THE CITADEL, Private Council Chambers, 2515 CSD
The three members of the Citadel Council controlled, between them more political, economic and military power than any other sapient beings in the galaxy. It was galling, in a way, to sit calmly and listen to a report that summarized for them the fact that all of their power and influence were useless. No fleet or Specter could end this threat.
It was like listening to a prophecy of an apocalypse, after the end had already begun.
"In conclusion, given the current rate of attacks and the continual improvement displayed by the Outsiders, unless a way is found to attack through their portals, all predictions point to a great many more worlds being lost in the next ten years" finished Admiral Axuus Meridius, a no-nonsense Turian who had advised the Council on military matters for more than twenty years.
"Surely, Admiral, there is some hope in these predictions, our peoples have stood for more than a thousand years." queried Councilor Tevos anxiously.
This drew the Turian Councilor from his contemplative staring at his Salarian counterpart, he had not been paying full attention to Admiral Meridius as he had received the breifing earlier when the Admiral arrived on the station, and it seemed as if the Salarian Councilor, Movin, had a new card he was getting ready to play. Damned Salarian brinksmanship! We have no time for this nonsense.
"Councilor Tevos, you and I both both know just how grim the big picture is, with the loss of Irune last year and the Volus being evacuated to various colony worlds, both the economy and morale have hit new lows throughout Citadel Space. Palaven and Sur'Kesh coming under siege this year have just added to the problem." the Turian Councilor, Menelus informed her.
"Admiral, we thank you for your time" he continued, dismissing the Admiral, while his facial expression let the Admiral know that they'd be talking later, in depth.
Councilor Tevos acknowledged both Menelus' point and the dismissal of the Admiral with a graceful nod of her head and followed her fellow Councilor's attention to their Salarian compatriot.
"Councilor Movin, you have something to add?" she asked calmly, centuries of experience allowing her to dismiss her anxieties for later.
Councilor Movin sat forward in his chair, uncharacteristically eager to speak.
"Indeed, while Admiral Meridius did give a good summation of the situation, I have an expert from the STG who will be able to give us hard facts and projections of future Outsider activity as well as a proposed mission to relieve the situation that will require full Council support to implement." Movin spoke quickly, as Salarians are wont to do. "with your permission Councilors, I will ask him to make his presentation now."
Tevos and Menelus looked briefly at one another, having worked together for slightly over fifteen years, they had a good rapport and could communicate a great deal with just a look. Quickly deciding to indulge their newest member, they both turned back to Movin.
"Please proceed, Councilor" Menelus said, gesturing to the intercom on the arm of Movin's chair.
"Thank you" Councilor Movin replied while triggering his intercom "Dr. Solus? Please come and present your findings."
Quickly entering the room, a brown toned Salarian, considered handsome among his people, and by those inclined to be attracted to Salarians, entered the room. He was dressed in the uniform of the STG and carried himself with great energy and enthusiasm.
Bowing deeply, Dr. Lorn Solus wasted no time getting to the point. "Greetings Councilors. Have with me results of thousands of simulations run on Outsider activity patterns and predictions of what is to come."
Activating his omnitool to display holographic representations as he went, Dr. Solus continued. "During last fifteen years a total of thirty two planets have manifested "portals" within their oceans. When portals are disgorging Outsiders measurable spike in radiation detected and portal expands accordingly."
Dr. Solus took a breath as the holograms showed footage of various portals, including some rare footage of Outsiders emerging from them.
"Other than tragic events at Irune, emergence of Outsiders follows mathematical progression in frequency of attacks and power of creatures." Dr Solus continued "Obvious that creatures are being adapted to methods used to combat them. Worrying."
Dr. Solus triggered another set of holograms, displaying the planets currently under siege as well as various simulations run by the STG.
"Outsiders are what could be called an Outside Context Problem. Current civilization has no context for attacks of this kind. No method to respond to attacks efficiently. If current trends continue, even with progress made on better weaponry, better means to fight, outcome inevitable. Planetary civilizations overwhelmed, all survivors reduced to living in space as Quarians do." Dr. Solus pronounced the last almost dispassionately, but with an undertone of deep sadness.
"Surely you didn't come here simply to tell us we are doomed Doctor!" exclaimed Menelus appealed at what he was seeing.
"No Councilor! Would never do that! To lose hope is to lose the war." Dr Solus replied sounding more confident than anyone who had presented such a report should. "We have developed plans. Gathered intelligence. Need Council support."
Dr Solus then triggered a new round of extraordinarily appalling images, so grotesque that none present knew quite what to make of them.
Before he could begin speaking, Councilor Tevos exclaimed "What is this? What are we seeing?"
"Images taken from surface of Irune last week" Dr Solus replied. "It is certain that Irune has become breeding ground for Outsiders. As more mature, they enter portals and are seen on other worlds."
Dr. Solus took a breath, steeling himself. "Due to this, the Special Tasks Group formally requests that, with Aru system be evacuated and quarantined and that anti-matter bombs be deployed against Irune to sterilize the surface. Prevent further Outsiders being produced there. Will slow the rate of attacks"
Silent shock settled over the room. Legally, Dr. Solus had just asked the Council to commit a war crime that the Council itself had drawn up the laws forbidding.
Then again, Irune apparently no longer fits any definition of "garden world" Menelus thought, while looking at the other Councilors. But there's something else.
"We will have to discuss it privately, Dr. Solus, but you do make a compelling argument" Menelus told him.
"However, I can tell that this is not all you are bringing us today" The Turian Councilor finished.
Dr. Solus straightened his uniform jacket and continued "No. Sterilizing Irune will slow the attacks. Not stop them. More must be done. The problem is Outside Context. Must look outside normal context for solution."
Dismissing the holograms, Dr. Solus got to the most important part of his presentation.
"Nothing within current knowledge will give the edge needed for victory. We must look outside what we know. For an Outside Context Problem, we will need an Outside Context Solution. We have a new scout cruiser available, SUSS Silent Step. The STG formally requests exemption from laws for this ship to allow exploration beyond known relays." Dr. Solus continued"Must look for new solutions, research not enough, new races, new sources of Precursor technology. Any advantage."
While Tevos and Movin questioned Dr. Solus further on details of funding and the various legalities surrounding his proposed mission, Menelus, having already decided, was instead calling up the details of Citadel and Turian Fleet distribution and considering what ships and commanders were properly discreet enough for the distasteful task set before him.
Councilor Tevos wrapped up the meeting "Dr. Solus, thank you. We appreciate your frank and honest appraisal and your recommendations, we will inform you of our decision regarding your proposed mission within one standard day"
Dr Solus bowed to the assembled Councilors. "It has been an honor" he replied, before turning on his heel and departing the room.
Alone at last, the Citadel Council felt the weight of the galaxy settle firmly on their shoulders.
One week later, the surface of Irune was molten slag, it's atmosphere burned away.
One week after that, SUSS Silent Step activated a dormant relay in the Nemean Abyss and vanished from known space.