Gundam belongs to Bandai. Mass Effect to EA. Star Trek to Viacom. I own none of the material mentioned here.
0121.10.16
Serpent Nebula - Citadel
Council Chamber
High Lord Commander Ofærr Stjarnagram
Ofærr allowed his eye to wander across the various aliens that crossed the path of his group and the Councillors. At some point, Saren had been taken by several guards and escorted away from the group before they started out of the landing bay. More than likely to be asked for information on both Humanity as well as the situation leading up to the eventual capture by the humans. Maybe. There was no telling the process that aliens used.
They seem to come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. There were much more aliens than he had expected. Dozens of species though few held the look of the so called "Asari" who in themselves looked almost human. Like out of some old science fiction series where the budget was too small to afford alien costumes. He listened to the conversation that the one called Tevos was attempting to have with him, nodding his head.
"…the Citadel Alliance can lay claim to a staggering seventeen species which make up our membership. There are many names though I am sure you will likely wish to be forwarded the first contact information on each to help settle you into the galactic community."
She seemed to trail off as she caught his eye looking over a pair of Veltsrism*. The squat bodied cousins of the Volus. Though the largest difference between the two was the trailing tentacles that ran from their necks and covered their jaws. Both, as with the Volus, encased in hermetically sealed suits.
"Perhaps. Ya got ah lot to show that is certainly fer sure. I wasn't expecting this many, we only ever had experience with two. One I've seen around yer station and ah nother."
He would glare at any Batarian for a few seconds if he caught them glaring at him. More than often though he merely watched with some confusion as to what he was. Though he couldn't read minds compared to others, he had enough insight to recognize such looks. Then the blue skinned one, Tarvos coughed into her hand, catching the larger man's attention.
'Yes. The Batarians. I will hold off on asking about anything related to them, but I would love to inquire about this other first contact you had. Do you recall the species or how long ago it was?'
Fishing for information, how very bureaucratic of her. Though he supposed he couldn't fault her for wanting to know more. With a nod of his head, he would tap his blade at his hip. Causing the metal to actually vibrate. A grin spreads at the confused expression on her face.
"Like yah to meet tah Representative of tha Extraterrestrial Living-metal Shape-shifter fer or ELS for short. Must Ah been 25 or so years. You recall 8890?"
He would turn towards the strange blade as a synthetic voice echos from its pummel.
'The Ninety Eighth Year, the Seventh Month, the Nineteenth Day. We entered your solar system. Encountering Devil Army and Solar Fleet Forces. Both are assimilated.'
He could see the fear, as well as he was able to glean from alien faces, on the three councilors. A hand raised before they could speak.
"You'll have to hold your questions. Just know that the ELS are Allies. Their original idea of understanding is through assimilation. That's changed outside of a few circumstances. It was how we could understand and speak your languages."
While the Salarians and Asari seemed placated, though no less intimidated, or in the Salarian's case, vibrating with what looked like childlike wonder, the Turian looked less than thrilled as he stomped up while eyeing the living metal organism and glaring.
"You should have warned us that you would be bringing a representative for another species asides your own. Especially one as truly alien as this one. Given its nature it clearly poses a risk to not only the citadel, but the council."
Well, he wasn't exactly wrong, was he? Ofærr had the decency to look a little chastised but at the same time grinned. The ELS shifted before it returned to a solid state before the Councilors. Though Ofærr scratched at the back of his head with a small smile. Even then as they started to walk again, he caught the Turian's eye shifting towards his bodyguards. Power Armored soldiers followed by Royal Guards. The two at the head carrying the banners of the Twin Empresses of Earth. Gold was gilded onto the seams of pauldrons as well as the joints.
"Sorry Lad. Must have slipped my mind. They will be here in these talks to represent one part of Humanity. We are a…complex association of varying degrees of humanity as it were. I'm no ambassador either. I'm but a mere soldier after all. But I see you eyein the Banner Bearers. Questions?"
The group continued through the park along the way towards the central location within the Citadel. C-Sec working to keep civilians away. Though the sounds of running water besides them did garner some attention from the Royal Guard, their intimidating gas masks would otherwise keep any civilians away. Though the occasional reptilian creature did seem to eye them. Sparatus turned towards the Lord Commander with a nod of his head.
"It has been years since any Council or Galactic Race attempted Powered Armor to such a capacity. Most had otherwise abandoned it for the use of Kinetic Barriers or Tech Armor. Biotics rendering such uses as obsolete. Yet your species not only continued to use it, we've detected no use of Element Zero in your vessel, or them. You've even still continued traditions that all others but the most warlike had abandoned…"
Ah. He was nervous of them. Primitive customs? He couldn't help but chuckle. Even as camera drones swarmed down, and one of the royal guards nearly snapped a shot off. Only stopped by a hand on their shoulder. The path they strolled on began to bend and rise as the procession continued towards the base of a building.
"Believe it or not, some two hundred years ago, we abandoned such things fer the most part as a species and society. Largely we moved towards other forms Ah rulership, of expression. Then about 20 er so years ago, we realized that our species really shouldn't be without a proper, consistent, rulership. We had up till then utilized elected officials, which had worked, though more often than not, policies would be changed with each subsequent leader. You probably deal with this now, yes?"
A few nods as the councilors looked at each other. Then back to the old man.
"Some traditions had been maintained, and perhaps it was because of ah want for stability, but it seemed to spread through our culture rapidly. Rekindling the importance of blood lines, of dynasties, of marks. Though with proper checks and balances lest that old corruption slip back into the cracks. Hence the Banners. One to represent each of the Empresses."
A few nods of understanding, though he could see their dismissal of the idea of a constant leader. But he couldn't blame them. Power corrupts after all. Though so far, the reintroduction of those long dead norms was still ongoing. The average citizen seemed to have taken a liking to them. There were holdouts, nevertheless.
"As fer tah armor and weapons? We haven't encountered tech like yours till now. Mostly we gad focused on ballistics, somethin we found worked well against yer kinetic barriers after ah time. Or for large scale, beam weaponry. Type ah energy weap-"
He is cut off then and there as the Salarian moved up and got between him and the Turian.
"Beam? As in direct energy? Your species is truly remarkable if you've managed to develop such technology. Why do you utilize powered armor?"
Ofærr could only chuckle as they rounded a bend and started towards the Presidium. Yep crowds having formed to either side of the path leading up. The sounds of questions being thrown at them in a multitude of languages.
"Reasons I won't be gettin into. Can't let yah have too much now, can I? We only just met after all. Suffice it to say, our Noble Houses pride themselves on producing men and women of integrity."
The councilors didn't miss the way he mumbled the last word while the noise grew louder. Thankfully 8890 had otherwise worked to translate the languages using the packages of data obtained on Shanxi. Though he would side eye the councilors, he motioned towards the Knights and Royal Guard behind him. The two bearing banners would move ahead and take positions around the entrance of the Presidium while the guardsmen would move up and form two rows along the steps. Both looking out. Even as the sound of camera drones echoed, and more reporters would start throwing questions at them.
"Pinatia Dardadus of the Palaven Inquieror, are you the new species that has been reported beyond Relay 314?! Do you have any comments?!"
"Tezit Taztos of the Sur'Kesh News Network, rumors have stated that Batarian Pirates have attacked one of your worlds. They also say you have driven them off, what is your government's next course of action?!"
"Holasshin T'halyt of Thessia Without Borders, are you willing to give a statement on the rumors that your species arrived with hostile intent when you arrived on a warship?!"
Ofaerr released a groan as he resisted the urge to rub his face. It seemed that even journalism was a cross species thing. Even while C-Sec worked to keep the paparazzi away, his own accompanying guard held themselves with decorum expected of their houses. Those in Powered Armor, standing at the topmost, would pound their Standards into the ground in unison with each step the Counselors and he took, causing him to actually wince. Ceremony was one thing the Houses expected their Knights to follow, and it seemed that they did so, even when the situation was quite delicate.
Though the Turian seemed to approve of this, judging by the way he and those Turians in C-Sec would rhythmically tapping their feet or the butt of their guns in time with the actions of the Knights of The Order of Bravery*, founded in Bulgaria. Right hard bastards, he'd fought alongside their Flagship on at least one occasion. Watched them drive its bow into a pirate ship before launching borders. It would be Tevos who broke the silence, even as she looked disapprovingly at both the Turians, and the Knights.
"Your people are very tactful on ceremony, High Lord, but please refrain from such displays next time. It looks as though you are the one dictating to us on protection."
Ofaerr had the decency to wince slightly at that, he would have to have a talk with them after this first meeting. It was clear to him that these aliens were accustomed to having full authority on this station. By this point, the doors had opened and the four marched inside, Ofaerr turning around as he nodded his head.
"Aye, I'll talk with em when I get the chance."
With a shudder, the elevator would start rising up.
0121.10.19
Serpent Nebula - Citadel
Council Chamber
Galactic Council
Councilor Sparatus
Sparatus watched as the human stood before the collective of the strongest races (barring fringe and unaligned worlds) in the galaxy. He out massed all three of them combined though, something he had taken notice of the moment they had met. The visible scars cut an impressive figure, but the fabrics and medals would do little to stop any mass accelerator weapons fire. Though the fact he carried what looked like a living metal like alien as a blade caused him no end of worry.
How do you even protect or kill something like that? Its mere existence is going to call for entire new avenues of technological development merely on detecting and then on destroying such things if war were to break out or rogue elements within their civilization. He let Tevos take the front stage and run for now.
"On behalf of the Citadel Council, we welcome Humanity, and by extension the ELS to the Galactic Community. Though it is with a heavy heart that you are forced to be introduced at the tail end of a conflict with the Batarnians. Even if they were merely pirates."
The Human nodded his head, arms crossed, and chest puffed slightly. Was it an intimidation tactic? Or trying to look larger than he was passively.
"If I may ask, I'd love tah hear tah history of this 'ere station. How'd ya even build it?"
Well, that was a can of worms right out the gate. Phrases that would not start popping into Turians for some time, not till humanity cemented itself properly. Though Tevos would turn towards Valern who stood up and coughed into his hand.
"To begin, the Council did not in fact build the Citadel, just as they did not build the Relays, that which you saw the Batarians exiting into your own solar system. They are a part of a vast network which as we have come to know, are seeded throughout the galaxy."
The Salarian would type into a keyboard upon his console, causing a 3D rendering of the galaxy to emerge. From the Citadel, lines would begin to expand outward from it, stopping before creating more. Though only a handful of these lines of light reach all the way out to the galactic Rim and its Plane above and below. Even he had to suppress a frown at how, well, tiny the network appeared when compared to the full galaxy. Some 8% of the actual whole network had been mapped and explored. With a total of 12% of the rest of the galaxy explored using these places as jump off points.
Turning back, he couldn't help but notice the frown that the human was wearing as well. Just catching him muttering 'So little' under his breath. He would however clear his throat, a question on his lips.
"This ere seems to indicate that you've left so many of these God Keys unactivated. Why?"
Thankfully, the ever-quick Salarian would speak up before the other two had the chance.
"That will come in time, there is still more to this story. These objects, Citadel and Relay, are believed to have been built by a Precursor species, whom we call The Protheans. They vanished some fifty thousand years ago."
The human nodded, refraining from commenting while Valen spoke.
"It was the Asari who first reached space flight, whom, alongside another galactic power at the time, the Mon'tario, would eventually come to blows over ideology. The fighting however was limited due to the imprecise nature of FTL drives at the time. The wars, while smaller in scale, lasted hundreds of years. Until the Asari discovered their first Relay in their home system. From there, they began rapid expansion through the galaxy. This also led to them gaining an upper hand against the Mon'tario's aggression and finally delivering the blow at the Battle of Wolds 314 that forced an unconditional surrender."
The holographic projector in the center would light up, displaying the aforementioned battle as the Asari vessels flew through debris fields of themselves and another. These with yellow and black stripes, rather boxy in comparison with large jutting spines along the sides and running down the top.
"The Mon'tario have withdrawn back to where they came, their Theocracy still unknown in its general location outside of rare encounters with the rest of the galaxy. They would then begin expansion efforts, discovering dozens of both primitive and same level alien species."
The image switches to an actual Mon'tario. Last recorded was a hundred years ago. The eight-foot beast of muscle and frill. Lengthy arms ending in bladed claws. An elongated neck, upon which a serpentine like face sat, complete with bony horns and drills. Legs digitigrade, not unlike Turian and Quarians. Clad in heavy armor and firing a primitive slug thrower as they were now known.
"However, in doing so, the Asari would eventually discover the Citadel, claiming it for themselves until such time that they would come to meet my kind, the Salarians. Unlike their first encounter, they would form an alliance and set the groundwork for what will eventually become the Citadel Alliance. Those previously mentioned nations would eventually join the Alliance, though only the Salarians would be given a seat on it."
He could see the frown forming on the human, but the old man held his tongue. Valen, taking the silence as a signal to continue, did so.
"However, two thousand years ago, the first major law of the Citadel was implemented. "The Relmar Act". It began with the destruction of the Relmarian's own homeworld due to nuclear weapons fire. Given the interest in them at the time, the Council deemed atomic or orbital fire on what is classified as Garden Worlds, as a war crime and punishable by execution of all crew and the one who ordered the bombardment."
A hologram would emerge in between the parties, showing a Krogan and their world. The reptiles, large as they were, still paled next to the Mon'tario from earlier. They were a hearty race, surviving even after everything that had been done to them. Yet Sparatus noticed the human expression, curiosity, though also understanding. The laws were important after all.
"Then I look forward tah seeing it implemented. Those batarians bombarded our world several times based on eye witness accounts."
That caused the council to look between themselves before Tarvos nearly groaned. Of course the four eyes disregarded that law. Shouldn't have surprised him in the least.
"Then they will be held accountable. Once we have discovered who ran that fleet and who gave the order; though that might take time. The Batarians are a difficult mess, command structure wise. It's hard finding out truths from false information."
The human nodded but kept his arms crossed.
"Next to occur was what was known as the Rachni Wars. Following the rampant expansion by Citadel forces through the Relay Network, one relay would be opened and from it, an insectoid species would invade the galaxy. All attempts to communicate were met with silence and hostility."
The hologram would shift, revealing a Rachni drone, the quadrilateral insectoid creature which had struck fear into the heart of the galaxy for a thousand years. Though the human looked more interested than anything.
"For three hundred years, the forces and the Citadel faced this invader. Fighting a losing war. That is, until the Salarians returned to the Krogan. Uplifting the species for war. Their hardy nature and willingness for combat helped to bolster our forces. Not to mention their high birth rates. With their aid, they were used to help push the Rachni to extinction."
And there it was, an emotion they hadn't seen before. Was that disgust? The human seemed to catch and school himself, but by then, Tarvos had already caught it.
"You disapprove, ambassador?"
The human slightly froze before glaring at her.
"Aye. We've done our fare share of extermination but never truly on purpose. I can't say I agree with yer decision to exterminate ah species, but then again I wasn't there. However, yah took ah ravaged species and uplifted em, usin em as cannon fodder. That I can say I find repulsive."
The room went quiet while the various Councils would send him their own frowns. The first to speak was himself.
"But a necessity. The Rachnii had pushed deep into the galaxy from their initial entry. Wiping out planets of both the Salarian and Asari. They had spread through most of the galaxy by the time they brought in the Krogan. Their durable nature and ability to get into Rachni hives proved themselves. In just a hundred years, the endless hordes had been pushed back to their original relay. A costly victory for the Citadel. The krogan would even become a part of the Alliance, for a time."
The human glared but sat back, motioning for the history to resume again. Tarvos coughs into her hand.
"Following the end of the War, the Treaty of Rachnii* was implemented. Limiting the opening of Relays, unless at least Two Heavy Fleets are present for the opening. Something the Krogan vehemently objected to."
What followed after was the lengthy series of events that eventually led to the Krogan Rebellions due to dwindling space on account of the Treaty, and rising tensions between the Krogan and other races. Another war, not a thousand years later, would erupt. This time even worse than that of the Rachnii Wars on account of the Krogan being even stronger. This culminated in the discovery of the Turians. To which the human hummed, looking towards him.
Sparatus would stand next.
"It was in thanks, due to the efforts of the Turians and the military mindset that the Krogans were brought to heel. Our species had, until that time, expanded in our corner of the galaxy and had spare fleets. So when the Citadel came, the Turians answered. In putting down the Rebellion, we were granted a seat on the council."
He noted that after sitting down, the human looked like he wished to say more, but kept his tongue. Then he and Valern turned to watch her as she started talking about the Citadel's first contact with the Hanar and Drell. Completely skipping the end results of the war and the punishment delved out to the Krogan. They looked at each other. What was she thinking?
"As a result of the war however, a decision was reached, and a new Treaty was established. The Treaty of Farixen was placed to limit the number of Dreadnoughts that the species within the Citadel produced. For every five dreadnaughts, the Salarian and Asari may produce two, while other Citadel races may produce one."
That got a raised eyebrow and a frown, but the human said nothing. Oh that. Likely thinking them insane.
She continued to speak of the various species meeting and joining the Citadel, the Batarian, giving them the title of, "Stuart's of the Terminus*" which roughly gave them control of that whole section of space. Something she showed to the human. Whose eye widened at the staggering amount of space that these Batarians had been given to police.
"All that…why?"
The three looked between each other.
"As you can no doubt guess. The Citadel Alliance had recently come out of the Rebellions and based on intel provided by the Salarians; this area of space was littered with Pirate Enclaves, Independent minor aliens, Pirate Nations, and many other things we have no explanation for. To try and go in with our available forces would have been tantamount to suicide. Our forces would have been torn apart inside of such a vast space. With the use of Relays acting as choke points, we could keep the filth from spreading into our space, but we had no way to bring proper order to the sector. As such, given that the Batarians hailed and had the best experience policing such areas, they were tasked with it by the Citadel. In exchange for a place on the council."
A role that hadn't meant anything to the Batarians for a few thousand years as it were. Given that their seat was never filled and they never had a councilor in attendance.
A few more simple questions were asked, then the topic of turning minor aliens like the Hanar, Drell, Volus, Veltsrism, and Vorcha into client species. Though the other two spoke of some dealings with others, the most important of these being the Volus. Their industrial capabilities being what allowed the Citadel to begin policing even more of its systems.
The conversation would eventually turn towards the minor species, their roles within the Citadel and the wider galaxy. Though they would stop with the Quarians which caused Tarvos to groan as she turned towards Valern who stood as Tarvos sat back down. Seems she didn't want to discuss this particular subject.
"Two hundred and twenty six years ago, the Quarian, a species on the edge of the galaxy, had developed a servant class of artificial intelligence, called the Geth, a word in their language meaning "Servant of the People". These Geth, who had up till this point, served as a workforce for the Quarians, began to develop intelligence exceeding the Quarian scope. Which led to the Councilors at the time deciding they proved too dangerous. A decision was made to destroy the Geth. However, the Geth and those disagreeing with their government, as well as the Citadel Council, refused to partake. A joint Civil War and War with the Geth erupted across their space. Called "The Geth War" or "The Mourning War" the Quarians that had sided with the Geth drove the Quarians off world."
That seemed to cause him to suck in a breath, a curious reaction, perhaps the Humans had had a similar situation with AI. Though Sparatus would continue as Valern sat back down.
"As punishment for unleashing an unshackled AI upon the galaxy, a new Law was implemented. That all Self-Determining Machines and Programming are to be destroyed lest they overthrow their creators. In addition, the Quarians were barred from ever settling in Citadel Space. They have become the pariahs of the galaxy, forced to wander within their fleet for the fact that they allowed themselves to lose the war. Under the "Quantum Act" they are barred from colonizing planets, and due to the "Treaty of Rachnii" are unable to open new Relays. An unfitting punishment for crimes the current generation did not commit. "The Rannoch Accords", are established and the creation of AI are officially banned across all Council Space. Those found harboring or attempting to create AI will be dealt with harsh penalties. All research into AI is to be destroyed and any AI created, erased."
That caused the human to nod his head slowly.
"That be ah lot to take in, what other laws would we be beholden to if we were to join the Citadel Alliance?"
It would be Tarvos who spoke up, as he sat back down.
"Asides from the Treaty of Rachnii, The Rannoch Accords, The Relmar Act, and the Treaty of Farixen would be upheld by your species. Your species would be allowed to produce One Dreadnaught for every five Turian Dreadnaughts, along with the erasing of any potential AIs you have created."
That would be met with hands clasped as she leaned forward and actually glared. An act which confused the other two Councilors. Ofaerr himself seemed to still as they locked eyes. Nothing was said before the old human, given his beard and colored hair, breathed out with a nod.
"Aye, I see yer requests. Tah Council of Earth will have tah cast a vote, before the Empresses decide on a course of action."
That was right, the Humans were led by two females and what sounded like a council of Nobles of some kind. Though, Sparatus would then extend a hand out towards the man before him.
"You have heard of our own history, so we would ask of you, to share of your people and your own history."
He could only smile as Ofaerr seemed to grimace at the suggestion, before he started to speak.
"I want tah preference this by sayin that I don't know my history, at all, so I'll leave that for ah actual historian. Never was important to me. Though I can tell yah ah few things about the last few decades, maybe ah century."
He would begin to regal the Council with tales of their people, of their achievements of self-sustaining colonies in space as a result of their lack of terraforming technology, of war machines with power to destroy these, and of men with ambitions for the betterment of their people. Many of which he was sure the other two would take with a grain of salt. This man seemed to have something of a bias.
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