June 9th – 2155 – Widow System – The Citadel – Presidium Ring.
Jack Harper was not happy. He had been making good progress in hunting for Charles Saracino, the leader of Terrafirma, but that was so far all he had, progress, not the man's head on a pike.
Having ingratiated himself to the duct rats on the Citadel he had a surprisingly decent line of information through them, and the Citadel credit chits he had brought had proven very useful in acquiring more information from them. The only problem was he had to be careful as many of the children, and sometimes adults, who lived in the ducts, would do anything for money.
Including giving him less than credible information.
He knew that Saracino was on the presidium ring, but in the day that he had been on the Citadel he only knew that he had been seen in the Citadel tower the day before, but then no one had seen him. This meant he had either been killed by a spectre or Citadel Security, or he was being protected by one of the same.
And with how foolish the Citadel council was, he expected the latter.
Of course, his lackluster progress was not the only reason he was not happy. He had been keeping his messages to Eva up to date, passing along information, but after her message saying she had screwed up, she had not replied to a singular message or given him updates. It was not like her, and was not a good sign.
"But the mission comes first," Jack muttered to himself as he crawled down the, just too short to stand in, ductwork and came to a grate that he could see the Citadel tower out of.
If he couldn't get information on Saracino's position from others he'd just have to slip into the belly of the beast and check himself!
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Councillor Sparatus of the Turian Hierarchy was not happy as he stood in the elevator and made his way up to the Councillors hidden meeting room where important matters were discussed out of prying eyes. He had terabytes of files to look over and confirm, messages to checks, missives to send, Hierarchy plans to look over, reports to confirm, and now Tevos was calling a sudden meeting. Technically she had called it the day before, but Valern had been off station due to business, so it had been pushed one day forward.
The reason for the meeting hadn't even been shared either.
It made him grumble as he looked over missives on his Omnitool and paused as he found one of particular note. Marked, Progress of Project Mystic: 35%. He sighed an opened it.
Greetings Councillor this is [redacted]
Project Mystic is making some progress, but we are having trouble and getting caught on issues we do not have the information or technology to deal with at this time. If the project is to continue making progress, the Hierarchy asks you to hand over the attached files, and the attached formal, and very very clandestine, request for aid, to the Ambassador of the Alliance on the Citadel. There is no time limit for this to be done, we just ask that it be handed in person, and that the councillors of the Asari and Salarians do not hear of it.
We at Project Mystic thank you.
Sincerely [Redacted]
"Ugh, just great, another thing I don't want to deal with," Sparatus grumbled as he closed his Omnitool and leaned on the wall of the elevator. "I'm getting to old for this. As soon as that project of the Hierarchies is complete, I think it'll be time to retire. I'm getting too old for this spirits damned stupidity!"
A second later the elevator came to a stop and the door opened to an unassuming hallway that led to the special meeting chamber. Only Valern was standing there impatiently, smiling as Spararus came out. "Ah good you are here. Was wondering, Sparatus, do you know the reason why Tevos has called this meeting? I just arrived back on the Citadel, have not had time to catch up as of yet."
"I apologize, but I do not know why she has called this meeting," Sparatus replied with a tired sigh. "I tried having someone look into it, but they did not find anything, and I've been too busy to look myself."
"Unfortunate but understandable. Reports and other work have increased exponentially since the Alliance entered the galactic stage. I hope this is not related to them," Valern replied as the two of them began walking to the meeting room.
"Unfortunately it usually is, though of late most reports of them have been from our own people causing problems with their visitors, voicing complaints about the Alliance and the like. There was almost a riot a few days ago because a number of Asari Matrons were demanding the council force the Alliance to give up their magic because they considered it "dangerous to the continuation of Asari freedoms'," Sparatus said with air quotes as he spoke before shaking his head. "Nothing but Asari Supremacy complaints."
"While I would not word it as such, you do have a point. The number of issues the Asari have caused since the Alliance appeared is startling in reality. It is likely just their long lives making change difficult for them. At least I hope so."
"So do I," Sparatus muttered as they approached the door, his footsteps slowing a bit. "Alright, let's find out what Tevos thinks is so urgent then!"
"Yes, let us find out!" Valern replied as he strode forward through the door fist as it automatically opened for them, its locks keyed to their Omnitools to do as such.
The room was considerably small with only a circular table in it that held a hologram projector in it. Three seats circled it equidistance apart, and sitting at the seat at the back facing the door was Tevos, who smiled as Valern and Sparatus enter.
"Oh good you are here. How was Sur'kesh, Valern?" Tevos greeted warmly, though Sparatus noted that her expression was a bit too rigid, meaning she was likely stressed about whatever this meetings point for being was.
"It was well, thank you," Valern said as he sat down calmly. "May I ask what this meetings suddenness is about?"
"Yes, please tell us, Tevos. How much headache will this give us?" Sparatus said in annoyance as he sat down as well.
"Of course, but first-," Tevos began as she touched a few keys on the holoboard before her. The door to the room closed and locked, and then the room began initiating its decontamination and bug culling systems after a few seconds the computer gave a light chirp. "There, now it is safe for us to talk. Please look at this information at length. Take your time as well. You will need to understand the contents for this meeting to move forward."
Sparatus sighed as he leaned back in his chair and began looking over the data, spreadsheets and statistical information of population number in Alliance territory of all things. It seemed normal, but after a few second he began to notice a pattern and came to realize what the information was saying.
It made a bad taste form in his mouth, not because it showed that humans were being bred out and slowly turned into Youkai, but because Tevos was the one that was showing them the information. The Asari could only have Asari children, so anyone that was with an Asari, could only ever help create more Asari. This of course led to the fact that, their population never really dipped down, and there were some places in council territory, not Asari territory, that had over sixty percent of the population being Asari. So why was she bringing up the Alliance essentially doing something similar as some kind of issue?
"Tevos, I fail to see how this is matter of such importance that it requires a sudden meeting such as this," Valern spoke up much to Sparatus's enjoyment. It was good he wasn't the only one to not see the point of this meeting after all.
"That information was given to me by a Charles Saracino, the Leader of Terrafirma," Tevos stated very slowly.
"The organization the Alliance considers a Terrorist group? The one that had taken that one reactor years ago?" Valern asked.
"Yes, the very same. He came with no weapons, and in clean clothing to speak with me and handed me that information."
"Good, where is he? If we hand him over to Alliance it will help our relations with them," Sparatus stated, causing Tevos to, much to his surprise, lean forward and shake her head.
"No. He is currently under our protection in a VIP safe house."
"Why are you wilfully sheltering a terrorist?" Sparatus asked, each word sounding like it was being grated out between his mandibles.
"Because he is not a terrorist, just a human who wants nothing to do with the Alliance!" Tevos stated with more emotion than Valern or Sparatus expected. "He gave me his assurance that the ones at that reactor had been a splinter faction, and that Terrafirm exists only to distance themselves from the Alliance. He stated that Terrafirm would like to join the Citadel as client race to protect the future of all humans!"
Sparatus let out a very long and low groan before standing up and slamming his fists onto the table. "And you believed him?! He, is, a, terrorist, Tevos!"
"No, they are not. I have this information as well!" Tevos responded as she changed the hologram to showing another list of statistics, signatures, and documents. "You see, they want to escape the Alliance, and magic! They want to join the Citadel, even if it has to be as refugees! We cannot just turn these people away!"
"Of course we can turn them away! They're terrorists!" Sparatus declared as he sat down and glared at Tevos. "What is this actually about, Tevos? Helping those terrorists get past our security, or trying to show up the Alliance?"
"Helping them, of course! This is how it should have been when we met the Alliance! They should have joined us and helped make the council stronger, not throw all of our work and the hopes of the galaxy in our faces like they did! The humans can be a new and strong race in Citadel space given time, but we need to give them the chance!"
"No. The Alliance made their choice. We are not at war with them, and trade is slowly moving forward. We do not need to jeopardize the already thin peace with them by taking in a human terrorist organization in just to fulfill your desire to spite the rest of the Alliance!" Sparatus stated before looking at Valern. "What do you think Valern? You are quiet for once."
Valern just stared at the data and statistics shown on the hologram for a few more seconds before speaking. "If the desire to join is genuine, and they are willing to follow all Citadel rules and regulations, I do not see why they cannot be given a chance. However they would need to prove their worth, and prove that they are not the terrorists the Alliance considers them. I would also suggest them being required to hand over any technology from the Alliance they may have for study. As the Alliance is still withholding technology out of trade deals."
"Valern, you cannot be serious!" Sparatus yelled, making Valern wince but not fall back.
"I am. And I believe my thoughts on the matter are the least emotional. We give them a chance, or a number of tests to prove it would be worthwhile to accept them into the Citadel as a client race, or simply refugee's and then a client. If they succeed then they will be useful to Citadel space, if not, then they simply prove that they are what the Alliance calls them. Terrorists. Or at the very least, undesirables. Does that sound fair to the both of you?"
"I, yes that sounds perfectly fair, so long as the way we test them is fair and just," Tevos said with an uncertain nod.
Sparatus growled as he forcibly lane back in his chair. "You both are insane, but you've made your choice. Even if I disagree with it, it will still move forward."
"So we are in agreement, Excellent!" Tevos said happily. Sparatus just grumbled as he stood up from his chair to leave. "Wait, Sparatus, we need to decide what tests to have the Terrafirma humans to do to prove their intentions."
"The two of you can decide that. I'll go and inform the Alliance ambassador of our intentions in this matter so that they do not make a big deal out of it when it happens."
"Oh, that is a good idea. Thank you Sparatus!" Tevos said happily as Sparatus left the room and headed back into the elevator as fast as his feet would carry him.
Once the elevator began its descent he leaned against the wall, and screamed. It was infuriating! Tevos, like many Asari, was very quickly becoming paranoid of the Alliance, and of losing the Asari's vaunted superiority complex they had! And now she wanted to turn a terrorist organization into refugees? It was madness! Pure and complete madness!
As the elevator came to a stop Sparaus calmed himself down and exited as swiftly as he could, bringing up his Omnitool as he did. "I wonder could I, no, I'm a councillor. I cannot do such actions. I'll just have to deal with whatever backlash this causes when they bring that fool human to the council chambers to speak! Haaaa, I should get over to the ambassador to-.."
"Councillor Sparatus!"
Sparatus turned to see the Head of Citadel Security, Executor Pallin, walking up to him in a hurried way. "Executor. To what do I owe this sudden pleasure?"
"Unfortunate situations dictating that all high ranking members of the Citadel be put under guard, sir," Pallin said with a sigh a he brought up his omnitool, glanced around, then brought up a number of holo images that showed statues that looked like C-Sec officers. "We believe there is an Alliance Youkai on the loose, and that they appear to be doing something to our people. I believe their word for it, is petrify."
Sparatus looked at the images for a second and then turned to Pallin, speaking in a hushed tone. "You have confirmed their identities somehow, correct?"
"We have yes," Pallin said with a nod. "The current count of petrified people is twelve officers, and one civilian who we believed tried to pull a gun on the perpetrator."
"So they are covered in stone yes? Why not chip them out?"
"No Councillor, they have been turned completely into solid stone. Granite to be precise."
"Spirits. Alright, Executor, come with me. We are going to have a little chat with Ambassador Scarlet!"
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"And so you decided it would be best to come directly here to, I assume, ask if I knew of any individuals who could do such a thing?" Flandre Scarlet asked as she lounged languidly on a couch. In front of her was a simple table with a number of small piles of food and snacks on it, and across from her sat Sparatus, with Pallin standing behind him at near attention.
"That is correct, ambassador. We need to know if there are any Alliance criminals that can use magic that does such a thing." Pallin asked, having been quiet for the last few minutes as Sparatus had smoothed over their sudden arrival and explained their reason for being present.
Flandre let out a long, very exasperated groan as she sat up and adopted a more formal and proper stature. "So, people being petrified, and you say that the most response you've gotten from those people seconds before was a few words about catching a person of interest?"
"That is correct." Pallin stated.
"And within seconds of your peoples support arriving, they find the person already petrified, correct?"
"That is also correct. Are there any with magic to do such a thing?"
"There are, but not that fast, and not here on the Citadel," Flandre said with a sigh. "The amount of magic most people would have access to on the Citadel with an Eezo Repulsion bracelet on would not allow most people to cast petrification magic that quickly as I understand it. Only an innate ability would be able to be used with such speed."
"Which means what?" Pallin asked, clearly not liking being led around with half answers.
"It means it is a particular breed of Youkai, is that right?" Sparatus spoke up, surprising Pallin and making Flandre nod with a smile on her face.
"Yes, that is correct. It's probably a Gorgon, a type of Youkai known for their ability to petrify people by locking eyes with them."
"By the spirits, how horrible! C-Sec will require a list of all such individuals!"
"I cannot give you that," Flandre said simply, causing Pallin to storm around the chair.
"Excuse me? They are clearly a killer and need to be stopped! Why do you intend on withholding information?!"
"I cannot give you that list because I already probably know who is responsible, so the list is unnecessary," Flandre said as she leaned back on the couch and sighed. "Unfortunately, I also cannot give you their identity."
"Why not?" Sparatus asked before Pallin could yell.
"Because they are part of a group that hunts down dangerous individuals, usually from Terafirma, or other such similar groups. Not that most exists anymore. So the fact they are here makes things, strange."
Sparatus groaned and covered his eyes for a moment as he spoke. "A human named Charles Saracino is on the Citadel, and has requested refugee status and entry into the Citadel as a client race for himself as his organization."
"I assume you have him detained?" Flandre asked hopefully.
"No. The council has decided to give him temporary protection to hear out his plans, and perhaps give tests to see if his ideas have merit," Sparatus admitted slowly.
" . . . . You know, there are times were I seriously worry for the intelligence of Citadel species and this is one of them," Flandre said as she hung her head and shook it, causing her jewelled wings to shake and glisten as well. "What part of, Terrafirma are terrorists, did you all not understand?"
"Unfortunately, Tevos managed to convince Valern that the idea was worth testing," Sparatus stated with a shake of his head. "I take it that the human Saracino is likely who the Gorgon is after?"
"Most likely, yes."
"Can you, maybe have them called back or called off?"
"Councillor, with all due respect, they need to be apprehended and tried for multiple counts of murder!" Pallin spoke up full of vigor.
"There is an antidote to petrification. If they get it within the week they will be fine. And yes, I can probably have them called off," Flandre said.
"Them? You mean there are more?" Pallin demanded to know.
"Yes, they usually travel in groups of two to six. If it is who I think, there will be one other. I can likely get them called off within a couple of hours. It will take some work. And the Alliance will not take the information of the Citadel providing sanctuary to Terrafirma well."
"I figured not, but I was outvoted. There is little I can do at the moment in regards to that situation," Sparatus admitted.
"I understand" Flandre said as she looked to Pallin. "I'll contact you when I have the antidote either formulated here, or delivered from Alliance space."
"If it has to be delivered, will it arrive on time?" Pallian asked, sounding very upset at how casually Flandre was mentioning it.
"It will, yes."
"Good, then we are done here," Pallin stated as he turned to leave.
"Thank you for escorting me here, Executor. I have some other business to attend to, so please head back on your own," Sparatus spoke up suddenly, stopping Pallin in his tracks.
"With all due respect councillor, the roads are not safe with the Alliances' . . . people, on the loose."
"Yes, but if I need an escort back, I am sure that ambassador Flandre can have one of her people escort me just fine, Executor. Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to continue with, as I am sure you do as well," Sparatus stated very neutrally.
The effect was instant as Pallin stiffened. "Of course sir, I shall take my leave."
Flandre waited for a minute after Pallin left before smiling at Sparatus. "Pulling rank can be quite fun. So, what other business did you bring for me from the council?"
"From the Hierarchy, actually," Sparatus said as he taped on his Omnitool a few times and took a small disk out of a receptacle on his wrist and placed in on the table. "The Hierarchy wishes this information to be passed to your leadership."
"And is this information to be passed to them unopened, or no?" Flandre asked as she picked up the disc and held it between two fingers.
"It is clandestine. There is a request, information, and a connected message that is all together in that data. The Hierarchy would like it given to just your leadership. And for the Salarians and Asari to not know it," Sparatus said in a very low tone that was not quite a whisper, but close.
"I see. Mei!" Flandre called, her maid coming into the room a spare few seconds later without so much as a sliver of sound other than her voice.
"You called, Lady Flandre?"
"Yes, please send this data to Alliance Command, priority and access level 1A," Flandre said as he tossed it to Mei, who caught it without worry.
"Yes ma'am. Is there anything else?"
"No. Ah, yes, mention it was passed to us from the Hierarchy,"Flandre added, eliciting only a nod from Mei as she left the room. Allowing Flandre to pull a small case of some kind out from an unseen point. "This is for your Hierarchy."
"What is it?" Sparatus asked as he took the case to find it surprisingly heavy.
"I'm unsure, but have been told it is not the heads of spectre's," Flandre said with a devious smile that quickly passed. "It is a gift from Kaguya Houraisen, and considering the runes on the bottom of the box, I believe it may be either technological, or magical, in nature."
"But you don't know what it is," Sparatus restated as he looked at the cases bottom to find a faintly glowing sigil carved into the case.
"I do not. It was not my business," Flandre said as she leaned back on the couch. "Anything else?"
"No, that is all, so I suppose I will take my leave," Sparatus stated as he stood up.
"Would you like an escort then, or no?"
"No, I will be fine. Pallin is just overzealous, especially if you can reign in those, people, as quickly as you suggested."
"It will be."
"Good, then I'll let myself out. Thank you for your time, ambassador,"
"Oh course, have a pleasant walk," Flandre said as Sparatus showed himself out, leaving the room calm. Then her wristcomp buzzed, prompting her to look over it for a few minutes before smiling. She immediately began typing on it for a bit, and then a ringing tone echo in the room.
"Hello! Hello! Hi! Can you hear me? Do you know me?"
"It's Flandre. I,.. well, the Alliance needs a favour from you, Koishi."