimated. For the Hegemony to get their hands on this technology, freely and willingly even, there was only one answer he could give.
"On behalf of the Batarian Hegemony, I accept. We will aid the Anculus and crush this new threat."
"Then it is decided," Tevos spoke up finally. "The Batarian Hegemony and Anculus Courts will work together to stop this threat from spreading."
"With our support of course," Qup added. "We will provide you with ships, weapons, and any agents that you might need." The two Ambassadors nodded giving out their thanks. The three councilors nodded in return.
"This meeting is adjourned."
Next chapter: Batarians and Anculus vs Examen. Can they succeed in fighting off this threat? Will the truth of Examen remain secret? Find out next time on Dragon Ball Z!
Disclaimer: Wrong show, one we don't own.
Right. Don't expect the next chapter anytime soon. College, am I right?
Disclaimer: No.
Shut up. Waiver, if you will.
Waiver: Review please!
