Chapter 27
I don't own Mass Effect
The side story of the hotsprings will continue in this chapter.
captaindickscratcher asked if the Illusive man knows Miranda would betray him.
At the moment he doesn't, though he would start to suspect if he finds out that Miranda finds out about the deal he has with her father. That said if he does think she betrayed him it will be a mix of which is more important, the fact she betrayed him or the fact that he was indoctrinated by that point and thus no longer in full control of his actions meaning his orders shouldn't be obeyed. If a general has access to nukes I figure that if he went insane, sane him would rather someone shoot him before he presses any buttons.
Blaze your backpack idea has arrived
A chat with Lucifer the 3rd gave me idea, how many of people here would be interested in a canon mass effect where a male shepard hooks up with Garrus's sister? Then again I should get around to finishing my other mass effect story
Story Start
After we finished speaking to Benezia and Aethyta and after Liara had said her farewells we went our separate ways.
Benezia and Aethyta both said she was more than welcome to come with them but Liara said she was needed on the Normandy but compared to everyone else she wouldn't be in as much danger which made them feel a bit better.
When we got a good distance away from the campsite Shepard called Joker for a pick-up. Gamora and I used that time to do the meld. As soon as we were aboard though, I headed for the sleeping pods. It would take about ten hours to get back to the Citadel and I wanted to get as much sleep as I could, I was pretty sure a shit show was coming.
Waking up I got ready, standard gear and armour. While I wasn't expecting a fight the number of people that had/will die on the Citadel and the fact that everything was about to come to a close meant I wasn't going to take any chances.
Heading to the airlock I found Ash, Garrus and Solana already there.
"Shepard already left?" I asked
"Left the second the Normandy touched down along with Kaiden and Gamora. Was going to see if she could have a word with Hackett or Anderson before the Council. Don't think it's going to happen. Garrus and I on our way to get her shopping list done. Which reminds me, where do you get those arrows of yours?" asked Ash
"I can order them through Qorach where we got our weapons." I answered Ash "I was just about to head there."
"Good, I'm going there too. You can come with me and give me a hand getting some gear. With what's about to happen, we think we should carry our stuff back rather than rely on delivering services that can be stopped when we're not looking. Garrus and Solana are going to get everything else we need and look for any good defensive spots around the Presidium." said Ash As we climbed into the airlock and the decontamination started Ash started speaking again."By the way... sorry for being a bitch before. A few hours ago I asked Gamora if she could show me the attack on Earth. After what I saw...well if I knew that was coming I'm not sure there's not much I wouldn't do. Also, I need to know... Do I...did I lose anyone?""...No, not that I know of, though one of your sisters lost her husband. I don't know which one, but a lot of things have already changed...maybe they'll still all make it, but when the Reapers arrive..." I said trailing off, not sure how to continue
"I get it, with how bad Earth looked it's hard to promise anything." said Ash finishing for me
"We might not be able to control the future but we know what's coming. Let's just do the best we can to make sure the Reapers get a fight they weren't expecting." said Garrus
After we left the Normandy we all boarded the elevator together, when we reached C-sec though we split up. Garrus and Solana heading off I don't know where while Ash and I headed to Qorach.
"Welcome to...oh it's you two." said Yarrick "The wife's not here but how can I help you?"
"We need everything on this list." answered Ash sending something via omni-tool
"...That's, that's a lot of gear. By my count, this should give each of your team at least ten new universal clips and five clips for their chosen gun." said Yarrick going through the list "and enough cooling plates to carry all of it."
"We finally tracked down where Saren is, we're heading there as soon as possible and we're expecting a hell of a fight." said Ash
"Saren, as in the Spectre? I heard that he was a acussed of being behind Eden Prime attack a couple of weeks ago but I thought it was just rumours. Spirits no wonder the Council never announced that, Saren was their golden boy." said Yarrick
"Yeah they've been keeping it quiet and the help they've sent us...is lacking. They've only sent us two leads and one of those nearly got us killed helping an STG team out." responded Ash
"Hold on I might have something for you that will help things...Sheita's going to be pissed though wait here." said Yarrick before dissapearing into the back
A short time later he came back carrying two metal back packs, one sizably bigger than the other. They sort of looked like the bags that some of the workers in ME2 and 3 hand on their backs.
"You know how we were making a machine gun and backpack system? Well these are the early prototypes, we're trying to find a good balance to how much heat it can absorb and then vent and maneuverability. In other words how big it is and how easy it is to carry. Once we get a good balance we'll move onto the next stage and make a gun that suits it. Your commander made a couple of good points when you were last there, we're probably going to end up with a couple of sizes though. Speaking of which we redesigned the clips." said Yarrick handing over a universal clip "We've adjusted the materials, and design to allow for an increase in heat storage and venting."
"What's the green light?" asked Ash
Sure enough on the base of the clip was a small green light.
"We've had some people having problems remembering which clips need time to cool and which ones are ready to go so we added that. When a clip over hears it goes red, when it starts to cool it goes from a bright orange to a dim yellow before turning green when it's empty. We also have a few more universal clips, there's the standard which you already have, the extended and the large." said Yarrick pulling one of each out
The standard looked almost identical to the ones were already had, the extended looked slightly bigger in width and was twice as long. The large though was significantly bigger, it looked like a drum magazine for an assault rifle.
"While the larger heat clips can hold a lot more, they also make the weapon more unwieldy, especially the pistols and snipers. They're just too big for those weapons." said Yarrick "As for the pack they have a number of weaknesses, loss of mobility, the pack itself is fragile, and finnaly the cable that connects from the pack to your weapon of choice. It's extremely fragile and also slows down weapon swapping dramatically, not that you can carry multiple weapons easily with this on your back. It's also a snagging hazard. I recommend you pick one weapon, stick to it and be careful when you holster it."
"Shepard gave me a big chunk of our remaining funds, but I don't think it's big enough to cover the gear, twenty arrows for Callum and the backpacks." remarked Ash
"Consider the packs free. My wife will be pissed but it's for a good cause. Just return them when you're finished, as for the rest...pay for what you can and I'll put a bit on top." said Yarrick
"Thanks." replied Ash
"Thank him." said Yarrick nodding to me "Thanks to him, we've gone from a small time store to being part of the people who design weapons for the militaries that keep us safe.""I'll do that, but l'd like to modify the order slightly. Give me...thirty of the large clips and eighty of the extended instead of that number of the standard clips." said Ash doing some quick thinking. "Keep the rest of the order the same."
"Anything else?" asked Yarric
By the time we were finished we had four crates of gear to carry back. One was completely full of the large heat clips, another was full of the extended clips a third was full of the standard. The last crate was full of the cooling plates and what ever didn't fit in the others.
"Alright let's get this back to the Normandy." said Ash bending down and grabbing two crates. After putting the smaller pack on
"Wait, you're carrying them back yourself?" asked Yarrick surprised
"We're leaving almost immediately, the commander doesn't want to take the chance the delivery being delayed due to any problems." answered Ash
"That makes sense, while we don't often have problems delivering our orders but it still takes a couple hours easy." said Yarrick
As I put the other pack on and grapped the remaining crates we turned to leave, before we did so I stopped
"I shouldn't be saying this but we also have some intel suggesting Saren might try attacting the Citadel. Maybe even found a way to smuggle some of his forces onto the Citadel. If I was you I'll be careful until we bring Saren in. Definetly stay away from the Presidium as he no doubt would like to hit the Council."
"Spirits really?" asked Yarrick ge ttony a nod from Ash " Attacking the Citadel? He's either crazy or has a plan to pull it off... thanks for telling me this. I'll be sure to tell my wife and let some of our friends know."
As we left the store I almost immediately ran into someone causing me to drop one of the crates while they dropped a data pad that went clattering to the floor near my feet.
"Shit sorry!" apologised the woman as she retrieved their pad. "I've got an assignment due and it's... ..I'm really sorry. " repeated the woman, this time with some fear in her voice as she finally looked up to see to see who they had bumped into and just how many weapons they were carrying.
This also allowed me to get a good look at her. She had olive skin and wore a thick woolen jumper. The only things about her that stook out was a visor over one eye that seemed to be playing some sort of video and a small butterfly tattoo on her neck. Judging from her looks and ealier comment I had to guess she was a uni student or something and by the look on her face she was extremely worried if not terrified. But she also looked somewhat familar but from what? Maybe an overheard conversation as I couldn't remember anyone having a butterfly tattoo.
"What's the problem?" asked Ash from behind me as she exits the store
"I-I wasnt looking where I was going and ran into your f-friend here. Listen I'm really sorry I'm not in trouble am I?" asked the woman fearfully, looking between Ash and me
"No but I'd say you should be a lot more more careful in the future." said Ash " Now come on Callum we need to get back to the Normandy as soon as possible."
After a few more apologises from the woman where she was almost bowing and promises where she'd be more careful in the future we headed back to the Normandy while the woman wondered off to where ever she was heading to beforehand.
Elsewhere on the Citadel with Shepard
The Council meeting wasn't going well, but when did they ever? thought Shepard to herself
"Please send me after him! Not only is he still a threat but I believe that he has a way to sneak his forces on board! Before she died Beneizia was able to..." started Shepard
"Ahh yes your 'indoctrination' theory, something of which there is very little proof of." said Sparatus dismissively
"While we are thankful of everything you've done Illos requires a delicate touch. While we can make preparations for an invasion of the Citadel we cannot send you into the Terminus." said Tevos
"She's right Commander, Saren's greatest weapon was secrecy. Now is the time for discretion." said Udina "Relax and let us take it from here."
"Sending you in would start a war." added Valern "Plus there is no evidence he has a way to sneak his forces onto the Citadel."
"And you have never been the most discrete, blowing up a bomb on Virmire comes to mind." said Sparatus
"I wonder if you could tell me something?" asked Shepard to Sparatus
"What?"
"When did you become a bare face?" asked Shepard
In the silence that followed you could have heard a pin drop. Even looked at her shocked, Spartacus's mandibles were spread wider than she thought was physically possible and Udina looked like he just laid a krogan sized egg.
Tevos was the first to recover.
"Commander I don't know if you are aware but..."
"Put a sock in it for once Tevos." interrupted Shepard causing dead silence a second time in the same time frame. Next to her Udina looked like another egg was crowning. "I've been working with a couple of turians ever since I became a Spectre and while I can't say I've became an expert on your race they made one thing clear. Every single turian is expected to do their share. Every single turian is expected to serve in some form.
That's something I both respect and am envious of. A lot of people wouldn't like me saying that but it's true. Then there is you, and while I can expect this coming from Tevos, Valern and even getting stabbed in the back by Udina but you?"
"Not only does a Councilor have a significant amount of power and pull but they also represent their species on a galatic scale so I imagine a lot of thought goes into who becomes a Councilor when the role becomes available. For the asari that means a shrewd politician, for the turians it means something more. Meaning that at one point you must have been like Anderson or even Hackett, definitely someone I'd be willing to fight side by side and even die with. The person I see in front of me...not so much."
"That's enough Commander." interrupted Tevos "While I understand your frustration you cannot speak to us this way."
"Do you?" questioned Shepard sceptically "Because if I get someone to fetch me a cup of coffee im not the one that gets pissed when it starts to rain on them. And that's all you've done, sent or to be honest, let me go after Saren. You've given no funds, no supplies or support of any kind. All of that has come from the Alliance."
"You forget Commander that we gave you the location of Liara T'soni and Virmire." argued Tevos, next to her Valern's eyes widen slightly
"Ahhh yes 'Virmire'." said Shepard, purposely using the same tone of voice that would/could be used against her in a few years. "The place where I nearly died and lost half of my team. By the way that transmission that you told me about. The one the STG sent off, it just occurred to me that I never heard it, I'd like to change that."
"And why is that important?" asked Valern
"Because I find it interesting that the message was clear enough that you knew where it was coming from, but not clear enough to know that the STG team. Who's bomb it was by the way, clearly needed more help than one little frigate." answered Shepard
"What are you suggesting?" asked Sparatus, finally speaking up again
"I'm saying I've noticed a trend and it's not a pretty one. First Saren attacks Eden Prime and tries blowing it up, Nilus literally writes his killer's name in his own blood as he's dieing and it's still an uphill battle to get you to do anything. You say they'll be an investigation...there isn't. All you do is sit around doing nothing while saying you were. Then after another uphill battle, we get you to admit that Saren's gone off the rails but instead of doing anything yet again, we have to fight an uphill battle even to get you to let us go after him.
Finally after over a month of tireless work. Chasing every lead we can find, we have Saren's location...and you don't want me going after him while you sit around again. It's like we're right back at the start of this mess. Have you even let the public know he's no longer a Spectre yet?"
"Saren's loss of Spectreship is a Citadel secret. Keeping it is integral for galactic stability and security." said Tevos
"And the fact that if I went door to door to everyone on the Citadel they would think he's still a Spectre isn't?" asked Shepard sarcastically "All he has to say is that he's deep cover or stop people from trying to confirm his status and it will he like he never lost it."
"You're being paranoid Shepard." interjected Valern
"Maybe." agreed Shepard before she started to pace "But you have to admit it doesn't look like your that interested in bringing Saren in, and then I realised... your not. At least not by me, not publically, at least not yet. Humanity is still getting flack from the beacon blowing up despite fact that everyone in this room knows Saren was behind it.
If Saren was publically outed from the Spectres
then people would go from being angry at us to being angry at you. After all, how could a small colony hold off a geth army and a rouge Spectre at the same time? That and the fact a Spectre was in control of that army woukd have that anger shift right towards you.
But if you wait, let humanity bear the brunt of most of that anger you can come in later when things have cooled down and say that you have dealt with the one behind it, or have a plan to do it to make you look like the good guys. If it comes out that the very person your after used to work for you it doesn't matter as he has long been stripped of his title.
Sure, some people will still be pissed that a beacon blew up, but they would have already worked most of that anger out on humanity and won't be able to to use it on you. Plus I'm sure a speech full of grace and false apologies would go a long way too. Humanity would be happy to that people have stopped shouting at them, so happy they won't even realise that they've been used as the galaxy's stress ball.
However, if I stop Saren, especially if I do it where the public can see me that all changes. Humanity got a lot of sympathy when the geth attacked Eden Prime. Granted most of that went out the window when they learned about the destroyed beacon, but how do you think they'll react if the very first human Spectre brings in the person responsible? The one who just so happens to be a former Spectre that each and every one of you insisted was innocent and had no problem letting him verbably abuse anyone he wanted?" pausing for a bit Shepard took a breath
"Maybe that's why every single time something goes well for me you try to take as much credit for it as possible, regardless of how little you had to do with it. While if something goes wrong it's all my fault.
The way I see it Virmire was a chance to deal with this quietly. Everyone here has access to my file, everyone of you would know that if I had an opportunity to take Saren out I would, even if it got me killed. Which is exactly what almost happened, if it wasn't for my team helping me and Saren retreating at the last moment I'm not sure either of us would have gotten out of there, my team either.
I have to wonder was the bomb really just for the base or to make sure Saren bit the dust? You might call me paranoid and maybe your right, but I have no doubt you would have any problem using my death to make sure you came up smelling of roses. I'm sure you would have said something nice at my funeral and made sure humanity was forgiven for something that was never its fault though."
"I think that's enough Commander. Its clear that chasing Saren has placed a great deal of strain on you." said Tevos gently "It's clear that you need a break. This doesn't mean that your no longer a Spectre though." added Tevos quickly holding up a hand "But you do need a break, your first assignment as a Spectre has been long and certainly stressful. Perhaps when you are ready to return, we can put you on some lighter ones."
"She's right commander. You've become to obsessed with this." agreed Udina "I'm putting the Normandy on lockdown. You have raised some valid points however which I'll need to talk to the Council about later."
'Damn she's good.' thought Shepard to herself 'If I didn't know better I'd definitely believe she actually gave a shit. Makes sense though, she's had how many centuries to work on the caring asari persona?'
One of the things that she noticed from speaking with the Council and was made even more appropriate though a meld with Gamora to get Callum's memories was that the Council always tag-teamed anyone they would speak against. Valern would hit them with cold logic, Spartacus would just flat out hit them, then Tevos would then swoop in acting all caring and apologetic with her honeyed words pretending she was your wise mother or something and everyone else was being a disobedient child that should listen to her so she could make things better.
While she couldn't beat them in an argument, nor was it likely she ever would. She could still do damage in her own way.
"I'll go, just do me a favour. When Saren comes, and he will come. When he tears through your so-called 'preparations' like they weren't even there...remember this moment. Remember how I all but begged you to send me after him, that you wouldn't even entertain the idea of asking the powers that be in the Terminus to ask if it's okay to send me in or a simple heads up. Or am I to believe the likes of Aria are more than happy to share real estate with Saren? When there are ships burning and the Citadel is on fire I want you to remember this moment. Finally, when it's all over I want you to count the bodies of everyone you failed to protect...Shepard out."
Walking away Shepard is met with Kaiden and Gamora at the bottom of the steps.
"Well that went as bad as we feared." said Kaiden
"They are not nearly as effective as they pretend to be." added Gamora "The Old Growth would have taken out Saren the second his disloyalty was confirmed, the fact that they allow so many threats to their reign to go unchecked is disconcerting."
"Well lucky for the galaxy they're not the only ones that can make a difference. Let's get out of here and make sure that happens." said Shepard
Sometime later
"I hope this is important Commander, I've got a lot on my schedule and your last interaction with the Council was...less than stellar shall we say." said Hackett
Inside an apartment filled with boxes, six people were gathered. Anderson, Hackett, his assistant, Kaiden, Shepard and Gamora.
"It is admiral I promise." said Shepard before looking at his female assistant "But it's for your and Anderson's ears only."
"Not to be rude Commander but Lieutenant Commander Griffith has a higher security clearance than you." responded Hackett
"I understand that admiral but once I tell you what I have I hope you'll understand." answered Shepard
"Why are we even meeting here?" asked Hackett "While he wouldn't like it I have the power to clear Udina from his office."
"Again sir it will be perfectly clear soon." replied Shepard
"Admiral I know Shepard and she wouldn't bring us here unless it was important." defended Anderson
"Very well, Lieutenant Commander please wait for me outside." said Hackett. After she left he kept speaking "Now what?"
"Before we begin does anyone have anything we can use to make sure we're not overheard?" asked Shepard
"I do." answered Hackett before touching one of the buttons on his shirt "That should give us enough time now what."
"Remeber how you thought that Private Maclean might have been a mole?" asked Shepard
"I remember, I also remember that you never quite explained how he knew what he what he did." answered Hackett
"That's for a good reason. After Eden Prime he started having dreams of things that hadn't happened yet." replied Shepard
"Please be serious Commander. While I believe that your visions came from beacon despite what the Council might say I don't believe in premonitions. He must have access to some intelligence network." dismissed Hackett
"That's what I thought too Admiral, then I started asking him questions. He knew what we would encounter on Noveria before we even got close. Also thanks to him Kaiden survived Virmire." said Shepard getting Anderson's attention
"What do you mean?" asked Anderson
"Originally Kaiden would have died guarding the bomb on Virmire. However, around the time we picked Liara up he made the suggestion to write a program that would keep geth locked out. This ended saving his life Admiral."
"Sounds to me he just made a good suggestion and got lucky." replied Hackett
"It's more than that Admiral." protested Shepard " Before we got to Noveria I had him meld with Liara and then had her meld with me to get his memories, they were almost identical to what we encountered on Noveria. Thanks them we were able to save Benezia."
"Hold on...Benezia's alive?" asked Anderson "Where is she?"
"We dropped her of with a previous bond-mate before we headed to the Citadel." answered Shepard
"You let her go?" asked Hackett astonished "Why would you do such a thing? After everything she did, what makes it worse is that you lied about it. How do you think the Council will react if they find out?"
"Considering we have less than three years before every single homeworld of every single galatic civilisation is brought to its knees how the Council reacts is the least of our problems. Besides Benezia was fully indoctrinated, thanks to Gamora we were able to cure her but if the Council got their hands on her they would have either locked her away for the rest of her life or disected her brain trying to find out how indoctrination works."
"I'm sorry commander but im going to need a lot more than your word if you want me to believe you or Private Maclean in this regard." said Hackett
"I knew you would, after Noveria I had Gamora meld with Callum, she and now I know as much as he does now." responded Shepard
"And what do you know?" asked Hackett
"I know Anderson wanted to warn me about the Council, that he was planning on meeting me at Flux to work out a way to get the Normandy out of lockdown."
At this Hacketts sends a side look to Anderson who looks nervous.
"We also know what the Conduit that Saren's looking for is." continued Shepard
"What is it?" asked Anderson, his former worry gone
"On Illos is a treasure trove of Prothean relics, their best and last works most likely as well as thousands if not more failed stasis pods. One of the things there is a minature relay that pairs with the one on the Presidium."
"If that's true Saren can bring his entire army right through! Completely bypassing all the Citadel's defenses!" exclaimed Anderson
Hackett though was still skeptical
"If thats true then why haven't you done anything...warned the Council for example? Surely a good enough scan of the monument would have revealed what it truly is...if what you say is true."
"Its been there for thousands of years, if it was that easy it would have been noticed a long time ago. As for why I didn't tell the Council, do you really think they would have listened? They tend to ignore almost everything i say. The only thing that they've ever taken seriously is me warning them that Saren might be targeting the Citadel and even that might just be down to them wanting to preserve their own lifes and being able to do something without actually having to do anything. But the main reason is...there is something else on the Citadel." answered Shepard
"And whats that?" asked Hackett
"When the Reapers invaded Liara T'soni was working on the Prothean archives on Mars. There she from something called the Crucible, a supposed weapon that could be used against them. It was only missing one thing, something called the Catalyst."
"Why do you say 'supposed' and what's this Catalyst?" asked Anderson
"It feels iffy to me that shortly after to Reapers invaded we stubbled across a means to beat them. It could be a real weapon, or it might not be. As for the Catalyst, its the Citadel...or more accurately the intelligence running it."
"An Al Commander?" asked Hackett in disbelief "First its a miniture relay and now an AI is running the centre of galactic civilisation?"
"It makes sense sir. You know better than me how many VI's it takes to maintain and run Arcturus Station. How much bigger and more complicated is the Citadel? And we have no idea how it runs. All get is an alert if the water level is low or more element zero is needed, that's it. Everything is always run at peak efficiency, I had a look at an estimation on how expensive it would be to build and maintain our own Citadel. The maintenance alone would have most civilisations constantly on the edge of bankruptcy!"
"The keepers maintain the Citadel, everyone knows that." remarked Hackett but continued to listen closely
"And what do we know about the keepers? All we know about them is that the second someone breaths on them too hard they blow up! Is it just me or does that sound a lot like a black ops team denying assests?" asked Shepard
"And how would you explain how your Private even got these memories?" asked Hackett sceptically, though not really as much as he first was.
"The last dream Callum had, well we think its the last one as it's hard to put them in date order was a mission to the asari homeworld Thessia while it was being invaded by the Reapers. There we found a beacon hidden inside a statue of Athame, Liara tells me that each beacon was supposed to connect with each other forming their own network, much like the relays. Unlike the relays which transported ships the beacons transfered not only messages but feelings and experiences. It's like combining an asari mind meld with the practicality of omni-tools or the extra-net. Somehow the beacon on Thessia linked to The one on Eden Prime as it exploded." explained Shepard
Sharing a look between them Anderson desides to ask
"If that's true why is dallan the only one that got the memories, why didn't you or Kaiden?"
"Kaiden wasn't apart of the team that went to Thessia, Callum was. We assume tht's Why he got it ,as for me I was already getting another message from the beacon so that probably overwhelmed it. I know it's hard to believe but if you meld with Gamora you'll see what I'm talking about." said Shepard
Bringing his hand to his face, Hackett thinks and then answers.
"I don't think that's a good idea Commander. The asari might not admit it but I know there is a lot more truth to the rumors of asari stealing state secrets during a mind meld than they they'd like us to know. Plus the asari in this case works for the Thorian, a being that had no problem controlling a colony of humans to do what it wanted."
"I swear on the old Growth that I will not invade your mind for secrets. Only show you the information we have." promised Gamora
"I think we should do it Admiral." interjected Anderson
"Captain?" questioned Hackett
"I trust Shepard, she wouldn't be lying about something like this to us. If she believes that there is a valid threat, that means there is one." remarked Anderson "Also, I don't have acess to the same intel that you do so there is less risk ."
"... fine we'll go with this for now. Captain Anderson will go first. Should he be convinced I might go myself. However be warned Young lady, if either believe that you are digging around in our minds the consequences will he most dire. The fact that you are basically a diplomat of The Thorian will not help you. Do you understand?" asked Hackett turning to look at Gamora making sure she understood how serious this was
"I understand." responded Gamora
"Good, then in that case proceed."
As usual there was no fanfair when Gamora initiated the meld, one second her eyes turned back and the next Anderson was stepping away.
"What did you see?" asked Hackett
"I saw myself sitting down with Shepard talking how to get the Normandy off the Citadel. I saw a vid feed of the Citadel being attacked with Sovereign at the lead. I also saw empty colonies, heard reports how the Council refused to help in a 'purely human matter'. I saw stange aliens carrying pods and humans literally frozen....Admiral...I saw Earth being torn apart, people melting! It's going to take some time for me to go through all of this." answered Anderson
"Sovereign was only defeated thanks to humanity. As thanks for the lives the Alliance lost we were given a seat on the Council...for what good it did. I'm not sure when but some time after the battle of the Citadel and...my death human colonies started disappearing. "
"Hold on you died? How did that happen?" interrupted Anderson
"After the battle of the Citadel I was sent to deal with geth remnants. While we were doing that we were suddenly attacked by what we would later learn to be a Collector cruiser. We stood no chance and the Normandy was destroyed. That cruiser would later go on to attack human colonies and leave without a trace. The Alliance tried to help but there was little they could do. Not only were most of the hit outside Alliance, but help from the Council was limited and thsy had no idea which Colony would be hit next." answered Shepard
"The Collectors are real? I always thought they were a myth. Then again, I suppose if the Reapers are real, I shouldn't be surprised." said Anderson
"While we have little hard proof on their existence, I know the Collectors are real. But from what we know they are isolationists. Only coming out of hiding to trade seemingly random bits of technology or specimens. We have some proof that the batarians have been selling them slaves every decade or so. The most prominent theories is that their homeworld is behind the Omega relay that they have somehow modified so only they can use it safely or the are a space fairing species who have lost their homeworld like the quarians which would explain their recusiveness. Why would that suddenly change?" asked Hackett
"The Collectors are remnants of the Prothean Empire. Remember the husks on Eden Prime? Their the Prothean version of that, as for why they suddenly started attacking human colonies the Reapers are bio-mecanical. Harvesting organics is how they create new ones and quite possibly how they repair themselves. I know its hard to believe but I'm telling you the truth." said Shepard
"David what do you think?" asked Hackett
"I don't understand how its possible but as I said before I trust Shepard. What I saw in the meld doesn't change that." remarked Anderson
"Fine, Gamora is it? Let's do this meld." said Hackett before giving her a warning "Just so you know, I know what to look for when a meld is...less than regular shall we say?"
As before the meld happened without any fuss. When it was over Hackett appeared to be deep in thought.
"If the reapers are real, surely the protheans would have weakened them? Even if they didn't build the Relays and the Citadel they were significantly more powerful than us if what histians have to say is true." asked Hackett
"No sir, there is a reason they call it a harvest. They harvest us to make themselves stronger. anything the Protheans did to weaken them they would have already recovered from by the time they arrived."
"...fine, you haven't convinced me on the Reaper invasion, at least not completely but the Battle of the Citadel is another matter entirely. That said if what I saw has the slightest possibility of happening it needs to be taken seriously and prepararions need to be made." said Hackett
"Thank you Admiral." started Shepard only to be interrupted.
"I'm not finished Commander. I know you're hiding something, I don't know what but I know you are. But if you're telling the truth about Reapers than it doesn't matter. If you know the Council was going to lock the Normandy down stopping it from leaving. I'm guessing you have a way to resolve that issue?"
"Tali installed something that will disrupt the clamps. I don't know how it works but she assures me that it will work." promised Shepard
"Commander you understand that if you do this and your wrong it would mean the end of not only your career, but everyone under you. The William's family has only just recently started removing their stigma with any degree of success . This could send their family back generations." warned Hackett before continuing
"The Williams family have always served the Alliance loyally, if this goes sideways Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams might be the last Williams to serve, not that I can blame them. Neither she nor her father deserved the difficulties they had to put up with due to their father and grandfather making a sound decision. So before you do this, I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that this is the right thing to do. That this information can be trusted, that Saren is going to attack the Citadel in the way you said he is and that these Reapers will be coming after us afterwards."
Looking into his eyes, Shepard held the gaze of a man that not only gave orders to countless Alliance men and women but also fought with them in the front lines at one point. Hackett had been weighed, measured and found worthy almost before she was born. He had fought in the mud and grime with others as an enlisted man.
As people died around him he managed to make it through each battle, climbing up the ranks and becoming an admiral. Giving him a perspective, an edge that the other admirals didn't. Had it not been for his age and the fact he had duties elsewhere Shepard had no doubt that Hackett would have been the first human Spectre, and had the humanity joined the Citadel twenty or thirty years earlier he probably would have been.
Swallowing Shepard mained eye contact and said the words.
"The intel can be trusted, if we don't do this it could, no would mean the end of galactic civilisation."
Maintaining eye contact for a few seconds more Hackett blinks before straightening his cap.
"It that case good luck. I need to go make some arrangements." said Hackett turning to leave
"Sir before you go I want to give you this." said Shepard handing over a data disk "It's a copy of everything we know."
In truth, it didn't. Knowing that she was going to be meeting Hackett or at least Anderson on the Citadel she went over the data disk that she got from Callum and copied the bulk of it over before rewriting jt. It didn't have everything, certain bits of information were removed but the majority of it was there.
The monument being a relay, the true nature of the Citadel, the Collector attacks without the names of the attacked Colony names and a detailed description of every husk form. Everything of importance was there, the only things that were missing were things too personal for someone to include, or something that would poke a hole in their story.
"Thank you Shepard I'll look it over later. David." said Hackett in farewell before he walked out the door
After he was gone Anderson turned towards Shepard. "I won't ask what you're hiding, if you were going to tell me you would have told me already. I trust you Shepard, just don't let my trust be misplaced."
"I won't sir." promised Shepard
"I'm glad to hear that. Now you'd better get going, Saren has a big enough lead as is." said Anderson
Back on the Normandy (Callum POV)
After Ash and I exited the store, and the girl ran into me we headed to the Normandy.
Once we got there we headed to the comms room...getting more than one look due to all the ammo crates. There we found that the entire ground crew had already assembled there asside from Shepard, Kaiden and Gamora who were missing. Like us Garrus and Solana seemingly brought back a number of crates.
"Shepard not back yet? asked Ash
"Not yet." answered Garrus "Not that I'm surprised, she had a Council meeting and then spoke to one if the most powerful human Admirals there is."
"In that case we better get ready and go through the gear." responded Ash "Did you have any problems with the explosives?"
"Some, they really wanted to deliver it themselves. Whether that's due to the Council not wanting us to get it or the fact they don't want someone walking through the Citadel with a shit ton of explosives I'm not sure. Thankfully my c-sec clearance and Shepard's Spectre status allowed us to walk out of there. How'd you go?"
"No problem whatsoever, said we needed to leave as soon as possible and didn't want to be delayed by postage and they bought it." answered Ash "However the order got adjusted slightly. They had more variations of the universals than they did before. I suggest we go through them and see what we each want before Shepard gets here."
"Agreed." said Solana
After we had finished each of us was packing more heat than Rambo and that was just from what Ash and I had brought back. We hadn't even gone through what Garrus and Solana came back with.
The only exceptions were Tali, Liara and Kaiden who weren't expected to see much fighting asside from the initial assualt on Illos but even Tali had two large heat clips on her stomach, two extended on either of her legs and a couple standard on either arm.
As for myself I had two large on the side of my left leg. To balance that out I had four extended on the front of my right while my pistol stayed next to them. On my right upper arm I had the four regular heat clips I had bought with my Settler. On my stomach were four of the new extended clips for the Seetler while on my left chest where the two old ones. My right chest piece was clear for now but I was planing on filling it up with my arrow boxes later. On my left arm were two more extended heat clips.
Looking around it seemed that those who favoured the larger weapons such as the assualt rifle or shotgun had more of the extended and large heat clips while those that went with the pistols or snipers picked more regular and extended. The only exception was Wrex who had more than enough of his custom gun ammo to not need anything else. Plus the heat clips for his shotgun, Bruce were already the size of the large heat clips if not bigger.
When we were nearly finished and about to see what Garrus and Solana brought Shepard's voice came in through the ship's speakers.
"This is your Commander speaking, as no doubt some of you have already heard we've been put on ice. Both the Council and Udina seem to think that Saren's nolonger a threat, that he can't harm anyone else! But we know better, we've been chasing Saren for weeks, we know the damage he can cause which is why we're going after him anyway.
However, I can't make you come with me on this one. So if you decide that you can't be apart of this your more than welcome to leave, I won't blame you nor will I try to stop you. While difficult the Normandy can operate on a skeleton crew I can give you twenty minutes to decide but then we're taking off regardless.
We also have intel that Saren has somehow managed to sneak geth onto the Citadel, so I want everyone qualified in arms to report to Solana Vakarian who'll be leading a small team I'm leaving behind just incase. Shepard out."
A few moments after her speech Shepard had joined us in the communications room.
"Good speech Commander." started Ash "But are you sure it was okay to say that they're welcome to leave? What if too many people decide to take you up on that offer?"
"We'll lose a few but I'm betting the majority will stay. Besides we really only do need a skeleton crew, all the Normandy needs to do is get us to Illos." responded Shepard before looking around "I'm glad to see that everyone is already back, things would have gotten awkard if the twenty came and we had to wait for someone. Ash, Garrus any problems?" asked Shepard
"None on my side Commander, we even got a couple prototypes of the pack they were looking at making last time we were there. They've also updated the thermal clips, a few different sizes and a light that shows its status. Green means its good to go, red means its over heated and orange to yellow means its cooling down." answered Ash
"Good to hear, Garrus how about you?"
"A few more complications, the credits didnt stretch as far as we thought they would. We got most of the stuff you asked for but in the end we had to decide between one grenade laucher and plenty of ammo or two with barely any. We went with the first one." replied Garrus
"Fair enough, one should be enough anyway. There is a reason why I didn't get a grenade launcher before. They just cause too much unintended damage to your surroundings. Well, that and the cost of the grenades." said Shepard
"I also picked up a small detonator, figure Kaiden or Tali could attach it to his bow." added Garrus
"Detonator?" I asked
"I read from Ash and Garrus's reports on Virmire how useful your explosive arrows were so I figured they would be useful now. Its the same reason I had him pick up the grenade launcher, we needed something that could deal a lot of overkill in a short time. I was hoping that we'd be able to get two, one for myself and one for Solana but the backpacks are a nice substitute. Can you run threw them quick?" asked Shepard
"It's simple enough, there's a cable that connects to whatever gun you have. Yarrick warned me though its a bit fragile and that it would be better to stick with a single weapon than swapping between them." answered Ash
"...Ash, Wrex I want you two to have them. We're going to need as much stopping power once we get to Illos and having this means I can be more scrupulous about using my grenades. Wrex out of all the weapons here yours generates the most heat, with that pack you won't have to worry about cooling as much."
"I got used to weight a bit on the way here. I'll run through some drills before we get to Illos but you're probably going to have go a bit slower for me when we land." said Ash
"That's fine, hopefully any time we loose we can make up by using it to finish our fights faster. Wrex?"
"The weight isn't going to be a problem but I'm not going to be able to charge unless you want me to risk breaking it." remarked Wrex
"With how much damage your shotgun does and how much heat the backpack holds I don't think enemies getting close for a charge are going to be problem. That said he's still going to need to vent, as you said Wrex's gun generates the most heat, it might fill up faster than we expect. That and we don't know how long the pack takes to cool, means we might need to spend a lot of time covering Wrex." interjected Garrus getting a huff from Wrex, whether it was in agreement or not it wasn't clear
"If the pack doesn't work for Wrex drop it. Don't forget you'll also have a few marines with you. Give it to Tristan along with one of the modified assault rifles and you should be good." replied Shepard "Now I want to get going as soon as possible, so go through the grenades and explosives and grab what you want before you head back to the Citadel. I suggest you lay low until Saren starts his attack."
"Don't worry we will." promised Garrus
After going through the crates that Garrus brought which mainly held Shepard's new grenade launcher and ammo we were ready to go. Some of the gear had been repacked back into the crates to make transportation easier and less obvious.
"Now Solana remember you're in charge, if anyone as a problem with that remind them that I'm the one that put you there and they can either suck it up or go see Anderson." said Shepard
"Understood Commander." chirped Solana
"Good, oh Garrus if we make out of this alive...you, me, bar." added Shepard
"Okay?" asked Garrus in confusion, only to be clipped on the side of the head by Solana making him snarl
That snarl however vanished when she whispered something into his proverbial ear making his eyes widen.
"Sure, sure thing Commander." said Garrus, his mandables clearly showing a turian blush.
"I guess if you ever order me to kiss a turian
it won't be Garrus." joked Ash
"Hey, if the world's ending in a few years a girl doesn't have the time to wait." replied Shepard before getting onto her omni-tool "Hey Adam, just giving you a heads up, I've given Joker the go ahead to redline the engine. I want to be at Illos as soon as possible."
After a bit of swearing engineer Adams answered "Fine but I'll need Tali down here asap unless you want something to break. I don't trust Joker if he's giving the Normandy all she's got."
Outside the Normandy
If you were standing outside Normandy you'd be treated to an odd sight. Multiple people, most of whom were hennily armed were disembarking the Normandy. To make things even odder, a force of C-sec came marching out of the elevator with Executor Pallin at the forefront.
"Garrus! What in the Spirits is happening?! I just got word that you bought enough explosives to blow up a space station!" shouted Executor Pallin
"Shepard asked me to pick up a few things before we landed ." answerd Garrus not really looking at him but starring at the Normandy.
"What!? The Normandy's on Iockdown, it's not going anywhere." protested Pallin
"Yeah, we didn't know that at the time." lied Garrus "She didn't take it that well."
"What do you mean she didn't..." started Pallin only to be interrupted.
As if in answer electronicty arched suddenly from the clamps holding the ship in place. When it was over they and the air dock started to retract releasing the Normandy.
Seeing his Executor Pallin immediately got onto his omni-tool as the Normandy started to backout before tearing away
"Citadel traffic control this Executor Pallin the Normandy does not have permission to depart. I repeat the Normandy does not have permission to depart!" shouted Pallin
...
...
...
...
"I'm sorry sir, but we won't be able to intercept the Normandy before it's able to reach the relay." came the apologetic reply from the omni-tool
"DAMMIT!" shouted Pallin before rounding onto Garrus "I'll have your fringes if you had anything to do with this Garrus!"
"Who me?" asked Garrus innocently "If I had something to with it wouldn't I be on the Normandy?"
Snarling Executor Pallin turned around and marched back to the elevator along with his men.
"Did you really have to antagonize him?" asked Solana annoyed
"You didn't have to put up with him, guys an ass. Besides as long as he thinks we're no longer with Shepard he's less likely to bother us. Less likely but still possible." retorted Garrus
"Fine, everyone who's with me follow us. Everyone else head to Anderson." said Solana taking charge
Elsewhere on the Citadel
On the wards of the Citadel, a human wearing a woollen jumper and a butterfly tattoo was in deep onversation over her earpiece.
"Yeah, mum I'm nearly home." said the woman
"..."
"No the day was pretty much standard, though I did run into this guy. He had so much armour and guns on him that I got so scared." replied the woman as she absent-mindedly walked into a dark alleyway.
"..."
"No I'm fine, at the time I thought he was a mercenary or something but in hindsight he must have been Alliance or something. Man I must have looked really silly!"
Before the woman could say anything a shady looking man appeared in front of her out of nowhere.
Giving a fearful look behind her the woman saw that a similarly dressed man appeared behind her.
"W-what do want?" stuttered the woman curling into herself
"You can drop the act you weren't followed." said the first man shortly
As soon as he said that the woman went from being terrified to confident in an instant.
"Good, I thought for a bit back there I was being followed." said the woman calmly
"You were." replied the second man "But it was one of ours. Now do you have the data?"
"Right here." answered the woman as she handed over the data pad "Had to rush it though, from what I over heard the weren't straying long. They might already be back on the Normandy."
"The Normandy's already left." corrected the first man "Did you check the data?"
"No I didn't." replied the woman.
As assignments went, this was probably one of her worst. When the order came down from the Illusive man himself, you knew failing was not in your best interests. When you were also told you couldn't verify the information you were handing over to even make sure you had the right stuff, the situation became a lot worse.
"Good." said the second man as he checked the pad
"So is it there?" asked the woman
"No idea. We were just told to see if there was anything there, log the data size and send it up to the Illusive man himself. Speaking of the Illusive man here is your new identity." continued the second man as he handed over another pad
"Already? But I only just got this one and while I hate the tattoo, absent-minded college girl certainly has its perks." said the woman
"Orders from the Illusive man himself, that was supposed to be a burner identity." said the first man
"Fine lets see who I am now." said the woman opening the pad "Maya Brooks...not bad."
If the crew stayed for the hotsprings
part 2
After giving me a full view of her tits as well as everything esle. Gamora climbed into the water but even then her breasts were halfway out of the water. Compared to the showers on the Normandy I was definitely seeing more this time around and unless I purposely looked in a different direction that wasn't about to change.
While her breasts weren't massive they weren't small either. Maybe a c? Honestly it was just a guess. While I was a guy and any guy thats goes through puberty will take an unnecessary detour through the women's aisle to see the bra's ranging from small and lacy to big enough to hold a watermelon.
Gamora's looked to be about the size of a mango and were busy giving the laws of gravity the middle finger. That still left the question of...
"Why are you naked?" It felt like the shower incident was happening all over again
"I was told that since this was a private hotspring clothes were not mandatory." answered Gamora honestly
"That might be true but don't you think being naked infront of everyone might be a bit awkward?" I asked
"Why would I be naked infront of everyone?" asked Gamora
"Well they're coming here...aren't they?" I asked, suddenly getting the feeling that maybe Shepard wasn't the one who hired the hotsprings.
"No why would they?" asked Gamora confused
"Shepard isn't the one who hired this spring is she ?" I asked already expecting the answer. At least this way the romantic comment from the salarian made sense... as did a few others now that I thought about it.
"No I did, I thought it would be a good way to spend some time together." answered Gamora "Was I mistaken?"
This left me with two options. 1, be an ass and leave, considering she probably just spent a big chunk of her own credits to do something nice for me I didn't want to do that. 2, stay and deal with / try to control an erection due to sitting less than a meter away from an attractive and very naked asari.
In the end I went with the second option. I had gotten to know Gamora a lot more since her original offer to mate with me, an offer that she always made sure I knew was still on the table. She had also grown a lot herself and had long since distinguished the Thorian's goals and wishes from her own and everyone else's. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? In a few days I'll either be dead or I'll have enough time on my hands to have a relationship.
"No, I just wasn't expecting it." I answered "Hey, since you paid for the spring I'll pay for some food and drinks?"
"That sounds good." replied Gamora
Half walking/ half swimming I headed to the nearest console to see what they had to over. After going through the list I asked the VI to bring us some snacks, a bottle of fruity wine for Gamora and a bottle scotch for me.
When I had finished I turned back around to see Gamora had shifted her posture and was pushing her chest out, making her breasts even more prominent.
'Fucking hell.' sometimes I have to wonder what she does by accident and what she does on purpose.