Chapter One: Hostile Encounters

Eedane closed her eyes and leant backwards onto the pillar behind her, breathing in the clean air of the Citadel tower. It was a quiet morning, the absence of people making her feel more at ease. The bustling citadel was so different to the calm atmosphere of home that Eedane found herself unusually jumpy – most Ciliaons were, and she usually was, a calm and composed sort of people; and considering that they didn't use expression very much, to humans they seemed scarily calm.

The gentle murmuring of the Council hummed in the background, discussing the coming meeting where Commander Shepard would hand over evidence to prove Saren's guilt, as well as giving him the rank of a Spectre. The Ciliaons so far had no one in that elite group, but there was a place in the council waiting for them – the choosing ceremony was in process. Eedane felt, and she knew that other Ciliaons did too, that a place on the council was far more important that one of them becoming a spectre.

Eedane was a biological scientist, and the absence of jobs for Ciliaons as young as she had perked up her interest in the Krogan genophage. Though there were not a lot of cure theories, she loved nothing better than a challenge – and if she succeeded, she may be able to save an entire race.

Her thoughts were interrupted as a Turian walked in, his loud footsteps echoing in the large expanse of the Citadel tower. He wore the typical armour of Military personnel, and his body language was confident. From the shadowed spot she was in, Eedane watched him as he sat down on a bench, head in his hands. Following the kindness that was required as a Ciliaon, Eedane walked over to him and sat down, conscious that he would want some space.

"Are you okay?" she asked quietly, fighting the natural instinct to rest a hand on his shoulder. The Turian looked up, and Eedane attempted a smile. "My name is Eedane, pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Garrus – and thank you for asking. I'm just feeling a little…overwhelmed. I'm in Commander Shepard's crew you see."

Eedane briefly thought of how hard that must be, to be able to stand alone in a fire fight, yet to know that other people were depending on you. She wasn't quite sure how to answer, so just settled for:

"Oh. But then, somewhere inside you, you want to be in this big adventure. Maybe you just didn't realise how hard it would be at times."

The Turian smiled, remembering how a friend had told him that sometimes the Ciliaons seemed to know more about what you were feeling subconsciously than you did yourself, and from her insightful little speech, Garrus was inclined to agree.

"I think you may be right – you know, I had a friend that told me that your race were an incredibly insightful people, and after that I think he was right. I do want to be involved; I want to do something for this galaxy. And as you said, I don't think I realised just how hard it was going to be – is going to be."

Eedane blushed and looked down at her hands, clasped neatly in her lap. It was rare for people to compliment her, and so far in her visit to the Citadel, she had only got cold glares and people staring at her like she was a statue.

"I wish you and your crew the best of luck," she said eventually, "It is nice to know that there are people who will risk everything to save the galaxy, when other people just don't listen – or care."

Garrus smiled and patted her shoulder, knowing that Ciliaons preferred contact to smiles or expressions. She looked up at him, a hesitant but grateful smile on her young face. It was nice to know that there were some people that were still innocent, some people who cared more for others.

He said a friendly goodbye, and smiled when he saw her pulling out a small music player, leaning backwards contentedly as the music blared into her ears. Warm sunlight filtered through the large windows, and as she relaxed, Eedane sighed happily with the thought that it was going to be a very good day.

88

Eedane had found herself with nothing to do for most of the day, apart from waiting for the council meeting. All Ciliaons had been granted permission to observe, trying to get the new race more involved and up to speed with everyday politics as well as out of the ordinary politics.

She decided against walking around the Citadel, painfully aware of the fact that most people had never seen a Ciliaon, and she was not going to parade around the place to be stared at. So, Eedane had sat on the same bench for the whole day, listening to her music and watching the world go by.

As the council got into their positions, she switched off her music player and stood ready to see the famous Commander Shepard and his crew.

He walked confidently out of the elevator, and Eedane quickly examined his crew. A large Krogan Battlemaster and a human female were with him – the latter gave Eedane a quick smile before continuing past.

Eedane stood up and followed them from a distance, waiting a polite distance away as the council meeting got into swing. She half-listened, letting her attention wander to the different species that were around.

She watched with unconcealed fascination as Commander Shepard was given the title of the first human spectre, aware of the gleeful looks of his crew members. Well, the human was – the Krogan patted Shepard heavily on the back, which she supposed was his way of saying 'well done'.

The human turned around and started to walk back, giving her a cold glare as she humbly moved out of his way; though she kept eye contact. The large expanse of her red eyes seemed to make the human nervous, as he looked away and walked arrogantly past. She hated anyone who looked down on her kind.

The Krogan smirked at the hostile exchange, before following the Commander back out of the Tower, leaving Eedane to ponder over the cruel glare. She had hoped that after so many new species being found and tolerated in the galaxy, that humans would've got over themselves – but, obviously some hadn't.

Eedane turned around and bowed her head to the Turian council member who gave her a friendly shake of the hand.

"We have found you a ship to fly with – you will be helping tend the injured, help with the flying of the ship and also fight if your abilities are needed."

Eedane clapped her hands together with joy, thanking the Turian in a rush of gratitude.

"Don't thank me just yet. The ship is the Normandy, and Shepard will be your commander."

Eedane was careful not to let the forced expression on her face slip, thanking the Turian again before heading to the elevator.

What the hell was she going to do now?