Nihlus offered no lecture on the sisterly spat. He offered advice on how to conduct herself on the Citadel, what the regulations were, and who to speak to if she wanted or needed anything. She made a mental note about the Huerta Memorial Hospital, named after a turian who physically died in an assassination attempt and 'survived' in computer storage. She refused to believe the Galactic community supported A.I. and allowed a 'mind' to 'survive' on computer storage.
Wei Bohai emerged from the bowels of the cargo bay, having immersed himself in the art of cleaning and maintaining the armory whilst aboard the Normandy. "One trip away from Haven 1." Bohai declared.
"Don't tease me." She half-jested.
Tia wiggled, stimulation mounting with the excitement bubbling around her. Nihlus gave the crew shore leave. A skeleton crew stayed aboard the Normandy SR-2 as a safety measure. Half the crew already departed for their much deserved and hard-earned shore leave.
"Just remember your manners around the Council, if they choose to meet with us." Nihlus advised her, specifically her. She arched a brow in challenge. "I know you're capable of it, but you have this attitude that needs tempered."
She did? She had an attitude, she already knew that, but was it really that big?
She flashed him the okay sign. "I'll try my best, Boss."
"If I was your boss, you and Pacyra would have been punished for the argument." He clapped her shoulder. "And for the record, your sister is only worried."
"Right, right…" She drawled sarcastically. "Nihlus, stay the fuck out of our business. You're new to the mess. Don't dive into it."
He removed his hand from her shoulder. "Trying to help, Mycerra."
"Pacyra called me crazy and damaged, Nihlus, and then said I was unable to heal from it no matter how much therapy I seek out. I was in therapy for the better part of a year with Amani on Omega. Pacyra knew that. What she said to Tuchanka was uncalled for. I worked very hard to be where I'm at. I did not choose to fly to Omega. I did not choose to meet Tuchanka or Palaven or any member of your crew. Or you, the Savior of this Galaxy. I was placed in the middle of it by circumstance. That should not be held against me. I am trying, Nihlus, but she needs to drop the biotic bullshit too."
He breathed deeply, visibly frustrated. "I will speak with her."
"Thank you." She said curtly.
He motioned for her to exit the Normandy SR-2. Nihlus lifted the storage crate and carried it to a baggage cart nearby. He placed it among the other marked crates and luggage containers. He spoke with the handler about ensuring the crate made it to the Embassy Suites in short order and tipped the handler extra credits. Mycerra watched it happen and wondered how often Nihlus relied on his new reputation to accomplish tasks.
They stepped onto a pristine, clean space station. The air smelled properly cycled and filtered. Not a vorcha in sight. Plenty of Elcor, Drell, Turians, Salarians, and Asari in civilian garb. C-sec officers wore clean uniforms. Bohai tapped her elbow and pointed out a directory of all the levels on the Citadel. She added it to the growing bank of overwhelming knowledge edging on a headache. Nihlus urged them along to stay on schedule.
They approached a taxi station. A C-Sec officer approached them at the entrance. "Ma-am, no bio-amps on public transport." His eyes shifted to her visitor pass discreetly.
Nihlus stepped forward. "She's not using public transport. She's using private transport."
Mycerra stepped around him. "Can't do that." She flexed her hand. "Biotics are faulty. If I don't cycle it through effectively, it'll cripple me and eventually crush my organs."
"You can obtain a medical exemption. Unfortunately, without the exemption, I can't allow you to use public transport." The officer denied her path forward.
Nihlus put his arm around her shoulder. "She's using private transport. Thank you, officer." Nihlus dismissed the turian and motioned to Bohai. "Bohai will escort you to the embassy suites. He knows the lay out."
The handsomely casually dressed Bohai beamed at Mycerra. She suspected this was planned and not communicated to her. "Liara will be fine with Tia, right?"
"I assure you Tia couldn't be in safer hands." Nihlus swore hand in the air.
She tapped his carapace. "I'm teasing. I know she's capable. Go. Bohai and I can manage it from here."
"I'll have you the medical exemption in under an hour." Nihlus assured her. She never doubted him.
They moved away from the taxi station and settled on a private dock. Unlike Omega, no sky cars raced by dangerously. Unlike Omega, the clean air filled their lungs without fear of harmful side effects. Unlike Omega, gunfire didn't sound off in the distance, close or distant.
"How bad is the damage?" Bohai asked hesitantly.
She held in her breath. "As long as the biofeedback method works, and I observe and respect my limits, I'll be fine. Hobalt's cursed me and blessed me. There's damage from the early years, but it's minimal. Worst case, I can clone organs. Is it pretty? No. Is it the end of the world? No."
"Does Amani know?"
"No. Dr. Appen told me about it after the tests and scans. I've been dealing with it on my own. I don't know how I do it, the flexing. I just do it." She dispelled biotic waves in half a minute intervals.
A C-sec sky car readied to land near them. They stood nearby to allow for the landing. A turian officer stepped out. "Trainee Wei."
"Mycerra Colton." Bohai introduced her. "To the embassy, yes?"
The officer held the door for them. The ride to the embassy provided opportunities to take pictures from the sky car windows. She tried, each picture blurry or imperfect.
The embassy building itself towered over the large park adjacent to it. She counted the balconies and windows, losing count. Avina directed travelers in the background. She fixated on the hologram with strange fascination. She witnessed such technology before in Mr. Wallace's luxury apartments. Bohai escorted her past the secretary and to the elevator.
Bohai adjusted his shirt for the third time since stepping off the Normandy SR-2.
"We are meeting living legends." He coached himself. "Act normal."
The turian guard observed them suspiciously. She waved at the guard, flashed the visitor pass, and marched toward the human embassy suite. Bohai followed at her heels. She tried to keep a neutral expression in place, but the anxiety piled up into a big red button. Another set of turian guards checked her pass.
"Ma-am, the trainee is with you?" The guard pointed to Bohai.
She half turned. "Wei Bohai. And yes."
"Trainee Wei Bohai has orders from Spectre Dravis, Ma-am."
"Bohai, if you need to leave- "
Bohai checked his messages. "He wants to debrief personally after the meeting with Ambassador Anderson and Admiral Hackett." He shared with her.
She shrugged, thanked the guard, and kept moving. The guard returned to his post.
They were about to meet living legends.
Living legends.
Hiding her nerves under attempted professionalism, she squared her shoulders and practiced normal breathing.
"I can't believe this is about to happen, Boss." Bohai whispered to her.
Neither did she.
"Living legends. Hans will kill us if we don't mention Haven 1." He rambled on energetically.
She closed her eyes in effort to channel the calm. She pressed the buzzer button.
Seconds passed like minutes. The door opened. Ambassador Anderson welcomed them into the suite. Bohai waited for her enter first, demurring to the Ambassador's presence. She heard Admiral Hackett's squeaky shoes before spotting him from the side table set up to the left. Bohai positioned himself to her right, a mute statue of raw respect, awe, and energy.
"Miss Mycerra 'Mayor' Colton?" Anderson asked.
Her eyes narrowed. "Unofficially. Hans, I presume?" She asked shrewdly.
"The petition contains hundreds of names." He enlightened her.
Her brow lifted. "It appears I have a standing chance at becoming Mayor Colton."
She'd never tell them how much it lifted her spirits to hear that.
"And your companion is Wei Bohai, trainee of Spectre Dravis?" Anderson gestured to Bohai.
Admiral Hackett, Ambassador Anderson, and Mycerra turned to Wei Bohai. Bohai snapped to attention and saluted. She hoped the opportunity lead Bohai into a fabulous life. "One and only." She smiled nervously.
"Colton is the better boss. Hands down." Bohai filled the brief absence of conversation. "I trust the Spectre, but I know I can always rely on Bo-I mean Colton."
"He likes to refer to me as Boss. It's a habit we're breaking." Mycerra explained casually. She saw the pedestal forming before the chance to destroy it presented itself. "Great kid. Wonderful future. Incredible aim."
Bohai blushed.
"And such spirit. I know he'll go far." She smiled towards Bohai. "I apologize for wasting your time. He's excited to meet living legends and I'm relieved you're not myths."
Anderson motioned for them to have a seat on the balcony. Hackett sat down last. The cozy quartet had an amazing view of the vast park bordering the embassy suites. Children played below, adults managing a picnic. He placed a data pad in front of Mycerra.
"I understand if you need a moment- "
"No. I want Omega behind me." She picked up the data pad.
Anderson nodded to Hackett. "Permission to record?" He asked.
She said yes.
"Miss Colton, Mr. Wei, please state your name for the record." Anderson began the professional debriefing.
The attention turned to her. She breathed several times and recalled her experience on SSV Philadelphia with exacting detail. Bohai apologized for the second time after she reached the point of contact with Aria T'Loak.
"We should have been faster." Bohai mumbled.
"And done what, Bohai? Die? There was nothing anyone could have done. At all. Bad shit happens. You adapt and overcome. Expect Plan A to never work. Plan B will inevitably go ass up. Plan C has a five percent chance of success. Nine times out of ten, that's how it goes."
Bohai frowned. "We failed you." He stressed.
"No. You didn't." She looked him in the eye. "No one failed me. Except Balencia and Mathers. Fuck them. But you. Vasa, Dravis, Titus, Haestrom – none of you failed me."
"Boss- "
"No. We're not going there, Bohai. Shit happens. The plan didn't shape up and that's that. We'll be smarter next time." She faced an enthralled admiral and ambassador. "Shit happens. I'm putting it behind me."
Bohai readied to argue and abruptly resigned the fight. "Sorry."
She rolled her neck and resumed the debriefing. She left out Amani's lineage and included every dirty truth associated with her. Bohai added to the story at reasonable intervals, exposing Omega for more than a murder capital. The wealth gap between rich and poor on Omega could depress the most optimistic individuals.
Hackett's shorthand filled the page quickly. The scratching of pen on paper eased her anxiety levels. Anderson listened to the bickering without comment, and Hackett asked for clarification once or twice.
"I'd like to argue that aside from 'Don't fuck with Aria.,' there are no laws on Omega." She prepared for the worst.
Imprisonment. Probation. Fines. Restricted travel. Custody of Tia stripped from her. She imagined losing everything all over again and losing the will to keep trying.
Hackett clasped his hands on his lap. "We're recommending therapy. You said you're familiar with therapy already. We recommend continuing it." He gestured to the data pad. "We need you to look at a few photos first. Tell us if you recognize anyone."
She unlocked the data pad screen and opened the photo folder. Scrolling through the photos of men, she stopped on an older white male. "He used to escort Mr. Brickly at Hobalt's. They liked to talk about the students as if we were racehorses. Said we weren't performing well enough every time they visited. After each visit, we'd train more, sleep less, eat more, socialize less. It's not noticeable at first, and then you become used to it. Something snaps you out of the status quo and you see how corrupted it becomes. But you're a kid, and no one wants to listen. Worse yet, the teachers don't care. The government brushes it off. Complaints are made, but it goes nowhere."
"I'm sorry you had to suffer through that." Hackett empathized. "Do you know anything more about this man?"
"I hated him." She spoke candidly. "I remember the last visit he made before I graduated. I was recovering from almost dying on the obstacle course. My parents refused to pull me out of the school and Hammy got in trouble for visiting me every day, but he didn't care. You know how old men can be towards young girls. The pervertedness. The creepiness. It was like that. I had a cast on, and I was recovering."
She rolled up her sleeve to reveal her heavily scarred arm.
"I was – still am as fit as I was then. More so now. The way he looked at me made my skin crawl. The worst, though, was how he spoke to us. Like we were stupid, and we didn't know something was going on behind closed doors. Sometimes he'd make comments about how nothing would be done about it. And he was right. An action movie star's son dying at the school ultimately shut it down."
"Would you say Hobalt's…" Anderson referenced his notes.
"Hobalt's was hell." She cut to the point. "Do I think something was going on there? Yes. Do I have proof? No. Were there a lot of deaths? Not enough to shut the school down early on. Were the deaths suspicious? Sometimes. It had a poor reputation for a reason."
"And your parents sent you to that school why?" Hackett asked.
Bohai cleared his throat. "What exactly is the point of the questions, sir?"
Mycerra pieced it together too quickly. "Cerberus."
Hackett flipped through his notes and showed them a list of names with numbers next to them. "Look familiar?" He queried.
She spotted her name instantly halfway down the list. "Everyone on that list attended Hobalt's with me." She recognized lower and upper classmen from the list. Further scrutiny woke up more bad memories she managed to suppress over the years. Medicinal overdoses. Spurts of violence with no backing motivation. One ran away and was never found.
"Do I need to ask STG to look into it?" Bohai asked Mycerra.
She debated it and shook her head. "Not our decision. It's a human problem. Not a Galaxy Council problem. In-house, and I guess the Admiral has a plan." She nodded to Hackett.
"We should do something when we have the resources." Bohai pressed. "It's a waste of connections if we don't."
Hackett interceded. "We have a task force dedicated." He addressed Bohai directly.
"So, who is he?" She demanded of Hackett.
He flipped deeper into the notepad and showed her another list. "Dermaine Brickly?" He pointed the first name.
"His name tag always said D. Brickly. I always said it stood for Dickhead."
"Any other names that stand out?" He asked and tapped the page.
She scanned each name individually. "I think…this one was a lawyer." She zeroed in on Pressley Ackerman. "He always talked about regulations, ethics, and codes. The others didn't like him much."
"Could you pick him out of a photo line up?" Anderson pointed at the data pad.
She returned to the lineup of photos in the folder. "No, no…familiar but no. No, no, no, and no. His picture isn't in this folder." She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry."
"What about the second folder?"
She accessed the second folder and flipped through photos. Second to last one, she flipped the data pad back toward them. "I remember he wore expensive cologne. It smelled delicate. Y'know. Like it cost more money."
Hackett check marked Brickly's name and Ackerman's name. "We appreciate your cooperation."
She leaned back in the seat and breathed freely. "And the Omega business?"
"You're clear. Aria T'Loak confirmed your report prior to your arrival." Hackett answered matter-of-factly. "We wanted to confirm details."
Bohai checked his messages again. "I need to leave, Boss."
"Admiral, Ambassador?" Mycerra asked for dismissal.
"He is free to leave." Anderson accepted.
She held out her fist. He bumped his to hers. "Keep me updated." She asked.
"Always, Boss."
"And it's Colton. You have a new boss."
"STG? STG wants a comrade who has his back. He's not a boss."
"But he is a Spectre." She stopped him. "At the end of the day, he's more powerful than any of us here."
He nodded. "I know. If it wasn't for Tia, Amani, and the push for you to become mayor, he'd have you on the team too."
"And I'd gladly join the team, Bohai, but I have responsibilities. One day."
"We'll always be Team Alpha." He promised. He said goodbye to Admiral Hackett and Ambassador Anderson.
She bit her lip and waited for the criticism. She looked up to both legends studying her. The weight of their quiet judgment sunk her into cold reality. "It's a long story." She pre-emptively said. "All of it. A long story. What an age to be. Eighteen years old."
A breeze circulated a floral scent from the flowers in the window boxes on the balcony edge.
"One last question, Miss Colton. Are you willing to work with us to take Cerberus down?" Hackett placed the list of names in front of her, as motivation. She respected the attempt at manipulation.
She leaned forward. "Sir, I would gladly rip apart their empire with bare hands. I have a daughter to raise, a partner I'm waiting on. I'll help, but I can't put my daughter in the path of direct harm."
Anderson showed the first photo she recognized. "Henry Lawson."
"Son of a bitch. The one running for mayor of Haven 1?"
They nodded.
"Nah. Fuck that. What do you need?" She demanded.
"Spy on him. His communications. His associations. Anything. Everything." Hackett directed. "Don't expose yourself."
She activated her omni tool and opened her email. "Permission to forward an email, sir?"
He granted it.
She sent the email sent to her from an unknown addresser. "I think this is from Galaxy Portman. She's bright, high IQ. Too intelligent. A real asset. A vulnerable child. If that email is true, she's in Vancouver in a fancy school. And it's connected to Cerberus."
Hackett referenced the email. She watched his face shift from blandness to intrigue. "We'll pursue this." He vowed.
She held out her hand.
He shook it.
"I look forward to destroying Cerberus, Sir. It's a long time coming."
"Before we embark on that mission, you have a Welcome Home party to attend. Our gratitude for your commitment." Ambassador Anderson's positive energy wrapped her in a hug she never wanted to escape. It reminded her of Amani and Brom and Mannis. No judgment. Only mutual respect.
She begrudged him approval for living up to his reputation. "I hate the Alliance, Sir, but you and Admiral Hackett are alright in my books."
"Intriguing." Hackett muttered.
She explained how her parent's harassment on the topic turned the mere mention of the Alliance into a trigger. They listened intently, remarked it to be an unfortunate consequence, and wished her well with her chosen path. She decided they both lived up to their reputations and no one could argue they weren't decent people.
A knock at the suite door granted Mycerra her medical exemption Nihlus promised. It matched her visitors pass; the exemption printed on the back of the card. She held it up to the light and promised herself to thank Nihlus later.
"Your partner in crime, Trainee Wei, has agreed to take you shopping for a change of clothes for the party. The transport provided will take you to the party afterwards." Ambassador Anderson detailed for her. She considered them both with more suspicion. "We trust Trainee Wei to be a proper tour guide and escort for your first time on the Citadel."
"He's a boy scout." She confirmed. "Once again, Thank you for everything. On behalf of everyone at Haven 1, just…Thank you."
They showed her to the elevator. Bohai waited for her at the nearest taxi on the lowest level of the embassy suites.
Her heart threatened to leap from her chest. "We're supposed to clothes shop for me." She told him.
"They're going to surprise you with a large guestlist of everyone that may or may not have been mentioned by Dravis and myself." He hedged nervously.
She threw her arm around him. "Color me shocked, I tell you. Shocked." She mocked playfully.
They visited two stores and purchased a total of five outfits. Mycerra's sizable credit balance from Omega proved incredibly useful on the Citadel. She picked out a nice navy blue and light gray ensemble. A hairstylist cut her hair to the base of her neck in a stylish bob. She liked the new haircut, the new clothes, the talk with the living legends, the Citadel – all of it. She loved the Citadel.
And she missed Amani.
The private transport promised to them drove them to Ambassador Anderson's apartment in the elite building. The Ambassador buzzed them up. Everything about the building screamed money. If this were Omega, protection fees would be quadrupled, and the king pin of kingpins would be living here. Bohai smiled the entire elevator ride up.
They entered an apartment that faced an air traffic lane.
The open layout of the apartment took her by surprise. The second floor overlooked a seating area on the first floor. Abstract art pieces littered the walls. She heard the wall of water without seeing it. The din of conversation drifted over from the kitchen. Indistinguishable conversation added to the coziness of the place.
She craned her neck to spot a person. Time stretched unperceptively.
"Do we just take a tour by ourselves?" She whispered to Bohai.
"I think we can follow the voices?" He assumed.
"I don't do large crowds." She warned him.
He squeezed her arm. "Right here, Boss."
"Why are we whispering?" She asked.
He laughed at the preposterousness of it. "I don't know." He said at normal conversation volume. "Why were we?"
A head popped out from the kitchen. A human woman popped her head around. She held up a finger in a wait signal and reappeared with two flutes of champagne. "Hold onto these. We must do a toast first."
"I'm Mycerra Colton."
"Kahlee Sanders." She smiled and nodded to both. "I'm glad you could make it. Everyone arrived before you. Shh. Let's surprise them." She winked conspiratorially.
Mycerra turned to Bohai. "Where is Liara and Tia?"
"Here?" Bohai sheepishly volunteered.
She smacked his arm. "You were in on this the whole time, weren't you?"
"Nihlus pulled me at the last minute." He cleared his throat and nodded to Kahlee. "Onward, Ms. Sanders."
She motioned for them to follow. The din of conversation drifted from the main bar behind the fireplace separating the living room from the side room on the first floor. They walked as quietly as possible toward the crowded conversations and rounded the fireplace by the bar. Kahlee leaned casually on the bar until the group noticed something different.
Mycerra mimicked her.
Admiral Hackett, Ambassador Anderson, and Titus Deltano talked at the far end of the bar. Nihlus, Garrus and Javik lounged on the couch and talked about their shore leave plans on a beach somewhere and a bar somewhere close. Liara, Tali, and Pacyra took turns holding Tia, the baby trapped between napping and trying to stay awake. Dr. Appan waved from a chair diagonal of Nihlus, Garrus, and Javik. She waved back. Bohai stood behind Mycerra and Kahlee.
"The guest of honor!" Calun Dravis descended the steps behind them.
Mycerra almost spilled her drink. "Dravis, I should throw this at you." She threatened with the flute.
He laughed and moved in for a light hug. "You're still breathing."
"Unfortunately." She mumbled sarcastically. "I've returned Bohai to you. I hope he's learned a thing or two to make your life easier."
"His training won't end for years. Omega was a start."
Heads started to turn in their direction. Titus anchored at the far end of the bar. She sensed his focus before she spotted his partial smile, a slight nod of approval and respect. She returned the nod.
"Hello!" She addressed the group. "I don't do speeches. So, I'll make it short. Let's have fun tonight, but not too much fun, and let's make it home safely. Wherever home is." She raised her glass to the room. People reached for their drinks to join in the toast. "To us. Our futures. And our success."
"The officers are on the second floor, Admiral." Dravis said to Hackett in passing. "I left them with the layout as you requested."
"Thank you, Spectre. Welcome Home, Miss Colton."
She smiled. "Thank you for ensuring we had a home to return to, Sir."
Hackett disappeared upstairs to join the officers, presumably.
Mycerra sipped her drink. "Bohai, don't get drunk please." She begged of her partner-in-crime. He promised to only have one drink. She cut through the group and made her way over to Titus. Face to face with the father figure turian, she raised her glass to him. "To the best defensive leader of Haven 1. For holding it down."
He tapped his flute to hers. "To the future mayor."
"Javik and Dravis have other plans for me." She informed him. "I'd like to hear more about Haven 1 from you directly."
"Somewhere less noisy." He motioned to the living room.
She pointed to Tia, now lightly snoring on Pacyra's shoulder. "Have you met the little blueberry?"
"You have no idea what you signed up for, Colton." He laughed.
"She's worth it. I wanted kids. Amani wanted Tia. And I wanted Amani. Everyone wins." She placed her hand on his arm and guided him away from the thick of the group. They settled in the living room and talked. Haven 1 came and went as a topic. The aftermath of the abductions and disappearance of the SSV Philadelphia proved interesting enough for them to not notice two officers listening to every word passing between them. The balcony provided a perfect eavesdropping opportunity the officers and other guests took advantage of. Anderson and Kahlee joined them to discuss future projects at Haven 1 and how Mycerra intended to campaign.
People moved around the apartment at their leisure. Bohai promised only one drink. Garrus and Nihlus nurtured Bohai to three drinks and shoved finger snacks in his direction to soak up the alcohol free flowing among the guests. The officers joined the rest of them after a bit, and Hackett seated himself next to Titus.
Two drinks in, Mycerra burned off the alcohol like a champ. "Hey, hey – Don't you dare refill his drink, Dravis. Bohai had enough to drink. He has to walk tomorrow." She shouted across the room and conversations colliding in the open floor layout. She shook a finger in the direction of the salarian trying to discreetly keep Bohai's drink topped off.
"One drink, Boss." Bohai said between finger sandwiches.
"It's not a new drink if it never fully empties." Dr. Appan called back.
She started to argue and stopped. "His hangover, not mine."
Titus patted her back. "He's earned his alcohol after surviving Omega."
"Yes, yes he has." She relented.
With indirect permission, Dravis continued to refill Bohai's drink while Dr. Appan supervised.
"Speaking of hangovers, Haven 1. I need to stop and talk to Haestrom before I return to Haven 1. I need to catch up with him and Bohai and I bought gifts for him from Omega." She kicked back. "I hope he's doing well."
"Haestrom? He's always on his feet." Titus replied readily. "I communicate with him daily. It cuts back on the confusion. The reports are easy, but humans can be too wordy."
"Too wordy? Excuse me, General, but I read your reports. I needed a dictionary to crack your formal code."
"You're winning this election. I already laid out the plan." Titus warned her. "First and foremost, we need to improve your wardrobe and appearance. The hair cut looks professional, I approve. Your vocabulary requires improvement. We'll work on it. Furthermore…"
He laid out his plan for her in front of Hackett, Anderson, and Kahlee. John Shepard drifted over to listen in casually.
She nodded along, not daring to argue with him when he used the authoritative tone in front of her living legends and recognized heroes of the human population.
"…and absolutely no alcohol in public. The public needs to see you as this responsible figure who will always be reliable, dependable, and I know you're reliable and dependable but the 2,000 people at Haven 1 do not. I took the liberty of creating a schedule for you, a list of everyone you'll need to talk to return to the rotation of duties, and the expectations people will have for you."
Her omni tool pinged from the email he sent to her. She breathed deeply. "Alright, alright. So does this count as public or private? Because I want a drink now and I need to find Tia."
"This is a private party." He answered.
"Good. I'm going to have a drink and hold my daughter. Hopefully, she's not too fussy." She patted Titus's arm and left the influence, title heavy group in search of the ladies. She wove around to the bar, finding the salarians Dravis and Appan with Bohai swapping stories about close calls. Winding her way up the steps, she admired the view of the lower sitting areas and sky cars flashing by.
She paused at the top of the steps to slyly observe Titus engage in conversation with Hackett, Anderson, Shepard, and Kahlee Sanders. She relaxed. It warmed her heart to see Titus making connections and building bonds.
"A handsome apartment." A human man said next to her.
She leaned away from the balcony railing. "If I was more attached to buildings, I'd kill for a place like this." She agreed.
"Mycerra. An unusual name, especially now." The stranger remarked curiously.
She looked over. Rapidly blinking, her mind pieced together the similarities. "Mr. Wallace?" She asked hesitantly.
He lounged in an elegant manner. "I miss the vineyards at times. Looking out over it always instilled a calm."
She tried to speak, failed, and closed her mouth.
"I didn't believe the news at first. It soothes me to know you survived. I always preferred working with someone like you." He gestured to the entire apartment. "You always protected my son, regardless of his chaotic disregard for your efforts."
Tia entirely slipped her mind.
"When you quit, I hired a former bouncer. He tolerated my son, but he didn't have the right attitude." His kind eyes reassured her no ill will existed between them. "Were you adjusting to Exogeni before the Reapers?"
She laughed nervously and scratched the back of her neck. "They were a large company that promised a permanent station on a colony away from Earth. I was hoping if I worked there long enough, I would qualify for a position. Where I'm standing now, after the grand 'adventure' I had, I'm content to stay on Earth. Or the Citadel. No colonies for me."
"Welcome home, Miss Colton."
"Thank you, Mr. Wallace. Um…did your family ma-is your family in good health?"
His fallen expression answered the question.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked." Regret prickled. "How are you holding up?"
He put on his suave front. "Life moves on."
The non-answer ended the conversation effectively. She wished him luck in his investments and continued her exploration of the large apartment. The backend of the apartment blew her away. She found Tia with Tali and Pacyra talking with a human officer. She sat down gently next to Tali and lifted the sleeping baby from the quarian's arms. She listened to Pacyra and Major Kaiden Alenko bullshit about the new climate officers endured.
Holding Tia, she treasured the moment as long as it lasted.
Observing Pacyra off the Normandy SR-2 and around non-crew members provided her a broader portrait of Pacyra Colton. Pacyra conducted herself in a more detached manner, less emotion, more professionalism. She understood why Liara thought Pacyra and Nihlus fit as a couple. For all his emotional warmth, Nihlus carried himself more tightly than Brom and Mannis. Even Garrus relaxed his standards, but not Nihlus Kryik.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," She cut the two off and faced Major Alenko. "I feel like I've seen you before."
"I helped Lieutenant Commander Shepard and Admiral Anderson during the terrorist threat to Mars. The media used my pictures time to time." He explained. "Major Kaiden Alenko."
She nodded in his direction. "A pleasure to meet you."
"Your sister informs me you're biotic. I had this crazy idea, crazy, but for someone like you and me, it would help us. You remember those old commercials where people would all say the same thing, but it's edited together to into a coherent sentence and message?"
"I know what you're talking about."
His positive energy helped ease her back into a better mental space. He smiled easily and conducted himself professionally and casually effortlessly. She envied him.
"Let's reimagine it." He threw up his hands enthusiastically. "The message is simple. Something like 'I am biotic.' A list of relationship descriptors – neighbor, sibling, so on so forth. And it ends with 'We're human too.' Layer on inspirational music, switch between all the biotics, and one big group photo. Goofy photos possibly. The point is to persuade those who believe biotics are a threat by virtue of being born biotic are not threats."
Mycerra's head turned to Pacyra as if on cue, then back to Kaiden. "Count me in."
"Oh – I haven't started the project, but if you're on board, we can recruit more biotics who are willing to take part." His enthusiasm peaked.
"I'm in." She repeated. "Let's make it happen."
"Absolutely. Biotics deserve to be considered equals." Pacyra added to the biotic-centric conversation. "My sister needs a project to invest her time and efforts into."
The sisters feigned warmth toward each other for the sake of comfortable atmosphere. Tali'zorah vas Normandy noted all of it with no comment.
Mycerra exchanged contact information with Major Alenko before finishing her brief self-tour of the luxury apartment Tia in tow. Time passed too quickly for her liking, and the party wrapped up with a tidy bow and the weight of high expectations on her back. They reserved a room at a hotel nearby for the night. The following day she intended to visit the hospital to schedule an appointment in hope of finding a solution to her medical dilemma.