Author's Notes:
Apologies for the delay, its been a hectic couple of weeks, and I haven't exactly been in the mood to write something up for a while now. Plus, several sections just did not feel right as I wrote them, so there was backtracking and rewriting nonsense going on. Plus I had to draw a freaking map to make sense of a scene.
First things first, two major points to get out of the way: Mass Effect Canon and the "tech levels" I introduced.
We'll start with canon, by way of example. Shanxi and the FCW were major events in Mass Effect. We have Jack Harper become indoctrinated/minor reaper modifications (the eyes) and eventually start Cerberus. Desolas Arterius becomes indoctrinated and digs up the Palaven reaper artifact, whereupon Saren kills him and destroys the reaper object, and he begins to hate humanity.
Obviously, this line of events can't occur. Mostly because those characters mentioned haven't even been born yet. So while humanity is aware of certain things, it can't be certain about what will occur. It would be accurate to say that humanity is aware of the general plot, but key details, even things like who Shepard is can't be used. Where objects are (Alpha Relay and various Reaper artifacts) won't be changed, but humanity isn't sure of the names or specific locations, so searching will be required.
As for the tech levels, they are as follows:
Tier 1: Civilization utilizes eezo-tech exclusively. Most common and basic form of civilization, though all civilizations have some understanding of it. Protheans were a high Tier 1, canon ME civilizations would be in the mid-range.
Tier 2: Electro-gravitic civilizations are in this range. Such civilizations have not managed to overcome the dark energy limitations EG tech experiences. Subspace power systems and hyperspace are developed and are used extensively (Humanity relies on fusion mainly, but dreadnaughts have Subspace Cores, think of a very limited ZPM). Basic wormholes are available, though they are power intensive and limited in functionality and by dark energy levels. Only about 1500 of these civilizations have existed. Moving from Tier 1 to Tier 2 is incredibly difficult due to quirks in EG mathematics and the way in which the theory disagrees with the Standard Particle Model. Humanity is at a mid-level in this fic.
Tier 3: Dark energy limitations overcome in EG tech. Wormholes are much more accurate and do not possess the limitations human wormhole tech has. Typically used energy weaponry exclusively, rather than the mix in the human arsenal. Other possibilities exist but aren't relevant at this point. Only around a hundred such civilizations have existed. Basically, if a civilization reaches Tier 3, Reapers attack immediately, point in the cycle be damned. They have been very short-lived, but it is easier to move from 2 to 3 than it is 1 to 2.
Higher tiers exist theoretically, though no civilization has obviously reached them. The Reapers have managed to work out a lot of theory, and could effectively shape reality if they were so inclined. Fortunately they have no reason to given their purpose, and as such don't fall into any classification, nor can they be considered a civilization. I got the idea for the tiers from the ME3 codex entry on Reaper capabilities, basically they hide their full capabilities because it could backfire.
As for Sovereign in the last chapter, he basically skimmed the news for the major highlights. And while human AI is important, its taking a backseat to the Batarian Conflict and other technologies for the moment. He'll be able to adjust to it though, Harbinger won't be happy that he missed that detail however.
Finally, in part due to the demand for it, and because I've managed to come up with a couple ideas, there will be a chapter that is more historical in nature. But it won't come up for another 4-5 chapters.
So without further ado, enjoy. And once more, thanks again to Bioware for creating the Mass Effect Universe.
Alliance Intelligence Report
Comparative Species' Military Capabilities
August, 2094
... It is important to note however that with the leveling of the field in terms of technology, humanity will not necessarily be placed at a disadvantage in military strength. Because while the other species will be able to adapt to the new technologies being introduced, they will not be instant experts with it.
This is in part due to the cultural differences between our species and others. Take the salarians as an example. In all likelihood the Union military will take our technology and run with it to places we could not imagine. However, in terms of military strategy they are hampered by the nature of their evolution as a species. The salarians are in many ways frailer than the other major species, lacking distinct numbers of biotics and the ability to go toe-to-toe in a fight with other species. This evolutionary development is the primary reason for their preference for winning a fight before it begins.
This preference for avoiding direct conflict for instance will direct their development along paths we can understand. They will likely eschew the flashier weapons and devices which EG technology allows in order to maintain their basic cultural strategies with regards to conflict.
In comparison, we can expect the turians to adopt a very similar approach to that we have undertaken. Our histories are in many ways very similar, the development of nation-states and the accompanying wars providing a similar martial history. The major distinctions between our species lie in the lack of naval warfare the turians experienced, and the more community oriented and militant culture that they developed in response to Palaven's harsher climate.
However, it is in comparisons between ourselves and the turians that we find where humanity may draw its biggest strength in the military arena. In the war-games scenarios undertaken between the Hierarchy and Alliance, the Alliance has won four of the seven thus far convened. While some circles claim that it is the alliance technology which one the day, the turian generals who led the war-games have come out strongly against such notions, for one major reason.
Simply put, while the turians have humans outmatched in pure discipline and structured maneuvers, humanity carries the edge in initiative. Individual Alliance units, aware of the overall goal of the war-games managed to out-gambit the turian forces arrayed against them and achieve their objectives despite the turian maneuvers and discipline.
In conversations with [REDACTED DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS. LEVEL 7 ACCESS REQUIRED TO VIEW RELEVENT SECTIONS].
We have thus taken to updating the common adage, "Every turian is a soldier, every asari is a diplomat, and every salarian is a spy." It must now be appended that "Every human is a general." Our species [REDACTED DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS. LEVEL 7 ACCESS REQUIRED TO VIEW RELEVENT SECTIONS]...
...We will continue our efforts to prepare the rest of the galaxy for the return of the Reapers. And while several of our efforts may be met with skepticism by the other races, it is important that we take steps to ensure that all species survive the coming storm.
Khar'shan Atmosphere
November 12th, 2086
"All right ladies and gentlemen. We will be dropping into a small military outpost on the edges of the Hegemony capital." The dry southern drawl paused for a moment before continuing, "Our mission is to ensure that the forces in this outpost are unable to counteract the main assault force once they land. As such, this is a smash and grab, we smash whatever equipment and personnel we can, and grab whatever supplies we may find useful once we're done smashing the place up. A secondary objective is liberating any slaves we come across. Command has already managed to disable the bomb-collars, all we have to do is get them out safely, so long as it doesn't threaten the primary mission."
Glancing at the data screen before him, Captain James Traynor gave a slight nod as his platoon all confirmed they had received their orders. They were currently screaming through Khar'shan's atmosphere at a nice clip of 100 meters per second, and would be making planetfall in just a few short minutes. While the namby-pamby army regulars and marines came down in their soft and comparatively comfortable drop-ships, Captain Traynor and the thousands of other Orbital Drop Troopers were riding to the surface in their tiny little drop-pods. Designed for quick strikes on those unlucky enough to incur the Alliance's wrath, they'd proven their design well enough during the assault on Beijing in World War III.
"All right then, lets all give Doc our attention as he gives us the weather on the 2's."
"Right, remember that Khar'shan's average temperature is 33ยบ C. So watch your water supplies while we're separated from the main force. The air is thinner as well, so be careful and keep helmets on as best as you can. The area we're currently dropping in to has been experiencing high winds for the past few days, so watch your jumps. And looking at the radar, we've got a storm coming in, so Wolfe, you're going to have to be careful."
"All right then, get in one last weapons check. We'll be hitting the surface in just a minute."
Following his own advice, Captain Traynor took a look at the weapons at his disposal. In contrast to the weapons available to the fleet, ground forces had to rely on either mass-drivers or blasters. Correspondingly the Captain had an M-22 Thunder assault-blaster, a slightly modified Striker shotgun, and a Valiant pistol.
Feeling the last minute shifts brought on by his pod's evasion thrusters, James checked the rest of his equipment. Thermal and visual sensors were clear, thrusters checked out in the green, shields and barriers were at 100%, and power systems were functioning within the limits. One last glance at the map display in the pod showed him that he would be landing on the southern edge of the compound near the barracks. The rest of his platoon was scattered around the outpost, with Wolfe landing in the back corner of the vehicle bay.
And then the familiar jostle of landfall came, and the pod opened up. Already, debris from the battle raging in the space above the planet was beginning to enter the atmosphere and burn up. But there were more pressing matters. Namely the company of batarians who manned the outpost his platoon had just dropped into uninvited.
He could already see Ara's biotics flaring as she reinforced her barriers and began laying down covering fire in his direction with her SMG. Following her line of fire, James took out his assault-blaster and took aim at the pair of batarians at the corner of the barracks closest to him, placing two shots square in their chests. Looking up at the guard tower above them he saw several shots from outside the perimeter pass through the windows, followed closely by Private Michaels.
Focusing again on the corner of the barracks, three more batarians came barreling around it. And even as one lost his arm to a quickly placed singularity and the other took a blast to the chest, the third glowed blue and for a fraction of a second disappeared. Only to reappear with a staggering amount of force at James' chest causing him to drop his rifle.
He had barely registered the batarian in front of him when he noticed the bladed fist moving towards his face. Instinct kicked in immediately, ducking quickly he brought his right arm up to the vanguard's chest while simultaneously bracing himself. Quickly activating the thruster on his arm, the two opponents were thrust apart. As the batarian found himself punching the volume of space he had previously occupied, James brought his shotgun up with his left arm and let loose two blasts, shattering the vanguard's barriers and carving a hole in the unfortunate defender.
Picking up his rifle, he looked up to see two large bodies fall out of the guard tower, swiftly followed by blaster bolts towards the courtyard. Training his rifle on the corner where a now one-armed batarian was writhing on the ground, James activated his commlink.
"Ara, you've got the other approach covered, correct?"
"No Captain. Maruvi is covering that side of the barracks. What do you need me for?"
"I want you to throw a warp on the barracks' wall. We can break into the barracks at that point and work our way to the courtyard. Besides the interior will have a bit more cover than we possess out here."
"All right Captain."
Their attention was moved away from the wall as Michaels launched himself from the guard tower he had taken residence in towards their position. Followed swiftly by a loud crack and the disintegration of said tower.
"Wolfe! I thought you were taking care of any armor they had here!" James quickly shouted into the commlink.
"Well I would. But unfortunately I landed right next to a tank, and my pod door won't open sir." The lieutenant replied. "Don't worry about sending help though. I think a couple of the locals are about to give me a helping hand in getting out."
"Quickly get that tank out of the way!" Lieuntent Valkor yelled at his troops. "If we can get whatever weapon they have in that drop-pod perhaps we can turn the tide out there."
The human forces assembled outside had managed to disable the sole tank they had managed to get out of the vehicle bay quickly enough. Wasting only enough fire to render its main cannon inoperable, it had only managed to get a single shot out. Fortunately there were still five more available, and if he could use whatever they had dropped in alongside them, Valkor was sure the humans could be routed.
It was strange though. Why would they drop a piece of equipment so large straight into one of the more heavily defended areas of the outpost? That little tactical conundrum could wait however, as private Korick had managed to remove whatever had been preventing the pod door from opening. Any elation brought by that act was short-lived. As the door came crashing down, whatever was inside the pod began making its way out.
Even as the private trained his rifle on the new threat he was swept aside by the large gun barrel, crashing into the wall across the bay. And then the air warped as a powerful laser tore a hole in the most immediate target. And where once stood a tank which could match any Council vehicle, now stood a cored out shell of steel.
The batarians in the vehicle bay quckly took cover and began opening fire on the vehicle stepping out of its shelter. It looked like a krogan was the Lieutenant's first thought. It possessed two "arms", though both were apparently laser cannons as the opposite arm fired on yet another of the tanks now trying to maneuver in the vehicle bay. Moving forward he could make out the seams of its cockpit, though the whole thing was armored with no visible cameras or view ports. And even as the batarians in the bay opened fire on the beast, those damnable human shields simply absorbed the fire raining down on it.
One fool tried rushing the thing, and for a moment Valkor thought he might succeed in getting close. Until the monster turned and lifted him up on the end of its weapon barrel. The poor bastard was turned into a mist as the machine opened fire, tearing a gap in the ceiling. Apparently whoever or whatever had noticed the threat that the batarian infantry potentially posed to it, the machine started redirecting its fire on the soldiers in the bay.
Sweeping back and forth through the bay, the monster began returning fire. It appeared to have some form of physical weapons, as the batarians' barriers flared briefly before collapsing. Judging from the bursts of light on the sides of the thing's head, it was focused on forward offense.
And then it set its sights on him. He barely had time to move before a burst of light from the thing's head cannons tore through him. Turning slowly, the machine surveyed the carnage it had wrought amongst the batarians. And then it proceeded to fire several bursts of laser fire through the remaining tanks, before marching out into the outpost's courtyard.
And as darkness engulfed Lieutenant Volkar, he thought he heard over the din of battle some form of music, singing about something called Alabama. And then there was nothing.
Hegemony Capital City
November 24th, 2086
**Bang**
And there was number twenty-four. The poor bastards hadn't realized that the sniper they were facing wasn't organic. Or that even with the high crosswinds and smoke brought about by the battle raging in the streets of the batarian capitol, a bullet traveling at several kilometers per second simply was not affected greatly.
As Apollo lined up another shot on the general area the batarian platoon had holed up in he made a mental note of the general progress of Alliance forces had made in the area. Sharing data between the various forces on the ground, it was clear that the push towards the Hegemony's heart was coming to a climactic close.
**Bang**
And there was number twenty-five. He hadn't even tried to run, he had simply poked his head out in a desperate attempt to determine where the sniper was. Oh well. It was Apollo's job to make sure that the Alliance soldiers on the ground made it home, not the batarian soldiers.
And at that, a Challenger Mk-10 floated onto the street and opened fire on the batarian position as the infantry supporting it made their way through the surrounding buildings.
"Apollo, how's your sector shaping out?"
"General Byron, we've managed to secure blocks B-5 through D-12. Alpha Company will be pushing forward shortly. I take it that things are progressing smoothly in other areas?"
"That would be correct. Given that this is the final major city on the planet, it would appear that this war is about to end."
**Bang**
Huh, how did I manage to hit his gun? Oh well. "I would assume that the various batarian forces which have managed to disappear into the countryside on the planet and into the Terminus Systems would disagree with that assessment General."
"You are undoubtedly correct. But our mission here has been accomplished. We will have dismantled a brutal regime, and hopefully a more peaceful batarian people will arise."
"Yes, well just don't announce our victory from one of our carriers in front of a banner. And let's hope the batarians won't become too peaceful, we still have to face the Reapers in a little under a century from now."
There were several seconds of silence, the General was either trying to figure out the historical reference or updating several other units in the battle. Taking the moment to adjust positions, Apollo found himself airborne shortly moving to another rooftop he had scoped out earlier.
"Right, Iraq." So he was looking up the reference, though he could have done both. "As for the batarians, yes we will have to rebuild them swiftly. As you know though, that's why we have avoided doing any lasting major damage to their infrastructure."
**Bang**
Hmm, unless that tank tries to fire... Ah. Well, based on the crew requirements of the standard batarian battle tank his count for the day had reached twenty-nine. "Yes, well the political realities of this war are above my paygrade. Though Publius would like to congratulate you General."
"And why is that Apollo?"
"Because while the Council is adverse to an Artificial Human serving as humanity's Councilor, your conduct, and the conduct of everyone else thus far in this war has managed to assuage their fears that we are bloodthirsty maniacs."
Landing on the rooftop, Apollo adjusted himself to provide a better firing angle on the batarian defensive line. "Furthermore, your efforts to minimize civilian casualties has played an important role in showing how we conduct war. Though the turians are apparently interested in why we don't consider this a total war situation."
"Hmmph, well pass my thanks for the compliment on to Publius for me."
"Already done, Sir."
"Command out."
**Bang**
And with the fall of that commander, the batarian forces on that street corner began to bolt. And as two more Challengers with several Wolverines in tow appeared on the scene the rest of the batarian forces began to fall back as well. Yes, this battle would end swiftly. But it was merely a precursor to the battles ahead.
Humanity had shown its strength. And while the odds were against the species of the galaxy, they would put up a fight against the Reapers.
Codex Entry:
Systems Alliance Ground Vehicles
While the Systems Alliance uses close to a dozen ground combat vehicles none are more iconic than the Challenger battle tank, Mako APC, and Wolverine walker. All three saw heavy action during the First Contact War, showcasing the different strengths of human technology.
The Challenger M-10 is, as the name makes clear, the descendent of the British Challenger tank which saw use at the turn of the 21st Century on Earth. Equipped with a dual purpose 20mm cannon capable of switching between a mass-driver mode and laser mode, Vulcan HMG, and a Quantum Technologies Mk 24 Resonance Shield Generator, it is powerful on both offense and defense. Propelled by a series of repulsors it is capable of reaching 80 kilometers per hour. Alliance troops swear by its ability to hold the line in battle and can often be seen supporting the vehicles in any combat situation.
The Mako in contrast is something of a throwback. Unlike most other vehicles, it moves across the battlefield on six wheels. Carrying a 10 mm railgun and dual Vulcan HMGs, its true value comes in its speed and maneuverability. Capable of transporting 10 soldiers in full battle gear across the field of battle at 120 kph, while protected by the same shields as a Challenger, it can quickly outflank humanity's foes.
While the Mako represents a throwback to humanity's early years of mechanized warfare, the Wolverine walker is an anomaly in itself. Standing 4 meters tall on two legs, it serves as the primary drop vehicle of the ODTs due to its compact shape and variability. Its arms are detachable, allowing for a wide variety of weapons, from railguns to laser cannons to HMGs. This flexibility allows the elite forces of the Alliance to respond to whatever situation they will be dropping into.
Needless to say, Alliance ground vehicles follow the philosophy the rest of the Alliance military follows: Adapt and Overcome.
Codex Entry:
Human Inter-species Relations
Despite their newcomer status, humanity has managed to make impressive strides in developing diplomatic relations with the other galactic species.
First and foremost among the relationships formed by humanity is that with the Quarian Republic and the Geth Consensus. Both are staunch allies of humanity, with relations between humans and quarians being extremely close. And while the Geth Consensus can be difficult to read at times, it is clear by their actions that they trust humanity deeply.
Relations with the Turian Hierarchy are warm. Humanity's efforts to police Citadel space alongside the traditional peacekeepers of the galaxy have resulted in the two species quickly coming to an understanding. Despite difficulties in communicating at times and differing philosophies, both species are learning to enjoy the company of each other.
Relations between humans and salarians are also friendly. Despite a general view of salarians as spies and manipulators, humans are generally friendly with the short-lived species. Many salarian tech companies relish the competition that human companies bring to the market, as well as the boons the technology itself has created.
Asari and human relations are unusual. A small group of matriarchs and their acolytes decry the heavy-handed diplomacy which humanity has shown at times and the general military capability the species possesses. However, the vast majority of asari find humanity intriguing and look forward to learning more about the newest species in the galaxy.
As the krogan possess no unified government, there are no official relations with the Systems Alliance. However, individual krogan tend to be treated with mild suspicion and deference by those humans they meet.
The volus' interactions with humanity tend to be in the financial markets. And while such competition tends to be cutthroat, this has led to mutual respect between the two species, if not friendliness.
Due to the isolationist tendencies of the hanar and elcor, relations with those two species are neutral. Largely because of a lack of interaction, humanity has shown its willingness to extend its hand in friendship to the two species.
Finally, relations with the batarian people are complicated. While many view humanity as a proud people who showed their strength and honor in freeing those in the lower castes, many others view them as dangerous tyrants willing to use force to change long-held traditions. Adding to the complicated relationship is the existence of the Hegemony Remnant in the Terminus Systems, which is largely responsible for various pirate attacks throughout the Terminus Systems and Attican Traverse.