Spoilers for the game are present for the rest of the story.

Disclaimer: The following story is not used to make a profit or advertisement. Mass Effect was created by EA/Bioware. Any original characters, story, dialogue, or elements found are used for this story.

The last Prothean had made quite a stir back home with many kids missing their school classes to watch events unfold on the news. All organics were stunned and many synthetics were unsure of how they should feel at this turn of events. As weeks went by, Javik became an encyclopedia of information regarding the Prothean Empire and the Reapers with many books, documentaries, and even shows being made about hm. The Reapers became the main topic for almost everyone for several weeks with some people running off their planets in fear while some tried to think this was all a hoax. Javik had offered a little hope of a Prothean device that could possibly destroy all the Reapers, but he did not have the blueprints or knowledge of where to find such information and the excavation on Mars tripled as a result. The Coalition had voted on increasing their military strength and looking further into the technology of mass relays. There was a massive surge of people joining the military and within a year's time, there was over 20 dreadnaughts and way more starships.

Javik had spent the years' time at Arcturus where he trained new N7 recruits and soon became accustomed to his new life. Javik later made several relationships with people he spent time around and had developed an ok relationship with Dr. Lexington, having contact with her at least once a month. He still harbored a small grudge and suspicion against synthetics, but saw their potential and was able to bear being around them, for the time being. He was soon allowed to command a cruiser, The Alcera, named after a Prothean city of his choice. The ship was made to look like a Prtohean's as a gift to Javik and while it could never truly be a Prothean ship, it sure looked close in Javik's opinion. Javik had been surprised when several machanics had approached him one day and asked for sevaeral visions of Prothean ships and how their drive cores were designed.

After a year of increasing its military strength, the Coalition felt that it was time to approach the Council, Migrant Fleet, and the lawless Terminus Systems to warn every being about the Reapers. Many people felt this was the right thing to do while others felt worried the Council would declare war on a species allying or consisting of AI. These naysayers were soon outvoted and plans were soon in motion on how to approach the galactic community. It was agreed that they would send several ships consisting of only humans as well as The Alcera to the Citadel first.

All ships were to keep a low profile when entering Council Space until they reached the Citadel, maintain radio silence in case their transmissions were picked up, and most importantly, stick together. Stealth systems had been included on every ship in the Coalition since 2162, even dreadnaughts, with all emissions able to be undetected if a ship was stationary. A ship could go into FTL without giving off half of its emissions, but it was still possible to be detected. Since the beginning of the Coalition's formation, ships had been improved to trap heat much more efficiently with ships able to handle more heat for longer periods. Drive cores had been looked at extensively with almost every ship now able to go weeks without having to discharge. Ships were also much faster with dreadnaughts able to maneuver more quickly and frigates able to reach destinations half the time it took in 2157.

After much preparation, the ships set out for the Citadel from Arcturus. The journey took about two days with the crews sticking close together. There were several turian patrols they had to evade but it was otherwise a smooth journey.

March 19, 2165

Serpent Nebula, Widow System, Relay Orbit

The Alcera

Javik was very anxious. He had heard many stories about the Citadel and now he was finally about to see it. He stared out the window next to his pilot.

"Commander, we will be at the Citadel in ten minutes. This nebula is very bright and it is hard to see, but we should see something soon." The pilot said looking at Javik.

Javik merely grunted in response which made the pilot look at him. "Something wrong?"

"All my life, I have only seen or heard of the Citadel from tales and visions among my people and now I am going to see it. The Citadel was the heart of our empire and the very first place to be attacked by the Reapers. Communication was cut very quickly and we were soon cut off from our government. We were easy prey for them. I hear the species of this cycle on the Citadel share the power in a way just like yours do human."

"They do and it really helps keep the peace and easier to ally with each other during a war," The pilot replied.

"With my empire, the races absorbed into it were only given one choice in a war. To join us or die."

"I am glad to say our cycle is different," The pilot responded turning back toward the window in front of him.

Everyone on the ships could soon see the Citadel. Everyone was completely caught off guard by what they saw. The massive structure with many ships orbiting it made a few holds their breath. Javik was even impressed and had to give the primitives credit for the amount of defense he saw.

Serpent Nebula, Widow System, Citadel Orbit

Kilon

Officer Vakarian's shift was about to end. For several weeks, he had been assigned to monitor ships entering and leaving the system aboard the Kilon. It wasn't what he was usually assigned to be doing, but orders were orders. Suddenly, he saw two strange silhouettes that were different than anything he had seen before and were being followed by at least ten more. He soon realized, much to his disbelief, that they looked like ships. He soon got over his shock and alerted Citadel Control.

"Yes Vakarian, what is it?" A gruff voice came up on the comm.

"Sir, I have got about twelve unidentifiable ships entering our airspace. They seem to be heading for the station. I would advise you alert all ships and attempt to make contact. It may be two new species since one ship looks drastically different from the others," Vakarian replied, feeling butterflies in his stomach.

The man on the comm took a minute to respond, but eventually got back on the comm.

"Thank you for letting me know," his voice sounded hoarse in Vakarian's opinion. I will alert all ships to be ready and send word to the Council."

"Yes sir," Vakarian replied.

Tela

Palin got off the comm and keyed into every ship in the system. The Council had heard rumors about possible silhouettes entering several systems, but no one was sure, however security had been tightened none the less. "All ships, this is Commander Palin of the Citadel Fleet. We have received visual of two unknown species entering our airspace. Do not fire unless they do. After I alert the Council, I will attempt to open a channel with them." He got off the frequency and was about to dial up the turian councilor when he saw the comm light flashing. He felt his heart skip several beats, but answered it.

"This is Citadel Control, identify yourself."

"Commander Javik of The Alcera. Prothean."