#first contact war

[crapeaucrapeau]

Defunct ME1 Website Codex Entries

In the interest of preserving rare documents related to Mass Effect, I'm transcribing here the Codex entries which were on the ME1 website when the game first came out. They are reproduced here as they form much of the basis by which we understand Mass Effect ; in some cases, they are phrased differently from the Codex in the actual game, with additional information, or contradictions (e.g. the given length of the Krogan Rebellions). Link here : https://web.archive.org/web/20130326112139/http://masseffect.bioware.com/me1/galacticcodex/index.html

Each Codex entry comes in two parts : the "lede" on the starting Codex page, and the entry itself. In an archiving interest, associated polls are included, though they do not represent anything more than the intended market's opinions prior to the game's release. Everything is quoted verbatim, though I have done some formatting modifications for ease of reading.

Note : since this was very much part of the promotion for ME1, the intended audience is clearly human, but it's difficult at times to see if it's an in-universe "we" or an IRL "we". The polls, however, are clearly out-of-universe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIES

The Advent of Humanity on the Galactic Stage

In the decades since our first encounter with the greater galactic community, humanity has risen quickly to prominence, establishing colonies throughout the stars. However, our population growth and military strength have led to resentful speculation that an invitation to join the ranks of the Council itself is imminent. [Read More]

The Advent of Humanity on the Galactic Stage

In the year 2148, humanity discovered Prothean ruins on Mars. The remnants of Prothean technology scattered amongst these ruins allowed them to develop mass effect fields and faster-than-light travel. This led them to discover and reactivate the mass relay at the edges of Earth's solar system, giving them access to the mass relay network spanning the rest of the galaxy and bringing them into contact with the greater galactic community.

2148 AD : Humanity discovers a small cache of highly advanced alien technology hidden deep beneath the surface of Mars. Building on the remnants of this long extinct race - known as the Protheans - humanity quickly masters the science of mass effect fields, leading to the development of faster than light travel.

2149 AD : Spreading out through their own solar system, humanity discovers that Charon, Pluto's moon, is actually a massive piece of dormant Prothean technology - a mass relay - encased in ice.

Once activated, humanity discovers that the mass relay allows instantaneous travel across thousands of light years to a synchronized mass relay in another part of the galaxy.

There they discover several more dormant relays. Over the next decade humanity expands rapidly, establishing colonies and activating dormant relays to open up more and more unexplored regions of space.

2155 AD : To defend its rapidly expanding empire, humanity assembles a massive fleet and constructs an enormous military space station at the nexus of several key mass relays…even though they have yet to encounter another intelligent space-faring species.

2157 AD : Humanity makes first contact with another space-faring culture: the turians. Unfortunately, the encounter is far from peaceful. Over the next several months a brief but tense conflict known on Earth as the First Contact war ensues.

This conflict draws the attention of the Citadel Council - a multi-species government body that maintains peace and stability throughout the known galaxy. The Council intervenes before hostilities escalate further, revealing the existence of the greater galactic community to humanity and brokering a peace between them and the turians.

2165 AD : Humanity continues to expand, founding more colonies and establishing trade alliances with many of the other species who recognize the authority of the Citadel Council. In 2165 the Council makes official recognition of humanity's growing power and influence in the galactic community. Humanity is granted an embassy on the Citadel, the political and economic heart of the galaxy.

2183 AD : Commander Shepard - a promising young officer in the Human Alliance military - is assigned to the crew of the Normandy, the most advanced prototype vessel ever designed.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Turians: Friend or Foe?

We fought these raptor-like aliens in the First Contact War, but have since settled into an uneasy co-existence with them. Despite their code of honour, discipline, and work ethic, the question remains whether these Council members are friends or foes. [Read codex entry]

Citadel Council Race: Turians

The turians were the last of the Citadel races to join the Council. Their features are avian, making them resemble humanoid birds or raptors. They have a reputation for skill and bravery in combat, but they are not known to be bloodthirsty. A rigid code of honor and strict discipline are the hallmarks of any turian officer. This includes humane treatment of prisoners and conquered enemies. A turian patrol unit will never willingly leave behind one of their own, no matter what the cost of saving them.

Turian society is highly regimented and very organized, and the species is known for its strict discipline and work ethic. Turians are willing to do what needs to be done, and they always follow through. They are not easily spurred to violence, but when conflict is inevitable, they only understand a concept of "total war." They do not believe in skirmishes or small scale battles; they use massive fleets and numbers to defeat an adversary so completely that they remove any threat of having to fight the same opponent more than once. They do not exterminate their enemy, but so completely devastate their military that the enemy has no choice but to become a colony of the turians.

Other species see them as "men of action," and they are generally regarded as the most progressive of the Citadel races. Since their culture is based on the structure of a military hierarchy, changes and advances accepted by the leadership are quickly adopted by the rest of society with minimal resistance.

WEB POLL : Turians are an honourable and disciplined race. Why do you think humanity warred with them immediately after first contact in the year 2157?

There was a misunderstanding that blew out of proportion - 64%

They feared our potential and saw us as competitors - 23%

They probably always attack first to probe for weaknesses - 11%

They wanted the planet Earth and our colonies for themselves - 3%

Other - read my comments - 2%

Total votes : 30656

[The website proceeds to try to set up a dilemma as to whether the turians can be trusted by connecting first to Nihlus's Codex entry - the "Friend" - then Saren's - the "Foe".]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spotlight on the Krogan Race

Explore the reptilian race known as the Krogan. Part one reveals how their harsh and unforgiving homeworld has affected their evolution. Part two delves into their tragic history and waning foothold in the galaxy. The final part spotlights Urdnot Wrex, one of the last krogan Battle Masters. [Read more]

Krogan Series Part 1 - Krogan Biology

The krogan are a species of large reptilian bipeds native to the planet Tuchanka, a world known for its harsh environments, scarce resources, and overabundance of vicious predators. The krogan managed to not only survive on their unforgiving homeworld, but actually thrived in the extreme conditions. Unfortunately, as krogan society became more technologically advanced so did their weaponry.

Four thousand years ago, at the dawn of the krogan nuclear age, battles to claim the small pockets of territory capable of sustaining life escalated into full scale global war. Weapons of mass destruction were unleashed, transforming Tuchanka into a radioactive wasteland.

Due to the brutality of their surroundings, natural selection has played a significant role in the evolution of the species. Krogan reproduce and mature at an astonishing rate. Their large shoulder humps store fluids and nutrients, enabling them to survive extended periods without food or water. Their thick hides are virtually impervious to cuts, scrapes or contusions, and they are highly resistant to toxins, radiation, and extreme heat and cold.

Biotic individuals are rare, though those who do possess the talent typically have strong abilities. Their most amazing physiological features are the multiple instances of major organs; these secondary systems are capable of serving as back-ups in the event of damage to the primary biological structures. This redundancy makes them difficult to kill or incapacitate in normal combat scenarios.

WEB POLL : What do you think is the most interesting part of krogan biology?

Redundant organs - 50%

Rapid reproduction and growth rate - 21%

Thick hides impervious to many dangers - 16%

Large shoulder humps that store fluids and nutrients - 14%

Other - read my comments - 2%

Total votes : 11673

Krogan Series Part 2 - Rise and Fall of the Krogan

Roughly 2000 years ago the krogan were a primitive tribal species trapped on a world suffering through a nuclear winter of their own making. They were liberated by the salarians, who "culturally uplifted" the krogan by giving them advanced technology and relocating them to a planet not cursed with lethal levels of radiation, toxins, or deadly predators.

But the salarian intervention was not without an ulterior motive. At the time, the Citadel was engaged in a prolonged galactic war with the rachni, a race of intelligent space-faring insects. The salarians hoped the krogan would join the Citadel forces as soldiers to stand against an otherwise unstoppable foe. The plan worked to perfection: within two generations the rapidly breeding krogan had the numbers to not only drive the advancing rachni back, but pursue them to their home worlds and eradicate the entire species.

Saviors of the Galaxy

For a brief period the krogan were hailed as the saviors of the galaxy. However, without the harsh conditions of Tuchanka to keep their numbers in check, their population exploded. Overcrowded and running out of resources on their new home planet, the krogan spread out to forcibly claim other worlds...worlds already inhabited by races loyal to the Citadel.

The so-called Krogan Rebellions continued for nearly three centuries. The krogan sustained massive casualties, but their incredible birth-rate kept their population steadily increasing. Victory seemed inevitable. In desperation, the Council turned to the recently discovered Turian Empire for aid. The turians unleashed the genophage on the krogan home worlds: a terrifying bio-weapon engineered by the salarians. The genophage caused near total infant mortality in the krogan species, with only 1 birth in every 1000 producing live offspring.

The Genophage

No longer able to replenish their numbers, the krogan were forced to accept the turian terms of surrender. For their role in quelling the Krogan Rebellions the turians were rewarded with a seat on the Citadel Council. The krogan, on the other hand, still suffer from the incurable effects of the genophage. Over the last millennium krogan numbers have steadily declined, leaving them a scattered and dying people. Faced with the certainty of their extinction as a species, most krogan have become individualistic and completely self-interested. They typically serve as mercenaries for hire to the highest bidder, though many still resent and despise the Citadel races who condemned them to their tragic fate.

WEB POLL : Was use of the genophage on the krogan justified?

Yes, it was necessary to stop the krogan from taking over the galaxy - 53%

No, it was cruel and should not have been used - 42%

Other - read my comments - 6%

Total votes : 8160

[Wrex's entry has been moved to "Characters"]

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Quarians - Galactic Nomads

Some believe quarians are a cybernetic blend that can survive for a time in the cold vacuum of space. Others believe they are so used to living on their makeshift ships they never remove their survival suits. Most condemn them for unleashing a dangerous, synthetic life form on the galaxy. [Read more]

The Quarians - Galactic Nomads

A nomadic race of humanoid aliens, the quarians are generally shorter and of slighter build than humans. They dress in a scavenged assortment of materials, hiding their faces behind visors, goggles, or breathing masks. Some believe the quarians are cybernetic, a blend of machine and biology that can survive for a time in the cold vacuum of space. Others believe the quarians are simply so used to living on their substandard, makeshift ships that they never remove their survival suits.

Three hundred years ago the quarians created the geth, a species of rudimentary AIs, to serve as an efficient source of manual labor. But the geth rebelled against their quarian masters and drove them into exile. Now the quarians wander the galaxy in a flotilla of salvaged ships, secondhand vessels, and recycled technology. Other species tend to look down on the quarians, seeing them as scavengers and condemning them for unleashing a dangerous synthetic life form on the rest of the galaxy.

WEB POLL : Should the quarians be held accountable for unleashing the geth?

No, it's all in the past and what's done is done - 63%

Hmmm, I'm not sure yet - 21%

Yes, punishment should be fast and swift - 16%

Other - read my comments - 2%

Total votes : 21535

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Geth: Universally Violent Creatures

Residing in the Terminus Systems, the geth are a humanoid race of networked AIs who overthrew their masters 300 years ago in a brutal war. They have evolved since then into numerous sub-forms, and everyone in the galaxy approaches them with extreme caution. [Read more]

Hostile Entity: the Geth

The geth are a bi-pedal, humanoid race of networked AIs that resides in the Terminus Systems. The geth were created nearly 300 years ago by the quarians as laborers and tools of war. When the geth began to question their masters, the quarians attempted to exterminate them. The geth won the resulting war. The example of the geth has led to legal, systematic repression of artificial intelligences in galactic society.

The geth can learn and grow intellectually, but they progress far more slowly than an organic being. Still, the story of the geth's creation and evolution serves as a warning to the rest of the galaxy of the potential dangers of Artificial Intelligence.

The closer geth physically are to each other, the more intelligent each one becomes. Effectively, they "share" brain power. An individual geth has only a basic intelligence on par with animal instincts, but in groups they can reason, analyze situations, and use tactics as well as any of the organic races.

Over time the geth have evolved into numerous sub-forms - from the diminutive but highly agile hoppers, to the gigantic, lumbering geth armatures. It should be stressed, however, that in all forms the geth are to be approached with extreme caution as they are universally violent creatures.

WEB POLL : The geth are out of control and feared throughout the galaxy. What will you do the first time you encounter a geth?

Frag it - 57%

Talk to it - 22%

Outmaneuver or trick it - 15%

Avoid it - 7%

Other - read my comments - 1%

Total votes : 25359

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Batarians, From Bring Down the Sky

Debuting in the Bring Down the Sky downloable content pack, the batarians are a disreputable species infesting the Terminus Systems and menacing human colonies. [Read more]

The Batarians - A New Race in Bring Down the Sky

A race of four-eyed bipeds, the batarians are a disreputable species that chose to isolate itself from the rest of the galaxy. The Terminus Systems are infested with batarian pirate gangs and slaving rings, fueling the stereotype of the batarian thug. It should be noted that these criminals do not represent average citizens, who are forbidden to leave batarian space by their omnipresent and paranoid government.

In 2171, humans began to colonize the Skyllian Verge, a region the batarians were already actively settling. The batarians asked the Citadel Council to intervene and declare the Verge an area of "batarian interest." When the Council refused, the batarians severed diplomatic and economic relations, becoming an inward-looking rogue state. Money and weapons funneled from the batarian government to criminal organizations led to many brutal raids on human colonies in the Verge, culminating in the Skyllian Blitz of 2176.

The rest of the galaxy views the batarians as an ignorable problem. The government is still hostile to the Systems Alliance, but beneath the notice of the powerful Council races. It is not known what the average batarian thinks about their enforced isolation, as the Department of Information Control ensures that only government-approved news enters or leaves batarian space.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHARACTERS

Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams

Williams is a reliable and dedicated officer, but her aggressive instincts and blunt speech might lead to complications should she be required to interact with civilians. [Read more]

Systems Alliance Profile: Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams

Personnel File

Name: Ashley Madeline Williams Rank: Gunnery Chief Military Vocational Code: B4 Current Posting: 2nd Frontier Division, Eden Prime

Date of Birth: April 14, 2158 Place of Birth: Vercingetorix Outpost, Planet Sirona, 61 Ursae Majoris System Blood Type: B-positive

Genetic Enhancements:

In-utero vision correction (maternal predisposition for nearsightedness)

Class-B Alliance Infantry Upgrade Package

Dossier

Following family tradition, Chief Williams enlisted in the Alliance Marines directly out of high school and was assigned to the Recruit Training Depot in Macapá, Brazil.

During training, she certified proficient with the standard-issue M7 Lancer assault rifle and light and standard weight combat hardsuits. She completed certification in zero-gee combat aboard the Rakesh Sharma Orbital Platform in Earth geosynchronous orbit. For Hostile Environment Assault Training, she was assigned to Fort Charles Upham on Saturn's moon, Titan. She was awarded a commendation for her bold assault technique in a field exercise simulating an attack on turian point defense emplacements.

Drill Instructor Gunnery Chief Ellison noted her steadfast endurance and aggressive instincts, and promoted her to the role of squad leader. After observing her effective tutelage of the less skilled members of her training unit, he promoted her to platoon guide. She maintains a friendly correspondence with DI Ellison.

Chief Williams has served in a number of ground force garrisons on Alliance colony worlds and industrial outposts. She has repeatedly requested transfer to a shipboard posting, but each request has been denied without comment by her superiors.

Every year since enlistment, she has used her mandatory week of leave to visit her family on Amaterasu. In 2181, she made an exceptional request for a week-long leave of absence from her posting at the Czarnobóg Fleet Depot, citing family issues.

Personal Observations

Chief Williams' platoon has logged unanimous positive feedback on her leadership in the recent fitness review cycle. Private Nirali Bahtia praised her focus on team-building exercises and "tough but fair" discipline.

Williams is a reliable and dedicated noncommissioned officer, but her service in rear-area garrisons has prevented her from gaining actual combat experience. Her aggressive instincts and tendency to speak bluntly are suitable for a field unit, but might lead to complications if her duties require her to interact with civilians. Additionally, her political opinions may be problematic, given the focus on improving relations with the Citadel.

WEB POLL : Ashley is part of your party as you carry out Spectre missions. Do you think her inexperience, bluntness, and aggressive tendencies will pose a problem?

No, I'll think she'll be a great addition to my team. - 39%

I'm holding off judgement and will give her a chance. - 32%

No. As Commander I'll keep my troops in line. - 25%

Yes, I'm quite worried about it. - 5%

Other - here's what I think - 1%

Total votes : 18746

Systems Alliance Profile: Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams - Profile Updated

From: Ashley Williams (ashley.m.williams@edenprime.mil.sa) Sent: June 17, 2183 22:03 UT To: Sarah Williams (randori-girl@ward37.amaterasu.civ.pub) Subject: Re: Hey sis

James left today. He's been reassigned to one of the new Rapid Response Bases out in the Kepler Verge. Lucky bastard. It's like the ancient west out there – pirates and slavers coming out of the Terminus Systems all the time. He gets to play the cavalry, riding out in frigates any time someone's house gets burned down.

I made some speech about how he was a valuable asset to the squad and he better make us look good out there, blah blah. I suck at speeches. I was cribbing from something I read back in history class. I don't think anyone noticed.

I'm going to miss him. Don't tell anyone.

So you think James is cute, eh? Yeah, well, when you said I should "go for him" – not gonna happen, kiddo. See, we have rules about "fraternization." You don't do The Deed with your fellow troops, especially if they're under you in rank. There's all sorts of problems that can happen when two people in the same unit get together.

Let's say your unit is in a tight spot. Some bug-eyed aliens are going to overrun the galaxy. They eat babies, smell bad, and don't have elbows. Nasty. You're told to guard the rear. To let everyone else escape, someone is ordered "hold this spot until we're gone." Someone has to be left behind. You think it's going to be someone you're sleeping with?

I've served with these guys for eight months now. Yeah, some of them make me feel tingly (and yeah, James was kinda scruffy-cute). I hope I never have to decide who lives and who dies. But if I have to, my decision can't be muddled up by magic-sparkly-hearts-and-stars feelings.

Anyways, I'm gonna knock off here. I've got dog watch in a few hours. Want to get a shower and a meal before then. Talk at you tomorrow.

- Ash

This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes. Any reply may be read by military authorities.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agent Profile: Nihlus Kryik

Nihlus Kryik is one of the Citadel Council's most decorated Spectre agents. Cool under pressure, he has an uncanny ability to find an enemy's weakness and exploit it. [Continue]

Spectre Agent Nihlus Kryik

Nihlus Kryik is one of the Citadel Council's most decorated Spectre agents. Born in a small mercenary outpost outside Hierarchy space, he learned the hard way to fight for what he wanted. His father died when he was 16, and his mother forced him to join the turian military. His outsider status made life difficult; though he was always at the top of his class, his superiors and peers never truly accepted him.

As a soldier, Nihlus' skills were unquestionable. His attitude, however, often got him in trouble. On several occasions, he disobeyed direct orders to do what he thought was best. Although his instincts were usually proven right, his notoriety grew. Even when he single-handedly routed an enemy patrol, and saved his squad from ambush, his commanding officers berated him for his recklessness. His military career seemed to stall before it even began.

After being reassigned to a new squad for the third time, Nihlus was introduced to Saren Arterius, a fellow turian and a Spectre. Saren was impressed with the young soldier. He befriended Nihlus and offered to mentor him. Within a year of meeting Saren, Nihlus was asked to join the Spectres.

Free from the restrictions of military procedure, Nihlus excelled in his new role. He quickly stepped from his mentor's shadow and established himself as one of the Council's top agents. Since then, Nihlus has completed countless missions as a Spectre, each one more difficult and dangerous than the last.

Cool under pressure, Nihlus has an uncanny ability to find an enemy's weakness and exploit it. Though his methods aren't as brutal as Saren's, he will not hesitate to efficiently and thoroughly eradicate anything or anyone that stands in his way.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agent Profile: Saren Arterius

Saren Arterius is the longest serving turian member of the Spectres. Recently, he has become an outspoken opponent of human expansion in the galaxy, and many fear he may soon decide to take matters into his own hands.

Agent Profile - Saren Arterius

Saren Arterius is the longest serving turian member of the Spectres - the elite military operatives answering directly to the Citadel Council. For 24 years he has been an agent of the Council's will, a zealous defender of galactic stability in the unsettled border region of the Skyllian Verge.

Official records of Spectres are sealed, but it is known that Saren followed turian tradition and entered the military at the age of 15. In 2155 he was promoted to active service after only a year of training, though it is unclear whether his unit was involved in any of the battles against human forces during the First Contact War of 2157.

In 2159 he became the youngest turian ever accepted into the Spectres. Intelligent, cunning and capable, Saren quickly developed a reputation for ruthless efficiency. Although there were a number of unsettling rumors about the brutality of his methods, there was no denying his results.

In recent years Saren has become an outspoken opponent of human expansion. Like many other non-humans, he believes the Alliance has become overly aggressive in its efforts to establish the people of Earth as a dominant species in Citadel space. As a Spectre it is generally believed he will continue to follow the will of the Council in this matter, but there are some - particularly among the Alliance - who fear Saren may soon decide to take matters into his own hands.

WEB POLL : Do you think Saren is correct - are humans expanding too rapidly in the galaxy?

No - 51%

Yes - 33%

I'm not sure - 16%

Other - read my comments - 1%

Total votes : 14555

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wrex, Krogan Battle Master

Urdnot Wrex is one of the last krogan Battle Masters: rare individuals who combine powerful biotic abilities with the devastating firepower of advanced weaponry... [Continue]

Krogan Series Part 3: Wrex, Krogan Battle Master

Urdnot Wrex is one of the last krogan Battle Masters: rare individuals who combine powerful biotic abilities with the devastating firepower of advanced weaponry. Born into clan Urdnot, he quickly gained fame for his prowess in battle. He became a leader of one of the smaller Urdnot tribes while still a youth - the youngest krogan to be granted the honor in 1000 years…until he was betrayed by his own people.

The betrayal opened Wrex's eyes to the truth about the krogan: most would rather die in battle than try to rebuild their society through peaceful means. Realizing the warrior culture that once valued courage, strength, and honor had been reduced to glorifying pointless violence, Wrex turned his back on the rest of the krogan.

Over the past three centuries he has served no master but himself, working as a bodyguard, mercenary, soldier of fortune, and bounty hunter; there is little in the galaxy that can still surprise him. He doesn't speak often, but when he does his words are direct and often shockingly blunt - and people tend to listen.

Despite his brutish appearance, Wrex rarely loses his temper. The mere threat of his anger is usually enough to get what he wants. When his fury is unleashed, however, it is a truly terrifying sight.

WEB POLL : Would you have Urdnot Wrex in your party?

Yes, I can use all the firepower I can get - 88%

No, he seems too mercenary-minded - 10%

Other - read my comments - 3%

Total votes : 16674

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TECHNOLOGY

M35 Mako

The Mako is a light infantry fighting vehicle you'll get to use when exploring planetary environments. Equipped with laser-guided ordnance, micro- thrusters, and laser detection arrays, it's an essential tool to have in your arsenal. [Read more]

Technology : M35 Mako

For 20 years, the standard "battle taxi" of the Systems Alliance Marines was the M29 "Grizzly" Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV). While excellent in long-term planetary campaigns, the Grizzly's bulk and weight made it unsuitable for rapid deployment across the Alliance's expanding sphere of influence. To fill this increasingly important role, the M35 "Mako" IFV was designed to fit in the small cargo bays of Alliance scouting frigates. The M35's small size and low weight allow it to be easily deployed to virtually any world.

Since Alliance marines may be required to fight in a variety of planetary environments, the Mako is environmentally sealed and powered by a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. For deployment on low-gravity planetoids, it is equipped with micro-thrusters and a small element zero core, which can be used to increase mass and provide greater traction.

The "eezo" core can also be used to reduce mass, allowing the Mako to be safely air-dropped. This allows frigates to deploy their shore parties while limiting the ship's exposure to defensive anti-aircraft artillery. When used in conjunction with thrusters, mass reduction allows the Mako to extricate itself from difficult terrain.

The Mako's hull is covered with laser detection arrays, which forewarn the crew of enemy laser-guided ordnance. Ground-penetrating radar allows detection of anti-vehicle mines and other subsurface anomalies. These will be brought to the attention of the crew by the vehicle's micro-frame computer system.

Several combat support vehicles using the Mako's basic chassis are manufactured for Alliance surface garrisons. These include a recon drone controller, a mobile air defense platform, and the M38 military ambulance nicknamed "Moby" because it is painted white during peacekeeping operations. Shipboard Marines exclusively use the tactically flexible and heavily armed base model.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Normandy

Optimized for solo reconnaissance missions deep within unstable regions, and using state-of-the-art stealth technology, the Normandy is a prototype deep scout frigate. [Read more]

Technology : Normandy

Frigates are swift, flexible warships. Unlike larger vessels, they are able to land on planets. Although lightly armed, Alliance frigates usually carry a squad of marines for security and groundside duty.

The most important role filled by frigates is scouting and reconnaissance. Thanks to mass effect technology, ships and communications can travel faster than the speed of light. Sensors, however, are limited to the speed of light. If an enemy ship is a light year away, a stationary observer will only be able to see it when its light arrives in a year.

An attacker will always gain surprise against a defender; attacking ships moving faster than light will arrive long before their light speed-limited sensor data does. For defense, fleets are surrounded by spheres of scouting frigates. These vessels detect enemy ships passing by them, and transmit warnings to the main body. The Normandy is a prototype "deep scout" frigate, developed by the Systems Alliance with the assistance of the Citadel Council. It is optimized for solo reconnaissance missions deep within unstable regions, using state-of-the-art stealth technology.

For centuries, it was assumed that starship stealth was impossible. The heat generated by routine shipboard operations is easily detectable against the absolute-zero background temperature of space. The Normandy, however, is able to temporarily "store" this heat in lithium heat sinks deep within the hull. Combined with refrigeration of the exterior hull, the ship can travel undetected for hours, or drift passively for days of covert observation. This is not without risk. The stored heat must eventually be radiated, or it will build up to levels capable of cooking the crew alive.

Another component of the stealth system is the Normandy’s revolutionary Tantalus drive, a mass effect core twice the standard size. The Tantalus drive generates mass concentrations that the Normandy "falls into", allowing it to move without the use of heat-emitting thrusters. The heat sink and Tantalus drive systems allow the Normandy to loiter undetected in an enemy system to monitor traffic, or drop infiltration teams on enemy worlds. Should the Normandy’s design prove useful in field tests, it is expected that a follow-up class incorporating "lessons learned" will be produced.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[aceouttatime]

You don't have to hold hands to teach sign language, but Viktoria finds it necessary regardless. It's not as if they can just tell each other what they mean--our resident captured kabalim wouldn't understand a lick of it, and Lt. Lunetta isn't great at replicating the chirps, clicks, and trills of whatever turian dialect Iterius is speaking in. Truly a shame they haven't gotten their hands on a decent translating software.

Vik has to arrange her fingers into three to close the gap between them, and I think there's something poetic about that. I'll allow them to have one (1) soft moment. As a treat! Then back to The Horrors.

Anyways. Rendering is hard. I might poke around with this some more.

[illusivesoul]

N7 Month 2023 ‑ Day 28 Prompt: Contact

.

in 2157, turians found human explorers reactivating an inactive mass relay known as Relay 314. This was forbidden under the Citadel regulations, but instead of negotiating, the turians opened fire.

To the turians, it was merely a police action against an ignorant species violating Council law; to humanity, it was their first encounter with another intelligent race - and it would shape their views of the galaxy for decades to follow.

Eventually the turians broke through to attack Shanxi, the closest human colony to the mass relay, and settled in for a protracted orbital siege. With the turians able to kill any human soldiers from above, the Shanxi defenders began to starve, unable to get food or supplies without risking civilian lives. Eventually General Williams, Ashley Williams' grandfather, was forced to surrender the Shanxi garrison.

[dynamitegun]

You know how Ashley's entire arc in ME1 revolves around her family being ostracized by the Alliance for her grandfather's actions during the First Contact War? (This is the part of the date, where they go to the bathroom and never come back, btw)

I always felt the scapegoating of General Williams was especially horrible because he was thrown into an unwinnable battle. The Turians gained orbital superiority over Shanxi, and began striking anything that put up resistance.

Faced with either complete destruction, starvation or capitulation, an entire colony of civilians under his care Gen. Williams made the choice to surrender.

And apparently putting innocent lives before some pigheaded sense of honor? Paria for the rest of his life. Hell Ashley claims he'll go down in history beside Benedict Arnold (Who betrayed the infant United States to England during the AWI*) and Vidkun Quisling (The Nazi puppet leader of occupied Norway during WW2) when asked about his reputation.

*It's slightly my complicated then that but now isn't the time

He made a tough decision and people didn't like the outcome.

But the reason I bring this up is because I've always draw parallels with Shanxi being besieged and another battle that it reminds me of.

Bataan.

If you've never heard of it? So long as you're not Filipino or American I can't blame you. In those darkest days after the U.S entered WW2 an entire American army was to find itself fighting a forlorn hope on the Bataan peninsula 30 miles west of Manila after the Japanese invaded the archipelago.

For three months the American and Filipino forces fought a delaying action, waiting for reinforcements that were never to arrive. Bombed day and night as their guns fell silent. Artillery crashing down on them as their stomachs grew lighter from hunger. Day by day they were pushed backwards until almost completely out of supply and men having been fought to near exhaustion, their officers made the difficult choice to surrender.

That fell to Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, highest ranking officer left in the Philippines. Before his meeting with his Japanese counterpart, in telegram to President Roosevelt he explained his reasoning. I want to highlight a phrase he used that I think word for word describes Williams position perfectly.

"There is a limit of human endurance and that limit has long since been passed."

Something we're all familiar with as Mass Effect fans is having to make hard choices as a leader, that sometimes there isn't a 'Right' answer. Yet hidden in the lore of ME1 is probably one of the hardest choices in the series that we have nothing to do with.

But we understand.

[bagog]

N7 Month, 2023 - Day 28: Contact

I get fascinated by the idea of First Contact War reparations from the turians.

++

“Greetings, my name is Gnaeus Burollus, Minister of the Shang-xi Police Action Reparations Oversight Committee. I hope this letter finds you well. On behalf of the Turian Hierarchy, I would like to formally express my condolences for the loss of [autofill human soldier name] in the Shang-xi Police Action of 2157. We grieve this loss with you: it is a great loss for the galaxy whenever a unique, sentient being passes. At the same time, we recognize that death in such a misunderstanding as the Shang-xi conflict is doubly troubling. We salute the fallen on both sides as heroes. As the turian people mourn their own lost in that regrettable conflict, we wish to convey to you our deepest sympathies and the assurance the Turian Hierarchy is committed and re-invigorated in the cause of peaceful diplomacy with races new to galactic travel and Council regulations. To demonstrate this commitment, and in accordance with Council Decree 947-ST, the Turian Hierarchy has partnered with the human banking firm [autofill human banking firm] to help offset the costs incurred by you and your family as a result of the police action of 2157. We recognize no amount of money can replace [autofill human soldier name], but it is the Hierarchy’s hope—one held by all the turian people—that this currency will amplify what [autofill human soldier name] cared about in the galaxy at large, at that it may enrich your life now. For further information on Council Decree 947-ST or to donate to the Orphans of the Shang-xi Police Action fund, visit [autofill extranet address]. Thank you for your time, -Gnaeus Burollus”

“What do you think?” Gnaeus had his arms crossed in front of him, leaning back in his desk chair. Polonia stood nearby reading and re-reading the pad. “Well?” He asked, impatient.

“Give me time,” Polonia shot back. “We’re sending this letter out to 700 people and it represents the hierarchy, I’m taking my time.” She ran her eyes over the letter again. “Hmm, no apology, that’s good we don’t want to be using that kind of language. I think the call for donations to the orphan fund might be overdoing it.”

“You were the one who said you wanted that in there.” Gnaeus rolled his eyes.

“I know, I know. But now that I’m reading it, it feels distracting. And the more they’re distracted from the condolences, the more they’ll be looking for an apology the Hierarchy is not interested in issuing.”

“Okay, I’ll spin up a new draft.”

“Other than that, I think it looks good.”

“You’d be happy receiving a letter like that, right?” He asked hopefully, “You would feel satisfied?”

“Oh absolutely,” she replied almost dismissively. “Have you checked it through a translator? We don’t want another incident where “Welcome, Yoshvette!” turns out to translate as “Devour the people!” in Yosh.”

“As long as you think it’s fine as is though…”

“They’re humans, they’re new, they’re primitive. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel here.”

[details-and-space-paraphernalia]

[gwendolyn-of-loxley]

N7 Month Day 3: Flight

Mini-entry

The shuttle felt like a coffin.

Physically, David was as quiet as the rest of them. Internally, though, he was practically thrashing about. This quiet was the last thing any of them needed, and it was starting to make the whole squad sweat. David started going through ideas in his head. He knew these guys; what could he do?

He unconsciously turned his head, looking at the man beside him. Hendricks. Hendricks was never too hard to crack. But this wasn't mess hall; what could he do? What could somebody who might die in a few minutes still laugh at?

... perfect.

"Hey, Hendricks," David said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "How's your mom doing?"

Hendricks looked at him for a moment, and David was scared that this plan was going to fail before it had even begun.

"Fine," Hendricks said, but slowly, clearly suspicious. "Why?"

With it missing a beat, David practically blurted out, "'cause I heard your momma's so ugly, the marines thought she was a turian. Almost shot her!"

Dead silence. David began to sweat anew. Without thinking, he began to look around. Some of his teammates were starting to smile, but not a word or a laugh was shared. He almost let out a sigh of resignation, when Hendricks piped up from his seat.

"Hell, Anderson, I heard it was a picture of your momma that started this goddamn war in the first place!" A beat. "Scared the turians shitless."

The laughter that followed was unbelievable. Yelchin was practically roaring in her seat, while Olsen and McLeod started crying. Normally, David would have felt pretty small after getting put in his place, but it was the most relaxed he'd felt all day. Maybe even all week.

Maybe they'd make it through this mess after all.

[paintedcrows]

Unintended consequence of creating my own Bill... He watches me draw now...

The Horrible Triangle in question:

[dynamitegun]

In Harry Turtledove's World War series, Aliens land of Earth to conquer the planet... unfortunately arriving in late 1941 they find the world completely ready for global conflict.

Well one of the characters is a former barnstormer baseball player, Sam Yeager who enlists in the U.S Army as the aliens land in the American Midwest.

They capture several alien soldiers, diminutive reptilians who called themselves "The Race", (yes, very original) and are about to be shot when Sam intervenes. He's a Sci-Fi fan and argues that they'll be more use alive to be questioned then dead, and having consumed enough Asimov and Heinlein, he's the perfect candidate to guard them. To spoil a bit by the end of the series Yeager is one of Earth's foremost experts on the aliens. All because he showed a shred of compassion.

I wonder how long it took for the first human/turian relationship to happen

Like which turian was like "damn it sucks about the relay- I mean first contact war but you're cute, your waist is supportive, do you wanna go out sometime?" And which human responded with "yes" embarrassingly quickly?

The first human/turian relationship (or human/alien for the matter) to happen undoubtedly occurred during the first contact war amidst the laser bullets, invasions, and warships.

As brutal as war tend to be, the people in it stay people. Capable of empathy, of love, of untimely attachments. You don't get to choose when your heart beats or for whom it does, you can try to deny your feelings but they'll always find their way out eventually.

Could be a guard/war prisoner situation

Could be two enemy soldiers stranded and forgotten by their unit, the forced proximity of a small space making them work together and cooperate

Could be two nobodies who were never really soldiers but civilians at the wrong time and place, who crossed paths and bonded over their shared experience

And that's just the "offical" relationship status, while the first instance of a human falling head over heels for a turian happened much earlier, even before the invention of galactic translators, back when turians were viewed as screeching space dinosaurs with a freaky exoskeleton.

Back when the first turian soldier was apprehended, the human whose mission was to escort it to a secure cell and wait until the scientists requested an examination.

Back when the human made the mistake of looking into the turian's eyes, an unspoken yet familiar feelings washing over you. You understood those primal emotions of fear, confusion, and deep betrayal swirling in those dark eyes.

And you couldn't help... but feel sorry for it.

You didn't even know its gender or name at the time. You couldn't understand a single word it said. But you treated it with gentlness all the same, despite all the things you heard about the cruel and brutal species it came from in the reports.

And it turn, the turian seemed... almost grateful for your consideration. Those werid metallic feathers on its head wouldn't puff out around you as much as it did when your superiors came to question it to no avail, the mandibles on its cheek would click in an almost pleasent rhyme as you adjusted the borderline-painful cuffs on its limbs, loosening them to a more comfortable degree.

What confused you the most was how surprised the turian themselves seemed to be at their bodily reactions. Or maybe it was that they were having those reactions around you—a fleshy creature with headfur belonging to a barbaric bloodthirsty species—that made his stomach sink in the first place.

He tries to treat you with some resemblance of dignity, the very same you've shown him. Never really screeching at you, more akin to a deep chirping or growl.

You're curious; you keep staring at different parts of him, and the white sclera of your eyes is making it extremely obvious. If he wasn't concerned for his life and possibly impending doom right now, he might have found it a little endearing.

You have a name... he thinks. The very same melody notes those other humans keep calling you by. He tries to mimick it at one point but can't seem to get the notes right, to add insult to injury, the sound that come out are so gurgled that you think he's choking for a second and rush to him with water, the sterilised kind. At least your species gauged the dextro structure of turian genetics by now.

He repeats his own name to you from time to time. Lucky for him, human seem to have an innate understanding when you want them to repeat a sound back to you. The more he makes the same noise for you in succession, the more inclined you are to mimick it back at him.

He's not sure why he does it... it's not like you'll know its meaning. But he can't deny how much he longs to leave you something to remember him by. This war can't last forever. Eventually, he'll be returned to his planet and unit, either by his species decimating your own or by the galactic council stepping in and doing their diplomacy magic. He was never one for politics.

But on the very off chance that both of you survive... that both of you get out of here alive. Maybe, just maybe you'll remember his name and seek him out. At the very least, he'd like to properly thank you for the small kindness you've shown him. Preferably when he's not in chains, and when you're not being scrutinised under your superiors' steel gaze for daring to show mercy to an alien.

[ornithological]

this morning i watched a house sparrow in my garden pick up a blade of grass, and then another sparrow tried to yank it out of his beak and it was like that lady and the tramp scene just more violent

[idol--hands]

🚀: J.J. Lendl

[crapeaucrapeau]

Mass Effect geopolitics

Hey Mass Effect nerds, a question : is there any indication as to what are the mutual obligations of Council species in times of war ?

On the one hand, all Citadel species are bound by the Citadel Conventions, which dictate, among other things, what weapons they can use, or whether mercenaries are allowed on the battlefield, so there are at least some Rules of War ; but that's clearly only to a degree, since we know of at least two Council polities - the Systems Alliance and the Salarian Union - who each retain their own discrete way of conducting legitimate wars : humans declare wars before prosecuting them, whereas salarians consider that naive and never do.

On the other hand, each Council species is clearly required to handle matters that concern only them without any help (see also : the reason the Council does not consider helping the Alliance during the Collector crisis something they have to do). But there isn't a strict cujus regio, ejus religio ("you don't tell me how I deal with my problems, and I won't tell you how you should deal with yours") situation either : after all, the reason the Alliance doesn't get curb-stomped by the turians in 2157 is because the asari and salarians step in and negotiate a stop first to hostilities - "forcing a truce" - then to the war itself. In other words, there are some standards - whether formal or informal - to which all three Council species are held which can decide whether a war is allowed or not.

I'm asking because I'm considering whether the conflict between the Alliance and the Hegemony - kickstarted by Shepard's shenanigans in the Bahak system and which was about to start when the Reapers arrived from left-field and killed everyone - would have involved other species. I'm guessing that is not the case : the potential conflict in ME3 is described as strictly a matter opposing the humans to the batarians. At the same time, the reason I'm asking at all is that the Turian Hierarchy seems perfectly willing to signal that it stands ready to assist the Alliance against the Hegemony in at least some circumstances.

The batarians themselves go to great length to always attack the Alliance while maintaining at least a measure of plausible deniability (the Skyllian Blitz and the Asteroid X57 attack nominally being done by independent actors) ; the Alliance isn't fooled, but is the reason the Alliance doesn't go to war against the Hegemony that they don't want to go to war, that they are afraid they might lose the war (Joker in ME3 names the batarian navy as one of the heavy hitters of the galaxy, though that's obviously been widely overstated), or that they do want to go to war and think they can win it but need a casus belli to justify their position to their Citadel allies ? If the Batarian Hegemony had openly invaded the Systems Alliance in a war of aggression, could we have expected the turians to intervene immediately to defend the Alliance ? In which case, the destruction of the Bahak system by an Alliance officer would provide a casus belli to the Hegemony, making the intervention of the Hierarchy or any other Council power on the side of the Alliance scandalous at best ?

In other words, is it a matter of individual alliances between interstellar nations or - even likelier - ad hoc decisions dictated by the circumstances and public opinion ? Like, does it all depend on what your allies think is a "legitimate" war ?

What do you think ?

[aceouttatime]

WIP sketch of my First-Contact-era unlikely duo: Iterius and Viktoria. I'm letting them have a Single Happy Moment for the sake of my current Need to draw them holding hands. This is definitely how you teach someone sign language! Look at this man, look at him getting his education! (He has no idea what's going on.)

[stellanslashgeode]

Just realized I wanted to write an extremely horny fanfic in a 1930s pulp adventure novel kind of way and it turned into the mushiest love story I’ve ever written.

Art by @bluedeedeedoop

[dynamitegun]

So the Codex mentions that some Turians have picked up Confucianism and Buddhism in the aftermath of the First Contact War. Since both religions feature the concept of forgiveness and reconciliation as steps to enlightenment, i like to think that Shanxi, the site of the worst fighting during the First Contact War has a small Turian enclave living planetside, who performs civic projects like fundraising and clearing damage still present from the war, like undetonated explosives. Just a handful of veterans who want to make amends for the damage done during the war and are open to living alongside their former enemies as a sign of goodwill.

[ethosiab]

worst thing about writing/designing scifi as a person who hasn't had a lot of experience with the genre is the question of how much fiction can go into it before it stops being science fiction and starts being futuristic space themed fantasy