New kid on the playground
Disclaimer
Starcraft is the property of Blizzard entertainment.
Mass effect is the property of Bioware.
Any elements used in this story are used only in order to create a story for no monetary gain nor do I claim any ownership over them, beyond the names and characters unique to this story.
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Welcome to the Galactic codex, your request has been processed:
The council: An executive committee composed of representatives from the Asari Republics, the Turian Hierarchy and the Salarian Union. Though they don't exercise any direct authority over the independent governments of their species, the Council's decision carries great weight through the galaxy.
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Logging you off.
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Upper wards - The citadel
Tali'Zorah nar Rayya
Somehow Tali did not feel sick anymore.
Maybe the doctor had done a good job while treating her infection…
Or maybe the tense exchange between her savior and this other group had scared the feeling of sickness out of her.
*Sniff*
Maybe not.
Why do you ask?
Well, the exchange that had occurred just before her was as tense as she could have imagined a first meeting could be.
This had to be a first contact after all.
"Let me introduce myself" began the human who she believed was in command of this unit. Tali gave special attention to his words "I'm Commander John Shepard, alliance military" he started before briefly continuing "Under the first contact protocol dictated by alliance law i'm ordered to bring you into custody for interrogation" this isn't good "But that would serve no one would it?" thank the ancestors.
(Indeed it wouldn't, John Shepard) began the creature (As before, I won't direct any animosity against your people. I expect the same in return) he continued (Now, could we return to the task at hand, the creature Saren's trail grows fainter). They all directed their gaze towards her, this isn't good.
"Are you alright?" asked Commander shepard.
"Y… Y-yes, I think" Tali said, quickly glancing around the group.
"Great. We knew of the attackers coming after you. Sorry we couldn't come any sooner… miss?" the turian said next, why did he ask her like… OH, he was asking her name.
"Tali… Tali'Zorah nar Rayya" she said, still clutching her arm.
The pain had returned.
"Thank you. Now, could you tell us why were Fist's tugs after you?" asked the commander this time. She got angry at the mention of the name.
"He set me up!" she flared angrily "I knew I couldn't trust him" she continued "He wanted information I managed to get on Saren" this picked the groups interest.
"I see… Miss Zorah, the alliance might be willing to offer you asylum if you cooperate with our investigation" began the commander "We might even do an exception for you big guy" he directed this to the one who saved her before.
"I… I accept, commander" she answered.
"Shepard" began the turian "what about the bodies?" referring to the bodies still in the alley.
At the mention of this, a creature known as a keeper exited one of the walls and began to carry the bodies towards an unknown location.
(Convenient) was the alien's answer, narrowing his eyes towards the keeper's location (But… familiar).
"Well… let us head to the embassy" Shepard then gestured to the alien "Are you coming?"
Smoke began to appear around the creature as it finished engulfing him; A moment later nothing remained in the place where he once stood. Tali curiously reached towards that place, she found her hand resting on something (I remain here) she jerked her hand back.
The group was astonished at first but managed to crack a laugh at the young quarian's reaction, she began to wriggle her hands in embarrassment,
"Convenient indeed" answered Shepard as he began to head towards the exit.
Captain Anderson
David Anderson was not happy.
He didn't show it, but he was as mad as the ambassador.
Earlier that day, he had given Shepard a lead in order for him to continue his investigation on Saren…
But he was sure that he hadn't ordered the commander to tear half of the upper wards to hell.
He hoped to goodness that he at least had come up with something of substance.
Shepard then came through the door with a bigger group than the one he had left with.
"You aren't making my life any easy, Commander" began Udina "Firefights in the wards, a full on assault on Chora's den, several traumatized hostages…" as Udina turned around to see the commander he was surprised to find a bigger entourage than what he remembered.
"What is this Shepard?" asked Anderson this time. He understood that officer Vakarian might have been joining them in the near future. But he didn't understand the presence of the krogan and a quarian.
"Shepard?" this time it was Udina, waiting for an answer.
"I'm sorry ambassador, Captain" Shepard began "We followed a trail that led us onto miss Tali'Zorah here. She claims to have information on Saren" he continued "Tali?"
The quarian began her explanation "I was on my pilgrimage when my group came across a patrol of geths beyond their domain in the veil" she said.
"Pilgrimage?" asked Kaidan in turn.
"It's their coming of age rite" explained drily the ambassador.
"It's more than…. nevermind" began the girl before she cut herself up. Anderson felt guilty for the girl. After all, the tragedy of the quarians was a well known cautionary story, the message clear for all to see: 'Don't meddle with Artificial Intelligence or this was your fate'. She continued "After getting the jump on a unit that had wandered too far from its group we managed to recover some data from its memory core".
"Isn't that impossible under normal circumstances?" asked Shepard this time.
"My people created the geth" the girl stated as she made her expertise on the subject known "If you are quick, thorough and get lucky you may manage to extract some data before the memory core fries itself" she then raised her arm and activated her omni-tool "This is what I recovered".
A recording began to play.
"Eden prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the conduit" stated Saren's voice.
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers" spoke a second feminine voice.
A smile formed in Anderson's face.
"That's Saren's voice, we got that bastard nailed" exclaimed Captain Anderson as he was now happy.
An incident with Saren years before had left a complete and utter contempt towards the turian on the captain's side.
From this revelation Anderson knew they could finally get rid of that bastard. Shepard had delivered him the chance he had been looking for.
Speaking of Shepard…
"Reaper… I've heard that before…" he whispered, then realization struck him quickly "The beacon!" he explained. Of course, Anderson tought.
Shepherd's vision had come only after contact with the beacon.
"Whatever Saren wants with this conduit…" Anderson spoke, referring to the only part of the message he couldn't attribute a meaning "This proves that the commander's visions were indeed caused by a reaction to the beacon".
"Settle down, captain" began Udina "Now, before we can reveal these findings to the council we will be required to schedule a meeting with the council. I don't think they will be happy so see us after such a short notice" he turned to his consol "Now, if there isn't anything more to report, Commander. Please have your squad out of…"
"Wait, there's a few more things" began the commander "I promised Asylum to Tal…"
"You did WHAT?" exploded the ambassador "Commander, I thought that our last meeting with the Council would have taught you the meaning of political-shitstorm!" continued to rant the ambassador.
"Ambassador, please" interrupted Anderson "Shepherd could you explain why you offered asylum to miss Zorah"
"I did so in order to keep her safe" answered the commander while glaring at Udina "She only offered the information in exchange for her safety, that's small in comparison to what she just provided"
"That wasn't your call to make, commander" answered Udina, rubbing his eyes as he said this "Any other thing you would like to tell us about?"
Shepard looked uncomfortable for a moment "There is sir…", before Udina could begin to yell again the office's blinds designed for privacy began to descend.
Udina looked surprised at the control, he hadn't touched it.
Shepard began "Well… there's been…" he trailed on his words "A first contact".
Before any of them could question what the hell he was talking about smoke began to appear in between the two parties.
(David Anderson… Donell Udina…) someone's voice echoed in his mind. What the hell was this? (I am Xiltar of the Ihan-rii) it paused for a moment (I've come to speak for my people).
What Anderson and Udina saw was surreal to say the least.
A massive creature like nothing they had ever seen before stood before them. Its stature coupled with its dark armor and the eldritch runes that adorned it in an unknown scripture. Its lower half was fashioned in the digitigrade manner of the turians and the quarian, with legs made for the hunt. Ashen skin and glowing blue eyes made the only notable traits on its face, for they saw as the creature before them had no mouth.
How could something like this even exist?
This could well pass as the true definition of alien amongst the whole of the galaxy.
Anderson made for his side gun. It narrowed its eyes on this (I was promised a deal…)
They both stared back at the creature. Oh, what a wonderful time they would have explaining this to the council and the parliament back at Arcturus.
Shepard.
The situation was tense to say the least.
This creature, Xiltar as he had called himself, was being threatened with as much suspicion and mistrust as any unknown factor would be.
Not to say that his first impression had not come up as the friendliest of sorts and they still did not know what his true intentions were.
There were too many variables.
First, he was a member of a race no person in his group had ever heard about, this would have been seen as an impossibility if they were advanced enough to discover space travel as they would have most likely met the turians as they patrolled trough all discovered mass relays.
Second, the creature in front of them seemed to posses a group of esoteric skills and abilities that would have seemed as impossibilities just mere moments ago. Things like his disappearance could be easily attributed to his technology but on the other side there was the manner in which he communicated.
The first comparison Shepard drew was none other than how the hanar seemed to communicate but he quickly discarded this notion on the basis that they communicated with that species through their implanted translators since their bioluminescent hides was the manner in which they communicated.
This… was different.
Each word echoed on the edge of his mind. It felt as if somebody had approached the dark space beyond his thoughts and knocked politely to interact with it.
The protoss turned towards Shepard as he thought this.
"Ehem…" Udina coughed to get the group's attention once again "What kind of deal were you promised, esteemed guest?".
The alien turned to the conniving politician and studied him for a second before he glared and gave his answer (A place at the table as your people scour the stars in the hunt for Saren).
Anderson and Udina exchanged glances before the ambassador spoke once again "I see…" the ambassador began to formulate a thought "And what can you offer for this 'place at the table'?".
They saw as Xiltar approached the ambassador and began to tower over him.
To Shepard's surprise the middle aged man did not cower.
(...) a grunt was heard by all of them (Two hundred years of experience hunting through the stars for any threat for my people… and a pact).
This last part surprised the group.
"A pact?" asked Anderson in turn.
Xiltar nodded (I hold a position of leadership amongst my people) he crossed his arms behind his back (The name of my race is that of the protoss. We are ancient, even more ancient than those names long forgotten by your kin) he then turned to the group (Like any of you, my people are a diverse collection of beliefs and creeds. My kin are known as the Ihan-rii or 'wise mentors' in your most common tongue and I am their last known leader).
"We have never heard of a race called protoss before, not even in what records of the protheans we have managed to access. How can we confirm that any of your claims are true?" Udina asked this time.
The protos nodded as if he had been expecting this question.
(My people abandoned the galaxy millions of years before the evolution of a race such as this protheans even took place) Xiltar began to explain (You may not find much on us as time and entropy has most likely extinguished any memory of my kind safe for what remained with us in our exile).
"Exile?" Shepard asked.
The protoss hung his head the the question (My kind had an spiritual awakening… our home laid on the far edge of the galaxy and as we did not meet any other civilization in our limited travel through most of the outer rim, my people became disheartened) he placed a hand in his chest (The elders amongst my kind were the ones that decreed that our people should venture into the void between the galaxies and return once life has proliferated in the ethereal wheel that its now your domain).
The room remained silent.
Shepard could guess that every person in the room was most likely formulating their own conclusions on what Xiltar had said.
The commander couldn't care less about the origin of the alien or his race. The only thing he wished of him was that he served with honor while they ended the threat that was Saren.
But the people who had the ultimate say in what was to be made with this apparent ancient kept deliberating in silence.
Udina was the one who spoke.
"Then why are you the only member of the race we have encountered?" he asked.
Xiltar visibly flinched at the question
(I…) he paused for a moment (After my people reawakened from stasis our leadership was in tatters as almost all of the elders had not survived our time in exile. I was chosen by the last elder to inherit her mantle as she died…) he looked down at his hands (We did not know of what dangers existed in the galaxy and rather than usher my people blindly into peril, I volunteered to investigate the state of the galaxy as penance for my failure to stop our exile. I then crash landed on the world you know as Eden Prime and then I became a witness to the atrocities that transpired there).
"Your failure?" Anderson asked "But you said that your people went into exile millions of years ago. How can that be?".
Xiltar nodded.
(My people remained in stasis during all of that time) he said flatly (My time aboard my vessel was long. But I have only existed as a conscious being for a little over two standard centuries despite having been born millions of years before).
"Over a million years…" Shepard repeated.
The ambassador and Anderson seemed somewhat satisfied by his explanation.
"You said that your people wished for a pact?" Udina began "Then know that parliament of earth as well as the systems alliance …"
Xiltar held up a hand to interrupt the rambling ambassador (Not with humanity alone).
The captain and the ambassador seemed perplexed "Then with whom do you wish to make this pact".
(The galaxy) he said plainly (Allow me to explain my proposal…).
What he proposed was… unorthodox.
…
After working out a deal that satisfied no one, the group immediately made their way to the council chamber as the ambassador had immediately called for a renewed trial after more evidence had been presente.
Anderson, Shepard and Udina made their way to the platform while the rest of the group remained behind, Xiltar included as he was hidden by whatever it was that cloaked him.
The council members made their way towards their designated positions as they had done before "Ambasador, I hope this time around you brought more proof than last time" began Sparatus, making his hatred towards the accusation made on Saren all the more clearer.
"That matter's little now, we already gave our verdict. No amount of evidence would be able to change our verdict" replied Valern in turn.
"We originally thought that you wished to disclose any information on the whereabouts of Nihlus" continued Tevos, trying to keep some level of neutrality to the meeting.
"What situation with Nihlus, councilors?" Udina asked in return.
The councilors looked at each other before turning to the assorted group.
"C-sec is investigating his disappearance from his room in the hospital where he had been interned. We found no evidence of forced entry into his room and no visits had been allowed" Tevos explained "We have to assume that he disappeared by himself".
The humans glanced at each other.
"We have no knowledge of where he might be, councilors. Neither has he tried to contact any of us before this meeting" Anderson answered.
The councilors did not look satisfied by this answer but allowed the topic to be changed.
"You pleaded for another meeting with the council. Have you found anything of substance this time?" Sparatus asked.
"We have, councilors. A record that directly links Saren to the attack on Eden Prime has been found" the ambassador signaled for Anderson to proceed.
The captain took the stage and raised his omnitool "This recording was procured by miss Zorah in exchange for some concessions on the part of the alliance".
This made the council raise their brows in disbelief but before they could dismiss the evidence, the captain played the recording.
"Eden prime was a major victory! The beacon has brought us one step closer to finding the conduit" spoke Saren again.
"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers" spoke the female voice once more.
Silence filled the chamber for a moment.
Valern spoke first "What?" the only thing he could muster in disbelief.
He realized just how badly they had failed.
The others recovered and tried to excuse Saren.
"This has to be a fabrication!" tried to justify Sparatus "The quarian might have doctored the audio for your nefarious use. We can't trust those suit rats" nothing short of xenophobia with that last statement.
"It is pure geth data, councilors. Its digital footprint cannot be doctored or replicated in any way" Anderson intervened in Tali's stead since she had explained this detail to the group when they also questioned the integrity of such a recording.
"The facts are as follow councilors…" began Shepard, fully intending to nail the fact that they had supported an active terrorist in the councilor's mind "Your agent committed a campaign of mass destruction and genocide on a human colony" he turned to look directly at Sparatus "You allowed your trust in him to blind you to the facts and failed to bring some semblance of justice to all the inocents lost and you allowed Saren to get away from justice once again…" he looked at Anderson for this, he had a slight suspicion of their connection "You allowed him to kill the people you swore to protect and you did not allow us to persecute him in our space when we had the chance. What will you do now?" He turned back towards the council.
Silence remained between the councilors, none dared to answer for they had been found guilty of negligence in their actions.
Sighing briefly, Tevos spoke "This evidence is irrefutable, Saren's status as a Spectre will be revoked…" before she could continue Udina interrupted, furious at the council.
"That's not enough! Saren's still out there, send your fleets into the traverse and find him. I demand action!" Shepard found himself agreeing with him just this once.
"Fleets cannot hunt down a single man, even less an Spectre" answered defeated but still serious Sparatus.
Before Udina and the councilor could begin to fight, Tevos interrupted them "Let me continue if you would…" she took a pause as she said this as the asari was clearly trying to find a way to salvage the situation.
Shepard picked this up and decided to make a gamble.
"Send me" Shepard intervened to the astonishment of the council.
Tevos saw through this maneuver "He is right…" she began "there is a way for us to aid humanity and make amends for our inaction".
It took a moment before the other councilors understood what she meant, the turian tried to retort to this, but seeing that the other councilors had mentally agreed on the matter he remained quiet.
"So be it…" Valern spoke, he then entered his vote to the console before him, much like his compatriots.
"Commander Shepard, step forward" asked the asari councilor.
Shepard obliged.
Within the upper balconies other diplomats began to congregate. Whispers began to fill the silence.
"It is the decision of the council that you be granted all powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the citadel" began the asari councilor.
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen" continued the salarian councilor "Individuals forged in the flames of service and battle. Those whose actions elevate them above rank and file".
"Spectres are an idea, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the council. Instruments of our will" spoke the asari councilor once again.
"Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold" concluded the turian councilor.
"You are the first human Spectre, commander. This is a great accomplishment for you and your species" finished the asari councilor.
"I'm honored, councilors" Shepard responded, an ovation from the human diplomats and staff along the chamber was heard.
The diplomats of the other races remained in silence for the most part.
Shepard was proud of what he had accomplished.
The shame of his past meant nothing now for there he stood, the first human Spectre.
He was now an agent of the greater good and he vowed to bring justice for the soul of those who had departed because of Saren.
He vowed to be that, the defender of that which was yet to be.
After the humans were allowed to celebrate for a little bit more, Sparatus called the chamber to order.
Once the chamber fell silent, Shepard asked a question for his mission ahead "Is there any leads that may be of aid on our mission?" he asked.
The asari councilor nodded "There is one thing commander. The second voice in the message, I recognize who that is. Matriarch Benezia" gasps were heard among the asari attendants in the room "She may have gone into hiding prior to this hearing as nobody has heard from her in a while. But there may be a lead that can help you in that regard" Tevos activated her omnitool and passed a message into the commander's inbox "You may be able to get her location from her daughter, doctor Liara T'soni".
Shepard saw the note and found a notice of an expedition in which the doctor was scheduled to take part in.
Their first lead.
"Well, if there's nothing else to…" began Sparatus before being interrupted by ambassador Udina.
"Hold on a minute, there is another matter that requires your attention" the ambassador said,
He then motioned for the commander to leave the platform and join his team.
Only when Anderson and himself were on the platform, did he speak.
"As representatives of humanity and under the support of the systems alliance we have been allowed to disclose the following revelation" Udina let Anderson have the floor for what was about to happen.
Anderson cleared his throat " Earlier today, Commander Shepard escorted Tali'zorah to the human embassy in order to offer her asylum" Anderson sighed, resigning himself "He didn't come with her alone, for another one was there along with her".
Udina took the focus once more "First contact protocols have been enacted and a representative from an alien power has come to speak on behalf of his people under the sponsorship of humanity".
The councilors were shocked by the statement, but seeing no member that wasn't from an alien species they recognized they wished to ask why no one was present…
But before any of them could utter a sound, darkness began to coalesce behind Anderson and Udina.
Xiltar appeared…
And the last of the Ihan-rii stood before the galaxy.
Afterword.
First contact, LETS GO!
I have been really excited for what's next :D
Edit - Added moar flavor text to this one :v