The Citadel was frozen in anticipation of an epochal event. Sentient beings awaited the arrival of the USSR delegation with interest. After a month of preparatory work, peaceful negotiations with the Hegemony were finally to begin. Citadel Space acted as a mediator, demonstrating through the force of arms the undesirability of continuing military actions. At least, that's what the news said...
The inhabitants of the capital of civilized space, mostly despising the Batarians, showed restrained interest in the Union. Only a few were resolutely negative, but their voices were loud, so law enforcement remained particularly vigilant. Anti-Soviet demonstrations and pacifist pickets were not desirable for the Citadel government, which wanted to stop the loss of its investments in the Hegemony.
What worried the common people most was not the establishment of diplomatic relations with the new union of races, but how the parties would get out of the current situation. Contact with a sentient species is a rare but familiar event. Conflicts also occurred, though they did not go beyond incidents. Now, due to the outbreak of civil war in the Hegemony, a diplomatic paradox had arisen.
The Batarians categorically refused to sign any treaty with the USSR, except for an act of unconditional surrender... of the Union. Not after the exemplary thrashing administered by the people's state would they sign any treaty. At the same time, signing the document would give legitimacy to any leader of the splinter factions who signed it.
A non-trivial choice: sign, gaining status, but suppressing one's own righteous anger and desire for revenge, or preserve pride? Become a recognized ruler, gaining dissatisfaction from the people as a bonus, with accusations of betrayal. Declare a fight to the victorious end, only to be killed a couple of hours later by a well-aimed ashtray strike to the temple by your own guards?
They couldn't even try to rebel. In an impulsive surge, each of the factions... had already announced the creation of its own state, because no one wanted to be associated with the title of Hegemon after the picturesque execution of the last one by Soviet saboteurs. And nothing would have happened, the new formation would have assumed the obligations of the Hegemony, but the Hierarchy had its say.
The Turians initially disliked the situation with the Citadel's military aid to the four-eyed people. The legionaries, according to treaties, fulfilled the assigned mission, but this time the triumph of legality did not please them.
The warriors of Palaven performed their duty without complaint, coming to the aid of the dying Hegemony. However, both the Citadel and Khar'Shan felt the full weight of military wisdom: "You will live by the regulations..." The legionaries paralyzed the bureaucratic system in some places.
What was previously decided by order now required dozens of coordinating documents and acts according to Asari record-keeping traditions. The Republic understood the hint of the bone-heads, not insisting on their more active participation in the "Hegemonic tragedy."
This could have been endured if the Batarian clans had not started dividing power and rushed to declare themselves new states. The Hierarchy was restrained only by the small number of ground contingent on the hastily assembled fleet and the Primarch's word.
The clans quickly realized the mistake of their hasty actions, but it was too late. On the one hand, their age-old enemies – the Turians, separated from revenge by the thin glass of the law. On the other hand, the USSR fleet, frozen at the site of the clash with the Hierarchy and not intending to leave.
The small, poor Hegemony found itself between two hungry predators, suddenly becoming a well-fed and clumsy victim. One wrong word – and only the prey's scream would echo in the cold of space.
The Asari watched this, contemplating how to compensate for the loss of many assets and a convenient tool. Supporting the Hegemony became sharply unprofitable. The forces that served stability through managed chaos crumbled in an instant, and the income from selling protection became unnecessary.
The Salarians analyzed and found the whole situation uninteresting. They were interested in new technologies, the extraction of which was not related to the political storm. The scientific race categorically did not want to interfere in it. Even less did they want to interfere in someone else's military conflict. But they had nothing against good old espionage and looting...
In general, the arrival of the USSR delegation brought relief to almost everyone. An hour ago, the flagship of the Red Fleet entered the Serpent Nebula, arriving in the strictly designated area. The eight-kilometer dreadnought "Indomitable Union" was met by an honor escort of Turian ships. Against the backdrop of the raven-black giant, the Hierarchy's cruisers, resembling exotic birds, looked almost like toys.
Slowly and majestically, blazing with ionization, the wedge-shaped hull, which had absorbed the legacy of its marine brethren, turned towards the Citadel. The nuclear engines flared, setting the behemoth in motion. The defense satellites and ship weapons took the flagship under aim, perfectly aware of the hidden power of this instrument of war.
Due to jump warp drives for super-fast interstellar travel, all Union ships were either wedge-shaped or elongated, trying to be as streamlined as possible in their silhouette. Therefore, for the spectators on the Citadel, it now seemed that the black, slick triangle was literally breaking through the body of the nebula, blazing with something akin to the aurora borealis. This was how the plasma defense interacted with the interstellar gas diffused around it.
Turning sideways, maneuvering with its engines, the dreadnought stopped near the Citadel, within the zone of its defense's confident range. On its black side, as if it were space itself, armored doors of one of the hangars opened, releasing a flight of fighters.
The small ships fanned out, forming a security perimeter. Only after that, accompanied by another four nimble machines, did the dreadnought's side leave the diplomatic shuttle.
In contrast to the military ships, the diplomatic transport was painted in the light gray color of civilian ships and equipment of the USSR, making it look like a tiny star now.
Having flown a regulated distance from the dreadnought on "cold" engines, the shuttle activated its main engines, darting towards the Citadel. The escort fighters, forming a box around it, synchronously repeated the maneuver.
It took five minutes for the diplomatic escort to reach the capital of Space. The fighters dived into the hangar first. The Yak-237Ks flew in like black lightning, causing the welcoming crowd to even flinch.
The pilots synchronously performed the "Cobra," putting their machines vertically, hovering over the hangar surface. The Union's deck fighters, before the eyes of the mesmerized public, transformed into light walking tanks, switching to ground mode.
The machines parted, again freezing in a "box" formation, allowing the shuttle to land. The rounded craft, resembling a tadpole, descended in the center of the formation, settling on three telescopic supports.
With a hiss, the landing ramp, combined with a passenger ramp, opened. From the interior of the shuttle, with measured steps and clanking, came Skaven in heavy black and white armor, adorned, in addition to the "Star of the Union," with a scarlet gear of the "Zealots' Guard." With machine-like precision, they froze in two ranks, bringing their weapons to the "at ease" position.
Only after that, surrounded by Red Army soldiers, did the diplomats step onto the Citadel. The Asari marine guards only refrained from raising their weapons due to their training, the moment they saw some of the participants in the diplomatic mission.
"Goddess..." escaped from the lips of one of the girls in the cordon, and the crowd was in solidarity with her.
"The Kingslayer and Lady Death," the whisper spread through the hangar like a cold winter wind.
During the brief military conflict, the "Argentum" operatives gained a dark reputation, especially after the execution of the Hegemon broadcast throughout the galaxy. No one expected the now-legendary executioner and the lady who massacred the Hegemony's high command to be among those who arrived to establish peace. Against their backdrop, the Red Army soldiers, carrying old, tattered Turian banners, faded along with the entire delegation...
The advisor T'evos involuntarily felt a chill. The Asari already felt, before the words were spoken, that the situation was slipping out of her control.
"The competence of the entire diplomatic corps will need to be checked. A month of coordinating work has now been nullified simply because everything in the protocol was considered, except for the identities of the accompanying diplomats. Even the presence of the head of these councils as ambassador has taken on new shades due to the reputation of these killers," she thought, while spreading a welcoming smile.
The slight hesitation did not escape her colleagues. If advisor Viridia merely snorted ironically upon seeing the change in the Asari's face, advisor Kelox became animated. The scientist within the Salarian immediately adopted a hunter's stance upon seeing such... exotic specimens.
Meanwhile, the delegation, walking on a red carpet, passed through a living sea, pushed back by law enforcement to the tribune.
"On behalf of the Citadel, I welcome the envoys," the Asari began, drawing attention to herself, seeing that soldiers of the Union were still emerging from the shuttle, carrying gifts. Her attention was particularly drawn to a container covered with fabric of her people's traditional colors, very similar to a sarcophagus, being pulled by four beast-like creatures in military uniform.
Thousands of sentient beings turned their gaze to the specially constructed stage. T'evos, asserting her leadership, gave the Union delegation a polite smile.
"The peoples of the USSR greet our brothers and sisters in intelligence," replied the head of the Union's Coordination Council, Dmitry Sechenov.
The man turned to face the crowd and, under the gaze of hundreds of cameras, began to speak: "We are saddened that our meeting with other civilizations began with such a blatant misunderstanding..."
"To march through the Hegemony with fire is not a misunderstanding, but a nightmare," T'evos grimaced mentally, anticipating the squeals of the Batarian special envoy as soon as negotiations began.
"The peoples of the USSR are not invaders. We only wanted to bring order to our common home."
Sechenov spread his hands like a conductor. Waiting for the last soldier to take his place behind him, the former academician continued. "Decades ago, when we, the workers, strove for the stars, we were only following a great dream, seeking to escape the dirt of the old world. Stepping onto the interstellar path, everyone, as one, thought that all hardships had receded forever. Finding ourselves among the vastness of space, passing through constellations and learning so much new... seeing dead worlds, ruins of past civilizations, and encountering only primitive species, we despaired of finding beings like ourselves." The man's hands shot up as if in supplication.
"Not only intelligent, but also a good orator," the Asari advisor noted to herself, already thinking of arguments for the upcoming political performance.
"How sad the past incident was... As a sign of goodwill, the peoples of the USSR have prepared gifts," the man's voice filled with solemn ringing.
Sechenov gestured to the frozen Red Army soldiers. "Warriors of Palaven! It was an honor for us to cross swords with you in battle. We hope that from now on, we will fight side by side! For us, as for you, honor is paramount! These banners remember great achievements and glorious victories. To return them to their rightful owners, having pulled them from dusty treasures, is an honor for us!"
Obeying his hand movements, the Red Army soldiers, with measured steps, handed over the legionary standards to the legionaries who had risen to the tribune for this action.
"Everything is going according to plan... But why am I plagued by unpleasant premonitions?" the Asari advisor frowned.
"Children of Sur'Kesh! We are pleased to see that there is a race in the galaxy that values progress as ardently as we do," Sechenov smiled. "And to such a worthy people, the workers of the USSR give the most valuable thing for a scientist... time. These flora samples are used in our pharmacology for preparations that delay aging. Even if it is only a won battle against the inevitable, not a war, it allows one to make worthy use of the years of maturity allotted!"
"I will need to obtain the results. Living for centuries, it is sad to know that decrepitude awaits you at the end of the journey. The Matriarchs will highly appreciate this initiative, but the gift is no longer so unambiguous..." T'evos took note of another gift from the councils, signaling applause. "Now, let's see what they have prepared for my people. After all, a gift can say too much..."
"The galaxy would not be what it is today without the daughters of Thessia! With their wisdom, they have brought peace and harmony..."
"Interesting, his rhetoric has shifted from 'we' to 'they.' Not hostility, but coldness... Nothing irreparable," the Asari analyzed each word for its meaning.
"...We are pleased to see that they, like us, value every representative of their race. Therefore, we are returning a long-lost compatriot to them..." Sechenov pulled the fabric from the container, which was placed vertically upwards...
It took Telos a great deal of effort to maintain her composure even as the fabric slid away, revealing a Prothean laboratory stasis pod, and upon seeing its contents, bathed in the green light of an ancient device, her heart skipped a beat. Her mind felt like a grenade had exploded, and then there was complete emptiness.
Her Turian colleague's jaw literally dropped, and her head bowed, showing complete surprise and stupor in a veteran of many battles.
The Salarian Councilor let out an indeterminate squeak and leaned forward, trying to make out the contents of the pod, staring mesmerized at one spot…
The crowd simply froze in silence. Even the cameras seemed to have quieted down…
***
On distant Omega, in the "Afterlife" bar, even the music was turned off to better hear the sounds of the broadcast. Only the flickering disco lights brought life to this suddenly frozen place.
Urdnot Wrex froze with his mouth open, not having brought his mug of strong drink to his lips. He wasn't going to drink water like those weaklings, was he?
A piece of meat slipped from his parted jaws and fell, clinking loudly on his plate, but the warrior didn't even notice.
The Krogan's eyes grew wide, and his pupils dilated as if he had seen a good fight. The view on the holographic screen was mesmerizing, completely shattering the established world order, turning everything upside down… even affecting a warrior who had seen quite a bit of shit in his long life.
"For millennia, he languished in a laboratory hidden by sands, left by his creators, where the Protheans conducted experiments on my ancestors as well," the human continued speaking, paying absolutely no attention to the ensuing silence.
The Asari themselves looked the most shocked. Their facial expressions were indescribable by any word in any known language. Only their Councilor looked relatively normal, and even she was gasping for air…
***
"This is impossible…" no one would ever know the effort it took Telos to say this in a calm, bored voice, but at that moment, the matriarchs were already looking at her with respect.
"Our race has no males…"
The Asari had a lot they wanted to say, but she held herself back. Even her eye barely twitched.
"Allow me to disagree," Sechenov countered, only momentarily allowing a flicker of bewilderment to cross his face, which did not go unnoticed by everyone.
"The facts are more than eloquent, they speak otherwise. You had and have males… Perhaps you've had cases of strange genetic deviations? Or someone had strange sexual deviations?"
If the maidens watching… this understood nothing, then the matrons and matriarchs… The Asari commandos shuddered. UNDERSTANDING had dawned upon them. The Justicars, watching the broadcast, were all seething with anger.
"So I thought," Sechenov nodded to himself, reading the answer from the change in the Councilor's face.
"The Protheans were far from our moral concepts, and experiments on sentient beings were only a small part of their atrocities. My people and yours, like the Quarians, became their victims in time immemorial. In their greatness, they approached darkness too closely…"
"But that's not true!" the pressure in the Asari's voice would not have been missed even by a deaf person.
"I understand," Dmitry Sergeevich said with sympathy and barely concealed pity in his voice.
"It took us time to realize… the truth as well. It was hard to accept. We didn't want to offend you, so we will provide all found materials for comprehensive examination…"
***
Standing behind my father, I was ready to give a standing ovation, because the way he was playing his role now was brilliant. Knowing the whole truth, I was ready to believe every word he said!
Of course, they would conduct all possible examinations, but even radiocarbon dating would yield nothing, and only confirm, because everything was real, including the stasis chamber and the memories of the "male." A particle accelerator, a little chemistry, and molecular restructuring using a polymer – that's the recipe for success. If they delve into the chemical composition, they will see isotopes characteristic of the galaxy during the Prothean era. It was possible to emulate everything, including epigenetic markers!
Our scientists have done a colossal job since the beginning of the conflict. I remember how much laughter there was in the scientific community when it turned out that the Asari had no males at the time they were discovered by the Protheans… Even a couple of indecent jokes appeared about the rigor of Soviet biologists who managed to achieve the impossible.
This would have remained a joke in scientific circles if not for an analytical note made before preparing for a counter-strike against the Hegemony by one of CERBERUS's analysts. In most cases, no matter how we built relationships, at a certain stage, the Asari would begin to oppose us. Our understanding of the world order is too different. They have been shaping the galaxy to their liking for too long.
We don't need a sterile and emasculated galaxy singing songs of harmony while eating fruits and fish, but peoples capable of defending themselves. Because we know about cyclical extinction and assume that someone is already preparing the galaxy for this scenario, forcing development down one path. The Zero Element is not a gift, but a curse of the Citadel! And there is a suspicion that someone is watching over everyone, correcting the course, as it was with us.
The only way to subtly begin preparing for the end of everything is to step on many toes at once, despite the risks. A cold war is also an unpleasant thing, but it greatly spurs progress. We need to make everyone arm themselves, but not unite against us. Then, if that happens, we will not survive. We will simply be buried under corpses, even if it means rolling back almost to the Stone Age.
Therefore, the Asari are a threat to our survival. They can rally everyone around them, but if they themselves begin to split… That's why the vulgar joke became a reality. It remained to play the card in such a way that the Asari could no longer remain silent. Thus, operation "Surprise" was conceived. It also served as another reason for negotiations. One of many…
***
The Batarian ambassador, who was awaiting a summons to a high-level meeting, watching the broadcast now, understood that dark times had come for the Hegemony. The great people should no longer rely on anyone but themselves. Dja'Shira felt this with all her patriotic heart…
***
"…Does anyone else wish to speak?" the Pirate Queen asked the patrons of "Afterlife" without lowering her smoking pistol.
Rex calmly took a sip from his container, not tasting the drink, glancing at his comrades, who sat with him at the table with stone faces, trying not to burst out laughing with all their might. Although he was not an ordinary Krogan, he felt offended that his people had been treated this way with the indulgence of these blue-skinned whores. True, the dumber ones blamed the Salarians, but who was he to teach idiots?
A single tear rolled down the warrior's cheek, barely held back by laughter, as he saw Aria in such a state, having lost her arrogant gloss and pompous loftiness, albeit deserved. Only the reluctance to fight a strong opponent and the instinct for self-preservation held Rex back.
But a fool is a fool, destined to die miserably, as confirmed by one of the regulars who had gotten completely drunk, asking in a drunken voice:
"Does this bitch have a dick?"
These were his last words. A moment later, the drunkard's brains adorned the wall…
"I understand. It's terrible," Aria said, not missing the Krogan's meager tear.
The veteran could only nod, perfectly understanding that if he opened his mouth, he would first explode from laughter, and then from detonation. The Queen was too comical at the moment.
He even broke off a piece of the tabletop! Waiting for Aria to go upstairs, Rex and his comrades paid, left "Afterlife," and walked a block away…
The laughter of five Krogans could be heard for a long time in the slums of Omega…
***
And on Thessia, there was no room for laughter. The definition "mute scene" was more appropriate.
"This is a catastrophe! They will answer for this…" one of the matriarchs couldn't hold back.
"Only first, we need to calm down the underage fools," Benezia said dryly, roughly imagining what was happening on the streets of all the worlds of the Republic and in some monasteries closed to visitors, where the Ardat-Yakshi lived a miserable existence…