MASS EFFECT: INTERCEPTOR

*Episode Two*

I'Layna folded the councillor's freshly cleaned dress and carefully placed it with the others in the cupboard, taking the time to press any folds from the shimmering material.

The young asari took great care in her work as the councillor's aide and after serving her mistress for over seventy years she had no qualms about performing tasks more menial than administration.

'Sit down I'Layna,' Councillor Tevos said softly from across the room as she eyed her reflection in a large mirror, 'You don't have to wait on me hand and foot.'

Stepping back from the cupboard, I'Layna could see Tevos' deep violet skin was flushed with guilt, the delicate patterns on her forehead glinting above a troubled expression.

I'Layna smiled and shook her head. 'It's perfectly all right mistress. You know I like to occupy myself.'

The councillor turned back to the mirror and I'Layna watched as she observed her reflection, noting any weaknesses in her well-honed poise and mannerisms. In just a few hours Tevos would join her fellow Council members in one of the most important sessions they'd held in many years. The slightest flaw would doubtlessly be seized upon and impact upon the authority of not only the Council but the asari people as a whole. It was an enormous burden, one that I'Layna knew took a hard toll on her mistress.

'Are you feeling well, Councillor?' I'Layna asked, 'You seem much more anxious than usual. Is something wrong?'

'Not at all,' Tevos replied, forcing a weak smile, 'Though it would make me feel much better if you'd stop fussing over my things. Go and relax for a few hours, please. For me.'

Reluctantly, I'Layna closed the cupboard with the push of a button and made her way to the door. Glancing back to the councillor, her eyes shone with heartfelt concern.

Her mistress was so powerful, so dominant when in front of the rich and influential. Her words could change the minds and cut through the wills of so many yet it was during these quiet moments that I'Layna saw Tevos' true self; a vulnerable and lonely soul, both dedicated and resigned to her role as an adjudicator of the galaxy.

'Very well, mistress. If you need me I will be nearby,' I'Layna said formally.

Tevos glanced at her aide and with a brief nod, dismissed her from the room.

The door closed with a hiss behind I'Layna and she sighed sadly. It upset her to see Tevos so distressed yet she'd learned a long time ago to allow the councillor space when she desired it. Letting out a deep breath, I'Layna turned her mind to the rest of the day and the innumerable tasks that needed to be done before the Council hearing.

The vast hallways of Citadel Tower's residence chambers yawned around her, enveloping her in a rich cyan light as she made her way to the main elevator. The luxurious suites housed many of the tower's staff, from the Council members and their assistants to the hundreds of support personnel for Citadel Control.

It was a staggering feat of architecture, one that never ceased to amaze I'Layna. That the ancient protheans could imagine, let alone build such a place was nothing short of unbelievable.

Her mind wandered as she listened to her footsteps echo through the empty corridor, so much that she yelped in surprise as she crashed into a large, bulky figure walking the other way.

The man swore as he dropped a heavy-looking case, which thumped on the ground with a resounding bang. I'Layna held a hand to her head and looked up to see a turian standing over her, his frame stocky and powerful, with a face inked in webs of red. It lent him a frightening appearance.

The turian hesitated before extending a hand, helping I'Layna as she struggled awkwardly to her feet.

'Are you all right?' he asked.

I'Layna hurriedly dusted herself off and grinned meekly. 'Yes, thank you. I'm not used to seeing anyone else around here, so I was off in my own little world. I am so sorry.'

'Forget about it,' he said dismissively, waving a hand. He seemed oddly tense as he bent to pick up the case and for a moment I'Layna feared she had injured him in her clumsiness.

'I don't think we've met,' she said amicably, offering her hand in greeting, 'My name is I'Layna Naris. I work for the Council as an aide and assistant to Councillor Tevos. I don't believe I've seen you around here before, mister…?'

The turian paused and gave her a suspicious look. His mandibles moved slowly and his pale eyes remained locked on hers, as if he were considering whether or not to respond.

He lifted the case with a hefty grunt and his reply was strained under its weight, 'Siracus,' he said brusquely, taking I'Layna's hand in a firm grasp and shaking it roughly, 'Antus Siracus. I'm...with the utilities and maintenance committee, just carrying out some essential repairs to the heating systems. Can't hold these Alliance-Council negotiations if everyone's an ice cube, after all.'

'Isn't that what the keepers are for?' I'Layna asked, puzzled.

'Usually, yeah but...for some reason they haven't picked up on the problem.' He shifted and gave I'Layna a stiff, uncomfortable smile. 'That's the thing about the keepers. Just when you think you know them they do something completely unpredictable. Strange, huh?'

I'Layna smiled and nodded her agreement before looking down at the case. She noted the turian's slouching gait and odd stiffness and knew that she surely must have hurt him somehow. Perhaps he was as most turians were; too proud and formal to ask for help. Either way, she could not let him carry his burden by himself.

'That looks heavy. Would you like some help?' she asked.

'No, that's all right,' the turian said quickly, his smile disappearing. He sucked in a hard breath and edged away as I'Layna took a step toward him.

'No, no, please, I insist,' she pressed, taking a step forward to grasp one of the handles, 'It's obviously difficult for you and I wouldn't feel right about letting you-'

She was not prepared for the arm that snapped out to block her path and she stared open-mouthed at the turian's hand as it pressed roughly against her chest, warding her off.

'I'm in a hurry, lady,' he snarled menacingly. He held the case away from his body, just out of I'Layna's reach and his eyes blazed with anger. 'Just...let me do my job, all right? I don't need your help and I sure as hell don't have time for this crap!'

I'Layna was taken aback, her blue eyes shimmering with quiet shock as the turian pushed past her and continued down the corridor.

Something pulled at her mind, a nagging doubt that would not let go. It was more than the snap in the turian's voice, or how quickly his mood had changed. There had been something in his eyes, a malice that she could feel every bit as palpably as the hand that stopped her drawing too close.

With a deep breath, I'Layna allowed him to slip out of sight before following carefully, her footsteps padding in soft whispers through the hall.

~~~ME-I~~~

'It's your turn,' Milo murmured, his smooth voice pouring into Lorica's ears. Slowly, he draped his arms over her shoulders and leaned close, allowing his lips to grace the soft blue skin of her neck.

'Not now, Milo!' the asari giggled as she felt her seat creak under their combined weight, 'I'll think of something later, I promise.'

Around them, the command centre of C-Sec's Joint Security Task Force buzzed with activity, the air thick with the chiming of omni-tools and rushed conversations of dozens of agents and support staff. Large monitors adorned the walls while multiple tiers of bustling analysts pored over their terminals, running reports and communicating with C-Sec officers on the ground.

It was an exciting atmosphere and yet Milo's overtures seemed to quieten everything around Lorica, subduing all her senses and calming her thoughts. The feeling was no less incredible than it had been when she'd first met the young human only months before.

'Oh come on,' Milo whined playfully, letting the bristles of his beard brush against her neck, 'You promised! It's your turn to think of something today.'

Lorica laughed and brought a slender arm up to caress the side of his face. 'Well, since you only went and made me come to work without any…'

She paused as her cheeks flushed and her lover gave a mischievous grin.

'So think of it as an opportunity for revenge,' he said teasingly.

The sharp sound of a throat being cleared brought them back to reality. It was oddly distorted; the light tone of a young woman made almost robotic as it was forced through helmet amplifiers.

The pair broke their contact immediately as Lina'Gerrel Nar Korshan stood over them, her fingers drumming lightly against her hips. Even behind the dark grey glass of her visor, it was obvious the quarian's eyes burned with fierce disapproval.

'This isn't the time, you two,' she snapped, the bright flashes of her mouth-lamp enforcing every syllable, 'The Council hearing will begin in less than two hours and we need everyone here to devote their full attention to their work, not grope each other like hormone-ridden teenagers.'

Her stern words bit into Lorica and the asari glowered at Lina with barely veiled contempt. How dare the quarian speak to her in such a manner, being nothing more than a child - a quarian child at that? Lorica's mouth opened to snap a vicious response but she was silenced by the touch of Milo's hand on her shoulder.

'Sorry, Lina,' he said as earnestly as he could. His brown eyes travelled the length of her shapely physique, made all the more so by the figure-hugging environment suit she was forced to wear. 'It won't happen again, all right?'

Lina nodded succinctly and turned away, unaware of the way his gaze lingered on her body as she strode off.

Huffing haughtily, Lorica tucked a hand under her chin and propped her elbow on the desk, idly turning to her terminal. 'Give a quarian a team lead job and it doesn't take long for them to treat everyone else like their own personal geth slaves. The way she talks to us, you'd think she was the executor or something.'

'Aw come on, she's not all that bad,' Milo replied as he gave Lorica's shoulder a gentle squeeze, 'She just gets a little uppity when the pressure's on. Besides,' he added, allowing his lips to rest on the delicate curves of Lorica's head, 'at the end of the day you still have me, right? So don't feel too bad.'

A triumphant smirk spread Lorica's lips and Milo's gentle kiss sent a ripple of pleasure through her body. She did not see his eyes drift across to Lina once more as the quarian walked briskly to greet a pair of newcomers.

~~~ME-I~~~

'Garrus!' a voiced cried out in delight.

Arlen lifted his head to discern who was calling out to them, and from a stream of wandering C-Sec staff a strange alien emerged, a woman - that much was clear from her figure - clad in a blue and black envirosuit.

It could only have been a quarian, one of the nomadic people from outside Citadel space, though her presence in C-Sec itself, let alone the secretive Joint Security Task Force begged more questions than Arlen could contain. Quarians had the reputation of troublemakers and vagrants, and were not even considered a Council race.

He glanced inquiringly at Garrus, only to find him already moving toward the quarian, his mandibles flexing in glee.

'It's good to see you, Lina,' Garrus exclaimed as he shook his friend's outstretched hand with great enthusiasm, 'It's been far too long.'

'Far longer than I'd like,' Lina replied, 'and with all the problems we've been having just getting JSTF up and running, the days haven't gotten any shorter.'

'So I hear. How've things been these past few months?'

'Busy, busy, busy,' Lina said, waving her hand, 'It's been a nightmare. With all the politics and inter-divisional drama, getting our hands on personnel has been difficult to say the least. It doesn't matter if the order comes from the executor or the Council themselves, if you try and allocate staff from Network or Investigation they'll make it seem like drawing blood from an asteroid. Then there's the command centre. As if software compatibility issues and faulty field gear weren't bad enough, we've had serious problems with the keepers wandering in and interfering with our hard-wired systems. And don't even get me started on the staff.'

Her last words were accompanied with a subtle glance in the direction of two others, and Arlen pursed his brow at the sight of a young human and an asari. They were speaking with intimate - not to mention obvious - familiarity, and he knew instantly why Lina was frustrated. Fraternisation was all well and good but there was a time and place for everything.

To Arlen's private shock, Garrus only shook his head in amusement. 'You know, for the only quarian on the Citadel, you really know how to boss people around. Hell, I'd go so far as to say you'd be running this place if you were turian. It's hard to picture you as that shy girl C-Sec took under their wing a year ago.'

'Stop shaking your head like that, you patronising bastard,' she joked, giving him a playful slap on his armoured chest, 'While you're at it, are you going to introduce us?'

Garrus chuckled and looked at Arlen. 'Lina, meet Arlen Kryik. I'll be taking him on patrol over the next few months, until he loses his baby teeth.'

'Well, you're in good hands, Arlen,' said Lina as she turned to the young recruit, 'May I ask which division you'll be joining?'

Arlen stalled before a single word could leave his lips, and he threw a questioning glance at Garrus.

'She's equal to you in rank, if that's what you're wondering,' Garrus said reassuringly before murmuring to Lina, 'Don't mind him, he's just fresh off the parade ground. Still afraid to put a foot wrong in front of a superior. It takes every turian a while to get out of that frame of mind after the academy.'

'Ah, I see. I trust then that your military training won't be wasted in your new role?' she asked.

Again, Arlen found himself reluctant to answer. Something was missing, something that gnawed at his conscience but the longer he remained silent, the more convinced he was that he was making a fool of himself. His dark lips curled and twitched as he tried to force something, anything from his mouth.

'Are you all right?' Garrus queried with genuine concern.

Arlen bowed his head to Lina in a gesture of humility. 'I'm...I'm sorry but I've…well that is I didn't expect to see…'

'See a quarian here?' Lina finished for him, laughing quietly at his discomfort, 'I'm sorry, but I think that's a first for me. Most on the Citadel have little trouble expressing their opinions of my people.

'Y-yes, I can imagine,' stammered Arlen as he tried to salvage something of his dignity, 'Not that I agree with what people say about quarians, I mean I don't know any but… Please excuse me, I apologise, I'm just not used to dealing with aliens. It's…I mean, I've spoken to a salarian before, and a few asari and humans at the academy, but I'm…'

'What Arlen is trying to say,' said Garrus, clapping a hand on his shoulder, 'is that he's joining the Interceptors when the time comes. He'll be out travelling the galaxy while we're stuck here filing paperwork.'

'My, that is quite the achievement. I didn't realise they recruited from outside of C-Sec ranks? I thought they only took people from Special Response or Investigation?'

Arlen frowned. He had no idea that he was a special case in any aspect other than his youth but there was no time to question the revelation as a sudden hush fell upon the command centre.

All heads turned toward the middle of the room, where a large dais stood elevated above the sea of desks. The platform glowed with a sudden, golden brilliance as a multitude of amber terminal displays flared into existence along its outer railing. A silhouette emerged, casting a shadow across the entire centre and one by one, the terminals dimmed.

Arlen stared at the figure standing above them all, revealed as the glare steadily subsided.

He was tall for a turian, with a sandy-coloured carapace that contrasted with his black and blue C-Sec armour. He leaned over to murmur to someone nearby and splashes of white paint highlighted his mandibles as they moved back and forth. After a few moments, the turian raised his head and stood rigidly, looking out upon his subordinates with cold green eyes.

His voice was deep, filling the command centre easily, 'Good morning, everyone. For those who've just joined us, I am Commander Chellick, assigned to JSTF as head of operations for the duration of the Council-Alliance talks. It's a little different from chasing leads in the wards, but I hope to prove myself a good choice for the position.'

A few subtle whispers rose from the crowd and he continued, pacing around the dias to address everyone he could.

'As you well know, the Council is holding high-profile negotiations with the human Systems Alliance in only a few hours. Many high-ranking dignitaries and officials are due to attend, including Ambassador Udina, the Alliance's top man in the embassy. The Council in their entirety will also be there, obviously and we're all aware of what this is about. A whole string of new star systems have opened up and the Alliance wants in on the deal. Only problem is, many of the colonial territories are contested by either the Turian Hierarchy or the Batarian Hegemony. While the batarians don't have any legal claim in the eyes of the Council, this still means a high level of risk, both for the Citadel and the Alliance. Needless to say, we're getting reports in by the minute of some group or other plotting to blow Citadel Tower sky high. It's our job to make sure that doesn't happen.'

Arlen swallowed hard, suddenly aware he was not just accompanying Garrus on a meaningless patrol. He was at the very centre of galactic politics - and all the danger it inevitably attracted.

A seated human raised his hand above his head and Chellick acknowledged him with a nod. 'Yes, Milo, what is it?'

'Have we had any specific intel relating to an attack, Sir?' Milo called out, 'How great is the risk?'

'We've received only the standard threats so far,' Chellick answered as he paced around the platform, 'All we can do is remain vigilant and do our jobs to the best of our abilities. The Joint Security Task Force was formed to identify and close down threats to the Council as quickly as possible, to prevent disasters before they can happen. In the short time we've been operational, this team has thwarted more than a dozen major terrorist attacks and saved countless lives. I know that with so many bright and talented individuals here today, the Council's safety is as good as assured.'

The encouragement went a long way to soothing the nerves of some of the more inexperienced team members and Arlen bobbed his head slowly in appreciation. The JSTF commander was a charismatic one, a quality not often seen in turian leaders and Arlen watched Chellick as he placed his hands behind his back, his voice ringing with finality.

'Now it's time to put these words into action. Briefing files have been forwarded to your terminals and in the case of field agents, your omni-tools. All teams are to report to their respective leads for detailed instructions. Let's make it happen, people.'

As if on cue, the command centre exploded into life and a sudden wave of conversation washed over Arlen, making him raise his voice to compete.

'I'm guessing you're my team leader?' he asked Garrus.

'Are you kidding?' Garrus scoffed, 'Don't let the speech fool you, Arlen, Chellick likes to keep a close eye on his assets. We'll be reporting directly to the command centre, especially if anything happens out there.'

'Hey, look on the bright side,' Lina interjected. Her jet-black suit squeaked softly as she folded her arms across her chest, the patches of blue on her shoulders and chest merging into one as the material creased. 'You'll have to radio in reports constantly, so at least you won't be lonely out there. Nothing's worse than a boring first day on the job.'

Arlen opened his mouth to reply but hesitated at the sight of Chellick striding towards them. He straightened instinctively, though resisted the urge to spring to attention this time. It was difficult enough finding his place in a civilian organisation like C-Sec without making an overeager idiot of himself at every turn.

'Garrus, it's good to see you back at work,' Chellick remarked as he halted, 'I was concerned you wouldn't be able to join the team, considering the circumstances.'

Garrus' jaw tensed and he glared at the commander icily. The mutterings of passing colleagues crept in around them as a strange and palpable tension suddenly set in, one that Arlen did not understand.

'You know me, Chellick,' Garrus replied, his voice carefully measured, 'I don't let anything stop me from doing my job. Not even when there doesn't seem to be much point in doing it.'

Chellick smiled. 'Of course. Well, I think you'll find JSTF to be a more…fulfilling role for you. At least you won't have the pressure of all those difficult decisions hanging over your head.'

Lina cleared her throat gently, the sound drawing glances from all three turians. 'I'll go and set myself up,' she said before inclining her head slightly toward Arlen, 'It was nice to meet you. Best of luck with your first patrol.'

'Ah yes, Arlen Kryik.' Chellick's emerald eyes fixed on the recruit and he instantly offered a hand in greeting. 'I've heard a lot about you. Straight out of the academy? Well, I have every confidence in you. It'll be good to have an agent we can rely on to follow orders.'

Arlen shook Chellick hand yet he couldn't keep his eyes from Garrus, whose features were rigid with barely restrained anger.

To Arlen's astonishment, Garrus abruptly turned his back to them, storming out of the command centre without another word. Arlen's jaw hung open. To do such a thing to a superior officer was unheard of in the legions but Chellick did not seem to mind. Instead he watched Garrus leave with an unctuous grin, his mandibles twitching with keen interest.

'If I may be excused, Sir?' Arlen asked uncomfortably.

Dismissing the young turian with a wave of his hand, Chellick returned to the dias and gazed at the enormous screen that dominated the far wall of the command centre.

'This should be an interesting day,' he mused quietly as the screen blared to life, filling his eyes with various schematics and security feeds. 'A very interesting day indeed.'

~~~ME-I~~~

The air was musty with the scent of machine grease. It was little wonder so few people came down to the lower levels, I'Layna thought as she slunk through the darkened hallways.

It was a grim, unpleasant place that did not share the elegance of the rest of Citadel Tower. Only keepers and the occasional engineer were permitted access to these areas and for that alone her suspicions of the turian Siracus were aroused, but the longer she stalked him, the further into the winding passageways he went.

The case he carried knocked rhythmically against his leg as he walked and when it stopped, she knew he'd reached his destination.

Slowly, I'Layna pressed herself into one of the smooth, pearl-hued walls and shuffled to the edge of a nearby corner, edging her eyes out just enough to see what lay beyond. The corridor was silent and she held her breath, afraid to make the slightest sound.

Beyond the corner, Siracus set down the case with a heavy thud before kneeling to open it. I'Layna's eyes widened as he pulled out an oddly-shaped tool that seemed to be meant only for the hands of his species, a saw from what she could tell. The blade was round, with jagged teeth made for biting into metal while along the top an angled tube sprouted a sharp blue flame. It hissed fiercely, making Siracus close his eyes against the sudden, intense heat.

A shrill screech tore through the corridors as the saw began its work. Siracus' red paint lit up, the cutting torch edging his face with lines of searing white. Sparks showered noisily from the wall, jetting out in golden torrents.

It lasted only seconds before he pulled free a large panel with a strained grunt and it fell clattering to the ground, the edges still glowing bright orange.

I'Layna leaned back against the corner as panic gripped her. She was now certain this man was no technician and her heart beat faster as he heaved his case into the newly-carved hole. A series of beeps and chimes sounded and every one of I'Layna's senses screamed at her to run.

~~~ME-I~~~

Crixus' head snapped up. He had always relied on his exceptional instincts to keep him safe throughout the years and they warned him something was wrong.

He stared back the way he came and though nothing seemed amiss, he knew a way to be certain.

With a final look at the timer as it began its steady descent, he rose up and stepped away from the hole in the wall, his eyes hovering on the distant hallway junction.

He narrowed his gaze and raised his voice, 'Whoever it is, you can come out now. I know you're there.'

A gasp escaped, the sound almost inaudible and yet all too clear to Crixus' sharpened senses. He smiled tightly. 'You don't have to hide. I won't hurt you. Just show yourself and we'll work something out.'

The silence stretched out as Crixus strained to catch another sound, another sign that he'd been followed. Something was indeed there; quivering breaths underlaid by the soft scraping of feet as they edged away. Crixus had heard it before many times in a dozen regions of the galaxy as he'd hunted his enemies to the last man.

His own steps matched the gentle sounds, moving closer to the corner with each passing second. Then it came - the sharp intake of breath that came before an explosion of effort.

Baring his teeth angrily, Crixus gave chase as he heard the feet of his eavesdropper pound the hallway ahead of him. He covered the ground almost instantly, rounding the corner to see the trace of a slim, blue-skinned figure disappear around the next junction. It could only have been the asari that he'd run into on the way there.

He cursed inwardly, wishing he'd silenced her while he could.

'You can't get away!' he called out as he ran, 'Make this easy on yourself and give up now!'

~~~ME-I~~~

The turian's growling words reached I'Layna and their closeness sent another wave of horror through her, weakening her stride. Her lungs burned and her legs ached as they forced her reluctant body on.

The corridors all looked the same and she wound through the maze in a stupor, blind shock her only guide. She could hear him growing closer, his panting breaths getting louder with each step.

With a frightened cry, she pulled herself through a nearby doorway and into a small utility room before hammering on the controls desperately.

'Come on, damn you!' she screamed as her hand met the haptic interface again and again without result. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, falling in sparkling drops as she pounded the lock button.

Finally, the door began to slide shut and I'Layna shrank back as the turian's face emerged in the gap. With a furious snarl, he drew a pistol but the door snapped shut before he could bring it to bear.

I'layna jumped as a fist slammed into the door with a thud. She sank to her knees, sobbing loudly.

A dozen questions raced through her mind, clouding her thoughts and a terrible realisation dawned on her. She was trapped in that room and there was no way of escape. The door would only delay him at best and her cheeks grew wet with fresh tears.

It was then she recognised a soft shuffling sound coming from behind her. Cautiously, I'Layna peered over her shoulder and almost cried out with relief at the sight of an insect-like keeper operating a nearby terminal, seemingly unaware of I'Layna and her pursuer. Its smooth, murky green shell glistened, every bump and notch wrapped in the orange light of the terminal's interface.

With no time to worry about the penalty for disturbing the creature, I'Layna pushed it aside gently and the keeper seemed to obey, choosing to wait patiently as she used the terminal to open a communications channel.

'By the Goddess,' she whispered as she closed her eyes in desperate prayer, 'Please, please let this work!'