Mass Effect (Earlier this Year)
The Shadows of Terra
Chapter 1
The Fall of Man
In 2020Mankind finally cracks the secrets of Genetic and Biological manipulation, immediately after this discovery is announced, all major militaries begin researching combat improving upgrades.
A new era of warfare began, the era of Bio-Wars.
2021: The first publically available biological implants, alterations and/or mutations called Evolutionary Improvements or more commonly 'EVOs' are released
2022-2025: First Bio-Wars
2022: The People's Republic of China, desperate for resources and having run out of land in which to grow. On the twenty-second of March, China strikes into Russian territory. They use Biological engineered troops known as Brutes, Russian responds with their Berserker Bio-troops.
2024: The War escalates and the size of the conflict slowly but surely comes to reach those of the World Wars.
2025: American 'Harpy' reinforcements help Russian to win the war. The People's Republic of China is struck with a incurable sterility. They are projected to die out in just under a hundred years, to ensure this all of their scientists are killed and their cities are reduced to rubble.
2028-2053: The Years of Change
2028: American bio-manipulators, worried about the resurgence of the Bio-Wars, begin work on a top secret project known as Project Omega.
2029: Stolen gene-sequencers are used by Islamic extremists to create 'daemon' troops. The various groups begin to gather together and plan for a 'holy war'
2030: The Prophet War begins, using their new 'daemon' troops the unified Islamic terrorists and extremists proclaim themselves the 'Sword and Fury of the Prophet' and immediately demand the surrender of the 'heathens' America in response drops nearly fifty thousand tons of ordinance on their mountain stronghold.
2031: The 'Sword and Fury of the Prophet' release their 'daemon' troops on heavily populated American and European cities, Casualties number in the tens of thousands within just one hour, by the time the 'daemon' troops are stopped nearly five million people are dead. The UN declares war on the extremist group alliance.
2035: After five years of fighting and fearing the 'daemon' troops, America reveals Project Omega. Pandora Shepard the first 'Banshee' is released upon the extremists, although appearing to be a young girl of seven. Pandora tears through the extremists and their pet 'daemon' troops.
2036: The UN, terrified of the potential Pandora has, puts in place a plan to cryogenically freeze her once she is fully grown. Her class is re-named from 'Banshee' to 'Phantasmal Queen' America willingly destroys all research on Project Omega and starts Project Sigma, meant to be a weaker version of Omega.
2045: The first trials of the Project Sigma bio-troops is revealed, given the class name 'Banshee' like their predecessor, the Sigma's are around a quarter of the danger of Pandora.
2053: Pandora Shepard, at the age of Twenty-Five and having matured both physically and mentally is cryogenically frozen at [Location Redacted] only to be revived after an Extinction Level event has occurred, this plan is known as 'Pandora's Box'
2054-2058: The Second Bio-Wars
2054: The Coalition of Genetic Freedom, a group of individuals numbering in the millions, take offence to their perceived imprisonment of Pandora and start a war with America and the UN in order to free Pandora from her 'prison'
2057: Pluto's Moon Charon explodes into a hail of ice shards and the ancient Sol Mass Relay is revealed. On the other side of the Relay, a group of Batarian ships is being reamed by a Turian Peacekeeping Fleet. The Batarian Hegemony is forced to travel through the Relay and brave whatever lies beyond.
2058: On January 5th 2058, the Batarian Hegemony's fleet enters the Sol System. Upon detecting a sentient race on the third planet they immediately take up position in orbit around Earth, they then command Humanity to surrender to them and become their slaves. Mankind in a surprising display of unity answers, with an eight hundred megaton Nuclear powered NO! The Second Bio-War ends.
2058: The Fall of Terra
The Batarian fleet remnants, angry and terrified at mankind's nuclear response. Commence an orbital bombardment on Earth with their Mass Accelerator Cannons, within minutes two thirds of Humanity is slain.
The remnants are able to do two things:
First: they are able to escape into Bunker complexes that had been constructed after the onset of the First Bio-War by various governments, concerned citizens and conspiracy theorists and crackpots.
Second: they are able to launch a second nuclear salvo that causes five of the seven Dreadnoughts orbiting Earth to crash down on the planet reasonably intact but with all crewmembers dead and causes the other two Dreadnoughts to become radioactive ash in orbit.
The final consequences of this action filter down to the planet below, the powerful radiation of the nuclear weapons invades the atmosphere and irradiates the surface. Forcing Mankind to remain underground for longer than anticipated.
The Batarian remnants leave the system and report the destruction of a dangerous 'off-shoot' of the Rachni, that they destroyed with a concentrated Mass Accelerator barrage.
Sol System, known to the Citadel Races as SX-342, on the fifteenth of April 2058. Is declared a quarantined system with Class 1 dangers present, no ships are allowed to enter it for at least eighty years.
2058-2150: The Suffering of Man
2058: Stuck on an irradiated planet with no means to escape mankind prepares a daring plan, they would cryogenically freeze most of their population while the scientists guarded by a token force of soldiers work on reverse-engineering the 'Alien' ships.
2070: After twelve years of study Mankind manages to piece together Mass Effect technology. During that time the scientists were forced to massively improve their biological manipulation technology and anti-radiation 'EVOs', they develop an immortality 'EVO' based on recovered Asari bodies. They also identify the Batarians as the aggressors. The scent and pheromone composition of the Batarians are programmed into the Bio-Troops as an watch with caution entity. The Scientists were planning on the long term victory and having their less sentient Bio-Troops attacking the Batarians would give the game away.
2071: Despite Mankind having the power to fly to the stars, the scientists decide it's too dangerous to attempt such a feat. They instead decide to delay the launch of Humanity's first interstellar ship the 'Ark' for another fifty years. However in the meantime they decide to set up a 'listening post' on Mars.
2072: The scientists in a stroke of genius revive the 'Banshees' from their cryogenic slumber and prepare them for their new task of watching out for the return of the 'Aliens' In order to provide some leadership, the 'Phantasmal Queen' Pandora Shepard is revived. Upon doing a simple genetic scan the scientists are blown away by the complexity of Pandora's genetics. The scientists delay their plan for five years to study Pandora's genetics.
2077: After five years of study the scientists bind the 'Banshees' to Pandora using pheromones in order to create a pseudo society. Pandora is given the ability to utilize Parthenogenesis to create new 'Banshees'
2080: The ESS 'Custodes' is launched from Earth, carrying Pandora and her six hundred 'Banshees' (The other 9,450 are left on Earth in Cryo-stasis) it's mission is to travel to Mars and set up the listening post code-named 'Castra' (Latin for Castle)
2081: Work begins on the ESS 'Vindicta' Mankind's first Dreadnought, it was considered that building a protector for the 'Ark' before actually building the 'Ark' was a good idea.
2082: The 'Banshees' and Pandora finish building their base, while they had set up the listening post two years earlier they had gone all out and started to build a full fortress surrounding it. The Scientists allowed this as it kept the 'Banshees' happy and gave them a place to transfer the Bio-Troops to lessen the stress on the Bio-Fusion Reactors for the Cryo-stasis pods. For the next five years rapidly constructed ships that no normal Human could survive on are sent to Mars containing all of Earth's remaining Bio-Troops, which are all given the command link to Pandora to prevent anarchy.
2085: Lulled by nearly three decades of no activity the Turian fleet enforcing quarantine on Sol System starts to relax their patrols. The Hierarchy has always been suspicious of the Batarians citing of a Rachni offshoot and that disbelief has travelled down to the Turian troops. Notably the STG is just as suspicious, this is one of the rare occasions when the Salarians and the Turians are in agreement.
2090: The nine year long construction of the one point one kilometer long ESS 'Vindicta' is complete, the Military Hierarchy of Earth (That survived the Fall) is revived, although a little angry at the Scientists presumption, they agree with their plans. The fact that the scientists handed them shields, power armor and a massive ship with BFGs had nothing to do with this acceptance and agreement.
In a show of caution the Military requests a year of testing before the ESS 'Vindicta' is fully crewed. The Scientists happily oblige.
2091: The ESS 'Vindicta' makes its maiden FTL jump from Earth to Mars, the crew are shocked at the pseudo society. But rapidly adjust, this is helped by the fact that the Bio-Troops were all specifically created and raised to be soldiers and thus have no idea of any life but that of soldiers, the only thing keeping them from starving is the fact that in the first shipment was a group of Bio-Troop Combat Engineers/Technicians (commonly referred to as Bio-Techs) who set up an automated agriculture section using cloned flora and fauna. The fact that an automated brewery was also created is happily looked over by the Military Hierarchy.
2092: The Earth Military sets up a roving patrol of the solar system using newly developed stealth frigates. The Scientists devote themselves to building ships and a shipyard for the Military, several thousand engineers are brought out of stasis for this.
2100: The shipyard for the 'Ark', nicknamed the 'Cradle' is completed, the construction of the 'Ark' begins, it is expected to take at least twenty years.
2110: After five decades of no activity the Turian fleets are dismissed, to the Batarian's concern their colonization request of the Eastern Rim, the area between Batarian space and Turian space, is denied due to their refusal to provide information on the SX-342 incident.
Turian patrols are deployed to the Relay points that allow access into the Eastern Rim, only Citadel Council approved vessels may enter.
2115: Human frigates begin to explore the Relay network, they discover several habitable worlds. One designated 'Hope' is set as the new homeworld of Humanity until the technology to repair Earth's ecosystems becomes possible. The Earth Military begins construction of a orbital station in which to make a headquarters
2119: The orbital station 'Constanti' is completed, the Earth Military shifts to 'Constanti' and renames themselves the 'Custodians of Terra' or Custodians the Bio-Troops indicate a desire to remain on Mars, this wish is granted and Mars is given the title of Bio-World.
2120: The 'Ark' is completed, the population of Earth is awoken from Cryo-stasis and they begin to board the 'Ark'.
2121: The 'Ark' leaves for Hope, the Custodians keep a presence in the Sol system via Satellites created with Quantum Entanglement Communicators (QECs) normally a patrol force would be kept on station but the Bio-Troops desire to stay on Mars made that obsolete.
2128: Leaked Batarian sensor data indicates the presence of Prothean ruins on Mars, the Council immediately begins discussions on the idea of sending a survey and study (S&S) team.
Council Side Chamber, the Citadel, Widow, Serpent Nebula. 25th of October 2128.
Tevos, the newly appointed Asari councilor sits at the table in the side chamber of the council chambers, normally meant for clandestine operation reports or diplomacy with a new race. On her right sits Meticulus the Turian Councilor and on her left sits Yelena the Salarian Councilor. In front of them is the full undisclosed sensor logs for the Batarian frigate 'Sankara' one of only eight survivors, from a fleet of five hundred.
Tevos nearly growls at the data "A pre-FTL race, with what seems to be an aptitude for atomic warfare. Why were Batarians the ones sent in?"
Meticulus sighs wearily "They were the ones that 'accidently' opened the Relay, they were sent through in order to check for the possibility of an enemy like the Rachni. In truth I think they may have only created one far worse"
Yelena looks confused, as much as a Salarian can that is "Why? Possible resentment from survivors a possibility, but do you really think there are any?"
Meticulus laughs "I do, if a Mass Accelerator bombardment wasn't enough to wipe them out, I doubt that the destruction of their world's ecosystem would. I saw at least two Batarian Dreadnoughts nose dive into the planet, considering the angles -"
Yelena nods "Yes, with wind resistance and gentle slope. Survival of wreckage almost guaranteed, crew not so much. These Humans appear to be very clever, reverse engineering of FTL a possibility. But wouldn't the Turian patrols have encountered them leaving?"
Meticulus shakes his head "No, these Humans appear to be warriors, they launched a nuclear strike over their world knowing that it's magnetic field and atmosphere would protect them from the worst of it. I would imagine that they waited a couple of decades for the radiation to die down, most likely studying the FTL drives and Eezo of the Batarians while doing so. Then they would have tested it all in system, I can almost guarantee you that they waited just in case the Batarians were watching the Relay. After all if they waited just eighty or maybe even a hundred years…"
Tevos nods in realization "Then the fleets would have been recalled, as they were in the end"
Yelena rapidly runs through the statistics "Hm. Meticulus, you appear to have some idea of what these Humans might do. Do you think reprisal against Batarians possible? Is Council at risk of reprisal as well?"
Both Yelena and Tevos stare at Meticulus as he thinks "To be honest, I would have to say yes and no. Will the Humans go after the Batarians? Yes, but they might do so in a manner that is unexpected. After all who expects a race to nuke the orbital space of their homeworld? But would they go after the Citadel and the Council? I doubt it, if we distance ourselves from the Batarians and acknowledge the fact that yes we did send them in, but they were out of line in attacking them. The Humans would most likely ignore us, I doubt they'd ally with the Council as a whole, but they'd most likely enter into non-aggression pacts with the nearby races like my people and the Salarians,"
Tevos muses to herself then has an idea "What if we sent a recovery effort, disguised as an S&S team. If we make the first motions of diplomacy, we might be able to at least have Humanity abide by Council laws within Council space"
Yelena nods rapidly "Yes, that could work. But it would best be multi-species. Prevents Humanity from distancing species in case of an diplomatic error. Meticulus, your thoughts?"
Meticulus had to admit, he felt good that they were asking his opinion "I'd say treat the Humans like a mix of Turian and Krogan, but don't discount that they might be like the Salarians or Asari. Honest will be our best ally, no manipulations of any sort. If we are honest right from the start, we have the best chance of gaining their trust and possibly their allegiance. Quarians would be very useful on this expedition, the shared loss of their homeworld, whether or not they have colonized another will be invaluable. I would suggest offering any suitable Dextro-amino acid worlds within the Eastern Rim to the Migrant Fleet as an incentive if Humanity at the very least remains friendly"
Tevos nods in agreement "Yes, that's a good idea. I agree with this proposal"
Yelena nods as well "Yes, proposal best way for strong relationship with Humanity. But who should lead it?"
Meticulus immediately jumps in with a suggestion "I would say a triad with one Asari, one Turian and one Salarian would be best. I have a candidate for this"
Tevos nods as well "I have two candidates for the Asari. It depends on which is available. Although I know which has more experience"
Yelena nods "Good suggestion. Shows Humanity what Council government is like. I know a good STG agent for the job. Will see if he is available. Should we put Specters on the assignment?"
Meticulus nods slowly "Some, but not a lot. Although having a fleet escort the team to SX-342 would be ideal"
Tevos nods "Well, discussing this won't get us anywhere more at this point, let's start seeing if this plan is feasible"
Over the next few weeks calls are sent throughout Citadel space to individuals specifically suited for this assignment.
While it eventually is decided the Asari leader would be Matriarch Lidanya and the runner up Matriarch Benezia would be her second in command. Benezia's daughter Liara would be brought along as well.
The Turian Hierarchy sent Tellarius Vakarian as their leader and had the Eighth Legion sent as protection.
The Salarian Union sent STG operative Jadon Solus as their leader for the SX-342 assignment.
The Quarians, surprised at the offer sent Admiral Lia'Zorah vas Vera with her son Rael'Zorah nar Vera who was on his pilgrimage. A squad of Migrant Fleet marines and the Quarian Cruiser Vera was also sent for the assignment. The Council happily accepted their help and even sent a decommissioned Turian cruiser as thanks for their generosity.
The assignment to SX-342 was just beginning, but every member of it wondered what they would find.
After all they had always been told that SX-342 had an offshoot of the Rachni and that Prothean ruins were present, so why was such a large fleet present for what was a simple S&S assignment?
Chapter 2
The Rediscovery
-
Arcturus Stream
Within the system known as Arcturus Stream to the Humans and SX-341 to the Council, dozens of stealth satellites began to scream warnings of the approach of an unknown fleet to SX-342, known to its (former) inhabitants as Sol.
The fleet approaching the Sol relay was made of three Asari Science Vessels, one Salarian STG mobile command, twenty-seven Turian vessels, one science/diplomacy, twenty-six military and one Quarian Cruiser.
The various vessels were rapidly compared to the archival designs of the Batarians, when none of them matched, a long range genetic comparison scan checked for any live Batarians. None were found, which is fortunate for the fleet. Had a single Batarian been found the three dozen 20 megaton nuclear missiles disguised as asteroid debris would have activated and turned the fleet into irradiated scrap.
As it was, the Humans simply observed, while the Bio-Troopers were informed of the approach of a extraterrestrial fleet to the Sol System.
Lidanya T'Mara sighs over the open comms "It appears we haven't found any sign of sentient life yet,"
Jadon Solus quickly replies "Not so. Stealth Satellites present. Also disguised missiles, Atomic would be my guess,"
Tellarius Vakarian quickly jumps on that "How did you know, we haven't detected anything like that? And especially no radiation signatures,"
Jadon nods to Tellarius "STG scanners very powerful. Detected worked metal. LADAR showed shape. Resembles satellite, simple deduction leads to stealth satellite. Probably for observation and advanced warning. Missiles detected by simple scan of asteroid debris. Not usually done except by miners and STG. No radiation signatures, but Humans noted for Atomic weaponry. Doubt they would change Modus Operandi. Batarian records showed ability to hide radiation signatures over five decades ago. Would have only gotten better. No Humans aware of presence, most likely debating whether or not hostile. If they decide we are, possibility of atomic weapons being deployed is well over ninety percent,"
Tellarius nods in acceptance of Jadon's analysis "Thank you Jadon, I'd make a comment about the illegal use of WMDs, but for one we aren't a planet and secondly Humans aren't part of the Council. Do you think the Humans are aware of the Council? Or of the Batarians?"
Jadon nods rapidly "Yes. Humans had access to Batarian data files. Even if degraded would have had name of race. They might be aware of the Council, but I doubt it. Probably only insults or degrading comments about it. Which probably works in our favor,"
Lidanya frowns in confusion "The Council being insulted is a good thing? How?"
Jadon smiles and chuckles "Humans most likely hate Batarians, with passion. Anything the Batarians have disliking towards…"
Tellarius grins at the implications "The Humans would see as a possible ally,"
Jadon nods while smirking "Exactly. Batarian propaganda and racial dislike works in our favor. But most likely Humans unaware of our allegiance. They might think we're scavengers,"
Lia'Zorah cuts in having listened to the open exchange "Forgive my interruption, but how are we not going to be seen as scavengers?"
Jadon shakes his head in dismissal "No need for forgiveness. Open comm on purpose. Wouldn't be surprised if whole fleet listening in. Humans too probably,"
Listening Station on Hope
General Hannah Shepard grins "Smart one that Jadon,"
Jadon almost seems to hear the General's compliment and smirks "But to answer question. We will only remain in orbit, any remaining Batarian ships are open salvage, but anything not Batarian not to be touched. Besides, have no doubt that we'll be intercepted long before we reach Human Homeworld. I wonder how they have changed?"
Lidanya looks at Jadon in surprise "Changed? Was the STG aware of Humanity?"
Jadon nods rapidly "Yes. Long Range probe spent several decades in orbit, managed to catch first deployment of atomic weapons in what the Humans called World War II. Humans appeared savage like Krogan. Closer examination showed many facets. Intriguing race, many of the STG were very interested in Humanity reaching FTL capability. Believe ancient bet between Solus and Terlan family over that outcome. Will have to ask Terlan for payment. The probe self-destructed into their sun after their first moon landing recorded, less than three decades after end of war and development of atomic weapons. Humanity shown to have incredible development potential and growth rate. However their societal development slower then technological. Would not be surprised if many wars have happened since. Batarian records show that Humans were in the middle of a war when they made contact. Surprisingly all of Humanity allied against Batarians. Shows incredible racial unity, far more than any other species has shown. Threaten one Human all respond. Very dangerous, possibility of swarm tactics high. Think of Humans like Jaz'nek hive, incredibly safe until provoked, then incredibly dangerous to aggressor,"
Tellarius nods slowly in thought "Very interesting, did the Humans show any traits similar to Council Races?"
Jadon nods with excitement "Yes. Yes. Show traits of Council Races. Traits of many Races. Diplomatic and Cultural like Asari. Discipline and Honor like Turian. Inquisitive and Stealthy like Salarian. Economic like Volus. Warriors and Fighters like Krogan. Religious like Hanar. Devoted like Drell. Cautious like Elcor. Prideful like Batarians. Practical like Quarians. Aggressive like Vorcha. Many, many traits. Some good, some bad. Hard to say which Humanity is. If have to give single trait. Unpredictable. Judging Humans by past actions foolish, especially in battle. Humans incredibly good at rapid thinking. Able to adapt to any situation. Adaptable also good word for Humans. Take much upheaval, major crisis to overcome. Human's very resilient, more so then most. To defeat, would require genocide. Race cannot be broken by non-Humans. To completely defeat would require their extinction. Not easy. Near impossible. Casualties would be incredible, on both sides. They are much like Krogan in that regard. Only twice as dangerous,"
Lidanya raises an eyebrow in bemusement "Twice as dangerous as the Krogan, how?"
Jadon sighs in regret "Krogan warriors, shaman and hunters only. Humans also scientists and operatives. Defeating Humans would be much harder. Humans tactical and strategic. Genophage not possibility. Humans too smart, too adaptable. Any disease, any weapon biological or otherwise. They adapt, overcome, ignore. Humans capable of surviving limb removal outside of battle rage. Something even Krogan incapable of. Only surefire way to kill Human head or heart destruction. Otherwise chance of survival, even if miniscule. Humans shown to be able to keep fighting even with twenty percent of total blood capacity lost. No other species capable of this. Even Krogan cannot suffer such losses. Human stamina high, able to function for days on end without rest or sustenance. Even longer in combat conditions. Human fight or flight response beyond belief. Humans capable of incredible feats, even with muscles restricted automatically by inbuilt restraints to prevent skeletal and musculature damage, except during extreme situations. No other species has this restriction. No other species needs this restriction,"
Lidanya shudders slightly "I'm not sure whether to flee or not to be honest,"
Jadon shrugs in apathy "Pointless now. Humanity already aware of us. Must deal with consequences. Bright side, Humans more diplomatic then Krogan. Also evidence of population control seen in Human writings. Humans not likely to grow past sustainable territory. Human warring urges would grow to strong. If unable to continue growing start fighting. Acts as population restraint. Also Class A diseases tend to manifest when Human population density higher then safe. Natural population control. Humans are masterpiece of evolution. All variables on home planet accounted for. Would not be surprised if they suffer little or no degradation from being ship bound for generations like Quarians. Humans already aware of possibility,"
Lia'Zorah jumps in at that "Are you telling me the Humans were able to predict the possibility of immunity degradation from forced existence in space?"
Jadon nods "Yes. More impressive however is fact that Humans did so before even attaining proper Space Flight. They even have mentions of robotics before development of microchip. Humans have an astounding imagination and ability to look forwards at technologies they shouldn't even be able to comprehend. Not surprised if they had no trouble reverse engineering Mass Effect FTL drives from damaged or destroyed Batarians vessels,"