The elevator doors opened onto a sleek, paneled pathway that was elevated above a lush jungle-like tangle of treetops and foliage. Despina Varo led her two guests out into the balmy air, sunlight bathing her metallic flesh.
"Are you coming?" she asked, her eyes fixated on Kaidan.
He blinked and was silent. "Of course," he replied, shaking off whatever momentary lapse had gripped him. He joined his comrade and their turian escort outside.
Several buildings, lustrous with modern design, rose high into the air around them. Their walls were polished and glossy. Mirrored windows stretched from the foundation to the rooftops where an array of satellite dishes and antennae protruded somewhat militantly—an odd feature for a resort. In other places they could see grandiose spires, reminiscent of architecture on Thessia, rising above nearby jungle canopy.
Despina led them along the recently built walkways which darted through mazes of dense verdure below and which closed in from above. Ropes of foliage hung low from the canopy overhead and riots of brush broke out around the thick trunks of palms that rose to prominence all around them. Kaidan could already picture tourists and lovers on an exhilarating expedition of the grounds that surrounded where they'd stay. The area was masterfully designed to feel comfortable, but somehow rugged at the same time—as if you were on the very edge of civilization itself.
"This is impressive," Kaidan murmured as he gazed around. The wind rippled the fan-leaved arrangements of the palms and the sound of native birds chirping emanated from deep within the groves that spread out distantly from the path they were on.
"So far they've completed four feature resorts on this island and two more just off to the west," Despina explained as she advanced ahead of the two Spectres. "Of course there are plans to build more in addition to housing complexes here and on surrounding islands."
The cool breeze that wafted past seemed to make the turian more chipper, or perhaps it was because they were nearing their destination and she would soon be rid of them.
"Tropical storms must be severe," Jondaum Bau observed plainly. "On Sur'Kesh they are a problem. Especially near the equator." The salarian was well educated on the weather patterns of Virmire. He'd practiced his due diligence before embarking on the mission and knew the severity of the storms he referred to.
"Yes, they're frequent here as well," Despina confirmed. "But every structure being built is reinforced and there are storm shutters as well. So every building you see can seal itself up as tightly as a bunker."
"Interesting."
"You can thank your fellow salarians for that. A team was hired from Sur'Kesh for that exact reason. They've implemented some very interesting designs."
They continued along the path, passing two security mechs as they went. Eventually the path led onto an expansive veranda complete with a pool and all the requisite furniture to enjoy a day of lounging. There was a bar, empty of any libations, as well as a restaurant also seemingly abandoned. There wasn't a soul around- only security mechs and contractors passed from time to time.
Eventually Despina led them onto a service road that spilled out onto a larger avenue lined with empty shops and boutiques. Palm trees, shrubbery and flower bed arrangements decorated the surroundings. The thoroughfare led to a larger square where a theater sat empty on the northern perimeter flanked by restaurants, shops and bars. It was a ghost town. But it possessed a warm, homey feeling.
The turian continued on and took them up a sloping road that brought them to what she stated was the corporate headquarters. It rested squarely in the center of the island, atop a small hill. It was fenced in by a security barricade and patrolled by more mechs.
Kaidan noted the surveillance systems in place as they entered through the barricades.
The building itself rose several stories above the thick jungle that encircled the fended-in campus. Its base was broad and rectangular. The structure was tiered and nearly featureless save for the reflective paneling that served as windows. The first level was plinth-like, constructed of what appeared to be a reinforced concrete substance. As the building rose in height new floors were slightly smaller in size than the one that preceded it. It reminded Kaidan of the stepped pyramid designs of Mayan architecture throughout Mesoamerica. The top of the edifice was crowned by a large antenna farm and dish array similar to the last one the human had seen.
Keeping with the reinforced design – the entrance into the building was shielded by sturdy ablative armor. It was the type of entrance reminiscent of the Alliance's more hardened positions. The entire edifice was alarmingly militant in Kaidan's opinion.
"The windows actually double as solar panels," Despina gestured up at them as they stood ahead of the doors, as if she sensed Kaidan's unease over the militant stature of the building. "It offsets the need to use more conventional methods and serves as a nice reserve energy source."
The bulky blast doors slid open with little delay as the trio approached. It opened onto a lengthy, tiled hallway where well-dressed employees went about their daily grind or hung together in small knots conversing politely at appropriate office volumes. It was very unassuming. They greeted Despina with nods or waves and carried on.
The walls were painted in a neutral, calming color and decorated with mass produced art prints—the uninspiring kind you might see in a doctor's clinic or dental office. It seemed oddly tame to the human Spectre, who'd have considered something more artistic. The entire interior felt more like a scrubbed and sanitized version of what you might expect to find in corporate offices. There was no luster, no extravagance. It was bare and simplistic.
Another elevator ride up and the two Spectres found themselves in a similar hallway. On the left- more paintings- perhaps originals or very well-done replicas. To the right, lengthy windows that looked out onto the jungle canopy expanse. The carpet of vegetation was occasionally broken up by the several resort towers that sprang almost organically from the island's features. Despina escorted them all the way down until they stopped outside a set of thick double doors.
"This is where we separate, gentleman," Despina told them. "It's been a pleasure."
"If I had to judge by the sound of your voice I'd say that was unlikely," Kaidan said drily.
"I'd be shocked if anyone said they didn't enjoy the company of Spectres," Despina fired back. "Good day, gentleman."
They watched her leave and just as she disappeared from sight the double doors swung open. A well-built, older gentleman appeared within the frame. His face was weather-worn, aged and handsome. His hair was a faded black, like pavement after some weathering. It had grayed near the temples, giving him a sagely appearance. His face's bone structure was seemly and square. Keen brown eyes locked on Kaidan, sized him up, and then darted to Jondam to perform the same task. He was lavishly dressed in a bespoke suit—like something straight out of Verdani Row on the Presidium. He wore the clothes better than Despina. There was a comfortable confidence in his posture and an easygoing smile across his face. His hands were stuffed casually in his trouser pockets.
"Gentleman," he said coolly. "Welcome to Virmire. My name is Diego Breytenbach." He cordially offered them both a hand to shake. "Mr. Immelman is eager to meet with you. If you'll follow me please."
And they were back in the hallway walking down another long corridor. "I hope Miss Varo was accommodating," he floated the words into the air as if he didn't care whether she really was.
Kaidan wondered if he was corporate or not. He wore it on the surface well. He had the even-tempered, pretentious air down pat. When he'd greeted them both and sized them up there was a glint deep in his eyes like his assessment found them both lacking. But who knew the context of that little judgment. "Exactly what position do you hold here, Mr. Breytenbach?"
He turned his head only slightly to address Kaidan as he marched ahead of them down the hall. "Chief of Security."
"So you're in charge of the PMC operating here?" Bau queried.
"I run the security team responsible for the protection of this and associated facilities, as well as the protection of the personnel that work here," Breytenbach confirmed in typical corporate military rhetoric. "As you know Virmire has been used for many years by pirates, slavers, and criminals. We've been contracted to protect Mr. Immelman's developments as well as root out any havens these less than savory individuals may make here on the surface of the planet. As you are also probably aware the Citadel doesn't maintain any presence in this sector, nor do any organized fleets patrol the region. Defense is entirely up to my personnel."
"Personnel? All I've seen are mechs," Kaidan observed.
They arrived at another elevator, this one at the end of a small hallway that branched off from the main one. Diego Breytenbach smoothly swiped a card and the elevator was called to their floor. "Security mechs provide on-site security at the majority of the facilities and construction sites owned by Mr. Immelman. However, they are incapable of the necessary coordination for the more offensive operations we carry out."
"Offensive operations? I wasn't aware such things were necessary," Jondam Bau expressed as they entered the lift.
"Oh yes, quite," Breytenbach confirmed. "Unfortunate for Mr. Immelman, but not so much for my organization. We regularly launch raids on pirate havens or criminal dens outside of our area of control. For the most part we've managed to push them to the far-side of the planet, but it's important to make them understand that their presence here is not welcome." He flashed them both a practiced smile.
"You must have a lot of personnel if you can run global operations like that," Kaidan probed.
Breytenbach smiled his handsome corporate smile again and then paused for a moment as he decided on how much he wanted to tell them. "We're in a region that has been designated as secure. All personnel that operate within this zone are tagged with an IFF. Outside of this region we use an array of different drones in order to scan for untagged life-forms, ships, or enclaves." There were also several micro-satellites the company had deployed in orbit before going groundside. These miniature surveillance satellites circled Virmire in low orbit and could identify targets. But he decided, for whatever reason, not to mention those.
"And what of the refugees that have been pouring in from across the galaxy?" Bau opened a new line of queries. Virmire had been untouched by the Reaper war. Word had gotten out; both during and after the war. Thousands had fled to the tropical, backwater world. That number only increased once the war had ended.
"It's a considerable issue, but not one I'm well acquainted with," Breytenbach said urbanely. "Aside from additional security concerns their presence may warrant. I believe Mr. Immelman has diverted resources in order to help them with their settlement."
"Outside of areas being developed by Immelman. Is that correct?" Bau questioned.
"I'm not entirely certain," Breytenbach responded, seeming a bit uncomfortable for the first time. It was clear he didn't like this line of questioning. "And if that were the case there are protocols to follow in regards to taking on refugees. Any help we provide is certainly more than that of the Council." He seemed to regain his composure as they stepped out of the elevator into an expansive anteroom, well decorated with ultra-modern furniture designs.
"You must know that the galaxy is in chaos right now," Bau replied uncharacteristically irritated. "The Reaper War has created millions of refugees, destroyed entire communities, and liquidated entire populations. Things are a mess. The Council is coping as best it can."
"Of course. It's not my place to judge," Breytenbach assured the salarian. "I just want you to understand we are coping as be we can as well."
"What sort of concerns do you have with refugees?" Kaidan's voice was taut, like the idea that helpless victims of the Reaper war could be some sort of threat to Immelman or his developments.
"Any number of things. We've had break-ins, stolen goods and equipment," the slick corporate mercenary explained. He paused for a moment as he contemplated their questions. "Why the interest? I find it hard to believe the Council sent two Spectres all the way out here to inquire about the treatment of refugees."
"After Sanctuary the Council is very concerned about the treatment of refugees," Jondam Bau said sternly.
"Well Mr. Immelman is not the Illusive Man and we are not Cerberus," Breytenbach pointed out as he led them across the thickly carpeted room toward an attractive asari assistant. He didn't know much about what happened at Sanctuary, only that it was grisly and the work of Cerberus.
The asari receptionist sat behind an immaculate desk just to the left of two oversized sliding glass doors. The surface of the glass could change depending on the amount of privacy Mr. Immelman desired. Currently they were opaque. "Is Mr. Immelman busy, Suri?" Breytenbach asked the asari.
She looked up from whatever it was she was doing behind the desk and flashed a pleasant smile. "Not at all. Shall I inform him you have brought along the two Spectres?"
"If you could," Breytenbach nodded and returned her smile with one of his own.
After a moment, and a quick call inside, the doors to the office slid open and the well-dressed corporate security manager motioned them inside. "I'll just be right here, gentlemen."
Aside from the massive floor to ceiling windows that provided a breathtaking view of the jungle and sea that lay beyond, the office was extraordinarily plain given the wealth of the man who called it his. It was carpeted in the same manner as the anteroom and shared a similar design for its furniture which was lavish in its own right. But Kaidan had always imagined CEOs and the like to have gargantuan offices filled with different trinkets and items that demonstrated their wealth, power and connections. Even senior Alliance brass always had a "Love Me Wall" that had photographs of them with prominent politicians, or at major events or periods of their career. There were award citations mounted nearby too. All of it to pay homage to the man or woman that occupied the office. Oddly, their aides would often leave you alone in the room for a time as if giving you an opportunity to take a look and see just who it was you were dealing with before said officer finally came along.
Kaiser Immelman had no such frivolities in his office. Aside from the furniture, which looked unused there was a simple desk that served its purpose as Immelman's daily workstation. Immelman was a man that liked to be on-site and to check up on and watch the development of his projects. He thirsted for information and was constantly up to date on every little detail of construction, hindrance to procurement, or delays in the timetable. And even though he used a VI protocol system to help keep things in order he was remarkably plugged in to his projects.
"Hello," he greeted congenially. He rose from his desk and offered the two Spectres a firm handshake and then motioned them to take a seat across from him. He was not, Kaidan noticed, dressed in chic and stylish clothing like the two people who they'd been escorted by. Immelman was a company man through and through, but he preferred casual utilitarian clothing and only opted for the more luxurious items when he had board meetings. Now he wore work trousers equipped with cargo pockets, heavy-duty boots and a tech laborer's long-sleeve shirt. He could pass for an engineer on the core deck of any Alliance starship. His hair was well salted, and parted to the right. He couldn't exactly be described as handsome, but nor was he ugly. Just plain. His brown eyes seemed inattentive, his lips a bit overlarge, and his fat cheeks gave him a boyish countenance. "I hope you've been treated well since your arrival. Now, if you don't mind, may I ask why two Spectres have come all this way?"
Kaidan and Jondam looked at one another then turned their attention back on the CEO. "Well," Kaidan began after clearing his throat. "We're here about the refugees," he lied.
Then he and his partner sat down across from Immelman in order to describe the cover story for their real mission to Virmire.