Chapter 1
Astra Star System, Planet Stella, Erebus (Capital)
Astra Confederacy Naval headquarters
10:15 AM, April 18th 633 P.L.
It was the morning hours of the day the city of Erebus located on the planet of Stella was just like any day within the confederacy that has ruled for centuries. The People would go on with their daily lives going to work and the children would go to school. Gone were the days of struggle and hardship that were made up of the original group of colonists who once fought tooth and nail to survive in their new worlds. But today, in the centuries since that time. The former colony now the capital city of the confederacy stands as the beacon of a new human civilization craved from the tiny star cluster mankind now finds themselves in.
Inside the office of one of the Confederacy's highest leaders within the navy sat one of the Navy's most powerful individuals. Rear-Admiral John Grissom the second was a stern man. He had come from the family line of the famous Jon Grissom who is the famed hero who led the first expedition outside of Sol. When none of the probes sent through the firstly built Phase Gates of mankind, had enough power to transmit a message back. The World Government at the time, soon understood that the only way to discover where the relay led was to send a team through it. Grissom was chosen as the team leader and hailed as a hero when he returned, adopted by the masses as one of the great pioneers of human space exploration. In an unfortunate stroke of luck, he happened to be onboarded on the Ad Astra Flotilla when it was thrown off-course with his family.
Like the hero, he was when he stepped foot outside of Sol. He led the confused, scared, and leaderless Flotilla to safety to the best of his abilities. Today he is the defining symbol of the Confederacy, with Jon Grissom Academy built in his name and honor. Today, Rear Admiral John Grissom is a high-ranking admiral and veteran of the numerous proxy war between the Confederacy and the Frontier Union. Having fought many skirmishes and battles with Union saboteurs and pirates. Since then, he has been a reserved man retreating himself to managing and training new recruits to bolster the pride and honor of the navy. Very recently he is now placed in charge of an operation that would see mankind step foot outside of their little star cluster into the greater unknown. Just like his ancestor Jon Grissom did.
Before he finish what, he was going he got an alert from his secretary.
"Admiral, your guest has arrived." She informed.
"Excellent." He replied. "Send them in."
The door of his office opened to reveal his guest. Once a famous graduate of the N7 program. He had gained notoriety for leaving the N7 and transferring himself to the Pioneer Corp. An act that to this very day perplexed and confused many of his peers. But in the eyes of the admiral, he could sympathize with his decision as he read through the archive's files of that individual profile. Putting the paper down he looked at the famous Major Alec Ryder. Like the admiral himself, he was once part of the family that took part in the original task force led by Jon Grissom which traveled through the Phase Gate to a new world. His love of new frontiers was fostered by a childhood in the New Sierra Nevadas have only led to that growing passion. He also became interested in artificial intelligence as a means of human advancement. Something he did in his free time, as result the admiral had confidence that he would lead the current mission he has now placed upon him.
"Major Alec Ryder of the Pathfinder team of the Pioneer Corp reporting for duty." He saluted the admiral.
"At ease captain." Replied the Admiral as he shuffled the paper he had prepared.
"Now then." Continued the Admiral. "Do you know why you have been called?"
"I'm not really sure." The calm Major responded. "I assumed you have a task or a request to the pioneers?"
"Well yes, I suppose you can say that." Laugh the Admiral amused. "Let's just say the higher-ups have recently funded an expedition to explore the nearby star clusters. Which brings us to why I called you up here."
"Ready as always Admiral." Nodded Alec.
"Good, now I have to be honest with you I won't have called you if there hasn't been an issue that has cropped up lately." The admiral continued
"Permission to speak freely sir?" Asked the Captain.
"Permission granted Captain."
"What kind of issue are we talking about here?"
"Well, I'm glad you ask. At the current moment of our conversation, we have received no words about the expedition we sent out to the Heleus Cluster. The last contact was eight months ago." He explained.
"Lost Contact?" Alec queried.
"Yes, lost contact, we've been trying to raise them but to no avail. The last known contact had them approaching the scourge. Last we heard was them trying to get around it from there on we hadn't had a word from them since."
Alec place his hand on his chin and ponder the current information he had heard. The Scourge is a widespread energy phenomenon discovered by the first probes of the Pioneer Corp in the Heleus Cluster of the area of space they were in. It defies understanding by contemporary science, and is described as a "dark energy cloud" or "charged absence". Speculation by confederate scientists about the nature of the Scourge usually ties it to dark energy, yet the Scourge does not behave in the way that existing theories on dark energy say that it would. First initial experiments and exploration found that Element Zero can be harvested from the Scourge, but only at great expense as the Scourge catastrophically interferes with the function of most technology.
It was for this very reason that it took mankind centuries to even attempt to leave their own star cluster. At the same time, it kept them from expanding further. Which cause the series of events which would lead to the Frontier War. As of now before this conversation, Alec himself was not aware of any attempts by the Armed Forces to expand outside the star cluster. Before he would ponder more his thoughts were broken.
"Worried Captain." Asked the Admiral.
"No Sir, it's just this is a very concerning development." He replied.
"It is I admit which is why since their disappearance I have tasked pioneer ship Hyperion led by Captain Dunn and her crew of twenty thousand for the job." Explained the Admiral. "However, she cannot do this mission alone without the help of the pathfinders which is why I contacted you."
"I see." Replied Alec. "What's my mission?"
"Your mission is to support Captain Dunn Major." The admiral replied strictly. "I need you and your team to support captain Dunn in exploring and finding our missing expedition. Moreover, I am also sending you to help support Captain Dunn in building a Phase Gate which would allow us direct access to Heleus. From there you are to support if not continue where the expedition left off. I expect good news from your major. Don't let me down now."
"Don't worry." Laugh Alec." I'll make sure that my team will achieve the results that you have been looking for."
"Is that so, well then, the ship will be departing in eleven days' time. Used that time to prepare your time Major. We don't know what's out there."
"No worries admiral, I have confidence in myself and my team, well get it done."
After the meeting, the major departed from the office before bringing his mobile hand terminal to his ear.
"Yeah, this is me." He said to the individual on the other side. "Yeah, look I just got back its looks like we're going to be shifted out. I want you and your sister to prepare. Also, you are free to bring your friends along as well. It's going to be our first mission as a family.
Closing his conversation Major Alec Ryder left the Naval Headquarters. To prepare for the expedition, he had long been waiting for.
Astra Star System, above the Planet Stella, Orbital Station
Astra Confederacy Naval port
9:30 PM, April 29th 633 P.L.
Scott Ryder stood by the window of the shuttle which will take their group to the ship that will traverse the void of interstellar space toward an entirely new star cluster. He would be lying if he was nervous. After all, being a pioneer meant that they will be leaving the comfort of human civilization into the great unknown giving a whole new feeling of fear and anxiety. But here he was standing in the habitation deck of the Exploration ship ACV Hyperion. Alongside him was his best friend from the Pioneer Academy, Liam Kosta, and Cora Harper. Both were classmates of his, and like his decision to join both were looking for a way in life, as a result, they joined the pioneers as a pathfinder on the recommendation of his father.
Something that he was glad for. Another unexpected surprise was that his sister had also joined. It was rare for something like this to come up. After all the pioneers usually separate siblings into different groups before undertaking an exploration mission. Scott himself suspects that his old man may have something to do with this.
"Well, this isn't something you see every day." Exclaimed Liam.
"That's because we're undertaking an expedition outside of our star cluster Liam." Sighed Cora Harper shaking her head.
"But seriously, how cool is it that this is one of the rarer opportunities that we might have as pioneers? Even better, we are going to be the few to truly explore the unknown." He exclaimed, clearly excited. Like a little boy opening his present on Christmas eve.
Scott could not dismiss those sentiments. After all, expeditions like the one he was in were extremely expensive and time-consuming. Such expeditions would require the government to fund. And because of that, it was rare if not difficult for even the higher-ups of the pioneers or navy to get the government to fund such expeditions. This issue only grew as star systems in the cluster were thoroughly mapped and explored, since the Frontier War. The Pioneers Corp had been nothing more than surveyors who looked for resources to fuel mankind's ever-growing economy and colonies.
As such, the sudden announcement of an expedition outside the star cluster had only increased the expectation and excitement that Scott had believed lost when the initial colonies were established by mankind after the Landings and founding of the confederacy and as mankind expanded rapidly across the cluster.
"You know Scott, what do you think we would find in Heleus?" Asked Liam.
"Me, I don't know perhaps new worlds and new opportunities." He replied. "Or even perhaps alien life. You don't know, this is why I believe this expedition will be exciting."
"Is finding alien life exciting for you?" Liam Deadpanned.
"Yeah." Said Scott. "I mean the Prothean ruins back on old mother Earth was evidence that aliens once existed who is to say the Heleus Cluster does have aliens? For all, we know that there are thriving civilizations living across the star cluster as we do. Or is part of some interstellar empire? Then again, we don't know."
"I suppose your right, I hope they're friendly." Nodded Liam.
"Or hostile for all we know there is an expansionist empire next door to us." Cora Harper Spoke with a mysterious tone.
"Okay come on Cora." Said Liam shaking his head. "Why do you have to ruin the fun."
"Because I'm a realist, not an opportunist." She rebutted. "After all, who is to say their friendly?"
"Okay knock it off." Sighed Scott he quickly broke the argument before it descended into a shouting match. "Liam and Cora you're both right and at the same time wrong. After all, you made your points very clear. How about we drop this conversation and move on."
With a sigh of relief, the pair eventually broke off before beginning a new conversation with an entirely different topic altogether.
"I say brother the title of the mediator does really fit you." Said a voice behind him.
"Ha-ha, very funny Sara." Replied Scott as he turn to face his sister.
"What?" She asked. "Are you not happy to see me?"
"What, no, of course, I'm happy to see you." Said Scott Flustered. "Please try not to embarrass me today."
"Whatever, by the way, I have a message from dad."
"Oh really, what does the old man have for us?"
"He says get your asses to the cryosleep chamber we're jumping soon."
"Okay, we'll be there."
Turning to his still bickering friends Scott spoke.
"Cora, Liam the ship is getting ready to leave we need to get to Cryosleep."
"We'll be there." Replied the two, following Scott and his sister to the Cryosleep chamber.
Meanwhile, on the bridge of the ship, the crew had begun preparations for the long-distance journey to the Heleus Cluster. Checking the necessary systems including the ship's special drive system. With the exploration ship unable to refuel by traditional means across interstellar space, the journey to Heleus is only made possible by the ODSY Drive System. The ODSY is a massive experimental drive core specifically designed for this trans-interstellar voyage and in theory, continuous trans-galactic voyages. It is capable of recycling static energy that would typically cause a starship to explode, instead of storing it to power the ark's primary systems. Meanwhile, an electromagnetic ram-scoop will gather hydrogen from the exploration ship's surroundings, converting it into fuel as needed.
Captain Dunn sat at her command chair overseeing the crew as they worked through the systems. She was proud to command a ship like the Hyperion. In the Pioneer Corp, being the captain of an Exploration ship was a prestige only given to those that have proven themselves. Like the famous quote from an old-Earth television show "Where no man has gone before". She was one of the explorers' tasks to expand mankind's knowledge of the universe and sphere of influence with the idea that one day they will return to earth, their home planet.
The Hyperion was one of the newest classes of Exploration ships. At more than one-and-a-half kilometers long and weighing 17 million metric tons, Hyperion – and its sister ships – rank among the largest starships across human space at the current moment. With 20,000 humans in cryogenic stasis aboard Hyperion, among them the Pathfinder assigned to the ship - Alec Ryder. These individuals will be the first colonist of the newly explored area that was tasked with finding habitable worlds and resources to bring back to the rest of mankind.
"Give me a status report." Ordered Captain Dunn.
"All systems green and ready to go." Replied one of the bridge officers.
"Cryosleep chambers are green all passengers are undergoing as we speak." Said another.
"Cargo hold is green all cargo including the Phase Gates parts are all accounted for." The bridge officer monitoring the cargo replied.
"Hangar deck is glad to report that all craft is secure and accounted for." Replied the Hangar Deck Officer joyfully.
"All systems are green we are ready to go on your orders madam." Replied her XO.
Before she could respond, the door to the bridge open revealing the lead Pathfinder Major Alec Ryder himself. Who nodded at the bridge crew before taking his place by Captain Dunn's side.
"I see that everything is going smoothly." Said Alec as he noted the discipline displayed by Captain Dunn's crew.
"Well, an opportunity such as this is rare." She explained. "I want to make sure that I make the best impression."
"I'm sure you would after all your in command of this ship and the expedition." Alec couldn't help but give his praise and opinion.
"Why thank you." She spoke.
"Anyways what's our first destination?" He asked.
"First destination Habitat 7." Said Captain Dunn.
"Why Habitat 7?" Asked Alec Ryder.
"Well during the initial telescope reconnaissance into Heleus the Pioneer Corp was looking for worlds that could support human expansion. These worlds were listed as golden worlds and so far, only seven were listed. Habitat 7 was one of them, and out of all seven worlds. Habitat 7 was considered to be the most suitable for sustainable human settlement. As a result, the missing expedition's first goal was to explore that world." Explained Captain Dunn.
"So let me guess, you think they're in Habitat 7?" Alec clarified.
"Yes, based on available intelligence that is what the higher-ups believe they were initially. If not, then we look elsewhere, they were supposed to rendezvous together within a specific star system in the cluster called Zheng He. It is here that the Nexus station a massive space station would be constructed along with a direct phase gate back to Astra. Since it is here that there exists a gap within the scourge which would allow us direct uninterrupted journey from our star cluster to Heleus." Said Captain Dunn.
"I see what do you think we would find here?" Asked Alec.
"What do you think, I had many theories myself on what has occurred." Said Captain Dunn. "My guess is that they ran into troubles within the Scourge thus, they can't communicate back or built a gate back at least. Then again it isn't the first time something like this has happened."
Alec nodded in response. He knew what captain Dunn was referring to. In the early days of space colonization, conducted by the nascent Astra Confederacy. There were two types of faster-than-light travel. The first was the phase gate method where a singular phase gate sends a ship toward an unknown destination and has that ship build a return gate. The other was the standard FTL using Element Zero to create Mass Effect Fields. By reducing the mass of an object, such as a starship, to a point where velocities faster than the speed of light are possible. With a mass effect drive, roughly a dozen light-years can be traversed in the course of a day's cruise without bending space-time and causing time dilation. Although was plagued with the issue of Drive Charge which was solved with data from the archive data from the Prothean ruins with the invention of the ODSY Drive System. The two methods themselves were created from the data and reverse-engineered starships gathered from the Prothean Ruins back on Earth.
The First initial method which was used before the invention of conventional FTL via Phase Gate had the issue listed above that it required a return gate to go back to their original destination. Moreover, they had to identify where they were initially in order to aim the phase gate back to the original destination. What had occurred was an incident involving two hundred ships when to an unspecified destination and were trapped in a nightmare scenario. Against all the odds they manage to build a home within the asteroid belt and built a returning phase gate salvage from the ruins of the initial expedition back to the wider Confederacy five decades later. Their tales today showcase a remarkable achievement of human survival and resourcefulness to optimism. From that day on after the incident, all deep space operations now utilized conventional FTL with an ODSY drive system configuration.
"Anyway, Captain did you receive my request I send two days ago?" Asked Alec.
"Yes, I did." She Replied. "I don't know why you did this but is it okay not to tell your children?"
"I will tell them eventually." He responded. "But not right now, I will tell them when the time is right."
"I'll take your word for it." She nodded. "By the way, we are about to leave you might want to head down to cryo."
"Yes, I will be heading down there shortly." Replied Alec. "we'll talk again when we reach Heleus."
"Alright have a nice sleep major." Said captain Dunn as she wave to Alec as he left the command bridge.
As the crew began their final checks the massive one-and-a-half kilometers long carefully move away from its port and begin prepping for FTL jump. One-by-one the crew began their last roll call and begin placing its passengers into cryosleep for the long six-month journey to Heleus. At long last, the ship departed in a flash of light. Indicative of its FTL drive system as it sped away from the cluster towards its destination in the nearby Star Cluster of Heleus. Little did they know, the members of this expedition would change the course of human history forever.
A/N:
Nothing much is expected from this chapter.
Right as of now the story is progressing. You might find that it follows the same narrative as mass effect andromeda. However, with a twist, as the story progress. It will move farther and farther away from the canon.
As the story progress, I hope to build a completely different story. Using Andromeda as a basis. This doesn't mean that humanity is safe though as this is only the tip of the iceberg. And the start of their problems, which I hope I would get to.
I'm actually glad to see the attention that this story has been receiving so far.
Apart from that, I hope you enjoy this update and I am looking forward to any constructive criticism or ideas that you the reader might have.