Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or it's inherent themes. Anything in this story is of my own making without the goal of financial gain.
AN: Hello my minio- I mean readers. So after 11 hours of posting my first chapter I'm pleased to say that I've received 864 views, 29 reviews, 43 favourites and 64 followers. I didn't expect it to be that much so soon. But the love is much appreciated.
To answer many of your statements and questions, I would urge you to wait and see. If I tell you know then where is the suspense, wonder and mystery? The UNSC will be the face of Humanity and by the Halo definition, be without outside influence. I think in a debate within the Assembly that they state Humans are not likely to accept outside influence and therefore guide them unseen.
Forerunners and Covenant will exist within this universe, but when and where is yet to be seen (By you, I of course know when and where. Muwahahahaha!). I'm also going to thank those of you who pointed out some of my mistakes within the first chapter, your insight is much appreciated. When I attempted to proof read I was a bit lazy. Please forgive me I was tired at the time.
Enough! Chit-chat time is over, we must go on with the show!
Mass Effect: Intertwined History
Chapter 2: Interview II
"They've landed? Well, deploy the ODST's then! Time to show these bastards the meaning of Hell!" Admiral Peterson, First Contact War
(-][-)
Date: Next Day, 2180 CE
Location: The Citadel, C-Sec HQ
She can't put up with it. Not any more.
The only thing that anybody has talked about for the past few days is the newcomers on the galactic stage. It has been such big news that her date last night couldn't shut up about them. So much in fact she left without saying a word and headed straight to her apartment on the Presidium and went to sleep, if only to get herself some rest for the next day.
Personally, she is just as interested in these newcomers as everyone else. But she knows to take her mind of it and focus on something else. If only to ignore the problem or to at least get something done. As she walks through the C-Sec HQ, she mentally curses that her job is to find out as much as possible from the highest ranking survivor of the conflict. Oh the irony.
So far, she has deduced that the Turians had their scaly hides handed to them by the Humans. But she needs to find out exactly how they fought, when they hit and where in the Turian formations. She had grown up being taught that no species had a stronger military than the Turians. That nobody could match their discipline, their bravery, their courage and most of all their overwhelming power. That had changed within a week of warfare in the mysterious star system known as Sol.
She walks into the Interrogation room and seals the door behind her as per protocol. Turning to see Lieutenant Cinderion with his hands clasped together and leaning forward on the desk.
"Spectre Vasir, I'm ready to give my full accounting of what happened in the Sol system" he says
"Every detail that you can remember?" she pries
"Every scrap I can scrounge up in my memory" he sighs "It's not the best moment in Turian military history but . . . it needs to be heard and analysed if we are to learn anything from it." Cinderion admits, in defeat
"Very well" Vasir sits down opposite Cinderion again "I trust you have been treated well? I've heard that the Turian military is looking for someone to blame for the failure"
Cinderion's face remains the same. Perhaps he knows what will become of him? Perhaps not it doesn't matter.
"I'm . . aware . . of what will probably await me" he takes a deep breath "I did what I could with the time that was given to me, can anyone else have done better?" he asks to no one in particular.
"Doesn't matter, what's done is done" she stays silent for a moment "Are you ready Lieutenant?"
"Yes" he replies with a quick nod "I'm ready"
She switches on the recording application of her omni-tool and leans forward.
Lieutenant Cinderion, when you entered the Sol system. What happened after?
Well, as I stated before. We began Turian standard operating procedure and began to scan the system. Shortly after . . about 5 minutes actually, we realised we had accidentally destroyed an alien outpost that was situated on the presumed moon. Which was in fact a mass relay encased in ice.
Yes, those deaths were unavoidable, due to the mass relay activating on it's own via the signal from the other relay you came from. How did you meet Humanity?
We detected radio signals coming from almost every planet and moon in the system. We decided to send out a signal to hopefully belay their fears. We remained in position to hopefully show we were not hostile.
How long did it take for a message to be received? From the Humans I mean.
It took them exactly 5 hours 36 minutes and twenty seven seconds. I know because I was the comms. Officer aboard the Unyielding. It amazed me that they managed to decipher our language and reply so fast. Citadel records show that the fastest known time is when an Asari briefly melds with an individual to learn a language. I remember crewman Kirx being ecstatic about their apparent linguistic skill.
Okay, so we know that a line of communication had been established. What was said between both parties?
Well, as I said before we apologized for the incident. We had to explain why and how it happened. They were very cautious to believe us at first. Not long after we began to slowly move closer in system to show our non hostile approach, keeping our line of dialogue open.
As we moved closer in system, we noticed a large number of vessels scattered throughout the system had seemingly lifted off from many of their colonies in system. They were preparing in case things went wrong. Which is understandable, I mean, we Turians did that upon first contact with the Asari and Salarians.
What can you tell me about their ships? What's so special about them?
Apart from the fact that those ships were at least 1km long? That those ships had seemingly lifted off of planets and moons alike?
You're not serious? Council dreadnoughts are incapable of landing on planets, you expect me to believe that these primitives could do it?
What you choose to believe is up to you. What I'm saying is that roughly 80 vessels of 1km in length had mobilized and prepared for war. 10 of which met our fleet not far from the 4th planet . . Mars I believe they called it.
Such technical and engineering capabilities amazed us that they could land and take off those vessels from a planets surface. Most off them were in orbit before mobilization however but the prospect remains. They COULD do it.
And after? How did you learn of their AI's?
When we begun to introduce ourselves and what we represent. What our goals were and what it could mean for them. (Sighs) They introduced themselves. Their military is known as the UNSC. I believe the acronym stands for United Nations Space Command. Their civilian government is represented as the UEG, which I know stands for the United Earth Government.
They introduced their AI's and that's when it went to shit.
How did you tell them? The dangers I mean.
General Jihirix exploded, as did the rest of the crew on each and every ship. Jihirix alerted them of the danger and they laughed. LAUGHED. They have been using AI's before they had set up their first extra-planetary colony. They claimed they were safe but we knew, we know different.
When it was obvious that they wouldn't listen, Jihirix declared that what came next was for the good of the galaxy. He gave the order and our fleet opened fire. It was a massacre for the 17 ships that met us. The battle lasted for a few hours as their ships held their ground and waited for reinforcements. Their Carriers tried to stay out of the fight as much as possible while their innumerable fighters pelted us with missiles a ballistic weapons fire.
At what point did an orbital strike hit one of their worlds?
The battle over Mars, we deployed troops to destroy an AI housing facility that was disrupting our fleet activities. They responded by deploying troops from orbit in small pods. Not much different from the Armiger legions of the Hierarchy. They were very effective, their vehicles, their infantry. It was astounding. When the troops fell planet side, Jihirix ordered us to fire on the facility and remove the problem quicker.
So many lost souls.
How many died?
We lost at least 80 good men and women. From what we could tell and from intercepted transmissions, we had killed over a thousand of them. Well worth the price.
From reports it says that some, if not most of these were non-combatants. Is that true?
Turian code dictates that no one is a non-combatant. Everyone is capable of combat in one form or another.
From what we know, they frown upon such casualties in war time. Do you think that's why they deployed nuclear weapons?
Not at that point no. When we moved further out system to crush their colonies one by one. I know that at least one of our rounds went deeper in system and hit their home-world. Where. . I'm not sure.
We fought against another horde of fighters while we tried to battle them above a moon called . . I don't know actually, I know that it had an atmosphere and a foreign environment. The air wasn't breathable. It reminded me of wait, that's what it's called. Titan.
Anyway, we fought in that system for three days. Trying to avoid their Carriers, trying to get a hit at their AI facilities. But they caught us off guard. We jumped towards the gas giant Jupiter and they were waiting for us. As soon as we came out of FTL, we were being hit with nuclear weapons left right and centre. It didn't matter where from. That's when I lost contact with Jihirix. After a few minutes of panic I ordered the retreat. Jumping to FTL and leaving via the relay. Leaving warp bombs when we did.
Hold on, in your earlier reports you stated they deployed Nuclear weapons on a moon known as . . . IO, I believe.
Yes that's correct. They had an extensive facility their in which they were intercepting our transmissions and disrupting our fleet activities. The largest AI facility we attacked. That was before we retreated further back and started to conquer their larger colonies with orbital supremacy.
When the forces dropped planet side, the largest we performed in the Battle for Sol, we almost won. We dominated their ground forces and routed their Carrier group in it's defence. But they would not let it go so easily. Almost immediately after the victory was announced, small fighter craft of theirs flew in and deployed fission weapons before we could intercept them.
(Whimpers slightly) We lost over 5000 men and women in that moment.
That's when we moved further out to push back in systematically, slowly. It would have worked too.
Fair enough. But I have to say, if you were losing that badly. . . .would you not have deployed nuclear weapons to defend a valuable asset?
Perhaps, I don't know. Maybe.
All I know is that if we don't deal with them now, I don't even want to think what COULD happen.
Did your fleet manage to have an account of their remaining vessels?
It's in my report. I know that out of their 80 Carriers, we managed to destroy at least 2 out of the first confrontation before we had to pull out. We critically damaged one or two in the battle over Io but we were trying to avoid them the best we could. Those ships are very capable, considering how primitive they are. What I'm concerned about is the possibility of them retrofitting them with mass accelerator cannons and kinetic barriers.
They were too much trouble to begin with, their armour is thick and capable of sustaining under 5 minutes of sustained fire from our Cruisers. I'd hate to think if the Council let these aliens live.
Well, whether or not they are hostile has yet to be seen. They have only acted in self-defense like any other being would. Tell me, do you remember what your fleet was made up of?
Don't insult me, I knew that better than the scales on my back. The Turian 11th Expeditionary Fleet consisted of 30 Frigates, 19 Cruisers and a single Dreadnought, the Unwavering.
Good, now is there anything else that stands out? In your opinion of course?
I've told you everything I know.
Well . . . there may be one thing actually. We did notice that there are no Prothean ruins in their system. I mean from tell tale signs from our records, we couldn't detect anything. The Prothean's have studied all the known sentient races at some point. Proof by the ruins in each races system. Either on the planet or a natural satellite nearby.
Curious.
Curious indeed. That will be all Lieutenant Cinderion.
Tela Vasir switches her omni-tool off, satisfied with what she has heard and gathered.
"What now?" asks Cinderion.
"Well, I need to deliver this report to the Council. I may even discover what they plan to do next" she replies as she stands up, moving to leave she looks back "You however, that hasn't been decided yet" she looks down at the floor, looking back up she says "Good luck"
Vasir leaves the room and heads for the nearest transit station. As she waits for an automated taxi. She couldn't get that out of her head. 80 dreadnought sized vessels, of which at least two were destroyed by the Turians. Said vessels had NO kinetic barriers or mass accelerator cannons and still out matched the Turian ships. Well, at least a new ship type would be introduced to space warfare soon enough. The battle alone proved how useful they are.
The taxi arrives and Vasir hops in.
"Council Chambers" she says quickly, not that it will get her there any faster.
(-][-)
Location: Council Chambers
Walking the same path she had yesterday, Vasir makes her way to the Council. To deliver her final report and a job completed. Looking around her, she could see that all of the diplomats were still talking about Humanity, like it was some sort of item.
"I've heard that the Humans used a new type of vessel to rout the Turian Fleet. Carriers I believe" states a Salarian diplomat, his hand under his chin in thought.
"None sense! It was incompetence on the General's part that caused our defeat!" claims the Turian diplomat who vents his anger at his Salarian counterpart.
"Damn Turian pride, these Carriers used dozens of fighters, hundreds even to overwhelm the 11th Fleet." states the Salarian In confidence.
Vasir shakes her head once again, not willing to believe what she sees before her. Were the Humans that scary that the mere mentioning of them causes tensions to flare? Ascending the stairs and coming into earshot of the Council's conversation, she makes her way to the petitioners stand.
"The probe has just reported in" states Councillor Binthus as he taps away at his omni-tool
"Well what did it discover?" asks Councillor Tevos, turning to face Binthus who's face betrays his shock.
"They are . . .sweeping the Turian warp bombs and dismantling them. Quite rapidly and deploying some of their own by the looks of it." says Binthus
"Impossible! You would have to be familiar with our technology in order to do that!" spits Councillor Forvan
"Or . , you could have an Artificial Intelligence which has the ability to perform tasks at an uncontrollable rate, much faster than a sentient being and relay the method to their makers" says Binthus in a moment of genius.
The fact that they were preparing a defence against what they presume to be a Turian invasion shows remarkable skill, to do it in such a short time. Which is not wasted on the Council.
"Perhaps we underestimated them." says Forvan in defeat, his head lowered in effect.
"Which? The Humans or their AI's?" asks Tevos, her voice dripping with venom
"Both" replies Forvan
There is another moment of quiet contemplation between them as they read through what they know. Perhaps they're trying to find something solid to cling to, or to find a flaw in the Human defenses.
"I think it's time we make a decision" states Tevos, breaking the ice
"What are you thinking Tevos?" asks Forvan, turning to face her.
"Your kind attacked them unprovoked. We have already ordered a cease-fire. But we need to send some diplomats to start negotiations." suggest Tevos, her voice firm in her belief.
"Are you insane? They are preparing a mine field on the other side of that relay and you want to send diplomats into their line of fire?" asks Forvan
"No, we should send a probe" her suggestion catching their attention "With a message in Asari, stating that it was a misunderstanding. That we want to pursue peace"
"The message in Asari would give them pause. To consider their options at the least" replies Binthus, offering his thoughts.
"But who would we send? Who would be mad enough to head over there?" asks Forvan, his face showing his confusion clearly.
"I will go" states Tevos "I will go, I won't ask someone to do something I wouldn't do myself" she says as she taps away at her omni-tool, issuing the orders to whoever is necessary.
"But they could hold you hostage? You do understand the posi-" Forvan is cut off however.
"Forvan, I'm an Asari Matriarch, I have more experience in these matters than most" she says, her voice showing a hint of fear "After all, my kind is known for it's diplomatic expertise"
Vasir just couldn't believe what she is hearing. Are things honestly that delicate? That dire? That Tevos herself is volunteering to go and diffuse the situation. She taps at her omni-tool to upload the information to the Councillor's terminals, catching their attention.
"Spectre Vasir" greets Tevos "Now that your mission is over I have a new one for you"
No, please Goddess no!
"You will be accompanying me on a diplomatic mission to the Sol system"
"Why me Councillor? Surely there are others who would do better" replies Vasir, desperately not wanting to be an unknown situation.
"Don't doubt yourself, you are on of the most decorated and experienced Spectre's in the galaxy" states Tevos
Vasir sighs, knowing she has no way to escape it now.
"Very well, if that is your decision" Vasir acknowledges in defeat.
"Right, now we must be as delicate as possible. Or we may lose more lives in the coming months" says Tevos, her words not a suggestion but more of an order.
The other two Councillor's acknowledge by nodding. Tevos makes her leave and Vasir heads out to meet her. Soon enough she would be too close to comfort with these aliens that have given the Turians a taste of their own medicine, in warfare of course.
(-][-)
AN: Well, I forgot to put one of these in at the end of the last chapter so . . . yeah.
Well, I hope that this chapter is good enough for your eyes as it was for mine. Soon enough will be Tevos' meeting with Humanity and what happens next. Well, let me know what you think in the review :)