"Guys how about you just let me go and I don't have to play twenty questions with the council?" I smiled as I gestured for the C-sec agents to release me from my handcuffs. "Come on be the hip and cool C-sec agents I know you can be!" I quickly stopped my teasing of my guards when I noticed Shepard enter my hospital room still I made sure to take note of the confused looks they were giving each other confused Turian's looked kind of funny.
"Commander, we are ready to escort the prisoner." One of the guards spoke up shaking off his look of bewilderment. I had come to refer to him as chuckles due to his ever so amusing sense of humour or lack thereof. Shepard nodded and our little group was on its way to see the council.
As we walked past the hospital staff I casually attempted to wave with my restricted hands. While I was being treated as a prisoner they still undertook their jobs to take care of me.
"Stop bothering the doctors." Chuckles barked as he gave me a push from behind forcing me to pick up my pace as I stumbled forwards.
"Chuckles I was also bothering the nurses they are people to you know." I smirked as I moved in line with Shepard to avoid further reprisal. "Hey commander I don't think he likes me very much." My sentence was cut short as she grabbed me behind the arm and forced me into the rapid transit cab.
"Charles don't upset C-sec more than you already have or have you forgotten what you have done?" I looked down at my hands while they looked clean I could still see the blood that stained them it was something I could never remove. "While I agree, you had very little choice it doesn't mean you can flaunt it to them." She added making sure the agents couldn't hear her while she punched in the co-ordinates, while the C-sec agents piled in behind us one of each side of me.
"Yea thanks for reminding me." I muttered as I closed my eyes and we set off towards my judgement.
Council Chambers
The chamber was full, people crammed into anyway they could, hushed conversations filled the area as people passed judgement on me in private or discussed what Shepard's reward would be for outing Saren as the fallen idol he is. I felt them all, looking at me the judging me deciding my fate before the proceedings had even begun. Finally, we made it to the top of the stairs and standing over me the council, the Normandy crew were also present Kaidan and Ashley stood behind Anderson while Garrus and Wrex stood on opposite ends of the collection of spectators.
"We are all gathered here today to discuss two matters." The Asari Councillor spoke up.
"First to bestow our most heartfelt thanks for the exposing of the traitor Saren Arterius." The Salarian Councillor added.
"And secondly to determine the appropriate punishment to bring to against this murderer." Finally, the Turian Councillor concluded the opening statements. I looked down once more on my restraints, is this as far as I can go?
"While we can all acknowledge the threat Saren and his Geth pose to Citadel space. He has been stripped of his Spectre status and any and all attempts will be made to make him pay for his crimes.
"That is not good enough!" Udina bellowed as he stepped forward. "You know he is hiding in the Traverse send your fleet in!" The Salarian Councillor almost let out a chuckle.
"A fleet cannot track down one man."
"No but a Citadel fleet could secure the entire region, keep the Geth from attacking anymore of our colonies!" Udina's rage was aimed squarely at the council he may seem like an angry man all the time but he could direct that rage when required.
It was long before the Turian councillor fired back, the exchange was fierce Udina and the Turian trading poorly concealed blows on each other in a way only politicians could.
"Send me in!" Shepard spoke up as she moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with Udina. "You won't send a fleet in in case of sparking a galactic conflict that's far, then send me give me the power and the resources I need to go after Saren and we can call my efforts to expose Saren justly rewarded!"
"Enough, there is another solution to this problem and the commander as quite fairly brought it up." The Asari Councillor interjected clearly trying to cool down the proceedings. The argument continued but the conversation quickly began to follow the route that unfolded within the Mass Effect game.
After a few moments of silence, it happened, I watched as humanity was given a place among the spectres, while I had heard the speech a thousand times before in a video game, hearing it in happen not ten feet from me was something else.
"Spectres are not trained, but chosen." The Salarian Councillor's words bounced around my head, it is certainly true that some people can be born great while others have greatness thrust upon them, I only hoped that perhaps I would have a chance to help her in the trails ahead.
"We are sending you into the traverse after Saren. He is a fugitive from justice so you are authorized to use any means necessary to apprehend or eliminate him. "I zoned back in as the conversation came to a halt. "We will forward any relevant files to ambassador Udina.
"Now on to the second matter, Carolus step forwards." Up until this point I had quietly attempted to not bring attention to myself, this was always going to happen I just had to hope my contribution as small as it was would be enough to spare me. I slowly made my way pass the newly appointed spectre and Udina only able to look down at my restraints as I did so.
"Carolus."
"Please call me Charles." I cut off the Salarian Councillor before he could proceed.
"Very well Charles." He nodded in response. "You are charged with the murder of no less than four C-sec agents." Before he could even finish his sentence the chambers filled with deafening mumbles of the gathered spectators. "While you did so to avoid the now proven false accusations of Saren, this is something we cannot simply overlook nor can the families of those who you killed overlook."
"Your disregard for the proper channels of justice have no place in civilized space. The way you showed no remorse for those you slaughtered..."
"NO REMORSE!" I bellowed back. "that's a joke, right? Their blood will forever haunt my soul! They were simply doing their jobs and I tore through them because I had a job to do!" Deep feelings of both regret and anger were now bubbling to the surface as I struggled to hold the floodgates of emotions shut. "I had to make sure what I knew got to the commander you know so Saren could be exposed. If anyone killed those agents, it was Saren the moment he framed me!" The Turian Councillor was take back by my outburst his mandibles twitching, while the other two just watched. "And if that isn't good enough then might I suggest, Saren framed me because of what I knew it was in the recording wasn't it? What did the third voice say I could de-rail everything" I had no idea who the third voice was, in the game it was only Saren and Benezia but so far not everything has gone as the game would have so perhaps it was nothing. "I suggest I be allowed to serve under the Commander in her mission to stop Saren."
"And let you go free after what you have done right or no it was murder!" The Turian bellowed back.
"AND once it is over I will present myself to this council for judgement for my crimes." I was breathing quite heavily at this point my barely contained emotions were breaking through and my chest was pounding. The crowd had fallen silent all the mumblings of damnation had ceased and it seemed to last for an eternity before Udina finally broke its spell.
"Charles is right, he was directly named in the recording that was recovered through his combined efforts with Shepard. To dispose of anything that could be of use against Saren and his Geth would be folly!"
Again, silence reigned, my palms were sweating I felt like I could have slipped my hands from their restraints, I looked over at Shepard and the team just like everyone else they were in shock at my outburst at the three most powerful members of citadel space, while Shepard nodded at me as she noticed I was looking at them, it was reassuring to say the least.
"The points brought before this council are valid and while it could be argued that Charles did what was necessary for Saren to have been exposed. But at the end of the day he acted above the law with utter discontent for the laws are society is founded on." The Salarian Councillor's voice was flat, I braced myself for what I imagined was about to be my death sentence.
"However, as the ambassador stated you are an asset and your willingness to help and then return to answer these charges is an admirable quality lacking in most in your position." And just like that I allowed hope into my heart, I had all but consigned myself to a prison sentence or worse but the Turian Councillor would have to last say. Please for the love of all things in a universe let me go I thought to myself as I brought myself to look up at the one who would decide my fate.
"While I find the talk of Reapers to be nonsense, Saren is a threat and combined with the Geth he is one this council cannot dismiss the use of any and all means to secure his defeat. If the Commander wishes for you to be part of the solution, we will allow her to decide." I turned to Shepard before he could even finish his statement. I was trying to keep a blank face but I was surely in the clear and a smile may have escaped.
As Shepard stepped forwards I could have sworn my heart stopped as she passed me. "I will accept Charles's help in the fight against Saren, he has proven a resourceful and somewhat skillful person and I see no reason to deny his assistance if offered freely." She spoke clearly and I just let the words replay in my mind for what seemed like hours before I let it fade. I was safe…. relatively speaking.
A Couple Of Hours Later On The Normandy
After the council finished Shepard handed me back my pistol and I was quickly escorted to the Normandy under heavy guard, it was deemed not safe for someone of my quickly gained reputation to be allowed free roam of the citadel while Shepard saw to remaining business I had never felt more uncomfortable than the moment I was escorted through C-sec to the dock, every officer there wanted my blood and I was rather keen on keeping it.
For now, I was sat in the med bay with my ever-wonderful companion Chuckles.
"You know you don't have to guard me, now right? I mean you were told just to make sure I made it on Normandy." I said gesturing to the walls around me. "I am now on Normandy." Chuckles snarled as he kept his form, military through and through I suppose. "I feel like you are wasting your hate on me. I mean really its Saren fault." At least that's what I have come to tell myself deep down I wondered if that was the truth or was I making excuses.
After a few more moments of silence besides the odd commotion from the mess hall from Normandy's crew, Doctor Chakwas entered.
"Officer, I think it's safe for you to leave now, I will not have you interfere with my patient." Her voice was surprisingly firm and I watched in slight awe as Chuckles made his way towards the exit.
"I will be just outside Doctor." He responded as he finally left.
"Now Charles let's get this over with it's a pretty simple procedure." Chakwas put on her gloves and brought a syringe over.
"So, you're going to be really careful about his rig... ARGGHHHHH" I didn't even get to finish my sentence before she quickly jabbed it into the back neck.
"I am always careful Charles." She said without batting an eyelash. "Now is there anything else you need to see me about?"
"Nope, nope and nope." I responded as I rubbed the back of my neck. "I will just go…. somewhere else." I added making my way towards the exit only to be greeted by Chuckles.
"Is it done Doctor?"
"Yes, agent the tracker has been implanted as per the council quest." Chuckles nodded at the response before placing a hand on my shoulder.
"I will see you next time you come back to the citadel, if you live that long."
"I will try not to disappoint you, I will make it back just to see you Chuckles." I placed a hand on his shoulder is was slightly awkward due to him being a good foot taller than me and was promptly repaid for by a blow to the side of my head with the end of his rifle. "Ah shit what is with you and the face!" And just like that Chuckles turned and headed for the CIC. And I found myself alone in the mess hall as the crew members that had been around had quickly taken off once I left the med bay. I got the feeling this was going to be a pattern.
Deciding I didn't want to enjoy the riveting company around me I made my way down to the on-board training area and do some exercise, I could already feel my alone thoughts surging to the surface I needed to keep busy, I didn't want to be alone with those thoughts and the other Shepard's were still not making themselves known.
Looking over the training facilities I decided to practice some marksmanship the sound of gunfire could block out my inner thoughts at least that was my plan. I booted up a basic hologram target and a single blue tinged human target appeared and I prepared to put some holes in it, I steadied my breathing and lined up a shot.
"Don't move!" The voice came from behind he and was commanding, I had heard it somewhere before and I spun on my heel pistol drawn and looked behind me. No one was there. "I know you're there, deactivate the tactical cloak now and place your weapons on the ground!" Again, it came from behind me I spun again pistol drawn and I saw it. The human target was now replaced by a Salarian with blood pouring from his mouth and two large wounds to his midsection.
I terminated the program I had never moved that fast as I did turning off the program. But the Salarian remained. "Why did you shoot me? Surely there was another way?" His voice seemed to reverberate of the walls assaulting me from every direction.
"I didn't want to kill you. I didn't want to kill you," I repeated the phrase over and over as the Salarian made his way towards me, slowly coughing up blood as he moved. "Just go away, you're not real, I killed you." Those last words forced me to freeze. "I killed you." I weakly muttered, I fired my pistol at him and watched harmlessly as they passed right him. "Don't come any closer STOP!" I screamed now as fell backwards onto the hard floor of the Normandy as I was backing away from him. He brought himself down to my level as threw my pistol at him watching it harmlessly pass through him.
"You killed me." His voice was soft now and he vanished leaving me alone on the floor clutching my head.
Yea I know this took forever and I am sorry. But I am back :P I have set myself a goal of having the next chapter ready for Christmas so lets see if I pull it off! Wish he luck guys and as always feedback is welcome!