Hello and welcome to the next chapter. I was so dissapointed when i noticet that the second chapter is as long as the first one so i hope this one will be long enought. On 3rd try it must sucess. :D This chapter will be a second part to the previous first part of the second chapter and we will finally get to the second universe. This part will also fox some mistakes from the previous chapters that i made after one guy informs me about some inacuracies and i am happy. Thanks Naotw. It will be hapening a lot but i will inform You about it. I am still learning and the reviews are helping a lot. But now let's get to the second part!
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Chapter 2 - Part 2 – The other side
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„Is there anyting else i can do for you sir?"
„Nothing, thank you."
„You're welcome sir.", Sherman said and then disapeared. Edvigo was alone.
„I hate Mondays.", Edvigo said to the empty room. He had at least 2 hours before Hood arrives so he decided to go drink something. He went for an alcohol, Edvigo knew he should not drink alcoholic drinks at work, be he doesn't cares about it.
„I don't remember sending invitation to anyone, let me guess.", Edvigo said and turned around.
„It didn't come?", asked and looked at surprised Elite in armour. Thel didn't except Edvigo will notice him that soon.
„Your door was open.", elite said.
Edvigo immediately looked at the door. Opened. Than turned back and replied to Thel: „It happens sometimes, i was planing to replace them…i never got around to it."
Edvigo took a glass of drink and walked to the living room, where he sat in the chair.
„Understandable.", Thel said.
„I am apologizing for the interuption sir-", before the AI was able to finish his sentence, Edvigo jumped into his speech: „Oh, that must be my dinner!", Edvigo run out of his room and passed Rtas, leaving them with confused expressions.
„Edvigo skipped his breakfast and lunch due to meetings, consultations and other matters.", Sherman explained as he appeared on the small conference table.
„It happens to him a lot, he has a lot of work, the job of politician is no fun.", added to his comment.
„I am starting to think he is a little crazy.", Rtas remarked.
After that Edvigo was back with a pizza.
„The job of politican is very serious.", he said and continued to his chair.
„You are sitting in one room full of idiots and waiting until someone starts speak bullshits, this is what i am doing, after someone says something stupid, i will jump on him and beat him over the head with those shits.", he started munching on the pizza and continued with full mouth: „That's why some people call me predator, they thought i wouldn't notice…fools.", and continued with eating his pizza.
„For a politician, you don't take your job too seriously.", Rtas remarked.
„It's like a chess, you make a move and waiting for opponents one.", Edvigo answered.
„But you're not just here for a simple chat, right?", he changed topic.
Thel and Rtas looked at each other and back and Rtas started first: „We want to talk about todays meeting."
„Oh. That was a nightmare. One of the worst. I never want to experience it again. There are much more important things to deal with.", you could see that he was annoyed, but Edvigo asked them still: „What exactly?"
„You mentioned one part about the Forerunner artifact, which you pressed too much.", Rtas answered. Edvigo suspected this would be the part, but prayed it wasn't. But universe wanted the opposite. He just finished his pizza and decided to do something he didn't want to. Tell the truth.
„Okay, end of the endless secrecy."
„Secrecy? Is there something you didn't tell to us?", Thel was surprised.
„The thing is that…", Edvigo sighted and continued: „in year 2579, one of our recon fleets discovered a Forerunner artifact.", he revealed. Rtas didn't know what to think or say about it. He wouldn't believe they were keeping it a secret. FOR 6 YEARS.
„What!? That's rude!", Rtas was angry, Thel noticed Edvigos look on his face, something was wrong. He decided to continue: „Why didn't you tell us about it?"
„Not here.", Edvigo said and continued: „Follow me.", then he stand up and walked out of the room with two elites following him. After few minutes they got to a small room, with a table in the middle and some chairs. It was enought for 6 people. But Edvigo didn't talk yet, he was awaiting someone.
„What are we doing here?", arbiter asked and Edvigo answered immediately: „We are waiting."
„For who?", Rtas was the second one who was asking.
Right when Rtas finished his question, Viceadmiral Hood has entered the room. He was kinda surprised when he saw the Arbiter with Rtas Vadum, then he looked at Edvigo.
„I hope you have a good reason for all of this. I had to skip the ceremony due to you.", Terrance said, then looked at Arbiter.
„Arbiter.", Hood greeted and nodded his head. Thel did the same.
„Erm erm since we all got together and got to know each other like this, I'd like to get straight to the point.", Edvigo silenced everyone and started explaining everything. Viceadmiral Hood was now woried, Thel had no words, Rtas had no words.
„The situation is getting out of hands.", Edvigo said. Lord Hood was the second one, who talked after the few seconds: „Oh, this is bad, what did we manage to find out from the data obtained?"
„Nothing usefull, Guilty Spark don't want to help us, he is talking about something like forbiden action or some kind of shit. So we had to do it by ourselfs. But we found something interesting.", Edvigo answered. Everybody was waiting, what he will say.
„Oh, you are waiting on me, sorry.", he excused and continued: „Before the Halos, Forerunners tried everything to stop the Flood spreading. They were experimenting a lot and they come with one thing. They tried to eliminate Flood with a help of some biologic weapon. They started with developing some virus, that was supposed to fast spread between any lifeform and jump on the Flood and start spreading betveen the Flood infection. Eliminate infection with another infection/virus, kinda funny. They finished their first prototype and then imediately tested it. They released the virus on one of the planets close to the Flood teritory and waited after the Flood will come on the planet. And it worked, it worked more than Forerunners excepted."
„What do you mean by that?", Rtas finally decided to speak.
„What i mean by that? Well…for the first few years the virus spreads and killed a lot of Flood lifeforms, but…gravemind, as you know, noticed it and starts fighting back. He knew somehow that the virus goes after everything that lives and breaths and did something unexpected, sent them the virus back. The virus very fastly starts to spread between Forerunners too and then the situation went out of hands. They fought with the virus for the 20 years until they destroyed it and they never again went back to it, after that they begin with building Halos… and said good night to the Milky way, like Thanos did it in Aveners Endgame, but to the half of the universe.", Edvigo finished, left everyone shocked again.
„So if we don't do something, we can loose Cascade of Jellyfish and maybe every colony if civilians will keep escaping.", Hood finished Edvigos thought, Edvigo confirmed it.
„By the way what about our hacker?", Edvigo asked and changed the topic.
„They still don't know, where is he or even who is our hacker, ONI leader says that our hacker is very good in hiding, he is still trying to get into the ONI servers. AI that guards it sucessfully repels the attack for now, but it's harder and harder, we are giving it few days until the AI will fail and he will get in. We don't even know, what the hacker wants, for what is going. We are trying to find him as fast as posible, but we don't have enought people to cover bigger area.", Edvigo answered and Terrance was nervous. First virus and ONI can't find one single hacker.
„But when i think about it, such a hacker would fit in the ONI. The real profesional that knows what's he doing.", he said and Hood looked at him with confusion.
„If you need some help, we can send some of our troops to speed up the search.", Thel offered. Edvigo was happy, if it would speed up the search, but there was one small problem. Hood was the first one who spoke: „Ir's a good offer and i would accept it, but our people are still angry at former Covenant and if we tell them that Elites will be invited on one of our colonies for a search, it will cause a lot of protests.".
„Then don't tell them about it, make it as a secret mission.", Edvigo reacted.
„Yes, the number of people that are against the former Covenant members has redused to 46%, but it's still a big number. But don't worry, it will be reducing by a time and people will get through it. What do you think german people came through after the second world war? They came through the same thing as you now, it takes years to relationships to settle. But the help would be good, just send stealt troops rather to avoid any detection and we don't need to face any more problems.", right after Edvigo finished his sentence, Sherman appeared in the middle of the table and said: „Sir, we have got a message from the Tassili colony, they are saying that they have discovered unknown object."
Everybody looked at Sherman in astonishment. After few seconds of silence Edvigo said: „The fuck are you talking about."
Unknown solar system, newly discovered Mass Relay near the third uninhabited planet from the Sun, Turian Hierarchy escort fleet, 24. September, 2183 (15. August, 2585)
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General Desolas Arterius
Silence, one of the most accurate description of the deep space. Well there were better, creepy descriptions, but Desolas didn't want to think about that now. This was newly discovered Solar system near Mass Relay. When he received a report with orders to investigate the new Mass Relay, he was skeptic about this idea, but when he saw, who sent the report, Arterius didn't ask and just accepted the order. When they arrived, Desolas didn't believe what they found. A whole new solar system with habitable planets, full of resources, even with Eezo on one planet closer to the Sun. It wasn't maybe much at all, but still, better something then nothing. Desolas sent message about their discovery back to the Citadel, councilors were surprised and pleasured and asks Salarians, if they can send a small scientist team. This is why Turian patrol fleet was waiting. It was said that the fleet will arrive soon and Turians sent more ships to secure the area near the Mass Relay and a third planet from the Sun. But there was something else. When general looked on the planet, he thinked that something was wrong with it, but he didn't know what and it was scary. But now he pulled out every thoughts after the Mass Relay activation.
„Sir, the fleet has arrived.", the junior officer announced with the discipline and great professionalism expected of all crew members.
„Thank you officer, send them a message, we are waiting.", Desolas ordered.
„Yes sir. Message sent, they're on our way.", junior officer answered.
It was here, after the Systems Alliance, another great discovery. It looked like Turian Hierarchy had lucky day. The Systems Alliance were discovered just a few months ago, fortunately the first contact was peaceful without any conflicts. The negotiations were a bit more difficult, but eventually the Systém Alliance joined the Citadel, but it looked like the Councilors profited more from it than SA. Arterius thinks that everyone should benefit from it, not only one side, but what he can do with that? For Desolas it was one negative thing about this, but it wasn't that bad. It was necessary to secure the galactic peace and if they wouldn't accept, turian hierarchy would show them who is the boss here. But again, it didn't happen. If we get back to present, Arterius didn't feel good about this operation, he still remembers the Rachni and everything after it. Opening new Relays in the citadel space was forbiden and dangerous, now they are standing here, in the new space, they did what they were supposed to prevent: opening new Relays and avoid another Rachni war. When Arterius heard about it, he thought that the Councilors went crazy. This is why he is so nervous about all of this. Dude, it's even his job, get ready for unexcepted. And it wasn't help watching on the planet down there. When research fleet was getting closer, the feeling was worther and worther. But he was here because the councilors said it so he will not fail.
„I am going to check Mordin, dare to blow something up without my presence.", Desolas said and then he was on the way to the labs.
„Of course, because who wants to miss the perfect firework.", one of the crew responded quietly.
„I can still here you!", Desolas shouted from the corridor, after this answer everyone laughed.
Desolas was proud of his crew members, disciplined, profesional, they were sent right from the academy. But there were also crew members that worked here for a long time so they can help the new ones. About Mordin, when Salarian heard about new Relay, he was so happy he wanted to go on the „first wave", scientists…you know what i mean. Mordin looked like a kid in a candy store. Well…it was just funny. Mordin was getting sone data from the planet now. Then Desolas came in.
„How is it going dr. Mordin?", asked Mordin. Salarian looked away from the omnitool and smiled when he noticed Desolas in his lab.
„Oh, everything is good. I just got some data from the planet down there and the other planets. It's just amazing, the data says that the planet can support life. Well, we have to teraform it first but it will take only a few years until it can be colonised. I found some eezo site on the first planet. However, there is small problem." Mordin showed him a hologram of the solar system and continued. Arterius was listening.
„The planet with Eezo is too close to the Sun, we will need a lot pf resources and it will be hard to get eezo from the planet. The conditions are cruel here.", Mordin finished.
„Well, this is bad…anyways Citadel…erm erm Asari, would profit from it. The harder the eezo will be able to get from it, the bigger the prize will be on market and we can get some discount for the discovery.", Desolas said and Mordin knew what he meant. And agreed.
„Yes, that's true, but this planet down there is interesting, it looks like the planet had some life on it. There are ice lakes on some places and something is also in the soil. I must extract more samples from the planet, i can't get more data from here.", Mordin said. Desolas thinked about it, there's no need to say that he wasn't happy with this idea but Mordin is Mordin. When there is something scientific, he becomes unstopable. He was surprised that his curiosity hasn't killed him yet. Maybe he is incredibly lucky. Or it's just a skill. Who knows. Arterius sighted and answered: „Fine, you can go on the planet.", Mordin was about to thank him but he continued: „But i will send some units with your team and you will contact us every 10 minutes, i'll give you 4 hours. No more. Understood?"
Mordin wanted argue with him, but Desolas was the leader here, so he can do nothing with it. Yes, 4 hours wasn't enought for him, but on the other side, Arterius was responsible for them and he didn't want to risk anything and anyone. There was no place for arguments or even debate, so salarian accepted it. It was better than nothing.
„Understood.", Mordin answered.
„Good.", Turian smiled at him and walked away, left Mordin alone. After few seconds scientist has begun with preparations for landing. Desolas went to his cabin to send a report to the Citadel and take some rest. What could go wrong?
Citadel, council private chambers
Citadel, the beating heart of Galactic society, was located at within short distance of almost every major race. This has resulted in the Citadel over time becoming the capital of galactic politics, economics, society, and culture. With a lenght of 44.7 km and population of over 13.2 milions composed of different kinds of races like the Asari, Salarian, Turian, Humans and others has became as the center of the Citadel space, placed on the junction of the key Mass Relays leading to the other parts of space. Councilor Tevos, Valern and Sparatus were in the chambers and they normaly talk about daily problems. For the information, most of the problems caused, caught caught, Batarians. But today it was different, it was about the new Relay and a discovery of the new solar system.
„I say we must secure the new system and begin with colonization and start mining.", Sparatur said. Turian councilor pushed for the start of colonization after he read the report from general Desolas. His moral went high when he heard about the Turian discovery. Well, it was mostly because the turians were the ones who has discovered the system.
„We can't just start colonizing a foreign unknown planet without proper exploration, we don't even know, what we can find on the earth.", Tevos sighted. She was thinking it was a bad idea to tell it to Sparatus now. Asari rised his ego by the news, now it will be hard to ground him back. It happens sometimes, there was no doubt about it. But now they have to be carefull, it's behind new Relay and the system is unexplored. They can find something they didn't want to and it could lead to a new war, if they find a new alien race.
„Tevos is right, we need more time to explore the other planets, the report says that there were no sign of any Prothean ruins, but if there is hiden one somewhere…", Valern replied to Tevos. Everything he cares about was Prothean ruins, and maybe the eezo sites, new space means new potencial Prothean for him. Tevos was thinking how unexperienced were, but yes, they don't live as long as Asari so it's quite debatable. But the prothean ruin was one point where everybody agreed on, it can bring new knowlegde and technology. Come on dude, who doesn't want that? New technology laying right in front of your door, why the risking? But caution is in order. Tevos can't let someone damage the potencial prothean due to a rush.
„Hmph…but the planet with Eezo sites would be very good for our fleet. Matriarch is impatient and wants to set new shipyards here. Well it makes sense because it will be more safe than mine it and transport by a ship to our space with a risk of ambush…yes, we have fleets, but we need them elsewhere on more important places.", Sparatus said. And he had a good points, he hoped that Asari might help with financing the project too, Councilor Tevos had an idea where he was going with that, but the idea as such was beside the point. It can strenghten their fleet by a few more ships and they will need more ships in the future if they want to defend their space, even now they have small problems with that, Terminus systems are no problem because there are Batarians. Systems Alliance was skeptic about land some ships to help with patroling, they said they need all their ships to protect their space and they will not let anyone get into their space. Humans don't trust them at all and that is the problem. They are also against allowing any other allien races enter their planets. Even the homeworld. Systems Alliance didn't want to share a location of their home planet and they still don't want to do it. All they know is the name of the planet, they are calling it „New Earth". They also said that they escaped their destruction and drifted through desolate space for several months, perhaps a year before they were able to settle on their now home planet. But from who? They have to ask them next time. They are revealing informations very slowly. Even STG didn't find their homeworld, whitch is weird, they tried to get into their servers only to bump into their security systems, firewalls and countermeasures. And they had very strong security systems. All three councilors are hoping that they will reveal more about them. They have unoficial meeting with their human counterpart called Udina. But not now, they have to deal with this.
„I think the new shipyards are a good idea. Yes, there may be a problem with supplies, but that can be solved after colonization. Now like I said we need to explore new planets for more data, we need more information and then we can start colonizing the systém, maybe the Systems Alliance would like to be a part of that. It would be good for us, they could trust us more and we could strengthen our mutual relations.", Tevos finally said. Valern thinked about it and answered: „This is good idea, it can help it may help us during the next negotiations. And maybe they can give to us their homeworld location."
„Keep dreaming.", Sparatus reacted on his comment and continued: „They will never give you a location of their planets. We tried it already, remember? We can be happy that the first contact with humans went peacefully and not as an open conflict."
I am so glad they are at least using their brain, Tevos thinked and replied on them: „Sparatus is right, it will look like we want from them too much, all we can do is wait and we will see.", Asari looked at her omnitool, when she saw time, she said: „And it will be very soon, we have 10 minutes."
Everyone looked at her and then started preparing for meeting.
Oh my god, phew, finally new chapter and HOPEFULY it's longer then the previous two. I was so dissapointed when i noticet that the second chapter is as long as the first one so i hope this one will be long enought. On 3rd try it must sucess. :D This chapter is a second part to the previous first part of the second chapter and we have finally got to the second universe. This part will also fix some mistakes from the previous chapters that i made after one guy informs me about some inacuracies and i am happy. Thanks Naotw. It will be hapening a lot but i will inform you about it. I am still learning and the reviews are helping a lot. About grammar, i just learned how to use google translator correctly so it should be better in the future. I have also came with a very smart idea. Reduce font size so i can see how long it really is. This chapter is also an experiment. It will show me if there is something to improve in politics or if it's good enought, let me know. I can also change my writing styles during story progress. And i will experimenting a lot to be honest, i am not afraid of it and it will sucess or not. It will be 50/50. I hope you like it and-
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Postcredit scene
New Earth, Systems Alliance homeworld, far from any Mass Relay, call it inter-relay space
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It was late evening and no one was working, everyone went home to their families to spend their time with them, take care of them or just take some rest. But that didn't apply to one of the Systems Alliance viceadmiral and leader of the Systems Alliance due to a lot of work and paperwork, the most annoying type of work in almost any type of work as leader, or even admirals, viceadmirals etc. He was on his position for a!very good reason, as his skills, experiences and combat adaptability he was unmatched yet. Now he was looking down on the New Earth from his flagship. The New Earth was heavily guarded by a lot of Systems Alliance ships. Some of them were very recognizable, some of them were new classes. You may ask, why a whole fleet for a planet if the planet is far away from any Mass Relay? Well there can be some outer dangerous things that remains undiscovered yet. And hopefuly it will stay undiscovered. It was hard time but people can live now peacefully. About the ship, it was old class of ship with strong armour, a lot of guns weapon systems missile silos, point defences and more. It has a name on its sides. The words are saying: „UNSC Everest".
„Viceadmiral Cole. You have an call, it's Udina, sir.", one soldier entered his room and the asked man turned around from the window.
„Transfer the call to the conference room, i am on the way.", Preston answered and went to the conference room.
HA! GOT YOU! But You thought it was an ens right? You may be confused as fuck right now and asking „Whoa whoa whoa whoa, what the fuck is going on.", don't worry, everything will be explained in the next chapter. But now, it's definelly the end…of this chapter of course. I hope you liked this „postcredit scene" and the chapter as well. Thanks for reading! And as i said, it's an experimental chapter too.
