I opened my eyes with great effort, blinking through the sudden pain. My head had started a riotous pounding. My mouth was dry, throat aching. Dehydration was always a bitch.
Forcing myself to sit up, I heard, "Doctor? Doctor Chakwas? I think she's waking up."
The older woman came into view, a kind expression on her face. I liked her. "You had us worried there. How are you feeling?"
Alenko was standing opposite her, on my other side, arms crossed. Concerned.
"How long was I out?" I hedged. And where was Nihlus?
"About fifteen hours." Damn. That's a long nap. "Something happened down there with the beacon, I think."
She looked like she wanted to say more, but he blurted, "It's my fault. I must have triggered some kind of security field when I approached it. You had to push me out of the way."
"You had no way to know what would happen." I offered a smile, which he returned.
"Actually, we don't even know if that's what set it off." The doctor sighed. "Unfortunately, we'll never get the chance to find out."
"Why not?" The whole event was a little fuzzy, the headache blotting it out and making it difficult to focus.
"The beacon exploded. A system overload, maybe. The blast knocked you cold. Williams and I had to carry you back here to the ship."
"I appreciate it." I slid off the bed, getting to my feet. "Where's Nihlus?"
"He's in Huerta Memorial, on the Citadel." The doctor went to her desk. "He's in critical condition, but thanks to you, he's expected to make a full recovery." She came back, her tone slightly stern. "Physically, you're fine. But I detected some unusual brain activity, abnormal beta waves. I also noticed an increase in your rapid eye movement, signs typically associated with intense dreaming."
"I saw-I'm not sure what I saw." I shook my head. "Death. Destruction. Nothing's really clear." I didn't know if I could trust these people.
"Hmmm. I better add this to my report. It may-Oh, Captain Anderson." The door opened, revealing the captain of the ship.
"How's she holding up, Doctor?"
I was used to being asked about, instead of asked directly, so it didn't bother me. Most of the time.
"All the readings look normal. I'd say she's going to be fine."
"Glad to hear it." He turned to me. "I need to speak with you-in private."
Alenko saluted, "Aye, aye, Captain. I'll be in the mess, if you need me."
With that, they both left the med bay.
"Sounds like that beacon hit you pretty hard. You sure you're okay?" Anderson asked once we were alone.
"I'm fine."
He looked like he was waiting for something. For me to ask questions.
"Did you leave Gunnery Chief Williams back on Eden Prime?"
"I figured we could use a soldier like her. She's been reassigned to the Normandy."
"She seemed like a good soldier. She deserves it." Being on the Normandy was a sought-after position, and she had more than earned it, in my opinion. And it looked like I wasn't the only one who thought that.
"Lieutenant Alenko agrees with you. That's why I added her to our crew."
Our crew?
I filed that away, returning to the focus of the conversation. "You said you needed to speak to me in private."
"I won't lie to you." That was good. "Things look bad. Nihlus is critical. The beacon was destroyed and geth are invading. The Council's going to want answers."
"We have nothing to hide. They'll see that."
"I'll stand behind you and your report. You're a damned hero, in my books." That was a surprise. Why did he feel so strongly about this? "That's not why I'm here. It's Saren, the other turian. He's-"
"I know him." I interrupted. I wasn't about to sit through someone telling me what I already knew.
He nodded, more to himself, "If he's working with the geth, it means he's gone rogue. A rogue Spectre's trouble. He's dangerous. And he hates humans."
"Hates humans?" That would explain why Nihlus always seemed to shield me when we came across him. "Why?"
"He thinks we're growing too fast, taking over the galaxy. A lot of aliens think that way. Most of them don't do anything about it."
"Most of them aren't Spectres, though."
"Exactly." He hit his fist against his palm. "You were there just before the beacon self-destructed. Did you see anything? Any clue that might tell us what Saren was after?"
Suddenly, the pain stopped, and everything was crystal clear.
"Just before I lost consciousness, I had some kind of vision." I said slowly. It was clear the images were tied to the beacon. They were unlike any vision I'd had in the past, any I'd been told about. "I saw synthetics. They were a lot like the geth. Slaughtering people. Butchering them."
"We need to report this to the Council."
"What are we going to tell them?" I frowned. "That I had a bad dream? That's what it amounts to, doesn't it?"
"We don't know what information was stored in that beacon. Lost Prothean technology? Blueprints for some ancient weapon of mass destruction? Whatever it was, Saren took it."
"If he believes humans are a blight on the galaxy…"
"This attack was an act of war." He finished. "He has the secrets of the beacon. He has an army of geth at his command. And he won't stop until he's wiped humanity from the face of the galaxy!"
"Nihlus will find some way to take him down."
"After he's fully recovered, I have no doubt. But we need someone to take him down now." He was looking at me like I held all the answers.
"I'm not a Spectre. I'm just a freelance mercenary." I tilted my head at him. "You need the Council on your side. We prove he's gone rogue, and the Council will revoke his Spectre status."
"I'll contact the ambassador and see if he can get us an audience with the Council. He'll want to see us as soon as we reach the Citadel."
So, Nihlus had been sent ahead, then. He really must've been in bad shape, if that was the case. Then again, it wasn't like they had turian blood standard on Alliance ships for transfusions.
"Head up to the bridge and tell Joker to bring us in to dock."
"Sir?" I couldn't help but ask.
"He'll want to meet the one who was giving him orders on Eden Prime." He walked out after that.
My mind was racing a million miles an hour.
Exiting the med bay, I bumped in to Alenko.
"Sorry." I murmured.
"I'm glad to see you're okay." I looked up into his face. He had a nice smile. "Losing Jenkins was hard on the crew. I'm glad we didn't lose you, too."
That was sweet, in a weird way. He hadn't even known I was there until I'd saved him. "I wish I could have done something to save him."
"I was there." His tone changed, a little sharp now. "There was nothing you could've done. It was just bad luck." A shake of his head. "One hell of a shakedown cruise. Our first mission ends with one Spectre trying to kill another. The Citadel Council's not gonna be happy about that. Probably use it to lever more concessions out of the Alliance before he gets better."
"Are you a... career man?" I gave a small smile. "That's what you call it, right?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "A lot of biotics are. We're not as restricted, but we sure don't go undocumented." Nihlus had been right. I was suddenly glad I'd let him talk me in to keeping it a secret. I didn't want to be monitored forever here. "May as well get a paycheck for it. Besides, my father served. Made him proud when I enlisted. Eventually. What about you?"
My smile turned secretive. "My mother is high ranking military where I'm from, so we moved a lot. Dad just follows her around."
"And you?"
A laugh. "I'm just a freelance merc, who happened to get picked up by a Spectre. There's not much to tell."
He looked like he wanted to press but didn't. Instead, changing the subject. "Word is we're headed to the Citadel. Are we checking up on Nihlus?"
"Actually," He perked up, tilting his head. Reminded me of a dog. "Captain Anderson hopes the Ambassador can get an audience with the Council. Tell them what Saren's been up to."
"Makes sense. They'd probably like to know he's not working for them anymore." He moved to the side. "Well, I should let you go. See you around."
"Yeah. See you around."
I climbed the stairs, heading straight for the bridge.
Joker looked over his shoulder. "Good timing. I was just about to bring us in to the Citadel. See that taxpayer money at work."
It never ceased to amaze me. The Citadel was just so beautiful. Whole worlds could be stored on that thing, too.
"Look at the size of that ship!" Williams and Alenko joined us.
"The Ascension. Flagship of the Citadel fleet." The Lieutenant sounded like he was reading off a pre-approved sheet of paper.
"Well, size isn't everything."
I snorted, trying to hold in a laugh.
"Why so touchy, Joker?"
"I'm just saying you need firepower, too."
Their camaraderie was endearing. The two had just met, yet they were bantering like old friends. Joker just had that effect on people.
"Citadel Control, this is the SSV Normandy requesting permission to land." It was good he could switch from friend to business at a moment's notice.
"Stand by for clearance, Normandy." Came the standard reply.
A moment later, "Clearance granted. You may begin your approach. Transferring you to an Alliance operator."
"Roger, Alliance Tower. Normandy out."
"Normandy, this is Alliance Tower. Please proceed to dock 422.."
...
I walked in while the ambassador was yelling.
"-outrage! The Council would step in if the geth attacked a turian colony!"
I couldn't restrain myself-I rolled my eyes so hard, I got a slight ache behind them.
"The turians don't found colonies on the borders of the Terminus Systems, Ambassador." The salarian Councilor.
"Humanity was well aware of the risks when you went into the Traverse." The asari Councilor chimed in.
"What about Saren? You can't just ignore a rogue Spectre. I demand action!"
"You don't get to make demands of the Council, Ambassador." Oh, ouch. My lips twitched in amusement. I never did like humanity's spokesman.
"What the Council needs is proof, Ambassador." I spoke up, nodding in deference to the holograms.
The asari Councilor bowed her head in return. "Citadel Security is investigating your charges against Saren. We will discuss the C-Sec findings at the hearing. Not before."
With that, they ended the call.
Udina turned to me. "You."
"Me." I leveled him with a cool look of indifference.
"You need to keep your mouth shut. You don't get to talk to the Council."
"I have more pull with them than you do." I said, eliciting gasps from the others in the room. "You won't get the Council to listen, if you act like a heathen. They're civility to the extreme. Everything has to be just right. Dot every 'i,' cross every 't.' Triple check to make sure it's all in order. You can't just show up with nothing and expect the answer you want. Are you sure you're a politician?"
The anger on his face was amusing. Ignoring me, he turned to Anderson. "I see you brought half your crew with you."
Relief was plain on the captain's face. "Just the ground team from Eden Prime. In case you had any questions."
Alenko and Williams both looked impressed.
"I have the mission reports. I assume they're accurate?"
"They are. Sounds like you convinced the Council to give us an audience."
Udina crossed his arms, still not looking at me. "They were not happy about it. Saren's their top agent. They don't like him being accused of treason. Come with me, Captain. I want to go over a few things before the hearing." He finally faced me again. "You and the others can meet us at Citadel Tower. Top level. Do you have the clearance to get in?"
"I do." I nodded.
And that was that. The two left us to twiddle our thumbs.
"I hate politicians." Williams said through gritted teeth.
I shrugged. "They're a necessary evil. And he's not all bad. It's only when he's stressed that he gets it in his head to take his frustrations out on someone else."
"You did that on purpose." The Lieutenant sounded confused.
"I am what others need me to be." I said simply. Then, I went for Udina's console. Hacked my way in.
"What are you-"
"Are you crazy?"
I laughed. "At this point, if he doesn't know I'm hacking him every chance I get, then it's his own fault." I waved my omni-tool over the holo screen, cloning his messages. A light flashed. Interesting. I marked Argos Rho on my map, syncing mine with Nihlus'.
"Where are you going?"
"What are you, my father?" I chuckled, motioning them to follow me. And they did. Like ducklings. "I'm going to see a friend of a friend. You guys don't have to join me, but you can't stay in his office too long. C-Sec gets touchy."
"Who's the friend, ma'am?"
I snorted. "I'm not Alliance. Never been in the military. You don't have to call me 'ma'am.' Besides, I think you're older than me." We moved past the secretary, heading toward the other wing of ambassadors. I felt them look at each other.
"I didn't expect to see you here." Executor Pallin looked up at our entrance. "Did Ambassador Udina send you?"
I shook my head.
"Was there something you needed?"
"What can you tell me about the investigation into Saren?" I sat across from him, leaning forward with my fingers steepled.
"You know I don't make a habit of giving out details about ongoing investigations." His mandibles moved noticeably.
"I know." Shaking my head, I got to my feet. "Did you hear about Nihlus?"
Hesitation. Then- "There are over two hundred thousand C-Sec agents." I nodded. Around that many, yes. "Some of them are going to be bad. But we don't turn a blind eye to corruption like the Spectres do. We do our best to find and punish any officer who breaks the law. Spectres… they'll never come under that kind of scrutiny." He wouldn't give me anything because he couldn't. They had nothing on him. Unsurprising, considering who he was. "Saren's out of control. We both know that. But because he's a Spectre-"
"The Council doesn't want to do anything about it. Yeah. That's what I picked up from the little meeting I walked in on a few minutes ago." Sighing, I spotted his second console. Motioned to it with my chin. "Get anything new?"
"Actually." He stood, and we both walked over to it. "Here."
"Are you kidding me?" I muttered under my breath, scowling. "Biotics following a nut. Great." Shaking my head, I marked the Hawking Eta cluster, too. "Is that the same guy who everyone calls him 'Father'?"
"Yes."
"Ugh. I thought he'd gone away." Looking at the two marines, "We should go. Don't worry. The cameras didn't see us come in." I added a wink toward the turian.
He rolled his eyes, shooing me out. "Goodbye."
"I love messing with him." I chuckled. "It's so much fun. Let's see." I brought up my omni-tool. "Where next?"
Pallin left his office, walking past us without sparing a glance.
"He's going to the Tower, I bet." Shrugging I slowed my pace. "We'll give him ample time. I haven't been here in at least a week. I wonder what's changed."
"I've never been here." Williams.
I offered a genuine smile. "I like it here. It's almost the perfect place to relax and forget everything."
...
After almost an hour of meandering, showing them the sights, we finally ended up at the Tower.
I heard the yelling before I'd even climbed the stairs.
"Saren's hiding something! Give me more time. Stall them."
Someone was arguing with Pallin.
"Stall the Council? Don't be ridiculous!" a shake of his head. "Your investigation is over, Garrus."
The Executor walked away, leaving the other turian to stare at his receding back. Then, he noticed us. Tried to slip by.
"You're after Saren?" I murmured quietly.
He paused, looking back at me. "Yes." A quick up and down, sizing me up. "Who are you?"
"A friend." I met his eye. "Saren tried to kill another Spectre."
"Nihlus. Yeah, I heard." Recognition. "You're that human that's always with him."
"Yeah."
"Garrus Vakarian. I am-was, now I guess-the officer in charge of the C-Sec investigation into Saren."
"Couldn't find anything on him, though, right? Because he's a Spectre." His mandibles moved, showing his agitation. "Maybe we'll see each other after the hearing."
He moved aside, and we continued on our way, quickly reaching Anderson.
"The hearing's already started. Come on."
"The geth is a matter of some concern. But there is nothing," the asari Councilor was speaking as we walked across the platform. "to indicate Saren was involved in any way."
It wasn't a surprise to me that they were physically present, but the gasps from the two marines behind me made me realize they'd probably never seen them in person.
"The investigation by Citadel Security turned up no evidence to support your charge of treason."
Ambassador Udina scowled at the turian Councilor. "An eyewitness saw him shoot Nihlus when his back was turned!"
"We've read the Eden Prime reports, Ambassador. The testimony of one traumatized dockworker is hardly compelling proof."
I rolled my eyes. It hadn't been asked of me to fill out a report, so I hadn't. And the others hadn't been there to see me witnessing the incident.
"I resent these accusations. Nihlus is a fellow Spectre. And a friend." Saren, holographic but he was there.
"That just let you catch him off guard!" The Captain shouted.
"Anderson." The turian seemed to be taking in the rest of us gathered for the first time. "You always seem to be involved when humanity makes false charges against me."
Other charges, and yet here he was. The Council still letting him get away with things like this. A pity. Yet, even if we had different people on the Council, the outcome had a possibility to be disastrous.
"And there's Nihlus' protege. The one who let the beacon get destroyed."
"With Nihlus in the hospital, his files were passed to you. It makes sense." I nodded, my expression blank.
He spoke like I hadn't said anything. "Your species needs to learn its place. You're not ready to join the Council."
"I was unaware the hearing was about a Council seat." I looked to the actual Council before us.
The asari Councilor gave Saren a look, "This meeting is not about humanity joining the Council."
"This meeting has no purpose." The Spectre waved his hand through the air angrily. "The humans are wasting your time, Councilor. And mine."
"I agree." I bowed my head, eliciting shocked gasps. "Councilor's, what is your verdict?"
The three of them glanced at each other, then nodded.
The asari spoke, "The Council has found no evidence of any connection between Saren and the geth. Ambassador, your petition to have him disbarred from the Spectres is denied."
"I'm glad to see justice was served." Saren ended his transmission, disappearing.
"This meeting is adjourned." The Council left us.
