Okay glad you guys liked the last chapter. This one starts sixteen years after the last chapter and will have the final time skips and the fate of Gaia. As well as the origin of a certain Sheppard. Also this is typed on my phone and autocorrect is a nightmare. I know there will be grammar issues and I will try to catch them but even then I'll miss some stuff so sorry in advance. Heck I had to try eight times to get Aerilon right. Keeps changing too airplane. Don't even get me started on Votan. I almost quit just because of that. Lastly when it comes to my theres oh god whoever programmed this autocorrect is a nightmare lord on its own and I've given up on those.

As for the population boom on Reach the average family is eight to ten children. With those kids encouraged to have a lot of kids. So it's only near the end of the chapter that small families are becoming normal.

As for the mass effect aspect. Prometheum is NOT element zero. While zero affects an objects mass with gravity affected as an end result. Prometheum will DIRECTLY affect gravity. They are similar but different.

Lastly for fans of Defiance I'm changing the Votans so the Omecs travelled with the fleet. They are the equivalent of the Turians in mass effect. Fierce fighters with a feral streak.

Primus city six years since the ruins discovery.

Whenever a new land was settled no matter the place. Be it an island a continent or even an entire world the first thing built was a bar. It was found throughout all human history. When a new land was claimed the first thought was get together and get drunk. For the world of Reach that place was the Iron horns. Founded by a son of the planet Touron. He had come to Reach to build a brewery making traditional Tauron ales nothing more nothing less. The Iron horns was the first building placed on Reach. It's history was rich and full. Serving as a shelter during the tempest of the second year. A center for the early colony government to meet. Along with a place to hold important meetings and original building had long since been recycled for materials. But in its place stood a pub that would be the envy of the colonies themselves.

The pub was a massive building directly across from the Government offices with two floors. A large garden was on the roof said to be a gift from Gaia Baltar herself, it was supposedly installed when the owner had successfully recreated the most famous brew of Aerilon Mudders Milk. The walls were a polished dark marble like stone called Taurum. Over the main entrance was a solid metal bulls head made from the original building. Massive windows allowed natural light in. Inside the pub it was nothing but wood. The floors the furniture it was all a wonder of woodcarving. Every panel and frame was engraved with the history of the planet. The first floor had over three thousand square feet of tables games and a large open back wall leading to the main brewery. The second floor was for dining and group gatherings. A large fully stocked kitchen sold some of the best food on the planet. It was here that various people read news of the alien ruins research. All the latest information uncovered was released weekly. It was always new theories and the latest information gained on the mysterious race now known as the Centaurions. An ironic name that would take nearly a century to be truly appreciated.

A young man held an inch thick digital work tablet with a report on all the data currently gained on these mysterious creatures. On the screen was a virtual rendering of what the preserved aliens looked like. It was without a doubt a truly alien creature.

Standing at over seven feet tall the creature most resembling a mythical centaur. With the main body that of a powerful war horse with heavy powerful legs. The horse like body was covered in thick violet fur. At the back was a three meter long almost whip like tail ending in a curved five in sickle blade. We're the head would normally have been instead a human like torso rested. Thin and nimble in appearance even that was clearly alien in form. The arms long and narrow ended in hands with six fingers and a double jointed thumb. The head was seemingly almost to large for the neck. With two large pointed ears clearly far more sensitive than a humans. The Centaurion did have a nose. Large flat and with four nostrils resembling an inverted heart. Two large almond shaped eyes three times larger than a humans seemed to pierce into ones very soul. Despite all this the most off setting thing for most was the top of the head. Twin almost snake like antenna almost a foot long. Each one had another eye that could move around. Granting the alien near omnidirectional Vision.

This was a Centaurion.

At first believed to be natives of the system due to the ruins covering over a thousand miles. That notion was soon disproved with the revelation that the so called ruins where in fact a fleet that had crashed onto the planet nearly a hundred thousand years ago. At first many assumed it would be easy to unlock the secrets of Centaurion technology. But a hundred millennia on a barren star scorched world had not been kind. It was a challenge just to figure out how their language was even read let alone translated. But that wouldn't stop them from trying.

Sixteen years since the ruins discovery.

Gaia Baltar was old, she knew it, her children knew it, her grandchildren and great grandchild knew it. Of the original three thousand colonists only a couple hundred were still alive. Gaia herself was one of the oldest at just over ninety years old she was not long for this world. But her work was done. What had once been a barren lifeless rock was now home to a thriving people. Her family would continue to grow and spread life amongst this wonderful system that never ceases to amaze. The Baltar drive and determination had only grown from a candle flame to a burning star.

Laying in a hospital bed Gaia was content. Her room was full of plants and books. Each book was now considered required reading in school and Her name was proudly printed on the cover. Her oldest grandchild Shana was in a chair next to them. Their attention was on a large wall mounted tv. A young man was on the screen standing in front of a large missile shaped craft with two glowing blue pylons attached to the outside. The craft was in a large hanger With dozens of workers checking the craft over. With a smile the young man gave a rather enthusiastic report.

"It been sixteen years since the discovery of what have been dubbed the Centaurion ruins. The technology and records once a mystery have now been slowly unlocked. The greatest of these secrets being the seemingly supernatural element prometheum. It's ability to manipulate gravity leading to breakthroughs in engineering and construction that before seemed on the realm of fantasy mere decades ago."

As if to illustrate the reporters point a large bean shaped blue and white craft silently glided by. Twin almost rabbit ear like fins on the top guided the craft as the edges of the fins glowed an electric blue. The fins generated a field that repels gravity and propelled the craft. This craft made no sound as it moved by the window.

"with the study of the prometheum came the groundwork for an ambitious project on a scale not seen since the pathfinder program itself. The invention of a brand new form of faster than light travel. Developed from study of recovered Centaurion engines. This project code named phoenix was spearheaded by the head of prometheum research Doctor Zefram Cochrane."

Walking up to the reporter was a middle aged man with greying hair and a scratchy beard. Dressed in a bulky flight suit he had the aura of a man who while arrogant had earned that arrogance. Looking at the camera he smugly said amused.

"My ears must be burnen cause somebody's talkin about me."

Holden the microphone towards Dr. Cochrane the reporter smiled and began to ask him about the planned test flight of the Phoenix. It was mostly technical bragging and grandstanding. But the potential if the engine worked was too great to ignore. The flaws of the colonial jump system were too dangerous for practical exploration. Growing bored Gaia turned off the tv and asked her granddaughter about other things. Unaware that the test about to begin in four hours would lead to the biggest event in human history.

Five months since the Phoenix soared.

The Reach high orbital station was built originally from the hulls of eighteen ships that had broken down from old age. There once powerful engines failing from lack of replacement parts. Over the last sixty years it had evolved into a multipurpose station. Serving as both a shipyard, port, and coordination center for the ever growing fleet. The station itself was a large multi level hexagon. Each side was a hanger for servicing ships or building new ones. In the center of the station was a large transparent doom protected by a new gravity barrier. One hanger was dedicated to developing the breakthrough warp drive. The now famous test not only successful but performed better than expected. Soon ships could start exploring neighboring systems with ease. Near the station several hundred miles away was the barest framework for the next station. The parts sent from the surface by gravity lifts. Allowed for massive sections to be built safely on the surface and brought to orbit. This new station would be triple the size of the current one and employ all the newest technology. The station bridge itself was staffed by five crew. These five worked tirelessly to complete there jobs.

At his work console a young man named Lee was tracking the ships in the system. Most of them were simply mining ships bringing raw materials and prometheum from around the system. A few were planting new species and algae on prospective worlds and moons. A small fleet was permanently stationed in orbit of the Centaurion ruins. The study of the alien technology there was some of the most important. While locating a refining prometheum was a close second. Tracking the fleet traffic was possible through a series of recon drones stationed around the system. It was mostly a boring job but had to be done. Little did he know the mundane nature of his job was about to end.

Staring at the monitors everything was normal. Ships were on schedule and nothing was out of the normal. If he was lucky his replacement would be early and he would make the next shuttle home. The memorial for Dr. Baltar was going to be unveiled tomorrow and he wanted to go. Mostly due to the Iron horns giving out free Mudders Milk. Taking a sip of coffee he noticed something on the monitors. A group of unknown objects entered the system and were slowing down. A clear sign of them not being meteorites.

"The frak."

Typing several keys he called out to a crew mate nearby.

"Cain you messing with the input lines again."

Before the crew mate could answer more dots appeared. Double checking then triple checking that what he saw was not a glitch his blood ran cold. All color draining from his face he stood up in a panic. His chair fell back as he ran to a nearby locked panel. His coworkers looked on in shock as he opened the panel with a special key kept on their person at all times. Inside the compartment was a landline phone next to a large red button. Taking the phone in hand he hit the button as hard as he could. All over the station bulkheads slammed shut as sirens barred overhead. Holding the phone up his voice echoed throughout the station and was broadcast to every ship and settlement. The fear was not hidden as he yelled into the phone.

"CODE ONE! CODE ONE! THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT NOT A DRILL."

The other crewmen looked on in terror as a fleet twelve hundred strong had entered the system. Since the Centaurion ruins they knew alien life was out there. But they knew they were not ready to fend off any kind of invasion. They only had one ship with weapons to smash asteroids for mining. If this fleet was hostile they wouldn't stand a chance. They were outnumbered five to one. Thus in the event of first contact it was planned to bunker down and in the worst case scenario and send for help from the colonies.

The alien fleet continued towards Reach only stopping five light minutes out. With dread and terror humanity waited. Until like a booming echo the signal came. On every frequency and on a loop it was a series of images and equations. Over and over only pausing every forty nine minutes as if waiting for a reply. The best minds in the system took a full day to figure out the message. It was decided by the Council to send a reply back. When the signal paused Reach station broadcasted back.

"To the Votanis collective on behalf of the Reach council we welcome you."

Four days later Reach station.

Until several hours prior hanger three home of the Phoenix project was home to the most advanced ship humanity had ever seen only Centaurion craft remains surpassed it. Now here in hanger one rested a sleek almost avian craft just small enough to fit inside. The blue green hull almost seemed to ripple. Looking at the craft several engineers simply looked on amazed. While armed humanoid guards in black armor guarded the ship. Inside the station a meeting was taking place that would go down in history.

Three levels below the bridge was the cafeteria. Normally utilitarian the walls were covered in banners and plants had been brought in. The tables had been replaced as a larger one brought in. In the ceiling multiple cameras broadcasted the meeting. The Reach council believed in no secrets from the people. For without trust in a government who would listen. At this table now sat the representative of humanity. A young man no older than thirty. With black hair and weathered hands he had learned early on the value of hard work. He was one of Primus' leading scientists. Jacob Zerak. With a rush of excitement he looked at the three aliens sitting across from him. E knew the stakes and that only made it more exciting.

Directly across from him sat a woman who could have passed for a young woman from Canceron. The only difference being her chalk white hair and skin. Dressed in white clothes with elegant jewellery. At first it looked like gold but his trained eye told him it was electrum. Even more rare than gold it showed the wealth she no doubt held. She had the aura of a master politician. Her eyes constantly studying the human before her. This was Satil Sha'roc of the Castithans

To Satil's right was a man clearly not a human. While humanoid in form down to the hands. His skin was pearl white and scaled like a reptile. He lacked ears while several what appeared to be cybernetic implants could be seen. His dull grey robes showed he was more focused on the work not on frivolous thing like fashion. This man was Churen of the Indogenes.

Lastly was a giant of if he had to guess man. Clad in bulky black robes was a humanoid orangutan. His eyes were gentle as he was clearly physically powerful. This man was Jungo of the Sensoths.

With a deep breath Zerak smiled and decided the best course was to verify what they had been told.

"So you're refugees from the Votanis system. Escaping a collision of your binary stars. You came here because you detected our warp test."

Nodding Satil returned the smile and finished the explanation.

"Indeed. Our original target was another system twenty thousand light years from here. When we detected the warp signature we traced it back to this system. Upon learning it was inhabited we sent probes. After much discussion it was decided to forgo the six years of our journey and request permission to settle here."

Nodding in understanding Zerak was about to ask why when the indogene leader Churen cut him off by explaining.

"We understand your apprehension and distrust. So we'll just say it. Our Votanformming technology requires an already existing biosphere to transform. Transmuting the organic matter to match Our home worlds. Our target world while showing no signs of habitation could be since our probes located it five thousand years ago. That is where your method comes in."

Satil could see he was figuring it out but she decided to clarify what they meant.

"The life matter you refer to as algae is compatible with Votanformming. You seeded nearly a dozen planets with it. Of those three would be Able to meet our needs. Thirty million Votans the soul survivors of eight races could get a fresh start. We wouldn't be invaders open trade both industrial and cultural would be appreciated."

Looking at them he knew it would be a difficult choice but he remembered an old saying.

Sometimes you just after jump and hope for the best.

Two months later.

Orbiting the gas giant Vipris was the newly named world of Votan prime. A mere two months prior it was a ball of muddy algae. With a barely breathable atmosphere. It's only appeal was the large deposit of rare metals in the southern hemisphere. Now it was a thriving complex ecosystem. The very continents had been shifted. The ark fleet having landed began building cities. The thirty million votans had been adjusting well. Three worlds had been Votanformed. Allowing the Votanis collective to peacefully settle there new homes. It was in every way an alien World. The skies a deep green with the plants holding a silver hue. With the oceans a shimmering garnet. Giant insects and creatures beyond description roamed wild.

On a cliff overlooking the new home of the Votan race known as the Omecs was a young human pilot. Stationed on Votan prime as a shuttle pilot. The Reach council was allowed to send scientists on an exchange program. Humanity got to study Votanformming tech and the votans got to study prometheum. The Votan warp tech apparently functioned without it. He was a young man in his twenties. With dark brown hair and pale skin from spending his days in ships he was a man born to fly. His flightsuit showed he was one of the few authorized to fly to flashpoint ruins.

This man's name was Dax Sheppard.

Taking in the sights Sheppard enjoyed the thrill of overlooking such a sight. He hoped this wouldn't be the last time he saw something so wonderful. The sounds of rustling leaves caused him to turn around and see a sight that left him breathless. Walking towards him was a young Omec woman. Her violent skin and white hair seemed to glow in the light. As her siler eyes had the glint of a predator sizing up a kill. Her figure would have made most human woman pale in comparison. He still didn't know much about Votan culture but he knew a solders uniform when he saw one. With the grace of a predator she walked up beside him. With a grin she looked him up and down. Amused she said what had been on many minds since first contact.

"Odd isn't it? So many races separated by entire world's evolving to look so similar but so very different."

Grinning he held his hand out and introduced himself.

"Dax Sheppard pilot who might this stunning huntress I see before me be?"

Her grin was borderline feral as she took his and and replied.

"Vala I do believe this is the start of a wonderful relationship."

Fifty years later

Far away from Reach on the planet pic on far from the minds of the Human Votan alliance a meeting was taking place. Above the planet Picon at the headquarters of the colonial fleet two admirals were meeting. One was supreme commander admiral Nagala. A stern veteran of the Cylon war. His feats at the fourth battle of Saggitaron made him a living legend. His office was at the heart of the fleet shipyards. At the moment his weathered eyes stared down his window at the mercury class battlestar Pegasus. The ship as well as the entire battlestar group ten was undergoing a massive resupply. The mission they were about to undertake would reshape the very colonies themselves. Without looking back Nagala sighed and asked the seated admiral behind him.

"What do you think? Of this project pathfinder."

The sharp snap of a closing folder drew his gaze at the fierce Tauron born admiral Helena Cain looked up at him. Her calculating mind going through the very calculations and estimates the fleets best minds had done multiple times. Since the discovery of a bunker two months ago on Libron it was all the colonial government could discuss. Now a mission was being planned to bring them back into the fold. With cold professional ease she looked at her superior officer and said coldly.

"I expect minimum casualties and maximum results."

That's chapter two down. Now I wonder how many people can guess what the 'Centaurions' really are. Now I'm trying to decide what type of ships the alliance should have. Personally space battleship yamato is looking promising. Also next chapter will introduce the mass effect elements.