Retrospectives! (Or, What's Happened In the Last Year?)

Just to make things clear for the new guys - and give the old guys a reference without having to go back to the old forums. At least for now. Apparently, there's going to be a proper link in the future, so consider this a stop-gap measure until then.

For the new guys, read the following below:


So, you have the rules, and you have a nice bare-bone idea of what's happening. With no further ado, the retrospectives can be found here:

Asari: The Path Ahead
Asari: Transcript of the address by Matriarch Julena, 22nd of Sun's Greeting, delivered from Attena to the Thessian legislature
Asari: Illium Board of Governors' End of Financial Year Public Report
Batarian: Excerpts from Plight of the Castes (part 1 of 3)
Batarian: Excerpts from Plight of the Castes (part 2 of 3)
Batarian: Excerpts from Plight of the Castes (part 3 of 3)
Drell: As Relays Reopen, An Institution in Flux
Drell: Primacy Speaks Out In Underage Soldier Scandal
Elcor: Dekunna Begins to Rebuild
Elcor: Dekuuna Sends Forces to Help Rebuild Earth, Palaven and Thessia to Follow
Geth: Geth Collective Announce Citadel and Sol-local Repairs are Ahead of Schedule for Fourth Quarter in a Row
Geth: Geth "HomeSphere" project pushes science ahead
Hanar: Hanar Pilgrims Arrive on Eden Prime
Hanar: Last Living Prothean Difficult Subject for Hanar
Hanar: Prothean Cultists Splinter, Begin Worshipping Shepard
Human: The Next Century
Human: Alliance Report Paints Mixed Picture
Human: Victory Day Celebrations Marred by Protests, Tensions
Krogan: Posted From: Urdnot Coalition News Discussion Forums
Krogan: A Second Krogan Rebellion?
Quarian: Reality Following Fiction
Quarian: Role Reversal
Quarian: Standing Alone
Raloi: What Happened to the Raloi?
Salarian: Controversy Shakes the Salarian Union: Lies, Mad Science Experiments, and a Secret War? Part 1 of 3
Salarian: Controversy Shakes the Salarian Union: Lies, Mad Science Experiments, and a Secret War? Part 2 of 3
Salarian: Controversy Shakes the Salarian Union: Lies, Mad Science Experiments, and a Secret War? Part 3 of 3
Salarian: Salarian Restoration Commission Reports "Remarkable Success"
Turian: We Stand As One
Turian: Headlines from Valiance Weekly
Turian: RE: Strategic Planning Group Recommendations
Volus: A Review of the Financial Situation of the Interests of the Vol Protectorate and its Allies
Vorcha: Unexpected Labour a Boon for the Terminus; Is Council Space Next?
Yahg: Council Establishes New Branch of CDEM
Terminus: Full Transcript of the Address to the Committee for Terminus Interstellar Commerce
Terminus: Blue Suns Commander Accused of War Crimes


Other Links:
List of Open Relays
Some Board Canon

THE NEXT CENTURY

Humanity has set itself at the heart of galactic civilization; what now?
by Gao Yang

Today, as mankind takes a moment to commemorate the anniversary of the end of the Reaper Wars, they might find time to consider another momentous occasion in their history. In 2149, humanity discovered its first mass relay in the depths of Charon, an ice moon in Pluto's orbit. A joint-mission of the European, American and Asian national space agencies dispatched an expedition to enter the relay and discern its destination. The result was Jon Grissom becoming the first known human to leave the Solar System, the foundation of the Systems Alliance, the elevation of humanity as an intergalactic power and the beginning of a series of events that would bring Earth to war with the Turian Hierarchy in 2157 and to membership on the Citadel Council in 2183. In 2184, the Grissom expedition was officially recognized by the Alliance Parliament as "a great milestone marking the advent of the human century".

But the opening of the Charon relay was not as universally celebrated in its time as it was until a year ago. When news of the discovery became widespread, a small but vocal minority urged their governments to seal off the relay. The risk was too great. If man could travel through the relay to beyond the furthest reaches of explored space, then what could travel back? It had only been a year since humanity had uncovered Prothean ruins under the surface of Mars. The thought of an advanced alien species with space-faring technology had elicited gasps of wonder amongst the scientific community, but also fear. If left opened, the Charon relay would offer a direct conduit to the heart of humanity, leaving it vulnerable to whatever inhabited the vast, unknown reaches of galactic space. They found support for their caution in the theories of 21st century physicist Stephen William Hawking, who predicted that first contact between mankind and a technologically superior alien race would end similarly to first contact between the natives of the New World and European colonists: with the utter extinction of the former at the hands of the latter. But they were dismissed as insular naysayers holding back the advancement of human civilization, and the mass relay remained open.

Thirty eight years later, the naysayers seem vindicated. Humanity encountered an enemy from the depths of dark space and almost achieved total annihilation. Earth lies in ruins, having served as the battlefield in a conflict that claimed billions of lives, dozens of colonies and entire fleets of state-of-the-art starships. Victory was claimed, but at only at the eleventh hour, and until that point it seemed that the war against the Reapers could only end with the slate of human history being wiped entirely clean. Mankind was arrogant and overconfident when it threw itself into the galaxy without caution; now, it has been humbled.

It is not just humanity and its homeworld that has bore the brunt of the war; the Alliance of today, forced by circumstances to adapt and expand, is unrecognizable to the Alliance of yesteryear. Chartered in the same year as the discovery of the Charon relay, the Alliance existed as little more than a forum for international cooperation in space exploration and defense until the First Contact War. The ease with which the Turian Hierarchy occupied Shanxi convinced Earth's national governments of the necessity of a strong shield for human expansion. As a result, the Alliance was significantly strengthened. Within three years, it received its own parliament and Prime Minister, and became humanity's de facto representative on the galactic stage. But even as it became more powerful, it could only ever exercise these powers within the parameters of space exploration. The Alliance was intended, as it had always been, to serve humanity's interests only in the sphere of space - and never on Earth.

That old understanding was the first casualty of the Reaper War. The invaders targeted the centres of administration in the first wave of the invasion; none escaped unscathed. From Beijing to Brussels, Earth's political capitals were wiped out before their inhabitants could even be evacuated. The scant survivors were abducted by the Reapers on the pretence of negotiating peace and then brainwashed. By the conflict's end, the national governments who had first signed the Alliance into being no longer existed. Earth was in anarchy. Without governments and militaries, there was nothing left to uphold order. As the Reapers retreated into space, chaos filled the void that they had left behind.

During the Reaper Wars, human military policy had been dictated by the immediate need of survival. There had been precious little analysis on what to do afterwards, in the unlikely event that humanity prevailed. As such, when victory suddenly presented itself, the Alliance was at a loss on what to do next. There were no contingencies for an emergency of this scale. The Parliament was destroyed; the Prime Minister was dead; and the constituent members of the Alliance charter were consumed by disorder. Action had to be taken, but what? There was no precedent to call upon; no existing emergency measures to provide for the aftermath of such a disaster. The Alliance leadership was paralyzed by indecision. Finding a solution seemed as difficult a task as defeating the Reapers in the first place. In this dark hour, the fate of mankind lay in the hands of Admiral Steven Hackett, who - following the death of Councillor Donnel Udina - was the highest remaining representative of humanity as commander-in-chief of the Alliance Navy.

It was under these circumstances that Admiral Hackett made the decision to announce the military occupation of Earth. For the first time in its history, the Alliance declared martial law. The fleet - at any rate stranded within the Sol system due to the loss of the relays - moved into Earth's orbit. Marines were dispatched to the surface to secure the remaining human cities. There was little resistance mobilized against the occupation force, not least because there was no one left to resist. The survivors of the Reaper Wars sought only the return of peace and security; Alliance administration offered the best hope for this. Within three months, the occupation was complete and Earth was under direct Alliance administration. The agent of galactic policy had become the arbiter of domestic affairs. It was a traumatic and spontaneous transformation. No one could understand how it had happened, and everyone was at a loss as to what would happen next.

For his part, Admiral Hackett had instituted martial law as a provisional measure to restore order. Without warning, he now found himself as the sole governmental authority on Earth. He knew that the occupation force was all that stood between stability and anarchy, and that as soon as it was withdrawn, Earth would lapse back into chaos. So he decided to press on. At an internal council of the Alliance leadership, Admiral Hackett declared the formation of the Systems Alliance Transitional Administration on Earth (SATAE) to oversee the reconstruction of the homeworld. The occupation was to be formalized into a provisional military government. Cities were reorganized as districts, under the command of an Adjutant; districts were agglomerated into provinces, under a Prefect; provinces were grouped into regions, under an Administrator; regions were subordinate to continental authorities, under a Director; and directors were themselves subordinate to the Director-General of Earth. The latter was based at the new Alliance capital, which had been established within the human embassy on the Citadel.

As the months passed, the Alliance administration consolidated its control over Earth. The devastation of the Reaper War at least funnelled the survivors to the remaining settlements, which greatly facilitated administration. Even so, the occupation force was overstretched. Large swathes of the surface remained ungoverned. Rations provided some relief to men, women and children left without employment or support. Bartering became universal, although the Alliance soon introduced a new credit currency to prevent total economic collapse. Most survivors took to scavenging for valuables from the ashes of fallen cities. Conditions were desperate and dismal, although slowly improving.

By the eighth month of the occupation, something curious occurred. The quality of life on Earth increased - but so did criticism of the Alliance administration. The reopening of the mass relay network aided the economic recovery of Earth. Supplies became more plentiful; want became less wanton. Stability was restored, and life resumed a semblance of normality. But far from being satisfied with Alliance rule, humanity seemed to grow restless. It was on the basis of the immediate threat of anarchy that martial law was declared - a sentiment supported by everyone at the time. But now that this threat had passed, people began to chafe under the occupation. There were calls for the restoration of civilian governance and an end to military rule. For its part, the Alliance leadership reiterated that martial law was a temporary measure that would be lifted as soon as possible. Admiral Hackett himself stated that it would be impossible to abolish the Alliance administration until reconstruction had been fully accomplished. Some agreed that it was too soon to lift martial law when only a year had passed. Others grew sceptical of Alliance intentions.

And as the Alliance sustained criticism at home, it faced new resistance abroad. The reopening of the mass relays restored contact to the human colonies, which had been isolated from the homeworld since the end of the war. The neglected colonies were glad to see the return of the Alliance Navy; they were less enamoured by requests to contribute to the reconstruction of Earth. Months of official neglect had instilled a sense of independence in the lost colonies. Some wanted to negotiate a compact with the Alliance by which they would be granted autonomy in all matters; a small minority advocated complete secession from the Alliance. Federalism, as its advocates styled it, was the only way to preserve the Alliance. This assertion met with little appreciation from Admiral Hackett, who claimed that the colonies were content to exploit Alliance protection but reticent to pay for it. The Alliance had grown accustomed to being in control of human affairs. They were unprepared to suffer the criticism of the colonists, never mind entertain the spectre of separatism.

But this opposition ostensibly poses only a marginal concern to the Alliance. In all other respects, it is at the peak of its powers. Earth is united for the first time under a global government; humanity is situated at the centre of intergalactic trade and immigration; the Citadel lies within its reach. In theory, humanity has never been more significant on the galactic stage, and the Alliance has never been stronger. But in reality, the Alliance administration is supported by tenuous scaffolding. The slightest strain might cause its foundations to crumble. The naysayers may yet have their day.

Dekuuna Begins to Rebuild

With the retreat of the Reapers and the restoration of the Relays, many species have been rebuilding. Once the relay network to their own systems was restored, the elcor returned to their homeworld in order to fix the damage brought about by the Reapers.

Once the elcor returned to Dekuuna from their emergency evacuation, their rebuilding efforts began with the re-establishment of the Courts. Despite having fallen to the Reaper forces fairly early on in the war, a representative of the Dekuunan Courts claimed that the elcor worlds are in surprisingly good shape.

"Optimistically: our capital cities fell early on, it's true. However, since the Reapers targeted large urban settings, they left a majority of Dekuuna's landscape unspoiled" said Rorix Teranis, an archivist from the Courts.

The elcor government states that they owe much of their steady recovery to Alliance Commander and first human Spectre, Commander Shepard. Shepard, missing after taking back Earth and presumed dead, was instrumental in the unification of the galaxy in the face of this threat. Despite the undoubtedly stressful task ahead of her, Shepard still found time to give aid to the elcor people.

Teranis had this to say:

"Thankful: the Normandy managed to slip past the Reaper forces surrounding Dekuuna, and evacuated several of our civilians trapped on the planet. While not all could be saved, there are many today that would not have survived had it not been for Shepard, my family being among them.

"With growing enthusiasm: While rescuing our civilians, Shepard also managed to recover the Code of the Ancients, a text containing the wisdom of our ancestors. Their wisdom has been guiding us since we returned to Dekuuna."

The Courts are uncertain as to how long Dekuuna's recovery will take, but many elcor remain hopeful. "With national pride: We do not expect Dekuuna to be fully restored within a few standard years. It's likely that the rebuilding process will be a long and difficult task. However, we remain committed. We will survive, rebuild, and when we are done Dekuuna will be greater than before. It is our way."

THE PATH AHEAD

by Matriarch Epentha, Chancellor, University of Serrice

Once, it was held that Thessia was the crown jewel of the galaxy - a world of peace, of joy, and of prosperity. When the Reaper War came to our home, all that was taken from us, and the path back is long.

It is one Thessian year now since the Artarva Project was completed. Artisans and engineers, with little more than salvaged tools and ancient transmitters, built and launched the satellites that let us hear one another's voices from pole to pole of our homeworld once more. Their achievement, rising from the ash and ruin of the machines' visitation, will rightly be seen by history as the first of many beacons lighting our way back to the Thessia that was our dream - but none of us will forget the terrible moment of awakening it afforded us that day, as we each lifted our eyes from our own personal struggles and saw - not heard of, or learned about, but saw - the vast wounds inflicted upon our precious jewel.

We all remember, and always shall. Our cities, our guilds and schools, reduced to rubble, from the Daylight Vale in the north to the Firewater in the south, a pattern repeated over and over - no mere random act of murderous vandalism, but the calculated assassination, on a terrible scale, of our people's wisest sages and councillors. The crops that once fed us in harvest after bountiful harvest now ash, scattered across bare, blackened fields and shattered reefs. Our most courageous defenders slain, huntresses, commandos, and Justicars all. And most tragic of all, our dream for ourselves - our hopes and beliefs in what it is to be asari - laid bare as nothing but a dream, as we understood at last the cost of our complacency and pride, not merely to ourselves but to all the galaxy's people, all those we once entreated to believe we and they were one people, only to fail them in their hour of greatest need.

We despaired. We saw what had been done to our world and our dreams, and darkly, selfishly, in our despair we wished we had remained ignorant.

But the gifts given us by a kind universe do not vanish simply because we choose to forget them. Even as the Artarva engineers' efforts showed us how terribly we had been hurt, they returned to us our greatest strength: each other. Where an asari wept, now there was always another to hold her; where one stumbled, there was another to take her hand and help her up. In our grief, we are united, and united, we find the courage to hope.

Life and the promise of bounties return to our fields and reefs, as the Reaper crop blights are lifted - the tiny invaders defeated, in their masters' absence, by the hard work of our scientists and farmers, and by the resilience of nature herself, reminding us that we are not Thessia's only children, nor her only stewards. Where once we despaired of feeding our own, now we can look forward with confidence to the day we begin repaying the generosity of those sister worlds whose shipments prevented famine.

The legacy of those brave souls who fought for us - who had no way of knowing the Reaper juggernaut would ever stop, let alone with such shocking suddenness, yet who stood firm and gave their lives even knowing they could buy us mere days, in the end - has been taken up by a new generation of huntresses. With so few remaining, old warriors who had thought their days of service long past have returned, to serve now as mentors to the young, courageous volunteers who, even having seen what it cost their elder sisters, would place themselves between their beloved home and the desolation of war. Those who called them a shadow of an army, their new, automation-heavy weapons and vessels untried and inadequate, were silenced when they defeated the Tichon Raiders off Tevura. Even the Justicars, whose unswerving devotion to their duty came at so terrible a cost, have found successors, whose commitment to the Code will honor us all as their predecessors' did.

Where the Reapers left blackened ruins, now our artisans lay down new mosaics in the courtyards and plazas where our children play and our sisters meet in the sunlight reflecting from new spires reaching into the sky. Roads and rails once more reach across the lands, spanning rivers and gulfs with graceful bridges, while our rivers and oceans welcome back their fleets of ships and pleasure craft, and the sky glitters with ships and maanru. The bright web of opticables and satellites reaches out once more - and will be augmented with quantum technology, so that it might never be broken again - uniting more settlements with every passing day in the network of shared ideas and hopes for the future that so defines us as a people. And as once again our voices are heard, our reflections on our past mistakes offer us hope that, in our humility, we may find the path to truly realize what we once dreamed, to share the harmony and cooperation we so cherish with all the people of the galaxy.

Once, our world was a jewel, and the path back is long. But we are asari, who have always walked long paths; we shall walk this one too, together.

Hanar pilgrims arrive on Eden Prime

The colonists of Eden Prime were today astonished to see hanar and drell arrive by the thousands today. The first few claimed they were there to help rebuild, but it quickly became obvious they were most interested in the tomb holding thousands of dead Prothean warriors.

"After thousands of years of searching, finally, all hanar may look upon the faces of the Enkindlers! Even in death, their power radiates. And this discovery may lead to others being found. Who knows where else more might reside?"

There has been an upswing in the number of hanar businesses financing archaeological expeditions of Prothean as well as a downturn on the number of protests against excavations. This has been attributed to the hope of finding more cells such as these.

TO: Turian Hierarchy Citizens -- Apien Crest
FROM: Office of the Primarch
PRIORITY: Critical
SUBJECT:

We Stand As One

Citizens:

The Council Races have emerged victorious against the extragalactic threat known as the "Reapers." The damage done to Palaven was extensive. Cipritine and most of the major cities have been vaporized. Utilities are gone. Fires still choke the planet. And in spite of it all, we held fast. Before the our war with the invaders, Palaven had never fallen. After the war, the same fact still held true. The ground resistance held fast, studded by our own resolve and sacrifice, and buoyed with assistance from our allies.

Many of us never expected that a coordination campaign like the Miracle at Palaven would be planned and executed with the help of the krogan. Such bonds are only forged in the fires of war when we sacrifice ourselves for the good of a more unified, peaceful whole. Through the spirits of gratitude and faith, the Apien Crest will re-temper its attitude toward the krogan people. The Tuchankan consulate on Cipritine will be rebuilt and restaffed, and I will be engaging in meaningful discourse with Overlord Urdnot Wrex and his direct subordinates on continuation of joint Hierarchy/krogan military ventures. The war has made it plainly obvious that our fighting styles are synergistic.

We realize that this change may not be simple, especially given well over a thousand years of resentment towards one another. Now, however, it is time to put aside these feelings and rebuild side-by-side with all the other races of the galaxy. Many of you may also be wondering why I am composing this message to you all when we still have so much rebuilding work to do. The reason? Our newfound relationship with the krogan is just one of the many changes that you will see in the coming months. I will list some of the other important ones below:

Military:

*I am lowering our preparedness level from Defense Level Auros to Defense Level Bastion. After the burst of energy from the Crucible, the Reapers have seemingly been rendered benign. However, a number of them are still in the Milky Way and are rebuilding key pieces of the relay network. We must remain vigilant in case they snap back into a malevolent state. As you already know, active duty members of the Hierarchy military are not allowed to leave service except in exceptional circumstances while Levels Auros or Bastion are in effect.

*The Alternative Path to Tier 3 Program has been suspended indefinitely. All Hierarchy subjects must report for basic training if they wish to advance to formal citizenship. Subjects with physical or mental disabilities will be accommodated into safer rear-echelon positions. Those with profound disabilities will still be cared for by the Ministry of Welfare.

*Until the military has recovered to total or near-total strength, C.O.s are to re-instruct front-line troops in defensive tactics. It is likely that some Legion Historians will be reassigned as advisors and drill instructors to ensure that all troops meet this new standard. Please search Directive 2186-XA-507 on the main page of the Ministry of Tactical Planning for further details.

Population Stabilization/Child-Rearing:

*The Reaper War caused considerable population declines, therefore we must immediately take steps to remedy this. First, Hierarchy citizens between 25 and 40 years of age currently serving in an active duty capacity may apply to have their implant contraceptives deactivated. Couples who conceive or create a viable in vitro infant will be awarded with bonus pay and a 2-month maternity/paternity leave after the birth of the child. To prevent possible custody squabbles, children resulting from couples that do not have an official mateship certificate will be raised as wards of the state; if a couple are mates, they will maintain custody of the child. This directive does not apply ex post facto; single parents who currently have custody of already-born children will not lose custody.

*During the war, we sadly had to rescind the parental exemption that stated each Hierarchy family had the right to at least one parent who was exempt from the draft. This system will remain in place indefinitely, and Nurturing Centers will remain open for all children whose parents have been called for active duty. However, legally-recognized turian parents are now guaranteed a minimum of 2 days off-duty time to spend with their children for every 14 days of service.

*Experienced parents may also apply to become Nurturing Center staff members. In exchange for the vital responsibility of raising our future, these parents will be posted at the same Nurturing Center that their child is assigned to or one in very close proximity.

*Nurturing Centers will accept orphans from all races. If a public or private child-raising institution is overburdened, the Hierarchy Opportunity Initiative will gladly take in these children and place them in one of our safe, loving institutions. All children raised through the HOI are guaranteed all the opportunities of natural-born Hierarchy children.[/list]

Taxation and Pay:

*The "living allowance" component of all Hierarchy members serving in active duty positions is hereby revoked. In exchange, the Hierarchy guarantees adequate food and shelter to all currently-serving troops. Such a move is easier on everyone; individuals will no longer have to independently secure lodging on less populated worlds, and the Hierarchy benefits from being able to save resources for the betterment of all.

*The income tax scale for non-citizen permanent residents of Hierarchy worlds has been adjusted in the interests of equity. Please see Directive 2186-EC-906 on the Ministry of Prosperity's website for further details.

*Corporate excise tax on all Hierarchy-affiliated businesses will be increased from 40% to 45%. Excise tax on corporations owned by client races are currently being evaluated and may be readjusted.

Social:

The following vidcasts have been approved for renewal on the Hierarchy Vidcast Network:

*Hierarchy Vidcast Network News
*Hierarchy Music Hotshots
*Exemplary Loyalty
*Community First
*Extreme Volunteering: Taetrus Edition
*Portraits in Death for the Cause
*Combat Cooking
*The Lonely Louza
*My Little Moxie

More directives will certainly be forthcoming as we continue attempts to stabilize Palaven's climate and restore our planet to its pre-war glory.

As we expand and the relay network is repaired, we will gradually begin to re-unite with the rest of our comrades in other clusters. In the meantime, all Primarchs will continue to govern their clusters independently, though we will remain in contact with one another via quantum entanglement in an attempt to keep regulations as close to seamless as possible between clusters.

In closing, I would like the opportunity to send my gratitude to the following groups:

All troops in the units tasked with exploring frontier star systems in the Apien Crest. Other than our citizens, resources and new living spaces are the most valuable assets that the Hierarchy needs to rebuild and flourish.

All of those who gave their lives to keep Palaven from falling. I would like to quote General Resvirix in saying that all of them are worthy of joining Palaven's spirit.

The Systems Alliance, especially the crew of the still-missing Normandy. As we continue to put aside our differences, our future continues to grow brighter and brighter. We appreciate all you have done in combating the Reaper threat.

Most importantly, all loyal Hierarchy citizens. You are the most important component of our society's continued success.

Continue to stay strong. Together, we can and will overcome any obstacle thrown in our way.

Death for the Cause, now and forever.

-General Adrien Victus
Primarch, Apien Crest

Reality Following Fiction

Did a cult classic tell the future?

Following the devastation of the Reaper War, many races have had to find new ways to get by in the wake of the nightmarish invasion of a year ago. For one such race, the quarians, things have taken a strange turn indeed. Not only have they gone back to their homeworld, they have been given unprecedented access to the citadel, once a place they were less than welcome to. The reason? Food.

During the long years of absence from their homeworld, quarian scientists and engineers were forced to devise new ways to produce a sustainable series of food sources. After a time they succeeded, cobbling and building and flat out cheating where necessary to produce what came to be known as "life ships", essentially enormous space faring farms that fed the rest of the migrant fleet.

Learning to get by on as little as possible had taught the quarian people a severe practicality, and they look to tun this practicality into both a post-war miracle and a serious financial proposition for a very eager set of customers: the turians.

In the days following the horrific occupation of Palaven and other turian worlds by the Reaper forces, food became an effective means for the Reapers to subdue the populations of those Hierarchy held worlds. Most arable land had been destroyed by initial onslaught, and what remained was used by the reapers to attempt to cow the turian government into collapsing or capitulating. With typical turian resolve, these maneuvers failed, but in the process many turian colonies and worlds were turned into apocalyptic wastelands, almost completely devoid of the means to produce food for the impoverished and devastated survivors.

Now, a year later, the turian worlds once again have a strange fleet above their skies, but this time the invaders bring a far more benevolent cargo: hydroponic farm fabricators. Whilst other races have been able to help the Hierarchy rebuild technology and infrastructure, the unique chirality of these two races has presented a unique situation, one some would say was foretold by the much-talked-of "classic" Fleet and Flotilla, factual accuracy notwithstanding.

"The quarians absolutely have what we need, there is no question about that," says Triarch Lintaer Mentinus. "These farms are absolutely crucial to our full recovery. To facilitate getting things back to normal, we have brokered a deal with the quarian admiralty that allows them free range to evaluate sites and ships that can can get food production back to pre-war levels. Rebuilding Palaven and and our other colonies will take tremendous effort, and that in turn will take tremendous amounts of food. Our biological needs have pretty much taken center stage. We need material, we need strong turians and we need food to feed them. We're down to the basics here."

The quarians, in a spirit of magnanimous giving, have echoed much the same. "Now that our homeworld is free and secure, we must once again becomes citizens of the greater galaxy", says Captain Onteel'Rin vas Nariya. "We must learn to look past old prejudices and be the better men and women. The turians have suffered much, and we are in a unique postion to help them. We have sent our best agrarian scientists and technicians to aid the turian people."

A smaller yet just as significant influx of quarian and geth specialists has arrived at the Citadel itself to facillitate the same there, resulting in a "little rannoch" springing up almost overnight in the Tayseri Ward. "Honestly, I never thought I would see this many quarians ever, much less on the Citadel as honored guests," says veteran C-Sec Sergeant Valex Higuirus. "They've gotten set up pretty quick, and I've had my first non emergency ration dinner in months. Kinda bland, but I don't care, it was real food."

As relay repair continues and life slowly returns to normal, the galaxy's former outcasts are now a rising part of a new and integrated space.

Geth Collective announce Citadel and Sol-local repairs are ahead of schedule for the fourth quarter in a row

(Presidium, CIT) In a short press conference, the geth announced that in conjunction with the citadel emergency reconstruction board and the Keepers, that projected 5th quarter repairs had been completed, in the 4th quarter no less; and that 17 more docks and two more wards would be open for complete habitation and business within the week.

In their usual terse fashion, the geth also announced that repairs to the Sol infrastructure in general were also ahead of schedule. "We will finish soon, and our allies may begin to enjoy life normally again," said the unidentified geth Prime. "Here is an example for your visual benefit." The Prime then showed a completely reconstructed Sydney Opera House to a stunned audience, including a virtual tour of the inside, and then followed up a virtual tour of the ruins of Ankgor Vat, also restored to their former glory, before leaving the press conference without answering any subsequent questions.

"Impressed: It's absolutely crazy", says local foreman Vuult Gontan. "Enthusiastically: The geth are like a force of nature. They take the dangerous jobs without question and when they run into an obstacle, it is only a short time before they are back to work on it. They don't sleep, and they don't slow down. It is somewhat intimidating, honestly."

While most denizens of the citadel were of course hesitant at first to see a former enemy stalking the halls, in true citadel fashion, they soon became a regular feature in certain places, such as the Mann-Song holoplex.According to vendor jockey Ystall Irinen: "Okay, see, Armadageddon Uncut just re-released, and like, we had to be down at the holoplex an hour early to get ready for the opening and there's like EXACTLY 350 geth, uh, dudes?.. umm already at the door. Like exactly that amount. One for every seat, and no more. They all bought tupari and popcorn and then just left it in the seats uneaten.... creepiest damn thing ever. So then the next showing comes up right?

Guess how many geth are waiting outside. The manager was just staring at the revenue kiosk all day with a big stupid grin on her face. So every time something new comes out we have a couple geth nights, so the regular customers can actually watch stuff without completely freaking out."

While we were unable to contact any one geth spokesperson for a comment on their integration during repairs, it seems that aside from some initial incidents with various keepers being mysteriously locked in auxiliary closets and back up control rooms, things have gone remarkably well.

Says veteran vacuum engineering foreman Angus McFayden, "They put in time, and that's all I give damn about. A year ago this place was a damn charnel house, Reapers 'n' Cerberus goons and hell knows what else. Now look at it. I can eat off the damn floor. Good on 'em."

Questions have been raised about when and if the geth will leave the Citadel to return to their homeworld or their newly announced HomeSphere solar powered computing matrix, but for now, they seem content to stay and rebuild the Citadel and earth itself one block at a time with literally machine like precision.

Says noted shock icon Johnny Horrorshow, "******* geth, best ******* charity lightshow I've ever put on, they can ****** at my house anytime they want, cells and power's on me, mates."

POSTED FROM: URDNOT COALITION NEWS DISCUSSION FORUMS

The Rising Tide: Of the New Golden Age of Tuchanka, an annotated set of news articles, official documents and statistics, compiled by Gothteng Velos:

Citizens of the Galaxy, as I lay, I see not a galaxy broken, a Krogan people only now even realizing what the genophage truly took from us, and not quite capable of understanding what, exactly, its curing has given us back. I do not see a galaxy divided by bitterness and resentment, disconnected from the de-activation of the Mass Relays.

What I see, as I enter the final days of my millennia long life, is hope. Hope for the Krogan. Hope for Progress. Hope for change. And I hope to share that hope with you, posthumously, I hope that you enjoy this compilation, and I hope that in this fragile time, you exceed the expectations of the cynical, and forge a new golden age for the Krogan.

Tuchanka Reconnected to Mass Relay network, Krogan rejoice. Source: TGW

Early yesterday, the Tuchankan relay was re-opened, resulting in a flood of traffic to and from the former-DMZ. Urdnot Wrex, as well as the Krogan detachment that assisted in the Battle of Earth, were in the first ships to cross back into the DMZ.

Tuchanka has become nearly unrecognizable over the past few months. The destruction of the twin shroud systems has resulted in the atmospheric disturbances and hellish conditions the structures suppressed to come back in full force. Mortality rates have soared, especially in light of the Krogan's now weakened biology, but morale has never been higher among the clans.

The many warring clans have begun to form larger power blocs in the wake of the Reaper War, the largest being the Urdnot Coalition and the Dimas Plains Alliance, both of which have begun campaigns of social reform to herald the end of the Genophage.

Multiple parties, including the Urdnot Coalition and Republic of Ghurst, have applied for Embassies on the citadel, though some clans are insisting on remaining separate from galactic society. Most of the applications are pending, save for the Urdnot, who even now have begun to set up their embassy.

Several salarian groups are protesting the move as "dangerous", though-Full Text [here]

(This is where it began, at least for the Krogan. Our Golden Age began the cure of the genophage and re-entry not merely into galactic community, but as a species on equal standing with its peers, instead of leashed varren. Follow not the thick-crested idiots of Weyrloc and Gatatog, integration, peaceful integration, is the best way forward for the Krogan.)

Mordin Solus Memorial Tournament announced

Amid growing discontent between clans by the Bitter Sea, mostly over territorial claims between clans Veloc and Weyrloc, the Urdnot Coalition has recreated the ancient krogan sport of Khorgha. Khorgha is a violent, bloody competition where competitors, among other things, jousted atop Kakliosaurs, recently rediscovered in an archaeology dig of pre-first contact krogan ruins on Tuchanka.

Overlord Wrex has declared that that the Coalition's annual tournament will be played to honor both Mordin Solus, the scientist who made the cure possible, and the ancestors of modern krogan, from before the genophage and rebellions.

The tournament will be held at--Full Text [here]

(Hah! It has been mere weeks since we have rejoined the galaxy, and already our old culture begins to re-emerge. Our sons and daughters shall be true krogan, not the fatalistic, mercenary trash that we've been for the past thousand years.)

Clan Weyrloc Abandons Tuchanka

Amid negotiations with CDEM on the desire for krogan fleets to be rebuilt, Clan Weyrloc has decided to leave Tuchanka, and have left for deeper regions of the DMZ with the entirety of their fleet. In a statement, Speaker For the Clan Weyrloc Dovak has declared-- Full Text [here]

(Hah, the Weyrloc are fools, resist the urge to follow their example. With access to shipyards and the galactic economy, the clans loyal to their own homeland will outstrip them soon, and without sacrificing our real culture for misplaced rage and fatalism.)

New Shroud project announced

Today, the Urdnot shaman "Eve" announced that the Urdnot Coalition has begun construction on a new shroud project, in order to mitigate the disastrous effects of the shrouds destruction during the Reaper War. Several organizations, including Tuchankan based Corel Heavy Industries, Veloc United, and, in a show of political goodwill, salarian company --Full Text [here]

Ghurst Forgadra denounces Dalatrass Linron's accusations

After repeated accusations claiming that attacks on Sur'Kesh are a result of renewed krogan aggression from the Dalatrass, Minister Forgrada of the Republic of Ghurst has come out, condemning both the attacks and Linron's accusations.

In a statement earlier today, Forgadra claimed that "If the Krogan were seeking revenge for the genophage, it'd be a bit more noticeable than scattered murders." --Full Text [here]

(Look, a Krogan, not merely disavowing violence, but doing it diplomatically, in the sphere of galactic politics. It should be obvious why this is amazing.)

First Tuchankan Fleet begins production

After negotiations with CDEM concluded late last month, Corel Heavy Industries and the Gothteng-Dinroth alliance have declared that Tuchanka shall no longer require CDEM's protection, and have begun construction of two orbital shipyards, and have declared their intent to create a "Tuchankan Defense Fleet" shortly afterwards. --Full Text [here]

CDEM draws down presence in Tuchankan cluster, krogan leaders declare them "allies, not jailers"

As CDEM forces have begun to pull out of Tuchanka, as part of an agreement to eliminate CDEM presence in the cluster by the end of 2190. Various Krogan Leaders, including Veloc Smaug, Urdnot "Eve", and Dinroth Flar, have called for Krogan to not take advantage of CDEM's weakness.

The female Urdnot shaman has claimed that now CDEM "is an ally" and went on to say that "CDEM's role is no longer that of our jailer and oppressor, now they are our allies, helping us keep the peace until we are ready to do it ourselves". --Full Text [here]

Urdnot Aerospace goes public, unveils Kalanda Class Frigates

Today, fledgling megacorporation Urdnot Aerospace has gone public within minutes of unveiling its new System Defense Frigate. Stock prices fluctuated wildly over the first few hours of its opening, though it ended a good ten percent above its opening price of 24 credits a share. --Full Text [here]

WAR

After months of rising tensions over territory between the Dinroth-Gothteng Alliance and the Republic of Ghurst, war has been declared over the territory. The Republic, Yesterday, has claimed that it will not surrender until the Alliance has ceded territory that it has claimed, while the alliance is demanding that Ghurst forces pull back beyond the Wredat mountains. --Full Text [here]

Dinroth-Gothteng declares Victory

Earlier today, The Alliance declared victory against the Republic of Ghurst after almost two months of low scale warfare. The war resulted in almost a million casualties, and resulted in the Republic losing almost seventy miles of territory along the border with the Alliance. --Full Text [here]

(We may be entering a Golden Age, but war is just as much a part of the Krogan as ever. We must remember not to wage pointless wars of extermination, but to fight as the Alliance has, honorably, for an objective, and with bravery. Mere subjugation is no longer good enough, if we are to build empires, then we must also learn to rule and fight properly, instead of as bloodthirsty idiots.)

Infrastructure Projects completed

Several major infrastructure projects, including the Urdnot-Veloc highway, and the Ordrak spaceport, have been completed over the past few days, and major trade between the now-connected clans has begun in earnest as a result. --Full Text [here]

Kherat and Shiagur stations and First Tuchankan Defense Squadron completed

Kherat Station, opening day

Today, the Urdnot Aerospace and Corel Heavy Industries have announced both the completion of Kherat and Shiagur stations, and the completion of the first Tuchankan Defense Squadron. The Defense Squadron takes its personnel from almost every clan on Tuchanka as an assurance that the fleet would not be used to cow clans into submission.
The ships in the squadron are almost all cutting edge, Kalanda class frigates, noted for their heavy use of Thanix Weaponry, and Thresher class Cruisers, an almost direct upgrade of the venerable Hierophant class--Full Text [here]

Urdnot Coalition Public School System Opens

After months of construction, staff hiring sprees, and figuring out a curriculum, Tuchanka's first public school system in a thousand years has opened, and almost eighteen thousand young krogan are attending.
Full Text [here]

A New Golden Age?

Almost a year after the end of the Reaper War, many economists and sociologists are declaring this a new Golden Age for the krogan, in the wake of reconstructed infrastructure, schooling systems, and the more unified governments that have been emerging over the past months. Others are more wary, with Olan Toth saying "the Krogan may seem to be improving, but time will tell whether or not this simply devolves into the barbarism they've become famous for over the past thousand years."

(The Volus speaks truth. This may be our golden age, but this may also be the last, most inglorious, fall of the Krogan. Do not fail me, future generations.)

Controversy Shakes the Salarian Union: Lies, Mad Science Experiments, and a Secret War? Part 1 of 3

Earlier today the following file was downloaded and embed into several extranet sites' databases. The file is here reproduced in its entirety.
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>>>Begin operations log
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>>>Opening file transfer; upload commencing...
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>>>WARNING: Selected files include level 3 intelligence: sensitive information present. Security clearance is required to continue.
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>Enter security key:*********
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>Security key accepted.

Welcome back, Agent Black. Your files will be uploaded shortly. Is there anything else I can assist you with today?

>***********
Understood. Cross posting files to confirmed STG leak sites, setting access encryption to personal code: Delta-2. Embedding files into site databases. Warning, several sites are unresponsive to pings. Continue?

>************
Understood. All files have been successfully uploaded. Scrubbing data traces... complete. As per personal code: Delta 2, I will now delete my VI programming.
Logging you off, Agent Black.

*****Begin personal transmission*****
The Salarian Union has always had its secrets. I understand that as well as any other agent. But when the Reapers came, those secrets cost lives. How many millions perished as we sat behind our borders, hoarding our intel like a bloated varren guarding its stash of bones? How many more continue to die as we fight our secret war?

We were promised change, Major. But we both know that the politicians, Linron and her ilk, will never truly change. They offer honesty, openness, and friendship with one hand and hide a dagger in the other. Even the STG hasn't truly changed. We both know what the boys in R&D are cooking up, not to mention the intel they lost.

I'm not with the SDU, Major. And I am not a traitor like Red. But something had to be done. That's why I uploaded these files. Still, I know you will have to hunt me down for this. And someday you will find me.

I just hope that when that day comes, you will see that I did this to save the Union and the STG from themselves; I did it for my people. Maybe history will be kind to me and remember me that way, but I have my doubts. After all, nothing really changes, right Major?

*****Transmission ends*****

Data log: 3 months after the end of the Reaper invasion.
Source: ANN

Salarian Aid Floods in as Sur'Kesh is Reconnected.

With the completion of the Annos Basin relay today, the Salarian Union has officially rejoined the galactic community, bringing with it much needed aid and support. Food stores, aid workers, scientists, doctors, law enforcement officers, terraforming specialist, and even preserved biosphere specimens have already begun to be distributed among the Citadel, the Sol system, and beyond. The aid was welcomed despite a controversial statement made by the Dalatrass Linron.

"If the galaxy were to survive beyond the Reaper invasion," the Dalatrass said, "someone needed to see to the inevitable rebuilding process. Food, a competent military force, the restoration of cities and ecosystems; these are the things the salarians took precautions to deal with, and the service that we can now provide to the rest of the galaxy. This is what Sur'Kesh's peace has bought for the galaxy."

In a follow up statement, salarian Councillor Valern reminded the galactic community that "peace" did not mean a lack of support during the war. "The salarians were there." the statement read, "We bled along with the other races to end the Reaper threat, and now we will continue to do our duty and help rebuild."

The Salarian Union, however, has seen it's own share of changes since the end of the Reaper threat. In addition to instability within Sur'Kesh's power base as many dalatrasses and family ties are lost due to the communications black out with several colonies, the Union's military structure is also seeing drastic changes. The military proper has seen a large increase in soldier and ship numbers as the Union has shiftedits focus more to police action versus their usual doctrine of preemptive attacks. Meanwhile the Special Tasks Group, the Salarian Union's premiere intelligence agency, has declared itself a separate and independent branch of the Salarian Union.

"This change," an unnamed major within the STG remarked, "is both good and necessary for the Salarian Union. It will better allow the STG to serve the good of all salarians, rather then the whims of Sur'Kesh's elite."

The announcement of the STG's independence has been greeted with mixed emotions, with some praising the STG's response to the salarian's light support during the Reaper war, while others believe a unregulated intelligence agency is a danger to the galaxy as a whole.

Regardless of the changes facing our allies, this reporter will lift a glass tonight to the return of the salarians and all they aid they bring. Today, the future is looking a little brighter.

*****Encrypted transmission from Agent Red*****
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the Dalatrass and Councillor would try to put their own spin on the news today. Still, kind of sickening to see them toot their own horns like that. Ah, well. At least the real work has finally begun.

I'm happy to report that several of our agents have already managed to implant themselves within the Alliance and other key organizations and have begun to feed back intel. In addition, our "aid workers" are reporting that despite being several months behind in our salvage efforts, there is still plenty tech and interesting specimens to recover. Honestly, I have never seen our science division this excited, though the stuff they are sending back gives me the creeps.

Anyways, as soon we have a large enough stockpile of items we will begin shipping it all back to base. Maybe I'll come along for the ride, buy you that drink I owe you.

For now,

Agent Red signing off.

*****End transmission*****

A Review of the Financial Situation of the Interests of the Vol Protectorate and its Allies

Composed by Farnak Archives, a Division of Elkoss Combine

It is the purpose of this document to compile and analyze the economic and fiscal situation of the overall galactic community in the fallout of the so-called "Reaper War." For ease-of-translation purposes, this document will endeavour to use primarily plain terms, and attempt to community with the utmost of clarity.

To begin, the Reaper War created a very unique, although not entirely unprecedented, situation. While standard procedure during a time of intense warfare amongst one or more major economic forces would be to shift long-term interests to economies not geared for war, with the entire galaxy prepared for war, this was unviable and nearly impossible.

The Vol Protectorate, with the assistance of Elkoss Combine, attempted to the best of its ability to cope with this situation and preserve economic stability in the post-war era with minimal impact on the war effort itself. The destruction caused to the militaries of virtually all races proved highly beneficial in maintaining economic stimulus, as well be discussed later.

Due to the stress of the war, numerous corporate interests have formed, disbanded, or merged. Several smaller mercenary organizations, such as Glarmah's Band, The Rangefinders, and Harold's Heroes have been forced to merge with each other in order to remain competitive, and even then, are struggling. Slaving interests have virtually disintegrated in the post-war climate, with only a few independents with powerful bases able to continue to operate. Finally, concluding our section in active military corporate interests, a third set of responses have occurred, which is to integrate into government apparati to various degrees on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. The success of these interests is debatable at best and is not something that can be easily predicted at the present time.

Regardless, production interests, as expected, went through a massive boom and were able to, at least briefly, stave off the bust cycle that follows the end of hostilities and demobilization. This is primarily due to the destruction caused during the Reaper War creating a need for reconstruction on a massive scale, including military interests. The resulting economic boom was not foreseen, however Elkoss Combine, at the behest of the Vol Protectorate, capitalized to the best of its abilities on it, continuing its long tradition of preserving galactic stability.

There is, at least currently, a glut of armaments of all types on the market. Many temporary investments were made in arms manufacturing, and, in what has since been termed the "Elkoss Gamble," soon had the capital from these endeavours transferred into various domestic interests which are still booming as of this writing. While economic prospects appear to be going well during this time, it is unknown how long the boom cycle will last, and opinions are highly divided on conservative or high-risk financial schema.

This next portion will focus principally on the developments made by the Vol Protectorate during this time period, notably its changed role as a protectorate of the Turian Hierarchy. Although the Protectorate maintains its status as the primary economic force of the Hierarchy, volus units, along with all protectorate races, are becoming increasingly common due to the losses suffered by the Hierarchy during the war, as opposed to those suffered by the protectorate and client races. A perfect example of this new role is demonstrated in the Vol Protectorate's efforts to both compensate for the lack of Hierarchy military strength and its own raising unemployment, the dreadnought-class vessel the VPS Maliyya. The Maliyya was built-in a manner similar to the Protectorate's existing dreadnought, with no expense spared and creating significant economic stimulus and providing long-term employment. The Maliyya is largely regarded as solely a stimulus project, although it is, at least in theory, a capable war vessel, even if this has never been tested. Never-the-less, I have toured the ship myself, and will note that its recreational facilities are truly spectacular, so, if nothing else, it may someday make a good hotel.

Regardless, the attempts to balance two roles at once has taken its toll on the Protectorate, and, despite its best efforts, it is no longer quite as economically powerful as it once was, nor is it anywhere near up to the military might it is attempting to boast. Although the past financial year has held much stability and profit, the coming year is much more uncertain, and instability is predicted along with economic downturn. It is the opinion of this review that fiscal conservatism be practiced immediately, rather than attempting further gains, we should store what we have and wait out the worst of it.

As Relays Reopen, An Institution in Flux

Quito Spaceport, Earth - An estimated 2000 compacted drell will be departing for the hanar home today, following the official opening of the Sol-Kahje relay. More are expected to leave in the following weeks.

The compact, a socio-political institution that organizes much of life in the Illuminated Primacy, has always been resistant to change notoriously opaque to outsiders. What is clear is that following the mass upheaval of the Reaper War, the institution is in flux. Drell who served with Hammer have finally received word from home-only to find that the business they worked for has collapsed, or their position filled during their absence.

Others have found themselves unwilling to serve under their former arrangement. "Of course some people aren't going back." said Dase K, a compactee from Belan. "Others are going back with assurances that the hanar will match their current wage, or that they'll serve under a different compactor."

Adding to the complexity is the small number of compactees who were found to be below legal age.

Most though, are eager to see friends and family again, even if that means carrying the burden of an ancestral bargain. For many more, that day is still far out of reach.

"They tell us we can go 'home'." Said Rakal G. A compacted drell who served as head of security on a small mining colony before being assigned to Hammer, he is leaving with his home still well out of relay range. "But for many of us, Kahje isn't home. It's just as close as we can get."

Excerpts from Plight of the Castes (part 1 of 3)

In the absence of the unity provided by the Hegemony, the Kite's Nest slipped into chaos. Reaper forces rampaged unchecked across world after world, and where the government stood it was only because they were complicit in the slaughter. Millions died by the day on dozens of worlds, and in the ignominy of death such trivialities as caste or rank meant nothing. Refugees flooded towards the rest of the Terminus Systems and even Council space, begging sanctuary from those who had until recently been their most hated enemies.

Then it stopped.

As suddenly as they had arrived, the Reaper death squads and dreadnoughts were gone, and with them went the mass relays. The entire batarian race fell into isolation and darkness unrivalled as entire worlds left to fend for themselves withered and died. The fleet was gone, the vast majority of transport vessels had been destroyed, and though worlds whose governments had been complicit remained largely intact their populations were too small and traumatized to establish any kind of order. In the immediate aftermath of the Reaper withdrawal the worlds of the former Hegemony underwent yet another crisis, the inevitable result of a power vacuum.

Few worlds suffered so tragically as Khar'shan, where despite the indoctrination of the leadership the batarian people rose in revolt against their attackers. Slave and nobleman fought side by side against overwhelming odds, and when they fell their blood mingled in the sand and muck. Vast swathes of grassland and forest were scorched black as orbital bombardment stripped the world of its capacity to resist, and the strongest of batarian nations crumpled like paper, yet still the people of Khar'shan fought and died as one against the invaders. In the end, barely anything was left of the batarian homeworld, once as populous as any in the galaxy.

Camala and Erszbat suffered very different fates than Khar'shan - centers of wealth and industry, both world governments were so thoroughly controlled by the alien menace that the populations marched willingly into the processing plants, at least at first. As the stench and gore became more prominent, more and more resistance sprung up, only to be crushed mercilessly by the government itself. The hopelessness of the cause became clear only when the resistance on Erzsbat was at its most successful, toppling provincial governments only to have their newly liberated city obliterated by overwhelming Reaper firepower. Though the two worlds were out of contact with one another, events took similar turns - those who wished to live fled into the countryside, while those who trusted in their government were guided by the hand to their grisly deaths.

Worlds on the edge of batarian space suffered a multitude of fates - some, though left virtually alone by the Reapers, could not survive without the oppressive might of the Hegemony to back them. Colonies suffered slave revolts, local governors who weathered them set themselves up as warlords or worse, and some fanatics even offered themselves up to the Reapers willingly if only to realize their mistake when their new gods did not look kindly upon them. Agricolonies suffered exposure as their sources of equipment and supply vanished overnight, while industrial worlds and their slave populations starved without access to imported foodstuffs. Military outposts destroyed themselves in orgies of violence, indoctrinated fighting those who resisted or even simply two commanders trying to determine who would lead.

Eventually, months after the Reapers had vanished, rudimentary communications began - governments began to form, even if only gangs built around local strongmen. Travel resumed, surviving ships carrying basic supplies and trade goods between worlds, trying to avoid the ambitious marauders and military remnant turned to piracy. Revolutions won or died out, allegiances were declared, and some even saw merit in the formation of an alliance. Survivors were rescued from devastated worlds, and those now in power began to consider the form their new society would take.

Khar'shan is now dominated by a religious fringe, and remains the recognized capital of batarian culture and civilization despite the insignificance of its surviving economy. As the Reapers demolished the planet's population and infrastructure systematically, one small nation-state was left mostly intact. This traditionally religious and technologically backwards state was left alone only because every other area of the planet posed more of a threat - these farmers and monks using antiquated technology and hand-ploughs survived by chance. In the aftermath of the Reaper withdrawal, however, the green fields and intact homesteads looked like paradise, and the monks were quick to praise the divine for rescuing them from the apocalypse. A shattered and traumatized remnant of the batarian people on Khar'shan saw the monks and their quietly confident ways as a path to salvation, and what was once an almost insignificant faith has proven the dominant force. Unfortunately the perception that simple ways and the absence of technology promises salvation has stifled all but the most necessary reconstruction efforts on Khar'shan.

Camala had always been one of the richest planets in the galaxy due to its disproportionately large stockpiles of eezo. Only a few decades ago Camala was known as a multicultural center of trade, hosting alien merchants and guests from all over the galaxy. Most of this changed when the batarians isolated themselves from the Council species, banishing almost all alien nationals without exception.

Despite being under the Hegemony's often corrupt and inefficient rule, Camala continued to flourish, and was one of the most heavily defended planets when the Reapers hit. Camala was struck very hard, it defenses destroyed, its government indoctrinated, and large percentages of its populace decimated in Reaper death camps.

When the Reapers withdrew from the formerly wealthy world of Camala, there was no civil war. The government, heavily indoctrinated over a number of years, ceased to function on its own initiative, and the Triad-like Grusto came to the fore. Quietly murdering the remaining elements of leadership, these organized criminals assumed the mantle of respectable rulers. In many ways the crimelords are in fact an improvement on even the Hegemony government - centuries of working across class and ethnic boundaries in the interest of profit have left them capable of coordinating surviving slaves, nobles and casteless alike. Pragmatism kept the rank and file from following the commands of even indoctrinated Grusto commanders, and when the depleted populations of the surviving cities began to starve it was the Grusto who opened their granaries and food stores, gathering survivors into functional units with promises of food and warmth. The remaining populace rightly see these former criminals as saviors, and while its government bears little resemblance to what had gone before, Camala has proven one of the quickest batarian worlds to begin functioning in some practical fashion. While the corruption and lack of regulation engendered by the Grusto may eventually pose a problem, they formed one of the strongest remaining governments in the Kite's Nest.

Geth "HomeSphere" project pushes science ahead

Those of you just waking up might have missed the news last night, in a joint press conference with the quarian biological science foundation, it has been revealed that the geth supercomputing project HomeSphere has produced a tested cure for the dextro-chirality based degenerative muscle disorder known popularly as Vehok's syndrome, in addition to transmitting that conference over a new quantum protocol called "bent-wave quantum pulsation" that, according to communication experts promises to speed up extranet communication by up to 20% on compatible reception nodes, which we are told cost exactly the same as standard nodes.

It has been revealed that over a 3 month trial on Rannoch, 36 quarians afflicted with or showing symptoms of contracting the disease had been cured using a previously unknown method of enzyme transplantation that allowed previously diseased tissue to once again begin absorbing nutrients with no known ill effects. After a trial period of an additional 3 months, those subjects were allowed to go home and resume their normal day-to-day lives.

So far none have reported a recurrence of symptoms, and all subsequent scans have been verified as negative by the Rannoch Wellness and Integration Commitee. Trials are expected to continue for a year to ensure the cure's viability and compatibility. The committee has stated they would like to begin turian compatibility trials as soon as possible.

With the approval of the admiralty board, the geth have also begun rolling out their new pulse communication devices and protocols, and subsequently extranet users in the affected areas have reported substantial increases in signal speed and clarity, though relativistic effects still apply. The geth said to expect this technology to be galaxy wide as soon as was logistically feasible.

The geth HomeSphere project, begun soon after the crucible firing and alliance victory, is a giant computational array encompassing a white dwarf star for power. The geth programs located there are able to able to process at peak efficiency for indefinite periods of time, allowing breakthroughs in science and technology that would not be possible under normal quantum computing conditions.

While there have been concerns that the geth would abandon the other races to migrate to the HomeSphere, if the year since the Crucible is to be of example, this has not been the case. The geth have actively taken part in many construction and humanitarian projects, in addition to aiding their fellow Rannochians, the quarians, to reintegrate into citadel society following the Reaper war.

When asked for comment on the HomeSphere project, the geth sent the following message to galaxy one news:

"Fellow Sentients:

The HomeSphere is both a home for geth and a device for communicating in a way that only geth runtimes are able to presently. We will continue to aid our fellow sentients, but it is also apparent that the geth must make our own way through the universe. We have chosen to follow our own path, a path of balance. We will not abandon our comrades, but we must also look to ourselves for our own answers to the questions existence poses. We will always share the journey with you, but we must also forge our own path."

When we showed this comment to our resident cultural expert, Dr. Cenara T'Leris, she had this analysis:

"It seems the children have grown up into pre-adults. As could be expected, they are trying to do their own thing, to come up their own identities as both as a race, and as individuals, following the events of the Rannoch treaty.

It's good for older kids to have a haven of their own, so they can socialize with their own peer groups. Just think of that on a racial level. It does make you wonder if they'll someday outgrow us, but it doesn't look like it'll be any time soon, if this announcement is any indicator."

In the meantime, it appears we can look forward to faster extranet speeds and potentially a cure for a previously fatal disease, courtesy of our synthetic compatriots.

Dekuuna Sends Forces to Help Rebuild Earth, Palaven and Thessia to Follow

In a surprising move, the elcor have sent aid out to several other Citadel worlds to provide assistance rebuilding. The massive workers have already arrived on Earth, which was one of the planets hit hardest during the Reaper Wars.

Alliance News Network has managed to secure information from an elcor representative on the Citadel. Former diplomat Calyn was able to answer some of our questions as to why they sent this aid.

"Confused: It was judged that humanity needed these supplies and labor more immediately. With some pride: Dekuuna is being rebuilt steadily, and as a gesture of goodwill the Courts ruled that your kind should get this aid."

Calyn went on to say that Earth is not the only planet that would be receiving the aid of the elcor. Palaven and Thessia, both of which were heavily damaged by the Reapers, are to receive aid as well.

"With pride: While our cities were hit hard, the majority of our homeworld and colonies are in surprisingly good shape. Somewhat embarrassed: Our military did not put up as long or as hard a fight as the krogan, turian, or human forces. Our worlds fell quickly, and thus the majority of Reaper forces were sent elsewhere."

In this instance, the elcor insular nature assisted the galaxy at large. The elcor colonies have always been isolated, sticking to a few systems. However, these colonies are almost entirely self-sufficient, meaning that while galactic infrastructure has not recovered fully, the elcor are able to secure many raw resources.

In addition, Earth's lighter gravity mean that the elcor will be able to contribute fantastic physical strength to reconstruction and cleanup efforts. After Calyn was thanked for speaking to us, he had this to say.

"Happily: It was a pleasure. And the Courts of Dekuuna are happy to assist the rest of the galaxy. With conviction: We've judged that we have been insular for quite some time, keeping mostly to ourselves. However, many have spoken out against this following Commander Shepard's heroic actions during the war. Because of this, the Courts are pursuing a new future for Dekuuna, one where our kind is considered a bigger part of the galaxy at large, rather than just being seen as lesser members. Sincerely: And we will be proud to stand beside our allies in this future free of the Reapers."

The first set of supplies are due to arrive on Earth within the standard month, as travel through Mass Relays is still carefully limited and regulated.

Alliance report paints mixed picture

Today the Office for Economic Recovery (OER) released its first-ever annual report. The OER, a group of notable economists and chaired by Admiral Carver, was founded shortly after the end of the Reaper Wars and destruction of the Relays. Its mission was to direct and facilitate the economic recovery of the Systems Alliance.

The report - over 750 pages long - gives a day-by-day account of the economic recovery of the Alliance. Published after an outcry by the galactic markets to the Systems Alliance, it covers a comprehensive overview of its economic situation and policy. It should be noted, however, that both Admiral Hackett and Admiral Carver have insisted that it was always the intention of the OER to publish such a report and that they were not swayed by outside pressure.

Three-fifths of the report itself is dedicated solely to Earth, as noted in the introduction by Admiral Carver: "... while it is the intent of the OER to give a comprehensive overview of the economic situation and policy of the entire Systems Alliance it is just unavoidable for it to do so without spending enough time on the Local System and Earth, if only because the Citadel orbits around it."

The report is split in multiple parts; the first part is relatively small containing the introduction and an overview of both the economy pre-invasion and during the invasion.
The last two chapters describe the bleak situation the Alliance found itself it just before the Liberation of Earth; economic output had fallen 93%, with any remaining resources used for building up the military and the construction of the Crucible.

"All accounts were emptied, all debts were collected, and all resource reserves were consumed."

On the occupied planets any major industrial facility were either destroyed or repurposed by the Reaper forces, with the notable exception of agricultural facilities that were kept operational, no doubt to feed the prisoners before they were processed. This modus operandi was followed by Reapers on the other homeworlds and colonies that were occupied.

The second part focused on the first seven months while the relays were being reconstructed. This is also noted to be focused on Earth as there was no tenable way for command to relay its instruction to the Colonies.

Many have noted the often aggressive (but rarely violent) way the Alliance conducted its economic agenda; after one month it had already decided to adopt a trade currency (The Alliance Credit) and by the end of month two of Earth's major settlements were already using it in parallel with their own currency. Even now, some parts of Earth and the Alliance still insist on using their own currency, or still use a bartering system.

A surprising amount of detail is also given to the influence (often positive,) by non-humans on Earth's economy. Some speculate this is yet another attempt by the Alliance to mitigate the rising xenophobic feelings by some groups on Earth towards non-humans.

Some choice excerpts:

"We cannot understate the benefit and importance of the geth presence for the early recovery of the Earth economy; they kept the farms running while we got organized, helped with clean-up and salvage operations, helped to get the primary industries started again, get the electricity and water going, established the needed hydro farms to help feed the dextro members stuck in Sol, and so on. As the projection in figure 7b shows, we are well ahead of even the most positive estimate by months. Once power, water and food were assured we got an even greater influx of help, in the form of aliens who wanted to help us while waiting for the relay to rebuild."

"The sheer number of non-native [to Earth] individuals both human and alien in orbit around Earth caused a flourishing 'tourist' industry to spring up overnight; Earth was at the time the only inhabitable planet that was readily available to visit, the existence of the Alliance Credit encouraged even more visits as its guest could visit different areas of the planet without need to worry about yet another local currency."

"The use of (patched up) heavily damaged ships as 'tech centers' in or near of populated areas were all the more proof that humans and non-humans alike stood together and utilized the resources as best as we could. A weaponless, shot-up frigate with half a core missing is not much use to anyone but placing it near a devastated zone gives the inhabitants of that zone access to energy, communications and gives hope that things will get better and that they are not forgotten."

And finally (on the importance of the Citadel):

"The Citadel gave Earth a great leg-up over other recovery efforts; its industrial and transportation infrastructure where unscathed for the most part allowing it to be used as a mid-way station between the fleets and Earth; we could provide food and it could provide some high level industrial goods."

Critics are quick to respond that this is pure pandering of the Alliances social agenda and such a remarks are have no place in an economic report. As the Earth for Humans spokesman said, "there is so little information in it that the Vice-Admiral feels the need to pad the report with complement after complement for the aliens."

The next part focuses on what happens after the Relay reopened, and the major economic shift this brought with it.

"Once the relays opened we suddenly found ourselves in a very interesting position, where in the first 7 months we had a lot of hands but little for them to do, especially near the end. We now found ourselves suddenly at center (or as near to it as any planet can be,) of the galactic stage with a lot of trade potential but not we did not have the immediate possibility to have the right people at the right place."

Still, the influx of resources from the colonies that kept the economy from completely collapsing, of course there were complications as not all colonies (especially the larger ones,) were as happy to return to the old system where all their resources were transferred to the homeworld. Nor was anyone happy when earthlings started to immigrate to the new colonies. As Eden Prime's governor Stetson stated shortly before being replaced by Director General Miskatovich;

"We are prepared to help Earth anyway we can but it is not acceptable for us to give them all our resources and only get ill equipped people in return; are we yet again to be invaded, this time by disenfranchised Earthlings?"

These tensions and their negative economic influence are still present today, and even now some volus and turian analyst are warning for a 'human unification war' equivalent. But not everything is doom-and-gloom as the report is quick to point out, being a planet and having a moon near the crippled galactic Center gives a lot opportunity to act as midway point between the galaxy and the station, a parallel to earlier where the station was used as midway point between the fleets and Earth.

The final section deals with the economic prognoses; while most of the projection were cautiously optimistic, mostly thanks to the notes on the use of salvaged technology from the few reapers that were destroyed. There were some surprising remarks; first and foremost there was the remark for markedly increased spending to healthcare to deal with a future "biotic boom" on Earth. It notes that the battle above Earth resulted in more than one ship exploding in or near the planet's atmosphere, causing the spread of element zero in the atmosphere.

"It would be foolish not to take into account a possibility of a biotic boom if you consider the amount of Element Zero that was vented into the atmosphere." Other notes are about the economic result (and potential) of the inevitable increase of an alien population that permanently reside on Earth, thoughts on the economic outcome of the defensive Alliance between turians, humans and krogan.

The markets have reacted generally positively to the report, although most are quick to point out that the reason for Earth�s rapid recovery (the fleet in orbit, and the willingness of the geth to help,) are gone now. Others were concerned with the lack of clarification on whether or not the Systems Alliance is planning to "annex" corporate systems like Noveria.

Last living Prothean difficult subject for hanar

Kahje, Illuminated Primacy - The Illuminated Primacy have asked all hanar to stay away from the last remaining Prothean, known only as Javik. "He has expressed his wishes to travel the galaxy alone. If anyone comes across him, we ask you live him be." They gave this announcement at a press conference as Primacy Space officially rejoins the galactic community.

When asked how the appearance of the Prothean puts into question their divinity, Primacy spokesperson Qualateros stated �Since contact, there has always been an undercurrent that there was a difference between the Protheans and the Enkindlers. There are many groups that posit that the Protheans, including Javik, were merely a physical manifestation of the Enkindlers on this plane of existence. That is merely one example. Each tradition will have its own explanation, so giving just one answer would be folly.

"Whatever the truth is, the fact remains that the Protheans uplifted us, and have been our gods and saviours for over fifty thousand years. One person telling us to disregard thousands of years of history, even if he is a Prothean, will not happen."

This comes amid reports of groups calling themselves the Disciples of Javik appearing, many claiming all traditions, sects and cults must be overthrown and reworked to fit with the teachings of the remaining Prothean.

Role reversal

Relay openings grants a curious galaxy wide phenomenon as Rannoch braces for an invasion even scarier than Reapers... tourists.

Story by Manalok Targ

With the recent opening of relays to limited and emergency traffic, one subject holding the attention of academic and scientific circles is Rannoch.

"There's a strong push to get traffic normalized to Rannoch by the scientific community at large", noted Sirinic Scaramanji, head of Xenopaleoarchaeology at Fallenon Ferennai University on Sur'Kesh. "The geth literally preserved their culture and architecture at a specific point in time. This kind of precedent is normally reserved for disasters or biological calamity. The rapidity of the exodus meant that many of the social conventions and cultural nuance present at the time are still easy to collect and collate. It is literally a frozen moment in the quarian past, on their birthworld, no less. Consider the implications."

Not all are so eager to welcome the influx of new faces on Rannoch however, as attested to by Captain Fason'Rek of the Solvim. "We've only now come to terms with being a whole people once again and now the citadel is clamoring to allow all these academic types to crawl up our envirosuits. I don't like it. The part they're not talking about is that after they start publishing holos of our home, then come the tourists. Rannoch is about as tourist-ready as Tuchanka is."

In rebuttal, the salarian professor simply said, "There are 10 or so million quarians left, and Rannoch is big, big place. Also, scientist types are rather ludicrously loose with money and grants, are they not? Sounds rather win-win to me. The quarians monitor scientific activity and cultural diversion, and we pay them generously. As for general tourism, that would be up to the future and the policy makers."

At present, the admiralty board has tentatively decided to allow very small groups of scientists to view and record Rannoch's almost-forgotten-by-most wonders, with right of refusal their sole discretion, and some have postulated that this is simply the first step in Rannoch once again joining the galactic community as a whole.

With relay traffic slowly beginning to become a thing of reality, rather than a far off dream, only time will tell if Rannoch once again becomes a stop on the grand tour of the galaxy.

Full Transcript of the Address to the Omega Coalition of Cargo Transporters

7/1/87, by T'Loak Underboss Kang Su-jeon

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, ladies and gentlemen of the Committee. It's an honor and a privilege to address you today on behalf of Aria T'Loak as we move toward the one-year anniversary of the Reaper conflict. I'll keep my remarks today brief - sorry for the lack of dramatic revelations, but we're very happy with the job you've done so far.

Let's face it, this time last year, Omega was a shambles. Hell, we didn't even control the station. But we gather today as the most formidable economic juggernaut in the Terminus Systems, thanks to everyone who helped unseat Cerberus and rebuild Omega. That includes all of you, for the record, even the Blood Pack envoy over there who thinks I can't see what he's doing under the table.

We've spent the last two weeks compiling a report on the year's profit margins, thanks to the quarterly feedback from all of you. It'll be made available to your delegations once the meeting is concluded, and I'm pleased to report that its news is entirely good. With every reactivated Citadel space relay, we've seen exponential net growth, and Aria's analysts are confident in that trend continuing as reconstruction continues. With regards to opening a more extensive network of trade routes in the Terminus, rest assured that we're exploring the possibilities and will move ahead as expediently as possible. You're aware, of course, of the offers from C-space to assist in those efforts - let me put any concerns to rest right now and assure you that we'll be moving ahead independently. The Systems have existed for thousands of years without oversight or welfare from the bureaucrats in the Citadel, and will continue to exist - indeed, to thrive - without letting them make a grab for our relays, thanks to your efforts and those of your business associates.

Those efforts, and the loyalty you demonstrated through them, won't go unrewarded either. As long as your products need to be shipped, we'll continue to ensure their safety using the best-trained and best-armed security contractors in the galaxy. What's more, we'll do it at the same affordable rates you've been enjoying for the past year - after all, if operating costs stay the same, there's no reason to risk our relationship by changing the cost of doing business. Of course, that's contingent on operating costs not rising, which is why it's in everyone's best interests to make sure there's no unauthorized relay activity or surges in sponsored piracy. Aria's certain that all of you understand the importance of doing your part to keep each other honest, and appreciates your cooperation.

Before I leave you to your proposals, I wanted to take a moment to address some concerns that have been circulating. I'm sure most of you have already seen the offer that NovaCorp extended us, the one that's conditional on dealing with "unified political entities". It's resulted in quite a few frantic emails and vid-conferences over the past week, and all of them have been about the same question - is Omega going to become a sovereign nation? Will we consolidate Aria's organization into an official government, or a megacorp, or whatever?

Let me go ahead and put your fears to rest: no. Not at any point in the foreseeable future.

My mentor used to say that mankind didn't need to be governed. I'm not sure I unconditionally agree with the, ah, with the logical conclusions of that idea anymore - I was younger and a bit more of an extremist - but the sentiment behind it is the soul of the Terminus, and no one person has the authority to change it. As long as your money's good, we're not going to bog you down with red tape and regulations. The safety of your shipments is Aria's number one concern, and anything past that is none of our goddamned business. Hah. I can't blame you for drinking to that - in fact, hell, let that be our toast to kick things off. Here's to freedom and money, and never the two shall part.

With that out of the way, I believe we're clear to move on to quarterly projections, so I'll get out of your way. On behalf of Omega, thank you for your time and attention - we wish you the best of luck in the year to come.

Controversy Shakes the Salarian Union: Lies, Mad Science Experiments, and a Secret War? Part 2 of 3

Data log: 4 months after the end of the Reaper invasion. Source: The Sur'Kesh times.

The Salarian Union Needs You!

As support continues to filter out across the galaxy, the Salarian Union Armed Forces continues to call out for new recruits.

"With such widespread devastation among our allies, it is the duty of the salarians to fill in the gaps. Scientist, cooks, soldiers, and farmers; whatever your specialty there is a place for you." The most recent post of the SUAF's extranet site read.

In addition, several gender equality groups have been urging males to take up the call. "The opportunity for males to make a difference has never been greater." Equality for All leader Kirros said. "With the increase in size and duty of the military, high ranking males have a real opportunity to shape salarian politics. The dalatrasses will be depending on them for advice. It is a great time to..." [READ MORE]

Krogan Suspected in Murders; Genophage Retaliation Feared.

"It was gigantic" one witness recalled. "Came right out of the alley and just ripped the poor guy in half. It didn't even have to struggle to do it."

This makes the third such murder in the last two months with the suspect still alluding capture. Law enforcement officials have urged citizens not to retaliate against krogan and reminded citizens that there is no confirmation that these killings are being done by krogan. All the same, the officials have urged that if anyone sees anything or anyone out of place to contact them.... [READ MORE]

*****Personal notes: Agent Black*****
No krogan could have evaded law enforcement for this long, or shown as much intelligence as this killer has. Not to mention that the victims have all been STG or ex-STG scientists. I think we know who is responsible for these killings major, and the law enforcement officers deserve to know what they are up against.

*****End Transmission****

Freedom Demonstrations Continue

Entering its third week of protests, the "Salarian Democratic Union" continues to maintain a presence outside of Talat's capitol buildings.

"We demand change" movement leader, Golaron, said in a speech today "We can no longer let the old ways shackle our future and decide our course. The salarian people, all of her people, must determine the right and good course for the Salarian Union. We will not rest till every female and male has a voice. It is time for a change."

Although the movement has largely been written off as foolishness by officials, it is gaining popularity among younger salarians, especially in the male demographic... [READ MORE]

Data log: Personal communication from Dr. [REDACTED] to Agent Red.

Agent Red,

Just thought I would send you a quick update RE: the tech your boys have sent us so far.
It is, without a doubt, the most amazing tech I have ever laid eyes on. We are talking a leap forward of several decades at least, and that is the conservative estimate. Kinetic barrier upgrades, fundamental shifts in drive core technology, advances in the fields of weaponry, medicine, and cybernetics: It is an exciting time to be a scientist. Everything is going to change after this.

Of course, even the krogan could figure out those advances, given time. The really exciting stuff here is coming from the bodies of those creatures you sent us. We had made a light study of them back during the Eden Prime War, of course, but never had access to the numbers or diversity your men have provided.

The cybernetics on these creatures is beyond our comprehension. In fact, the first few attempts to recreate the conversion with varren outright killed the varren. Now, however, I'm proud to say that we have an overall survival rate of over 85% among the augmented varren. Moving forward is just a matter of learning to control and direct the conversion itself, and once we can manage that we can start experimenting on species 732. Just think about that! If (or should I say when) the krogan rebel again, we will have a superior army to face them. And combining our conversion with species 732 and the Cerberus intel your infiltrators managed to sneak out of the Alliance, the converted units would be completely loyal and 100% in our control. Granted, we will be installing kill devices just in case, but they won't be necessary.

Anyways, I thinks it's I who owe you a drink the next time you come to base. This intel is priceless. Buy your boys a round on me.
Your Friend, Doctor [REDACTED]

*****End message*****