SfS-30

Salvaging from Strife[]

Chapter 30 - Initial Hurdles[]

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Part 1[]

Administrator Building
Elysium System

There were times, Commander Shepard reluctantly reflected, when he was sincerely grateful for his family's close ties to the Aurigan government and royal family.

There were all the perks, of course, but he also remembered being dragged to far too many formal events in his youth, paraded around as the next generation defending the Aurigan Coalition. Well, the experience was certainly helping now, standing on a stage in front of the Normandy Initiative, and right next to Arthur Steiner-Davion, youngest brother of the two competing claimants to the FedCom's throne, one of most important people in the Inner Sphere.

In hindsight, it wasn't really a surprise the royal was personally meddling in the Normandy Initiative. As a spare heir, he had been sent to Elysium to administer the Federated Commonwealth's colonies beyond the Tartarus Relay on behalf of his mother. When sister began fighting brother, he'd seized control and quelled the open fighting, declaring himself Viceroy Attica and the Tartarus March neutral.

There was, Shepard knew, speculation Arthur Steiner-Davion planned to break away from the Federated Commonwealth to rule the Tartarus March as an independent ruler. Officially, at least, the viceroy harbored no such ambition, only seeking to minimize the bloodshed. Either way, he needed to improve his legitimacy, something this event most assuredly did.

At the moment, the royal was beginning to wind down his long speech. "This truly is a momentous day for our two species. And so I bid you all, embrace the Quarians as new comrades, and give your utmost to what tasks are demanded of you! For this great new stride in our shared histories, the welding of Quarian and human might against those who would destroy us, we must accomplish swiftly. For our enemies do not wait, and nor shall we. For the Star League! For humanity!"

From above, so well-timed Shepard wondered how much effort had been put into the timing, multiple thin bright streaks sped across the sky to loud cheers. Human fighter escorts, an honour guard for the Quarian frigate landing on Elysium with the first batch of Quarian marines, vanguard to more Quarian vessels in orbit over Elysium.

Viceroy Arthur Steiner Davion stepped back from the microphone and turned with a smile to Shepard. "I leave the Normandy Initiative in your good hands, Commander Shepard. If you require any assistance, do not hesitate to come to me for help."

"Your generosity is most kind, viceroy," Shepard thanked him. The speakers were no longer broadcasting, and so he quietly added, face turned away from the cameras recording the speech, "you are aware the alliance is only temporary, and only against the Geth?"

"Naturally," the smile grew slightly wider, "but the Geth will be a menace for years to come. Great things can start from small, but such things take time to blossom. Eventually, I am sure the alliance will deepen, especially with victories to tie them closer to us. You will do your part, of course?"

"Of course, Viceroy." Shepard answered. And with that, Viceroy Arthur Steiner-Davion departed the stage, with one last wave to the cameras. Taking a deep breath, Commander Shepard of the Normandy Initiative stepped forwards to address the crowd himself. The frigate was landing soon, and there was much to do.

Part 2[]

Elysium System

Star Commander Moreau was in a good mood as he strolled towards the hanger. The pilots of the Quarian fighter squadron were much better company than his old Star Captain, always worrying about protocol and honor. These aliens knew how to enjoy flying. He was looking forward to pitting his Focht OmniFighter against them soon. The Quarians, who lived their entire lives in the void, had boasted of their fighters' superiority, and he had the Clans' honor to defend. Merely practice, of course, to test their mettle, but a fine challenge, nonetheless.

A crash from the hanger caught his attention, followed by shouts. Some of them in an alien tongue. He broke into a hasty sprint past other startled personnel and rounded the last corner to see Star Captain Showers amidst scattering Quarian pilots, pinning one of them against the ground. His face was frozen in a rictus of rage, distorting the myriad fiber-optic cables visible just beneath the skin, but the eyes were vacant.

Thoughts flew rapidly through Moreau's mind as he pushed past startled or fleeing Techs. Moreau had met the trueborn Mechwarrior only briefly after their arrival on Elysium. That he was of Clan Stone Jaguar, and the EI Neural implants he and the rest of his Star bore, discouraged further interaction. Alas, that was now impossible, and so the pilot mentally braced himself for what was to come.

Slowing down to a confident stride, Moreau declared, "Star Captain Showers, these Quarians are my responsibility." He kept his voice firm and steady. It would not do to show weakness in front of a Jaguar. "Unhand them at once!"

The massive Mechwarrior stood up to face him, hauling the struggling Quarian up by the neck. Slowly, the eyes focused on Moreau. "Ah, Star Commander Moreau, was it? I am merely teaching these impudent aliens their proper place."

"All I said," the Quarian protested through a squeezed throat, "was that our people's history were similar. We were both exiled-"

Ere the alien could continue, Captain Showers hurled him against the floor violently. "Hear how he insults the Great Father's Exodus!" the Mechwarrior snarled. "It is the way of the Wolves to coddle weaklings and humiliate yourselves, but Clan Smoke Jaguar-"

Moreau interrupted the other Clanner, ignoring Captain Shower's superior rank and rant. "Star Captain, these aliens are our allies. We are to treat them as honoured guests. Stand down before you disgrace your Clan further."

Star Captain Showers glared murderously at Moreau, the implants on his face strobing eratically. "I partook in the Clans' glorious return to the Inner Sphere. I earned my Bloodname vanquishing freebirth and alien scum," he growled, taking a slow, loud step forwards. "Thirty years of triumph and glory for my Clan, and you dare suggest I, a trueborn, can bring shame to my Clan?" Another loud thud of his boot. "You mock me at your own peril, Star Commander Moreau. Perhaps you require a reminder why I am Star Captain, and you a mere Star Commander." His fists clenched tightly, and the knuckle cracks rang loud in Moreau's ears.

"I am an aerospace pilot, Star Captain. There is no honour in defeating me in physical combat, quiaff? There will be ample glory in battle with Geth." Moreau tried a disarming smile, and inwardly hoped the Star Captain was sane enough. If not, he would be spending a long time in a Medbay. Compared to the Elemental or Mechwarrior phenotypes, he might as well be a brittle-boned cripple.

Star Captain Showers glared at him, glowing lines bulging like digital veins across his face, before looking around, apparently only just noticing the hanger security arriving and surrounding them. "Be grateful I am feeling merciful today, Star Commander," he growled, as his implants dimmed into a steady glow. "Take care your charges do not cross Clan Smoke Jaguar again." He stormed away, shoving past the guards in his way. The security, though they were Spheroids, knew better than to stop him.

Moreau bent down and helped the fallen Quarian up. The alien moaned in pain, "What's wrong with him?"

"Clan Smoke Jaguar has a certain reputation. Though his Enhanced Imaging Neural Implants would not have helped," Moreau muttered. "Better than neurohelmets, and thus some warriors use them to gain an edge, but there are some side effects, particularly with age." Some was understating it. He intended to die in battle before ever resorting to the implants himself.

"Some? Bosh'tet, that human went from normal to crazy just like that!" the Quarian exclaimed. "And you humans are fine placing him in a BattleMech?"

"Star Captain Showers is still a fine warrior," Moreau assured them and himself. "Mayhaps old beyond his prime, but his superiors would have shifted him to a solahma unit if he were unfit for active duty. Though I would recommend staying away from him." Hoping to steer the topic somewhere better, he cracked a grin and said, "so, since his Mech is stuck on the ground, how about we go for a flight together?"

Part 3[]

"Lady Zorah!"

She was starting to deeply hate those two words. Not even being waist-deep inside a Mech was enough to avoid them. Rather than loudly express her annoyance, she settled merely for pulling herself out of the open torso and glaring at the unfamiliar human on the nearby gantry interrupting her work. "What?" She demanded harshly.

The male, wearing one of the many fancy uniforms of the humans, bowed deeply before speaking, "Please do forgive my impertinence, Lady Zorah. I am Major Hasek, of the Federated Commonwealth and loyal servant of Victor Davion. I heard of the deeply distressing assault on your subordinate by those Clan brutes. I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathies personally, and freely offer my support and aid to you and your people."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary." Tali told him with forced politeness. "The matter is already being handled."

The alien didn't get the message, remaining where he stood. "So I've heard, but I fear the results will disappoint you. I have some experience and knowledge in these matters, and unfortunately, too many of those who control the Normandy Initiative give those barbarians and their savage ways too much leeway. For the sake of our alliance, it is prudent that people like us work together to achieve our shared goals."

"I'm busy, and that's not my job," Tali finally snapped, her patience spent. "Now get lost."

"Very well, my apologies for intruding." The human smiled widely. "Still, when you need assistance or advice with human matters, please do not be afraid to reach out to me and my friends." He reached into a pocket, pulling out a gilded physical card and laying it onto a nearby workbench, bowing once more before finally departing.

Tali was still glaring in his direction when Smithon returned to the Mech Bay, wheeling a cart piled high with components. The mechanic looked up at Tali, glanced back briefly, then asked, "Who was that handsome?"

Before Tali could reply, Smithon scrambled up the gantry and snatched up the card. "Hey, a Major! Congrats, Tali. You're making friends."

"He's not a friend, just someone who wants something from me," Tali grumbled as she climbed down from the Mech. "My father made sure I understood, once I was old enough to do so."

"Hmm, you're right," Smithon mused thoughtfully, putting the card back down. "You're a princess, you need to aim bigger than some lowly Major."

Tali nearly missed her next step, and it took her another moment to respond. "A princess?" She asked incredulously. "I'm not a princess!"

"Your father's one of the five Admirals who rule the quarians. That makes you a princess, definitely a high noble at least."

"That's not how the Quarian Admiralty works!" Tali corrected Smithon firmly. "Admirals aren't hereditary, they're appointed by the Board with approval from the Conclave. And our government is led by the Conclave, not the Admiralty."

Smithon grinned and blinked one eye. "Sure, sure, just like the Canopians and Taurians. After all, who's better suited for leadership than the Admiral's daughter, prepared her whole life long for the role?"

Tali stared at her, making several false starts before finally saying, "I give up." Wryly, she added, "you know, if I really am a princess, why am I the one getting my hands dirty?"

Smithon shot back immediately, "Why, Princess Tali, it is your noble duty to show us commoners how to do things properly." Head Engineer Yang entered their bay with a distracted expression, and Smithon called to him, "Hey, boss, come give Tali one of your dad's speeches about posh nobles!"

Chief Engineer Yang looked between the two of them. "Well, as it happens," he said, "I have an invitation to an evening dance for Lady Zorah."

"No," Tali said flatly.

"What?" Smithon cried out. "What about the dancing, the gossip, the handsome young men?" Yang coughed, and Smithon blushed, before saying, "I mean, most of Normandy Command's elite will be there, as will the Elysium nobility and other notable guests. You need to go there and make a good impression on them."

Tali pointedly began digging through the cart, picking out the items she needed. "Captain Kar'Danna is in command of the quarian expedition. He should be the one going."

"He's invited too, you can go together." Yang's expression softened. "Look, Tali, Lady Zorah, you have responsibilities. There's a difference between just a young engineer looking for a job and the daughter of a ruling House. In the eyes of everyone here, you represent the quarians."

Tali considered trying, once more, to correct the misconception, but only insisted, "I just completed my pilgrimage, like every other quarian. My job is as an engineering liaison, more of the work I'd done with the Star Hunters. Who my father is shouldn't matter."

Yang nodded and said, "A lot of young nobles go incognito, from the Great Houses too. Want to prove their own merit, rather than coasting on their family name. You wouldn't be the first one." Tali's glower was concealed by her helmet, and went unobserved by the human, who continued. "But the secret's out now. Captain Kar'Danna may be the one with the rank, but you're the admiral's daughter. Not to mention Noveria."

"Oh yeah," Smithon added. "That's the sort of stuff the nobles will be lapping up." She was about to speak on, but Yang waved a hand at her.

"My father didn't like nobility, had bad experiences with them from his time in the Capellan Confederation. Greedy, uncaring, parasite, he used to say while telling me bedtime stories, though he did admit there were some rare exceptions. Frankly, I sometimes agree with him. That you're willing to put in proper work like the rest of us certainly makes you a far sight better than most nobles I've met."

He paused briefly, then continued, "That doesn't change the fact that what the nobles think matters. Not all of them are the same, but that you are Lady Zorah, daughter of Admiral Zorah, does matter. Captain Kar'Donna won't carry as much weight. If this alliance is to work, you need to be talking with them."

With a sigh, Tali put her hands down on the cart. "Alright, fine, I'll go. Give me the details. Anything I should know?"

"You'll need a dress, a good one," Smithon decided for her. "Can't be a cheap mass-produced one, it needs to be a custom make. Maybe Commander Shepard knows a tailor on Elysium?"

"Speaking of which," Yang interrupted her, "have either of you seen Commander Shepard today? I haven't been able to reach him all day."

"Badger said one of the ComStar adepts grabbed Shepard this morning," Smithon replied. "Some important task from Precentor Udina I think."

Part 4[]

"Just picture it! A gray, flat plain of ash, then suddenly! Out of the fog, Geth march into view, shooting at fleeing children! They march past the camera, and now we look down, at skulls and bones of the slain littering the ground. Then, a boot. Your boot, Shepard. Zoom out, get a good look at you. Not in those ugly rags of course, a fabulous uniform, fresh from my designers. And you kneel down on one knee, picking up a skull, and the camera takes in your face. Grieving, but resolute, and firm and filled with DETERMINATION! You look straight into the camera, standing up again, and say, in this tone, remember, "For honour, for humanity, for the Star League." And the camera pans out, and behind you Mechwarriors from each Great House and all across the Star League are visible, standing at attention and ready to destroy the Geth under the bright banner of the Normandy Initiative! Which is shining brightly above your heroic looking face, by the way."

"A masterpiece!" The portly man flung his hands wide, a manic gleam in his eyes.

Shepard desperately cast his eyes left and right to the others present, before weakly suggesting, "Maybe we could try something else? I fight for the Normandy Initiative, and this is my Mech?"

"What! We are crafting a story for the ages, not a stupid commercial. You think anybody's interested if you say 'Hi, I'm Shepard, and this is my favorite Mech on the dropship'? No, you need a visionary, one who's not afraid to break the stale, boring mould and inspire billions, no, trillions with his brilliance!"

…

"There's the Canopian director, and a Kuritan one too."

"She's worse, and he's Kuritan."

"I'll risk it." Shepard decided.