The cipher transfer was relatively simple.
Liara's comments about the joining being somewhat intimate meant that Shiala received a fair amount of scowling from a certain Gunnery Chief.
Once Harry had explained the situation between Ashley and Shepard, Shiala had assured the human woman that she had no interest in the Commander and that Liara T'Soni was still young and inexperienced so she didn't have a lot of experience in that side of things.
Liara was a little insulted by that but Shiala was nearly three hundred years old. She had to respect the wisdom of her elders.
Harry had also asked Shiala to give him a copy of the transfer.
Harry's digital brain was able to process the information so that the integration was seamless. The geth quickly used the information to create an update for the machine translators. Now they could all read and understand prothean.
Liara found herself quickly forgiving Shiala as she went into overdrive translating old prothean artefacts.
Harry didn't have the heart to tell her that the geth had already finished translating all recorded finds.
"Ground team to the conference room. Ground team to the conference room immediately."
Harry frowned at the urgent sound of the XO's voice. He quickly rolled off the rafter and landed softly in front of Ashley and Shiala.
Shiala had taken to working with Ashley so she could offer tips on how to get and keep her man. Apparently she had married a human but he had passed away a decade ago. She remembered him fondly.
"This cannot be good." Ashley muttered as the group joined Wrex and Garrus at the lift with Tali.
"There wasn't even this much urgency when we rescued the marines on Edolus." Harry agreed.
Thanks to the improved lift they only took a minute to get to the conference room where Kaiden and Liara were already seated with Shepard standing nearby. Admiral Hackett was there via hologram.
"People, we have a major emergency." Hackett addressed them. "A group of batarian terrorists have taken control of a mining asteroid and diverted it onto a collision course with the local human colony of Terra Nova. We have had no contact with the asteroid except for the initial distress call.
"You people have proven yourselves to be the best and I need you to get to the asteroid and attempt to stop its current course. There are millions of innocent civilians on Terra Nova, each and everyone of them is counting on you."
"Admiral, why not use the fleet? Blow the asteroid into smaller pieces that will burn up in the atmosphere." Kaiden asked.
"This asteroid is the size of a small moon." Shepard explained. "It doesn't matter how small the pieces, it will contaminate the air and blot out all light."
"How are they moving the asteroid?" Harry asked.
"The asteroid was intended to be used as an orbital port facility. Several large fusion torches were installed to move it into orbit with Terra Nova. The batarians have restarted the torches."
The Admiral could be seen punching buttons in front of him as the display screen lit up showing the schematics and readouts of Asteroid X57.
"Admiral, according to the geth, even if we kill the torches the asteroid will keep going. There won't be enough time to rotate the asteroid and the torches won't be enough to stop the asteroid once it is caught in Terra Nova's gravitational pull." Harry said.
"You're positive? My experts were… hopeful."
"The geth are putting several servers on the problem but several facts are clear. The torches wouldn't be enough, the asteroid can't be turned in time and we are going to need more than just the Normandy to pull this off."
"Damn." Hackett swore. "Do they have any ideas?"
"They are working on it but at the moment it might be best to go with Kaiden's plan and blow the asteroid. It will at least give us time to evacuate the planet."
"I can mobilise the fifth, first and third fleets and be there within two hours. One fleet should be enough to blow the asteroid and all three will be able to handle evacuation."
"Admiral, I know this is not the ideal solution but hopefully it will be the action of last resort as the geth are still working the problem." Harry assured him.
"I know, and we absolutely appreciate it. I'll have the fleets moved immediately but we will wait until the last possible moment before putting the plan into action. Hackett out."
As the Admiral's image disappeared Shepard turned to the group.
"There are approximately fifty workers on the asteroid along with an unknown number of batarian terrorists. We need to get in, find the workers, eliminate the terrorists and shutdown the torches."
"If I might suggest altering the priority slightly." Shiala spoke up. "Whilst saving the workers would be optimal, shutting down the torches is non-negotiable. If possible, send a scout to determine the make up of the current occupants of each torch. If there are no workers present then an orbital strike may be more prudent."
"Harry, could you get in and out without being detected?" Shepard asked the wizard.
Harry examined the data the geth had on the torches and their bases.
"I can do it." Harry said slowly. "We'll need the Stingray to get me between the torches."
"This is strange behaviour for batarians." Garrus said thoughtfully. "There is no profit to be had."
"It is well known that the batarian Hegemony has accused the humans of stealing their territories." Shiala offered. "This could be an act of revenge."
"That was decades ago!" Ashley argued.
"Even humans have long memories." She pointed out. "Although it is the height of hypocrisy on the part of the batarians as they invaded several Council planets and constantly attack Council colonies for slave raids." She said in disgust. "Anyone who steps foot on a batarian world is instantly considered property of the Hegemony."
"We'll discuss the sociological flaws of the batarians later." Shepard interrupted. "As important as it is to know their motivations we still need to stop this asteroid."
"Get me a batarian and I can find out for you." Harry said quietly. "Just like I did on Noveria."
"Do what you can Harry, just don't get caught." Shepard instructed.
It took thirty minutes to get Harry to each of the torches where he was able to confirm that there were no workers present. Some distance away from each torch they left a Marine sniper team that would pick off any batarian that tried to leave.
Harry encountered one human skulking around the second torch who he quickly stunned and transfigured into a marble before taking him back to the Stingray for the others to interrogate whilst he dealt with the third torch.
The man, Simon Atwell, was the Chief Engineer and was able to give them information on the leader of the terrorists, Balak, and the location of three scientists who would need rescuing.
Harry's ship had arrived by this point and Simon was sent on board to go and retrieve the scientists.
This just left the main facility that housed the workers.
There were no guards outside. There were no sensor stations. Just a bunch of batarians with defence and rocket drones.
Harry and Tali managed to hack the drones into taking out several batarians before they were taken down. Tali then sent in her own drone to harass the batarians whilst the team began their assault.
The team truly began to see the benefits of having a highly skilled asari commando on their side as Shiala literally decimated the terrorists.
No quarter was given as the team killed every batarian they saw until there were only three left.
"Stop or I'll detonate the bomb."
"Cease fire!" Shepard shouted as he saw a batarian holding a dead man's switch.
"So, the infamous Commander Shepard has come to save his precious colony." The batarian snarled.
"Commander, are we really going to let him give his villain speech?" Ashley asked in disgust.
"Arrogant primate!" The batarian snapped angrily. "You think you are entitled to everything! You took our planets, our resources our-
"You took our people!" Ashley shouted.
"Fair game." The batarian shrugged.
"Harry?" Shepard asked.
"The geth have jammed all signals in the building. They are sending their own signal to the bomb so it won't detonate. He's got nothing." Harry shrugged.
"I… I..." Shepard sighed. "This idiot isn't worth my time."
"I will kill all your kind!" The batarian shouted as he raised his weapon.
Harry was quicker as he summoned the weapons to him. He dropped them casually on the ground as he walked towards the now very worried trio of terrorists.
"Tell me, Balak, which of your two friends here do you consider the weakest?" Harry asked dangerously as he stood three feet away from them.
"If you are going to kill me then get on with it." Balak snarled.
"Kill you? No, you deserve a fate far worse than death." Harry sneered. "You've actually made me hate you, Balak. Having me hate is a very bad idea. It gives me access to abilities I shouldn't have." Harry's hand shot out. "CRUCIO!" Harry screamed.
Balak fell to the floor screaming in agony.
Harry dropped the spell. "Tell me Balak, which of your two friends is the weakest?"
"I will defile your women!"
"CRUCIO!"
"Harry!" Shepard shouted.
"The left one! The left one!" Balak cried as the spell ended.
In one swift movement Harry's sword was out and the head of the batarian on the right fell to the floor… his body following a second later.
Harry turned to the other batarian. "Pay very close attention to me 'Left One'." Harry said with a dangerous calm. "You are to return to the Hegemony. Tell them that they have angered the Emissary and thus, they have angered the geth. Tell them that I will be coming for them with the geth. If they surrender themselves they will live, fight and I will make them suffer before they die."
"The Hegemony will never surrender!" The batarian snarled.
Harry's sword flashed out, this time impaling the batarian through the stomach.
"Now you have no one to deliver your message." Balak said mockingly through pain gritted teeth.
Harry knelt beside the shivering and shaking batarian and gave a humourless smile. "I wasn't looking for a messenger, I was looking for the message.
"Right now, the Hegemony and every batarian on every batarian world is watching us now. They have seen you brought to your knees by a human. They have heard my message and they know I am coming." Harry indicated the security cameras around the room.
"I will destroy the Hegemony if they do not surrender. I will free the slaves, including the batarian ones.
"But most importantly, Balak, you will get to watch the whole thing courtesy of human hospitality." Harry sneered. "I am coming for the Hegemony. Beg for my mercy."
Harry turned and stormed towards the trapped hostages. "He's all yours Commander."
Harry reached the door to the hostages and used a biotic pull to rip it off its hinges.
The hostages had heard and witnessed everything and were a little afraid of this human. They decided to stay at the back of the room as Harry picked up the large, trunk-sized bomb, placed it on one shoulder and marched out.
"Commander?" Kaiden broke the silence as they watched Harry leave.
Shepard shook himself. "Alenko, T'Soni, deal with the hostages. Garrus, Wrex, keep an eye on Balak."
"Should I go after Harry?" Ashley asked.
"Not this time." Shepard said thoughtfully. "I think we should let him cool off."
The asteroid was suddenly rocked by several tremors.
"Joker, report!" Shepard barked.
"The geth just took out the torches. The rock is still moving but it isn't accelerating anymore, Commander."
"Understood. Any word on the fleets?"
"It will be another ninety minutes before they arrive. There will be plenty of time to enact the failsafe plan."
"Good, keep-"
"Whoa! Commander, a geth fleet just came out of the mass effect relay. At least I hope it is."
"Try hailing them."
"No worries Commander. They've hailed us. They are here to assist in moving the asteroid. They are recommending that we evacuate the asteroid."
"Bring the Normandy down. We'll have to handle the evacuation ourselves."
"Copy that, Commander. Normandy out."
"Ash, Shiala and Tali, help Liara and Kaiden evacuate the colonists to the Normandy. Garrus, contact the Stingray and have it come and pick you Wrex and Balak up until we can hand him over to the fleet."
"Yes Commander." Garrus nodded.
"Commander. Thank you for your efforts on X57." Hackett said as he boarded the Normandy. "We still have the failsafe plan to deal with if necessary but in the meantime the geth have a most… audacious plan." It was clear that Hackett was still in awe of whatever the geth had suggested.
"Admiral?" Shepard asked curiously.
"The geth… well, they intend to fly the asteroid."
"I thought the torches wouldn't be enough?"
"They intend to land several of their dreadnaughts and use their mass effect fields to lower the mass of the asteroid making it easy to move."
"They can generate a field that big and powerful? I know Harry's ship can generate a field to encompass his ship and the Normandy but this… this is a whole new ball game."
"I spoke to Potter and he says that the geth can combine their fields. My science advisors are screaming at me, telling me that all it will do is cause a massive explosion. But my gut is saying to trust the geth. What do you think, Commander?"
"I think your scientists have overlooked the fact that the geth already know the risks. They are prepared to accept them. They also know that we are prepared to blow up the asteroid and evacuate the planet… this is more than a favour, Admiral. This is a sacrifice." Shepard said seriously.
"The geth would really do this?" Hackett asked, not quite believing it.
Shepard gave a sad smile. "Normally I would say no. But Harry… he adds new variables and considerations to everything."
"Damn." Hackett muttered. "Where is Potter? He contacted me from his ship after he transferred several scientists to the Normandy."
Shepard looked up sharply. "You don't know where his ship is?"
"The relay activated but we couldn't track any ships."
"Shit." Shepard swore. "Geth, can you hear me?"
Shepard's omni-tool lit up.
"We hear you, Shepard Commander." Came the synthetic tones.
"What is Harry doing?"
"Potter Emissary is ending the threat of the Hegemony."
"He's attacking Khar'shan? Alone?" Hackett asked.
"Potter Emissary wishes to avoid war. He intends to attack the Hegemony directly. He will take control of the government before freeing the slaves."
"He's going to get himself killed! The batarians will send in their soldiers!" Shepard argued.
"A geth fleet is on standby."
"What are the statistics of Harry surviving?" He demanded, he could tell the geth were being cagey.
"Thirty-seven percent."
"Dammit!"
"However, the Potter factors allow for a thirty-two percent chance of error in our calculations."
"Potter factors?" Hackett asked.
"Williams, Gunnery Chief: 'Harry is one lucky bastard.'"
Hackett and Shepard were surprised to hear a recording of the Chief's voice.
The Hegemony was in total panic.
It wasn't the fact that someone had threatened to invade them; that happened often enough. Everyone from the turians to the elcor had threatened.
So they weren't too worried about a bunch of humans flapping their lips at them.
No. It was the fact that the Hegemony had lost control of its communication systems.
Specifically the ones that pumped out propaganda messages to the higher castes and will breaking taunts to the slaves.
Currently the system was replaying the whole event with Balak and the humans.
They couldn't shut it down and the slaves were getting uppity.
The Hegemony was beginning to worry.
"We should activate the slave implants." A rather fat batarian said anxiously. "Incapacitate them now."
"If we do that we could lose a harsh percentage of our current stock." Another argued.
"Better than losing all of it!"
A batarian in uniform came running into the large, luxurious room. "Sir, a strange black ship has been spotted in the skies above the city, heading this way."
"Why hasn't it been shot down?" The fat batarian demanded.
"It eludes our sensors. It-"
*BOOM*
The room was filled with dust and debris as something fell through the ceiling to land on the large ornate table.
As the dust settled they saw what appeared to be a quarian standing on their table in matt black armour.
The helmet retracted to reveal a human.
"I told you I was coming." It said with a Death's Head grin.
The slave masters were scared stiff as the cries of rejoicing increased. All around them the monitors were showing the strange human land in the palace of the Hegemony.
It cast a singularity so large that any soldier who tried to enter the room to aid the Hegemony was caught in its pull.
The human turned to the camera but the face was obscured somehow. "I am the Emissary of the Geth. I was born human.
"The batarian government has launched a cowardly attack on innocent humans today. For decades they have stolen the loved ones of various races.
"Today that ends. Today I will free the slaves and see you returned to your families.
"Every slave is implanted with a control device that can inflict massive amounts of pain and can kill them." The human chuckled. "The Hegemony fears being supplanted so all batarians are required to have them unless they are in the Hegemony. All slave masters are now slaves."
All around the batarian empire the slave masters fell to the ground in agony.
"Yes, the tables are turning. By the end of this day, your planets will be patrolled by geth who will ensure your safety and security. I will be reaching out to Council races to seek aid for things like food and medicine.
"I will see you become better than your former masters."
The image cut off and the slaves truly began to rejoice.
"Sir, the whole of Council Space saw that broadcast." A nearby tech informed Hackett and Shepard.
"Are we sure it was Potter?" Hackett demanded.
"It sounded like him. He was the right build, moved like him… and the geth are confirming it as him." Shepard said as his omni-tool lit up.
"That boy has just single-handedly conquered an empire."
"Sir, with all due respect, I don't think Harry is a threat. I don't think he has any intention of doing anything other than freeing the slaves." Shepard reasoned.
"It's not his intentions I am worried about. It's the response of the Council." Hackett explained. "If he stays true to his word, and I don't doubt he will, then when we get floods of long lost humans returning to Earth then the Alliance Government will have no choice but to declare him a hero… again.
"I just don't know what the Council will think."
"Sir, I've got Ambassador Udina and the Council asking for Commander Shepard."
"Speak of the devil." Hackett grumbled.
The Commander and Admiral headed out of the CIC and into the conference room.
"Oh, this ought to be interesting. They are calling separately." Hackett mused.
"We could always make Udina wait." Shepard offered.
Hackett punched up the screens and four holograms appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have just been informed of the events on Khar'shan but at the moment my Commander and I are a little busy trying to stop a batarian attack from wiping out millions of innocent civilians. We will get back to you as soon as we are done."
The link cut out and Shepard was left staring wide-eyed at his superior.
"Potter and the batarians aren't an imminent threat to the Council. The batarians are an imminent threat to humans. That and I want to speak to Potter first."
People throughout Citadel space were torn between watching the slaves being freed on batarian worlds or watching the geth fly an entire asteroid.
By the time the geth were ready to begin their manoeuvre, night had fallen on the planets largest city and people were out in force as they watched the large glowing blue asteroid fly high above them.
Hackett and Shepard were involved in a conversation with Harry via holograms.
"Harry, what were you thinking?" Shepard demanded.
"Have you ever been captured by the enemy, Commander? Your files say no. So you wouldn't understand. You would have a moral outrage but no true empathy. The Admiral on the other hand…"
"You were captured by enemy forces and tortured?" Hackett asked stiffly.
"Admiral, from the age of one to eleven, I spent my time as a slave. I lived in a tiny cupboard and was beaten for failing at tasks.
"There was no way I was going sit back and let others suffer that way."
"Son, I can understand… and agree with what you did." Hackett said. "But you have kicked up a major political shit storm."
"I can handle that. However, how would you like to put humans in the spotlight as the primary contributors to the galaxy?" Harry asked with a smile.
"What did you have in mind?"
"The geth tell me that they have complete control of the asteroid. That means your fleets are no longer needed at Terra Nova. I have several million slaves of varying species that need to be returned home. You just happen to have several fleets assigned for a mass evacuation… care to do the honours?"
"You want us to transport all of the slaves back to their home worlds?" Hackett asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Humanity at its best." Harry nodded. "The Council will be hard pressed to ignore you if you prove to be so pivotal."
"I will need a few hours at the least to consult with my colleagues, but I can promise you the fifth fleet at least."
"Great. I will be returning shortly as the geth have things under control and Shepard still has his mission."
"We don't have any leads yet so we might as well return to the Citadel and give the crew some shore leave." Shepard suggested.
"I'll need to meet you on the Normandy, I don't want to bring my ship into the Citadel."
"We'll wait for you to return."
It took a day and a half for Harry to get back to the Normandy as to save time Harry and the Normandy travelled separately to the Citadel, they met just inside the relay to Widow System in the Serpent Nebula.
"Harry, do you realise how much trouble you have caused?" Shepard asked tiredly as they sat in Shepard's quarters, waiting to dock at the Citadel.
"Let's see, I just over threw a government and took control. Freed several hundred million slaves. Helped save a planet full of people from being squished… how am I doing?" He grinned.
"For the record, Hackett and most of humanity think you are a hero." Shepard sighed. "But they aren't the ones you need to worry about. It's the politicians who will cause you problems."
"The Council races can't do a damned thing without starting a war." Harry said dismissively. "The geth believe in free will. They didn't like the batarian government anymore than I did. Anyone who tries to harm the Free People of Bataria will be dealt with by the geth and myself."
"Harry, you do realise that the batarian home world is called Khar'shan?"
"Not anymore." Harry said proudly. "I renamed it. The Free People of Bataria will be starting a brand new culture and it begins with a new name for their home world."
"You haven't even been in this time period for a month." Shepard sighed.
"Harry Potter, you are under arrest for contraventions of the Citadel Treaties." Sparatus said with glee as Harry and the team approached the petitioner's platform.
Surrounding the team were several heavily armed men and women of varying species.
Based on the fact that none of them wore a uniform, just armour, and that none were human, Harry deduced that they were spectres.
"Based on what evidence?" Harry asked calmly.
The rest of the team had pulled their weapons in his defence.
"You violated various treaties the Citadel had with the batarian Hegemony." Tevos said sadly.
"No, I didn't."
"We saw you attack the Hegemony!" Sparatus snapped.
"Show me the proof."
The holographic display lit up to show the attacker addressing the batarians. "I am the Emissary of the Geth."
"Try as you might, you can't deny that is you." Sparatus smirked.
"I can't see my face up there. I didn't hear my name mentioned." Harry said a little snarkily. "All I heard was someone claiming to be an Emissary of the Geth."
"You came to this very room using that title. Do you deny it?" Valern asked curiously.
"No. Are you saying that I am this 'Emissary of the Geth'?" Harry asked calmly.
"Of course! You told us yourself!" Sparatus said as he got more frustrated. "You claimed to be the Emissary of the Geth and you are clearly the Emissary of the Geth on that video."
Harry allowed himself to smile. "In that case, you have no jurisdiction."
"You invaded the batarian home world! The Council Treaties-"
"Only apply to member races of the Council." Harry interrupted the irate turian. "Neither the geth nor the batarians are members of the Council or of the Citadel. As such, they are not bound by your treaties. Anything that occurs between them is a private matter and the Council would do well to remember such unless they wish to be seen as warmongering."
Tevos was beginning to wish that she hadn't agreed to make this a public hearing. The evidence had seemed so sound at first and Sparatus was just foaming at the mouth for the opportunity to deal with the upstart human.
"You are human. You fall under the domain of humans. Therefore you are subject to our laws." Sparatus smirked.
"Actually, Emissary Potter is mostly geth." Shepard interrupted. "I've seen most of his medical files and my ship's doctor insists that in the event of the Emissary needing medical attention, he is to be returned to the geth."
"Really?" Sparatus said with a sinister smile. "Then we will just have to prove that for ourselves. Spectres, take Potter into custody. We'll have our scientists examine him."
The spectres managed one step before Harry's hand shot straight up and every occupant in the Council Chambers was placed in a stasis field. From Sparatus to Tali, no one was free except for Harry.
Harry had knowledge of all spells and magical techniques documented thanks to the geth and the last wizards who had wanted to preserve as much of their culture as possible and created websites of 'fictional' spells. Only a true wizard would be able to use them.
The rest of humanity would assume they were insane biotics.
Harry knew the spell that Voldemort used to fly.
He employed it himself as he slowly rose off the petitioner's platform and over to float less than a metre from Sparatus.
"You want proof that I am geth?" Harry scowled. "I could kill you. No one here can stop me. I could take your head and carry it around as a trophy.
"But that wouldn't prove I am geth.
"No… I'm not going to kill you physically." Harry gave a dark smile. "I'm going to kill you digitally."
Harry floated back to the platform.
"I never gave my name back on Bataria. I wanted anonymity. I wanted to be able walk through the universe without being mobbed. But now you have removed that option. You had these proceedings broadcast because of your stupid arrogance!" Harry spat. "Well know this: I am Harry James Potter, Emissary of the geth and of the batarian people. I am considered the sovereign ruler of my people.
"An attack on me is an act of war… and when you consider I hold the loyalty of two species… that could be a very dangerous prospect."
Harry removed the stasis field from the Councillors but left everyone else trapped.
"Now then, the Council is currently without a quorum." Harry informed them calmly. "I suggest you find a turian to replace your old friend Sparrow. Perhaps you will have remembered by then that the Citadel is supposed to be the centre of civilised space."
Harry turned to the still immobile team. "I'll be out exploring the Citadel. You can still contact me when you're ready."
He dropped the field from everyone else and vanished.
The Council chambers erupted in chaos.
Harry reappeared in front of the embassy reception.
"Goddess! How did you do that?" The receptionist said in shock. "You were just in the Council Chambers!" She indicated the various information screens around the Presidium that were showing the current events in the Chambers.
"Apparition." Harry smiled. "By the way, I'm Harry Potter." He held out his hand.
The asari smiled and took his hand. "Saphyria. I get to meet a lot of ambassadors and diplomats but I rarely get to meet the actual rulers. I have never met a ruler of two species before. I can say with certainty that none of them have stopped by just to chat."
"So how are you? It's been, what, a week? Managed to find some hair to explore?" Harry asked as he casually conjured a chair in front of her desk.
"How did you do that?" She asked in awe.
"Hey now! I asked first." Harry said with a playful pout.
"Alright, I'll answer first. Yes it has been about a week. I was curious after you left, not to mention a little wary of humans, so I went and spoke to my sister, Nelyna, she works as an acolyte for the Consort. She also works closely with many females of other races including humans. A few of the female humans were also outraged about what had happened. The Consort has offered me her protection."
"Good." Harry nodded firmly. "It would be so easy to judge a race by their politicians." He indicated the chaos still being shown on the screens. "Fortunately I have met a fair few asari who are good people."
"You should go and visit the Consort. You won't be able to get an appointment for months but just tell my sister I sent you and how I know you and she can introduce you to much better examples of various species than what I deal with. Oh goddess!" She gasped as she realised what she had just said in the middle of the Citadel Embassies. She looked around worriedly. "Did anyone hear me say that?"
"No, but don't worry, I put up a few charms and protections. When I sat down so we could enjoy some privacy. People can see us, but as far as they are concerned we are discussing something boring… like forms and red tape." Harry gave a shudder.
"Well, I answered your question, how about you answer mine? How did you make that chair and what are charms?" She smiled, eager to learn.
"Have you ever heard of magic?" Harry asked as he say back.
"Not in any detail." She frowned. "I heard that back when biotics were still new to humans they called it magic."
"That is true. But, biotics are simply a very primitive form of magic."
Harry was pleased when Saphyria didn't immediately scoff but maintained her look of curiosity.
"A biotic has the ability to manipulate the mass of an object and the environment. They can levitate, push and pull things. They can even use them to create a gravitational event known as a 'singularity'.
"A person capable of magic can use the same power source to do the same things but instead of manipulating the mass of an object, they can manipulate reality. It is what allows a person like myself to conjure a chair from nothing."
"But, shouldn't there be more magicals then?" She asked.
"There used to be. But for some reason the magicals lost the ability to use magic. They all became biotics."
"How are you able to do it then?"
Harry smiled sadly. "I was born more than two hundred years ago, but I am only twenty years old. An accident occurred and I was thrown forward two hundred years to land on the planet Rannoch. That is why I can use magic still."
"Rannoch?" Saphyria lit up at the name of the planet. "My mother lived there. She was studying the quarian culture… she died during the geth uprising." She said sadly.
"What was her name?" Harry asked softly.
"Falinya, she loved the quarians."
"Come on Kater, dance with me!"
"Ok Aunty Fali."
Saphyria gasped as her screen lit up and displayed a movie of her mother dancing with a bluish-purple little boy with short dark hair and three fingers.
"The geth remember everything. They preserve the memories of the Creators, hoping that one day they will return. They especially remember the people who cared for them during the uprising." Harry said quietly. "They remember that your mother and the family that she stayed with tried to hide the family geth from the soldiers. She gave her life in the hopes of saving the geth."
Saphyria was openly crying.
"Here, a full copy of all of the geth's memories of your mother and her time on Rannoch." Harry said as he handed over an OSD.
Saphyria painfully tore her eyes away from the images to the OSD in Harry's hand.
She shut down her computer and snatched the OSD before rounding the table. She grabbed Harry by the hand and dragged him out of his chair.
"We need to show my sister!" She said as she dragged Harry away from the embassies and over the pristine white bridge that spanned the lake.
Short of ripping Saphyria's arm off, Harry had little choice but to follow her.
It wasn't a long trip but the sight of a human being bodily dragged by a very determined asari amused many of the Presidium residents.
They eventually arrived at the entrance of the Consorts domain. There was an asari manning the reception desk.
"Nelyna, you need to get someone to cover for you."
"Saphyria, what is wrong?" She asked as she saw her sister's tear-streaked face. She saw Harry and scowled. "Is this one of those human males who has been harassing you?"
"No, this is Harry. He is the one who told me about them. He is the Emissary of the Geth." She added with a whisper. "He gave me something you need to see."
Nelyna turned to another nearby acolyte and she was quickly relieved.
She led them to a nearby empty room, which was decorated as a small lounge.
"Ok now what is so important that you dragged me from duties… and clearly abandoned yours?"
"Harry, can you do that thing you did again?" Saphyria asked as she indicated the display on the wall.
Just like her sister, Nelyna was entranced by the scenes of her mother playing with a young quarian.
"I promise you that as soon as the quarians have agreed to peace with the geth and are back on Rannoch, the geth themselves will take you to Rannoch. They have a very high opinion of people like your mother." Harry told them quietly.
Nelyna scowled. "The quarians will never agree to peace. They are too stupid. They think they are entitled to own a sentient life form."
"Nelyna." Saphyria scolded softly.
"It's true, have you seen the way they treat Avina? It may only be a VI but there is no reason to be rude… they would never treat an air-car or spaceship like that." Nelyna said angrily.
"In the event that the quarian government refuses to listen to reason I will start reaching out to quarians on their pilgrimage." Harry shrugged. "Within the next year or so I intend to have quarians living on Rannoch without their suits."
"You can fix their immune systems?" Saphyria asked.
"Yep. The geth made these nanites that are in my blood. They just reprogrammed them to maintain a quarian's immune system." Harry grinned.
"You do realise the inherent problem with that plan, don't you." Nelyna said with a sad look. "The quarian's will not trust anything made by the geth… especially nanites. They will accuse you of trying to poison them."
"I'm hoping that once they see a few of their fellow quarians walking around they will put aside their fears."
"Well… he did just liberate the slaves of the batarians." Saphyria pointed out to her sister.
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Nelyna called out.
Another acolyte opened the door. A human female with brown hair. "Sha'ira asked to speak with your guest when you are done, Nelyna."
"He doesn't have an appointment." Nelyna said.
"She knows, but she was quite persistent, she- she was practically begging." The girl said a little worriedly.
"Oh goddess, that can't be good." Nelyna sighed. "It would probably be best if we took you to see her now."
"Can I leave Harry with you? I should really return to my desk." Saphyria said.
"If Sha'ira is that desperate to talk with him then she probably won't mind me accompanying him out if he wants."
Having said goodbye to Harry and giving him a heartfelt, thankful hug, Saphyria headed back to the embassies whilst Nelyna led Harry upstairs.
In a well-appointed room stood an asari in a long, simple, flowing dress, just like the acolytes.
"Emissary, thank you for meeting with me." She said sincerely and with a hint of relief. "Nelyna, I will send for you when we are finished."
"Yes My Lady." She bowed before backing out and closing the door.
"You're Sha'ira?" Harry asked politely.
"Yes, I am also known as the Consort." She smiled as she indicated for them to sit.
Harry had downloaded all the information on the Consort and knew that she was revered on the Citadel. She had friends and contacts amongst the highest players in the galaxy.
"I assume you want to find out what sort of person I am, how I might influence things?" Harry asked seriously.
Sha'ira laughed musically. "Goddess! Anyone with an eye can see that you will be a force for change. Wherever you go you will bring chaos in the short term… but in the long term… you are a champion. Justice will be delivered where your feet land. Peace will follow your passing."
"Which means I don't get any rest for myself though." Harry sighed.
"Do not mistake 'rest' and 'peace' for happiness." She warned lightly. "You would not appreciate the peaceful tranquillity of living out the decades of your life on sandy beaches. Your spirit would become restless. Your happiness is in what you can achieve. You will achieve much, and I doubt you will do it alone. You will have your friends, your comrades and eventually, you may even have a mate.
"A spirit such as yours may have more than one mate."
Harry was decidedly uncomfortable discussing his love life.
But Sha'ira was not renowned and respected just for her looks. She quickly changed the subject.
"No, I could tell what sort of a man you were just from your actions earlier with the Council. Although you were somewhat… aggressive, you did not overstep your bounds as a sovereign of two states."
"I'm not really the sovereign." Harry said dismissively. "I don't have any power, I am just acting as the face of the new batarian government and the geth… who actually are the new batarian government." He added as something of an after thought.
"The power you hold over the two nations is not political from your point of view, but for the races of Citadel Space, you are… an emperor." She searched for the appropriate term. "You have no need nor desire to run a government so you appoint one. But they must come to you for advice."
"I hope it won't be a problem." Harry scowled. "I have an appointment with a certain old machine and my sword."
"Old machine?" Sha'ira asked.
"The ship that Saren is using is an ancient artificial intelligence intent on wiping out all organics. The geth call it an old machine. Or a Reaper. It calls itself Nazara, Saren calls it Sovereign." Harry explained.
"Which is what makes your mission so important." She nodded. "I have… 'seen' that you will be pivotal in aiding Commander Shepard in defeating the on coming storm. You will be more than just a member of his team. You will bring together various races… I cannot see for certain but I have faith you will achieve peace between the geth and the quarians… but the path to that peace may be long and bloody."
"When you say 'see', what do you mean?"
"You are strange, Emissary. Normally I would offer my clients words of wisdom, occasionally wrapped in cryptic phrases. But with you… I feel no need." She frowned. "I have been gifted with a form of foresight. It can be fleeting and at times, far too vague. But it is how I am so successful in my role. It is not because of my beauty and skilful touch, but for my words."
"You're a seer." Harry said as he sat up excitedly. "You have an actual magical gift! This is brilliant!"
Sha'ira nodded. "Yes, I have searched the cultures and histories of many races, but it was humans who had the most information on the gift of foresight."
"So… have you seen me in the future? You haven't been giving any prophecies, have you?" He asked worriedly.
"I do not believe I have made any prophetic declarations… but I have seen you. I saw that we would meet today. I can see a future where the quarians and geth live in harmony… but not a timeframe, it could be centuries.
"But meeting you today, in this room has given me a hint of how I can help you. Or… to be more precise, how you can help me and secure yourself a valuable ally."
"I really hope you aren't going to be cryptic with me." Harry said dryly.
She laughed again. "That would only annoy you. I know that much.
"I have a problem with a turian, he was a regular client but I allowed him to get too close, he wanted more and I had to push him away." She said sadly. "He is a good man but in his pain he has lashed out and is making enemies and mistakes.
"I would ask you to go to him. Reason with him. Based on your success or failure you should know whether he will be what you need."
"Cryptic." Harry said bluntly.
She smiled sadly. "It is all I know. Images and feelings. Interpreting them is very troublesome."
"I'll let you know how it goes." Harry said as he stood up. "I don't suppose you know where I can find him?"
"He spends his time drinking in Chora's Den. It is contributing to his bad decisions."
"See you in a bit then."
"Just speak to one of the girls and they will show you up when you return."
Harry made it downstairs only to find three irate females arguing with several of the acolytes.
"Look, we just want to make sure he is ok!" The human reasoned.
"He is with the Consort. He couldn't be safer!"
"Not for long he won't be." The quarian growled. "Doesn't he have any shame? Playing about with over priced-"
"I'd advise you not to finish that sentence." Nelyna growled. "You insult the Consort and your friend."
"Please, he is important to us. Just sen- Ma- Harry, there you are." The asari said in relief.
"Ash, Tali, Shiala, what brings you three to this neck of the woods?" Harry grinned.
"You ya big idiot. You know my orders. I'm the one who gets in trouble if you are out of my sight." Ashley grumbled.
"I too felt a… need to check on you." Shiala said pointedly and with something of a pained look.
"I just want to know what you were doing with that… consort." Tali said dangerously. "Why would you even come to this place?" She demanded.
"Nelyna's sister wanted me to meet her. The Consort heard I was here and asked to see me. She had a favour to ask." Harry shrugged.
"So you just talked?"
"Of course. What else would I do?" Harry asked not understanding Tali's anger.
"What was the favour?" Ash asked, trying to distract the pair.
"She just wants me to talk to a specific turian in Chora's Den."
"Oh, that would be wonderful, Harry." Nelyna said in relief. "Things have been getting a little bit stressful with all the false rumours running around."
"Sha'ira seemed to think I could deal with this so why not."
"Do we need to warn C-Sec about an upcoming blood bath?" Ashley grimaced.
"I am not the one who got into a fire fight down there."
"No, you were the one who painted the ceiling with a turian and two salarians." She countered.
Harry struggled for a counter argument before he pointed wildly at Tali. "She shot me!"
"Leave me out of this." Tali said. "I'm no fool. I saw you had armour which is why I aimed for your chest and not your unprotected head."
"Then your aim sucks." Ash grinned.
"Children, please." Shiala spoke up with a small smile. "Nelyna has her duties and Harry has his task. Let us be about our day."
"Fine… but watch the 'children' stuff." Harry grumbled. "You're still just a maiden."
"You will be back, won't you Harry?" Nelyna asked hopefully.
"Probably later today… barring gunfights, politicians and indigestion."
"Don't your nanites prevent that?" Ashley asked.
"I was talking about Tali."
"Bosh'tet."