Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect. It's unique universe belongs to Bioware and EA respectively. This isn't written for the goal of financial gain, just to express my thoughts and views on a different version of Mass Effect.

Authors Note: Hello there, it's been a while since I first put my prologue to this story out there. To be honest it was more of a preview and I didn't even execute that very well. But without further ado I am starting my progress on this story post haste after much procrastination.

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Advent of Humanity

Chapter One – First Contact

2162

Lieutenant Jason Moore, First Contact Team

The shuttle ride down to the planet below was tense.

Everyone was silent. Perhaps out of fear. It was a common reaction that we Humans had when encountering anything unknown to us. As I looked around the cramped shuttle area I could see my four fellow marines sitting in contemplation just as I am. Each checking their gear to ensure it's reliability.

Each of us are wearing our standard issue, military grade hard suits. The most advanced personal protection system designed to date by mankind. I tapped at my omni-tool ensuring that my kinetic barriers are functioning correctly.

- Kinetic Barriers at 100%

I pulled my side-arm from it's magnetic holster on the right side of my hip, I look it over ensuring that it is ready for use should I need it. I took a deep breath, I myself having this unshakable feeling building up in my chest and throat. The immense weight of the situation being thrust upon me and my makeshift first contact team.

A week ago the SSV Novus E-57 an explorer vessel, the 57th of her class designed solely for exploration of new star systems, entered this system. The Novus spent the next few days searching the system for anything of value. A single gas giant with a large moon system in it's orbit alongside four terrestrial planets in the inner solar system were discovered. Using it's vast array of probes it begun to scan for valuable materials and resources. Aside from discovering a system rich in titanium, the second planet from the main sequence yellow-dwarf star had serious potential for colonization.

The planet itself contained an atmosphere of mostly oxygen and nitrogen which are vital for Human habitation. Unfortunately it also contained a lethal level of carbon monoxide. If a Human attempted to breathe on the surface without air filters it would be like sucking on a car exhaust from the 21st century. The planet held a strong magnetic field hinting at an active molten core. It lacked any signs of life, being more akin to a barren rock. Fortunately from the initial scans of the systems asteroid belt we detected plenty of water-ice comets that could be put to use in creating a garden world. An atmosphere processor would need to be set up to tame the atmosphere to ease colonisation.

Overall, the planet was very promising. Initial predictions dictate it could be as little as two decades before the atmosphere is breathable. A little longer and it could also hold vast bodies of water not to different than Earth.

One can dream anyway, it would probably end up something like four decades until work was finished.

Not long after marking various sites across the system and grading them on their approximate mass and difficulty of extraction did a probe detect an unknown vessel in the system. Once that news hit the bridge it was almost like being in a deserted town for a solid five minutes. Even though we had first contact procedures to follow and protocol to dictate us along the way, I think we were just shocked at the realisation.

We were not alone, but they're right here!

The captain begun to follow protocol. She was greatly tempted to send a comms burst back to the nearest outpost but protocol dictated we do not antagonise or scare the beings to the best of our ability. That in mind we were not allowed to send said message until we observed that they had done the same. Minutes passed as both the Novus and the alien craft of similar size awaited the other to make the first step.

While the Novus sent a comms burst containing first contact handshakes and limited information that could hopefully provide a form of communication, the alien vessel emitted a comms burst. Upon a hunch, one of the communication officers traced the transmission. The signal was sent to a nearby star system, relatively speaking.

I actually exhaled sharply, releasing air I didn't realise I was holding, when he reasoned they were alerting their superiors of the situation.

The captain took that as the opportunity to send her own message back to command.

- First Contact Initiated -

The message was simple and straight forward. The Novus had sent routine messages once they had surveyed a system. Contained within this message was also the Novus' current location.

Couldn't hurt to be cautious I suppose

It didn't take as long as we thought for the alien vessel to respond to our data package. They responded in kind by sending their first contact package. The egg heads immediately set themselves to work trying to decipher the information held within. Alas, even with a VI suite aiding them they were not making fast progress . . . or slow progress for that matter.

Initial attempts to understand the coding inside the package proved a failure for hours. During that time neither the Novus or the alien vessel had moved from their positions, the aliens seemingly as interested in staying in contact with us as we are with them. It was hounding the analysts that they could not make any progress on the information and the captain as less that joyful about it.

But the key to the package wasn't really the coding at all. It turned out to be the basic mathematics used by the alien race. Where Humanity had adapted using ten as the basic set of numbers, which dictated pretty much the rest of human mathematics, we had no clue as to what basic set the aliens used but it definitely wasn't ten.

I took a quick look around at the other marines in the shuttle, leaving my train of thought for a moment. Seeing Corporal Jones leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his Lancer assault rifle between his legs with the butt on the floor. I Couldn't make out his facial expression through the slim visor, but I could see a little bit of sweat roll between his eyes. I caught his attention and gave him a curt nod, to which he returned. Even a little gesture can mean a lot in strange situations.

"Sixty seconds until touch down" stated the Pilot calmly through our hard suit radios.

It terrifies me that in just sixty seconds I will be representing my species in this meeting. But I find solace by hoping that who or what ever I'm meeting is feeling just the same. I stand up and grab a bar overhead to help keep me on my feet as the shuttle moves, my escort mirroring the same.

Back to my previous trail of thought

Turns out that the aliens must have two fingers and a thumb on each hand, that is if they are anything similar to us. The analysts begun to make quick progress through the unsecured package as they begun to disseminate the knowledge within. If the translation is even roughly right, then these beings are roughly the same size as us and their body shape is humanoid. They have two horns I think on the top of their heads and are rather slim looking. I think one of the egg heads mentioned they were also reptiles . . . or amphibians.

Not long after that they sent a small message using our base set for their code.

They wanted to make an exchange and if they composed the message correctly it wasn't anything major. Just a gesture of good faith. After confirming that we were up to it the Captain and who ever is in charge over there agreed to 0700 hours the next morning. Bringing my line of though full circle up to this current moment. I was picked by the Captain to make physical first contact and carry a package for delivery.

I tapped at my lower backside to double check the package was still there, just in case it has decided to detach from the magnetic holster there. With a little sigh of relief I postured myself for what will likely be the most memorable moment of my life.

So far anyway

"Thirty seconds" came the Pilot's curt update

"You boys ready for the only thing you will ever be proud of in your life?" I say jokingly, trying to elicit a response from my men.

"Sir yes sir!" they chat in sync with one another, obviously letting the banter slide

"Uh huh damn right you are!" I turn around to face them "Maybe this story gets you a little somethin' when we get home huh?" the suggestion clearly not lost on them.

"Damn right sir" replied Private Jenkins a little too enthusiastically.

I seize the opportunity to raise their spirits a bit as I turn back to Jenkins.

"I didn't mean at the gay bar" in truth it isn't a prejudiced statement, just a joke to make them laugh a bit.

"Ha ha screw you sir" came his quick response.

"You're lucky, the last time someone said screw you sir they actually got to" I reply with a little grin on my face, to which Jenkins didn't know how to respond. "Of course she was better looking than you private"

Good thing fraternisation rules are less stringent in the Alliance, or I'd probably have been disciplined for that. Such is the banter between people who live a life in the military. Banter is probably the only thing that is truly in over-abundance. Before anyone could get another word in the pilot cut in.

"Five . . .four . . . three . . . two . . . one"

The shuttle gently rocked as it levelled out to land.

"Touchdown, good luck out there boys"

I quickly raise my right hand to the right side of my helmet.

"Thanks, keep this bucket of rust ready would'ya?"

"Will do, over and out"

The side door to the shuttle hisses as it opens and our eyes are met with the dirty barren wasteland before us. I step out first, followed quickly by Jones, Jenkins, Xhang and then King. We quickly take in our surroundings. We had looked at the area on a holographic map aboard the Novus before hand. But as military training will demonstrate to you, nothing is a substitute for the real thing. We are in a very exposed position on a plateau. Little to no cover besides our shuttle and small rock formations all over the place. The only thing worth mentioning is the mountain range to the east which looks really imposing right now. Looked a lot smaller from space

In truth that's because we left a little early.

Noticing a rock formation just close to the LZ I signal the men to follow. I walk over and take a seat, watching my men do the same with the exception they check the perimeter for signs of life. King is the last one to take a seat.

"Lieutenant, alien shuttle has departed the main vessel, on it's way to you now" informed the Pilot

A shiver climbs my spine quickly but I don't show any signs of it to the group.

"Copy that Sierra One" I reply as I snap my fingers to get the attention of the guys.

Their heads perk up to face me.

"Okay let's go over this one more time marines" I say as I lean forward into the centre of the rocks.

"When the shuttle is within eyesight we will form a line just here beside the rock formation" taking time to pause before continuing.

"I will be in the centre and you will follow my lead" I order.

"No stepping out of line, no speaking unless spoken to understood?" I quiz as I look at all four of them.

"I will initiate contact and proceed with the exchange, you guys will watch for any signs of suspicious behaviour but you will not fire unless fired upon" I wait for any concerns to be voiced. Thankfully, my men know I'm in my no-bullshit mood.

"No threatening or obscene gestures, just stand at ease until I order you otherwise-"

Just mid sentence we hear a sonic boom as the shuttle rapidly descends from the sky.

"Alright, shows about to start, move it lads" I order as I pick myself up from the rock and quickly pace over to the standing position.

Xhang and King fall in on my left with Jones and Jenkins on my right. I take a quick look and see that they are in perfect drill positions. Equal distance between us all, standing at ease with their Lancers across their chests. The butt in their right shoulder higher than the barrel which is pointed to the dusty ground to their lower left. I keep my Kessler in it's holster on my hip as per instructions.

The alien first contact team should be in the same format as us. Four escorts and one leader to do the exchange on this neutral ground, so to speak. The shuttle came within about sixty metres of us and our shuttle, kicking up swathes of dust in every direction as it's thrusters stabilised the vehicles landing.

Other than my hairs being on their absolute ends in anticipation of this event, I could only think of how the decontamination VI is going to throw a fit at the dust we will be bringing back. As the dust settled we set our eyes upon the alien craft which appeared sleeker than our own yet had a distinct utilitarian feel to it. A part of the hull hissed loudly as it pressed out in our direction before sliding across the hull to allow the alien team their exit.

They stepped out one by one, in sterile white uniforms which look as though they are quite advanced. I can only assume that they must also be hard suits. Best to expect the worst that way you won't be surprised. As they formed a line similar to our own and slowly begun to approach I could begin to make out significant details.

The centre figure or rather the being who I'm going to be shaking hands with, has a secondary red colour in a single stripe on each part of his suit. The rest all have a secondary colour of orange. Each of the alien escorts are sporting what I assume are rifles but of a slimmer design. Probably following the design pattern I've begun to notice. The alien vessel is sleek, their shuttle is sleek and their suits are slim just in concert with their creators.

As soon as they get on the five metre mark between us, they halt in unison. As per the instructions from the data bursts between the Novus and the alien vessel up high, I perform what we understand as a formal greeting.

I stand erect, close my right fist except for my thumb, index and middle finger which I keep tight together and point above my head but in a slight indication to them. A brief moment of tense anticipation follows as I hope I did it properly.

To my great relief, the leader responds in kind and lowers his or her arm first. To which I follow too. At that point I begun to pace forward slowly and it did the same. Our gaze or rather my gaze, as I couldn't see through their black polarised visor, never left its. I didn't want to give the creature the false impression that I might be intimidated, scared maybe but not intimidated. We came to a stop as we came to close proximity to one another. As rehearsed I held out my hand to the being, ready to perform the most historical handshake in Human history. But as I held it there the alien tilted it's head to the side slightly.

Was it confused?

Slowly the creature mimicked my movement but stopped just short of touching my hand. I grasped his hand to which must have been a little strange as the creature slightly recoiled from the physical contact. For a moment I wasn't sure if I had offended the being or committed a crime, but it composed itself very quickly as I shook it's hand and let go. Hopefully the long used human gesture wasn't too strange to the alien as it's probably going to see more use in the near future. I noticed that it's escort had also become visibly uncomfortable as I initiated the handshake, looking in my direction.

Perhaps it's considered a hostile gesture wherever they're from?

After I brought my hands up slowly almost as if I was under arrest but it was to show the alien that I mean no harm as I grab the package. I move my left hand and grasp the metal package, slowly pulling out of the magnetic holsters grip and presenting it outwards to the being in front of me. Inside were samples of food from Earth, a copy of every language known to mankind and a small pack of medi-gel. Food, a healing agent and knowledge. Gifts of this sort were customary throughout human history so hopefully it would suffice. It also sends a better picture than giving the weapons. The alien grasps the handle on top of the vacuum sealed metal case and places it on the floor beside its feet.

Now your turn

It raises its hands in the same fashion I had, slowly reaching for the case I see on it's lower back. Presenting it to me but I notice there is no handle.

Mastered space flight but don't know how to fit a handle on a simple box?

I take the box from its strange three fingered hands and place it on my lower back. Hearing a little metallic click as it slides into the weapon holster. I wait for it to do the same with its gift before we say our farewell.

Noticing my cue I begin.

"The people of Earth bid you welcome and may our gift help give you knowledge of us so that we may live in peace, together" as I finish a snap to a crisp salute.

On a normal occasion my marines would have done the same, but given the situation I think any brash movement involving a weapon may be considered hostile. The alien seems to nod as if it understood what I have said.

Then it spoke, in a strange series of noises I don't think my mouth could ever hope to make.

"The Salarian Union bids you welcome, may our people learn from each other and prosper together" said the leader

A shame I could not understand what he said, but I will in due time. It now performs a very similar salute to the one I had performed moments ago. With our business concluded we could go our separate ways. It took several paces backwards and I mirrored it's movements, once we were back to our respective escorts it stopped and performed the same gesture that I had performed first at the beginning of the meeting.

It must double as a farewell and a hello

I mirrored the gesture again and lowered my arm.

"Alright lads, time to go home" I said to them with a sigh of relief as if a huge weight had just been lifted off my shoulders.

"We have some important news to deliver and I don't want to spend another second in this dust bowl"

I swivel on my feet and begun walking towards our shuttle. Taking a look back to see that they were indeed on their way home too. They seem to be quick walkers as they rapidly paced back to their shuttle. The leader stopped at the door just as I neared mine.

"Get in marines, take your seats" I ordered as I motioned for them to get inside

Looking back at the alien I give a nod. I think I see him nod back but I'm not sure. I step inside the shuttle and the door slides shut followed quickly by a loud hiss as the air composition is restored to normal. I twist my helmet slightly and press a pair of buttons down in sync to open my helmet seals. Sliding it off my head I notice the cold air in the shuttle and the warm beads of sweat trailing down the sides of my head.

By far the most tense situation I've ever been in . . . . but no one else will ever be able to claim that story for themselves. A large grin escapes onto my face as I let out a little laugh.

"Well boys, it seems we're gonna be getting friendly with the neighbours soon enough"

They all relax back into their seats, taking their helmets off too, no doubt for some fresh and cool air. Being stuck in a hard suit keeps one warm enough without a situation like that.

There is only one thought stuck in my mind as I relax back into my seat.

Where do we go from here?

The shuttle jerked as it begun to lift off, heading back for Novus . . . . and Arcturus station. There is going to be one hell of a debate over there soon enough.

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Authors Note: So guys what do you think so far eh? Let me know what you think, all reviews are welcome both for praise and criticism. I need both to keep me on my toes. I thought I did this pretty well but I could be easily wrong. Do you guys think this is allowed in the alternate first contact community section or is that reserved for war scenarios only?