AUTHOR'S NOTE: This has been a long time coming. I've been working out the kinks and such for too long, and it's time to just get on with it. This is a crossover of Mass Effect and Deus Ex: Human Revolution, with my rather controversial decision to exclude the other two games in the series from the fic's canon. Sorry, everyone, but this is the only way I can make this story work. Them's the breaks.
Read, review if you like, or even if you don't. Thanks much for reading my crap!
"This senate meeting will now come to order."
The senator's gravelly voice echoed throughout the chamber, over the collected heads of the Foundation Senate that had come to hear of news regarding the Daedalus Initiative. The speaker, grey-haired, square-jawed, and with an expression and tone that spoke of his experience, turned as the Chancellery Board entered the room, taking their seats at the raised dais at the head of the large room, giving a nod to the senator to continue. With a nod, he did so.
"Chancellors Anderson, Zorah, and Urdnot will be presiding over this meeting. I, Senator Udina, will be conducting. By your leave, Chancellors, our first speaker today shall be Spectre Nihlus Kryik. He has news pertaining to the Council's decision on the Daedalus Initiative."
The human on the dais, Anderson, nodded. "Proceed."
Many heads turned as the doors at the front of the hall opened, admitting a tall, vaguely-avian figure. The insect-like mandibles that constituted his mouth twitched slightly, as though in apprehension. Or perhaps anticipation. His face was dark, with white and red tribal markings adorning his face, a suit of black and red ballistic armor, and a very obvious pistol strapped to either hip. Few begrudged him that- most of the assembled senators had one or more weapons on their person. Chancellor Urdnot was a prime example, the grip of a shotgun peeking over his right shoulder.
Nihlus tried to ignore the stares he received as he ascended to the fore of the hall, to the platform just in front of the dais where the Chancellors sat. He looked at each of the assembled Chancellors, the heart of Foundation power, in turn, gauging them silently. There was the human, Anderson- dark-skinned, hair cut so close he was nearly bald, aged, but still bearing himself as befit his rank, wearing the dress black-and-gold that was standard to a former captain. Rael'Zorah, the quarian, covered head to toe in an armored encounter suit, purplish eyes glowing from behind the visor that covered his face. And finally, Urdnot Wrex- massive, reptilian, even now dressed in his blood-red ballistic armor, three long scars crossing where his left eye used to be, and marring his the left side of his mouth into a permanent sneer. A gold-colored replacement eye glowered out from the krogan's left socket.
Nihlus stood stock still, until the Chancellors nodded- all the "by-your-leave" he was going to get from these Foundation types.
"Chancellors. Thank you for agreeing to call this meeting on such short notice."
"You said whatever news you had was urgent," said Urdnot, crossing his arms in a gesture that reeked of "not impressed."
"We would not have done so, otherwise," stated Rael. "We hope it will prove worth our time."
"If we are finished antagonizing a guest of the senate," cut in Anderson, "perhaps we can get to the point." He turned to the turian on the stand before them. "I admit; I am curious as to what news you bring from your Council."
Nihlus nodded, straightening up a touch more, and looking each Chancellor in the eye in turn. Finally, with little preamble, he spoke.
"The Council was unanimous: the answer is yes. We accept the terms of the Daedalus Initiative, effective immediately."
There was a split-second of silence, before the hall erupted with murmurs of surprise and shock. True, the Initiative had been planned and set forth in this very room, with the intent of convincing the Council to open up diplomatic relations with the Foundation. But there were very few who believed their work would pay off. Even the Chancellors looked mildly shocked as the turian bore his news. It was Chancellor Zorah who recovered first.
"That is rather worth our time. Has the Council appointed a commanding officer yet?"
"It was decided that I should be charged with command of the unit, Chancellors."
"Indeed," said Urdnot, arms visibly uncrossed now. "This is good news. Tell your Council that we will be assembling our team shortly—"
"If I may, sirs," said the Spectre, holding up a hand apologetically, though his tone was firm enough; this was something he wished to get across. Urdnot raised an eyebrow, but gave the Spectre the go-ahead.
"Before you begin your decision-making, I would like to submit a request for my first officer."
Anderson nodded. "Very well, who was it you wanted to request?"
"Lt. Commander Isaac Shepard."
There was silence at this announcement. No hushed whispers, no fervent murmurs- just silence. Stunned, shocked silence. The Chancellors exchanged glances, then turned back to the Spectre on the stand.
"Spectre Nihlus," said Zorah. "I assume you have read the Commander's file? To ensure you have made an informed decision, of course."
"Exemplary service record, highly decorated, former Dragoon squad commander, promoted to Zephyr-class officer after his actions at Elysium. I am well-aware of my selection."
"Then you are also aware," said Anderson, "that his service record notwithstanding, Shepard has been one of the most outspoken opponents of the Initiative's passing?"
Nihlus' mandibles twitched in what could have been either irritation or amusement. "It did come up."
"And this is the guy you want standing next to you in battle? In the very unit he spoke against?" Urdnot sounded more impressed than nervous or concerned. This could be amusing, after all.
There was a long pause, then the Spectre nodded.
"With all due respect, Chancellors, I realize he may not be the most obvious choice. But I read his record thoroughly- at Mindoir, he was found searching for survivors among the wreckage, notwithstanding the trauma he himself had just experienced. He made it a priority to evacuate civilians from the areas targeted during the Skyllian Blitz before engaging the enemy, and then did so at great personal and mortal risk. In the Verge War he has been nothing but honorable.
"Yes, I know of his opinions regarding us. I know of his fears and doubts. But I can also read past that, to what his actions tell me. And what his actions tell me is that there is no one more suited to lead this mission."
There was another long silence as the turian finished his speech. Finally, Chancellor Urdnot nodded.
"Very well. I second the nomination of Lt. Commander Isaac Shepard to the position of executive officer of Daedalus Unit."
Now that did get a buzz going. The murmurs got loud enough that the Chancellors had to call for order. Finally, when all had quieted down, the Chancellors spoke.
"Fine, then," said Anderson. "All in favor of the appointment of Lt. Commander Shepard to the position of executive officer of Daedalus Unit, say 'aye.'"
The 'ayes' resounded through the hall.
"Any opposed?"
No answer.
"Very well. The ayes have it. You have your first officer, Spectre Kryik."
If Nihlus could have grinned, he might have done so now. "Thank you, esteemed Chancellors."
A nod of acknowledgement, before the Chancellors stood.
"This meeting of the senate is now adjourned."