If you recognize it, I probably don't own it. Mass effect belongs to BioWare and Microsoft.
here are some important stuff.
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
~"AI"~
*Sound Effects*
POV/Location/Time Change.
Negotiations part 2
Citadel Chambers
"Councillors, it is a pleasure meeting you today. I am Anita Goyle, and I will be the representative of the Government of the Sol Confederation for all diplomatic contact for the foreseeable future." Anita says with a deceptively natural-looking practiced smile.
"Sol Confederation, not humanity?" Tevos asks.
"Yes, councilor. The Sol Confederation is the government of Humanity, but it is not limited to just us. Any species if they are willing and meet the required criteria, can become part of the Sol Confederation." Anita replies without even missing a beat.
"I'm gladdened to know that your kind has such an open mind," Tevos says with a smile, as her partners nod in agreement. However, they do not realize that all of them fail to grasp the true meaning of Anita's words.
"Humanity seeks understanding and cooperation among the stars. Though we realize that sometimes a conversation isn't the solution, and we might have to utilize methods that are… less elegant." Anita says, that deceptive smile not changing a bit.
"Now, before we begin the actual talks, I would like to ask a few questions. Of Course, I would be happy to answer any queries you might have." Anita continues.
"Yes, of course. I and my colleagues would be happy to answer any questions you might have." Tevos says.
"Let me begin by asking, where are the representatives of the other Citadel species? I was given the impression that the number of species in your communion was… more?" 'Well I already know the answer, but let's see what you come up with.'
"The representatives of the other species can be contacted at your government's leisure after these talks are over. The Citadel Council is the highest authority and as such we are the only ones necessary for such things." Councillor Brahacus says curtly.
"I see," Anita says.
"Now, I would like to ask a question. The ship you arrived in, The SSV Light of Sol, I believe, is it your largest ship? And how many such vessels do you have?" Tevos asks.
"The Light of Sol is one of the largest military ships to have ever been constructed. There are however a handful of larger ships. As for exact numbers, I'm not at liberty to answer that question at the moment I'm afraid." Anita answers politely.
"No matter, we can talk about such things at a later date after these talks are done," Brahacus says.
"Yes. Let us continue. Could you inform me, why only your three species are part of the citadel governance council?" Anita asks.
"The Citadel Council is made up of species that have contributed the most to the galaxy at large in terms of technology, culture, or security" Councillor Bemort states with a hint of pride.
"Is that so? Then might I inquire, why the Volus, the third species to join your union and the creators of your economy, as per your own telling of history, not afforded a seat?" Anita asks.
All three councilors look surprised, and Tevos and Brahacus even turn to look at Bemort, who clears his throat.
Councillor Bemort is silent for a moment as if trying to think of an answer.
Finally, he sighs.
"The Volus did not contribute in the same manner as the Salarians or the Turians, so we didn't consider them worthy of a seat. Besides they are a client species to the Turians'." He says slowly.
"Is the creation of the galactic economy not a sufficient contribution?" Anita asks.
"While it is a great achievement and we all are thankful to our Volus friends, it is not enough of a contribution to get a seat on the Council," Tevos says.
"I see," Anita says.
"Now that Questions are over, think all should move on to the actual talks," Bemort says.
"Yes, Let us. I assume you have read through our treaties?" Tevos asks.
"Yes. The SoCon Parliament had prolonged discussions about the topics in the last week and we have reached our decision on most of them. Though a repeat clarification from your part right now would be appreciated." Anita says, her smile returning.
"Yes, absolutely. We would be delighted. Let's start with the Farixen Treaty Shall we?" Tevos continues "It's meant to limit the number of dreadnoughts a race can have, to prevent an Arms race.".
"Could you clarify, what counts as a dreadnought?" Anita asks
"A dreadnought is any ship larger than 800m that has a spinal mounted main gun," Brahacus replies matter-of-factly.
"Then I'm saddened to say that It would be impossible for us to uphold. Most of our fleet is in that size range and it would be impossible and impractical to scrap most of our fleet." Anita informs.
"Perhaps, exceptions can be made? This is quite unique situation after all." Bemort says.
"Yes. Perhaps. We can talk about this later amongst ourselves." Tevos agrees.
"Moving on, Your laws on genetic engineering are also an issue, as all humans are heavily augmented genetically and/or cybernetically," Anita says.
"Your AI laws and SPECTRE's are in clear violation of the right to life, right to self-determination, and right to freedom, all of which are fundamental rights ensured by the SoCon constitution to all sapients. This is another major problem." Anita says.
"If you bring up issues with every treaty enforced by the Citadel, how will you join?" Tevos asked concerned.
"What made you assume we would join? We have so far not given any indication of having intentions to join, I believe." Anita answers sharply, her smile not faltering.
"B-But you must! No race has refused to join the Citadel!" Tevos says, taken aback.
"There are firsts for everything Councillor. And besides the myriad of reasons that I have pointed out for our decision, the Sol Confederation has reached this verdict in consideration of your well-being." Anita says.
"Our well-being? How?" Councillor Bemort finally speaks up.
"Not to be impolite, but compared to us your society and technology are… limited… Our industrial capacity is so far above yours that if we were to join your… Quaint Council, it would crash your economy and make your companies go bankrupt." Anita answers.
"Besides, your society lacks systems which would be considered basic in ours. Again, I do not mean this as a disrespect, as it is simply a result of your… unrefined technologies."
"We are however willing to maintain diplomatic channels to help guide you on your path towards progress. We are willing to open an embassy on your Citadel in order to maintain contact, and the Confederation has even graciously offered to build the embassy for you."
"And perhaps, in the future, when your species have achieved a… sufficient standard. We could join your council to… provide guidance." Anita finishes. Her smile never changing.
"Is that so?... Perhaps we should continue further talks tomorrow? You must be tired from your journey." Tevos says, barely holding onto her smile.
"Yes, that would be best I think," Anita says, then she curtly bows, turns, and walks out of the council chambers, her guard following her.
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Tevos's Office
Tevos had barely managed to maintain her composed facade as she made her way back to her office. Once inside, she erupted with frustration, violently thrashing her desk and hurling objects around the room, her biotic powers crackling and emanating in visible waves. "That arrogant human! How dare she! She basically called us primitives! Unrefined?! Limited?! Quaint little Council?! I'll show you quaint when you come back begging to join! Then we will take over your society, you arrogant Aaarghhhh!" Tevos was shouting and ranting, her outburst witnessed by her shocked secretary. The human diplomat had deeply unsettled her, effortlessly getting under her skin. The sheer audacity of a girl not even half her age besting her in the delicate diplomatic game was simply unacceptable. With determination, Tevos vowed to ensure that the human diplomat would regret ever underestimating her.
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Same time
Turian Councillor's Office
In the Office of the Turian Councillor, Brahacus and Bemort were having a grim conversation. "The human might have used nice words, but in essence, she said that they wouldn't join because we're too backward and technologically behind compared to them," Bemort says
"Yes, and unfortunately it's true… an entire patrol fleet numbering in the hundreds, lost to a research flotilla of merely 40-something ships," Brahacus replies with a grim expression.
"In my entire military career and life, I have never seen such a massive dissonance. We're hopelessly outmatched. As much as it hurts my pride, War is simply not an option. If they even have one-fourth of the number of our ships, we are as good as dead." Brahacus admits.
"Technological height unknown. Still mysterious. Sizeize of ships indicate vast resources. Design of diplomatic shuttle shows focus on art and culture. Also mastery of material science. Unique material, never observed before." Bemort says as he pulls up a recording of the Human Ambassadorial ship, shot from the perspective of a worker.
"It just screams opulence and luxury unlike the larger ship, which is clearly military. Have you seen the gun on that thing? It's longer than a dreadnought! Not to mention, it has broadside weapons! Who uses broadsides?!" Brahacus exclaims.
"Unlike earlier assumptions, shielding and FTL method different too. No way stream drive can be used on ship that large." Bemort adds.
"That's another advantage they have on us." Brahacus agrees.
"We need to secure peace at any cost. There's no point wasting good lives just for pride." He continues, speaking from lessons learned from a lifetime as a soldier.
"Human Diplomat comes off as arrogant. Records of other communication show a different picture, more humble. Perhaps intentional? To get under our skin?" Bemort makes the observation after rewatching clips of the first contact.
Brahacus takes his time to go over the reports again. From first contact, and what data the STG hacked from the Quarians. After he is done looking through everything, he replies "It is the most probable possibility."
These talks continue until late at night.
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Next Day
Council Chambers
Everyone is back at the positions they were in the day before as if they had never even left. The difference was that Tevos had a furrowed brow, Brahacus was looking quite grim and Bemort was acting a bit jittery, quite shaken about something. Anita was standing there, her smile somehow looking more radiant.
Tevos looks at her colleagues one after the other, then adjusts herself a bit and with a forced smile says
"After… prolonged discussions last night, we have agreed to Let the Sol Confederation remain independent of the Council as the problems you pointed out were quite major. We are thankful that you had the mindfulness to make such observations. And as a sign of Good Faith, we have agreed on gifting you the Attican Traverse."
"On behalf of the Sol Confederation, I accept this gift in the spirit that it was given," Anita says with a smile.
"Then Let this act as a foundation of peace and cooperation among our people, so that one day, yours may join ours in this Galactic Union," Brahacus says.
"Your Galaxy, as of now covers less than 1% of known galactic space. Perhaps, when you have broken from the shackles and limitations of the relays, the Children of Sol shall join this Council." Anita says politely without her smile faltering. Then she continues.
"Before we end these talks, I would like to enquire what is being done with the Batarian Menace. It was informed to me that it was a Batarian captain that had bribed the turian captain who fired the first shot. I hope this matter is not being put aside, after all, quite a few innocent lives were lost." Anita says, her expression growing a bit sad.
"We know what the Batarians have done, but we have not been able to find definitive proof of the ship being linked to their Government. We have been trying to deal with the Batarian issue for years but-" Before Brahacus could finish his sentence, Anita says.
"Do or Do not. There is no try."
"I understand. I come from a meritocracy. But without definitive evidence, our hands are tied." Brahacus replies, clearly a bit annoyed.
"I see. I understand the importance of proper legal procedure. But I believe certain matters require expediency in dealings. On this Topic, I would like to invite all three of you to a memorial ceremony being organized by our government, in honor of the lives, both turian and human, lost at the… unfortunate incident." Anita says with a neutral tone.
"We would be honored to accept this invitation," Bemort says.
"Yes, we would. It's always a sad day when lives are lost." Brahacus nodded.
"Then we will send over a ship as transportation the day before. As it would be faster, and also due to the lack of relays your ships won't be able to traverse our territory." Anita says.
"We understand. Though how much of a guard are we expected to have?" Tevos asks.
"Any more than 6 would be quite impolite," Anita says.
They talk for a while more, hashing out the finer details before Anita Leaves.
A few minutes after she has left Bemort speaks up.
"Tevos, are you sure offering them the Attican Traverse was a good idea? The Batarians have been laying claim to thy region for decades now and it is also where their vaunted Skyllian Verge is."
"It will be perfectly fine. The Batarians have had years to colonize that region, which they have clearly failed to do. So they have no right to complain about our decision. And if they choose to contest the human claims in… less than legal ways, that's entirely up to them. Because as dear Brahacus said, without definitive evidence, our hands are tied."
"This is a very bad idea. And when it blows up in your face, and I assure you it will, remember that I didn't agree to any of it." Brahacus huffs and then walks out.
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Lore Time!
SSV Light of Sol The SSV Light of Sol is one of the largest military ships ever built by humanity. at an impressive 16 km long, 6 Km deep, and 4 km wide it is a behemoth in every sense of the word. Its main Spinal gun is an experimental Plasma beam weapon that can glass a planet by itself. Paire with its broadsides and numerous hangars, it is a fleet in of itself. It is equipped with some of the strongest shield generators and sensor suites. It is capable of tracking and attacking enemy ships from multiple Light hours away. these features make it capable of laying siege to an entire system alone.
CX-310-O Luxury Shuttle: This is one of the most premium offerings of the Corvega-Xiang industries, and embodies the height of luxury and opulence. With every ship custom designed and hand made, and improved with machine precision, it is the perfect mix of human ingenuity and machine perfection. With each shuttle priced at a whopping 500,000 ECreds or more. But alongside this price tag and luxury, it is equipped with state-of-the-art security systems and protections. With powerful thrusters, shielding, ablative armoring, and an inbuilt FTL drive, it can get its occupants out of any situation. These features make it the gold standard in luxury shuttlecraft and hence it is the standard shuttlecraft used for all VIP Transport for diplomatic and ceremonial purposes.
A/N
hello hello, I'm back! that's it! talks done. next chapter tune in to watch the council witness what a human fleet looks like.
Now, I know some people would be surprised by seeing an actually reasonable turian councilor, But Brahacus is an aged veteran who has seen a lot of war and conflict. he has been wisened by it and knows what values more, lives or pride.