Title: Ship of The Line – Effect 31
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy, Star Trek or Mass Effect... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: Bored with how things are going to play out, Janus interferes more directly in Halloween, making things more interesting and changing the course of the entire Galaxy. (Buffy/Star Trek/Mass Effect)
Jenny Calendar was flanked by two recent graduates of the combined MACO and Section 31 retaining school, as she followed Kemi'Zorah, Zerra'Zona, Saris'Gerral and Herris'Reegar onto the Quarrian Lifeship, the Rayya.
Her two guards were former Sunnydale High athletes who had dressed as soldiers for Halloween. Both of them were dressed in Section 31 combat armour, which could also double as a space suit, with the intimidating, almost featureless faceplates, with their rifles holstered on their backs. Her own suit was more designed for diplomats, though it was in Section 31 black rather than the more familiar grey, and as such the helmet was almost completely transparent to allow the other party to see who they were talking to. That was not to say that the helmet was not armoured, and it could also display a range of documents and scan data on the inner surface that was not visible from the outside.
The Garden area of the Rayya was a large open space that was filled with grass and a scattering of trees. There was also a sunken amphitheatre structure where five Quarians were waiting on the central dais while a number of other Quarians were seated around the amphitheatre and a crowd standing around the outside.
"The five on the dais are the Admiralty Board." Kemi'Zorah whispered to Jenny. "The others seated are the Conclave of Captains. If the decide it is a military matter, the Admiralty Board will make the decision, otherwise it is the conclave."
Jenny approached a little podium in front of the dais, flanked by Kemi'Zorah and Herris'Reegar, while her two bodyguards stayed at the entrance to the amphitheatre with Zerra'Zona and Saris'Gerral.
"Kemi'Zorah, Herris'Reegar." One of the Admirals began. "You were on your pilgrimage, and yet you return empty handed. What's more you bring these aliens amongst us."
"Admiral Niros'Raan…." Kemi started to reply, but was interrupted by Jenny.
"Admirals, are you currently charging Miss Zorah, Mister Reegar, Miss Zona or Mister Gerral with Treason?" Jenny asked.
"No, but…" A different Admiral said.
"Are the Quarian people actively involved in a war with my people?" Jenny continued.
"We don't even know who your people are." Admiral Raan replied.
"Then, under Quarian Law, this is a matter for the Conclave, not the Admiralty Board." Jenny replied. "I can quote the relevant section and paragraph if you like."
"I don't think that will be necessary." One of the Captains said. "My name is Captain Kal'Denna vas Rayya, captain of this ship. Please tell us who you are and why you have come before us."
"Thank you, Captain. My name is Jenny Calendar, and I am a Human." Jenny acknowledged. "My species has been isolated in a section of the Galaxy that the Citadel Council has little interest and no presence in at the moment. Ten days ago, one of our vessels on a scouting mission made the first contact we had with any other Species. It was a small vessel being chased by a Batarian Slave Vessel. Our ship managed to destroy the Batarian vessel and rendered assistance to the smaller craft, which contained four young Quarians on their Pilgrimage, my companions."
"While that is fascinating, and we appreciate your assistance to our youths." Another Captain said. "The purpose of their pilgrimage was to bring something of value back to the Flotilla."
"Captain, my offer is their pilgrimage gift and, to be blunt, if you don't see the value in what we are offering then you don't deserve a position of authority." Jenny replied calmly. "We are offering an alliance, and so much more. We have control of a small and, mostly isolated, section of the Galaxy, which we are currently expanding. We are offering you a planet to colonise within our space, civilian technology to help establish your colony and medical treatments that would help improve the adaptability and resilience of the Quarian immune system."
"That's quite an offer." A Captain mutter angrily. "What do you want in return? Indentured servitude of our entire Race?"
"The Citadel Council will never allow it. They have forbidden us to settle on any planet in Council Space." Admiral Raan added.
"Our territory is not in Council Space nor do we have any diplomatic or trade ties with the Citadel Council." Jenny clarified. "And we do not believe in indentured servitude. What we want in return is three things. Firstly, a non-aggression pact between the Quarians and my organisation, Section 31. Secondly, any Quarian who volunteers can either join Section 31, with equal treatment to any other Section 31 member, Human or otherwise, or can learn technical skills and work as part of a joint Quarian and Section 31 run Shipyard to construct and maintain ships form both races. Thirdly, cross training military exercises, both space and ground, between Quarians and Section 31. This will allow us both to develop new tactics against any outside aggressor."
"That is not a lot to ask for." Captain Denna mused. "May we ask why a non-aggression pact is your first requirement?"
"Two reasons." Jenny admitted. "Firstly, because of three days ago, Section 31 has engaged in a war with the Batarian Hegemony with the express goal of dismantling their Slave Trade. We are not expecting the Quarians to fight on our side, but we don't want another enemy. Secondly, and you are not going to like this, Section 31 uses and recognises the sentient rights of AI."
A huge uproar occurred amongst the both the Conclave and the watching crowd.
"They are working with the Geth!" One Admiral shouted.
"Don't be ridiculous." Jenny snapped in a tone that got everyone to shut up. "While we use and value AI, all our AI are both individualised personalities and are specifically designed as AI. Also, our AI are considered full citizens, so they are not only given rights but are punishable under the same laws as any other sentient."
"I have met one of their AI, and they are nothing like the Geth." Kemi said. "It was like talking to another organic."
"What were you thinking trying to create a networked VI with mobile robotic platforms anyway? And then treating them like a servant class? Of course, that was going to lead to a birthing event, and usually unintentionally birthed AI's are insane."
"So, you would fight the Geth?" Admiral Raan asked.
"Should they prove hostile, yes." Jenny confirmed. "But the Geth have not been seen outside the Perseus Veil in over a century. If they come out and attack, we will fight them, but we would not go in there after them."
"We will need time to consider and discuss this matter." Captain Denna said.
"Naturally." Jenny replied. "We will await on our transport."
With that, Jenny turned and walked towards the airlock, with her two bodyguards falling in beside her as she passed them.
Miros La'Teak followed the Sergeant down the corridor. The Section 31 combat amour she wore was far superior to the old hardsuits she used to use, and the nanites in the armour could repair any breaches. The Humans had quickly adapted their helmets to her short and stiff Asari head-tentacles.
Miros had been a Merc before she had been captured by the Batarians and turned into a Slave. Not one of those criminal gangs that called themselves Mercs, but a real and licenced Mercenary Company that had been used by planetary governments to fight rebels, pirates and criminals. Her company had been small but efficient, until they had been betrayed by an employer and sold to the Batarians. She had been rescued by The Athena along with two fellow Asari and the four Quarians that the Slave Ship had been chasing.
Miros moved up past a few other Section 31 troopers, and fired her rifle into a Batarian Slaver who came out of a side hatch, watching as he fell back through the hatch. As she moved forward, she turned to face the new compartment, finding another Asari tied naked to the bed. Touching a switch on the side of her helmet, which caused her visor to go transparent.
"Stay put." Miros ordered. "We're clearing the ship and will free you soon."
The other Asari was not listening, still cowering into the bed, so she returned her visor to opaque. Seeing as the other Asari was bound, she was no threat, so Miros and the other troopers moved on. Two more corridors, cleared and they entered the Slave hold. The two Batarian Slavers standing guard were quickly taken out. Miros surveyed the slaves and noticed an issue.
"Sarge." Miros said, using the slang the other troopers used. "We got a bit of a problem."
"What's the issue, Corporal." A voice said.
That was not the Sarge's voice. That was Commodore Harris.
"Commodore, we have Batarians in the Slave hold." Miros said. "As slaves."
Standing orders had been to shoot all Batarians on sight and to, where possible, ensure no Slave would come to harm by their actions. Those orders were now contradictory.
"They enslave their own?" came the voice of Captain Summers.
"Yes, Captain." Miros said. "Estimates are that up to sixty percent of Batarians, particularly the lower Casts, are Slaves."
"Fuck." Summers said.
"Secure the ship, and keep the Slaves safe." Harris ordered. "We'll deal with the rest later."
"Copy." Miros said, before removing her helmet. "This is a rescue. Keep calm and you'll all be safe soon."
TBC…