I'm debating on whether or not to start posting my fics on Spacebattles or Sufficient Velocity. Comments? Reviews?
SSV Toronto
Military Docking Zone Habitation arm 2, Bastion station, Antares System.
"(P.A system) all hands, we are docking at Bastion station. Prepare for docking and disembarking."
Warlock and Team CFVY were waiting inside the airlock of the SSV Toronto.
"Shouldn't we be sh*****g ourselves considering we're going to meet the Commonwealth Council? You know, the heads of the intergalactic community?" Maceter asked.
"This is an informal meeting. Admittedly discovering a lost Human world is more of an Alliance matter. What the Council wants to know is how these kids got to the Terminus systems, Velvet, and if the Grimm can be a threat to the Commonwealth. Plus they've been doing nothing but handling boring old politics so they could use a break." David whispered.
"I wouldn't call keeping peace with all species and the Terminus Systems boring." Jeala added.
"Bah! Something like that gets aged after a while.!" Vurge agreed with David.
"Just like your brain?" Maceter joked.
"Oh come on, it's not the end of the world." David attempted to settle the dispute. "See, our guests are calm."
Meanwhile in Team CFVYs' heads
AAAAAHHHHH!
Coco! Calm down!
How can I calm down? I don't have the right attire!
We're in space! Your clothes are at Beacon!
We're meeting aliens! I need to look professional. Give me your lien, I'm buying us new clothes!
Coco no!
The real world.
"See, perfectly calm," David whispered though he could tell there was some limited mental panic in all of their eyes.
Granted, very few people could call a few members of the Commonwealth Council their adopted family. Or the heads of a few states.
Ah, the good old days.
"I'm surprised the Council asked to have this meeting. Are you sure they don't have something more important?" Maceter asked.
"Like Vurge said. Besides the Terminus and crazy acts with the Asari, no major crises. The Batarians are reforming, the Geth and Quarians are playing nice, the Krogan are not murdering everyone, no major intergalactic crises for the Council to handle." David replied.
"Uh, not to be a bother?" the boys of Warlock team turned to the cute voice that was Velvet. "Shouldn't we be wearing….something more formal?"
"This isn't a formal meeting. The Council wants to know what happened and if this a lost Human world but doesn't want to announce it to the galaxy. Your current attire is suitable for this meeting." Weto explained.
The ship shudders. "(P.A) Automated docking, complete. Warlock Team, cleared to disembark."
"Well, this is it." David readjusted his beret. "Time to face the music."
With a hiss, the airlock doors unlocked and rolled open which allowed Warlock and their guests to walk out.
The docks themselves were rather similar to the Citadel's. No issue there (considering it was the Citadel Species who had to build the docks). It was a sight that David and his team had been fairly accustomed to.
But the massive kinetic barriers separating space from the rest of the station, the utilitarian gray-coloured walls, the massive dockyards outsizing the largest in Atlas, dozens of massive ships, military and civilian outsizing even the largest airships, hundreds of drones buzzing around, and thousands of workers milling around on the space piers, it was….intimidating to say the least.
And for the first time, they got a good look at the SSV Toronto itself. To any normal being, a cruiser wasn't anything new. A fourth-generation cruiser Copenhagen-class light cruiser, the first line of cruisers after the Reaper War, it was on the smaller scale of warships and similarly designed to older Alliance warships. But to team CFVY, it was a beast of a ship.
Over 600 metres long, built around a massive mass accelerator cannon, its white-painted Titanium armour scheme glistening with Guardian Laser cannons, secondary mass accelerator turrets, and particle beams, a few open hangar bays that allowed drones and shuttles to fly out, and hidden from view were two frigate grade underslung Thanix cannons. Carrying the firepower of an Everest-class dreadnought, it would outmatch anything Atlas could throw at it.
"Welcome to Bastion station kids. The biggest artificial spaceborne structure constructed by the collective species." Vurge grumbled.
"Yeah that's an understatement," Coco whispered in awe.
The group spotted half a dozen Turians and Humans in dark blue Uniforms. A holdover from the old C-Sec days. One of the Humans steps forward to greet them.
"Captain Lang. A pleasure to see you again." David greeted one of the Captains of the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Services (abbreviated to C-LENS).
"Nice to see you as well Lieutenant. I'm also pleased to see you not in the cell." Captain Eddie Lang, an old veteran of the Citadel C-Sec has transferred to C-LENS.
"And if I remember the reports, those students under Matriarch Sedishi were the ones who provoked a squad of special forces." David snorted as he shook the Captain's hand.
"Yeah, and the only reason Matriarch Sedishi didn't order you assassinated. Anyways, Council wants to see you."
"Got it, alright come on. Let's go see the Council." David gestured to his team and they followed their leader, with Team CFVY tentatively following.
What were they supposed to do? They were on a fricken space station!
Trudging alongside the Warlock team, team CFVY continued to be awed by the magnificence of Bastion station.
"Welcome to the docks Team CFVY. With the Antares system being a major colonial trading and population hub, thousands of ships dock here every week." David explained as the group walked down an empty hallway.
"This….. doesn't feel like a thousand ships worth of people," Fox noted, taking information from his teammates' brains thanks to his semblance.
"That's because this part of the docks is for the Commonwealth Council. Only high-ranking personnel like the Council, embassy staff, diplomatic personnel, C-Lens, High ranking military officials, and Spectres can use it. Only for emergencies or military use does the public get to use these facilities." Lang said as they walked through the hallways, which revealed a massive terminal for shuttles.
Coco could only stare at the massive terminal and landing pads for various shuttles. From the reliable Kodiaks used heavily by the private sector, to a couple of the new Vulture class gunships on training duties, a few Hawk drones modified for emergency services were on patrol, and even a pair of Batarian-made Swatish class cargo haulers. Though it definitely was smaller than Vale's harbour and airship ports, the chaos of such activity of massive air traffic felt more…..organized.
"Bastion Light docking Terminal. Now this is the first sign of life. 10 years ago, it was the main construction hub for this station. Still used by construction crews for the building of the other arms." David added.
"I see you Humans deploying new types of gear. Military gunships on the list." Maceter noted.
"How many people live on this station?" Yatsu questioned.
"Including all species, uh 12 million people?" Weto tried to remember the last population update.
"13 million. Don't forget the Vorcha and Geth." Vurge added.
All of team CFVY froze and gagged. "13 million!?"
"Yeah, 13 million. That's the same population as the old Citadel before the Reapers' invasion and refugee crisis right?" David tried to remember.
"More or less." Lang nodded.
All of team CFVY just looked stunned.
"Let me guess, a population of that size isn't normal for you kids?" Maceter narrowed his eyes at the team of Hunters in training.
"Mistral has a population of ten Million. There's maybe around 40 million on our world." Velvet whispered.
"Questions that can be answered when we meet with the Council. Come on, let's move." Lang pushed them on.
It took a few minutes to walk down the hallway, letting the students of Beacon take in the continuous activity of the Bastion spaceport.
"Ready for a bit of shock, kids?" Leng walked up to the end of the hallway, which were housing a gray steel-coloured sliding door. "Open sesame."
The doors slide open and once again, team CFVY's jaws dropped.
What greeted the teams was a massive expansive futuristic city that had none of the old fashion style buildings that even Atlas had.
They were in what felt like a massive tunnel of a sort, seeing an opposing wall at least 4 kilometers (or 2.5 miles) away. But between the opposite wall and where they were standing, team CFVY witnessed an expansive city.
Dozens of gray and white skyscrapers sprung out of the ground. Hundreds of smaller buildings popping in between skyscrapers lit with colourful advertisements and signs. Seemingly hundreds of hover cars and transports fluttered around these buildings, all seemingly contrasting to the Alliance blue and utilitarian styles.
A few maglev trains on bridges also zoomed-in view of Team CFVY, who suddenly remembered they were on a balcony overviewing this massive city that seemed to stretch on for eternity.
"Say hello to the Eileen Habitation arm. Home to over 6 million citizens of various nations and species. It's also home to various amenities that the ADF and other off-duty military personnel use." Leng said, directing the guests to an open-air landing pad with a C-Lens Kodiak transport.
"And this is your ride and where we must split off. I wish you the best of luck with the Council." Leng said to David before shaking his hand.
"You too Captain. Best of luck on your patrols." the N-5 nodded back. "Alright kids, team. Council is waiting for us at the Hub."
The Kodiak, the mainstay of most Human light transport fleets. Ugly, boxy, but it worked.
At least, that's what Coco and her team thought as they boarded the transport and took a seat. Warlock just stayed standing.
"Hey LT. You want the virtual screens on?" The pilot in front asked.
"Sure thing!" David called back. When the side doors closed after Vurge clambered into the Kodiak, the walls suddenly showed a virtual screen of the outside world.
"Nifty little feature the Kodiak has, virtual screen. Allows the people and pilots inside to see out without getting shot up." Weto smiled.
"How?" Velvet whispered.
"Microscopic cameras mounted in the hull before a projector shows them on screen. It's a nifty feature that all dropships have, but don't really use." Maceter explained.
The Kodiak lifted off the ground, its movement going unfelt thanks to the inertial dampeners of the shuttle.
"Hold tight kids, this ride gonna be short," Vurge added.
6 minutes later
What was half a dozen minutes felt like an eternity to the hunters in training.
They passed by what felt like dozens of CCT-sized buildings, hundreds of airborne cars, and even a few other Kodiaks.
Flying through an air tunnel took them to the Hub, which….well what did CFVY expect?
The interior of the Hub was what seemed to be one multi-kilometre citadel, castle, massive spire, etc. Any synonyms for giant ass towers taller than the CCTs. It had at least be a
All that team CFVY could describe was one massive tall and wider tower that their Kodiak dropship had landed at the base.
"Welcome to the Hub, home to most of the Commonwealth's administrative branch and joint military ops command. Home to practically every species in the Galaxy." David said as the nine of them disembarked from the Kodiak.
Only for everyone to hear a little MEEP! and turned to see Velvet hiding behind Yatsu. David suddenly realized that yes, there were Rachni on the station and the bunny kid had spotted one.
"Also, you can relax. That's a Rachni. We're friends with them." Maceter added.
"Friends because you pyjacks are hiding behind us." Vurge snorted.
As the group began moving further deeper into the Hub (using some private passageways to avoid crowds), Fox asked a question.
"So…..how many nations have militaries here?"
Warlock team just gave a look at Team CFVY. "Almost every species in the Commonwealth has a military. Only the Rachni and Geth don't technically have militaries since every one of their beings besides a Rachni Queen can fight-"
"Yaskravist can fight." David interrupted Maceter.
"Sorry, the entirety of the Rachni Cooperative can fight. So literally everyone has a military. It is abnormal from where you come from to have a military?"
All of the hunters nodded, though as the discussion continued, David noted that information down. No significant military force from where they come from. Definitely not an Alliance-originated world. Possible precursor seeding? Lost national colony? STG project?
A minute later, the group found themselves in what appeared to be a massive chamber. An empty chamber, with seemingly no one around. But it was what was at the center that caught team CFVY's attention.
A metal memorial of what appeared to be a cluster of warriors of all species clad in futuristic armour or clothes. Hanging above said the memorial was a miniature replica of a ship, one that while young and far from obsolete, saved the galaxy: The SR2 Normandy.
The statues below? The crew of the Normandy. David's own father and mother, John and Tali Shepards, and his many, many uncles and aunts. James, Samara, Wrex, Liara, Jack, and many more.
At the base of the memorial were inscribed: Solaria Invicta, Defenders of All.
"The old memorial statue, heroes of the Reaper War." David somberly mentioned it, bringing back some of the worst memories of his life. But also the heralding of some of the best.
"Let's move on, we can do a proper tour later," Vurge grumbled.
3 minutes later
After a few more minutes of walking, the hodgepodge group of special forces operatives and young hunters found themselves in a meeting room of sorts. There was one large doable with over two dozen chairs.
"Lieutenant?" Reala meekly spoke to her CO. "You know, I actually never seen the Council in person.
"That's alright. Because we aren't meeting officially." A voice with authority called out.
"ROOM!" Warlock snapped to attention and saluted 6 councillors walking in.
The Human councillor was former fleet Admiral Preston Cole, now Councilor Cole. Born in the United States of North America and once a captain of its homeworld Defence fleet, he ended up leading a measly collection of Earth national and Alliance Frigates when the Reapers took over Sol, becoming the last major naval formation fighting in the Sol Cluster before the Coalition liberation. Though reaching his sixties, he still retained mostly black, grey hair while his brown eyes were still sharp as ever.
Meanwhile Turian Councilor Ravis Kandros, one of the few active serving Turians dating before the Reaper War, still retained the senses of an admiral. Despite reaching her 80s at this point in time, she was as active as a veteran marine and chose to serve on the Commonwealth Council.
The reigning Krogan Councilor, the first in many millennia, was good old Urdnot Bakara but everyone who didn't know her personally just called her Eve. Still admired in ancient Krogan ceremonial clothing, she was the biggest of the six.
Quarian Councilor Veetor Nara was an unusual member of the pack. He was really the only one without previous military experience. However, he had grown out of his old jitty self and was a proud member of the Rannochian government.
The Rachni councillor was…..well a Rachni Brood Warrior. Not a queen, a brood warrior so that they could fit through the regular hallways. Granted, the Rachni were a hivemind so they didn't need a dedicated ambassador. Still, having a semi-special bug was nice.
And finally, there was Head Councilor, Bragus Thrul. There were a lot of questions as to why a Krogan Biotic Ballplayer but hey. If the Ukrainians can elect a comedian to the level of office, why the hell, not a thousand-year-old dinosaur? Even better, a thousand years of experience interacting with all species?
"At ease Warlock." Councilor Cole ordered and the spec ops team obeyed.
"Funny story. I just got off from a call with a Matriarch Sedishi." David winces. "She claims that your teams are harbouring criminals responsible for the destruction of an archeological artifact and demanded their internment."
Team CFVY paled.
"But reviewing the footage from your helmet-mounted cameras, it was clear that it was in fact the researchers who did something to poke the relic and are responsible for whatever caused the appearances of our guests. You are in the clear, but please for the love of Earth, stay the hell away from Sedishi's researchers." Councilor Cole glared at David and his team.
"Understood sir." David nodded.
"Now, concerning our new guests." Councilor Kandros looked to team CFVY. "You must team CFVY. Welcome to Bastion station. I am Councilor Kandros of the Turian Hierarchy."
"Councilor Cole, representing the Human Systems Alliance." Cole gave a curt nod.
"I'm Councilor Veetor Nara Vas Bastion, representative of the Rannochian coalition."
"Councilor Eve, representing the Krogan Clans."
"Hydralisk.." the Rachni Brood Mother hissed out.
"And I'm Councilor Thrul, boss of these Pyjacks and making sure they don't start a war." the last Krogan responded.
"Didn't you start one three weeks ago?" Kandros innocently mentioned.
"Shhhh, don't mention the fight in the food court." Thrul looked playfully hurt.
"Uh Councilors, are we waiting for the rest of the council?" Maceter asked.
"No, just us. The rest are preoccupied with other matters." Veetor responded.
"I see. Too busy to handle us grunts." Weto grumbled.
"We run an intergalactic community. You just run your hump and a grenade launcher." Thrul shot back.
"Ladies, we're getting off-topic here." Cole tried to get everyone's attention.
"Right, apologies for that. Now, apparently your four-" Kandros gestured to team CFVY. "Are apparently from a Human world that has no connection with the wider galaxy and has access to magic."
"It's not magic!" Velvet protested.
"Ah, and don't forget the Animal-Human hybrids." Kandros sighed. "Shepard, is it your family's duty to make hell for any council?"
David shrugged. "Just following a family tradition ma'am."
Cole sighed. "Well then, let's hear them out."
Codex: Commonwealth of United Species and Planets
The Commonwealth of United Species of Planets (Commonly named CUSP, the Commonwealth, Bastion Commonwealth, Spacy UN, or the Bastion Council) is one of 2 major interstellar blocs within the Milky Way Galaxy.
For much of known Galactic history, the galaxy has been dominated by the Citadel Council, an international union headed chiefly by the Asari Republics, Salarian Union, Turian Hierarchy, and (briefly) the Human Systems Alliance. While dominated in the Southern portion of the galaxy and Eastern portions of the galaxy, its ability to govern the galaxy while maintaining law and order was hamstrung by a combination of unwillingness to dedicate resources to law enforcement and the one-sided nature of the old council.
This changed during the Post Reaper Era, when all species and nations were brought to roughly the equivalent political power. And by equivalent, it meant every nation had been violently bludgeoned by either the Reapers, Cerberus, or other Reaper Indoctrinated forces. Only the Salarians and Turians had the military or political capacity to force a return to the old council arrangement, and neither wanted to do it (with the Salarian Union rattled badly by its violations of the Uplift laws and Cerberus attacks and the Turian not wanting to alienate its new allies of the Krogan and Quarian/Geth Coalition).
After the reconstruction of most major interstellar infrastructure was accomplished, talks began about establishing a new galactic union. Asari attempts to reestablish the old Citadel Council were rebuffed due to lingering animosity over the Thessian Beacon, the Citadel itself relegated to a simple trading post, and both Hierarchy and Alliance wished to add their Allies to an expanded council. Due to these efforts, and the ongoing construction of Bastion Station, many species agreed to the establishment of a new international union dubbed the Commonwealth Of United Species and Planets. Initially headquartered on the Turian carrier THS Undaunted, Human Carrier SSV Epstein, and Quarian Liveship Rayya when it was formed in 2190, it has subsequently been relocated to Bastion station when it was completed in 2198.
The Commonwealth is seen by many as an evolution and a combination of the former Citadel Council or the Earth North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is a supranational organization encompassing many species and nations, and its purpose is to maintain galactic stability, economic growth, ensure sentient rights, be an arbitration of interstellar disputes, defensive alliance, and crisis response. It is organized similarly to the old Citadel Council, though it includes all species who have joined.
At the head of the Commonwealth is the Commonwealth Council, where each member race is allocated a seat to partake in multiple meetings to decide international matters. While technically these councillors have only ceremonial power, in practice the council wields a large amount of political and legal power amongst their nations and species. Every 5 years, a Prime Councilor is elected among the council members. They act as both a head figure for the Council and a tiebreaker if needed. The first Prime Councilor is now retired Fleet Admiral Steven Hacketts (Former commander and Chief of the Human Systems Alliance military) who served from between 2190 to 2195 and is generally the person who stabilized the Commonwealth. The Second Prime Councilor was former Turian Captain Ixius (Former Captain of the Turian Carrier Example) and mostly followed in Admiral Hackett's footsteps. The Current and third Head Councilor is Krogan Bragus Thul, who has been focused on expanding cultural experiences among the member species.
Any territories or stations that are under the administration directly of the Commonwealth have their laws enforced by the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Services, abbreviated to C-LENS. This is a direct evolution of Citadel Security and is responsible for enforcing laws across both Commonwealth Controlled territories. This not only includes Bastion station, but certain embassies, systems (Like the Antares system), and diplomatic ventures. The Commonwealth also continues to operate the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance Unit (abbreviated to Spectre) though under a bit more oversight.
Also similar to its Citadel Council counterpart, there is a joint defence fleet that conducts joint patrols across Citadel space, acts as emergency responders, and encourages mutual military force is known as the Commonwealth Space Armed Fleet. Unlike the Citadel Defence Fleet, the CSAF has very few capital ships stationed in the Antares system. Much of the force is made up of rapid-response battlecruisers, destroyers, and Frigates. Whereas the CDF is meant to be a brawler, the CSAF is to act as a rapid response force comparable to the old battle doctrine of the Systems Alliance. Outside of a marine force, the CSAF has no major ground combat element.
The Commonwealth Space Armed Fleet consists of four main operating groups:
Antares Defence Fleet (Meant to guard Bastion station)
Rapid Response fleet (An administrative command operating two-thirds of the CSAF, mostly of frigates and destroyers)
Heavy Response fleet (heavy battlegroup comprising of a dreadnought (THS Exactor) and a pair of carriers(SSV Tesla and RCS Nitita))
Support Flotilla (Comprising support vessels and other stations to aid in operating the CSAF).
The member states of the Commonwealth of United Species and Planets include the:
Turian Hierarchy
Salarian Union
Rannochian Coalition (Geth and Quarian)
Human Systems Alliance
Asari Republics
Volus Protectorates
United Krogan Clans
Courts of Dekuuna (Elcor)
Batarian Confederation
Rachni Cooperative
Hanar Primacy