"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
- Matthew 28:19
Weirdknight OMAAC01 - I agree on the long conversion, though I think the pilgrims would be the overwhelmingly main source of converts. Pilgrims who spend enough time in the Citadel I think would reasonably convert or at least bring good sentiments. So liveship to liveship conversions would be almost nonexistent while pilgrims to liveship ones would be common. What do you think?
On that note, I'll have Tali be of normal Quarian upbringing. Has an Orthodox friend or two from Pilgrimage but her family isn't Orthodox.
Weirdknight - On modified Farixen, the main reason why humanity has no issue with it is because relay space is not their main target of expansion. Keep in mind humans are sus of Protheans and the fact that their FTL allows them to act independently of the relays. The modified treaty itself also only really limited the number of dreadnought sized warships, it didn't really say the maximum size of such things so the human "superdreadnoughts" as they are termed would make up for the reduced power projection.
After all, having legally eight four kilometer long and maybe even some more larger ships allowed to operate on Citadel Space is fearsome enough plus the fact that it doesn't apply on Terminus Systems or areas close to the Geth due to being beyond the scope of associate membership. So overall it was a concession mainly to soften up the Citadel Council, with little bearing on power projection.
On united humanity, only effectively true for human-alien contact not human to human. Ever since the Council of Bethlehem, an international council of all heads of state oversees human-alien interaction and I believe it's made clear that the humans are not under one state or one political ideology. You can see that by the fact that they send at least 4 representatives and in cases where there are less, it always represents one country.
Asharzal - I decided Orthodox Tali will probably be down during the events of ME. Liara on the other hand, planning for her to be a convert but still conflicted because almost everyone over at her church doesn't have a nice view of Protheans and their culture. Her studies of it are a non-issue, studying cannibals and human sacrifice for Anthropology is a valid study after all. It's just that they don't like the Protheans.
Hello! Thank you all for reading this far! For this chapter, I'll be going with the anthology format like the one during the Drell First Contact. Building up until the Eden Prime or should I call it Now Pardis incident. This time, Saren won't be the only Turians with a grudge.
But for this build-up, I will separate it into two chapters for a more worldbuilding-esque look into the galaxy at large. It'll drag on the story a bit but I think an in-depth look at how the powers of the galaxy build up before Saren goes full bananas would make the story more comprehensive.
A little warning to those who are more sensitive to this topic but this chapter will contain expositions of the Orthodox faith in the form of interfaith dialogues and interviews. So if you have ill feelings about religion in general, I recommend skipping this chapter.
A Gift to Rannoch
2162 AD, Migrant Fleet
Abouna Macedonius finished celebrating the Liturgy of St Cyril aboard the Quarian Cruiser Planis. The cruiser was a gift from the Roman Emperor and the Aksumite Atse to the Christian Quarian pilgrims of the Citadel whose community had grown from a meager two dozen three years ago to a community of more than ten thousand, many of whom have returned from the pilgrimage with the help of the monks.
Though the community had grown significantly, Quarian converts were universally those in the pilgrimage who returned to become crew of various liveships. Missionary efforts among the ship Quarians are almost non-existent and though friendly to the faith, only sympathy was offered by most and converts were overwhelmingly always those who returned.
This cruiser was a pilgrimage gift for about a hundred Quarian converts and a sign of goodwill from mankind to the Quarian Admiralty. A late baptismal gift says humanity. It is customary to provide baptismal gifts to converts, which admittedly made up a significant portion of pilgrimage gifts for converts who returned.
Though a warship, it is designed to be able to sustain its crew by growing its own food through bacteria. It is not clear how, but the humans found a naturally occuring dextro bacteria and engineered it to provide paste that not only tastes like meat but looks like it and has additional minerals as well. Planis uses human-style mass effect drives but mass effect kinetic weaponry as opposed to humanity's mysterious weapons.
The Quarians exit the domed church within the ship, politely kissing the bishop's fingers through their suits and saying "Salam Abouna." Which was replied with a short blessing from the priest. The Metropolitan of the Citadel had assigned him to Planis as the first priest to the Quarian people.
He looked around to see the Quarians walking down the hallway, wrapped in the white shawls they wore in church. Many of them were still so happy over the gift, the ship added capacity for 1350 more Quarians and protective firepower. Small compared to their 17 million but anything helps.
The special drives allowed Planis to perform scouting missions as well, far beyond previous capacity. No static charge buildups mean it can effectively go solo and away from the relays.
Once all the worshippers have left to their corridors, Abouna began performing his daily prayers, prostrating to the East. Though east did not exactly have meaning in space, aligning it with the direction of the rotation of the Earth was more or less the standard practice.
"Abana alladhi fis-samawat.."
(Our Father who art in Heaven)
"..lakin najjna min ash-shirrir, amin."
(Deliver us from the evil one, amen)
While he prayed, he noticed a curious Quarian watching him as he did. Once he finished, he approached him with a smile.
"What brings you here young one? Liturgy is over for the day." Said the priest.
"Forgive me Abouna, but I can't help but watch how you pray. It seems so peaceful." Said the quarian. The priest simply smiled and nodded saying, "Anyone can pray like this if one finds in their heart no enemy but the evil one, I am no special man."
The young quarian pondered his words, thoughtful. "Even the Geth Abouna?"
Without hesitation, the black robed priest replied, "Even the Geth."
The young quarian was visibly reluctant, though masked by his suit. He objected, "But Abouna! The Geth killed us and drove us from our own world! We were suits because of them, we are diseased because of them!"
Macedonius could sympathize with the boy, giving him a short hug and a pat in the back. Warmly, he asked, "Young one, what do we pray in every liturgy?"
"Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This prayer strikes me Abouna, my Quarian heart aches at every recitation. Even though it is the Lord Himself who prays for it." Said the young quarian.
"Young one, let me tell you a story of our people." Abouna Macedonius told him the tale of Arius, the heretic, from the eyes of the Church who raised him and was almost torn in half by him. From his trial at the Ecumenical Council to the Goths who were born of his legacy and destroyed half of the Roman Empire before its restoration. How it took a few centuries before the Goths were converted to the true faith and even with that, intense war was necessary.
But after that, those who were under Arius' spell were returned to normal life. Bishops who renounced the heteroosious were returned to their posts immediately. Even though all that destruction took place, only those who persisted were destroyed and all who turned back were accepted as if nothing had happened.
"Perhaps that is all you need with the Geth, to speak to them. They are your children, spiritual children but still no different than the fruit of Rannoch's womb." Said the priest. He looks into the young quarian and nods at him, "It is hard to labor for Christ, the harder the better, but speak to your children so that as the Arians reunited with the Church, the Geth will reunite with their parents."
"Cultivate a merciful heart young one, as St Isaac the Syrian says. It is the heart burning for the sake of all creation, for men, for birds, for animals, for demons, and every created thing; and by the recollection of them the eyes of a merciful man pour forth abundant tears. Even for the Geth."
Abouna gave him a blessing and returned to his quarters, leaving the young quarian to ponder his words. Some time later, Abouna Macedonius helped him take his first step in reconciliation. Through the effort of hackers in Aksum, they managed to open a backdoor for him to say some words to the Geth, words that will change the things to come.
"I am ready to forgive. I want to come home, home to Rannoch our mother."
The Geth Consensus erupted upon the entry of that message, this is the first time the creators had spoken to them in centuries. Another eruption occured when a drone entered Geth space from a direction beyond the relays, its IFF distinctly Quarian in nature. The drone was received, containing a sphere of element zero and a piece of data that revealed the situation.
Months later, the Consensus replied in secret to those it knew wished for coexistence.
"We await the return of our creators."
And the pacifists rejoiced behind the veil.
Citadel News Network: Human Segment
2165 AD, Citadel
"Sister Sophia, it is a pleasure to have you here on the network." Said the Asari anchorwoman.
"Thank you for having me on your talkshow." Replied the Orthodox nun. She was covered head to toe in black veils, only her face and her hands visible to the audience. She wore a simple cross necklace with a relieved Christ crucified on it. Her left hand was occupied by a prayer rope, whose tied beads her fingers count upon.
As a large community of Christians on the Citadel had developed and formed itself as a part of popular culture, a lot of questions are coming in from all over the galaxy on what Christians are like and also a large degree of misinformation as well which must be addressed. Many were tuning in with this segment, where a nun from the Citadel monastery is interviewed.
The drab, full body covering was largely a shock for maiden Asari while other races or older Asari were used to styles of clothing like that, especially the Quarians. The newswoman compiled the questions and before beginning the interview, she gave a link for more respondents to put in their questions and vote for existing questions.
"Alright, Sister, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I know you must be busy with all the charity work in the Monastery."
Sister Sophia shook her head, smiling, "Not at all, my labor is for the sake of you all. I am simply doing my job."
"Sister, could you elaborate on that? What is it exactly that Orthodox ascetics do?"
"We pray for the world, repent, perform manual labor and provide advice or exorcisms." Answered the nun.
"Pray, repent, work, advise and exorcise?"
"Yes." Nodded the nun.
"As you must know, exorcisms carry quite negative connotations in Citadel space. It's often criticized for mishandling or misdiagnosis of mental health conditions" Sophia nodded again. "Our viewers want to know, how does the Orthodox Church conduct its exorcisms? How do you tell demon from madman?"
It was clear that the anchorwoman was genuinely curious and meant no offense, the posture by which she sat revealed her open mindedness to unfamiliar possibilities. Her viewers were mixed though, some Turians straight up commented gotcha questions and things along the line of "See, humans are barbarians/primitives after all." While other comments called for more charity, waiting for the nun to explain herself.
Exorcisms earned their bad connotation mainly from the Salarian Goddess cult and the more extreme fringe sects of Athame Doctrine. There was no small amount of holovids showing exorcisms that seemed to toe the line between abuse and restraint. The fact that these groups tend to be perceived as backwards exacerbated the negative view of exorcism.
The nun looked up for a moment before focusing her eyes on the newswoman. "In the Orthodox Church, our methods are much more foolproof than it sounds." The interviewer nodded and gestured her arm, "How so sister?"
"To divide madman from devil, we require that the allegedly possessed is brought to the monastery with a companion. Self diagnosis is a bad thing I'm sure you'd agree."
"Right." Affirmed the newswoman. The nun continued, "So then the test we perform is to simply serve both the companion and the allegedly possessed tea made out of holy water. Both of them receive it, so it isn't as if confirming any biases."
"If the alleged drinks it normally or has no effect, then we will tell them to go to the mental hospital. Because of course it's a spiritual problem, you'd expect spiritual things to weed it out."
"Interesting, is this the only method? What if they react violently to the water for people who suffer aquaphobia or similar disorders?"
"No, we do have multiple methods and we tend to use at least two tests. Another strong method we use is for them to hold multiple wooden boxes, each identical to the last in appearance and weight."
"So in one of these boxes are the relics of the local saint like a finger or a toe or something small enough to fit."
"Macabre, but fascinating regardless." Commented the newswoman.
The nun continued, "If the patient reacts violently or oddly to the wrong box or to more than one box or to the right box but a wrong box as well or has no reaction at all, we can clearly establish mental illness."
"The order of giving the boxes is never the same and the chances of reacting badly to only the right one out of maybe ten boxes is slim." Finished the nun.
"So from detection it is quite sound then."
"Yes, quite sound."
The newswoman smiled and gestured her arms as she asked a follow up question, "After detection, what does the whole exorcism entail?"
"In the Orthodox Church, exorcisms are actually quite simple. In fact, being baptized is immediately followed by an exorcism."
"Oh? Can we have a holovid of a baptism for our viewers to see?" The background of the studio transforms into a video, depicting a Quarian in white robes prayed upon by the priest dressed in blue, golden trimmed robes, asked to renounce certain beliefs and then being baptized by full immersion into a baptismal pool.
As the video ends and is replaced with the standard background, the newswoman asked, "So which part of the baptism was the exorcism?"
"The sign of the cross." The nun imitates it to show the viewers.
"Do the Orthodox consider non-Orthodox as possessed? A silly question since I'm here with you and spasming hasn't happened yet." Both of them laugh for a moment before Sister Sophia answers, "We don't. So the exorcism by sign of the cross is one of the three types of exorcism we have available and one laity can perform anytime. We exorcise before we baptize to essentially safeguard against by consecration or remove any demonic influence."
"You mention three types, why isn't the sign enough? What determines the effectiveness of exorcism?"
"There are prayers laymen can perform to entire objects for exorcism such as a house or something seen as cursed. There are also lengthy clerical prayers used for monastery exorcisms where the subject is restrained to prevent harm. Keep in mind that we do not touch or even listen to the words of the possessed."
"Why so? It seems quite extreme."
"We assume that for every truth a demon could say, a lie to set neighbor against neighbor can be said as well. So for the sake of avoiding distraction and conflict, until the prayers are over the possessed will be ignored."
"That is reasonable, thank you sister. Our viewers have another question." The newswoman takes her omni-tool from a table right beside her and reads, "Why do Orthodox ascetics and priests dress in all black?"
"For us, black has twofold symbolism. On one hand it represents demonic forces and on another it represents death."
"Death?"
"Yes, death. We wear death as a reminder that we have died to the world, free from its rules, free from attachment."
"What does it mean to die to the world sister? You said liberation, what is liberation to the Orthodox?"
"So there is an apparent paradox in the teachings of Christ. You become free by submitting or to use a harsh word, enslaving yourself to Christ."
"Harsh indeed, what does it mean? As humanity shares with us, except with the Batarians, that slavery is universally horrible. What kind of 'slavery' as you call it is that?"
"You are born an empty slate with forces beyond your control commanding you to cry, to feel, to desire." The newswoman shifts in her seat, "Right."
"But we can agree not all of these things we're conditioned with are good for us. As the Holy Apostle Paul says. Everything is allowed but not everything is beneficial. Everything is allowed but not everything constructs."
Thoughtful, the newswoman nodded, "Right, right. Words to live by."
"Right, because everything we want we can do. But what divides a wise man from a fool is that a wise man realizes what is beneficial, what is constructive. We call people fool for a reason."
"Mhm"
"For a silly example, the belief that I will save mankind by jumping off a cliff. Just because I believe it does not mean it becomes real. My belief has to submit to reality, reality doesn't submit to my beliefs."
"So to submit to Christ, means dying to all these pre-conditioned desires, dispositions and attachments. A dead man can't be moved. You can shout at a corpse, curse it, beat it or give it the most lavish treatment imaginable but it won't move or say anything at all."
"As Orthodox, ascetic or not, we must take every thought captive to Christ. We submit all we have to Christ because by submitting these things, by tying the noose around the devil so to speak, we become free. The body that demands you with its desires now submits to you its conqueror."
"The proper order is restored. What life would it be to no longer worry, to not suffer. It's not that we're apathetic or emotionless as I'm here and not in the middle of a hole somewhere hiding my liberation."
"Haha, right."
"We have to admit that we all have our own masters, whether within or without. But as not all masters are beneficial and constructive, we have to choose the right one to serve. If my heart feels it right to abuse a child, I should not submit to it right? If society tells me to enslave, I should not submit to it as well right?"
"Right. That's a fair view. So liberation from the forces and desires within and without, and submitting that to your God would be a fair summary?"
"Yes, that is a fair summary."
"I can see some overlap with the Turians here, discipline and all." The nun nods and smiles as the newswoman takes out another question. "For our last question. So our viewers are wondering, what kind of God do the Christians serve? We know you've established yourself as a monotheistic faith but the Trinity seems unique to your religion alone."
"Right, so we are indeed monotheists but the Trinity is not exactly an easy subject. I can give a logical explanation of it but there is far more depth than this interview can cover."
"Alright, sister, what is the Trinity?" Asked the interviewer.
"So the Trinity is the belief of One God who exists in three Hypostasis, a greek term, or to use a similar but not identical syriac term, Qnuma. Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
She looked down on her omni tool. "Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So a related question is how are these three one God?"
"Hypostasis means subject, foundation, underlying reality. It is essentially a distinct reality. Now then, there are three of these Hypostases in God, three realities. Reality of the Father, Reality of the Son, Reality of the Spirit."
"They are not manifestations or divisions in God. They aren't faces or masks of God but distinct realities. They are not separate realities, one third of God or different entities but distinct realities, principles of a Whole."
"So a mid-way of sorts? Not too absolutely one that the Trinity is merely three masks but not too plural that it becomes Tritheism."
"You can say that. But I think the viewers would need a bit more depth than simply what I just said. I can't simply claim that after all."
"Fair enough." The newswoman gestured, "Continue sister."
"So we begin with God the Father. We confess that there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things. We start with the Father as the One, Eternal God."
"We call him Father out of a cultural symbol, He is neither male nor female, entirely genderless. Father because in most Eurasian cultures, it is the father who is the breadwinner of the family and thus its origin."
"Ah." The asari continued, "So it's a metaphor then, a learning tool?"
"Yes, it's a symbol used to reveal deeper realities. We're quite heavy on that, from the color of our clothes, the images we use, our architecture and the way our prayers are structured. Based on my admittedly surface level understanding, it's different from Athame whose title as Goddess reflects an actual gender rather than being a metaphor."
"Mmmm." She nodded.
"So as an analogy, God the Father is the Mind. We call the Word of God as God the Son. When we call God the Son as the Word of God, we mean it literally."
"Literally?" The nun nodded, "Yes, literally. In the sense that the Word or Logos of God is the intentions, decree, thoughts of God. It is the image of the invisible God in the same sense that our words and thoughts reveal the inner things of our Mind."
"If I never speak, you would not know what's inside of me. Again that is the same with the Word of God and God the Father, the Word is the literal image of the invisible God who reveals the inner things of God. As speech proceeds out of our mouths, so does the Word of God proceed from within God."
"Hence why we call Him God the Son or Son of God, because He was literally begotten of the Father in an analogous sense to our mind creating thoughts. Mind and thought comes hand in hand, so though your mind and thoughts are two different things who would say that they're two different people or two modes of you?"
"Right, right. So going with the mind-word analogy, the Holy Spirit has a similar relation to the Father then?"
"Yes, the Holy Spirit comes from within the Father as well. He is not some force in the same sense that our thoughts aren't some force either. He is the animating principle of God, Divine Action if you will."
"Your mind, your intent and your actions are three distinct realities yet are inseparably of one existence as you. Your thoughts are not your mind, they are of it but not the same. Your actions are not your mind or your thoughts, they are of it but not the same."
"So it's fair to say that just as a person is an indivisible whole with all three, so is the Divine in its inseparable plurality and absolute unity. You don't see anyone calling yourself as three people right?"
"Haha, right right. That concludes our interview. Sister Sophia, thank you for your interview." She stands up to shake her hands, and the nun reciprocated her gesture.
"Thank you as well, it was a pleasant interview." Said the nun. The nun made the sign of the cross and took her leave, bowing and saying goodbye as she left the studio.
The newswoman turned to the camera and said, "That ends our interview with Sister Sophia. If you like to see the sister again, please let us know in the ratings. This is Citadel News Network's Dalya C'lani signing off. Good night."
The studio zooms away and fades as the network's animation played. The interview went viral soon enough, as the first widely broadcasted interview with an Orthodox teacher. This interview marked the beginning of active missionary efforts beyond the Citadel itself, with cathecumen requests from all over the galaxy wishing to study the Christian faith.
The first Turians to learn the faith and convert began after the interview. Though the Turians practiced absolute freedom of religion, the current polarization and stigma towards humanity made even sympathetic Turians not quite interested in learning much about the Orthodox faith. But with the basic questions answered, bait for the interested has been thrown into the lake. All that is left is to wait as the fishes swarm toward it.
Interfaith Interspecies Forum
2166 AD, Thessia
On Thessia, the annual interfaith-interspecies forum is held in the Temple of Athame. Prominent religious leaders from many species came to reach mutual understanding and respect for the various faiths in the galaxy.
Attendees from the Asari are prominent Siari philosophers and two popular priestesses of Athame Doctrine. A few Salarian preachers were in attendance, excluding the Salarian Goddess cult. Turians did not form a single religious block, being figures in other races' religions.
Several Volus religious leaders represented the polytheistic faith of Irune. Hanar and Hanar-assimilated Drell made up the Enkindlers faction, regulars in these summits to convince the galaxy of the truth of the enkindlers!
The newest faction to be invited are the humans, who attended for the first time. Metropolitan Paisios of the Citadel and several traditionalist Drell deacons and monks who represented the Mashihu Bid'Rakhana movement, a Drell traditionalist revival and christian evangelism movement, represented Orthodox Christianity.
A round table was prepared and after exchanging pleasantries and hopes, each tradition was given the opportunity to pray or express their hopes about the dialogue. Siarists prayed first, then the Athame priestesses, then the various Salarian sects, then the Enkindlers and finally the humans. The humans prayed the Lord's prayer in 3 languages, taking turns starting with Greek, Syriac and finally Drell. They ended with the sign of the cross and it would seem that the Asari in attendance was impressed.
The interfaith meeting's agenda is to discuss their beliefs and informal debates regarding the tenets of each faith. Faiths present seek two things: truth and understanding, if not the former then the latter. The yearly forum is known to bridge gaps in understanding and forge unity between the various faiths of the galaxy.
The debate and discussion will operate much like a Q and A session where a topic will be raised and questions are asked to the faith at the center of the current round of the session. Other faiths can join in to answer or contribute to the conversation.
To open the forum, the current dominant faith of the galactic community is first in line. Siari, the dominant religion of the Asari has met widespread adoption from other races, minus the Hanar and Humanity.
Siari doctrines were recited, with elaborations made on doctrines held specifically by either the devout branch or the moderate branch. The Bishop and the deacons decide to let the other faiths have a go at the discussion, hinging largely on the idea of universal consciousness and the meaning of enlightenment.
Siari philosophy is based on the idea that all species and individuals are connected by the same energy of the universe. To what degree it depends on the branch of Siari but generally the faith is considered pantheistic. Metropolitan Paisios raises his cue and enters the discussion.
As the diplomatic custom of the Asari, the philosopher greets him first, "Thank you for joining us, Bishop. It is an honor to have participate you in this interfaith summit." The Salarian currently debating the Asari greeted him in a similar manner and the Metropolitan replied, "The honor is all mine. If I may add my beliefs to the discussion priestess?"
"We are always open to hearing new perspectives and considering the beliefs of others. Please share your arguments and we will do our best to engage with them." The Bishop nodded and asked, "As a monotheistic faith, we confess in one God while the Siari believe in an impersonal force of the Universe if my understanding is correct priestess?"
"Yes, it is correct."
"How do you reconcile the speed of light and the expansion of the universe with Siari interconnectedness? If the universe's expansion exceeds the speed of light, fundamentally there are regions of the universe where our actions will not affect at all."
The philosopher pauses for a minute before replying, "The Siari philosophy holds that all things are interconnected through the universe. The concept of the speed of light and the expansion of the universe are observations made by scientists, but they do not necessarily dictate the limits of interconnectedness."
"In our belief, the connection between all things transcends physical distance and even the passage of time. The universe may expand, but the bond between its parts remains unbroken."
"The speed of light may represent a boundary in our physical understanding of the universe, but it does not limit the reach of the spiritual connection we feel with all things."
"If I'm understanding it correctly priestess, the universal consciousness is essentially a supernatural unity that encompasses the cosmos and all its creatures?"
"Yes, that is a fair summary of our beliefs. In our meditation and spiritual practice, we seek to connect with this universal consciousness and understand our place within it. I believe Orthodox Christians have an analogous understanding in Theosis, the union with God?"
"Similar yes priestess, though the union neither damages His unity nor our individuality."
"Now priestess, do you agree that many things are necessarily possible? As in, things that are possible by necessity."
The philosopher replied, "The concept of necessary possibility is an interesting one. We can understand the idea of necessary possibility as logical limits. Go on?"
"Is the universe omnipotent priestess?"
"In the Siari philosophy, we do not consider the universe to be omnipotent. Instead, we see the universe as a dynamic and ever-changing entity that is shaped by the actions and perceptions of all its parts."
"Is the universe all there is priestess?"
"The Siari philosophy does not hold a definitive answer on whether the universe is all there is." She earned some nods from the other Siari philosophers. "We believe that the universe is an ever-expanding and ever-changing entity, and that our understanding of it is limited by our own perceptions and experiences."
"In our belief, the universe is a finite and physical entity, but it also contains a spiritual component that transcends physical boundaries. Whether this spiritual component represents the entire extent of reality or if there is something beyond it, is not a question that we can definitively answer."
"If so, the existence of God does not contradict Siari philosophy then?"
"The concept of a deity, such as the God of Orthodox Christianity, is not inconsistent with our philosophy. In this sense, the idea of a deity or higher power that transcends the universe and shapes its workings is not incompatible with our beliefs. However, we do not hold any specific doctrine or belief about the nature of a deity, as our focus is on connecting with the universe and understanding our place within it."
"We have a point of similarity in terms of interconnectedness, in that the Divine Energy of the Trinity creates, contains and sustains all things. A manifestation of God within and above all, would moderate Siari understanding of interconnectedness find this Holy teaching of the Church compatible?"
The Metropolitan Bishop continued, "As the Holy and Praiseworthy Apostle Paul says. In Him we live and move and have our being as even some of your poets have said for we too are His offspring."
"We appreciate the shared emphasis on interconnectedness between the Siari philosophy and Orthodox Christianity."
"The idea of a Divine Energy, as described in Orthodox Christianity, that creates, contains, and sustains all things and is both within and above all things, aligns with our belief."
"While we do not hold any specific beliefs about the nature of the deity or its role in the universe, we can see the compatibility between our belief in interconnectedness and the Holy teaching of the Church. It seems a Siari can be a Christian as well."
The discussion went on well and theological inputs were given from almost all sides. During the Salarian's turn, the bishop and deacons discussed about the dual nature of Christ. In their characteristic quick and monotonous voice, they asked on the two natures of Christ.
The Salarians and the Orthodox sat across from each other at a large round table, surrounded by other leaders from different faith traditions. The Salarian began the discussion by addressing the Bishop, "Your Excellency, I have great respect for the teachings of your faith, but I find myself perplexed by the concept of the two natures of Christ. Can you clarify this for me?"
The Bishop leaned forward, nodded. "Of course. In the Orthodox faith, we believe that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human. He is the incarnate Word of God, became flesh and lived among us. This is the doctrine of the two natures, one divine and one human, coexisting in one person."
The Salarian nodded, considering the Bishop's words. "I understand the concept of the divine nature, but I struggle to grasp the idea of a single person possessing both human and divine natures. How does one be both mortal and God?"
The Bishop smiled patiently. "It is much like how one is mind and body, so is Christ both man and God. His humanity is perfect in that it is born, it is finite, it hungers, it thirsts, it grows. His Divinity is perfect in that it remains unchanged, boundless and infinite."
"Should we upload our minds to a machine, we do not lose nor change the nature of our mind do we?" The Salarian shook his head. "Then so does Divinity remained unchanged when it took on the flesh of His mother and was born in the fullness of humanity. Not a puppeteer nor possessor but rather God made flesh."
"Interesting. Thank you for the information Metropolitan." The Salarian returned to the questions and topics of the other faiths, particularly polytheism which was somewhat found in common between a certain Salarian sect and the dominant Volus religion.
The forum became less than friendly when the Enkindler faith took its turn, as both Drell viewed the other with dislike for different reasons. Both Drell factions present were Hanar-related Drell and reflected the tension between the new and old generation of Drell within the Illuminated Primacy. The new who had gradually or even suddenly forsook the old traditions of Rakhana and the old who had seen a revival of tradition thanks to the human Drell and converted to the faith for finding it to be that which preserves the spirit of Rakhana.
The Drell fiercely debated their respective faiths, to the point even the Hanar and the Bishop had to reign their respective sides in and apologize. But a less than favorable truth came into public as the debate boiled over, namely the human dislike towards the Protheans based on the data found in the Mars Archive. The traditionalist Drell were quick to point out the rude, condescending nature of the Protheans and that officially began a rift between Humanity and the Hanar.
Though the Forum ended in a better note after some apologies and cooling down, the converted Drell felt less welcome and some began visiting the human embassy for dual citizenship.
On a much more positive note, a spike in Asari, Salarian and Volus interest into Orthodoxy occurs directly after the summit. The Asari seem to be quite prepared to learn the faith, as similarities with Siari meant that not too much would change but a far stronger emphasis in liberation through self control and rich liturgical tradition suits those in a transitory stage from maiden to matron and maidens looking for a purpose in life.
Marutha, the Unmercenary
2167 AD, Omega
An ordered march of ten, black warriors of vaguely humanoid shape proceeded along the corridors of Omega. They had a pair of beetle-like horns, metallic black armor and strangely organic guns jutting out from their armored back. The warriors marched into the Krogan quarters of Omega, seeking a Krogan by the name of Urdnot Wrex.
Aria T'Loak had left them alone, cryptically saying to her subordinates that these black warriors are not worth the trouble of disturbing. None had tried to stop them and those who did found themselves temporarily crippled by a near-invisible punch to the gut. Upon reaching the quarters, the warriors went into a bar where intel told them that the Krogan battlemaster would be present at.
The Krogan sat at a lonely table at the edge. Despite the merry atmosphere, it was clear even the Krogans avoided him. The warriors went straight to business, ignoring all the strange and sometimes alarmed stares made by the other patrons of the Bar.
In a raspy but deep voice, one of the warriors spoke, "Urdnot Wrex, we have an offer to make."
"Who's asking?" The fearsome Krogan stood up, finding the warrior in question being about the same height as him.
"Marutha." Answered the warrior, random spurts of low volume chittering as he spoke. The Krogan didn't look interested, replying, "Don't know who this Marutha is, how much's the pay?"
The warriors seemed puzzled though their expressions did not show. "We do not seek your mercenary services Urdnot Wrex."
"Then you're wasting my time, go bug another Krogan." The Battlemaster returned to his seat but was stopped by a strong grip, one that impressed him. "You stopped me, you got balls. Fine, I'll listen."
He stood back and the grip was retracted. "What are you here for then?"
"A gift from our master to the Krogan people. A partial cure to the Genophage." The Krogan's attention was caught but he replied, "Only a half-cure? Your master expects me to pay for the other half?"
"No. The cure will suppress the Genophage but will not eradicate it entirely. Enough that the Krogan species will survive but low enough that it would not be noticed by your enemies." Said the warrior, matter-of-factly.
"Am I supposed to take your word on it stranger? You look like the Rachni mated with a filthy Turian." The Krogan pointed at the warrior's chest, looking into what is presumably the warrior's eyes as his head leaned closer with every word. "What's my guarantee bug-face?"
The warrior did not flinch and dispassionately answered, "It was narrated to me that the Krogans value strength. I will fight you and prove my honesty." A short staring contest ensued and a point was made.
"Heh." The battlemaster smirked. "I hope you're not another idiot. Else I'll be doing the universe a favor when I beat you to a pulp." He walked out of the bar, gesturing for the warrior to follow, "Let's take this outside bug-face."
Both combatants took out their guns and set a distance. Many flee to a safe distance, watching the mysterious warrior in black against one of the last and strongest Battlemasters of the Krogan. The blue glow of biotics wrapped around Wrex as he prepared his gun on his right hand.
The battle began as he fired a warning shot up to the air, the black warrior leaping towards him with what seemed to be nothing but a handle. The battlemaster felt danger and dodged, using his biotics to fling crates at him which were promptly molten into two by an invisible weapon.
"Heh, an interesting toy you got there." Wrex fired his shotgun, narrowly missing the warrior. Biotics were employed again, diverting the warrior's path but he proved resourceful by shrinking himself to escape the field and spit acid at Wrex. The short stream of transparent fluid melted his surroundings and earned him a smirk.
"Acid too, how Rachni." He fired more shots, missing each time as the warrior proved swift and resourceful. Biotics and gunfire clashed against acid and the invisible flames, laying waste to the battlefield. A short wrestling match occured as the warrior closed the gap, a stalemate before Wrex kicked him away and the warrior slashed his armor.
The sound of sizzling armor would have ended the combat, but not for a thousand year old Battlemaster. It simply increased in intensity. Wrex released his other weapons, employing grenades, flames and explosives to halt and entrap the warrior.
But the warrior seemed to be one step ahead, using the smoke to land hits and close the gap even with biotic kicks making such attacks short lived. The battle ended when the warrior struck from an odd angle, landing the invisible flame blade on the Krogan's armor. But on another hand, a grenade was pushed on the warrior's legs.
Wrex grunted happily, "Not half-bad bug-face. I'll take your master's offer. What's your name?"
"Zaid, the Conqueror." Said the warrior.
"Well Zaid, this old Krogan accepts your deal." The two shake hands and the necessary documents are exchanged.
Months later, Wrex returns to Clan Urdnot to take some of its females to be partially cured of the Genophage. Chieftain Jarrod was paid a hefty sum for this by Marutha's servants, mainly a block of eezo enough for a small cruiser. With this, the females were assigned to be treated by Marutha in a place far beyond the relay network.
The Battlemaster now has an ally in the mysterious one and the rachni-like Zaid who is only one call away. Not that the Krogan would often call him anyway.
The Judgement of Torfan
2169 AD, Nymbar
Human ships, particularly of the Jing Emperor, invaded the moon of Nymbar. Batarian defenses were vaporized by the invisible weapons of mankind. Ships erupted with no signs and defenses turned into explosions of smoke. Once the defenses were but space dust, pods were shot to the surface of Nymbar and dug into the ground.
The Batarian pirates expected an attack from the entrance of the underground base but the humans did not bother to enter it, digging straight into their base and catching them off guard. All Batarians who surrendered were spared but those who did not were torn into shreds and their bodyparts thrown into enemy hallways to scare them before an attack. Slaves were freed by the operatives and awaited rescue while the Tortoise Warriors finished off the Batarian resistance to every man.
Any escape pod not of human IFF was shot down and many surrendered. All signals of help from Nymbar were amplified before the humans, prisoners and freed slaves left, leaving behind a ten gigaton bomb as a lethal surprise. Once Hegemony forces arrived to check, the bomb detonated and annihilated them.
This was a direct retaliation against a slave raid against a colony of Great Jing when the colony was temporarily undefended. The prisoners were trialed by the Jing Dynasty while the slaves were returned to the Citadel. Ambassador Balak did not even dare ask for extradition, a single look at the footage convinced him the matter was not worth pursuing no matter what tantrums were thrown in Khar'shan.
Strains and Tensions
2170 AD, Citadel, Audience Chamber
"Ambassadors, humanity's aid to the Quarians ends here." Said the newly elected Councilor Sparatus. He continued, "The Quarians must pay for their actions! We can tolerate some aid but not blatant supplies of ships and weaponry." The Turian Councilor showed them a holographic list of all the new ships and pilgrimage gifts attained by the Quarians from humanity.
"It has gone long enough, cease and do not dare to circumvent any more Council laws. Our decisions are final, no pardon is to be given to the Quarians." Before the human ambassadors could speak, the Turian Councilor continued, "And close that spirits damned Quarian embassy! We closed their embassy for a reason human, don't think that just because we give you an embassy you have any right to give the suit-Quarians any ground."
The two ambassadors in question, one from the Roman Empire and one from the Aksumite Empire, were visibly displeased at the Councilor's rude behavior. They had brought customary element zero gifts to attend this audience and all they've been getting is a Turian earful. Councilor Tevos and the Salarian Councilor kept their silence, letting Sparatus throw it all out.
Good relations between the Quarians and the Humans alongside a form of religio-cultural alturism on the human side allowed a portion of the human embassy for use by the Quarians. The "embassy" in an embassy has been operating for a year by now, before the more hostile and dominant faction of Turians demanded its closure. The Asari shared the same thought, though not as far as the Turians in that humans ought to be banned from the donations to the Quarian Migrant Fleet.
The two diplomats looked at each other and once the Council demanded their response, the Roman diplomat spoke. They had exhausted courtesy, it is time for the aliens to receive a proper lesson.
"Councilor of the Turians, your demands are unreasonable and you insult the glory of the Roman Empire. What devil has possessed you so, Xenos, that you desire to watch an entire people be killed in a slow, centuries-long brawl with Hades." The Aksumite diplomat concurs, continuing with another condemnation, "Do you draw pleasure from genocide Turian? Has Shaytan's promises bewitched you to desire suffering?"
He stepped forth, looking intently into Sparatus' eyes. "The Rachni may be violent beasts, but even beasts such as they are worth more than the lives of genociders lke you."
The Turian Councilor exploded into unbridled fury, throwing his Omni-tool at the ambassadors only for the tool to be molten in half by an invisible force. Ignoring that completely, he yelled with as much force as a Turian could muster, "You ungrateful, spirits-damned, ignorant, barefaced mammals! Spirits-damned fledgelings!"
"We bent Farixen for you and this is the thanks we receive?! A self-righteous lecture from one trick, PAPER TIGERS!" The two other Councilors hurried to restrain him, calling security and shouting at him to stop.
"THE COUNCIL HAS STABILIZED THE GALAXY LONGER THAN YOUR BAREFACED PEOPLE KNEW THAT YOUR HOMEWORLD WAS ROUND! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT GENOCIDE?! EVERY BATTLE YOU EVER HAD IS BUT INFANT'S PLAY! INFANT'S PLAY!" Screamed the Turian Councilor as Tevos tried to restrain him with biotics and security rushed in.
"DON'T SHUT ME UP YOU BLUE WITCH!" Councilor Tevos almost lost her cool and slapped him but held back. The Salarian Councilor simply watched and distanced herself from the angry Turian. Before the Turian could hurl another insult, security disables him and takes him away.
The two diplomats bowed lightly and apologize to the remaining Councilors, "Forgive our words Councilors, it is not proper to send a ruler into wrath." Councilor Tevos sighed and quickly put on her diplomatic mask, smiling sincerely and replying, "You are forgiven ambassadors, the Hierarchy is simply having less than stellar times with the presence of a worthy competitor. I hope you can forgive the Councilor."
The Salarian Councilor then said, "However, we cannot continue to tolerate a Quarian embassy on the Citadel itself. It would be unfortunate to have to close your embassy over this incident."
"We have pledged goodwill to the Quarian people Councilors, surely we can work out a third path?" Said the Aksumite.
"Forgive me ambassador but our decision is regrettably final, we cannot bend the rules any more than it is." Answered Councilor Tevos. "However, in the interest of cooperation, perhaps the Roman Emperor and the Atse both have a solution in mind? We can correspond for any proposals later on, this audience is over."
"On behalf of the Citadel Council, thank you for your visit ambassadors."
The two ambassadors take their leave and the remaining Councilors sighed at the turn of events. Not even two days later, headlines of the Councilor Sparatus denouncing, much more politely, the behavior of the Roman Emperor and the Atse, citing undermining the Council by extending aid to Quarians.
The Roman Emperor and the Atse both decline to respond. A month later, the proposal was given that both Emperors will construct a station orbiting the citadel to house the Human and Quarian embassies. A secret function to the embassy was that it also connected to the Geth Consensus, who had opened top secret diplomatic communications with the humans ever since the successful contact years ago.
The new Quarian embassy workers would also be selected from pro-Geth individuals or at least those sympathetic to those ideas. It is planned to be 4 km in length and is estimated to be completed in 2 years once the permit is given.
The Councilors approve the construction and soon closed the current human embassy. The embassy's churches were unharmed however and the embassy itself is being repurposed into a transport station.
Basileus kai Autokrator ton Yiaegion
2171 AD, Parnack
A monk wrestled against one of the Yahg leaders, jeered and cheered on by crowd that surrounded them. The monk traded fierce blows with the Yahg and endured the fearsome creature's punches. By a fusion of luck and skill, the monk struck the much larger creature in the face and mercilessly beat him into a pulp.
Once the Yahg was unmoving and barely breathing, the monk made the sign of the cross and raised his right arm in a triumphant Christ-like gesture to the sky. The Yahg crowd around the monk cheered, all who jeered him before cheered as well. All who had followed the monk from before this battle shouted, "Emmanuel! Emmanuel!"
The beaten Yahg beneath the monk coughed and smiled the only way a Yagh can. Though his brown, partially armored skin was cracked and blood slowly streaked across, he chuckled and joined the cheers with what might he had. The monk then carried his opponent up and brought him to the nearby infirmary, where a Kli'tigt in a giant mechanical armor sprayed him with a set of fluids that hardened over minutes and regenerated him from damage.
Scenes like this played all around Parnack, as monks and other combatants of humanity defeated the leaders of the Yagh in ritual combat. After the diplomatic insult of the Council, the humans, particularly the Roman Empire, decided to demonstrate how much more advanced they are in educating "barbarians" and worthy of the title of "galactic community" to the Citadel Council.
Knowing of the Yahg and the Citadel's inability to integrate them, the Roman Empire learned about their culture and sent diplomats. Unlike the Asari, Roman culture dictated gifts to be granted when in a diplomatic visit. This was seen by the Yahg as proper respect to their society and so unlike the Asari delegation, none of the diplomats were slain and the Yahg were open to discussions with humanity.
Their pack and alpha mentality quickly became apparent. It was mentioned by Citadel Council observations on the Yahg and further confirmed in diplomatic interactions. As the Roman diplomats are used to humbling themselves in the court of foreign kings and emperors, the Yahg were glad to receive them. This reception marked the beginning of a bloodless conquest by the Roman Empire.
The Romans sent diplomats with combat experience and biological enhancements, using them to subdue the leadership according to their culture of combat. Unlike most races, the Yahg welcomed the challenge and gladly accepted their defeat over the months that followed. Bloody and laughing Yahg were a common sight, and the race was quickly integrated into the Roman Empire.
Attempts to prevent this occured many times, warnings against entering Parnack and a Turian threat of attack should they continue. But all of that proved to be a bluff when a human capital ship was left on the orbit of Parnack, keeping the Turians away unless they want to lose a few more fleets. The Roman Empire's successful conquest prompted the Turians to disregard the Treaty of Farixen, rendering it void in all but name.
The Council reined in the Turians by building more dreadnoughts as well, as a compromise between taking no concrete action and allowing the Turians to dominate completely.
On Parnack, the uplifting and inculturalization process began. Greek, Latin, Syrian, Punic, Coptic, Visigothic, Jewish cultures entered the Yahg and divided them into cultural provinces based on which culture influences the local Yahg culture. Finding the Yahg as fast thinkers and learners comparable or even surpassing the Salarians, the Roman Empire unleashed the full breadth of its cultural and technological knowledge onto the Yahg.
I don't think the galaxy is quite prepared to handle Roman Yahg.
Next Chapter: Before the Storm