A/N: Changed Che to JFK due to requests of certain people and a little bit of self-research.
I thank you all for 20k reads, it's really encouraging to see your responses, whether they cheer or jeer. Also, just because I release a chapter doesn't mean its concrete, I do tend to change chapters if suggestions/criticism fit into the future of this fic so do indeed post your opinion here, that's what the Freedom of Speech is folks!
Also yeah, are Quarians overhyped? Yeah most definitely because of their treatment by the Council, which I believe their structure is pretty much an allegory to the League of Nations or the UN, good concept(s) but shit execution. I mean why the fuck is there a permanent Security Council (for both the former LoN and UN) made up of the worlds most powerful countries while the smaller guys get, oh yeah Democracy that means nothing besides PR.
(Sounds like canonical Council-Embassy/Human Relations)
So yeah, the Council is kinda trash as a government, the UN would be if it never changes to a United Earth something something..., just space United Nations Security Council, (haha UNSC and UNSC, fuck me). So don't come to me saying, 'that isn't how the Council works… blah blah blah blah,'. They have a bad structure and I want to fix it because I want Mass Effect to really work out, the universe is starting to grow on me but its problems are there as are Halo's.
Now is the Council gonna be this all good force of greater good? No, is my version of the UNSC going to be? No.
Boil'em down, rack that shotgun, charge that trench, yell OORAH, and let's build up those war crimes readers!
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32 Hours Later
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Location: Geneva, Earth
Representative Chambers, Room 7
Director Jacolsi 'Harper' Kusluski
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The whole room seemed to be abuzz, at least to Director Kusluski, the director of the Office of Strategic Naval Intelligence, who sat near his peers while on the other side sat Politicians.
Politics was never a favorite of Kusluski, he just wanted things done and done damned right, unfortunately, some of the Representatives never saw it that way. The new incident around New Shanxi had stirred up debate for god knows how long, the Representitives meeting for more than 5 hours was rare, 8 hours and a larger than usual order of pizzas usually meant something big was going on, 18 hours, 18 fucking hours, a debate that was seen as a waste of time to Kusluski but he would have to endure. Now was he at all worried about the decisions of the Representatives?
No, it was about how to make first contact with this unknown race, or should Kusluski say races? It was complicated.
"What is the current position of the Representatives?" asked Fleet Adm. Scott Hudon, the overall commander of the United Terran Navy, to the Representatives currently in the room, his burly accent booming and bouncing off the walls of the meeting room where today the future of the USTG was decided.
"Well, it seems most of us have decided to try and negotiate with them, even though they have shown some aggression, but I suppose losing a vessel is better than more than 200 billion wiped away once more," said one of the 2 Representatives for the Epsilon Eridani system, Representative Jim Csaba, his heavy Hungarian accent matching his stocky frame as he scratched his beard.
Csaba was one of the only politicians that Kusluski actually had respect for, even if it was little, he was one of the only ones to answer things directly and wasn't a bootlicker for the media. Then again he was a politician and that term never rang a positive bell in Kusluski's head, especially since the director of OSNI was from the world of Demeter, a Frontier world, and if anyone knew even a drop of Terran history they would know the relations of Frontier and Core/Outer Systems worlds.
"I have been wondering, where is the Vice Admiral?" asked Representative Csaba, turning to the Director whilst throwing an emphasis on the Vice Admiral. Kusluski knew exactly who he was talking about.
"Admiral 117 is currently not available for a meeting, he is busy with all the work the new Spartan programs on Reach have been giving him," said Kusluski, his voice indifferent. Admiral-117, what a name for one of the greatest figures in all of human history.
Of course, all Spartan IIs by now were retired, their service lives cut short due to a miscalculation early on about the augmentations. Meaning they were unfit to serve past the age of 60, of course, the SII's disregarded the main order to be decommissioned when the order went out in 2570, with the Master Chief going until 2577.
Unfortunately, an incident when dealing with Covenant Insurgents happened between the Master Chief and the Frigate, UTNS Jakarta, when Jakarta fired her main MAEC Gun at the surface, unfortunately, the Master Chief wasn't fast enough, and well after he lost an arm he was barred from service, literally and the entire crew of Jakarta was to be dishonorably discharged though this was halted by Kusluski's predecessor Serin Osmin who had a promise to fulfill from the Master Chief himself.
Now he served as an Admiral, a highly respected one at that, Kusluski had been following the Spartan V program for a while now, it seemed to be going somewhere now there was an actual leader in charge. Hell he was sure the Master Chief would win 100% of the vote if he were to run in any position of power.
Then the Marines turned in their robotic pattern as they slammed their rifle butts on the ground as they quickly retracted them to their chests.
"The President is here," said one of them, loudly as the whole room seemed to turn towards the doors of Meeting Room 7. In walked a short woman of dark skin complexion as she walked in in a formal business suit fitting her frame she sat down at the front of the table, guarded on each side by a pair of ODSTs with a special white stripe down the middle of their chests and helmet.
President Haley Olyadowa. The current president of the United Systems, a member of the Terran Soil Party, the conservative-libertarian mix that dominated the polls post-war after being near non-existent. It was an interesting story for sure, a story that Kusluski could give less than 2 fucks about, he was the director of OSNI, not a grimy politician or 'self-taught' historian.
"Welcome Madam President, I hope your trip went well," said General Dinel Yamagusi, a man of Japanese complexion from Newsaka in his Class A Officer's Uniform, The current President of the USTG nodded and began the meeting proper.
Kusluski had had a rough time with President Olyadowa, even though she was a fellow Frontier System resident from New Cape Town. His distaste was mainly because she wasn't exactly… a supporter of OSNI's past actions, but he would have to play along with the strings if he wanted to gain control of said strings. Basically a modified adage of the late Director Margaret Parangorsky's 'Strength through Paranoia.'
"It was well, but I believe there are better things to talk about, it should be with all the incidents that have been going on at our border," said Olyadowa, as Kusluski picked up his briefcase and slid some file folders on the table, he knew he probably should have brought tablets but tablets could be compromised, no matter how secure it was, so ink and paper it was.
"Our border in the Galactic West is compromised, to say the least Madam," said the Director, his voice cold as his Russian accent cut through the air around him. The President reached for a file and began reading it. Her eyes scanned like an eagle before setting it down again as she picked up a photocopy of a bird-like vessel, obviously alien in origin.
"By another entity like the Covenant?" asked the President, the tone in her voice more curious than actual questioning.
"Similar to the Covenant but they have different operating standards, from all the confiscated black box video we have received, our analysts and AIs have concluded that we are dealing with at least 4 Alien races with 1 race having at least 2 factions," he said as pictures began to play in the sealed conference room, pictures of Q shaped vessels, Manta Ray ships glowing a serene blue, bulbous vessels with green highlights, however, the vessels that had the largest ratio out of all of them were bird-shaped, either in vibrant orange or the scarce greenish color.
"So we are dealing with a 'Progressive' Covenant? I need more inside information, your specialty," said the President, putting a sneer at her opponent's political ideologies as the Director turned slowly, putting out his cigar in the ashtray as he sighed, small smoke wisps coming from his mouth.
"From the stuff we collected we know full well what their goals are, but I'll be brief, it is to unite this Galaxy under one establishment," said Director Kusluski, as the room of Representatives all of a sudden had surprised looks plastered to their faces while the faces of military leaders remained indifferent.
"So you have confirmed it's like the Covenant all over again? Why don't you go in and end the threat?" asked one of the Representatives for Sol, Sarah Heathrow, her Southern drawl diphthongizing certain words as she leaned in on the table.
"To summarize Representative we can't, not yet at least, we are still rebuilding our military, and from the sources I have managed to receive these aliens outnumber us 26 to 1 on average," said Admiral Dao Delraio of the UTPDF, the man of Hispanic descents voice indifferent as he balled his hands and put them on the desk, like a businessman about to make a deal as Kusluski sat back a little as he put his hand on his chin.
"So how do you suggest we move forward, Admirals, Generals, and Director," said President Olydawa as she sat up from reading the files and placed them down on the table neatly as she sighed a frustrated sigh.
"I suggest we sue for peace with them, for now…" started Kusluski before he was rudely interrupted.
"Peace? And they opened up on our ships?" said Vice Representative Hassan Song from Septimus Trappist, slight anger and annoyance in his voice, oh boy this was getting boring quickly.
"Quick correction Representative, but I believe from all the data that we were the one to fire the first shot," said Hudon, the old navy admiral's voice booming as Kusluski nodded, as if he were confirming the Admiral's answer.
"Yes, but that was all in self-defense! You're Navy, aren't you supposed to be the big guy with a stick, now you're just being a cowardly lion," said Song as Kusluski just shook his head. Damn, did politicians have a way with words, no wonder they got elected, all bitch and no bite?
"I can neither support nor defend the actions of former Captain Jason Kitridge, but I believe that we have better problems to attend to than bickering about who fired the first shot while there is a cougar behind us laughing in the shadows," said Admiral Hudon as he raised his voice at the end as Song stopped his verbal assault and went back into his laid back position with a snark.
Kusluski cracked a small smirk that was unnoticeable as his voice picked up, wiping it away just as fast as it appeared. It was nice seeing politicians getting logic thrown in their faces, even if their patriotism and stubbornness deflected it.
"I agree with the Admiral on this, however, though these aliens outnumber us our forces are much better equipped for a blitz war, we could easily force peace on our terms in the short term to secure our long-term independence," said Kusluski, agreeing with the navy man on the issue at hand, usually he never agreed with the UTSC on anything but for once with the situation at hand, a common 'enemy' would unite them.
"So what are you going to do in terms of military action?" asked President Olyadowa, her voice filled with concern as Kusluski sat up. Politics tired him out. At least he knew what he wouldn't be doing after his retirement.
"We make preparations to evacuate New Shanxi, for now, we are on the defensive, we only have 6 of those new engines that traverse the new 'Relays' as the USRD is coining them, we have found, according to the data salvaged from Guantanamo Bay before it was destroyed, it would take us at least a week or so to travel that distance with our new slipspace drives," said Kusluski as the Representatives nodded. "And the only ships that can make that distance in 1-2 days are the Infinity Class and Tribute Class with a select few of modified Cruiser classes that I am sure are scattered around our territory," he finished as a diagram of the Infinity slowly materialized on the table.
That was pretty much all the information he would be willing to release to the civilian body, for now at least, a slow leakage instead of a huge dump resulted in better PR, not that OSNI or its past predecessor, ONI got any positive PR in the first place.
However, one question still lingered in the air.
"What is the reaction from our neighbors," asked Admiral Delraio as it was now the civilians' turn to answer questions.
"The Arbiter contacted me after he was informed of the incident, he said he would be ready to support us whenever possible, the same goes for the Unggoy," said the President, her voice more relaxed and business-like now as she became accustomed to her natural environment, politics.
The Sangheili were definitely something not to worry about, having been reduced in their ego they were extremely apologetic to the humans, being willing to help them out with anything in the reduced budget of the new Union of the Sangheili Sovereignty.
It was the same story for the Unggoy who the Humans found to be really good fucking farmers, like really fucking good, almost as if they were made to do it, as a result, the Unggoy economy was based upon the trade of food and produce to Human planets and the amount of work they put in. This means the Unggoy would always be neutral in Galactic Affairs, the same would happen here.
"However we are unsure about the rest, we've some of the Jiralhanae war tribes openly say that they would indeed join these 'aliens' on a new 'crusade' though the main tribes have stated their neutrality," said Vice Representative Song, his voice showing his disdain for the massive space monkeys while equally showing concern.
The Jiralhanae had for a while been neutered (Thank god). Being split into so many warring tribes they mimicked the humanity of old, bickering over every small thing, only they just would never have the incentive to unite like the humans did, which was a massive artillery shell the galaxy dodged.
"However the Kig Yar have been divided on this issue, and are pretty indecisive, as always," said the Vice Representative again, his voice just rising in his snarkiness. However Kusluski could agree for once, that the Kig Yar was always indecisive, half wanted to go through the process of law, half wanted anarchy, a wonderful mix for OSNI to exploit both sides.
"So we will have to send diplomats to see whether they support us or not, other than that I think that is all we can provide," finished Representative Csaba.
"So, I believe this meeting is done, I wish you all luck in your upcoming events, godspeed and Ad Astra," said the President as she got up from the table and turned to walk out as Kusluski stayed seated as he watched everyone file out of the room. As everyone left, Kusluski pulled a small device from his suit.
"I want the Infiltrator AI, KPy-0519-12 to be immediately terminated per UTSC AI Disposition Protocol 0452-9," said Kitridge as he got a "yes sir," from the other side as he packed his stuff up and left for his office, a cold small smile on his face.
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Location: Citadel Space Station
Citadel Council Meeting Room 2
Councilor Messena Tevos
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Councilor Tevos was livid, to say the least, in all her years as a Matriarch there was nothing that was as stressful as First Contact. All the possible outcomes and equations were unsolvable until the last minute, the accommodations needed to be made for the new species, as well as negotiations if the shooting never started.
Unfortunately for Tevos, shots were definitely fired.
This was possibly worse than the Morning Wars the Council was dragged into again, once again the Quarians being responsible, at least on the surface.
"1 Vessel," she said in a low tone as she stared at her contemporaries that dotted the round table, there were at least 9 species other than her, and there were the 2 other Councilors, Councilor Desolan Hurtieaius of the Turian Hierarchy and Councilor Navillus' Nhoj of the Salarian Union, both with mixed faces of both fear and anger.
Then there were the 7 'Sub-Councilors', or at least according to Citadel Media, they were really just ambassadors to the Council, all of their species having embassies of their own. Quarians, Volus, Elcor, Yautja, Mon Calamari, Batarians, and Twi' leks sat around the table, each one gazed upon by Tevos.
The facade of a united galaxy had taken off its mask in this room, and it would stay in this room. If Tevos had anything to say about it.
"Can someone please explain to me how 1 vessel was capable of taking down nearly half of a Citadel Guard Fleet? Never mind why we fired in the first place?" said Tevos, repeating her earlier phrase, asking half rhetorical and half serious. The Quarian ambassador, Qhenn vas Hannao stood up to respond.
"According to the sensory data we have received these unknowns have tried to deliberately hack Quarian Confederation warships! As a result, we moved in to engage according to our engagement policy," said the ambassador as Tevos mentally face-palmed, while she may have understood the Quarian position, it still didn't warrant the responses she was getting from the Quarian ambassadorial team.
And she still needed to chew out the Turians.
"That still doesn't warrant your response to the quest…" started Desolan before he was cut off by Tevos, equally as annoyed with her Turian counterpart.
"We are all equally at fault here, there is no need for worthless bickering, the Council's main concern is how we negotiate with these aliens," said Tevos as the Turian councilor sat down with a pout.
"I believe the Rannoch-clan should lead first contact, considering they are the ones who fired first, they are the ones who must be upfront and apologize," said the Volus Representative, Sahla Non, referring to the Quarian home planet as his voice mixed by the mask he was wearing, filtering out and making a breathable atmosphere for the squat alien.
"And what of the Turians! They are the ones managing the site, they are the ones that failed to keep the peace, I want them to be as involved in reparations as they are involved in their little honor facade," said Qhenn, his voice sneering at Desolan Hurtieaius as the mask filled with antibiotic gas obscured the small smirk on his face.
Just as the Turian councilor was about to start a free-for-all brawl, Tevos stepped in, again, like for the last 84 years since her council appointment in 3001, stopping galactic mayhem from spreading either in the galaxy or in the tight rooms of negotiation, mostly the latter, as exhausting as it was.
"ENOUGH! This situation should NOT deteriorate any further, I will have both Turians AND Quarians commit to making first contact with this Alien race, with supervision from the Asari Republics, but right now we must prepare," she said as the doors opened as 4 C-Sec officers, 1 Twi'lek, 2 Quarian, and a Turian (The Quarians and Turian trying their best not to shoot each other a 'look') filed in followed by a Turian Admiral, his face freshly scarred.
"This is Admiral Drexen Tavlorius, he was one of the first to fight against this new race," started Tevos as the room turned from chaotic into order, or at least externally.
"..and paid a heavy price for it," she finished as the Admiral nodded as he strode forward with files and drives in hand.
"I thank you for the introduction, councilor," said Tavlorius as he bowed his head towards the Councilor and he turned towards the others in the room as Tevos took her seat.
"Time is of the essence, this new race will either be open to any negotiation we put forth or decimate our navies in our attempt to subdue them," said the admiral before a picture of a lone ship popped on holographic display.
It was definitely ugly but it looked like it could slaughter any ship the Council could throw at it. Tevos was never a military fanatic, she left that job to the Turians and maybe the Salarians and their STG.
"So this thing kicked the Turians out of the water?" asked the Mon Calamari Representative, Orris Kalynn, his voice gravelly as he turned to Desolan Hurtieaius, who, as Tevos established, was not ready for this position but would have to do it for now, probably why he was kicked around alot by media and fellow colleagues. The Turian Councilor just shot a barely noticeable dirty look towards the amphibious creature.
"All you need to know is that it is dead, Ambassador, our Space Forces have cleaned the area around the wreckage and are currently looting it for anything of value," said the Turian Councilor triumphantly as he nodded at the Turian Admiral before he continued. Though Tevos knew of Desolan's 'hatred' of the Admiral, she knew very well that he would be in line if with other co-workers as herself.
"And it is dead because we misunderstood its intentions," said the Admiral as the rest of the room locked eyes on the poor Turian.
"Excuse me? You mean we have accidentally started a war with another species because of a jumbling exchange of language?" asked Ambassador Sahla Non, his suit perfectly adding to his confusion and slight anger.
"Yes Ambassador, I believe this is what we were able to salvage before all of our systems mysteriously wiped itself," finished the Admiral as a small planet slowly materialized in the middle of the room, mesmerizing its occupants. A slow voice was heard, as the VI's hurryingly translate the message, though the only one to have success was the one that Tavlorius brought with him that had the special codes and algorithms.
"It says… We come in peace…" said Councilor Navillus' Nhoj, the Salarian quick to process the processed language barrier from the VI. The rest of the room silent as drippings of guilt leaked through to most of the Ambassadors, it even caught onto Tevos who felt her stomach drop a bit before recollecting herself as did the rest of the room.
"As I was saying I suggest our next course of action is one of peace, if we do not act quick enough, I am afraid the whole message of the Citadel Council is put at risk," finished the Admiral as the Asari Councilor nodded and smiled a bit. Hopefully this messed up meeting would end on a positive note, maybe a bit of Asari Honey-Mead would do the trick to stave off her incoming headache.
"Well I think this would wrap up our current meeting, Admiral you are free to go, a C-Sec escort is waiting for you, as for the rest of you, I wish best of luck to all those involved in the coming events, may we be united by the stars," she finished as she sat down, rubbing her temples, massaging the pain out of them.
Maybe this species wouldn't be as bad as she saw it to be but then again, the Krogan were seen as the good guys for a while.
"You think these aliens are going to be a problem?" asked the Turian Councilor, still in the room as he checked up on his Asari counterpart.
"Only if we make it a problem, if we try to make peace and they attack, at least we have leverage for their aggression in a post-war settlement," said Tevos as Desolan shook his head.
"We should go in and end the threat! Though I do not support the court martial of the Admiral, I believe he could have acted a lot more preemptively, now the Turian Hierarchy is down a dreadnought for the time being," said the Turian, his voice a tad bit indulgent and naive, soon enough he would not be singing that tune. Tevos knew how much the Turians valued Dreadnoughts so this would be a tough mead for the Hierarchy to swallow.
"With what? The Geth could very well take advantage if we move our Security Containment Fleets, where I must remind you most of our power is and the Terminus Systems would love to take the opportunity to expand in their little area and cause lawlessness for any civilians in the area." rebutted Tevos as the Turian councilor chuckled a bit, he was annoyingly overconfident.
"Councilor, there is no need to worry! The Hierarchy has many Dreadnoughts to spare!" said Desolan as at that moment as if on queue, outside the massive glass windows of the nearly empty meeting room the Mangali Class Super Dreadnought, Palavan roared past as the large vessel that was defined as the soul of the Turian Space Forces, escorted by her own contingent of 3 Vallisan Class Dreadnoughts.
It was an awe striking sight to see to say the least, characterizing the Turian military might. Or in Tevos' opinion, overconfidence yet to be shattered. While she did appreciate their peace keeping efforts, they however, had degraded in overall quality in their personality, as if they wanted it to be a challenge to like them.
But that was a thought from a younger Tevos, not now when she was mature and in her matriarchy stage. Then again the Destiny Ascension Class was in her opinion, by far superior to the Mangali Class, Asari engineering at its best.
"Well I hope you have any ships to spare when this is over, your diplomatic contingent to the Karden System is finalizing their trip, you best be wishing them farewell and finalizing briefings," finished the Asari Councilor as the Turian Councilor snorted.
"Ha, and what about your contingent? I guess we can say our farewells together, perhaps?" asked the Turian as the Asari just laughed a little.
"Negotiations are my species specialty, I have yet to see a Turian make the cut for tryouts to a Hostage Negotiations Team in C-Sec," Tevos' fired back as the Turian councilor cracked a small smile from his mandibles.
"I think you know why we don't have any of our own in that department," said the Turian as he turned to leave.
"I will see you after the negotiations commence, may we be united by the stars," said Tevos' as the Turian left the room, leaving the Asari to her own thoughts as she looked out the vast window, the meeting rooms being situated near the bottom of the Tower, she was able to see the vast defense fleet from her relatively low vantage point as she wondered the state the Galaxy would be in after.
Now where was that Asari Honey-Mead?
A/N: Sorry I lied, The Terran Calamity's next chapter is a bit of a hold-up right now, almost there but I have to refine it so it's not a shit-covered chapter.