Chapter 6: Jump into the Unknown
February 27.
Followed by the Constantinople, the Normandy was the first to leave hyperspace in front of the Utegetu Nebula.
Shepard was on the bridge, looking outside of the viewport while Mazak steered the Normandy toward one of the few access paths inside the colorful mass of gas.
"Welcome to the Utegetu Nebula." the Zabrak commented. "Home to fourteen inhabitable planets and gateway for the Unknown Regions."
"Remind me again why is this the limit of galactic civilization in Andromeda?" Jane asked, unsure whether she remembered the explanation from the Codex.
"Well, because hyperspace travel can only happen if the path in front of you it's clear. On this side of the galaxy, we gradually mapped the main routes and the database for our navicomputers are constantly updated by the Bureau of Ships and Services, which, surprisingly, despite now being a nationalized imperial society, still grants everybody access to the maps. Even to the New Republic."
"Now that's what I call surprising." Jane quipped.
"Yeah, but don't forget that, if they deny the nations of the UACT access to their database, then it means that imperial ships would have a hard time navigating those systems, as well, thus preventing them from recapturing said planets."
Jane hummed in understanding. "So why the Unknown Regions are still uncharted?"
"Because hyperspace lanes there shift continuously. Between gravitational anomalies, supernovas exploding at random and propelling new objects in the way...it's called 'the Chaos' for a reason."
"So it's impossible to establish permanent lanes?"
"There are a few that are more or less stable, but they are still a hassle to navigate. So even after tens of thousands of years since the foundation of the Republic, the galactic community never really pushed into that part of the galaxy. The frontier worlds do have some form of contact with the local species. For example, I had already heard about the Chiss like Thrawn."
"And the Kett are new to you, as well?"
"Absolutely. I never saw anything like them."
"Shepard, the Constantinople is in position and waiting." EDI announced.
"Tell them to stay vigilant. Our imperial counterparts should be here shortly."
EDI transmitted the orders and now the crew could only wait. Jane decided to descend to Deck 3 and take a quick drink, cause she felt she was going to need it for whatever was going to happen next. And it was in the Port observatory that she found Garrus and Tali doing the same while talking.
"...all the way to another galaxy and we're going to jump into a region that even here is completely unknown." the Turian was noting in his usual ironic tone.
"We are following a Shepard. Did you expect anything less?" Tali chuckled.
"Then I'm glad I have two veterans of going into suicide explorations." Jane said as she walked to reach the opposite side of the table, since the dextros were already occupying the bar chairs.
"Oh, hello, Captain." Tali greeted cheerfully.
Jane took the sealed tube of Terranova Brandy and a glass and put them on the table. While she started pouring, Garrus spoke up.
"You were wise to bring us around. But we don't exactly know what we're facing, so I don't know how much our experience might help."
"Yet you subscribed Scott's interpretation that the Kett are acting like the Collectors used to." Shepard replied calmly, putting down the tube.
"I did. Now we need to see whether the Kett are slaves of somebody else, as well, or if they're acting on their own volition. Which would be worse, probably."
"For moral reasons?"
"No, because slaves have limited imagination. They are incapable of adapting unless their masters do that for them. If the Kett are self-intelligent beings, than defeating them will be more difficult."
Jane sipped and had just started to reflect on those words when the voice of Mazak came from the intercom.
"Captain, there is a Star Destroyer coming out of hyperspace."
The three of them were confused at first. A Star Destroyer right away seemed too much for the imperials to send just for reconnaissance. But then Jane was caught by a suspicion.
"Activate the cloaking. EDI, as soon as you identify it, inform me."
"Very well, Shepard." the AI replied.
On her part, Jane went back to the elevator and returned to Deck 2, just in time to see the Star Destroyer come out of hyperspace. It seemed different from the other ships of that type, if only slightly, but still very menacing.
"Identity confirmed, Shepard." EDI said from the copilot seat. "It's the Chimaera, Grand Admiral Thrawn's ship."
"All right, hail them."
EDI complied while Mazak seemed nervous about doing such a thing. Then again, they were out of range of the tractor beam, so they could escape easily, if necessary.
A few moments later, the hologram of the Chiss Grand Admiral appeared on the bridge.
"Captain Shepard." he said politely. "It is an honor to meet you."
"Grand Admiral Thrawn." she replied in kind. "Do I have to conclude that you are our counterpart?"
"Affirmative. The Lord-Protector asked me to establish a permanent base of operations on the other side of the nebula. I was hoping for your cooperation in scouting and finding our common enemy."
Jane hummed positively while retaining an unfazed expression, trying to read the mind of his opponent, who sported what seemed to her like a devious smile. Though Benedetta did say that the Chiss always had his browbones inclined in a way that he always seemed to frown.
"That's why we are here." she replied eventually. "But before we begin this journey, how do you feel about talking with me and my officers face-to-face?" she then asked in a neutral tone.
"I believe it would be an excellent opportunity to establish an indispensable minimum of trust. Would you prefer for me to come aboard one of your frigates?"
"That for sure. I already dislike the fact that you came here aboard a capital ship. You can come on the Normandy with two guards at most. None of us will bring weapons to the talks."
The Chiss made a small nod. "Very well. I'll be there shortly." and the hologram disappeared.
"This is a bad idea." Wilhelm said from his chair on the side of the cockpit. "The guy is famous for understanding his enemies just by looking at their clothes. You sure you want to let him on board?"
Shepard shrugged. "When he was on Earth he read many history books, so I wouldn't be surprised if he already knows where the conference room is. Go get Chief and be ready to escort our guest to the table."
Without question, Wilhelm stood up and headed out to go grab the Legionnaire. Meanwhile, Jane turned toward Mazak. "Call Captain Bridger and tell him to get aboard, too."
"Yes, ma'am." the Zabrak replied.
Jane thus headed toward her cabin and changed into the formal uniform, then returned to Deck 2 to reach the conference room, where she was the first to arrive. Not long after, Jordan Bridger arrived, then, finally, Wilhelm led the imperials inside the section of the ship.
Shepard kept her eyes on Thrawn as he nonchalantly strode toward the room with transparent walls, holding his hands behind his back and followed by two Death Troopers without their weapons. She had long wondered what there was about this blue-skinned alien that inspired both fear and absolute respect in the rebels and even into the Empress of the Imperial Federation.
For sure, those red eyes had something sinister about them, but they weren't necessarily a sign of evil. Probably his absolute confidence and the fact that he was 1.90 meter tall were two factors that made him stand out. Still, she didn't budge as the men took position around the table. Thrawn on her left, the other humans on her right.
Her omni-tool lit up and she swiped the arm toward the entrance, making the transparent door shut. Then it was time to start the conversation.
"So...do you have a plan?" she asked. "I doubt the Lord-Protector would have allowed you to risk your shiny new Star Destroyer into hostile, unknown space."
"Humor." Thrawn commented with a cold yet sarcastic tone. "But yes, I already have a plan. Or to better say: I already know where we are heading."
From one of his pouches, the Chiss took out a small holo-projector and switched it on. It revealed a planet. It had a few continents covered by a dark green that probably signaled jungles, and the oceans were crystal blue.
"After the first encounter with the Kett on Bettok, we sent some probe droids into the Haleus Sector, and they found a planet where we may establish a base of operations. The planet sits behind a black hole, in a system that just so happens to be the first after leaving the Nebula."
"You went to look behind a black hole?" Jordan asked a bit suspicious, a bit surprised.
"One must never leave anything to chance, Captain Bridger." the Chiss replied with his calm demeanor. "Especially against a new enemy. That said, the probe we sent on the surface was destroyed before it could give us an accurate scanning."
"Destroyed by natural occurrence, or by artificial means?" Wilhelm asked.
"The weather was clear at that moment. I'm inclined to believe that it was destroyed by some kind of weapon."
The humans looked at each other in silence. A weapon meant sentient beings using it. And unless they were the Kett, a species that had already attacked the allies of the Federation, Alliance first contact protocols dictated to thread carefully and avoid provocations toward the newly met species.
Thus Jane came up with a solution. "Okay, then I suggest the Normandy alone goes in first and we take a look at the planet. If the Kett occupy it, we call the Constantinople with our quantum communicatorand we attack together. If it's a new people, then we try to negotiate passage with them."
"I think it's a reasonable approach." Thrawn agreed. "But what if the natives reveal themselves as hostiles?"
"In that case, we'll find another place to set our base." Jane said plainly. "We are not going to force our war onto them, if they don't want us."
"May I point out that the more we get inside possible Kett space, the more difficult it will be to supply our forces?" Thrawn simply said.
"We are aware." Wilhelm replied. "But we will abide by the Alliance's rules of engagement. That's not up for debate, Grand Admiral."
"Maybe I didn't express myself correctly." the Chiss calmly answered. "I myself have no interest in making new enemies of the Empire. I was simply suggesting that we should focus all our efforts into finding an agreement with the natives, if there are any on this planet."
"That's all right." Jane reassured. "I, too, would prefer to establish somewhere out of the radars. Now, if there isn't anything else, I should prepare my ship."
"Actually, there is one thing. I ask permission to come personally with you."
The humans at first didn't believe their ears, then realized that the Chiss was being dead serious.
"You mean…on the Normandy?!" Wilhelm asked, clearly offended by the simple proposition.
"I thought my experience in the Unknown Regions might prove valuable in the investigation." he replied with a humble tone.
Jane pondered this for a moment. He had said that he knew nothing about the Haleus Sector, so he was clearly just not boasting about his superior investigative skills. And there was always the chance that whoever lived on that new planet might speak one of the trade languages of the frontier, and Thrawn knew most of them.
"Very well. You can stay." she said in the end.
Both Wilhelm and Jordan barred their eyes.
"Captain, I must object!" Bridger intervened, but Jane cut it short.
"I'm the commander of this ship. This is my final decision."
Seeing that it was useless to discuss any more, Jordan made the salute and returned to his transport for the Constantinople. Wilhelm gave her quite the frustrated glare before returning to his post. But with that said and done, Thrawn was allowed to take temporary residence on the Normandy. When Jane asked if he needed to get anything on the Chimaera, Thrawn answered that there was no need, for he had anticipated a positive answer to his request and there was a chest with his weapons and armor waiting on the shuttle he had connected to the frigate.
March 2.
Kyle brought down another blow rapidly, but Ezra easily parried it, putting him off balance and responding with a quick slash on the man's chest.
Katarn grunted as Ezra's saber, set on training mode, slightly burned him and decreed another victory for the young Knight.
"Spast." he growled as he deactivated his father's lightsaber.
Ezra deactivated his own. "Don't be in a rush. We're doing this mock battles so you can get used to the Forms."
"I know how to wield a vibro-blade." Kyle commented in frustration. "Why does it feel so difficult to use this?"
"A lightsaber is not your regular weapon. The kyber crystal inside of it resonates with the Force. To a certain degree, it has a life of its own."
Kyle raised an eyebrow, unsure if he believed that or not.
"Don't worry." said Luke from the higher gangplank. He was watching the duel with Jaden next to him. "I also found it difficult to understand, at the beginning." he reassured.
He had just said that, when Sabine walked in and spoke to her husband from the high ground.
"Hey, we're coming up on Lianna. You better clean up the sweat before we meet the President."
"Yes ma'am." Ezra quipped. "Come on, people."
Nearly an hour later, the Ghost had been finally authorized to land at the ship park of the Senate, where they were met by a familiar face.
"Master Bridger, it is an honor to meet you again." the man with the full outfit of an attendant said with a respectful leaning of his upper body and his right hand touching it gently.
"Semaj." Ezra greeted merrily. "You seem to be in perfect shape." he added as he walked in front of him.
The man peeked slightly behind Ezra and noticed the new faces.
"Your Padawans, I suppose?"
"Indeed. Allow me to present Kyle Katarn, Jaden Korr and the Hero of Yavin, Luke Skywalker."
Semaj's eyebrows went slightly up, but he retained his composure. "Oh. Nice to meet you, Sir Skywalker."
"Thanks." Luke replied gently.
Semaj turned his attention again toward Ezra and then the rest of the crew of the Ghost that was joining them.
"General Syndulla. Just in time. If you and Master Bridger would follow me, the delegates should be almost ready for the summit."
He had already started walking back toward the entrance that Ezra raised a hand partially and intervened. "Actually, I would like for Commander Skywalker to participate as well."
Hera and Luke turned their heads toward him. Semaj turned around again, unsure if he had the authority to decide that or not.
"Ezra, this is the summit of the UACT. It was strictly for high-ranking officers and politicians." Hera reminded him.
"Luke blew up the Death Star. Without him, the UACT would have already dissolved. He has earned the right to listen what the top dogs decide." the Knight replied firmly.
"I couldn't agree more!" a voice broke out in the distance.
The group turned and they saw Leia walking eagerly toward them and smiling, followed not too far by Han, Chewie, 3PO and R2.
Luke chuckled happily and went to hug her midway. After the greetings, Leia also asked for Luke to be present at the summit and Semaj had to buckle, saying that President Mothma would decide. So while the rest of the group went away to spend some time in the capital, the two Jedi, the Twi'lek and the Princess were escorted inside the building. It didn't take long for Ezra to notice the variety of clothing and species around him, because today all the signatories of the UACT were meeting for one of the two yearly regular summits to discuss the current political landscape and what strategy they should adopt against the Empire.
Hera was there not just because she was a General, but also because she was in command of the 'Starhawk' Project, aiming to build the first super-battleship of the Republic. Unfortunately, the Starhawk was being built with the components of captured Star Destroyers, and there had been quite a lot after the botched offensive of Vader last summer. Now, with the front in stall, Hera explained, there just weren't enough additional Star Destroyers to continue with the construction. She had come in the hope of convincing the politicians and Ackbar to authorize operations to capture isolated Star Destroyers whenever possible.
Technically, the New Republic could use its industry to supply the shipyard, but it required so many resources, that the Republic, with a solid but still limited industrial base, would have to suspend the construction of any other type of vessel just to feed the Starhawk, and this was just impossible, considering that the Empire still retained a larger industrial capacity and manpower and its fleet would soon be big enough to try another offensive, perhaps by the end of the year.
So the Jedi and Leia were escorted until they reached the entrance of the conference room. There, Semaj bid them farewell and returned to his other duties, leaving Leia to lead the two inside.
The conference room had been set up with a large round table. It was big enough to host not only Mon Mothma and the envoy of the Imperial Federation, the two major partners of the Coalition, but also for the 10 other nations that were part of it: the Raxus Conglomerate, the Mon Cala Kingdom, the Iego Independent Territory, the Overic Authority, the Mirialan United Republics, the D'Astan Republic, the Argazian Directorate, the Centrality Federated Planets, the Shaum Hii Kingdom and the latest addition: the Corporate Sector Authority, which had recently negotiated a deal with the New Republic to not be invaded in exchange for turning from a conglomerate of corporations into a full-fledged civilian government. Not surprising, considering that its territory was completely cut off from the Empire since the battle of Yavin.
The delegations were all assorted in their own businesses, talking with each other or reading datapads. Ezra managed to spot Mon Mothma talking with a woman that, he noticed, was wearing clothes that didn't seem from his galaxy. Still, the group walked up to them and waited for the President to notice them, which she didn't take long and turned to them.
"General Syndulla. Master Bridger." she greeted politely with a smile. "It's good to see you again."
"Thank you, Madam President." Hera thanked.
"Madam President, may I be allowed to introduce my friend and student Luke Skywalker?" Ezra finally said.
Luke seemed a bit overwhelmed by the circumstance as he cleared his throat and tried to assume a dignified posture. The fact that he was wearing the elegant clothes of the ceremony on Yavin certainly helped a lot in making him appear different than the young farmer that he still was deep down.
"Hi." he said.
Mothma looked at him quickly up and down. Clearly she was aware of who he was and she must have had some expectations, cause she hadn't had the chance to meet him yet, despite the fact that more than a year had passed since that important event.
"The pilot who destroyed the Death Star." she recognized. "Your actions most likely saved the Alliance, that day." then she extended a hand with a gentle face. "It's an honor to meet you, finally."
"Likewise, Madam." Luke said suppressing a stutter and shaking the hand not too hard.
"Since you're are here, Ezra, I would like to introduce you to someone, as well." Mothma then said.
She brought them in front of the woman with the formal wear and presented her.
"This is Anastasia dei Vignoli. Princess of the Imperial Federation and today's representative for her nation in this summit."
Ezra was surprised. He remembered that Jaral told him that Anastasia had followed her mother in her visit to Andromeda last year, when the New Republic was finally proclaimed, but he didn't know her face.
As he was trying to figure how he was supposed to present himself, the royalty saved him the trouble and she extended a hand. "General Bridger. It's an honor to finally meet you. Your sister spoke very highly of you."
Ezra shook the hand back and decided to make a short lean with his head, considering that he was still a citizen of the Federation. "She tends to do that, Your Highness. Don't listen to her too much." he joked, not knowing what else to say.
In fact, his heart skipped a beat when he realized that he was probably being too friendly, but the princess just laughed at the joke.
"Well, she did say you were funny." she quipped, making even Hera and Luke snicker. "But there will be time for chatting, later. Madam President, if that is all of us, I suggest we start."
"Understood, Your Highness. Just give me a minute."
Mothma realized that all the delegates were there, so she declared the start of the meeting. Ezra was asked to sit on her right, as the honored guest from the Jedi Order, while Anastasia was on Mothma's left. And after the President made the introductions and the preambles, she announced that the Princess was going to speak first, as she had an urgent matter to submit, apparently.
"Thank you, Madam President." Anastasia said solemnly. Her face suddenly changed from the friendly, almost naive woman from before, to that of a hardened diplomat, with an expression that meant business.
"Friends and allies of the UACT. I wish I was bearing good news. However, I'm here to put you on guard that the Federation is facing an imminent crisis back in the Milky Way. A crisis that may compromise our continued presence in this galaxy."
Ezra himself was perturbed by that news, but the other politicians were outright shocked. An almost panicked murmur followed for a few seconds before the head of the Overic Authority spoke up.
"What does that mean? Are you planning to leave the fight?!"
"Please, let me explain." Anastasia said with a glacial stillness that the Knight could feel through the Force. It was evident that she had been trained her whole life to be a diplomat. Of the people he knew, only Leia was able to sport such a control over her emotions.
"We are not going to abandon you to the Empire, but according to how this crisis will develop, we might be forced to recall part of our forces here in Andromeda to defend our borders."
"Maybe you are willing to share what this crisis is all about, so we may be able to help?" Leia, exactly, suggested.
"In case you are not informed on our history, I need to inform you that there is a species in particular, inside the Terminus systems, not too far from our borders, called the Tambaran. A highly aggressive and warmongering people. 20 years ago we had our first contact with them, where they immediately attacked our ships and escalated everything into a war.
"Now, it just so happened that the Tambaran had discovered space travel just a century ago, and they only found their nearest Mass Relay two years after the Reaper War, meaning that they were not involved in the conflict and they found many inhabitable worlds cleansed of possible colonists by the Reapers. But they were still inexperienced when they waged war against us, so we easily defeated them, destroyed their fleet and the spaceports on their homeworld and then left them there, mostly because we didn't want to set an occupation so far from our borders.
"We hoped such a lesson would teach them to be less reckless in their exploration of space, but we were completely wrong. Recently, we have confirmed that there is a war between their tribe chiefs, among the few colonies they have. And one of them, Atriox, is about to win. We have our reasons to believe that he will seek revenge against the Federation, and this time their army will not be so unprepared."
Another chattering followed among the politicians.
"So you think that if these Tambaran attack the Federation, you won't be able to help us anymore?" Mothma asked plainly, expecting a clear answer in return.
"The Tau, for sure, will have to recall their fleet. We have a few allies acting as a buffer between us and the Tambaran. Our strategy is to give them the resources to protect the border, but if the Tambaran manage to pass, we'll have to recall most of our fleets here in Andromeda, especially because we're still recovering from the losses on Lantillies.
"In conclusion, I am here today to put you on guard. If any of you was planning an offensive against the Empire, consider that we may not be able to support you forever. For the moment, the Federation wishes for the Coalition to keep a defensive approach to this war."
March 4.
The omni-tool started beeping and Jane immediately woke up. She propped up and opened her eyes, the low blue light of the cabin was easy to adapt to, so she could take a look at who was calling. After seeing that, she lowered the arm and spoke generally toward the room.
"Yes, EDI?"
The AI projected herself on the terminal near the entrance, but her voice came from the omni-tool.
"Shepard, we're coming up on the target planet."
Jane rubbed her eyes then quickly shook her head to help her mind wake up. "Very well. Is our guest already on the bridge?"
"That would be right."
"I'm coming." she said in the end and swung her legs down the bed to reach the wardrobe.
Five minutes later, she left the elevator at Deck 2 and walked out, reaching the cockpit with long steps. She saw Thrawn staying in a corner, calmly looking outside, into the blue tunnel of hyperspace.
"Greetings, Captain." he said respectfully.
"Grand Admiral." she returned.
"Leaving hyperspace in three seconds." Mazak announced as he extended his hand to reach the controls.
The seconds passed, then the warp around them disappeared and the universe started to have once again a shape that could be recognized. Specifically, it took the shape of a huge black hole, drawing all the light around it into a mesmerizing and eerie spectacle. For sure, it was better to admire it from a very long distance.
"According to the coordinates of the probe droids, the hidden system is 346° behind this black hole from our current position."
"Take us in, guys. Carefully." Jane prompted and the two pilots obeyed.
Making an in-system jump, the Normandy took a few minutes to fly around the black hole and finally enter in sight of the hidden system. It was a star system at the edge of Haleus Sector. Its sun was yellow, not much different from that of Earth. Shepard looked at the long-range scanners, which indicated the presence of five planets and a belt of asteroids filled with frozen water. Quite unusual, but not rare.
"There." Thrawn indicated the third planet on the projection. "That is the planet."
Shepard looked at it and confirmed that it was the planet they were looking for: green and blue, much like her home.
"Any sign of space-faring civilization?" she asked.
"My sensors are picking up some radiation from the atmosphere that brings similarities to eezo discharges. But no space station or large ships."
"Which is a sign of advanced lifeforms nonetheless." Wilhelm commented from his console, then stood up and turned toward Shepard. "How do you want to approach, Captain? If we sneak up on them, they may not be eager to speak with us."
"We are not even sure if we can communicate with them." Jane observed with a thoughtful mumble.
"That may not be the case." Thrawn intervened.
The Humans turned their heads toward him. "What do you mean?"
"The people of the Chaos, including mine, make use of shared trade languages, and we're not far from the region where three of those are spoken."
"And you know all of them?"
"It was part of my training as an officer of the Chiss Ascendancy." the alien calmly answered.
Shepard considered that for a moment. She looked at her second-in-command, whose face clearly said that he didn't like the idea of relying on a temporary ally, but he would respect her decision as the Captain of the Normandy.
Seeing very little alternatives, Jane decided to take the gamble. "Mazak, keep the cloaking down and approach the planet nice and easy. EDI, see if you can find me an update for the translator with the trade languages."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Very well, Shepard."
She then turned her head toward the Chiss. "I'll trust you to explain them we mean no harm."
The alien tilted his head forward. "I thank you for your trust."
The Normandy thus approached the planet at a relatively calm cruise, sending out an automated short-range signal to catch the attention of the inhabitants and hoping this might signal them that the crew was not there to attack them.
"I found the update, Shepard." EDI announced. "But since we're far from the main nets this might take a few minutes."
"Captain, unknown ships approaching from the planet. Fighter or gunboat size." Mazak announced.
The officers looked at the sensors on the glass, which highlighted the shape of the small vessels approaching at high speed toward the frigate. Soon, they surrounded her while Mazak halted the flight and instead opened a channel that the aliens were requesting a call.
What followed was a phrase that sounded much like a nervous police officer making demands.
Since the vocabulary wasn't downloaded yet, Jane couldn't tell if this was one of the trade languages. She turned toward Thrawn, who was instead keeping his eyes on the visual sensors, seemingly analyzing the fighters out there. After a few seconds, he reached the mike of the bridge and spoke into that in some language. Jane thought there was some similarities with the one the aliens just used, but that was mostly an impression, in reality she didn't understand.
The aliens sent their answer in an inquisitive tone. Thrawn replied with total ease. Jane only understood when he said his complete name to the aliens: Mitth'raw'nuruodo.
A silence followed for around half-a-minute, then the person on the other side of the comlink said something with what sounded like a command.
Thrawn said only a word, perhaps thanking them, then stepped away from the microphone.
"They speak Minniasat." he said. "For now that's all we will need." those words were for EDI, telling her not to spend her energies to download other languages.
"What did you say to them?" Jane asked.
"That we mean no harm and we would like to present ourselves to their leadership. They accepted, but I doubt they trust us yet."
"Very well. Then you and I are going out to meet them. No weapons and let's do whatever they say." the Captain decided.
"As you wish." the Chiss replied with no objection in mind.
"I don't like this." Wilhelm objected. "What if they take you hostage?"
"We need to earn their trust, Major." Jane calmly replied. "As Captain of the Normandy it is my duty to show them our commitment to good relations by stepping outside with no intermediaries."
Wilhelm could not say much against that, so he sighed in resignation. "Just be careful." he asked at the end.
Jane gave him a half-smirk and patted him on the shoulder. "I have a good feeling about this. You take care of the ship until we return."
"Yes ma'am."
"Come on, Grand Admiral. We better leave our weapons at the armory."
"I couldn't agree more." Thrawn replied with a hint of what seemed amusement.
The two officers thus took the elevator and reached Deck 5 while the Normandy was made to land on a platform. Scott and Sara were also worried about what could happen to their mother, but she reassured them that everything was going to be okay, then the main ramp of the hangar started to open. Jane and Thrawn went in front of it, so they were the first to notice that the landing pad was filled with aliens covered in armor and guns aiming at them. The two raised arms and slowly walked toward the aliens, with Thrawn saying loudly that they were coming unarmed. Jane could understand that cause Minniasat had been finally updated into her omni-tool.
The aliens were clearly on edge, but they didn't seem too eager to open fire. One of them scanned the newcomers before they were escorted out of the platform and made to walk over a gangplank. Jane could give a quick look over where they were: a city built atop of a mountain, surrounded by lush tropical forests. The city didn't look that big, but the architecture was very elegant, made of glasses and a white material, the forms mostly revolved around circles and concavities. But it was a short look, because at the end of the gangplank, the soldiers made the two officers stop in front of a short stair with other aliens dressed in civilian clothing but with their faces finally exposed. Shepard noted that they resembled the Turian and the Salarian for their physical structure of torso, arms and legs, but the face was very much unique, with two tentacle-like bulges on the side of the heads and going down to disappear into the clothes. The skin varied between shades of blue, purple and green. It was also easy to distinguish the males from the females, one of which stepped forward and presented herself, with the translator finally kicking in.
"I'm Paraan Shie, Governor of Aya. We are the Angara."
Jane spoke up. "Greetings. I'm Captain Jane Shepard of the Normandy. Systems Alliance."
Then Thrawn. "Much honored. I'm Grand Admiral Thrawn, of the Imperial Navy. Galactic Empire."
The governor leaned a bit toward the latter, squaring him and then frowning doubtfully. "Aren't you a Chiss?"
"That is correct." he replied unfazed.
Then a new Angara walked into the scene, seemingly in a hurry. Shie turned toward him.
"Jaal. I have this under control."
The man, who had a visor on his right eye, lifted a hand to interrupt her from dissuading him. "Evfra saw the ship come in and sent me to assess the situation."
The new Angara also saw Thrawn and walked down the stairs to go in front of him.
"A Chiss. What are you doing so far from your territory?"
"I am no longer part of the Ascendancy. I'm here representing the Empire."
Jaal saw no sign of lie in the Grand Admiral's body language and so turned toward Jane.
"And you. You are a Human."
"You know about Humans, too?" she asked out of curiosity.
"It's not like we always lived isolated from the universe. But I don't recognize your ship."
"That's probably because I'm a Human from another galaxy." she made a quick nod toward Thrawn. "Our histories are quite complex, but we're not here to hurt you. In fact, we ask for your help."
Jaal looked into her eyes quite intensely. The shape of his irises reminded her a bit those of a reptile and it seemed like he was trying to stare into her soul, but Shepard kept her cool and eventually the alien turned around, walking up the stairs.
"I'll inform Evfra. He'll be waiting for you in his office at the Resistance's Headquarters. I'll see you again there." and disappeared.
Shie waited until he was far enough, then turned again toward the visitors.
"I will accompany you through our city. The crew of your ship will have to stay on board. Follow me."
The officers obeyed and followed the Governor, escorted away by a smaller but still well-armed guards.
