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[Terca]

"Well... Omni-tools depending on what make they are can be dangerous." Eteon said as she approached one of the automated cabs and used the interface to look for the customs area. "Most people with single omni-tools and have to live with one have to go through special clearance checks. Combat software needs to be logged, your location on the station monitored... Data transfer is usually kept private though." She made a humming noise before tapping what looked to be the right option. One of the cabs opened up and she walked towards the car.

 

"Deidrus is only allowed on the station with his omni-tool because he's a Spectre and is and LtC in the Hierarchy. I'm not surprised that they don't like a Krogan with combat armor when they are terrified of an electric shock." She slid into the car and leaned back in her seat. "Krogan aren't very popular in the first place..." She pointed to the Krogan statue which wasn't very far ahead of them. "Even with the big rock over there."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Irina handed Zenon the torque wrench. "Now tighten each of these bolts like I was doing with the others until the wrench makes a click, got it?"

 

Zenon nodded.

 

Irina grabbed a rag and wiped her hands off and rubbed her right hand on her cheek as she stood to face Jess. "Sure, Jess. What is it?"

[Redbelle]

Jess chewed her lip. "Something that came up earlier. During the train raid. Back then our team met the commando team and.....". She sighed. "Things got crazy. At the time I was worried, then hearing you telling the team not to hurt the commando's.... I'll be blunt. That's not how I do things. There are the people I'm working with and the people who I'm not with. And anyone I'm not with get shot if they push me to far. Then you go and straddle both camps..... and that's where things start to go in to the grey zone between the right choice and the wrong choice".

 

Jess leaned forward. "I'm not going brush it under the carpet though. Not killing those Jar heads was probably the right thing to do. I doubt the council would look favourably on the mission if the Asari councillor learned she had dead commando's on hand".

 

"But just so we're clear.... If something like that happens again...... It was a bad situation. I looked over the logs. Vayne nearly took off after them. I was out to take them out of the equation. I work outside of the law.... on occasion and I don't get a council to go home to when something get's to big for me. If something like that happens again when someone you know, or someone anyone else knows.... Or if someone I know is actively threatening the group.... That's when you take them down. Incapacitate or worse. That's my fallback. This group hasn't been together long so we still don't know how each other will react when the plan goes out the window and we're scrambling as individuals to get a handle on the situation".

 

Setting her hands on the create behind her Jess leant back. "Reason I'm saying this is that this may not be the end for the mission. I'll leave it to Naleena to tell you the news, but if your interested in going on with this enterprise, or not, I've got something I need you to hear..... I don't think your against the group.... I think you made the right call back at the train as it turns out.... And now you know that when it comes to my side.... I'll happily stop anything that threaten's it in it's tracks. One way or another".

 

Looking over at the bike Jess nodded. "Come to think of it luv, I still don't know that much about you..... Why get involved in this? Deidrus haggled, browbeat and downright blackmailed some of us into joining up. Seeing as we've got some downtime I'm curious... Are you interested in tangling with the collector's some more"?

[Cknarf]

"Tracking your movements on the Citadel?  That's a bit much, don't you think?" Frank asked, as the door closed  "Someone with bad intent isn't going to register a tool with C-SEC, they'll just find one in the wards." He held his arm out, as his new omni-tool glowed. "Wait, customs is only one-way, right?  I've never smuggled anything off the Citadel before."  The cab lifted off.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The following is joint between Terca and I:

 

Naleena poked her head into her quarters and gave Dahlia detailed packing instructions. Zenon was still worried and wanted to see Irina who was still in the shuttle bay.

Naleena hit the intercom. "Septimus. Naleena here. Are those... crates... out of the shuttle bay? Zenon wants to visit with Irina."

"Yes, they're in Cargo Bay 2, and sealed." Septimus said, "I'll make sure she doesn't stray into the cargo areas."

"Thank you, I'm going to head back to the Citadel. It was a pleasure working with you." Naleena said, and she disconnected and left her quarters. She took the elevator to the main deck and walked toward the bow of the ship to disembark.

"Commander." Greeted a guard who was standing just inside the connected airlock of the ship, and before she came into view Deidrus walked onto the main deck himself. He, as usual replied in kind to the guard silently before pausing just past the door and seeing Naleena in the corner of his eye. He turned to face her directly and let a moment's pause pass before speaking.

"Congratulations T'Sarius." He spoke, using her last name in formality since this was technically a moment to praise the new Spectre. He could never read Asari so he was unable to tell how she was feeling but he was confident enough that she wasn't going to be lost. Only time would tell for sure. He crossed his arm vertically across his chest at shoulder height and bowed slightly before straightening again. "I would do more however I admit I am not of the celebratory kind."

"Thank you, Androkan, although I have to admit, receiving this was very unexpected," Naleena said. She bowed in respect to him. "I owe you a personal apology for striking you. My behavior was out of line. I hope there are no hard feelings."

The Turian's brows creased a moment but he did not carry the expression in his voice. "Conflicts in what individuals see as priorities will happen on a ship where one person has absolute control. Physical conflict is at times inevitable though in the future if one of the Council members makes a decision you do not agree with, refrain from striking them into a bulkhead." The Turian allowed a small chuckle to pass as he remembered how shocked he was to find himself against the far wall from where he had been standing. In retrospect it was more surprising than anything.

"You were an asset while on board my ship, and thank you for your time in the service of the Audron." He met her eyes again with a serious glint to them. "If you require something of me I will do my best to assist, though there is little time for that with the state of affairs."

Naleena smiled at the Turian. "There is a small VIP bar off the concourse where we could speak more privately. I would like to buy you a drink."

Deidrus opened his mouth to politely decline but caught himself before he did so. You might need a drink. A click of his mandibles preceded a nod of the head as he relaxed from his normally stiff posture. "A drink would be rather enjoyable actually." He motioned towards the airlock with a hand. "Lead on. I may have been a Spectre for years but the Citadel is still a maze to me at times."

"Thank you for joining me." Naleena said and led him to the VIP lounge.

It was dim and very quiet. There was sufficient sound dampening so that conversations would be private. The lighting was per table with warm crystal globes. A human waitress met them at the door. Naleena asked to be seated at a booth. The waitress handed each of them a menu with appetizers.

"Serrice Ice Brandy, Janirisi Private Reserve," Naleena ordered.

"Snakemonger," Deidrus said, pleasantly surprised the drink was available.

They waited a couple moments and their drinks arrived.

"To be quite honest, I'm dreading my position, Androkan. I've spent most of my life only worried about my own fate, and now I have the lives of a crew, a team, and possibly the fate of the galaxy in my hands," Naleena said, "While I was on your ship, I was only on the fringes of this. And now reality hits. Your job is awful." Naleena raised her glass.

Deidrus lifted his own glass to Naleena's. "To be fair, the galaxy's fate only became part of the job recently." He joked before setting his glass down and grabbing an old-fashioned match which had arrived with the drink, a shot of water, and a sugar cube. "The galaxy's issues are one thing, being the one who actually has to do something about it is a completely different one." He lit the sugar cube with the match and dropped it into the drink. "Welcome to the most expensive and dangerous custodial job in the galaxy."

"And you don't know what went on in there. Sparatus was right. 'Too soon. She hasn't been properly evaluated,' he said. But the others pushed because someone important had put forth my name," she took a drink, did a quick check on her ocular contact lense screen and leaned forward, "and now I have to lead? I'm just an assassin with some crazy code about justice, and now I'm learning about Galactic Law, and seat-of-the-pants leadership.

"You. You had military training. But that helps you with an organized crew. With a group of freelancers it's different, I know. Would you care for anything to eat? I checked out the ratings and they have some very good Turian appetizers. I can't eat them, but I'll buy. And I'll stop complaining. So what are your plans?"

"The drink is enough for now." Deidrus said before dropping the shot of water into the glass to douse the flames. "Thank you for the offer." As to the last question he rolled his glass in the fingers of his left hand for a moment before replying.

"I have the suspension to wait out before anything large can happen." Deidrus said somewhat slowly. "I can still operate as an officer of the Hierarchy but my ship will be here for supplies, fitting, and the armor application. I will have to remain here with the ship though the crew might be temporarily dispersed for the time being..." But what am I going to do with that time?

"Unfortunately the Collectors will not wait for me." He took a sip of his drink before continuing. "The ship is not collector-ready however my men have now come into conflict with the Collectors once and shown reasonable results. I may request that some of my men be put on Human colonies to collect more data. The Alliance may not be willing to spread N7s and a few of my Armigers can do what a group of marines cannot. Since I won't be able to leave myself I will be directing the search for Aspirants from the Audron... it's tactics suite should be bolstered by information by ground crews and provide adequate resources."

"At least, that is the idea." The Turian said with a tone of bitterness. He took a deep breath to calm himself first and took another sip. He shifted his eyes from the side and refocused them on Naleena. "And how about you? You were fast-tracked through the 'examination' so they require you for something big."

The waitress returned. "Would either of you care for an appetizer?"

"I would like the sauteed calamari in garlic sauce, and some bread. Thank you," Naleena said, "I hope you don't mind, Androkan, I'm famished."

Naleena looked surprised that it happened so quickly. "Armor application? Really? That's good news," she took a drink and looked around to make sure no one was near and then spoke quietly. "From what I've seen in the dossier, and Androkan, this stays between you and I because our missions are intertwined, the Collectors I suspect work for the real enemy: the Reapers. The sheriff in the town called the Drowned Aspire a 'Shrine of the Enkindlers.' The Hanar worship the Protheans who were wiped out 50,000 years ago. I cannot imagine what we saw was Prothean. It was corrupted.

"Publically the Council denies the Reaper threat. It would cause panic. Behind closed doors they take the threat seriously. I'm being sent to look for a way to stop it."

She paused, took a breath. "The purpose of this drink is for a reconciliation. You are an honorable man, one whom I would like to call a friend. Should I uncover any information regarding the Collectors, their origins, and how to fight them during my mission I will pass it directly to you."

"Such information would be very useful to me and my teams, thank you."

"Do you have any contacts inside Synthetic Insights? I require a highly skilled AI tech. I have a highly advanced VI on my shuttle that I want to move into the VI core on the Janiri. It was one of their experimental models that I bought from one of their sales reps on Kahje 20 years ago. It has been continuously upgraded."

"Synthetic Insights is not a corporation I have spent much time interacting with on good terms thanks to a mission years ago. I do know one Turian who I met during that mission who was with SI, a Lorik Qui'inn. I do not know if he still works for the company however if you are looking for a member of the corporation he is the one that comes to mind." He closed his eyes to think of someone else who might be of assistance. "There was also a Volus... He is the branch manager on Illium. A busy man but has a significant weakness for all things AI. if you can interest him, he will be more than willing to assist you."

"One final request: I would like permission to recruit your Cabal, Eteon, to be part of my team and act as a liaison between our squads. And your com officer Aelias. At least on a temporary basis while your ship is being retrofitted. I have... concerns about my crew's experience. The commander will do fine. She commanded the frigate Cyone during the Battle of the Citadel. The crew is multi-species. Eteon also has a sixth sense dealing with those situations. I think they expected me to recruit a com officer since I do not see one listed on the roster. And tell me, did you feel this overwhelmed in the beginning?"

"It was four years ago now that I became a Spectre and I remember distinctly a sense of pride and dread. My parents were both hierarchy and deep within it. I myself wanted to be someone serving the Hierarchy in their footsteps so when the call was made and I was summoned to the Citadel..." He trailed off. "When I left the council chambers and walked onto the presidium ring I looked down at the hundreds of people living on this piece of metal floating in an abyss of nothing. And that was my nation."

He put his drink aside for a moment and placed his hands shoulder width apart and held up the right with a small amount of distance between the talons. "Each life becomes infinitely smaller, tiny in comparison to the charge of trillions." He snapped his finger as if quashing the life. "But every one becomes infinitely more personal because every motion is now connected to them. It was no longer a squad to me, a group of hardened men and women. It was children and scientists and planets that were now held in that same hand."

His hands botch clenched in time. "And I knew that some day I might have to do that." He said before relaxing his fingers again. "It is the single heaviest burden. Infinite souls you will never meet, all of them your responsibility."

He leaned back. "All that for a small-colony Turian?" He laughed heartily for the first time in too long. "I felt the closest to cracking in all my near-20 years of service. You're taking it much better than could have in the same situation."

"As for Eteon... She's yours. She will be willing to go to the fight wherever it is. If she stays on the Audron she will simply find ways to entertain herself and those are more likely to find her in dangerous hands. She is responsible enough when you find her a reason to do so."

"Thank you, Androkan," Naleena took drank the rest of her brandy. "The Citadel is a strange place. Tell me, have you ever stood in a councilor's office and looked out over their balcony? The view is so peaceful from there one can forget all of the troubles of the galaxy. One can lose touch. When I spoke with Councilor Tevos after the meeting, I told her about the human girl Zenon. You know that I freed her from her stasis pod on Omega? I told her Zenon's full story, and that these are the things that do not go into reports. I saw a look of surprise in her eyes like the events you described in your reports became real to her. Yet these events are real to us. This was but one girl who was very lucky. She could have become one of the others who were not.

"I have done a lot of terrible things in my life, Androkan. The Goddesses willing, I'll use my authority wisely to make the galaxy a better place."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne saw the message and breathed a sigh of relief, pausing his look for affordable armor smiths as he sent another message. As he typed, he paused a moment before adding to his post, and then hit send. Vayne went back to looking up armorsmiths, finding one near the zakera ward that would do nicely.

 

Gate C10. I got pulled out of line and told to wait here. They got my paperwork and are processing it now but it could take more then an hour. Guess council favors only gets you so far.

 

BTW keep your eyes peeled for a batarian with burns on his face. Guy gave me a really bad vibe in here, and that's never a good sign.

 

--Vayne.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

It was an uphill climb, quite literally, for essul to get to the presidium from his current location. For one, the vents and corridors of the citadel's maintenance network didn't run parallel with the corridors the citizens used, often turning off at intervals or changing elevation, like now as essul climbed the ladder leading up along an elevator shaft, judging by the sound.

 

Essul was silent however, the climb not that hard for him as he thought back on what had led him here.

 

--------------------------------------------

 

"How many have gone missing so far?" Essul asked as he stood at attention, standing in the office of his superior officer back on khar'shan. His office was a bit cramped, made a century ago when such accommodations were more in fashion, and he stood looking out of his window to the hazy city beyond, thick with a mix of greens and purples from artificially strengthened plants, bright whites from solar generators, and a thick brownish fog almost like a sandstorm of the cities pollution, casting everything in a yellowish color.

 

"As of right now, a solid figure cannot be determined. But the fact remains, batarians are going missing in numbers we haven't seen before, and inside our fringe territories." His commander said as he turned around, two of his eyes missing and scarred over, a veteren within the SIU who helped fight humanity tooth and nail. "There's also been talk of strange noises reported at these colonies before the disappearances occur. We suspect there may be more then just slavers behind this..."

 

"Requesting Elaboration, Sir." Essul said as he kept his back straight and head up, following standard protocol for addressing his superior. He wanted to just scream for him to cut the chase and tell him already. But getting lashed for inproper respect wasn't something he wanted in today's forecast.

 

The commander paused as he came to his desk, resting a hand on one of its corners, "We've heard reports of human colonies disappearing in the terminus systems...a lot of folks are blaming batarian slavers for it. But the hegemony has found no connections between the two events." The commander said as he lightly traced on his desk, "Meanwhile, our own people start vanishing as well, around the same time. And the hegemony starts pointing blame at the humans...." he said as he looked to essul, the gears in essul's head turning as he heard this news.

 

"Both sides escalate their tension and conflicts..." Essul began as he quickly caught himself, looking to his commanding officer who waved it off.

 

"Until they both go to war. Your forgiven for speaking out of turn, since you got on the right track..." The commander said as he went back to looking out the window grimly, "Someone's using classical third party tactics on our two species. And if something isn't done, the next border skirmish or training exercise could turn into all the excuse humanity needs to flood our system and bomb us back to the flint age."

 

"Which is precisely why I called you here..." The commander said as he crossed his arms behind his back, not looking to essul as he spoke, "We need someone to head up an investigation. Look into whoever is doing this and report to us what you find, taking whatever means you need to slow or stop their activities. I know I probably don't have to say it, but I don't want to go down in history as the defense director who let the hegemony get sucked into a war with the humans." He said before finally turning around and loooking to essul, giving him permission to speak. "So, what say you?"

 

Essul didn't need to think on it any further then he had. He gave a nod and a salute, gladly willing to do his part and save his people from a war.

 

The commander nodded, "Good....I'll have a dossier with what we know sent to you. And Sargent...you're going to need a ship."

 

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Essul reached the top of the ladder, pulling himself up as he caught his breath, his suit adjusting the pressure to get him used to the higher elevation. He looked up to see something looking right back at him a few feet away, and flared his biotics in surprise.

 

Essuls arms ignited with blue shimmering energy, locking eyes with the keeper as it stared at him, then went back to its task at its work terminal. Essul blinked, his biotics ceasing as he stared at the giant bulbous bug. Then wordlessly walked towards it, taking care to step around the thing as he continued to his target.

 

The keeper kept typing, seemingly unconcerned at all by the strange armored man who'd almost killed it.

[Terca]

"People don't usually find omni-tools loaded with targeting VIs, adrenaline dampeners, inceneration charges, so on, so forth." Eteon replied, though she had to admit that at times the restraints on omni-tools could be a bit redundant. "In Deidrus' case he has enough loaded for him to be classified as a Special Case like if someone trained in martial arts struck someone using them. He could be charged with severe penalties. If he wasn't a Spectre."

 

The taxi set it self down near the customs checkpoints and Eteon slid out of the car, briskly stepping down the stairs and glancing at the signs to look for C10. "Now where the hell..." She paused before looking over her shoulder to him. "Why would you need to smu..." She trailed off. Don't want to know. "Do you see the sign for C-group customs?"

[Cknarf]

Frank was closely inspecting his fingernails when Eteon began to speak. "Why would you need to smu..." she stopped.

That's a story for another time.

"Do you see the sign for C-group customs?"

"Uhhh... over there?" Frank pointed in a non-specific direction. "Yeah, pretty sure it's that way." He had no idea where he was actually going.  "Come on." 

[Terca]

Frank's voice did not inspire confidence in Eteon. She looked in the direction he was pointing and though it did not seem like that was the direction to go it wasn't like she had any better ideas. "Alright." She said after a pause. If worse comes to worst there is always Avina. She walked over to Frank and looked him in the way before waving her arm in the same direction. "Lead on guide. Vayne's armor may fall apart on its own if we take too long."

[Cknarf]

I could have sworn this was the way I came... everything looks the same up here.

Frank had been leading Eteon around for almost ten minutes.  He was definitely lost. He wandered over to a human in a C-SEC uniform. "Excuse me, officer, I was wondering if you could direct me toward docking bay C10?"

"Sure, you're going to need to turn around and head..."

"One second. I'll forget if I don't write this down." He brought up his omni-tool. "Okay. Ready."

"Seriously?"

"What?"  Frank thought for a second.

Don't go flashing that thing around, it can get you in some serious trouble with C-SEC. 

"Sh*t."

The officer grabbed Frank by the shoulder.  "You're coming with me."

"No, wait, I'm authorized!" 

"Stop resisting!"

"Really! I'm on an important mission!" he kept struggling.

"Is that so?"

"Yes! With a Council Spectre!"

"Oh yeah?"

"In fact, she's standing right there."  Frank looked to Eteon, as did the C-SEC officer.

"Tell him, Spectre Androkan." He winked.

[Terca]

By the spirits why would he... Eteon raised a hand and covered her face for a moment before looking up to the ceiling of the presidium and back down again.

 

"He is allowed to have it, he was on a military ship until recently and may need to be called." She explained, a derisive tone in her voice. They can easily check to make sure I am a Spectre. There aren't exactly a lot in the Galaxy and they're almost always on missions. "We will be picking up a civilian omni-tool for him for use on the ring, sorry for the inconvenience."

 

The Human looked between Frank and her with a creased brow. Seeing someone pull up a high-line omni-tool which was obviously not for civilian use on a civy wandering the ring was suspicious, being told the man lied was just compounding it.

 

Eteon raised her arm and opened her omni-tool before sending the officer her code. "Check it against your databases. Eteon Draiken, Cabal on board the Audron under Spectre Androkan. I'm taking Frank to get something from customs which is being held up. Could you point us in the right direction?"

 

When the Officer let go of Frank she pulled him back and whispered in his ear quietly, "Impersonating a Spectre is a serious crime. I can't believe you thought that was a great idea when they can and often do look it up for suspicious persons."

[Cknarf]

Frank was quiet until the officer left.

"Serious crime, huh?  Figured it was." He shrugged. "Ha, wait til you hear how I got through customs in the first place..."

That glare is absolutely viscous.

"Okay, look.  The guy was human.  He wasn't likely to recognize a turian spectre. He was gonna look up the name, see that it was associated with the Audron, that is, in fact, docked in bay C10, and send us on our way."  

Still there.

"Besides, you could totally pass for a Spectre."  Frank stepped closer. He stood on his toes, still a few inches below eye level. "You're certainly tall enough."

[Terca]

"More goes into being a Spectre than height." Eteon countered, softening her glare and lifting her book to whack him lightly on the top of the head. "Years of combat experience that I do not have, and credit banks with much more money than I would know what to do with. Also, it would have his gender, and while I am tall and some of your kind have a hard time telling the difference, I am very much a female."

 

She warped through him and landing on the other side mid-stride she walked in the direction the officer had pointed out. "C'mon. Vayne is waiting on us. Next time I am asking for directions and even if it is a little purple VI we won't be at risk of being imprisoned." She had a joking tone in her voice despite the rib.

[Cknarf]

Frank blinked. Still on his toes, he looked around just a little confused.

Did she just...

"C'mon. Vayne is waiting on us..."

He turned to see Eteon walking away.

Neat.

[Terca]

When they arrived at the C-docks customs out-flow it was relatively uncrowded. The fact that C was almost half-reserved made it a simple matter to get a number and wait for a couple minutes to be called for their pick-up. When they were Eteon approached the counter and leaned onto the edge which divided the Asari officer from the people waiting. The woman smiled at the Cabal and silently asked for a moment while she finished taking a call from someone on her omni-tool.

 

When she finished she smiled again and spoke to the Cabal. "Eteon Draiken, correct? You are here for pickup?" Her voice was formal but had that slightly fake pleasant tone which could be found in most public services.

 

"Yes, I'm looking for an armor set which is being sent through C10's customs. A Kavadar Vayne has sent his Armor to be checked over by customs and I thought the clearance would have passed by now." Eteon countered the pleasant tone of the Asari with her own, much more convincing one. She had been rehearsing it during the lulls in action which were common on the Audron.

 

"Let me see..." A bit of strain was evident in the Asari's voice as she obviously had not been expecting to have to release Krogan armor. Eteon maintained her relaxed position and kept her eyes on the Asari before turning her head to give a carbon-copy glare to Frank from earlier. Just in case he had any more ideas about pretending to be a Spectre. "It is being held by the regulations which prevent Krogan from carrying combat armor onto the Citadel. It is unresolvable without a military chapero-."

 

"Cabal Eteon Draiken, 5th Special Ambassador for the Attican Traverse by Hierarchy decree." Eteon listed off with practiced tone and cadre. "I have Hierarchy permission to act as an ambassador for special cases and as my friend Vayne is a special case I will take responsibility for his actions on the Citadel."

 

"Sorry, but can you provi-." The Cabal's wrist was already on the counter and her credentials were sent to the local terminal. The Asari had a creased brow and for a moment she was going to say something but she stopped, sighing. "You will have to abide by-"

 

"Articles 5, 6, 8 and 9 of the supervision codes." Eteon supplied. "I'll take article 9. If someone tries to headbutt a Krogan that is their own mistake to make."

 

"... Indeed." The Asari said before typing something into her terminal. "Kavadar Vayne should receive a notification that his things have cleared customs promptly. I apologize for the inconvenience."

 

Eteon simply nodded and walked back to their seats. "Well that was the first time I had to use that. Advanced mathematics remains untouched but the Articles of Council Policy on Politicals remains lodged somewhere. That's... Something to be proud of."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Well now is as good a time as any." Naleena thought as she cleared her tab and entered Concourse C from Shana's VIP Lounge. She contacted Eteon via communicator.

 

"Eteon, this is Naleena. Where are you at the moment?" Naleena asked.

 

"Stuck waiting for some bureaucrats to finish clearing Vayne's armor through customs at Gate C-10." Eteon replied. "Why? Is this important?"

 

"I'll be right there. I'm just at the lounge near gate 8," Naleena replied. "This place has become like a police state since the geth attack."

 

Naleena saw Eteon seated and waiting for Vayne. She approached.

[Terca]

Eteon caught Naleena in the corner of her eye and looked over to the woman as she approached. She hadn't seen her since she had left the ship on Duellos, though she did not fault the Asari for the choice. What was done was done. She waved the Asari over since there was a seat nearby she had placed her book on. Picking it up and placing it between her knees for now she spoke up as the Asari approached. "I may not be able to charm Asari however pulling diplomatic responsibility usually makes for an agreeable bureaucrat." The paperwork threat is always a good one. "What do you need me for?"

[Cainhurst Crow]

As vayne walked out of customs, he looked around for his savior, seeing her radiance sitting nearby, a all too familiar asari coming their way as the krogan blinked in surprise. He got out a credit chit and transfer about 1000 credits from his personal account, walking over to eteon as he gave a big smile.

 

"I'm a man of my word..." He said simply as he handed her the chit, "So here you go. And thank you. Thank you so much..." he said apologetically to the turian, bowing his head with admiration as he looked up to the offices view of the citadel and all the skycars flying by. "They've remolded...I don't like it." he said with a frown, remembering the citadel being a lot more open and less...gloomy and blue the last time he was around.

 

The krogan looked to frank and gave a small grin, "Good to see you to, Ship Shaman." he said, coming up with his own term for the guy as he finally turned to look to naleena.

 

"Didn't expect to see you here..." he said, somewhat more formerly then he had eteon and frank as he gave a nod, "Or expect to see you at all in council space. What brings you here?"

 

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Essul was bent down next to a vent, plasma torch in hand as he got to work on the vents retention clamps. The bright light reflected off his helmet as he worked to cut through the metal grate, shining like a little sun bright enough that his visor had to turn on its maximum reflection and refraction setting just so he didn't go blind.

 

As the third clamp finally gave, essul turned off his torch and got out a magnetic clamp, placing over the two severed pieces to form a new connection, one he controlled with his omnitool. He wasn't looking to leave permanent damage, instead to make the damage all but invisible to prying eyes, unless seen from his angle. Even then if his reports were accurate, then the keepers would probably repair it within a few solar cycles.

 

Finally the last clamp was cut, and essul placed the finally magnetic replacement as he got on his omnitool, going through the settings before he triggered the clamps to release, the grate falling to the ground with a somewhat loud thump and away from its wall. Essul put it aside, crawling through the hole into the pitch black room, looking around the large and vacant space full of batarian artwork and fine wood tables, imported from the forests of erzbek. His feet ground against the silk carpets, the entire place made to look like a little slice of batarian high society, more then a sparse and serviceable embassy quarters, and showed a pretty good indication of his peoples priorities.

 

'Now then...where are you?' he wondered as he brought up his map, looking for the terminal with the ambassador codes to them. His omnitool scanned the area, looking for electronics as he finally found his target, at the far end of the room.

 

Essul walked silently as a ghost, even in heavy armor, towards his prize. The computer registry where he'd have ambassador level clearance to make himself, or anyone else for that matter, cleared for using the data.

[Cknarf]

Frank had his hands in his pockets, and was rocking on his heels, as Eteon spoke to customs.  He glanced over a second, and caught another glare.

What did I do this time?

He stopped rocking and stepped back from the counter, he began pacing the waiting area. When Eteon was finished with customs, he followed her to the seating area, but remained standing.  

Is that... Vera's organic? Frank saw the asari, but he'd forgotten her name.  They hadn't formally met, or maybe they did, he couldn't remember.  He noticed she was coming their way.  Frank turned his gaze to the floor.

He looked up momentarily as Vayne approached, and smiled.

Ship shaman? I prefer Beans, but if that's what he wants to call me, I'm not about to argue.

Frank crossed his arms, and listened quietly for what the asari had to say.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena approached Eteon and sat in a seat next to her. She interlaced her fingers and leaned forward with her elbows on her thighs. "Androkan and I just finished having a friendly discussion. I know you were called as a witness in the hearing, but I don't know if you know what transpired afterward. I'm a Spectre. My ship will arrive tomorrow, and I am recruiting a team. It appears as though my mission and Androkan's are going to be quite intertwined. I thought you handled yourself well in your position as his Cabal, and I would like to recruit you to be part of my team and act as liaison between us. He needs to be kept in the loop, and likewise, I need to be kept in the loop. He thought it would be a good idea since the Audron is going to be in dry dock for retrofits for the next few weeks. Also, I have a multi-species crew, and I thought someone with your experience and personality would be an asset."

[Terca]

"You're a Spectre?" Eteon asked with a tone of surprise colouring her voice before she leaned back in her seat. "I would be grateful to have a chance to continue working with the Council... Well, more accurately I would enjoy being on a ship and not stuck in dock." I'm not surprised that Deidrus let me go on a mission like this. I'm more use off the Audron than on it right now. I should make use of the chance. "If you need me to help I can get my things and have them sent to whatever ship you are on. I can store my Cabal equipment wherever there is space since most the equipment collapses. I will need to get an access code to send information directly from your ship to the Audron if we are going to be using non-Council buoys..." She closed her eyes for a moment while she thought of what would be needed. I don't know what Deidrus is going to do while he's in dock but he'll find use for the information. LtC makes him high enough to direct people from a remote location....

 

She broke from her thoughts and apologized, "Apologies, thinking aloud of what I am going to need to get. Short answer, I'll work on your ship if you will have me, but I'm going to need to get my things first. It won't take long since I packed light for the mission."

 

Eteon said a quick thanks to Vayne before pocketing the chit. She would find a use for it later and after looking through the baubles shop had an idea of what might be good. If she couldn't find it here she could find it somewhere else, and if they were doing something related to Collectors they would be in the Terminus sooner than later... Smugglers there would have what she was looking for.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

(Note to Frank - Naleena doesn't know you - if you are interested you'll have to make yourself known)

 

Vayne came into view wearing more of a Krogan business attire rather than his armor, since armor is now considered a weapon. Vayne didn't look too happy. He looked quite frustrated. Eteon had just handled his situation, however, and he was getting ready to go about his business. He saw Naleena sitting in a seat next to wear Eteon had been sitting.

 

Naleena waved to get the old Krogan's attention to approach. She stood to at least come up to the Krogan's chin before she spoke. "Good to see you Vayne. Walk with me a bit. The Citadel seems to be like a police state since the geth attack a couple years ago. Now even omni-tools are considered weapons. This can be both good and bad. I think it's gone too far. People depend upon omni-tools for everything. The galactic economy runs with them. Enough small talk.

 

"Vayne, I'm putting together a team. The Council made me a Spectre. I am getting a ship in another standard day. We have a very important mission that is not unrelated to the one we were just on. Are you interested?"

[Cknarf]

Punch a Spectre in the face, become a spectre.  Makes sense to me. Frank shook his head.
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Eteon agreed to join the crew.  

"Vayne, I'm putting together a team. The Council made me a Spectre. I am getting a ship in another standard day. We have a very important mission that is not unrelated to the one we were just on. Are you interested?"

"I don't suppose you'd have room for an engineer..." Frank had followed them, and spoke up before Vayne had a chance to answer. It's not like the krogan wasn't up for it anyway.  "I was the one who repaired your shuttle aboard the Audron."  He extended his hand.  "Names Frank."

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne followed naleena, arching a brow to the asari as the two continued to walk. He let her talk in silence, waiting so she could get to the point, before he gave a bit of a sigh.

 

"Look Naleena, I...." He started, before frank stepped up to introduce himself. Vayne stared at frank, fave in a frown before it scrunched a bit, a laugh escaping his lips before he had a grin on his face. He had to admit, that had been pretty good timing.

 

"Man's the greatest engineer in the galaxy, according to him...." Vayne said as he crossed his arms, his smile fading a bit as he looked to naleena. "To answer your question, my interest is peaked, i'll give you that..." vayne began as he held up a finger, "First though, I'd like to know a few things. Mainly, what this mission you're on entails, and whether the council put you up to calling on me. No offense meant to you or your new position Naleena, I'm actually a bit shocked myself. But..." vayne said as he rubbed the back of his neck akwardly.

 

"Look, I came on this job to kill the collectors and stop them doing what they did to with the aspire. IT hadn't worked so well but I at least feel like I've made a bit of a difference on that front...I just don't want the council ordering you on some wild goose chase while those bugs terrorize the galaxy...I've had enough of that from them for a long while now." Vayne said bluntly, assuming naleena had seen his file and work for the council.

[Cainhurst Crow]

Essul brought his omitool up to the terminal, accessing its systems as he got to work downloading the codes. He stood silently as he watched the bar load up fully, smiling beneath his helmet as he the codes were finally copied to his omnitool. He sent a copy of the codes to his ship, where the case file was kept before covering his tracks, looking about the room.

 

"Exactly as planned..." He commented to himself, walking towards the grate as he heard the door open behind him. Essul turned to look, cazador already out and aiming when his entire vision and hearing went out with a massive bang, feeling himself slamming into the wall as he blinked.

 

'Flash and Concussion...son of a ******!' He thought before he felt himself get pulled rapidly, a sense of weightlessness to him as his blind and deaf state made him not know what the heck was even going on before he felt like he'd just been plunged into a ocean trench, crushed by gravitational pressure all around him as he fell to his hands and knees.

 

His eyesight and hearing was returning, he himself was feeling like crap as he was suddenly flipped over and pinned down. He looked left and right seeing armor clad individuals, blue and white in color as they looked to him behind full masked helmets, glowing blue lights of their optics giving them a whole surreal look.

 

"What in the seven hells..." Essul began before a foot slammed into his chest, looking up to see a turian standing over him with brownish colored carapace, A half a full face design in a white color and pale grey eyes peeed down at him, surrounded by a blue ethereal aura. He recognized the turian, he'd been the one from Jatha's office, the annoying punk who thought himself a full on special forces hottshot.

 

"You....a bitoic?" Essul said, at least knowing what had happened to him after he'd been flashed and slammed.

 

Vectivus looked down to essul and sneered, bringing a talon to tapped on his helmets faceplate, making a small scratching noise as he dragged it down the design.

 

"Congratulations...." The turian said as he motioned for his boys to help drag essul up into a sitting position, still trying to pin the batarian as essul looked up to the blue sun commander with utter disdain, hidden behind his helmet, "Your going to make us a bunch of ****** heroes."