Khaela. Year 2552.
Present time.
Five years have passed since the Reaper attack, followed by the unusual electromagnetic anomaly. An unusual anomaly; EMP does not act so selectively. This didn't become clear immediately. At first, there was panic, and only later, when teams began to resuscitate equipment, financiers to calculate losses, and scientists to build theories, did questions arise about what had happened. It didn't fit into the physical laws known to humans. And that makes the situation even more interesting.
All complex Synthetics and many technologies were destroyed. AI crystals were shattered; complex devices burned out. Effectively, humanity was thrown two centuries into the past. But at the same time, technology that, while having electronics, did not rely on crystals or similar devices with high computing power, started up after a simple restart. An EMP would have burned everything. Moreover, it's impossible to determine the exact nature of the impact. All equipment burned out or shut down in the process.
Of course, the templates, blueprints, and formulas necessary for the development of civilization were stored and duplicated in other places as well. One of the UNSC's plans in case of defeat by the Covenant: the creation of a template technology module so that colonial ships could settle new worlds far from the Covenant. Very reliable mechanisms, also executed in different formats in case of problems. So technologies were not lost completely. But deprived of both energy and control, numerous complex productions and processes requiring specific conditions were disrupted. Numerous accidents occurred at production sites, including casualties among personnel.
The AIs controlling all spheres of human cities, helping on ships, and in practically all spheres of life, burned out. The loss of control took its toll immediately, with numerous accidents, fires, and incidents that help simply did not reach. Partly because there was no communication. Chaos and panic began everywhere. And the fact that martial law was introduced with the very first order didn't help much. People, having tuned in for a thaw and not understanding what was happening, produced such a list of conspiracy theories... Including that the military themselves had arranged all this to introduce martial law and maintain power. And I'm not even talking about committed rebels; I checked.
At a minimum, all complex electronics were damaged, and at a maximum, destroyed. Including known Forerunner mechanisms. The portal to the Ark (installed on Earth) collapsed and closed. Evacuation transports sent to the other side under the "Ark of the Covenant" project crashed and were destroyed. The number of people who suffocated in ships in the Sol System, failing to receive help, is also significant. Implants, medical equipment, transport. Numerous possessors of cybernetics also suffered or died when their artificial organs shut down. Or went haywire, deprived of control. Spartans also suffered seriously or died. In different ways.
Total losses in deaths alone since that moment are estimated at about a billion people. Of course, we're talking about the dead; survivors had their implants replaced with spares, or underwent implantations in case of trauma. Total casualties are about five billion.
Of course, not only on Earth. In the colonies, where survival often depends on infrastructure operation, there are plenty who suffocated, froze, or died in the flash of a haywire reactor or engine.
And yet, people oriented themselves. As best they could, they provided aid to the wounded and traffic control. They restarted equipment in manual mode. Those who had undergone numerous drills remembered them and ensured the minimization of damage, as much as was possible in that situation.
The military also quickly oriented themselves and took the worlds under their control. Effectively, until communication was restored, martial law was introduced, which continued thereafter. In some places, mostly in large colonies, civilians themselves helped with restoration. One can speak frankly: many lives were saved precisely by the forces of the civilians themselves, providing aid to each other with whatever was at hand. The forces of soldiers and ONI, thrown into maintaining order and helping with repairs, effectively intercepted already established control.
Not everywhere. Rebels raised their heads where they could. And in two dozen worlds, they staged a series of riots. In some places with the help of Citadel agents, also trapped on the planets along with everyone else. In some places due to the weakness of the military or lack of resources. Or they were able to use against the military the fact that the military potential was being restored first. Bases, ships, strategic production. Or the fact that supplies of equipment and food stopped arriving due to damaged machinery, and repairs take time. And also the rather sharp reaction of the military, not understanding what happened. Incidents occurred.
No, no one left the civilians without water and food, that's a fact. But the fact that ONI was busy restoring its own complexes, the military was fixing machinery, and civilians were receiving the benefits of civilization secondarily, seriously worried many. At a minimum at the level of local discontent, at a maximum—a local riot. So the presence of the military on the streets also became a deterrent for overly aggressive individuals.
But where the influence of the armed forces on the population was lower, this erupted into real uprisings. I, on the Boundless Will (and both Infinity ships, for all the unreadiness of the crews), in the role of shipboard AI, raced through the colonies, transferring personnel, communication equipment, and machinery as if this were not a modern combat ship, but a transport. And more than once I had to retrieve a restored avatar from storage and land on a planet.
Sometimes it was enough to step out in front of a crowd, fire into the air, and bark:
"Shut up! I'll speak, then you can scream."
Then the civilians grumbled a bit but let me speak. These weren't rebels, just people dissatisfied with sitting in the cold and without electricity. It wasn't clear to them what was happening, why everything had shut down, while the military already had light and probably warmth and comfort. And they were being fed well, while the civilians had to eat whatever they could find. And people thus decided to demand explanations. The social module took this into account and gave them answers. After all, Spartans possess a certain credit of trust. Ironic, considering the original purpose of the program.
"Well, preach," some old man shouted.
The avatar, without removing her helmet, nodded.
"Thank you. I'll go over the facts. First—it's hell everywhere. Someone hit us with a galactic-scale electromagnetic bomb. And yes, it's an attack."
"You're lying!" someone shouted from the crowd to approving murmurs.
The avatar snorted so loudly that the hiss through the armor's speakers made the people flinch.
"And that's exactly why we, in three ultra-modern ships fresh from the shipyard, are racing through the colonies delivering generators as if they were simple regular freighters. Yes, tomorrow or the day after there will be light, then we'll restore the rest; ship specialists will help. We've all retrained as plumbers and electricians here. Yes, even me (the people appreciated the joke). The fact is that we aren't fighting the Covenant on these ships; we're racing through the colonies in the role of trucks, delivering parts, technicians, plugging holes. Just like others who sent their ships, marines, and specialists to help people."
It started to sink in for the locals.
"So, is it the same on Earth then?"
I nodded.
"It's even worse on Earth. More people, taller buildings. Traffic jams, a bunch of people died in hospitals or from failed implants. The fleets are mobilized; we're trying to be everywhere. We aren't keeping up."
The old man, pushing forward, huffed.
"And who would do such a thing then?"
The avatar looked at the man who came up to her waist. Japanese, about eighty years old.
"We'll find out. This wasn't a simple wave. A simple one would have just burned everything, but this one deals more damage the more complex the mechanism's electronics are. Relatively simple processes, even ships, just need to be restarted after replacing fuses and some components. Complex systems burned out so badly they have to be completely replaced. This is a weapon against Synthetics and complex technologies, to throw the enemy into a pre-space era. They didn't succeed."
After a few more questions, the people calmed down and came up themselves to ask how they could help. But as I already noted, it wasn't like that everywhere. Very much not everywhere. More than a dozen worlds were consumed by riots and anarchy. And there I had to unsheathe my new pink Gravity Hammer and go into battle. Often against civilians or rioters armed with whatever they could find. Just a job. Naturally, in parallel with the suppression, we searched for, caught, and tried the instigators.
Separately, one can note the situation where the military helped civilians using reserve depots. And then ONI charged them with theft. And tried to punish them to the full extent of the law. And the civilians and military tried to fight them off. A difficult situation; command had to knock everyone's heads together. First disperse the riot, then punish the idiots who allowed it. And in the finale—tell the civilians they had misunderstood everything. Good thing it wasn't me; I watched this circus from the height of the ship and the cameras of the infantrymen.
And even if I somewhat embellished the situation regarding the incident to the civilians, the fact remains: it was an attack on developed electronics. The authors were able to tune the electromagnetic wave to strike specific types of targets. The Vice Admiral was furious but ordered:
"Let them think they've won. Before planning a counterattack, we must ensure we are protected from a repeat of this. We will move when we are ready, not before. Such a weapon is too destructive to rush into battle without reconnaissance."
A sensible approach. If the forces of the Citadel can launch a second such wave and then just pelt the immobilized ships with warheads, acting head-on is simply stupid. Yes, many are demanding blood, but ONI showed restraint. And effectively, the Citadel forces have believed for many years now that the human state is effectively in ruins and will take decades to recover. Let them think so.
Naturally, restoration of production is underway, from simple to complex. The Ark with its capacities helped greatly here. Mass, truly mass production of elements allows for quickly returning machinery to service. Plus local modernizations of production and equipment that previously would have been simply unprofitable. And in parallel with this—investigators checking enterprises for corrupt officials and anarchist sympathizers. Under the laws of wartime and martial law.
Separately, part of the production was moved not to the Ark, but to the Halo nearby. It was decided to assemble one as a mobile assembly line, but without the superweapon. The AIs living on the Ark completed the task. And that is good.
This has continued since the incident itself. And even so, in these five years, far from everything has been restored. In essence, all the most modern technologies are currently produced only by the Ark, and partially Earth and Reach. Which also has its consequences, as corporations have not gone anywhere.
A very angry Parangosky, having almost immediately run into cases of corruption (corporates were trying to move higher up the supply list from the Ark), unleashed ONI on these geniuses. With permission to use...
To apply the thermorectal cryptanalysis and other search-and-persuasion techniques to the particularly slow-witted. And there had always been plenty of bloodthirsty thugs in the organization's ranks.
The corrupt officials hindering the restoration of human worlds caused the most trouble. And it wasn't just simple corruption; there were methods of sabotage by PMC forces, attempted equipment thefts, and outright robbery of convoys. Ultimately, attempts to buy out or sabotage competitors began to be resolved by the arrival of ODST, and in particularly severe cases, Spartans, whose implants and MJOLNIR Armor had been replaced with new black-and-red Archon-type suits. Within about six months, the corporatists were sitting quietly and keeping a low profile—those who remained, at least.
Those who didn't remain moved to the industrial Ringworld. After background checks, of course. Production facilities need personnel too. And there is absolutely nowhere to go from the ring. So, on paper, it's a prison complex; in reality, it consists of closed and quite comfortable industrial complexes.
Currently, as of January 2552, about two-thirds of the pre-incident capacity has been restored (the simpler ones that sustained less damage). Dumb AIs have been returned to their places after backup restoration; Smart AIs are gradually being recovered. Even Cortana has once again taken her place as the ship AI of the UNSC Lusankia. More precisely, her copy, produced through the efforts of Dr. Catherine Halsey at the Reach facilities. Named Medea. And Black Box became Black Cube, also a copy.
And yes, the corporatists don't know this yet, but no one intends to return many strategic production facilities from The Ark. Of course, there will be duplicates, but the maintenance and assembly of the newest ships and equipment will take place there. As the command correctly noted:
"If one magnetic wave was launched, new ones can be launched as well. We should take this into account and prepare."
There was even an idea to order several Halos from The Ark without the most destructive weaponry, simply to have resources, production, and population beyond the reach of the wave. They would serve as platforms for new colonies in dark space. They could be moved via portals if necessary and tucked into such a hole that no one would find them at all, including The Covenant.
Moreover, we have no proven information on who authored the pulse. It is known that the Reapers were wiped out, and everywhere at that. Portals were opened, and the Citadel worlds were checked. The combination of stealth frigates and The Ark's portals allows for terrifying things—appearing where no one expects you.
Who is to blame? Clearly, the Citadel forces. Difficulties arose precisely because the Relay Network was destroyed and is only now being restored. Their space suffered just as heavily, though less than ours. Mass Relays and technologies burned out, but they were far less focused on AI. It is impossible to determine the firing point; it quickly became clear that even in the Citadel worlds, they had no idea what it was, where, or how. This is what saved them from retaliatory strikes in the moment of uncertainty; doubts arose that it was specifically the Citadel forces and not someone else. Their forces were occupied with the same thing as ours—restoring order from chaos.
Actually, our evidence following the investigation of the incident is based on interrogations of captured politicians from the Council Races. And most of it was gathered less than a year ago, four years after the incident. Even so, the data is very circumstantial, without direct evidence.
Almost no one survived on the Citadel, for that matter. The station lost all systems and gravity at once. And it was complex enough that they couldn't restore it quickly. Forty million or so suffocated. Which somewhat dissociates with the image of superweapon users.
As a result, we had to act post-factum, gathering information through interrogations and raids on enemy bases. Once our stealth frigates were saved, of course. The crews had to land the ships manually, restoring equipment with improvised methods. Yet another proof that this was no ordinary EMP wave. And this information itself prompts us to act carefully. No one wants a repetition.
The Geth... are effectively exterminated. Out of the billions of platforms in the Geth Consensus, about five thousand survived, having been on The Ark at the moment of the shot. Mendicant Bias evacuated—albeit scorched—a Geth server station, resembling a dark-gray rhombus with an "eye" and two "blades," and repaired it. In three years, their numbers reached half a billion programs. Not much for a hive mind. Interestingly, the Geth reacted phlegmatically to what happened, suggesting they first find out what occurred before reacting.
And when the information was confirmed that it was done to exterminate the Reapers, they calmly accepted this fact and decided that a retaliatory strike was not required. But they left the station at The Ark. And the Quarians are migrating en masse to Rannoch, according to intelligence reports. They are celebrating. First an epidemic due to their destroyed immune systems, then a celebration. The Geth don't mind, though they are saddened by the situation.
Summarizing, I conclude that problems arose in absolutely every sector, and Humanity has not yet recovered from them. But we are working on it. Thanks to The Ark, it takes years instead of decades, which is good. Especially because our enemies do not understand this.
We will learn our lessons so that if a repetition of the incident is possible, it won't cause such damage a second time. We will live.
***
Liara T'Soni.
Liara looked relaxedly at the news on Thessia from her terminal. Five years ago, they launched the Crucible. The Reapers were defeated at the very beginning, before they could orchestrate a global slaughter. Well, almost. Citadel Space ceased to exist as a unified structure; the Reapers marked their own existence with millions of victims; damage was dealt. What is happening with the Turians now is hard to imagine. But according to available data—after a new unification, they might start a colonial war. And the Salarians had a famine, and now the Dalatresses have introduced population control.
The Crucible, which reached the Citadel without problems, worked as intended, exterminating the Reapers. The Citadel Council, facing colossal damage for the second time in a short period, used the events to the fullest. As a demonstration of the power of the Council Races.
And then they busied themselves with the slow, tedious restoration of losses and destruction caused by the machines and the Crucible's blast in that short time. Work, work, and more work. Deals, financial operations, blackmail, and the internecine struggle of corporations on Thessia. Everything as usual.
In a certain sense, Liara felt disappointment. She remembered the Battle for Earth, all those who died there. How they strained every nerve, how they fought through Reapers and Husks to take one more step forward, to reach the Citadel. To kill one more Brute, at the cost of great losses and risks. How they built the Crucible itself and dashed across the galaxy, gathering forces almost ship by ship and unit by unit.
Liara remembered those who died that day and that time. And accepting the fact that the Crucible simply reached the Citadel, docked, and fired was difficult. That there was no catch, that the Catalyst would work and the shot would happen. That the fleets would suffer only from the shot itself, and not from the Reaper fleet and the Oculus. That there was no John who sacrificed himself, going into the heart of the fire. And also Wrex, General Anderson, the Primarch's son, Mordin Solus, and many others who gave their lives for victory.
And she couldn't shake the feeling that all of this was wrong. Too... easy. That they won just like that. That the shot just... happened. And they won.
Frankly speaking, Liara didn't want to believe it even now. She searched for evidence that everything that happened was a deception. A trap by the ancient machines, for some unknown purpose. Jalim only sighed and advised her to distract herself. And Dalama arranged a massage session, baths, then worked with strong, experienced hands... And in the process, she conveyed her thought.
"You are bothered by the fact that this ease devalues the past. But is it worth devaluing the work of those who believed in you, built this mechanism, who gathered an entire fleet to escort it? Is everything they did unimportant because they are alive?"
Liara sighed, relaxing under the touch of her subordinate's hands. After all, Dalama was a professional. With hundreds of years of experience. So Liara simply melted under her touch and said:
"I know, Dala, it's just... It's too easy. The Reapers—it's never easy with them. They can't be defeated just by pressing a button. I have doubts, Dala."
The other smiled.
"Then keep searching. Just don't forget that you strove for exactly this. So there wouldn't be burned worlds, billions of victims, and those who survived only to find themselves on the ashes. You don't think that without a few million agonizing deaths, a victory doesn't count?" the Asari asked, looking the maiden in the eye.
Liara shook her head, as she decidedly didn't want to move the rest of her body. More accurately, she did, but not like that—someone's hands were very persistent...
"I don't think so. You're right. I'm sorry, it's just all so complicated. It's hard to accept all of this."
At this, Dalama moved closer, driving all thoughts and anxieties from Liara's mind.
Returning from her subordinate, refreshed and vigorous, the Shadow Broker continued to search for traces of the Reapers. And she found traces, albeit circumstantial. The Mass Relays are being restored. They simply appear, already in working order. And no one can say for sure exactly how it happens.
One could assume the Mass Relays have an automatic repair mechanism. Or the Reapers are working. There is no direct evidence, no witnesses. She didn't try to prove anything to the Matriarchs, though she did provide her findings. That was the maximum that could be achieved in such a situation.
The galaxy endured the incident with noticeable tremors. Part of the galaxy, mainly the Terminus Systems, is still deprived of all communication. There is access to Batarian territory through a single Mass Relay. Logistics and attempts to establish communication are a distinct form of masochism.
Naturally, due to the loss of trade links with colonies and neighboring worlds, a series of crises began. Economic, political. What became of the small colonies that had no food production of their own and were worked by shift methods doesn't need mentioning. Some of the sentients were saved, but only a small fraction.
Unpleasant, but nothing unsolvable. The galaxy will manage. And while it manages, the Asari thought of another threat besides the Reapers, which the Crucible's shot hit the hardest. Humans.
Their isolation from the Relay Network makes it difficult to understand exactly what is happening with them and exactly how the Crucible affected their civilization. Fortunately, there are other ways.
"A Sangheili envoy is here for you, mistress."
Liara smiled at the Matron performing the duties of her butler.
"Very well, Cliam. Show him in."
Liara sat down at Matriarch Benezia's monumental wooden desk and, with a few button presses on the side panel, activated the jamming systems. Eavesdropping equipment, due to its general simplicity, had suffered the least. For her, as the Broker, this was a very pleasant discovery.
A Sangheili in white armor entered the room. Massive as a Krogan but far more flexible, in white armor with a wide helmet, the back of which was a broad plate. The Asari stood and bowed slightly.
"Greetings, Blade. Sit down. It is time to discuss our business."
The lizard spread his mandibles, like a Turian, and gave a slight growl. After which he sat in the offered chair, which sagged slightly as if under a Krogan. Heavy.
"I expected someone adult to speak with me."
Liara was not offended. Naturally, this was just a provocation from a warrior.
"And I expected you to be interested in business. If you are not satisfied, you can look for someone else. Maybe you'll find them. Salarians."
The Elite snorted.
"I am satisfied, little witch. You may say what you have and what you want."
Now that was a business conversation. With a few taps, Liara brought up a galactic map. The map zoomed in, showing a point in the Orion Arm.
"Agents among the human rebels found something on this planet. They claim a major office of their intelligence is located there. And they are ready to help with sabotaging the defense systems. You just need to come and take it. If you, high Councilor, provide the ships. As you know, very few pieces of technology can cross hundreds of light years without a Mass Relay right now."
The Sangheili examined the map with interest.
"And you cannot get there yourselves, witches. You need transport. And warriors."
Liara smiled.
"After the pulse, everyone needs transport. And you could act as a mediator. Ultimately, your worlds suffered too. All of us want to know about the role of Humans in the incident that occurred ten years ago. I am not forcing peace and friendship, but we can start small. By searching for answers. Together."
The alien in white was completely unreadable. After all, their entirely alien facial expressions make it difficult to understand what he is thinking at the current moment.
"You want friendship. And your protectors, the Turians?"
Liara did not answer immediately. Such things should be explained carefully so that a race of "Turians to the power of Turians" wouldn't take offense and would understand everything correctly.
"They are warriors of honor. I expect you will be measuring your skill with the blade against them for a long time to come. That is your business. But that doesn't mean we should refuse answers, refuse cooperation," and now to add an emotional element, "during the incident, our worlds suffered. One of our largest colonies simply burned. I want to know what that happened for and who is guilty."
The warrior in white armor and the wing-helmet laughed a raspy laugh.
"You think you can get revenge, witch? Humans were in the minority, but they have always had plenty of stubbornness and the will to live. Demons are a strong enemy. Humans are cunning and persistent. Those who denied that are dead."
To this, the Asari only replied:
"I will do everything possible. You cannot win without taking risks. You cannot know the truth without asking questions."
The Sangheili nodded.
"A good answer, witch. Perhaps something will come of you."
***
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