Gundam belongs to Bandai. Mass Effect to EA. Star Trek to Viacom. I own none of the material mentioned here.

0121.10.16

Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid Interior

Relief Fleet: Promised Aid

High Lord Commander Ofærr Stjarnagram

Ofærr looked out through the glass and into space behind even as the old man stuck his arms behind his back. Things had started to grow simpler as the relief forces had started coming into the system following the combat officially ending. Though much of the planet had been devastated from the month-long siege, including orbital bombardment, something that was still an untested practice and relatively unheard of happening in their wars.

Ofærr breathed in the Shanxi air early in the morning as he walked through the established internment camp that prisoners and forced combatants had established. Most aliens with four eyes that had possessed some form of armor or been in a command position had been placed in one such camp on the northern side of the city. Prefabricated housing brought in from orbit to house them.

Though considering that they were originally intended for refugees given their former experience in war, it came as a surprise to the commanders that the population of Shanxi had been reduced by nearly seventy percent in the month. Nearly two million humans, new types, and coordinators taken in the span of a month.

The forced combatants that they had taken were placed into a separate internment camp following their surrender, such a camp that Ofærr was wandering. Thankfully only mobile doll soldiers had been placed in command for defense of both camps from any potential appraisals from the locals or the soldiers under the various commanders that had been deployed by various sub empires within the United Earth Alliance.

Currently he wandered towards one of the few remaining buildings in Auttobenid, knowing the headache that awaited him. After the fighting had finally subsided, there was a matter of great importance brought to him by the agents of TERMINAL still alive and active on this planet. Likely other information agencies knew about this situation already as well, the willing surrender of an alien saying they represent more than the ones that attacked but wouldn't say more.

Already the local Nobility had tried to get him to talk but he refused to speak with anyone below a certain rank of government. Though the news that they still supported some kind of nobility had caused some kind of a reaction.

So here he was. Wandering towards an unremarkable building holding what could be a major step for humanity as a whole.

With a heavy breath, he nods to the two Royal Guards stationed at the doorway leading into the building, both helmeted individuals, genders unknown, as it was meant to be. Those who take the vow do so knowingly sacrificing all that they were. To become instruments to protect their lords' abs humanity. The nameless weapons as some had come to call them.

The former hotel had been remade into a large-scale operations' center abs containment facility for this alien. They would take no chances with them after the attack they had just suffered. The hallway ahead led down and into a basement, refurbished into a cell itself. There, as a pair of soldiers held open the door leading to the lower sections.

Two of them, Privates Jessica and Private Clare fell in behind him as he moved into the room beyond. Despite the fact that the alien had offered something in regard to information towards the aliens, they didn't trust him worth a damn. So, to that end they had placed two neo doll modeled soldiers in the same room, cloaked of course, and watched the alien.

Beyond the door, the alien watched from his bed. They were still nowhere near the beginning of setting up something resembling a database of aliens, so testing wasn't a priority. With a deep breath, the High Lord turned his attention to the Royal Guards at attention to either side of the doorway and merely nodded his head. Turning as one, gene locked "keys" are inserted into corresponding nodes which lock into place and turn. With a deep hiss, the two sided door would slide back, revealing on the other side a simple room with but a single chair.

On said chair sat the only other alien besides the ELS to know how to speak English. Which had become a sort of second hand language used by all countries abs affiliates of Earth and its colonies. Even Neo-Rome was known for making use of it by its diplomats. The alien bore no armor as it had when it had been collected and brought before him. Now merely in prisoners' garb.

White tattoos covered the carapace looking exo-skeleton along the jawline and over both eyes. Yet the creature seemed to watch with barely anything resembling fear. Given its readiness to offer itself up and the way it had been conducting itself since brought in, showed how confident it was. With a breath, Ofærr would approach the table as he sat across from the alien. Even as both stared into one another.

"So. Yah are the alien that can speak our tongue."

The alien nodded, still keeping his silence but eyeing the larger human. He stepped towards the chair as the door behind him closed shut. Leaving him in with this alien.

0121.10. 16

Alien System - Alien Capital

Citadel Alliance: SPECTER

Saren Arterius

Saren watched the older human walk into the room. Upon close inspection, he was much older than any serving member of a military would allow. If you didn't count Klingons that is. The Federation likely would have retired or forced him into a position as their equivalent of a Rear Admiral based on their collection of old documents from before the formation of the Human's Federation. Yet it seemed these humans were allowing their elderly to still be of importance. This one bore an archaic dress uniform of some kind, though a primitive melee weapon at his hip and some kind of chemically propelled firearm on the other.

Not to mention he was unshaven, head covered in lessening blond hair which ran down to his waist, tied into what a human called a "Ponytail" while his chin sported three long braids, though the colors were starting to turn white with age. Face and exposed skin marred with scars, likely from whatever conflict these humans had experienced. All in all, he struck the image of an old man, if not for the well built Physique. Despite his current predicament, he found himself smiling even as his action caused the old human to go on guard.

"Now now. I'm here out of good faith. My name is Saren Arterius and I do indeed come as a representative of the Council Alliance. A collection of species, which sadly the Batarians, the species you just faced, are a part of. Though not without reason."

That got the old man's attention as he actually had a crack form in that passive, weather and age beaten face. Anger. These humans certainly appear more easily angered than that of their own reality. Then again based on their military they may be a more martial based civilization.

"Aye that'll be ah problem when it comes time for me to meet this Citadel which I plan to do sooner rather than later. So, what can ya tell me? Since ya seem so inclined, tell us. How sure are ya that we won't go tah war with this "Citadel"? Considerin they apparently collaborate with filthy slavers!"

The old man smashed a fist into the top of the table between them, actually denting it. Which was unexpected to Saren, he was unaccustomed to humans possessing such strength at this advanced age. The hidden creature would blink before nodding his head.

"A sad set of events but with their importance to the maintaining of the lawless reaches of the galaxy, we have to continue working with them even if we find their actions tasteless. The galaxy is much wider than you might imagine, and with the clearly hostile actions they have taken against you, likely out of confusion or their own false sense of superiority."

Not that he cared, he was a Founder after all, something these primitives had no knowledge of. Though he was more radical than others, having spent time here in this universe and outside of the Great Link the longest, barring of course those sent out into the wider galaxy.

"We can discuss reparations with yer council when we get there. I will need coordinates for this place."

That caused Saren to stop and eye the human with some confusion.

"Could you not just pull that information from the Batarian vessels? Using the Relays even you should be able to move towards the Citadel. It is usually in the data banks of most vessels."

The old man seemed to grumble and slide back into his chair as his one good working eye studied the alien before he spoke.

"Classified. Fer now, we'll need access to coordinates as our vessels utilize another form of FTL that doesn't make use of yer God Gates."

Ah they didn't make use of the Relays as the Citadel and the rest of the galaxy did. That was an interesting bit of information.

"Fine fine, I will see about giving you the coordinates, though my next question is to what end?"

War would mean a destabilization of the Citadel which could work in the Dominion's favor when the invasion begins.

"Compensation as stated from em as ah start. Their stance on the Batarians will affect what we do goin forward. I will be meetin with these leaders personally to discuss terms and then our own delegations will properly come."

The humans were playing it smart and paranoid, it seems they already were ahead in his opinion compared to the Federation. Much to trusting and open. Though a single form is a single form no matter the reality. Saren crossed his arms before motioning towards a nearby data slate, one which the human nodded and shifted over towards him.

A few seconds later and the direct coordinates are typed into the machine. The older male taking it back before beginning the process of sifting through the mathematical numbers. A few seconds later he would snort, press a button, and turn as another human, this one dressed in a standard military garb for these people walked in.

"Take this, hook it into our computers, then get ah FTL capable ship ready. Alert the … Winds of the North that we'll be takin 'er to these coordinates. I want a full roster of Mobile Suits, all with anti-ship capabilities loaded into her decks and prepared for combat effective immediately."

The soldier, for that was the only thing that the woman could be, saluted and then marched out the door, closing it behind her. Mobile Suits? Is that what they were calling their strange humanoid machines? Though the fact they were expecting to be going in prepared for combat made Saren chuckle, causing the old man to turn and watch.

"Got somethin tah say Saren?"

Oh he had much to say, but a simple grin, or as close as one that could be made, was directed at him.

"Only that one ship and a few of your machines won't do anything to the Citadel or its fleet. I however won't give you anything else besides the coordinates. Take what you want and leave. However if you want a peaceful reception when you arrive, it would be best that I am there."

The Old man would grumble but didn't seem to disregard that. He would however sit back down and interlock his fingers while looking at Saren.

"What can ya tell me about this Citadel?"

0121.10.16

Shanxi Capital: Auttobenid Interior

Relief Fleet: Promised Aid

High Lord Commander Ofærr Stjarnagram

Ofærr was greeted by several armed guards the moment he stepped from the building, his eye shifted between them before he spoke.

"Bring that thing back tah his cage and keep him there till I am ready to depart."

Two soldiers saluted and walked past him, heading back into the building. Ofærr himself fixed his eye on another soldier.

"Got new assignment orders for Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke. They are tah report to the Winds of the North effective immediately."

The soldier saluted and moved away from the building, likely to inform the two.

"Need one of ya to let that hyperactive mess of ah Heiress from Bathory to head there as well. As much as I can rely on tah rank and file, this mission requires more of a punch."

One left, as the others had already departed to deliver either orders or return the captive to their cell. With an inhale, he would address the final soldier present.

"Prepare ah joint message to both tha Queens as well as Duke Isenho von Endrota that I will be adressin them both after I return from my check up on the Combat Mobile Doll that Jesse Dolton had serving on his bridge. Las put up ah hell of a fight."

He simply nodded as his head lifted up towards the sky, the visual silhouette of the "Winds of the North" was still visible given how low in orbit it was hovering. Two Kilometers of Lunar Titanium, or Moon Titanium given the new terminology. The Flagship of the First Fleet. Sadly it wasn't the fastest vessel, else he had arrived here in it. It had taken a day to reach the system behind the assault fleet.

Ofærr grunted as he turned, starting to walk back towards the main city. In the distance, he watched as mobile suits worked to pick through the wreckage of the various alien ships that had crashed during the final day of the fighting. A quick and bloody affair. Even now, survivors were being dragged from the various wrecks and rounded up, taken to holding facilities which in turn were being constructed.

Reports had been reaching him of the negative reaction the aliens had towards the Mobile Dolls, those who were more obviously cybernetic. They had actually gotten the information on this "Citadel" from the various still intact alien systems, but Ofærr wanted a proper source from one who worked for these supposed galactic leaders.

What he had been told had left him disquieted on the fact that much of current humanity would come to odds with them. AI and Genetic, or cybernetic alteration, both of which were not only prevalent, but were the requirements for at the very least creation of three entire sections of humanity. Bans would not go over well with the Council of Humanity, or the respective satellite empires.

"Elizabeth ain't gunna wanna part with her Mobile Dolls, then again she be too arrogant.."

–

Ofaerr stepped off the shuttle and into the "Damian's Delight" a five hundred meter repair and processing vessel that had accompanied the fleet. Walking past the waiting crew, he had sent word ahead of his rival and to present no waiting party. He was here for a short amount of time and then he would be on his way.

A few turns this way or that, brought him to where he wanted to be. A repair station. A series of fold out beds upon which lay nearly twenty Neo-Dolls. Civilian and Military Models. Their bodies are currently offline to allow the machines surrounding them the time to fold back bent outer "skin" or replace circuit and wiring which had been damaged.

It was the small blond head of hair which drew his eye. Sitting up, one arm removed, her chest opened, and hair partially peeled back, young Abigail Williams sat beside Ensign Luvinia, as the two chatted and whispered with one another.

"Hope I ain't interruptin nothin."

The old man's voice caught the two and caused both of their cheeks to erupt in a blushing mess as Abigail worked to close her open chassis while Luvinia rushed to her feet. Ah to be young and in love. They both snapped out salutes as the Mobile Doll tried to cover herself. Seems the programming had given her more human based mannerisms then the last batch of models.

"At ease ensigns. Abigail and Luvinia."

Luvinia dropped into a parade rest while the young machine fidgeted. If what the Council would ask of humanity was true, this young woman and many others like her would need to be more than likely terminated. A thought that left him with no amount of irritation and anger.

"I heard about what you did down in the tunnels las, ya let that nasty little bit out. I don't blame ya, but I will have to caution its release again."

Luvinia seemed ready to say something, but a glance from Abigail kept her quiet, the machine of a young woman breathing in before she looked up.

"Thank you sir, but it wasn't by accident or by conscious will. It was the death of my Brother Unit Sozoge at the hands of a strange alien. Following that, the arrival of Blue Cosmos, the deaths of the Royal Soldiers, two of which had been killed by them. Seemed to trigger its activation."

He remained silent with a nod, even as she began to recount more of that event, before he turned an eye on Luvinia and nodded as well. The young pale engineer wouldn't take long to have taken a grasp of Abigail's hand as she showed signs of breaking down, emotionally. They truly did wonders, those engineers.

"For yer aid in this dark day of Human History, fer your courage above and beyond what our nation could ask of ya, and for bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, I hereby promote you to Lieutenant Comm's Officer, a Leutnant zur See. I expect the rest to hear from ya. In addition, you both should be hearin from yer Captain, if they fish him out of that Morphine Coma in the next month for reassignment tah the "Winds of the North", both of ya will be."

Oh the Admiralty and board of affairs were going to throw a tantrum over this, but what did he care about? If things went south he would be dead on this. Then again he was old, nearing retirement, and it was about time he settled down, made roots somewhere. He didn't wait for their reactions, turning and moving to leave the ward as to let the two women converse and talk.

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