Massive Disaster 5-9
Chapter 9
Jesus, this place loves itself. Glasses held in one hand, Zedd tapped the silver frames against his chin as Commander John Shepard said his piece. Purpose-built echo chamber for massive egos.
Expansive and overdone, the meeting chambers of the Citadel Council did their part in matching the three individuals who made it up, all self-important and shiny in a way that didn’t even look as good as they thought it did. He took in a breath, the air cold, recycled and stale; again, just like the people who pretty much called it home.
His hand dropped until blue lenses met the black of his shirt, Zedd’s lips forming a thin line to match everyone else as he stood on a small, isolated platform in the center of the vast, circular room. Light from a dozen holo-projectors bathed down on him, the faces of the Citadel Councilors looming massive and impassive. None of them had looked at him yet; faces all professional and neutral, the kind of thing that took practice to pull off.
Look at them. He shifted his weight where he stood, one hand adjusting his coat. A lizard, bird and frog in a fishbowl. Don’t tap the glass…
Anderson stood at the forefront, posture rigid and dress uniform as immaculate as ever; the man a statue of Alliance dignity. The twins Shepard flanked him; John’s face set in a grim focused stare as he stepped back from delivering his testimony while Jane was all coiled predatory stillness, neither of them looking at all happy to be here.
Granted, a few hours with Jane Shepard and he’d bet enough money to field an army that she was never happy anywhere.
The Butcher stepped forward, red shock of hair bouncing a little as her voice rang out loud in the cavernous space. “Councillors. I am Lieutenant Commander Jane Shepard of the Systems Alliance. You’re well aware that approximately thirty-six hours ago, the human colony of Eden Prime was attacked by a Geth army of unknown size and composition. You’ve read the reports made available. You’ve heard my brother’s testimony. I am here to corroborate the testimony of Lieutenant Commander John Shepard and his claim that the attack was led by one of your own; Spectre Saren Arterius.”
The accusation hung in the air, harder and unyielding in the voice of the shorter Shepard; a thrown grenade primed to go off.
There was no explosion, though; seconds passed in the hall as all three councilors stared with faces so still that Zedd almost had to wonder if the holograms were running on a longer delay than he thought. Citadel running a cheap hookup?
As funny as that would’ve been, the Turian Councillor broke that mental image as he leaned forward, mandibles pressed tight together in the warhawk equivalent of a scowl. “A bold claim, Lieutenant Commander. One that you have yet to substantiate with anything more than the word of a single, traumatized soldier.”
John stood silent, blue eyes ice and jaw tight enough to snap steel.
If the Hero of Elysium could snap steel, his sister looked ready to melt it as she glared raw heat at each of the three uptight aliens. “My brother’s testimony is not the product of trauma.” As level as her voice was, the anger in it snapped like brittle ice, hands held loose at her side even as each finger twitched. “It is the result of direct, forced contact with a Prothean beacon that showed him a threat that makes the Geth look like a footnote.”
“This threat…” The Turian scoffed at the word, mandibles twitching as he shook his head. “We are already dealing with your attempt to defame a decorated Spectre, and you thrust some mystical prophecy gleaned from faulty and forgotten technology. This honorable Council deals in evidence, Lieutenant Commander, not in superstition.”
“And the context of this evidence only casts it further into doubt.” The Asari Councillor’s voice was a smooth, melodic counterpoint to Sparatus’s gravel; the quintessential Asari tones against the stereotypical Turian.
Do they just pick the biggest stereotypes for this job or…
“Your report indicates the presence of another party at the scene.” Councillor Tevos continued, massive holographic eyes focusing directly on Zedd as he raised an eyebrow back at the blue-skinned projection. “Zedd Victors.”
Every head, holographic and real, turned his way as he tapped his chest with his glasses. “Yo.”
Just that one syllable was already a finger against the enclosure, Zedd biting back a wince as soon as it left his lips. Don’t tap the glass, man. He knew he couldn’t help himself sometimes, but… Learn your limits, Zee.
“A man whose affiliated organizations,” Tevos didn’t let his attempt at humor stop her from getting her little speech off, the Asari as old as the country he was born in going strong. “Each and every one of them operating against the interests of galactic safety and stability. A known and present belligerent to Council interests, who has engaged in unlawful technological development and has been credibly linked to the deaths of STG operatives.”
“Well…” An elbow from Nina had him bite his tongue. They were nosy little frogs, though. How’s that my fault? He clicked his tongue, the sound loud enough to echo as the angrier Shepard looked his way. Oh, come on. You’d do it too.
“His presence at the scene of this… incident… casts a significant shadow of doubt over all of your claims. This entire proceeding might as well be pointless.” Tevos punctuated her words with a hum, the Asari closing her eyes in a mask of wise sorrow that was so fake it made Zedd frown looking at it. “To trust such a narrative that is so deeply entangled with a known rogue element? That would go against the standards of the Council in upholding justice.”
…oh, she’s good. He nodded his head. A bit too thick with it, but good.
Anderson stepped in front of the bullet again, one arm aimed back Zedd’s way. “Zedd Victors saved lives on Eden Prime. His team helped us hold the line. Without his intervention, the casualty count from the assault would have been much higher, councilors.”
“An assault he may be connected with, Captain?” Tevos’ counter was smooth as Asari skin, the aged blue bitch shaking her head. “Instability is, after all, Mr. Victors’ primary export.”
“Alright.”
All eyes landed on him again, Zedd taking one step forward as he held a hand up. Fuck tapping the glass, I’m breaking it. “Let’s be real here, you can’t be all about evidence and rule of law and then just start throwing everything on me without even trying to make up evidence.” Zedd clicked his tongue, sliding his aviators into the pocket of his jacket. “C’mon, you three are smarter than that… I hope.”
“The Geth platforms you encountered, Lieutenant Commander…” As if Zedd was a ghost, the third Councilor began like he heard nothing; his large, black frog-like eyes blinking fast with each syllable. “Describe their weapon yields. Were they standard plasma rifles, or did you observe any energy signatures consistent with the advanced technology, seen in your brother’s… vision?”
Jane opened her mouth to answer again, but Zedd beat her to it as he took a second step forward. “First of all, you know you heard me.”
The Salarian blinked his way, finally done pretending like Zedd didn’t exist. “Mr. Victors, your belligerence was noted and dismissed. The integrity of the galaxy’s defense depends on accurate threat assessment.”
Zedd scoffed, air leaving his mouth in a burst as he reached into his other jacket pocket and pulled a small sleek chip from it. Holding it up in the air, Zedd twirled the thing between his thumb and pointer, eyes firmly on the three aliens. “Why ask her to guess when you can just see for yourself?”
He held the chip up higher.
“Complete recordings from the whole fight. High-resolution sensor logs, Geth comm packets, full-spectrum everything you need.” He waved his hand from side to side, watching Councillor Valern track the chip. He wasn’t surprised as the Salarian’s massive eyes widened slightly, a flicker of curiosity warring with a healthy amount of caution.
“Fascinating.” Valern’s hands twitched a bit as he spoke. “If your data is uncorrupted and unedited, it could be invaluable…”
“Invaluable for what?” The Turian in the chambers snapped out, tone dripping with all the distrust the bird could hold as he slammed the door shut on that idea. “Verifying a nonsense story meant to malign one of our own? No, we will not be entertaining any ‘evidence’ provided by a known galactic terrorist.”
Zedd pulled a face. “Oh, so now you call me a terrorist. Just cause I won’t let the Vigilant Fist “patrol” near VCA colonies?” The last fleet the Turians had sent on their ‘peacekeeping’ patrols had taken more than a bloody nose, the Blueguard testing out their newest line of combat ships against the warhawks. Gunmetals doing good work.
Sparatus’ mandibles twitched, the hologram not helping the Turian hide his irritation. “Data from an unregulated entity is easily fabricated and, as such, inadmissible. This Council will not take your poisoned fruit.”
Tevos nodded slowly. “Even with independent corroboration, Mr. Victors’ data is merely… an anecdote, and a highly suspect one at that.”
Zedd just smirked. Predictable. He tossed the chip in the air, watching it spin — a tiny piece of plastic that held the truth of the chaos — and caught it with a snap of his wrist. “Your loss.”
He slid the data-chip back in his pocket, deciding to leave everything else he had to say where it currently was; bouncing around his head. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when the sky starts burning.
The hearing was already on the verge of collapse, the Council managing to turn bureaucracy into arrogance and skepticism into stupidity. Captain Anderson stepped forward again to take point, mouth open for some kind of dramatic heroic speech most likely.
Then the air shimmered.
Zedd froze at the sight; a new holographic figure materializing beside the three Councillors.
Saren.
Saren Arterius stood tall, even as a hologram; the SPECTRE cutting a towering predatory silhouette with his Turian frame encased in angular gunmetal armor. Cold blue light threaded through the seams of that armor, cables and plating fused into a single harsh-looking setup. The warhawk’s face was a mass of hostile ridges and bone crests, mandibles set hard around a sharp Turian mouth. “Councillors. Captain Anderson. Lieutenant Commanders Shepard.”
The SPECTRE gave a slight nod to each, seemingly the spitting image of respect. “I came as soon as I heard the disturbing allegations that have been spreading. I wish to express my deepest sympathies for the lives lost on Eden Prime and offer my full cooperation in your investigation.”
The hologram turned to face the Shepard twins, the Turian managing to look almost straight-up paternal with all the disappointment on his face. “I’ve taken it upon myself to review the preliminary reports, Commanders. It’s the least I could do with such charges, of course.” Saren shook his head, the motion slow and careful. “It’s with no great joy that I’m forced to defend myself, because I do understand.” The mandibles clicked slowly, a tut-tut-tut sound echoing through the Council chambers. “Yet, I have to conclude that these brave soldiers are the victims of a tragic, but understandable, misinterpretation of events.”
His eyes focused firmly on John. “Lieutenant Commander Shepard is a hero of the Alliance, a symbol of human resilience and is also, by his own service record, a sterling paragon of Alliance loyalty. His entire identity is built on defending humanity’s interests. It is not surprising that after a traumatic event and exposure to an ancient artifact of completely unknown function, his mind would construct a narrative that implicates a non-human Spectre; a convenient scapegoat that aligns perfectly with his ingrained worldview.”
The Spectre turned his attention to Jane. “And how could I forget, Lieutenant Commander Shepard… the Butcher of Torfan.” Saren let out a low sound, a Turian hum. “A soldier known for her… unrelenting and ruthless efficiency. Someone who sees threats and conspiracies where others see only chaos. Is it so hard to believe that she would interpret a chaotic Geth attack as a targeted conspiracy, especially when it provides a clear enemy to fight and a clear path to greater authority?”
Saren’s gaze finally, slowly, settled on him, that understanding expression hardening all of a sudden as Zedd stared back with a single raised eyebrow.
“But the most damning element of this entire affair is him,” Saren raised one taloned finger to point it firmly at Zedd. “Victors, a man who instigates wars upon non-human colonies.”
Batarian-owned colonies. Zedd tutted back, mouth shut as he smiled.
“An insurgent who has actively and violently engaged with Council interests, creating his pet abominations while proudly calling them “super” soldiers.” Saren shook his head with a loud grunt. “And this is the company your star witnesses keep? This is the man they fought alongside, whose unverified data they present as fact?”
The star Spectre looked back at the Council as he spread his hands wide, clearly convinced by his logic as the three alien leaders ate up his speech. “Councillors, this is not an investigation. It is a politically motivated witch hunt, orchestrated by a pair of compromised soldiers in league with a known criminal. I am a Spectre and have done my duty well for years. My loyalty is to this Council, to the stability of the galaxy. I ask you: who are you going to believe?”
The chamber was silent, the choice already clear as the Councillors nodded at the Spectre’s words; Sparatus the first and quickest to bob his head.
It wasn’t even a contest.
“Lieutenant Commanders Shepard.” Tevos was the one to speak first, even before Sparatus, the Asari’s calm and clear voice filled with a soft, dismissive pity to it that always managed to be worse than Turian anger. “Your history is noted, your courage is commendable and your service is… undeniable.” The Asari closed her eyes for a moment. “However, in light of the lack of verifiable evidence and the questionable circumstances surrounding your testimony, the Council finds no grounds to revoke Spectre Saren Arterius’s status at this time.”
A dry chuckle bubbled up in his throat, slow and heavy. I hate councils so much. They did nothing but piss him off, and he was so thankful David never bothered letting go of power in New Abraham; the governor making sure his pet colony stayed his. Smart man.
Zedd turned to leave, not bothering with anything like a dismissal as the Spectre’s hologram blinked off. As he walked past the rest, Nina and Kira keeping pace, he caught Jane’s eye.
“Like I expected.” He nodded her way, the military woman scowling back at him as her green eyes flashed with heat. “Idiots in a fishbowl.”
– o – o – o – o – o – o – o –
5k Words (100 FP)
FAIL: Resource Efficiency (400 FP) [Mass Effect Andromeda] {Quality – Resources}
Forge Points: 300