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Salvaging from Strife[]
Chapter 26 - Consequences[]
Part 1[]
TOP NEWS STORIES
CONFIRMED: MATRIARCH BENEZIA MURDERED
RACHNI RETURN, EXPERTS CONFIRM FOOTAGE
TURIAN HIERARCHY INVADES THE FREE SYSTEM OF NOVERIA
"We will await your next report eagerly, Spectre Vasir," Councillor Tevos spoke. The hologram of the asari Spectre in the Council chamber nodded and vanished, upon which the Councillor slumped and leaned forwards against her podium. "Not a single piece of evidence recovered from the research facility," she complained quietly. "Noveria certainly takes the privacy of its clients seriously."
"Information from Noveria Development Corporation is insufficient, clearly uncooperative." Valern commiserated with her. "We are still reliant on the humans and the Normandy Bug-Vid as the primary source of information."
Tevos winced at the crude nickname. The raw and bloody combat footage, extracted from one of the human's combat exosuits and released onto the extranet by humans with apparently no concept of discretion, had been the most widely distributed and discussed sensation of the galaxy for the last few days, with both actual and self-proclaimed experts endlessly dissecting the details. Some reporter coined the term Bug-vid early on, and the panic and rumours the Citadel was now fighting to suppress certainly felt like an unstoppable swarm.
"At least the footage is genuine." she said. "It matches records from the Rachni War, and is consistent with what little information your STG operatives were able to uncover. We are still dealing with a research facility which successfully brought the rachni back from extinction, and a queen which has escaped captivity. Regardless of what the Human Star League and Noveria are still hiding, that will not change."
"In that case, the Turian 41st Flotilla will maintain the blockade of Noveria," was all Councillor Sparatus said.
Tevos shot a look of exasperation at him, but Councillor Valern spoke before she could. "Sparatus, the Noveria Development Corporation has already lodged a protest to the Citadel Council and the Batarian Alliance, demanding recognition of its independence and cessation of the blockade," the salarian reminded the turian. "An escalation by Noveria to direct military action against your ships cannot be ruled out."
"No," Councillor Sparatus agreed, "which is why the Eighth Fleet is mobilizing for an extended deployment to the relay cluster as we speak. Incidentally, the Turian Hierarchy is preparing a formal motion for a full quarantine of the Noveria system until the rachni queen has been dealt with."
"It is only one queen."
Sparatus retorted with surprising agitation, "One queen on the loose that has yet to be found. How long before the rachni begin overrunning our worlds again? This threat must be dealt with now, before it can grow."
"The Rachni War happened before your Hierarchy made contact with us, Sparatus." Tevos calmly assured. "The Citadel races are more advanced and stronger now. And even the rachni need industry and element zero for Warships, things the queen sorely lacks. There will not be another Rachni War. But we must tread carefully, lest the Terminus Systems pull the Citadel races into a galactic war."
The turian councillor had been glowering at empty space in front of him while she spoke, and he reluctantly nodded. "You are probably correct, as usual, but there is still a chance you are wrong. And I do not like the possible reasons Binary Helix had for bringing back the rachni. We need more information, including from Matriarch Benezia."
Tevos knew what he was about to suggest again. "I thought we were in agreement, the investigation into Matriarch Benezia's actions will be conducted solely by the Asari Republics," she flatly refused, glaring at her turian colleague. "Assistance from the Turian Hierarchy or Salarian Union is unnecessary."
"There is no denying her involvement with Binary Helix and the rachni, Tevos," Sparatus stubbornly argued, "It doesn't matter how important or respected she was, this is not an internal affair of the asari, but an issue that concerns the whole of Citadel space."
"Enough of this bickering," Valern cut in with an annoyed tone. "The two of you can continue when I'm not around. Moving on, we need to locate Saren so he can explain his actions. Unfortunately, he's still nowhere to be found. If he's in the Human Sphere, he's so far failed to make contact. Most likely he did arrive on Coromodir before the geth occupation and is now trapped there. If he's still alive."
"Yes," Sparatus slowly considered, putting aside his quarrel with Tevos with familiar professionalism, "we must consider the possibility Saren is dead or otherwise incapacitated. Standard protocol for a Spectre missing in action is to assign another Spectre to uncover what they can and wrap up any unfinished tasks."
He paused, then continued, "In that case, I propose Spectre Nihlus. He's currently investigating ComStar's coverup on Feros, but this takes priority. Saren was his mentor, and the two have worked together on joint assignments. He will, I believe, have the best odds of recovering Saren's information and taking over from him."
"No objections." Valern immediately replied, and looked towards Tevos. She nodded, and the salarian continued, "might as well do it now. Sending communications request to Spectre Nihlus. Incidentally, any suggestions for Ambassador Udina?"
Merely the mention of the name was enough to make Tevos' brain ache harder. The human ambassador had so far refused to give the Council any more information beyond the Normandy Bug-vid. Bargaining for concessions, no doubt, even in the middle of a crisis. The other human ambassadors were of no help either. She hoped the other non-Council races were not becoming jealous of how often the humans received an audience with the Council, or they might start getting ideas.
"We will have ample time to think of something," Tevos said instead. "Thank the Goddess he's at that Jumpship photoshoot instead of making another of his demands."
Part 2[]
TOP NEWS STORIES
THE AURIGAN WAR RAGES ON
WARNINGS AGAINST THIRD SKYLLIAN INFERNO
VENUS PEACE CONFERENCE A FAILURE, HUMAN STAR LEAGUE REMAINS IN STATE OF CIVIL WAR
Precentor Donnel Udina smiled blandly at the clueless idiot keeping him from doing his job. "Oh please, Baron Gutenberg," he flattered, "let me assure you I find your company immeasurably more pleasant than those aliens."
The white-haired noble from the Serpent Trade Union beamed and prattled on about inanities Udina tuned out, automatically spitting out platitudes as his thoughts wandered. ComGuards on Feros reported that Spectre Nilius, or whatever the name was, was snooping around again. No doubt on behalf of his friend. A pity an accident wouldn't wrap things up cleanly. Perhaps…, no, not worth the risk of yet another diplomatic incident. The Citadel will happily take the opportunity to meddle with the Star League. Bad enough a C-Sec officer is already spying on the Normandy Initiative already...
Something Baron Gutenberg jabbered drew the Precentor's mind back to the conversation. "Baron Gutenberg, I beg your pardon," he interrupted, "are you requesting more money?"
At least the old fool had the sense to look mildly embarrassed. "It is somewhat painful to admit, of course," the Baron chuckled lightly, "but the recent instability with the aliens and back home has increased the cost of operations significantly. Anti-human sentiment is driving profits down while many of our financial reserves have become difficult to access. Given ComStar's patronage of Star League cultural exchanges, I had hoped you would assist the smooth operation of our Serpent Nebula jumpship fleet."
You greedy short-sighted fool. Melissa Steiner lavished your Serpent Trade Union with donations and gifts, so the Federated Commonwealth could say its jumpships were operating in the capital of the galaxy. And now she's dead, her daughter Katherine Steiner-Davion may have raised you to Baron to curry favour with Skye, but neither she nor her brother Viktor are willing to spare resources to help you, are they?
ComStar would have to assist the Serpent Trade Union, however much it galled him. The KF-drive was one of the few fields humanity still possessed an edge in, if only because none of the aliens were interested in an alternate FTL method to their own mass effect drives. If jumpships weren't economically competitive even in the Serpent Nebula, one of the safest and most densely populated regions of space outside the Inner Sphere. It would be an unacceptable blow to humanity's pride, and Blake's vision for his people.
I wonder who else you've been courting for patronage. The party, organized and hosted by the Serpent Trade Union, was in one of the hydroponics gardens of the jumpship Robert Marsden, parked a few light seconds from the Citadel, redesigned as a zero-G pleasure garden for passengers. Representatives from every Star League embassy on the Citadel were floating to and fro, the very image of high-class socializing. And underneath that civilized veneer, the politics and scheming that destroyed the old Star League. And I must play along, to fulfill Blake's dream of a united mankind guided by the faithful. One of the guests nearby caught his eye.
"I can't make any promises," Precentor Udina forced out, "but ComStar's associate banks may be able to provide some loans. Now if you'll excuse me, I believe the charming young lady over there is quite eager to talk with me."
As quickly as propriety permitted, Udina rapidly distanced himself away from Baron Gutenberg. His target dismissed the courtiers attending her as he approached, and greeted him with a gentle, well-practiced smile.
"Precentor Udina," Lady Chandler of the Free Worlds League said with feigned exasperation, "come to preach the Word of Blake to me again?"
"You made your opinion of our holy work clear the first time we met, my Lady," Precentor Udina growled. "I wouldn't presume to bother with such a hopeless cause. No, Lady Chandler, I was hoping to discuss the Normandy Initiative."
"Normandy this, Normandy that, I must say it is becoming quite annoying." Lady Chandler tittered. "The Free Worlds League has been firm on this. We cannot endanger our people's safety by wasting even more resources on such a pointless venture." Her gaze turned calculating. "Maybe with a buffer zone in FedCom space to keep the fighting away from us, something could be arranged to support the campaign in the Aurigan Reach."
"That is utterly impossible," Udina flatly rejected the outrageous suggestion. "You aren't taking this seriously enough."
"Yes, yes, the geth invasion of the Aurigan Reach is a threat to the Free Worlds League as well, you've lectured everyone on that. But the Normandy Initiative is clearly doing well enough as is. Everyones seen the Noveria Bug-vid and Commander Shepard's triumph over Matriarch Benezia. I'm more concerned about the war in the Federated Commonwealth spilling over into our space and the Batarians enslaving our new colonies."
"The Normandy Initiative can benefit its backers richly, Lady Chandler." Udina quietly promised. "A wealth of information was captured from Spectre Arterius on Noveria. Dangerous information of course, only to be accessed by those who can use it responsibly, but then…"
The lady eyed him warily, before finally saying, "You're making this offer to everyone here, aren't you?"
Whatever it takes to ensure the Normandy Initiative succeeds. "You've seen the effectiveness of Saren's bioweapon research. Doubtless he has more secrets tucked away, and whether they are to the Free World League's boon or bane, that will depend on the success of the Initiative."
Lady Chandler silently contemplated a rose bed nearby. "An intriguing offer. I wonder, what of the Asari prisoner, Benezia's daughter? Has she anything to offer?"
"Alas, Precentor Shepard had to release her. The Asari Republics were most insistent, but that need not concern you."
Part 3[]
TOP NEWS STORIES
NOVERIA RELEASES INFORMATION ON PRISONERS
QUEEN OF OMERGA T'LOAK DENIES LINKS TO NORMANDY INITIATIVE, SHOOTS REPORTER
QUARIAN FLEET SILENT ON QUARIAN PRISONER
"Precentor Shepard, confirmation from the last transport. All Normandy Initiative assets and personnel have now safely departed Omega."
"Good," was her curt reply. "No trouble from the Queen of Omega?" Their last meeting had been unpleasant.
"We are leaving Omega," Shepard said immediately. "I sincerely apologies for any difficulties we may have caused you, and bring gifts as thanks for your hospitality." Aria T'Loak simply glared at her for what felt like forever, before opening her mouth.
"Negative," the Adept confirmed. "She sent a massive bill to the MRB, but that's it."
Shepard nodded. The Normandy Initiative would set up on Elysium for now, while she negotiated the release of the prisoners on Noveria. Not the best choice, but tolerable. If nothing else, the additional security against batarian raids would help them gain political support, and the military facilities on Elysium would be useful.
Her eyes swept the bridge of the ComStar Dropship. The crew were diligently manning their stations, on alert against any surprises from the Turian armada and Noveria's defenders. Intelligence suggested a Spectre was with the Turian armada, and in her experience, those boded trouble just by being in the same star cluster. And trouble was coming.
On the tactical screen, the Asari T'Soni's ship was still marked, but Shepard paid her little attention. She wasn't worth the cost of a war with the rest of the Asari, and with Matriarch Benezia dead, she was of little use anyway. No, what concerned her the most was the large fleet of Quarian warships approaching from the mass relay in the outer system, due to arrive soon.
"They're definitely Quarian and military, but the traffic buoys aren't providing any additional information, Precentor. They started FTL towards Noveria immediately, we won't see them before they drop out of FTL. Recommend ordering the fleet to battle stations." Shepard eyed the Turian fleet fluidly reorienting itself towards the incoming threat with alien grace, and agreed with the dropship captain.
Sensors picked up the moment the Quarian fleet decelerated below the speed of light. Alarms rang on the bridge and faintly in the rest of the dropship. They were still slowing down, but the alien warships were dangerously close, and their course put them on a direct intercept with Precentor Shepard.
"Precentor, Quarian Admiral Rael'Zorah wishes to speak with Normandy Relay Command."
"Patch him through to me," Shepard commanded.
Something niggled at her memory.
"Recently left the Quarian Migrant Fleet on a traditional coming of age rite, no red flags or suspicious activity. No connections to anybody Citadel or Terminus. Just a normal Quarian." Adept Ereth told her, reading ROM's assessment of the sole alien left in her nephew's mercenary unit. "Tali'Zorah is of minimal risk to the Normandy Initiative." Precentor Shepard nodded.
"Tali'Zorah."
"Wait, Adept," Shepard urgently asked, "what did you say the name was?"
Before the adept could reply, the holoscreen lit up, displaying a Quarian. Shepard couldn't identify the alien based on their all-concealing suit, but the furious voice was enough of a clue.
"What. Have. You. Done. With. My. Daughter!"