Commander Shepard breathed deep as she leaned against a table in Rigel and Tela's hideout, looking over the blueprints EDI had set up on the screen for the Normandy's improvements. EDI herself was sitting in the Normandy's cargo hold in her 'Combat Frame' as she put it. Tali and Kasumi were doing everything in their power to make sure both EDI and the Normandy weren't compromised. They'd been at it for nearly half-an-hour now and hadn't raised any red flags, so Shepard was tentatively willing to believe all was well.
The rest of her crew were going through the gear Rigel and Nova had given them. Miranda and Jacob especially were gathering up everything that wasn't nailed down. There were a few items that played recorded warnings not to move them when they tried, but the duo took everything else.
It was hard for Shepard to wrap her head around everything that had just happened. Apparently Vasir was running around the galaxy with a dead man from the future? Shepard wasn't sure whether she actually believed that or not.
"Quite the afternoon, huh?" Garrus said as he walked up next to her, leaning into the table at her side.
"That's putting it mildly." Shepard said in a dry voice. "What the hell am I supposed to do here, Garrus?"
Garrus shrugged. "There's not much to be done about any of this. Our mission hasn't changed, has it?"
"No. We take out the Collectors, then we hit the Reapers."
"Then that's what we do. We'll keep an eye on Rigel and have Kasumi watch the net for Nova, but I'm definitely counting them among our allies. Why would they give us access to all of this if they wanted us dead?"
"So we're using tech they can shut down when they make their move?"
"You mean like the Citadel? The Relays?"
Shepard sighed. "Point. I just don't trust this, Garrus. We've had to claw for every inch and now a miracle man appears with the answer to all our problems?"
"That's why we're going to keep an eye on him. We'll make sure everything is what he says it is ourselves and save the galaxy in the meantime."
"You almost make it sound easy."
Garrus chuckled. "After everything else we've been through, is a suicide mission really that difficult?"
Shepard smirked. "Even if it is enough to do me in, it isn't like I can't just get back up."
"Hmm, you humans should really think about sharing that immortality around. Between you and Rigel, I'm starting to think it's genetic."
"Come on. We've got work to do." Shepard stepped away from the table, Garrus following behind her.
She needed to check with Tali and Kasumi about the state of the ship and EDI. If they cleared everything, Shepard would give EDI the green light to use the army of robots in Rigel's hideout to improve her ship. She would need every advantage in this fight, even if they came from crazy, possibly time-traveling wack jobs.
X
Thessia was beautiful. Earth had been a sprawling metropolis the likes of which Rigel had never seen. Thessia was a world with centuries, nay millenia more to improve. The atmosphere was clear. The cities were clean. The natural preserves flourished. It was amazing. Had Rigel not seen the Dreaming City, corrupted as it was, Thessia may have been the most beautiful place he had ever seen.
"Your home is beautiful, Tela." Rigel said as they entered a skycar a short distance from where they had landed the Blind Well. Tela had Spectre'd her way through any and all landing complications, allowing them to dock unmolested. Apparently travel to and from Thessia was a serious deal in and of itself. With the amount of Element Zero naturally occurring in the planet, the Asari were careful to control who came and went. But the rules didn't apply to Spectres, so we were given permission to enter the system without incident.
Tela had a small smile on her face as she piloted the car into the air. "It certainly has its problems, but it's home."
"What sort of problems?" Rigel asked as he watched the city fly by in the car's window. "Things seem to run pretty well here."
"They do, but that's part of the problem. Everything you see was set up almost a thousand years ago. We haven't improved anything in a while because no one has seen a need to. Asari aren't the most active race, and we're beginning to stagnate. With the Reapers coming, that's a death sentence."
"Well, then I guess it's a good thing they have people like you to give them a much needed kick in the ass. Since we're talking business, what were your plans for coming here?"
"Tevos set up a vote to bolster our fleets and increase military spending a little while ago, but with her out of commission, it's in jeopardy of not going through. We're going to be there in person to tell off certain people and try to stress why we need to pass this motion. After that… Well, that's a surprise."
"Most surprises I get involve things exploding."
Tela snorted. "Don't worry. You'll enjoy this one."
Rigel raised an eyebrow at her. "Who said I don't enjoy explosions?"
Tela rolled her eyes. "Then you'll enjoy this more than explosions."
"Well now you've got me excited. I hope you can deliver."
"I can, but that's for later. Business first."
"Right. Time to commence with the yelling, then?"
A smile tugged at Tela's lips. "Something like that." The skycar began to descend.
Rigel looked out the window to see where Tela was landing. There was a tall, silver citadel piercing the sky just below them. Lush gardens with trees, small flying creatures that reminded Rigel of the birds on Earth and elegant fountains of water surrounded the building. The skycar was descending towards a courtyard – a courtyard filed with people.
"Tela? You know you're about to crush a bunch of people, right?"
Tela didn't look concerned, flicking switches to power down the skycar. "They'll move."
Rigel pressed his face against the window to see as far beneath the car as possible. "I don't think they're moving. One of them has a camera hovering behind them and is filming us."
"They'll move." Tela repeated. She seemed set in her course.
Knowing there was little he could do to stop Tela aside from forcefully taking control of the skycar, Rigel sat back in his seat and hoped she was right. They were her people, so he doubted she would risk killing civilians just to land her vehicle. The landing gear hissed out and the skycar gently rocked as they made contact with the ground.
Tela smirked at Rigel. "Told you."
"Yes, you did. Mind telling me where we are? This place seems pretty important."
"Alunya. Remember that building I told you about that humans mistake for 'parliament'?"
"This is it?"
Tela nodded as she opened the door to her skycar. "This is it. Follow my lead."
Rigel got out of the car to find a crowd of Asari surrounding the skycar. Some were whispering to one-another in hushed tones while others loudly declared we were not allowed to park our vehicle here and needed to move it.
…I think I know what Tela's up to. Nova said into Rigel's head.
Care to share her evil scheme with me?
There's a vote on the floor right now about whether or not to expand the Asari's fleet. There are very few voices in support of more warships. She also sent some messages to the few voices supporting the construction of more ships while we were on our way here. I didn't look at what they were saying to each other, but they definitely coordinated something, and she brought us here for a reason. Maybe she wants us to show our tech on the floor?
That would kind of defeat the purpose of the subtle packages we sent out through the galaxy, wouldn't it?
…Okay, maybe she just wants to use you as a big stick to threaten people with.
So we're going to kick the door in and bust heads?
Seems that way.
Great. Keep me updated on any new surprises I should know of.
Will do.
Rigel had fallen into step beside Tela as she marched through the gathered crowd, standing tall and staring straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge anyone as she walked with purpose towards the entrance to the building ahead.
"Spectre Vasir!" the Asari with the drone following her called, shoving her way through the crowd to walk in front of Tela. She was obviously a media for some publication, a Thessia-based one Rigel would guess. "You were seen on the Citadel recently. There is a rumor circulating that the lockdown was in response to Councilor–"
"No comment." Tela said without emotion, ignoring the media as she continued walking towards the doors.
The media didn't give up, jogging to keep up with Tela's fast strides as she said, "Spectre Vasir, our viewers are certainly interested in your unexpected appearance at Alunya today. Would you be willing–"
"They can wait the extra two minutes it will take for me to get inside." Tela said dryly, still refusing to look at the media.
The media frowned, the skin around her eyes wrinkling in frustration. Her eyes flicked to me, and a cruel grin spread across her lips. "Spectre Vasir, it is no secret you have been traveling with this human for some time now. Are you romantically involved with him?"
"First, he is standing right there. You're being a dick by ignoring him. Secondly, would it matter if I was? And regardless of the truth, it doesn't matter what I say. Everyone will think what they want regardless. Now if you'll excuse me, I have actual work to get done today." Tela said, breezing past the media and up a set of stairs that led into the building. A pair of armed guards in blue armor held up their hands to stop her.
"Spectre Vasir, I'm afraid I'm under orders to–"
"Open the door before I kick it open, Noith." Tela said tiredly.
"I can't do that, Tela." the guard said firmly. Evidently, she and Tela knew each other. "You know we have rules for a reason. Flaunting those rules and parking a stolen veh–"
"Borrowed vehicle. As a Spectre, I am able to requisition civilian effects in the pursuit of accomplishing my mission provided those effects are returned and the owner is compensated in the event any property is damaged." Tela listed off clinically, almost as if she had rehearsed this.
The guard, Noith Tela had called her, didn't look impressed. "Right. And what exactly is your mission right now, Tela?"
"Classified." Tela said, mirth shining in her eyes. "Now, you are impeding a Spectre in the course of her duties, Noith. Please step aside or my associate will be forced to detain you under subsection 6."
What the hell is subsection 6? Rigel asked Nova, not sure exactly what was going on.
It basically boils down to saying Spectres can knock out idiots that try to stop them from stopping bad guys.
Right. Because that would never be abused.
There have been several calls to alter it, but the Council has basically told everyone to shove it.
"Tela, goddess's sake, can we just…" Noith trailed off, reaching up to her ear. She sighed as she lowered her hand, looking up into the air. "Because things weren't complicated enough."
Nova?
Radio chatter from her boss. There's a high-profile VIP descending towards the building. She's supposed to be allowed in without issue.
Any idea who it is?
Working on it. The skycar is surprisingly well defended from cyber attacks, but I'm practically…
Nova?
Don't worry. They're friendly. Things are just going to get very interesting.
You mind telling me what that means?
And ruin the surprise? I would never.
What is it with people and surprises all of a sudden?
The dull roar of an engine slowly grew louder as a skycar descended from the sky. The crowd that had moved to surround the car Tela and Rigel arrived in parted once more as the craft landed right next to the first car.
"Well that's unexpected." Rigel said when he saw who exited the car. There were two figures – both Asari. The passenger Rigel didn't recognize. Her skin was a light shade of blue and she wore a professional white coat. The driver on the other hand, Rigel was familiar with.
"Vasir, Risen," Aria T'loak greeted as she walked up the stairs to join them. "I trust you're not planning on shooting anyone inside?"
"You make it sound like we don't know how to be civil." Rigel said dryly.
"I was being polite by addressing both of you, but it's more you I'm worried about, Risen. Try not to break anything important in there."
Rigel didn't rise to the bait, turning to face her companion. "Were you planning on introducing your friend?"
"She can speak for herself." Aria said dismissively, stepping past Rigel to harass the guards. She was ordering Noith to have someone valet her car much to the woman's chagrin. Rigel had to turn away to avoid letting the guard see his smile. He used the opportunity to address the woman Aria arrived with.
"I don't believe we've met. My name is Rigel."
The Asari's eyes narrowed minutely as she inspected Rigel. "You are the man supplying Shepard's new equipment."
Rigel raised an eyebrow, noting the woman's refusal to introduce herself. Did she have some grievance against him?
Liara T'soni. She served on the first Normandy with Shepard. Shepard was rumored to have been romantically involved with her. Do you remember the drell we saved on the Broker's ship? Apparently he and T'soni were working together. Aria met up with her a little after she got back to Omega and put T'soni in charge of gathering more intel with the Broker's resources. Nova quickly said into Rigel's mind, having sifted through the Extranet and T'soni's personal omni-tool to research the woman.
So no grievance? She just doesn't like that I've been talking to her girlfriend?
Don't ask me. Organic relationship drama is not my strong suit. Sort that out yourself.
"Yes, Ms. T'soni, I am." Rigel said, noting the small frown on the asari's lips at his casual use of her name.
"Hey," Aria called over her shoulder. "Are we heading inside, or did the two of you want to stand there and posture some more?"
Noith coughed into her hand. "Ms. T'loak, I can't let–"
"Shut up and open the door before I plaster proof of your boss's dealings with batarian slavers all over the Extranet." Aria turned to look at the slack-jawed reporter. "You got that, right? I'd hate to have to repeat myself."
Noith grit her teeth, opening her omni-tool and swiping it in front of a censor. The door behind her slowly slid open. "Matriarch Ethuza bids you welcome and hopes…" Noith trailed off when she saw T'soni, Aria, Tela and I had all walked right past her, not pausing for even a moment to listen to her words.
"Batarian slavers? I'd expect some level of corruption among the older Matriarchs, but that's a whole separate level of insane. What exactly was she doing?" Tela asked as we walked through the lobby. There was a checkpoint ahead with scanners and weapon lockers, but one glare from Tela as she flashed her Spectre credentials in the faces of the security guards got them to back off of taking our weapons.
"She supplied them with the itinerary of low-income transports in exchange for raw materials. A lot of Asari ended up enslaved because of her. Did you not read through any of the Broker's intel?" Aria said, turning to look at Tela with a questioning look in her eye.
Tela shrugged. "I've been a little busy. First the Collectors sent a hit squad after me, then someone tried to hurt my boss. Besides, I don't really need to look it over myself when I've got those two." Tela motioned towards Rigel with her head.
"The two of you are aware that you're openly discussing this in the open view of cameras and at least nine witnesses, right?" Rigel said dryly, looking around the area at all the Asari listening in on their conversation. As they were called out, many busied themselves with random tasks, but a brave few met his gaze with a challenging stare of their own.
"There isn't much point being subtle, Risen. Anyone with a brain already knows who took out the Broker. Omega's new flagship paired with the frequent visits of a certain Spectre make it pretty clear who is in charge now. Everyone important already knows the five of us are the new Broker."
"Five?" T'soni said, looking between the four of us in confusion.
"Stick around a while longer and I'm sure you'll figure it out." Aria said, without explaining.
"So what are you doing here?" Tela asked Aria. "I can make a guess given the formation of the new fleet is being discussed, but I didn't take you for the type to care what happened to Thessia."
"I was born here, wasn't I? That may not mean as much to me as it does to you, but it still means something. One way or another, when I'm done today, Thessia will begin construction of new warships." Aria said with conviction. She had a plan she was certain would work.
Nova, any idea what Aria's up to?
She scrubbed her omni-tool before she came here, and I can't find anything from Omega on any open signals. It seems she's suitably paranoid about me finding her secrets. Although…she has been fortifying Omega like she said she would. Maybe… Hm.
Before Rigel could ask for clarification about what his ghost was thinking, his omni-tool lit up on his arm without his prompting.
"You're not about to do something stupid, are you, Aria?" Nova's voice spoke from Rigel's omni-tool.
The corner of Aria's lip pulled up. "I was wondering if I was going to hear from you, Nova. I'm not going to do anything I don't have to do. But I will do what I have to do."
"You're not exactly filling me with confidence."
"Did you want a written apology?"
"More an assurance that you won't set the galaxy on fire before the Reapers get here."
"If it's already on fire, there will be less fuel for them to use when they get here."
T'soni blinked, swallowing unconsciously. "That is not a pleasant metaphor. I'm sorry. Who are you?" she said towards my omni-tool after collecting herself.
"I'm Nova. Maybe we'll meet in person sometime. Until then, feel free to call me using the new contact in your omni-tool if you need help with Broker stuff."
"The new…" T'soni's eyes widened as she opened her omni-tool. "How did you do that? I have the best encryption programs you can find and improved them myself!"
"Yeah, they were a little better than the norm around here, but I am far better than the norm."
"Halt, please." a guard in a group of four guarding a set of double doors said, stepping into the way to block our path before we could say anything else to each other. If Rigel were forced to guess, this was the large meeting chamber Tela had brought him to enter.
Aria looked at the guard with a bored expression. "Move before I move you."
"I'm afraid I have to ask you to– Guh!" the guard was thrown to the side, her armor squeaking against the floor as she rolled to a stop.
"Anyone else?" Aria said, lifting a glowing fist threateningly. One of the other guards swiped her omni-tool across a scanner and the door opened. Aria's biotics faded as she led the way into the chamber.
"It would have been more entertaining if you threw her over a railing." Rigel commented.
"Unlike you, Risen, I understand that hazard pay and injury compensation are both a pain in the ass. The less guards we cripple while trying to get these idiots to do what we want the better." Aria explained without looking at him, leading the way into a large circular chamber.
There was a water fountain in the very center of the room down a long set of stairs with jets of water shooting up in arches. The floor was a polished white; the walls were painted silver and black, each color weaving around the other. Around the fountain on all sides were rows of seating not unlike those one would find in a chapel or stadium. The only difference was each seat had a small monitor in front of it. Each Asari sitting in the audience was dressed professionally, either wearing an elegant dress or a sharp suit. Some flicked through screens on the monitor while others had their monitors shut off in favor of focusing on a group of Asari standing near the fountain. There were drones with cameras capturing what the Asari standing on the floor were saying and likely broadcasting the words to the Extranet so the entire planet could bear witness. Amid the Asari on the floor was the only other alien in the chamber aside from Rigel himself, an Elcor wearing a bowtie with four blue crests affixed to his head with tape. Rigel nearly burst out laughing at the sight, having to cough into his hand to disguise the noise.
"–do not believe a new fleet is necessary at this time." one of the asari near the fountain said, her words echoing through speakers all around the chamber. Her omni-tool lit up on her arm, and she nodded understandingly. "He'mo raises a valid concern. The Citadel fleet was greatly damaged in the battle against Sovereign and the Geth, but Thessia's fleet remains as strong as it has ever been. Why allocate funds to this endeavor when there are far more pressing concerns facing our people?"
"Who is He'mo?" Rigel asked, confused.
"Remember those chat rooms I told you about? The entire planet and a fair helping of Asari off-world are watching and can comment at any time. It's a nightmare." Tela explained quickly before walking down the steps towards the fountain. "Maybe you should do something because Sovereign alone was enough to destroy the Citadel's fleet, one of the strongest in the entire galaxy, and we don't want Thessia to be unprepared for a similar threat to assault us?" Tela called out, raising her voice so it carried through the entire space.
The Asari that was speaking near the fountain frowned as Tela descended towards her. "We recognize Spectre Tela Vasir and…Aria T'loak?" Aria's name was said in disbelief with faint traces of fear leaking through.
"Pretty much what Vasir said. It would be stupid not to raise a fleet in response to a threat like this." Aria said casually as she walked down towards the fountain after Tela, ignoring the shocked whispers and rapt attention of every Asari in the chamber. Evidently, she was something of an icon. Though given her reputation and status as the queen of one of the most lawless stations in the galaxy, her popularity may hinder proceedings instead of helping.
"Why are you here, Aria?" one of the Asari seated nearest to the fountain said as she stood from her computer. Her gaze was sharp as she stepped onto the stairs Aria and Tela were descending.
A pair of camera drones were dispatched from the ceiling, flying down to hover near Aria and Tela as they continued walking down the steps. "Good to see you, too, Le'yaa." Aria said dryly as she approached the woman, stopping a few steps above her. "I see you're still running the machines so the idiots can pontificate."
"And last I heard you were still stealing ships with your pirate buddies. You didn't answer my question."
"I'm just a concerned citizen voicing my opinion. That is still the way we do things here, isn't it?"
Le'yaa narrowed her eyes. "It is, but the last time you…"
Rigel let the conversation fade into the background as he leaned over to T'soni, having no idea what he was supposed to be doing right now or why Tela had dragged him along. This felt like an Asari only meeting that he was intruding on. "How long do these things usually last? Are humans welcome or will I make things harder for Tela by being here?"
T'soni looked at him sidelong. Rigel got the distinct impression she didn't like him for some reason. "These 'things' can last for weeks. This debate has only just begun."
"And the human thing?"
"Aliens have been known to speak at certain gatherings before, but it is not a common occurrence."
"In that case, I'm just going to hang out here until I have a better idea of how I'm supposed to help."
Nova, you got anything?
Not anything about how you can help, but I am reading over millions of messages sent between billions of Asari and tracking them to points all across the galaxy. This much information is enough to give me a headache.
Don't burn yourself out.
…Was that a joke about computers overheating?
No…but it could have been. But no, I can do better than that.
Can you though?
Your lack of faith wounds me.
Yeah, yeah. Pay attention. This seems important.
Rigel refocused on the conversation being had on the floor below him, catching the last bit of something Tela had said.
"–enough to destroy the Citadel's entire fleet."
"We are all well aware of the tragedy that befell the Citadel two years ago, Spectre Vasir. Had certain parties prevented the traitor Saren from acquiring what he sought, perhaps so many innocent lives needn't have been lost." one of the Asari I assumed to be Matriarchs said, a cruel smirk on her face as whispers circulated the room at the implied dig at the competence and loyalty of Spectres.
Tela opened her mouth to continue speaking, but someone else spoke up before she could.
"As amusing as it is to watch you trade verbal blows, I have other things planned for today." Aria said up from where she lazed in the seat Le'yaa had vacated, her feet up on the desk in front of her. "You should construct more ships – ten-thousand of them."
Asari in the chamber stood and began openly decrying Aria's proposal, calling it preposterous and wasteful that she would suggest the peace-loving Asari would have need of such a force.
The same Asari to insult Tela glared at Aria. "You overstep, Aria. Thessia's troubles have been far from your mind for centuries. Now you come here and offer your opinion where it is unwanted. Thessia has no need for ten more ships for its fleet, let alone ten-thousand."
Aria didn't look slightly perturbed by the vitriol being spat her way. "Was I not specific enough? I don't care about Thessia. Build your fleet up or not, that isn't my concern. I want Thessia to construct ten-thousand ships for me. Omega's fleet is lacking when compared to those of other independent systems. I could go to someone else to have my ships made, but since you were discussing warship construction today, I decided to stop by and see if you would be interested."
The Asari Matriarch began openly laughing, opening a floodgate as dozens more Asari in the room laughed as well.
"Omega can afford to purchase ten-thousand ships? Come now, Aria. This is a professional setting. Jests are unbecoming."
"Fine. I'll take the former Shadow Broker's resources to someone else. Liara?" Aria called up towards T'soni and Rigel. "We're leaving. Call up that Volus you were telling me about. What was his name? Teehee?"
"Rihi." T'soni corrected, pulling up her omni-tool and making a show of swiping through screens.
"What did you just say?" The same Matriarch who had taken the lead this entire time said in breathless disbelief, her quiet words needn't have been projected by the microphone with the utter silence reigning in the chamber in the wake of Aria's previous words.
Aria stopped walking up the stairs, turning around to glare at the Matriarch. "The Broker is dead. Long live the Broker."
"That's impossible. You wouldn't–"
"Reveal myself?" Aria said challengingly, walking down the steps, her heavy footsteps echoing in the silence. "Risk the exposure? Clearly you aren't one of the intelligent ones. Those three behind you don't think I'm bluffing, but then they aren't idiots, so they'd already put it together for themselves. Everyone important already knows, so there is no point in maintaining the charade anymore." Aria was standing in front of the fountain now. A pair of drones with cameras on them flew around her as four more descended from the ceiling, all of them capturing Aria's every movement. Aria turned to the Asari seated in the chamber, throwing her arms wide. "I am the Shadow Broker." she proclaimed. "I know every secret there is to know and hold more power than the Citadel Council."
Nova, check around us for anyone thinking of doing something stupid. Rigel said in his head, tensed for combat as Aria basked in the attention of her fellow Asari. Rigel had no idea what Aria thought she was doing, but he'd never thought the woman was stupid. She had a play here, but someone might get the idea to take out the Shadow Broker now that she'd openly proclaimed herself to the world. Rigel could practically feel the target on Aria's back getting bigger with each passing second. The repercussions of this event were hard to determine. A large portion of the Broker's power came from their anonymity. With that lost, business would become far harder to conduct. Rigel knew Aria wasn't an idiot, but what the hell was she doing?
"Aria…you…"
Aria looked smug as she turned to a slack-jawed Le'yaa. "It's amazing how much people change after five-hundred years." Aria turned back to the camera drone in front of her as the others continued to circle around her. Looking directly into the camera, she said, "I, Aria T'loak, Queen of Omega, Shadow Broker, hereby announce a bounty. Omega is powerful. Our fleet is equipped with technology the greater galaxy can only dream of, but our numbers are lacking. Every shipyard with Warships ready for immediate purchase, I will take them all. To every shipyard ready to construct ships, the first shipyard to build Omega its ten-thousand ships shall be paid ten-trillion credits. I am emptying the Broker's bank account. Make me my ships."
Rigel felt like he'd been punched in the gut. The Broker's resources had seemed limitless, yet Aria had just offered all but a fraction to the galaxy at large with no reservations.
That clever, ballsy bitch. Nova said slowly into Rigel's head, a deep respect coloring her tone.
Rigel couldn't help but agree. This was the kind of no-holds-barred, all-or-nothing gambit he could get behind.
