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Chapter 6
Citadel News Reports:
It was announced just last week that the humans would be the next appointed Council race. Ambassador Udina has expressed no surprise on being chosen on account of their assistance in several Council race colonies against batarian pirates raids. Moreover, the exemplary work of men and women of all fields—Kahlee Sanders, John Shepard, Ren Watson—have become the best examples of what the human race has to offer to the rest of the galaxy—making headways and improvements in technology, security, and environment conservation.
The biggest shock was Ambassador Udina stepping aside for the position as Councilor and giving it to Jane Shepard, also known as Kaida—a popular singer, model, and human ambassador. Fans across all races have expressed both excitement and congratulations to the new human Councilor.
Westurlund News Report:
… Several leaders across Earth and her colonies, have expressed some doubt that the newly appointed Councilor Jane Shepard, known to her fans as Kaida, a mere popstar—can step into the role of leadership. Councilor Shepard, however, is also related to Admiral Shepard and has a twin brother, John Shepard. The latter was appointed the first human Spectre just a year ago.
Several of humanities leaders, however, have voiced concerns over the choice of Councilor. For instance, Admiral Richard Jones of the eighth fleetwas not afraid to be Jane's harshest critic, I quote, "Jane Shepard is not only too young to hold such a high position of office—but lacks the experience and political savvy to be a proper example of what humanity is and can mean to the rest galaxy. Her appointment is a great oversight from all our parts." Many other leaders expressed the same or similar concerns. Adding that Councilor Shepard's strong ties to the batarian Hegemony and her pro-alien approach can also dampen humanity's focus on strength and independence.
Is Jane Shepard merely riding on her popularity and coattails of her last name to gain power in the galaxy? Is humanity just a pretty face to the rest of the Council? This is Khalisah Al-Jilani, WesturlundNews, reporting.
Idols Across the Stars News Report:
… Good Evening, Star Seekers! As you've already heard, one of the biggest names of the music and entertainment industry, Kaida, has recently been appointed Councilor of the human race. Fans have expressed congratulations and excitement for our favorite idol, sending in flowers, chocolates, and other gifts to her residence in the Citadel. It truly is amazing! We can all barely believe the news but we've been very excited for her.
As a result, her concert in the Citadel has been postponed to two weeks from now. As an apology to all her fans, she's added an extra hour to her performance and has invited the band, Coat of Arms, a very popular multi-racial band to co-perform with her.
Tickets are still for sale but they're running out fast! Get one before you miss this once-in-a-lifetime performance with the best solo artist and the best band in the galaxy to-date!
"Spectre Vakarian, I see you've survived the week."
"Is it supposed to be that impressive?"
She glared. "If Kaida didn't want you around, believe you-me, you would have gone through hell and back. I can point you to the direction of several ex-bodyguards."
Garrus cleared his throat. "No, thank you."
"Good. Now to business—unless you're too tired of the political diatribe?"
Garrus knew Kaida's secretary, Oriana Lawson, was a fussy mother krogan with a vindictive streak. They had reversed roles for now as she paced in front of him and he sat behind the Councilor's secretary's desk. So he nodded instead of replying, feeling both weary from the week of nothing but talk, talk, talk and Kaida's all-too-comforting hand on his forearm when he felt the sleep settle.
Now, she was in the embassy's bar lounge and had told him with a mean little laugh that Oriana wanted to see him. So here he was.
"Spectre, there are very special rules—rules that take precedence above all else—if you want to keep working near Kaida. Rule number one: We never talk about Kaida's— other abilities."
"Why? It's not like it's a secret."
"The fact that she's a biotic isn't a secret—believe me we've gotten enough crap thrown our way from Terra Firma parties and other anti-alien and anti-biotic fanatics. The other stuff and then some—is highly confidential. We never talk about it. Ever. To anyone at anytime unless Kaida brings it up herself."
"Wait, what other abilities?"
"Rule number two," She waved two fingers in front of his face. Obviously, rule number one was already in effect. He'd have to ask Kaida about it when they got back to the Ridge—hopefully. "We never deviate from the time table unless Kaida herself has changed it—knowing her, that isn't likely."
He thought a wave of guilt would immediately swallow him. He knew why she wouldn't deviate. With the week that has passed since her inauguration as the first human Councilor, he felt his gut clench as she stood beside Sparatus and addressed the politicians and officers present. Last week was her formal entrance into the political battlefield. They'd barely had time to talk about non-business things since she took up the position.
"Rule number three: We hate Saren on principle. Fuck him to hell. And we drink every time misfortune has befallen him—without Kaida, of course."
"Hah. I've been doing that for years." He paused. "Wait, do we literally drink?"
Oriana smirked, leaning against the table. "There's a budget for it and everything."
Garrus laughed. "You are the best secretary in the world."
"Only the best for Kaida." She cleared her throat, maybe a little embarrassed but her eyes were still sharp. "Rule number four: Everything we do is secret—where we go, how much we earn, what we do. We tell no one. Not even John Shepard. Not Nihlus. Not the Council. Not your mother or father."
"Hang on, I'm a Spectre—I don't really have a salary." It was more like an allowance and then not really since he and John had a tendency to destroy things when they went on missions together.
"Spectre Vakarian, may I remind you that you're going to be Kaida's bodyguard from now on. We are extensions of Kaida and Kaida is a prominent public figure. As such, we are required to fix ourselves to best suit Kaida's image. Which brings me to Rule number five: do nothing, say nothing, and wear nothing that will tarnish Kaida's name." She pushed the datapad on the edge of the desk and slid it across the table for him to catch. "Within is the breakdown of your salary—bonuses will apply when necessary. Use it to buy yourself better equipment and maybe a flat in the upper wards."
He picked up the datapad. "Hah, upper wards flats cost more than a Paladin. Why would anyone—Spirits, what kind of salary is this?" He dropped the datapad like it was on fire and it clattered against the glass table top.
Oriana lifted a fine eyebrow at him. "Hm, is it enough? Kaida wanted to add a few more ten thousands but since you live with her I'm removing your 'rent' and food bills from the equation."
"N-not enough? You can feed half a colony with that!"
"Well, Kaida does support one of the batarian colonies on her earnings. The place has been seeing some great overall progress in terms of welfare, job creation, and security. I have one of the reports from the team she set-up—"
"Spirits. Here I was thinking she could rule her own planet and she already does."
Oriana's eyebrows rose at that. "Spectre Vakarian, I don't think you realize the gravity of who it is you're protecting. She was already a human ambassador before any of this. She hasn't left the spot of top five most influential people in intergalactic space since her first album."
"More than her ability to make music is a person more than one life depends on. And it isn't just her—half the Terminus system owes John Shepard a beer or two. The Shepard twins are important for intergalactic stability and development—they're a dying breed of people who actually give a pyjak's ass. And—"
Oriana turned away, her short hair bobbed with the movement and she caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
He sighed, hoping that the little bit of that weight in the pit of his stomach would ease but it stayed. "I get it."
"Do you? Because, Vakarian, if she ever—"
"I get it, Oriana." He stood up, putting a hand on her shoulder. "I won't let her down. I'm in this for the long haul, right?"
She looked sad for a moment before she slapped his hand away from her shoulder and her eyes sparkled brightly. "If you break any of rules, you'll be wanted in over 15 systems—including the Terminus one— and we know that place is a crap hole— and there is nothing your Spectre status can do about it. Are we clear, Vakarian?"
He was chuckling when Kaida appeared at the entrance, giving them both nods and smiles. "A nuisance is about to enter after me, best look like he's brought us a lifetime supply of chocolate when he insults us. And lock the door, Oriana, we don't want to be too available."
The two of them followed after her into the inner part of the Councilor's office. Garrus hid a chuckle as he watched Oriana apply some pretty tricky locks to the door with a very self-satisfied smile.
Kaida went straight for her chair behind the desk and sat, sighing in visible pleasure. "I think this is the first time I sat in three days."
"You all right?"
She shot him a look, lifting her hand and curling her index finger. He tilted his head at her movement but then looked to his left at the newly installed refrigerator and at the bottle of water floating towards them. Spirits, he wasn't used to biotics being so handy outside of battle. Then again, the asari at C-Sec preferred using it for trickery (i.e. passing notes, passing through walls) if not for duty—it still wasn't an open thing. Kaida, as opposed to her younger brother, exhibited both finesse and strength— and complete control, if not mockery, for anything less.
"I have been better. Oriana, have you done the favor I asked?"
That was the first Garrus had heard about any research that was supposed to be done. He turned to Oriana who looked a little bit too smug at how confused he was. She motioned at the datapad Kaida took from the top of the pile. "Those are the demographics of the Citadel you asked for, Kaida. Including the population of the duct rats and the homeless—or at least the best estimate."
"Hm, it's more than I feared." Kaida downed half of her water in a gulp before she turned to look at Garrus. "You have a better idea of what their lives are like though. Any insights?"
He cleared his throat, thinking. Oriana gave him one raised eyebrow in challenge. "Well, those living below the poverty line are pitiful at best. And damn annoying at worst—they make themselves accomplices of all sorts of wrongdoings for petty cash."
"They'll be resistant about relocations and conventional work—not to mention school." She looked deep in contemplation before her head snapped up to look at the door, glaring. "Oriana, when that damned Udina and his pets walk in—kindly ID them so we can dig up some dirt."
The secretary smiled predatorily before she made her way out the door.
Garrus chuckled. "She's the best."
"I know." Kaida smiled back as they both heard Udina's whining. Kaida sighed. "Vakarian, be a dear and stand intimidatingly behind me. Best to show Udina your teeth, while you're at it."
Udina was a political animal of the worse kind. Garrus knew this from the stories some of the senior Spectres talked about—how many speeches and appeals he'd made, both of which were fancy words for well-written but indignant complaints. However, no matter how annoying or conniving he was— there was no doubt that he had humanity's best interest at heart.
The problem was that he also liked to combine that with personal interest.
Without invitation, Udina had stalked every corner of Kaida's office—though it was formerly his own but fully transformed. No longer so bare, it held splashes of blue and ivory, such as the rug under the glass coffee table in front of Kaida's main desk, as well as the very convenient kitchen to the right—complete with its own stove, mini fridge, microwave, espresso machine, and island counters. Near the door was Garrus's own desk, made specifically for a turian in fact, with a chair that accommodated his cowl and had mass effect massage options for his spurs. The wall behind that, even more deceptively, opened up into an armory that he had yet to fully stack up—but now it bore the essential sniper: his spare Viper and extra clips. Also, at least three heavy pistols for himself, Kaida, and even Oriana.
There were paintings from Thessia and Earth here and there, as well as an antique record player that Kaida had promised to bring a record for, that would suit his taste. There was also the reasonable amount of tech: holo projectors, comm buoy relays, the works— thatwould come from the roof with the press of a button and retract again with another press.
From the crumpled, almost dejected look on Udina's face, he was obviously looking for a disorganized office from the rush of just being newly appointed. In the outer room, his escorts were being served tea by Oriana and by the sound of their laughter, she was successfully charming them as well. His frowned deepened even more.
"Ambassador Udina,"Kaida leaned back against her chair. Behind her, Garrus stood ramrod straight. "Is there a problem?"
"Nothing, Shepard." He spat without her new title. Garrus' trigger finger twitched. "But you've settled in nicely. I just wanted to check."
"Really? Is that that all there is, Udina?" She smiled. "Perhaps you'd like a cup of tea or coffee? Councilor Tevos was just in here the other day and she handed me that painting behind you." She motioned at one of the paintings of the sunrise of Thessia over one of their ancient temples by a matriarch. Tevos, unlike most of the Council, was surprisingly neutral towards Kaida.
How did Garrus know? She had come in the other day to complain about Udina. And had expressed how excited she was for Kaida's next concert in the Citadel.
The fact didn't escape Udina and he frowned.
"She's a fan of Oriana's cappuccino."
Udina folded his arms behind his back. "I see. You seem to be doing fine—in here." There was an emphasis in the last two words that even Garrus found strange. "Do let me know if you are having problems settling in."
"Of course, ambassador. Thank you for your concern. Have a good day."
Udina gave her a smile, full of teeth that expressed nothing. Then he strode out the door—rounding up his escorts with a sharp look as they hastily excuse themselves from Oriana before hurrying out.
Garrus, rubbing the back of his neck, look down at Kaida. "Uh. What just happened?"
"That—was first blood. He raised the red flag, Vakarian." She pressed a button in her intercom to call Oriana in. "We're going to war."