Systems Alliance
The Systems Alliance is a government that features in Mass Effect.
Contents |
History
The Systems Alliance was an interstellar government that was formed by humanity in the Milky Way Galaxy. It was formed in the time when mankind had discovered alien data caches on Mars that belonged to an older civilization known as the Protheans. The information pointed to the coordinates of Pluto's moon of Chraon which was discovered to be a frozen FTL machine known as a Mass Relay that connected to an interstellar network of such devices linking the various regions of the galaxy. It was then that the System Alliance's charter was signed in 2149 CE with the charter uniting the eighteen largest nations of Earth whereby it became the mankind's exploratory and military wing.
The Alliance sought a greater role in the decision making in interstellar policy and desired to have a human to join the ranks of the Citadel Council's elite Spectres. They attempted to have David Anderson to apply as a candidate to become the first human Spectre but he was ultimately rejected due to an assessment from Saren Arterius. In 2183 CE, the System Alliance attempted to create closer ties with the Citadel Council by engaging in a joint engineering project with the Turians. This involved the creation of an experimental frigate named the SSV Normandy that was equipped with a prototype stealth system with the ship coming under the command of David Anderson. Around this time, the colony of Eden Prime had discovered a mysterious Beacon of Prothean origins that could become a treasure trove of new knowledge. However, the site contained inadequate research facilities and thus it was decided to move the relic to a Citadel Council facility with the SSV Normandy tasked with this mission. In addition, the Alliance made another attempt to having a human become a Spectre and sought to have Commander Sheppard to apply for the role as Spectre Agent Nihilus was part of the mission and serving as an assessor. During this time, the colony of Eden Prime came under attack with the SSV Normandy responding where it was discovered that the inhabitants were largely killed by the Geth.
Overview
In appearance, the Systems Alliance was an independent supranational government that represented the interests of humanity with it being responsible for both governance and defence of Earth along with its extra-solar colonies as well as stations.
After the First Contact War, a new political party was formed called Terra Firma whose policy agenda was that Earth must stand firm against alien influences.
During the early decades of space exploration, the Alliance News Network (ANN) was established as a low-profile news organization. Initially, it only covered the exploits of the First Contact War but gradually developed into galaxy-wide reporting with it opening bureaus on worlds across known space. Despite its name, it was not funded by the Systems Alliance with the organization receiving a few rewards for excellence and earning a multi-species audience.
In terms of Biotics, people were at times encouraged to take part in the Biotic Acclimation and Temperance Training that was formed by the military and worked in conjunction with various companies. This was later replaced by the Ascension Project that renewed efforts in creating a Human Biotics training program that initially focused on children that were victims of the three Element Zero incidents that affected the System Alliance in the mid-22nd century.
They also established the Alliance Military Vocational Code (MVC) system that classified the career path for all serving personnel with it consisting of a single letter from all 26 letters and a number ranging from 1-7. This system established a soldier's proficiency rather than their rank with the letter indicating the career path and the number showing their level of experience as shown in service records, technical scores and commendations. Special Forces personnel were indicated by the N letter code designation.
The Alliance's primary school for leadership and combat expertise was the Interplanetary Combatives Training (ICT) Academy. This was also known as N-School or as the villa which recruited officers from every branch of the military who undertook a gruelling training regimen at Vila Militar in Rio de Janeiro. Candidates at first were required to train for more than 20 hours per day where they led small combat teams through hostile terrain with little sleep or food. Those trainees that did well were awarded an internal designation of N1 and then invited to return to the program. Further courses advanced them through N2 to N6 with these being held off-planet and included instruction in zero-G combat, military free-fall, jetpack flight, combat diving, combat instruction, linguistics and frontline trauma in both human as well as alien biology. Those that underwent N6 training went through actual combat experience in conflict zones across the galaxy with those trainees that survived receiving the highest ranking of N7 who were allowed to wear their designation in both field and dress uniforms. Those that failed the course received little shame as it was considered so extreme that even qualifying for N1 elevated officers to a position of respect. Thus, even attending the academy was a sign of universal prestige and culled the need of officers from taking risks in gaining high honors. Completion of the ICT training did not guarantee a person high rank but did mean those with this qualification were suited for senior leadership pursuits.
As a fighting force, the System Alliance's soldiers though competent were not professional nor skilled. However, their greatest strength was in the use of fire support, flexibility and speed with their lack of numbers being made up for by sophisticated technical support such as using VIs, drones, artillery along with electronic warfare. The human military placed an emphasis on mobility and individual initiative with their doctrine not being based on absorbing or inflicting heavy damage on the enemy. Instead, they bypassed enemy strong points and launched deep attacks into rear lines to cut off supply lines and destroying headquarters along with support units in order to deprive the enemy of crucial supplies. In terms of defence, the military operated as a rapid reaction force that followed the dictates of Sun Tzu namely, "He who tries to defend everything defend nothing". Garrisons were designed for scouting purposes rather than for combat as they sought to avoid engagement in order to observe and report on attackers through the use of drones. Token garrisons on human colonies which made them easy prey to alien powers leading to criticism from the Alliance media of the military. Despite this being the case, the maintained powerful fleets at the nexuses of phase gates with these being a few hours or days from any colony that was their responsibility llowing them to respond with overwhelming force. In total, the Alliance's military consisted of less than 3% human volunteers who served with this being a lower proportion compared to other species.
In terms of weaponry, the Alliance infantry-based armaments included:
- Black Widow :
- M-5 Phalanx :
- M-11 Suppressor :
- M-37 Falcon :
- M-99 Saber :
- M-560 Hydra :
- N7 Crusader :
- N7 Eagle :
- N7 Hurricane :
- N7 Piranha :
- N7 Typhoon :
- N7 Valiant :
- N7 Valkyrie :
The System Alliance produced a number of vehicle designs that included:
- M29 Grizzly :
- M35 Mako :
- M44 Hammerhead :
- UT-47 Kodiak :
Beyond Pluto, the Alliance constructed their largest deep space station named Gagarin Station that was also known as Jump Zero. It was a Bernal Sphere design measuring 500 meter diameter of habitable space that was located nearly 80 Astronomical Units from Sol with the moving of crews and materials to its location bankrupting most of its backers.
Another facility they established was the Jon Grissom Academy that was commissioned in 2176 and built as a station in the Petra Nbula. It was to serve as a training ground whereby students could achieve excellence in the fields of math, science and liberal arts with attendees ranging from early teens to mid-twenties in age. A lesser known fact about the Academy was that it offered classes for students that showed biotic potential and served as a ground for the Ascension Project in training such people as well as helping them better integrate into society.
Members
- Donnel Udina :
- Steven Hackett :
- David Anderson :
- Commander Sheppard :
- Jeff Moreau :
- Kaidan Alenko :
- Ashley Williams :
- Karin Chakwas :
Notes
- The Systems Alliance was created by BioWare and featured in the setting of Mass Effect.
Appearances
- Mass Effect:
- Mass Effect 2:
- Mass Effect 3:
External Link
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