Halo New galaxy Ch17 Quarian hunt
31st July 2174 CE
Inner Council space, Citadel
Presidium, C-Sec HQ
Saren was glaring at the old human merc leaning against the wall across from him. It didn't help that the merc, Zaeed Massani, was stoically staring back at him. They were waiting for Garrus to speak with Seyho. Apparently he had some information for them, something prudent to the investigation. The group's third members Mordin Solus felt the tension between the two men. Especially from Saren's side. Being a mercenary Zaeed couldn't afford holding a grudge against any of the Citadel races. Not good for business. Saren didn't have any such illusions on his mind.
In Seyho's office Garrus was filled in on an incident.
"A Quarian?" Garrus mirrored a part of what he had heard. "What kind of information did she say she had?"
The Salarian C-Sec officer blinked and sat down on his side of the desk.
"Miss Nar Rayya claimed to have found a battle sight in the Gallo system. Between what appeared to be a UNSC ship and and Turian ship," he explained. "My people sent the specifics on the Turian ship for us to analyze. It came back as an Advent ship."
Garrus's eyes widened is surprise. It turned into a low growl.
"Advent? What's there business with humans, in Council space?"
Advent was a Turian Separatist group that was perceived as traitors by the Turian government. They had been silent for years after a large military operation shut down several bases, destroyed a shipyard and captured several ships and leaders. They had never been able to muster support to threaten the Turian state without support from other species governments.
"Moreover," Seyho said. "The transport you asked us to search for concerning the murder had met with it. Our Quarian friend had the ships logs that showed communications. My people is checking the logs authenticity, to be certain. A ship is on the way to the Gallo system to verify the situation and look it over. Should contact us in a few hours."
"Do the humans know any of this?" Garrus asked.
"No." He paused. "I, there is a problem Garrus." He leaned forward over the desk. "The officer transporting the Quarian was attacked. Officers dead along with two attackers. Both Turians. Tali'Zorah's whereabouts is unknown."
"Damn it," Garrus cursed. "Identity on the Turians? Advent?"
"Yes. We've confirmed it. We're looking for Tali'Zorah in the Zakara Ward but haven't found anything yet."
Garrus wondered what could have made the human ship and the Advent ship attack each other. Had they had a deal? If they had, it must have gone wrong or one of them straight up betrayed the other. He had to admit that if the UNSC was able to turn Advent into a power able to destabilize the Hierarchy it would be a victory for them and remove a potential future threat.
"Give me all the details and we'll find her. Send the evidence up the ladder and let them handle this with the human diplomats," Garrus decided.
Seyho nodded. "You're the Spectre."
Garrus was still getting used to that. The human angle worked into the assassination plot too. A human could get passed security as an unknown and being unrecognized. It didn't even need to be an operative. Someone like Zaeed, a merc, was very likely. Someone that couldn't be connected if caught.
Udina was honestly confused and stunned when Salarian Ambassador Vaelor and a Council Spectre, Garrus Vakarian, demanded answers to why one of their ships was in Inner Council space and involved in the assassination of a high ranking Turian Hierarchy General. As an ambassador he knew he was often only told what was necessary at the time and if this was true, that was in the latter category.
Garrus remained silent as Ambassador Udina looked over the information handed to him. It was transferred onto a datapad from Ambassador Vaelor's Omni-tool. Garrus hadn't expected to be here but the Council had decided it was prudent since he was in charge of the investigation, assuming it was part of the assassination. Otherwise it would go to another Spectre for an independent investigation. Right now Garrus's little team was out trying to figure out how to find the Quarian. Saren was in charge in his absence. Hopefully he wouldn't go head-to-head with Zaeed.
"This…is without a doubt a human ship," Udina acknowledged patiently. "Gentlemen, I assure you, and the Council that my government would not sanction an assassination. We can peace, not war. Assassinating General Antoniadis would be a step in the other direction, by far." He put on his best genuine smile. Although he had no idea what the ship was doing there or who ordered it, he had a strong suspicion that ONI was involved.
"Udina," Vaelor said professionally. "You understand how your peoples dislike for Turians-for good reasons-would…" he glanced at Garrus. "No offense Spectre Vakarian."
Garrus smiled. "None taken Ambassador," he assured and looked at Udina. "We did sorta invade their planet."
Udina offered his smile in return and Vaelor continued.
"You would understand how it would give your government a motive to distrust Turians and want to perhaps destabilize any operations that does not partake in your interests. While we are not accusing you of murdering a military officer, it is suspicious indeed that your ship had contact with a group hostile to the Citadel Council and the Turian Hierarchy specifically."
"There is nothing suggesting this is a military vessel," Udina claimed. "Smugglers, mercenaries, deserters, a civilian expedition that was attacked."
"Don't play the victim ambassador." Vaelor crossed his arms over his chest. "Not with me. This isn't a media interview. This is an unofficial call as a courteously to you."
"Which I appreciate Vaelor, but my government knows nothing about this." He paused when his secretary's voice came over the commlink.
"Excuse me Ambassador, General Hessen is here. He says he has an appointment but I have nothing noted," she explained.
"Aha, that's alright Melia. Send him in," Udina told her.
"Yes ambassador."
The dark slick door retraced and the short UNSC officer stepped inside. He walked up to join Udina and the two aliens with firm steadfast steps.
"Spectre Vakarian," Udina started introductions. "May I introduce Brigadier General Ronald Hessen, career soldier, marine and attached to out diplomatic envoy as our military representative."
Garrus shook the human's hand. "General."
Hessen nodded and shook back. "Ambassador."
"General, always a pleasure," Vaelor greeted. He had met him several times but never liked him. A typical by-the-book soldier, never thinking outside the box, short sighted and there was a strong hint of xenophobia over him.
"I asked Ronald here since he can verify the ship class and if it was sent here under orders of the Security Committee," Udina explained. The Security Committee was just barely established and was created recently because of the transfer of authority back to civilian hands. The former UNSC head, Fleet Admiral Sir Terrance Hood was the Chairman.
Hessen looked over the ship on the datapad. "Frigate class, but not military," he said simply with his hard voice. "Doesn't resemble any of our classes. Civilian I'd say." Actually his bet was ONI but saying that would suggest humanity didn't have a fully functional chain of command and that ONI didn't report to the UNSC or UEG. "It has some slight resembles to a Paris class Heavy Frigate. But, heavily modified."
"Are you suggesting it was a UNSC ship but was repurposed by someone else, without your knowledge?" Garrus questioned, not buying it.
"Now Mr Vakarian-" Hessen started.
Udina sensed a hint of hostility in his friends tone and raised his hand and took a casual step forward.
"Let us fill you in on important details, Spectre Vakarian," he offered. "The Paris class is old and have been in our navy for several decades, since before the war with the Covenant. Some of our Outer colonies that survived the war have been known to repurpose abandoned and disabled ships. If decades have passed it would explain why it has been heavily modified."
Garrus slowly nodded. It was a reasonable conclusion. But he still had reservations.
"Can I offer any of you a drink?" The human Ambassador asked with a warm smile.
He walked over to his liquor cabinet. Hessen glanced at him with hard eyes. Donnel was getting too comfortable in this xeno station in his opinion. Too comfortable around the xenos and their liquor. As if he was forgetting what xenos did to them, how many they killed.
"Not on duty," Garrus declined.
"Another time," Vaelor answered. "Say, lunch later?"
Udina nodded. "Off course." He remembered his planned lunch with the Salarian. The good think about his job was that when everything was clean and done they could both put their job away and have a civil and friendly conversation. Vaelor understood the ambassadorial role and was a perfect man to converse with on other things not concerning their jobs.
"About the ship;" Hessen said. "When can we tractor it back home?"
"You can't," Garrus said pointedly.
Hessen narrowed his eyes slightly. "I'm sure I misheard you."
"No general. It is a part of a Spectre investigation and it was far inside our borders under unknown circumstances. You said it yourself, it isn't a military ship and therefore not UNSC property. Ship belonging to a smuggler or civilian doesn't fall under military jurisdiction, right?"
A few years ago Hessen could have said yes, but with civilians back in power things was changing. He could claim it had been a UNSC ship before colonists got their hands on it, but that was just a theory. He had been too careful in not being specific a minute ago.
"Very well," Udina stepped in again. "The ship will remain under Citadel jurisdiction until the investigation is finished. My government can agree to that. Believe me, the Assemble will want to know what the ship was doing in your space as much as you."
Vaelor smiled. "I'm think we are in agreement than."
When Garrus and Vaelor had said their good bye's and left Hessen and Udina alone, Udina relaxed in his chair. Hessen looked at him with disapproval for a moment.
"There is something else," he said finally.
"What is it?"
"I'm transferring to Andromeda station in a few days."
Udina was surprised.
"You are? That's sudden."
"UNSC's putting together a military operation in sector A2902 and asked me to lead the Marine Corps in that sector. It's a preparation for future military operations in that sector and those around it. Years of planning is going into this."
"If the President allows it," Udina surmised.
"Election isn't over yet."
"No. but you'll still need to give her your plans and see if she allows you to operate. Military doesn't answer to itself anymore."
There was an audible snort from Hessen.
"I imagine a lot of Assembly resolutions will depend of Redfield when she wins. Increased naval funding, the Anti-Treason Act and breaking or keeping our signed Defense Pact with the Citadel Council. And, since we're jumping subjects here, a group of Sangheili scientists from Vadam faction is coming here. Going to help the Turians, Salarians and Asari in getting past their ship size restrictions."
"Are you sure?" Hessen inquired. "If that's true, we're about to lose an advantage over them. Goddamn it. Maybe our politicians can convince our, oh so great allies, to stop meddling with the Citadel."
"Times are changing Ronald. You and the UNSC High Command needs to keep up. We're about to get a President promising a lot of things. One of them being putting an end to all the fighting and casualties." War's aftermath is almost as bloody as the war itself, he thought.