Author's note: Basically English is not my native tongue, and I grew up with Chinese-cultural upbringing. Please forgive me for any typo or grammar errors. For further updates regarding my Mass Effect AU, please refer to my bio on the profile page.
PS: Chapter updated on June 15th, 2017 rewriting to add in more details regarding the original characters and thanks to Mei-chiri for sharing with me about various styles in writing. Additional edition on June 7th, 2018 for checking grammars.
FYI: The name of Garrus' father was now officially known as Castis Vakarian as per launching of Mass Effect: Andromeda. Previously before, the name of Garrus' father was unknown, hence many fanfictions had different names created. I was told that those who play beta versions as the testers had known about the name, but officially then, there were no solid proofs until the finalised of Mass Effect: Andromeda.
Original characters in this chapter: Madeline J. Williams, Bemis, Faius Kryik, Taninia Kryik, Roy Smith, Sally Smith, Faleente Pesir, Uborm Julise, Tertius Vakarian, Calio Vakarian, Milodia Vakarian, Serena Smith aka Jane Shepard, Isabel Smith aka Helen, Galus Kandros and Niria Maxilinus
A Disclaimer: All Mass Effect characters belong to Bioware. Only the original characters belong to me. The story is purely fictional. Any resemblance to actual individuals or events is coincidental.
Mass Effect: One soul divided
by beautyding
Chapter 1: Reparations
After the ending of a long war that had endured for five years between the Humans and the Turians, the Human Systems Alliance stationed on the Arcturus Station; which has been situated in the Solar System of the Local Cluster within the Milky Way Galaxy, and the Turian Hierarchy stationed on Cipritine the capital city of Palaven; which has been situated in the Trebia system of the Apien Crest within the Milky Way Galaxy, were busy with the preparations of a peace treaty and an Engagement Prospal between a Turian Spectre and a Human Alliance Marine before an official peace treaty meeting would be taking place, to carry through the peace treaty and to finalise the date and location for the said arranged engagement. According to the regulations and laws of the Citadel Council Races, the said official peace treaty meeting will be conducted in the Council Chamber located at the Citadel Tower of the Citadel Space Station; which has been situated in the Widow System of the Serpent Nebula within the Milky Way Galaxy.
"This is it... Finally... After seven months...The long wait is finally over."
A Human woman in her early forty was pacing to and fro in front of an office desk after she had accessed the private terminal from the office desk of the Human Embassy office located at Cipritine the capital city of Palaven. A small rectangle nameplate flashing with different languages respectively written with "Ambassadress Madeline J. Williams" was displayed on the office desk, which "J" was the maiden name of the said Human woman that stands for "Jones" before she was married to an Alliance Marine Commander Williams of the Alliance Navy.
Meanwhile, along with the hallway, located at the Cipritine Tower, four women were heading toward the door which bears a green indication, that means anyone can just simply walk inside. A big rectangle plaque flashing with different languages written in "Human Embassy Office of Ambassadress Madeline J. Williams" was being fixed above the door. Nevertheless, instead of walking directly through the door, the four women stopped before the said door and one of them; a Salarian in nurse uniform, accessed the security annunciator on the wall which was mounted beside the door when Madeline J. Williams was still pacing inside her office.
The alerting sound of the annunciator rang from the other side of the room informing the Human Ambassadress that she had visitors as a holographic image was being displayed at the same time from the interface panel of a security console mounted to the wall beside the door on her end, showing her two Humans, an Asari and a Salarian were standing outside and after accessing the security console with the Omni-tool equipped on her right hand, Madeline indicated the four women to get in.
"Please come in!"
All four women entered with ease while Madeline walked toward the chair which was behind the office desk. She took her seat while motioning the four female who had already entered to take a seat on the six-seater couch.
"Ladies, the time has finally come. I have just received a confirmation from the Primarch. We will be leaving Cipritine and heading for the Citadel in an hour time."
During the long preparations from both sides, an interspecies collaboration of both medical science and military has collaborated in order to provide an understanding of the diversity between the Humans and the Turians; a suggestion from Mordin Solus; a Salarian geneticist, professor, and a former operative of the Special Tasks Group; who was appointed by the new Primarch of the Turian Hierarchy to observe and find out about the new species race known as Humanity. This as being one of the reparations requested from the Citadel Council provided by the Turian Hierarchy which determined whether the Humans deserved to join the committee together with the existing Citadel Council Races.
While all preparations were still under processing, by the third week after the ending of the war, Professor Faleente Pesir; an Asari scientist who representing the Asari Republics and Uborm Julise; a Salarian nurse who representing the Salarian Union, were both being assigned to assist the Turian ambassadress by order of the Citadel Council to help with the preparation of the Engagement. By the fourth week, a Turian technician known by the name of Sato Davaria was being assigned to help with the training of Mass Effect Technology to the Humans, before another team of twelve Turian technicians led by one of the best Turian mechanic known by the name of Lilihierax, were to join and assisted the Human Systems Alliance with the "Faster than light" technology, by the sixth week after the ceasing fight was called.
The Turian Ambassadress Orinia; appointed by the new Primarch of the Turian Hierarchy to help the Human Systems Alliance, in the provision of an interspecies engagement proposal being requested from the Citadel Council. This was being a measure to ratify the adversity between the Humans and the Turians, in parliamentary procedure to obviate any future conflicts, the suggestion was made by the new Primarch with the help from Mordin Solus and Spectre Saren Arterius; who was the longest-serving Turian member of the Spectres, the elite operatives answering directly to the Citadel Council.
Unknowingly to the Citadel Council, the interspecies engagement proposal was proposed in favour of Spectre Nihlus Kryik; one of the Citadel Council's most decorated Spectre agents, whose potential bond-mate happened to be a Human female an Alliance Marine whom he had encountered while still at war with the said species race. And in order to help the Turian Spectre on getting his bond-mate openly, the new Turian Primarch cleverly made use of the advantages he holds to the absolute authority in almost anything even regarding family matters of those living on Palaven, to enforce the mother of Nihlus, to agree with the engagement between her son and his potential human bond-mate, which the latter information being kept secret from the public and including the mothers of the respective family. In return, if the mother of Nihlus agrees with the enforcement, a deal being proposed by the Primarch for getting the family name of Kryik to obtain recognition within the upper class of the Turian community would be done with immediately. And if the engagement would be called off after the social status, the Primarch has the authority to remove the said status.
Taninia Kryik; the wife of Commander Faius Kryik of the Turian Hierarchy, felt that in order to get recognition within the upper class of the Turian community, she needed to constantly push her husband and son to achieve higher tiers in the Turian Hierarchy. And to avoid getting into conflicts with the wife, the husband remained in the military, which he did not genuinely want to. He wanted to join the security department of Palaven instead as this will give him more time to spend with the family, as well as to serve and protect the civilians, which he deemed as necessary as it was lacking in the lower class Turian community.
"Taninia, I could have more time to be with you and our son. You know how I wish to help our people too..."
Faius Kryik tried to reason with his wife who was busy cooking dinner.
"No, Faius, my dear husband. The military is the only way to get us into the upper-class community. Besides, the salary is higher as well and we need the money. You can help our people but not those in the lower-class community!"
Taninia Kryik demanded while motioning her husband to pass her a cooking pot.
"Very well then, my dear wife."
The husband replied in defeat knowing his wife was very determined in getting recognition among the upper-class community. Whereas the son who was always being rebellious, even from a very young age has always liked to perform in front of others. Be it with acting, dancing, singing or painting, no matter how well he had done, his mother always berated him downright and constantly pushing him to join the military. Although the father was forced to train his son to have basic military skills by the mother, while behind her back, he encouraged Nilhus to pursue his dreams of being the top entertainer throughout the universes within the Milky Way Galaxy, though still actively training his son with the basic skills of weapon and combat fighting at the same time since it was hard to fool the wife who had military skills.
"Son, you know your mother always have the best interests in your future but I want you to be happy as well."
Faius told his son one day while they were resting under the shade of a silverish oval-shaped tree.
"I know, father. I won't let you down. I promise."
The son replied while he laid his head on the lap of his father.
"I believe you can do it son."
The father smirked and gave his son a pat on the arm as his son slowly fell into a slumber.
The death of Commander Faius Kryik came in as a total shock to the family one day, as the said deceased Commander was the sole breadwinner, the son took up the role after the father had passed away to take care of the family. Without a stable household income that would mean Nihlus had to give up his studies as well in order to support the family. He joined the Military at the age of twenty when his mother used the death of the father as an excuse to force the son to comply. Nihlus accepted on one stipulation that his mother had to allow him to change his name from Decius Kryik; the name being enforced from the mother who felt it gave a more superior social status, back to Nihlus Kryik; the name originally given by his father who felt it suited the characteristics of his son more.
Since Nihlus had the basic training required from his deceased Commander father, he skipped the mandatory two years of boot camp after passing an officer candidate exam with the highest grade. However, his excellent grades were often overlooked by his superior officers due to unknown reasons. He became extremely reckless as a result but despite the brash behaviour of his, Nihlus was always at the top of his peers and even surpassed his superior officers who regard him as a thorn in the eye.
During one of his assignments, Nihlus met Spectre Saren Arterius, who saw potential in the younger Turian male and subsequently a few occasions of witnessing the unjust treatments shown by the superior officers, only when Saren realised Nihlus was the son of the deceased Commander Faius Kryik, he publicly offered to mentor Nihlus in the presence of the said superior officers, while secretly threatening to deal with them if he ever becomes the next Primarch. This caused fear among those who know Saren was by far the most ruthless throughout the universe and Saren was also directly the next in line if the present Primarch retired or being killed in action. Within a year of Saren bringing him under his wing, by the time Nihlus turned twenty-two, he was asked to join the ranks of the Spectres, a special forces company handpicked by the Council of Citadel Space.
At long last, after seven long months, all preparations of peace and the engagement between Spectre Nihlus Kryik and his potential Human bond-mate were fully completed with the assistance given by the Citadel Council. As an executive committee of the Citadel Council Races in Citadel Space, which has been composed of representatives from the Asari Republics, the Turian Hierarchy, and the Salarian Union, an approval of an official peace meeting had finally been made by the respective authorities and the arrangement of date and time were made within the same day as well.
The spokespeople of the Human Systems Alliance consisted of Alliance Marines in the Alliance Navy; who were military personnel such as Admiral David Anderson and Admiral Steven Hackett. And political personnel such as Ambassadress Madeline J. Williams; who was appointed by the Human Systems Alliance to be stationed at Cipritine the capital city of Palaven, a month and two weeks after the initial cease fighting was being called from the new Primarch of the Turian Hierarchy and the current Prime Minister of the Human Systems Alliance.
Ambassadress Madeline J. Williams was the mother of Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams; an Alliance Marine of the Alliance Navy, Abby Williams; a trainee doctor in training under the Asari scientist Professor Faleente Pesir, Lynn Williams; a trainee doctor in training under the Salarian Scientist Professor Mordin Solus and Sarah Williams; a medical student who remained on Earth to complete her studies; was also the daughter-in-law of the deceased General Williams, who was killed in the initial misfortune together with the deceased Commander Williams, who was the father of their said daughters as well, when Humanity unknowingly activated a dormant Mass relay, which is against the regulations and laws of the Citadel Council Races at that point of time which had taken place five years and seven months ago.
A Human group led by Madeline; being separated into three different teams known as "The Mindoir Team", "The Arcturus Team" and "The Non-Alliance Team", was stationed outside the Citadel Tower, which consisted of Alliance Marines in the Alliance Navy who were military personnel posted on board the Alliance Navy frigate known as the "Mindoir", military personnel who were stationed on the Arcturus Station, as well as non-Alliance personnel who were either medical doctors, powerful biotic, news journalist, ex-slaves being Batarians disguised as "Humans" or Human colonists who had survived the attacks of Mindoir which was a Human farming colony.
"The Mindoir Team" consisted of teammates such as Admiral Hannah Shepard; the first Commanding Officer, Commander Jane Shepard; the second Commanding Officer as well as the eldest adoptive daughter of Hannah, Jack Shepard; the strongest Human Female Biotic as well as the youngest adoptive daughter of Hannah, Major Doctor Karin Chakwas; the head doctor in charge of the medical bay, Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams; the Officer in charge of armoury, Lieutenant James Vega; the Officer in charge of main battery and Flight Lieutenant Jeff "Joker" Moreau; the head pilot who needed to be carried by James everytime because of his severe case of Vrolik syndrome.
"The Arcturus Team" consisted of teammates such as Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, Jacob Taylor, Lieutenant Marie Durand, Lieutenant Bryant and Lieutenant Girard,
And "The Non-Alliance Team" consisted of teammates such as Abby Williams, Lynn Williams, Roy Smith and Sally Smith; who were medical doctors, news journalist; Emily Wong and her coworkers by the name of Bemis; a Batarian male who used to be a slave, Jella the sister of Bemis and Talitha who was one of the colonists who had survived the attacks of Mindoir beside Emily.
On the other hand, the spokespeople of the Turian Hierarchy consisted of Military personnel such as General Corinthus, General Septimus Oraka, political personnel like the Turian ambassadress known as Orinia and Primarch Adrien Victus who succeeded the title after the death of Primarch Fedorian who was murdered by Turian Pirates collaborated with the Batarian Slavery Rings.
A Turian group led by the Turian Ambassadress Orinia was stationed at the presidium; which consisted of military personnel of the Turian Hierarchy such as Commander Jacobus, Lieutenant Tarquin Victus, Commander Garrus Vakarian, Lieutenant Abrudas, Sergeant Decian Chellick, Sato Davaria, Lilihierax, medical doctors such as Corporal Lantar Sidonis and Solana Vakarian, Spectre agents such as Nihlus Kryik and Saren Arterius, and the members of the Turian mercenary known as Talons; which consisted of Nyreen Kandros, Galus Kandros and Niria Maxilinus.
While the Asari Republics was represented by the Asari scientist Professor Faleente Pesir and the Salarian Union was represented by the Salarian nurse Uborm Julise.
Meanwhile, the Asari Councillor who was known by the name of Tevos was looking among those who were a presence in the Council Chamber convening in the impressive Citadel Tower located in the Citadel Space Station. Tevos turned herself and whispered something to the Turian Councillor who was known by the name of Sparatus and the Salarian Councillor who was known by the name of Valern before she turned to address Primarch Adrien Victus who was one of the spokespeople for the Turian Hierarchy.
"As per peace treaty agreement approved by the Citadel Council Races of the Citadel Space, with the votes of three out of three. I hereby announced that the Turian Hierarchy will take full responsibilities in providing all necessary preparations needed to compensate the Human Systems Alliance."
After Tevos had finished her part, she tipped her head slightly toward the direction of the Salarian Councillor as a gesture for Valern who continued to speak after her.
"Under such given circumstances, granting to the agreement made, in which the Turians will provide all facilities and accommodations necessarily requested by the Citadel Council Races or by the Human Systems Alliance respectively which regarded the Humans."
Primarch Adrien Victus of the Turian Hierarchy stood tall with pride and nodded his head while he was folding his arms behind his back. With a great calmness, Adrien gave a look of smugness responding with ease toward at the direction the three interspecies Councillors who were standing at their respective Councillor booths while he begins to speak to the rest as well who were a presence in the Council Chamber.
"I will attend to it personally being the Primarch of the Turian Hierarchy that all reparations will be fully compensated to the newly added races known as Humanity."
The Turian Councillor Sparatus tipped his head to acknowledge what Arien had said before the presence of those in the Council Chamber as he joined in to speak.
"As the existing Turian Councillor, I will work closely with Primarch Adrien Victus of the Turian Hierarchy before another Turian by the name of Quentius will replace me as the new Turian Councillor."
Both Tevos and Valern were shocked with surprise by the words of Sparatus but they did not express it outwardly. Tevos has always a liking to the Turian Councillor but due to their roles as interspecies Councillors of the Citadel Council Races, Tevos did not let the emotions ruined the highly sought reputations the Asari had accomplished through the thousands of years while holding the office. Valern on the other hand just nodded his head as he had composed himself to respond Sparatus.
"Very well then, Councillor Sparatus. I hope Quentius is an excellent choice of becoming the new Turian Councillor as well as you. I do trust you have given him some details of pieces of training in advance."
Sparatus bowed his head as a manner of showing his respect to the Salarian Councillor before he begins to respond.
"Ah, Councillor Valern. As a matter of facts, Quentius will be joining me tonight for a short meeting and I will be his mentor until the time comes for me to step down from my duties."
Tevos who still remain to be emotionless simply nodded her head slightly as she begins to speak with coldness in her articulation.
"Councillor Sparatus, I will be expecting Quentius to know everything by the appointed time to come."
In which the Turian Councillor Sparatus simply just stood tall with pride and responded the Asari Councillor.
"Ah, Councillor Tevos. I will assure Quentius is as good as myself being the next Turian Councillor."
With a nod of the head from the three respective interspecies Councillors, Tevos then turned herself to face the spokespeople of the Human Systems Alliance after Sparatus had finished what was needed to enunciate on behalf of the Turians.
"And for the Human Systems Alliance, I hereby announced that Humanity will be welcome to visit in any chartered galaxies within the Citadel Space after all necessary procedures were being completed."
Once Tevos had finished her talking, Sparatus took it as a cue to go along after she paused.
"Before the registration protocol will be obtained, It is necessary for everyone of any new races to be quarantine and undergoes medical surveillance for a week. "
And after Sparatus had finished his talk, Valern closed in to finish the rest of the speech.
"The Salarian Union will be providing the necessary medical assistance needed to request by Professor Mordin Solus and his teams of medical personnel."
Both Admiral David Anderson and Admiral Steven Hackett nodded their respective heads in unison after their respective translator delivered the spoken message, but since they have not mastered the standard galactic language yet, Madeline J. Williams has walked a step in front to give the response on behalf since her Omni-tool and translator were better upgraded by the bits of help from Sato Davaria and Lilihierax who was the top among the Turian mechanics within the military of the Turian Hierarchy.
"It is an honour for Humanity to be able to explore the different Stars Systems of the Milky Way Galaxy. As the Human Ambassadress, I will make sure every Humans followed the correct procedures accordingly to the Citadel Council laws and regulations within the Citadel Space."
The three interspecies Citadel Councillors nodded their respective heads as a gesture to acknowledge Madeline while the Turian Ambassadress Orinia came forward and stood beside the Human female.
"As the Turian Ambassadress and spokesperson on behalf of Spectre Nihlus Kryik, it is my responsibility to assist Ambassadress Madeline J. Williams accordingly as per engagement proposal authorised by the Citadel Council Laws and Regulations."
All three interspecies Citadel Councillors nodded their respective heads again to acknowledge Orinia this time before Sparatus turned his head to where an Asari and A Salarian were standing.
"What have both of you concluded that are demanded to be reported regarding this interspecies joint engagement between the Turian Spectre and the Human Alliance Marine?"
Professor Faleente Pesir the Asari scientist gave a look at the Salarian female who stood beside her and bowed her head before the three interspecies Citadel Councillors after the said Salarian gave her a nod of the head, as a gesture to let the Asari spoke first. Faleente took a step forward as she began to speak.
"Both I and Miss Uborm Julise had found some very interesting discovery between the said match. It is a rare occurrence probably the first in the history of the Citadel Space. For the examination of records we had provided, it indicated that there is a hundred per cent possibility of this interspecies couple to conceive their own biological children. And being the spokesperson on behalf of Matriarch Benezia the spiritual leader of the Asari, the Asari Republics has voted in approval to allow the pair to have their hybrid offsprings under the charge of Professor Mordin Solus if the respective heads of both involved families agree to it."
Uborm Julise the Salarian nurse took a step forward as well and stood beside the Asari scientist before she presented her speech.
"Being the spokesperson on behalf of Dalatrass Linron and the Salarian Union, a verdict has been given for the approval of the engagement with the vote however against the pair to have hybrid offsprings."
Primarch Adrien Victus came forward after the two female had spoken and folded his arms behind his back while making his speech.
"On behalf of the Turian Hierarchy, I have the absolute power to vote in approval of the Turian Human hybrid."
The three interspecies Councillors looked among themselves before Tevos make a short speech to show the need for the Councillors to have a private talk. All three left the Council Chamber and retreated into a small room while the rest waited patiently. Subsequently a few moments later, the three emerged back into the Council Chamber and make the final verdict. Sparatus cleared his throats as he started to make his speech.
"Since the vote is two out of three in favour of the Turian Human Hybrid, the Citadel Council has decided to appoint Mordin Solus as the head in charge if the said Turian Human couple decided to have their own biological children when the appointed time has come being permitted from the heads of both families. This Engagement will be the first in the history of the Citadel Space where two different species would be joined in an arranged marriage in order to ratify the adversity that was caused by a misfortune conspiracy. Primarch Adrien Victus of the Turian Hierarchy will be the representative as the witness for the Engagement."
Tevos tipped her head while Sparatus was still speaking and gave her speech after the Turian Councillor has finished talking.
" Matriarch Benezia the spiritual leader of the Asari will represent the Asari Republics as one of the witnesses for the Engagement."
Valern on the other hand, simply folded his arms over his chest while making his speech.
"Dalatrass Linron of the Salarian Union will still be the witness for the Engagement although she was strongly against with the Turian Human Hybrid approval. As for the Human Systems Alliance, who will be the one to stand in as the witness?"
Madeline J. Williams bowed her head at the three interspecies Councillors before she folded her arms and straighten them behind her back. She held her head high and got a quick glance around her and took some serious pondering before making her speech.
"Prime Minister Amul Shastri of the Human Systems Alliance will be the witness for the Engagement and as the mother of the fiancee of the Turian Spectre, I would grant my consent to allow the couple to have their own biological children."
All three interspecies Councillors looked among themselves again before Valern smiled and cleared his throat as he began to make the talk.
"Very well then. With everything being finalised, the C-sec will start the necessary arrangement for the registration protocols for the new race in Citadel Space in a week's time before the Engagement."
Sparatus soon follow to speak after Valern gestured him with a nod of his head.
"The Engagement will take place two weeks starting from today at the Williams estate located at Cipritine the capital city of Palaven since the Williams is considered as being higher in tier than the Kryik. The time will be at twelve noon, according to the Palaven standard time."
Tevos then completed the speech after Sparatus gave her a signal by the closing of his eyes.
"After that, the couple will be holding another ceremony on Earth as a gesture to show the sincerity of the Citadel Council Races to accept and acknowledge Humanity as part of us in the Citadel Space. I would expect security measures to be taken from both the C-Sec and the Alliance Navy."
With that, the meeting has come to a successful result and every party involved were happy with the outcome. The only problem would be to deal with the mother of Nihlus, who has voiced her disapproval during an outrage with her son after Mordin Solus had given the Kryik family ahead up of the medical reports months ago before the actual peace treaty meeting had taken place. Nihlus would need to plan something within the four years which will be the time when his bond-mate is ready to mate with him accordingly to the laws of Palaven.
It had been a week after an official peace treaty meeting was conducted between the Humans, the Turians, the Asari and the Salarians, in the presence of the Citadel Council; pertaining to the requisitions from the Human Systems Alliance. The Citadel Council had ordered their highest security department known as the C-Sec in making the necessary arrangement for the registration protocols for the new race to register in the Citadel space.
All Humans who wished to visit the Chartered galaxies within the Citadel Space were first quarantined and underwent medical surveillance for a week on the many Salarian based medical spacecraft docked on the different levels of the Citadel docks. Each medical spacecraft was designated for various purposes according to the given reports obtained through the five years long period of war from both the Humans as well as the Turians. After that, the C-Sec will guide the Humans through the registration protocols required by the Citadel Council.
Abby Williams and Lynn Williams were helping their mother Madeline J. Williams in overseeing the necessary procedures which they had learned while they were at Cipritine the capital city of Palaven, with the help from Castis Vakarian; a Turian male from Palaven, who wore blue colony markings on his face; is a senior C-Sec detective at the Citadel Space Station. Castis was heading to his C-Sec office after helping the Williams siblings when he received a ping alert from his Omni-tool while he was passing through one of the hallways into another section from the main ward. The Turian detective shot a glance at the panel interface of his Omni-tool without accessing a connection and he was surprised to see a video-call notification blinking from the Turian Councillor Sparatus. It is unusual that he had gotten a video-call from the Turian Councillor unless it is regarding something either very personal or urgent matters.
"What could possibly be that Sparatus want from me?"
Castis Vakarian mused in thoughts while he halted his steps. Furthermore noticing that he was in a busy area of the Citadel business districts, Castis moved himself to aside from the crowded pathway so that he won't be causing any traffic blocking others. He paused and hesitated for a second, making sure the surroundings were safe before opening his Omni-tool with a few flickering movements of his two-fingered talons, typing a quick message instead.
[To S, On my way to the office, will video-call later once I get into my office. - C.V.]
Making a double check on the message again, Castis promptly hit the send icon and closed his Omni-tool upon receiving a confirmation notification that indicated the message has been sent and read by the Turian Councillor Sparatus. He then surveyed his surroundings one last time before continuing his journey towards his office.
Meanwhile, in the Turian Embassy located at the Presidium of the Citadel Tower, Sparatus; the Turian Councillor, who wore white colony markings on his face; was seated in his office when he received a ping alert from his private terminal. Upon accessing and reading the message, the Turian Councillor Sparatus sent an read notification back to the sender. He lifted up his head and addressed to the two Turian males, both seated on the armchairs respectively opposite from his desk.
"Ah, gentlemen. the Turian Detective Castis Vakarian will connect a video-call later when he gets into his office. Probably just within a few minutes since he is on his way heading to his office while we speak."
Both the Turian males just nodded their heads in unison without saying anything while Sparatus was still speaking. The Turian male who appeared to be the youngest amongst the trios, who also wore white colony markings as well on his face, but has different in patterns from the Turian Councillor Sparatus, as the patterns were overly large as if doing it like that on purpose. He lazily stretched himself and laid both his feet loudly on the desk of the Turian Councillor. While the other Turian male who appeared to be older amongst the trios, who was barefaced; just simply tapped his right-handed, two-fingered talons on the left side of his shoulder armour plating. The oldest Turian male was behaving as if doing in a way to count the numbers of tapping until the connection of the video-call will be established.
The Turian Councillor snorted in annoyance at the young Turian male as he regarded the behaviour as showing disrespect to him.
"Spectre Nihlus Kryik! For the sake of the Great Spirits of Palaven! Get your dirty feet off my desk this instant!"
In return Nihlus just gave Sparatus a smirked looked before removing both his feet from the desk of the Turian Councillor as he really enjoyed the moment to annoy everyone including those who are in higher ranks than him.
Sparatus was about to open his mouth again when his private terminal engaged with a ping alert, informing him of a two-dimensional video-call notification. He turned on the video-call and addressed the caller.
"Ah, Detective Castis Vakarian. I have been excepting you!"
Straight away, Castis Vakarian being a C-Sec detective and one of the top agents, sensed something was not right when the Turian Councillor Sparatus did not address him by his given name instead. Cautiously he decided to address Sparatus formally.
"Councillor Sparatus, you need me for something?"
Before Sparatus could reply Castis, Spectre Saren Arterius stood up from his seat and moved behind Sparatus so that Castis could see clearly there were more people in the room. With a flick of the moment from Saren, he lowered himself over the private terminal of Sparatus and within seconds the video-call was transmitted into a holographic video which could be viewed in three hundred and sixty degrees. Castis Vakarian could see the entire room now, with Sparatus seated at his desk, Saren moves back to his seat and a grinning faced Nihlus waving at him casually.
"Ah, Castis, old man. How are you?"
This caused both Castis and Sparatus to snort in unison annoyance at the inappropriate behaviour of the younger Turian.
"Spectre Nihlus Kryik! For the sake of the Great Spirits of Palaven! Mind your manners will you!"
While Saren just shook his head at the two annoyed Turian males and chuckled outwardly addressing the men with an ironic tone to his voice.
"Gentlemen, stop wasting your energy on this youngster. He loves to annoy people on purposes. Ignore him and he soon lost the fun of it."
Nihlus folded his arms across his chest while narrowing his eyes at his mentor who simply just kicked the foot of the young Turian male before he continued to speak.
"Let us get into business shall we."
All the three Turian males nodded their respective heads at the same time before Sparatus begins to speak.
"Ah, Detective Castis Vakarian. I will be stepping down as the Turian Councillor to join with the Turian mercenary known as Talons. Galus Kandros, on the other hand, has agreed to leave the Talons and join the C-Sec as per request from you. You should be expecting him any moment. Meanwhile, Quentius will take over the Turian Councillor duties from now on under my guidance until he is ready to be on his own."
Castis nodded his head as a gesture to acknowledge what Sparatus has said, while Nihlus took out a datapad and passed it to Sparatus before he began to talk.
"As promised by Nyreen Kandros, Sparatus will be given a new identity to replace Galus Kandros as her right-hand man. Whereas Niria Maxilinus the left-hand woman will be waiting at the location stated on the datapad after Quentius is able to handle the duties on his own as the new Turian Councillor. The Primarch has brought a new home as a gift for the bonding between Sparatus and Niria. But don't expect much of it as he could only secretly acquired one at the black market."
Sparatus raised his brows as he pondered at the words of Nihlus.
"Black market? So the apartment is in Omega?"
Nihlus nodded his head in a manner to confirm the question from Sparatus while Castis pondered in thoughts on what Nihlus had said before he decided to voice out his query.
"Sparatus, are you sure this is what you wanted? Forsaking everything you had established? Living in a place that is unsafe and uncontrolled by the regulations and laws of the Citadel Council Races?"
Sparatus nodded his head in an assuring manner before responding.
"Yes, Castis. This is what I wanted. As the Turian Councillor, I could not take a mercenary as my bond-mate. The only way would be resigning my duties as the Turian Councillor and getting a new identity as well so to avoid dishonouring the reputations that our own species had strived so far to obtain."
Castis smiled and folded his arms across his chest. He knew too well what it meant for Sparatus.
"Very well then, Sparatus. May the Great Spirits of Palaven watches over you and your bond-mate Niria Maxilinus."
Sparatus tipped his head and gave Castis a bow in a respectful manner before someone was knocking on the door of the Turian detective office. Castis gave the person a quick "Come in!" and from the other end of the three hundred and sixty degrees dimensional video-call, Sparatus, Saren and Nihlus could see who had entered.
A Turian male who wore red markings running from the tip of his forehead, along with the bridge of his nose till the bottom of his lower mouth plate had entered. Nihlus immediately shook his head as he began to pointed out the markings of the said Turian male.
"Galus, you really need to do something about your markings. It is so obvious to identify your connection with the Talons."
Galus Kandros bowed his head at Castis before he looked through the video-call from the private terminal of Castis.
"I know Nihlus. But this is not easy. Either I fake my markings or goes entirely barefaced."
Saren chuckled slightly while accessing his Omni-tool. He brought up something and sent it to both the Omni-tool of Castis and Galus.
"Gentlemen, not to worry. Adrien has planned out everything. Just follow his instruction and everything should be good."
Both Castis and Galus accessed their respective Omni-tool at the same moment after receiving the file which Saren had sent. The two of them each showed a surprised look as they began to read the file thoroughly. Galus was completely in silence while Castis narrowed his blue eyes at Saren.
"The Primarch sure planned everything well."
Saren who noticed that Castis wasn't really too happy, simply just laughed and replied with a sarcasm.
"Well, Adrien has to make sure, somebody will not break the deal."
Meanwhile, on the Citadel docks, Mordin Solus, who was on board one of the Salarian medical spacecraft, was busy working with his assistant. He had warmly requested the help from the Human Systems Alliance to provide their best medical personnel with the quarantine and medical surveillance project at the Citadel Space Station, which took place after an agreement had finalised seven months after ending of the five years' war.
One of the medical personnel willing to offer help was known as Major Doctor Karin Chakwas, a Human female who enlisted in the Alliance Navy soon after she graduated from medical school, seeking "exotic adventure". While the other two were Roy Smith; a Human male who expertise in biological therapy against various types of terminal illnesses which were considered as incurable during the twentieth century on Earth and his daughter Sally Smith; a student of Karin.
"Very effective."
Mordin Solus proclaimed while he was busy flickering his four fingers and two thumbs over his working terminals. He continued to blabber at a fast speed as his talk to his assistant without looking at the said person.
"Recruitment of medical personnel proven more crucial. No time to train new trainees. Perhaps in the next time, but not now. There are too much work and too little time. Need more samples as well for interspecies experiments between Turian and Human relation. Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong."
Tertius Vakarian who wore blue colony markings on his face; was an assistant to Mordin Solus. He was also the nephew of Castis Vakarian, who was the only cousin of his father within the Vakarian family. The father and mother of Tertius, who was known as Calio Vakarian and Milodia Vakarian respectively, were killed when their only child was at the age of five. And according to Castis his uncle, both of the parents of Tertius were killed during a secret mission raiding the Batarian Slavery Rings near the Hoplos System.
"Professor Mordin, with all due respect, do you really think the Humans are capable of the tasks?"
Mordin Solus continues to talk at a fast rate while working on his terminals without looking at his assistant for the second time.
"Capable, yes. Done observations. Positive results. Very gratifying. The Human female Doctor Major Doctor Karin Chakwas is a great asset to the medical collaboration between the Humans and the Turians. Both Human doctors, the Smiths have great potentials as well. The young Human female, Sally Smith especially, should surpass you probably when given adequate times. The two of you will be a great team if working together."
Tertius Vakarian just snorted in disbelief while musing in thoughts on what Mordin Solus had said. He twitched his mandibles closely in a frustrating manner.
"Great Spirits of Palaven! This Salarian really think too highly of these apelike primates!"
Tertius was careful not to voice out his frustrations and opinions while there were so many Humans around him. It makes him uneasy and weary at the same time. Mordin Solus was at least right for once. They do need more medical crews at the current rate the Humans were flooding into the Citadel Space Station like rushing water.
At around noon by the Citadel time, Tertius Vakarian was suddenly attracted by a particular scent which caused him to stop everything he was doing. The said scent was very mild but it smelled alluring to his senses. He paused and sniffed around to no avail since the scent was gone by the time the multitude of Humans have walked out and headed for the mess hall. Only then, Tertius realised it was time for lunch break.
"Great Spirits of Palaven! I missed the lunchtime again!"
Tertius Vakarian grumbled with frustration on an empty stomach later on knowing there won't be enough food left for him since Humans can eat some of the dextro proteins based food which is still edible as long as eaten in small quantities. While Mordin Solus, on the other hand, had already gone before the Humans had started to walk past their work terminals. He was about halfway finishing his lunch when he noticed Tertius was not here at the mess hall. And now there was too little space left to sit and not much food left in the mess hall. Mordin was about to stand up and grab some dextro proteins based food fit for a Turian before it was too late when Sally Smith the young female walked toward his location carrying in one of her hands, three packs of food packed in an insulated food carrier.
"Hey Professor Mordin, I saw your assistant is still at his work terminals moment ago. Don't suppose he is able to grab food now as there isn't much food left."
Sally greeted Mordin Solus as he replied with a nod of his head while addressing the young female.
"Ah, young Sally! This is very observant of you. A very good trait, especially for medical personnel."
Sally smiled widely while she flips open the cover of the insulated food carrier with her free hand, revealing a pack of dextro proteins based food which she had grabbed along with the other two packs of levo proteins based food. She took out the pack which was resting on top of the other two packs of food and lifting it in front of Mordin.
"Thanks, Professor Mordin. By the way, I had grabbed this pack of dextro proteins based food just in case. I hope this is suitable for Turian food consumption?"
Mordin reached out his hand to take the pack from the young female before she flips close the cover this time. After examining the contents of a scan from his Omni-tool, he gave her the biggest widespread smile he could possibly make.
"Very appreciated. This will do. That boy can be problematic sometimes. Very focus on works, not a bad thing but problematic. But still an asset to the project. Just too stubborn."
Sally gave out a small chuckling sound folding one of her arms across her chest while carrying the two packs of food in an insulated food carrier with the other hand.
"Look like someone I know of as well."
She unwrapped her arm from her chest while lifting up the insulated food carrier up to the eye level of Mordin.
"My Father is still working on his work terminals. I'm going to have lunch with him there when I bring him this."
Mordin pondered for a while before he lifted up the pack of food which Sally had handed to him and with a smile he began to ask.
"Ah, young Sally. I'm still about halfway through my lunch. Could you pass this to my assistant along the way when you pass by his work terminals?"
Sally winked playfully and smiled while taking back the pack of food from Mordin as she flips open the cover for the second time before she replied.
"Sure, no problem. Glad to be of service to you, Professor Mordin."
Mordin nodded with gratitude as he moved back to sit down to finish up his remaining lunch.
"Very appreciated."
With the last, nodding of heads from the two of them, Sally flips close the cover for the second time and makes her way toward the hallway leading out of the mess hall.
Tertius Vakarian was focusing himself on his work terminals when he spotted that same alluring scent again. This time the said same scent was stronger and nearer to him almost behind. Tertius turned himself around suddenly which almost frighten the woman standing behind him. He swallowed his own saliva, hard down his throat as he found his breathing quicken. While the woman behind him gave a sudden deep gasp out of her mouth as she was trying to take hold of her own breath.
"Hey... Gosh ... You almost scared the hell out of me."
Tertius stuttered uncontrollably when he realised Sally Smith was standing behind him.
"I... I... I'm sorry, ma'am. It isn't my intention to scare you like that..."
Sally felt her face flushed as the scent from Tertius was very similar to Earth version of lavender which she liked the most. She pushed the pack of food into the hands of Tertius after she regains her breaths.
"Never mind that. I shouldn't sneak up on your back like that. Here, this is your lunch. Professor Mordin asked me to bring it to you. I'm bringing some to my father as well. Bye then."
Running as quickly as her legs could bring her, Sally ran toward the back and soon disappeared along with the hallway leading to other rooms. Leaving a speechless Tertius holding on to his lunch, while he mused.
"Great Spirits of Palaven! What is wrong with me?"
Thinking hard Tertius tried to recall the name of the woman and nervously taking a seat at one of the crates nearest to where he was standing. He mused while the scent of Sally Smith was still strong lingering around him and on the cover of the food as well.
"If I could recall correctly, Professor Mordin did tell me about this woman. Sally Smith, I think that is what Mordin has said. Great Spirits of Palaven! What have I done? why am I attracted to the scent of the apelike primate? I have to stop thinking about this! She can't be the one!"
Tertius forced himself up and to stop thinking. There was no way anything could possibly happen between him and this Human he decided, as he began to devour the pack of food with frustrating emotions.
Roy Smith was busy working on his own work terminals when his daughter Sally Smith returned back with a flushed face. He noticed that something was bothering his daughter when she was extremely quiet, not her usual cheerful self while passing a pack of levo proteins based food to him.
"Sally, my dear daughter. Is everything alright with you?"
Sally forced a smile and shook her head before responding to her father while she was unpacking her own lunch.
"Nothing is wrong, dad. Everything is fine with me."
Roy frowned his brows and shot a suspicious look at his own daughter before putting down the pack of food on a nearby table. He won't be able to eat sensing something was going on.
"Really, Sally? I have known you too well as your father. Every bit of your temperament, the ways you behaved, and the things you like or don't. You won't be able to fool this old man, my dear daughter. "
Sally turned her head and looked at the floor while keeping her focus away from his own father. This caused Roy to wrap his arms around the shoulders of his own daughter before he turned her to face him directly as he started to speak further in a caring manner.
"Now, my dear daughter. Do you want to tell me about it?"
Sally hesitated a bit before shaking her head for the second time. She leant close to the shoulder of her father, resting her head comfortably seeking the affections which she always has gotten as a kid.
"Not really want to talk about it now, dad. Perhaps some other days?"
Sally lifted up her head and looked at her own father while Roy gave his own daughter, a loving smile and hugged her before they get ready to eat their lunch together. He had known his own daughter too well and if she did not want to tell him anything, that was simply no point in forcing her to open herself up to him. Ever since after the death of his wife Isabel Smith and their eldest daughter Serena Smith, Roy had become a single parent taking care of Sally his only youngest daughter.
Furthermore, due to certain circumstances, an unknown group was secretly seeking the lives of Roy Smith and his daughter Sally Smith as well. In order to hide from their unknown enemy, both Roy and Sally had implants to modify their hair colour genetically which they could choose to opt for any hair colour except the fiery red which exposed them easily as a trademark to identify who they were. Since the ancestors of Roy had Chinese lineages, he had chosen a raven colour for his hair while his daughter had chosen blonde for herself which was the hair colour of her mother's.
Meanwhile, after finishing up the lunch, which Sally Smith had brought to him, Tertius Vakarian decided to take a short break instead of continuing work on his own terminals. He turned his head both ways before deciding to head toward the shuttle bay which was situated at the other end of the current spacecraft. However, before Tertius managed to leave, Mordin Solus had finished his lunch and was heading back to his working terminals as he exited from the mess hall.
"Ah, Tertius. We need to go to level twenty-eight now. Major Doctor Karin Chakwas has requested for our assistance on urgent matters. Both Smiths would be joining us as well."
With just a nod of his head, Tertius Vakarian logged off the working terminals which both himself and Mordin Solus were using, while Roy Smith and his daughter Sally Smith had already joined them to meet Major Doctor Karin Chakwas later. Tertius tried his best to hide his emotions and stay away from Sally Smith as far as he could away from smelling her scent while Mordin Solus easily took notice of the behaviours of his assistant.
"Very interesting. The young Turian male is showing an uneasiness in the presence of the young Human female. A sign of showing the male is in denial of being attracted to the scent of the female. Potential bond-mate, perhaps? Highly possible."
This caused all eyes to focus on Mordin Solus while Tertius Vakarian was cursing the Salarian professor inwardly with his deadly stares.
"Great Spirits of Palaven! This Salarian scientist is going to be the death of me!"
Roy Smith was eyeing at the young Turian male with a curious look while Sally Smith was nervously moving away from Tertius Vakarian when the said Turian male was giving out a threatening growl at the Salarian. Mordin Solus, on the other hand, was obliviously unaware of what he had caused and continued on to speak.
"Would be great to have another interspecies couple between the Turian and the Human. Could get more samples for experiments. Need more studies as well. More tests preferred for Turian Human hybrid if possible."
This caused both Tertius Vakarian and Sally Smith to snap at Mordin Solus in a shared anger.
"Professor Mordin! Are you kidding me?"
While Roy Smith was laughing hilariously and patting the arms of Tertius Vakarian at the same time.
"I don't mind to have a Turian as my son-in-law if you are okay with it."
Both Tertius Vakarian and Sally Smith blushed tremendously while Mordin Solus simply just gave Roy Smith an approving smile.
"Human parent very supportive. That is a good sign! Could arrange to meet with the Turian family. The Vakarian a well-known name might be proven a challenge though especially the older Turian Detective."
Tertius Vakarian almost froze after hearing what Mordin Solus had suggested and before anyone else could respond. He flares up and twitched his mandibles in anger.
"Mordin! Enough! I'm not interested in a mere apelike primate! Just take a look at her? She doesn't even have a fringe."
Sally Smith on the other hand just moved closer to Tertius Vakarian and poked a finger in the chest of the said Turian male.
"I'm not interested in someone so arrogant and ugly as yourself either. Birdlike Jerk!"
Tertius Vakarian snorted and pushed the hand of Sally Smith away from him while folded his arms across his chest.
"What? Me arrogant and ugly? Birdlike? How dare you to insult me?!"
And before Sally Smith could retaliate or do any harms which she is capable of, Roy Smith quickly interfered.
"Enough! The both of you! Stop behaving like spoilt kids!"
This caused both youngsters to stop and moved away as far as they could from one another, while both the old men just shook their heads respectively before Mordin continued on.
"Tsk .. tsk...Very problematic! The Turian pride, insecurities, being in denial..."
"Mordin! That is enough!"
Tertius Vakarian shouted in annoyance while all four of them started to head out of the current spacecraft. He gave a short glance to look at Sally Smith, who was sticking out her tongue and make a face at him when she caught Tertius was looking at her. He rolled his eye while inwardly calling her childish apelike primate.
At the level twenty-eight of the Citadel Space Station, Major Doctor Karin Chakwas was pacing to and fro in front of her work terminals, in one of the Salarian medical spacecraft. Corporal Lantar Sidonis on the other hand, was busy searching through every file from his own work terminals. While Solana Vakarian was busy experimenting with the blood samples which she had collected from the database.
"The readings are showing all positives Doctor Chakwas."
Lantar responded while Solana nodded her head at the same time.
Karin closed her eyes and pondered for a little while before she began to speak.
"Lantar, I need you to go through the file one more time. And Solana, please informed the related personnel to report here immediately. It would be best to retake their blood samples. I had informed Mordin and both doctor Smiths, they should be here any moment."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Came the unison responses from Lantar and Solana, while Karin continues to pace excitingly. This was something that she didn't quite expect and if not for the suggestion by the couple who she only get to know them seven months and four days ago, Karin never thought of matching all the records from the current database which hold every detail of the Humans who had registered themselves through the Citadel Council Races census.
Karin paused and stared through the screen panel of every work terminals. There were three particular profiles that caught her attention. The three profiles were showing a ninety-nine per cent and a fifty per cent of genetic matching. The rest of the profiles, including hers, have shown either a twenty-five per cent or twelve-point-five per cent of genetic matching against the said three profiles. This could mean that either she shared the same ancestry with one or all of them. This discovery makes Karin very excited and nervous at the same time.
Commander Jane Shepard was on board the Mindoir together with her adoptive sister Jack Shepard when both their Omni-tool received a message sent from Solana Vakarian. Meanwhile, Madeline J. Williams and her three daughters, each received a message from Solana as well while all four women were busy looking through the gown catalogue at the newly open boutique for the Humans and Turians consumers. Emily Wong received the message too while she was busy interviewing every species who was on the Citadel about the views of the Turian Human Hybrid.
Every one of them was puzzled why Solana was asking them to retake their blood samples but they did not hesitate at all as they know Karin would not have requested something that deemed as unimportant.
Jane gave Joker the authority to command the Mindoir as Hannah was away on Earth to prepare for the ceremony which would take place two days after the Engagement on Palaven. Madeline and her three daughters started to head out of the boutique while all four of them spotted Emily and Bemis. They walked toward the two while Emily was giving Bemis instruction to cover her.
The fake Human male nodded his head attentively while Emily noticed Madeline and her three daughters. All five female later went off together and heading for the stairway to level twenty-eight when they saw Jane and Jack were walking down from the same stairway. All seven female gave each other a short greeting and without any further questions, all of them headed swiftly down the stairway together.
It was not often to see a group of Human especially female among the Citadel Council Races, so the group caused a bit of attention from the other races as they began to descend down the stairway. A C-Sec patrolling officer was standing beside the main entrance of level twenty-eight when he noticed the group of seven Human females. He wanted to stop them but quickly stopped himself as he realised that one of them was the Human Ambassadress. He gave a Turian version of salute when the group passed him. Madeline stopped and tipped her head slightly as a gesture to acknowledge the C-Sec Officer before she continued to join the rest of the females who had stopped a few steps in front.
Madeline and the group were about to move when they spotted a Human couple was walking toward them. Jane moved forward and hugged the couple respectively. While Emily came forward and stood in front of the couple who just gave Emily a pat on the head. Without any further words from any of them, the group and the Human couple walked together heading for one of the Salarian medical spacecraft.
End of Chapter 1