After the talk with Armstrong, Chessa got back in the elevator and rode up to the CIC. Upon getting off, she paused a moment to chat with Pressly and find out they were currently nearing the citadel. With a quickened step she heads for the cockpit to see it first-hand. As she arrives she looks around seeing Kaiden and Williams already there before her. Kaiden was sitting in his position from before, at the console to the right of Joker though he was turned to the side watching on. The Normady flies through the clouds of the nebula, and soon the Citadel comes into view. Drawing nearer they pass by a massive ship which Kaiden points out is the flagship of the citadel fleet, the Ascension.
Williams moves to the left viewport of the cockpit and admires the ship and its size. “That thing’s huge. Its main gun could tear through any ship in the Alliance fleet.”
Joker shakes his head and voices his dislike, “Yeah and it maneuvers like a 16 ton truck.”
Chessa smirks looking knowingly at her while standing by Kaiden. “It’s also Asari design, strongest barriers and armor in the galaxy. I don’t wanna see the ship that can stand toe to toe with it.”
“I hear that,” Williams agrees.
“Citadel Control, this is SSV Normandy requesting landing clearance.” Joker chimes in causing the other three to go silent.
A female’s voice comes in over the radio. “Stand by for clearance, Normandy.” Joker lowers the throttle to slow the ship as they come within the arms of the station and many other ships are around. Within a moment though the voice comes back in, “Clearance granted, transferring you to Alliance operator for approach vector.”
“Roger that.”
Chessa smirks speaking softly. “Wow, skipping to the front of the line. Very nice.”
“Only cause the ambassador is expecting us…” Williams returns with a small snide.
“Normandy, this is Alliance Tower. Proceed to dock 442 the ambassador is awaiting your arrival.”
“Roger, Alliance Tower. Normandy out,” Joker answers then looks at Shepard as she had shifted to stand by his chair. “Never expected to see this place huh, Shepard?”
“Not even before getting changed and you can call me Chessa, Jeff.”
“Not gonna happen, Shepard, and let’s stick with Joker for now.”
Chessa nods with a slight sigh but she knew some wouldn’t open up as quickly as others. Still she was smiling the whole time and watching on as the ship pulls into the dock and was locked in place.
Anderson came over the comm. ordering the Eden Prime team to gear up and meet him at the airlock. Chessa, Kaiden, and Williams passed by Anderson as they head to get geared up. Of course Armstrong was already there and pretty much fully equipped already, just grabbing his guns before heading upstairs. The three chatter abit while they don their armor and weapons before heading up to join the captain and commander.
The walk from the docks, through s-sec, and up to the ambassador’s office was rather uneventful and silent. Chessa and Kaiden were looking around admiring the many races wandering around on the station and how busy it was. Armstrong and Williams did look, but didn’t really share the same awe for the most part. Williams did show enough to show this was her first time there, but Armstrong was his usual all business self.
When they arrive Udina was sitting at his desk looking up at them after turning off his console. “Ah Anderson. How come every time you call or stop by it’s never a good thing?”
Anderson moves into the room halting the crew a few feet from the desk and looking abit sternly at Udina. “This time it wasn’t our fault Udina. I sent you the details on the mission.”
“Yes you did. Geth attacking under the lead of the top spectre, and the beacon we were supposed to deliver is both inert and heavily damaged, thanks to the commander activating it. Let’s just hope the council is feeling friendly.” Udina states seeming like he knew their reactions already.
“You can’t blame that on Shepard. She…” Anderson was cut off by Udina’s console going off and when answering a soft female voice says the council is ready to speak with him. Udina and the group move to the three stands as holograms of the male turian, female asari, and male salarian appear before them. Anderson gets the team to stand at a relaxed attention and he stands off to the side and abit behind Udina.
The asari, Councilor Tevos, was the one to speak first in a calm soothing tone, “Greetings ambassador Udina.” She looks over to the group as if curious why they were there. “I assume you wished to have the Eden Prime team here during this meeting?”
“Yes. I decided to have them nearby if you wished to hear what happened from them first hand.”
“We have all the information we need to know what happened.” The turian, Councilor Sparatus, growls slightly showing clear annoyance at their failure. “You let the Geth attack your colony and practically destroy that beacon.”
Udina looks at him and narrows his eyes some. “If the turian patrol we summoned would’ve got there sooner they wouldn’t have escaped.”
Sparatus grows again raising a 3 fingered hand and pointing a finger at him. “If you hadn’t made that colony on the borders of the Terminus then it never would’ve happened, and Nihlus wouldn’t be dead.”
“While that is true Sparatus, if not for them founding that colony the beacon would’ve either never been discovered or worse taken by pirates,” chimes in the salarian, Councilor Valern.
“Also Nihlus volunteered to oversee the operation. He knew the risks, and obviously let down his guard when dealing with the geth.” Tavos states calmly.
Udina cuts in now, “Nihlus was killed by Saren who’s now rouge, and likely about to attack another colony. I demand action.”
Sparatus shakes his head looking at him. “You can’t demand anything from us, Ambassador.”
“Besides we will not take action unless Citadel Security finds proof of these claims,” Tavos adds. “Now we must make preparations for the hearing. If we are done here Ambassador, we will speak then.”
Udina kind of slumps his shoulders in defeat just before the signal is cut. He quickly straightens up and turns to look at Anderson and the 4 others. Chessa clearly have gotten bored was over leaning on the balcony rail looking out over the presidium. He notices Armstrong and Chessa as the ones he put in for canadacy, and narrows his eyes slightly at Chessa as she hops back over noticing the silence. “Well Anderson as you can see we have an uphill battle. The council refuse to offer protection to our terminus colonies, and aren’t too happy about our claim of their top spectre going rouge.”
“It’s the truth and they’ll have to accept it.” Anderson crosses his arms looking at Udina.
“Without clear evidence they won’t, and because of this mess with the beacon we likely won’t get our spectre either. If you all had stayed with Nihlus instead of going off and playing hero…”
“The scale-head refused to work with us. Said he wanted to play scout and work alone.” Armstrong adds in sternly.
Chessa nods swinging her arms some and paces abit unable to stand still. “Besides there was nothing we could do. They already had the beacon before we even landed, and not like the Normandy coulda stopped that monster ship.”
“I would like to know how Saren got a ship like that. It clearly wasn’t geth design,” Alenko questions.
“Hopefully C-Sec finds some evidence. For now, come with me captain. I have some things to discuss before the hearing,” Udina then turns and walks away looking back at Anderson for him to follow.
Anderson nods and starts walking away but pauses and looks back. “Meet us at the Citadel Tower on the top level. You’ll have proper clearance.” With that said Anderson turns and follows Udina out the door.
Ashley rolls her eyes at Udina after the door closes and turns to look at the others. “And that’s why I hate politicians.”
Chessa stretches and turns back around looking out over the Presidium. “Can’t blame the guy. The beacon from Eden Prime woulda put him in good with the council. Instead it’s destroyed and we’re pointing fingers at their top spectre.”
“Yes. That is a good reason to be crass at us, but not blaming you for the beacon exploding.” Armstrong states turning to look at her.
Kaiden looks down frowning, “Yeah it’s mine. Something called me to it and I-“
Chessa was upon Kaiden quickly an armored finger shaking it before him cutting him short. “Nah ah. I’ve told you before it wasn’t your fault. There was some message in it and I’m guessing after giving it to both me and Saren it either overloaded or was a failsafe put into it to erase the message.” She lowers her hand and steps away a few steps then turns back to the group. “If we blame anyone its Saren.” She looks at them as all three give a knowing nod. “Now then,” She clasps her hands together rubbing them gleefully and turns looking back out from the balcony. “I say we check this place out. I’m sure we have some time to atleast give the presidium a once over. Who’s with me?”
Armstrong shook his head and gave a hard sigh. “Count me out. I will head to the tower and wait for The Captain and the Ambassador. Explore all you want but do not be late like you always are.” With that said he turns and leaves the three alone.
Chessa, Williams, and Alenko leave the Ambassadors office and swing into the Volus and Elcor embassy. While they were treated abit coldly by the Volus Ambassador, the Elcor greeted them warmly. Chessa inquires about both races culture, and all while softening up the Volus by saying they deserved at least their own embassy given they helped to create the current economy. Finding out an Elcor diplomat was there to discuss something with the consort Chessa agrees to see if she can find anything out. While highly skeptical the elcor agrees long as she promised subtlety. Moving to the reception area now, the Eden Prime team gets some info about the presidium from the receptionist and Avina, the virtual guide for the Citadel. After that they visit the C-sec office and are greeted by a turian with blue markings covering almost all of his face.
“Ah Commander Shepard, I wasn’t expecting a visit. Is this on Udina’s behalf?”
Chessa raises a brow looking at him. “Not really. Just burning some time before the council hearing. Who might you be?”
“I’m Executor Pallin. Head of C-sec and yes that claim of yours has caused a decent ripple in our usually calm pond.”
“Pleasure Executor, and sorry about any trouble it’s caused. I wouldn’t make such a large claim without good reason. Speaking of have your men found anything?”
Pallin shakes his head looking at her. “Sorry commander, but I don’t give out classified information. Especially to people I don’t know or trust.”
Chessa nods having expected that sort of answer. “I get cha, protocol and all that. Though, why don’t ya trust me? I’m cute, see.” She smiles and makes a cute feline face to the exec.
Pallin just chuckles some shaking his head. “Good try Shepard, but you won’t crack a thirty-year vet. My distrust lies in that you humans are getting to strong too quickly, and the council is allowing it.”
Williams cuts in looking at him. “They aren’t allowing anything. We get stepped on just like everyone else and have to fight to get what we want.”
If turians could smirk one would see one on Pallin’s face. “Good, then fight, but the rest of us won’t just let you take it.”
Chessa decides to change the subject so to quell the growing tension. “So…one of my soldiers on the way here said that the spectres don’t answer to c-sec, is this true?”
“Yes that so called right hand of the council…” Pallin shifts abit in his chair clearly not liking them. “Considering themselves above the law, and letting them just run around ‘bending the rules’ however they please.”
Chessa nods looking at him. “Yea, no-one’s above the law. The second someone realizes it they start taking it into their own hands, and that never turns out good. Still the galaxy needs ‘em. If anything I see them as more spec ops, and secret agents taking care of problems that C-sec couldn’t handle without dealing with a lot of red tape.”
Pallin clasps his taloned hands together seeming to think on her words. “That’s a good way to put it Shepard. The problem is that they aren’t like that. The council just gives them an order then says do it. They don’t care how it’s taken care of long as it is.”
“I’m guessing you’ve had to play clean up after a few of em huh?”
“Feh, clean up would be an understatement at times. They need to keep them on a tighter leash or make sure they aren’t shoot first, question later, types.”
“Well I doubt it will happen, but if I ever become one I’ll do what I can to change that.” Chessa pauses looking at a clock knowing they didn’t have a lot of time. “Well thanks for the chat Executor. Don’t wanna keep the council waiting.”
“Anytime commander.” Pallin watches the trio leave and seems to smile after the door closes thinking if there were more humans like Shepard humanity might not be all bad.
Chessa leads Kaiden and Williams on to visit the Consort and getting a request to deal with a General badmouthing her. After abit of shopping in the next area and paying a visit to Barla Von, Kaiden reminds Shepard about the Council meeting as she makes a turn to go down into the wards. She lets out a whine as it interrupts her sight-seeing but nods as they make a b-line for the tower.
Once they ride the elevator up and arrive they are greeted by Pallin arguing with another turian. As they move closer Pallin dismisses the officer saying he wasn’t going to stall the council, and that the investigation was over. Chessa’s group moves closer as Pallin walks away and the turian donned in blue & black armor turns and addresses them. He was your usual build for a turian with simple markings crossing his face just under his eyes and down over his mandibles. Upon his face was a blue targeting visor over his left eye which was odd given he was an investigation officer. “Commander Shepard, Garrus Vakarian. I was the C-Sec officer in charge of the investigation into Saren.”
Shepard couldn’t help but pass her eyes over the turian. She could feel an air about him that he wasn’t your usual officer type. Though it could have been that like them, he looked to be in armor not casuals, wore a targeting reticule upon his head, and pistol upon his hip. He definitely didn’t look like your usual desk man, more like a cop out on patrol in a high danger zone. Shepard heard the turian clear his throat at least it’s what she thought that noise was as her eyes snap back up to his. She gives a small smile and crosses her arms. “Hmm sounds like you managed to get about as much evidence as us.”
“Yeah. Saren’s a spectre and as thus everything he touches is classified. Something about him rubs me the wrong way, and I can feel it in my gut that he’s up to something.”
Shepard nods, “Well that’s fairly obvious to us. Sure we only really have the ramblings of a man, but Nihlus was a Spectre and wouldn’t be caught off guard by a random Geth or scared dock worker.”
Garrus gives a nod himself. “I agree I knew Nihlus. It doesn’t make sense but if Saren is working with the Geth then he needs to be stopped.”
Kaiden chimes in softly, “Uh Commander the meeting.”
Shepard sighs hard, “I know. They’re waiting for us…” She takes a breath and smiles at Garrus stepping forward. “I admit I don’t know a lot of what’s going on but like you I know something is wrong here. I’d say not to give up on the investigation just yet, but I can already see it in your eyes you won’t. So instead I’ll say that I’ll see what I can do with the Council while you chase some leads. I’ve got a feeling we’ll be seeing each other again so till then Vakarian, take care.”
Shepard by now had moved right up to Garrus and he was getting nosefulls of her scent. His eyes stared at her he unsure what to do really. No other race had ever gotten this close to him before, and he’d never seen an anthro in person before. He could see in her eyes not fear or intimidation but maybe temptation. That look she has seems to entrance the turian as his eyes now look over her body yet he had no clue why. In his mind he was sizing her up, but his eyes must’ve lingered too long as a sudden snapping of fingers drew him from his trance and he sees her hand point up as his eyes where upon her legs. “I’m up here big guy.”
“Ah. Um...right. Yes. I’ll see what I can do. Good luck with the council Shepard. I have a feeling you’ll need it.”
A smirk curled upon her lips as she looks at the turian then nods. “I believe I will too.” Shepard moves past him now and heads towards the stairs as Armstrong calls her up and they vanish over the top of the stairs. Garrus couldn’t help but watch till she was out sight bringing up a taloned claw and placing it over his chin thinking. He couldn’t shake that look she gave him; there was just something about it. Normally others would keep their distance from a turian or at least show caution or unease when near. Yet she was within reach and didn’t waver. He could swear she even wanted him to make a move or something. He decided then and there that there definitely was something different about that female.
The meeting with the Council had already started and was turning out to be nothing more than a bunch of pointing fingers till Saren mentions the beacon.
“See that proves that you were there” Shepard would chime in, though Saren merely counters that he read the reports from Nihlus’s files when they went to him.
“Then how did the dockworker know your name and explain the scene perfectly of what was going on?” Armstrong states as he points a large hands to Saren.
“He was afraid obviously. He made it up to cover him having to kill Nihlus himself or held his attention long enough for the geth to do it.”
Armstrong scoffs glaring at him. “Bullshit you mutant lizard! If the Geth had done it the worker would have been dead too, and Nihlus was a spectre an untrained human never would’ve caught him off guard.”
“Not only that, but Eden Prime didn’t even know what the Geth looked like, so I bet they didn’t know what you looked like either. So how could he get your name and describe what you looked like? And don’t try and say that he just pulled it outta the blue as he was distressed and scared. You can’t think properly in that state.” Shepard yells out to halt Armstrong from getting too worked up.
“Humph. He was a smuggler and would have done anything to keep his name clear. Just like humans to shift the blame and point fingers at others. It’s why you need to learn your place, and aren’t ready to join the Council or the Spectres.” Saren says smugly as he crosses his arms.
“You bastard you can’t make that call I…”
“Quiet Armstrong. I have an idea...” Shepard hushes the man the steps forward. “It’s obvious Saren hates humanity and it’s been proven in his files, but since he wants to change the subject to hide his guilt then let’s change it. So Saren why don’t you tell everyone what happened to your arm huh, looks like a Geth arm to me. Also what’s with all those tubes and cybernetics linking into your chest and leg?”
All eyes fall upon Saren as he raises his arm looking at it a moment then closes it into a fist and narrows his eyes some. “I was careless on a recent mission and it cost me my arm. I was way out in the Traverse and couldn’t make it back to the Citadel for proper treatment. I had to make do with what I could get. It’s sloppy work but it’s functional.”
“You should’ve contacted a turian patrol for pickup. You know they could’ve been there in no time.” Sparatus would bring up.
“Sorry Councilor I didn’t have much of a choice. An artery had been struck and I would’ve bled out if not for the doctor running across me. It happened recently and I hadn’t had a chance to send out the reports. My apologies.” Saren looks sincerely at the Council and they nod and turn back to the group. Oh he was good, real good. Or maybe they were just too blind to see through his lies.
Armstrong growls and moves forward again. “Saren is hiding behind his position, and you fools are too blind to see it.”
Valern raises a hand to silence both sides and speaks up. “The point of this hearing isn’t about any grudges between species, nor some crude prosthesis arm. We need direct evidence to prove your claim and you clearly have nothing more than here says, and circumstantial evidence. If you have nothing more to bring then we must rule this hearing a mistrial.
Anderson steps forward now looking at Chessa and she kind of shakes her head knowing what he was about to say. “There’s still one outstanding issue: Shepard’s vision. The beacon may’ve caused it.”
Chessa just groans quietly and covers her face abit knowing this wouldn’t work. After all they’ve tried; some weird and clustered bunch of images wouldn’t sway them at all.
Saren crosses his arms and shifts to one side before turning and looking at the council. “So dreams count as evidence now? I can’t defend against some random thoughts.”
“I agree,” Sparatus speaks turning his head from Saren to the group. “We need facts and evidence, not imaginings and speculations, which is all you’ve given us.”
Chessa moves back up and beside Anderson to try her hand at it. “The reason captain Anderson brought it up is that I never had seen anything like these before. You all know dreaming is a collection of images being processed in the mind while sleeping, but only things you’ve seen before. Again I’ve never seen these before, if I may explain?” Chessa pauses and the councilors look between each other while Saren shifts slightly again and was staring bullets at Chessa. She gave a glance to him and both knew she had the vision from the beacon, but unlike Saren she didn’t know what it was.
Tavos nods and waves an arm. “Very well proceed with your explanation commander.” Sparatus just rolls his eyes not believing they were even entertaining this.
“Thank you councilor,” Chessa takes a breath to gather herself and form the words before starting. “You see when we arrived at the beacon it seemed like it was activated as was lit up and had a greenish aura about it. Before the geth captured it the scientists and Gunnery Chief Williams here stated it was inactive while at the dig site.” She turns and waves at arm to Williams to which she nods to confirm the words. “So by what had happened and been said Saren somehow knew how to activate the beacon as the geth likely wouldn’t know how, either way back to us. When we arrived it was active and seemed to draw our biotic Lieutenant Alenko towards it. We know protheans were biotics so it was likely reacting to his own biotics. Upon seeing this I ran and shoved him out of the way only to get lifted into the air by the beacon. That’s when I seen the images for the first time before the beacon exploded throwing me away and knocking me out. During the fifteen hours I was unconscious, Dr. Chakwas stated I had some unusual brain activity, abnormal beta waves, also an increase in rapid eye movement, which usually means dreaming.” The council and Saren look at each other as if not fully believing what she was saying. “I know it sounds crazy, but instead of knowledge or tech, what if this beacon had a message. A warning you could say. Could there be a way to at least examine these images?”
Again silence as the council speaks softly between each other before Tavos speaks up. “While I think we all can agree your visions as you call it can’t be evidence against Saren. Whatever was in that beacon is now gone, and even if you now have the warning there’s no real way to get them out.” Chessa looks down then bites her lip looking back up not wanting to ask but she had to. Tavos seemed to notice this, “I can see you wish to ask something, but are stopping yourself. Don’t feel you must stay your tongue in this case. Ask.”
Chessa nods and speaks softly but loud enough to be heard. “Well councilor there could be a way, but it’d likely be asking a lot. What about the mind meld asari’s do with a mate or partner? Could they pull or at least see the images in another’s mind during this?”
Tavos took her turn to be silent not really expecting this exact question from a human, but the chance was there. With it asked she had to answer so with a sigh she spoke. “In a sense yes commander that could be done. The thing is that only someone that is experienced enough could manage it without heavily tiring them, and risking becoming pregnant in the process. The only ones that could do that would be a matriarch, and despite us wanting to know what was in the beacon. I wouldn’t ask one to do it unless we were sure that’s what your vision is. I’m sorry.”
Chessa offers a smile and shook her head. “No reason to be. I fully understand your reasoning. Just had to ask ya know.”
Valern clears his throat to break the silence. “If that’s the last bit of evidence you wish to suggest I think this hearing is over.”
The group all look back and forth between each other with Udina going to step forward but Armstrong cutting him off. “Like it even matters. You already had decided before we even took the stand.”
The councilors all look back and forth between each other with Sparatus shaking his head and Tavos nodding to him. They all straighten up and Tavos speaks. “Due to no proper evidence all suspicions of betrayal and conspiracy against Saren Arterius are expunged. We of the council declare this a mistrial. This hearing is over.”
Saren smirks and talks smugly. “I’m glad to see justice was served today.”
Armstrong growls as Saren’s image vanishes and Chessa grabs his arm and gets the mountain of muscle to turn around and step down from the stand.
The group regathers nearby as Udina blames Anderson’s connection to Saren the reason for them not believing them though Shepard cuts in, “With all due respect Ambassador you can’t blame the Captain for their unwillingness to see the obvious. Without some kind of hard evidence they’ll just keep blowing us off.”
“What about that turian we met? He seemed like he was onto something.” Kaiden speaks up quickly.
“Yeah Garrus Vakarian I believe it was. He seemed like he wanted Pallin to stall the council to give him more time.” Ashley adds in.
“You could question a guy named Harkin,” Anderson chimes in. “He’s got his hands in some seedy stuff so he could likely know where that guy is. Likely getting drunk at Chora’s Den. Checking in with Barla Von couldn’t hurt either.”
Shepard nods looking around at them. “Sounds like a plan, and I believe it’d be best if we split up to cover both leads. I’ll head to Chora’s den to hunt down Vakarian with Alenko. Williams you and Armstrong go and see what Barla Von knows.”
Armstrong chuckles and crosses his arms smirking. “And just who put you in charge? Though I do agree that’s the best course of action. Be careful down in the wards.”
They hang around for a couple more moments to get some more information from Anderson about Saren and he notes how he didn’t look like that when they had their mission together. After this they all head off to gather more information, and hopefully find evidence against Saren.
