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NovaSaber: You have to remember Humans in this universe have little to no idea about Eezo. They don't know how it works, and if you remember in an earlier chapter, the Turian PC stated that you had to have eezo to detect eezo. We will find out shortly why its so bad.
IHateGenericCereal: I want to keep the whole misunderstandings going. The first bit of this chapter goes over how this is still very much a thing. Thanks.
The Gandhara: The PC and Fannus have been sent to contain the Humans, and they are acting in the best interest of their crew and people. As for why they are so twitchy is because The Humans in this story have been shown to be big fans of Stealth. Imagine you came across some people you didn't know with big guns and good body armour and you know they are around you, watching you, but you don't know where they are, or how they think - I think you would also be very careful.
JulesCasey: Thanks for your review. You must have spent a considerable amount of time writing that, so I'll answer a few things here. The Council are more advanced than in the games, but not significantly more so. FTL is being worked on - and is partially due to why the Human economy is now based on Energy reserves. Protheans and Reapers... Err might want to read this chapter... but don't have much planned - its coming up to 50,000 years since the last cycle. The comment about being stomped by the Council, if I remember rightly that is speculation. No one in this story really knows what powers and capabilities the others have.
/.../
Nassana Dantius, the Asari diplomat sent to negotiate with the Humans and initiate 'official' first contact opens the wooden door to the room designated for the initial talks and gestures for the Humans to enter. Prior to reaching the room Nassana found she had to direct one of the Humans to a toilet as they came down with a 'nose bleed'. A trickling of bright crimson red blood from their nose. The bright red nature of the blood surprised Nassana, she had expected something less vivid, maybe a darkish brown or marron.
As there are only three humans, to not make them feel uncomfortable and intimidated by being outnumbered in the negotiations, only the Asari, Turian and Salarian representative will be in the talks. The Batarian admiral has been told he will sit this one out, however, he will have the liberty to listen in to all conversations from a nearby room. If the Batarian has any points, they will be raised by the Council representatives. When all the Humans have entered the room, the Council representatives follow and then take a seat at a large round table. They did not use a square or rectangle table to subtly play mind games; experiments on Council species have regularly shown that a square or rectangle table with opposite sides occupied help compound the 'them verse us' idea in one's mind.
The Humans, having been carrying leather briefcases with them, open them up when they are sat down at the table and Nasanna finds that they have been carrying a few different things with them. In one suitcase she finds they have brought paper and rather fancy looking writing utensils, some are ink based, others are pencil based. In one of the suitcases, there appears to be some device of some sort, what its purpose is Nassana could only guess, but she quickly finds it is a portable printer. In the last suitcase carried by the third Human, Nassana finds the Humans have brought a few thermal flasks, mugs and what must be edibles. A wise idea Nassana thinks, knowing a hungry stomach can effect how one thinks; she would not want to negotiate when hungry. When the Humans are set up and ready for the talks Nassana finds that they each have a mug and a biscuit in front of them; they had offered some to Nassana and her team but they politely declined - they will have their own treats.
As with most things so far, once the Humans have set themselves up, Nassana allows the Humans to lead the discussion, which results in the Humans announcing that they want to dictate temporary borders and sign a treaty of non-aggression. The request is reasonable, so Nasanna starts on the first topic, it is the simple question of 'What is aggression'? Humanity may view aggression very differently to the Council, and Nassana is expecting it. No one race has the same laws on what exactly aggression is. For example, Electronic Warfare is not seen as aggression worth military action by the Asari, but a Turian would see this as a military attack, and respond with firepower, and the Salarians would view it as a challenge and hack back. The talks on the definition of aggression last a considerable time, so long that the Humans finish then refill their drinks. The talks hit many topics, from powering shields, to how one turns their vessel to face another. The most interesting, and quietly embarrassing revelation is how Humanity view Stealth Vessels in their space as a serious transgression, with a small quip that wars have been started on less. While true, Nasanna would learn many years later the human diplomat was thinking of a Human war fought over a bucket of all things in which more than 2000 men died.
Just as Nassana thinks the topic of Stealth Vessels are about to be dropped, the Humans continue, saying, "So to clarify, these three vessels will not enter our space? Swipe the screen left to right." The Human speaking hands over one of their 'Phones' to Nassana so she can see what they are talking of.
Nassana raises a brow, she knows there are now two Salarian Reconnaissance vessels in nearby orbit, and she knows one of them the Humans already know of, they attacked it and dragged it here after all, but the claims of a third vessel she is puzzled by. With great curiosity Nassana does as asked, her first swipe produces an image of a Salarian Vessel, the single reccy ship which has not been rough handled by the Humans. The second swipe, however, causes great concern in Nassana, the image clearly shows a small Geth vessel, the design is without question. With some dread at what is to come next, Nassana swipes right again, this time the vessel is unknown to all the Council representatives. The unfamiliar ship is a giant insectoid looking thing with what looks like insect-like legs, its design is definitely meant to intimidate. Pushing the tablet device back to the Human Nassana schools her emotions to inform them that the last two vessels are not Council, and thus she can not speak for them. This causes some internal discussion among the Humans and eventually one starts to type a message out on their phone. As the Humans do their own thing, the Turian representative calls an aid over and informs them to alert the captain of the ship of the Geth - their presence will be of great concern to the Primarch's Chosen and the Fleet Commander. The other unknown 'insect' vessel while worthy of great interest, are ultimately of a lower priority and will probably be ignored.
Thinking on it, Nassana understands why the Humans have informed them they know of the Stealth Vessels, it is to say 'We can see you.' It also stops the Council from denying knowledge of their existence, but the Council can play this game too. "Since we are talking of Stealth Vessels," Nassana announces, "We also know you have them, and we know they are here with you. We would expect the same courtesy to apply, they will not enter our territory." The Humans accept this without issue.
After what seems like hours of talking just to agree on what 'Aggression' means, the matter of borders is raised. Typically, Nassana finds borders in space are far easier to call than land borders as there are some very fair and standard rules that one follows. The essential Council regulations that Nasanna must follow for today states that the single known Human system - their home system, is their sovereign territory, the Council, nor any affiliated state can lay claim to it. The other rule, which Nasanna must follow will cause issues, as this rule claims the system immediately connected to the home system is also theirs, whether they have requested it or not. This rule was implemented as it stops Council Patrols from straying too close to a Home system which has in the past been viewed as aggression by Council races; most notably by the Elcor.
The problem Nassana has today is that the system they are currently in is owned by the Batarians, and now by Council law, it should rightfully belong to the Humans. Because the Batarians have not invested anything in colonising this system, that shouldn't be a problem, but the Batarians will not take kindly to it. This, however, is a problem for the Council at a later date when more thorough negotiations begin, right now, they simply need a line set in the sand where the Council do no venture without express permission. A sphere with a radius of 384,400km around the Relay is proposed as an exclusion zone.
When the Salarian representative explains this, the Humans look among themselves and have a light discussion before asking what the Council determine 'Exclusion Zone' to mean. The answer is simple, and it is the Turian who replies, articulating that no Citadel affiliated vessel will enter. The Humans again raise the point that this must include Stealth Vessels, and the Citadel team agree that it does. Before agreeing with the exclusion zone, the Humans ask yet another simple question, how big is a Citadel km? Just because they may have the same Prothean name for it, that does not mean that a Human km is the same length as a Citadel km. The solution to this is unusual, but something that is indisputable. The Salarian to Nassana's right gives the length of the Relay to human space in kilometres, accurate to the millimetre, with this, the Humans should have no issue with determining their interpretation of 384,400km. After some quick maths the Humans nod between themselves, to them, the exclusion zone is more than acceptable.
There are half a dozen more items discussed before Nassana hears the golden words of, "So, all we need to do now is put the terms on paper." Nassana allows a small celebration inside her head, the Humans, while being thorough about terminology, are being rather agreeable; she can work with this. The most important part that Nasanna can deduce is that the Human's do not want any hostilities, the hours of talking about 'what is agression' taught her that. Despite the small internal celebration, Nassana knows the real hard part of the day's activities is upon them; constructing the document which states in clear writing what has been agreed. This is because despite the relatively short nature of the talks so far, there have been countless words that have had to be explained because of language difficulties, and some of them have been simple words that appear in everyday conversation. To write a legal document with these issues, Nassana knows that it is going to be a long and dull task. She knows if the Humans are anything like herself, then they are about to scrutinise every word written before they even think of signing any treaty, and this can take a lot of time.
Just as they are about to jump into the challenge ahead of them, Nassana frowns as the same Human from earlier raises a hand to their nose, once more there is a trickle of crimson red blood.
/.../
The President of the Systems Alliance stands from his chair and looks out a window on the UNSC Jörmungandr; or at least he thinks he is, in truth the 'window' is just a very high-resolution video screen that is presenting what would be seen if there was a window there. Outside of the Dreadnought, he can see the defensive installations that are being constructed, including the 'Mouse Trap' as the workers have come to know it - officially known as Sol Defense Installation 01. The Mouse Trap is a small ringworld, 7km in circumference that carries tremendous amounts of firepower. If anything comes through uninvited, then it will be met with enough wrath to disintegrate a small planet, along with Jörmungandr, a substantial assortment of Ultron platforms, mines and the rest of Humanities small fleet of stealth vessels. There is even two Planetary Assault Craft in attendance, acting as mobile platforms to launch fighter craft; never in human history has so much firepower been brought together for a single purpose.
When the aliens had left Sol, it was argued what defensive system should be set up around the Relay, some people wanted dozens and dozens of Jörmungandr class dreadnoughts just ready to pounce, with every other type of weapon prepared to go. Even the President must admit that this would be a phenomenal amount of firepower, but while this would have provided the best possible defence, it had a simple problem - who would man these beasts of war? The Navy was small to start with, pitifully small, and most military officers deplored the idea of taking people from the reliable and more advanced Stealth Vessels, heck, just manning the Jörmungandr and the two PAC's was a real task in its own. People who have long been made retired or left service have been called back up just to man what they currently have. The only reason they could man the ringworld is that the ringworld was already under construction as an automated mining facility. In essence, most of its processes are automated, meaning it only needed people to man its guns that have been added hastily into its design. In some secret reports only seen by a handful of people, it can also be found the Ring World is being used because in the future, it can be used as a 'passport office', but the Public does not need to know this yet.
With a sigh, the President retakes his seat and pours himself yet another coffee, "So," He starts off after taking a sip, "We have talked about the alien front, how is the home front? I saw some disturbing footage on the news channels." Unfortunately, the President has noticed that a lot of terminologies he uses these days are military terms, such as home front.
A man who is attending the call via holographic representation shakes his head, "People have started to act more and more irrationally as time goes on. We have people raiding stores, stockpiling random foods and goods, others are taking all their energy reserves from the banks, and then we have those who think protesting is the best way forward. My favourite act of lunacy at the moment is a conspiracy that the QEC centres are inviting the aliens here, resulting in numerous centres being set on fire."
"How long have we had the Quantum centres?" Asks the President with some disbelief, the question does not require a response. "And what are they stockpiling now? Goo still?"
"Replicator goo, Baked Beans and Tomato soup." The man replies, ignoring the sarcastic comment about how long Humanity has had QEC. "The biggest concern is the Replicator Goo, this is essential for space assets." Goo is essential for space assets as it vastly reduces the amount of space required for storing food, it does not go off, and it does not need to be held in special containers to keep it at certain temperatures.
Someone else in the room speaks up with a satirical tone, saying, "Well, I understand the soup and the goo, but the beans?"
The President ignores the joke to ask, "Is there any need to worry yet?"
"We have made farms that harvest goo supplies a top priority, we have people from all trades working the fields and factories. If this keeps up for more than a few weeks, then we then need to begin worrying about it."
"Most people are obtuse." The President responds with a flare of hand gestures, "What can we do to mitigate?"
"Further rationing, instead of 2 cans make it 1. That way, South America will come into summer when we need the next bout of supplies."
"But the crops required for the goo is an invasive species." Supplies the President, knowing that South America does not grow the crop. "But we will be rare if things go south. Do what we need to." Despite all the modern technology available to Humanity, Earth is still by far the biggest producer of organic products, and the Replicators need organic products to work. "After goo, what are the latest and loudest demands?"
"At the moment? They want to know if we are going to build defences on the other side of the Relay, and they want us to start on it already."
The President gestures to Defense Installation 01 with a free hand while saying, "With what resources? Never in human history has so much of our economy been spent on military assets, right now, 63.2% is going straight here."
"A lot of people want more."
"Then we have to cut other projects." President deadpans, "And what will people want us to cut? Welfare? Not happening, infrastructure? That will last till little jimmy down the road has a power cut due to old infrastructure needing to be replaced and he can't charge his house. There is little we can cut unless we outright declare a total war economy - which we are essentially already at. Next time a reporter asks us to spend more, ask him or her what he or she wants us to cut."
A person who has so far been quiet asserted, "Declaring a Total War economy may not be a bad idea." There are no surprises that this person has military links. "It would let us do what we want more so then what we can at the moment. I would love to spend some more on Augments."
Someone disagrees as they immediately speak out, "We declare that and people will become more militant than they already are, and I already know people are digging bunkers in their back yard." Concrete sales have gone through the roof, as has diggers.
"I agree." The President blurts out, "The word 'War and Total' is not what is needed at this moment in time. As far as I want to be concerned, we have an uneasy ceasefire being discussed with the Council people."
"We could make a word up." The person suggests, "Instead of 'Total War' why not, "Preservation Economy', or 'State of Emergency' Economy."
"People will know." The President shakes his head. "I wonder how stressed this Council's economy is at the moment."
"There are multiple species. I bet not much."
Just as the President is about to speak again the military advisor speaks up, "We have just had word back from the UNSC Praetorian, they have declared a medical emergency on board. All four stealth vessels accompanying them has declared a similar situation."
The President sits a little taller in his chair at this news, "Go on."
"People have started to drop down with what appears to be moderate radiation sickness. People are bleeding from their nose, gums, and are vomiting. What worries me is we already have people aboard one of the Council vessels."
The President breathes out a deep breath as he shakes his head, "So we send them through the alien device and they all come out sick as a dog, and now we have sick people negotiating our place in this galaxy."
"Not everyone is showing symptoms." The military advisor says. "Just enough for it to be a big problem. The crew sent to talk could be fine. My largest concern is if this alien device has caused the sickness, bringing people back through it could kill them."
"Can the ships deal with it?" Asks the President. "Do they have enough medical supplies?"
The advisor shakes his head, "The situation is still developing. They don't even know what has happened to the sick yet; they speculate some sort of radiation poisoning but can't find any evidence of it."
"What a mess," The President fumes, "Support them however we can, but I think sending more people through that alien device is out of the question for now."
Cheers all.