Book 4

Siha: Rise of Rakhana

Part II

"There was an incident on the way to this meeting in Sybillan Archives today," Councilor Bekevt, the Salarian Union's representative of the Council for All-Species speaks in a high voice that clings to the air with a resinous echo, much as the rest of their voices do in the pyrotubical chamber they meet with Casnar and Ylyssus, "…Elaborate, please."

"She was upset by something she experienced, Councilor Bekevt," Casnar, slightly annoyed by the question, replies—knowing it is to be expected and answered. "I am unable to go into further detail on the conditions that provoked her reaction..."

The councilor shifts her eyes towards Ylyssus standing next to the golden exiled hiriwa on the black floor of the colossal space…At one point Sybilla flowed with mammoth arms of magma and lava both below and above the surface of the ocean…Now it is a mecca of hidden and revealed sources rich with prothean data preserved for centuries since the fall of that empire.

"I have been a councilor and leader of the Salarian Union for five years," the eyes hold Ylyssus who does not move under their stare, "…Through no small feat did I move my predecessors out of the way, both returning-hopeful and incumbent." Her horns drape richly detailed salarian silk over her large amber-copperish eyes, the cowl of which lifts in a liquid movement as she leans forward in her seat and pierces him with look and words,"…Before you leave with all three, wife and offspring today, you will share from memory with the Council," she gestures with her tri-fingered hands as she settles back, "…what occurred this morning during your travel to visit Sybilla…It would behoove you and your co-mate's husband to be accommodating, Ylyssus Tan'nanshul."

"Stop," Casnar, standing up for Ylyssus who is learning the ways of these leaders beyond Rakhana, "…Forcing memories out of him so you may 'inform'," a drop of his voice, "…yourself on the suitability of our wife's fitness to care for herself and our children," he adds, correcting her term used to describe Jenner and Jaspin, "…with two husbands to help, is abnormal treatment among this court…Let our wife speak for herself…Councilor."

Councilor Bekevt narrows one rim of two large eyes with a second sheath of lid—opaque and pink against the dalatrass's upper yellow hoods…Motes of blue-green algae glow in their bioluminescence from the high ceiling, bored smooth with laser strafes millennia ago and giving to colonization by the indigenous and carnivorous diaspora that seek mold and mildew, a janitorial species as old as the protheans were themselves…Maybe older…

Bekevt looks ready to spar with Casnar…Ylyssus in the middle—not willing to betray his master, and the councilor decided on that Braith and twins will only leave with he and Casnar if Ylyssus forces himself into solip (which would prove nothing but whatever the councilor wished to determine for herself to know)—appears torn with his expression.

The hand of another councilor raises, drawing attention from Bekevt and her fellow peers standing in a half-circle among the middle of the empty chamber.

Councilor Gereel of the Asari Republics looks to Ylyssus and Casnar, "…What would help in this matter is a gentler postulation," she asks next, this to Ylyssus, "…Do you…" She pauses to see his eyes focus on her from his sered's own, "…feel it is safe judgement to send Braith Soterios-Shepard back to your home in Elutha alone, with both twins in your care?"

"Our wife will always love and be capable of seeing to the needs, and wants, of her and my sered's children," Ylyssus answers, his voice softer, respectful in the awesome chamber and reaching the expectant faces, their various ear formations, "…I have no doubt in my mind she is safe with them, they with her, and all three of them with my sered and myself, Councilor Gereel." Ylyssus holds the councilor's marble blue and violet gaze. He caught the subtle puzzle she left in the question, paying heed to details in the maze they must navigate each encounter with the Galaxy-At-Large Council members there to ascertain whether Braith is a threat to her family, to the galaxy, or to a few select species—what with her and her children's morthwyl parasitism.

"Your wife is about to rejoin you—with the twins and Doctor Karin Chakwas," Councilor Fedir Hagrovyn of the Turian Hierarchy interrupts with a gentle flange, and looks up from the hanar councilor's note disseminated to his and the other councilors' omni-tools. "The medical clinic has assessed all three as healthy, and will be sending them directly here under the doctor's discharge," he says to Casnar and Ylyssus, both drells experiencing a rush of relief.

With a gesture to the human councilor seated between himself and the annoyed krogan beside the human, "…May we question Miss Shepard-Soterios when they arrive, and the good doctor, Councilor Kobahn?"

The man with the brown eyes raises a hand and nods his acquiescence. "Thank you, Councilor Hagrovyn…In return, may I suggest a brief recess while we wait."

"Does the Council concur?"

The krogan raises his sullen, grim-scarred snout, "…Thank Kalross," Councilor Urdnot snarls, his chipped fangs exposed but the expression "civilized" by krogan and this Council's standards.

"Let the Council and their guests adjourn," Fedir seconds.