Preview: At First Glance.

[Rommel]

Story overview: The tale of how the Quarians came to join the Terran Empire, centered around the actions of Admiral Qualla'Laroy Vas Ikava of the Flotilla, and Prince Garyson Taylor of the Empire.

Genres/Themes explored: Combat, diplomacy, conversion, and romance. My usual fare.

Status: Over 80% complete I'd say. Just waiting til' I get my hands on ME2 and get a good feel of the Migrant Fleet. Gods willing that will be soon.

[Rommel]

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

At First Glance: Prologue.

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Quarian Frigate 'Vilaya', Unknown System, July 6th, 2157.

"Relay cleared. Scanners are showing local interference, looks like a roaming ion storm passed through here." Pilot Regar'Orim Vas Vilaya reported.

"Make note of it. What do the Arega and Kilarr report?" Captain Signa'Rol Vas Vilaya asked.

Sensor Operator Kirar'Zarol Vas Vilaya cried out, "Captain, dozens of contacts closing at high speed!"

"What? Are they Citadel?" The Captain demanded.

"Unknown configuration, massive power readings. Looks like several wings of fighters, a pair of Cruisers, and a number of smaller ships, definitely not frigates however." Kirar'Zarol replied.

"Can we run?" Signa'Rol asked.

The Pilot answered, "Not a chance, we're being targeted already."

"Ancestors preserve us." Signa'Rol said quietly.

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Hawkbat-1, Elysium system.

"Three contacts, Frigate sized, not responding to IFF. Hawkbats, move to assess the situation." Flight Commander Warren heard over his comm.

He keyed the squad frequency, "Alright Hawkbats, you heard the man, let's go tag us some bogies. Weapons hold for now."

"Aww Commander, spoil my fun?" Hawk-2 came back.

"Can it Hawk-2." Warren ordered.

The Fighter Squadron streaked toward the Elysium Relay, soon receiving telemetry from the defense satellites positioned inside the ion curtain.

'Hrm' Warren thought, keying his comm again, "Elysium Command, these guys are definitely not Turian, ADTC is confirming they are also not Citadel ships, requesting response."

"Confirmed Hawkbats, Alpha Flight is being scrambled now, hooking you in to Commodore Herman's comm." Elysium Command responded.

"Affirmative Command, thanks." Warren switched to squad frequency, "Listen up boys and girls, take up a holding pattern here, Alpha Flight is being scrambled to assist."

"Hawk-3, holding sir."

"Hawk-4, in position.

"Hawk-5, holding."

"Hawk-6, holding."

Warren keyed the comm again, "Hawk-2, get your scrawny ass back here."

"Sorry sir." The man replied, "I just get excited sometimes."

"Dammit Moreau, you're lucky you have enough skill that I don't kick your ass myself." Warren stated.

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INC 'El Dorado', Elysium System.

"We are closing Commodore, I'm fairly certain they can see us by now." Tactical Officer Delgado announced.

"Are they taking any action?" Commodore Herman asked.

"Negative sir." Delgado said, then, "Sir, ADTC has a match. Their configuration suggests Quarian. Data coming in now.. Apparently they are a former Citadel race, not anymore, they live in exile. No other data available."

"Well, thank the fates we have a translation program then. Perhaps this First Contact will go better than last time. Open a channel." The Commodore ordered.

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Quarian Frigate 'Vilaya'

"Arega is requesting to flee." Sensor Operator Kirar'Zarol informed.

"If we flee we shall surely be cut down. Order them to stay in position for now." Captain Signa'Rol ordered.

Her mind was racing, this looked like a First Contact situation. Just by looking at these strange vessels she could tell they were radically different from any known race. They were obviously a newcomer however, this system had been surveyed less than 60 years before by the Citadel. The question was: Would this be another Rachni situation, or something else entirely?

"We are being hailed by one of the unknown vessels." Kirar'Zarol said.

"Accept the hail." Signa'Rol ordered.

Through the bridge speakers came a voice in obviously translated Quarian, "Attention Quarian vessels, I am Commodore Herman, you have entered the Elysium System, territory of the Terran Empire. State your business and intentions immediately."

The entire bridge crew were looking at each other. "Terran Empire?" Pilot Regar'Orim asked.

"Never heard of them. Do you think the Citadel knows about them?" Kirar'Zarol asked.

"To hell with the Citadel." Signa'Rol stated, before replying to the hail, "This is Captain Signa'Rol of the Quarian vessel Vilaya. Our intentions are peaceful, we were searching for a system to resupply our fleet. I apologize that we unwittingly entered your space."

After a moment the Terrans responded, "Understood Captain, no harm was done. In the spirit of friendship and on behalf of Governor Hellman and the Empire I extend the use of this system for sanctuary and an offer of supplies."

Captain Signa'Rol was shocked, "Thank you Commodore, I will relay the offer to the Fleet commanders. If we may transit back now?"

Before they received a reply Kirar'Zarol spoke, "Relay activity Captain."

Signa'Rol looked over the sensor data, "This is odd."

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INC 'El Dorado'

"Multiple contacts, Turians. They are firing." The Tactical Officer reported.

Commodore Herman hit the comm, "Quarian vessels, make evasive away from the relay, NOW!"

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Quarian Frigate 'Vilaya'

"Turian vessels have opened fire, the Kilarr is hit and drifting." The Sensor Operator screeched.

The comm line was still open, "Quarian vessels, make evasive away from the relay, NOW!" Commodore Herman ordered.

"Get us out of this fight, order the Arega to follow, we can do nothing for the Kilarr." Captain Signa'Rol ordered.

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INC 'El Dorado'

"Two of the Quarian vessels are moving, the third is adrift." Delgado reported.

"Frag this." Herman said, hitting the comm, "Strike Craft, cover the disabled Quarian ship. All Gunboats, ram some missiles down the throat of those Turian Frigates. Rio Grande, form up, we're going after the Cruisers."

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Hawkbat-1

"Affirmative, moving to cover Quarian vessel." Flight Commander Warren replied, switching channels, "Hawkbats, cover the drifting Quarian vessel."

The Mustang Interceptors hit their boosters, moving into position between the attacking Turian forces and the Quarian Frigate.

"Incoming Turian Torpedo-Bombers." Hawkbat-3 said.

"Light em' up, weapons free." Warren ordered.

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INC 'El Dorado'

"Incoming torpedoes, Gunboats reporting 2 Turian Frigates destroyed." Tactical Officer Delgado announced.

"Status of the enemy Cruisers?" Herman asked.

"One of Rio Grande's targets has been destroyed, they are moving on the second. Third and fourth enemy Cruisers are moving on the Quarian vessels." Delgado reported.

"Intercept them." Herman ordered. 'Why would those bloodcrazed bastards attack people they have no quarrel with?' He thought to himself.

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Quarian Frigate 'Vilaya'

"Turian Cruisers are strafing us." Sensor Operator Kirar'Zarol informed.

"Evasive!" Captain Signa'Rol ordered.

The lead Turian Cruiser swooped over the Frigate like a bird of prey, firing again and again with it's M/A cannons.

"Direct hits on several sections, we are venting atmosphere on decks 3 and 4." Kirar'Zarol reported.

"Captain, look!" Pilot Regar'Orim cried.

The Turian Cruiser was visible through the forward windows, streaking past them. As it started to turn, the gas cloud near it suddenly came alight. Dozens of projectiles poured into the enemy vessel, destroying it completely.

Signa'Rol walked over to the Sensor station, "Keelah! What was that?"

Kirar'Zarol pointed to a small screen, showing the second Turian Cruiser lining up for an attack. The Terran Cruiser was faster though, gaining on the Turians fast, the forward section glowing bright with weapon discharges, bursts of green energy hitting the Turian Cruiser, cutting through it's hull and core, annihilating the ship.

Kirar'Zarol pointed to another panel on the Sensor station, "The Turians have all been destroyed."

Captain Signa'Rol was shocked. A Turian patrol fleet, 4 Cruisers, 12 Frigates, destroyed in a matter of minutes by 2 Cruisers, 6 of those smaller vessels, and two squadrons of fighters. These Terrans were incredibly formidable warriors. She had to get back to the Flotilla and let them know of this development.

"The Terrans are hailing us." Kirar'Zarol informed.

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INC 'El Dorado'

"Captain Signa'Rol, I'm sorry your ships were in the middle of that. The Turians are vicious, uncaring animals." Commodore Herman said.

"We are still alive Commodore, thanks to you and your forces. We need to return to the fleet and get assistance for the Kilarr." Signa'Rol responded.

"Your vessel near the Relay is venting atmosphere fast, I doubt they will survive long enough for help to arrive. I would like to call for a tug and tow it to our orbital yards here." Herman stated.

The comm was silent for a moment, "We accept your offer Commodore. We still need to inform the fleet of the activities here, we shall return soon."

"Understood, El Dorado out." The Commodore replied, turning to the Comm officer, "Get a tug and support ships up here on the double."

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Quarian Dreadnought 'Siiya'

"Captain Signa'Rol, explain to the Admiralty Board one more time what exactly happened on the mission." Admiral Reslar'Gatto Vas Nouil ordered.

Captain Signa'Rol began, "We entered the system without issue. Sensor Operator Kirar'Zarol reported sensor efficiency was reduced because of the surrounding nebula and what he assumed to be a roaming Ion storm. After checking that the Arega and the Kilarr had transited without issue we detected several contacts moving toward us at high speed. They closed the distance before we were able to react and assumed a holding position near us."

She paused a moment, "After a moment we received a hail. They identified themselves as vessels of the 'Terran Empire', and the system as 'Elysium', and demanded to know our intentions. I answered truthfully, explaining that we had been scouting ahead for the Migrant Fleet, and apologized for violating Terran space. The man identified himself as Commodore Herman, and made an offer of sanctuary and supplies to our three ships and the Migrant Fleet. It was then that a Turian attack flotilla entered the system, 4 Cruisers and 12 Frigates. They opened fire immediately, disabling the Kilarr. At the urging of the Terrans we moved out of the fire zone, the Terran Fighters took a position between the Kilarr and the Turians. Two of the Turian Cruisers came after us, causing heavy damage to the Vilaya. They were subsequently destroyed by the Terran forces, the entire engagement lasted less than 3 minutes. The Terrans did not lose a single vessel. The Commodore extended another offer, to tow the Kilarr to their own orbital shipyards and commence repairs, which I accepted because they would not survive long enough for a repair ship from the Flotilla to arrive. Then we returned through the Relay to report."

"Captain Lorol'Ogar, do you corroborate this account?" Admiral Reslar'Gatto asked.

The other Captain spoke, "I do Admiral."

"Do you agree with Captain Signa'Rol's actions?" The Head of the Admiralty Board, Admiral Yallar'Rayya Vas Siiya asked.

"I completely agree with the way Captain Signa'Rol handled what was a very, very difficult situation." Captain Lorol'Ogar stated.

"You are both dismissed." Admiral Larras'Saven Vas Aleen informed them.

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"I'm not even sure where to begin." Admiral Yallar'Rayya said.

"This could be a great opportunity." Admiral Gula'Siva Vas Arrara stated.

"Or a great tragedy. We know nothing of these Terrans except they seem to be at war with the Turians." Admiral Serev'Vanos Vas Kiilo countered.

"I fail to see the point. The sensor records reinforce Captain Signa'Rol's story, the Turians had superior numbers and were still taken down easily. Maybe it is time for us to join the greater galactic community again, and pick a side." Admiral Larras'Saven Vas Aleen said.

Admiral Reslar'Gatto Vas Nouil spoke, "It is not wise to involve ourselves in a war we have no part in."

"It seems we are already in this war, through no fault of the Terrans. The Turians attacked us, the Terrans defended us. This is as good a time as ever to reclaim our place in the galaxy." Admiral Qualla'Laroy Vas Ikava stated.

"All this talk is premature. We know nothing about these Terrans, yet." Yallar'Rayya interjected.

Serev'Vanos perked up, "What are you thinking?"

Yallar'Rayya stood, "I propose we take the Siiya and several other ships through the Relay, and accept the Terran's offer of sanctuary and resupply. We will observe them firsthand, and then decide whether to bring the rest of the fleet through. All in favor?"

Admiral Qualla'Laroy stood first, then Admirals Gula'Siva and Larras'Saven.

Admirals Serev'Vanos and Reslar'Gatto remained sitting.

"This is a mistake." Serev'Vanos stated.

Yallar'Rayya sighed, "It could be, but the offer is far too attractive to turn down. And we still have to recover the Kilarr."

Serev'Vanos and Reslar'Gatto stood after a moment.

"It is settled then. We shall meet these Terrans." Yallar'Rayya stated.

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End of Prologue.

Questions, comments, criticism, feel free to share.

[Convicter]

Very good, sorry RL is taking a toll on you. I hope things settle down for you so you can continue your obvious hobby. Imperial Glory is a fantastic crossover. Melding W40K and ME perfectly, I look forward to any of your work but your focus on the lesser races in the genre leaves me speachless.

Thank you for your pheonominal writing, its been a long time since I have read anything that ignited my imagination like this, reminds me of my younger days. =)

[anna18]

Very well said, thank you.