The Council was still in session.....
Naleena spoke up. “The Audron still needs the Silaris armor to protect it against the Collectors, Councilors.”
“That… can wait.” Udina said.
“There’s another matter now. There’s a reason you haven’t been dismissed.” Councilor Tevos said.
“Your name keeps coming up in our reports,” Udina said, “Spectre Androkan sent us a report that you were instrumental in organizing the rescue of 327 humans on Omega that were taken prisoner in cryostasis and that were going to be turned over to the Collectors. Had it not been for you they may have vanished like those in the colonies. The Council, and The Systems Alliance thanks you.”
Naleena turned to Udina and gave a slow bow of her head.
“A very important person put your name forward as a Spectre candidate.” Tevos said.
“No, it’s too soon.” Sparatus said, “She hasn’t been fully evaluated.”
“We’re in a difficult time, Councilor. We have a very important series of missions that we need done. We’re down two Spectres, and Shepard is working with Cerberus for the foreseeable future."
“I’ve reviewed Naleena's file and we’ve cleared her past record, Councilor,” Valern said, “She’s proven herself capable of organizing and working with people with whom we have difficulty.”
“She struck a Spectre!” Sparatus said, “How do we know she’s not a hot head?”
“Spectre Androkan didn’t bring up the incident, yet she did, and she admitted wrongdoing. She can be trusted,” Valern said.
“And she has done numerous jobs off books for the Council that not even our Spectres can touch,” Tevos said.
Sparatus sighed and nodded.
Tevos turned to Naleena. "You are qualified for the position. The last question is, do you want it?”
Naleena was a bit shocked. And she thought for a moment. It would be a complete change of her lifestyle, but then she nodded. “Yes, I accept the position.”
The Councilors rose from their seats, and Councilor Tevos began. “Naleena T’sarius, step forward. 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.”
“Spectres are not trained, but chosen. They are individuals forged in the fires of service and battle; those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file,” Councilor Sparatus stated.
Councilor Valern continued, “Spectres are an ideal. They are the embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of The Council: instruments of our will and our wrath.”
Councilor Udina added, “Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace; both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold no matter the cost. Do you accept and swear to uphold these responsibilities and defend Council Law where it applies to the best or your abilities.”
“I do.” Naleena said.
“Welcome to the Spectres, Naleena T’sarius,” Councilor Tevos said, “Please see me in private after this meeting. This meeting of The Council is adjourned.”
Naleena approached Councilor Tevos after the meeting. Councilor Valern stopped to speak with her. “Congratulations. Please understand that it was only a very small minority of my people who were the source of your past trouble. I studied your case, and I was sympathetic to you. I was instrumental in clearing your name. You are now officially no longer a target of the Special Tasks Group.”
“Thank you, Councilor.” Naleena said.
*********
Naleena followed Tevos to her office. Tevos poured her a cup of tea and the two sat in two leather chairs overlooking the Presidium.
“Naleena, now that you’re a Spectre, you’ll need a ship, and a crew,” Councilor Tevos said, “Matriarch Alestia has agreed to supply you with a prototype that was officially rejected by the Asari military. It is a destroyer class with Silaris armor. In reality, the ship is part of the secret fleet the Council is building to fight the reapers. She’s called the Janiri, named after the guide of Athame. You’ll be given a minimal crew to run the ship, and a security staff of four commandos. This will be paid for by the Council. Your fuel costs, food, and power cells, medical, thermal clips, expenses will be paid for by the Council. Here’s your Spectre ID.”
Naleena looked at pictures of the Janiri. “Such a fancy ship for a new Spectre. What’s my first assignment?” Naleena asked.
“It’s a tricky one. We’ve publically denied the reaper threat, but we know otherwise. Sovereign was simply too big to pass off as geth, but that’s our official stance.”
“I’ve heard reports that you even denied the existence of the reapers to Shepard who was instrumental in taking down Sovereign. Why?”
“Shepard is working with Cerberus. Cerberus is an avowed enemy of the Council, and despite her being a Spectre, we have to watch what we say around her until we’re certain all ties with Cerberus have been severed,” Tevos said.
“So you’re giving me the assignment,” Naleena said.
“Yes. Your first assignment is to follow up on a lead we received from an archaeologist at the University of Serrice. She’s been studying Dr. T’soni’s work in addition to other finds we have and things have pointed to something potentially big in the Amada System in the Omega Cluster. It’s Prothean.” Tevos said. “We’d like you to check it out. It’s on Eingana. Due to its location in the Terminus, we’ve never been able to get to it. This ship can, however.”
“I’ll need a team.”
“What about some of the people who were with Androkan? And here are some dossiers of people for you to seek out.”
“I will speak with them, Councilor. I thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” Naleena paused, stood, and walked toward the railing, “The view from here, it’s so peaceful, isn’t it? One can almost forget that troubles even exist in the galaxy."
Naleena paused for a moment, and then continued. “There was a young woman on Omega. I opened her stasis pod. Her name was Zenon. I saw her again in the Drowned Aspire compound. They took her into the heart of the compound. They were going to make her into one of those… things. While they were converting others, she saw what they were doing, hid in the darkness of the elevator, and escaped to the surface.” She turned to face Tevos. “These are the things that don’t make it into reports, Councilor. She’s here in the waiting room with my friend Anika. You can see the thousand meter stare in her eyes.”
Councilor Tevos was stunned that their latest recruit would speak like this. Most recruits were gung ho after being sworn in, but not this one. “Do you have something to say, Naleena?”
“Just because I have killed a lot of people in my life does not mean I have lost compassion. I am not some maiden who is trying to prove her worth to galactic society. I accept and I dread the responsibilities of this job at the same time. I have one last thing to add before I leave to begin my assignment.” Naleena turned to face Tevos, and looked her straight in her eyes. “Spectre Androkan, now my colleague, is correct about the Audron requiring the Silaris armor. It was only his method of obtaining it that was not proper. He correctly evaluated the Collector threat. Give him what he needs, and send a recovery team to Duellos to gather the armor from the train. And since you gave no date as to when his suspension was to begin, defer his suspension. His mission is too important. Let him complete it, and then enforce his suspension. This idea can be yours.”
“You are an odd one, Naleena.” Tevos said, “I will take that suggestion under advisement.”
“I have a code that is different than Androkan’s, but it doesn’t mean that Androkan’s evaluation was incorrect.” Naleena smiled, and set down her tea cup, “I should go.”
“The Janiri is on its way here and will arrive in 24 standard hours. Good luck in your mission.”
Naleena nodded and left the Councilor’s office. Once outside in the main area, she paused to speak with one of the guards about Anika and was informed that she was still in the waiting room. She paused outside the door. She had made a promise to Anika, and now plans had changed. She had a ship to command and responsibilities, and she didn’t know how to break the news to her.
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