- AKA
- Joe, Arcana
Reclamation
"We lost all contact with Mindoir thirty minutes ago."
"How long until we can get an updated sitrep?"
"We have a frigate heading to investigate now; we should know more within the hour." The turian councilor sounded weary, tired even. None of the four had slept in the past twenty hours.
It was a rarity for the council's meetings to stretch all the way into the evening like this and an even greater rarity for their meetings not to be oberved by dozens of the galaxy's political elite. But the Citadel tower was deserted save for the four, and the holographic sky projected out onto the space station outside was the murky purple of late dusk.
Councilor Hackett steepled his fingers in thought. "The attacks are spread all over Citadel space, without any cohesive strategy." He paused, considering his next words carefully. "They're confident."
"With all due respect Councilor Hackett - all the Krogans know is war," the salarian councilor grunted, knowing of the true respect the krogan race should be treated with.
"They have every right to be confident," the turian councilor said, every word dripping with distaste as the metallic flanging in his voice turned harsh. "We've lost contact with eight colony worlds so far, and they've pounded our forces into dust at every turn."
"Something has to be done. Now. Before they destroy any more lives to feed their bloodlust."
"And what exactly do you propose, Councilor Hackett? The krogan defeat us at every turn; our current strategies are ineffective and costing far too many lives." The asari councilor's voice was laced with frustration.
"Brute force won't get us anywhere. That's all they know, and that's what their specialty is." Hackett rubbed his temple; a headache that had been looming on the horizon had just begun to make its appearance. "We need finesse if we're to eliminate the krogan threat. Something that will give us an overwhelming tactical advantage. Like the genophage did, during the Rebellions," he said, glancing at his salarian colleague.
"Our scientists are already working on an updated genophage, but without knowing the source of this 'cure' it could take years. Many lives will have been lost by then," the salarian promptly added.
"Your scientists have done quite enough, Councilor," the turian hissed from across his podium. "I'd recommend bombing Tuchanka to glass, if the Krogan hadn't already done that themselves."
"It's far too late for that now; they have already begun recolonising. My scientists are the only group making any progress on this issue. I suppose the countless dead turian soldiers were there to slow them down?"
"This krogan, Grabacr Bragr. What do we know about him?" the asari asked, ignoring the squabbling of her two fellow councilors. "Could he not be eliminated?"
"Probably. But with their numbers swelling exponentially after years of 'oppression', they'd simply gather under another banner. Best case would be splintering into factions, the way they were - but we can't count on that. And even then, we'd still have to deal with them...just not so many, I think." Hackett took a deep breath before plunging on.
"I have an idea."
The asari inclined her head in acknowledgement towards Hackett. "By all means, Councilor, share it with us."
"A small team. Highly trained. The best. They can move around more freely than the entire fleet, and can pass through hostile territory virtually unnoticed." Hackett continued.
"And send them to find the source of this genophage cure?" the turian councilor asked, the biting tone all but gone from his voice.
"Yes." His voice hardened. "And eliminate it, if necessary."
The asari nodded. "The Fleet is commited to defending Citadel space and the mass relays. We can not spare them for such a mission. However, we have several asari commando units standing by that would be well suited for such a mission."
"An interesting idea Councilor, but I propose we send a brigade from STG. They are trained in espionage and subtlety. Their stealth systems would be most useful at a time like this," the salarian piped up, nominating his own race for such a dangerous mission.
The turian snorted derisively at this suggestion, muttering something that sounded like 'preposterous' under his breath. "Some of the best Spectres in the galaxy are turians - why not commit two or three of them to this mission? Kryik and Vakarian, for instance?"
"They're on assignment, Councilor, if you recall." Hackett's voice was smooth as ever as he continued. "And what of humanity?" asked Hackett. "We are certainly more than capable of handling this on our own."
"All the Council races could, theoretically, accomplish this mission on their own," the asari councilor said calmly. "However, would it not make the most sense to have a team of mixed race?"
"Preposterous. We aren't ready to put the joint task force objective into practice, especially not under these conditions!" objected the salarian.
"Then when? When the krogans are knocking at the front door to Citadel?" Hackett replied coolly.
"Hackett is right," the turian remarked with an almost uncomfortable reluctance, "We can't wait for the krogans to push into Citadel space. Our fleet can stall them for only so long, Councilor."
"And what of the ship? It's crew? We haven't even begun the selection process of who would make up this prototype vessel," the salarian inquired, perhaps leaning more toward this idea, but not without correcting the details.
"We could trust its commanders to select the crew, and forward them files from the best and brightest from the entire fleet," the turian fired back at the protesting salarian.
"And who would select the commanders?" the asari asked.
"I suppose that would be us, wouldn't it?" came the reply from Hackett. "The burden of protecting the galaxy lies in their capable hands. But it will ultimately be up to us to get the ball rolling. Perhaps we can take some dossiers from each of the embassies, and reconvene?"
"Commanders from different embassies. They're going to need a joint military jurisdiction to abide by. We can't expect them to go about their way as they would in their own military. I mean no disrespect, but I know for a fact that we salarians do things very differently than the asari." the salarian councillor interjected.
"They would need a broad operational capacity as well. We have no way of knowing how the krogans cured the genophage, but it's almost certain it wasn't through legal means. Perhaps we should consider making our new commanders Spectres?" the human suggested.
The asari nodded. "I agree with Councilor Hackett; making Spectres of the commanders would also give them leave to use whatever means necessary without fear of legal complications."
"You put forward an interesting idea, human. It is extreme, but also efficient," the salarian added, swallowing his pride.
"Are we agreed, then?"
"We are," the turian concluded, nodding his head in agreement.
"Shall we reconvene in...five hours, then?"
=====
"Dunno why they called me to see the Council. I'm part of the Alliance, not this turian-controlled bullshit," Commander Virgil Book grumbled to himself, still sore over the ones he'd seen whilst heading through C-sec.
Veron ignored the human's mumblings as he waited for the arrival of their third. His sources had told him that there was one other that had been called here today. He began questioning what the council had planned, especially with three individuals that seemingly were in no way connected to each other.
And so, as the two stood waiting in the Presidium Tower, human and salarian, the Council was speaking to the collected ambassadors of all races who recognized the Council's authority, preparing them for the trials that lie ahead. For three hours, the Council had poured over the collected data of all of the top operatives in Citadel space, dossiers compliled by the ambassadors and their respective military and intelligence agencies in surprisingly little time.
It was another ten minutes before the last arrived, alone. The asari had taken long enough.
"Sorry about the wait. You know how it is. Traffic and everything." She sighed, scratching at the back of her neck as she appraised the other two waiting in the gardens. Whatever reason that she was here for, it was clear that all of them were here for the same reasons.
"Well we're all here, aren't we? Let's get the fuck outta here then," Book said, darting an eye up the stairs to the Council chambers. He started off first, without another look at the other two people there, and marched up to the open room.
"-this underta- ah, there they are now. Thank you for coming. Ambassadors, meet Captains Book, Karn, and T'Lorin, respectively," came the voice of Councilor Hackett, greeting the trio as they stood before the assembly.
"Ambassador. It has been a while." Veron motioned toward the salarian ambassador, speaking for the first time since he arrived at the tower.
"It has captain. Let's hope you're not in as much trouble this time." The two exchanged a short glare before the council continued.
Book nodded at Hackett, addressing him as one would address one who was superior in rank, "Sir, any reason why I've been called here?"
Hackett returned the nod before responding. "Yes, Captain. The three of you have been summoned here for a mission."
The turian councilor spoke next. "Captains, the three of you have all been summoned here to address the recent krogan incursions on colonies throughout Citadel space." His voice was full of barely masked anger - anger which the newcomers had missed the cause of. "The three of you will be working together to deal with this threat."
"Krogans on the fritz, huh." Themys gave a small smile at hearing the news. "So... the three of us? Why would you guys want three of us?"
"The three of you symbolize some of the most ideal characteristics that represent your race. Your military histories and public renown have earned you a deserving spot on the frontlines. During dark times such as these, we want only the best captains our combined fleets have to offer," the asari councillor replied.
"I'll cut to the chase captains. The genophage has been cured. We have no idea how, and by whom. We're sending you in to investigate the problem," the salarian said, presenting the facts to the captains with an ever so slight bitter tone about his voice.
"You won't be going in alone or unprepared." Hackett spoke again, seeking to allay any doubts that they would be fully backed by the Council. "You will be placed in command of a newly completed ship - a prototype, built by the best Alliance engineers, using the most advanced technology to be found in of Citadel space."
"With all due respect councillor, you cannot expect me to command aboard an Alliance vessel. STG protocols differ greatly from that of the other races; I will be unable to work under these limitations." Veron remarked.
"You're being given joint command." The bite in the turian councilor's voice was hard enough to cut through armor plating. "The three of you will have equal amounts of input in the matter of the way in which your mission is accomplished. You will have to figure the rest out on your own."
"Well isn't that thrilling, boys and girls, the lizard told us to play nice," Book mumbled to himself, tapping his elbow with a finger.
"Woah, woah woah. Waitaminute. They gave you that too? 'Joint command'? All due respect, Councilors, but do the words 'logistics clusterfuck' mean anything to you fellas?" Themys questioned.
"The krogans, left unchecked, will decimate every military force they come up against. This affects all races equally, and so all races are expected to answer the call." Hackett spoke up quickly, before the turian councilor exploded in anger.
"In addition, each of you will be provided with Spectre status. I'm sure you'll find that it will make certain aspects of your mission significantly easier," the asari added.
"Interesting proposition. Certainly fixes a few problems. I'm guessing it takes more than just the three of us to pilot this prototype of yours?" Karn inquired thoughtfully.
"Of course," the turian councilor snapped. "We're not sending you in unprepared. We've already compiled a list of dossiers of some of the best operatives in all of the galaxy, from every race available. Who you recruit, and how, is up to you, and whatever group decision you reach. Many have already been contacted, and are simply awaiting your call to bring them along or leave them behind." He turned his head to glare at Hackett. "So you need not worry about the crew of your vessel. Though why there isn't a turian captain, when we are the superior military force of Council space, is still beyond me," he said with a snarl.
"Perhaps if you didn't have your own talons up your beauracratic ass, you'd actually have gotten a captain on board, if you don't mind me saying, Councilor." The human captain said with a smarmy grin. The human ambassador simply shook his head in embarrassment, knowing the ruffled turian feathers he would have to smooth over after that remark.
"Your best men are out there fighting this war, Councilor. We owe them a great debt already, let us not dwindle on politics while more die fighting." the words were spoken from the mouth of the salarian councilor with great respect.
"Your captains are needed to defend the mass relays and Citadel space," the asari added, hoping to soothe the turian's councilor by appealing to his pride. "Without their command of the Citadel fleet this mission would be nothing more than a final act of defiance in a war already lost."
"And you did get the final say on which dossiers were acceptable," Hackett said quietly.
The turian councilor grumbled an incoherent reply. Only two words of it could be heard - "disingenuous assertions."
"Do you have any further questions. captains?" The salarian asked.
"Yeah, honey - can we get this moving along now? We have some krogan asses to kick." Themys asked, with an enthusiastic tone.
Hackett's lips twitched into the barest hint of a smile, and the turian made a sound of disapproval. Together, the four councilors input their approval of Spectre status into their respective terminals.
The asari councilor straightened slightly, looking at all three captains in turn. "Captains Book, Karn, and T'Lorin - step forward."
As the three moved forward, stepping to the forefront of the dais, the councilor's voice rang out in the chambers: "It is the decision of the Council that you be granted all the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel."
The salarian spoke next, gazing upon each of them in turn, eyes examining them searchingly, as though he were taking the measure of their merit and valor. "Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fire of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file."
"Spectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance." Hackett spoke with the pride of a commander seeing a subordinate succeed. "They are the right-hand of the Council, instruments of our will."
"Spectres bear a great burden," the turian councilor said seriously. "They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold."
"And so," said the asari, "may you go forth with the blessings of the goddess, and good luck on your mission."
The final words were those of the turian councilor.
"This session of the Citadel Council is adjourned."
