The Candidate – 9

Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect. It belongs to Bioware and Drew Karpyshyn. I am merely playing in their universe.

The Asari Offer

What Shepard would have suggested became academic at this point as the public announcement system in the hospital flared into life. "Commander Shepard, you are requested to report to the Reception."

Shepard looked at the others. "Well, we shall continue this discussion later. I shall bid you goodbye for the moment." The others nodded slowly, and Shepard, having wrapped his shawl round his shoulders, quietly, unhurriedly retraced his steps back to the entrance of the hospital. Two Asari law enforcement officers in uniform were waiting for him there. One of them flashed her badge and spoke firmly, "Commander, please follow us. Your presence is desired." There was no question of disobeying the order, although it had been phrased as a request.

A ten minute ride in their staff car, and Shepard had been ushered into the presence of the formidable head of Armali's intelligence. Matriarch Thalia smiled at him, and waved him into a chair in front of her desk. If Shepard felt any uneasiness at being brought in front of the terrifyingly perceptive mistress of intelligence, he showed none of it. His demeanour was composed and placid as ever. He sat with his fingers laced before him, his expression one of polite inquiry.

The Matriarch waited until the officers who had ushered the Alliance commander in left her office, and began without prelude, "Shepard, you've done things that I would be proud of in any agent of mine. I prize coolness, resourcefulness, initiative and courage in my agents, and you have all these qualities in abundance."

Shepard said nothing, but looked at the Matriarch expectantly. "You have also rescued Matriarch Benezia – a task which I had thought hardly possible and have thus earned my gratitude." Her manner became much more earnest and concerned at this point, as she continued, leaning forward slightly, "But Shepard, you have have made a whole bunch of powerful enemies, who will destroy you if you do not take care."

There was a demure smile on Shepard's lips. "Quite possibly, Matriarch, for they are strong and well supported, while I am alone."

"Yes, that is true," nodded the Matriarch. "But alone as you are, you have already done much and will do much more, I doubt not. You have begun with a flawless career, and with proper guidance, will certainly go far with it."

"I am at the age of extravagant hopes, ma'am." Shepard made a self deprecating gesture, but the Matriarch overrode him. "There are no extravagant hopes, save for fools. Shepard, it is because I admire your abilities that I make you this suggestion. You are one of the Alliance candidates being evaluated for the status of a Spectre, are you not?"

"I was, ma'am, until the attack on Eden Prime. I'm no longer an Alliance officer," reminded Shepard quietly.

The Matriarch refuted, "I have made some inquiries, Shepard, and it seems that your resignation has not been processed by the Alliance. Nor has your name been rescinded from the prospective spectres' list."

"But then …," began Shepard in some puzzlement.

Matriarch Thalia explained, "It is clear that Alenko was supposed to bring in the evidence against Saren, Shepard. To actively ask for an Alliance officer – current or former – to be removed from the prospective Spectres' list would disgrace the Alliance as well, since they had recommended your name in the first place. So, they have made no formal moves to have your name removed."

Shepard nodded, and the Matriarch continued, "Since you have collected all the evidence against Saren on your own initiative and have foiled his plans with regard to the Rachni. I would be most grateful if you would consider becoming a Spectre."

Even as he was taken aback by her offer as he echoed, "Pardonnez moi?", Shepard noted her curious language. For sheer politeness and delicacy, there was little to beat the aristocratic Matriarch of the Intelligence. She had not said `I want you to' or `I am offering', but `I would be most grateful if you would consider'. The Matriarch merely looked steadily at him,

He composed himself as he queried, "Would that even be possible without the support of the Alliance, Matriarch?"

She answered, " I will write a recommendation for you for the Spectre status. With my support and Councillor Tevos' temporary gratitude, I can ensure that you are given the Spectre status. Also, given your achievements of the last few days, I doubt that the Alliance can, or even will, object, whatever their feelings may be."

"May I ask why you suggest my name for Spectre status, Matriarch?" Shepard's voice was gently detached, almost academic, as if the matter they were speaking of was of as little consequence as the day's weather.

"There are three reasons," answered the Matriarch readily. "The first and the foremost is because I genuinely believe that Saren is up to something dangerous. With Benezia out of the picture, we have no information about what he is doing. He needs to be stopped and fast."

"I don't understand. Other Spectres could be sent after him."

Matriarch Thalia returned mildly, "The Council is not particularly concerned to do that, Shepard. Saren was, and still is, their trusted Spectre. Whatever he may have done to a human colony will not weigh heavily against him, I am afraid." That shut Shepard up, and the Matriarch pointed out, "Further, Shepard, Saren is a legend among Spectres. Not many would volunteer, or even agree, to go after him, and many might even help him. The only Spectre that can be sent after Saren is a human one. Even that will be a favour to the Alliance. More a bribe, if you like, to keep the Alliance silent. To openly expose Saren would disgrace the Council too much, and they will not allow it."

"You mentioned three reasons. What are the others?"

"The humans are going to get their Spectre. In this instance, it will be much better for you to be the Spectre, than for Staff Lt. Alenko to be it."

"Why do you say that?"

"Simple. Capability. Shepard, you have gathered all the proof against Saren, and rescued Benezia. What has Staff Lt. Alenko been doing all this time? Obeying his Alliance superiors does not seem to have got him anywhere. Among Spectres, thinking out of the box, initiative and self reliance are highly prized."

Shepard slowly shook his head, "Ma'am, have you considered that I might not be a great candidate for a Spectre?"

"Why would you think that?" Matriarch Thalia's question came like a pistol shot.

"The fact that I lack the usual ruthlessness of the Spectres?" When he saw the Matriarch looking quizzically, he explained, "I've seen how the Spectres operate. Saren, Tela Vasir, and Nihlus Kryik would all have no compunction in killing whoever stood in their way. I am afraid I cannot do that. In fact, I have killed only a few times in my life, and all times have been in self defence. If the Council ordered me to assassinate someone for political purposes, or even a criminal, I should most likely refuse."

Matriarch Thalia nodded, "Yes, and that is my final reason why you are the better candidate, Shepard. What you are describing as the Spectre mode of operation is, in truth, the mode of operation of Spectres who have come from a special forces background. Since the special forces are the most visible and garner most of the glory in every action, they tend to become chosen as Spectres by the Council, which generally chooses Spectres based on the prestige in the career. Most of the intelligence work done cannot even be reported to the Council, nor can they appreciate its rigour or difficulty, so an intelligence officer's career will look decidedly dull when compared to a commando's career to the politicians on the Council. In fact, the last Asari intelligence officer to have become a Spectre was well over a hundred years ago. I doubt it is much different among the Turians. We also already have a number of special forces officers as Spectres. One more is going to do no one any good. On the other hand, a good intelligence officer among the Spectres would be a great benefit to all of us."

Despite the obvious breach of etiquette, Shepard rose from his chair, turned away from the Matriarch and paced up and down the room. It had not escaped him that with Matriarch Thalia recommending him, he would owe the Asari a huge favour and they would be able to capitalise on it. And Shepard was not oblivious to other truths. Once more, he was being handed the poisoned chalice. But the Matriarch's proposal gave him the only chance of life left him. He closed his eyes, prayed to whatever deity that listened, and nodded. "Very well, ma'am. I accept, then."

"Excellent! Let us get to work then!"

-(Scene Break)-

Three days later, Shepard stood in front of the Council on the Citadel, listening as the Asari Councillor intoned, "Commander Shepard, please step forward."

Over his shoulder, Shepard could see several Alliance officers and soldiers gathered in the Council Chamber. Mechanically, as if in a dream, Shepard stepped to the forefront of the audience chamber, listening as the Council preached the virtues of the Spectres and their duties, and finally all the three Councillors finished anointing him a Spectre, and gave him his first task – finding Saren, and bringing him to book.

The Turian Councillor added officiously, "I hope you can find Saren, and fast, Commander Shepard. We at the Council will be keeping a close eye on your progress. In the event that you fail to stop him, I can assure you there will be ... repercussions."

Shepard said nothing, but looked stolidly at Councillor Sparatus.

The Asari Councillor finished, a touch contritely, it seemed to Shepard, "Given the importance of the task, we have decided that we must have regular reports of your progress. Secrecy is essential in this matter, and you have leave to assemble a small team that will track Saren. Once he is located, you will bring him to book if it is possible, or if not, you may take other actions in pursuit of justice."

Shepard nodded, and the Councillors' images disappeared, leaving Shepard staring at the empty space, contemplating the enormity of the task that had just been set him. With an effort, he pulled himself out of his reverie. As he stepped back, he heard a malicious voice behind him, "Congratulations, Commander! You've done well for yourself!"

Shepard did not even need to turn to recognise that voice of the human Ambassador, which vibrated with suppressed fury. He unhurriedly pivoted on his heel observing that Udina, Captain Anderson and the Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams were approaching him. He replied with polite indifference, "You're very gracious, Ambassador."

"It seems that you know which side of the bread is buttered, Commander. You've certainly won the confidence of the Council – or so it appears," remarked the Ambassador, his voice still dripping poison.

"I did what needed to be done, Ambassador. There is nothing else to be said." Shepard's voice was flat and emotionless.

"Of course, of course." Udina smiled a quiet burnt out smile. "I suppose it is too much to ask you to keep the interests of the Alliance in mind when you go off on your escapades? Or even keep us informed of your actions?"

"If the interests of the Alliance required me to inform you, I would have done so." Shepard's voice was chilly.

Udina looked as if he had been slapped. Before he could retort, Captain Anderson intervened, "Congratulations, Commander! The Alliance is very proud of you for achieving this position." Shepard's slight, sardonic smile at the statement brought a flush to Anderson's face. He hurriedly continued, "I've been asked to facilitate your investigation, Shepard."

Shepard looked icily at the three, as the older man explained, "In order to aid your investigation, Commander, I've been empowered to put the Normandy at your disposal, along with its crew. The Alliance is being very generous, as you will perceive."

"I am very grateful for the generosity of the Alliance, Captain, but as you will understand, it is unnecessary." Shepard's voice was frostily detached and academic, as he proceeded, "The Normandy can do nothing for me at the moment. We are beginning an investigation, not a pursuit. When the time comes for me to go chasing after Saren, I will requisition the aid of the Alliance. My investigations will have to begin here on the Citadel, and the only thing I need is to connect to the rest of the galaxy. This is a job for a detective, and not a commando. There is no point keeping the Normandy from the Alliance, particularly when it is of no use to me."

"You refuse to accept the Normandy? The Alliance graciously offers you the most modern warship and you refuse it!" The Ambassador seemed apoplectic with rage at Shepard's cool refusal.

"I believe that is what I just said, Ambassador." Shepard's voice was icy, and the Spectre was growing colder as the Ambassador was growing hotter. If red hot fury and violent emotion faced cold determination and inflexible resolution, it would have been the Ambassador and the Spectre. Anderson once more intervened before the situation spiralled out of control. He spoke quietly, "Shepard, it will look really bad for humans if you begin this investigation without any assistance from the Alliance."

Shepard answered, "I have no objection to accepting help from the Alliance, Captain, but it must be something that I require. I am assembling my team that will investigate Saren, and perhaps useful personnel could be seconded from the Alliance ranks?"

"Yes, Shepard," nodded Captain Anderson. "In fact, that was the other point the Alliance wished me to mention. We are aware that … your intelligence background would greatly benefit from someone who could advise you on the military situations. Admiral Hackett proposed Ms. Ashley Williams here, and she has agreed to work with you. If that is agreeable to you, that is."

"Absolutely, Captain. I see no problems with that. And I am sure Ms. Williams will be very useful. Welcome to the team, Ms. Williams." For once, Shepard's voice was truly human and warmly welcoming.

"Thank you, Commander" The soldier saluted the Commander.

-(Scene Break)-

In his newly assigned C-Sec office, Shepard stood inspecting his team, which had been assembled in front of him. In a row, they stood before him, the soldiers as if on a parade ground. At the extreme left stood Ashley Williams, in full Alliance uniform, and at attention. Next to her was Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, fidgeting and nervous in her suit. Next to her was Liara T'Soni, trying to mask her anxiety and unfamiliarity with other species. The one next to he was a tall Turian named Garrus Vakarian, deputed from the C-Sec. He had been the officer who had investigated Saren's actions. The final one was an enormous Krogan, the mercenary who had helped Shepard and Tali on Therum. Shepard introduced the team to everyone else, and then began assigning them all tasks. "Chief Williams, you are going to go over the testimony collected by the Alliance in the wake of the attack on Eden Prime. There are a large number of witnesses, whose testimony was collected, and the Alliance has forwarded all those files to us. You will check the files and see if there is anything connected to Saren or that ship of his." The woman saluted.

Shepard continued, "Tali, all the Geth salvaged from both the attacks on Eden Prime and the Binary Helix facility has been put at our disposal. You will check the Geth, and see if anything distinct can be discovered about them. Anything that gives clues about their origin would be of use to us, since it would give us a location to start looking in. Further, see what modifications the Geth have made since you examined Geth technology in the past. We'll need to know the direction of their changes for any future conflict." The Quarian girl assented.

"Liara, the remains of the Prothean artefact has been sent to us. You will check it and while it is no longer functional, you may discover something of use to us from it. And more importantly, if you can find any reason why Saren would be interested in it. You will also investigate all the information that is available on the Conduit and the Reapers. When you have done that, you and I have other work to do, which we can discuss later." The Asari nodded.

"Garrus, you will investigate the thug who attacked me and was murdered in a C-Sec prison. It was, I understand, not followed up?" "Yes, Commander," answered the Turian. "The death was put down to an accident by an orderly, and the orderly was suspended."

"You will begin investigation into this orderly and who may have paid him to do so. More importantly, you will also investigate the antecedents of this dead Turian thug, who he worked for, and so forth."

"At once, Commander," replied the Turian.

And he finally addressed the Krogan, "Wrex, you will start looking at all the mercenaries that have gone missing since they joined up with Saren. Also, the ships that the mercs hit, along with their cargo. You will also try and discover if any of them are still alive, and if there is anything in common to those mercs."

"Right, Shepard," rumbled the Krogan.

"And I," finished Shepard, "will be looking into the testimonies of the students of Matriarch Benezia. Also, I will be looking into the communications from the Binary Helix facility and also interviewing officials from the company to see what links Saren had and what we can discover. We shall see if there is anything to indicate Saren's plans. Right, any questions?"

No one had any. Shepard concluded the meeting, "The most important thing is secrecy. All of you are required to keep your eyes and ears open and mouths shut. The only thing we have working for us is secrecy. The fact that we are investigating Saren and his activities will have already reached him, or will soon. He will know we are coming after him. Whatever his plans are, we are to find him and discover his plans, and stop them." Here Shepard paused and looked earnestly into the eyes of each of them, ending slowly, "He is not going to raid any more colonies, not on our watch!"

"Yes, sir!" The answer had come from all the others. Shepard opened the door, and let them out. As they were passing, he remarked to Wrex, "Wrex, I want you to come with me. The weapons for our squad has arrived and I want you to look them over."

Ashley, who was a couple of paces ahead stopped, and volunteered, "I can do that, sir. It was my job, after all."

"I'm sure you can, Chief. But I would prefer Wrex to have a look at them. He's been looking at weapons for more than a millenium!" Shepard was mild, almost apologetic in his refusal.

As Ashley turned away, she heard the Krogan growl, "Never thought I would be working in a job inside C-Sec."

There was gentle amusement in Shepard's voice as he replied, "You experience something new everyday."

-(Scene Break)-

Wrex and Shepard had descended the stairs from the C-Sec, and emerged outside when the Krogan rumbled, "Where are the weapons, Shepard?"

"What weapons?" Shepard inquired mildly

"The weapons you want me to check, that's what," snapped Wrex.

"Did I mention weapons?" The nonchalance in Shepard's voice was unmistakable. "I must be getting forgetful in my old age!"

"What's going on, Shepard?" asked the Krogan suspiciously.

All the languor had vanished from Shepard's manner. He had become brisk and businesslike, "Listen, Wrex, this is the last chance we are going to get to talk freely. Every move of mine is being watched. My office in C-Sec, I am sure, is bugged. All my calls – both incoming and outgoing – are monitored night and day. And this street is the safest, the only place, where we can talk without being overheard."

"What have you been upto, Shepard?"

Shepard spoke quietly and freely, recounting all his adventures of the last few weeks. He told the old Krogan of his investigations post Eden Prime, his finding the Asari archaeologist on Therum, his offer to the Asari about the evidence concerning Saren, his being sent to rescue Benezia and how he had managed to do that from the Binary Helix facility. At this point, Wrex broke in in amazement, "You found Rachni in there?"

"Yes."

"And what did you do with the Queen?"

For the first time, Shepard's manner was confused. "I don't know," he answered quietly.

"What the hell do you mean by that, Shepard?"

Shepard answered meekly, "I remember standing before the Queen who was confined in her tank and talking to her. The next thing I remember is standing in front of the tank which had been flooded with acid."

"So you squashed the bug?" There was vindictive pleasure in Wrex's voice.

"I don't remember anything between standing before the Queen and seeing the tank flooded with acid. If I killed her, I should remember it, yes?"

"'Course", rasped the Krogan.

"But I don't. I recollect nothing of killing the Queen." Or freeing her, he thought to himself. However, he continued, "Whatever happened there, it is no consequence now, Wrex. It is not some forgotten Rachni queen whose fate we should be concerned with now, but our own fates."

"How?"

Shepard then explained how he had rescued Benezia and returned to Thessia, and there been offered the post of Spectre by the Asari.

Wrex growled, "Hell, Shepard, they have given you this job because no one else wants it. You know what they'll do to you if you fail to find this Turian bastard?"

Shepard nodded sadly, "Yes, Wrex. I know. There is nothing I can do about it. But you are not bound in this task. I invited you to join because neither the Council nor the Alliance wants me to succeed."

"Why?"

"All of them know more about Saren than they are letting out, Wrex. I find Cerberus involved in the same nasty business as Saren, and believe me, when the Alliance wants, it can and does make Cerberus produce answers. And even now, with the Saren connection to the same experiments that Cerberus was running established, we've learnt nothing of what Saren is upto, nor what Cerberus was doing with them. They know more, but they don't want us to know."

"And the Council?"

"The Asari knew about Saren and sent Benezia to influence him – moderate his instincts, if you will. They must know more about Saren's activities than they are letting on. Why would they send a respected Matriarch like Benezia to risk everything if they didn't know what Saren was doing?"

"And they have said nothing?"

"Nothing. From what the Matriarch Thalia's assistant said, they found out about that dreadnought of Saren and sent Benezia to find out more about it, because she and Saren are old friends."

He continued, "The Turians regard the accusation against Saren as an accusation against their species. He is their shame and they don't want it uncovered any more than they can help it. They'll do everything they can to bury all evidence against him."

Shepard sighed and continued, "And you are the only one I can trust in my team ..."

"What's wrong with the others?" questioned the Krogan.

"Where do we begin? Ah yes – let us see." Shepard ticked off his fingers, "Ashley Williams – she is a much despised Alliance officer despite her excellent record. Her family has been in complete disgrace since her grandfather surrendered to the Turians in the first contact war. The Alliance regards her as completely expendable, but she is still loyal to the core to the Alliance. The worst construction I can fathom is that Alliance wants to ruin me, and Ashley Williams is acceptable collateral damage in the bargain. The best construction is that they are throwing away the woman on a job they expect to produce no real results."

Shepard was continuing, and speaking in the same grave, sad tone, "Tali – she is a Quarian admiral's daughter. She knew that I was involved in the Eden Prime business, knew how to recognise me, and came to offer her assistance on her own. It is likely that the Quarians sent her to feed them info about the Geth. She is the least hopeless of the lot. She has her own goals, but they are not, I hope, antagonistic to mine."

"Liara – she is Benezia's daughter. She swears that she and her mother have had no contact, but again, she could be lying. We have only her word that she knew nothing of what her mother was doing and that she was not studying the Prothean artefacts for her mother and Saren. In fact, it is very suspicious that she is an expert on Prothean extinction, and Saren is just coincidentally searching for the Conduit, which comes from the same era."

"And finally, we have Garrus. The Turian supposedly led an investigation into Saren and his activities, but surprisingly discovered nothing. Did he really investigate or did he cover up everything, on the orders of the Council? Also, it was the Council who put him on my team. Who knows where his loyalties lie?"

"Dammit, Shepard. Why did you agree to this job if everything is against you?"

"I had no choice. The Asari .. made me an offer I could not refuse." Seeing the Krogan's questioning glance, Shepard elucidated, "Could not refuse, save at the peril of my life."

He faced Wrex and spoke finally, "Wrex, you know the score now. I would be delighted to have you here. You are the only one I can trust to watch my back in this matter. But if you want to leave, I won't stop you, nor think any worse of you. I have no other choice, but there's no reason why you should put your foot in this hornet's nest."

"Shepard, I've never backed out of a fight. And I won't now."

Shepard gripped the Krogan's arm. "I am truly grateful."

-(Author's Notes)-

The funny thing is that, if you look hard enough, you find suspicious attributes with almost all your squad mates. I have never seen anyone explore this aura of suspicion in the team – everyone portrays things are completely hunky dory and everyone working with the full trust of the others. Now, I am going to portray some intra party friction, with Shepard, being the devious minded creature that he is, suspecting everyone and everything. But it is his nature, his job to be cautious.

Further, I am going to explore the Alliance-Cerberus dynamics in some depth. The number of Alliance personnel – current and past – who end up in Cerberus is astonishing. It is interesting to see just how much the Alliance and Cerberus exchange their ranks.

Finally, do guess what happened to the Rachni queen. As usual, all comments are welcome.