Hello all, I bring this to you from the Explorer of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship that Is currently leaving dock and heading out into the ocean. Finally on my holiday, so happy.
Now! This chapter has been a long time coming and I am sorry that it couldn't have come out sooner but what can I say? I am slow with getting things done. Should have been out weeks ago at least. But I procrastinate a lot so it cannot be helped.
But here it is. Enjoy.
Are We Alone
Chapter 11: Political Shitstorm
Serpent Nebula, TSF Drusculus
It reminded Shepard of Elysium, right after the Blitz, when the days had drifted by in a red-tape haze. She'd been injured, or suffering from the lingering effects of blood loss, so everything had blurred together until the very end, but now she was in perfect health to experience all the waiting in its gloriously lethargic agony. With little else to do but sit and wait between interrogations, she couldn't help but sneer at just how similar it all was to the last time. The days spent in isolation with nothing to do but twiddle her thumbs as she waited and wondered if today was when she'd finally get to speak with her superior officer. All the while she'd be randomly visited by her own government's spooks and high-ranking officers who'd try to pull what information out of her they could.
It had only been sixteen hours, but already she could feel her nerves grinding into nothing.
"How the hell can they hold us like this? Why did the Admiral give us to these bastards?" Ashley Williams asked, breaching the stretching silence with something other than her nervous pacing.
One thing that was different from what Shepard remembered was that she wasn't alone this time. She should have had the company needed to stave off the boredom with idle, pointless, chatter, and yet the room had been practically silent for most of the time. She, unlike Ashley, had little desire to talk, leaving the other woman to ramble angrily, trying to sort out her cluttered and conflicting thoughts.
"Hackett didn't even do anything, and neither did Anderson! I thought that we were going to use this to get back at the Council, not…not this." Ashley continued.
"Maybe you should keep your voice down, incriminating yourself isn't going to do us any good." Shepard snapped, tired yet unable to really let herself sleep. "But I hear you, things are turning out shit for us."
Shepard had an idea on what this all meant for the System Alliance, and none of it was particularly good. The original plan to secure the Beacon and use it as a bargaining chip had failed. But not because of the attack. No, if anything, the Eden Prime assault would have been practically a god send, if you were heartless enough to ignore the horrific loss of life. And with that attack the Alliance would be up in arms, fire fueled by the incrimination of such a famous Spectre in a beautiful clusterfuck that would turn the Council's reputation to ashes. Withdrawal from Alliance Space would be practically a given, and Shepard wouldn't have been surprised if the Councilors were dismissed before the protestor's signs had even finished drying.
But now they would cover it up, knowing that if anything that took place on Eden Prime got out there would be hell to pay. They would need to silence everyone and ensure all elements were kept quiet and even imprisoned to keep the people at large unaware of the Council's massive screw-ups. Shepard knew they had to have done this before, even if the evidence had been quietly swept away. Just how many worlds had been attacked by Raiders in the past two years alone? How many uprisings have they been forced to put down? How many anti-Council groups were forming, only to be crushed before they could grow?
"We're not getting out of this are we?" Ashley asked.
"Not likely. We're probably going to get the same treatment as Ines got when they court-martialed him." Shepard said. "The only difference here is that they won't do it publicly. They'll throw up some charges and see to it that we're locked up."
"They can't get away with this." Ashley growled. "People will know."
"Yeah, and then they go after them." Shepard replied, feeling suddenly extremely blasé to the whole situation.
Shepard had had little else to do but think for the past sixteen hours, and she had figured a few things out. She knew that the Council was on thin ice, with humanity dancing on that very same sheet, in some twisted high-stakes game of chicken with the entire stability of the alliance as the prize. The trade embargo, lack of military control, and even outright occupation on some worlds, humanity's opinion on the Council was disastrously low. It was so bat that the colonies and Earth itself were silently rebelling against the Council and their demands, growing a bit bolder as they had a bit less to lose with each day.
Groups like Terra Firma were growing alarmingly fast, and certain religions were praying for the 'Gods' to come and punish their oppressors. She wanted them to swoop in and do it too, but now one of their 'Gods' was being carted off somewhere to likely be interrogated, if not outright experimented on.
Eden Prime was meant to be the spark that ignited the powder keg underneath everyone's feet; Piss everyone off so much that they either revolt against their current government or forced their leaders to make the hard choice. Everyone was either fed up with it or afraid for the future, and they deserved to have their worlds back and be freed from the rules and regulations placed on them. They deserved to be free.
"I can't believe it's not going to end." Shepard moaned, how much she wanted the Council out and finally to be able to live it up as a N7.
Now she likely was going to lose her stripe. All she had to do now was wait for the executioner to come for her head along with everyone else's.
On cue the doorway opened, the bright light outside showing nothing but the morbid shadow of an individual. Not unlike the executioner she had thought of a moment ago, yet when he stepped forward and into the room it was actually a much friendlier face. Well, relatively speaking, considering the seemingly permanent scowl that had made its home on Captain Anderson's face.
Hands folded behind his back and looking expectantly at both the Lieutenant and Gunnery Sergeant, the stood as tall as usual. Even when they were about to be sent down the river Styx, he did not seem to lose any of his strength, his head high and his eyes betraying nothing but cold authority.
"Come on you two, we will reach the Citadel in a few minutes." Anderson said, turning on his heels and moving back to the door.
Shepard all but leapt off her cot and moved for the door with barely contained anticipation. These Turian bunks were uncomfortable and spartan, and she hated being stuck in these cramped quarters. Even having a view of the cold, unfeeling void of space would brighten up the sterile room.
As she exited the room she found another already waiting for her, her unit commander, Major Mikkai. He was standing beside Anderson, while ahead of them were three Blackwatch Officers. She looked at their stripes, and, if she had to guess, they looked to be either Sergeants or Captains in the Turian military. That was interesting, they were being guarded by high ranking officers.
"Captain, where are we going?" Ashley asked, stepping out the holding cell with a bit more trepidation.
"Down to the shuttle bay; they're dropping us off on the Citadel directly. They're also taking our other guest somewhere else." Anderson replied, voice unnervingly neutral at the grave news.
It didn't need to be said exactly who they were referring to, apart from Shepard, her team, and the Captain, only one other person was on this ship if their 'escorts' were excluded. The Guardian of Elysium, Ichigo.
Considering the fact that the Blackwatch officers were so calm, it was safe to assume that the battered hero was still unconscious. Otherwise she was sure that he would have made his exit with all the subtlety that a nearly six-foot man with an equally large sword could. But even then, the Turians were too calm, not at all worried that their captive might suddenly wake and obliterate them literally by existing. It had only been a passing remark, but Shepard remembered a Turian Blackwatch officer saying something about the 'Cage', whatever that meant beyond the obvious. Shepard, if she had less self-preservation instincts, would have wished she could be there to see Ichigo wake up. Anything that could shake off a Dreadnaught-busting weapon wasn't something that could be contained so easily.
But the Blackwatch officers probably hadn't heard, or thought it was a delusion created by zealous humans.
"Where is the rest of the team?" Shepard asked.
"Going down in different shuttles, they don't want us talking." Mikkai replied.
Their captors probably thought they would try to corroborate stories and try to make an organized argument. But the Council likely didn't want to even give them the time to build a case. Meaning that they were going to snowball them and lock their asses up, the same treatment they gave Ines. Only this time she suspected they wouldn't be so public about it, or nearly as legal.
"So from there it's the slow walk to the gallows?" Shepard quipped cynically.
"No, you and Mikkai will be coming with me." Anderson replied, giving Ashley an apologetic look. "Gunnery Sergeant Williams will be confined to quarters in the embassy. But you will be coming with me to meet the Ambassador."
Shepard was surprised that there was still an embassy on the Citadel. From what she heard, the Council, and a lot of other equally angry people, had wanted them booted off the station because of the Anomalies. Most of the aliens were (rightfully) scared shitless of the anomalies and what they represented, as far as she was aware. And so, unsurprisingly, there had been a lot of attacks on humans and the embassy over the last few years since Torfan. But the chaos had spilled over to any human sympathizers as well, and the tensions were starting to tear the Citadel apart at the seams. Of course, Shepard had only heard all this second-hand at best, so it was unclear what the actual situation was.
As they passed through the door, Shepard took note of the dozens of smaller attack fighters and shuttles scattered all over the place. Engineers and technicians moved to and fro, prepping the ships and giving general maintenance. It was expected that there were so many ships were present, the Drusculus was a Carrier and meant to field large numbers of fighters. Descending onto the main launch floor they moved for a shuttle, and boarded it without a single word.
Shepard composed herself, sitting in her seat and not moving a muscle as they waited to reach the Citadel. Anderson maintained his perfect composure, and Major Mikkai was doing his best impression of a brick wall, but Ashley was fidgeting and twitching all over the place. Something she continued to do for the next twenty minutes before they finally docked with the station.
It wasn't until they finally departed the shuttle that they got a glimpse of the Citadel. The massive docking arms of the space station were monolithic, reaching into space like the claws of a giant. There were hundreds of ships moving around the station, peppering the sky like tiny comet. It was a wonder how so many ships could move on and off the station without collisions, even with the boon of personal navigators.
But when she looked down and below the docking arm their shuttle had landed on she found a city beneath, an actual city with skyscrapers, factories and massive unit blocks. It was a sight that she was not given a chance to admire at its fullest, instead she was pushed forward by the Blackwatch grunts and towards the elevator.
From there it was routine scans, security checks and finally the skycab transport directly to the Embassy.
The entire affair took half an hour at most. It was so boring and uneventful that even the erratic Ashley seemed to lose her energy, coming to terms that her fate was out of her hands until further notice. It was a misleadingly peaceful event.
But as soon as they landed, they got a show.
"What the hell?" Ashley muttered.
In front of the embassy was a large crowd, picketing it, with a cacophony of yelling and calling out for blood. Turians and Asari seemed to be the main opposition present, but a few other races dotted the crowed. All of them were tossing food and bottles towards the building, the guards just shy of being overwhelmed and barely able to the people from charging.
"The hell is this?" Shepard asked.
"Dammit. This is Lieutenant Fraklus, we got another protestor group in front of the Embassy." The Blackwatch officer said into his comm, clearly annoyed. "Which one do you think!? Get some C-Sec guards over here and clear them out, we don't need this right now!"
"Looks like they're riled up again, wonder what set them off this time." Anderson said, sighing as he started towards the lobby.
Shepard had to keep her head down, food and bottles were flying as much as curses from the crowd. She had never seen anything like this before, probably because she had never been on any world outside of Alliance Space or anywhere with an alien population. But considering how the last few years have been for humanity, she had not seen another alien for just as long. In fact, Saren was the first Turian she had seen in at least three years.
"What the hell is going on?" Ashley asked, rushing into the lobby and looking back at the agitated crowd.
"Things on the Citadel have deteriorated as of late." Anderson replied as if that explained everything. "Anita and Udina can explain, let's go."
A short walk up the stairs and they entered the office. The sudden silence when the doors shut behind them was jarring. But what followed was just as loud and bloodcurdling as the angry crowd outside this very building.
"I don't believe this, you're not taking this seriously!" Anita barked, standing in front of a holographic display of an Asari.
"The Council doesn't feel that…" The Asari tried to speak, but Anita wouldn't have it.
"If the Council has a problem they can grow a pair and speak to me, I am not exchanging messages with them through another go-between. So you tell those bastards if they think they can bury what happened on Eden Prime, they have another thing coming! And use my exact fucking words for once." Anita said, kicking the projector to shut it off. It would have been funny if Shepard hadn't known exactly what she had been referring to.
The woman turned and let out a barely contained shout of indignation, slumping against the nearby table. Next to her another man sagged, dark face world-weary with deep lines and heavy bags under his eyes, hair greying and receding. A series of hastily-applied bandages covered part of his face.
"Told you they wouldn't listen, you should have gone to Earth when you had the chance, now you're stuck here with me." Udina said, looking tired as he folded his arms. "Forced retirement would be the best you could hope for."
"Yeah… yeah, I should have done that." Anita said, running both hands through her hair as she tried to reign in her emotions.
It was only then that she turned and finally noticed that someone had entered the room.
Anita wanted to slam her head against the wall until she didn't feel anything anymore; unconsciousness or death would at least be a reprieve from all this. From the Council lording over them, forcing herself and Udina to handle the angry crowds and delivering only news of changes in regulations, and bearing bad news on behalf of the Council. That was what they had been reduced to, to being errand boys that gave the Alliance Parliament pieces of bad news, one after another. It was all they could ever call for, no other communications were allowed back to Earth unless it was properly sanctioned. Even communications to other colonies was closed off, and she hadn't seen or heard from her son on Intai'sei for eight months. That remote colony was somewhere she had hoped to settle down and retire, and now she couldn't even make a phone call to it.
She should have retired when she had the chance.
"Anderson, good to see you again." Anita said, forcing a smile and hoping she didn't look as tired as she felt. "Why can't we have more social calls these days?"
"Sad to say, but the Council doesn't like us having such luxuries." Anderson replied.
Anita wanted to laugh helplessly at that, but was conflicted if laughing was the right thing to do instead of growling. But she was so tired of being angry so instead she pulled a face and dropped the subject all together. "The Council just called. If you aren't aware, they will be arranging a meeting with you. You are going to need some help when you get up there."
"I need your help actually." Anderson replied.
Anita sighed at that, there was absolutely nothing she could do.
"Sadly, help is something humanity needs in spades, and yet we have little in way of power to do anything. Especially now." Udina sighed, massaging his temple and wincing as he rubbed a little too close to the bandage.
"I assume you got that from the crowd, what set them off?" Anderson asked.
"Yes, it was someone with a bottle and particularly good aim. Don't worry about me, it's not life threatening." Udina explained, glad the others in the room hardly looked fazed, just disgusted at the act. "Tensions are rising every day, so humans and the Council races are not on the best terms as of late. It's spilling out onto the streets and innocent people are getting caught up in the fighting. Barely anywhere is safe for humans, and it's depressingly common to see human-run shops vandalized or looted. The only exception I know of is some sort of novelty store, and I'm sure that's only because one of the employees is practically the size of a Krogan and the owner is reported to be...off-putting." Udina, finished rambling, turned and strolled over to the balcony.
The rest followed, looking down and over the long halls of the Presidium. It had once been somewhere that had been a calm and tranquil place where ideas and negotiations were held. Instead, it had been turned into a pristine dump where people couldn't walk without fear of being caught up in the fighting between humans and the other races. Things had settled in the streets for the most part, but only because humans rarely showed their faces so freely. There were even reports of targeted attacks, people seriously injured and sometimes even killed by mobs of angry protestors.
It was the visibly worst here, but that didn't mean all over the Citadel it wasn't just as bad.
"I take it everyone here is against us then?"
Anita looked towards the speaker, a fair skinned N7 Major she had heard about. Mikkai, if she recalled, though for the life of her she couldn't remember a first name. He had a scowl on his face that stretched the numerous scars across his cheek and brow, and with his short-cropped hair that was beginning to go grey showed him to be a long serving soldier.
"Not everyone, oddly enough there are some groups that are for us and even against the Council. Not as numerous but they are certainly making a scene, or at least trying to prevent the worst from happening." Anita replied.
While the Alliance was getting a lot of crap from all sides, they were not the only ones to suffer. What goes around eventually comes back, and the Council was getting nearly as much as they were dishing out. Several groups and small organizations were openly protesting the Council and their treatment of the human race. Many felt that the sanctions were destabilizing the economy and restricting their businesses, resulting in some notable corporate collapses in the last few years. But economical health was not the only case that was being put against the Council. From a political and social standpoint, the Council had far overstepped their bounds and were the ones in the wrong.
Politically, they were policing the Alliance to a nearly unprecedented degree, restricting a race's own laws to suite their desires for near five years now. The Council was the most powerful governing body in Citadel Space, yes, but they each worked as a conglomerate to help settle disputes between the governments aligned with the Citadel. If there was a problem in their own governments it would be settled, or if one of their associated members such as the Volus, Hanar, or Humans did something to spite the other, they would step in to quell the problem.
But what they did here was beyond that, practically a hostile takeover of another species' government, military, and control over their own space. They were not above doing things that put other species in line, with the Krogans and Quarians a testament to their willingness to put down any threats they see coming or punish the future for the sake of the past. With humans, however, they had overstepped themselves, knowing that with human's expansive nature and their unwillingness to bend, they had to force compliance. It was forcing it that had been the problem, even if they had gotten away with it for the most part, the question was simply when, not if, something would give.
"The Asari Republic and Salarian Union are not happy. I got word that there is division amongst the people about how to handle the System Alliance. Some are afraid of eventual backlash if they keep this occupation going." Anita informed.
"They don't like it when it is called an occupation, it makes them out to be tyrants." Udina said.
"Go figure." Mikkai muttered.
"There is pressure from their Governments to settle this quickly, not only the occupation but also finding a way to get out of this without too much damage." Anita replied.
But she knew for a fact that the damage was already done, that the Alliance had been preparing to leave the Council for over a year now. The parliament may not have done anything to show it, but other have, all major companies that dealt in trading technology and resources have been shipping them into the Traverse and Terminus Systems. Almost all trade with the Council had already ceased, or would in the next few months.
That had been a major strain on their resources, to find new partners to trade in the unlawful reaches of the Terminus System was a nightmare. They had done it, but in turn the Council had been making their life difficult. That wasn't even counting the civil unrest and racial tensions that were rising because of the Council's actions, it was making them look bad. In the eyes of humanity and their own species, they wanted to fix things before they ruined everything.
"The damage is already done. Nothing can change that now, and once word gets out it will be even worse." Anderson replied. "I think that the Alliance will finally do what it has been wanting to do for the last five years."
Anita would actually like that, to finally have that heel off their throats, but…"I don't think it's going to happen I am afraid."
"But the Council can't hide something like this, too many people know." Gunnery Sergeant Williams shot back, clearly agitated.
Anita knew the Gunnery Sergeant was annoyed at the lack of optimism in the room. But she had been here for years now and knew for a fact that all your dreams were never going to really come true, because as long as the Council still held power, the human race was never going to be free.
"You wouldn't believe how well they can spin things, how smart they are at turning a tragedy over to benefit them." Anita said. "The only reason they're being so cautious is because they were too hasty in taking over our space, almost appearing as if they were invading. That was their first mistake, and it's still is causing them grief now."
"They approved releasing a genocidal virus onto one species and left another that was nearly massacred to rot on ships and let them turn into pariahs to everyone else in the galaxy. Tell me, if the Krogan and Quarians aren't going to get any sympathy, what do you think we're going to get?" Udina explained, clinical and cold.
"So we're second class citizens then?" Mikkai asked.
"Second-class citizens are discriminated against, we're no better than slaves in this case. No right to govern ourselves, or at least pretend to." Udina replied. "All because Prime Minister Amul Shastri signed away our rights."
"What do you mean?" Shepard asked. "I thought you said the Council overstepped themselves?"
"The Council couldn't have entered our space with such a force and make these sanctions and restrictions without having some political control given. Not without outright declaring war. As a member of the Council we are bound by the Council Conventions that restrict certain governments and also allow the Council to actually have certain legal and legislative rights in member governments." Anita explained, but when she saw the lack of understanding she clarified it in more simple terms. "They have a backdoor into our Parliament, meaning they can impose restrictions on trade, military operations, and colony expansion if necessary. This is how they were able to halt us from attacking Torfan for over a year, it is also why we can't form colonies anywhere but near the borders of the traverse."
She seemed to understand now.
"But they couldn't disband our military, they couldn't do what they are doing now." Shepard continued cautiously.
"Not unless the Alliance Parliament signs away these rights." Udina finished. "Amul Shastri complied with the Council's demands for them to ground the Alliance Fleets and suspend the Admirals until the Council could investigate claims of secrecy and treason."
"Treason? But didn't they know that Admiral Ines was hiding information on the anomalies?"
"No, they didn't. Ines had kept this information close to the chest at the time and out of the hands of most of the government because he knew it would lead to leaks and then the Council finding out." Anita stated. "Amul had no real idea what he was sighing over, as the evidence presented showed Ines was hiding military secrets and was collaborating with the other Admirals."
"Amul and his cabinet were afraid of a possible war breaking out, that the Fleets might be attempting an illegal expansion or attack and obeyed. By grounding the Fleets, the Council could swoop in and take control without anyone firing a shot, from there they laid the groundwork for the control we see today." Udina finished.
That is how it had been done, the Council imposed these restrictions and sanctions to the full extent of their authority. But now they were imposing military control over territory that they had no rights to hold, and imposing restrictions that were destabilizing the Alliance.
"But they can't… how can they still have control? It has been five years and they are still lording over us." Shepard said, looking ready to tear her own hair out.
"Because of the anomalies, they are using them as pretense to maintain military control over Alliance Space and keep humanity from expanding." Anita said, "Humanity has always been feared because of how quickly we expanded and made ourselves a prominent galactic figure. It may seem like common sense to grow strong to us, but to the other races, we're a pretty scary force sometimes."
"The anomalies aren't human."
"The Council doesn't believe that." Anita replied, and right now that was all that mattered.
What the Council thought.
"So that's it? We're fucked with no way out?" Shepard asked.
Anita wanted to say no, there was a plan to save their asses and get them out of the fire. But there wasn't anything they could do, not out here, not this far away from Earth and their own government. Not like it would have mattered anyway.
"I can't believe this, we're going to lose everything." Shepard said, the look of defeat finally settling over her. "We had it all, the Beacon and a way to get the Council off us. Even when we were attacked, we still have leverage against them with a rogue Spectre, and we still had the Beacon. Now it's all going to be covered up."
"Worse, Hackett is being called in and he'll be put on trial." Udina said. "I don't know if they will make it public or not, but they certainly won't do it like they did Ines."
"Hackett's being put on trial? What about that piece of shit Saren?!" Mikkai barked, angry and showing it.
"Probably the same, if he doesn't somehow worm his way out of being prosecuted. If they even prosecute him." Udina replied, his expression just as stormy as the Major's.
Anita knew that with Hackett gone they had lost their one real ally left on Earth, and the one person who could do something to try and get themselves out from under the Council's thumb. Hackett had always been the one able to fight against them and their sanctions, and was as much an Admiral as a politician. Without him, there was no real way they could stop the Council from continuing to drive the Alliance into the ground.
Everyone knew that as well, they all knew the consequences if Hackett was imprisoned. Only Anderson seemed to be calm, never once saying a word or seemingly disheartened by the fact that another Admiral would be tried and imprisoned by a foreign government.
"How long do we have?" Anderson inquired.
"Whenever the Council calls us. We'll likely see them in the next hour." Udina said.
"And Hackett?"
"He's still half a day out at least, as he went back to earth before Captain Epidinion found him." Udina said. "Hackett will be coming on his own ship oddly enough, but either way you three will be tried long before he gets here. I don't know what you will be getting, but I doubt it will be any better than what Ines got."
That was probably the first time Anita had seen Udina look actually sad, as the man had always been a hard ass and not very sociable with others. But over these last few years he seemed to have mellowed out, or at least had his less than desirable habits verbally beaten out of him in the perilous dance he'd been preforming with the Council.
It was sad to say, but those bad habits he lost were the very same ones she picked up as she struggled to deal with anymore bullshit the Council gave humanity.
"I need a drink." Shepard declared and moved for the door. "There any bars on this damn station?"
"They won't let you leave, but try the Embassy Lounge." Anita said, not even trying to stop the woman.
It wasn't like anything worse could happen now, not when they were ready to be hung.
Citadel Tower, Council's Private Chambers
Tevos signed, feeling her anxiety start to build up as things got harder and harder to handle. The most recently relayed message from Anita Goyole was less than eloquent; the last few years have not done anything but destabilize that woman's manors and destroy her humor. Although, unsurprisingly, the demands of the Republic and the Council of Matriarchs were just as rude, only slightly cloaked in polite pretenses. Her position was in danger and she was being called up on many of her less than professional actions. It was at times like these that she almost wished she hadn't thrown her lot into being a Councilor; this job should have been left to the Matriarchs.
"Keep us posted." Valern said, cutting communication with the Cage.
"Is it contained?" Sparatus inquired.
"Yes, we have the Destiny Ascension stationed near the 'Cage'. The ship's Element Zero Core is providing power to the barriers holding the entity. Hopefully we can begin examination soon." Valern replied.
Tevos knew that they were referring to the Guardian of Elysium, Ichigo. One of the many anomalies that have been appearing throughout Alliance controlled space for the last seven years. A patient zero of sorts, being the first to ever be documented before the anomalies started cropping up like a disease. And yet, in an ironic twist, he had also been the first to be captured and contained.
The Cage was built specifically to contain and house one of these entities without any chance of escape. Years of attempts had been made to lure them out, to be captured, but all had failed. They either never turned up, fled easily, or all forces sent to contain them were killed in an ever-increasing variety of death. It was a messy job that had gone even worse than they'd ever thought it would, with each failure amounting to nothing but a waste of resources. The power of these anomalies was massive, overwhelming and impossible to oppose without a ship. And even with air support or heavy firepower, every anomaly they had met was impossibly agile.
But there was a suspicion, a theory crafted from thousands of hours analyzing just a few hours of footage, that their power came from a source. It was suspected their weapons, something as archaic as swords of all things, channeled phenomenal amounts of energy and power that they were free to use. Exactly how they wielded the power without disintegrating on the spot was still unknown, but their very source of strength was undeniable their Achilles heel. With them disarmed, they would not be nearly as dangerous as a threat as before, and then they could be contained.
Hence why the Cage was located over a million kilometers from the Citadel, and the blades just as far. They would be contained here for a time, until their scientists were sure they were safe to transport, before being taken to a more secure location where they could be studied. If they decipher the power of the Anomalies they could unlock wonders they never knew existed.
"Although we have a more immediate problem to deal with, one we cannot wait on."
"The Eden Prime incident." Tevos said, although calling it an 'incident' did not do it justice.
A Prothean Beacon, a massive Geth attack, hundreds of thousands dead at least, nuclear weapons detonated on a garden world, one of their own Spectres present – and claims he was leading the Geth. These instances were so strange and clustered together that it was hard to understand exactly what had happened, and what was wild speculation.
The consequences if any this got out were bad, and even worse, one of the people behind the Beacon conspiracy had gotten to earth. Whatever Admiral Hackett has done they could not discern, but questioning had yet to return on who he met or why. But they had received no communications from, Earth so hopefully nothing had happened.
"We should deal with the immediate witnesses and then worry about the trial with Admiral Hackett." Sparatus proposed. "They hid the knowledge of the Prothean Beacon deliberately, and, if information is correct, Anderson was behind the mission to actually sneak the Beacon off Eden Prime. He, along with that Black Ops team, are accomplices in this."
Tevos was inclined to agree, but they had to be careful now. While the Turian Hierarchy had been more vocal on aggressive action against the Alliance, her own government and the Salarian union were less inclined to provoke a war. They desired to try and slowly withdrawal from the Alliance Space, fearing that if the Alliance splinters it could lead to territorial disputes. If the Alliance space has opened itself up to trade with the Attican Traverse and Terminus Systems, then there was no telling what it could mean for the future. The Alliance, for all their qualities, was a stabilizing element for them near those borders.
Their navy dealt with raiders and pirates along their own borders and in the Traverse, saving the Council the problem of patrolling those very same vast expanses of space and risk possibly igniting war. The Alliance was a deterrent and buffer for Citadel Space, leaving them only to protect their northern borders of Citadel Space from attack. But if the Alliance splintered, cutting themselves off from the Council, then they would be losing more than a member. They would effectively lose the entirety of the eastern traverse, which was near three times the size of the area of space that sits between the northern borders of Outer Council Space and the Terminus. All those resources, planets and territory lost, all in the hands of the Alliance and whoever tries to strike a claim there.
"That may not be wise, there was an entire fleet that took part in the operation and there are leaks outside of the containment area, and likely on Earth. If the conspiracy with the Beacon is correct, then we are looking at open revolt. Even if we contain this here, we need to make sure that we don't leave a way for the Alliance to use it against us." Valern replied. "Public opinion sways governments, and right now the Alliance is not the only one that has a majority pressuring their leaders to get our ships out of Alliance space."
Sparatus was quiet for a moment.
"My government is maintaining police action in Alliance space, until we can find evidence of these anomalies…"
"There is no evidence." Valern responded, irritation in his tone and his eyes narrowing. "Nothing other than the reports from the incidents on Elysium, Akuze, and Torfan, aside from a few scattered testimonies. That is all that exists about these beings, first hand and second-hand accounts of them that appeared from nowhere, and then vanishing back to that very same place. With the power to destroy armies and even bisect ships with old-fashioned human weapons, it would seem as little more than a mass-delusion if the mass-destruction wasn't accompanying it."
Valern threw down the data pad in his hand, and Tevos could make out the data and reports that were just mentioned. They were numerous, but she knew for a fact that the final report created by the STG was only thirty-eight pages long. In the last five years, all their investigations, all of their effort, and all they had to show for it was thirty-eight pages detailing some of these anomalies.
They had uncovered secret Black Ops organizations such as Cerberus, discovered illegal AI development on Luna, even evidence of long lost probes armed with nuclear weapons. Damning evidence, stuff that would set the Alliance back decades in their attempts to reaffirm the faith of the Council, but it wasn't what they were looking for.
Not one single shred of evidence existed that these anomalies were created by the System Alliance, and now they had strong evidence that these anomalies were just as many suspected. Extra-dimensional beings that visit their realm freely, this went beyond what they thought was even possible. It sounded completely fictitious, and yet here they were.
"We have been holding the entire human race hostage for the last five years, taking their rights, threatening them, and stealing what is theirs. Do you understand exactly how much damage we have caused?" Valern said.
"They are allies with them, you can see that! They are worshipping them, and so these anomalies have saved dozens of colonies that have been attacked…" Sparatus said.
"A poor excuse. I think you are still afraid, but of the wrong thing this time." Valern said, shaking his head and slowly taking a seat. "We will need to prepare reparations for this, for everything."
"You want us to capitulate?" Sparatus barked.
"We will have no choice in the end: either we do it of our own accord and appear reasonable, or do it to try and stave off them leaving the Council." Valern replied, his tone darkening. "It was a stupid move born from fear to jump into this. Had the both of you not gotten ahead of yourselves we wouldn't be in this mess."
Tevos took the blow in stride, because if she tried to argue back she would have been reminded of the same argument five years ago, after they had sentenced Ines. How Valern had pointed out that any further action against the Alliance would result in eventual reprisal. Of the three of them, only he had spoken against militaristic action and using the Turian Navy to take hold of Alliance space. Had she listened to him, heard his wisdom and not allowed her own fears come to the forefront of her mind, maybe this could have been avoided. But she caved in to Sparatus' demands for action and to stop the Alliance, should they prove to be responsible for the creation of these anomalies.
"How do we fix this?" Tevos asked.
"Delicately." Valern said, as if that weren't obvious. "Word will get out about Eden Prime eventually, whether we like it or not, of that I am certain. We keep a lid on it for as long as possible and try to repair the situation, because this isn't going to be another Krogan Rebellion or Quarian Schism if we don't. Those times we had the people on our side, and they agreed that we were punishing those who did wrong. Here we are viewed in the opposite light, something we need to change."
"We still need to silence the witnesses." Sparatus said.
"Keeping them quiet is one thing, but contained indefinitely is not. The only permanent solution is execution, and I don't think I need to tell you how that would go. However, we can keep the main ring leaders incarcerated until we can figure out a way to withdraw from Alliance space. Until then we will need a scapegoat." Valern said.
"Scapegoat…? Saren?" Tevos asked, surprised by the sudden move.
"Saren has always shown himself to have hostility towards humanity, do not deny it. If reports are accurate, and I trust our own men, he was on Eden Prime and in the possession of the Beacon and aiding the Geth. We have evidence, and even circumstantial at best is enough to work with." Valern said.
"He's our best agent, you would give him up because…" Sparatus started, but, like always, Valern never let him finish.
"I am sacrificing something for the greater good, to salvage this situation. Saren will take the blame, he will be tried and punished for his crimes, acting against our orders and in contempt of humanity, and using the Geth to achieve his goals." Valern stated. "We also look into his past activities and I am sure we can find evidence to support this. And if not, we can always speculate."
Tevos never thought in all her years as a Councilor that she would be forced to contemplate actually sacrificing their own people to appease another race. The Spectres were supposed to be above such a thing, a pinnacle of military might and discipline. But here they were, planning the downfall of one of their best Spectres, who they had to admit was a major instigator in the Eden Prime incident.
"Are we really considering actually sacrificing one of our best? Are you actually listening to this?" Sparatus demanded, looking to Tevos.
"We have no choice, this is our best chance to try to and shift blame." Tevos said, knowing that this was their best bet to save what was left of their reputation.
"It won't shift the blame, only give it a focus. We disavow and imprison him, but he'll still be associated with us. We need to turn these events around and actually earn forgiveness." Valern replied. "Do not think for a moment we can shift blame and walk away, not this time. We have to make reparations."
"How do we earn forgiveness? After everything we've done, how do you expect us to actually remain in positions of power? We will be pariahs!" Tevos said.
"Yes, we will. That is the point." Valern replied, leaving it at that.
Tevos should have known better than to think there would be a way out of this with their careers intact. Because she understood the moment he had spoken what that meant: their remaining time in office was not meant to salvage their careers, but salvage whatever relations they could on behalf of their governments before they were replaced. They would take the blame, shoulder the crimes they had committed against the Alliance, and be deposed for better leadership. That was what he was suggesting- he wanted them all to crash and burn.
"I expected to be replaced soon enough anyway, as I have a Dalatrass on my case as it is to keep you both in line. The last thing I want is let my entire family become disowned because neither of you had any impulse control." Valern said, turning to glare at them. "We act out this carefully, we do it my way for once. No more brute force or less than subtle political threats, we settle matters with Hackett and then begin the investigation into Saren. From there we start making our way to repair relations and re-establishing proper trade with the System Alliance, and also drop these sanctions."
Tevos nodded, agreeing with his assessment and finding their next course of action as reasonable enough. Her own ideas have been less feasible, as for all her skill and experience, she had no real way of escaping the hole they had dug themselves into. But Valern could do it, he was a former STG Lieutenant before he became a politician, he knew how to think his way out of a problem. His mind was politically brilliant in a way hers just simply wasn't.
Had he taken charge sooner maybe things would be different.
"We still need to try Captain Anderson for the Beacon, they did make anattempt to steal it." Sparatus said.
"That is the only reason we have to imprisoning him, and probably the only course that our governments agree on in spite of the situation." Valern replied. "But I have plans for that, for now they will be put under arrest and await sentencing. I have already sent for them, they should be here soon. Can I trust you to follow my lead?"
Tevos had no idea what that Salarian was planning, he had been on the Council for eight years now and in that time, while proving himself, had had never really taking the reins and led. While they were equal she had always been the one to take the lead, trying to maintain a civil and calm atmosphere when negotiating. It almost got her curious as to how Valern would go about this little meeting with the Captain and his subordinates.
Sparatus didn't seem to share her thoughts, however, as he gave a gruff grunt before taking a seat in his own chair, folding his arms in irritation and waiting. Tevos gave an affirming nod towards her Salarian counterpart, ignoring the fuming Turian, and he responded in kind, while also pressing a key on his omni-tool.
A minute passed before the doorway opened, marching into the room were several people. Captain Anderson being the only one that Tevos recognized, and that was only because of their previous meetings in the past. But the three others with him had to be the other members of their little group, Major Mikkai was a definite, and also Gunnery Sergeant Ashley Williams. Although, she did not expect to see Jessica Shepard strolling in at the back of the group.
"Captain Anderson, thank you for joining us. I hope that the fiasco at the Embassy did not cause you any problems." Valern spoke up.
"None whatsoever." Captain Anderson replied, his words crisp and curt.
"Good, I assume that you know why you are here?" Valern inquired.
"The Geth attack on Eden Prime." Anderson spoke up, raising a brow and seemed curious about what response he would get back.
Tevos was wondering where this brazenness came from, after all, he never showed any sort of mischief when he was forced to speak before them. Always to the point and never anything but serious, it was a little worrying to see him so calm.
"That is part of the reason… the other involves many of the different factors about that attack. A lot has been laid before us and I have to say that things are looking bad, for both of us." Valern said. "You know that withholding Prothean technology, especially a Beacon, is a harshly punishable offence. Even with the accusations levied against us and one of our Spectres, the Salarian Union and Asari Republic are not happy. They are asking for your immediate imprisonment alongside Admiral Hackett. And while I am inclined to agree, I think we can work this situation out into something more beneficial for all of us." Valern said, interlocking his fingers and leaning back into his seat. He seemed so at ease, usually Valern was rigid and upright instead of leaning back casually in his chair.
Anderson neither replied nor spoke up, and only continued to stare the Salarian dead in the eyes, unwavering even as the accusations piled up.
"We both know that we are in a bad situation. Eden Prime was a very important colony to the Alliance, but Saren was just as important to this Council. The loss of life there, along with the instigator behind it being a Spectre, I don't think we need to mince words and deny that this will cause problems for both of us." Valern continued. "Further tensions is not something either of us wants, not because we already have enough as it is, but because this will result in actual retaliation instead of building enmity."
Tevos noted that the good Captain was curious, raising an eyebrow and actually considering his words. Good.
"Considering what you have put us through with all these sanctions, I think we have good reason to feel the way we do. But how is it that your problems are ours?" Anderson inquired.
"Because we know that the System Alliance would struggle, and so we have left you in a position of weakness. Your fleets are scattered, military near non-existent with the events of Eden Prime, and your people divided." Valern said. "All of it was caused by us. We are the instigators of, if things continue as they are, your end."
Tevos turned towards him, worried he might say something that could slight the Captain. But the narrowing of the human's eyes seemed to be the only response, one that showed he was in full agreement.
"That is without a doubt true. So, how do you intend to fix it?" Anderson asked.
"Help you rebuild. It will take time to fix all these mistakes, but the only way forward is to extend the hand of peace. I don't expect us to be friends after this, I don't expect that the Council will be forgiven, but I do intend to make sure any mistakes we made are repaid. In full." Valern said.
Tevos looked on, watching as the Captain and her fellow Councilor stare each other down. Valern was never one for subtlety, always blunt and honest. That was the way he was, never being sly or underhanded with his words. He may measure what he says or be quiet when the times called for it, but when he speaks every word holds truth. She knew that Valern couldn't lie or manipulate Anderson, not when that man had dealt with the three of them long enough to know just how they operated.
Besides, this wasn't about manipulating him, it was about letting him know that he had won.
Valern was doing that now, he was admitting to Anderson that the Council had done wrong and that humanity was right, and they were going to make amends for that mistake. Sparatus didn't seem too pleased, his pride likely stung for being associated with such slander. But at least the Turian could hold his tongue.
"I take it the reason you in particular are speaking is because Councilors Tevos and Sparatus didn't agree." Anderson asked.
"We both know that having either of them talking isn't going to do us any good; one will shout and demean, while the other will add in thinly veiled threats. I am being as blunt as possible here because that's the only way anyone can be honest anymore. If we let this little game continue both our nations will suffer for it." Valern said. "We will make peace, and hopefully we can put aside our differences and fix this."
Tevos, for all of her personal grievances, hoped that Valern's words were reaching him, that the Captain would actually consider this proposal. She knew that Anderson would speak with the Admiral and possibly relay this through his own network. If they could reach an understand, not a friendship but simply an understanding, then whatever plans he might have in the works could be influenced, changed, before they could be executed and likely degrade the situation even more. Hackett was their most dangerous enemy in the political scene, but if they could make him an ally, then they could get out of this mess.
"It would be beneficial for us both to come to an agreement. If we continued to oppose each other, it will only lead to further tensions and eventual collapse." Tevos spoke up, hoping to add her own words to the matter in spite of previous warnings.
She knew that Valern did not want her to speak, the subtle turning of his head and the tightening of his expression proved that. But she needed to also show that the idea was not just from one member of the Council, that she and Sparatus were going to support Tevos, even if they weren't happy about it. Divided they would appear weak, but together, pushing past personal opinions, they would be strong.
"Yes. Tevos is correct in that regard." Valern stated, sounding annoyed as he spoke her name. "Things have been less than pleasant. As you are likely aware, the Citadel is not as prosperous as it once was. Crime is on the rise and humans sadly are being targeted, along with any sympathizers. Many have been affected by this: not only humans, but all other races as well."
Tevos wanted to speak further but she felt a hand on her knee. She gave a subtle glance and found Valern's fingers digging into her leg. It was obvious he wanted her to be quiet, it vexed her a little he wanted her to remain quiet and not speak. They were equal in this, they should not be restricted in voicing their thoughts.
"What about Ichigo?"
And with such casual ease, the hardest, most frustrating topic was clawed up.
Tevos turned towards Jessica Shepard, and saw that the woman was the picture of calm annoyance, arms crossed and posture casual and confident. She was reminded of when they first had attempted to try and detain her, to question her on her involvement at the very start of the assumed conspiracy. But it turned out she was just an easy target to be used to soak up praise for the Siege of Elysium, to take focus off the real hero who has saved everyone. If the people were given an answer, and they would stop looking after all.
"The anomaly, yes, he is being detained for the moment…"
"Locked in your 'Cage' I suspect." Shepard shot, some bite in her words as she interrupted Valern.
"And where did you hear that?" Sparatus questioned, quickly on the defensive.
"Those Blackwatch assholes who hauled us here and him off wouldn't shut up." It wasn't entirely true, but it filled her with vindictive happiness to imagine the Council scrambling to find out who was blabbing all their secrets.
Tevos glanced at the Turian, worried that the aggressive move on Shepard's part would cause problems. Sparatus was never one to take a challenge lying down, always on the offensive and quick to take any advantage to win an argument. It was somewhat admirable, but the trait lost its appeal when the man refused to take other's opinions into account when he became too involved.
"Please, he isn't what we are discussing here. This is about humanity, this is about rebuilding the Alliance after our policing actions!" Valern said.
"Humanity? You want to help humanity after you made us prisoners in our own space, took away our rights and liberties, and chained anyone that spoke out against you?" Shepard asked, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "How many colonies were attacked by raiders while you did nothing to defend them? How many tens of thousands died because you prevented us from protecting our own borders and colonies? You lorded over us like tyrants in your castle far away and didn't give a damn what happened to us."
"We acted rashly, we won't deny that." Valern said carefully, trying to appeal to the erratic Lieutenant. "What we did was never to harm humanity, it was for the stability of the galaxy. We made mistakes, many mistakes. But we can't change the past, all we can do is make due with where we have now and try to fix it."
"Like you tried on Eden Prime?"
"I…don't understand." Valern replied.
"You don't give a rat's ass about humanity; you would murder everyone left on that planet if it benefited you and your Council." Shepard boldly accused, glaring at each and every single one of them. "I heard as much from that lapdog standing over there, so don't you fucking dare say that you care about us. All you want is to maintain that fleeting power of yours."
"Captain, please put a leash on the Lieutenant." Sparatus said.
"Leash, you would like that wouldn't you? Humans under your heel, put down and knowing where they below: beneath you." Shepard said, but she shook her head ruefully and had a smirk to match it. "But not anymore right? You did all this because you are afraid. Afraid of us, of what we can do. Afraid of who has our backs, and is willing to protect humanity."
Tevos was concerned with this rant of her, yes, but she was more concerned that her superior officers were making no moves to stop her. All they did was stand there and let her vent, and that set off warning bells in her mind. What could be going through their heads to allow Shepard to act this way?
"Please, restrain yourself. We are not attacking you or casting blame aside, we are trying to settle this matter in its entirety." Tevos tried to placate, though she almost didn't know why she was trying to get on the woman's good side. Her behavior by all rights should have had her removed from the chamber, but if her Captain was not speaking out then what she said likely had his interest.
"It has been settled. We don't want to be friends, and we don't want to be allies. We don't want to be part of your Council." Shepard said. "Do you know what the Anomalies have taught us? That they don't have to obey, they don't have to listen to anyone else. That's what scares you: they are the one thing in this entire galaxy that can stand up to you and do whatever they want without having to worry about retaliation. That terrifies you, because you have nothing to bargain with, threaten them with, or manipulate them into doing what you want."
Tevos wanted to snap at her, she truly did, but years of diplomatic training and over three centuries under the wing of an Asari Matriarch had not been for nothing. She would not lash out, she would not give into provocation, for her strength was with words and how to use them.
"I would be careful how you speak here right now, Lieutenant. You are still being tried for your role in the theft of the Prothean Beacon." Tevos said.
"Like I care." Shepard smirked. "You can't threaten me, you can't intimidate me, because I know now that you are scared. Scared of humanity, and the anomalies that protect them. Well guess what? You have every right to be scared, because that guy you just locked up is going to get out and he is going to come here. And he is going to show you exactly what your authority means."
Tevos did not like the smug certainty she had, not one bit. How could she be so assured that what she said was going to come to fruition?
Tevos looked to Valern, and noticed that he seemed to be thinking deeply. Eyes shifting and mouth parting without a sound passing through them. Sparatus was the opposite, his chest heaving as he took in deep breaths and fought to keep himself from yelling.
"How do you think humanity is going to feel when they hear that their 'God' was hurt protecting Eden Prime and that the Council took him and put him in a cage?" Shepard asked. "Even it can't hold him, even when he's wounded and unconscious; I know he will get out. But when people hear what you did on Eden Prime, who started the slaughter, who saved it, and who you are trying to contain, they will be screaming. Screaming for you, the Citadel Council. You don't know just how deep you have dug yourselves, and there is no getting out."
Tevos had just about had it with Shepard, with this entire meeting in fact. She was just about to call for the guards to escort them back to the Embassy when a communicate came in.
"I am sorry Councilors, but we are getting a distress call from the Destiny Ascension."
Tevos looked at the blinking message, it was still live. Someone was transmitting from the Destiny Ascension and directly to her.
"Guards, take them out." Sparatus instructed, motioning towards the Alliance group.
It took a minute before they were out of the room, not a word was said between them as they left. They were calm and without worry, something Tevos couldn't say the same for herself and her colleagues. Truly worrying at how they could be so calm, at what they knew that the Council didn't.
"This is Councilor Valern, what is…"
He didn't even finish his query before he heard the shouting.
"This… Captain Lidanya, the Destiny Ascension has taken heavy damage! We require immediate assistance!"! I repeat, we require immediate assistance!" The voice of Matriarch Lidanya shouted over the comm, "The Cage has been destroyed, the Anomaly is loose!"
Tevos turned towards Valern, only to find his fellow councilor had frozen.
"Dammit! Is anyone receiving this? I repeat… destroyed! He overloaded the damn fields and destroyed the station. The ship…urgent need of help! Please send…one!" Lidanya continued to shout over the comm.
Tevos rose from her seat, stumbling away from the table. How could this have happened? There was no way it could have escaped from the Cage, it was designed to contain something like him. He was unarmed, without his source of power! Without a means to attack, there should have been no way to escape!
"Why can't I hail anyone! What do…the receiver is down! How do we…" The message was cutting in and out. Soon a new voice was on the comm. frequency.
"This is Spectre Nihlus Kryik! The anomaly is moving…!"
"Spectre Kryik! Do you read me? This is Councilor Sparatus, do you read?" Sparatus shouted.
"… Get the guns online now! It is coming… do you hear me?"
"This is Councilor Sparatus!" He had changed the comms. "I want all available ships to converge on the Destiny Ascension, it is damaged and requires assistance!"
"How did it escape?" Valern said. "We took every precaution."
"By the Spirits! Are you reading me?!" Nihlus continued to shout over the line.
It was a nightmare Tevos could scarcely imagine, even as it unfolded before her very eyes: An anomaly loose so close to the Citadel, and one that they'd surely angered, leaned against the window, feeling the room sway and her head spin with thought, white noise taking over her entire perception. Except everyone else was swaying, and only then did she realize that the room was actually shaking, the rumbles of a distant thundering sound faintly echoing.
"What the hell was that!?" Sparatus demanded.
"Sir, it was a collision! Something touched down in Zakera Ward!" Came the reply over the line.
Tevos looked to the arm that housed those wards, but she could barely see anything from this distance. What could have caused such a violent quake that it was noticed all the way at the tower and Presidium? There wasn't a single asteroid that should have been in line to collide with them…
A horrifying through occurred to her, a warning given to her only minutes ago by an incensed and determined Lieutenant. One that she did not wish to even acknowledge, but feared it to be the truth. It didn't matter if it seemed ludicrous, nay, impossible, it was the only explanation. . Only the final shout over the distress signal from the Destiny Ascension confirmed her darkest fears.
"… It is coming! The anomaly is heading for the Citadel!"
There you have it. The plot thickens.