Chapter 3
Guest- How did I miss that? Thanks for showing that, I'll try to get that fixed once I get my lazy butt to do it.
nomad27- I can't say who they are as that would be major spoilers, but you'll be somewhat satisfied that the Tyranids will not be showing up much here.
AscendedHumanity- Well, much I enjoy reading the council being stuck up arrogant asses (Sparatus being the most arrogant.), I'm going try to keep most of them somewhat logical in their actions against the Tau. Sparatus will be that stuck up ass we know and loathe though. (Maybe even worse. My apologies if people are sick of seeing that.)
S0UL SURVIVOR- Really?! I always thought they followed the Greater Good and its ideals, just modified it to be without the Ethereal Caste and their influence. If that is truly the case and you provide the source, I'll try to change any mention of the Great Good as soon as possible.
Citadel Tower
If there was one emotion that could describe the current turmoil of the Citadel council would be anxiety. Anger would also be sufficient.
One moment they were discussing a recent trade embargo made by one of their client races on another client race and whether or not they should intervene. And then the next, a giant fleet of red-colored ships of massive size, coming from giant pink portals. Doing nothing, the fleet of ships just waited as the Citadel defense fleet scrambled to respond to their sudden appearance.
Once they did, the Citadel fleet waited for either the alien fleet to do something hostile or for the council to order them to do something. Just when they were about to receive orders from the council or from the commander in charge of the entire fleet, an individual, calling themselves Brightsword, hailed the entire citadel, telling them that they were here to conduct first contact with the Citadel Council and that they had four hours to respond to his announcement.
Seeing that the aliens were not hostile, the council immediately contacted them, using the same unsecure, obviously done purposely, transmission frequency that the aliens used, telling them to meet them in three hours in the Citadel tower so they can conduct first contact in a dignified manner. The aliens accepted it and asked for a landing pad be given to them as they had no shuttle capable of using their docking stations. Because of this, they landed their shuttle in the wards, the only place in the citadel with pads that were capable of accepting their ships, not without long retrofits at least.
As a result, the Citadel Council was patiently waiting for the Citadel security escort bringing the alien envoys from the wards to the Citadel Tower.
As they waited, one of the councilors looked at her fellow councilors were thinking of about the aliens.
The councilor was a humanoid alien with a purple complexion. She had white markings over her face that looked similar to warpaint found in primitive species before they even learned how to make a gun. Instead of hair, like humans, she possessed some sort of head crests that flowed back from the back of their heads, looking somewhat like an octopus's tentacles. Wearing a dress that exposed no skin, this was councilor Tevos of the Asari, the oldest race in the galaxy and the one that founded the Citadel Council.
Looking at her fellow councilors, Tevos saw they were deep in thought.
The councilor of the Salarians, the 2nd race that became a member of the council and was the same species as Mordin, Valern, was deep in thought. No doubt he was wondering how the aliens managed to create an alternative way to conduct FTL travel than that was used by all other sentient life. Such a technology could prove most beneficial to all. Whether or not, the Salarians would obtain it either through diplomacy or covert means is anyone's guess. Though Tevos knew that the latter was the most likely way. The Salarians were always willing to backstab and sabotage in order to get ahead of everyone else.
The Turian ambassador, Sparatus, was a bundle of emotions. None of them positive. He didn't appreciate the way the aliens had showed themselves, going right through all the Citadel patrols that protected the mass relays that were linked to the one that led to the Citadel. That alone caused grave concern for the entire council.
In order to launch an attack on any star system that was even hundreds of light years away without wasting a significant amount of time, they had to use a mass relay to get to said system. As a result, enemy fleets can guard a mass relay and prepare for the attack. This also had the added benefit of allowing systems deep within an enemy territory to have the luxury of being defended by several fleets of warship even if they aren't in the star system so long as they are defending relays that are link to said system. For example if one was to attack the Asari home world of Thessia, which is the heart of Asari space, they would have to jump through multiple relays to get through Thessia, relays that were heavily defended at all times due to Thessia being the home world of the Asari and one of the economic hubs of the galaxy. This issue was further compounded with the fact that an attacking force had to maintain a supply line from their territory to Asari territory, a chain that can easily be ambushed by Asari fleets due to the nature of the relays being accessible to all without any way to deactivate them for specific ships. So, because of this flaw of the relay system during times of war, wars were avoided, and most issues were settled with diplomacy. Something that most people were happy with.
And now these aliens brought with them a unknown technology that could bypass those relays, and with them the fleets stationed to defend them, and attack Thessia without much warning. Sure, they were vulnerable to attack from behind when the Asari fleets realize the danger Thessia was in and quickly respond to defend it, but they could simply jump back with their own FTL drives and leave without much casualties. At least, that was what the populace believed. That caused a great source of alarm for the Turians, as their primary purpose above all else, was the safety and security of all citadel space. No doubt, Sparatus was thinking of ways to make effective countermoves against the alien's technology. Sure, the aliens wanted peace with the council, but what if that changed? What if a disagreement happened during the negotiations and war would break out? The Citadel would be at a severe disadvantage if the aliens had more advanced technology than just their FTL drives.
Hoping that Sparatus's paranoid and military mind wouldn't affect the negotiations in a negative way, at least too much, Tevos then looked at the human councilor, David Anderson. The black-skinned human was deep in thought. He was a mix of emotions like Sparatus, but some of them were more positive.
Like Sparatus, he was concerned with the alien's technology and wanted to learn more about the aliens so he can better prepare the Citadel Council for war in case the aliens wanted it. But unlike Sparatus, he was hopeful they were negotiable and clear-minded enough to now seek war. He saw footage of the alien fleet arriving and saw their actions as proof of them wanting peace.
Sure, they just appeared out of nowhere, but after that they just did nothing. They just waited for the Citadel fleet to scramble into proper defensive positions before announcing their intentions. It could be just a way to get their guards down, but Anderson was hopeful that wasn't the case. No doubt, Tevos could count on him to keep a level head when it comes to negotiating with the aliens.
A few minutes later, the C-Sec guards arrived with the alien diplomats. Seeing them all coming up the stairs, Tevos could see the aliens in all their glory.
To her great surprise, they were similar to her people and the humans, just with hooves for feet and gray skin. So strange that so many races, baring a few exceptions, had so many similar characteristics. The alien diplomats, six in total, were tall and slim, garbed in crimson robes that fitted them tightly. Their guards, thirteen in total, were slightly taller and looked far stronger, like their diplomats they were armored in crimson and held in their hands either short-barreled weapons or long-barreled ones.
The lead diplomat, who lead the alien envoy, was staring at them with a fiery spirit, not unlike a human N7 special forces operative, one that promised great pain and suffering should they offend him. Unlike the other diplomats' who had a more peaceful aura that promised tranquility and peace. In his hands was a staff outfitted with blades at the ends. Though such things were deemed archaic in the modern century, Tevos had no doubt the diplomat was capable of killing the entire C-Sec team, eighteen in total, by himself if given the chance.
The alien guards were lead by a massive, humanoid machine with a box head. Grafted directly to it's hands were short barreled guns that looked like they belonged on a vehicle instead of a mech. For a brief moment, Tevos feared that it was an AI, but upon seeing it walking so fluently, despite it's size, she relaxed. Machines weren't able to move as fluently as that mech. Rationalizing it as just an alien in a mech suit, why the aliens' thought it was a good idea to bring such a thing into a meeting discussing first contact if their intention was peace was beyond her, but she allowed it. Not that she would have much success in convincing the aliens to not bring it along with them. Their leaders were a stubborn lot.
As they made their way towards the council, various media outlets, be they human, Asari, or any other, began to record the aliens. It wasn't often that one could record a first contact scenario between the council and unknown aliens. And this one was special because of the alien's strange, but advanced technology that was on a different class compared to mass effect technology.
Stepping onto a podium made to allow parties that wish to speak to the council face to face, the alien leader spoke.
"Greeting, esteem councilors of Citadel Space." Said the alien, speaking in a gruff and deep voice, not unlike a Krogan. "I am Aun'shi. I represent the Tau Farsight Enclaves. And I was selected, along with a handful of others, to conduct peace talks with you all in the name of the Greater Good." Curious about this Greater Good, Tevos spoke.
"Greeting to you as well, Aun'shi." Said Tevos in a gentle and calming voice that her people were stereotyped with, not that it wasn't unfounded, bowing to the alien in respect. "I am Councilor Tevos of the Asari Republics. And these are my fellow councilors. Councilor Valern of the Salarian Union, Sparatus of the Turian Hierarchy, and David Anderson of the Human Systems Alliance." Waving to her fellow councilors as she introduced them, she then began the process of negotiations. "We're here today to discuss the sudden appearance of your people and your role in galactic politics." Aun'shi, hearing this, nodded.
"Yes." Said Aun'shi. "Due to a recent decision by our leaders, we have decided to open up to the rest of the galaxy in hopes to create strong trade relations with the other races." All of this was done in a gruff and no-nonsense way that Tevos wondered if Aun'shi was a war hero of sorts for he acted more like a solder than a politician. Given that the way he spoke made the other diplomats silently uncomfortable and that his guards gave a silent aura of awe around him, Tevos figured that was the case. Before she could speak, Sparatus spoke.
"If that was your intentions, then you shouldn't have decided to send a fleet of oversized dreadnoughts straight into the galactic heart of Citadel Space." Said Sparatus pointedly and hotly. Rather than raise his voice as Tevos thought, Aun'shi smiled.
"Forgive me for that, councilor, but our leaders decided that it would be best to simply send our fleet straight to the citadel to demonstrate why it would be ill advised for the Terminus system's to pick a fight with us." Said Aun'shi. "After all, wouldn't that be something that the Turians would do and approve of? Show the rest of the galaxy that fighting you would be ill advised and stupid?" Sparatus's mandibles flared out in stunned silence. Stunned a bit at how Aun'shi knew enough of Turian beliefs and methods to correctly guess what they would do, showcasing how much he prepared for this. Before Sparatus could make a counter move, Tevos spoke.
"Moving on, can you tell us more about your people and where you come from?" Asked Tevos.
"Very well." Said Aun'shi. "Though there is not much to tell. A few hundred years ago, a military commander by the name of Shas'O Vior'la Shovah Kais Mont'yr broke off from an oppressive empire that had it's ruling people being, unknowingly, brainwashed by a select group." Upon seeing that the council grew a bit nervous at hearing that, either because of Shas'O being a military commander that broke off from his government or that there was an oppressive empire out there in the galaxy, Aun'shi told them that they don't need to worry about that empire for it was destroyed long ago by it's own decadence and gluttony. Upon seeing that they relaxed at hearing that, Aun'shi continued. "Under his vision, Shas'O formed a different government, one that promises the same ideals our old empire spoke out of, but without any of the hidden oppression. With the help of his most trusted allies, he formed the Farsight Enclaves. And he has led us ever since." Nodding at that, Tevos then spoke.
"Thank you for sharing all that with us, ambassador." Said Tevos, certainly interested and curious about the Tau and their history. No doubt, Aun'shi gave them a shortened version of what happened and she would certainly like to hear the full story from Tau scholars once they are willing to exchange such knowledge with the council. "Now, since you came to us first, are you considering to join the Citadel Council?" Upon hearing that, Aun'shi shook his head.
"No." Said Aun'shi, firm in his answer, causing complete shock to ripple through the council and everyone around them. "Shas'O has formed the Farsight Enclaves to avoid us being oppressed by a government and to forge our own destiny. To join you would be breaking the ideals that Shas'O made in the creation of the Enclaves. We will have not done so for over four hundred years. We won't do so now." Sparatus, a bit upset at their refusal, was about to go on a tirade that they needed the council when Tevos spoke up.
"That is certainly surprising, ambassador." Said Tevos, still a bit shocked at their declaration of refusal in joining the citadel. Glancing at Anderson and Valern, she could see Anderson was surprised and shocked, not of rage like Sparatus, but more out of surprised that they would even do so as usually admittance with the council was beneficial to all. Admission to the council would give a race access to all their advanced teachings, trade, and protection. Even if they didn't need protection, a race benefitted greatly from trade with the Asari and the other races, their economies skyrocketing as a result of new goods flooding their markets. To refuse was seen as a foolish move by most. So, it wasn't surprising that Anderson was surprised at their refusal. Valern, on the other hand, was emotionless, deep in thought of the implications of this refusal and wondering what to do now that the Tau refused to join the Citadel Council. Tevos, moving to make sure Sparatus didn't do anything foolish, spoke up. "Usually joining the citadel is something that benefits all parties. May I ask why?"
"Simply put, our culture clashes greatly with the ideals and laws of the Citadel Council." Said Aun'shi. "The most obvious one is the issue of artificial intelligence." The Councilors stiffened at the mention of AI but otherwise kept quiet. Preparing himself for the outrage, Aun'shi spoke again. "AI's are used heavily in the Enclaves and-," That was as far a Aun'shi got before an outraged Sparatus finally broke loose.
"Are you mad?" Asked Sparatus, glaring at Aun'shi, who glared back, not liking being called a fool by the foolish Turian. "Don't you understand the danger they pose? Synthetics are a danger to all organic life. Once they realize that they're better than us and don't need to be ordered around by them, they'll rebel and exterminate us like vermin! The Geth are the best example of the dangers. If you don't know about them, let me give you a brief history lesson. The Quarians, stupidly created an AI race and they rebelled, killing nearly all of them and driving them off all their colonies. They killed children, babies, and elderly! They didn't discriminate. They just killed, killed and killed until only a handful of Quarians are left. And now the Quarians are living in a junk fleet, barely capable of sustaining themselves and living like rats on a street. And that's not counting the Eden Prime War and how the Geth turned ordinary people into cybernetic monstrosities. And you have AIs in your own people's space. You're dooming your people to the same fate as the Quarians as well as making us pay for your foolish in the future!" Once Sparatus was done ranting, Aun'shi spoke, keeping his urge to teach the Turian a lesion of respect in check.
"We know of the history of the Geth. We know of the actions they took against their creators. And we do not care." Said Aun'shi, shocking the councilors and everyone around him. "We take the lesson of the Geth to heart, but that does not stop us from using AI's for the betterment of our people. They've served us faithfully, saving many lives in the process, and we see no reason in stopping our usage of them." As people began whispering at the foolishness of the Tau and their arrogance, Aun'shi spoke again. If this was bad, then what he was going to say next would cause outrage and panic. "The Geth are also a problem. For you see, we are allied with the Geth. And have been for over two years."
As expected, there was silence in the Chamber as the Councilors registered what was just said, even Valern was stunned by what was just said, his eyes wide for the first time since the meeting began. The media reports watching and recording all this held their breath as they waited for the Council to respond to this revelation.
"The Geth." Said Valern, recovering from what Aun'shi just said. "You're in an alliance with the synthetics that attacked us over two years ago?"
"Yes." Said Aun'shi, preparing for even bigger reaction from Sparatus and David Anderson, one because his people suffered the most against the Geth and the other for his general arrogance and stupidity. "Despite popular belief, they are actually quite friendly and, aside from the Quarians, they don't really care what the rest of the galaxy is doing too much as long as it doesn't affect them. They do not want galactic dominance or the destruction of all organic life. They just wish to be left alone." As soon as he finished saying that, Sparatus exploded, glaring at Aun'shi and the other Tau with hatred and disbelief.
"Your allied with the Geth!" roared Sparatus. "And you think you can just barge in here and wish to make peace with us?! Expecting us to just ignore what the Geth did!? I should have you all spaced for this!" Some C-Sec officers, mostly Turians and humans, agreed and glared at the Tau, clutching their guns more tightly than before. The Tau guards, upon seeing this, readied themselves for a fight. Just a word or even a twitch from the officers that were hostile and the guards would point their guns at them and fire. Aun'shi, despite, wanting to fight the Turian and kick him off his high horse, kept cool and spoke. Knowing that a fight here was something that Farsight didn't want and he didn't want to disappoint the Tau commander that had earned his respect. He purposely chose Aun'shi to lead this mission. Not just because he had faith in Aun'shi's diplomatic skills, but also because he had faith that Aun'shi can hold back his warrior spirit enough to negotiate with the council, no matter how arrogant they were. And Aun'shi wasn't going to disappoint the commander with his need to fight the Turian. Not when the other councilors, especially the human one surprisingly. Though he didn't hide his contempt for the Geth for what they did to his people and their colonies, he wasn't demanding them to be kicked off the station and war be declared on the Tau and Geth. Obviously, the humans choose their councilor well.
"Please calm yourselves." Said Aun'shi. "As I have said, we didn't come with hostile intentions, but we are willing and capable of dealing with threats if they come to us." Aun'shi then looked at his guards and Brightsword, ready to fight their way out of the station should it become obvious that war was inevitable. Fortunately, at that tense moment, came councilor Tevos.
"I agree with the Tau ambassador, we must calm ourselves before we can continue." Said Tevos, trying to defuse the tension in the air. Glaring at Tevos, Sparatus tried to speak when David spoke up for the first time.
"I agree with Tevos as well." Said Anderson, placing his hands behind his back. "However, since my fellow councilor can't keep it together, I recommend that we have a recess. To cool ourselves so we can continue these talks without emotions clouding our judgment. I, for one, am in need of a cold shot of liquor. Are we in agreement?" He looked at his fellow councilors at that. Though Sparatus didn't want to agree with David, Valern and Tevos nodded, agreeing with him.
"Is that fine, ambassadors?" Asked Tevos, looking at the Tau as their guards began to relax, though still kept on guard for the first sign of hostility.
"Indeed." Said Aun'shi. "Though we may need a place to keep ourselves from harm. My declaration of my people's alliance with the Geth would certainly not make many friends here on the Citadel. Especially those that lost good friends and family members to their attack here two years ago." Tevos nodded at that, agreeing with them on that matter. To have the Tau envoy be attacked because of emotionally driven citizens was not sending a good message to the rest of the galaxy.
"You will be placed in the Presidium, under constant guard." Said Tevos. It wasn't a perfect solution. There were still people that would try to hurt the Tau for their allegiance with the Geth, but she hoped that the constant C-Sec watch would discourage such attacks. "In that time, I would assign a tour guide to you so you can see the Presidium and all that it has to offer." Seeing the non-malicious offer from the Asari councilor, Aun'shi bowed.
"Thank you for the offer. We'll happily take your offer and explore this beautiful station." Said Aun'shi. With that, Aun'shi left with his entourage for the elevator that would take them to the base of the citadel tower, where their tour guide was waiting for them.
Once they left, Tevos glared at Sparatus.
"What were you thinking?" Demanded Tevos, glaring at Sparatus. "Are you trying to make us look bad to the Tau? To the rest of the galaxy? You made your people look like hard-headed fools that are itching for a fight!" Sparatus just glared at Tevos.
"I'm putting Citadel Space's safety first, something you can't seem to understand!" Yelled Sparatus. "Those fools are not only building their own AIs, but they are in an alliance with the Geth! That alone should be enough for us to declare war on them!" Upon hearing that, Tevos glared at Sparatus more harshly than before.
"Are you out of your mind, Sparatus!?" Yelled Tevos. "Have you forgotten the massive fleet the Tau have out there!" She pointed into space, where the Tau fleet was waiting. "If you declare war on them now, they'll start shooting, destroy our defense fleet, capture the citadel, and cripple the Citadel government. We'll be at a severe disadvantage from the start!" Before Sparatus could make a counterargument, Anderson spoke.
"I agree with Tevos on this manner." Said Anderson. "Though the Tau are in an alliance with the machines that slaughtered thousands of my people, a war with them would be disastrous for us, especially the Alliance. We're still rebuilding our fleets. The losses we took taking down Sovereign and saving the Destiny Ascension were significant. Plus, we don't even know where the Tau home world and colonies are. Nor how strong their military is. How can we launch an attack on an enemy that we have no knowledge of?" Valern then decided to join this little gang up on Sparatus.
"There is also the fact that, in order to launch an attack on the Tau and their Geth allies, we have to cross the Perseus Veil and the only relays that link to systems on the other side of the veil are in the Terminus systems." Said Valern. "We send a fleet in the Terminus Systems and that might cause the various warlords and pirates to declare war on us as well. We'd be fighting two enemies at once." He then looked at Sparatus. "Yes, the Tau are in an alliance with the machines that attacked us two years ago, but there are too many factors involved that prevent us from declaring war on them. Too many for us to win a war without heavy economic and military costs." He then blinked. "Even if you declare a vote to declare war on the Tau, you'll be outvoted by us, Sparatus. So, give it up and act like a councilor. The Tau are offering a peaceful alliance with us and I will not have it be sabotaged by your gung-ho attitude." Glaring at Valern, who simply ignored it as he went into thought of how to deal with the Tau through covert means, Sparatus stormed out of the council chambers, causing Tevos to sigh.
"I hope the Tau aren't what Sparatus think they are." Said Tevos, truly hoping that they are as open-minded and negotiable as she thinks they are.
"We won't know until we continue the negotiations, Tevos.' Said Anderson. "Until then, let's calm ourselves and come back when we all have let go of our anger." Appreciating Anderson's calmness, Tevos expressed her surprise at Anderson keeping his cool when the Tau told them they were allied with the Geth. Anderson just shrugged. "I lost good people and friends to those damn synthetics when they attacked the Citadel two years ago, but I'm not going to let my feelings for them get in the way of negotiating with an unknown." He then tilted his head towards a window that allowed them to see the Tau fleet, standing still. "Plus, they got a massive fleet out there. One bad move from me and that fleet might get the idea of using the citadel tower as target practice. I'd rather not be used as target dummy for an oversized dreadnought if I can help it, councilor." Finding his answer amusing a bit, Tevos then left with Valern and Anderson, eager to get some tea to calm her nerves in order to resume the negotiations with a clear mind.
Tau
Presidium park
"This is something that I am slightly surprised to see." Said Aun'shi as he looked at a statue of a Krogan in the Presidium. It wasn't defiled or misshaped in any shape or way. It was a fine statue made out of fine stone. Brightsword scanned the object and found that it was over two thousand years old, meaning it was commissioned before the Krogan Rebellions and the affiliation of the Genophage on the Krogan people that left most of them sterile and unable to bear children. Aun'shi then looked at their tour guide, an Asari with a light blue complexion. "The Krogan rebelled against the council and yet you have a statue of them."
"The reason in keeping the statue is to commemorate the sacrifice the Krogan did during the Rachni wars when they removed a galactic threat from the galaxy." Said the Asari. Her young voice hinting that she was in the Maiden stage of her people. "The council didn't want the galaxy to forget that fact. After all, it's our duty to remember the sacrifices made by the last generations so we can understand what they did to make sure we all exist."
"Something that the Ethereals don't want to learn." Thought Brightsword, remembering how the Ethereal caste of the Tau empire removed all traces of Farsight's sacrifices for their empire when he was still a loyal servant of their version of the Greater Good after they learned he separated from them and formed the Farsight Enclaves. Turning him from a glorious hero that embodied the ideals of their people, to a heretic that wanted to destroy the Tau empire. He had even heard they had destroyed a statue of Farsight, the last memento of Farsight from a more innocent time that the Tau empire had left, as a way to start the third sphere of expansion of their empire. By that point, the statue was a warning to Tau to avoid being like Farsight. There was no need to destroy it yet the empire did so anyway. To make matters worse, it was done by Farsight's old rival, Shas'O Shaserra.
When Farsight had heard what had happened, he remained calm, but the eight, Farsight's personal bodyguards and friends, knew what he was thinking. Outside, he remained calm. On the inside, he was disgusted and angered with the Ethereals for removing all traces of his existence.
And yet, despite that, Farsight helped Shaseera during her time of need at Mu'gulath bay for, despite him being hated by the empire for his formation of the Farsight Enclaves, they were still his people and he would not turn his back on them during their time of need. Though Mu'gulath bay was lost, Farsight assistance had saved many Tau lives, something that Shas'O Shaserra was grateful for. Enough that she gave Farsight a head start when the Ethereals, learning that Farsight was spotted in their territory, ordered her to capture him and bring him in for questioning.
And now they were here, in a new galaxy. A far more peaceful galaxy that, not only promised a good chance for the Tau to thrive, but a chance for a generation of Tau to live without being forced to fight for their people's existence. Though Brightsword was ecstatic of such a thought, along with the other high ranking officers, he couldn't help but think that it was too good to be true. And given what he was dealing with, he figured he was right.
Fortunately, aside from Sparatus, the council seemed to be willing to give the Tau a chance and that was something more than Brightsword had thought they would give. Even the water caste diplomats had gone in thinking this would end in war. But no, the council were reacting far better than projections had predicted. Not wishing to push their luck, Brightsword remained silent as Aun'shi and the Asari continued to talk, speaking to each other of the Krogan and if they deserve a cure to the Genophage.
Aun'shi was quite a conundrum. To Brightsword's great surprise, along with the rest of the eight, Aun'shi was from the Ethereal caste. The same caste that turned Farsight from a hero into a pariah as well as the one that was leading their people astray. Unlike the other Ethereals' that Farsight had meet, Aun'shi preferred the company of Fire Caste soldiers rather than those from his own caste. They heard of his reputation. How he fought against an Ork tribe in the defense of the planet Kel'tyr and him killing dozens of Orks with only his honour blade. The same blade that he carried with him when they began negotiations with the council.
How an Ethereal caste member joined the Farsight Enclaves was an interesting one. Some time ago, before they had been sent into this strange new galaxy, a ship called the Dal'yth Gal'leath Kessan, was sent to the Farsight Enclaves as the head of a major expedition to claim their territories for the Tau Empire. Leading the expedition was Aun'shi himself. The 2nd they heard of it, the Farsight Enclave fleets scrambled to respond. The two Tau forces meet near an enclave orbital fortress and for a, brief moment, one thought that fighting would break out that would drain both sides of good man power, but then Aun'shi spoke, demanding to see Farsight alone, to judge him for his actions and to see if he is truly the traitor that the Ethereal caste claimed him to be.
At first, Farsight didn't wish to do so, thinking it was a trick, but eventually through the advice of his advisors, Farsight agreed and the two meet in an unarmed transport. What happened on that transport was kept between Farsight and Aun'shi and neither was willing to share what happened, but it wasn't needed. The results were obvious.
Aun'shi, after returning to his fleet, made a grand speech to them. He told them that the Tau Empire was being manipulated by the Ethereal caste and that Farsight wasn't the monster or renegade that they were led to believe. He then told them that, in order to follow the Greater Good and understand it, they must follow Farsight and his followers. Otherwise, they would be damning themselves to further taint and corruption from the Ethereal caste.
The resulting speech stunned all parties, completely shocked that a legend such as Aun'shi was following the same path that Farsight took hundreds of years ago. As his fleet was reeling from his news, a disaster struck.
The other Ethereals, enraged at his declaration, ordered their ships to open fire on the Dal'yth Gal'leath Kessan, declaring Aun'shi a heretic. The crews of their ships were stunned beyond belief that they would destroy the flagship so quickly, not caring about the crew inside. They protested, but they were quickly silenced by the Ethereals, claiming that the crew was already beyond saving. With reluctance, the ship captains opened fire on the flagship. The Dal'yth Gal'leath Kessan, was then gutted and destroyed after a railgun barrage hit it's reactor and caused it to violently explode. The other Ethereals then assumed command and ordered the rest of the expedition fleet to attack, but none did. Instead, a communication came from Farsight's own flagship and in it was, to the Ethereals horror, Aun'shi.
Aun'shi, having known what the other Ethereals would do should he declare they must follow Farsight, stayed aboard and had one of his most devout followers to say this message. If the Ethereals didn't open fire, then Farsight was wrong to oppose the Tau empire and would have willingly brought in for his crimes against the empire several hundred years ago. But if they did, Farsight was proven right to remove himself from the empire and that the Ethereals were using the rest of the Tau people.
Aun'shi, still alive and well, then claimed that he was disappointed in his caste and declared them unfit to rule the empire, calling them cowardly opportunists that used the good will of their own people for their own ends. He then ordered the rest of the fleet to make a choice. To follow the people that would condemn innocents to death to get rid of one man or to follow him to join the Farsight Enclaves and rid themselves of the Ethereal caste and their corrupting ways.
To the astonishment of all, most of the fleet joined Aun'shi, having been with him since the expedition started and trusted his judgement. The only ones that refused were those stationed aboard the same ships as the rest of the Ethereals and the ones that were the most loyal to the Ethereal caste and their vision. Now outnumbered, the Ethereals condemned Aun'shi, claiming he will pay for this betrayal, before ordering their loyalist ships to leave for the Tau empire. To tell them of this tragic betrayal of one of their greatest heroes.
Bolstered by the arrival of new ships and a new hero, Farsight immediately had them set to work against an Ork invasion that was besieging the Farsight Enclaves since Mu'alath bay. For months, they fought the Orks, losing thousands of Tau to the green-skinned xenos, before eventually a strange phenomenon settled over the entire Farsight Enclave that wasn't infested by Orks already. It was that same phenomenon that had them sent them here, right beside the nearest Geth outpost, Haestrom, which is why the two races were allies.
It was also why the eight was there in the first place, to both figure out Haestrom's strange sun problems and to figure out what had caused them to come here to this galaxy.
Theories run abound of a powerful warpstorm that caused it to a unknown alien race that caused it. Whatever it is, Brightsword was grateful for it, though he wondered if he really should be.
Keeping those thoughts to himself, Brightsword looked at Aun'shi nodding at the Asari tour guide before looking at the commander.
"The Asari are truly a friendly race, Brightsword." Said Aun'shi as he looked at the Krogan statue before them. "They are unlike anything that I had meet in my long service of the Tau empire."
"I suppose that is because you mostly had to deal with races that constantly tried to kill you." Said Brightsword, recalling how most races that the Tau empire faced were mostly ones that tried to kill their diplomats, most succeeded.
"Indeed." Said Aun'shi. "Perhaps if we had been born in this galaxy naturally, we would have make fine friends." Brightsword grunted at that before asking Aun'shi about the council and of what he would do if they decide to declare war on the enclaves. "If they declare war, then we have no choice but to fight them all. Simple as that." Although a part of Brightsword would like that, he knew that Farsight and the other commanders would want to avoid that. They took heavy casualties in their fight against the Orks and they were still rebuilding their military strength. While they still had a few hundred or so warships at their disposal, they would rather use all that against the reapers and not the Citadel council.
Thinking to himself, Brightsword hoped cool heads would prevail this day, or else a lot of blood would be spilled.
Later
Council Chambers
"Greetings councilors, I hope we have cooled down enough for us to continue the negotiations." Said Aun'shi as he walked into the chambers again with both his Water caste diplomats, his guards, and the C-Sec escort. The tour had been quite enjoyable for the water caste members, who loved the art and scenery of the Citadel Presidum. Aun'shi and the fire caste warriors thought otherwise but kept cool as they watched out for any hostile threats. They had received some hostile glares from the Presidium residents, particularly the humans due to their affiliations with the Geth, who had killed thousands of humans during the Eden Prime War. Fortunately, the C-Sec guards and the fire warriors stopped anyone from doing anything stupid long enough for them to escort them back to the Council Chambers.
Aun'shi spotted Sparatus glaring at them with suspicion and distrust, but the others kept neutral stares at them.
"We have, ambassador." Said David Anderson as he placed his arms behind his back. "Just a few questions first, ambassador. What are the Farsight Enclaves and the Geth's plans? Will they become a threat to the Citadel again in the future? Will there be an explanation to the causes of the Eden Prime War? And will there be reparations for all the damages it caused?"
"We plan to expand and bring further prosperity for our people like all races. Like before we have no plans to invade the Council for planets nor do the Geth for that matter." Explained Aun'shi as best as he could. "As for the Geth's plans, it is not within my rights to say. That is for them to reveal and not us. Though I can assure you that it will not involve anyone else unless they choose to involve themselves." That caused some muttering from the councilors, but otherwise they kept cool. "As for reparations for the Eden Prime War, I'll speak with the Geth after this is over. Whether or not, they'll consider it is up for question, however. For you see, the Geth that attacked Eden Prime and attacked the Citadel were a splinter faction, broken off from the main group to follow their own agendas." That caused some looks of disbelief be sent towards Aun'shi.
"Are you saying there are renegade Geth?" Asked Anderson, curious and a bit skeptical. Aun'shi, however, nodded.
"You're former operative, Saren Arterius, was a man of great charisma." Said Aun'shi. That was a lie, of course, for Saren didn't even need to do anything according to the Geth. It was the reaper Nazara that convinced quite a few Geth to follow it. Still, he doubted the council was willing to listen about the exact details of it, especially since they swept under the rug all details about the reapers and claimed Nazara was a Geth superdreadnought despite obvious design and technological differences when comparing Nazara to a standard Geth warship.
So, for now, Aun'shi will not tell them about the reapers. The situation was fragile enough, he didn't need to complicate it even more by claiming the reapers were real and that they all must ready themselves for the coming invasion. If the council will continue to refuse the existence of the reapers, then that is their fault. The Farsight Enclave and Geth will build their forces accordingly and fight to protect themselves from the reapers. Even as the rest of the galaxy burns because of the foolishness of the council.
The council, remembering Saren, just nodded, knowing how charismatic and manipulative he was during his prime.
"Yes, Saren was a good operative.' Said Valern. "It was a tragedy he did what he did during his last moments in this galaxy. But, moving on, let's begin the negotiations. Aun'shi, may you start by laying out the terms." Aun'shi nodded before motioning the water caste envoy to do their job. With that, the negotiations began.