Takes place before ME1 going through the ending of ME3, will focus on Garrus's story pending how this goes will try to write one for the others.
The weather, as always, was perfect on this mid solar week on the Citadel. A neutral warm 70 degrees, the usual, with the artificial sunlight pumping out controlled heat most species in the galaxy consider being comfortable. Though today was a celebration for a few, as the new class of C-Sec recruits have completed the year long training at the academy and are about to be sworn in as full fledged officers.
Graduation took place on the Presidium just outside the academy; a small class of about 50 including their family is at attendance but for the first time humans were the majority of recruits to be trained which bothered some, generally turian and volus government officials. Since their acceptance to the Counsel galactic government, turians for the most part have been the majority species to join C-Sec, one of the many positions they have worked hard for and hard at. Since the ending of the first contact war humans have at a fast rate been joining/taking part in a majority of government and military positions once held by strictly turians. To see their former enemy "invade" their former positions, which took years to earn, at such a quick rate was a direct insult to turians sense of duty and honor to them.
However not all turians felt this way, Garrus Vakarian now in his mid twenties had not long ago finished his mandatory military training and duty on Palaven is a part of the graduating class. Following in his father's footsteps he sat there and listen to the speakers looking less excited to be officially apart of C-Sec as the rest of his class. Not that he wasn't happy about it, he was glad to be getting an honorable job and a decent paying one at that, it was the lack of flexibility in the ability to get the job done without having to deal with bureaucracy type nonsense and mounds of paperwork that came with it.
When the situation calls for it, and lives are at stake you need to do what it takes regardless of the risk. He would often argue in regards to following procedure with instructors. This debate would often get heated between him and the ranking officers as numerous times came close to being forced to resign. However he made it through to his family delight, mostly his fathers who seemed happier about it then he was.
The Counsel had just finished giving their speech in regards to the high importance C-Sec officer's play in Citadel security and thus keeping the Citadel safe means keeping order in Counsel Space. Executer Pallin was about to give his speech, Garrus looked around at his comrades in blue, mostly the humans.
They're not all bad. He thought. Their ability to adapt to any situation quickly regardless of what they have to work with is incredible, it's no surprise they're surging like they are. He then looked at Harkin, his face went disgruntled, For the most part…
"And with the powers entrusted in me by the Counsel as Executer of C-Sec I herby promote you all from recruits to full duty officers." Pallin proclaimed as he saluted the class who in returned snapped to attention and saluted back. The crowd applauded and the graduation quickly ended, the now fully sworn in officers begin to find their friends and families to enjoy the rest of the day before having to report to work the next day.
Garrus waited for a majority for his peers to leave the sitting area before attempting to find his family. He knew they would be waiting for him the furthest away from the group, his father tended to sit towards the back or edge of large gatherings or groups, his back to the wall. He walked passed Chellick who was talking with his family. The two locked eyes and gave each other a nod in recognition. Both had scored at the top of their class but each other's preferred methods were foils of each other which lead to a bitter rivalry between them although it was clear that Chellick was preferred by their surperiours.
Garrus found his mother and father towards the embassy's both dressed in their upscale attire showing their high status in the turian hierarchy, his father had his arms folded his mother was finishing reading off a message from her omni-tool. They both noticed him heading towards them, his father loosened up a bit.
His mother gave him a hug which he returned with a smile, if turians could smile.
"We're so proud Garrus." She said warmly.
"Thanks mom."
"Congratulations Gar, you're carrying on the Vakarian legacy" his father said proudly.
"It's too bad Sol couldn't be here, how is her training going?" Garrus asked.
"She sends her regards, she is going to try and visit when she's on leave, and training is going well think she might be better with a rifle then you are." His mother teased.
'Well she picked up her skills from watching the best." He rebutted. "Going to be staying long on the citadel?"
"No, leaving tonight, needed on Palaven the hierarchy is looking to expand our presence in the terminus systems things have been getting more violent; we have to aid in coming up with the final decisions." His father replied. "But we have time for a celebratory brandy, on me you sure earned it." His father put his hand on Garrus's shoulder.
"Now that sounds good, we can go to flux the owner makes a pretty good turian sampler for a volus." Garrus suggested.
They spent their time in a private section of flux catching up and talking about life back on Palaven. Since his military training Garrus hasn't been able to see his family often but was always glad to spend time with them when he could, though he and his father as of late have been bickering over different opinions in regards to Garrus's actions on how things should be done. He knew his father was a by the book typical turian and he was more liberal and open minded in regards to doing things, it was trend going on in the younger generation of turians, although they all still believe in their sense of duty and discipline. Garrus just felt the end justified the means as long as it was for the greater good and ethical.
His parents gave him a high grade military pistol as a gift, made only on the home world.
"I'd always prefer a rifle but I can never dismiss the importance of a good side arm." He said in response.
"Your father added a few upgrades of his own."
"The scope should give it better accuracy and the thermal modifications allow you to add higher grade ammunition without it overheating fast" He stated.
"Thank you." Garrus said sincerely. If its anything the Vakarians are good at its making a gun even better.
They left flux and headed towards the docking bay near the wards. His parents were getting ready to leave on the next shuttle out.
"Be carefull son, and don't forget to keep in touch, we love you." His mother gave him another hug which he returned, their foreheads touched for a moment.
"Just stick to the training and always think about tactics, will talk to you soon."
He and his father shook hands.
"I will dad, safe ride back and tell Sol if she ever wants to see what real marksmen ship is she knows how to find me." He joked.
They gave a final wave goodbye before the shuttle took off. Garrus watched as they left before letting out a big sigh. He headed back to his apartment on the other side of the citadel.
It was small in size but modest for his salary. He had a decent view of most of the citadel which he liked. He looked out it for a moment before putting his pistol with the rest of his guns in the locker next to his bed. He switched out of his dress blues and into civilian clothing before lying on his bed.
He turned over and looked at a picture of him and his family.
I hope I'm making the right choice; I just want to make a difference. He thought to himself