A/N: Yeah, so, this chapter is mostly just a wrap up of the Errand Boy Saga. I know, probably not the most exciting read in the last few chapters, given he's mainly just doing the lore collecting that Shepard does, even if I have shortened some of the actual dialogue that happens just so I'm not to over bloated with exposition (which I feel I've already got too much of). This chapter is short for this reason. I wanted Cole to gain a bit of an appreciation for two species that don't get a lot of attention in the games, and also show him how some species don't care for his kind. Other then that, this chapter is shorter because I feel where I left it off was a nice 'oh boy' moment and now I'm going to be getting into the meat of the story, where what I feel I've done was give the potatoes and maybe some fat. Now I'm hungry.
Anyway, thanks for your support, the story is getting quite the traction. I hope you all continue to enjoy the story. If you like, leave a review with what your interested in seeing and how you feel about things so far and see you all soon.
Presidium Commons – The Embassies
The altercation outside Chora's Den presented new questions and new problems.
I decided to get out of the Wards for a bit, as to avoid chance encounters with C-Sec officers investigating the death that occured. It was likely the criminal establishment had security cameras, but even if they didn't hand them over to C-Sec then I'd be faced with a bunch of witnesses to my abilities, footage as proof, and an organization that would want to come after me for messing up their guys, and killing one of them.
Before leaving I had gone to replace my clothes, seeing as how they were now ruined due to tearing and blood stains.
The shop keepers look of confusion was kind of amusing. They were the type not to ask questions but I could tell they were checking the areas where I should have had wounds, probably in disbelief that there were none. I ended up getting the exact same shirt and jacket, those two things being only articles damaged in the fight, and getting a few extra pairs sent along to the Normandy.
I still needed to go to the C-Sec Academy to see if I can help Jenna, but I'm not certain how that's going to go down now. Hopefully she'll find out about the scuffle outside and decide it was time to get out of dodge.
Even more troubling, the mercs were after Commander Shepard. Maybe she crossed their organization once before? Maybe she secretly owed them or were working with them and they felt it time to cut ties in a fatal manor. I honestly didn't know anything about anybody here. I only knew a bit about Karin but even then, she mostly just educated me about general info and nothing personal about herself.
What I said to her was stupidly accurate. I've never felt more alone. Even after everything that happened between me and Zeke before we left for New Marais wasn't this lonely. He was still alive, my parents and brother were alive as well, even if I never really kept in touch after I walked out on them. I still had people in the back of mind, that if I really wanted to, I could try and reconcile with. Even if at the time I was too damn stubborn to admit it. Now they were all dead, and I had nobody.
My vision got a little blurry, and I blinked away the tears threatening to come out. Now was not the time to grieve. I had things to do, and more importantly, I needed to figure out what was going on with my powers.
Relatively speaking, I was in the same boat that I was in after John had drained my powers before destroying Empire City. Only difference was I seemed to hold on to a few. The Gigawatt blades I realize I actually hadn't tried to use since I had my Amp for close range combat in New Marais. So the thought to even use it was surprising to me, but I was glad to have the idea when I did.
I was troubled by the fact that my personal electromagnetic field, or EMF, didn't seem to be very effective against their weapons. Actually, I take that back. The human's gun barely did anything to me, but the rounds coming from the turian tore through me like paper. They felt different to the other rounds as well. I mean both guns definitely weren't firing bullets, but super heated pieces of metal, like shrapnel almost. That wasn't the only thing either.
Their armour's shields seemed to be somewhat resistant to my abilities. I'd have to ask Karin to go over Mass Effect Fields again so I can take mental notes of what I might be able to do against them next time I'm in a fight.
That would have to wait till later however, for I was now entering the Elcor-Volus Embassy to set the record straight with all parties involved with that Consort business I witlessly got dragged into.
Upon entering the embassy, I saw two large beings that Karin had taught me were called Elcor. Even though I joked that they reminded me of elephants for how slow they seemed to move, their odd body structure resembled anything but. Actually, the way they stood and moved reminded me more of gorillas. Probably just as strong, looking at how thick their arms were. I imagined them lifting cars above their head and tossing them with ease, before my mind flashed to a city infested with monsters and I shook myself from that nightmare, unwilling to dwell there any longer then I had to.
Along with the two elcors in said embassy, there was a Volus, short creature, apparently they are never seen out of their suits.
I walk up and approach the two elcor. It was difficult to tell the difference between them, besides using the different materials that made up their 'clothes' and the different colour pallets for each, they had very minute differences between them.
"Hello Human, Sincere Apology, but I am here on business and can not be distracted right now." The elcor's speech reminded me a bit of Eeyore from Winnie The Pooh, though it sounded less depressing, rather it was slow, deliberate, flat, and monotone. I noticed it's lips were vertical slats on the portion of it's... face, where a mouth would be for a lot of other species. They barely moved apart when speaking, and I wondered what kind of food it ate, and if it had teeth.
"Yeah, are you Xeltan?" The elcor showed no visible cues, and given their flat tones I figured that it would be nearly impossible for me to read any of them. Assuming they all spoke like this.
"Genuine query, have we met before? " I shook my head.
"No, we haven't. I'm Cole MacGrath. I'm here to give you a hand with your problem." I stated flatly.
"Curious, what do you know of the consort and her relationship to me?" At first I found it strange they explained what they were going to say before saying it, but quickly realized it was probably because of their lack of tone and ability to show physical cues. Did they talk like this with each other?
"More than I should. I know that you believe she's spreading your secrets around for any who would listen. That, however, was a fairy-tale made up by the turian general Septimus."
"Unbelieving, I know this Septimus and he could not learn my secrets. The only way he could learn them is from the asari Consort." I sighed as I pulled out the data pad Septimus handed over, pulling up the information and showing it to the Elcor.
"Take a look at this. I had a chat with him and he wanted to set things straight." I watched as the elcor's little eyes scanned the datapad. I had no indication of when he would be done so I just offered to leave it on the desk for him to go over later.
"Confused, I find this difficult to fathom. Ff the turain general learn this on his own... dismayed, anyone can discover my secret." He should have said dramatic hyperbole.
"I don't think it's that easy. Septimus is a powerful man, after all."
"Relieved, I suppose you are correct human. Thank you for this information. Startled realization, I must speak with the consort, she will be most displeased with my actions." Without thinking about it I just put my hand on the elcors shoulder and patted him twice.
"It was an honest mistake, Xeltan. I'm sure she'll forgive you. She seems... gentle, and understanding." I removed my hand, hoping that I didn't offend him.
"Doubtful, maybe you are right human, I can only hope so." He said his goodbyes and turned to walk away. His motions were some what slow, and his foot falls were heavy. I could feel the ground rumbling. Don't want to get hit by one of them that's for damn sure.
"Grateful, that was a great thing you did human. Approving, you see, Din, not all humans are as you say." I turned towards the other elcor who was behind the desk, and saw him refer to the volus beside him.
"I'm sure the Earth-clan stands to profit from this in some way." The volus, Din, seemed indignant in his response. Clearly, he didn't have such a high opinion of humans.
"Apologetic, do not listen to my volus compatriot. It was a good thing you did, regardless of your intentions." I nodded my head in thanks to the elcors defence of me.
"I'm no stranger to adversity or prejudice. I have a question for you though. I'm Cole MacGrath, and you are?" I walked up to the desk and fully faced the behemoth.
"Pleased greeting, it is always good to see your kind. I am ambassador Calyn. Genuine query, what can I do for you this day?" Funny enough, even though they were monotone I got the feeling this guy meant every prefix he used. Though I quickly realized they are probably the best liars in the galaxy.
"Yeah, I was just wondering if the elcor speak the same way with each other as you do with other species. The explaining what your going to say before saying it bit." I was curious if they didn't how they did communicate.
"Pleased explanation, our people speak less through words and more through scent and slight movements. Plainly, we discovered our vocal expressions was not enough to convey the feelings of our conversations to other species." I nodded my head, taking in all I can to be a functioning member of this new society I found myself in. I nearly laughed thinking about how when I was younger, I barely gave a damn about such a thing.
"Why do you bother Calyn? These Earth-clan don't really care about our ways." Din's tone was plain as day, no prefix's needed. What crawled up his ass and died.
"Remorseful response, Din. You don't truly believe that, and if you do, I am very sorry for you." Calyn officially became my favourite elcor. I've only formerly been introduced to two so far but this guy was capable of laying the verbal smack down on this volus and I liked it.
I spent a bit more time in that office, talking with Calyn, interested in his people's history and culture. If I were to sum them up, they were traditionalists, in a way, given they didn't like sudden changes. Their politics were fairly stable for that reason, and they were fond of outsiders, despite existing in mostly tight-nit communities. Calyn reminded me of a gentle giant type. Couldn't imagine one of his kind being violent and enjoying it.
I didn't really need to know what an ambassador did, at least given that I was familiar with the concept, but I was curious as to how the job may differ among the other species, especially when dealing with an intergalactic civilization as opposed to one planet with all the same species. His answer was more or less what I expected.
"Ha. They only give us these positions to keep us quiet. The council doesn't care about our races." I would have said something but I didn't know the circumstances well enough to argue with the volus. Besides maybe there was a good reason for his attitude.
"Chastising rebuke. Your tone is inappropriate Din. This human is not to blame for your malcontent or your misconceived suspicions."
"Thanks Calyn." I turned to the smaller alien in the room. "Despite your attitude, I would actually like to hear more about your people and their culture."
"Why don't you go ask your ambassador? His office is just down the hall." I really wanted to smack this guy. My hero Calyn however chimed in once again. That elcor should get a medal or something for his efforts.
"Chastising remark. Don't be so rude Din. At least introduce yourself." I smiled, watching this Din look between me and Calyn. Before sighing in exasperation. If it wasn't for his tone and the fact that he moves more commonly to other species then elcor do, I could read him better. Though his helmet made facial cues impossible.
"Fine. I am Din Korlack, Volus Amabassador. Is there something I can do for you Earth-clan?" Though he was verbally offering assistance, he wasn't hiding his tone of irritation. I myself would like to just get on with my day but like I said I want to learn all I can.
"Okay, how about we deal with the apparent chip on your shoulder towards us 'Earth-Clan'. What's your problem with us?" I crossed my arms as I stood in front of the volus. Not wanting to tower over him I made sure not to get to close.
"You humans are new to the Citadel, and yet the council has granted you great favour." Now that he mentioned it, I wondered just when exactly humans had joined the rest of the galaxy in this society. Only 171 years had passed since New Marais. How long had we been here for.
Before I could ask, Calyn made the first noise I heard from his kind that wasn't words. It was almost a strained groan, like he was pushing hard to convey how annoyed he was getting with his volus counterpart.
"Chastising rebuke, Din. Your species has always been granted many concessions. Volus territory has expanded ten-fold since coming to the Citadel." Din 'hmph'd in response.
"Details. We still have no real say in the decisions that effect Citadel space."
"Okay, well why don't you tell me about your people. I lived on a human colony all my life, never left, until recently."
Din proceeded to try and brush me off, stating their ways would bore me. I egged him on that he maybe didn't know enough about his people after all to give me an adequate education on the volus. That goaded him into telling me everything I wanted to hear.
The volus were, almost hilariously, the exact opposites of what the elcor are. They are small, not physically adept, so they trade their services for protection. Din claimed his people were tribal by nature, but then proceeded to describe exactly what 'modern-day' corporations were like on Earth. Basically they were merchants from a planet that was amoeba-ecology based and to contrast elcor politics, their governments were constantly changing. Their people more adaptable to such things.
Honestly, from the sounds of it they were actually pretty interesting.
"Interesting. You know, your tribes methods of absorbing smaller ones and then splitting off again is somewhat similar to how human corporations operate. Well, at least on Earth... 100 years ago." I hoped that was a grape vine but it was likely somebody else has already informed him.
"I'm so sure." His sarcasm was thick. Maybe he hadn't been told, or he ignores it every time it's brought up.
I then asked Din about volus history, and what he told me helped me understand his frustration.
Apparently, shortly after the asari and salarians had discovered the Citadel, the volus had joined them. They were basically the reason there is a standardized galactic economy. It sounds like these guys are the ones that are normally running galactic banks. Despite this and the fact they were technically the third species to join the Citadel, it was the turians who had become the third species with a council seat.
"Earth-clan will get a seat before we do."
"Why? I mean, given what you just said, and how tenacious I know my people to be, I believe you. I just don't understand why. You would think the people responsible for making it so we have an economy to keep things running at all, especially on the scale that we do now, would have a seat immediately." Although I agreed that I thought it was weird the volus didn't have a seat, I knew there had to be more as to why that wasn't happening. I was definitely buttering him up a little.
He seemed to cool off a bit after he saw my reception of his information. Hopefully my sincere interest and my agreement with it being odd that his people didn't have a seat would give him an idea that not all of us were like the humans that have rubbed him the wrong way. Not to mention none of us really were at fault for the council's decision, seeing as how we didn't have a seat ourselves.
After saying my goodbyes I left the embassy. I saw that Xeltan was heading back into the building, which probably meant that Sha'ira was available and aware of my task being complete. Deciding I could use some R&R, and wanting to see if this woman really could alleviate some of my troubles, which I doubted, I decided to head over to her chambers.
Only a turian C-Sec officer had other ideas.
"Excuse me, sir, can I speak with you for a moment?" I stopped and looked at the turian male that was waiting for me outside.
He was tall, from the turians I had seen so far none of them were smaller then humans, save for the children I saw every so often. He was wearing C-Sec blue, which I laughed about when I first saw them. How an intergalactic security force ended up wearing blue just like our cops on Earth I had no idea, but the irony was amazing to me. He had white skin, with blue facial markings under his eyes, and running half-way along his mandibles. Looking him in the one exposed eye for any read on his intents with me, I noticed his sclera, if that was what it was called for turians, were black, instead of white like ours, and his iris as blue.
"Uh, sure. What can I help you with officer?" Please don't involve Chora's Den.
"Are you Cole MacGrath?" So much for staying under the radar.
"That would be me." I stood there, cautiously weighing the option of just running. Finding an elevated area high enough that I could jump from and use my static thrusters to glide down to the Normandy and just hide. Then again maybe with the tech available today they can just track me.
I really need to do more studying.
"I hope you don't mind, but I need to bring you down to HQ so we can have a little... conversation. Don't worry, you aren't in trouble. I just have a few questions for you." I sighed. I should have just stayed on the ship.
"You know, there is this saying on Earth-"
"Never talk to cops. Yeah, I've heard it before. I'm not looking to cause you any trouble. I'm hoping we can help each other out." I slapped my palm to my face and shook my head, groaning.
"How does this always happen? Do I have a face that screams 'volunteer for charity work' or something?" At my frustrated tone the turian loosed an amused chuckle.
"No, you actually look a lot meaner then that. Promise." He said in a teasing manner. Jack ass.
"Fine, what do you want, officer." I gave in. If I'm not in trouble then I may as well just help the guy.
"Excellent, can't talk about it here though. Follow me to the academy." I nodded my head as I let him lead the way. As we were walking, he turned to me and said.
"Should have introduced myself before, my name is Garrus Vakarian."