We hadn't even managed to walk away from the Council chamber when a call from Councilor Tevos came to my Omni-tool, and I, sending my subordinates to the SSV Normandy, hurried to the Councilor's private office.
"Shepard..."
As soon as I entered the office and the doors closed behind me, the Councilor began the conversation.
"...I won't beat around the bush. I don't like that you are so closely connected with Aria T'Loak. She dared to call me before the session and demand that I confirm your candidacy for the Spectres, threatening to send her scum into the territory of the Asari Republics to have their fun there."
Anger was easily visible in the gaze and even the gestures of this Asari; however, it didn't scare me. She couldn't do anything to me, neither through her power nor personally. Her power was blocked by Aria T'Loak—not for nothing did she call her—and personally... well, I knew perfectly well that she had long since stopped training and currently lagged behind even the huntresses in skills. Yes, she had a lot of power, like any other elderly Asari, but power without skills doesn't really decide much in this case, simply because I have enough power too.
"Well, I have good friends."
I shrugged carelessly.
"Shepard, this is no joke. You've become a Spectre, and you've been attached to the Asari part of this corps. And now you report to me, and if I tell you to take out Aria T'Loak..."
"Then I'll tell you to shove it."
"How dare you speak to me like that?"
Tevos was clearly very displeased, but she held back her anger, although her eyes lit up with Biotic fire.
"I'm only saying that Aria T'Loak is the only force keeping the scum of the Terminus Systems more or less within bounds. And as soon as she disappears, they will immediately begin their Crusade against the 'law-abiding' parts of Citadel Space."
"Fine..."
Tevos composed herself in the time it took me to answer her. And now nothing could be read in her gaze.
"...I understand your point of view. Now, about your assignment, or rather that part of it which was not discussed in the open session. What can you say about the Reapers mentioned in the report?
"Nothing, except that the Asari acting with Saren Arterius believes in them, as does Saren Arterius himself."
"You can say something else..."
I was being drilled with a displeased gaze.
"You're right, I can. However, is it necessary?"
"I am a Councilor, and I must know everything. Because if there is some kind of threat..."
She didn't finish, and I sighed heavily.
"There is a threat, and the Asari have known about it for... about thirty years."
"Ah?"
"An Asari Maiden, an archaeologist, researches the Protheans, and about thirty years ago was her first publication, in which she mused that the Protheans disappeared too 'cleanly,' as if someone were diligently scrubbing away their traces. All found ruins are mostly bunkers with an extremely high degree of protection from detection, which were found only because the protection failed after such a vast amount of time."
"Hmm..."
Tevos frowned.
"In her publications, there are notes that some complexes look like clearly military objects that were mothballed and tried to be hidden from an enemy."
"Are you saying the Reapers destroyed the Protheans?"
"I am speculating."
"And why then is nothing known to us about them? Why don't they lead the Council?"
"Well, I speculate that they simply don't need to."
"Don't need to?"
"Yes."
I thought about how to convey the idea to Tevos without sounding like a lunatic.
"Well, I have a hypothesis that at the time of the war, the Protheans had something that was extremely necessary to the Reapers. Something for which they arrived from afar and, offended that it wasn't given to them, or perhaps seeing the Protheans as a threat to their future, they destroyed them, as well as the traces of their existence."
"And you want to say that Saren Arterius yearns to bring them back? Nonsense."
The last word was spoken as if it were a truth not subject to discussion.
"Well, perhaps he is trying to avoid the fate of the Protheans for his race and counts on the fact that in gratitude for his service they won't be destroyed. Or maybe there's some other reason we can't understand."
"I see..."
Tevos closed her eyes.
"...can I count on your loyalty? And that your connections with Aria T'Loak won't prevent you from performing the assigned tasks?"
"Well, it doesn't prevent other Spectres from working for more than just the Council."
I smirked, thereby showing that I knew significantly more than ninety percent of ordinary citizens.
"..."
Tevos drilled me with her gaze for several minutes.
"Fine, I understand your position. Furthermore, I must transfer the access codes to the Spectre depots to you; there you can find the latest weapons, armor, and generally everything you might need to complete the mission."
The Asari said this as if she had just announced that the weather on the Citadel was beautiful today.
"How many individuals can I equip? And what other information do I have access to?"
"Almost all data. Don't worry, if there's no access to something, the system simply won't let you see the data."
"I understand."
Nodding calmly, I waited for the Councilor to break the silence.
"Fine... you may go. And... if you contact Aria T'Loak, tell her she is an arrogant purple ass who should forget my number."
"Most certainly... however, I hope you understand that such a message will only egg her on and make her call more often."
Tevos narrowed her eyes.
"Out."
One word, and I realized that continuing the conversation with her right now wasn't worth it. If I said anything else, they might try to simply throw me out of the office, and I didn't need that.
"All the best, Councilor Tevos."
Nodding to her, I left the office and immediately used my omni-tool to contact Tali, who answered my call very quickly.
"Congratulations!"
Her voice sounded truly joyful.
"Thank you..."
"I am so happy for you! You have achieved incredible success! This is truly a great day for humanity!"
"Tali... Tali..."
I called her name several times to get her attention and make her listen to me.
"...I am grateful to you for such sincere emotions you're showing, however, I'm not calling you for no reason."
"Yes? Can I help with something?"
"Yes, I need a sentient on my ship who can extract data from the Geth upon encountering them. Do you know someone like that?"
"Well... yes..."
A hint of sadness appeared in the girl's voice.
"...there are several specialists in the Migrant Fleet who might suit you."
"Tali..."
A note of disapproval entered my voice.
"...if you don't understand hints, then I'll say it plainly. I am offering you to temporarily take the name Tali'Zorah vas Normandy."
"Ah?!"
Shock, lack of understanding, and disbelief—that's what I heard in her voice.
"Tali?"
"I... that is... were you talking about me?!"
"Yes. I am offering you to join the crew of my ship. You are an excellent specialist on the Geth and can help the landing party on missions, and during flights, you can help the technicians look after the ship. If, of course, you're interested?"
"Yes!"
Tali's voice sounded as if she was afraid I might change my mind.
"I agree!"
I allowed myself a smirk, though she couldn't see it, but it didn't matter. What mattered was that I would have such a technician in my crew—to hell with the technician, I could find a better one—I would have Tali in my crew, who even now would feel immense gratitude and a desire to somehow repay me for what I'm doing for her race.
"Excellent, then head to the ship; I'll go warn Jane now that you'll be arriving. And one more thing..."
My voice became serious, so that on Tali's end, all sounds vanished in an instant.
"...we have a very dangerous and complex task ahead of us, so I expect you not to be shy and to make a list of everything you need, both for landings and for keeping the ship in excellent condition. And naturally, for satisfying all personal needs."
"I... I have everything..."
"Tali..."
I cut off the girl, who was clearly about to refuse.
"...this is a captain's order. You MUST make a list of what's necessary. And if, when I return, I don't see personal items on the list besides the tools, weapons, and armor required for work, I will consider it an insult. Do you understand me?"
"Y-yes..."
Her voice was trembling... apparently, she was ready to burst into tears right now. Hopefully from happiness, as I didn't think I had insulted her. Of course, there might be some Quarian quirks involved, but there's nothing I can do about that. It's impossible to know everything.
"Good. I'll send you the ship's coordinates immediately after we finish talking."
"I... thank you."
The girl's quiet voice was my answer, after which the connection broke, and I immediately forwarded her a message with the location where the SSV Normandy was docked.
During this conversation, I was walking slowly toward the Spectre corps warehouses, thinking. Did I really need Garrus in the crew? And I had doubts about Wrex too. It wasn't that I didn't like them; in the game, they were... quite pleasant characters, it's just...
Shaking my head, I quickly dialed Garrus so I wouldn't change my mind.
"Listening, Mr. Shepard."
"Garrus Vakarian, this is Spectre Shepard speaking. I am offering you to join the team for a task the Council has set before me."
"Oh... to be honest, I didn't expect this..."
Garrus was clearly taken aback by my offer.
"...I'm flattered that you're making such an offer to me, but... I have a job and a duty to help my family. If your business concerned the Citadel, I would agree, and my sniper rifle would be at your disposal. However..."
"Do you have some kind of problem?"
"Yes..."
His voice sounded such that it became clear he didn't want to talk about it.
"And as I understand it, these problems are either solved or mitigated thanks to your salary at C-Sec?"
"Yes."
"Would it be arrogant of me to offer my help? My current status could allow for the resolution of many problems for which even a C-Sec representative wouldn't have enough money or influence."
"Ahem... that's... flattering..."
His voice sounded slightly embarrassed.
"...however, I don't think your status can change anything, at least not when it comes to rare and incurable diseases."
"Ahem..."
I thought for a couple of seconds, remembering that something like that was indeed mentioned in the canon.
"...well, if the disease is truly incurable, then there's indeed little I can do to help, however, as far as I know, one of the best clinics is located on the Citadel, which among other things deals with maintaining the health of patients for whom there is currently no cure. They develop individual therapy courses and..."
"I'm afraid even if my salary triples, I won't be able to afford that."
Garrus's voice sounded sad.
"Well, treatment in that clinic is indeed very expensive. However... You do realize the task ahead of us is extremely dangerous? And if you come with us, I am prepared to pay for the course of treatment in this clinic for whomever you designate."
"What?"
Shock and disbelief were heard in Garrus's voice.
"I'm saying I'm ready to pay for the full course, starting from supportive treatment and ending with the development of a therapy course that will allow the sentient to live, albeit with some restrictions, a long and perhaps even happy life."
"Shepard... don't joke like that..."
"I'm not joking. My corporation regularly engages in charity and spends simply incredible amounts of money on it. And I don't think the treatment sum the clinic quotes will make me hesitate for even a second about whether it's worth paying or not."
"I... agree..."
Gratitude and disbelief were heard in Garrus's voice. But he decided to trust me nonetheless. Interestingly, in the canon, he seemed to follow Shepard with ease, although... there they had adventures on the Citadel first, and here there were none...
"Excellent, then I need the patient's data—or rather, not me... I'll pass the order to my representative on the Citadel, and you send the patient's data to him. After that, pack up and head to the ship. And on the way, think about what equipment you might need to be most effective."
"Understood... Shepard..."
He pronounced the last word somewhat hesitantly.
"Yes?"
"Thank you. If you keep your word, you won't have a friend more loyal than me. And one more thing... C-Sec detained a certain Krogan... quite a well-known personality, and if he starts a ruckus, many sentients will suffer, and he'll be killed himself. Perhaps you'd be interested in talking to him. His name is Urdnot Wrex."
"Thank you for the information..."
The connection broke, and I finally reached the Spectre warehouses and, presenting my clearance, began to study them.
***
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