A/N Alright, figured I would do a little flashback mostly explaining how these two races came together, while also showing some of the reason for the hatred for the Wraiths, though this isn't the end of either issue, so I hope you all enjoy.
Also I wanted to say a quick thank you to Darman for providing me with a site for making decent Turian names.
Chains- I get what you are saying though please note that even with the prothean tech that the humans managed to understand and integrate, they are still far from perfecting it. So while they have firepower on par with the Collector ship from the game they lack the understanding to increase the range of the guns or how to duplicate the strength of the ships hulls. If they get close enough in Human ships are definently likely to win in a ship to ship fight (boardings might be different ofcourse) but at range they are very vulnerable. I think I explained my thinking clearly here please let me know if there are any questions or suggestions (anyone).
Khar'Shan
2157, 6 months prior to the liberation of Shanxi
Twenty-five imperial infiltrators stood around a camp, thirty clicks outside of the Batarian capital city, "What are we doing on this hell hole anyways?" asked one of the soldiers.
One of the other soldiers present slowly shook his head, "Ours' is not to question the will of the empire, you know that Roy."
Roy grunted before nodding his head, "Ya, but what about the Wraith?" he complained, "Did we really need to have one of them accompany us?" Roy began to pace back and forth, while nervously glancing towards Wraith who was standing off to the side staring towards the city, "You've heard the stories about them Robert." He whispered to his friend, "How their training cracks their minds and drives them insane, how long will it be before this one turns on us in a mad rage?"
Robert slowly shook his head at Roy, "The stories are just stories Roy, I have never once heard of a Wraith turning on any of our men and I doubt that we will see them do so." Robert moved away from Roy and headed towards where the Wraith was standing.
The Wraith could see a figure begin coming closer to them from the city with his cybernetic eyes, but they were still to far away to be considered a threat, "Hey Wraith, what are you looking at." Said a voice behind him.
The Wraith glanced towards Robert for a moment before looking back towards a figure, "Someone is approaching, might be our contact." He stated
Robert looked out in the direction the Wraith was looking in, but he couldn't see anything, "Wow, those must be some eyes you have there Wraith, I can't see anything from here." He said, "Out of curiosity, since we still have to wait to find out who the figure is, do you happen to have a name?"
The Wraith looked back at the soldier for a moment, "You sure you want to be seen talking to the unstable lunatic?" he grunted.
Robert was shocked, before looking down at his feet in shame, "You heard Roy talking didn't you?" he asked.
The Wraith shook his head, "No, but it is the usual story whenever one of us gets assigned to work with a group of soldiers." He said, "But, as for my name, it is Cal."
Robert smiled and extended his hand towards Cal, "I'm Robert." He said.
Cal looked down at Roberts hand in confusion before turning back towards the direction of the figure, "She is almost here and she appears to be the contact we were waiting for, tell the commander to be ready Robert." Robert smiled slightly at the usage of his name before heading off to go inform the Commander.
Commander Kai, weighted at the entrance to her camp with the rest of her men as the Batarian woman approached the entrance, "Halt!" she shouted, "Stay right there, hands up and I will have one of my men check you for weapons." The Batarian nodded and held up her hands as the men searched her, "She's clean Commander." Said the soldier.
The Kai looked the Batarian slowly up and down, she noticed that the female looked quite similar to the that they had been interacting with lately, with the notable distinction of her chest, the fact that her hands appeared to have sharp claws at the end of her fingers, and the slightly higher pitch in her voice.
Kai brought her gaze back up and stared at the Batarian in her first set of eyes, "As we said in our communications with your people, we would like to extend the offer for your species to join the Arcturus Empire." She said.
The Batarian nodded, "Yes, I remember, however, as we have told you before, we are merely a rebellion." She said, "we don't have the resources to leave or the manpower to take over."
Kai nodded thoughtfully, "That is why our men are here." She said, "If the more influential and troublesome leaders were... to disappear, could you seize total power?" She asked.
The Batarian thought for a moment, "Yes, given a month after they are gone and we could convince most of the leaders who are on the fence to our way of thinking, especially if they think we will be stronger for it." She said, "But, what would we have to do in exchange? We will not break free from one oppressor just to chain ourselves to another."
Kai chuckled, "Well, your oaths of loyalty would have to be taken, though we can do a more official ceremony at a later date, more importantly, we would need your fleet to help us liberate Shanxi and other colonies from Turian control." She said, "As for the slavery, slaves are illegal in the empire, your people would have the same status as any imperial citizen and all the rights that comes with that, although your military will be expected to live up to the same codes as our own, we live for the empire, we fight for the empire, and we die for the empire."
The Batarian nodded, "This is acceptable, however, I want Batarians governing the current Hogemony colonies." The Batarian grinned, "And I want to govern Khar'Shan myself."
Kai smiled, "I'm sure that can be arranged, Miss?"
"Bur'kress" replied the Batarian
Kai nodded, "Very well Miss. Bur'kress, give us 4 months." She ordered, "And make sure your people are ready to take over at the end of those 4 months, afterwards, let us know if there are any other troublemakers."
Bur'kress nodded and attempted to mimic the salute she had seen one of the Commander's soldiers do towards her before she turned around and headed back to tell the Resistance the good news.
Kai couldn't help but chuckle at Bur'kress's attempted salute, "We will have to work on that" She mumbled, "But at least the Grand Marshall should be happy with this turn of events."
Citadel Council Chambers
2158
Tevos finished reading the report provided by Councilor Sparatus, regarding the Turian Hiearchy's police action against the race known as Humans. She looked over to see Sparatus growling as he re-read how Corinthus was forced to retreat from Shanxi and Councilor Valern patiently waiting for them both to finish.
Sparatus slammed his datapad onto the table, "Do you see now, we can't let these humans continue to violate our laws, I propose we send the entirety of the Citadel fleet to crush these upstarts before they become an even greater threat."
Valern slowly shook his head, "This allegiance with the Batarians is... concerning, but war may end up hurting us in the long run, especially if they manage to convince the Terminus that we are overextending ourselves here."
Sparatus growled at Valern, "Why would the Terminus Systems care about what these children are doing."
Tevos spoke up, "No Sparatus, Valern is right." She stated, "The Batarians have always had some measure of influence out there and if the Terminus Systems think that we will come after them next they may unite with these Humans like the Batarians did."
Sparatus grunted, "Very well, proposal withdrawn."
Tevos nodded, "We should attempt diplomacy, perhaps we can still salvage a decent relationship with the Humans."
Valern nodded in aggreement, "Seconded."
Sparatus growled, "Very well, I will inform the Hiearchy to pull back it's troops." He said, "But we are washing our hands of this affair, what happens next is on your heads."
Valern chuckled to himself, "Good, maybe we shall actually get some positive progress going then."
Tevos slowly shook her head as she noticed Sparatus narrow his eyes towards Valern after his comment, "Then if that is all, our meeting is adjourned."
Arcturus Station
1st fleet flagship, Constantine
Hackett stood on the bridge of the Constantine as his communication's officer approached him, "Sir, an alien vessel has appeared out of the relay and is slowly approaching us." he reported, "Our scans indicate that the ship's weapons systems are powered down and they appear to be attempting to hail us."
Hackett nodded, nervous at the prospect of a new threat arising so soon after the liberation of the human colonies, "Very well Yeoman Duran, set up a communication's link." He ordered, "Let's see what these aliens have to say."
Duran returned to his console and brought up the communications screen for Hackett. As the connection was made a blue woman with what appeared to be tentacle like things on her head in place of hair appeared on screen.
Hackett momentarily looked at the woman in shock, wondering if he was ever going to get used to how odd these new alien species, "I am Grand Marshall Hackett of the Arcturan Imperial Military." He said, "Don't move your vessel any closer or we will be forced to destroy."
The Asari nodded and looked off screen to order her pilot to stop moving the ship forward, "Hello Hackett, I am Matriarch Benezia of the Asari Republics, representing the Citadel Council." she stated, "I am here to negotiate an end to hostilities and potentially, to welcome your race into the galactic community."
Hackett looked at her, dumbstruck, "End of hostilities?" he questioned, "So you are with those Turians who enacted attacks against us and our colonies?"
The Asari hesitently nodded, "Yes they are part of the Citadel Council with us, as are a race called the Salarians." she confirmed, "However, the rest of the Council did not sanction the Turian's attacks against your people."
Hackett began to smile, "So if we agreed with your terms, cessation of hostilities and joining the Citadel Council, then would the Turians be punished for their aggressive actions?
Benezia cocked her head in confusion, "You misunderstand Grand Marshall, you wouldn't be on the council, but you would be more of a client member of the Citadel, you have to earn you place onto the council." She explained, "And the Turians were well within their rights to ensure that galactic law is maintained, albeit they could have been much more diplomatic about it."
Hackett felt himself gripping the railing tightly and gritting his teeth in anger, "With all due respect, Matriarch, your Citadel Council can go screw themselves." He said angrily, "As for ceasing hostilities, we are willing to end them now, for the sake of our men and women."
Benezia nodded sadly, "Very well, it is a shame that you refuse to join us, but the choice is yours."
Hackett took a couple deep breaths to calm himself before continuing, "I will send over a couple of ambassadors to go with you back to your Citadel to hammer out the details of this ceasefire, along with their bodyguards." he said.
Benezia nodded, "Very well, as a gesture of good faith, we will send over my partner Matriarch Ilune as an ambassador to your government." she responded.
Hackett nodded, "That would be acceptable, just ensure that your dogs are kept on a leash from now on." Hackett said, anger momentarily flaring again, before turning to Duran, "Cut transmission."
A/N Alright, I'm planning this to be the end of the First Contact war portion of the story and begin moving into the Sheppard sibling's story. I know there are still a few things left unanswered but they should be answered later on with this providing enough backstory for people to not be lost (including myself) in the reasons for why some people act the way they are in this changed universe.
Also for future plans in the story SPOILER-a certain Spectre will stay alive, because I didn't like their death-end SPOILER.
I also intend to have more races join the empire and have two confirmed so far (shouldn't be too difficult to guess who they are) but am looking for others that I might be able to work in, so if you have any requests for a race you want to see brought in further please go ahead and share, I wont guarantee that I will use them but I will definitely consider any suggestions.
