"Thinking"
"Talking"
"Impactful word"
Location: Serpent Nebula - Widow - Citadel – Presidium – Citadel Tower
Shepard POV
They got him.
Shepard and her team managed to find fire-proof evidence for the Council to revoke Saren's spectre status. But there was no need to rush things after she took Tali'Zorah nar Rayya (Tali in short) to the meet with the Ambassador and Captain to discuss their 'proof' in form of an audio log in which Saren talked about the assault on Eden Prime along with another strange party they couldn't identify by voice alone.
The two men in charge gave the Commander a quick pause to catch her breath. Better take advantage of it while she still could. Who knew what would happen after they expose Saren. So she decided to go for a drink (or two) to Chora's Den. Her first option was to go to the Embassy Bar, but the noble atmosphere didn't sit quite right with her.
So here she was, sitting at the central bar of the gentlemen's club with Wrex and Garrus. She briefly wondered who took charge of the club after they've taken care of Fist. She made sure she wouldn't get too buzzed or she would definitely get an earful from Udina. A thought Wrex was largely against, trying to get her to cut some loose to what Shepard only snorted.
She played with the glass in her hand when she overheard a conversation near her stool.
"Have you heard the news?" The young man, probably in his early twenties, asked his turian friend seated closely next to him.
"What news?" The other took a sip from his beer, starring confused at his comrade.
"Apparently, a patient escaped the clinic just recently... I think," he revealed, making the turian snort into his beer bottle.
"That's nothing new; C-Sec will find the patient within a couple of hours with that top-notch security system they've recently installed into the hospital." The turian boasted brazenly, the alcohol slowly getting to him. It earned him a smug chuckle from the human who already had the words of refuting in petto.
"Hah! Here comes the part where I must disappoint you, my turian buddy... the cameras didn't catch a thing."
The turian choked on his drink, coughing to free his airway. Slamming the beer back on the table with such force that it almost cracked, he belted in disbelief, "You're shitting me!"
"I am telling you the truth! The girl just vanished into thin air and C-Sec has a hard time finding her ever since." He grinned at the dumbfounded expression of his tipsy friend.
"But they still made a profile of her, right?" he insisted, but the human only waved his hand dismissively.
"My brother who works there told me that they brought her freshly in comatose. They didn't know anything about her except the name." The young man stated, before ordering another round of beer for the two of them.
"Is he referring to Akane?" Jane muscles tensed under her armour.
"So what's the girl's name then?" the turian asked after a short moment of silence.
"Must have slipped my mind, heh, sorry buddy." The human shot an apologetic smile towards the turian.
"Though I pretty sure it began with the letter 'A' and sounded Japanese."
"They can only talk about Akane. What has the kid gotten herself into this time?" Shepard muttered, finishing her drink in one gulp. Her moment of granted repose was overshadowed by worry over the woman that had saved Kaidan.
"Guys, finish up! We're going." Jane shouted to be overheard through the loud music, but she still heard the unsatisfied groan Wrex let out which made her lips quirk up.
They were making their way out of the club when a bypassing asari dancer jogged Shepard's memory. Right! She had given the Consort her word to deal with her relationship problem regarding the Turian General she was supposed to find here. It took her a few short talks and pushing through the crowds to finally locate him.
"Commander? Hmph. What do you want?" asked the Turian General in a sceptic tone.
"I am here on Sha'ira's behalf. Your lies are hurting her." Shepard's eyes roamed the turian who went on the bottle when Sha'ira gave him his walking papers. He was wearing formal attire, one fitting for his position, albeit the choice of place didn't really say much good about him.
"Good. Her lies have been killing me for days. I've seen a lot of horrible things in my days and there's only one woman in this damn galaxy that helps me forget it."
"Poor guy, he's got a bad taste in women."
Or maybe Jane was evaluating the Consort the wrong way since she'd met her. When she listened along to the General's passionate rant about the asari, she reflected on her faulty opinion about the Consort. Perhaps she was too quick to let false prejudice cloud her judgement; a mistake on her part. Something she would have to work on in the future.
"This is the great Turian General? How did your kind ever defeat us?" Wrex taunted.
"I may be drunk, krogan, but you're ugly. And tomorrow, I'll be sober. Now unless you have a cure for this ache in my gut, go away." Shepard silenced Wrex with a look.
"Is she really worth it? There must be other women." Shepard implied, trying to offer him the idea of letting go of the Consort, not because she was trying to separate them, but for the sake of the Turian General.
"It's not just any woman I want. It's her, and her alone," he blurted out stubbornly.
She really wasn't good at this.
"Look, kid, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but don't waste your time." Septimus kept his gaze on the empty bottles on his table. The alcohol seemed to make him feel bolder, though she had to compliment him on his loyalty. No, seriously. She had found the fact worthy of admiring.
"General, did you ever win a battle by moping in a bar?" Shepard took the Consort's advice to heart and gave it a try to reawaken the sense of honour somewhere deep within him.
"Ha, war! That's what this feels like all right. How did I let it come to this? You think it's that easy? Just straighten up and act like a general?" He leant back against his chair, getting on what Shepard was implying.
"It's better than sitting on your ass all day." Unexpectedly, the voice of encouragement came from Wrex.
"Huh. Maybe you're right, Commander. Sha'ira's worth the effort... even if she won't have me back," Septimus considered at last.
"That's the spirit! This is no place for someone of your stature, General." She gave him a little extra push with a gentle smile.
"All right. I'll go to her... after I've had a cold shower. Or two. Say, you're a bright kid. Would you be interested in earning a few extra credits?" He sat up straighter, much more like he should as a General.
"Depends. What do you want me to do?"
Location: Serpent Nebula - Widow - Citadel – Presidium – Peak of the Citadel Tower
Akane was chilling on the roof of the Citadel Tower, or other known as the epicentre of the massive Citadel. A few hours have passed after the little scuffle with the assassins in the Lower Wards. It was a close call, too close for Akane's liking, though apart from that, it was still a success.
She looked down, admiring the view around her. She still couldn't quite believe it. The young Uchiha found herself on the most impressing technical structure of this time and probably the first (of her people) to have travelled so far into space.
If only her presence here wouldn't steer up so much trouble.
C-Sec activity became higher each passing day, so Akane was forced to disperse all her Kage Bunshin so they could come back with literally a ton of information that they had gathered these past few days. At least now she was up to date with her knowledge, having more insight on unknown territory was always beneficial.
More or less, she was more than impressed by how far these races have come together - as a collective. Of course, there had been wars like the First Contact War, Rachni Wars, Krogan Rebellions and such, but these happened on a galactic stage. It was astonishing, extraordinary, beyond words to comprehend in her opinion. Her kind needed centuries to sort out cultural differences between each of the Shinobi Godaikoku. And four devastating world wars to achieve that.
However, shinobi history happened only among themselves. But this world... It connected with other species; aliens so to say. These were a dozen different species working and co-existing peacefully (for most of the time). Though what really interested her most was the race called 'Humans'. Shepard's race.
Akane's kind, compared to humans, were staggeringly similar in many areas; most of all appearance and anatomy. However, there was this one significant distinction she had already mentioned before: Humans had no chakra and were therefore probably a bit weaker than an average shinobi - with the latter to be tested later on.
She really ought to read through their history anytime soon.
Maybe once she had more freedom. And her face wouldn't pop up on every damn digital platform there was on the Citadel. Though truth to be told, it did remind her of her days as a nukenin.
She had become a nukenin after the Abenjāzu Downfall, but she had done so on the order of the alliance's leader Shigetoki Ijima. While most of Konoha's remaining population had indeed considered Akane a criminal and treated her as such, the leader was privately aware that she remained loyal to the alliance.
Not much had changed since then. She was still the same lone wolf as she had always been, though she could add the title 'stalker' to her collection because she was currently stalking the hell out of Commander Shepard and her team. The only thing Akane was most certain of was that the Commander would meet the Council within the next couple of hours, probably because of Saren attacking Eden Prime with the Geth.
"Well, I see no other option other than to wait here, see how things will turn out. It's not like I haven't gotten anything to think about," she murmured, falling into an abyss of deep thoughts.
Location: Serpent Nebula - Widow - Citadel – Presidium – Citadel Tower
Shepard POV
The Commander was making her way up to the Citadel tower, prepared to face the Council once again. The Ambassador went ahead so he could 'set up' the stage before Jane and Anderson arrived. Honestly though? To Jane, it felt more like Udina wanted to keep them from the meeting as long as possible so either they wouldn't fuck things up for him.
What a team player he was.
On the bright side, Shepard had enough time to attend to unfinished business throughout the Citadel. It lightened up her mood a bit; especially after the Consort's encouraging words and being stopped by a fan of hers. She made sure to slip a smile towards the asari if only for the sake of self-satisfaction.
"Come on. Udina's presenting the quarian's evidence to the Council." Captain Anderson had been waiting for her at the exact same spot as the last time they had approached the Council. She didn't get two steps closer when she heard Udina saying a finishing line after the recording ended, "You wanted proof. There it is."
"This evidence is irrefutable, Ambassador. Saren will be stripped of his spectre status and all efforts will be made to bring him in to answer for his crimes." Councilor Sparatus exclaimed, which made Shepard mentally sight in relief, "About time."
"I recognize the other voice, the one speaking with Saren. Matriarch Benezia." Councilor Tevos uncovered with no small amount of disappointment glistering in her eyes, though it raised questions in Shepard that she didn't bother to hold back, "Who's she?"
"Matriarchs are powerful asari who have entered the final stage of their lives. Revered for their wisdom and experience, they serve as guides and mentors to my people. Matriarch Benezia is a powerful biotic, and she had many followers. She will make a formidable ally for Saren." The asari explained.
"I'm more interested in the Reapers. What do you know about them?" The Salarian Councilor swiftly changed the topic so the ambassador wouldn't get a chance to use this piece of information to pressure Tevos any further. Shepard barely resisted rolling her eyes at Councilor Valern.
"Oh now they're showing interest in it," she thought angrily, though they still had to give him the same answer they had given them the first time they had mentioned this. Jane was thankful that Anderson took it upon himself to answer.
"Only what was extracted from the geth's memory core. The Reapers were an ancient race of machines that wiped out the Protheans. Then they vanished."
"The Geth believe the reapers are gods. And Saren is the prophet for their return. We think the Conduit is the key to bringing them back. Saren's searching for it. That's why he attacked Eden Prime." Shepard added.
"Do you even know what this Conduit is?" Councilor Valern inquired with further interest as though he hadn't been the one who so vehemently dismissed them as myths the last time they were brought up.
"Saren thinks it can bring back the Reapers. That's bad enough." Jane couldn't give him a better answer, not when she was in the dark about it. By the way Councilor Sparatus' mandibles moved she knew that he, out of the three, wasn't content with the response.
"Listen to what you're saying! Saren wants to bring back the machines that wiped out all life in the galaxy? Impossible. It has to be," Sparatus reacted in his usual expressive manner.
"And here I thought he is being reasonable." Shepard let out a viewless sigh, letting the turian continue.
"Where did the Reapers go? Why did they vanish? How come we've found no trace of their existence? If they were real, we'd have found something!" The turian turned to look at the other Councilors, then mimicked Tevos' posture.
"I tried to warn you about Saren, and you refused to face the truth. Don't make the same mistake again." Shepard said with a neutral expression, even when her tone sounded accusing.
"This is different. You proved Saren betrayed the Council. We all agree he's using the Geth to search for the Conduit, but we don't really know why." Tevos looked at the Valern who gave her a simple nod, most likely a signal for him to support her statement.
"The Reapers are obviously just a myth, Commander. A convenient lie to cover Saren's true purpose. A legend he is using to bend the Geth to his will." Councilor Valern did as Shepard predicted he would.
She tried to make it clear to them what was at stake, "Fifty thousand years ago, the Reapers wiped out all galactic civilization. If Saren finds the Conduit, it will happen again!"
"Saren is a rogue agent on the run for his life. He no longer has the rights of resources of a Spectre. The Council has stripped him of his position." Shepard nearly growled at the Sparatus' rather poor excuse until Udina threw his two cents in, "That is not good enough! You know he's hiding somewhere in the Traverse. Send your fleet in!"
"A fleet cannot track down one man." Valern shook his head.
"A Citadel fleet could secure the entire region. Keep the Geth from attacking any more of our colonies," Udina persisted, though Jane had to admit it was a good move by reminding the Council of their mistake to keep the pressure up or gain sympathy from bystanding politicians, who were watching this from behind the scenes.
"Or it could trigger a war with the Terminus Systems! We won't be dragged into a galactic confrontation over a few dozen human colonies!" Sparatus fiercely objected.
"I can take Saren down," Shepard promised, holding a determined gaze towards the three councillors.
"The Commander's right. There is a way to stop Saren that doesn't require fleets or armies." Councillor Tevos looked over at Sparatus who knew what she was implying and was more than against the idea, "No! It's too soon. Humanity is not ready for the responsibilities that come with joining the Spectres."
"You don't have to send a fleet into the Traverse and the Ambassador gets his Human Spectre. Everybody's happy." Shepard suggested while her face remained neutral. The three councillors shared a look among each other. Shepard just needed to convince Councilor Tevos and Valern so Councilor Sparatus would have to oblige the majority.
Democracy could work both ways.
After a long pause where words were exchanged through looks, the Turian Councilor finally gave in and nodded. Shepard knew her strategy worked when Councillor Tevos spoke up, "Commander Shepard – step forward."
Jane took a quick look at Anderson, who gave her a warm smile in return before she did what she had been told to. She positioned herself in the same manner when she had received the Star of Terra all these years ago; she pushed out her chest and straightened up, levelling her gaze at the Council. This was a historical moment for the Alliance and humanity as a race in general, and she would make sure to live up to it no matter what.
Diplomats from all around have gathered to witness the moment when the councillors began with their speech for the short ceremony. They emphasized the importance of the role of a Spectre in the galactic community and gave Shepard her first mission along the way.
"I am honoured, Councilor." Commander Shepard slightly bowed her head to show her gratefulness.
With everything being said, the councillors adjourned the meeting, and Jane released a deep breath she didn't know she was holding. Anderson chuckled at the display, and then genuinely congratulated her for finally becoming a Spectre. The moment Jane's hand shook the Captain's she felt she could burst from happiness. He felt proud of her. Just like when she had received the Starr of Terra. He was there, watching as if she was his daughter, even if reality was different.
Saren should better watch his step from now on if he didn't want to get his turian ass kicked.
Location: Serpent Nebula - Widow - Citadel – C-Sec Academy – Normandy docking bay
Akane watched the whole exchange of the Commander and the Council from a safe distance with her Byakugan. While she still had the option to use the Sharingan's granted clarity of perception to read their lips jointly with the Byakugan's ability to view great distances, through closer inspection it was unnecessary to waste her chakra on the Sharingan because of the language barrier.
She had moved from the Citadel Tower once Shepard's meeting was over, not so far from the docking bay. She observed as the Commander spoke with the same humans that stood beside her during the meeting not so long ago. Top-ranking official, no doubt. Once Akane was sure the humans were out of reach, she approached the Commander and her team with the help of the Shunshin no Jutsu before they could depart.
They hadn't noticed Akane's presence until the Uchiha decided to address the Commander, "Excuse me, Ma'am, do you have a moment?"
The Commander faintly jumped at the unexpected visit but kept it perfectly hidden behind her mask of professionalism; the same with which she had faced the Council. The krogan and quarian skilfully spun around and levelled their guns at Akane who didn't move a single muscle. Not out of fear, but more of an old habit she had gotten from her time as an Anbu.
"Someone you know, Shepard?" Neither the krogan nor quarian took their eyes from the Uchiha even for a second, probably perceiving Akane as a threat due to successfully sneaking up on them without them having even the slightest awareness of her.
"I wondered when you would show up." Shepard relaxed her tensed muscles as she turned to look at the strange girl. Akane looked exactly the same as she had sent her to Huerta, though healthier and rested.
"Shouldn't you be at the hospital?" Shepard raised a commanding eyebrow in her direction, which sort of reminded Akane of her mother, whenever she or Shirone got into trouble.
Akane gave no response and simply waited for the Commander to change the topic. The young Uchiha knew from experience just how much one could learn about a person if one just picked up the little details in body movement, tone of voice, eye contact, facial expression and etc. It was for that reason that she kept her expression as blank as possible; a way of not giving the enemy any information that could be used against her.
"So, what do you want?" Shepard broke the silence that had come between them.
"I would like to accompany you on your mission," Akane casually responded, catching the Commander as well as quarian by surprise to what the krogan let out a low chuckle, then lowered his gun.
"The kid has guts. I like it, but I think this isn't a good place for someone of your age." The krogan took in Akane's small form.
She indeed was the smallest out of the three standing in front of them and the frame of her body matched the quarian's at some point, but apart from that, the krogan shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
She felt challenged, underestimated. Her logical thinking knew it was a trap set up by the krogan to see if she had the guts to do it. She willingly took the bait, considering it to be her best chance to get into the Commander's crew.
"If you're worried about my combat capabilities then I suggest putting them to the test." she offered, looking between the krogan and the Commander.
"What do say, Boss?" The krogan watched the Commander ponder for a second, before she agreed to it, at last, taking even Akane off guard by the decision.
As Shepard had mentioned before, she stopped treating the girl like any other child and thinking back, she displayed incredible battle prowess during their fight against the geth. She would prove to be a valuable asset in her pursuit of Saren.
But... did she have the right to drag Akane into this mess? Well, she wasn't the one dragging her, rather the girl had volunteered out of her own free will; yet still, the whole notion felt utterly wrong to her.
Now she regretted giving her approval, but she had come up with an idea to prevent Akane from joining her team by setting such conditions on the girl's offer that she wouldn't accomplish.
"State your conditions, Ma'am." Akane voiced the Commander's thoughts, but Shepard didn't let it show on her expression.
"You can join my crew under the condition you will win every duel against opponents of my choice. Deal?" Shepard held out her hand, and Akane came closer to take it with fierce determination, "Deal."
The quarian was not as pleased as the krogan, shaking her head dismissively when they entered the Normandy.
Words dictionary:
Shinobi Godaikoku 忍び五大国 = Five Great Shinobi Countries
Nukenin 抜け忍 = Missing-nin - Are ninja who abandon their village with no intention of returning. Missing-nin are criminals in effect, if not before their defection then certainly after abandoning their duties.
Anbu 暗部 = Anbu Black Ops / Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai 暗殺戦術特殊部隊 = Special Assassination and Tactical Squad - Are covert operatives of capable ninja that are dispatched by their village leader. There are apparently no true ranks within the Anbu; team leadership and hierarchy seem to be based on merit and experience. The leaders of the teams are called squad leaders (分隊長, Buntaichō), a position held in high regard.
Shigetoki Ijima 井島重時 = Was the highest-ranking individual in Second Allied Shinobi Forces in Konoha and the head of the Purotekutā fraction during the alliance's division.