Chapter II
It occurred to Shepard that it might not be a good idea to extend her hand to something that could crush it but was surprised when the giant took her hand gently and shook once up-and-down, saying "I am Aurelianus Varro, Custodian of the Golden Throne." Shepard thought of this title for a moment and wondered what it meant. The respect the others in the room showed him clearly meant that he wasn't a mere janitor, she pondered on the second part of the title "of the Golden Throne", perhaps he was some kind of regent? She didn't have time to ask him before he interrupted her train of thought, "Tell me more about this 'galactic community.'"
The request took Shepard somewhat aback, she took a few seconds to collect her thoughts before answering. "The space station you see over there is the Citadel, the center of galactic civilization, from there, the Council makes decisions which are binding for all the species in Citadel space," pointing at the members of her team, she named the species of the Citadel, "the Asari, Turians, and… well, we don't have Salarian with us, but this is a Krogan. They're not nominally part of the Council races, but they serve as mercenaries throughout the galaxy."
Now it was Aurelianus' turn to be perplexed. If what this envoy said was true, there was a whole galaxy under control of a confederation of Xenos races and heretics. Yet, she showed no signs of deception, and even had new Xenos races with her to back up her point. He wondered if they had somehow ended up in one of the satellite galaxies orbiting the Milky Way, colonized during the Dark Age of Technology. Despite sensing no trickery, he decided to stick to his guns. "That isn't possible, the God-Emperor of Mankind united the entire galaxy under human rule ten-thousand years ago in the Great Crusade."
Shepard just knew this day was going to get even more confusing. First there was a new civilization, then they were another human civilization outside of the Systems Alliance, and now they claimed suzerainty over the entire galaxy. This would be a difficult negotiation if these people weren't even going to accept the basic premise of the existence of Citadel Space. She thought it was just BS, but she had to be more diplomatic than that. "Well, you can look for yourself and see on the star charts that the Citadel controls much of the known galaxy."
The Custodian interrupted her, anger in his voice, "Our star charts how our position as unknown, which means that either we're on the galactic fringe beyond the Emperor's light, or we're in a different galaxy altogether."
Shepard resisted the urge to defend herself from the outburst, "I'm just telling you what I know to be true, we'll send your Admiral our star charts as a sign of good faith, but I think it's best if we move on from this topic." After the giant nodded his assent, she continued. "over two-thousand years ago, the Asari and Salarians first discovered the Citadel at the central hub of the mass relays and established the Citadel Council to govern the galaxy. Among the first issues that plagued the Citadel Council were the Rachni, an insectoid race that nearly destroyed the Council until the Salarians uplifted the Krogan to sentience to defeat them. However, the Krogan turned on the Council, seeking a more equal position to their former masters." Shepard caught Wrex wince, despite her attempts to sound as neutral as possible in her telling of history. "After the defeat of the Krogan through biological warfare, the Council endured peace for over a thousand years until the Quarians –", Shepard pointed to the cockpit of the shuttle, and for the first time it became clear the newcomers that the pilot wasn't human – "created the Geth, a machine race that sought to overthrow the Quarians and establish their own empire. Since then, the Quarians have lived in their flotilla aboard large cargo vessels called 'lifeships.'
As Shepard told the history of the Citadel races, Aurelianus saw in their tale the lessons that the Imperium had learned long ago, continuing to be made by these people. They should have known after the Krogan rebellion that the Xeno was perfidious, to betray that which had given them life was the supreme arrogance. Then he heard how the Quarians had created an Abominable Intelligence which had destroyed them, much as humanity was nearly destroyed in the Dark Age of Technology by the Men of Iron.
Shepard continued, "About thirty years ago, humanity became a space-faring race and discovered the Turians, resulting in the First Contact War, which ended when the Citadel Council revealed itself and welcomed humanity to the galactic community. Since then, with the help of the Council, humanity has entered a period of prosperity unmatched throughout its history." Shepard decided to leave out the recent attack on the Citadel by Sovereign and the Geth, fearing that she might give information that could be harmful to the Council. "So, that's a brief history of us, do you want to tell anything about yours?"
Aurelianus was made nervous about the prospect of revealing information. It was possible that the wrong information could place the fleet or even the wider Imperium in danger; however, he knew that there was some history he could speak of freely. "Eleven-thousand years ago, the God-Emperor of Mankind united the warring tribes of techno-barbarians using his genetically engineered Thunder Warriors, as well as his elite bodyguard, the Adeptus Custodes, of which I have been a member for over four-thousand years." He paused to delight in the shock of the revelation that he was older than their entire civilization. "After this, he created His sons, the Primarchs, and their Astartes legions. Super soldiers who went out in His name to conquer the galaxy for humanity. After over two-hundred years, the Great Crusade was finished, with the entire galaxy united under the Emperor's banner. Then, several of the Emperor's traitorous sons rebelled against their father and struck him a mortal wound. Since then, the God-Emperor has ruled from the confines of the Golden Throne, guiding humanity through the light of the Astronomicon."
Aurelianus thought it best that he leave out that the Great Crusade and much of the Imperium's history had consisted of the extermination of Xenos and Xenos-collaborators, as this could reveal their intentions and cause a pre-emptive attack before they were ready to defend themselves.
The most shocking thing about his statement was his insistence that he was over four-thousand years old. Shepard wasn't sure if the giant was testing her or telling the truth, and it was difficult to tell due to the helmet covering his face. Other than that, she had hoped for a more expansive history, or even one more plausible than the one she had heard. She decided that she had no choice but to pretend to believe it though, as he seemed unwilling to divulge more information. There was another pressing question that had to be asked: "So, why are you here?"
It was a less sensitive question to ask, as he could honestly say that they hadn't come here with hostile intentions, regardless of any fostered now. "We didn't intend to come here. A warp storm blew us dramatically off course, and we are lost."
"Excuse me", Liara asked with eagerness in her voice, "Could you tell us what a 'warp storm' is? I have never heard of such a phenomenon."
Aurelianus almost burst out laughing at what he thought was a joke, but he quickly saw that this was a serious question. "How is it that you've never experienced a warp storm? The Warp has been an extremely dangerous place to traverse for over a hundred years from the start of the Thirteenth Black Crusade. Even the smallest children know to fear them."
"And where is this 'Warp'?", continued Liara.
"Don't be coy with me, alien, I know that your race has warp drives that allow you to travel the stars, and the only way to do this is with warp travel." Aurelianus used bravado to cover his anxiety at the thought that these aliens could have created their own form of the Eldar Webway.
Shepard answered in Liara's place, angry at the treatment her friend's question had been met with. "There's no need to be rude, Liara was just asking a question. We don't know anything about a 'Warp', we use the Mass Relays and Element Zero for FTL travel. Just a suggestion, but being nice to people interested in your culture and technology will help you in the future."
Shepard and her crew were lucky that the Emperor's genetic engineering allowed the Adeptus Custodes incredible control over their emotion, as such a slight would be worthy of death. It was an insult to have to negotiate with heretics and Xenos under any circumstances, it was an outrage to be lectured by one on manners. Before Aurelianus could correct her, she spoke again. "If it's not too much trouble, we've noticed that several of your ships are in rough shape, we would like to offer assistance as a sign of goodwill, and we would also like to extend a formal invitation for anyone of your choice to come to the Citadel as a cultural ambassador."
Aurelianus would have to confer with the Inquisitor for the use of his powers as a psyker to see through any treachery, but it appeared that the diplomatic ruse was working on these people, and that they were willing to not only sit around and allow the fleet to rebuild, but to even help in the process of rebuilding. However, it appeared that they were smart enough to take a hostage in doing so. "I will have to confer with the other senior crew members to determine if we may accept, but your offer is duly noted. Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"Unfortunately, that's about all I'm qualified or allowed to discuss. I'm a soldier, not a diplomat, and the Council will be much more extensive than me. However, if you do decide to come to the Council, I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other." Shepard tried to sound hopeful when she added that last part, as otherwise Liara might have burst into tears at the thought of missing out on learning more about these newcomers.
"Thank you for considering the offer, I'd really like to stay longer, but I'm not authorized, and I need to make my report to the Citadel Council. I hope we'll see each other again soon." With that, the four made their way back to the lander and left the hangar to return to the Normandy and make their report. "What's with the silence, guys, tell me your impressions."
"A bit xenophobic for my tastes", Garrus answered first, having spent most of the meeting observing rather than speaking. "The way he talked down to Liara rubbed me the wrong way."
"We can't know what their prior experiences with aliens are, they could have what they think are good reasons to be suspicious", Liara countered. "Personally, I'm more interested in the one they referred to as the 'God-Emperor.' He is clearly a religious figure, and, I would assume, possibly mythological rather than real."
"It did sound mythological, but the guy sounded like he knew it to be true, and he claimed to be one of his guards for over four millennia." Garrus replied incredulously.
Shepard broke in, "I'm certain the Council will just love it: a theocratic human monarchy with people who live thousands of years. Either way, I'm certain we'll here more about this God-Emperor when and if they decide to accept the Council's invitation. Wrex, you're awfully quiet over there, what do you think… Wrex?"
The three turned to the Krogan battlemaster to find him nervously twitching. Finally, he gathered his thoughts. "I think we're out of our league." The tension in the room could be cut with a knife. "When you've been fighting as long as I have, you can recognize a warrior on sight along. That golden thing you were talking to? He's a warrior, and he wasn't lying about being around for four-thousand years. They didn't send him there for his tact, they sent him because he could have killed us even without that security detail."
"How can you tell?" Garrus asked, a tinge of worry in his voice.
"Just call it instinct, the way he carried himself. The basics." Wrex replied. "He wasn't just big, he was unusually fast for his size, and that armor he was wearing would stop anything we can shoot at him. I hope he's not the one they send to the Citadel, because he would be a security nightmare if he tries anything."
Shepard was used to trusting Wrex's instincts, and if Wrex was worried, it seemed like a good idea to be worried, but she also knew the stakes of acting hastily. "That's good to know, Wrex, but we need more than hunches if we're going to start a war. We have no proof that they're planning anything dangerous, so we shouldn't act as if we know they're going to. Prepare for the worst? Yes. Make the worst happen because we want to be prepared? That's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Either way, when we get back to the Normandy, we need to send the video of the meeting to the Citadel for analysis and let them decide what precautions to take."
"And if they don't take any?" Garrus asked skeptically.
Shepard smiled, "Then I guess we'll have to decide for them."
Littorio, briefing room
"Are they really going to just let us repair our ships?" the Lord-Admiral said. "Do you think they're naiive or just stupid?"
Aurelianus continued his report, "It's hard to tell, but perhaps the Inquisitor could enlighten us."
The men in the room turned towards Avaakum. He was one of the few psykers aboard the ship, and, while he wasn't particular powerful, the warp in this place was very calm, almost primordial in its tranquility, and he had been able to monitor the thoughts of the interlopers from the bridge of the Littorio. "I tried but could not detect any treachery. I think we should take them up on their offer. if we decide to go through with our assault, it will mean that one of us can be on the station and disable its defenses."
The Custodian groaned in his armor at the thought that he would have to entreat with heretics and aliens again but was interrupted by the Inquisitor. "By my right as an Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus, I am taking command here. I will be the one to board their vessel with my retinue, and I will treat with these Xenos. I may be out of my element with no daemons to fight, but I'm the best judge of what information can be revealed, I'm a psyker, and my retinue will be able to move quickly to disable their defenses. If it makes any of you feel better, I will keep my rosarius with me."
The silence in the room was incredible. No one had expected the Inquisitor to take this option. Now that he had formally exercised his authority, there was no man there who could defy him and be within their rights. The question was settled, but the men were still eager to question him as to his intentions. Lord-General Wrangel was the first to break the silence, "Will you need any support from my men? How much of your retinue on you bringing? Do you think it will be sufficient?"
"I will make the initial approach from one of the frigates, but I will dock with them using a standard assault boat. I can fit most of my retinue on there, I shall take with me the noble Custodian, as well as thirty Inquisitorial stormtroopers. Such a strike force will be strong enough to clear most opposition, but small enough to travel relatively unhindered."
Magos van Leeuwenhoek was the next to speak, "You should also bring along one of my tech priests. It is unlikely you will be able to interface with their technology to disable their defenses without the help of an experienced member of the Mechanicus." The Inquisitor nodded his agreement and departed the room to return to his ship and prepare for the rendezvous.
Normandy
The shock was plain on the faces of the Councilors as they watched the video. "Shepard", Sparatus asked, "This had better not be some hidden project of the Alliance. If humanity has been hiding such a development from us, there will be hell to pay."
Tevos was more cautious, "I trust our human allies to have not done such a thing, what are the chances that they could have ties to these humans or have even created them?"
"I have to agree", said Valern, "Not because of trust, but technicality. These humans are clearly more advanced than the Alliance. Ships are too big, advanced genetic engineering, etc. etc."
"They don't have to have created this threat, they just have to have concealed it from us." Sparatus countered.
"Pardon me, Councilor," Shepard stopped him, "but if they were with us, why would they have reacted with hostility when we argued with them? I can't speak for Alliance command, but I was completely unaware of them until today." Sparatus had no counter.
Tevos changed the line of thought to cover Sparatus the embarrassment. "Either way, we must learn more about these people, their polity, and their religious beliefs. I hope that, if they agree to come aboard the Citadel, they will be more willing to divulge information about their history and their… 'God-Emperor.'"
"Ma'am, this is Joker, we're being hailed, they might be responding to your offer."
"Add them to the transmission, Joker." Shepard asked after getting confirmation from the Council. "Lord-Admiral, it's great that you could join us." Shepard greeted him without alluding to the council, as he couldn't see them on his end, they were simply listening in."
"Shepard, we have agreed to your request for a diplomatic meeting aboard your station. Inquisitor Avaakum will be coming to dock within the next few hours. Barbarigo out." The transmission cut out as abruptly as it began, clearly something had gotten on the Admiral's nerves sometime between her departure from the vessel and the transmission."
"Well, that was kind of rude. At least they accepted the invitation." Shepard told the council.
"Yes" Tevos said, "We need to gather a welcome party. Shepard, you and your team will be among the welcoming party as they have some experience with you, and you will help them adjust to their surroundings and help to interview them throughout their stay. We're entrusting you with a lot here, but we trust in your ability. Don't let us down." Sparatus huffed at what she said as the transmission ended.