Disclaimer: I own no franchise mentioned in this work. Halo belongs to 343, Mass Effect to Bioware.
Busy, but still got this out. Next chapter is already partially written for the first time in quite a while, so that's nice.
Some people seem to think that Shepard thinks that the Covenant couldn't wipe out Humanity? To be clear, she doesn't think that the Covenant could wipe out an entire galaxy, thought that would be clear since she was responding to Halsey's comment that Humanity had faced galactic extinction.
Also seems to be confusion about why AI's have a seat in the Wardens. The Assembly, made up of AI's from Sangheili, Forerunner, Human, and Geth, has that seat. It's not just human AIs, who, mind you, didn't have a representative before either.
Now for Review Responses! If you don't care, skip to the breakpoint below. For responses, later reviews will be listed first, because I'm lazy and can't be bothered to reverse-order them. To those I do not explicitly mention, thank you for reviewing!
AfterlifeXD: 1. Releasing the Flood on a civilization would be tantamount to xenocide considering the nature of Mass Effect weapons. 2. Yes, that's fairly reasonable. I try to keep away from hard numbers except in specific situations, though I know I did state some early on it the story for defense fleet numbers.
BaddieDZ2: I'm not jumping straight into a conflict because there's usually more to diplomacy than "dick-waving" as you put it.
Tommy298: Heh, sorry to hear.
Hamilton406: Agreed, no worries there.
Axccel: I understand your concern. A great many authors do like to "balance the scales" or some other nonsense. I will not do that. These are not duels for honor, galactic war is just that, war. Fight to win, to crush the opponent and survive. Against the Citadel, that's not so much a concern, but the Reapers? Well, UNSC doesn't have much information on them, so why back off? :)
Ramos: No problem on the English, not a language everyone speaks (duh). Not a problem with the authors for plasma guns, just that research on plasma weaponry isn't exactly widespread since, well, it isn't exactly widely used. Will look into this, thank you for pointing it out! Was mostly going with how plasma is depicted in Halo, but still deadly even in that context.
Larc rivereagle: Possibly, but that depends on the bonds between atoms of the material. Firing sand is hella different that tungsten, for example.
LordLoverDuck: From what she saw, yes. From the dossier, less so.
JumpingToaster: Life, unfortunately, does not always allow such a schedule.
Anyways, on to the chapter, on time this time as well!
19th Day of 5th Month, 2459/June 8, 2180/June 8, 2589
Citadel Embassy
Sydney, Earth
"I attended a human sporting event today, a game that they call 'foot ball'," Benezia began after turning on her omni-tool's audio recording. While organizing her thoughts, the Asari stared out of the window that made up the wall of her apartment in the Citadel's Embassy on Earth. In front of her sprawled the human city of Sydney, a metropolis which far outsized anything in the Systems Alliance.
Eventually the Matriarch turned away from the view and began to pace lackadaisically as she resumed, "There were similar events when I was stationed on Terra, but I never paid much attention to them. No one in the Alliance seemed interested in building big stadiums, which makes sense now that we know about the Covenant. Apparently that isn't the case here."
"I've never seen or heard anything like the human's game. Hundreds of thousands of them, all jammed together in cramped seats with low quality food, and all of them enjoying it. At one point one of the players made a good play and scored, and the roar was earsplitting. I could hear nothing else but shouting and cheering, but I also couldn't help but be swept up in it. I didn't even understand what was going on most of the time and the humans have somehow made that fun," Benezia said with a bit of laughter at the memory.
After taking another moment, she muttered, "I think..."
Benezia trailed off and was silent for a second before continuing, "I think the Council needs to reconsider how they want to handle this situation. These people aren't the Systems Alliance, though the same species they may be. Civilians in the UEG are far more focused on rebuilding what they lost than colonizing new worlds like the Alliance. I've talked to those who accompanied me here, asking about their impressions and what they've heard."
"One of the Spectres said he talked to a guy from the Outer Colonies who told him about the world he came from, where vast mines mar the surface as automated machines scour the soil for resources. The Salarian scientist that's accompanying the Normandy visited one of the Universities and was almost drooling over the questions these humans are asking. From all of them, however, the story is the same when it comes to the Covenant: everyone lost someone."
The Asari sighed slightly before picking back up, "There haven't been any issues yet, thankfully. Some hostility, but no actions. It's clear that the UNSC is trying to keep the masses away from us for the most part, avoiding crowds outside the Senate Chambers and that sort of thing. As much right as the humans have to hate the Covenant, they still seem to support the Wardens of the Mantle, which is what concerns me. If the Council picks a fight, it would allow the Wardens to truly solidify as a political body with public support, rather than the loose political organization they are now."
"What caused them to create the Wardens of the Mantle, though? I would think that the tensions of the War would have prevented such an organization from succeeding, too many open wounds from the conflict. From the way they take the threat of the Reapers, it seems like the UNSC well and truly believes that there are things out there that present a threat to all life in the galaxy. Something must have happened to validate that position, a threat even greater than the Covenant."
"It may be connected with something that Jane told me after she visited a UNSC base. According to one of the veterans there who claimed to have fought in the final battle against the Covenant on Earth, there was a lot more to the War at the end than just humans versus aliens. This soldier, one of the human 'Marines', he said his unit was wiped out by a species called 'the Flood'. I tried to find out what happened to this unknown race, but searching the human networks revealed almost nothing. Whatever they were, it was a threat to both the Covenant and the humans and might be the unifying factor behind the Wardens," the Matriarch theorized, her thoughts racing while she kept her voice even.
Her attention suddenly turned towards the entrance to the apartment as Aethyta stepped in and gave a wave, keeping silent when she saw that her partner was busy. Benezia nodded back before finishing the audio log to send to the Council, "Investigations into whatever this 'Flood' is should be made. What is it, where did it come from, but most importantly, why are the humans, so determined even after thirty years of war against the Covenant, more afraid of an enemy that was only present for at most the last few battles of the conflict?"
June 8, 2589/19th Day of 5th Month, 2459/June 8, 2180
DAV-class light corvette
Orbit of Tuchanka
For all their security regarding the Krogan Demilitarized Zone, it would seem that the Council was unable to learn something as simple as visual cloaking. Of course, Atriox had known this for a long time after conducting so many operations in the Citadel galaxy. If the prey that the Banished hunted had possessed the ability to hide from them, they would have, not that the Salarians that tried to tail them were any better. Even now, after having pulled away from making deals with the Citadel Council, he still received intermittent reports of STG ships trying to sneak around Banished vessels.
After having dealt with the Council for so long, however, Atriox had expected that it might be possible for him to convince them to let a Banished vessel near the Krogan homeworld. That didn't happen, hence his current transport on board a DAV-class light corvette that the Swords of Sanghelios had provided for transport to Tuchanka.
Currently, Atriox was on assignment from the Alpha Chieftain to meet with Urdnot Wrex, a Krogan Battlemaster who had caught the attention of the humans. How the humans discovered him or what he had done to merit that interest was not something that concerned the Jiralhanae Warlord. What caught the attention of Atriox was that he recognized the name of Urdnot Wrex from his time in the Terminus.
A legend that stretched back centuries, the Battlemaster apparently served as a free-lance fighter and adventurer. Regardless of anything else, Atriox could respect a warrior of that caliber. After looking into the culture of the Krogan, it wasn't hard for the Warlord to see the obvious parallels between the Jiralhanae and Krogan. Both had burnt out as they tried to leave their homeworld, left in the ruins of their civilizations and then uplifted by an interstellar coalition for their own purposes.
The difference was that the Jiralhanae had managed to survive the ordeal and begin to rebuild their culture with more than just perpetual war.
According to the humans who had already scouted out the world, Tuchanka was a nuclear wasteland bereft of almost all life save the most hardy species. Any attempt at civilization had been destroyed by the warring clans on the surface, though considering the plight of the Quarians, Atriox would not be surprised if the Council had interfered in some manner.
By the request of the Alpha Chieftain, Atriox was to contact Urdnot Wrex and discuss the possibility of restoring the Krogan as a stable species. While a generous offer, it was clear to Atriox that the real goal was to recruit more species into the Wardens of the Mantle. The problem with that was the culture, or lack thereof, among the Krogan that would be an issue if they were to ever join the Wardens. It was the same issue of perpetual war that had plagued the Jiralhanae before their regression and after the Great Schism.
It was into that culture that the Banished leader would be stepping as the corvette finished entering the atmosphere of the planet, preserving their cloak by using their antigrav systems to stay aloft rather than orbital mechanics. Now only several minutes out from his destination, Atriox hefted Chainbreaker and made his way through the halls of the ship to the grav-lift in the hangar. Due to the clandestine nature of this mission, there were only four other members of the Banished accompanying him down to the surface of the planet.
Once the word was given, the four guards that were joining Atriox dropped down the grav-lift. They quickly sent back the all-clear signal, allowing the Warlord to step into the lift and fall to the ground below.
As he landed, Atriox immediately took stock of the area around him, carefully noting the vast number of ambush points formed by the Krogan ruins. While normally a great concern on such a hostile planet, the ship above them would have already blasted any potential attackers had they been present. Apparently Urdnot Wrex had known that trying to be clever would end badly, either that or he liked to confront things head on.
Seeing as the Battlemaster was standing alone and out in the open a short ways away from the grav-lift's landing point, Atriox was fairly confident in assuming that it was the latter option. With one last scan of the area out of habit, the Jiralhanae made his way over to the Krogan.
Before the Banished leader could speak, however, the Battlemaster asked, "What do you want, Warden?"
Atriox snorted, instantly coming to like the blunt individual before him as he replied, "I speak for them, but do not mistake me for a politician. My Chieftain asked me to meet you, and so I obey. The humans want to offer your people a chance at life."
A deep rumble came from the Krogan as he stepped forward, ignoring the shifting of the Banished guards and glaring into the Warlord's eyes. After short time, the two warriors broke eye contact as Urdnot Wrex stepped back slightly and stated, "You've worked for the Council, out in the Terminus. Out of respect for your strength, I'll give you one chance to answer why I should trust you."
"Humans pay well for information, especially when it comes to blowing things up. That it helped the Council was just an excuse for an extra paycheck," Atriox explained.
"Heh," Wrex huffed in what Atriox assumed was a laugh. The Krogan considered this for several seconds before deciding, "Fair enough. I'll hear this offer."
The Jiralhanae wasted no words as he said, "You and other Krogan will be given a world by the Wardens of the Mantle so you may repopulate and rebuild. Those who stay here will be left to their wars until the Council can be persuaded into lifting its restrictions. In exchange, you will not turn your new home into another radioactive pile of rubble."
"Tuchanka is our pile of rubble, and it will stay that way until every Krogan is dead," Wrex stated aggressively.
Atriox nodded in appreciation and responded, "The same is true for Doisac and Sanghelios and Earth. If you, Urdnot Wrex, do not accept, the Krogan may very well lose Tuchanka as your species fades to dust."
"The name is Wrex, Clan Urdnot is content to waste away in the dirt fighting over the scraps," the Krogan replied.
"This is your chance to change that," the Warlord pushed. "Gather what Krogan are willing to rebuild and get out from under the Council."
Another laugh came from the Battlemaster, though this one was mocking as he retorted, "So we may suffer under the Wardens instead? So long as the Genophage exists, we will never be free to live."
"The humans wish to change that, to fix the crime that the Council has committed against your kind. That is a crime that the Council will have to face someday, the Mantle would have it no other way," Atriox stated.
That got Wrex's attention as he asked, "They would cure the Genophage?"
"More likely they wish to change it to not be an abomination to life, but essentially yes," the Jiralhanae answered.
"Explain," the Battlemaster demanded.
Atriox snorted and responded, "I am a warrior, not a scientist, but even I recognize the horror of the Genophage. The humans will likely attempt to cure the Council's sloppy work and create their own solution for the Krogan to use."
"Then they are no different from the Council," Wrex countered.
"In their methods, arguably not," the Banished leader granted. "In their goals, however, absolutely. Even you must see that the Krogan cannot sustain the population growth they are capable of. The humans wish to save your species, not condemn it to starvation."
A growl came from the Krogan before he eventually replied, "I see that, the problem is that the solution is being forced on the Krogan, not made for them."
Several seconds passed as the Jiralhanae Warlord stared at Wrex before he said, "The Tribes pass on stories from generation to generation, even with the Vheiloth skein pushing new ways. I have never been as good at speaking as I have at fighting, but perhaps I don't need to be for this story."
When Wrex merely tilted his head in curiosity and a bit of confusion, Atriox continued, "In the Sixth Age of Conversion, before the 39th Age of Conflict, a small species was brought into the Covenant. They had been living primitive lives on their world, doing their best to survive."
"Within twenty years of their introduction, a Rebellion took place as their growing numbers caused friction with the other races. To end the conflict, the Covenant glassed the homeworld and inflicted heavy losses on their population. Rather than dealing with the cause of the problem, the Grunt's became cannon fodder, fed into the endless war machine that the Covenant maintained. Outside of conflict, laws were forced upon the Unggoy to prevent breeding, with any disobedience met with death for entire families."
"It was only once humanity fought the Covenant and the Great Schism split it asunder that the Unggoy were freed. Yet, without conflict to trim their numbers and with the Covenant's production worlds glassed during the Blooding Years, they faced the prospect of extinction alongside every other former Covenant species. After thousands of years under the Prophets lies, who was left to tend the farms, who could repair the technology that the San'Shyuum alone understood?" the Jiralhanae asked.
Silence was the only answer from the Krogan as Atriox finished, "The answer was in the enemy that had fought us for the last thirty years. In return for allowing them to study that technology, they also repaired it when they could have left entire planets to die. By the request of the Unggoy themselves, the humans created a product similar to the Genophage to create sustainable population growth."
"The humans fought your kind, died in the billions, and then turn around to help you?" Wrex asked, understandably incredulous.
Atriox grunted and replied, "Their actions don't always make sense, none of them can agree on anything, but there are worse things in the galaxy than the Covenant. Terrors that even I do not wish to disturb."
"The humans call your kind Brutes," Wrex eventually commented. "That does not seem accurate."
"Under the Covenant, they were not wrong," Atriox countered. "Jiralhanae were encouraged to let loose their violence, taught only war and cruelty. I was no fool and left before the crimes of the Prophets became known to all. You have the chance to do the same."
A glare came from the Battlemaster as he stated, "We are similar. That's why the Wardens hired you to convince me to do this."
It was not a question, so Atriox did not bother directly addressing it as he replied, "Do not mistake the humans for stupid apes. Their War with the Covenant did not leave room for the weak to take power."
"You respect the humans for having fought against them," the Krogan pointed out.
"They slaughtered my battle-brothers, wiping out my clan one by one. I resent them for it, but I also understand why it had to be so," the Warlord said calmly. "The genocide of the humans was wanton violence by the Prophets, and it is they who bear the blame. As I fought the Covenant, so did the humans, leading to its rightful destruction. I respect that strength."
"To be Krogan is to be strong. You have me curious about the humans, as the Alliance has most certainly not been impressive," Wrex said.
Atriox smiled and slammed Chainbreaker into the ground, triggering its gravity generator and leaving a sizable dent in the stone as the Jiralhanae declared, "Then show your strength by breaking free of the Council. See for yourself why I work for the Wardens, even though I am not one of their soldiers. Show the galaxy your right to live!"
Wrex looked away from the Jiralhanae at that, gazing around at the ruins and surrounding wasteland. After some time, he finally questioned, "How long until your ships arrive?"
June 8, 2589/19th Day of 5th Month, 2459/June 8, 2180
Migrant Fleet
Terminus
For the largest groups of ships in the entire galaxy, it was more difficult than expected to locate the Migrant Fleet as it made its rounds through Mass Relays that never changed position. Of course, when the bar for difficulty was set at a mere search of the Citadel's Extranet, it wasn't surprising that more work was needed. That was where the Office of Naval Intelligence came in as they carefully tracked the Quarians after finding their fleet passing through one of the Relays out in the Terminus.
It was this massive flock of vessels that the small UNSC frigate cautiously approached. Even after having received permission to make their case to the Conclave, the prospect of entering the same airspace as the Migrant Fleet was daunting. Due to the rather precise maneuvering and possible slipspace jump the ship would have to make if something went wrong, the AI of the Anlace-class frigate was currently piloting the vessel along the provided flight path.
Watching alongside the bridge crew was the Envoy from the Wardens of the Mantle who would be meeting with the Quarian leadership. It had been decided that the Allied Fringe would handle interactions with the exiled aliens if they accepted the offer from the Wardens as it was within their territory that a world for them had been terraformed. To help facilitate that interaction, Representative Wurd Tonfa of Allied Fringe had been sent to this meeting with strict instructions to try and dissuade the Quarians from attacking the Geth once more.
As the UNSC ship pulled in to dock with one of the much smaller Quarian frigates, Wurd turned to begin making his way to the airlock that would allow them access to the alien vessel. From that point there was very little excitement as the Yonhet made his way to the Quarian ship. Since the Wardens were an unknown entity and had no one to vouch for them, the ship Wurd was entering was empty of all civilians. Due to the massive population loss from the Morning War, the Quarians had decided to use their internal fleet communications to meet with the Envoy rather than risk contamination from a biological source or infiltration by an Artificial Intelligence.
As he entered the alien frigate, two groups of Quarians met Wurd at the entrance. One was obviously made of soldiers as they had their weapons drawn, though none of them seemed ready to fire once they saw that the Yonhet was lacking any obvious weaponry. The other group appeared to be some type of biohazard team as they used their omnitools to scan Wurd. Apparently there was no issue as the Quarian marines turned to guide him to wherever he would be speaking with the Conclave.
Looking around, Wurd noted the many patches that were visible in the halls of this ship, making it clear that it was an older vessel and would not be a huge loss to the Migrant Fleet if the Wardens tried anything amiss. That wasn't the plan as far as Wurd knew, but he also could respect the caution that the Quarians were displaying when it came to their survival. Many of the species that made up the Allied Fringe were similar when the Covenant ruled as the loss of a single world could mean extinction.
Eventually the small procession entered a conference room, though any furniture had been cleared out in favor of a lectern from which the Warden representatives could address the Conclave. As they entered, one of the Quarian marines spoke, "The Conclave will contact you when it is ready."
"Understood," Wurd replied.
Shortly after they arrived, the screen at the front lit up to display a large group of Quarians, with five more prominent figures standing above the rest. Wurd instantly recognized the Quarian Admiralty Board, though he could not place names to faces due to the suits that covered their bodies. Even with the feed active, however, Wurd waited to speak out of respect for whatever process the Migrant Fleet had for these occasions.
After several seconds, one of the Quarian Admirals began to speak, "This Conclave is brought to order. Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Keelah se'lai." Several murmurs of that same Quarians phrase echoed throughout the chamber, though it was almost impossible to hear.
"State your names so that the Conclave may know who is speaking," the Admiral told the Warden representative.
"Representative Wurd Tonfa of the Allied Fringe speaking for the Wardens of the Mantle," Wurd responded.
The Quarian nodded and stated, "The envoy, Wurd Tonfa, has come to present a proposal to the Conclave regarding our future. They will be heard by the Conclave and by Admirals Shala'Raan vas Tonbay, Zaal'Koris vas Qwib Qwib, Han'Gerrel vas Neema, Daro'Xen vas Moreh, and Rael'Zorah vas Alarei of the Admiralty Board."
Done with the long introduction, the Quarian nodded at Wurd to indicate that he was free to speak. Having had some time to think, the Yonhet began, "The Wardens of the Mantle wish to offer your people a world within the territory of the Allied Fringe, to settle and recover from the Morning War."
"Abandon Rannoch to the Geth? After a mere 65 years, absolutely not," Admiral Han'Gerrel said almost instantly.
"Even if we were to accept, how would the Fleet reach this world? There is no Element Zero in your galaxy to refuel our ships, and no Mass Relays to transport them. As Admiral Han'Gerrel stated, we cannot give up our homeworld, for it is the only option left," Shala'Raan stated.
Wurd contained his confusion as he inquired, "It is not possible for the Quarians to establish a colony at all?"
"What few worlds would be able to support our species have been forbidden to us by the Council, and our Heavy Fleet cannot be wasted fighting the Turians on a whim," Han'Gerrel explained.
"Which is why the Wardens are offering you the opportunity to settle a new world, away from the Citadel and any potential threat that the Geth might pose. Resources can be provided to make the journey possible, including fuel for your ships and protection if necessary. The only request that we have is that you assist with our own research into Element Zero," the Yonhet replied.
Rael'Zorah spoke up as he responded, "If you can spare the ships to provide assistance, we could mount an assault on Rannoch and take it back from the Geth." This statement garnered motions of agreement from many Quarians around the room, making it clear to Wurd that this would be a very delicate negotiation between two conflicting objectives.
"The Council has requested that we do not provoke the Geth into conflict, a request that the Wardens of the Mantle cannot see any reason to deny," the Envoy said. "Intelligence gathered by the Humans and Sangheili would indicate that your homeworld is far too heavily fortified to take without major fleet actions. It is considered probable by analysts that any attempt to conquer Rannoch would result in a pyrrhic victory and devastation of the planetary surface."
Admiral Shala'Raan interjected, "Our patrols have been unable to penetrate the Veil since we were driven out in the Morning War. Even the Council does not venture to our home, any attempts to do so have been met with hostility from the Geth. How were you able to enter?"
Realizing the misstep but unable to retract the implication, Wurd replied, "Stealth vessels and drones, though the exact details are military secrets that I do not know."
"If we could study that technology and implement it in our own ships, we would be able to take back the homeworld ourselves," Daro'Xen suggested.
"I understand your desire to take back your homeworld," Wurd replied. "The Covenant drove many species from their homes, out of spite or for resources. The proposal I bring, however, is not to take back Rannoch but to allow the Quarians, as a species, to survive the coming ages. A fleet of this size will draw attention, as I am sure it already has, leading to inevitable losses. If an attack on your homeworld fails, then where will you fall back to? The Quarians run the very real risk of extinction, and that is something that the Wardens will not stand by and watch."
For the first time, Admiral Zaal'Koris spoke, "Why do you care about our survival? We pleaded with the Council for help and they cast us out. To them we are a problem, an idea that your diplomats did not seemed inclined to disagree with."
"You have heard of the Forerunners from Ambassador Mousset's discussions with the Council, as well as the Mantle of Responsibility?" Wurd inquired. At the nods from the Admiralty Board, he continued, "That is your answer. The Humans, the Reclaimers, they are upholding that Mantle. Guarding it, and thus all species, from those who would destroy them. It is a goal for them to strive towards, and while they may never achieve it, their own brush with extinction ensures that it will not be pushed aside. That is why the Allied Fringe was formed in the wake of the Schism, for protection from the horrors of the galaxy."
"While together the Allied Fringe has a population in the billions, each individual species is far less numerous, to the point that they could not individually contribute to the Wardens of the Mantle. We are inviting you to join us as equals, to take part in our decisions and benefit from the protections we enjoy. As numerous as your fleet is, a species with a population of several million cannot hope to contend on the galactic stage, especially when shunned by the dominant power," the Yonhet said bluntly, not dodging around that fact.
Even so, it appeared to insult the Conclave slightly as Admiral Han'Gerrel argued, "The Heavy Fleet is capable of defending the Migrant Fleet against attacking forces."
"From small pirate forces, absolutely," Wurd admitted, "but what about an organized force? Could you fend off the Turians or the Geth if they decide to finish what they started?"
"The Council has made it clear that they will not take action against us so long as we do not initiate hostilities against the Geth. If we could take back Rannoch, however, then we could investigate what when wrong and disable all the machines," Daro'Xen asserted.
Careful to keep his face blank as he contained his irritation, Wurd quickly replied, "No hostile action has been initiated by the Geth against the Wardens of the Mantle and we are therefore prevented from engaging in conflict against them. They do not present an imminent threat to the continued existence of any species, as they at least spared the Migrant Fleet. As for an attacking force, it could very well be an unknown, much as the Wardens were to the Council just a short time ago. It might not be likely, but the longer the Migrant Fleet drifts, the more probable it becomes that you might be mistaken for a target of opportunity."
"To assume that it is an eventuality erodes the authority of leadership, it is ruling through fear," Rael'Zorah declared.
"It is not necessary to use the possibility to force decisions," the Yonhet countered. "Yet it is a concern that must be considered, regardless of opinion. There are things in this universe that make the Geth look harmless, and at any time, one of those threats could appear and wipe out the entire Migrant Fleet in a single fight. Our offer is meant to prevent that from happening, to uphold the Mantle of Responsibility rather than stand by and see it fall. The Wardens of the Mantle will not help you take back your world right now, but perhaps, one day, you might have the strength to do it yourselves without risking everything. What I can tell you with certainty is that the loss of your Fleet would signify the loss of any chance of regaining Rannoch, a fact that I am sure you are well aware of. Accept the world we are offering, even if it isn't your home forever."
"To be trapped by a lack of Mass Effect and the reliance on your support would be worse than our current situation," Rael'Zorah said. "I and many others promised our sons and daughters that they would see the homeworld again, we swear by it. Keelah Se'lai, as it is said in our language."
Seeing the focus that the Quarians had made Wurd sympathize with the Council slightly, though he continued to push as he responded, "That promise is not one that I can fulfil. If you wished, you could petition the Wardens to try and contact the Geth to open negotiations, but as I stated, armed conflict is not an option."
"That is more than the Council offered at least," Admiral Shala'Raan admitted. "Would they be included in such debate?" Looks were directed at her from the other Quarians in the Conclave, though they went ignored as she kept her attention on the Envoy.
"I can't guarantee it," the Yonhet confessed. "I very much doubt that they would be welcome, however. In a galaxy of trillions, settling several million is a trivial matter. That it has not been done shows not only negligence but explicit intention to inhibit the continued existence of the Quarians. There are several members of the High Senate that are quite irate with the Council over that particular matter."
That seemed to interest Daro'Xen as she asked, "How do they plan to help the Krogan? If that is truly their reason for making this offer to us, they cannot also ignore the Genophage."
Surprised that the Quarian had picked up on that connection, Wurd took a second to recall the bits of information he had heard about the operation on Tuchanka before answering, "Discussion was underway about how to address the extinction threat to the Krogans. Ambassador Mousset has met with the Council about the issue and been informed that any attempt to remove the Krogan from Tuchanka or cure the Genophage would be an act of war. Other options are being considered, but it is not my duty and thus I am not well informed on the matter."
"I would expect the Wardens of the Mantle to push harder to preserve their principles," Han'Gerrel taunted.
"Clandestine operations such as what would be required to assist the Krogan are unknown to most participants of the Covenant War. The Prophets were never concerned about the lives lost in direct assaults," Wurd said.
Rael'Zorah seemed to pick up on the implication as he stated, "Your Wardens do not hold much respect for the Council."
"The only reason the Council has been spared is because they did not know of the Mantle of Responsibility."
"It was my understanding that they were spared to combat the threat of the Reapers," Daro'Xen commented.
A surprised look was directed at the Quarian as Wurd responded, "A fair point. That is one of the major concerns that prompted this offer to the Migrant Fleet. As much as it irritates the other members of the Wardens, the Humans do seem to be remarkably capable of finding the nastiest things in a galaxy."
"Oh?" Daro'Xen inquired. "These things and those that you mentioned earlier are the same?"
"Yes, but it is not my intention to terrify you into accepting the offer from the Wardens," the Yonhet said. "I am here to make an offer, not a threat."
Admiral Han'Gerrel seemed somewhat amused as he questioned, "Your military is truly concerned about the warnings of the Systems Alliance? We do not agree with the Council on many things, but the existence of a race that wishes to wipe out all life in the galaxy is far fetched."
"And if they do exist?" Wurd asked in return. "The problem the Wardens have encountered is not that the Alliance suggested that the Reapers exist but rather that there seems to be a basis for that suggestion. Is it beyond reasonable doubt? No, but neither can we say that these Reapers cannot exist. Something killed the Protheans, that much is obvious. A species spanning a galaxy does not just disappear. A similar situation can be seen with the Forerunners, where they encountered an enemy even they could not defeat and sacrificed themselves to save all other life. It has happened before, and the possibility that the Protheans failed to eliminate the Reapers is not one that the Wardens are willing to discount."
"If that's the case then what hope do we have of fighting them?" Han'Gerrel pointed out. "The Prothena Empire spanned the entire galaxy, neither the Wardens nor Council can claim that."
That the Protheans had claimed the entire galaxy after skipping entire sections using the Mass Relays was not something that Wurd vocalized as he replied, "Intelligence services from several Warden members are currently investigating the claims of the Alliance. Those investigations are classified and thus I do not know what they have found until they release that information, in which case you would be able to see it as well. It's possible that we can't fight them at all, but that is doubtful. From what the Alliance has found with their Prothean relic, the Reapers attack this galaxy and this galaxy alone. If that is true, then the Quarians and Krogan are at the greatest risk of extinction as neither of you have any appreciable presence past the Intergalactic Relay."
"So you wish to relocate the Migrant Fleet to your own galaxy," Zaal'Koris concluded.
"For all the reasons I have stated. Tensions are simmering between the Wardens and Council right now, but they might, as the Humans say, 'join the monkeys in throwing their shit around'. If that's the case, then evacuating the Migrant Fleet will become impossible. Such a war may last a year or an entire age," the Yonhet warned.
"Then we must decide now," Admiral Shala'Raan determined.
Wurd repressed his instinctual display of apathy and instead responded, "Now or in the near future if you want the choice to be yours. In any of the cases I have mentioned, wait too long and eventually the decision will no longer be that of the Conclave but rather of fate."
"The Conclave has been gathered to hear your statements, not vote on the fate of the Migrant Fleet at a whim. If a vote is supported, then it will commence. We shall contact you once our deliberations are concluded. You may return to your vessel if you wish," Rael'Zorah told Wurd.
Sensing the unvoiced dismissal, the Yonhet leaned forward slightly to accede to the words of the Quarian Admiral. With that, the screen flickered off as the Conclave began to debate. Turning away from the blank display, Wurd backtracked to the airlock with the Quarian marines trailing him. As he left, the Envoy prepared to relax for a while under the assumption that the Conclave would take some time to come to a consensus, let alone a decision.
19th Day of 5th Month, 2459/June 8, 2180/June 8, 2589
Supreme Palace
Khar'shan
"The Council continues to refuse to take action against the aggressors?
Ambassador Jath'Amon shifted slightly at the irritation in that question before replying, "Yes, Hegemon. They are incapable of seeing truth as they blame the incident on pirates."
"Fools!" the Batarian leader declared forcefully, sending several slaves scattering away from the large master. "We shall deal with the problem ourselves, then. You are dismissed."
Seeing no need to prolong the meeting and risk punishment, Ambassador Jath'Amon cut the connection after paying his respects. The other Batarians present around the table were all silent, waiting to be addressed by the leader of the Hegemony. After several seconds of waiting, he turned to the head of the Department of Information Control and questioned, "What do the lower castes know of the incident?"
"Nothing, sir, but there are murmurs. People have noticed the silence, the lack of news from Logasiri. They are ignorant, for now," the Batarian stated.
"Are we prepared to respond?" the Hegemon asked, addressing the question towards one of the decorated military leaders that sat on one side of the table.
"Always," came the response, delivered with a straight face and an understanding that the Hegemon referred to the pirates under the Hegemony's employ just as much as their official military.
A lift of the chin was the only indication that the large Batarian leader approved before he brought his gaze on the chairman of Batarian State Arms, "Prepare to increase production and begin pulling from our stockpile. We will strike quickly and with vengeance." Turning to the head of the Department of Military Intelligence, the Hegemon threatened, "I will not tolerate failure for much longer. What do you have to report?"
"Our collectors out in the Terminus have informed us that the Wardens have been interfering with their operations. We are closing in on the location of whatever world they have stolen, but the slaves only work so fast," the Batarian complained with a hint irritation.
This did nothing to appease the Hegemon as he leaned his bulk forward and commanded, "Then find ways to make them work faster. If our forces stand ready and you do not have a target, your head shall adorn my door. See to it, now!"
"Yes, Hegemon!" the department head responded before quickly leaving the room as everyone else watched on. All of them knew the price of failure, such was the way of the Batarian system. Unyielding justice where punishment fit the crime, and the higher caste, the larger the failings and thus greater the penalty.
"How fares the business in the markets with the interference of the aggressors?" inquired the leader, directing his attention to the head of the Department of Economic Affairs.
"They were beginning to recover once the Council's pet Brute finally stopped harassing us, but sales are down again. Raids against the lower races have been increased to account for this. Collectors are hesitant to target the Alliance after the Elysium Massacre and Violation of Torfan, hurting the supply even more," said the Batarian that had been addressed.
A growl came from the Hegemon as he leaned forward and commanded, "See to it that they become less hesitant and more successful, then. The Alliance is nothing but filth, and their citizens are hardly capable of cleaning my floors let alone fighting against the might of the Hegemony."
"Of course, sir."
"Would you have any use for fodder against the aggressors?" the Hegemon suddenly asked, turning his attention back to the military leaders.
There was a hint of amusement on the officer's features as he replied, "More bodies are always good, especially if the weaklings refuse to fire at worthless slaves. I will require ships to transport them, however, as I will not have the untouchable castes on board our venerable vessels."
"Perhaps some of our employees might be able to find some. The flailing imbecile that directs our spies recently informed me that one of our systems has been turned into a sea of thieves. Start there, and perhaps bring along a few suit rats to throw in the fighting pits," ordered the Hegemon.
"Sir."
"Does anyone else have anything to present?" the large Batarian asked. When no one spoke up, he stated, "Dismissed. Glory to the Hegemony."
June 8, 2589/19th Day of 5th Month, 2459/June 8, 2180
Eleutheria
Bastion
Not many humans were ever taken as slaves. That was something that the Systems Alliance was quite proud of, especially considering how the Batarian Hegemony targeted their colonies in the Skyllian Verge. After the attack on Torfan, there had been even fewer of them coming through the slave markets on Batarian worlds.
Unfortunately for Talitha, she was one of those few who were in circulation. Caught out during a raid on Mindoir and taken before the Alliance could lock down the skies, there was nothing she could do to escape from the slavers. Years came and went, masters along with them as she was traded between various wealthy individuals who were interested in possessing one of the vaunted humans. Her last master had been an administrative official for the mining operations on Logasiri who already owned slaves for menial tasks, leaving Talitha subject to satisfy the pleasures of the Batarian.
That all changed when the attack started, throwing the entire colony into disarray. Within minutes everything had changed as both masters and slaves fell to the ground, unconscious from whatever had been dropped into the habitats. Talitha had not been spared from the same treatment as the next thing she remembered was waking up inside a massive hangar alongside thousands of other slaves. Eventually they were met with their saviors, a group of new aliens that called themselves 'The Wardens of the Mantle'. No one recognized the name.
From there, events seemed to move faster than possible. A short time after they were awakened, several fights broke out between slaves from different castes. These were put down almost instantly and it was made quite clear that such actions would not be tolerated. Talitha had despaired that they had exchanged one prison for another, but was glad to be proved wrong when a medical unit made their way through the hold to remove the implanted slave chips.
It was when they landed that the true disparity between her former life and this new opportunity was revealed. First among these realizations was the fact that the ship they were on had not only entered the atmosphere of a planet but actually landed on the surface itself. Even with their advancements in using Element Zero, the Council had never landed a vessel larger than a frigate on the surface of a planet, yet this massive vessel had done so with seemingly no trouble.
Second was when the hangar door opened to let the freed slaves offload and Talitha got her first look at their new surroundings. Unlike the depressing atmosphere that even the agricultural habitats couldn't mask on Logasiri, this was obviously a garden world that these Wardens had taken for their own. Alien plants grew amongst crags of rocks and the air was clean and, more importantly, breathable.
After walking a ways away from the ship to get away from the crowd of slaves, Talitha turned back to look at their transport. Whatever she had been expecting, the unbelievable wall of metal that greeted her was not it. Towering what had to be several hundred meters into the air and at least two kilometers long, the ship was far larger than anything she had ever heard of. Yet, there it was, sitting on the surface of the planet with no apparent damage. It wasn't the only one either as she could see pieces of similar ships around the edges of her own transport.
The introduction to a new life of freedom, or at least the illusion of it, took up the next several weeks as humans helped the survivors of Logasiri begin anew. Houses were built once the ships had lifted off the ground and back into orbit, much to wonder of all unfamiliar with them. Already there were those who were wondering whether they wanted to leave at all as the resources and infrastructure for a small city quickly sprung up.
As they built, Talitha learned about these people that called themselves Wardens. Apparently humans were only one of several species in the organization, leading to the obvious comparison to the Citadel Council. It was fairly clear, however, that these Wardens were far different from the Council and their passive acceptance of Batarian slavery. Medical units treated them not only physically but mentally as well, though the latter would take much longer to address according to the doctors. The only place that Talitha had seen such expertise had been the Systems Alliance, though she didn't remember much after so long in captivity.
Several times a day, massive ships would blast overhead, producing a dull roar and causing all to turn their gaze upwards to witness the spectacle. While it was hard to judge the size and distance of these vessels, it was evident that they were quite large, probably larger than the ships that had saved them from Logasiri.
During one week, a number of humans arrived and threatened to disrupt the growing settlement while hurling insults at the former slaves. Within a short time they were removed from the area by a group of soldiers that were called 'Marines'. This drew recognition from both Quarians and Humans, but what really caught the attention of Talitha was that the troublemakers had merely been removed. There was no execution, no fear from them as they were ordered to leave, just vocal complaints about the presence of aliens on this world.
It was at that point that Talitha began to believe that whoever these Wardens were, being on their world was not such a bad thing. In the Hegemony, speaking out like that would have been cause for arrest, and insulting soldiers usually resulted in a quick death. For all their ships and their legions of men, the Hegemony had still been afraid of anyone speaking against them. These humans, however, with their massive ships and verdant worlds, not only abided by but encouraged dissent, at least according to the rumors floating around.
Emboldened by the display, some of the former slaves began murmuring about whether they would be allowed to leave. No one asked the humans as to ask questions of a master was to invite a beating, and while these humans did not call themselves masters, old habits die hard. Eventually one brave soul worked up the courage, but none of the humans who were assisting them had an answer for that, replying only that they were there to help establish a sustainable development since almost none of the slaves had any experience in that area. After a few days, a high ranking officer from the military stopped by and informed them that they currently could not return to Citadel space. As it stood, the Citadel did not know who had attack Logasiri, leaving the former slaves trapped in a legal gray area.
If they were returned to the Citadel, it would implicate their saviors in an attack on a member of the Citadel. If that happened, there was a real possibility of the Batarians demanding their return as 'property'. Seeing as the Council had abided by the practice of slavery so far, there was no indication that they wouldn't return to the Hegemony. Until the slavers were brought to heel and the fallout from the attack dealt with, there was little they could do but wait.
There were some quiet protests and complaints about that between the former slaves, mostly in regards to contacting family, but only a few had enough confidence to voice these to the humans. After some negotiation and the help of a few Quarians, an abomination of a communications relay was set up and connected to the Comm Buoy network. Using both technology from the humans as well as the expertise of a species familiar with Citadel technology, the resulting product was functional, if not particularly aesthetically pleasing.
According to the humans, any messages sent would be manipulated such that they appeared to come from an address within Citadel space. How they achieved that was beyond Talitha, but it did imply that this world was not connected to the Extranet and thus was unknown by the Council. Considering the derision that their saviors seemed to have for the Council, that wasn't really surprising.
Curious as to why these humans seemed so determined to help them, Talitha risked seeking out one of their psychiatrists and asking. As hard as it was to hear about so-called 'slave mentality', Talitha appreciated the honesty shown as well as the lack of anger about being questioned. It explained actions she herself could not defend, how obedience had become second nature and any inquiries were expected to be met with violence. When instructed on how to build homes for themselves, no one had questioned it and instead set to work, fully expecting to be forced into long hours and no breaks. Yet, they were no longer slaves, and the work they did was to benefit themselves and the community they had become following the rescue from Logasiri.
Encouraged by that realization, Talitha approached one of the humans managing the ongoing projects and asked if there was any way for them to begin learning of the rest of the galaxy. Not only were the Wardens completely new, but many of these slaves had been captive for years or been unfortunate enough to be born into servitude. Discovering that there was more beyond work and pain would be important for gaining their independence.
Classes were offered a week later in a large, spacious building that the humans called a community center. Talitha didn't particularly care what they wanted to call it, what mattered was the information that was available. Due to the vast differences between the former slaves, ranging from young children up to centuries-old asari, a variety of classes were offered. Even with those divisions, it was obvious that they would need a larger space due to numbers alone as adults attended basic classes to learn how to think rather than just work.
It was clear that the teacher brought in by the humans were specifically selected so as to avoid issues with the unquestioning obedience trained into them, not that that was an issue so much as an observation that Talitha made. Through these classes, the survivors learned of the current state of the galaxy in all its splendor and terror. For some, the existence of an Intergalactic Relay was a complete unknown after having worked in the mines for so long. Others had met humans but only now learned about the rights they were supposed to have as citizens of the Citadel rather than property of one of its members.
Common between all of them, however, was ignorance of the Wardens of the Mantle, as was to be expected with their very recent introduction. So they learned of the lack of Mass Effect in the society of their rescuers and how they had innovated to get around that limitation and build up a civilization. They learned how those civilizations were nearly destroyed in the Covenant War, and how the members rebuilt afterwards, coming together in the face of annihilation. Most importantly, for Talitha at least, they learned how to make peace with their past, or at least begin to do so.
Obviously there was information that was being withheld from them, something that Talitha understood very well. Most of the educational material focused on practical skills and knowledge such as math and reading, but there were also cultural and social classes for reintroducing the former slaves into a free society. The idea seemed foreign to all of the non-humans as they were apparently expecting to be thrown back to the Citadel at some point with a basic education and left to fend for themselves.
Talitha thought it likely that they had never heard of rehabilitation since the Council had never actually freed any slaves from the Hegemony.
If these humans were truly the source of the Alliance, which there was really no reason to doubt considering they were the same species, then they had technology and capabilities that were hidden from the former slaves. Information on their military and industrial capabilities was almost completely confined to the the Covenant War, though they had to have advanced considering the social changes that were discussed separately. Wherever they were set up on this world, however, was a long way away from the small city that had been built by the slaves. Trying to explore by following the direction of the ships passing overhead had revealed nothing, but the Warden city had to be sizable to handle such vessels.
Three months after their rescue, or just short of two months by the human calendar, someone had the bright idea to give their home a name, regardless of how long they would be staying. After some discussion and research, the name Eleutheria was chosen from an extinct human language that they still used to name things for some reason. Representing the freedom they had been given and the second chance at life, the city continued to take shape, growing in complexity if not population over such a short time.
Looking up, Talitha watching the stars, taking note of several moving points of light that she had figured out were ships in orbit far above. As much as she had wanted to leave at first, the truth was that she did not have anywhere to return to and nowhere safer to hide. So long as the Wardens welcomed them on their world, she would stay, safe from the Batarians as she healed from her years of slavery.
1st Day of 6th Month, 2459/June 10, 2180/June 10, 2589
Citadel Embassy
Sydney, Earth
"First day of sixth month in year 2459, 26 days since arrival on Human homeworld, Lieutenant Tolan of Salarian Tasks Group. Observations on human infrastructure sufficient to merit recording," Lieutenant Tolan started. As an STG operative assigned to accompany the Citadel's delegation and gather information on the Wardens, it was Tolan's job to report anything notable for further investigation. From what he'd already seen, the operative was suspecting that this would be the first of many such logs.
Ignoring such distracting thoughts, he continued, "Much of human society is integrated with their technology. Similar to usage of Omni-tools, but also significantly different. Talked with human scientist about subject, very intelligent and educational, also very concerning. Objective is for technology to be so usable and functional that those unfamiliar with it do not even realize that it exists. Humans have created an entire field out of single question on how to use their own creations and applied their discoveries to great effect."
"Will be hard to describe how to notice this, for it is designed to not be noticed. It was in the small things that I first became aware of this oddity. Manual tasks, done automatically and not given thought, do not have to be done at all. Original hypothesis that attributed such pampering to the wealth afforded delegation is unlikely, discussion with human adds to rejection of that conclusion."
Tolan stopped for a short moment before changing subjects, "Concerns of Artificial Intelligence use by Wardens considered legitimate, though not proven. Suspicions aroused by fields of employ and observations of common industrial services. Automation is prevalent on Earth at least, possible that distant colonies do not have infrastructure necessary to support such efficiency. Many common jobs are filled by machines, leaving humans to concentrate on higher priorities, indicates high level of education across territory. Repeat, possible differences off homeworld, though searches on human Waypoint indicate similar on all but most recent colonies."
"Survey of human industries indicates similar levels of automation. Almost all manufacturing, processing, and production lines require minimal oversight, exceptions limited to non-critical items. Production capacity concerning, very difficult to interrupt in wartime if humans have automated repair as well. Cyber attack a possibility, unlikely if concerns of AI substantiated. Intelligence required to orchestrate society of this size would be sophisticated and adaptable, implies possible use of city-wide information network for communication. AI would have to be few in number but access to vast resources. Control of planetary networks or perhaps entire systems? Too many options to isolate with limited data."
"Situation bears obvious resemblance to Geth mistake. Convincing humans to cease the use of such widely automated systems considered impossible without suppression by Council. Trust of machines is implicit within human society, connected to usability factors mentioned earlier in report. Citadel Delegation fallen into same trap by use of self-driving vehicles and cleaning services. Impressive to see, danger of human products supplanting native companies in Citadel territory."
The Salarian paused for a second to mess with settings on his omnitool before resuming, "STG exclusive report, classified by order of the Dalatrass. Report on threats from interaction with Wardens by other species. Must start by declaring most interactions harmless, many members of Citadel do not have aspirations regarding new species. Primary concerns about Asari, Turian, and Krogan."
"Turian issues obvious, desire to initiate hostilities needs to be controlled until more information is collected. Current outcome of conflict considered unfavorable to Council interests by STG, affirmed by observations of industrial capabilities of a prominent members of Wardens. Contact between Wardens and Krogan presents greatest threat to preserving current situation, human moral standards differ from Council significantly. Likely that cure for Genophage would be pushed by Wardens due to their Mantle, obviously absolutely unacceptable."
"Standard Asari doctrine of cultural absorption considered unlikely to succeed, I consider this the greatest threat should it backfire. Adoption of human machines into Citadel cultures possible insertion vector for AI threat, disruption of civilian life by lack of products should hostilities be initiated. Dependence on foreign imports by one of the Council's primary species is exploitable to extreme," Tolan warned.
After another second of waiting so that the STG could cleanly remove his classified report and then 'leak' the rest , he finished, "Will continue to investigate possibility of Artificial Intelligence, may be hampered if core is not within city. Awaiting further orders should the Council or Dalatrass require change in operating parameters."
Stuff is really starting to pick up speed in this chapter. Obviously.
Talitha is a former slave that the player meets in a Mass Effect game, not an OC. I will not focus on some OC unless it is to expand upon some other aspect of the story, and an OC will never become an important character.
-evevee