Cadmus stretched his arms out and yawned. He'd risen early. His flight back to the Citadel would be leaving in less than two hours, taking him away from home and back to duty. At the moment, he wasn't unhappy about this fact. He wanted to be where he knew what to do and how to do it. It wasn't that his trip home had been all bad. He'd enjoyed observing Laelia at her happiest as she fretted over her new baby. She'd slid easily into her new role as a mother. But Cadmus had to admit, for his part, he'd found the last month daunting. Garrus was a colicky infant, crying often and continually hungry. Cadmus felt overwhelmed and under prepared. Laelia, on the other hand, had taken all the trouble in stride, walking with Garrus when he fussed, bouncing him to sleep and telling Cadmus over and over that he would have to be patient and new babies were often like this. She assured him that he'd find his son more fun once he'd grown a few years.
Cadmus sighed as he leaned against the wall in Garrus' nursery decked out in silver. He hadn't the first clue how to be a father to an infant. How did you connect with something that just cried and ate and pooped? He did care about Garrus. He'd already arranged for Arsenius to come by and check in on his wife and son regularly. He just hadn't bonded with Garrus like Laelia had. He hoped Laelia was right, that things would get easier the more Garrus grew. What Cadmus wanted to do more than anything was teach his son to shoot, to fight, to be a turian of high character, but that would come later. Right now he would have to practice patience and wait.
Garrus stirred in his crèche. Cadmus had spent the last ten minutes staring at his son, watching him sleep from across the room. Arsenius had declared Garrus looked like him. He wasn't sure. It was hard to see a resemblance to either himself or Laelia in such a small face. He approached the crèche and peeked in. He expected the infant to see him and immediately wail, his usual response upon waking. But he was pleasantly surprised when Garrus simply blinked and opened his mouth wide, then snapped it closed. To Cadmus, it almost seemed his son was trying to tell him something, but, of course, it was way too early for any meaningful communication. Cadmus reached into the crèche and placed a talon in Garrus' hand, appreciating his son's strong grip. Some day, Cadmus thought, those hands would be skilled, the root of fatherly pride.
"At least you'll miss him," a soft voice came from behind.
Cadmus swung his head around. Laelia stood in the doorway, her face downcast. "I will miss you both."
Laelia's mandibles twitched quickly and she sighed. "I shouldn't have said it that way."
Cadmus slipped his talon out of Garrus' hand and moved to Laelia, placing a tender hand on her shoulder. "You haven't slept much this past month. I understand."
Laelia responded by resting both her hands on Cadmus' shoulders. "Please change your mind."
Cadmus dipped his head. "You know when I make a decision, it's final."
Laelia stepped away from Cadmus and moved to the crèche, picking Garrus up and snuggling him to her chest. "What I hate about your decisions is they're usually right." Cadmus heard the disappointed pout in her voice. "He should be raised here, with his own race to teach him our ways. But…"
Cadmus prompted her. "But…"
"But it doesn't change my feelings."
"I can't change them either."
"I know." Laelia walked back to Cadmus and looked up into his face. "I don't want to take you away from your career. It's all too clear you were meant to serve the Citadel. I just want Garrus to know his father like I do."
"I'll be here on a regular schedule," Cadmus reminded her. "Executor Clineas already agreed."
"Three months there, one month here. I already feel lonely."
Cadmus reached out and drew Laelia into him, Garrus between them. "The only reason I can go back is because Garrus is in the capable hands of the most exceptional mother in all of Palaven. He will be great because you will lay the foundation of his life."
Laelia smiled shyly. "When you explain it like that…" A light knock on the door interrupted the rest of Laelia's statement.
"Yes?" Cadmus called out.
"Your shuttle's ready to leave."
"I'll be there." Cadmus heard footsteps move away from the door.
"How long will she be here?" Laelia asked tentatively.
Cadmus chuckled. He knew Laelia was worn out dealing with his mother on top of her own. "I made her promise not to bother you after I'm gone. To keep her visits down to a couple times a week."
"You told her that?"
"My mother's always appreciated frankness. She understands."
"What did you tell my mother?" she asked teasingly.
"I'm going to let you deal with her. You have more…tact than I do."
Laelia took a breath. "I suppose I'll just have to let her know this is my home now and I am fully capable of managing one baby."
Cadmus patted her shoulder. "Don't give up her help too quickly. Without our mothers, this month wouldn't have been as easy for you."
"That's true," Laelia conceded. She glanced down at Garrus as the infant wiggled in her arms. "Time for food." She looked back up at Cadmus. "I'll miss you."
Cadmus leaned down and kissed her gently. "And I you." He reached out to pat Garrus on his tiny arm. "And you. Don't give your mother too much trouble. She had enough carrying you. I order you to give her a break."
Laelia laughed and Cadmus turned to leave the room, glad he could depart on a high note. His eagerness to return to the Citadel had been tempered. He felt his stomach churn as he left his wife and son alone. Duty called and yet, when the time came to actually put his foot outside the door, something within him rebelled at the act of leaving his family behind. Cadmus wrestled his feeling into submission, doing what any good turian would do as he refused to look back, picked up his bag and headed for the shuttle.
When Cadmus strode down the landing ramp after his ship docked at the Citadel, he found Viator there to meet him just as when he and Laelia had arrived a little over a year ago. They had seen more of each other since patching things up after the attack at Avriel Warehouse. Still, they both avoided discussing Viator's actions at the time Decimus had been shot, pretending the incident had never occurred. Cadmus still didn't agree with Viator's choices, but he decided not to let past actions dictate his relationship with his cousin. Viator had failed, yes, but he had also learned. In point of fact, Cadmus' own experience at the warehouse had caused him to extend Viator grace. After all, he'd taken an action that seemed right at the time, investigating the warehouse, that had led to an unexpected and potentially deadly consequence for both himself and a teammate. Cadmus had learned from his experience, and he was sure Viator had learned as well.
Cadmus gripped Viator's right wrist in greeting. "Don't want me to feel lonely again?"
Viator grinned. "Not exactly. Though, how you managed to leave behind that gorgeous wife of yours is beyond me."
Cadmus gestured ahead and they walked side by side towards his apartment. "Garrus needs to grow up learning our ways and Palaven is the best place for his development."
"There are lots of turians here."
"And alien influence as well."
Viator rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not all bad."
Cadmus inclined his head. "I did not say all aliens were bad. But many do have different views. If Garrus is to become a good turian, it is best he learn directly and exclusively from turians."
Viator breathed out loudly.
"You don't agree?" Cadmus asked with a challenging tone.
"What you say makes sense," Viator agreed noncommittally. "But he could learn from other races as well. I don't see that it's wrong."
Cadmus clenched and unclenched his jaw. "Let me be clear. I do not disparage the other races. They have their part to play in the galaxy and most of them are welcome. But turian ways, as you know well, are unique. Our culture is wholly distinctive. Many races do not share our values or concerns. I would like Garrus to know what it is to be thoroughly turian."
Viator rubbed his neck again. "I didn't mean to offend you, cousin. Of course, I understand."
Cadmus softened his tone. "I am not offended."
"Good," Viator muttered. "Cause all this talk about aliens…had me a little worried."
Cadmus slowed down as they reached the elevator that would ascend to his apartment complex. Cadmus set a critical eye on Viator. Now he noticed that his cousin was dressed in a smart suit instead of his casual duds. He was also terribly nervous. He perceived that Viator had met him at the ship for more than one reason. "What is bothering you?" he asked pointedly.
"A friend arrived a couple days ago and I wanted you to have dinner with us. I'm buying."
Cadmus narrowed his eyes. "Which friend?"
Viator rubbed his hands together nervously, but met Cadmus' gaze. "My quarian friend."
Cadmus breathed in slowly, considering the new information. Viator wanted him to meet the quarian that had caused him to act like a mindless incompetent. Cadmus reminded himself that the quarian hadn't actually done anything wrong. It was Viator who had handed over his gun. She hadn't forced him to do so. "Where should I meet you?"
Viator breathed out in relief. "Presidium, Fernali's. Say, 1800?"
"I will be there." The elevator opened and Cadmus stepped on, turning to watch Viator's relieved face disappear as the door closed.
When Cadmus entered the apartment, he sensed the weight of its emptiness. He silently stowed his belongings, then turned to his work e-mails. He was to report at 0600 sharp at the 3rd precinct in Zakera. He'd already been sent a couple case files. He decided to read through them, but first noticed that a personal e-mail had come through in the last two hours. It was from Laelia and included video. He tapped the data pad and Laelia appeared all smiles. He relaxed back into the couch, savoring the sound of her voice.
"I thought you might like to see us instead of reading text." She held Garrus close to the screen. "Guess who made it through the night without waking up once?" The infant gurgled and kicked, as if he knew the answer to the question was yours truly. "It was nice getting some good sleep. I told mother she would not have to stay all the time as soon as he sleeps a week like that. I think she didn't like being told what to do." Laelia chuckled. "I have you to thank for making me braver. I never thought I could be that direct with her. Anyway, I have enough civil servants to help me out." Her face grew abruptly serious. "I still miss you, but don't worry. I'm going to be the wife and mother you need." Her face lightened again as Garrus mewled out some gibberish. "He's more talkative now, too. His voice reminds me of you." Cadmus' mandibles tightened. How did his voice compare to an infant's? But Laelia went on. "Not that it's the same now, but it's how I imagine you sounded as a baby." Laelia paused, looking painfully embarrassed. "That sounded really stupid, didn't it? Ugh. Maybe I am still tired. I'm going to end this message before I make more of a fool out of myself."
The video ended, the screen going blank. Cadmus smiled widely, then felt the ache in his heart that had been growing ever since he left Palaven. Laelia always lightened his mood, minus the depression she'd waded through when she couldn't get pregnant. She counterbalanced his solemnity. Since their first night together, she'd blossomed, growing beautifully into herself. She'd become confident and open, hiding nothing from him. She spoke her mind as he wanted her to, even when they disagreed. Cadmus gazed around the apartment. It was right to come home, but that didn't mean his feelings entirely agreed. Cadmus turned his attention to the case files he'd just been sent, focusing his mind on duty as he willed his feelings to step into line.
At 1800 sharp, Cadmus arrived at Fernali's, a swanky upscale restaurant with a balcony overlooking one of the Presidium lakes. He informed the maitre d' he was with Viator Lentinus and was directed to a table on the edge of the balcony. As he approached the table, he studied the quarian sitting next to his cousin. She was slim, average height for her race, and of course, completely covered by an enviro-suit that accentuated her figure. Her eyes glowed through her helmet. For a moment, Cadmus wondered what the face inside that helmet looked like. What had Viator seen? How beautiful was she really? And how could a quarian's beauty compare to a turian's? Cadmus had always thought Viator's attraction to all females a little odd. Cadmus recognized that different species had different standards of beauty. He had never found females of other species attractive in any sexual way, not even asari, though many turians considered them remarkably appealing. Viator obviously did not have this issue. He was staring at the quarian and smiling like an infatuated teenager. He looked over as Cadmus arrived at the table.
"Cousin! Have a seat!" he welcomed.
Cadmus sat down across from Viator and looked to the quarian.
"Cadmus, this is Leea'Gren. Leea, this is my cousin, Cadmus."
Leea nodded to Cadmus and he nodded back. "I'm glad I could meet you," she spoke politely, her voice tinged with a quarian accent and sounding slightly artificial as it came through her suit.
"And you," Cadmus returned.
"Viator's told me you recently became a father. Congratulations."
"Thank you," Cadmus answered.
"What is your child's name?"
"Garrus."
"I don't recognize that turian name."
"It's an older name."
"Ah. I'm afraid most of my knowledge of turians comes from Intergalactic Civilization."
Cadmus knew the magazine Leea spoke of, a Council sponsored magazine meant to bring the races closer together as they learned more about one another. It was filled with all kinds of cultural explorations. Most of the time it was accurate, but now and again, a race took issue with how it was depicted, especially when its weaknesses were exposed.
A waiter appeared at the table to take their orders. Cadmus and Viator ordered; Leea explained she had her own source of nourishment. When the waiter left, an awkward silence descended over the table. Leea stared down at the lake. Viator characteristically rubbed his neck nervously. Cadmus tapped his foot under the table. He still wasn't quite sure why Viator wanted him to meet Leea'Gren, unless it was to clear the air regarding Viator's mistake. Maybe he thought Cadmus meeting Leea was the final step in repairing their relationship.
"What ship are you from?" Cadmus finally asked casually, partly trying to make small talk and partly curious. He knew little about the Migrant Fleet, other than that it tended to provoke trouble wherever it went. Quarians weren't exactly liked by most species. Most viewed them as beggars at best and thieves at worst. Cadmus himself was ambivalent, not having enough close dealings with quarians to make a firm judgment.
Leea looked back over at him. "Silhah. It's a large ship."
Cadmus did know that large ships were points of pride for quarians. "Why are you on the Citadel?"
Leea glanced briefly at Viator, then folded her hands together and spoke carefully. "To pick up medical supplies. I ferry them back home."
Cadmus narrowed his eyes. He was sure she'd been truthful. He'd heard quarians didn't leave the Fleet unless necessary or required. Still…the way she'd looked to Viator. Cadmus began to feel uncomfortable. He thought that perhaps Leea had taken a liking to Viator, maybe too much of a liking.
"She comes here a couple times a year," Viator explained.
"I like the Citadel," Leea said, talking to Viator more than to Cadmus. "I get to see what I read about. There's so much to discover."
Cadmus thought then that Leea'Gren sounded young, still an idealist, even after she'd been attacked on her Pilgrimage. He sensed in her an eternal optimism.
The waiter returned and placed their dinners on the table. They ate between snatches of quick and often forced conversation. Cadmus was intrigued when Leea hooked up a tube to her suit, sucking in a nutrient paste she'd brought along. He understood that quarians had adapted to their suits, but he was certainly glad he wasn't restricted in such a way. When Cadmus had almost finished, he noted Viator fiddling with his own dish.
"Something on your mind, cousin?" he prompted. He was certain now that there was more going on here than he'd been let it on.
"Well…uh…"
"Speak straight. I'm tired of watching you act like a scared scuridin outside its den."
Viator gulped. Leea reached out a hand and linked fingers with Viator, leading Cadmus to an unwelcome conclusion that was confirmed when Viator finally spoke candidly. "I wanted you to know that Leea and I are…courting."
Cadmus stared down his cousin. Viator flitted from female to female. He loved them all, or so he said. So the fact that the word "courting" had just come out of his mouth brought Cadmus' thoughts to a screeching halt. Courting for a turian meant far more than dating. It meant you were seeing a female exclusively with an eye towards marriage. It wasn't a word to be used lightly and yet, Viator's tone implied he meant the word in all its gravity. After Cadmus reasoned this out, a flurry of reasons why considering a quarian spouse was unwise flooded his mind. Quarians were tied to the Fleet. None that he knew of had left the Fleet to join with an alien. Not to mention they couldn't even leave their suits for fear of infection. Cadmus was sure Viator had enough germs to poison Leea for life. As he gazed on the couple sitting across from him, he concluded they were caught in a silly fantasy. She had been attacked and Viator had been her savior. Of course she would idolize him and Cadmus was certain Viator found nothing so compelling than being the hero to a female no matter her race. Cadmus almost began to preach his logic, but checked himself. It wouldn't be proper in front of Leea. But he'd have an earful for Viator when this was over.
Viator bid Leea good-bye at the entrance to Fernali's. The quarian had announced she had to oversee the stowing of the medicine she'd come for, but also promised she'd see Viator before she left. Cadmus watched chagrined as they clasped hands as they talked, Viator letting go of Leea far too slowly. He watched her walk down the hall, then turned to Cadmus. His face, at first glowing with excitement, faded into apprehension. "So…you've met her."
"Walk with me," Cadmus commanded, probably a bit too authoritatively as Viator folded his arms across his chest.
"I was afraid you wouldn't like her."
Cadmus sighed. "Let's talk over here," he suggested, pointing towards a bench in an alcove not far away from the restaurant.
"You can disparage her right here if you want to," Viator came back, obviously beginning to be angry.
"I did not dislike her," Cadmus stated.
"Oh." Viator followed Cadmus over to the alcove. Neither sat. Viator leaned against the back of the alcove. Cadmus stood to the side, trying to figure out how to talk some sense into his cousin with the least offense possible.
"I did not dislike her," Cadmus eventually repeated.
"You said that already," Viator returned, annoyance in his voice.
Cadmus drew in a breath, trying to form the right words. "I do not know her enough to judge her character. But even then, her character is not what concerns me."
Viator blew a breath out his nose. "What then?"
"Her culture and yours are at odds."
Viator tightened his mandibles. "We can make it work."
"Think, cousin," Cadmus implored. "She will not leave the Migrant Fleet."
"She doesn't have to," Viator replied vehemently.
"How can you have a proper relationship with her if you never see her?"
"You left your wife on Palaven," Viator countered, speaking less spitefully and more shrewdly.
Cadmus felt his muscles tense. Viator's comment was a low blow, but he controlled his reaction, knowing barking at Viator in anger would do nothing to change his cousin's mind. "But I can at least touch her, come close to her, know her."
Viator shifted uncomfortably against the wall. "Leea says they have sterile rooms for that kind of thing and she can take antibiotics."
"This is my point," Cadmus said. "She will be in danger. Even then, you will not be able to protect her entirely from yourself."
"Are you certain this isn't your prejudice speaking?" Viator challenged.
"My prejudice?"
"You can't tell me you care about quarians, can you?"
Cadmus took another long breath, agitated with his cousin's ignorance concerning his intentions. "They are not my people, so my loyalty does not extend to them in such a manner. But when they come on this station, I guarantee they have the full weight of my protection. I do not care what race someone is. They deserve the same respect and protection that C-Sec offers."
Viator bowed his head and rubbed his neck. "Yeah." He looked back up at Cadmus. "I just wanted you to know about us. I didn't want you to find out some other way. This is serious, Cadmus. She's not like the others."
Cadmus contemplated Viator's assertion. The "others" had all been flighty, ungrounded, swooning types who drooled over a handsome and capable turian. They never lasted, Cadmus suspected, because Viator never went deeper than the tip of a talon in a relationship. Viator wasn't looking to settle down; he was looking to have some fun. What made Leea so different then? Despite the depth of his thoughts, all Cadmus did was ask skeptically, "Is she?"
"Yes," Viator responded adamantly. "We've been corresponding for years. She's thoughtful, compassionate, intelligent…" Viator stopped abruptly as Cadmus continued to stare doubtfully. "You want the truth?" he asked. "Truth is, I've watched you and Laelia and I like what I see." Cadmus was surprised at Viator's confession, unaware his relationship with his wife had been so keenly observed by his cousin. "So I decided that it was time to tell Leea how much I've admired her and things just went from there, pretty quickly actually."
"There are no turian females that have caught your eye?" Cadmus inquired.
Viator chuckled. "Good old Cadmus," he said good-naturedly. "I know you think I'm strange, Cousin. It's your loss really if you can't appreciate all the galaxy has to offer."
Cadmus couldn't help but smile shortly as Viator read his thoughts. His smile dissolved however as he formulated words of wisdom he wished his cousin to pay heed to. "A female is worthy of your protection. A marriage is bound by duty. You will find it difficult to be what your friend needs. You come from very different places. It will not be easy."
Viator walked over to Cadmus and slapped his cousin on the shoulder. "I know that. And I know you only want to help me. Wouldn't you say, though, that it is even more honorable if I have to fight through the difficulties and obstacles just to love her?"
Cadmus said nothing, not quite sure how to answer that question. There was some logic in Viator's contention and yet the difficulties and obstacles in this case might be insurmountable.
"I have to go get suited up for work," Viator said, stepping outside the alcove. "I'm glad you met her. She'll grow on you if you give her a chance." He walked brusquely away headed back to Bachjret.
Cadmus watched Viator go, still not sure what he thought of his cousin hooking up with a quarian. You aren't in charge of Viator's life, Cadmus reminded himself. At least he told me directly. Cadmus left the alcove himself, walking in the opposite direction of his cousin. He would have to be content to let Viator make his own choices and fall or stand as he may. He pushed thoughts of Viator's romance out of his mind, focusing instead on getting back to his own apartment and getting a good night's sleep before his first day at his new precinct.
Cadmus scrutinized Zakera Ward as he strode towards its 3rd precinct. He felt knots in his stomach, yet carried himself with an air of confidence. He knew how to force his nerves into submission. Zakera began with a hub, its entrance a plethora of shops, bars, eating venues and a rather impressive club. As such, Zakera saw more visitors than most other wards. As one walked further in, it transitioned into residential areas. These housed mainly volus, elcor and hanar, species gratefully quiet in nature. The challenge in Zakera rarely came from them. It came from the areas Cadmus currently approached—batarian housing.
As Cadmus marched through the area, batarians who'd risen early watched him pass with curiosity—or so Cadmus hoped. He hoped they weren't instead staring him down with animosity. Their four eyes always disconcerted him. He could never tell exactly what they were looking at and how they felt about what they were seeing. Batarians, he well knew, had a disreputable standing in the galaxy. They had caused numerous incidents trying to annex various colonies, and their slaving and drug running endeavors were well known. As such, there was no love lost between turians and batarians. Batarians represented to turians the dregs of criminal activity and Cadmus assumed batarians considered turians law-abiding nuisances.
Cadmus passed the batarian residential district, now in the mid-section of Zakera. Precinct 3 was located here, along with another batch of shops, warehouses and factories. He approached the precinct and entered its lobby, marching straight up to the salarian receptionist. "Cadmus Vakarian reporting for duty."
The salarian looked up. "Cadmus Vakarian? Welcome! Welcome!"
Cadmus sighed inwardly. His reputation from the Pavo incident was clearly at work. "I've been reassigned here. I am to report to Detective Lazarin Cerula."
"Yes, of course, yes. Follow me."
Cadmus trailed behind the salarian who led him down a few halls and up to the door of an office. The salarian continued to stare at him so Cadmus glared him down. The salarian finally retreated, glancing back as he went. Cadmus groaned inside. He hated being well-known. He pushed the chime next to the door.
"Enter," came a strong, flanging voice.
Cadmus stepped through the door and into a well-organized and clean office stocked with a gun rack on one side, a wardrobe for suits of armor and a wall of screens. The turian who had been sitting behind his desk stood and paced over to Cadmus, his arm outstretched. "Cadmus Vakarian."
"Yes, sir," Cadmus said, returning Lazarin Cerula's firm wrist grip.
"Have a seat."
Cadmus sat down as Lazarin made his way back to his chair behind his desk.
"Of course, I've heard a lot about you," Lazarin spoke approvingly. "I was pleased when they told me they were sending you here."
"Thank you, sir."
"Thank yourself. It's your skills that got you here."
"The honor should be Detective Mehrkuri's," Cadmus clarified, not comfortable taking the credit for the honor indirectly spilled on his name.
Lazarin laughed. "Decimus told me you were like this. Pure turian he said."
"You know the detective?" Cadmus inquired.
Lazarin smiled broadly. "Worked together on enforcement when we were new. He's still got that burr in his cowl?" Cadmus tried not to smile and Lazarin laughed again. "You don't need to answer. I can tell from your face he does. Ah well, it's what makes him one of the best officers on the station."
Lazarin flashed on his omni-tool. "Enough about Detective Mehrkuri." He tapped for a few seconds and Cadmus' omni-tool vibrated as it received info. Cadmus turned it on, reading over the list Lazarin had just sent him. "We're a bit more equipped here than Bachjret. I've got two teams under me. Most of the time they investigate their own cases, but work together when necessary. You're going to head one of them. I've sent you your officers."
Cadmus read down the list. Two turian names and one salarian. They were a team of four then. He assumed the other team mirrored this.
"Your tech specialist started two weeks ago. The other two have been here a few years," Lazarin continued explaining. "You'll find I run my office differently than Mehrkuri. I depend on you to draw your conclusions. I trust my officers to do their jobs and do them well. I'm not going to stand over your shoulder and make sure you do it right."
Cadmus, although appreciating Decimus' mentorship, found the idea of freedom and flexibility as a leader in the precinct exhilarating. He felt he already liked Lazarin Cerula as a boss immensely.
"You read through the cases I sent?"
Cadmus inclined his head.
"Figured you would. Get to it then. You'll find your office down the hall. I told your team to be waiting for you. Your word is law to them."
Cadmus stood. "Sir," he acknowledged, then departed. He walked quickly down the hall, finding the room that had his nameplate to its side. He drew himself up to his full height. His mother had always hounded on the idea that first impressions mattered more than anything else. He agreed with her wholeheartedly on that point. He stepped up to the door and marched through when it opened, taking in both his office and its occupants.
The turian he first laid eyes on stood across from him leaning against the wall in a thoroughly relaxed pose. He was gray like Cadmus, perhaps a shade darker, light blue tattoos arcing over his eyes and down his mandibles. His eyes were sharp and he stood to attention immediately when Cadmus entered. The other turian was sitting in a chair, a darker turian with white tattoos in horizontal lines crossing his eyes and passing back along his crest. He likewise stood when the door opened. The last occupant of the room couldn't help but be noticed. He was salarian, tall, reddish skin tone, two prominent horns adorning his head. He rushed up to Cadmus.
"Detective Vakarian, it's an honor to work with you, sir, an absolute honor." Cadmus hadn't expected such over-the-top enthusiasm from any member of his new team. "Kepel holds you in high esteem. He has told me everything about you. Well, I asked a lot about you, really. Kepel is too quiet, isn't he?"
Cadmus stared down at the salarian. "You are a friend of Kepel's?"
"Hatchmate. Born at the same time but not blood related. Grew up together on Sur'Kesh. Our dalatrass…"
"Relax, Joran," the turian who had been leaning against the wall drawled out. "Give him a chance to get to know you on his own before you blab it all." He walked across the room and stood before Cadmus. "Tychus Halel. Interrogator. You catch them, I'll break them."
Cadmus stifled a smile at the turian's words. Was it bravado or confidence in his tone? He couldn't tell at the moment, but he was sure he would know soon enough.
The darker turian spoke up. "I'm Asheel. Tech specialist."
Ah, the newbie. The list indicated he'd transferred in from Nimines, a turian colony.
"Joran," the salarian said, pointing to himself and grinning broadly. "I handle surveillance. I have good eyes. My dalatrass praised them highly. Do you want to discuss a case?"
Tychus snorted. "Let him tell us what to do." Cadmus noted that although Tychus obviously was annoyed by Joran's exuberance, Joran didn't seem to notice. He just looked bright eyed up into Cadmus' face.
"Let's discuss the Hactet case."
"Fine. Let's," Joran beamed.
Cadmus moved behind his desk. For the next hour he paced his team through the two cases he'd been sent. He spent as much time dissecting the cases as he did his new teammates. He found Tychus a rather impatient turian, the tediousness of observation not his purview. Cadmus concluded that his end goal was to get a criminal in his hands so he could force a confession and provide solid evidence that led to swift judgment. Cadmus noted to himself the importance of seeing Tychus in action to determine if his means skirted legality or not. Joran predictably put his all into his job. His words spilled out quickly and almost humorously. Cadmus wondered how Joran ever managed to breathe as he talked. Still, his surveillance of suspects was commendable. Asheel said little, but whether this was because he had a quiet nature or because of his newness to the team, Cadmus couldn't tell. What insights he did offer were valuable and his technical analyses accurate.
Cadmus, having worked through the cases and established the lay of the land, began to assign responsibilities when his door opened. A gray turian with maroon tattoos stood in the doorway, eyes honed in on Cadmus. "Had to see the competition."
Cadmus stood. "Excuse me?"
Tychus laughed. "Gratus. Heads up the other team." He looked to Gratus. "He took down a drug empire, think you can do better?"
Gratus groaned. "Please. Give me a week. I'll get all the batarians shoved out an airlock."
"All talk and no action," Tychus came back. "How's the asari working out?"
Gratus scowled at Tychus. "She'll come around."
"From what I've seen, she's leading your team."
"Keep your eyes on your own fringe," Gratus grumbled. He stepped back from the door, letting it shut again.
Tychus laughed heartily.
"What was that about?" Cadmus asked, eyes narrowed.
"Gratus is a bit…arrogant," Asheel spoke in a measured tone.
"A bit?" Tychus objected. "Thinks he's C-Sec's gift to the station. He was pretty upset over the Pavo incident. Annoyed someone else got the drug runners first." He looked approvingly at Cadmus. "And by the way, thanks for that. I've never seen Gratus so humbled."
"Will he be a problem?" Cadmus asked.
"Not for us. He's got his own problems with Denae on his team."
"New tech specialist," Joran piped up. "Asari. Quite good. Bother to Gratus. She has more brains, more logic. Just what I like."
"Look," Tychus said. "Gratus isn't worth our time. You do what you do best. We'll do what we do best. At the end of the year, we'll have solved more difficult cases than his team and we get bragging rights."
Cadmus felt his blood race. "Justice isn't a competition."
"Uh…" Tychus stammered, apparently confused.
"It does not matter how many cases we solve or how difficult they are. What matters is that justice is carried out, that we exonerate the innocent and convict the guilty. I will not have this team focused on quantity. We will solve cases the right way, we follow the station's rules and we rid the station of criminal influence. That is all that matters."
Tychus' mandibles flexed a moment, but he fell in line. "Yes, sir. Of course, sir."
Asheel smiled. He said nothing, but Cadmus read the appreciation in his gaze.
Joran likewise grinned. "Justice. Yes, justice must be paramount."
Cadmus sucked in a breath, then sat back in his chair. He eyed each member of his team pointedly as he said, "We do things right or we don't do them at all. Understand?"
Each member agreed nonverbally. As Cadmus began to assign duties, a small niggling in the back of his mind pondered the irony that he'd just spoken the motto of Decimus Mehrkuri, a motto that had initially plagued him, but he'd learned the value of. It was a good motto, one he had unconsciously decided to live by. Indeed, he'd come to believe that in every area of his life, whether work or marriage or fatherhood, doing things right or not doing them at all was all that mattered.
Author's Note: Cadmus' motto comes from the Mass Effect writers; I've simply given it a back story. The next chapters will move into exploring Cadmus' relationship with Garrus as he grows up, a survey of important events that occur between the elder and younger Vakarian. Looking forward to delving into their relationship once Garrus can walk and talk :-) To whet your appetite for the next chapter, Cadmus reacts to humanity's entrance onto the galactic stage.
