Chapter Twelve: [The Citadel – Embassies]
"This is like Cereal."
"What?"
"Come on, surely Spacers eat cereal too. Like when you were a kid and you'd have your cereal, and there'd be a mystery gift inside."
"And this is like that how?"
"Because we just don't know what we're going to get. Krogan? Salarian? Turian? Who's going to join our merry band? It's truly a mystery."
Nathan Harker turned away from Luke Spector and let his head fall, connecting with the wall of the elevator with a soft 'thunk'.
"How I've put up with you and this for eight years is the real mystery." He groaned, as the doors slid open. He made to pass into the main Embassy foyer, but something held him back.
"Hey." Luke mumbled, releasing his hold on Nathan's arm. "I'm serious now, okay. I... " His face took on a pained expression as he searched for words. Nathan's earlier frustration dissipated instantly, and he tried to pre-empt his friend's misery.
"And I'm too serious – Luke I'm sorry, I didn't mean that, I'm just..."
"On edge, I know." Spector spoke quickly, but with none of his usual bravado, "Because of this war, and because of Alec, and because of your... because of Jen... I, well, look: I know that you're hurting right now. And I haven't helped – I've been doing my usual shit. I'm sorry, I made a mistake. I should have been – no – I should be watching your back. But me and you, we'll get through this war, we'll get this N7 thing going and we'll cause some havoc, just like we always do." A smile spread across his face as he spoke, and a little of his customary energy returned, even starting to creep into Nathan's own beleaguered system. "It's always an honour, Captain."
Nathan nodded mutely, thankfully. He clasped a hand on Luke's shoulder, and the younger N7 responded with a grin that was much closer to his usual fare.
"Okay then – male bonding out of the way. Let's go do this," he sniggered as Nate rolled his eyes, "But, seriously, I'll try and shape it up. Anytime you need to talk."
"Yeah, I know." Nate nodded again, "Come on Luke, people are going to start talking. But thanks, all the same."
They moved off, side by side, into the ground floor of the Embassy atrium. The Embassies were much the same as anywhere on the Citadel presidium: shining white surfaces, abstract and passive decorations, the bright – yet artificial – shine of the station's simulated clear blue skies. However, with the advent Humanity's expanded role in Citadel politics the place had become adorned with several examples of flora and fauna native to Earth, and Alliance Military advertisements and propaganda flickered and blared all around.
Despite this, the area was still hosting a vast number of non-human council races. Asari, Volus and a even a few Elcor made up the main alien congregation, and Harker also caught sight of a tearful human woman embracing an armoured Turian. He was no expert on Turian expression – especially at this distance – but he was sure there was something decidedly miserable in the way that the soldier's mandibles drooped.
They moved further through the crowds towards a waiting area of sorts, where a pair of harassed looking C-sec officers stood in half-hearted guard, pistols at their hips.
Beyond them, Harker spied a truly motley crew that had to be their new recruits.
A tall, slim, and generally magnificent Asari stood rigidly off to one side. She wore an ornate armour set of white plate, with a small matching head piece and a look of haughty distain. To her right, lounging variously on a set of benches, were two humans and a Turian – who looked a lot more animated than the one Harker had noticed earlier. This one had a similar build, tall and lean, but broad shouldered under a set of heavy armour. However, this Turian's face plates were a deep, dark shade of brown – almost black – and his clan paints stood out in vibrant purple. There was an amused gleam in his beady eyes, and he let out a deep laugh – rippled with sub-harmonics – as his a female human companion said something evidently hilarious. She was sharp eyed and red haired, with thin, hawkish features but a broad and laughing mouth. Dressed in C-sec fatigues, she sat back lazily, legs propped up on the benches in front as she acted out some story for her two companions. On the Turian's other side sat the second human – a male with close-cropped black hair, and the pale skin of a spacer. As he turned his head to watch the woman's playacting, Nathan noticed the tell-tale lump of a biotic's implant. Sure enough, the man had the sturdy, athletic build that many biotic's cultivated – the extra evidence of wiry muscle about his forearms suggested a tendency to the "vanguard" school of combat.
That left the Krogan. Stood at the other end of the waiting area, and clad in a set of formidable armour that just screamed "Battlemaster". The huge alien rested quietly, heavy lids half shut. Below his large, dark blue crest, burned a pair of bright and canny amber eyes. Canny, seemed to be the operative word, as he was the first to take note of the N7's approach. The C-sec guards shot them relieved looks and retreated hastily to one side, as the Krogan lifted himself forwards, and moved ponderously towards Nathan and Luke.
Watching him approach, Harker was struck by the immense slope of the alien's hump – a feature he knew signified a consummate and impressive martial prowess. At the same time, he could not help notice that the Krogan's rolling gait bore an uncanny resemblance to one John Wayne.
The reptilian alien reached them just as the other four registered their arrival, but Nathan barely noticed them. He was suddenly very aware of two things: first, that the Krogan was looming over him, and secondly, that there was a definite sense of slow appraisal in the giant's stare. He felt, rather than saw, Spector tensing beside him; ready for trouble.
An awkward few seconds passed, with everyone's eyes on the Krogan, before he seemed to reach a conclusion.
"Raik Kraggorn. Battlemaster. Call me Krag." He spoke with a voice like a rolling boulder, his words seeming to carry much more care and deliberation that those of his fellows that Nathan had met in the past. Granted, those Krogan had typically been shooting at him. It was a moment before he realised that Kraggorn was holding out a hand. Playing for lost time, Harker threw caution to the wind and clasped the warrior's hand with the firmest grip he had ever mustered.
The result was that he felt as though his hand was being used as a crowbar in some futile attempt to lever one Thanix cannon off another. Kraggorn let out a predatory grin, though his eyes twinkled with a more good-natured spark.
"Nathan Harker. Captain. Call me Nate." He un-gritted his teeth for a moment, maintaining steady eye contact with the Battlemaster as they broke apart.
Kraggorn made a rumbling sound, then moved past him, heading for Luke – who Nathan suddenly felt very sorry for.
The absence of several tons of Krogan gave the Turian his chance to introduce himself, which he duly did.
"Tarik Lorquin, good to meet you Captain," he offered, along with a traditional Turian greeting, which involved clasping Nathan's forearm with a deal more warmth than Kraggorn's shake. "Ex-Turian military, and I've been with C-sec's armed response taskforce for the last three years – along with Astrid here," he indicated the red-headed woman, who had appeared at his shoulder, "Astrid Monroe here, same division – ranged specialist, and -"
He was cut off as Monroe tugged at one of his waving mandibles, and piped up herself, "He's all right so far Cap'n, but I still like to speak for myself. Besides, if I don't stop him now Tarik will talk you through our entire combined service records. I'm thinking of sticking with: Hello."
Nathan grinned at the C-sec pair, returning the sarcastic salute that Astrid threw him in lieu of a shake.
"Good to have you onboard, Tarik, Astrid. This is –"He began, but found Luke – who had evidently his meeting with Kraggorn – at his elbow.
"Another Sniper eh?" he engaged Monroe immediately, "Luke Spector – currently the best shot on the Drake."
"Hope you like competition then Spector," was Astrid's response, accompanied by a rapidly rising pair of eyebrows.
Tarik let out a chuckle, and turned to Harker.
"Captain, I-"
"Nathan."
"Ah, right, Nathan then. I was told our equipment went ahead to your ship?"
"That's right, it'll be there once we're back, and our Yeoman should have had it all organised into your assigned quarters."
"I'm glad – just wanted to check that. And let me just say Captain, I'm looking forwards to-"Tarik's display of courtesy was – Nathan knew – par for the course when the avian aliens interacted with superior officer. That made it all the more jarring when he once again interrupted, as the Asari made here presence known.
"Captain Harker." The acknowledgement came as a brusque statement, his rank with a clipped disinterest, "I am Mallista Neeros, Justicar. I understand that you are not actually the SSV Drake's Commanding Officer?"
Nathan blinked, slowly retracting the handshake he'd been half-way through offering. Some Asari could be aloof – he knew that – but rarely so overtly dismissive.
"That's... right. I'm heading up away missions. But Captain Magnusson has command on the Drake."
"Then I shall need to see him immediately." Neeros' eyes flickered over the assembled soldiers, and it was a clear from that look that she was not pleased with the company she found herself in.
Tarik snorted beside him, mandibles flaring for a moment, and Nathan felt a rush of gratitude towards the Turian – good to know that he wasn't the only one affronted by the Justicar's manners.
"Look, Mallista," Nathan spoke quietly, turning his body to the side and attempting to move her with him. If Luke got wind of what was going on there'd be no stopping him. As amusing as whatever verbal assault the sniper would have mustered against her, he didn't have the strength right now to manage both of them, "Of course you'll be able to speak with the – other – Captain once we're on board. For now though we just need to check everyone in. And I'd appreciate it if you gave me a chance here. It's good to have you on the team."
He offered a hand again – but once again it was ignored. Mallista bristled.
"I very much hope, Captain, that you will not delay much longer. So far, my time in this initiative has been singularly underwhelming. My considerable skills would be valued just as highly elsewhere, and I hope that both you and your superiors will realise that in due time."
With that, she turned on her heel and stalked off to the other end of the lobby, waiting by the elevator. Nathan stood, a little stunned, and Tarik made a soft growling noise.
"She's been pretty much like that the entire time. Obviously wasn't expecting the calibre of company that she got. That and she's got delusions of grandeur there size of the Citadel." A quiet voice issued from Nathan's other side, and he turned to see the dark haired biotic – the last of the new recruits – watching the Asari Justicar with a wry grin. "I met another Justicar once before. Not quite as grumpy – more irritatingly serene."
The frustration that had sparked up dissipated as he turned to ther other human, who met his eyes somewhat shyly.
"This is Alestar Brooks, Captain. Vanguard biotic, used to –" Tarik chimed in again – apparently Turians really did find it hard to shake the military formalities.
"I'm sure Brooks can give me the details himself – Monroe managed." Nathan chuckled, gratified to find Brooks actually accepting the proffered handshake.
"I think Tarik was going to finish with: 'used to be an Alliance Corsair'. It's about the only interesting thing on my file – which you'll probably have read, so you won't need to hear it all now. That and the fact that I tend to stay quiet for long periods of time before very suddenly talking way too much – which I'm doing right now."
"Breathe out Alestar." Nathan laughed again, calming the nervous biotic with a placatory pat on the arm. "But no, I haven't read your files. Any of yours. I prefer people to make a clean first impression."
"Well the," Alestar replied with the faintest hint of a wink, "I hope I've made a good first impression."
Harker merely inclined his head with a smile, and then turned to where Luke seemed to bickering good-naturedly with Astrid Monroe.
"Come on Lt, break it up. I want to get this lot back to the Drake before Kraggorn makes those two wet themselves." he nodded at the of C-sec guards, who were still eyeing the hulking Krogan warily.
Luke grinned as he moved over to join Harker, Monroe following him. They moved back in the direction of the elevators, gradually picking up the rest of their new team-mates.
As they walked, groups of civilians turned to watch them, muttering and pointing. The forlorn Turian from earlier snapped into a determined salute as he caught Harker's eye. A green suited Volus slapped his gloved hands together in a nervous smattering of applause.
And then the room was filled with clapping: humans, Volus, Asari – an Elcor inclined its weighty head – were all clapping, even cheering.
Each of the new "N7"s felt a glow of pride, slowly permeating the tension that had become their norm of late. Even Mallista Neeros had a subtle prickle in her blue cheeks.
As they entered the lift, Spector turned to Nathan.
"Good cereal." He said simply.
A/N: Sorry this took so long to get up, I haven't had much time to type or upload over Christmas. Hope you enjoy, and if you do why not drop a review. It's great to see that the chapters are getting views on each upload, but I do value the opinions of everyone who reads and it's always good for writers to have something to read in between chapters.
