Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Shadow of the Republic. Enjoy the 1200- word chapter. I don't own Mass Effect or Star Trek, Bio Ware, Microsoft, Gene Roddenberry, Ea, and a few others do.

(Citadel, Milky Way, Serpent Nebula, Widow.)

Saldite and Shepard took cover, neither Romulan nor Human could hear much of the conversation but both knew the Quarrian was in danger.

"Wait for an opening, we can't risk her being killed." Both Commanders said to their crewmates who nodded and took cover.

"Where's the Shadow Broker?" The Quarrian asked to the Turian as he walked up to her.

"He'll be here, do you, have it?" She knocked his hand away.

"No way, deals off." Saldite and Shepard peaked over the crates to see two more assassins emerge from the shadows with pistols as she turned and tossed a mine before retreating.

"Now!" Shepard yelled as he and Saldite opened fire, killing the two assassins as the Turian rose to fire at them before Hacan killed him with 2 shots to the chest.

"He set me up, I knew I shouldn't have trusted Fist!" The Quarrian hissed as Shepard, Kaidan and Ashley leapt down as Saldite, Hacan and Culela swept the area before walking down the stairs.

"Were you hurt in the fight?" Shepard asked as Saldite holstered his disruptor pistol.

"I know how to handle myself in a fight, not that I don't appreciate the help. Who are you?" The Quarrian asked.

"My names Shepard, this is my friend Commander Saldite." Saldite nodded.

"We're looking for evidence to prove Saren is a traitor."

"Then a have a chance to repay you for saving my life, but not here, we need to go someplace safe." Saldite looked at Shepard.

"Why don't you bring her towards the council, some of my men from the Ishae are loading supplies for a trip…. Plus, I am unfamiliar with the politics of this place." Shepard shook his head.

"It'd do more good if you learned them now so you don't have to later… Plus we might not have time to discuss details for a while." Saldite nodded.

"Fair enough, Hacan, Culela, go to the hanger and make sure the shuttle is loaded for our return to the Ishae, I'll go with Shepard to meet the council." The Romulans nodded before running off.

"Lead the way, Commander." Saldite said as Shepard nodded and led the group out of the alley and towards a lift.

"So, Commander Saldite… What are you if you don't mind my asking?" The Quarrian asked.

"A Romulan, from the Romulan Republic." She nodded before asking something else.

"What is the Romulan Republic?" Saldite looked at her.

"Yeah, I've been wondering about that as well." Kaidan put in.

"We used to be part of an Empire called the Romulan Star Empire, we were ruled by a person called Empress Sera. After meeting with a Vulcan, a species similar to our own, and meeting a Vulcan known as Spock, our race became split after a while. the Tal' Shair, our military secret police and our former Empress, became our sworn enemy, we were declared rebels and forced to settle on New Romulus…."

"That sounds rough, so it's a civil war now?" Shepard asked as Saldite nodded

"I told you Romulans fight with sneaky tactics? Romulans are a race known for deceit and trickery, Shepard, our military tactics are all about using information against our enemy and ambushes… Something my leader wishes to break." The lift reached the top as the group filed out.

"I'll talk to Ambassador Udina, you stay here… He is… A lot more uptight then the council." Saldite nodded as Shepard, Kaidan, Ashley and the Quarrian entered the Ambassador's office before pulling his communicator off his belt.

"Culela, you guys get the supplies loaded?" The Romulan officer was answered 30 seconds later.

"Yes, the Ishae laughed 2 Scorpion fighters to escort the shuttle back and the Ishae is refueled and ready… Sub-Commander Rinsal is awaiting our next move."

Saldite nodded, he trusted Culela, she was one of his friends when the Romulans split and he had her transferred to the Ishae as soon as he was able to.

"Tell him that we are hunting the Geth and Saren down with Shepard. This place is different, Culela, we have a chance to defeat the Tal'Shair and expand the Republic here, we can't let Saren do to this place what the Empire plans to do to us…. Keep Hacan in line and see if you can finish thing sup before I get back to the hanger if you please."

Saldite ordered into the communicator.

"Roger, boss, I'll make sure Hacan doesn't degrade anyone before you get here, Centurion Culela out."

Saldite put his communicator back on his belt just in case he needed it just as Shepard, the Quarrian, Ashley Kaidan, and 2 humans, one of which Saldite guessed as Udina and the other Saldite guessed was a military officer judging by his appearance.

"You must be Commander Saldite, I'm Captain David Edward Anderson." He held out his hand which Saldite shook.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain. I haven't worked with many Humans since my species new government was set up, but Commander Shepard is turning out to be one I hope to work with again soon."

"See, Anderson? Even the Alien agrees a Human gets the job done, he'll be a Spectre in no time." Saldite glared at the man.

'He reminds me of most Romulans in the empire, arrogant, self-centered and only concerned with personal matters… I'll keep an eye on him.'

Saldite thought as Shepard spoke up.

"We should speak with the council, Saren could be causing a lot more damn destruction while we talk politics." Saldite nodded.

"Yes, but perhaps we should let… I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name." Saldite said turning to the Quarrian.

"It's Tali, Tali' Zorri Nar Rayya." Saldite nodded before turning back to Anderson.

"Perhaps we should let Tali speak first, give the council something to digest before we propose anything. It would be better to soften up the council by hitting them with a piece of info they don't expect then follow it up by speaking our mind… That's how Romulans do it… At least somewhat… On a battlefield, of course."

Saldite suggested as he was followed up by Anderson speaking up.

"We should at least let the council see the proof before we start trying to force them to do anything. Humanity doesn't have a lot of pull on the Citadel, last thing we should do is risk it by throwing orders that would damn our influence here before we show them our proof."

Anderson put in as Udina sighed.

"Agreed, I'll go get the council and convince them to let the Quarrian to show them her proof before we chime in with a suggestion." Anderson said as he walked away.

Author notes

Ok, Next chapter will be the journey to Feros, and will have Saldite and Shepard face off with the Geth and Thorian, this story will also involve the Tal'Shair but the will not be a factor until the Mass Effect 2 arc of the story. Until next time, Lighting Wolf out!