A/N: Okay, so yeah. Crazy times are had with the last chapter. I have to be honest, it was probably the hardest chapter I've ever written in Mass Vexations history. Partly because I had to get myself in the proper mood for it, and partly because it was so hard to write well. I'm glad to see it paid off, though, so yeah. Crazy times are had with that.
This time, we turn back to Will and the gang on the Citadel for some more B Story goodness. Along with some other things. You'll see what happens.
Chapter 20: B Story: It Thickens
"It came as a shock to many turian families waiting to hear on family members in the military. What may stand as one of the great cover-ups in the history of the Hierarchy began unravelling yesterday with a report from one of Palaven's most notorious investigative journalists. His report claimed that there had been several ships in the Turian Fourth Fleet that have vanished without a trace. Today, the turian Hierarchy has confirmed what so many military families have feared.
'We regret to inform the populace that the reports by [BLEEEP] are correct. We are indeed facing a mass disappearance of smaller ships in the Turian Fourth Fleet.'
The Hierarchy has further stated that investigations have turned up no causes for why these ships have vanished.
'These ships have never vanished in the same place twice, and the circumstances are always different. We are still attempting to piece together what may have happened.'
The turian Hierarchy estimates that at least thirty ships have vanished. Nearly all of them were frigates, however, with only one or two larger ships being documented as having vanished.
The news has stirred discontent on Palaven and on various turian colonies. Many are citing that the Hierarchy is hiding a major military event from the populace.
'They shouldn't be hiding something like this from us! What are we supposed to do if our government is hiding the fact that thirty ships worth of good soldiers has vanished?'
When the Hierarchy was reached, they cited that the investigations were already underway before the report of the vanishing ships was shown to the general public.
'We were alarmed at the vanishing of ships. There may be more ships from the Fourth Fleet vanishing as we speak. Of course we are investigating the cause of action. However, we cannot risk the populace panicking at this time.'
This is the first report of vanishing ships from the turian fleets since the reported disappearance of the Aurigos last year. The journalist who unveiled the recent wave of ship disappearances is in hiding, and could not be reached for comment.
For the Alliance News Network, I'm Diana Allers. Back to you, Jill."
I shake my head, leaning back in the bed as I turn the holo projector off. I shake my head, looking over to Nadeire.
"It seems that the turian Hierarchy is in heated water again," says Nadeire as he pulls off his shirt.
"Yeah, it looks that way to me as well," I comment. "First the Aurigos, and now the Fourth Fleet. It's almost like someone is out to get the turians these days."
"It seems highly unlikely," he replies as he lifts the covers and scoots into bed. "And yet... I cannot help but feel that it may be the case."
"Probably," I comment as I scooch closer to Nadeire. "Do you think it'll affect the Council's standing on the trial?"
"I think not," says Nadeire. "Aren't you the legal expert here?"
"I am," I reply. "But you know me, Nad."
The drell smiles. "Indeed I do," he says. "Are you satisfied now that Samara is on the Citadel?"
"Yes," I say. "I think she'll provide a good testimony. I spoke with her when we met at the spaceport. She is... very articulate, and was very clear to me on where she stood in this trial." I roll my eyes. "She thinks it's a sham as much as I do."
"With a prosecutor like Paellix Mirani, I can see why," says Nad softly. His expression turns serious. "And after the trial..."
I nod, my expression becoming a little grim. "Yes," I say, laying my hands over his. "I'm certain, Nadeire. This may be the only chance we have to counter Paellix's accusations that Shepard faked her death and willingly entered the employ of Cerberus for two years."
"It will be dangerous," says Nadeire. "And it may be inadmissible."
"Well, if it's inadmissible, I simply don't submit it in the first place," I comment. "I will remember to ask about that."
"I am more worried about you, though," says Nadeire as he turns to face me. "As I said, this will be dangerous. I don't know what would happen if..."
I nod. "I asked Lalia to look into a couple more things when I went to the office today," I say. "Hopefully, she will have found something that will help me."
Nadeire leans forward, placing his head over my heart as his arms surround me.
"For your sake, I hope so as well," says Nadeire. "Please, be careful."
I nod, placing my arm over his shoulders. "I will do my best," I state.
He pulls himself closer to me, and I lean my head back, massaging his left shoulder with my hand.
I sit at my desk in the trial, looking over at Paellix and the Council. Paellix seems a little more on edge than usual, but oddly the Council looks unwaveringly stony. I imagine it must be a front: if they showed any weakness in the face of what was reported last night on many major news outlets, I imagine it might not be good for the galaxy. That must be it.
I turn back to Shepard, who sits there as the courtroom fills up. I lean towards her, shrugging.
"Well, I think this day will serve to turn the trial around," I tell her.
"I hope so," says Shepard. "I'm worried about some things." She glances past me to Paellix Mirani. "I can't help but feel that there's something to the disappearances within the Turian Fourth Fleet that nobody knows about."
I frown. "I hardly think that would be an issue," I reply.
Shepard simply shakes her head. "You haven't seen what I have," she replies. "When you've seen as much as I have, you tend to question things more. And there is something about these disappearances..." She shakes her head. "These ships aren't just vanishing. They're being taken, possibly repurposed for someone else's ends."
"And how would you know that?" I ask. "You weren't there."
Shepard shakes her head. "If I were trying to destroy all life in the galaxy, it's what I would do," she states. "Something tells me that it's the work of the Reapers, I know it."
I blink in surprise, looking at the Commander. Is she...?
Before I can comment on this, however, the door opens, and we all watch as the judge enters. I stand up, along with everyone else. We watch as the judge enters quietly, and then settles down. I sit down at the same time everyone else does, but find myself missing some of the judge's comments to bring the trial to order.
Is it true that these... Reapers are around? I have never believed the theories in any capacity. I am not sure what to make of it now, however... Is it true? Shepard has mentioned them quite a lot, and there are some who say that Sovereign was not a geth ship. If that is true...
I cannot concentrate on this here. For now, I have a client to defend.
I hear the judge gesture to me to open the floor, and then I stand up. All right.
"The defense would like to call Justicar Samara to the stand."
Samara sits, looking passively at the courtroom. Her gaze is actually a little cold, but his does not faze me as I step forward. Her attention turns to me, and I nod at her as she shifts in her seat. I glance at Shepard before turning back to Samara, seeing the commander is a little more at ease.
"Thank you, Justicar," I state softly. "Before I question you, I just want to let you know that it is an honor for you to be in this courtroom today to defend my client."
She nods. "I am glad to defend the Commander," she says. "We have been through much together, and she has helped me with many things."
I nod. "You say that you have been through much together," I begin. "Perhaps you can begin by telling us how you first met the Commander."
The Justicar nods. "I first met Commander Shepard on Illium," she states. "She sought my aid." She looks out. "I was searching for someone at the time. She helped me find a ship that someone had been smuggled out of Illium on. I swore an oath to the Commander when she helped me."
I blink. "I see..." I say. "You say you swore an oath to her, and from what I have heard that is a very serious thing for a Justicar to do."
"Her morals became my morals for a time," says Samara. "It is gravely serious."
I nod. "So too, was her mission," I say. "Were you at all alarmed that she was working with Cerberus?"
"I was aware of it by the time I entered her ship," says Samara. "I noted how curious it must have been that Cerberus was funding a mission that involved more than simply humans." She looks at me. "And I was not the only non-human on the ship."
I raise my eyebrows at this. "Elaborate, please," I comment.
"There were members of other races there," she continues. "While I was there, I saw a turian, a salarian, a drell, and a krogan, all working with Cerberus operatives." She shifts in her seat. "There were even some non-Cerberus human personnel on the ship."
I nod. "I see," I say. "So this was a mission whose importance stretched beyond humanity."
"From how I understood it, yes," says Samara.
"I see," I say. Hm... should I? No, I'll let Paellix ask that question. It will be better if he does, I think. "Did you see the mission through to the completion of the objective?"
"Yes," says Samara. "Shepard's assessment of the situation that awaited us there was correct: in the state it was in when we discovered it, the issue was of a scope that demanded the Council's action on the matter." She looks at the prosecution. "I believe you would understand the importance of ensuring the safety of the human colonies that vanished."
I nod. "No more questions, your honor." I take my seat soon after. I didn't ask some things on purpose, but... I am sure Samara will handle it when she is asked those same questions on the cross-examination.
I sit down next to Shepard, who leans over to me. "You didn't ask Samara about what I did for her," she says.
"I'll let Paellix ask those questions," I say. "She will be able to handle it."
And with this, the turian prosecutor stands up, looking directly at the Justicar. "So... Samara," he says. "You were recruited to the Commander's mission, there is no doubt about that." He crosses his arms. "But before the examination began, you made mention of the fact that Shepard helped you with something."
Samara nods. "You understand correctly," she replies.
The turian nods. "What, exactly, was the nature of this 'help' she gave you?"
The Justicar glances at the asari councillor briefly. I don't quite see the quality of Samara's glance, but I can see that the asari Councillor can already tell something is not right. Samara holds this for a second, and then turns her attention back to Paellix.
"She helped me chase an extremely dangerous murderess to Omega," she says. "This murderess was someone I had been chasing for over five hundred years and who left a body count greater than I can put to words."
"What... sort of murderess?" asks Paellix.
"One who was able to control minds and enjoyed the hunt." I hear a few gasps from the asari in the courtroom, and even the judge seems to lose some of her stoicism for a second. "Any asari will tell you that the woman I was hunting was one of the most feared individuals in asari society."
"So she would have been a danger to the galaxy, then," Paellix observes.
"Yes," Samara states simply.
I look to Paellix, smirking slightly as I watch him. Right as I begin wondering why the silence is a little lengthier than it should be, I hear a low growl come from the prosecutor. And almost as soon as it vanishes, he shakes his head, and the courtroom is silent again. He nods, taking his notes and glancing at them before turning his attention to Samara.
"Very well, then," he says. "Let us go to another topic. Your order follows a Code. Now, from what I understand from speaking with one of my employers, the Code of the Justicar is absolute."
"Yes," says Samara. "It consists of over five hundred sutras. I know every sutra from memory."
"And yet your Code would forbid you from allying with the Commander," says Paellix.
"You forget that I pledged an oath to Shepard," she says. "As I stated earlier, her morals became my morals." She leans forward. "I have since broken my oath to her, but I see nothing in the Code that makes what she did wrong. She acted in the defense of billions of innocents. If she had not taken action, untold numbers of innocent men, women, and children would have died." The Justicar leans back. "Is the safety of the galaxy not one of the parts of being a Spectre?"
Paellix looks absolutely enraged at this. He shakes his head. "I am the only one who can ask the questions here," he says, his voice sounding slightly different. "Are you saying that preserving the lives of innocents and committing treason are not equally punishable offenses? And... and are you further saying that Shepard is above being punished by the Justicars?"
Samara leans forward. "The Code is absolute, but it is not as black and white as you suggest," she says. "In this case, the Code allows Shepard to remain unpunished by it since she acted in the interest of saving innocent lives." She then gives Paellix a hard look. "It seems you do not fully understand the Code. Shepard accepted my oath with the full understanding that she could be punished by the Code once I absolved myself of my oath. I have seen no reason to punish her since I have broken the oath."
Paellix grumbles. He shakes his head, glancing back at the Council before turning to Samara again. "And even if you did not think this way and this was all an act, then you are content to let the Council do the work for you?"
I hear some gasps coming from around the stands. When I look at the Council, I see that even they seem to realize that Paellix just torpedoed his cross-examination of Samara. I look over to Shepard, who looks like she wishes me to object. I nod, raising my hand.
Before I can voice my objection, however, Samara speaks. "There is one final piece of relevant information about the Code," she says. "If I had found her guilty of any charge at all, the Code would have impelled me to kill her on sight." I hear a few more gasps in the courtroom, interlaced with a few other vocal utterances. I smirk, and sit back down. Samara takes the time to look at the Commander. "The fact that she is still alive should tell you everything about how genuine what I say is," she says. She then looks at Paellix, and there is a new harshness that takes hold in her eyes. "Frankly, I am offended that you would even suggest that I am feigning my defense for the Commander." She shakes her head. "I also believe that the question contains grounds for an objection, would it not?"
I stand up, placing my hands on the table in front of me. "That is correct, your honor," I say. "The question is irrelevant and a leading question, not to mention that it is argumentative and could possibly count as badgering the witness."
The judge nods. "Sustained." As the judge says this, she glares at Paellix. "And in my opinion, he is doing much more than badgering the witness."
Samara sits straighter as she looks at Paellix. "Commander Shepard has done nothing that would impel action from the Code," she says. "If she did, you would have received my answer to that and many of your other questions upon my entrance in the courtroom."
Paellix looks completely dumbfounded. I smirk, looking at the prosecutor as he stares at Samara. He holds this position for around six seconds, during which he proceeds to stand very still.
And then, Paellix frowns, and shakes his head.
"No more questions, your honor."
As he half-spits the last syllable of what he says, he almost stalks back to the prosecution's side of the courtroom. When he takes his seat, he places his datapad on the table with slightly more force than I think is necessary.
My smirk breaks out into a smile, and I sit back down. As I do, I turn to her, and gesture at Samara.
"See?" I whisper to the Commander. "She has it under control."
Shepard rolls her eyes, but a grin lights up her face all the same.
The rest of the hearing goes on as usual, but the atmosphere completely changed. Throughout the rest of the hearing, Paellix seemed a little more on edge and volatile than he had throughout most of the rest of the trial. I honestly thought he was going to lose his bearings, but somehow he managed to reign it in.
He did have a witness of his own to testify against Shepard, with which he attempted to deconstruct the theory behind the Reapers. I must admit it was a solid deconstruction, but as I pointed out in my cross-examination, the science behind the Reapers had no actual bearing on why Shepard worked with Cerberus. The jury seemed to notice this, because when I turned back to look at them after I had sat down from the cross examination, I began to see some of them nodding their heads.
So all in all, it was a very good day at the courtroom.
I smile as I walk out of the courtroom. Shepard is being led in cuffs, but the C-Sec officers have allowed me to walk with her to the cruiser.
"Well, that went well," says Shepard. "I can't believe the case turned around so quickly."
I nod. "I think people are beginning to sense that this trial is rather biased against you," I comment. "Just today, the tables have turned in our favor. And I think that they have turned very favorably."
"In no small part thanks to the prosecutor," Shepard adds. "I have never seen a prosecutor get so noticeably angry at anything."
"Paellix is under a lot of pressure right now, no doubt," I comment. "But either way, I think his behavior is also suspect, and it's making our lives easier. With any luck, the whole thing might be declared a mistrial because of him."
"That would be the day," says Shepard.
I nod. "Indeed it would," I say. "In case that ruling isn't reached, however, we still need to cover our defense here. It shouldn't be too hard after Samara's testimony, though. I think that was the best call of the whole trial." I shrug. "Well, aside from the fact that it basically stated our case in the most blunt terms possible, it showed that Paellix probably wasn't a good choice for prosecutor. And the rest of the day sort of made the prosecution's case rather weak. I don't know why the Council hasn't dropped charges yet."
"We'll see," says Shepard. She then looks ahead of her, and I follow her gaze to see the Justicar standing by the rapid transport terminal. "Tell her I say thank you. This is the best way she could have repaid me for helping her find the criminal she mentioned."
I nod. "You know, she never did tell me what criminal it was," I say.
"Only time will tell if she will tell you," says Shepard. "You should speak with her. I'll await you at the usual time?"
"Yes," I say. "I'll see you later, Commander."
With this, I give a polite nod to the C-Sec officers who are escorting her away. I break away from them rather quickly. They head towards their cruiser, and then I walk to Samara as she stands by the rapid transport terminal. The Justicar turns to me and gives me a look that is... well, I'm frankly not sure what to make of it. I walk up to her, however, and she pushes herself off the wall she was leaning against with a strange dignity.
"Thank you," I say as I approach her. "That was the best testimony I could have asked for."
Samara nods. "It was an honor to defend Commander Shepard," says the Justicar. "If you ask me, I think this trial is a mockery."
I sigh. "You know?" I ask. "I had that feeling myself when Paellix tried to use the science behind the Reapers to help bolster his defense. The fact that he was even allowed to testify was shocking enough. I am not certain how the Reapers existing or not existing is relevant to Shepard's working with Cerberus." I shrug. "Hell, it ignores the fact that the Reapers actually existing is irrelevant to his case, as well as to the trial at large."
"Precisely," says Samara. "I believe this trial will unravel before long."
"As do I," I say. "I can almost see the acquittal coming..." I turn to Samara. "You never did tell me what sort of murders this... Morinth committed."
"I would prefer to keep it that way," says Samara. "Something I did not mention in the trial, however..." She pauses, and I can see her posture falter for just a fraction of a second before she regains her composure. "I believe you have a right to know. This criminal... she was one of my daughters."
I blink. "You... you had to kill your own daughter?" I ask. I glance to the floor in shock before looking back at Samara. "I... I'm sorry. I can't imagine how hard that must have been to have to be forced to kill your own daughter by the Code..."
"I did what I must," says Samara. "Morinth was always a fighter. Even as she became overtaken by her lust for power, I remained proud of her. She was the bravest and the smartest of my daughters."
I nod solemnly. "It must have been difficult to ask the Commander to help you with that," I say. "This... this makes your testimony even more poignant."
"And yet I left it out," says Samara. "You were wise not to call attention to opportunity Shepard gave me. I hope such wisdom will guide you and Shepard in the days to come."
"Thank you, Justicar," I say, as I extend my hand. "It was an honor to be in your presence."
Samara takes my hand and shakes it. I see no change in emotion from her, but she acknowledges the gesture with a nod. "There is one more thing I must tell you," says Samara. "Councillor Tevos spoke to me after you went to see Shepard. She told me that she wishes to meet with you."
I blink, looking at the Justicar. "The asari Councillor wants to see me?" I ask. "Why? And why didn't she tell me herself?"
"She would not tell me," Samara replies. "She did tell me, however, that she cannot be seen speaking to you." Samara shifts her weight onto one of her feet. "Tevos is in a difficult position, Mr. Moskas. It is one that I am sure she will be willing to enlighten you on when you meet with her."
"Right," I say, frowning. "Where and when?"
"She told me that she would be in a bar called Purgatory in approximately three hours," she says. "She told me that she will be present with Councillor Valern in a bar that nobody would suspect them to enter. They will wait for you then."
The Justicar leans closer. "They told me that it was of the upmost importance that they meet with you," she says. "And that you be as discrete about it as you can be."
I nod. "Thank you, Samara," I say. "i... I think I'll take them up on that, if you say so."
Samara nods. "Good," she says. She straightens her posture. "In the meantime, I must return to asari space. I have much unfinished business there." She nods graciously, giving me a kind look. "It has been an honor defending Shepard. Goodbye."
And with this, she walks away. I stand there looking at the Justicar as she struts away from me.
I stand there. Is it true...? This is very strange. First the Shadow Broker seems to have changed allegiances, and now the asari and salarian councillors wish to speak with me. This trial is getting more surreal by the second, and I am not sure what to make of it. It seems there are many forces riding on this, but there are more than even I could have counted on.
I feel a shiver run down my spine before I remember that I have other business to take care of as well. I look at the rapid transport terminal, frowning at the display. Damn, I need to meet Lalia in a few minutes at my office. I...
I need to let her know that there has been a rather big change in my plans thanks to recent events.
I graze my teeth over my lower lip, selecting my destination on the terminal. I only hope Lalia is there as she promised me she would be.
I quickly walk into the firm, looking at the desk and finding that Lalia is there as she said she would be. As soon as I enter, the asari stands up, nodding to me.
"Will, you're back," she says. "I heard the hearing really went in your favor."
"It did, Lalia," I say. "It did. At this rate, I'm not certain I need to see the Shadow Broker's operatives anymore."
"Honestly, I can't blame you," says Lalia. "The talk on the news is that public opinion is turning towards Shepard." She shakes her head, smirking as I enter my office. She follows me in to continue the conversation. "Paellix effectively harpooned his own case."
"That he did," I say. "And yet... I think there's something strange brewing behind the scenes."
When I turn to Lalia, she frowns. "Why?" she asks.
I chew on my lower lip briefly. "When I spoke with Samara after the hearing, she told me that the asari and salarian councillors wished to see me. Independent of Udina and Sparatus. Even stranger, they want to meet me in a bar rather than in a C-Sec office." I shake my head as I sit down at my desk. "This... I'm not sure what to make of it, Lalia."
"I'm not sure either," she says. "Do you need someone to come with you?"
"I... I don't know," I reply. "On the one hand, Samara never specified if they wanted to see me alone. But on the other hand, I'm feeling all kinds of uncertain about this."
"As would I, in this case," says Lalia as she walks up to the desk. "Why do you think they'd want to talk to you?"
"I don't know," I reply. "I honestly don't know, Lalia. And it makes me a little nervous thinking about what they could tell me."
The asari nods, and places her hands on the desk. "Then I'm coming with you," she says.
I blink, looking right up at her as my hand tenses slightly. "Lalia?" I ask. "You're...?" I shake my head as I lean forward. "You're certain about this?" I pause, lifting my hands and gesturing with them. "Look, I appreciate what you're trying to do for me, but are you sure? I don't know if they'll react well to me taking a stranger with me."
"Well, I am the person who's been contacting your witnesses to get them over here," says Lalia. "And I am your secretary. I think this is a little shady, and I don't trust you to go alone."
"You trusted me with the Shadow Broker's operatives," I point out.
"That was before today's hearing," she says. "And that was before we remembered that Paellix is probably likely to torpedo his own case. This time, I'm less certain that we will get information crucial to the case."
I nod. "Fair enough," I say. "From the way Samara put it, I'm not expecting any evidence." I sigh. "Very well, Lalia."
The asari nods. "Samara told you where the meeting spot was, yes?"
"Yes," I reply. "I was told to meet them at 'Purgatory'. You know where that is, right?"
Lalia blinks. "They picked 'Purgatory'?" she asks.
"That's what Samara said, anyhow," says Will. "I have never heard of it."
My secretary sighs, shaking her head. "I can see why they wanted to talk to you there," says Lalia. "Nobody would suspect any councillors to go there, and the music is loud enough that random passersby can't actually hear what you're saying." She shrugs. "The place isn't on the list of approved bars according to the Citadel's tourism board, though."
"Really?" I ask. "So I should expect it to be the last place someone would think to see us?"
"Yes," says Lalia. She shakes her head. "Okay, now you definitely need someone to go with you. I've never been, but I know a lot of friends who have. They tell me it can get really frisky in there, not to mention that it's huge."
"It can get frisky?" I ask. "Oh my..."
The asari smirks, leaning closer. "Exactly," she comments. "You might need someone to help you get around, and Nadeire isn't exactly going on break anytime soon..."
I nod. "Then get ready," I say as I stand up. "The meeting is taking place in two and a half hours, and if we want to blend in, we'll need to get ready."
"I'll meet you at the transport terminal in front of Purgatory five minutes before we're supposed to meet with the Councillors," says Lalia. "I have some business I need to take care of here first."
"Very well then," I reply. "I'll see you soon, Lalia."
A few hours later, I have greatly dressed down from the clothes I wore at the trial. I walk off of the transport vehicle, looking right up at Purgatory. The lighting of just the entrance comes as a stark contrast against the Citadel. It's almost like a black hole, really: it's a spot in the universe that has this magnetism to it that draws you towards it even while you second-guess yourself. I can see all sorts of people standing outside, and I can even see a pair of turian C-Sec officers standing on the other side of the platform.
I shake my head, stepping forward. I glance around for any sign of Lalia. Well... I'm here on time, so maybe she's...
There!
I notice Lalia in a completely different dress. Normally, her office dress is reserved, but here I can see that she's showing a little more skin than usual. She's wearing one of those dresses that has the triangle that exposes a rather good amount of her cleavage, and I can notice that the dress runs to just under her knees.
I shake my head as she notices me. "I didn't think you'd have a dress like this," I comment.
"You never know when a dress like this might come in handy," she comments. "In my case, this was from when I used to go clubbing on Thessia. I haven't worn this Goddess-forsaken dress in nearly two hundred years."
"And it still fits you?" I ask, crossing my arms. "That's very surprising."
"Make that two people who are surprised, then," says Lalia. "I wasn't even sure I still owned it." She shrugs. "Well, the fact remains that you look club-appropriate, and I look club appropriate. Let's hope the Councillors look club-appropriate too."
"Yes," I say, turning to Purgatory's entrance. "Come on. We should go find them."
With this, the two of us set off towards Purgatory. The techno beats get louder and louder as Lalia and I approach the entrance, but it's not until we enter the club itself that we get some idea of how loud it is. For as soon as we enter the club itself, I can feel the beats vibrate in my very being.
I end up shaking from it for a few seconds, looking around at the club. It's much, much larger than I was expecting, and for a second I begin to wonder what possessed the Councillors that they thought entering a club like this to talk about secrets was anywhere near a good idea. It's with another beat from the music that I remember that the music is loud enough that it can cover up what we say.
"You all right?" asks Lalia.
I turn to see her looking at me in concern. I shake my head, taking a tentative step forward. "For the record, Lalia, this is why I don't usually go clubbing," I say. "Well, this, and I don't want people to start hitting on me."
"Fair enough," says Lalia. "I can already see lots of people getting into the scene. Let's find the Councillors."
I nod, and then Lalia and I step forward. I notice how close Lalia stands to me, but soon enough I find myself not caring as I notice a bunch of eyes all over me. The two of us simply walk up a couple of flights of stairs to the nearby dance floor. All the while, I keep an eye out for the Councillors, but I do not see them anywhere yet. I shake my head as we walk to the dance floor. I see a bar on the far end of the floor, but the seats are almost filled to capacity and there are no salarians or asari seated there. I see some of them at the dance floor, however.
I sigh. "Well, they're not at the bar, I don't think," I say. "And I can't tell who's who on the dance floor." I shake my head. "We need to attract their attention somehow."
Lalia looks directly at me. "Are you suggesting one of us starts dancing out there?" she asks.
I reply with a nod. "I think so," I say. "If... Well, I don't know, but if one of the Councillors is here they might've noticed us by now."
"How?" my receptionist asks. "I mean... we're just two people in a sea of other people."
I shrug. "I don't look any different from how I usually do, and I think they would've noticed me by now," I say. "And if they see me talking with you... well, they might figure out that you're with me." I lick my lips nervously before turning back to Lalia. "If one of us starts dancing, it might look like we're trying to hook up here. That'll make it easier on the Council."
Lalia nods. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan," she says. "Let me. I used to dance at bars like this all the time before I hit my matron stage. You hang out at the bar and keep your eye open for anyone of interest. If I find one of them, I'll get you."
I nod, patting Lalia's shoulder. "You be careful," I say.
The asari nods, and then steps onto the dance floor. I stand in front of the dance floor for a second, watching her take a position and then begin to dance. She gyrates around wildly, and I can tell that indeed she has had experience on the dance floor.
I shake my head, turning away and heading to the bar. I take a seat there, looking at the bartender. He's a turian who looks a bit gruff. He spares a look at me before returning to cleaning off the glass of water that was in his hands already.
I shrug, looking ahead of me and at the wall behind the bar. I wonder how Nadeire is doing today. I have a lot I need to tell him about today, but we'll see how that turns out. It's been a very strange day. Now I might get in on some greater intrigue... I'm not certain how that would happen.
I vaguely feel the seat next to me vacate itself, but I pay no attention to it at all. I look forward, sitting there while tapping my foot nervously. I inhale softly, and notice out of the corner of my eye that the turian bartender is approaching.
"Can I help you with anything?" asks the bartender.
"Gin and tonic, please," I reply.
He shrugs, pulling a glass out. "That's one I don't get very often," he comments. "But sure. Gin and tonic, coming right up."
He pours the mixture, and as he does, I notice that an asari has filled the seat next to me. The bartender leaves the drink in front of me, and nods. "Thank you," I say as I take the drink in my left hand. I close my eyes, sipping the drink calmly.
"You look a little lonely."
Even though it's half-drowned out by the techno, I can recognize the voice of Councillor Tevos almost immediately. I open my eyes, and then glance to my left to see that she is indeed sitting next to me. Her clothing is very different from what I am used to seeing her in, but given that we're in a bar on the Citadel with a dance floor and techno that is just beginning to make my head hurt, it is understandable. I nod, setting the drink down. I then turn to look at her.
"Well... you could say that," I say, looking at the Councillor as she looks to me. "I've got a friend with me, actually." I glance to the sides, checking for people before leaning forward. "You could say she's looking for company right about now."
Recognition dawns on her face, and the asari Councillor nods. "I see," she says. "Well, it just so happens I have a friend of my own."
"Is he salarian, by any chance?" I ask. "She's into salarians, if you must know."
"Yes," says the asari. "And we do quite a bit of... work together."
I nod, smirking. "Good," I say. "Well... you interest me in a way nobody else does."
"I'd like to capitalize on that," she comments. "But this is a little public, don't you think?"
"Yes," I comment. "I don't suppose you have a booth anywhere..."
"I do, as a matter of fact," she replies. "Should we get over there?"
I nod. "Let me collect my friend first," I say. I turn to the bartender. "Bartender, can I take my drinks with me?"
"Sure," says the bartender. "I'll keep your tab open."
"Thank you," I reply before turning my attention back to the Councillor. "Well, I think we've had enough of the dance floor. Let's meet your salarian friend, shall we?"
When Tevos, Lalia, and I walk up to the booth, I can see Councillor Velarn sitting at the table. He looks drastically different, though I chalk this up to the wardrobe. Velarn would look almost completely unrecognizable in anything but that blue hooded garment he has, but I know his face when I see it.
Tevos sits first, before Lalia and I take our places at the booth. I lean back, looking at the Councillors. "I hope you don't mind that I brought a friend along."
"I only hope she can be trusted," says Velarn. "We're in a difficult position here."
"I'm his secretary," Lalia replies. "I contacted every witness that's testified for the defense, I help him keep track of his appointments, and I'm a close friend of both him and his husband Nadeire."
"I think we can consider that trust-worthy, then," says Tevos. She looks over at me. "I didn't think you'd be able to maintain a cover like this."
I shrug. "Some of my friends used to drag me to bars when I was getting my degrees in criminal justice," I comment. "I never wanted to go, but obviously I must have learned a thing or two from their exploits."
"It seems that way," says Tevos. "Now... I'm guessing we should get to the matter at hand."
"The elephant in the room, so to speak," I comment as I look to Velarn. "You asked Samara to tell me to see you two here now over something that you're in a difficult position about. Is this about the trial?"
"Yes," says Velarn. "But that is only a part of it."
"There's a larger picture involved that disturbs the two of us greatly," says Tevos. "And we needed to come to a place where nobody would suspect we would come so we can be certain we are not overheard." Tevos leans closer.
I nod. "I guess you're having second thoughts now that Paellix is basically torpedoing the prosecution's case," I comment.
When I look to Valern, though, he is shaking his head. "We were second guessing the trial even before today's hearing," he says. "If we could have our way, actually, we would have dropped all charges against the Commander."
I frown, looking at the two Councillors in confusion. "Hold on," I say. "You... You say you want to drop charges against the Commander?"
"If we had our way," Tevos replies as she leans forward. "We do not. There is a sort of... deadlock in the Council right now. Udina and Sparatus wish to keep the trial going, and we wish to end it now." Tevos leans back. "I think it is clear to anyone who has been following this trial that Shepard has done nothing wrong."
"Yes!" says Lalia as she leans back. She promptly pumps her fist in victory before looking back at the Councillors. "I heard the Councillors say it!"
"You heard us say it," says Velarn. "Unfortunately, we cannot seem to get Sparatus or Udina to agree with us." He shakes his head as he leans forward. "We came as soon as we could from deliberations concerning dropping the charges. Sparatus... well, he believes that Shepard was allied with Cerberus for reasons that we cannot tell you, and Udina is more convinced than Sparatus that Shepard was abusing her position as a Spectre." He shakes his head. "If Anderson was still on the Council, we would be able to break the stalemate. As is, we can only sit here and regret that we essentially forced Anderson into resigning."
I shake my head, leaning forward. "I hope the Alliance regrets it too," I comment. "Anderson was a damn fine Councillor, and you all ought to be ashamed that you and the Alliance forced him to resign the way he finally had to."
The two Councillors bow their heads, and I can tell from Tevos' face that she at least is ashamed. I'm not so certain with Velarn's case, but it's difficult to read salarians in that manner. The salarian finally looks up at me after a few seconds, and says nothing.
Lalia looks between the two before holding her hands up. "B-but of course, there's nothing we can do about that now," she says a little nervously. "We're here now, so..."
"This is true," says the salarian Councillor. "The fact is, we have Udina there."
"This of course puts us in a very difficult situation," says Tevos. "Unfortunately... I need to warn you about the latest development in this case from the side of the prosecution." She leans forward. "I'm hoping the sound system at Purgatory is loud enough that people can't listen in on us, because what I am about to tell the both of you is classified."
"Then why tell us here and not in a C-Sec office?" I ask. "I'm certain Bailey would have been happy to help."
"There are... certain pieces of information that lead us to believe the C-Sec offices may not be the best place to speak of this," says Velarn. "Trust us."
"Very well," I say as I lean forward with a frown on my face. "So, what kind of information are we talking about here?"
"It's a matter of galactic security that is classified at the highest level," says Tevos. "We have recieved... word from some of our STG operatives that Cerberus is investigating something big."
I lean forward. "And you think that the remaining crew of the Normandy might be involved."
"Yes," says Velarn. "That's what we think. The truth could be entirely different with how much information we have about it. See..." He leans forward, as if not certain that even the extremely loud techno will cover what he is saying. "It's about a cure for Kepral's Syndrome that is being developed on Kahje."
I frown, leaning back as I look at Tevos. "Why would Cerberus be interested in that?" I ask.
"We think they may attempt to sabotage what progress the hanar have made on it," she replies. "But there is speculation that it may interest the crew of the Normandy as well."
I nod. "That sounds about right," I comment. "Shepard told me that one of her crew members was a drell who is dying of Kepral's."
"But how does it relate to the crew of the Normandy?" asks Lalia.
"We don't believe it does," says Tevos. "In fact, if I know the crew of that ship, they will go to attempt to save the cure."
"But that is not what Udina and Sparatus think will happen," says Velarn. "Thus, they decided to send Spectre Alanya Sorshis to Kahje with Staff Commander Alenko." The salarian councillor shakes his head. "Their hope is that they will be able to capture the crew of the Normandy with the aid of a group of asari commandoes that we have sent with her."
I frown, leaning forward. "Hold on," I say. "So... Spectre Sorshis may throw a wrench into the defense if she can bring the crew of the Normandy?"
"Perhaps," says Tevos. "But as you know, such decisions cannot be decided on unless the Council agrees with them." She looks to Lalia and I. "We allowed them to send Spectre Sorshis, but we contacted her recently."
I raise my eyebrows. "Really?" Lalia asks. "Why?"
"I had my doubts," says Velarn. "I only agreed to a trial to confirm that Shepard was not commiting treason. I had the confirmation I needed today, and we had sent Spectre Sorshis before today's hearing. We called her off the record to inform her that the parameters of her mission have... changed." He sits back, looking at me and then at Lalia. "We told her to observe their behavior first."
"If Cerberus arrives independently, our hope is that Shepard and her crew really have cut ties with them, and that Spectre Sorshis will be able to witness Shepard's crew fight them," says Tevos as she leans forward. "It is a very unlikely scenario, but provided that it happens, I have ordered Spectre Sorshis to allow the Normandy's crew to go free, and to testify for the defense upon her and Staff Commander Alenko's return to the Citadel."
I rear back. "Wait, you're giving us a witness?" I ask. "I..."
"This is mind-boggling," says Lalia. "I... I don't even know what to say."
"It is all that we can do in our present situation," says Velarn. "If Paellix Mirani does not cause the whole trial to be declared a mistrial first, you will have a witness who can prove that not only has Shepard cut ties with Cerberus, but that even now their crew is acting in the best interest of the galaxy."
"This is our hope," says Tevos tentatively. "And this assumes many, many things, though most of all if the crew of the Normandy will indeed go to Kahje." She shakes her head. "But it is all we can do."
I nod. "I see, then," I say as I place a hand on the table. "I'm... I'm not certain what to say."
"Neither am I," says Lalia. She shakes her head and leans forward. "Is there anything else we should know?"
Tevos nods. "We have reason to believe that Shepard has been correct all along," says Tevos. "We have reason to believe that the Reapers exist."
I frown. "And why are you telling me this?" I ask. "And... wasn't Sovereign geth technology?"
"I was not so sure," said Velarn. "Thankfully, the Council's salvage teams managed to find a piece of Sovereign's debris recently that evaded everybody's attention. We are not certain how, but we're thankful for the break." He leans forward. "I sent the piece to an STG team on Sur'Kesh for analysis. Their research revealed that Sovereign dates before the geth. Before the Protheans, even, which suggests many things."
Tevos nodded. "And then... there's this," she says as she opens her omni-tool. As she does, she glances around. Instinctively, I glance around too to see that the club's crowd is still going about its business as if it hasn't even noticed us at all. "This is very recent, but if it's true..."
She then brings up an image for us to see. In the tinted lighting, it gets a little more difficult to make out, but we can clearly see the remains of... something that looks almost exactly like Sovereign. I frown, leaning forward and noticing that it looks... destroyed.
"Is that...?" I ask.
"According to what we can tell, it is another ship that greatly resembles Sovereign," says Tevos. "The resemblance is exact, which means that it was not a fluke." She leans back and closes the omni-tool. "But the most interesting thing, is that this ship's ruins were recovered from Rannoch."
I stiffen almost immediately. "Rannoch?" I ask. "Isn't that under the geth's control now?"
"It would be, except that some of the pictures and the method of acquisition of those pictures suggest otherwise," says Velarn. "We received this information on our terminals this morning, along with a report about how the wreck was found."
Tevos frowns, holding her hands together. "If what the report said is true, and the geth helped to take it down-and that is a very big uncertainty which I do not trust-then Shepard was correct, and Sovereign was not a geth creation," she says.
"I am going to order the Dalatrass to send an STG team beyond the Veil once we leave," says Velarn. The salarian holds his hand up. "I will not say anything for certain until we see the results of that. But if it matches other pieces of data that we and even Shepard herself have compiled..." He shakes his head. "Then it will mean that Shepard was right all along. The Reapers exist, there is more than one of them, and there is a possibility, however slim, that there will be more that will come."
"And you want Will to tell this to Shepard," says Lalia.
"Not exactly," says Tevos. "We wish him to tell her that at least two of us have reason to believe her." She shakes her head. "Paellix may be correct: the Reapers do ultimately have some association with the trial. Sparatus and Udina wish to bury the rumors of their existence once and for all with this trial." She shakes her head.
"But unfortunately, we have put ourselves in a difficult position," says Velarn. "We will do what we can, and if Shepard is out of prison the next time we see her we will update her personally. But for now, this is all we can do."
I nod. "Thank you, Councillors," I say. "I'll tell all this to Shepard." I then look out to the crowd, seeing that it has changed quite a bit since I saw them last. "Well, I don't know about you, but I think I'm getting bored of this place." I turn to Velarn, flashing a smirk in his direction. "I say we get out of here."
A look of confusion comes to Velarn's face for a second or two. However, Tevos elbows him, and then he seems to get her implication. "Well... uh... I have... neverreally been with a human before..."
I glance over to Lalia to see that she has facepalmed in disbelief. "Really?" she asks, partly in derision. "How in the name of the Goddess did you manage to get this far without attracting suspicion?"
Tevos shrugs. "I think he had a good guide," says the asari Councillor. "But I should be going as well. I have other things to do today."
Lalia nods. "As do I," she says. "You boys comin'?"
I stand up. "Uh... yeah, yeah," I say as awkwardly as possible.
I stand up, and in short order the four of us are making our way out of Purgatory and back to the rest of the Presidium.
"Are you... are you serious?"
"As serious as I can be, Commander. Technically, I shouldn't be telling you this, but... well..."
I glance out of the cell, looking at the two turian guards. I'm sitting in the cell with Shepard, and she looks amazed to hear about what I just spoke with the Council about. Well, to have read it, anyway. I ended up returning to my office briefly to write it all down in message form so that the guards don't hear it. I'd hate to have to see the Council go through all that effort to seek me out to tell me something that ears couldn't hear only for the guards to hear about it and report it to the higher ups. No, I'm making sure this remains confidential. My omni-tool is still open and the orange light illuminates her face rather eerily. I turn back to her as she leans forward.
"I... I can't believe it..." she whispers. "Are you sure?"
I nod. "Sure as I can be." I lean back to a sitting position. "Trust me, I couldn't believe it either."
"This... this changes things," says Shepard. "This is..." She shakes her head. "Damn it. Now I have plenty of reason to want to punch Udina in the face."
I frown. "You wanted to do that before?"
"It wouldn't have been a good idea," says Shepard. "Mostly because I likely wouldn't have gotten away with it if I had tried. And as Anderson said once, Udina had his uses." She shakes her head. "Except that he should never have gotten the opportunity to call the shots." She looks up. "And if what this said is true..."
"I think we've got a winner," I comment. "Well, provided Paellix doesn't cause the trial to be declared a mistrial first, anyhow. In which case, her testimony will be entirely needless."
"Yes," she says, hugging her knees closer to her. "I can barely believe it, Will. This trial will be over soon, I can feel it. Now it remains to see how it ends."
"We will see," I say. "Either way, the Citadel does have a double jeopardy provision, so you will be out of here soon."
Shepard nods. "Thank you, Will," she says. "I don't think I could have made it this far without your help."
I raise my eyebrows. "Nothing about 'Mr. Moskas'?" I ask.
"I think you earned the right to have conversations on a first-name basis earlier today," she says. "Trust me."
"Very well then... Jocelyn," I say, hesitating slightly when I call Shepard by her first name. "It feels weird to do that."
"Trust me, you'll get used to it," she says. "Either way... I may be able to leave this place soon. Let's hope, right?"
"Yes," I say. "Let's hope." I look back to her. "So your brother is on the Normandy?"
"Oh, yes," says Shepard. "I hope he's all right..."
"I hope your crew is all right, She-Jocelyn," I say as I look to her. "I wonder how they would react to news of your acquittal."
"They'll take it well," she replies as she smiles. "Hopefully, they will return once news of that breaks out."
"Unless they're in the middle of something important," I postulate. "You never can tell, there may be a pressing matter that demands their attention as much as your acquittal."
"That too," Shepard concedes. "But when they get out of that, I'm sure they will come for me."
"I'd like to meet them," I say. "They seem like such a great bunch, if the ground team of the first Normandy was any indication."
At this, Shepard smiles fondly. "I think you will like them a lot," she says. "And I think... most of them will like you."
I nod. "Let's hope."
The Commander nods in agreement.
As soon as I walk through the door, I notice that Nadeire is sitting on the couch. He is looking up at me, and I can see the coy smile on his face even before he shifts.
I nod. "Hello Nadeire," I say.
"I heard about your little visit to Purgatory from Lalia," says Nadeire playfully. "Did you really try to hit on the salarian Councillor?"
I roll my eyes. "We were in a club that's not authorized by any Citadel tourism boards," I say as I place the datapad I've been carrying on the coffee table. "We had to stay in character for that kind of situation, you know?"
"Uh-huh," he says. He stands up, crossing his arms, but still maintaining the coy smile. "I just think it is weird that you went to a club. I shouldn't think that the club was necessary."
I shrug. "That's one of the things I said," I comment. "I'm not sure why they didn't tell me in a C-Sec office, but... Apparently, everything has ears these days. Including C-Sec offices, for some reason. They never explained it fully..."
The drell nods. "So it would seem," he says. "I hear the news was good."
"Good for Shepard, anyhow," I say. "But that is neither here nor there." I look over to the kitchen. "You are not cooking tonight?"
"I am," says Nadeire as he walks over to the kitchen. I follow him in there right as he opens the oven. He frowns, and closes it. "I would say we need about... five or ten more minutes before it is ready." He shrugs, turning to where the silverware is stored. "I take it you did not see that Ganserig fellow you mentioned."
I nod. "I didn't," I say. "Not as if I needed to, with Paellix destroying his own case."
Nadeire chuckles at this. "I believe he has 'had it coming'," he says. "In a manner of speaking."
"Perhaps," I say, leaning against the kitchen counter. "The trial will be over soon. And I am certain that it will end well for Shepard. As it should, really."
"Yes," Nadeire agrees as he checks the clock on the oven.
I smile, looking over to my husband. "So how was work today?"
The drell shrugs. "The usual," says Nadeire. "The lunch crowd was busy as usual, of course. Though... Junchiro had to call in sick today."
"Did he?" I ask as I lean forward. "What exactly happened?"
"It is a very complicated story, but from what I understand..."