Blah, blah, blah rights. Blah, blah, blah I own nothing. Blah, blah, blah this stuff belongs to Disney, EA, and Bioware.

I want to thank everyone for helping get this story to over 1000 followers! I never thought I'd ever make it this far but y'all proved me wrong.

Reviews:

Servant Ambrosius: Yeah, the high and mighty attitude really isn't doing them any favors against a race that actually understands what true might is. I agree that having a civilization filled with Darth Marrs is gg for any other faction that opposes them.

Seruvius: Revenge is a dish best served with plausible deniability.

heartfanglives: Considering they'd have to go through the Sith Academy, they'd likely just be more like their chosen pyramids, with perhaps some tendencies towards engineering or violence respectively.

kite15663: I agree, plus trying to do a complete technological overhaul will wreck the Citadel economy if they try it.

Necromancy94: I thank you for your patience.

spetic332: while it may make some things easier, it won't be widespread throughout the Alliance.

saitamathewise: Thank you.

jmknz777: Thank you.

shypunk: Thank you.

Asharzal: True but there's the 'If,' the turians discover it. Besides, there are more benefits to being on the good side of the most technologically advanced race in the galaxy. Blasters would fundamentally change how warfare is conducted on an infantry level, considering they bypass kinetic barriers, but yes, against the Sith, it just makes their job easier, and their manufacturers richer.

guest#1 of 2/14: Keep reading to see how the two unlikely allies grow and stick it to the man. They will try to make their own versions, though they will always be inferior to the Sith's. Well, here's the question in regards to what the Citadel would do; would they rather have the most technologically advanced race with them or against them?

leebrough98us: Thank you.

Amon34: Thank you.

valkrus: thank you for pointing that out. I checked my original document on my computer and I guess the FF document manager didn't like the in R and got rid of it both times I wrote it, it's been fixed now. As for the others, oversights on my part and I apologize for the sloppy writing.

Nonyaarb: Thank you.

guest#2 of 2/14: Thank you.

felipindelrio: And they will only get better with time.

frankieu: One might say it is going so well because of how bad the first one went since neither the quarians or the Sith like the turians much.

Jctherebel: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

ADeter: The Sith and Jedi can both fall, just in different ways, the Sith from within and the Jedi from without and both because of arrogance.

haseosamaa: Thank you.

rollynolly: Everyone needs a friend, the quarians are just getting one with slight anger issues, stonks of ambition, and a massive chip on their shoulders. I imagine this is what it was like having Napoleon as a friend in his heyday.

OscuroSignore-51: Once again, the Citadel is so assured in their self-righteousness to see the problems they create. Oh, they will do more than just hire out workers. I will work on getting more AT series walkers established in the future. The Acclimator would do very well as a newer transport and would be perfect on a certain battle on a certain moon in pirate space in the future where a certain Sith will gain some notoriety as a butcher. No Sith Warblades mostly because the pyramid that would make them would have the least amount of use for them since the Pyramid of Alchemy is more about research than fighting, although they do have them for testing purposes. The Old Empire didn't just gather all their stuff in one place before they left the galaxy, it was a rushed last ditch effort to stay alive, they only gathered all their stuff away after it was made appearent that they couldn't beat the Reapers in their current state. Nox's mask may be on Korriban but I never decided on Nox's, or the other Inquisitor Dark Lords', final fate, wither they perished in the old galaxy or to the Reapers, so I might bring up the mask at some point.

atengawchok: Right now the quarians are their main focus in alliance building so they'll be firmly anti-geth for a while.

KillTheXenos: Right now the Sith aren't in the market for more enemies so the Destiny Ascension won't be going anywhere, for now.

FerunaLutelou: They are perhaps the most innovative races at the moment so they will be able to work some pretty amazing things out.

Invictus602: Thank you for your words, I have made peace with it. I'm glad you are continuing to enjoy the story.

ShadowCub: It's more manipulation than helping. Show them the shiny new surface of your biggest stuff and then give them the literal smallest fix of technology you have to make them come back for more.

Zuracchibi: Pretty much.

EricFreak: No problem, enjoy more quarian goodness below.

TbcDeadly: Here is more.

fahriuchiha: Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy this chapter.

BlueTea21: Thank you, I'm really trying to go for more of that, at least in the first few episodes.

Redtec55: They're on their way.

Now onto the Show!

"No more! No more!" a turian strapped to a table cries.

The ghastly mask of Darth Atrior reveals nothing as he lifts his hand to the turian. The alien screams out as his mind is ravaged by the Dark Lord. Digging through the years of accumulated knowledge in an indiscriminate pattern, he pries every memory apart for scraps of information. None of it is anything the other turians have not given him before. He lowers his hand as the turian gasps for air.

The door to the interrogation chamber opens up to reveal another assassin enter with a data-pad. Atrior turns away from the turian captive and stalks towards his underling.

"Milord a message from the Ministry," he says, "They request…"

Darth Atrior holds his hand up to stop him from speaking further and reaches out for the data-pad. The lord obliges and hands it over. The Dark Lord reads it over and pauses for a moment, tilting his head a bit to the left. He signs his approval and hands the data-pad back before departing from the room.

"Milord, where…" he stops again, "Of course, I shall alert the Shadow of the Emperor to your arrival. But what would you have me do with this… Yes, Milord, I shall take him to the Pyramid of Alchemy. I understand. Safe journeys, Master."

Atrior vanishes from sight as he exits the doors leaving the Lord with the prisoner, who whimpers in pain, "Oh don't worry, your suffering has only just begun. My master is a merciful one, Darth Chemos is far less lenient on her… test subjects. Milord needs you alive and cognizant to interrogate you, to Chemos, every single body in her possession are her cadavers to do as she pleases, including the living ones."

After reading through the approved proposal and receiving a hastily put together first contact package from the Sith, Rael sets forth to return to the Migrant Fleet aboard a Sith destroyer. He argues for a lighter transport, but Hackett insists that there be more firepower, just in case of a turian attack, Rael relents. He leaves Han in command of the Derfri as Hackett vows to defend it in Rael's absence. After collecting the quarian captain, the destroyer departs through the relay and towards the Migrant Fleet. Rael provides the necessary star charts to navigate the space without issue.

"Hold tight, Captain Zorah, we're jumping to hyperspace," the navigator says.

They push the throttle, push the engines to light speed, and jump to hyperspace. The stars stretch as the blackness of space disappears and Rael marvels at the iridescent light, "Ancestors…"

"Don't look for too long," the navigator says, "Hyperspace Madness is a real issue after prolonged exposure."

"Apologies, it is just such a new experience," Rael says, "Are you certain it will be faster?"

"We are just about to hit one lightyear of travel," he replies.

"Keela," Rael gasps, "Vice-Admiral Stephen'Hackett vas Malgus, did not exaggerate when he said it was much faster than our traditional FTL."

What would take the Derfri over a week of travel is done in a few hours, even with great detours around known gravity wells. At Rael's suggestion, the destroyer exits hyperspace at the system's edge and approaches the Migrant Fleet at its front. The Sith captain and his crew are astounded at the sheer number of ships collected together all in one place. Some of them are falling apart, but that doesn't take away from the sheer logistical work it must take to coordinate them.

A hail comes as several ships move to intercept the destroyer. They answer and Rael takes the call.

"Unknown vessel, identify yourself! How did you get so close to the system without detection?"

"This is Captain Rael'Zorah vas Derfri. I have returned with urgent news regarding first contact with a previously unknown race."

"First contact?"

"I need to speak with the admiralty regarding diplomatic actions with this new race, the Sith."

"What has become of your ship, Captain?"

"It remains in Sith space, their ships are faster and can communicate across the galaxy independent of the Citadel comm buoys, as of right now, it is the only means of communication to their space, I came alone with a crew of Sith and left my Lieutenant back with our ship. You will find all in order as the ancestors will."

There is nothing said for a few moments before the quarians reply, "Stay where you are. We will retrieve you."

"Keela Se'lai." Rael says.

The connection cuts and Rael is brought to the hangar as a quarian shuttle comes for him. The shuttle brings the captain to one of the largest ships in the fleet, the Raya. After a lengthy decontamination procedure and screening along with a plethora of formalities, Rael is brought before the assembled Admiralty board. They stand at their podium looking down upon him.

"You have discovered a new spacefaring race, Captain?" the center admiral, Admiral Jarone, asks.

"Yes, Admirals, as my crew and I returned from our surveying mission, we came into contact with this race, the Sith."

The board members talk amongst themselves at Rael's confirmation.

The left most admiral, Nomru, speaks up, "If we deliver this news to the council, perhaps we can fall into their good graces, perhaps we can build our relationship with them by ferrying them into galactic society."

"Admiral, I apologize, but I don't think that reporting this to the Council would help us."

"Why is that?"

"The Sith are currently at war with the turians," Rael says.

"Ancestors damn it!" Admiral Pelnar growls as she brings her fist down on the podium, "So they're becoming a client race of the spikeheads."

Rael shakes his head, "Actually, that's the most important part of what I have come to tell you. They're holding their own. Even more than that, they've repelled an invasion of one of their colonies and are in the middle of a campaign into turian space. That is how we found them, we discovered remnants of a battle against the turians and followed it to their conquered territory."

She leans forward, "Impossible! How can they match the turians?"

"They have no mass effect technology," Rael explains, "They have developed FTL technology independent of Element Zero as well as energy weapons and shielding. They fight using unconventional tactics, machines, and weapons. They have created things we've never seen before; their technology can help us. I came here from the Gaulium system in a matter of hours. That's how much faster they are than us."

"What exactly are you proposing, Captain?" Admiral Foressi probes.

Rael swallows and steadies himself, "They have proposed a trade between our peoples for their technology and even a few of their ships."

Admiral, Utollo, hums, "And what is it they want in exchange, Rael? We don't exactly have the credits to buy these things from them, and I doubt they'd even take them."

"They want star charts, specifically anything that could get them secret routes though turian space. They said that if we can give them a back door into Palaven, they're willing to give us at least one of their battle cruisers."

The admirals take a moment before Foressi speaks up, "This must be some kind of trick Captain, no military would part with so much after just meeting a new race."

"What they're asking for would essentially make us outlaws in Hierarchy space, and shoot-on-sight targets for their patrols. We are already on less than friendly terms with them, this will seal our fate."

"However, if these Sith are winning a war against the Hierarchy and are willing to work with us after just meeting us, it may be worthwhile to sell out the spikeheads," Pelnar argues.

Utollo nods, "If it is true that they have weapons that don't use mass effect, then these new resources cannot be overlooked in our fight against the geth."

"No, we cannot risk The Citadel's wrath. Perhaps if we turn in all this information to the Council, they might grant us more favorable treatment, maybe even allow us to work our way back into an associate race."

Rael has had enough, "Go crawling back to the Council?! They're the reason we're stuck in these ramshackle ships drifting in space looking for scraps! They've turned us into beggars and second-class citizens. They know we are the best engineers in the galaxy and yet they treat us no better than varen. After our initial contact, the Sith treated us like honored guests, like we had worth. This offer alone is more than what the Council has ever given us. If you betray this offer made in good faith and sell them out to the Council, then you all truly are the Citadel's Suit Rats!"

"Choose your next words carefully, Captain," the Admiral Jarone growls.

Rael meets his glare head on, "I know we lost much in our three lifetimes in exile, but I never would have imagined that we lost our pride as a people too. Are we really so far fallen that we would lose this chance to get ahead in the galaxy merely because it would step on the toes of the people who abandoned us when we needed them most. The Sith know exactly what they are fighting against by going to war with the turians, they don't care because they hold their pride as a people above everything else. When their people were killed by the turians, they didn't beg for forgiveness; they decimated half of Torix in retaliation and destroyed an entire turian fleet. Do you really want to make an enemy of them when they've offered their hand in friendship?"

Rael leaves that hypothetical in the air for the admirals to process, unflinching in his declaration. The admirals say nothing for a few seconds, the points Rael makes getting across their minds. Utollo breaks the tense silence.

"Captain, you've served the Patrol Fleet well as a captain, despite the challenges to your ascension through the ranks. If you believe that this race can aid us, I will take your word for it."

"Thank you, Admiral," Rael says as he bows his head.

Pelnar speaks next, "I hold no love for the turians, so I'm inclined to agree, but I want to know exactly what we'd be getting in this cruiser. If we're going to piss off the most powerful navy of the Citadel, this ship had better be spectacular."

"Believe me, Admiral, it most certainly is. Vice-Admiral Hackett spared no time in describing its features and we were even given a sample of their weapons," Rael says, "They are willing to send an envoy to discuss specifics either in person or by negotiate proxy via their faster than light communication technology."

"Do you have a recommendation, Captain?" Nomru asks.

"Let them come here and meet with them in person," Rael answers, "If my understanding of their culture is correct, they'll come to us aboard on of their Harrower Battle-Cruisers and you can see exactly what it is that this race is capable of creating. I have all the information that they allowed me to take here on my omni-tool, if you would like."

"Yes, that would be most appreciated," the Foressi says.

Rael transits the data to them, and they begin reading through it, "Thank you, Captain. We will need time to go through it all and come to a consensus. You may leave but be ready to return once we have come to a conclusion."

"Yes sir," Rael bows and turns to depart.

"Captain," the Jarone calls out, "Don't make a habit of speak out against your superiors. Otherwise… well done bringing this to our attention. You've done your ancestors proud."

Rael bows and leaves. He makes his way through the ship, into the civilian living spaces, going through the extra decontamination procedures to enter into the designated child living spaces. After this, he finds a room with a quarian woman and a little girl in a sealed containment unit.

"Nalia," Rael says.

"Rael, I wasn't expecting you," she replies as she moves out of the way of the unit, "Tali, look, it's your father."

The child doesn't respond beyond a curious look, "To be honest, I wasn't expecting to come back any time soon. A lot has happened, and this is an extreme circumstance."

"What circumstance, Rael? Are you in trouble?" Nalia inquires.

"No, well, not yet at least," Rael answers, "I've happened upon perhaps the greatest discovery the Migrant Fleet has ever seen. A new spacefaring race with energy weapons and no mass effect technology, the Sith. They're open to trading with us."

"No mass effect technology? Oh, the poor things. Is the Admiralty taking them under its wing?" she asks.

"Hardly," Rael replies, "They're far from helpless or, 'strapped,' as their Vice-Admiral put it. Look at this…"

Rael pulls the blaster pistol from his belt, "Rael! Don't wave a weapon around in front of the baby!"

"Sorry, dear, I got too excited," he displays it to her on his palms, "They call it a Z-10 heavy blaster pistol. It's a marvelous piece of technology. It supercharges some kind of gas mixture, forcing it into a plasmic state, condenses it into a semi-coherent bolt, and fires it as pure kinetic energy. It bypasses barriers and even comes with a nonlethal stun mode."

"Rael that's not possible, even the geth could not create such technology," Nalia replies.

"It is, I've used this exact pistol on their ship, Han was with me, he can testify of their power. I've analyzed, scanned, dismantled, and reassembled it; it has furthered my understanding of how their technology operates and it is leagues ahead of any race's weaponry. According to them, this is a military standard armament, I can hardly imagine their top-of-the-line weapons and technology."

"Rael… This is too good to be true," she replies, "If they are so powerful, why would they be trading with us? Do they not know of our kind's situation?"

"I made them aware of what has happened to us, but they are willing to aid us. They offered us ships in exchange for our maps of the fringes of turian space. Their FTL, like everything else they make, doesn't rely on mass effect and is magnitudes faster, though vulnerable to large enough gravity wells. With these charts, they plan to sneak across turian space and attack Palaven directly. The spikeheads will get what's been coming to them and the Sith will become our first allies since the Morning War."

"Attack the turians!" she shouts, upsetting Tali.

"Ah, yes, I forgot to mention. The turians made contact with them first. It didn't go well and now the two are at war. That's not important, what is important is that we can acquire some of the most advanced ships in the galaxy for something that we are just letting sit in our ship databanks."

"But they will be used to attack the turians," she replies.

"Don't worry about that, from what I can gather, the Sith have thinned their fleets quite a bit, so I don't think they'll have enough manpower to launch a campaign against us in retaliation anytime soon," Rael responds.

"And what about the turian people, what will happen to them once these Sith get their hands on our charts and attack Palaven? How many of their people will die for our shiny new ships?"

"How many more of us will get to live because we have these new ships and the other plethora of weapons we could receive? They are willing to trade with us, they very well may be willing to ally with us. The home world would be within our grasp, don't you want Tali to be able to set foot on Rannoch?"

"So, we're trading lives for lives? Is that what we've been reduced to?" she laments.

Rael calms himself and places a hand on her shoulder, "Nalia, it's not about killing turians. It's about giving a future to our people. To me, that is worth reaching out to the Sith."

"You truly believe that?" she asks.

"More than anything else," he begins, "Save how much I care about you and Tali."

She nods her head, "Okay… I trust you."

"Thank you," he says as he taps the dome of his helmet against hers.

Tali stirs once again, "Do you want to spend some time with her for a while."

"Of course," he says as he steps towards the unit.

"I'll leave you two alone, I have some things I must take care of soon. Can you watch her for a few hours?"

Tali fusses as her mother leaves her sigh, "I should be able to, I doubt the Admiralty will be done debating on what they should do any time soon."

Nalia nods and departs.

Rael places his hand on the unit, calming his daughter in the process, "I promise you, Tali, you will see the home world, and your children will grow up without the need for a migrant fleet, an incubation unit, or these suits. I promise you with everything that I am that I will make it so. There are some people out there that will help turn all our dreams into reality. They might be a bit full of themselves, but they are our friends. With the Sith and quarians working side by side, there is nothing we cannot do."

Rael ends up being correct on multiple counts. First, the Admiralty takes six hours to make their decision, opting to hear the Sith out on their proposal. Through the Sith destroyer's hyperspace comm technology, they contact Hackett and organize their meeting. The Admiralty takes Rael's advice and asks the Sith to meet them within the Migrant Fleet's current system of residence. The second thing Rael was proven right about was that the Sith would indeed show off their impressive ships by arriving in a Harrower, The Shadow of the Emperor. All the quarians able to see it from the fleet fear and admire it in equal measure as the Admiralty board a shuttle to the might warship.

They bring Rael along as an advisor, having had the most experience dealing with the Sith. Their shuttle lands to a military welcome, much like Rael's last time aboard a Star Destroyer. Unlike his previous welcome, however, within the like of soldiers are Sith Lords of the Pyramid of Assassins. At the end of the procession stands six individuals; Vice-Admiral Hackett, the Sith Ministers, and Darth Atrior. The quarians walk towards them, Rael leading the way as he approaches Hackett.

"Vice-Admiral Stephen'Hackett vas Malgus, it is good to see you again," Rael says as he reaches out his hand.

Hackett returns the gesture, "I feel the same, Captain Rael'Zorah vas Derfri. May I introduce you and your Admiralty Board to the Ministers of the Sith Alliance. Minster Graham of the Ministry of Warfare, Minister Shen of the Ministry of Exploration and Expansion, Minister Guilliman of the Ministry of Logistics, and the Minister of Intelligence; name classified."

Rael bows his heads towards them, "A pleasure to meet you all. May I introduce Admiral Utollo of the Patrol Fleet, Admiral Foressi of the Heavy Fleet, Admiral Jarone of the Civilian Fleet, Admiral Pelnar of Special Projects, and Admiral Nomru of Research and Development.

The Ministers give a brief bow of their heads to them, "We greet you on behalf of The Sith Alliance. We hope that we can become well acquainted with one another."

"We would certainly hope so as well," Admiral Jarone says, "May I ask who this is with you? I'm afraid we did not receive an introduction."

Hackett speaks on his behalf, "This is Darth Atrior, Dark Lord of the Sith, Head of the Pyramid of Assassins, and a member of the Dark Council and Sith High Command. He is one of the five most powerful members of my race and has graciously offered to host this negotiation on his personal Star Destroyer, The Shadow of the Emperor."

Darth Atrior bows slightly. He speaks no words but a feeling passes through each of the quarians saying, 'Welcome to my ship.'

"I fear that Milord is not one for many words and is here merely to oversee and observe as we do business aboard his vessel," the Minister of Intelligence says, "Now, we have a room prepared for negotiations, if you would like to begin immediately."

Jarone nods his head, "That would be best."

"Very well," Minister Graham says, "Follow us."

Both groups get moving through the ship, Darth Atrior, however, vanishes from sight early into the journey. The quarian admirals react similarly to Rael had observing the features of the ship as they pass through the corridors. Their minds are filled with amazement and their guards lower at the observed features. The admirals each get a slight headache one right after another before it subsides just as quick. They soon arrive at a room with a large table set up at the far end and six chairs on each side. The Quarians are ushered into the room and take their seats as Darth Atrior reappears in a seat on the Sith end of the table.

Everyone gets comfortable and the Minister of Intelligence speaks first, "Now, I see no reason to dance around the subject at hand. We have come to negotiate for your star charts into turian space."

"Very well, let us begin," says Admiral Utollo as he displays the star charts on his onmitool, "This is all the information that we have regarding the space directly outside the turians' claimed territory. In the fleet's early years, we searched through the area desperate to find dextro-amino worlds and our predecessors believed that they'd be more plentiful around turian space… The fleet lost a great many ships and scouts poking about their space."

"Our condolences, we've lost our fair share of good people to the spikeheads," Hackett says, "They didn't even care if they killed our civilians when they were shooting at us."

"Typical," Admiral Feressi growls.

Some dots light up in the unmarked space, "Through our scouting efforts, we can safely say that these are star systems and singularities that would best be avoided. We cannot speak for the integrity of the rest of the uncharted space, but we are confident that between all our exploratory routes is nothing of major concern."

The minister analyzes the map. Most of the space from Torix to about a quarter of the way to Palaven is the same as what they've charted. The rest of the map, while split up, is sound enough to give them a passable route around turian space, with periodic dips back into the fringes of charted territory to avoid obstacles. Given the limitations of mass effect space travel, it is more than he was expecting.

"These maps would most certainly be helpful to us," Shen confirms, "Very impressive astro-cartography."

"Indeed, given their uses to you, we should expect a large price to be paid in exchange for them," Admiral Nomru replies.

Rael sweats under his mask, as Guilliman responds, "We are willing to pay a premium for such charts, but our coffers do have limits and our own progress into that area of space is not stalling as of yet."

"There is also the danger to ourselves to consider," Admiral Jarone begins, "This will be putting our fleet and people at risk of turian retaliation."

"We lose good people every day to the spikeheads," Graham retorts, "We are already taking a great risk."

The tension rises and both Hackett and Rael feel it, "Admirals, Ministers, there's no need to exchange barbs with one another," a synthesized voice speaks.

They all turn towards the voice, towards Darth Atrior, "This unnecessary tension aids none but the turians. We are all friends here," he says extending his arms out to gesture to everyone.

The quarians hang their heads a bit as Admiral Utollo speaks next, "We are all friends here. Apologies, we've been burned far too much by other races."

"I apologize as well," Graham says, "I did not mean to trivialize your concerns. Thank you for your words, Milord."

Atrior nods at Graham.

"We understand the risks we are putting you under by asking for these," the intelligence minister says as foreign thoughts enter his mind, "Rest assured that any involvement of yours shall not leave this room. As far as the Citadel and their turian lapdogs are concerned, we will have just met you as the war winds to a close."

"You think you can hide this from the salarians and the STG?"

"My department has more tools at their disposal to keep our secrets safer than you can possibly imagine," the Minister of Intelligence says, "And the Pyramid of Assassins has powers far beyond what any Citadel race is capable of when it comes to deception and shadows. Between the two of us we are more than capable of dealing with any STG or SPECTREs that come trying to unravel our secrets."

Atrior inclines his head.

"No one shall know that you were involved, in fact, no one outside of the men in this room, the Dark Council, and our direct subordinates shall even know how we acquired them. It would be most advantageous if the turians believed that we could strike anywhere in the galaxy without warning until the end of hostilities."

"And what is to stop you from turning on us once you've won your war with the turians?" Jarone asks.

The Minister of Intelligence responds, "Even if we were to join The Citadel after the war, do you expect us to be treated with truly open arms after we've decimated one of the council race's home worlds? In your experience, would we be so easily forgiven, even if it wasn't us who started this whole mess?"

The Admiralty Board mules it over but all of them come to the same conclusion, "No."

"With respect, Admirals," Guilliman begins, "Your race and ours are outsiders to the wider galaxy. Compared to the races of the Citadel, who have centuries or more of association with one another, we are upstarts to them, no matter how advanced our technology is. That is just natural tribalism, protect the in crowd over the out crowd, we'd do the same. Pile on the aftermath of waging this war, and we will be at a disadvantage. However, with you as our hypothetical allies, we have a better shot at establishing our place in the galaxy. On the other hand, with us as your potential allies, you will get preferred treatment in regard to our technology, resources, and military defense. Logically speaking, it makes much more sense for us to maintain good relations with the quarian race over selling you out to court the Citadel."

"And if I am being honest, your people are much more like us than the races of The Citadel are," Graham adds, "They've grown complacent and have been technologically stagnant for centuries. Your people have had to adapt to dire circumstances and have been able to make your ships last by any means possible, quite a feat in my book. From our limited knowledge, quarians seem to be the only race in this part of the galaxy inventing new things. Such is the nature of striving against the odds, something our people know quite well."

"Very well, you have convinced me." Jarone admits.

"Myself as well," Admiral Foressi

"Now let us discuss your full offer for our star charts."

The Minister of Intelligence speaks up, "Given the extensive charting involved and in consideration of your risks, we are prepared to offer… five fully stocked Harrowers in exchange for them. I'm afraid with the needs of the war however, they will have to be delivered after hostilities have ceased. They will, however, be guaranteed new from the yards."

"Five?!" Rael interjects, drawing all eyes to him.

"Yes, five to collect over the course of a year after the war has concluded or after one year has passed from today, whichever comes first. A good deal, no? We are new to the galactic stage, we thought it efficacious to put our best foot forward to our most promising allies, especially after the unprecedented attack from the turians."

Graham looks to Atrior, who nods to the minister before he addresses the Admiralty board, "We are even prepared to offer you sanctuary in our space should they discover that you aided our war effort. You'd be considered our guests until we can find a world that can house you. The turians will not be able to reach our inner space and you will be protected."

"That is quite generous of you, Minister," the Admiral Utollo replies.

"We want you to know that no matter what befalls our fleet in this war, we will stand by those who aided us," the Intelligence Minister replies.

There is mumbling among the quarrian leaders as they nod to one another, "The Admiralty has reached a consensus," Admiral Jarone says, "We shall accept your offer."

Hackett smiles at their words, "Let us hope this is the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship. You've done us a great service this day, and unlike the Council, the Sith never forget their friends."

"We will hold you to that promise, Vice-Admiral," Nomru replies.

The Guilliman is handed a data-pad with signatures from all of Sith High Command and passes it on to the Admiralty Board. They read over the terms one last time, finding no discrepancies from their verbal agreements, and each signs it. They hand it back to the Sith and reach out to shake their hands, to which the Sith reciprocate.

"Thank you, my friends," Graham says, "This is a momentous occasion, one that we believe calls for celebration. We've procured some dextro based drinks to give you a proper send off and to begin our most prosperous relationship."

The admirals all perk up, "That is much appreciated, Minister."

"Of course, it is only proper," the Minister of Intelligence says, "We owe our impending victory to you, it is the least we can offer."

Droids bring in the assortment of beverages, many vintage bottles unopened. The quarians grow wide eyed at the bottle of century aged turian brandy in the assortment. More droids enter with expensive drinks from Earth for the Sith. The two types are placed on separate sides of the room as the two races acquire drinks and then mingle with one another.

Rael approaches Hackett with a drink in hand, "How did your people acquire such valuable drinks?"

"The late governor of Torix had quite the collection and is not in a position to consume them," Hackett replies.

Rael nods in understanding, "I find myself very fortunate that we found you in the way that you did. No matter how this turns out for your people or mine, I am glad that we were able to meet. For the first time in three quarrian lifetimes, my people have hope for a better future."

Hackett smiles at that, "How about a toast then?"

"A toast? Cooked bread? Is that normally served with Sith drinks?"

"The term has its origins in such but, no. It's an old custom that goes back to ancient humanity. We both raise a glass to our hopes and aspirations, and drink together."

"Okay…"

"Just do as I do and drink when I drink," Hackett says as he raises his glass between them, "To victory over our enemies and to new friends."

Rael raises his own, "To the home world I hope to see and to new beginnings."

They tap the two glasses together. Hackett takes a sip from his glass as Rael retrieves a wrapped straw from his suit pocket and drinks through his vocalizer.

"Is that a straw?"

"An emergency sterile induction port."

The two have laugh before a chill runs down their spines and Atrior appears before them.

"Milord," Hackett bows, Rael follows his example.

Darth Atrior says nothing but hands a data-pad to Rael, who takes it with some hesitation, "What is…"

Before he can finish, the Dark Lord is gone, as if he was never there at all.

Rael reads through it as Hackett takes another sip of his drink, "I never expected that you'd be given a gift from a Dark Council member. That's quite an honor. What is it? If it's not meant to be private."

"It looks like contact information for a… Darth Chemos," Rael answers, "And a note that says, 'For your health.'"

"Darth Chemos is another Dark Lord, the head of the Pyramid of Alchemy," Hackett clarifies, "Her Pyramid specializes in using The Force to alter the properties and attributes of matter and organisms. I don't know much about her personally, but if Lord Atrior is referring you to her, he may believe that she can help with your poor immune system."

Rael gives him full attention, "Go on…"

(Line Break)

It is not a day later when Darth Tempestus travels through the Sith Academy and down to the deepest recesses where lay the Iron Chamber, Darth Ferrus' personal training room. Despite the soundproofing, the clangs of combat are still audible from outside. Tempestus opens the door beholds his contemporary, Darth Ferrus, going at a massive droid without his weapons. Out of his armor, the Dark Lord's muscles are on full display with blackened veins bulging against his pale skin.

"Ferrus, my friend," Tempestus enters into the room.

The massive Sith Warrior rips the battle droid apart with his bare hands, "I thought I told you I didn't want to be disturbed until the expeditionary flotilla has made progress to Palaven."

Tempestus smirks as he lifts a portable holo projector from his violet robes. Ferrus casts his mechanical punching bag aside, summons a dark gray towel, and marches to his fellow Dark Lord as he projects an image of Sith space. The hologram zooms out to turian space and a path snakes across the outskirts of Citadel Space, connecting Torix to Palaven. Ferrus gazes at the image with wide eyes.

Tempestus chuckles to himself, "Turns out there are other races out there who don't like the turians enough to trade their star charts for a few ships. Our new friends, the quarians, have opened the door to Palaven, let us not waste the opportunity. Preparations are being made back on Earth, Operation Coruscant has entered its next phase. The Citadel Council may try and force peace between us, but we will win this war, and everyone will know it."

"I will bring that planet of spikeheads to its knees, make no mistake about that, my old friend," Ferrus replies.

"That is why this mission will be the maiden voyage of the Strength of Imperius. High command is gambling everything on this attack, it must succeed at all costs," Tempestus adds, "Atrior and myself shall be fighting alongside you to bring them down."

"I will take that world, even if I was the only Sith on the planet to do it," Ferrus replies, "This is a grand day for the Sith Alliance."

"Indeed," Tempestus replies.

The door opens again, and an Honor Guard marches in, "Milords, I bare a message from Darth Vafrem. He calls an emergency assembly of The Dark Council in his studio."

"For what purpose does he feel the need to assemble us now?" Tempestus inquires.

"He's had a vision, Milord, he said it concerns… the great enemy."

"And why precisely has the quarantine been extended to this system? I have all the necessary paperwork and certification to prove I'm not some spy and I've even submitted my ship for search. There is no reason that you should be holding me and my crew here," the asari captain argues.

"We're sorry ma'am, orders come straight from turian command, no travel is permitted to or from this relay without Hierarchy approval," the turian on the screen answers.

"This is ridiculous, I will be voicing my deep concerns with the Citadel Council, mark my…"

She quiets down as her sensors detect a probe as it exits hyperspace from behind her ship. The turian's expression falls as he calls out orders to his crew and shuts off the communication. The asari captain and her crew watch the turian ships assume formation, pointing their guns towards the probe.

However, Star Destroyers emerge from hyperspace well within their turbolasers' effective range and open fire, "By the Goddess!"

The asari crew panic and evade the best they can as the make for the relay. The Sith target the turian warships for the most part, but stray shots come close to hitting them.

"Take us to the relay, we're getting out of here," the captain orders.

The corvette makes a bee line for the relay. It shakes and rattles as a shot grazes their hull. Desperate, they move behind the truian ships, using them as cover as they close the distance, "Approaching relay, where to, captain?"

"The Citadel, something tells me this is why the turians have cut off travel to their systems."

The few more close shots and the ship makes it to the relay, catching a glimpse of the Sith 1st Assault Fleet destroying the relay comm buoy. The asari vessel shoots off towards the Citadel as the Sith finish off the meager relay guard.

"Admiral, did you catch that?" General Williams asks as he glares out the bridge window.

Dresher's fists tighten, "Unfortunately I did, General. We've been caught it seems, that was no turian vessel. Someone in the vanguard is getting hell for this."

"I suppose we'll have to take these next few systems quickly, before the net of politics ensnares us," Williams responds.

Dresher let's a smirk show as she taps the communication console, "All fleet vessels double time, I want this system subjugated by week's end and the next two within the fortnight."

There we go, the Sith have a map and the Citadel is about to find out what the turians have been hiding. The war has ben more of a background thing the last couple of chapters but we're bring it back soon. I hope that the Admiral names sound quarian enough, though they really won't be around enough in the future to matter. I'm really leaning into Rael's obsession with defeating the geth and getting Rannoch back in this part of the story. Also, a vision of, 'the great enemy,' that throws a bit of a wrench in the Sith's plans. What will they do when they learn what their fabulous bastard Vafrem has seen. We also get a taste of Darth Atrior and what he does, we'll be seeing more of him later. The thing with Atrior is that while all the Dark Council are master manipulators, he is the master among masters, mostly because that is what his Pyramid specializes in. He makes for an excellent negotiator when more subtle methods are available. As a side, Chemos is going to be enemy #1 for the Council considering she can undo everything they've done to keep the disobedient races in check. If you like it so far, leave a review to help make it better.

Thanks for reading and see y'all next time!