"No change from what I can see, nothing will cave on that front, despite your wishes," Satrino said, clicked his mandibles as amusement leaked into his tone. A scowl formed as my body eased into another yoga stretch.
"A half metre square piece of carpet for the side of the bed. That's all I'm asking for! Do you know what it's like to wake up each morning with nice warm feet only for them to take a heart attack in the morning? It's the worst thing in the world!" I wailed, reaching to touch my toes with a hand. Satrino snorted, his grin mocking me.
"Shaik, you'll be lucky if your request for a proper calendar is granted," Satrino said. "And the hair products, and the exercise mat, and the books, and the once a month chocolate, to name but a few your other requests,"
"All of which are reasonable requests when you consider I've been stuck in a 5m by 5m box for 9 months, 3 week and 3 days!" I grumbled.
"5 days," Satrino said with a smirk. My scowl aimed at the wall.
"5 days! I've not left this damn cube in 6 months!" I said.
"Well, after strangling Marruns, you'll forgive those higher up for keeping you on total lockdown," Satrino said. The memory surfaced, a pleased grin spreading over my face as my back stretched. My jaw locked as a burning pain ran up my thighs.
"Worth it," I said. "He's too scared to come near the glass now," Satrino smirked at the thought. "I still want that damn window, even it's a slideshow from a digital picture frame," A sigh mourned the loss of actual day-night cycles that electric lights and meals didn't control.
10 months in prison gave a person plenty of time to think. My mind wiped the memories of the crash itself and an hour or so before it too. The first clear memory was waking in chains, Marruns gloating above my head. Goddam that turian annoyed the shit out of me. A few words to shut him up granted me the peace to rattle my brain for answers. What happened, where was the crew, where was the ship? These answers never materialised until Satrino tracked me down about a week after we landed in the Citadel. He was there to 'question' me, but all we really did was chat and fill me in, nudging me to 'resist' him and everyone else possible. The crew had halved after the ship crashed, most crushed by buckling floors or the forces throwing them around. Satrino and his men filtered me the names of the dead. The number punched me into muteness for a fortnight, regardless of how often they dragged me before Spectres or Council members demanding answers. My shoulders sagged at the news my XO and commanders survived, and Gideon. My arms trembled as they took my weight, lowering me to the ground. Satrino said they took Gideon into care due to his age, but beyond that, he couldn't get close to the kid. At least he was safe.
The Starquake was a write off, nothing could save her. My heart shredded itself upon hearing the news she now lay in 3 pieces. My new home, gone. She needed so much TLC, so much money to bring her back up to spec; upgrade her shields and engines, new armour, improve some of the water systems… dammit, so much had to be overhauled! But then Saria appeared and we had to take care of her, then the Council… the Starquake was no more. Disheartened, my back straightened until my feet carried my full weight again. This was what it is like to be homeless… not that I had to worry about that with this prison sentence.
My first month felt like a blur, most of it spent sleeping while my body recuperated from the stress, injuries and constant questioning. Here there was no one to order, nothing to command, nothing required of me. My body collapsed after 3 days, realising it could heal. My body hovered over the comatose border for the majority of the month. For a good 2 months after that however, fear set in hard when my mind started working. Realising where this was, panic blinded me. Every noise sent me cowering, guards finding me curled up in the furthest corner up, my eyes widening and body trembling when they opened the cell to give me good and medication, as well as to take me to my medicals. A cold sweat broke whenever someone walked past the cell. After a while, my mind adjusted, realising things were not as I feared. The guards never bothered me, aside from Marruns who would come to taunt me for God knows how long. 6 months ago, my patience snapped. Cocky asshole wandered into my cell without an escort to mock me. It ended up with my empty tray of food battering against his head until his cries for help attracted the attention of the guards. Ah, my arms still ached from when they hauled me off him and slammed me into the floor. Before that point, they let me out into a guarded exercise yard. Within minutes, I realised this was not a place for someone of my stature and 'ferocity' to be. The real psychopaths of the galaxy surrounded me.
Murderers, rapists, terrorists, corrupt officials and even a batarian accused of the genocide of 3000 humans. Marruns gave me an opening to escape that hell, giving me joy, asserting our relationship and giving one guard a good giggle. One time in the yard proved I would be the prison bitch. Too small, too timid, not bloodthirsty enough. Either that or they'd make the prison dirt, prison bitch seemed too high for someone like me. 9 months later brought me here. My injuries healed, although lingering issues cropped up. Dammit, that hurt like a bitch when the nerve trapped! At least prison medical care was thorough, it made my incarceration more bearable. This Maximum Security prison had sound-muffled walls and ceiling, making communication to the psychos on the either side impossible, a blessing in disguise. The glass also stopped me seeing the prisoners opposite me thanks to some sort of coating, but it didn't stop me seeing out into the hall. That was far enough. Although the thought of being stuck in this box for the rest of my life crushed me. At least I had Satrino visit every week to keep me occupied for half an hour.
"So how's your son, Satrino? Finished Flight school yet?" I asked as my feet kicked me up into a handstand.
"He has, yes. With distinction no less. He's desperate to pilot dreadnaughts," Satrino said, pride soaked in his tone. "His mother was in tears, she was so proud when he got his wings,"
"You've got a fantastic kid, Satrino. Maybe I'll get the honour of meeting him one day," I said. "Assuming I turn less murder-y of course," Satrino snorted, amused.
"He has enough problems understanding females, Shaik, I don't need you adding another 14 new layers over everything," he said. The sharp and loud laughter weakened my hold, enough to send me crashing to the ground with an oof. Satrino's roaring laughter lit my cheeks in brilliant red. Satrino waved my enraged glare while my eyes locked to the charcoal turian.
"Don't you have work to do, Commander?" I asked through grit teeth. Satrino clicked his mandibles, a wide smirk on his face and his chin raised. Smug bastard…
"I do, however I am attempting to hold it at bay for as long as possible. My new position may have better hours but I've learned I also have to contend with a higher than normal stupidity level," he said with a frown. "And I am still trying to track down what happened to your crew. There is no reason 22 people should just vanish without a trace from prison…"
"Please do, Satrino, I don't want to think the Council executed them," I said. Satrino's mandibles snapped his cheeks, eyes narrowing as he considered the possibility. Satrino and his men did what they could to keep me informed of the surviving crew members. From short messages to health updates. They never skipped a check or a scan on the crew when possible. However, a month ago, one human under Satrino's command told me the entire crew had been scurried away during the night. Council orders. No one knew where they were.
"Commander," A voice summoned from down the hall. Satrino flicked his head towards the sound, plates drawn together as a low rumble burst from his throat.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Time's up, Shaik is being summoned," the voice said, louder now as they moved down the hall. A pale mint salarian appeared. A small army of guards waited behind him. My lips snapped down as my knees pushed me up onto my feet. Satrino sighed.
"Very well. I shall speak with you another time, Shaik. With luck, you'll be more willing to co-operate," he grumbled.
"No promises," I said. "I have a problem with authority," Satrino snorted.
"Evidently," he said before saluting the guard. He marched up the pale metal hall. The guards turned their attention to me.
"Hands in the air, rotate," they ordered. My hands raised beside my head, spinning on the spot to give them a 360 view of me. Once complete, my back turned to the glass. The first time they came to move me once my pelvis healed, terror caused me to faint. My lips tightened. The guards mocked me for weeks after it. The glass door parted and marching feet sounded. Hands grabbed my wrists before securing them behind my back, metal cuffs preventing me from doing anything stupid.
"Walk out, Shaik," the salarian ordered.
The guards escorted me up the endless hallway, catching glimpses of the inmates housed here. One asari in particular, covered head to foot in blade scars, terrified the shit out of me. She passed my vision in the exercise yard once. Never again. My eyes stayed straight, afraid we would meet or if she noticed my staring gaze. Murmurs rose up from the aliens in the cells, the sound of anticipation building, expecting some action. It always happened when someone walked down the hall in cuffs. They never knew which one would come back or not. Despite 10 months here, no one told me if the death penalty was a thing. Free from the cells, my shoulders relaxed. Guards relaxed their own hold on their weapons in response. They knew me well enough, the only person I attacked if provoked was Marruns. They still give me nudges to the spine to steer and direct me though.
Passing through door after door, scanner after scanner, they led me into a small room with a window overlooking part of the city. My tip toes raised me to peer through the raised, narrow slit, but the guards shoved me forward until they nodded their head to the chair in the room. My grumbling sounded, though they ignored me as my ass landed in the chair, back to the window. They rearranged my cuffs until they secured me to the chair. No running now.
"So, who do I have the honour of today?" I asked, shuffling until comfortable in the metal chair. The salarian glanced to the door as all but two guards left. "Far more of you than usual,"
"Best behaviour, Shaik," the salarian said with an underlying scowl. It caused a frown, eyebrows knotted together. This was new. The door opened. A slow smirk grew on my lips at the figures who entered.
"Councillors, what an honour! It's only taken you 8 months to pop over for another visit," I said, leaning back in the chair, crossing a leg over my thigh. The asari Councillor, Tevos, clasped her hands behind her back. Valern, the salarian, stroked his chin as Sparatus crossed his arms, frowning. Udina remained quiet as he dropped a hip.
"Indeed, we apologise for the delay, Miss Shaik," Tevos said. She studied me, measuring her words. "I trust you have been comfortable,"
"Hmm, could have used a window… Also, less psychopaths around me, really rattles the beast in my head," I said. "And less annoying Spectres on my ass as well. It only took Marruns 3 months to crack me," The Councillors shuffled.
"He refused to silence himself about the event for weeks afterwards," Sparatus scowled. A smile grew, basking in this newfound knowledge. The Councillors studied me, trying to peer through my perky expression worn to hide the concern bubbling in my chest.
"Let's cut to the chase, hmm? What do you want?" I said, annoyed with the silence. Valern stopped stroking his damn chin as his arms dropped limp beside him.
"You understand by now that you are not here for the murder of Commander Saria," Valern said. My brow raised
"Ah, Xanthe, I wondered how she would crop up," I said, rolling my shoulders back, shuffling my numbing ass. "But yes, yes I do, Councillor," There was a moment of silence between the Councillors.
"Yes, well, after you fled we examined the remains of Commander Saria's body and found metal, very similar to the material that made up Saren's ship-" Udina explained. A sour burst of laughter escaped me.
"Ah Nazara- Sovereign, shit! Gotta keep those names apart…" I said, shaking my head out as a faint line of tension ran left to right over my forehead. "I can guess the rest from here," My lips snapped down, emotion dead. "You figured 'Oh this is very strange material, what is it?' And then after a while you had people killing each other for no apparent reason and they wouldn't stopped or reasoned with until you put a bullet in their brain," The Councillor's expressions flattened. "Yeah, I theorised that the individual components of a Saboteur could cause indoctrination. I sweated the stuff once before, not so nice, but we haven't tested how powerful the indoctrination waves are in a Saboteur compared to a Reaper, let alone the tiny parts inside a Saboteur. Thanks for confirming it doesn't take a lot to get things going at the very least!" My head tried to puzzle out the thoughts running through their heads. "How many?" The Councillors glanced among themselves for a time.
"14, another 12 have been isolated to assess their mental state," Sparatus said.
"Yeah, depending on how far they are, I wouldn't hope for them. I haven't found an example to test another theory my scientists thought about wherein there is a certain point in which indoctrination becomes runaway, so indoctrination can continue without the presence of Reaper technology," I shrugged. "No proof, but a sound theory. We might have had a good idea if someone had left us be to help save your worthless asses,"
"I suppose we were far too hopeful you would co-operate, Miss Shaik," Tevos sighed. She didn't flinch at my snort.
"Darling, if you had tried to contact me to speak with me instead of sending every Spectre in the galaxy after me, we would've been working together months ago! I am not unreasonable," I said. Tevos sighed through her nose. "But I digress, I've diverted us, haven't I? What about Xanthe and Sovereign?" my back pressed into the chair, keeping an eye on each of the four faces before me. Sparatus straightened his back.
"We have tried for months to recover the data you had collected on the Reapers and their forces to no avail. The crash and fire destroyed the servers beyond repair. We had prepared for that outcome after early reports a week or so after the remains of your ship were brought in for further examination. After your strike against Saria, we concluded that you must have knowledge of the Reapers, knowledge we did not have. Saria's actions and autopsy are a testament to that," Sparatus said, pacing before me, piercing eyes seeking a weakness in my armour. "With the in incoming threat of this Reaper invasion and without Shepard to help us deal with the issue-"
"Wait, you believe that the Reapers are coming?" I asked, jaw slackening. "But you've been working your asses off the say Shepard was crazy! I mean, he was… and an asshole but still!"
"Do you take us for fools?" Valern said with a frown. "The evidence we have collected on the Reapers is too much information to ignore. But if the galaxy learns of an impending invasion? There would be a mass exodus; shutdown of commerce, peace destroyed as panic sets in, every man, woman and child out for themselves! Informing the people of the galaxy the truth would allow the Reapers to walk over us without requiring further action, we would have destroyed ourselves as the galactic political and commerce systems collapsed! No, we will prepare for the invasion, new weapons and armour, without alerting the public to the real threat," his explanation earned him a bug-eyed gawk from me.
"That is where you come in. Well, your crew initially," Udina crossed his arms, groaning. "We realised that we did not know where to begin in our investigations. We know nothing regarding the Reapers other than Shepard's reports and then we were further startled by the realisation they had sleeper agents within our own species already, as you dub 'Saboteurs'. 3 weeks after your capture, we realised we would need some… experienced hands leading the way. That was when we put your crew to good use. We made arrangements and prepared a new ship for hunting these Saboteurs and Reaper related incidents. Once complete, we released the 22 strong crew under a new captain and a small team of officers with new crew members to replace the ones lost during your arrest. That was when the problems began," Udina growled.
"You crew has refused to co-operate, Miss Shaik," Tevos explained. "The exact words from a Mr Lanster Taynus was 'I'm not piloting this bird, Over my dead body. Take your washed up 'captain' and throw him off the dock'. The rest of your crew appear to share the same sentiment. We have tried countless captains and commanders, even a few admirals. Your crew remains so. The crew also became– how to put this – violent when we put Spectre Marruns as captain-" Tevos frowned over my howling laughter. My legs kicked the air, a picture of Marruns captaining my crew floating through my head. Oh, the turian would be dead within minutes!
"You people," I said through insane giggles. "Are idiots!"
"We have learned our lesson, Miss Shaik," Udina said, frown deepening. "It is unfortunate it has required the destruction of 3 docks. Your pilot took it upon himself to barrel roll the ship while still docked. He repeated it twice more with the subsequent captains until we have reached our current point," His words released another belt of laughter from me. Oh Lanster, you lovable lug!
"So we have a proposition for you," Valern said, folding his hands behind his back, standing tall as my laughter died. "You will retake your position as Captain as part of our Reaper Repulsion Task Force, however, due to your… nature, we have decided against giving your complete control of the crew and ship. You will advise and answer to a commanding Admiral or person of higher rank than your own, whomever we put in charge of the ship. You will relay the commands to the crew and-" he stopped once my laughing sounded once more, although it carried a sour tone.
"Are you serious? I will be a middleman and go 'oh well I see Saboteur activity over there! Should we check it out, Admiral-senpai?' No commanding authority other than 'Admiral said this and now I'm saying it. Hop to it'? My crew still won't co-operate! They aren't bloody stupid like you lot! They'll just throw your 'admiral' out the airlock at the first opportunity!" I snapped. "On top of which, I refuse to be a puppet to the likes of you if you make me force my crew to follow another person's retarded orders! You people chased me across the entire galaxy because you refused to stop and begin dialogue! No, fuck you and your task force! I'd rather let Nyryntha have a good crack at you than follow you! I am not one of your pet Spectres willing to U-turn on every moral they have to 'get the job done'. Fuck you!" I snarled.
"Miss Shaik, please be reasonable-" Tevos tried.
"Reasonable? Reasonable?! The time for being reasonable is over! You people poked and prodded me for weeks when you captured me! I don't even know half of what those fucking brain scans and blood samples proved! I know you found nothing because we couldn't and we knew what to look for, you incompetent assholes! 20 of my crew, of my fucking family, are dead because of you! I kept trying to do my bloody duty, kept trying to stop the Reapers! No one stopped to ask questions! You wanted a Saboteur to study, no matter the cost! Well, it's time to collect, and you won't like the price! I knew if I surrendered to you would lock me up, test me, dissected me, whatever! I'd never see the day of light again! I'm here trying to save your worthless asses from monsters like me and you're doing everything in your power to stop me! And you're telling me to be reasonable?! I thundered.
"Shaik-" Udina snarled, slamming his hand through the air.
"Fuck. You!" I thundered, seething in my chair. If only my hands were free, then they'd know my opinions. Try to kill me then use me, will you?!
The Councillors stood as statues, watching me with impartial expressions. Tevos took a few steps back before turning, stroking her chin. Sparatus, Udina and Valern joined her, Udina grumbling about 'stubborn' or something. My snarl answered his retort before he turned to Tevos. My teeth ground as the hushed whispers muttered, the barest traces of words just out of understanding. My frustration rattled my shoulders, my teeth would be sanded smooth at this rate! Valern sighed. Every muscle tensed, desperate to kick him in the face. I was overdue for a salarian kicking! Then Tevos smiled and secured her hands behind her back. She turned back to me, retaking the steps she had surrendered before.
"Then you leave us with no other option, Miss Shaik," she said. My miniature sun glare didn't stir her. "If you will not co-operate, then we will be forced to re-arrest the rest of your crew. Many members of your crew are wanted for several crimes on top of the assisted murder for Commander Saria. Mari T'Seir was to return to Thessia to resume her work for the Asari Republics. She refused and abandoned her contract. She has been summoned back to Thessia and the asari government is considering issuing an arrest warrant for her return,"
"Mat'al Delern, Anthon Cerr and Saldan Liseol are wanted by the Salarian Union and the STG for unauthorised entry into secure government servers, treason and sabotage regarding several high profile pieces of data relating to the STG. Mat'al Delern has the additional charge of theft of an STG prototype, your ship," Valern said.
"Bullshit! The STG gave us the Starquake to track down and study the Saboteurs!" I snapped.
"To which you then stole once they demanded it returned, not long after a visit to Illium, I believe," Valern waved a hand. A growl rumbled in the back of my throat. Rolidin…
"The Turian Hierarchy has demanded the immediate arrest of Valérien Autillin for theft of military vehicle and abandonment of his cabal force," Sparatus snorted. "He betrayed his own team, Miss Shaik. We do not take such behaviour,"
"We have also received word from the Illuminated Primacy, the Hanar wish to know why one of their agents has been spying on them and demanding an explanation for the apparent kidnapping and death of one of their diplomats, Mysinous," Udina said.
"Unless of course," Tevos said with a smile, a coy play on the corner of her lips. "They are assigned onto a Council funded task force. A few words and all of these charges, no matter how great the crime, will be put to bed. Saria's murder? A strike by our new task force to protect the Council, their first coordinate strike against a danger. The first flash of our new teeth. Abandonment of their positions? Drafted for their skills in a secret project. The other crimes of sabotage and spying? Ensuring none of our enemies had pierced our most important assets of the military, politics and economy, with Council backed promises of secrecy upon each bit of data investigated," My jaw slacked with her words, a vague understanding forming.
"The murder of Arnold Keplar?" Udina asked, taking a few steps towards me before leaning down to eyelevel. "A poor girl saying her last farewells, caught in cross-fire of an organised strike against him, panicking when police arrived with no witnesses to back up her statement," the words tumbled out in slow and deliberate, the tone deep. A moist cake offered on a golden platter.
"But as the crew will not follow another captain – and you refuse to take up the position – none of this can happen… unless someone yields," Sparatus finished.
"You bastards… you absolute bastards. You're blackmailing me," I wheezed, my anger simmering below the horror.
"A deal, Miss Shaik. Captain Shaik," Valern corrected, stepping forward. All four crowded me, towering high above. My breath caught in sharp, shallow, snaps. A tremble overwhelmed my body. Everything felt too small, too cramped. Rage singed my bones but horror kept my tongue still. "Work for us, with unyielding loyalty to us and we will allow you to lead your crew, not as a middleman but as a Captain. You answer only to us and a handful of other personnel. Work for us and all of your – and your crew's – crimes will vanish. A few words to the right delegates and you shall never hear of them again,"
"What shall it be, Miss Shaik?" Tevos asked, a confident smile on her face. My eyes spun between them, stomach twisting like a French knot.
The Galaxy Map has been updated for this chapter. Please see profile for link to Archive.