BACKROOM DEAL

PART 2

The different images of the outposts on Eos, Voeld and Kadara switched every few seconds. The faces of the colonists with a "thumbs up" were clearly posed. The many faces filled with delight. It was a far cry from reality. In reality, Tann's terminal was blowing up with messages on a daily basis from different groups on each world. They were running out of supplies, trade prices were too steep or the occasional skirmish with hostile forces. All of them were looking to him for some miracle quick fix. A lot of times he would forward some of the mediocre complaints to Kesh.

"She's on her way back," Kandros' voice came through the comm on his desk. He could almost see a smirk on the turian's face on the other end. Is this what his colleagues lived for each day? To torment him? His job was of the utmost importance!

Groaning, he defeatedly moved slowly back to his desk. "Okay, you can do this…" He closed his eyes and took a breath. Opening his eyes slowly, he focused his sights back on the imagery before him. "Divert her back to the issues at hand. Smile and remain calm." He wished for one day aboard the Nexus that he could avoid a conversation with Kesh, Addison, Kandros or the Pathfinder.

"What are the issues at hand, Director?" Celeste pointedly spoke out from behind as she clambered up the steps. The tone of her voice made him cringe. Why didn't his assistant notify him? He made a mental note to reprimand her after the meeting. The red head remained frozen with her arms crossed.

Pivoting around on his heel, Tann tried to smile big but he knew that it would appear to be more forced. "Pathfinder, I see that you are back. Did Kandros answer any concerns that you may have?"

The woman before him kept her arms crossed. "There are batarians aboard Ark Paarchero. Some backroom deal that was made by the Alliance prior to lift off."

"I was clearly as shocked as you are, Ryder. This information didn't cross my desk until the ark's arrival I assure you." He interlaced his fingers together behind his back and stepped lightly down the steps to join her. "You and I both know we don't want batarians freely running around the Nexus. Think of all the problems we will have. They can't be trusted. Cryo is the best course until we deal with bigger issues."

Celeste remained quiet in thought. Tann felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. He complimented himself mentally. Clearly, his good negotiating skills broke her down and she would be compelled to agree to his action. He decided not to stop now. "We need to neutralize the kett threat that plagues our outposts. I have received several urgent messages about unprovoked attacks from survey groups. Pathfinder, how can we effectively have our golden worlds when our loved ones are being threatened?"

"I'm glad that we agree. We need to stop the kett." Celeste uncrossed her arms with a smile. Another point!

"Then go out there and get it done, Pathfinder. We all believe in you." His voice became more upbeat. "I believe in you." He reached out and gently patted her shoulder with his three-fingered hand. A more of a ceremonial gesture than anything. He was not the touchy feely type.

"Actually, I wanted to discuss my plan of strategy with you since I have your full support." Celeste took out a datapad and pulled up some data from Kandros' strike team reports. Tann was puzzled. Warfare was something he never really had any interest in. He had several friends that looked up to STG members and the sermons given by Captain Kirrahe back in the Milky Way. He never really saw the point. Numbers were more his game. Stepping closer to get a better look at the datapad, he decided to show her some interest. As she scrolled through to whatever topic of interest she was talking about, he wondered if this was something she already discussed with Kandros. Maybe, he disagreed. "Kett activity has picked up on Eos. We are losing ground with the strike teams." Celeste continued as she pulled up the data. The outpost was shown with several sectors on the perimeter. Red was keyed as hostile areas. "We need to bolster our position or we will lose Prodromus just like we did with Promise."

"What do you suggest?" In the back of his mind, Tann felt uncomfortable at where this conversation was going. Especially with Kandros' involvement.

"We need some muscle and right now the krogan are not in. These batarians could be the leverage we need. The kett won't be expecting them."

Tann turned quickly and went back to his desk. "I'm sorry, but I cannot allow this." What a prosperous idea! It was bad enough allowing Morda and clan Nakmor access to the station during the uprising and he saw what the outcome was.

"Why not?" Celeste was at his heels; the datapad waving in her hand.

"You were not here during the uprising. Morda agreed to help us and then wanted to hold the Initiative hostage to her terms. Once we wake up people, they won't go back." His mind flashed to the agonizing speeches he had to give to coax non-essential crewmembers to go back into their pods once the station was stabilized from the scourge attack. "You think the batarians will just agree to whatever we ask?"

Celeste chewed her lip. "What if we incorporate them into the populace afterwards?"

Tann narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting? They can't roam free around the Nexus."

"There's only two," Celeste argued.

The salarian shook his head exasperated. "Two is bad enough. Crime and violence will go up. This is why they were not allowed on the Citadel." He wanted to bury his head again. Why didn't the Alliance send Elcor instead?

"Director, this isn't the Citadel," It took all her being to remain patient with the hard nose male before her. "What if they go off the station?"

"Like?"

Celeste shrugged. "Eos. They can assist with Kandros and will be a great asset to protect the colony. We could have them assist with security measures."

Laughter escaped the salarian's mouth. This was the first time that Ryder ever heard him do such a thing. The idea was a farce to him. After all he accomplished and the promises he made to the Nexus including his own salarian kind to only be hindered by alien outcasts. "They would be better at Kadara with the exiles or on Eladeen with-"He stopped himself.

"The krogan," The woman finished his thought with a look of disdain.

Tann held up his hands defensively. "Yes, but I was going to add that they could keep an eye on them."

"I don't think Morda would really care what they did…." Celeste rubbed her face tiresomely. Not wanting to admit it, but she knew that Tann had somewhat of a point with the batarians. She ran into several scavengers that were creating a gang at the flophouse on Eladeen. She didn't want gangs to start popping up created by what she was releasing on the planet, but then again, gangs were already forming that were human centric. She was done. She had to take out the ace up her sleeve… "I talked with Addison when I first arrived on the station and she advised that Pathfinders do have authority to override cryo control if they deem necessary for the survival of the Initiative…." She paused and decided to let that statement brew into the complex salarian's mind.

This infuriated Tann and he felt himself becoming rigid as his hands balled up into fists. He shook, but used everyone ounce in him to remain restraint. He thought dealing with Sloane Kelly was bad…. "If you have the authority to do what you believe is necessary, even though is it not recommended, then why are you wasting my time?"

Now was the time to remain diplomatic. Celeste frowned at him. A small wave of guilt hit her. Maybe making the last sentence was not the greatest but she had to cut to the chase. "I do want to keep an alliance with you, Director. I just want you to know what my intentions are. I came here to seek your input on the situation."

Kandros gotten to her! He knew it. Tann made a mental note to speak with him after this exchange. Before he had a chance to reply, he saw the familiar large head of Kesh coming into view from the steps and followed close behind with Kandros. He remained guarded as he saw them approach. Was this going to be an ambush now? He hated feeling threatened. "My staff."

"Colleagues," Kesh firmly reminded him again. The female krogan's eyes moved over to Celeste Ryder. Even her appearance caught the human off-guard. Perhaps this wasn't a planned attack after all! "Kandros told me about the discovery. I highly am against it."

Tann didn't let the chance to slip away. He smiled big and approached her with welcoming arms. "I always take value in your opinion, Superintendent. I fully agree with you."

Ryder's face faltered. Apparently, the krogan's statement was in complete shock to her. "Why?"

"Despite my species' violent nature, we do have some restraint. We are dedicated to our clan. Especially when it comes to Clan Nakmor. We follow the orders of our clan leader. The batarians I have dealt with are of a different nature. It will be hard to trust them. Especially with their past."

Tiran Kandros shook his head. "We should try. You haven't been up against the kett and now we are dealing with remnant too. My men can only take so much. Without the success of the strike teams, the outposts will collapse and will be back to square one again."

Tann's smile didn't fade. "There you have it, Pathfinder. Two against one. I think the matter is now settled." He was relieved that he wouldn't have to deal with this any longer.

Tiran kept his avian eyes on Celeste. "I think our Pathfinder has a say as well."

"As do I." Another voice spoke up. All heads came forward to see Hayjer approaching.

The new salarian pathfinder's presence was shocking to Tann, but he knew he could rely on his fellow species to take his side at least. "Glad to see you. I'm sorry for our loss to our former pathfinder, Raeka."

"A pleasure as always, Director." The orange skinned male nodded his head. "I helped Raeka sneak onboard of the kett flagship after Ryder and her team. The kett were very difficult in combat and we lost too many. I never doubted Ryder's decision and it was a tough call to make."

"I know it was quite an ordeal," Tann interjected. He didn't want to lose ground on this debate. It was time to circle this back to his side. "I'm not sure if you are aware of the new concern we have. Batarians have been found in our own ark's cryopods."

"They were placed specifically by the Initiative. Only certain channels were made aware. Our former security advisor was informed and then the information was passed down to me." Kandros handed Hayjer a datapad. There was no point in hiding any information. Celeste knew that. They had to keep the trust of everyone. "They were ex-pirate and mercenary. They turned in their boss and was granted asylum by the Alliance. We need them on our strike teams. I have worked with batarians before. They are resilient. Almost as strong as the krogan."

Hayjer oddly hummed softly to himself as he used his wide fingertips to slide through the data. He turned the pad down and looked over at Celeste. "What's your opinion on this?"

"I say we give them a shot. Everyone needs to pitch in if we are going to call this home."

Hayjer then turned his head back towards Tann. "Then I'm in agreement with the Pathfinder. She's my colleague and I trust her judgment."

Tann's face broke like cheap parts sold by a Volus and he felt like his jaw was going to hit the floor. This was a move he was not prepared for at all! His quick mind was failing him. Kandros took the advantage and piped in, "I'll meet you in the cryo unit on the Paarchero."

Celeste gave a silent "thank you" smile to Hayjer and then left with a feeling of accomplishment. Once out of the director's office, she paused and called upon her personal AI, "Sam?"

"Yes, Pathfinder."

"Are you able to capture some of my memories too?"

"I can recall recent moments until they are purged from my banks unless you specify particular ones to save."

"Then save that one. I want to watch Tann's face over and over," She grinned and walked down the hallway, humming a catching tune she picked up from visiting the Vortex earlier in her travels.