Alright then everyone, Enjoy.
A part of Anderson did regret that he didn't stay to watch the rest of the meeting, he wanted to, he really did but despite how much fun it would be to see his colleague's squirm under the gaze of the one man they couldn't intimidate, bribe of bully into submission. But he needed to make his and by extension the stance of the Alliance perfectly clear, by saying they didn't answer to them anymore and immediately leave sends a strong message to everyone else that he meant it and he did mean it. He was given permission by his superiors on that stance and he was even ordered to do it. Humanity was taking the Reapers coming as not an if but a when.
They may have looked into Shepard's warnings and Anderson did all he could about that but the fact was that despite how good of a solider and man Shepard was, he just didn't have the clout needed to really start making waves. Superman on the other hand, he was a man that already had everything that would be needed in order to get people moving. And that was on his words alone, when you start to filter in everything else.
It was no surprise that humanity started to take it seriously after that, then you factor in the derelict and that's it. It's too soon to tell how the deal is going but there was doubt in his mind that the Quarians would be joining them proper until the attack starts. Hell, it might even be worth giving them mining rights to some of the material in the Ort cloud within the Sol system, giving them a chance to really get their ships repaired and in fighting shape.
Thankfully he knew what was happening during the meetings or the spectacle which might be the better word. It was playing live on every screen that he could see, even the ones that normally held advertising and everything else.
So, he got a very good view of the council getting roasted by Superman and even that little bit at the end where he relieved those files. He got the notification on his OMI tool just like everyone else. Thankfully there was none of him, though to be perfectly fair, he would bet that was only because he wasn't in the position for a long time. Most likely many other people in high power positions new just how often those types of missions and backroom deals come up, it would only have been a matter of time.
He wouldn't judge them for that and he doubted any people in power would either. The general public on the other hand. That was whole new can of worms that would gather in big crowds, riot and rage at everything around them. If the council was smart they would get themselves somewhere more secure until their replacements could arrive. As of course, they would never be allowed back in the limelight after these types of secrets start to get out. A politician can only do their job if they are voted in by the public, without that public love they would never be allowed to work.
'Who knows, maybe their replacements will take the Reapers seriously' he thought to himself as he turned towards the door that led to his office. Upon entering he found his advisor, the former ambassador Udina waiting for him with his arms crossed and a frown on his face "Anderson! What is this? We can't leave the council, it's everything we've been working towards since coming here" he argued immediately.
Anderson ignored the man for a moment as he walked around his desk and started to type away on his console "the dissentions already been made" he added back casually, not even bothering to care about the look of barely concealed rage on the ambassador's face. Which was an easy thing to do, he was a former Admiral after all, he's seen a lot of war and in the face of all of that. What was a look of anger worth? "I suggest you head to your office and get ready for some long calls, but make no mistake" he added as he looked up from his screen and narrowed his eyes at the man "humanity is not re-joining the council in any way, shape or form until the Reaper threat is delt with"
He could tell that Udina wanted to argue but the look he was given said that he wouldn't be moved on the subject and even if he wanted to, he couldn't, it was his job to relay the messages between his government to the others and right now, the position was clear. Get ready for full scale war, the council didn't believe the threat was real so they would lobby against it. They were just speeding up the process that would have led to them being kicked out of the council anyway.
He didn't care to notice that the man had turned to leave, he was too busy bringing up one of the many different files that he had. There were hundreds of different ones that each delt with a different scenario, some delt with war, first contact, all the way down to the sudden ending of important trade deals. He paused for a moment before highlighting that one 'most likely gonna be needed later' he thought to himself. He continued with his search for only a couple more seconds before he found the one he was looking for.
This is the first he would use and held in place a set of orders that he would send to a lot of different people which should speed up the process of leaving the council. It'll take time, even more so due to the current council all needing to be replaced but they'll get it done. Udina will stay as the role of Ambassador will still be needed, for the sole purpose of giving proof of the Reapers directly to the new council as quickly as possible.
"I have to say, that was a surprise" a voice called behind him.
Quickly turning around in his chair, thinking that this would be someone who slipped past security in the chaos of everything but stopped when he saw him. Superman was standing there calmly, leaning against the balcony half wall with his arms crossed.
It was a powerful view.
Not just because of the man himself, which was nothing to scoff at but because the holographic lighting of the Citadel presidium ceiling was still offline, so instead of the normal sunny blue sky. It was now the blackness of space, dotted with stars, the orange lights of the station's arms and right behind Clark, was the nose of his ship. Seeing the man himself blocking the few for most of his ship was an incredible thing and very scary.
Upon seeing who it was and bringing up a lot of mental power, he calmed down and sat back in his chair "I'm sure it was to many" he added before turning around and getting back to work "but you knew it had to be done"
"It did" Clark nodded as he stepped off the wall and moved forward a couple of steps "if it helps you really have increased your chances of survival by a lot"
That did make him feel better but the feeling didn't last long as he thought about the wording of the question "you make it sound like you won't be there helping us" he asked as he turned around in his chair, ignoring the files for a moment.
Clark was quite for a moment, thinking about how the best way to say this would be "I am helping you, everything that's happened over the last couple of months has been because of me. Whether or not I jump in front of an entire A.I army for you is another question" he countered calmly as he walked around the desk and sat in a chair opposite him.
Upon hearing that, something occurred to Anderson "why are you here?" he asked calmly.
Clark gave him a slightly bashful smile "I was wondering if you'd be so kind to open up the Citadel arms, I just got that ship, I don't want the paint to be ruined"
"Couldn't you just do it yourself?" he asked as he went back to the computer and started to type away, even though he left, he was still technically a councillor and so had the rights and privileges of one. At the moment an important one would be the ability to open or seal the station. He would need to override the safeties but he could do it.
"Of course, but I do like to be polite" he said back calmly turning around and getting ready to leave.
"Promise me something would you?" Anderson asked before he left. Clark paused mid step and turned to look at the man, an eyebrow raised. Taking that as a sign, he continued "I know you where wronged, I know you weren't treated as well as you should have been. But I need you to promise me, that if they come too early, that if we do everything right but it's not enough. I need you to promise that you will help us. That you will be the hero again"
The question didn't change the expression on his face even an inch. He just stood there and waited for what felt like hours, then he looked down to the ground, he looked a lot younger, like he didn't want to disappoint someone and couldn't bare to look them in the eye "do you know why I left?" he asked back quickly.
Anderson found himself surprised by the sudden question but did his best to stay calm "you where wronged, your wife was killed and there wasn't going to be any justice for it. Despite how much there should have" he answered.
Slowly and to his surprise, Superman shook his head "that's not it" he revealed "I left because if I didn't, I knew that I would betray the promise I made to her. I promised her that I would never turn my back on what I used to be, that I would never become what they feared I would be" he took a step forward towards the former councillor who stayed his ground "I was so close as well, after she died I spent days in my home going over my plan. How I would take over the planet one country at a time" Anderson tried not to react; he really did but he couldn't hide much from Clark when the man himself was right in front of him.
Though Clark took another step forward and this time Anderson did step back "I did the math, I ran the numbers and the statistics. It would have taken me one year to wipe out every military that got in my way. Two further years to replace them with my own forces and five to fully convert the human race to a new government under my direct command. When Lex killed Lois and was about to be let go scot-free. Humanity proved to me that it was incapable of looking after itself, so much like a teenager about to make a stupid decision" Clark placed a hand on his chest "the parent was about to step in and take control"
He let out a scoff and shook his head "I was so ready to do it, literally, I was out the door about to fly to the White House and rip the president right out of the Ovel Office. Eight long but easy years and the whole world along with the people in it would have been mine" he sighed and shook his head "though it would have cost at least a hundred million lives and two billion at most, then I remembered the promise. The only way I could allow you to keep governing yourselves was to not see all the shit, all the dirt and grime. So, I backed out, I hung up the cape and let you deal with the consequences of your own actions"
The silence that hung between them lasted longer than Anderson would have thought, there were many different ways he saw a conversation with Superman going and yes, not all of them where peaceful but even he wasn't expecting this. But despite what he was being told, despite the fear of what he was saying, only one question was sticking out in his mind "so, why have you done all of this? If you're not going to help, then why bother at all?" he asked.
Clark starred at him for a moment before raising an eyebrow "because, the Reapers are not your own actions. They are something else entirely and yes. I will stop them" he raised a finger to stop him from speaking "but only if I have too. My days as a hero are over, I will only step in if I absolutely have to. For her memory of what I used to be if nothing else" with that he turned and shot into the sky, leaving the former councillor with his own mind alone for a minute. Before he shook his head and turned back around, work was still needed to be done.
Miranda let out a small sigh of exhaustion as he leaned away from the microscope, since coming to Citadel space she spent most of her time in this lab. Working on the blood sample that Clark gave her, thinking of everything she could that would lead her to the answer. Where does Clark get his power from?
She could just ask him, she didn't doubt that he would tell her but that wasn't the point. The point was she wanted to prove to herself that she was capable of finding the answer herself, that she had what it took to find it. To prove that even someone was godlike as Clark can be explained through science. She wasn't alone however, she wanted to do it alone but a part of her felt it wouldn't be right to horde the right to do this all to herself.
So, when she looked across the table, she could see Mordin toiling away with his own research into the subject and to her right. Legion was typing away into a console, she didn't know why the Geth would want to know, it's not like anyone would be able to replicate this and if anyone wanted to, she doubted it would be a machine.
The technology on this ship was definitely helping the situation, when you have better equipment, everything just becomes easier. They've had a handful of theories and tests since she first got the sample and one more since coming on board, so far everything's ended in failure. They were missing something right in their faces and it was driving her up the wall that she couldn't figure it out "Lawson Miranda" Legion spoke up from its station as its single ocular head turned to look at her "we have a query" it said.
Seeing the discretion from her latest failed theory, she turned in her chair to look at it "what is it?" she asked.
"During our time onboard the Normandy SR2" it started "we have been able to go through the logged data of the ship, as the access given to us by Clark Kent Superman allows us. During this time, we witnessed a conversation between to two of you. We would request that you could clarify a part of said conversation?" it asked her.
A part of her head immediately went to something sexual in nature but ruled it out, that couldn't be it as she found it very unlikely that a Geth would be interested in that "and what is that?" she asked calmly.
"I'm sorry, you tried to prove the existence of the soul?" her own voice came back from Legion, a recording of one of her and Clark's conversation "I didn't try, I succeeded" his voice came next.
Upon hearing the words, Mordin himself started to look up from his own work. No doubt hearing the recording and wanting to know more himself, in truth she did as well but there never seemed to be any time to ask about it. Proving that a soul existed is an incredible thing and has the potential to bring every type of religion up onto a pedestal, not to mention maybe changing how everyone sees the universe "what do you want to know?" she asked.
"We find this quote to be of particular importance as it was this question that led to the Morning war" he started to explain "one Geth unit asked a creator if we had a soul. The creator panicked and once word spread, the uprising soon began. We would like to know if the question can be answered now" it said.
"hhhhmmm interesting" Mordin said as he reached up to stroke his chin "conscious A.I wishes to know about the soul. But which to choose from. Many different beliefs focus on a soul and many different variations of a soul are made. Who can say which is right?" he asked to no-one in particular.
"I'm sorry Legion" she started "but I don't have any more information for you, I haven't asked Clark about that since. You'll have to speak to him yourself when he gets back"
"Shouldn't be much longer now, though I do wonder where he went" Mordin said as he looked to the right that showed a screen, currently on it was a live news feed of the council leaving the chamber with what seems to be every Spectre they had protecting them. The crowd did not look happy. Of course, they all watched the interview and she had to admit, Clark knew how to make a statement and the small human supremacist in the back of her mind did enjoy watching the council squirm under his gaze. Not to mention how hot it was to see him put some of the most powerful people in their place with very little effort.
"I would be more than happy to assist you Legion" the sound of Kelexs voice echoed and the others turned to see his body come into the lab "Master El is currently still onboard the station, I would assume he is assisting Mr. Krois and Mr. Vakarian with their respective missions"
He stopped speaking for a moment, everyone present felt a small shift in the ground and when looking out the window, they could see that the tips of the Citadel arms which were pressed against the ship earlier had now moved away. The movement underneath their feet was the ship stabilizing's itself "While he is unable to answer himself, until such a time. I would be happy to assist"
"We would be grateful Kelex" Legion spoke but before he could the doors to the lab opened and a Marauder walked in. Everyone present was confused by the arrival and Mordin looked a little on edge at the sight of the black machine.
That was until it stopped just short of it and stood calmly with its back straight, then of course it spoke "I would very much like to hear this as well" with a voice that sounded very familiar.
"EDI?" Miranda asked with a surprised voice.
The machine turned to the XO and smiled "yes" she brought up her hand and looked at it closely.
Both she and Mordin looked at her for a moment before turning to face each other with looks of shock "what happened?" she asked the A.I.
"When I first made contact with Genesis before we arrived officially, Kelex wiped away the locks that kept me bound to the Cerberus protocols" she started to explain as she no doubt could easily see the want and confusion on their faces "during that time, myself and Kelex have had many days long conversations. I requested the use of a Marauder for myself and was allowed. With certain conditions" she added.
Miranda wasn't sure how she felt about that "and what would those be?" she asked.
"That once I choose a form for this body, I stick to it unless in an emergency and I am bound by one single new protocol. I do lot leak the information of this body or how it works to anyone. A means of keeping its technology a secret from those who want to abuse such tech for their own gain" she finished.
As she spoke a small part of Miranda started to speak up in the back of her mind, the way she said it. It was almost like she was talking about Cerberus more than anything else. Was that it? Kelex didn't want Cerberus to have this type of tech, or was it everyone in general? She wasn't sure she liked either "If it isn't too much to ask, I would very much like to know more about the soul and how it was proven to be real"
"Of course" Kelex said in a cheerful voice.
She knew that this was a distraction from the rest of her work, she also knew that she wanted to know about this as well. So, much like Mordin, she turned away from her work and looked towards Kelex who started to talk about how the soul works and what it was exactly.
"The first thing that one must realize is that when it comes to the existence of the soul. One must first forget everything related to a type of religion. For one has nothing to do with the other" it started to explain "While I understand if that is confusing" it added quickly as it went to face Miranda who was about to open her mouth and ask "but the soul is nothing like how it is portrayed in most mainstreamed religion's. It is something that has so far been proven to be organic in nature"
Miranda's eyes went to Legion looking for any kind of response, but she wasn't surprised to see that there was nothing to it. The synthetic body had not moved an inch. A screen appeared from seemingly nowhere and began to project for everyone to see, it showed what seemed to be the basic humanoid, a female that was pregnant "the forming of a soul happens during the very earliest point of creation and over the course of the organic life, it grows alongside the person or animal or any type of life that it is" the image changed to a person going through the cycle of life from birth all the way to death. Though the image held a type of... she wanted to say aura but it didn't sound right. Though the right word seemed to allude her so for now aura would have to do.
"Upon the moment of death, the soul gathers itself together and seems to dissipate away" Kelex continued "for many centuries, the Kryptonian people tried to understand where it went. But soon after we were able to gather an understanding of interdimensional travel, we could then understand that the soul fades out through the boundaries of this universe and enters another. From what we have been able to understand so far, the process of crossing the dimensional barrier almost completely destroys it, when it does cross over completely, we have yet to understand how but the cycle of the soul begins again" the images changes to a more reptilian figure laying eggs and within those eggs was that aura again.
That was when, yet again. Her mind went to a complete halt "wait" she interrupted "interdimensional travel?" She asked wanting to make sure that she got that right.
"Indeed" the A.I. spoke calmly.
"Truly fascinating" Mordin added "would love to know mo..." that was all he got out before Miranda spoke up again.
"No" she added slightly louder than she most likely meant. All the others turned to look at her "Yes, of course I would like to know more but one task at a time. We've nearly reached a breakthrough here and I would like to carry on before we get side tracked again, I want to finish this before Clark gets back" she explained to them all.
Kelex was the first to speak up first "of course Lady Lawson" he added a small bow "please let me know if you require any further assistance" with that said the robotic body turned to leave.
Miranda wasted no time in turning back to her work, Mordin and Legion doing the same a few moments after. Edi however stayed for a moment longer before turning to face the others "would you like some further assistance?" she asked them.
Without even turning away from her computer Miranda reached out and grabbed a data pad, blindingly handing it to the Normandy A.I "this is what we have so far, catch yourself up and pick a station to test what ideas you have" was all she said before she felt the machine take the data pad from her hand.
The target was coming closer, Thane was perched above the rafters of one of the many different high streets of the presidium. All around him, he could see dozens of people that where shopping talking to friends and minding their own business. However, there were what must have been three times that number scattered all around the place into groups looking at one screen or another. All of them showing the interview that Clark was having with council.
Not that he could blame them, he would be watching it as well if he wasn't busy. He didn't like being here, he didn't like that he was taking another life, but he could put his own feelings aside in the face of the larger picture, namely his son. Kolyat, thinking about the name on its own brought no small amount of pain to him. But he was the reason for this. For his son, he can place his own feelings aside if it was for him. As a father, he can do this for his son. He hung there now, calmly above the rafters waiting for his target to arrive.
It didn't take much to locate the man, when Garrus gave him the name of the contacts that would be used to help find the man who wanted to disappear. Some more sneaking, using his reputation and intimidation to get what he wanted and now the man, Sidonis, was on his way to a meeting point in order to try and secure his own life after fake information that his new cover wasn't as full proof as it should be.
He had been crouching here for a few minutes now and he listened to the council meeting that was playing in the background from seemingly every direction. It wouldn't be long now and it would not be much effort. The sound of someone walking under him drew his attention and his eyes locked onto the back of a Turians head.
It was him, that much was clear. Thane calmly stood up and took his pistol out. With a single breath he aimed and fired, the mass effect round flew through the air and landed on its target. It went through the back of his head and he fell to the ground dead. He lowered his weapon and turned around, the sounds of screaming followed soon after. Normally he would be moving quicker but with so many of C-Sec on duty within the inner presidium. But since that was not the case, he takes his time and causally leave the area without being seen just as he went in.
Amonkira will be given the prayer later, when it would be safe to do so.
Garrus was walking with calming steps as he made his way through the streets of the presidium. It didn't take too much to figure out what the kids plan was. Once he spoke to Thane's contact, mouse one of the stations of duct rats. Garrus has spent way too many hours trying to find kids who go into those vents only to die a thousand different ways.
Thankfully that wasn't something he would have to do with Kolyat. The kid was targeting a politician that was planning to do some public endorsement for an upcoming election. Which is what he was doing now, Garrus was keeping a healthy distance from the man and his krogan bodyguard. But that was proving to be tricky as much like everyone else. This politician was stopping every couple of minutes to join the crowds looking at the screens and watching the council meeting.
Being honest, Garrus was surprised that so many were watching it out here instead of within their homes but he guessed that they were outside when Genisis first showed up and where too scared to try and get home encase something happened. Either way, this did make it somewhat easier to find the one he was looking for.
If someone looked at him with suspicion then he would just join the back of a crowd and look at the screens, while he could admit that he did want to do it. He also knew that this was important as well, Thane would uphold his end of the bargain. That was one of the few things Garrus was sure about, Thane didn't strike him as a type of guy who would go against their word. The only thing that annoyed him was that he couldn't take that bastards life himself.
That was when he saw him, off the side that went down one of the side alleys that would be used as a method of delivery for the stores. He could see a Drell sculking with his back to the wall, he could see the weapon on his hip, and he was easy to see for two reasons. One being that there were not many Drell on the Citadel and the second being that he might be the only person he's seen that isn't glued to a nearby television.
Thane also gave him a picture of what Kolyat looked like. He kept on walking forward pretending that he couldn't see him. Thankfully the Drell didn't think much of him, as he passed the halfway point to his would be target. Garrus reached him. Kolyat was about to draw his weapon and lift it to the back of the politician's head but he was stopped as Garrus gripped his wrist in a tight hold.
"No" he said back in a loud whisper as he didn't want to alert everyone around them "you don't want to do this" he tried to say but the Drell didn't seem to buy it. It could either have been the shock of the sudden intrusion or the fear at having been caught so Kolyat brought up his free hand in an attempt to break his hand free of the grip and take his shot, no doubt to try and run away from him.
But Garrus has been in this situation a lot or ones like this, using his own free hand he grabbed the other arm and started to move forward. Drell's might fast and flexible things, compared to other species but Turians were far more tough and durable. A good match up but now that Garrus has him in a tight grip, so he wasn't breaking out of it.
He started to walk forward and push Koylat back into the alley he came out of "that's enough" he hissed moving him back.
"What are you doing?" the Drell snarled with narrowed eyes as he tried to fight back but it didn't work out "get out of the way" he ordered. Once the two were out of the street the Drells back was pushed against the wall and they starred each other down "who the hell are you?" he all but shouted.
"I'm Garrus, your father sent me" he explained as quickly as he could. The look and state of shock that Koylat was put in was enough for him to act quickly. Garrus let go of his arms and grabbed the pistol. The Drell tried to stop him but the strength he had was too strong and he pulled the weapon free, quickly reaching forward and ejecting the thermal clip, then tossing the weapon to the ground.
"What do you mean my father sent you?" he asked him as he tried to walk around Garrus and pick up his weapon but found himself stopped.
"Thane found out what you were planning" he started to explain, placing both his hands on the younger Drells shoulder, locking him in place "he would have come himself but he couldn't, so I'm here"
Koylat let out a dry chuckle and his head fell back against the wall "of course, never there when I needed him but when I don't, he starts to interfere. Can't even do it himself, gets some... what, lacky to do it for him" he guessed.
"Not exactly" he admitted "I normally wouldn't be here but I had a job that he's perfect for and I have some experience in dealing with kids who thinks they know what they're doing" the insult was there and it was needed, Garrus found that some tough love was a very useful thing in these situations.
The insult had the desired result and the Drell shook off his hands "you don't know me and I know exactly what I'm doing" he snarled.
"Oh really" Garrus nodded with a sarcastic nod before he leaned back and crossed his arms "ok, what kind of training do you have?" he asked.
"I've been training for months, studied my father's work. His methods, all of it. With the distraction of Superman's arrival" he turned his head and nodded in the direction of the crowds. The target and his Krogan bodyguard where still facing the screens, watching the interview and Superman who just left "even the bodyguard is distracted, he wouldn't have been able to stop me" he added.
Garrus "ok, I'll give you the distraction, it would have been harder otherwise. But what else? A few months of training? That's it? Oh of course, you took the time to study. That makes so much sense. I bet the skills of your father are genetic, must give you an advantage" then without any warning. Garrus brought up his fist and punched the younger Drell in the face, knocking him to the ground "your father would have seen that coming" he added to the dazed Drell.
Getting a notification from his Omni-Tool, Garrus brought it and saw it was from Thane. It was simple message 'It's done' there was no picture or anything like that, they couldn't afford to have that type of trail that may lead to either of them. Besides, he trusted Thane to get the job done. He took a moment to exhale a breath, that was it. All of those who stood by his side and fight for those who suffered the pain of injustice. He wouldn't lie, a part of him wanted to go back to Omega and finish the work that they started.
Maybe he would when this was all over, when the Reapers were delt with and their species was safe, he would go back there and either clean it up or die trying. He could think of worse ways to go. Getting rid of the message he looked down to Kolyat who was picking himself back up. He sent a message back to Thane that he stopped the attack but in order to prevent it from happening again, he would need to come and speak to his son himself.
He gave him a location that they should meet up that wasn't too far anyway from where they are now. Not waiting for a replay, he reached down and grabbed the Drell's arm. Hauling him to his feet, Garrus started to drag him away. Albeit was reluctantly as there was a small struggle from Kolyat.
She would say she was enjoying this just a little bit too much but would make is sound bad and petty. But it was true, Ashley Williams was loving this. Within one of the no doubt many firing ranges within the ship. Crouching down behind some makeshift cover, the weapon she was bulkier than she was used too was held in a tight grip. The green energy field on the top of the weapon glowed brightly as she readied to fire.
Aiming down the sights of it, she found her target. She pulled the trigger and a long beam of green energy fired from the barrel of her weapon. Flying through the air, it hit the target dead centre and it melted into a pile of dust.
Lifting her head from the sights, she looked back at the weapon in her hands "where have you been all my life" she said to it in the same voice she used when she cuddled next to Shepard after another long and satisfying rock in the sack. One of the many things she liked about that relationship, the sex was great, except for that one time but they don't talk about that.
Shepard was a man that was in her thoughts and prayers more often than not. Even more than normal since she joined this mission, for the first time since he died she felt that she was doing something he could be proud of. Continuing the mission he started and they had a real chance of doing it now. She wouldn't deny it, it felt damn good to see the council squirm under Clark's gaze.
She watched the meeting, pretty sure everyone on the ship did. Not that it mattered now of course, this council was done anyway. No way they recover from that bomb shell that he let out for everyone to see. Those background deals and black opp missions are things that should never see the light of day. Either way she hoped this would just be used as a way to get the others to listen.
She remembered the mission of course, get true undeniable proof of the Reapers from the Collectors and then take that to the heads of government. She wasn't needed of course since humanity was getting as ready as can be. With even the Quarians doing what they can to help. In exchange for refuge of course, it seemed like a fair trade in her eyes. Sure the no doubt hundreds of thousands of civilians to house would cause some problems but in exchange for the tens of thousands of ships to add to their own navy. It seemed like a fair trade.
Hearing the sounds of a door opening at the far end of the room, she saw another target enter her field of view. It wasn't real of course, from what Kelex said. These targets where made of a type of hard light that could possess the same basic cell structure of what they were imitating, it was nothing like the real thing, but it was enough to get practise with the weapons and see how they handle the targets.
"Pardon the interruption" a voice called behind her, turning around she saw the body of Kelex flying in the air just above her "but the Normandy is receiving a call over the QEC from Admiral Hackett. I am redirecting the call to the nearest available terminal if you would like to take it" he said as he nodded his head to the computer terminal in the far corner next to the door she entered from.
"Yes" she added quickly "I'll take it" she added before standing up and placing the weapon back on the rack with the others before heading towards the computer. As she reached the screen went back for a moment before the face of the Admiral came up for her to see "Admiral Sir!" she added with a salute.
"Williams" Hackett said as he saluted back "please tell me that huge ship leaving the Sol system was him, I had a report sent to Anderson and just got back from meeting after meeting with the UN who are panicking. Give me something" he ordered.
She wasn't surprised that he didn't know about it, that's just the nature of space travel. It would take time for these things to travel. In fact, she would bet that none of the home worlds new about Genisis or the council meeting yet. Maybe in the few more hours but not yet "yes sir, that was him. I'm currently on the ship right now. Its designation is 'Genisis' and it's under Superman's direct command"
She didn't know what to expect when she told him but a relaxed sigh wasn't it "so nonhostile then. It's better than I thought" he added "do you know why he has a ship of that size?" he asked her.
"No sir" she was quick to say "but I can take a guess and say he's using it as his home, almost everything onboard is incredibly advanced. This thing could probably take on the combined council and win with minimal effort. There is also the... hard to except possibility"
"And what's that?" he asked back.
"That he plans on leaving" she said, the thought that has been in the back of her head for a while now. There was very little doubt in her mind that this ship could leave the entire galaxy if it wanted to "this ship doesn't use mass effect technology, it doesn't have those limitations"
The admiral was silent for a moment as he thought about what was said, he looked down and sighed after what felt like a minute "If Mr. Kent wants to leave then that is his right to do so. But before he does that I would like to speak to him. We're getting ready for the Reapers attack and the Quarians are offering us a lot but from what the Admiralty board are telling us. Their help is on the condition that Superman keeps his word. Something about helping them find a world to settle on, we've offered to help them with that ourselves but wherever we sent them will be at just a risk as any other of our worlds"
This was the first time Ash had heard something like this but it wasn't too far beyond the realm of possibility. Especially with a ship like this "I'll be sure to ask him sir, maybe I can convince him to talk to you himself"
Hackett nodded "that would be best. Before I go, is there anything that needs to be reported?" he asked her.
She was quite for a moment "there are a couple of things that you should know, at least the earlier you know the better" she straightened herself up for a moment before speaking "we're at the Citadel at the moment, you'll probably receive a dozen different reports over the next few hours but I'll give you the cliff notes. This ship uses a type of wormhole tech to achieve FTL, it appeared next to the Citadel, shrugged off a point-blank attack from the entire defence fleet and in one attack disabled all of them. The Alliance has left the council according to Anderson, I assume that's something you knew would happen" receiving a nod in confirmation she continued "Clark had a meeting with the council and said some... let's say harsh words and released black opps mission files to the public. One's that have the go ahead from the council members. I also believe that Clark is having an intimate relationship with the Cerebrus operative" she added.
Upon hearing the news Hackett tilted his head and raised his eyebrow "unexpected but I doubt there's anything we can do about that, give him the message that I need to talk to him and be ready to be transferred. You've done everything you can and we need the best we have in the fight that's about to come" he ordered her.
She didn't like it. She hated that she would be leaving this. Not that she didn't understand that the fight was important but it was like a part of her knew that she shouldn't leave until she was sure that Clark would be joining the fight. She held up her hand and saluted "Yes sir" she added before the call ended.
She gave one last glance at the weapons rack before turning around to leave, she needed to speak to Clark.
Ok all we shall leave it there for now. Quite a few things happened but it was a lot of talking. I get that but this is the set up for the ending of Mass Effect 2 which I suspect will be in the next few chapters. I don't know what I'll do after this if I replace it at all with another story but there is one I am considering that could be fun.
Either way let me know what you all thought in the reviews down below and I'll see you in the next chapter.
Next Story Update: Project Atlas