Shadows of Humanity

Disclaimer:

Mass Effect is owned by BioWare


Chapter I - Illicit Secrets

"Why are you hiding?" She'd asked the boy, many years ago. The gun he'd pointed at her never ceased trembling.

"I'm afraid." He'd replied.

When she looked back on that memory, Liara couldn't say she was surprised. In a world without adults, what child wouldn't be?


The room in which he stood was a collection of soft grays and blues, various works of what his host had once explained to be classical pieces of art hanging from the walls. An aquarium, both large and cylindrical, extending from floor to ceiling and filled with various creatures native to Irune's oceans, added to the chamber's overall soothing ambiance. Tailor built to best accommodate the volus right down to the height of the seats, what pleased Korlack the most, however, was the suite's atmosphere: Ammonia based and highly pressurized, Din wouldn't even have needed to wear his suit. It was a carefully planned diplomatic maneuver, and yet it remained endearing to him all the same. The Citadel Council, to their credit, or lack thereof, had certainly never put in such concentrated effort into their own cross-species negotiations.

"The station's engineers said they'd have an A-Grav system installed here by the time you next came to visit, they'll have it mimic your home world's standard level of gravity. As long as you stay in this room you won't even be able to tell the difference between here and there anymore."

The voice was artificial and devoid of emotion, unsurprising considering its synthetic nature. Personally it reminded him of the elcors' own speaking mannerisms, if a tad bit more robotic. The hulking figure it originated from was of comparable size to the quadrupeds, only that it stood on just two legs and was much, much taller. At nearly two meters in stature it simply dwarfed him. He might have been more worried if he hadn't already known it was his friend's own version of a protective suit, polished to a sheen and without its usual accompaniment of pre-installed weapons. Streams of gas hissed in and out of filters on its back, rendering the toxic soup that was the surrounding air breathable to its wearer.

"I can never seem to reconcile your actual speech with that machine's, it's disconcerting. Besides, your kind's voices are genuinely pleasing to hear, so much like the asari. Then again, considering how closely you resemble them, I can't say that I'm surprised. Speaking of which, is your government still so firmly set against adapting them to volus morphology? I can personally attest to how handsomely we would compensate you for your efforts, either in credits or element zero if you so desired."

The powered armor's looming form turned slightly to its right, as if to inspect one of the nearby paintings, footfalls causing the wood flooring underneath to groan in agonized protest.

"You know why we can't do that." Was all it answered.

Korlack didn't need to physically see the pilot's face to know they were frowning. What he was about to say was unlikely to improve their mood.

"We cannot keep the secret of your race's existence concealed for much longer, someone will figure it out, I cannot stress that point enough. Sooner or later either the Turian Hierarchy or Salarian Union will uncover our clans' dealings and this game we've been playing with them will be over. Some very powerful individuals have already been asking questions for quite some time and we have had an increasingly difficult experience in warding them off. The Vol Protectorate is risking considerable backlash by violating Citadel conventions in the name of this accord."

The white colored bipedal turned back to face him, and Korlack swore, just for a moment, that he felt a sudden chill run throughout his spine.

"An agreement was signed, its terms set and ratified upon by both parties: Anonymity, restricted military support and access to half of humanity's total industrial capacity in exchange for monetary compensation and regular shipments of element zero, in addition to limited technological exchange from each side. This was to last until the possible discovery of the aforementioned contract, at which point new documents are to be drafted and a revision to the previous terms of trade made so as to best adapt to the situation at hand, all while following the various protocols required and mandated by the Unified Banking Act. To renege on the treaty would be tantamount to its nullification. We do not want this to occur."

"Yes, yes, I know." Din replied, placatingly waving his small hands in front of himself upon realizing he'd blundered. "The clan has long since consented to these conditions and has no intentions in revoking them as of this time, nor for what is hoped to be the foreseeable future. Besides, the Protectorate would never have defied Citadel law so callously and without reason. We merely believe that the latitude through which we have handled this circumstance is one with honest merit due to the considerable benefits it has provided us. As great a respect I hold for you and your people ambassador, my owns' well being shall always be of a leading priority."

His armored associate did not deign to move or speak, seemingly unaware and unresponsive to the world around them. An uncomfortable silence ensued.

Eventually, head tilted up and arms crossed against his chest, the volus spoke again.

"As much as it pains me to say, the reality is that your race will be inevitably discovered, and that whenever, or wherever, this happens, Clan Irune will be unable to provide you with assistance. Are you prepared for this?"

The giant's parting words left him more bothered than he cared to admit.

"We are always preparing."

The adjacent airlock wheezed shut as Udina saw himself out. Korlack was left alone.


Word Count: 969


Author's Notes:

These seem to be getting shorter, don't they? Ironically, I spend more time editing than writing these days. Another plot bunny, this time for Mass Effect. I've had this weird Ender's Game vibe going on lately. I'll be seeing to rewriting Enduring Retribution's first chapter now. Until next time. Stay thirsty my friends.

Cover image attributed to flyingdebris.