Hands off
"And you're quite sure, Commander Vakarian?"
"Yes, Primarch. Here is a beacon and a Prothean VI. It contains the plans for a weapon against the Reaper."
"And only the humans have access."
"The Protheans saw great potential in the humans. But they also saw the problems. For this reason, they have acted so."
"You think they would argue with the Asari."
"Certainly even. They would never accept the leadership position of the Asari alone."
"That would be a problem..."
"Or a chance, sir."
"This could be interpreted as treason, Garrus."
"That's not what I meant, sir. The Asari justify their sole leadership position with the will of the protheans. Apparently this information is wrong. We've wanted advice for a long time."
"Nevertheless, the Asari will not decide quickly."
"Sir..."
"The heir of the primary..."
"The Pharaoh's, sir."
"The pharaoh's... he won't work with us?"
"I don't think so, sir. He's an idiot."
"So we need the current ruler."
"Yes, sir."
"He would be willing to cooperate?"
"He would at least be more suitable. He listens to his daughter."
"And Meritamen has the knowledge that we need. She interacts with you and Liara."
"Yes, sir."
"This is a difficult situation, Commander."
"Time is running out, sir."
"Is there a way to talk to her?"
"Not at the moment, sir. She's back on combat."
"Make sure she survives."
"A direct intervention, sir?"
"Yes."
That ended the conversation for his father. He waited for Liara. Benezia was very optimistic that she could use this information to get the stars to act. But as Vigil had said so fittingly, the Asari were slow. Even though they were now talking about acting soon, it could still take several hundred years. They always forgot that not all races have as long a lifespan as they do. Their soon was one for many tantamount to never. They died before the Asari fulfilled their promises. They could not do that with the princess. She would not get involved. There would be no Soon with her, at most a Now. Whether Liara could make her people understand that, he doubted. They went to Mass and sat down. The sniper cleaned his weapons. He wanted to be prepared. It would be very complicated to protect Shepard. He couldn't fight next to her. He was not to be seen. Distinguishing friend from foe was not easy either. Liara seemed to be clear what he was up to. She also began to clean her weapons. But then their people put a damper on them. One shuttle was damaged and the other one in repair. That shouldn't be true now. He tried to calm down with the fact that the army was progressing very slowly. Nevertheless, he walked restlessly up and down. When he heard that it would take another four days, he would have loved to fly to Earth with the ship. If something happened to her, he would never forgive himself. The Turian found no peace the whole time. Liara really tried everything to calm him down. Unfortunately all attempts were in vain. Finally they could start. After a felt eternity they had reached Earth and it took them longer to finally find the battlefield. The battle was in full swing. Panically Garrus looked around. He recognized three richly decorated chariots. One was further back. That must be the Pharaoh's. He quickly looked at the other two. Amenhotep's chariot began to roll and toppled over. Immediately Meritamen rushed to him and defended her brother until he stood on his feet again. The two siblings fought side by side. It was as if they were one person, they harmonized so well. The sniper's eyes contracted. Amenhotep wore a bandage. They had already missed a meeting of the armies. More and more opponents collapsed on the siblings. Garrus growled darkly. He had no free field of fire. Liara tried to get the shuttle into a better position. Anger spread through him. She was down there, needed his help and he couldn't do anything. Nothing at all. Suddenly her enemies were thrown back. Meritamen used her Biotic. Finally. Everyone around her froze. But that didn't distract her. With her sword and her Biotic she fought on. After a short hesitation her brother attacked again. He heard panic screams from the enemy army. They sought their salvation in flight. But the Egyptians were inspired by the sight of their princess. They hurried after the enemy. Meritamen jumped back into their chariot and took up pursuit. This time there seemed to be no mercy. Amenhotep stood next to his sister again. He made one arrow after the other fly. But the enemies he killed had a merciful death. Every enemy in front of the team was simply trampled down. The long blades on the wheels of the wagon brought death to other men. The blue shining woman had to look like a goddess of war to the people. She seemed to be chasing a rider. Again her Biotic showed up and the rider flew out of the saddle. The chariot came to stand beside him. Before the man could rise, he was beheaded by the princess. They heard Amenhotep's cry of triumph up to here and soon the whole army joined in. The remaining enemies were not of interest. They had won. The sniper breathed a sigh of relief. What happened now they already knew. The Egyptians took care of their injured and dead. Afterwards they returned to Thebes. As after every victory there was a glorious triumphal procession. He didn't know how, but the news about what had happened had hurried them out. The people also cheered the princess this time. The three king's children he knew walked at the same height. Together they went after the Pharaoh. She wore jewellery again and this strange crown. At the temple she took the place next to her father and entered the building. Much time passed before they came out again. Shepard seemed strange with all the jewellery. But it suited her. He liked her much better in armor. Her eyes were black and above them was a dark blue. Involuntarily he stroked his clan signs. Like every time she made sure that the meat of the sacrificial animals was distributed to the waiting people. Only then did she go to her father's palace. Garrus and Liara followed her, but not to her room. Without all the jewellery she came out again. Apparently the family ate together again. Not much had changed at the table. The Turian didn't really listen to the conversation. He preferred to look out onto the square. The palace was really shielded. Nevertheless he heard the celebrating people further outside. Suddenly the mood in the room changed. He turned around and saw the two brothers standing close to each other. The elder held a knife in his hand. Of course Meritamen intervened. The turian growled up in the dark. The knife rushed towards the princess's face, but then met an invisible resistance. These primitive weapons had a good one, they left the highest scratches on his armor. The older man looked at the broken blade in disbelief. Suddenly this asshole went down. The sniper hadn't even noticed that he had struck. The princess looked coldly down on her brother.
"You're lucky, Amenemhet. I would have killed you."
Furiously she left the hall and went into her chambers. The Turian followed her. Maybe she had been hit after all.
"Shepard..."
"Garrus. Are you all right? Are you hurt?"
Shrinked he was examined. She grabbed his face with her hands and gently stroked it. Almost instantly he began to purr. Fortunately she could not hear that. He gently grabbed her hands and just looked at her.
"It's all right, Shepard. You know my armor."
"Yes... I... thank you."
"Not for that. You didn't need my help at all."
"Nevertheless, thank you."
She took a step towards him. Her soft lips lay down briefly on his right mandibles. This body part was even softer than anything he could imagine. She stepped back as she heard footsteps. The Turian quickly became invisible again. It was Amenhotep. Directly he took her in his arm. Should he have hugged her too? With his armor this would have been rather unpleasant. Quietly he left the room. Outside Liara approached him.
"Ah, there comes the hero in shining armor."
"What?"
"Like in the stories. The noble lady in distress is saved by the hero in shining armor."
"Yes... sure... except that neither I was the radiant hero, nor she in distress."
"Oh, you're ruining my romantic fantasies."
"You have strange stories, too."
"You are really overwhelmed with love. But you saved her and broke her brother's rib."
"Good. He would have deserved more."
"Had he."
"Anything new from your mother?"
"They're still discussing."
"Liara, honestly. Do you believe that the Asari will still come to earth during my lifetime?"
"I don't know, Garrus."
"That's your way of saying no."
"I just hope something else. But the stars and the comets discuss for a long time. It took them four hundred years to agree with the Turians."
"Isn't it clear to them that they don't have that much time? Neither the Beacon nor Vigil seem to react to every person. What if Shepard is our only chance?"
"It seems to be inherited in her family."
"Her father and brother aren't capable."
"Good point."
"You need to put more pressure, Liara."
"How so, Garrus?"
"By making it clear to them that Meritamen isn't going to be a hundred and maybe our only chance."
"They don't like it when you rush them."
"In this case, they probably have no choice."
"I will point this out to my mother again."
"Do that. Humans are not peaceful. They are constantly clashing. When another war breaks out..."
"She is in constant danger of death. I should get back on the ship. I have to make that clear to them."
"I'll take you back."
A slightly bad conscience spread over him. He liked Liara. He really liked her. But the Asari just didn't move. His people did. They could and they wanted to do something. They even had to... It wasn't as if they cheated on the Asari... only Liara did too. Should he tell her? No. That would be like betraying his primary... So silence was his only option. The next day he found Meritamen in a large room. In the middle was a large water basin. She was naked. Completely naked. His people had no problem with that. But he was supposed to make himself noticed.
"Shepard."
"Hello, Garrus. You can show yourself calmly. We are alone."
So he became visible and went to the edge of the pool. There were some containers with fragrant contents. Smiling, she looked at him.
"Do you want to come in?"
"I don't like water that much. Metal in the skin, you remember?"
"Do you rust in the water?"
"No, of course not. Ah... you're making fun of me."
"A little. You are afraid?"
"I'm not afraid."
"I do think so."
"That only works for small children."
"Well, if you don't want to."
Sighing, he put off his armor and climbed into the water with her. Slowly she stood up and approached him. The water reached just above her pubic area. Her hands lay on his chest and gently touched it. Of course... she knew him only in his armour. She had never seen so much of his body before. Slowly she walked around him and looked at him. The sniper stopped calmly. He had also patterned her several times. She had the same right. Finally she was satisfied and stepped back.
"And do I look funny?
"Unusual."
"That's very diplomatic."
"It's just... there are some parallels with our animal world."
"I have a resemblance to a crocodile."
"Your legs remind me more of a cat."
"You've thought about it intensively, haven't you?"
"Don't you compare me?"
"Your women are very similar to the Asari. Whereby some of you have clearly pronounced muscles. Physically you are probably superior to them".
"Through and through soldier."
"Was that rude now?"
"No. It was a very good observation."
"Did your brother cause you problems again?"
"No. Amenhotep made some priests interpret that as an intervention of the gods."
"Does your father still want to make him a co-regent?"
"He now has a problem with this idea."
"Why?"
"Me and Amenhotep are something he's not."
"Intelligent, courageous, strong?"
"I could almost interpret that as a compliment. But I don't mean that. We are priests. The mouthpiece of the gods."
"You work against him?"
"Yes. Either that or I will kill him. When he becomes a pharaoh..."
"If your people are lost."
"Perhaps the whole earth."
They got out of the water and dried up. When both were dressed again, he turned to her again. He took a deep breath. Despite all these smells, he could still perceive Meritamen's scent. Having just seen her completely naked had distracted him more than he himself would admit. Now he could think more clearly again.
"Our leader would like to..."
"Somebody's coming."
He quickly activated his cloaking system. He growled up in the dark when he recognized the oldest of the siblings. This guy really dared to go near her. If he even came too close to the princess, he would throw him into the water and drown him. Meritamen, on the other hand, was completely calm. She didn't really perceive him as a danger. She knew him much better than he did. She could judge him better. Nevertheless... he preferred to remain vigilant.
"Meritamen, the priests... Are those crocodile tracks?"
It had happened to him again. His wet feet of course left marks. That simply could not be true.
"Don't be ridiculous. Do you think I could bathe with a crocodile and nothing would happen to me? On top of that, how is it supposed to get in here?"
"I... you are right. that is impossible."
"So, what do you want from me?"
"The priests of Amun do not talk to me."
"And that surprises you?"
"I need Amun's blessing."
"If the priests refuse, then sacrifice yourself. All the people offer sacrificial offerings before the temple."
"But they have always accepted my sacrifices."
"Now no more."
"If I don't..."
"Do you really think I can help you? Do you really think that after what you've done?"
"It's your duty."
"I am fulfilling my duty. I cannot tell the priests what to do. If the other priests agree, then that's the way it is."
"How can I get it right again?"
"Think of something."
"If the priests..."
"That's not my problem. Now go, I still have work to do."
He had apparently understood that he should not irritate his sister any further. She waited until her brother had disappeared. With a nod she indicated to the turian to follow her. She went back to her room and sat down on one of the chairs. Her facial expression had changed. She now looked very professional again. So she always looked when it was about her people.
"Your leader would like that?"
"He would like to contact your father."
"He would like to help us?"
"He thinks about it. But first he wants to talk to your father."
"That could become complicated."
"Why?"
"Because he first needs all the information. And even then we would have to find an agreement somehow."
"Yes... Rules of conduct are important."
"Exactly. And ours and yours won't be so easy to reconcile."
"Your father would expect gifts."
"And he would also have to give something to your ruler and would be faced with the problem that everything we have is worthless to you except the knowledge of the Protheans."
"So he would see himself forced..."
"No. He couldn't."
"He has no access to this knowledge. I would give this gift to your ruler. That would be a disaster for my people."
"That is not proper... from the beginning there would be an obvious imbalance."
"And my father was educated in the belief that he would embody a God."
"We would destroy your belief system."
"Exactly."
"Okay... and there would probably be other problems anyway."
"Probably. We should go through the whole procedure. What does our protocol say, what does yours say."
It took them most of the day to do it alone. Tired, Shepard rubbed her eyes. Garrus was also tired. The primary's message, however, frightened him. Angrily he began to growl.
"What's the matter?"
"Some officers doubt that humans can handle our weapons. They are against cooperation."
"That's relatively simple."
"Really?"
"Give me a weapon and record it."
"That could work..."
"But?"
"I'm not sure that's enough."
"And then what?"
"Would you have time? About a week or so?"
"Amenhotep can take over my duties. But why?"
"We have a competition. Other nations are allowed to take part."
"And you want me to take part in it? Is that possible?"
"Yes. It takes a few years of fighting experience, but it doesn't define how that experience should look."
"And you think I could do that?"
"Yes, but... it can be dangerous."
"That's competition most of the time."
"Yes, Shepard. Only it can happen that you get badly hurt and you don't have a medigel."
"Then I probably shouldn't let anyone hurt me."
"That's dangerous."
"Come on, Garrus. I can do that. You know I can do it."
"Then... regulate everything. I'll pick you up tomorrow."
This time she could move freely on the ship and of course she took advantage of that. She looked at everything very closely and also got into conversation with his people. They knew the princess from the recordings and now all wanted to talk to her. Liara had taken it all very calmly. She knew what the Turians were up to and she agreed with them. She loved her mother and her people, but after years with the other peoples she had seen one thing. The Asari were not the most decisive people. And the humans... they were so completely different. When the Asari left, the Salarians jogged, the Turians ran and the humans flew. Strange, but the Salarians had the least time. But that was just the kind of people. And she liked that kind, somehow. Now they were on their way to Gellix. So that man kind could prove themselves. Or rather, so that Meritamen could fight for her people again. Garrus took a big risk. Why couldn't the guy just stand by his feelings? That couldn't be so hard. But he just made it a huge thing. Was it so complicated with the Turians? No. Allegedly they were so pragmatic. Maybe he needed a little help. The Turian looked at the princess again.
"Is that your home, Garrus?"
"No. This is a planet that we administer. My people cannot live here".
"Too bad, it looks inviting."
"For humans it would be optimal."
"Then why do you administer him and not the Asari?"
"Ask me something lighter."
"If you ask me, it's waste."
"Waste?"
"Yes. There are people who can live on this planet. They could build something, build themselves a home, use the resources... Now all this is unused. Wasted".
"My people just don't want to give up this planet. Maybe rent it out."
"To whom?"
"I don't know. It's not one of my tasks."
"I understand. What does this competition actually consist of?"
"A shooting match, endurance and obstacle course, and possibly a fight simulation."
"And Asari also take part?"
"They could, but it's never happened before."
"So I'm the first alien to participate."
"That's how you could put it. Are you nervous?"
"Yes and that's good."
"That's good?"
"If I'm too sure, I'll get careless."
They went to the shuttle and Shepard put on her helmet. Garrus had concerns at first that she wouldn't pass as Asari. She walked quite differently. Much more powerful. But nobody noticed. The princess would keep the helmet on the whole time. He brought her to the participant area. Then he went to the grandstand. Without problems he went to the grandstand of the officers. He had not completely told Meritamen the truth. This was no normal competition. Officers entered their best people here. So they wanted to prove their leadership quality. Who here the worst section was degraded. For this reason the lower grades renounced it. If the princess took the last place, he lost his command, his ship, his crew... but he trusted her. She would make it. Certainly even. He took a deep breath. Lightly the sniper bowed his head.
"Primarch, Fleet General Kryik, Fleet General Arterius."
"Commander Vakarian, I see you're not sending a Turian into battle."
"Leave him alone, Saren. That only makes things more exciting. Nobody has ever sent a bioticist into the race. Not even you."
He had expected Saren's dislike. The fact that Nihlus took it so calmly made things much easier. The shooting competition was quickly over and Meritamen was in second place. Now with difficulty he could keep his Mandibles calm. She had to do it with the best snipers and could not be intimidated. Now came the obstacle course. Soon she was far away from the field.
"Bad mistake, Vakarian."
"This is an endurance run, Fleet General Arterius. She's a cross-country skier."
"Of course..."
"Well, Saren. You better watch it. She's catching up and she's passing three of them."
"WHAT?"
Now he couldn't hold back a grin. With far-ranging steps she ran on and on. The next obstacle was hated by most. They had to crawl 50 yards under the obstacle. If you touched the laser beams you got a painful blow. Here the princess took the lead. She crawled through without any problems and ran on. With a lot of distance she crossed the finish line first. He had been right. He only hoped that she would hold on. Now came the fight simulation. Quietly he grinded his teeth. It should be formed teams of two. Sighing he looked at Shepard. The lights on her armor shone red. So she was assigned to a fixed place. He could not discuss with another officer whether he would include Shepard in his team. Confused, he looked up as someone else joined the red team.
"Fleet General Kryik?"
"Yes, Commander Vakarian. She's really good. We really should work more with others."
"This is a joke, Nihlus."
"No, Saren. It's not a joke. I like to win."
Gratefully he looked at the older one. Shepard and Nihlus's soldier worked really well together. She often used her biotic to protect her team member. The red team kept fighting its way up the rankings. After all, they had reached a tie with the blue team. Saren was not very enthusiastic. That had never happened before. Both Meritamen and Saren's candidate were in first place.
"Apparently you're sure of promotion, Vakarian."
"Thank you, Kryik."
"She's really good. Did you teach her everything?"
"A little. At the weapons you could talk about a natural talent with her."
"That's not possible! There can't be two first places. I demand a close combat!"
"Fleet General Arterius..."
"Primarch, I support Saren's proposal. If he wants to send his man into close combat against a biotic, I'd love to see that."
"Agreed. Go to your candidates. The arena will be ready in an hour."
Quickly he went to Meritamen. She sat alone in a cabin. She had taken off her helmet and had a drink. Smiling, she looked at him. He sat next to her and just looked at her. Of course she assumed that the competition was over. Garrus was sorry to take that illusion away from her now.
"Shepard... unfortunately you still have a competition to contest."
"Another one?"
"Yes. A hand-to-hand fight."
"You're worried."
"The officer of your opponent doesn't like the other races. So he will try everything to win."
"He will try to kill me?"
"I'm afraid so."
"Nice. Close combat, no fistfight..."
"Right, why?"
"Are there any weapons, melee weapons?"
"There are a few available. Nobody uses them."
"Is there a spear?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you worried?"
"Shepard... that's dangerous. You could use your biotic."
"Then they would say I only win because of it. Turians have more range. I am more flexible and with the spear I cancel its advantage."
"I can say what I want anyway. You do it anyway."
"I know what you're risking for me, Garrus."
"But I'm not risking my life."
"I don't mine either. I risk the life of my opponent. And now get me a spear."
"Do you want another shield?"
"Gladly.
So he went to get both and then back to his place. A murmur went through the audience when Meritamen entered the arena so armed. The primary's eyes narrowed briefly, but he said nothing. She was directly attacked by her opponent. At the last moment she dodged the blow. The two circled each other the whole time. She let her opponent run into emptiness again and again. Her attacks were always well-placed needlesticks. She wasn't ready to hurt her opponent.
" Well, Vakarian. Your candidate is probably afraid."
"Oh, Saren... your rejection blinds you so?"
"Nihlus?"
"She makes him tired. Her endurance is better than his. And what she is about to do is very clever."
The fight has been going on for some time now. Meritamen stayed with her tactics. She didn't want to kill her opponent. She had the right to do so, but he understood why she didn't. In her eyes it would diminish her victory. Restlessly he looked back into the arena. Her vital signs were elevated. Her breath was heavy and her heart was racing, but against her opponent she was still doing very well. Finally she stormed towards the other. Hard she hit him with the shield and the Turian went to the ground. Quickly she danced back again.
"Why doesn't she stop the fight, Vakarian?"
"She knows he won't give up, Fleet General Kryik. So she wants to tire him out until he can't fight anymore."
"She could have killed him."
"Why would she, if she didn't have to? She hates waste."
"A victory would be a waste in her eyes?"
"No. But why kill a good soldier if she doesn't have to. She would see her victory diminished."
"That's why no Biotic. Everyone would say she only won because of it."
Again, Shepard stormed the Turian. In a wide movement she let her spear circle. She hit her opponent hard on the skull. The opponent fell over and remained lying. He was unconscious. She had won. At first it remained completely silent in the arena. He should have expected it. He was sorry for the princess. The fight had been great. A true masterpiece. But she took it very calmly. She put her weapons away and looked up at the grandstand for a moment. Suddenly he heard something. Someone applauded. Nihlus! And the Primarch! Immediately all the others fell in with him. The sniper hurried from the bleachers and entered her cabin. Sweating and heavy breathing she saw him and smiled broadly. Laughing, he just embraced her.
"You were great, Shepard."
"Only thanks to you, Garrus."
"No, that was all your doing."
His Omnitool came forward. The primarch wanted to see him and his candidate. The princess quickly took a shower. From outside he explained to her how this technique worked. In full armour she followed him. In the hall he had to swallow. What was Nihlus doing here? He really hadn't expected that. That ruined his plan.
"Captain Vakarian, approach."
"Primarch, Fleet General Kryik."
He got closer to the two Turians and Shepard followed him. He slightly sang his head, again she followed his example.
"Princess Meritamen, I suppose."
"Yes, Primarch."
She took off the helmet and looked at the two Turians unimpressed. It was still amazing how self-confident she remained in this situation. She was completely calm and that didn't go unnoticed.
"It's an honor, Princess."
"Me too, Primarch."
"I have some questions."
"Of course."
"Why are you here?"
"There were some people wondering if humans could handle your weapons. One record wouldn't be enough. It would have been just training, not fighting."
"You worked well with Nihlu's candidates. How is that possible?"
"He is a soldier. He's used to obeying orders, I'm used to admitting them. So there were no difficulties in the cooperation."
"According to the Asari, you are subordinate to your father and your brothers."
"According to the Asari I should not talk to you, but to them. On the battlefield my brother is under my command and also my father knows who has the overview there. Of course only unofficially."
Nihlus began to laugh. Garrus had never heard that from him before. He had apparently taken a liking to her. And it didn't suit him at all. He had to hold back strongly to avoid growling up in the dark.
"Why did you use your Biotic in the fight simulation?"
"In this simulation, the candidate of Fleet..."
"Say Nihlus, princess. It's easier."
"Thank you, Nihlus. Nihlus' candidate became my soldier. I was responsible for him and I protect my people. With everything at my disposal."
"Why not in a duel then?"
"It was unnecessary and it would have been unsatisfactory for everyone present. A victory given as a gift".
"Nevertheless a victory."
"My people are very backward compared to yours. With few soldiers and enough weapons you could conquer the whole planet, Nihlus. Would that be a good victory?"
"It wouldn't even be worth a footnote in history, Princess."
"Your opponent would have killed you if he could. Why didn't you do it?"
"He seemed to me to be a good soldier. So why waste a life."
"Waste?"
"I let my soldiers eat dust, Primarch. I make them sweat and I also make them bleed. Often enough they suffer wounds and are beaten by me. But never, really never do I seriously hurt them or kill them. Perhaps in the next battle only a few men will matter. Maybe it's just these that I didn't kill. Besides, this was just a competition."
"Just a competition?"
"Yes, Nihlus. Just a competition. Garrus is about to wish I was quiet, but... You live a life of luxury. Peace is a luxury. The loss of a few soldiers is regrettable, but not threatening. I don't know this luxury. Others are just waiting for us to show weakness. And every soldier who is simply executed on a whim weakens my people. I lose not only his fighting strength, but also that of his future sons."
"So you don't want to endanger your soldiers, Princess."
"You misunderstand me, Primarch. In every battle I risk the lives of my men. Theirs and mine. They fight, either win, or die. But that doesn't mean that I send them senselessly to their deaths. Many orders were a suicide squad... I sacrificed 50 men to save 200. I expose 2000 to a great danger, so that the others can fall the enemy in the back. All this I accept, but never a senseless death and to kill this soldier would have been senseless."
"I don't think we can understand that, because we're only playing war, Primarch."
"If you haven't seen your home burn yet, you don't know the war, Nihlus."
"As you can see, these words of yours have left a deep impression on us, Princess."
"I'd like to say I regret it, but that wouldn't be true. You have no idea what is coming to you, Primarch."
"Apparently not. Just one more question."
"Of course."
"You are here now. We need you to get to the knowledge of the protheans. What should prevent us from forcing you to take it from us?"
Unbelieving, Garrus stared at his father. He couldn't mean that seriously now. Why had he not thought of it? Because he trusted his father. Had that been a mistake? Had he risked Shepard's life because he was too naive? But Meritamen only laughed.
"That would be very stupid. I am still armed. Even if I had no chance against this majority, you could hardly prevent me from killing myself. Then you can only hope that somebody still exists somewhere who can open this door. And if you should overwhelm me first and bring me back... it only takes an order from me and Vigil activates the... self-destruction."
"With that your people too would be doomed, Princess."
"Without help it would probably be that anyway. I only risk my life here. You with this action your all future. To put it more simply for a Turian. I'll do it: I have the bigger gun."
"Oh, I like that one, Captain Vakarian. He hasn't exaggerated at all, Primarch."
"No. Definitely not. Well, Princess... I think an alliance between Turians and humans would be mutually beneficial."
"I agree with that, Primarch."
"We'll send some diplomats. They should discuss everything else with you."
"I would prefer it if Captain Vakarian continued to do that."
"He's not trained for that."
"That's true. But we know each other and our peculiarities. We forgive each other rather a false step."
"Very well. Now if you'll excuse me, Princess. I'd like to talk to Captain Vakarian in private."
"Of course, Primarch."
"I'll escort you outside, Princess."
"Thank you, Nihlus."
She put her helmet back on and went outside with the Fleet General. The sniper wanted to jump at the other Turian's throat. He should not dare to even touch her. Only with difficulty he suppressed a dark growl. He knew Nihlu's reputation. He was a good general and had an easy game with women. Whether he had this effect also with Meritamen? Nihlus was a prime example of a Turian. As Solana had said: the general looked good. He on the other hand... with the scarred face...
"That was very risky, Garrus."
"Yes, sir. It was worth it, though."
"You could have lost your job."
"Not really, sir. I know how good she is. She can take on anybody."
"And you're sure you can still see clearly?"
"Sir?"
"You like her, Garrus. Very much so. I can't judge if she's attractive, but she radiates something that deeply impresses you."
"I can hear that from Liara all the time..."
"And you doubt that?"
"I know there's no point, sir."
"You're putting me in a predicament, Garrus."
"In what way, sir?"
"As a primarch, I should pull you off this mission immediately. Your feelings could harm us. But the other part... It's good to see that you're just happy. I thought it would never happen. You never showed interest."
"I..."
"It's all right, Garrus. Even if it doesn't have a future, just enjoy it. And if we become allies... just discuss every decision that concerns our people with me before."
"Yes, Father."
"Now go, you know Nihlus."
"I'll rip him to pieces if he gets too close to her."
With one last nod he said goodbye and hurried out. The dark-haired and the other turian talked excitedly. He didn't like that at all. Not at all. So he stepped on Meritamen's side. He would have loved to have wrapped his arm around her now, but he did not. He was not allowed. They went back to the shuttle. Finally they were alone again. They left the planet.
"We made it, Garrus."
"We did, Shepard. Now we have to bring the pharaoh and the primary together."
"Nihlus has agreed to help us when we're ready."
"Of course he did..."
"Is something wrong?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Okay..."
He would rip his throat out...
