Chapter 2 – Intel and Arguments

Aurelius Skelling went into the cupboard in his apartment and pulled out a set of sophisticated grey wrappings, a white scarf, and his custom-built silenced "Arctic Express pistol" – which he put into his holster.

(Prudens, in the dusty climate of Pulvereus, wear cloth robes/wrappings that cover all but their hands, head, and feat. Prudens also wear hard sandal type shoes and unique individual scarf's used to distinguish individuals, and for means of social courtesy)

Skelling then picked up and calibrated his omni-tool (or the Pruden equivalent at least – known as a multi-purpose technological manipulator, or MTM).
Walking outside into the sandy air of the city of Taylorm, Skelling felt a sense of rather trivial dread over his coming encounter with Admiral Princeps and the Commissioner – but such would pass. The Commissioner still doubted the planned mission to explore further into Pruden Space (with people and not un-manned probes), and the Admiral had been having a difficult time convincing him of the possible benefits. Skelling would have to try and persuade him.

The streets of Talyorm, despite being one of the most vast cities on Pulvereus, have their buildings spaced quite far apart compared to other more common cities. The Prudens built their cities in such a way as to limit crowding and give more open space to stop the desert air of the planet clogging up their daily business. The protection of exoskeletons means the a Pruden can live for up to 700 years on average. The oldest living Pruden in history lived to 1,442 with the help of regular room sterilisation and large amounts of anti-biotics. To compensate for the wide spacing of Pruden architecture, the Prudens proceeded to build their towns and cities upwards, high into the sky, and in deep underground mazes to provide the space they would need.

Skelling walked down the bustling ground level street of multifold faces – it would be hard to identify anyone without the varied array of clothing, scarf's, and facial paintings used to individualise specific persons.
Nearly all Prudens had white or grey skin, for some reason, which they evolved in the harsh desert climate, and deep black sunken eyes. They would look like ghouls at a glancing appearance. Prudens have no hair. Males have bald bony heads and females have defining crests protruding form their heads. It is theorised by Pruden cultural historians and anthropologists that because of their un-diverse facial appearances, early Pruden tribes developed diverse fashions and individual markings as a method of compensation.

Skelling proceeded into the Commissioner's office and was greeted by the Admiral's assistant, Zena Xenkis.

Xenkis: Welcome Professor, the Admiral and Commissioner Phorbin are waiting for you in room 7.

Skelling: Much appreciated. Thank you again Miss Xenkis.

Skelling strode into the room to see an angry Commissioner ranting about his fearful concerns to a distressed Admiral Princeps.

Commissioner Phorbin: You sent a probe over the borders of Maestum!? You don't know what's out there Admiral!

Admiral Princeps: Relax Commissioner. Dear me! You're paranoid. You know all our probes are fitted with self-destruct mechanisms to avoid any chance of discovery – and that's partly by your request! We need some sort of picture of what our exploration team may encounter. And now we have some clearer pictures of the unknown structure on the far edge of Maestum... Ah the Professor is here. Professor Skelling, you can tell the Commissioner the details.

Skelling: Yes, of course. After some careful analysis of the scans and photo-recordings taken by probe PSFE 12Y – AKA:"Stevei" , we have discovered that the large structure on the edge of the Maestum cluster is some sort of...ancient propulsion mechanism. Dr Patolog and Dr Eyevin have hypothesized that it may be a kind of gateway, or relay, to travel a considerable distance across the galaxy. If so, it would prove that some form of advanced life-form made these structures to travel vast distances. The structure appears to be dormant, but in theory we should be able to activate it and travel further into the galaxy – which would take years solely with the use of Faster-than-light travel...

Commissioner Phorbin: And you think that this would be safe?! You still have no idea what may happen if you activate this!

Skelling: We know that it is risky, but the team know the risks. Entering the unknown; we could uncover anything, something could destroy us completely or kill us indiscriminatingly. Equally viable, is the possibility of intelligent life we could build relations with. As a matter of scientific curiosity – this cannot be ignored.

Admiral Princeps: Exactly. Get over your fetishistic isolationist obsession with not discovering Space. We have a rich history of scientific enquiry and our planet only has so much to offer. We need this.

CP: "Need this"? Come off it. I don't have the power to overrule the Head-Commission, but I still disagree with this!

S: That does not matter, Commissioner. You are governing yourself by emotion, not principle. And deceiving emotion at that. Of course we could stay confined to this rock, but in 20 years Pulvereus's mineral resources shall be almost depleted. If our population and subsequent demands keep growing as current trends show, then we will have to start mining for supplies on other planets. The Maestum cluster has very little planets, and only one known star system - ours. Apart from our moon and Tilava, a gas giant few hundred kilometres away, there is not much of notable significance in our cluster. Soon we will need to find newer and more resources, and that means mapping the further galaxy, or quelling population numbers. Both difficult actions. But I know which one would be easier.

CP: Whatever. This is pointless. Get lost, I need to send a report to the Head-Commission.

Admiral Princeps and Professor Skelling walked out of the office and left the Commissioner in peace.

Skelling: What a cloaca! His lack of perspective is astounding. 2/3rds of the public support Space exploration, it's almost vital. And yet he has the audacity to remain fixated to his childhood fears.

Admiral Princeps: Don't worry old friend. He's only the Commissioner of Taylorm. It's a powerful position but it's not like he's in the Head-Commission (H.E). He only cordinates the running of Talyorm, not the whole of Pulvereus. Much to his discomfort. He can't touch us while he's not in one of the Commission seats.

Skelling: If he stays here he should be fine. If he gets into the H.E, then we may have some real problems. We have 75% support by the H.E, only Head-Commissioners Paska, Mauris and Kvailas are not in favour of our expedition. Maybe I should calm down.

Admiral: Indeed. Ha ha! Well I need to go. You should get to the shipyard. The PSF Malraux is almost finished. She's a fine ship I tell you. So long Skelling. Do well.

Skelling: Likewise Princeps...Likewise.

On the other side of the galaxy, far off from the currently unknown Maestum cluster, in the docking bays of The Citadel, Garrus Vakarian was being pestered by some adoring admirers, thanking him for his efforts against the Reapers three years ago and asking for autographs.

Garrus: I am sorry, but I must being getting but to my ship.

Hysterical fan: Oh please don't go Mr Vakarian – my sister would love to meet you.

Garrus: That sounds wonderful, but I'm otherwise engaged. (And in more ways than one).

Just then, Tali and Liara came scuttling around the corner...

Tali: Garrus! Liara has just got a hold of some vital information...it's not pleasant.

Liara: That's a bit of an understatement. There have been increased reports of Cerberus activity in the Artemis Tau cluster , and my Intel suggests that they are planning to infiltrate an Alliance research centre on Therum. Oh, great (she said bitterly). I can't wait to get back there (said sarcastically).

Garrus: Ok then. Report to the Normandy in 10, I be there soon. Oh...and Tali; remember "dinner" for tonight ;)

Tali: Oh Keelah! I'm hopeless. I forgot!

Garrus: Really? I expected more of you quarian.

Tali: Shut up you. Don't worry. We'll have fun.

Liara: Oh Stop it you two (said jokingly, though with slight resentment). We should get going.

Tali: Fine, fine. Let's go.

Tali and Garrus shared a brief kiss before leaving, ignoring the "Oooo's" and further requests of the fans before walking back to the Normandy.

Back at the Normandy...

EDI: Commander Vakarian, we are prepared for launch.

Joker: "Commander Vakarian"...hah hah... Still can't get over that.

Garrus: Laugh it up Joker. Come on. Set a course for Therum.

Liara: Should bring back memories.

Garrus: Hmmm. Yeah. It should...

(Both stood in silence for a awkward few seconds, thinking of that time over 5 years ago when Shepard, along with Wrex and Garrus, had first met and rescued Liara from the Prothean ruin back on Therum. Liara was still finding it difficult to fully comprehend the fate of her lover – To have power over a race of near-incomprehensible power would drive most, if not all, people absolutely mad. She could only endure in her thought that the thought of her and all his comrades would keep Shepard less insane than others)

Garrus:...Let's stop dithering about. We should get going.

EDI: Certainly Commander.

(End of Chapter 2)