The Tracker of Goliath
Chapter 6
Theron coughed out the last of the chemicals he breathed in hours earlier. Theron's back received burns and bruises from top to bottom, requiring lots of medical aid. The headrest was party overlaid in medi-gel applied to his scalp, ceasing the blood loss.
"How is he?" asked Krios within earshot.
Footsteps came within audible distance.
My hearing capabilities are still functioning, comforting.
"He's fine," said a female voice unfamiliar to Theron. "Just a couple low degree burns caused by friction and a light blow to the head, medi-gel has already fixed most of the damage."
Theron's bed side revealed Krios and his fellow employee, a petite raven haired woman, born in a family originating from the former South America region; based on her appearance and accent.
"Theron, how do you feel?" she asked.
"Serviceable."
"I'll take that as positive," she shrugged. "He's all yours, officer," glancing towards Krios before walking away.
He thanked the medical chief and looked at Theron, offering his hand to assist with the Tracker's physical challenges.
Lightheaded, Theron held onto the Drell's hand and balanced himself against the bed he just rested on, question being for how long?
"You've been here for five hours, it's now early morning," said Krios. "Do you need to be escorted to your apartment? You didn't sleep much."
Theron shook his head, his eyes locked on the officer. "I'm going to be okay, I don't need more time. What happened after the explosion?"
Krios sighed, shaking his head. "Witnesses in nearby apartments say they heard a gunshot before the explosion, can you confirm that?"
Theron remembered how his senses peaked upon hearing the gunshot, not that he had time to process what it had been at the time.
"Yes, I can."
Krios relaxed at Theron's words, observing that the Tracker really had recovered.
"Someone fired at the Geth's cargo knowing that it would cause the explosion. Only people in nearby apartments heard the shot, and nobody reported a muzzle flash of any kind. That can only be done with a modified Sniper Rifle equipped with a suppressor."
"Suggesting that someone or something with weapon expertise was behind this attack."
"Was it an attack though? Nobody was killed, you received the worst of it, no offense. Speaking of which, why were you there?"
Theron leaned off of the bed, attempting to stand up straight on his own.
"I arrived to observe Geth patrols, see how they worked and operated. Using the Geth map your colleagues supplied to me, I realized the Colossus I followed went off course. I followed it down the empty street and that's when it erupted."
Krios looked down at his left forearm as he received a call, one click met with a familiar Turian appearing on the holographic computer screen.
"Krios, what's the status on Theron?" asked Vakarian.
"He's fully recovered, Executor. He only received minor injuries."
Vakarian appeared to be slightly relieved, but no less stressed.
"Good, tell him to meet me in my office," replied the Turian before disconnecting.
Krios looked at Theron, "are you feeling able to walk?" he asked.
"Yes, I'll be able to arrive at the Executor's office alone."
Theron admitted to himself that he should've requested the Drell's assistance in walking to Mr. Vakarian's headquarters. Perhaps that famous human pride still showed itself after such selflessness in the Reaper War.
After gaining his balance, Theron stepped through Vakarian's office doors, the opening gateways revealed another female voice, though this one was much more recognizable. One that has traveled across the Citadel's airwaves for hundreds of years.
"-ublic opinion is not going to sympathize, Executor; they are going to be asking you why this attack happened, "said the Asari councillor, standing tall as a blue hologram.
"Perhaps you should take some responsibility as one of the three leaders of this station who decided to bring on the Geth as labor workers," replied the Executor.
Neither of them were pleased.
"The Public was already aware of our decision, since it was made, our approval ratings haven't diminished."
The Asari Councillor remained compellingly reserved.
"Approval ratings that have no influence on your decision to recuse yourselves from this?" questioned Vakarian. "I accepted your offer to take this position, so don't play dumb with me, Tevos! Your election is only three months away!"
His rising voice unnerved the Councillor, the Executor's assumptions seemed to have merit, Theron admitted.
"The Citadel Council is responsible for the Citadel and occupied systems, Citadel Security is responsible for the safety of this station. This incident compromised the safety of this station. It won't matter if I stand at your side, Garrus, the public will blame you."
An unnerved Councillor would fight fire with fire, observed Theron. She wasn't an adversary of the Executor, but she wouldn't let herself be wounded in Vakarian's battle. The Turian resented her but he didn't continue the argument.
"Is there anything else I need to know?" he sighed.
"Yes, it's why I'm contacting you, before our conversation deviated. You have a visitor coming from the Terminus systems."
"Who? Why? Last I checked, dealing with the Terminus was not in your interest."
"She arrived on the Presidium thirty minutes ago, she should arrive at your headquarters in ten minutes."
"Who is arriving in ten minutes?"
"Farewell, Executor. Good luck."
"Thanks for the support," said Vakarian as the Asari form vanished from the communication line.
The displeased Turian fell into his captain's chair, with bitter frustration stitched onto his expression. He greeted Theron with a nod, informing that there was no fault on the Tracker's part for coming in while he conversed with Tevos.
"Do you know if the Colossus destroyed was one of Goliath's shipments?"
Theron shook his head. "I am unable to confirm that. It deviated from its programmed course but that's not conclusive proof it was under Goliath's control."
"So if Colossus did belong to it, a rival crime establishment made an attack?"
"You could say that," said a female voice.
The latest of which Theron did not recognize. It didn't come from the communication systems, instead, her voice was heard from the space he stood in.
Before he turned around, he saw the Executor's expression. One even more displeased than his exchange with the Asari Councillor. The Turian stood very straight, signifying intimidation.
"You are not supposed to be here," he said, his flanged voice sending a low growl.
Theron turned to see the visitor, an Asari, deep purple skin from top to bottom, thin black markings imprinted on her face, one with sharp eyes that could pierce any ego, and replace it with seductive fear. Her tight Asari Commando outfit exposed parts of her smooth skin, topping it off with a custom jacket that only added to her mystery.
"From my understanding, Garrus, Councillor Tevos already made you aware of my arrival," she replied with a coy smirk.
"She failed to mention a name."
"Perhaps she was concerned you would flee, you have gone soft since we last spoke."
"Some people on this station would disagree with that."
"Then they're ignorant to the facts. I remember when you just did as you pleased back on Omega, as long as it didn't piss me off."
"Would you like to tell me why you destroyed a Geth Colossus on my station?" he yelled, making the Asari's grin fade away. "And why Tevos is okay with letting you on here after damaging Tayseri Ward?"
She crossed her arms, out of confidence rather than defense. "You may find it hard to believe, but I am here to help you-"
The Executor sniggered.
"More accurately, I am here to help you catch someone due to your incompetence," she sneered.
"You say that as if you're one to judge," he replied staring down, his three fingered hands firmly planted on his desk.
Unfazed by his counter, she stood tall. "If you had a spine, you would insult me directly, not tiptoe around your point like an infant."
The Executor pushed himself away from the desk, he paced himself in-front of the Asari to point an accusatory finger at her head level.
"You lost Omega to the Illusive Man's second in-command. You couldn't even take it back on your own, you had to get Shepard, a woman putting the Galaxy at risk just so she could save your own personal rock!"
"And why do you think I am here!" she exclaimed, her tone rivaling Vakarian's for noise levels, "I know what she did, I know what she meant to you, I am fully aware that without her help, I probably would be finding a new line of work. So you will stop your emotional bullshit and let me take down this fucker for you!"
The Executor stepped away from her, turning around to retreat back to his office chair. "That's not going to happen. I personally know two Krogan Warlords that I could trust more than you."
"Really?" replied the Woman, sitting down on the front of his desk, her long slender legs hovering over the solid ground. "Why don't you contact someone else you trust?
"Get off of my desk," said Vakarian.
"It's because you're gutless."
"Get off."
"You're not willing to put yourself in real harm."
"Get off."
"You don't understand that this Goliath is going to break you."
"Aria. Get. Off."
His voice grew quieter, yet it only sounded more threatening. He didn't look at her, couldn't. The Asari, Aria, stood once again, facing him directly.
"I'm not asking for permission, Garrus. I've already transferred an elite team of my best Mercs on Omega, they're setting up a main headquarters on Zakera Ward, the 600 blocks region, you can drop by whenever you wish; though I suspect that won't happen."
She turned towards Theron, surprising him with her attention.
"Who are you?" she asked, closing the distance between them, she had two inches in height above him.
"Theron. Tracker. I am currently here to assist in hunting down Goliath. Your explosion lead to very recent injuries inflicted upon me."
She narrowed her eyes, feigning an apology. "Oh I'm sorry, next time I'll make sure that they wait for you to politely move before taking the shot."
"I only did what I thought would best serve the investigation."
She sighed, twitching her left finger, activating one Omni-tool shortcut. His lit up, showing a VIP coupon to the Players Nightclub.
"Since you're doing actual work unlike my friend here," tilting her head in Vakarian's direction. "You're free to come by our HQ, send us any information you find. But before you do, for the love of whatever you believe in, get yourself a dance … or a full package. I can tell when someone needs it," she opined, marching past the Tracker.
Overlooking her shoulder, she took one more look at the Executor. "I've always respected you, Vakarian. You never were my adversary. You're not this," she gestured to the shiny Government paid quarters.
Aria's echoing boots lightly screeched the surface before coming to a close, as did the elevator doors.
"Well, that's one way to begin a shift," sighed Garrus.
