AN:- A lot of these chapter names are pretty obvious. I make up for it with the next one, which is so pretentious it's already making me choke. I hope you enjoy this next chapter, which marks for a while the end of the rigidly-sticking-to-conversations and canon. The aim was to get Shepard off the Citadel by the end of this chapter.
Chapter Three: Spectre
Right outside the Ambassador's office they were met by a man named Samesh Bhatia, who wanted to know if Shepard could help him to get the body of his wife back from the Alliance Military Intelligence. She understood his plight; if someone had refused her the bodies of her squadron after Akuze then she would have gone through hell to get them back. She assured him she would do everything she could, and went up to the ambassadorial lounge to confront the clerk.
Bosker was up front about the problem, and Shepard couldn't help but sympathise. Thoughts of Akuse once more came back to haunt her. If it meant that no one else would have to go through what she had, she would have gladly given even her own life and body to aid that cause. She had seen what the geth did on Eden Prime, and if the body of one woman meant that they could save marines, it was a price that had to be paid, and Shepard felt certain that Mrs Bhatia would have seen it the same way.
She went back down to Samesh, laying it all out for him. He was angry, though she knew it wasn't at her, and it didn't take much to persuade him. She got the feeling he had just been looking for someone who would talk to him honestly. As he walked away though, she couldn't help the cold feeling in her gut that perhaps there hadn't been a right answer. If the tests were useless, what had she gained?
It's the price we all pay, she thought grimly, leading a mercifully silent Garrus and Tali to the Citadel.
In the elevator she turned to Garrus. "So what's your story?"
"Excuse me?"
"I saw you in action in the alley, that was a hell of a shot you managed, and I doubt even the turian military trains you that hard."
He was taken aback by the questions. "I, look, it's always been a skill of mine, and it's only got better with practice, now can we talk about something else?"
She left him alone, glad he had shared at least that much. Tali was off in her own little world, staring out of the elevator at the flashing scenes barely visible outside. The doors opened out onto the concourse and they hurried quickly to the Council.
They arrived just as Udina was finishing laying out the evidence. "You wanted proof, there it is."
The turian was nodding. "This evidence is irrefutable ambassador. Saren will be stripped of his Spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes."
Next to him, the asari was looking concerned. "I recognise the other voice, the one speaking with Saren; Matriarch Benezia."
Shepard didn't recognise the name, which wasn't too surprising. "Who's she?"
"Matriarchs are powerful asari who have entered the final stage of their lives. Revered for their wisdom and experience they serve as guides and mentors to my people. Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic and she has many followers. She will make a powerful ally for Saren"
The salarian councillor unfolded his arms and stepped forward. "I'm more interested in the Reapers, what do you know about them?"
Anderson took over, stepping forward to talk. "Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core. The Reapers were an ancient race of machine that wiped out the Protheans, then they vanished."
Shepard presented the next bit of information. "The geth believe the Reapers are gods and Saren is the prophet for their return."
"We think the Conduit is the key to bringing them back. Saren's searching for it, that's why he attacked Eden Prime."
"Do we even know what this conduit is?" The salarian councillor didn't sound convinced.
Shepard understood his need for answers, but it wasn't something she thought needed that much clarification. "Saren thinks it can bring back the Reapers. That's bad enough."
"Listen to what you're saying," the turian Councillor said. "Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be. Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we've found no trace of their existence? If they were real we'd have found something." Even through the translators his voice dripped disdain.
Shepard was getting more and more frustrated with their obstructive attitude, even presented with evidence their course of action was to do nothing. "I tried to warn you about Saren and you refused to face the truth, don't make the same mistake again."
The asari was trying hard to be the voice of reason between all of their conflicting opinions and voices. "This is different, you proved Saren betrayed the Council. We all know he's using the geth to search for the Conduit, but we don't really know why."
Her words won over the salarian Councillor immediately. "The Reapers are obviously just a myth Commander. A convenient lie to cover up Saren's true purpose. A legend he is using to bend the geth to his will."
"Fifty thousand years ago the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilisation, if Saren finds the conduit it will happen again." She had to convince them somehow.
"Saren is a rogue agent on the run for his life. He no longer has the rights or resources of a Spectre, the Council has stripped him of his position."
Udina was just as aggravated as she was. "That is not good enough! You know he's hiding somewhere in the Traverse, send your fleet in!"
"A fleet cannot track down one man."
"A Citadel fleet could secure the entire region. Keep the geth from attacking any more of our colonies." Shepard could already guess what the argument was going to be.
Sure enough, the turian didn't disappoint. "Or it could trigger a war with the Terminus Systems, we won't be dragged into a galactic conflict over a few dozen human colonies."
Udina's anger bubbled over at last. "Every time humanity asks for help you ignore us. I'm sick of this council and its anti-human bull..."
"Ambassador," the asari cut in quickly before he could finish his abuse. "There is another solution, a way to stop Saren that does not require fleets or armies." As she said it she was looking over to the turian councillor.
"No!" He shouted. "It's too soon, humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres!"
Shepard spotted the way out, and while she felt dirty for playing the politics card it was the only language anyone gathered there seemed to understand. "You don't have to send a fleet into the Traverse, and the Ambassador gets his human Spectre, everybody's happy."
Finally, the turian nodded. The three Council members stepped forward and placed their hands on the terminals in front of them. When the asari Councillor next spoke her voice was filled with grave importance. "Commander Shepard, step forward. 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."
The salrian had the next lines. "Spectres are not trained or chosen. Individuals forged from the fire of service and battle, those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
The rote passed back to the asari. "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."
Finally the turian spoke, sounding like the words were being forced from him under torture. "Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace. Both our first and last line of defence. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"You are the first human Spectre, Commander. This is a great accomplishment for you and your entire species."
"I'm honoured councillor." She knew when to be gracious.
They stepped away from the terminals and it was all business again. "We're sending you into the Traverse after Saren," the salarian Councillor said. "He's a fugitive from justice so you are authorised to use any means necessary to apprehend or eliminate him."
"Do you know where I can find him?" She asked.
"We will forward any relevant files to Ambassador Udina." Apparently being the instrument of the Council's will still meant dealing with middlemen.
"This meeting of the Council is adjourned."
She followed Udina and Anderson back down to the end of the ramp, where the Captain promptly held out his hand.
"Congratulations Commander." There was nothing but pride in his voice.
"We've got a lot of work to do Shepard. You're going to need a ship, a crew, supplies…"
Anderson nodded. "You'll get access to special equipment and training now."
The Ambassador certainly looked like he had come to a decision, and she didn't like the look on his face when he turned to the Captain. "Anderson, come with me, I'll need your help to set all this up."
"I thought your Ambassador would be a little more grateful," Tali said as she and Garrus walked over. "He didn't even thank you."
"Until I find Saren I haven't done anything. Come on."
Garrus nodded. "Right behind you Shepard."
She didn't lead them to the docking bay, instead she took them down to the market. She had promised Tali a trip and she was going to deliver on that. They had barely taken a few steps into the market when someone was yelling her name. She spotted a young woman leaning up against a pillar, waving at her. "I take it that stepping into situations is a habit of yours Commander?" Garrus remarked snidely as they walked over to her.
The woman was a journalist by the name of Emily Wong, who went to some lengths to outline a problem without actually stating anything.
Eventually Shepard got bored of dancing round the issue. "What do you need?"
"I've been hunting for evidence of organised crime on the Citadel but there's places I can't go, I was hoping you might share anything you find during your own investigation. I can make it worth your time."
When she was blunt, she was blunt. Shepard frowned at her. "How do you know that my investigation is going to turn up something you need?"
"You wouldn't be investigating if it weren't something big, and if it's big, it's something I'd like to hear about." That much was obvious, and she was a journalist, so it was no surprise she knew what Shepard was up to.
She had grabbed some disks when they left Fist's office anyway, intending to have them decrypted later, but she didn't quite see what she could do with them that Emily wouldn't. "These OSDs might have the information you're looking for," she said as she handed them over.
The woman's face lit up, revealing just how young she really was. "You've got Fists files? This could be even bigger than I'd hoped! Here Commander, for your trouble." She transferred some credits into Shepard's account.
Shepard grinned. That smile was infectious, and she could probably use some good press now she was a Spectre. "What would you say to an interview when my investigation's over?"
"You'd talk to me before you talk to anyone else? Exclusive?"
Shepard nodded. The journalist was practically bouncing as she walked off. "Nice Shepard, I suppose we'll get copies of the broadcast, you know, for historical purposes?" Tali snarked at her.
I've made a squad of comedians. "Laugh it up Tali, I'm going to tell her you're the hero of this whole thing."
Their next stop was Chora's Den, looking for the general the Consort had mentioned, having the wisdom of the Consort might not be worth anything, but Shepard wasn't willing to let the matter pass her by while she had some real authority to do something about it.
Septimus was a disgrace, but at least Garrus was there to yell at him instead of her being forced to. She was starting to get the trick of talking to turians thought, and an appeal to honour pulled him in line instantly, and again it didn't hurt to have Garrus there to add a little bite to her words. He also gave her the answer to her problem with the Elcor diplomat. She chuckled to herself a little as Septimus walked off. Sometimes the answers were a little too easy to find.
No one who spent any time around any of these other species would be able to think of them as alien. She led the team back out of the bar, heading for the Consort's chambers. They're more human than we are sometimes.
They went into the upper markets, where someone else was yelling for her. She smiled at Tali. "You go have a poke around the stories, I'll deal with this, whatever it is." She looked up to Garrus. "You stay with her."
It turned out to be a young man, dressed in C-Sec blue, with a shock of white-blonde hair, as she stepped over he started gushing. "You're Commander Shepard, the hero of Eden Prime. I am so honoured to meet you."
She shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, and you are?"
"My name's Conrad, Conrad Verner. They say you killed more than a hundred geth on Eden Prime."
She smiled at him, but inside she was wondering quite what his deal was. He seemed to be a little too enthusiastic about her recent military record. "I spent most of my time just trying to stay alive and help- the colonists."
He nodded as if he was listening. "Hey I know you're probably busy but do you have time for a quick autograph?"
Hopefully that was all he wanted, and it would be a quick way to make him go away. "Anything for a fan" She accepted the sheet of paper he thrust at her. "Here."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it, my wife is going to be so impressed, I'll let you get back to work, but next time you're on Earth I'd love to buy you a drink." He hurried off, presumably to the academy, leaving her shaking her head at the encounter. There were some real weirdos on the Citadel.
As she came back to her squad Garrus tilted his head at her. "Getting into more situations Commander?"
"Just a fan."
"Oh, so you have fans."
"What's Tali doing?"
"Haggling." Garrus gestured to where the quarian was standing talking to a volus shopkeeper, waving her arms while he kept his crossed over his chest. "I don't know whether she's really angry, or having the time of her life."
Shepard walked over. "Problem Tali?"
"This bosh'tet volus is charging at a ridiculous price for his suit mods."
"Watch your tone clanless or I will be forced to raise them higher."
"Need any help?"
"I have this Shepard."
Sensing that there was some ancient trader/customer dispute at play here, Shepard nodded. "I'm over with Garrus, come see us when you're done."
"Well?" Garrus asked as she came back.
"She's clearly having a ball. And so's the volus. Let's leave them to it for a little while." Brushing past the turian, she went to lean on a guardrail overlooking the Wards, in all their dubious glory, and the Serpent Nebula behind them.
"You have an odd sense of priorities Shepard."
"It's her first time on the Citadel, and she's not being chased by bloodthirsty assassins anymore. I think she's earned a little R&R."
"And the thought of Saren doesn't bother you?" He looked like he was thinking about leaning, but settled for standing ramrod straight next to her, like a seven foot body guard with scales.
"Of course it does, but I'm not going to let it take all the fun out of life." The expression on his face might have been frowning, if she understood turain expressions enough to read it. "So what's your next move Garrus? You coming with us?"
He nodded. "I think I will, it seems like it's your mission and your crew now, so as long as you'll have me, I'm your man."
"Good to hear it, I hope I prove an adequate commander."
"You didn't earn that rank off the back of nothing I presume."
"You presume right, but I'm not sure what I did to earn it is something to brag about."
"Feel like sharing?"
"You wouldn't share about your training, so no, you don't get my life story, I'm going to dangle it in front of you like a carrot on a stick."
"I don't get the expression."
"It's a human thing, don't worry."
Tali was coming back to them, a slight spring in her step as she toggled through some displays on her omni tool. "A good deal," she confirmed.
"You know I could probably have paid for whatever it was for you." Shepard hoped that Tali would get that she was joking and after a moment the quarian gave an odd musical sound that Shepard took for laughing.
"But where would be the fun? And you would lose all your credits that way to bosh'tet shop owners." As she said it Tali turned and waved to the volus, who waved back, clearly just as cheerful.
"Well I don't know about your Flotilla, but you're definitely going to be useful for me to keep around."
Any human would have bristled at the statement, the implication that you were only being kept around to be useful, but Tali averted her visor and waved briefly at the air. When she spoke it was with distinct embarrassment. "That's all I hope for."
Maybe Shepard was going to get the hang of talking to her new crewmates after all.
In the elevator on the way up she heard news that already Emily Wong was making good use of the information she had been given. Girl works fast, I'll give her that. At best she's going to be anchor for the whole Citadel in a few years.
She led the way over to the Council chambers, Tali remarking that there had once been a quarian diplomat, but that soon changed after the geth incident. "It's been three hundred years, surely people don't still bear that great a grudge?"
"What would the relatives of Eden Prime say?" Tali replied quietly.
"It's human nature to want a scape goat," she admitted. "But that doesn't make it acceptable to treat an entire race like second class citizens."
"Sometimes it is easier this way, makes it easier to slip under the radar, and I think the Admiralty would prefer it this way."
"Admiralty?" Shepard knew nearly nothing about quarian society, no one did.
"I will explain later, it is a complicated story."
The elcor diplomat was delighted to hear that his data was now safe, or at least, that was the emotion he was saying he was. The elcor Ambassador was certainly grateful, and Shepard had another short chat, before she excused herself and headed for the consort's chambers.
"I've never actually been in here before," Garrus remarked as they went inside.
"It's just another set of rooms, and another asari." Shepard couldn't quite make herself believe it, and Garrus clearly picked up on it.
"Indeed, and I suppose you're just another human Spectre, right?"
"You ever consider not talking sometimes?"
"I tried it once, didn't suit me."
Garrus and Tali waited behind as Shepard went into the consort's chambers. The asari was delighted with her success, and thanked her profusely. Shepard just tried to sound humble enough about it. Too much praise made her edgy.
"I also have one more thing to give you, if you are interested."
"I'd be honoured." What the hell is she going to do now?
The consort stepped in close. "I offer a gift of words, an affirmation of who you are and who you will become. I see the sadness behind your eyes; it tells a story that makes me want to weep, pain and loss, but it drives you, makes you strong. That strength is what kept you alive when everyone around you was dying, you alone survived, you will continue to survive.
"This may be who you are, but it is not who you will become it only forms the basis for your future greatness, remember these words when doubt descends commander."
For the first time in a long time, Shepard thought of Akuze, and her memories were bearable, not pleasant, but bearable. "You have quite a gift Sha'ira."
The consort smiled her enigmatic smile and pushed a small trinket into her hands as well.
"What is it?"
"A small mystery, I have never learned it's use or purpose, but I sense it is time for me to pass it on."
Feeling like she was in far over her head, but simultaneously like she was suddenly free of restraints, Shepard thanked the consort and left, saying nothing to Garrus and Tali as they returned to the ambassador's room.
AN:- I think there's lot of spelling mistakes in this one. I haven't set my spell checker to ignore any of the words unique to Mass Effect, so whenever I have long conversation moments, like the Council chambers bit, I end up staring at a mass of red squiggly lines, and I have to start digging out which are the real spelling mistakes and which are just names. Since I'm typing as the conversation unfolds on screen, you can imagine there are quite a few mistakes being made.
Remember when I left Williams and Wrex alone in the ambassador's office? In no way is that going to come back and bite Shepard in the ass when the next chapter starts. Heheh.
Next chapter they get off the Citadel and start exploring, and the style may change a bit as I start writing in a lot more crew interaction that I make up of my own head, so I hope everyone still likes it. Again, if you spotted something which needs immediate changing or you think would make the story better plase don't hesitate to point it out. I don't think this product is perfect after all. To people who read the prologue when it was first posted, it's now been updated and rewritten a little to be not quite as rubbish, so you might want to go and check it out.
Next chapter by the weekend, that's my goal. Hopefully another two or three over the weekend as I have some more time off to play the game as well. Might even be finished by next week at this rate. I wish. Please read and review.