Garrus stared at the holo-screen, smirking the whole while as Benezia and Shala'Raan grilled the Batarian Ambassador while Councilor Tevos stewed angrily off to the side. Even to a Turian like Garrus, who was largely unfamiliar with Asari facial expressions, he could tell that the Counselor was furious about how things weren't going her way.
Tali glanced at the screen as she flew the ship towards the landing pad with a smirk on her face; "There's a reason why Cato and I always took care to make sure that Auntie 'Raan never got caught up in our pranks." She said.
Kal snorted, "Yeah, and you made sure the main target was me." He grumbled. "And you knew I couldn't retaliate."
Liara just shook her head, leaning back in her seat, absently dusting off the skin tight black suit that she, Tali, Kal, and Kasumi were wearing. "I must admit, it is entertaining to see Tevos so clearly struggling with her control. Not since grade school have I seen one of my own kind so clearly struggle to hold her temper."
Kasumi glanced at the screen before she pulled the mask over her face, along with the multi-purpose goggles over her eyes; before she popped up the Sehni that Kal had given her as a gift when they had first started dating. "Alright, let's make sure that our suits and the modifications are all working properly." She said, her normally teasing voice had an undertone of seriousness that didn't belong to her.
The other three nodded and sealed up their suits. They tapped the wrist controls, and the four disappeared in a digital flicker. Garrus watched the four spaces as odd rippling in the air was the only indication of any movement.
"How's this?"
"Bah!" Garrus flinched as Kasumi's voice came from just behind him.
The other three chuckled as the puckish human deactivated her stealth suit. "Combine tech may be nice, but they were always about brute force." She shook her head and walked back to her seat. "The things I could have done with a suit like this back on Earth..."
"Right, so what's the game plan?" Kal asked once the checkup was complete.
Garrus opened his mouth, then paused and spun in his chair and gave an uncertain buzz, "Vestris, you alright kiddo?" He asked.
The young Turian staggered out from the tiny bathroom, holding her stomach; the descent through the atmosphere and the turbulence hadn't done her stomach any favors. "I'm okay dad…" She groaned, leaning against the bulkhead as a spark came off her hand.
"OW!" Kas jumped up and rubbed her butt, "Careful there kiddo, metal conducts electricity."
"Sorry…" Vestris half whimpered, cringing slightly, as even after a number of months on the Normandy, she was still unused to the idea of people accepting her nature.
Garrus just picked her up and set her on his lap, "Right then, game plan," he started uncertainly, "Vestris and I will visit my parents, but before that we'll be wandering the streets, taking in the sights and everything; we'll also be interacting with other Civies to get a hand on what the people are thinking about potential war with the Quarians." He explained.
"Meanwhile, the rest of us will be a bunch of peeping toms and see what else we can find out; maybe steal some stuff while we're at it." Kasumi added, and Garrus knew the woman was smirking behind her balaclava. "Got anything you want me to pick up?"
"A modicum of self control?" Garrus buzzed in mild annoyance as they touched down.
Kasumi's pixie laugh and the digital flicker of her stealth suit were his only answer.
"Fuck the Quarians!"
Vestris ducked behind her fathers legs, even as the Turian soldier on leave took another giant swig from his bottle. She took a deep breath to settle her powers, even as her father just rubbed his eyes in exasperation. "I assume you mean that in the metaphorical sense, and please watch your language; there are children present."
Vestris shrunk in on herself as she felt the eyes of what felt like half the bar zeroed in on her for a moment, before chagrined expressions crossed most of their faces, many of them murmuring slurred apologies.
Almost all were soldiers and sailors on leave, and it didn't escape either of their notice that more than half of them had nodded or shouted with the apparent leader in agreement.
Those that didn't shout or nod in agreement seemed to give the others who spoke out, and the leader in particular, annoyed looks at being interrupted from their drinks and meals; with a depressingly low amount looking genuinely disgusted with the leader. Vestris shuddered as she felt the wandering thoughts of many of them; many of the ones that had shouted in agreement had more or less just shouted to blend in with the crowd so they could get back to their drinks.
But there were a number… a number that genuinely agreed with the leader. And the leader himself; Vestris could feel the raw, blinding disdain they had for other races besides their own, particularly the Quarians.
The others, she felt mostly… apathy, beyond a dislike for the 'system'; but there was no love lost for the Quarian people. And the number of people who seemed opposed to the potential subjugation or war against the Migrant Fleet out of genuine moral grounds were few and far between.
Vestris was glad when her father finally had enough of asking around to gather information and decided to just go to his parents house. She could only stomach the negative emotions and stifling apathy for so long before it got to be too much for her.
She just hoped her fathers family visit would be less emotionally draining.
Garrus swallowed nervously, while Vestris shuddered and hid behind his legs, her usual habit whenever she got nervous or scared. He had been trying to get her out of her shell, but in this case he had no objections. He had no clue how his father would react, nor his sister and brother in law would think of him suddenly showing up from the dead with a child.
It was just as well that with all the division both for and against war and subjugation of the Quarians, Tali couldn't reveal herself. He loved her deeply, but there was no way he would introduce her to his father; not along with Vestris since if he did that he would give his father an aneurysm.
Closing his eyes he took a breath, Everything will be okay… everything will be okay… He thought to himself, letting his sour emotions and memories of the journey to the property fading away.
Raising a hand, he rang the doorbell, and set a hand on Vestris' head; even as she stayed behind him. He could feel through his hand that she was only just barely restraining her power thanks to her nerves.
A set of footsteps gave him pause, and the door's electronic lock opened, and Garrus found himself face to face with his Sister. He felt a nervous smile work its way across his face, "Hey big sis, I-"
He stopped talking as Solana pulled him into a tight hug, nestling her head into his shoulder while she buzzed in relief. "Oh thank the Spirits! When the news of the Destiny Ascension came, we all assumed the worst. Over a year with no contact, and then the Quarian ambassador said the fleet had rescued people; I almost dared to believe that you were still alive!" She was rambling, and Garrus set a hand on her head while buzzing reassuringly.
"And here I am big sis, you can't get the top bunk that easily." He joked.
Solana just gave a choked sob, before she turned to face the inside of the house before Garrus cleared his throat, causing her to stop and give him a questioning look. "There is… another reason why I didn't contact you." He said.
Solana tilted her head, and Garrus stepped aside, letting Vestris be seen in full view. The girl was caught off guard for a moment, but gave Solana a shaky wave, "Um… h-h-hi, my name's Vestris; it's uh, it's a pleasure to finally meet you Aunt Solana."
Tali would have enjoyed the abilities of the stealth suits more if it were not for the seeming rampant warmongering against her people. Everywhere they went there was some piece of propaganda against the Quarians. This was particularly concerning since there had been no threat against the Hierarchy, and not even an official statement by the Primarchs. There seemed to simply be a concerted propaganda campaign intended to stir the Turians against the Migrant Fleet.
As if the past 300 years of isolation and persecution weren't enough.
At least the suits worked if her HUD was any indication. While she and Liara kept to the edges of any crowd, Kasumi's Pip wove in and out of the throngs like... well, like an expert thief working a crowd. Kal flitted as close to her as he could, in a desperate effort to be there if she somehow got found out. As the afternoon wore on, it became apparent that there was little chance of that.
Tali was standing next to a Holo-Projector store showing episodes of that abysmal 'Valor of the Spirit!' show that had replaced 'Fleet and Flotilla'. It had been her most beloved and all time favorite show. The humans didn't seem to think much of it, even the younger ones, but it was still a good show dammit! She reflexively pantomimed tossing back a shot as the propaganda show's current lead declared he would defend his colony, 'for Valor's sake!'
Det'kazuat! I hate this show.
She was about to signal the rest of the team that they should move on when Kasumi's and Kal's pips made a laser-straight path to her position.
"I need to show you something," Kasumi whispered as soon as she was next to Tali.
Tali signaled the squad, and they all made their way to the roof of a nearby store. Once everyone was together and out of sight, Kasumi deactivated her stealth system and set a small painted disk on the ground in front of them all.
"While I was working the crowd, I saw this get handed off between two Turians. They were very careful not to be noticed."
"By anyone except you, Inszel."
Kasumi glanced at Kal, then continued. "The one doing the handing said, 'Tonight. Show this, and we'll bring you in.' I tagged the hand-ee so we can track him back." She scooped up the token and stood up. "I don't know for sure, but this felt like more than just some 'Boy's Club' initiation."
Tali thought for a moment, then nodded to herself. "It's the best we've got for now. Even if it is just some 'Fraternity of Scoundrels', they might be more open to hearing our case than those rabid 'Valor' fans."
Liara seemed less certain, "We best be careful, the enemy of our enemy is not necessarily our friend." She informed them, recalling the history texts she'd read about humanity. "Just look at the First Russian Revolution, it was the Communists, Socialists, and Liberals that formed the coalition that took down the Tsar. And the moment the Tsar was gone, they fell into infighting and with the exception of the Moderate Socialists and the Liberals; all the factions turned against their former allies."
None of the others seemed to have a response to that, and so went back to the crowd watching.
Garrus sat down at the dinner table, Vestris sat next to him, trying to make herself look as small as possible; while Solana paced back and forth in front of them. "You're lucky father and my bonded were out getting medicine for mom; because I don't think father would have handled such a shock without someone to prep him." She grumbled, running a hand through her fringe.
"How is mom?" Garrus asked, hoping that things weren't worse than when he'd left.
"Not good, she has her good days where she seems normal, and then there are days where she forgets everything. But both of those are less frequent now, now she seems to get her memories mixed up and forgets others. Like just yesterday, she forgot about dad but seemed to remember me and you; only we were still children, so she mistook my son for you." Solana explained sadly, taking her own seat.
Garrus grimaced and his fringe flexed in tune with his emotions while Vestris blinked and looked up at him then at Solana, likely picking up on their distress through her abilities. Garrus set a hand on her head to reassure her then looked back at his sister. "How long?" He asked.
"A year, maybe two if she's lucky." Solana stated sadly, finally taking a seat across from him at the table. Shaking her head, she looked down at Vestris and smiled lightly, "Now… How did you give a niece, little brother?" She asked.
Vestris blinked and shuddered lightly as her memories came back to her while Garrus clenched his mandibles in anger; taking his sister off guard slightly. "She… her mother was a fling from my Navy days; and I didn't even know little Vestris existed until a stroke of luck led us to finding each other." He finally said, smiling as Vestris hugged him from the side.
He glanced at Solana and shook his head, "Her mother abandoned her." he said flatley.
Solana clenched her mandibles and fought down a growl of fury and disbelief. To abandon ones civic duty to raise their child, it was perhaps one of the most dishonorable things one could do. Clarity reached her mind, and Solana leaned forward in her seat and locked eyes with her brother. "You're here for her, aren't you?" She asked.
"Among other things. I don't think I'll find her here; but I have to start somewhere." He replied.
Solana nodded and leaned back in her chair. "Well little brother, I think I can help with that. In the meantime, let's show my little niece around the house shall we?"
Tali moved in the shadows, not really trusting the Black Op's suit to keep her hidden despite all the Council, Combine, and Pre-War human tech stuffed into it.
It was a good suit, though she wasn't a fan of how skin-tight it was, even Quarian Envirosuits left some to the imagination. Still, she had been allowed to keep her Sehni and her mask, so that was a plus. The Sehni's had been given to all four of the invisible watchers, but only Tali and Kal had the visors for obvious reasons; while Kasumi and Liara had on Balaclava's, since they both looked like Asari so long as Kasumi didn't show any skin or her eyes.
Tali kept a hand on her pistol as they tracked the Turian that Kasumi had tagged, despite the darkness of night there were still a number of people out on the street.
He approached one of the store fronts as Kasumi slipped up beside him and palmed the token back into his pocket.
Tali watched the exchange, hoping against hope that Garrus wouldn't have to come rescue them; they had of course informed him of their intentions, but had told him to stay with Vestris and catch up with his family. Especially if his mother was as sick as he feared.
She took a calming breath, and Liara whispered; "Don't worry, all throughout Galactic history, there is no real equivalent to the Bolshviks or the National Socialists like in human history. Not even the Krogan were that ruthless or bloodthirsty; nor have the Asari been that overt."
Kal snorted, "Fat load of good that did my people." He grumped.
That was certainly a dampener on their current mood; but at this point, they all had to shut up and stick to the walls as they followed the Turian to a locked door, where another Turian stood in front with his arms crossed.
As good as their suits were, they weren't noise cancelling.
"Italius gave you the token?" The giant Turian asked.
In response, the new recruit dug into his pocket and withdrew the token that Kasumi had thankfully replaced only moments before they entered. The guard just nodded and turned and inputted a code, the door opening as he stood to the side and gestured; Tali, Kasumi, Kal, and Liara practically scrambling inside at the opportunity, even as they heard the guard say, "Welcome Comrade."
Tali nearly stopped dead in her tracks, and only Liara practically yanking her to the side prevented the new recruit from stumbling into her. It was both the age old insult to Quarians mixed with what she saw in front of her that so seriously jarred her.
It was more of a basement cellar, packed to the brim with Turians of all sizes and ages. The walls were lined with banners bearing unfamiliar crests, as well as placards with the more familiar Colony facial markings. The far wall was dominated by a raised platform with three seats, all of which were occupied. The centermost was a grizzled and scarred old woman that almost glared out over the assembly.
She flared her good mandible challengingly. "Our last wayward son has finallyarrived. Welcome to The Barfaced." She gestured around as every Turian in attendance wiped the Colony markings off of their faces. "For more than a millennium, we have suffered under Hierarchy occupation. Our cultural identity washed away, replaced by the Mark of the White Talon."
A placard from one of the walls was brought over to the initiate as he was guided to the front of the room. "You are a son of Gothis. What brought you to Palaven?"
Tali watched, wondering if it was some kind of screwed up initiation process; or if it was something harmless like 'Birthday Pushups' that she saw many humans engage in.
The young Turian looked unsure for a moment, then stood ramrod straight. "Once my enlistment in the Armiger Legion was concluded, I was assigned a home here. I was told that Palaven was my new home, as all good Turians live for the Hierarchy first."
The old crone looked the youth in the eyes. "And are you? Are you a good Turian?"
The young man snatched the placard out of the talons of the male next to him and snapped the image of the Colony marking in half. "No! I am a good Son of Gothis!" He threw the fragments on the ground. "I served the Hierarchy with honor for three years, and was rewarded by being told I couldn't return to the world of my birth for another three on penalty of prison."
The crone smiled a cold mirthless grin, and took up a small dish with what looked like a paintbrush. "And so it is with everyone here, and tens of thousands across the Hierarchy." She began gently brushing the youth's face, which began to faintly smoke as the Colony mark was erased by an acid. "For centuries, the Primarchs have displaced us from our homes and seeded our worlds with their favored children; a punishment for not submitting during the Unification."
She put the bowl down and took a damp rag from another bowl and began gently wiping the youth's face. "No more are you a Varen of the Hierarch, condemned to bear the Mark of the White Talon. You are now Barefaced. Turn and face your kin."
He turned around and made his way through the crowd to the Banner of Gothis, while the Turians he passed each touched his now bare face.
-Clickclack-
Tali forced herself to remain still at the signal from Kasumi, and slowly reached up and clicked her response.
-Clickclack-Clickclack-
Translation? Kasumi was asking what Tali thought, whether or not to reveal themselves; and Tali's reply was an emphatic No. If it were at all possible, she would have added an exclamation point to her response.
Bringing up the eye tracking typing software for her visor, Tali immediately sent, "We are NOT revealing ourselves until we get a better handle on who these people are and what they believe. Remember Liara's warning and what she said about the Bolsheviks and National Socialists? Ancestors, they're even meeting in similar ways to those genocidal radicals."
There was a short pause, and then all Kasumi sent was, ":("
The crone rapped her knuckles on the armrest of her chair. "I will now turn our meeting over to Gaius."
The male to her left stood up and activated a projector on the dais which showed the silent propaganda that Tali had endured all day. "You have all seen the news, and heard the rumblings. The Hierarchy and their Overlords in the Citadel are rallying for another war; this time it is against the Quarians. They say it is precautionary, that it is in response to the events on Ikari; but they are mobilizing a disproportionately large response to the threat posed by the Migrant Fleet. This provides us with a unique opportunity."
The hologram shifted to show several worlds. "Mobilization and redeployment has left two full fists of colonies without full garrisons, and only the Hastatim remain behind."
Tali shivered slightly at the Hierarchy's infamous occupation legions. She hadn't realized the Hierarchy actively maintained these forces on their own worlds; to think that they were more than willing to use force on their own people to make sure they stayed in line and followed the Council… it did not bode well for the Migrant Fleet when Tevos ran out of patience.
By normal galactic standards, Human, Quarian, and Turian standards, Tevos was remarkably patient. She had waited sixteen years to deal with one of her rivals, one that had slighted her by mocking her as being nothing more than an unknown bandit from the Terminus; when Tevos had come to power, she had first exiled her rival in an effort to appear merciful, while in secret she had killed off her rivals entire family.
Then, when the moment was right, she had her rival killed in the dead of night on Omega.
Sixteen years…
By Asari standards, that was the equivalent of just a few days. And that said nothing about the way the Quarian people as a whole seemed to be a massive sore point for Tevos. Tali genuinely worried that if pushed far enough, Tevos would just wipe out the Quarian people; damn the consequences.
Shaking her head, she refocused on the gathering in front of her, her mouth twisting into a scowl as she listened to them talk. At first it seemed like just endless debate about how much they all resented the Hierarchy until the crone slammed a fist on her chair.
"Enough chatter! We have endured occupation for a thousand years, and this is the first time any of these worlds have been left unguarded. No matter what bravado the Primarchs may spout, the Fleet will be busy with the Migrant Flotilla for months! If we do not act now, we may never cast off the yoke of the Citadel and their puppets in the Hierarchy."
She jabbed a talon at the crowd. "So stop telling us why it's 'oh so terrible', and start coming up with a plan to do something about it!"
Tali felt an almost tickle of a thought; strategies of dividing forces across the galaxy. The might of the Turian Hierarchy was the bulwark and bastion that propped up Council power. If there really was this kind of dissent among the Turians, then it could give her people the opening they needed to shatter that bulwark.
If she played it right, she might even earn her people a major ally: one that universally had military training and a motivation to fight.
Tali winced and felt a slight headache overtake her, as that tickle grew stronger for a moment before dissipating; and she had to fight down a growl that would doubtlessly give her away. She hated that she had a connection to the Vortessence, but nowhere near strong enough to utilize any powers.
Despite that, there were times like now, in high stress environments, where the connection that all Quarians had with the mysterious power tried to force itself through. Shaking her head, she blinked as a message from Kal popped up in her HUD.
"You okay spider?"
"Fine. I've seen enough, let's go." she replied to the whole group.
"Got it. Back to the ship." Liara sent.
":( awww, I was having fun watching them argue; two of them almost got into a fistfight. :(" Kasumi sent, and Tali turned her gaze to Kas' ping and sent the woman her best glare.
Even invisible, the infamous 'Zorah Glare' was enough to cow the human infiltrator into submission. ":( You're no fun."
Rolling her eyes, Tali turned to leave; already mentally exhausted and ready to give the report to the Security board and get some sleep. Hopefully she could have a peaceful night for once.
Tali stared at Ayita for a long moment, before saying, "Ayita… I love you, but I also hate you."
"It's not my fault, the Vortessence works in mysterious ways." Her sister-in-law snapped angrily in reply, her own exhaustion showing through the transmission; and her fiery temper was leaking through as a result. "I never try to make our lives complicated, I'm just the mouthpiece for what does."
Tali just shook her head and set her forehead down on the console in front of her while Kal pinched the bridge of his nose. Kas and Liara both looked stunned while Garrus and Vestris looked uncertain.
"And you're sure that Auntie 'Raan is…"
"I'll show you the memory the Other allowed me to latch onto when the Nihilanth showed Tevos; but I think it's pretty clear." Ayita grumbled, reached over to something out of sight before coming back into frame with a bottle of wine. Without a word, she uncorked it and took a massive swig before sealing it again. "Driving me to drink is what this damned persona is doing."
Shaking her head, she said; "That's why we called, because we need to arrange a meeting with the rest of the security council. The fact that Shala is in the line of succession is reason enough, but the fact that the Nihilanth is helping Tevos and showed her the memory just adds incentive to do so."
Tali blew a frustrated raspberry and massaged her temples. "I'll take your word for it. This isn't something we can drop on the Admiralty and the Conclave and expect them to just go along with it." She looked at the human in the hologram. "There was enough of an uproar in the Conclave when my father was confirmed as an Admiral due to his relationship to the 'Zorah Dynasty. We could see a splintering of the fleet into old Clan factions if we don't handle this right."
There was a snort on Ayita's end, and she turned the camera to face Matriarch Benezia and Shala; the two of them also sitting there and looking similarly exhausted. "Exactly, which is why we're keeping this secret for the time being; though there are a number of ways to grant the idea legitimacy."
The Matriarch began ticking them off with her fingers, "First, military victories; which, given the best case scenario, will start being a certainty in a week at the most. Tevos is growing impatient, and when she gets impatient people die. That's how she ended up going through three different Secret Police Chiefs in the span of a year."
Shala pursed her lips. "While everyone loves a war hero, that good will only lasts as long as the victories do. We are going to lose some battles, so we can't 'put all our crew on one shuttle' like that."
Shala shook her head before continuing, "Second of course, is the curing of our immune systems; though without Antlions that's nearly impossible… But… we have an idea. Once the shooting starts, we won't be able to get back to the fleet; which Tevos almost certainly intended, but that works for us."
Tali blinked in confusion, "What do you mean by that?" She asked.
Ayita popped back into frame, "There are rumours of a secret research base, one that is running experiments on creatures that sound very similar to Antlions. It's something that's worth looking into because either we find more AGE supplies… or we find a potential Portal into Xen, which opens some very good and very disturbing possibilities." She explained.
Tali nodded absently. "Well that's going to have to be all on you. We have an... evolving situation here. There's apparently an underground movement within the Hierarchy that resents the current political landscape." She locked eyes with the three in the holo. "They're planning an open revolt, once the Hierarchy forces begin fully deploying."
Ayita leaned back in the holocall, "What are their politics?"
"Does it matter?" Garrus asked.
"I want to say it does, and I also want to say it doesn't… so I'll be blunt, are we dealing with National Socialists, Bolsheviks, Sons of Liberty, or some mixture in between?" She replied.
Garrus buzzed absently. "Honestly, this is more akin to your 'Great War'. Prior to contact with the Council, the Turians were recovering from the Unification Wars with the Hierarchy maintaining dubious control over more than a dozen seperatist systems. It was really only the interference by the Council that allowed them to remain in power to this day." He glanced at everyone in turn. "They're all still pretty fractions, but also fractured. They're really only unified by their resentment of Hierarchy occupation and colonization. As it is, even if they managed to kick the Primarchs off of their worlds, they'd likely just fall to infighting. The Hierarchy could just wait them out, then swoop in and 'restore order' to the colonies."
"Oh, so we're looking at a potential Yugoslavia or Austria-Hungary; because that went so well for us." Ayita grumbled. "Or in a more optimistic sense, an America under the Articles of Confederation."
"More like the America Europe was hoping for during the American Civil War." Everyone flinched slightly as Kasumi made herself known. "Let the little powers wear themselves out, then swoop in and pick over the corpse."
Garrus buzzed in agitation. "I may not be Seperatist or a Hierarchy hardliner, but I don't want to see my people trampled under any more than any of you do." He slipped his talons into Tali's hand. "I'll support whatever decision you feel is best, but we'll need allies." He looked at the image of Admiral 'Raan. "It might be a major political Coup for the future Empress of the Quarians to develop allies in the Separatists; maybe help moderate their actions and, guide them to a more sustainable political model than interstellar anarchy."
The Admiral snorted angrily, "Ha! Like these separatists would accept help from a foriegn Queen." Then she smiled and nodded, "Nonetheless… if they accept the help, we'll be willing to give it."
Tali felt another twinge and frowned. "Maybe not from a Queen, but certainly from another people 'oppressed by the Hierarchy and the Council'." She looked at the 'Diplomatic team'. "You should focus on delaying Tevos as much as possible, and whatever lead it is Benezia's people have found. We'll see if we can make more direct contact with these almost rebels and begin building Relays here."
Everyone nodded and cut the connection.
Tevos had had enough.
She was done dealing with the little princess playing ruler; and she was done with Benezia constantly undercutting her attempts to control the situation. She was done with diplomacy, and she was done with dealing with the Batarian Ambassador. Balak had done more harm than good, and allowing the little idiot to run his mouth was something that Tevos had been regretting ever since this whole fiasco had started.
Why can't he be more like his son? Ka'hairal is so much easier to deal with; that boy has a sharp mind too… must be his mother, because I don't see anything good with that fat bastard. She grumbled, glancing over at the Batarian ambassador as he smashed his fist against his armrest, his fat jiggling from the action.
Tevos turned her attention back to 'Raan, the little 'Unknowing Princess' and Benezia; the honor guard behind them nothing more than background. Tevos hadn't forgotten what Quarians looked like, and if Admiral 'Raan had been younger she might have made a tolerable lover given her sharp mind and calm demeanor.
But as it stood, she could no longer tolerate being undercut anymore. She glanced down and typed rapidly into her datapad, "Ora K'Rani… It is time. Do not fail me." She quickly sent the message, and received a ping of confirmation.
Tevos kept her face level, but internally she was cackling in satisfaction. It was time for the line of 'Calin to die off; and it was time to deal with Benezia. If all went well, they would never know who or what hit them.
Tevos raised a hand and said, "I think it would be best to give a brief recess for the next hour to allow everyone a quick lunch break. Are we agreed?"
Everyone gave her looks, her colleagues one of relief, the Batarian Ambassador one of fury, and the Quarian delegation had looks of suspicion on their faces. But there was no stopping what was coming. "Seconded." Was all Valern said, and in doing so sealed the Quarians fate.
Today was going to be a good day for her.
Pilot A/N: This was a relatively short chapter, but an important one; as it shows what Tali and Garrus have been up to and all that. Now, the barefaced… I think the best way to describe them, is to describe them as "Libertarian's if they were Bolsheviks"; aka, Intellectuals sitting in secret safehouses and meeting in basements endlessly debating what is best for the Turian people and bellyaching about their lot in life.
But Ian did point out that since they're Turians, they would be a lot more proactive than the Bolsheviks had been during the days before the second Russian Revolution; which led to this sort of hybrid of the American Founding Fathers and the Bolsheviks.
Anything to add Ian?
Ian A/N: We start to see more of the future taking shape, as well as the fractures in the Citadel's facade. Potential allies will be just as important for the Flotilla as dividing and conquering the Citadel powerhouse.
Can they pull it off? Stay tuned to find out, dear reader.
Pilot: Right then, Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
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And we will see ya when we see ya.