~~As we all know I'm in love with Ganis Vandrel. I've played around with this AU for a bit. Yes it is along the same lines as Raised Turian, but with some MAJOR changes. Trust me, if you loved Ganis and Raised Turian this is for you.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. ~~
"Well this is just a fine mess, Anderson." General Hackett was not known as a patient man; he gave results, and expected the same in return, always.
What he was known as was the hero of the Alliance, a man humanity could trust, a man that would do anything to protect Earth and her interests; no matter what. And as Lieutenant Commander Anderson sat in front of him and watched as he lit a cigar puffed once and then twice, he knew he had failed this man. Though not for lack of trying, God knows he tried, he had been put through some of the hardest training he could remember, and that's saying something considering he had been one of the first to achieve N7 status. But now staring at the unwavering, unyielding eyes of General Hackett he knew none of that mattered.
"Sir, I know how it looks," Anderson stopped short as Hackett shook his head.
"It's not just how it looks, David. It's what is. You were kicked out of the Spectres program. You lost us maybe the only chance to get Humanity on the council and secure our place at the citadel."
Hackett leveled his glare directly at Anderson, "That's what it is."
Anderson, a little taken back at the use of his first name fought the urge to fidget where he sat.
"Sir, Saren Arterius, he," Hackett stood and threw the glass of brandy that had been on the table next to him against the wall, the glass shattered and spread across the ground, broken into hundreds of little shards, much like his current situation he mused.
"Don't you dare make that excuse again, you damn well knew you couldn't let Arterius have one reason, and you gave him three. Kahlee Sanders is damn lucky her father is Admiral Grissom or I'd have her ass on a silver platter. You on the other hand," His eyes didn't leave him as he sat back down and took another few puffs from the cigar.
"You, I can do with as I please, you're still well liked and so far I've been able to smooth over what has happened here with the board."
David's shock must have shown on his face because Hackett let out a small bark of laughter.
"Oh you're not really safe, you owe me and you're going to do as I say, no matter what, is that understood?"
"Aye, Sir, it is." But what that was to mean, he had no idea.
"Good, now that the unpleasant business is taken care of, I suggest we start talking about what we intend to do, humanity needs a Spectre, they don't trust our training now. The Turians are stubborn at best; they think our training is inferior considering we said you were our best."
He eyed Anderson for a moment to see if he would protest, but nodded at his silence.
"We need another option and I think I have one. We need someone fresh someone that can be trained by the Turians; that will live with them that they will trust as one of their own."
Shaking his head Anderson didn't agree and Hackett eyed him, "Permission to speak freely, just because you took this mission and made it completely fubar is no reason to look past the fact that we've known each other for years, go ahead."
"Well, Sir, you can't just throw a civilian into this sort of training, it would kill them. The Turians start when they're fifteen; it's not something that an untrained person can just jump into, no way. Not to mention Spectre training, no chance."
"I didn't say I was going to put a civilian in that roll, now did I?"
"I don't understand sir; I thought you said someone with no training?"
Hackett seemed to ignore this question as he stood and walked to his desk and poured another drink to replace the one smashed against the wall.
"You know about the children, and Anne?"
"I heard while I was gone about the twins and everyone heard about Anne being killed after the last battle, I was sorry to hear of it."
This statement was waved away as Hackett sat down again across from him. "Yes, yes, thank you, it's a girl and a boy you know, Jane and John, I had told Anne the names were ridiculous but she insisted. You know how stubborn she would get."
"Kind of like someone else I know." It was said under his breath but Hackett heard it and lifted an eyebrow at him.
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Nothing, Sir," to his surprise Hackett laughed and Anderson sighed.
"So, my plan is to hand over my daughter, to the Turians. She will be raised in their culture from the start; she will join the Turian military at fifteen and after that, it's been agreed that she will be admitted into the Spectre program after she finishes her military training at the age of nineteen. Well that's assuming that she performs and survives."
Sure that his jaw was laying on the ground, Anderson closed his mouth and after a moment of silence finally was able to chuckle slightly, sure that Steven was screwing with him. Something the old Hackett would have done.
"You're joking of course."
"I'm dead serious, Anderson, after your screw up we need to do something drastic, General Victus has already agreed."
An unchecked burst of laughter earned Anderson a death glare from Hackett as he sat up a bit straighter turning the laugh into a slight cough.
"Sir, you can't be serious, it's insane, no matter how close we work with the Turians now they'll never accept her as their own."
Angry now, Hackett leaned forward and Anderson thought another glass was about to meet the wall, but instead he just growled and took a deep drink adding after he had swallowed, "Only time will tell that. I think Anne would have wanted it this way, I mean she was always saying how nice they were. Right up to when she was killed." This was said with a slight scoff, Anderson noted.
"Okay, besides the fact that I think this is insane, Sir, what are you going to tell her when she's older?"
"Oh, she'll know whose child she is, I want her to know that she owes everything to the Alliance, she of course if everything goes according to plan, will be the first Human Spectre. And we need to have loyalty from her. I'll make annual evaluation visits and such. But I'll try to be hands off, as to not make it seem like the Alliance is controlling anything. We want the Turian's to trust her one hundred percent."
"So what, Sir, she's going to live with Victus and what be like one of his kids? Doesn't he have two?"
"No, she won't live with Victus, I don't want it to look like she's getting special treatment."
"How could this situation not look like that, Sir," Hackett held up a hand.
"Your tone is not welcome, Anderson."
"Sorry, Sir, just wondering how you plan to keep that from happening, when that's what it seems like."
"First off, she'll go by her mother's Maiden name, Shepard. Second, she'll be staying with a Sergeant. A sniper by the name of Vandrel, they'll live off world in some backwater colony."
"Well, Sir, it sounds like you've taken care of everything."
Besides you know, actually giving a shit what happens to this kid. This last thought was for once left unsaid.
"You'll be the one to drop her off; I want it done in secret."
"Me? Why?"
"Because I just gave you a ship, Captain Anderson, and you'll do as I say with it."
ooOoo
**Same time; Turian colony of Randiv.**
Adrien Victus did not like owing anyone anything. That went double for owing something to General Hackett. But to be honest with himself, he was doing this for Anne not him. His heart clinched slightly at the thought of her, but he pushed the thoughts away and refocused on his current problem.
Taking a human into a Turian home didn't sound all that crazy, I mean, they were friends with the humans now, as long as Hackett kept himself in check anyways. But putting a human through the military and then into Spectre training sounded insane, even to him.
But Spirits damn it all, here he found himself on Randiv, looking for someone he had promised to leave be. Sergeant Ganis Vandrel had opposed the war with the humans from the start, he had of course done as he was told and had it not been for his opinion would have long ago been an officer and hell most likely a General at some point. But instead once peace had been reached he only asked to be released from duty, Victus had released him from his command, knowing that he had just lost one of the finest marksmen in his military.
Taking a deep breath as he stood outside of the door to a humble house that stood on a hill outside of the colony, Victus knew he was making the right choice, Vandrel would be perfect.
He hit the buzzer and as the door slid open the look on Vandrels face was that of surprise as he snapped a perfect Turian salute.
"Hello, Sir what in the hell are you doing way out here?"
"Hello, Sergeant."
"It's just Vandrel now, Sir." He moved to the side to allow him to enter. Walking into the house Victus could see that it was still in strict military order, and that his rifle still rested next to the door, and looked as If it still saw daily use.
"Once military, always military, Sergeant," he motioned about the small kitchen and front room. Ganis gave a small nod.
"I suppose, Sir. Can I get you something; I still have that Turain brandy from Palaven."
"Yes, thank you, Sergeant."
Pouring the drinks, Ganis handed one to him.
Accepting the drink Victus downed it in one gulp, set the glass down and turned towards the wall, pausing a moment and taking a deep breath before turning back towards Ganis and clasping his hands behind his back, his talons taping together softly.
Ganis left his glass untouched and lifted a brow plate at him.
"I'm guessing you didn't come all this way for a drink, Sir."
"You're right, Sergeant, I didn't. You're being reinstated, I need you."
Ganis' face didn't move, he remained at a slight parade rest out of habit. "You know how I feel about that, Sir. I told you, after the war, I was done with the military, I did what was asked of me."
"I know, Ganis, and if I thought I could ask anyone else this, I would. But I think, no, I know you're the only one I can count on for this."
The other brow plate lifted as his given name was used, but he said nothing. Victus, taking the silence as leave to continue nodded.
"I've decided to take on a human for Turian training."
"I heard you did that already, also heard it failed, thanks to Saren. I could have told you that would happen. Saren hates humans. To let that one be paired up with him was just asking for it."
"I know, but the council still thinks of him as their best, and it was by their request."
Ganis' face still didn't move and Victus pressed on.
"We've decided to take this on another way, I made a promise once that I can't break and you're going to help me. I'm going to be taking on the charge of a human child, they will be raised and trained in our military system, and if everything works out, they will be entering the Spectre program."
There it was, a slight flutter of mandible, before his face fell neutral again. Victus saw it and took a deep breath.
"Permission to speak freely, Ganis though I don't know when you ever needed permission to speak freely, it never stopped you before."
"Honestly, Sir, it's a terrible idea, the same thing will happen, just with more Turian's and over a longer period of time. Old prejudices go deep, no matter what they say at the citadel."
"I know and that's why I'm going to have her stay here, with you. It will keep her out of the limelight until she's fifteen and can join the military."
Victus had to clench his hands tightly behind his back to keep from laughing as Ganis' mandibles fell slack.
"I'm sorry, Sir, I'm sure I didn't hear you right."
"Oh, no, you heard me right. I'm reinstating you as a Commander and this is your mission."
"If I choose to accept it, right, Sir?"
Victus did laugh at that, "Hell no, when has anything in our lives been if we choose it? Even you leaving wasn't your choice, I let you. And now you're coming back."
"I'm not sure I even understand what I'm coming back to, Sir. What do you want me to do with the kid?"
"Well first off, you'll raise her; she's really only a baby."
"I'm sorry, what?" His voice was not in control and he knew it, but spirits he didn't feel in control of anything let alone his damn voice.
"Sir, I don't know the first thing about raising a Turian baby, let alone a human one!"
Victus' mandible flicked a bit in a smirk. "You need to relax, Commander, where is that cool calm sniper I knew?"
"He's lying on the floor dead from shock."
He couldn't help it; he smiled and clasped Ganis on the shoulder. "You'll be fine, besides I've brought someone to help out. And weren't you the one that researched everything you could about humans during the war? If I remember right, you were the one who told me 'they aren't much different from us sir, why are we killing them?'"
"Yeah, but that was different, they were only doing what we would do."
Victus hit his comm. "Send her in Corporal."
Ganis' door slid open and an Asari swished through the door and the second person that Ganis thought he'd never see again was standing in his front room.
"I believe you know Lei'lani right? She was a doctor during the war, you met in hospital, no?"
He couldn't pull his eyes off of her, not even to answer the General directly, but he did manage to nod. "Yeah, we did."
Lei'lani smiled but said nothing as Victus nodded.
"Right, well she's an expert in human physiology. You're both under my command in this, if you need anything you contact my aide and I'll see that you get it. But remember to try and treat her like any other Turian child."
Ganis ran a hand behind his neck, and shook his head.
"Then what, what about when she's older, the military will eat her alive at fifteen."
"No, it won't, don't you see, that's why I've placed her with you, you're one of the finest soldiers I've had under my command, and the finest sniper in the whole of the Turian military, if not the galaxy. You're going to train her. It shouldn't be hard, it's in her blood."
"You know as well as I do, that doesn't matter."
"Still, I trust you'll do just fine." Glancing out the window he nodded again, this time to himself. "Well, I'll leave you two to prepare. She'll be here in about a week. Again if you need anything, ask."
Ganis' opened his mouth to ask what he was thinking, but before he could speak Victus held up a finger and Ganis closed his mouth.
"Nope, you can't get out of this, relax, Commander, you'll be fine."
"Yeah, perfect word, fucked-up insecure, neurotic and emotional."
"That's right, Commander, I assume you'll get it together."
"Oh sure, don't I always? Even with orders I don't agree with?"
"Indeed you do, which is why I knew I could count on you."
Victus turned and cleared his throat, "Well if you need nothing further, I'll take my leave."
Ganis stood there, unsure what to feel, emotions warring within his chest, he didn't know which way to run first, run, that's what he needed, a run, maybe he wouldn't stop. The thought was nice, but he knew he wouldn't do it. He was pulled from the thought as Victus turned to leave.
"Sir, whose child, is it? I'm guessing she's an orphan. No parents would willingly send away their child, not like this."
Victus paused, he would find out soon enough so he went ahead with full disclosure.
"You're partly right, her mother is dead. It's General Hackett Daughter, Jane. She'll be going by her mother's name Shepard. Just to keep her at a lower profile," Victus paused for a moment as he watched the dawning realization spread over Ganis' face. Victus had seen that look on his face only once before, and he frowned. "I know, but you understand now, why I asked you I mean."
"It's Anne's daughter, yes, sir I understand, but I don't know if I can."
The words were barely a whisper as Ganis gave him a stiff salute.
"You can and you will."
With that Victus left the house and Ganis and Lei'lani were left alone in the dying light of the day.
"Well that last bit was weird." She watched as he sank to the couch his normally ridged posture was slumped and his eyes distant.
"What is it? You can't be that depressed to see me, I'm over it, I get why you left me."
"No, you don't, but he does, and the ghost of why is about to move in with me."
"What?"
"General Anne Hackett, or Shepard as she was called in her younger years, she was always at the peace talks, she and General Victus got to know each other, some say too well. But those were just rumors; we were still in a war. But Victus was listening to me, I begged him for peace, it worked too. But it was too late; the order had already been given."
"What do you mean?"
"I was just following orders."
"What are you talking about, Ganis? Was this before you ended up in hospital? The war was over then."
"The last battle, I was given the order already, the peace with the Alliance was signed, but I didn't know, I was out alone, in the field I had no news but what they gave me."
Lei'lani watched as his eyes closed, and he continued in barely a whisper. "The order didn't come from Victus, it was above him."
"What order, Ganis?"
"To kill General Hackett, she was in my scope, she was smiling, her hair so red even before I took the shot."
Lei'lani took a shallow breath and shook her head, "That was war, Ganis."
"No, you don't get it, the war was over, I just didn't know. I killed her and it was after. They told everyone it was a rogue Turian, that it was an accident. They told me it had been a mistake of orders. I wasn't held accountable, not then. Victus said I punished myself enough."
"Shit," Lei'lani reached out a hand to steady herself against the wall.
He nodded, "Shit is right."
"But when you ended up in the hospital, that was from the battle?"
"No, I drank a lot that first night after, picked a fight with a Krogan that I hopped I wouldn't make it out of."
"Shit, I didn't know. Why are you doing this?"
"At first, because I was told to, again, it felt like that, all over again. But now, I feel like I owe it to Anne, if this helps the Turian's and humans, then that's what Anne had always strived for."
They fell silent, but Lei'lani fidgeted and Ganis almost chuckled. "What is it?"
She didn't ask him how he knew something was bothering her, he always knew.
"Do you know who gave the order?"
"Yes."
"Who was it?"
Ganis paused and then shrugged as if it didn't matter, "Saren."
"Bullshit, he's a Spectre he's ordered by the Council."
Ganis eyed her and she let out a big breath and sank down next to him on the couch.
"Shit."
"You said it."
"That's why you left."
"Right again."
"Well damn, are you insane? You heard what he did to that other human that joined the program and he was a seasoned Alliance vet, Special Forces."
"Yeah, I heard."
"He's going to chew up this kid and spit her out, and start another war if he can on his way."
"No, that's why I'm going to train her and make sure she can make it. I owe that much, and more."
"The kid needs a family."
"What she needs is training so she can get out of this alive."
Lei'lani shook her head but let it go for now.
"She's only just barely two. You can't train her yet, she'll need language and school before," Ganis cut her off.
"Yes of course, but as soon as she's able we'll start basics, and of course marksmanship."
He wasn't listening to her anymore so Lei'lani set about cleaning out a back room for herself, and one for the child.
ooOoo
Anderson stood with a sleeping child in his arms at the door of a small house just outside the Colony of Randiv. He couldn't believe he was doing this. If he couldn't make it, what chance did she have? He prayed to whoever was listening that they would keep her safe and somehow she would make it out of this alive.
Lei'lani let the man with the child in and showed him to a back room, he had introduced himself as Captain Anderson, the man had looked as worried as she felt.
"Thank you for bringing her, Captain Anderson."
Ganis held out his hand and Anderson took it without hesitation.
"Take good care of her, if Victus trusts you, I do."
He nodded; "I'll make sure she's well trained, I'll make damn sure she makes it."
Anderson wasn't sure if that was the same thing, but decided that it would have to do.
"Her father will check in from time to time." He swore he saw a slight tremble of the Turians mandible, but it was gone so soon he thought he might have imagined it.
"He'll come unannounced as to keep her secret; we don't want this getting out until she's to enter the academy at fifteen. As far as the rest of the Galaxy knows or anyone who cares, she's been sent to family and then to a boarding school, is that understood?"
"Yes, Sir, of course, as I said, I'll do what I have to."
"Yes, of course."
The answer had been much the same as his own to all of this, and Anderson mused what he already knew, from spending so much time with them since the end of the war. They really weren't that different.
"I'll take my leave now, good luck, Commander."
Ganis walked to where Lei'lani was tucking the sleeping girl into her bed.
He walked to her side and glanced over her shoulder. The child lay asleep, her thumb in her mouth, much the way he had seen his younger sisters when they were asleep, in this very room.
His eyes moved to her blood-red hair and he sucked in a deep breath and backed out of the room. His mind instantly back to that day, when he had seen hair just like that in the dying rays of the sun.
"Shit."
Lei'lani joined him in the hall and nodded.
"You can say that again."
ooOoo
~~Cheers let me know what you think. ^.^~~
ooOoo