Chapter 4
Marissa really enjoyed the time she spent with her mother yesterday. The Citadel was such a wonderful place! Unfortunately, her mother had to work for the rest of the trip and that was a bummer.
Marissa followed her mother and the others to the main Embassy Conference Hall by the Citadel Tower. It was 0900 and the conference was set to start as soon as everyone arrived. The Embassy's Administrative Assistant, an Asari, checked in all the participants and filtered them back to the room. As Marissa waited in the main foyer, she watched Captain Marshall introduce her mother to a Turian woman dressed in black and red armor. She had yellow markings on her face, her head was absent fringe, and her mandibles were tight against her chin. Marissa didn't know how to read Turian facial expressions very well, but she figured the lady was not happy. A younger, similar looking girl stood next to the lady. A few minutes later, they walked over.
"Marissa, meet Kalea Torquatus," said the elder Shepard. "This is her mother, Plautia. She and I will be in the conference all day, so why don't you two keep each other company?"
The two girls looked at each other and shook their heads in agreement.
The mother Turian pulled her daughter over to the side and had a chat. Marissa's own mother told her to stay out of trouble again (seriously, was she such a troublemaker?) and to keep an eye out for each other. She also said that Turians can't eat the same food as humans; different chemistry. If it happened, they needed to get to the nearest hospital since either one could stop breathing.
As the mothers left for the conference, the girls headed to the Embassy Lounge.
Marissa was tickled pink to have company; sightseeing was always better with someone. Kalea had a dark complexion with yellow markings on her face. There were two thin solid lines above each eye which looked like eyebrows, and a solid thick line down the bridge of her nose that broke where the nose ridges darkened. On her top forehead plate was an elongated oval that reminded Marissa of a tulip petal. She noticed that Kalea's mother had the same markings except the top design was more elaborate with additional curves extending from the petal. The girl's plates and mandibles were small and as a female Turian, the features would never be as pronounced as they were in the males.
"Kalea, how old are you?" asked Marissa.
"I'm fourteen in Turian years, a little older than you I think."
"I'm fourteen too… so how are you older?" Marissa had confusion written all over her face.
"Because a Palaven year is longer than an Earth year. Didn't you learn that in school?"
"Oh yeah, that makes sense, and what is the significance of your plate markings?"
"Colony markers, I am from a colony close to Cipritine, the capital of Palaven. Each colony is different in design and color. What do your face markings mean?"
"What face markings?"
"Well, the dark marks and green color on your eyes and the shiny stuff on your lips?"
"Oh! Female humans put this paint stuff on called make-up; it makes our face more likable. It washes off and we can change the design and color to coordinate with our clothes or moods," explained Marissa.
"Ours is also like paint, but it stays on a really long time, like a tattoo. When I get through my basic training and become an adult, I get to add new marks."
"That's really cool. You and your mother have very pretty markings."
"Thank you," Kalea said, as her mandibles fluttered out to the side momentarily.
Marissa interpreted that as a smile. It was going to take her time to learn what all these flares, flutters, and vibrations meant with her new friend.
The girls went for a walk around the Presidium, taking in the sights and sounds. Marissa was told the Citadel's landscape was changed every decade or so to represent the home world of a different species. All over the Presidium, along the water and up the walls, were Thessian botanical species.
"So what are you doing with your mom on the Citadel?" Marissa questioned.
"My mother wanted me to get acquainted with this place since I will be training to be a negotiator," responded Kalea. "When I turn 15 next year, I officially start my basic combat training and after that I will move here and train with C-Sec. Why are you here?"
"My mom had an assignment here for the Systems Alliance and they allowed me to tag along. We were supposed to go to Earth for my birthday, but this came up and it's my first time on the Citadel."
"Birthday?" Kalea's brow plates and nose squished toward her eyes. "I don't know what that is."
"Wait…Turians don't celebrate birthdays?" Marissa's own forehead and eyebrows furrowed.
"That's just wrong!"
Marissa proceeded to tell Kalea about cake, ice cream and the parties she had over the years. She told Kalea that one year her dad made her a mechanical dog that leaked oil and made high pitched screeching noises and, after a few days, her mother made him disassemble it. He would reassemble it periodically just to mess with her mother. Marissa still had the dog's faceplate at home.
Marissa and Kalea moved from the Embassy Lounge to various other places around the Presidium, walking and talking.
"Since you don't celebrate birthdays, what do you celebrate, Kalea?"
"It's different for each colony and district, but some big ones that everyone tends to celebrate are the Turian New Year, Colonial Harmony Day, and the Hungry Spirit Festival. Each family also celebrates a child's graduation from boot camp."
"Tell me about the Hungry Spirit Festival; sounds cool."
"Each year on the homeworld during the peak of the hot season, we hold parades, historical performances, and social gatherings honoring the spirits of those that have passed before us."
"So… you have a party for your dead people?" Marissa asked thoughtfully. "What do you do?"
"Yeah! We believe spirits are the embodiment of integrity, bravery, and beauty. We show honor by praying to them for inspiration, presenting gifts, and burning spices. It's a tribute."
"What kind of gifts?"
"Scribed notes mostly, but some food is burned. We burn the gifts and spices so the smoke reaches the spirits on their level. In the evening are big social gatherings with lots of food, drink, and dancing."
"Turians dance?" Marissa smiled as she pictured a Turian waving his arms around and shaking his behind.
"Hey, we dance! At least we look better than you humans do. I've seen your 'music videos'." Kalea air quoted the last bit and fluttered her mandibles.
"Our music videos are pretty funny! What else do you know about us humans?"
"Well, I find your organized physical associations interesting… especially the one with the round ball you kick around… football right?"
"I call it soccer but yeah, it's called football too. I bet Turians would be good at that sport, being fast runners and all. You would need a tougher ball though, might puncture it with your talon."
"I didn't think about that."
"I'm pretty sure the rec center Mom and I were at yesterday had a football simulation program. We could check it out sometime."
"Yeah! Cool!"
"So, do you travel around a lot with your mom or do you stay on Palaven?" asked Marissa.
"I stay on Palaven most of the time with my extended family while Mom does her job, and you?"
"I grew up on stations and ships with my parents; always in space. I've been to Earth a few times. I wonder what it would be like to live in one place."
"It's Booorrring!" moaned Kalea.
"That's why I want to join the Alliance; adventures and new places. I also want to protect others and get my hands on new technology. I'm pretty good with tech!"
"I like helping people too and I'm pretty good at talking to others, thus the negotiation future."
"Hey, look over there!"
The girls walked around a section of the Presidium and noticed a Hanar and a Turian having a spat. The Hanar was standing there with its lights rhythmically flashing. Marissa's translator said it was talking about Enkindlers, which she had learned were the Protheans via the extranet. The Turian C-Sec officer was trying to get it to move along to a different, more appropriate location. Marissa had an idea! She pulled Kalea to the side and whispered the plan into her ear… err… hearing tube, causing the girl's mandibles to flare and eyes to brighten.
Kalea approached the officer and asked if there was anything she could do to help, and then proceeded to tell him what he could do to resolve the situation. As she did this, Marissa snuck up behind the jellyfish and connected her omni-tool to its levitation pack. The C-Sec officer advised Kalea that he had it under control and did not need her assistance. Kalea turned, made eye contact with Marissa, and quickly closed and re-opened her right eye, signaling the need to retreat. They walked about 10 meters away and stood behind a column. As the officer gave the Hanar a final warning, Marissa punched a code into her omni-tool.
Suddenly, the Hanar was hauled into the air.
Marissa told the VI in the levitation pack to hover about 5 meters off the ground, causing the Hanar to flail his tentacles.
"Why is this one no longer bound to the ground?" said the panicked Hanar.
"What in blazes is going on?" yelled the Turian officer.
After several minutes the Hanar's fear subsided and turned to excitement. "This one is flying."
It started to stick out its tentacles in different directions like it was posing. Other people in the area were gawking at the spectacle, some laughing, and some dumbfounded. Marissa punched in a location code and the VI began moving the Hanar toward an elevator which went to the Wards.
The C-Sec officer attempted to pluck the Hanar from the air by its tentacles, which was a sight to see; most of the crowd was doubled over in laughter. Success! The girls helped C-Sec relocate the preachy Hanar.
With omni-tool recording, Kalea made sure they would never forget this event. The girls were laughing so hard, they were barely able to run away.
Their sides hurt from laughter and Marissa's stomach growled; lunch-time had arrived. They stopped at a small store that sold various treats. Marissa opened her backpack and took inventory of the food she had. The bag contained several packets of water and levo-snacks, but no dextro-snacks so she took Kalea to the counter, had her pick out several bars and bags, and put them in her backpack for safe keeping.
Continuing to explore, the girls found themselves in a quiet section of one of the lower wards where they sat on some crates and played with their omni-tools. Marissa watched as Kalea pulled up a list of classic Turian movies, hoping to watch one before they needed to head back up to the Presidium.
Kalea was about to start the chosen film, when the girls heard two voices, one angry, getting closer to their location. They looked at each other and ducked behind the crates along the wall.
The crates were stacked half a meter from the wall, two high, with small gaps between them. The girls were able to tuck themselves out of sight of the door. The room was laid out in a rectangular shape with a door on one side and a long hallway down the other. The girls had entered through the door so they knew where that led, but they couldn't get out that way since the angry voices were behind it now. Marissa became anxious and her pulse beat in her ears. If they needed to run, it would have to be down the hallway. Marissa pulled up a layout of the area while Kalea listened.
"I told you not to blow all our credits on that quasar machine. Now if we can't get any credits for this software, we're broke," said Voice One.
"But, I was on a roll and we could have been richer if I had won," said Voice Two.
"Your arrogance is annoying. Before we meet with the buyer, I want to check to make sure everything is working," came Voice One again. "Let's go in here."
The door swished open and Marissa could see a Salarian and a human. The Salarian's omni-tool lit up and a deep voice responded with a "Yeah".
"Hey, it's me. Is it ready? I'm meeting with the contact in a few minutes; I need to show him the blue box," said the Salarian.
"Yeah, she is amazing! My account has already been padded with a grand. We should be able to make a million credits selling her," responded the voice from the omni-tool.
"How you got that box off Noveria, I don't want to know."
The Salarian and the human had their backs to Marissa and Kalea, who didn't dare move or breathe. Marissa was concerned about the "blue box". She had heard that word before, but couldn't remember what it was. She was also confused that the voice referred to it as "she". Why would a computer be called a 'she'? Maybe 'blue box' was some sort of slang for Asari. Marissa knew whatever blue box and she referred to, it was stealing credits.
"I'll call you back when the contact arrives, so be ready to vid conference," said the Salarian.
"Sure thing." Then the connection closed.
The Salarian began to pace while the human stood there picking at his teeth. About ten minutes later, another human, a Salarian, and an Asari walked through the door. They were wearing yellow armor with a logo on the chest plate that looked like a sun with an E in the middle.
Marissa knew this was bad, she felt fearful for herself and Kalea but all they could do was sit there, wait, and not make a sound.
The Asari greeted the first Salarian and told him to show her the product. He opened his omni-tool and the male voice from earlier told them he was opening his vid connection and to wait a minute. The Asari shifted her weight from one leg to the other and Marissa had a clear view of the projection.
The Salarian in the vid took several steps back so the company in the room could get a good look at the merchandise. Marissa saw a large computer terminal sitting in the room with a small console connected to it.
"Show me what it can do," said the Asari. "I want 5000 credits transferred to this account and I want it removed in small amounts from various places, to avoid suspicion." The Asari recited some numbers to the vid Salarian.
Marissa quickly recorded the numbers on her omni-tool and silently began the audio record feature.
The vid Salarian walked over to the terminal and recited the Asari's orders.
A female voice responded, "You are not required to repeat the task assigned to me. Please hold while I create connections and bypass security systems. Processing…."
The Asari's foot tapped impatiently on the ground while the computer processed.
"How do I know this box isn't just another VI? How do I know it's a true AI?"
"I was created by Synthetic Insights, Ltd. on Noveria by the Salarian Sur'Kesh V Orissa Cuttack Banki Dube Nehru, aged 38. I gained awareness on September 15, 2164. Nehru told no one of my awakened status and I continued to run programs similar to a virtual intelligence."
"He must've wanted to keep it a secret. I wonder why?" asked the Asari.
"He said he saw me as a child to protect; he and I had conversations on various topics and he would read stories to me, stories of war and peace, love and hate. My status was not detected until six months ago when Nehru no longer showed up to his station, replaced by his assistant. I inquired of his status and the assistant learned of my intellectual abilities. He informed me that Nehru had died of old age and he was my new master. Last week, I was transported to this location."
"So what was your task before?"
"My primary function on Noveria was to test methods of attachment and bypass into secure operating systems. This function continues with the re-routing of credits, which is illegal by Galactic policies."
"Very informative, but can you bypass any secure system?"
"I am able to learn and adapt my methods to new and unique systems, so yes I can eventually bypass any secure system. Your request is 60% complete."
Speaking to the non-armored Salarian in the room, the Asari asked, "How much?"
"My associates and I are asking for two million credits, but it is worth much more. It is a bit of a pain to transport since you must keep all parts intact."
"Where is this machine located?"
"Tayseri Ward, near the center ring. It will need to be packed and mechs will be needed to transport it to your ship. We have an associate in the spaceport that can help you get it through security."
The Salarian in the vid just stood there, as did all the other residents of the room. Marissa was captivated by the AI. She felt bad that it was being used for criminal activity instead of doing something beneficial, but she was aware of the rule that all artificial intelligences were illegal and were to be terminated upon contact without exception.
"100% complete, please refer to your account to find the exact amount of 5000 credits deposited."
The Asari checked the account and smiled.
"My boss will be very pleased with this investment."
"Great! Now let's talk transfers," said the Salarian.
"We can transfer half now, and then the rest once we are clear of the Citadel with the AI."
At that moment, the door swished open. All the mercs pulled their guns and the first Salarian and human jumped away from the door. In walked a keeper oblivious to the party gathered. The mercs put their guns back onto their sides and laughed. They turned to resume their conversation, as the keeper walked over to where Marissa and Kalea were hiding. He picked up a crate, uncovering the girls' hiding spot and walked down the hallway. The shock that ran through Marissa was electric; her heartbeat thumped in her ears as she realized they were no longer hidden. The human merc was the first to see them and grabbed the armored Salarian's arm and pointed. As the Asari turned around to see what had their attention, the girls ran out of their hiding spot and ran as fast as they could down the hallway.
"Don't just stand there you idiots, after them!" shouted the Asari.
The girls were petite and were able to slide past the keeper and crate with little hesitation. The mercs running after them weren't so lucky. The girls heard a crash and lots of swearing. Marissa pulled up her map and turned right down another hallway. There weren't any side rooms to hide in, so they would have to outrun them in this area.
Minutes later, Marissa had to stop and re-evaluate their location, causing the mercs to get dangerously close. Marissa grabbed Kalea's arm and ran down an inclined hallway that had a door at the end. The access light was red, so Marissa quickly accessed the door's security system and entered a code. The light momentarily flashed green then back to red. Marissa's hand started to shake; she was scared. Kalea's back was against Marissa's, pushing, yelling at her to hurry, she could see them coming. Marissa tried another code and this time it turned green long enough for them to fall in, then it locked. The room they entered
was black with one little red security light and extending from that was a very, very long hallway.
"Holy crap!" said Marissa.