Beyond the Horizon

[MarkWarrior]

R&D Sidestory Part 1

“Wanna tell me why I’m getting picked as a team lead?” Dr. Kelley asked Dr. Rogers as she took apart the omnitool on the workbench in front of her.

“Because you’ve proven yourself reliable over the years, and you’ve already established a relationship with the Quarian,” Dr. Rogers replied as she took apart the micro fabricator and looked at it underneath a microscope. “This should scale up with a good power source,” She muttered to herself as she looked at the components.

“I’m just not sure that I’m the best choice for this,” Dr. Kelley looked at his mentor. “There’s still so much that I don’t know.”

“That’s life,” the woman replied. “You’re a scientist and an engineer, get out of your own head and start using it. Especially since I’m putting you in charge of figuring out how to hybridize our tech with this new stuff.”

“Alright,” Kelley stood up straight and squared his shoulders. “Where do you want me to start?”

“With picking out your team,” Rogers replied as she continued to document her findings. “Then you’re going to need to start talking to the experts we have on hand.”

“Understood,” Kelley sighed. “I’ll leave you to it.”

–
–

“I’m telling you, I have a fairly solid theory on what is causing the effect that the Asari seem to have,” Dr. Hale said as she took a sip of her whiskey while sitting in the Argo’s bar next to Dr. Rogers. “It’s something different. And it’s not related to these ‘biotics’ in any way.”

“Let’s go take a look at it,” Rogers said as she tossed back the last of her glass and then drunkenly staggered to her feet.

“For science!” Dr. Hale hiccuped as she drunkenly stood up as well.

“To the lab!” Rogers said as she use the gravity generated by the pods rotating around to assist her in moving to her specific lab. “Pull the lever Hale!” she cackled as she indicated the entry door to her lab. “Wrong Lever!” she shouted as the pod stopped spinning and they lost gravity.

“Why do you even have that one?” Janet Hale asked as she reset the spinning of the pod.

“I don’t actually remember,” Adamina replied. “I might be too drunk to remember that! But I’m not too drunk to do some mad science!” The two women giggled as they entered the lab and got to work.

–
–

“Dr. Rogers, open up!” the intercom speaker spoke.

“Go away!” Dr. Hale threw a screwdriver at the intercom, accidentally pushing the “talk” button. “I’m not awake yet!”

“Dr. Hale, we need to get into the lab in order to get our work done for the day,” the male voice said. “We’ve been trying to get in for the last couple of hours, but Dr. Rogers somehow blocked us from doing so.”

Dr. Hale finally opened her eyes all the way and immediately cringed as she looked at the sheer mess that she and Adamina had made of the lab.

“Come back in an hour,” She said as she finally stood up. “I don’t think that anyone should be in here right now.”

“Alright,” the voice replied. “We’ll be back in an hour.”

“Hey, Adamina, get up,” Janet nudged her friend with her foot until she woke up. “Do you have any idea what we did last night?”

“Something about mad science,” Adamina muttered before rolling over, her head resting on the short desk she was using as a pillow.

“Well, we might want to figure it out, because we completely wrecked your lab in the process of doing whatever it is we did last night,” Janet replied

“I guess we should get to cleaning,” Adamina said as she yawned, stretched, and finally stood up. “We can always go over the camera footage if we’re still foggy on the details.”

“I’m gonna go grab some coffee real quick,” Janet said. “Want anything specific to go with it?”

“A cream-cheese bagel,” Adamina replied. “I’m gonna need something in my stomach to help me process all of this.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

R&D Sidestory Part 2


“Well, we know what it looks like, but what does it do?” Dr. Rogers’ aide asked as they looked at the wraparound eyepiece that Dr. Hale and her had put together the night before.


“From what I remember from last night, we were trying to find a way to block the strange thing that the Asari do from working,” Dr. Rogers shrugged. “I’m pretty certain that we destroyed three or four neurohelmets trying to make this thing in the process though.”


“There are also five slates here that you dismantled,” another engineer spoke up. “Looks like you decided that we needed some of the microchips and solder that go into them for your device here.


“It looks like a cut-down neurohelmet at first glance,” one of the assistants spoke up. “But you included a whole HUD interface on this eyepiece. It’s actually nearly identical to the OS that we use on the Mithril in functionality.”


“It’s all starting to come back to me, just give me a moment, and then I’ll explain,” Adamina said as she took a massive gulp from her cup of coffee.


“So, the theory that Dr. Hale came up with is that the Asari generates low-level psionic fields in order to make themselves appear more attractive to whatever species that they are interacting with. From what we can tell, it affects everyone universally unless they are wearing a neurohelmet. From observations, the Asari don’t even realize that they are doing this, but the psionic field helps them figure out exactly how to shift their body language and speech patterns to assist in helping them find a mate or to influence whomever they are talking to. The Neurohelmet blocks this because it’s essentially already communicating with our brains at all times. Every suit of Mithril has one built-in for the HUD interface to work after all.”


“So by cutting down the Neurohelmet and turning it into something like this,” the assistant held up the eyepiece that the two doctors had drunkenly created the night before. “You think it can block the field?”


“To be honest, we were drunk and just basing everything off of Dr. Hale’s theory,” Rogers replied. “But if it works, then her theory will be proven right.”


“But how would someone not know about that sort of thing?” One of the aids asked. “You’d think that it would be fairly obvious to the Asari that they’re unduly influencing folks.”


“If this is true, then I’d assume that this is kept in the dark for all but the highest levels of society,” another assistant spoke up. “The more people that know a secret, the easier it is for it to leak. So, based on that theory, the field probably grows stronger the older the Asari is as well, which is why that Matron was so influential to that Quarian guy we had helping us.”


“But it can be resisted normally,” another engineer pointed out. “Because we have evidence that she tried to get Sura to leave as well but she chose not to.”


“We said low-level for a reason,” Dr. Hale said as she entered the lab. “I’m fairly certain that it can’t make you think things that you didn’t already think, but it does make it easier for them to get people to see things from their point of view. Which would explain why they have a reputation for being the diplomats of this galaxy.”


“Everyone feels like whatever Matriarch they send is on their side, even when negotiations aren’t necessarily in their favor.”


“That, and they probably make sure to only send Matriarchs that are ‘in the know’ as it were,” Dr. Hale replied. “They wouldn’t want to have a mistake happen by someone not trained using their field right.”


“Most of the Asari probably don’t even realize that they’re using this field,” Dr. Rogers stated. “They’re probably just going about their life, and are simply happy that everyone finds them attractive.”


“Well, this doesn’t exactly fix our whole mind control issue yet, does it?”


“Not until we can get these into production,” Rogers indicated the eyepiece and headset. “We’re going to need to see how we can improve this, and if we can make any of these compatible with some of the aliens down below.”


“Sounds like a plan,” the lead engineer said with a grin. “Just promise me one thing.”


“Yes?” Rogers asked with a raised eyebrow.


“No more drunk science without supervision,” the rest of the scientists laughed. “This is our lab too, and we’d appreciate it if it stayed intact.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Systems Alliance (Canon) Omake


“What the hell are you watching?!” Anita asked her assistant as the girl hurriedly tried to close the app she had opened on her multitool and instead projected a holographic image of what she had been watching, the moans and groans of the trio shown filling the air. “Why are you watching porn while on the clock Ms. Francis?” Then Anita notice exactly who was starring in the video. “Is that billionaire Henry Lawson?”


“Yes ma’am,” the assistant said as she finally managed to close her omnitool. “He’s kinda the biggest name in the industry right now.”


“I don’t want to know how or why you know that,” Anita growled. “You’re temporarily suspended until I’ve decided whether this is grounds for termination or not.”


“Yes ma’am,” the young woman said with an extremely vivid blush still on her cheeks.


“Just go,” Anita sighed. “I’ve got a call to make.”


Ms. Francis rushed out of the room and closed the door solidly behind her.


“Jack!” Anita said as soon as the connection settled. “Are you aware that one of your chief financial backers is currently the source of some adult and explicit content?”


“I know,” Jack said in a longsuffering tone of voice. “I’ve known for a couple of years now. You see, what had happened was…”


–

–


“So, you want me to start investing in porn?” Henry asked as he swirled his whiskey around in the glass.


“That is not what I said,” Jack facepalmed. “I said that I need you to invest in the entertainment industry as a whole. If we want to be able to compete with the council when we finally get to set foot on the galactic stage then we’ll need to break in with great content.”


“I hear you,” Henry said. “But the overall industry means that I need to not only invest in movies, and shows, but I also need to break into video games and other sources of entertainment. But if I want a return on said investment then I’ll need something bigger,” Henry leaned in. “And the biggest slice of the entertainment pie is the Adult Entertainment industry.”


“I’m not getting involved in the scandal that will occur should you head that route,” Jack puffed on his cigar.


–

–


“Henry, when I said to invest in the entertainment industry I meant financially, not physically and emotionally,” Jack tried not to beat his head into his desk.


“Jack, I’ve grown my empire by billions in the last few months though!” Henry cheered over the call. “By purchasing a lot of birth control suppliers and adult toy manufacturers, I’ve managed to not only make money off of participating in the vids themselves, but I’ve also managed to make money off of the ad revenue and the sales from the products! Plus, I get to have sex with some incredibly hot women.”


–

–


“How much has he contributed to your campaigns since then?” Anita asked over the call.


“More than he did before,” Jack sighed. “I’ve managed to put most of it into funding orphanages or other things, but I still can’t look Henry in the eye.”


“Who would have thought he’d take you literally though?” Anita asked. “I certainly wouldn’t have seen that coming.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

Negotiations (A Canon Omake set in the future)

The Citadel, circa 2170

“Ambassador Goyle,” I greeted the woman who sat across from me as I took my helmet off and set it on the desk before shaking her hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“It’s still odd to think that there could be other humans out there, but it is a pleasure all the same” the woman replied as she shook my hand firmly in return. “Now, I believe that you had something specific to discuss with the Systems Alliance.”

“Yes,” I replied as I stroked my beard. “We have a number of Jews, Muslims, and Catholics among our number. They would like to be permitted to make seasonal pilgrimages to these locations. I myself am a Protestant, but I agree that they should be able to at least see some of the holy sites. Especially considering that Jerusalem, Mecca, and the Vatican were all glassed in nuclear fire centuries before our departure and arrival here.”

“That is likely to be possible,” Anita replied as she considered everything. “What are you willing to offer in exchange though?”

“We are willing to offer the schematics of some of our directed energy weapons along with a few samples for experimentation,” I replied.

“I think that I can agree to that in general,” Anita replied. “But I’ll have to run anything specific by Parliament first.”

“That’s fine,” I replied. “I just wanted to get this negotiated for the most part and to give you and the Systems Alliance a warning.”

“A warning?” Anita looked alarmed. “What have we done?”

“Nothing yet,” I replied calmly as I settled my hands together in my lap. “But if a single one of my people vanishes or goes missing while on Terra then the Systems Alliance will soon find itself under new management.”

“You don’t have the ships or personnel to pull that off!” Anita’s ambassadorial aid protested.

“You wanna find out?” I asked as I looked into the man’s eyes with my threat evident and then glanced down at his nametag. “I believe that you don’t want to see what we’re capable of in the Terminus Commonwealth mister Udina. Keep that in mind as you go about your business.”

“I believe that we’ve spoken enough,” Anita interrupted. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Hull, I’m certain we can have our people draw up the right sort of papers for this.”

“It was a pleasure,” I replied. “Do try to keep your aids on a tighter leash next time though. Otherwise, they might be seen as a potential issue to be dealt with.”

 

[MarkWarrior]

It's Pretty Urban in here, isn't it?

Korlus, March 10 2182

"Archbishop Jones," Pope Urban XV greeted the current head of the Catholic Church in the Terminus Commonwealth. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I've thoroughly enjoyed our exchange of messages about theology and the doctrine of the Church.

"Pope Urban," Jones kissed the hand of the pope. "I've enjoyed explaining the changes in our system and why it has worked for those whom I shepherd."

"Your thorough examination of scripture and your defense in regards to why you implemented the changes has prompted us to implement no small few of them in the Systems Alliance," Pope Urban replied. "It took some doing to convince the Church as a whole to allow the Priests and Nuns to marry and have families, but your wholehearted defense has allowed us to make a change for the better, I believe."

"It will allow your priests to better understand and minister to those who have families of their own," Jones said with a smile. "Would you care to see the church that I currently pastor?"

"I would love to," Urban responded immediately.

"It is a bit of a ways away, but I believe the walk will do us two old men good," Jones said as he began walking through the arcology that the building was housed in.

"What you are doing on Korlus is impressive," Urban said as he studied the orderly buildings that were being constructed out of recycled ship materials.

"I wish that the church could take credit for most of the work," Jones said as he looked around. "But alas, Duke Hull is a Protestant, and was the one that began the work to transform this world into a place that is capable of sustaining life again."

"And what is it that the Church has done to assist in helping the poor? And those who we are called to assist?" Urban asked as they walked through the busy streets.

"We are building and maintaining housing for those in need," Jones replied. "Along with hiring those with the requisite skills to train and assist them in being able to support themselves over time. Those who are disabled or too young or old to work have been given tasks that help out those even less fortunate than themselves, such as helping to knit socks or helping sort the recycling."

"How are you funding all of this?" Urban asked. "It seems like a massive undertaking."

"It is," Jones said as he stopped at a medium sized and plain building compared to everything around it, the only things marking it as a church being the cross on the roof and the plaque that lay on the front wall. "But while we started with a small group of Humans we have found that the message of grace is appealing to those of every species. And so we have been able to afford the work we do through the tithes that we receive. And I hold public audits of what the church in the Commonwealth does with its funds so that there is nothing hidden from the sight of Man or God."

"The building is rather plain," Urban said as he saw the folding chairs leaned up against the wall, with a small raised stage at one end. "Does it not bother you?"

"Why should it?" Jones asked. "The building is less important than the people who come to be ministered to. The building is also used as a meeting hall for public officials and is sturdy enough to survive an orbital bombardment should we have to shelter those in need. With eezo fields and the power generators as well as the greenhouses that are underneath our feet we are able to take care of people even should disaster strike and the rest of the arcology fall."

"Why such an emphasis on disaster preparation?" Urban asked as he pulled out a folding chair and sat down in it as Jones handed him a small cup of tea.

"Because while our regular works are sufficient for every day needs, there will come a day when the worst happens, and on that day the church will respond in being able to both care for and defend those in need. All of the Protestant churches in the Commonwealth have the same preparations. Because while we might have differing beliefs in some ways, we all desire to show the love and grace of Christ to all people not matter what species they may be."

"Hmm," Pope Urban stroked his small goatee. "Tell me more about these preparations…"


Author’s Note: mainly written on my phone. Expect some fixes to errores… etc

 

[MarkWarrior]

Backchannel Politics Part One
(Same time as Pope Urban meets with Archbishop Jones)

As the papal security detail continued to move through the domed city a figure broke off and disappeared into an alleyway, reappearing a short while later dressed in clothing that looked like it had come out of an eighties apparel shop.

"Alright," Agent Walker said as she shook her blond hair out. "Chuck, you hear me?"

"Loud and clear," her partner replied. "Remember that this op isn't intended to do anything more than gather basic data on where the human part of the Terminus Commonwealth are from. We're not looking to start a war here."

"I know, Bartowski," Agent Walker replied as she made her way to a cafe, hoping to start by picking up some local gossip. "I'll be careful."

"If you need an exit, we do have an embedded agent in a small tech shop in this city," Chuck informed her. "You'll be asking for John Casey. He's in deep cover though and we'd prefer not to burn him if we don't need to."

"I understand!" Sarah said a bit frustratedly.

"Everything alright?" A pretty Batarian waitress asked.

"Boyfriend," Walker smiled awkwardly. "He means well, but I don't always need him looking out for me."

"Well, let me know if you need anything," the waitress walked away to another table.

"I'll have a coffee, please," a male voice said beside Walker as a middle aged man settled into a seat at the counter beside the SAI agent. "Black, and whatever the pretty lady beside me wants as well."

Walker didn't shift position too much, not wanting to give anything away.

"You're good," the man said lowly, nearly imperceptible to everyone but Walker. "If we hadn't been paying close attention to the papal visit we wouldn't have seen you at all."

"What made me?" The blond asked as she turned and looked at the salt and peppered man.

"The hair and accent," the man shrugged. "It's something you need a little work on. Now, you can come quietly and we'll just have a small chat. Or you can cause a ruckus and we'll have to grab your partner too," the man took a sip of coffee. "Choice's yours."

"I'll come quietly?" Walker asked, searching for a name.

"You can call me agent Chimera," the man said as he drained the cup before throwing down a chit with enough money on it to cover the drink and a tip with extra.

---

"So, where's the interrogation and cuffs?" Walker asked as she sat in a room with Agent Chimera.

"There ain't gonna be an interrogation," Chimera grunted. "We're here to establish a relationship. An… understanding as it were. We're trying to figure some things out. And we're willing to trade intel for intel."

"I'm listening," Walker said as she leaned forward.

"This is a one time use pad," Chimera slid a slate across to the blond. "It's got the beginnings of a deal on it. Take it to your superiors and come back with a response. We'll keep an eye out for you and your partner."

"It may take a little while before I'm able to return with a response though," Walker stated.

"That's fine." Chimera shrugged. "We'll be here waiting."

—
—

"Sarah!" Chuck exclaimed as he pulled the woman into his arms and laid a kiss on her forehead. "I was about to come in guns blazing. Are you okay?"

"I'm good," Sarah replied as she wrapped her arms around her lover. "I just had to go comms silent for a bit."

"What happened?" Chuck asked as he sat down.

"A series of unusual events," Sarah Walker replied. "I'll tell you all about it as we make our way back to the Systems Alliance. I've got something the brass are going to be very interested in."

Author's note: This is part one of the side stories that should flesh some details out.

 

[MarkWarrior]

Batarian Madness: Part one



“General Balak, the Hegemon’s palace is ours,” a shadowy figure reported as she knelt, the cloaking on her armor distorting her image.

“Good,” Balak said as he continued to survey Khar’Shan through his terminal and give orders to his various senior officers. “And the Hegemon?”

“Committed suicide rather than allow us to capture him,” the shadow reported.

“Fine,” Balak sighed. “Looks like I’m going to have to do it myself.”

“Sir!” a young Batarian officer entered the room at a run. “The entirety of the military and slaves that were revolting have surrendered.”

“Separate them,” Balak ordered. “We’re going to have to comb through the records of both sides before a decision is made on what to do with them.”

“Yes sir!” the Batarian saluted and then turned to leave the room.

“What is your will?” the shadow asked once the officer had left.

“Start gathering up the Commissars,” Balak ordered. “We must determine who was falsely imprisoned and work to see if they are still valuable.”

“You are aware that they will be trying to purge their records?”

“Yes, that’s why you’re going to be seizing their records before they are able to dispose of them,” Balak smirked. “There is much to be done before we begin rebuilding the Hegemony into what it once was.”

“It will be done as you wish, Hegemon,” the Shadow inclined her head before standing up and vanishing.

“Always dramatic, that one,” Balak mused as he turned to survey the holographic representation of Khar’Shan once again. “Now, to begin planning for the future.”

---

“I see that the Warlords have broken off,” Balak stated as he looked at the advisory council that he had formed once he had taken the position of Hegemon. “Unfortunately, we lack the forces to subjugate those worlds and will have to oust them as pirate states.”

“Our economy is just beginning to recover from the civil war,” the economics advisor stated as he sent over some of his reports. “Opening back up to the Citadel and Council races was a boon that we desperately needed.”

“We must find ways to demonstrate that we are not party to whatever it is the new pirate nations will do,” Balak stated. “The days of the Hegemony funding pirate and slave raids are over.”

“Cut off all trade with them,” an Admiral stated. “We need to dedicate most of our resources to building up our navy and army back up to pre-war levels anyway. Cut them off from trade and treat them as the other nations will.”

“Find me legal ways to declare it properly,” Balak nodded toward the Keeper of the Laws. “I would rather have precedent but will establish new precedents if necessary.”

“I will comb through the ancient laws,” the Ancient looking Batarian inclined his head. “We were not always slavers and did indeed have pirate problems of our own.”

“Good,” Balak stated. “Is there anything else we need to discuss before we move on to other matters?”

“What are we to do with the slaves that were unskilled?” One of the chief magistrates asked. “While we freed and have started paying the skilled and talented slaves above fair wages, the unskilled ones are not as valuable.”

“We will start programs giving them the skills that we need as a society,” Balak stated firmly. “It will take some time to phase out slavery and begin automating the factories and other jobs. If we desire to rise above the other interstellar nations then we must adapt to the modern world. There is much that we have fallen behind on in our corrupted state.”

“There is still much rebuilding to be done,” one officer said with a sigh. “Some of the slaves are mind broken, and it is impossible to assist them in any way.”

“I will approach the Council about returning that group of people to the nations that they were taken from,” Balak said as he looked around at the advisors. “But we cannot do the same with the skilled laborers until they have taught their skills to enough people for us to not be reliant on them. At this point, there are many in our nation that do not understand how their basic technology works or how to repair it. We need to reeducate and reevaluate once we have achieved our basic goals of stabilizing what is left of our society,” Balak noted that all of the advisors looked like they were in need of rest.

“This meeting is over,” Balak said as he stood up. “Go, get some rest, you will do the Hegemony no good if you are dead on your feet. This work can wait until the morning.”

“With all due respect,” Abramak Krefseth, the new head of the SIU replied. “But I’ll rest when you do sir.”

“We will all get some rest,” Balak said with a small glare at the General that was sitting smugly. “Go home to your families, there is much work to be done in the next few years, and that work begins tomorrow.”

Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, My roof took a bit longer than expected, and due to working my regular job and then re roofing my house, I've just not had a lot of time to write. Normal schedule should resume next Monday.