Author's Note: Alright, so my schedule for uploading was torn apart before it even started to form, so I apologize for taking a while to upload a new chapter. I have no real excuse for not doing so sooner, other than just bad timing, general laziness and a reluctance to write. Regardless, here is the late chapter three.
From the captain's cabin that sat at the top floor on the SSV Normandy, Commander Jane Shepard did the one thing that she never thought she'd ever really had to do before; fussing over her appearance. Now that wasn't to say that Shepard did not care about her appearance. No, Jane was meticulous about her hygiene, always glad to get into the shower to wash away the days grime from missions or just the daily grind.
The problem was that years spent in the Alliance, from her youth on board starships to boot camp to her days in the N7 training regime had ground into Jane an 'only the minimal essentials' mentality. Normally this would be just fine for Shepard, but today was not one of those days.
"Is there nothing in here at all that doesn't have that damn Cerberus insignia on it," the commander would exclaim heatedly.
It didn't help that all she had to wear to what could be one of the most important first contact with an alien spacefaring entity in history were clothes that were either branded with a terrorist organization's brand, the dress she had worn in her mission to win Kasumi's loyalty which she swore she would never wear again (Making a personal note to throw the offending garment into the nearest incinerator next chance she got, Kasumi's insistence that every woman should have at least one dress be damned), and an off duty outfit that would definitely not do for such an important meeting. Miranda would definitely shoot her and bring her back again Lazarus Project style, should the ex-Cerberus operative found her wearing what had been dubbed by the crew as the 'space-hobo' outfit.
With a wince, Shepard recalled that the Normandy herself was broadcasting its insidious builder's mark on its hull. That would be fun to explain to these Commonwealth folks. Though, she didn't know how exactly the outside of the hull looked right now after all the fighting and escaping in the galactic core. Perhaps the offending mark had been scuffed off during the battle against the collectors.
"And maybe the council has finally gotten their heads out of their collective asses about the Reapers," Jane thought wryly to herself, getting back to her feet after closing the last of her quite bare clothes drawers. Now wouldn't that just be the thing? Of course, should they make it back to Council Space, they did have more than substantial evidence to back up the reality of the Reaper threat. "But the Council has that habit of ignoring evidence that doesn't fit their view of the galaxy."
Turning her mind away from such useless thoughts, Shepard began to debate whether or not she could get away with wearing her cleanest suit of armour when EDI's avatar popped up from its display pad.
"Commander," the AI greeted with its-hers, Shepard corrected herself, standard politeness. "Miranda Lawson requests entry into your quarters."
Curious as to what her XO would want, Jane nodded, saying, "Thanks EDI. Let her in."
"Right away Shepard," came the AI's goodbye.
A moment later the door to the cabin opened and Miranda walked in, a bundle under her arm. Shepard raised a brow when she saw that the raven-haired woman was wearing a standard Alliance battle dress uniform, no doubt perfectly measured to fit her body.
Miranda noticed the Commander's look and smiled a true smile, having dropped most of her ice-queen personality towards the end of their adventure.
"Standard Cerberus gear," she said, warm in tone yet official as always, "In case of necessary infiltration missions. I assumed it might be better to great our new friends in something less… controversial."
Shepard nodded, then gestured to the bundle in Miranda's arms. "And what is that?"
The other woman handed it over to the commander. "Something I think you'll find to be much more appropriate for this meeting."
Unfolding the package, Shepard grinned as her eyes took in what appeared to be a set of System's Alliance officer dress blues. Glancing at Miranda, the red-haired commander would give the brunet a chuckle.
"Cerberus gear eh?"
The commander's XO gave a noncommittal shrug. "When one needs to avoid detection one uses what is available."
Shepard smirked slightly at that and put the outfit on her desk. "I appreciate this a lot. Thank you, Miranda. I was getting to the point where I would start taking a knife and cut off all the insignias off what outfits I did have."
"I doubt that would have looked very professional," Miranda replied, "But then again we could pass it off as being a sort of human fashion." There was a short pause before the ex-operative's face grew more serious. "Commander, I am concerned about our new neighbours just outside. Cerberus had never even had an inkling of there being another space-faring race in the Traverse. And now we run into three entirely different species, all working under the same faction, with honest-to-god true AIs running around! It's well, a tad overwhelming."
During the few hours that had passed since their initial conversation, EDI's long-range star scans and mapping bore fruit and they were now aware of their location in the galaxy, which was good news. They were in what was considered part of the Attican Traverse, a vast unclaimed part of space that served as a buffer zone between Council Space and the Terminus systems. The system they were in was located in could be regarded as being just about the center of the triangle created by linking the Omega Nebula, the Eagle Nebula and the Galactic Core, though it was closer to the Core than the other two.
It was EDI's hypothesis that the Reapers had the Core Relay send the Normandy to this section of what was presumed deserted space, in order to isolate and prevent the Normandy from returning with news and information about their impending invasion. However, it seemed that this plan was for naught seeing as there were people of a sort living out here, undiscovered even by the Reapers.
Which was a concern, seeing as the Reapers had designed things so that all spacefaring life 'develops along the paths we desire' as Sovereign had once so eloquently put it. Yet this Commonwealth had clearly developed a form of space travel that was not reliant on the Mass Relays or on Eezo of any form. So whoever people these Commonwealth aliens are, the Reapers had no knowledge of them. Which meant that they were a complete unknown wildcard about to join in on the great galactic power game.
Shepard, though, was not too overly concerned about this looming situation. Rather, she was more focused on getting her crew to safety and their all important information to the right people. For all that the Council ignored her warnings, Jane knew there were some who did listen, namely, Councillor Anderson. So she waved off Miranda's concerns.
"As I see it right now, the more aliens we find means more ships and soldiers to pit against the Reapers," she told her XO.
Miranda looked like she wanted to dispute that statement, but she took a moment to mull it over in her mind.
"That is if they would believe us about the Reapers," the raven-haired woman eventually replied. "Not many want to believe in galactic life-ending threats."
Shepard gave an understanding look to her crewmate."If they are smart, they'll at least listen. I have a good feeling about this Miranda."
The XO of the Normandy had long ago come to the realization that when Shepard 'Had a feeling,' for good or ill, one better listen, so she nodded in agreement before going back to business mode. Turning to go, she said, "If that is all Commander, I'll leave you to get ready. We should get underway to the alien fleet within the hour. They've quite a while for us to prepare ourselves."
Of course, the reasoning behind this extended preparation time was to allow the Normandy some breathing room to do whatever repairs were possible with the limited materials on board, including the continued treatment of the injured crew. In case this meeting went awry and they found themselves to be in danger, the Normandy had orders to jump to FTL and take their chances in deep space.
Before Miranda could take her leave, however, Jane stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder. Turning around, the XO took in a rather sheepish looking Shepard. A truly bizarre sight to behold for certain.
"Commander," came Miranda's puzzled query.
Removing her hand, Jane idly fidgeted in place, a sign of nerves Miranda had picked up on for some time now.
"Miranda… as you know, I am a soldier through and through. With training, I know how to behave around dignitaries and diplomats and heads of state." She put her hand up, cutting off the XO's incoming scoff. "The Council doesn't count, the bunch of idiots." Shaking her head, she continued. "Anyways, despite all this experience, I've never participated in anything as diplomatically important as what we are going to do. So.. I would like to ask for your assistance.." Miranda blinked. Was that red showing on the commander's cheeks? "In making sure I look my best."
The Normandy's XO smiled. The great Commander Shepard, Killer of Reapers and the Destroyer of the Collectors, getting flustered over asking for help with her looks? Miranda never thought she'd see something like that. Still, she would gladly help her commander, her friend, with her predicament.
"Of course Shepard. Just let me grab my kit from my quarters," she'd say.
"I'll help out too," came the unexpected, perky, slightly Asiatic voice of one Kasumi Goto. The master thief popped into visual existence as she turned her cloaking field off. Her grin from beneath her hood screamed excitement. "We'll get you looking so good, you'll have those aliens eating right out of your hands the moment they see you!"
Something about the tone of Kasumi's voice made Shepard begin to sweat nervously.
Maybe she shouldn't have asked for help.
Meanwhile, in the armoury, one Garrus Vakarian was busy doing some last minute tune-ups on his M-76 Revenant, in preparation for the upcoming meeting with the aliens outside. Having been asked to join Shepard as part of the guard detail that would be allowed to go with her, Garrus wanted to be prepared for anything. The turian did lament that he could not bring his beloved sniper rifle with him, though he did realize that if a fight broke out, it would be more prudent to bring along something more suited for close quarters. Not to mention the aliens might take offence to someone bringing a sniper rifle on board their ship.
The turian turned his attention to who else would be joining Shepard's guard detail. Jacob, who was beside Garrus at the next table over working on his own pistol, was joining them. The dark-skinned human had the turian's respect. Jacob was a good soldier, a better friend and an amazing biotic. Garrus could trust Jacob. Miranda was coming along too, and while the turian's faith would be a bit shaky in regards to trusting the black-haired human, he too believed Miranda would do her best in regards to helping Shepard.
The turian smiled to himself as he began to reassemble his weapon with meticulous care. At least Shepard had managed to convince Miranda to wear proper armour, instead of that catsuit he first saw the woman in. Humans. Such strange creatures at times. Though Garrus had been informed that Miranda would be wearing an Alliance uniform of sorts instead of armour, but at least the woman would have her biotic barriers to protect her.
He wished that Tali would be joining them, as her tech specialty would be useful, but the quarian would be remaining on board to continue monitoring whatever repairs there are in case things went to hell. Mordin too would be staying, much to the salarian's own misery, as the scientist would've liked nothing more than to meet a brand new civilization, let alone three new species and an AI race. The salarian appeared to almost have a stroke when the news of what was happening was broke to the rest of the crew. He was silent for a whole ten seconds before recovering. However, he would remain on board the Normandy.
"Much work to be done," he said when he declined to go. "Patients need to be healed first. Anthropological studies later." He then said with all seriousness. "Expect notes however. Now go. Very busy!"
Samara declined to go, declaring fatigue. But the asari did offer her well wishes towards the group. Kasumi did as well, though something about the way she said it made Garrus think that their sneaky crewmember might join them invisible style. Thane would be going with them, and for all of Garrus' personal distaste for the assassin, no one could deny the drell's skill and, in the need of a hasty exit, his abilities would be most needed. Legion had desired to come along, well, as much as a machine could desire something.
Zaeed would be staying behind. Citing that 'gabbing about' would drive him mad enough to shoot something, the merc refused to join. Both Jack and Grunt would be staying on the Normandy, to which Garrus was most grateful. Neither had a diplomatic bone in their body. Rather, their form of diplomacy seemed to be who was faster at tearing their foes apart.
Rising from his position at the weapons table once his weapon was reassembled, Garrus gave a nod to Jacob, who returned it, picked up his gun and left the armoury. All was quiet on the CIC deck, something that rather unnerved the ex-vigilante. It reminded him too much of how the Normandy felt after the collectors had attacked and taken most of the crew captive. Yeoman Chambers was at her post though, doing her best working in tandem with EDI in an attempt to establish any sort of communications. From what Garrus had heard, something had damaged the long-range communication system, rendering even the all-powerful quantum entanglement based communications array inert.
"Anything to report," he asked. The human jolted a bit, appearing to have been focused entirely on her task and not registering the turian's presence until he spoke.
"No. Sorry Garrus, everything is still down, except for short range transmissions. But you already know that since those aliens outside were talking to us. Still talking to us actually. EDI is also working with them to fine-tune the translators. Don't want Shepard to accidentally start a second Contact War due to an error right?"
Her voice was a bit squeaky, tired and, if Garrus guessed, a tiny bit hysterical. His visor, which he never took off save for sleep, registered an elevated heart rate and some critical levels in the human's vitals.
"Chambers, when was the last time you slept," he asked kindly.
Rubbing at her wrists, the red-haired human looked very sheepish under the turians gaze.
"I can't.." she admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, I'm reminded of what I saw. The Collectors taking everyone. The base. What happened to the colonists…" She sounded so very weak, so unlike the normally bubbly woman who greeted everyone, including psychotic Jack, with a smile.
Garrus thought for a moment, before reaching over and turning off her terminal. "Chambers, this can wait. Go see Chakwas. You need rest, and she can give you something that can put you in a dreamless sleep." He waved off the protests simmering on the woman's lips. "Shepard needs us all at our best right now. That means getting some sleep and recovering. Okay?"
Chambers nodded, albeit reluctantly. She bounced back quickly though, a small spark of her old self shining through.
"Alright Garrus. I'll do that. EDI can run the diagnostics herself I guess. I just want to be useful."
"You're very useful Chambers," he assured her, guiding her over to the elevator and pressing the call button. "But you'll feel better and more able to help once you get some sleep."
The elevator, shockingly, came up quickly and the two entered it. Garrus pressed the crew deck and the cargo hold buttons for Chambers and himself respectively. As the doors shut and the elevator began its arduous descent, both were silent. When the doors opened on the crew deck, Kelly stepped off. She turned around to face the turian.
"Thanks, Garrus. Good luck at the meeting. Tell me all about these new aliens when you get back okay?"
"Will do," he promised with a chuckle before the doors closed. Sweet girl that Kelly. A bit strange, but sweet.
It wasn't long until the doors opened again, this time in the cargo hold. Stepping out, he saw Thane and Legion standing idly next to the shuttle, the pilot inside doing some last minute checks. Shepard, Miranda and Jacob would be down shortly, the turian assumed. No sooner had he walked over to the others than the elevator dinged again, signalling its return. Garrus blinked. Had EDI finally managed to find and fix that accursed bug that made the lift run so slow?
He didn't have time to ask as the doors opened and out stepped Jacob, Miranda and Shepard. All were dressed in Alliance colours. The turian's eyes immediately focused on his commander. Shepard had really gone all out, far more than he'd ever seen her dress up before, and he'd seen her pick up a call from the council wearing nothing more than her blood and geth fluid splattered armour before. That's how serious she was taking this meeting. Shepard's silver-green eyes flicked up to meet Garrus' blue ones. They locked gazes for a moment, after which she gave the smallest of tender smiles she knew he'd see before turning to answer a question Miranda had asked.
Not really paying attention to what was now being discussed between the two humans, Garrus quickly did a once over of his armour. Though his old armour he first had once he'd rejoined the Normandy after Omega would always be special to him, he could not dispute that having a non-damaged, fresh suit of armour to wear to a meeting between some new aliens was likely for the better. Not to mention not having a gaping hole in the collar meant no longer having a glaring weak point.
He was brought out of his musings by Shepard, who was standing in the shuttle's doorway. To Garrus' embarrassment, he realized everyone else save him was on board already.
"You coming Garrus," Jane asked, her strange human lips quirked upward in an amused expression.
"Right behind you Shepard," he replied, trying to save face, "Just had to do some minor diagnostic checks on my armour first."
The fiery-haired human rolled her eyes as the turian passed her and the hatch on the shuttle clamped shut after him. "Sure Garrus. Whatever you say."
They all got settled in as EDI ran the departure protocols, their pilot, which Garrus remembered was named Steffon, started up the engines of their little craft and began to pull out of the hold of the Normandy.
"Joker, did you notify the Beselador of our departure," asked Shepard, double-checking as she always did.
"Sure thing Commander. Their escorts know to let you by. No being blown to stardust," was the Normandy's pilot's reply.
"Let's just hope it stays that way," Shepard said, before cutting the line. She looked out at them all, her small escort team, and gave them all a reassuring smile. "Alright everyone. Here's the plan. We go on board, play nice with these aliens and try to learn their true intentions. Call me cynical, but no one helps another just out of the goodness of their hearts. Not in this part of the galaxy anyway. Do your best not to anger anyone. Especially those bigger fellows. They look like krogans, just without the humps but with horns. We don't need to get anyone's fingers trigger-happy." They all nodded in understanding. "This is a diplomatic mission. We talk. We get the Normandy Patched up. We get home. And prepare for the Reapers."
Jacob spoke up then. "Ma'am. About the Reapers. Do we mention them at all to the aliens?"
"If they ask about them, yes. I'm planning on telling them all about the Reapers and the threat they pose to every species in the Galaxy regardless. Just because they don't know about the Reapers, doesn't mean the Reapers will be merciful on them. They're in just as much danger as the rest of us."
Their pilot suddenly cut in. "Coming up on the Commonwealth fleet now ma'am," he informed them.
Finally, they'd be able to get a closer look at these ships. At least, that was the general mood as those on board the shuttle began to look out the viewing ports to try and see these alien vessels. Garrus took a breath before he too looked out, wanting to see.
Four looming metallic starships hung there in the void, the red giant's light casting them in an ominous glow. The largest one looked dangerous, Garrus could see what could only be weapons attached at certain sections of the hull, and according to EDI, was bigger than the average turian Cruiser as well! The two smaller ones were bigger than the Normandy, looked no less armed to the teeth than their larger cousin. The smallest one, the Beselador, Garrus believed as it was the one they were heading too, was only slightly smaller in length than the Normandy, but had more decks. It didn't look too armed from what the turian could tell, but he could see some smaller, gun-like protrusions on its hull as well. All the ships seemed to have greenish lights shining from various parts of their structures, along with white lights in what Garrus thought to be viewport.
"They're watching us probably just as much as we are them," he thought to himself. He gripped his weapon in his hands, taking a measure of reassurance from its presence. Regardless of what might happen, he'd get Shepard back to the Normandy. He promised himself that.
"Coming in now Commander," Steffon the pilot notified them as he curved the shuttle under the hull of the Beselador. There, on the underside of the vessel, two large bay doors opened wide, casting out bright light into the reddish gloom. With ease, the pilot guided them inside. EDI must've been relaying him instructions from the Beselador's crew was Garrus' conclusion to the ease in which they slipped in and down into a berth. The great bay doors slid shut, sealing them in.
"Environmental Scanners indicate that the atmosphere on board is breathable to all known forms of higher life. Environmental units will not be necessary," informed the ever polite AI.
"Thanks EDI," Shepard said with a smile. Turning to the rest of them, she gave them all a serious look. "Alright people. It's time."
The shuttle bays opened.
Sarim den Pagor stood waiting behind thick sealed doors, anxiously watching the shuttle land in the cargo bay through his wrist-tool's screen. He'd had it hooked up to the camera's network and was drinking in any and all details he could about the alien vessel.
Batchu J'Khan stood next to him, watching events from his own personal screen. He too was focused on the alien shuttle. As the bay door closed, he turned off his device and looked over his shoulder. Twelve Commonwealth Militiamen, part of the Beseladors personal guard compliment, stood behind him, armour clean and weapons ready if need be. J'Khan and Pagor were also dressed in their best, with the Talrani wearing his grey captain's uniform, recently pressed and cleaned, and the Avani wearing the greens of the Commonwealth Research Divisions official uniform.
Once Ulfric gave the all clear, the double doors to the cargo bay opened and they all marched in, heads held high in pride of this meeting. The dozen militiamen split into two groups of six, hands on the hilts of their plasma-blades and the others on their weapon holsters, and spread to either side of the shuttle, creating a clear path that the aliens would have to follow. At the end of the line stood J'Khan and Pagor who would receive the alien envoys.
The captain and the scientist all held their breath as the shuttle doors opened. Six figures could be seen standing inside, all of various shapes and profile sizes. Pagor gasped as three of them stepped out onto the metal plate flooring below their shuttle. It was like pages from history lessons come to life. Though they lacked the distinctive ridges on their head, the ice blue skin, triangular side ears and had fur (hair they called it, according to Ulfric) on their heads, for a moment the scientist thought that he could be seeing a Drelenian! He noticed J'Khan making the same connection, as the talrani's fists clenched ever so slightly before relaxing. Thankfully the murderous air passed quickly before anyone else picked up on it.
The three humans, as that's what they called themselves according to what little information was exchanged over the waiting period, stepped forward, letting the other three persons on board disembark. Pagor noticed that two of the humans were female, while the dark-skinned human must've been male. "Such interesting dimorphism," he thought, before his eye caught the other three. His jaw dropped ever so slightly when he saw that they were not human.
"They had done this on purpose, to surprise us," his brain would say once it caught back up to the present. Behind the trio of humans was a tall, avian looking alien in what looked to be heavy armour, a dark green-scaled reptilian looking fellow and… was that a robot!?
Mind blazing, the gears turning so hard inside his head one could swear they saw smoke coming out from his ears, Pagor almost missed the sextet of aliens approach. The red-haired one stood out in front, the other humans behind her to her left and right, while the other aliens and the robot formed up behind them. "A rearguard. This one is important," he thought to himself.
Sensing it was her move, the leader of the group extended its arm in what was a shockingly familiar gesture to the Avani.
"Lieutenant-Commander Jane Shepard of the SSV Normandy SR-2, Systems Alliance and of the Citadel Council. To my right is my XO, Miranda Lawson." The raven-haired woman dipped her head in greeting. "To my left is Officer Jacob Taylor." The dark-skinned male nodded. "Behind them are operatives Garrus Vakarian, Thane Krios and Legion." The remaining aliens also gave a gesture of acknowledgement as their names were called. "We are grateful for your hospitality and your offer to help us."
Pagor made sure he used his best smile and grasped the human's outstretched hand and shook it firmly in greeting. "The pleasure is ours I assure you Commander Shepard. I am the Chief Researcher on board, Doctor Sarim den Pagor. On behalf of the Avani Commonwealth, we welcome you and your colleagues aboard the Beselador. I can assure you, we will render every assistance available at our disposal to help your stricken vessel." He let go of her hand. "May I introduce my colleague, Captain Batchu J'Khan of the Beselador."
The Talrani was near three heads taller than the human, but she didn't seem intimidated at all. She boldly extended her hand out to the large reptile. J'Khan gave her a toothy smile, grasping her hand with his larger, four-fingered clawed hand. "Ma'am," he greeted with his deep voice.
If Pagor didn't know better he'd sworn that he'd seen the alien woman look at the Talrani with an expression akin to fondness, as if the reptile reminded her of someone she knew.
"Pleasure to meet you both," she said, glancing over at the militiamen. She gave a glance to one of the blades they were carrying and her brow quirked, as if puzzled. "I'm sure you want to discuss things Doctor Pagor," she trails off, as if making sure the title was correct.
The Avani nodded. "Of course of course. We have some small refreshments in our conference room, which we will be heading too shortly."
J'Khan turned to the side. "If you'd follow us please," he'd ask politely before walking off towards the cargo hold's exit. Sarim did as well, gesturing for them to follow. As they did, Eight of the guards turned and marched behind them, with four remaining behind to guard the shuttle the aliens had come on. Shepard looked suspicious for a moment, eyeing the guards out of the corner of her silver-green eyes.
Sarim was quick to assure her nothing was amiss, for nothing truly was. "Its to guard against the curiosity of the crew. No doubt after we leave, they'll be dozens of researchers and scientists scrambling to even get a hint of a scan of your shuttle Commander. We assumed you'd like to keep that private," he said.
Nevermind that Ulfric had done a scan of the vessel in its entirety as it entered the hold. The AI would be crunching the data right now. But they didn't need to know that.
The walk to the conference room wasn't long. But it was enough to give the aliens an insight on the Avani before actually talking to them in detail. The hallways were built somewhat plainly, but not depressingly so. It would appear to Shepard that they liked to mix utility with a bit of aesthetics in their design. There were no other crew to be seen on their way, the corridors having been cleared beforehand for the procession. Up an elevator (the alien, Garrus, quipped something about how they, meaning the Avani, should redesign all the elevators across the galaxy, whatever that meant), before they finally they reach the conference room. There was a large oval-shaped table with many seats and a large screen on the far side, with a large panel on the roof displaying a digital image of space above, the red glow of the star and the far away shine of other stars being shown. They all took seats at the end of the table and opposite of each other, so they could all see each other, with Sarim taking position in about the middle of the table, with Shepard opposite. J'Khan sat next to him on his right, while Shepard's group sat down next to her. Curiously, it was the Turian who sat to her left, not the other human, Taylor. The eight guards had split again, with four outside the door standing guard, while the other four stood at the corners of the room in stony silence.
After a moment to get settle, Shepard spoke.
"I feel I must inform you that I am no diplomat Doctor. I also do not have any authority to make any deals with the Commonwealth with regards to relations, trade, etc."
Sarim shook his head. "That is of no concern either. Neither J'Khan and I are diplomats either, or have the authority to make deals with foreign entities. That is the official Xeno-Corp Diplomatic Branch's job. I will say you will make a great many of them happy. They had nothing to do before, now they'll be busy as a swaxil swarm."
Though she wouldn't have known what a swaxil was, Shepard gave a smile nonetheless. "I am happy that our meeting will have some benefit. But Doctor, Captain, if none of us has the ability to make any diplomatic deals, then why are we here," she asked, her voice light yet her eyes suddenly distrustful.
"To talk. While we can let our diplomatics spar with their words, here and now, we can talk about simple things. Our species. Our governments. Our recent battles…" Sarim trailed off, glancing at the screen at the end of the room, which was displaying the Normandy in all its damaged glory. "Make no mistake Commander. The Commonwealth wants to help. All we ask in exchange is information. The kind you can give. What happened to your ship, how do you use the galactic keys to travel, simple things like that."
"By galactic Key, I assume you mean the Mass Relays," she asked.
The Avani nodded. "Yes. Our scientists have been trying to figure them out for over a millennium. All attempts to interact with them have failed with our technology."
"Alright. I can tell you that. But in exchange we have our own questions to ask," the human countered, "How do you travel without the relays? Why don't you use eezo in your ships? And why do your guards have giant knives on them? Guns I can understand, but giant knives?"
J'Khan chuckled, the low throaty rumble reverberating throughout the room. "I see your people do not have plasma-blades. They are most useful. Allow us a demonstration." The talrani gestured to the closest guard to his person, an avani by the look of the fluffy ears sticking out of his helmet. With a quick order, the guard withdrew his blade from its sheath. "It looks like a normal knife I'm sure. But it is quite deadly." With a nod from the captain, the guard pressed a switch on the hilt of the knife, which lit up with a bright blue sheen on the blade. Taking a cup from an alcove behind him, the guard put it on the table and swung his blade at the cup. Sarim watched the expressions on the aliens' faces as the blade passed through the cup, which then fell into two pieces, the parts that were cut glowing white hot.
"You have freaking lightsabers," came the astonished voice of the human officer Taylor. His eyes were huge and expression screamed incredulity.
The guard turned off the blade and sheathed it as J'khan laughed softly. "I am unsure of what a lightsaber is, but the plasma blade is standard issue for the infantry of the Commonwealth," he told the dark-skinned human. Turning to Shepard, he continued, saying, "I do hope that answers your question Commander."
"Yes. It does," the female said, still staring at the destroyed cup in awe. The dark-haired woman was looking as well, but her gaze was of a calculating look.
"There is one more member I'd like to bring in to meet with you before we continue," said Sarim. "Ulfric," he called.
The avani AI appeared standing on the table, with the appearance of a scientist, complete with lab coat and goggles. "Good day to you Commander Shepard," the AI greeted in its almost real voice. "I am the AI unit attached to the Beselador, known as Ulfric. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Shepard blinked at the abrupt entry of the AI. "Hello there. It's nice to meet you as well Ulfric."
"I have so many questions I want to ask! I hope we can come to an agreement about what you'd be willing to share. My processors are burning with anticipation." The projection turned and looked at the robot in the alien's party and grinned. "Sooo many questions."
"I'm sure you do. My XO, Miss Lawson, will be happy to answer all those questions," Shepard said, somewhat hurriedly. The human would give a sympathetic look in response to her colleague's sudden but brief glare.
"I would be happy to answer any questions you may have that I am able to give Ulfric," she'd say with a slightly accented voice.
"Wonderful! Same to you of course. Permission to give unclassified data sir," the AI asked his superiors.
"Granted," said Sarim. J'Khan simply nodded.
"We anticipate this exchange of data," a synthesized, robotic voice suddenly spoke out. Everyone, save for the guards, turned to the machine in surprise.
"He talks," shouted Ulfric shouted with what could almost be called glee.
Sarim smiled to himself and called for the refreshments. They would be here a while.
Ulfric was as ecstatic as a digital conscience could be. He devoured the information presented to him like a glutton at a galaxy cafe buffet! The AI would organize the data, write out a digital report and present it to not only Sarim, but to the Scientific Commission themselves! They'd have to give promotions to everyone on board the Beselador then.
While the AI was not surprised that there were many forms of life, he was amazed at the diversity of what was there. Asari, Salarians, Turians, Humans, Krogan, Drell, Hanar, Vorcha, Elcor, Batarians, Volus, Quarians and Geth. Judging by how his co-workers were taking in every word, they were enthralled as well. However, when one dug under the surface of these races, one found things that were disappointing to the AI.
The Compact.
"And No effort has been made to save whoever is left on the Drell homeworld? No effort to revitalize the climate?" Sarim's voice sounded horrified.
"None. No such missions have been undertaken since the majority of drell evacuated," Miranda stated.
The Drell Condition.
"No one knows how to treat Kepral's Syndrome," asked Ulfric
"No. It remains a rather untreatable terminal disease," Thane replied.
The First Contact War
"And the Turians just shot at the humans, an unknown species, without warning," J'Khan questioned, sounding displeased.
"Yeah, that's a black mark on the Turian Hierarchy's record," came the apologetic reply of the turian, Garrus.
And so on and on it went.
"They neutered the Krogan and left them to rot and fight among themselves for thousands of years, with no way of redeeming themselves?!"
"Slavers run rampant in the Galaxy and your council does nothing? Cultural heritage be damned, those batarians should be put down!"
"While I can understand the fear of AI, we went through our own phase of that emotion when the Tobor were being made, the utter lack of compassion towards the Quarian's exile is inexcusable!"
Truly, this Citadel Council had painted themselves in a truly stellar light. True, they may not know everything or their reasons behind their decisions, but Ulfric had come to the conclusion that this Council, they were utter idiots, corrupt and desired nothing more than to hold onto their own power and refuse to change anything that would upset their precious balance. Ulfric held back a grin. The Commonwealth would definitely upset that balance.
Finally, they came to some truly interesting questions.
"What caused all the damage to the Normandy," asked Ulfric.
All of the aliens looked to Shepard, who gave a small sigh. Taking a drink of Bura fruit punch that had been prepared for their use, she put it down and told them.
"It was a fight against a race of aliens called the collectors."
And so began the long story of Commander Shepard's fight for humanity's survival. She spoke of her death, and of her revival at the hands of a terrorist group called Cerberus, who wanted her to fight the Collectors. How they were kidnapping entire colonies of humans and turning them into organic paste. Sarim looked sick and J'Khan had a furious look in his eyes as she told them about their desperate fight in the galactic core on the Collector base to save the colonists and their kidnapped crew, only to find the colonists gone, already processed into a giant mechanical abomination. Which they then killed. And promptly blew up their base, exterminating them all to oblivion.
"But they were only the puppets," she said, finishing her story. "The real threat are the Reapers."
Ulfric was certain that if he had flesh, his skin would've been crawling from that word. Shepard's voice oozed hatred when she said that word.
"What are the Reapers then," he asked.
Shepard told them everything. How the Reapers had built the relays to control the technological progression of all the galaxy's races. The Cycles of Extinction. The harvesting. How they almost returned but how Shepard and her crew had stopped them two years ago. How the Reapers were using the Collectors to harvest humans to build the reaper abomination they'd killed. And that the Reapers were coming. They'd only been delayed.
Throughout her entire explanation, Ulfric saw the expressions of his superiors grew more and more dark and angry. Even the Guards seemed to be uneasy. The AI understood why though. The Arrival. It was a scar that, though centuries old, was still fresh in the minds of those in the Commonwealth. All that effort, all those lives lost. And now it looked like it would be all for nothing.
The worst part is that, according to Commander Shepard, close to no one took her warnings seriously. Only a small amount of people believed her. Her crew. This councillor Anderson, who although was a member of this Citadel Council had little power. And then this Cerberus, a terrorist organization which Shepard had just cut ties with. Yes, Shepard was well and truly left out to sea in the middle of the biggest storm in this galaxy.
"Commander Shepard. Am I correct in saying that there is a race of giant robot aliens coming to kill us all and turn us into more of them," Sarim asked, propping his muzzle up atop his hands, staring down at the human with all seriousness.
"Yes. The Reapers are coming, and we all face extinction unless we can band together to fight them," she stated with deep sincerity, truly believing what she was saying.
Sarim sighed before leaning back in his seat. "Death once more comes knocking on our doors, and just like before, a galaxy stands divided before it."
"Again," Shepard repeated with a puzzled expression on her face, "What do you mean 'again'?"
Before Ulfric's co-worker could reply, the AI received an incoming transmission.
"Sirs, the Anetham just jumped into the system. And she isn't alone. The ninth fleet is jumping in behind her," he would relay to Sarim and J'Khan. "It seems news of our little meeting has spread far beyond just this system."
"Thank you Ulfric," Sarim said. He turned to Shepard and her crew. "It seems that my superiors have gotten wind of our discovery much faster than I hoped. I wish we had more time to chat Commander Shepard, but it seems you'll be too busy to talk with a scientist and captain of a lowly science vessel like myself."
"Why, what is going on," she asked, sounding very tense. In fact, her entire guard seemed on edge, looking like they would spring into action at the slightest provocation.
Sarim gave her a smile.
"Why, it seems that the King has come here to say hello."
Author's Note: SOOO much dialogue. Why? Why must dialogue be so hard to write! And in an interesting way, that sounds natural! I really hope that I did it all alright. Because I hate dialogue. I've been working on triple-checking my work for errors, but if you see any, please let me know. Cause I hate writing things with errors in it. Regardless, that's chapter three written and done with. I struggle with writing good characters. But I'll keep trying. If things don't make sense, please let me know and I'll rewrite it. So enjoy it. Please. And review my writings, constructive criticisms and words of encouragement are well appreciated. And if anyone has tips to share of writing dialogue or characters, do share them as well. I need all the help I can get. Also it should be mentioned I wrote all this and finished it in a single day. Please forgive any sloppish mistakes. Uploading things at midnight is a pain in the ass.
