Turian Honor
Chapter 1
Spectre
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The ship flew easily through space traveling from Relay to Relay. She was both sleek and heavily armored, with armaments to boot. The Galliant cut through space like a dagger.
Her crew were all at their positions carrying out their various tasks. Things were calm but still they worked diligently. They were Turian Military and they did their duty. From the engineers on the lower decks attending the Mass Effect drives, to the navigators on the bridge guiding their flight. They were a full complement prepared to fly right into the jaws of hell. And that was exactly where they were going.
"Captain, we'll be hitting the Hourglass Relay in 10 minutes."
"Very good Helmsman take us in easy." The Captain manipulated a holographic console before him, summoning his subordinate officer.
Lieutenant Septimus Talus stepped aboard the bridge. He took in the sight before him, the crew at their stations whilst the Captain surveyed them. Talus shifted in his armor for but a moment, adjusting the green-black plates to fit properly. He walked up to the Captain and stood at attention.
Captain Sarik turned to address him. Talus was his second in command and had been for years. A native of the Turian colony Invictus, Talus joined the military at 15. Within 3 years he was assigned to the Ferox Legion, 'Primarch Aetius' Own'. He was immediately placed under Sarik's command, and had since become his best soldier. Talus fought with honor, serving his first years of service with nobility. He was one of the best, and rose the ranks quickly.
"Talus, good morning." Captain Sarik greeted. "I trust you are ready for battle?"
"Indeed." Talus responded. "My squad is prepped and waiting. Whats the situation?"
Captain Sarik turned to address the Galaxy Map before him. It was zoomed in on the Hourglass Nebula. The Captain maneuvered the view to the Osun system where the Mass Relay let out. More specifically he targeted the dying planet Erinle.
"Our intel shows Jarrack's Krogan Warband is heading here to Erinle. We're to reinforce and defend the station. They will never expect it."
Talus cocked his mandibles "Are we positive we're beating the Krogan there?"
"It was that Spectre, Endosa, who discovered Jarrack's plans herself. We were the closest warship so the Council is sending us in." Talus nodded. You cant argue with a Spectre. "Take a shuttle down to the station. Alert the security teams and get the station on lock down. We'll remain in orbit and take them down as soon as their ships show up on our sensors."
"Hitting the Osun Relay in 5."
Sarik turned to Talus. "Better get moving."
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Talus snapped to attention. He was back in the present, back in 2184.
The Turian sat up and held his head in his hands, slowly fighting away the grogginess. Once again he was drifting into sleep, drifting into those memories from so long ago. There was no time for it. He could reminisce later, there was a job to do now. He stood and checked his gear, prepping for the imminent landing. There were several others around him. Batarian mercenaries, poor Human families, even a lost looking Quarian. They all had their various reasons for being here, but none of them were particularly good. At least they wouldn't end well.
The ship he was on was coming into port. It was no cruise liner, the rugged freighter little more than a raft. But it was one of the only commercial routes into Omega. It was tolerable.
The ship finally came into dock. It's pilot, a Batarian smuggler, came from the cock pit to open the doors. He taxed everyone to leave. There was some disagreement at paying for the same trip twice but the pilot had back up. Well armed back up.
Talus paid his second fee and stepped off the ship. As he walked down the airlock corridor he double checked his omni-tool, bringing up the dossier for his target. A Salarian by the name of Soyon. Reports indicated that he came here to hide, but it shouldn't be too hard to find him. Dregs from Citadel Space tended to stand out in the Terminus Systems.
As the Turian came out of the airlock he looked up at the scene before him. Omega was a massive space station, full of scum, criminals, murders, and all sorts of lowlife. In the middle of the Terminus Systems, the lawless area of space outside of the Citadel Council's jurisdiction, Omega was a center for organized crime. Its not like he wanted to live here but it was in environments like this that Talus thrived.
Raised voices nearby caught his attention. The Quarian who had stepped off the same ship he was on not five minutes ago was in the middle of a ring of thugs. They were pushing the Quarian around and goading him. It was sickening, and it had to stop.
I need to focus on my mission Talus said to himself for a moment. But the Turian in him couldn't let it go ignored.
He kept his side arm ready, walking calmly over to the group. "Is there a problem here?" He asked almost politely.
The thugs stopped and turned to him. There were four of them, a Batarian, two Humans, and another Turian. The Quarian was already hurting, bending over slightly as he held his stomach. The thugs looked at the fool who decided to barge in. He was taller than most of them as to be expected of his race. His armor was a dark green-black mesh. High quality, but probably just a rich kid buying his way into it. It wasn't like he was heavily armed.
"What do you think you're looking at Turian?" It was ironic that the Turian merc was the one who said it.
"I'm looking at four cheap lowlifes picking on a kid whose done nothing wrong." Talus replied smoothly.
"What?" one of the Humans stepped towards him. But the Turian pushed him back.
"He doesn't want to pay for our protection. Omega can be a dangerous place you know."
Talus looked at him squarely. "Indeed. Let him go."
The Turian scoffed. "Or what?"
"Now." Was all Talus said in response.
The Batarian was finally fed up. He pulled a shotgun from his back and aimed. But before he could pull the trigger there was already a bullet in his brain. The other three stared down at him before pulling out their own weapons and firing at Talus. He ducked down almost in an instant, diving forward and taking out both Humans at the legs. He pulled out a knife and stabbed hard into the legs of the first, and then the brought the hilt around, smacking the second and knocking him unconscious.
The Turian thug was shocked. He fired but was too slow. Talus rolled out of the way and jumped up to watch his adversary stare at his companions, one dead and the others crippled in the blink of an eye. Before the thug could turn Talus had a gun at his head.
"Lay your weapons on the ground and walk away slowly." The lowlife did as told, walking away unarmed. Once he was a decent distance away he ran.
The Quarian was looking on in amazement. "Who are you?" He asked.
Talus smiled. "Just an innocent bystander. Now what are you doing here?"
"I was on my Pilgrimage. I figured I could find some salvage tech or something here to send back to the Migrant Fleet. I didn't expect to be attacked by a gang..."
"Omega was a bad choice for your Pilgrimage. Turn around and take that ship back out of here. Go to the Citadel or anywhere. Just get out of the Terminus Systems and stay out."
The Quarian nodded. "Yes sir you got it." He took a step away and then turned. "Thank you."
Talus nodded as he watched the Quarian quickly head back onto the shuttle. With that out of the way he turned his attention back to the sprawling station before him. He stepped over the injured Humans beneath him and set off into the crowded streets.
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It wasn't long before Talus found an information hub. Afterlife was one of Omega's biggest clubs, attracting gangsters and party goers alike. This was only a beginning but it was possible he could find a lead. There was a significant line forming up outside, where people from all walks of life were waiting to get in. There was not time for lines, there was no telling how long Soyon would remain on the station.
Talus skipped the line entirely, catching the conversation of a few disgruntled civilians and the Elcor bouncer.
"Just let me in! Come on how many other people are you letting in before us?"
"Annoyed Recitation. Continue to wait in line and you will get your turn."
"That's bullshit! We wait here for hours and who knows who else will get in right away."
"Weary Statement. Everyone waits in line to get into Afterlife."
Talus walked right past the line, standing before the Elcor. The Bouncer looked him over once then nodded for him to go in. Talus walked through the front doors of Afterlife to a roar of anger from the crowd behind.
Once inside he played the crowds a bit. It was loud exciting. The music blared while girls danced and men hollered at them. It was bright, the lights constantly changing. Somehow the atmosphere remained dark, while everything within was bright and lively. It was a stark contrast that the patrons loved.
Little came of surveying the crowds, and so Talus decided to take a few risks. He headed up to one of the bars on the side of the club. Taking a seat he ordered a drink. The bartender was a Batarian. He poured the drink and passed it to Talus gruffly. It was downed in one gulp, and Talus asked for another. The Bartender poured it, taking in the sight of the Turian before him. He was too polished to be a native.
"So what brings you to Omega?" The bartender asked in a guttural voice.
"Lived here all my life, just taking a night on the town." Talus replied.
"Uh huh."
"Get a lot of through traffic?"
"Depends." The bartender replied "Usually its just the same crowd every night. Different faces but all the same. Occasionally we get something interesting roll in. Looking for anyone in particular."
"Not looking for anyone at all. See any Salarians recently?"
The bartender smiled at Talus' feigned discretion. "There was one a few nights ago. Annoying bastard never shut the hell up. Came in acting like a big shot from Citadel Space. Guess he didn't realize no one here cared. He made his mistake when he tried to go act like a bad-ass with the boss."
"The boss?" Talus asked pretending to not really be interested.
The bartender pointed at a private box overlooking the club. "Aria T'Loak. She runs the club, and she runs Omega. Some Salarian idiot with a gun isn't worth her time. Guards beat the shit out of him and dropped him out back. Vorcha probably got him by now."
"Interesting." Talus said, taking a drink. "Haven't seen him since?"
The bartender shook his head. "No."
Talus took one last gulp and set the glass down. "Thanks for the story." He said, dropping a credit chit on the counter. He headed back through the crowd, down to the lower level of the club. He ignored the Asari dancers, tempting as they were, and slipped out the back door.
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It was worse here than in the main streets outside. Vorcha and the sick were all over the place, laying in their own filth. Talus ignored most of them, looking for the nearest shop. He found one before long, a Volus who seemed to be hiding behind his counter.
"Excuse me." Talus said stepping up.
"Ah yes." The Volus said. "I am Hirey Tu. Can I interest you in something?" He seemed nervous.
"Something bothering you?"
"Ah no. Well yes. Its just all the Vorcha around. They can... intimidate a lone Volus. But its nothing, forget all about it. How can I help you?"
Talus shrugged it off. "Did you see a Salarian come out of afterlife a few days ago? Bruised and beaten?"
"Ah... Yes. He was... Thrown out actually. Ahhh, the Vorcha were starting to follow him but he was uh... limping."
Talus nodded. "So where did he go? Or did the Vorcha attack him?"
"Ah no... and no. Well yes and then no. There were some Eclipse mercenaries in the area. They... uh... fought off? No scared off! Scared off the Vorcha. I don't know what was said but I think they made the Salarian pay for their protection. That uhhh, happens often here."
Talus shook his head. Talking to this Volus was giving him a headache. "So do you know where they went after that?"
"Er... no. Probably to Rakka's. Its a restaurant near here uh... Eclipse run."
"Thank you." Talus said, preparing to walk away.
"But... you aren't buying anything?" The Volus said, rather disappointed.
Talus sighed and stepped back. He looked through the inventory and selected some junk items. The Volus was happy to get a purchase for once, passing over all of the items. Once around the corner Talus dumped them.
He walked along the dark lower alleys of Omega, allowing his mind to slip away once again...
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A warning sound came from Talus' omni-tool. He pulled it up, linking to the ship.
"Krogan were prepare-" Static cut off the transmission "Already here. They're tearing us apa-" More static.
Talus' eyes grew wide. The other members of his squad just as alarmed.
"Captain! Captain Sarik!" Talus barked into the comm.
Finally the line was answered, this time by the Captain's voice. "Jarrack and his Krogan were tipped off somehow. They were already in the system. The Galliant is falling apart. We'll give them hell you just stay there and be ready. You must defend that station Septimus!" The line was cut by a final explosion and static.
Talus stared blankly. The Captain had never called him by his first name before.
"Lieutenant." One of his squad members said, bringing him to reality. "The ship is gone."
Talus let himself be shocked for but one more moment, before springing into action. The Krogan were coming down to finish the job, and there was no way he was going to allow it.
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Talus pulled himself back out of the memory. He was standing in front of a lively restaurant, a large sign entitled 'Rakka's Eats' hanging over the door. The Turian soldier walked inside, looking at the scene around him. It was busy within, patrons of all races and types filling the tables and stuffing themselves with food. They served both levo amino and dextro amino foods, so even Turians and Quarians could eat here. The lights in here were bright, a stark contrast to the rest of Omega. It shone off of Talus' metallic blue skin, which proved the reasoning for it. If this were indeed a merc hideout they would want to see all potential threats clearly amongst the noise.
Standing there looking around caught some attention. A young Asari greeter, probably no older than 50, came and asked if he wanted a table. Talus shook his head, leaning in to whisper in her ear that he was here for the Eclipse. He looked her dead in the face, her expression suddenly changed. His dark green eyes bore into hers, showing how serious he was. She quieted and scurried back through the kitchen doors. Talus only had to wait for a minute. A heavily armed and armored Human came out through the doors, a squad of yellow garbed troops behind him. The Human stood against the far wall, staring Talus down. He pulled out his shotgun and fired at the ceiling, instantly quieting the restaurant.
"Everyone out. Now."
They knew better than to screw with Eclipse. Everyone left, quickly. Some took their food, others left it. Still others skipped out on their bill but the mercs didn't seem to care.
"Who the fuck are you?" The Human asked blankly. His skin was dark, his head shaven and his brow seemingly arched at all times. He was indeed an intimidating man.
"Septimus Talus. I'm here for a Salarian named Soyon. Run into him recently?"
The Human stepped away from his men, walking through the now deserted and trashed restaurant and up to the Turian standing in front of the doors. He looked him up and down, scoffing at him.
"Say I did, what of it?"
Talus leaned in slightly. "You're gonna give him to me."
The mercs at the back laughed, and the Human allowed himself to smile. "Do you know who I am? Names Sawyer. I run Eclipse around this district, and no one makes demands of me."
"Sawyer its a pleasure to meet you." Talus said mockingly. "Give me the Salarian now."
Sawyer laughed. He turned to his troops. "Lets kill this asshole." When he turned back he found Talus holding his omni-tool up before his face. In a flash Sawyer's kinetic barriers were down, and with ease the Turian snapped his neck.
The other Eclipse mercs instantly opened fire, fanning out to try and flank him. Talus dove behind a counter, hoping it would be thick enough to hold off the shots for a moment. Rifle at the ready he leaned out to assess the situation. He looked for barely a few seconds but still his barriers were almost whittled down by the hail of gunfire. There were five Eclipse mercs fanning out along the back wall. Three laid down a wall of lead in the middle while the other two were preparing to move in and flank him.
Talus let his shields regenerate for a moment, then leaned back out to gauge the distance. His shields were depleted in no time. He pulled back behind cover before the incoming fire tore his head off. But he had all the information he needed. Pulling a grenade from a small compartment on his waist, Talus primed it and looked up at the space above his cover. He waited, and then threw. He couldn't see but he knew from the surprised exclamations that he was on target. The explosion followed, taking three of the mercs with it.
He wasted no time. He jumped from his cover, moving to the right. He fired as he went taking the shields, and then the life, of the merc on that side. By the time he reached cover on the right, his distraction had waned. The remaining merc fired full auto at him, screaming as he did. Talus was hiding behind a table, and it barely held under the strain. But he only needed time.
Firing like that filled the merc's thermal clip quickly. Before he could eject it and fit a new one, Talus was up. The merc dove under cover, reloading while he waited. A small metal ball fell over the counter he hid behind, rolling into his lap.
"Oh shi-" was all he could manage before the grenade ended his life.
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Talus pushed through the kitchen doors, rifle aimed ahead. He surveyed the empty kitchen, looking for any sort of storage room. He found one before long. With a simple kick the door came down.
There he found a cowering Soyon, almost crying on the floor. "Wwwwho are yoooou?" He stuttered. Great, a stuttering Salarian.
"Soyon, you are wanted for three counts of Thievery, one count of Arson, and 54 counts of Murder. Do you have anything to say for yourself before we go?"
"You have no right to come here! The Citadel has no authority in the Terminus Systems!"
Talus looked at the Salarian with contempt. "You burned a senatorial building to the ground and killed over fifty high-ranking Citadel officials all to try and steal some paltry trinkets. You screwed up Soyon. And I'm the Spectre whose here to take you in."
Fear crossed Soyon's face. Spectres could go almost anywhere, do almost anything. He was screwed. Soyon fainted, falling back onto the floor.
"Well that makes it easy on me then." Talus leaned down and cuffed Soyon, hefting the rather light creature over his shoulder.
As he came out of the restaurant, he found a group of armed guards waiting for him. They weren't any of the merc groups but they were organized and well funded.
The leader, a Batarian, stepped forward. "We've been watching you're progress ever since you got here and we know who you are Spectre. Aria T'Loak wants you off the station immediately."
"I'm going. Just had to come pick up my friend here." Talus replied.
"We'll escort you, make sure of it. You wont be coming back to Omega after this."
Half an hour later Talus was on a shuttle heading off of Omega. He could rendezvous in a nearby system and get passage back to the Citadel. Soyon was still unconscious lying next to him. It was going to be a long ride. Talus leaned back against the bulkhead, memories flooding back into his mind.
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"Septimus Talus, step forward." The Turian did so, Primarch Aetius watching over him. "It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle—those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of Galactic Peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the Galaxy is their to uphold."
"You have earned this honor through your many deeds of heroism, bravery, and skill fighting in the Ferox Legion. We have watched your progress, noted your ability. Your actions on Erinle not only saved the colony, but you did it with only a handful of soldiers at your disposal against a small army of Krogan."
"Congratulations Spectre."
Talus bowed before the Council, swelling with pride. But something still burned within him.
He turned to Primarch Aetius, the Turian commander under who's name he had fought for for so long. He stood at attention, awaiting approval.
The Primarch nodded, pleased. "Well done Talus. You do not know the honor you have brought to your people, and to your fellow soldiers."
"Thank you Primarch."
Aetius noted the tension, though Talus tried to hide it. "You are still concerned over the loss of your battalion."
"Yes sir. We walked into a trap."
Aetius put a hand on Talus' shoulder. "None of you knew. The intel was misinterpreted, these things happen. You fought bravely, you did your comrades proud."
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Soyon beginning to wake up brought Talus back to his surroundings. He pulled out his pistol and smacked the Salarian across the head, knocking him out again.
There was no simple mistake or misunderstanding. Captain Sarik and his men were betrayed by that Spectre, Endosa, all those years ago. Talus alone survived, vowing to find her, and confront her. He would find out why she betrayed them. His very nature demanded it.