Chapter 6 – Fore-warned is Fore-armed?
Restless, Shepard had taken to pacing a little behind Kaidan, who stood solidly, his arms crossed as he studied the galaxy's leaders congregated within the Council's boardroom.
"Do we have an update on the spores?" Valern asked. "Surely, once we've successfully integrated them into ourselves and our citizens this whole thing will be over. Without being able to control us, we're worthless to the Leviathans."
They all looked to Dr Narin Solus, who'd found himself finally taken seriously after curing Kepral's Syndrome in Thane Krios, and had been Chakwas' first port of call when she'd discovered the mutated thorian spores in Aurora.
"No success so far. Progress hampered greatly," came Narin's quick staccato speech that was so like his uncle's it made Shepard wistful. "Spores structure is intricate, cells linked together tightly. Outside of structure, cells degrade quickly, despite mimicking internal body conditions."
"They die off before you can work with them," Victus checked he'd understood the gist.
"Within an hour of removal from child. Yes."
"Can't you just keep extracting more?" blurted out the volus ambassador, Dalen.
"To satisfy demand, would have to extract many times every day for foreseeable future. Would distress child. Unacceptable," Solus shook his head, emphatically.
"With all our minds at stake, I hardly see why an upset child should hinder progress," scoffed Dalen.
"Then let me make it clear for you, Ambassador," came the steel voice of Shepard, coming to a stand-still and moving forward to brace her hands on the table so she was leaning in to directly address the volus, her anger evident. "General Alenko and I will do whatever it takes to protect our daughter, not just from the Leviathans, but anyone who thinks they can treat her as nothing more than a means to an end."
His face as thunderous as his wife's at what the ambassador had suggested, Kaidan nodded slowly in support, eyes fixed on the ambassador.
Dalen shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny.
Wrex's rumbling slow laugh penetrated the quiet. "How's it feel to have just pissed off two Spectres, volus?
"And that little girl's grandfather," growled Hackett, his own icy gaze causing Dalen's inhalation to shake.
"I- I apologise, of course," stammered the ambassador. "I spoke before thinking."
"Then I suggest you think very carefully before you speak again," gritted out Shepard.
Tevos raised her hand in appeasement. "I can assure you that no-one here would allow Aurora to be treated in such a way."
"I'll second that," Garrus said, resolutely, as he gave the volus a dirty look.
"That is correct," Liara concurred, her face just as severe.
Aethyta chuckled at the nervous volus. "You'd better be squeaky-clean, hun, or that dirt's gonna be aired real soon."
"I would never do that…without cause," Liara included, ominously.
"Really," sniffed the Dalatrass. "We may not have the time to be so sentimental over one child. She holds the answer to our problem-"
"Should have known you'd have no concern over ethics," barked Wrex.
"Ethics? Coming from a barbaric race like yours?" bit back Linron.
"Then you still know nothing of the krogan people," intercepted Bakara, her tone firm but solemn.
"Concern for child not only reason," Solus waded back in. "Continual interference increases risk of damaging existing spore structure. Have other avenue. All current work done with simulations."
"Simulations?" queried Linron, sceptically.
"Yes. Were designed using extensive scans of cells, so reasonable basis for finding a solution to problem. Believe solving reason for cell degradation when parted from others may also provide clue of how to duplicate them. Would, however, appreciate more assistance in this matter."
"Haven't you already got Sur'Kesh's finest working on it?" Hackett frowned.
Narin's face twisted with displeasure. "Have delegated were necessary, but results of requested research slow to return, despite regular prompts for updates. Can only assume colleagues are distracted with other projects; do not have full attention on spore research."
They all looked over at the Dalatrass who immediately drew herself up in defence. "I can assure you our scientists are fully focused, Doctor. However, I will voice your concerns to them."
Shouts from outside the room had them all looking to the door which then opened, a quarian male rushing in, with two security guards a distance behind. As the only armed person in the room, Garrus had already drawn his gun before the security team had caught up.
The quarian threw up his hands. "Please! It's important!" his voice indicating he was little more than an adolescent.
"Clay?" checked Koris, in disbelief.
"Would one of you like to explain to me how he got past you?" growled Garrus to his security.
The human officer swallowed before answering. "Sir… I- He bypassed our system computer. Had it showing up with his name on the list you gave us. He was already through by the time our system corrected itself and sent out a warning."
Garrus swung to Koris. "You know this boy?"
"I do. This is Clay'Gerrel, the son of Admiral Han'Gerrel. He went missing a week ago." Koris looked back at the young quarian as Garrus dismissed his officers. "Your father's been very worried about you."
"My father's a liar," came a bitter reply.
"Clay. This is no place-" Raan started to admonish.
"This is the perfect place, Admiral Raan." The young quarian looked at all the gathered dignitaries, but focused on Shepard and Kaidan. "I discovered a message mentioning the Leviathans. I know they're a threat. My father has been sending false reports regarding the sites Admiral Hackett requested us to check out for artifacts."
"Clay?" was all a shell-shocked Koris managed.
"Which sites were those?" Victus asked Hackett.
"The locations identified by the rachni. It was an extensive list, so we asked the quarian fleet to deal with half of the locations, most of which were in their home system."
"Gerrel then delegated half of those to the geth and dealt with the rest himself," assured Koris.
"Except he didn't," insisted Clay. "He sent one ship out with orders only to obtain resources he wanted."
"Clay!? That's a serious accusation!" exclaimed Koris.
"It's the truth."
"We can confirm that, Creator Koris," said Diniel. "Be assured that the geth have dealt with all the artifacts on Creator Gerrel's manifest."
Raan almost reeled backwards. "How could you know-?"
"Forget how they knew, Raan! This is an outrage!" railed Koris. "Gerrel's blatant disregard is unforgiveable!"
"But why would he do this?" worried Raan.
"He's-" Clay'Gerrel glanced anxiously at Diniel, then looked between Shepard and Kaidan. "Could we speak in private? After your meeting?"
Exchanging a glance with Terra, Kaidan answered, "Of course."
A cursing as someone else stumbled into the room dropping a datapad and omnitool at the same time, had them all turning to see a harried human male scrambling for his items.
"For Spirits sake!" complained Sparatus. "Executor, I suggest you re-train your men."
"Mr Zabeleta's on the list," Garrus snapped back, in irritation.
"Zee?" Terra had moved to steady him as he straightened.
"Terror. Um, I mean Shepar- Admiral. Sorry," Zabeleta said, breathlessly. "Didn't mean to barge in, but this is important."
"Everything's important these days," moaned Dalen.
Zabeleta lifted the omnitool in his hand, triumphantly. "I did it!" The vacant looks prompted him to clarify. "A working Leviathan Defence Field in the omnitool, using basic materials."
Dr Cole was the first to grab the omnitool and run her scans. "That's…! It's fully functional! How did you manage this?"
Still catching his breath from the run, Zabeleta simply passed Brynn the datapad, which she perused hungrily.
"I never would have thought of that… Why are you not on my team?" she squinted at him.
"Would someone like to enlighten the rest of us?" Hackett said. "Is it what he claims?"
"Sorry, Admiral. Yes. According to my scans and this data, Mr Zabeleta has found a way round our problem. It's actually rather ingenious."
"Well done, Zee," grinned Shepard. He'd come far from the drunk shell of a man she'd encountered on the Citadel while the SR-1 still existed. He'd served with her mother, and Terra had learnt a lot of her tech skills from him during her time aboard with him. He'd been a vibrant, gentle man before Mindoir. Struggling to cope with the atrocities he'd seen there, he'd turned to drink and away from the Alliance…until Terra had found him again.
Zabeleta self-consciously shrugged, putting his hand over hers where it rested on his shoulder. "It passed the time. Kept me out of trouble."
"When can we begin incorporating it into our omnitools?" Valern asked, eagerly.
"Immediately," answered Brynn. "It's surprisingly simplistic. I suppose we'd gotten carried away with intricate technologies when we simply needed to go back to basics."
"I suggest we start with all high-ranking officials, scientific and military personnel," offered Sparatus. "Then roll it out throughout the ranks. We'll have to devise some way of getting it to the masses without telling them exactly what it's for."
"Finally, some progress," Linron muttered.
"Relieved: This is good news," stated Calyn.
"Indeed. But we need to rewind a bit. To Admiral Gerrel," reminded Victus.
"Please," beseeched Raan. "I would ask that Admiral Koris and I be allowed to investigate-"
"Hardly seems unbiased," interrupted Sparatus.
"I can assure you that if Admiral Gerrel has done what's been accused, it will be addressed."
"So you say. But I believe that your Admiralty has to be in over-ruling judgement to take action on a fellow Admiral. And I notice that Admiral Xen has also decided not to be present today."
"We agreed that it was not necessary to send all of our Admiral's, and I would remind you that I am also still an Admiral," Raan said, tartly.
"So at best you'll be at deadlock."
"Admiral Shepard. General Alenko," addressed Tevos, breaking the verbal spar between Sparatus and Raan. "You have previous experience with the quarian Admiralty. I suggest that you perform your own investigation into this claim, as representatives of the Council."
"I am in agreement with that, Councillors," Koris nodded, relief in his tone. "Shepard and Alenko hold much respect among my people."
"I agree," said Raan.
"Excellent. Then it's done," Sparatus finalised.
"The Leviathan threat, too?" Dalen blurted out. "With these fields we don't need the spores."
"I disagree," Hackett stated. "What the Primarch highlighted before, is right. It's dangerous to assume the Leviathans won't eventually find a way past this technology."
"The personal LDF's are a short-term solution," agreed Shepard.
"We have to keep working for the long-term," Kaidan carried on. "The Leviathans are not going away easily. They proved that by surviving the Reapers."
Tevos looked around at them all as they registered the words. "In light of the limited knowledge we have on the Leviathans and their location, it appears our only courses of action are to continue working towards replicating the spores, to begin the task of integrating the protective fields into our omnitools, and to increase our protective forces around the Citadel and Aurora."
"Dr Solus, you will continue to work with the spores?" checked Councillor Valern.
"Indeed. Am committed to obtaining desired result."
"Dr Cole. I'd ask that you set up a local lab to deal with the omnitool upgrades," Osoba said.
"Of course, Councillor."
"I'll get a list to you of top-priority persons." Hackett looked at the other leaders. "I would suggest you do the same for your own races, and have your best engineers forwarded to Dr Cole." With the confirming nods, he turned to the man who had made it possible. "Mr Zabeleta. Your personal contribution has been noted. Would you be prepared to work with Dr Cole, as a consultant?"
Zabeleta was surprised at the sudden attention, his hand rubbing the back of his neck in discomfort. "Um…sure. I'd be happy to help."
"Excellent," Sparatus said, succinctly. "Then I say we pledge our additional forces for the Citadel, and end this meeting."
oOo
Up in the control room of the Citadel, the controllers were busy with all the requested docking assignments.
"Is there a colonist convention no one told us about?"
"Or another invasion?" someone else joked.
No one laughed at that one.
"Concentrate and we'll have them stowed away in no time. Score one to Citadel Control."
"Better warn Security they're gonna have a ton of colonists coming their way. Place is going to look like a bloody refugee camp again."
One by one, the ships were brought into bays around the Citadel.
oOo
Taking the cap from the clerk, Joker looked it over and grinned. "This is great!"
"Are you sure I won't get in trouble for that?" checked the salarian clerk, nervously.
"Nah. I'm good friends with an Admiral. You'll be fine. And she'll love this."
Rorie jumped up and down beside him. "Let me see! Let me see! Is it like yours?"
Crouching down, Joker positioned it on her head, a perfect fit, then turned her and pointed to a mirrored panel. Her fingers reached up to touch the Alliance insignia Joker had commissioned, having paid extra to have it done while they waited.
Rorie bounced again with excitement. "It's just like on mommy and daddy's jackets! Am I Liance now?"
"Whoa! You gotta grow a lot more first, and then go through training before you can be Alliance, but you'll get there one day so in the meantime you're...Pre-Alliance. Like it?"
"Uh huh! It's the best! Thank you, Uncle Joker." She hugged him, kissing his cheek. "I love you."
"Gah! You're going to ruin my reputation…but I love you too." He hugged her back, feeling rather sad at that moment as he suddenly remembered his little sister who hadn't made it through the war. Rorie looked at him with those adoring eyes that made Joker feel important in her life, and he felt lucky. She didn't see his disability beyond knowing she had to be careful around him, and she didn't care about his ace piloting abilities; she just accepted him, and he hoped he never let her down. "A lot," he added, releasing her. "Just…keep it to yourself, okay?"
"Why?"
Joker leaned in closer as though to impart something meaningful. "Anyone tell you that you talk too much?"
"Uh huh," she nodded, sincerely. "Auntie Jack. She said I'm not to tell she loves me lots, too."
Joker squinted at her. "Firstly, I can't believe you just likened me to Jack, and secondly, you need to work on that 'no telling' part."
She gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.
"Yeah, too late for that." Straightening, Joker noticed Edi approaching the store, a selection of food in her hands for Rorie, who spotted her and ran over.
"Auntie Edi! Look at my cap! I'm Pee-Liance now!"
Joker groaned as even Edi couldn't decipher that one. "I'll explain later. Come on, let's go eat." He smiled to himself as Rorie skipped ahead of them, eager for the picnic he'd promised.
oOo
Leaving the races leaders and representatives to their discussions, Kaidan was glad to be out of the Council's boardroom. He wasn't sure what they'd gained from the meeting other than the cold hard fact that they had nothing but defences. Terra walked beside him clearly disquieted, and Kaidan knew she was just as unnerved by the lack of anything proactive they could personally do. He wanted to take the fight to the Leviathans - to end this before they had a chance to get anywhere near his daughter. Instead, he and Terra were playing peace-keeper between the quarians and other races.
He chastised himself. Relations were still strained, past transgressions by the quarians still remembered. If Gerrel's lack of cooperation wasn't resolved satisfactorily, Kaidan was left in no doubt the Council races would react hard and fast. The quarians would be left out in the cold again, and with their fragile unity with the geth, who knew where that could lead. But heading out to Rannoch wasn't something he'd planned on, and they couldn't risk bringing Rorie with the Leviathans out there. Hackett had wanted to have her, but he had fleets to arrange as per the new agreement with the Council, so Garrus had offered to look after her while they were gone.
"Been a little while, Shepard," Wrex was saying as he joined them where they'd stopped on the Presidium grounds. Further behind him, Liara was having stern words with an unbothered Aethyta, and Koris and Raan looked like they were trying to reason with Gerrel's son. "Still have times I miss following you around. Wherever you go, something big is about to go down."
"Not asking to join the Normandy again, are you?" Shepard asked, with mock suspicion.
"If I said I was?"
"Hell no. Nothing's worth putting up with your ugly ass," she teased.
"You've been checking out my ass, Shepard?" Wrex grinned back at her. "Alenko know about this obsession of yours?"
"I do," nodded Kaidan. "She stares at mine all the time."
"I can testify to that," agreed Garrus, sauntering over. "It's not healthy, Shepard."
She squinted at them. "I hate you all."
Wrex chuckled evilly. "Don't believe it, little sister." He swung a heavy arm across her shoulders, almost making her knees buckle with the weight. Then he grumbled as his thoughts went to serious things. "Have to say, I don't like being out of the game so early on. There's not a lot the krogan can offer when it comes to protection in the black void. Kind of makes me hope the Leviathans bring their fight to the ground."
"I'd prefer they left us alone," mumbled Kaidan.
"That's not gonna happen."
"Yeah… Thanks for that, Wrex."
"You're supposed to be the logical one," shrugged the krogan leader.
"My God… The thought of Rorie being targeted…" Shepard murmured, and she suddenly had that awful image in her head of the shuttle Michael had been inside, exploding in the Reaper's beam.
"Maybe you should be careful what you wish for, Wrex," warned Garrus, his stomach churning at the thought.
Shepard took a deep, calming breath, the hand at the base of her spine that Kaidan had placed there, allowing her to focus on the warmth he offered. "Unless he made that wish on the severed paw of a monkey, I think we're safe," she joked, weakly.
Wrex frowned. "I've got a varren's paw." He fished it out of his armour and held it up.
They all made sounds of disgust.
"What the hell are you doing with a varren's paw?" asked Kaidan.
Wrex grinned with pride. "First hunt with one of my sons."
"Which one?"
Wrex shrugged, brushing it away like it didn't matter. "Too many to remember names."
"Ah, how heart-warming," Garrus said, sarcastically.
"Jealous you don't have countless females demanding your seed?" Wrex smirked.
"That must be it, Wrex. I'm just a lonesome male, free to do what I want, when I want. No endless demands for credits and more space, no nagging or tantrums, and I've not been driven crazy enough to resort to carrying around animal appendages on my person. I call that an added bonus," retorted Garrus.
"Hm. You're right. I've been around you lot too long. Getting soft. Best to just have the fun without dealing with the after-effects."
"After-effects? I'm telling Bakara that," announced Terra. "You are so in the shit."
Wrex rumbled at her. "Go ahead. I like your human saying," Wrex grinned. "'Treat them mean, keep them keen'." He chuckled at himself.
"Really, Wrex?" came Bakara's wise voice. "I'll be sure to pass that on to the clan females. Prepare for a dry-spell."
Startled, Wrex spun, ignoring the snorts of amusement from the others. "Bakara… Knew you were there. You need to find a sense of humour."
She grunted, pinning Wrex with a withering look, then looking past him. "Terra. I would have liked time to talk, however, there are issues at the embassy I need to deal with. I shall endeavour to call on you before you leave for Rannoch, but if not, I send you off with my best wishes."
"Thank you, Bakara."
Once Bakara had left ear-shot, Garrus laughed out loud. "'Treat them mean', Wrex? Want to check you still have your quad? Because I think Eve just left with them!"
Wrex grumbled. "Don't concern yourself with my quad, turian. Yours are going to be a tiny snack for me later."
"Tiny? Keep telling yourself that, Wrex. Someday you might be able to convince yourself you're a challenge for me. And good luck getting to them. I can guarantee they aren't coming out for any krogan."
"Er, can we change the subject?" grimaced Shepard.
"I agree," winced Kaidan. "This conversation has rapidly gone down into the gutter."
"Prude," muttered Wrex. "Speaking of which. Liara," he shouted over. "What's going on with you and the prothean?" He jerked his thumb at Javik who was standing at a balcony overlooking the Presidium, hands behind his back, creating the appearance of an Emperor surveying his minions.
Liara left Aethyta (who went back into the Tower to torment someone else) and glided over to them, no trace of amusement on her face. "Nothing, Wrex."
"Nothing? All that time together…"
"Now you sound like my father."
"Not so surprising. Hear she came from good stock," Wrex chortled.
"Walked into that one, T'Soni," laughed Garrus as she rolled her eyes.
"So?" pressed Wrex.
Liara sighed, irritation sparking. "I already answered you, Wrex. Leave it be," she snapped. Then she noticed them all staring back at her. "I… I apologise, but I should go. It will take time to bring in the beacons and to locate Zorran's black-box." She distractedly waved her hand in farewell and started to walk away.
"She definitely needs a good-" Wrex was interrupted by Shepard impacting his chest with the back of her hand as she went to chase after the asari.
"Liara?" Relieved to see her stop, Terra caught up with her. "Is everything alright?"
Liara's face softened as she looked back at her. "Shepard. I will be fine. I should probably get more sleep. Please, do not be concerned. You have far more pressing matters, and my thoughts are with you and Kaidan. Take comfort from the defences in place here. Aurora will be safe. Tell her I am sorry I could not come to see her, but I will still be there to take her calls, as always."
"Thanks, Liara." Shepard placed her hand on Liara's arm. "But if you need anything, or just want to talk, you know I'm here."
Liara struggled to remain composed at Shepard's concern for her even in the face of the Leviathans. "You are a good friend." Then she quickly turned and left.
Terra watched Liara leave, aware when a figure paused beside her. "What's wrong with her, Javik? Don't pretend you haven't picked up on it."
"She is dealing with a personal issue. I will not betray her confidence by saying more. It may yet come to nothing."
Terra nodded slowly. "Look after her."
He bowed his head in respect and trailed after Liara.
More concerned than ever, Terra was then distracted by the approaching figure of Kolyat, and she smiled as he made his way over.
"Terra, it's good to have you back," Kolyat hugged her. "Though I fear with all the VIP's who've descended on the Citadel, something serious is happening."
Shepard didn't want to think of it anymore. "I'll explain later. For now, I want to hear about you and your family. How's Kalisa and Thian?"
Kolyat's face brightened at the mention of his wife and son. "They're wonderful. Thian's just starting to sit up by himself now."
"The little man's not waiting around!"
"If you'd like, I could bring him over after my shift's ended. If you're not too busy, of course."
"I'd love that, Kolyat," she said, genuinely.
"Will you be here long?"
"Unfortunately, we've been ordered to Rannoch, so we'll be leaving late tonight to arrive early tomorrow morning."
"No rest stop? Must be serious."
"Fishing for info, Officer Krios?" she teased.
"Sorry," he grinned, sheepishly. "A habit, I guess."
"Maybe there'll be time to relax after. I don't know. Everything feels up in the air at the moment, and I honestly have no idea what lies beyond Rannoch."
Kolyat studied her. "You look weighed down," he observed gently.
"I am," she answered simply. "But we can talk about it when you bring that gorgeous family of yours with you later."
"Deal," he smiled. "I'd better get back to work."
With Kolyat gone, Shepard returned to Kaidan, Wrex and Garrus. Their conversation was now reduced to good-natured teasing about Wrex's souvenir.
"I think it's nice you decided to keep it, Wrex," interrupted Shepard. "You should be a part of your children's lives. Despite your dubious opinions when it comes to females, you have a lot to teach them. You're the reason the krogan are thriving today – and no I don't mean because of your sizeable personal contribution to the population," she added, dryly, at his smirk. "You were prepared to stop and think instead of running into every situation head-first and gun drawn. If you can instil some of that into your children, the krogan will continue to have a bright future."
"Hm," Wrex stared back at her in appreciation. He looked at the paw in his hand. "It was Boon."
Shepard smiled at his admittance as to which child had helped hunt the varren. He'd known all along. Boon was Wrex's first son, born by Bakara. Theirs was a different culture, Terra had to remind herself as she tried to ignore the fact he was the same age as Rorie. Despite herself though, she couldn't help thinking of the lost innocence.
oOo
Deep in the frigid and dark watery depths of their resting place, the Leviathans could see the many docking bays security checkpoints, simultaneously, through the differing perspectives of their tools as they approached.
Security guards around the Citadel readied themselves as the Leviathans bid the colonists forward as though as one entity, the guards' postures showing no sign of having discerned a possible threat. As the Leviathans had expected, giving up so many tools before leaving for dark space had led the races to a false assumption: that they had been forced to abandon them all.
Those who protected the child were about to find out how wrong they were.
oOo
The turian security guard, Renik, had been given the heads up on the large amount of visitors coming in and was unsurprised by the number of families that now walked towards him. A group of human children formed a tight pack that moved slowly forward, and he frowned at their unusually serious faces.
Distracted by the approach of the leading adult, Renik greeted the male. "Looks like you've all been travelling a while. The kids look exhausted."
"We require entry," said the human, his voice a monotone.
"We require entry," a female repeated as she came up behind the other.
Their lifeless tones gave him a slight chill. "Sure. I'd suggest you all head for a hotel and catch some sleep a-sap, though."
"Entry," the male said again, now backed by more humans.
Unnerved, Renik decided he just wanted them gone, figuring it was just his luck to get the shift with the crazy colonists. "Okay then, step on through and we'll have you all processed in no time."
He activated the new Indoctrinated-Presence Detection program, which many of his fellows agreed was just another unnecessary procedure brought on by paranoia after the Reapers. He had absolutely no idea what in the spirit's name the other field that encased the corridor was supposed to do.
As Renik indicated for the first human to step forward into the IPD, the children separated as other adults reached down to pick up a large glowing orb they'd be obscuring, and he felt the new stirrings of concern.
"What's-?"
That's when the IPD sounded out its alarm. Renik was mute with disbelief and confusion as his screen flashed a red alert warning 'INDOCTRINATED PRESENCE'.
The orb was then sent rolling at speed through the corridor, and still stunned, Renik watched it moving through, unaware of the suddenly disoriented and frightened-looking adults and children behind him. Clearing the passage, the orb emitted a burst of energy which brought all their systems down, including the power source for the LDF, and the colonists instantly returned to their vacant look.
It had all happened in the space of seconds, and Renik began reaching for his gun, turning to find the adult colonists armed and aiming at him.
Renik went numb with the realisation he was going to die. Then the guns fired and his body was flung back as the rounds hit. He was dead before his brain had registered the pain.
oOo