Mass Effect: Dark Beginnings

by Domehead900

Commander Tarius Shepard, a human in the alliance military, joined up on a simple mission in order to try and reclaim his life from the chaos it had become. Little did he know that this simple mission was much more and would become the beginnings of his true life. A darkness is arising in the galaxy. Can Tarius hold it back? Or will it consume him?

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 3

She saw it all and felt it all. Ashley saw that Shepard's eyes had been glowing blue when he threw her and Texas. She had seen Texas's surprise when he lifted them with ease and threw them. That was when the feeling started. Shepherd was lifted in the air by the beacon, and immediately she went to help him only to be stopped by kaiden when he said "Don't touch him!" That stopped her dead in her tracks but apparently Texas didn't hear him or decided to ignore him because she kept going until Ashley wrapped her arms around her and held her back.

That was when they heard the screaming. It started as an itch in their minds and slowly became a blood curdling scream. They all clamped their hands over their ears, but it didn't help. For the first time ever, the voice had reached beyond Tarius's mind. After a few seconds it stopped and the beacon exploded. These events happened within 20 seconds.

Immediately Texas ran to Tarius's body, "He's still breathing!" She said.

Just then, the Normandy showed up. The ship lowered as Kaiden and Texas carried Shepard onboard. Anderson was there and immediately began to ask questions. "What happened?"

"Shepard got knocked out." Kaiden replied.

"And the beacon?"

"That's what knocked him out." He replied, "It exploded and knocked him out."

"Well, lets get him to the med bay." He then looked at Ashley. "Who are you? And where's Jenkins?"

"I'm gunnery chief Ashley Williams of the 212. As for Jenkins..." She turned to Kaiden.

"He got killed by a drone, shortly after we landed."

"I see. Well no more time for jibber jabber." He said, "Lets get the commander onboard."

"Aren't you going to ask me who I am?" Texas said in an obviously annoyed voice (with concern for Tarius showing clearly on her face).

"I don't need to Texas." He responded. They then all boarded the ship, and brought Shepard to the infirmary.

Shepard awoke in a clearing. Only, he wasn't on the ground. He was floating, and because of that, he immediately had one thought. So he voiced it. "Am I dead?"

"Not yet brother."

He looked to the left and saw a man walking toward him. Before he could say anything, he fell to the ground. It was when he hit the ground that he spoke for the second time. "So I am alive."

"Do you not understand the words, not yet?"

"I understand them. I just only listen when it's someone I know."

"But you do know me." He replied, a huge smile on his face.

That was when Tarius really looked at the man in front of him. After a moment he realized why he looked familiar. The man before him looked very much like his brother but with small differences.

"Are you mocking my brother?"

"I told you, I am your brother."

"I think I would know my own brother."

"Oh, really."

Suddenly, the man before him blurred along with the area around him. As he unblurred, Tarius saw him yelling at the sky right before he heard him.

"—losing connection! Could you please fi—" he then realized that Tarius was staring at him. "Thank you!"

"Your welcome." Tarius said a little unsure.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"Great, a crazy guy is my brother."

"I'm not crazy. I'm talking to the guy who set up this connection."

"Which is?"

"He didn't give me a name. He just told me to call him Stranger and that he'd help me contact you."

"Really."

"I'm not crazy. Or at least not anymore crazy than you with your voice. And definately nowhere near as crazy as the guy who was with this... Stranger."

"Wait, how do you know about the voice?" He asked though he was already beginning to remember everything.

"Oh come on. You should be remembering things. Don't lie to me about it."

"You're right. So why does it matter?"

"You still haven't remembered everything?! This is ridiculous. Try to remember faster."

"Maybe if you shut up Xavlios. I can remem—"

"See, I told you you could remember."

"Shut up! You're not helping!"

"Whatever. But you remember?"

"Yes. Everything."

"Well don't get used to it, you'll lose it when you wake up."

"What?!"

"Right now. We're asleep. Which gives us better access to our true forms."

"Eventually, you do realize that we'll be able to reach this info when we're awake right?"

"I won't."

Tarius went to ask him what he meant, but when he looked up he saw a forlorn look on Xavlios's face and knew what he meant. "You're going to die?"

"Yes." Xavlios replied, "And so will you if you don't change your ways."

"What do you mean?"

"You need to control the voice. Not the other way around."

"Scarlai." Tarius said," I've controlled him before."

"He's stronger here!" Xavlios replied. "And he will lead you too your death if you're not careful!"

Tarius couldn't reply. For the first time since they got there, Scarlai spoke up. The only problem was, it wasn't in his head like always.

"You know, you lie all the time Xavlios. Why should he trust you?" Scarlai spoke up, walking out from behind a tree.

"Trust me?" Xavlios asked, "And you're so trustable?"

"Easier to trust than you." He replied.

"It doesn't matter! I came to speak to Tarius! Not some sorry excuse for a Sith!"

"Boy! You know my power, so I suggest you—"

Suddenly, a man appeared behind him and grabbed him. "Who the he—"

"I suggest you let these two talk or II'll ask my employer if I can tear you in half." The man said in a thick Scottish accent, and then paused and stared into space. "What do you mean I can't tear him in half?" More staring. Suddenly he began laughing. "Whatever, Mr. President. Can I at least tear off a limb?" Even more staring. "You'll think about it. Good answer."

"You're the guy who was with—"

"Yes. Now are you going to continue your conversation or not?"

"I can see why you called him crazy."

"Crazy? Awww, that hurt my feelings." The man said. "I'm insane. There's a difference."

"Whatever. Look, if you make the same mistakes as me, then you'll have the same fate. Mine is sealed. Yours isn't."

"Hey, the boss says to hurry it up. Your connection is about to be disconnected."

Suddenly, everything except Xavlios and the man seemed to start fading. Scarlai dissipated and the man relaxed.

"Thanks for your help with Scarlai. Mr..."

"Call me Red." He said in his thick Scottish accent with that hint of insanity. "At least, everyone else does. Though I don't think we'll meet again."

"That's too bad." Tarius said before turning back to Xavlios.

"One more thing." Xavlios said. "Watch for—"

Suddenly, Tarius couldn't hear him. "What?" He replied. But Xavlios was gone.

"Him unfortunately. You will see again."

Turning around, Tarius finally got to see The Stranger. "So you're The Stranger?"

"True and false." He replied. "I am known by other names as well."

"Whatever. You're here because?"

"I'm here because I wanted to let you know that I will be watching you very closely. Your brother is right. His fate is decided. Yours is not. In fact, it could go either way. You could either control Scarlai and keep the balance or..."

"Or what?"

"Or he could control you and unbalance everything. If he takes control of you, I'm not sure that even I could stop him."

"That's saying something." Red said.

"Red! I had forgotten you were here. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Oh, right!" Red said, then under his breath. "I'm coming buddy." He then disappeared.

"So, why do you keep him around?" Tarius asked but when he turned back The Stranger was gone.

The first thing he noticed, was that he was alone. The second thing... that that wasn't true. He could feel it. Something evil. At first he thought it was Scarlai, but then he realized it was different. Then he realized there were two of them. Different from each other, but both equally as evil. Then he saw them. Two dark figures, made from black smoke approaching him. Racing toward him. He then realized what they were really racing toward... control. He started to retreat, and tripped. They were three steps from him. Two. One. When they reached him, they began to reach down. He tensed ready to fight, when...

Shepard jumped up, grabbed Ashley and Texas with his biotics and slammed them to the wall before he realized what he was doing. Once he did, he immediately dropped them and laid back down. "Sorry." He said.

"What the hell was that?!" Ashley yelled.

"Nightmare?" Texas asked.

"Yeah." He replied.

"Does that happen every time he has a nightmare?" Ashley asked.

"Not every time." Texas said. "Just for the bad ones."

"Which would explain a bit." Dr. Chakwas said entering the room. "How do you feel commander?" She asked as he sat up.

"Like the night after shore leave." He replied, "How long was I out?"

"Only a few hours." She answered. "But I observed some rapid eye movement which usually indicates signs of intense dreaming."

Tarius could only remember small parts of his dream. Like the end and Red and The Stranger. "I saw... I don't know what I saw. Death, destruction. Nothings clear." In the end, he had told them what the beacon had shown him.

"Are you OK Tarius?" Texas asked.

"I'm fine. I think."

"Physically your fine. But mentally... well." Chakwas said.

"I'm fine!" Tarius said.

"That's good." Anderson said, finally stepping foreword. "Commander, I'd like to speak to you. In private."

Texas, Ashley, and Chakwas took the hint and left the room. Anderson then turned back to Shepard. "Sounds like that beacon hit you pretty hard. How are you feeling?"

"Captain Obvious. Oh, may I call you Captain Obvious?" Tarius asked jokingly. Anderson looked at him with a straight face. "I'll take that as a no. Well, I'm feeling fine. Except for the dead soldier under my command. The woman who's not part of the crew that's onboard and what am I forgetting. Oh yeah! The geth that just attacked Eden Prime!"

"The geth haven't been seen outside the Perseus veil in centuries. How were we supposed to know they'd show up? And Williams is my call not yours!"

"I... I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean any offense."

This was Anderson's first time seeing the real Tarius and he was very surprised at the change in him since the last time they talked. "None taken commander." Anderson replied. "Texas is getting off at the citadel. Something about someone who will want to see her geth head." Anderson shrugged.

"I think I know who she was talking about."

"In any case, I won't lie to you Shepard. Things look bad. Nihlus is dead. The beacon is destroyed. The council will want answers."

"Ah yes. The council. Well they don't order us around now do they." The voice spoke up. Tarius wasn't surprised by the voice. What he was surprised by, was the fact that he felt like the voice had a name and that he felt like he should know it.

"No offense, but I really don't care what the council thinks."

"Well I do. Especially since that puts Udina on my back."

"There's another person whose opinion I don't care about."

"Is there anyone whose opinion you do care about?" Anderson said, obviously annoyed.

Before he could stop himself, Tarius responded. "Yeah, yours and Texas's. That's about it right now."

Anderson stiffened, obviously surprised by the answer. The voice laughed. Tarius had been serious though. Anderson not knowing what to say, decided to give him an order. "We should be getting close to the citadel. Get up to the bridge and tell Joker to take us in." He then left the room and headed for his quarters.

This gave Tarius some time to think about the only other person whose opinion he had cared about. His father. As he was thinking of his father, he started heading to the bridge. As he was heading to the bridge he ran into Ashley. She looked angry so he walked up to her.

"Something on your mind?"

"You questioned my ever move on the mission. Why?!"

"You're asking me why? You got a problem with being questioned by superior officers?"

"No... sir."

"Just remember. When I'm questioning you, it means I think you can do better."

"Yes, sir."

As he walked away, he realized that that was what his father used to tell him. He continued up the stairs, when he reached the top, he realized he was being followed. Turning around, he saw Ashley standing there. He then turned back around and kept going.

Saren had just finished giving the two geth he had taken, their orders when Matriarch Benezia approached behind him. "Now go get ready for your missions." He told them and they went off not knowing one of them would die in the Armstrong cluster and the other on route to Virmire.

"It appears the humans saved the colony." She stated.

"And the beacon?" He replied.

"One of the humans may have used it." She answered.

Immediately he began to freakout. He had a headache from the beacon, the info was still confusing, and a human may have used the beacon to top it all off. He threw things around and marched up to Benezia and grabbed her head in the same way a lover might... or someone about to snap her neck.

"Deal with this human. There's no room for mistakes. Not at this point." He then turned back and sat down in the chair he had been sitting in when she entered. As she was leaving the room he began to think that perhaps things would have been better if he had stayed a little longer on Eden Prime. Then he thought that perhaps it would have been better if he hadn't found Sovereign at all. Before this thought could grow, Sovereign ripped it from his mind and began to fill his mind with thoughts of how helping the reapers would be helping the organics.

Shepard reached the bridge, with Ashley still behind him, just as they reached the citadel. Immediately, Ashley ran to the window seeing a giant ship flying overhead. "Look at the size of that ship!" she said.

"The Destiny Ascension. Flagship of the Citadel fleet." Kaiden said.

"Yeah, well... size isn't everything." Joker said.

Teasingly, Ashley replied. "Why so touchy Joker?"

Obviously surprised at Ashley for making a joke, Joker answered. "I'm just saying, you need firepower too."

Ashley immediately responded. "Look at that thing. It's main guns could rip through any ship in the Alliance fleet!"

"Good thing it's on our side then." Kaiden said.

Shepard went to leave the cockpit, only to stop when he heard a familiar voice arguing with Joker over the comm. "I'll let you know if you can land, when YOU tell me if he's onboard."

"I already told you, I don't know anyone by that name." Joker replied.

Shepard headed right back into the cockpit until he was right behind Joker. "What's wrong flight lieutenant?"

"This guy won't let us land unless I can tell him if someone's onboard."

"Who?" Shepard asked.

"Some guy named..." After a second he remembered the name. "Oh, yeah. Tarius."

Shepard, seeing the possibility for a joke, responded. "Ask for a last name."

"Yes, sir." Joker responded with a slight hint of sarcasm. "Can you give me a last name?"

"The name's Washington. Captain... Washington."

"Not your last name idiot." Shepard said over the comm.

"Shepard?! So you are onboard." Washington replied.

Joker, realizing that Shepard knows the guy on the comm, turned around. "Commander, what's your first name?"

"You mean you don't know flight lieutenant?" Kaiden answered.

"I've only been onboard a couple of hours and I know." Ashley said.

"Know what?" Joker asked, though he was pretty sure he knew the answer.

"That my first name is Tarius." Shepard answered. A huge smile on his face.

"Of course it is." Joker said.

"Okay. You're cleared to dock." Washington said over the comm. "I'll meet you at the dock."

"Great. Now we'll have two crazy people near the ship." Joker said.

"I heard that." Tarius said.

"I was talking about Texas." Joker said.

"Well, don't let her know you said that."

"Yes, sir." Joker replied. "No need to worry about that. I kinda want the Normandy to stay in one piece."

"Whatever you say Joker." Shepard said.

Shepard then headed to get his armor. Ashley and Kaiden followed him a little confused when he went to his locker. "Why are you grabbing your armor sir?" Kaiden asked.

"After the life I've lived, there are many people who would love to kill me." He said, and after a moment, added. "And anyone who travels with me."

In response to what Shepard had said, Kaiden and Ashley headed toward their lockers. Shepard was a little annoyed that he would have to wait a little longer for them, but it gave him time to think of the last time he had seen Washington. He had punched him and would have done worse if not for his respect for the friend of his mother and father. The man who had befriended him when he was just a boy. The man who had been there when his father died. No matter how hard he tried, he always ended up thinking about that when he thought of Washington. It didn't matter to Tarius that he had been there. It did matter to him that he hadn't saved his father. Shepard couldn't understand why he hadn't been able to save his father. The Voice had it's own thought of what happened though. As if summoned by the thought of it, the Voice said. "Perhaps he didn't try."

"No." Tarius said out loud. "He tried. I know it."

"Do you really?" The Voice replied.

Tarius went to respond, only to realize that he didn't. "Son of a bitch." He said under his breath.

"Well that's no way to talk to your commanding officer." Anderson said, coming out of his quarters. "Unless you were talking about Texas's son."

Shepard burst out laughing. "I hear that." He said.

"What are we talking about?" Texas asked.

"Your son." Shepard said.

Texas immediately got it. "Really? Is this really the time to be talking about a son of a bitch?"

Her face and voice were serious, but her eyes wouldn't stop smiling. They stood there for another 10 seconds and then burst out laughing. Once they were done laughing, Anderson turned to Texas and asked her, "Are you sure you won't come answer any questions the ambassador and the council might have?"

"Unless you want a massacre of politicians, that would be a very bad idea." Texas replied.

"I'm sure that wouldn't happen." Anderson said.

"Let me put it this way. Tarius has more control around politicians." Texas said.

"Which is almost none." Tarius contributed.

"Then perhaps it's best you don't come." Anderson said.

"Understatement." Tarius said.

For the comment, Texas punched him in the arm. It was playful, but it still hurt. "Ow." Tarius said.

"You big baby." Texas replied.

"Who's a big baby?" Kaiden said as he and Ashley walked up.

"Shepard." Texas replied.

"You gonna take that commander?" Ashley asked.

"From her? Yes." He answered.

"We should get moving." Anderson said. "Unless you want Udina to be angry."

"Let him be angry. Me and Texas have an old friend to catch up with." Shepard answered.

"Fine. But make it fast." Anderson said heading to his room for some final preparations for the meeting.

"Well, we best get moving." Texas then headed to the airlock.

As they stood in the airlock, an awkward silence arose. Before they could start a conversation, the door finally opened. As they walked out they saw a man who appeared to be in his thirties arguing with another man who seemed to be about in his upper fifties/lower sixties. They both wore alliance uniforms but the older man was higher ranking. "What do you mean you just left your post?!" He asked the younger man.

"Don't worry. My mother was with me. She promised to watch my post." The younger man replied. "You know she was the best at this job after everything she had been through caused her to get stuck with it. She always performs at her best."

"Your mother's not the same as she used to be. That's what worries me." The older man replied.

"You know, as the man who married her, you'd think you would have more faith in her abilities." The younger man replied.

"You're right son. I'm still gonna check on her, but I should have more faith in her." The father replied. He then walked away to the elevator and rode it down. The son then sighed putting his hand to his head and shook it.

"Parents... right." Tarius said.

The son's head shot up. He turned to Tarius and a smile immediately lit up his face. Tarius responded with a similar smile. They ran to each other and, though it was the last thing anyone expected, gave each other a big hug. "Tarius!" The son said. "Long time no see buddy!"

"Same to you Washington." Texas said, walking up.

"Texas... I see you haven't changed." He replied.

"Yeah. Hey! Look what I've got." She said, pulling out her geth head. "Took out quite a few of these before I took this."

Immediately, Washington took on a look of complete anger. Ashley and Kaiden immediately were confused. Tarius seeing the looks on their faces decided to explain. "Washington had a bad experience with an AI when he was younger."

"By bad experience he means one made my mom loose her arm and leg. To this day she has robotic ones." Washington said.

"And to this day he hates any sort of AI or VI." Texas said.

"I even hate Avina." Washington said. "But that's for whole 'nother reason."

"Who's Avina?" Ashley asked.

"She's the Citadel's AI." Washington answered. "You'll meet her later."

"Hey. Did your cousins get those jobs here?" Texas asked Washington.

"You've met them. What do you think?" Washington replied.

"Well you know I'm biased." Texas said. "I mean after—"

Before she could continue, two people arguing over a crate came out from behind a bunch over crates. "I told you idiot. We have to put this crate over there." One of them said.

"I need this crate to hide behind." The other said.

"I already told you idiot. Everyone can see you."

"They can't see me. I can't see them."

"That's cause you're looking at the crate idiot."

"Oh." He said releasing the crate, causing the other person to fall back.

"What did you do that for idiot?!" The other person said. The idiot wasn't even listening. He was staring at Tarius and the others.

After a few seconds his eyes lit up with recognition. "Hey look who it is." He said pointing at Tarius.

The other person looked up, and his face lit up with a huge smile. "Hey, Tarius. Long time, no see."

"Lavernius. How have you been?" Tarius replied.

Before he could respond, the idiot stepped forward and said "Yes. He is Lavernius, and I'm Michael."

"Yes, you are Michael. And he's Lavernius." Tarius said, a huge smile on his face. He had always enjoyed the company of these two.

"How many times have I told you to call me by my last name?!" Lavernius said.

"Yeah. He prefers being called Tucker. It sounds less dorky." Michael said.

"Wait wait wait!" Ashley said. "Who are you people?!"

"I am Lavernius Tucker." Tucker said.

"And I am Micheal J. Caboose." Michael said. "And I hate babies!"

"Ignore him." Tucker stated. "He's an idiot."

"Unlike Washington though, he actually likes AIs." Tarius said.

"In short, they're my idiot cousins who needed a job." Washington said.

"Which one's the bigger idiot?" Kaiden said jokingly.

" .It'sequal." Texas, Washington, and Tarius all said at the same time.

"Are you kidding it's obviously Michael!" Washington argued. "He's killed how many of his own teammates?"

"As good as that argument is, you seem to be forgetting who unloaded a round in my ass." Texas replied.

"Bow-chicka-bow-wow." Tucker said.

"What did you just say?" Texas said.

"They are obviously equally as dumb as each other." Tarius said, not realizing that Texas was getting very angry.

"Yeah. I can see that." Ashley said.

"Me too." Kaiden said.

"Whatever. Hey Texas, you all right?" Washington said.

Texas was completely pissed and looked ready to kill Tucker.

"Texas?" Tarius asked.

"Say that one more time." Texas said to Tucker.

"That's what's wrong." Tarius said.

"What?" Kaiden asked.

"She's stuck in a memory." Tarius said. When everyone stared at him confused he explained. "A lot of memories of large significance, when she remembers them, bring the feelings she felt at that time. I thought we succeeded in locking that memory away but I guess seeing Tucker has brought it back."

"What memory?" Kaiden asked.

"Oh, just the one where I shot her in the ass." Tucker said.

That did it. Texas suddenly launched at Tucker knocking him down and then picked him up and chucked him off the edge. As he was falling and screaming, Texas ran after him and jumped off the edge to follow him. Shortly after she had jumped after him, they heard him scream again. Washington, thinking he had no chance, ran to jump after Tucker and Texas.

"I'll talk to u later Tarius!" He called. "Maybe we can discuss Georgia."

"We'll discuss something else! They still only know that whatever happened to Georgia, had something to do with a jetpack."

"Just go stop Texas." Anderson said, coming out of the ship.

"Yes, sir." Washington said, doing a nice salute before purposefully falling backwards over the edge.

"Shouldn't we be helping to stop her?" Ashley asked.

"If anyone can stop her, it's Washington." Tarius said.

"Is that really his name?" Kaiden asked.

"No. He and Texas were part of a spec ops team from years ago. It was disbanded and even the name was declared beyond classified. But they were allowed to keep their code names and their ranks. Most people use their code names. The only question is if they ever had real names."

"They do." Anderson said.

"I know." Tarius said. "Texas told me hers."

"Bet you don't know the rest of theirs though." Anderson said.

"And you do?" Tarius replied.

"I do." Anderson replied. "I have access to almost all the records of their spec ops group."

"Yeah, yeah. Keep bragging old man." Tarius replied.

"I'm sorry, but can we please get moving? I'm pretty sure we have a damn politican to talk to." Ashley complained.

"She's right. We should really get moving." Anderson said. They headed into the elevator and started down.

As Washington reached the bottom under the Normandy, it was easy to follow Texas. The destruction wasn't as bad as last time but there was more room to move around and less stuff to run into. By the time he reached them Tucker was lucky to be alive. "Alright Texas, I think he gets it."

When Texas turned around, Washington wasn't as surprised to see her eyes as anyone else would have been. Her eyes glowing black just like Tarius's glowed red. He knew about her eyes though. They all did. Well not Tarius. He didn't know about her eyes. But then again he didn't know about his either. Or at least he didn't understand his. But then again, they all came with side effects. Tarius's he didn't know but Texas's he did. This was her side effect, memories brought feelings with them. At least she didn't have to deal with a VI having been used in an attempt to strengthen her abilities. He let his eyes change like hers. He'd have to deal with his side effects later but he'd need his abilities to deal with her. His eyes glowing green, he stepped forward to deal with her.

"Texas. Calm down." He said.

"Go away." She replied.

"You know I can't do that." He said. "Don't make me stop you."

Instead of replying, she charged him. Before she could even touch him he said one word.

"Sleep." And then she fell.

They arrived at the ambassador's office late but he still wasn't there.

"Guess he was planning on making us wait." Anderson said.

After he said that, Udina walked into the room. Instead of saying anything to them, he went straight to the hologram communicator. He pushed a button and the council popped up. He then started a long conversation with them about the meeting that was planned.

"Guess he's still planning on making us wait." Tarius said.

Udina then finished arguing with the council and turned to them. "Captain Anderson. I see you've brought half your crew with you." He said.

"Just the ground team from Eden Prime, in case you have any questions." Anderson said.

"I have the reports. I assume they're accurate." He responded.

"Well you know what happens when you assume." Tarius said.

"Really commander?" Anderson said, he then turned back to Udina. "They're accurate. So it looks like you managed to get us a meeting with the council."

"Yes. They were not happy about it. Saren is one of their top agents, they don't like him being accused of treason." Udina said.

"Saren's a threat to every human in the galaxy." Shepard said.

"Settle down commander. You've done enough already to jeopardize your candidacy for the spectres. Eden Prime was meant to prove you could get the job done. Instead, Nihlus is dead and the beacon was destroyed."

"That's Saren's fault, not his." Anderson said.

"Then we better hope the C-Sec investigator turns up evidence to support our accusations. Otherwise the council might use this as an excuse to keep you out of the spectres." Udina said, annoying the crap out of Tarius. "Anderson come with me, I want to go over some things before the meeting. Shepard, you and the others can meet us at Citadel tower level 2. I'll get you the clearance to get in." He then left the room with Anderson.

"And that's why I hate politicians." Ashley said.

"That's great chief." Tarius said. "Lets get moving."

They headed out the door toward the tower. On their way though, they ran into Avina. "Hello, my name is Avina. I'm the Citadel's VI and can answer any questions you have."

"I have a question." Tarius said. "Why are you so annoying?"

"I'm sorry. I am not programmed to answer that question."

"Of course you're not." Tarius said. "Goodbye."

They then walked away before she could say anything else. As they walked through the presidium, they saw many interesting things. A turian talking to an asari. A human talking physics with a salarian. And even a batarian making out with an asari. Too which Ashley made a gagging noise. Once they reached the bottom of Citadel tower, they saw three things. One was a keeper nearby. Another was the avina terminal next to the keeper. And the last thing was a scaled down version of a mass relay. Ashley immediately asked what was that pointing at the keeper. Tarius ignored her and went to the railing to look at the mass relay statue. As he was standing there avina went to talk.

"Hi, would you like some information on the mass relay statue." Avina asked.

"Shut up." Tarius said.

"Amazing isn't it?" Kaiden said.

"I guess. Don't know what's so special about it." Ashley said.

"Well it symbolizes the rise of the Prothean civilization to power. The protheans really must have understood the importance of their creation of the mass relays." Tarius said.

"That's deep commander." Kaiden said.

"What are you talking about? I read it off the brochure." Tarius said.

"What brochure?" Ashley asked.

"The one I pulled up on my omni-tool." Shepard said. "Now lets get moving. We'll have time for site seeing later."

With that, they got on the elevator. Since it was kind of slow, Tarius took the time to think about Washington. He looked a lot younger than a 48 year old. That didn't surprise Tarius though, because Washington and family had always aged nice. Plus a few years back Washington had begun to age slower. Tarius didn't know why but he had.

"I hope the council doesn't ask me any questions." Ashley said.

"We gave our reports. I'm sure they won't ask us anything." Kaiden replied.

"Are you kidding me? They'll be completely concentrated on me." Tarius joked.

"Why because you're such a danger?" Kaiden asked.

"No, because i'm so very handsome." Tarius answered.

And with that they all began laughing. As the elevator door opened they were still laughing and everyone started staring at them. They didn't care and kept laughing as they walked out of the elevator. They didn't go far before they saw two turians arguing.

"Saren's hiding something I know it! Give me more time. Stall them!" One of the turians said.

"Stall the council?! Don't be ridiculous! Your investigation is over Garrus." The other turian said and then walked away.

Garrus stood there for a few more seconds before turning to talk to Shepard and the others who were walking up to him. "Commander Shepard. Garrus Vakarian. I'm the C-Sec officer in charge of investigating Saren."

He put his hand out for Shepard to shake, and after a moment he did. "And i care why?" He asked.

"Just thought you'd like to know that I agree that Saren must be up to something. Most of his records were classified, so I couldn't get any hard evidence on him." Garrus said.

"I just hope they'll send me after the basterd." Tarius replied.

"Me too. Anyway, I have to follow up a lead. I'll see later." Garrus said.

"Perhaps." Tarius replied.

As Garrus headed for the elevator, Shepard and the others started to head to their meeting with the council. They started around the fountain which as Tarius looked at it he couldn't help thinking that it looked pretty. They headed up the stairs and towards Anderson who was standing on some more stairs leading up to the council. All around there were people of different species talking about politics. They headed up the stairs and reached Anderson.

"Come on, the meetings about to start." He said, and they headed toward the first meeting that would decide Shepard's future.

Author's Note:

Sorry this took so long to get up. This chapter required a lot of thinking and planning. The next chapter should hopefully take less time. So in this chapter I had a few more references and more people from the list. Hopefully you'll get them. I brought in a character created by my brother who also has a story he's writing that's a mass effect fan-fiction. He's BlueSpartan107 and I advise checking his story, Mass Effect: Resolution, out. I also dropped a hint as to how Scarlai was formed in the Mass Effect universe.