Citadel

Citadel 要塞

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The Citadel is an ancient deep-space station, presumably constructed by the Protheans. Since the Prothean extinction, numerous species have come to call the Citadel home. It serves as the political, cultural, and financial capital of the galactic community. To represent their interests, most species maintain embassies on the Presidium, the Citadel's inner ring.

The Citadel Tower, in the center of the Presidium, holds the Citadel Council chambers. Council affairs often have far-reaching effects on the rest of the galactic community. Five arms, known as wards, extend from the Presidium. Their inner surfaces have been built into cities, populated by millions of inhabitants from across the galaxy.

The Citadel is virtually indestructible. If attacked, the station can close its arms to form a solid, impregnable shell. For as long as the station has existed, an enigmatic race called the keepers has maintained it.

要塞是一個古老的太空站，據信由波希安族所建。當波希安族滅絕後，要塞成為許多種族的家園。它是銀河群體的政治，文化，與經濟中心。為了保障自身的利益，許多種族在常委區設置大使館，常委區位於要塞的內部圓環內。

要塞塔，位於常委區中心，設有要塞議會堂。議會的決議通常會對其他銀河群體產生深遠的影響。五個護臂，稱之為衛城，從常委區伸展而出。它們的內面被建造為城市，居住著上百萬來自銀河各地的居民。

要塞幾乎堅不可摧。假如受到攻擊，太空站可以收攏護臂形成一道堅固，無法攻破的防護層。只要太空站存在一天，一個叫維持者的謎樣種族就會不斷的維護它。

Citadel Council

Citadel Council 要塞議會

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The Council is an executive committee composed of representatives from the Asari Republics, the Turian Hierarchy, and the Salarian Union. Though they have no official power over the independent governments of other species, the Council's decisions carry great weight throughout the galaxy. No single Council race is strong enough to defy the other two, and have a vested interest in compromise and cooperation.

Each of the council species has general characteristics associated with the various aspects of governing the galaxy. The asari are typically seen as diplomats and mediators. The salarians gather intelligence and information. The turians provide the bulk of the military and peacekeeping forces.

Any species granted an embassy on the Citadel is considered an associate member, bound by the accords of the Citadel Conventions. Associate members may bring issues to the attention of the Council, through they have no input on the decision. The human Systems Alliance became an associate member of the Citadel in 2165.

議會是一個由代表議員所構成的管理委員會，由阿莎利共和，圖瑞安階級政府與索拉瑞安聯邦組成。雖然對其他種族的獨立政府沒有官方約束力，議會的決議在銀河各處仍受到尊重。沒有一個議會種族強大到可違抗另兩個種族、以折衷與合作的方式維護既得利益。

每個議會種族以自己的特長管理統治銀河系的各項相關事務。阿莎利經常被視為外交家與調停者。索拉瑞安收集情報與資訊。圖瑞安提供主要的軍事與維安武力。

任何在要塞允許建立使館的種族都是會員國，必須遵守要塞公約。會員國可以提交議題給議會，但是無權參與決策。人類星系聯盟於2165年成為要塞的會員國。

Citadel Space

Citadel Space 要塞空域

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Citadel space is an unofficial term referring to any region of space controlled by a species that acknowledge the authority of the Citadel Council. At first glance, it appears this territory encompasses most of the galaxy. In reality, however, less than 1% of the stars have been explored.

Even mass-effect-FTL drive is slow relative to the volume of the galaxy. Empty space and systems without suitable drive discharge sites are barriers to exploration. Only the mass relays allow ships to jump hundreds of light years in an instant, the key to expanding across an otherwise impassable galaxy.

Whenever a new relay is activated, the destination system is rapidly developed. From that hub, FTL drive is used to expand to nearby star clusters. The result is a number of densely-developed clusters thinly spread across the vast expanse of space, connected by the mass relay network.

要塞空域是非正式名稱，汎指任何承認要塞議會權力的種族所控制的地區。乍看之下，這個領域似乎包含大部份的銀河系。然而，實際上銀河系只有1%的星系已經探索。

與銀河系的廣大相比質量效應FTL驅動航行仍顯淂過於緩慢。空無一物的太空區域與沒有合適地點進行驅動器放電的星系都會造成探險的阻礙。只有質量轉運站可讓太空船在瞬間跳躍數百光年，這是在銀河裡擴張的關鍵沒有它銀河系將難以穿越。

當一個新轉運站啟動之後，目的地星系會快速發展。以此為中心， FTL驅動航行用來擴展到臨近星團。結果形成一群密集發展的星系稀疏地分散於浩翰無垠的太空中，以質量轉運網路彼此聯結。

Spectres

Spectres 魅影

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Spectres are agents from the Office of Special Tactics and Reconnaissance and answer only to the Citadel Council. They are elite military operatives, granted the authority to deal with threats to peace and stability in whatever way they deem necessary.

They operate independently or in groups of two or three. Some are empathetic peacekeepers, resolving disputes through diplomacy. Others are cold-blooded assassins, ruthlessly dispatching problem individuals. All get the job done, one way or another, often operating outside of the bounds of galactic law.

The Spectres were founded after the salarians joined the Council. For many years, they operated in secrecy, as back-room "problem solvers". Only after the Krogan Rebellions did their activities become publicized. Assignment of a Spectre is less contentious than military deployment, but makes it clear that the Council is concerned about a situation.

魅影是特殊戰術與偵查處的探員並只聽命於要塞議會。他們是精英軍事特務，授與權力以任何必要手段處理對和平與穩定的威脅。

他們獨立作業或以二、三人組成團體。有些是悲天憫人的和平守護者，經由外交手段解除紛爭。有些則是冷血的暗殺者，無情地處決問題人物。任務都會完成，不論手段為何，通常游走於銀河法律之外。

魅影在索拉瑞安族加入議會後成立。許多年來，他們秘密行事，成為檯面下的“問題解決者”。直到克羅根之亂後他們的活動才公表於世。

圖片與原文來源：Mass Effect WIKI