AN: At this point, the story is roughly on par with the Spacebattles version. Criticism is always welcome.
Neural Net Update
The Citadel
Class: [Unknown]
Gravity: Complete (1.03 G in Wards, 1.02 in Presidium)
Amenities: Complete
Population: 13.2 Million
Ships for Sale: Athabasca class Freighter
Commodities for Sale: Light Arms, Security Mechs, Engine Components
Commodities Buying: Food, Water, SynthPaste, Eezo, Ship Hull Panels (Sirius)
Weapons for Sale: Unknown (Compiling)
The Citadel is the beating heart of Citadel Space. Lying in the middle of the Serpent Nebula, the Citadel was a natural location to set up the center of Citadel governance, due to it's proximity to many nearby Mass Relays that connect the Citadel to the rest of the Galaxy. Built by the mysterious Protheans 50,000 years ago (Citadel Standard), it has since become the witness and catalyst to many a historic event, from the Rachni Wars to the Curacao Convention.
The Presidium, The Citadel
Serpent Nebula
If there was one word Perkins would use to describe the Presidium, it would have to be 'shiny'. Seriously, whoever these Protheans were, they sure loved their chrome.
"Don't you guys, you know, ever consider painting over all this chrome?" Perkins asked offhandedly as he and Aela slowly made their way to the Council chambers. "I mean, let's face it, with this much chrome, someone is going to be blinded by a flash of light one day, and that cannot be healthy."
"The Citadel itself is over 50,000 years old and certainly the greatest relic the Protheans had left us before they mysteriously disappeared." Aela said as she paused in front of Perkins. Since they were officially going to go meet the Council, she was wearing one of her fancy Asari dresses, while Perkins himself was all spick and span in his dress uniform. Even though he was a civie now, it was still the most formal outfit he could get his hands on. "It's practically the center of known galactic culture, and you're suggesting we paint it a different color."
"I'm just saying that it seems to me to be a potential safety hazard." Perkins said nonchalantly as he went on towards what he presumed to be the Council chambers.
"Right," Aela said, deciding to let the issue drop as they continued on their way through the Citadel. In all honesty, Perkins had so far reacted to a lot of what he was seeing pretty well. While she and Perkins tagged along with the representatives of Bretonia, Liberty, and Rhineland early on, mostly past a few landmark views, good meals, etcetera, the two of them elected to break away from the group and let them engage in the politics. Perkins did want to rejoin the representatives when they would officially be meeting some of the other races though, and she couldn't blame him. The man hit off splendidly with the Turian meet up, likely because the Turian in particular was a former pilot, and the Salarian went along well enough, with Perkins and the other Sirius representatives answering the questions good naturedly.
"Now that we're away from the Sirius representatives. Care to give your opinion of them?" Aela asked Perkins. As a Sirius native, he had to have a better feel for them than she did.
"I've got to say that picking Princess Yvette to represent His Majesty was an... interesting choice." Perkins said. "I mean, she's his sister, and while she's supremely qualified, seeing as she's an expert anthropologist from Cambridge, she's a Princess. I can't help but think that it's a little too early to be displaying that level of trust with your people, no offence."
"None taken, and I can't say I disagree. Relations between the Citadel and the Sirius Houses haven't even been established for a full year. Perhaps he just wants to show trust on his part?" Aela commented.
"Maybe. I can't say for sure I know what's going on there." Perkins went on as they approached a stall selling some Asari nut cakes.
"Do you want anything?" Aela asked Perkins.
"No thanks. I'm fine enjoying the view." he said as he looked out over the small lake and towards the Krogan Monument.
Aela simply shrugged and grabbed one of the tasty cakes for herself. The sweet nuttyness reminded her a little bit more of home. "What about the Rhineland representative? That… Herr Moltke, I think?" she asked.
"Bit stiff, hear he's got nob blood in him, but seeing as he was… an illegitimate child, ended up carrying his commoner mother's name. Didn't let that stop him from rising in position within the Rhineland Military as one of Rhineland's premier pilots before retiring. He's got over a 100 kills under his name he does, but real bright too. Heard he set the Rhineland standard for most fighter engagements today with his innovative tactics, and he studied military history in the academy too. Otherwise, he seems like your typical Rhinelander in attitude, but I haven't had the real pleasure of getting to know him personally."
"So, we've got a military observer then here?" Aela asked. "Why do you think they'd send someone with that much war experience?"
"Mostly because I think they're worried about pirates. Rhinelanders have enough criminals and revolutionaries to deal with." Perkins commented as he looked around and absorbed the view. "Makes sense they'd send someone along to see if you Citadel folk have similar problems. I mean, no offence, but it's one thing to say it, it's another thing altogether to see it."
"None taken." Aela replied as she finished her cake. "And what of the Libertonian rep then, Mr. Perry?"
"Definitely corporate. Clean suit, shiny smile, slick hair. Could've pulled him straight out of a movie," Perkins replied a little distastefully. "Hear he used to work for Interspace Commerce, so he's got some of the finest financial training in the Sirius sector. A very Libertonian move to check the proverbial waters. They have the money, and they're interested in investing. As a person though, he seems okay enough. Quite friendly and he's an interesting conversationalist. He used to pilot a few escort runs with a few Universal Shipping convoys for his… thrills before he got promoted. I can't help but feel like he has an underlying motive whenever I'm around him, though."
"A person to keep an eye out if anything then." Aela replied as she stared out over the Presidium. How much of it will change now that the humans are here? The last time there was a major change was when the Quarians all left for their Migrant Fleet. Gone were their arts and wares, but at least the occasional one still visited, trying to earn a living so that they may return to their home with something worthwhile..
"I wonder how'd the Kusari would've reacted to all this." Aela mused out loud. "You and the other humans looked pretty appreciative of the aesthetic. Aside from your comment on chrome that is."
"Dunno. I haven't got a real good grasp of them really. I imagine they'd be real quiet about it though…" Perkins replied as he stared out towards the lake.
Aela herself basked in the general familiarity of the situation. It was refreshing to be the tour guide for once, yet somehow still learning more and more about the humans. Though, the question of their homeworld still remained a mystery. She wasn't even sure if it was on the Relay network.
"I wonder what happened back on your homeworld? It's been… millennia since you left it, yes? I'm no expert, but the genetic, not to mention cultural difference between you and whoever lives on your planet now must be very different." Aela asked.
"Knowing human nature, I'm not even sure if there is a Human left on Earth. It could very well be that there are other sleeper ships of the Coalition out there as they attempted to escape a dying Earth. Could be they fought a total war for leadership or resources, and ended up destroying themselves. We'll never know unless we head there, but I think the leadership just wants to keep the past in the past. I haven't heard anything about an expedition there." Perkins replied.
"What if they come out of there, though?" she asked.
"We'll have to hope that what we have is enough then." Perkins replied as they walked away from the memorial, and made their way back to the other representatives.
Aela couldn't help but think of Perkins' insight into Human nature thought. Even after millennia, they were still expecting war to come should they meet the Coalition again.
If this was the nature of Humanity, then this did not bode well for the future...
"Perkins?" Aela asked as they walked towards an elevator that would take them to the Wards.
"Yes, Aela?"
"Why were you looking panicky when the Princess greeted the Hanar?"
"I don't know what you're talking about…" he said dismissively.
"Don't give me that tone, I know something is up. That Liberty guy, Mr. Perry looked like he just swallowed something unpleasant, while the Princess' smile looked a little too… happy," she said accusingly.
"Alright, you got me." Perkins said, slouching a bit. "Okay, word back home is that Princess Yvette was always a bit of a party girl," he said as they entered the elevator. "Even though she graduated top of her batch in Cambridge, she was notorious for hosting some of the wildest parties on the planet. Drinks and partying all night long, though drugs were never found in her parties. Everyone thought she was using Royal influence on the University for her to get that degree, but outside parties like the Hammer Institute have concluded that she's genuine. Anyways, every party of hers ended with her in bed with some guy, or occasionally gal and the tabloids just licked it up. Not that she minded."
"So when she met that Hanar bloke, and she was smiling like so, all I could picture was some… things that Kusari is notorious for exporting." Perkins finished.
"What?" she said incredulously.
"You see… Kusari is notorious for…" and here Perkins visibly struggled in finding the right word for whatever it is he was talking about. "creating… videos involving distressed women and… tentacles."
"I don't understand..." she replied. "What does this have to do with the Hanar?"
"Er…" here he continued to visibly struggle. "Rather racy videos. Involving… movements rather a lot like what you pulled off on New Berlin?"
"Oh. Ohhhh…" Now it was all clear . Disturbingly, terrifyingly clear. "Oh Goddess…"
"Yes. Which was why a lot of us were… particularly unnerved by the Princess'... enthusiasm upon meeting that Hanar ambassador, which is something you should probably keep in mind when the Kusari ambassador arrives." Perkins awkwardly responded.
"Right. Moving on…" Aela said trying to change the subject. "What did you think of the Hanar anyways? Asides from that … thing" she said as she waved her hands about.
"Honestly, I found Opold kind of preachy. Seeing as we need to be… informed of these… Enkindlers, who I understand are basically the Protheans, yes?" Perkins replied a little distastefully.
"Yes. They believe it was the Protheans who uplifted them and are responsible for their civilization." Aela replied
"I don't bloody well care who they believe in, honestly." Perkins said, the slightly venomous tone still in his voice. "So long as they remember to not dictate who I should be believing in, and I'm sure all the other Houses would react the same way."
"I'm sure he means well, Perkins." Aela said soothingly. "They are actually rather peaceful, and just want what they see is best for everyone, though they'll never force down your throat."
"Still struck me as like the worst kind of Nob. All the Snob, none of the tolerance." Perkins replied
Trying to change the subject, Aela elected for a less hostile topic "What about the Volus? What did you think about Vin?"
"If it weren't for the fact that Volus bloke, Vin Dulak or somesuch, and Perry were getting along so swimmingly, I would've found his appearance amusing. They're just so… rotund, I kind of wondered if I could've rolled him all the way down the stairs." he chuckled.
"They are the premier financial geniuses of Citadel space." she replied a little sternly. "They were the creators of the modern Galactic Credit system. Even the Terminus system makes use of the Credit system. Galactic trade on the scale we perform today wouldn't be possible without them."
"Hence why I refrained from making my amusement visible." Perkins replied seriously. "Someone like that sounds a rather lot like Liberty. They say that money talks, and I'm pretty sure you know what I mean by that."
"Are you making an analogy between the Liberty Big Three and the Volus?" she asked.
"Exactly. I'm sure somewhere somehow, the Volus are influencing the Galaxy in some manner that will benefit them." Perkins responded confidently. "No one with that amount of money can help but be pulling some sort of strings somewhere somehow."
"I don't think so," Aela responded. "They are a client state of the Turian Hierarchy, and thus more than anything have to answer to the largest military in Citadel space, and their Council status too."
"I guess…" Perkins grudgingly admitted. "You would know the situation better. You are a local. Still, something in my gut tells me the Volus are behind something big."
"And I don't think that's happening anytime soon, Perkins," she responded. "What about the Elcor then? what did you think about them?"
"Slow, old, conservative, kind of get a more welcoming Kusari feel from them honestly," Perkins said as the elevator opened up into Zakera ward. "I think they and Kusari would get along just fine, in that they wouldn't want much, if any, outside interference."
"Really? They never really struck me as particularly militant." Aela replied."How are they like Kusari in that sense?"
"I suspect they would rather concede something rather than fight over it, peace and status quo at any cost, but I digress. Where I think the Elcor would leave things be, the Kusari would fight tooth and nail for their ways, at least that's the way things look like to me," Perkins replied. "Ultimately, I think they just want things to more or less stay the same."
"Which is something that we of the Citadel have definitely tried to respect," Aela responded.
"Still not too sure how Kusari will see what will happen," Perkins replied. "So when are we heading to Thessia, eh?" Perkins suddenly asked. "I've been itching to see a totally alien world, and although our time here so far has been interesting, I really really want to see an alien world."
"We first have to figure out how to get there with that ship of yours." Aela responded." Seeing as it doesn't have what I'd call the fastest FTL around, we're going to have to find a cargo ship headed there that will take us and your fighter aboard."
"Makes sense, no way could I abandon my gal here, alone and unattended." Perkins said with a tad too much affection to be comfortable. "So I guess that's why we're here, then?"
"Yes actually. We might find a captain willing to take us on, in one of the nearby clubs." Aela responded.
"Sounds fun," Perkins responded. "Should I expect anything like what happened on Roppongi?" he asked a little teasingly.
"Nothing should happen there. We'll be in and out in under an hour trying to find a captain. I guarantee it." Aela said confidently.
The moment Aela stepped into the bar, she could immediately tell that she was going to find herself a captain somewhere among its patrons. The smell of alcohol wafted in the dim lighting of the bar one of her colleagues back on Thessia had recommended. From the entrance she could recognize a lot of spacer types. It was easy to tell really, she just had to look for the ones still in their space suits. Judging by the number she could see, they were in the right place.
Perkins walked up next to her and took a deep breath, even as more than few patrons noticeably shifted their attention towards him. "It's like I never left home," he commented with a smile.
"Come on," Aela said. "We've got to find ourselves a captain if we're going to keep that ship of yours."
"And knowing what my ship can do, I'd rather keep it close at hand thank you very much." Perkins replied defensively.
Aela decided to ignore that comment and started looking for some of her fellow asari. They were the ones most likely to be heading towards Thessia, or at the least as far as Ilium. Noticing a few at the bar, she made her way there.
"... then that Vorcha flew out of the airlock like that! Stupid guy never had a chance." exclaimed a particularly young maiden loudly.
"I swear Talia, I'm almost a hundred percent certain that your stories are made up." commented another asari, this one certainly much older looking than the young maiden. "Last time, you claimed you managed to scare a krogan into leaving you and your ship alone after 'threatening' him."
"It's true! You just have to get into the right position and threaten to tear off their plates." the maiden, Talia, replied confidently. "Scares the shit out of them to lose that, apparently."
"Yeah. Suuure." one of the other captains commented, this time a scared looking turian. "I'll believe it when I see it, Talia."
"Excuse me," Aela interrupted, hoping to disrupt things before any sort of heated argument starts. "But me and my friend are looking for passage to Thessia."
"Buy a ticket and get on one of the liners there." the Turian retorted grouchily.
"Ah, that's the problem you see…" Aela said rather awkwardly. "My friend here, Perkins is a human as I'm sure you've guessed."
"Oooh… I like him." the maiden, Talia, said a little too aggressively. "Familiar enough to be like all those naughty naughty vids, but different enough to not be. Good thinking there, sister!"
"It's not like that at all," Aela quickly said. "We just need passage to Thessia because we have ourselves some extra large cargo that liners won't take on."
"What is it?" the turian asked. "On second thoughts, is it legal or illegal?"
"What we're transporting is my ship." Perkins replied. "A B-907A Crusader, straight from the cunning minds at the BAA Armory, and certainly one of the finest pieces of engineering of Bretonnia."
"You stole military grade equipment?!" the turian quickly said.
"Nothing like that at all!" Perkins replied. "What I have is essentially my retirement package from the Armed Forces. I'm now freelance, and my current contract is with Dr. D'Avo here."
"So why don't you just fly there yourselves, flyboy?" Talia asked.
"Current human ship FTL is vastly inferior to anything Citadel space has." Perkins replied. "At least, for now. I'm sure once Cambridge gets its hands on enough of the principles, we'll be able to compete on that level well enough."
"Alright, you've peaked my interest" Talia replied. "How big is it?"
"About 12 meters long, 4 meters tall." Perkins replied. "Kind of like a shuttle, but with significantly more firepower."
"I won't have anything to do with it," the turian commented. "Sounds exactly like the sort of thing a pirate would go after."
"I on the other hand, am interested in simply looking at the thing." Talia replied cheerily. "It just so happens that I've just completed a cargo run, and am now in need of gainful employment."
"How much?" Aela asked. Though the young maiden was a little unsettling, if she was willing to let them aboard for a reasonable fee…
"500 credits for each of you, 12,000 for the ship based on the dimensions you gave me, though I'll up it if I think I need to."
"That's reasonable." Aela replied. Certainly within her limited budget, and she wasn't going to push her luck on trying to get something cheaper. "We accept. Where will we meet you?"
"Meet me at Dock C 24. I have to tell my crew about the new passengers and cargo, so if you will excuse me," she said as she got up. "I will see you both in an hour there. When do you want to leave, though?"
"Within the day if possible, tomorrow if not." Aela replied.
"I can do today. Just need to buy food and supplies for the trip." Talia replied confidently. "I'll have you both on Thessia in a few days."
"Thank you, Captain." Aela said. "We'll meet you there promptly." Aela then turned around and made for the exit. "Come on Perkins, I know this restaurant nearby that has the best seafood this level."
Perkins hurriedly caught up to Aela. "You know, I was almost a hundred percent sure that something would happen there. My gut has never failed me on this. It didn't help that you tempted fate by stating that we wouldn't run into any trouble."
"Superstition is all that is, Perkins." Aela confidently replied. "Forgive me for being presumptuous with this, but aren't you supposed to have grown out of that since you were a soldier and all?"
"Aela, if there is one thing I'm reasonably sure is true throughout any human military is that we're some of the most superstitious people around. Death does that to people, you know?" Perkins replied in a strangely cheery manner. "It helps to take a nice humorous view to something like it. Lightens the mood significantly."
"I'm sorry." Aela apologized. "I didn't think of it that way."
"No worries. Let's just go and enjoy the restaurant you mentioned. Shall we?" Perkins said, offering his arm for her to latch on to. Aela took the proffered arm, and began to lead the way to the restaurant.
Maybe they'd get a free meal if they play their cards right.
The food in the restaurant was as good as she remembered, thought Aela as she and Perkins made their way back to Perkins's ship, safely stored by the Nalia. It was a rather lengthy trip, but flying it from there to the docking bay where Captain Talia was should only take a few minutes.
"I've got to say that I have some reservations about our transportation to Thessia." Perkins commented.
"Oh?'
"I gather that she's… a little boisterous, with little to nothing to back up her claims." he responded hesitantly, while he continued to walk in that crisp military manner of his.
"You overheard that too, huh?" Aela asked. "Truth be told, I just couldn't say no to the rates she offered. They were very affordable and certainly a lot cheaper than anything I expected."
"Still, I'm going to be sleeping with my service pistol on hand. Just in case." he said cautiously.
"Whatever makes you feel comfortable." Aela said as they arrived at his ship. Perkins quickly opened the hatch into the ship and made his way into the pilot's seat while Aela settled onto hers.
"So," Aela said as Perkins performed his system check. "What do you think of Talia?"
"She's quite a shady character if you ask me, but I defer to you as the local here." Perkins said cautiously. "Other than that, she seems a little over-eager, like something you'd see out of someone too green to have seen actual combat".
"I know that. I meant when she made her comments about your… looks"
"Oh. That." Perkins said, letting a little bit of silence hand in the air as he steadily started the ship up. "to be honest I've never encountered someone who is so… open with her attraction with me, let alone one as… different as Captain Talia."
"So awkward then?"
"Could be worse." Perkins said as he shrugged, and gently directed the ship to the docking bay where they were to meet Talia. "She thinks we're a couple."
"Which we're not. Strictly professional." Aela said. It was true. She had no interest at all in starting anything now, or ever with Perkins. Handsome as he was, it probably wasn't wise to date someone who was essentially a free agent.
"I intend to keep it that way, Aela." Perkins commented as he began the landing sequence. "Come on. Let's go meet the illustrious crew of our home for the next few days."
They both exited the Crusader to be greeted by the energetic young Captain with her unusually cheery smile. "Glad to see you both here on time. Interesting ship you've got here too, Mr. Perkins."
"She's a right beaut ain't she?" Perkins said a little longingly.
"Ooh, you've some stories to tell about this old gal, eh?" Talia said. "Come come, I'd love to hear all about it, after you two meet my very small crew."
Talia soon led them to the docking port of her freighter. Standing there peacefully by the entrance was, strangely enough, a quarian and batarian.
"Mr. Perkins, Dr. D'Avo, I'd like you to meet my crew," Talia said proudly. "This here is Korvan, finest navigator to come out of the Khar'shan Navigation Academy."
"Good to meet you... human, Doctor," Lorvan said as he looked Perkins in the eye. Perkins just smiled and never lost his composure as he greeted back.
"And of course, I'm lucky to have this wonderful young lady, Lia'Nel nar Rayya, as our engineer."
"Please, call me Lia," the quarian, Lia, said as she bowed slightly.
"And welcome aboard my ship, the Siri." he said as she dramatically pointed her arms towards the, admittedly large, freighter.
Aela could already tell that this would be an interesting trip.
This is the Colony News Service, bringing to you the latest in news in the Sirius sector.
Envoys to the Citadel: Curacao, Cortez System - The Curacao Convention has concluded with House Representatives leaving with excellent results. "We are walking forward together as friends and fellow humans, into a bigger Galaxy." King Alexander stated in his closing speech to assembled reporters. Among members to visit Citadel Space soon are Hauptmann Manfred Mokte of Rhineland, Matthew Perry of Liberty and Princess Yvette of Bretonnia. Kusari will send their own envoys later after "sufficient screening" stated Lord Oda before leaving for New Tokyo.
New Visitors?: Curacao, Cortez System - With the end of the Curacao Convention, expect new trade and alien visitors to arrive soon. Citadel Representative Matriarch Benezia wished the best for both Humanity and the Citadel with opening of limited Trade within the Sirius sector. Be advised of the following items which are considered illegal when selling to any Citadel trader: Light Arms (without license), Heavy Arms, Gate and Trade Lane parts, Cardamine, and Police to Military grade weaponry. Be advised that the list is prone to any amendments by future agreements with Citadel space, and possibly individual House laws. Stay tuned to learn of any updates to the list.