Shala had to resist the urge to flinch as she stared into the inky blackness that was 'The Mistresses' face; the two Emerald pinpricks that were her eyes staring into Shala's own Silvery-Emerald.
The two were alone with Matriarch Benezia in the cockpit, the Pilot having stepped out at their request, in order to discuss what Shala had discovered during her break before their departure. "I suppose it is possible that the Vortessence is slowly reversing your age to what is deemed to be peak physical condition for Quarian Females." Ayita mused, even as she floated back and forth. "Humans aren't completely mature mentally and physically until their mid-twenties; even if they are able to reproduce in their early teens."
Then she shuddered, "Although that sort of thing stopped being acceptable after our renaissance age, for good reason." Then she Turned back to Shala, "I suppose that's why Cato and I along with the other apprentices are still aging, while you de-aged; you were, no offense, well past your prime while Cato, Myself, and the others have yet to reach it." She speculated.
Shala frowned while Benezia remained silent, "Then why didn't I notice this earlier?"
"Simple, this took place over a long period of time; if you were human, it would have been much less abrupt from your point of view since you would see yourself de-age gradually. But since you're Quarian, it was much more abrupt since the last time you saw your face you were a middle aged woman; and when you took off your mask before we left, you were suddenly in your late twenties." She explained calmly.
Shala's frown deepened. "This could cause some tension in the Flotilla. We have a policy of distributing resources evenly due to the idea that every crewmember is equal. Suddenly finding out that there are... the chosen few who get to be healthier, live longer, etc. is going to create a divide." She refocused on Ayita. "I realize it hasn't been very long for your people, but how are they handling this 'empowered-unempowered' divergence?"
"Rather well, although since we have the sword of the Combine hanging over our heads; we don't exactly have much room for disunity. But I have little doubts that my people will accept the disparity; since we have technology to augment and make up for gaps between Vortal and non-Vortal." She replied absently, "I told you that Miranda could kill me as easily as I could kill her; and that is not hyperbole. She is the pinnacle of technology while I am the pinnacle of Biology; and the both of us are evenly matched."
Shala nodded at that. "I suppose it will be a matter for the Admiralty to decide, but not until we have the resources to thrive, not merely exist. The lack in AGE is the real rub right now; we only have enough to repair the immune systems of maybe 2500 people, and any injuries taxes those supplies."
Benezia rubbed her chin in thought, "I've read about your Antlions, and they seem to be very similar to the Rachi. It's unconfirmed of course, but some of my contacts in the STG and PMAS report that there is a lot of security around a research facility on some barren snow planet; security measures alarmingly similar to those employed during the Rachni War."
Ayita looked at Benezia, her eyes flashing in alarm; "We most definitely need to check into that; if those are antlions, they may indicate the Universal Union has attempted previous crossings. The last thing we need is the Combine opening another gateway into our universe." She said.
A Knock on the hatch prompted Shala to scramble to put her mask back on, and once it had sealed; she said, "Come in Pilot."
The Quarian Marine walked in, an older veteran who had survived numerous clashes with the Geth, and he looked between Shala, Benezia, and the Mistress for a moment; before he shrugged and took his seat. "We're approaching the Citadel Admiral, I hope those magic powers of yours work in case the Bosh'tets fuck us over; once they try to bend us over backwards of course." He grumbled.
Shala wanted to admonish the pilot, but it was a concern she shared. Still, it was important to both keep up appearances, and morale.
"They won't try anything this time," she looked absently at the shuttle hatch, "we're too much of an unknown element. Besides, this time we have something we've never had before: allies." She nodded to where Matriarch Benezia sat primly with her hands folded on her lap.
"Indeed," the nearly millennium old woman nodded, "My kinsmen will not wish to act hastily. Any misstep could lead to a coup in the Republics, and Tevos will not risk her power base by stumbling at such a crucial juncture. Neither will she allow her fellow councilors to act in defiance of her will. That would show weakness, which would be even worse back on Thessia."
She leaned forward against her harness. "No, she shall pose questions which we shall answer, make veiled accusations which we shall refute with evidence," she patted the data core in the seat next to her, "she will call for calm which the Batarians will openly rail against, and then call for all parties to retire and deliberate.
"That is when she will move." Benezia's eyes flashed blue, even as Shala and Ayita flinched at the buzzing of Biotics against Vortessence. "Once she has the other two Councilors alone and out of my scrutiny, she will be free to influence them as she will." She looked over to Shala. "When Tevos calls upon all parties to recess, you need to suggest that these matters require the full deliberation of the Admiralty. Give an arbitrary amount of time, however much you need to relocate the Flotilla, plus a few days leeway. Tevos dares not act before then, or she risks compromising the credibility of the Council as a fair deliberative body."
Shala scoffed. "They aren't a 'fair deliberative body'."
Benezia gave a sad smile. "We know that, but the illusion that it is, is the framework upon which all Citadel diplomacy is built. Absent that, and the Accords will shatter; Tevos will have to rule through brute force, and that is not something my people are prepared for. So she will wait until 'all diplomatic avenues are spent', then order her Varren in the Turian Hierarchy to bring the Flotilla to heel, or wipe them out."
"At which point we will kill her." Benezia grimaced and looked at Ayita while the pilot shuddered at the coldness in her tone. "We understand that we are your tool of diplomacy; the true backer that shall be unveiled to the galaxy, a deterrent to use your words. But if she opts to attack the people We have sworn to protect…" She let the threat hang silently.
There was a thump as the shuttle landed on the landing pad; and Shala took the opportunity to look out the window and gauge what was waiting for them. It was a verifiable crowd of people, to the point that Shala wouldn't have been surprised that the entire population of the upper ring was waiting for them.
Shala looked at Ayita, "Stick to the plan, Mistress?" she asked.
"Of course." Aytia replied, and waved a hand.
To the outside eye, it looked like the inky mass of clouds that was her 'body' simply dissipated; while in reality, she had simply bent the light in the room so that no one could see her standing there.
The Pilot flinched, "By the Ancestors, you can turn invisible?!" he exclaimed, scrambling backwards in his seat.
"Yes." Despite the fact that she was used to it, the disembodied voice coming from nowhere yet next to her was still… unnerving to say the least. "We shall be outside observing and listening."
And with that, the presence left, and Shala took a breath; "Well then… let's get out there and spit in Tevos' face shall we?"
Palla shifted uncomfortably in her seat, before standing and drawing her CM-1 Garand, which was the standard non-Mass Effected weapon for the Marines. There were eight troopers, eight people that she had to get home; four Quarians, herself, two Turians, and an Asari. There were no humans assigned to the mission since they were being kept secret unless it became absolutely necessary to reveal them to the wider community.
She brushed her shoulders, the 'Urban-Camo' under the PCV blended in well with the bland corridors of space ships; so it would be perfect for the Citadel. She quickly reviewed the weaponry the squad would be packing.
Two Light Machine Gunners, each wielding a CM-249. Two snipers, each equipped with a CM-1917 Winfield; there was herself armed with the CM-1 Garand, and then there were the three armed with the CM-16 Assault Rifle, one with an underslung shotgun, and the other two with underslung grenade launchers.
Unfortunately, they wouldn't be using them or have said weapons with them; they would be staying on the shuttle, to be used only in emergencies. The Snipers would keep their Winfields, but the rest of the squad would be using the CM-1 Garands; since Admiral 'Raan had said that for now they were just 'Honor Guards'.
Palla reached down and withdrew her Sword-Bayonet, goggling at how long it was in spite of herself, before she attached it to the end of her rifle. It would be there for both crowd control and intimidation.
A gentle bump let her and everyone know they had landed. She looked into the depths of the shuttle. She had spent her entire life being belittled, so could not bring herself to belittle her comrades. She could express her intensity just fine in other ways.
"On your feet!" She barked out. The Squad rose as one, their eyes locked on her.
"Like we drilled, people: Sapius, M'Groo will flank the hatch, the rest in double file. We march to the VIP Shuttle and pick up the diplomatic team, then the V-Team's shuttle. Heads on turrets out there. The Citadel is a giant Kylan-bird: colorful with a pretty song, and just waiting for you guard to go down so it can poison you."
Everyone nodded and affixed their bayonetts, then one of the Turians and the Asari rushed up to the lead at the hatch. She would be at the rear of the formation with the second Turian, while the Quarians filled in the middle of the squad. Palla had wanted the group to be more interspersed. It would have been more symbolic of their intent: the rejects of the galaxy, shoulder to shoulder with the rest of the Galaxy. But for the sake of appearances and formation uniformity, she had to compromise.
Oh well. If anyone tries anything, they'll find out how cohesive we really are.
The hatch opened, and her squad smartly marched out and assumed their positions. There were the usual gawkers one expected when there was a new arrival at a space port, as well as a detail of C-SEC officers. Palla gave them a cursory glance, but beyond some aside looks there was no outward malice that she could see. She marched her unit to the VIP shuttle and formed two rows on either side of the hatch.
"Squad. Present, Arms!"
The rifles all came up perfectly in front, and then formed an arch as the shuttle hatch opened. Matriarch Benezia stepped out with practiced stately grace, while Admiral 'Raan marched after. There was the sense of another passing as well, but Palla chalked that up to The Mistress… mistress-ing. The Kelek'miin was terrifying even if she didn't intend to be; and Palla had only met her once when they left.
Benezia paused before leaving the rifle arch.
"Order, Arms!" Eight rifles slammed down in perfect unison. "Squad, Front!" Both lines turned sharply until they were all facing the same way. Palla waited for the nod from the Admiral.
"Shoulder, Arms!" The rifles all came up once more into the long practiced drill position. "Forward, March!" They moved in well practiced precision as they made their way to the second shuttle and repeated the process. Finally, they were done with this stage of the pomp and circumstance and were settled in front of the C-SEC detail as Matriarch Benezia stepped forward.
"I am Matriarch Benezia, acting as Diplomatic Liaison to Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay, Diplomat in Extraordinary of the Quarian People. We are here upon the request of the Citadel Council."
Tevos was fighting every one of her facial muscles to keep the smirk off her face as she stood with the other two councilors; watching as the first shuttle hatch opened. The assembled press and dignitaries all muttered amongst themselves about the indignity of allowing Quarians on the citadel as 'Official Diplomats'.
Oh how they failed to realize the plan that was in the works; the final solution of the blight that threatened Asari supremacy. The Batarians had almost come back thanks to Grothan Pazness' Republican Revolution, but her manipulations had ensured it was crushed.
The Quarians and the Batarians were the only ones that could prove a threat to the Galaxy; but the Quarians had been almost completely purged, thanks to Tevos herself and through the foolish vermin's own hands.
And so long as the Batarians were kept under the boot of her puppets, they would never truly threaten the Asari.
So when that hatch opened, the quickness with which Tevos found herself having to change from keeping a smirk down to fighting off a furious snarl took her by surprise. It was such a change that a tiny frown did manage to escape her steel mask for a brief moment before she managed to affix an expression of stoic interest.
She watched as a mixture of Turians, Quarians, and even an Asari led by a Batarian marched out in perfect ranks; forming up in front of the Diplomats shuttle. When Tevos caught sight of the Asari maiden, she thought; I must find out her family's name so that they can be eradicated. A MAIDEN! Siding with these vermin instead of her mother race.
She glared at the Batarian in particular.
She was lean, and tall, albeit even under the clothing and Armor Tevos could see the thin muscles; meaning that she was unattractive by Batarian standards, but by Asari and Quarian standards she was an eye catcher.
She was the one barking out the orders to what was unmistakably an honor guard, and Tevos seethed at the sight of a Batarian, a female one no less, being the one in charge.
She flicked her eyes to the right to see the Batarian ambassador eyeing up the Soldier in charge with a mixture of disdain and lust; and Tevos could feel a headache coming on, even as she tried to think of a way to play it to her advantage.
At the very least, we can use the animosity between the Batarians and the Quarians to play up on the Quarians' hypocrisy, seeing as they were happy to hire a Batarian Merc to protect their delegation. She thought coldly, even as she eyed up the other guards; The Quarians are certainly Marines, and the Turians and that Maiden are no doubt hired guns as well.
The two groups exchanged pleasantries, and the whole conversation went about how Tevos had envisioned it; and the two groups went towards the designated skycars for the assembled diplomats and dignitaries.
She narrowed her eyes and looked to her right ever so slightly as she felt… something… pass by her Biotic Barriers. That… that felt familiar… She wondered, even as she entered the skycar that had been assigned to her.
She had only ever felt it once before; and Tevos felt the memory overtake her after a moment, and she closed her eyes and leaned against the chair of her skycar.
Princess Liri'Calin, previously fourth in the line of succession, but now the Queen in all but name, as she had yet to be Crowned; paced back and forth in her quarters. Her Bondmate was dead, her older brothers and sisters were dead, her younger sister and baby brother were both in the hospital wing of the former Dreadnaught unlikely to recover; her mother was dead, her father was dead, the vast majority of the Lords and Lady's were dead.
The majority of the Conclave was dead, and what few remained were now subordinate to the ship captains that had saved their lives. Her people had only just barely avoided extinction by Genocide; not just by the Geth, but also from the Asari and their puppets.
When her mother had been forced to deactivate the Geth or face war by all the Council races; she had informed all of her children of the situation regarding the Asari. Liri's blood had boiled and had wanted to kill Councilor Morato and that lapdog Tuho Tevos right then and there.
Her Brother, calm and collected crown Prince Hil'Calin, had calmly reminded her that doing so would only guarantee war with the entire Citadel Council; this way they could appease them and buy time to build up their strength.
Fat lot of good that did. She thought furiously, before she stopped in her pacing as a baby's cry stopped her dead. Oh… She walked over to the crate and pulled up little Shala, her baby girl.
She quickly checked and changed her daughter's diaper, before nursing her; Liri's thoughts were whirling as she nursed her daughter, and she could feel her Felz'zel abilities spark in pace with her emotions.
I'm going to kill them. She thought, I'm going to kill them. She vowed again, even as Shala finished her meal; and Liri set her in her crib, quickly swaddling her in her blanket, noting the tiny sparks coming from her baby's fingers.
All of those in tune with the Felz'zel had died, with the exception of Liri herself, her daughter; her little brother and sister, and the handful of knights that had been assigned to each of them. As far as Morato and Tevos knew, they had died down on the surface of Rannoch with the rest of the Conclave and Royal family.
Perhaps it is time that I make sure they believe that. Liri thought before she walked over to her desk, and rang up the bridge; "Captain, please call the Admiral, the General, the Knight Commander, and the Prime Minister down to my quarters."
"Of course your Majesty."
It took only a few minutes, and in that span Liri got to work; tearing and burning her dress in as many places as possible, leaving it as barely more than tattered rags that looked like nothing more than a loincloth that went to her ankles and a chest binding that left one of her breasts exposed.
She needed to really sell the act to Morato and Tevos, damn her dignity; she had none left regardless.
"Your majesty you- SWEET ANCESTORS!" Liri turned to see Knight Commander 'Raan averting his eyes; his lavender colored skin turning a deep purple at the state of her dress. Or lack of dress for that matter.
"Do not avert your eyes Commander 'Raan, the whole galaxy shall see it soon." She stated simply.
The Admiral and the Prime Minister entered in behind the Commander, the Admiral averting her eyes as well; but the Prime Minister, a crotchety old woman, just huffed and pointed her cane at Liri, "What is this Princess? How would your mother feel at you dressing like a whore." She grumbled angrily.
Liri ignored her as she walked over to Commander 'Raan, setting a hand on his shoulder; "Commander, as I understand it, you and your bondmate lost your son in battle, yes?"
"Aye your majesty." He replied gruffly, looking confused, but his eyes misted over regardless at the thought. "And with the wound my Bondmate received, we cannot have another; never again." He reminded her sadly.
Liri just gave him a smile before walking over to Shala's crib, withdrawing her baby girl; before walking back over to Commander 'Raan. "Commander, I present to you my daughter; I will be unable to raise her, but you will." She stated simply, gently placing the babe in his arms.
The other three Quarians eyes widened, "Your Majes-"
"Just… Liri…" She interrupted giving them a sad look, "As of now, I've abdicated the throne. As far as you and the rest of the fleet know, I am the last of the Royal Family; and it would be best that the galaxy knows this. And with the exception of your detail and their Children along with myself and the other survivors of my family; I am the last trained and able to wield the Felz'zel, and it's time the Galaxy knows that." She instructed them.
The Commander was the first to put it together, and his eyes widened for a moment, before sadness overcame him. "You don't have to do this." He said, "Morato and Tevos already think that we're all dead."
Liri just shook her head and gave him a sad smile, "Best that they know that the Felz'zel line is dead."
The Prime Minister spoke next, "You do realize that the Monarchy will never again rest on the throne, right? The Calin dynasty has ruled the Quarian people for four hundred years, ever since we overthrew the 'Zorah Monarchy. Not so long as those Tyrants rule over the galaxy." She stated simply.
"The Monarchy will return one day if I do this, as will our people." Liri said, her eyes flashing Emerald.
The others stirred, "You received a message then? From him?"
"I do not know for sure, but… I know this is what I must do." Liri replied, before she turned to the Admiral, "I need your most damaged but still space worthy ship; at least space worthy enough to get me to the Citadel."
"I'll have it prepared by my most trusted men." The Admiral stated dutifully.
"Your majesty…" Commander 'Raan started, holding Shala outward.
Liri held her daughter, rocking her one last time and smiling, feeling tears slide down her face; before she handed Shala back to the Commander. Immediately, she enveloped the man in a hug, and he stiffened slightly and awkwardly returned it. It was always weird to hug your Monarch, and doubly so since she was wearing essentially nothing but the tattered remains of her dress; which was more like a loincloth and breast covering than anything else.
"Take good care of her." She rasped.
"I will."
Liri inputted several commands into the shuttles console, shifting uncomfortably at the Blanket that she had turned into a Seemas. The Commander and Prime Minister had insisted that she wear it; if only to preserve her dignity for a little while longer.
It didn't matter, what little dignity she had left was long gone.
Taking a deep breath Liri allowed her connection to the endlessness that was the core of Felz'zel to flood through her. Her entire body sparked, and she had to restrain it so that it didn't burn away the tattered remains of her clothing.
In the heat of battle she would lose her control, but no matter.
She caught a glimpse of herself in the windscreen; her eye was swollen nearly shut, a massive barely healed cut across her forehead. Her body was covered in cuts and bruises, and just below her left rib cage was a barely healed slug wound. She reduced her output of Felz'zel, so she didn't accidently heal her wounds completely; that had been the other reason for her near nakedness.
She wanted the galaxy to see what Morato had done to her, had done to her family, had done to her people. No matter what, Morato would die today, even as Liri knew that she herself would die today.
"Unidentified craft, please identify yourself and return to standard Civilian lanes."
Liri ignored the traffic controller; the only response she gave was to push her engines to the red, jolting her ship forward. Smoke and fire began to pour out of her craft as she approached the Citadels atmosphere; and the Traffic Controller began to frantically squawk and inquire at first if she was in trouble and needed assistance, before switching his tone to warning her that she would be fired upon if she did not respond or turn away.
Liri zeroed in on the Landing pad of the presidium, the emergency escape craft being her target.
No one would escape today.
She waited until the last possible second, ignoring the AA fire as she approached, then she crossed her arms and stopped all gravity and motion around her as her shuttle slammed into the landing pad; tearing through the craft.
Liri watched blankly as her own craft miraculously managed to survive the crash, even as the other craft exploded and were ripped to shreds. She had to fight down a scoff of disgust at how poor their engineering was compared to her own peoples. Falling apart and smoking, her own ship had still survived barreling through several others.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, noting that her makeshift Seemas had caught fire.
Her eyes shot open, glowing such a bright Emerald that it drowned out the light of the fires inside; and Liri had shot her arms outward, the craft's cockpit exploding outward in a hail of plexi-glass and metal.
She waved a hand and the flames parted before her; even as she stepped out.
She looked around, ignoring the gasps and whispers as she spotted the dozens of C-SEC officers and the camera's recording everything. She spotted the Councilors walking out of the base of the tower; each being escorted by a Spectre.
Liri turned her gaze on Tevos hiding behind Morato, and she felt her power fluctuate with her anger. "YOU!" She screamed, jumping upward and floated towards the Councilors; shooting one of the strongest lightning bolts she had ever seen at the skycars that had been spooled up in preparation for their escape.
The skycars exploded, shrapnel burying themselves into several Officers, and to her regret some bystanders. "You killed my people! You killed my family!" She screamed, ripping off the burning blanket; and ignored the gasps of surprise and horror at the state of her body. "Look at me! I am the last of the Felz'zel! The last of the Calin dynasty. My Bondmate was shot in the chest to protect me!" She pointed to her still unhealed side. "My daughter was ripped from my bosom and stomped into the ground. My baby brother and sister were beheaded right in front of me!"
She felt the darkness begin to overtake her, and she pushed it back; ignoring the temptations of power it offered. "All because of YOU!" She spread her arms outward, feeling the energy sparking from them. "YOU wanted power! You were so sure of your inherent supremacy; yet so afraid! You will PAY for what you did to my people!"
She growled, and shot her arms sideways; and all the C-SEC officers' weapons and the Spectres weapons were ripped out of their hands and turned on their masters. "You shall know what true power feels like!" She squeezed her fist and the weapons fired, executing the Officers and Spectres.
"NOW DIE!" She screamed, lashing outward with her lightning; striking the Salarian and Turian councilors. Both men screamed as the lighting arced out of their eyes and their mouths; even as the lightning burned their hearts out of their chests.
Morato calmly held up a Biotic shield, Tevos doing the same behind her.
The crowd had scattered and Liri felt no obligation to hold back anymore; she slashed her arms outward even as energy sparked all over her body, burning away the remains of her clothing.
She glared downward at Tevos and Morato, both doing the same as they used their biotics to rise up; their own biotic power burning away their clothing just like Liri. "Your kind deserve it!" Morato sneered, swirling her Biotic energy and ripping several light poles off the ground, twisting them into giant spears.
"You challenged us for supremacy! What did you expect us to do?" Tevos demanded, floating towards Liri's left. "Lie down and let your vile little race, a bunch of apes that have a faulty immune system, rule the galaxy? You would lead us to ruin!"
"WE DIDN'T WANT TO RULE THE GALAXY!" Liri screamed, before taking a breath and darkly glaring the two Asari down. "At least before. Not today, not tomorrow, but someday we will depose your people. And you will burn with the righteous fury of billions of souls crying for vengeance."
Liri growled and lashed outward, sparks exploding from any technology within a hundred meter radius. "NOW BURN!"
Tevos blinked, even as she came back to herself.
So that's how those lines survived. She had to fight down a growl, barely noticing that externally only a second had passed; while in her mind it had been at least a few hours. I must admit, that little Bitch outplayed me; how appropriate that her little girls descendant now stands on my Citadel to negotiate 'peace'.
Her mentor had taken the heat for her, which paved the way for Tevos to take power; the only other victory, besides the little princess' death of course, that Tevos had managed to take away from that day was that she had been able to contain the whisperings of Felz'zel, dismissing it as nothing more that hearsay and faulty memory.
She had been able to claim that it had simply been advanced biotics; and the masses had gobbled it up. Only the Asari truly remembered, and even then it was still a closely guarded secret regarding the 'abilities' Princess Liri had displayed.
Shaking her head, Tevos now felt more than justified in her plan.
The Quarians had deceived them this entire time, their Felz'zel line had not been exterminated; they had deceived her, and had quietly built up their strength in their Exile, preparing to strike at the Asari again and tear down the Republics.
As far as Tevos was concerned, sparing the Quarians had been a mistake, and one she was not going to repeat. She was going to exterminate every last one of them, and she was going to make sure that Shala'Raan; the unknowing and last Queen of the Quarian people, would watch the whole affair.
And then she would make sure the good Admiral suffered in many other ways before she died; perhaps extract a perfect little Asari from her, make sure the Queen's line continued, but as an Asari.
As a part of the Superior species.
Tevos smiled lightly, Oh you will suffer 'Raan, I will make sure of that.
Ayita staggered and nearly dropped her invisibility and fell out of the sky.
The Vortessence had shown both Tevos and Ayita the memory, and Ayita was slack jawed at it. Princess Liri had been even more powerful than Ayita herself; and Morato and Tevos had still managed to kill her. Granted, at the cost of Morato's life and the lives of pretty much everyone in the presidium.
Ayita had felt two separate entities when she had entered that vision. One was very familiar to her, and while it was difficult to place due to the amount of time since she had last sensed it; there was little doubt that the entity that had sent the vision was the Nihilanth fragments, still languishing in the emptiness of the Vortessence.
The other presence was one that took a long while for Ayita to place, mainly due to the fact that it was so faint and it was one that she was only familiar with thanks to someone else's memories. But once she had been able to place it, it was clear to Ayita that it was the entity that Cato had talked about; the presence that had shown him the vision of the bad future with Ori, the vision of what Lawson had intended to do with Ori.
She glared at the skycar that carried Tevos, and Ayita glared down at her invisible palm; feeling small sparks arc off her hand before she got control of herself.
It would be so easy to give the Councilor a heart attack; she was in fact quite old, and it was only the odd biological quirk of the Asari that they got more beautiful the older they got that kept her age hidden.
Just a few volts of power to Tevos' heart, and Ayita could rid the galaxy of a mass murderer and rapist.
She had read the brief regarding the child Tevos had had with Aria T'Loak of Omega; she had raped Aria and Aria had fled with their child to Omega. And if the thoughts she was reading were correct, she intended to do the same with Shala, Cato's adopted mother, and Ori's grandmother.
Ayita took a breath and calmed herself.
She glared as the skycars landed, That's right Tevos… your days are numbered. Ayita vowed; the only thing she knew for sure, was that once she got Shala and Benezia alone and in private she needed to show them what she had just seen.
Shala deserved to know the truth.
Shala had to resist the urge to glare at the Citadel Council as she stood at the 'Petitioner's Podium'. Even with her mask firmly in place, her eyes would give her away and she intended to give them nothing!
The Council themselves were in fine form. Valern's Calculating eyes were twitching between Shala and Benezia. Sparatus had his head tilted back ever so slightly so he was functionally 'looking down' at her. And Tevos...
The Matriarch herself had the strangest strained smile as her eyes drifted back and forth, also between the Admiral and T'Soni the Elder.
"The Citadel Council recognizes the honored representatives of the Quarian people." Tevos didn't even bother to hide her contempt, though a flicker of blue around her crest was snuffed out when Benezia matched her. "Honored Matriarch. It is good to see you well. You have been absent for some time."
Benezia nodded faintly, never taking her eyes off of Tevos. "Indeed, it is good to be returned safely to the bosom of civilization. It is only through the generosity and hospitality of the Quarian people that I, my daughter, and several others from the ill fated expedition are here at all."
Tevos' fake smile only grew wider, "Truly? Then it seems that we are… further in your debt; Comrade Admiral."
'Raan had to fight down a growl of rage; 'Comrade' was an insult to Quarian Officers, since it was a throwback to old Communist Revolutionaries that had killed most of the Conclave and Royal family a few decades before the Morning War. Many high ranking officers had sided with the revolutionaries; and all had called each other 'Comrade'. The fact that the Quarians were a communist society purely out of desperation as opposed to choice was no doubt another smear against herself and her people.
Still, she would play the game. "Not at all, Majesty," there was a spark from Tevos to her podium at the public perception of the Asari as overlords, rather than 'beneficent administrators', "we would never abandon those in dire need, as we have demonstrated time and time again." She gestured to the Honor Guard behind her. "In fact, all of those here with us were either rescued from dire circumstances, or sought us out to volunteer their service in a show of gratitude."
She made sure her gesture lingered for a split second on Corporal Fennaba, and she smirked behind her visor at the sight of the Batarian Ambassador. His top left eye twitched in irritation and fury at the idea that a female Batarian was given more respect than he was.
Sparatus leaned forward on his podium. "And was it graciousness that prompted you to attack the Batarian relief convoy over Ikari?"
Shala saw Tevos actively hesitate at the Turian's outburst as several emotions crossed her features at once.
"Indeed it was," Benezia calmly deflected the councilors' pyric anger, "considering that relief convoy was the source of the colony's dilemma."
"Outrageous lies!" Ambassador Sotok Balak jiggled in rage. "Our beneficent relief convey was attempting to provide medicine and supplies by order of General Secretary Amon when you damnable suit rats..."
Benezia tapped her Omnitool and a holographic image of the Batarian fleet over Ikari sprung to life in the center of the Council chamber "Attention intruders, you and your ships are now property of the Batarian Hegemony! Shut your engines down and we may spare some of your lives!"
"These were the last words spoken by the commander of the Cruiser Hierophant's Dominion, a ship that was until one day before this recording in active service to the Khar'shan Homefleet." Matriarch T'Soni looked serenely at Tevos. "Hardly the words of a captain engaged in beneficent relief."
The portly ambassador sputtered while the Council glared at the Quarian delegation, even while the gallery of diplomats whispered amongst each other and shifted nervously away from the Batarian delegation.
Shala suppressed the almost feral grin which threatened her composure. "We regret that there were no survivors of the... relief fleet. However the colony's inhabitants are all accounted for and well cared for. We are more than willing to assist in the repatriation of those few Asari who requested return to Republic space." Even without the Vortessence, Shala could see Tevos seething at the implication that the colonists on Ikari didn't want to return to Republic governance.
The look on her face almost made this entire charade worthwhile.
Who knew that diplomacy could be so draining… Shala thought to herself as she paced the apartment that had been provided for them by the Council. It had of course been swept for listening devices and cameras, which Shala had finished off by emitting a pulse of energy at the precise frequency the cameras and listening devices operated at.
She was so tired, and ready to go to sleep; until she felt a familiar presence brush against her mind. "Shala?" Shala blinked and groaned.
"Yes Ayita?"
"I need to see you and Matriarch T'Soni in my quarters now. Ms. Benezia is already on her way; I have something I need to show you." She explained, and her tone of voice gave Shala pause.
It was the tone one took when they knew something that you didn't and weren't sure how to tell you because they were uncertain how you would react to the information. After a moment's deliberation, Shala sent a pulse of confirmation and turned and exited her quarters, walking down the hall to Ayita's room; the Penthouse's size still baffling the Admiral to no end.
Shala levered herself up upon entering and seeing Ayita and Benezia standing in the center of the room. "Alright, but don't be surprised if I doze off. Diplomacy is mentally tiring, and dealing with Tevos without flash-frying her brain was genuinely exhausting." She grumbled as the door closed behind her.
Ayita's reply was, for lack of a better word, hesitant. "I don't think you'll be resting after what I have to show you." Then she held out her hands for both Shala and Benezia to take; her fingers sparking.
Shala exchanged a glance with Benezia, then shrugged and took one while Benezia took the other; and they closed their eyes as Ayita shared what she intended to show them.
Once the vision was complete, Shala opened her eyes, and slumped into a nearby chair; even as Ayita let go of Shala's and Benezia's hands. Shala could see the utterly stunned expression on Benezia's face, and she knew that her own face mirrored it.
The first day had gone about how Benezia had predicted it would, but this?
I… Ha… every little girl dreams of being a princess… She thought to herself dumbly, removing her mask and slumping in her chair.
"I kept track of the Queens family… or tried to anyway." Benezia said listlessly, her eyes hollow. "But the only survivor I was ever able to find was a bastard son who displayed no abilities in Felz'zel." She stated, "His name was Lor'Koris. No one knew about him except for his father, the Crown Prince, the Prime Minister, and his security detail; and I only knew because the Prime Minister let it slip once to me in private."
With those words, Benezia reached over and grabbed a bottle of whiskey that the Marines had packed and set on the table as a 'Gift for the Mistress'; opened the top, and took a swig of the alcoholic drink. "Shala'Calin was presumed dead thanks to the Princess' gambit; to think that she was adopted by another family…"
Shala felt her face, searching again for the wrinkles that were no longer there, "Great Grandmother always talked about her own Great Grandmother, how she always seemed to have an intuition about what others were thinking, how her father had insisted that her bondmate change his name; which worked since I'm clan 'Raan." She closed her mouth as she realized that she was rambling.
She used her powers and yanked the whiskey bottle out of Benezia's hand, gulping down a mouthful; struggling not to cough as the burning sensation worked its way down her throat to her stomach.
She shouldn't be drinking, but it was night time, she was about to go to sleep, and it was one large shot; she would be fine.
"What does this mean for the Quarian people?" Ayita wondered.
Both women blinked and looked at the mass of clouds, and the two Emerald green eyes stared back at them, "The whole reason the Admiralty board was created was because the late Crown Princess abdicated and went on her suicide mission; and her little brother and sister both died of their injuries. The Prime Minister died of old age, and since there were next to no Delegates in the conclave left…"
"The Admirals and Captains seized emergency power, and the captains were put into the Conclave while the Admirals were essentially made regents until a new King or Queen was chosen… which meant forever, since while it wasn't an official rule; all kings and Queens since the 'Calin Dynasty overthrew the 'Zorahs had been gifted in Felz'zel." Shala finished, giving the girl a knowing look; glad that she had paid attention to all the lessons she had been given.
Benezia huffed, "Wrex wasn't wrong when he said the Quarian Monarchs were Warrior Kings and Queens… up until technology like firearms and Eezo came up; Quarians gifted in Felz'zel were doubtlessly the best warriors and leaders."
Shala frowned at the bottle in her hand. "Well I can't simply return to the fleet, reveal myself as a descendent of the 'Calin Dynasty, and declare myself Queen Shala'Raan the First. The conclave wouldn't stand for it. Ancestors, I wouldn't stand for it if it weren't me. Our system may not be perfect, but it works!"
Benezia biotically snatched the bottle from Shala before she could either down its contents or set it on fire by accident. "We would certainly neither condone nor recommend such an action. But your people are about to undergo a transformative period. It may be prudent to consider the reformation of a Constitutional Monarchy once your people are out of immediate danger of extinction. The fact that there are members of both the 'Calin and 'Zorah Dynasties serving on the Admiralty Board, two are direct descendants and one as the result of an unbonded affair, would certainly help with the idea pitch."
Ayita shook her head, "I would like to point out something that no one has brought up for the sake of politeness; but I know you can tell it's important, and you need to hear it. The Admiralty Board, the unelected Delegates of the Conclave, and the Communist economy? The moment you either settle on Earth, a new world, or retake Rannoch; that stuff stops. Because while it is benevolent, it is still a dictatorship. The Monarchy still had massive checks and balances on its power; the Admiralty board doesn't." She paused and tilted her head, "To say nothing of the extremely bad taste communism leaves in any humans mouth when brought up."
She huffed and grabbed the bottle from Benezia and took a tiny sip from it; "Personally I don't care what system you choose, be it a constitutional Monarchy, Democracy, or Republic; whatever works for your people. But others will care, my fellow Americans Fought a war of independence to get rid of Monarchies for example." Ayita stated before floating back over to her food storage and set it back into the cabinet.
With that done, she turned to look back at Shala. "What are you thinking Ms. 'Raan?"
Shala huffed and leaned back in her chair. "That this discussion is meaningless without the input of the Conclave. As I said, any unilateral declaration of a change in the governing body would be, at best, laughed off." Her eyes flashed silver, then green, and back to silver. "This will be another divisive subject, since there are enough people who blame the Monarchy for our current plight. Having a superpowered Dynast suddenly pop up and declare the Kingdom renewed will cause problems. We would need a major victory before I would ever even consider broaching the subject just with Rael, to say nothing of the rest of the Admiralty or the Conclave."
Ayita nodded while Benezia stood, "We shall discuss this more later, and we'll need to bring it up with the Admirals and the Security Council of the Conclave next time we meet with them. Discussing this now when we need sleep in a den of Varren will do us no good."
Ayita paused, and her eye glow brightened for a moment before vanishing; "I agree… but consider this. The Hidden One, the one that showed Dr. Lawson's plans to Cato, and the one Ulysses himself has told me exists… He was the one that allowed me to see the vision without alerting the Nihilanth to my presence. His messages have always been… unclear, all throughout human history, even when he directly involved himself. But… I think he wants you to be Queen Ms. 'Raan."
Ayita shook her head, and shooed Shala and Benezia out the door, "Think on that."
And Shala did, all through the night; she got little sleep that night, and until the issue was resolved, Shala doubted that she would ever sleep well again.
Pilot A/N: Ah… so we finally see the Nihilanth again, albeit indirectly, with him influencing and "helping" Tevos maintain her grip on power; and we also see another Benevolent power helping our intrepid heroes by showing Ayita exactly what she's in for and what Tevos knows.
Beyond that, I don't have much to say on this chapter in particular; mainly that the revelation that the Fel'Zel survived thanks to Quarian deception was something that was sort of spur of the moment, but one we hammered out as much as we could.
Things will get… interesting next chapter, I assure you; you have anything to say Ian?
Ian A/N: This one was all about setting up for political intrigue. You can probably guess that this exercise in "Diplomacy" will quickly devolve into "Politics by other means".
How quickly, you may ask? Stick around and find out, dear reader!
Pilot: Right then, leave a review and tell us what you guys think.
A TV Tropes page would be loved and appreciated.
And we will see ya when we see ya.