Carter, Ladia and Florolia rushed into the tower as quick as he could. Just in time to see Sivus' trial begin. Sivus stood patiently in front of the council as they entered. Ladia and Florolia were standing in the jury seats.
"This meeting has been called into place from the results of of the destruction of the Darbus Colony." the Asari councillor Tevos began.
"Commander Sivus of Palavan you have been accused of being responsible for over the deaths of 200,000 human colonists. Do you have anything to say in your defense before we begin?" The Turian councilor Sparatus asks.
"I plead not guilty."
"The evidence suggests differently Sivus." The human councillor Robert Forrester shouts.
"Commander Sivus, about a week ago you and your team were sent on a mission to stop some terrorists from attacking a Turian colony correct?" The Salarian Councilor Valern asked.
"Yes, that's correct."
"And they threatened to attack the colony with a missile strike that would launch a deadly chemical?" Tevos asked.
"Yes, that's correct."
"And from what we gathered, by the time you and your strike team got there, neutralized the terrorists, you could not stop the missile in time. Not only that but there were two targets instead of one. One for a Turian Colony, the other a Human Colony." Tevos continued.
"Yes, we couldn't stop the missile from launching but we did not aim it to a human colony. One was already set for a Turian Colony but we didn't do it for the human Colony."
"Really? You were only able to save one colony. And you chose to save your fellow Turian colony instead of the human colony am I right?" Robert asked.
"Robert what does race have to do with this?" Sparatus asked.
"Nothing, however why didn't you choose to try and call in for backup to alert the Human colony, or at least tell your superiors of the situation?" Robert asked Sivus.
"We did but they didn't respond in time. We were running out of time and I had to make a choice. I tried to alert the colony the best I could but I could not get through to them." Sivus answered.
"Objection!" Robert yelled as he slammed his fist on the table. "No transmission or warning was found in the recording. You chose to let those people die and you did nothing to warn them!"
"Your honor I know my friend Sivus would never let a colony die on his watch. He wasn't able to save both of them in time so he had to chose one of them." Carter spoke out as he walked over to Sivus' side.
"Carter?" Sivus asked in surprise.
"Commander Carter what are you doing here? This trial is none of your concern. You should be out trying stop Cerberus from taking more Reaper Tech instead of defending a criminal!" Robert asked.
"I am but someone has to stand up for a friend. Now I know Sivus would never let a colony die like that. Councilor, if you had a decision such as that. What would you do?"
"I would've done exactly what he did not do. I would've saved one and try to warn the other. Sivus did not bother to warn the colony and chose them to be the target of a failed mission."
"Objection, with all do respect that is bullshit Councillor. I did try to warn the Colony!" Sivus yelled.
"There is no active records of you trying. And your eye witnesses were all your men who are ready to die for you. So they're statements do not count." Robert continued.
"Robert that is enough. I know Sivus personally and before I was councillor I served with for a long time. He would not let any colony die like that especially if it's human or any race for that matter. However Councillor Robert is right, there are recording or hearings of you trying Sivus." Sparatus corrected.
"This trial is not about the choice you made but the reason why you did not try to warn the colony." Valern continued.
"Your honor he said that they didn't respond in time to warn them about the attack." Carter contributes.
"Commander Carter there is no evidence that he tried except eye witness of only his team. That is not enough to clear his name of such charges for friends are always willing to take the fall." Tevos answered.
"But your honor. I know he would never do this. He has two daughters and if they know him better they know he would never do this."
"What is this about Sivus having a second daughter all of a sudden?" Robert asked.
"Yes Sivus I never knew you had two children?" Sparatus asked in confusion.
"Regardless Commander they are still his family and they were not there to witness it and even if they did they are still close to the suspect. As such like his team they would be willing to lie for his case. Therefore their word cannot be counted for this trial." Valern stated.
Sivus turns to Carter. "It's over, Carter. We don't have enough evidence to prove that I didn't do this. Just say that I did it and throw me in jail already. I've had enough of this."
"Look Sivus you're obviously innocent and there has to be something that proves it." Carter mentions.
"Well what is there for me?"
"Sivus, Carter, if you two are done discussion, the council would like to continue." Tevos asked.
"Yes, we're done talking. Can we have a recess?"
"What already? The trial hasn't even made progress yet?' Robert asked.
Tevos, Valern, and Sparatus look at each other and nod in agreement. They look at Robert who can already tell their decision. With a sigh he agrees with them.
"Very well Carter, you and Sivus have a three hour recess to take a breather. This court will continue at that time." Tevos announces.
They leave for recess in the next room as Carter and Sivus where they are greeted by Ladia and Florolia.
"I'm done. I don't know what else to do." Sivus sits down and rubs his temples.
Florolia walks up to Sivus and takes a seat next to him while place a hand on his back. "Daddy please don't give up there has to be something that proves your innocence."
"Yes, but from what? My team isn't here to help me. What else can I do?"
"Do you think it may have been possible for the terrorists to hack into the coms you tried warning the human colony with and prevent you from warning them?" Ladia asks.
"Yeah but there's still nothing left."
"This trail seems unfair in your defense. Your team can't back you up and neither can your daughters." Carter mentions as he crosses his arms.
"Thank you all for helping but there's nothing left for me."
"But Sivus, you said yourself you tried and you know you did. How can you give in knowing that you still did the right thing?" Carter asked.
"Carter, what the hell else can I do?"
"I… I don't know, but you can just give up like this. You've got a family right here. One daughter who've you raised all your life and another you just got back after being deceived into thinking she was dead. They need you Sivus, please don't give up on this." Carter somewhat begged for Sivus and his family's sake.
"Your right, Carter. I can't give up now but I have no evidence to prove my innocence."
Meanwhile outside of the courtroom. As the team arrived to the Citadel with the gang still chasing them. They land outside front of the tower and ran inside as the gang continues following.
"Any ideas how're we're going to get these…" before Jolee could finish, the gang members were suddenly shot down quickly by a nearby sniper of some sort. Within just a few minutes, all the gang members chasing after them were shot down.
"What the hell just happened?" Astok asked
"Who cares. Let's get in there and get the evidence to Sivus." Zea'Nara answers as they all ran into the tower.
In the meantime, Carter continues to chat with Sivus about what they could next as Ladia and Florolia sit close by.
"Ok you said you did warn the colony but the broadcast wasn't able to reach them in time. And the councillors say that there is recording records of you trying. So from the way I see it, somebody is trying to get rid of you." Carter mentions.
"Daddy, can you think of anybody that would have strong reasons they want to get rid of you?" Ladia asks.
"No, I don't know of anyone who would. And if there are any, they could range in one in a million. Because I can imagine I've made quite a lot of enemies in my day." Sivus answers.
The team runs in busting through the door as they all panted from running with some collapsing on one another.
"What the?" Sivus asked.
"Big...rushing...tower...evidence...whooo!" Astok said in between breaths.
"Damn man, we only ran like fifty or more feet. You're really out of shape." Jolee mentions to Astok.
"Fuck...you…" Astok quotes in between breaths.
"What are you guys doing here?" Carter asks.
Zea'Nara walks up to Carter.
"We have evidence to prove that Sivus is innocent."
"You do?" Florolia asked.
"Yes, here you go." Zea'Nara taps her omni-tool to showcase the evidence into Carter and the rests' omni-tools. Sivus and Carter tap their omni-tools to playback the recording.
"About time. Now with him out of the way we can fulfill our contract to our client and start finding the reaper tech she requested. And return, a shit load of credits enough to take over the Citadel." the leader answered.
"I hope this all going to be worth it. It wasn't easy carefully hacking into that terrorists network and tricking Sivus into thinking he had to make a choice." another gang member said.
"Yeah, that bomb was only going after one target, all we did was add another target and tricked him into thinking there were two. And when he deactivated the bomb, we blow up the one he didn't chose and boom…"
Sivus face changes to anger after hearing this.
"So the human colony was never a target for the chemical weapon to begin with? These bastards killed an entire colony just to frame me?!" Sivus yelled in anger.
"Thank you, Zea'Nara. Thank you all. Sivus would be in jail right now if it wasn't for you guys. How and where did you get this?"
"Well...uh..." Don tried answering but couldn't find words.
"They were able to find it from a local gang who had planned to frame Sivus from the start." the group heard a Turian with custom targeting visor appear as he walks up to them. He was carrying a heavily custom Krysae Sniper rifle with him.
"Commander Vakarian?" Sivus asked.
"Wait a minute, I know you. Your Garrus Vakarian of the Normandy." Ladia mentions in surprise.
"The one and only." Garrus smirks.
"You were one who sniped those gang members off our asses." says Asrok.
"Yeah I've had more challenging target practices in the day."
"It's honor to meet you." Carter gives his hand out to Garrus.
"So you're the famous Commander Carter that everyone is talking about being the next Shepard. Well you can use some more training but I think you're well on your way." Garrus shakes Carter's hand.
"Thanks I guess."
"May I ask what brings you here Garrus?" Sivus asks.
"We've been observing that gang's activities for a while back a C-Sec. I had a theory that they were going to pull something which I guess my hunch was correct. However I couldn't make a move until I could find real hard evidence. And low and behold, Viper team got the hard evidence I needed."
"You were watching us?" Anetti asked.
"Watching, I was with you guys the whole trip. Stood close by and kept my eye on you all through my scope. Recorded everything you guys recorded. Now if I'm not mistaken I believe you have a trail to finish Commander Sivus."
"Yes I do. Let's go."
Everyone heads back into the council meeting room as the four Councillors enter.
"This trial will now continue where it has left off." Tevos spoke first.
"Commander Sivus, do you have any further evidence to try and prove your innocents?" Sparatus asked.
"Yes I do. We have this recorded message from a gang that framed me." Sivus mentions as he plays the recording.
"About time. Now with him out of the way we can fulfill our contract to our client and start finding the reaper tech she requested. And return, a shit load of credits enough to take over the Citadel." the leader answered.
"I hope this all going to be worth it. It wasn't easy carefully hacking into that terrorists network and tricking Sivus into thinking he had to make a choice." another gang member said.
"Yeah, that bomb was only going after one target, all we did was add another target and tricked him into thinking there were two. And when he deactivated the bomb, we blow up the one he didn't chose and boom…"
"Objection!" Robert yelled again.
"What?" Sivus asked.
"How do we know that the recording was not planned to try and provide false evidence of Sivus' innocence?" Robert asked the court.
"You can't be serious?" Don says rubbing his forehead.
"Where did you find such evidence?' Robert asks Sivus.
"It was my team that helped went look for evidence to help Sivus your honor."
"And Commander did your team have permission from you to do such a thing? Or did you secretly asked your team to fix up a stage to provide the false evidence of his innocence?"
"No, your honor. As soon as they heard about Sivus' trial. They wanted to help out but I didn't know they would acquire evidence we needed."
"I vouch for both Commander Sivus and Commander Carter with his team. I was there the entire time keeping a strong eye on them. The evidence is fake set up. Commander Sivus was framed by a local gang who wanted him out of the way so they could get their hands on the Reaper Tech." Garrus spoke out in their defense.
"Vakarian? What are you doing here?" Sparatus asked.
"Just finishing up some C-Sec work that I've been working on for the past few months." Garrus answers.
"I see." Sparatus mentions.
"We will run a scan on the recording to see if it was staged or not. Until then wait here." Valern mentions.
"Any further objections Councillor Robert?" Tevos asks.
Robert sighs and shakes his head.
"Objection withdrawn and no ma'am." Robert says.
"We shall return at the moment." Tevos says as she and the other councilors take the evidence and walk off to go have it scanned. Leaving everyone to themselves at the moment.
"I am thankful for this Commander Garrus." Sivus mentions.
"My pleasure and honor commander Sivus. Oh and Carter, when this trial is done may I speak with you privately at the Presidium Commons?
"Of course, Garrus."
Around that time the Councillors return.
"We have scanned the evidence and found it not a stage set up. Commander Sivus you are hear by cleared of all charges and welcome to continue your work. This trial has now come to its close." Tevos mentions.
The council members take their leave and walk off somewhere.
"Thank you your honor and thank you Carter. For standing by me especially you two. My baby girls."
"Your welcome daddy." Both Florolia and Ladia answered as they walked up and hugged their father who hugged them back.
"Your welcome Sivus. I'm glad I could help."
"I don't know about you guys but I am done." Don commented as he and Astok begin heading back to the ship.
"Hey I still got C-Sec on my ass. Kriat does too." Axel asks.
"I wouldn't worry about that. I'll be sure to get them off your asses." Garrus jokes.
"You think they'll let you do that?"
"They should I am the commander of C-Sec." Garrus takes his leave and heads off to the Presidium Commons. Carter decided to follow Garrus as he needed to meet with him.
Later Carter was sitting at a table at the cafe in the Presidium commons with Garrus sitting across from him.
"I appreciate you meeting me here on such short notice Carter I've been racked up with all kinds of C-Sec jobs ever since I joined back after the Reaper War." Garrus states as he pours himself a drink.
"Of course, Garrus. What was that you wanted to talk about?"
"Well Carter I've got this situation. I got paged last night from a few of my old team from the Normandy. Ashley Williams and James vega, two of N7's finest are on a mission you see at Freedom's Progress. They usually don't request back unless it was of highest importance. Especially if they're requesting it from an old friend. However I can't get to them this time. I need you and your squad to help them."
"Ok I'll do what I can but how come you can't help them."
"Well...you see, my hands are pretty full and I can't just leave." Garrus answers.
Suddenly Carter felt someone tug on his leg a little. He looks down to see a cute little female Turian child carrying a pink Blasto plushie. She was of light grey color who had big blue eyes, lavender markings on her face, and appeared to be either four or five years old. She was wearing a purple sundress with blue bow with white one suit under her dress. Carter kneels to her smiling at her.
"Well hello there little one. Are you lost?" Carter asks the little Turian girl.
"Mr...Carter, can you sign my Blasto plushie please…" the cute little Turian girl asked.
"Laecia? What are you doing here without your mother I thought she was close by?' Garrus asked the little Turian girl.
"I told her she can go ask for an autograph from the second human specter in history." The three heard an adult female Turian. She was a light grey color who had gold markings across her face and had the same colored eyes as the little turian girl; Laecia. She wore a simple dark blue female turian dress that had some small traces of white here and there. The turian woman walked up to Garrus and kissed him before picking Laecia up.
"My apologies, Carter this is my wife Senlea and my daughter Laecia." Garrus answered.
"Nice to meet you two." Carter shakes hands with Senlea and Laecia.
"Laecia is a big fan of the Blasto movie series. I told her that you were a council specter and she was wondering if she could get an autograph but she's always very shy." Senlea mentions.
"Her actually walking up and asking you is a surprise even to me." Garrus shrugs.
"Of course. I'll sign it for you." Carter pulls out his Omni-Tool and signs her Blasto plushie leaving his name on her plushie. The child's face brighten up in excitement as she saw this.
"Thank you Mr. Carter." Laecia smiled brightly.
"I have to get back to the Turian Embassy here on the Citadel. We'll catch you later honey." Senlea mentions to Garrus.
"Take care you two." Garrus kisses his wife one more time before she walks off while carrying little Laecia with her.
"You know I first met Senlea at a bar me and Shepard went to. I swear I did so very bad at first flirting with her but thanks to Shepard, I was able to try again and now here we are married and with a beautiful daughter. But Carter, they are the real reason why I can't go help my old teammates." Garrus answers.
"Yes I see now. I'll do what I can to help."
"Well there's more to it. You see, Senlea former last name used to be Victus before we married."
"Victus?' Wait you don't mean…?"
"Yep, I'm married to Primarch Adrien Victus' youngest and now only daughter. Which makes our little girl Victus' granddaughter. As such, both of them are huge possible targets for anyone who wants to strike it hard to my people's Hierarchy. Cerberus especially. I can't leave them Carter, they're both my family and very important people to the Primarch of Palaven." Garrus answers sadly.
"No I understand now. Me and my team will help you out the best we can"
"Thank you commander, I'm in your debt for this. Now I do apologize but I have to get back to work, I promised Laecia I would take her to see the new Blasto movie after work. Contact me when you get the mission done and good luck Carter." Garrus stands up and shakes Carter hand before taking a sip of drink.
Garrus leaves and Carter leaves after him. As Carter walks down the Presidium, Kriat comes crashing down from the sky and lands in front of Carter, clearly out of breath and somewhat hurt.
"Kriat!" Carter kneels down to help him.
"Carter, I must speak with Amuya…" Kriat spoke in Carter's head.
"What happened?"
"A new face to our enemies has revealed itself. One of such power that as of now, the ones you call Cerberus are the least of our problems." Kriat answered.
"Come on. Let's get back to the ship." Carter helps Kriat up and lets him lean on his as they made their way back to the ship.