Hey all, lengthy wait for this chapter. I've been busy with changes in my life, and what writing time I have has been dedicated to my original work ("To Face the Day" on Royal Road, for the curious). I was using essentially 100% of my time spent writing to try and compete in the Writathon event on royal road. After that event ended, I took a hiatus from writing, and got busy with real life things. This chapter was quite challenging to write, but I think I'm satisfied with how it came out. It's far from perfect, but I think it sets the stage for the next phase of this narrative well enough. As always, thank you for reading, and please leave your thoughts in the comments.


October 15, 2089

Citadel

The three most important people in the known galaxy were having a meeting. On a screen in front of the trio, a news broadcast played. It was footage of a tearful embrace between two asari matriarchs.

"At the age of seventy-four, Adizi T'jiv went on a vacation to Illium with some classmates. Like the other eighty-six people aboard the long-lost passenger liner, Illium Jewel, she went missing without a trace. Now, an astonishing eight hundred years later, she returns from her presumed death to the embrace of her elder sister, Matriarch Kaniya T'jiv. Their heart-wrenching reunion is just one of thousands of flashpoints in the wave of pro-human sentiment sweeping throughout Citadel space. These stories were all made possible due to a daring human military raid. The raid, dubbed "Operation: SPARTACUS", is named after an ancient human who led a great slave revolt that nearly toppled an empire. The one hundred and thirty year old film made about these events has been at the top of the charts in the tidal wave of human media and culture that has come pouring into the extranet through quarian middlemen. The usual novelty of a new species, combined with their incredible entrance to the galactic stage, has made the species very much in vogue as more and more is learned about-"

Councilor Yinari T'Noiro switched off the screen, and rubbed her forehead.

"Goddess preserve us, they're positively infatuated with them."

Councilor Galathor chuckled. "The most daring raid in galactic history, against a foe that wildly outnumbers and outguns them, all done with technology centuries out of date? Spirits, I'm infatuated with them."

Yuzwin frowned. "Your humor is not appreciated. Political situation made drastically more difficult by human military actions. Likelihood of amenable peace is decreasing."

It was Galathor's turn to frown. "Tell me why, exactly, we're so desperate to make peace with this scum? Whatever shred of faux respectability the Hegemony had was eviscerated by the footage and evidence the humans brought back with them."

"Contents of footage irrelevant. The Hegemony's military capacity is still significant. War with them should not be considered lightly."

Galathor's frown turned into a glare. "I do not 'consider it lightly'. You asari and salarians may be ill-prepared, but the Hierarchy is as ready as it always is. We are more than capable of picking up your slack."

Yinari intervened now. "Leaving aside our own military situation, humanity is left vulnerable to retaliatory attacks in the event of a Citadel invasion of the Hegemony. Previously, this would have been bad enough, but with the revelations from the human raid, we can no longer view the batarians in the same light. We simply don't know how far they are willing to go. We have to at least try to secure a peace. Even a fragile one will at least buy us time to bring the humans into the fold."

Galthor scrunched up his mandibles, and then relented. "Very well, I will persuade my government. Be warned, it will be politically expensive. Once we are in a more secure position, we had better be prepared to drop this absurd...timidity and start acting like The Council again. Otherwise next time I can't guarantee the Hierarchy will toe the line while these...beasts roam our galaxy."

Yinari nodded. "The Batarians will have to be dealt with, but we need more time."

Yuzwin nodded his assent.

Galathor sighed, and nodded. "It is done then."


Two of the three most important people in the galaxy met in a more private setting. STG agents that were firmly in the two Councilors' pockets stood guard, ensuring that any attempts at surveillance of the pair would not succeed. Yinari poured herself a drink, while Yuzwin stood and watched.

"We got lucky this time, Yuzwin. I was getting desperate when I brought up the humans. I gambled that he was actually being honest when he said they liked them. Fortunately, he wasn't putting on a show. He actually does like them. Thank the Goddess for Turian simplicity." Yinari's capacity for fabricating convincing lies on the spot was a talent that had made her a successful politician.

She turned to Yuzwin. "You certainly did your part. I didn't think he'd buy the 'military buildup' line again, but he swallowed it whole just like last time."

Yuzwin was not amused. "Most convincing lie is truth. Intel pieced together from human raid has confirmed what STG already suspected: dramatic Batarian military buildup."

Yuzwin met Yinari's gaze. "Frankly, if not for current...situation, would be agreeing with Galathor."

Yinari fumed at that. "So would I! What, do you think I want it to be this way? That I planned to just...gift wrap the humans for the batarians? I don't care how much poison that...woman spews, I have nothing against the humans."

Just the thought of the Jessica Okoro was enough to make her blood boil. The human ambassador made no secret of her personal animosity towards the Council, and Yinari in particular. As far as she was concerned, the Council was a sham, a phony organization with no teeth at all.

What she couldn't have known, was that she was right.

It was a secret known by only an incredibly select few: Citadel Civilization was hanging on by a thread, and had been for some time.

"We having been dancing on the threshold of the greatest economic catastrophe in the history of the Citadel. Even the slightest disturbance has the potential to bring everything we hold dear crumbling down."

Yinari cursed under her breath. Goddess damn the accursed Batarians. They couldn't have picked a worse time to throw a tantrum.

"Still, ignoring threat entirely...public backlash may very well bring about more instability than if we simply intervene milit-"

Yinari cut in. "We cannot mobilize the fleet, you know this as well as I do. A full mobilization will leave us destitute in a month."

"Just a partial mobilization, then, a-"

"Show of force? What happens if the batarians escalate? Not only will we then have to mobilize the fleet - the exact opposite of what we want to do - but then we'd be doing it under even more awful circumstance than the present. Not an option."

Yuzwin looked more troubled then usual. "Perhaps it is time for Galathor to be made aware."

Yinari bit down an annoyed retort. "...You know why we can't do that, Yuzwin."

"Previous turian councilors - in your view - too stubborn to keep the secret, but Galathor is comparatively flexible."

"He's a turian, Yuzwin. He'll do his duty."

For one hundred years, Yinari had been fighting in the dark, out of the public eye. Fighting against the oncoming collapse of everything she believed in. In that century, she had enlisted the help of several of her Salarian counterparts. Yet, she had never once dared to approach a turian councilor for help. If there was one thing a good turian could be relied on to do, it's their duty - good sense be damned. If word of the oncoming disaster reached one of the Citadel member governments, especially the Hierarchy, they'd try to take action. Which was the exact opposite of what was needed. Yinari had enough leverage in her own government to silence any inconvenient questions, and Salarian Councilors kept so many secrets from their government that adding one more to the pile was negligible. But turian councilors were different. They were actively subordinate to their government. If a turian councilor learned of the truth, they'd go straight to the Primarch. Yuzwin might be right, they might be able to convince Galathor of the importance of secrecy.

But he'd still just go to the Primarch anyway, his own opinions be damned. Because it was his duty.

Yuzwin shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "What is our course of action, then? Batarians unlikely to accept a peace deal. If STG reports are accurate, Hegemony leadership is out for blood."

Yinari rubbed at her face in exhaustion. The short-lived nature of most of the species in the galaxy had at least one positive aspect: When your government is wildly incompetent, you can just wait for them to die. When asari are incompetent, the wait is very, very long. Yinari's predecessor had held her office for three centuries. An unprecedented amount of time, even by asari standards. She'd held onto power with the help of a relentless, utterly corrupt political machine that had been under construction for the better part of her lifetime. She had been completely untouchable, the most politically powerful being in Citadel history. Unfortunately, her skill at gaining power was inversely proportional to her skill at using it. She had presided over the darkest period of the Citadel since the Krogan Rebellions, and she had done it while sweeping every election. Fiscally, legally, and societally, the Citadel was a ruin because of her tenure. But only behind the scenes. Outwardly, she had presented her reign as a "Golden Age". The illusion was so convincing that she still had high approval ratings, a century after her death. Yinari had spent her entire tenure cleaning up the mess, as quietly as possible.

She took her hands from her face and looked up at the Salarian. "I know Yuzwin, I've read the same damned reports. We're still going to hold the conference. We have to make peace, one way of the other."

"...How?"

Yinari felt another weight in her soul. The sensation of another sin being added to the pile. She had fought fire with fire. Corruption with corruption. She'd used the same ruthless, underhanded tactics her predecessor had, but for the opposite effect. Or so she hoped. The footage of the batarian atrocities might have caused others in her position to have doubts. It had the opposite effect on Yinari. She wasn't surprised by the footage, because she knew what life outside of the Citadel meant. Poverty, sky-high crime, endemic corruption, endless war. The Citadel was the only thing keeping the galaxy from tearing itself asunder. Goddess, the Citadel had saved the galaxy. Twice. To preserve the single most important institution to ever exist, there was no sin that wasn't worth bearing.

Goddess forgive me.

"We'll make a deal with the Batarians. They will give terms. The terms will be terrible. The humans will accept them, or we will make them accept them."


October 18, 2089

United Nations Lunar Headquarters

Secretary General Bathusi Molefe scrutinized the communication along with the rest of his cabinet. It was a lot of formal and flowery prose that could be summarized in one sentence: The Batarians were willing to negotiate a peace deal, and the Citadel was willing to mediate. Bathusi looked out over the faces of his cabinet as they finished reading, and then asked the obvious question.

"Well? Should we accept the offer?"

Defense Minister Udayar spoke first. "To be blunt, our chances of actually winning this war border on non-existent. The best case scenario has always been a favorable peace deal."

Bathusi turned to look at Minister of State Hopkins. "And can we get that, Gerald?"

The Minister of State looked troubled. "Difficult to say, sir. Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Council has a vested interest in undermining the Batarians. On paper, the Hegemony is their primary strategic rival, and the only polity in the discovered galaxy that can come even close to threatening them."

He stroked his chin nervously. "However, our 'conventional wisdom' , is borne of human brains, human ideas, human values. We are not dealing with humans. I believe that the Council wants us in their camp, as that's what seems logical to me. Yet, I can't guarantee that they'll believe the same."

Bathusi quirked an eyebrow. "So, we are to consider them irrational actors?"

The Minister shook his head. " 'Irrational' is the wrong word. It's less that they are not rational, and more that their concept of what's 'rational' might be different to our own."

He looked back at the Secretary General. "My main point is that we can assume nothing. We cannot go in under the assumption that the Council will favor us, just because our human perspective makes it seem like they would. I think we should be prepared for terms far harsher than we might expect."

The Defense Minister nodded her agreement. "I think along similar lines. The Citadel had the chance to bring a new ally into the fold, and to undermine their rival. And instead they did nothing, and left us completely in the cold. We cannot assume their rationale will be the same as our own."

Bathusi looked at the faces of the other ministers, and found many of them showing signs of agreement. He mulled it over.

"Well, if we're going to be taking a pessimistic approach, then what concessions are we prepared to make?"

Minister Hopkins gave a half smile. "Perhaps the easier question is, 'What concessions are we not prepared to make?"

The Secretary General gave it genuine thought. "Nothing that we have currently colonized, and nothing that's close to our colonies either. I'm not interested in having to share a star cluster with the batarians."

There were nods from the cabinet

Minister Udayar chimed in as well. "Somewhat obvious, but any kind of disarmament or demilitarization clause is out of the question."

More nods.

Bathusi's expression hardened. "They must repatriate every human captive taken, without exception

Some more hesitant nods at that.

Minister Hopkins sighed internally. It seemed he was destined to play the villain in every meeting.

"It is painful sir, but this must be said. Can we risk a peace deal this important on something that is, if we're being truthful, strategically negligible? To put it more bluntly, is this a hill we're willing to die on?"

Bathusi steepled his hands and looked at the Minister of State. He respected the man a great deal. He was someone who was willing to say the unpopular things and ask the unpleasant questions. It was what made him a good advisor. So, he let the mild agitation at the question go and filled in the space with the respect and professional rapport he had with Gerald Hopkins.

Bathusi nodded. "On paper, you have a point. However, I believe you are discounting public opinion. Even if we set aside morality and look at it dispassionately, we still must insist on repatriation. Our organization has gone to great lengths to build trust. In our institutions, in our values, and in our ability to protect them. The nations of the world handed the reigns for the human species to us, because they believed our best hope was in cooperation. This government was founded under the understanding that we would protect and defend all of humanity against alien threats. We've earned the people's trust in our ability to do that, but it is fragile. It's barely been two generations since we took the reigns. There are plenty of people around who remember the world before us. This is the first real test of our ability to defend the human race. If we consign tens of thousands of people to captivity, it would destroy what trust we have managed to build from the people. Our reputation will be tarnished. So, I disagree with the idea that it is 'strategically negligible'. I believe it to be strategically vital."

The Secretary General smiled. "That's my 'rational' argument, but it's somewhat disingenuous, as my true motivation is much more...emotional."

His face turned serious again, and he looked each member of the cabinet in the eyes.

"Tens of thousands of people taken. Not dozens, not hundreds. Tens of thousands. If they remain in captivity, some will inevitably reproduce. If they are left to rot, there will eventually be millions of humans held in slavery. Generations of people will grow up in chains beneath an alien whip. I refuse to allow that to happen."

Gerald, who had listened patiently as he always did, smiled. "Well said."

There were nods and words of affirmation from the cabinet, given significantly more confidently than before.

Gerald's smile didn't leave his face. Just because he believed it needed to be said didn't mean he agreed with it. The job of the Devil's Advocate did not require agreement.

The Secretary General laced his fingers together. "Alright then, let's draw up some plans for these talks."


October 25, 2089

Temporary Human Embassy, Citadel

Saito Misumi took a sip of her tea, relishing its unique flavor. The Asari blew every other species out of the water when it came to creature comforts, and their tea was no exception. She set the cup down regretfully and looked at her superior, Jessica Okoro, who sat across from her. She decided to start the conversation.

"So, how's Henry these days?"

Jessica smiled. "Well, he's gone from being the unofficial ambassador to the Migrant Fleet to being the official ambassador to the Migrant Fleet."

Saito rolled her eyes jokingly. "Sometimes I wish you'd kept Henry here and had made my entire career instead."

Jessica smiled wider. "Don't discount our boy too much. If he'd dropped the ball, it wouldn't have "made" his career, it would have ended it. They wouldn't have promoted him if he wasn't doing a damned good job."

"Fine, but I still call dibs on making first contact with the next alien refugee fleet we run into."

"I'll take it under advisement."

Saito chuckled and took another sip of tea. She took a cautious step into more serious conversation territory.

"So...you haven't said much about the talks."

Jessica grimaced. "Not much to say."

"I take it you're not a fan of the idea."

"My job is to make the talks work, and to get the best possible deal we can from the Batarians. My personal opinion about the talks themselves is irrelevant."

Saito smiled. "Then let's talk about irrelevant things."

Jessica rolled her eyes at the feeble attempt at humor. "Fine, here's my opinion: We can't trust the Batarians."

This time it was Saito's turn to roll her eyes. "My, what a controversial take. I can see why you were keeping it to yourself. Wouldn't want that to get out."

"I'm being serious, Saito. Why would the Batarians pick now to hold diplomatic talks? They've just had the first foreign attack on their territory since the Krogan Rebellions. Everything we know about them tells us that this should be taken as a grievous, unforgivable insult. Instead, they want to make a deal. Why? It makes no sense. They have to be up to something."

"The Council must be leaning on them." Saito suggested.

Jessica shook her head. "At first glance it looks like that, but why would the Council wait until after the war breaks out to lean on the Batarians? If they had leverage, why wouldn't they use it before, when it actually made sense?"

Saito looked thoughtful. "Maybe the Council is the one who is up to something. Perhaps they want us under their thumb, and they're using our security as leverage."

"Not a bad guess, but I'm inclined to think otherwise. The simple reality is that they already had that leverage. We basically threw ourselves on their mercy, and they didn't life a finger. If they'd helped us before, they'd have leverage, and our goodwill. Now, even in the best case scenario for them, there will still be bad blood between humanity and the Council. At best, we'll be a begrudging ally, at worst we'd be actively opposed to them. If bringing us into their camp was the goal, they had far better opportunities than this to do it."

Saito gave a grunt of a laugh. "Maybe they're just incompetent."

Jessica laughed as well. "It's not impossible, but I wouldn't count on it. You don't get to be in charge of the largest civilization in galactic history by being stupid. Or, at least, I'd like to believe that."

She returned to a serious expression and looked at Saito.

"Truth be told, I think the explanation is even simpler than that. I don't know if it's the Hegemony or the Council, but somebody knows something we don't."


Jessica stepped out of the car, her two ranger guards (the only staff she'd been permitted to take along) in tow. A private dinner with the Asari Councilor was not Jessica's idea of a good way to spend her evening, but if she wanted the talks to succeed she'd just have to endure the woman's company. She came to the door, and was scanned by the security team. Her ranger guards were left to man their posts outside the door, much to their chagrin. Jessica entered the Councilor's residence, and was greeted by Yinari.

"Ambassador Okoro, good evening to you." the asari said.

"And to you as well." Jessica said with a nod.

"Apologies for the strictness of the security, in such sensitive times giving the press fuel for the fire is unwise. One errant photo taken of us and we have tabloids spewing nonsense about "illicit affairs". Trust me, it's happened before."

Jessica chuckled. "Well, I don't think there should be any concern about that, I tend to prefer a more, uh, male, sort of company."

Jessica was satisfied at the slight flash of annoyance on the Asari's face. It had become clear that the Councilor did not appreciate being treated as though she was equivalent to a human woman. Jessica had a strong suspicion that it had more to do with her sense of superiority than her sense of gender identity. Which was why Jessica took every opportunity to draw a comparison between human women and asari, no matter how subtle.

Jessica mentally kicked herself.

Damnit Okoro, you're supposed to be getting her on your side, you lackwit.

Yinari led Jessica through her home to the dining room, where appetizers were already on the table.

"Please, help yourself." the asari said, gesturing to the table. She moved to take a seat on the side opposite of Jessica.

Jessica looked over the food with a slight hesitation, not so much because of the food itself but rather because of its source. She gave a mental shrug.

She may be a treacherous bitch who abandoned my species to a bunch of slaving tyrants, but that doesn't mean her food will taste bad.

She eyed a cut of meat from an animal she had probably never heard of and forked it onto her plate.


One of the benefits of socializing with the most powerful people in the known galaxy was the food quality. It was foreign to Jessica, but it was still excellent. Conversation had been limited between the pair during the meal, with Yinari dodging any concrete discussion of the talks. The meal had been comparatively short by the standards of the official banquets Jessica had attended, being only a single course after the appetizers, with "desert" taking the form of some expensive alcohol. Jessica was sharing a bottle of hideously expensive Asari wine that tasted like the product of a forbidden affair between a pear and a banana with the Councilor when the Asari did something that surprised her: she took off the diplomatic mask and spoke plainly.

"I must commend you on going to the quarians behind my back. It's not a play I thought you'd have the gumption to make."

Jessica finished her glass of liquid courage and gave a crooked smile. "Yes, well, when the supposed galactic peacekeepers decide they don't have to keep the peace, you have to get a little creative."

Yinari laughed. "Of course, 'creative', I suppose that's the most generous term I could apply to it. Your supposed diplomatic master stroke accomplished nothing except to generate needless strife in an already difficult time."

It was Jessica's turn to laugh. "Right, of course. What would you have us do, when you are the one who denied us a peaceful resolution? Grab our ankles and ask the batarians to be gentle?"

She leaned forward, anger catching her. "And I think saying it 'accomplished nothing' is some wishful thinking on your part. Our partnership with the Quarians enabled our greatest military victory of the war thus far."

Yinari leaned forward herself. "Your 'victory' did indeed 'accomplish nothing', except to turn an already difficult situation into an impossible situation."

Jessica gave a ruthless grin. "I can think of about thirty thousand people who'd disagree with you."

"You've won the popularity contest for the moment, granted, but you've backed the batarians into a corner. Because of humanity's little 'victory' the Batarians are out for blood, you threw any hope for a peaceful resolution out of the window."

Jessica fumed. "Then why am I here?"

Yinari finished her own glass and tapped her finger against it, looking at it thoughtfully. She abruptly changed the subject. "You should know, this dinner officially never happened. You've probably surmised that I had more ambitious intentions for this evening than a meal and a verbal sparring match."

Jessica waited expectantly.

Yinari seemed almost to steel herself, and then began. "You're here because, Goddess knows how, I've managed to bring the Batarians to the table. They're willing to make a deal. It will be a...decidedly unpleasant deal, but it's the best that you can hope for with the errors you've made."

Jessica held her tongue. Barely. She swallowed the almost overpowering rage the insufferable Asari's comment had filled her with and asked a question instead.

"What are the terms?"

"Relatively simple. First: You are to relinquish all claims to the region you know as the 'Attican Traverse' and recognize its boundaries as being Hegemony territory."

Jessica grimaced, but ultimately that wasn't the worst thing they could demand.

"Second: You are to cede all star clusters recognized as being within the local network of all the primary relays within this new Hegemony border."

That one was significantly more painful. That was effectively giving up the entire frontier of human territory to the Hegemony. No one actually lived there, beyond a few scattered research bases and Space Force supply outposts, but that wasn't what hurt. This was the future of human colonization and exploration, and it would have to be handed over to the Hegemony. It meant that human civilization would plateau in its expansion far more rapidly than it would have otherwise.

"Third: A five hundred light year demilitarized zone will be established along the border between UN and Hegemony space."

"We will not disarm."

Yinari didn't even blink. "They're not asking you to. You can have as many weapons as you'd like, they just can't exist within the DMZ."

"So, we abandon our forward positions, and leave ourselves wide open to attack. In exchange, the batarians agree to not militarize an area of space they don't have any presence in to begin with. How generous."

Yinari rubbed her forehead. "Please let me finish."

Jessica gave a begrudging nod.

"Fourth and final: These demands will be solidified with a treaty that will be signed in a public ceremony. They have very specific demands for this ceremony, and will call off the entire deal if they are not met."

"What the hell kind of demand is that?"

"This is the Hegemony we're talking about. The optics are just as, if not more important to them as the actual strategic gains. The basic "script" for the ceremony is pretty simple: The batarian envoy will present you with a list of demands. You will convene with your government to discuss it for a noticeably brief amount of time, and then you will immediately submit to all of the Hegemony's demands. In full view of the press. The propaganda value of such a spectacle was enough, just barely, to get them to the table."

Jessica was honestly shocked. That was even more brazen than their actual demands. "So, we have to neuter our expansion, cripple our defense, and then, to top it all off, they expect us to publicly prostrate ourselves before them? What, if I might ask, are we supposed to be getting out of this?"

Yinari shrugged and gave a half-smile that was the closest thing to a genuine one she'd ever given Jessica. "Your continued existence?"

Jessica frowned.

Yinari sighed. "You pissed them off. It's a miracle that I was even able to talk them down to these terms. They're not going to give you anything. The Council, however, is willing to offer you...guarantees."

Jessica narrowed her eyes. "I'm listening."

"A fast track to becoming a Citadel race, for starters, with all of the benefits, such as economic aid, technology sharing, and full access to our markets. Not to mention the security guarantees."

"You're joking, right? You're giving me guarantees now?"

Yinari sighed again. The most convincing lie had a kernel of truth. "We have the capacity to protect your space, or to fight a war with the Batarians. We cannot do both at the same time."

Jessica felt her blood run cold. "...It's that bad?"

"Yes."

There was no hesitation in her answer, no diplomatic shenanigans, no veiled threats. Just fact.

God help us, she's telling the truth.

Jessica cleared her throat, her voice came out hoarse. "D-...do you have a copy of those terms in writing?"


Two days later

Yinari's skin crawled as she dined across from Altymir Uthbar. Looking at the man was like looking into an empty pit. He was in a way the quintessential batarian: Cunning, keenly aware of his own self interest, and possessing a complete and utter lack of scruples. He'd probably murder his own family if he perceived it as being to his own benefit. Goddess, for all she knew he had already done that. Batarian aristocrats had a very literal interpretation of "cut throat politics". Necessity might mean she had to make nice with the soulless reptile across from her, but that didn't make him any less repulsive.

He finished what was in his glass and smiled. "An excellent wine. I'll have to secure some to bring home to my own cellar."

Yinari smiled as well. "I'll have one of my aids send you the contact details of the winemaker."

"Thank you." He wiped his mouth. He drummed his fingers on the table, looking at her with that same vaguely amused expression he seemed to always be wearing.

"I'm going to hazard a guess that you had more ambitious intentions for this evening than a discussion about wines."

Yinari nodded. "Correct. The humans have agreed to your terms, with one addition."

Altymir grinned. "This should be good."

Yinari swallowed her annoyance at his demeanor and went on. "They want all human captives taken in the war to be repatriated to their space, under the organization of Citadel inspectors."

Altymir nodded. "That can probably be arranged. I don't anticipate the Ruling Council refusing that addition."

Yinari was immediately suspicious. She'd expected to have to haggle. "Just like that?"

Altymir paused. "They do not expect it to be done publicly, do they? We can keep it quiet?"

"Well, yes, but-"

Altymir interrupted. "Then, yes. It is indeed 'just like that.' "

He grinned again. "We effectively double our territory, secure it via a demilitarized zone, and get the biggest diplomatic and military victory for the Hegemony in modern history, all for a pittance worth of slaves? That's a bargain. It's infinitely cheaper to compensate the slaves' owners than it is to beat the humans into submission."

His words left Yinari a little...deflated. She shrugged mentally. Their values were completely opposite her own, but that didn't make them stupid. Strategically, it was the correct move to make based on the information they had available to them. They had started the war based on pragmatic opportunism. Now, they were ending it based on that very same pragmatism. From a purely objective point of view...she could see the logic of it. That didn't mean it didn't leave her feeling hollow inside.

Yinari nodded slowly. "Very well. You'll have your show, the humans get their people back, and the galaxy avoids the worst war since the Krogan Rebellions."

Altymir somehow became even more smarmy. He poured himself another drink and raised the glass. "Diplomacy triumphs once again."

He downed the glass, and Yinari's skin started crawling again.


November 7, 2089

The entire galaxy watched through the extranet as Jessica Okoro, accompanied by an honor guard of rangers in full dress uniform, approached the ornate table that the supposed "talks" would be taking place on. She took her seat at one end of the table, and her guard moved to take up formation behind her.

Another set of doors opened, and Altymir Uthbar entered, an honor guard of warrior caste men in full traditional garb following him. He took the seat opposite Jessica and his guards took up formation behind him.

The last to enter was the Citadel Council. The asari, turian, and salarian took their seats at the side of the table, between the human and the batarian. Six soldiers, two of each race, took up positions on either side of them. It was a strange setup for diplomatic talks. Normally, such talks would happen over days, behind closed doors, with actual discussion being had. Of course, these were not diplomatic talks. This was a drama being played out on stage. There would be no negotiations. The batarians would present their demands to the humans, and the humans would submit before them publicly. The intent was to demonstrate the dominance of the Hegemony. To portray at as truly being an equal player in galactic politics.

It was something that still baffled Jessica, even now. She had no idea what was going on in Council space that justified the Council giving such legitimacy to their only real rival, but it was terrifying to think about. She hoped they figured it out soon, because humanity had been strong-armed into their camp now. Being lashed to a sinking ship was not a pleasant prospect.

Yinari, stiff and formal, began things.

"This is the beginning of the official peace discussion between the Batarian Hegemony and the Human United Nations. The representative from the Hegemony will begin with a proposal."

She looked at Altymir. "You have the floor, sir."

"Thank you Councilor."

He stood up. "This war began some time ago due to unwarranted aggression by the United Nations in response to private Hegemony citizens informing them of interstellar law regarding the opening of new prime relays."

Jessica's eye twitched at the blatant fabrication.

"The conflict has claimed many lives, and the United Nations has wisely chosen to return to diplomacy to discuss matters like civilized beings. In the spirit of reconciliation, the Hegemony has drafted a proposal that will bring lasting peace, and prove beneficial to both nations."

Jessica was more surprised than outraged. She didn't think even the Hegemony was delusional enough to believe that they could sell this treaty as being mutually beneficial. She glanced at Yinari. Her expression was completely blank, which meant she was concealing her reactions. This was unexpected for her.

Jessica's heart rate increased.

Altymir went on. "The Hegemony proposes the beginning of a strategic partnership with the United Nations, with the intent of economic, military, and diplomatic cooperation. Like all of the Hegemony's partners, the UN will enjoy complete security guarantees, backed up by the Hegemony navy, along with free commerce and exchange with Hegemony and other Partner markets. In exchange, the UN need only pay its dues to the Partnership fund, in the form of currency, resources, or manufactured goods, as all of our partners do. All of your internal policies and legal proceedings will be left at your discretion. Unlike the Citadel, the Hegemony Partnership Program has no interest in dictating how our members run their own civilizations."

He gave a vile, condescending smile. "We sincerely hope that humanity accepts our offer, and we look forward to centuries of mutual benefit in the future."

There was dead silence in the meeting chambers. Jessica looked at the three Council members. Galathor looked genuinely shocked, Yuzwin had an ever so slightly dower expression on his face, and Yinari's expression had grown more blank and neutral than Jessica had ever seen before.

My God, they didn't know.

Galathor seemed to recover first, and managed to stammer out a sentence. "You cannot seriously expect them to just...bend the knee to you like this, surely not?"

Altymir turned his smile on the turian. "How interesting that you of all the Councilors would be the one to take issue. Does the Hierarchy not have similar arrangements with partners of its own?"

"That's not...that is hardly the same thing. We were not actively making war on our...partners only days before we made our proposal to them. Surely an armistice, followed by a diplomatic dialogue, would be a much more reasonable-"

Altymir interrupted. "I'm afraid this is the only offer the Hegemony is prepared to make, Councilor. Any other arrangement would simply not be possible for us to accept."

He looked at Jessica. "The actual details can be arranged at a later date, but we will need the United Nations' commitment to the partnership to be made now."

Jessica looked at Yinari again. She seemed to be looking intently at the batarian. Searching for something. Jessica cleared her throat.

"An agreement must be made, immediately?"

Altymir nodded. "Well, not necessarily at this exact second, but today. You will, naturally, have to convene with your government first. Once you have reached a decision, we can take the discussion further from there."

Yinari tried to jump in. "Perhaps, instead, we can all take a brief recess to assess the situation and-"

Jessica stood up. "I think not, Councilor. The situation seems to be very clear. I will take this offer to my government."


As Yinari watched the human turn to leave the room, she knew complete, genuine despair for the first time in her life. The batarians had completely outplayed her. In her desperation for a way out of the war, she'd swallowed their ruse hook, line, and sinker. She looked at the bastard, Alytmir.

They knew. Somehow, they'd guessed that we wouldn't, couldn't intervene. That's why they were willing to fight the war in the first place. Goddess, that might even be why they left the Citadel when they did.

The crash Yinari had spent nearly a century trying to avoid would be coming now, no matter what. It was a perfect trap. If the Citadel joined the war, the economy would crash. If they stayed out of the war, the internal instability resulting from it would also crash the economy.

That's why they agreed to these talks. That's why they wanted this event to be publicized. They weren't aiming just for the humans, they wanted to damage us as well.

Yinari looked to her fellow Councilors. "Perhaps we should take a recess as well."

There were nods from them and a nod from Altymir. The trio got up and left the room. When they were behind closed doors, Galathor looked at Yinari accusingly.

"That? That was your 'plan'?"

Yinari wanted very badly to find somewhere private where she could cry in peace, but she'd have to deal with this first.

"No, Galathor, that wasn't my idea. The proposal the batarians presented to me was completely different."

Galthor fumed. "Oh, I see, so not only did you make under handed dealings with the enemy, you let them play you for a fool too."

'I'm not-...that wasn't my-..."

Galathor blew up. "Why are we even having these talks? Why are we just giving the batarians the advantage, over and over again? What the hells is going on?"

Yuzwin answered. "State of Citadel economy...limits options."

Galathor looked at him like he was an idiot. "You've let all this happen...for the economy."

The salarian nodded. "Yes."

Galathor straightened. "I'm assuming this is an incredibly feeble attempt at humor."

Yinari had felt a flash of anger at Yuzwin revealing the secret without her consent, but it had faded. A relief more powerful than anything she'd ever felt before washed over her as she finally let it all spill, for the first time in a hundred years.

"No, it's not a joke. Councilor Alizarit's extended tenure left the Citadel in the worst state since the Krogan Rebellions. We have been one disaster away from complete institutional collapse for my entire tenure."

Galathor was baffled. "Do you honestly expect me to believe that this is somehow a secret only you know? Sure, we've been in and out of recession for the past few decades, but I don't see how that means the entire Citadel will collapse."

"It's not any one economy that is the problem, Galathor. It's the Citadel itself. It's the framework the interconnects all of the economies and institutions of the member races. And it's a sham. Phony. I've been spending decades trying to turn it around, restore all of our ruined institutions, but every time I put out one fire another one starts elsewhere. The entire institution of the Citadel Council is on the constant verge of complete implosion."

"How is that even possible!" Galathor blurted.

"I've been fabricating the numbers for the budget." she said.

There, it's out now. A horrible weight was now off her chest as she revealed her greatest sin of all.

There was complete silence from both Councilors as they looked at her in horror. Even Yuzwin was astonished. He'd known things were bad, obviously. He hadn't known that Yinari was actively committing fraud with the entire Citadel budget.

Yuzwin broke the silence first. "Explanation. Now."

It came tumbling out of her. "You of course know that we have been deficit spending for years now. What you didn't know was just how big the deficit was. All of those programs and initiatives and new departments of government that Alizarit introduced to boost her numbers and keep herself in office? The cost wasn't just excessive, it was ruinous. At the height of her power, the Council's expenditure was almost eighty times its actual revenue."

"That's...that just can't be possible. How could she even do that?" Galathor asked.

"She fudged the numbers. She falsified reports, spread disinformation, and paid off or threatened whistleblowers."

Yuzwin's face was grim. "Alright, will accept that as true. How did you keep it secret, then?"

"I...inherited most of her political assets-Goddess, let's just call it what it is-her conspiracy. I've kept the actual budget of the Citadel a secret using the resources she left behind."

Galathor was no longer surprised. Now he was just terrified. "You've spent your entire tenure falsifying the budget?"

Yinari went on the defensive. "It was the only way! If I went public, it would be the end of everything. No one would ever trust the Citadel as an institution again. I've been trying to wean us off of the deficit spending, bit by bit. Some things I could get rid of quietly, but remember, she was in office for three hundred years. Some of the things she introduced have been around so long they're an entire institution in of themselves. I've managed to bring our expenditure down to about twelve times our revenue, but-"

Galthor was actually shouting now. "Oh, great work! 'Only' twelve times our revenue!" He rubbed his face, feeling ill. "Spirits preserve us, this can't be happening."

He looked up at Yinari, filled with rage. "Why are Yuzwin and I only learning of this now? What possessed you to keep it from us?"

"I kept it from you. And your predecessors. I needed the help, so I usually told the salarian councilors the truth-"

"Partial truth." Yuzwin interrupted. "Was not aware of outright fabrication of numbers."

Galathor looked like he was on the verge of violence. "Why keep it from only the turian Councilors?"

Yinari had never actually expected to have to explain herself on this particular point. "I...I knew that you-and your predecessors-would go to the Primarch and tell them everything. If one of our member governments knew, and investigated the matter further, it would bring everything crumbling down."

Galathor was quiet for a long moment. "...That's it then, is it? That's all we are to you. Your people." He looked at Yuzwin. "Both of your people."

He was dangerously calm. "We're just your attack varren. Good for keeping the neighbors in line, but too stupid to be part of the real decisions, right? Just a replacement for the Krogan."

He looked at Yinari with hate. "Why have you decided to finally come clean now, of all times?"

Yinari had decided to not wait until she was alone to start crying. She smiled an empty smile, tears running down her face. "Because it's already over. The Citadel is finished. There's no scenario in which it doesn't all completely unravel now"

Galathor stiffened. "You are correct, Councilor. The Citadel is finished. Because of you, not Alizarit. You chose to keep the lie going. You chose to irreparably destroy the trust between our peoples. Because you were right, I will inform the Primarch of this, and he will be even more outraged by this than I am, and I would be very surprised if our membership in the Citadel survives it."

He came close to the asari, looking her straight in the eye. "It wasn't the economy, or the debt, or the corruption that killed this Council. It was the lies. Your lies."

He turned away from her and left the room.

Yinari turned to Yuzwin. "Yuzwin, I-"

The salarian didn't even look at her, he just left the room as well.

Yinari watched him leave, and then she collapsed against the wall. Galathor was right. It was her fault. All her fault. Three thousand years of civilization would come crumbling down, and everything she had done to stop it was all for nothing.

The sound of the Asari councilor weeping echoed after the other two Councilors.


"What went wrong? Why are the batarians doing this?" the Secretary General asked.

Jessica answered over the video call. "They played the asari Councilor for a fool. I don't know why the Council has been so hesitant to take action, but I'm guessing the batarians do, somehow. They've probably been banking on it since they started this war. That's why they wanted it to be public, so they could undermine the Council's legitimacy."

The Secretary General looked grim at that. " I see. So, for all intents and purposes, the Council can offer us nothing."

He turned to his cabinet. "Options?"

Minister Hopkins spoke first. "At the risk of stating the obvious, there's really only two choices here: accept or refuse. I find it incredibly unlikely that the batarians will renegotiate any aspect of the contract. I suspect that the true purpose of the war is to legitimize themselves as a galactic power, and present themselves as an alternative to the Citadel. Either we accept and they demonstrate their soft power, or we refuse and they demonstrate their military power. Either way they win."

Bathusi looked too his defense minister. "What hope do we have of resisting?"

Minister Udayar looked uncomfortable at his question. She cleared her throat. "Realistically, sir...not a lot. No matter how well we fight, the enemy has been building starships since we were figuring out sailing ships. Their war machine completely outclasses our own in every way. We could win every battle and they'd still win the war by attrition alone. In addition, there's a very real chance they get their hands on more detailed maps of our territory. Of Earth. With so many people taken captive, it's really only a matter of time until they piece it together. If they make a direct run at Earth, we'd be forced to confront them with our full strength, and we'd almost certainly lose. And this is assuming they're using the amount of ships they currently have deployed. If we're right and they know something we don't about the Council, then there's a chance they'll be able to free up ships that are currently in defensive deployments and send them to fight. "

Bathusi put his hands together and rested his head on them. "What about the quarians. What are our chances with them on our side."

Udayar sighed. "Their flight is gigantic. Even if only a fifth of their ships are actually combat-worthy, it would still mean we'd be fighting a completely different war. Of course, it's a moot point because, with respect sir, the quarians have already refused to join the war."

Bathusi turned his gaze back to Hopkins. "Can they be convinced to join us, given the new information?"

Hopkins grimaced. "Sir, they're already anxious about what little aid and cooperation they've given us already. The 'new information' might make them less likely to join, not more. If we're assuming that there's no longer any hope of Council intervention, then they might get jumpy. Hell, sir, I can't even guarantee they'll keep giving the aid they already have."

"We have to try, damn it!" Bathusi shocked the whole cabinet with his vehemence.

He looked at all of them, one at a time. "Do you not understand things? Do you not see what they are trying to do? The batarians are trying to contest the Council's dominance. If we submit to them, we surrender our future. Our descendants will grow up under the batarian boot. We will be their slaves, and we'll be pawns in their game against the Council. I will not allow this species to become aligned with evil. You are wrong Hopkins, there are not two choices, because we never really had a choice at all."

There was steel in his eyes as he looked at his cabinet. "If the Council isn't willing to stand against this evil, then we will."

He turned to Jessica. "Go. Give the batarians our answer. We will not let the galaxy fall to the Hegemony without a fight."

Jessica nodded and cut the connection.


Jessica entered the meeting chambers, and the press came to attention as they prepared to document the events that were about to unfold. She came to her end of the table, but did not sit down.

Altymir spoke first. "Ah, Ambassador, welcome back. Unfortunately, the Council has not deigned to rejoin us, so-"

"Their presence will not be necessary." Jessica said.

Altymir's smug expression did not change at the interruption.

Jessica dropped all diplomatic pretense and looked at the man with disgust. "You stand here and project confidence, strength. You'd have us think you invincible. But you and I both know the truth, don't we? That it's a sham, an act. Because it isn't strength that civilizations like yours are built on, it's weakness. Fear. Fear of your rivals, fear of outsiders, fear of your own people. So you and your fellows try and make everyone else more afraid than you are. You'd have us look at the Hegemony and see an unassailable tyrant, an impenetrable fortress. I'll tell you what I see: a bomb, waiting to go off. How many millions of your own people do you hold in chains? How many billions more do you oppress in other ways? One spark in the wrong place will light the fuse, and then that bomb will go off. Your own people will rip you and those like you limb from limb. And when I look at your mangled corpses, there is an ancient human phrase that will fit the situation best..."

She smacked her hands on the table and gave a feral grin. "Sic Semper Tyrannus!"

She looked at the cameras, grin still on her face. "Let all of the free peoples of this galaxy know, if the Council will not stand against tyranny, then they may rally their banners with us instead."

There was an uproar from the watching crowd of media. Amidst the chaos, Altymir rose to his feet and walked casually over to Jessica. He was quiet, only Jessica could hear him.

"The Ruling Council was convinced that you couldn't possibly be so stupid as to believe you'd be able to fight us and win. Any rational being would see that this was the best offer they could hope for, surely. I told them that they should expect the opposite. Because your species is foolish, to its core. You believe that passionate speeches and a 'noble cause' will win the day, in defiance of reality. I hope you survive the coming storm, so that I can see you in chains, naked, bloodied, utterly broken. Reduced to the animal you've always been. I want to watch you weep as you understand that every human child birthed after you will have no life except toil and abuse. No higher meaning except the worship of their masters. All of your history, every hero, every villain, every philosopher, every prophet, every struggle for your future. All of it will amount to nothing. I want to see the look in your eyes when you finally come to understand that there is no justice in this universe. None."

His smile had never left his face, but it had grown sinister now. "Goodbye, Ambassador." He turned to leave.

Jessica would like to have said that she had been filled with bravado as she listened to the batarian's words. That they had had no effect on her. But that would be a lie.

She imagined the future he described to her, and felt a shiver of terror.