Eden Prime, The Normandy's Mako

I slid my thumb along the display of my pad, sitting in the back of the Mako, humming to myself as I accessed the Normandy's hyper wave feed.

If any alien intelligence organisation ever figured out hype wave transmissions, I'd be one of the many in line with a rusty spoon… Even if I was on the list of people thinking that any amount of encryption wouldn't be enough to keep the Ethereals out and as such we probably shouldn't allow ship-ground links…

As it was, I was looking at the recreation of the observed damage to the Geth Dreadnaught marked GDU-1, with U standing for unusual. There were three pin prick holes out the back of the damaged limb and one large entry hole. It looked like the explosion was contained, which said a great deal about the dreadnaughts armour… Judging by the colour compared to the other vessels it was likely a new armour in the 'prototype' stage… It was troubling upgrade… And it was mostly above my pay grade.

"Anderson, any thoughts on stealth-pasting the rounds?"

"I'm getting a solid no for whether we can do it, and it seems everyone else calls it a dumb idea. Given Nihlus' death though we'll be able to do it after we pick up the rest of our compliment."

"Good. One main pilot and several multi-billeted marines doesn't sit right with me. How long until our preliminary report hits the admirals?"

"I'd say an hour normally, but I'm reading a response now. It looks like we're heading straight for the Citadel and are to spend some time at the embassy before waiting around while Montilyet talks to the Council."

"… Must have tripped some key words… I'm glad to find we're not waiting but will the rest of the crew be shipped there, or will we have to head elsewhere afterwards?"

"They're expected to arrive a day after we do."

"Looking forward to the review for the rounds usage?"

"Like a whore and her STD test results. I see commissars getting annoyed with me shouting enemy without at the top of my lungs in my future.-" I smiled at his use of Cerberus' assignment and declaration. "-Ok, we have you on visual. Hmm… X-Com may get to stretch their legs."

"… I was bluffing when I said war could be declared based on this, I didn't think we were ready to take on the Council if push came to shove, and I don't exactly like the thought of declaring war on an AI race.."

"I doubt we will, but I think some shipments between Alliance and Remnant space will occur before we pass the veil to ask the Geth some pertinent questions."

"To open secrets. Ok, we see you, hurry up and land so I can get out of this tin can and wash the fuck up off..."

"Shepard-" I cut him off before he could continue in his fatherly voice, particularly given how he snubbed Sara.

"I know, and last I checked you're not my councillor, psychiatrist, or attached commissar. Can you handle Williams for me?"

"...Can do."

-XXXX-

It was a quiet trip to the Citadel. While there had been no deaths on the ground team, a colony had been slaughtered, the mission was a complete loss, and our 'attached' Spectre had gotten himself killed, and only one survivor had been found in the short time they had before pick up, with that being a Marine fighting for her life.

And this wasn't a pirate raid, this was an outright alien attack, something that hadn't happened since the third contact war. I quickly left the Mako myself, stripping out of my armour before heading to my assigned pod with a pad, speaking only to inform Jenkins to get Ashley up to Anderson when they were done stripping down. I spent a great deal of time recalling everything I could about the operation for my report before submitting it and going to the mess hall for food, wanting something chocolaty and energy dense from the fabricators.

It wasn't often that one found out about an alien race in the same breath as learning it was hostile, and I hadn't exactly met the Geth, so this marked the second time I'd lived in a time of hostile alien contact… To say such was unnerving was like comparing a torch to a sun. It really put in perspective me being unnerved by Alenko playing engineer with something as I walked past the table. I currently had much bigger problems to deal with than multi-rostered marines.

-XXXX-

"There it is… The jewel of Council space." Alenko sounded like he was trying to narrate a documentary.

"Has the Remnant finished making their ark yet? Or at least the shell, I'm still waiting for them to parade around them making something bigger than the Citadel, something which also happens to move."

I failed to stifle my laughter at Joker's humour.

"I doubt they're putting enough resources in to finish that before I'm old enough to retire… Remember to get us as close as the embassy as possible, I've got to suit up… Why they want me dressed for combat is beyond me though."

"I'd of thought you wanted it for dealing with politicians?" Joker asked incredulous, as if I had just asked him to park the ship underwater.

"They use high power lasers unfortunately, no armour for me."

I turned to head for the armoury, it'd likely be a good 10 minutes before we could dock, even if we got bumped up the list, mentally I thanked whoever convinced Anderson to open up the maintenance stairs alongside the elevator for normal thoroughfare, whichever Turian designed the elevator obviously forgot his race was prided in part for their efficiency.

Ashley looked up briefly from assisting Gor'ria before looking back.

"I'm surprised the N3 gets power armour and not the N7."

"I'm not expected to carry heavy weapons or punch through tanks without using my biotics. Mutons still do that for recruitment posters."

"There's also that Lockdown here suffers catastrophic damage to her power armour in almost record breaking times, preferring to treat it as portable cover rather than sturdy armour."

"… I'm not really surprised you managed to find that out. It probably helps that you knew your new berth long before I did."

I opened my locker, beginning to pull out my amour segments and stripping down, thinking about the added personnel to the ships roster… I'd be lucky to have read it all before they'd come aboard…

-XXXX-

Hidden in the Terminus systems, Nazara siphoned hydrogen and other desired elements from a gas giant, a Geth picket standing guard as it reviewed information.

Human communications systems weren't something known to it, which cause him to limit himself from hacking directly, and limit the hacking attempts undergone by his Geth servents, but having been hit with a nuclear-packet, he deemed it vital he know precisely where Humanity was up to in regards to weapons tech.

Finally, he managed to isolate information on the 'Icarus Javelin' weapon tests. Humanity had tried a variety of relatively expensive munitions, from traditional uranium, to the esoteric hydrogen packets, to the illegal packets to anti-matter warheads, but despite the advantage that Humanity would gain, it settled for the cheapest, weakest option, because it was 'enough', and it was cheap.

And it helped maintain secrecy.

Unfortunately, the rounds were on a majority of vessels. For all the races of this cycle were disgustingly weak it was difficult to shrug off the EMP generated from being hit with a nuclear weapon, and his shields couldn't be properly hardened while still protecting him to the point where he could resist short-term bombardment from entire fleets.

Saren growled from his seat, feeling a fraction of Nazara's rage as he directed the repair efforts undertaken by husks, and raged that his damaged limb would be non-viable for the near future… He decided that two limb lasers would be replaced with his version of the Alliances' 'Icarus Javelin'.

Finally the recording of the Normandy Crew's interview arrived, as well as their mind taps… For all Humanity valued their security, their embassy was as compromised as the rest of the Citadel. Though as Nazara watched the recording, he couldn't take the usual amusement of the lesser group taking the lead. Not as advanced and backward, yet 'The Alliance' led the way… They were a nuscience at most compared to 'The Remnant', though dealing with the stray races that had avoided the trap based on their history would be… Frustrating… It always was. They were still tracking down remnants of the Thorian Empire and their slave races…

And then Saren roared again as Nazara watched the mindtaps… The ground leader was a psion, and instead narrated her actions to preserve classified information, she could control how much was taken, there was no editing or overlay that he could peel back to get at what was actually going through the humans head, and the space commander's tap was filtered through a psion for the same effect. There were no clues or hints, nothing to manipulate to his advantage, it was maddening.

Geth programs were assigned to tail members of the Normandy using the Citadel's security systems. If nothing else they could paint the group as targets of opportunity for Saren's forces.

-XXXX-

The Citadel, Council Chambers

Slowly an Alliance/Remnant entourage made it's way through the press of people heading out of the Citadel chambers, it wasn't often that there was a 'private' session that was actually in the Council chambers, so many of those heading down were abuzz with rumours as to what could have gotten the Alliance and the Remnant a private discussion… About 9/10ths of the rumours were of course, related to the Alliance or the Remnant having screwed up and were about to get their asses handed to them on silver platters…

Little did they know it was going to turn out to be the other way around…

"Ambassadors." The Asari councillor nodded her head slightly, a tinge of frustration on her features where all that told of the number of favours called in for this meeting, despite what one would expect from a Asari having lived several decades. Her 'Poker Face' was out-won by far when compared to Valern whose face was always flat unless surprised.

"Thank you cousin. Might I ask to know as to what you have been briefed by the STG as to Eden prime, so as to avoid backtracking." Montilyet's voiced echoed slightly in the chamber, deciding on her slightly louder and more intimidating voice.

"That a raid has occurred, as we feared, showing once again that despite your propensity for destruction you've no clue how to defend your boarders. And judging by certain things being missing, Shepard failed her mission utterly, and lost the council a valuable asset."

Velern's voice was strangely smug, as if despite the loss he'd achieved a major goal, managing to look unconcerned as he looked down on us from his podium.

"As always, I find the STG has dropped the ball. And I thought the less adept councillor had already left, if you'll observe the left most podium." Montilyet motioned slightly towards the currently empty Turian podium.

"Of course, as always, we'd be happy to inform you. However we've a sound clip that we believe would cut to the heart of the matter. As you all know, despite the annoying failure rate we have with helmet and shoulder cameras, our combat voice recording equipment is top notch."

With a slight wave of her omni and a smile, Nihlus' voice carried through the council chambers.

"Shepard. We have a problem."

"On a scale of 1-10-" I heard my annoyed response.

"I'd say a 15."

"You have my attention."

"There's another spectre here. Saren."

"I take it that he shouldn't be here."

"To my knowledge, he shouldn't… He also has a Geth arm as a prosthetic."

"Is he near any Geth?"

There was a sigh, and sounds of movement.

"Yes, they've a defensive perimeter around him, distant but present."

Valern's mouth was almost open when the recording ended. Then suddenly began tapping on his omni-tool quickly and without looking as Udina stepped forward.

"Now, I know that legally, Tevos isn't allowed to Meld or be shown mindtaps due to laws I'm sure everyone else feels are reasonable in most cases, and as such you're going to claim a deficit of evidence as far as Saren's involvement when we pass all the evidence over, but I'm sure you'll understand now why we wanted this done in a manner where it'd be transcribed into records, so that all heads of government can review."

"Of course, as you can expect we of the Alliance are calling for an immediate suspension of Spectre Saren Arcturus and a freezing of all his assets while he returns to the Citadel for inquiry. Additionally, we are requesting to send a formal expedition into Geth held territory with Remnant support-"

Montilyet cut herself off as we watched a blue-tinted hologram form on one of the side-podiums for long distance correspondence, and angry frown forming.

"I apologise for the delay councillors. Ambassadors, I had heard that it was normal for Spectres to be recalled before their removal was demanded."

My eyes glanced to the holograms left knee. Whoever it was it looked like Saren but it wasn't, his knee and arm was intact.

"Councillers, I was under the impression this was a private session, may I at least know what the time-lag of this call in is?"

"All spectres are allowed presence in council chambers at all times, however I didn't call him, likely it was one of the Spectres currently watching looking out for a fellow spectre."

Valern lied smoothly as he glanced at his omni-tool.

"And the lag is of one minute."

Montilyet turned slightly.

"In this case, I'll forgive your presumption. I'm merely requesting your recall and suspension as we investigate you for whatever role you may have had on the recent attack on Eden Prime. Councillors, I request Saren to be disconnected from this forum immediately and a blackout on outgoing transmissions."

Tevos nodded, tapping on her podium for a few seconds while Saren's image dispersed. Valern frowned a moment before tapping a few buttons on his podium, likely replying to a message from Tevos.

"It is done. Saren is suspended from the Spectres and has been recalled for investigation. I do not believe that we as a Council will sanction the expedition however that is not for discussion here but in our private quarters. On that note, this meeting is adjourned. You will be contacted when we're ready to discuss the matter."

With that, both Councillors turned and left their podiums, dismissing us without another word.

"Well… I think the two of you made our points well. I thank you milady, ambassador."

"Thank you Shepard." Montilyet reached into one of her dress pockets, pulling out an OSD and holding it out in my direction. "Please take this to the Normandy and give it to Captain Anderson when he returns. He's allowed to share it's contents with you. You're all dismissed."

I took the OSD and left with the remainder of the Normandy ground team, leaving the two ambassadors to whatever they were planning.

-XXXX-

Council Private Chambers

"Valern, need I start paying the broker for information?"

"I would like to point out that intelligence as an incident develops is always shaky."

"Yet, instead of saying that our briefings were lacking in information, you tried to lord your what little status you could to try and put them in their place for a known failing. I thought you were chosen because you were quiet and, even by Salarian standards, thought first."

"You mean, you thought I was chosen because I was easy to manipulate, but I thought you had outgrown such thoughts… But don't worry, it won't happen again."

"Of course not, the Dalatrass would stage an accident. I take it you've already began an investigation?"

"Yes, I've also got people looking over the Alliance-Remanent proposal, I think it's a stupid idea myself, but the Geth would already know of interference in their plans, so it has merit."

"Good-"

"Also, they have a recording where Nihlus admitted to scouting alone stupidly and indemnifying both the Alliance and Shepard. It looks like we won't be getting rid of the prospect of a Human Spectre easily."

Tevos began rubbing her temples

Why did everything get so much more painful around humans?

Delayed and small? What is the world coming to?

One of the things I find hardest about writing, is not the writing or getting things to a standard I like, that's all easy. I even recognise when things aren't going to work at all. It's seeing what's not going to work, and figure out how to write around it. [Anyone wlling to have the future spoiled and have ideas bounced off them, feel free to volunteer.]

I originally had a largish section where Shepard and Co arrived at the Human embassy, Montilyet and Udina were first truly introduced, and everyone was debriefed... But it just didn't work any way I put it.

So now you get to know that Nazara/The Geth can and are hacking Human networks. Enjoy.

For some of you who may not quite get why everyone's being mind-tapped, think of it this way. Tacticians can get a better feel for things when planning if they can actually be there/review the memories of front line soldiers.

As to why Asari Melds/Human Mindtaps/Psionics aren't legal in politics [And other areas.], no one can explain it in a manner that other races can accept, so it's all just 'Space Magic' and thus banned until it can be explained and reproduced by others... In all but Human and Asari territory. As for Mind Taps being semi-explained in X-Com, I'd like to point out that it's a little odd that you can quickly read a completely alien lifeforms brain waves in a manner to get colour images... As far as I know, we're not that far in to days day and age...

I think I'll do a chapter on that in one of the side sections.