Chapter 18 – Hell in a Hand-basket, Part One.
For the two Spectres, the entire journey back to the Citadel had been spent in the War room, going over every piece of valuable data Kaidan had discovered in the files. They'd prioritised, going through Linron's plans so Shepard could be up to speed before aiding Wrex, then moving on to the rest. It was unsettling what the Leviathans had simply 'walked' away with, not to mention what Linron had been planning for the krogan.
Docking presented no relief. The Councillors and other race representatives were waiting to start the meeting. A meeting they were expected to attend. But first there was a goodbye Shepard had to give.
Gabby was tearful as she thanked Shepard for looking after them and giving them a home away from home, Ken pretending he wasn't as bothered by it, but his hug told her otherwise. They were going to join Hackett's specialist engineering team - a coveted assignment. They'd be fine.
As the two engineers left Normandy for the last time, Shepard slipped into the cockpit to check on Altair and to announce shore-leave until further notice. Kaidan was joining her when Garrus strode in.
"Welcome back," Garrus greeted. "You beat Sur'Kesh's newest Dalatrass. She's still in transit, so you've got a short breather. Wish I could have seen the moment Linron realised you'd out-manoeuvred her."
"How about her arrest instead? I'll get you the recording later. Kirrahe enjoyed it, before he was called in to personally accompany the Dalatrass here."
"Just when I thought this day would be nothing but politicians, you bring me a little ray of sunshine. Speaking of sun-rays, I thought Rorie would have been here to meet you."
"We decided not to tell her we're here until the meeting was over," answered Kaidan, solemnly. "There's no telling how long we'll be caught up for."
Terra sighed. "After this meeting I'm spending one whole day with my baby. If the Councillors don't like it, they can stuff their Spectre status up their backsides."
Kaidan and Garrus laughed in surprise.
"Motherhood's turned you savage!" Garrus remarked.
"Not that I blame you. If it comes to it, I'm right there with you," supported Kaidan, getting an appreciative look from his wife.
"Liara here yet?" wondered Shepard, worried about her asari friend. Their earlier conversation had been all business despite Terra's attempt to steer it to a personal one.
"Yeah. Got here an hour ago," confirmed Garrus. "Bakara too. Nice work, by the way. Wrex filled me in on your chat with Tuchanka's residents. They'll be calling you the krogan whisperer next."
"The krogan what?" came Grunt from behind them.
"Nothing," Garrus laughed as Shepard slapped a backhand into his midriff. "Had fun?"
"No. There was no fighting," came the disgruntled response.
"I'm surprised you didn't ram your way inside Shepard's cell."
"Cell?"
Garrus stared back at Grunt. "Wait a minute. You didn't know? What did you think was happening when the ship left without Shepard?"
"Crappy pilot," Grunt shrugged.
Everyone fought the urge to look over their shoulders at Altair, right behind them.
"We thought it best he stay oblivious," explained Shepard, patting Grunt's shoulder. "Less chance of having to sedate him."
Unbothered by being talked about, Grunt was focused on one thing that had his hands fisting. "The salarians locked you up?"
"Linron locked me up, yes. Now it's the other way around."
"Don't forget the part where she ordered your arms ripped from their sockets," gritted out Garrus.
Grunt growled.
"Not helping, Garrus," Shepard half sang, before changing to a more soothing tone to placate Grunt. "I'm fine. Nothing I couldn't handle. She just didn't like it when I won."
Grunt started swatting at the side of his face, like something was irritating him. He shook his head violently. "Damn flies. Get everywhere."
The others looked at each other mystified.
"You do know you're not on Tuchanka anymore, right?" teased Garrus. "The rest of the galaxy has cleanliness standards."
"Bugs aren't allowed past the airlocks," Kaidan added.
"I can confirm that there are no unauthorised creatures aboard the ship," stated Edi from the co-pilot's seat.
Grunt started shaking his head, and waving his hands around.
"The one known as Kasumi is irritating the krogan," Javik threw out as he strolled past them towards the exit.
"Aww! How'd you know?" Kasumi whined at his back, materialising.
"I have eyes," was all he said by way of explanation, then disappeared out of the airlock along with more of the crew.
Kaidan heaved a sigh. "Kasumi. Leave him alone."
"But he's so cute." She tickled under his chin, causing Grunt to swat her away, but with a sound that was disturbingly more of a chuckle than a complaint.
Adams and Chakwas walked up the aisle, and Shepard smiled at the two. "Adams, I'm making it your duty to keep Karin away from anything medical-related for once."
"Already on that, Ma'am," Adams grinned. "Got dinner reservations all set, and I intend to take my time."
"Honestly, you two. Anyone would think that I'm always working," chided Chakwas.
"You are," they all answered, to which Chakwas gave a quiet laugh in capitulation.
"Have a good time," Kaidan ushered.
"That's my cue, too," stated Kasumi. "Going to try my luck in the casinos," she winked, then flitted out with the two prospective diners.
"Grunt? Any plans?" enquired Shepard.
"Some action."
Garrus groaned. "Do me a favour and find it in the Arena," he begged.
"I don't owe you any favours."
Shepard raised one brow at the krogan. "Verbal sparring, now? You really are desperate for a fight aren't you, Grunt? Now, quit it," she admonished. "You know full well you were heading there anyway."
Grunt just grunted, trundling over to the airlock.
"And no trouble on the way, either," called out Garrus. "Or on the way back," he added. He sighed wearily, shoulders slumping. "How does anyone survive kids?" he wondered. "It's a wonder all parents aren't wrecks."
"I don't think you can use Grunt as an average indicator of what kids are like!" laughed Kaidan. "Isn't he an adult now, anyway?" he directed at Shepard.
"I have no idea," she shrugged. "How do you tell?" She looked beyond Kaidan to her new engineer. "Clay. Making your escape, or just sight-seeing?"
Slowing as he joined them, Clay grinned at her. "I was a bit worried for a while there, but we're still alive, so I think I'll stick it out. I'm kinda interested in what we'll get into next. Thought I might take up Specialist Traynor's offer of a game of Kep…uh…"
"Kepesh-Yakshi," called out Traynor, handing a datapad to another crewman on her way over. "Don't worry. I'll go easy on him."
"Doesn't that involve electric shocks for the loser?" Kaidan frowned.
Traynor rolled her eyes. "You ruined the surprise." Then she waved along the now wary-looking Clay. "Come on. I promise to switch that off."
Cortez moved into the area they vacated, an uncomfortable looking Knox beside him.
"Good to see you getting out, Knox," approved Shepard.
Knox just shrugged self-consciously, so Cortez answered for him.
"I was heading to see if there was anything I could do for the orphans left behind after the attack here. Knox decided to tag along."
"I see. That's good to hear," she said, sincerely. Shepard opened her omnitool and sent a file to Cortez. "That's the address where they're being looked after, and a contact for their social workers."
"I don't know why I'm surprised you would have it," said Cortez, softly. "You're keeping an eye on them, aren't you?"
"As best I can with everything going on." Shepard felt Kaidan's hand at the small of her back, who'd also been unaware. Not that she'd deliberately kept it from him. It had just been a concern that had lingered in her mind, and she'd made enquiries about them before leaving the Citadel. Two of those children she'd personally deprived of their father…
Knox looked down at his feet, and Shepard saw a similar guilt reflected on his face. She was glad to see it existed on the young soldier, but he needed to move beyond it.
"Knox," Shepard verbally nudged. "All you can do now is help them move forward."
He nodded slowly, Cortez placing a friendly hand on his shoulder, then leading the way out.
That left Joker in medbay (but Edi would keep him company) and Altair. Shepard looked over at the pilot, who was studying her nails.
"Nowhere to go, Altair?"
"Oh… No. Not really. Thought maybe I should keep Commander Moreau company."
"That is not necessary," advised Edi. "I will be remaining aboard."
"Oh…"
"What do you like doing to relax?" asked Shepard.
"Dancing," Altair answered without hesitation.
"Then Shepard's not the person to help you any further," jibed Garrus, ignoring the glare. "There's some great clubs around here." He sent her some locations that weren't too far away.
"Get out of here for a little while," insisted Shepard. "You never know how long it will be before the next break, so grab them while you can."
The three of them watched Altair perusing her omnitool on her way out, then Garrus became centre of attention when his omnitool chimed the arrival of a message.
"Dalatrass Narra has arrived," Garrus informed them with a heavy tone. Life had invaded the lighter atmosphere they'd managed to create for just a few minutes. "Looks like it's time to convene."
They exited the ship where Garrus' father was standing in the waiting area, his attention on a news-vid screen. He glanced at them as they approached, gesturing to the screen. "Looks like there may be some krogan trouble at the salarian embassy."
"Damn it," muttered Garrus, moving away to contact Bailey.
"Nice to see you again, Teryck," said Shepard.
"My apologies, Shepard. Alenko." Teryck shook the Spectres hands. "It's too easy to fall back into the old role. I had the pleasure of meeting Aurora again. She's grown. Reminds me that the years go by too fast."
"They certainly do," agreed Kaidan.
Garrus returned, his face severe. "I'm going to have to be fashionably late to the party. Bakara, too. I've asked for her input in this. Looks like these krogan haven't gotten the ceasefire message from Tuchanka. It's only a small gathering. Shouldn't take too long to disperse. Care to join me for this?" he asked his father.
Vakarian Senior was clearly honoured by the suggestion. "Absolutely. It'll be like old times."
"Great. Then I'll see you two there," Garrus finished to the Spectres, then climbing into a waiting cab with his father.
Alone, Kaidan breathed in the silence of the bay, Shepard looking around like she couldn't quite believe there was a respite, and they both sighed that they weren't able to enjoy it for more than these few seconds. They were pulled to each other, arms embracing, lips sealing, neither of them wanting to break the serenity with talk. Words weren't needed when you could convey everything in a kiss. Breaking it was accepting the moment had to end, but nevertheless they did.
Separating, they headed to a cab with renewed energy - because at the end of this meeting, would be Rorie.
oOo
oOo
The same faces had congregated once more around the conference table in the Council Chambers, with the exception of Admiral Koris, Dr Cole, and Dr Bryson. They were going over the new information for those who had yet to be updated, which included Raan, Coats, and the most of the ambassadors.
They already knew the Leviathans had everything on the spore research, but now they also had the data on Garneau's defence fields, which meant the Leviathans had a head start on getting round them. It had unsettled them all to know that the one thing they'd managed to achieve to protect themselves, was likely to be overcome sooner rather than later.
"We could look into altering the frequency of the field," suggested Liara, "but there will be no way of testing any changes until it comes into contact with the Leviathans."
"Let's be prepared anyway," Hackett said. "For now, they've all we've got, for however long or short a time that may be."
"How did the artifact get into the facility in the first place?" worried Raan, back from Rannoch, and verging on grateful that the spotlight was now on a different race.
"I went over an inventory for the facility and compared it with one taken by the salarian investigators after the place went silent," Kaidan explained. "They had over sixty artifacts stored there. All gone."
"Did the Union know about this?" Victus frowned at Narra.
"We did not."
"Would you say if you did?" huffed Aethyta.
"But they knew the risks," Valern remarked in alarm at his fellows decisions. "Surely they had safeguards in place."
"Eleven of those artifacts the salarians had recovered before anyone knew about the Leviathans," answered Kaidan. "After we learned just what they were capable of, they shielded those and the rest they found subsequently, but hadn't noticed that there was already one less. Edi confirmed that the inventory had been altered within hours of us first implementing Garneau's shielding on the artifact within Bryson's lab here on the Citadel. The Leviathans must have had the scientists stow one behind that panel so they could re-take control when they needed to. None of the scientists were likely to realise a small amount of missing time."
"Why leave one artifact behind when they took the others?" enquired Tevos.
"Can't leave themselves completely blind," reasoned Shepard. "The facility would no doubt be re-used at some point. We only found that artifact because we had Edi with us."
"So Linron ignored the agreement to destroy the artifacts, and now the Leviathans have gained more," bit out Sparatus, with an unhappy glance at Narra, as though she was due the criticism by proxy.
"Afraid so."
"Linron has a lot to answer for, even without this mess with the krogan," declared Victus.
"Is it true that the krogan are going to war with the salarians?" worried Dalen, with the accompanying hiss of his masked inhalation.
"Hasn't anyone told you that those news-vids are nothing but conjecture, Dumpling?" Aethyta directed back at the volus. "If you spent more time trading common sense instead of those hallucinogenic minerals you're making a killing on, you'd know not to go blurting out crap like that until you had the hard facts."
"So they're not?" checked Dalen, unconcerned by the asari's inside knowledge.
"No," stated Shepard. "Urdnot Wrex and Ambassador Bakara have made great efforts to keep the clans from rash reactions."
"We did not achieve it alone," came Bakara, entering the room. "Shepard's words added a great weight to ours." She joined them at the table.
"I assume all is well at the Embassy," enquired Tevos.
"It is settling. The Executor wished to maintain a presence until all krogan have dispersed, but I have done all I can."
"I thank you for calming the situation, Ambassador. I am Dalatrass Narra, and I am hopeful of improving the relationship between our peoples."
Bakara simply bowed her head in acknowledgement of the potential truce.
"This one wonders what was planned," said the Hanar ambassador.
"To create an army," answered Shepard. "A species uplifted to do Linron's dirty work."
Raan gasped incredulously. "What? After what happened with the krogan, they were doing it again!?"
"Sounding familiar?" Sparatus put in, to which Raan drew herself up and folded her arms defensively across her chest. A move that was unconsciously copied by Narra as the topic moved on to her own counterpart's actions.
"Linron was going all out this time," said Shepard.
Kaidan nodded. "They were experimenting with a yahg, enhancing their, uh…'specimen' to make him stronger – and they succeeded."
"The yahg!" Like Raan, the rest of the room shifted uneasily.
"It is certainly a worrying turn of events," Tevos granted. "Our first and only encounter with them over sixty years ago, was disastrous. The entire Council delegation sent to their home-world in a bid to offer them a place within the galactic community, were brutally slaughtered. The yahgs extreme aggressiveness made them an unsuitable race for further contact, hence the restrictions we placed, banning encroachment on their space. They see themselves as above other species, as was proven by their reaction to our offer of equal citizenship."
"They're a physically strong race?" asked Coats, who had also returned to the Citadel with the newest developments. "Stronger than the krogan?"
Kaidan knew just how strong from his encounter with the previous Shadow Broker - something he couldn't reveal here. "Enough that it was only necessary to enhance the one yahg the salarians had, in order for Linron's plan to work. Liara?"
"Little is known about this species. We do know that the yahg have a pack-like culture. They exist in groups much like the krogan clans, with one alpha under whom the rest are subservient to. With an enhanced yahg, who was also to be implanted with a control device by Linron's scientists, they could return him to his pack with the aim to challenge the existing leader. Once he had won his place, the rest would do whatever was demanded of them. Uplifted, Linron would have been able to order the yahg to attack Tuchanka."
"Linron had learned one thing from the krogan rebellion," added Kaidan. "She'd had her scientists produce a biological virus which would render the race docile after they'd served their purpose. She wanted to use it with the krogan, but knew any sudden change in behaviour would raise suspicion among the Council races."
"Clever," said the volus ambassador, Dalen, finding himself once again on the receiving end of Shepard's stony gaze.
"It's abhorrent," she reinforced.
"You said that the scientists succeeded. What happened to their 'experiment subject'?" Valern asked, no doubt hoping that it had been removed from the facility by the recovery team, like the numerous varren had.
"Gone," said Kaidan. "Inventory confirmed it."
"This yahg is in Leviathan hands," said Hackett. "I'd say it's likely they'll use him in the same way. They like their tools, and the yahg would be perfect weapons in a ground assault. What's more, they also have the enhancement research."
"Aren't the yahg primitive when it comes to space-flight?" scoffed Sparatus. "How are they going to be a problem for us if they're on their home-world?"
"Actually, they were on the verge of space-flight," supplied Liara. "It was the reason the Council made contact."
"We've been checking periodically," announced Valern. "There have been no trace of the necessary docks, or even ships."
"No ships at all?" Coats queried, giving a side glance at Hackett.
"No. Nothing," assured Valern.
"Then they've gone underground," stated Hackett. "There's no chance in hell that they've given up on space-flight. The Council's arrival just gave them a warning that they were being watched. Which means we have no idea how far they've progressed."
There was a shuffling of feet in the ensuing silence.
"Why would the Leviathans need this yahg?" asked Raan. "Couldn't they just indoctrinate them all?"
"To indoctrinate a large widespread group they need artifacts," explained Shepard. "They've got more, but not enough for an army to give us pause. But place one indoctrinated yahg at their lead, and the Leviathans won't need to take the rest."
"Can't we just use the virus?" shrugged Dalen. "Make them all docile."
Aethyta gave a soft chuckle to go with her shaking head. "A volus with a death wish."
"What the hell's the matter with you?" Shepard railed at Dalen. "It would be little more than another genophage."
"I… Um." He cleared his throat. "I don't see the connection."
"Then I shall explain." Bakara's voice was as ever calm, but there was a sad undertone. "The yahg have evolved into what they are to better help them survive the harsh conditions and aggressive inhabitants they share a world with. Taking away the traits which have ensured their survival would leave them vulnerable. They would be wiped out. That cannot be allowed to happen."
"Besides, the Leviathans were also privy to that research," pointed out Shepard, "and I have a feeling that when our medical teams take a closer look at that virus, they'll find it's ineffective. I'm quite sure the Leviathans first priority is to ensure their tools remain strong."
Victus made an audibly weary exhalation. "Is there any good news?"
Shepard, Kaidan and Hackett, all looked at Liara to explain what they already knew.
"We have readings of the Leviathans pulses, taken from not only the beacons, but also my agent's ship recording, as well as the Kalioni's black-box."
"That was our ship patrolling the Crucible," added Tevos to the others. "So it was destroyed by the Leviathans?"
"Yes. Though we don't know why. Regardless, we now have a positive reading to work with. Something we can use to try to deduce some kind of counter-measure."
"Thank the Spirits," puffed out Sparatus. It was a relieved tone that was echoed by his peers.
"Can you get a copy of that to Edi?" requested Shepard.
Liara nodded and typed into her omnitool. When she had finished she addressed Hackett. "I have also sent the data to Dr Cole."
"Appreciated."
Shepard's omnitool signalled a call and she moved aside to answer it. "Edi?"
"Shepard. I apologise for interrupting but I have found something significant in the data Liara sent that is pertinent to your meeting."
Surprised, she returned to the table and placed Edi on speaker. "Okay, Edi. You've got our attention. Go ahead."
O
After Bakara had verbally knocked the trouble-making krogans heads together, and though grumbling in what was probably disappointment at not having spilt salarian blood, the males had slowly begun to leave the area surrounding the salarian embassy.
The attending officers Garrus had called upon were all either asari or human, offering less chance of the krogan taking offence to their presence; Garrus and Teryck remaining on the periphery until they needed to intervene.
While his officers encouraged those that lingered to move on, Garrus spotted a krogan nudging another, then jerking his chin up to gesture towards two salarians who were strolling through the area, seemingly unaware of the chaos here earlier.
"Looks like things are over," he said distractedly to his father.
"You had a quick response time. This kind of action would have precipitated panic within the Citadel, fast. Getting the krogan ambassador here was a good call."
It was a rare compliment that barely registered. Keeping the krogan in his sights, Garrus noticed when they made to follow the oblivious salarians. Not far from him, another salarian was getting loud and animated with two of his officers.
"I can deal with this," said Teryck, trying to sound casual where in fact he was looking forward to re-living a little of his C-Sec days. "You'd better be heading to that meeting." Without a backward glance, Teryck went to assist the officers.
Moving in the direction of what Garrus was certain was a situation in the making, he decided it would be prudent to take back-up. His father was already reassuring the complaining salarian. Most of his officers had their hands full clearing the area, but he signalled to one officer, a human, to accompany him – Huxton, if Garrus remembered his name right. Someone needed to make sure those salarians stayed in one piece.
They headed to the nearby residential wards, then into a large apartment block, the stairwells empty as they climbed them, away from the high traffic. Exiting on the seventh floor, they turned a corner, Garrus losing sight of them. When he rounded that same corner, he saw the salarians at the far end of the corridor, pinned up against an apartment door by the two krogan. Without hesitation, Garrus armed himself, Huxton following suit.
"C-Sec. Stop right there."
The two krogan turned to him, releasing their terrified prey in the process, who stumbled into the apartment behind them and sealed it.
"Didn't you hear a thing your ambassador said back there?" Garrus chided.
"Sure we did," shrugged one.
"Then what were you doing attacking those salarians?"
They both shrugged.
"It was business," said one of the krogan.
"Yeah. A human paid us," answered the other.
With the cold, harsh realisation that he'd just walked into an ambush, Garrus spun in time to see Huxton knocked out by a concussive blast, which staggered Garrus back in the process, right into the two krogan who grabbed his arms. His shields were taken out by a couple of disrupter rounds, his weapon overheating and rendered temporarily useless, the electricity causing his muscles to contract uncontrollably and his brain to stutter for a few precious seconds that he'd needed to react. Then he was disarmed and forced to his knees. Garrus knew no-one outside the apartment block would have heard more than a few brief muted bangs, and unless one of his officers happened to be patrolling by, no one would be reacting to it. Inside, anyone in their homes would be locking down and keeping quiet so as not to invite trouble upon themselves. There were few civilians who would attempt to help in such a situation – self-preservation usually won out. Garrus fixed on the gunman who strolled languidly over, recognition igniting his anger.
"Massani. Shepard should have left you to burn on Zorya."
"What? Not pleased to see me, Archangel? I'm gutted," retorted Zaeed with a smirk.
"Gutted? Call off your krogan and I'd be happy to oblige."
Zaeed just gave a throaty laugh at the threat.
"What is this about?" Garrus demanded, trying to shrug off the krogan who clung to him like vices. "Revenge because things didn't go your way? You've really got to learn to let things go."
"I don't give a god-damn about you, Vakarian. Vido's all I want, and you're a means to an end."
"I don't know where Santiago is."
"But someone who wants you really bad, does."
Garrus wondered if it was one of the countless mercs that had suffered at 'Archangel's' hands. Had Massani exposed him? There was no reason for the bounty hunter to protect him, after all, and he was one of few who knew his identity. "The Shadow Broker could help you. You don't need to do something stupid like this to get Santiago."
"Tried that route. The god-damned Broker refuses to deal with me."
"I can have a word."
"What are you, his agent? I'm minutes away from getting Vido's location, and all you have is an empty gesture in an attempt to save your own ass." Zaeed removed the syringe the weasel had given him. He grabbed hold of the horned crests at the back of Garrus' skull and yanked his head down to expose the more vulnerable area the neck offered.
"Massani, you're going to regret this," Garrus snarled, realising he was wanted alive, and that meant he was likely headed for a long period of torture. "Shepard will hunt you down for this."
"Shepard's going to have her own problems."
Garrus' insides lurched at that comment, but then Massani plunged the needle through the leathery skin, the solution he'd been injected with immediately dulling his senses, dragging him into an oblivion.
Once Vakarian sagged, Zaeed walked to the building's lobby to greet the courier he'd ordered to deliver a packing crate the second he'd seen which residence the salarians were heading into. "Wait right there." He took it back up the flights of steps, grateful for mass effect fields, and the two krogan dumped the turian inside.
"Cheers. Now all you have to do is disappear and enjoy those credits."
Once the krogan duo had wondered off, Zaeed returned the sealed crate to the courier with a location to an active bay not far from where it needed it to go, then jumped in a cab to meet it; he'd handle it from there.
He was feeling pretty good. Vido Santiago was in his grasp, and he hadn't needed to mess with Hackett. The chances of this other bloke being able to handle a Spectre who was usually accompanied by another, were slim. With a missing Executor the place would be locked down and that left them limited time to get off the station. All the better for Hackett's family.
There was only one thing left for him to do, and he made the call to Weasel along the way.
"Job done," was all he said.
oOo
"Antella. This had better be good," growled Kryek, bored with waiting.
"It's time."
Kryek hung up with only a grin. The thrill of the hunt had him buzzing already. He withdrew a vial and syringe, and set about prepping his fix. He needed to be at his best; not that he would need the strength, but he would need the added endurance the steroids gave him, because he had to get off the Citadel fast once this went down.
His muscles now surging with power, Kryek set his plan in motion.
oOo