Ok guys, gals those in between and any non-humans who may be reading this. This is the final chapter in the second story of Saren and Cira's journey. I hope that everything is going at a believable pace. But if not that's ok it's all in my imagination anyway. With that said, enjoy my crazy mind creations.
When Cira opened her eyes, it wasn't the grey metal ceiling of the training station apartments that she saw but the plain white ceiling of her own room. Her room, in her apartment, on the Citadel. It had been exactly one week since her final test. She had passed with flying colors, in her opinion, but she wasn't the one deciding her fate. That was in the hands of Saren and the Council; none of whom really believe that humans should be Spectres. Maybe she'd convinced Saren, after all he was the one who'd chosen her in the first place but even his approval wouldn't be enough to convince the Council. After all of the trainees and their mentors have completed their training, the Council meets with each mentor to discuss the student's progress and then they vote on whether or not to pass the student to the second half of training. The mentor's approval holds more weight than each individual council member's vote but still, if all of the council members are against the student then they are failed.
She moaned and tried to sit up but her limbs felt heavy and a feeling of worry boiled deep within her. "I shouldn't be worried" If the words were supposed to help her they didn't. So she rolled to the side until she slipped off the bed, the sensation of falling causing her nervous system to come back to its senses as her arms automatically shot out to stop her descent, but not fast enough to keep her from hitting the ground, but achieving her purpose none the less. Officially awake, she popped up to her feet, planting her hands on her hips and surveying the room. It was the same as it had been last night, not that she'd expected it to change. The usual clutter of parts and pieces, gadgets and gizmos covered her desk and dresser and places on the floor. Still the room was surprisingly organized, with plenty of room to walk around and go about any business that didn't involve precision tools. Like most apartments, she also had a living space and kitchen and everything. Those areas were kept clean for company, but unless she had a guest over she was either in her room or strolling around the citadel, searching the stores for anything that might be fun to pull apart.
She didn't want to do that today though. Nor did she want to stay cooped up in her apartment anxiously awaiting her evaluation. Purgatory maybe? Yes that sounded nice. A few drinks, virgin of course, as her moral center commanded, and some dancing. That would get her mind off of the evaluation for a while. Thirty minutes later she was out the door and headed to one of the many elevators that traversed the various areas of the Citadel. Elevators that, thanks to some incognito tinkering, were a good bit faster than they had been when she'd first arrived.
Loud music pounded away in her soul as she flowed along with the growing mass of bodies, a virgin daiquiri clutched tightly in one hand as the other waved around over her head. The mix of deep bass, flashing multi-colored lights and the warmth of being surrounded by beings combined to wash away any inhibitions and fears, the problems that burdened her mind. As the crowd grew more and more intimate she lost everything; time, reason, concern. It was wonderful, beautiful even and she felt the wide, stupid grin plastered onto her face grow even wider as someone pulled her drink from her hand and downed it before handing it to someone else who took the empty glass without question and continued dancing without a care in the world. Cira grabbed the drink thief's arms, a human woman with red-orange hair who was giggling incessantly, and they began to dance together, bouncing around in a crazy waltz while some of the other dancers stopped to cheer them on. Cira laughed openly as she spun, only stopping when her over-intoxicated dance partner collapsed into her, no longer able to stand up straight.
Taking most of the woman's weight on her still small but much stronger body, Cira half dragged her over to the bar, getting her set up on a stool and asking the bartender to bring her some water.
"Thanks" she muttered as she gingerly sipped from the glass.
"Want me to call you a cab?" Cira grabbed the glass from the woman as she tried to set it down at an angle.
"Whaaat? No way, this is great! I'm fine I jus need to ssit for a minute. Hey wass your name?"
"Cira."
"Hey Ccira. I'mm Kelly."
"Hi Kelly. I think you should go home for today"
"Maybe…"
The woman glanced up at Cira but her gaze caught on something behind her. Cira felt his presence not a moment later. He grabbed her arm and yanked her back, pulling her toward the exit.
"Saren! Let go."
"You're late."
"Well so are you."
"I had to come and get you."
Oh…
"Heyy, let go of her."
Kelly stumbled along after them, bumping into people along the way but still managing to keep up. Cira couldn't help but grin at the droopy angry face she tried to express.
"I'm fine Kelly. Go home."
Droopy angry turned into droopy thoughtfulness.
"I guess so. You should come back ssometime."
"I will." Cira waved quickly before beginning to jog alongside Saren, heading out of the club and toward the Council's Chamber.
This was uncomfortable. The evaluation process consisted of her, standing in the center of the room while four people argued over her progress. She wasn't allowed to speak, only to watch and listen and to accept the outcome. Right now her chances of passing were looking slim.
"Humans are not ready to be Spectres. They have not yet proven themselves in the Galactic Community. There are hardly any humans in the Citadel forces because they are all in the Alliance. Humanity's personal army." Councilor Sparatus was arguing against her.
"What race doesn't have their own army Sparatus?" The Asari Councilor, Tevos interrupted. "There are colonies outside of Citadel space that need protecting as well. And there are hardly any humans in out army and in C-sec because the people who have been put in charge are biased against humans. We are not evaluating the entire human race. We are evaluating this human standing before us now. Cira Dontana Roselli. To judge her based on what you believe of her race would be irresponsible and insulting to her, to your fellow Council members and to the entire Spectre Program. I suggest, Councilor Sparatus, that you place your prejudices to the side and judge the being in front of you for herself and her skills.
Sparatus was left with his mouth gaping and he said nothing else so Tevos continued, addressing Saren now.
"Spectre Arterius, please give us your evaluation of your student."
Saren gave a quick salute then began. "Roselli is able to learn and retain information very well, but she can be slow to act on it. She is deliberative and creative when it comes to eliminating targets and she understands the importance of completing the mission at all costs. However on her own she would not be an acceptable Spectre. When faced with straight forward combat she can handle one to three assailants but go beyond four and she begins to make mistakes. In the simulations, she failed six out of ten times."
Sparatus chimed in again.
"A sixty percent chance of success. You see? She wouldn't be able to hold her own in the face of numerous enemies. What use is a Spectre who can't fight a larger group?"
The Salarian Councilor spoke then, "All Spectres have their limits on what they can and can't handle. She would be specialized to smaller missions maybe and though she is most definitely the first Spectre who would need such an arrangement, it far from disqualifies her."
"And if something were to happen? Something unexpected. All other spectres are able to handle larger groups because not everything goes as planned on a mission. Something you would know, Councilor Valern, if you'd served any time in the military."
Tevos interrupted their bickering again.
"Essentially, Spectre Arterius, you are saying that she would need a babysitter?"
"Yes."
"As skilled as she might be in other aspects, a Spectre who cannot work on their own would be a waste. I simply cannot vote to pass her. Councilor Valern?"
"All Spectres have a weakness that they must work to overcome. Roselli's is no different. She would remain with Saren for a good while more anyways. During that time she could learn to fend for herself. I will pass her. Sparatus?"
"I will not pass her. She is lacking a skill like other Spectres, yes, but lacking this particular skill will insure that she dies before she has time to improve. Her presence would only be endangering her mentors and anyone else who happens to be around her. She should not pass in my opinion."
The Council votes had been cast. Now it was Saren's turn. Tevos addressed him.
"Spectre Arterius, there is one vote for, and two votes against her so it comes down to you. Your decision will be final. Do you wish to keep Cira Roselli as your student and make her an official Spectre?"
Cira glanced back at her mentor and very recently her lover, watching him intently as if trying to will him to pass her. It was pointless; he would make his decision either way, but it make her feel better to think that she might still be able to influence him.
"No." It didn't work. The pit of her stomach dropped out and she felt as if she were toppling over. She stumbled against the rail next to her, grasping it to hold herself upright. Everyone was staring at her. The Council; Sparatus with a smug sneer on his face, Saren, standing only a few feet behind her.
"Miss Roselli." Councilor Tevos called to her, apparently having been trying to get her attention.
"You have been failed. You are dismissed."
She nodded and snapped a salute before walking quickly toward the exit, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor. She barely made it out and to the nearest trash receptacle before her body emptied out whatever contents she'd had in her stomach.
Back in Purgatory again. Not drinking anything or dancing though. Cira sat in one of the booths watching the still crowded dance floor. People twisting and turning as carefree as she had been earlier. She wasn't carefree now. She hadn't passed; she wouldn't continue her training with Saren and if things didn't work out between them then everything would be just like it was for the two years after he had left. She would be lonely and bored and dead inside.
What had she really wanted out of all of this? To go on missions? To go with Saren? Was it really just the thrill she wanted? And why had he failed her? The point of continuing in the training was to improve the skills she was lacking. So what was the real reason?
Raithius wandered into the club then, noticing Cira immediately and coming over to plop down beside her. Cira took in his downcast expression and slumped posture.
"So you didn't pass either."
He nodded solemnly and Cira waved over a waiter so he could order a drink.
"I thought I had it. Nihlus voted to pass me but the Councilors believed I was too soft hearted to handle the things I would need to do as a Spectre. Maybe they are right."
He dropped his head into his hands. Cira sat back in her seat, listening quietly as he got everything off of his chest.
"I've always hated fighting. My father was so disappointed when I didn't join the military as soon as I was able. And even when I did, I tried my best to avoid direct combat with enemies. It was hard to kill them, even when they were trying to kill me."
"Then why try to join the Spectres?"
"Because my family told me that I was a disgrace; that I didn't deserve to bear these clan markings. I figured that if I got into the Spectres, they would have to acknowledge my worth. It was a stupid dream. I'm not good for anything."
"Who says joining the military is everything?"
"Pretty much the entire Turian Race."
"Well screw them. People should be able to do what they want without being ostracized for it."
Raithius snorted. "That's pretty idealistic."
"I know but it's true, isn't it?"
"It'd be nice."
"What do you want to do Raithius? Not what you think your parents would approve of. What do you need to be happy?"
"I want…I just want to find what I like to do and to have someone who will still love me no matter what that thing is."
"Alright then. Forget your family for now. Find your own happiness, and then hopefully they will accept it."
"That's still pretty idealistic but it's worth giving it a shot."
"Good. It's about time one of us got what we wanted."
"What is it that you want?"
The answer came instantly. "I want to stay with Saren."
"That's not an option anymore. So what else."
She thought hard about how to answer that. She couldn't train with him. She had failed, there was no changing that. And Saren wouldn't just drag her around across the galaxy. So what could she do? She recalled her last meeting with Nihlus before leaving the station. What he had said to her.
"Do what you do best. Make things for him. Things to help him."
"I want to protect him."
"You can do that from here, can't you?"
"I think…no; I know that I can do that." Her lifeless eyes lit up with a fire that she hadn't felt in a long time as her mind began to work furiously. "I'll have a whole line of new equipment ready for him when he comes back."
"He hasn't left yet. All of the Mentors are waiting on their next assignments."
She popped up from her seat, knocking over Raithius's drink in the process.
"Sorry Raithius. I have to go. Thanks."
She took off toward the exit, weaving around walls of people. Raithius watched her until she was out of sight then sighed.
"How did Saren, of all people, get a girl like that to fall in love with him? Lucky Bastard"
He ordered another drink and started scanning the dance floor for potential love interests when another human woman plopped down next to him. She smiled sweetly and waved at him. "Hi. I'm Kelly."
Saren reviewed the files for his new missions as he headed toward the docking bay. They weren't to challenging and he would probably finish them in a few months. He would have a mandatory leave after that so he just might make these missions last for as long as possible. He stepped through the outer doors of his ship and waited while the decontamination system did its job.
When it finished, he stepped through the next door onto the bridge and stopped in his tracks when he spotted his little human in the pilot's chair, tapping away on her omni-tool and conversing with Liam.
"What do you think Liam?"
"These new protocols will aid greatly against almost all possible known cyber attacks that could occur."
"Good. I upgraded the shields too. Check them out."
"Shield strength has tripled."
"Great."
"What are you doing here?" Saren interrupted.
She didn't look at him. "Well I can't just let you leave when I can make your ship so much better…not that Liam isn't doing a great job."
"No offense taken Miss Roselli. Your upgrades have made my job much easier."
"Don't go slacking no Liam."
"Of course."
"Students are not permitted to have contact with their mentors after they have been failed."
"Yes and I'm very well known for sticking to the rules." She rolled her eyes.
"This isn't a joke Cira."
"Why did you fail me?" She turned around in the chair to face him now.
He was expecting the question, but not her manner when she asked it. He had expected her to be angry, to yell at him, but she was calm, even smiling. It caught him off guard but he recovered almost instantly.
"You already know why."
"Well that's pretty evasive." She still smiled at him but her eyes were an icy blue. Sadness maybe and the golden flecks were back as well. He blinked and her eyes returned to normal. It was definitely his imagination; he was sure of it now.
"I know the reason that you gave to the council. I can't handle myself directly against large groups of enemies or something like that. But if I didn't have some kind of weakness then their wouldn't be a point to the second half of training. With time I'd get better; you know that, so then what is it? Tell my why you didn't pass me."
"It's none of your business."
"Yes it is. I'm the one who got failed. I want to know why."
"Leave it alone Cira."
"Tell me Saren. NOW!"
"I DON'T KNOW!"
He slammed his fists on the control panel on either side of her, his face barely an inch from hers, angry breath blowing her hair back gently. Cira closed that little distance between them and pressed her lips to his mandible, letting them rest there as she spoke to him.
"Yes you do. And you'll tell me one day. But for now, go back to doing what you do best and I will too. I'll be here and fix up your ship when you get back. How does that sound?"
He pulled away from her but instead of replying, he stormed away, disappearing into the cargo hold. Cira shook her head slowly, her lips curving into the tiniest smile.
"I'm pretty much done Liam. Take care of him."
"I will do my best."
Her omni-tool beeped and she checked her messages. There was a new one from Anderson, asking her to meet him in his office. She sighed, having been looking forward to going home and dreaming up new gadgets for Saren, but that would have to wait. However there was business to take care of.
When she stepped into the office, Anderson was sitting at his desk going over a pile of data pads.
"You wanted to see me sir."
"Ah, Cira yes." He stood as she approached and they shook hands. "I'll get straight to the point Roselli. I've got a job for you. There's a company funded by the Citadel. They are working together with the Turians to build a ship. I think they could use you on the team. What do you say?"
"What kind of ship?"
"First of its kind. A systems alliance starship. Normandy Class."
Well that seemed like a good way to kill extra time while she waited for Saren to return. Her omni-tool beeped again to signal that she had another message.
"Excuse me one moment Sir."
"Of course."
She opened up the message and read the brief body.
Heard what happened. Sorry you didn't make it. For you; info on your parents. Nihlus.
"Good news?" Anderson smiled at her and she realized that she was grinning widely.
"Yes very good news. When are they starting on the ship?"
"The final plans should be completed in a few more months. They'll start building then. You on board?"
"Yes. I would love to help. I just need to take care of something first."
FIT TO TRY
Ok. There it is. I'm not sure when I'll be starting on the next story. Hopefully I can work on it over the summer but I said that last summer I think and I didn't write anything. We'll see. The story will be finished though. It just may take a little while.