Codex Entry: System Alliance

The System Alliance is a supranational government that spearheads human space exploration and settlement in the Milky Way. The Alliance is responsible for the governance and defense of extra-solar colonies and stations, and officially represents humanity on the Citadel Council.

The Alliance was founded out of necessity, as no single nation could fund and manage the rapid expansion of humanity from Sol. The discovery of Prothean ruins on Mars had proven that alien contact was inevitable, earning international support for the Alliance that solidified after the Alliance forces liberated the colony Shanxi in the First Contact War.

Archived ExtraNet articles, and Jien Garson's staff bulletins, reveal tensions between the Alliance and the Andromeda Initiative. Construction of Dreadnought-sized ships and persistent rumors of Artificial Intelligence (also AI) development, which could have damaged humanity's standing on the Citadel, led to the Alliance demanding to oversee the Initiative's labs and shipyards. Negotiations continued until the day of the Initiative's departure.

Codex Entry: Human N7

The most respected Systems Alliance officer training is awarded through Interplanetary Combat Training (ICT) at the Vila Militar in Rio de Janiero. Candidates at the 'the villa' are initially given 20-hours training missions to lead teams through hostile terrain on little food or sleep.

Trainees who do well are awarded an internal designation of N1 and are invited to return. Subsequent courses – N2 through N6 – are often held off-planet and include instruction in Zero-G combat, military free-fall (parachuting), jetpack flight, combat diving, combat instruction, linguistics, and frontline trauma care for human and alien biology.

The highest grade of training, N6, provides actual combat experience in conflict zones throughout the galaxy. If the trainee survives these scenarios in 'admirable and effective fashion', he or she finally receives the coveted N7 designation. N7 is the only ICT designation that may be worn on field or dress uniforms.

Chapter I – Virus?

"I am a virologist, not the butcher's assistant.", the doctor replied, sounding furious, "My field of expertise is research and diagnosis, not treating patients."

"I know, I know, Dr. Kadyszewski.", Dr. T'Perro replied, not looking at the human, "And that is also the reason why we have woken you up."

They were at the Cryo Bay, the Asari standing at a terminal, while the human was standing behind her, arms crossed. The human was tall, but slender. He wore the same clothes as each doctor in the bay, white and red, while his face looked older than his 32 years, with wrinkles here and there. At the edges of his short brown hair the first silver was seen as well.

The Asari stopped her typing and data appeared on the screen of the terminal. "That is the patient.", she declared, pointing at the data, as well like some graphic scans of the patient's body. Dr. Kadyszewski looked at the data, his grey eyes speeding through them thanks to his experience.

"It's the Pathfinder, isn't it?", he asked, without taking his eyes from the data, and his voice sounded interested for the first time.

Dr. T'Perro looked surprised. "There is no name…", she muttered astonished, "How…?"

"The Pathfinder's physique was always something special.", he explained, looking at her, "I am still figuring out what he has done with it, beside the implant with this robot.", he licked his lips, "So the problem is a virus, hm?"

Dr. T'Perro looked at him rather fascinated. "At least that is my guess.", she answered, "We first thought it was only the toxic atmosphere, which was killing him. But after further diagnosis we found something…", she pushed further buttons, showing further data, "So what do you think?"

He put a hand at his smoothly shaved face. "It could be indeed a virus.", he agreed, without stopping to look at the data, "Or a microorganism. For sure not only toxic atmosphere, but it will prevent proper scans.", he looked at the Asari, "I will need to perform some of my own tests, but I can assure you that the toxin will reduce the chances of finding the right diagnosis."

"Can you still start performing your tests, Doctor, while we try to find a way to get the toxin out of his body?", the Asari suggested, "We don't know how much time we have."

The human nodded. "Will do it.", he looked at her, "I will try my best to find out what is killing our pathfinder here, Doctor."

"I appreciate that.", Dr. T'Perro said, looking back at the terminal, "As will his children."

"Mass Effect Andromeda", all copyrights reserved for Bioware and Electronic Arts

But the changes are mine.

Author's comment:

So who knows the game, will notice that this scene never happened. And Kadyszewski is also a complete new character, I've invented – although some Sci-Fi Fans will probably notice the influences here. He is the first, but not the last character I wanted to add to the Andromeda-World, to make it more interesting. Also his inclusion serves another purpose: instead of ending the story of Alec Ryder with his stasis, I'll continue it with this storyline. So the readers will not forget him completely – I hope so at least.

Till next time, back on the Nexus.