xxx Citadel xxx
Coming to the citadel was awe inspiring and rightly so. It was one the largest and few remaining working relics created by the protheans, once they had docked Anderson had him, Kaidan, and Ashley come with him to see Udina. When they arrived to the human embassies they found the human ambassador talking with the council via holograph comms.
"Ambassador Udina we understand your frustration at the situation and we have already dispatched multiple teams to investigate this incident. What happened at Eden Prime was a disaster" the asari councilor calmly replied.
"A disaster!? One of our core colonies has been attacked by the geth, the geth of all things. On top of that they had the gall to desecrate our dead into those ... husk! And to make it worse the mastermind behind is hiding behind your protection!" Udina growled as the man's face was flushed red.
"Saren is one of our top agents and most loyal one. No matter his opinion on humans the man would never attack and never on such a horrific level" the turian councilor argued.
"We will discuss more of this later at the trial Ambassador" the salarian councilor ended as all three of them winked out.
"Didn't go so well?" Anderson assumed.
"The council refuse to even acknowledge that saren was responsible. They have opened an investigation but they want C-SEC to have it done in two weeks" the ambassador leaned back in chair.
Two weeks!? That was barely enough time to get anything done and with an investigation this big ... Izuku frowned. Would the council even acknowledge the evidence they have or would they just throw it all under the floor? "Is there anything we can do ambassador?"
"Can you get a shipload of evidence and dump it on the councils doorstep?" the man raised his brow before sighing "No you four have already done what you can. I've already received your accounts and have my people working on the case. The only thing I am unsure of is bringing Anderson into this given your history with saren."
"Wait you have a history with saren?" Kaidan asked.
Anderson than explained his past with saren as well him being a specter candidate before Izuku. Saren was his advisor as the two went to deal with a mission. Suffice to say during the mission Anderson was given a close up of the sheer brutality saren was willing to go if it meant to finish the mission. It was one thing to do what needs to be done but it was another to not even consider other options, that was what kind of person saren was.
After that Udina ordered the three of them to leave as he and Anderson finished hammering out their case. Once they left the embassies they found themselves staring at the artificial lake as people passed by.
...
...
...
"So what now sir?" Ashley asked "We can't let that saren get away like this!"
"Saren is their top agent, remember? Any evidence we find will be hard pressed to prove. Their politicians first before anything else and will do all they can have no blame placed on them. Besides, where are we suppose to find more evidence?" Kaidan replied.
"Well we aren't doing it here" pushing off the railing "Come on there has to be clues we can use around here." Looking at his omni-tool he he checked to see who was suppose to investigate saren and after a little bit it showed one Garrus Vakarian. An experienced C-SEC detective and the man had a long line of solved cases to prove his worth.
Calling a cab they made their way to C-SEC headquarters where they hoped to find Garrus and possibly help him with the saren case. Entering into the headquarters they were given a interesting sight. It was Garrus himself pleading with another Turian and as they got closer Izuku heard what they were saying.
"Please Pillan, I just need more time I'm close to cracking this case! If you can just stall the council—" Garrus pleaded.
"—Stall the council!? I'm sorry but the time I have given you is all that you have. Just get everything in order before the trial starts alright" Pillan answered as he left the frustrated turian alone.
"I'm sorry to bother but your Garrus Vakarian correct? My name is Izuku Midoriya and I was at Eden Prime when the geth hit" Introducing himself.
"You have the right person. Sorry about that argument. I was hoping I could get some more time to nail that bare-faced bastard for good, I saw the pictures on what happened on Eden Prime and you have my sincere apology" Garrus said as he raised his arm out. Izuku returned it as the two shook their hands.
"Why do you hate Saren isn't he one of your people and the councils top spectre to boot?" Ashley had to ask.
"Because saren is a monster that is out of control! He may be one my own kind but that man is one step away from treason. I have seen some of his cases and the body count is too high, the only reason I can't lock him up behind bars is because of his spectre status" Garrus hotly replied.
"Than will you help us stop saren?" Izuku asked. The man looked to the sides before motioning them to follow. The group made their way to Garrus's office. The room was cluttered with data-pads, pictures pinned onto a cork board as many of them connected back to a big picture of Saren and others had question marks labeled on.
"We can talk more here. It is one of the few places that I trust no matter what" Garrus explained as he pulled up his computer "I've been trailing Saren's financial records, or what's not hidden behind his specter status, all the purchases he made in last few years, where he used his spectre credentials, and where he was before turning off his transponder."
"And what have you found?"
"Concerning, the man has been making erratic and odd purchases over the last few years as it keep ramping up before stopping all together. It ranges from weapons purchases, to mercs, only to stop at cybernetics. He is also getting money from some third party source too, all I know of them is that they rich ... very rich. His transponder is also acting odd in the same regard, there more instances of him simply going off the grid before appearing back" Garrus listed off.
"Anything that can help us?" said Kaidan.
"Nothing immediately. However, there is one source of info I haven't gone over yet. There is a banker on the presidium, near the consorts office, he is a volus that goes by the name Barla Von. And he is a agent of the shadow broker" Garrus said.
That was something unexpected. Izuku knew of the shadow broker from spec-ops debriefings, a powerful information broker who has been around for hundreds of years and to this day no one knows what he/she/it looks like. And that is assuming it is a single person at all. If anyone would have more info it would certainly be the shadow broker but that made him hesitate more.
There was a reason the shadow broker was feared, the price of info was high and the broker always made sure he got his due ... plus interest.
"Are you sure we should go meet with him? You should know the price of the broker's info" Izuku warned.
"It is the best lead we got. I don't like it as much as you do but I have hit a wall on my side" Garrus understood the N7's worries but the turian was desperate and had no other options left.
"... Alright, send me the address me and my team will investigate it. Do you want to come with us?" said Izuku.
"Thank you but I have to pass. Need to finish compiling all this paperwork before the trial starts" He apologized.
Leaving his office the team made their way back to the presidium where they made their way to Von's office. As they entered Izuku approached the man secretary where the women did not even wait. Informing him that her boss was already waiting for them, warning bells rang off in his head as he opened the door. A part of him cursed at the fact he had to leave most of his weapons and armor back on the ship.
Opening the door Izuku was greeted with a volus that was typing on his computer.
"Commander Midoriya, you must be here for the information on saren correct?" the volus wheezed.
"And you must be Barla Von, agent of the shadow broker" he replied back.
"You are very astute commander. That is a very good sign commander, to many people shoot first before asking question. A real shame it is, but I digress. I know that you are looking for any information on saren, look for a doctor Michel in wards she owns a clinic there. I have received reports that a quarian with info on saren was staying there" Von explained
"And what's the cost?"
"Nothing" Izuku raised his brow at the answer "I understand that you may be surprised but Saren has recently betrayed the shadow broker and because of that the broker is willing to offer aid to bring him down. Oh, and the broker has recently hired a Krogan mercenary going by the name Urdnot Wrex he is yours to use if you are going after saren."
Izuku nodded his head as he left back with his team as well as informing garrus where to go. He explained the situation as they made their way through the citadel, but on the trip he couldn't help but think back on what Von said. To betray the largest private information broker in the galaxy was no easy feat, what could have made someone like him do it and did it have any connection to that geth as well as that massive ship?
xxx Clinic xxx
"Garrus do you read me? ... Garrus? ... Garrus, we are approaching the clinic" Izuku heard no response from the tuiran and prayed nothing happened to the man. The clinic was deep in the wards as they made their way through a few stores that caught the team's eyes.
"You think we will find any trouble commander?" Kaidan asked.
"With saren who knows" Izuku replied.
"Wish I brought my weapons with me. I don't think my quirk will be any use here sir, unless you want to explain why there was an earthquake happening on the station" Ashly sighed. But before she do anything else she felt something poking at her side and turned to see a handgun as Izuku offered it to her.
"Anderson said we couldn't bring any guns issued from the military, this is privately owned" said Izuku. A big thing they learned in N-school was always carry a gun with you if the situation approves of it. And the citadel had rather lax laws on gun regulation. Ashly gave a grateful nod as she took a side on the door as Kaidan followed.
Opening the door he saw garrus behind the counter, holding a finger to his mouth. Behind he saw some mercs holding the doctor at gunpoint as they threatened to kill her. One of them called out and pointed at Izuku as Garrus acted.
Coming out from behind he fired his sniper into man in the back as Izuku formed a omni-shield, running over the doctor and protecting her. He ordered Kaidan to put the remaining mercs in lockdown with his quirk.
Ash and Garrus finished up the remaining gunman save for one.
"Doctor Michel are you alright? I am commander Midoriya from the Alliance" helping the scared women up.
"T-Thank you commander. If you and your friends hadn't save me right ... " she shivered at the thought "... But what does the Alliance want with me? I'm just a simple doctor working in the wards?"
"We have information that you recently taken care of a quarian here and we need to know where she is, fast. Her life is at stake here doctor."
"A quarian? ... Yes! There was quarian here recently. Poor girl's suit was riddled with bullets like she just came out of a firefight. She was delirious, talking about geth, someone call Saren, and some other nonsense. I gave her painkillers, antibiotic pills, and immunoboosters, to help her get back to full strength before she thanked me and left" Michel explained.
"When was that!" Garrus butted in.
"Just yesterday"
"Do you know where she is going. Bars, homeless shelters, a local quarian conclave?" the turian pressed.
"She said that she was staying at a homeless shelter ... as well going to talk to fist. Fist is the owner of the Chora's den, it's a nightclub here in the lower wards you can't miss the signs" she said.
"Well we know where to go now, come on I can show us where to go" Garrus offered. Grabbing the merc's guns they followed after the C-SEC officer as they made their way down. As they reached the nightclub the sound of a shotgun went off and everyone went on alert. Moving closer they saw krogan in red armor pressing his feet on a turian as his shotgun was cooling down.
Izuku carefully approach the korgan as his team readied their guns for the slightest sign of aggression. "Who are you?"
"Names Urdnot Wrex, what do you want human" the krogan gave a glance
"Wrex? Your the one the shadow broker hired, Barla Von told me about you. Look we don't have much time we need to get to Chora's den and to Fist, now" said Izuku, eyeing the krogan.
Wrex blew the turians head off before speaking "Fine with me, just know that the broker hired me to kill fist"
None of them wasted time as they marched over the Chora's den where they opened the door to see everybody in the room turn their gun at them. An omni-shield absorbed the initial fire as Wrex charged in there as his body glowed and biotics formed a protective barrier around himself. As he charged in the krogan fired his gun, making room for the others to come in safely. As they did they fired at the gunmen on the dance decks and those that Wrex did not focus on.
From the back another krogan came out and charged at wrex. However that attempt was a stop when the krogan became engulfed in flames, courtesy of Izuku's omni-tool, the krogan yelled out in horror and pain before Wrex put him down for good. A nod of appreciation to the N7.
The rest of the part were no slouches either as Garrus used his tech skills to overload the guard's shields and overheat their guns. Kaidan and Ash used their quirks and gunskill respectively to put down the remaining guards that tried to flee.
Once they were all dead Izuku opened the door where two workers pulled out their guns. One look showed that these men were not trained and looked like they will hurt themselves than anything else. "S-Stop, move any closer and we will shot!"
"I don't need to tell you what happened out there. Do you really want to do this?" Izuku pointed to the back door and then to the rest of his team.
...
"You know what I never like fist in the first place"
"Yeah, you go show him what for" The two workers ran from the scene as they all moved into Fist's office.
As they entered inside they saw the man panic as he pressed a button on his desk as two turrets popped out and fired at him. The man himself hid behind his desk and took the occasional pot shot. The turrets themselves went down rather quick with garrus and izuku's combined tech abilities. As the last one short circuited and blew up Izuku marched up to fist who tried to shot him but failed when Izuku slapped the gun out of his hand.
A punch to gut and face had him down as multiple barrels looked down on him.
"Where is the quarian fist!" Izuku ordered.
"Q-Quarian, I-I don't know what your talking about. You sick bastards were the ones that barged into my establishment, you'll all be behind bars when my lawyer learns about this!" Fist replied with a mask of false bravado.
"Here, this usually works" Wrex moved Izuku aside and put his leg on fist's leg before pushing down and twisting it, hard. Fist screams quickly turned into a squeal as he started begging for it stop. After a few more minutes wrex let go of the pressure.
"Alright, Alright! A quarian did come here a while ago, said she had info that the shadow broker may be interested in and that she knew I worked for him ... or well I used to. Said she wanted to meet with the shadow broker face to face—"
"—Impossible. The shadow never meets anyone face to face, even I was hired through his associates" Wrex interrupted.
"—Well I didn't tell her that. So I told her that I could arrange a meeting in back of the wards, I told saren about the info and sent out assassins. If you go now you can save her. There that is all I know, will you let me live?" said Fist. His answer was Wrex's shotgun as his head exploded like a watermelon.
"The answer is no" said Wrex.
"Double time it people!" Izuku ordered everyone to sprint to the back of the wards. Running out of the nightclub garrus lead them to where fist would have set up the meeting and they all saw the quarian talking to some people before slapping a turian's hand off. Two salarians walked up as she threw a grenade at them and jumped behind cover.
Izuku and his team made short work of the assassins as none them expected to deal with commando level enemies. As they finished off the last of the mercs the quarian turned to her saviour. The first thing the N7 noted was the posture of the quarian, it was clear this was not her first firefight but neither was she used to it, she held her shotgun too tightly and her legs were shaking a bit. Also she was not subtle when one of her hands moved to a pouch, most likely holding her grenades.
"I am Izuku Midoriya from the systems alliance. We know that you have intel on saren. We had gotten info from fist about this setup and came as fast we could"
The quarian's bioluminescent narrowed at the mention of fist "That bosh'tet! I knew I shouldn't have trusted him, ancestors what was I thinking trusting an agent of the shadow broker."
"If it makes you feel better fist wasn't working for the broker, he was working for saren. Please if you still have the data we could use it badly" Izuku pleaded.
...
"Fine, but only if you get me somewhere safely. But if your lying about being in the alliance" she pointed her shotgun at him. In return Izuku showed his identification signature as it showed him and his various 'public' achievements. Seeing that he was the real deal she put her shotgun away and followed him.
xxx Human Embassies xxx
"Fire fights in the wards, the death of multiple people as well as a local crime lord! What in the world were you thinking commander!?" Udina demanded as he expression turned to surprised when he saw the quarian enter.
"Helping you find evidence on saren. This is Tali, someone that has info that can help us in the case against saren" Izuku explained as he let her speak.
"Is that true young lady, you have knowledge on Saren?" Udina asked.
"I do, a few weeks ago me and my friends were staying on a freighter when geth attacked. A lot of people died and some of my friends included, I tried hacking on of the geth hoping to get some data for my pilgrimage when I saw this packet of data go through local geth networks" she then played the message.
"Saren-prophet, all preparations have been made for the assault on Eden Prime" said a geth.
"Excellent, one we arrive on the colony we are to find the prothean beacon at all cost. No else is to touch it least they gain the knowledge of the reapers. After that destroy the colony, I want no trace that we were there" Saren's voice came out.
"Your reports showed that Nihlus-spectre and David Anderson will be going to Eden Prime as well"
"Nihlus is too trusting of me, I can handle him easily. As for Anderson, well I dealt with him once before, it shouldn't be too hard to put him down again. Have Matriarch Benezia make sure of our first batch is ready"
The message stopped after that as nobody else talked. Udina was in deep thought as Anderson glared at where the message played, clenching his hand tightly. A few moments later Udina spoke again. "This is ... unexpected news, not bad news anyone mind you. But how can we verify it?"
"The data packet uses geth encryption and protocols, more advanced than what was used in the morning war still works on the same principle. And if you are worrying that the geth may be lying, don't be. Geth may be artificial intelligent but they can't lie it is impossible. They work off 1's and 0's the minute they tried to lie about anything at all it will cause a cascading effect that could result major program lost for the geth" Tali assured the ambassador.
"What this reaper?" Izuku had to ask.
"That? Well from the geth's databank apparently they believe to be some kind of highly advanced artificial intelligent that destroyed the protheans 50,000 years ago" sai Tali.
"Let's keep that part out for now, the last thing we need is the council thinking we're a bunch of lunatics" Udina advised "Still, this was surprisingly good work coming from you commander. However, next time due please inform me when your about to do something crazy like this. Anderson come with me, we have a lot more work now!"
xxx Council Chambers xxx
"Have they started already?" Izuku asked as he tugged on his official uniform.
"Just now commander, come on let's not waste anytime" said Anderson as the two walked the chambers to see the three councilors stand on their podiums as they looked over the evidence from the human embassy. On the side was a large hologram of Saren himself. The rest of his team was waiting at the embassy.
"—It is clear that under the ascension process the council will bring you aid and promise to further investigate why the geth attacked the systems alliance. However that does not give you room to accuse one of our best agents" Councilor Sparatus replied harshly.
"Thank you councilor, I think it is fair to say this entire trial is nothing more than a sham so why even further bother" said Saren.
"I would hold your horses if I were you Saren" Anderson called out.
"Anderson! Of course you would be in this trial to. It is not enough that the human ambassador accuses me but also bringing in the one person who holds a strong bias against me. Are we to even trust any evidence from this man who couldn't even make to being a spectre, for all we know he have tampered with the evidence" Saren argued.
"Than you don't have to worry about that. I'm not part of this trial ... Izuku" The captain made way for his protege.
"Ah Izuku Midoriya, Anderson's protege. What could you—"
"—I wish to bring up our first piece of evidence, Nihlus's armor reports. All armor that uses kinetic barriers keep digital logs [1] of what happens with the armor so repairs can be made quickly and any possible problems are found out before they become a threat to the user. When we look Nihlus's armor reports we see nothing about his barriers and yet he was shot in the head" Izuku interrupted.
It was agreed beforehand that they needed to keep Saren from making any counterpoints to the council. Keep him off track and try to stop him whenever he tried to speak. If they find a weakness in his armor go for it and tear him a new one.
"The only way for Nihlus to be killed and his armor show no reports is that someone had to get under his barriers. The killer had to get Nihlus to lower his guard and long enough to shoot him in the back. As a spectre Nihlus would never lower his guard for just anybody, it had to be somebody he trusted ... like a friend. Well it is that or someone has discovered a means of completely bypassing barriers all together" said Izuku.
"And who said it could be me, for all we know your people were working with him, perhaps one of your agents decided to end him? I know many humans have grudge against turians. Plus what if it could be advanced weapons? The geth have been isolated for years, they had plenty of time to advance their technology." Argued Saren.
"Only that is is impossible, for one every person in the normandy was pre-screened before they entered and Alliance Intelligence triple checked their backgrounds and mandatory psych evaluations made sure all crew members were fit and able. Regardless of their beliefs every person on board was professional and would not let their emotion to control them.
Secondly the geth, while advanced, do not have weapons capable of bypassing kinetic barriers. If you read the reports it is clear that the geth possess plasma based weaponry but even plasma would cause the armor to log it; And that was not including the massive spikes in heat alone. If Nihlus was shot by a geth made weapon his head should be a paste of superheated flesh.
In fact our reports show that Nihlus was a shot by a particular type of gun. A heavy pistol to be exact, Alliance Intelligence and STG reports showed it may have been from the Carnifex line of guns" Izuku calmly explained.
"On top of that we also have video evidence of the attack, which might I add was approved to be authentic by the STG themselves" siad Udina next, making sure to look at the salarian councilor to make his point. He then showed the council the video. The geth had tried to delete as much evidence of their arrival but the alliance was able to recover most of it.
The video showed nihlus as he reached the trams where it showed a another turian, unfortunately where his face was suppose to be it was blurred. The geth damn sure to keep saren's face from the screen. The words were garbled but it showed Nihlus letting guard down as the other turian raised a gun and shot him in the head.
Looking at the councilors they all were surprised as councilor sparatus looked the most distressed. The look of betrayal and hurt in his eyes. As for saren himself that turian was frozen like a rock, the only sign of reaction was the slight twitch in his hand. Izuku looked over to garrus and gave a nod to him.
"Councilors, before any of you argue that it could have been some different turian I want to point out said turian in the video has a rare pigmentation mutation resulting in the abino coloring. It is very rare and only appears in one out of a million people, I checked the spectre logs for any turian with the pigmentation. My reports showed a handful of turian specters.
Furthermore, look at his face and what he is lacking ... do you see it? He has no colony markings, no good turian goes without one and when I added it to the search I got a single turian who has both the albino mutation and lack of colony markings. Saren Arterius." Garrus pointed his talon at the spectre.
As Saren was about to open his mouth Izuku beat him to it.
"Councilors, there is one more source of evidence I wish to bring up. Tali'zorah nar Rayya!" Izuku helped Tali to the stage, stay be her side.
"A suit rat? Your bringing a suit rat as evidence?" Saren scoffed.
"This 'suit rat' is also one the best experts in dealing with the geth" said Izuku.
"Yes and her people unleashed this mechanical plague on us. Besides we have experts such as Synthetic Insights—"
"—Synthetic Insights is a joke and anyone with a decent knowledge of programming can attest to that. Besides, while Tali's people may have created the geth they have spent 300 years trying to rectify their mistake. Three hundred years of research against synthetic enemies, the quarian people are by far the most well equipped group when it comes to the geth. I wouldn't have anyone else dealing with this enemy than them" said Izuku.
"The commander is right, the quarian people have more experienced than anyone else in the galaxy" Anderson sided with Izuku.
Standing in front of the councilors Tali opened up the recording from the geth core.
...
...
...
"Saren, where were you when Eden Prime was attacked" Councilor Sparatus demanded.
"You can't expect me to divulge my mission in front of everyone sir!?"
"I don't care! Why were you at Eden Prime when it was attacked?" the councilor demanded ignoring the shocked looks from the others.
"... I cannot say"
"Saren Arterius, Councilor Sparatus is giving you an order. As a council spectre you are to obey our orders" Valern said. The spectre did not reply as he typed something some on his omni-tool. Window broke on Saren's end as armed Salarians entered in and shot him ... only for it to hit nothing, another hologram. Saren looked at them all with newfound disdain before winking out. The salarians noted the signal was untraceable.
...
"It seems that in light of new evidence Saren Arterius is in fact guilty of the crime of attacking Eden Prime. He will be stripped of his spectre status and will labeled as a wanted fugitive" said Tevos.
...
...
"That's it!? Saren is wanted fugitive and all you did was give him a slap on the wrist. Send in your fleets!" Udina roared
"And cause a potential war with the terminus system? That is out of the question ambassador" said councilor sparatus.
"Than I see what this council really is than. We have a name for people who claim they are the strongest and yet cower at the face of action, a paper tiger. This entire council is nothing more than a paper tiger! I ask not the councilors but to all species hearing this trial. It is clear that the council will not act in the face of treason or a geth attack.
How can anyone place trust in an institution that does nothing in the face of blatant crimes, whose first reaction to the geth is bend over!? How long will it be till the council decided to hand the keys to the citadel if it means it saves their seats!? How long before Kahje, Irune, or even Dekuuna falls to our future synthetic overlords? Or how long before we all go the way like the quarians?
The System Alliance has time and time again asked for the help, Mindor, Elysium, and now Eden Prime!? For too long have we asked for helped and yet received none, if the council will do nothing than we will. I am are done with this anti-human bull—" Udina cried out.
"—Ambassador, perhaps there is a way to solve this peacefully" Tevos intervened. She looked to remaining councilors. Valern understood in nodded in agreement. Sparatus looked like he wanted to argue but Tevos sent a glare to him that cowed the turian "Commander Izuku Midoriya, it is within the power of the council to grant you the rank of spectre and bring humanity one step closer to being a council member."
Everyone looked shocked at the news and no more so was Izuku. To become a spectre, the first of humanity was the highest honor anyone could hope for. Udina acted first, pulling everyone away as Izuku made his way up.
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions lift them above the rank and file"
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol, the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden. Both our first and last line of defence, the safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"Commander Midoriya you have been given a great honor and represent all of humanity" Tevos spoke.
"I am honored councilor" Izuku bowed.
"We will begin searching for any leads on to Saren and will inform you whenever there is news" Valren answered.
Izuku was about to leave when he heard a surprise call from Udina. The man was talking through his omni-tool as his faced looked shocked. A few minutes it became resigned as he approached the council once again.
"Councilors, I must ask you to turn to Alliance News Network" he said quietly.
Confused the salarian councilor showed a panel as it became clear as day. It showed a new anchor explaining the recent announcement.
The Systems Alliance was going to war with the Geth.
[1]: Due to the advanced nature of kinetic barriers all armor requires sophisticated software to run the ever growing complexity of barriers. As a result these programs constantly log any changes within the armor giving its users and producers the ability to keep track of the armors performance and make appropriate changes whenever needed.