Authors note: I apologize for the delay on this. The summer heat made things difficult, but a two week cold made it worse. So again sorry for the wait and I hope you enjoy!
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"What took you so long? Armor joints not connecting?" Desolas asked as Nihlus came out of the room and back into the hall to find him waiting for him, an impatient look on his face.
"Something like that," Nihlus lied, not sure how to explain the strange visions he had seen just a moment before. "Are we leaving or not?"
"Yes, let's go. Adaaya is already prepping the crew to leave I'd wager," Desolas stated as he turned and began walking own the hall, small jolts of electricity arcing from his heels to the floor.
Nihlus followed just behind Desolas, noting that the arcs seemed to be in a precise pattern, likely in line with his heartbeat. As he stared though, he began to see shapes and forms in the halls with them, transparent wispy forms of large beings similar to a Turian or Krogan, but with two pairs of eyes on their large heads, and strange looking weapons in their hands. They ran beside and through them as if they were not there. And just as quickly as the phantoms had appealed, they were gone, and Desolas had stopped in front of a door just ahead & was tapping on a console.
As Nihlus walked up beside him the door opened revealing a large hanger like dock with a small, but interesting looking ship within. Its design seemed vaguely Turian and Human at the same time, a small corvette, maybe a frigate at most, with a long central body and wings on either side. It was oddly smooth all across the whole thing, and Nihlus could see a few open sections on the body and wings that appeared to be holding weapons being checked over by maintenance crews that scurried about the dock. Perhaps the strangest facet of the ship however was its pitch colored paint, and the green and red lines that glowed across it from what looked to be circles or symbols on the top and bottom of its center most area.
"That is, a rather small ship," Nihlus commented as Desolas and he entered the dock and began walking down the catwalk to what appeared to be a docking tube.
"The "Normandy". Adaaya and I gave input on its initial design and building. It is our ship, a one of a kind corvette focused on brining to bear substantial power on a single point to allow for quick insertion of ground troops, and for stealth operations."
Nihlus looked at Desolas for a moment, causing him to laugh.
"Relax, it's not like it's for stealth bombing cities or anything," Desolas said as he walked toward the entrance, which opened up for him immediately.
As the two of them entered Nihlus found himself gazing at the walls and the consoles in a strange mix of confusion and wonder. The walls were sleek like most ship interiors, but had glowing runes and lines all across them. The floor had the same glowing lines across it, and Nihlus found he was unconsciously trying not to step on them.
The cockpit was almost immediately to their left as they entered, and the pilot swiveled in his seat to look at Nihlus and Desoals, a strangely happy looking smile covering his face. "Had to find a friend, eh Boss?"
"Hardly, the Spectre will be accompanying us to the Citadel," Desolas said as he turned to the human, who Nihlus then noticed had glowing metal braces on his legs. "So, how's she looking? Are we ready to go?"
"As soon as the eggheads give us the go ahead, yeah. My baby got here fine, so I don't know what they are squabbling about," he said with an aggravated shake of his head. "I've got the Citadels coordinates locked into the slipdrive, so as soon as you or Adaaya give me the go ahead we'll be out of here."
"Got it, Joker. I'll Tell Adaaya. Know where she flew off too?" Desolas asked with a chuckle.
"Um, yeah, think she said she was heading down to the mess hall to wait for you. Probably giving our troops the once over before we leave. Oh, and before you ask, Chakwas is already here. I could feel her cold gaze before she even came onto the ship, ugh," Joker said with a visible shudder before he turned back to his controls and tapped a few physical buttons, causing a low hum of music to come out of a speaker on the wall.
"Good to know, talk later!" Desolas said as he turned and walked down the hall to what Nihlus figured was a command interface center, or CIC. It had the look of a Turian CIC, though the strange machines, glowing panels and the fact that most consoles looked to be physical instead of holographic made it look both strange and archaic.
"Why does your ship not use holographic control panels," Nihlus finally asked as they came around the CIC's main holograph projector that was showing a model of the ship and came to a recess with a pair of wide stairs going down.
"Because it's inefficient," Desolas said simply. "If any problem occurs to the ships power then we lose all controls. With physical controls you still have some control even if your power grid becomes partially damaged. Holograms sometimes get effected by some magic, or Youkais presences too, so it's safer," Desolas explained as they both came down the stairs to the mess hall.
It was a simple mess hall, or at least it appeared so at first glance. To the right side of the large area was what looked like a medical ward closed into its own room, while the rest of the spacious room was simply separated by what it held. In the center were a couple of large tables with chairs connected to them, while on the right was what looked like a kitchen with a counter and a half dozen fridge's and cupboards, but no stove or heaters. Past the kitchen area was what looked like a small raised arena, and there were numerous people both in the kitchen cooking food on what looked to be grills built into them, and people in the arena sparring, one of them with a large pair of wings.
Before they could walk over though, a woman came over to Desolas and Saluted. "Sir, may I ask you a question, sir?"
"Yes . . . forgive me, Williams?" Desolas asked, unsure of the woman's name. She was very clearly young, but her appearance was very strange looking, as her eyes were a bright red, and her hair was an equally bright green.
"Yes, sir. Adaaya has told us the basic of what we will be doing, but she did not tell us the why. I was wondering if you were allowed or willing to explain the whole situation to us?"
"That would depend on exactly what Adaaya told you, now wouldn't it?" Desolas responded, causing the girl to scowl.
"She told us we were heading to the Citadel to learn Saren's whereabouts and make him pay for the attack on Eden Prime, and that the Spectre beside you would be joining us. She did not answer our questions about the ship that attacked Eden Prime, or about those mechanized troopers you took out and saved us from."
"I suppose that is why Alenko is sparring with her?" Desolas asked with a smirk that caused his mandibles to bend in ways that they were not meant to, making Nihlus shudder a bit on reflex.
"He didn't say that, but it seems likely. He wears his feelings on his sleeve after all," Williams said with a shrug.
"I see, that does seem likely," Desolas said with a sigh before he smirked. "I need to double check on Chakwas, keep our spectre friend company for a bit, would you?"
Before either of them could say anything, Desolas was already walking toward the medial bay, leaving Nihlus alone with the young woman.
"It seems we've been abandoned. I am Nihlus Kyrik, a Spectre of the Citadel Council."
"I can see that. . . . I am Ashley Williams, a half Youkai suppression specialist who will be part of Adaaya and Desoal's ground assault team. I suppose it is a pleasure to meet you." Ashley said, never making eye contact with Nihlus even once as she spoke.
"You don't like me, do you?" Nihlus said with a chuckle.
"It is not personal, but racial. You could say I was born into disliking your race," Ashley replied as she finally looked at Nihlus, her eyes seeming to blaze with barely contained fire. "I was born during the invasion of Shanxi by your race. My father was the general and my mother the most powerful Youkai on Shanxi at the time. The sight of you Turians causes a spike of rage in the depths of my being."
Nihlus stared at Ashley for a moment before speaking up, his vice cool and neutral. "Why would you tell me this?"
"There is a rumor going about the crew that you may be joining us past just the Citadel, so I wanted to make it clear to you that if you fight alongside us, if I glare at you it is not personal. It is simply a natural reaction to your kind that my birth has given me. It is also an ultimatum that if you do join us in combat, do not get in any of our ways. None of us think kindly of your rank, and if you get in the way, some will hit you without fear of reprisal."
"Including yourself?"
"I may be young, but I am smart enough not to strike a potential ally regardless of the circumstance," Ashley stated simply as she glance around the room and then back to Nihlus. "However, if you betray us, I cannot say the same!"
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"All set up, Doctor?" Desolas asked as he entered the med-bay and let the door slide shut behind him.
Chakwas, who was sitting at a desk with a computer terminal open, turned to Desolas and nodded. "Yes, all of my equipment is where it is needed, and the equipment already here is enough as well. I should be able to deal with most injuries you all are bound to take knowing your styles."
"That is good to hear, fighting always means the chance of injury, and it's good to know we are in capable hands."
"Sure it is, but why are you here really? Shouldn't you be talking to Adaaya and preparing for our departure?" Chakwas asked with a smirk.
Desolas smirked back and walked further in to lean against one of the medical machines flat sides. "Maybe I'm here to ask what you think of our crew?"
"You and Adaaya are sufficiently skilled for the mission, and Jenkins, Williams and Alenko are skilled enough to not get themselves killed in action. The Spectre admittedly seems trustworthy enough for the situation, and I do not believe he will pose a problem, yet. Now, tell me why you are here really!"
"Hahaha, can't beat you Lunarians! Better than the Asari though, at least most of you cut to the chase," Desolas said with another chuckle before his eyes suddenly became hard. "I want to know how much you know about the real situation. How much have you been told?"
Chakwas smirked at Desolas's words. "I am not privy to everything, but I know enough to know the situation behind this head hunt at the very least. I also know that some information is better left unsaid. Besides, Operatives are often informed of far more than one such as me. If you want more information, would not ask directly to the heads, or perhaps our Ambassador Scarlet, yes?"
Desolas let out a sigh. "I don't like it, but that is fair," Desolas said as his wrist comp pinged and he tapped it open "Yes, Joker?"
"Ground crews just gave us the all green, we're clear to leave whenever you and the boss lady want!"
Desolas nodded to himself. "Then prep for, and launch when the ship is ready. I'll get the crew ready now," He added as he closed the line and left the med bay, giving a wave of thanks to Chakwas. As he reentered the main area he could see Ahley and Nihlus talking seriously, oblivious to the festive atmosphere in the rest of the hall. No one noticed him, and Adaaya was busy beating Alenko. He needed to get everyone's attention, so with an electrified clap of his hands, making a noise not dissimilar from a thunderclap that echoed in the hall, he did. "Attention! Our ship, the Normandy, has finally been allowed to leave the dock! We are departing in minutes for the Citadel to begin hunting for the Council Spectre that has unjustly assaulted this fair place. Everyone should report to their stations immediately! We will find Specre Saren, and show him the power of the alliance. We will make him wish he had never been born into this galaxy!"
The entire crew roared their approval and began moving, a thundering rampage of footsteps that echoed in the hall as most left for their posts. In less than minute the only ones in the hall were Desolas, Nihlus, Adaaya, and a soldier who was battening down the refrigerators with clamps and closing the various tables cooktops in preparation for launch.
"Oh, that was a lot better than what I had said. Nice going, Desolas!" Adaaya exclaimed as she leapt out of fight ring and walked over, her wings bouncing a bit with each step.
"I had to get them moving somehow with you taking all their attention. Why was Alenko picking a fight anyway?"
"Not a fight, he just wanted to spar, against you technically, but you were with our tagalong,"
'They think little of me so casually,' Nihlus thought with a sigh as he stepped toward the pair. "Once we leave, how long will it take for this ship of yours to reach the Citadel?"
"Hmm, if Joker puts her through her paces like he wants to . . . probably four to seven hours I'd say?" Adaaya answered with a noncommittal shrug.
"F-four to seven? That's absurd!" Nihlus declared in shock. There was no way that a ship could move that fast! Even the Alliance's slip drives couldn't, there was no way!
"Why? I told you we have a new generation slip drive installed, and on smaller ships it allows them to move faster," Desolas said with a smirk. "If we were a battleship, it'd take us the usual three days I'd wager, but since we're a corvette-."
"There no reason why we should take our time. If we're lucky we can get to the Citadel before Saren does. If he's returning there, of course." Adaaya added with a grin.
"Saren is not stupid. After striking a world that was also the Councils, there is no way he would go back there."
"Perhaps," Desolas said calmly as a smirk crossed his face. "However, there is also the chance that he will try to return to the Citadel and tell the story of what happened another way. Regardless, you need to return, and there may be a lead to his location there as well."
"That is true I suppose, but I do not think Saren would try such a thing. This entire situation seems odd, honestly."
"No, it really doesn't. This is just like him, trust me," Desolas said with a growl as orange light began lashing through the room. "Brace yourself, we're lifting off."
Just as Desolas said it, the entire ship shook for a second, making Nihlus stumble while Desolas simply stood there, and Adaaya leanpt into the air with a grin and came back down. "Gods, I love that feeling of weightlessness!" Adaaya exclaimed as she nearly pranced over to the door and tapped its console. "C'mon, there's only so much time till we hit the Citadel, so let's go over what we know, and what we're looking for!"
"That is a good idea," Nihlus agreed quickly, not realizing what he was getting himself into.
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June 7th, 2155 – Widow system – The Citadel.
With a thin hiss, the docking ramp connected to the Normandy and its door opened to a busy and confused commercial dock. Due to the Normandy's rather sudden and unexpected appearance at the Citadel, there was no available military or diplomatic dock open for it to take, so they were forced to dock in the commercial docks just off one of the wards.
The workers and civilians in the dock itself had never seen a ship like the Normandy before. Its shape was violent and oppressive looking, like someone took a Turian ship and made it angrier looking. The strange looks it received became doubled as its ground crew walked out onto the docks however.
Adaaya had her strange, piecemeal sections of armor on, while Desolas was unusually wearing full armor. His armor had sections of cloth at the waist, legs and arms, and his full helmet was oddly shaped for a Turian helmet. He showed no skin, either being covered by armor or cloth, and it made him stand out as much as Adaaya did.
With them was Kaiden Alenko, who was wearing a light carapace armor with cloth sectioned joints as many magicians did, Ashley Williams, whose amour did not cover her arms, allowing green tattoos to be easily seen going down from her shoulders, and Nihlus, who was wearing his own amour and breathed a sigh of relief as soon as they were away from the ship.
"Ah, it feels good to be back! I will be reporting to the Council immediately, so thank you for allowing me to accompany you here," Nihlus said as he turned to Desolas and Adaaya, giving them both a small but honest smile.
"Don't thank us yet," Adaaya responded with a chuckle. "We'll be checking in with Ambassador Flandre, and then probably going to yell at the councilors ourselves, so this is probably not the last you'll see of us!"
"Understood. It's only fair your personal be informed and inform the council as well, I suppose," Nihlus agreed before he looked at the four Alliance soldiers before him and sighed. "Please try to not cause a ruckus on the station. I don't want to have to bring you in."
"That assumes you could," Desolas said slyly, his voice being distorted by his helmet and making it sound strange and difficult to place. It was likely done on purpose in case bounty hunters were after him. Which was possible even after all these years.
Nihlus shook his head as he turned away and walked off; giving a parting wave to them all before he disappeared around the dispersing crowds. It appeared he was well known by many.
"Alright, now that we know what he is doing," Adaaya said as she turned to Kaiden and Ashley with a grin. "I want the two of you to wander around and see what you can. Desolas and I will go talk to Flandre in the meantime and call you if we need you."
"Yes ma'am!" Ashley responded immediately with a smirk, while Kaiden looked at Adaaya and Desolas for a second before speaking up.
"May I ask why Tali is not with us? She had wanted to join us and is part of the ground team after all."
"The sight of a helmetless Quarian is still unheard of outside of the Alliance, and they still think of them as thieves and scoundrels. As unfair as it is, it's better that she stay on the ship for now," Desolas answered quietly before he cocked his head a bit at Kaiden. "Don't worry, there shouldn't be any reason for a full ground team on the Citadel anyway, and she can support you vie wrist comp if you need it."
"Yes, sir!" Kaiden replied as he bowed slightly to them both.
"Good, now both of you get going while we play politics with the phycho vampire," Desolas commanded, causing both of them to walk off, many groups of people moving away to let them pass uncertainly.
"C'mon, let's get going ourselves," Adaaya said as she and then Desolas walked away from the ship, getting similar treatment from the crowds. "I had forgotten that you've met Flandre in person before. I've heard the stories, but was that remark literal or humor?"
"Both," Desolas answered with a sigh as they entered the ward itself, getting far more stares than Desolas would have liked. He had gotten used to the occasional stare in Alliance space, but for the most part, people didn't stare that much. With Adaaya's looks, and his own identity covering armor though, it was expected they would get many looks. They still were far from welcome however, and they made Desolas let out an annoyed sigh. "This is suffocating."
"Then take the helmet off!"
"I meant the Citadel, not the amour," Desolas replied to Adaaya's snark with a chuckle. "I hope we can get what we need and leave quickly. The longer we are here the more trouble we'll find."
"Or it will find us," Adaaya remarked with a hopeful grin. "We're being followed. Two Turians and a Batarian."
"And here I was hoping you wouldn't notice," Desolas groaned. "Let's wait to see what they do. We don't want to start the fight, it will make the council less likely to help us."
"Not that they are likely to anyway. Helping the Quarians and Krogan, screwing with them multiple times over the years. Everyone is saying that they are getting fed up with Yukari and Kaguya."
"Everyone gets fed up with them at some point or another. Either it will pass or something will happen. We just need to be long gone if it's the latter."
"That's true, but considering the rumors, it will probably be the latter," Adaaya said with a shrug as the Batarian that was following them walked past them at a very fast pace, then spun around to face them a couple meters ahead.
"Hold on there, Alliance. You look like you don't belong here!"
"Duty says we do, otherwise we wouldn't be here. Need something?" Adaaya asked with a grin as the two Turians came up behind them.
"Of course! It's not often that you Alliance folk come around here, so why don't you be nice and hand over some credits, yes?"
"Sorry, we're here on business so we only have our own money, we haven't had any converted to credits, maybe next time?" Adaaya answered sweetly, doing a superb job of looking innocent and warm despite her amour and visible muscle.
"Well, why don't you give us what you have and we'll go convert it ourselves. Be reasonable!" one of the Turians said with a grin.
Desolas, who had had enough of it, let out an annoyed groan and turned to the two Turians. "Back off or spirits help me you'll be begging for someone to put you out of your misery."
"Why you, who do you think you are!?" The other Turian Said as he pulled out a knife that looked like it had seen better decades.
In that same second electricity arced from Desolas to the Turians hand, shocking it and making him drop the knife as Adaaya rounded on the Batarian with a closed fist, sending him backward into a wall and dropping him to the ground unconscious.
The one Turian closed in on them as the other tried to claw at Desolas, only for them both suddenly spasm and fall to the ground, twitching uncontrollably for a few seconds before they both stopped.
"What is going on here!?" A third Turian in a Citadel Security uniform called as he stormed over, a confused and worried expression covering his face.
"Sorry officer, they decided our money would be better suited in their hands, and we disagreed," Adaaya said with a smile that looked far too pleased with herself.
The Turian officer let out an exasperated sigh as he looked at the unconscious Turians and Batarian. "Third time this week we've had this happen. I know that you were defending yourselves, but I'll need you both to come with me to C-Sec to tell your side of the story."
"That's going to be a problem. We have to meet with the Alliance ambassador," Desolas said quickly, making the officer look at him for a few seconds before his mandibles spread wide in surprise.
"That's . . . . understandable . . . fine, I'll take them in. just don't cause any more trouble while you are on the citadel please."
"Understood!" Adaaya said happily as she walked off followed by Desolas. "So, I think he realized who you were," Adaaya then said once they had left the area.
"He did. My amour doesn't hide my race. Anyone who could connect the dots would notice."
"Then why wear it in the first place?"
"Because I don't want to push my luck. There could be mercenaries who figure they could make a quick buck off my body, and if making them think about who I could be allows me to leave without a problem, I'll take it."
"You're far too serious, you know that?" Adaaya said with a smirk as the pair entered the Presidium ring and began heading to the section with Flandre's abode. "Think about it, we know what's coming, sort of, and know way more than anyone in council space does. Everything we do will be to change, divert or stop it, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't enjoy what we're doing yeah?"
Desolas let out an annoyed groan. "No, you're not serious enough! Let's just go talk to Flandre and see if she has anything for us before we go nag the council!"
"Oh right, you've met Lady Scarlet before, haven't you?"
"Yes, yes I have," Desolas said with a grumble. "The first time was on Shanxi, and I've met her a couple times since then, though only in passing."
"She anything like the rumors?"
"You'll see in a moment," Desolas said as he turned and walked down a street toward a small abode, unlike anything in the area. It was deathly quiet, there was no one around, and the building had a feeling of oppression that Desolas knew well. "This is the place."
"I kind of figured by the bat motif on the main door," Adaaya deadpanned as she pointed at the buildings door, where there was indeed a bat motif, complete with little fangs coming from its mouth dripping blood."
"I didn't see that. It's certainly . . . . eye catching."
"It does scream, house of vampire, doesn't it?" Adaaya asked rhetorically as the two of them walked up to the door, only for it to open and Flandre's maid, Mei, to be standing there with a smile on her face.
"Please come in, Lady Scarlet is waiting for you," she said with a small bow as she stepped aside and gestured within.
Stepping in and then following Mei through the surprisingly homey building, they came to a large office that held only a holocomm projector in the center of it. The projector had holograms of Councilors Tevos and Valern and before it stood Flandre Scarlet, who wore a very annoyed face.
"I have already told you the situation. Eden Prime was assaulted by a force of pirates and unknown ships, led by your Spectre, Saren Arterius. What is so hard to comprehend about that simple sentence?"
"It is not that it is difficult to comprehend, but difficult to believe," Valern said in an equally annoyed tone.
"Saren is our best agent. Sparatus is debriefing Spectre Kyrik right now, but the fact remain that it is, difficult to believe."
"I fail to see how difficult it is to believe when there are dozens of reports of the same, including one of your own spectres and many of our operatives," Flandre took a breath and glanced to the side at Desolas and Adaaya before smiling. "Two of which are now here. And I'm willing to bet they have the same story!"
"Then perhaps they would like to tell it?" Tevos pushed.
"And I shall!" Adaaya said as she walked over to the holocomm and gave a small bow, her wings lifting and looking far larger than they were. "I am Alliance Operative, Adaaya Nicotris Sheppard. My partner and I were the ones whom your Spectre, Nihlus Kyrik was to meet. We met him just after the attack began, at the dig site. Saren Arterius led the assault and attempted to take the Prothean Beacon with him. It was destroyed in the ensuing chaos and he escaped only by bringing in reinforcements of pirate piloted battlesuits that were also destroyed in the battle."
"Battlesuits? That is impossible!" Valern nearly yelled.
"Here's video of them," Adaaya said as she plugged a chip into the holocomm and let its video play for a few seconds. "See, battlesuits. Anything else you would like to say is impossible?"
Both Tevos and Valern were quiet for a few moments until a beep pulled their attention away for just a moment. "It appears that Sparatus has given us the debrief and it does indeed match your story, more or less."
"And because of this revelation we will be revoking Saren's Spectre status, as well as putting out bounty and wanted notices. He will not be able to regret this choice of actions," Tevos declared, seeming almost proud with her words.
"Do you really think that is enough?" Flandre said angrily. "We're talking about a full assault on a planet, that led to hundreds of deaths and injuries, the destruction of ancient technology, and a clear alliance between the terminus factions and a Council spectre, who was supposedly your best at protecting your so called galactic peace!"
"Yes, and that is why another Spectre will be hunting for him," Sparatus stated as his own hologram appeared on the projector. "Spectre Nihlus Kyrik has stated that he plans to hunt down and bring Saren to justice."
"I see, then you won't mind if some Operatives also pursue him, no?" Flandre asked with a dark grin.
"That will not be necessary. Our Spectre will be more than enough to purse and bring Saren to justice," Tevos responded quickly.
"Will he really?" Adaaya asked with a grin. "If I hadn't saved him, Saren would have popped a hole in his head. I don't think your Spectres are truly up for it! Not on their own, or alone at least!"
Sparatus and Tevos seemed to both shake with angry, while Valern simply smiled. "Then why don't we come to a compromise. Our Spectre shall go, and your operatives as well, but I would request one of our own accompany your operatives as you will likely be in Council space for a prolonged period, yes? I don't think it's that bad of a deal, you get to go hunting, and you get additional support and all we get is the peace of mind that you're being watched and small reports of your progress!"
Flandre blinked and stared at Valern's hologram, seeming to take a moment to digest everything that was said. "You want to put a spectre on our ship?"
"I would not be so dim as to request such a thing. A Council investigator, or perhaps one from C-Sec if you'd prefer, would be more than sufficient as a liaison for this cooperative hunt, yes?"
Flandre glanced sideways at Adaaya, and Desolas who was still by the door. Both of them nodded in sync. "Very well, a C-Sec one will be sufficient."
"Probably, oh and if we'll be pursuing him, give us his room key," Adaaya suddenly said with a smirk.
"That will be difficult, Saren did not stay on the Citadel between his mission, and only ever came for intel or equipment. He had his own ship, The "Eye of Palaven", I believe it was called." Tevos responded, shattering Adaaya's smirk.
"A name is good enough," Adaaya said with a sigh. "Can all information on Saren, his ship and those he is close to be sent to our ship for us?"
"I suppose that can be arranged. There are a few things we should speak of as well before you leave, but before that, you should know that two Alliance soldiers have been reported to be part of some sort of altercation in the wards with a Krogan."
Adaaya glanced toward Desolas, who quickly nodded and slid out of the room. "Fine, my partner will take care of it. What other information can you tell me?"
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"Dammit, I know I didn't tell them not to, but they should not have gone looking for trouble. Unless trouble found them it's probably a Krogan with old views and delusions of grandeur," Desolas muttered as he leapt between buildings down the length of the citadel arm towards the ward. It had taken only a few minutes to get as far as he had, but a few second later the sound of a loud crash pulled his attention, and he quickly found the sight of the altercation and realized a few things right away.
Both Alenko and Williams were present, as was the Krogan. The altercation was not with the Krogan, but rather a large group of peopled dressed and armed like mercenaries. And finally, the altercation had devolved into a full on firefight with every mercenary and many bystanders, trying to pin down Alenko, Williams, and the Krogan, all of whom were crouched behind an overturned hovercar that looked like it had been broiled with a dozen fire spells.
The fight was happening across an entire open market area, with most civilians ushered to one side and leaving as quickly as possible while C-Sec forces were trying to get past them. The market area itself was large with a number of open walled shops, but there were only three entrances, two of which were blockaded with a hovercar and the shards of a mercantile stall. It seemed the mercenaries had planned it in some way.
Landing at the edge by a pair of C-Sec officers Desolas stepped up to them and spoke up with a loud commanding voice. "May I ask what is happening here?"
Both C-Sec officers, Turian and Asari, both turned to him, a nervous and surprised look covering their faces.
"Sir, please back away. There is a situation going on and we cannot guarantee your safety if you stay here," The Asari stated quickly.
"Wait, that amour is. . . are you . . .Alliance?" The Turian asked, his tone going quieter as he spoke.
"I am," Desolas answered simply as he looked past C-secs barricade and sighed. "The Alliance soldiers there are under my command, so I'll ask again, what has happened here?"
"Very well, your soldiers are not at fault, we think," The Turian began in a tired voice. "Reports from civilians fleeing the scene say that they struck up conversation with the Krogan, a well-known bounty hunter, and during their conversation Blue Suns mercenary's revealed themselves to be in the market area and then proceeded to attack the Krogan, and the two soldiers. The fighting has gone on for a while, but it just recently entered a stalemate. We've had seventeen wounded so far, and two deaths."
"Civilians?"
"No, a C-Sec officer and another bounty hunter who tried to stop the madness," The Asari said with a shake of her head. "So much for Alliance capability."
"I'll ignore that, as my people had orders to not cause undue chaos on the citadel while here," Desolas said as he began walling past the officers, toward the market area's entrance.
"Sir, that's-,"
"I know what it is. I assume your plan is just to wait for reinforcement, or for it to blow over, so I'll just head in there and end it myself," Desolas declared before he took a few steps and stopped to turn and look at the officers, his faceless helmet seeming malicious as he spoke up and asked "Do you need any of the mercenaries alive or coherent?"
"Ah, uhm, a couple would be nice for us to question," the Asari officer replied, looking horrified.
"Good, then I'll leave two alive," Desolas stated as he leapt into the air, flew in an arc and landed in the market area with a hard clank on the metal flooring, right in the middle of the market area, with the mercenaries to one side, and his subordinates and the Krogan on the other.
No one said anything for a good minute straight as a deathly silence washed over the market, until finally one of the mercs called out angrily to Desolas. "Who are you? Get lost!"
"Wait, that amour. . .what are you?"
"He's a Turian, but what is that amour? Are you a, Spectre?"
"Oh, screw it," Desolas said loudly enough to be heard as he undid the clasp on his helmet and took it off, attaching it to a clip on his waist as he turned to the mercs, allowing them to see his strange looking plates. "My name . . . . is Desolas Arterius, Operative of the Alliance! I don't know what your problem with my men is, but I don't care. Leave now, or die, those are your options!"
Many of the mercenaries began to mutter and take steps back, pulling themselves out of cover without realizing it. But one, a Turian with red face paint across his forehead and mandibles, instead walked toward Desolas until he was barely a meter away from him and smirked. "Heh, so you're the infamous betrayer, huh?"
"I don't recall betraying anyone," Desolas answered swiftly making the Turian merc before him gawk in surprise.
"You don't? That is a lie and everyone including the spirits knows it! No matter, despite the strange look of your plates, you don't look that tough. Run along before I kill you!" he stated as he pulled a hand cannon off his hip and pointed it at Desolas's head.
Desolas sighed and looked past the one in front of him to the rest of the mercs. "This is your last chance. Those who do not wish to die drop your weapons and step away from them. Those who do not-,"
"Shut up!" The merc before Desolas interrupted as he pulled the trigger on his hand cannon, letting a bearing sized piece of metal fly out of it toward his head. Only to suddenly be evaporated out of existence by an arc of electricity that came off of Desolas's fringe.
"What in the spirits name was-," the merc began just as Desolas swung his arm out in front of him. From the barely noticeable slot in his vambrace, a strand of fluid metal pushed out and formed a long thin blade of dark blue metal. It bypassed the mercs kinetic barrier, struck the amour around his neck and went right though, severing his head from his body and causing it to roll off onto the floor, striking just after the blade of metal retracted back into Desolas's vambrace.
Most of the mercs did not understand what had happened. They had been unable to track the quick motion of Desolas's arm, or the growth of metal that then disappeared as quickly as it had formed. All they, and the on looking C-Sec officers, had seen was Desolas moving his arm and sending the merc's head falling to the ground, spreading blue blood across the ground.
Chaos broke out immediately. Many of the merc's dropped their weapons, while the more angry or violent instead raised them and fired without any care. Every accelerator round was subsequently struck from the air by an ever increasing storm of electrical arcs that made it impossible to see Desolas.
Then, as every mercs weapons overheated and stopped firing, the electrical surges parted, showing Desolas in the center of the field of energy. The lines of energy across the hard sections of his amour glowed brightly and flowed with power, while similar lines of energy arced across his face and his exposed skin. The section of cloth on his arms, legs and waist flapped madly around the energy, while arcs of pure electricity jumped across his body from the lines of energy to anything that could catch them. The most terrifiying thing though, was the fact that Desolas own eyes also glowed with the same energy, making him look like a spirit of the storms.
Then the storm awoke, and the marketplace became a place of carnage. Rushing toward the nearest mercs, Desolas kicked them square in the chest, sending a surge of electricity into them even as they flew backwards into a kiosk that had, miraculously, stayed in one piece up until that point.
Mercenaries both ran for cover and tried to fire on Desolas, most getting knocked by electricity or fried alive, while those that had dropped their weapons and had not gone back for them were miraculously still alive and seemed unable to be struck by the energy.
Not even a minute after the electricity arced out from Desolas it all disappeared, leaving him standing in the middle of the market with ashen trails going out from his person to where the charred, burnt and devastated corpses. Slowly, the two remaining mercs that had not let go of their weapons got up from behind some debris. One, a Salarian, fainted a few seconds after, while the other, an Asari, stood up and looked at Desolas with eyes filled with nothing but fear and unbridled rage.
"You monster! I don't know what you did or what the alliance did to you, but you are nothing but a monster! The goddess will bring you down and defile your corpse until nothing is left and-,"
The Asari's words were interrupted by the sound of a shotgun going off, and her head exploding into gore. As her body fell limply to the ground a Krogan with a red crest came around a piece of debris with a smile on his face. "Ha, serves you right for letting your emotions take control!" He said as he kicked her body and then turn to Desolas. "Well, that was helpful. We were doing fine until they all started firing in order to keep us pinned. Nice job, Turian."
Desolas looked at the Krogan, and then past him to Alenko and Williams and scowled. "Explain."
"Sir, we came here looking for equipment, supplies or intel and met this Krogan battlemaster instead." Kaiden began to explain.
"The mercenaries appeared to have a bone to pick with him as well, but he had told us he had lines of intelligence we might find useful, and that he wished to join the mission to hunt down the councils rogue Spectre, sir!" Ashley added.
Desolas let out a sigh as he looked back at the Krogan, who was now grinning at him. "Alright, so who are you and why should I care about you?"
"The name's Urdnot Wrex, and as for why you should care,-"
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"Why are you waiting by my ship?" Adaaya asked Nihlus Kyrik, who was standing with another Turian in front of the Normandy's docking boon in full amour and equipment.
"You had said it was likely not the last I would see of you," Nihlus responded with a smirk.
"That does not mean I wanted to see you again, especially waiting by my ship. So what do you want and who is that?"
"My name Is Garrus Vakerian, C-Sec investigations," The other Turian said with a salute. "I have been ordered to assist your endeavor in hunting own the rogue spectre, Saren Arterius."
"I was asked to show him where your ship was docked," Nihlus spoke up. "However, I also was looking into if there were any ships I could use for my mission, and there are none that would be adequate that are currently on the citadel."
"So buy your own ship, problem solved," Adaaya said with a scowl.
"It is not that simple. There are no ships that would serve my purpose, and I am not personally well versed in commanding a ship either. Your ship is the only one that is small, fast and equipped for such a mission."
"If you think that mean you can order us around, you have another think coming!" Adaaya said seriously, her tone almost growling.
"I am not assuming such a thing. I would like to merely request to travel with you. As we both have the same mission, combining our resources and efforts would be intelligent."
"You assume we need your help,"
"I have two leads already that may help in finding Saren," Nihlus countered with a smirk.
Adaaya and Nihlus stared at each other for a few moments, saying nothing until the sound of footsteps pulled their attention to Desolas, Kaiden, Ashley, and a Krogan who were walking toward them.
"Glad to see I'm not the only one who picked up some extras," Desolas said with a chuckle as he neared.
"That is not funny."
"No, but let's get going already. My brother is not going to catch himself!"
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Councilor Tevos stared at a screen on her desk, showing the Alliance ship with its operatives leaving the Citadel. As soon as it left Citadel space she felt a wave of relief wash over her. Alliance people, especially their Youkai, made her feel nervous. Their ambassador was bad enough with how easily she killed people and showed no restraint, but any others made her even more nervous. It was strange really. The Alliance was supposed to be comprised of three species, Humans, Lunarians and youkai, but the few Alliance people on the Citadel all seemed to be youkai or Lunarian. "I wonder why their humans do not come here?"
"Because they are not allowed to," came a new voice.
Tevos immediate glance up and looked around her office. It was locked, she was sure she had locked it, but there standing in front of the door in a formal outfit of blue and green was a man, a human. His eyes were a deep blue, while his hair was a light brown color. He was tall, easily as tall as she was and was holding a large briefcase in each hand with an unnervingly calm smile on his face. "Who are you? How did you get in here?" Tevos asked as she sat up in her chair, very slowly reaching toward the pistol she kept on the desks underside. She wasn't a very good shot, but she needed to be sure regardless.
"You do not need to be afraid, I am here on important business that is nonviolent," the man said as he walked to a table on the rooms left side and placed both of his briefcases down before turning to Tevos and bowing with a smile. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Charles Saracino, leader of the Human Survivalist organization, Terrafirma. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Councilor Tevos of the Asari."
Tevos swallowed and nodded, realizing something of the man's words felt off. "Why do you call your organization a survival group, when you are cited as terrorists?" she finally asked, while grabbing her pistol.
"Because, in truth that is what it is," the man said with a calm sigh. "Please give me just a moment of time to earn your trust. I am here because I wish to inform you of the real situation in the Alliance. Humanity's situation."
"What do you mean?" Tevos asked, the grip on her pistol loosening slightly.
"What I mean is that the Alliance has not been, and likely never will be straight with your council ,because that is not how youkai and Lunarians are. They plan, and scheme at all times, and one such scheme is why my people are separate from them. Why we live on our own, and why Humanity is in decline. To be most accurate, apart from Terrafirma's people, it is believed that in one hundred years, the number of newly born humans in the Alliance will drop to barely ten percent of the total population. Humanity is being weeded out of existence!"