Rise of the commonwealth
Chapter 9
Council Space
Star Date: 28th December 2157
Presidium
Tevos watched the recording of C-sec being butchered in Zakera ward, she looked away unable to watch anymore. She saw Sparatus scowl out the corner of her eye, and his fist clench in fury, that's when Irelith spoke up.
"We have to surrender" Sparatus whirled on him.
"Surrender?" Sparatus hissed "Have you gone MAD these… monsters are attacking us, we need to fight back!"
"With what?" came Tevos's weary reply "We can't contact anything outside the serpent nebula, the citadel defense fleet is utterly destroyed and we've all seen how C-sec has fared" she said gesturing to the recording.
"That doesn't matter they played their part we need to play ours, and that means finding a way to destroy these humans, right Spectre?" everyone turned to Garrus
"I agree with Tevos sir, we have nothing to fight with, I don't want any more death sir, I've already lost my sister" that last comment silenced any argument from Sparatus who looked at his feet in shame.
"Oh how touching" they all whirled round to see a figure clad all in gray with a crimson visor covering his face.
A Blacklight operator.
Garrus went to rise his rifle but it was slammed down and he was then pinned to the wall by a black clad figure with a purple visor, the same soldier that had killed Nihlus Kirik and Tsela Vasir. Garrus felt fingers clench into his throat and he knew at that moment that if he made any move to resist, those fingers would clench and rip out his throat.
"Councilors" spoke the Blacklight operator "My name is Jaime Carpenter, second in command of the Blacklight division, I am here to ask for your surrender, note that if you resist, we will take you by force." The three councilors looked at each other solemnly and then nodded to the operator unable to form words.
"Good now then follow me."
X
Council Space
Star Date: 28th December 2157
CWS: Human Last Resort
Sir Integra sat in the chair of her own personal quarters; they were quite large, by a ships standard, she took a deep drag of the cigar in her mouth feeling the smoke curl deep into her lungs before exhaling letting the nicotine flood her body. A knock sounded on the oak door.
"Come" the door opened revealing her personal butler, Walter C Dornez
"Commander Jaime Carpenter and Guard Agent Victoria here with the Citadel Council ma'm"
"Good send them in" she put the cigar out and focused squarely on the three councilors as they were led into the room
"Good evening councilors, please take a seat, would you like anything" they looked at her impassively "One tea please Walter."
"Of course ma'm" Jaime and Seras stood guard at the door seeming to become statues at the doorway
"Now I guess you're wondering why I have brought you here."
"Yes, surely we can…"
"Ah thank you Walter" she took the cup from him deliberately interrupting the Asari's attempt to take control of the conversation. "mm I do love a cup of tea, now then here is what is going to happen. You and your people on the citadel will surrender to us within the hour, then you will tell your respective leaders to surrender as well and come to the citadel to begin negotiations." Integra looked at each of them in turn, Sparatus may be hot headed at times but he knew that this was now a situation he could not win, Tevos's eyes were down cast she had accepted that this would be the end result already, Irelith kept a stony façade but her eye betrayed her she was also eager for an end to this conflict.
"We accept your terms Integra, we will tell what is left of C-sec to stand down, and call our people to begin negotiations." Integra gave them a smile that caused a shiver of fear to run down Tevos's spine.
"Good" with that she nodded to Jaime and Seras who led the once mighty citadel council to deliver their message of surrender.
X
Council Space
4 weeks later
CWS Humans last resort
Sir Integra looked at her watch, she was late to the negotiations but that was intentional, it would send a message, she was in control of the upcoming negotiations not them. It had been a month since the surrender message had been sent out, the respective citadel governments were shocked to hear the citadel had fallen and done so quickly, the big three races were still reeling from their loses in the Batarian-relay war, the attempted pacification of the humans, and the diversionary attacks from 1/6th of the human fleet, they had not the ships to attempt to strike at the citadel and adequately protect themselves from further human aggression. They had lost for the first time ever, Integra was proud to have witnessed and been a part of it.
"Ma'm we are approaching the citadel." There was a flash of blue and the last resort re-entered real space. The citadel defense fleet was still being rebuilt and so the duty of protecting it had fallen to the personal navies of the council races, but the 400 ships defending the citadel were still outnumbered and outgunned by the 2,000 human ships that had just arrived at the citadel, this was a show of force and power and would give a further advantage in the negotiations. Integra stood and made her way to the waiting shuttle.
X
Council space
Star date: 25th January 2158
Citadel council chambers
Tevos stood with her fellow councilors waiting for their human counterparts to arrive, they were late, Tevos looked at their fleet parked outside and wondered what part it would play, she was approached by an aid.
"Ma'm the humans have arrived" Tevos nodded, she and her fellow councilors were joined by representatives from their respective governments and representatives from the other council governments barring the Batarians. They waited for what felt like an eternity to Tevos when finally the doors opened and the human entourage entered, her breath hitched in her throat. Walking slightly behind Integra was two of the black clad menaces and two Blacklight operators, Tevos cast a quick glance at her few remaining specters all had apprehensive expressions on their face bar two, Garrus had a look of respect for them she could not understand why but she had heard from Garrus's very mouth that to best a spectre like him was no small feat and for that deserved his respect, Saren on the other hand was looking for any opportunity to start a fight, a fight Tevos knew they could not win but she sympathized with the younger Desolas brother, seeing his brother executed live on the extranet was not something that would be easily forgotten. She turned her attention back to the women before them. Sir Integra Fairbrooks Wingates Hellsing had proven herself to be a wise, smart and cunning individual who was not afraid of getting blood on her hands. She was an opponent to be feared and respected which Tevos knew was exactly the thing she wanted.
"Councilors, representatives, should we begin" Tevos looked at the other councilors and representatives then back to Integra.
"Yes we would like to see an end to hostilities and maybe a new…" she never got to entertain the thought of the humans as a council race
"No councilor we will never join your citadel we have a set of 'requests' we have" the councilors looked at each other apprehensively. "The worlds we have conquered will remain ours by right of conquest." She saw Sparatus bristle and she knew why, one of the worlds captured was Tilbus it was one of the main producers of Turian ships, with it gone their ability to replenish their losses from the conflicts would be severly hampered. She looked to the humans hoping they would see reason
"One of the worlds, Tibus is a major Turian fleet production world we would like to negotiate for its return to the council fold" Integra looked thoughtful
"Very well we will give you the world back in return for a world rich in mineral resources like, this does not include element zero" Tevos was happily surprised but also a little concerned they need those resources for something, but what.
"Very well the Asari republics will provide one" said the Asari representative Benezia T'soni, the Turian representative and councilor nodded their heads in thanks to Benezia for this sacrifice.
"Secondly no military vessels or vessels suspected of ill intent are allowed in commonwealth space from citadel space, we will follow the same rule" Tevos nodded her head in agreement a fair request
"finally, we will require no compensation as our worlds attacked are almost back to full strength but in a sign of goodwill, we will be willing to pay a negotiable amount of credits to help with reconstruction here on the citadel, we will also take over patrol duty from the Turians until such a time as when their navy is back to full strength" Tevos could only stare
X
Council space
Star date: 25th January 2158
Citadel council chambers
Sir Integra smiled inwardly at this little tid bit it would display to the council that they were merciful to their enemies and it would help dispel some of the ill will towards humanity, but there was another reason, the reapers. While fighting the war Integra had been nearly forgotten about them, so now she needed to help strengthen the citadel and make sure they were ready for them when the time came for their return.
"This is a generous offer Sir Integra" Tevso said clearly stunned
"Thank you, we may be ruthless in battle but we are also merciful to a defeated enemy, however I will give you a fair warning, if you try anything that threatens our people we will not hesitate to stomp you back down." Tevos nodded while Sparatus growled slightly
"I also have another offer" Tevos arched an eyebrow; let's see how they like this. "I propose a mutually beneficial alliance, which will allow mutual protection, monetary aid and…" Integra smiled slightly "the trading of certain technologies" the room was suddenly abuzz with whispers the councilors looked at each other surprised but also hopeful.
"What technologies do you have in mind" asked Irelith excitedly.
"Better ship drives that are outdated by our standard, medical technology and some of our outdated weapons technologies, you understand why we can only give you outdated weapons and ship drives."
"Yes we understand but we also thank you, you are most merciful." Integra smiled bid the council farewell and left, yes she maybe helping the council be better prepared for the reapers, but she wasn't stupid the council maybe getting new technology from them but the way it was configured meant that they would have to rely on human trade in order to ensure that they had enough, so she was helping to strengthen her own economy, but also making it so that the council couldn't fight the commonwealth because they were their only source of the technologies that they would soon become reliant on.
X
Council space
Star date: 25th January 2158
UNKNOWN LOCATION
Saren raged, cursed and spat, his brother executed live for all to see had died for nothing, he stared at the woman who had killed him, and something snapped in his mind, where once a young spectre sat now there was only a sadistic killer hell bent on revenge for his fallen brother.
X
Hi boys and girls this ends the Human-council war arc and now we get into mass effect territory but with my own personal twist on it and I hope that you all continue to enjoy the story.
Saren: I've come for my revenge you killed my brother you bastard
Necromantic 247: oh bugger it all to hell, well if I survive I'll be sure to update as soon as I can. (Takes of running)
Saren: GET BACK HERE YOU COWARD!