CH: 15 Rain


November 3rd 13:30, Shanxi, Refugee Center:


It was raining outside. It was pouring but not in a violent way that would cause people to scatter to the nearest building to keep dry. It was pouring in a way that still warranted umbrellas to keep dry but still allowed one a leisurely stroll if they were not in a hurry, perhaps even enjoying the coolness of the air. Outside some of the more adventurous young ones could be seen running around in a wild wet mess, their caretakers not far behind trying to herd them back to dry ground.

Tullter always enjoyed the rain. It reminded him of home, a small wetlands on a Hierarchy Colony that no one knew the name of. He remembered playing in that rain as a flockling much like the Terran children outside were doing now. His parents would often scold him for his behavior, then they would nurse him back to health from the cold he almost always caught. Now more than ever he wished that they were here, to give him their almost sagely like advice. The rain was a comfort for him in this alien world.

The rain also served another purpose for him, it drowned out those terrible smells. Smells that tempted him so, to commit dark deeds that no sane being would do. Smells that to his continued horror made his mouth water. To taste that forbidden fruit. The drops of water drowned the sounds that continued to haunt him, even in his sleep. The sound of flesh tearing and bones crunching.

He did not have the will to stop himself nor the courage to face the spirits for his crimes. He tried to justify it to himself, it was for survival. He was not in his right mind when he commits those actions. He tried to keep them to those who deserved to die or those close to death or wanted it. Was it so wrong to want to live? Tullter would like to think that the answer was no. That he was in the right. No crime was committed. Yet it does not stop the tears from forming in his blackened eyes as he took another bit of his prey, his victim. Sometimes he was not quick enough and he would hear their cries for mercy. Mercy that would only come in the form of a swift death. It was in times like those he would realize that there was no justification for his actions. There were limits to survival, and he crossed them to many times to ever be forgiven. He was a monster and no matter what the Terrans said that could not be changed.

"Excuse me, Sir." Said a voice. Snapping out of his thoughts. He looks to the source, seeing a young Terran Woman sitting at a table. "You're holding up the line." She said.

Tullter looks behind him seeing several others giving him irritated looks. He had the decency to look sheepish about it. "I'm sorry I was lost in thought." He apologized to the lady the people behind him. "I'm here to request rations for myself, I arrived here a little while ago."

The lady gave him a warm smile, and a pang of guilt shot through him for the deception. That those rations would never be used, he couldn't stomach them. "I can relate sir. We all get lost in thought sometimes." She said kindly. "Hand me your chit and we'll get you processed." She said.

"Thank you." He said pushing his quilt down. He pulled out a small object, a data chip that was handed to all the refugees here on arrival. He still remembered the terror that gripped him when he had to go through the scanners when he arrived on this world and the relief that flooded him when nothing happened. He handed the chip to the lady.

She put it into a terminal on the table and typed in commands that he couldn't see. A moment later the lady took the chip out and handed it back to him. "Your order has been processed." She said with a smile. "You can pick up your rations in that room" She pointed to a door across the room.

"Will I have to wait long?" He asked putting the chip away.

"You're lucky mister Sandos. Not many have come in to request rations. You should be able to get them very quickly." Good, the quicker he got out of here the better. He hadn't eaten for almost a month now, and the smells of other Turians were getting to him. He could hold his hunger off for a few days longer, hopefully, he'll find a place where a distraught individual had met the spirits. "Is there anything else sir?" She asked.

"No, ma'am." He said meekly. "I just went to get my rations and get to my new home."

Again the lady gave him a warm smile, it was almost motherly. "Of course sir. You may go right ahead. And have a nice day." She said.

Tullter gave his best impression of a smile. "You too, ma'am." He said getting of line allowing the next person to step up.

Before he even got five steps out he heard the lady speak. "Mister Sandos, I hope that you will enjoy your stay here on Shanxi, and come to think of as home." For a split second, he froze, his mind processing what she said. He turned to face her seeing her give a quick smile before she turned her attention to the next person. Hesitantly he sent her a thankful nod of his head saying silently. "Thank You." The resumed his course. These Terrans are good people. Going through the door to the next room, he wondered what his new home looked like.

Unknown to Tullter the lady at the table kept a genuine smile on her face. "He seemed like a nice one. A bit meek but still a nice guy." She said to herself. "I hope he gets the help he needs." Being a Turian Ghoul can't be easy.


November 3rd, 16:45, Shanxi Capital city, back allies


It was raining. It was pouring not in a way that would cause others to run to shelter. If they had an umbrella for protection then they cold stroll at an easy pace, enjoy the coolness of the air. Serlus hated the rain it made everything too dreary for his taste. It could make one sick if they spent too much time in it. Being sick meant he would have to be confined to his bed and do nothing until he recovered. He hated doing nothing, he was a man of action.

The rain also served to drown the smells that he had come to love. The smell that drove his senses wild, which made him feel powerful. The smell of an unsuspecting prey soon to be hunted. The peter pater of the raindrops drowned out the sounds of the prey begging for a mercy that would never come. The wonderful sound of tender meat tearing in his teeth and the bones being reduced to powder. What more justification did he need if only to hear those sounds and smell the life leaving his prey now turned meal?

The man Serlus Faldas was once a soldier in the Turian Hierarchy. He had fought the good fight against a menace that the Batarians in their arrogance had unleashed on the galaxy. The 427s or the Dragon Orphans, he didn't care what they were called all he knew is they were a worth enemy to fight. Battling them had made him feel more alive than any other battle he participated in. They were any enemy that demanded to be fought and unlike the Krogan they were without end, and they had granted him a marvelous gift. The gift of being a hunter.

He remembered fighting the creatures, he had been close to one when it happened. It looked like all the others, up until it died. In one single moment his life had changed, the creature had exploded into the cloud of gas sending him flying and darkness had claimed him.

The next he woke he knew he had changed. The doctors and the other wound were looking at him in fear. He didn't know why but it quickly became clear that they thought him dangerous as a group of soldiers charged at him. He didn't remember what had happened next all he knew was that one soldier had raised his rifle and the next thing he knew was that he was kneeling in the blood of those he had slaughter, a scene of carnage surrounding him. Blood was still dripping from his mouth and it was the sweetest thing had ever known. For the briefest moment, he had been horrified by his actions and terrified by what would come next.

Now after a year and a half of constant hunting and killing he realized the spirits had granted him a wonderful gift. He was now a hunter and given power far beyond his former peers. The spirits had seen what his superiors in the Hierarchy refused to see, that he was warrior meant for greater things. The strength was the highest virtue and he embodied it, now more than ever. Because of the creatures he now hunted and killed the weak instead of foolishly protecting them.

He saw Terrans walking outside the ally unaware of the predator watching them. Such a foolish people, they had deluded themselves into thinking that prey and predator could co-exist without nature taking its course. The so-called Ghouls of the Federation had either deceived themselves into thinking that their prey was their equal and thus held back their natural desires. Or they had tricked the prey into thinking all was safe and where freely hunting them. Both amounted to the same thing, weakness. A weakness he refused to nature. Prey was meant to be hunted not cuddled.

Speaking of prey. Serlus eyed a young Turian rounding the corner and entering the ally. Likely a curious refugee who left the center to explore the Terran city, a mistake he would never have the chance to learn from. Serlus allowed the young individual to pass him by remaining in the shadows. Once his target got passed him, he emerged from his hiding spot and at a distance stalked his prey. Once they got in deeper in the ally far away enough from the crowds that his victim's screams would not be heard he would strike.

Serlus's mouth water with excitement, he had not eaten in a while and this would be his first kill on an alien world. Just a little more and he could eat to his heart's content. His target was about to round a corner, and it then that he decided to strike unable to bear the anticipation anymore.

He took one quick step forward. "Hello there." And almost tripped over his feet as the voice spoke. Catching himself he whirled around to face the one who dared to interrupt his, they would pay with their life for such insolence. The voice had come from a Terran, male judging by his build. He was dress in a dark trench coat with equally dark pants that had several pockets and large boots. He looks like a somewhat older individual of his kind, his dark brown fur seem to surround his whole head and even his mouth. The Terran looked at him with brown eyes and something about this man made Serlus nervous. It was clear by the way this man was holding himself that he had seen his fair share of combat. "Care for a smoke?" He asked pulling out a small box.

Serlus eyed the man carefully, trying to understand his game. "No." He carefully responded. "I don't feel like shortening my life."

The man gave him a curt nod of his head. He opened the box and pulled out a small cylindrical object. He put the box away and brought the object to his mouth. He pulled out what Serlus guessed was a type of lighter. Covering the area around the tip of the object he lit it. Putting the lighter away the odd man took the smoke from his mouth and puffed a cloud of smoke from his lips. "In that case." He began. "I suggest that you stop with your little hunt."

Serlus was instantly on guard, how did this man what he was doing? Had Serlus underestimated the Terrans, had he slipped up somewhere? "What do mean sir? I was just walking around, enjoying the sits of this city." He said preparing an attack. "Am I not an honored guest here?" One good shot to the head would do, a quick and painless death.

The man frowned at him, clearly not amused by Serlus. "Cut the innocent act, it doesn't suit you." He said sharply. "We both know you're a Ghoul, and you were about to turn that poor fella into a mid-day snack."

Serlus's mandibles twitched unhappily he had been exposed. Now the question was he the only one that knew or where there others? "So what if I am? What are you going to do about it Terran?" He said venomously, either way, it was probably a good idea to get off-world. There were plenty of other worlds in the Federation that were being used to house refugees.

The man took another puff of his smoke. It annoyed Serlus, this clearly knew he was a Ghoul and yet he acted like he was nothing to worry about. "Simple I'm going to offer a choice. You can stop your hunt and come with me. The Federation is willing to offer safety to people like you and we can provide a means for you to live a normal life. If the Citadel decides to throw a fit about it so be it, they'll just have to learn to deal with it." Serlus had to admit the chance to piss off the Citadel Council and get away with was a very tempting offer. Unfortunately, it came with the price tag of giving up the position of being a hunter, he had to give up the taste of flesh and blood in his mouth. "Or you can continue with your course and suffer the consequences." Option two it was then.

"Consequences?" Serlus said jovially, he had never killed a Terran before, he looks forward to the experience. "How can you punish me when you're DEAD?" Without warning an arachnid-like appendage shot from his back and cut right through the air and rain, striking home in the man's head. For a moment satisfaction dominated his blacken eyes, his kill had been swift and precision. He might even still be able to catch his prey before it got away.

"So the rumors are true." Then it morphed into shock. The man was not dead and his head had not been reduced to mush. The man was holding Serlus's Kagune with a single hand and was examining it look one did with a curious specimen. "You alien ghouls have your own Kagunes, unique to each species. Hmm, I guess I owe Valerie twenty credits." No way could happen, even Krogan would struggle to do what he was doing. It had happened before and that Krogan was now a rotting corpse on a nameless planet.

"How?" Serlus managed, his voice sounding like a flockling's.

The man gave a smile that sent shivers down his spine. "You haven't noticed." It was then that Serlus noticed the man's scent. It wasn't human it was…

"You're a Ghoul?" He said.

He got an answer in the form of the man's eyes turning pitch black with a red iris. "About time, bird brain." The man said mockingly.

Serlus couldn't understand it. "Why are you defending the prey? You're a hunter like me." He asked the Terran Ghoul.

The man shook his head making an odd clicking sound. "If you had bothered to read my people's history then you would already know that answer. You would see the error in that way of thinking."

Serlus had read their history and all he saw was weakness. "What you expect me to do?" He said retracting his kagune and three others emerged from his back. "Make friends with my food? How can there ever be co-existence between predator and prey without nature taking its course? Either the predator devours the prey or the prey finds a way to rise up and kill its hunter. Your kind has deluded themselves and it will be your end." He finishes ready for a fight. It would be a short one, these Terran Ghouls were weak.

The man looked at him like he was an unruly child, pissing him off more. "Once long ago both humans and ghouls thought the same thing." Several tentacle-like appendages sprang to life from the man's back, they were vibrant red. "There can never be peace between our two kinds, one had to die for the other to live. It was thinking like that spawned so many tragedies and so many cruelties in our history. It almost destroyed both of our races and gave birth to our greatest enemy. If had not been for the actions of a few who had the foresight Earth would most likely be a lifeless husk right now." He took a final puff of his smoke and throw it to the water covered ground. "I am offering you one last chance. Surrender now and we can help you."

"Your kind have forgotten your roots as predators. I will never become as weak as you." Serlus said sifting into a fight stance.

"Yet another tragedy." The man said sadly.

Serlus would never allow himself to be pitied like this. He leaped at the man his kagune ready to tear into him. He was everything that this man was not. He was fast, he was strong, and he killed the weak. He was a hun-

Why couldn't Serlus feel his legs? Why was he laying on the rain-soaked ground? He looked down and saw that his whole lower body was gone and his blood was mixing in with the rainwater. He looks up seeing that man was where he was his appendages retreating into his back. "What hap-?" He saw no more.


November 3rd, 17:10, Shanxi Capital City, back allies


Mikhail lit another citrate and brought it to his lips. The rain had died down ten minutes ago so he didn't have to worry about it going out on him. He took a short puff and blew out a cloud of smoke. He looks out of the ally, a crowd of people had gathered. Yellow tap and several local law enforcement officers prevented them from seeing what was happening. All they knew was that a murder was killed here. It was they needed to know.

His eyes narrowed at one individual a young woman, she seems rather adamant about getting into the ally. If he had to guess, the woman was a reporter of some kind. Great just what he needed a media agent hounding him for answers.

"Sir," Said a voice getting his attention. He turned to see a young man, a ghoul standing close to him, he was dress in an officer's uniform. "We're about wrapped up here." He said gesturing to two people zipping up a body bag.

The bag contained the body of the Ghoul Turian he had killed. It saddens him that he had to take the man's life. But he knew from the moment that he saw the alien there was no hope of convincing him. The way he held himself and how he looks at others, he was a killer and held no shame for it. "It's a shame." He said to the young man. "I did give him a chance to come in quietly." He took another puff. "But he refused to see reason."

The Federation was very much aware that alien ghouls would try to slip in with the tides of refugees coming in. To prevent panics the alien ghouls would be identified and monitored. Agents like him would meet them in private offering protection from the Citadel. Most encounters would happen in the privacy of their new homes. In this case that couldn't happen, they had standing orders to prevent the alien ghouls from hunting the refugees. Peaceful methods were preferred, forceful options would be accepted if they could be justified. Killing was to be used as a last resort. Mikhail sighed to himself he would have a hard time justifying his actions here.

"I think your superiors will understand sir." Said the young man.

Mikhail smiled to himself the nice of the man to try and reassure him. "It's not my superiors that I'm worried. It's them that I need to convince." He said pointing to the crowd of people trying to peer into the ally.

"I see." Said the man. "Anyways as I was saying. We got things wrapped up here and we have your report. You can go." He finished.

Mikhail nodded at the officer, he would still have more reports to make but at the moment he was free. He looks at the crowd seeing that the reporter was eyeing him carefully. Well as free as he could be.


November 5th, 12:00, Sur'Kesh, Palace of the Dalatrass


Onisa put down another STG report on the war. Three months they held the line against the Dragons Orphans and it was quickly becoming clear that they would hold for a long time, likely for years. Two years they had fought the abominations of nature and always they were pushed back, losing millions of lives. They had slowed the advance and sometimes they would hold it back for at most a week or two. The Dragon Orphans were the most relentless foe they ever fought, even the Rachnii had not been as vicious.

By all accounts, they had been losing the war, and the reality of extinction seemed to be on the Horizon. Then the Terrans arrival in force and created a stalemate with the enemy. A stalemate that had so far held longer than any other that the Citadel could force on the enemy. They even pushed back the assault in some areas and reclaimed a few minor systems. The effect on morale throughout Citadel space could not be understated.

Onisa like several of her kind held considerable reservations for the Terrans. Their use of AI and allowing fleshing eating monsters to freely roam did not sit well with her. But unlike her the rest of kind who seemed to put the Terrans in the same category as Krogan, she understood that they could not force the Terrans to give up their reckless ways. AIs and Ghouls were to heavily integrate with Terran society to be removed overnight, if ever. With ghouls it was most certainly impossible to make the humans get rid of them, they had tried that before and failed.

The Terrans were dangerous, but only if the Citadel made them out to be. As adverse to the notion she was, Onisa could see that the Terrans would make for better allies than enemies. The reports she got from the STG was enough evidence for it. They would have to be careful with them, but if handled properly the Citadel could see the beginnings of a new golden age for the galaxy. If not, well she trusted the STG to have plans in the works.

Some rearranging in the political landscape would have to be put in place to ensure a favorable outcome. "Dalatrass," Said a voice over the comm. "You have an incoming communication from Councilor Toss on the Citadel." Perfect timing.

"Send it through," Onisa said to her aid. "And send in Hutow."

"It shall be done Dalatrass." Said the aid.

Onsia stood up from her desk and walked towards a terminal. She waited patiently for the device to come online. She didn't have to wait for long.

The male Councilor appeared before her. "My Dalatrass," He said with a bow. "I have been told that you wish to talk to me."

"Indeed I have Councilor Toss." She said to the Councilor. "I wish to discuss your future in politics." She saw the male's eyes twitch in wariness.

"My future?" He said keeping a natural tone with her.

The Dalatrass allowed a small smile to grace her lips. A small part of her was looking forward to what was coming. Toss was an unusual choice for a Councilor. Not just because he was a male, rather because of his aggressive attitude when it came to politics. Unlike most Salarians who would prefer to sit on the sidelines and observing waiting for the right moment to plunge the dagger into the backs of their enemies, Toss was more open with is action. He was the type who preferred action even if it offended others. He was also much more open with his dislike for the other races. Many still questioned her for appointing him as Councilor to the Citadel, there were even whispers that she should be removed as Dalatrass, they did not last long. "Yes, your future." She continued with the male. "Namely your position as Councilor to the Citadel."

Now he was openly showing his suspicion, his eyes narrowing at her. Any other in her place would have considered it as an act of disrespect and would have him severely disciplined. She saw as a reminder of why she choose him. In this dark time of war and uncertainty, she had believed his aggressive and bold attitude was what the Union needed on the Citadel. She wanted to show the Galaxy that the Salarians were not sitting idly by and where willing to take action against the enemy that threatens civilization as they knew it. His open dislike for the other races and willingness to show disrespect was worrying, but nothing that could not be mitigated with the proper actions, and to some degree, they could afford it. "What about my position as Councilor? Have I not done a good job representing our people on the Council? "The arrival of the Terrans had changed the game.

"My dear Toss you have done an exemplary job as the Union's representative on the Citadel Council. Your willingness to take bold and decisive action in this war, even though some may feel uneasy about your attitude. It has been inspiring to all in Citadel space. Up until now, you have done nothing to disappoint me" She said which seems to calm the male, who now looks like he was receiving a medal from her. The poor delusional fool. "However," She added, happy to note that his eyes twitching in worry. "With the arrival of the Terrans on the Galactic scene, I have been forced to reconsider many of my actions and choices in the last year. I have concluded that the Union's present course of action will not lead us to a favorable outcome. As such new action must be taken if the Union is to reap the benefits of the future."

"Dalatrass?" The male said, the concern in his voice palatable.

Her smile grew wider. "The action I am about to take will be the first step to achieving the goals of the Union moving forward. Councilor Sur'Kesh Jnar Nol Veish Ikesh Toss has the Dalatrass of the Salarian Union I hereby remove you from the Council. You are to remain on the Citadel until your replacement arrives, whereupon you will return to Sur'Kesh to receive your new assignment."

The look of shock on the now-former councilor's face was enough to brighten her week. "But my Dalatrass you cannot just simply remove me on such short notice." He said almost shouting. "You said that I had done an exemplary, why would you remove me?"

Onisa's smile faltered. "Councilor I am informing you now so that you may make the proper preparations and inform the rest of the council of this change. Furthermore, as I am the Dalatrass of the Union I do not need to consult you on every decision I make. I have given you new orders and I expect you to follow them. Am I understood Councilor?" She said her voice and eye movement hiding the anger behind her words.

Toss cowarded under her words. "Yes, my Dalatrass, I understand." He said sounding nothing like the rude upstart he was a second before, "I apologize for my rude behavior, I was simply surprised and overwhelm by your sudden announcement." He continued sounding more respectful.

The Dalatrass's smile returned. "I can understand Councilor these are uncertain times for all of us. Such a sudden change would a cause for concern." She said to the male.

"Dalatrass might I ask as to why I am being reassigned and who is to replace me?" The male asked looking at her like a nervous child.

Onisa's smile grew to its widest. "My reasons for reassigning are none of your concern, but I will tell you this. Your interactions with the Terran particularly your conversation with the Federation President when she made her first appearance were the deciding factors in my decision." His eyes twitched, surly he did not expect to get away with that diplomatic blunder, did he? "Not to worry Councilor I will not forget your contributions to the Union. Your new assignment will be one befitting of your talent. I may even grant you a position here on Sur'Kesh at my side." Now that seemed to perk the male up.

"A position at your side?" He said. The promises of power they never fail.

"Of course my dear. Consider this not so much as a punishment but a chance to advance your career to the highest levels." She said. "As for your replacement." She saw the doors to her chambers open, and a Female around the Councilor's age walk in. The universe was on point today. "I believe you already know Hutow?" She introduced the female as she stepped into the view of the Councilor.

She saw the male visibly stiffen. "Hutow? You're my replacement?" He said.

Onisa saw Hutow smile at Toss like a predator would before the kill. "I am indeed. Cousin."


November 12th 06:47, Citadel, Temporary Federation Embassy:


Goyal woke up to the sound of a chime. She opens eyes and groggily looked to her alarm. It read: 06:47. About thirty minutes before she had set it to go off. Either it was malfunctioning or… There was that chime again, this time with her mind a bit more awake she recognized it as the chime of the Coms system.

"Yes, what is it?" She said holding back a yawn and fighting the urge to lay back in bed.

"Ambassador Goyle, a transmission from Earth." Came the voice of her aid. "It is marked as coming from the office of the presidency."

The Ambassador's eyes widen in surprise and life flooded into them. It was no surprise that she was getting a call from the president or someone in her cabinet, for the next few months since her arrival on the Citadel she had received numerous calls from different officials; some of whom she didn't even know of, all impressing on her the importance of the talks and some trying to give her "advice" on the proceedings. The most frequent calls came from the president or the vice-president. What surprised was how early she was getting the call, usually, she didn't get calls for a good hour after she woke up. Whatever it was it must be important.

Now more awake then ever she said. "Think you, Victor. Patch it through to my suit and let them know that I will get in touch with them shortly."

"Yes, ambassador." Said the aid before cutting the link.

Well no use trying to get some more sleep. Goyle crawled out her bed and moved to the nearby closet. She quickly got dress into something more presentable than her nightgown and left the bedroom. The Thessia Sunrise the Hotel that the Council had rented out for the Diplomatic party was a very high-end one. Its accommodations and rooms fitting for the richest of society and visiting dignitaries like herself. Three of its floors had been reserved for the Terrans and served both as a place for them to stay and a makeshift embassy until a permanent one could be built. The Council had already recognized the need for a Terran diplomatic posting on the Citadel and had a lot them land to build one. Until then this hotel would have to do.

She got to counter where she brewed some coffee and a few minutes later she was drinking the bitter substance. Coffee one of the greatest inventions in human history. The stuff had gotten her through many long nights, and she was certain that her doctor would wring her neck if he knew how much she was drinking. She looks out the window to admire the beautiful sights of the ancient space station. A true marvel of engineering and a continued reminder that there were greater things out to be discovered. What other marvels had the Protheans left behind? Have there been other great civilizations before them and what wonders had they left behind? Would the Terran people and the other races of the Citadel achieve the same level as the Protheans? Would they too disappear under mysterious circumstances only to leave behind wonders and unsolvable riddles for the races that had yet to touch the stars?

These questions had plagued her since setting foot on the citadel, and doubtless, the others thought of them from time to time as well. The Terran Ambassador let a sigh, no use mussing over these thoughts right now. Odds were they would never be answered her lifetime. She moved away from the windows coffee still in hand. She sat at a table with a terminal on it. Taking a final sip of her hot coffee she placed it down and activated the terminal. The time was now 07:01. Less than a minute later she was staring at the Presidential seal waiting for the transmission to go live.

The seal faded away and the image of a man in his mid-sixties appeared. "Ambassador Goyle I hope I didn't wake you too early." He said his eyes moving over to the mug of coffee on the table.

"Not by much mister Vice-President, I usually get up around this time." She responded. "Plus a good cup of coffee always helps in the morning." As though to prove a point she took another sip of the drink.

A good-natured smile form around the man's mouth. "I know what you mean Ambassador. I'm not half the man I am without two or three cups of the stuff in the morning." He said. "Between you and me I think President Nader wishes she have could have a coffee maker on her desk." He said with a chuckle.

Goyle let out a chuckle of her own. "Maybe she should use a bit of executive power to do just that." She joked.

"The man shook his head. "She wouldn't, something about it being a gross misuse of her powers as president." He responded lightly. "Anyways, I'm not here to discuss the merits of morning beverages."

"I figured as much." She said putting her cup down and switching over to her business mode. "To what do I owe this call mister Vice-President?"

"You have done an exemplary job in the negotiations with the Citadel Races, Ambassador. Because of you we now have a working relationship with several space-faring nations and are moving towards taking our place in a greater galactic community. You have are your place in the history books Goyle." The man said.

Goyle felt elated at the parade she was receiving from the vice president. It was good to know that her work was being appreciated. Of course, she couldn't take all of the credit, she had a good staff to help her and she would see to it that they got the praise they deserved. "Vice-President I am honored by your praise but I alone did not accomplish this task. I had a wonderful staff to aid me in these talks and they deserve to be recognized for it." She said to the man.

The smiled at her display of humility. "And so they shall. But that is here nor there at the moment. What is though is the next phase of your talks with the Citadel Races."

Goyle arched her eyebrow he had alluded to that earlier. "What is this next phase that you're talking about?"

The Vice-President's smile disappeared as his face took a more serious expression. "As you known because of their war against the Dragon Orphans the citadel races now have their own version of ghouls." Goyle was now starting to see where this was going, she nodded her head. "Since their inception, they have faced harsh discrimination and are treated as mindless monsters. Granted we can't fault them completed for this behavior, the same once happened back on Earth and we had thousands of years to deal with the problem. Even today we have the occasional problem with Human and Ghoul relations. They've had two years to sort things out, not a lot of time for progress."

She could understand that point. She remembered that around the time of her high school years, there was an anti-ghoul activist group that gained some traction on the outer edges of the Federation. They never manage to accomplish anything and were mostly ignored. That is until the group became more radicalized and bombed a school killing hundreds. That brought down the boot of the military and three months later the majority of its members had either been killed or apprehended. Its leaders, for the most part, were all put to death. "Still that is no excuse." She said.

"I wasn't trying to excuse their actions, just stating that they could be understood." He defended.

"Of course Minster Vice-President. I wasn't trying to insinuate such." She replied.

"Back to the topic. As we predicted many of these alien ghouls have hidden among the waves of refugees that have made their way to Federation space. For the security of the Federation and the refugees, we have kept track of them." He explained. Again the Ambassador to the Citadel nodded her head, she had been brief on the possibility and actions that would be taken.

"There hasn't been an incident as there?" She asks worried about a possible diplomatic incident.

"Thankfully no," The Vice-President said with a wave of his hand. "Our agents have managed to keep a tight lid on things. Most of them have been offered safety in the Federation and an alternative in their diets. They are understandably skeptical of our intentions but for the most part, they trust us. A lot of them are good people that have been forced into a less than ideal situation."

An understatement. One day these people were living normal lives, they had friends and family. They had jobs that paid and dreams to be fulfilled. They had homes, and they had a nation that would protect them. Then the next through no fault of their own they had become something else. They had desires that horrifying to them. The food they ate no longer satisfied them and worse were toxic to them. Then they find out that the people that they knew, their friends, family, the guy they passed on the street suddenly had a sickly sweet smell. A smell that drove them to actions that would be considered reprehensible by society, and in a single bloody act they found out a terrible truth. Their only nourishment was the people around them. In the eyes of their former fellows, they had become monsters and it was hard to argue against that when you were eating the insides of your neighbor. For two years these people had been hunted and killed because fate had been cruel and gave them only two options, starve or kill others to eat. Goyle's mind went back to the journals of Kaneki Ken, detailing his first days as a half-ghoul, the fear, and uncertainty that were conveyed still rang with her.

"There have been a few incidents where our agents had to subdue some individuals, in some cases take more permanent solutions to ensure the security of the public." She heard kill. "I won't sugar coat this Ambassador the different governments of the Citadel have failed to protect them. I won't fault them though, to them these are extreme circumstances that they had never prepared themselves for nor had reason to. But the truth remains that the Federation as taken upon itself to keep up the slack. It's time that we started to change that. Thanks to the efforts of our scientists we have managed to create synthetic meat for the different alien ghouls, though we are having some trouble with the Turians. Distribution will begin soon giving these poor people a chance at a normal life."

"That's good to hear." Goyle said relieved that progress was being made. "But what does it have to do with our talks with the Citadel?"

"I was getting to that. No doubt that several of these alien ghouls will want to settle down here in the Federation for the fact that we helped them." That was going to open all sorts of debates on what rights aliens would have in the Federation and what it meant to be a citizen. "But there will be those who will wish to return to their homes. We must see to it that they will be able to return and live out normal lives in Citadel space."

"How so?"

"By bringing the issue to the council. Inform them that we know of the alien ghouls and how they are being treated. Let them know that several of them have made their way to Federation space and are now under our protection and will offer that protection to others." He said.

"They won't like that Sir. It may cause unnecessary tensions between us and the Citadel." It wouldn't endanger relations, but in her opinion, they shouldn't risk it. Wait until relations had been cemented and given time to grow, then bring up the issue.

"Perhaps," The Vice-President replied. "But it is the right thing to do. Too many times in our history the plights of people groups like the alien ghouls have been ignored resulting in tragedies. We have in our power prevent such tragedies or at the very least pave a path to their end. The President agrees with me on this and the majority of the Federation Council is sympathetic. We will help these people wither the council likes it or not."

This was defiantly going to cause some headaches in the future, she took another sip of her coffee. But she was glad that her people's government was going to take a stand and were sticking to its principles. "Very well Mister President, I will inform the council of our stance when it comes to alien ghouls." She relented. "I assume I will be doing more than just telling them?"

"That you well Ambassador. Talk may be good and all but it is nothing if it can't be backed up by action or a solution that makes it a viable alternative. We are not unreasonable people. We know that the Citadel will have a hard time accepting alien ghouls into their society. We have to be patient with them Goyle, change does come, it may be slow at times but it does come. What we can do is make that transition a little smoother and take small reasonable steps. Ask the Council to put an end to their kill on sight orders for alien ghouls and use only contentment with reasonable force. In exchange, the Federation will begin exporting synthetic meat for alien ghouls to the Citadel to be distributed. That will be our first step you think the Council might accept those terms."

The Ambassador mulled it over in her head, it was most certainly a reasonable deal. "I think that they might accept that. Though it might take a few minor concessions on our end, I believe I can get it done." She said after a moment.

The Vice-President nodded at her. "Good, President Nader will also bring up the issue to leaders of the Citadel races when she next meets them. Best to tackle this from multiple angles."

"In that case perhaps we should try to convince some of the alien ghouls that are under our protection to tell their stories. If the civilian population of the Citadel sees that these individuals are still people and not the monsters that they have been lead to believe them to be, it would put some more pressure on their governments on the matter." She suggested as the idea came to her. "The friends and family of these people might even spearhead the movement."

"We have already considered the possibility and are working on it." The man responded. "There are more a few who are hesitant to put their stories out there, as I have been told. But I believe they can be persuaded and a few have already agreed. Once support starts coming in more will come out. All we are doing is offering them a chance to speak out and a safe place to do it from."

"That's good to hear." Goyle said relieved that this was being thought through. "Is there anything else?"

The Vice-President shook his head. "Not at the moment Ambassador. Just bring our proposal and do what you can to get them to accept it. Understood?"

"I understand Mister Vice-President, I will do my best to carry out your orders." She said, her mind already thinking up strategies for upcoming talks.

"Then that is all Ambassador Goyle, have a good day." She saw the man move to terminate the link than stop himself as something had just occurred to him. "Oh one more thing Ambassador. Just a heads up."

"What is it?" Goyle said intrigued.

"A couple days ago are people manage to convince the Quarians to send a representative to the Citadel."

A bit of surprise. The Quarians had turned down their suggestion to send a representative to the Citadel. They had said that they wanted their new government to have more time to establish itself before opening relations with the other races. Most, her included believed the real reason was that they didn't want to have anything to do with a galaxy that had shunned and abandon them for so long. Understandable, now that they had powerful neighbors between them and a potential anger Citadel they could afford to play the isolationist. On the bright side, the Quarians where very open to relations with the Federation and several exclusive deals were being worked.

"That's good to hear." She said. "Is there anyone they have in mind?" Odds were the representative as only going to be here to inform the Council of the new Quarian government and a stamen of foreign police.

"Not at the moment Ambassador, I just thought you deserved the heads up." The Vice-President said.

"I think you sir, it gives me a chance to prepare."

"Your welcome." Then the link was terminated.

Goyle slouched into her chair, already feeling tired and she hadn't been up for more than half an hour. She had a lot to think about before her talks with the Council today and she would need to call for a strategy meeting of her staff. Sometimes she wished she had never gotten involved in politics, life would most certainly be easier for her.

She grabbed her cup and saw that it was almost empty, she would need to get a refill.


Another one down and who knows how many more to go. So yea the Salarian Councilor is being taken out of the picture, smart move on the Dalatrass's side if you ask me. But like a bad rash he'll be back to cause more mischief. Of course the Terrans are very much aware of Citadel Ghouls thanks to their Quarian friends, and are working to help them. Might not be the easiest thing for them but for most it will be worth it.

I hoped you enjoyed the chapter and look forward to the next. See you then, and remember stay safe.